Kathy has
1523 books
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| # | cover | title | author | isbn | isbn13 | asin | num pages | avg rating | num ratings | date pub | date pub (ed.) | rating | my rating | review | notes | recommender | comments | votes | read count | date started | date read |
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date purchased | owned | purchase location | condition | format | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1426851480
| 9781426851483
| unknown
| 3.72
| 39
| May 19, 2010
| Jun 01, 2010
|
**spoiler alert** a noblewoman - Mrs. Enderby - confides and titalates her husband with spectacular sexual fantasies... and he makes one come true wit...more
**spoiler alert** a noblewoman - Mrs. Enderby - confides and titalates her husband with spectacular sexual fantasies... and he makes one come true with the help of the sex therapy house - to kidnap her (masked), blindfold her, titalate her in the carriage; 2 men to undress and 'massage' her (though no touch to her vagina) - though when the 2 men make out she is encouraged to touch hersefl... brought naked to the master, still masked... he makes love to her with fiery passion, than uses a large ivory dildo, then makes slow love to her... then when she awakes, dressed, blindfolded, taken to carriage - to her husband (now unmasked) where she confides / relives every touch and feeling - leading to sex again in the carriage(less)
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| not set
| Apr 28, 2013
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Apr 06, 2013
| ebook
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| 0778323013
| 9780778323013
| 3.77
| 659
| Dec 08, 1996
| May 01, 2006
|
**spoiler alert** A sweet story where a happy rake, horse breeder – Harry Lester – finds himself falling for the gentle, strong, self-sufficient, busi...more
**spoiler alert** A sweet story where a happy rake, horse breeder – Harry Lester – finds himself falling for the gentle, strong, self-sufficient, business savvy, gentlewoman, virgin - Mrs. Lucinda Babbacombe. Throw in a little intrigue (a nephew by marriage who, with the pushing of the fellow debt skuzzy people) who want to kidnap, and make it look like she’s a trollop so as to force the guardianship of her stepdaughter to go to the nephew so he has access to her money… Harry unknowingly interrupts the first attempt – becomes suspicious – and to begin with, accompanies her to her business appointments and to soirees to protect her… but he finds that she is so much more… And in the end, once she has mostly saved herself from the bad guys – but he is there for her – and she had jumped into the river, and was soaked through… he takes into the carriage, and disrobes her, and tells her he loves her (something she has been waiting to hear)… but when she starts to interrupt him, he stops her – and tells her that he has told women he loves them when he didn’t, and he wanted show her his love… by riding with her in view of everyone, of going to the soirees, of setting up his house, of planning children, of dancing 3 waltzes with her (tantamount to a proposal)… and he makes love to her in the carriage… ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 23, 2013
| Mar 28, 2013
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Mar 23, 2013
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 1459221400
| 9781459221406
| unknown
| 3.38
| 26
| Feb 01, 2012
| Feb 2012
|
**spoiler alert** London, 1890; Lucy Dawson, 30, wears trousers, rides her bicycle everywhere, independent; had one beau in her youth, but he was a bi...more
**spoiler alert** London, 1890; Lucy Dawson, 30, wears trousers, rides her bicycle everywhere, independent; had one beau in her youth, but he was a bit put off by her more aggressive responses to making out, and left her for a richer woman - she doesn't expect to find passion, but a part of her wishes; part of the Ladies Sewing Group, where sex fantasies and relationships are shared. Ethan Oakley, 25, architect, man of few words, plain speaking (especially about sex), grows and knows about the healing powers of herbs; riding her bicycle in the country in the rain, she hits a patch and tumpbles over the front of the bike. Ethan sees and rescues her, she passes out in his arm, and he carries her to his home; she wakes up naked in his bed, he nurses her to health, she sees him naked, she makes a pass at him, they make love - he suggests he doesn't know uch about love making, but both indulge and freely do what feels good... and after 3 days, he escorts her to her aunt, and leaves a note in her pocket asking to court her and to meet him at.... and before she goes to meet him, she shares her adventure with the ladies of the circle... hmmmm(less)
| Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Mar 02, 2013
| Mar 03, 2013
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Mar 02, 2013
| ebook
| ||||||||||||||
| 0778320073
| 9780778320074
| 3.74
| 932
| 1994
| Jan 01, 2004
|
**spoiler alert** This story is 4 steps of Jason, Duke of Eversleigh as his reasons for marriage change. Jason is handsome, likes to controls things bu...more **spoiler alert** This story is 4 steps of Jason, Duke of Eversleigh as his reasons for marriage change. Jason is handsome, likes to controls things but does so very charmingly, a womanizer, enjoys the ton’s season – and takes his responsibilities as duke seriously – with a myriad of holdings. He is a bit skeptical about women – having met many who have cheated on their spouses, and is wary of the young women looking for husbands. He and his younger brother agreed that the younger brother would marry and have heirs for the dukedom – but his brother was killed at Waterloo, leaving Jason with the need to marry and produce the heir. In the beginning, he tells his friend he wants a wife that: Is virtuous, Can run his households with grace, Intelligent conversation, Happy to stay in the country when he is in London, Not ugly. Lenore’s name comes up – and he checks with his aunt, and she would be acceptable… so he goes the week to a house party her family is sponsoring, and finds Lenore perfect. Lenore has two older, somewhat rowdy brothers, and father and aunt who are outspoken. She runs the family estate, she hosts the parties (both of aunt and of her brothers). She has determined not to marry, and dresses awkwardly and with glasses to keep from attracting her brother’s friend’s attention… but she does not fool Jason. She finds herself attracted to Jason, and not quite sure what to make of him… he impinges on her time, and likes all that he sees of her. In a discussion, when he realizes she has determined not to marry, he lists for her all of the reasons why a woman should marry, finally adding that when her brothers marry, she would lose her position. She refuses to marry him… he seduces her on the dance floor with words of what he would do with her… she avoids him, he finally pins her down in the library the day before he is to leave – and as she keeps the desk between them, he gets angry, and jumps the desk, and takes her in his arms – and both become overcome with passion – the kisses, the touching – and he opens the front of her dress – and then they are interrupted… she speaks out at him in anger, accusing him of setting it up… and he gets busy arranging things.. making sure those that saw them would not say anything else (or else), and speaking with her father and brothers… and at the ball, her father announces their engagement (not what the duke wanted)… and he goes to her side, and helps her through the evening… They marry – and he is quite attentive – accompanying her to all events – his first gift to her is red, soft shoes to go with her dress… he buys her a complete wardrobe (most of which he has chosen … and when she figures out that he had made the decisions, she doubles the order with clothes more of her own taste… and when he figures it out (the first gorgeous dress she wears that she selected) he is wonderful – telling her that her taste is better… and suggest that next time she doesn’t like his high handedness, perhaps she could get angry and yell at him instead - : ) and she suggests that he just shouldn’t get high handed. And their nights together are full of warmth and passion… And he finds that marriage is more than he expected… and he doesn’t want her to retire to the country… but she does… And he returns to her after a month… she is pregnant, he wants to tell her that he loves her, he wants to know if she loves him… but he doesn’t have the words. He tries to show her with his actions, and she is happy he is there, but is waiting for the other shoe to drop, and for him to leave again… and he has vases of flowers placed in her room with cards attached…that read, one by one, Dear… Lenore… I… love…you…do…you…love…me? And with tears in her eyes, she invites him to come to her… and he gets down on a knee, and asks her to marry him (before he just told her to marry him)… to which she launches herself sat him… and tells him that of all the reasons to marry, love, is the only one that counts. (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Feb 21, 2013
| Feb 23, 2013
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Jan 27, 2013
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0778321754
| 9780778321750
| 3.70
| 727
| May 01, 1996
| May 01, 2005
|
**spoiler alert** Setting: country estate; country hunting estate; various balls and soiree’s of the ton at the beginning of the season. Theme: Falling...more **spoiler alert** Setting: country estate; country hunting estate; various balls and soiree’s of the ton at the beginning of the season. Theme: Falling in love; expections; Characters: Mr. Jack Lester, of Rawling’s Cottage: eldest of four; gentry; enough, but not surplus of money until a recent investment at the recommendation of Horatio Webb paid off big; in his thirties, head of household, sister recently married and estates lacking her touch – he is actively looking for a wife, but after one season is disappointed – women too young, and simpering, and uninteresting Harry and Gerald Lester: Jack’s younger brothers… Lenore and Jason: Jack’s sister and her new husband. She ran the household and the household accounts until recently. Sophia Winterton: 22 years old; mother took a chill just as she started her first season 4 years ago, ending her season, and mother died shortly thereafter; she has spent these 4 years caring for her father and their estate; her father is indulging in a paleontology dig, closing the house, and Sophia is free; she is joining her younger cousin for the season, with the expectation of finding a husband – one not in need of a dowry; she is sweet, intelligent, kindhearted, responsible… Clarissa, Horatio, and Lucilla Webb: Sophia is joining Clarissa in her coming out, under her aunt and uncle’s watchful eyes… and at one point, when Sophia and Jack / Clarissa and Ned seem to be off track, and Lucilla suggests that they should help them, her husband counsels no… but then he does a little influencing himself. Summary: Jack sees Sophia dancing with another, and knows she is who he will marry… and he sets out to woo her, within the boundaries of society’s rules… quaint. But at one point, when her horse is startled, and he has galloped to her rescue – he is holding her, and realizes that his emotions are more engaged than he planned. Sophia, hearing the gossip that he needs a rich wife, tries to back off while retaining his friendship – and then when he finally pushed her into telling him why she won’t consider his marriage proposal, they must wait a few weeks for her uncle to return and assure her of his fortune. It was getting very difficult for him to see her talking/dancing with other men… hmmm And when uncle tells her the truth, she accepts his proposal, and he can’t wait any longer… having made arrangements to bring her home later, he takes her to a floating love barge (? Common to the time?), and makes sweet love to her… ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
| none
|
1
| not set
| Jan 27, 2013
|
Jan 27, 2013
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0380781220
| 9780380781225
| 3.66
| 1,260
| 1995
| Sep 01, 1995
|
Fancy Free by Catherine Anderson Setting: Shady Corners: streets, church, ranch outside of town Theme: falling in love; overcoming self doubts Characters...more Fancy Free by Catherine Anderson Setting: Shady Corners: streets, church, ranch outside of town Theme: falling in love; overcoming self doubts Characters: Clint Rafferty: 27 years old; mother died 6 years ago; alcoholic father died 5 years ago; they lost that farm, and moved to homestead – he has care of 6 younger brothers (youngest 6); he’s worked hard to make the ranch work and to care for his sister; Matthew and 5 brothers: Matthew the next oldest, and he looks a lot like Clint, and he charms the ladies, and he drinks too much; Rachel Constantine: marshal’s daughter; hot tempered; when believes Matthew embarrassed her sister who has a crush on him, she wants revenge, so she gets dora to help drug him in his whiskey… and Rachel will draw him into the church, get his pants off, and leave him to be found Sunday morning embarrassed; she needs glasses, but a man told her she is ugly with them, so she hides them. Summary: Clint goes to try to get Matthew to come home with him, and drinks some of his whiskey so that he won’t – but leaves without him… and Rachel is there to draw him into the church… he is getting droopier and droopier, and she is coming on to him… and submits to his kiss (which is much nicer than the preacher son’s kiss)… and when he passes out (with her blouse undone, and his belt unbuckled), he lands on her, and her head bounces on the ground, and she is knocked out – waking up Sunday morning… Dad forces them to marry (and Clint’s okay with it – earlier thinking maybe the ranch needs a woman’s touch, and he doesn’t want a homely one, and he remembered liking kissing her). And for a month, she makes the place a home with her heart – but she is a lousy cook (and can’t even read the recipes without her glasses), and not so good at the mechanics of housekeeping… when Clint’s aunt comes, and takes over the house (believing she is helping) and Clint is subdued in lovemaking because is embarrassed to think his aunt can hear them… Rachel leaves, thinking they don’t need her… and Clint lets her, thinking maybe his lovemaking was lacking, and that’s why she left. But when in town, Dora tells him how she broke Rachel’s heart, and that she is going to leave to go east to a relative – and Clint camps out in the church, and makes a heartfelt confession to her in front of all saying what he never said – he loves her, he needs her, they all need her. ahhhh The Mad Earl’s Bride by Loretta Chase Setting: 1820; Radmore Manor with its quicks and cliffs (with in Dartmoor England; tenement in London, Rawnsley Hall in Glucestershire, - England; asylum Theme: Sin; guilt; controlling grandfather; practicality; listening; love Characters: Aminta Camoys: married into the Rawnsleys; her sin includes an affair with her brother in law – and in one tryst, when his father returned unexpectedly, he pushes her away, and she falls, hitting her head – hidden because they did not want to explain it (though we don’t know why)… for 6 months she is sickly and getting worse… her behavior is eratic, she gets violent, she ‘confesses’ her sins (and her son’s sins)… and when she takes a knife, the Earl has her committed to an asylum; Dorian is told, goes to his mom, finds her tied to a chair, her hair shaved off, lost weight. He unlocks her, holds her, she seems lucid and tells him of ghosts that come to her, and then attack her, giving her terrible headaches, she tells him of the tortures she endures… he is going to take her out, but his grandfather shows up, and threatens to withdraw his funding, and tells him he knows what is best for her… and his mother dies 2 weeks later, there is an autopsy, and the report shows the asylum did not harm her, that her brain was deteriorating. Earl of Rawnsley: despot, 4 sons, multiple grandchildren – rules them all with the giving and withholding of money; a tyrant, vocal about no sex; Dorian Camoys: Aminta’s son; she spoke of her sins with him – they are close. His plan is to do well at Oxford so that his grandfather will finance a year’s travel on the continent, and then he will travel to the new world, and find a way to make a living and not depend on his grandfather. But along with his studies, he is a randy man, but feels very guilty after each encounter. Unfortunately, as his mother spilled the beans, and even though he was first in his class, his grandfather lectures him in front of the whole family, will not finance his travels, wand wants him to cowtow to him… and Dorian refuses, and leaves, with his grandfather telling him stop him from getting a job, threatening anyone who might hire him… he goes to London for 8 years, working the docks by day, letting his hair grow, and performing legal copywriting at night… and then he starts to see ghosts (or at least flashing lights, that then settle in his head, leading to great pain – knives slashing his brain, and nausea; he is convinced he has whatever his mother had, and he returns home, to his mother’s doctor (before grandfather got involved), who gives him great doses of laudanum and tells him he has 6 months to live; He gets a letter from grandfather demanding he appear to the family to defend himself – he does not go… and on the appointed day, a roof collapses killing all there… making him the sole male heir, and now the Earl; Gwendolyn Adams: a distant cousin, goes to the funeral with her grandfather and parents; her grandfather is asked to sign some papers as representative of the family since the earl refuses to step into his role… and they read the letters exchanged between the two, and get some history, and find out he is dying… and they decide that Gwen should marry him, get pregnant (they are fertile), she can study his illness, and she would inherit his money to open her hospital. She is an intelligent, thoughtful, observant woman who is training to be a doctor – though she has to overcome many gender bias’ against her; she wants to open a hospital in a more practical way. Dr. Eversham is progressive, and recognizes her value and allows her to study with him; Dr. Eversham: specializes in neurological maladies; Gwen’s mentor; first choice to head her hospital; Bertie: - ‘his heart bursting with good intentions, would never understand why it was impossible.’ Gwen’s cousin, classmate of Dorian; Down’s syndrome sort of? He joins Gwen and family in going to Dorian – and looks forward to being a groomsman, and ultimately a godfather to their children. Summary: The first half of this story was quite dark and sad… where is the romance? Well here it comes…During one of his headaches, Gwen’s grandfather proposes Gwen’s marrying him, and he agrees. But when they show up, he escapes out of the window, and takes his horse flying toward the cliffs, where he thinks he will not be followed… and she does – rolling her eyes. He believes a witch is following him, and he misses a turn, and he falls, rolling down into quicksand… she stops, sees his problem, assesses thing, and get his horse calmed and a rope to pull him out… he is cursing at her the whole time. They rest, she ignores his temper… it starts to rain, they have time to talk… and she listens to him – understanding that he did not remember agreeing to anything… and asserts that she will tell him the truth in all things – and tells him her reasons for marrying him. He notices that he is attracted to her – the sound of her voice, her ankle, her bosom – and as they ride back he advices her to decline, to run far from her… and when he helps her off of her horse, and sees her reaction to his touch, he agrees to marry her. And a marvelous couple of months they have – they make wonderful love (the first in the bath she puts him in to balance his temperature – ice pack on head, warm his extremities – and as he feels ease from the pain, and a peace, he pulls her into the bath with him, and they make love), she tries different remedies to ease his pain, they talk of their memories, she tells him of her plans for the hospital – and he wants it started now before he dies, to ease the way, and stop detractors; he gets copies of his mother’s medical records for her perusal; she is pregnant, and begs him to live longer, to at least see the birth of their child; he arranges for Dr. Eversham to join them… and the doctor stopped and spoke with Dorian’s mother’s maid… and meets with Dorian, telling him his mother died of a concussion (the maid tells him of when she hit her head), and a concussion is not hereditary – that he has migraines, very painful, but not lethal. ahhhh Memorable scenes: Gwendolyn: “much of it, a hodgepodge of twists and bends and corkscrews, each of which had a mind of its own, and all of them demented. Her hair, which was the complete antithesis of her level, steady, and orderly personality, made it very difficult for people to take her seriously… thanks to the crazed mass of red curls and corkscrews, every new person she met represented yet another uphill battle to prove herself.” “The damp does strange things to your hair, he said gruffly. All the little curls and corkscrews sprout up every which way, making a fuzzy red cloud… What on earth I is her hair doing? The medical men must ask themselves. One can’t be surprised at their failing to attend closely to what you say.” “She curled her fingers round his neck. “You’ve healed me, too, Cat. You made the doctor part and the woman part fit together.” “Because I love both parts,” he said softly. “All your parts. All of you.” ahhhh Promises by Lisa Kleypas Setting: England, 1920 – country home, Acland Hall; De Gray House; Vauxhall; a few balls; Craven’s men’s club Theme: Falling in love with the right man; risking love Characters: Lidian Acland: father passed, leaving them in debt but a small income from their land; she manages it the best she can, but it is hard; she meets Chance at a ball, and he is fun, he is charming, he is adventurous, he tells her he loves her, but that he must go to America and asks her to wait for him; she withdraws from what little society she enjoyed, waiting for him to return, and to her mother’s concern. Lord Eric De Gray: second son, footloose and fancy free – until his brother died; he is now the head of the family, and he is sought after by mothers and young women; he is handsome, a good man, impatient with the silly girls thrown his way; until he sees Lidian across the room and sees her gentle kindness to his sister (who spilled her punch)… and requests a dance with her. Summary: She tells him her heart belongs to another… and yet they begin the mating dance – she finds herself thinking more about him than Chance, he cannot stop thinking about her… she and her mother go to stay with his mother in London for the season… He is gentle and kind with her when she tracks Chance at Craven’s (after he tells her he saw him), and Chance is condescending to her, hurtful to her, telling her he’d come see her sometime – and Eric takes her to Vaux Hall to have a small adventure – a borderline naughty place where she wears a mask so as not to be recognized, and they walk through the gardens, and watch people… and he kisses her – ahhh And they spend more time together… he asks her to face her fears and give them up, and to see him… and she finally does… ahh The Kiss by Kathleen E Woodiwiss Setting: colony town of Charleston; Oakley Plantation Theme: a kiss and love; Characters: Jeff Birmingham: self made man of means; loves his brother and his wife; has had a dream his whole life of chasing a beautiful woman in a field, and catching and kissing her. Raelynn Barrett: in London her father died leaving them all but penniless; her uncle shows up from nowhere, and takes charge; they go on a ship to America, her mother dies during the crossing; her uncle has whatever money is left; they land, and he sells her to a man to use as he will… she runs away, running into Jeff… Summary: Who recognizes her as the one he has dreamed of… and he rescues her from his uncle, offering to pay more for her… and then realizes that he has compromised her honor, and asks her to marry him – she agrees, but asks that he gives them time to know one another before insisting on his conjugal rights… his brother and sister in law show up after hearing the rumors, and he arranges for clothes for her, and a minister to join them and marry them… and when he kisses the bride, she finds herself melting into his kiss… they dine with his family… he takes her to her room – and asks if she needs anything, and she asks for a kiss… that takes him into her room ahhhh Memorable scenes: Gwendolyn: Her hair, which was the complete antithesis of her level, steady, and orderly personality, made it very difficult for people to take her seriously… thanks to the crazed mass of red curls and corkscrews, every new person she met represented yet another uphill battle to prove herself.” (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Apr 04, 2013
| Apr 06, 2013
|
Oct 29, 2012
| Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 038077352X
| 9780380773527
| 4.24
| 11,493
| May 01, 1994
| May 01, 1994
|
**spoiler alert** Setting: Greenwood Corners; Craven’s gambling club, Raiborn’s home in London; & Raiborn’s country estate Theme: love; love that se...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Greenwood Corners; Craven’s gambling club, Raiborn’s home in London; & Raiborn’s country estate Theme: love; love that sees the heart; accepting love even when feeling undeserved; Characters: Sara Fielding: a country gal without a pedigree; kindhearted; gentle; adventurous; independent; author of real life books where she investigates and interviews – her most successful one of Matilda – a woman forced into prostitution who sees the error of her ways; Derek Craven: born in a storm drain, abandoned, and somewhat raised by prostitutes; at age of 5 worked as a chimney sweep (small enough to fit into chimney); for a few years worked as a grave robber; stole; gambled; cheated; and to collect enough to open his club, he prostituted himself to women; keeps especially women at a distance – no love for him. Lily Lawson and Lord Alex Raiford: continue to care for and interfere in Derek’s life – and can see he has feelings for Sara and tries to get them together. Perry Kingswood: Sara’s beau; has ‘stepped out’ with him for 4 years; he is a momma’s boy who expects Sara to tolerate his mother’s rudeness; Worthy and staff: fascinated for the kind hearted Sara – openly talking with her and sharing their experiences; Joyce Ashby: ‘sold’ by her father to a Lord when she was 16 (she married him)… and she is beautiful, self-centered, a sexual deviant, crazy; Derek takes up with her – enjoys the sex – but when he pulls a bit away, and she gets ugly & spiteful & brings up his classlessness, he walks away – angering her – she sends out two men to cut his face & scar him; she climbs into his bed naked; she threatens him and Sara; and ultimately she burns down his club and kidnaps Sara. Summary: Gentle Sara waits outside a gambling club, doing her research – Derek comes out, notices her and thinks she’s asking for trouble, and walks away; a block later he is jumped and though put up a fight, they have him restrained, one slashing his face… Sara hears the commotion, tries to intervene, pu lls out her pistol, shoots one of them (though aiming for the wall over them)… and then gets Derek home… she stays, and talks him through the painful stitches – then he kicks her out. But Worthy (the house factotum) invites her to come back in the morning, when Craven is out. They know her Matilda book. And Derek knows she’s there; he follows her around; he confiscates one of her pair of glasses wanting to keep a piece of her… they exchange a few kisses, he pushes her away… she decides to go to the assembly ball- in part for research, in part to participate in Derek’s life, in part to experience and be what she knows she’ll never have again… and she spends the night in Derek’s arms, dancing, drinking the spicy rum punch… and he takes her to a private room, and seduces her – but stops when he realizes who she is (as hard (ahem) as it is to stop)… she leaves with Jena, his rival… who abandons her when their carriage is stopped by a mob… and she is trying to get to safety when 3 men snag her and are preparing to rape her… but Derek arrives in a nick of time – and he gently comforts her, and shares about himself to convince her that he can never be with her… and kisses and touches her – telling her how much he wants to make love to her, but it would be wrong. She returns home, and tries very hard to recapture her feelings for Perry – but finds his mother more intolerant – and she pushes him to propose marriage, she pushes him to make love to her, she pushes him to agree that his mother would not live with them… and when she realizes he expects her to give up writing, to have children and take care of him and his mother, and he breaks their engagement unless she goes back to being the kind of woman she used to be, she doesn’t put up any bother. And she accepts Lily’s invitation to visit in their country home, in part for the diversion, in part for her regard on Lily, in part to possibly see Derek… Derek has been in his rooms, drinking himself into a stupor, ruining his furniture, and ends up at Lily’s because he was too drunk when Worthy put him in the carriage… and one of the house wenches stops by on her way to her mothers, one that kinda looks like Lily, to tell her that Derek had come to her room (and he never had sex with the house wenches) and told her not to tell anyone, and not to say a word, and he called her Sara and made a gentle love to her… and Joyce is at the weekend event (her husband and Alex are collegues), and is jealous when she sees Sara in Derek’s arms (though he leaves her again) – when Sara told him she loved him, and wanted him… so Joyce sends a depraved man who’s wanted in her bed to rape Sara, taking away her innocence and what Derek must want from her… but Derek runs into Joyce, who boasts, and he saves Sara (again) in a nick of time, and again comforts her, giving her brandy until she passes out… and Lily tells him she is still ruined when word gets out, and needs a husband… the next day he presents her with a list of 20 men who owe him, and whom he can convince to marry her – and she refuses, saying she’ll be all right…. And he offers himself – which she takes… going with him for 2 nights to share the passion they both feel, and they marry, and are making plans to live in one of his estates – and are happy, both in each other and in their own pursuits – but he hasn’t said the words that he loves her – though he shows her so in many ways… but then Joyce shows up, sets the club on fire, kidnaps Joyce at gunpoint (using a hidden hall/door to exit), takes her to one of her husband’s falling down castles, she grapples for the gun (knowing she can’t let her lock her up), the gun goes off, the bullet going through Joyce’s arm. Sara takes her home – gains her husband’s commitment to seclude her somewhere she can’t hurt anyone… it’s dawn, she goes to the club, where Derek finds her, and holds her so tight and is finally able to say the words – that he loves her. A year later, their first child is born… she’s shy about sleeping with her husband after the changes toher body… and he overwhelms her with passion… ahhhh. Memorable scenes: At Craven’s club, Sara fixes a house wench (prostitute)’s hem; lends out a piece of jewelry; sits in the kitchen with the chef; charms them all. Mathilda – so many sightings of her… Craven’s staff don’t believe her when she tells them she is fictional… and Sara allows the assembly ball people to believe she is Mathilda… The awkward Derek trying to comfort her… only having seen Lily comfort her children when they hurt… (less) | Notes are private!
| none
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1
| Dec 21, 2012
| Dec 23, 2012
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Oct 29, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0373796358
| 9780373796359
| 3.70
| 33
| Jul 19, 2011
| Jul 19, 2011
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**spoiler alert** Setting: El Dorado Auction House and hotel room and outdoor areas of San Francisco Theme: love; honor; deep and true self; Characters:...more **spoiler alert** Setting: El Dorado Auction House and hotel room and outdoor areas of San Francisco Theme: love; honor; deep and true self; Characters: Alejandro Aguilar: handsome; honorable; cold, lustful & robust lover, but not personal; a bit haughty; runs House of Aguilar, his mother’s family auction house in Madrid; father abandoned him and his mother when he was 3 years old and he never heard from his father again; Lucienne Bonet aka Lucy Burnett: father an art expert who did illegal sales on the side, leading her and Daniel into the illegal side; mother lost interest in her when she became more than a cute puppy; only felt loved, protected, and important to Daniel – a foster boy brought into their household. She fences art mainly for Daniel; she knows art; she takes on many personas; takes on the wordly Lucienne character when Daniel asks her to go to work for Alejandro to steal the Murietta ring – something he needs in order to stay alive. Michael Murietta: entrusted to give the Murrieta ring to the firstborn/Alejandro; well loved by mother and father; honorable; FBI agent; when father died contacted Alejandro as his brother and asked him to help assess his father’s collection – with the intent of getting to know him and to give him the ring; has been in contact with 3rd brother Daniel, who is currently in jail for art robbery and a guard who is unconscious in the hospital – he wants to do right by Daniel, but Daniel does not want his help, and Michael does think poorly of him. Ruby Dawson: Michael’s FBI partner; she is a bit older than him, teases him about his lack of sex life, knows about the ring and the two brothers. Daniel Burnett: does his best by Lucy, loves her like a sister; in jail but was set up – the police sirens were on him before he touched the statue, and the guard knocked out by someone not him… and then he was contacted in jail, beat up, and told to get the Murietta ring. He gets Lucy to help, but to protect her doesn’t tell her too much. Summary: It’s been 2 months, and Alejandro wants to pursue a sexual laison with Lucienne – so he terminates her employment (can’t date and employee), pays her a percentage of anticipated auction sales, and makes a case for getting together more personally. Lucienne knows she is lying to him, and though she fantacizes about Alex, she knows she should not act on it… Michael finally gives his brother the ring and a bit of its documented history – of how it changed the Murietta men to be honorable, faithful, passionate husbands, and that it once belonged to their ancestor Zorro… Alex takes the ring, does not put it on, and then someone breaks into the auction house, shoots at them, they lock office door, then hide in a hidden passage – where they kiss passionately. She goes to his hotel, because her purse was taken by the breaker inners… and he makes unselfish, passionate love to her… and though she flirts with knowing she shouldn’t… she can’t help herself. She wants to tell him the truth – but at her apartment 2 men hold them at gunpoint, spilling her secrets – Alex overcomes the bad guys, they hide out until Michael gets to them… she tells the truth – first to Michael, and about Daniel – and then pleads her case to Alex – but he is angry… she goes home, with Ruby’s protection and promise to meet with Daniel in 2 days. And the night before the four of them are to meet, Alex comes to her home, breaks in (with a bit of info/help from Michael), and confesses his love for her still… ahhhh and she has decided she can no longer be Lucy, and wants to learn who she is with Alex and to be more like Lucienne. The four meet – Alex has hired an excellent lawyer, the guard woke up, alex and Daniel have been meeting – the truth of all is out… they agree to work together to find out who wants the ring… though Daniel wants to go it alone, his brothers and sister won’t let him… Exposed - read review on the separate review for just this book(less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Dec 30, 2012
