BOOK REVIEW: To Trust a Rogue by Christi Caldwell

Title: To Trust a Rogue

Author: Christi Caldwell

Series: The Heart of Duke #8

Genre: Historical Romance 

Blurb

A rogue 

Marcus, the Viscount Wessex has carefully crafted the image of rogue and charmer for polite Society. Under that façade, however, dwells a man whose dreams were shattered almost eight years earlier by a young lady who captured his heart, pledged her love, and then left him, with nothing more than a curt note. 

A widow 

Eight years earlier, faced with no other choice, Mrs. Eleanor Collins, fled London and the only man she ever loved, Marcus, Viscount Wessex. She has now returned to serve as a companion for her elderly aunt with a daughter in tow. Even though they’re next door neighbors, there is little reason for her to move in the same circles as Marcus, just in case, she vows to avoid him, for he reminds her of all she lost when she left. 

Reunited 

As their paths continue to cross, Marcus finds his desire for Eleanor just as strong, but he learned long ago she’s not to be trusted. He will offer her a place in his bed, but not anything more. Only, Eleanor has no interest in this new, roguish man. The more time they spend together, the protective wall they’ve constructed to keep the other out, begin to break. With all the betrayals and secrets between them, Marcus has to open his heart again. And Eleanor must decide if it’s ever safe to trust a rogue. 

My Review

5/5 stars

“It is me and you, as it always meant to be and as it has always truly been.”

Christi Caldwell never disappoints. From her renowned wallflowers to her scandalous rogues, I can definitely say now that I will read anything this woman writes. She carries every word with ease and an escalating excitement in every page. 

To Trust a Lord shows another side of Christi Caldwell that I reeeaaallly love. With the succeeding books she’s been releasing, I’ve been continuously supplied with a new “Christi Caldwell” feels that is so different from the last book. She keeps getting better and better with every book. 

This book was a hypnotizing mix of love, betrayal, revenge, hope, and reconciliation. Miss Christi effortlessly tied this complicated storyline with such ease and emotion that it was totally impossible for me to drop it when I started reading it. There was an element of suspense with how details unfolded that kept the whole reading experience more exhilarating. The story was so sweet, heart-quenching, and fun all at the same time. This is definitely the kind of book that soothes every freaking mood I have. I can read this a couple of times and still love every bit of it. Now it’s getting harder to pick a favorite Christi Caldwell book…

BOOK REVIEW: The Heart of a Scoundrel by Christi Caldwell

BLURB

Ruthless, wicked, and dark, the Marquess of Rutland rouses terror in the breast of ladies and nobleman alike. All Edmund wants in life is power. After he was publically humiliated by his one love Lady Margaret, he vowed vengeance, using Margaret’s niece, as his pawn. Except, he’s thwarted by another, more enticing target--Miss Phoebe Barrett.

Miss Phoebe Barrett knows precisely the shame she’s been born to. Because her father is a shocking letch she’s learned to form her own opinions on a person’s worth. After a chance meeting with the Marquess of Rutland, she is captivated by the mysterious man. He, too, is a victim of society’s scorn, but the more encounters she has with Edmund, the more she knows there is powerful depth and emotion to the jaded marquess.

The lady wreaks havoc on Edmund’s plans for revenge and he finds he wants Phoebe, at all costs. As she’s drawn into the darkness of his world, she risks being destroyed by his ruthlessness. And Phoebe who desires love at all costs, has to determine if she can ever truly trust the heart of a scoundrel.

MY REVIEW

5/5 STARS

I. Am. In. Awe. I've craved and raved for Christi Caldwell's genuine, sweet, and light romances but she absolutely shocked me in The Heart of Scoundrel. For the first time, she ventured into a darker character and a sexier plot. This story just totally stole my heart away. 

His kiss and actions were not the ones of a gentleman gently loving a delicate lady, but rather a primitive male who sought to brand a woman forever his.

