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Blackwater Brides #1
Rushed to the Altar
Jasper Sullivan, Earl of Blackwater, needs a prostitute. Not in the usual way, however. His wealthy uncle's will promises to divide his huge fortune among his nephews if each rescues a fallen woman ... by marrying her! And since Jasper's estates were already mortgaged to the hilt before he inherited them, when he catches a pretty young prostitute trying to pick his pocket, he immediately makes his proposal.
Clarissa Astley is not at all what Jasper believes. The orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, she is searching the seedier districts of London for her young brother, abducted by their evil guardian, who wants the little boy's inheritance. But she needs powerful help, and the darkly handsome Earl of Blackwater is certainly that. So she pretends to be exactly what he assumed --- a risky charade for an innocent virgin. But when passion flares between Jasper and Clarissa, the deception becomes even more difficult to handle ...
Clarissa Astley is not at all what Jasper believes. The orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, she is searching the seedier districts of London for her young brother, abducted by their evil guardian, who wants the little boy's inheritance. But she needs powerful help, and the darkly handsome Earl of Blackwater is certainly that. So she pretends to be exactly what he assumed --- a risky charade for an innocent virgin. But when passion flares between Jasper and Clarissa, the deception becomes even more difficult to handle ...
451 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2010
102 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
About the author
Jane Feather
170 books628 followersJane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
July 30, 2022
This book was good, I mean, as good as a secret identity can be good. I don't enjoy the angst myself while waiting for the truth to unfold, but I know that that is the part many people enjoy. I keep thinking only why would they lie to the very end? Things could always be easier if you at some point just tell the truth.
Another things that I always find hard to belive is when people whom have grown up in a strict family and in a certain social class would be just fine with having their name ruined by being someone's mistress. Makes no sense to me. It was 1760s for goodness sake. But okay.
And why if a man didn't meet a woman in a social circle they always comes to the conclusion that she's a ho? Or that she's out to get some? This is something so infuriating.
The uncle was a crazy bastard. I was sad and sympathetic about him in the beginning but by the end of this book I was disgusted by him. Yucky!
I am not sure I will continue this series. First time author to me. Have you enjoyed any book by her? If so, let me please know which ones.
2.5 stars.
Another things that I always find hard to belive is when people whom have grown up in a strict family and in a certain social class would be just fine with having their name ruined by being someone's mistress. Makes no sense to me. It was 1760s for goodness sake. But okay.
And why if a man didn't meet a woman in a social circle they always comes to the conclusion that she's a ho? Or that she's out to get some? This is something so infuriating.
The uncle was a crazy bastard. I was sad and sympathetic about him in the beginning but by the end of this book I was disgusted by him. Yucky!
I am not sure I will continue this series. First time author to me. Have you enjoyed any book by her? If so, let me please know which ones.
2.5 stars.
October 13, 2012
First of all, I will say I am an ardent lover of the 1700s, so many of the things in this book that bothered me will probably be non-issues for the majority of readers. It is a sad fact that actually knowing history can seriously detract from the fun of reading historically inaccurate romance novels.
First and foremost, this book read like a Regency where the men just so happen to have long hair and more colorful clothing. This book is supposed to be set in 1761, yet the characters acted more like people in 1811. The clothing wasn't even all correctly described. Top hats were not worn in 1761. Women almost always wore hoops, yet I saw not a single example of this in the entire book. Also, most of the activities the main characters did were things that were popular in the Regency period, not necessarily in 1761. And even the activities that would have been popular in 1761 were not described correctly. One example of this was when the characters went to a public masquerade. Public masquerades were just that- public. Anyone with the entrance fee could go to one, yet the hero claimed that everyone would know everyone. This was definitely not the case. If you look at 18th century pamphlets about masquerades, one of their chief dangers is supposedly that you can't tell who anyone is- for all you know, you could be consorting with commoners! Also, no one at the masquerade wore a costume, only dominoes (cloaks). While a good number of people attending masquerades would have worn dominoes, there would have been plenty of people in costume, too.
Jane Feather has written many books in many different time periods, and while that is admirable, it would also seem to mean that she doesn't necessarily have a firm grasp on the particulars of every era.
Not that I have gotten past that, I will talk of the book itself. The premise is that the hero's wealthy uncle is dying, but will only leave his fortune to his three nephews if each of them marries and redeems a prostitute. This is fine and all, but then not a single one of them actually marries a prostitute. Each of the brothers merely presents their chosen wife as such to their uncle. (The third books of the series has not yet been released, but judging by the summary, I'm pretty sure the heroine of that book is not a prostitute, either.) If the author comes up with a series where the premise is that the heroes have to marry prostitutes, why not just have them marry prostitutes? I think I'd probably like it more that way.
As to the characters- the hero is kind of annoying throughout the entire book, and seems to spend most of his time trying to get under the heroine's skirts, despite her attempts to stop him. The heroine makes up lies left and right, and while this didn't bother me initially, the lies just kept piling and piling.
In summary, I do not recommend this book. Jane Feather has written some lovely books in the past, but this is not one of them. (Hopefully my review is at least semi-coherent, and not too much of a rant.)
First and foremost, this book read like a Regency where the men just so happen to have long hair and more colorful clothing. This book is supposed to be set in 1761, yet the characters acted more like people in 1811. The clothing wasn't even all correctly described. Top hats were not worn in 1761. Women almost always wore hoops, yet I saw not a single example of this in the entire book. Also, most of the activities the main characters did were things that were popular in the Regency period, not necessarily in 1761. And even the activities that would have been popular in 1761 were not described correctly. One example of this was when the characters went to a public masquerade. Public masquerades were just that- public. Anyone with the entrance fee could go to one, yet the hero claimed that everyone would know everyone. This was definitely not the case. If you look at 18th century pamphlets about masquerades, one of their chief dangers is supposedly that you can't tell who anyone is- for all you know, you could be consorting with commoners! Also, no one at the masquerade wore a costume, only dominoes (cloaks). While a good number of people attending masquerades would have worn dominoes, there would have been plenty of people in costume, too.
Jane Feather has written many books in many different time periods, and while that is admirable, it would also seem to mean that she doesn't necessarily have a firm grasp on the particulars of every era.
