Sophia James

Good book. Sephora and Francis are, on the surface, very different people. Sephora is called "the angel of the ton" because of her beauty and impeccable behavior. She is engaged to a man she has known all her life, the heir to a dukedom. On the other hand, Francis is known as wild and dangerous, with many rumors about things that happened during his time in America. He doesn't really care what people think of him. They are brought together when her horse throws her into the freezing water of show more the Thames and Francis dives in to save her. That starts a chain reaction that has Sephora questioning who she has become.

I liked Sephora though at first I wasn't sure I would. When she landed in the water of the river I thought she gave up too easily and just waited to die. The effect of her near death experience was two-fold. First, it sent her into a depression, as she seemed to have trouble coping with the idea that she could have died. Her mind frequently went back to her time under water and she didn't seem to be able to move past it. Second, it made her realize that she has been drifting through her life, accepting other peoples' expectations of her, without standing up for her own wants, until she had totally lost her sense of self. I liked seeing her start to question her relationship with her fiance, Richard, who gave me the creeps from the very beginning. I loved her instinctive trust of Francis, in spite of everyone telling her how terrible he was.

I ached for Francis. He had suffered so much loss in his life and was so alone, except for his three good friends. He wants a family of his own, such as they have found, but has come to believe that he doesn't deserve it. There are things in his past that haunt him, adding to his unhappiness. Even though the people of the ton look down on him, he is the only one who didn't hesitate to dive into the river to save Sephora. From the moment he saw her under the water, he felt a connection to her that he couldn't deny.

I really liked the development of their relationship. Sephora's sense of fair play wouldn't allow her to ignore Francis and his rescue of her, even though Richard and her parents tried. She discovered that only in his company did the darkness that was pulling her down go away. She also felt safe with him, something she no longer felt around Richard. I really enjoyed seeing her rediscover all the parts of herself that she had buried while trying to live up to his expectations. I was thrilled when she took a chance and went to see Francis at his home. Francis had been trying to do the right thing and stay away from her, since she belonged to another man. It was fun to see the way that his friends tried to make him see that she was exactly the woman he needed in his life. His honorable nature showed through when, first he returned her to her home when she came to see him, and then proposed marriage when her visit became public knowledge. He knew that he cared for her, even though he wouldn't admit it out loud, and his protectiveness was there without being smothering. I really liked the way that being near him gave Sephora the courage to stand up to her parents and marry him.

Thanks to an attack that injured him, Francis and Sephora had the time to get to know each other before taking their relationship to a physical level. I loved the way that she came to his aid during the attack and took care of him afterward. It was great to see how they could share their fears with each other without being afraid of ridicule. I really liked Francis's sensitivity to her, and his ability to give her what she needs. I also liked Sephora's ability to show Francis a different way of looking at the events of his past, one that made it possible for him to let go of the guilt and contemplate a happy future with her. I also loved the fact that Sephora became just as protective of Francis, and how that came out during the confrontation at the end of the book. I loved seeing them both finally have the confidence to confess their feelings.

There was also a bit of mystery taking place. Francis discovered that he had an illegitimate cousin and became the girl's guardian as soon as he did. She had been raised by a stepfather who was involved in smuggling and had witnessed some things that put her in danger. I loved Francis's determination to get to the truth and make her feel safe. I had a suspicion about who was involved, and though I was a little off, there was still enough for me to feel satisfied by what happened at the end. I liked the help that Francis received from his friends, and also that he didn't try to keep Sephora isolated from it all.

I really liked the girl Anna and the relationship she developed with Francis. Even though he was at a loss about how to deal with her, he did his best. I loved the way he showed her over and over that she was part of his family and that he wouldn't turn his back on her. I felt for her and her fears as she came to grips with her new life. It was great to see her change from untamed and fearful to a typical girl of her age, thanks to the love and care of both Francis and Sephora. show less

Very good story about two people who form an unlikely alliance that changes their lives. Euphemia is a thirty-year-old spinster who lives with her stepmother and stepsister, not quite a servant but not really family either. Euphemia briefly came out in society when she was seventeen, but she withdrew for many years after being attacked by a man. She only re-entered society as a chaperon for her stepsister, dressing and behaving in a way to avoid attention. On a cold winter day, she and her show more family encounter Augustus Rushworth, who recently returned from ten years in India.