| Dec 30, 2012
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Oct 25, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0758251580
| 9780758251589
| 3.90
| 79
| Nov 29, 2011
| Nov 29, 2011
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**spoiler alert** Setting: Streets and alleys of London; rented townhouse in London; country estate outside London. Theme: Survival; passion; love; hope C...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Streets and alleys of London; rented townhouse in London; country estate outside London. Theme: Survival; passion; love; hope Characters: Naval Captain Hugh McAlden – of Scottish, gentleman farmer descent, joined the English navy at a young age and rose to Captain, a virgin (but shows himself to be a creative lover) – he loves the ocean, the navy, the life… he has spied when asked… and after a victory on the sea, he is injured on land – his leg damaged in an explosion. Healing, feeling ready to get back to his ship, the Admiral requests his help in determining who on the Naval Board is selling secrets to the French. And when is distracted by Megg’s pretty ankle, she pickpockets his friend… and he follows her, finally cornering her in an alley – and almost believes he didn’t see her pick a pocket when she shows her laundry basket empty of any taken, but not quite – and he offers her a job – and then she gets away from him, with his pocket watch. And he really wants her skills to help him. Trinity Margurite Evans aka Meggs Tanner – daughter of a duke’s 2nd son who became a vicar, and when is older brother dies, he refuses to become duke in favor of his vicarage, and his father disowned him… and when she’s 12, and her brother 5 their parents die suddenly… and they go to his mother’s house in London (unknowingly passing her going to their house to retrieve them), and the butler at the grandmother’s house refuses to let them in… and Meggs takes up stealing, they end up under the tutelage of Nan, an ex-governess who schools a group of children in pickpocketing, house breaking, gambling, costuming to enhance their jobs, etc… (until Nan was hung when caught breaking into a home). Meggs and Timmy are on their own now… she is carefully saving money, and they dream of going to the country to live. Meggs is a mix of proud of how she has adjusted and made the best of things, how she has cared for her brother, of her skills and kept her virginity – and she is also ashamed. She cut her hand when escaping from Hugh, and it becomes infected… she is worried that she can’t keep her end of the pickpocketing, and Hugh’s offer of 100 pounds sounds attractive – so she deduces where he bought the watch, and leaves it with the shop, asking them to return it to him… and she waits. Timmy Tanner – Meggs’ brother, now 12 years old … the two make an excellent team. Meggs worries for him as at his age he thinks he can’t be caught… He easily fits in with Captain Hugh… Viscountess Balfour – Hugh’s mother – 2nd husband (much to her surprise) was a Viscount… she keeps in touch with Hugh… she tries to matchmake him… Hugh stays out of her way. Anne, Dowager Duchess of Fenmore – Meggs and Timmy’s grandmother – who had disagreed with her husband disowning his 2nd son… who wanted her grandchildren with her, and did her best to find them… and towards the end… at a Balfour ball, she recognizes Meggs. Summary: - The overlaying plot – Hugh is asked to investigate and determine who on the Naval Board of 7 is giving secrets to the French… so he takes in Timmy and Meggs into his home and they track down the culprits. The real story is Hugh and Meggs – how they each grow, how they each come to love, need, and depend on one another. When Hugh gets to the watch shop, he immediately steps outside and sees Meggs before she hides from him… then she goes to his home, and passes out from her fever – and Timmy shows and stakes his claim. Hugh is puzzled by Meggs, her pride, her part truths, her inconsistencies – he trains her in code writing/deciphering – he has her learn housekeeping – anticipating planting her in a household to find the papers they need… all the time fighting his attraction to her ( a touch makes her very skittery)… and she starts to feel attracted to him… he recognizes in her one of passion and toughness and borderline violence – and once they have solved the mystery, he find he can’t let her go… he goes to her in her bath… he takes her virginity, but pulls away as soon as he realizes it… and then he is determined to keep her, with only nebulous ideas of how to keep her… he arranges for Timmy to join the navy as an apprentice – he arranges for his mother to teach her to be a lady… he flirts with the idea of marriage and her accompanying him on his ship… (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Oct 14, 2012
| Oct 20, 2012
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Sep 17, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0385337493
| 9780385337496
| 3.72
| 8,014
| Jan 01, 2007
| Aug 28, 2007
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**spoiler alert** Setting: London, England; Prussia; Helwater, Scotland; Theme: Truth, honor, gayness, Character: Lord John Grey – brother, son, army colo...more **spoiler alert** Setting: London, England; Prussia; Helwater, Scotland; Theme: Truth, honor, gayness, Character: Lord John Grey – brother, son, army colonel, friend, potential lover, owner of unrequited love – and he cares for people . He is balancing his private and public lives, while solving who murdered his father (part of a Jacobite plot) 17 years earlier. Though homosexuality is not accepted, John is okay with it… he knows the boundaries, he is open to people, not resentful… Through John’s eyes we see 18th century – weddings, dress, valets, getting ready to mobilize, friendship, war, fighting, war injured, fear, courage… He is working on what happened with his father… he knows his father was murdered, though his mother changed things to make it look like suicide to protect her sons from the assailant. His murder is part of a Jacobite conspiracy – his father knew too much. And his personal crisis – Percy… his attraction to him is sweet… the sex with him is hot… the friendship between them is touching… but when he and 2 others accidently catch Percy having anal sex with another man (both are officers in the army), Percy is arrested and execution is a likely ending. And Percy (of the 3) is the only one to testify against him… and to complicate things is his feelings for Jamie – unrequited love, and Jamie is disgusted with Percy’s homosexuality – most of that is back story… but he does go to Jamie for help in deciding what to do with Percy and his testimony… and Jamie clarifies what is honor – family before all. So he arranges for Percy to break out of prison Hal, Lord Melton – John’s brother, and commanding officer… he will not take his father’s title, because of the suicide… and he wants to vindicate his father… he may or may not know about John’s homosexuality, but he would never bring it up… he is a solid older brother and family head. Percival (Perseverance) Wainwright – father a Methodist priest, died, left him and his mother penniless… he made money by having sex with men, and found that was his leaning… his mother remarried an army colonel (who later marries John’s mother), making them brothers of a sort… His stepfather buys him an officer’s commission in the army… and John shows him the ropes. From the beginning there is attraction, and Percy feels more than John – but Percy is also more vulnerable… he separates himself from the sex for money gang… he is finding his self esteem. When caught having sex, the man with whom he had sex was one of his paying customers who blackmailed him. He begs John (the one time they see each other after the arrest) to keep him alive and free… and the story ends with an unsigned note from Rome. James Fraser – John has great respect for the man… John is in love with the man… John sentenced the man to servitude (instead of death)… (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Sep 23, 2012
| Sep 26, 2012
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Sep 09, 2012
| Hardcover
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| 038077013X
| 9780380770137
| 3.99
| 7,945
| Jun 13, 1993
| Jun 01, 1993
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**spoiler alert** Setting: London, 1820. Gentleman’s club; estate home; townhouses; fox hunting; Covet Gardens (for illicit meetings); yacht on Thames...more
**spoiler alert** Setting: London, 1820. Gentleman’s club; estate home; townhouses; fox hunting; Covet Gardens (for illicit meetings); yacht on Thames for party Theme: love; self protection; loss/mourning/letting go; Characters: Miss Lily Lawson – independent; jilted by fiancé, traveled with aunt, seduced by a faux Italian count (hated the experience) but got pregnant, settled in Italy with aunt, when daughter 2 years old she was kidnapped by father who is blackmailing Lily; aunt passed leaving Lily her wealth, but after 2 years of blackmail the money is almost gone; she inserted herself in a man’s world – gambling, hunting, cussing, etc., flaunting society; Nicole Lawson – Lily’s daughter Alex, Lord Raiford – orphaned when young – mother died in childbirth, father gave up on living and followed her into death within a year – leading Alex to fear loving too much; he stepped into lord’s role running the properties, and caring for his brother; 2 years earlier he was engaged to a vivacious American woman who joined in a hunt against his wishes, was thrown and died of a broken neck; he knows it is time to marry and have an heir, so he gets engaged to passive, obedient young woman. Penelope Lawson – Lily’s sister; and the passive, obedient young woman Alex is engaged to; in love with a neighbor, 3rd son of a dukedom so not rich enough for her parents; willing to be obedient to parent’s dictates. Derek Craven – of Scottish descent; owns/runs gentleman’s club where he supplies 1st class amenities; crass (though is taking tutoring classes to become more sophisticated); wealthy; knows everything that is going on in society (who owes who, who’s sleeping with whom, who’s cheating, etc); has befriended Lily, knows her secrets, has used his resources and connected her with an investigator to help Lily find her daughter; loves Lily but knows she deserves better and keeps their relationship platonic Henry Raiford – Alex’s younger brother, 12 years old, when headman at his boarding school is whipping him excessively for small infractions he places gunpowder at his door and ignites it, blowing down the door so gets expelled… Alex shows up to retrieve – and in his relationship with his brother we see a different side to Alex – one of honor and love and caring. Penelope’s beau/true love – kind, 3rd son so prospects small, deeply in love with Penelope, when sees the coldness in Alex and wanting to claim her for himself, he petitions Lily to help him to break them up. Count Giuseppe Gavazzi – on the fringes of Italian upper society, known to be a lover, seduces the lonely and innocent Lily, but is not much of a lover, and is verbally cruel to her when she withdraws from him… he ignores her for 2 years after the birth of their daughter, but becomes part of a kidnapping ring, steals his daughter, and blackmails her… Summary: Permeating story is Lily’s desperation to find her daughter, her grief and worry over what might be happening to her daughter, what she needs to do to keep Giuseppe happy and what she is willing to do (mostly gamble to make more money) to do so… Then we have 1st half where she determines that Alex is not the right man for her sister – he is arrogant, cold, and perhaps a bit cruel… she invites herself into his home where her sister and parents are staying until the wedding (4 weeks hence)… and to make her sister realize her true feelings, she and her kind hearted beau pretend to be entertaining their own engagement, and Lily creates situations which bring the two of them together… and she confronts and challenges Alex at every turn. Alex finds himself unwantingly attracted to her, and his temper easily ignited. He catches her twice in the early morning when she is returning to her room after sleep walking and finding herself in different parts of the house… the 3rd time, he follows her down (thinking to catch her in the arms of one of the students) and finds startles her and finally realizes she is truly asleep and he holds her until she fully wakes up… the first time she has felt safe… They have a row a few days later, where she accuses him of not being over his dead fiancé and using her sister, not acknowledging her sister’s intimidation of him…he storms up to her room to pack her things and throw them out on the lawn – and she acquiesces and leaves within the hour – but talks Henry into stealing into the buggy with promises to take him to Derek’s club for the night. 2nd half – Alex shows up at her townhouse to claim his brother, storms into her bedroom, she knocks him out with a vase and ties him to the bed – and after she succumbs to a kiss, she gets a note from Giuseppe so she leaves… in the mean time, the beau has stolen into Penelope’s bedroom and convinces her to elope with him… in the morning, the butler with aplomb releases Alex – who has the night to reflect on his life, and actually feels better about life, finally lying his love to rest and accepting of the loss of Penelope… and not just out desire for vengeance but a desire to push Lily, he goes to the gentleman’s club, where she is desperate to win $5,000 but is losing, and he plays betting 15,000 against a night spent with her… she loses, Derek forces her to honor her word, in part because he sees Alex’s heart in his bet… and Alex gently persuades her to give into their passion for one another… and he realizes he needs her… and where she thinks he is bargaining for her to be his mistress – and the men of the ton are eager for her to be their mistress – he is bargaining for her to marry him… and though she figures once he learns her truth, he will divorce her, she gives into her own heart and agrees to marry him… he is the perfect man for her, kissing her in public, not restraining her, accepting her, loving her – and he is hurt when she will not confide the whole truth to him, will not trust him with the truth… and he gives her the $5000 she needs and access to his accounts – thinking it is a gambling debt – but realizing it is something else… and after a few weeks, of increased closeness and sexual exploration, Giuseppe shows up at a ball, wanting her to sponsor him – she takes him to a room, Alex finds them, Giuseppe leaves – Alex accuses her of being a whore, and she finally breaks down and tells him the truth – and he sees it is the truth (having heard her crying out for Nicole) – and he goes to a schoolmate who is now an investigator, tells him what is happening… and when he hears the name of the investigator she had hired, he confides that they were starting to think he was in the ring of kidnappers because he had ‘found’ an inordinate number of stolen children and collected the additional rewards from the rich parents… so they set him up, Lily meets with the questionable investigator, rehires him with more money and drops that Giuseppe contacted her for entre into society – and if the investigator is guilty, they are sure he will lead them to the stolen children… and he does, and she recovers her daughter… who is shy and a bit unsure, but not too terribly traumatized… and for a few weeks Lily is focused on her daughter – and a bit unsure of Alex – will he want to divorce her? Will he treat Nicole coldly because of her birth? But when she comes upon him cuddling her after the cat scratched her hand, she sees the love he has for her daughter and fully falls in love with him… sending her daughter with the nanny and inviting him upstairs to ‘talk’… ahhhh Memorable scenes: (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Oct 27, 2012
| Oct 29, 2012
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Sep 01, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 0821756389
| 9780821756386
| 3.41
| 118
| 1978
| May 01, 1997
