Book Review-Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider
Kat Martin
St Martins
Paperback
Published March 1996
372 Pages
American West Historical Romance
ISBN: 0-312-95774-2
Author’s Website

Synopsis
SHE WAS HIS CAPTIVE. HE WAS THE ONE MAN SHE WAS FORBIDDEN TO HAVE …

As soon as the tall, handsome Spaniard leaned down from his stallion to offer her a rose, Caralee McConnell knew California held danger. But all too quickly she was forced to deny the heat Ramon de la Guerra had sparked. Determined to please her uncle who had saved her from poverty, she must resign herself to marrying a man he has chosen for her … and ignore what is in her heart.

Behind Ramon de la Guerra’s dark eyes throbbed the memory of his lands, stolen by the beautiful Americana’s uncle. He had sworn to reclaim them — riding by night as the ruthless outlaw, El Dragon. In a moment of rage and revenge, he stole Caralee away to his mountain lair … but there, in a passion as sweet as California wine, he would reveal a secret that could cost him his life — and his heart’s freedom.

My Review 

I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this one, so I was crossing my fingers. It didn’t take very lone before I was totally involved in the story. There were many things that I liked about Midnight Rider. I don’t think I have enjoyed a book so much in quite a while. The setting of the story I found to be instantly appealing, and I felt as if I had traveled back to the 1800’s in California. What I really loved about this story is seeing the way the author mixed rich culture, history, and a fictional love story that only added a extra spice to the story.

Ramon de la Guerra, is determined to get his land back, land that has belonged to his family for generations. He knows that despite Caralee’s beauty and charm, her uncle stole his land, and he means to do whatever it takes to get it back. Alongside his brother, he goes on a ride disguised as the “El Dragon”, an outlaw known as stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Ramon ends up stealing horses from Carly’s uncle, and Carly seeing what is happening, raises the alarm. In the chaos Ramon’s brother ends up being killed, and Carly taken hostage by a man who blames her for his brother’s death. He then forcibly takes her to his mountain lair, hidden away and near impossible find. Even though Carly in the past, has felt a spark between herself and Ramon, she knows that Ramon is dangerous she can’t seem to help feeling a passion for him. Ramon at first sees Carly as a rich spoiled brat, but after he kidnaps her, he sees that Carly is anything but. He can’t help but falling hard for her, even knowing that her uncle would never allow them together, since he despises Spaniards. But will their love be strong enough to withstand danger around every corner.

Ramon is a super alpha male, and is full of sensuality and has a aura of danger that surrounds him. Ramon tends to act before he thinks, and at first you see him as almost brutal, but when his head clears, he becomes sensitive and caring and I couldn’t help but love the way he is with Carly. Carly is not the spoiled brat he thinks her. When they first meet at a party, her uncle forbids her to be kind to Ramon. So she appears to be cool and aloof, but she craves passion and love and something real. Carly is hardworking having been raised working hard along side her parents, until they passed away. She has a very appealing personality, she is stubborn and passionate, but she also has a sweet side to her that makes it seem easy to relate with her.

This was such a thrilling adventure to read!! I had such a blast seeing these two characters interact, and the conflicts that arose that only challenged them and their relationship. I found that I could hardly put this one down last night. Once I really got into it, it was almost impossible to put down. My heart just went out to this couple. I felt like it was one of those styles, where pretty much everything is against the couple, and they somehow manage to get their HEA. It was great seeing how this author incorporated a variety of different cultures, and it was obvious that she did her research of the time. A perfect blend of sexual tension, suspenseful plot, a enticing love story that is bound to blow you away!! CHARMING UNTIL THE LAST PAGE!!

First Line 
Silver conchos. Caralee McConnell fixed her eyes on the row of shiny ornaments glinting in the torch light, the bright circles like badges of valor, arrowing down the Spaniard’s long, lean leg.

Favorite Quote 
“I love you, my heart. I love you as I never have loved before.”

