Amanda Quick - 'Til Death Do Us Part

Calista Langley operates an exclusive “introduction” agency in Victorian London, catering to respectable ladies and gentlemen who find themselves alone in the world. But now, a dangerously obsessed individual has begun sending her trinkets and gifts suitable only for those in deepest mourning—a black mirror, a funeral wreath, a ring set with black jet stone. Each is engraved with her initials.
Desperate for help and fearing that the police will be of no assistance, Calista turns to Trent Hastings, a reclusive author of popular crime novels. Believing that Calista may be taking advantage of his lonely sister, who has become one of her clients, Trent doesn’t trust her. Scarred by his past, he’s learned to keep his emotions at bay, even as an instant attraction threatens his resolve.
But as Trent and Calista comb through files of rejected clients in hopes of identifying her tormentor, it becomes clear that the danger may be coming from Calista’s own secret past—and that only her death will satisfy the stalker... 

Comment: Since I consider myself to be a fan of Amanda Quick, it was not difficult to pick up this book and start reading, especially after it got to be mentioned positively by several other readers. With the good reviews I thought the author had excelled herself in this new book and, in terms of plot, it felt so because of the atmosphere but when it comes to the romance, it was nothing new.

In this story we meet Calista Langley, a resourceful woman ahead of her time, as she has recently arranged for meetings between respectable single people of both sexes so they can mingle and chat without the usual constraints associated with such reunions. For many her salon is nothing more than a brothel arrangement but for many is a way for those who aren't accepted in certain aristocratic settings or who lack the chances to do so, to have a conversation with someone they might have things in common.

Things become a little worrying for her business and annoying for herself after an ex beau tries to get into Calista's graces again despite the way their relationship ended while at the same time someone seems to be leaving funerary mementos for her to find. Coincidentally, one of her new clients is the writer Trent Hastings, famous for his detective novels, and after a disturbing new finding, Calista trusts him with her difficulties and the two embark on a joint adventure....but will be a resolution of the case the only thing to come out of their association?

I saw some positive reviews about this book but I read them quite diagonally fearing something spoilerish might be included. I only knew several readers have liked the book and thought it was a good one from such a prolific author and whose formula for her historicals has proven easy to maintain. 

Having read many of her books too, I kind of knew what to expect: hero and heroine shouldn't have things in common but unite efforts to accomplish some sort of task, perhaps including suspense moments, perhaps not, but always with some mystery on going.

In this book, these ideas have proven to be exactly right and the main structure of the story follows the formula perfectly. Even the way the romance appears obvious but lacking some spontaneity and emotional development doesn't run far from the author's trademark style.

I'd say this is probably the element that can seem under developed and which brings the story down a bit. Although the tone of the story is relatively serious, the way the characters deal with every situation, even the difficult ones, always gives off the vibe of detachment from them which, aligned with the lack of romantic scenes, makes the stories cute and easy to read but not really generous. It's as if the elements are all there but they could be about anyone else.

I don't usually mind the lack of more depth into every detail in this author's stories. The formula works and the expectation of what is certainly to come can be seen as relatively peaceful, as if one knows exactly what one will get. However, time after time, this not only sounds repetitive but lacking originality, because all the female characters follow a pattern and all the male ones too, even if the profession they have or the social status they present differs. This means, the fun part is in the differences, in how the couple ngages one another, their family connections, the little things of their daily life.

This book added a subtle new element and I assume this is why it was well receive, even by lifelong  fans: the Gothic atmosphere seems more obvious because of the death references and dying characters throughout the book. I see the interest and it is refreshing somehow to see the main characters dealing with such a different type of villain from the usual work by mrs Quick. 

However, from the point of view of the romance, this failed to add anything new. In fact, the idea that after a few meetings, share of situations and common interests the characters are perfectly aligned in their wishes is so easy to achieve, I still don't feel convinced they are in love. They could just as easily be good friends but this is a romance, so there we have it. It's not that Calista and Trent don't match in certain areas, they do, but we don't have enough little clues about it and in a plot where they have to follow clues and wait for things and time passes by, that could have been done better.

All in all, though, I liked reading this, pat because I knew what I'd get and part because it did offer a captivating plot and a good enough resolution at the end. I don't think it's the best book by the author though (to me, of course), but it's certainly enjoyable in the genre.

Grade: 7/10

Mini-Comments

The next two books were reads I enjoyed, books I've read in Portuguese - one because I already had it and the other was lent to me, both are part of series but I don't have a lot to write about them. Therefore, to summarize in space as well, I'm leaving just a few lines about them.

An invitation to a country house party at Beaumont Castle provides a perfect solution to Tobias and Lavinia’s most exasperating challenge: how to escape the chaos of London for a remote, relaxing--and above all romantic--retreat from prying eyes and wagging tongues. But the lovers’ plans are foiled when their first cozy interlude of the weekend is disrupted by the appearance of a stunning woman from Tobias’s past. Aspasia Gray’s beauty is as haunting as her connection to Tobias. Her long-deceased fiancé was a friend of his--in addition to being an eccentric assassin. The mysterious nature of the bond between Tobias and Aspasia makes Lavinia more than a little uncomfortable. Especially as her first encounter with Aspasia occurs when she finds her in Tobias’s bedchamber...
It seems Aspasia is seeking protection--and solace--after receiving an ominous message that eerily recalls the past. Suddenly the obstacles standing betweenTobias and Lavinia appear greater than just a little London gossip--and far more deadly.When events at the castle suggest someone is imitating the dead killer’s methods, the team of Lake and March fervently pursue the investigation--and each other--as their leads take them from Society’s most elegant haunts--and most discreet hideaways--to London’s shadiest backstreets. As their relationship heats up, so does the intrigue. Soon Lavinia will have to employ all her talents to flummox the scoundrel who so rudely interrupted her rendezvous. And then she and Tobias can get back to more pleasurable affairs.

