The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr by Sandra Burr

This book as a historical retelling of events in Tudor England during Henry VIII marriage to wife #6 – Catherine Parr. As far as historical accuracy, I think it is a good way to learn some interesting facts about that time period. Catherine Parr is a devout protestant, highly intelligent woman that draws the unwanted attention of the king. Although she has plans of her own future, no one refuses the king. She by herself is a very interesting figure, she has written books, is known to have reconciled Henry with all of his children and did a great feat by surviving the king, since he all but killed/banished all the other wives he had. She married and outlived 3 husbands to finally marry for love, which is her undoing, unfortunately.

At the beginning of the book there are family trees of the important figures in the book. I was disappointed before I started reading the book that Parr’s and Seymour’s tree is incorrect, however after reading the book in the author’s note it was explained that this was done on purpose as to not divulge the story line. I think that tactic works with people unfamiliar of Henry’s reign but I though that the book will be the same, with a lot of inaccuracy. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not, however since I new all that was told in this book already, from books, documentaries and even HBO series the story dragged. I kept waiting for the fictional characters to have their own affair amidst the court drama but my wish was not granted.

I was excited about the main heroine Juliana St. James, she looked to have great promise for a story of her own. I read the book very fast in order to reach the time where the book becomes more fictional and romantic but alas it does not.

There is a religious element but since I personally am not interested in  religious readings I would not be able to comment on all the scripture quotes. My spiritual education is close to none.

This is an excellent book if history is a passion or of interest. I was under the impression that it is historical romance and that is why I was a little disappointed. The fictional characters do not have a story of their own but rather align with period events. I have to applaud the author for giving Catherine Parr’s child some plausible happy future, because history does not know what happened to Mary Seymour. It is presumed that she died at an early age but there are no documents supporting that, she simply vanished after all of her mother’s fortune was reverted to the crown, everyone wants a queen’s child but not one that does not have any money. Human compassion only goes so far in Tudor England.

I did not feel the happy ending for the fictional characters, although there is one it is very short and unsatisfactory. I feel like Juliana needed a few more pages of undisturbed happiness or an epilogue. She was quite the martyr for Catherine Parr and her child.

Excellent historical book, bad historical romance book.

Welcome to temptation/Bet me by Jennifer Crusie

I listened to both Welcome to Temptation and Bet me over the weekend.

Welcome to temptation is the best audiobook I have listened to so far this year. The dialogue was smart and funny. The characters were amazing. Sophie Dempsey goes to Temptation, Ohio - a very small town to help her sister shoot a movie. her sister and brother are both raised by Sophie and relied on her their whole life. So her life centered around her little sister up until they reached Temptation. In temptation Sophie meets with the gorgeous mayor - Phin. From the moment of their first meeting they feel attraction to each other but otherwise bump heads every time they meet. The town council are convinced that Sophie and her sister are shooting porn, although that is not the truth..at least not in the beginning. The encounters between the main characters are so funny, I laughed almost the entire time while listening. The sex scenes were also incredibly funny but good, also creative but not descriptive. I truly enjoyed this book. Also the narrator was amazing - Aasne Vigesaa is amazing. I listened to Bitten by Kelley Armstrong narrated by her and was completely captivated in the story. I wish she narrated the rest of Jennifer Crusie books. Also Aasne is one of the narrators who do male southern accents come alive, though there was none of that in this book, still I highly recommend.

Bet me was the second book I listened to. I was not so captivated in the narration. I think it was ok but it was hard distinguishing the characters, and there are a lot of those to go around. Its good that Jennifer Crusie follows the dialogue with "....said" or I might have not known who was talking at the time. The book was funny and enjoyable but not on the same scale as Welcome to temptation. The romance was not to my liking and there is no steam until the last 10pages or so. Overall good book but Welcome to temptation is better.

Unclaimed

Unclaimed was a very surprising read. I went in reading it knowing the main heroine was a courtesan and that is not a favorite type of heroine for me regardless of the circumstances that made her one, but her character was great. The heroine is sassy, smart and beautiful. She has made bad choices in her life but is doing her best not to make more. To escape the life of being a courtesan she decides to seduce Sir Mark Turner, a 28 year old virgin who wrote a book about chastity. I am not sure if I got Sir Mark well enough but I loved the heroine. Jessica is vivacious, full of life and the conversation. The book is fantastic read for anyone who likes smart heroines that outshine the hero most of the time. The book is also full of quotes to die for. Some of my favorite, starting with they introduction:

“Mrs. Jessica Farleigh, official town disgrace. At your service”

“Sir Mark Turner, I speak with the tongues of a thousand angels. Butterflies follow me wherever I go. Birds sing when I take a breath.”

