It's been a LOOONG time since I've read a Malory novel, but this didn't disappoint.
Jacqueline Malory, daughter of James and Georgina, and Judith MalorIt's been a LOOONG time since I've read a Malory novel, but this didn't disappoint.
Jacqueline Malory, daughter of James and Georgina, and Judith Malory, daughter of Anthony (Tony) and Roslyn are as close as sisters. When Jack is required to go to Connecticut to have a debut with her American Anderson uncles, Judy finally gets her parents to agree for her to go along. The plan is a quick trip over, and then back in time to have their London debuts. Both girls agree they don't plan to marry in their first season, but plans can be changed. Nathan Tremayne is a last minute addition to the crew. He's desperate to get to Connecticut to recapture his stolen ship, the Pearl, from a shipbuilder in New London. His pardon as a smuggler is depending on his success. What he doesn't expect is Judy, who found him in his derelict house near her cousin's home several years earlier, and believed him to be a ghost. The two have a strong attraction, but trust and truth are hard to come by. When someone on the ship steals all of the women's jewels, Nathan is accused of the crime. He escapes, rescues The Pearl, and then rescues the Malory's after Jack is kidnapped by an old enemy of James.
It certainly would help to have read the previous books in the series, but there's enough backstory to enjoy the current story. Although there are a few bedroom scenes, it's no where near as risque as I remember the earlier books being - or maybe Lindsey was ahead of the times and authors have caught up to her level of sensuality - this was actually pretty tame.
2024 - 52 book reading challenge #8 - Features the ocean....more
Lady Brenna would rather be riding and fighting than doing "women's work" thanks to her father treating her more as a lad than lass as a child. When hLady Brenna would rather be riding and fighting than doing "women's work" thanks to her father treating her more as a lad than lass as a child. When he sends an emissary to the Vikings for someone to wed her and protect their Welsh village from a Viking raid, she's outraged. When the Vikings arrive on the day of her father's funeral, she's shocked when they rape and pillage instead of come in peace to retrieve her. Kidnapped and taken to Norway, she's made an antagonistic slave to her betrothed, Garrick Haardrad, who had no idea he'd been betrothed to her by his father. Although neither wants to be attracted to the other, they are, but they're forced to go through a great deal of trouble and sabotage from others before they can come to recognize their love for each other.
When this book was written in 1980, it would've been classified as a "bodice ripper" romance. Reading it 40 years later, it no longer deserves the classification. Yes, she is raped, but the scenes are brief, and not terribly graphic. The storyline is much more important than the bedroom scenes which are MUCH less graphic than many current romance novels. The language is also MUCH cleaner.
2021 52 book challenge #4- An author who is deceased. I read a lot of Johanna Lindsey books when she first started writing them 40 years ago, but somehow I missed that she passed away in 2019. I'm sure I read this at some point 30+ years ago, but with no record of the reading, chose to read it again in tribute for the challenge....more
Unless you've read all or most of the other Malory novels, this could prove to be very confusing at first. All of the extended Malory clan is gatheredUnless you've read all or most of the other Malory novels, this could prove to be very confusing at first. All of the extended Malory clan is gathered for Christmas. An ornate present appears with no tag. It turns out to be a book detailing how their grandparents/great-grandparents met and married. She was a gypsy with a Russian prince for a father, he an English Lord. She had many "magical" gifts that have been passed down. During the 3 day reading of this book, several of the family members discover where their "gifts" come from and others determine another "scandal" in the family can be overcome.
Good story, easy reading, pretty clean, but confusing without knowing the backstory. ...more
**spoiler alert** When Danny was about 5, she witnessed her father's murder and the stabbing of her nurse, who still managed to escape into the stews **spoiler alert** When Danny was about 5, she witnessed her father's murder and the stabbing of her nurse, who still managed to escape into the stews of London with her before dying. Found by a 12-year-old female gang member, Lucy, who persuades her to masquerade as a boy to avoid becoming and prostitute, and tutors her. Danny spends the next 15 years as a thief with aspirations.
Jeremy Malory also spent his first 16 years in a bar/whorehouse before being claimed by his father, James Malory - the ex-pirate. He's helping a friend recover some jewelry lost in a fixed card game. He sets up Danny when she tries to steal from him and then takes her to "Lord Eddings" house to steal the jewelry back. When she returns to London, she's kicked out of the gang for breaking the rules.
She's wanted to get out of the stews, so determines Jeremy owes her and goes to his house to get work. She becomes his maid when he wants her for his mistress. Eventually, they become lovers, but someone wants her dead - the original killer. His family aids both of them through some sticky situations and re-discovers her mother who looks just like her. Eventually, the rake Jeremy proposes and they marry. Well done, even if you haven't read earlier stories. Some sex....more
Courtney Harte was a timid teenager when her family was involved in an Indian attack on their way from Chicago to Texas in 1868. Her father disappeareCourtney Harte was a timid teenager when her family was involved in an Indian attack on their way from Chicago to Texas in 1868. Her father disappeared, and is presumed dead, so she lives with her stepmother in Kansas. When she thinks she sees a picture of her father in a Waco newspaper several years later, she hires a gunfighter, Chandos, to take her to Waco. Chandos was part of the Indian raid done to avenge the rapes and murders of his mother and half sister, even though he was white. He's still searching for the last two men on the raid, 4 years later. They fall in love and have several misadventures, but all turns out. Quick read - fast paced....more
Wulfric de Thorpe and Milisant Crispin were betrothed at birth to cement their father's friendship. Their marriage would also make their alliance veryWulfric de Thorpe and Milisant Crispin were betrothed at birth to cement their father's friendship. Their marriage would also make their alliance very powerful. It's the early 1200's and King John is rapidly losing the support of many of his barons. When a scorned suitor of Wulf's mother approaches the king with a plot to break up this alliance, John is interested.
Meanwhile a childhood encounter that left Wulf bitter and a took a chunk out of his hand, and Mili with a dead bird and a broken leg have soured them both on each other. It doesn't help that Mili wants to be a man and dresses and acts like one. When Wulf does finally go to marry her, sparks fly. After several murder attempts on Mili, the two finally resolve their differences and compromise. Well written, a few bedroom scenes, but more story than sex....more
**spoiler alert** Larissa Ascot's father is off on one of his ships to the colonies to find new markets. He's overdue and someone is spreading rumors **spoiler alert** Larissa Ascot's father is off on one of his ships to the colonies to find new markets. He's overdue and someone is spreading rumors about him and his finances. Household money gone, Larissa doesn't know what to do when she and her young brother are evicted just before Christmas.
Vincent Everett, Baron of Windesmoor, is seeking revenge for the apparent suicide of his only relative and younger brother. He thinks Larissa's father is to blame and he's ruthlessly trying to ruin him. When he meets Larissa however, he decides he'll ruin her too through seduction. The tables are turned when he falls in love while providing them a place to stay after the eviction. He does seduce her, but when she realizes he doesn't intend marriage, and the truth comes out when her father returns, she leaves.
Eventually good will and love triumph over horrible childhoods and evil. Not one of Lindsey's best books - ok but not great. Moderate amount of sex for a Lindsey book.
Brittany Callaghan is an unusual 28-year-old. She's almost 6' - a big issue for her and dating, and works construction during the day and as a trainerBrittany Callaghan is an unusual 28-year-old. She's almost 6' - a big issue for her and dating, and works construction during the day and as a trainer in a gym at night, so she'll have the money to build her own house with cash.
Dalden Ly-San-Ter is a sha-ka'ani warrior escorting his mother home from her home planet of Kystran when they receive a distress signal. Ansering it sends Dalden on a rescue mission to earth - 3 months of travel. Dalden meets Brittany in CA while trying to recapture an errant king looking for a new country to take over along with the altering rods he stole. Their attraction is mutual even though she doesn't believe he's an alien. Even when he takes her on the 3 month space ride to his home planet, she fails to believe. Finally, after a near fatal attack by a wild animal, she comes to her belief in Dalden and worlds outside of earth.
Good story, mostly believable, but her lack of belief for so long got annoying. Captivating for the most part though. Quite a bit of mostly tastefully done sex....more
Gabrielle Brooks didn't know until 3 years earlier that her father is a Carribbean pirate/fortune hunter. She and her mother, a member of the ton, thoGabrielle Brooks didn't know until 3 years earlier that her father is a Carribbean pirate/fortune hunter. She and her mother, a member of the ton, thought he was a merchant. It wasn't until mom died and she went looking for dad that the truth came out. Now 3 years later she's back in London to find a husband at her father's request. He's called in a favor from his old pirate buddy, James Malory, to sponsor her. Gabrielle doesn't find many suitors to please her - the best being James' brother-in-law, American Drew Anderson. When word reaches her that her father's been imprisoned by another pirate, at the same time Drew let it slip at a party her father was a pirate, she decides his ship will work for the return voyage. She steals his ship and his crew, but partway through the voyage he turns the tables and takes her virginity - something he didn't expect a "pirate" to have. They also fall in love along the way, so after the rescue of dad, they marry and find his long lost treasure hunt. Relatively clean - a couple of semi-brief lovemaking scenes....more
Casey Straton is the headstrong daughter of Courtney Harte and Chandos Straton. When her grandfather died he left his neighboring ranch to the grandkiCasey Straton is the headstrong daughter of Courtney Harte and Chandos Straton. When her grandfather died he left his neighboring ranch to the grandkids. Casey wants to run it, but Chandos refuses. Casey takes off and becomes a bounty hunter known as "the Kid" or K.C.
Damien Rutledge III is an easterner searching for his father's killer. The two cross paths by accident and he hire "the Kid" to help him. Then he finds out it's a "her" and their adventures begin. Good read, hardly any sex....more