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Setting: 1500’s Russia – Cossack village and winter fort/stables; Mongol camp; Terem palace in Moscow; Theme: honor; love; respect; revenge Imagery: -t...more Setting: 1500’s Russia – Cossack village and winter fort/stables; Mongol camp; Terem palace in Moscow; Theme: honor; love; respect; revenge Imagery: -the beautiful, white, strong Cosar horses especially as move through the snow – power, strength, loyalty - the Cossack ideal – independent, warrior, light on feet, at one with horse (feed horse before himself), fearless, loyal Characters: Katerina Vaschenko – the new Kat… a young woman; as the only child, she trained with her father’s men in the Cossack way; her father passed onto her the secrets of breeding the white, strong Cosars; she has a special affinity with the horses, especially the Cosars, and especially Whitefire; she tracks Stepan down the mountain in a blizzard after a fight with her father, is attracted to a fire – but the Russian prince at the fire sees her, and decides to take her – chasing her down on his horse, raping her, and leaving her in naked in the snow, only covered with his horse’s blanket… In fighting him, she cut his face, leaving a scar. She hides the rape from all, but has nightmare every night of being chased… she is attracted to Yuri, the Czar’s emissary in the purchase of white horses, and they have sex – though she is attracted to him, and loves him in a way, she knows he is not one for her whole self – but when dad catches her, and thinks he has seduced the breeding secrets from her, her father brings her before the council and she is ostracized for the rest of summer (no one can speak to her) – until near the end of summer, as they ready themselves to return up the mountain to the underground stables, and the men celebrate with too much vodka, and she goes running off to bemoan her lonliness, the village is attacked, and all of the horses stolen (although their 4 best stallions had already been taken up the mountain), and all the men and villagers are slaughtered, including her father – when she returns, she vows to find a way to vindicate her name, and to rescue their Cosars and bring them home. Mikhailo Kornilo and Stepan Prokopovich – Mikhailo is her and her father’s first lieutenant and close friend and advisor; Stepan is a retarded man who is loyal and loves and cares for Katerina and the horses devotedly. Katlof Vaschenko – Katerina’s father – strong, unbending, didn’t trust his daughter, drinking too much which gives his men permission to drink; too mellow and lulled into a false sense of security – and unprepared when attacked – dying along with them all. Katmon Vashenko – Katerina’s grandfather – who stayed up the mountain; he is aged and dying, but is Katerina’s anchor, dispensing wisdom to her and ultimately Banyen. Prince Banyen Amur – Mongol; at 6 years of age, he witnessed his parents and town viciously murdered by the Czar’s men, and swore vengeance on Ivan… and eventually hooks up with Khan to lead an attack on Moscow. Czar Ivan Vasilovich – his last years, his extreme craziness, most targeted at the boyars (nobility) , leading to horrendous crimes – (like a naked woman he was parading around the dinner hall making a noise so he pushed her into the bear pulling her cart, laughing as the bear mauled her to death)… Princess Halya Zhuk – brought to Terem with her 18 year old brother to be Ivan’s 5th wife… she left the peasant man she loved, and rationalizes the use of her body to stay alive so as to have the hope of finding her love again. Sexually impotent Ivan is by turns indulgent then crude with her, blaming her. She loves her brother, and wants his protection above all else. Yuri Zhuk – Halya’s brother – training with Ivan’s guards – and Ivan sends him to Katlof to spy and find the secret of the breeding, and to complete the transaction to buy the horses. Yuri falls in love with Katerina, and when her father finds them together, he cancels the bargain, sending Yuri off. Yuri promises Katerina he will return for her. Gregory Bohacky – Terek warrior, greedy – went with Yuri; returns to steal the horses and the secret if he could – slaughters the villagers and warriors; takes the horses; demands double the payment for the horses – and Ivan eventually comes up with it… Khan Afstar – Katerina’s mother’s brother – leader of the Mongols; Banyen’s leader; planning an attack on Moscow. Treats his prisoners abominably, and agrees to give Katerina 200 of his prisoners (hand picked by her) to go back to her home and to train to be new Cossacks through the winter, men to assist her in getting her horses back – he also sends Banyen and 50 green soldiers to protect her, maintain the prisoners, and train with her. Kostya – one of the prisoners, the first she picks, strong, a natural leader he ends up leading the ex-prisoners in their training, setting the tone – and for much of the time it was his men versus Banyen’s men. He and Katrina play with an attraction – but only share one kiss. And he is Hayla’s true love – and when he sees her again, their love blossoms. But as a man of his word, he joins Katerina in her quest. Summary: Katerina’s plan is to turn the ex-prisoners into Cossack soldiers – in return for their freedom and a salary. She is tough on them, and strictly imposes six months of training (with punishments isolation in the cold barracks without meals) – months of Russian dance (light on feet), weapons training, one meal, and hours with their own, specific horse. The only fly in the ointment is Banyen – who watches her with a sardonic look, whose men won’t take orders from her (though he enforces her orders), whose touch sets her into flames. And Banyen does not recognize her as the woman he raped, and when his scar burns, he thinks of her… and he comes to appreciate her singlemindedness, her accuracy in her training strategies, her body… and it challenges his belief of what a woman should be… and when he sees 2 of the white stallions that she had hidden, he tries to figure out where they are … and she finds him in the room where the secret door is, following her kiss with Kostya – and he succumbs to his passion and seduces her and she melts into his arms… but once fulfilled, she makes it clear it is a one time deal. He becomes friends with her grandfather, eating dinner with him each night, and reading to him until he falls asleep… and one night, he overhears a distraught Katerina confiding in her grandfather of her history with and confusion over Banyen – of his raping her, of her admiration for him, of her attraction for him , which further confounds Banyen and his deepening feelings for her… and he stakes his claim on her, and she welcomes him… and they find the words of love … when it is time to leave, she misreads his comforting of Hayla (who is distressed over Kostya’s illness), and sends him off in anger (she sends her 4 white stallions – he refuses them)… and Mikailo makes her realize her error, judging him as her father judged her… she is eager to make amends – but leads her men to locate the Cosars… and they ultimately track down Gregory, take the gold given him by the Czar (with Katerina the one who battles Grergory, soundly beating him in a fencing contest)… and they join up with her uncle and Banyen (whose eyes meet, and all is well), and the Taters to make an attack on Moscow – the Taters get their women to sell as sex slaves, Katerina locates her Cosars, the Mongols defeat the Russians soundly – but Ivan gets away, and Banyen is left without filling his personal quest… but he realizes that killing the crazy Czar isn’t really anything – and she is willing to give away her secrets of the Cosars (to Kostya and to her people) and to join Banyen as the new Mongol leader – but he does not want this – and wants to return to her home, to love her and to have children with her and to train Cossacks and breed Cosars. ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
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| Oct 18, 2012
| Oct 22, 2012
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Aug 25, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0373828322
| 9780373828326
| 3.88
| 59
| 2010
| Mar 16, 2010
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**spoiler alert** Setting: 1776, London England; Fair Winds, American merchant ship; Theme: Love, honor, revolution for what is right, God’s guidance Char...more **spoiler alert** Setting: 1776, London England; Fair Winds, American merchant ship; Theme: Love, honor, revolution for what is right, God’s guidance Character: Lady Marianne Bennington – loved of her mother and strict father, biddable, charity work, deeper faith after time with Jamie – and she and Jamie shared a kiss and an understanding. Captain James ‘Jamie’ Templeton – godly, merchant, ex whaler, partner in South Florida company, and has thrown his lot in with the colonist’s, and George Washington has commissioned him to spy on Lord Bennington and try to find some of the British battle plans, and also to use their ship to carry weapons to the colonies. He knows he must cut off any feelings for Marianne – because of the class difference, because of the war with the colonies, and because he is spying on her father and does not want to use her. Lord and Lady Bennington – Marianne’s parents – father is very strict and overly critical of his sons; he is anti colonial revolution, and is very class conscious; she is more understanding of the role of love. Aaron Quince / Emma – he is a revolutionist who joined Jamie as his valet/co-spy; she is marianne’s maid, was raised in the orphanage the Bennington’s sponsor… they fall in love, and she goes to America. Robert Bennington – a disappointment to his father, he has stopped trying… and drinks and gambles too much… Jamie joins him one night, they are attacked outside (set up by one of his friends), and Jamie defends them… and while nursing a cut Robert, shares God’s grace with him, and helps him change his life. Summary: Jamie is stuck in England 2 months for the repairs of his ship, and stays with the Benningtons… his gentleness and humor help bridge over some tense times in the family… and though he tells Marianne there is no future for them, she stays constant and they share moments over the next weeks… until Marianne, feeling that God wants her to be married to Jamie, decides to sneak on his ship with her maid… but once aboard and discovered a week out she also discovers he is an American revolutionist and refuses to talk with him… though she does stand up for his men (and their new wives) when boarded by British wanting to inscript some of the men – scaring them off. After a stop in Boston (after 7 weeks on the ocean), he leaves the declaration of independence for her to read… and she does, remembering the stories of some of the women on board, and her own observations, and see why Jamie is so passionate, and that she loves him so much… so she throws her lot in with him, and they marry … ahhh (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Aug 25, 2012
| Aug 26, 2012
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Aug 18, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 0373293240
| 9780373293247
| 3.56
| 45
| Aug 01, 1012
| Oct 01, 2004
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**spoiler alert** Setting: London, 1875; Strathandrew, Scotland; family yacht marlet Theme: Love, past hurts, past loves, current feelings. Character: Clai...more **spoiler alert** Setting: London, 1875; Strathandrew, Scotland; family yacht marlet Theme: Love, past hurts, past loves, current feelings. Character: Claire Brancaster Talbot – a plain woman, inherited her father’s shipping business and is running it well, she doesn’t expect to marry – realizing her few suitors were after her money, no her. Growing up she had a crush on Ewan, a gillie at the Scotland estate where the family visited in the summer… she tormented him, but he only had eyes for her half sister. Mr. Catchpole – the manager at Brancaster, who walks her down the aisle. Lady Lydiard – her stepmother, proper, doesn’t know what to make of Claire’s untraditional ways. Spencer Stanton – Tessa’s patient fiancé – he is away. Tessa Talbot – Claire’s beautiful, flighty, somewhat spoiled half sister. She is flattered by and flirts with Ewan, encouraging his suit. Ewan Geddes – once a gillie (hunter’s caddy) on the Strathandrew estate, surrounded by friends and family… he grew up fascinated by Tessa when she came to visit each summer, tolerated Claire when he even noticed her… and on Tessa’s 17th birthday, arranged to give a kiss… (though he unknowingly kissed Claire instead)… and her father found out and fired him and put him on a boat to America. In America, he made his fortune, and now owns his own shipping company. He read about Tessa’s engagement, remembered his early feelings for her, and returns to London with the intention of wooing her away from her fiancé. Summary: Claire furious when she realizes Ewan is the one wooing her half sister – she remembered her crush and how disappointed she was… and she wants to protect Tessa from him and his marrying her money. She contrives with her aunt to take Ewan on the yacht to Scotland, with her stepmother & sister following by train, and to woo him away from her sister – with her money as much as with her charm… And their time together on the yacht, and later in Scotland – they fall in love… and though there’s a bit of a hiccup when she finds out he was hiding his great wealth (and competitive shipping business)… and when he finds out that she had set out to trap him… they each remember their time, their discussions, their trust… and Spencer shows up, challenges Ewan to a duel… both survive, become friends, and they have a double wedding. (less) | Notes are private!
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| Aug 18, 2012
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Aug 18, 2012
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| 0440243238
| 9780440243236
| 3.74
| 1,981
| 2001
| Feb 28, 2006
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**spoiler alert** Setting: 1800’s Pinewood Manor, Village of Trellick (river valley in Somersetshire); Theme: Woman’s lack of power, choices, love and...more **spoiler alert** Setting: 1800’s Pinewood Manor, Village of Trellick (river valley in Somersetshire); Theme: Woman’s lack of power, choices, love and sacrifice for family, love Characters: Viola Thornhill – bastard child of an earl, loved by the earl but when her mother (former governess to the earl’s son) marries, she cuts her father off – no contact, no gifts, no education. Her husband is a gambler, and dies when Viola is 17… they go to live with her mother’s uncle at the inn he owns, and when a skuzzy man comes to collect on her stepfather’s debts, Viola goes with him to become a well known and expensive courtesan (with a different name)… after 4 years of this (very little of what she makes actually goes against the debts), she comes across her father in the park, and calls to him… their reunion finds that he always wanted to help her, but her mother forbade it… when he found out her circumstances, her father goes to the skuzzy man and pays the debts, gets a note that they are cleared, and he sends her to Pinewood, his country manor, and assures her that he will deed it to her in his will – and he is dies a month later … Earl of Bamber – Viola’s half brother, gambler, drinker, does the honorable thing at the end. Lord Ferdinand Dudley – Jocelyn’s brother… did not do the expected of a 2nd son of a manly duke and go into the army… by nature he’s a bit academic, reflective, easy going, friendly… but as a good Dudley, he steps up to any challenges. Summary: Ferdinand wins Pinewood at the gambling table, when he is asked to sit in when his friend is called home because his wife is giving birth… he expects to find a neglected, rundown estate… but on his way, he stops the night in the village of Trellick, where the town is celebrating May day with a fair, competitions, food, and a dance… and Viola catches his eye… they dance (though she is reluctant), she seems familiar (she was a well known courtesan 2 years earlier), they kiss… And the next day, he rides up to Pinewood to claim it, only to find that Viola is convinced it is her home… she won’t leave, and she decides to get the town to help her to not like country living… but he takes it all in stride… rooster wakes him up, he goes out horse riding, many come to set their complaints before him, he is amicable, he is willing to spend his money on the tenant’s homes… it looks helpless to Viola… and then she gets a letter from her 15 year old sister that her skuzzy friend has come to the inn and asked her to pass on a message to Viola – that he found another note… and that perhaps he could help her sister find a position as a governess… and Viola sees the threat for what it is… making her all the more invested in keeping the house and its income… But Jocelyn shows up with legal statement that Pinewood was not left to her… and he recognizes her courtesan self… and Ferdinand insists he leave the problems to him to solve, so he takes off the next day… And a desperate Viola challenges him to a bet – that she can seduce him in one week, and will stay for one week more… and he says yes… but Viola can’t bring herself to take on her courtesan persona… he decides he can’t take her home away from her, but before he can tell her, on day 6, and she comes onto him, but stops herself… and he follows her outside, and they make love… she concedes the house to him… he asks her tves there is more to her story, but she doesn’t tell him…he asks her to marry him… she says no… she leaves the next morning before he is up, he chases down her coach, and he asks her to be his mistress, and she agrees. They go to London, he takes her to Jocelyn’s mistress house and leave her… They make love, and she leaves the next morning - she goes to her half brother to ask after the will and the payoff proof, but he reiterates it was not in his will – she asks if there would be a different lawyer, which gets her brother thinking, but he lets it be… she returns to the inn… in the mean time, Ferdinand has Pinewood transferred to her… is depressed when she is gone… but Jane talks him in to tracking her down if he loves her… He and Jocelyn have figured out the skuzzy guy is involved… Ferdinand tracks down the inn… and she has made another agreement with skuzzy guy to go back to work to keep her sister free,and she has a week with her family… then Angelina and Sara/jane show up to extend their friendship… and she thinks to go to Jocelyn to ask for a loan to pay off skuzzy and for him to deliver it and to threaten him to leave her alone once and for all… Jocelyn says he’ll take care of it… but then the half brother shows up, and he did find the will change and the payoff guarantee – his father filed it with his wife’s lawyer because his was out of town, and the wife’s lawyer conveniently forgot about it… and Ferdinand sends her the paperwork, and he implements his plan to vindicate her, to show himself as her champion, he gathers 50 people together at Hyde Park… Jocelyn goes to skuzzy guy and negotiates for Viola’s time next week – and Jocelyn takes him to Hyde Park… and Ferdinand champions Viola, telling all how he abused and forced a young woman into prostitution … and Ferdinand beats him up royally and they tell him to leave London. And he goes to Violaand tells her she is free… and asks her again to marry him… and she says yes… ahhh Memorable scenes: sensitively written scenes as we feel Viola’s conflict in the sacrifices she made for her family, and was called on to make again… (less) | Notes are private!
