TBR Challenge Review: A Kiss at Midnight

A Kiss at Midnight
Eloisa James
Historical Romance
Happily Ever After/Book 1
Avon/August 1, 2010

From Goodreads ~

Miss Kate Daltry doesn't believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince . . . and decides he's anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancée, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn't love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble . . .

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune . . .

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.

After reading and loving my first Eloisa James novel, Beauty Tamed the Beast, I was looking forward to read the first book in the series. Fate smiled on me with the suggested theme for this month challenge as Fairy Tales. Perfect since A Kiss at Midnight has the Cinderella theme.

Miss Katherine Daltry aka Kate is likely to be mistaken for a servant rather than a family member. She has taken over the duties of running the manor ever since her father died and looking like a lady is the last thing on her mind. The first impression one might have of Kate is that she lets her stepmother push her around. But that's not completely accurate. Kate works as hard as she does because she cares for the staff and the tenants of the estate. Her stepmother would like to do away with most of them, and has let quite a few go already. I liked that Kate is not portrayed as a pushover. She's certainly not meek but when she goes to the Prince's castle, she out of her element. Maybe that's why she gave in to him so easily. She knew he was engaged and no marriage proposal was possible but she felt this was her one chance at love, if only for a night.

Prince Gabriel gives a first impression of being a bit bookish. He's an archaeologist and would rather be working a dig than residing over a castle. His attraction to Kate is due in part because of her lack of knowledge of the proper etiquette when in the presence of royalty. She has a tendency to say what's on her mind and Gabriel finds her refreshing and a challenge. But he must marry for money and is engaged to a Princess. Here's where I started having problems. Gabriel's princess is due to arrive any day. It's an arranged marriage, they haven't met but Gabriel is determined to do "his duty". But he still seduces Kate, knowing she's a virgin he assures her he won't take her virginity. Nope, he'll just get her, and himself naked. But no sex. *rolls eyes*. Yeah, how long do you think that lasted? He even got to where he was begging Kate for sex (this is after they had sex, but only for that one special night) because he just had to have her. This is after his fiancé had arrived at the castle and he's met her and she's nice!

The overall story and the writing are well done but I had a hard time with Gabriel's motives and I just didn't like him. I get that he was conflicted with his duty to his family and people and his feelings for Kate but it felt too much like he used her. When he drags Kate into the maze to have sex, after just dancing with his fiancé, that was the final straw for me. As far as I was concerned, this was no prince charming.

On the brighter side, I did like Kate's fairy godmother Henry, short for Henrietta. She was a hoot! She said what was on her mind and helped guide Kate through her venture into society. I did like the story but would have enjoyed it far more had Gabriel behaved more like a gentleman rather than a scoundrel. If you can overlook his behavior, then this fairy tale might be for you.

Rating: C+

Book in this series ~

A Kiss at Midnight
When Beauty Tamed the Beast
This Duke of Mine (2012)

Review: When Beauty Tamed The Beast

When Beauty Tamed The Beast
Eloisa James
Historical Romance
Fairy Tales/Book 2
Avon/January 25, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman.

She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.

If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?

Finally! My first Eloisa James novel. I have a number of her books on the TBR pile and yet what do I pick for my first indulgence in this lovely author? Her newest release. LOL I will admit it was the House angle that drew me to When Beauty Tames the Beast. Love that show and a hero based on the character of the irreverent Dr. Gregory House could not be passed up!

Linnet Berry Thrynne is one of the most beautiful woman of the ton. She had suitors lining up at her door but she made a minor mistake with a princely suitor and now she is considered less than desirable as a wife. Linnet doesn't cry and weep in despair but discusses the situation frankly with her father and her chaperone. The dialogue is quick and funny. Linnet is all that is proper and yet, she has this sharp wit that she lets come through. She shows her spirit and backbone when dealing with the cutting remarks her chaperone, Mrs. Hutchins, dishes out.