“Do you know what the difference is between a male virgin and the Elgin Marbles?”, “Oh I could not say.” She peered at him in manufactured befuddlement. “They seem quite similar to me – are they not both very hard?”

I laughed so hard and am still smiling writing this review. If you like historical romance, you will enjoy “Unclaimed”.  You will see the desire from Sir Mark’s point of view and his inner struggle to continue being one, however he is no match for Jessica. The only thing this book was missing is an epilogue.

I think that when you get to the end you will want to bask in their happiness a little more.

The Lion's Lady

This was very enchanting and amusing read. Take someone raised by native indians given basic education of regency english society and language and deposit them to the "ton". It was a great story and I was lmao more then I have while reading a romance book. The h/h were extremely interesting and amusing, he heroine was totaly my style (spitfire/badass) and the hero was yummy and obssesive of her <3.

Fav quote
"Lyon knew she wasn't aware she was being watched, either. She wouldn't have eaten the leaf otherwise, or reached for another.
"Sir, which one is Princess Christina?" Andrew asked Lyon, just as Rhone started in choking on his laughter. Rhone has obviously been watching Christina, too.
"Sir?"
"The blond-headed one," Lyon muttered, shaking his head. He watched in growing disbelief as Christina daintily popped another leaf into her mouth.
"Which blond-headed one?" Andrew persisted.
"The one eating the shrubs."

The Heiress

First book I have read by the author. I enjoyed it. I could not put it down, I love finding new authors for myself and this one is great.

The heroine, Axia– spitfire at its finest, smart, beautiful and can do a lot of things, dialogue is awesome. He had me laughing so many times. It has been a while that a heroine has gotten under my skin like that.

The hero, Jamie was charming impoverished earl who is in desperate need of money but is very proud to ask for help from relatives. I liked his honesty and the conflict he had between love and money. I like the banter between him and Axia a lot, I like it when she received 2 marriage proposals in front of him. You just have to read it.

Some books have a lot of description of surroundings and such and you still can not envision a place well, this book was not like that, it was lead mainly by the dialogue with very little description (except Axia’s paintings and those, especially the wagon are vivid) but the picture In my mind of the events was great. I highly recommend this book and I am on the lookout for more from this author. 

Wicked Intentions

I love Elizabeth Hoyt’s writing, her dark brooding heroes and beautiful sensual women, there s a lot of emotion but there is always a nice story to go along with it.

This is the first boot in her new Maiden Lane series and the only bad thing I have to say is that book two isn’t out yet.

Lord Caire is an aristocrat looking to avenge his murdered mistress and he has to venture into a bad neighborhood in order to question people. He needs the help of Temperance Dews who knows the streets very well. She is widowed and helps her brother with running of an orphanage for abandoned children. She is very likable character who feels for everyone around her. Her family is quite interesting as well and I hope they all get their own books, specially her sister Silence, I am very intrigues by what happened to her.

The book is very sensual as are all Hoyt’s books, borderline erotica but it is very very good, no one writes them quite that way unfortunately.

On a side note the audiobook is very good for those of you considering buying it. 

The Spymaster's Lady Audiobook

Possibly one of the best if not the best audio books I have listened to. The story itself is very interesting and different from your regular historical romance, there is no misunderstanding or questioning of feelings and actions, it is a very nice romance woven into a secret agent plot. There were several scenes that were jaw dropping, first was at the beginning of the book when Anik was acting in the cell where she was locked up, picturing such vivid details of a dance in a gipsy camp where she is wearing almost nothing. You have to listen to the narrator of the book though, she just did it with the most seductive French accent ever. The second scene is when they are trying to escape France and were pretending to be Germans, it was glorious acting. The third favorite scene is one involving a bath tub in England…utterly delicious.
The heroine is my all time favorite character, there is no one else out there like her. I have to say I have read a lot of PNR/UF as well as fantasy and this girl was better then any sword wielding, badass vampire/warewolf/witch.
The entire book does not have one dull moment. The audio book is spectacular, the narrator is very gifted, she portrayed not only variety of voices but variety of accents as well, which is something I have not encountered in other audio books.

I would recommend this book to everyone.