Not that I have gotten past that, I will talk of the book itself. The premise is that the hero's wealthy uncle is dying, but will only leave his fortune to his three nephews if each of them marries and redeems a prostitute. This is fine and all, but then not a single one of them actually marries a prostitute. Each of the brothers merely presents their chosen wife as such to their uncle. (The third books of the series has not yet been released, but judging by the summary, I'm pretty sure the heroine of that book is not a prostitute, either.) If the author comes up with a series where the premise is that the heroes have to marry prostitutes, why not just have them marry prostitutes? I think I'd probably like it more that way.
As to the characters- the hero is kind of annoying throughout the entire book, and seems to spend most of his time trying to get under the heroine's skirts, despite her attempts to stop him. The heroine makes up lies left and right, and while this didn't bother me initially, the lies just kept piling and piling.
In summary, I do not recommend this book. Jane Feather has written some lovely books in the past, but this is not one of them. (Hopefully my review is at least semi-coherent, and not too much of a rant.)
December 7, 2012
Rushed to the Alter is the first of the books in the Blackwater Brides series written by Jane Feather. This book takes place in London in 1761. The heroine is a young woman named Clarissa Astley, she's a bit of an naive but also determined lady. She is determined to rescue her younger brother Francis from a horrible fate at the hands of their evil uncle and guardian, Luke. Clarissa is in London in search of Francis but she is alone and only has a limited amount of money with her so she needs to be wise in her choices and she has to come up with a plan to find her brother, rescue him and hide him until she becomes 21 and will be his legal guardian. She finds herself lodging accommodations in a Covent Garden brothel. While following her uncle one day she runs head long into the hero, Jasper Sullivan also known as the Earl of Blackwater. Like Clarissa, Jasper also has a secret goal he is trying to achieve and he needs a prostitute to accomplish his plans. In order to obtain his uncles fortune he must marry a fallen woman and when he has his run in with Clarissa he is sure that she would be the perfect woman for the task. For Clarissa, the Earl of Blackwater also presents her with the way of carrying out her plan to save her brother.
The story unfolds and develops in a rather quick pace. Sometimes the plot felt a little rushed but I thought it still felt complete. I enjoyed reading the book. As I already stated Clarissa's character is a bit naive but determined. She is also a young woman who is a bit impulsive and acts more out of love and fear for her little brother but she also has a hard time when her emotions start to react to Jasper. The Earl of Blackwater is a somewhat arrogant and possessive but he too is a bit impulsive and determined. The other characters in the book were intriguing and I especially liked Jasper's younger twin brothers. They were in a way adorable and playful.
The ending in my opinion was a good segue into another book in the series and will no doubt revolve around one of the twins accomplishing the same goal as Jasper needed to accomplish. This book is not a big novel but instead it was a cute and fun quick read. The only big issue that I had with the book was in the era it was supposedly taking place in. There were quite a few discrepancies in the events and even the clothing for it to be taking place in 1761. I almost forgot about that fact and my own mindset was registering the early to mid 1800's. But in the end I still chalk it all up to being just a fun, cute read.
The story unfolds and develops in a rather quick pace. Sometimes the plot felt a little rushed but I thought it still felt complete. I enjoyed reading the book. As I already stated Clarissa's character is a bit naive but determined. She is also a young woman who is a bit impulsive and acts more out of love and fear for her little brother but she also has a hard time when her emotions start to react to Jasper. The Earl of Blackwater is a somewhat arrogant and possessive but he too is a bit impulsive and determined. The other characters in the book were intriguing and I especially liked Jasper's younger twin brothers. They were in a way adorable and playful.
The ending in my opinion was a good segue into another book in the series and will no doubt revolve around one of the twins accomplishing the same goal as Jasper needed to accomplish. This book is not a big novel but instead it was a cute and fun quick read. The only big issue that I had with the book was in the era it was supposedly taking place in. There were quite a few discrepancies in the events and even the clothing for it to be taking place in 1761. I almost forgot about that fact and my own mindset was registering the early to mid 1800's. But in the end I still chalk it all up to being just a fun, cute read.
November 28, 2017
Kitaba başlarken beklentimi en aşağı seviyede tuttum. Çünkü okuduğum birçok yorumda kitap hakkında hep olumsuz çıkarımlar vardı ki okuduktan sonra ben de anlamış oldum. Sevdiğim yerleri var mıydı? Evet ama sevmediğim yerler daha çok olduğu için bu yorum büyük olumsuzluk ile başlayacak. Kısa bir sürede bitirdim kitabı ama bunda beni içine çekebilecek bir heyecan, bir merak, ekstrim bir eğlence gibi unsurlar pek yoktu. Sadece kitabı bitirme odaklı davrandığım için okuyup bitirdim.
Kitaba karşı bir haksızlık olmasın şimdi, bana göre bir kitap olmadığı ortada. Özellikle bu türde iki sağlam kitap okuduktan sonra bu çok yavan ve vasat geldi. Belki daha önce okumuş olsam seçebilme şansım olurdu, kim bilir?
Epsilon'un beklenen nice güzel seriler varken daldan Dala konarak başlayıp bıraktığı bir serinin ilk kitabı Kendine Yalan Söyleme. Yazarın anlatımı iyi olsa da karakterleri beni kendine çekemedi. Erkek karakter için sevebileceğim yönleri olsa da kadın karakter kesinlikle sevmediğim karakterlerden zirveyi zorlar. Yani bu denli dengesiz karakter okumayı sevmiyorum. Belki de bundan dolayı kitaba karşı olumsuz hisler ile doluyum.
Kitap aslında bilindik bir konu üzerinde çizilmiş ilerliyor. Yani ölüm döşeğinde bir aile büyüğü, mirasını bırakacağı yakınlarına evlenmeleri yönünde istekte bulunur hatta mirası istiyorlarsa onun istediği şekilde evleneceklerdir. Ben bu kombinasyonu en çok Sabrına Jeffries'de seviyorum. Bence en güzel bu konuyu yazan oydu okuduğum.