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| Aug 23, 2012
| Aug 25, 2012
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Aug 17, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 044024322X
| 9780440243229
| 3.91
| 2,735
| Sep 12, 2000
| Feb 28, 2006
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**spoiler alert** Setting: London’s Hyde Park; Pulteney Hotel; Candleford, Cornwall; mistress’s house Theme: Childhood shaping, character, love Characte...more **spoiler alert** Setting: London’s Hyde Park; Pulteney Hotel; Candleford, Cornwall; mistress’s house Theme: Childhood shaping, character, love Characters: Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham – Dudley’s are manly… what that means to Jocelyn is to bury one’s feelings, love the ladies, never walk away from a fight… He doesn’t believe in love – his parent’s alternated their time at the estate with the kids, each carried on independently with him … at the age of 16, when he started to show interest in a neighbor girl, his father arranged for his own mistress (who lived in a cottage at the edge of their estate, and the children believed she was a poor relative) to seduce him and initiate him into lovemaking (as his father had done for him)… and his mother had her entendre’s during her half year in London (another thing Jocelyn learned at 16)… Ferdinand – Jocelyn’s younger brother… fun, ready for a fight, living an unpurposeful life, though not one of terrible indulgences. Jane Ingleby aka Lady Sara Illingworth – well loved growing up; grew up on the country estate with limited contact with the ton; before her coming out, her mother passed, and a year later her father passed; her father’s title and estate was inherited and Durbury, probably motivated by wanting her vaster fortune that she will inherit at her 25th birthday, wants her to marry his son Sidney. Earl of Durbury & Sidney Jardine – he inherited Jane’s father’s title and estate, but not his other properties, jewels, or money… he is trying to force Jane/Sara to marry his son. Mick Boden – hired by the Earl to locate Sara – a Bond Street runner – P.I.’s of the time Angeline & Heywood – She is the Dudley sister, he is her husband. She is talkative, has atrocious fashion/accessory sense, and probably has a new hat every day… and when her brothers are in trouble she at once scolding them for worrying her as she is cheering them on to be victorious… her husband is very quiet and conservative, and tolerant… and apparently quite romantic and sexy when it is just the two of them. Summary: Jane/Sara is accosted by a drunk Sidney (with his drunk friends egging him on) when his father is away… with the plan of seducing/raping her and forcing her to accept his hand in marriage… she wallops him with a book, hitting his temple, he stumbles and hits his head on the fireplace, and is unconscious. After nursing him until the doctor gets there, she takes 15 pounds from the library desk, and a jeweled bracelet given to her mother by her father on her wedding day and gifted to Sara, and runs to London, to her godmother – who is away for an indefinite amount of time. Worried that Sidney may be dead, and she blamed, she decides to hide until her godmother returns, and takes a job at a sewing shop… on her 3rd day go work, through Hyde park, she sees two men about to duel, and shouts to stop, distracting them. Jocelyn has been called out to duel by >>>>’s brother… she claims that she had a night with Jocelyn, and he is too much a gentleman to call her a liar (he flirts with, but does not dally with married women)… she wants the drama of it… he has been through 4 other duels, never hit – and he shoots his gun in the air, not at an opponent. He looks away when he hears Jane/Sara call out and his opponent shoots, a bullet into the leg… he is still standing, shoots his gun into the air… duel over… he sits… calls her over to him… and from this point on he acts, he does not think… he chastises her… and she chastises him right back… and where he does not accept help from his friends, when she reaches for him to help him walk to the carriage, he accepts her help… and when she shows up at his home, after she loses her job for being late, saying he’s to blame, and though he has been through the pain (with only alcohol to numb him) of the removal of the bullet, and he’s been told he must stay off his leg for 3 weeks, he tells her she will be his nurse for the three weeks, and he’ll pay her. For 3 weeks, she is his companion – he knows there’s more to her – she claims to be an orphan, but… he requires she sits with him when he has company (and she kinda fades into the background)… they fight over her wearing a cap (she wants to hide her hair & identity)… she stands up to him, she gently eases his leg and dresses the wound… and a friendship forms… and an attraction grows… they share a few kisses… she comes across him playing the pinaforte one night (an unmanly pastime that he is embarrassed by), and she sings with him (and has a beautiful voice)… and at the end of his 3 weeks, he puts together a soiree, and pays her 500 pounds (to overcome her objections) to sing with him (act, not feel, not think)… and they kiss and go a little further… And she has been listening in to the gossip about Sidney and the earl… that the earl was in town looking for her, and the speculation was that his son was dead… At the end of her 3 weeks, as she is getting ready to leave (now she has some means, and plans to leave London) and she is sad and empty… and Jocelyn just knows he doesn’t want her to leave… yet she can’t stay without tongues wagging and damaging her reputation or with him keeping his hands off of her… so he impulsively asks her to be his mistress – he’d set her up in a house, etc… and she knows her own heart and that she wants to be with him, so she agrees, with the caveat of a written agreement – he agrees; and she gives herself a month to be with him, and then she is going to confront her uncle/earl and be done with it… he takes her to his ‘mistress’ house (he’s had 5)… and she insists on time to redo his gaudy, bordello-like house… and she makes it a home – especially the den… and after the week, she sends for him… and he again is conflicted… he doesn’t like the things that make her his mistress, yet he can’t see any other way to keep her with him… and as good as the lovemaking is – and though a virgin, she is sensual and responsive to him – their time together in her den (which she reluctantly invited him into) – with her embroidering, and him reading… or playing the pinaforte…or painting – being together in front of the fire. And they have a week together… and in her den, she tells him about his father and the mistress experience… and she assures him he is not his dad… he can make different/better choices. But after the week, he figures out who she is when the Bond Street Runner comes to his house looking for her… and he is furious, thinking he trusted her with his deepest self, and she didn’t trust him… he confronts her, she stoically answers him – giving him the truth (including about her godmother)… she accuses him of being a coward about his feelings… and he tells her to stay while he figures out what to do… she decides to leave – to go to the earl and have it done… and he goes to the godmother, and makes arrangements for Jane to join her that day and that he plans to marry her… As she is leaving, the Bond Street Runner is outside to intercept her… and wants to bind her hands to take her … she says no, he says yues… she screams, and others come to her aid… she goes to her uncle.. bond street guy shows up, and he and the valet are going to bind her so as to get her into a carriage so that uncle can take her home and force her to marry his son to avoid persecution, he thinks he has her backed into a corner… but Jocelyn found her gone, and goes to her uncle’s …. And rescues her and takes her to her godmother… Her godmother covers for her… Jocelyn gets his brother and friends to spread the word/gossip of the truth of his servant who was tormented by her uncle/cousin and was really the lady Sara… no one knew her as his mistress… and she doesn’t want anything to do with him… her godmother covers for her, taking her out into society, planning a ball for her… and he finally can’t stay away… and goes to her demanding she marry him… that he misses her, etc… but doesn’t tell her he loves her… but she is pregnant… and the ball is that night… and at the ball, she is beautiful… they are not sure if he’ll come… and he does… and he comments she looks like a bride… and he watches her… and she interacts graciously with all, and all are welcoming to her… and he waltzes with her… and at dinner, her boyfriend from the country wants to take her back to the country… and Joceyln calmly tells him he’d appreciate it if he didn’t talk about his wife that way…. To which Jane agrees – she has proven she won’t be an embarrassment to him …. ahhhh Memorable scenes: “He was not good at such words as had been needed. He had no previous experience.” Names… as the future duke, all referred to him as Tresham growing up… and he asks Jane/Sara tocall him Jocelyn, and she is the first to ever use his given name… and her middle name is Jane, the name her parents called her… and she is happy for him to share her more intimate name … ahhh (less) | Notes are private!
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| Aug 23, 2012
| Aug 25, 2012
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Aug 17, 2012
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| 044024112X
| 9780440241126
| 4.18
| 5,533
| Jun 01, 2004
| Mar 01, 2005
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**spoiler alert** Setting: Hyacinth Cottage, Gloucestershire; Schofield Park, Gloucestershire; Bedwyn House, London; Theme: Characters: Christine Derri...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Hyacinth Cottage, Gloucestershire; Schofield Park, Gloucestershire; Bedwyn House, London; Theme: Characters: Christine Derrick – fell in love with handsome, charming Oscar (an earl’s 2nd son), married within a few months, happily for 6 years, unhappily for 2 when he became overly jealous – and died in a duel… she was of lesser nobility, she is genuinely likes people, and people like her, she acts before she thinks, and always made small faux paux that endeared her to others – but she became the target of Justin, and her antics were misconstrued, feeding Oscar’s insecurities…. After his death, his family cut her off, and she returned home to her mother – where for 2 years she has found contentment – teaching geography 3 times a week, visiting the less fortunate, writing letters, etc. Melanie, Lady Renable – her friend and neighbor, who knows what is best for others and acts in their best interest. Oscar Derrick – Christine’s husband, 2nd son, always needy but his agitation increased as he began to believe that she flirted and inserted herself with men, perhaps even sleeping with them… leading him to gamble far more than he has, and to rashly challenge a duel – where though only shot in the leg, it hit an artery, and he bled to death. All told he died in a hunting accident. Wulfric Bedwyn, Duke of Bewcastle – alone since the age of 12 when separated from his brothers, trained by 2 tutors to be Duke; became Duke at 17 when father died; alone as his siblings married; alone when his fiance broke their engagement in an awful way (because she was lesbian, and could not bare to marry anyone); alone when his mistress on 10 years died (they had a nice contract – which allowed him to keep his heart in tack). Justin Magnus – cousin to Oscar, in love with Christine, and he is the one to plant the seeds and fan the flames of distrust of her and her motives with her family… Summary: At loose ends, not wanting to be alone, Wulfric agrees to go to a house party thinking it is with intellectuals… but it is for Melanie’s brother’s engagement and most there are young and frivolous. Melanie insists Christine join them… and though Christine hasn’t had new clothes in 4 years, and is no longer of the ton, and her brother-in-law still believes her the cause of her husband’s death, she becomes the life of the party – she is friendly, helpful, and joins in whole heartedly… and if she climbs a tree to rescue a little boy, and her dress is torn (and Wulf must wrap her in his jacket to save her dignity) all just join in laughing with her… The young women make a wager – the winner who can get Wulf to spend 1 hour with them… and the engaged one pays the wager for Christine… At first meeting, Christine refuses to look away when Wulf catches her eye – even when he raises his eyeglass to his eye… and thenChristine wins it the first day, walking with Wulf around the lake – learning a bit about him, and learning that he is cold and very formal, but she doesn’t tell anyone she won. Wulf is drawn to her, though he doesn’t want to be… they notice each other… they take another walk… and she playfully pulls him into the maze, and they kiss… and he impulsively asks her to be his mistress – which she angrily tells him no… and though she is drawn to him, she doesn’t like him… Justin is doing his thing… they waltz, her foot gets stepped on (by another) and Wulf takes her outside… they kiss… he tells her he wants her… she agrees… they go out of site, have a fairly quick coupling where both climax, still mostly clothed… he moves away from her, turns to her and starts to ask her to marry him, but she thinks he is again going to ask her to be his mistress and cuts him off with another no… the party ends, Wulf goes back to is estate, he is alone… he can’t stop thinking of Christine… 10 days later he shows up at her home, and proposes (even though you’re socially beneath me, even though you are old, even though you draw attention to yourself in unseemly ways)… and though a part of her wishes to say yes, mostly she is angry, and she tells him she would not marry such a cold hearted man, she want someone who can love and accept her… and they run into each other 6 months later (he rescues her when she tries to rescue the glove a courtesan who purposefully dropped it for her recent perspective paramour, and falls into the lake, and her dress is see through, and he puts his coat around her and escorts her home)… then he invites his family to the estate for Easter, and goes to Christine before she returns home, and all but begs her to come to his estate also – he would invite her cousins and brother in law for propriety… she reluctantly agrees. And at his home he is himself… she sees him with his sisters & brothers, and their children – and the distance he maintains from them… the siblings try to throw them together, seeing his attraction… they ride, and walk together, and she tells him of Oscar… Justin approaches him and plants his seeds of distrust… and that evening, Wulf calls Justin, Christine, and her brother in law and cousin into the library, and reveals Justin’s insidious ways, they all see the truth of him and fences are mended where they need to be, and Justin is out of her life… and he enjoys when she rolls down the hillside, and the excited children laughingly does the same… and then he takes her to the dovecote that he has remodeled into his small sanctuary – and shares with her his childhood, and that he is Wulf and he is the Duke, he cannot change… and he asks if he can make love to her, and she agrees… and this time they do so without clothes, and slowly and lovingly… and then as they return to the house, they meet up with the family… at a point in the river where they were never allowed to dive in… yet all did… and after some words with the siblings & warnings to the children, he proves he did dive in when in his youth, and disrobes, and climbs onto a branch, and executes a perfect dive into the water… and his elderly, officious aunt (who had been trying to match make him with someone else) wraps Christine in a hug and with tears thanks her for Wulf… and they waltz at the ball he holds, and it is magical… and as she departs for home, he takes her aside and asks if she would allow him to talk with her mother and sisters to ask for her hand… and he shows up at her home 10 days later, and her mother grants her permission… and he takes her out to the garden again, and lovingly asks her to be his bride… and 2 years later, they have a son and another child on the way… ahhhh Memorable scenes: (less) | Notes are private!
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| Aug 15, 2012
| Aug 17, 2012
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Aug 15, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 0062021737
| 9780062021731
| 3.68
| 3,384
| Aug 28, 2012
| Aug 28, 2012
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Setting: various estates/residences in London; Theme: love; trust; passion; society’s perception; disillusionment; betrayal; guilt; reunion Characters:...more Setting: various estates/residences in London; Theme: love; trust; passion; society’s perception; disillusionment; betrayal; guilt; reunion Characters: James Ryburn, Earl of Islay, heir to Duchy of Ashbrook: dashing; handsome; young; hot tempered (as is his father); disdains society’s balls; father a gambler; raised with Daisy, her father’s ward; Theodora Theo Daisy Saxby: boyish looking – both in figure and in face; mother tries to feminize her, but she just looks sillier; she sees in colors; is presented at age 17; Daisy sees her flaws, and knows she can be more; Summary: James’ father not only has put their estates into potential ruin by mortgaging and losing money, he has spent the ready cash of his ward – and decides that his son will have to marry Theodora so the lost dowry won’t be missed. James at first says no – he loves Daisy like a sister, and cannot think of her differently – but then considers it, and says that on their wedding day, his father will sign over all of the estates to him, and will be given an allowance… He and Daisy are so easy and honest with one another… and Daisy talks him into taking her to a few balls so others will see her as eligible, and then she could shine, and attract Gregory’s interest… and the 2nd day out, when it seems to be working, he finds he must claim her as his – his feelings have changed – or uncovers his deeper feelings for her; they marry – they have 2 days of married passion (and he is wild, indulging in any fantasy – she is eager to please, but a bit uncomfortable)… and then she overhears that he married her for her father’s need (not listening when he tries to tell her the whole of it)… he turns over all to her, and heads out… ending up as a privateer – stopping pirates, especially those carrying slaves… and 7 years later, and almost losing his life, he decides to go home… in those 7 years, Daisy has come to herself – she has countered what she saw as ill placed passion into control, lots of rules for herself and her staff – she has become a successful business woman, in weaving and ceramics – rebuilding the duchies’ resources… she sat with his father as he died, allowing him to believe his son was just with him and would return soon. He returns to his estates – to her… he loves her, never stopped – and must win her trust back… and he does – he strives to prove his self control and maturity by bathing her, both naked – he explains away his hard-on as saying that’s just how men are… he brings her to orgasm – contrarily, she is a bit hurt that he isn’t attracted to her – he goes in to wash himself (and jerk off), and she has time to think… and she sends him for food, feeds him, and invites him into her bed… and back into her heart… 3 months later… mostly they are getting along – adjusting to one another… and go to a ball, and he Is looking for her, and runs across Gregory, who is calling her the ugly duckling… and in anger, he attacks – holding him against the wall, feet dangling, and tells him that his wife is the most beautiful woman, was never an ugly duckling, and better never hear he said anything like that again… and she touches his arm, and asks him to escort her home – with a giant smile… (less) | Notes are private!
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Aug 04, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 037382873X
| 9780373828739
| 3.74
| 47
| May 18, 2011
| Jun 07, 2011
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**spoiler alert** Much Ado About Nuptials – Deborah Hale Setting: 1814; Cotswolds, England – Rose Grange estate Theme: Letting go the past, reexamining...more **spoiler alert** Much Ado About Nuptials – Deborah Hale Setting: 1814; Cotswolds, England – Rose Grange estate Theme: Letting go the past, reexamining ones biases, love Characters: Sebastian Stanhope, Viscount Benedict – impulsively married a deceptive woman who led him on but only wanted his money and title to benefit her family – she died after 2 years. Now he is on a mission to save his frivolous half brother from the same mistake. Claude Stanhope – half brother, in love with Hermione. Hermione Leonard – just had her first season, young, a bit silly, but in love with Claude. Rebecca Beaton – parents died when whe was 5, mother married beneath when she married a clergyman and her family shuffled Rebecca from one to another until they placed her in a boarding school for children of clergy, where they forgot her…7 years ago, at age 20, hired as Hermione’s governess (when Hermione’s mother died) and then stayed on as her companion… Summary: Sebastian comes storming into the gardens and mistakes Rebecca for Hermione, and without letting her insert a word overwhelmed her with his persuasion that she should not marry his brother… she does not lie, but does not correct his assumptions, and tells him that she will not marry his brother… When Sebastian finds out his error,… he is at first annoyed, but with Rebecca’s sincere apology, he alters his campaign to try and get her to join him in arguing against the wedding… and he finds he wants to spend more time in her company… and Rebecca finds she wants to spend more time with him… and to ease him… She tries to get him see his wife’s point of view… and she keeps reminding herself not to let her feelings grow for him as he is a lord and she but a companion… She takes her own advice, and writes to her aunt, and is surprised and pleased when her aunt invites her to visit her… then Sebastian kisses her, asks her to marry him, but immediately regrets it, questioning his own sense… but then decides to set his brother up and scare the women off, so he gets a maid to kiss his brother just as Rebecca and Hermione are entering the room… and Hermione sadly tells Claude he believes in his innocence, but he cannot marry as his brother would not accept the marriage… and Rebecca and Hermione go to Bath to be with Rebecca’s aunt… 3 months later, a Rebecca who finally has her own family is promenading with her aunt and Hermione, and Sebastian shows up, asks Hermione’s forgiveness and that he knows his brother would be very happy to hear from her… and then he asks Rebecca’s forgiveness also, and if she would consider marrying him… ahhhh The Gentleman Takes A Bride – Louise M Gouge Setting: 1810 - Hampshire, England - Devon Hall Theme: Honor, forgiveness, righteousness, love Characters: Elizabeth Moberly – one of 3 cousins, born within days of one another, and looking like enough to be triplets… raised with faith, prays that God will send her a godly man to marry who happens to have a title… Diane and Prudence – Di wants to marry a title, Prudence wants to marry a good man… and Elizabeth is in the middle… Diane ends up with a wealthy, untitled, good man – and Prudence ends up with a minister. Captain and Mrs. Moberly – raising 5 children – teaching them God’s ways… Philip Lindsey, Lord Lydney – has 2 younger siblings, and the responsibility for their estate since he was 17 (now 23)… he is godly… he gave his sister’s $10,000 dowry to her fiancé (with a signed betrothal agreement) as her tearful request, so that he could invest and develop an income worthy of her… though he invested the money (somewhat unwisely), he fell in deep love with another… and Philip rides hard for 5 days to stop their wedding, just in a nick of time. Summary: After the wedding is stopped until her father (Captain’s brother) can get his lawyers to review the contract, the Captain invites Philip to stay with them... and bit by bit, Elizabeth and Philip’s attraction and like grows. Philip fits well into the family, enjoying the grandchildren’s antics and religious plays… and he works at doing and thinking what is godly… Elizabeth struggles with her growing attraction for Philip – both to his body and to his character… and trying to rationalize out of it as she wants a husband with a title… but when a family friend whom she entertained thoughts of marriage to makes an inappropriate pass toward her, she realizes the true value of character. When the lawyers agree that the fiancé needs to pay back the money or go to debtor’s prison, Philip feels vindicated – even though the fiancé does not have the money… but when Rebecca encourages his courting of her… and he goes to her father to ask for his hand… the Captain says no, and with a bit of a story of his own need to forgive a grievance against his wife… and that Philip needs to forgive and give the fiancé a chance to repay as he can, Philip says he can’t… he heads back home, but before he gets there and as he is ruminating and remembering the children’s play from matthew where the lord forgives his servant’s debt, but then the servant does not forgive another who owed him a smaller debt – then the lord demanded full payment… and Philip realizes he is like that 1st servant; God the father forgives him, even his pride – and that he needs to forgive the fiancé… and he does, and a burden is lifted, and feeling light, he goes back to ask for the hand of Elizabeth… and to Elizabeth’s surprise (after she and her father now say yes) he tells them that he has inherited his cousin’s cousin’s title… ahhh (less) | Notes are private!
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| Aug 17, 2012
| Aug 18, 2012
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Jul 28, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0373829205
| 9780373829200
| 3.96
| 96
| Jun 05, 2012
| Jun 05, 2012
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**spoiler alert** Setting: Nethercross estate in Berkshire, England 1815 - Theme: Class, love, children/family, faith in a better tomorrow, risking on...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Nethercross estate in Berkshire, England 1815 - Theme: Class, love, children/family, faith in a better tomorrow, risking one’s heart Characters: Grace Ellerby (from Lancashire) – very beautiful, blonde, vicar’s daughter, horrid stepmother who sent her to Pendagrast school for girls when her father died – a school for vicar’s children – and older girls and especially teachers treated her meanly as she was so pretty; she made 3 very good friends in school; she taught a year at the school, and then had 3 governess positions – all which ended badly when the wrong man took a fancy to her … so for this interview/job she disguises herself, wearing loose, ugly clothes, her father’s glasses, and a bonnet that covers all of her hair. One position especially soured her on love… she thought she was in love with the brother of her boss, but disillusioned when he offered to buy her a house and make her his mistress. Governess a difficult position because not family yet not servant, and if kids complain parents blame governess. Lord Rupert Steadwell – deeply in love with his wife, who has been dead 4 years; loves living on his estate and seeing to its needs but attends Parliament to do his duty; most recent governess left when she married and his children are saddened; he decides it is time for a governess that will stay till the youngest is grown, and to get a 2nd wife to mother his children and produce a son/heir; he offers job to Grace because she is homely and not likely to be marriageable – and she does seem to like children. Charlotte -13 years old, interested in running household, cares for youngest, is most snooty to Grace (until she catches Grace without her cap, and gets the true story of Grace). Phoebe – 10 years old, loves her horse and time in stable, curious, stands up for Grace from the beginning (and vice versa – Grace molds Rupert to offer his daughter small freedoms with larger freedoms as she proves herself worthy – ie, visiting her horse before going to bed – with a maid in attendance). Sophie – 6 years old, imaginative, likes exploring… clings to Charlotte – until has a nightmare one night, and Grace eases her back to sleep. Summary: Rupert is supportive of Grace, taking her side against the children when called for – and listening to her suggestions… Grace, though still disguised, starts to enjoy her time with Rupert… and as with Cinderella, with the help of children, goes to a masque ball (wearing one of the ancestor’s dresses) to interfere with his proposing to the wrong woman… he comes to her defense when a man gets too frisky… she recognizes him of course, but though she’s familiar to him, he does not recognize her… they spend time talking of love and marriage and philosophy, but at midnight’s display of fireworks, she runs off… And when he invites the neighbor to propose, she reveals herself to him… though at first angry, he listens and understands her motivation and accepts her apology for not telling him the truth when she did come to trust him… and he keeps his distance, thinking that’s what she wants… but they finally admit their love for one another, and get married… ahhhh Memorable scenes: Guides sophie back to sleep by telling her to redirect her dream – step back in, but change it – and she helps her imagine the door to the conservatory, and her father is waiting for her and gladly opens the door for her and they play the piano together… (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jul 27, 2012
| Jul 28, 2012
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Jul 27, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0440236606
| 9780440236603
| 3.90
| 2,702
| 2004
| Apr 27, 2004
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**spoiler alert** Setting: Rue d’Aremberg in Brussels; Chesbury Park inWilshire; Bath Theme: destiny, memory, being one’s best and true self, love Chara...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Rue d’Aremberg in Brussels; Chesbury Park inWilshire; Bath Theme: destiny, memory, being one’s best and true self, love Characters: Lord Alleyne Bedwyn – # 4 sibling in the Bedwyn line – He is unfocused, wanting to make a contribution but not knowing where or how… had joined the diplomatic service. He is fun, handsome (except for the aristocratic nose), giving, generous. Last book ended with his funeral. This book finds him at the front of Waterloo, delivering the letter to Wellington, waiting for a response, and then heading back to Brussels… (the noise at the front was overwhelming)… and he is shot in the leg, the ball lodged… he ties it off with a handkerchief, and tries to make it back… but the horse is startled, rears, and he falls off, hits his head and is unconscious. Rachel York – an impoverished lady. Her mother disowned by her brother the baron when she married, her mother died when Rachel was 6, her father denied the Baron contact with Rachel (without Rachel being aware), her father was a gambler, who lost all of their money… at her father’s death last year she became a lady’s companion. She had written her uncle for her jewels, he said no but offered for her to come to his house and he would find a husband for her… she perceived that he wanted control. She met a charismatic Reverand, got engaged, he took money from her employer and others for charities, he took her money to invest, and he took the savings of her 4 prostitute friends to bank – and then Rachel overhears him and his sister laughingly discuss how they were going to spend the money… Rachel returns to her friends to confess the deceit. The 5 of them start to make plans to track the Reverand down and beat him up and get their money… and think that they need money to do so, and 3 (including Rachel) decide to go towards the battlefield and take from dead bodies… they split up (the other two defend one poor soldier’s body from looting until authorities show up, and give up their quest)… but Rachel, wandering off the road, comes across a naked man – she is drawn to him though she thinks he’s dead, and touches him and feels warmth and a pulse… she calls for help, and Sergeant Strickland (who lost an eye in the battle, then was discharged) comes to her aid… they get him to a field hospital where the ball is taken out, then they take him to the brothel. Sergeant William Strickland – lost his eye in the battle, and was discharged. At loose ends, taken in by the ladies, decides to be Alleyne’s valet and to help the ladies. Baron Weston of Chesbury Park in Wilshire – Rachel’s uncle… he loves his niece, but her father refused his offers to send her to school or to sponsor her coming out… and gifts he sent for birthdays and Christmas were never given her. When she wrote for her jewels, he offered his home and to introduce her to men of means – but she misinterpreted his invitation. The family jewels she was to inherit were stolen (by the Reverend – though he didn’t figure that out). He has been ill. Bridget Clover – her nanny when her mother died, until the age of 12, when her father could no longer pay her. She somehow ended up a prostitute, with the other 3 ladies. Flossie Streat, Geraldine Ness, and Phyllis Leavey – the other 3 ladies, they work together, and have been saving for retirement in the country and giving up the life… they are kindhearted, one into gardening, one a cook, one and organizer… they are fun, and generous, and take in Rachel and then the sergeant and Alleyne.. Nigel Crawley – posing as a reverend, bilking the rich, stealing when he can get away with it… Summary: When Alleyne wakes up, he cannot remember. Alleyne and Rachel especially hit it off, Rachel sitting with him – reading to him, caring for him… she allows him to think she too is a whore… and they make love one night – he is angered when he determines that she is a virgin… and as he gets better, he wants to make it up to her… and comes up with a plan to pose as her husband, go to her uncle and get the jewels, giving her some independence and the means to help the women. At her uncles, Rachel has difficulty – long held angry makes it hard for her to be natural with her uncle, and she is uncomfortable with Alleyne since they made love… but things get easier, and she falls more fully in love with him… he teaches her to ride a horse, to swim… they have fun together… the women find places for themselves in the neglected household – and one is falling for the land steward, and another for the sergeant. After being there a month, uncle throws a wedding ball for them… and she finds out about how he tried to connect with her but dad interfered, and he makes her his heir… the next morning she goes to tell him the truth (Alleyne goes with her)… but uncle insists on first confession –[ that the jewels were stolen and he should have told them when they first got there… and then they confess… then uncle starts to laugh… Immediately after the confessions, they find out where the reverend is… and decide to go to Bath… they succeed, get their money back and the jewels… and Rachel gets a letter that tells her that Alleyne is Alleyne Bedwin… Alleyne remembers more once he hears his name… they all leave, he is to go back home… 5 days pass, he goes for Rachel… they finally tell each other they love one another (he knows he isn’t married)… they go the Bedwyn estate (Alleyne says he needs Rachel with him)… where his sister Donovan & new husband is returning from being married … and their reunion is all and more (Frey socks him, Wulf hugs him, etc)… and then Rachel and alleyn marry a month later – all the women having found lives with Rachel and her uncle and Alleyn on the estate. ahhhh Memorable scenes: When Alleyne wakes up, surrounded by the 4 women, he says he died and heaven is a brothel. When he wakes up a second time, that he died and now sees an angel (Rachel). (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jul 05, 2012
| Jul 07, 2012
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Jul 05, 2012
| Paperback
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| 1416537309
| 9781416537304
| 3.79
| 4,106
| Jan 01, 2007
| Jun 12, 2007
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**spoiler alert** In the follow up story to Sabrina and Duncan, we have Raphael’s fascination with Ophelia, and his decision to kidnap her (with her f...more
**spoiler alert** In the follow up story to Sabrina and Duncan, we have Raphael’s fascination with Ophelia, and his decision to kidnap her (with her father’s permission) and teach her self control – to control her temper, her vainess, her gossiphy . tendencies, her vindictiveness – and to have patience… mostly motivated by a desire to help her – and his own inner compulsion. He takes her to one of his far away estates (with his aunt as chaperone)… and mostly they talk – he brings up each bad thing he’s heard about her, and they talk… and he comes to understand her better… And he returns her to London’s season… and realizes he loves her… and her father (a big problem for her as he has been manipulating / pushing her into finding a title to marry) and aids in her forcing Raphael into marrying her. They marry with both in a temper – she’s already pregnant… he buys her a house (because she refuses to move in with him, and to give her independence from her father)… and she’s in a carriage accident, unconscious for a week – and overhears some talk around her about scars and her face etc… and fears the worst… but mostly as she doesn’t get an upset tummy with food, so she thinks she must have lost her baby, which is the worst of all… When Raphael shows up, he drags her to a mirror as she thinks she’s hideous…he finally tells her he loves her… and… you know the rest… (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Jul 18, 2012
| Jul 18, 2012
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Jun 16, 2012
| Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0440241065
| 9780440241065
| 3.90
| 2,889
| 2003
| Dec 30, 2003
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**spoiler alert** Setting: high classes rented homes of English noble class staying in Brussels; Windrush Grange in Kent; London home. Theme: forgivene...more **spoiler alert** Setting: high classes rented homes of English noble class staying in Brussels; Windrush Grange in Kent; London home. Theme: forgiveness, love, trust in self, interior place of the mind Imagery: Morgan’s painting is as if submerged in the stream, nestled in the tree’s roots, looking up at the willow – with Gervase on the shore… and all connected… Characters: Gervase Ashford, Earl of Rosthorn- close to his family, loved by his father, raised to be the earl, on Wulfric’s tails – wanting to be in his inner circle, but young… childhood friends with Marianne, and at her betrothal ball, she is upset, asks him up to room, she does not want to marry Wulfric, she drugs him, she sets the stage of a bedding, her father, his father, and Wulfric find them as he is awakening, he doesn’t know what to say, he tries to explain to Wulfric & to his father, they will not listen and disbelieve him, she accuses him of taking an heirloom piece of jewelry, his father banishes him from his home… after 6 months of weekly letters to dad and dad ignoring him, he gives up… if thought of as a rake, he acts the rake, traveling the continent… Lady Morgan Bedwyn - 18 years old, towards the end of her first season… she loves her family, she has been indulged by her family, she likes to be by herself, she likes to paint – though in a Monet sort of way… passionate… she wants to know more of the war, of Napoleon’s escape and new threat, so she goes with Carricks (whose son has been courting her, and who have a daughter her age) to Brussels – and is disappointed when sundry and all just tell her not to worry her pretty little head when she brings potential war up… Wulfric Bedwyn – tough, wants his siblings happiness, hurt 9 years earlier by the loss of his betrothal to Gervase’s apparent ravagement of her… Alleyne – unmarried brother, in Brussels also watching over her, first post as a diplomat, on the eve of the battle of Waterloo, he takes a message to the General, and does not return to Brussels – the general’s response is found in the mud 3 days later, no sign of him, he is presumed dead. Henrietta and Marianne – lesbian lovers… Marianne’s autocratic father is forcing her to marry Wulfric, so she and Henrietta come up with an, using her childhood friend Gervase – with the intention of explaining it to him the next day, and without foreseeing Gervase’s father’s extreme reaction. Their friendship continues. Summary: In Brussels, Gervase sees Morgan, finds her attractive but young, but then finds out she is Wulfric’s sister… and he decides to have a flirtation with her to cause gossip that would get back to her brother, and perhaps get revenge… So her romances her, dances the waltz with her (both with great vigor and precision), organizes a night picnic with music and dancing… and though his plans are moving along he finds that he likes her, that she is intelligent, and sensitive, and thoughtful… And with the battle of Waterloo, and her brother missing – he sees more sides to her… she works exhaustively nursing the hurt soldiers (with the general’s wife), she won’t leave Brussels until she has word of her brother, and Gervase finds himself comforting her, arranging things for her, taking her out for evening walks, and he does it all without though of her brother… and they become friends – she finds him to be her best friend… and when she gets word that her brother must be dead as they found the letter but not him, she goes to him in her grief, he comforts her, she turns to him in passion, they make love… and he takes her home. But once home, Wulfric sends him away… the gossip has reached them… Gervase finally offers marriage, Wulfric turns him away… Morgan overrules Wulfric, she and the family work to minimize the gossip, taking tea with Gervase’s mother & sister; Gervase offers again, she meets with him and asks why her brother hates him so… he tells her of ‘that’ night… she believes him, he is relieved – the first one to believe him… she says not to marriage… she thinks all night, and realizes there is a question she was too afraid to ask - why did he seek her out… so she confronts Gervase, he admits the truth, though tries to tell her that after Waterloo, it was only herself that he saw. And she decides his punishment is to be betrothed to her until she decides to dump him, making him look bad… She and two siblings & families go to his home in Windrush – and though she thinks she can never trust him again, her actions with him are loving, supportive – she pushes him to confront his past, to forgive his father and Marianne, to look to the future… they make love a few times… all along telling him that she will be leaving him… Gervase realizes how much he loves her, and admires her spirit and courage, and strength and doesn’t know how he will convince her of his love… and when push comes to shove – when Marianne has confessed to Gervase and to her brother, when it is time for her to leave… she looks inside, and realizes that she doesn’t want to the opposite of naïve… she wants to trust… that she encouraged him to forgive, and that she can do no less… ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
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| Jun 19, 2012
| Jun 20, 2012
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May 25, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0553283545
| 9780553283549
| 3.81
| 2,632
| 1990
| Mar 01, 1996
