Under the MoonLight Book Blog: Historical Romance

The Virgin and the Viscount

by Charis Michaels

Series: The Bachelor Lords of London (#2)

Published by: Avon Impulse

July 5th, 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Mass-Market Paperback

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

The Virgin

Lady Elisabeth Hamilton-Baythes has a painful secret. At fifteen, she was abducted by highwaymen and sold to a brothel. But two days later, she was rescued by a young lord, a man she’s never forgotten. Now, she’s devoted herself to save other innocents from a similar fate.

The Viscount

Bryson Courtland, Viscount Rainsleigh, never breaks the rules. Well, once, but that was a long time ago. He’s finally escaped his unhappy past to become one of the wealthiest noblemen in Britain. The last thing he needs to complete his ideal life? A perfectly proper wife.

The Unraveling

When Bryson and Elisabeth meet, he sees only a flawless candidate for his future wife. But a distant memory calls to him every time he’s with her. Elisabeth knows she’s not the wife Bryson needs, and he is the only person who has the power to reveal her secret. But neither can resist the devastating pull of attraction, and as the truth comes to light, they must discover that an improper love is the truest of all.

Lord Rainsleigh and Lady Elizabeth met when they were young and Elizabeth virginity was going to be sold to Brayson's father. Before Bryson and his dad, uncle, and cousin make it to the brothel one of the other whores helps Elizabeth switch rooms. Bryson didn't want to be there and so he escapes and takes Elizabeth with him. Years later they meet again but Rainsleigh doesn't remember her.

From the very beginning, I was hooked with what was happening with Elizabeth and Brayson. I found it very nerve-wracking and later on exiting both times they "met for the first time".

I found myself cheering both of these characters on and wanting them to be together. I also got mad at Rainsleigh for his attitude and him wanting to always be in control. I felt so much hurt for the pasts of both Elizabeth and Bryson that I couldn't wait for them to be happy.

There were some things that annoyed me and some things I could have done without (especially towards the end) but I enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone that like historical romance.

January 19, 2019 No comments

Brave New Earl

by Jane Ashford

Series: The Way to a Lord's Heart (#1)

Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca

August 7th, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eARC

Source: Publisher (via NetGalley)

Rating: 3 Stars

An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman...

Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.

Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin's late Countess, and can't bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.

Jean's sudden eruption into the Earl's household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home―and his aching heart...

Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via Hidden Gems Books for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

I was in a reading slump recently and that might be influencing my review but I found the beginning of this book rather on the slow side.

Lord Furness lost his wife in childbirth and has been mourning since then not caring for the state of his household or that of his son. Miss Saunders hears rumors from a reliable source that he is neglecting his son and she rushes to take the child away from his father and onto the child's grandparents.

From there is a series of everyday social situations that are charming and cute and you just want to know what is behind the characters motivations.

The second half of the book (when I got out of my slump) was all that I could have asked for. We get deeper into the lives of Lord Marklin (Lord Furness uncle), Lord Furness, Jean, and even Tom (Lord Furness son's unofficial caretaker).

I loved Geoffrey, he seemed like a very intelligent child and sometimes you forget that he is only four or five years old. And his antics! I was laughing my ass off.

I will be trying her next book on this series to see if it was just me or the actual book that was the problem since I am curious about Lord Macklin and all the other lords on that dinner.

September 28, 2018 No comments

Grace's Mail Order Husband

by Kate Whitsby

Series: Texas Prairie Brides (#1)
Published by: Gold Crown Press
November 14th, 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library Loan
Rating: 2 Stars

Grace Montgomery works as a maid at the Double A Ranch in the far north Texas Panhandle. Her life would be happy if not for Florence Abbot, the daughter of Acton Abbot, the wealthy ranch owner. Does Florence really take a special delight in tormenting Grace, or does it only appear that way? The haughty and spoiled prairie princess drives Grace to distraction with her constant complaints and demands. Grace's only friend is Abigail Doering, who rents a cottage on the ranch and gives piano lessons to the pampered Florence and other students from the nearby town of Borger.

Grace's life flies into a whirlwind of chaos, however, when she arranges to marry a mail-order husband. Florence can't stand the idea of Grace getting married when she doesn't even have any prospects. The sons of other wealthy ranchers, whom her father considers worthy matches for her, won't have anything to do with her. They all know her reputation for being demanding and impossible to please.

The worst part, though, comes when Florence finds out that Grace's mail-order groom is none other than Bad Bill Bailey, the notorious gunslinger and accused murderer. Did old Mr. Abbot really give him the job of horse breaker on the ranch, to move in and marry Grace? Florence sets her mind to foil their wedding plans, and to see Bill Bailey put away for good. Will Grace find happiness in this tempest of personalities? Is her new husband really a dangerous outlaw, or is Florence mistaken about his past and his future on the ranch? Will Florence destroy Grace's only chance for love, or will Grace prove everyone wrong by claiming her right to happiness?

I was looking for cowboy reads for a reading challenge and I found this set of books on the digital library (hoopla for those curious people, which I highly recommend) and decided to give it a try. Now mind you I read a lot of "mommy porn" but that doesn't mean I haven't read books that are "clean" romance. I like any kind of read as long as it is well written.

