Tag Archives: Lisa Kleypas

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor

Posted on November 2, 2010 by TBRG| 2 Comments
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
by Lisa Kleypas
book 1 Friday Harbor serires
realease date October 26, 2010

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILY
One rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.
ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.
SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…
Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.
…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home…

Let me start off by saying I love a good Lisa Kleypas book and this one was not disappointing.  I also love holiday books and this also hit all the good qualities of a Christmas romance.  My only complaint was it ended, but we will get more with Sam & Alex’s books.


All Holly wants for Christmas is a new mommy and she knows Santa will grant that wish, with a little bit of help from Maggie & Mark.

Mark becomes the guardian of Holly when his sister is killed in an accident.  He is definitely not ready for the responsibility but between him and he other 2 brothers they make it work and do a great job at it.

Maggie is still recovering from the death of her husband and her plans are to never fall in love again so she will not have to deal with loss.  And we all know how well plans work out.

When Mark finally realizes what has been missing in his life he is determined to stick it out until Maggie can come to the same realization.

I loved the reality of the relationship between Mark & Maggie, all their struggles with past emotions and learning to believe in the magic that is around us.

This is a must read for anyone who loves a light-hearted easy contemporary.

Grade A

Posted in Contemporary

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Historical

Posted on September 2, 2010 by TBRG| 9 Comments

Today we will discuss my favorite genre, Historicals.  These are my go to books when I am stressed out or just need to escape to somewhere else I reach over and grab a good historical.  I love how I can experience another time and place for a little while, without leaving the comforts of now.  I am also grateful to these authors for doing such great research and trying to make things as accurate as possible, I have learned a lot from reading their books.   Some of my favorite historical authors are: Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Anna Campbell, Brenda Joyce, Julie Garwood.

The very first romance bookthat  Heather ever read that wasn’t a harlequin was a historical that took place in Wyoming, it was Johanna Lindsey’s Brave the Wild Wind, from the moment she read this she was hooked.  She would hide the books behind her school books and read Johanna Lindsey instead of schoolwork.  To this day this genre is one of her favorites and some of her favorite authors are Stephanie Laurens, Johanna Lindsey, Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Hoyt and Julie Garwood.  There is nothing better than picking up a book and being transported into the past. She even used some of the history she learned in historical romances to help her write a paper in one of her anthropolgy classes and got an A on it.

What are some of your favorite historicals and do you have a favorite time period or place that you love to read about?

One commenter will win some fabulous books

Now some more of our author answers:

Anna Campbell:   http://www.annacampbell.info/ A great historical sweeps me away into a world of romance like nothing else so when I’ve got spare time, I tend to read the competition (LOL!). I love to read in bed, especially when it’s raining outside!

Alexandra Hawkins:  http://www.alexandrahawkins.com/ No contest–Romance. I read all sub-genres. Where do I like to read? The sofa in my family room reclines so it’s a comfy place to read.

Sarah MacLean: http://www.macleanspace.com I love historicals, but when I’m just trying to get away from work, I love contemporaries. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson, Kristan Higgins, and when I run out of them, I’m always down for the One Click packs for Kindle from Harlequin! As for the where, anywhere my dog is curled up is always a first choice.

Stephanie Laurens: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/         I read a lot of different genre fiction. Always genre, but it could be crime/mystery, fantasy or romance. I read in bed, pretty much every single night. I have a silk-covered, silk-fiber filled comforter, European pillows to prop myself up with, and my cats always come to sit with me–one on my stomach, the other between my calves. As far as they’re concerned, that’s how it has to be

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Love in the Afternoon

Posted on July 20, 2010 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

Hathaway Series book 5

As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even though she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted…and she has resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man—just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix’s friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul—and it’s becoming clear that Christopher won’t come back as the same man. When Beatrix learns of Pru’s disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru’s letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep…and when Christopher comes home, he’s determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix’s innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love—and a passion that can’t be denied…

This is the book that everyone has been waiting for, Bea’s story. I fell in love with Bea in the first book, her unbridled will and her love for everything needy especially animals. I appreciated the fact that Lisa did not change her but just made her more of herself as she got older, there was no way that Bea was going to fit into society I mean she was a Hathaway after all. Just like you knew that the hero for Bea would have to be someone who is troubled and needs her calming patient influence.