Edmund, the Marquess of Rutland, knew revenge and control flowed with the black blood in his veins. He will never tolerate any breathing soul who would dare hurt him. Damn, I love Edmund's character. I've always had a weakness for broken heroes but Edmund was more than broken. He was ignited with strong (although wrong) emotions that drove his actions. Strong emotions that could potentially ruin a lady....or love a lady truly if the strength of that emotion was diverted to love. 

“You deserve a gentleman, a lord with pretty words and an honorable soul, and I know there is little use with the heart of a scoundrel, but I’d give it to you, anyway.”

With Phoebe's scandalous family background that placed her in the least marriageable women in the ton,  all she hoped for in life was a man who would love her truly and travel with her. I loved Phoebe's uniqueness. Her quick wit and desire for knowledge was quite a great source of entertainment. She had the mind of an explorer. She has a capability to see more than just the surface, love more than just the surface. 

With her effervescent spirit, she was spring to his dark winter.

I was completely drawn to this story! Once I started it, I was stuck and couldn't put it down. I've read a almost all of Christi Caldwell's book and yet this one stands out among others. There was a new Christi Caldwell here, a daring, angsty, and  sexy Christi Caldwell. And I looooved it so much! She maintained the easy-flowing vibe that she is known for but this time, she added fire and made the story burn.

ARC REVIEW: Some Like it Scot by Suzanne Enoch

TITLE: Some Like It Scot

AUTHOR: Suzanne Enoch

SERIES: Scandalous Highlanders #4

RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2015

SYNOPSIS

Munro MacLawry has always lived up to his nickname "Bear." Strong and brawny, he's known in his clan to be fiercely protective. Sadly for him, each of his siblings becomes "less highlander" as they get married, and Bear is left rowdy and alone with no one to protect. That is, until a routine hunt leads to the most alluring of creatures…

Catriona MacColl doesn't care to amuse the brash, strong, and sexy highlander she stumbles upon in the woods. She's too busy hiding with her sister from marriage into English society. Already well-equipped with a bull's-eye shot, she doesn't need a protector, no matter how badly her body burns for him. But as Cat's boyish nature gives way to her more feminine desires, she'll have to stop fighting the tide and listen to her heart… 

MY REVIEW

4.5/5 STARS

*An e-ARC was given by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* 

I'm addicted to the MacLawrys! Suzanne Enoch has unleashed her magic again with the story of the last unmarried MacLawry. I enjoyed every bit of this story. The adventures, the heat, the suspense, and the romance were all tied into one marvelous jampacked book that I really loved. 

“I’d tell ye to stop driving me mad, wildcat, but ye do that just by breathing.” 

Catriona MacColl and her sister Elizabeth needed to escape their ill fates. Finding themselves in the middle of the MacLawry territory, a rival to their clan Macdonald, Cat would do and risk anything to keep her sister safe. Cat is probably one of my most favorite Highland heroine ever. She was extraordinary and independent. The rush of her courage and the sharpness of her tongue has been a constant source of interest throughout the whole book. Cat is the opposite of most heroines, most of her qualities fitting a hero that an heiress, but Miss Suzanne Enoch built her character with marvelous skill that Cat was just total badass but still very female altogether. 

“I’ll release ye, Catriona,” he rumbled, something sharp and compelling at the edge of his words, “but I willnae let ye go. Nae just yet.” 

Munro MacLawry, Bear to most people, fought with fists and not much with his wits. But with meeting a Highland Cat that inflicted desire, love, lust, and passion in his veins, Bear adds another weapon of choice. This time he will fight with his heart.
Bear was a constant source of feels throughout the book. His patience, strength, determination, and heart were a spellbinding mix of unending entertainment and action. I think he just became my favourite MacLawry! 

“That I will love ye from my first breath in the morning to my last breath at night, and all through my dreams.” 

Suzanne Enoch continues to prove that she possesses one of the most captivating prose in this genre. Her spell-binding words paired with her extraordinary plots and fun characters have kept me up for hours, battling whether to want the story to finish or to wish it never ends. Some Like It Scot had everything I wanted from a book and more! Its unique plot has kept my interest up from the first page to the last and still had me wanting more! It was fast-paced, gripping, entertaining, hot, and all-out marvelous. 

