Rhian0000

Secrets of a Summer Night is the first of Lisa Kleypas’s Wallflower series. The ‘wallflowers’ are a group of four young women banded together by their mutual failure to catch a husband. All are beautiful and brilliant in their own individual way, but are sadly lacking in the eyes of society. Mid-eighteenth century London requires a daughter to marry well for the prosperity and standing of the family; an unnoticed wallflower does not satisfy. Their common purpose leads to strong friendships and a powerful force as four very different personalities unite.


As the eldest, Annabelle Peyton is the first Wallflower to benefit from their combined efforts to find her a husband. Annabelle is an aristocrat of a good family, with stunning looks to recommend her, but the family money’s all gone rendering her an untouchable wallflower to the aristocrats looking for a lucrative marriage and a girl with a large dowry. Not that this matters to Mr. Simon Hunt, he’s a rich, self-made man who has no need for extra coin. He’s looked down on by the blue-bloods, but allowed into their company because many are in his debt in one way or another. Annabelle caught his eye years ago and she’s held his notice ever since:


“My sister, Miss Annabelle Peyton,” Jeremy said. “This is Mr. Simon Hunt.”

“A pleasure,” Hunt murmured, with a bow.

Even though his manner was perfectly polite, there was a glint in his eyes that imparted a strange flutter just beneath Annabelle’s ribs. Without knowing why, she shrank back into the shelter of her young brother’s arm even as she nodded to him. To her discomfort, she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze from his. It seemed as if some subtle current of recognition had passed between them…not as if they had met
before…but as if they had come close several times until finally an impatient Fate had forced their paths to intersect.
Chapter 1, Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas



As undeterred as Hunt is, Annabelle herself, won’t concede to his efforts and does all she can to turn him away. He’s blunt and unsophisticated with a rugged, unfashionable handsomeness that she tries to resist. She sees the doors that will close in her face if she takes this step down in society, while being courted by the doors that could open with Hunt. He has his merits, he’s generous and passionate, direct but fair. He’s worked hard for all that he has and he’s determined to work as hard and as long as it takes to get Annabelle in his arms and he makes no secret of it.

Go ahead and read it, I’m sure you’ll love the Wallflowers as much as I do.

Rhian
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Rhian0000

Again the Magic was the first Kleypas book that I read and it’s become one of many. It was recommended to be by my friend Ange_de-Laube as a must read and she was most definitely right. I opened it to have a look what it was about and then come back to it if I thought it was intriguing. I never put it down.

It tells the tale of Aline, the privileged daughter of the Earl of Westcliff, and MacKenna, an orphaned boy working as a stable boy on her father’s estate. They were inseparable from the first, playing freely on the estate as children, unhampered by Aline’s family as the Earl and Lady of the house had as little time for Aline as they had for each other.

It opens with the pair in their teens. Neither can deny the attraction between them. They’re deeply in love, are one in soul and understanding, but are kept apart by everything that society expects of them. MacKenna knows that he can never have Aline, but to be near her as a friend is better than nothing. He holds her dear, but never too close.



“Hampshire, 1832

A stable boy wasn’t supposed to speak to an earl’s daughter, much less climb up to her bedroom window. God knew what would happen to him if he was caught. He would probably be whipped before being booted off the estate.

He crouched in front of the French doors and cupped his hands on either side of his eyes as he peered into the bedroom, where a single lamp was burning. A girl stood before the dressing table, pulling a brush through her long dark hair. The sight filled McKenna with a rush of pleasure.”

Chapter 1, Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas


They begin a secret affair, unable to keep away from each other, but it’s only a few bittersweet weeks before they’re discovered. The earl threatens dire consequences for MacKenna, and Aline desperately wants to protect him. She knows that he’ll never leave while there’s love between them and that he’d fight for her. She can’t let that happen as her father would certainly crush him. So she sends him away with the blackest of lies.

“Aline interrupted softly. “You’re leaving Stony Cross Park. And it’s for the best, really.”

McKenna gave a slow, confused shake of his head. “I need to hold you,” he whispered, and for the first time ever he stepped into her room. He was stayed, however, as Aline raised her hand in a gesture of restraint.

“Don’t,” she said, and her breath caught before she could continue. “It’s all over, McKenna. The only thing to do now is say your goodbyes and disappear.”

Chapter 2, Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas

There are two broken hearts. Two lost souls.

Twelve years pass.

MacKenna is back. He’s forged a life for himself in America and returns as a wealthy business man. The Mackenna that Aline knew is gone, he’s cold and hardened and hell bent on revenge. But can Aline reach into him and find the heart that he claims is dead? Will she have the will to overcome her own fears and fight for the love she could have?

Again the Magic is a prequel to Klepas’s Wallflower series. It’s a truly captivating read and made a Kleypas reader of me. You can get it on Amazon, unfortunately it’s not out on Kindle yet L


Rhian
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Rhian0000

This week I’ve been reading another Kathleen E. Woodiwiss book – Ashes in the Wind.

