Review: The Baron's Betrayal

Title: The Baron's Betrayal (Marriage Mart Mayhem #4)

Author: Callie Hutton

Genre: Romance, Regency

Published: January 12, 2015

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After learning her husband wasn't dead after two years Marion decided to continue her marriage where it had left off. Her husband Tristan had other ideas. He felt since he had been in an explosion and had lost his sight he was no longer enough for her. He believed he was no longer good enough for her.

I enjoyed the characters especially Marion and Tristan's valet Ellis. As soon as she knew her husband was still alive the only thing Marion wanted was to resume her life with her husband. She did everything she could to try and understand what he was going through. I liked Ellis because even though he was Tristan's servant he was still willing to tell Tristan exactly what he was thinking.

I understand Tristan had a real problem, not only physically but also psychologically. I also understand at the time period this book is placed psychology wasn't really a consideration when a person suffered a trauma and even if it was they wouldn't know how to treat the problems. That being said after about a hundred pages I wanted to someone to slap Tristan upside the head and tell him to deal with it. Then when the climax happened the turn around felt abrupt and difficult to believe.

Overall I gave this book 3 stars out of 5.

Review: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation

Title: The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (The Dukes of War 0.5)

Author: Erica Ridley

Genre: Romance, Regency, Novella

Published: November 1, 2014

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After Viscount Sheffield's annual Christmas ball was unexpectedly cancelled Lady Amelia Pembroke decided to something to make sure the ball would actually happen.

This is my third Erica Ridley and so far the best. I enjoyed the relationship between the two characters and would have liked to see it further develop.

I enjoyed Amelia's ability to micromanage. It was weirdly entertain to watch her anticipate and have back up plans for everything. When first introduced to Amelia I thought I would eventually find her extremely annoying or at least I would end up having a problem with controlling everything around her. At the beginning I was sort of hoping one of Amelia's plans would go awry. I was pleasantly surprised when neither happened.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

 
Title: Desperately Seeking Suzanna (Tricks of the Ton #2)

Author: Elizabeth Michels

Genre: Regency Romance

Published: March 4, 2014

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sue Green was always the plain wallflower at the ball until one masquerade at the beginning of her last season. It was a night where she was Suzanna instead of Sue. When the night was over Holden was left asking Sue for help finding the vanished Suzanna.

The characters were not completely consistent. One example was Holden who had the reputation of being a rake, which was supported by the first meeting between the two main characters. Then he spent the rest of the book looking for one girl who he had a fleeting moment with. Sue's sister and cousins were likable romantics when they were with Sue. When they were with anyone else they were coy, flirtatious and irritating.

It was nice the problems the characters faced were different than most books of this type. Mainly the mothers and the troubles they caused. Sue's mother threatened to ship her off to another country and Holden's mother was completely insane.

A little over two thirds the way through the book I did get bored. The characters started saying the same things over and over. The redundancy became annoying.

That being said the story was fun fluff. I did enjoy the romance between Holden and Sue and I would be open to reading the rest of the series.

Overall I gave this book 3 stars out of 4.

Title: An Untitled Lady

Author: Nicky Penttila

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction

Published February 12, 2014

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Under the guise of a regency romance this book tells of the instance leading up to the Peterloo Massacre.

The book was unlike normal romances considering the historical relevance and upheaval which lead up to and resulted from the events.

I will admit I had never heard of the massacre until this book. I was curious enough to actually look it up and learn a little about it. I found the story dealing with the build up to be very repetitive, this lead me to be frustrated with the story a couple of times.

I did enjoy the characters. They were thought out and well rounded. A couple of times I felt as if Maddie, the main character, just needed to really get a brake. By the time I reached half way I thought okay she has been through enough now. Unlike a lot of other romance books where I think seriously the problem the characters are facing are just made up and corny, get over it already. The problems the characters faced were real problems that potentially real people faced.

Overall I gave this book 4 stars out of 5.

Title: Blackmoore (A Proper Romance)

Author: Julianne Donaldson

Genre: Regency, Romance

Published: September 9, 2013

Kate wanted to go to India with her Aunt and she made a deal with her mother. The only way she was able to make it was with the help of a childhood friend Henry.

I really loved her last book. I even bought multiple copies and gave them to people. I think that might be why I had high expectations for this book. I also think that might be why my rating isn't higher.

I really liked Kate, Henry and the maid Alice. They were the only characters I did like. The rest were mean, cross, or flat. I have a hard time seeing parents purposely being mean to their children. I know it happens in the real world, but I think it is overall the exception or at least not consciously done. At least I would hope so. In this book it seems as if the mothers are actually out to get their children.

One of the main images in the book is a bird in a cage and how it isn't free. I began to feel like I was also in a cage and hemmed in. I could see this as good imagery in the writing, but I also did not enjoy the sensation.

Overall I gave this book 3 stars out of 5.