Suzanne Enoch: The Care and Taming of a Rogue

MY REVIEW

The Care and Taming of a Rogue
Series: The Adventurers Club, Book 1
Author: Suzanne Enoch
First Release: October 27, 2009
List Price: $7.99

Read: October 30-31, 2009
My Rating:


Author Homepage | Excerpt | Amazon.com

Can't believe I'm saying this about an Enoch book ... but it wasn't that great

Suzanne Enoch is a fabulous writer and some of my absolute favorite historical romances have been written by her, namely London's Perfect Scoundrel and Always a Scoundrel, with close second favorites being England's Perfect Hero, By Love Undone, and After the Kiss. Needless to say, I was ecstatic about this book coming out and expected it to join my "all-time favorite" bookshelf - it won't, and frankly, I'm considering whether to post it on PaperBack Swap right away, because I doubt that I will want to reread this.

The Care and Taming of a Rogue (The Adventurers Club, Book 1) wasn't bad in the sense that I didn't actively dislike it, but in almost every aspect it either fell short or just didn't click; it was boring and I was at times somewhat tempted to just put it down and forget about it. The premise was an interesting one and quite original, and I'm always a huge fan of books where the heroine is overlooked, shy, bookish, unusual, whatever. Plus, taking into account it's written by Enoch, it should be a natural five-star book, right? Wrong: The Care and Taming of a Rogue did not live up to my expectations. Both of the main characters were pretty forgettable, their relationship is not compelling and I never really understood how they got together or why they felt (or even THAT they felt) so strongly about one another, and the chemistry just wasn't there (which starkly contrasts with some of Enoch's other books).

SPECIFIC CRITICISMS
Both Bennett (29) and Phillipa (20) felt somewhat flat and one-dimensional. Bennett is supposed to be this "uncivilized explorer" who won't obey any of London society's "rules" and wants to drag his woman back to his cave ... and although we're told this repeatedly and other characters constantly describe him this way, it didn't really ring true. Yes, he was blustery and aggressive, but it ended up just being annoying and not at all endearing, adventurous, bad-boy-attractive, or any other positive thing; he wasn't as unconventional as he was made out to be (an example of where that type of unconventional adventurer-hero was well done and *did* work is Christina Dodd's Rules of Surrender).

Phillipa is a nice heroine, but nothing to write home about. We're told that she's practical and logical ... but I didn't see that emphasized very much (there was no resemblance to someone like Dr. Brennan from the TV show "Bones," who is definitely an extreme of those two adjectives). She's also supposed to be unconventional in her own way - embracing her "bluestocking" tendencies, completely bookish and somewhat anti-social (though friendly) - yet she insists on Bennett courting her according to the rules and keeps placing emphasis on teaching him how to behave in London society (no such teaching really occurs) ... while then going in broad daylight to the house he's staying in and making love for the first time with him in a kitchen larder (umm, can you say unromantic?).

Then there is their relationship, which seemed completely unsubstantiated to me and so was hard to believe. Basically he hears her voice - is attracted to her, sees her face - likes how she looks, remarks on her smelling of lemons - oh how nice, and bam! they're off. We know that Phillipa already has a little thing for Bennett in that she has been an admirer of his travel/adventure books, but why this romantic interest in Phillipa in particular? We're never really shown why he is THE ONE for her and she is THE ONE for him. [Sidenote: Why is it that aside from our heroines (and whatever friends they may have) almost all the other women in these novels are nitwit chits who only giggle, simper, and are catty when it comes to men??? Even Flip's sister, Olivia, kind of falls into this category - at least for the first two adjectives.] Bennett and Phillipa are both nice people, sure, but I just don't see why their relationship takes off so quickly, with no trouble going from hello to kisses to making love to declaring love to talking about marriage (though actually that happens before some of those other ones) ... which brings me to another point ...

