Cathy Maxwell

My second series from Ms. Maxwell is the Cameron Sisters. It is comprised of 5 books:

1. Temptation of a Proper Governess (2004)
2. The Price of Indiscretion (2005)
3. In the Bed of a Duke (2006)
4. Bedding the Heiress (2007)
5. In the Highlander's Bed (2008)

This series is the story of, basically, a family of three orphaned sisters. The first story introduces business partners from America as they venture to London; One to clear his name of murder, the other to find his long lost father and make something of himself. Michael succumbs to the Temptation of the governess and Alex is kept in the story as his fate is the Price of Indiscretion. Here is where the 3 sisters are introduced. Miranda, the elected 'most beautiful' of the bunch is to go London to marry a title thus finding the funds to bring the other two over the Atlantic from New York where they will wait. Their story began in the Ohio Valley where there parents met their deaths at the hands of the elements. Miranda and Alex have a history, but that was 10 years ago and is determined to find herself a titled gent to please her sisters. The gent she finds is a Duke, but she also finds Alex and cannot seem to let him go. In the third book, it is the eldest sister, Charlotte, that finds herself in the Bed of the Duke as the alliance of Michael and Alex has funded the remaining sister’s voyage to London. Charlotte is on her way to visit a Laird in Scotland when her path crosses that of the Duke that was to be her sister's husband. This story also introduces Justin (aka Tavis) who then Beds the Heiress in story four. Tavis was kidnapped as a baby and brought to a Scottish clan. He was then rescued by his brother and the Duke then tells him that Justin was the first born and he is the real Duke. His heiress is able to fund his ideas to help clan in which he grew up. This Highlander friend in the fourth story is the bed in which, Constance, the third sister, finds herself in for the conclusion of this series.
I enjoyed the flow of events and really liked the fact that all the stories were nicely intertwined. Often non-principal players in some series are lost in the next book and one finds themselves wondering what happens to them. Not so with this 5 part series. The sisters were highlighted in books 2, 3 and 5 and other integral players were highlighted in the other books. The only drawback was in the last book two women were introduced and left with no conclusion which makes me wonder if they will be part of another series, or lost to fiction history.
As indicated by the titles of each installment, each of the elemental characters engages in the pleasures of the flesh prior to the marriage bed. There are no additional partners and neither is married to another at the time (and it all works out in the end.) I found the instances of each coupling to be unique to each story and it did flow nicely, the only drawback was the reactions of each character seemed to be written the same way in each book and it took away from the 'moment' by the third book. The way the experiences were written could have had a greater variance of word choice for their reactions. It did not detract from the essence of the moment nor how this was pivotal to the story, it just would have been nice to feel like I wasn’t re-reading the same scene from one book to the next.
I will continue to work my way through all of the books that Cathy Maxwell has out as I really enjoy her stories and hurdles her characters overcome to find that ultimate, elusive: LOVE

http://www.cathymaxwell.com/

Amanda Forester

Ahhhh, Ms. Forester. I just finished her three book Series Highlander:

