Audio Book Review-Temptation & Twilight

Temptation and Twilight
The Brethren Guardians (3)
Charlotte Featherstone
HQN
Audiobook
Published June 2012
384 Pages
Victorian Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780373776627
Authors Website  

Synopsis
Iain Sinclair, Marquis of Alynwick, is certain there is a special hell for him. An unrepentant rake, he holds nothing sacred – except for beautiful Elizabeth York. For years, Alynwick has tried to forget the woman he loved so well, and treated so badly. A woman who could hold nothing in her heart for him except hatred.

All of society believes Elizabeth, blind daughter of a duke, to be a proper young lady. But no one knows of her wanton affair with Alynwick. When Lizzy learns of her ancestor’s ancient diary – filled with exotic tales – she longs to uncover the identity of the unnamed lover within and hesitantly allows Alynwick, who claims to have knowledge of the “veiled lady,” to help her solve the mystery.

Eager to be Lizzy’s eyes, Alynwick brings the seductive text to life, and each night it takes greater effort for her to forget his betrayal. With each whispered word, her resolve gives way, without her knowing that a centuries-old secret will lead them to a present-day danger.

My Review
Elizabeth York is a spinster, and blind, and inherited her blindness from her mother who was also blind. With the danger against the Brethren Guardians, her brother wants her to focus on other matters, thinking that she is in grave danger. Most of her life, Elizabeth has had the Guardian business to keep her busy. Now with her blindness, she feels useless. With Iain Sinclair back in her life, she is doing all she can to resist his tender voice and tempting kisses. Suddenly a Lord Sheldon, who shares her interests in the Templar’s, is courting her, and for the first time she feels like she can overcome the pain and grief of her past and Iain Sinclair, and find true happiness. Iain Sinclair, one of the Brethren Guardians, is more reckless and hotheaded, and a Scot. He has made many mistakes in his life, but his most disastrous was hurting the one woman with whom he gave his heart too. Iain has finally realized that after all of these years, he still aches and dreams of Beth and the passion they once shared. He knows that he doesn’t have a chance in hell to get her back, but being full of pride and arrogance, he tries anyway to show her of his true feelings and that she is the only way that can find anything redeemable in him.

Temptation and Twilight is the third in the Brethren Guardian series. I really enjoyed the second book through Audible, so I decided to get this title on Audible as well. The second book Pride and Passion ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I couldn’t wait very long to listen to this story. It begins with seeing Iain getting fully involved in Elizabeth’s life, when she begins to be courted by a Lord Sheldon. Iain is full of rage at the mention of his name, but seeing them together, infuriates him so that he attacks Lord Sheldon at a ball and puts Elizabeth into shock and dismay. Elizabeth doesn’t trust Iain and that is very obvious through the whole story. Elizabeth has been hurt and betrayed by Iain, since they once had a affair ten years previous, and Elizabeth is still hurt and bitter over it. There is also the side plot of intrigue that develops and starts to unravel as the tension between Iain and Elizabeth gets only more fierce.

I had a few issues with Temptation and Twilight, one being Elizabeth.For the most part I liked her  as the heroine, and I loved the “blindness” aspect, and I admired her for accepting it as she does.  I could understand why she was so bitter and angry with Iain, but it tended to get very frustrating to see how she kept fighting Iain, and vocally, she could get very brutal. As I read this, or listened to it, I got to the point where I wanted to scream or yell at Beth at times. Not always, there were parts of the story especially in the beginning, that I understood why she was so cold and unfeeling toward him. However she didn’t really soften until the very end and I found myself being on Iain’s side. Iain is more of a darker character, compared to the other Brethren, but you see a side of him that is irresistible.  Iain has made many mistakes, and has sacrificed much for the Brethren Guardians. I couldn’t help but love him immensely. Iain, a Scot, gorgeous, temptation itself, and he humbles himself quite a bit for Elizabeth. You see the changes in him, determined to win Elizabeth’s forgiveness and her love. I couldn’t help but admire his tenacity to stick with it, and I felt like Iain is the most misunderstood of all the guardians, and he just might be my favorite. Because he is far from perfect, has many challenges and faults, but he seemed more human to me, and that is my favorite aspect in characters, is when they have faults and more human.

