Joanna Chambers - Capital Wolves duet

Comment: I had originally programmed to read only the first book in this duet and leave the second one for next month. However, the stories individually weren't too big, I had time and I also just couldn't wait to read what came next. I wouldn't say the end of the first book is a classic cliffhanger, but knowing the sequel was that close, I thought why wait and just jumped into it.

As per the author's website, this duology is described as "Capital Wolves is an historical paranormal series, following the adventures of a small pack of werewolves in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gentleman Wolf, set in 1788, and Master Wolf, set in 1820, are primarily set in Edinburgh and Paris and tell the story of Lindsay Somerville and Drew Nicol."

Summarizing, therefore, we have a story which is divided into two volumes, following the events of when the main characters meet and get to start having feelings for one another and, in the second volume, when their story is concluded after some heartbreaking scenes at the end of the first book. Each book has structure to be read independently but, of course, the aim was for this to be a story divided in two, and the reading experience is so much richer when one reads them both.

In Gentleman Wolf, the first volume, the narrator Lindsey is on a mission in Edinburgh and that is where he meets Drew and starts falling for him, but Lindsey's past is still haunting and hunting him, even though he is at a point of his life where he is happy enough with whom he is. We learn Lindsey was turned into a werewolf for a terrible reason and his life wasn't easy until Marguerite and Francis, other members of his pack, helped him. He is mostly content now, but meeting Drew changes his perspective and he starts wondering if at some point his feelings could be reciprocated. However, as the book is reaching the end, some events take a turn which can't be changed and Lindsey faces the consequence of his decision.

In Master Wolf the narrator is Drew and the action starts decades after what had happened in the other story. Drew has not yet come to terms to his change in life, despite his adaptation to it and the apologies Lindsey had made. But now things are different. Lindsey has embarked on a path which he hopes will help them all, especially Drew, who has always felt he has no control in what he is and how he feels because of it. The problem is that the price seems too high and when the time comes for the issues which have plagued Lindsey in his life as a werewolf to finally be over, can Drew life with himself knowing he is responsible?

Overall, I liked the books and the characters and the situations they faced. There are tasks the main characters do and there's a main course they all follow - to look for Alys, the missing werewolf which turned Marguerite (who is their alpha) - but to me the real winning aspect is the relationships between characters. Lindsey and Drew are opposites in looks and personality but it becomes clear to the reader from the start that they will be compatible and a pair. As soon as they meet we realize, though Lindsey's eyes, where this is going.

The path is complicated because of assumptions, of lack of communication in key moments and circumstances which carry on happening, even though it could be possible to solve them earlier. I guess the idea is to fully highlight the power of the pair's connection and how so much better they are for having it but I must say I hoped the romantic aspect would had been much more obvious. I also think the solving of the main problem took too long in the second book, and when the HEA finally happens, I felt it wasn't enough.

I liked the werewolf content, it's nothing new but I liked how the author used it and how the characters dealt with that part of themselves. The two stories are consistent in terms of writing and tone and I liked to spend time with the characters when they weren't facing terrible things. I understand the idea but I wish the romance had had sweeter moments too, throughout the book and not just when things went well or when Drew finally had an epiphany.

The author's work tends to be one I like and this is yet another proof of her talent. Sure, I'd change a dew details but for the most part I was engrossed in this and couldn't wait to see what would happen and how things would be solved.

Grade on the two books: 8/10

Joanna Chambers - Restored

Eighteen years ago, Henry Asquith, Duke of Avesbury had to leave his kept lover, Kit Redford, in order to devote himself to raising his young family. Now, a lifetime later, his children are moving on and for the first time in years, Henry is alone.
During a rare visit to London, Henry unexpectedly happens upon an old friend of Kit’s and learns that Kit did not receive the financial pay off he was entitled to when Henry left him. Instead Kit was thrown out of his home and left destitute. Horrified, Henry begs Kit to see him and allow Henry to compensate him. But Kit, who now owns a discreet club for gentlemen of a certain persuasion, neither needs nor wants Henry’s money.
“Perhaps you should earn the money you owe me the way I had to earn it? On your knees, and on your back, taking my cock like a whore.”
Kit thought he had put his old hurts and grievances about Henry behind him, but when he sees Henry again, he discovers that, not only is the old pain still there, so is the fierce attraction that once burned between them. When, in a moment of fury, Kit demands a scandalous form of penance from Henry, no one is more surprised than Kit when Henry agrees to pay it.
As Kit and Henry spend more time together, they learn more about the men they have become, and about the secret feelings and desires they concealed from one another in the past.
Henry realises he wants to build a future with Kit but can he persuade his wary lover to trust him ever again? And can two men from such different worlds make a new life together?