There are no obstacles in their romantic relationship!!! Well save one, to be fair, which was in fact a good one: she likes to stay at home and read, he's Mr. Adventure, so how is a real, lasting relationship (i.e. marriage) going to work for them? This was an interesting twist because it was a real consideration that is similar to the problems that nowaday long-distance relationships face. However during the book it isn't really dissected, just mentioned repeatedly and put aside; then in the end, it's resolved very nicely and quickly (TOO nicely and quickly). Other than that though, which wasn't even fully explored, any hurdles placed by themselves or other characters were either completely missing or not very substantial. I *HATE* books that have those big misunderstandings or throw obstacle after obstacle in front of the main characters for no apparent reason, but can't there be a happy balance between those two extremes??

Finally, the whole "Adventurers' Club" was a little ridiculous and when that's first introduced in the beginning of the book my reaction was "What? This seems very contrived ... Maybe it's going to be made into a series?" ... Which I then discovered it is. I don't understand the purpose of the club, don't see it's use or understand how it works or why it exists, etc. - basically it's all a huge contrivance.

BOTTOM LINE
I feel very bad about giving such a negative review for a Suzanne Enoch book, but I was so disappointed! She has such talent and has written other novels that literally have me going to sleep with a smile on my face and waking up the next morning wanting to read the book all over again; The Care and Taming of a Rogue in no way compares to those books. There were some funny moments, some sweet ones, Kero (Bennett's pet monkey) was a great addition, but check it out from the library if you're set on reading it, don't buy it.

Rexanne Becnel: Dangerous to Love

MY REVIEW

Dangerous to Love
Author: Rexanne Becnel
Release: November 15, 1997
List Price: Retail unavailable - buy used

Read: August 5, 2009
My Rating:


Author Homepage | Amazon.com

Setting: 1829, England

SUMMARY (from back cover)

~ A SPINSTER ~

Spirited scholar Lucy Drysdale has long dreamed of London - the stimulating lectures, the intellectual banter. But first she must chaperone Lady Valerie, a tender young girl embarking on her first social season.

~ A RAKEHELL ~

Before Lucy can guide Valerie through her first society crush, they are swept into the world of the Earl of Westcott, London's most notorious rakehell.

~ A DANGEROUS GAME OF HEARTS ~

Ivan Thornton, the gypsy Earl, gained his title only because his father had no legitimate heir. Bitter over the cruelties society heaped on him when he was just a boy, Ivan takes sweet revenge - he breaks the hearts of young society women.

~ WINNER TAKE ALL ~

For Ivan, the two women are easy prey for his game of deceit - until Lucy's passionate touch ignites a desire that sears his soul. And Lucy finds, in protecting Valerie from the charismatic Earl, that she has left her own heart dangerously vulnerable ...

REVIEW
Could have been four stars because all the right components were there - wonderful leading characters, interesting supporting ones, great dialogue, and hot hot HOT intense chemistry between the hero and heroine - however after Ivan and Lucy marry, his behavior was a real turn-off.

I love the tortured and grew-up-unloved-and-alone hero as much as the next girl, but where's the fun in reading about a hero who is mean to the heroine, abandons her for more than two months the morning after they get married, and then vacillates between ignoring her and going out of his way to hurt her?

Yeah, yeah, we get the whole explanation that he's afraid of love, afraid of his own feelings for Lucy and hers for him, but still ... could have been shown to the reader in another way, because although reading snappy dialogue and about antagonizing encounters is enjoyable (and sometimes preferable) at the beginning of a hero and heroine's relationship, if it devolves into meanness or goes on for too long, it kind of takes the fun out of things.

SHOULD BE PART OF A SERIES ... BUT ISN'T
Ivan's three friends - Alexander, Giles, and Elliot - were wonderful and I was really hoping that this book was the first in a series and I would go online to find that the three friends were hero of their own books ... unfortunately, that was not the case. The four friends met as children when they were all sent to the same school, Burford Hall - or Bastard Hall, as it is more fondly known by those bastard sons unlucky enough to have been sent there.