Christopher was a treasured war hero who is struggling with his emotions and the events that happened while at war. He is no longer the society gentleman that he used to be, in fact he does not even like to be a part of the society life, even though he is trying to convince himself that he needs to be. If he would have his way he would stay home and drown his misery. Of course you know that cannot happen so in walks the one person who he wants nothing to do with and turns his life upside down. Once Christopher realizes it was Bea who was writing him while he was away his attitude changes towards her and their love starts to blossom.

I do have to say that although this was a good book it was not one of my favorites. Probably because I knew we were coming to the end of the Hathaways. I did enjoy it but found it pretty predictable. The series in whole is excellent and I would recommend them to anyone who has not yet read a Lisa Kleypas or a historical romance.

My overall rating 4 out of 5

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Married by Morning

Posted on June 1, 2010 by TBRG| 5 Comments



Married by Morning
Lisa Kleypas

He is everything she wants to avoid…

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway Sisters – a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response – and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems…

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever – unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires…

OK, I tried to be good and only read books from the challenge but I just could not resist. I don’t know about you but I have been waiting for this book since I finished “Tempt Me At Twilight”.
You knew what was coming, I mean how could you not, but to actually read it is so much better I could not even put it down. Not only do you get to spend time with all the Hathaway’s, who I have come to love very much, but you get to hear the story of Cat & Leo. I loved following their journey in finding love with each other, watching Leo come to terms with his emotions and discovering the secret of Cat. Lisa Kleypas has a way of mixing romance and humor together so well, she draws you in and leaves you wanting more. If you have not had a chance to read this or any of her books I would recommend getting one as soon as you can, you don’t know what you have been missing.

Rating 5 out of 5
*I read this book while we were on vacation and have to agree with everything that Melanie said and give it the same rating as Melanie and can hardly wait for the next book in the series. – Heather

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New Books

Posted on May 13, 2010 by TBRG| 2 Comments
I have been waiting for several books that will be coming out within the next couple weeks and am so excited to be getting them. Lisa Kleypas “Married by Morning”, Anna Campbell “My Reckless Surrender”, Johanna Lindsey “That Perfect Someone” – just to name a few. My biggest problem is that I had decided to only read authors from the RomCon Reading Challenge until July, I have about 20 more authors to go.
What books are you excited to start reading? Maybe I can find some new authors and add to my growing pile.
Reviews will be coming soon.
Melanie

Posted in RomCon Reading Challenge

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Tempt Me at TwilightT

Posted on January 6, 2010 by TBRG| Leave a comment
Tempt me at Twilight
Hathaway Sister bk 3
Lisa Kleypas

from shelfari
Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal—only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust. Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy—except to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm’s length…but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all…

REVIEW: I love this series.  When Poppy meets Harry and asks him to keep her secret she had no clue what was in store for her. Harry wants Poppy and will stop at nothing to get her.

Poppy has a less than stellar wedding night and marriage which bothers her on side because she sees what her sisters have, but she wants a normal marriage and so assumes that her marriage is normal.

Harry has no clue what being a part of a family is suppose to be like, his past is a mystery that this reviewer is not going to reveal as it is a part of the storyline that needs to remain a surprise for the readers. The only thing he knows for sure is that something is missing between him and Poppy.

As the staff of Harry’s hotel where they live decides to take matters into their own hands because they love both Harry and Poppy and want them to be happy, things get a little interesting, and are quite humorous.

There does however come the time when Harry must choose what he wants his future to be and whether he has it in him to make Poppy happy. I loved how these two worked out their problems and we also get to see a side of both of them that we hadn’t before. We also discover the secrets that Harry has kept locked inside him for years.

Overall this is a good book, not my favorite in the series but a really good solid book. The one thing this book does do is set us up for the next book in the series.

I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Other books in the series are

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Seduce me at Sunrise

Posted on November 5, 2009 by TBRG| 2 Comments

Seduce me at Sunrise
Hathaway’s bk 2

Lisa Kleypas

goodreads
He has tried hard to forget her.

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins–and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Can she remember the man he once was?

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny–or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

REVIEW: If I was to pick my favorite book of Lisa’s it would probably be this one. I love Kev. He has been in love with Win since he was a kid. However because of the way that he had been raised he didn’t think that he could ever be with her.

Win has been gone for two years getting her life back after almost dying from the Scarlet Fever. She is determined that this sickness was not going to steal her life, and she wants Kev.

Kev has spent the last two years working like a mad man getting their family home and lands working again. He is determined that Win have the life that she deserves, even if that means that it won’t be with him, because he is nothing but a Rom.

My favorite part of this book was after Win has accepted a marriage proposal, and is determined to have the life that she wants, and Kev decides that he is going to go after what he wants and kidnaps Win in the way that Rom’s do when they choose a bride.