Overall I fell in love with the last installment in this series, and Temptation and Twilight was a good final story that wrapped the series up nicely. I really enjoyed the tension and the intrigue aspect of the story, and the secrets that are revealed that I have been waiting quite a long time to find out. The romance between Iain and Elizabeth was powerful and stimulating. A erotic filled passion that jumps from the pages, and the story entices and pulls you in so that you can’t put it down. A sensual tale that will consume you!!!

Favorite Quote 
It’s always only ever been you. And it always will be, Beth. You have my heart. My love. And my regret that I am not the man you deserve

My Grade 
4 Blossoms 

Heat Rating 
Steamy 

Other Books In Series 
Seduction and Scandal 
Pride and Passion
 

Book Review-Pride & Passion

Pride And Passion
The Brethren Guardians (2)
Charlotte Featherstone
Harlequin
Audiobook
378 Pages
Published November 2011
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780373776177
Authors Website  

Synopsis (Goodreads)
Lucy Ashton had long ago given up her quest for true love. In the rarified society of Victorian England, Lucy plays the game; flirting, dancing and dabbling in the newly fashionable spiritualism. Even marrying when and who she’s supposed to. If the stuffy Duke of Sussex cannot spark the passion she craves, he can at least give her a family, a home of her own, and a place to belong. But when her polite marriage reveals a caring and sensual man, Lucy begins to wonder if she can indeed have it all.

But Lord Sussex is not the man the London ton has come to admire. And Lucy has some ghosts of her own, as well. Thus, when a blackmail scheme turns to threats of danger, the newfound peace of the Sussex marriage is cast upon the rocks. Passion has a price, Lucy learns. And not all ghosts stay buried.

My Review

Lady Lucy Ashton once thought herself in love, but then she was betrayed and hurt and has decided that she may never be able to have it, even though her dream is to find a man to love and have a small cottage in the country and never have to worry about society or the Ton or expectations. When her father informs her that she must marry, and she will marry the Duke of Sussex, she refuses. But her father is insistent that Adrian will be the man she will marry. Lucy thinks of Adrian as cold and unfeeling and passionless. She knows that a life with him, will be a life without love or passion or tenderness. She isn’t willing to give up her dream yet. When her old lover Thomas, thought dead, is very much alive, she is desperate to find him. She has grieved for him, but there is a part of her that loves him. Sussex informs her that it is forbidden to even look for Thomas, for Adrian believes him to be a danger to her. Adrian, has always loved Lucy, and she is everything he could want for a wife. For so many years, the Dukedom has been drilled into him, he puts off the impression that he is cold and unfeeling, but he burns and aches for Lucy. As a Guardian, he has certain responsibilities, but when he sees a connection between Lucy and her ex lover, whom he believes is his enemy, he must find the truth about Lucy, and protect her at all costs. But a danger surfaces, a danger that could threaten all that he holds dear.

This is the second book that I have been able to read by this author, and I have to say that she has scored high again. I decided to try this one through Audible, so was able to listen to it. I have always loved audio books, but don’t listen to them too often. So at first I was a bit nervous when I started this, since I had to get used to the accent and the voice of the narrator. However I found I quite enjoyed the accent, and the way she displayed the emotion in the story. It took me about a week to get this listened to, since I would just listen to it at bed, or on my way to work. I found many positive elements to the story and the way Charlotte Featherstone weaves a story together. I would say she is at the top of my list of favorites. I love the way she puts a story together, there is much more to it than a simple regency romance. It has a bit of a darker side to it, but not too dark, but mysterious and exciting and perfect for this time of the year. From the first book, I could hardly wait to read Adrian and Lucy’s story. You see the connection they have in the beginning and frankly I was on Adrian’s side the whole time!! You see both sides, but I would say I have adored Adrian for quite some time, and you see from the first chapter, how much he genuinely cares for her, and only wants her to feel as he does. I did understand Lucy’s dilemma, she has been hurt in the past, and doesn’t want to settle. I loved how stubborn she is, and stands up to Adrian. But I thought she was too stubborn and too pigheaded to see what was in front of her.

