Jane Steele: Revisited

G.P. Putnam's Sons

Jane Steele

Lyndsay Faye

2016

The Summary
"A sensitive orphan, Jane Steele suffers first at the hands of her spiteful aunt and predatory cousin, then at a grim school where she fights for her very life until escaping to London, leaving the corpses of her tormentors behind her. After years of hiding from the law while penning macabre “last confessions” of the recently hanged, Jane thrills at discovering an advertisement. Her aunt has died and her childhood home has a new master: Mr. Charles Thornfield, who seeks a governess.

"Burning to know whether she is in fact the rightful heir, Jane takes the position incognito and learns that Highgate House is full of marvelously strange new residents--the fascinating but caustic Mr. Thornfield, an army doctor returned from the Sikh Wars, and the gracious Sikh butler Mr. Sardar Singh, whose history with Mr. Thornfield appears far deeper and darker than they pretend. As Jane catches ominous glimpses of the pair’s violent history and falls in love with the gruffly tragic Mr. Thornfield, she faces a terrible dilemma: Can she possess him--body, soul, and secrets--without revealing her own murderous past? 

"A satirical romance about identity, guilt, goodness, and the nature of lies, by a writer who Matthew Pearl calls 'superstar-caliber' and whose previous works Gillian Flynn declared 'spectacular,' Jane Steele is a brilliant and deeply absorbing book inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s classic Jane Eyre."

The Good
Not so very long ago, I actually picked up the advanced readers copy of Jane Steele and read it within a couple of days.  More recently, I found the audiobook of Lyndsay Faye's novel and, I have to say, I wasn't disappointed.  I enjoyed rereading Jane Steele and I found I liked the story just as much the second time around.

Susie Riddell does a pretty great job as narrator.  I liked the way she told Jane's story, the cadence and tone of her voice that created a character who felt real.  It was enjoyable, and I found myself finding new facets of the story to appreciate and admire.

Overall, it's a great audiobook.  Short and, while it's definitely not sweet, fun, Jane Steele is an excellent choice for any reader seeking an off-kilter romance or a deeply twisted take on a classic.  However, I will say I enjoyed reading the book more than listening to the audiobook.  For some reason, I just appreciated the feeling of the book in my hands than the earbuds in my ears as I listened to Jane's story.

But that's more personal preference than anything.

The Bad
Honestly, I had a few moments where I became annoyed by the accents.  Don't get me wrong, Susie Riddell does a great job of reading Jane Steele; however, I was always a little annoyed by Thornfield's voice.  It wasn't awful, but it did take me a little longer to acclimate to his character than usual.

Likewise, I never did warm up to Rebecca's voice.  She had a softness to her voice, a sort of whiny sound that I just didn't like.  Confidentially, I was glad when I moved beyond her story and found myself strictly accompanying Jane.

The Ugly
Blood and gore.

Jane, as she warns readers in the first pages of her "memoir," is a murderess.  She's not a gentle, tame individual like the Jane we know from Jane Eyre; rather, she's a rambunctious, foul-mouthed young woman who knows her way around a knife.  She's deadly and she can prove it, too.

The Help: Revisited

Berkley Publishing Group

The Help
Kathryn Stockett
2009

The Summary
"Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step...

"Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, raising her seventeenth white child.  She's always taken orders quietly, but lately it leaves her with a bitterness she can no longer bite back.  Her friend Minny has certainly never held her tongue, or held on to a job for very long, but now she's working for a newcomer with secrets that leave her speechless.  And white socialite Skeeter has just returned from college with ambition and a degree but, to her mother's lament, no husband.  Normally Skeeter would find solace in Constantine, the beloved maid who raised her, but Constantine has inexplicably disappeared.

"Together, these seemingly different women join to work on a project that could forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town--to write, in secret, a tell-all book about what it's really like to work as a black maid in the white homes of the South.  Despite the terrible risks they will have to take, and the sometimes humorous boundaries they will have to cross, these three women unite with one intention:  hope for a better day."

The Good
I finished reading The Help a few years ago and, during July, I decided to join my local book club in reading it again--and I'm so glad I did.  The Help is as incredible to me now as it was to me the first time I read it.  I picked up different nuances and I noticed I related to different experiences this time around, especially where Skeeter is concerned; however, I think I love it just as much now, if not more, as I did then.

Incredibly compelling and soundly written, The Help is poignant and heart-wrenching novel that kept me glued to the pages.  I enjoyed meeting Skeeter, Aibileen, and Minnie; I especially enjoyed seeing how these ladies from distant social classes and experiences managed to create a book that is surely extraordinary.

And, as terrible as some of their stories veered, as heart-breaking as their histories are, I loved reading about them.  Their stories are compelling and beautiful, real and raw and, simply put, amazing.  I loved reading it, and I loved feeling connected to them.

Although Aibileen is still my favorite character, simply because she is an extraordinary woman, I found I connected more deeply with Skeeter during this second reading.  Having graduated from college since my first reading of The Help, I found I related more to Skeeter this time than I did the last.  That is, I recognize Skeeter's drive to do more with her life, yet she teeters between wanting to live her life--wanting to become an author--and hanging on to her family and struggling with the general expectations of Southern society.

It was a bit unexpected, maybe even a little jarring, to learn I see so much of myself and my personal experiences in Skeeter.  Although I was surprised by my connection to Skeeter, I don't think this detracted from the story in any way.  Rather, I found myself becoming more invested in the overall story and I certainly felt it more deeply.

I fully enjoyed rereading The Help.

The Bad
The Help is frequently written with a heavy emphasis on dialect and accent.  If you're not familiar with the region or it's verbal quirks, it might prove a little difficult to read.  On the other hand, if you're a Southerner or if you've ever lived in the South, reading this novel will be a piece of cake.

The Ugly
Racism.

The Bridegroom Wore Plaid

Sourcebooks Casablanca

The Bridegroom Wore Plaid
Grace Burrowes
2012

The Summary
"His family or his heart--one of them will be betrayed...

"Ian MacGregor is wooing a woman who is wrong for him in every way.  As the new Earl of Balfour, though, he must marry an English Heiress to repair the family fortunes.

"But in his intended's penniless chaperone, Augusta, Ian is finding everything he's ever wanted in a wife."

The Good
I'll be honest, Grace Burrowes is quickly become one of my favorite romance authors.  I've read several of her novels, but, I think, The Bridegroom Wore Plaid has quickly become my favorite.  Not only was I presented with strong heroes, clever heroines, and romance, but I found a fantastically well written novel riddled with little historical details that made it both believable and incredibly satisfying.

Personally, I loved Augusta and Ian as both individuals and as a couple.  Augusta, though quiet and reclusive, is thoughtful and clever and, if we're being honest, incredibly brave.  Although she suffers unspeakable loss, losing her father, her mother, her fiance, and her home within a year, she doesn't allow her situation to define who she is or keep her down.  She manages to make the best of bad circumstances, even when they seem dire.

Ian is pragmatic, honorable, and considerate.  He loves his family and he loves his home, and he'll do anything to keep them safe--even if it means marrying a woman he doesn't love.  Yet when he does find a woman he loves (Augusta, if that wasn't obvious), he cherishes her.  Although he can't dote upon her publicly, due to their precarious positions, he treats her kindly and he is openly honest with her, creating an intimacy between them that is both fragile and precious.

Their relationship is anything but practical, and yet their happily ever after is that much sweeter for the adversity they must overcome.  It's incredibly sweet and terrifically real, and I absolutely loved it.  I quickly became invested in the characters and their story, and I'm so glad I picked up another of Grace Burrowes' novels.  I highly recommend anything she writes.

The Bad
No complaints.  I enjoyed The Bridegroom Wore Plaid immensely, and I wouldn't mind reading it again or diving into the rest of the series.

The Ugly
Augusta's uncle, remembered by me as simply "The Baron," was an awful, horrible person.  Not to ruin any plot twists, but he's quite literally the cause of all of Augusta's sorrows--and more besides.  He is, without a doubt, the most despicable character in the entire book and I wasn't particularly saddened (or surprised) by his comeuppance.

The Trouble with Dukes

Forever

The Trouble with Dukes
Grace Burrowes
2016

The Summary
"USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes brings us the first book in her new Windham bride series!  The gossips whisper that Hamish MacHugh, the new Duke of Murdoch, is a brute, a murderer, and even worse--a Scot.  But Megan Windham sees something different, someone different.  She isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own.  For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart."

The Good
The Trouble with Dukes is lovely, light reading for an evening.  It's amusing, witty, fun and sweet, and it's a nice novel to read when you want to unwind and believe that all is well with the world.

Personally, I enjoyed Burrowes' book.  While I wasn't fond of the incredibly embarrassing situations in which Megan and Hamish seemed to continually find themselves stuck, I found I liked the characters and I liked the story.  Megan is a bright young woman and Hamish, despite his brutish exterior, is a genuinely nice man who cares for his younger siblings.  I liked them both, and I enjoyed watching their lives and stories intersect.

More importantly, I liked that Hamish wasn't your traditional knight-in-shining-armor.  He sees the strength and ingenuity of Megan, he respects her for her capabilities; however, he'll rescue her in a heartbeat should the need arise.  He doesn't seem to treat her like a damsel-in-distress, which I appreciated, but he's more than willing to act as a rescuer.

Overall, I liked reading The Trouble with Dukes.  Romance novels are my guilty pleasure, as you probably know, and The Trouble with Dukes was a nice respite from some of the drearier things I've read.  Plus, I enjoyed meeting Megan and Hamish and watching their unfolding adventure, their budding romance.

