Tag Archive | Julia Quinn

Top Ten Tuesday (65) Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme was created and
hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there will post a new Top
Ten list that one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will
answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All you have to do is link back to
The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your
name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers
lists! If you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.
Have fun with it! It’s a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers. So
Come and Join in the Fun!! 🙂

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Historical Romance 101: What Makes a Great Heroine and Favorites

Historical Romance 101Welcome to another segment of Historical Romance 101!! Come and join along with myself, Jennifer @ Feminist Fairy Tales, Amanda @ On A Book Bender, and Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook. This is a special one, and I find one of my favorite things to talk about…our lovely heroines. Now we all know that it is more difficult to find a winning heroine than a hero. But it is such a special treat to find a heroine you can connect with.  Continue reading

Tasty Book Tour: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

Title: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy 
Author: Julia Quinn 
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet 
Publisher: Avon Books 
Release Date: January 27 2015 
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Blurb

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can’t be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family’s infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She’s the type of girl you don’t notice until the second—or third—look, but there’s something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she’s the one.

Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can’t quite believe it’s all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can’t help thinking that he’s hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes.

My Review


I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. Thanks to Avon Books for the opportunity.
Sir Richard Kenworthy, needs a wife and soon. As he is looking in London, for prospects, he attends the infamous musicale done by the Smythe Smiths, what he doesn’t expect is to find the cello player, to be the woman of his dreams. He is captivated by her, and he knows that she will be perfect. She is passionate and he knows that there much more to than meets the eye and he means to find out what is beneath the surface. Iris Smythe-Smith knows that it can be easy for her to fade in the background and not be seen, so when Sir Richard, starts calling on her and paying attention, she is suspicious at first, but then when his courting proves to be sincere, but then when they are caught in a compromising position they are forced to marry and soon Richard becomes even more mysterious than before, and as his wife, Iris is determined to uncover everything that he is hiding from her, but it isn’t what she expects and she fears it could tear them apart for good.
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy is the forth installment in this latest series by Julia Quinn. I still can’t believe that we are already on the fourth book; I swear time has just flown by; it seems like yesterday when the first book of the series came out. I have had such a ball of fun with this series, and although my heart has always been centered on the bridgertons, there is something so quirky and fun about this series. This book was a hoot, it had charm and elegance and a book of surprises and twists that you never see coming. The “Secrets” of our hero, is not something you would expect, and I enjoyed seeing these two work together to solve a bit of a puzzle. At the beginning of the story, the book is just a sweet courtship, nothing spectacular, just your average regency romance…but that is not the case with this one.
I will admit that the first half of the book I had some problems getting fully entrenched in the story, but once I entered the second half, the ball really gets rolling, and I had a hard time keeping up with this one. It really seemed to develop and seemed to contain quite a bit of conflict and sexual tension…and oh boy does the story really heat up. Quinn sure knows how to write a steamy romance, without it seeming to be super steamy, she has a talent of balancing story line and plot with sexual tension, that it blends perfectly into a batch of splendid romance, enchanting characters and a plot to crave. ASTOUNDING!!!
Author Info.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don’t

read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand style, competing on the the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

In 2010, Ms Quinn won her third RITA Award in four years and was the thirteenth author to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into twenty-eight languages, and she has been profiled in USA Today and TIME Magazine. Her twenty-third novel, The Sum of All Kisses, was released in late 2013.

Edelweiss Short Book Review- The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After
Julia Quinn
Harpercollins
E Book
Published April 2013
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780061233005
 

Synopsis

For the first time in print, New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents a collection of “second epilogues” to her Bridgerton series, previously published as e-originals, plus a new bonus Bridgerton novella: Violet in Bloom,” a short story in which we finally meet Edmund Bridgerton.

