I can't read contemporary at the moment, and find I'm only interested in reading historical romance, so about the start the final book in Lisa Kleypas Hathaway series. Loved re-reading them, think I'll move on to Stacey Reid's Wedded by Scandal series.
Loved that series! I recently read the latest release in the series, When the Earl Met His Match, and I already know it's going to be my fave book of the month.
Started Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. I know it's one of the most famous and acclaimed romance novels, plus I've read a few Chase novels before and adored them (Lord Perfect, Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible) but for some reason, I saved reading this one. It's so wonderful so far during such a stressful time that I think I knew I'd need to save it for an especially tough time.
I finished Hunting for a Highlander (Highland Brides #8) by Lynsay Sands and it was delightful.
aenigma----
Welcome to the forum! I read mostly HRs and non-fiction. Some HRs have cookie cutter tropes. I like an original story, where the h gets weak in the knees as the H enters the room. And he didn't even kiss her yet! I prefer a smart, clever hero who isn't threatened by a smart h.
I"m reading Memories in the Drift by Melissa Payne and savoring every word of it. It's a very warm, engrossing story. It is one of the November Prime First Read selections. Normally, I don't find anything very good to read on their list but this one is a keeper.
I"m reading Memories in the Drift by Melissa Payne and savoring every word of it. It's a very warm, engrossing story. It is one of the November Prime First Read selections. Normally, I don't find anything very good to read on their list but this one is a keeper.
I notice that in the U.S. there is an option to purchase the Kindle book for $1.99 and join the First Read program for free. Do you think this is worth it? I also didn’t usually find their lists very good for finding books to read back when I was an Amazon Prime member. But I did get her earlier book, The Secrets of Lost Stones, for free under that program (It’s also KU), but I haven’t read it.
I personally love the book and would have gladly paid for it. But I'm not normally impressed with the books i choose on that program. I usually just skim them.
I'm rereading All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens. It's one of my favorite SL books. I used to love her books but somewhere along the line her books became boring and too long.
I'm rereading All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens. It's one of my favorite SL books.
That's a DIK (if I ever get around to being anywhere near a deserted island!) for me! One of my top favorite books and I laughed like a loon thru the wedding scene the first time I read it! I knew what was coming, even if Giles didn't! Shoot, now I have the urge to put down what I'm reading & reread that one! I may never get the Arend series finished (Heart Falls titles)
Why Gyles didn't figure it out sooner. I know he sort of explained why he got Franni and Francesa confused in the beginning. But Francesca was half Italian, born and raised in Italy, so she would have spoken in Italian accented English. Franni was born and raised in England and had an English accent. Why would his bride who spent the first 21 years of her life in Italy, not have a different accent? That just never made sense to me.
Josie, did Giles know that she'd spent her first 21 years in Italy when he was arranging the marriage? He was focused on the plot of land he'd get back...I think he needs to have a talk with whomever did the prep. research for the whole thing, they may have missed that vital bit of info! I'll have to go back & check out that part, which I'll admit, isn't my fav part of the book! I get a little annoyed with him in that area; feels like a bit of a jerk. After all, he wanted to marry the quiet English wallflower that could barely talk & bored him almost immediately, and set the other one, the wild gypsy, who is a good woman for all he knows, up as his mistress! He thought he had everything the way he wanted; HAH!!! Deserved what he got! Happily, he wised up, otherwise, not a good book!
Josie, did Giles know that she'd spent her first 21 years in Italy when he was arranging the marriage?
Yes, it's explained in chapter 1. It was when he was talking to Francesca's uncle, Charles. Charles explained why, as the eldest son, Francesca's father got the property Gyles needed. Her father and grandfather had a falling out because he wouldn't marry whomever his father picked out for him. Instead, he married for love and moved to Italy. He stayed in Italy till he and his wife died when Francesca was 21. Charles said she'd been living with him, Franni and Ester for the past 2 years.
If she had been living in England for longer than a couple of years, then maybe her accent would have been different but I doubt it. My parents have been living in NYC for almost 50 years but they don't have a NY accent like I do, as I was born and raised here. They still have an Italian accent.
Of course, since it was calling my name anyway, I opened All about Passion the other day & actually started at the beginning. (Usually I skip that part & head for the wedding!) You're right, Josie, he knew she'd lived in Italy all her life up till the last 2 years & probably should have an accent. I will give him the excuse that he didn't really listen to the "cipher" talking about the dogs (one visit) & the trees (2nd visit) because he was bored out of his skull & thinking of other things. Now, if they'd been living in London & very active in the ton; we could use the excuse that she'd been forced to work on eradicating the accent & being active in the ton, he would have known that. But if they'd been living in London & active in the ton; he'd have known all about them anyway & that stops the story cold. I think I'll stick with the boring talking & him not paying attention...just to give him an excuse because I like him.
Of course, I had to reread the entire book once I'd started it; I laughed again as the group of guys realize that if they'd just talked to his wife, mother & aunt, they would have learned about Walwyn instead of spending time searching! "snickering!" I weeded the print copies of my Laurens a while back, but kept about 10 of them & this is one!
I will give him the excuse that he didn't really listen to the "cipher" talking about the dogs (one visit) & the trees (2nd visit) because he was bored out of his skull & thinking of other things.
Possibly. But I just think it's a plot hole. Or its like you said, the story would have went cold right there if he had known who the real Francesca was.
I weeded the print copies of my Laurens a while back, but kept about 10 of them & this is one!
So did I. For the Cynster series, I have everything up till the book, The Taming of Rider Cavanaugh. I also have the Black Cobra Quartet series and the Bastion Club series. Out of all those books, which are all hardcover with the exception of one, I kept the Bastion Club and the first 11 Cynster books on my keeper shelves. The rest are in a plastic container up in my attic. I don't reread those often and I didn't have space to keep them all together. And, honestly, by the time The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh came out, I wasn't interested in the Cynsters or Stephanie Laurens' books anymore.
I finished rereading Josi Kilpack's Daisies and Devotion and enjoyed it even more the second time. It's a friends to lovers story that, IMO, needs a better title to fit this great romance story. We see how Timothy and Maryann come to know each other and finally realize their feeling for each other. No angst, just an enjoyable break from the real world.