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Book Review-Bride By Mistake

Bride by Mistake
Devil Riders (5)
Anne Gracie
Berkley Sensation
Mass Market Paperback
Published January 2012
309 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-425-24579-8
Author’s Website

Synopsis
Eight years ago, Lieutentant Luke Ripton made a hasty wartime marriage-in-name-only to protect a young girl from a forced union and left her protected in a remote mountain convent. Now, Luke is Lord Ripton, but he has been unable to obtain an annullment. Which leaves him no choice but to claim a wife he doesn’t want.

For nearly a decade, Isabella has waited like a princess locked in a tower, dreaming of her handsome, dark-haired prince. Her dreams are shattered when Luke reveals himself not as a prince, but an autocratic soldier, expecting her unquestioning obedience, which is something Isabella’s fiercely independent nature will not tolerate.

And while Luke and Isabella’s fiery personalities clash at every turn, they remain bound to their vows, never expecting that the passionate fury they share could become passion of a different kind…

My thoughts
Summary 
Eight years ago Luke Ripton married a thirteen year old girl that would be forced to marry at such a young age, so he offered her his protection in matrimony and left her in a convent in Spain. Now he has heard news that his offer for annulment from the church has been rejected, so he has no choice but to claim her and bring her to England. When he arrives in Spain he expects to find a meek and biddable young woman that is very obedient and more than willing to be claimed. What he doesn’t realize is that his wife is full of passion and zeal and seems intent on disobeying whenever the need arises, and it stirs his blood like no other. Bella has been in a convent for eight years forced to sew and has always felt like a prisoner among the walls of the convent. She yearns to be free and through the years has constantly done what she could to test her boundaries. She has dreamed of her handsome soldier of a husband, but feels less than adequate when she sees him again. Even though Luke and Bella wills seem to fight against each other constantly, a fiery desire also builds between them until it can no longer be denied.

The Hero (Luke Ripton)
Luke has changed much since he was a Lieutenant and fought in the war against Napolean. He remembers Isabella as a shy young girl almost afraid of her own shadow when he finds he being attacked and rescues her and offers her marriage. It has been eight years and Luke has suffered since the war, memories that continue to surface; memories he wish would stay buried. When he goes to Spain to get his wife and return her to London, she has changed into a young woman that is more than fit to be his wife. He finds her to be spirited and full of passion and is more than willing to seduce her even though he doubts he could ever give her a love match.

The Heroine (Isabella Vailant)
Isabella lost her mother at a young age. Her father then remarried and she always felt jealous of that new family and her half sister. But when her father passes away and she is attacked by her father’s men, a handsome soldier rescues her and offers his protection by marrying her. It has been eight years since and she has lived in a convent with her aunt since then and now she desires a man that doesn’t fully want her. She wants to feel beautiful, cherished and even loved. Isabella is determined to prove to Luke how much she desires him.

My Thoughts 
There were quite a few aspects I enjoyed about this wonderful conclusion to a adventurous series by Anne Gracie. Bride By Mistake is Luke’s story, and in the past books we see him as a scoundrel and famous among the ladies. Luke is a full blooded male, a fierce protector, tortured past, and determined to claim his wife when annulment is no longer available. Isabella, is the type of heroine I fell in love with from the beginning. Even though she cares for Luke, she has had to do things to survive. She has alot of passion and wildness about her, she has a longing for adventure. There was such a sense of fun and playfulness between these two. I lost count the number of times I burst out laughing. There was such a spark between these two. I loved how Isabella treats Luke, she isn’t a meek mouse, and takes him on a adventure. We see how she starts to have him wrapped around her finger—which is always great to see when the hero is too arrogant for his own good. There was alsoa enriching story full of emotion and sensuality to charm you. A beautifully crafted tale of love, exciting plot, adventure and an irresistable romance!!! Definitely “Chocolate and swoon” worthy of a read.

First Line 
“You’re a madman, Ripton!”