My Review 
I was given a copy of Happily Ever After by Edelweiss for a review. When I saw the title, I was beyond pleased. I have just really enjoyed reading this series. I hadn’t a chance to read the epilogue novella’s that have come out for some of the books in the series. For me though, I had such a fun time reading this, and read it in one evening, I liked it so much. I think my favorite novella of them all would have to be from “The Duke and I”. I think that novel was my favorite…I just fell in love with Daphne and Simon from the beginning. I really liked seeing more of them, and the rest of the Bridgertons. I really loved seeing a happy ending for Violet Bridgerton (the mother). I think I had always been hoping for a story for her as I read the series and we got to know her better.  There was such a fun and playful aspect to these novella’s, that keeps you engaged with every short story. I also liked the way this author did each novella, they were at various periods of time in their lives. It definitely kept me on my toes and unable to put it down. Such a delightful end to a fabulous and great series. I would recommend this to any lover of the Bridgerton series. A Perfect Ending!!

My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

ARC Book Review-The Lady Most Willing

The Lady Most Willing

Julia Quinn
Eloisa James
Connie Brockway
Avon Books
E Book
Scottish Highlands Historical Romance

Step into the glittering world of Regency and prepare to have your hearts warmed by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James and Connie Brockway…

During their annual Christmas pilgrimage to Scotland to visit their aged uncle in his decrepit castle, the Comte de Rocheforte and his cousin, Earl of Oakley, are presented with unique gifts: their uncle has raided an English lord’s Christmas party and kidnapped four lovely would-be brides for his heirs to choose from …as well as one very angry duke, Lord Bretton. As snow isolates the castle, and as hours grow into days, the most honourable intentions give away to temptations as surprising as they are irresistible.

My Review
The Lady Most Willing is a story in 3 parts combined into one novel. It starts out when Taron Ferguson is too impatient to wait for his nephews to find brides, so he takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps four young women from Bellemere Castle during a Ball, and takes them with the Duke of Bretton’s carriage–with the Duke sleeping inside it as well. When they arrive at Finovair Castle, with no way of getting rescued because of the bad snow storm. So the young ladies try to make best o fthe situation, despite Taran’s high handed tactics. Thus begins this fun and witty three part story. I just fell in love with The Lady Most Willing, I just loved how these three amazing authors worked together to blend three stories into one novel that surprisingly flowed really well and so smoothly that there was no confusion. I just loved seeing the romances develop between these three couples and how well it was written you coudln’t discern which author was which story, which made it flow real well, and didn’t seem choppy in any way, which made me just love it even more. I also enjoyed the conflicts that each couple had to face, made it seem more unique and special. Overall a delicious book that combines the talent of three amazing authors and produces a three set romance that was humorous, fun, exciting, and endearing. One you don’t want to miss this season!!

My Grade On This Book
4.5 Blossoms

Other Books In This Series
The Lady Most Likely

Short Book Review-The Lady Most Likely

The Lady Most Likely
Lady Most Series (1)
Julia Quinn
Eloisa James
Connie Brockway
Paperback
Avon Romance
Published Jan 2011
372 Pages
Antholgoy, Historical Regency Romance

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife—so his sister hands him a list of the very best young ladies on the market. And then, because he refuses to tear himself away from the stables where he trains Arabian racehorses, she invites all those ladies to a house party, along with some other bachelors, of course. So who will Hugh choose? The Botticelli-esque, enchanting Gwendolyn? The outspoken, delightful Katherine? If he doesn’t work fast, he’ll lose those ladies to his closest friends, and then where will he look for a wife? Perhaps, just perhaps, toward a lady who’s not on a market at all, and would require a great deal of persuading..

