1280. The Book of Scandal (Julia London)

Synopsis:

Nathan Grey, the Earl of Lindsey, is infamously known as the Libertine of Lindsey for his scandalous ways with women. But when he hears gossip that his estranged wife, Evelyn, is about to be named in The Book of Scandal, he has no choice but to remove her from London to protect her and himself from charges of treason -- even if it calls for abduction! While Evelyn has no legal recourse against the man who broke her heart years ago but is still considered her lord and master, she is no longer the immature girl Nathan married. Her enforced homecoming quickly turns into a battle of wills that tears down her husband's defenses and lays bare the passion that still burns between them. Before it is too late, Nathan must confront powerful adversaries as he convinces Evelyn that she is not only his wife, but the one woman he will love for all time.

My rating: 3 stars

1279. The Perils of Pursuing a Prince (Julia London)

Synopsis:

Lady Greer Fairchild's only hope of avoiding marriage to the first bidder lies in journeying into the untamed Welsh countryside in search of an inheritance she's not sure even exists -- one reportedly controlled by Rhodrick Glendower, Earl of Radnor, also known as the Prince of Powys. Rumor has it that the prince is rough, ruthless -- even a murderer. But Greer never imagined that the brute would refuse to let her leave his remote castle until she has proven her identity. Or that she would find herself powerfully attracted to this passionately virile man whose gruff demeanor belies a proud and sensual nature. The further Greer falls under his spell, the more determined she becomes to unravel the secrets of her Welsh heritage and the mystery surrounding the dark prince who dares her to become his wife and princess.

My rating: 3 stars

1277. The Treasure (Suzanne Robinson)

Synopsis:

A mistress of disguise...

Orphan Emily Fox may be London's most skilled lady pickpocket, but she is certain her grandest scheme will also be her last. For when she finds the treasure hidden on Valin North's spectacular estate, she'll be rich enough to give her beloved siblings everything they could ever want... and she'll never have to scheme for her supper again. Disguised as a flirtatious debutante entering the social scene, Emmie slips into North's circle--and is instantly captivated by the powerfully sensual nobleman. Suddenly, stealing from North seems like more than mere deception. It seems like a betrayal of the heart.

A master of control...

Valin North knows he must marry to produce an heir, but every woman he meets provokes his disdain. Except one--an unusual, charming debutante whose social status unfortunately makes her more suited to be his mistress than his spouse. Yet in spite of familial pressure to make a more appropriate match, North defiantly pursues the bewitching woman...even though his affections are shadowed by the mysterious inconsistencies of his lady's past. With suspicions aroused, North is forced to wonder: Has this beguiling beauty made off with his heart--or something more?

My rating: 3 stars

1275. On the Way to the Wedding (Julia Quinn)

Synopsis:

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar ....

My rating: 3 stars

1272. Indiscreet (Carolyn Jewel)

Synopsis:

Edward, Marquess of Foye, would have been happy to continue his life as an unmarried gentleman rake, until his brother's death changes everything. As the last of his line Edward must now marry. Having already had his heart broken by a capricious young girl, he vows to find an older woman who is seasoned, mature...and no threat to his feelings. Then he meets a woman who will require him to risk everything for their love.

My rating: 3 stars

1268. Black Ice (Anne Stuart)

Synopsis:
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.

Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?

My rating: 3 stars

1267. Ice Storm (Anne Stuart)

Synopsis:
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life . . . a life that ended long ago.

But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving . . . and that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.

My rating: 3 stars

1254. Lessons From a Courtesan (Jenna Petersen)

Synopsis:
Lesson #1: Every man loves a mystery.

A scandalous siren called "Ria" has electrified the ton. Every gentleman in London desires her; every woman envies her. And they are all desperate to know the secrets of the tantalizing, seductively beautiful courtesan. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary. He knows all about Ria. He learned every inch of her tender skin, every taste of her luscious lips . . . on their wedding night.

Lesson #2: No man can make you lose control . . . unless you let him.

Though theirs was an arranged marrige, still Victoria surrendered to passion and gave herself to Justin completely. When he left her alone the next morning, she swore she would never again let him into her bed. Now, though she has other reasons for returning to the city, she enjoys tormenting Justin, letting him see the way other men lust for her. But keeping herself from him is such exquisite torture . . . and forgiveness will lead to an ecstasy unbelievably divine.

