Book Review: The Naked Marquis by Sally Mackenzie


The Man is Practical

As marriage proposals go, Charles Draysmith’s suit is as romantic as the moors in December. Emma Peterson might be only a vicar’s daughter, and the new Marquis of Knightsdale, and perhaps he would rather marry her than endure the marriage mart. But when he suggests how much he’ll enjoy securing an heir, well, a lady can only endure so much.

But the Lady is Passionate

There’s something about a woman throwing pottery at a man that piques his interest. Perhaps his proposal lacks grace, Charles thinks. But it does seem a perfect solution. He acquires a wife; his young charges have the mother they so desperately need, and Emma gains security and position. You see? Simple. Practical. Sensible– oh no, not the ceramic dog…

He will have to confess the truth to calm her down. And the truth is, he’s madly in love…

The Naked Marquis is the second book in Sally Mackenzie’s “Naked” series. And I have to say I enjoyed it. While it was not as outgoing and stomp on you as hard as The Naked Duke it was still very good. Mackenzie so far is showing her tune in taking older “on the shelf” ladies or picks maybe not as usual as heroines for her men. And I like it. Miss Emma Peterson is the daughter of the town Vicar, and Charles Draysmith Marquis of Kensdale is a second son who comes reluctantly into the title when his brother dies suddenly in an accident. Or was it?

Not only do we meet a new cast of loveable characters, we also meet again with our Duke of Alvord James and his wife who is now expecting their first child, and Robbie the Earl of Westbroke. It is positively wonderful to see them again and even more so to follow the Marquis as he tries to win his ladies hand.

While Emma followed Charles around when he was a kid (along with Robbie and James) she is determined not to do so now. It was so bad when she was a child that the other boys nicknamed her Shadow. The story is fun, and also there are some hidden twists and turns. While the villain is again obvious exactly what he is up to is not obvious until much later in the story.

Laughable and just a wonderful bit of fun I guarantee you will find yourself laughing out loud. When the Marquis first asks for Emma’s hand in marriage she throws a ceramic dog at his head. It’s nice to see a lady who fights with her feelings, and really wants nothing more than love. She doesn’t want a title; she doesn’t want to just be any mans broodmare. So come and follow the granddaughter of an Earl the daughter of a Vicar as she is chased by the handsome Naked Marquis I promise you will enjoy it.

Teaser Tuesday: 8

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to: Grab your current read.Let the book fall open to a random page.Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!Please avoid spoilers!

He wanted to watch her grow round and heavy with his babes.He wanted to watch them nurse a her breast. ~ Page 239 The Naked Gentleman by Sally Mackenzie

Book Giveaway: Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Skyes

Plum Sykes burst on to the literary scene in 2004 with her beguiling debut novel introducing readers to the glamorous world of PAPs (Park Avenue Princesses) and her loveable heroine, Moi, a “champagne bubble of a girl” who became an instant hit with readers from coast to coast.


So here is how to Win this book. The first thing you need to do. And this is required to particpate. Is to create a post on your blog advertising the contest and linking back to us here at Fire & Ice for the contest. make sure you post the link to your post in the comments. This give away will be open til the 20th of April.

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Follow this blog (1 entry)
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Musing Mondays: #7


How do you respond to the comments on your blog? Do you try to email individually or comment on post yourself answering the comments above? What do you think is the best way to respond to comments and do you respond to all of them? Do you feel slighted if you don’t receive a response back from the blog owner? (question courtesy of Jenn)

I am trying to decide exactly what my comment etiquette will be. I think I will move it on to replying to each person by email once I get a new email sorted in my new domain. But right now I tend to reply on the thread of comments. I will also if it’s a MEME pay a visit to the blog of the commenter and return the favor of commenting on their blog.

Naughty Nauhty Myths

Okay I don’t usually look at this kind of content. But because of the naivety of some characters in some books I have read recently I had to have a little laugh and check this out for you guys. It’s like your own personal doctor Ruth. This website really is actually pretty cool. It covers a lot of the old wives tails, jumping up and down so you don’t get pregnant. Getting pregnant from a toilet seat or kissing. Yup those kinds of things and what makes me laugh even more is that even when I did ask a question no one answered. Most of what I learned about sex was online, in books and various other places. Not word of mouth.

