Overseas by Beatriz Williams

• ISBN-13: 9780399157646
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
• Publication date: May 2012
• Format: Hardcover, 464 pgs
• Source: Personal Library

When I first saw the book cover, I was totally smitten by the silver glittery fonts and the cityscape as the backdrop. What's more, Karen White (author of The Beach Trees; and one of my favourite authors) quoted on the front cover that this as "Irresistible. A memorable story of a timeless love."  Needless to say, I was hooked and I bought it, regardless of the eye-popping price tag (S$50.24). 

The story opens with the heroine searching in earnest for a Captain Julian Laurence Ashford. The year is 1916 in Amiens; a city in N France and World War I is raging at that time. The heroine doesn't really understand the urgent need in finding Captain Julian Ashford but she does know that she has to warn him of the danger he would be in and hopefully he would listen to her so he would be spared, from death. 

Fast forward to Year 2007 in New York City, Kate Wilson is a twenty-something Wall Street investment banker. She is good in her job but the thing is her superior rarely recognises her hard work and give all the important tasks and credits to another coworker instead. Being the low-profile person, Kate kind of accepts her fate but one business meeting allows her to meet the legendary investment genius Julian Laurence and her world changes thereafter. Julian is not only young and good-looking and it seems he is quite taken with Kate. 

What follows next is the alternative chapters that shift between the past and the present, allowing readers to find out and to understand the connection between Julian and Kate, and why these two people seem to have a purpose when seeking for each other, no matter in Amiens or in New York City. 

While this is a time-travel romance, it does has a tad of intrigue added to this romantic fantasy as there are scenes whereby Kate's safety is threatened at some point and makes you wonder who it is and why. 

I have to admit I am not a big fan of time-travel fiction, be it romance or mainstream but Overseas has definitely won me over with the unforgettable characters and the interesting premise as well. Author Beatriz Williams' style of writing is smooth and enticing and while I know the time-travel part is impractical and would never ever happen in reality, what matters is that love would never go out of time, anywhere. As long as there is love, there will always be stories to be told; and this is probably one reason why romance remains as one of the popular genres among others?  

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

ISBN-13: 9780062068521
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: February 2012
Format: Paperback, 400 pgs
Source: Personal Library

I couldn't remember when was the last time I read a historical romance; it seems like such a long time and with my recent reads that consisted of either dark elements or a rather sad setting, I figured it is time to read some fun and romantic stuff to lighten the mood. I decided to pick up Sarah MacLean's A Rogue by Any Other Name since I had read a few good reviews of it.

Penelope Marbury, Michael Bourne and Tommy Landford are good friends during their childhood days, however that all changed when Michael lost everything at the age of 21 in a game of cards and what made the loss such a pain is he had lost it to Viscount Langford; a man who had been a friend and neighbour to his father, handpicked by the former Marquess of Bourne as guardian to his only son and heir, after the death of Bourne's parents.

Needless to say, this turn of event has made Michael Bourne a very bitter and revengeful man. With nothing left but his title, Michael left the place and it has taken him nine years to rebuild his fortune and double it. Together with a few friends, they own an exclusive gaming hell in London and now Michael will try all means to gain back the land he has lost but he doesn't know that there is a 'price' attached to it, and that is to marry Penelope Marbury, a girl whom he has lost touch with and who has now grown into a fine, young lady.

On the other end, Penelope felt disheartened after a broken engagement and several courtships that left her feeling a sense of lost hope. Though Tommy asked for her hand and she likes him as a friend, but deep in her heart she is hoping that she would find someone who would make her heart ponder. . . someone like Michael, whom she has always share her thoughts and exchange mails when they were young. When she learnt that he is back, she feels happy but however he is no longer the Michael she has known, for this new Michael has become cold and vengeful and he wants to marry her, for the sake of getting back his inheritance.

Penelope, of course, would not want to settle for a loveless marriage and even if she couldn't move her husband's heart, she is glad that at least her sisters are promised to have good matches, in which a condition she has laid in agreeing to marrying Michael. While she is hoping that their marriage would work, she also wants a bit of adventure in her life and that means gaining access to her husband's gaming hell. But, would Michael allow it? Especially since he finds himself opening up to her as the days go by.

A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first book I read by Sarah MacLean, and definitely would not be my last. I enjoyed reading the characterisations as well as the plot of this book, and what in my opinion made this book such a wonderful experience is watching the two protagonists grow and change as the story slowly unfolds. Also, I find there is something warm and romantic about reading a story about childhood friends became lovers and that itself heightens the feeling of how I felt about this book.

A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first book of The First Rules of Scoundrels series, whereby readers will read the four proprietors of the London gaming hell. After enjoying reading so much of this book, now I can't wait to read the rest and I am sure they won't disappoint.

Ruthless by Anne Stuart

ISBN-13: 9780778328483
Publisher: Mira
Published: August 2010
409 pgs
Source: Personal Library
House of Rohan Series #1

It has been awhile since I have read a historical romance; thus I chose Anne Stuart's Ruthless as she is one of my favourite historical romance authors. Anne Stuart also writes contemporary romance and in my opinion no other author writes bad and sexy heroes quite like the way she is.

Being the eldest daughter in the family, Elinor Harriman feels she has the responsibility to oversee the welfare of her younger sister, Lydia, and mother after the death of their father. Their father had left nothing for them and besides worrying over their poverty state Elinor has to make sure that their mother didn't gamble away all their assets despite her sickly condition. Alas, their mother is one selfish and stubborn woman and the next thing Elinor knew, she has lost all their funds. Elinor goes after her to the Heavenly Host, a secret society where exiled aristocrats gather to indulge their carnal desires.

Viscount Rohan is the host of the Heavenly Host and he is known to be a mysterious, dark and a ruthless man who always has things done his way. He has met countless women but never one quite like Elinor. Thus when Elinor stomped into his lair demanding for her mother, he couldn’t help but to take notice of her despite that she is outspoken and fiery. On the other end, Elinor refuses to be swayed or attracted by his charms, but would she change her mind after discovering that he isn’t the man whom everyone thinks to be?

What can I say? Anne Stuart has written another winner in Ruthless. She has once again captivated her readers (at least with this reader) with a romantic tale and a dark, alpha male hero to match, in which I think has become her signature. What I liked about this story is beside the intensity between the hero and the heroine, there is also a secondary romance between Elinor’s sister, Lydia and Charles Reading, who is Viscount Rohan’s best friend and right-hand man. While the plot is not new, what I liked are the characterisations, the dialogues and also the juxtaposition of the rich and poor, as well as the depraved and the innocent set in Paris during the mid 18th century.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a secondary romance of Lydia and Charles but because their story is so brief, I wanted to read more of their story but I was disappointed to learn from Anne Stuart (I wrote an email to her) that there won’t be a book featuring this couple since she felt that she has more or less covered their story in Ruthless. I definitely hope that she would change her mind and decide to write their story in the near future. Meanwhile, I look forward to reading her second House of Rohan series, Reckless.

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I just settled down in my new office today (we moved last Friday). My workstation is organised (well at least the most of it) but I still have about six boxes which haven’t unpacked but at least they are to be kept into the store. I’m currently munching on green peas and crackers and drinking a cup of hot green tea as I’m typing this; it is raining cats and dogs outside and I wish I’m at home snuggling under a blanket with a book in hand. Onto a brighter note, I will be watching Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 with my husband this evening. I can’t wait!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

(This is a scheduled post.)

ISBN-13: 9780380773527
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: September 2003
373 pgs

I have not read a historical romance for a long time, and with the holiday is just around the corner, my reading mood dictated I should read a love story (never mind if it is not a holiday themed book), and so I settled on Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas.

Sara Fielding is unlike the other females in her village Greenwood Corners, for starters she has a streak for adventures and it is not surprising considering she is a writer and she would venture to anywhere for research for her books.

To find out more about the gambling clubs and how they operate for her next book, she leaves the shelter of her safe, country cottage in Greenwood Corners and into Derek Craven's world, for he is the proud owner of a well-known gambling club and she is sure she could find any information she could get from that place. However, Sara did not expect she could meet Derek in person so soon, after she has somehow saved him from an assault.

Derek Craven is a handsome, tough and a tenacious man. Unlike Sara, he came from a working-class background but he rose from poverty to become the wealthy lord of London's most exclusive gambling house through his wit and lots of filthy, hard work. His unhappy childhood has made him a hardened man, and he does not trust people easily. After the assault incident, Derek has no choice but to allow Sara to enter into his club, and though he would not admit it, he is somehow fascinated by her courage and her impeccable manners.

Slowly, they attracted and fell in love with each other, but one of Derek's past lovers is very angry of him for severing all ties with her and she is going to make him and Sara pay at all costs.

Dreaming of You is one of the best classic historical romance I read in a long time and I could see why it remains one of a favourites among many Lisa Kleypas' readers. Which romance reader wouldn't love to read a tortured hero, and finding his redemption and love in the end? I enjoyed reading the clash/exchange between Derek and Sara, and though the story is not new, it kept me entertained and then of course, there is the notion that true love conquers everything. This is a must read for all historical romance fans. I am glad to see I have a few more titles by Lisa Kleypas after going through my pile yesterday, and I look forward to reading them next year (I don't think I will be reading a lot due to the upcoming holiday season and all, but I can always try!).

Other reviews:
Book Binge
Reading Adventures
The Book Smugglers
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

Lion's Bride

ISBN-13: 9780553569902
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: February 1996
451 pgs

I was sure I could not finish reading this book before the year ends, but I was glad I did. To be honest, I did not give this book any thoughts until I stumbled upon this author's new release, The Treasure, which was released in hardcover this month. Since The Treasure is a sequel to this book, I figure I should read this first although both books could be read as stand-alone.

Anyway, this is a classic historical romance sets in the 12th century in Constantinople where gender differences and slavery are not uncommon. And of course there are the battles that endanger everyone's life in the village.

Thea of Dimas, the heroine in this story, run away from the House of Nicholas where she is kept imprisoned and hoping to set foot in Damascus to start her own embroidery business. Meanwhile, she is also planning to free her younger sister, Selene and she is waiting for the right time to strike. After her caravan where she seeks refuge is destroyed, she encounters a dark warrior Lord Ware during her journey to Damascus. Feeling dead exhausted and almost dying from thirst, Thea is sure she would embrace death in no time but the brooding and powerful Lord Ware rescued her, with some coaxing from his right-hand man cum friend, Kadar. He took her to his desert fortress in Dundragon despite her refusal.

Lord Ware wastes no time in her defensive behaviour, for he is pressed with other critical issues like battles and being hunted by the Knights Templar after his discovery of their secret Lion Throne. However, it seems that his enemies have found his weakness by killing those who are close to him. Thea is a strong woman with a mind of her own; she refuses to take orders from an arrogant man like Lord Ware but once she realized and understand what Lord Ware had gone through, she stays by his side after he has promised to free her sister on her behalf. And although there is always danger lurking around the corner, still they cannot fight the attraction they have for each other as the days goes by. I think there is no need for me to elaborate further as I figure the readers could very well imagine what would happen towards the end.

I think I would have enjoyed Lion's Bride more if I were to read this book a few years back. Probably because I have not been reading a lot of historical romances lately, hence they have somehow lost its touch to me. Still, I think the premise and the characters are great, although I have to admit that reading about the women who were being treated badly and unfairly at those times are disturbing. Lord Ware strikes me as a man who may appear cold on the exterior, but actually he has a soft heart. I also enjoyed reading about Thea's younger sister, Selene and Kadar, whom the latter was asked to rescue Selene by Lord Ware. And this is where their story will be told in Iris Johansen's latest release, The Treasure. I am looking forward to reading the sequel; and I am also hoping that I would be reading more historical romance in the coming year. I cannot promise I will, but at least reading this book is a good start.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!