NEW RELEASE & REVIEW: Captivated by a Lady's Charm by Christi Caldwell

TITLE: Captivated by a Lady's Charm

AUTHOR: Christi Caldwell

SERIES: Lords of Honor #2

RELEASE DATE: September 12, 2015

AMAZON • NOOK • iBOOKS • KOBO

 

MY REVIEW
4.5/5 STARS

Another gem from Miss Christi Caldwell! She really lives up to my expectation each time I pick up one of her new books. Captivated by a Lady's Heart was like a waltz; slow, intimate, and warm with unexpected turns of emotions and events. Although her familiar, sweet, and ever-loved characters continue to enchants, Miss Caldwell gets better and better!

This woman fit not at all into the plans forced upon him as marquess and yet she drew him like a Siren hopelessly battering him at sea.

Lady Prudence Tidemore has already accustomed herself into tapping her foot into the music of the waltz, content by just imagining herself dancing. Tainted by the scandalous acts of love her brother and sisters have gone through, she found herself in a doubtful situation of gaining a husband. Pru was a refreshing character. She might be shackled by the scandals of her siblings but she was a free soul. I admired her quick wit and free mind, honesty, and passion.

At best he was a rogue. At worst he was a coward.

Marquess of St. Cyr, the title Christian Villiers have recently filled in, brought less than the grandness of its title. It brought an insurmountable amount of debt and the fastest and only solution he had was to marry a lady with a fat dowry. Christian was a great mix of bravery and fear. His firm and devoted hold on making sure his family was in a good state was admirable, but I revelled on the time when he would slip into the sweet and caring man than he really was. I love the contrast of his confidence and brokenness. Although his strength as a hero wasn’t dependent on his title and power, Christian still possessed the endearing strength of valour and devotion.

“I was not supposed to care. I did not want to find a woman who cared for me and respected me, but you were always there and I always wanted you to be there.”

The book was continuously delightful. There wasn't a part of it that bore me. The plot was generally light and easy-going but there were certain sparks and steamy scenes that escalated the story from light to gripping. The characters were consistently interesting and their chemistry was beautifully established! I just really couldn’t put it down the moment I read it. I can’t wait for what’s next of Christi Caldwell's books!  

BOOK REVIEW: Loved by a Duke by Christi Caldwell

 TITLE: Loved by a Duke

AUTHOR: Christi Caldwell

SERIES: The Heart of a Duke #4

RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2015

For ten years, Lady Daisy Meadows has been in love with Auric, the Duke of Crawford. Ever since his gallant rescue years earlier, Daisy knew she was destined to be his Duchess. Unfortunately, Auric sees her as his best friend's sister and nothing more. But perhaps, if she can manage to find the fabled heart of a duke pendant, she will win over the heart of her duke.

Auric, the Duke of Crawford enjoys Daisy's company. The last thing he is interested in however, is pursuing a romance with a woman he’s known since she was in leading strings. This season, Daisy is turning up in the oddest places and he cannot help but notice that she is no longer a girl. But Auric wouldn’t do something as foolhardy as to fall in love with Daisy. He couldn’t. Not with the guilt he carries over his past sins... Not when he has no right to her heart...But perhaps, just perhaps, she can forgive the past and trust that he’d forever cherish her heart—but will she let him?

 

 

I’ve been a constant follower of Christi Caldwell since I started reading her books and she has kept my interest without fail. Loved by a Duke was a tantalizing tale of love, friendship, and loyalty. It’s definitely one of Christi Caldwell’s best!

“Lady Daisy Meadows.” The lady who refused to stay buried in the proper chambers of his mind.

Lady Daisy Meadows was invisible. She was used to being out of the ton’s sights. She didn’t care much, though. She only wanted to capture one person’s attention anyway. I can’t put into words how much I loved Daisy’s character! One would expect she’d be drunk on her own insecurities and would be playing the traditional damsel in distress role. But Daisy possessed an infectious sense of positivity and vigour that made her unique. Christi Caldwell did a magnificent job in balancing her vulnerabilities and highlighting her strengths.