Comment: This is the third story of the Lake-March trilogy. Once again the couple Lavinia and Tobias team up to solve a mystery and hoping to be paid for their efforts. The problem though, is that the person asking for help used to know Tobias and of course Lavinia was not happy with it...

To finish this trilogy I hoped for some developments regarding the romance between Tobias and Lavinia and despite this having happened and bearing in mind some emotional decisions both had before finally agreeing on a definitive relationship, I just think these things were only superficially addressed and didn't have as much page time as I hoped.

The mystery was solved, the villain was caught and, in the meantime there was even room for some new plot twists. The author is talented to engineer interesting paths and twists but I did wish she would emphasize the romance aspects a little more.

Grade: 8/10

 -//- 

Glastonbury, an art restorer, has been brutally murdered, and the newly discovered Rembrandt he

was working on has disappeared.
For spy turned art restorer Gabriel Allon, it has been six months since his final showdown with the murderous Russian oligarch and arms dealer Ivan Kharkov. He has severed his ties with the Office with only one thing in mind: recovery. But this unspeakable act of violence once again draws Allon into a world of danger he thought he had left behind for ever.
Allon is persuaded to use his unique skills to trace the painting and those responsible for the crimes. As he investigates, he discovers there are terrible secrets connected to the painting, and terrible men behind them. Before he is done, he will have undertaken a journey through some of the twentieth century's darkest history - and come face to face with some of the same darkness within himself.

Comment: This is the 10th installment in a series featuring spy/art restorer Gabriel Allon. Apparently this is a very clever spy for the Israeli secret service and this is the second book I read about him. The first was the immediate story before this one. Both books have been lent to me, I never felt interested in reading and the 9th book was quite dark in happenings so I wasn't really eager to read this one. However, I ended up liking it because the theme is very interesting and I liked the steps taken to solve the wrongdoings of the past. There is even some emotional content I wasn't expecting but that made the story feel a lot richer. What I would dismiss - but that I understand that wouldn't happen - is the spying business, I mean... not really my thing.

Perhaps I'll read more by the author in the future but it's not an author/series I'd go out of my way to look for.

Grade: 7/10

Amanda Quick - Don't Look Back

As if a head for business and a nose for trouble aren’t enough to distinguish fiercely independent Lavinia Lake from the other women of London’s fashionable Claremont Lane, there is one more feature to set her apart. Lavinia is also well versed in the practice of mesmerism, an extraordinary gift that far surpasses mere charm and physical appeal. Nobody knows this better than the usually coolheaded Tobias March, who seems to have fallen hopelessly under her spell. Fortunately for all, however, Lavinia uses her powers for good. And ever since a tragedy involving one of her subjects, she has even retired them in favor of her work with Lake and March, a joint venture providing “discreet private inquiries for individuals of quality.” Celeste Hudson, the stunningly beautiful young wife of a family friend and fellow mesmerist, would surely count herself among such individuals--were she still alive, that is. 
Together, Lake and March undertake a tantalizing investigation that leads them from the glittering ballrooms of the ton to London’s seediest taverns to a mesmerist whose therapies include treating ladies suffering from “hysteria” is a a most unconventional method--and, not least of all, to the darkest reaches of men’s psyches. Along the way, Don’t Look Back becomes a completely mesmerizing read as the irrepressible Lavinia and Tobias mix business with pleasure....

Comment: Just a short comment about this second installment in the Lake/march trilogy by Amanda Quick. I've read the first book last month and it was a story that didn't being any surprises when it came to writing style. Since this author is very consistent in her writing, I knew I'd like this one as well...

In this second story we keep on following the adventures of Lavinia Lake and Tobias March as they get more and more comfortable with one another, both in their professional arrangement and in the developing personal relationship they have started.

In this story the two team up again to investigate the murder of the wife of an old friend of Lavinia. During the investigation, suspicion also falls on Lavinia's friend, and Tobias is adamant he won't let Lavinia put herself in danger to help her friend who, according to Tobias, looks at her as not just a friend...

However, things get even more complicated when rumors about the dead woman reveal she wasn't as innocent as she appeared. Will the investigators uncover the secrets behind apparently unrelated situations which turn out to be the opposed of what everyone thought?

As I've said, this was a story I expected to read easily and I was proven right. I think the author has succeeded in finding her style and she sticks to it, whether it's her historical novels or her other genres. In this book, this is very evident and it was quite satisfying to expect a certain type of plot/story and seeing it being delivered.

I liked this story overall, but mostly for the details and the advance in the romantic entanglements.

The murder plot wasn't as difficult to follow as one can imagine and most of the elements connected to it were basic. It was still fun to see what would happen next, of course. I especially liked how some things were assumed to be developed a certain way in terms of investigation but then we discover those details weren't as important and vice-versa. I see why the author adds so many investigation clues - after all the plot is based on that - but in my POV, the real attraction is the characterization of everyone.

I really like how the relationship between Lavinia and Tobias is being presented. Although, I must say that sometimes their behavior seems to be a little too modern-like, even if that doesn't remove any of the interest in reading things about them.

Their relationship goes slowly but of course we can know they like one another a lot more than they admit and even the small interactions they share through the day are clues regarding the feelings between them. I can imagine things will finally be made solid in the last story but it's quite amusing too, how others work together to let them share moments and to realize they are well matched.

In fact, the secondary characters are key players in the story for they allow many interesting situations to happen. There is a certain emphasis on two other secondary couples and all mixed up, it feels like these people are part of everyone's lives and I do like when authors take the time to add domesticity and surroundings to things, it makes them feel more realistic in a way.

I'm quite curious to see how the trilogy ends.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: Amanda Quick - Slightly Shady

From the moment the stranger burst into her antiquities shop in Rome, Lavinia Lake knew he was nothing but trouble. He said he was in pursuit of a killer. He swore he was only trying to save her. Yet Lavinia was convinced that Mr. Tobias March was bent instead on destroying her. When the self-described spy hustled her all the way back to England, Lavinia vowed she would find a way to repay him in full. She never dreamed that Mr. March had in fact been telling the truth, that he had been hired to track down a powerful villain. And just as his investigation was heating up, he found it complicated by the most ungovernable, exasperating-and slightly shady-woman he had ever met. Lavinia most certainly never dreamed they would meet again, forced into partnership under shocking circumstances-or that their fiery disputes would spark a sizzling desire as overwhelming as the danger they faced.... 