August isn't particularly happy to be back in England, but he couldn't stay in India after the death of his beloved daughter. When his father died, August's grandfather sent for him to come home and take up his duties as heir. August has no interest in dancing to his grandfather's tune and has plans of his own. While he waits on the dock for a carriage to take him into town, August sees Euphemia dealing with her stepmother while trying to find transportation. Struck by her beauty, he offers his carriage to them.

I loved that first encounter as the sparks leapt between Euphemia and August. Neither expected to see the other again. But when Euphemia in her drab gown saw him enter the ballroom the next night, all she could think of was avoiding him. August came to the ball to reconnect with his friends and was dismayed to be swarmed by debutantes determined to snag him for themselves. When he spotted Euphemia hiding among the plants, he couldn't resist going to her. I loved how he saw past her surface to her hidden beauty and convinced her to dance with him. A flashback to her past caused an embarrassing collapse, and Euphemia fled the ball as soon as possible.

A few days later, Euphemia and August encountered each other on an early morning walk. August, who wants to get to know Euphemia better, proposed a partnership. If she attends various functions with him, pretending to be a couple to discourage unwanted advances, he will help her become more popular. With her stepmother and stepsister out of town, it's a chance to experience something outside her lonely life.

I liked watching the relationship between Euphemia and August develop. Neither wants a committed relationship. August is still coming to terms with his losses and wants a chance to readjust to life in England before looking for a wife. Euphemia has no interest in marriage after her experience all those years earlier. But neither can deny the passion that flares between them. I loved their connection and how easily they could talk to each other. As their attraction exploded, Euphemia couldn't resist the temptation to take that attraction further, knowing that it was likely her only chance to experience that closeness. The scene was an excellent combination of sweet and steamy.

An attack of guilty conscience followed as August's honor got into the act. But instead of talking to Euphemia about his thoughts, he made the boneheaded move of backing off while making some decisions. Feeling rejected, Euphemia is at a low point when her stepmother and stepsister return early, having heard the gossip surrounding her. After an awful confrontation with them and an unproductive stop at August's townhouse, Euphemia disappeared. I ached for August, who was desperate to find her. I loved how his friends were there to help and support him.

I loved the twist that gave Euphemia something she's yearned for all her life. The love, acceptance, and support she received made a huge difference in her life. With that support came the confidence to make her own choices about her future, which was vital when August finally tracked her down. I loved his big moment as he confessed his feelings and made his plea. I liked that Euphemia doesn't play games, instead standing up for her needs and wants. The epilogue was terrific, showing how love healed them both and gave them a future neither expected.

I liked August's friends and their wives, and wonder if they also have stories. show less

Good book, though it dragged a little in a few places. I did like the different perspective of the Napoleonic wars. Lucien was critically injured in a battle between the French and English during the war in Spain. Found by Alejandra, she took him back to her home to recover. It wasn't a comfortable situation, as her father was the local guerilla leader and wasn't especially pleased to have an English officer on his premises. There was a good bit of tension in this part as Alejandra worked on show more healing Lucien before her father decided what to do with him.

There was a connection between Alejandra and Lucien from the very beginning. Something about him called to her. She didn't understand it, and she didn't like it, but she couldn't resist the pull. Years of war scarred her and made her cynical, but Lucien sparked a desire in her for something better. Lucien was fascinated by Alejandra's strength and spirit.