My rating: 3 stars

1250. Holy Disorders (Edmund Crispin)

Synopsis:
Gervase Fen--the eccentric Oxford don with a knack for solving “impossible” crimes--made his debut in The Case of the Gilded Fly, which Edmund Crispin (in reality, composer Bruce Montgomery) wrote to win a bet. With Holy Disorders, Crispin’s skills matured, but Fen remains as maddeningly childish as ever, still deliciously fond of his own wit and erudition, and given to quoting Lewis Carroll at inappropriate occasions. First published in 1945, Holy Disorders takes Fen to the town of Tolnbridge, where he is happily bounding around with a butterfly net until the cathedral organist is murdered, giving Fen the chance to play sleuth. The man didn’t have an enemy in the world, and even his music was inoffensive: Could he have fallen afoul of a nest of German spies or of the local coven of witches, ominously rumored to have been practicing since the 17th century?

My rating: 3 stars

1247. The Club (Sharon Page)

Synopsis:
It is London's most secretive gentlemen's club - a place where no well-bred lady would dare to be seen. But Lady Jane Beaumont has no choice. Her friend Del has vanished, and Jane must enter into a dangerous charade to find her. Now, within the gilded walls of this erotic lair, Jane awaits the lover she has procured for the evening. But the man who enters her bedchamber is no stranger. He is Del's brother and London's most notorious rake - a man on a rescue mission of his own. Christian is intrigued by the innocent beauty who clearly does not belong in the notorious brothel. And as the two seek out the damning secrets of the club . . . as Christian initiates Jane into the ways of true sensual pleasure, she knows she has entered the most dangerous place of all - where the price of temptation could be her heart ....

My rating: 3 stars

1246. In Bed With a Stranger (Mary Wine)

Synopsis:

Brodick McJames is an earl in name only. To secure his clan's future he needs an English wife. Mary Stanford, daughter of the Earl of Warwickshire, will suit perfectly. He's never met her, but what matter? She'll grace his bed eventually, and once she bears his child he need see her no more. Anne Copper looks just like her noble half-sister, but she was born illegitimate, and can never forget it. The best she can hope for is to stay a serving girl in her own father's house. But when Lady Mary finds herself betrothed to a Scot, it seems there's a use for Anne after all...The woman who arrives in Alcaon is not what Brodick expects, and the passion that grows between them promises far more than a marriage of convenience. When fate draws two together, it may take more than a noblewoman's plot to part them ....

My rating: 3 stars

1245. My Darling Caroline (Adele Ashworth)

Synopsis:
One by one, Lady Caroline Grayson watched her four sisters celebrate their betrothals, truly sure that marriage was not in her future†-- and perfectly pleased with that fact. Or so she thought.

Brent Ravenscroft, Earl of Weymerth, nearly gave his life for the Crown. He returned to England a hero with no intention of taking a bride, certain his brusque demeanor would intimidate any young ladies drawn to his good looks -- or so he thought.

Bound by a business transaction, Caroline and Brent begin life as husband and wife. Utterly determined not to fall for each other, they stubbornly ignore the sparks flying between them and keep secrets at every turn. They would resist the lure of love—and the pleasures of the marriage bed -- €”forever . . . or so they thought.

My rating: 3 stars

1243. Tempt Me at Twilight (Lisa Kleypas)

Synopsis:

Poppy Hathaway, who has always longed for a normal, ordinary life, has been abandoned by her true love, Michael Bayning. Caught up in scandal, she has only one way out - to marry Harry Rutledge, a handsome and mysterious hotel owner. But Harry is a man of many secrets, and eventually Poppy faces a heartwrenching question: What does a heroine do when she ends up married to the villain?

My rating: 3 stars

1242. A Wicked Lord at the Wedding (Jillian Hunter)

Synopsis:
What is a neglected wife to do while her husband disappears on clandestine missions and unknown gambits? Play the spy game herself, if only to fill lonely nights once flush with erotic delight. When Eleanor Prescott married the handsome infantry officer who pursued her between missions, she anticipated anything but a six-year estrangement. Now the enigmatic husband who fired her body with his sensual touch is back-to woo her, win her, and unwrap all her secrets.

Sebastien Boscastle is prepared for battle when it comes to his crumbling marriage, but not to catch his wife prowling about the night in disguise. And yet Eleanor's game of espionage and seduction only heightens his devilish desire to reclaim every inch of her. From the back alleys of London to the silken sheets of the marital bed, Sebastien inflicts the sweetest of sensual assaults, ready to possess everything Eleanor is willing to surrender.

My rating: 3 stars

1240. Something About You (Julie James)

Synopsis:

Staying overnight in a luxury hotel, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde overhears a high-profile murder involving a U.S. Senator. Special Agent Jack Pallas is assigned to the investigation-the same Jack Pallas who still blames her for nearly ruining his career three years ago. Now the pair will have to put their rocky past behind them, focus on the case at hand-and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension.

