Forbidden Fantasy by Cheryl Holt

Fairly standard erotic historical fiction

3 stars

Ever since she was a child, Lady Caroline Foster was betrothed to an esteemed Viscount. Now, 25 years later, her supposed fiancé has jilted her and in a rush to avoid any scandal, Caroline finds herself engaged to a man old enough to be her father. Needing someone to help her, she seeks advice from her ex-fiancé's illegitimate brother - the only man she's ever kissed.

Ian Clayton has been infatuated with Caroline for years and he can't quite believe that she is seeking him out and offering him all sorts of scandalous things. Things that he should refuse but that he just can't say no to. But as their relationship blossoms into something neither expected - there are more than a few obstacles to overcome and more than a few people who would gladly stop at nothing to make sure the pair are kept apart.

This was the follow on story from Complete Abandon and having been set up in that previous book, I was very much looking forward to reading about Caroline and Ian's romance. Unfortunately, it didn't really quite live up to my expectations.

Both Ian and Caroline were interesting characters and were well developed and people you could ultimately identify with and like. They had the necessary chemistry and the sex scenes were hot, although perhaps a little less emotionally involved and perfunctory than I would have liked.

The plot itself was well developed, quite dark at times and if anyone deserved a happy ending after what they were put through it was Caroline and Ian. We even had a very good secondary romance which I enjoyed very much.

My reasons for only giving the book three stars were as follows: The use of modern language and Americanisms was too numerous to count. The pages were littered with them and it really began to grate after a while. I can live with a few inaccuracies for the sake of a good story but this was too much. And probably more importantly - I just didn't understand why the characters were behaving the way they were. We are never really told why Caroline first seeks out Ian, or why Ian leaves her, etc etc. It was sometimes as if we weren't being told of their motivations or thoughts and feelings.

This is still an interesting book and one that is well written and engaging. It's really not Cheryl Holt's best book but if you're a fan and want to read the story of Ian and Caroline then you still will want to take a look. Unfortunately only 3 stars.

Complete Abandon by Cheryl Holt

Engrossing and titillating historic romance

4 stars

When Emma Fitzgerald, the local vicar’s daughter, storms into the home of John Clayton, the new Viscount Wakefield, she gets more than an eyeful when she witnesses him in the middle of a tryst with his mistress. Despite her curiosity, she is still outraged over his treatment of his tenants and she plans to be the one to take this infamous rake to task.

John has never been treated like a naughty schoolboy and certainly never been admonished by a woman – especially one as spirited and lovely as Emma. Despite her prim exterior, she manages to shock him further when she proposes a bargain: in return for his kindness to his tenants, she will offer herself to him. Completely.

John is determined to win back the upper hand in their battle yet as he introduces Emma to the art of sex, she might just be introducing him to the art of love.

I very much enjoyed this uncomplicated story about two people, so wrong for each other, yet who cannot stay away from each other. How they come together and ultimately fall in love is a delight and I could barely put the book down.

Emma was such a refreshing heroine. Real, spunky, with morals, yet not able to deny her attraction and desire for John. John was also a wonderfully written hero. He was unashamedly arrogant, handsome and virile yet underneath was lonely and looking for someone to love him. The way that Cheryl Holt managed to have him be so needy yet still completely alpha male made him a joy to read about.

The book is unashamedly erotic and the sex scenes, which are plentiful, fairly scorch the pages of this book. Personally, I didn’t feel that many of the characters would have behaved like they did had they truly been from Regency times – but this book really is more of a historical fantasy escape than a true to life read – so I was happy to forgive the inaccuracies.

There were a few Americanisms that crept in to the book which was jarring, but overall, this was a very engrossing erotic historical romance and one that I would happily recommend. The book also nicely sets up Ian Clayton’s story (Forbidden Fantasy) which I am now very keen to read. Fun, fresh and exciting – definitely worth 4 stars.

Every Night I'm Yours by Christie Kelley

Ordinary and uninspiring Regency romance

2 stars

At twenty six, aspiring novelist Avis Copley is firmly on the shelf. Yet she longs to experience passion just once before she resigns herself to life as a spinster and the man she chooses to teach her is her friend and fellow author, Emory Billingsworth.

Her best friend’s brother, the arrogant and irritating Banning Talbot, Earl of Selby, realises her plans and claims she has made a huge mistake. To protect Avis he makes a bold proposal – he will become her tutor for one night of reckless passion in order to satisfy all her deepest, darkest longings.

Neither Banning nor Avis can predict that one night will turn into many more or just how far an innocent lesson in desire can actually go.