If Ms. Becnel happens to read this post, I have to urge her: write these three books! Especially Elliot's - he seemed like he would be extremely interesting as the hero of his own romance novel.

Mary Jo Putney: The Rake

MY REVIEW

The Rake
(Previously published as The Rake and the Reformer)

Sequel to: The Diabolical Baron
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Release Date: April 1, 1998
List Price: Retail unavailable - buy used

Read: July 28-28, 2009
My Rating:


Author Homepage | Book Page | Excerpt | Amazon.com

SUMMARY (from back cover)

~ The Rake ~

It was predicted that Reginald Davenport, disinherited and disgraced, would come to a violent end. But fate has given him one final chance to redeem himself, by taking his place as the rightful master of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate. Davenport knows his way around women - yet nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with Lady Alys Weston.

~ The Reformer ~

Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal. She was finished with men - yet how could she have predicted that Strickland's restored owner would awaken a passion more powerful than anything she had ever known? A passion that will doom or save them both ... if only they can overcome their pasts and dare to believe in the wondrous power of love ...

SEQUEL
The Rake is the sequel to The Diabolical Baron and Reggie (this book's hero) is apparently that book's villain. I haven't read it, but I feel like it would probably enhance the experience of reading The Rake, since it will make his eventual transformation all the more notable.

MY EXPERIENCES WITH MARY JO PUTNEY BOOKS
Mary Jo Putney is one of the authors who released a book on June 30 - an apparent blockbuster day for the historical romance industry, because at my last count there were 8 books that came out that day!!

Putney released Loving a Lost Lord, the kickoff to her new series entitled "The Lost Lords" and I was really looking forward to the book because I had just recently reread The Wild Child (Brides Trilogy, Book 1) (really great and I highly recommend). Along with most people who read Loving a Lost Lord ... let's just say I was not impressed, and frankly downright disappointed! Seriously, that was one of the worst historical romances I had read in awhile and after joining PaperBack Swap I immediately posted it (and it was immediately requested - I have to wonder how long it stayed in that person's hands after they finished reading it).

I've read other Putney books - Silk and Shadows (Silk Trilogy, Book 1); The Bargain (Regency Series, Book 1); Thunder and Roses (Fallen Angels Series, Book 1) - (just now noticing they're all Book 1s), but since I read these before I started writing down my ratings after reading a book, I could not remember whether I liked them or not. I read about her book The Rake and since it had such great reviews, I decided to use the credit I got for sending out Putney's new book to get this older book of hers from someone else on PaperBack Swap.

REVIEW
So what did I think? ... Absolutely utterly fantastic!! Wow - a definite reread. Completely distracted me from my homework, but it was just so wonderful. I was glad to read a good Putney book after finding her most recent release pretty weak. The Rake, however, is not weak at all, but rather completely 100% great!!!

One of the greatest things about this book was that it tackled the very serious issue of alcoholism extremely well, dealt with it compassionately, and portrayed it very vividly/starkly. I *never* get emotional when I read my historical romances (unless it's extreme giddiness, lol), but there were parts of this book that were utterly heart-wrenching and had me choking up just a little.

The other great aspect of the story was (as it should be) the relationship between Alys and Reggie. It was very well developed and the intellectual/emotional connection between them was wonderfully written. It's a romance, so obviously there is romance and the hero and heroine have great physical chemistry, but the book focuses on much more than just that aspect. They are complete opposites starting off - Reggie is one of the most dissolute and disgraceful rakes that I have ever come across in the genre (that's saying something) and Alys is a hardworking, admirable, very responsible, reserved, and almost-stern woman. They're both extremely lonely, though, and it's great watching them not wham-bam fall-in-love, but see it slowly happen as they come to like, respect, admire, and trust each other and form a wonderful and - dare I say it? it's so corny - beautiful friendship.

NOTE
The heroine is not a virgin, but if you're bothered by this, don't be and don't let it make you skip this book! I'm very embarassed to admit this - I feel like it's anti-feminist and very old-fashioned - but I usually like my historical romance heroines to be virgins. Basically, I don't want the heroine (or hero, for that matter) to have had any strong previous attachments.

If you're like me, don't be turned off by the fact that Alys isn't a virgin - the event which propels her to run away from home is the foundation of her own obstacles that she has to overcome in the book (low self-esteem in her attractiveness and appeal as a woman) and makes her engage in a one-night stand with a drunken man she meets in the inn, right after she's run away. It's not a big thing so seriously, do not be put off by this!

ALCOHOLISM IN OTHER HISTORICAL ROMANCES
Like I wrote above, I thought this book dealt excellently with the issue of alcoholism. I think a lot of times in this genre, books sometimes include serious issues but they don't really address it full or kind of skirt the issue - perhaps out of a fear it will be too much of a downer in what is basically supposed to be a feel-good book.

Either way, although Putney treats the problem seriously - as it should be - it only enhances the story and main characters and in no way detracts. Another great book I've read that features an alcoholic hero who has to overcome the problem is Rexanne Becnel's The Matchmaker (Maker Series, Book 1); it's a five-star read in my book and one of my favorites, so I would recommend to anyone, whether you're looking specifically for another alcoholism-related book or not.

Lisa Kleypas's Again the Magic has a secondary romance between the heroine's sister, Olivia, and the hero's best friend, Gideon Shaw. Gideon is an alcoholic who goes through spells where he has to isolate himself and his developing relationship with Olivia gives him the initiative/final push to make the leap towards sobriety.

Amanda Quick: Mischief

MY REVIEW

Mischief
Author: Amanda Quick
Release Date: March 31, 1997
List Price: $7.99

Read: September 21, 2002; June 29-July 7, 2009
Rating:


Author Homepage | Amazon.com

SUMMARY (from back cover)
Imogen Waterstone needed a man, and not just any man: one with an implacable will and nerves of iron. That's why she invited Matthias Marshall, the Earl of Colchester, to her home. For who better than the legendary explorer to help her lure a ruthless enemy to ruin. Yet when Imogen urges Matthias to masquerade as her spellbound suitor - and let it be known that she possesses a priceless treasure map - she never anticipates his electrifying response - or her own. Suddenly, the unconventional lady is in the thrall of true passion ... and vulnerable to a malevolant threat that emerges from the labyrinth of London society.

COMMENTS
Amanda Quick's books are almost always highly enjoyable, and this one book is another example. Mischief isn't one of my favorites, but it is worth reading and definitely a reread. It falls in line with Quick's usual books:

• a spunky, confident, independent heroine who is very unusual and doesn't mind being so
• a hero who is somewhat of an outcast, misunderstood, and viewed with fright (except for by the heroine - of course)
• a uniting interest - in this case, made-up ancient Zamar
  
• some dastardly villain with a mystery subplot that threatens both their lives and has to be uncovered

Matthias was a wonderful hero and I appreciated his irony and sarcasm throughout the book. Imogen was enjoyable, though I found her dictatorial ways at times a little too overbearing, I grew slightly annoyed by her constantly going on about Matthias's "weak nerves," and her unwillingness to face the reality about certain situations and people was at times exasperating ... maybe it sounds like I didn't actually like her, but I promise, I did! Lol. Patricia (Matthias's sister) was extremely annoying and I did not like her - she was childish, immature, gullible, shallow, extremely melodramatic, and I could go on but I won't.

The mystery was good and actually had me guessing (until my memory filled in the blanks - so the first time I read it, it probably kept me guessing for awhile). Quick has a tendency to make this crazed myth/magic-obsessed villains and that was not the case here, so the whole thing was more believable and seemed less over-the-top/melodramatic.

BOTTOM LINE
Not my favorite Amanda Quick book, but definitely enjoyable and one that I will gladly revisit in the future.

Jenna Petersen: Her Notorious Viscount

MY REVIEW

Title: Her Notorious Viscount
Author: Jenna Petersen
Release Date: March 31, 2009
List Price: $6.99

Read: June 16-18, 2009
My Rating:


Author Website | Book Page | Excerpt | Amazon.com

Setting: April 1816, London, England

Her Notorious Viscount is my first historical romance by Jenna Petersen and I greatly enjoyed it. Starting a new HR author is always loaded with risk (IMO), but I was extremely relieved to see that Petersen doesn't employ any of those annoying story ploys that drive me crazy: NO major misunderstandings, NO ridiculous fights and obstacles that only exist to make the book longer, NO saboteurs who are in love with either the H/H and do everything they can to keep them apart (and of course, always almost succeed).

Summary (from back cover):

Beauty and her beast ...

Viscount Nicholas Stoneworth is infamous - even being mentioned in the same breath with him is enough to ruin a lady's reputation. Why, the man's spent years in London's underworld pursuing every sort of vice while parlaying his hard muscled body into fame and fortune as a fighter! With his brother's untimely death, Nicholas must assume the title and relearn the civilized ways of the ton ... and proper Jane Fenton is more than willing to teach him everything she knows.

Circumstances may have forced Jane into the role of ladies' companion, but she knows the danger of associating with a notorious man like Nicholas, a man who woucl dtempt any woman into certain scandal. But her brother disappeared into the same underworld four long years ago, and if she trasnforms the libertine into a gentleman, he will use his connections to find him. Still, Jane will not - cannot - lose control. She must ignore the promise of sinful pleasure in his eyes ... and her own wild desires desperate to break free.

MAIN CHARACTERS, Miss Jane Fenton and Viscount Nicholas Stoneworth:
Jane and Nicholas were wonderful leading characters and there were some really humorous interactions between them, since Jane is Miss Prim and Proper and Nicholas has basically been shunning society and cast out of the ton for ~10 years. Another plus is the chemistry between them, which is very well written and sizzles off the pages.

*Super priceless* was when the Jane saves the Nicholas - such a nice change! She doesn't literally save him, but usually you have the hero who ends up facing down her bullies and yelling at them and then all of us female readers understandably sigh dreamily (probably don't need to add gender, since I think the size of the male audience is negligible - if it even exists). HERE, however, we have the heroine who sticks up for the hero and it was a total "you go girl" moment ;-).

OTHER COMMENTS:
I loved Nicholas' best friend, "Rage," and think he would be great as a hero in another book. I was also surprised to find that I really liked Viscount Patrick Fenton, Jane's cousin, and hope that he gets his own book. It was such a nice change to have another character who is in love with the heroine yet isn't manipulative, is an actual decent and honorable human being, acknowledges that the heroine doesn't like him in that way (also nice, because I hate when an author creates divided loyalties like that) and so goes out of his way to help the hero.

Although there was a mystery subplot, the way it played out was very interesting and it was a nice change to not have some crazed murderous greedy villain confusing things and somewhat unnecessarily. In some ways it kind of stretched plausibility, but we read these books for enjoyment, not reality, so it wasn't enough of a stretch to truly bother me.

BOTTOM LINE:
Her Notorious Viscount was a light and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend for a lazy weekend afternoon. As an author, Petersen lines up with other historical romance writers like Julia Quinn and Karen Hawkins.

Books by James, Mullins, and Hawkins

I've continued to wallow in my historical romances and have read a good number of new ones, as well as revisiting some of my past favorites. Below are three books that I've had for awhile and finally read for the first time; I'll add the rest of the books later.