My Review
I decided since this is a little bit different than an anthology, but is a combination of one story with three mini stories within the one….a bit confusing I know, but if you have already read it, then you probably understand my reasoning perfectly. It starts out with the Earl of Briarly, who thinks he needs a wife more than anything, and asks his sister for help (very uncommon in regency romance) however despite how rare this happens, its definitely a delight and something rare to read. So his sister, decides to have a house party, and has list of people to invite. But as the party at their country home continues, Hugh will have to be careful to catch the lady most likely or she may be snatched up by another man before he can blink. I found this story a breath of fresh air, in the instance of how unusual the circumstances are. Usually in books like this its a seperate story for each author, however these three amazing authors have worked together to create a outstanding tri novel romance that endeared this reader even more. I loved the simplicity of the stories, the heated romances, and the fun and witty storyline that kept me turning the pages. A Pure Dish of Fun Historical Romance that will curl your toes!!!

My Grade On This Book
5 Blossoms

Book Review-Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven
Smythe-Smiths (1)
Julia Quinn
Avon
Paperback
Published June 2011
374 Pages
Regency Romance
ISBN 978-0-06-149190-0

Honoria Smythe-Smith is:
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed “Bug” as a child
C) not in love with her older brother’s best friend
D) all of the above

Marcus Holroyd is:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend’s younger sister
D) all of the above

Together they:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world’s worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love

It’s Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . .

D) all of the above

Summary:
Honoria, the youngest daughter of a Earl, and part of the Smuth-Smiths quartet, is in search of a husband. Then she meets up with Marcus, the Earl of Chatteris. Marcus was her brothers best friend, and is surprised to see him. Marcus, promised her brother Daniel that he would look after his sister Honoria, and make sure that she doesn’t marry foolishly. But when events occur that put them in close proximity, sparks fly, and even though they both resist at first, they start to fall in love with each other despite injury and sickness, but will their love be strong enough when a secret comes out that Marcus has been hiding from Honoria?

The Hero (Marcus Holroyd)
Marcus, the Earl of Chatteris, ever since he made that promise to Daniel ( his best friend) to watch over Honoria and make sure she doesn’t marry an idiot or worse, a rake. He starts to keep tabs on her, but his curiosity is peaked when she comes to Cambridge and sets her sights on a Bridgerton. However Marcus is determined to make sure she doesn’t make another mistake, but is shocked when he himself wants to marry her himself.

The Heroine (Honoria Smyth-Smith)
Honoria, is part of the musical group that is rumored to be horrid, however even though she knows how terrible they are, its a tradition in her family, and feels like she needs to continue until she marries. In the previous year, somehow none of her prospects ended up working out, however this year she is more determined than ever to make sure she marries before the year is ended. But when she is near Marcus, she starts to slowly fall in love with despite that she has known him since childhood….

My Thoughts 
Just Like Heaven is the first in the Quartet series and I have always had a love for Julia Quinn. I have to say though at the beginning I had a hard time getting into the story, but thankfully as things started to get Really interesting, I started to get really into the story and the characters. I really liked how both Marcus and Honoria have known each other since childhood, and somehow that friendship turns into something way more than either would have expected. It was fun to see the different mishaps that put these two together. Although this book is far from my favorite of Julia Quinn’s, I still really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to any romance lover…..

My Grade On this Book 
3.5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
A Night Like This

Book Review-Dancing At Midnight

Dancing At Midnight
Splendid (2)
Julia Quinn
Avon
Paperback
375 Pages
Published Dec 1995
Regency Romance
ISBN: 978-0-380-78075-4

Synopsis 

Defying the Rules

Lady Arabella Blydon can sense the secrets smoldering behind the dark, penetrating gaze of Lord John Blackwood. Still she desires his handsome, mysterious stranger who stirs her passions like no other mann — even as he warns her to stay away.

War scarred Lord John’s body and soul. But this brazen, intoxicating, infuriating bluestocking poses an even greater threat: she is forcing him to care again. For Belle is a woman of bold, independent spirit, equally unconcerned about society’s petty restrictions and love’s hidden perils. And the beautiful, determined schemer will not rest until she returns joy and light to the damaged lord’s life…and wins a place in his shuttered heart forever.

 MY REVIEW
Summary:
Lady Arabella is independent and has had to turn down several marriage offers because its obvious that it isn’t her they want but her fortune, so she decides to take a break and stay with her cousin and her husband in the country. While reading, Lord John finds her and through some witty and entertaining interaction they begin to fall for each other….however John is a wounded war hero and has some ghosts in his past and is unwilling to put Arabella at risk…even if that means giving her up and the love he has for her. Arabella is determined not to lose the one man she has come to love, one who respects and loves her for who she is and not what she is….but will she be able to show this tormented man how to learn to love and more than that learn to let go and live life once more?


The Hero (John Blackwood)
John, has recently returned from the war, and having received a title and earned enough to purchase a small estate, has decided to reside in the countryside….especially with a wounded leg that will never heal fully. John has a tortured past…one that haunts every living moment and the moment Arabella enters his life he refuses to put her in arms way….but it soon becomes apparent that his feelings for her go deep…enough so that he knows he could never truly give her up…even if they have to fight the demons of his past together.


The Heroine (Arabella Blydon)
Arabella has always wanted to find true love and has never managed to find it….and even though she is a bluestocking she knows that could never expect anything less than a love match. When she finds herself finding a intense love for a wounded man she knows that she will have to fight to win his heart and prove to him that their love will be enough.


My Thoughts
Dancing At Midnight is the second in the Splendid series….and the first time I have read this book…even though I could have sworn I had read every one of Julia Quinn’s books already. I have no idea how I missed this one before now…but I am just so glad that I found this treasure. One of my favorite things that I loved about this one….is that the hero was a complicated characters….and that he wasn’t this just about perfect man…that he had flaws and demons and Arabella was such a sweet character…you couldn’t help but like her…she had such charming qualities about her. Even though there was a dark side to this book it also was filled with laughter and a sense of carefreeness (is that even a word? if not I just created a new one) that just endeared me from the first page to the very last and now I am thinking I need to read the rest of the series again. Dancing at Midnight was a true romantic romp….and I had such a fun time reading this one!!! Definitely a keeper!


My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms


Other Books In The Series
Splendid
Minx
Where’s My Hero

Book Review-An Offer From An Gentleman

An Offer From An Gentleman
Bridgerton (3)
Julia Quinn
Avon
Paperback
Published July 2001
358 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-380-81558-6

Synopsis 
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball — or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other — except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

My Review
Summary:
Sophie Beckett, recently lost her birth father, and even though he never acknowledged her as his daughter, he still made sure she was cared for until he passed away, and she was left with his wife and step daughters, and was treated more like a servant/slave than how she should have been treated. One night she has a opportunity to go to a ball, where she dresses up like a princess and feeling more beautiful and desirable than she ever has before. On this night she meets Benedict, one of the infamous Bridgertons, and shares a passionate kiss, one that will remain burned in her memory forever. Sophie knows that she can never be a part of Benedict’s life, but then through a chain of events, she is thrown in his path once more, and knows that she will love him even though she knows they can never have a future together…


The Hero (Benedict Bridgerton)
 Benedict, is part of the Bridgerton Clan, however he feels like no one truly knows who he really is. All he is considered is his rank among his family…a silly number that has no meaning. Life is about to change drastically upon meeting a masked woman who dazzles him, and when she flees at midnight, he knows he needs to find her again. Benedict is a artist, a talent that his family doesn’t know he possesses, he is one of the more secretive children out of all the Bridgertons. But when he meets a maid in distress, he saves her and something about her captivates him, and she seems familiar to him, but he has no idea where he knows her from, only that he feels breathless in need…and wanting her and plans on keeping her….

The Heroine (Sophie Beckett)
Sophie, is illegitimate born, and as such as always questioned her fathers love for her, and has been ridiculed and mocked all of her life. Sophie is devastated to learn that her father after passing away, didn’t leave anything for her except to be left to serve his wife and step daughters, nothing more important than to be treated worse than a servant, and doing the work of three maids instead of just one. She craves love and a family, and to be cherished. From the first moment she sets her eyes on Benedict, she knows that her life and her heart will never be the same….

