Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas

Well, I finished Slightly Sinful and it was delicious! I loved how both Alleyne and Rachel grew up emotionally due to the adventures that they were forced to have while trying to ferret out the Crawley bandit.
Rachel found herself surrounded by love, something that had been mostly denied to her in the past. She discovered that not all is what it seemed. Her uncle, whom she had thought to be a mean spirited ogre was actually a wonderful man, who loved her dearly and was denied the opportunity to share this love for her by her own father.
Alleyne who seemed to be wandering without direction before losing his memory found a new purpose in life and a love that would fill his life completely.
I loved the reunion between Alleyne and his family and I also appreciated the fact that he came to Rachel before actually going to his family. He didn't know what he would find at Lindsey Hall and yet he knew that Rachel was his future and was a constant that he did not want to change, regardless of what he found.

Can't wait for the last installment of this series... Slightly Dangerous. It comes out next week in Hardcover and although I really hate to buy hardcover, I don't think I can wait until paperback.

Anyway, with that book done, I've moved on to the next book in my tbr pile (that would be To Be Read pile).

Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas

This is the second in the Bow Street Runner Series. The first was Someone to Watch over Me which introduced us to the Bow Street offices and it's magistrate Sir Ross Cannon.

Cannon is a widower who has vowed not to marry again. He is known as the Monk of Bow Street because he has remained celibate for many years. His wife, who had a frail constitution died in childbirth and he blames himself for impregnating her. He has since dedicated his life to the runners and has become a recluse and a workaholic.

Sophia Sydney enters his life when she answers an advertisement for an assistant to the Magistrate. At first sight, Ross is engaged. He is intrigued by the woman and after resisting a bit, hires her. Sophia goes to Cannon in search of revenge. She blames Ross for the death of her younger brother who, she believes, was sent to a prison haul after being sentenced for pick pocketing. She expects to find an evil, merciless man in Ross Cannon and she is bent on seducing him, making him fall in love with her and then breaking his heart. Instead she discovers a caring man who robs her very soul.

Kleypas is a wonderful author. The sensuality in her books are recommend and she doesn't disappoint with Lady Sophia's Lover. Ross and Sophia are destined to be together and Ross is a hero worthy of total happiness. The discovery that Sophia's brother did not die and in fact has become, unbeknownst to everyone, Ross's sworn enemy added a twist to the story that could have become a painful cliche typical of historical romances but Kleypas handles the obstacle with a flair that sets up the stage for the last installment of this series. Nick Gentry's story is told in Worth Any Price.

Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh

Since I'm at it I guess I should note that I started reading another book that is promising to be much easier and much more light hearted. I think I'm into no brainers.

Slightly Sinful by Mary Balogh

If I have never talked to you about this author let me take a moment to tell you that she is one of my all time favorites. Everything she writes is golden (or everything that I have read of hers). The Bedwyn Series is her latest accomplishment and Sinful is the fifth installment in the series. There are two prequels that I tend to count as part of the series because you can't read one without having read the other. The series is as follows:
One Night for Love
A Summer to Remember
Slightly Married
Slightly Wicked
Slightly Scandalous
Slightly Tempted
Slightly Sinful
and
Slightly Dangerous (coming out in June)

Sinful is the story of Alleyne and what happened to him when he disappeared during the battle at Waterloo in Slightly Tempted. Tempted was the story of Morgan (the youngest Bedwyn). During that book Alleyne was sent to deliver a letter to the Duke of Wellington at the frontline of the battle. On his return Alleyne was wounded and found by Rachel York, who was scourging the countryside in search of goods that could be removed from the dead soldiers. She rescues Alleyne from certain death by taking him to the surgeon who removes the bullet from his thigh but when he awakens he find himself with amnesia.

When Alleyne awakens he find himself in a brothel. Rachel lets him believe that she works there when in fact she is lady. He discovers her rouse after he makes loves to her and takes her virginity. He then gets the whole story.

Rachel has been robbed of her possessions by a schemer (Rev. Crawley) and the owners of the brothel are trying to get some money to pursue the man, in hopes that they can get the money he has stolen from them. In a scheme that will get them Rachel's inheritance, Alleyne finds himself posing as Rachel's husband for her Uncle who is her guardian and must approve of her marriage before releasing her inheritance to her.

As you can see the plot gets to be very interesting and Balogh's gifted writing makes the reading a pleasure. I am halfway through the book and will be back with my final thoughts when I'm finished.

Stealing Heaven by Madeline Hunter

I finished Stealing Heaven last Friday. I was a little disappointed but I think it has more to do with my mood and not the book itself. The book was very sober. There was no humor in it at all, yet there was not alot of angst either. It was just very serious.

Marcus and Nesta find themselves at the opposite corners of a war. Marcus is sworn to the King while Nesta is commited to her Welsh countrymen. She has become a sort of icon for their cause and she is obligated to pursue the cause her father has entrusted her with.

The problem is that her commitment to this cause is really an act of treason and if caught she would have to be executed. This is something that Marcus, who has fallen in love with her, cannot permit, thus putting him in a very difficult situation, one that borders on treason itself. Marcus has to walk a very fine line in order to save Nesta and avoid the war that her coutrymen seem impelled to fight.

The book was entertaining but too easy to put down.

Finished Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Finished Romancing Mr. Bridgerton last night. I was disappointed in Colin. I had placed him on a pedestal as did Penelope and he let us both down being... human? I guess, I didn't feel he had truely done anything to earn Penelope's love. She proved to be the strong character.

Started reading:
Stealing Heaven by Madeline Hunter

This is the third in Hunter's medieval series. It's the story of Marcus, who is the brother of Joan, the heroine in By Design. He has been given a reluctant bride and when he sneaks in to her house to catch a peak at her, he confuses her sister with his future wife. The kiss they shared that night haunts him and he becomes obsessed with his future sister in law, eventually falling in love with her.

Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

I thought it was about time I started posting on my blog...
Yeah, I started this back in March and yet I still haven't posted a single review, even though I have read over 20 books since then. I keep saying I will start posting when I have made it pretty but I think I should just bite the bullet and get going.
So...

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

This is the story of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Through out the Bridgerton series we have read about Penelope and, at many times, felt sorry for her. She is the epitome of what a Wallflower is.
Lady Whistledown is unveiled in this book and in turn retires... I wonder what Quinn will do to keep up abreast of the tons going ons in future installments of the Bridgerton series (there are still four Bridgerton stories to be told).
At times I felt like slapping Colin over the head. He just didn't get it. I did love the fact that he accepted his feelings for Penelope without hesitation. He actually was looking forward to being with her. And Penelope... not much of a surprise to find her a strong female role since we had gotten glimpse of that strength before as she endured season after season of ridicule. Still have a third of the book to go but I am enjoying it thoroughly.