Janet Woods

December 1865, Mrs Adele Pelham and her step-daughter have returned to Dorset believing the man she had years previously jilted at the altar was dead. Captain Ryder also known as Lord Madigan has returned to his estate from the wars not knowing that Adele has returned.
Can these two have a chance of happiness or are there too many secrets keeping them apart. Or do their changing feeling towards each other threaten to pull them apart.
I enjoyable this well written story. An easy to read tale with some decent characters.
A NetGalley Book… (plus d'informations)

Another marriage of convenience snafu.

I found this Regency romance bland. I don't know why. It had all the right ingredients but the chemistry just didn't happen. Grace Ellis, companion to Lady Florence, has been left a legacy upon her mistress's death. A legacy tied up with conditions.
Grace's first meetings with Dominique LeSayres just didn't ring true and as far as I'm concerned things went downhill from there. I struggled to finish. The marriage of convenience trope has so much to play with but the playing here just didn't live up to its full potential. It's pricing is definitely a snafu.

A NetGalley ARC… (plus d'informations)

Marry for money or marry for love--what to do?

Spinster, Vivienne Fox had no expectations, until a cousin died and left her his fortune.
Impoverished Earl, Alex LeSayres needed to marry money to save the family's lands.
'Vivienne Fox had decided not to marry.' She hated being trotted out by her Aunt Edwina, coiffured within an inch of her life to impress a motley group of local swains and hopefuls, all because she now had money. Vivienne definitely did not want 'to gain the attention of a pack of brainless, chinless ... braying fools!'
A challenge for both Vivienne and Alex. Of course there's confusion as Vivienne hides the fact she's wealthy. She wants to marry for love. Meanwhile Alex knows he must save his family by seeking out a wealthy wife. The relations between the two become more tortured and confused as the two run in counterpoint to each other
Then there's Vivienne's fairy godfather who interferes in all sorts of subtle ways.
I liked the two main characters and couldn't stand some of the secondary ones like Vivienne's cousin and aunt, which of course is the plot's purpose.
An enjoyable Regency read.

A NetGalley ARC… (plus d'informations)

I reviewed this novel for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Celia Jane Laws is only fifteen years-old, yet she's had to shoulder so much through her young life, and that is what gives this young woman her strength. Life in the slums of London is not what she wants, and it's not what she's willing to accept; to that end, she will do almost anything it takes to pull herself and her family out of it.

The journey she takes is one of determination, and the combination of her skill and proficiency, which earns her the moniker of Lady Lightfingers, along with her quick wit, you'll root her on and rejoice in her triumph.

Along the way, Ms. Woods introduces us to some characters that are unforgettable, like Alice Laws, Celia's mother, who fights the good fight and, against all odds, teaches her daughter that morals are never to be abandoned.

Then there's Thomas Humbert, a man that out of the goodness of his heart, takes an interest in a bright and curious mind of a child-woman who lifts his watch, and is determined to help her reach her full potential.

James Kent, Thomas' nephew, is a young man with great prospects of his own, and someone that is full of doubts in regards to the `beggar girl' that his uncle is determined to help; he, likewise, is determined to make sure Thomas is not taken advantage of.

There's Johnny Archer, a boy with nothing to his name but a small cart who `attaches' himself to Celia and grows on us while he does the same to her!

And last, but not least, we have Charles Curtis, a young and arrogant man that offers a madam of a whore house a substantial amount of money for Celia's services, and sets into motion events that would teach him a thing or two about redemption, love, and sacrifice.

If you love authors such as Carla Kelly, Georgette Heyer, and that incomparable of them all, Jane Austen, you will love LADY LIGHTFINGERS. The romance of it more than makes up for the lack of sensuality and heat that you might be looking for, and I highly recommend this story of pure love.

Melanie… (plus d'informations)