Recommended at Amazon as really good, meaty historical (ala Gabaldon). First in Malloren series. Not particularly well-written and requires too much suspension of disbelief. I’ll probably try a couple more but not holding my breath. Lady Chastity Ware has been completely dishonored through no fault of her own and refuses to marry. In an effort to protect her widowed sister and nephew, dresses as a man and holds up Cynric Malloren, youngest brother of Earl, who decides out of boredom to rescue both damsels in distress.
I finished reading the Malloren series and reminds me a lot of Balogh’s “Slightly” series (which postdates Beverley by about 4 years?). I did like the Duke’s story (Devilish) – much like Slightly Dangerous is my favorite Balogh story - but the rest is pretty light. I will try more Beverley though . . . She is definitely better than Suzanne Enoch and Sabrina Jeffries, both recommended at Amazon. On par with Eloisa James, recommended for her humor. Beverley is a British author.
Lord of My Heart
Tempting Fortune
Something Wicked ( )

I am in love with this book. It filled me up in every possible way. It has adventure and a sweet romance, as well as lessons in trust and family. My heart ran the gamut of emotions while reading this delightfully well-crafted yarn, and Cyn has certainly etched his name on my list of favorite heroes ( )

This book was difficult to get through. The characters do many things throughout the novel that are not quite believable. For example, Cyn’s coach gets taken by highway robbers. Not only doesn’t he try to defend himself, but he later willingly leaves his loaded gun behind because being kidnapped sounds like fun. I could not appreciate how easily bored he was and how easy he went along with the plan of the women trying to run for safety.
I also did not think the chemistry between the characters was well done. The main heroine, Chastity, in the novel goes through the first part of the novel dressing like and sounding like a man. Even when Cyn kisses her a few times she doesn’t think that he’s figured out that she is really a woman. Shortly into the novel Cyn decides the best disguise is if he dresses as a woman (since the people out to get them are looking for a young mother with a baby and Cyn is noticeably older). Cyn’s teasing of Chastity is funny at times, but that is the best thing I can say for this novel.
I also did not enjoy the narration. The reading of the non-dialogue sections of the story were fine, but the dialogue sections were difficult to get through. This dialogue may have been more challenging than most novels as the reader was portraying a man disguised as a woman and a woman disguised as a man, but even so the dialogue between characters was grating. Also, the reader had a very grandmother type voice, which could be great from some books, but was not a good match for this novel. It was weird listening to her read some of the more steamy scenes and her voice overall just did not match with my impression of the characters.
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My goodness this book had me up and down and all over the place! First of the neverending Malloren Series, I really enjoyed the chemistry between Chastity and Cyn and they had some very sexy moments - boy! Food sure is their thing! I also really liked Cyn's brother Rothgar - I can't wait to read his story! (sort of like a Wulf, Duke of Bewcastle). Still, I was very uncomfortable with their first sex scene since it was not honest because she is in disguise, even though he knows she's disguised. It just didn't sit well with me. Also her father was awful and a bit over the top about what he did to her. Really made me squirm. The orgy they attended was a bit too much too, but overall a good story and vintage romance. ( )

Banished from her father's house for her refusal to marry the vile Henry Vernham, the Notorious Chasity Ware goes in disguise as "Charles" and kidnaps Lord Cyn Malloreen in an attempt to aid her sister, Verity escape the evil clutches of Henry Vernham and their father as well.
Book started out slow for me but before the halfway point, I was engaged. A recommended adventure and of course romance. ( )