BOOKS "A LA CARTE"--Delicious treats for readers from KENSINGTON, BRAVA, and ZEBRA BOOKS!
Delicious treats for readers from KENSINGTON, BRAVA, and ZEBRA BOOKS!!!
NO LONGER A GENTLEMAN by Mary Jo Putney
Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, never met a predicament he couldn’t charm his way out of. Then a tryst with a government official’s wife during a bit of casual espionage in France condemns him to a decade in a dungeon, leaving him a shadow of his former self. Yet his greatest challenge may be the enigmatic spy sent to free his body—the only woman who might heal his soul.
Cassie Fox lost everything in the chaos of revolution, leaving only a determination to help destroy Napoleon’s empire through her perilous calling. Rescuing Grey is merely one more mission. She hadn’t counted on a man with the stark beauty of a ravaged angel, whose desperate courage and vulnerability thaw her frozen heart. But a spy and a lord are divided by an impassable gulf even if they manage to survive one last, terrifying mission….
A man’s past doesn’t have to map his fate, especially when a woman holds the key to his destiny in this timeless novel by New York Times bestselling author and legend in historical romance Mary Jo Putney…
Disinherited and disgraced, Reginald Davenport’s prospects cried for a dire end. But fate has given him one last chance at redemption—by taking his rightful place as the heir of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate. Davenport knows his way around women, yet nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with Lady Alys Weston.
Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal. She was finished with men—until Strickland’s restored owner awakens a passion she thought she would never feel. A passion that will doom or save them both…if only they can overcome their pasts…
IMPROPER SEDUCTION by Mary Wine
A Rearranged Marriage
Lord Curan Ramsden is home from war, and eager to claim his betrothed. And he arrives just in time—his bride’s father has summoned her to London, to wed another man. But Bridget’s father promised her to Curan, and Curan means to have her. Especially now that he sees the luscious young woman she has blossomed into. He’ll just have to convince Bridget, somehow, that her heart is more important than her duty…
Bridget Newbury has always done her duty—to her parents, to the church, to the man they selected as her betrothed. She knows what could happen if she disobeys her father. The king has put nobler women to death for lesser trespasses. But she was promised to Curan first, and his kisses are very tempting…
UNEXPECTED PLEASURES by Mary Wine
A Dangerous Game
As Lady Justina Wincott’s brutal guardian, Viscount Biddeford promises any disobedience from her will cost her son dearly. A pawn in his games of court treachery, the beautiful widow is forced to tempt secrets from his enemies and seduce allegiance from his friends. Yet even Biddeford’s wrath won’t make Justina sully the only man of honor she’s ever known…
Sir Synclair has earned his honor in blood and muck. War taught him the way to victory is rarely clean—but the passion Justina sparks in him is not to be ignored. Never mind the predators who crave her beauty, or Biddeford’s ruthless wiles; he will have her as his wife. And yet if he is to wed Justina, his fiercest battle may be with the lady herself…
A sexy chocolatier and his under-appreciated assistant discover you can’t have too much of a good thing in USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley’s delectable new novel…
After ten years of saving her boss’s (admittedly gorgeous) butt, stifling her crush, and being endlessly inconvenienced, administrative assistant Natasha Jennings has had enough. True, chocolatier Damon Torrance is every bit as irresistible as the confections created by Torrance Chocolates. The man is sex on a stick dipped in 70% Tanzanian Cacao. But for the sake of her career, her sanity, and possibly her heart, Natasha has to go.
Money, success, women…everything comes easily to Damon. Until Natasha hands in her notice. He needs to get her, and his mojo, back—fast. But from the moment Damon rings Natasha’s doorbell and steps into her personal life, he starts feeling things he never has before. For once, the notorious playboy wants to be good. Which makes it extra inconvenient that Natasha is suddenly tempted to try being a little wicked. And the results may be sweeter than either ever anticipated…
TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS by Lisa Plumley
In a hilarious and heartwarming novel from USA Today bestselling author Lisa Plumley, a down-home diner owner meets a sexy Scrooge—but will it be a match made in holiday heaven?