Comment: Here we are again, on another Wednesday dedicated to the TBR Challenge. For this month, Wendy has decided to nominate the theme Historical, which is quite wide and can be adapted to the readers preferences. I'm not very picky in my historicals so I went with Amanda Quick, an author I've read and enjoyed before and whose books I still have in the pile.

This title is the first of a trilogy where we get t follow the adventures of Lavinia Lake and Tobias March. They meet in Rome when Tobias destroys some statues in Lavinia's antiques' shop while accusing her of being part of an organization that has shady business.

Since they find evidence of the shop being used as such, Lavinia accepts Tobias' decision to go back to England with her niece Emeline.

Already there, needing to find a means to survive, Lavinia decides to embark in a new profession by investigating the cases that go her way, not imagining that Tobias has the same job. Circumstances put them in the same path and they decide to momentarily join forces. But since they do have a lot in common, even their sarcastic temperament, can they be a good enough team?

As expected, this story is told in a very objective way, meaning that the characters are not prone to much inner dialogue nor hesitancy. From begin to end, they are always aware of what they do and there isn't much for the reader to see in terms of mundane things. Every scene has a purpose. This also means most things not seen need to be read between the lines and this is probably my favorite aspect of this author's writing style.

On the other hand, everything seems to follow a straight line and no deviations happen, which makes the story feel too much as a moving train, no time to wonder, to think.

If this is something that appeals to you or that you haven't seen in books, the author is talented in that regard.

For me, the story was good enough because it was what I imagined in terms of writing. As for the plot, it had its moments but I can't say it was spectacularly done. The main issue revolves around the investigations done by Lavinia and Tobias, together or on their own, while interacting with other characters. I guess that if one expects an amazing mystery, this is not it. Yes, the steps towards the discovery of a killer and of the mystery are believable but not as ingenious as one might hope. What makes this story is obviously the main character's relationship and why they are a stronger team.

The romance is a little too quick, especially for historicals contents. It does suit these people but the same thing usually happens in all the books by the author, the characters enter an intimate relationship rather soon as if that's normal and expected of the two whether it's accepted or not in the society of the time where the action is set. I guess the romantic part is after, while they adjust to the idea of being together and caring for one another. I understand the tactic but...well, it's not as likely, is it? Still, I like to know ore about them by little details and that sort of "hides" the less achieved parts of the actions they go through.

Since there are two more books, the relationship is going to develop even further there. Lavinia is not a common historical heroine but I liked her and, of course, Tobias has a great hart underneath some of his more impetuous comments or decisions.

All in all, this was a great way to spend some time, this is not heavy reading, it's perfect to relax and be entertained. I wouldn't say this is the best book ever but it did live up to its promise and expectations within its genre. I'm definitely going to read the others as this one did a good job making me curious and wanting to see more of this interesting couple as well as their closer family members.

Grade: 8/10

Amanda Quick - Ravished

From the cozy confines of a tiny seaside village to the glittering crush of the a fashionable London

soiree comes an enthralling tale of a thoroughly mismatched couple . . . poised to discover the rapture of love.
There was no doubt about it. What Miss Harriet Pomeroy needed was a man. Someone powerful and clever who could help her rout the unscrupulous thieves who were using her beloved caves to hide their loot. But when Harriet summoned Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, to her aid, she could not know that she was summoning the devil himself. . . .
Dubbed the Beast of Blackthorne Hall for his scarred face and lecherous past, Gideon was strong and fierce and notoriously menacing. Yet Harriet could not find it in her heart to fear him. For in his tawny gaze she sensed a savage pain she longed to soothe . . . and a searing passion she yearned to answer. Now, caught up in the Beast’s clutches, Harriet must find a way to win his heart–and evade the deadly trap of a scheming villain who would see them parted for all time.

Comment: This is another book by the author I had to read. I still have a trilogy and some titles form one of her series left to read but I'll get to those later on or probably next yeas, as far away as it seems now. I'll just take a time from the author right now unless something makes me change my mind.

Anyway, this is the story of Harriet, she's very interested in fossils and she lives near some caves where she found out interesting fossils but she also saw thieves hiding jewels and other things in there. She calls for St Justin, the responsible for the lands to help her and catch the thieves so she can have the caves for herself once more. While dealing with this, St Justin also sees Harriet for who she is, a loyal and down to earth young lady who isn't afraid of him despite his scar and the rumors about his past. In an adventure to look for the thieves they also embark on an adventure of their own, will they have happiness as a result?

I liked the story. I've seen around that many readers consider this one of the authors best books and I've started it with that expectation. I wasn't as surprised about it because to this day I still consider The River Knows the best book by her I've ever read, but this one isn't bad, it's just that, at this point, after so many books, I didn't see anything to make it especially different from all the others. I suppose the detail of Gideon St Justin having a scar and having a past others fear can make him into a sort of monster to Harriet's beauty, but I didn't see that as an obvious thing. Their relationship did work around that idea, his appearance isn't easily taken well by others whereas Harriet thins him to be beautiful, but the dynamics between them and in particular Harriet's personalty didn't convince me this theme was the key point to work with. I think Harriet was too much aloof to deal with this with the proper beauty and the best trope. So, for me, I wouldn't say it's a beauty and the best story. He just happens to be a man many don't enjoy looking at.

The plot is something already seen too much in the author's stories. Somehow I didn't find this such an obvious thing in my favorite book by her although it's there. But perhaps because I've been reading many of her books in the past year, currently it seems the main idea is always the same. I guess it bothered me a bit here because I had those said high expectations. In the other books it was something I liked but here I wanted more, in a weird way, because I know her style.