My rating: 3 stars

My review: I gave this book 3 stars only because it's Julie James and she set a very high standard with her previous two books. This one doesn't measure up to the other two but it's still a fun read.

1239. Seduced By a Stranger (Eve Silver)

Synopsis:

The vast, dense forest and murky lake that surround Cairncroft Abbey aren't the only menacing elements that envelop the estate. For a dark history lies behind its walls - where secrets and evil still linger...Catherine Weston arrives at Cairncroft Abbey to visit her childhood friend Madeline St. Aubyn whose health seems to deteriorate with each passing day. Even stranger, Madeline appears to grow more nervous whenever she is in the presence of her cousin, Gabriel. But Gabriel has quite a different effect on Catherine - stirring a longing deep within her...Gabriel St. Aubyn is haunted by the curse that has plagued his family for decades. Living with the constant torment that he too will succumb to it one day, he has resigned himself to a solitary existence. Yet when he meets Catherine, he cannot resist her company - or his growing desire for her. But when a young woman is found dead, Catherine cannot ignore the link between this horrific crime and Gabriel. Is he the tender, charismatic man she loves - or a sinister stranger waiting to make her his next victim?

My rating: 3 stars

My review: A great gothic read. My only problem was that the attraction between Catherine and Gabriel seems too sudden. I think that this book would have been better with minimal romance between the two main characters and more mystery and gothic tones.

1234 (!). In Scandal They Wed (Sophie Jordan)

Synopsis:

What kind of woman would marry a man she only just met?

The kind with nothing to lose.

Long ago, Evelyn Cross sacrificed her good name, her freedom, and any hope for love. Now, in the remote English countryside, she struggles to survive and avoid the scandal threatening to destroy all she holds dear . . . until a sinfully handsome viscount arrives on her doorstep, offering marriage, salvation, and tempting her with so much more ....

What kind of man would marry a woman he only just met?

The kind bound by duty.

Fresh from war, Spencer Lockhart returns home to claim his title and right the wrong his cousin perpetrated upon Evelyn Cross. In need of a wife, his marrying her is a small price to pay for duty. But when he meets her, the fiery chit is not what he expects to find in a ruined lady. As desire flares hotly between them, honor is the last thing on his mind ....

What kind of man and woman would marry when they've only just met?

The kind who could ignite a scandal with just one touch.

My rating: 3 stars

1230. Every Night I'm Yours (Christie Kelley)

Synopsis:

At twenty-six, aspiring novelist Avis Copley intends to wear spinsterhood as a badge of honour. But when she discovers a volume of erotica that ignites a searing fire within her, Avis realizes just how much she doesn't know about the actual pleasures of the flesh. Determined to learn more, she devises a daring plan...Avis chooses Emory Billingsworth, a fellow novelist - not to mention a beautiful specimen of manhood - to instruct her in carnal pleasure. But when the brash earl of Selby, Banning Talbot, a man she has known for years, unearths Avis' true intentions, he claims she's made a dangerously bad choice. Volunteering his services for one wicked night of reckless, abandoned passion, Banning promises he will satisfy all of her deepest longings. Yet, Banning cannot begin to imagine the effect his wilful, voluptuous, and very eager student will have on him - or how far an innocent lesson in desire can go.

My rating: 3 stars

1228. Seduce Me (Dahlia Schweitzer)

Synopsis:

Raw and honest, provocative and titillating, Dahlia Schweitzer's Seduce Me lays bare the secrets of desire in stories of sensuous encounters, illicit affairs, forbidden passions-and obsessive hungers that must be satisfied, no matter where or when they arise. In these vivid tales of lust without limits, the lines are blurred between fantasy and reality, propriety and necessity. There are no boundaries or taboos, only needs to be fulfilled. Here women and men risk everything in pursuit of sexual satisfaction-and business always mixes with pleasure.

My rating: 3 stars

1223. Riding Temptation (Jaci Burton)

Synopsis:
He's a biker working undercover for the Feds. She has reasons of her own for joining the Wild Riders. Together, they're burning up the asphalt and tearing headlong into danger and passion.

The guys always thought of Jessie as their kid sister, except Diaz Delgado. The past few years he's been watching her - and Jessie's glad somebody is. Delgado's dark good looks and killer body have tempted her since day one. Diaz's unbrotherly urges have been hard to fight but the last thing he wants is to hurt Jessie. But when they both go undercover with killer survivalists, he knows it'll be hard to keep his distance - especially when the mission takes a risky turn. Now Diaz has no choice but to open himself up to the one woman strong enough to take him on.

My rating: 3 stars