I acquired this book, the third installment, from the library. Now I was a bit apprehensive about reading this since the past two books were enjoyable but didn't exactly have me hooked, in the way I like to be into a story. But I had heard great fabulous reviews about this story, so I was looking forward to it. I am delighted to say that I LOVED it! It was the type of story that completely pulls you in from the first few pages. Of late I never know if I will be into a story or not, so I was glad that this one proved to be my favorite of the series and the author so far.
It begins with Miss Celia Seaton being kidnapped and robbed by a stranger, who takes everything except for a rattle (that is her most precious possession) and her shift, no clothes, or shoes. She finds herself stranded in the country and comes along another man who has been robbed himself, but who is suffering from a case of amnesia and is the one man she despises, for he ruined her in front of society, and because of him she is destitute. So she comes up with a quick plan, to tell him that they are engaged to be married, because she believes he deserves a bit of justice. So she decides to create a new "fishy" name for him, and as they endeavor to stay one step ahead of a man who is chasing them, a desire develops and they are both caught up in the heat of the moment. When Celia starts to soften toward Tarquin, he then regains his memory, and he is more than furious. They then head to his estate, where his aunt finds them in a compromising position and he claims that they will be married. So now Celia is engaged for "Real" and she doesn't know her true feelings about her future. At first she doesn't see a need for them to be married, but she realizes that she wants to share a life with Tarquin with whom she has started to love, despite fighting her feelings for him, she can't resist him.
Celia I found to be a very amusing heroine, I was laughing so much. I loved how audacious she was, especially when dealing with Tarquin. Celia is very willful and independent, but loves to tease and play jokes, especially on a man who ruined her. I liked how she doesn't let anything discourage her, and she ends up being a very endearing character. I enjoyed seeing how she dealt with each new scenario. Tarquin is very education and intellectual, and a bit of a "fop", but despite his obsession with clothing, I grew to like him more and more, with each different circumstance when dealing with Celia. I enjoyed seeing how they connected, and even when he learns the truth and regains his memory, he doesn't fully take it out on Celia. I admired him more for that. I loved the intimacy that slowly develops and it is more gradual, but it was fun seeing these two interact and get over their misconceptions about each other.
Overall I found the third installment to be a sensational read that takes you on a variety of adventure and sensuality that is bound to tie you in knots. I enjoy the different aspects that develop for the story, and its much more than a amnesia/revenge type story--that is only the beginning. It starts out that way of course, but turns into a quite suspenseful plot and ends up forcing the reader to be on edge at times. There was also just a smooth flow to the story, that made it easy to read and keep enjoying all the way through. The intimacy that develops between the characters are fun and sexy and I found this story to be a ball of fun and adventure!!! You definitely want to put this on your watch out for list! WELL DONE!!
Before he could stop himself, he reached for her, his hands closing over her shoulders as he pulled her close to press against his body. A startled sound escaped her lips before he covered them with his. He fell, hard and spiraling, into the wet, sweet wonder of her mouth. Miranda's mouth had powers the like of which he'd never known. Kissing Miranda felt like flying, like falling, like spinning out of control and never wishing to land.
Miranda Talbot, has recently become a widow, and she is finally starting to make a new life for herself. Miranda is the child of a father who was a criminal and sent to prison. Ever since she was a little girl, she has had to protect herself, and has no idea how to open herself up to affection and love. When she meets Mr. Worthington, there is a inner part of her that aches to be held and touched and kissed. When it becomes revealed that she has been seeing two Worthington men who look exactly alike, she feels used. It then becomes clear that both of them want to court her and win her hand. So she decides to go along with it, feeling as if she has nothing left to lose. When saving a woman from a experiment gone wrong that ends in a explosion, he is mystified, and only wants to know her more. At first he would like for her to be in his bed, but when he enters a competition with his twin brother, he decides he wants more than one night, he wants a life with Miranda. But will he be able to win Miranda's heart?