The romance was cute of course, how wonderful to see them find that special person that likes you despite your faults and who stands by you no matter what. The romance was good I think. I enjoyed seeing them together and even the silly parts were fun because it showed them interact more and it made their relationship more solid at the same time.

The secondary characters played their part and I have to confess the bad guy was someone I didn't see coming although I could say some clues pointed out to him...but I think I was to distracted at the time to really pay attention to it. Well, it did allow me a surprise in the end!

The story was cute, yes. I liked being in a familiar environment, being with those kind of characters for a while. The best of these books is exactly their known actions and personalities. Although I wanted more of this one I can't say it was bad or that it lacked anything one might want from a book with this author's trademark ideas and prose. 
I hope any books by her I might read in the future are also interesting and comforting to be with.
Grade: 7/10 

Amanda Quick - Affair

Charlotte Arkendale knew all there was to know about men. After all, she'd made a career out of steering marriage-minded women away from untrustworthy members of the opposite sex.
Yet nothing could have prepared her for Baxter St. Ives--an arresting stranger too daring, too determined, too dangerous to be her new man-of-affairs. Still, perhaps he was the perfect person to help Charlotte investigate the recent murder of one of her clients. So she gave him a chance, never realizing that Baxter, a gifted scientist, would soon conduct a risky exploration into the alchemy of desire, with Charlotte as his subject.
But even as he sets out to seduce Charlotte, a twisted killer lies in wait, ready to part the lovers...or see them joined together forever--in death.

Comment: Another one of the many books by the author that I have. The blurb of this one seemed promising so I left it for later instead of one of the others, as I tend to leave things that seem better for later and thus enjoying them more. It's a personal thing of mine.

This is Charlotte and Baxter's story. Charlotte has had a difficult experience when younger and she actually saved her younger sister from a crime. She and her sister were left without any family after that and Charlotte put her brain to work and came up with a job she could do and that wouldn't be what was expected of young ladies with nothing. But now she has a task to accomplish and she needs a man-of-affairs to help her.
Baxter is a chemist and prefers his laboratory to anything else because, as a bastard, he had to live with his family's name in the society gossip. But someone is dead and he wants to know who did the deed and clues point to Charlotte. He gets to be her man-of-affairs and tries to investigate, but soon they both reach the conclusion there's more to the other than they thought and more than respect starts to grow between them.

I liked this story a lot. I thin it's one of the author's best in this genre.Although all of them follow a certain formula and can be very similar in terms of plot devices and sequences, I still feel there's some unique feel to each story that makes it more or less enjoyable. 

I thought this story was very good and I really liked the main characters.
Charlotte has had some challenges but she comes up as a independent and smart woman int he end. I liked how she faced a dire situation but she used her brain and despite working she can also provide help to other women and keeping her respectable position, even though people still thin she's odd. hen she meets Baxter she fears his personality is more than he appears to show and she is proved right later on. But Charlotte is also practical - like most Quick's heroines - and she doesn't let herself be too dazzled. But she still can't help feel attracted and to fall in love. I liked this contrast,she can be down to earth but has a softer side when in love. Their romance happened like most romances by this author do, with an apparent easy seduction but that hides a strong bond.
As for Baxter, he's an interesting character, also with his problems in life, but he is a trustworthy person, everyone says so. He helps others even when he doesn't feel like it and he takes charge when needed. But he isn't an alpha type character and part of his charm was due to this. I think I appreciated his behavior more because of this.
Problems aside, these two had a good story, they had a good relationship, they had something special between them and most people didn't see what each one of them saw in the other, and I liked how they were something a little bit special just for the other one.

The plot was smart, with the usual clichés too, but despite this, still managed to be entertaining and offered some interesting twists. Some things were expected, but it was still enjoyable even when we knew what would follow. There were some details about this plot that also gave some more depth to the overall story, and not always something easily obvious in her other novels.

All in all, a god story, good characters, many elements to strengthen the things happening and a main couple that was good together and on their own. Good secondary characters to enhance the main one's personality and in the end, a satisfying conclusion. I liked it a lot.
Grade: 8/10

Amanda Quick / Jenna Black

From a magnificent ballroom ablaze with lights to an imposing country house steeped in shadows

comes a breathtaking tale of an impetuous miss - and a passion that leads to peril...
At five and twenty, Prudence Merryweather knew very well the risks a woman took by visiting a gentleman in the dead of night. But bearding the notorious Earl of Angelstone in his den was the only way to stop him from engaging her hot-headed brother in a duel. And that was why she found herself ushered into Sebastian's forbidding presence at three in the morning - and thoroughly kissed before dawn.
She was a country-bred innocent and an intriguing experience for a man who dwelt more in the shadows than in sunshine. Yet as her boldness drew Prue into one dangerous episode after another, Sebastain found himself torn between a raging hunger to possess her and a driving need to protect her. And the reckless beauty would soon need all the protection she could get....

Comment: Another book by Amanda Quick. This story was very good, I liked it more than some of the others. The romance was interesting enough, but it was the mystery that made me read fast. Both main characters have a huge interest in doing research and they could be two journalists of the old days because they tend to investigate things, in particular the case of a young lady who died at an important man's house. Now he claims her ghost has come to haunt him but the main couple discovers what really happened. I'm quite surprised about the way the story evolved, it seemed this story had a more thoughtful plot than some of the other books. The romance has its little issues but overall, it was good. So far, one of the best by her.

* * *

Some people worship them. Some people fear them. And some people--like Morgan Kingsley--go up against them toe-to-toe, flesh to flesh, and power against power. An exorcist by trade, Morgan is one of the few humans with an aura stronger than her possessor, even though her demon can tease her body senseless. She's also a woman who has just discovered a shocking truth: everything she once believed about her past, her identity, may have been a lie.
With a family secret exploding around her and a full-scale demon war igniting, Morgan is a key player in an unsettled world. Then a rogue sociopathic demon enters her life with a bang. His name is The Hunter. And since she is the prey, Morgan has only one choice: to hunt The Hunter down--no matter what heartbreaking truths she uncovers along the way....