I am very sorry to say that I found this book really quite dull. Avis (which I’m sure is the name of a car hire company!) and Banning are very two-dimensional characters and you never really understand them or their motivations. Their sexual chemistry is almost non-existent and despite really trying, the book built up absolutely no sexual tension before the two main characters actually got together.

I did really love the idea of the plot. It’s not new to have an innocent young lady paired with a jaded and arrogant man, but it’s a storyline that I have enjoyed previously and am happy to read again and again. My problems with it in this particular novel were that again, we never really go deep enough and I felt that I was being told everything rather than being shown. As a result I didn’t believe what was going on and had no emotional interest in the story.

Overall, I didn’t hate this book but I certainly didn’t love it – worse I found it quite ordinary. The writing flowed and I did manage to finish it (albeit almost forcedly!) I just didn’t feel a connection. As a result, I really can’t recommend this book. There are plenty of other much better Regency romances out there and I would suggest you give one of those a try rather than this one. Sadly only 2 stars.

Let Sleeping Rogues Lie by Sabrina Jeffries

Engaging and exciting historical romance
5 stars

Madeline Prescott is determined that her new teaching role at Mrs Harris’s School for Young Ladies will help repair her father’s tarnished reputation. But that is until the devilishly handsome Anthony Dalton, Viscount Norcourt tries to enrol his niece at the school.

With a reputation as a rakehell, there is only one way to ensure that the Viscount is truly willing to change his ways – get him to give “rake lessons” to the pupils to teach them how to learn to avoid unscrupulous gentlemen.

Madeline has always believed attraction is a scientific matter but there is nothing scientific about the way Anthony makes her feel. And as the pair are brought together, first to help the pupils and then to help Madeline’s father – Madeline knows she is playing with fire. For there is nothing more dangerous than a rake. Even more so when is trying so hard to behave himself!


This book is the fourth in Jeffries’ School For Heiresses series (after Never Seduce a Scoundrel, Only a Duke Will Do and Beware A Scot’s Revenge) and is a fantastic addition to the series. Despite that, it also stands alone quite nicely so there is no real need to have read the other books before reading this one.

Both Madeline and Anthony are stand out characters that really make this book. Madeline is intelligent, passionate and every thing she does is for a reason – there are certainly no stupid heroines in a Sabrina Jeffries novel. Anthony is the kind of character that you just love to read about. He’s sexy, alpha, a little arrogant with a dark and tortured past – the perfect hero to be tamed by love! Together the pair have delicious banter and hot chemistry which makes for some scorching reading in parts.

The story is fast paced, interesting and so rich in detail that you can’t help but be transported into the Regency times where this story is set. There is obviously a huge amount of research that has gone in to this book but at no point does it come across like a boring history lesson with the author simply telling us facts about the period for the sake of it. This gives the book an intelligent edge that is sometimes lacking in other books of the same genre.

Overall, this is another wonderful romance from Sabrina Jeffries. Intelligent, engaging, romantic and wonderfully written – you really can’t ask for more from a historical romance and it’s easy to see why Sabrina Jeffries is one of the best. Highly recommended and definitely worth the full 5 stars.

My Secret Admirer

Disappointing Valentine’s Anthology

2 stars

Dangerous Lover – Anne Stuart

When Emma O’Bannion decides to cheer up Luc, Dubois, her mysterious French neighbour, with a little Valentine’s Day surprise – she doesn’t realise that it will put her into such hot water that her heart may never beat normally again.

I’ll have to admit that I don’t think I’ve ever read a story as bad as this one. Emma has 2 boyfriends (don’t get me started!), a great job and a lovely flat and yet she moans all the time. Luc is depicted as a long haired, skulking Frenchman that dresses all in black (complete with bomber jacket) and breaks into the heroine’s flat to go through her underwear – certainly not anyone I would fantasise about! And after Emma is attacked, threatened with death, drugged, kidnapped, tied to a bed in a rundown farmhouse – the first thing she thinks is that Luc (who did all these things to her) could do with a shave which would make him even more attractive! Absolute rubbish – words cannot express how bad this story was.

Once Upon A Mattress – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Amelia Townsend’s Bedroom Fantasies shop is a tremendous hit – even if her love life is at a major low. But being the boss isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as she can’t be seen to favour any of the employees – but especially not delicious Will Murdoch – a man that makes her go weak at the knees. And now, just before Valentine’s Day he shows her some attention… and asks her for her advice on how to pursue another woman!

A very cute story from Vicki Lewis Thompson about two people who feel they are all wrong for each other but can’t help want what they shouldn’t have. Will and Amelia are both lovely characters and the chemistry is sparkling. A very sweet and enjoyable tale.