It's nice to pick up a book and just know there's going to be a happily-ever-after.

The Bad
It's not the best book by Grace Burrowes that I've ever read (I've reserved that honor for The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, a historical romance from another series); however, I can't say I've read anything bad by Burrowes.  Like I said, it's a nice book.  Not great, but it's worth spending an evening with The Trouble with Dukes.

The Ugly
I despised Sir Fletcher.  Honestly, I (like Megan) found Hamish less terrifying than Sir Fletcher, despite his dark reputation as the "Duke of Murder."  Hamish is a warrior, an honorable one at that, and he's a survivor; Fletcher is a conniving, blackmailing rat who isn't above tormenting young women or stepping on others to get what he wants.

I hated him.

The Last Renegade

Berkley Sensational

The Last Renegade
Jo Goodman
2012

The Summary
"As the owner of the Pennyroyal Saloon and Hotel, Lorraine Berry is privy to almost everything that goes on in Bitter Springs, Wyoming--including the bloodshed plaguing its citizens.  With all of the good men dying at the hands of a local rancher and his three sons, Raine hires a shootist to be the town's protector.  But her handsome new employee is more than a hired hand; he's a man who keeps his guns close and his secrets closer.

"After a chance encounter on the train, Kellen Coltrane travels to the Pennyroyal to carry out a dying man's last wish.  But once he meets the hotel's fiery-haired proprietor, Coltrane finds himself assuming the role of the shootist's accomplice and agrees to protect Bitter Springs.  And as he learns more about Raine's own tragedy, Coltrane can't deny his growing desire for the courageous widow, or the urge to protect her from the threat that draws near..."

The Good
Jo Goodman's novel is a western through and through.  It feels like an old western movie:  dashing heroes, fiery heroines, bad guys and good guys, gunfights and outlaws.  After reading so many historical romances set during the Victorian age or the Regency, The Last Renegade was a breath of fresh air.  It was nice to change things up.

Overall, The Last Renegade was a pretty good book.  I can't say I liked the relationship between Kellen and Lorraine.  Don't get me wrong, I was rooting for them to be together; however, after realizing she divulges her entire past to him, I kind of wish he'd offered her the same courtesy and, you know, remained honest with her.  I suppose I can see why he couldn't, but it bothered me a little.  (Personal problem, not a problem with the book, I know.)

I found I enjoyed my visit to Bitter Springs, Wyoming.  It's a quintessential outlaw western:  you have a powerful family that's trying to seize control of the town; a sassy, headstrong lady out for revenge; and a devastatingly handsome gunslinger out to protect a town he's grown to like (more or less).

It's interesting and it's familiar; that is, it's almost comforting.  Bad things might happen in Westerns--there are outlaws, there are murderers, there are bad people in the world--but you get the sense that everything, eventually, will turn out alright.

Besides which, I really liked the Collins family.  They were only secondary characters, but I absolutely adored Mr. Collins' grandsons, Finn and Rabbit.  They're troublesome, they're wily, they're honestly enough to give someone gray hair, but they're good kids and I really like them.  (They're also one of the reasons the mystery as solved in the first place.)

The Bad
Kellen plays his cards carefully, keeping them close to the vest; sometimes, to the detriment of everyone else--well, more accurately, readers.  I sometimes struggled to stay on top of Kellen's plans.  I mean, he obviously didn't share all his plans and ideas with Lorraine; likewise, he doesn't always make them apparent to readers.

He's very secretive and he doesn't tell you outright what he plans to do.  I had an inkling of what would happen, but, honestly, I was wrong just as often as I was right.  Although The Last Renegade did make me realize something about myself:  I'm good at predicting plot points, but I'm very bad at solving mysteries.

The Ugly
Rape.

Will's True Wish

Will's True Wish

Grace Burrowes

2016

The Summary

"It's a dog's life...

"Will Dorning, as an earl's spare, has accepted the thankless duty of managing his rambunctious younger siblings, though Will's only true companions are the dogs he's treasured since boyhood.  When aristocratic London is plagued with a series of dognappings, Will's brothers are convinced that he's the only person who can save the stolen canines from an awful fate.

"But the lady's choice...

"Shy, bookish Lady Susannah Haddonfield has no patience with loud, smelly beasts of any species, but must appear to like dogs so as not to offend her sister's only marital prospect.  Susannah turns to will, an acquaintance from her most awkward adolescent years, to teach her how to impersonate a dog fancier.  Will has long admired Susannah, though he lacks the means to offer for her.  Yet as they work together to rescue the purloined pets, it's loyal, dashing Will who steals Susannah's heart."

The Good
Will's True Wish is a cute, little romance.  It's fluffy and, sometimes, saccharine sweet, but it's adorable and lovely--and it has dogs.  (I'm always a big fan of dogs.)  But, then again, I've loved reading Grace Burrowes for years.  Her novels are always so well written, and Will's True Wish is no different.

