Title: The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla (#11)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, & Mystery
Pages: 496
First Published: August 5th, 2014
Where I Got It: On my shelf (From Amazon)
"In October of 1806, the Little Season is in full swing, and Sally Fitzhugh has had enough of the endless parties and balls. With a rampant vampire craze sparked by the novel The Convent of Orsino, it seems no one can speak of anything else. But when Sally hears a rumor that the reclusive Duke of Belliston is an actual vampire, she cannot resist the challenge of proving such nonsense false. At a ball in Belliston Square, she ventures across the gardens and encounters the mysterious Duke.
Lucien, Duke of Belliston, is well versed in the trouble gossip can bring. He’s returned home to dispel the rumors of scandal surrounding his parents’ deaths, which hint at everything from treason to dark sorcery. While he searches for the truth, he welcomes his fearsome reputation—until a woman is found dead in Richmond. Her blood drained from her throat.
Lucien and Sally join forces to stop the so-called vampire from killing again. Someone managed to get away with killing the last Duke of Belliston. But they won’t kill this duke—not if Sally has anything to say about it."
Egags...I cannot believe that this is the last book before the finale!!!!! I wish this series could go on forever! Alas, 'tis only a dream. Lauren Willig did say there may be some random side-stories for some of the other characters. I hope so!
Poor Lucien. :/ I felt so bad for him! His parents were murdered, he ran away from home, and he comes back to such a cold-hearted family and community! The ton certainly have outdone themselves THIS time...just because of a rumor and the new hit book about a vamp they are certain that Lucien is a vamp. >___> Because that is logical. Such silly people. At least Sally is there to save the day! In the past novels when she made an appearance, I didn't like her. I don't know why...but she was an annoyance. However, I actually grew to like her! She may be a little bossy and wants to take the lead, she was sweet. I'm so glad she didn't buy into the vamp rumors.
I hated Lucien's WHOLE family. I get them being upset that he ran away when he was a child, but they were heartless and cold and jerks. Lucien deserves better. If they had treated him better after the murder of his parents MAYBE he wouldn't have ran away. Grrr.
I want a stoat now. 0_0 I doubt Boyfriend will be okay with that, but I want one!
Sally's stoat was adorable and a hero! haha. I will not explain that last sentence, you must read and find out. :3 Hehehe - I am evil.
ANYWAYS!! The story was fun. I even enjoyed Eloise and Collin's story in this one! The last few books have been rather bleh, but now that the relationship is moving I was totally enthralled with their story! EEEEK! The ending left me wanting more! JUST TOO DAMN CUTE!!!!!! I can't wait to see what happens in the next one for both Eloise and Jane! I'm dying to see what happens to the very elusive Jane. This book was a nice warm up to the story we all have been waiting for!
The only thing that upset me was the villain and the reason behind the murders and trying to frame Lucien. :/ I honestly didn't expect it - which is nice to be surprised! However, I was a little let down. I expected something entirely different...it was too cliche and over-used. Meh. However, I did enjoy the journey greatly! I loved Sally and Lucien! It took forever for them to get together, but it was totally worth the wait. So cute.
In the end, I liked this book. It wasn't my favorite out of the whole series, but I did love the couple! I didn't like Sally to begin with, but this novel made me love her. :) I also loved Eloise's story...I can't wait to see comes next for Eloise and Collin! I'm actually starting to like Collin a lot now! I was always neutral towards him, but this book has made me a Collin-fan. haha. Overall, the book was good! The ending was meh...but the rest was good. I am simply DYING to read the next one in the series - even though it is the finale. SOBS! I recommend this for those that love Historical Fiction mixed with spies, adventure, romance, and so much more. Out of five stars I stamp this with 3 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Lucien, Sally, Lady Florence (the stoat), Lizzy, and Turnip
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Hal, Clarissa, and the rest of Lucien's family (heartless jerks)
Poor Lucien. :/ I felt so bad for him! His parents were murdered, he ran away from home, and he comes back to such a cold-hearted family and community! The ton certainly have outdone themselves THIS time...just because of a rumor and the new hit book about a vamp they are certain that Lucien is a vamp. >___> Because that is logical. Such silly people. At least Sally is there to save the day! In the past novels when she made an appearance, I didn't like her. I don't know why...but she was an annoyance. However, I actually grew to like her! She may be a little bossy and wants to take the lead, she was sweet. I'm so glad she didn't buy into the vamp rumors.
I hated Lucien's WHOLE family. I get them being upset that he ran away when he was a child, but they were heartless and cold and jerks. Lucien deserves better. If they had treated him better after the murder of his parents MAYBE he wouldn't have ran away. Grrr.
I want a stoat now. 0_0 I doubt Boyfriend will be okay with that, but I want one!
ANYWAYS!! The story was fun. I even enjoyed Eloise and Collin's story in this one! The last few books have been rather bleh, but now that the relationship is moving I was totally enthralled with their story! EEEEK! The ending left me wanting more! JUST TOO DAMN CUTE!!!!!! I can't wait to see what happens in the next one for both Eloise and Jane! I'm dying to see what happens to the very elusive Jane. This book was a nice warm up to the story we all have been waiting for!
The only thing that upset me was the villain and the reason behind the murders and trying to frame Lucien. :/ I honestly didn't expect it - which is nice to be surprised! However, I was a little let down. I expected something entirely different...it was too cliche and over-used. Meh. However, I did enjoy the journey greatly! I loved Sally and Lucien! It took forever for them to get together, but it was totally worth the wait. So cute.
In the end, I liked this book. It wasn't my favorite out of the whole series, but I did love the couple! I didn't like Sally to begin with, but this novel made me love her. :) I also loved Eloise's story...I can't wait to see comes next for Eloise and Collin! I'm actually starting to like Collin a lot now! I was always neutral towards him, but this book has made me a Collin-fan. haha. Overall, the book was good! The ending was meh...but the rest was good. I am simply DYING to read the next one in the series - even though it is the finale. SOBS! I recommend this for those that love Historical Fiction mixed with spies, adventure, romance, and so much more. Out of five stars I stamp this with 3 stars.
Favorite Character(s): Lucien, Sally, Lady Florence (the stoat), Lizzy, and Turnip
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Hal, Clarissa, and the rest of Lucien's family (heartless jerks)
Aww I want one of those :)
ReplyDeleteAren't they cuttttttttttttte!!
ReplyDelete