Kitabin konusuna gelirsem;
Blackwater Kontu, ailesi için bir yüzkarası olarak bilinen amcasının mirasına sahip olabilmek adına yaşlı adamın isteği doğrultusunda bir kadınla evlenmek zorundadır. Tabi, amcasının istediği bu kadarla sınırlı değildir, Jasper ve kardeşlerinin düşmüş bir kadınla evlenip bataktan kurtarmalarını ister. Aklınca yaşlı tilki ailesinden bu şekilde intikam alacaktır. Clarissa Astley ise bu tanımlamaya uymaz çünkü beklendiği üzere bir fahişe değildir ama rol yapar. Gerçi bu salaklıkla az kalsın rol yapmasına gerek bile kalmayacaktı. Londra'da gidilecek yer yokmuş gibi bir genelevde oda tutmayı başarmış olması ve ısrar ederek evde kalmaya devam etmesiyle zaten düşecekti. Kontun koruması altına girmesi için de rol yaptı. Nedeni ise, kötü kalpli amcası tarafından esir tutulan erkek kardeşini bulmak istemektedir.
Amcası onun 21 yaşına gelip kardeşinin velayetini kendi üzerine almadan ölmesini isterken kalan mirasa sahip olmayı amaçlamaktadır. Clarissa amcasını engellemek için (lütfen ama çok ulvi bir amaç) kontun önce metresi gibi davranacak sonrasında eşi olmayı kabul edecektir. Jasper kadının pahalı bir fahişe sanıyorken Clarissa ona bakire olduğunu belli etmemek için uğraşacaktır. Kont onu önceki metresinin kaldığı eve yerleştirir. Clarrisa zeki çıkarımlar sonucunda bulduğu kardeşini yanına alır, evde yaşamaya başlarlar. Amcalarının onları bulması ile işler karışır. Ve bir ipucu daha, Jasper, Clarissa bakire olduğunu bilmektedir ve fahişe olmadığını da keşfeder. Sonrası işte mutlu son. Kötü adamın foyası ortaya çıkar kont kıza aşık olur vs vs.
Yazarın yarattığı karakterlerin birbiriyle uyumu yok. Yani verdikleri tepkiler öyle saçma ki hani sevmek için uğraştım ama yok yani olmadı. Kitap konu bakımından orta karar bir düzeyde, hani daha iyi şekilde ele alınıp ‘mantı’ bakımından daha güçlü yazılırsa okunurluğu daha artar. İlginç bir şekilde yazmaya çalışmış hani kıvırabilse daha iyi olurmuş, ama tek sorunu kitabın havada kalan yerlerin olması. Hani güzel bir konu olduğunu söyleyebilirim ama yazar yazarken ya fazla özenmedi ya da sıkıldığı için başından savmış. Çeviri kaynaklı sorunlar da yok değildi, gözümü tırmalayan baya yer oldu. Bu kitapta istisnasız en beğendiğim şey, kapağı. Epsilon'u tebrik edebilirim. Yani seriye neden devam edilmiyor da demiyorum. Yani bu kitap yerine beklenen diğer kitapları çıkarmış olsalardı keşke diyebilirim en fazla. Kendine Yalan Söyleme okunabilir mi? Evet. Ama okumasanız da olur. Eminim ki çok daha iyi kitaplar da okuyabilirsiniz.
http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com.tr/...
Kitaba karşı bir haksızlık olmasın şimdi, bana göre bir kitap olmadığı ortada. Özellikle bu türde iki sağlam kitap okuduktan sonra bu çok yavan ve vasat geldi. Belki daha önce okumuş olsam seçebilme şansım olurdu, kim bilir?
Epsilon'un beklenen nice güzel seriler varken daldan Dala konarak başlayıp bıraktığı bir serinin ilk kitabı Kendine Yalan Söyleme. Yazarın anlatımı iyi olsa da karakterleri beni kendine çekemedi. Erkek karakter için sevebileceğim yönleri olsa da kadın karakter kesinlikle sevmediğim karakterlerden zirveyi zorlar. Yani bu denli dengesiz karakter okumayı sevmiyorum. Belki de bundan dolayı kitaba karşı olumsuz hisler ile doluyum.
Kitap aslında bilindik bir konu üzerinde çizilmiş ilerliyor. Yani ölüm döşeğinde bir aile büyüğü, mirasını bırakacağı yakınlarına evlenmeleri yönünde istekte bulunur hatta mirası istiyorlarsa onun istediği şekilde evleneceklerdir. Ben bu kombinasyonu en çok Sabrına Jeffries'de seviyorum. Bence en güzel bu konuyu yazan oydu okuduğum.
Kitabin konusuna gelirsem;
Blackwater Kontu, ailesi için bir yüzkarası olarak bilinen amcasının mirasına sahip olabilmek adına yaşlı adamın isteği doğrultusunda bir kadınla evlenmek zorundadır. Tabi, amcasının istediği bu kadarla sınırlı değildir, Jasper ve kardeşlerinin düşmüş bir kadınla evlenip bataktan kurtarmalarını ister. Aklınca yaşlı tilki ailesinden bu şekilde intikam alacaktır. Clarissa Astley ise bu tanımlamaya uymaz çünkü beklendiği üzere bir fahişe değildir ama rol yapar. Gerçi bu salaklıkla az kalsın rol yapmasına gerek bile kalmayacaktı. Londra'da gidilecek yer yokmuş gibi bir genelevde oda tutmayı başarmış olması ve ısrar ederek evde kalmaya devam etmesiyle zaten düşecekti. Kontun koruması altına girmesi için de rol yaptı. Nedeni ise, kötü kalpli amcası tarafından esir tutulan erkek kardeşini bulmak istemektedir.
Amcası onun 21 yaşına gelip kardeşinin velayetini kendi üzerine almadan ölmesini isterken kalan mirasa sahip olmayı amaçlamaktadır. Clarissa amcasını engellemek için (lütfen ama çok ulvi bir amaç) kontun önce metresi gibi davranacak sonrasında eşi olmayı kabul edecektir. Jasper kadının pahalı bir fahişe sanıyorken Clarissa ona bakire olduğunu belli etmemek için uğraşacaktır. Kont onu önceki metresinin kaldığı eve yerleştirir. Clarrisa zeki çıkarımlar sonucunda bulduğu kardeşini yanına alır, evde yaşamaya başlarlar. Amcalarının onları bulması ile işler karışır. Ve bir ipucu daha, Jasper, Clarissa bakire olduğunu bilmektedir ve fahişe olmadığını da keşfeder. Sonrası işte mutlu son. Kötü adamın foyası ortaya çıkar kont kıza aşık olur vs vs.
