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Showing posts with label The Hellions of High Street. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hellions of High Street. Show all posts

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Book Review and Giveaways: Passionately Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott

This is another enjoyable adventure to conclude this engaging series.
Passionately Yours (The Hellions of High Street)
by Cara Elliott

  • File Size: 973 KB
  • Print Length: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (March 4, 2014)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • ASIN: B00DTUHMU4
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0


Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only things they are encouraged to pursue are eligible bachelors. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .
PASSIONATELY YOURS
With her older sisters both happily married, Caro Sloane yearns for a romantic adventure of her own. Unfortunately the muddy, sulfur-scented waters of Bath seem the least likely setting for love or excitement. But the aspiring young poet soon finds inspiration when she runs into a familiar-and achingly handsome-Scottish laird.
Visiting Bath with his sickly sister, Alec McClellan is shocked to be reunited with Caro Sloane. He hasn't been able to forget the English beauty since their brief but exhilarating first meeting. But Bath is not nearly as serene as it appears, and soon Alec must protect Caro from a danger that threatens to extinguish the sparks flying between them. Little does he know that a bit of danger is exactly what Caro is looking for . . .


Review:
Caro is the youngest of the three sisters known as The Hellions of High Street. Their father was an explorer who believed his daughters should be as well educated as a son would be. They received a sound scholarly education as well as practical living experiences in how to manage in the wilds and how to escape or fight in dangerous situations. Each of the sisters found a release in writing under male pseudonyms: Olivia pens political essays, Anna publishes adventure romance novels, and Caro writes emotional, passionate poetry.

Caro has had her first season but didn’t meet any man who inspired her interests...except perhaps the summer before when she met the Scottish laird, Alec, with whom she had traded biting exchanges. Now she is in Bath with her mother. Seeking younger companionship Caro has befriended Isobel, who happens to be Alec’s sister.

Alec travels to Bath to visit his sister and is surprised to arrive just in time to rescue Isobel and Caro from an attack by ruffians. Alec has been involved with politics in Scotland but he has broken ties with a group that has turned violent. He suspects that perhaps that group plans to use his sister to threaten him.

Alec is a quite man who has closed his emotions due to a hurt in his past that he doesn’t like to discuss, even with his sister. He enjoys Caro’s unique lively personality and boldness but he believes that she deserves better than a man who has retreated from emotional involvement. Caro, on the other hand, suspects that there is a caring and warm heart lying hidden behind Alec’s scowls and grim demeanor.

Caro overhears a secret conversation that implies danger and violence. She thinks she heard a soft Scottish accent but she is unable to identify the speaker. Caro is wary when another very dashing and charming Scotsman strikes up an acquaintance with her but she is not sure who to believe - this stranger who implies evil danger about Alec, or Alec who refuses to answer her direct questions.

I didn’t find quite the depth in plot in this story as the first two as there seemed to be more focus on the personal tension and less danger and adventure in this tale. Still, once again, I enjoyed the tension between the hero and heroine that is developed with interesting sparks and teasing banter. Ms. Elliot does a lovely job with word phrasing for descriptions and engaging dialogue. There is a background of intrigue and Caro does ultimately get her own dangerous adventure.

This is the third story in the series which could be read as a stand alone. However, I encourage reading the stories in order just to enjoy them all.
Scandalously Yours 
Sinfully Yours

I received this title through NetGalley from Hachette/Forever in exchange for an honest review. It adds to my NetGalley Challenge and P in Alphabet Soup Challenge.



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About the author: Cara Elliott
Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. However, she traded in her cowboy boots for Regency high-top Hessians after reading Pride and Prejudice in junior high school and hasn't looked back. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.
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EXCERPT:
   “One would almost think you were going out of your way to avoid speaking to me.”
   “We’re speaking now,” he pointed out.
   “I would call it verbal sparring.” Caro edged around impatiently, forcing him to look her in the face. “But now that I have you alone, I’d rather not keep trading thrusts and parries. I would rather discuss far more important matters—such as whether you have learned anything new about the attack on your sister?”
   Pursing his lips, Alec shifted his stance just enough to allow him to return to his perusal of the lettering on the column. “Not really.”
   “Ye gods.” She restrained the urge to take hold of his arm and give him a hard shake.      “What sort of answer is that?”
   “The only one I intend to give,” he replied calmly.
   “Fine.” Caro watched the breeze ruffle his long hair, causing a tangle of red-gold strands to curl around his ear and dance down the freshly shaven line of his jaw. The faint scent of bay rum tickled at her nostrils.
   “Fine,” she repeated, after forcing herself to exhale. “Then I’ll just have to do a little poking around on my own.”
   That got his attention. He looked around abruptly, his gaze narrowing to a slitted stare.    The movement was quick, but not quick enough to hide the sudden darkening of his eyes.
   “That wouldn’t be wise,” he growled. “The only thing I will add for now is that you should stay well away from Edward Thayer.”
   “Why?”
   “Because…” He let out an exasperated grunt. “Must you always plague me with questions?”
   “I wouldn’t have to if you would stop treating me like a feather-headed wigeon.”
   Alec’s scowl became more pronounced.
   “Haven’t I proved myself trustworthy and capable?”
   A small muscle on his jaw twitched. “I am not at liberty to give you any more details right now. All I can say is that…” As he drew in a breath, he seemed to change his mind about what to say. “Thayer is a charming fellow. No doubt his smooth words are more to your liking.”
   Deciding Alec deserved a bit of teasing, Caro pretended not to notice the roughness edging his voice. “Yes, he’s exceedingly charming.”
   If his storm-blue stare squeezed any tighter, it would be sharper than a razor’s edge.
   “And scrupulously polite,” she added.
   Alec was becoming more flustered. Small sounds were beginning to rumble in his throat, like the growling of a bear. “I do not have Thayer’s gift of making myself agreeable. He has a honeyed tongue, which seems to appeal to all the ladies.”
   “Honey is, after all, a great deal more palatable than vinegar,” Caro pointed out.
   He now looked utterly nonplussed.
   Caro let him stew for a moment longer before huffing an exasperated sigh. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, give me some credit for having a brain, Lord Strathcona! Of course I don’t find Thayer appealing. When honey drips that freely, it ought to catch naught but flies.”
   The growls ceased.
   Caro waited for him to speak.
   Ever so slowly, Alec shifted his feet, stirring tiny puffs of pale dust beneath his boots.
   The flicker of dark leather caused a momentary spasm of doubt as she recalled her chilling encounter in the churchyard.
   Alec as evil? She couldn’t explain how, but she knew with a certainty that resonated right down to her very heartbeat that it couldn’t be true.
   “Are you saying you would trust my word over his?”
   “Yes, you big lummox! I don’t know why I should, but I prefer your snaps and growls.”
   A dappling of sunlight seemed to catch on the curl of his lashes, gilding them to a gleaming gold.
   “You are forthright, you are honorable in your own maddening way,” she went on. Oh, no man ought to have such beautiful eyes.
   She found herself staring, and at that moment, all rational thought seemed to dance away in the breeze. His face was utterly intriguing—a mix of chiseled planes and well-defined features that hinted at hidden secrets.
   “And… well, you are quite the most interesting man I have ever met.” Her legs suddenly seemed a little unsteady, so Caro reached out and caught hold of his lapels.
   Looking up, she found his mouth was only inches from hers.
   “Oh, bosh—I shall probably regret this…” Standing on tiptoes, Caro kissed him. Not a mere feathering of flesh against flesh, but a hard, hungry embrace that she let go on for far, far longer than any proper young lady should dare.
   “There, I have no doubt shocked you.”
   The tip of his tongue traced along the swell of his lower lip.
   “I imagine you think me a wanton hellion, and I suppose I am. It must be my eccentric upbringing. I don’t care very much for rules.”
   Caro knew she was babbling but she couldn’t seem to stop. “You may consign me to the Devil. But at least I shall dance a merry jig on my way to perdition.”
   Was that finally a hint of smile?
   She finally dared pause to take a breath. A long, shuddering breath. Now was the time to flee, before she made an even bigger fool of herself.
   But Alec suddenly shifted again, blocking her way.
   “I, too, shall probably regret this,” he said as he slowly circled his arms around her and pulled her close.
   She opened her mouth. To protest?
   Before she could make any sense of what she had set in motion, their lips met again, setting off a fierce jolt of fire.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Book Review and Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott

Another sister gets a romantic adventure in book two of this fun series.
Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street)
by Cara Elliott
  • File Size: 667 KB
  • Print Length: 316 pages
  • Publisher: Forever (February 4, 2014)
  • Sold by: Hachette Book Group
  • ASIN: B00D19E05I
  • Genre: Historical Romance
  • My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0


Book Description
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
THE HELLIONS OF HIGH STREET SERIES CONTINUES WITH SINFULLY YOURS...
Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only things they are encouraged to pursue are eligible bachelors. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .
SINFULLY YOURS
After an eventful Season, Anna Sloane longs for some peace and quiet to pursue her writing. Though her plots might be full of harrowing adventure and heated passion, she'd much prefer to leave such exploits on the page rather than experience them in real life. Or so she thinks until she encounters the darkly dissolute-and gorgeously charming-Marquess of Davenport.
Davenport has a reputation as a notorious rake whose only forte is wanton seduction. However the real reason he's a guest at the same remote Scottish castle has nothing to do with Anna . . . until a series of mysterious threats leave him no choice but to turn to her for help in stopping a dangerous conspiracy. As desire erupts between them, Davenport soon learns he's not the only one using a carefully crafted image to hide his true talents. And he's more than ready to show Anna that sometimes reality can be even better than her wildest imaginings . . .


Review:
Anna has always presented a kind, lovely and proper presence in society. Although she is the middle daughter, she is the one who was expected to marry well to save the family. Now that her older sister has succeeded in marrying a wealthy Earl, the pressure has been lifted from Anna. Only her sisters know that Anna publishes adventure novels under a male pseudonym. If the ton were to discover her secret she would be ruined. Like any writer, sometimes she struggles with new adventures for her characters but she never really expects to experience the excitement of mystery and danger in her own life. The extent of her brush with danger is sharing sharp tongued wit with the Marquess of Davenport, aka the Devil. He ruffles her calm composure as he brings out her daring, and perhaps wicked, thoughts.

Davenport perpetuates his reputation as a rake, staying at the fringe of society while hiding his own secrets. He agrees to investigate a possible murder plot in Scotland not only for the pay, but also hoping it will allow him distraction from his attraction to the intriguing and puzzling Anna Sloane. He is surprised when Anna turns out to be a house guest attending the country party.

Disturbing events cause Anna to question Davenport’s actions. While she checks up on him, he is investigating her odd behavior. When they uncover each others secrets they decide the best thing they can do is work together. In addition to adding exploits for her novels Anna realizes that Davenport can teach her a thing or two to help the love scenes.

Anna is a lovely character with hidden abilities taught by her father who thought his daughters should be prepared to protect themselves. I like Davenport’s character and his secret talents too. The dialogue is amusing and, as in the first book, the author has fun playing with alliteration. The plot is lively and fast paced. There is mystery, danger, conflict and a reluctantly building romance which is sensual without being vulgar.

This is a fun series and I look forward to book three which tells Caro's adventures in love. I believe her obstinate beau has been introduced in this novel and I look forward to their fireworks. I highly recommend this series and this author to those who enjoy engaging historical romance.

I received this book through NetGalley for an honest review as part of Hachette/Forever Book tour. It counts towards NetGalley Challenge.
Buy Links:

About the author:

Cara Elliott started writing Western novels at the age of five. Later she changed her genre to Regency romance after reading Pride and Prejudice. She graduated from Yale University, and she now lives and works in New York City.
Social Media Links:

Excerpt:
     A high note of the aria died on his lips as a frown strangled all further sound.
     He stared for a long moment at the front of Manton’s shop, trying to quell the erratic quickening of his pulse as he suddenly recognized the figure standing there. Shaking off the physical response to the person in question, Devlin made himself concentrate on the practical question her presence raised. What was she doing there? Ladies did not usually linger in front of a gunsmith’s display window.
     Lightening his footsteps, Devlin approached in silence. “Planning on murdering someone, Miss Sloane?”
     Anna started, nearly dropping the small notebook in her hands, and then whirled around.
“Some men,” she snapped, “deserve to be shot.”
     “More than a few,” he agreed, angling his head to try to catch a glimpse of what she had been writing.
     The covers quickly snapped shut.
     “If you like,” he went on, “I could draw up a list of the most offensive characters.”
     Chuffing a rude sound, Anna darted one more look at the pistols on display before shoving her pencil and notebook into her reticule. “Come along, Nettie,” she called to the young maid hovering near the corner of the storefront. “Let us be on our way.”
     Devlin shifted his stance just enough to block her path. “It’s unusual for a lady to have an interest in firearms. I confess, I am curious as to why.”
     “There is an old adage about curiosity killing the cat,” she shot back.
     He smiled, which appeared to annoy her even more.
     “Then it is lucky that I am an imp of Satan.”
     “Why is it that I have a feeling Luck has nothing to do with your choice of habits?”
     Because your wit and your tongue are lethally sharp.
     Keeping such thoughts to himself, he merely said, “An interesting question. But you haven’t yet answered mine, and I asked first.”
     A glare, which he countered by stretching his smile into a grin.
Her nostrils flared as she drew in a sharp breath. “Not that it is any of your business, but I—I am looking to find a special gift for Wrexham.”
     A reasonable reply. So why did he have the feeling that she was lying? “Manton’s pistols are frightfully expensive,” responded Devlin, carefully watching her face. “Dare I assume that the poor-as-churchmice Sloane family is now no longer under the hatches, thanks to the generosity of your older sister’s new husband?”
     A light breeze ruffled the ribbons of her bonnet, and for the space of a heartbeat a flutter of a shadow seemed to hang on her gold-tipped lashes.
     “Indeed, knowing the earl’s noble nature, I would imagine that you and Miss Caro are now in possession of a very generous dowry.”
     Her cheeks darkened to an angry shade of red. “You are not only impertinent, you are offensive, Lord Davenport. Kindly step aside.”
     “But of course.” He slowly shifted, deliberately dragging his boots over the paving stones to make a loud rasping sound. It was ungentlemanly to goad her into a temper, but the fire in her eyes was mesmerizing to watch. Heat blazed in a burnt-gold swirl of sparks, turning their deep green hue into a pool of molten jade.
    “Allow me to make amends for my churlish manners by offering a recommendation on which of Manton’s models the earl might like.”
     “On second thought, I have decided to look elsewhere for a gift,” replied Anna tightly.
     “A simple but elegant watch fob, perhaps? A bejeweled cravat stickpin would not be at all in keeping with the earl’s sense of style.”
     “I can’t help but wonder something, sir,” she said in reply.
     “Which is?”
     “Why you take such fiendish delight in tormenting me.”
     “Perhaps because you react with such delightfully explosive ire.” Devlin waggled a brow. “Most young ladies are afraid to stand up for themselves. But not you.”
     She brushed past him without comment.
     Devlin watched her stalk away. Miss Anna Sloane was known for her effortless grace, and yet there was no other word than “stalk” for her stiff-legged gait. Which in itself spoke volumes about her state of inner agitation.
     Again, he wondered why.
     Turning, he moved to where she had been standing and made a careful study of the display window.
     He frowned. It was conceivably the sort of firearm a lady might tuck in her reticule . . .
     Assuming she had reason to fear for her safety.
     Anna Sloane in danger? For an instant, his hands fisted, but he quickly dismissed the idea as absurd.
     Absurd.
     “I have been reading too many adventure novels.”
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(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)
For 2 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review,
OR
(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there
For 3 Extra Bonus entries:
 Tell us in the comment what secret you think a rake might try to hide.

* This contest is open to US/CANADA only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) May 8, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after May 8, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

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