Teresa Medeiros - Yours Until Dawn

Gabriel Fairchild's valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights.
Prim nurse Samantha Wickersham arrives at Fairchild Park to find her new charge behaving more like a beast than a man. Determined to do her duty, she engages the arrogant earl in a battle of both wit and wills. Although he claims she doesn't possess an ounce of womanly softness, she can feel his heart racing at her slightest touch. As Samantha begins to let the light back into Gabriel's life and his heart, they both discover that some secrets -- and some pleasures -- are best explored in the dark ...

Comment: Here's one situation where trusting something not on an official site will induce oneself in mistakes otherwise might not be committed. I purchased this book months and months ago and then I realized, by checking Goodreads, that it was the third of a trilogy. I put off reading it until I managed to get the other two books, which also took time and then I decided to read the trilogy this summer and I scheduled Yours Until Dawn for September. I've read book and as each page was turned I got more and more suspicious because there isn't one single reference about the characters from the first two books! I mean, if this part of a trilogy shouldn't it happen, even if just a mention of their existence? I thought it was weird the characters last name in the first two books was Fairleigh and in this one Fairchild but I mean, it could have been coincidence... surely GR wasn't deceiving me.

I was thinking about posting my thoughts about this book, as I do with all the books I read and went to check the author's site because certainly there the trilogy would be acknowledged.

Yep, silly me not to have gone there before. It's not such a big deal I mistook this I know, but being led to believe the books were connected made me plan readings this way and it could have been different.

 

Anyway....

This is the story of Gabriel Fairchild, a man who went to war because his fiancée sort of told him to. He returns but is now blind and feels everyone has abandoned and doesn't want anyone's pity.

Samantha is a nurse that wants to help him and show him being blind isn't the end of his life and that he can be on his own for a time as long as he learns to use things around him. As they challenge each other with time, they also start to fall in love and Gabriel feels he's gotten his will to live again.

But when he thinks about proposing to Samantha, an unexpected surprise makes Samantha to run away and Gabriel starts looking for her. But there are secrets to uncover and those can change everything again...

 

As far as the book's content, I can't say I didn't like it because in the end I was quite happy with the way things happened. Actually, I've read this book in one day, it was that easy to go through.

My problem is with a situation that happened towards the end that, in my opinion, was badly done and sincerely, if one thinks about it, pointless.

I enjoyed the pace of the story, the slow but sure developments that led the main characters from a situation of employer/nurse to one of true love happening. I liked the interactions between them and the "rules" that existed and stopped them from acting too soon on their feelings.

 

There's a sort of mystery that happens because of Samantha's intentions and secrets but honestly it's obvious as soon as we start reading. Just not why exactly. I didn't find it a surprise to see where things led to not how tricky the situation was when it was time to come clean. I wouldn't say this is a case of miscommunication, only silliness and procrastination and not being assertive in the right moment.

 

So, until this point the main characters had developed feelings for each other, their relationship was intense, intimate, mutual, sweet, romantic, the story was almost solved and I thought it would be lovely indeed.

Then, Gabriel starts to have his sight back or seeing shapes although not seeing clearly yet and, while looking for Samantha after she left, he meets his ex fiancé again. They talk, he feels attracted to her and she learns he's thinking about going back to war. Then they get together while he's still in love with Samantha. At this point we know something that explains and justifies this but he doesn't. Still, he chooses to do it. Oh how many point he lost in my appreciation!

His ex isn't completely guilt free either and I thought this whole situation unnecessary and stupid and easily dismissed but the truth is that it happens and that ruined the end for me. I've seen reviews where other readers say the same.

 

So, a wonderful historical lost some of its charm and beauty because of something really silly. I still liked the HEA and the journey the main characters did to achieve happiness, I've liked some of the secondary characters too and the whole environment and way Samantha dealt with Gabriel prior to his recovery and it's a pity one small, pointless detail ruined what would surely would have been one almost perfect read.

Still, it's a good historical, easy to read and recommended.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Teresa Medeiros - One Night of Scandal

Proper decorum has never come easily to Carlotta Anne Fairleigh--not even tonight, when the lovely, impetuous miss is finally making her debut. As she waits to make her entrance, she can't help wondering about the darkened house next door, the supposedly abandoned home of Hayden St. Clair, the man society has dubbed the "Murderous Marquess." Certainly one small peek through his window before the festivities would be harmless . . .
And, naturally, this latest "adventure" ends in disaster, thoroughly compromising the budding debutante's reputation and leaving her suddenly, unthinkably . . . betrothed! Soon she's en route to the wilds of Cornwall in the company of the handsome, mysterious marquess whose name the "ton" whisper with fear and loathing.
Yet there is something thrilling--and surprisingly tender--about her dark, unreachable groom, and the desire in his eyes is undeniable. But before Lottie will surrender to the yearnings in her heart, she must unlock the secrets of Hayden's past, no matter how scandalous--or perilous--they may be.  

Comment: Here's another book featured in my alphabet soup challenge. I picked this title for the letter O not only because it was something I had but also because it suited the fact I read the first story last month.

This book is the second installment of a trilogy and focuses on the sister of the protagonist of the previous book.

 

We first met Carlotta Anne Farleigh, Lottie, when she was a child in the previous book and now it's her turn to have a story. She is about to make her debut but can't resist going to the mysterious neighbor's house precisely on that night.

Hayden St Clair has a reputation of having murdered his wife. He only wants peace and finish his business deals and leave. Mistaking Lottie for someone else, Hayden ends up in a compromising situation with her. They marry in haste and suddenly Lottie has brand new challenges to overcome in her married life...

 

I liked this story overall and to be honest I had an easy time reading it. But I can't say this is the most amazing historical romance ever.

The plot follows Lottie in her new life and everything that entails. She has to learn to do many things and deal with situation she never saw coming. I liked her personality but there were some scenes where I thought her attitude to be slightly childish. But overall, we do see how much she evolves.

Hayden is someone with secrets, things he's ashamed of in his past and a huge need to make things right. He just doesn't know how to act in a way where others can understand that.

I liked how the author dealt with the main character's issues and how they had to reach a compromise.

What I think wasn't as successfully done was their romance.

 

The romance seemed lacking in my opinion. The way they meet was supposed to be funny in a way, but I didn't laugh. I have a problem with books that aren't classified as comedies but have that tone in certain parts. I'm not very certain of how to interpret things and most times what happens is I don't find it funny at all. With this couple, from their meeting , their marriage and living together, nothing seemed quite balanced or justified. It seemed disjointed in a way and I was never convinced of their bond. Even in the intimacy scenes - not that many which was good - it looked like they weren't deeply into each other, it seemed staged or described in a way I saw as shallow. I don't know, it just didn't feel right all the time.

 

There are some conflicts to solve and despite the HEA in the end, some things seemed a little bit out of context. Just my impression, though. The author's writing and presenting of some situations seemed ok, others not so much. I guess the story isn't completely balanced from beginning to end.

 

The end also seemed slightly off. I understand the small paranormal detail and why it was used but the way it helped to create the final scenes ruined it a bit. Instead of being something mysterious but only left up in the air, suggestive, it became a bit real and brought the story from alluring to clichéd and sincerely I don't think that would have been necessary. Maybe it's the result of times but I think the author didn't have to use that as a tool to finish the story.

 

All in all, this was slightly above average but doesn't have all the necessary details to make me more convinced about it nor was I as dazzled by it as I thought.

I have higher hopes for the third installment, the characters seem more likable for me and many readers praise it. Let's hope it's better done than the first two stories.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Teresa Medeiros - A Kiss to Remember

Laura Fairleigh needs a husband. If she is to keep a roof over her siblings’ heads, the prim rector’s daughter must wed by her twenty-first birthday. When she finds a mysterious stranger with the face of an angel and the body of Adonis unconscious in the forest and with no memory of his name or his past, she decides to claim him for her own. Little does she know that her fallen angel is really the devil in disguise.
Sterling Harlow, the notorious rakehell known as the “Devil of Devonbrooke,” awakens to the enchanting kiss of a lovely young woman who informs him he is her long-lost betrothed. With her sun-kissed cheeks and smattering of freckles, she looks every inch the innocent, but her curves possess a woman’s allure. When she assures him he is the perfect gentleman, he wonders if he’s lost his wits as well as his memory. He would have sworn he was not a man to be satisfied with mere kisses—especially from lips as sweet and luscious as Laura’s.As he attempts to uncover the truth before their wedding night, A Kiss To Remember ignites a passion neither of them will ever be able to forget....

Comment: Here's another TBR read. This is a complicated month for reading because I have the house cleaning and I've started a temporary job, but I couldn't miss the challenges I'm in, so I grabbed a book that was suited for this month and in the pile I had this one, which was nominated to a RITA in 2001, therefore why I picked it.

 

This is mix of amnesia/sleeping beauty story. The hero is traveling to his old childhood house to see what he has to deal with and take some orphans who live there to other places but on the way he falls of his horse and hits his head. He is rescued by the heroine, the oldest sister of the orphans who need to leave. However, Laura, the heroine, thinks if she marries the deed to the house will go to her. When she sees the stranger she makes a plan pretending they are engaged so she can marry and save the house for herself and her brother and sister.

There's a problem, though, because the hero remembers who he really is after the marriage and then how can Laura fix their problems and the fact their identities belong exactly the person they wanted to get rid of?

 

This story has many romantic elements I liked. However, I think some narrative points and clichés used weren't exploited in the best way to make this a success for me.

I understand that some of my personal preferences influence a lot of what I wished this had, but at the same time this is the goal of reading, of trying to see if we like it, if it matches our reader preferences.

For me, the least achieved element was the relationship between hero and heroine and how they treated each other. I think the author wanted to make some situations funny, namely the whole amnesia related scenes and the charades but the effect it had on my perspective wasn't as smooth and easy as a comedy scene should be like. At least I didn't laugh at Laura and the children's antics towards the hero or anything.

 

After the marriage, the truth comes up and a second part of the story starts to take place. Now the hero has the upper hand and can control the heroine's reactions and the choices she could make.

This part reads like any other story out there set in this time... I wasn't very impressed and some plot actions seemed too obvious to be simply the natural path characters would take.

 

Sterling, the hero is good enough I suppose. He's not magnificent but he proves to be the man any woman would want in the end. It's just the path that seems fake and sometimes inconsistent. Because we have to see his struggle to accept some facts, he seems doubtful. I understand this plot move to make him perfect in the end, but at the same time it's one of those tactics I have no patience for.

Or it was made to look like it to me.

The heroine is likable but she isn't very practical. I don't think the author has ever convinced me she has a steady head on her shoulders because despite all the things she is entitled, many of her actions only reflect impulsiveness. Ok, anyone can argue that this is what makes it an imaginative story, that something had to happen, but it seemed to me that some personality was exaggerated in the characters which I couldn't not think about.

 

The secondary characters are interesting for the most part, especially the children, but not to an amazing point. There's also another romance going on, not as exploited but it's another point of interest in my opinion.

All in all, the story has good aspects but it's not presented in the best way, in the most captivating way.

I think it's a good story, but after reading many other books where I was impressed and marveled, when I read a story not as rich or addictive, I can't help but notice.

But on its own, this romance is good enough. If I stop to think about the time it was written, then it's probably very good, the person I am today, reading it now...it affects me differently, thus... average to me.

Grade: 6/10