I like Burrowes work immensely, because she always surprises me a little.  She takes pains to provide historical accuracy, she makes an effort to convey vocal quirks and accents, and she creates believable relationships between characters.  Not to mention, I'm always impressed by how her romantic characters always maintain the utmost respect, admiration, and affection for each other.

For instance, in Will's True Wish, Will obvious respects Susannah.  He tries to be a proper gentleman and, even when he's not, he still treats Susannah with respect.  He loves her.  Even when she might act hastily or put herself in danger, he loves her and he admires her tenacity, her bravery, and her loyalty.  He truly cares about her and, even though he might not be financially comfortable enough for marriage, he's going to find a way around any difficulty to make her his wife.

It's sweet, and it's charming.  I mean, Will loves her and he's making a real effort.  Granted, they're relationship isn't perfect (no relationship is); however, they're trying.  There's a real affection between them, and they seem to respect each other enough that they're willing to take pains to ensure their loved one is cared for.

If you hadn't guessed, I enjoyed it.  Thus far, I've enjoyed all the romance novels I've read by Grace Burrowes and I can't wait to read more.

The Bad
I didn't always enjoy the tone; more accurately, I didn't like the way it sounded.  It's very proper, very polished, and it didn't always come across well in my own mind as I read.  Admittedly, it did sometimes get a little boring.  I liked the way Burrowes incorporated historical detail, using common slang and verbiage for the time; however, I found it also left me a little lost.

The Ugly
Effington.

Ruroni Kenshin (Volume 3)

Viz Media

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 3)
Nobuhiro Watsuki

2004

The Summary

"'Spider's Web'...like ordinary opium, but better processed.  Half the cost to produce, but twice the profits!  To the people of Aizu, Takani Megumi was a daughter in a famous family of doctors, in which everyone--women and children alike--studied medicine.  But to grasping industrialist Takeda Kanryu, she is the hen who lays the golden egg--the only one who knows the Spider's Web formula!  To stay with Kanryu is to send even more to their deaths.  But to stay with Kenshin and the others is to invite theirs..."

The Good
Although I'm not as big a fan of the third volume as I am the second one, I was excited to meet the Oniwabanshu again.  There's something about the Oniwabanshu--about how they're just a small pocket of resistance against the tide of Meiji progress--that I like.

The Bad
I'm not sure why, but I just didn't like this volume as much as I did the previous one.  I like the Oniwabanshu and, personally, I love Aoshi.  He's one of my favorite characters, because he's not actually that bad of a guy, he's more of a complicated anti-hero; however, I don't like the Takani Megumi story arc.

For some reason, it's just not that appealing to me.

The Ugly
As always, blood.  Lots and lots of blood.

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 2)

Viz Media

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 2)
Nobuhiro Watsuki
2003

The Summary
"When the chief of the Police Sword Corps himself comes asking for favors, things must be bad.  Hitokiri Udo Jin-e--a black-hatted, crazy-eyed slayer who fells both targets and innocent bystanders alike--is steadily working his way through a list of former Ishin Shishi patriots now ensconced within positions of power in the Meiji government.  Can Kenshin withstand the hypnotic, paralyzing effect of Jin-e...?"

The Good
I found that the second volume of Rurouni Kenshin was equally enjoyable.  Not only has the art improved, it's still just as easy to become engrossed in the story; moreover, it has one of my favorite stories.

You see, in the first volume, you have the chance to see Kenshin as a warrior.  He's obviously impressive with his sakabato; however, he's still Kenshin.  Readers see glimpses of his previous personality, like a hint of viciousness that he very rarely betrays, but it's not until his confrontation with Udo Jin-e that you see him as the hitokiri he once was.

There's something thrilling about seeing Kenshin fight and fight well against someone who is, confidentially, quite terrifying.  I kind of like seeing the hitokiri side of Kenshin, but I also think I like that he's able to pull himself from the brink and resume his happy-go-lucky facade.  I think it makes him a better, more complex character.

The Bad
No complaints.  Besides the seventh volume, where we get to meet Saito Hajime, I think it's one of my favorites.

The Ugly
Blood.

Udo Jin-e is vicious.

Ruroni Kenshin (Volume 1)

Viz Media

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 1)
Nobuhiro Watsuki
2003

The Summary
"140 years ago in Kyoto, with the coming of the American 'Black Ships,' there arose a warrior who, felling men with his bloodstained blade, gained the name Hitokiri, man slayer!  His killer blade helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progressive age known as Meiji.  Then he vanished, and with the flow of years, became legend.

"In the 11th year of Meiji, in the middle of Tokyo, this tale begins...."