Comment: This book is classified as #5 in the Enlightenment series, but in reality it reads as a standalone. Perhaps my memory is not that great but I can't remember if any of the secondary characters had already been in any of the previous stories...

In this story we have a romance affected by circumstance and wrong assumptions and some mismatched moves. Henry, the duke of Asquith, was in love with his lover Christopher "Kit", despite the contract they had but everything changed when his wife, the beloved mother of his four children, becomes ill and demands they go live in their country estate. He decides to give up his happiness for the sake of his family but never guessed his orders hadn't been met and Kit was actually left nothing.

18 years later, he finds the truth and decides to make amends. Kit is now an independent man and rather quick to forgive but is there any chance they will be able to rekindle the strong feelings they once shared?

I admit I'm rather traditional in my views of romances and I wish that Henry and Kit had had a different dynamic, more specifically I wish that Henry hadn't been married. I know it's realistic and probably more often that even romance books might indicate, but it did sadden me a little that Kit had to be an afterthought, even if emotionally they had such a strong bond.

This was probably the element I disliked the most, it made it look as if they could never be equals, even putting aside class. At the same time it felt unfair and this angered me a little, and I confess I could not appreciate the story as well as I wanted, being it colored by this first impression. Perhaps I would feel different if, for instance, they were to meet now, as older men and while Henry is a widow.

This aside, I don't tend to be such a fan of second chance romance because it never feels as if the feelings they have now can truly match what they had in the past. At least, I didn't finish the novel convinced they were such a good match anyway, their personalities were likable, especially Kit who had some flavor, but Henry is too quiet and unassuming for a duke... I know having money and status isn't a synonym for personality and influence and Henry is a sweet honorable men deep down, but I never warmed up to him.

As soon as they reunite and talk and start spending time together, their relationship becomes stronger and there was no doubt they would be lovers again and even renew their love declarations. I still found this to be too easy, too quick considering that happened before. I think the whole situation should have been dealt with more detail, not simply mentioned and put aside that simply. Still, it is true I liked they could find a way to match their lives and to think about the other one's feelings and needs. The HEA is cute and I suppose not bad at all, if one thinks about how the law used to be.

For me, the most interesting element was the secondary issues of the protagonists helping those near them. Henry has to consider his younger son's feelings, who wants to join the military despite Henry's fear of losing him, and how being a parent isn't choosing for your children, but to guide and help. I actually would have liked to see more of the relationship between Henry and children - grown ups already of course - instead of just the expected scenes during meals or such.

Kit has a good soul and he enjoys helping others, namely the young mother who works as administrative for his club and he does try to defend her against the man who raped her and won't help with the child. These problems and other situations related to this added some change of pace and interest, but all things considered, this was a rather boring story, in terms of content and development.

I have liked other books by the author better, to be fair. This does fulfill all the spots of what one might want from a story by this author but it wasn't as captivating as the original trilogy of the series, that is for certain.

Grade: 7/10

Joanna Chambers - A Gathering Storm

In Porthkennack, Ward meets Nicholas Hearn, land steward to the Roscarrock family. Ward becomes convinced that Nick, whose Romany mother was reportedly clairvoyant, is the perfect man to assist with his work. But Nick—who has reason to distrust the whims of wealthy men—is loath to agree. Until Fate steps in to lend a hand.
Despite Nick’s misgivings, he discovers that Ward is not the high-handed aristocrat he first thought. And when passion ignites between them, Nick learns there’s much more to love than the rushed, clandestine encounters he’s used to. Nevertheless, Nick’s sure that wealthy, educated Ward will never see him as an equal.
A storm is gathering, but with Nick’s self-doubts and Ward’s growing obsession, the fragile bond between the two men may not be strong enough to withstand it.

Comment: I have enjoyed reading books by this author. In fact, all the books I've read by the author so far have been good reads for me. Therefore, I had good expectations about this one as well.

In this book, part of the ongoing Porthkennack series, - where several authors contribute, whether for installments in historical settings or contemporary - we have the story of sir Edward "Ward" Fitzwilliam and Nick Hearn. 

