Review: Because of You – Cathy Maxwell

Author - Cathy Maxwell
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3.5/5

Story Blurb

Samantha Northup is an orphaned vicar daughter who has no prospects for future until one night when a stranger knocks at her door. Circumstances lead to Samantha nursing the stranger during his illness and when they are found in a comprising position there is no other solution but to wed the stranger. What Samantha does not know is that her bridegroom is not a plain mister but the disinherited son of a duke. Now the prodigal son has returned home to prove his worth. Yale is trying to keep his distance from his new wife but her innocence and sensuality awakens feelings in him he has long thought died. “Because of You” is an intriguing journey for Yale and Samantha where they find love and acceptance in each other when they both least expected a fulfilling future.

My Thoughts 

What sets this story apart from other is that the male protagonist is not just another aimless son of a titled lord, but has made a name and wealth for himself after being rejected by his family. He has a business which he is proud of that he built grounds up. The relationship Yale shares with Samantha is very refreshing. 

Review: The Sins of Viscount Sutherland – Samantha James

Author - Samantha James
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3/5  
 

Story Blurb

Claire Ashcroft hates Viscount Grayson Sutherland for a reason. He is responsible for a death of her loved one and she vows to avenge his death by making Grayson fall in love with her and then shattering his heart. But she is an innocent who is no match for Grayson who just wants to loose himself away from any responsibility. Once Claire gets to know Grayson she is torn between her goal and her attraction towards Grayson. Slowly and gradually she starts seeing him as a man set out to ruin himself and running away from the nightmares of his past. This is a beautiful tale where Claire helps Grayson to bury the bitterness of his past and accept the beautiful gift of life which she brings in his life.

My Thoughts

I like historical romances and have read a lot in past. The story stands apart from many others in the way author has successfully created both Grayson’s and Claire’s characters. Claire is a strong female who sets out to avenge the death of a loved one but in the process discovers a sad soul in Grayson who does not have any desire to live life fully. Grayson was once happy and believed in love but one tragedy in past has made him sour towards life.

Review: To Wed A Wild Lord – Sabrina Jeffries

Author -  Sabrina Jeffries
Category - Fiction
Genre - Historical Romance
Rating – 3.5/5  
 
Story Blurb

Lord Gabriel Sharpe has been challenged to the deadly game he masters by Virginia Waverly to avenge the death of his brother at the hands of Gabriel. But Gabriel counters her with a marriage proposal. His grandmother has put a condition in front of Gabriel and his siblings – get married in a year all none of them will get their inheritance from her. Three of his older siblings have found their love match and settled in the normalcy of their life. Gabriel pursues Virginia to marry him because he believes she needs him. As the story unravels, Virginia learns about how compassionate Gabriel is and does not believe if he is directly involved with her brother’s death. Gabriel on the other hand feels overly responsible for Virginia believing indirectly responsible for her financial state and hence sets out to marry her. Both love each other but there is still an invisible wall between them – the truth about Virginia’s brother death. As Gabriel sets out to find the truth about Virginia’s brother death, he is risking his heart.

My Thoughts 

This is the fourth novel in the series of Hellions of Halstead Hall. I find the first novel “The truth about Lord Stoneville” so far to be the best story of the series. This is also one of the better written novels of the series after the first one. Lord Gabriel Sharpe unlike his siblings is not averse to marriage based on his grandmother’s stipulation. He wants to get married so that his youngest sister will feel pressured to follow in their footsteps and marry and will not remain lonely. One of the highlights in this series is the mystery behind Sharpe’s parent’s death. 

Review: Only Yours – Susan Mallery

Author -  Susan Mallery
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 4/5
 
Story Blurb

Montana Hendrix is one of the triplets living in Fool’s Gold who took some time to realize her goals in life. All that is missing is someone special in her life. Simon Bradley is world renowned surgeon who travels from place to place never staying too long to build friendships. But chance encounter with Montana and her accident prone dog starts a friendship between both which soon turns to attraction. The story weaves a beautiful relationship which cultivates between Simon and Montana. Simon is at a threshold where he is torn between the depth of his feelings for Montana and his resolve never to stay at a place long enough to develop ties. This is a beautiful story where both of Montana and Simon help each other bury ugliness of their past and move into a beautiful future.

My Thoughts

Wow…. One of the best novels I have read in recent past. Most of the romance novels are similar, what sets them apart is the characterization of the protagonists. Both Montana and Simon’s characters are so well defined and believable that you will not feel keeping the book down for a moment. Simon is such a believable character. In most of the stories the hero is portrayed as an arrogant man too full of himself. This is one of the few stories where Simon’s character is real with nightmares from his past. Never having seen love in childhood and scarred by one of the closest people in his past, he does not believe in love or happy endings.

Review : The Last Mercenary – Diana Palmer

Author -   Diana Palmer
Category - Fiction
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Rating – 3/5
 
Story Blurb

Micah Steele is a mercenary who over the course of his job has made a lot of enemies, including a Mexican drug lord. The drug cartel kidnaps a girl (Callie) from Micah’s past. Callie Kirby had a rough childhood and complex relationship with Micah. She is attracted towards him but is unable to understand her own feelings. Micah while saving Callie from the hands of the drug lord brings her to his mansion in Bahamas until the danger to her life is eliminated. In a peaceful and secluded world of their own, both Micah and Callie get second chance to act on their mutual attraction and desire towards each other. The story is a beautiful journey where Micah and Callie realize their love for each other.

My Thoughts

This is one of the better Diana Palmer stories from “Texan Series”. Even though most of her stories in this series have similar story line, the distinguishing factor in this story is the characterization of female protagonist. Callie is not your “run-of-the-mill” insecure heroine. She has lived a difficult childhood but instead of turning into an insecure or frail person; Callie has made a good life for herself. She has faced rejections from everyone including Micah, the man she loved since she was sixteen. But all these hardships have turned her into a strong individual albeit a lonely one. Micah on the other hand is afraid to act upon his feelings for Callie given their history.