CLAIMING LADY MARIANNE~
934670
Claiming Lady Marianne is a good story. Ms. Kauffman shows us two sides of a coin with villainous characters and others that have hearts of gold. I thought Michaels plan was brilliantly done. This novel is an emotional roller coaster ride full of sadness, anger, hope, love, joy, and desperation. With many different facets in the plotline, you too will find yourself enjoying this tale.

Danielle
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
- See more at: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/claimingladymriannebycystalkauffman.html#.VM5-Oy5cBVc
3748245
Justin Ambrose, dashing cavalier and close companion to Prince Rupert, was bored with life in the Royalist garrison in Banbury, until he met the sister of a local merchant.  Famous for his romantic conquests, Justin had never before let a woman touch his heart.

But Abby was no ordinary woman.  She was beautiful and she was brave. She was also young and terrfied of her brother, a religious fanatic and self-sworn enemy of all Royalists.

When the rebel army unleashed its might on the castle, Justin fought tirelessly to break the siege.  But even his closest friends did not know what tormented him.  And Abby, as she sat with the rebel commanders at her brother's table, dreamed of a man she could not, must not love...

(this is from the book's back cover)
3043642
A very sweet romance between a penniless marquess and his lovely lady Georgiana. While all of of nobility wants to kick him while he's down, Georgiana defends him and stands by him. A very strong lady, and an honorable man, the reader can't help but love these two and route for their happiness
3295440
This is a fun, feel-good book with some entertaining characters. Georgette's attention to historical detail really makes it feel authentic. I have read it twice since I have just purchased it, I look forward to rereading it again and again. A must read for those who appreciate a Regency romance with flair and wit.
870306
A young Lady and a rake of a Lord finds themselves written up in White's betting book.  What will come of this bet?  Will the girl lose her reputation or will they find true love?  I enjoyed finding this out.  I hope you do too.
2708639
Wonderful reading..a 5  star rating I could not put the book down  I plan on getting the rest of  the miss  fortune series
1724331
The Noble Servant #3 A Medieval Fairy Tale by Melanie Dickerson

We step back in time of 1365, Barony of Mallin, the Holy Roman Empire replete with fair maidens, dashing lordsoften wielding swords, ancient castles, danger, intrigue and...geese.

Hopes and dreams don't go as planned for Duke of Wolfberg or for Magdalen of Mallin as those who plot against them put their evil plans in motion. The author certainly captures good versus evil within the characters very well. Both Steffan and Magdalen find themselves in rather difficult circumstances and must find a way to find resolutions soon.

Even though Magdalen and Steffan are of nobility they both sacrifice for their communities and those they love. As a result of their challenges they certainly learned what is truly important in life along with their strong faith and prayers, which carried them through those challenges. I understand this is a variation of the fairy tale Little Goose Girl, which I am not familiar with, but found the story interesting and especially enjoy the faith aspect woven within the story-line.

~I received a copy of this book from the author (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
3746133
My first steps into the court of Edward III. I was looking forward to meeting his wife and infamous sons, like John of Gaunt. I really enjoyed meeting Alice Perrers. I have come across a lot of royal mistresses, but she is a very faithful sort of kind. I didn't even know that she stayed with the kind until he died. I wonder why he never bothered to marry her since his queen was no longer alive? For whatever the reason, I find Mrs. Alice Perrers to be a very gentle, and kind woman. She lovers her deceased husband, even though the king admitted to killing him. Rumor around the court is that Isabella, the queen mother had a secret that Alice and her in-laws were apart of, more so Alice's in-laws than herself. It turns out that the queen mum had a son with her lover, Roger Mortimer and that Alice's frist husband, Jayne, I think that is his name, took great care to hide him. Well, Jayne and his parents paid the ultimate price for keeping this secret. I also wonder why Alice did not hate the king for the murder of her husband and in-laws. Strange women. She had gotten alot of lands from the king and many people did not like this. After the king died, she was summoed to court to answer for her actions. Poor lady had to marry a man, by the name of William Wyndsor. Oh, she hated him but managed to by her time and did it very well. I also got a chance to meet her daughter Bella, by her first husband. This young lady as taken it upon herself to become a nun. Alice goes on to have three children by the king: John, Jane, and Joan. The king loves his son and daugther Jane, but does not seem so fund of Joan. I think he believes she maybe the daughter of someone esle. Alice swears that these girls are his but one can never be too sure. I do not know the last name of her bastard children by the king, but never the less, they are his. Alice then marries another man, and they have i believe two or three children together. I cannot believe she would want more children with anyone else after she had been with the king. As a token of the King's affection, I got to see the pearls he would give to her after they had been intimate. I must admit I was jealous and even more so when the woman had the nerve to appear at court wearing the dead queen's jewels. Alice is the daughter of a merchent, not the nobility and should know her place. Everyone at court thinks this Alice is a witch of some sort, but I blieve she is just enjoying her time. The royal family did ruin her life and therefore owed it to her to take care of her. I once saw the queen tell Alice that she could never take Edward's love away from her. It appears that the queen was okay with Alice's relationship and encouraged it. I don't believe I could have done that, but it is not my place to gossip. I hear Alice is now enjoying her time with her new husband and children. I am happy for her. Well, I'm now off to the court of Henry II. Oh, I love this man. Him and his wife Eleanor fight like cats. This time I shall be spending it with Joan, the royal couple's baby daughter. She's off to marry the king of Sicily and I have been invited to join her. I wonder what advantures will await her in her new home?
2105972
This book was a delight to read. I found myself caught up in the story of Aurora and the citizens of Egerton. I  am looking forward to learning how they fare in their new world. Well Done!, Darlene.
3076398
Excellent Heyer romance, with a bit of mystery thrown in. Who is trying to kill Gervase Frant, Earl of St Erth? Napoleon's army couldn't do it, but are his spiteful half-brother and stepmother planning to finish the job? And will Gervase steal his brother's sweetheart, the beautiful Marianne, or fall for the less lovely but smart Drusilla?

