Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman – Lorraine Heath

Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
By Lorraine Heath
London’s Greatest Lovers, Book 2
Available 1 December 2010

Description:
As the black sheep second son of an Earl, Stephen Lyons has gained a reputation in the art of seduction, but when his wicked ways result in scandal, he joins the army to redeem himself. On the battlefield, he proves courageous…until he is seriously wounded. Returning home to recover from his injuries, he discovers their true cost. How is it possible that he can’t remember the angelic beauty who arrives at his doorstep, his babe nestled in her arms?

Mercy Dawson will risk everything — including her good name — to protect the son of the dashing soldier she once knew and admired. When Stephen offers to do the honorable thing, she is determined that London’s most notorious gentleman will desire her and no other. But even as their passion ignites, Mercy fears that what began as an innocent deception could destroy her dreams and their blossoming love if Stephen ever learns the scandalous truth…

This Blonde’s Review:
I reviewed Passions of a Wicked Earl, the first book in this series, a few weeks ago and Loved it. If you haven’t read the review you can read it here. The first book was about Stephen’s older brother Westcliffe and his wife. In that book we are able to see what a rascal Stephen was. I was eager to read Stephen’s story. A good thing about this book is that while we already care about him from the first book, if you pick this book up out of order you won’t be lost. They do refer to what happened in the first book but it’s left vague so that you will still enjoy this book if it is your introduction to the series.

Stephen has changed drastically from when we last saw him. He was injured in the war and is unable to remember any of it. He is fighting to heal, but he is also suffering from the guilt of not knowing. Then a woman shows up on his doorstep. One who has a child she claims is his. He accepts her and the child since he has no memory but believes it to be possible. Mercy is a strong, loving woman and is the mother to Stephen’s child. Mercy is surprised to find Stephen alive when she discovers him at home since she had believed he was dead. Mercy is not telling Stephen the entire truth but has loved him for so long that she accepts when he proposes.

Stephen and Mercy are very happy together, except for the cloud of his amnesia and her deception. When someone from the past uses that against them they have to decide what they really want out of their lives. I was sorry to see the changes in Stephen, but we can’t but care for him and want the best for him. Mercy has her own guilt and nightmares we hope to see resolved. Stephen and Mercy are both characters we can love.

Now I just can’t wait to read Ainsley’s story! I can only imagine what type of woman will draw him out of his responsible shell. This is a wonderful series so far and I’m sure it won’t disappoint if it sounds like something that would appeal to you. You can read out of order if you choose, but I know I prefer to read in order and I’m sure you will to.

 

Miss Foster’s Folly – Alice Gaines

Miss Foster’s Folly
By Alice Gaines
Available Now

Description:

Manhattan, 1886

Juliet Foster has just become the wealthiest spinster in town. Her domineering and thoroughly unpleasant father has died and left her millions. She’s free to be her own woman and seek a life of adventure.

David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, is in search of a wife who can break the Winslow Curse. Every second-generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a mate as independent and rebellious as himself.

Miss Juliet Foster is perfect—and eager for seduction. But when he wants more than a few nights of passion, Juliet runs like the devil’s on her heels. Can the marquess convince her that marriage isn’t a trap, but the greatest freedom of all?

This Blonde’s Review:
I admit that by the time I read this I hadn’t remembered much about the description. I actually Prefer that, since then I won’t be impatient for the things described on the back to happen. I trust that if I liked the description I don’t need to reread it. The problem I ran into was how this book started. It starts in a lawyer’s office and the attitude that Juliet (Miss Foster) has does not make a favorable of a first impression. I started it once or twice and stopped before I reread the description and decided to forge ahead. I’m so glad I did. I loved Juliet once we were able to see her spirit and her determination. I enjoyed Derrington’s character as well, since we know why he has chosen Juliet even if she does not. It was refreshing to see the male lead decide on the female and go after him rather than the woman wanting the man first. Juliet’s plans were amusing and wonderful, as was Derrington’s reaction to it.

This was a much better than I expected it to be and I really enjoyed it. If the description sounds interesting to you go over to the Carina Press website and get your copy. Juliet and Derrington are characters worth reading about.

 

Coming Clean – Inez Kelley

Coming Clean
By Inez Kelley
Available Now

Description:
Coming clean never felt so good…. 

Grant and Vivi Michaelson share everything in their marriage: love, commitment—and their wildest sexual desires. But their relationship is tested when Vivi admits she wants a threesome with Grant’s old friend Cade, proposing their annual trip to the lake as the perfect opportunity to fulfill her fantasy.

All three of them are aroused by the idea. Vivi and Cade have long felt a smoldering attraction to each other…and Grant and Cade have hidden an illicit desire for decades. Going through with the ménage will test their boundaries, reveal old secrets…and maybe tear them apart. After all, there might be room for Cade in bed, but is there room for a third in their marriage?

This Blonde’s Review:
The description of Coming Clean mentions using the trip to the lake as the time to explore, except they never make it to the lake. This book takes place over the course of a day. They meet to get ready to go to the lake and have their back stories and feelings explained. They make their move in the comfort of home. The first encounter isn’t really anything that I was interested in, but it was still well written. Later when all three of them get together was pretty hot. This book is about one night and their feelings. They build up, hey have sex (hot sex) and then they deal with the emotional fallout for one of them. I have to say, in some ways it just felt too full of Feelings and Doubts compared to what I expected. As for whether there is room in their bed and their marriage, we only have the immediate aftermath of one night to go on.

This book does have some really hot scenes that are worth reading, but expect to have to wade through the doubts and details to get to them.

 

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Do you love contests? How about contests for free books?

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If you are also a huge fan of free books you Need to check out Princess Bookie’s Contest Craze! October 10th is the last day to sign up so be sure to head over & attempt to win the books you’ve been wanting!

http://www.princessbookie.com/2010/09/rules-for-contest-craze-contests.html

 

Petunia Pepper’s Picture Day – Cathy Breisacher

Petunia Pepper’s Picture Day
By Cathy Breisacher
Available Now

Description:
Poor Petunia Pepper! Every year, disaster strikes on her school picture day. Puffy hair, pumpkin-style smiles and pink eye help her take pictures that only her family could love. But this year, Petunia promises herself things are going to change. She carefully plans for the perfect picture day. But when she misses the school bus, a series of misadventures begins that leads to yet another picture day fiasco. Will Petunia’s perfect picture be ruined, or will she finally take a picture everybody in her class will love?

The story also features a “Time Out for God’s Word” page that parents and teachers can use to reinforce the biblical foundation of the story with children. Kids are reminded how much God loves them, just the way they are, by focusing on the following scriptures: ” For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV ” See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 NIV ” Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8 NIV ” For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

This Blonde’s Review:
This story was very sweet and very easy for my children to follow along to. My son, who is learning to read, was even attempting to read some of the pages. It does have the Time Out for God’s Word page, but if you aren’t a believer in God you can choose to skip the scriptures and tell your child the moral of the story on your own. This story is about Petunia, who has a catastrophy every year on picture day. That means she does not like any of her school pictures and she is determined that this year will be the Perfect picture day.

True to expectations, Petunia meets disaster. Again. She is very upset about having another ruined picture day. Until the next morning when she sees that she had a Different kind of picture day and ended up in the newspaper. She realizes that what she looks like doesn’t matter, nor does the specific day. She learns that every day is a day to be important and be loved.

The book was illustrated by Christian Elden. I Loved the illustrations and so did my children. They laughed and exclaimed over every page. Even if the story fell flat we’d have still enjoyed looking through the book.

Luckily we loved the story and the pictures. We’ll have to pick up a hard copy for our own soon.