As an Earl Desires by Lorraine Heath

Delightful love story

5 stars

Archibald Warner was a simple teacher until a death elevated him to the new Earl of Sachse. With the rules of the ton overwhelming him, Arch is glad to have Camilla, the former Earl’s young widow to help tutor him through the pitfalls of high society and help find him the perfect bride.

But Arch is convinced that he has found the perfect bride in Camilla. He seduces her with his kisses and tempts her with his touch yet she still resists his advances. When Camilla’s past comes to light and Arch uncovers the secrets that haunt her eyes, he must make a decision that will change their lives forever.

I have enjoyed Lorraine Heath’s books before and this book just reminded me of what a good storyteller she is. As seems to be the norm for Heath, the book is very character driven with the main story being about how Arch and Camilla interact with each other and fall in love.

The love story is very emotional and I just adored both Arch and Camilla. Arch is a wonderful hero – determined to do the right thing while battling his desires for Camilla. Camilla herself was the standout character for me as she was both strong willed while also being so vulnerable and in need of the love of a good man. Together the pair are perfect for each other and the ending, or more importantly the epilogue, is just dreamy!

This book is the first in a trilogy (coming before A Matter of Temptation and Promise Me Forever) but apparently both Arch and Camilla first appeared in Heath’s Love With A Scandalous Lord. The books do appear to all stand alone though so there’s no need to read them in order.

Overall this is a really well written, emotional and satisfying love story that I’m sure you will really enjoy. Definitely worth 5 stars.

Just Wicked Enough by Lorraine Heath

Tender and sweet Victorian romance

5 Stars

In desperate need of money, Michael Treymayne, Marquess of Falconridge takes the only option open to him and auctions himself, and his title, to the highest bidder.

Headstrong, independent and alluring American Kate Rose was the last person that Michael would have picked as his bride and now he is stuck with her as his wife. Unfortunately for Michael, Kate only wants one thing from the marriage. Love.

Michael is just as stubborn as Kate and as the pair battle to see who will gain the upper hand in their marriage, they both realise that perhaps they are a match after all.

This book is set in 1888 and starts off roughly where the first book in the Rogues and Roses series (A Duke of Her Own) left off. Despite this, there is no real reason to read the books in order as this book stands alone quite nicely.

I just love a man who is strong and brave yet so vulnerable and lonely on the inside. Michael deserves love more than most heroes and it was lovely to see him find happiness with Kate. The book had some lovely, tender moments and some great chemistry between Kate and Michael despite having few love scenes.

I’m really starting to enjoy Lorraine Heath’s books. She always manages to deliver great emotion and romance that will make you smile. If you enjoy books by Sabrina Jeffries and Cathy Maxwell then I would recommend this book to you. 5 stars.

A Duke of Her Own by Lorraine Heath

Engaging and emotional Victorian romance

4 Stars

Lady Louisa Wentworth is 26 and impoverished – two reasons she knows means she will never marry. So she takes a position as a chaperone to a pair of American heiresses, determined to find them the most suitable husbands in London.

The Duke of Hawkhurst is far from being the suitable gentleman that Louisa hopes for her charges but he is desperate for money and decides that an American heiress is the perfect solution. Deciding on a plot to trap an heiress, Hawk finds himself in a bind when it’s Louisa that gets caught.

I have to admit that when I first started to read this story I found it quite slow. However it really picked up and turned into a really enjoyable, emotional read.

I liked that the writing made you believe the characters and really understand their changing feelings and emotions. I enjoyed both Louisa and Hawk as characters and felt the emotional connection the pair had. There weren’t very many love scenes but the book was delightfully sensual.

This is the first book in the Rogues and Roses series followed by Kate’s story in Just Wicked Enough. I’m hoping that there will be more books to the series soon.

Despite the slow start, I found this to be an emotional and romantic Victorian novel that I very much enjoyed and would recommend. 4 stars.