Audiobook Review: The Devil's Love by Julia London

Author: Julia London

Narrator: Anne Flosnik

Title: The Devil's Love (The Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 400

Published:   November 10th 1998

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

A woman's desire...

With dreams of a great romantic love, Abigail Carrington sails to England to marry the man she has loved since childhood, Michael Ingram, Marquis of Darfield. She believes her betrothed is a generous and noble man who has been longing for her. But the handsome man waiting for her at the altar is a dark, brooding stranger who rushes her into marriage, then abandons her at his country estate. Only the passion of Michael's kiss gives her hope that theirs can be more than a marriage of convenience.

A man's need...

With scandal shadowing his past, Michael, the Devil of Darfield, had no need for a wife. Remembering only the little hellion who made life miserable for him aboard her father's ship, he resents the agreement he made to marry her so he could save his ancestral home. Though determined to ignore her, he cannot stop thinking about his lovely violet-eyed bride. Her beauty tempts him. Her charm bedevils him. He tries to drive her away until he almost loses her. Then he vows to regain her love—before it is too late....

Review:

I've enjoyed this author's book last year and I found this randomly, so why not? 

The story follows Abby and Michael. Abby had been in love with Michael since her childhood. When her father dies, she sails to England to finally reunite with him and marry him. She grew being told that Michael was her betrothed and he was waiting for her for many years. The time comes for them to get married when Abby's father passes and she is old enough. When she arrives she is reintroduced to Michael who is anything but a man in love and excited to marry her. He rushes her to the alter and leaves the estate as quickly as he can. Michael, aka the Devil of Darfield, has no need or want of a wife especially this girl who was a hellion back in the day when he worked for her father on his ship. He resents the fact he HAS to marry her in order to save his ancestral home. Even though he wants nothing to do with her...he can't stop thinking about her. 

What a big ol' pickle for the two of them. They both were victims of Abby's father. He for sure manipulated both of them. Abby grew up thinking Michael loved her too and couldn't wait until she was old enough and ready to marry. While Michael was shackled into marrying her because of a contract. Poor things. 

Even though I felt bad for Michael I wanted to hit him. Yes. He was a total ASS. I get he thought she was part of the trickery from that old man, but good lord you can tell she wasn't! She just wanted to be loved and she was equally lied to. 

I did love Michael's friend Sam. I hope he gets an HEA! He was adorable. A part of me wanted Abby to run away with Sam ;) 

The ending was good and I'm glad Michael had to REALLY earn her back because he was an ass. Sure...again....I get his distrust because he has been tricked and used SO much over the years BUT she LOVES you man!!!! GAH.

The narrator was new to me. I adored her voices. She really fit the bill and I enjoyed her! Her changing accents was flawless. 

Overall, I really did enjoy this even though I wanted to smack Michael. I just wanted them to finally get their HEA. They both deserved it, but I am glad Abby didn't forgive Michael at the end there (I would have been livid). He had to really work for it and pray she would love him again. I am slightly curious about book 2. We'll see. I do not think it is about Sam so I'm not crazy interested. LOL I just want Sam to be happy next. I'll give this 4 stars. Not a bad way to start the year!

Challenge(s):
- #1 for Audiobook challenge

- #1 for Romance Bingo

"LOVE" in the title

 

Book Review: Freedom to Love by Susanna Fraser

Author: Susanna Fraser
Title: Freedom to Love 
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: ebook
First Published: Janurary 5th, 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

"Louisiana, 1815

Thérèse Bondurant trusted her parents to provide for her and her young half-sister, though they never wed due to laws against mixed-race marriage. But when both die of a fever, Thérèse learns her only inheritance is debt—and her father’s promise that somewhere on his plantation lies a buried treasure, if she can find it before her white cousins take possession of the land.

Then British officer Henry Farlow, dazed from a wound received in battle outside New Orleans, stumbles onto the property. Thérèse insists he stay with them to recover, and he is quickly captivated by her intelligence and beauty. Thanks to her care, he is back to full strength just in time to fend off an attack by her cousin, inadvertently killing the would-be rapist.

Knowing they will find no justice in the law, the trio flees. Henry risks being labeled a deserter, but more than duty compels him to see the sisters to safety, and Thérèse comes to rely on Henry for more than protection. On their journey to freedom, they must navigate another new territory—love. But when they arrive in England, an unexpected inheritance puts their newfound commitment to the test."


First off...I was drawn in by the cover. Rarely does a lovey-dovey cover draw me, but for some reason this one did. The summary really did it in for me. Yes, it is a historical romance, but its deeper then that. Therese is a mixed race girl who is trying to find a treasure hidden by her deceased father to help support herself and help get her half-sister's freedom. While digging and looking around, Henry stumbles into their lives with a wound from the war going on. They take care of him and he can't help but help them out and protect them. Of course he falls in love Therese. Duh.

It wasn't necessarily insta-love. They admired each other and became friends first; after a while they do fall in love. Henry was the perfect gentleman (even tho he slipped up once and kissed/groped Therese before she was ready) and he was adorable and protective of the girls even though they are not 100% white.

WHICH....kuddos to the author for being authentic to the times. Race was a huge, HUGE deal back then (it still hinders us today) and Therese got lucky that she can pass off as a white girl/Spanish girl, but she is struggling with her self-hate. I am glad that the author didn't shy away from this issue of race and slavery. It made the story more believable and the characters had added depth. Yes, Henry is a great guy, but he even had a moment of "OH MY GOSH YOU ARE NOT 100% WHITE? YOU HAVE A BLACK AND NATIVE ANCESTOR! OHMIGOSH! Okay, okay. I believe in black freedom, so its cool. I like you...you're pretty and smart and awesome." 

The characters were nice and very 3D. I ADORED Jeanette (the half-sister); she was 13, but full of spunk and cleverness. Poor girl had to grow up before her time, but she handled everything so well. She was too smart for her own good sometimes. haha. Now, I liked Therese a lot too, even though I wanted to smack here sometimes - she was sooooo irrational sometimes. She had the hardest time accepting that Henry doesn't care she is mixed. Get over it. He loves you. xI How many times does he have to prove is willing to fight for you? Bleh! But besides that, I liked her. She was willing to do anything for her sister and find happiness in her life. 

Now, I will admit I did some skimming....some parts were so slow and dry. There would be lots and lots happen and then it would halt. Honestly, I think there was too much conversation going on and it seemed to draw out scenes that did not need to be drawn out. 

I liked the ending, but I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Therese being irrational...again. However, I did like the rest of the ending when she was slapped back into reality. 

In the end, this was an enjoyable adventure. Even though it was a historical romance, it had some real depth and the characters were really well developed. I wish that Edward wasn't such a snot...but I can kinda see how and why he was bitter. *shrugs* But get over it dude. ANYWAYS, there were some slow spots, but that happens sometimes. I really wish that Jeanette will get her own book/short story! 

In the end, I stamp this with...3 stars. 

 Favorite Character(s): Jeanette (I want her to have her own story!), Therese, & Henry

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Edward (*shakes my head*) & Henry's mother (>___>)