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Showing posts with label Gamblers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gamblers. Show all posts

Saturday, 11 August 2012

Review: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas


Dreaming of You
by Lisa Kleypas
Gamblers #2

Miss Sara Fielding, a celebrated but reclusive author, is researching her new book about gambling in the seedier parts of London a long way from her sedate live in the country. When she saves a man from being attacked she is astounded to realize that it is none other than the owner of the renowned gaming hall, Mr Derek Craven. In repayment for saving his life he lets the spinsterish but adventurous Miss Fielding into his club for her research; however, the little “mouse” seems to be getting under his skin, cracking the wall he has carefully erected over his emotions and heart.

Lisa Kleypas is a very talented writer and this book is one of her best, in fact it is one of the best romances historical or otherwise that I have read. And what makes it so good is Derek Craven, a truly brilliantly well rounded character, you get a glimpse of him in Then Came You but in this book he is outstanding; a truly unforgettable hero. He is a dark and complex character and the more you learn and understand about him and glimpse beneath his cold and mocking exterior you start to fall head over heels in love with him. He has a chequered past, which I won’t reveal any of as I don’t want to spoil it, because of this he doesn’t think he is good enough for Sara; with this mixture of danger and vulnerability I challenge any woman not to fall instantly in love with him!

Sara is another prime example of Ms Klepas's skill at creating unforgettable and well rounded character. She wasn’t the typical blushing country maiden and I found her charming, her naiveté despite having written a rather worldly book and her good nature made her the kind of person you wish you knew and were friends with. She is definitely one of my favourite heroines.

The romance between Derek and Sara was intense, Derek is a man of extremes and when he loves, he love violently and it is coveyed fantastically well on the page. It kept me riveted to the book and Derek and Sara have remained one of my favourite of her couples. Also if you are a fan of the Wallflower Quartet you get a glimpse of Ivo Jenner, Evie’s father, I love how her books all connect together.

Anyone with a love for dark, tormented and dangerously complicated heroes as well as those who like wallflower/bluestocking stories (if you love both, you are in luck!) this should make it on your must-read-right-now list, but I recommend that anyone who is a fan of romance give this a try.

Sara on Love

"Don't you understand how much even one day of loving each other is worth? Some people are searated by distances that can never cross. All they can do is dream about each other for a lifetime, never having what they want most. How foolish, how wasteful to havr love within your reach and not take it!"

Derek on Love

There was also the occasional bite of resentment when he realized she had become the source of all pleasure to him, all comfort and peace. She was the first human being he had ever needed. He had lost his freedom in a way he had never imagined possible, bound more securely by her love than by a mile's length of iron chains 

Friday, 10 August 2012

Review: Where's My Hero? by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn & Kinley MacGregor


Where's My Hero?
by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn & Kinley MacGregor
#2.5 Gamblers

I love the idea of this anthology, short stories about secondary characters from other books getting their HEAs. I find I end up loving a well drawn secondary character almost as much as the main ones so I thought this was a fabulous idea!

Against the Odds by Lisa Kleypas


This novella was the reason I was so eager to read this anthology, I am a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas, and Dreaming of You is one of my favourite books, so seeing a novella that has my book husband Derek Craven in it had me very excited. Lydia, is Derek and Sara's daughter and like her father she is very mathmatically minded but also very sensible and makes decisions using her head and not her heart. But, could this be the right thing to do when chosing a husband?

Although short I did really enjoy this. With a relatively small number of pages Lisa Kleypas created a likable hero and heroine who had explosive chemistry and deep feelings for one another. And, it was not only great to see a new romance blossom, but also to see Sara and Derek 20 years later and still just as much in love. If you are a fan of Lisa Kleypas this is a must read, and if you haven't read her before this is a nice taster.

Midsummer's Knight by Kinley MacGregor aka Sherrilyn Kenyon


Before I start this review properly I should warn you that I am not really a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing style, and that is the main problem I have with her books and unfortunately this book was no different. I liked the idea of two people falling in love through letters and then finally coming face to face, it was very sweet, but, as I always do, I found the writing over the top and a little cheesy.

If you are a fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor though you will love this book, and you shoudl definietly read it, even as someone who isn't a fan I still liked reading it, but I did find myself a little relieved when it ended.

A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn


I love a good Julia Quinn book! She can write the most amusing light hearted banter and sweet romances, making her books so readable that I find I have finished them before I have even realised I have begun! A Tale of Two Sisters is very much the same, a funny smart girl and a sightly wicked but essentially nice guy who fall in love with eachother. If this were a full length novel I would have a few issues with how quickly they managed to fall in love, but as it was a novella I find that it is much easier to forgive.

A great quick read that will have you chuckling to yourself!