Review of How to Seduce a Scot by Christy English

How to Seduce a Scot | Review

by Christy English

Alexander Waters, a tough, strong and

determined Scot with chocolate eyes
 has come to London.
He has come to find a husband for his
sister, Mary Elizabeth. The heathen.

Mary Elizabeth finds Catherine Middlebrook.
Catherine needs to marry. She needs to find
a biddable, quiet man. That's how she finds
Lord Namby Pamby. Well, that is Alexanders
name for him. Because he believes Lord
Namby Pamby is not good enough for Catherine.
Alexander was only supposed to come to the
land of the uncivilized to find a husband for
Mary Elizabeth. Turns out Catherine is from the
county of Devon. That's practically Cornwall.
That's practically civilized. Which means that even
though their mother told him not to marry while
he was gone from home, Catherine may have figured
out How to Seduce a Scot, so Alexander may just
have to marry anyway.
This is a rollicking story of good fun, romance,
sibling love and family tolerance.
It is my first Christy English read. I would like to
read more of her now. I hope you will give it a
try and enjoy it as well.
This book is scheduled for release
on 1 December 2015.

I got my copy from Netgalley.
Review by Lisa Hutson



Daniel's True Desire by Grace Burrowes

Vicar Daniel Banks has appeared as a secondary character in several of Grace Burrowes novels. Readers adored Daniel and asked for a story solely devoted to him. I will admit I wasn't one of them. Lady Kirsten's story appealed more to me, not Daniel's. In this novel, Reverend  Banks has been adversely affected by scandal. His wife has left him and the child they raised is really Daniel's nephew.  Because of this disgrace, Daniel is now a vicar in need of a parish. I didn't view Daniel as a hero-- he's a nice man but, hero material? I had a hard time imagining brusque and impatient Lady Kirsten married to a parish vicar. Wait a minute...Daniel Banks is married. How could my heroine have a "happily ever after" with a married man?  What was Grace Burrowes thinking?

I wondered how one of my favorite authors could craft a romance between these problematic characters and that's what kept me reading Daniel's True Desire.

"You're the new Vicar?"

Amusement made this brusque, pretty woman an altogether different creature. She had mischief in her, and humor and secrets, also--where on earth did such thoughts come from?--kisses. Fun generous kisses. When she smiled, Lady Kirsten looked like the sort of female who'd pat a fellow's bum --in public.

The cold had made Daniel daft."Do I have horns or cloven feet to disqualify me from a religious calling, my lady?" She slapped the butter onto the bread, her movements confident.

"You have gorgeous brown eyes, a lovely nose--though it's a big red at the moment-- and a smile that suggests that you might get up to tricks, Mr. Banks. You could also use a trim of that brown hair. Ministers are not supposed to look dashing. I have two younger sisters who will suffer paroxysms  of religious conviction of you're to lead the flock.

Olivia had found Daniel's nose"unfortunate". Daniel found his entire marriage worthy of the same appellation.

Daniel's True Desire is the second book In the True Gentlemen series by Grace Burrowes. The novel seamlessly blends the opposites attract and the second chance romantic themes. Kirsten doesn't view Daniel as an impoverished 'has been" vicar whose wife left him.  She sees him as an intelligent, kind, patient man who truly enjoys teaching the local boys. Daniel looks past Kirsten's brusque demeanor. He sees a beautiful, intelligent woman whose laughter and kisses makes him happy. He wonders why she has never married. Daniel and Kirsten are attracted to each other but Daniel is married.

Both character's faith, love and commitment to each other and to their families are tested during the course of the well paced novel. The author carefully focuses on Daniel and Kirsten's friendship and the challenges of teaching the "rotten boys". Daniel is an honorable man who has taken vows with his wife and the church and will not break them. He will not cross the line and commit adultery. Daniel receives some news that changes his life. Will his friendship with Lady Kirsten change?

Loved the scenes where Daniel, Kirsten and Susannah meet with each boy's parents, especially when Kirsten and Susannah slyly suggest that the parents send weekly food baskets  to their sons. The banter between the sisters and the parents was cleverly written and very funny. And I loved it when the toads invaded the classroom! My favorite secondary plot involved Daniel and one of his students Matthias. Matthias had a difficult time with his classes and horseback lessons. He listened and understood his classroom lessons but could not pass a written exam and Matthias lacked confidence riding his pony. The author cleverly placed several clues throughout the novel regarding Matthias' difficulties. I enjoyed how this piece of the story played out.

The conclusion to the novel has a few surprises for Lady Kirsten and Vicar Banks. Daniel's late father provided him with a solution to his problem. Daniel needed to take time and sort through his father's belongings to understand how to move forward.  Together, Daniel and Kirsten face conflict and two well written villains in the last few chapters of the novel. The ending of this character driven novel was perfectly written for this couple.

And, yes Grace Burrowes convinced me that Daniel is a hero an honorable, kind hero to Lady Kirsten, his family and students. 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Sourcebooks

A Gentleman for all Seasons | Review

A Gentleman For All Seasons

by Shana Galen

Vanessa Kelly

Kate Noble

Theresa Romain

If you have not read any of these ladies works

before, this is an excellent way to get the feel of them.

Four wonderful short stories. Set in the small quiet town

of Hemshawe. Quiet until Georgie and her brother,

Bartram take over a house for a time. Bartram has his

own reasons for choosing this house. Which is the

starting point for all the romance that continues

to explode.

 Adam Sturridge and Belinda Leonard are the

first couple to crumble under the weight of Georgie and

her matchmaking skills. Madness in Spring is the story

from Kate Noble. When two people have known each

other for the most of their lives, it can be hard to

get past the childhood memories. Kate did a wonderful

job bringing these two characters together. I am sure

they must have fought her all the way.

The next story is Summer of Wine and Scandal by

Shana Galen. Caroline has a big secret in her past.

But Peregrine Lochley knows nothing of her secret.

He only knows his carriage is trapped in the mud and

he has no idea how to get it out. Lochley is lucky enough

that Caroline happens by. While Lochley is a wine

expert, Caro is the scandal. This is a story about 

being brave. Following your heart. Shana's writing

was a reminder to always get both sides of the story.

  

Theresa Romain adds a story called Those Autumn Nights.

This story explains why Bertram Gage rented the house

that he did. Everyone has had a moment when someone

made them feel unworthy. Not good enough. But as

humans, we always want to show them that we are

worthy. We all need to learn the less of following our

heart. But we also need to learn forgiveness.

Perhaps the hardest lesson of all. Thank goodness

Eliza Greenleaf comes along to help with quarter day.
Theresa was full of kindness and forgiveness in her story.

Then the final story of Gentleman for all Seasons is

The Season for Loving by Vanessa Kelly.

Georgie  Gage (matchmaker professional) and

Fergus Hadden (happily single) find themselves

thrown together at a house party in the home of

Bertram and Eliza Gage. Both of them simply want to

live their lives as they wish. With no help from those

that care about them. But in the end, Vanessa's story

is of romance. Cupids arrow finding his target.



It is happily ever after for all.
Even those living not quite in Scotland.

I enjoyed this anthology. Surprisingly, all four stories.

It's not often that happens. I suppose the fun and

interesting characters all joining together make

the stories easy to read and enjoy. 

Review by Lisa Hutson