Review of Eloisa James

Lady Celeste is thrilled to welcome guest reviewer , Susan Knight.  Susan Knight lives in Houston, Texas with her husband of 41 years, Jack. She started reading romance in 2000 when her three sons left the nest. She reads romance because it makes her happy. Lady Celeste met Susan on Facebook, and they found they shared a love of reading. 

Review of FOUR NIGHTS WITH THE DUKE by Eloisa James 

In FOUR NIGHTS WITH THE DUKE by Eloisa James we have Mia Carrington, a jilted romance writer with major body issues. Our hero is Evander Brody, Duke of Pindar, a conceited, unpolished, rough Duke with a chip on his shoulder. Mia has had a crush on Vander since she was fifteen but, that is not why she proposes marriage to him in chapter two. Mia has to use blackmail to make him concede. He barely remembers her. It's complicated. 

Mia's father and Vander's mother have blatantly carried on a twenty year affair while Vander's father was in and out of the madhouse. They are dead now, but it's complicated. Vander reluctantly accepts Mia's proposal. When he realizes the real reason for her need to marry, his ego is deflated. Being married to Vander is a real shock! All of Mia's "book heroes" are based on Vander, but the real Vander is nothing like them. It's complicated. 

Favorite quote: "His body was the opposite of hers. There wasn't a bit of fat on him; his body was like stored motion, shaped to conquer men and pleasure women."

It's a rough road to love, but it is worth the ride. I also loved the cast of characters including Charlie, Chuffy, Jafeer, and Susan the maid. 

I have read every book by Eloisa James. They are always a cut above the rest. This series just gets better and better.

I highly recommend this book! 

Guest review* by Susan Knight

Graphic by Graphics by Sharlene



*ARC of Four Nights with the Duke was won in a contest.

Perfect For You by Kate Perry - Audio Version

Perfect For You

By Kate Perry

Audio Version

Book One of the Laurel Heights Series.

Greg Cavanaugh is a lawyer.

As far as Freya Godwin is concerned, that is the

worst thing on that planet one can be. The lowest

of the low. The worst of the worst.

She has a legitimate reason for feeling that way.

Freya also has a little sister, Anna.

Wanna guess what Anna wants to go to school to become?

The sisters parents died some time ago. They have always been

very close. Freya stepped in as pseudo  parent for Anna.

Freya has also lost touch with her muse. She has a big

job due very soon. And her muse is no where

to be seen or heard from. As often happens,

Freya is soon surprised with a new muse.

This is the back story and where the fun begins.

This is a fun group of characters making up a great love story.

The relationship with the sisters is concrete and very sweet.

The rest of the characters are so well written. I was not sure of

who Freya would end up with until the very end.  

The narration is pretty good. The story and the characters are

good enough that you won't even notice that it's not great.

I will definitely read some more from Kate Perry.   

The audio version runs about 5 hours 15 minutes.

Review by Lisa Hutson



The Love of A Rogue--Christi Caldwell

Have you seen the gorgeous cover for author Christi Caldwell's The Love Of A Rogue? I admit that the cover piqued my interest to read the most recent story in the author's Heart of A Duke series. And I am pleased to report that I thoroughly enjoyed this sensuous love story between Lady Imogen and Lord Alex!

Betrayed by her younger sister and humiliated by her former fiancé , Lady Imogen Moore has retreated from polite society. She has decided to abandon her desire for a love match until her friend Chloe Edgerton gifts Imogen with a special pendant. Chloe tells Imogen that the heart shaped locket will help her find her true love. Chloe convinces Imogen to come out of hiding by suggesting a shopping trip or an evening at the theater. When Imogen protests, Chloe mentions that no one will gossip about Imogen because Chloe's brother, the Marquess of Waverly will accompany them.

Lord Alexander Edgerton is an unlikely choice for a chaperone. He is a scandalous rogue who is much more comfortable gambling and drinking with his friends than escorting Chloe on shopping expeditions and to the theater. Alex is upset that his brother, the Marquess of Waverly has decided that Alex must earn his allowance this season and is not too amused when Chloe insists that Imogen be included as well.

The first few conversations between Alex and Imogen are important as they explain each characters' perspective. This conversation takes place in the Duke of Waverly's carriage. Imogen is surprised to find Alex in the carriage.

"I'd prefer the marquess because he is respectable." Imogen gave him a pointed look. "And he is not a rogue."

At her insolent tone, he narrowed his eyes. "And you are disappointed that there is not marquess to work your charms upon."

Imogen snorted. "If I possessed any charms worth mentioning, I would have used them on my own betrothed." Her droll words cut into his anger, drove it back and in the dark confines of the carriage, he peered at her. That had certainly not been the outraged reaction he'd sought to elicit from the lady.

Christi Caldwell has crafted an emotional story of love and loss in this beautifully written novella. The main characters are multi-faceted and the storyline is well paced. I understood Imogen's feelings of betrayal and humiliation and felt deeply for Lord Alex. I wanted Alex to move forward and take a chance on love. And I loved Chloe as she had her best friend's interests at heart when she gave Imogen the gold pendant.

Will Imogen's mother insist she marry for a title and money instead of for love? Will Alex trust in his feelings for Imogen before it's too late? Spend an afternoon reading this charming novella and all will be revealed.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman *

Reviewer's Note: I was so charmed by Chloe Edgerton that I asked author Christi Caldwell if she was planning a story for Chloe. I have been assured by the author that Chloe will find her true love in a forthcoming novel.

"Doubt thou the stars are fire, 

Doubt the sun doth move,

Doubt the truth to be a liar,

But never doubt I love."

William Shakespeare , Hamlet

*Review copy provided by author.