Grace Callaway

This is a new author for me and I'll definitely read more of her books. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings and this one is pretty good though it doesn't really stick with the original much.
Beatrice is a beauty turned Lady Beastly when her horse kicks her in the face. Wick is a businessman who wants to put a railroad through her estate. He's also the 'beauty' in this story though Bea is still very beautiful and her scar barely noticeable.
What I really liked was the story. Bea has show more collected a group of what the world considers misfits to live with her and they're the main reason she doesn't want to move. There's a mystery involving someone threatening Bea and she has a considerable amount of enemies. However, I was surprised by the real villain and I loved the resolution.
There's a lot of very steamy sex scenes; Bea meets Wick at an orgy where she's gone to give up her virginity and that's just the start. Not a problem as far as I'm concerned but other readers might expect a clean story. Ms. Callaway writes interesting characters with some depth to them and as I said above, I expect to read more of her books (I already have The Return of the Duke on my e-reader). show less

Never Say Never to an Earl
4.5 Stars

Sinjin Pelham, the Earl of Revelstoke, conceals a lifetime of pain and struggle behind his jaded façade, and believes no one would accept let alone love the man he truly is. Afflicted with a disturbing ability to read others' emotions, Polly Kent keeps her secret, and herself, hidden from the cruelty of the ton. However, a series of unforeseen events force Sinjin and Polly together, and they must choose between a lifetime of loneliness, or confronting and show more overcoming their fears together.

Polly and Sinjin are wonderful together. Their surface differences only serve to reinforce their similarities, and their chemistry is off-the-charts.

Callaway's portrayal of Sinjin and Polly's "afflictions" is both realistic and heartwrenching, especially the social and medical perceptions of mental disorders in this time period, which, unfortunately, remained the same for centuries to come. The fact that one, i.e., Sinjin's bi-polar disorder is factual while the other, Polly's aura reading, is paranormal in nature, only highlights the skillful writing and descriptions.

The suspense plot is somewhat convoluted, yet ultimately comes together with a logical explanation. Callaway also produces several excellent red herrings, so the final twist is both surprising and satisfying.

In sum, this is one of my absolute favorites in the series and Callaway is rapidly becoming a go-to author. The final installment focuses on Primrose Kent, and while her actions in this book did not endear her, I am looking forward to seeing how her relationship with Andrew Corbett. plays out. show less

I loved this! Super insecure heroine who thinks she is plain and odd and fat (the fact that she is actually goreous and just has big breasts didn't detract from the angst, so she is still going on a couple of trope shelves). Overheard insult, misunderstandings, tormented hero; this book is right up my alley. Catered to my favorite tropes but still managed to be unique and multidimensional. Interesting historical interpretation of Bipolar Disorder. Only two complaints, the first a minor show more spoiler (Rosie annoyed the crap out of me and the whole "sisterly betrayal" strife was not my thing at all), the second a MAJOR spoiler (WHY must she lose her ability at the end!? I found it disappointing that she became "normal" just randomly at the very end, for no reason.). The book starts out pretty textbook angsty and ends up having some pretty fleshed out subplots and intrigue/suspense storylines, so a bit more heavy and complicated than I am sometimes looking for in my escapist, trashy HR guilty pleasures, but I really enjoyed it. And it is SO explicit and DIRTY, damn, I have never been so jealous of a heroine's sex life!

Definitely off to see if I can find more of my favorite kinds of heroine! show less

The Lady Who Came in from the Cold
4 Stars

Series note: There are numerous references to events from the previous book in this installment. As such, it is necessary to read the series in order.

Lady Pandora Blackwood's past as a spy during the Napoleon Wars comes back to haunt her when her husband learns of her deceit. Devastated that his beloved wife has lied to him for over a decade, Marcus Harrington, Marquess of Blackwood, must decide if his pride is worth his marriage.

***Minor spoilers show more ahead***

As the truth about Penny's past is revealed early on, there is little to no focus on the dreaded keeping secrets trope, and the revelations concerning her childhood and the heartbreaking events leading to her becoming a spy only enhance her appeal. The reasons for her actions are believable and realistic, especially considering Marcus's rigid conservatism. Indeed, her fears regarding his reaction bear fruit as he behaves in exactly the way she expected.

Speaking of Marcus, his behavior for much of the book, while understandable at first, becomes increasingly annoying. His holier than thou attitude and fixation on her past lovers highlight his own hypocrisy as he was far from virginal when they married. Nevertheless, he does redeem himself and ultimately proves that he is the man Penny fell in love with and is worthy of her adoration.

Unlike the two previous books, there is no mystery in this installment as the story revolves entirely around Penny and Marcus's courtship and the early days of their marriage (provided in flashbacks), as well as their second chances romance in the present. In terms of said romance, Marcus and Penny have scorching hot chemistry, and it is easy to root for their reconciliation.

Overall, an entertaining novella, and the hints at the upcoming romance between spirited Violet Kent and stuffy Richard Murray are very promising. show less