Rumors that Ruined a Lady by Marguerite Kaye

Title: Rumors that Ruined a Lady
Author: Marguerite Kaye
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Received From: Netgalley

Synopsis: SPOTTED: LONDON'S FAVORITE FALLEN HEIRESS, TAKING UP WITH THE ROGUE MARQUIS!
Amongst the gossip-hungry ton, no name has become more synonymous with sin than that of Lady Caroline Rider, cast out by her husband and disowned by her family. Rumour has it that the infamous Caro is now seeking oblivion in the opium dens of London!
There's only one man who can save her: notorious rake Sebastian Conway, Marquis of Ardhallow. Soon Caro is installed in his country home, warming his bed, but their passion may not be enough to protect them once news of their scandalous arrangement breaks out.

Review:
I love historical romance novels. They are so different from my typical YA reads so they add some variety to my reading schedule. I have read a couple lately that are composed of flashbacks to when the man and woman first met and I really like that style. It shows that these fictional characters go through rough patches even after they get together. Rumors that Ruined a Lady is one such novel.

 Caroline and Sebastian knew each other before the start of the novel and so the book is littered with flashbacks of when they met previous times. Each flashback brings more clarity to their situation and there are just enough to explain everything but not too many that reading it become laborious.

Caroline has been married for about five years when her loser of a husband kicks her out and her dick of a father disowns her (I hate them both). The whole book is basically her getting up the guts to stand up to them and find a way out of her horrible arrangement. And it doesn't hurt that she has a handsome friend in Sebastian. Unlike many other romances I have read there are a lot more painful consequences and at the end of the book we get a resolved ending but there is still some trepidation on what will happen. I kind of liked that semi-open ending though I would not like if all the books I read had them.

I think Rumors that Ruined A Lady is a different look at a historical romance which brings up some thoughts about the marital laws of that time period and how unfair they were.

Romance Review: Wicked in Your Arms: Forgotten Princesses #1 by Sophie Jordan

Title: Wicked in Your Arms: Forgotten Princesses
Author: Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Received From: Library

Synopsis: One of the most notoriously eligible bachelors in Europe is finally ready to marry . . .

For fiercely independent Grier Hadley, being the illegitimate daughter of one of London's most unsavory characters has only one advantage: an enormous, ill-gotten dowry.

Prince Sevastian Maksimi knows where his duty lies: he must find a well-bred young lady—one with a considerable fortune to her name—wed her promptly, and get to the business of producing an heir.

The last thing Grier needs is some unattainable prince curling her toes with his smoldering glances and wicked suggestions. As far as Sev is concerned, she lacks the breeding to become a princess. And yet one kiss from this arresting female is all it takes for him to realize that anyone else in his arms would be unthinkable . . .

Review:
Wicked in Your Arms was the first of Sophie Jordan's adult books I had read. I had read her Firelight (YA) series and really enjoyed it so I decided to give her historical romances a try. I am so glad I did I loved this book and Grier was a fabulous heroine.

I read this book in ebook format and I am glad I did. There were so many passages that I highlighted because they were fantastic and hilarious. Also because I wanted to choose one to share with you so you could get a peek into the banter between Grier and Savastian. I think this passage will convince you to read this book much more than anything I could say.

 "Not that it's any of your concern, but I'm eight and twenty."
He blinked. "You're a bit long in the tooth, aren't you?"
She gasped. "For what? Being alive?"
"For being yet unclaimed."
"Unclaimed? As in unclaimed by a man?"
He nodded once.
"A little archaic, aren't you? I've been busy... haven't gotten around to a man... claiming me yet."
"I see," he murmured, either missing her sarcasm or deliberately ignoring it.
Propping her hands on her hips, she demanded, "And how old are you?"
"It doesn't matter how old I am. I'm a man."
"No, you're a jackass!" she retorted. (58)

 Isn't that dialogue awesome? You want to know what happens next don't you? Wicked in Your Arms is chock full of dialogue just like that. As well as stolen kisses and political intrigue.

One of the main reasons I liked this book so much, besides the dialogue, is Grier herself. She has all these secrets that the reader and Sevastian both have to figure out. She is strong willed and independent and very different from many typical historical romance heroines. Also Sev is sexy.

I think anyone who is a fan of historical romance or who wants to get into reading historical romance should definitely pick up Wicked in Your Arms. It is a real treat!