4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What does one do when the objective they set in life is changed?, February 7, 2012
Liliana Claremont has a clear and concise way of handling problems and living her life. After her father's death she choose to live frugally allowing her to pursue his interests in chemistry without a husband. Geoffrey Wentworth, the Earl of Stratford is of the same mindset and the last thing he wants is to be married.
Geoffrey's mother and Liliana's aunt disagree with this idea and force a house party meeting upon them. With total indifference on his part, Geoffrey agrees only as it will push his political goals since the houseguests include the political parties he needs to win his point. Liliana on the other hand uses this tryst to investigate what she believes was the murder of her father at the hands of someone living at Somerton Park, Geoffrey's estate. Though she wants to Liliana cannot in fact, even rule out Geoffrey himself, as she has not cleared his name quite yet. The problem starts once Liliana and Geoffrey turn the tables from indifference to desire. Neither of them understand what is going on since they know they do not want a relationship, but the attraction between them is explosive and something neither can deny nor hide from.
The secret rendezvous become more frequent and the trust Geoffrey shows Liliana weighs heavy on her heart. Liliana does not want to use him to gain access to the information she seeks, but must. She worries what will happen when he finds out her true mission and wonders if losing his love is too a high a price to pay for solving this mystery. Liliana has always moved toward her life's mission of using her knowledge to help others, now though she realizes she needs help. Can she turn to the man of her future, or will she always be haunted by the ghosts of her past?
This book is the equivalent of a first time at bat and hitting a grand slam, it is that good. There is not a sentence that is not captivating and a chapter that does not make you want to read more. I adored these flawed yet perfect characters and with every encounter, I knew they were going to be a glorious romantic hit. Heather Snow has a future so bright she definitely will need sunglasses to block the lights of fame.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
...debut novel that should be talked about, re-read and remembered for some time!, February 8, 2012
As soon as I read this book blurb on Ms. Snow's website, I knew I was in for one very entertaining ride:
"Geoffrey Wentworth, a war hero and rising political star, never wanted to be the Earl, but when his brother dies, he knows his duty--take up the responsibility for his family's estates. His mother's definition of duty differs from his, however, and can be summed up in one word--heirs. When Geoffrey rushes home to answer her urgent summons, he finds himself host to a house full of women, all vying to become the next Countess of Stratford. But his love is Parliament, where he wields his influence and reputation to better the lives of ex-soldiers, until a tempting houseguest and a secret from his past threaten his freedom...and his heart.
Liliana Claremont, a brilliant chemist, doesn't want to be any man's wife, much less a Countess. If she had tuppence for every time she'd been told her place was filling the nursery, not experimenting in the laboratory, she could buy the Tower Bridge. However, when she receives a coveted invitation to the Earl's house party, she trades in her beakers for ball gowns and gladly takes on the guise of husband hunter--for the chance to uncover what the Earl had to do with the murder of her father.
Liliana believes the best way to get the answers she needs is to keep her enemy close, though romance is not part of her formula. But it only takes one kiss to start a reaction she can't control..."
It tells you exactly who the main characters are and aims to pull you into the story without giving much away, yet hinting at the plots mystery as to who really killed our heroine's father. I was very impressed with it, and it was a very good sign that the story within would be if not great, at least good. Well, let me tell you, this was not `just good'. This is a debut novel that should be talked about, re-read and remembered for some time. This book blurb should be included as one of the best out there.
Miss Liliana Claremont is one smart girl and chemistry is in her genes. It is her fervent wish and a dream to one day be allowed to enter the hallowed halls of the Royal Society as its member. At twenty four years of age, she is considered a spinster, and she has no intention of ever marrying. She likes her life of solitude and study and her life's work and goal is to continue her father's legacy as a chemist. Her beloved father was a man she revered and deeply loved until one day someone betrayed him by ending his life. She is determined to solve and finally put to rest the mystery as to who was behind her father's death, and with only one clue to guide her, she sets on a path that will bring her much heartache and love she never could have imagined possible. All at the same time.
Geoffrey Wentworth, Earl of Stratford is a war hero who really never wanted to be an Earl, but after his father and brother die, he has no choice. With that title Geoffrey knows his duties are many and taking a wife and siring an heir is not on his priority list. His life's work lies in Politics of the day and his passion is helping fellow soldiers that need work and housing so garnering support to pass the Poor Employment Act is foremost on his mind.
Well, try and tell that to his mother, who without his knowledge plans and invites the cream de la cream of debutante society to his home for a fortnight of entertainments. To assure his cooperation, she manipulates him by also including some of the men and their daughters that he will need in order to pass the legislature. One thing our hero most abhors is sneaky, manipulative and deceiving women, and he vows never to fall in love with such a woman. He knows that if he ever marries, the woman he chooses must be compatible with him his political aspirations, and be a good hostess as well as his partner.
From their first meeting, these two totally opposite people, and one of them with a secret that could blow in their faces, sparkle and shine. The `chemistry' (pun intended) is so palpable, and sparks fly and fires ignite. I've thoroughly enjoyed their `courtship' and the witty and humorous dialogue brought me to tears laughing.
If you're in a mood for an entertaining, sensual and witty historical with a mystery element that will keep you guessing as to whom the `bad guy' is, look no further than this fresh, exciting and very delightful novel.
`Sweet Enemy' gets my five quills, and I urge you to find it as soon as it hits bookstores on February 7, 2012. Welcome to my keeper shelf, Heather Snow.
Melanie
*This review posted on Romantic Crush Junkies Reviews eZine*
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and sensual story of a blossoming romance, February 17, 2012
It pays to know the enemy - not least because at some time you may have the opportunity to turn him into a friend.- Margaret Thatcher
Regency romance is my favorite genre but it is also the most crowded. As readers scream for diverse characters in exotic locales, debut author Heather Snow embraces the "bread and butter" - a house party. SWEET EMENY delivers a house party like no other with its obvious marriage mart, informal political alignments, and even a medieval revival! But it is the things that go bump in the night that lead to intrigue and passion between the protagonists who resist each other each step of the way.
The hero, Geoffrey Wentworth, the Earl of Stratford, reluctantly attends the house party that his mother has initiated - he sees the opportunity to solicit support for his Poor Employment Bill from the attending aristocrats. The heroine, Liliana Clarement, begs her aunt to secure an invitation, misleading her to think that she is interested in marrying. Instead, Liliana seeks to search the estate for evidence that someone in the Wentworth family lead her father to his death. Snow writes characters who are noble but flawed. I found myself emotional invested in their welfare, especially during Medieval Fair that Geoffrey's mother hosts to sow the seeds of romance. Little does the Dowager Countess realize that the seeds take root between Geoffrey and Liliana.
The seeds blossom in to a full courtship with witty dialogue. Liliana makes every effort to deflect Geoffrey's attention so she can continue her search. Yet she finds herself falling in love with an earl who cares for former soldiers, who listens to her scientific knowledge, and who ignites her own fire. Geoffrey and Liliana must contend with the thorns that come with beautify flowers - the emotional baggage that each has carried since childhood and the simple fact that neither helps the other in accomplishing their goal. Yet Snow has fortified her characters with backbones to work through the conflict, particularly trust. In the end, the perceived enemy becomes a friend (and a perceived friend becomes the enemy).
This is an exceptional book from a debut author with one minor flaw - I would like to have read more action earlier in the story regarding the mystery. Then again, I would have missed the entertaining scenes from the Medieval Fair and the tender moments during their morning rides. When the mystery is finally resolved, I found myself congratulating Snow on delivering a unique twist to a Regency cliché (I remain vague to prevent any spoilers). Recommended read for fans of historical romance; fans who have become disenchanted with historical romance; and readers who have not sampled historical romance.
The author provided a print copy for this review.
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