And Then Comes Marriage is the second in the Worthington series, that Celeste Bradley has created for us. I have known this author for quite some time. When I first started reading romances I was able to read Charmer, and I enjoyed it. So when this series came out, I knew I would love it. The first book was charming and fun and witty and so when I saw And Then Comes Marriage on the library shelf, I picked it up without looking at the blurb. I mean who can resist that cover anyway? So this story is a bit unique as far as Twins theme goes. There is a twist to it, and the way Bradley works it into the story line, is very fun yet has a serious tone to it. Usually I have some issues with the twin theme, but this one definitely surprised me, and quite delightfully too. It starts out a bit slower but once you get into a few chapters, it will picks up pace, and I read it in one evening, so I had a bit of fun with this book. One aspect I really liked was seeing more of the Worthington family, they are such a unique set of individuals, not your typical regency family. They can be wild and rambunctious, and tends to get quite involved in their siblings affairs. Yet there is a closeness and intimacy in this family that is addicting.
The main characters were very well done in this story. I grew to like them quite a bit. Castor, is quite a rake, and a scoundrel, but a inventor. He is intelligent, but craves the more carnal side of things. Castor is very dominant at times, and playful and silly at others. He is a enigma, has different sides to him, and I loved the complexity to his character. Miranda has never known real love or affection or respect. Since she was about seven years old, her father was sent to prison, and she was sent to live with a relative, that wasn't the most welcoming to her. Now she is a widow, having never even been kissed or known the taste of passion. I found I quite enjoyed Miranda as the heroine, and I understood her plight, and how she tries to give each brother a chance to woo her, and she definitely stands up for herself when its needed. I think she could have been a bit better developed but for the most part I felt a kinship to her.
Overall I grew to love the latest installment of the Worthington Family. A beautiful mix of sensuality, entertaining scenes, and a sweet love story that you can indulge in!! FULLY SATISFYING!!
As I was browsing through the books I had read on goodreads, I realized that I had never written a review for And Then He Kissed Her. And so I must share my thoughts on a wonderfully written romance that won my heart over years ago, and I believe I have read this book so many times that I might be due for a new copy, since the pages are starting to fall out!! hehe So let me share why this book is a must read for any romance reader.
It begins with our heroine, Emmeline, who is a writer and works for Harry Marlowe. She has a talent, and wants to share her ideas on etiquette, but her boss keeps turning the idea down. So she ups and quits, and decides to find someone else who will take on her etiquette pages. Harry doesn't believe that Emma's pages on etiquette will be useful to anyone, he believes they will be bored and he will just lose money there. So she works for his rival, and surprisingly become all the "rage" in London, and Harry is shocked that even his own family thinks that these pages are worth following as everyone else is doing. And thus begins a passion filled romance that will knock your socks off.
And oh boy, this story is well worth the read!! I remember the first time I picked up this book, and I couldn't put it down. And it doesn't matter how many times I pick it up, I always get plenty of laughs and giggles. The bantering play by play between Emma and Harry is contagious but what a great match they make for each other. They are both characters that have similar interests and desires. They are both talented writers and readers. Our heroine is a lovely character. We see a character growth, where she decides to go after her own dreams and desires. Our hero is pretty funny to be honest. I love the way he looks at life, in a very practical manner.
“No plovers no pigeons no snipe. No oysters mussels clams or whole lobsters. No artichokes no savories no cheese.” He paused for breath then went on “Nothing too rich nothing too highly seasoned. And never more than one glass of wine. Did I miss any no-noes ”
She sighed. “When it comes to my work I do wish you would be serious.”
“I am serious ” he assured her. “After reading this I understand why women have such tiny waists and go about fainting all the time. I thought it was corsets but no. You’re all hungry .”
Seeing these two come together in the end is simply marvelous. They might seem like opposites in some ways, but they really balance each other out in all the right ways. Their relationship just fits just right for this story. And the emotion that this author shows to the reader is heart wrenching. From beginning to end, the reader is swept away by Harry and Emma, the way they connect, and sizzle, the laughs and tears---PURE CHEMISTRY!!
Angel In A Devil's Arms is the second book in the "Palace of Rogues" series, and after the ending of book one " Lady Derring Takes A Lover" I was highly intrigued to read this one, since she gave us a teaser on the beginning meeting between our two protaganists: Lucien and Angelique. I will admit that in the first book I didn't know quite what to make of Angelique. There is quite a bit of mystery surrounding her in many respects, and it was this mysterious cloud that is hinted at that makes you want to know more of her. I am not sure why exactly it took me so long to pick up this book but I had completely forgotten of this release, it really just slipped my mind but when I saw the audio available at my local library, I just grabbed it instantly, knowing it was time to grab it up. I will say I am relieved that I did so, because it had the balance of what I was looking for.
Angel In A Devil's Arms places the reader back into the setting of the Palace of Rogues and this beautiful and elegant boarding house in the docks of London. We get to see the fun interactions between all of the guests but most especially we get drawn into the drama that is building between Lucien and Angelique. At first, our two protaganists don't care for each other, its more of a toleration mixed a bit with intrigue. But as they grow to unveil that mystery that surrounds each other, there seems to be a sense of intimacy that builds between Lucien and Angelique. Angelique is determined not to grow fond of Lucien, his charm is dangerous to her, because she has secrets and he could harm her and what they have built here with the boarding house. But she soon realizes that love is worth the risk, but will Lucien be her champion and partner?
“Is it something about me? Or do you feel as though you can treat all men as though what we feel is of no consequence?"
I have to say I had such a blast with this book, and I laughed my socks off. I had forgotten how witty this author's writing can be, and all that dry wit just had me smiling all the way through and it definitely was the book I needed to help lighten my heart. I found the romance between these two to be quite endearing. It has a sense of "enemies to lovers" but that light angst that exists between them isn't consistent all the way through. I really liked how the author implemented the healthy boundaries for a relationship by both the man and the woman, it showed a sense of equal fairness I was drawn to. I was also fascinated by the story behind the hero and trying to figure out who was behind the attempt on his life and a budding relationship with his younger half brother (who was adorbs)
But what surprised her most was the gratitude for everything, including all the heartbreaks, upheavals, betrayals she’d so far known. The wrong men had simply prepared her to recognize the right one. The seemingly wrong turns had led her precisely to where she wished to be.
I did find that overall this story offered the comfort and distraction that was desperately needed and it gave a lighthearted tone to a story that will leave the reader with a smile and aching for more!
The Angel In My Arms is the second book in the Regency Rogues Series. After enjoying the first one, I was very excited to get started on this story. The Angel In My Arms is where we get to know the rogue "Marcus". Marcus has recently become injured so his commanding officer sends him to his country home, to investigate the smuggling operation there and that it might be related to Napoleon. In the beginning Marcus is doubtful that there is any real mission, but when a young boy ends up murdered, he ends up being drawn into a plot much bigger than himself. Sarah has settled in her life, knowing she won't marry and is content with that. When she keeps encountering Marcus, the Earl of Weston, she doesn't want to give into the visible attraction that is between them. As she becomes his partner in discovering the secrets behind the smuggling operation, she learns that the love she has for Marcus is about to be tested, and in ways she could never imagine. Will their love hold true or falter?
The Angel In My Arms is a fascinating tale of espionage and thrills and mystery. I personally love a good mystery, especially when it surprises me. So I was going into this story not expecting such a thrill as I came out finishing from. I did feel like it started a bit slow and took a little while to pick up pace, but once it did boy did I fly through this story. Espionage is one of my all time favorite sub genres to the Regency Era genre. So I love something that definitely gets me at the edge of my seat. Especially in the later half of the book did it really pick up speed and I could barely keep up with my eyes reading the pages as fast I could turn them. The romance is medium well developed, I felt like there could have been more, but I am not one to complain about a good mystery that engages the reader. Overall I would say this would be a satisfying and engaging read with heart stopping moments to put your teeth at edge, and your emotions on high alert!! Be warned you are about to embark on a thrilling adventure in the countryside of Dorset, England.
