This book will not be for everyone as it is a romance between missionaries and clearly inspirational. There is much prayer and discussion of the Chris...moreThis book will not be for everyone as it is a romance between missionaries and clearly inspirational. There is much prayer and discussion of the Christian faith but it is placed very well within the context of the story.
The faith of the hero and heroine also plays a large part in the romance and is challenged in many ways. The author's research into both the era (post WWI)and the place (Liberia) appears impeccable and parts of the story had me almost holding my breath. (How many of us deal with cannibals in our work, after all?)
I think this an excellent read for those seeking an inspirational love story with a well depicted historial setting.(less)
This was a wildly entertaining and everything I desire in a romance novella. Fabulous characters, fantastic writing, a fun plot and sizzling passion. A...moreThis was a wildly entertaining and everything I desire in a romance novella. Fabulous characters, fantastic writing, a fun plot and sizzling passion. A highly recommended romantic escape.(less)
AUTHOR'S COMMENTARY: Passion, drama and excitement fill the pages of my follow-up to THE HIGHEST STAKES. Set deep in the world of 18th century gaming, FORTUNE'S SON immerses the reader in a time and place where nothing is sacred and virtually anything might be wagered on the turn of a card, or a roll of the dice.
Beginning with their first chance meeting over a Hazard table, and with motives known only to themselves, FORTUNE'S SON chronicles the tumultuous romantic journey between a young but seasoned gamester and a widowed courtier, who refuses to be the next Royal Mistress regardless of the cost.
Experiencing the agonies and ecstasies of the gaming tables, Philip Drake and Lady Susannah Messingham precariously navigate their way in the high-stakes world of card sharps, courtesans, and the intriguers of Georgian England. As their tale of passion and drama plays out, they are led through hardship, heartbreak and loss before final culmination in redemption and enduring love.
With romance, a bit of adventure, and the excitement of gaming coupled with a supporting cast of the wits, gamesters, sporting men, and roués of Georgian England, I promise great fun and a riveting read!
REVIEWER ACCOLADES:
"FORTUNE'S SON by Emery Lee is a brilliantly written story about a tumultuous love worth fighting for..This engrossing and thoroughly developed tale tosses you into a classic era ...the dialogue was rich, eloquent and added so many dimensions to the characters...another factor which Emery Lee excels at is historical detail. The novel is just overflowing with different aspects of 18th century England and you become immersed in all of it. Whether it be gambling, duels or every day life in historical England...Ms Lee will bring it all to you. Such carefully crafted characters and setting engage readers in a novel of breathtaking beauty. This novel will have everything you want and then some." - THE ROMANCE REVIEWS
"Fortune's Son is an excellent historical romance you won't want to put down! Ms. Lee will pique your interest immediately and keep it right to the very end. The story is realistic and the characters are totally entertaining. A high-stakes game in life and most importantly, love. I absolutely loved the interaction between Susannah and Philip when she takes his boots off Ooh la la! I'll be anxiously awaiting more from Ms. Lee. She's my new favorite author and I highly recommend Fortune's Son!" - NIGHT OWL REVIEWS
4 STARS From RT BOOK REVIEWS: "Lee brings the atmosphere of the Georgian era to life with lush descriptions that beg the reader to see, hear, feel and touch it all. She sweeps through a decade, bringing together an older heroine and younger hero in an atypical story...with a lively cast of characters and surprising twists and turns that are reminiscent of Fielding’s Tom Jones or Defoe’s Moll Flanders..."
From Historical Novels Review: "Set in mid-18th century London, Fortune’s Son is a page-turning account of the lives of two people brought together by fate who attempt, sometimes feebly, to cling to each other through love. The use of minor characters to assist the plot and the details of setting are used very effectively. This is a very enjoyable read with a multi-dimensional (and, surprisingly, male) protagonist." - Michael DiSchiavi
I am becoming a big fan of Ms. Quinn. This was my second title of hers and read in one sitting as I really needed something light to help me unwind.
It...moreI am becoming a big fan of Ms. Quinn. This was my second title of hers and read in one sitting as I really needed something light to help me unwind.
It was very enjoyable, if not quite a DIK. What I liked best was that the h/h actually fell in love before any scenes of real passion. This was a very refreshing change from the typical "I-CAN'T-KEEP-MY-HANDS-OFF YOU-SO-IT-MUST-BE-LOVE" employed in the vast majority of romances. (less)
Although I am a lifelong equestrienne, I am surprisingly not a huge fan of western romances, but then again, I'd never read Kaki warner. This second r...moreAlthough I am a lifelong equestrienne, I am surprisingly not a huge fan of western romances, but then again, I'd never read Kaki warner. This second release in the Blood Rose Trilogy had me completely riveted from beginning to end.
The herione was a woman worthy of the title, strong, intelligent but also very vulnerable, and one who had completely given up on love, only to find it in a dead man- well, an almost dead man.
The romance between Molly and Hank that was borne out of tragedy and founded upon deception became genuine in every way. It was heart warming to see it unfurl in slow stages. Although as in most romances, there were a series of misunderstandings, the characters talked them out and handled each in a mature and reasonable way.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to read the rest in the series. It's firmly placed on my "keeper" shelf. Hope you enjoy it too.
At first the Prologue of this novel sucked me right in!
"Polly Nichols a Whitechapel whore, was profoundly grateful to gin. Gin helped her. It cured he...moreAt first the Prologue of this novel sucked me right in!
