The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

A second battle-hardened, completely unstoppable, all-male hero, an ex-officer of the Crown, confronts the deadly enemy known only as the Black Cobra.

He's focused on his mission, then sees a lady he never dreamed he'd see again—with an assassin on her heels.

She secretly followed him, unaware her path is deadly—or that she'll join him to battle a treacherous foe.

Through ever-present peril, through passion, desire, and ecstasy, they race to reach England—and their destiny.

It's amazing! I have a book review to write! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, thrown my hands up at the sky, and screamed 'NO MORE BOOKS!'

........that might have been a bit much, huh?

Whatever I don't care - it's Friday and I've finally finished this book! Woohoo! It took me forever because this book was really only so-so (I'm very sad to be saying that, but it's true). I didn't really like the format of having the heroine write in her diary at the beginning of chapters - I pretty much skipped those from the 3rd chapter on. But even after that I just didn't feel the connection to the main couple like I usually do; there was just something about Emily and Gareth as people that made me care somewhat about their romance, but I never ended up caring a lot. Once you got to the middle of the book the story started picking up and at the end when I got little glimpses of all the Cynsters I fell in love with before, I even started liking it. But to be completely honest (which I try to do) the story was just not up to par with the others.

Overall Feeling - Eh. I don't give 'eh's very often, so you know that when I do they're usually warranted. Pick it up if you want to complete the series, but don't feel bad if you wait until your local library starts carrying a copy.

Series - 1) The Untamed Bride 2) The Elusive Bride 3) The Brazen Bride (July 2010)

Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens

The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.

As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as "Dalziel," Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England's most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grand dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle's willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene faÇade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

I LOVE Stephanie Laurens and this book is just a great reminder of why that love is so justified. She is hands down my favorite author for regency England romances, I don't care how historically inaccurate they might be. Her woman are just strong representations of femininity, strong without obviously kicking ass or taking names - subtlety is the word for a Laurens heroine. And in this book Laurens another compelling hero in Royce - the head of the Bastion Club come home at last to claim his Ducal title. It's one of those books that while it might look like it only has a simple plot from the outside, is actually quite complex and the twists and turns that result in the happy ending are engaging and enjoyable. I highly recommend it, as a stand alone or as the last in the series.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs (way) up. A great conclusion and a wonderful example of what makes Lauren a pinnacle of the romance genre.

Series - Prequel) Captain Jack's Woman 1) The Lady Chosen 2) A Gentlemen's Honor 3) A Lady of His Own 4) A Fine Passion 5) To Distraction 6) Beyond Seduction 7) The Edge of Desire 8) Mastered By Love

Kissing Midnight by Emma Holly

Edmund Fitz Clare has been keeping secrets he can’t afford to expose. Not to the orphans he’s adopted. Not to the woman he’s been yearning after for years. This seeming professor of history is a shapeshifting vampire, determined to redeem past misdeeds.

Estelle Berenger knows better than to fall for her best friend’s father, but he holds the key to a mystery: that ever since she was struck by lightning, she’s had abilities no normal woman should be able to call upon.

The question is, can these star-crossed lovers survive a vampire war?

Let me first just say that I think you have to be in the mood for Emma Holly. She does these incredible combinations of romance and the paranormal, but there's just something about how she writes that makes me feel like I couldn't read her all the time. Maybe it's just how I relate to her characters or the way she writes her sex scenes, I'm not sure. But her stories are good. Steamy, yet filled with emotion. And this one is no exception, the beginning of a new trilogy (though featuring a character from another series of hers), the book introduces us to all the main players and then also sets up the plot to go in a lot of different directions. Vampire political intrigue, family interactions, love and happy endings; all of thes things have come up now and will for sure make an appearance in future books.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. An interesting beginning to a new series, I look forward to reacquainting myself with Holly's vampire world!

Series - 1) Kissing Midnight 2) Breaking Midnight (July 2009) 3) Saving Midnight (August 2009)