Comment: This is the second book in the Morgan Kingsley series. I liked the first one quite a lot and this one wasn't behind in interest. Morgan has her brother back and she also learns some world changing truths about her origins and this will set her up in a path she didn't want but can't help going into. She also talks to her ex and they sort their things...kind of. She has to deal with her demon and his fight which she didn't want to get into more than she already was but once again, she has no other way of solving things. I lied the story a lot, like I said, it moves along wonderfully, I love the characters, the personalities, the writing, the plot...it's almost perfect.

Amanda Quick - Mistress

After a year of grand adventures touring the classical ruins of Italy and Greece, Iphiginia Bright returned to England to discover that the real excitement was at home. It seems that her Aunt Zoe has fallen victim to a sinister blackmailer and only Iphiginia can hope to stop the culprit before he can do more harm.
Her plan is inspired: Imitating history's most legendary beauties--Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Aphrodite--the former schoolmistress will remake herself, and descend upon London Society as the dazzling mistress of Marcus Valerius Cloud, the infamous Earl of Masters. Rumors hint that the Earl has disappeared at the blackmailer's hands, and by posing as his unknown mistress, Iphiginia is convinced she can ferret out the villain.
Overnight, Iphiginia is transformed into a vision with a host of eager admirers, including one she does not expect -- the Earl of Masters himself, who strides into a shimmering ballroom one evening to cooly reclaim his "mistress". He is everything they say he is... arrogant, attractive, devastatingly seductive, and Iphiginia can't help but be enthralled.
But when Marcus agrees to play along with her charade, she doesn't know that the determined earl has plans of his own: to tease and tempt her, until the beautiful deceiver becomes more than his mistress in name only.

Comment: Another one by this author to read. When I first saw the title I really didn't have much hopes for it, because mistress evokes a certain theme and I wasn't very eager to read about it, so I delayed it's read as far as I could but when one thinks about it, all the books by this author have  the same "feel" and work the same way, so after some books I was sold on how there wouldn't be anything to dread about it.

This is the story of Iphiginia Bright, who poses as the mistress of earl of Masters in order to pursue others close to him, for she believes him to be dead. She is as surprised as everyone when he enters the ballroom where she is. Curious about the woman who dared to behave like that, Marcus, earl of Masters plays along with her until they are able to leave without a bigger scandal.
Iphiginia has been in love with Marcus for some time and she only wanted to find out who killed him and blackmailed her aunt but she wasn't prepared for the man himself to pay attention to her. Her surprising scheme caught his attention all right, so with time it's inevitable her feelings grow stronger. But what about his?

Like I said, this story follows the same pattern all the others have. The couple gets together in a sort of adventure or common purpose and they fall in love during that time, most times in a very professional way, which means, it's almost as if their feelings are secondary to the fact they are going to be together. This aspect never bothered me, but in two or three books I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be better to make the characters more alive, more realistic because people, and I imagine not even in those old days, were as practical about feelings like that, they had to be more spontaneous, for sure. After a lot of novels I got used to this, but sometimes I still wish it would be different this time...
Anyway, apart from that this story has the usual ingredients to wait for: a man oblivious at first about what is going on, then he helps the woman, he tries to find out more about her for she has been mysterious, then he knows she is the best woman out there for him because she is different from the others, the woman attempts something brave but he has to rescue her somehow, then they solve the problem and he tells her it's best if they marry. With a difference here and there, usually this is how it goes. Even though I'm repeating myself, I know these stories are very predictable, but I like the comforting they are for some time. Most times anyway.

This wasn't one of the best, I still haven't read one that looked better for me than The River Knows, but in a way, these novels accomplish a great deal, for they make the reader expectant to finish them, knowing that despite the usual, there's always an HEA at the end of the page.

Gaelen Foley / Amanda Quick

Destiny casts its hand one perfect moonlit night when Ascencion's most elusive highwayman, the Masked Rider, chooses the wrong coach to rob. For inside is Rafael, the prince of the kingdom, renowned for his hot-blooded pursuits of women and other decadent pleasures. The failed raid leaves the equally notorious Masked Rider wounded and facing a hangman's noose. Then Rafe realizes his captive criminal is Lady Daniela Chiaramonte, a defiant beauty who torments him, awakening his senses and his heart as no woman has before.
Dani can only wonder if she's been delivered to heaven or hell once she agrees to marry the most desirable man in the Mediterranean - until forces of treachery threaten to destroy their tenuous alliance and bring down the throne itself....

Comment: This is the third installment in the Ascension trilogy I’ve been reading. I didn’t like it as much as the first one, which was the best in my opinion. This 3rd story was about the crown prince and the lady that captured his heart, but I wasn’t as impressed because the way the prince behaved before and how he lives at the beginning of the story. His character wasn’t very pleasant so I didn’t warm up to him, and when he met his lady, although the storyline was interesting, in the end my thoughts about the prince sort of clouded my final opinion. I guess I couldn’t put aside my feelings about his character to enjoy the story more. It’s a pity, but to be honest I feel better when I think I accomplished to finish another trilogy.

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From the windswept, craggy coast of a remote British isle comes the thrilling tale of a daring lady and a dangerous knight...bound by the tempests of fate -- and by the dawning of...DESIRE
Upon her father's death, beautiful, headstrong Lady Clare knew that she must wed, for the protections of the Isle of Desire now fell to her. Yet when her guardian's choice of prospective husband rode through her castle gates, she felt utterly betrayed. All sinewy muscle and savage steel, Sir Gareth of Wyckmere was not the poet she'd requested but a fearsome knight whose only interest was in war.
Legions of robbers had fallen beneath the Hellhound of Wyckmere's sword, and now this bold warrior was certain that he could tame one willful wife. Yet even Gareth could not deter Lady Clare from trying to mold him into her ideal...until their clash of wills ignited a passion that set them both aflame...and a treacherous plot put their love and their lives in deadly peril.