1. The Highlander's Sword (2010)
2. The Highlander's Heart (2011)
3. True Highlander Spirit (2012)

There are truly not enough acclaiming adjectives in the English language to describe this series. The writing was superb, the stories were riveting, the characters were believable, adorable, endearing, enchanting, likeable, despicable, and loving, the settings were warming, enveloping, detailed, and the history was fantastic. Wow. My only bad thing to say is that this is all I can find that Ms. Forester has written in this genre.
From my research, Ms. Forester has a PhD in Clinical Psychology as well as a Masters in Theology. Her character insight was enveloping, as there was no mistaking who they believed themselves to be, how they carried themselves, what they believed in, and how they lived. It was true to form from the first written word to the last. Each character was unique until to him or herself and I never felt like these books were written from a formula or on a whim. And, unlike some series, the third book was the absolute BEST. The heroine in that book is delightful, mesmerizing, astonishing, fabulous, witty, and childlike in some scenarios and beyond her years in others. I felt for her, with her and about her through very word on the page.
I highly recommend that when you do read these, and urge you I do, to read them, read the Author's Note at the end of each book. This outlines the historical significance of each event, the actual history behind it and where she took poetic license.
As a side note, there is that stigma "out there" that Romance books are just a load of rubbish centered around two people with puppy dog eyes and how they overcome enormously exaggerated obstacles to come together to live happily ever after. Rot! From researching many an author before I read any of their works (via their own websites or any others that mention them) I have found that their books are written after extensive fact finding through personal experiences, interviews, visiting of historic sights, and their own readings Many romance authors do, what seems like to me, almost as much research as an author of a biography or book on a particular historic event. Ms. Forester is no exception to this painstaking (albeit probably highly enjoyable and thought provoking) process to make the love stories in her books not only believable, but historically accurate (almost to a fault.) She, however, is not the only author that follows this principle. I have found that when a certain subject comes up in conversation, I can recall a romance book that I have read that includes that time period and I am able to add to the dialogue based on the historic references provided.
So, go to your local library, book store, or website and borrow or purchase Amanda Forester's Highlander series, all three of them, and sit down with your favorite beverage and snack and dig in. Though shalt not be disappointed!!!!!!

http://www.amandaforester.com/

Rose Gordon

This is my first series by Ms. Gordon and I have already lined up her other series (which I wish I had read first) to read.

Groom
1. Her Sudden Groom (2011)
2. Her Reluctant Groom (2011)
3. Her Secondhand Groom (2011)
4. Her Imperfect Groom (2012)

The one thing I really liked about this series is the intertwining of all the characters from one book to the next. They were friends or relatives, but it wasn't the 'popular' guy (or girl) and it was the rake that got the attention. It was the ‘brainiack’ or the 'forgotten' one. The characteristics that made up each entity in the stories belonged solely to them and they stayed on course with those quirks through each book. She stayed true to form for each person as they traversed from book one to four.
The only confusing bit for this series was that every person was mentioned by their name with a brief introduction as to whom they were, but then you were expected to remember who they were each time they were mentioned. That was a little difficult for me as I became wrapped up in the story and a name was thrown in it sort of derailed me as I had to then retrace my character list and come up with who they were. Had I read the Ms. Gordon's first series, Scandalous Sisters, I may have been able to keep the extraneous characters straight as they are each featured in those stores, but alas I found this series first and did even think to see if they were linked in any way. As I said, they are in the lineup for the very near future (as I do prefer to mix up my authors as I read to get glimpse of different writing styles, enjoy different time periods of history, and delve into a myriad of cultures.)
All in all this was a wonderful series and I enjoyed the interplay of the characters in each one.

http://www.rosegordon.net/Site/Home.html

Julia Quinn

Ah, Ms. Quinn (aka Julie Cotler Pottinger) and her delightful books. As a side note about this author, she chose the pen name 'Quinn' so she could be near her favorite author in the library. Also, if you visit the Romance Writers of America website she is listed in the Hall of Fame as receiving top honors for several of her accomplishments many times over. In my opinion, all of her awards and words of praise are wholeheartedly deserved as I have yet to read anything of her I have found lacking in any way at all!

Back to the most recent series of hers that I just finished....
Two dukes of Wyndham
1. The Lost Duke of Wyndham (2008)
2. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (2008)

Where to begin? These two stories are the same except that each is from the perspective of the two main characters of their respective books. The Lost Duke is the long lost son of the son that died and no one was aware that at the son's time of demise, his wife, that also no one knew about, was carrying their child. He was the second son (and most favoured by his mother) and would have become The Duke when the eldest son perished had he also not met his fate at the bottom of the sea. The second book centers on the third son's son who did become The Duke upon his father's death because at the time he was the only living (that anyone was aware of) heir to the Dukedom. The stories begin with a highwayman robbing a coach.
I will admit that it was hard to read the second book as I felt like I was reading the same thing again. And, truly, in some parts I was. Ms. Quinn repeated the exact words in instances where the four characters were (or at least at any time where there were a minimum of two from each book) in a dialogue or having a shared experience. Any thoughts, mind you, were then added from that respective character and thus that made the one book different from the other, but it still made it a bit less 'new' feeling.
It was an excellent series and very well done despite the repetition of events. I applaud Ms. Quinn's insight and creativity to pull off such a work. And making it two books instead of just one, which would have been very easy to do (and maybe more pleasant for the reader to not have to endure the same dialogue twice as well as shared events.) The end results are most enjoyable as Ms. Quinn is able to completely develop a character and keep their traits solely theirs. The heroines in each story are completely different, and the first book reveals nothing of the ending of the second so once the stories split from each other, so to speak, the ending of the second is uniquely its own. That makes it all worth reading (or re-reading as it were) the story.

