The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle

Catherine Raybourne, Marchioness of Foster, tried to help a friend two weeks after her wedding to Jamie and in the process, got caught in what looked to be a comprising position and it sent Jamie away for five long years.  Jamie refused to look a fool just weeks after his marriage and thought it best to leave than bear the gossip but has decided to return home and try again with Cat, to have an heir.  But after Jamie left after their horrible fight and with no word from him during his five year absence, Cat is not ready to let Jamie back into her heart as it is quite broken and hurt.  Jamie and Cat try to find a way to talk and move forward but sometimes it is hard to let go of the past.  Will they be able to focus on their happier moments and find the love that is still burning between them?

This was an absolute delight of a novella featuring a side character from Leigh LaValle's debut novel, The Runaway Countess (but can easily be read as a stand alone).  It had just the right amount of emotion, turmoil, action and heat to make this a must read for historical romance fans.  The writing is lovely and watching Cat and Jamie find a resolution to their problem was handled well and not overdrawn.  You could really feel for Cat and all her fears for being left high and dry again, especially as she reveals a painful secret, and at the same time you really feel for Jamie and his reluctance to be made to look a fool again.  Tender moments are wrapped together with a little dash of heat and I really enjoyed watching this couple find their way back to each other as you could just see their strong love for each other.  So even though this is only a novella, the story was well developed and thought out and I really enjoyed it.  Yes, I did think it odd that Jamie would just take off and leave for five years with no word at all, but it just worked for me in this setting.  An engaging, romantic tale of forgiveness and love.  4 stars

Naughty in Nottinghamshire
Novella works as a stand alone

                               Coming in 2013

Three Weddings and a Murder by Tessa Dare, Leigh LaValle, Courtney Milan and Carey Baldwin

First, this is an anthology that the proceeds go to raise funds for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  Please read more here and here.  Such a great cause and such a generous donation!  Thanks ladies!!

Now, for a quick recap of a great anthology!

The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare

For a novella, I usually prefer the couple to have know each other previously for the story to work better in the shorter space but in this one they don't...and it still works!  Miss Eliza Cade made a foolish mistake when she was younger and pays for it no by not being able to have a Season until her three older sisters are married.  She unintentionally meets the notorious rake, Harry Wright and they both capture each others attention.  A bit of time passes and a chance encounter reacquaints them, and the desire and attraction still burns.  With clever chapter titles and superb writing skills, you will fall for this couple and hope they overcome the obstacles that continue to arise.  Tessa Dare is an auto buy author for me and she proves why, even in the shorter story length.  4 stars 

The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle

If you read Leigh LaValle's debut, The Runaway Countess, you know that Cat is in an unhappy marriage with her husband leaving her alone for five years.  When Jamie suddenly returns home and demands he wants an heir, all the hurt and unresolved feelings from the past five years come back full force.  It takes a small 'aha' moment for Jamie to finally talk to Cat about what happened in the past and try to forgive and move forward.  But when Cat reveals her own heartache, will they be able to overcome the last hurdle to find a way to renew their vows and start anew?  This was a very engaging story to a secondary character from a previous book and I am very happy with the results.  We get a small peek into Mazie's life as well and I am anxious for more books from the very talented Leigh LaValle!  4 stars


The Lady Always Wins by Courtney Milan

Simon Davenant was crushed when his childhood sweetheart married another, just to have money since his father was going to cut him off if he dared marry Ginny.  Now, seven years later, Ginny is a widow and he has three days to make her fall back in love with him before his new found wealth disappears.  But Ginny had her reasons for marrying for money and when they come up, it about undoes Simon's plans.  I enjoyed the banter between this couple, how they were always trying to one up each other and the ultimate one up comes at the end and was a nice little twist, which you don't always get in a novella.  Another enjoyable story for one of my favorite authors.  Seriously, Courtney Milan could write the phone book in a way that would be enjoyable :)  4 stars

Solomon's Wisdom by Carey Baldwin

It was kind of weird going from historical to romantic suspense, but once I got my brain adjusted I enjoyed this debut novella from Carey Baldwin.  It is about two couples, one long estranged and one happily married with a son and what happens when some mysterious bruises appear on the child.  The chain reactions from this event make for a quick story and twists and turns that worked all right with the novella length, but I felt would have been better situated as a full length or slightly longer novella story.  It was an enjoyable, quick read and a nice taste for what is to come in the future.  3 1/2 stars


Overall, I enjoyed all the novellas and they seem to be a good taste of each authors work.  For historical romance fans, I would recommend them all.  They will make you smile and laugh and sigh and leave you with a happy heart...and your heart is sure to pound a bit with the last one.  Overall, 4 stars

The Runaway Countess by Leigh LaValle

Mazie Chetwyn has gone and gotten herself captured.  She is not innocent of the crime of thievery brought against her but as she she has a connection to the mysterious Midnight Rider, she is not sent straight to the gaols.  However, she refuses to divulge any clues as the whereabouts of the notorious highwayman as she has a close, personal connection to the man.  Mazie also believes that they are just correcting the wrongs inflicted upon the tenants of the Earl of  Radford.  Unfortunately, the Earl does not quite see it that way.

Trent Chadwick, Earl of Radford and Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamsire, believes in the law and to enforce it as such.  There is no grey area, just black and white.  He is stunned by Mazie's accusations against his fathers treatments of the tenants but she is able to plant the seed of suspicion just enough that he starts to notice some clues that eventually reveal a painful secret.  But when the truth of Mazie's past also comes to light, he is forced to alter his plans.  Even as the attraction burns between Trent and Mazie, Mazie can not fully trust Trent with the secret of the Midnight Rider.  Will she follow her heart and be able to trust Trent or will her pride cost her a chance at pure happiness finally after years of disappointment?

Another debut and yet another winner in my book!  Leigh LaValle has delivered an intriguing twist on the 'Robin Hood' tale with The Runaway Countess.  It grabs you from the first page and for the most part, never lets go.  It starts out strong but the middle was a bit slow for me--I just wanted Mazie to tell the truth finally or for the Midnight Rider to return...something...but then the action quickly picks back up and I was engrossed with the book until the end.  Watching the smoldering attraction between the couple...phew!  But underneath the passion you can see the love growing...albeit a bit reluctantly on both sides.  I enjoyed watching Trent come to grips with his father's deception as it wars greatly with Trent's sense of justice.  I do wish Mazie could have trusted Trent with the truth before she did but I really felt the situation as a whole was resolved very well.  The banter and barbs between Mazie and Trent add in just a touch of humor which is always appreciated!  The secondary characters add a nice layer without overshadowing the main story (I do hope Trent's sister Cat is going to have a story though!).  Overall, a fantastic debut and another author to add to my must-buy list!  For an exciting retelling of Robin Hood, mixed with humor and a generous amount of steaminess and action, please grab The Runaway Countess and settle in for a delicious treat!  4 stars

I received a copy of the ebook from the author, thanks!