Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Tempted by the Night and His Captive Lady Reviews **CONTEST**

Elizabeth Boyle's latest historical, Tempted by the Night is a bit deceiving, especially by the cover. You would think this is a straight up historical romance. That is not the case. This is a historical paranormal romance and the next book in her Marlowe series about a very eccentric family who barely has any money and a mother who makes her children’s lives a bit crazy. Tempted by the Night is about Hermione Marlowe, the sister of Sebastian, who was the hero in His Mistress by Morning. If you read His Mistress by Morning, then you know about a magic ring that is being tossed around. Anyone who wears the ring and makes a wish, that wish will come true. Hermione is the lucky girl this time to be in possession of the ring. Herimone or Minny as she is called by her friends and family has it bad for Thomas, the Earl of Rockhurst. He doesn’t even know she is alive and Herimone is so far gone over the man she can hardly speak when she sees him. All she can do is moon over the handsome Earl and say, “Jiminy!” too many times to count. Yup, she is one of those heroines that has an annoying catch phrase.

Herimone wishes she was an invisible phantom from sunset to sunrise so she could follow Rockhurst around and find out all of his secrets. And guess what happens? Her wish comes true. Now poor Minny is invisible the moment the sun sets. This gives her the perfect reason to stalk Rochurst. And as she watches Rockhurst, who has a habit of going out late at night, she expects him to drink and whore the night away like most of the gentlemen of his ilk. Instead Rockhurst is on a special mission. He is known as the Paratus, a title passed down from his family from generation to generation. He must defeat the evil specter that is called Melaphor, who comes from another dimension and is killing people. Rockhurst, a.k.a. the Paratus must try and stop Melaphor from his reign of terror and either kill him or force him back to where he came from. But these two are equal in their abilities to stop one another and can never defeat the other. That is until, Rockhurst realizes he has a shadow, an invisible woman who tries to defend him.

This is where the story gets a little strange. Rockhurst is fine with some invisible London miss following him wherever he goes even though she won’t say who she is. Herimone is afraid that if Rockhurst finds out who she is, he will run the other way and be disgusted with her. These two have actual conversations while Herimone is invisible. And the kicker? Rockhurst proceeds to have sex with Herimone many times while she is invisible and nameless, only calling her his Shadow. Some have raised the all important question whether Rockhurst can aim or see certain parts of his involved in the actual act since Herimone is invisible during it. Boyle solves this dilemma by having Rockhurst close his eyes. Apparently his skills go beyond just fighting forces of evil. He is quite skilled at having sex with an invisible partner.

If you can put all that aside, Tempted by the Night is actually a fun read, mainly because of the antics of the invisible super girl that is Herimone. For laughs and some interesting invisible action, try Tempted by the Night. (Avon, September 2008)

3 stars out of 5 stars

Anne Gracie’s His Captive Lady was such a wonderful read! I adore all of Anne’s books and she is one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her latest may not have an invisible women running around causing problems, but there is a young woman who must find her missing baby stolen by her father. Helen Freymore reminded me so much of Tess Durbeyfield from the Thomas Hardy classic, Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Poor Helen has been through so much. Not only was she raped by a former associate of her father’s, but her infant daughter, who she loves more than her own life, is taken away from the one person she always looked up to. Now with her father dead and gone and her home auctioned away because of his debt, Helen has a choice to either give into despair or rise above it all, find work and continue looking for her missing daughter.

The first time Harry Morant notices Helen, he thinks of her as a, “drowning Madonna” because Helen is stuck in the rain looking up at the sky in awe. From the moment on, Harry decides to help Helen in any way he can even though she doesn’t want his help. Harry falls hard for the somewhat naïve yet tenacious Helen. Harry wants to marry her, to take care of her and make sure there is no more sadness or tears in her eyes. For some reason that Harry cannot understand, Helen won’t let him help her. She thinks she is not good enough for Harry because of what has happened to her. Why would a man like Harry want a damaged woman with an illegitimate daughter like herself when he can have any woman he wants?

Harry is able to bring Helen around to his way of thinking, mainly by kissing her into submission. And when Helen finally tells Harry what she has been through, Harry rises in my opinion as one of my favorite heroes this year. Harry is a simple man, with simple needs. When he sees Helen, he can’t get her out of his mind. She may not be, “beautiful, nor voluptuously built, and she certainly employs no arts to attract. But he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.” I love when the hero falls for the heroine just because he finds something special about her to him. She is not a raving beauty or is intelligent to the point she can give the hero a good argument. Helen is the complete opposite of most heroines I have read lately. When first introduced to Helen I found her a bit off, perhaps a bit slow in her thinking. But instead, I see her as a fragile little bird, much like a sparrow who may not survive in the worst of situations but is still strong enough not to succumb to defeat. Helen certainly doesn’t succumb to the odds against her and once Harry is in her corner, things begin to look up.

