Stephanie Laurens: Captain Jack's woman

Stephanie Laurens kertoo salakuljettajista Englannin rannikolla historiallisessa viihderomaanissa, jossa seikkailua on maustettu melkoisen siirappipitoisesti päähenkilöiden välisellä kuhertelulla: Captain Jack's woman (Piatkus, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7499-4018-8).



Mitään erityistä ja yllättävää romaani ei tarjoa, samaa tavaraa kuin muissakin Laurensin kirjoissa. Kun on yhden lukenut, voi melkein sanoa lukeneensa kaikki.

They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain's rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling Kit Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is abosolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the "lad" leader of a rival gang with frightening ease--and his punishment with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters.

Suddenly, Kit finds she's only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures normally reserved for married ladies...little knowing what dangerous forces she's unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom...and bind her to him with a ring, a promise...and ties of devotion and desire.

Stephanie Laurens: The lady's command, A buccaneer at heart ja The daredevil snared

Stephanie Laurensin kirjasarjassa The Adventurers Quartet on neljä osaa, jotka muodostavat jatkuvan tarinan, vaikka kukin romaani on erillinen romaani. Saman reseptin toistaminen neljä kertaa on aikamoisen puuduttavaa, vaikka mukana on eksotiikkaakin kuten vaeltamista Afrikan viidakkojen uumeniin. Jaksoin lukea sarjan kaksi ensimmäistä romaania, kolmas jäi kesken, enkä neljättä enää huolinut luettavaksi. Sinänsä helppolukuista viihdettä, mutta tehdastuotannon maku lyö läpi.

The lady's command (Harlequin MIRA, 2016; ISBN 978-1-848-45433-0)

How does marriage work? If convention is set aside and is no longer there to guide - what then? Stephanie Laurens' series, 'The Adventurers Quartet', offers a blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love.

A buccaneer at heart (Harlequin MIRA, 2016; ISBN 978-1-848-45450-7)

After a decade of captaining diplomatic voyages for Frobisher Shipping, alongside covert missions for the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides that establishing a home-with hearth and wife-should be his next challenge. But an unexpected mission intervenes. Although Robert sees himself as a conservative businessman-cum-diplomat and this mission is far from his usual sphere, it nevertheless falls within the scope of his abilities. As matters are urgent, he agrees to depart for West Africa forthwith. To Robert, his way forward is clear: Get to Freetown, determine the location of a slavers' camp, return to London with the information, and then proceed to find himself a wife. Already in Freetown, Miss Aileen Hopkins is set on finding her younger brother Will, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared.

The daredevil snared (MIRA, 2016; ISBN 978-1-848-45519-1)

Captain Caleb Frobisher, hedonistic youngest son of a seafaring dynasty, wants to be taken seriously. Seizing the next leg of the covert mission his brothers are pursuing, he acts decisively and effectively in securing the mission's objectives. But responsibility has taken root, and he remains in the jungle to ensure the mission's ultimate goal.

She will risk everything

Katherine Fortescue fled a life of poverty and came to Freetown as a governess, only to be kidnapped and forced to oversee the child workforce at a mine. Guarded by well-armed, well-trained mercenaries, the captives have lost all hope of escape. Then Katherine meets a handsome man—a captain—and he brings the sweet promise of rescue.

Together they will face the future

The sadistic mercenary who runs the mine has other plans, but Caleb's true strength lies in extracting advantage from adversity, and through the clashes that follow, he becomes the leader he was always destined to be. The sort of man Katherine can trust—with her body, with her life. With her love.

Stephanie Laurens: Tangled reins jne.

Stephanie Laurensin romaani Tangled Reins aloittaa neljän historiallisen romaanin sarjan. Vuonna 1992 ilmestynyt teos oli nimimerkkiä käyttävän kirjailijan esikoisteos.

Erityisen taitavaksi kirjoittajaksi Laurensia ei voi sanoa, mutta tuotteliaisuutta häneltä löytyy esimerkillisessä määrin. Tähän mennessä kirjailijalta on ilmestynyt teoksia kymmenittäin, ja useimmat niistä kytkeytyvät monipolvisiksi romaanisarjoiksi.

Näissä ensimmäisissä romaaneissa on tarinan kuljetuksessa ja ihmishahmoissa melkoista kömpelyyttä, mutta teollisen tuotannon tunnetta toisaalta on vähemmän kuin uudemmissa kirjoissa.

Huumoriakin löytyy, esimerkiksi romaanissa Four in hand tehdään naimakauppoja oikein urakalla. Loppumetreillä käy ilmi että kaikki neljä pariskuntaa ovat menneet toisiltaan salassa naimisiin, malttamattomia kun ovat.

Tangled reins (Mira, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7783-0205-6)

Miss Dorothea Darent has no intention of ever getting married, certainly not to a rogue such as the Marquis of Hazelmere. A disreputable scoundrel, he is captivated when they meet by chance and is determined to win her heart, even while she’s busy dazzling the rest of London society. Now Dorothea has a choice to make: stick with her plan to remain a respectable spinster, or run into the arms of her dashing stranger.

Four in hand (Mira, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7783-0306-0)

Max Rotherbridge couldn’t believe it. Along with the dukedom of Twyford, he―London’s most notorious rogue―had inherited wardship of four devilishly attractive sisters! Including the irresistible Caroline Twinning. The eldest Twinning was everything he had ever wanted in a woman, but even Max couldn’t seduce his own ward…or could he? After all, he did have a substantial reputation to protect. And what better challenge than the one woman capable of stealing his heart?

Impetuous innocent (Mira, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7783-0267-4)

After the death of her dear father, Georgiana Hartley returns home to England ― only to be confronted by the boorish advances of her wretched cousin. Knowing no one, she flees to Dominic Ridgely’s estate, hoping the nobleman will bestow a neighborly kindness upon her. The haughty viscount hears Georgiana’s plea to find her a position as a lady’s companion with thinly veiled disgust. A lovely innocent such as Miss Hartley subjected to that base existence? The very idea was preposterous. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands and introduces her to his sister’s influence. Suddenly, Georgiana is transformed into a lady who charms the ton with ease and draws a bevy of suitors at every turn. Everything is unfolding according to Dominic’s plan... until he realizes that he desires Georgiana for his own.

Fair Juno (Mira, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7783-0277-3)

From the sparkling ballrooms of Regency London to the wealthy glamour of the country house - let Stephanie Laurens be your guide! Kidnapped in the small hours, Miss Helen Walford had spent the day being battered and jostled, tied and gagged, trussed and trapped in a worn-out chaise. She was rescued by the infamous Martin Willisden - a rakehell who had been banished to the army, now scandalously raised to the rank of Earl of Merton! To add insult to injury, the proper Miss Walford had been forced into a compromising situation with her wicked saviour. Her only defence lay in anonymity. But captured by her beauty and bravery, the Earl of Merton knew that he had to find his mysterious lady.

Stephanie Laurens: The masterful Mr Montague jne.

Stephanie Laurensin historiallisissa rakkausromaaneissa on käänteitä kerrakseen. Aikakauden ilmiöt ja luokkayhteiskunnan rakenteet ovat kirjailijalla hyvin hallussa, vaikka joskus tuntuukin että teoksiin on paketoitu ylenmäärin väärinkäsityksiä ja muita esteitä rakastavaisten onnen tiellä.

The masterful Mr Montague (Piatkus, 2014; ISBN 978-0-7499-5876-3)

Montague has devoted his life to managing the wealth of London's elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally ... and personally. Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she'd expected - this man is compelling, decisive, supportive, and strong - everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim. But then Lady Halstead is murdered and Violet and Montague, aided by Barnaby Adair, Inspector Stokes, Penelope, and Griselda, race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer...who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?

And then she fell (Piatkus, 2013; ISBN 978-0-7499-5874-9)

London’s Henrietta Cynster, known as “The Matchbreaker” has a special talent for making sure that bad marriages never happen. After breaking up one ill-suited couple, Henrietta is obligated to find the perfect bride for the debonair James Glossup.

The assignment proves to be a challenging one for the single-minded Henrietta, who believes that finding love isn’t in her own stars. But Henrietta discovers—in spite of her personal denials of love—that both she and James are indisputably drawn to each other.

A gentleman's honor (Avon, 2009; ISBN 978-0-06-000207-7)

The Season has yet to begin, and the second member of the Bastion Club, tall, handsome Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington, is already a target for every matchmaking mama in London. None of their flighty daughters can fix his interest, but a certain lady does.

Alicia is living a deception. Desperation has caused the determined but penniless lady to boldly launch her ravishing younger sister into the ton and have her make a spectacular match. By masquerading as the widowed "Mrs. Carrington" Alicia can act as the perfect chaperone…but fashionable ladies are not accused of murder.

When Tony Blake discovers Alicia standing over a dead body in his godmother’s garden, every instinct tells him she is innocent. His connections allow him to take control of the investigation, his social prominence provides her public support, but it is more than honor that compels him to protect her and to do everything in his seductive power to make her his.

The brazen bride (Avon, 2010; ISBN 978-0-06-179517-6)

Stephanie Laurens: A comfortable wife, The lady chosen ja Loving Rose

Stephanie Laurens kirjoittaa rutiininomaisia historiallisia viihderomaaneja, joissa päähenkilöiden elämäntilanteet keikahtavat raiteiltaan ja lopputuloksena on, mitäpä muuta kuin onnellinen loppu. Laurens kirjoittaa melkolailla näppärästi, vaikka erityisen omaperäisiksi näitä tarinoita ei voi sanoa. Mutta lajityypissään nämä kirjat eivät huonoimmasta päästä ole.

A comfortable wife (Severn House, 2014; ISBN 978-0-7278-8454-1)

Miss Antonia Mannering had made plans, and Lord Philip Ruthven played a large part in them. They had been childhood friends, but had not seen each other for years. She knew Philip was popular with the ladies, but he had never married any of them. Wouldn't he now be ready for a wife? If she could prove to him that she could run his home, not disgrace him in Society and be a comfortable wife for him, surely he would be prompted to propose to her. That they might fall in love had never occurred to her!

The lady chosen (Piatkus, 2009; ISBN 978-07499-4023-2)

Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham, never expected he'd need to wed within a year or forfeit his inheritance. But he is not one to bow to the matchmaking mamas of the ton. No, he will marry a lady of his own choosing. And the lady he chooses is the enchanting neighbour living with her family next door. Miss Leonora Carling has beauty, spirit and passion

Loving Rose - the redemption of Malcolm Sinclair (Piatkus, 2014; ISBN 978-0-7499-5872-5)

Miraculously spared from death, Malcolm Sinclair erases the notorious man he once was. Reinventing himself as Thomas Glendower, he strives to make amends for his past, yet he never imagines penance might come via a secretive lady he discovers living in his secluded manor. Rose has a plausible explanation for why she and her children are residing in Thomas's house, but she quickly realizes he's far too intelligent to fool. Revealing the truth is impossibly dangerous, yet day by day, he wins her trust, and then her heart. But then her enemy closes in, and Rose turns to Thomas as the only man who can protect her and the children. And when she asks for his help, Thomas finally understands his true purpose, and with unwavering commitment, he seeks his redemption in the only way he can - through living the reality of loving Rose.

Stephanie Laurens: The capture of the earl of Glencrae

Tämä Stephanie Laurensin viihderomaani on sarjassaan kolmas, ja kertoo monimutkaisen tarinan jossa neito kaapataan vasten tahtoaan Skotlantiin pelinappulana sukujen välisessä vihanpidossa: The capture of the earl of Glencrae (Avon, 2012; ISBN 978-0-06-206862-0).



Kirjan tarina on harvinaisen polveileva ja täynnä kaikenlaisia juonikuvioita joissa kaapattu Angelica-neito ja hänen kaappaajansa matkaavat pitkin Iso-Britannia kohti Skotlantia, pyrkien välttelemään takaa-ajajia.

1800-luvun alussa kun rautateitä ei vielä ollut, kesti tällainen matka päiväkausia, jopa viikkoja, ja niinpä päähenkilöillä on runsaasti aikaa (ja kirjassa sivuja) tehdä läheistäkin tuttavuutta keskenään, ja tämän tilaisuuden kirjailija käyttää anteliaasti hyväkseen.

We joyfully request your attendance at the wedding of Miss Angelica Cynster ... but not until she and her hero lay to rest an ancient grudge in the Scottish Highlands. Headstrong Angelica Cynster is certain she'll recognize her fated husband at first sight. And when her eyes meet those of a mysterious nobleman, she knows beyond a doubt that he's the one. But her heart is soon pounding for an entirely different reason--when her hero abducts her! The eighth Earl of Glencrae has no choice but to kidnap Angelica, the one Cynster sister with whom he hadn't wanted to tangle. But to save his castle and his clan, he must persuade her to assist him--and he's prepared to offer marriage to seal the deal.