Ward is a scientist who lost his twin brother and a weird moment during a storm at sea made him hear a message as soon as his twin died and his logical mind makes him believe if he can recreate the circumstances, he might be able to communicate with him again. To makes things easier, he buys a property near the ocean and tries to interview people nearby who might have lost someone too, and that is how he meets Nick, the steward of the neighboring property to his. Nick is reserved and with good reason, for his past has made him a loner. However, the more they spend together, the more they learn little things about one another that fascinate each man. But could it be possible to reach for happiness?

As predicted, this turned out to be a good story. There were several elements I liked reading about and which made the book feel easy to be interested in. Both main characters had something about them that gave them a certain appeal and I was interesting in seeing how their relationship progressed.

Some people might say this is rather slow and, in part, it may be so, but I don't think it's such a difference in the long term. I think this tactic makes the reader be able to connect more easily with the characters, we have more time to understand them, to figure out why they act/behave the easy thy do and also it makes their development stronger. However, the slow pace at times makes things feel more like they are becoming friends instead of soulmates. 

I mean, of course they can be friends but if there's one element I feel is missing would be that punch in the gut which would be so obvious, so necessary no doubt would exist on what they mean for one another. I think sexual tension could have been done better and this would be more inherent to the plot. Perhaps another perspective is the fact the two men can't spend that much time together so easily in an historical setting without other kind of reason except the one they have. Some other historical novels have managed to accomplish this better, this author's included.

The atmosphere was well done, though. I could envision the scenery described, the weather affecting the character's movements and difficulties. I think the writing style is still as captivating as I remember from other books and the settings worked well for me too. What I struggled a little with was how invested I felt in the main characters' issues. I suppose I can say I wanted more scenes fro Nick's POV because he felt the most complex protagonist. His background, the way he felt about his mother, about how others accepted him or not because of his Roma side...he seemed to be more complex and fascinating, reluctant but still willing to do something for others, such as helping Ward.

Ward was probably intended as the "nerd" of the time, someone too focused on hos own knowledge and interests, he seemed to act a bit aloof in the sense he didn't pay much attention to other things except how work unless he had someone calling his attention. I ca understand this "opposites attract" idea and in some moments, it worked, but overall, their differences just seemed to be too obvious. Closer to the end, things progress - both the romance and the plot - to a certain peak and I must say I wasn't too fond on how it happened. Then comes the drama and the finale and that improved my overall opinion but I still think there could be better planning for some details of this story.

I consider this to be a good historical writer and what I've read so far has been positive but even though this book wasn't bad, I believe it could have gone a bit further in its emotional content.

Grade: 7/10

Joanna Chambers - Unnatural

Captain Iain Sinclair. Perfect son, perfect soldier, hero of Waterloo. A man living a lie. The only person who really knows him is his childhood friend, scientist James Hart. But they ve been estranged since Iain brutally destroyed their friendship following a passionate encounter.
Iain is poised to leave the King s service to become an undercover agent in India. Before he leaves his old life behind, he s determined to reconcile with James. An invitation to a country house party from James s sister provides the perfect opportunity to pin the man down.
James has loved Iain all his life, but his years of accepting crumbs from Iain s table are over. Forgiving Iain is one thing restoring their friendship is quite another.
In the face of James s determined resistance, Iain is forced to confront his reasons for mending the wounds between them. And accept the possibility that James holds the key to his heart s desire if only he has the courage to reach for it.

Comment: This book is a sequel to the wonderfully written Enlightenment series by Joanna Chambers, which I absolutely loved! This book features Iain, a secondary character friend of Murdo and how he finally decides to admit his tastes and feelings for James, a friend from his youth but who grew to be someone he was always been in love with.

Iain is a captain who decides to finish his commission with the Navy and is thinking about going to India. His father knew about his preferences and didn't approve and he doesn't want to cause problems to his family so he decides to go away, but before that he wants to say goodbye and accepts one invitation to return home hoping to see James, his childhood friend and someone with whom he had bad words the last time they saw each other. Iain wants closure but will James forgive him and accept their friendship again?

I liked the idea of this book, I'm not such a big fan of the friends to lovers trope but considering Iain and James weren't friendly anymore, I had hopes and wanted to see them establish a romantic relationship now. Sadly, not only did we have all the scenes of their friendship in front of us and how things were before and after they got more intimate but because they were happy once and now had to become again, I was stuck with a lovers reunited plot along the way, which is probably the trope I dislike the most.

I knew they were at odds and it would be possible we could have glimpses or conversations about their estrangement but things went one step further: this book is a continuous going back and forth in time to when they were innocent children until today where they admit they love each other.

I'm afraid I found this boring and uninteresting!