I've enjoyed almost all of Heyer's books, and this one is no exception. The excellent review at audiogirls.com inspired me to add it to my to-listen list.
1888508
It must be a bit tricky to have created an imaginary royal, one that interacts with members of the British royal family that are still alive.  But I think the interactions are pulled off in a respectful way, with Georgiana exhibiting a characteristics that any member of the royal family would be proud of.  Certainly a love of Wales, riding, and hunting is part of Georgiana's heritage. Perhaps there's a review lurking in here under a pseudonym.  One can wonder, can't one?
2422104
A wonderful read! Georgette and Hugo have the perfect amount of sexual tension as they traipse through England on Georgette's quest for gold. The adventure leads to a bit subterfuge while they deny their obvious attraction to one another, even as the mysteries encountered threaten their very beings. They separate thinking it's best for each other's dreams, but love demands a reunion--this time, they make plans for adventure and a future together.
3550864
This is an interesting novel.  Lord Trent, Lord Charles Sinclair)  was a scoundrel and had affairs in England and France.  He had been married at 17 to a woman he didn' t care for and with whom he never had children.  However he was rather prolific and he scattered offspring all over, many of them in the same year.  He had two sons who had come to light and many daughters. All were high-born women who loved him even though he left them.

One son, John, known by his French name, Jean Pierre Sinclair was one of the sons and just as handsome and charming as his father.  His mother, a countless who ran away from an abusive husband, died when he was 10.  He had nothing and had to live on the streets of Paris though his mother had well educated him until his death.  He wrote to Trent and also to his mother's husband while his mother was sick to try to get help for her but had no response.  He determined to get revenge on both families.

He became a pirate and gained great wealth.  He raided a half-brother's ships and caught his brother and a woman who was a stowaway whom Tristan, the Earl' s son had in his cabin.  Jean Pierre wounded him and put him and the show at on a rowboat and left them to their fate.  He intended to get revenge on all who refused to help.

He won property called Bramble Bay near the sea in England.  He was a gambler as sell and would cheat if it were necessary.  He was there to seek revenge on his mother's sister who refused to take her in.  Mildred, the sister, married a rural landowner who was a widower with a daughter.  Jean did not know of the daughter's. This story is about Jean Pierre and what happens to him and to the lovely young lady who lived there like Cinderella when she was just Ella.  Mildred and her son were not kind and cheated her.  There was another young woman there who ran away from her abusive husband.  Mildred' s husband had brought her there as the dying wish of his friend and promised to care for her which he did until he died.  She was married to Mildred' s cousin rather than be put on the street but she came back to her friend Sarah, Mildred' s stepdaughter.

The story begins here, when Jean Pierre comes to see his property that was won from Sarah's half brother and meets Sarah who was caught by weeds on her way home.  I enjoyed it very much.  Made me realize I'd not like the head of the house controlling decisions like marriage and the money or properties belonging to women.  And to think I used to think it would be nice to find out I was really a princess.  I would rather be free and make my own decisions and mistakes; yet, I do love a good romance.  This is one.
1206933
The book and main character, Bess, covers a fascinating period of English history from the latter days of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I and James I.  The building of some of the great houses of England is welded into a story of riches and power acquired by a great lady.  The story is largely set in the geographic centre of England and has special meaning for this reader, me, since I can trace my distant relationship to the first Lady Cavendish of Chatsworth House through the daughter of the 9th Duke of Devonshire and his heirs who are still the residents of Chatsworth.
710166
Another fun Lady Emily story.  Meet the mother-in-law, sip champagne and enjoy Monet's gardens all in one twisting, turning story.  Enjoy.
191962
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk & Ida de Tosny, their lives amongst the King's couriers to court favor to gain an earldom and permission to marry for love.  Wonderful history.
1897543
London - 1846

Edward Adair, Earl of Kenworth and heir to the Duke of Boulstridge, spends his days drinking and wasting time with his friends.  But he has also spent an enormous amount of time in search of a famous tiara reported to be hidden somewhere in his family home.  His grandfather had left a journal with clues to its whereabouts.  His parents have chastised him saying that he needs to spend more time managing his estates, attending parliamentary sessions, and, in general, settle down and marry.  To that end, his parents are planning a house party at Welsey Manor to introduce Edward to a group of eligible young ladies from which to choose a bride.

Isabella (Isa) Winthrop is a paid companion to Lady Concord who has been invited to the house party.  No one but Lady Concord knows Isa's true identity which she hides under plain, dull clothes.  Isa has been forced to work as a companion to help pay the debts incurred by her father which has put her family estate at risk.  Isa is the daughter of Lord Stowe, an Earl.

The Duchess of Kenworth and her daughter are very welcoming to Isa and invite her to borrow any books from their library that she wishes to read.  When she finds an old journal written by an earlier Earl, she is taken aback when Edward finds her reading it and chastises her.  After she explains that his mother has invited her to enjoy the books in the library, he then explains the mystery of the rare, pink diamond-encrusted tiara that has been missing for many years.  She adds some information that she just happens to know and the two of them pair up to try and find the tiara.

The young ladies invited to the house party do not interest Edward at all but with his mother pressuring him to select one of them to marry, he and Isa agree to a pretend engagement.  This, coupled with their desire to discover the tiara, puts them together a lot resulting in an attraction that cannot be denied.

Will they find the tiara?  Will Edward and Isa find true happiness?

Once again, the author has written a very intriguing novel with romance, a good mystery, and lots of humor.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from her.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley