inferno

Caine’s Reckoning by Sarah McCarty

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

1191459
Grade: A-
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Hell’s Eight #1
Published: 11/1/07
Reviewed by Kate
474  pages

When Caine and his buddies ride in a rescue some women who have been kidnapped, Desi is the only one fighting the kidnappers.  And she’s the only one who doesn’t want to be returned to town.  She doesn’t want to return to her life as a sex slave.  When the reverend calls in a favor, Caine marries Desi and takes her back to his home.  But is there a way that Desi can recover from her violent past and become the wife that she wants to be for Caine?

This one has got that marriage of convenience trope that I adore, but with a kick.  Caine doesn’t really want to marry Desi, but he owes the reverend a favor and he’s a man of his word.  Plus he doesn’t feel he can really return Desi to the life she was living.  Desi is so strong.  Life hasn’t broken her.  It only seems to have made her stronger.  But there’s a fragility under her fighting surface and Caine is the one who finally allows her to start healing.

I have re-read this one more times than I can count.  There’s just something about this one that reaches out and won’t let me go.  There’s obviously quite a bit of drama dealing with Desi’s past, so if you’re looking for a light hearted, low conflict historical this isn’t it.  However, I would strongly recommend it to any fans of historicals with a bit of edge to them.

Castaway Dreams by Darlene Marshall

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

13610529

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Published: 5/6/12
Reviewed by Kate
324  pages

Surgeon Alexander Murray and socialite Daphne Farnham are passengers aboard a ship heading for England.  Alexander is serious man, never seen to smile.  Daphne is constantly smiling and giggling, her head filled with fluff.  While Alexander has a hard time tolerating her, he finds himself attracted to her all the same.  Realizing the vast difference in their social positions, Alexander is determined not to let himself act on his desires.  But when a storm strands the pair on a deserted island, he discovers there’s more to Daphne than meets the eye.

Daphne’s character is hilarious.  And like Alexander, we quickly discover that there are many layers to her.  She’s not just the silly girl that she first appears to be.  And Daphne’s relationship with Alexander is just perfect.  Softening his harsher edges, they seem to be the perfect pair.

This is a re-read for me.  I’ve also read Sea Change by Darlene Marshall, which is loosely related to this one, but this one can completely stand alone.  Pirates, shipwrecks, and little fluffy dogs.  This one is the perfect historical read for anyone who likes a little sea faring with their romance.

Falling for Her Husband by Karen Erickson

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

22401706
Grade: C
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: The Renaldis #3
Published: 7/22/14
Reviewed by Kate
172 pages

Vince, a rich Italian, and Amber, an up and coming super model, fell hard and fast for each other.  But despite being married, their jobs are pulling them apart.  When Vince decides it’s time to make a change so they can spend more time together, he discovers Amber is leaning toward divorce.  But an argument on a New York sidewalk leads to Amber being hit by a car and losing a few months of her memory…including any talk of divorce.

While predictable, this one kept me turning pages.  I loved Vince’s dedication to this marriage.  When Amber can’t remember what happened before her accident, Vince decides not to tell her that she had been thinking about divorce.  He’s committed to fixing their relationship and doesn’t want to bring any negative feelings into Amber’s recovery.  I will say, while I understood his motivation for not telling her, I really got tired of all his inner turmoil about not being honest with her.

I didn’t click with Amber’s character like I would have liked to.  There were things I felt she gave up too easily and things I thought she held on to too tightly.  But when she was together with Vince, he seemed to balance her out a bit.

I would recommend this one to anyone who likes low conflict husband/wife romances.