Scandalous and seductive, Lord Hawksmoor is a notorious fortune hunter. A man women want to bed–and men want to do away with. Now he has tasted the woman of his dreams, Catherine Fenton, and he will do anything to make her his. Though heiress to eighty thousand pounds, Catherine is trapped in a gilded cage, and duty bound to a man she detests. The ton has woven a fantasy around Ben, Lord Hawksmoor, that any woman would find hard to resist, but she senses there is more to the man behind the glittering facade.

She believes he can rescue her–but has she found her hero, or made a pact with the devil himself…?

This is the first time I have read one of Nicola Cornick’s books and I love the pacing of her story. The story line does not rush the relationship between Catherine Fenton and Ben Hawksmoor. In addition there are enough twists and turns to the story to keep it interesting. All in all a very enjoyable read.

 

My Gemstone Rating:

When her father is falsely imprisoned for slave trading, Catherine Newbury finds her English world turned upside down. Whisked away with trusted servants to America, she is forced to disguise her past and create a completely new life. Taking on a servant’s last name, Catherine becomes an accomplished seamstress whose dress designs are sought throughout Philadelphia.

Carter Danby, an architect who was touring England, met Catherine at a party in her English home the very night she was forced to flee. Five years later they meet again when his sister and mother come for a design consultation. Carter is sure he’s met the dark-haired beauty before, but can’t quite place her….

Drawn to Catherine, yet realizing she is hiding a painful past, Carter longs to create a future together with her. Catherine desires above all else to see her father set free—even at the cost of her own dreams. Will love be the sacrifice?

A LADY OF HIDDEN INTENT by Tracie Peterson is the second title in her Ladies of Liberty series. We meet up with Catherine Newbury– a girl of seventeen – as she dances at one of the many functions she is accustomed to in the life she leads in the elitist set in England. Her partner, Carter Danby, is a visiting American who is study the architecture of Bath. He is taken by Catherine, and she too is smitten by the handsome man with the witty tongue, but he is merely a visitor who will soon return to the Americas.

Later that night, Catherine’s stable and indulgent world is turned up-side down. Her father’s business partner has corrupted the company and fled, leaving Mr. Newbury to take the brunt of the punishment. In fear of Catherine’s safety, Mr. Newbury sends her, along with two of his loyal servants to America. Five years later, Catherine has taken on the sir name of Shay, and finds herself as a much sought after seamstress in Philadelphia. Saving all her money for her father’s defense, she lives in sadness from both the separation and the concern for his well being.

When Carter Danby accompanies his mother and sister to the local seamstress, he is introduced to Catherine and sense something about her. Catherine immediately recognizes Carter and does her best to stay out of his watchful eye. Carter is intrigued by the women who labors, yet has an air of sophistication and upbringing. He intends to find out more about Catherine Shay.

Though Catherine is quite sweet and considerate of all those she works with, Felicia is not taken in or appreciative of Catherine’s charms. She senses she is not who she claims to be and decides to find out what she can about Catherine’s past.

A LADY OF HIDDEN INTENT is another fine book by Tracie Peterson. Catherine, though demure and sweet, is also stoic and single minded in seeing her father exonerated and freed. Carter is quite charming and will stop at nothing to secure Catherine at his side.

I enjoyed A LADY OF HIDDEN INTENT, though I felt at times certain plots were left flat. So much more could of become of Felicia hateful ways or Carter Danby’s father’s balance of business and corruption. Other than that, it was an entertaining read as always.

 

My Gemstone Rating:

Who will be the last unmarried man standing?

No man in his right mind would want to get married, but every duke, earl, and viscount knows that a fellow must do his duty in the end. So four of London’s most desirable gentlemen make a wager—the prize going to the one who remains unwed the longest.

Gideon Pearsall, Viscount Warton, thinks he has a fair shot at winning. After all, he’s managed to enjoy the favors of many a lady while resisting the parson’s noose. Even when he’s stopped dead in his tracks by the most scandalous woman in all of London—Judith, Lady Chester—he vows to have her bedded but never wedded.

Beautiful, and more than a little bit naughty, Judith has always kept herself within the bounds of respectability, even while playing by her own rules. And the experience has taught her to avoid marriage. She has no desire to resist Warton’s hot kisses, and his tempting touch is impossible to ignore.

But soon both Judith and Gideon can’t help but wonder . . . is it possible to be a little bit wicked and still follow your heart?

Well I was so hopeful as it had been a while since I read a historical romance, and sadly this book let me down. I really cannot think of too much to say for a review because the book is just not that memorable. The banter between the two main players is lack luster and not that entertaining. It is not witty and over all the book just fell flat, I had hope but alas it’s painfully obvious not much fun.

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter

What is there to say about Mine until Midnight, this is a hot little book. It is of course a bodice ripper at the core; you can tell that by the cover I am sure. However it is a bodice ripper with more to it. Dealing with prejudice of the Gypsy kind in England, a brother who is grieving so much for his lost fiancé that he forgets about his own family.

Along with the budding romance between the handsome Cam and the semi prudish Amelia you can see some more budding things between other characters. This book was a fun romp with some hot scenes. It has been a while since I read a straight up bodice ripper and this one did not disappoint. I admit they are a guilty pleasure for me, but when I can read one that has more meat to it I am very happy. This book fulfills that, it even gets a little bit into the supernatural with a haunting. Not too shabby for a romance right? If you like some fun romps with meat on their bones this is a good book for you.

Five years ago Rafael, Duke of Sheffield, believed he was betrayed by the woman he loved and the pain haunts him still. When Rafe discovers that he was cruelly tricked, and that Danielle Duval was never unfaithful, he’s desperate to win her back. But Dani is already on a steamer bound for America to marry another man. Impulsively, Rafe follows her and, trapping her in a compromising situation, quickly makes her his wife.Promising her that with time he can prove his love and win her trust, Rafe presents her with a stunning necklace rumored to hold great power. As much as Dani wants to believe it can right the wrongs of the past, she fears there is one truth it cannot conceal, a truth that could cost her this second chance with Rafe, the only man she has ever loved.

The Thrilling ending to Kat Martins Necklace Trilogy, this book was just as great as the first two. The Brides Necklace, and The Devils Necklace. We got to talk with the characters from the other books again, and we finally see Rafe get what he needs. His beautiful Dani. As with the other books in the series, this is well written with some unseen twists and turns to keep it exciting. I am sad the series is over, but would highly recommend it to anyone else who loves Historical Romances.

Lucy Craddock-Hayes thought the man lying in the ditch was dead, but he survived the assault. With the help of her servant, Lucy brings the gentleman home, and learns that he is Viscount Simon Iddesleigh. As Simon slowly recuperates, he finds himself falling in love with sharp-witted and surprisingly sharp-tongued Lucy, but he also knows that the longer he stays, the more likely it is that his quest for vengeance will endanger Lucy and her family.