Upcoming Historical Romances

I don't read nearly as many historical romances as I like to, there just isn't enough time!  But here are three that are on my list.

The next installment of Tessa Dare's wonderful Spindle Cove series comes out in a few short weeks!  I really love this series and would highly recommend it.

A Lady by Midnight ~ August 28

A temporary engagement, a lifetime in the making...

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove--but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiance. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate’s happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life...and the first he seems destined to lose.

Carolyn Jewel's second book in her historical series in which I love the covers and the blurbs have me intrigued. 

Not Proper Enough ~ September 4

The Marquess of Fenris has loved Lady Eugenia from the day he first set eyes on her. Five years ago, pride caused him to earn her enmity. Now she’s widowed, and he’s determined to make amends and win her heart. But with their near explosive attraction, can he resist his desire long enough to court her properly?

After the death of her beloved husband, Lady Eugenia Bryant has come to London to build a new life. Despite the gift of a medallion said to have the power to unite the wearer with her perfect match, Eugenia believes she won’t love again. And yet, amid the social whirl of chaperoning a young friend through her first Season, she finds a second chance at happiness.

Unfortunately, the Marquess of Fenris threatens her newfound peace. Eugenia dislikes the man, but the handsome and wealthy heir to a dukedom is more charming than he has a right to be. Constantly underfoot, the rogue disturbs her heart, alternately delighting and scandalizing her. And when their relationship takes a highly improper turn, Eugenia must decide if the wrong man isn’t the right one after all.

Lorraine Heath's second book in her Lost Lords of Pembrook trilogy.  I still have the first book on my TBR pile but that won't stop me from adding this one!

Lord of Temptation ~ September 25 

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Once upon a time, he was Lord Tristan Easton—now he is Crimson Jack, a notorious privateer beholden to none, whose only mistress is the sea. But all that will change when exquisite Lady Anne Hayworth hires his protection on a trip into danger and seduction. . .

Desperation brought Anne to the bronzed, blue-eyed buccaneer. But after the Captain demands a kiss as his payment, desire will keep her at his side. She has never known temptation like this—but to protect her heart, she knows she must leave him behind. Yet Tristan cannot easily forget the beauty—and when they meet again in a London ballroom, he vows he won't lose her a second time, as fiery passion reignited takes them into uncharted waters that could lead the second lost lord home.

What future historical romances should I add to my list?

Review: Pleasures of a Notorious Scoudrel

Pleasures of a Notorious Scoundrel
Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance/England/1855
London's Greatest Lovers/Book 2
Harper Collins/December 1, 2010

From the back cover ~

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, he discovers he can't remember the angelic beauty who arrives at his doorstep, his babe nestled in her arms.

Mercy Dawson will risk everything 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 Mercy fears that what began as an innocent deception could destroy her dreams and their blossoming love if Stephen ever learns the scandalous truth . . .

They are masters of seduction, London's greatest lovers. Living for pleasure, they will give their hearts to no one . . . until love takes them by surprise.

The first book in the series, Passions of a Wicked Earl, was about the eldest of the three brothers, Westcliffe, who was cool and aloof. Now we get Stephen, the middle brother's story. Stephen is the rogue of the family and works hard at it. After reading the first book I didn't care much for Stephen and was really wanting to read Ainsley, the youngest brother's book. But it doesn't come out until July and since I like to read series in order, I went ahead and read Stephen's book. Heath made me love Stephen!

The story opens with Stephen tumbling out of bed, leaving a woman in it, and preparing to go off to war. But she isn't the only women there to see him off. As he gets caught up in the parade of soldiers marching off to war the women seem to come out of the woodwork to wish Stephen good-bye. His family is also there to see him off. His mother, who I adore. His two brothers and his sister-in-law Claire. While they might argue and disagree, you can tell these brothers love and care about each other. I liked that closeness that came through, even when they didn't wish for anyone to see it.

Fast forward and Stephen is home from the war a changed man. Not only in body but in mind. He was seriously injured, his family told he was dead. Thankfully he wasn't and is now recovering from his wounds at his family home. It is here that he meets the woman who claims to be the mother of his child. A woman he doesn't remember. You can't help but feel for Stephen, losing nearly two years of his memory. I found myself hoping there would be some miracle cure or a trigger that would bring back his memories. They are memories mostly of war and death but they are still his memories and leave him feeling less than completely without them.

The marriage between Stephen and Mercy takes place with little pomp and pagentry. Mercy and child are welcomed into the family by Stephen's mother, who I adore. She is such a wonderful change from the usual haughty, uptight mothers and mothers-in-law found in historical romances. Stephen's brother, Ainsley, the Duke, is far more reticent in his welcoming of Mercy. He isn't cruel but is cautious, with a need to know more about this woman who claims to have fathered his brother's son. In this we see why Ainsley, while he may be the youngest of the brothers, is every inch a Duke. He protects his family and is more than capable of being the head of the family.

