His Cinderella Bride - Annie Burrows

Title: His Cinderella Bride

Author: Annie Burrows

Line: Historical

Release month: September 2007

The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Beggar maid...

Jasper Challinor, Marquis of Lensborough, was appalled! Who was this redheaded, badly dressed waif in his aristocratic host’s dining room? And why in the world was the proud Marquis so drawn to her?

Wealthy lady!

Lord Lensborough was a man well used to getting exactly what he wanted – and he wanted Hester! Convinced that she was a poor relation, the noble lord was about to receive the shock of his life...from a lady who would break all his very proper rules!

Review:

Annie Burrows’ debut historical novel for Harlequin Mills & Boon is a lusty and enthralling tale of love and life in Regency England. The hero of His Cinderella Bride is a wealthy aristocrat on the look-out for a wife – and, in shades of Jane Eyre, he meets her in a country lane in inclement weather, although I don’t remember a scene where Jane fell into a ditch full of muddy water!

After this inauspicious opening, we meet the book’s heroine, Hester, a similarly wealthy woman who hides under the disguise of a poor servant. Soon enough Annie Burrows transports us into a world of mistaken identities, evil, would-be rapists, illegitimate gypsy children, carriage rides, tavern brawls and London society. It’s all utterly charming and engaging, and the author’s conjuring up of an early 19^th century atmosphere is very well done.

The book’s strength lies in the characterisation of the hero and heroine. Annie Burrows wisely keeps the focus on these two characters throughout and there’s never any unnecessary diversion to take away from the central romance plot. The dialogue is rich and full of passion and the romantic scenes are understated and heart-warming, everything you could wish from a category romance.

His Cinderella Bride is a brilliant piece of writing and a story I enjoyed and identified with from beginning to end. Annie Burrows is an accomplished writer and I look forward to seeing more of her work on the strength of this book.

Reviewed by: Gray

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Humour Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Did you know that Annie Burrows studied English literature, with Philosophy at University? To find out more why not vist her Website

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Bedded By A Bad Boy by Heidi Rice

Title: Bedded By A Bad Boy

Author: Heidi Rice

Line: Romance

Release month: April 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering / Sweet

Back-Blurb:

A tough loner - with a past...

Monroe Latimer is a drop-dead gorgeous Harley-riding bad boy who doesn't do commitment. No Way. No How.

One look at Monroe and feisty English girl Jessie Connor knows he's about as Mr Wrong as a guy can get, but there's one great big problem. He's sexy as hell, he fires her blood like no other man ever has, and his killer blue gaze is focused right on her. His look says he'll bed her - but never wed her...

Is Jessie the one who can tame the untameable?


Review:

I really should know better than to judge a book by its blurb or title! When I got hold of the book, I expected a light, fun read but Heidi Rice surprised me with a debut novel that far exceeded my expectations. The first few pages had me laughing out loud and when the hero read a letter from his sister-in-law and brother whom he hasn't seen in 20 years, that was it. I was emotionally sucked in!

Monroe Latimer is not your typical rich, strutting hero but a wounded one who's doing his best to overcome the worst that life has thrown at him. As for the heroine, you just cannot help but love the feisty and sweet Jessie Connor. I don't ask a lot of the books I read but that they make me feel and this one definitely did. There were unexpected twists to the story and enjoyable secondary characters too.

Overall a wonderful read and an excellent debut effort.

Reviewed By: Jopee

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor (will they have a happily ever after) ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥♥

Did you know that this is Heidi's first published book. To find out more about Heidi and her books you can visit her Webpage ...


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Hired By The Cowboy by Donna Alward

Title: Hired By The Cowboy

Author: Donna Alward

Line: Romance

Release month : May 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering/ Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Alexis Grayson is good at looking after herself—she's been doing it all her life. So what if she's alone and pregnant? She'll cope! But gorgeous cowboy Connor Madsen seems determined to take care of her. And Alexis can help him—he needs a temporary wife; she needs somewhere to live until the baby's born. A short-term marriage will solve all their difficulties!

As Alexis gets to know the courageous, honorable Connor, she realizes that she might have made the biggest mistake of her life. Because all this wife-for-hire wants is a marriage for real!

Review:

Hired by the Cowboy is Donna Alward’s debut book for Harlequin Romance and part of the Western Weddings series. It is absolutely a wonderful, sweet and tender love story and sure to melt any reader’s heart and make any cynic a true believer in romance and falling in love.

Can you imagine having no family, on your own with little money, no husband and a baby on the way, and you’re determined to take care of this new life? Well for Alexis Grayson that was the case and of all things she faints!

Connor Madsen, is one handsome and sexy cowboy and he has a serious problem. How will he save his previous Windover Ranch when his trust fund only becomes available to him upon marriage? Connor isn’t even dating anyone and the bank won’t lend him money, so what is he to do? As fate will have it Connor literally finds Alexis at his feet in a dead faint, and their story begins.

Connor immediately likes Alex, likes her strong character, determination, and sense of humour plus she’s not too hard on the eyes. As for Alex, Connor is one handsome cowboy, a gentleman so when he offers her a place to stay until the baby is born and to take care of her, can that be so bad? Think again! When she learns his plan that they must marry to save his ranch, she believes he’s lost his mind!

Donna’s development of both of these two characters is amazing as she uses their attraction for each other in a very sweet and emotional way. I found myself holding my breath to see if and when they would realize that they belonged together and even though they both used their immediate situations to solve immediate problems, in the end, their attraction, sensitivity and friendship for each other would form such a bond; they would soon see the light!

I would have never guessed this to be a debut book. I found Connor and Alex’s story sincere, sweet, romantic, having all of the elements which make a great love story! Thank you Donna, for Hired by The Cowboy. I personally can’t wait for the next Windover story, Marriage at Circle M.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥

Did you know Donna Alward almost failed Math in high school, but her first REAL job was handling millions of dollars for her provincial government? (And she was good at it!) To find out more about Donna and her books you can visit her Webpage and her Blog...

Have you read this book or others by the same author? Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you!!!