Comment: This is another of the books by the author I had to read in my TBR list. Like I said so many times before about her books, I think she wrote better but this one wasn’t so bad. The story was engaging and had enough elements in it to make me enjoy the reading. Clare is the lady of the isle of Desire and needs to marry because she doesn’t have any means of defense against anyone who’d want to attack the isle and she had a business to secure, the source of income to her and the people in the isle. In comes Gareth, he’s known to be a serious and ferocious opponent and being a bastard son he has no way to secure lands without marrying, so he goes with his men to the island and he marries Clare. Of course, attraction is to be expected and all the usual plot lines but I wasn’t bored, I got to be pleased with the book quite enough and in the end the things happening proved to be interesting and entertaining for me.

Amanda Quick - Reckless

At sixteen Phoebe Layton had imagined that Gabriel Banner was a brave and valiant knight, a noble-hearted hero born to rescue ladies in distress. Which is why, eight years later, when she desperately needed help toe carry out a vital quest, she could think of no one more suited to the job than Gabriel.
But when she lures her shining knight to a lonely midnight rendezvous, Phoebe finds herself sparring with a dangerously desirable man who is nothing like the hero of her dreams. And when he sweeps her into a torrid -- and blatantly unchivalrous -- embrace, she can't help but fear that she's made a dreadful mistake. It's a kiss that will seal Phoebe's fate. For now the exacting Earl of Wylde has a quest of his own: to possess the most intriguing, impulsive, outrageous female he has ever met...even if he has to slay a dragon to do it.

Comment: Another one of the books by Amanda Quick I have in my TBR list. I'm decided to finish them this year...

This is the story of Phoebe and Gabriel. Phoebe first met Gabriel when she was 16 because he kidnapped her sister from a unwanted marriage but her sister regretted that and returned to her betrothed and Gabriel was left with nothing soon after that because of the girl's father.

Now, Phoebe needs Gabriel's help in a quest, for she believes a man was killed without reason and she wants to find th truth as well as a book that belonged to her. The two things quickly seem to be wrapped in the same purpose and Phoebe wants Gabriel to be her sort of knight.

Gabriel wants revenge from the family that contributed to his losing everything. Despite being rich now, he still feels deceived in the past and when he realizes Phoebe is the younger daughter of the man who caused his troubles, e wants nothing more than to use her and make them pay. But the more time he spends with her, more deep he goes into her schemes and love makes an appearance too.

This was another good enough story, great to spend the time with, like most her books. I can't say it was an amazing read, but it surely offered a few hours of entertainment.

The story was interesting, although I feel some things were done rather loosely..I wish there could be a deeper level sometimes, to make the book more serious because despite not considering them funny reads, there is always a certain sense of easiness, of nonchalance that I think sometimes didn't have to be as blatant as that. Anyway, it's not like I see it all the time, but..it's a thought.

The romance was fine, I guess. Phoebe and Gabriel didn't seem to have much in common, and their physical relationship wasn't the best the author has written, but the dialogue is great and they're always debating something, it's good.

I liked some of the secondary characters, for instance, Phoebe's brother and it would have been fun to see him get a romance of his own.

The story details were several and quite different. In a way, it made the story move along with many things to keep the reader interested but it also gave a feel of fullness to the book and in a way I think it could have used a plot line less or something, I'm not sure how to explain.

I liked reading this, it's not the best one of hers, but is surpasses two or three I enjoyed less and that I think weren't as entertaining and warranting to the characters as this one.

Amanda Quick - Mystique

A tantalizing tale of a legendary knight and a headstrong lady whose daring quest for a mysterious crystal will draw them into a whirlwind of treachery-and desire.
When the fearsome knight called Hugh the Relentless swept into Lingwood Manor like a storm, everyone cowered-except Lady Alice. Sharp-tongued and unrepentant, the flame haired beauty believed Sir Hugh was not someone to dread but the answer to her dreams. She knew he had come for the dazzling green crystal, knew he would be displeased to find that it was no longer in her possession. Yet Alice had a proposition for the dark and forbidding knight: In return for a dowry that would free Alice and her brother from their uncle's grasp, she would lend her powers of detection to his warrior's skills and together they would recover his treasured stone. But even as Hugh accepted her terms, he added a condition of his own: Lady Alice must agree to a temporary betrothal-one that would soon draw her deep into Hugh's great stone fortress, and into a battle that could threaten their lives...and their only chance at love.

Comment: In my keeping up with the Amanda Quick collection I own, this time I've picked up Mystique. I didn't research it before, so I wasn't aware it was set in the medieval times instead of the usual regency, but to be honest this didn't bothered me, because the author kept her trademark strong willed heroine even in a time where young woman certainly wouldn't be like that, but as I don't read the author's novels to look for historical accuracy, I wasn't bothered with that either.

This book tells us the story of Hugh, he's a knight very respected and feared and he is looking for a special jewel, He has the information lady Alice has it and he goes to see her about that. he finds someone witty and she even tries to make a bargain with him. He never encountered a woman like her so he accepts and even proposes a betrothal, just to keep things more official.

While looking for the jewel, they get even more complications and even attraction.

I liked this one. It was quite entertaining, I managed to read it in one day....I thought it was good enough. I know Amanda Quick isn't the most creative and imaginative or even accurate writer out there, but I read it for an entertaining story, for a few hours with compelling characters and a story intriguing enough to keep me interested until the end. Sure, it's not always brilliant, but it's one of those cases that the amount of time I spend having fun reading surpasses way much the possibility of a more structured story, so no regrets reading her books.

I liked the romance. It was very cliché, the strong hero seduces the innocent but smart heroine and they fall in love and win in the end. Still, it was fun like I said, and the story was quite compelling to me. They had to find a jewel and they did, but Alice got endangered and was saved by Hugh...later on she got to his defense as well when he was being mocked...the romance has a certain sense of balance which I liked.

