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review 2019-11-12 06:35
Malcolm's Honor by Jillian Hart
Malcolm's Honor (Harlequin Historical, Vol. #519) - Jillian Hart

Malcolm le Farouche felt his blood race at the thought. Yet, was rage or passion the reason? He knew only that though Elinore of Evenbough would share his bed by royal command, the warrior-trained beauty was not to be trusted...with his life or his heart!


Le Farouche—"the Fierce." The epithet added luster to Sir Malcolm's dark reputation as the greatest knight in the land. But how would Elinore refute his deep suspicions of an alliance with her treacherous father? For her soul called out that this man was her true mate born!

Goodreads.com

 

 

 

 

In the year 1280, Sir Malcolm le Farouche ("the fierce") is the greatest knight in all the land. He is sent as a kind of bounty hunter to round up the Lord of Evenbough when the man is suspected of treason and murder. When Malcolm finds the lord's daughter, Lady Elinor also in attendance, he gathers her up as well, unsure if she is equally guilty as the father. Better safe than sorry, it's decided everyone shall go to see King Edward.

Though innocent of wrong doing, Elinor (who goes by Elin for most of the novel) fears her fate will be tarnished through guilt by association, possibly meaning an end by execution. With her lady's maid, Alma, in tow, Elinor decides to make an escape attempt. Making a meal for Malcolm and his men, Elin mixes in a low dose of oakwood, mildly poisoning everyone... not enough to kill them, just enough for them to have bad enough intestinal upset for her to have a window to get away without capture. That's the plan, anyway. But much to her surprise and dismay, Malcolm pushes through his discomfort and does successfully capture her not far outside the camp.

 

Once in front of King Edward, Elin's father is swiftly handed off for execution, but Edward decides there's not enough evidence against Elin to condemn her, and her father's lands remain quite valuable. Edward's skeevy nephew, Carodoc, tries to make a grab for Elin's hand but since Edward apparently doesn't entirely trust his own family, he puts forth his decision to marry Elin to Malcolm. Malcolm's initially not fully onboard with the idea but once told that if he declines he will be banished from court and Elin WILL be executed, seems like there is little choice in the matter. So after a quick ceremony, off our newlyweds go back to the newly dubbed Le Farouche homestead...where you'd think things would kinda chill out for a bit, but nah.

 

Within mere hours of these two uniting, there are NUMEROUS attacks on their lives and home, with even more to come in the following days. It just does not let up! There's even yet another guy showing up claiming he has marital dibs on Elin! But on the upside, conflict often tends to stir up heightened emotions in people, and it's no different here. Though he's still struggling with learning to trust his new wife, Malcolm does definitely feel a growing interest towards her in general. He's impressed with her training in combat and healing arts (though he sometimes suspects her of sorcery), he's amused by her feisty side, but he's also baffled by her --- the way she has a "fragile cut of face, lithe grace, and womanly curves" but also physical strength and self-confidence to rival any man's. Prior to meeting Elin, Malcolm had taught himself to be content with putting all his energy toward being the most dedicated knight to the king. But maybe, just maybe, there IS, in fact, more to life than that ol' "punching the clock" business. Maybe there's something to be said for a coming home to a quiet night at the house and a soft woman to curl up with!

 

Though they might have had an unconventional start, Malcolm and Elin grow to have an adorable, realistic "I'm calling you on your BS" banter between them that kept me laughing and nodding. Those who have been in long-term relationships will appreciate the style of playfulness these two have. True, they developed theirs rather quickly, but the way Hart lays it out still makes it somehow believable, like they were just one of those couples that would of course find each other when the timing was right.

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text 2014-12-16 15:34
Snowbound: Historical Romance Style
When a Scot Loves a Lady - Katharine Ashe
Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke - Suzanne Enoch
A Winter Scandal - Candace Camp
Softly Falling - Carla Kelly
To Scotland, With Love - Karen Hawkins
A Candle in the Window - Jillian Hart
Love with the Perfect Scoundrel - Sophia Nash
Tempted by His Kiss - Tracy Anne Warren
After Sundown - Shelly Thacker
Never Desire a Duke - Lily Dalton

Snuggle up! With only a fire and who ever you are trapped with to warm you. Yea! Snowstroms, Blizzards and Ice Storms abound. 

 

Snowbound: Historical Romance Style.

 

Here are the books! 

 

1. When a Scot Loves a Lady: A Falcon Club Novel  by Katharine Ashe

 

After years as an agent of the secret Falcon Club, Lord Leam Blackwood knows it's time to return home to Scotland. One temptation threatens his plans—Kitty Savege, who warms his blood like a dram of fine whiskey. But a dangerous enemy stands in the way of desire, and to beat this foe Leam needs Kitty's help . . .

 

Kitty never wanted to spend her holidays in a wretched country village! With snow up to the windows, escape is nowhere in sight. A roguish Scottish lord, however, is. His rough brogue sends heat from Kitty's frigid toes to her chilled nose, but she's confident she can withstand that. What she cannot control is the reaction of her guarded heart when she discovers this beast is no beast at all . . .