Yes, it's important to have an idea of why things changed but couldn't we just know that? Did we had to go through all the scenes and details?

One part showing the past, one the now, then again the past, then the now, we are constantly jumping from year to year and we never get a full notion on either. I kind of understand the tactic but to me this isn't the best way to narrate a story because we never focus on what really matters and the thing I would say should be center stage, meaning their relationship right now, feels less important and almost like secondary notion.

Iain is an interesting character as is James but seeing them change through the years isn't as appealing as that. Why are they feeling like that now? Why should their choices matter? I think the idea gets lost and their reunion lacks impact.

I understand Iain's motivations to want to hide his true wishes and why he feels he has to protect James. I also get why James is more reckless and not afraid to say his mind at a time where his dreams were in reach but then Iain breaks his heart. I get the idea but all the things we have from their life before they went different ways only seems to be there to highlight one thing and not because it truly matters for the story. And in all the past scenes we got why each one was as special as they claimed, except for proximity and attraction.

The end was rushed, Iain conveniently realized something in the end of the book when it would have been obvious all the time (no, not his love for James) but then the story had already lost its impact to me.

I liked all the previous books by the author I've read, I liked seeing the characters from the trilogy that started this spin off, but overall, the narrative structure disappointed me and the way things are told didn't win me over. 

Grade: 5/10

Joanna Chambers - Enlightenment series

Book 1:

Lowborn David Lauriston lacks the family connections needed to rise in Edinburgh’s privileged legal world. Worse, his latest case—defending weavers accused of treason—has brought him under suspicion of harbouring radical sympathies.

Troubled by his sexuality, tormented by memories of a man he once platonically loved, David lives a largely celibate life—until a rare sexual encounter with a compelling stranger turns his world on its head.
Cynical and worldly, Lord Murdo Balfour is more at home in hedonistic London than dingy, repressed Edinburgh. Unlike David, he intends to eventually marry while continuing to enjoy the company of men whenever he pleases. Yet sex with David is different. It’s personal, intimate, and instead of extinguishing his desire, it only leaves him hungry for more.
As David’s search for the man who betrayed the weavers deepens, he begins to suspect that his mysterious lover has more sinister reasons for his presence in Edinburgh. The truth could leave his heart broken…and more necks stretching on the gallows.

Book 2:
David Lauriston couldn’t be less interested in King George IV’s first visit to Edinburgh. But with Faculty of Advocates members required to put on a minimal show of patriotism, David makes an appointment with his tailor for a new set of clothes—only to run into a man he hasn’t seen for two long years.
Lord Murdo Balfour.
Much has changed since their bitter parting, except their stormy attraction. And when Murdo suggests they enjoy each other’s company during his stay, David finds himself agreeing. After all, it’s only a temporary tryst.
Amidst the pomp and ceremony of the King’s visit, Murdo’s seduction is more powerful than David ever imagined possible. But when other figures from David’s past show up, he is drawn into a chain of events beyond his control. Where his determination to help a friend will break his body, threaten his career, and put at risk the fragile tenderness he’s found in Murdo’s arms.

Book 3:

Five months ago, David Lauriston was badly hurt helping his friend Elizabeth escape her violent husband. Since then, David has been living with his lover, Lord Murdo Balfour, while he recuperates.

Despite the pain of his injuries, David’s time with Murdo has been the happiest of his life. The only things that trouble him are Murdo’s occasional bouts of preoccupation, and the fact that one day soon, David will have to return to his legal practice in Edinburgh.
That day comes too soon when David’s friend and mentor takes to his deathbed, and David finds himself agreeing to take on a private mission in London. Murdo is at his side in the journey, but a shocking revelation by Murdo’s ruthless father leaves David questioning everything they’ve shared.
As tensions mount and the stakes grow higher, David and Murdo are forced to ask themselves how far they’re prepared to go—and how much they’re prepared to give up— to stay together. And whether there’s any chance of lasting happiness for men like them.


Comment: I've had the first book of this trilogy to read for a while now and this month decided I had to read it. I was so glad I started it because it was an amazing read. I am familiar with the author's writing style but I wasn't prepared to love the first book as much. I would grade it an 8 in my personal scale mostly because the end is a bit of a HFN and doesn't leave things solved between the main characters. The story is rich and well developed and to my wonderful surprise, not focused on how many sex scenes there could be and was more concerned about their relationship. All these things we could see through little scenes and conversations throughout the book. There's sexual tension and chemistry which I think was really well done.