Yazarın yarattığı karakterlerin birbiriyle uyumu yok. Yani verdikleri tepkiler öyle saçma ki hani sevmek için uğraştım ama yok yani olmadı. Kitap konu bakımından orta karar bir düzeyde, hani daha iyi şekilde ele alınıp ‘mantı’ bakımından daha güçlü yazılırsa okunurluğu daha artar. İlginç bir şekilde yazmaya çalışmış hani kıvırabilse daha iyi olurmuş, ama tek sorunu kitabın havada kalan yerlerin olması. Hani güzel bir konu olduğunu söyleyebilirim ama yazar yazarken ya fazla özenmedi ya da sıkıldığı için başından savmış. Çeviri kaynaklı sorunlar da yok değildi, gözümü tırmalayan baya yer oldu. Bu kitapta istisnasız en beğendiğim şey, kapağı. Epsilon'u tebrik edebilirim. Yani seriye neden devam edilmiyor da demiyorum. Yani bu kitap yerine beklenen diğer kitapları çıkarmış olsalardı keşke diyebilirim en fazla. Kendine Yalan Söyleme okunabilir mi? Evet. Ama okumasanız da olur. Eminim ki çok daha iyi kitaplar da okuyabilirsiniz.
http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com.tr/...
March 1, 2021
Audiobook Review: Another book by Jane Feather than I thought could be a bit better. A solid 2 Stars as I did not quite like the plot. In addition, Jill Tanner as a narrator was not good. Her voice just does not change for the characters and is a bit too rushed and strong.
May 10, 2012
Jasper Sullivan, Earl of Blackwater, and his twin brothers have been set a rakehell challenge by their sick and dying, elderly rogue of an Uncle. The stitch is that they must meet this challenge and be successful by their Uncle's standards in order to inherit any of his wealth and legacy. However, Jasper is just as devious and roguish as his Uncle ever was and while he has every intention of meeting the challenge to gain his inheritance, he will do it on his own terms. Thus enters Clarissa Astley, orphaned daughter of a prosperous merchant, who has her own dire problem finding her lost/abducted brother and protecting them both from an evil, machinating Uncle of her own. While Jasper and Clarissa each play their own game of charades, thinking the other will be their personal savior, their hearts walk the path of sacrifice. How will it end? In love or betrayal?
Jane Feather produces a moderately entertaining story. The plot is enticing, but the characters only mediocre. While the heroine is definitely written as a strong, intelligent, stubborn female, at times it is taken too far leaving the reader frustrated and ready to pull out hair. This story had a very unusual twist where the heroine's virginity is taken not by the hero, but by the heroine herself (if you can imagine that?)I won't spoil it any further by elaborating, but let me just say I was holding my breath, and holding my breath, just for a rather hidden generic response from the hero. I expected some gut-twisting emotional episode, after all this is regency England, and an act such as this performed by a woman would have been utterly unheard of. After all, a woman's one thing of value other than an inheritance of wealth was her virginity, a thing of great value and importance. The whole episode ended up feeling very unrealistic, and left me rolling my eyes. Needless to say, the hero could have been a little bit more emotional. Therefore, he didn't elicit the kind of emotional response or loyalty he could have from the reader. Just a mediocre "3" on my list.
Jane Feather produces a moderately entertaining story. The plot is enticing, but the characters only mediocre. While the heroine is definitely written as a strong, intelligent, stubborn female, at times it is taken too far leaving the reader frustrated and ready to pull out hair. This story had a very unusual twist where the heroine's virginity is taken not by the hero, but by the heroine herself (if you can imagine that?)I won't spoil it any further by elaborating, but let me just say I was holding my breath, and holding my breath, just for a rather hidden generic response from the hero. I expected some gut-twisting emotional episode, after all this is regency England, and an act such as this performed by a woman would have been utterly unheard of. After all, a woman's one thing of value other than an inheritance of wealth was her virginity, a thing of great value and importance. The whole episode ended up feeling very unrealistic, and left me rolling my eyes. Needless to say, the hero could have been a little bit more emotional. Therefore, he didn't elicit the kind of emotional response or loyalty he could have from the reader. Just a mediocre "3" on my list.
March 18, 2012
2.5 Stars!
I read a 1/3 of this book and enjoyed the story as it unraveled. The next third gave me trouble.
A single woman, who had yet to reach her majority, in 19th century England had little or no power over her life or the lives of her young siblings. I can buy that if in a bad position you might resort to some very daring decisions to keep a younger brother safe.
I can understand how Clarissa allowed herself to be sold in a bordello agreement to be the mistress and later wife to a man who was desperate to marry a woman who's very soul needed saving.
But at some point as you are falling for this guy....and getting to know him....does it not ever cross your mind to let him know what is going on? Instead it is one lie after another...and for what? I loved the story but the lies got to me.
And they both were able to just set it aside merrily as if it never happened and go get married. Lies typically tear down a relationship and forgiveness is not always easy to give after so many lies.
I did not care for Jasper's twin brothers either. They were blah....along with all the other secondary characters....no one stood out for me. Great start, interesting premise, but unrealistic story and characters I had no feeling for.....I am sorry to do it, but this story just fell short for me.
I read a 1/3 of this book and enjoyed the story as it unraveled. The next third gave me trouble.
A single woman, who had yet to reach her majority, in 19th century England had little or no power over her life or the lives of her young siblings. I can buy that if in a bad position you might resort to some very daring decisions to keep a younger brother safe.
I can understand how Clarissa allowed herself to be sold in a bordello agreement to be the mistress and later wife to a man who was desperate to marry a woman who's very soul needed saving.
But at some point as you are falling for this guy....and getting to know him....does it not ever cross your mind to let him know what is going on? Instead it is one lie after another...and for what? I loved the story but the lies got to me.
And they both were able to just set it aside merrily as if it never happened and go get married. Lies typically tear down a relationship and forgiveness is not always easy to give after so many lies.
I did not care for Jasper's twin brothers either. They were blah....along with all the other secondary characters....no one stood out for me. Great start, interesting premise, but unrealistic story and characters I had no feeling for.....I am sorry to do it, but this story just fell short for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2017
3 stars.