http://www.juliaquinn.com/

Caroline Clemmons

There are two books in the series I just read from Caroline Clemmons:
1. The Most Unsuitable Wife
2. The Most Unsuitable Husband
and they are very much intertwined. I recommend reading the one after the other due to how the content flows from one to the other.
Her writing is good, the stories flowed very nicely and they seemed very plausible. The relationship of the the three 'children' caused me to question their heredity, but it was soon revealed by the end of the second book.
I don't have overflowing praise for these books, but they were worth my time, I enjoyed them and I would very much read more from Ms. Clemmons.

http://www.carolineclemmons.com/

Cathy Maxwell

Cathy Maxwell's series called Marriage has been my latest conquest. The three books in that series are:
1. Married in Haste
2. A Scandalous Marriage
3. The Marriage Contract
Fabulous. Wonderful. Terrific. The writing was easy to follow, there were no unnecessary added tidbits, and there was no groveling or fainting women or fanciful words to drown in. It was straightforward, had a great story to follow and a tremendous ending. She has several other series and I hope to read them all!!
Tess, Leah, and Anne brought much to their marriages, and learned a great deal in the process about themselves and the people around them. It was a good adventure in life's good and bad moments.
Go, read these!!!

http://www.cathymaxwell.com/

Paula Quinn

I just finished reading the Risande Family series from Paula Quinn. Included in the series are the following titles:
1. Lord of Desire
2. Lord of Temptation
3. Lord of Seduction
I really wanted to like these books. The writing style bothered me immensely. She would write broad "time" statements just as, "several hours later" without really building up to anything nor really leaving you with enough to imagine what may have happened during that time. I'd think, "well, they ended here and the written words lead me here before they ended, is my imagination supposed to take me further?" Then, when the story continued 'several hours later' there wasn't anything of impact that occurred to the characters just slept or ate dinner or whatever. I would have preferred her to write something along the lines of, "several hours after their long cozy nap...," or "after succumbing to slumber for several hours..." Either would have been intimately better than just leaving it wide open with no direction.
I preferred the first and third stories better than the second. The story line was just as good, the execution of the interaction between the characters left me a bit bored. It was too much 'gush' on occasions (in contrast to the nothingness of the broad time statements) and it could have been scaled back just a bit.
Overall, I would recommend these books. I delight in reading all authors, so far, and am happy to have included these.

http://www.paulaquinn.com/

Christie Craig

Talk about delightful! I cannot wait to read her Texas books!!!! Being a divorcee myself, reading her books reminds us that just because we have failed in love once, does not mean that it is gone forever. As long as we still draw breath, life can hold love....and we can be held by that love!

Divorced, Desperate
1. Divorced, Desperate and Delicious
2. Divorced, Desperate and Dating
3. Divorced, Desperate and Deceived

Novels
Weddings Can Be Murder
Gotcha!
Shut Up and Kiss Me

The 3 novels are 'crime' based which gives the story a nice flow and a purpose. She keeps the interest up, the story moving and the humor sparking through in her books and I enjoyed every one of them.
Looking forward to more!!!

www.christie-craig.com/

Candace Hern

Ms. Hern has some cute series to offer and I have read two of them as well as a stand alone novella. They were quick enjoyable reads and I look forward to delving into more of hers in the future.