Read: May 26-27, 2009
Title: His Wicked Ways
Author: Samantha James
Release Date: September 1, 1999
List Price: $6.99
Amazon.com | author homepage | excerpt

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):
The last member of his once powerful clan, Cameron MacKay has but one mission: to find Meredith, the last daughter of the Clan Munro and child of his sworn enemy, and force her to provide him with an heir. But after kidnapping Meredith from the priory where she sought refuge, the brazen and fearless Highlander finds himself intoxicated by her tender beauty ... and enchanted by the manner in which she boldly bargains for her freedom. Now, more than ever, he is determined to bend her to his will.

Long ago, Meredith vowed never to trust any man - for she has seen how they cause pain to those they profess to adore. And before she will submit to the powerful, dangerous desire this remarkable warrior inflames within her, MacKay must abandon his wicked ways forever ... and embrace the passionate love that lives in the depths of his hardened heart.

TAGS
hero: soldier/warrior -- heroine: abused/raped -- location: Scotland -- plot: revenge -- sexual abuse/rape -- time period: medieval


Read: May 27-27, 2009
Title: A Necessary Bride
Author: Debra Mullins
Release Date: February 25, 2003
List Price: Retail unavailable - buy used
Amazon.com | author homepage

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):

AN UNEXPECTED ATTRACTION

High-spirited Margaret Stanton-Lynch intends to enjoy the Season without the hindrance of an unwanted romance. Meg refuses to be tied down before she fully explores what life has to offer, though she must admit that Justin St. James, the dashing Earl of Rathmore, has a most deliciously appealing air of dangerous mystery about him. Not enough, however, for the lady to seriously consider his ardent proposal of marriage.

A NECESSARY BRIDE

In Justin's eyes she's perfect, with wit, charm, and sensuality galore - and she seems unperturbed by the wrongly deserved, very dark stain on Justin's reputation. A marriage to this exquisite lady would assure his young ward Emily's entrance into Society. Besides, his heart pounds wildly every time Meg is in his presence. Justin fears tenderness and passion may not be enough to hold her, but he's determined to try - for life would be empty indeed if he allowed this enchanting free spirit to fly from his arms forever!

TAGS
hero: outcast -- location: England -- time period: Georgian


Read: May 28-28, 2009
Title: The Abduction of Julia
Series: Related Untitled Series, Book 1
Author: Karen Hawkins
Release Date: April 1, 2000
List Price: $7.99
Amazon.com | author homepage | excerpt

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):

What can a respectable Regency miss do when kidnapped by a nobleman intent on marriage? Why, marry him, of course.

Julia Frant has secretly loved Alec MacLean, the wild Viscount Hunterston from afar. So when he accidentally snatches her instead of her lovely, scheming cousin for an elopement to Gretna Green, Julia leaps at the chance to make her passionate dreams come true.

Alec's in no position to quibble: if he doesn't marry by midnight and live scandal-free for a year, he loses his inheritance. At least marriage with do-gooder Julia will guarantee his fortune. But as his plain brown wren transforms herself into an elegant swan, Alec suddenly can't stay away from his last-minute wife - and when he kisses her, the inheritance is the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, scandal can occur from the best of intentions ... and Julia is never short of good intentions!

My Comments:
This book would get a solid 5 stars if it weren't for that the ending comes up and hits you like a wall that suddenly appears while you're going 60 mph on the highway ... would have liked to catch my breath after everything works out with "the obstacle" subplot (guessed the truth early on but was still well done and a nice twist) and enjoyed the at-last get-together and "I love yous" of the H&H - although it was jarring, I wouldn't complain if she had at least then given us an Epilogue, but nothing! Regardless: great read and had several laugh-out-loud moments - one in the middle of the book where I literally had to put the book down and wipe tears from my eyes because I was laughing so hard.

NOTE: Since writing the above, I've learned that the reprint edition of this book (the second cover pictured here) has a rewritten final chapter and an added epilogue ... so maybe this new reprint would be five stars in my book - we'll see!

TAGS
hero: arrogant/dictatorial -- location: England -- heroine: companion -- heroine: shy/wallflower -- time period: Georgian