Clarissa and everything with her: 4.5 to 5 stars. Jasper and anything having to do with the “romance”: 1.5 stars.
I’m of two minds about this book. On the one hand I really loved Clarissa and her journey and reading about the lengths she went through to find her little brother. On the other hand I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance or Jasper.
Now full disclosure, I’m a sucker for a heroine who is doing anything and everything to protect her sibling, especially a little brother and I could not get enough of everything she was doing. Any time the story was dealing with that part of the plot, which was a lot of the time, I was engaged and I could not get enough.
However the romance was lacking. I never felt like he cared about her or loved her. Even when he finally started thinking he was in love with her I didn’t believe it. Everything between them felt like part of the deal of their arrangement. And then on her part I never felt she cared about him either passed using him as a cover to try and get her brother back and safe.
If this wasn’t categorized as a romance novel, I think I would be more forgiving of a lack-luster romance but because it is categorized as a romance I expect there to be something more than what was presented.
And just a minor quibble, the title. I was expecting from the title that the marriage would at least take place by the mid-way point, it didn’t.
If you’re looking for a book with a great storyline for the heroine, definitely pick this up but if you’re looking for a romance that will sweep you away, try something else.
Clarissa and everything with her: 4.5 to 5 stars. Jasper and anything having to do with the “romance”: 1.5 stars.
I’m of two minds about this book. On the one hand I really loved Clarissa and her journey and reading about the lengths she went through to find her little brother. On the other hand I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance or Jasper.
Now full disclosure, I’m a sucker for a heroine who is doing anything and everything to protect her sibling, especially a little brother and I could not get enough of everything she was doing. Any time the story was dealing with that part of the plot, which was a lot of the time, I was engaged and I could not get enough.
However the romance was lacking. I never felt like he cared about her or loved her. Even when he finally started thinking he was in love with her I didn’t believe it. Everything between them felt like part of the deal of their arrangement. And then on her part I never felt she cared about him either passed using him as a cover to try and get her brother back and safe.
If this wasn’t categorized as a romance novel, I think I would be more forgiving of a lack-luster romance but because it is categorized as a romance I expect there to be something more than what was presented.
And just a minor quibble, the title. I was expecting from the title that the marriage would at least take place by the mid-way point, it didn’t.
If you’re looking for a book with a great storyline for the heroine, definitely pick this up but if you’re looking for a romance that will sweep you away, try something else.
August 26, 2018
Kendine Yalan Söyleme (Blackwater Brides Serisi 1)
Jane Feather
İlginç bir kitaptı. Sıkıcı gibiydi ama değildi merak ettim okurken. Durağan devam etti bir süre. Bir amca ve vasiyet
Onun sahip olduğu mirası almak için kötü yolda olan biri ile evlenmeleri gerekiyor.
Ve en büyüğü bunu bir anlaşma ile yapmaya çalışıyor. Karşılaşmaları ve sonrası bazı yerlerde komik bazı yerlerde garipti.
Jasber 'in kızı kabul edişi onun isteklerine karşı tavrı ve sonuç 😅
Kızımız ise ailesinin mirasını almak için reşit olmak zorunda. Küçük kardeşinin amcasinin yanında olnası ve onun iyi olduğundan emin olmak için yola çıkıyor ve ikili böylece karşılaşıyor. Bir fahişe arayan jasber aradığını bulduğunu düşünüyor ama durum o kadar da kolay değil.
Neyse daha fazlasını okuyun derim. Şimdi ikizlerde sıra bakalım onlar kimi bulacak.
Jane Feather
İlginç bir kitaptı. Sıkıcı gibiydi ama değildi merak ettim okurken. Durağan devam etti bir süre. Bir amca ve vasiyet
Onun sahip olduğu mirası almak için kötü yolda olan biri ile evlenmeleri gerekiyor.
Ve en büyüğü bunu bir anlaşma ile yapmaya çalışıyor. Karşılaşmaları ve sonrası bazı yerlerde komik bazı yerlerde garipti.
Jasber 'in kızı kabul edişi onun isteklerine karşı tavrı ve sonuç 😅
Kızımız ise ailesinin mirasını almak için reşit olmak zorunda. Küçük kardeşinin amcasinin yanında olnası ve onun iyi olduğundan emin olmak için yola çıkıyor ve ikili böylece karşılaşıyor. Bir fahişe arayan jasber aradığını bulduğunu düşünüyor ama durum o kadar da kolay değil.
Neyse daha fazlasını okuyun derim. Şimdi ikizlerde sıra bakalım onlar kimi bulacak.
August 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. Enough that I plan to buy the next two books. But my god, the head-hopping! Even the servants' thoughts were thrown in between the main characters' observations, so much so that I had to reread a few passages. Hopefully this isn't an issue in the next two books.
June 6, 2022
3.5 stars. Entertaining and kept my attention throughout.
October 4, 2018
First half of the book was good then lagged for about 100 pages, then the rest was interresting again, however the end was to quick and short of information.. a bit disappointed with the ending.
September 9, 2016
Sebuah relationship tidak akan bertahan jika dibangun dari tumpukan kebohongan.
Clarissa terlalu pusing dgn memutar otaknya utk menyelamatkan adiknya dr cengkeraman si paman jahat, Luke. Dirinya sampai tidak sadar bertabrakan dgn Jasper, Earl of Blackwater. Jasper memandang Clarissa sbg wanita yg akan membawanya ke solusi yg diberikan wasiat pamannya yg kaya raya tapi eksentrik. Wasiat itu mengharuskan Jasper dan adik2nya utk menikah dgn wanita yg membutuhkan "pertobatan".
Clarissa kadung dianggap pelacur, maka dia bersedia utk bekerjasama dgn Jasper. Sayangnya Clarissa terlalu fokus utk menyelamatkan adiknya dan membohongi Jasper terus-menerus ttg asal-usulnya. Bahkan sampai blunder dgn cara Clarissa utk menghilangkan keperawanannya sendiri dgn dildo (memang sudah ada ya di abad 18?)