Alice was a wonder woman of her time though. She knew many things she had a smart head and even a notebook about diseases which helped her save Hugh's father figure and someone he cared about. Obviously a bit pushed but I still think it fit the storyline even if not much believable. I liked the end and how Hugh was able to get past some hate he had for another knight under his father figure's care and it was very hopeful. I like HEAs that make me happy with the world too, because they give hope, even when it's all just make believe.

I'll read another one next month and I hope it's as entertaining as this one.

Alexandra Ivy / Amanda Quick

Tane is a Charon, sworn to hunt and kill rogue vampires. His new assignment seems like a waste of his talents…until he catches up with the Jinn he's been sent to capture. Half human, half demon, Laylah has a vulnerable streak that strikes right through to Tane's cold heart. He should be furious when she uses her powers to bind them together, preventing him from dragging her before the Commission. Instead he welcomes any reason to stay close enough to touch, to taste, to seduce…
Laylah doesn't know why she was chosen to protect a child who may be the catalyst in a war between good and evil. But the mysteries of her past pale compared to the dangers approaching. Tane is devastatingly strong, breathtakingly sensual. And Laylah will have to trust in every ounce of that strength, because her enemies are drawing near, eager to destroy them both…

With her reputation forever tarnished by a youthful indiscretion, lovely Emily Faringdon is resigned to a life of spinsterhood, until she embarks on an unusual correspondence and finds herself falling head over heals in love. Sensitive, intelligent, and high-minded, her noble pen pal seems to embody everything Emily has ever dreamed of in a man. But Simon Augustus Traherne, the mysterious Earl of Blade, is not at all what he seems.
Driven by dark, smoldering passions and a tragic secret buried deep within his soul, Blade has all of London cowering at his feet, but not Emily...never Emily. For even as she surrenders to his seductive charms, she knows the real reason for his amorous suit. And she knows that she must reach the heart of this golden-eyed dragon before the avenging demons of their entwined pasts destroy the only love she has ever known...

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Comment: These two books are written by authors I intend to keep following in 2013, specially because I'm behind on their work.

Devoured by Darkness is another installment in the Guardians of Eternity series. This time, it's Tane's turn to have a story, he's a vampire enforcer and punished the bad vampires, so many new vampires fear them and older ones stay away from him, which means he lives rather lonely, although he has social skills very valuable. His most recent mission is to follow a half jinn in order to know what she's hiding and that could help the vampires fighting the evil sorcerers around. Laylah is the jinn and she hides a child, but when meeting Tane she feels her life might change. While the two run from the bad guys, obviously they feel attracted and fall in love...I liked the book, but I have to confess it wasn't as thrilling as the other ones before. Still, some new things happened in terms of plot development and I was quite interested in what will happen, can't wait for the next story. The romance was fine but not the best in my opinion.

Scandal is another book by Amanda Quick and I must say it wasn't the best I've read, actually it is now one of my least favorites. The plot had everything to be a success, a man looking for revenge but falling for his intended, a young woman with a misunderstood scandal in her past and love around the corner, but I found Simon, the male protagonist, too obnoxious and brute at times to be really likable. The female protagonist was too naive although hopeful and I didn't see their relationship as balanced or romantic. I have many more books by this author to read, I have confidence all will be better.

Amanda Quick - Rendezvous

From the elegantly appointed drawing rooms of London's most exclusive club to an imposing country estate in the heart of Dorset comes a provocative tale of a free-thinking beauty, a dignified lord, and a mad impetuous love that defied all logic....
Augusta Ballinger was quite sure that is was all a dreadful mistake. The chillingly pompous and dangerously disturbing Earl of Graystone could not possibly wish to marry her. Why, it was rumored that his chosen bride must be a veritable model of virtue. And everyone knew that Augusta, as the last of the wild, reckless Northumberland Ballingers, was a woman who could not be bothered with society's rules....That was why the spirited beauty had planned a midnight encounter to warn the earl off, to convince him that she would make him a very poor wife indeed. But when she crawled in through his darkened study window, Augusta only succeeded in strengthening Harry's resolve to kiss the laughter from those honeyed lips and teach the maddening miss to behave! How could he possibly know that it was he who was in for a lesson...as his brazen fiancee set out to win his heart -- and an old and clever enemy stepped in to threaten their love, their honor, and their very lives?

Comment: Another book by this author.
Like always, I feel this type of book makes me forget things around me because I'm sure to get a romance with unlikely situations but many funny moments.

This is the story of Harry, the earl of Graystone and Augusta Ballinger. Harry is a cynical person and wants to lead a normal life after a life in the war as the leader of spies for the crown. He knows he needs a wife and makes a list of characteristics his bride to be must have, among them loyalty.
Augusta is a young woman living with her uncle and cousin since her parents and older bother died. She clings to their memory and by helping her cousin. She also lives to be adventurous and reckless.
Normally, these two would be the most unsuited for each other, but Harry sees something in Augusta and eventually proposes. She's surprised because everyone was talking about Harry's list and he wanted a virtuous and proper lady and she believes she's nothing of that kind, but the truth is, with time and adventurous for both of them, things change and Harry sees his perfect bride was there all along.

I liked this book. the two main characters didn't seem to see the other in the best way but with time they realized the other was much different from what they thought. I liked seeing harry believing in love although at first he didn't consider it a valuable thing while entering a marriage. Augusta also seemed suspicious about how Harry proposed to her, she believed him to make a mistake but from the moment we met them we see how they care for each other. With time, their feelings changed and increased and it was great to watch.
The story is rather predictable, but it offered many funny moments and interesting scenes, specially when the couple would discuss the roles of man and women in society and what was expected of them.
There is a kind of mystery to find and the end is surprising not because of who the villain is, but how he was found. I'm also happy to have seen the main couple talking about what they meant for each other and how they've worked out their issues in order to be happy.

In the end it was a good book, predictable yes, but entertaining enough for me to keep my faith in this author's talent to make me spend a good time reading.