Special Deliveries – Marisa Carroll

Nine year old Dani Jenson and her little sister think that new girl in town, Christy would make the perfect Valentine for their Dad, Del. So they set about trying to get the pair together by sending Christy some secret admirer notes. Christy and Dell were once the love of each other’s life until one fateful Valentine’s Day ten years ago cahgned everything. But now Christy is back in town and she’s getting some rather odd love notes – but rather than sending her into Del’s arms, it sends her running to the police!

This was an okay story – not very exciting but not very offensive either. The main characters were real enough but lacked any depth or chemistry which made their romantic reunion quite unrealistic and abrupt. Readable and sweet but nothing special – you could afford to miss this story.

Overall, I have to say that I really can’t recommend this anthology. I enjoyed Vicki Lewis Thompson’s story and the third story was fine but not worth shelling out for. And the Anne Stuart story was just so bad that it really drags down the whole book. There are plenty of other excellent anthologies out there so if you’re looking for fun, quick romantic reads then you are sure to find something else more suitable. Only 2 stars.

One For the Road by Crystal Green

Fairly enjoyable road-trip romance

3 stars

Lucy Christie is fed up with her life – a dull job and boring relationships aren’t giving her the excitement she craves. So she and her friend head out for a holiday down the iconic Route 66 for some fun, thrills and no-strings sex.

Lucy’s first conquest is rugged cowboy, Joshua. He’s mysterious, sexy and she’s loving every minute of being with him. But the formerly straight-laced Lucy is determined to keep her ‘stranger’ fantasy just that – so no names, no commitments and no attachments. What she doesn’t count on is Joshua tagging along on their holiday and being determined to seduce her stop after stop.

I liked the idea of a road-trip romance and essentially the book was a fun read but I just didn’t feel connected to the characters and that made it difficult to give the book more than 3 stars.

Lucy was a likeable enough character – a woman who was used to having her life mapped out the way she wanted it and wasn’t much for breaking the rules. While watching her discover herself was nice enough, I don’t really think she would become such a different person in such a short space of time. Joshua was also a fine enough character but we only ever skim the surface of him. This made it as if you were being told about these people but you’re just not sure whether you believe it.

There was a lot of sex within the book and while not bland, the emotional connection wasn’t there for me during these scenes either so it was hard to get too interested in them.

There is also a secondary romance with Lucy’s best friend and the young college student they meet on their trip. Having never been a fan of the younger man-older woman story line, I felt this didn’t add anything to the book and I wanted to skip through these pages to get to the main love story.

Having said all this, the book is still well-written, engaging and you do want to keep reading to find out what happens to the characters. It wasn’t really my cup of tea but I can see many people enjoying it and I would still recommend the book for a lazy afternoon read – it’s just maybe not one for the keeper shelf.

Overexposed by Leslie Kelly

Exciting and sexy Blaze romance

5 stars

Isabella ‘Izzy’ Natale is less than pleased that she’s back working in her family’s bakery rather than working as a dancer as was her dream. So now she’s leading a double life: by day she turns out decadent desserts and by night she transforms into Chicago’s hottest exotic dancer.

Nick Santori is finally out of the army and less than pleased to be back with his over-protective family who just want him to find a ‘nice girl’ and settle down. His reaction to Izzy is anything but nice even if he barely recognises the girl who once had a crush on him as a teenager. But he definitely notices her now.

So what’s a girl to do but show the man of her dreams that little Izzy is now very much grown up?

This is another addition to Kelly’s ‘Santori’s of Chicago’ series and it is a fantastic book to join the set. If you’re keeping up with the family – the book gives you opportunity to catch up with couples from previous books but it does stand alone so there is no need to have read any of the others before reading this one.

With this particular book – I was quite surprised that I not only liked Izzy but identified with her as well. She’s sharp, confident and sassy and I loved her! Nick is such a fantastic hero too and the perfect partner for Izzy. He’s sexy, rugged and tough with a lovely boyish streak in him and someone you wish you could have for yourself! And as I said, the pair work very well together and their chemistry fairly burns up the pages – just delicious.

The plotline is interesting, not in the least bit sleazy and not once relies on boring clichés or obvious tricks. I felt that the history of Nick and Izzy was so strong that you were really cheering for the pair to sort things out and get together - not that the journey to get to the happy ending wasn't very satisfactory to read!

The story is very well developed with writing that is typical of Leslie Kelly – fun, sexy and engaging. If you’re looking for a well-written and hot story with just a smidgen of naughtiness then this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommended.