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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have a confession to make.............4 1/2 stars, December 28, 2007
This review is from: Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
-that I'm a sucker for this type of romance; a hero whose been lusting after the married heroine for years. Her husband dies, she goes through a period of mourning and finally -finally!- she's back out into society. Widower Carolyn Turner, Viscountess Wingate has absolutely no intention of ever marrying again. As far as she is concerned she'd met the love of her life (her husband Edward) and lost him to a sudden illness. But after three years of mourning and the persistent pleas from her beloved sister, she's decided to shed her widows weeds. To go back among the living instead of wallowing in memories. As soon as Daniel Sutton, Earl Surbrooke, heard that Lady Wingate was out of mourning, he made it his sole mission to get the object of his long time lust into his bed as soon as possible. Not that he wanted to closely examine why this one particular lady was the only one who made his blood boil and feel like a green babbling school boy when in her presence. All would be cured as soon as he had her naked. After reading the scandalous book, Memoirs of a Mistress, Carolyn is shocked, appalled and more than a bit curious...well maybe more than just curious. Were these things possible? Did a man really do THAT to a woman and a woman THAT to a man? And was it enjoyable? According to her recently married and completely in love sister, yes...yes...yes...and most definitely YES! So when the dashing Earl pursues her and opens up all these emotions and sensations she thought long dead and buried, is she tarnishing the beautiful memories of her husband by thinking about having an affair or is she finally go to grasp onto to some happiness and live again? I enjoyed this book, but maybe a tiny bit less than it prequel 'Sleepless at Midnight'. Its the second in the Mayhem in Mayfair series. Very good characterizations. The pace was kind of slow though. Not much going on action wise but I didn't really mind because the sexual tension was HOT! Thats always my favorite part of reading romances anyway. And these two protagonists could start a fire under water. Daniel was ....well....All I have to say is that I would like to make some of my own confessions to him! I also liked that Carolyn's dead husband wasn't some abusive jerk or that he didn't know how to please a woman as one often times finds in historical romance. She loved him deeply but realizes that there is room in her heart for more. This book sort of reminded me of 'When He Was Wicked' by Julia Quinn (really good btw) and a short story in the anthology set 'My Scandalous Bride'. That one is called 'The Proposition' by Leslie Lafoy (an absolutely fantastic read!). So I recommend this book along with its prequel. I'm looking forward to the sequels where the loud, brash and fabulously wealthy American Mr. Logan Jenssen pairs up with nose-stuck-up-in-the-air blue blooded Emily. As well as the stunningly beautiful but stuck under her match making mama's (title seeking) thumb, Julianne and her dark and dangerous? Bow Street Runner Mr. Gideon Mayne.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very entertaining I confess!, January 11, 2008
This review is from: Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am almost always never disappointed in Jacquie's books...at least all the ones I have read so far and I wasn't in this one either. I won't repeat the plotline either as it has already been done. I felt like the two main characters were fairly well mapped out. Carolyn was very much in love with her deceased husband and I think it was very realistic the way her mourning was depicted and that she was having a hard time moving forward even after 3 years from his death. Daniel was likeable enough and of course handsome and dashing but known as a bit of a rake. Even though I did care about his character, however, something was just missing and I am not quite sure what it was. I didn't always feel that enthusiasm I feel for the hero that I like to experience. I didn't become completely endeared to him although I still cared for him and liked him. I didn't feel like it was anything new the way he was depicted though..the use of taking in strays of all sorts and his hidden "savior" quality being hidden from most people he knew. Carolyn was sorta his savior I think because he needed to settle down and realize there is more to life and loving someone than just taking them to his bed. He found that in Carolyn and I certainly did want the two of them to get together. I was always rooting for them to. But like I said I just didn't read this book thinking "Wow he is quite the man!". Something was just missing for me there-he just wasn't quite developed enough . However, the sexual tension was definitely there and the love scenes absolutely sizzled and were also fairly frequent. There was even some hero jealousy going on which is always nice. So I give this book 4 stars because I still highly enjoyed it just not quite as much as her last title "Sleepless at Midnight". It was still very good and very enjoyable.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable historical romance, March 31, 2008
This review is from: Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)
This book is part of a series, also including 'Sleepless at Midnight', focusing on the four women of the Ladies Literary Society of London. In this story the four ladies are all rather scandalised but titillated by the book they have just read, 'Memoirs of a Mistress', which shows some of the fun that women can have with the right lover. The heroine of this story, Carolyn Turner, Viscountess Wingate, is rather wistful about what she's reading as the love of her life, her husband Edward, died three years before. For Carolyn, life is beginning to continue again now that she's over the rawest days after Edward's death, but she knows she can't give her heart again. Unfortunately for Carolyn, reading the book has rather stirred up her feeling of sensuality and when she meets Edward's friend Daniel Sutton, Lord Surbrooke, she's reminded that she does find him rather attractive. Carolyn soon discovers that Surbrooke is keen to make her his lover; she knows he's just a normal rake with a rather aimless life but his charm and warmth are appealing to a woman who's been widowed for three years. He doesn't have a heart to give away, she has reserved all her love for Edward, what could be the harm in a quick fling? As the book progresses both Carolyn and Daniel discover that there's more to the other person than initially meets the eye. When women who have previously been Daniel's lovers start getting murdered Daniel begins to realise his feelings for Carolyn might be more than his usual dalliance. What I particularly liked about this book was the characterisation of Daniel and the way in which he talked with Carolyn and interacted with his footman and other members of his household. He was a far more complex character than initially portrayed at the beginning of the book and much of the enjoyment of reading this story is discovering, alongside Carolyn, what makes him tick. In some ways it's a fairly simple story, focusing almost exclusively on Carolyn and Daniel's relationship, but this is no bad thing as it is a good read. Historical accuracy isn't always great and the protagonists all use modern American word-forms at times, as is so common in American-authored historical romances, but these things aside it was a very good read and with an unexpected twist at the end with the 'baddie'. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
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