Historical Review: Seduction (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Seduction" the 1st book in her The Spymaster's Men series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

Dominic Paget, the earl of Bedford, will do anything to resume spying upon Britain's enemies. Badly wounded, he is put will do anything in the care of a beautiful gentlewoman, Julianne Greystone, only to discover that her sympathies lie with his enemies. Yet he can't help but seduce the woman who saved his life — hoping she never learns of his betrayal.

Julianne is captivated by the wounded stranger she believes is a revolutionary hero. Until she discovers the truth … her "hero" is the privileged earl of Bedford. Devastated and determined to forget him, Julianne travels to London. But when she finds herself in danger, it is Bedford who comes to the rescue. Now Julianne must navigate the intrigues of a perilous city, the wild yearnings of her own heart and the explosion of their passion.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books; Original edition (January 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373776551
ISBN-13: 978-0373776559

My Review:


During 1793 near Brest, France someone tries to assassinate Dominic Paget.  Lucas Greystone realizes the assassin knew Dominic was a spy and his brother Captain Jack Greystone knowing the man would be dead before reaching London takes the severely wounded Earl across the Channel to his family estate in Penzance, Cornwall.

At her family estate, Julianne Greystone helps Dominic recuperate from his near fatal wounds. She believes the French Revolution is a great thing for the masses and she also thinks her patient is the heroic freedom fighter Charles Maurice. Dominic seduces Julianne even though he knows he should not treat her as he does. As they fall in love, Juliana learns of his duplicity and tells him to leave. However, she is arrested for treason and brought to the Tower to await punishment. Only Dominic, risking his life, can save her.

I really enjoyed the history part of the book and it was well written and the pacing was just right.  I really liked Dom though he did make an abrupt and fast turnaround at the end which wasn't very convincing.

Julianne sure made one mistake after the other and was very naive though she was suppose to be well educated and independent.

3/5

Historical Review: After Innocence [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "After Innocence" the 2nd book in her Delanza series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

Estranged from society, wealthy and beautiful artist Sofie O'Neil finds solace in her private world, She longs just once to taste a forbidden love -- to follow the dangerous diamond muggler Edward Delanza to paradise. But Edward wants far more from the innocent young heiress than a brief and passing encounter. For he is determined to heal her and possess her -- now ... and for all time.

About the Author

Brenda Joyce is the bestselling, award-winning author of Promise of the Rose,Scandalous Love and The Fires of Paradise. All nine of her historical romances have been highly acclaimed, and four of them, including the first three novels in the "Bragg" saga Innpocent Fire, Firestorm, and Violet Fire have won six awards from Romantic Times and Affaire de Coeur. She has also won three industry awards for her trendsetting promotional bookmarks from Affaire de Coeur. Brenda Joyce is currently working on her next novel.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0380775727
ISBN-13: 978-0380775729

My Review:

This book is about the romance between Edward Delanza and Sophie O'Neil.

Edward is known for his diamonds.  In New York City in the late 1800's Edward is a playboy who loves women and they love him back.  He loves to show his wealth and is a bit selfish but it's okay because underneath his exterior he is an honorable and trustworthy man.  While at a socialist party on the beach Edward first spies Sophie watching him with his current mistress and this gets him excited.  He is curious about the pretty face he saw spying on him and his mistress through the forest leaves.

Sophie is a very talented young artist who is attending her socialite mother's Suzanne's weekend party which she has no interest in.  Her mother wants her to be seen more in society and she truly believes Sophie to be a cripple and would not attract the attentions of an acceptable man for marriage.  She believes this to be very true and makes sure that Sophie believes it too.  Sophie is determined to live a life in solitude with her love of art and she has a successful career in selling her paintings.  She won't be hurting for money since she has a sizeable trust fund from her dead father but she wants to be free from her mother.  When Sophie takes a breather from the party by going to the beach to sketch she happens to see a very handsome and vile man with his current mistress (her neighbor) in the trees she becomes fascinated by him.  

When Edward returns to the party he spies Sophie across the room and he meets her acquaintance.   He doesn't realize she walks with a limp and she believes his interest will wane when he discovers this.  But it doesn't and he realizes the hold Suzanne has on Sophie and he is determined to break that hold.  He decides to become her friend and make her realize she is beautiful and talent young artist with a minor disability. 

Edward and Sophie become friends and he helps her sell her first painting to a famous art dealer.  Edward becomes her inspiration and he notices he is the subject of most of her paintings.  Soon he discovers that Sophie has fallen in love with him and he sees her as a beautiful and talented young women.  He denies his strong attraction to her because he's not a man to settle down with a wife and kids due to his parent's divorce.  Sophie knows that Edward isn't the type of man to settle down but she wants to experience love.  Their relationship turns into something more and a misunderstanding erupts between them.  As a result, Sophie runs and it leaves Edward confused, lonely and angry.