If I was to choose a favorite book in this series it would most definitely have to be this book. It had it all sexual tension, mystery (just was Kev’s connection to Cam), romance, humor, family. To me it was just perfect.

I humbly apologize to all those that told me that I needed to read this series, and blew them off as it is one of the best regency romance series out.

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

You can purchase the book here, here and here.

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Mine till Midnight

Posted on October 28, 2009 by TBRG| 4 Comments

Mine till Midnight
The Hathaways bk 1

goodreads
THEIR LIVES DEFY CONVENTION

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

THEIR DESIRE CONSUMES THEM BOTH…

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship – but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter…

REVIEW: A couple of weeks ago I got an email in it that had a short story from Lisa Kleypas. The story took place in between Seduce me at Sunrise and Tempt me at Midnight. So I read the story and was immediately hooked on the characters. Knowing what a huge fan of Lisa’s my sister in law is I asked to borrow these books. Having not read the Wallflower Series (I corrected that this week-end) I had never met Cam nor any of the other characters that were in this book from the other series.

From the moment I met Cam in this book I liked him, pretty quickly it turned into lust and then I just flat out loved him. He really does try and resist Amelia, but then he realizes that nope he will be the only one to have her, and proceeds to accomplish what he set out to do. No matter what Amelia thinks.

Amelia is a woman that has been shaped by life around her. Her parents are dead leaving her to take care of her siblings. Her brother has become a wastrel after the loss of his fiancee to Scarlet Fever, her sister Win never really recovered from the fever. To top it all of they have inherited a title and property that has no money. Every time disaster has struck since then it seems that Cam is there to see it, and to help her.

She really tries to resist him, as she has no intention of every marrying. However Cam has different ideas and will stop at nothing till has her where he wants her.

I loved this story. I loved how Cam knew what he wanted and went after it. He didn’t let Amelia’s objections stand in his way. He did everything he could to make her feel protected and safe.

Okay I could go and on about Cam, because really in my mind this was really his book, however I won’t. I will let you discover Cam all on your own. I do however recommend reading the Devil in Winter before this book so that you can see how Cam gets to where he is in this book.

I give this book a 4.75 out of 5

You can purchase this book here, here and here.

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Dreaming of You

Posted on October 24, 2009 by TBRG| 4 Comments

Dreaming of You
Gamblers bk 2

Lisa Kleypas

goodreads

She stood at danger’s threshold – then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven – and into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London’s most exclusive gambling house – a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands that he allow Sara Fielding into his world – with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress – and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion… and the promise of love.

REVIEW: Okay here it comes my review of this book. I know that some are anxiously waiting to see what I think of Derek (Rowena and Holly) and I have to say that I loved him. Absolutely loved him.

I loved how he had no clue what was happening to him. Not ever knowing love he had no clue what was happening to him. All he knew was the she disturbed him on a very basic and fundamental level. One of my favorite parts is after he saves Sara, to her reputation he tells her to pick a man because there is no man that doesn’t owe him, and he will get him for you.

But I loved this paragraph when they get married…
pg 305

But Sara saw Derek for exactly what he was, no more and no less, and she was aware that he might never change. It was enough that he loved her. In spite of his faults, he would take care of her and defend her to the last breath of life. Separately they had different strengths. Together they were complete.

This book I think is going to be my favorite book of her’s. So I am now a fan of her’s. I probably won’t buy the books because my sil buys them, so I don’t need to, but I will definitely read them all.

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

You can purchase it here, here and here.

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Lisa Kleypas…

Posted on October 19, 2009 by TBRG| 4 Comments
So I blame Rowena over at Book Binge and my sister in law Melanie for this one. I have never been a real big fan of Lisa’s. I had tried one of her books years ago and didn’t like it. So I haven’t read another of her books. My sister in law has tried for years to get me to read her, and I have resisted. However a couple of weeks ago I got sent an email with the short story of Win and Kev’s wedding and I loved it. So I asked Melanie if she had the series, knowing the answer already.

I read all three books in 2 days and wanted more. Then I read Rowena’s post over at Book Binge about who was better Sebastien or Derek. Now really all the girls over there have been raving about her so I asked Melanie if she had Derek’s book, already knowing that she has Sebastien’s book because I had gotten it for her. I read it all today. I am hooked. I called her and asked for more. I then saw that Casee had just posted her review of this same book So ladies my husband thanks you as I now have another author that I have to read.

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