The Good
I originally watched the anime, before I picked up the first volume of Rurouni Kenshin and, honestly, it's been some time since I last read it; however, I was glad to sink back into Meiji era Tokyo and reacquaint myself with Himura Kenshin.  Jumping back into the graphic novel wasn't as difficult as I imagined.  The manga reads right to left, but it only took me a few minutes to reorient myself and I was happily plodding through the story.

I'm pleased I still enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin.  I mean, I didn't always understand the humor (of course, I never understood the humor when I first read it either), but I enjoyed returning to Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanoske, and everyone else.  There was a bit nostalgia there, because I remember devouring this series when I first read it; however, I found I still enjoyed it.

I like the action balanced by moments of silliness; I like the dueling kindness and ferocity of Kenshin; I even like Yahiko and Kaoru's arguments.  I find it fun to read and I enjoy it with the same enthusiasm I once did.  It's absurd, yes, but it's fascinating at the same time.  It offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and, as it's an area with which I'm unfamiliar, it's very insightful.

More to the point, as an adult, I find that I like reading the side notes Nobuhiro peppers throughout his narrative.  I once skimmed through the commentary, because I thought it was boring, but, now, I enjoy reading the "Secret Life of Characters" and finding out the different inspirations for Rurouni Kenshin.

Likewise, reading the series ago allows me to notice details I didn't catch in previous readings.  It has been literal years since I read Rurouni Kenshin, so it's nice to know I still remember the story; however, it's also interesting to see the small details I missed and the sudden clarity I have about earlier details that I hold from reading later volumes.  I know more about Kenshin now than I did then, which means it's a completely different experience to read the earliest volumes.

The Bad
Like I mentioned, I'm not sure I understand the humor in Rurouni Kenshin.  Some things are funny, some things are not.  It's kind of an acquired taste, I think, but it's pretty easy to acclimate.

One thing I have noticed since returning to the earlier volumes is how different the artwork looks to me now.  I mean, the earlier panels have thick, heavy lines in comparison to the lighter, thinner shapes of later volumes.  You can tell Nobuhiro's earlier work; that is, it shows in the heaviness of light and shadow, the proliferation of lines, the heavier details.  It's quite different from the last volume.

The Ugly
Violence.

Kenshin isn't a killer.  He vows never to kill again and he carries a sakabato, a reverse-edged sword; however, that doesn't mean he can't injure, wound, and potentially maim.  Moreover, some people don't have the same qualms as Kenshin and they won't hesitate to hurt others.

The Prince and I

Pocket Books

The Prince and I
Karen Hawkins
2015

The Summary
"Spirited Murian MacDonald seeks vengeance against the evil earl who's stolen Rowallen Castle from her family.  With a band of loyal retainers, she waylays the earl's wealthy London guests, trying to lure the earl and his guards into pursuit so she can sneak into the castle for evidence of his misdeeds.

"Murian's plan is working splendidly until she stops the coach of Gregori Maksim Romanovin, the commanding prince of Oxenburg, who is in Scotland on an important diplomatic mission.  Max challenges the masked highwayman to a duel and is furious when Murian not only bests him, but escapes!  Max vows to find the tempting Scottish vixen, no matter the cost.

"When Max discovers Murian's lair and hears her story, he resolves to assist her--whether she likes it or not--and a royal battle blazes.  But when Murian is betrayed, Max must choose between the strict dictates of his mission, or protecting the red-haired lass who has stolen his once-cold heart."

The Good
I rather liked The Prince and I.

It was a curious blending of romance and Robin Hood, and I enjoyed it.  Max is the quintessential hero:  dark, brooding, capable, confident--not to mention he's a prince.  Murian, on the other hand, is anything but a damsel in distress:  she's calm, competent, hard-working, and surprisingly agile with a blade.  She's been dealt a terrible hand, having not only lost her husband but her home, but she's making the best of her situation.

However, I think my favorite character was Max's grandmother, Grand Duchess Natasha Nikolaevna.

The Grand Duchess was, by far, the most comical character and, I think, the most knowledgeable.  She doesn't care how other perceive her; rather, she likes being considered a witch.  (It's why she most often threatens to turn others into goats and frogs.  She much prefers infamy to anonymity.)  Moreover, she's often in the thick of trouble, one way or another, and she somehow manages to turn circumstances exactly how she wants them.

This last quality makes me think that she's not the doddering old witch she likes her grandson to think.  Natasha is wily, not senile; in fact, she strikes me as being preternaturally intelligent.  For instance, if she hadn't lost in a card game to the earl, they never would have traveled to Scotland--Max would never have met Murian; Max never would have gotten involved in the earl's business and discovered what he did.

Honestly, Natasha is the force that propels the story forward.  She's the one who helps to shape it and, while she may seem laughably naive or even foolish, I have this feeling she's not.  I have this odd feeling that she knows exactly what she's doing, that she has calculated every move to her--and, by proxy, her grandson's--benefit.