My Thoughts 
An Offer From A Gentleman, is the third in the Bridgerton series. I have just loved reading this series, and this was the first time I was able to read this book ( I know…crazy huh)But I was in the mood for a cinderella type of story, and this one fit the book….I was totally satisfied with this one. I loved every page, every paragraph and sentence. Julia Quinn is one of my favorite historical romance authors….there is a unique way about her writing that is much different from any other….where her stories just draw in her readers and its like you have this compulsion to not let go of the book until you have finished reading it. It had a truly magical side to it, an Enchanting Love Story that will Captivate you!!!!


My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms


Other Books In The Series 
The Duke And I
The Viscount Who Loved Me
An Offer From An Gentleman
Romancing Mister Bridgerton
To Sir Phillip, With Love
When He Was Wicked
Its In His Kiss
On The Way To The Wedding 

Book Review-Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Romancing Mister Bridgerton
Bridgerton (4)
Julia Quinn
Avon
370 Pages
Published July 2002
Paperback
Regency
ISBN: 978-0-380-82084-9

Synopsis
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph.

But when Colin returns to London from a trip aboard, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington, the girl haunting his dreams!

And when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat, or his promise of a happy ending?

MY REVIEW
 

Summary:
Colin Bridgerton, has returned home from his world travels, and his family is much relieved to having him home, not knowing if he will stay this time, or like all the other times, just leave once again. Penelope Featherington, has resigned herself to being a spinster, even though she has always been fond of Colin…ever since she met him years ago. When Colin returns, he expects life at home to be the same as it always is, but this time its definitely different, and he starts noticing Penelope in a way very not brotherly like but more like he wants her desperately.  But they both have secrets and when they are discovered with that only destroy their feelings for each other….or make their bond of love that much stronger?…..

The Hero (Colin Bridgerton)
Even though Colin Bridgerton among the Ton is considered to be a charmer, and tired of the columnist Lady Whistledown, which everyone talks about, and whom of which mentions him just about every column, and is tired of life in London. But this time coming home from his travels, he starts to realize how things are much different than things were before…and they all have to do with Penelope, whom most of the time he has known her he has considered her like one of his sisters, only he is starting to have inclinations toward her that are in no way brotherly, but more like a man that passionately wants a woman.

The Heroine (Penelope Featherington)
Penelope, has always never been thought of as a beauty among the ton, and expects that she will live a life as a spinster, even though she would love to find a man to love and marry and have children, but she has no prospects, unlike her best friend Eloise Bridgerton. Penelope is overlooked by her family, especially her mother, and just would want to feel loved, but never expected that Colin, the man she has secretly adored for years, is the key to her finding true happiness in her previously lonely life.


My Thoughts 
Romancing Mister Bridgerton, is the fourth in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. I just love Colin and Penelope’s story. I don’t even know how many times I have read this one, I just enjoy reading it every time. Romancing Mister Bridgerton is a witty, and memorable story that will pull at your heartstrings. Such a charming tale of two people, that both have secrets of their own, but yearns for acceptance and for a chance at love that has alluded them, but will find it in each other. I truly enjoyed this one, and I was completely satisfied by the time I reached the end. From the very beginning of the story, the reader will be taken on a emotional yet fun filled ride that Julia Quinn takes you on, and you will never regret reading Romancing Mister Bridgerton. A Romance that will charm every readers heart!

My Favorite Quote 
” I love you,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her. And this time she couldn’t reply, because his mouth remained on hers, hungry, demanding, and very, very seductive. 

My Grade On This Book 
 4.5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
 The Duke and I
The Viscount Who Loved Me
An Offer From An Gentleman
Romancing Mister Bridgerton 4.5 -(E Novel Only)
To Sir Phillip, With Love
When He Was Wicked
Its In His Kiss
On The Way To The Wedding