Waiting on Wednesday #111 - No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished (The Rules of Scoundrels #3) by Sarah MacLean

The third book in New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean’s Rule of Scoundrels/Fallen Angels series featuring four dark heroes that will steal the hearts of their heroines and readers alike!

In NO GOOD DUKE GOES UNPUNISHED, the mysterious Temple is at best an inveterate womanizer who ruined his father’s future duchess, and at worst, a cold-blooded killer who murdered his future stepmother.

No one has seen Mara Lowe since she disappeared from her bedchamber on the morning of her wedding twelve years ago—leaving behind a drunken Temple. Despite vehement claims of innocence, Temple was exiled from society, stripped of his funds and left to survive on his own.

He is the brawn behind the Fallen Angel club, and has given up on ever returning to society, until the missing Mara shows up and begs for his help.

November 26th 2013 by Avon

I just love Sarah MacLean, she's on my author's always-read list.

Book Review: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

Title: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

Series: The Rules of Scoundrels #2

Author: Sarah MacLean

Published January 29th 2013 by Avon

Age: Adult

Lady Philippa Marbury is...odd

The brilliant, bespectacled daughter of a double marquess cares more for books than balls, for science than the season, and for laboratories than love. She's looking forward to marrying her simple fiancé and living out her days quietly with her dogs and her scientific experiments. But before that, Pippa has two weeks to experience all the rest—fourteen days to research the exciting parts of life. It's not much time, and to do it right she needs a guide familiar with London's darker corners.

She needs...a Scoundrel

She needs Cross, the clever, controlled partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, with a carefully crafted reputation for wickedness. But reputations often hide the darkest secrets, and when the unconventional Pippa boldly propositions him, seeking science without emotion, she threatens all he works to protect. He is tempted to give Pippa precisely what she wants . . . but the scoundrel is more than he seems, and it will take every ounce of his willpower to resist giving the lady more than she ever imagined.

Sarah MacLean is one of my favorites historical romance authors and One Good Earl Deserves a Lover  didn't disappointed me.

Lady Philippa 'Pippa' Marbury is definitely odd for her time. She likes to study, she knows things no proper lady should know. But she doesn't know anything about intimacy, and she's getting married in two weeks. So she asks Cross, the ultimate scoundrel, to answer some of her questions...all in the name of science of course.

Cross is one of the partners in London's most exclusive gaming hell, his reputation of wickedness follow him everywhere. But he never expected proper but odd bespectacled Lady Philippa, to ask him about intimacy. She should be asking her next husband, even if that makes his blood boils. Since she doesn't seem to be listening to his request to stop this nonsense, he will make her gamble with him...but of course, he doesn't believe in luck.

What can I say? This book has one of the most sensual scenes where the protagonists doesn't even touch each other. Believe me, I'll never forget it. I think I was flushed all the time I read it. But if that doesn't convince you, the characters are realistic and very unusual. Pippa is extremely intelligent and daring, and Cross, even with his strong character, is very scarred and needs to be saved.

Overall, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover was everything I wanted and expected for an historical romance written by Sarah MacLean. With realistic but original characters, and some very hot moments, I couldn't stop reading. I really can't wait for the next book of this series, No Good Duke Goes Unpunished.

More about this book at Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Waiting on Wednesday #105 - One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels #2) by Sarah MacLean

The second in the incredible new Rules of Scoundrels series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean. Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.

Like any good scientist, Pippa's done her research and Cross's reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion - the experience of ruination without the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it's more than tempting . . . and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts - and giving the lady precisely what she wants.

January 29th 2013 by Avon

I love Sarah MacLean, she's a must read! :)

Book Review: A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Title: A Rogue By Any Other Name

Series: The Rules of Scoundrels #1

Author: Sarah MacLean

Release Date: February 28th, 2012

Publisher: Avon

Age: Adult

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets . . .

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . even her heart.

It's official, Sarah MacLean is my favorite historical romance writer!

Penelope and Bourne were friends when they were young, but Bourne was cast from society, and Penelope eventually had to forget him. But by random chance, they found themselves together after she inherits one of his past proprieties, the one he's going to get even if he has to marry her.

I adored this book. Bourne was yummy and Penelope was fun. It's one of those books where you connect with the characters and understand their motives, and want them to be together forever. Bourne is stubborn and obsessed with revenge, but Penelope has suffered a broken engagement and still believes in love. Their connection was inevitable, and together they were on fire, but they had to overcome Bourne's revenge wish and Penelope's suspicious heart.

A Rogue by Any Other Name is definitely one of those books I'd love to re-read, and of course I'm waiting for the sequel 'One Good Earl Deserves a Lover'. I'm sure Penelope's sisters have a lot more to say, and maybe share their story with Bourne's best friends.

More about this book at  www.macleanspace.com,Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Book Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (Love By Numbers #3) by Sarah MacLean

Title: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

Author: Sarah MacLean

Series: Love by Numbers #3

Release Date: May 1st, 2011

Publisher: Avon

Age: Adult

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

I almost went mad waiting for this book to be released, and when it finally was I just couldn't stop reading it.

