Emma Greyson is a ladies companion who has just been accused of murder. Lucky for her, Edison Stokes will give her an alibi, but it's in his bed.  AND, to top things off, now he's telling people that they're engaged.  Quickly, Emma becomes entangled in Edison's world, with strange Eastern philosophies, danger, and murder. As the two grow closer to solving all the riddles, they also grow closer to each other, but is it wise to fall in love with your employer?

I rather liked this one!  Poor Emma is constantly after her promised reference and trying to find the ship she invested in.  Edison doesn't want to let her go and can't understand why on earth not.  She's only a pile of trouble!  But the romance between them is sometimes overshadowed by the mystery.  However, I still give it:

Lord Jackson Rushford is looking for the piece of Celtic Silver that will lead him to a mine worth more than anything in his dreams.  Mairey Faelyn is also looking for the treasure, but it's to destroy it and protect the land that lays above the mine.  The two meet and Mairey is forced into helping Jack.  But as their feelings grow, will she be able to tell him that she's been deceiving him all along?

Mairey is a sweet character with a fun family, and Jack is the sexy dragon of any girl's dreams.  Together they have chemistry, humor, and love.  A good read!

The Brazen Angel is a woman who uses her sensual charms to seduce men out of their fortunes.  Giles Corliss, Lord of Trahern, is sworn to catch her and avenge the friend he believes she betrayed.  What he doesn't know is that the "sickly" fiancée his father betrothed him to, Sophia D'Artiers, is the woman he seeks.  The woman who can lead him over the brink of desire and the edge of danger.

I had read the third in the "Brazen" series first, and I have to say I liked this one much more.  The two lead characters are well matched, Sophia is no pushover, and Giles has a hard time letting go of the fact that she doesn't need her protection.  I thought the love relationship between the two was developed at nice pace and quite believable.  The action is high, the romance is sexy, and the ending is very satisfying.

Daphne Bridgerton meets "Devastating Duke" Simon Bassett and the two concoct a scheme to avoid Ambitious Mamas and overly friendly suitors.  They decide to pretend to be courting.  The scheme works... overly well, for Daphne begins to fall in love, and the Duke begins to wonder if his pledge never to marry or love is one he can really keep with Daphne and her family around.

Wow!  I didn't think Ms. Quinn could top HOW TO MARRY A MARQUIS, but she has.  This romance is so special and wonderful that it will have you laughing and crying and rooting for Daff and Simon with all your heart. Simon has to be one of the best heroes of all time, good and true and devastating and... flawed.  Daphne's family, complete with three protective older brothers, is a hoot and I can't wait to read more about them in Ms. Quinn's next two books.  A fun romp that will leave you dreaming about it.  I'd give it six hearts but since I haven't set my system up that way I'll just give it:

+++

Willow has spent most of her life looking after the bratty children of her stepmother.  Her father allows her to be treated with little regard, and she can't take it anymore.  So when the steward of Lord Banner the Bold comes and offers her marriage to the brave knight, she jumps at the chance, not realizing the man wants a homely bride to take care of his children.  Far from what Willow is, he decides to spurn her in an effort to drive her away.  Instead she joins up with his band of children to make him see her for what she is.

Teresa Medeiros is quickly becoming one of my favorites!  This novel was such a fast and fun read, I got through the 342 pages in about three hours!  Willow is a great character, and the way she starts a war on Bannor with the children... funny!  And then there's Bannor himself who's the epitome of the dark, handsome hero with the hidden heart of gold!  Fun book!