The Bad
The Prince and I is a fine novel.  It's not great, it's not an immediate classic; however, it's not a terrible romance either.  It falls somewhere in between:  not quite fantastic, but enjoyable nevertheless.

The Ugly
The earl--and I can't remember his name to save my life, now--is a terrible character.  He's just a horrible person in general, and I really grew to hate him.  Not only does he manipulate, lie, and cheat, he's quite probably a murderer to boot; however, he was a forgettable sort of evil.  He's a bit of a caricature:  evil and spiteful enough as to be unbelievable.

I suppose it says something that I don't remember his name anymore.

The Highwayman

The Highwayman
Kerrigan Byrne
2015

The Summary
"Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain.  Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London's wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who've wronged him...and will fight to the death to seize what he wants.  The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception--and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands...

"But Farah is no one's puppet.  She possesses a powerful secret, one that threatens her very life.  When being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition:  marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies.  But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both.  Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he'd long thought dead?"

The Good
I can only think of one word for this book:  scandalous.

It's interesting, but it's very scandalous and, for the most part, I enjoyed the scandal.  It's a dark, thrilling ride through the seamy underbelly of London, and I rather liked it.  However, I'll be honest, I think I was mostly hooked on finding out the identity of Dorian.  He's not quite who he says he is, and I wanted to find out if my suspicions were correct.

The Bad
While I mostly enjoyed The Highwayman, I was really bothered by Dorian and Farah's relationship (if it can even be called that).  Here's the thing:  he's a violent, damaged man--and he lives in fear of hurting those about whom he cares, Farah being first and foremost on his list.  Farah is his fairy, and he'd do anything to protect.  And yet he compels her to marry him?

Don't get me wrong, I can see how he can offer her protection that no other man can.  He has wealth and power, not just physical strength (although he apparently has that in abundance, as well), and he has an intimate knowledge of human misdeeds.  He knows how the darker side of human nature operates and he knows exactly what to do to stop anyone who would try to do harm to Farah.

However, I don't think forcing her into an unwanted marriage is how to best do that.

Let's just be honest, it doesn't make sense.  Their whole relationship doesn't make sense; in particular, his logic doesn't make sense.  Then again, for a guy who spent years in some of the most brutal prisons in England, I suppose he's not that bad.

The Ugly
This book is so explicit--and I'm not just talking about the more intimate moments between Dorian and Farah.  Dorian endures a lot of bad things, traumatic things that have shaped him and changed him, not necessarily for the better.  It really hurts to think about all the terrible wounds inflicted on him, especially when he goes into some detail about it.

The Highwayman is not a book for the faint of heart.

Talk Sweetly to Me

Talk Sweetly to Me
Courtney Milan
2014

The Summary
"Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way.  She's a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper's daughter who dreams of the stars.  Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal.  She'll take obscurity, thank you very much.

"All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is.  He's an infamous advice columnist and a known rake.  When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he's also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome.  But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn't just a scandal waiting to happen.  He's waiting to happen to her...and if she's not careful, she'll give in to certain ruination."

The Good
Talk Sweetly to Me is short and sweet and very cute.  It's a nice little end cap to Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister series.  I loved the way Stephen treated Rose, how he showed his affection by encouraging her interests and going the extra mile simply to make her happy.  It was heart-warming, and I know I sighed happily when I finished reading.

Likewise, I was fascinated by Rose and by the history Milan incorporated into her novella.  Personally, I would have liked to have learned a little more about Rose and her family.  I would have liked to have known a little more about how her brother-in-law became the first black doctor in England, how her family arrived in London, how she became a "computer" and started calculating huge sums in her head.

However, I was very impressed by the work the author put into make the work historically accurate.  Milan made a point of incorporating scientific discoveries specific to that time and she even based Rose on a real person:  Shakuntala Devi.

According to the author's note:

"Shakuntala Devi...was known as the human computer for her ability to calculate complex cube roots in her head in a matter of seconds.  Her roots were modest--her father was a circus performer--but not only was she a mathematical genius, she also wrote cookbooks, nonfiction on homosexuality, nonfiction on learning mathematics, and novels (many of these are available as ebooks today).  She even ran for office."

I was fascinated, so, of course, I had to read more about Shakuntala Devi and discover what an amazing woman she was.  Truthfully, I'm always a little surprised by the historical accuracy of Courtney Milan's books and I always come away learning something new, some new fact or piece of history I never knew.  It's always worth reading the author's note in the Brothers Sinister series for this reason alone.

The Bad
Although I love the series as a whole and I enjoyed reading Talk Sweetly to Me, I didn't have as much fun with this one as the others.  Like The Suffragette Scandal, Talk Sweetly to Me felt a little more rushed, like it was wrapping up some final details, and I personally didn't feel as connected to characters.