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**spoiler alert** Setting: Ravenwood, country estate outside London; London townhouse and many ball rooms. Theme: love, compromise, understanding, rele...more **spoiler alert** Setting: Ravenwood, country estate outside London; London townhouse and many ball rooms. Theme: love, compromise, understanding, releasing the past, honor Characters: Julian, Earl of Ravenwood – masterful, in control, autocratic, hard, first wife cuckolded him many times, and finally drowned in the nearby lake. A few years have passed, and he wants an heir – so he makes arrangements to marry Sophy. I think subconsciously he knows that Sophy is meant for him – that she is the woman that he can love, that is deserving of his love… but it takes him a long time to get the marriage right, and to trust her – too often he tries to rule her. Sophy Dorring – 23, had a disaster of a coming out at 18, gentle, into healing meets weekly with Bess, an older, knowledgeable woman. She is looking for a way to avenge her sister, who had an affair with a nobleman who did not know who she was, and when she got pregnant he left her. She took his ring – an ugly black ring with symbols identifying it as a college, decadent group of sexual deviants. And her sister committed suicide. Sophy is well read, independent, believer in equality for women. She has been in love with Julian since she danced with him at 18… and when he makes an offer of marriage, she will only accept if he is willing to meet some of her requirements, and she doesn’t expect him to. When he comes to formally offer, she is gone and instructs her grandfather to tell him no. He tracts her down as she is returning home, and they talk. She tells him she knows he is looking for an heir and no trouble (as his first wife had given him), and that she wants 3 things: to read what she wants, to have 3 months before he insists on his conjugal rights, and not to be left in the country when he goes into town. He also tells her he will give her an allowance and not question how she spends it. They have a discussion of honor – and acknowledge that once married, she has only his honor to insure he will keep his part of the bargain. She is quite articulate in telling him what she needs from him, but he stubbornly and repeatedly ignores it and continues to try and rule her. Elizabeth – Julian’s first wife – unhappy – she engages in numerous affairs without trying to hide them. When she is pregnant, she goes to Bess to get something that will abort the baby – and runs into Waycott, one of her love crazed paramours, on the way home and they have words, and he drowns her in the lake, taking the Ravenwood emerald jewelry. Viscount Waycott – a man on the edge… he worships Elizabeth still, angry at Waycott, holding onto the jewels… and is upset that Julian is remarried so is looking for ways to seduce Sophy, and ultimately kidnaps her. Summary: The main thing in the growing marital relationship between Julian and Sophy has to do with respect – Julian wants what is best for Sophy, but must get over believing that he knows what is right, and to allow her the freedom to do what she believes is right. A few weeks into the marriage, overcome with desire and too much to drink, he decides not to give her the month – that she’s just afraid of sex, and one night with him would take care of it. She responds by drugging him into a deep sleep… He breaks his honor again by leaving her in the country for the 3 months, and goes to London. After a week, she decides she’s going after him… And thus their marriage goes… bit by bit he starts to get it – especially after she determines that they should live as the ton – living separate lives, except for a few conjugal visits to insure an heir. And Julian realizes he misses time with her, and wants so desperately wants her to tell him again that she loves him… He goes to a masquerade, approaching her (dressed as gypsy), and talks to her about herself and his chances for love in the third person – giving a safe place to listen to her, and for her to express herself… He had left her a gift of a diamond bracelet, but she left it back in his room with a note of thanks but no thanks… When talking with the ‘gypsy’ she tells him that his wife probably would prefer a gift of a note, or a flower he took the time to pick. He responds with a gift of a herbology book – which thrills her to no end – resulting in the first kiss that she gives him freely. Both are working on the ring, it’s meaning, and who has/had one, trying to narrow down who had seduced her sister. They both figure out that it is Waycott, but they are not together (she’s pregnant and is back at Ravenwood). And returning from a visit from Beth, he kidnaps her and takes her to a woodsman’s cabin… He plans to rape her, but wants her to disrobe and wear the Ravenwood jewelry… she talks him into a cup of tea first – that she has laced with a sleeping agent… and escapes – into Julian’s arms… and he is gentle with her, and holds her, and asks for her trust to tell him the truth of what happened – that he knows she did not act dishonorably… and waits… and she does tell him the truth, they make love, she gets his promise not to call him out to a duel (she is afraid for him), and as he is leaving, he tells her that he loves her… he goes to the cabin to wait for Waycott to wake up… Waycott plays his vulnerabilities, accusing Sophy of going to Bess for an abortion also, and then that she came onto him and they enjoyed sex together… for a moment Ravenwood wonders – but discards it, and tells Waycott that he has 2 choices – to leave for America or stay, but that if he stays, Julian will dog his every step, so that he will not be able to go to any good person’s house, that he will threaten any tailor he tries to go to, etc. and as Julian leaves, Waycott takes a 3rd way – he shoots himself. And 8 months later, a happy Julian and Sophy have a baby boy, and Julian brings the babe to her to feed. ahhhh Memorable scenes: Somehow Sophy always has something loose – a hair ribbon, a piece of lace, her hat… and no matter how angry or confused Julian is with her, he always straightens her out. As Ravenwood’s wife, and under his aunt’s tutelage, she makes a splash in society, with the wit, her herbal cures, her genuiness; and it becomes the ‘fashion’ to look a bit untidy – a shawl that drags, a hair ribbon, etc. A well known courtesan is writing a tell all, to fund her retirement… but giving the men the opportunity to pay her money to not publish it. A few of the ton have not paid, and are paying in the gossip and with angry wives. She sends Sophy the blackmail letter asking for 200 pounds to withhold publishing love letters he had given her – in his youth (probably knowing Julian would not care)… and Sophy (hurt that Julian never sent her any kind of ‘love’ letter) decides that she could never pay, but could not tolerate having the letters published. So in the way of men, she challenges her to a duel of honor. They meet at dawn, and one of her friends warns Julian – who saw her leaving and was getting ready to give chase – and the courtesan is quite gracious, and when offered the opportunity to restore honor without resorting to shooting, she offers an apology to Sophy and a guarantee not to publish… and Julian shows up – fearful that she is running off with another man, then angry that she would risk herself, and not trust him to take care of it… Sophy ends up sending her the 200 pounds – because she can see how in many ways she acts the wife to these men, but does not get the benefit, and so deserves this money. (less) | Notes are private!
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| Jun 27, 2012
| Jul 2012
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May 24, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0451219791
| 9780451219794
| 3.83
| 584
| 2003
| Oct 03, 2006
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**spoiler alert** 5 Victorian era stories - 3 with couples of arranged marriages, and unspoken attraction and love, that it takes christmas to finally...more
**spoiler alert** 5 Victorian era stories - 3 with couples of arranged marriages, and unspoken attraction and love, that it takes christmas to finally open up... 2 with 'lower class' women who find their true love in a gentried, cynical man. Mistletoe in each story, christmas traditions of the era - decorating with greens gathered from outdoors... ahhh(less)
| Notes are private!
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1
| May 24, 2012
| May 25, 2012
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May 11, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0060565438
| 9780060565435
| 4.15
| 1,507
| Apr 26, 2005
| Apr 26, 2005
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**spoiler alert** Queen Adara is exhausted holding onto her throne... married to Christian when they were children, enamored of the love his parents s...more **spoiler alert** Queen Adara is exhausted holding onto her throne... married to Christian when they were children, enamored of the love his parents showed to each other and to Christian, and with his mother's promise that someday Christian will love her just the same and that they would return in 6 years... Adara has held onto the dream, and refused to declare Christian dead or to annul their marriage (leaving her vulnerable to forced marriage to someone else. Swelyn, of the neighboring kingdom, Christian's cousin, has been plotting the destruction of Christian's family for dozens of years, wanting his son to marry Adara and to rule botth kingdoms. He orchestrated mistrust between Christian's uncles & grandfather leading them all to killing each other. Christian is sent to a monastery for 8 years when his parents died, and then Swelyn had it attacked... and somehow he survived, but ended up in the hands of the Saracens - and another 9 years in their prisons. As he's been raised in a monatery, he took on the role of the abbott - counseling his fellow prisoners, administering last rites, etc. Now as part of the brotherhood he continues to be the emotional crutch to help those that are rescued... Adara tracks him down, and the two end up on the run when swelyn's forces are laying in wait... He gets the assistance of his brothers, and the armies many of them now maintain to join him in claiming his and her kingdom back. Along the way, Adara realizes how much she loves Christian... and Christian is torn between his duty to the brotherhood, to his people, and finally all is surpassed by his love for Adara... It takes them 8 months to get the army to their land - Adara is pregnant - and they sneak into the castle, and he simply claims his throne... hmmmm he will rule, he will love, he will protect his family, and he will help the brotherhood in other ways...(less) | Notes are private!
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| May 12, 2012
| May 15, 2012
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Apr 28, 2012
| Paperback
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| 0060565411
| 9780060565411
| 4.15
| 1,514
| Apr 27, 2004
| Apr 27, 2004
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**spoiler alert** Setting - Hexham, England, for a monthlong tourney. Time of the crusades. Nobleman’s tents, the castle, and the tourney field. Theme...more **spoiler alert** Setting - Hexham, England, for a monthlong tourney. Time of the crusades. Nobleman’s tents, the castle, and the tourney field. Theme – love, duty, responsibility, Characters Brotherhood of the Sword – a group held and tortured by the Saracens that escaped together, and continue to network to save others. Lord Stryder, earl of Blackmoor – known as the Widowmaker in the prison. He felt responsible for his fellow prisoner, and still feels the responsibility for those lost and left. He uses the tourneys as avenues to free others – their mission to aid anyone in need of protection. They are sending the orphaned children they find to the married of the group. He is illiterate; his loyalty is to the brotherhood and its ideals. His father loved his mother, his father was a warrior. His mother did not love his father, making fun of his uneducated ways behind his back, and visiting her true love, a troubadour when he was away. The troubadour fathered Stryder as well as Kit, though his father only knew of Kit. When his father returned early one time, he tried to kill his son believing he was not his biological son (scar on his neck from dad), he did kill his wife, and then killed himself. Raven, Will, Swan, Val – of the brotherhood who travel with him. Kit, his brother, also travels with them but does not fight. Rowena de Vitry - a strong, beautiful woman – with loving parents, who also loved one another, though they died when she was young. She inherited a lot of land that borders France, hence of political value to the king. She is very anti-knight and killing and tourneys of play killing. She is a troubadour of love, inviting other troubadours to her home. It is her desire to remain single, unless she finds a man she loves, and to start a school for troubadours. Henry and Eleanor – King and Queen of England. A marriage imbued with too many infidelities… and the queen asserting herself in spite of the king’s disinterest. Henry wants Rowena married, and Eleanor thinks that Stryder is the right man – of the correct loyalties and the strength to hold her lands protected. Henry decides the winner of the tourney will wed Rowena, but also agrees that if Stryder wins the troubadour contest, then Rowena may choose her own husband… she believes that if they spend time together, love will win out. Kit, Christopher de Montgomerie – hmmmm… also a prisoner of the Saracens, though his half brother (really his full brother) Stryder did not know he was a prisoner… But Stryder did communicate through the prison walls with one boy, assuring him that he would be freed when they left. Unfortunately, Stryder trusted one of the other prisoners Cyril and a small group who returned and said the ‘whores’ were all dead, including the one boy he had promised to rescue. Cyril in fact had raped a few of the whores (women, girls, and boys), and then left them in prison, lying to Stryder. Stryder never forget or forgave himself the failure of rescue of the one lad. But the lad was not dead, the lad was his brother… and he suffered another 5 years under the Saracens, who trained him to be an assassin. Though of slighter build, and did not practice with the other Knights, he is deadly with a night. The Saracens tattooed 12 names on his arm of those he was to kill in 2 years, and if succeeded he would be free, if failed they would kill him. Kit has killed 11 of those on his list… but he cannot kill Stryder – and the time has passed. When Stryder sought his brother out, and found out Kit’s father’s son sent him away, Stryder tracked him down, and absorbed him into his family. He protects him, he defends his right to be different (not a warrior, but a troubadour), and would accept him if he was gay. Kit intended to kill Stryder, but sees his sincerity – and when Stryder shares his sorrow over the promise he broke to the lad in prison, Kit gives his allegiance to Stryder. Damien St Cyr – a nobleman, of great pride. Grew up with Stryder with some fond memories – but when as young, untried men they went to fight in the Crusades, and their knight is killed… and he foolishly leads some into battle with Stryder following trying to rescue him, they are all caught. And Damien pridefully ignores Stryder’s counsel to downplay his nobility, and instead brags about it. They are separated, and Stryder runs into Damien just a year earlier – Damien’s face has been tattooed with Arabic words he won’t allow any to see – and the brotherhood comes to believe that he is Scorpius – the head assassin/enforcer – hmmmm? Another book for his truth. Elizabeth – one of Rowena’s ladies, her distant cousin. She had been a prisoner of the Saracens, a whore, and they trained her to an assassin; her father would not take her back, hence she went to Rowena, who accepted her in. She gave birth to Kit’s son – they had been forced to sex as entertainment. One of the knight’s she kills, she sets it up to look like Stryder did it… she is fearful of Scorpius, but does not know who he is… and she drowns in the river (apparently at the hands of Scorpius)… Plot – Hmmmm… the love story – Stryder and Rowena - Stryder makes fun of the love troubadour when his page comes to him late because he was listening to her love stories and Rowena knows Stryder embodies the worst of the blood thirsty knights.… then they meet and admire one another without knowing the other’s name – and when they next meet with names, they have a different perspective. Kit is great friends with Rowena, and Rowena admires how Stryder stands up for him.. Their friendship grows in honesty – neither denying their true selves when with the other, and both finding more to admire in the other as their preconceptions are knocked down one by one. He is kind and loyal and strong; she is independent, beautiful, and strong. When Stryder is arrested, and Rowena realizes how hard it would be for him to be imprisoned again, she gains the queen’s permission to be with him… and they make love for the first time. Both agree that he cannot stay with her, that his mission is more important… and she wants her independence. Stryder had agreed to compete with a troubadour song, to gain her right to choose for herself – though he does not spend as much time preparing as he might – it is difficult for him due to his mother/father/ biological father triangle. In the background, the Sarcaren assassins are afoot… Damien hates Stryder, and eggs him on… and yet Damien admires Stryder – I look forward to more of him… is he Scorpius? Probably, and probably is not fulfilling his mission. He taunts Stryder that he will win the tourney and marry Rowena (to push Stryder to make his claim?)… and when push comes to shove, Styder forfeits to Damien (devastating Rowena)– but the next day enters the troubadour contest. For some reason, Damien sends dead Elizabeth’s 8 year old Alexander (his son or Kit’s son?) with his Sarceran maid to Stryder – with the medallion Stryder gave to Damien so many years ago to dupe the Sarcerans (not used by Damien), and to tell Stryder that he is his son. Stryder, with Rowena’s quick assessment and understanding of the truth, accepts him as his son. And finally comes to the conclusion that there are other ways to serve the brotherhood, to raise up good men & women to be better and to protect and love Rowena, Alexander, and… Stryder wins the troubadour contest – and Rowena takes him for husband – and tells him she is carrying his child. ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Apr 28, 2012
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Apr 28, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| unknown
| 3.78
| 1,530
| Dec 06, 2011
| Dec 06, 2011
