Bliss Bennet - A Sinner Without a Saint

Idealistic Benedict Pennington once abandoned family and country to pursue his dreams of becoming a renowned painter. Now that he's returned home, he has a new, but equally idealistic ambition: to help found the country's first national art museum, one open not only to England’s wealthy few, but to rich and poor alike. After a long campaign, he’s finally persuaded a patron to donate his collection of Old Master paintings to the project. He’s certainly not going to anyone to steal them away by courting the donor’s granddaughter—especially not dissolute Lord Dulcie, once the object of Benedict’s own illicit adolescent desire.
Sinclair Milne, Viscount Dulcie, evades every attempt of his family to marry him off, preferring to collect innovative art and dally with handsome men than to burden himself with a wife. But when rivals imply Dulcie is refusing to pursue wealthy Miss Adler and her dowry of paintings because of lingering feelings for Benedict Pennington, Dulcie vows to prove them wrong by wooing her away from Benedict—inadvertently disrupting Benedict’s museum plans in the process.
When Benedict is dragooned into painting his portrait, Dulcie finds himself once again inexplicably drawn to the sensitive, intense artist. Can the sinful viscount entice the wary painter into a casual liaison, one that will put neither their reputations, nor their feelings, at risk? Or will the not-so-saintly artist demand something far more vulnerable—his heart?

Comment: I got interested in this book three years ago and looking at the fact it was book #4 in a series, I checked the blurbs of the other books and decided to give them a go. Still, my focus was this book, it was this story that I was more eager to read and now that I did, I liked a good part of it, I liked it as a complete story but it's also true I wish it had been better.

In this final book, we have the story of the remaining Pennington sibling. Benedict is the artist of the family and he has all the traits of one, from his ability to focus on his work forgetting everything else to the need to do what he deems will be the perfect work. His life is pretty much about art and his desire to showcase art to everyone, regardless of social status or finances. He has become friends with Polly, the granddaughter of a wealthy man who might be persuaded to help him, by donating his classic collection to a new project they are working on together. However, there's viscount Dulcie to consider, a man of vices and wit who he used to like and worship back at the private school they both attended in their teenage years. He still hasn't forgotten how that friend left him without an explanation when their relationship was changing into something more and he has become ratter bitter about it. Can he deal with having the man so close again, and, even worse, also interested in the art collection for other purposes?

I was very curious to see how the author would develop the relationship between Dulcie and Benedict. This was obviously what attracted me the most to want to read this book and, subsequently, why I read the others too, so I could see if there were scenes in them with these two or if there were references about them. I wanted to have a broader picture of how they could achieve their HEA.

In part, this was an enjoyable read, especially when it comes to how the author set things up, how the time and the society of the time played a part in how this story would develop. Although it isn't a theme I know much about, the art talk and the parts of the plot regarding what was discussed seemed interesting enough and I liked how some characters (the protagonists, Polly and her grandfather) discussed it and thought about ways to allow everyone to have access to it and not just the elites. I liked the idea art is for everyone, even if one doesn't understand techniques or styles.

I think the idea of this book was well done and I also liked the secondary elements such as the romance moments and the family connections. Nothing is a picture perfect here, though. The characters have issues, their family dynamics aren't as steady as I'd like and they have to hide or disguise what they feel, considering homosexuality was a crime. I feel the author was true to several aspects of the time, and that makes this story feel a little too harsh, a bit too set on reality to be fully romantic. 

At least that was my impression, at the same time I was hoping for something to happen and for them to acknowledge their feelings, there was this sense of dread, because they couldn't be open about it. Sure, this is a thing historical m/m can't run from, but the author's style and tone can make things seem one way or another. In this regard, though, I must say the author was pretty consistent with the previous books - they were all somewhat too realistic, if I can say this, in the sense that I felt there was some "magic" missing, in how romantic or in how special the couples would be portrayed while with their intended love interest.

The romance was, therefore, a little too band for me. Even allowing for obvious caution, I still wanted their love story to be larger than life, and I felt they didn't get such a great deal after all. I am aware it would have been incredibly difficult for a gay couple to be together according to the patterns of behavior we see nowadays, in particular in how they wouldn't be able to be a couple in public. The author followed an interesting path with this and at some point, it felt as if the solution was right in front of them, not perfect but bearable somehow, and still adhering to the "rules".

Unfortunately, things didn't go that direction after all and what a pity! While I wasn't too fond of the idea, it was still unfair to me, it was a possibility. The author decided to make things in a way that the idea was out aside. Part of me didn't mind for Benedict and Dulcie could be together differently but to be honest I wasn't too fond of the solution. I think it was too vague, it wasn't established at all, only mentioned as potential. I found this to diminish my excitement about them, as if they would forever be left in a limbo that I could only imagine would lead nowhere because, again, circumstances.

The emotional journey the two face was also a little.... underwhelming. Their personalities might have been adjusted to a way of being, to a cultural and social state of mind in regards on how to behave, yes, but I kind of wanted them to be so much better together than alone. I can understand their personal experiences having made them, Dulcie in particular, jaded or wary of how to be safe from scandal but I still wanted to see them so happy together that a long term solution would be suitable for them while not compromising their relationship. In the end, I feel this didn't happen.

All things considered, this was a good enough story, many interesting elements, having read the other books helped when secondary characters mentioned a subject or another (but this can be read as standalone) and the romance had its moments. But I expected a lot more...

Grade: 7/10

Bliss Bennet - A Lady Without a Lord

For years, Theodosius Pennington has tried to forget his myriad shortcomings by indulging in wine, women, and witty bonhomie. But now that he’s inherited the title of Viscount Saybrook, it’s time to stop ignoring his responsibilities. Finding the perfect husband for his headstrong younger sister seems a good first step. Until, that is, his sister’s dowry goes missing . . .
Harriot Atherton has a secret: it is she, not her steward father, who maintains the Saybrook account books. But Harry’s precarious balancing act begins to totter when the irresponsible new viscount unexpectedly returns to Lincolnshire, the painfully awkward boy of her childhood now a charming yet vulnerable man. Unfortunately, Theo is also claiming financial malfeasance. Can her father’s wandering wits be responsible for the lost funds? Or is she?
As unlikely attraction flairs between dutiful Harry and playful Theo, each learns there is far more to the other than devoted daughter and happy-go-lucky lord. But if Harry succeeds at protecting her father, discovering the missing money, and keeping all her secrets, will she be in danger of failing at something equally important—finding love?

Comment: This is the third installment in the Pennigton series that I'm reading in order. So far, the previous books have given me mixed feelings but I feel invested in the siblings and how they achieve happiness. 

In this third story we follow Theo, the oldest sibling and the one who inherited the title. Theo has always been considered a lazy person, not willing to be responsible, ever since his childhood when he started to show lack of interest for studies and serious duties. Since he couldn't change others' opinions, he decided to embark on a life which would match the expectations they had of him, thus becoming a man without care for anything. However, now he has inherited the title, his sister is married and although he doesn't seem like it, he does take his role with seriousness so he starts taking care of things when he is told of some missing dowry money from his accounts. That leads him to his county estate, where his father's man of affairs does his work. However, what he finds confuses him even more, especially since he reconnects with his childhood friend Harriot, the steward's daughter and he can't tell if he wants to be worthy of her or if he prefers to keep his secrets...

This being the third book, I think I can say that the author's style is one of serious intent which means the stories are very detailed and rich in historical content. Yes, the romance is always in evidence but I wouldn't say these are "fun" stories. The writing style isn't one, let's say, that makes me eager to re-read my favorite parts because those aren't many. The books are interesting to read as a whole but I can't explain well enough how the feeling that the parts of the book just don't seem impressive on their own.

Theo is a fascinating character and when his self perceived shortcomings come to surface, it's difficult to not feel a little sorry for him. Of course one thinks about the injustice done to so many people throughout the centuries who suffered/were afflicted by certain conditions which society/medicine/psychology couldn't yet explain fully and how that "condemned" people to ostracism and lack of self esteem and so many other things. These still happen nowadays but it's true that a diagnose can be quicker to be found and even coping mechanisms of a cure/solution doesn't exist.

Still, although I felt sorry for Theo because he didn't have anyone who could respect and understand his issue and, therefore, help him coping, I must say I wasn't too fond of his way of reacting, by having become a careless bon.vivant who only showed others his superficial side. I can understand the psychology of it but I'd rather he had turned a different path. I admit I prefer the choice of becoming a martyr or even a secluded or quiet person, avoiding conflict than those who go the opposite way. Again, though, it can depend on how the author's develop the characters...I've read some characters who behaved like Theo whom I liked, but I didn't feel that here.

That means the story was not setting on a likable notion for me and I never stopped feeling Theo wasn't shown to others as someone who merited respect and caring, at least not in a obvious and strong way. His relationship with Harriot is cautious at first, she does help him realize his worth in other things, a smart person doesn't have to be knowledgeable about every single subject that exists after all. Some moments between them were sweet and had its romantic flavor but I can't say I'll remember them fondly.

Harriot is a good heroine, she wanted to help her father, she wanted to help Theo, she was someone that in real life would probably be a little too much of a "goody two shoes" but on paper I liked how dedicated she was to what she felt was had to be done. I liked how supportive she was of Theo but to be fair, I didn't really feel the vibe between them, I don't think the author really went as far as she could to portray well the chemistry they had... I suppose it's a trait of her writing style, she doesn't seem to be romantic scenes oriented, even when those are on the page.

I wish the relationships and the interactions with the secondary characters had also been a little sweeter, a little more tender. I keep thinking that they don't seem to be a close family and despite some scenes where it looks as if the author tried to change that impression, the development of the stories didn't convince me they were truly caring...but for the most part the idea and the suggestion of it gave me enough reason to trust they did.

I'm still curious about the secondary characters, especially Benedict, the remaining single sibling and I have bet all my chips on his romance, I surely hope it will be well accomplished.

Grade: 7/10

Bliss Bennet - A Man Without a Mistress

For seven long years, Sir Peregrine Sayre has tried to assuage his guilt over the horrifying events of his twenty-first birthday by immersing himself in political work--and by avoiding all entanglements with ladies of the ton. But when his mentor sends him on a quest to track down purportedly penitent prostitutes, the events of his less-than-innocent past threaten not only his own political career...
Raised to be a political wife, but denied the opportunity by her father's untimely death, Sibilla Pennington has little desire to wed. To delay her brothers' plans to marry her off as soon as her period of mourning is over, Sibilla vows only to accept a man as politically astute as was her father--and, in retaliation for her brothers' amorous peccadillos, only one who has never kept a mistress. Surely there can be no such man in all of London.
When Sibilla's attempt to free a reformed maidservant from the clutches of a former procurer throw her into the midst of Per's penitent search, she is inextricably drawn to the cool, reserved baronet. But as the search grows ever more dangerous, Sibilla's penchant for taking risks cannot help but remind Per of the shames he's spent years trying to outrun. Can Per continue to hide from the guilt and ghosts of his past without endangering his chance at a passionate future with Sibilla?

Comment: This is the second installment in the Pennington series by author Bliss Bennet. I've read the first book last year but it wasn't as great as I imagined. However, since I was still curious about book #4, I decided on carrying on with the series.

In this second story we follow the story os Sibilla, the only girl among the Pennington siblings. She is an intelligent young woman who only wants to carry on the work she has helped her father with, in terms of being a political hostess and influence. However, since her father's death her older brother doesn't seem to have the same interests and Sibilla feels disappointed. Her brothers convince her she needs to marry but she refuses any man who hasn't got some political ambition or who has a mistress, conditions she believes could never be met. That is how she comes to be interested in Peregrine Sayre, someone who obtained a patronage so he could advance in politics and the two of them join forces to solve a situation which could benefit both of them. But if one is wanting to be redeemed and another to be proven right, can common ground be enough to unite them in more than just politics?

I liked this book more than the previous one. I think this one was easier to engage with and the characters definitely captivated me more. The plot helped too. Still, it has become now obvious to me this author writes in a very serious tone, as if everything could turn into disaster. I have said many times with other books how silly they felt and that a bit more seriousness could have helped me like them more. Well, with this author I suppose I can say the seriousness was just a little too much, it does feel things are severely bleak and the lack of joy or more comfortable moments makes everything harsher than what it had to be.

The element that probably made me think this the most was how the characters interacted, especially the siblings...things weren't fluid nor easy between them and I can understand the family reasons and the fact each one has a different personality, so the reactions to the same things have to be different too. I suppose I'd have preferred to see the siblings closer, more confident in one another.

Then we also have their attitude towards certain issues. I think the way this was written, I didn't end up with a very positive opinion of Theo, not as much because he doesn't "breathe" politics but because the context of the whole mistress situation made me see him through a lens I found lacking appeal. I hope I can like him more in his own book. The hero from the previous book barely shows up and Benedict is only active in a few scenes. 

As for the main couple, Sibilla is one of those people who is certainly ambitious and eager to accomplish what she has set herself to do and I do commend her eagerness to continue what she has shared with her father. I suppose there was a bit of compensation here, since he died, and she fears the others didn't give the importance they should have to their father's work in politics. It was what brought her closer to their father and I can understand her unwillingness to let go of that.

Peregrine Sayreis one of those heroes doomed to be penitent for something they consider was their fault. It does make one think about boundaries and when it is time to let go of things one cannot change and just live. Still, I liked the fact he was quiet, more reserved but he still allowed himself to be part of one of the funniest scenes in the book. His character and values made me like a lot.

These two make a good couple, the reader certainly ends up convinced they share more than physical attraction. I liked the moments they had together and the fact they slowly trusted one another with the things they felt deeper and when it was time to have (mostly moral) support from the other at a time of need, it was rewarding to see each one did their role well. I did like their relationship and how little things apparently unimportant made them look like a good match.

So, why not a better grade? Well, the tone of the book can be quite heavy, bleak. As of these characters are doomed to only feel negative things unless it's romance related, and even so, it depends on the actions of secondary people. It got a bit tiring after a while to only anticipate how they would react to negative, difficult issues in their lives. The plot was also slightly convoluted, disperse, many things to keep track of and not always as exciting to care about as I could have wanted.

In the end, I was happy Sibilla and Peregrine found each other and I can imagine how a real couple like them would manage to find stability in a HEA. Now let's hope the next book is a winner...

Grade: 7/10

Bliss Bennet - A Rebel Without a Rogue

Fianna Cameron has devoted her life to avenging the death of her father, hanged as a traitor during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Now, on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, only one last miscreant remains: Major Christopher Pennington, the English army officer who not only oversaw her father’s execution, but falsely maligned his honor. Fianna risks everything to travel to London and confront the man who has haunted her every nightmare. Only after her pistol misfires does she realize her sickening mistake: the Pennington she wounded is far too young to be the man who killed her father. 

Rumors of being shot by a spurned mistress might burnish the reputation of a rake, but for Kit Pennington, determined to add to his family’s honor by winning a seat in Parliament, such salacious gossip is nothing but a nightmare. To regain his good name, Kit will have to track down his mysterious attacker and force her to reveal the true motivation behind her unprovoked assault. Accepting an acquaintance’s mistress as an ally in his search is risky enough, but when Kit begins to develop feelings for the icy, ethereal Miss Cameron, more than his political career is in danger. For Kit is beginning to suspect that Fianna Cameron knows far more about the shooting—and the reasons behind it—than she’s willing to reveal. 

As their search begins to unearth long-held secrets, Kit and Fianna find themselves caught between duty to family and their beliefs in what’s right. How can you balance the competing demands of loyalty and justice—especially when you add love to the mix? 

Comment: I became aware of this author because of another title of hers. In fact, I got curious about book #4 in this Pennington series because it seemed it would feature a gay couple and the blurb of that book seemed promising. Still, this is a four book series and while reading the other blurbs, all had a little something that made me think "why not" in trying them too, so that is why I'm starting with this, book #1.

