How To Woo a Reluctant Lady Winner

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Giveaway: How to Woo a Reluctant Lady

Want to win an Uncorrected Proof of How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries?

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Giveaway ends February 10th

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Early Bird (ARC) Review: How to Woo a Reluctant Lady

 

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady

Sabrina Jeffries

Series or Stand Alone: Hellions of Halstead Hall series, book three

Release Date: January 2011

Publisher: Pocket Star

Pages: 384

Author Site: http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/

My Rating: 3.5/5

Source: Received for review from Nancy Berland Communications

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe.

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.

Review:

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady is the third book in The Hellions of Halstead Hall series and tells the story of the eldest Sharpe sister, Minerva. She’s feisty, independent, and is not afraid to speak her mind. After meeting her in the previous novel, A Hellion in Her Bed, I knew her story would be fun!

Although she doesn’t necessarily need her inheritance, Minerva is determined to meet her grandmother’s marriage ultimatum. But Minerva has an ace up her sleeve! She’ll fake an engagement and make Gran give up her pursuits. She has to give the crafty Giles Masters credit for coming up with the idea though. There’s no way Gran will accept Giles as a suitor, much less an appropriate husband, with his reputation. He may be a successful barrister but he’s known around town as a wild rogue.

Minerva’s been in love with Giles since she was nine-years-old. However, the rejection she felt after she was turned down from him in her teen years caused her to build a wall around her heart. It also caused her to take her frustration and heartache out on him through her gothic novels. Although some may frown upon Minerva’s writing, she’s actually very good at what she does and has a substantial fan base. Most think her notoriously wicked main character is based off her older brother…but the rakish spy is totally based off Giles. She has no idea how close to home her books really are because Giles really is living a double-life. A double-life that is seriously getting in the way of the life he wants to have…a life with Minerva as his wife.

I gotta say I didn’t enjoy this installment as much as I did the previous book. But, there were still some really great moments in How to Woo a Reluctant Lady! I liked Minerva. She knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go after it. She was exactly the way I expected and wanted her to be. Her and Giles were a great match and it was a lot of fun to see them try to outwit each other in each of their interactions. My favorite thing about the novel was watching the attraction between them grow. Giles definitely used his good looks to his advantage and took Minerva off guard as often as he could.

I'm also very interested in the mysterious deaths of Minerva's parents. The ongoing investigation is a great backdrop to all of the stories so far. I enjoy how the author has entertwined it with each of the sibling's individual books. I can't wait to find out more!

So even though How to Woo a Reluctant Lady wasn't my favorite I still had a lot of fun with it. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series because I have a feeling it will be about Gabriel and the woman who despises him...Of course, she will fall in love with him and I'll definitely be finding out why when the new book gets released.

Release Date:

January 18th

Book Arrivals

For Review:

• The Butt Book :: Artie Bennett
  (December 2009 - Bloomsbury USA Children's Books)
• How to Woo a Reluctant Lady :: Sabrina Jeffries (Hellions of Halstead Hall series, book three)
  (January 2011 - Pocket Star)  

Won/Miscellaneous:

• Love Walked In :: Marisa de los Santos(November 2006 - Pocket Star)
  *Given to me by friend (Thanks Mel)
• Everlasting :: Angie Frazier (Everlasting series, book one)
  (June 2010 - Scholastic Press)*Won from Between the Covers
• The Best Day of Someone Else's Life :: Kerry Reichs
  (May 2008 - Avon)*Given to me by friend (Thanks Mel)
• The Truth About Lord Stoneville :: Sabrina Jeffries (Hellions of Halstead Hall series, book one)
  (January 2010 - Pocket Star)*From Paperbackswap
• The Princess in His Bed :: Lila De Pasqua (Fiery Tales series, book two)
  (September 2010 - Penguin)
• Signed Swag + 16 pg. preview of Awakened by a Kiss :: Lila DePasqua (Fiery Tales, book one)
  *Lila DePasqua swag and books - won from Lovin' Me Some Romance

Waiting on Wednesday [69] - How to Woo a Reluctant Lady

 

from goodreads.com:

The third novel in Sabrina Jeffries's “Hellions of Hallstead Hall” series, featuring the independent and talented Lady Minerva Sharpe.

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.


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Reason: Well I just finished book two in this series, A Hellion in Her Bed, and absolutely loved it. I received an Uncorrected Proof of it so that's why I haven't even started book one yet. However, book two provided enough background for me to still enjoy it. I'll get to book one eventually. But How to Woo a Reluctant Lady is Minerva's story; one that I'm most interested in. Luckily I was offered an ARC copy of this and it's currently in the mail. Be sure to look out for my review before the release date =)

Cover Discussion: Much better than A Hellion in Her Bed...I suppose because their is a couple instead of just a guy with a "come hither" pose. It was nice to look at but I've seen it too many times.

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady will be released January 18th!

**See more Waiting on Wednesday choices at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/. && Join in the fun!**

ARC Review: A Hellion in Her Bed

A Hellion in Her Bed

Sabrina Jeffries

Series or Stand Alone: Hellions of Halstead Hall series, book two

Release Date: September 2010

Publisher: Pocket Star

Pages: 384

Author Site: http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/

My Rating: 4.5/5

Source: Received for review from Nancy Berland Communications

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Furious at his grandmother’s ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck—and his heart—at the card table against a most unlikely opponent.

Mired in scandal after his parents’ mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in him can’t resist when beguiling Annabel Lake proposes a wager. If she wins their card game, he must help save her family’s foundering brewery. But if he wins, she must spend a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy all his plans . . . and unveils the secret Annabel has held for so long. When Jarret discovers the darker reason behind her wager, he forces her into another one—and this time he intends to win not just her body, but her heart.

Review:

I still haven't delved into the gigantic pool that is Historical Romance so I don't have many of these novels under my belt. I also have a anal tendency to read series books in order, hmm who ever heard of that? =) But I accepted the second book in the Hellions of Halstead series thinking "What the heck? Might as well. It sounds good..." I'm happy to report that I very much enjoyed A Hellion in Her Bed.

Annabel Lake is a great heroine. She's extremely clever, witty, sharp, caring, and loyal. The family brewery is going down the drain and Annabel is desperate for help. Her brother is slowly drinking himself away and she has nowhere else to turn. She decides to go to London to seek the help of one of her competitors: Plumtree Brewery. Why Plumtree? Because Plumtree is owned and run by a woman. Annabel knew the woman would treat her as an equal and would actually listen to what she had to say. She had no idea she'd be coming into contact with the owner's grandson instead.

Lord Jarett Sharpe has great distaste for his grandmother's horrid ultimatum for her grandchildren: marry by the end of the year or be disinherited. She agrees to take back said ultimatum if Jarett agrees to run the family brewery for a year without taking huge risks or going wild. Jarett's reputation as a gambler precedes him. And he simply can't resist when a fiesty pixie of a woman comes into his life proposing a wager to help save her own family brewery. Not one to back down from any sort of bet, Jarett ultimately loses against Annabel and is forced into keeping up his end of the bargain: helping out Annabel and Lake Brewery. But nothing goes to plan for anyone as secrets are revealed and passion is ignited between the two.

The marriage part of the story involving Jarett's grandmother and siblings reminds me a lot of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series. I love that series and I have a feeling I will really come to like Hellions of Halstead Hall.  But despite that similarity, A Hellion in Her Bed stood apart from the few historical romances I've read so far. The brewery aspect was very unique and enjoyable. I liked the fact that both Annabel and Jarett had a passion for what they did. Jarett even treated Annabel as an equal and picked up quickly that Annabel knew she was a formidable business-woman.

Jarett is a wounded yet arrogant hero. I like the fact that he is a caring individual and lets it show sometimes especially when he's around his family. But like most heroes, he guards himself very well in front of most people, including his prospective love. His refusal to share anything about himself with Annabel, while understandable, is a bit predictable and selfish. However, Annabel isn't without her own secrets or flaws. I found Annabel a little too empathetic. She really gives up her happiness and her life for the one's she cares about and even though that's respectable and admirable it's a little over the top. Some of her secrets just shouldn't matter to those that care about her and thank god she realizes that in the story. (Otherwise, I'd have to reach in there and shake the woman!)

There is is also a mystery part of the story that really had me intrigued. Jarett's parents were involved in a mysterious and tragic accident and it has produced a lot of scandal for the Sharpe family. That aspect of the story had a lot to do with me wanting to continue with the series. I'm really interested in knowing exactly what went down with Mother and Father Sharpe (don't mind my nicknames)... The grandmother, Hester, is quite the character: wise and sneaky with a sprinkle of "I'm the boss so deal with it" attitude that really makes her a favorite. And of course the siblings get some airtime that really just skim the surface of their personalities. It's all a ploy to suck you into the series, and honestly it worked on me!

I'm definitely going to go back and pick up the first book in the series which is about the eldest Sharpe, Oliver. He doesn't make a huge comeback in this novel because of course his story is already told. But I'm really looking forward to the next book which is about the eldest daughter, Minerva. There was some teasing insight into her personality and of course her prospective love that I can't wait to discover. But at the end of the day A Hellion in Her Bed was filled with witty dialogue, funny interactions, steamy romance, a few annoying moments, and promising characters! Definitely think you should check it out.



Teaser Tuesday [54] - A Hellion In Her Bed

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:

-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
-Please avoid spoilers!

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"I could have told him I can't keep my hands off you." He caught her at the waist, her heightened color inflaming his senses, his need. "I could have said that all I think aobut is swiving you senseless. That I lie awake at night imagining how you would feel beneath me. Would that have satisfied your sense of truth and honor?" (147)*

A Hellion in Her Bed :: Sabrina Jeffries

 

**Find out more about Teaser Tuesday at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/. Join in the fun!**

 
*From Uncorrected Proof

Book Arrivals

----------

For Review:

Just One Taste :: Louisa Edwards 

(August 2010 - St. Martin's Paperbacks)

He has a hungry mind. Bad-boy chef Wes Murphy is dreading his final-semester cooking class-Food Chemistry 101-until he meets the new substitute teacher. Dr. Rosemary Wilkins is a feast for the eyes, though her approach to food is strictly academic. So Wes decides to rattle her Bunsen burner by asking for her hands-on advice-on aphrodisiacs...

She's got love down to a science.
Rosemary is a little wary about working with Wes, whose casual flirtations make her hot under the collar. But once they begin testing the love-enhancing power of chocolate, oysters, and strawberries, it becomes scientifically evident that the brainy science nerd and the boyish chef have some major chemistry together-and it’s delicious...

A Hellion in Her Bed :: Sabrina Jeffries 

(September 2010 - Pocket Star)

Furious at his grandmother’s ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck—and his heart—at the card table against a most unlikely opponent. Mired in scandal after his parents’ mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in him can’t resist when beguiling Annabel Lake proposes a wager. If she wins their card game, he must help save her family’s foundering brewery. But if he wins, she must spend a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy all his plans . . . and unveils the secret Annabel has held for so long. When Jarret discovers the darker reason behind her wager, he forces her into another one—and this time he intends to win not just her body, but her heart.