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Here's a guide to the rating system:

Great!  This is a terrific read and well worth the money

Good.  The book isn't perfect, but who is?  Still worth full price.

Passable.  There are some flaws in character and plot.  You might want to try and find this one at a second hand book store.

Below average.  If you have to read this, borrow it from a friend.

Poor.  Don't even waste your time and money

When Esmerelda Fine steps into the Tumbleweed Saloon she's intending to arrest Billy Darling, the man who she thinks killed her younger brother.  After she nearly kills him, she discovers that her brother isn't dead, so she hires the famous gunfighter and tracker to find the boy instead, and insists on coming along of course!  But as the two grow closer there are many obstacles for them to overcome, including her overbearing Duke grandfather and his bank robbing brothers!

What a wonderful book!  I think I've found another favorite author!!  This book is fast-paced, romantic, and exciting.  The characters are fun and well fleshed out.  The only things I didn't like were that Esme forgives her grandfather so quickly, and the reason her parent's died was a bit contrived, but those small things don't keep me from loving this novel.

The Countess
by Catherine Coultier

Actually a rework of one of her first novels, The Autumn Countess, Catherine Coultier weaves a tale of deception.  Andrea's (Andy) Grandfather has just died, leaving her alone in the world.  She enters into a marriage in name only with an older gentleman who offers her the protection that she had with her grandfather.  Unfortunately, Andy falls in love with her new husband's nephew.  Oh yes, someone is also trying to kill her.

This book was pretty good.  For a second release I was disappointed that there were so many typos, but story wise it was interesting and different from your average romance.  First off, it's written in the Gothic style of first person (think Jane Eyre), which makes it interesting, but at the same time makes the description of our heroine fairly sparse.  There are a few problems with the book, but the hero is romantic, the story is different and I have to say I liked it.

In an attempt to avoid rape and/or marriage, Caroline Trent flees the house of her guardian and runs right into the strong arms of Blake Ravenscroft, a spy for the War Department who mistakes her for a traitor.  As he learns the truth, Blake finds that she is even more dangerous to his heart.

Julia!  Bravo yet again.  This one is a must read for those who love "How to Marry a Marquis", in fact you'll see James Rivendale in his days before Elizabeth Hodgekiss, and he does not disappoint!

Brighter Than the Sun
by Julia Quinn

When Charles Wycombe, Earl of Billington,  falls out of a tree and into Ellie Lyndon's life, she isn't expecting love.  They marry for convenience, he to inherit his fortune, she to escape her insufferable stepmother-to-be.  A series of mishaps and dangers plagues their new marriage, but they come to learn that their love is strong enough to overcome.

What a fun book!  Poor Ellie keeps walking into mishap after mishap (none of which are her fault, not that anyone believes her), and things keep happening to prevent the consummation of her marriage.  The characters are likeable, the love scenes are sensual, and this book made me smile.  Bravo!

Brazen Temptress
by Elizabeth Boyle

When pirate queen Maureen Hawthorne is captured by the British Navy and sentenced to hang, she is offered a way out.  Betray the husband who she believes murdered her father.  She accepts and enters into British society to find Julien DeRyes.  She finds him, but also finds the passion that she once felt for him.

This book won a few awards, and it is very exciting!  The heroine is very self-reliant, which is nice to see.  She is totally capable of taking care of herself.  The hero is sexy and passionate.  All and all a good read.

Minx
by Julia Quinn

Henrietta (Henry) is living happily (and wildly) on the estate of her guardian, but when he dies he leaves the whole estate to a distant cousin, Dunford.  Henry does her best to convince Dunford to go away, but he won't.  He decides to take her back to London and make her into a lady.  She goes unwillingly, and he falls in love.

This is a great read.  Julia Quinn's dialogue is funny and engaging and the characters are enchanting.  An added bonus is that if you have read Dancing at Midnight or Splendid, you will see characters from those books make an appearance here!

How to Marry a Marquis
by Julia Quinn

Elizabeth is the companion of the feisty Lady Danbury.  She is trying to make all her ends meet so she can continue to take care of her younger siblings.  She finds a book called "How to Marry a Marquis" and decides to test out its merit on the new estate manager, James.  However, there is much more to James than meets the eye. Elizabeth and James soon realize that they are both in over their heads when it comes to love.

Another great Julia Quinn read!  This lady knows how to write characters and dialogue.  As you can probably tell, she's my favorite so far!  There are some terrific scenes in this book, both romantically and as far as humor goes!  I highly recommend it!

Heather and Velvet
by Teresa Medeiros

Prudence Walker is an orphan living with her less-than- chaste aunt.  A chance encounter with a famous Scottish highwayman leaves her breathless, until he walks into her aunt's house as her new fiancé.  Now Prudence holds the key to his life, and his heart.  Will she reveal his dangerous secret, or keep quiet?

This book started off a little slow for my taste, but it quickly picked up.  There are a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which makes this an interesting story.  There's also a very satisfying happy ending!

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