Customer Reviews

Where's My Hero?

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved this book. These three ladies are some of my all time favorite historical romance authors and it was fun to have them all together under one cover! The stories are short and fast but sweet just the same, and it was fun to see old friends return if for only just a short time.

Lisa Kleypas' story is about Derek and Sara Craven's daughter Lydia. Lydia is going to be marrying soon and it's not going to be a love match but that's okay with Lydia. She is somewhat of a bluestocking and her mathmatical calculations show that the chances of her marrying for love are astronomically not in her favor. Besides just because her parents married for love does not mean that she is going to have the same joy. That is until she is locked in a wine celler with Dr. Jake Linley. She once had a big crush on the handsome doctor but that has changed or has it? There is no question that the good doctor brings out the worst in her, that is until they are together and have a chance to talk. Maybe she won't have a loveless marriage after all.

Kinley MacGregor's story is a new series beginning which is the "Brotherhood of the Sword". Simon is a landless knight and has fallen in love with a scottish lass but there is a problem here. Kenna is the cousin of the King of Scotland, and Simon is without title, land, or prosepects. Oh...and there is the small problem that Kenna thinks that she is writing to a different man. How can they both get what they want...a chance to love each other (that is after the mix-up is corrected)and live happily ever after? You'll just have to read the story.

Julia Quinn's story is my favorite out of the three and it's Ned Blydon's (From Splendid)turn to fall in love. Problem is he is engaged to one sister, and he is feeling things for the other. Of course he is upset about nothing because it turns out his fiancee has other plans that do not include Ned. Maybe Ned can have that love match that his sister Belle keeps prattleing on about. Ms. Quinns trademark humor, romance, and characterization is plenty evident in this short story.

As I stated before these were three great stories. I only wish that these were full length stories but beggers can't be choosers. In any case they were fun stories and they were a pleasure to read.

"Where's my Hero?" is a smartly packaged gimmick that indeed enticed me to buy it. I'm forever complaining about how my favorite characters are secondary characters... and darn it all, I want to read their stories. In this compilation I get my wish. Too bad, the stories don't live up to the characters who inhabit them.

"Against the Odds" is Lisa Kleypas offering of Jake Linley. He's a favorite from "Someone to Watch Over Me." Unfortunately for me, while I know I read "Someone to Watch Over Me," I cannot remember his character. Yet this offering while a bit sappy, and contrived still entertained me despite my faulty memory. You see Lydia and Jake share a kiss at her engagement party which only enhances the ambivilience the two harbor for each other. But after an enlightening trip in the wine cellar, the two fall in love with each other quite spectacularly.

"Midsummer Knight" is Kinley MacGregor offering of Simon the Wraith. A familiar character from her book, "Master of Desire." Again I have to admit that I haven't read the previous novel so I was in no way attached to the characters of this story. Decent enough, I thought it extremely prosaic and way too stuffy to keep my attention completely glued to the story. Of course, Kinley MacGregor is well known for her gothic fare as Sherrilyn Kenyon and I think she may be having difficulty keeping her personas from influencing each other. In this "medieval" fare, Simon impersonating his friend Lord Stryder, has been writing Lady Kenna. An engagement is announced, and Lord Stryder has no idea how suddenly he has gained a fiancee.

"A Tale of Two Sisters" is Julia Quinn offering Ned Blython. Here I am very familiar with the little punk who helped his cousin get into all kinds of trouble because of his own immature gambling style in "Splendid." He's grown wonderfully and Julia develops him deliciously into a consumate rake in need of a bride. This offering much more light-hearted and fun revels in its romance fare and succeeds where the above two do not. Ned picking a wife out of duty and not love finds himself falling for his fiancee's sister, Charlotte. When things heat up with a bad poet and late night romp, Ned finds he can still capture the happiness of true love without hurting anyone in the process.

This book worth reading, might best be borrowed from the library. I bought it from the store but after one read, quickly sold it on e-bay. I enjoy Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quiin as wonderful historical writers. Sherrilyn Kenyon aka Kinley MacGregor has never been a favorite of mine. However, the three here in no way display the writing skills each of them are famed for. You would have better luck tracking down the originals and read them.