Problem one with this book is that it had too much going on for such a short story. I would have liked it if the author had taken a little more time on the world building and also if she had built on tension. The characters meet that one day the book starts in, get married and the book ends the next day.

Problem number two, Florence. She was such a shallow ungrateful lady. She treated Grace like dirt for no apparent reason and then she threw her out of her house without an explanation.

Next problem is that the book was so predictable it made it unenjoyable since it was such a short read. Add to that the fact that I didn't like the narrator and you have a bomb of a mess in my book.

Like I've mentioned I don't mind the "clean" romance books (I read YA books that have no"porn" in them and I've enjoyed them) but this one was a no-go for me.

July 18, 2018 No comments

A Most Scandalous Proposal

by Ashlyn MacNamara

Series: A Most Series (#1)

Published by: Tantor Media Inc.

February 26th, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library Loan

Rating: 4 Stars

After watching her beloved sister Sophia pine over the ton’s Golden Boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has foresworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly-named Earl of Clivesden…the man of Sophia’s dreams.

Since resigning his Cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has set Julia in his sights, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man’s advances—only to discover more than friendship driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when she refuses him and her father announces her betrothal, he fears he’s lost her forever—until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society…

…and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures.

I liked so many things about this book but since it was an audiobook let me start with that. I loved Veida Dehmlow and how she did the different character voices. I also thought as soon as she started narrating that she had the perfect voice for this type of books. She sounds like she lived in the times the books are set in. I just loved everything about that and I will definitively add her to my very short list of narrators I like.

Next, I'll mention that I loved the fact that we had the main story of Julia and Benedict and then we get a "short story" integrated into the main tale about Sophia and Highgate. I like this fact because I didn't want Sophia to suffer because of not having the man of her dreams.

Lastly, I'll talk about Benedict and Julia's story. I find that a book that is friends to lovers has to be well crafted because more often than not the authors start the book with the friendship going strong and as it transitions to something more either the friendship is gone or the friendship is too strong and you can't see the characters as something else but friends. This book didn't have that problem and I was able to see Benedict and Julia's friendship blossom and become something more at the same time the friendship was there on the background although not overwhelming the romance.

I was also a bit sad that Julia and Sophia's mother was such a vain person although we see throughout the book that she's not a bad person, just a victim of the circumstances of her birth and what the Ton thought was a proper lady and such.

I will be reading the next installment of this series for sure.

June 03, 2018 No comments

Mistress of Scandal

by Sara Bennett
Series: Greentree Sisters (#3)
Published by: Avon Books
March 27th, 2007
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 Stars

Proper, reserved Francesca detests chaotic London and one of its most infamous inhabitants: her birth mother, the notorious courtesan Madame Aphrodite. Lovingly raised by the devoted Lady Greentree, she's content to remain in Yorkshire, far from the scandalous parent whose life and profession shock . . . yet intrigue her. But a dark, dangerous stranger she rescues on the moors is awakening a most improper desire—causing Francesca to question whether she is more her mother's daughter than she ever wished to be.

When Sebastian Thorne agrees to protect Aphrodite's estranged daughter from a dire threat emerging from her past, the fallen lord is unexpectedly seduced by Francesca's beauty. But a vigilante living on the shadowy edge of society has little hope to own such a prize—and unless he reclaims his abandoned title and lost honor, Sebastian will never get close enough to the bewitching lady to save her life . . . or win her passion.

I loved this book so much. It is yet again proof of why I love this genre so much. I didn't know it was the third book in a trilogy but that didn't matter. It stands alone by itself although I'll be definitively reading the first two books.

In this book, we have Miss Francesca Greentree, the youngest daughter of Aphrodite, a courtesan. When she was just but a child, Francesca and her two older sisters were kidnapped and it wasn't until many years later that they found out who their real mother was.

Then we have Mr. Sebastian Thorn who is running from the past because he didn't like the person he was back then.

Francesca’s real mother hires Mr. Thorn to figure out or I should say confirm her suspicion as to who kidnaped her daughters. He is warned that he will be in danger if he takes the job and so Sebastian meets Francesca after an attempt to end his life. The closer he gets to uncovering the truth the more danger he is in and by extension Francesca.

Ms. Bennett had me at the edge of my seat trying to figure out everything and as more and more details came out I just needed to keep reading to confirm I made the right assumptions. The dynamic between Aphrodite and Francesca was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved how this story was presented and it was something a little different since this book makes reference to the fact that gas lighting was starting to make an appearance at the time.

Like I mentioned I can’t wait to read the first two books on this trilogy and I might have found another to go author for this genre.

May 19, 2018 No comments

May 13, 2018 No comments

The Lost Duke of Wyndham

by Julia Quinn

Series: The Two Dukes of Wyndham (#1)

Published by: Avon Books

May 27th, 2008

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Mass-Market Paperback

Source: Gift from Friend

Rating: 5 Stars

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...

