REMEMBRANCE by Jude Deveraux

REMEMBRANCE by Jude Deveraux (Published by Simon and Schuster, 2004)
Hayden Lane is a 39-year old romance writer, with a perfect fiancé, a supportive editor and an altogether successful, perfect little life. All this comes crashing down when Hayden becomes increasingly obsessed with the hero of her latest romance novel to the exclusion of everything else. She loses her fiancé, has angered and alienated her editor and starts to lose her sense of reality. Desperation sends Hayden to a psychic, Nora, and she discovers that all her problems stem from unfulfilled love in her past lives. Through several sessions with Nora, Hayden learns about soul mates, past lives and how each life affects the next life in reincarnation. Nora explains to Hayden that when the very first souls were created, they were split in half, one male and one female; hence, a soul mate is the other half of you. Something has happened somewhere in Hayden’s past lives with her soul mate and as a result she wouldn’t find her soul mate again for three more lifetimes. Hayden's immediate response to being told she wouldn’t find that grand passion that she has desperately been seeking is: “I’m an American and I want instant gratification.”

Since Nora has been able to give her several clues as to who she might have been in a past life, Hayden, no stranger to research, delves into the archives at her library and discovers that she was Lady Catherine de Grey who lived in Edwardian England. Hayden also discovers, much to her horror, that Lady Catherine de Grey was a woman who had many affairs and that she died mysteriously, her body never having been found and that her husband, the Earl de Grey, also died on the very same day his wife had died. Believing she can straighten out whatever problem was caused in that life, Hayden finds someone who does past life regressions.

Heedless of the strong warning the Nora has given her not to be regressed to see her past lives, Hayden dives headfirst into dangerous waters when she does just that. When she awakens in Edwardian England as Lady Catherine de Grey and is unable to return, she panics and searches for another “seer” who can help her get back to her present incarnation. However, this time she is catapulted back further in time and her last conscious thoughts are that she is trapped, she has to get out and she realizes that she is a baby about to be born.

What develops from here is a totally amazing love story. Love, hate, obsession, jealousy, a curse and revenge all revolve around two innocent and wonderful young people, Talis and Callie, who love each other with a passion that cannot be denied. Talis' and Callie’s characters were truly one being, each living for and incomplete without the other. This is more than an ordinary love story. It is a remarkable story of two people who are meant to be together, through heartache and loss, separation and tragedy and who are desperate to find the other through the centuries. There are three stories here, but they are all about the same two souls and it works. It starts out a little slow, but don’t put this book down! It is a wonderful book that will touch your heart and a story that you won't soon forget. And, I suggest having tissues close at hand. I loved this book. I highly recommend it. REMEMBRANCE by Jude Deveraux is a keeper!

MY SURRENDER by Connie Brockway

MY SURRENDER by Connie Brockway (Published by Pocket Books, April 26, 2005)
Three young men are driven by an oath they have taken unto themselves to pledge their service to the three surviving daughters of the man who gave his life to save theirs. As children, each of these young men had been saved from Scotland’s post Culloden destitution by monks to be honed and raised as warrior assassins. Bound together by their childhood horrors, raised as brothers, these three young men secretly assign themselves to one sister, telling the family that if ever they need assistance, the sisters should simply send a yellow rose to the Abbey at St. Bride’s in Scotland’s Highlands and they will be there as quickly as they can. Leaving behind a rare yellow rose bush with the family, they quietly leave and scatter to the four corners of the world.

Charlotte Nash is the youngest of the Nash sisters and one of the most popular, outrageous, flighty flirts in the ton. And, it is all a ruse. Actually, Charlotte is an intelligent, hard-minded, determined young woman who wishes to honor her father's sacrifice by aiding in some way in the war against Napoleon. She is given that chance and becomes a spy for the Crown, while maintaining her hoyden personality.

Dand Ross is the consummate spy: hard, dangerous, cynical and unemotional. For years, he last allowed his two closest friends to believe that he is the traitor that caused their capture and subsequent torture in a French dungeon. When, actually, he has been continuing the work the three had been trained for, espionage, while actually trying to locate the true traitor. At the same time, he has been keeping an eye on his appointed charge, Charlotte, while passing information through her to the Crown.

When a letter falls into the wrong hands, with possible devistating consequences to the Crown, Charlotte volunteers to mascerade as a "fallen woman" in order to gain entry into an exclusive party where the letter is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Her hastily devised plan to locate the letter and retrieve it has one serious flaw. She realizes that the man she is supposed to offer herself to as a new potential mistress, Comte St. Lyon, is well known in the ton and would never risk his position in society by ruining a virgin. So, she must recruit Dand, the only man she has ever truly been attracted to, to help ruin her in society's eyes and in fact.

Charlotte's inner turmoil, realizing she will forever be an outcast, unable to make a respectable marriage and, most importantly, hurting her beloved sisters, is heartwrenching. Dand, in his chosen role as protector, is put into an untenable position. Charlotte was asking him to go against every code a gentleman lived by. She always has intrigued him and he was certainly attracted to her, so he cannot imagine allowing another man to touch her. Dand is torn and tormented.

The development of both characters as the story progresses proves that not everyone is as they appear on the surface. Both characters are devoted to their secret professions and their cause and realize that there is no room for love in espionage. As a result, neither of them can divulge their feelings for each other and their anguish is palpable. There is tremendous sexual tension, intrigue, suspense and mystery in this book. The chemistry between the two main characters was sizzling. There is just the right amount of humor added when needed. In addition, the return of all the Rose Hunters for this final book is welcomed. And, the mystery of the identity of the traitor, which tantalized from the very first book in this excellent series, is finally revealed. I thought Connie Brockway saved her best for last with this wonderful romance.

I highly recommend this book, the final installment in the Rose Hunter series, as well as the entire series. See my reviews below on the first books in this series, MY SEDUCTION and MY PLEASURE by Connie Brockway.

MY PLEASURE by Connie Brockway

MY PLEASURE by Connie Brockway (Published by Pocket, September 28, 2004)
Three young men are driven by an oath they have taken unto themselves to pledge their service to the three surviving daughters of the man who gave his life to save theirs. As children, each of these young men had been saved from Scotland’s post Culloden destitution by monks to be honed and raised as warrior assassins. Bound together by their childhood horrors, raised as brothers, these three young men secretly assign themselves to one sister, telling the family that if ever they need assistance, the sisters should simply send a yellow rose to the Abbey at St. Bride’s in Scotland’s Highlands and they will be there as quickly as they can. Leaving behind a rare yellow rose bush with the family, they quietly leave and scatter to the four corners of the world.

Helena Nash has been living for the past four years as a paid companion to a miserable old harpy of the ton, Lady Tilpot and Lady Tilpot’s young, naïve and much spoiled niece, Lady Flora. A celebrated beauty, dignified, unassailable and gracefully reticent, Helena has had to suffer verbal indignities as the object of Lady Tilpot’s vicious tongue. Recently recruited by Flora to act as a messenger, Helena finds herself masquerading as a boy to deliver covert messages to Flora’s secret husband, who is on the run from moneylenders. Helena discovers a world and a freedom she has never known and covets. It is during such a masquerade that she encounters and recognizes one of her and her sister’s self-appointed guardians who is now London’s well-known master swordsman, Ramsey Munro.

Ramsey Munro has been living for the past four years in London as the owner of one of the premiere sword fighting salons, making his living teaching bored aristocrats his art, while at the same time, tantalizing the young ladies of the ton with his wit, charm and sinful good looks. All during this period, Ramsey has been covertly watching over Helena Nash, willing to use his body and his talents for her care. However, at some point during the years, his promise became a personal hobby, for he is fascinated with the cool, calm and quiet woman who sometimes showed flashes of passionate heat. Never forgetting his and his friends’ betrayal at the hands of an unknown which cost one of them their life, he is still hunting to uncover the identity of that traitor. It was during this pursuit, that he encounters Helena Nash masquerading as a boy and in some jeopardy from a bunch of young bucks.

MY PLEASURE, the second in Connie Brockway’s “Rose Hunter” series, is the story of Lord Nash’s second daughter, Helena, and master swordsman and trained warrior assassin, Ramsey Munro. The story is fast moving, full of mysteries, danger and is sexually charged. The repartee between the two characters is witty, intelligent and sparks with passion. Ramsey Munro embodies all those qualities that make up a hero. Helena Nash’s character proves the old adage “still waters run deep.” The scenes where Ramsey is teaching Helena to use a sword are sexy and entertaining. Ms. Brockway’s depiction of Lady Tilpot makes you thoroughly despise the old witch, and justly so. The flashback scenes of Ramsey’s young adulthood and his time in the dungeon makes you ache for what he endured. Ah, but the end . . . well, I’m not going to give away the delicious ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed MY PLEASURE, the second in Connie Brockway’s “Rose Hunter” series. (See my review of MY SEDUCTION posted here April 30th.) I highly recommend it. ;)

I will be reading the final book in the series MY SURRENDER and reviewing it soon.

AT LAST COMES LOVE by Mary Balogh

AT LAST COMES LOVE by Mary Balogh (Dell Publishing, April 28, 2009)
Margaret Huxtable made a promise to her father on his deathbed that she would care for her two younger sisters and brothers until they were grown and could take care of themselves. Because of her promise, she wouldn't leave her family when her childhood friend and love, Crispin Dew, asked her to marry him and "follow the drum." Meg remained faithful and waits for the day when Crispin would return home from his Majesty's service because they had an "understanding." Years later, however, she learns that Crispin has married and she is devastated. But, she must remain strong and hold the family together, so she buries her hurt and disappointment and continues on with her vow.

At the time of this story, she is 30 years old, her sisters are happily married and her brother now twenty-two years old. For the past twelve years, Meg has been selflessly putting the needs of her siblings before her own. She realizes that in a few years her brother will be turning his mind toward matrimony and she will be displaced as the lady of the manor. Meg doesn't want to become a burden to her family and decides it is time for her to think seriously about marriage before it is too late for her. She decides she will finally accept her erstwhile suitor, the Marquess of Allingham, as soon as she meets with him once again during the Season. Crispin has now returned to London, unexpectedly runs into Meg in Hyde Park and Meg pride fully and foolishly tells him that she is betrothed.

Five years ago, Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, left his bride at the alter and ran away with bride's married sister-in-law. Duncan is forced to return to London when his grandfather cuts off his funds and income from the family estate. The lady he ran away with has died, leaving Duncan with a son. He loves his son desperately and, for his sake, will do anything to be able to continue to support him, so he swallows his pride and confronts his grandfather, the Marquess of Claverbrook. He finagles an agreement with the Marquess that he if marries an eligible lady of good breeding in 16 days time, before the Marquess' 80th birthday, he will restore his family estate and income to him.

The scene is a ballroom. Duncan is there to find a prospective bride. Meg is there to renew her acquaintance with the Marquess of Allingham and hopefully accept his fourth proposal of marriage. Meg approaches her prospective bridegroom while he is in the process of introducing to his newly acquired fiancée to his friends. Shocked and in a panic, Meg rushes out of the ballroom and headlong into Duncan. Looking down at Meg, Duncan remarks: "What is your hurry? Why not stay and dance with me? And, then marry me and live happily ever after with me?" Startled out of her panic, Meg responds: "Does it have to be in that order?"

AT LAST COMES LOVE is undoubtedly the very best of Mary Balogh's Huxtable series to date. It is a story about trust, loneliness, honor and compassion. It is a story where you watch love develop gradually along with deep respect and admiration of character. As Duncan explains, not everything is as it seems and you discover, along with Meg, how very true that statement is. You watch two characters that have given so much of themselves and their love so easily, but have never been able to totally open themselves to accept love in return. This is a character-driven tale where those characters are brilliantly developed by Ms. Balogh. She depicts Meg as the mature woman she is – complex, a survivor of life’s hard knocks, determined not to just settle, but to work for what she wants. She spares no ink in her depiction and development of Duncan’s character either - strong, unwavering in his love for his son, willing to work at his hasty marriage in order to make it something special and, above all, compassionate and honorable. Ms. Balogh never fails to touch a chord in your heart with her moving, heartwarming stories. In AT LAST COMES LOVE she has succeeded, once again, to do just that.

I loved this book. I highly recommend it. ;)

MOONLIGHT WARRIOR by Janet Chapman

Moonlight Warrior by Janet Chapman (Published by Pocket Star Books, April 28, 2009)
Kenzie Gregor is a Highland warrior from the 11th century who, until recently, was a panther. Why was he a panther? Because a witch cursed him, made him immortal and turned him into a panther. He arrives in current day Maine accompanied by an 1,800 year old Druidh who has lost his powers, to establish a sanctuary for animals. Not just any animals, but other souls cursed by witches and/or wizards in ancient times and who need assistance breaking their curses to return them to their previously mortal, human forms. Kenzie's mission now is a "soul warrior." His latest rescue is a 9th Century Irish nobleman, William Kilkenney, who has been turned into a dragon by a powerful witch.

Eve Anderson is recently divorced and has returned home to Maine to care for her ailing mother, Mabel, while trying to keep the both of them financially afloat. Physically, Eve resembles a pixie. On the inside, however, she is tough as nails, bitter towards men after being abandoned by her husband, and in denial about her mother's dementia-like illness. Eve's mother's farm is literally sold out from under her without her knowledge and the person who purchases it is Kenzie. After meeting Eve and her mother, Kenzie feels guilty about purchasing their home without their knowledge and offers Eve a job as his housekeeper to allow them to remain on the farm.

Kenzie is very attracted to Eve, but he knows that his job as a "soul warrior" could potentially bring tremendous danger to her and her mother. Eve thinks he is the most gorgeous male specimen she has ever seen. However, she is so wrapped up in her fear for her mother, in her bitterness towards her two-timing ex-husband and in trying to figure out how to support she and her mom, that she does everything in her power to avoid and/or ignore the gorgeous hunk of man living in the same house. A witch, a stubborn dragon and the fates conspire against them.

MOONLIGHT WARRIOR is a continuation of Janet Chapman's "Highlander" series with many favorite characters from that series making an appearance. Daar, the once powerful, but crotchedy Druidh, Grace and Greylen McKeage from CHARMING THE HIGHLANDER, Robbie McBain, who is a Guardian, from TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER, and Winter and Matt Gregor from ONLY WITH A HIGHLANDER. The entire series is a wonderful adventure of displaced Scottish clan members from the 11th Century. Each story has twists and turns, sensual and emotional love, humor, well-developed characters and rich and complex plots. Kenzie's character, in his panther form Gesader, appeared in Winter and Matt's story, ONLY WITH A HIGHLANDER.

It was wonderful to see Kenzie have his own book. His character is strong, yet sensitive and gentle, caring and wise. He is a bit old fashioned in his ways (geez, I wonder why), but his attempts to be more modern were endearing. Eve is frightened, vulnerable and wounded. But, she has strength of character and a will of iron which keeps her moving forward. They compliment each other very well. In addition, anyone who has suffered with a family member's dementia will find it handled here in a positive, inspiring manner. William, the dragon, and Maddy, Eve's friend, were wonderful supporting characters that only added to his tale of romance and magic.

Janet Chapman has written a delightful fantasy with this series and her latest book MOONLIGHT WARRIOR continues the series brilliantly and beautifully. I highly recommend the entire series. I really enjoyed it! ;)

TILL THERE WAS YOU by Lynn Kurland

Till There Was You by Lynn Kurland (Published by The Penguin Group, April 28, 2009)
Zachary William Smith was finished with unreasonable, demanding clients. He was finished with high maintenance, titled women. He was also finished with the paranormal, time travel in particular. Zak just wanted a normal, boring, life. But that was not what fate and a few meddling, match-making ghosts has in store for him. For while he was visiting Artane, an ancient, beautifully intact castle located in Northern England, meeting with an old family friend, Zak steps innocently through a door to find himself inexplicably back in time to the year 1258. Zak doesn’t panic, however, because for the last several years he had been investigating many of the time gates located on his brother-in-law’s property in Scotland. Zak’s brother-in-law happens to be a Scottish Laird originally from the 14th Century. (A DANCE THROUGH TIME by Lynn Kurland.) He ducks into a garderobe (a medieval bathroom) to hide until he can figure out how to get out of this situation and discovers he is not alone. Hiding from an unwanted suitor in that same garderobe is the beautiful, feisty daughter of the keep, Lady Mary de Piaget. When the castle guards try to break down the door with their swords, Zak mistakenly thinks Lady Mary is a simple maid and tries to protect her. Even though he is quite skilled in modern karate and sword play, he is no match for the numbers of men and ends up in the castle dungeon.

Lady Mary is passionate about two things: training her father’s horses and avoiding marriage. In her determination to thwart a dogged, but unsavory suitor and she attempts to break Zak out of the dungeon to enlist his aid in escaping the keep and hiding until her suitor gives up his quest to marry her. That plan is upset by Lady Mary’s father, the infamous Robin of Artane (IF I HAD YOU by Lynn Kurland), England’s most notorious swordsman and one of its most powerful lords. Lord Robin wants his daughter to marry well and is determined that Geoffrey of Styrr, her latest suitor in a long line of suitors, is the least objectionable. Lady Mary has seen a side of Geoffrey that her father has not seen and fears for her very life. No amount of persuasion will convince Lord Robin that Lord Geoffrey will not make her a good husband. Hence, Lady Mary’s plan to flee.

Lord Robin is intrigued by the man who wears strange clothes, with unusual but deadly fighting skills, who speaks passable Norman French and who by his bearing is unquestionably is not a peasant. Zak knows of other time gates located not far from Artane and just wants to get back to his century. He finds himself, however, constantly seeking out the beautiful Lady Mary, despite the whispers he hears in his head warning him to leave no footprint in time. Lady Mary is desperate to avoid the betrothal to the frightening Geoffrey, and at first seeks out Zak for his help, but then discovers herself falling in love with him. You have two people from two different centuries who fall in love and discover that their love could affect countless of generations to come by upsetting the fabric of time and the future.