It begins during the American civil war in occupied New Orleans with a dirty ragamuffin lad arriving on a steam boat. Things are not as they appear and the story in fact follows the trials of one Alaina MacGaren, a wanted spy to the Yankee army, but a kind hearted southern belle to the Confederates. She was forced by circumstances to leave her home and her old life behind and live in disguise as the boy ‘Al’.

Times are difficult and life hasn’t been easy for Alaina, having lost her parents and younger brother and many trials still lay ahead of her. The most interesting is presented in the form of Cole Latimer, a Yankee Captain, working in the army hospital in the city. He’s a committed surgeon with high standards, good skills and it proud to do his bit for the USA effort.

Not realising that the sprightly boy is in reality a beautiful young woman hidden beneath layers of dirt and jaggedly cropped hair, they form a reluctant relationship. War, honour and pride come between them. But beneath the jibes and the war of words and tempers between them a relationship that neither understands blossoms. Alaina is truly hurt when Cole is tricked into marriage to her hateful cousin Roberta, but she can’t admit to herself why and lets him go without revealing the truth. But the tale doesn’t end here and there is more to Alaina than Cole had ever guessed.

Go give this book a try.


It’s a great read and don’t let the cover put you off!

Rhian
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Rhian0000
I have experienced hours and hours of enjoyment reading books by the American author Kathleen Woodiwiss. She writes compelling tales set in various times throughout history and locations around the globe. Woodiwiss is a prolific author with fifteen published works since 1972. It is difficult to pick a favourite.

The Wolf and the Dove was the first Woodiwiss novel that I read. I was reading a Twilight Fan Fiction story called My Viking by SheViking at the time, my friend Ange de l’aube saw The Wolf and the Dove mentioned as a book to read if you were enjoying SheViking’s tale on the Twilighted thread. Of course, I had to take a look. The beginning was hard to get into as there was much suffering during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. However, it rapidly became a gripping read that I couldn’t put down.

Aislinn is a fierce heroine striving in a difficult time to keep her dignity and honour her father’s memory by defending his conquered people in any way she can. She is determined and bright with a cutting whit and a defiant streak, unwilling to succumb to the invaders, but trying desperately to stay alive. She faces a life far removed form the one she anticipated and it pricks her pride sorely.

Wulfgar is the typical anti-hero; the conquering lord. He is an astute foe and conquers with logic not malice. He wants to be lord and master, making a place for himself in the world after being abandoned by his family as a child. He is detached and elusive, with a hatred of women that stems from his mother’s betrayal. He knows the enjoyment of a woman, but has never let one near his heart.

In the face of devious antagonists, the fall of the British throne to the Norman conqueror, William, and the disapproving eyes and ears of all around them hero and heroine embark on a riveting tale filled with danger and fear, passion and tears, hatred and finally love.


I've been trying to spread the word as much as possible and so far, everyone that I've recommended Woodiwiss books too have agreed. Go read.


Rhian
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Rhian0000
Oh, I am such a high. After a three hour employment law exam this morning, that although I think it went well completely wiped me out, I’ve had a lovely evening watching Tangled.

I have literally been laughing out loud and as I type this I have a huge grin on my face. I'm even bobbing along to the credits…. That might have something to so with the Malibu in my system. And no, I am not caring if I am going off as a saddo or a looney tunes. I loved this flick!

It's such a treat for the eyes. It has some real comedy moments, a baddy to truly despise, Disney sing-a-longs of course, a surprisingly deep hero and a really really great happily ever after for Rapunzel. You go girl!

This film is a MUST. It is such an uplifting movie. I was tweeting about it as I was watching and got some friends to join in – it was such fun! Go watch it. Now.



I need to get me a Pascal and a Maximus. Maybe a Eugene to… ;)


So pretty.... Happily Ever After it is.

Rhian
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Rhian0000
Nothing very profound, just the cutest thing ever....



Don't you want to join in that hug? Let's have a cuddle.

Rhian
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Rhian0000

I love the film Australia. It is quite the epic tale, told through barriers of race, culture, class and set at the time of war. There is much to see and tell with many strong characters and an interesting plot, but to me what it really tells is the tale of a woman’s heart.

It was once closed and empty, but she sets foot on a new continent that brings her world to life. From a life of boredom she is catapulted into a bright, colourful, captivating land that changes her from within. She learns to love a man, but most of all, she learns to love a child; a child not of her blood or kin, but a child of her heart.



It is truly magnificent, cinematographically stunning and deeply stirring. Each time I watch it I take something new away. This time it was the music that sang to me. I found this song on YouTube and I’ve played it on repeat I love it so much.


 I have never heard of the band before, they’re called Ophelia of the Spirit. Here is link to their blog, they have a selection of their songs for you to listen to for free that I’ve been listening to all week. Go listen http://www.opheliaofthespirits.com/

Rhian
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