Casey Jackson doesn’t do Christmas. Mistletoe, eggnog, pitchy carolers—it all leaves the L.A. based talent agent colder than a winter sleigh ride. Nonetheless, Casey’s been called to Kismet, Michigan, to help get a pop star’s holiday special back on track. But it’s the diva’s sister who’s proving the biggest obstacle. Kristen Miller is funny, sassy—and crazy about Christmas. And suddenly, Casey has all kinds of visions dancing in his head…
Kristen can’t believe that Casey is anti-Christmas. To her, the season is as magical as the thrill she feels whenever they touch. Because even though Kristen set out to teach the charismatic hotshot a thing or two, she’s learning some lessons of her own. About letting herself stand in the spotlight for once, about holiday flings that can turn into much more—and about how all you really need for the perfect Christmas is the right person to share it with…
WHEN A DUKE SAYS I DO by Jane Goodger
Miss Elsie Stanhope resided in Nottinghamshire, an area so rich in titled gentlemen, so felicitous for marriage-minded mamas, it was called “the Dukeries.” Indeed, Elsie had been betrothed since childhood to the heir of a dukedom. She had no expectation it would be a love match. Still less that she would enter into a shockingly scandalous affair with an altogether different sort of lover. And the very last thing she imagined was that the mysteries of his birth would be unraveled with as many unforeseen twists and turns as the deepest secrets of her heart.
THE MAD LORD'S DAUGHTER by Jane Goodger
Locked away by her reclusive and intensely protective father, the recently deceased “Mad Lord of Northumberland,” Melissa is beautiful and educated but painfully naïve about the real world—and the dark secrets of her birth. Now in the care of her uncle, the Earl of Braddock, she must prepare to enter London society and find a proper husband, a task that grows complicated when she falls for the one man she can never have. Just as a promising new life begins to eclipse her tragic past, she’ll find herself consumed by a forbidden love that could destroy it all…
TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER by Michele Sinclair
Of the seven bold brothers born to defend their Scottish Highlands, Crevan McTiernay is the most restrained. But that doesn’t make him any less passionate…
It Begins As A Ploy…
When Raelynd Schellden and her sister are caught in the stables with the notorious McTiernay twins, her father sees not scandal, but opportunity. The future of his clan is uncertain, and a double engagement—even under false pretenses—will lend security to his people and protect his beloved daughters from power-mad fools.
And Becomes A Pleasure
But Raelynd’s designated intended interests her far less than his quietly powerful brother Crevan, a man born to lead. Though bound by honor and committed to his sworn duty, Crevan cannot resist a taste of Raelynd’s crimson lips when offered—and then another and another—until the unlikely couple is entangled in both a public deception and each other’s hearts…
A WOMAN MADE FOR PLEASURE by Michele Sinclair
Known as the Daring Three, a trio of exquisite young women are taking London by storm. But if Lady Millie Aldon has her way, no man will win her hand in marriage—not even the one she loves…
A Passion For Adventure
Drawn to a life of excitement and risk, Lady Millie Aldon made a pact to forsake marriage. But her plans are thrown into chaos when Chase Wentworth returns to town. The lanky lad she remembers from childhood is now the Marquess of Chaselton, possessing an air of mystery Millie can’t resist. As Chase moves through London’s elite circles, his stealth manner has Millie convinced he harbors a secret—one she is determined to reveal…
A Dangerous Seduction
As Millie makes a game of observing Chase’s every move, she finds her attraction to him unsettling. When a stolen kiss threatens to turn their flirtation into something more powerful, she questions her vow of freedom. But Millie has no idea of the danger she’s facing. Chase has a complicated past—and his clandestine efforts to expose a traitor will soon provide a more perilous—and passionate—adventure than Millie could ever have planned…
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NO LONGER A GENTLEMAN--REVIEW : )
NO LONGER A GENTLEMAN by Mary Jo Putney
My Review:
***4 Stars freed from prison, captured by love Grey Sommers, Lord Wyndham, allows his misspent youth to catch up with him when he dabbles in espionage and dallies with the wrong married woman. Caught in the act by the woman's cruel husband, Grey is imprisoned without a ransom demand, and he endures a decade in the dark hole of a castle dungeon. Grey's friend, Lord Kirkland, the one who sent Grey upon his misguided mission, has never stopped trying to find Grey all throughout the long ten years. When word finally comes of Grey's location, Kirkland sends in his top operative, Cassie Fox, to rescue the lost lord. During Grey's incarceration, he kept himself as fit as possible by exercising his body and mind each day. When the rescue comes, he is more than ready to escape, bring along with him another prisoner, Pere Laurent, whom he had befriended. After leaving Pere Laurent in the care of his relatives, Cassie and Grey make their way back to England. In order to pull off Grey's rescue, Cassie is traveling in one of her many disguises, that of an old woman. At first Grey is shaken by his attraction to this spry "older woman", and he attributes his feelings to being deprived of a woman's touch for so long. The attraction is mutual, and soon passion burns bright between Grey and Cassie. After such a long and cruel imprisonment, Grey's emotions are in turmoil and he sometimes loses control of his behavior. Through Cassie's sweet attentions and encouragement, Grey begins to heal from the inside out. Cassie is not without her own deep emotional issues, and she needs Grey as much as he needs her. However, Cassie swore to destroy Napoleon and his empire when her family was brutally killed and her home destroyed in the turmoil of the French Revolution. Can a once lost lord and a lady spy conquer their enemies and claim the love they can find with no other? Adventure, emotion, humor, and human drama, presented with great style by author Mary Jo Putney. Review Copy Gratis Kensington Books
unusual historical, alcoholic hero proves ultimately worthy
THE RAKE by Mary Jo Putney
"The Rake", by Mary Jo Putney, features an unusual historical romance story line. The title character is not just a self-indulgent pleasure-seeker, he is a true alcoholic. He suffers blackouts with loss of memory, violent mood swings, and depression. Reginald Davenport, trapped by his heritage, and unbeknownst to him, denied his true birthright, loses his family at a young age. Forced into a regimented education, treated with cruelty and disdain, Reggie learns how to protect himself from others. Keenly intelligent, capable, and sharp of wit, Reggie rebels against his societal limitations by engaging in wild behavior and excessive drinking. Closing in on age forty, Reggie is a man who seems fated to meet an early, unfortunate death. A chance at redemption comes when his cousin helps him to regain his childhood home, which had been unrightfully withheld from Reggie by the uncle who was his guardian. Arriving at Strickland, his ancestral estate, Reggie is shocked to find that the extremely competent steward of the property is a woman. Not just any woman, but a tall, intriguing, intelligent woman. Lady Alys Weston is not a classic beauty, but she has a unique loveliness all her own. As kind as she is keen, Alys is unlike any other woman Reggie has ever met. She finds him to be equally captivating, and even though she sees the signs of dissipation from his roguish ways, Alys senses that there is much more to Reggie than his appearance indicates. The two form a good working relationship, with attraction simmering just below the surface. Alys has three wards in her care, a young lady blooming into womanhood and the girl's two younger brothers. As they all spend time together, sharing meals and other activities, Reggie enjoys his makeshift "family". He throws himself into the care and operation of the estate, about which he is extremely knowledgeable. He and Alys have great mutual respect, and each begins to yearn for the possibility of a life together. However, Reggie's drinking still threatens to win the battle for his soul, and there are other dark forces at work. Alys has secrets of her own, and she and Reggie have common enemies. Will Reggie conquer his own demons and vanquish the threats to his newfound family happiness? Can Alys face her past and embrace her future? Mary Jo Putney paints a revealing portrait of a man struggling with alcohol addiction and the effects his disease has on those around him. As with many who suffer with alcoholism, it is also a condition shared with other family members. In Reggie's case, his father was also an alcoholic, something that Reggie had blocked out along with other unpleasant memories. I applaud Mary Jo Putney for showing the complexities of the alcoholic personality. Reggie is not the usual romantic hero, but he is ultimately quite worthy. Review Copy Gratis Kensington Books