For those of you who haven’t read one of Lynn Kurland’s books, you are missing a wonderful experience. She writes such amazing romances about two families: one in medieval England - the de Piaget’s; and one in present day Scotland – the McLeod’s. Not all of this series are time travel stories. Some of them involve the story of a romance in their time period. The stories in the books overlap, as well as the families, and you quickly become familiar with both family trees. Each book can stand alone because Ms. Kurland does a wonderful job of explaining who is who within the fabric of each story.

But one thing is certain. You will laugh, your heart will melt, your toes will curl, you will shed a tear or two and you will come to love the two families through all her books. This is old fashioned, feel good romance written so beautifully that the pages fly and you hate to see it end. Heartwarming, sweet, poignant, magic, enchanting are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind. Ms. Kurland writes one of these books a year. It is a long year waiting to see who the story will be about, but each year it is well worth the wait.

I read this book in one day. Tomorrow, I will read it again but slowly this time while savoring each beautifully-turned phrase, each heart stopping second, each witty response and each tender moment. Give yourself a treat and start the series with Kendrick de Piaget’s story STARDUST OF YESTERDAY. You won’t be sorry.

Oh, in case I didn’t say it, I highly recommend this book. ;)

MY SEDUCTION by Connie Brockway

My Seduction by Connie Brockway (Published by Pocket Books, 2004)
Three young men are driven by an oath they have taken unto themselves to pledge their service to the three surviving daughters of the man who gave his life to save theirs. As children, each of these young men had been saved from Scotland’s post Culloden destitution by monks to be honed and raised as warrior assassins. Bound together by their childhood horrors, raised as brothers, these three young men secretly assign themselves to one sister, telling the family that if ever they need assistance, the sisters should simply send a yellow rose to the Abbey at St. Bride’s in Scotland’s Highlands and they will be there as quickly as they can. Leaving behind a rare yellow rose bush with the family, they quietly leave and scatter to the four corners of the world.

MY SEDUCTION is the story of one of those warriors, Christian McNeill, and Lord Nash’s widowed daughter, Kate Nash Blackburn. Christian, or “Kit” as he is known, the son of a Scottish whore, a seasoned soldier who is hard, gruff and cynical and has never known softness or gentleness in his life. He is scarred in both body and soul. However, like all proud Highlanders, he is loyal and once his word is given, he will die rather than go back on it. He is also committed to discovering who betrayed him and his friends while on a secret mission in France. Kate Nash Blackburn was once one of the cosseted daughters of an English nobleman who loved dancing at balls, gossip and the latest fashions. She was married a year, when her dashing husband, a Lieutenant in his Majesty’s army, died on route to India. Six months later, the family received word that her father, who had been secretly meeting with France’s Louis XVI’s deposed government, traded his life for three Scottish spys. On the heels of this devastating news, comes word from her father’s solicitor that the annuity they had been living on had also died with their father. The once flighty Kate takes it upon herself to raise money by selling their belongings, settling unpaid bills and doing everything in her power to keep her sisters together and out of the poor house. Kate becomes the rock holding everyone and everything together.

Several years later, worn out, afraid and desperate, Kate accepts an invitation to a relative’s home in Scotland hoping to appeal to their good nature for monetary assistance. It is on the harrowing journey to Scotland, having been abandoned by her maid in a disreputable tavern and on the verge of being assaulted by ruffians that Kit McNeill steps out of the shadows and come to her assistance. He explains to a much surprised Kate that he has received her rose and will do all in his power to get her safely to her destination. And, thus begins a journey that will change both their lives.

MY SEDUCTION is the first of Connie Brockway’s Rose Hunters Trilogy. This is a wonderful book! I was totally engaged right from the first page. There are several interesting mysteries that are woven into Kate and Kit’s story. Betrayal of the foulest kind, murder, smugglers, danger and a dark secret are contained in this intricate plot. Connie Brockway’s descriptions of the Highland Moors are vivid and detailed. The romance is intense and lovely. I absolutely adored Kit’s character (what a hero!) and Kate was his perfect match.

Be warned. The great mystery is not solved in the end of this book. For it continues in MY PLEASURE, the second in Connie Brockway’s Rose Hunters trilogy. Needless to say, I highly recommend MY SEDUCTION and look forward to the continuing saga in MY PLEASURE! I have it and will be reading and reviewing it soon. ;)