Juliana Fiori is Nicholas and Gabriel's sister. She is scandal walking, since their mother had her with another man. Gabriel and his wife Callie have been doing everything they can to make the ton to accept her, but it hasn't been easy. She is impulsive, bold and doesn't understand all the rules of London's society.

I loved Juliana for her very nature. She was kind of like me at her age, very impulsive and passionate. She was strong, but not so strong so she would't be hurt by the gossips and the people who still didn't acknowledged her because of her mother. So when she met Simon, and they instantly liked each other, she hided her identity.

Of course Simon discovered and never wanted to see her again. He doesn't need that kind of scandal, now that his family has his own scandal and it will soon be discovered. But when he found her in his carriage, hurt by another man, he remembered why he can be with her: She is walking scandal and he likes her.

Simon was very arrogant and a jerk in the previous books, so I wasn't sure I was going to like him. It was difficult  because he was the same asshole as this book started but I loved how he was sucked in Juliana's passion. He had his reasons to be scared, but still could't resist her.

Sometimes Simon was too mean with Juliana, but I think Juliana was also very immature sometimes. It was good to see them both grow up and be a better person at the end.

Overall, I absolutely loved Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart. I love all the protagonists from the Love by Numbers series but I think Juliana is my favorite female, just because she was so naughty.

More about this book at macleanspace.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Book Review: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Love By Numbers #2) by Sarah MacLean

Title: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord

Author: Sarah MacLean

Series: Love by Numbers #2

Release Date:

Publisher: Avon

Age: Adult

Since being named one of London’s "Lords to Land" by a popular ladies’ magazine, Nicholas St. John has been relentlessly pursued by every matrimony-minded female in the ton. So when an opportunity to escape fashionable society presents itself, he eagerly jumps—only to land in the path of the most determined, damnably delicious woman he’s ever met!

The daughter of a titled wastrel, Lady Isabel Townsend has too many secrets and too little money. Though used to taking care of herself quite handily, her father’s recent passing has left Isabel at sea and in need of outside help to protect her young brother’s birthright. The sinfully handsome, eminently eligible Lord Nicholas could be the very salvation she seeks.

But the lady must be wary and not do anything reckless...like falling madly, passionately in love.

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord is the second book of the Love by Numbers series, and this time it's Lord Nicholas, Gabriel's brother, the one who falls in love.

Lady Isabel Townsed is without money and a house full of people, including her young brother, the next Earl. I loved Isabel, because she could take care of herself, her brother and all of the other ones who needed her help. She was brave and stubborn, but still very sweet. She would do whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves.

Nicholas was a surprise to me. I liked that I could see him as the sexy lord instead of the sweet brother of the sexy duke. I thought he was going to be sweeter, but I liked the rough past he had and that at the same time he was intellectual.

As in the first book, Sarah MacLean managed to make me feel butterflies while reading their romance. It wasn't as wicked as the first book, but very funny and still was awesome, specially the ending. I repeatedly found myself laughing out loud because of Isabel, who is not the perfect lady.

Overall, I loved it. I'm a fan.

More about this book at macleanspace.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.

Book Review: Nine Rules to Brake when Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1) by Sarah MacLean

Title: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Author: Sarah MacLean

Series: Love by Numbers #1

Release Date: March 30th, 2010

Publisher: Avon

Age: Adult

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried - and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss - to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston - charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all - the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love...

I'm new to historical romance genre but Love by Numbers is already my favorite series. I already read the next two books, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart, I just couldn't wait until I wrote a review. But let's focus on this book...

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell is unmarried. She definitely has the status and the money to be an eligible wife, but she's old and not as beautiful as the others. But now that her little sister is getting married, she feels so unsatisfied waiting for someone to notice her that she wants to do something else in her life. She wants to break the rules.

It has been a while since I loved a female character as Callie. She isn't young and isn't going to be engaged any time soon. She was innocent, insecure, but at the same time brave. She thought very low about herself, but I loved the way she evolved into a full secure woman.

Gabriel is a dream come true. Really, he is sexy and totally the bad boy. I was crazy about him. He is wicked and naughty and when he sees Callie, he just can't believe someone as her is wanting to break the rules. So they make a deal, he will help her does what she wants, while she teaches his sister the rules of London's society.

Sarah MacLean definitely knows how to write romance. I felt excited with their relationship (stomach butterflies and all), it was romantic but with the right amount of sexiness. They are definitely one of my favorite couples, I was desperate for them to be together and was mad every time one of them misinterpreted the other.

Overall, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is an excellent first book for the Love by Numbers series. I just started reading it and couldn't stop. If you are wanting to read historical romance but aren't sure where to start, I recommend it to you.

More about this book at macleanspace.com, Goodreads, Amazon, The Book Depository.