There's a main plot which is the base of each installment. In the first book David defends some radicals who want more rights to everyone and we see how devoted and honest and professional he is. 
In the second book David tries to help an old friend from an awful marriage and in the third story David and Murdo face the consequences of being together. But calm down, everything is don in such a beautiful and structured way, one can't help but accept and understand why everything happens that way.

The two characters, David and Murdo meet by chance in the first book, but each one leaves a mark on the other and when they meet again, it's impossible to hide the feelings that have started to develop between them As there's time passing between each story, we also have the idea nothing happens in a rushed way and is actually more than awaited and hoped for.
David is an idealist and doesn't compromise his beliefs and honesty for anything, even the possibility of loneliness and love. Murdo is the opposite, he's cynical and knows he's superior, but the wonderful thing about this trilogy is this is a romance, so we see the two guys change a bit who they think they should be in order to follow love. David remains the same but he finally accepts he can still be happy even if everything around him tells him he shouldn't. And Murdo embraces David and love and the idea that nothing else matters if you have that special person to be with you.

I really loved the romance, all the aspects of it, loved the pace of the story, which allowed me to dream with them and to follow their small steps towards love, it's really beautiful and amazingly romantic!!
Of course nothing happens fro free and to achieve the HEA we hope for during the books, there's some sacrifice to be done which made me cry a tear but honestly, it' nothing dangerous or definitive and it's just the way things were at the time. I was quite happy with the way the story ended in book 3.

I can't praise these books enough. This isn't a perfect 10 only because in the first book things were a still doubtful and the way it ended seemed a bit cold...but I couldn't wait to see what happened and jumped to the others one after the other. This trilogy is really one of the best things I've read this year and I hope anyone who likes the genre would give it a chance to see if this devotion I'm feeling for the characters and their story is contagious! I loved this and after finishing the three books I thought about it for a long time...this is so wonderful and beautiful and deeply romantic I can't even make an informative or polished comment, it's all about how much this is amazing and how much I loved it and you all should read if you want!

I loved this, I can't say it enough. So many wonderful scenes in the stories, wonderful moments caught in a page, it's a wonderful romance, really beautiful. 
My favorite scene? In a carriage, Murdo and David are sitting together and Murdo is nursing David's leg after an accident that left him hurt. Murdo is rubbing David's leg and David tells him his leg is ugly...after a moment, Murdo replies: "There's nothing about you that is ugly"...arghhhh oh my God, come on, go read these books!!!!
It's so great when you find something that just melts and energizes you at the same time!
Grade: 9/10

Joanna Chambers - The Lady's Secret

London, 1810
Former actress Georgiana Knight always believed she and her brother were illegitimate–until they learn their parents were married, making them heirs to a great estate. To prove their claim, Georgy needs to find evidence of their union by infiltrating a ton house party as valet to Lord Nathaniel Harland . Though masquerading as a boy is a challenge, it pales in comparison to sharing such intimate quarters with the handsome, beguiling nobleman.
Nathan is also unsettled by Georgy’s presence. First intrigued by his unusual valet, he’s even more captivated when he discovers Georgy’s charade. The desire the marriage-shy earl feels for his enigmatic employee has him hoping for much more than a master-servant relationship…
But will Nathan still want Georgy when he learns who she truly is? Or will their future be destroyed by someone who would do anything to prevent Georgy from uncovering the truth?

Comment: This was the first book I've read in 2012. I heard about this book in Hilcia's blog and the blurb seemed so interesting that I got curious. When I saw her review I was convinced I wanted to try it.
For an amazing review you should check Hilcia's post, but my comment is the following: I liked it a lot, I had so much fun reading it and it grabed immediatly because time would go by and I wanted to keep reading. It really was annoying when I had to pause the reading for some reason.
I liked the writing style a lot and especially the pace, nothing seemd rushed or boring, it had the perfect balance.
Both main characters were convincing and their feelings touched me and I was hoping for them to get their HEA. The way this happend also made me happy, I don't think the author has done anything sloppy, perhaps it's the publisher's work there or whomever, but all the pieces fit together.

The other characters offered interesting interactions, and I was curious about them too, it felt they weren't there just to act as co-stars, it was truly important or them to exist, I liked having the feeling that the story had this purpose as well.
The storyline was interesting to follow and didn't seem too much. It was such fun to see Georgy trying to be invisible and then Nathan taking notice of her, I liked the idea a lot.
This is the author's first published book, I hope she can produce more and as good or better than this one.