Favorite Quote 
“I don’t need gifts to seduce you”

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
The Stolen Princes
His Captive Lady
To Catch A Bride
The Accidental Wedding

Book Review-Untamed Fire

Untamed Fire

Donna Fletcher
Kindle E Book
Published 1991-E Book Published Jun 2012
American West Historical Romance
ISBN B0086NYAWM

HE RULED BY THE BOOK
Wealthy California rancher Rafael Cabrillo bad broken some of the wildest stallions and mares, and now those docile animals obeyed his every command. The imperious aristocrat expected his people to behave the same way, so Rafael was outraged when a buxom barefoot chit “borrowed” his favorite horse and then dared to disobey him! Determined to subdue the willful gypsy girl, be followed her to the vineyard, but his stern purpose evaporated when he spied her eating grapes and licking the sweet juice from her lips. He knew he must steal a kiss from that sweet mouth, caress every curve of that sun-warmed body, and tame the rebellious vixen with caresses until she begged to be taken to the heights of ecstasy–on his terms!

SHE LOVED FROM THE HEART
Gabriella was astonished when the outraged senor made such a fuss, just because she galloped off on his borne to rescue her little brother. And when the authoritarian ranchero insisted that she atone for her crime by working at his hacienda–and wearing shoes!–she couldn’t help but laugh, which made him even angrier. Vowing never to serve anyone, she defied his commands every chance she got–until she felt his strong arms crushing her against his powerful chest. And when she tasted his first searing kiss, Gabriella longed to feel the length of his virile body touching her own fiery flesh and to surrender to the rapture of love’s ultimate embrace–just this once!

My Review

Summary 
When a barefoot slip of a girl steals Don Cabrillo’s prized horse, he is furious and wants to put her in her place as soon as he gets a hold of her. Rafael demands that Gabriella serve out her punishment as his mother’s companion for six months at the hacienda and to obey his every command; Rafael not fully realizing how much she would turn his world or order into a world of Chaos and confusion. Gabriella, desperate to save her younger brother, borrows Senor Rafel’s horse, never knowing how much trouble she would end up in. Gabriella is a free spirit but finds Rafael’s way stifling and is determined to show him the meaning of Fun….even if it might kill her in the process…But when a mystery comes to haunt her and her past, with the help of Rafael, Gabriella learns to trust in Rafael and to learn the power of love….

The Hero 
Rafael, Don Cabrillo, leads his people with a firm and solid hand, with no change, because that is the way its always been and he likes it that way. He hates surprises and unexpected changes. He expects obedience from everyone….the servants, his mother and especially disrespectful chits who drive him up the wall…..Gabriella baffles Rafael and confuses him because of his strong attraction to her. Especially since her willfulness amuses him more so than gets him furious and he finds he quite enjoys her playful ways, even if he thinks he is going crazy…..and he doesn’t want to keep resisting her playful personality that only captivates him….

The Heroine 
Gabriella, is shocked when Don  Cabrillo accuses her of stealing his horse and refuses to even listen to why she had done so…and much to her dismay she is to serve for six long months. Gabriella starts to feel like a prisoner inside the Hacienda, and knows she is only doing this to protect her family….but Rafael makes her feel alive and makes her want to do the most outrageous things….and despite his domineering and interfering way she can’t help but fall in love with him….

My Thoughts 
Every time that I read Donna Fletcher I am astounded by how much I have enjoyed her stories, and Untamed Fire was surpisingly good considering I wasn’t too enthusiastic when I first started…however from the first few pages I was utterly captivated by this magical story that stole its way into my heart. One of the things that I found unique about Untamed Fire…is the circumstances surrounding this book. Its rare to find a setting which is in the early 1900’s, and dealing with the Arisocracy from Spain…in fact this is probably one of the few books that I have read dealing with any characters originating from Spain, so it was very refreshing. Untamed Fire produced many different aspects, but one that I really liked was how spirited the characters were.  There were also many scenes that made me laugh and cry…Gaby was such a fun and endearing character with a zest for life, and I just liked her instantly…..she didn’t have an obedient bone in her body and I loved how she stood up to Rafael, and showed him the meaning of the word ‘fun’. Overall a fun and enjoyable romance, an excellent story line, endearing characters that will charm you and a love story that will sing to your heart. I can hardly wait for the next upcoming release sequel ‘Renegade Love’…..

My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms

Other Related Books 
Renegade Love (Coming Out 2013)