She’d merely thought his feelings were those reserved for a younger sister. Where she had loved him with a woman’s heart.

Auric, the 8th Duke of Crawford is in search for his duchess. After losing his battle to win Lady Anne’s heart, Auric had to find another woman worthy of his family name. Little did he know that he already had her for more than a decade... There were a number of times in the book when I wanted to hit Auric hard in the head. He was stubborn but I guess it was part of his unique charm and I won’t fall in love with him this much if it wasn’t for his dukish ways. If Daisy was a contrast of vulnerability and strength, Auric was a perfect mix of power and passion. Man, that duke could charm!

She’d tasted of springtime and life and innocence and he’d wanted to drown himself in the sweetness of her.

There was something really special with Auric and Daisy’s relationship. Although half of the time, Daisy was mooning over Auric and Auric was doing everything to fight what he felt for Daisy, there was an unspoken attraction between them that pulled me from page to page. The way they knew each other, the way they reminisced their childhood together, and that fondness that prompted that fiery passion between them.

I must say that Christi Caldwell stepped up on this one! There was more heat and more pull, the story progressed wonderfully, each scene more felt and engaging. Versed with Christi Caldwell’s engaging prose and characters that will keep readers wanting, Loved by a Duke is a sweet and emotionally-stirring story that appeals to every lover of happily-ever-afters!

 

BOOK REVIEW: More Than A Duke (The Heart of a Duke #2) by Christi Caldwell

SYNOPSIS

 Polite Society doesn’t take Lady Anne Adamson seriously. However, Anne isn’t just another pretty young miss. When she discovers her father betrayed her mother’s love and her family descended into poverty, Anne comes up with a plan to marry a respectable, powerful, and honorable gentleman— a man nothing like her philandering father.

Armed with the heart of a duke pendant, fabled to land the wearer a duke’s heart, she decides to enlist the aid of the notorious Harry, 6th Earl of Stanhope. A scoundrel with a scandalous past, he is the last gentleman she'd ever wed...however, his reputation marks him the perfect man to school her in the art of seduction so she might ensnare the illustrious Duke of Crawford.

Harry, the Earl of Stanhope is a jaded, cynical rogue who lives for his own pleasures. Having been thrown over by the only woman he ever loved so she could wed a duke, he’s not at all surprised when Lady Anne approaches him with her scheme to capture another duke’s affection. He’s come to appreciate that all women are in fact greedy, title-grasping, self-indulgent creatures. And with Anne’s history of grating on his every last nerve, she is the last woman he’d ever agree to school in the art of seduction. Only his friendship with the lady’s sister compels him to help.

What begins as a pretend courtship, born of lessons on seduction, becomes something more, leaving Anne to decide if she can give her heart to a reckless rogue, and Harry must decide if he’s willing to again trust in a lady’s love. 

MY REVIEW

5 stars 

I was totally captivated by this book! Christi Caldwell's thorough and unpredictable placing of events had me stuck on the couch reading this gem in one seating! The conversation never bores, the characters are entertaining, and the turn of events will grip you until the end.

She was a veritable dessert a man could feast on for the remainder of his days, and just then, he wanted to be that man.
Lady Anne Arlette Adamson was a fun character to explore. She was a fearless, sophisticated, and motivated heroine who had me amused throughout the story. She was pretty in the eye of the ton but she showed me she was more beautiful behind her facade. After her twin sister Katherine managed to marry a duke, Anne was more motivated to snag herself a duke. And this time, she wasn't going to play the pretty little proper miss. She was going to seduce the Duke of Crawford. But in order to do that, she needed to seek help from one of the most notorious rakes of the ton...

I tried love once before. I'll not give myself over to weak sentiments.
Henry Falston, the 6th Earl of Stanhope, just became one of my favorite heroes! His quick wit and his effortless wicked charm just captured my heart fully. He was a perfect mix of naughty, nice, and a little angst. And he knew Lady Anne's kind quite well. She was part of the pretty, ambitious, and title-hungry women of the ton. He had his own bitter taste of that fruit before and he was never going to taste it again. So when Lady Anne Adamson, the cheeky and annoying sister of his best friend Katherine, asked for his help in the art of seduction, his immediate answer was NO. But when she threatened asking another rake worse than he is, he had no choice but to accept. He just didn't know that a part of what he will accept was his growing feelings towards the lady...

"You called me love."
"Why, yes. I believe I did. I imagine that is vastly suitable when a man loves a woman as hopelessly and helplessly as I love you."
The natural but strong attraction between Harry and Anne was one of the major delights of the book. Every encounter was a scene to remember, every kiss and touch was a tug to the heart. Christi Caldwell's ability to prolong each feeling with her mesmerizing writing style gave me a book-hangover. Her characters are affective, entertaining, and fun, effortlessly marking their own names in my mind. The scenes were entertaining and kept me reading, thirsting for the rest of the story but wanting it to last. Christi Caldwell sure got me hooked on this series!

BOOK Review: For the Love of the Duke (The Heart of a Duke #1) by Christi Caldwell

SYNOPSIS

After the tragic death of his wife, Jasper, the 8th Duke of Bainbridge buried himself away in the dark cold walls of his home, Castle Blackwood. When he’s coaxed out of his self-imposed exile to attend the amusements of the Frost Fair, his life is irrevocably changed by his fateful meeting with Lady Katherine Adamson.

With her tight brown ringlets and silly white-ruffled gowns, Lady Katherine Adamson has found her dance card empty for two Seasons. After her father’s passing, Katherine learned the unreliability of men, and is determined to depend on no one, except herself. Until she meets Jasper…

In a desperate bid to avoid a match arranged by her family, Katherine makes the Duke of Bainbridge a shocking proposition—one that he accepts.

Only, as Katherine begins to love Jasper, she finds the arrangement agreed upon is not enough. And Jasper is left to decide if protecting his heart is more important than fighting for Katherine’s love.

MY REVIEW 

4.5 Stars 

I did not expect this book to touch me so much. Reading the teaser left me unsuspecting with the story line, giving me the initial reaction that it might be cliched. But Christi Caldwell delivered the familiar storyline with such a unique breath of writing and interesting scenes that had me enjoying each flip of the book. Her characters captured my interests, entertained me, made me cry, and hope throughout the story.

Over the years, Jasper had embraced the stark coldness that filled him.
Jasper Waincourt, 8th Duke of Bainbridge was a character I was really interested with. With a stern and stoic personality, a single smile and affection he exhibited had me smiling at weird hours of the day. Christi Caldwell constructed him with a hard-wired, arrogant role that each expression from him felt priceless for me as a reader. Jasper lived a miserable life after witnessing the death of his wife and child. That circumstance had him branded as the Mad Duke and he religiously lived it, thinking he deserved the misery of the title. Jasper sworn he will never allow himself to experience that dark moment again by staying in the dark. But then a stroke of light entered his life. A light as white as snow....

She reminded him of the fresh innocence he'd possessed, of a simpler time, of the joy he'd known, before his world had fallen apart.
Lady Katherine Adamson possessed the lady spunk that I love in my kind of heroines. She's a kind soul with a loving heart but she possessed an admirable strength of tenacity and the willingness to sacrifice. She spoke her mind when needed and allowed her temper to play when she believes it's necessary. I enjoyed her time-to-time "explosions" as they took Jasper off-guard. Hah. When her father died and left their family financially "shaky", Katherine knew she had to do the next move. With their eldest sister married to a marquess, Katherine didn't want her family to solely depend on them so she sought out her sister Anne's advice on finding an enchanted necklace that will help her have the heart of a duke. Little did she know that she has found him the same day she found the necklace.

Life is horrible and unfair and terrifying. But those are not reasons to stop living.
The contrast in Jasper and Catherine's personalities was an entertaining mix. I loved each scene, whether it contained their sparring of words or a declaration of affection (although I must really admit that I love it when they pissed each other). Their character connection was instantaneous and effortless but fierce, which made each encounter exciting and passion-filled. I loved this story. It kept me flipping pages until two in the morning. I just coulnd't let Jasper stay an A-hole and not see his own demise when he admits he loved Katherine! And I wasn't disappointed. Christi Caldwell is another historical romance author I will look out for!

 

Book Review: Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover (The Rules of Scoundrels #4) by Sarah MacLean

SYNOPSIS:

 

She is the most powerful woman in Britain,
A queen of the London Underworld ...
But no one can ever know.

He is the only man smart enough to uncover the truth,
Putting all she has at risk . . .
Including her heart.

                                                                           ******

By day, she is Lady Georgiana, sister to a Duke, ruined before her first season in the worst kind of scandal. But the truth is far more shocking—in London’s darkest corners, she is Chase, the mysterious, unknown founder of the city’s most legendary gaming hell. For years, her double identity has gone undiscovered . . . until now.

Brilliant, driven, handsome-as-sin Duncan West is intrigued by the beautiful, ruined woman who is somehow connected to a world of darkness and sin. He knows she is more than she seems and he vows to uncover all of Georgiana’s secrets, laying bare her past, threatening her present, and risking all she holds dear . . . including her heart.

MY REVIEW:

 
Chase has been a continuous mystery since I started reading this series. And when I found out that Chase was a she, goddamit, I counted every single day until the book came out! AND. OH. MY. GOSH. IT WAS SO GOOD!

Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover is an intelligently written book with a whole lot of wit, angst, passion, unpredictable events, and a touch of tenderness enough to threaten your tear ducts. Starting the novel was a pleasure but ending it was harder than I thought! Just the mere fact that this might be the last time I will be able to have a full glimpse of the Fallen Angel men and woman sends a sad quenching in my heart. Might because I am in denial and still holding on the hope that maybe there’s a novella or maybe Langely would have a story just so I could take a glimpse on these characters I’ve been attached to for years.

Sarah MacLean just knows how to make really great characters. Every single one of them was thought out carefully and was adorned with unique qualities that made them stand out from other book's characters. Chase is probably the most badass heroine I have ever read about in a historical romance. She had spunk, power, confidence, and wit that could shame gentlemen higher than her rank. I totally loved her background story from being a teenage mother to the most powerful person in London. She was a woman with a man's mind. It was so amazing how Miss Sarah was able to stabilize Chase femininity despite that character's maleness in the pervious books. I am still appalled by how I wasn't able to detect Chase was a she on the first two books!

West is a character with a facade of success, wisdom, and serenity. But deep inside him hides a man with a dark past and an identity once revealed will threaten his present and his future. Together, as a couple, they had a chemistry that started out as a spark and escalated into a fiery need for each other. I can really tell that Chase and Duncan were made for each other in all aspects. They both have matching wits, a past they both wanted to get through, the same determination in doing anything for the people they love, and the equal amount of a rational and an unconditional love for each other.

A teeeeeeeny tiny drawback that I felt was on the discovery of both Duncan’s real identity and Georgiana’s identity as Chase. Since the first page, the impending revelation of their identities had me intrigued, building a strong and high expectation on the scene when they finally find out about each other’s hidden selves. But when it came there, I felt like my expectations were cut shorter than what I expected. I expected a surge of emotions but what I had wasn’t as strong as I imagined. Nevertheless, this didn’t cause a significant effect on the awesomeness of the book.

The story had me anticipating from page to page but held me back because of the fear that it will end. It’s the kind of story that will consume you so listen when I say you have to reserve a full reading time for this one. The dynamics of the characters will insert a hundred strings through your heart and tug all at the same time. Other than Duncan’s very sweet and possessive relationship with Georgiana, what really melted my heart was how Bourne, Temple, and Cross cared for Chase. How they care for her, love her, protect her, annoy her, and support her was part of the romance of this story. It’s been a great journey with you, Rules of Scoundrels series. But can we please have more?

Book Review: Three Weeks with Lady X (Desperate Duchesses #7) by: Eloisa James

 SYNOPSIS:

 

Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized façade, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks.

But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them.

Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option.

But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose...

His fierce and lawless heart.

