ARC DNF Book Review-With This Ring by Celeste Bradley

With This Ring
Worthington (3)
Celeste Bradley
St. Martins Paperback
E Book
Published July 1 2014
Acquired: Netgalley
320 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9781250016140
Authors Website 

Synopsis
From bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes a delightful tale about the lengths one woman will go to marry—at all costs…

The Rules of Engagement

Electra Worthington is the lovely middle daughter of the eccentric, impoverished Worthington family. Her beauty means nothing to her except as her currency to return the Worthington name to its former glory. To this end, she will stop at nothing—even if she must kidnap a rich lord in the process. If this lucky gentleman is just returning from a long absence and knows nothing of the Worthington reputation, well, a girl shouldn’t look a gift lord in the mouth…right?

The Price of Passion

Lord Aaron Arbogast, returning to England after a decade-old scandal—of which he is not truly guilty, but instead took the blame out of loyalty to a good friend—is the last of his line. He will someday become the Earl of Arbodean and inherit the estate…if, that is, he can prove to his ailing grandfather that he is a reformed man. Falling for a woman like Miss Worthington could cost him everything. But his desire for her? Priceless…

My Review 

With This Ring is the most recent release in this series by Celeste Bradley. I was able to receive a ARC in return of a honest review. I had really high hopes for this one, since every other book I have read from this author I have really enjoyed. However, I am sad to say that I couldn’t get into this one at all. I had a really difficult time keeping focused on the story, and I felt like the story line was balanced in some ways. However it felt a bit off and I after getting half way and getting to the point where I was almost skimming it, forcing myself to keep reading, I just knew I needed to put it down. I had a hard time choosing to do so, especially with it being a ARC, and when I have enjoyed this author, and in the past I have come to admire her compelling talent for her style of storytelling. In the past she has made regency romances come alive for me, and maybe I had too high of hopes, I am not sure. The basic of the story is pretty solid, and the characters seemed somewhat strongly situated into the story, but I never felt a connection and I felt like a bouncing ball as I was reading. I had the feeling of being disoriented, and I think the flow could have been a bit more smoother. I hope one day I can come back to this one and maybe I will enjoy it more. Even though I didn’t enjoy this one, I do plan on reading more from this author.

My Grade 
DNF

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In Series
When She Said I Do
Then Comes Marriage

Book Review-And Then Comes Marriage

And Then Comes Marriage
Worthington (2)
Celeste Bradley
St Martins
Paperback
Published August 2013
341 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-250-01613-3
Authors Website

Synopsis
TWICE THE TEMPTATION

After years of being a quiet, dutiful wife, the recently widowed Mrs. Miranda Talbot is finally free to do as she pleases. As an attractive woman of independent means, Miranda is suddenly turning heads all around town. When she meets the dashing Mr. Castor Worthington, she is swept away by his passion. Is he too good to be true?

DOUBLE THE DESIRE

Little does Miranda know that there is more to Castor than meets the eye. In fact, he’s a twin. Castor’s brother, also a confirmed bachelor, takes his romantic pursuits—and rivals—very seriously. When Castor discovers Miranda is being courted by his own twin, his competitive nature takes over. Who will be the one to win Miranda’s hand and heart? The race to say I do is about to begin…

My Review
Miranda Talbot, has recently become a widow, and she is finally starting to make a new life for herself. Miranda is the child of a father who was a criminal and sent to prison. Ever since she was a little girl, she has had to protect herself, and has no idea how to open herself up to affection and love. When she meets Mr. Worthington, there is a inner part of her that aches to be held and touched and kissed. When it becomes revealed that she has been seeing two Worthington men who look exactly alike, she feels used. It then becomes clear that both of them want to court her and win her hand. So she decides to go along with it, feeling as if she has nothing left to lose. When saving a woman from a experiment gone wrong that ends in a explosion, he is mystified, and only wants to know her more. At first he would like for her to be in his bed, but when he enters a competition with his twin brother, he decides he wants more than one night, he wants a life with Miranda. But will he be able to win Miranda’s heart?

And Then Comes Marriage is the second in the Worthington series, that Celeste Bradley has created for us. I have known this author for quite some time. When I first started reading romances I was able to read Charmer, and I enjoyed it. So when this series came out, I knew I would love it. The first book was charming and fun and witty and so when I saw And Then Comes Marriage on the library shelf, I picked it up without looking at the blurb. I mean who can resist that cover anyway? So this story is a bit unique as far as Twins theme goes. There is a twist to it, and the way Bradley works it into the story line, is very fun yet has a serious tone to it. Usually I have some issues with the twin theme, but this one definitely surprised me, and quite delightfully too. It starts out a bit slower but once you get into a few chapters, it will picks up pace, and I read it in one evening, so I had a bit of fun with this book. One aspect I really liked was seeing more of the Worthington family, they are such a unique set of individuals, not your typical regency family. They can be wild and rambunctious, and tends to get quite involved in their siblings affairs. Yet there is a closeness and intimacy in this family that is addicting.