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**spoiler alert** Setting: 1812, London – Summers Ball; estate Theme: love, unbending, realizing one’s heart, speaking up for oneself Characters: Lucy Gr...more **spoiler alert** Setting: 1812, London – Summers Ball; estate Theme: love, unbending, realizing one’s heart, speaking up for oneself Characters: Lucy Grace Jane Towerton, daughter of the Earl of Towerton – Tall for a woman, wallflower, little self-confidence; has been on the marriage market for 3 years without nibbles. Ravensthorpe- Mother was a daughter of an Earl, but was disowned when scandously married the family solicitor (lawyer – a continuing successful one)… they lived on the fringe of society, though his parents are happy and in love still. He was educated at Eton, along with the ton’s children, and teased and put down. He has made a fortune in trading, and has a 6 step plan for his life (wealth, ownership of an estate, a title, a high class wife) and has coldly/ruthlessly fulfilled many of them. Summary: The Ugly Duckling... Ravensthorpe, after reviewing duke’s daughters than Earl’s daughters, decides that Lucy is the most promising; she’s attractive enough and her family needs money, so step 5, he dances with her one night, and then meets with her father the next to ask to marry her. For 6 weeks he has gone once a week for an hour to visit Lucy (with her mother, who looks down her nose at him and lets him know he is not worthy) – they play backgammon, Lucy wins, there is little conversation, he leaves. Then Lucy inherits her aunt’s estate and is wealthy… she is free to break the engagement, which her mother insists she do. She discusses it with Olivia (heroine of the next book) at the ball, and though at first happy with Ravensthorpe (he’s handsome and taller than her) … but has been disappointed when he doesn’t talk with her when he visits, or to see her otherwise (riding, walking, etc)… But she decides she wants to marry him, so will kiss him and have Olivia and her mom witness it so she is compromised and he’s forced to marry her… When he gets to the ball, he is told that she has inherited will likely break their engagement – he sees many men around her mother… and he is angry and disappointed, unlike his usual unemotional state. Lucy arranges to see him in a private room, and she opens her heart to him – accusing him (rightly) of treating her like an object on his check list… and he realizes the truth of it… And he sees her for the first time… and they kiss, and she realizes she wants more and deserves more… so she breaks the engagement and returns to the ball… to dance with men who are the correct height – and is enchanted with one of them; and Ravensthorpe’s jealous… and Ravensthorpe begins a campaign to win her… he dances with her… he meets her out when she is riding the next morning (they race and he wins… and he gets 3 questions… and he wants to learn about her) and she tells him he must only see her when he wants, not as some plan… she realizes that to be with him, she must keep him on his toes, to laugh and enjoy and move away from his plans… and he comes to her that night, and seduces her on the garden wall outside of her room… and asks her to marry him… and is found in her bed the next morning so that he will be forced to marry. And he is pronounced a duke by the prince, and they live happily ever after. (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| not set
| Jul 08, 2012
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Apr 27, 2012
| Kindle Edition
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| 0380794578
| 9780380794577
| 4.01
| 4,402
| Oct 01, 1998
| Oct 01, 1998
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**spoiler alert** Setting: 1819, Northamptonshire Theme: Fate – storm and beautiful woman = marriage; Characters: Patience Debbington – (with her cat My...more **spoiler alert** Setting: 1819, Northamptonshire Theme: Fate – storm and beautiful woman = marriage; Characters: Patience Debbington – (with her cat Myst), Lady Bellamy’s neice, 26 years old. Patience has run their estates – at first with her mother (dad not around), and later after her mother died – and raised Gerrard. She sees he needs a man’s influence, didn’t find any at home, so is staying with Minnie and then to London for the season with Minnie. Her father was a ‘smooth-tongued, suavely elegant gentleman’ who did not love her mother, and spent very little time at the estate. Her mother felt the opposite – she loved her father, and seemed only to love her children because they were a part of him… she glowed when he rarely showed up, and was depressed when he wasn’t there… she told the kids stories of his looks & dashing actions. And Patience decided if that is love, she wanted no part of it…. She would never marry. She had strict expectations for a man to mentor Gerrard – with characteristics opposite of her father. Gerrard – 17 years old, Patience’s brother – he is trying to find his place in the scheme of things… loves and is obedient to his sister – and artist, who spends much of his time sketching… Araminta ‘Minnie’, Lady Bellamy - godmother to Vane, the husband that dearly loved her died and left her wealthy… she opened her house to a host of friends and relatives… and had a special place in her heart for Vane. Timms – Minnie’s companion/maid/confidante Lady Bellamy’s menagerie – Edith Swithins (tatter & cousin); Agatha Chadwick and daughter Angela & Henry; Edmond Montrose (writing a play set in the abbey ruins – dramatic); the General (not really); Edgar Polinbrook ( gamester); Whitticombe and Alice Colby (siblings, he’s writing a history of the abbey, she stays in her rooms a lot) Spencer Archibald ‘Vane’ Cynster – “always knew which way the wind was blowing and what was in the breeze” – instinctively intuitive… good looking. Leaving Devil and Honoria’s church dedication (whose roof he and the Cynster 6 paid for on Honoria’s demand in punishment for the 6 wagering on when she conceived), and a storm is coming upon them. Remembering the Cynster legend, that true love finds them in a storm – and once they give their hearts it is for a long time, Vane uneasily turns out to stay over at Minnie’s home to avoid the rain… and the first person he sees is Patience’s backside, as she is leaning forward looking for something…. And when she stands and turns, he knows he is lost. Summary: At Minnie’s, small things are missing – things that generally wouldn’t be missed right away (small vase, some jewelry, etc)… and there is moaning and lights seen occasionally through the fog at the abbey ruins… Minnie asks Vane to stay (and Vane knows the lid is now nailed on his coffin) to help figure out what is going on. Midway, Minnie’s pearl necklace is taken – the most valuable thing so far, both in monetary as well as emotional wealth – devasting Minnie, as it was the bridal gift from her husband. Gerrard is taken with Vane… and Patience goes to Vane and insults him by asking him to avoid her brother – he’s too sophisticated, and she doesn’t want him to learn his wastrel ways – and to place her in his debt… he ignores her for a day… but then Minnie sets her straight about Vane and the Cynster’s commitment to family, to doing right, etc. When a few of the men accuse her brother of being the thief (boyish pranks), Vane stands up for him… and Patience tracks Vane down to offer an apology. And Vane, seeing her innocence and reluctance, starts a slow seduction – kisses… then touching… and then more touching… he reins in his passion… she hurts her ankle, and he keeps her inside, visiting her, cosseting her, and when he stops making passes at her, she is disappointed… She decides that she deserves to feel what he incites (no one else ever made her feel this way)… and she invites him into her bed. They have glorious sex, he assumes they’ll marry, she sets him straight. He leaves, but returns knowing she must have feelings for him and that he just needs to determine what is holding her back. Each time they make love, he asks her to marry him, and she says no… he eloquently asks her, but she says no – if he does not love her, she is afraid things will turn out like her parents, and she’s not willing to risk it. Eventually Vane figures things out – step by step… Nora Roberts writes how as he relinquishes control of his passions to her, at her invitation and growing confidence, he comes closer to realizing how much he needs her… and when he questions Minnie about her father & mother, and she explains, Minnie counsels him that he needs to give over to her complete trust of his feelings before she can do the same… It takes a bit, but finally they discover the Whitcombe and his sister are the culprits, and he had been setting Gerrard up look the guilty party… the sister is judgmentally pious, but she is a kleptomaniac, compulsively stealing and hiding things in a Indian elephant statue that when opened is full of sand for hiding things, and her brother was trying to research and locate the friar’s religious treasure, hidden 100 years ago – so all is returned, and Whitcombe learns that the first earl had found the treasure, sold it to build the estate… And Vane finally tells Patience he loves her, and she agrees to marry him – with the special license he has procured. ahhhh (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| Aug 04, 2012
| Aug 06, 2012
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Apr 21, 2012
| Mass Market Paperback
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| 0440241057
| 9780440241058
| 3.96
| 3,279
| Apr 29, 2003
| Apr 29, 2003
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**spoiler alert** Setting - England estates and Beaconsfield Rectory – post Napoleonic war – London. Theme – love, class, choices Characters – Judith Law...more **spoiler alert** Setting - England estates and Beaconsfield Rectory – post Napoleonic war – London. Theme – love, class, choices Characters – Judith Law aka Claire Campbell – gorgeous, middle daughter of town minister and lowly gentleman. She is a beautiful woman, with red hair and voluptuous figure, taking after her grandmother (who she didn’t know, but was an actress in her youth), and felt a disappointment to her father – who wanted her hair covered and her figure assets minimized because he didn’t want her to attract undue attention. She is sent to her father’s sister to be the poor relation, slightly above servant to serve the family and be companion to flamboyant, plump grandmother. She thought to be an actress before she learned it was a career not for a lady, but she would memorize parts of play and practice them in solitude in the hills. Branwell Law – youngest, only brother, pampered and sent to school – and indulged as he sowed his wild oaks, though his debts causing the family financial stress, leaving them open to sending one daughter away. He is likable, fun, relies on friends to finance him, in debt as he tries to dress the part – not malicious, but thoughtless. Cassandra, Pamela, and Hilary – her sisters. All volunteered to be the one to go to the Effingham’s. George, Louisa, and Julianne Effingham’s – Harewood Grange – George doesn’t say much, until the end; Louisa dotes on her daughter, wants her to make an advantageous marriage, is snooty looking down on lower classes, does not want to cater to her mother Gertrude so brings in a Law girl to both care for Gertrude and to do what needs doing. Julianne is the spoiled, self centered, immature daughter. She and mama have set their sights on Rannulf as she did not capture a husband her first season. Horace Effingham – son from George’s first wife… a creep. Feels entitled, almost rapes Judith justifying it because she is indebted to dad for her room & board, she wouldn’t dare report him, and she’s ‘asking’ for it. He also ‘accidently’ spilled the hot tea water on her chest, to get her blouse wet and see throughish so that he can see it. Gertrude Law – an actress in her youth – until Law saw her one night on stage and married her 3 months later, a bit of an embarrassment to her daughter and her actress days are hidden. She is flamboyant (wearing outrageous colors and her jewels), she overeats and her health suffers for it & Jude’s job is to fetch and carry for her… and she is friendly, and loving to Jude. He had 30+ happy years with her husband. Lord Rannulf Bedwyn – aka Ralph Bedard – grandmother leaving him Grandmaison Park. He is a third son, and tradition says he should have entered into ministry – but he could not do that, and feels a degree of guilt for not following family tradition. He (similar to Branwell) plays, but he has the money to finance it. He is honorable in many ways… he likes sex… he cares for his family… he doesn’t like the ton. His grandmother has requested he come to visit her and to meet a prospective bride, and when he finally gets there he realizes that she is dying. Lady Sarah Beamish, Rannulf’s grandmother / Grandmaison Park is hers, and she has name Rannulf as her heir. He spends time with her every year, but has wiggled out of any matrimony she has tried to organize for him. Wulfric, Duke of Bewcastle – head of the family, serious, but cares for and takes care of his family and their happiness. Plot – Judith is on the way to the drudgery of her new, perspective life with the Effinghams, when she is a day away, the carriage she is in tips over. Rannulf, on the way to his aunts and pushing on even in the rain, comes across the carriage… and thus begins their relationship… Judith, daydreaming about a noble, romantic hero decides to take a chance when the rakish Rannulf offers her his hand and a leg up on horse to go get assistance for the rest. She takes on the persona of an actress, with new name and daring, knowledgeable manner and when she mishears his name, he allows her to think of him as Ralph. She doesn’t intend to sleep with him, but she allows herself each little ‘bite’ he offers – a meal, to go to a nearby hotel, dinner in his room (with a little more wine than she is used to ), kissing, and finally sex. He interprets her innocent reactions as slowly romantic, educated ones. They have two nights together, and the day in between spent pleasantly talking and shopping… and although she is pretending to be an actress, in every way she can, she is honest with him. She sends him on an errand in the morning (as he wants to extend their association another week) and she leaves him a note and gets on the next coach. When the innkeeper’s wife refers to the bloody sheets, he realizes she was a virgin, and wonders what was truth and what was lies. Her new position is bearable because of the warmth and acceptance of her grandmother, but aunt and cousin (jealous of her striking good looks) let out her clothes to be baggy and require her to wear a cap to cover he hair. But soon enough, Rannulf is courting her cousin – by his grandmother’s prompting. This ‘throws’ them together – at least in the same room. She does her best to be invisible, but he is aware of her. He reluctantly offers her marriage – as the honorable thing, and she of course turns him down. Her brother and Horace show up … and Horace starts to look for times to get down her pants – Rannulf subtly interferes a few times – but when at a garden party at his grandmother’s home, he notes that Judith (not fitting in) has wandered away, and that Horace follows her, he extricates himself to make sure she is okay, and finds that Horace is about to rape her – He beats Horace, sends him home (and Horace threatens to get even) – He holds Judith until she recovers herself, though he fights his own passion in wanting to reassure her differently. And Rannulf is reevaluating his life, and decides it’s time for him to look for more purpose in his life, and he meets with his grandmother’s solicitors to learn about her estates. But at the ball at Judith’s house, after he dances with Judith, he realizes he wants to marry her, and gains her agreement to meet with him in the morning. But Horace sends her brother off on a wild goose chase, steals her grandmother’s jewels, and leaves one in her room to make it look like she and her brother (who ran off) stole them… Judith leaves early in the morning (on foot) to go to find her brother and either get him to return the jewels, or to help him prove his innocence. And when Rannulf goes to see her in the morning, and learns of the theft and that Judith is missing… he knows immediately what she is doing – that she is innocent, and she is going to find her brother… so he heads out on his horse. His faith in her allows her to accept his help – she falls asleep in his arms on the horse, and he takes them to an inn… He cares for her, assures her he will not seduce her, but she cannot sleep so when he returns to their room, he takes her in his arms and agrees to lie down with her… in the morning, she wakes up in his arms, and initiates lovemaking. He takes her to his brother’s house in London – his older brother, his younger brother and two sisters are there. He tells them of what happened and what he needs to do to prove her innocence. The next day he goes out to try and track her brother, she goes out (in spite of his telling her not to) with his sister – who is glad to see she has a backbone, and Horace shows up to speak to the duke, threatening him with scandal for giving refuge to a thief – and Wulfric counters with persecution of his almost rape, and won’t admit to Judith being with them. Horace went to Branwell’s rooms and hid some of the jewels – the Bewcastles figure out how he is going to set him up (and get the manager to admit his part in the deception), and when he comes with the police, they turn the tables on him… the women go home, and Horace is forced to write letters to Judith’s grandmother, his father, and her father outlining his misdeeds (including the almost rape of Judith)… And when Rannulf gets home, Judith has left – his sister paying for her coach fare to return home to her family… her family welcomes her with open arms, and believe her story – though when they get Horace’s letter, there is more relief. Rannulf pays the brother’s debts, and Wulfric aids her brother in getting a position with the India Trading company – he apparently ready to grow up and take responsibility for himself. And Rannulf goes to her home, finds her on a hilltop, and proposes marriage, overriding her objections (of different classes, and embarrassment, etc), and confesses his love for her and need for her in his life… and she says yes… ahhhhh (less) | Notes are private!
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1
| May 02, 2012
| May 05, 2012
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Mar 09, 2012
| Paperback
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