Seharusnya tema yg sudah bagus ini bisa digalu dan dikembangkan dgn lebih menarik oleh author, alih-alih malah dibuat membosankan alur ceritanya karena author kelewat merinci detail-detail pernak-pernik, background pemandangan dll, tapi kelupaan utk bumbu romance nya yg kurang (atau kaku ya krn terjemahannya?) jadi terkesan hambar ceritanya. Interaksi chemistry kedua H/H terasa datar dan minim emosi. Terkesan tidak adanya perasaan yg terbangun kecuali hasrat mengebu-ngebu utk hubungan badan. Ending juga tampaknya mudah sekali Jasper menghapus dan memaafkan semua kebohongan Clarissa. Walau begitu, saya acungkan jempol utk plot cerita yg rapi dan detail2nya, walaupun efek sampingnya tidak sesuai harapan.
Clarissa terlalu pusing dgn memutar otaknya utk menyelamatkan adiknya dr cengkeraman si paman jahat, Luke. Dirinya sampai tidak sadar bertabrakan dgn Jasper, Earl of Blackwater. Jasper memandang Clarissa sbg wanita yg akan membawanya ke solusi yg diberikan wasiat pamannya yg kaya raya tapi eksentrik. Wasiat itu mengharuskan Jasper dan adik2nya utk menikah dgn wanita yg membutuhkan "pertobatan".
Clarissa kadung dianggap pelacur, maka dia bersedia utk bekerjasama dgn Jasper. Sayangnya Clarissa terlalu fokus utk menyelamatkan adiknya dan membohongi Jasper terus-menerus ttg asal-usulnya. Bahkan sampai blunder dgn cara Clarissa utk menghilangkan keperawanannya sendiri dgn dildo (memang sudah ada ya di abad 18?)
Seharusnya tema yg sudah bagus ini bisa digalu dan dikembangkan dgn lebih menarik oleh author, alih-alih malah dibuat membosankan alur ceritanya karena author kelewat merinci detail-detail pernak-pernik, background pemandangan dll, tapi kelupaan utk bumbu romance nya yg kurang (atau kaku ya krn terjemahannya?) jadi terkesan hambar ceritanya. Interaksi chemistry kedua H/H terasa datar dan minim emosi. Terkesan tidak adanya perasaan yg terbangun kecuali hasrat mengebu-ngebu utk hubungan badan. Ending juga tampaknya mudah sekali Jasper menghapus dan memaafkan semua kebohongan Clarissa. Walau begitu, saya acungkan jempol utk plot cerita yg rapi dan detail2nya, walaupun efek sampingnya tidak sesuai harapan.
July 22, 2014
The basic premise is pretty outrageous. (A nobleman mistakes a young woman from the minor gentry for a prostitute and proposes to take her as mistress and then wife in order to deceive his uncle and receive an inheritance. The young woman doesn't correct his misperception of her position and agrees to the scheme. How does a virginal young well-born woman expect to persuade everyone, including the nobleman, that she's an experienced prostitute?) But Feather does an amazing job of making the situation seem plausible and credible.
Feather also did an excellent job of intertwining the romance plot with Clarissa's search for her brother. Altogether, though, I don't think the book is *quite* a romance. It's more Clarissa's story, which includes her relationships with Jasper as well as the story with her brother.
I enjoyed the story. Feather made everything seem plausible enough to keep from throwing me out of the story, and the plot moved right along. I didn't *feel* the romance, but I did find it believable. I'll probably read Jasper's brothers' stories.
Feather also did an excellent job of intertwining the romance plot with Clarissa's search for her brother. Altogether, though, I don't think the book is *quite* a romance. It's more Clarissa's story, which includes her relationships with Jasper as well as the story with her brother.
I enjoyed the story. Feather made everything seem plausible enough to keep from throwing me out of the story, and the plot moved right along. I didn't *feel* the romance, but I did find it believable. I'll probably read Jasper's brothers' stories.
March 13, 2011
The cash deficient Earl of Blackwater needs a bride, but not just any woman from society. His wealthy uncle will only leave Jasper his money if he rescues a fallen woman by marrying her. On his way through Covent Garden one day, Jasper runs headlong into a beautiful thief. She’s a lovely woman who claims she wasn’t out to rob him. Although she lives at a nearby brothel, Clarissa seems too refined for such surroundings. Intrigued, Jasper decides she’ll solve his problems.
When the Earl proposes his plan, Clarissa is at first astonished. How can she pretend to be a prostitute when she’s still a virgin? In London to search for her kidnapped brother, she agrees only because the Earl can provide her with the protection she needs. But for how long can she maintain this charade before he discovers her true nature?
When the Earl proposes his plan, Clarissa is at first astonished. How can she pretend to be a prostitute when she’s still a virgin? In London to search for her kidnapped brother, she agrees only because the Earl can provide her with the protection she needs. But for how long can she maintain this charade before he discovers her true nature?
September 14, 2010
The book is overall, in one word, rushed. There was nothing overly exciting about it, and I felt there were many things left out, and many things included that should never have been. I felt like the heroine was completely underdeveloped, and it was hard to really feel like the author knew who the hero truly was. There were parts of the book where I actually had to stop reading because I became slightly furious with what was happening. I think the plot could have used more work, and though it sounded interesting in the beginning, it quickly became outrageous. I can't say I've ever read a Jane Feather book, so i can't compare this to her others, but I can say I was sorely disappointed with this one.
October 19, 2010
This book took me a while to read. I enjoyed the story but it didn't suck me in. I was able to easily put down the book. Clarissa annoyed me a lot in the beginning, especially with all her lying. I understood why she felt the need to lie but several times she lied and it was not necessary. Also, I felt there was not a real connection between the two main characters. Them falling in love seemed really random and it just sort of happened. I did like the story line and thought it was very interesting. I loved the ending and thought that overall, it was a good book. I was not completely in love with the characters but the plot made up for it in the end.
May 21, 2014
This is the third or fourth book I've read by her, and I'm pretty sure that I just don't like her writing style. The storyline is okay, but the characters seem blocky to me, sort of stiff and dispassionate. I know of others who live and die for all of her genre books, but I'm just not one of them. So I give up. If you've read more of hers and liked them, you will probably like this one also.
