Stacy’s Book Reviews

With the link below, you’ll find a combination of historical facts and timelines of the events of the Regency Era, not just in England but throughout the world, beginning with the year 1811 and ending post-regency in 1837, shortly before the reign of Queen Victoria.

Click Here For ‘Tidbits and Trivia of the Regency Period’

My latest reviews on the “Malory” novels, by Johanna Lindsey are set during this time period.

“The phenomenal author of several national bestsellers continues the amorous exploits of the Malorys, in this tantalizing tale of passion, conflict, and surrender.”

Back Cover Summary:

Her heart trampled and torn, innocent Georgina Anderson was desperate to return home to America. Leaving her sorrows on England’s shores, she defiantly boarded the “gentleman’s ship” Maiden Anne disguised as a cabin boy – never dreaming she’d be forced into intimate servitude to the irrepressible rake Captain James Malory.

A handsome ex-pirate, the black sheep of a proud and tempestuous family, Malory swore no woman alive would entice him into matrimony. But on the high seas, he would be bested by a high-spirited beauty whose love of freedom and adventure rivaled his own … and by an inescapable tidal wave of passion that threatened to engulf them both.

Stacy’s Review:

Oh, what a deliciously fun read! “Gentle Rogue” is a veritable delight! I loved this book! Johanna Lindsey created an amazingly fun heroine for James Malory to fall in love with. Georgina Anderson is an endearingly fun character. Her exploits are downright hilarious! And James … there’s not enough words in the English language to describe how much fun this character is! He is a devilishly, irresistible, hunk of a man; built like a “brick wall”. (grin) He’s a man’s, man … a woman’s dream … a gentleman-pirate, and a dashing rogue.

The introduction of Georgina’s brothers is a regular laugh riot! I nearly had to buckle over and gasp for breath I was laughing so hard. Honestly, romance, adventure, ridiculously funny exploits, witty banter, love scenes that’ll fog up your spectacles, and characters that will touch your heart forever! All this wrapped up with perfection by the talented, Johanna Lindsey.

This book took me about 5 hours to read. And I can guarantee you, if you’re a Lindsey fan; you won’t want to put this one down until you’ve consumed all 426 pages. “Gentle Rogue” is by far, the most guffaw wrenching book in the series! It’s a bloody good read, mate.

“#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey sweeps readers into the privileged world of English aristocrats, as she presents a new novel of passion, intrigue, and romantic pleasures featuring the incomparable Malorys — a family of dashing rogues, rakehell adventurers, and beautiful ladies of incomparable spirit. Johanna Lindsey is a master storyteller who spins romantic fiction like no other.”

Back Cover Summary:

Scottish beauty Roslynn Chadwick needs the safety of marriage to protect her from an unscrupulous cousin and the fortune-hunting scoundrels who covet her wealth. And Anthony Malory is precisely the sort of handsome rogue she’s been warned against.

A cunning, ruthless, yet irresistible rake, Anthony’s sensual blue eyes speak of pleasures beyond her imagining – and Roslynn dearly wishes she dared to surrender to such a man. Believing his passionate promises will surely lead to disaster. But denying her heart may cost the exquisite Highlands lasy an unparalleled love hotter than flame and more precious than the rarest jewel.

Stacy’s Review:

“Tender Rebel” is an entertaining blend of romance, intrigue, adventure and humor. It’s another awesome ‘Malory’ novel, to be sure. The outlandish antics, incorrigible charm, and sardonic wit of James & Anthony Malory are back within the pages of this second book in the series. I recommend you pick up and read this book based on that fact alone. Ya gotta love ‘em!

Roslynn Chadwick was a thoroughly enjoyable character through most of the book. She’s determined, spunky, intelligent, beautiful, (of course) and a red-head to boot! Being a red-head myself, I’m no stranger to the ever popular, (grossly misused), assumption that our kind is overtly stubborn, and prone to sudden outbursts of anger. Eh, well … so maybe that assumption is accurate, but just the same …

Towards the end of “Tender Rebel” I was ready to throttle this heroine! She took obstinance beyond a reasonable level of acceptance. I found myself hollering at the pages, “Catch a clue, you ninny!” Oh which, to my delight, she finally did.

Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would recommend it to any and all Malory fans. Anthony is a delectable hero!

Back Cover Summary:

Her life changed forever the night she was abducted from a dark London street and carried to a stranger’s townhouse. At first Regina Ashton was amused, then outraged at the arrogance of this bronzed, golden-curled seducer who so deftly taught her a woman’s passion … and a woman’s shame. Though he had dragged her good name through the mud, Reggie knew she would never be able to forget Nicholas Eden.

Nicholas was intrigued by this fiery, black-haired beauty who stirred his desires in way that no woman had before. But a painful secret from his past hardened his heart against Reggie completely — while Reggie’s pride reined back her own deep longings.

Fate and scandal had thrown them together. But it would take more than that to make them admit their needs. It was not until tragic misunderstandings and storm-tossed dangers almost destroyed everything they once shared, that they realized their blazing destiny … to love only once.

Stacy’s Review:

First of all, I have to say that the “Malory Novels” are a blast! A regular laugh riot at times. Anthony and James Malory are a hoot! No, I’m not poking fun at romance novels here, I’m being quite serious. Johanna Lindsey knows humor and her Malory Novels are packed with sardonic wit and clever humor. I’ve read all seven (7) in this series (as well as her other works). It’s worse than opening up a bag of Lays and not being able to stop at just one. With the Malory series, you are so thoroughly enthralled that you quite simply devour the pages with rapid speed, unable to set the book down until the very last page has been consumed. (Ahem!) Well, uh … that’s what happens to me anyhow. (grin) And I’m not ashamed to admit it.

Seriously, folks. Before Lindsey, you wouldn’t catch me picking up a Romance novel. I tried one once, when I was about 16, and found it utterly lacking in any form of entertainment. Pages and pages of mind numbing descriptions with little story content. Ugh. How tedious. Lindsey, on the other hand, doesn’t waste the reader’s intellect with useless descriptions. The romance scenes between her characters sizzle with electrifying chemistry. Her novels are full of humor, romance, intrigue, crazy plot twists, and teriffic, fun, interesting, completely-endearing characters. Honestly, these are people you’d absolutely love to meet! (sigh) If only they were real.

“Love Only Once” is delicious fun. Regina Ashton, known as Reggie by her Uncle Anthony and Regan by her Uncle James, (mainly because James knows it aggravates his brother to no end to call her Regan.), is a beautiful (of course), confident, and spunky heroine. Being abducted is a bit of a ho-hum experience for her, no reason to worry, it’s just another one of those kind of days. (chuckle) She’s a gal that knows what she wants and goes for it, with no thought of failure. She’s optimistic, bold, has a clever, curious mind, and always faces life’s challanges directly. Regina Ashton makes her first appearance in this novel, but, being such a fun character … this is definitely not the last you will see of her. Nor of Nicholas Eden, her love interest in this story, and her hero. Nicholas gives back as much aggravation, (teasing torment) as James and Anthony dish his way. The banter between these three men had me chuckling outloud and uttering such things as, “Oh no, he didn’t!” My husband tends to shake his head and roll his eyes at me when I’m reading a Lindsey novel. (grin)

Anyhow, Regina Ashton and Nicholas Eden’s love story is a definite must-read. An awesome beginning in the Mallory Series.