Proper Companion Series
1. A Proper Companion
2. A Change of Heart
3. An Affair of Honor

Garden Folly Series
1. A Garden Folly
2. The Best Intentions

Desperate Measures, a novella

http://www.candicehern.com/

Assorted Short Stories

My favorite book store, Barnes and Noble, offers free ebooks on their website and may of them are short stories. I read the reviews, and the synopsis. I will rarely download a book with fewer than two stars for its review unless the overview just captures too much of my imagination to care what others thought of it. I also look at the size of the book. If it is rated very highly, even though it is a very small file size, I will go ahead and take a peek at it; for free, why not?
Some of my recent "short" downloads have been:

Bed Times by Suzy Stewart Dubois. Very cool. It gave more background than many short stories. It was a time travel novel, based on an bed with roses carved into it...and the heroine's name is Rose. The bed maker is from the past and Rose is from the present. When they are both in bed, they are together. Once they get out of bed, they are in their own time.

The Blind Date by Nikki James. You have to like erotic, or not mind reading it, to be able to get through this short story. It was cute, a nice read, and I would read more by this author. I can't say much more than that due to it being a short story, it would give it all away to say too much more.

The Plan by J. J. Westendarp. Wow. Just Wow. Incredible. I really really enjoyed this story. The detail, the build up, the reference back to the title, the whole darn kit and kaboodle was just wonderful!!! I am going to be looking for this author's works!!!! I hope my finds don't disappoint because this one sure was a winner!!!

A Gift of Snow by Missy Maxim. Snow and lots of it. This was one of those stories that if you really let your imagination wander, this is what you would do it a stranger knocked on your door in the middle of a snow door out in the wilds of the mountains! And what happens after that allows you to smile at the choices made. I rather enjoyed the bathroom mirror references. Anyone who was truly honest with themselves, if they hadn't already enjoyed the scene, would being willing to try that one!!!

Quittin' Time by Delores Fossen. This one just made me want to know the beginning of the story. It was a great ending.

Lucky in Love by Cari Hislop. Where to begin. Weird? **scrunched forehead** Really? Strange? All of these words and facial contortions came to me during and after reading this short story. I can't say it was bad nor good. I can't say I don't recommend it, but then I can say that I do either. If you really are at a loss of what to read next or if you just want to try something different, out of your ordinary and don't expect too much, go ahead, this one fits that bill.

I have a few more in my collection and when I get through them, I will share.

Marcia Gruver

Marcia Gruver has a trilogy called Texas Fortunes. The first in series, Diamond Duo, is based on real events that occured in Jefferson, TX. She used real names, events, and locations while creating a fictional story around the history. The next two in the series involve the children of two of the characters from the first book. Ms. Gruver had a way with reminding me that God is as much as we let him be in us, but he has all to give. We have to believe, accept, invite, allow and evolve with him as he is always there waiting for us. He never leaves us, it is our perception of what we choose to belive of him that makes a difference. These books also reminded me that what we think someone else is thinking is often NOT what they are thinking at all. It helps to talk about it, delve into all possibilities and ask for God's help in interpreting what we find, what we think we have found, and sorting out the truth.
The Triology includes these titles:
1. Diamond Duo (2008)
2. Chasing Charity (2009)
3. Emmy's Equal (2009)

http://www.marciagruver.com/

Julia London

The "second" Julia. I have read one of her 'modern day' or contemporary series and have yet to indulge in her historic offerings.
The series is:

Lear Family Trilogy

1. Material Girl

2. Beauty Queen

3. Miss Fortune I would have to say that the last was my favorite. Having spent some time in London, and a few other places in this vast and beautiful world in which we live, people are really just people from no matter from where they hail and this story reflects this. The way the herroine does not oogle over her "Brit" the way many might for just an accent or experience as opposed to seeing him as just a man wanting to give and get love, is what synched it for me. Great job Ms. London! Looking forward to indulges in others of hers... http://www.julialondon.com/

Alexis Harrington

Ahhh, Alexis. Emotional stuff, this! Good story lines, nice character development, believable situations and just enough to keep the imagination smiling. I have read four of her stand alone novels so far, but she is a 'nice' favorite.
Ones I have indulged in so far....

A Taste of Heaven Harper's Bride Allie's Moon The Irish Bride Ahhhh, Allie's Moon. Good Stuff, that!!!! Loved it!

http://www.alexisharrington.com/

Ruth Ann Nordin

Ms. Nordin....such a variance with her genres. When researching her offerings, I found "Queen of Raz" in the listings. A unique otherworldy experience that I chose not to partake of. Many of hers I have purchased for less than $3 US. Some were more than worth it, others, I was glad that was what I paid.