The plot was exciting and definitely had some shocks, and I loved seeing the suspense and mystery side to the story. It seemed to me that it had such depth and such captivating scenes that instantly draw you into the book, and you can’t seem to pull yourself away. There is a certain magical quality I seem to think, to the authors writing, that keeps the reader engaged until the end, and even then keeps you thirsty for more. The danger aspect was quite thrilling, and there were times I was on tender hooks wondering what was going to happen next. Many a time, there was a moment or two that I was a bit tempted to skip ahead, but I wanted to stick with the story, no matter how tense it became. There was quite a few things I liked about the romance in the story. One is that it is more the heroine that has to learn more about love and devotion. I could help but fall in love with Adrian, sexy and handsome, tender and sweet, but beyond possessive, it will curl your toes. Lucy, even though I had a couple issues with her, I felt like there was much more to her than meets the eye. She has a will of iron, and I enjoyed seeing how she stands up to her father and to Adrian. She is willing to wait for love no matter the consequences. The relationship between Adrian and Lucy was full of tension especially in the beginning, but toward the end, there was such a beautiful complexity to it, that just made me green with envy.

Overall I felt like Pride & Passion was packed full with every positive element that makes a romance like this one intimate and heart wrenching. There was quite a certain sensual passion to the love story, and with more than enough suspense and danger to satisfy any thrill craving you may have. A tantalizing read that will satisfy your craving for a sizzling and passion filled romance.


My Favorite Quote 
”I would die for you.”

My Grade 
4.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
Seduction and Scandal
Temptation and Twilight

Book Review-Seduction & Scandal

Seduction & Scandal
The Brethren Guardians (1)
Charlotte Featherstone
Harlequin
Mass Market Paperback
Published June 2011
382 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-373-77587-3
Author’s Website

Synopsis
With the scandalous nature of her birth to live down, Isabella Fairmont dreams of a proper marriage, even if a passionless one. She saves her deepest desires for the novel she dares to pen, wherein a handsome lord with dark powers seduces her. But then her courtship with an appropriate suitor is threatened by the sudden attentions of the reclusive Earl of Black, whose pale blue eyes and brooding sensuality are exactly as she described in her book.
Isabella tries to resist the mysterious Earl of Black.
Yet as he pursues her, with inexplicable knowledge of her past and kisses that consume her, Isabella fears she will succumb.
If only the earl could tell Isabella the truth. With very real, and treacherous, thieves endangering her life, Black will need to protect Isabella from the very people she trusts the most.

My Review
Summary 
Isabella grew up in Yorkshire, and after losing her family, her uncle takes her in. Her uncle was a marquis, and very wealthy and powerful. Isabella and his daughter Lucy have become as close as thieves for the past few years. Even after a few years Isabella still has a hard time going to all the constant parties and balls, when all she wants is to stay at home and write her story. Currently she is working on a story of Lord Death, who is sinful and handsome and irresistible, and ever since she had come close to dying, that image of him has stayed with her all of these years. Then at a ball, she sees the Earl of Black whose attention is focused solely on her. He is the exact image of her Lord Death that she has created in her novel and in her dreams. There is instant sparks of passion and desire from the first moment they lay eyes on each other. Jude, The Earl of Black, has come to London for a purpose. He has a heritage, has one of the descendants of the Three Templar’s, he is obligated to protect that which could bring evil to the world if its not kept hidden. He also can’t deny that Isabella is the one woman that holds his heart and soul in her hands, and he plans on making sure that whatever danger she is in doesn’t touch her, and that she will come to love him deeply as he does her.

My Thoughts 
This is the first time I have had a chance to read from this author. When I was browsing the shelves of the library, I was surprised to see this one on the shelves, since I had no idea that they had any of her books, so I knew I had to pick this one up. And Holy Moly, even after reading this book, I still feel the aftereffects….such a vibrant and stimulating romance that will give you shivers to the deepest part of you. There was so much intensity, I had no problem reading it from beginning to end without putting it down once. I had no idea that it would be so good, or I would have read it earlier. (I think I am going to have to buy the second one, that’s for sure–that’s how much I loved it)

Now from the first page, it begins with Isabella’s story of Lord Death, and when I started reading this, it made my toes curl with anticipation. I knew from the start, this story would be one hell of a ride. And it surely was. We see the friendship between Isabella and Lucy, then it jumps to the party where she meets the Earl of Black, and the connection they have from the beginning is very sensual and its just a look. Even though Isabella is already being courted by a normal and safe man, she can’t deny her feelings for Jude. She is very resistant because her mother had a passionate affair, and only ended up getting hurt in the end, so Isabella doesn’t want the same to happen to her. The Earl of Black has come to London for two reasons…one being his duty and loyalty to the Templar’s that has been in his family for generations. Also he needs Isabella, and his passion for her is so striking and I couldn’t help but be drawn in the story like bees to honey. There is also quite a bit of mystery and intrigue elements that play a part in the story, that only gets the blood pumping with excitement and a sense of danger. There were many aspects that make this for a intense and dynamic story.

Now lets talk a bit about the characters, whom I fell in love with both, even the side characters. Jude, the Earl of Black, has been born in a family that comes from the Templar’s, and therein lies certain responsibilities. I found Jude to be one the most breathtaking and sensual heroes I have read in a very long time. There is something so sinful about him, and tempting and makes me wish I could have traded places with Isabella at any time during the story. He is very Alpha, protective and domineering at times, but not overly too much, there is a certain balance to him, where he has another side to him, that is very tender and sweet with Isabella. I found him beyond charming. Isabella has always felt like death has always been close to her, and she isn’t carefree like she sometimes wishes she was. She has suffered a bit, and has a hard time even dealing with the wealth heaped on her and being in society is the last thing she wants to do. She is a writer and even though she doesn’t want to admit it, wants everything that Jude offers. I really liked Isabella, her characters was very endearing and very human at times. Its pretty easy to relate to her, I did think she could have had a bit more spine when it came to going after what you really want, but I understood her fears and her mistakes only made her seem more real. I had such a fun times getting to know the other four sub characters that are featured in the rest of the series. They gave a certain element to the story, that added a sense of conflict.

Overall I think I have found a new favorite author, that totally had me from page one. Its been a while since I have read such a intense romance that is very dramatic and sensual and is so enthralling your reading those pages as fast as you can, just to know what will happen next. I love the way Featherstone weaves such a compelling tale of sizzling chemistry, deeply rooted characters, vivid details,  and a compelling love story that is heart wrenching!!! BREATHTAKING!!! A MUST READ FOR ALL!!

First Line 
The first time I met death, it was at a ball and we danced a waltz.

Favorite Quotes
“Would you let me, Isabella?” His voice dropped as he pressed closer, the moment intimate and wildly exciting. “Would you let me learn everything about you? Discover you as I want?” His gaze, blistering with intensity, burned through her skin, warming her to the very core of her being.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lucy caught her gaze, and then her eyes widened as she looked beyond Isabella’s shoulder. Following her cousin’s stare Isabella turned in her chair, and gasped, then looked down at the planchette and the hands that were over top her.
Black 
“Wherever you are,” he whispered for her ears only, “I will find you, and you will be safe with me,”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I don’t know what you want from me.”
“You don’t?” The button came free and the bodice gaped open in the black, the sleeves sliding off her shoulders. He pressed in, and she felt his lips against the bones in her neck, then lower, as he pressed soft, silken kisses along her spine above her corset.
“I want you, Isabella. Heart, body and soul,”

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy 

Other Books In Series 
Pride & Passion
Temptation & Twilight