 

2. Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke by Suzanne Enoch

 

Sophia White knows she will never marry into polite society. The illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, she works at the Tantalus Club, a discreet establishment for gentlemen—and her only suitor is a pastor who wants to save her soul. So when Sophia is invited to spend the holidays at the estate of Adam Baswich, the devilishly handsome Duke of Greaves, she is delighted—and determined to enjoy her last nights of freedom before surrendering her hand…

 

Inviting Sophia for Christmas is a daring courtesy on Adam’s part, but he soon finds the pleasure is all his. Sophia is beautiful, courageous, and stubbornly self-sufficient despite her scandalous circumstances—and not at all the kind of woman he could possibly marry. Adam knows he must find a wife by his thirtieth birthday or he will lose his fortune. But can he defy convention—and convince Sophia—to risk it all in the name of true love?

 

3. A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp

 

When plain and proper Thea Bainbridge stumbles upon a baby in the manger of her church’s nativity, she is understandably shocked. Discovering a brooch bearing the insignia of Gabriel, Lord Morecombe, hidden among the child’s clothing, she is certain the dissolute rake is to blame. Incensed, Thea sets out to reproach the arrogant lord—only to find herself utterly swept away.

Gabriel is intrigued by the vivacity in Thea’s flashing gray eyes when she accuses him of fathering the orphan, even as he adamantly maintains his innocence. The brooch is one he remembers all too well, however, and Gabriel is determined to find the mother of the missing child. As the mystery around the baby deepens, Gabriel is continually thrown together with Thea—and finds himself growing more entranced every day.

Even with whispers of winter scandal swirling around them, they cannot deny the longing in their hearts. A longing which promises the best gift of all: a shelter from the storm . . . in each other’s arms.

 

4. Softly Falling by Carla Kelly

 

Lily looked at the vastness of the plains, full of cattle, and then up at the sky without a cloud in sight.

“What’s going to happen, Mr. Sinclair?” she asked. “What do you know?”

Fresh off the train from New York City, Lily Carteret arrives in picturesque Wyoming only to discover that her wayward father has lost his cattle ranch to a lowly cowboy in a card game!

Determined not to let her father’s folly ruin her life, Lily becomes a teacher on the ranch. There she learns that the handsome cowboy, Jack Sinclair, has some wild predictions about the upcoming winter—that it will be unlike anything Wyoming has ever seen. Lily must either cast off her skepticism to work with Jack or risk losing everything she holds dear.

 

5. To Scotland, With Love by Karen Hawkins

 

When Lord Gregor MacLean learns his childhood friend, Venetia Oglivie, has been abducted by a fortune hunter, he rides off to Scotland in hot -- and very annoyed -- pursuit. Venetia's soft heart has gotten her in major trouble this time: if he doesn't rescue her swiftly, the scandal will ostracize the provocative wench!

The only sensible member of her family, Venetia is sure she can fix any problem, even this one. So when an irate Gregor catches up with her, arrogantly expecting a hero's welcome, the sparks between them begin to fly. Then an unexpected snowstorm traps them at an inn, and Gregor discovers his feelings for the lovely Venetia are far warmer than he realized -- fiery enough to burn down the inn! Now if he can only convince Venetia that his motive for marriage isn't duty... but desire.

 

6. A Candle in the Window by Jillian Hart

 

Stranded in a blizzard with a bounty hunter on his trail, Luke McKenna is desperate to find someplace safe for his young daughter. Sure to freeze to death in the Montana wilderness, Luke and his daughter are rescued by the only person within miles.

School teacher Molly Lambert knows that letting a handsome, rugged stranger sleep in her house could ruin her reputation and get her fired, but she can't turn away the sweet child and her wounded father. Snowed in with the fugitive, Molly can't help but notice the tenderness he shows his daughter and the soft heart he hides beneath his tough exterior.

The cold winter winds can't subdue the heat between Luke and Molly, but Luke knows he can't risk staying in Montana and being caught. He knows he must do the best thing for everyone and leave Molly and his daughter or risk putting them both in danger. But can love light the darkest places and overcome the impossible forces pulling them apart?

 

6. Love with the Perfect Scoundrel by Sophia Nash

 

Only a man with a mysterious past could tempt the Countess from the Isle of Ice . . .

 

Twice jilted, Grace Sheffey has given up on love. No longer capable of maintaining her elegant facade with her intimate circle of friends, she has little choice but to flee . . . right into the teeth of a blizzard. But when her wretched carriage ride ends in disaster, a rugged, imposing stranger is waiting to save her life . . . and her heart.

 

Michael Ranier is a man of many secrets—secrets that could place the countess in terrible danger. But concealed in the wilds of Yorkshire, he can't help but unleash her hidden reserves of desire and fortitude—and challenge her to blossom into the woman she was destined to become . . . a lady willing to sacrifice all to find love with the perfect scoundrel.

 

7. Tempted By His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren

 

ndon society knows the Byrons are "mad, bad, and dangerous" and every bit as fascinating as their poetic non-relation. Join the fun as New York Times bestselling author Tracy Anne Warren presents the first tale of this tempestuous family—famous for scandal and legendary at love . . .

 

Orphaned beauty Meg Amberley never planned to pose as Lord Cade Byron's fiancée. Caught in a snowstorm, she takes refuge at his estate. Stranded together, Meg soon finds herself falling under Cade's spell. When the roads clear, she intends to leave, but fate intervenes.

 

Haunted by his past, Cade Byron has buried himself in the country. Then Meg—with her lush curves—invades his house and his life. With her reputation compromised, he proposes a pretend engagement and a London season where she can find a husband.

But as their charade deepens, Cade can't let her go . . . vowing to tempt her with a kiss that just may lead to forever.

 

8. After Sundown by Shelly Thacker

 

U.S. Marshal Lucas McKenna has brought down some of the most notorious outlaws in the West. Now he's on a personal mission: hunting the woman who killed his brother.

Antoinette Sutton is running for her life. The evidence against her is overwhelming--and no one will believe the truth about what happened. Lucas captures the dark-haired beauty in Colorado, but before he can take her back to Missouri to stand trial, the two are snowbound in a remote mining town. During the firelit nights of a Rocky Mountain winter, lawman and prisoner are caught in a dance of danger and desire... until Annie loses her heart and Lucas faces an impossible choice: will he do his duty and turn her in, or set her free and become an outlaw himself?

 

9. Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton

 

A Marriage Beyond Hope

Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom-and a single touch-are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?

A Love Beyond Reason

Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he's ever truly loved. He'll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves-and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?

 

11. Snug in a Snowstorm by Cynthia Moore

 

Lady Isabella Porter and Lord Gerard Malden have known each other since they were children. Isabella thinks of Gerard as someone who teased her unmercifully and made her feel inadequate as a young girl. This is a very unfortunate state of affairs for Gerard, because he has loved Isabella for many years.


A sudden, fierce snowstorm and misplaced notes informing both of a change of plan mean Isabella and Gerard are forced to spend the Christmas holidays together in very unusual circumstances. Gerard realizes he must use the time he’s been given with Isabella to change the opinions she formed as a girl so she may look upon him with favor and, if he is fortunate, lasting affection.

 

 To vote for the best of the best, go to my Goodreads list: Snowbound: Historical Romance Style

 

Let me know your favorite snowy Historical Romance! 

 

 

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review 2014-09-04 12:02
Harlequin's More Than Words Series
No One But You - Jillian Hart

No ratings due to the story is for charity.

 

Charity:

Nellie's Shelter for Women and Children/Mary Byberg

Nellie’s was initially established in 1973 for young homeless women dealing with teenage pregnancy, suicide, self-harm, crime, prostitution, ill-health, and abuse.  However, shelter staff began to notice that most of the women accessing Nellie’s were middle-aged and older women fleeing domestic violence.  In response to the overwhelming needs of battered women, Nellie’s increased its occupancy rate to its present day capacity of 36 beds and made the  main focus of the organization violence against women and children. For more information: http://www.nellies.org/.

 

Another MTW story about domestic violence. I think the other stories were better executed. I really didn't connect or like the female MC - she saw the worst in men who showed the least bit of interest in her although she got out of her abusive relationship fifteen years ago. The male MC was okay, but here comes his backstory with a dead kid (cancer, age 10) and failed marriage. By this point in my reading of the MTW series, I almost started a drinking game because the same backstory was given to every male MC. As for the female MC's son, he was so unrealistic. He didn't act like a high school student...he was just goofy. The plot where the female MC saves her next door neighbor from an abusive marriage was clunky written.

 

Overall, avoid this story. Rehashed storyline with less likable characters.

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review 2014-01-28 19:27
Review - The Horseman
The Horseman - Jillian Hart

This was a sweet read. I actually finished it a couple of weeks ago, but having a baby slowed me down a bit on reviewing. :)

The basic plot of the story is this - Heroine suffers a miscarriage, after which her husband sets her aside and she returns home to live with her mother and stepfather. She's not particularly welcome in their home and her life is pretty bleak. Then she meets the horseman her stepfather has hired to tame some of his horses. This goodhearted, gentle man helps her to feel alive again, and he in turn finds himself captivated by her. Both characters are likable and their love story is truly very sweet in a way that I haven't read in years. Sometimes I like a sweet, sentimental story and this one hit that spot. The tone reminded me quite a bit of some of the Western and Americana romances from the 90s that I enjoyed when I was in high school and college.

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review 2013-12-31 00:00
Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides: Christmas HeartsMistletoe Kiss in Dry Creek (Love Inspired Historical)
Mail-Order Mistletoe Brides: Christmas HeartsMistletoe Kiss in Dry Creek (Love Inspired Historical) - 'Jillian Hart', 'Janet Tronstad' Sweet story lines and characters. Not much depth, but just what I needed for some light holiday reads.
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