He follows her to Paris when he finds out she is pregnant with his baby and makes her move in his hotel room.  He has work cut out to prove that he loves her because she believes he just wants the baby.

There is also the romance between Sophie's parents Jake and Suzanne.  I wish we could see more of how their marriage life was (I know it wasn't the best of times).  Suzanne was a very spoiled and selfish girl when we first meet her and the back story when she first meets Jake.  Now she is a very selfish awful mother who doesn't support her daughter's career and keeps telling her no man would be interested in her.  She blamed Jake for their marriage failure but she's the one who ruined it by having affairs.

5/5

Books in the Delanza series:

1.  Secrets
2.  After Innocence
3.  A Gift of Joy (Anthology)
4.  Five Golden Rings (Anthology)

Historical Review: A Dangerous Love (de Warenne Dynasty) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "A Dangerous Love" the book in her de Warenne Dynasty series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

A Dangerous OBSESSION Torn from his Romany mother's arms as a small boy, Viscount Emilian St. Xavier has spent a lifetime ignoring the whispers of gypsy that follow him everywhere. A nobleman with wealth, power and privilege, he does not care what the gadjos think. But when the Romany come to Derbyshire with news of his mother's murder at the hands of a mob, his world implodes. And Ariella de Warenne is the perfect object for his lust and revenge .…

A Dangerous PASSION Ariella de Warenne's heritage assures her a place in proper society, though as a radical and independent thinker she scorns her peers' frivolous pursuits in the Ton, fashion and marriage. Until a Roma camp arrives at Rose Hill, and she finds herself drawn to their charismatic leader, Emilian. Even when he warns her away, threatening that he intends to seduce and destroy her, she cannot refuse him. For Ariella is just as determined to fight for their dangerous love …

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (April 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373772750
ISBN-13: 978-0373772759

My Review:

Viscount Emilian St. Xavier was taken from his gypsy mom to live with his father an English Lord at an early age which has resulted in him hating all gadjos (non-gypsy) with a passion.  He was taken to his father to learn about the aristocracy and to take his place as his father's heir.  He can't decide if he's half gypsy or half English which makes him confused of what he is or who he wants to be.

When his gypsy family decide to settle on land he gets a calling to join them and leaves his estate and his business dealings to visit his mother's grave in Scotland.  They have settled on Cliff de Warenne's land and when Cliff's daughter Ariella sees/meets Emil she is intensely attracted to the dark and mysterious gypsy.  Emil decides to use Ariella to avenge his mother's death caused by the gadjos.

Ariella is a studious, smart and very interested in other cultures and traveling to other lands.  When she meets Emil she believes it's true love and that doesn't stop her from throwing herself at him.  He uses her for sex and she is still fascinated by him.

Emil is a rude, obnoxious, immature and full of hate and loathing.  He had remorse at first for using Ariella for sex to revenge his mother's death.

3/5

Historical Review: Deadly Vows (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Deadly Vows" the 9th and last book in her Francesca Cahill/Deadly series by Brenda Joyce.


Product Description

On the morning of her wedding to Calder Hart, amateur sleuth Francesca Cahill is lured away to a private viewing of a portrait that could destroy her entire family: the nude Hart commissioned of her. Her desperate quest to recover the scandalous portrait leads her into a dangerous trap with no way to escape — until it's too late. And when Francesca finally arrives at the church, it's vacant. She has unintentionally jilted Hart at the altar.

When Hart tells her their estrangement is for the best, Francesca is devastated. With a blackmailer intent on destroying her reputation, Francesca turns to Rick Bragg, the city's powerful police commissioner. Together they scour the sordid streets of lower Manhattan, following a deliberately laid trail of clues in a race against the clock. And once it becomes clear that Bragg's marriage is failing, Francesca must war with her feelings for him, battle Hart's jealousy and escape a killer — all as she fights to win Hart back. But sometimes, passion just cannot be denied ….

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373775512
ISBN-13: 978-0373775514

My Review:

This book takes place three weeks since the ending of Deadly Kisses ends.  It's 21 years old Francesca's and Hart's wedding day and she receives some shocking news.  It leads her on a search for her missing portrait and now she is a race against time to find out who is responsible in trying to ruin her reputation and to make sure she's at the church at 4:00 PM to marry Hart.  But of course someone traps her in and she misses her wedding.  Hart thinks she intentionally changed her mind and didn't show up so he's hurt but won't admit it. 

Wow in this book we see more of Calder's violent temper, his jealously and his insecurity.  It seems like he took at 360 degree in this book with his personality.

I feel very sorry for Rick's wife Leigh Anne because it seems like she is declining more and more emotionally and physically.

Evan's ex-mistress Bartolla Benevente shows even more of her wickedly true colors and the answer to if sheis really pregnant with Evan's baby is revealed.

