Hannah Howell: Highland Promise

Hannah Howell on kirjoittanut melkeinpä käsittämättömän määrän Murray-suvusta kertovia historiallisia viihderomaaneja. Tämä on teossarjan kolmas osa, ja 1500-luvun Skotlannissa riittää seikkailtavaa: Highland Promise (Melia Publishing Services, 2012; ISBN 978-1-420-11479-9).



Romaanisarja varmaankin pitäisi lukea alusta loppuun järjestyksessä, koska hämärästi muistelen että tämän romaanin tapahtumiin viitataan myöhemmissä sarjan romaaneissa, ainakin sikäli että tässä seikkailevat tulevissa kirjoissa päähenkilöiden esi-isinä mainitut henkilöt.

Eric Murray was the youngest of his brothers, determined to gain his rightful inheritance after thirteen years of bitter dispute with his father's family. Starting out alone to confront his tight-fisted kinsmen, he encountered a chestnut-haired beauty set upon by thieves. When she begged for Eric's protection for herself and her infant nephew, Eric promised to deliver them to safety.

Bethia Drummond's only hope for escaping her ruthless kin, who planned to kill her and her orphaned nephew, and claim their inheritance, was Eric Murray. Then Bethia learned that Eric, too, was seeking land and coin from his own people-her family's closest allies. How could she love a man she might one day be forced to stand against? And yet she could not ignore what her troubled heart knew-that this proud knight had more than inspired her deepest passions... he had become her very destiny.

Anne Barton: One wild winter's eve

Anne Bartonin historiallisen Honeycote-viihderomaanisarjan viimeisessä osassa pengotaan yhteiskunnan luokkaeroja kevyehköllä otteella: One wild winter's eve (Forever, 2015; ISBN 978-1-4555-5182-8).



Kovin paljon romaanista ei jäänyt mieleen, ja teossarjan edellisistä osista mieleenjäänyt huumori tuntui tästä romaanista puuttuvan lähes tykkänään.

As the Duke of Huntford's sister, Lady Rose Sherbourne follows the rules of well-bred society. Always chaperoned. Never engaging in unseemly behavior. Well, except for that one summer, years ago. And yet she's never been able to forget that handsome stable master or the stolen moments they shared. She's always wondered what might have happened if he hadn't disappeared without a word.

Now she's about to find out. Charles Holland never expected to see Lady Rose again. And yet the years haven't lessened his devotion-or his desire-in any way. Despite their differences in class, Charles cannot stop himself from wanting to possess her. But as they uncover one intimate secret after another about her family, they realize that, this time, their love may come at a very dear price.

Anne Barton: Scandalous summer nights

Anne Barton tarjoaa monipolvisen historiallisen seikkailutarinan, jossa riittää kommelluksia kahden päähenkilön selvitellessä välejään: Scandalous summer nights (New York Forever, 2014; ISBN 978-1-4555-5178-1).



Tämä kirjasarjan kolmas osa oli saanut Helmetissä yhden tähden viidestä, mikä on nähdäkseni melkolailla alakanttiin, vaikka kieltämättä kyseessä on melkolailla tavanomainen viihdepläjäys. Huumoria kuitenkin riittää, mikä lienee myös syy siihen että olen Bartonin kirjasarjaa jaksanut lukea näinkin pitkälle.

Lady Olivia Sherbourne isn't shy about speaking her mind, except when it comes to James Averill. For ten long years he has been her brother's best friend and her heart's only desire. But when Olivia hears James will soon set sail for an expedition to Egypt, she knows the time has come to make her move. It's now or never.

James has always found Olivia bewitchingly attractive, but what kind of gentleman takes up with his best friend's sister? Not that he's thinking particularly gentlemanly thoughts when she appears on his exploratory trip—three hundred miles from home!—and incites a tavern fight. No matter what the devil she's doing there, it's his duty to see her safely back to her family. But how safe will she be when every starlit night brings wicked temptation?

Anne Barton: Once she was tempted

Anne Bartonin viihderomaanisarjan toisessa osassa jäljitetään kadonnutta maalausta ja juonitellaan reippaasti: Once she was tempted (Forever, 2013; ISBN 978-1-4555-1330-7).



Barton kirjoittaa sujuvasti, ja vaikka erityisen omaperäiseksi juonenkulkua ei voikaan kehua, kaikessa keveydessään siinä oli myös jonkin verran huumoria ja leikittelyä rooleilla.

The risqué painting owned by Benjamin Elliot, the earl of Foxburn, features a stunning beauty with sapphire eyes, golden hair, and creamy skin. Ben recognizes this particular English rose the instant he meets her—though she's wearing considerably more clothing. In person, the demure debutante is even more irresistible.

In desperate need of money for her sick mother, Daphne Honeycote had posed for two scandalous portraits. Now she must hide her secret to save the Honeycote family name. Ben's possession of one painting makes him an insufferable thorn in her side—and yet he may be her best chance at finding the canvas's companion. As she becomes drawn to the dark-tempered earl, can Daphne risk laying bare the secrets of her heart?

Anne Barton: When she was wicked

Anne Bartonin historiallinen Honeycote-viihderomaanisarja on saanut Helmetissä ristiriitaisia arvioita, tämä sarjan aloittava teos viisi tähteä ja sarjan kolmas teos puolestaan vain yhden tähden. Lähdettyäni sarjaa lukemaan olen jossakin näiden näkemysten puolivälissä: When she was wicked (Forever, 2013; ISBN 978-1-4555-1332-1).



Romaanissa on monenlaista juonittelua ja kähmintää, mutta erityisen omaperäinen se ei ole, vaikkakin teksti kieltämättä on kohtalaisen sujuvaa.

A dressmaker in London's busiest shop, Miss Anabelle Honeycote overhears the ton's steamiest secrets-and (occasionally) uses them to her advantage. It isn't something she's proud of, but the reluctant blackmailer needs the money to care for her gravely ill mother.

To make up for her misdeeds, Anabelle keeps to a firm set of rules: Never request payment from someone who cannot afford it. Never reveal the secrets of a paying client. Never enter into any form of social interaction with a client.

er list keeps her (somewhat) honest-until she encounters Owen Sherbourne, the Duke of Huntford. Not only does Owen nip Anabelle's extortion plans in the bud, the devilishly handsome Duke soon has the sexy seamstress dreaming of more than silks and satins. With Owen Anabelle enjoys pleasures she never imagined - until a scandal from the past resurfaces. Now her rules could mean his family's ruin. Owen's searing kisses carry the promise of passion, but how will he react when Anabelle's most devastating secret is finally revealed?