I liked the development of their relationship. Alejandra was protective of Lucien as he healed, watchful and wary of getting too close. As Lucien healed, he became more intrigued by Alejandra and what made her the way she was. Lucien's pride pushed him to regain his strength as quickly as possible, as he didn't want to look weak to her. They grew closer over his healing time as they shared some of their painful pasts. The tension picked up when it was time for Lucien to return to England. There were some nail-biting moments on the journey to the coast as the danger was never far away. There was also an increase in the attraction between Lucien and Alejandra. I ached for them both as they realized that nothing could come of it, even as they gave in to the heat between them.

Four years later, Lucien hasn't forgotten Alejandra. Though he had told her to contact him if she needed him, there had been nothing. Determined to find out what happened to her, Lucien used his connections only to discover that her home had been attacked with no survivors. It wasn't until his signet ring showed up in an unexpected place that he began to suspect she might have survived, and he returned to Spain to look for her. Alejandra's life after Lucien's departure hadn't been easy. Attempts to reach him failed, leaving her questioning her faith in anything. Her new life in Madrid was complicated by the continuing war and had some intriguing twists to it.

This section of the book was far more intense and maintained my interest more than the first half. From the moment that Lucien found her again, I was invested in seeing how they would achieve their happy ending. The intensity of their escape from Madrid had me on the edge of my seat. Lucien's need to make sure she was safe was clear, as were his feelings for her. Alejandra was warier, especially of being a foreigner in Lucien's world. I liked the scene where she was introduced to his friends, their wives, and Lucien's sister. Their acceptance went a long way to easing her fears. The ending was good, with an unexpected twist that threatened their happy ever after. I loved Alejandra's part in ending the threat, and Lucien's support of how she did it. show less

Good story about two people reunited by war, deeply changed by their experiences. Celeste and Shay had known each other as teenagers in England, where they had one night together before she left for France with her father. Years later, Shay is one of Wellington's best spies, currently working in Paris. The book opens with Shay receiving a warning from a young Frenchwoman, letting him know that he is in immediate danger of being captured. There is something familiar about her, but she show more disappears before he figures it out. Celeste is a French informant, working for the same organization that wants Shay. Warning him that he is in danger puts a target on her own back, but she would never forgive herself if something happened to him.

The action is intense from beginning to end. With Napoleon's departure in his attempt to take Moscow, the rest of France is in turmoil as various factions fight for control. Shay and Celeste are in constant danger of discovery as they try to make their way to safety. Rather than fancy houses, balls, and parties, this book shows the darker side of Paris and the war. Both Shay and Celeste have been affected by the things they have seen and done. In the past six years, Celeste has lived through unimaginable things, making her quite cynical. She is blunt in words and actions, but there are also hints that there is more to her than meets the eye. Shay is also rather cynical, having seen what people are capable of. He is wary of trusting Celeste at first. But trusted or not, he can't leave her behind. Neither one expected the passion that flared between them in the midst of all the danger, and the feelings between them grew just as fast. The intensity of their escape bid kept me turning the pages as they made their way out of Paris and across the French countryside. Constantly changing disguises barely kept them ahead of their pursuers. I ached for them both as Shay tried to convince Celeste to return to England with him, and she was just as insistent that it wasn't possible. My heart broke for Celeste as I saw what she did to ensure Shay's safety.

I wasn't sure how Celeste and Shay were going to manage their happy ending with the way things were looking at that point. I feared for Celeste's life as she fulfilled the promise that she had made. The story fast forwarded for more than a year, and neither Shay nor Celeste knew if the other had made it to safety. Celeste's next appearance comes as she follows through on something that Shay had told her in France. I felt her worry as she took her chances that he had been right. She receives a much more unpleasant surprise when she hears that part of her past has followed her and she knows that she must warn Shay. I loved that reunion and the depth of emotion it brought out. The final confrontation with the bad guy went as expected, followed by some unexpectedly light moments that were an excellent antidote to the darkness. I loved the revelation of the rest of Celeste's secrets and seeing her and Shay finally get their chance at a future together. The epilogue was excellent and left me wanting a story for Lian. show less