All three of these Authors are some of my favorites. When I heard they were doing an anthology together I thought what could be better. Well the answer is that all these Novellas should have been full length books. I really was left wanting more. That I beleive is a good thing. If you have never read anything by these three authors this may not be the place to start.
All three book pick up hero's from previous books. Lisa Kleypas Charachters come from "Dreaming of you" and "Then came you" Jake is also found in few others, Kinley McGregor's Simon can be found In "Master of Desire" and "Born in SIn" and Julia Quinn's Hero can be found previously in Spendid and Dancing at Midnight. SO you might feel as if you have missed something if you pick up there stories here and quite frankly you have missed something.
For those of you who have read the other books its always nice to see favorite characters again and find out what happened to those supporting characters you always liked. A good read leaving you wanting a little bit more.

"Against the Odds" by Lisa Kleypas. Though he likes Lord Wray, he also envies him for winning Lydia because Jake Linley knows she is the prize. When a matchmaker locks the duo in a cellar, Jake displays proof that love is the axiom in a relationship, but will his mathematically minded beloved cherish his theory of the heart? From SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, Jake remains a delight and Lydia has three siblings to go.

"Midsummer's Knight" by Kinley MacGregor. Simon of Ravenswood is in love with a highborn beauty, but knows she is above a common knight. He exchanges letters with Kenna, related to the Scottish King, but signs them as his best friend Lord Stryder. Kenna loves her letter writing Stryder. When they meet he is shocked to learn of their engagement, but soon she realizes that Simon is the author that she loves. The loyal, wonderful Simon knows he is a MASTER OF DESIRE when it comes to Kenna. Is Stryder next?

"A Tale of Two Sisters" by Julia Quinn. In three days Ned Blydon will marry Lydia Thornton though he has doubts perhaps caused by his drowning in a sea of estrogen. The latest female invader is Lydia's sister Charlotte. Ned falls in love with her and she him. Only a self acclaimed poet offers a way out, but Rupert knows not that that he tenders such clout. This is a SPLENDID tale with two delightful romances.

WHERE'S MY HERO is a gimmick, but readers will value this entertaining anthology that affirms what we originally felt when each hero first appeared: that they could carry a book.

Harriet Klausner

Where's My Hero? is an absorbing anthology featuring three masters of historical romance: Lisa Klepas, Julia Quinn and Kinley MacGregor. Each of these authors takes a supporting male character from one of her popular books and makes him the hero of a new tale.

Kleypas' novella, Against All Odds, pits the charming but initially too sensible Lydia Craven against the passionate doctor Jake Linley. Lydia has decided to marry for practical and intellectual reasons, but when she gets locked in a wine cellar with Jake, her handsome nemesis, sparks fly. And a deep but disavowed attraction that has been growing for years will no longer be denied as Jake and Lydia try in vain to resist each other. Displaying a great flair for dialogue and for deep sensuality, Kleypas keep the reader breathlessly on the edge of her seat and thoroughly entertained.

MacGregor takes the reader back to medieval England in Midsummer's Knight, where a tender correspondence between Kenna, a Scottish princess, and Simon of Ravenswood, a brave but landless knight, blossoms into passionate love. But Simon has led Kenna to believe that she is corresponding with Stryder, the earl Simon serves and a legendary warrior. When Kenna appears at Stryder's castle after receiving Simon's latest letter-which sounded like it might lead to a marriage proposal-all hell breaks lose. But what seems like an impossible match due to great class barriers is given a plausible and very satisfying resolution in this tender, ardent tale.

Quinn produces yet another wonderfully absorbing story in A Tale of Two Sisters. Ned Blydon is thirty and has decided for practical reasons to marry the neighboring estate's eldest daughter Lydia. But when he meets her younger sister Charlotte three days before his wedding, a longing he didn't know he possessed awakens in him. The ever loyal Charlotte tries to ignore her attraction to the charming Ned while she slips into an easy, friendly banter with him. However, when her sister Lydia shockingly reveals her secret plans to elope with another man, Charlotte is thrown into a panic. She must help her beloved sister but cannot bear how this will humiliate the soon to be jilted Ned. Yet sly Ned has some outrageous plans of his own in this thoroughly entertaining romp. As usual, Quinn creates amazingly real and lovable characters that make the reader's heart sing.

Where's My Hero? is a delightful anthology that historical romance enthusiasts won't want to miss.

