historical

Laiden’s Daughter by Suzan Tisdale

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Laiden's Daughter
Grade-C
Hotness Level-Ember
Kink Level-None
Series-Clan MacDougall #1
Reviewed by Kay

Duncan McEwan is a warrior, training to become a future Chieftain. He was never looking for love and never suspected he would find it in the hopeless and abused woman he and his friends find face down in a stream. Aishlinn, no last name, has never experienced kindness from a male. Not her stepfather, stepbrothers, or pretty much anyone else that should have cared for her. She escapes after years of repeated and horrific abuse only to end up face down in that creek.

Her rescue at Duncan’s hands is the start to a love story that will touch your heart. Not just the love but the scars each of them carry from their pasts both physically and emotionally. This novel started out so good but drug in the middle pretty badly for me. There are some plot twists and they leave the reader pretty satisfied with them I would say. What didn’t work for me honestly was the heat level. It was barely there and I am a big fan of heat. Sadly, her good writing and storytelling was penalized for me because of it. Enough that I won’t read any of the others. It makes me sad because anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Scottish Highlander romance!

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke by Samantha Grace

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke (Beau Monde #4)
Grade: B
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Beau Monde Bachelor #4
Reviewed by Kate

Before he died, Luke’s father entered into secret marriage negotiations with Vivian’s brother. Wait. That came across a bit more risque than I intended. The negotiations were to betroth Luke and Vivian. For Vivian, the marriage would provide an escape from her lonely life. Due to a scandal, her only other option would be the convent. Luke wants no part of his new role as a duke and marrying would just add more responsibilities. He plans on releasing her from the contract. Once he meets Vivian, he decides he can’t send such a vibrant person to waste away in a convent. Still not willing to marry her, the only noble thing left to do is facilitate a marriage between Vivian and another suitable gentleman. But Vivian has set her sights on Luke and Luke is finding it impossible to picture her with anyone else.

The book seemed to naturally divide into two parts for me The first half centers around Luke and Vivian accepting that they want each other. The second half covers all the obstacles that stand in their way. Vivian’s quasi-scandal. A blackguard out for revenge. A cousin enamored with Luke.

Vivian was an entertaining heroine who marched to her own beat whenever she thought no one was looking. Luke, a rare soul who saw the inner beauty of Vivian, was strong and caring and well…heroic. Despite the weaker second half, I liked the story a lot. It could have used a bit more sex, but what book couldn’t? I find myself hoping to hear more about Luke’s cousin Johanna in a future book.

Ten Reasons To Stay by Sabrina Jeffries

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Ten Reasons to Stay
Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Schools For Heiresses
Reviewed by Kay

This novella was previously published by Sabrina Jeffries. It will be re released on May 6, 2013.
This is the story of one of the heiresses from the school, Eliza Crenshawe. She was picked up from the school by her uncle under false pretenses. He takes her home and says he is going to marry her off to his friend.

Colin Hunt, an earl, has just arrived at his newly inherited estate. He sees a boy sneaking into his stables. This worries him because he has a lot of impressive horseflesh. He confronts the boy only to find out it’s a girl. The girl is trying to make it back to her school to escape a forced marriage.

Colin and Eliza are precious together. Eliza as she fights for her dignity, virtue and survival, all by herself. And Colin as he fights for acceptance because he’s a foreigner and he fights the demons of his past.

This is a great, short read. I loved every second of it. I’m a big fan of Sabrina Jeffries, so this just solidified that for me. It was moving, tender and hot. Three things I just adore. And when he counts the ten reasons she should stay….sigh.