My FAVORITE series of her is:

South Dakota

1. Loving Eliza

2. Bid for a Bride)

3. Bride of Second Chances With Bride of Second Changes being the absolute best best best of her books ever!!!!!!! Read the whole series, they are pretty fast, then see if I am not correct in my assessment! This is labeled as a series, but I have only found the one book amongst it: Montana Grooms 1. The Keeping of Greg Wilson Her stand alone novels are easily devoured and enjoyed. For me those are: An Unlikely Place for Love: The Disguises of Kate Tanner The Cold Wife Romancing Adrienne With This Ring, I Thee Dread Falling In Love With Her Husband Eye of the Beholder Meant To Be His Redeeming Bride A Chance In Time Restoring Hope The Wrong Husband What Nathan Wants Brave Beginnings Bride for Tom / Husband for Margaret An Inconvenient Marriage: The Keeping of Jake Mitchell *several of these are associated and it is curious that they are not listed as being a series, but they are ok when read alone. Restoring Hope and Brave Beginnings are related. In my opinion Brave Beginnings went on just a little too much for my taste. It packed too much in and thus had some details that were a bit far fetched. I had to switch to another author after that one and get that out of the mind before I could go back to another one to allow her redeem herself. http://www.ruthannnordin.com/

Kathleen Morgan

Ms. Morgan intertwines a religious view into her novels which are another favorite of mine. When a pastor is married, there is the same love, sex, arguments, and reconciliation as anyone might endure (or enjoy) despite the religious aspect of their lives. People are people and Love and God are just as intertwined as Life and Water. There are a whole host of Christian infused Romance books that are not Amish themed that I find mirror the thoughts and values of the "average" believer. To ask for advice and assistance from a Divine source for Love and Happiness has happened through the ages and continues today. To include it in our writings and our reading choices is elemental!

The series of her that I have read is:

Brides of Culdee Creek

1. Daughter of Joy

2. Woman of Grace

3. Lady of Light

4. Child of Promise http://www.kathleenmorgan.com/

Julianne MacLean

I am on my second series with Ms. MacLeans offerings. The first one, American Heiress, was quite enjoyable. They include:

American Heiress

1. To Marry the Duke

2. An Affair Most Wicked

3. My Own Private Hero

4. Love According to Lily

5. Portrait of a Lover

6. Surrender to a Scoundrel *I particularly like Portrait of a Lover. I found myself forgiving the scoundrel as the prose unfolded. The story didn't really say "He is being wronged!!" but it was a subtle ....what do you think?...kind of insinuation. I am currently devouring: Pembroke Palace 1. In My Wildest Fantasies 2. The Mistress Diaries 3. When a Stranger Loves Me I enjoyed latter part of the first installment, I really liked the second book, and the third is so different a beginning that I am cursing life that I haven't been able to finish it sooner! Wow! Talk about bucking the norm with this one. http://www.juliannemaclean.com/

Laura Lee Guhrke

I discovered Ms. Guhrke from a free book and I am hooked!!!
Wow! I really enjoy her stories! She uses similar surroundings with different twists, suchh as a "second son" and a Toy Factory! Toys! yes they have been around for a long time but to put the subject into a Regency Romance. It broadens the mind and tweeks the curiosity!


Here is a good series from her that I have read:

Seduction

1. Guilty Pleasures

2. His Every Kiss

3. The Marriage Bed

4. She's No Princess And then some miscellaneous novels: Prelude to Heaven To Dream Again Coner's Way *To Dream is the "Toy" story. ** Conor's Way was my first. http://www.lauraleeguhrke.com/

Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn...She ranks in my top 10!
I have read these of hers, so far, and do recommend that they are read in order (with their 2nd Epilogue counterparts.)

Bridgerton

1. The Duke and I

2. The Viscount Who Loved Me

3. An Offer from a Gentleman

4. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

5. To Sir Philip,with Love

6. When He Was Wicked

7. It's in His Kiss

8. On the Way to the Wedding The family is engaging, the story lines are quick to bring you in, and the endings, well, the endings are just what I want with the type of books I read!!!! http://www.juliaquinn.com/