For the past five years, Grace has been the companion to the dower dutchess of Wyndham and she is apparently the only one that can deal with the old lady and not run for the hills. When coming back from a ball they are stopped by highwaymen to be robbed and the old dutchess starts acting a bit crazy since one of the men looks like her dead son (or at least what she can see of him since he's wearing a half mask).

Jack is a carefree man that has many secrets but always has a smile on his face no matter the problems he faces. He is charming and a rogue and he wastes no time in trying to seduce Grace at every turn.

I love Grace and Jack. Both of them have tragedy in their pasts that puts them in the circumstances they find their selves in but at the same time they have a childhood full of love and caring family. Jack is a terrible flirt and I like that he has a warped sense of humor.

From beginning to end this book is a fun, enchanting read that left me glued to the pages even when the ending was so glaringly obvious. I can't wait to read Thoma's book since there where a couple of scenes I'm curious about that I hope are told in his book (since both books are kind of on the same timeline).

April 22, 2018 No comments

Big Bad Wolf

by Linda Jones

Series: A Faerie Tale Romance (#2)

Published by: Love Spell

February 27th, 1997

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Source: Gift

Rating: 4 Stars

MY, WHAT BIG SHOULDERS HE HAD ...

Big and wide and strong, Wolf Trevelyan's shoulders were just right for his powerful physique --- just right to hold a girl. And Molly Kincaid wondered what his arms would feel like wrapped tight around her.

AND A WICKED SMILE ...

Molly knew she should have been scared of the dark stranger when he confronted her on her shortcut through the Maine woods. She had been warned of Wolf's questionable past and sinister ways.

LIPS THE BETTER TO KISS HER WITH ...

But there was something compelling in his gaze, something tantalizing in his touch --- something about Wolf that left Molly willing to throw caution, and her grandmother's concerns, to the wind to see if love wouldn't find the best way home.

I love what Linda Jones has done with all this fairy tale retelling mixed with historical romance. Two of my favorite things together. The retelling of children books with an adult twist and my favorite genre, historical romance.

Molly is on her way to visit her sick grandmother when she comes across a stranger that steps out of the woods. She is drawn to this stranger and feels no fear even when she realizes is Wolf Trevelyan, a man that has a dark past and who no one wants near their innocent female women.

Wolf feels this inexplicable pull to Molly and he needs to have her no matter the cost. What he can't explain is why she doesn't behave like any other woman he knows and why he can't buy her into her bed. Everyone has a price, he just needs to find hers.

I fell in love with this book since the first encounter between Molly and Wolf. The way Wolf was puzzled by Molly, the way Molly treated him in spite of the rumors, the way Wolf kept trying to look for an explanation as to why Molly was different, and the way Molly followed her instincts instead of what people said.

Even their time in New York at which point the story deviated from the Red Ridinghood story was fascinating and engaging and infuriating and so many more things that capture my attention and hold it firmly. I will, of course, be reading more of this stories the next one being Someone's Been Sleeping In My Bed since I was gifted that book too.

April 10, 2018 No comments

Wyoming Bride

by Joan Johnston

Series: Mail-Order Brides (#2)

Published by: Dell

January 1st, 2013

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: eBook

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

CAN SECRETS AND SECOND CHOICES EVER LEAD TO LOVE?

After three months in a mail-order marriage, Hannah Wentworth McMurtry is a widow--pregnant, alone, and near death in the Wyoming wilderness. Though she is saved by a man with a face cut from stone, she still grieves the husband who died on their journey west. Hannah needs a husband, but does she dare marry another stranger?

Flint Creed has also lost someone he loved--when the woman he hoped to marry chose his younger brother instead. Now he must find a ranch wife of his own. But every female in the remote Wyoming Territory is too old, too young, or already married... until he discovers Hannah on the prairie. Flint doesn't pretend to love her, but he doesn't tell her he loves another woman, either. Hannah doesn't pretend to love him, but she doesn't tell him about the child she carries. Though danger surrounds them on the Wyoming frontier, the greatest threats of all are the secrets within--revelations that could destroy the new life Hannah and Flint have begun to cherish.

What I liked about this book is that it is not your traditional Historical Romance where you have a lady or a debutante trying to either avoid scandal, a man or plain and simple has given up on ever finding a man of her own.

Hannah has married a man that has promised to take her sisters with them so they can leave the awful orphanage they have been leaving in and being mistreated on. Their older sister left with their two little brothers in the first book and they are tired of wondering what happened with their sister and if she'll ever come for them.

On the way to Cheyenne, Wyoming her husband dies of cholera leaving her and her sisters to fend for themselves. After an attack from Sioux Indians, she is separated from her sisters and near death when Flint finds her.

From this point on it a roller coaster of secrets, lies and emotional scars that leave not just this two with a lot of thinking to do but Flint's brother Ransom and his fiance Emaline too. We get this side story that is just the perfect amount of distraction for all the time that goes in between (sometimes months) without letting you feeling like you lost something in the telling.

I will definitively be adding a couple of Ms. Johnston's book to my growing TBR pile.

February 09, 2018 No comments

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