SEVEN Sourcebooks Titles Reviewed in the September Issue of RT Book Reviews

The September issue of RT Book Reviews will feature SEVEN Sourcebooks titles, including TWO 4 ½ Star reviews and Top Picks of the Month for No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper (ISBN 9781402259524) and Lady of the English by Elizabeth Chadwick (ISBN 9781402250927). All of the reviews are listed below.

RT BOOK REVIEWS
SEPTEMBER 2011
SOURCEBOOKS REVIEWS

NO PROPER LADY
by Isabel Cooper
Genre: Historical Romance, England, Time Travel
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: 1888 England
RT Rating: 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick of the Month
 
Review: Cooper’s debut is a genre-bending, fast-paced whirl with fantastic characters, a deftly drawn plot and sizzling attraction between a time traveler and a Victorian gentleman with an interest in the occult. The historical details are spot-on, and readers looking for something unusual should pick this one up.

Summary: Joan lives in a world where demons run rampant and humanity is fighting for its existence; to prevent this future from happening, she’s sent to Victorian England. Shortly after arriving, she meets Simon Grenville, who also wishes to rid the world of her target, Alex Reynell. Reynell caused Simon’s younger sister to be possessed by a demon, an ordeal she barely survived. Joan must learn to be a proper Victorian lady, and Simon and his sister help her with that task. Complicating matters is the red-hot attraction between Simon and Joan and what that may mean for the future of humanity. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 352 pp., $6.99)
Reviewed By: Natalie A. Luhrs

LADY OF THE ENGLISH
by Elizabeth Chadwick
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, England, France
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: 1100s Normandy and England
RT Rating: 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick of the Month

Review: Breathing life into historical personages is hallmark Chadwick. With deft skill she presents the medieval world teeming with power and pageantry. From mundane to great events, all are set before the reader like a feast for the senses. The novel explores the lives of two very different woman, Matilda, Dowager Empress of Germany, only daughter and legitimate heir of Henry I of England, and Adeliza, Henry’s second queen.

Summary: Henry’s only son is dead and Matilda is his chance to have his bloodline continue. Henry forces his nobles to twice swear to uphold her right to the crown after she rebels and then relents to marry Geoffery, young Cont Anjou. Of similar age, Adeliza acts as peacemaker between headstrong Matilda and determined Henry. Their friendship grows as Matilda survives a stormy marriage bound by passion and the desire to see her son crowned king after her. At Henry’s death, his nephew, Stephen of Boise, seizes control of the crown and treasury. Matilda seethes and waits to gather money and forces to battle for her rights. Adeliza knows the crown belongs to Matilda, but is helpless in the coming war. She remarries, finding love and children as a reward, but conflict too, as her husband is sworn to Stephen. She refuses to abandon Matilda in her struggle to fulfill her father’s legacy. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 508 pp., id="mce_marker"4.99)
Reviewed By: Faye Harris

RED’S HOT COWBOY
by Carolyn Brown
Genre: Contemporary Romance, General Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: MILD
RT Rating: 4 Stars

Review: An old-fashioned love story told well. This is an enjoyable read for a leisurely summer day. Some story arcs are left hanging, which is a bit annoying but does not detract from the overall romance. These inconsistencies aside, the basic love story is a delight. Do not pass this one up.

Summary: Pearl Richland inherits a motel, The Longhorn Inn, from her aunt and leaves Oklahoma to start her new life in Texas. The inn has Internet service and a power generator, which comes in handy when the whole town loses power during a severe storm. Everyone gravitates to the inn, including rancher Wil Marshal. The attraction between Pearl and Wil grows amongst many different personalities residing under one roof, including Santa Claus with his family and a noisy, newlywed couple. (SOURCEBOOKS, Aug., 357 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed By: Laura Ellis

LORD AND LADY SPY
by Shana Galen
Genre: Regency Period, Historical Romance, England
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Regency England
RT Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Take Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Brad and Angelina), send them back 200 years and you have Galen’s lively, utterly delightful adventure romance. The witty, sexually charged dialogue fuels the rivalry between the realistic characters and sets the pages flying.

Summary: Lady Sophia Smythe hasn’t seen much of her husband Lord Adrian during the years of their marriage —which is perfect since it provides her with the cover and the time to accomplish her missions as the spy known as the Saint. Adrian feels much the same. As the elusive spy the Wolf, he has been busy ensuring Napolean’s henchmen uncover nothing about British defenses. The war ends and they are faced with married life, but they are called back into service when a high-ranking official is murdered. They’re shocked to learn that they had been rivals for years and now must work as a team. It’s a merry chase through England to apprehend a murderer and along the way they fall into passion’s trap — far more frightening than chasing a killer. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 380 pp., $6.99)
Reviewed By: Kathe Robin

TO THE MOON AND BACK
by Jill Mansell
Genre: Mainstream, General Mainstream Fiction
RT Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Each and every facet of this wonderful story comes together to offer readers a tremendous look at friendship, hope, romance and second chances. An unforgettable, entertaining novel!

Summary: Ellie has it all, especially when it comes to her marriage. She and her husband, Jamie, have a deep love for one another and their future looks unbelievably bright. Until Jamie passes away in a horrible car accident, leaving Ellie to deal with the fact that she must build a different future, and try her best to live her life without her true love by her side. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 448 pp., id="mce_marker"4.00)
Reviewed By: Amy Lignor

THE WEDDING AFFAIR
by Leigh Michaels
Genre: Regency Period, Historical Romance, England
Sensuality: HOT
Setting: Regency England
RT Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Michaels’ forte is spinning not one or two tales, but three charming romances into one novel, which gives readers the chance to identify with one or all.

Summary: The bridesmaids (all 12 of them) have arrived for the wedding of the Duke of Somervale’s sister and he needs to evade his marriage-minded family. He wants no simpering maid, but is intrigued by the lovely widow, Lady Olivia Reyne. However, Olivia is too busy keeping the overzealous Sir Jasper at bay and her visitor, Kate Blakely, happy to worry about the duke.Kate is weighing a marriage proposal from a staid suitor against spending time with the fascinating Andrew Carlisle. Then Kate’s schoolmate, Penelope, arrives with her estranged husband, who she hopes to lure into her bed. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 378 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed By: Kathe Robin

TEMPTED
by Elisabeth Naughton
Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: SCORCHER
RT Rating: 3 Stars

Review: Tempted initially throws too many characters at the reader with so little background that they all blend together. Once the characters are separated into smaller groups, the story is more engaging. The premise is a clever continuation of the Greek myths with fresh, inventive characters. Mercifully, the central romance builds gradually and naturally, and the few almost erotic scenes strike a perfect balance of emotion and explicitness. Though the combination of mythology and modern is a bit clumsy at times, overall it’s a passion-filled read.

Summary: Princess Isadora and Demetrius, her reluctant Argonaut protector, have been banished to Pandora Island by the evil Atalanta, Demetrius’ mother. Unbeknownst to Isadora, Atalanta cast a fertility spell on her and expects Demetrius to produce an heir who will have links to the goddesses of fate and the throne. Compounding things is the fact that Isadora is Demetrius’ soul mate, thanks to a curse from Hera. He tries to keep his feelings secret to save Isadora — but can’t keep up the act for long. (SOURCEBOOKS, Sep., 416 pp., $7.99)
Reviewed By: Susan Mobley