In this story we meet Kit Pennigton, the third sibling of four and the youngest male. He is an idealist and good-hearted man, despite his young age, and he feels he could do a lot if he were to get into politics, especially if his older brother helps him.

He was not counting on being shot by a mysterious woman, though. That got him attention of others but he is determined in discovering who she is and in the process he meets Fianna Cameron, an Irish born woman, now a mistress of a man Kit knows, who might help him with the Gaelic inscription in the pistol the mysterious woman left behind after she shot him.

The truth is that the identity of that woman is actually Fianna, and she is bent in finding the man who caused her father's demise. However, she thought Kit was the man she sought until she realized too late he is far too young. She was looking for Kit's uncle but now she made herself get close to Kit to learn where his uncle is, can she really ignore the feelings that seem to be true between them?

This is the first book by this author I tried so I didn't have any expectations about her writing style. In terms of writing, the story was easy and fluid enough and it was quite a novelty of sorts to have the plot centered on vengeance based on events set in Ireland. This is not very often seen, even in historicals, so I was curious to learn a few more things.

However, the main goal was still to develop the romance and other things had to be secondary. Well, this is what I thought, but in reality, a lot of the content is focused on Fianna's desire to get revenge and how she ignores everything else to pursue that. I mean, this is fine, I can certainly sympathize with her and her motivations, but she was so bent on doing this, it seemed as if she was punishing herself so much for things out of her control and which she might have misunderstood. Then we have Kit, such a great guy, so eager to do the right things, he is caught up in all this and I can also accept he would want to help her, not by committing a crime, but by helping investigating what happened, and how that affects his own reasoning.

I think the idea of this novel and of this sort of "opposites attract" is quite ingenious but I'll be honest. I kept thinking about another book I had before, which had a very similar relationship dynamic but that I didn't like.

I kept thinking that - despite the differences in both books - it was so irritating the heroine was apparently so dismissive of her choices, that she seemed to act uncaring for what her choices have led her into, even if Fianna here did them for what she perceived as a cause, unlike the other heroine. I mean, of course there are things to be considered (woman's lack of rights, the continuous clash of Irish and English cultures and power dynamics, personal assumptions, etc) but I would say the setting wasn't leveled with the romance to make any situation caused or thought by Fianna to be something that could be solved as easily as it ended up being.

This means the relationship between Kit and Fianna, even allowing for cultural (and even social) differences, was still a little too weak for my taste. I think my biggest issue with them as a couple is that their interactions never had a stable feel to them. Or they were at odds, or they were in love, I feel there was no natural progression of their feelings. Kit did feel a little naive at times and I liked him as a character, as a person, but he wasn't always as determined as by the end of the book, so his personality didn't shine as much as it could.

Still, I'd say my biggest disappointment was with Fianna. Call me prude, call me goody-two-shoes but I just can't sympathize that much with women who make the kind of choices Fianna did for such a weak reason as she did. I mean, the reason is worthy for her, that I can accept, but she could have tried to make her revenge happen in a different method. It felt so...self destructive. Sure, psychologically speaking, why not, she was in the right frame of mind to go into a self destruction mode over what happened to her parents when she was a child but... it surely doesn't make for a likely HEA if one of the members isn't in the right frame of mind to believe in that.

Kit seemed to fall in love while Fianna was just happy someone cared about her but I confess I struggled to believe she was going through the process in an intrinsically romantic manner. It felt as if that was happening because the author made it so, not because the chemistry was written so well that the only possible choice had to be that one (a HEA for them).

Thus, between the lack of balance (in my opinion) in the relationship and between the character's personalities, I have to say it wasn't such fun to read this book. The plot isn't too complicated to follow but it felt as if things were supposed to be dramatic, to be contrary on purpose. Except for some scenes here and there and Kit's relationship with one of his brothers, everything else was dense and problematic and didn't make for such a great story.

I do hope the next installments, which I still plan on reading, will be more appealing to me.

Grade: 5/10