"Polly Nichols a Whitechapel whore, was profoundly grateful to gin. Gin helped her. It cured her. It took away her hunger and chased the chill from her joints. It stilled the aching in her rotting teeth and numbed the slicing pains she got every time she took a piss. It made her feel better than any man ever had..."
My first thought was, "WOW. That was powerful. The author really knows how to paint the darker side of humanity."
Unfortunately the promising start quickly fizzled for me.
The Tea Rose is a story of young lovers who dream of together working their way out of the slums. They pinch and save, and pledge their eternal devotion, but hardship and penury have a way of weakening even the most ardent of vows when temptation presents.
Without "spoiling" with details, this is precisely what happens, but our heartbroken heroine is tough and determined to make her way on her own in a cruel world. I couldn't help feeling at this point that her portrayal was a bit cliched. Actually at times, the story reminded me a bit of an 80's TV melodrama.
As for the male protagonist, Joe, I had a hard time warming to him. Although they definitely had their "moments," I began to have difficulty seeing what it was about him that made her continue to cling so tightly.
The beginning of the novel introduces a serial kiler. For a good while, I couldn't make much sense of this as the thread was picked up and dropped several times. Eventually it made sense and did add suspense when the story finally came together.
Although at times I had a hard time liking the protagonists, by the end, I did want to see them reunited for HEA.
I'm not sure what I expected from the Tea Rose. Not a bad read, by any means, but it wasn't precisely my cup of tea.
Great Regency romance with a very spunky and persistent heroine, who has taken some hard knocks, but refuses to become embittered. The somewhat self-c...moreGreat Regency romance with a very spunky and persistent heroine, who has taken some hard knocks, but refuses to become embittered. The somewhat self-centered (but really aren't they all?) male protagonist comes to annoy me at times, when he plays with her feelings, but all is made right in the end.
Well-written with excellent pacing that keeps one turning the pages. 3.5 rounded up to 4. (less)
Having read more than a few Harlequin Historicals in my time, I thought I knew what to expect when I opened this book. I could not have been more mist...moreHaving read more than a few Harlequin Historicals in my time, I thought I knew what to expect when I opened this book. I could not have been more mistaken! The sumptuous detail of the setting, the impeccable research on the historical characters, the poetry, and the sizzling eroticism took me completely by surprise.
The main protagonist in LIBERTINE'S KISS, William De Veres, is closely modeled after the real life John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester. Courtier, playwright, and poet, he was one of the foremost libertines of the Merry Monarch’s court. William is deeply troubled by events from his past, and speaking frankly, is pretty damaged goods. He,like Rochester, is a brilliant satirical wit, but chiefly when completely soused. He drinks and goes from bed to bed with little care for the consequences of his actions, but Elizabeth’s re-entry in his life turns it completely upside down. Elizabeth loves him for who he is and renews tender sentiments that that he thought long dead. She eventually forces him to face his demons or lose her forever.
Having a great love of history, particularly the Restoration and Georgian ages, I lost myself completely in this novel. Although I am not a connoisseur of poetry, the inclusion of Rochester’s actual poems in the context of the story absolutely worked, adding richness and a greater realism.
The sexual content is quite explicit and even vulgar at times, but again, completely in keeping with the setting of Charles II’s debauched court.
LIBERTINE’S KISS is by no means a light read, but those who, like me, seek romance novels with both historical accuracy and substance, will not be disappointed. A great historical romance read. (less)
Judith James weaves a dark and compelling spell in Broken Wing, the story of a seemingly irredeemable man, a former male prostitute raised in a Parisi...moreJudith James weaves a dark and compelling spell in Broken Wing, the story of a seemingly irredeemable man, a former male prostitute raised in a Parisian brothel, who through self-sacrifice for another is able to escape his life and find his soul.
Although this did feel like two books in one, I loved the multiple settings and "pirate adventure" that gave Gabriel his final chance for revenge and desperately needed closure.
Gabriel's ultimate redemption, however, is only found in the arms of Sarah, an unconventional woman who through strength of character, unfailing compassion, and forgiveness, is able to teach him to truly love.
A great read for lovers of darker romance, tortured heroes and unconventional heroines. Four and a half stars!(less)
I LOVE Laura Kinsale for her depth of emotion and effortless imagery but this book really fell short for me. The best part, by far was the ending , th...moreI LOVE Laura Kinsale for her depth of emotion and effortless imagery but this book really fell short for me. The best part, by far was the ending , the "liasion a cheval" (quite an erotic fantasy for an equestrienne!!) but the main characters were so irritably inconsistent - running hot and cold throughout.
I never liked Leigh at all until the epilogue! And even ST flip-flopped so much that it was hard to know who he really was, other than a masochist for following her.
I also didn't care for the religious cult plot.
When I began reading, I thought I would adore this book, but it was actually a bit of a struggle to finish it.(less)
I was completely fascinated with the hero's journey in this novel. He overcame his adversity and found his way to genuine love in such a moving and po...moreI was completely fascinated with the hero's journey in this novel. He overcame his adversity and found his way to genuine love in such a moving and powerful way. It is very rare for an author to take one so deep into a character's psyche.
The heroine's struggle was also very real- her lover for him and her desire to do what is morally right, and the conficts this often presented.
I also found the romance, a case of opposites attracting, developed in a very real and believable way.
An imaginative, stirring, and richly painted story that clearly stands apart and won't be forgotten. I have to give this one 5 stars.
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