Rose Sweetly was an intriguing character, and I would have loved to have learned more about her and her life; however, I'd met Stephen Shaughnessy in the last novel and I wasn't as attached to him as I was to Minerva and Robert (The Duchess War) or Violet and Sebastian (The Countess Conspiracy).  It's a sweet, little novella, and it's worth reading to round out the series, but, honestly, it wasn't a necessary thing for me.

I didn't have to read it.  In fact, if I'd never read it, I don't think I would have suffered much.

The Ugly
Explicit material.

However, I was more offended by the way Rose and her sister--her pregnant sister--were treated by the the local doctor.  I realize his attitudes were a product of the time, but I was irritated with him and his cavalier attitude toward his patient's health.  I mean, he really didn't care--and it was all because of the color of their skin.

The Suffragette Scandal

Courtney Milan

The Suffragette Scandal
Courtney Milan
2014

The Summary
"Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall has put her heart and soul into her newspaper, known for its outspoken support of women's rights.  Naturally, her enemies are intent on destroying her business and silencing her for good.  Free refuses to be at the end of her rope...but she needs more rope, and she needs it now.

"Edward Clark's aristocratic family abandoned him to die in a war-torn land, so he survived the only way he could:  by becoming a rogue and a first-class forger.  When the same family that left him for dead vows to ruin Miss Marshall, he offers his help.  So what if he has to lie to her?  She's only a pawn to use in his revenge.

"But the irrepressible Miss Marshall soon enchants Edward.  By the time he realizes that his cynical heart is hers, it's too late.  The only way to thwart her enemies is to reveal his scandalous past...and once the woman he loves realizes how much he's lied to her, he'll lose her forever."

The Good
Free is independent, intelligent, and impetuous.  She won't take no for an answer, and she won't back down from a challenge.  Edward, on the other hand, is the tall, dark and handsome cliche personified.  He's dangerous, more so than anyone realizes, and yet he harbors a genuine affection for Free--and he's willing to risk everything to protect her.

Overall, it's a good story.  Free has a lovely sense of humor, and I loved the dynamic between her and Edward.  They're misfits in society, who have managed to find one another and do the impossible:  fall in love.

It's sweet and amusing, and it does a decent job of rounding out the series to which I've dedicated so much time.  Moreover, I was rather excited to see all the characters that I'd come to know and love throughout the series.  It was nice seeing everyone again, including Hugo and Serena.

The Bad
I have two complaints about The Suffragette Scandal:  one, I didn't like the portrayal of Oliver, Free's brother; two, I didn't like the way that this novel felt like it was tacked on to the end of the series.

Throughout the Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan, I've had a certain amount of respect for the male characters.  In a way, they have managed to conquer their personal demons and they have made successful lives for themselves, including Oliver.  Granted, I know Free has always had a blatant disregard for her brother's reputation and attitudes; however, I was a little bothered by the way Oliver--as well as Sebastian and Robert--were portrayed.

Free seems to think they're all stuffy and archaic, which they might be given her more radical (for the time) tendencies, but Edward just seems to kick them down a notch.  Oliver, for instance, seems too stiff and practical in comparison.  More to the point, Edward seems to openly mock the camaraderie of the men involved in the "Brothers Sinister."

That is, I've grown to view the "brothers" as a sort of family.  They build their relationships out of necessity, attempting to balance out the more damaging influences in their lives.  They--Sebastian, Robert, Violet, and Oliver--are all very close for it.  I appreciated their humor and I appreciated the lightness their club seemed to provide.

Edward just kind of destroys that feeling, which I really didn't like.

Moreover, I felt like The Suffragette Scandal was just tacked on to the end to give the series some semblance of a conclusion.  It brings together a few narrative threads, drawing in all the characters I'd met in the past, but, in my opinion, it doesn't feel quite right.  I liked the novel, but I don't think it ended the series on the right note.

Part of this could be that I wasn't as attached to Free as I was, say, Violet or Minerva or even Sebastian.  Another aspect is that I was a little bothered by the way this books seems to skip so far into the future, going from 1863 in the The Duchess War to 1877 in The Suffragette Scandal.  It seems so far outside the first three novels, almost feeling like a completely different generation.

I think I might have had a bit of a problem reconciling the knowledge that every character I'd grown to know was suddenly growing older...and their stories had officially come to an end.

The Ugly
Edward's past.

It's more than a little painful.

The Countess Conspiracy

Courtney Milan

The Countess Conspiracy
Courtney Milan
2013

The Summary
"Sebastian Malheur is the most dangerous sort of rake:  an educated one.  When he's not scandalizing ladies in the bedchamber, he's outraging proper society with his scientific theories.  He's desired, reviled, acclaimed, and despised--and he laughs through it all.

"Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, on the other hand, is entirely respectable, and she'd like to stay that way.  But Violet has a secret that is beyond ruinous, one that ties her irrevocably to England's most infamous scoundrel:  Sebastian's theories aren't his.  They're hers.