Finally, finally we get to see what makes the good Dr. Jake Linley tick!! Imagine my wonderful surprise to find that he loves Lydia Craven, the eldest daughter of Derek Craven and Sara Fielding (Dreaming of You). I could not contain my excitement because not only was I reading about my favorite secondary character Jake Linley, but I also got to peek into Derek and Sara's future. Against the Odds is an amazing love story. Although it unfolds very quickly, you are aware of the history of poignant attraction between Lydia and Jake. The story delivers the sensuality and passion that has become the trademark of Lisa Kleypas. Ms. Kleypas is, arguably, becoming the queen of novellas.

After a long wait, Ned Blydon finally makes it to the altar!! But, dear Ned is in for a shock when he finds himself not longing for his bride-to-be but her sister Charlotte. You are amused by the antics of Belle and Emma (who make cameo appearances)as well as the twists and turns (and irony) that weave a lighthearted and romantic tale. I thorougly enjoyed A Tale of Two Sisters. Julia Quinn delivers a romantic tale that is witty, clever, and refreshing-a writing style that has many considering her the Jane Austen of romance. I must say that I agree.

Having never read any of Ms. MacGregor's (or Ms. Kenyon's) work, I was eager to sample her talents. After all, the fact that she's part of the triumvarate with Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn reflects very highly of her talents-in my somewhat biased opinion : ). For those of you familiar with Kinley MacGregor, this is the story of Simon of Ravenswood, known as The Wraith in the Brotherhood. With a slight twist on Cyrano De Bergerac, Simon woos the lady Kenna with beautiful letters. Kenna believes that she is receiving these soul-searing, romantic letters from Stryder, Earl of Blackmoor and consummate medieval ladies' man. Although Simon longs to tell Kenna that he is the man of her dreams, he knows that if the secret gets out his best friend and his lady love may never forgive his deception. And just when Simon decides to maintain his secret love, fate deals him a chance of a lifetime. Although I am not a fan of medieval romances, Ms. MacGregor has convinced me through her talented writing that medieval can be romantic and fun!!

After reading the romantic tales of Jake, Ned, and Simon, I can truly say I have found my heroes!!

p.s. Ms. Kleypas, where is Lord Ravenhill (Where Dreams Begin)? I think he is a hero, too : ).

All three stories were amazingly fantastic, which is not very common for anthology books. However, my all-time favorite out of the three stories was by Kinley MacGregor with "Midsummers Knight" with the hero Simon. Just this short story itself is worth purchasing the book. I can't believe how it just made me cry so unexpectedly, it's truly a work of art that Kinley MacGregor delievers, and I really...really recommend it. You won't be disappointed.

i thought this book was good but the second story did it for me it was by Kinley Macgregor it was soooo good it made you wanna cry and i never cry over a romance novel. it was just the way how simon is that made me fall in love with him myself its a must have it will be worth it. Its the most beautiful romantic story telling you ever read, i wouldn't give it 5 stars i would give it a perfect 10.... read her books and try to get her collection of the Brotherhood of the Sword and the MacAllisters

Also Recommended Anything:
by Kinley Macgregor, nora roberts, lori foster and sandra brown...

I am, as a rule, NOT a fan of anthologies, and sadly this book is no exception. I just cant get into short stories. They always feel rushed and good character development basically doesnt exist due to the brief length of each tale. I really only bought this book because Im a huge fan of Kleypas and Quinn. While I wouldnt necessarily say this was bad reading..I cant say it was a keeper. Im in a bit of a reading rutt right now..I cant find ANYTHING good to read lately...if anyone has any suggestions..feel free to email me.. :o)

Anthologies are like visiting a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops: you can taste a different flavor while indulging in your favorite. Often the novellas work around a theme, such as a holiday or common characters.

So I expected that "Where's My Hero?" would contain three heroes. The theme, however, supposedly is worked around three secondary male characters who are given stories that would show them worthy of our regard. Yet only Julia Quinn's story worked the magic. Ned (from "Splendid") seems plausible as a groom-to-be who is bethrothed to the wrong sister. Lisa Kleypas rushes her story of a wrong bethrothal, so that Dr. Jake changes from a mild-mannered physician to Incredible Hunk faster than you can say "Dr. David Banner." As for the third author and her story, both were so forgettable that all I remember is that the characters seemed far too modern for a medieval setting.