Over although I think this new website would be helpful. They have some good knowledgeable answers and it’s easy to navigate. I think I would have gotten a lot better replies in my young life if I had a website like this versus the multitude of ones I had to swim though. So if you have questions, or no someone who does. Really head on over and check this site out. I promise you won’t be disappointed, really would I lie?
sex

Book Review: Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James


Eloisa James concludes her romance series about orphaned sisters in Regency England with the most wild-hearted of the lot, Josephine Essex.

Only a month into her season debut, and Josie’s already a social pariah—thanks to the nasty gossip of a neighbor. With her chances of making a match growing slimmer by the minute, help comes in the form of a family friend eager to teach Josie the art of flirtation. But Garret Langham, the infamous Earl of Mayne, may not be the most suitable teacher….

First off, to convince Josie of her allure, Garret delivers a simple kiss that turns decidedly passionate. His lesson works all too well, and soon Josie is swamped with admirers—which is too bad since Garret has decided that no man will ever have her heart…but him. Explicit sex.

The final chapter in the Essex sister story is a grand one. It has a little bit of everything you would expect to see in it. And I have to say that few books ever make me laugh out loud, and yet this book at several points made me laugh so hard I thought I was going to cry.

The beginning starts out a bit sad, poor Josie the youngest of the sisters hates her body, and has been dubbed the Scottish sausage which is a horrible nickname. And of course there for the Ton all avoid her, no young men her age will ask her to dance and only the older men her sisters or chaperone can rustle up will dance with her. The biggest crime is that she sees herself as fat. And Josie is anything but. She’s not fat; she is beautiful like a real woman.

It’s a horrid corset she wears that makes her appear stuffed. Well, enter Garrett the Earl of Mayne. I loved him in the other books when he popped up. He is a rakehell who isn’t feeling like much of a rakehell anymore. He is engaged but none the less he kisses Josie, and shows her what its like to be a real woman. She taking his teaching well gets rid of the corset and indeed becomes a woman who leaves young men slavering after her. She has the body of a Madonna, and she has just a fun personality.

Follow this story is a true romp of fun, and finding love where you would least expect it. Mayne has had a little dabble in with all of the Essex’s sisters in one form or another. Who would have guessed that he would have one with Josie as well? There is a particularly funny scene in which Mayne believing Josie has been ravished picks her up while she is asleep. Josie wakes and proceeds to slug him, giving him a black eye. What a fine way to say hello to a gentleman.

But Mayne can have a good laugh too as Josie’s expense including a time in which he dumps a glass of water over his head and startles Josie into thinking he is a ghost. The romance is there as well, and there is love to be found for everyone. Even Griselda whom who have followed as a widow through it all does indeed find her own happy ending. If you have enjoyed the other books in this series, you must read this one. And if you haven’t read the others, I recommend you do so you can read this one as well. You will not be sorry in the least. You will laugh, cry and enjoy it.

Friday Finds: #6


Okay here come my finds..I have been so horrible about doing my friday finds. But I am going to list the books I heard about this week because I was naughty and orded them from my fav store online. Bookcloseouts.com.

(I will put photo cover images up after I get some rest.)

A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale
Great Catherine: The Life of Catherine by Carolly Erickson
Mistress Anne by Carolly Erickson
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Queen’s Slave Trader: John Hawkyns by Nick Hazlewood
Empress by Shan Sa

Stunning Wood Bookcase


Wow is the first thing that comes to mind when I saw this bookshelf. I love the rustic look on furniture. My grandpa has a cabin that he built from the ground up with natural wood, and its one of my favorite places to be. This bookcase made me think of it right away when I saw it. It’s so beautiful and the craftsmanship is amazing. I could just picture all of my perfect books sitting on it. It’s even big enough that it *MIGHT* hold all of mount TBR…maybe… or maybe not. But it sure would fit a good portion of it on there. If you’re like me and like the natural rustic look of fine wood furniture check out this website. You won’t be disappointed.

wood furniture

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