March 16, 2012
The story got off a nice start; I liked the characters and the circumstances of Jasper and Clarissa's relationship is intriguing. The thing that really annoyed me is that Clarissa never told Jasper the truth; he had to hear them from someone else. It then seems unreasonable that he wasn't angry with her. Also, I thought the ending was too rushed and their professions of love was too abrupt and lacking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2012
I am partial to books by Jane Feather. She has a side of comedy to her that is unexpected in historicals. This one is a comedy of errors. Two people who don't own up to who they are, mostly because neither gives the other an opportunity to be frank. The secondary story about the babies farmed out in England is very sad, and also very normal for the time, even years later Mozart and his wife gave their babies away to be raised this way. Worth the read.
June 8, 2011
Well this is the second Jane Feather novel I read. NO. No. I don't think I like her style. Although the plot sounded interesting, there were many places where I simply lost interest. The characters were not well formed. I felt they were incomplete. I think they lacked a depth I usually like to read in a character. It was funny in some places. But overall its a big no-no for me.
February 22, 2013
Silly premise but then I thought, hey! It's Jane Feather who wrote the marvelous Violet and Velvet stories. Then I remembered that was almost twenty years ago. Perhaps the prostitute scenario was supposed to be titillating and so it might, but things go way too easy for this virgin pretending to be a hooker and a broke earl. Clarissa and Jasper. That about says it all.
April 4, 2011
Super unbelievable. The whole time, I had a hard time believing the heroine's excuses as to why she won't tell the hero the truth from at least first third of the book. Therefore, for the rest of the novel, I was thoroughly annoyed.
August 10, 2013
Bana göre zaman ve para kaybından başka bir anlam veremedi kitap ;)
November 3, 2025
In her review, Mrs. Giggles says, "In a manner typical of this author, this story is dripping with cynicism." Which is true, when it comes to characters like the hero's uncle in this book, but one of the things that annoys me about Jane Feather is that she's a starry-eyed optimist when it comes to prostitution and prostitutes. In her books she right regularly drops her heroine into a house of prostitution, and she always presents the prostitutes as a fairly undifferentiated sisterhood, eager to help and support each other. Even the "penny-pinching" madames always run a generous household, where the heroine can waltz down to the kitchen and demand breakfast anytime she wants, where she gets expensive food even when there are no guests in the house, etc.
In actual fact, while prostitutes in the same house might unite against a common enemy, they also fought amongst themselves, feuded over petty jealousies, etc. Most of them were lower class, while those who thrived within the lifestyle were highly competitive, meaning the household leaders would have resented this author's well-spoken and genteel heroine, seeing her as a new and dangerous rival and also thinking she was "taking on airs."
And don't even get me started on how Feather's prostitutes always assure the heroine that venereal disease is no big deal; it just means they get some time off while they take the cure. There was no cure for most STDs until antibiotics came along early in the twentieth century, and the most effective treatment they had until was mercury, which was almost as bad as the disease it was supposed to cure. Mercury caused teeth to fall out and led to madness, just for starts. The lives of prostitutes were right ugly -- a study in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century showed that the average prostitute lasted about five years in the lifestyle, most of them taken out by drugs, disease, or violence. Most of the violence was from customers, of course, but prostitutes killed each other now and then as well.
You'll get none of that from a Feather novel!
I don't know a lot about UK history and don't catch anachronisms in books set there the way I do in books set in the US. All the Georgian romances I've read felt to me like Regencies with powdered hair, and I only recently realized that, in terms of dictionary definition, Regencies happen within the Georgian era, because the Georgian era lasts from 1714 to 1837, and the Regency era from 1795-1837. I think Georgian romances are always prior to 1795 but it's not surprising I don't see much difference between the two even when the history is pretty accurate.
But, aside from the nonsense prostitutes, I had to roll my eyes when the hero in this novel gifts the heroine with a horse and the "stirrups were shortened" to fit her. First off, woman of the time would be riding a sidesaddle, which only has a single stirrup. Secondly, before the invention of the slide buckle stirrup in the nineteenth century, changing the length of a stirrup, if even possible (saddles were still handmade and the stirrups were often permanently set for the owner), would have been an involved and time consuming process of unlacing and relacing, not a quick job done on the street while she waited.
Few authors realize that stirrups weren't as adjustable that far back, but anyone writing about the Regency or Georgia era -- or anytime before the twentieth century -- ought to know that women rode sidesaddle and only used one stirrup, because that's common info you'd run across doing casual research on a woman's wardrobe of the time. Not that I expect historical accuracy from a romance, heaven knows --most romance heroines, whatever the era, are feminist in ways no one imagined in their time -- but Feather knows what a contouche gown is so ought to have known about sidesaddle as well. She just got lazy.
But, just like Mrs. Giggles, I tend to enjoy romances if I appreciate the heroine, and this heroine appealed to me. Since I am familiar with the author (and with romance novel tropes), I was not at all surprised that the interesting advertised premise is not what actually happens. This heroine was not a prostitute and I don't expect the other two heroines will be, either. But I'm still annoyed that the actual prostitutes in this book are such a-historical non-entities. It's even more annoying when Feather says things like, "[Clarissa the heroine] was beginning to believe the story herself; the bitterness in her voice sounded utterly genuine. And she realized that, of course, it was a story that so many real women had lived, and she was at this moment experiencing it through their eyes" or "Clarissa began to wonder how she had spun her tale of hardship to Jasper so glibly when the true tales were so filled with suppressed pain and horror."
That sort of thing is a little hard to take, when Feather herself spends so much time minimizing the misery of actual prostitutes of the time!
Highly recommend Mrs. Giggles' site for romance reviews. There's a guy there who is just as snarky in his reviews of old horror novels.
In actual fact, while prostitutes in the same house might unite against a common enemy, they also fought amongst themselves, feuded over petty jealousies, etc. Most of them were lower class, while those who thrived within the lifestyle were highly competitive, meaning the household leaders would have resented this author's well-spoken and genteel heroine, seeing her as a new and dangerous rival and also thinking she was "taking on airs."
And don't even get me started on how Feather's prostitutes always assure the heroine that venereal disease is no big deal; it just means they get some time off while they take the cure. There was no cure for most STDs until antibiotics came along early in the twentieth century, and the most effective treatment they had until was mercury, which was almost as bad as the disease it was supposed to cure. Mercury caused teeth to fall out and led to madness, just for starts. The lives of prostitutes were right ugly -- a study in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century showed that the average prostitute lasted about five years in the lifestyle, most of them taken out by drugs, disease, or violence. Most of the violence was from customers, of course, but prostitutes killed each other now and then as well.