"So when Sebastian threatens to dissolve their years-long conspiracy, she'll do anything to save their partnership...even if it means opening her vulnerable heart to the rake who could destroy it for good."

The Good
After the cataclysmic rupturing of their friendship in The Heiress Effect, I really didn't expect to read a romance novel about Sebastian and Violet.  I mean, I loved them in The Duchess War and I liked them in The Heiress Effect.  But would they really make good romantic material?

Answer:  yes.

Sebastian and Violet have been friends for many years and they have hatched plots for just as many.  Together, they made mischief as children and, as adults, they made the most scandalous scientific discoveries to date.  They made a great team and they shared a sense of humor, a witty intelligence that made them seem inseparable.

While I was bothered by Sebastian's violent reaction to Violet in the previous novel, I grew to love the guy.  Violet is intelligent, head-strong, and witty, which I appreciated.  I love strong, smart heroines, especially when no one expects them to be; however, I think I appreciated Sebastian for his complete and utter loyalty to Violet more than anything.

Sebastian is a goof.  He's the Regency equivalent of a class clown, and he doesn't really grow out of it.  And yet he's probably the most stable relationship that Violet has ever had in her life.  She's dealt with the death of her father and then her husband; she's a woman of science in a world that scoffs at intelligent women; she's endured a tumultuous childhood under her chilly, reserved mother.

And Sebastian has always been there.

He's like the other piece of her heart and mind, even if she doesn't realize it.  When she's consumed by her experiments, focused so keenly on planting the next seed and documenting her latest discoveries, he's by side handing her a ceramic pot filled with soil.  Don't ask me why, but I found that to be one of the most romantic things I've witnessed.

He's memorized her routines; he knows what she needs, even without her asking; he understands and encourages her to explore, to experiment, to be whoever she wills herself to be.  Their relationship is far from perfect, I know, but I just love how Sebastian is always there.  He makes her laugh, encourages, he supports, and he appreciates her--and I absolutely loved that about him.

The Bad
No complaints.  I enjoyed The Countess Conspiracy almost as much as I enjoyed reading The Duchess War.

The Ugly
Violet is damaged.

Not only was she hurt by her father's unexpected death, she endured a terrible relationship with her husband before he died.  Abuse is ugly, no matter the circumstances, and it was rather distressing to read about what she faced.  It makes her chilly, reserved manner and her inability to connect in intimate relationships more understandable.

The Heiress Effect

Courtney Milan

The Heiress Effect
Courtney Milan
2013

The Summary
"Miss Jane Fairfield can't do anything right.  When she's in company, she always says the wrong thing--and rather too much of it.  No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion.  Even her immense dowry can't save her from being an object of derision.

"And that's precisely what she wants.  She'll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

"Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right.  He's the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances--and he intends to give voice and power to the common people.  If he makes one false step, he'll never get the chance to accomplish anything.  He doesn't need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman.  He certainly doesn't need to fall in love with her.  But there's something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can't resist....even though it could mean the ruin of them both."

The Good
Like Courtney Milan's previous novel, The Heiress Effect is a delightful little romance novel filled with many of the same humorous characters I enjoyed the first time and packed with unconventional heroines.  And, speaking of unconventional heroines, I loved Jane Fairfield precisely for her ability to say and do the wrong things.

Although she's a walking fashion faux pas, Jane is a witty and intelligent young woman.  She's unexpectedly crafty, and she's calculating.  Jane doesn't simply step on everyone's toes because she doesn't know any better; rather, she does it with the knowledge that she will offend.  That's her goal:  to keep everyone at arm's length and protect her sister.

She's startlingly selfless and she's resilient, which makes her a force to be reckoned with.

I liked Oliver, too.

He's smart and, like Jane, he's calculating the repercussions of every step.  He's a quiet observer of human nature; however, rather than using it to offend, he pounces on every opportunity to gain traction for his ideals in Parliament.  More to the point, he's kind to Jane even when the rest of society is openly mocking her--even when she doesn't exactly attempt to be polite to him.

Plus, he makes the attempt to fix his mistakes.  For instance, when he breaks Jane's heart, he doesn't just tell her he loves her; rather, he makes a huge gesture to win her back.  He makes a point of showing her that he loves her more than his career, and he always will.  It's an incident that's guaranteed to give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings.

The Bad
Admittedly, I didn't like The Heiress Effect as much as I liked The Duchess War.  I think I might have been more attached to Robert and Minerva, simply because read their story first; however, I think it might be because this novel was also setting up for the next in the series.

You have a little bit of that in The Duchess War with the introduction of Lydia and Jonas (from A Kiss for Midwinter), but you have more of it in The Heiress Effect with Violet and Sebastian, Emily (Jane's sister), and more.  I found there was a little bit too much going on with this novel, which dimmed the central story a little.

It's still a great book, don't get me wrong, but it's not quite as good as The Duchess War.

The Ugly
The Marquess of Bradenton.