Maggie Kennedy and Evan become even closer and they share some kisses and things are definately heating up between them.  Really like how the Kennedy clan really support and love each other.  I also really love how Evan is great with Maggie's kids and they all seem to adore him too.


4/5

Other Books in Series:

1. Deadly Love 
2. Deadly Pleasure 
3. Deadly Affairs 
4. Deadly Desire 
5. Deadly Caress 
6. Deadly Promise 
7. Deadly Illusions 
8. Deadly Kisses 

The Prize (De Warenne Dynasty) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "The Prize" the first book in her De Warenne series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

Vengeance ruled his days . . . and nights

An infamous sea captain of the British Royal Navy, Devlin O'Neill is consumed with the need to destroy the man who brutally murdered his father. Having nearly ruined the Earl of Eastleigh financially, he is waiting for his moment to strike the final blow. And it comes in the form of a spirited young American woman, the earl's niece, who is about to set his cold, calculating world on fire.

Pride inflamed her spirit

Born and raised on a tobacco plantation, Virginia Hughes is determined to rebuild her beloved Sweet Briar. Daringly, she sails to England alone, hoping to convince her uncle to lend her the funds. Instead, she finds herself ruthlessly kidnapped by the notorious Devlin O'Neill. As his hostage, she will soon find her best laid plans thwarted by a passion that could seal their fates forever.

Love conquered them both

Against the backdrop of a turbulent war between England and America, Devlin and Virginia are torn apart by duty, pride and honor. Their private battle is one that Virginia must win-for at stake is Devlin's heart. But as the war rages ever closer to Sweet Briar, each must make the ultimate sacrifice-and surrender to the healing power of their consuming love. --

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 592 pages
Publisher: HQN Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373773633
ISBN-13: 978-0373773633

My Review:
 
Devlin witnessed the cruel death of his dad when he was 10 yrs old along with his 7 yr old brother Sean which has scarred him for life.  All he wants is revenge against the man who killed his dad by ruining his family.  He would do anything at any cost to obtain that goal and an opportunity arraises!  He is as cold-hearted as the Earl.  Devlin is sleeping with the Earl's young wife basically takes everything he owns from him.

Virginia is on her way to meet her uncle to save Sweet Briar when Devlin kidnaps her and plans to use her as ransom.  But her uncle doesn't care about her and says so.  Virginia falls in love with Devlin but tries to reason with him that he shouldn't take his revenge so seriously.
 
You can see the steam and feel the heat between them.  The love scenes were well written but not too graphic!
 
4/5

An Impossible Attraction (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "An Impossible Attraction" a book in her de Warenne series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

With her mother's passing, Alexandra Bolton gave up on love to take care of her family. Now, with the Bolton name in disgrace due to her father's profligate ways, marrying an elderly squire might be the only way to save her family from absolute ruin. But when she meets the infamous Duke of Clarewood, old dreams —and old passions — are awakened as never before. Yet she cannot accept his shocking proposition!

He is the wealthiest, most powerful peer in the realm, and having witnessed the cold horror of marriage as a child, he has vowed never to wed. But Alexandra Bolton inflames him as no woman has ever done, and she also serves him his first rejection! Now Clarewood — who always gets what he wants — will choose which rules to play by. But when passion finally brings them together, a terrible secret threatens to tear them apart….

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (February 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373774605
ISBN-13: 978-0373774609

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this latest book in her de Warenne novels series!

Alexandra Bolton is a great heroine because she promised her mom she would take care of the family (her two younger sisters and father who's a drunk), she worked late at night and didn't get much sleep mending people's clothes.
5/5

Dark Lover (The Masters of Time) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've just finished reading "Dark Lover" the last book in the Rose trilogy and the 5th book in her Masters of Time series by Brenda Joyce.

Product Description

Ian Maclean's arrogance hides a terrible secret—for decades he was held prisoner by demons. Not a day goes by that he isn't tormented by his darkest fears of powerlessness. Now he is about to sell to the highest bidder a page he's stolen from the Book of Power—if one woman doesn't stop him.

Slayer Samantha Rose's latest mission is to recover the stolen page—and get payback from the only man who's ever rejected her. What she hasn't counted on is the raging attraction between them—or her growing realization of what Maclean has survived. As the powers of the evil from his past gather, Sam will do anything to help him—even if it means following him into time and facing his worst nightmares with him….

My Review:

Storyline: I thought it was a pretty good storyline and it was well written! Glad to see a smart and strong heroine for a sexy and tortured hero!

Characters: Most of the characters were well written especially Ian, Sam, .

Romance: I really liked the romance between Ian & Sam and it was done well. I enjoy books where the tortured hero finds love with his heroine!  I also enjoy seeing characters from previous books (Aiden, Brie, Guy Tabby, Allie, Roye, etc.).

Killer(s): The killers were well written and I definately wouldn't want to run into them in real life.  Both are quite sick in the head and there are definately people in the world like them.

4/5