Linnet counted to five and then said, stonily, "It's the only chest I have, Mrs. Hutchins, and everyone's gowns are designed like this. There's nothing special about my neckline."

"It makes you look like a light frigate," she observed.

"What?"

"A light frigate. A light woman!"

"Isn't a frigate a boat?"

"Exactly, the type that docks in many harbors."

"I do believe that it is the first jest you've ever told me," Linnet said. "And to think I was worried that you might not have a sense of humor."

After that, the corners of Mrs. Hutchins's mouth turned down and she refused to accompany Linnet back to the drawing room. "I've naught to do with what's come upon you," she said. "It's the will of heaven, and you can tell your father I said so. I did my best to instill principles in you, but it was too late."

"That seems rather unfair," Linnet said. "Even a very young light frigate should have the chance to dock at one harbor before she's scuppered."

Love the way Linnet isn't afraid to disagree with her chaperone. And she does it in such a way as to show her disdain without being opening rude. It's important that she has a strong will and won't be cowered because Piers is good at making people cower.

Piers Yelverton is not hero material by any stretch of the imagination. And yet, James makes him not only heroic, but actually likable by the end of the book. He's brash, rude, argumentative and brilliant the medical field. It's that brilliance that keeps people coming to him for help, regardless of his beastly attitude. Piers' complete disregard for the proper societal conduct made him that much more fascinating. He's too busy with his patients and medical studies to be bothered with the niceties of manners. Of course there are ghosts that haunt him and that only make him that much more disagreeable. He can and usually is brutally honest, even hurtful at times but Linnet gets past that and sees the man behind the mask.

Linnet's father comes up with a scheme to marry Linnet off to Piers. Her father may have thought he was doing what was best for her but really, the man was an idiot. I was glad she got away from him. So off to Wales Linnet goes to meet her intended. Piers, on the other hand, doesn't want a wife and makes it very clear in his very Piers way. But Linnet has that backbone and she stands up to him in her own way which surprises him. The interactions between Piers and Linnet were at the heart of the story. We see how from the first they have this quick back and forth, give and take, in their dialogue. It's as if they're challenging each other to a duel with words. Both are intelligent and have a clever sense of humor that they enjoy employing on each other.

Piers and Linnet don't get off to the best start but they find themselves drawn to each other which eventually leads to the more physical aspect of their relationship. As Piers and Linnet fall deeper in lust, because of course it can't be love, they actually spend time talking and learning about each other. I don't think many people bothered to learn much about either one of them - Linnet because society had her high on a pedestal and Piers because he's well, Piers. So in addition to them lusting after each other they become friends, confidants. They "get" each other and are comfortable with each other in a way they had never been with anyone else.

A trace of brine lingered on his lips. And his kiss was pure Piers: rough and demanding, without a trace of civility. Linnet felt as if she were the slave girl again, lying at the feet of her master. No, not at his feet, since her whole body was thrilling to the weight of him.

Lying under her master, submitting to his -

"Bloody hell," Piers said, lifting his mouth and glaring at her. "Why do I feel as if I'm making love to a rag doll here? You seemed to know how to kiss yesterday."

She pulled her hand free and wrapped her arms around his neck. "We're not making love."

"Right. Let's go back to my initial comment, stripped of the love part. Why am I bothering to kiss a limp -"

She stifled a groan. "Shut up, Piers."

Their eyes met for a single, electric moment. Then his eyes darkened, and his mouth took her again.

I think they are by far, one of the best couples I have read in a long time.

Everything doesn't go smoothly for these two and they both must deal with their deepest fears and their deepest feelings. As is often the case, tragedy brings out the best in people and makes them realize what is truly important. This was such an enchanting fairy tale of overcoming fears and prejudices and finding love in the most unlikely place. A love story you won't want to miss!

Rating: A+

Books in this series ~

A Kiss at Midnight
When Beauty Tamed the Beast
This Duke is Mine (2012)