Amanda Quick - Surrender

At four and twenty Victoria Huntington thought herself quite adept at fending off fortune hunters...until she came under siege from Lucas Colebrook, the darkly disturbing new Earl of Stonevale. Amidst the brightly plumed birds of the ton, Lucas was a hawk. And when he held out the lure of moonlit rides and wild, reckless midnight escapades, Victoria found herself powerless to resist.
But becoming Stonevale's companion in adventure was a far more dangerous undertaking than Victoria could ever imagine. For the attractive earl would use her every weakness to woo her, to win her, and ultimately to wed her. And soon the amber-eyed lady would find herself ensconced in a crumbling mansion deep in the English countryside...where the real reason for her hasty marriage becomes all to apparent...and where the ghosts of her dark-stained past are waiting to rise up in a terrifying plot that will threaten her life, her honor, and the only man she could ever love.

Comment: Another book by this author. This time it's the story of Lucas and Victoria, two strong willed characters that want thing their way and don't accept compromise easily, although things run out of their control.
Lucas was wounded in the war but came back because he became the heir to his family's title. The problem is there's no family so he must marry a wealthy heiress and asks for the help of Jessica Atherton, a former love who declined his offer once exactly because her family wasn't rich either and she married for duty, playing the role of martyr. Still, feelings for Lucas remain and she tells him which ladies are the most suited ones. Among them is Victoria Huntington, she's 24 already and planning to be a spinster.
Victoria has declined marriage proposals and keeps saying that because she doesn't want to follow her mother's steps, as she was miserable in her marriage to Victoria's stepfather. At the same time she feels how unfair it is foe unmarried ladies to not be able to do what they want because of conventions. She dreams of adventure and finds in Lucas a willing (most times) partner. They get themselves into the most unusual situations and get to know each other pretty well. One day they are caught by Victoria's aunt and it's done, they have to marry.

I liked how the story felt. Things were done step by step and although one can say it was predictable how things would end up, I still enjoyed the things that were happening until the end. I have to confess it isn't my favorite story by the author, something about the characters, but it was a good story nevertheless.
Lucas was a very compelling character because we saw from the beginning his reasons were reasonable and he did care for Victoria, much more than she thought. Victoria on the other hand didn't behave like ladies should at the time and although this never bothered me in this author's novels, it did a bit in this one. I liked how she was independent and had a mind of her own but she wasn't very considerate of her role in society and it was like she didn't care at times, even though she claimed she did, more for her aunt's sake. I liked her but I didn't think her personality was the best, thus making her one of my least favorite heroines in this author's work.

I think the best thing in this story was how Lucas understood his feelings for Victoria were much more important than other things but he still kept his mind on curse and knew he couldn't just put aside his responsibility. Victoria was more careless in this aspect and that also bothered me although she redeemed herself later. Still, always talking about money and how it was hers and how she wanted to do things her own way...it was fresh and innovative but not very suited for the time of the story. I think it could have been done differently.
In the end it was good story, but definitively away from the best ones.

Amanda Quick - Wait Until Midnight

Gentle Reader,
It could have been a scene from one of my novels. As a rule, respectable ladies do not accept calls from Mysterious Gentlemen on business of the most grave importance--but I confess that I was possessed of a lively curiosity. The past three years had been so determinedly dull, I hoped Mr. Adam Hardesty would offer a tiny respite from it. Indeed, upon first glance, Mr. Hardesty had such a formidable, thrilling presence, he quickly became the model for the villain in the sensation novel I was currently writing.
Imagine my shock and distress then, when Mr. Hardesty accused me of being party to a plot of murder, blackmail, and general villainy! I knew nothing of such occurrences, and pro-claimed my innocence. Unfortunately, Mr. Hardesty left unconvinced, and I had an uneasy feeling over what his search would uncover. You see, Gentle Reader, though I live a most uneventful life now, my past contained a Great Scandal that would be ruinous if resurrected. To protect my secrets from Mr. Hardesty's investigation, I concluded that I would need to conduct an inquiry of my own, and if that meant sharing my findings with Mr. Hardesty, so be it. And my course of action had nothing whatsoever to do with the illicit, passionate feelings that he aroused in me--feelings that propriety would definitely frown upon...
Yours most sincerely,
Caroline Fordyce

Comment: Considering I have about 10 more books by this author to read I've decided to read some in the next few months.
This month it was Wait Until Midnight, a purely random choice.
This book is the story of Caroline, she's a writer and very known. For her next novel she decided to investigate the so-called psychics and, because of that, she is seen in several meetings where she observes psychics and does research. The book starts with a murder, a psychic woman was murdered and Adam Hardesty is investigating it because the woman had a secret of his family and he wanted to find out if she had told someone else.
At first these two didn't seem to have much in common but Adam starts feeling very attracted to Caroline during the time they spend together to solve the murder. His family is special because his brother and sisters aren't related by blood, neither is their supposed grandfather. Still, he has managed to survive a poor childhood and remained a decent person. However, many people might disagree and use this to blackmail him, so he needs the proof the murdered psychic didn't share that information with anyone else. He's a strong and determined character, the usual kind of protagonist the author creates. Caroline, on the other hand, comes from a good family but was caught in a scandal where the was the least guilty but even nowadays her life could be ruined if people knew. Her writing is the source of income for her and her two aunts, so she is not only trying to do research, she's also trying to clear her name because she has participated in so many meetings she could be considered guilty of something.
These are the two main characters and their behavior and attitudes are the same as other protagonists the author has written. Still, I find this comforting because I know what I'm going to get and the idea of getting characters I'd like is like going back to cozy place, always nice. Sure, I'd like some more variety besides the names and live paths, but I like to see two apparent indifferent characters getting to know each other and feeling something, even if it appears they don't really care because of they way they're described.
The mystery gets more obvious as time goes by, but it does provide some interesting scenes.
I can't wait to read some, to see if any book will make me like it more than my current favorite, which is The River Knows.