The main characters were very well done in this story. I grew to like them quite a bit. Castor, is quite a rake, and a scoundrel, but a inventor. He is intelligent, but craves the more carnal side of things. Castor is very dominant at times, and playful and silly at others. He is a enigma, has different sides to him, and I loved the complexity to his character. Miranda has never known real love or affection or respect. Since she was about seven years old, her father was sent to prison, and she was sent to live with a relative, that wasn’t the most welcoming to her. Now she is a widow, having never even been kissed or known the taste of passion. I found I quite enjoyed Miranda as the heroine, and I understood her plight, and how she tries to give each brother a chance  to woo her, and she definitely stands up for herself when its needed. I think she could have been a bit better developed but for the most part I felt a kinship to her.

Overall I grew to love the latest installment of the Worthington Family. A beautiful mix of sensuality, entertaining scenes, and a sweet love story that you can indulge in!! FULLY SATISFYING!!

First Line 
Mrs. Gideon Talbot strolled sedately down the walk. 

Favorite Quote 
Before he could stop himself, he reached for her, his hands closing over her shoulders as he pulled her close to press against his body. A startled sound escaped her lips before he covered them with his. He fell, hard and spiraling, into the wet, sweet wonder of her mouth. Miranda’s mouth had powers the like of which he’d never known. Kissing Miranda felt like flying, like falling, like spinning out of control and never wishing to land.

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
When She Said I Do
With This Ring

Book Review-When She Said I Do

When She Said I Do
Worthington (1)
Celeste Bradley
St Martins
Mass Market Paperback
Published February 2013
402 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-250-01612-6
Author’s Website

Synopsis
From bestselling author Celeste Bradley comes the tantalizing tale of a beauty and a beast, bound together by fate, fortune, and desire…

Angel’s Sin

Caught in a rainstorm, Miss Calliope Worthington takes shelter in a seemingly abandoned mansion. But when she finds a string of pearls in a dusty chest, she is caught red-handed by the house’s reclusive owner—Mr. Ren Porter—a fiery demon of a man who demands that Callie pay for the necklace…with her innocence.

Devil’s Bargain

When he first lays eyes on the beautiful trespasser, Ren mistakes her for an angel. But when he realizes Callie is a thief, he strikes a bargain she cannot refuse. She must take his hand in marriage and pay him back in full: one night of passion for each stolen pearl. But when Callie surrenders to his desires—night after wicked night—he awakens something deep inside of her. Something powerful and passionate. Like a fairy tale come true, the monster she married has become the man she loves…when she said I do.

My Review 

I do love a good Beauty and the Beast theme like story, and this one I would put at the top of my list of favorites. Its the type of story that instantly draws you in and its pretty hard to put down. I do love a story that is easy to get into, but difficult to let go of. This is the first that I have read from this author. I saw the cover and read the blurb, and with no regrets picked it up, knowing I would probably regret it if I didn’t. When She Said I Do is pretty close to the beauty and the beast fairy tale. But it also has its own unique tale that sets it apart as well.

When Callie along with her parents and her brother end up nearly drowning in the river when their carriage goes down, they find a huge mansion that she assumes is abandoned. When she gets the rest of her family settled, dressed in only her underclothes, she decides to explore a bit. She finds every room abandoned, and then she comes across a magnificent pearl necklace, and then gets caught red handed by a big man, with half of his face scarred. Caught in a compromising position, her brother and the Mr. Ren Porter end up in a duel and then Callie claims that they will be married. So Callie finds herself married and in a agreement with Mr. Porter, one in which she will share his bed for each stolen pearl. Callie is instantly drawn into this game of seduction, where Ren teaches her the true meaning of desire and surrender. What Callie doesn’t expect is to find herself falling in love with her husband, one who protects his heart with a iron shield. It will take more than Callie ever expected to melt the iron around his heart, and to keep him forever.

Ren has recently recovered from a near fatal attack, where he was punctured in the chest, and as such was told that he will die soon from the injuries. As a spy for his country, he has retired, and doesn’t trust anyone, at least until Callie comes along. When he finds Callie, a beautiful siren, who ironically ends up as his wife, he is determined to keep her as long as he possibly can. Ren is a very virile and alpha type male. He is very proud and can be paranoid at times, considering his previous life. I found myself really enjoy the type of character Ren turned out to be. He just made me want to melt. Callie is a very unique heroine. She isn’t all that fearful of her new husband, despite his commanding presence and his scars, she starts to see beneath the surface. I loved how she never treats him less because of what has happened to her. I admired her creativity in trying to gain Ren’s trust, and making the mansion into a home. There is such a strong intimate connection that is very intense at times. You might need a fan to cool ya down a bit at times during this story.

Overall I found this story to be a delight and a very sensual take on Beauty and the Beast. I have to say for the first time reading this author, I am already going to add the rest of her books on my wish list, I loved her that much!!! There is such a delightful mix of sensuality and witty humor that captivates the reader. Its unconventional at times, but it has a certain uniqueness that only adds to the wonderfully crafted tale of passion, adventure, intrigue and a tender love story that is bound to steal your heart, that will make anyone believe in a happily ever after.

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
And Then Comes Marriage