Anthology - Wish List

It has been a while since I read an Anthology that was really worth recommending, but this one is just that. The stories that comprise the Anthology really make this one worth the time. There were a couple of stories, like Dain's Union and Kleypas' I Will, that actually felt like full length novels, and I think that itself speaks highly of the stories.

Lisa Kleypas contributed the story I Will where Andrew, Lord Drake enlists the help of Miss Caroline Hargreaves to decieve his dying father into believing that he has mended his rotten ways. He has been cut out of his father's will and he already had half of his inheritance spent on gambling and frivolous diversions. He desperately needs the funds so he bribes Caro into assisting him by promising to stay away from her young brother Cade, who is following in Andrew's footsteps. Although we don't get to experience every nuance of the developing love affair, Kleypas gives us enough to root for the couple and be outraged for Caroline when a twist is thrown at the end of the story. Excellent tale! BTW: Andrew is the half brother of Logan Scott, which appeared in an earlier story of Kleypas. (B+)

Lisa Cach contributed Puddings, Pastries and Thou where we meet Vivian Ambrose, who is the poor relation that has been passed around from cousin to cousin for several years now. She arrives at her new "charitable" relations home the night before Xmas, and her cousin's daughter Penelope does not waste a minute to show Vivian her displeasure of having to share her gowns, let alone her first season with Vivian. Vivian, in turn, would like nothing more that to find herself a husband so she no longer will be a burden for her family, so Penelope, tries to put her in the path of Richard Brent. Richard Brent is looking for a wife that will accept him, faults and all. But, what are those faults? and why is it that he is considered less than marriageable material, even for a spinster like Vivian?
I really loved the way we discover Richard's secrets and Vivian's capacity to eat her way out of a difficult situations made this entry a light, pleasurable read. (B)

Claudia Dain gave us the novella Union and although it read like a full length novel, the characters where not as sympathetic as in the other stories in the book. Clarrisa Walingford is on the marriage mart but she is determined to go about her choices with care since she really doesn't marry an Englishman, regardless of the fact that she is English herself. Her goal is to marry a man that has lands in Ireland, her home. Beau Wakefield, Lord Montwyn, owner of a grand estate in Ireland is searching for a bride and believes Clarrisa just might fit the bill, especially after her meddling brothers indirectly challenged him to win her over.
Regardless of the characters or maybe, in spite of them, I found this one funny. Clarrisa and Beau were being easily manipulated by the hordes of brothers she has and it was just plain funny to see these two dance to the brother's tunes without realizing they were doing it. My disappointment in the story was because I really didn't get a feel for the spark between these two. they appear to be attracted to each other but they mostly wanted the union for other reasons. (B-)

Lynsay Sands gives us the last tale in this book, All I Want, which is another funny tale. Prudence Prescott is determined to grant her mother's Christmas wish of having her father stop his gambling and come home. They are on the way to debtor's prison at the rate they are going and Pru is determine to stop the downward spiral, if she could only speak to her father. Stephen Ballard, Lord Stockton, owns the gambling establishment that is frequented by Lord Prescott. He lives on the fringe of society and is dissatisfied with his life, until Pru steps in and turns it all around. I found this one the funniest of all since poor Pru just cannot get anything right and continuously finds herself in Stephen's way, ruining his business and just making a pie of herself. (B)

Grade: B

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Last month I had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series called Then Came You. I knew that this month's TBR challenge was to read "a book that was recommended by someone you "know" (another blogger, author, friend, family member) or got a lot of buzz and that's why you bought it but it's still on your TBR pile" (wow, what a mouthful!). I also knew I wanted to read Derek Craven's story but since it's the second in a series, and I'm a stickler for the order of my books in a series, I picked up the first book last month.

Title: Dreaming of You

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Year published: 1994

Why did you get this book? I love the books that I have read by Kleypas and everyone has something to say about the hero in this book. So, after hearing everyone tell me I HAD to read this one... I did!

Do you like the cover? No really. There is a newer cover that is nicer and although this one was not as bad as the first book in the series, it still was not my favorite.

Did you enjoy the book? Yes, I did.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Not new to me. One of my favorite authors, and with many more titles in her backlist I can delve into.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Already gone!

Anything else? Derek was not the most tortured hero I have read or the most flawed. Although I did enjoy the tale, I honestly think I would have forgotten Derek if it was not for the scar that was left on his face during the first chapter and the way he refused to allow himself anything of value.

Derek is the owner of a very notorious Gaming hell in London. He was raised by prostitutes and he struggled to survive on the streets. He was an ambitious scamp and has become one of the wealthiest men in London. He has tried to improve himself by hiring tutors that have helped him drop his cockney accent.

When the book starts we find him being attacked by two men who slice his face open. Lucky for him Sara Fielding was at hand to shoot one of his attackers and scare the other one away before further harm is done to him.

Sara is researching the gambling world in hopes to gain some accuracy for her next novel. She is most known for her gritty realistic tales, like "Mathilda", which portrays the life of a woman turned into the streets. When she stumbles onto the attack on Craven she doesn't think but reacts, saving Derek's life in the process.

After some wheedling, Derek agrees to allow Sara to come to the club and interview his workers. What he never suspected was that she would gain their trust and admiration while she stole his heart.

I loved that Kleypas was able to portray a truly innocent nature, without her being naive. Sara lives her life through her books and believes it's time to walk out of her pages, but she still holds an air of being pure and untouchable, which is why Derek believes he can never have her.

I greatly enjoyed this book, not just because I thought Derek deserved a break but because the secondary characters were so wonderful. From Derek's butler (his man of affairs really) to the woman that sold their 'wares' at the club.

After Sara returned to the country, Derek's suffering was tangible and when the prostitute comes to tell Sara about Derek going to her bed because she looked a bit like Sara... it was heart wrenching and when at the end he cries in front of what is left of his club, after finding out Sara is not dead. These are the scenes that will stick to me...

Grade: B+

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Kleypas has never disappointed me and this one was no exception. I picked this book from my TBR pile in preparation of June's TBR challenge. The callenge is to read a book that someone has recommended. Everyone's favorite Kleypas hero is Derek Craven and his character is introduced in this story.

More later...

Grade: B+

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.