Anne Gracie builds up sexual tension quite well between this couple, because sex is not a quick answer, especially because of what has happened to Helen. Harry is understanding and so very noble. He is a tad tortured in his thinking because he doesn’t think he deserves love, but when Helen admits her love for him without one word from him in return, those love scenes almost brought a tear to my eye. His Captive Lady is sweet, endearing and an overall lovely read. If there is one historical romance you read this fall season, it should be His Captive Lady (Berkley, September 2008).

4 stars out of 5 stars

Haven't had the chance to read an Anne Gracie novel? Well here is your chance! I am giving away 3 copies of His Captive Lady. In order to have your chance to win, just comment here about either Tempted By the Night or His Captive Lady. You have till Thursday to win!

Katiebabs (KB)

18 comments:

Kati said...

You know, I read Anne Gracie's series about the sisters (what the heck was it called??) and then for reasons that I absolutely cannot explain, I just...haven't read her since. Very strange.

PJ, one of the reviewers at RNTV loved the Gracie book too, Kate. So you're in good company!

Ellory said...

I blame Anne Gracie on my return to reading historicals. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Would love to win this book. :)

sula said...

so how WAS that invisible sex? haha. you know...i have been hanging out with the LOLcats too long. "invisible" is the fav adjective. example

Anyways, good reviews, chica. I'm always impressed at your ability to write em up.

p.s. just finished LE. Rhev. Want.

Anonymous said...

omg, I'm glad I read your interview on Tempted by Night, because you're right I would have assumed it was a straight historical... it's sounds like a fun and funny read. A must buy *bg*

aww, and I must really look into His Captive Lady, too :)

Ana said...

I really liked the Perfect series by Anne Gracie ..is this her newest one?

KT Grant said...

MK: Anne Gracie writes adorable books but the story can be also very emotional. Her heroes are very yummy.

Ann M: Keep your finger crossed! :D

Sula: The invisible sex was very inventive. Don't have to worry about turning the lights off. LOL. And oh yes, Rehv... and his barb! *thump*

Ali: I originally thought it was just a regular historical like the last book, but since Avon doesn't really have any paranomormals and they are known as publishing historicals, I think they decided to let out the paranormal label on the book.

Ana: This is her very newest, just came out on Tuesday.

Stacy~ said...

I've never read anything by Anne Gracie but when she was @ romancenovel.tv I knew I had to get this book. Great review.

Mina Wolf said...

Anne Gracie definitely touched on deeper subjects in her previous series. I haven't started this series yet but definitely have them on my TBR list.

Anonymous said...

I loved Anne Gracie's sister series. Her books are very angsty - love that. Count me in for the contest, please!

Amy C said...

I have never read an Anne Gracie book and you say her stories can be emotional?? I love those kind.

Tempted by the Night sounds interesting. Historical paranormals are favorites of mine to read!

Anonymous said...

I got hooked on Anne Gracie's books by her Perfect-series. I'm really looking forward to read His Captive Lady, after reading your review.
thanks a lot for it.

azteclady said...

I have never read either of these two authors *hanging head in shame*

Would love to try Anne Gracie.

Tracy said...

Invisible sex? Interesting how you thought of his "parts" disappearing...or did they. How funny that he just did it with his eyes closed. Sounds cute/strange. :)

Never read Anne Gracie but it sounds really good.

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

ooh enter me into the contest please.

Unknown said...

I luv her books!

web said...

I was underwhelmed by Anne Gracie's last, but of course would still like a chance to try her next! And quite enjoyed His Mistress by Morning, so am looking forward to checking out Tempted by the Night. The premise sounds kind of similar though, what's with all the madly crushing women and guys who don't know they exist?

Anonymous said...

Wait, he just closed his eyes? Now come on, I don't believe that for an instant. Guys are quite proud of themselves whilst fornicating and I just cannot see one closing his eyes while taking sex to all new and strange heights with an invisible partner. Sorry, that sounds like a cop out.

LOL, now I need to go back and read the second review.

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of these books until now and now I absolutely HAVE TO HAVE THEM!
digicat @ sbcglobal.net