You'll get none of that from a Feather novel!
I don't know a lot about UK history and don't catch anachronisms in books set there the way I do in books set in the US. All the Georgian romances I've read felt to me like Regencies with powdered hair, and I only recently realized that, in terms of dictionary definition, Regencies happen within the Georgian era, because the Georgian era lasts from 1714 to 1837, and the Regency era from 1795-1837. I think Georgian romances are always prior to 1795 but it's not surprising I don't see much difference between the two even when the history is pretty accurate.
But, aside from the nonsense prostitutes, I had to roll my eyes when the hero in this novel gifts the heroine with a horse and the "stirrups were shortened" to fit her. First off, woman of the time would be riding a sidesaddle, which only has a single stirrup. Secondly, before the invention of the slide buckle stirrup in the nineteenth century, changing the length of a stirrup, if even possible (saddles were still handmade and the stirrups were often permanently set for the owner), would have been an involved and time consuming process of unlacing and relacing, not a quick job done on the street while she waited.
Few authors realize that stirrups weren't as adjustable that far back, but anyone writing about the Regency or Georgia era -- or anytime before the twentieth century -- ought to know that women rode sidesaddle and only used one stirrup, because that's common info you'd run across doing casual research on a woman's wardrobe of the time. Not that I expect historical accuracy from a romance, heaven knows --most romance heroines, whatever the era, are feminist in ways no one imagined in their time -- but Feather knows what a contouche gown is so ought to have known about sidesaddle as well. She just got lazy.
But, just like Mrs. Giggles, I tend to enjoy romances if I appreciate the heroine, and this heroine appealed to me. Since I am familiar with the author (and with romance novel tropes), I was not at all surprised that the interesting advertised premise is not what actually happens. This heroine was not a prostitute and I don't expect the other two heroines will be, either. But I'm still annoyed that the actual prostitutes in this book are such a-historical non-entities. It's even more annoying when Feather says things like, "[Clarissa the heroine] was beginning to believe the story herself; the bitterness in her voice sounded utterly genuine. And she realized that, of course, it was a story that so many real women had lived, and she was at this moment experiencing it through their eyes" or "Clarissa began to wonder how she had spun her tale of hardship to Jasper so glibly when the true tales were so filled with suppressed pain and horror."
That sort of thing is a little hard to take, when Feather herself spends so much time minimizing the misery of actual prostitutes of the time!
Highly recommend Mrs. Giggles' site for romance reviews. There's a guy there who is just as snarky in his reviews of old horror novels.
January 5, 2018
This is first the story in a new Blackwater Brides trilogy from Jane Feather and I really liked the premise of a dying uncle who will upon his death divide his fortune among the three brothers, his nephews, but only if all three men agree to marry and redeem a fallen woman. The catch is that all three men have to fulfill this or neither will get the money.
As a plot, this worked for me and I am actually looking forward to the rest of the books because I really liked all three brothers, of which the youngest two are twins.
For me, all the elements of a well written story were there. The characters, especially the heroine, I found likable, astute, smart and very much capable of taking care of herself. On the other hand, it took me awhile to warm up to the hero. I found him unreasonable at times, but in the end he did show his true feelings and his love for his brothers was genuine. I also liked the pace of the story. It was perfectly paced and moved the story forward.
Between reading it and listening to Jill Tanner narrate it, I found myself enjoying this story very much. With her wonderful voice and an English accent, she brought all the characters to life for me.
If you're looking for a fun and entertaining read, I highly recommend this story.
Melanie for b2b
June 9, 2023
This had the makings of a four star book but the heroine made some really stupid decisions which made the story less enjoyable. Clarissa didn't tell her deceased father's friends when she found out her Uncle Luke had sent her little brother to a 'baby farm' so he would take ill and die. (Then the uncle would inherit all.) Why would you not send for help? Then there was the issue of her not telling Jasper the truth. I could maybe understand this in the beginning but after a while it made no sense. He could have protected her from her uncle. At the end of the book her presumption that Luke would not be able to find her even though he'd seen her with Jasper was very naive since everyone in the ton would know of Jasper. And then going out with her brother to the park with no maid or footman was even stupider. Also, why does Clarissa not worry about getting pregnant? (Which seems to be a theme in many of these books.)
If you can ignore these issues you'll enjoy the book.
If you can ignore these issues you'll enjoy the book.
November 30, 2019
Here is a plot I hadn't heard before! Our heroine Clarissa has come to London in search of her young brother who has been taken by their evil uncle who is his guardian and placed in a "baby farm" where children are sent to starve or die of infections. Meanwhile our hero Jasper must marry a fallen woman who reforms in order to meet the terms of his uncle's will. Jasper's earldom is in serious financial trouble thanks to his father. When Clarissa is following her uncle in hopes of finding her brother, she literally runs into Jasper who follows her to a "nunnery" as they were called in those days. The rest follows for a good while coming to a rapid conclusion at the end. I could have used more at the end and less in the middle, but all in all a very good read. Now to find Jasper's brothers' stories as all of them must meet their uncle's terms in order to inherit.
July 10, 2020
This series was a lot of fun to read and the girls were all quite intelligent and driven. However, the men were a lot too arrogant. And...while the whole plot revolved around each man finding a "fallen" woman and converting her into being a good person...well,
Long story short: fun series, but slut-shame-y given how Feather had the plots fall out.
Long story short: fun series, but slut-shame-y given how Feather had the plots fall out.
August 9, 2020
Another pool book. The fun thing about this was that there was virtually no character development, - all plot. Quite a change from the usual arc of a romance where we hear so much about who these lovers are and what brings them together. These people get together as a means to an end and we are supposed to believe they fell in love along the way. I don’t at all, but when you leave that part out, the book could not be fluffier.
It’s also, as the other Feather book I read was, wildly anachronistic. Not even remotely plausible within the period. Also, definitely an original book in that I can’t think of another romance where the heroine gets rid if her own virginity so casually.
Thumbs up! Excellent trash!
It’s also, as the other Feather book I read was, wildly anachronistic. Not even remotely plausible within the period. Also, definitely an original book in that I can’t think of another romance where the heroine gets rid if her own virginity so casually.
Thumbs up! Excellent trash!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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