MY REVIEW: 

 

The moment I started reading this book, I had a hunch that it will a good read. I was wrong. Good was an understatement. Exceptionally great would cover the feeling but not quite. I might need a few hundred synonyms of great and exceptional to describe the book.
Lady India and Lord Thorn are interesting characters that showed a facade that I wanted so much to rip and explore. Both of them face social expectations that led into their own personal issues and I loved how Miss Eloisa carefully balanced the insecurity and pride of the characters. Lord Vander, a secondary character in the story had me at, “I don’t care if she looks like an apple seller. I want to feel passion for the woman I marry.” I can't wait for his story!!!
Thorn's claim that India was made for him towards the end of the story was evident since their first meeting. In fact, I felt the strong connection between the two of them even before they met. The progress of their relationship was like raging bulls trying to break out, held only by a barrier of not fully knowing each other. But when the feelings were out, wow, the emotions were disarming.
Another thing that I could say, if I had not said enough, was that each scene was perfectly timed. I loved how Miss Eloisa did an oops-it's-not-time-for-us-to-do-this-yet feeling between Thorn and India even if the attraction was already evident. That built the anticipation throughout the book. But the great thing was while I was anticipating for Thorn and India's next encounter, the preceding scenes have kept me entertained until "the anticipated" came. At that moment I thought that maybe Miss Eloisa is an expert at making beverages because she so beautifully stirred my emotions at the exact flavor I want it to be stirred. Or maybe even more.
No scene was boring and skip-worthy. No dialogue was useless and careless. Everything was perfectly in place. How great (plus 200 other synonyms) was the story? Let's just say that after reading the book, I took a moment to pause and stare at our ceiling to allow myself to just feel the whirlwind of emotions I just experienced. Eloisa James never fails.

Book Review: Darling Beast (Maiden Lane #7) by Elizabeth Hoyt

SYNOPSIS:

 

A MAN CONDEMNED …Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown’s soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he’s quickly driven to distraction …

A DESPERATE WOMAN …

London’s premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she’s forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren’t the only inhabitants—a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES

Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he’s forced to make a choice: his love for Lily … or the explosive truth that will set him free.

 

MY REVIEW:

I have been a fan of Miss Elizabeth since I started reading her works. I’ve always seen her as a fairy putting magical fairy dusts on every book she writes because each one of them are impossible to put down.

Out of all the books from the Maiden Lane series, this is the book I was so excited about. Although Miss Elizabeth is known for her unique and unusual characters, to me, Apollo Greaves stood out from the rest. An accused madman and murderer, Apollo spent 4 years of his life inside Bedlam and was rendered mute for some time when jailguards stepped on his throat. His character was so very interesting that I think I pay extra attention to every dialogue he wrote or spoke. Miss Elizabeth has successfully captured my complete interest in Apollo and that seldom happens to me as a reader.

As I read Darling Beast, I felt like the pages of my book was rendered the gift of life because they just kept turning and turning and turning and turning. Every end of a chapter was a successfully-built cliffhanger so stopping was impossible. The scenes written by Miss Elizabeth has effortlessly invaded my own emotions as if she knew exactly what to state to make me cry, laugh, and just plain feel. I remember how I emotional I felt when Apollo has spoken Indio’s name for the very first time. It was a real challenge not to stand up, jump like crazy, and shout “YES!”.

Yet again, Miss Elizabeth has proven her amazing skills in creating characters that will mark a space in a readers heart and stay there. The Duke of Montgomery became my favorite secondary character in this novel. His wit (or rather his self-proclaimed possession of insurmountable knowledge) entertained me throughout his last scene. Edwin, Lily’s brother was a surprise because I really thought he was part of the “bad guys”. Indio is one of my favorite parts in the story. His strong bond with Apollo was just plain disarming. Daffodil was a treat too!

Lastly, I would note on the beautiful dynamics of the characters and the story all together. It seems like everything is perfect. The relationships of the characters are clear and realistic, fun and interesting, and so very very admirable. The story was just perfect. I experienced an after-reading paralysis and was unable to proceed to another book. It was THAT beautiful.