As Stephen and Mercy go about their married lives they come to enjoy each other's company. Mercy tries to get Stephen to take an interest in his son. Stephen is hesitant, knowing nothing of babies, but he slowly gets to know his son to the delight of Mercy. I loved seeing not only Mercy and Stephen's relationship develop but also Stephen learning about and caring for his son.

Mercy's love for Stephen's son is all encompassing and she will do anything for the child. Her love for the baby might have seemed overdone but the affect of the war ran deep and this child was the one good thing to come of it. As a nurse, she had seen so much pain and death, is it any surprise that she would latch on to this innocent child and do everything in her meager power to see him safe? She was a wonderful heroine who did some truly heroic acts of bravery and self-sacrifice.

This isn't a story that I would consider a light read. It brings forth strong emotions, with Heath making her characters loose nearly everything they love before they find their Happily Ever After. I now waiting impatiently for Ainsley's story.

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Passions of a Wicked Earl
Pleasures of a Notorious Scoundrel
Waking Up with the Duke (July 2011)

ARC Review: Passions of a Wicked Earl

Passions of a Wicked Earl
Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance/England/1853
London's Greatest Lovers/Book 1
Harper Collins/October 2010

From the publisher's website ~

Known throughout for his prowess in the bedroom, Morgan Lyons, the eighth Earl of Westcliffe, cannot forgive an unpardonable affront to his honor. Discovering his young bride in the arms of his brother was a staggering blow—so he banished the beautiful deceiver to the country and devoted himself to the pursuit of carnal pleasure.

Claire Lyons was an innocent, frightened girl on her wedding day, seeking chaste comfort from a childhood friend. Now, years later, she has blossomed magnificently and has returned to London with one goal in mind: the seduction of her notorious husband. Unskilled in the sensual arts, she burns nonetheless for the kisses too long denied her. And she has but one Season to win back the heart of the rogue she betrayed.

They are masters of seduction, London's greatest lovers. Living for pleasure, they will give their hearts to no one . . . until love takes them by surprise.

When I began reading Claire and Westcliffe's story, I liked both of them but I wasn't sure if I liked them together. Sometimes you can tell right off if the hero and heroine are a good match through their initial interactions. Sometimes it's more of a feeling when they're in a scene without directly interacting. And in the case of Claire and Westcliffe it was a slow build-up. The more I saw them together, the more I liked them together. The more I got them as a couple.

When Claire arrives in London she knows she has a difficult task before her. She has heard the rumors about Westcliffe and his mistresses. She knows that he hasn't remained celibate during their three year separation. She's not happy about it but she does understand that it's something she will have to get past if she wants to make a real marriage with Westcliffe. I thought Claire showed a great deal of maturity when she arrived in London. She's there so her sister can have a season and hopefully find a husband but she's also there to mend her relationship with Westcliffe. She stands her ground, refusing to leave London. She stays and in a way begins to "court" Westcliffe. She encourages his participation in outings and talks with him about his interests. Their relationship evolves into a real marriage complete with the passion and insecurities newlyweds face.

There is a third person in Claire and Westcliffe's marriage. It is Lady Anne, Westcliffe's current mistress. Technically, Westcliffe and Claire are married but Westcliffe has been having affairs during the three years they've been apart. Some readers might have a problem with that and I do get why but. . . it's 1853 and marriages of the aristocracy were not necessarily made for love but for wealth and title. In Claire and Westcliffe's case it was for Claire's dowry. Add to that, Westcliffe finding Claire in bed with his brother Stephen on the wedding night and well, you can see how he wouldn't put fidelity at the top of his priority list. So I got why he wasn't faithful to Claire. The problem I had was that it took too long for Westcliffe to break it off with Anne once Claire was in London. Even if he planned to send Claire back to the country after the season, he should have cared what the gossips of the ton said about his relationship with Anne while Claire was in town.

It's been three years since Morgan, the Earl of Westcliffe has seen his wife. When she shows up without warning in his London home he is anything but pleased to see her. Claire isn't the frightened girl he remembers and now she's invaded the sanctuary he's created in London. He doesn't want her there and is determined to get her out of his home and back to the country estate where she belongs. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Westcliffe. There's this feeling of loneliness surrounding him. He keeps everyone at a distance, concentrating on building his wealth so he will never need to rely on anyone else. His relationship with his mother is strained and distant. He is the eldest of the three brothers but it feels like he's the forgotten brother rather than the leader as you would expect the eldest to be.

The plot is a fairly standard historical romance with the hero & heroine making amends only to have a big misunderstanding, tragedy occurs and then they make up again in time for their HEA. What Heath does within that standard plot is give readers characters to care about. By the end you want need Claire and Westcliffe to reconcile and get the happy ending they deserve. You want the brothers to become closer and build friendships that only brothers can have.

The secondary characters round out the cast adding dimension to this dysfunctional family. Ransom Seymour, the Duke of Ainsley and youngest son is mysterious and his story will be told in the third book. Book two, Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman, due out next month, is middle brother Stephen's story. I didn't find him very likable in Passions of a Wicked Earl but I think his life is about to change, causing him to do some maturing by the time his story is told. I look forward to reading more about these three very different brothers.

Rating: B+