Book Chick City: May 2010

BOOK REVIEW: Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Monday, May 31, 2010 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Title: Secrets of a Summer Night

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Publisher: Pitakus (UK) / Avon (US)

Publication Date: June 2010 (UK) / 2004 (US)

Paperback: 346 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

Rating: 8/10

Goodreads Summary:

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition... but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses... and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

Review:

Secrets of a Summer Night is the first book in 'the Wallflowers' series, and being a newbie to the genre, the first book I've read by Lisa Kleypas. I really enjoyed the story and Kleypas's writing style. The characters are realistic, the writing lovely and the story had my full attention until the very end, where I sighed in contentment.

This is an historical romance and is written in vivid detail. I was immersed in the time period of the 1840's and London society. The time period shows women in a very different light than today's woman. Women then always had to be chaperoned when in the company of a man, otherwise it was seen as scandalous and the gentleman had to propose to put things right. And women had to find a suitable husband before they hit twenty-five, otherwise they were seen as spinsters, passed their 'sell by date' so to speak. Sometimes I found society's dictations hard to swallow as a twenty-first century chick, but it just made the story more compelling.

Annabel is the heroine in this instalment of 'the Wallflower's' and needs a husband quick as her family's wealth is diminishing. She's also in her early twenties and will soon be seen as an old dried up maid if she doesn't wed soon. But Annabel and her three friends, Lillian, Daisy and Evie, have a plan! Unfortunately, things don't really go to plan when the utterly delicious, Simon Hunt, keeps coming onto the scene!

Simon Hunt is completely gorgeous and just enough of a rogue to make your toes curl - in a good way. He's charming, good-looking, rich... what's not to love? Well, he wants Annabel, but not as a wife but rather as his mistress. Of course, his feelings do change as the story progresses.

Annabel is a great character who's bright and generally sweet in nature. Completely loyal to her family and finds it difficult to see her mother being used by a wealthy aristocrat just to keep them above the bread line. However, sometimes I found her to be quite frustrating with regards to her attitude towards Mr Simon Hunt. Simon wasn't born into a titled family and made his fortune by other means. Society looks down on this kind of entrepreneurial way of living, and so Annabel treats him with disdain. This isn't really the fault of Annabel, just societies restrictions. It takes her a while, but eventually she is drawn to his charms.

The love scenes are passionate but tame with regards to detail. The only scene I found myself cringing slightly was one where Annabel and Simon were in a passionate embrace and Simon's thoughts were continuously emphasising how naive and inexperienced Annabel was, which I thought detracted from the passion and I also felt slightly embarrassed for Annabel.

All the characters are so well rounded and I loved the dialogue between them. I really enjoyed the witty, restrained, banter between Annabel and Simon, and the secret plotting of the self-proclaimed 'wallflowers' to catch a husband.

Verdict:

Secrets of a Summer Night is a wonderful book. I loved the characters, the romance and the detail given to the time period. And because of this book I have now bought several titles by Kleypas, which I can't wait to read!! I am also really looking forward to the next book in 'the Wallflowers' series, It Happened One Autumn, the story of Lillian.

Source: Thank you to Piatkus for sending me this book for review.

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You can find out more about the author here:

Website | Twitter | Piatkus

Labels: 8/10 Rating, Authors I-L, Book Reviews, Historical Romance, Lisa Kleypas, Romance |

13 comments |

This week on BCC...(plus contest winners!)

Sunday, May 30, 2010 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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This week on Book Chick City...

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Monday I will be reviewing the first book in 'the Wallflower's' series by Lisa Kleypas, Secrets of a Summer Night, continuing my new found love for historical romance.

On Tuesday, I have an interview with the awesome Kelley Armstrong, which I conducted in person while attending the World Horror Con in Brighton a few months back - and yes, it really has taken me this long to transcribe! But it was well worth it!

There will also be a giveaway of Tales of the Otherworld courtesy of Orbit, which, while I was with Kelley, asked her to kindly sign especially for one lucky winner!

Wednesday I'll be reviewing My Wicked Marquess by historical romance author, Gaelen Foley.

Later in the day on Wednesday, I will also be posting my 'Month in Review' for May.

Thursday's guest for my weekly feature 'Where Stories Are Made' is paranormal romance author, Jaime Rush, well known for her 'Offspring' series. This is a great post, with some fab photos - not to be missed!

On Friday I will be reviewing On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards. I enjoyed reading her debut novel Can't Stand the Heat.

Saturday's 'On My Wishlist' will be posted as usual - you are welcome to join in, just stop by and add your direct url to Mr Linky. Click here for more info.

And last but not least, on Sunday I welcome Leontine from Leontine's Book Realm, who gives us a tour of her awesome bookshelves for my fortnightly feature, 'The Blogger's Bookshelf'.

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I also have FIVE winners to announce for my 'The Splendour Falls' giveaway - all winning a signed copy of The Spendour Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

And the winners are...

Sharon W
Samantha W
Stuart H
Catherine W
Karen R

Congratulations! I have emailed all of you. Please send me your details and I will get the book sent out to you as quickly as possible.

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So, that's all folks! Hope you all have a fantastic week!

Labels: Giveaway Winners, This week on BCC |

6 comments |

In My Mailbox (#38)

Sunday, May 30, 2010 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

Hi everyone! Hope you're having a fabtastic weekend. Over the last two weeks I've received some amazing books. I received 27 for review, won 5, and bought 15! Gulp!

The books I bought are mostly historical romance as I'm having a bit of a "phase" at the moment. Having read my first one a couple of weeks ago, I now find that I can't get enough and have to read everything in sight! ;) I bought a few while away on holiday and then via Amazon - I honestly didn't realise I bought so many! *damn that one-click button*

As usual there are a few review books that stand out and they are: Feed, Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, The Alchemy of Murder, Infinity, Dark Goddess and The Tudor Wife, but all books sent to me sound great and I can't wait to read them! All links are to Goodreads.

FOR REVIEW

• "Sex and the City" Vol.2 Companion Book by Amy Sohn (Headline)

• The Map of all Things by Kevin J. Anderson (Orbit - Fantasy)

• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Penguin - YA Romance)

• The Brides Farewell by Meg Rosoff (Penguin - YA Romance)

• The Edge of the World by Kevin J. Anderson (Orbit - Fantasy)

• Feed by Mira Grant (Orbit - Zombie Horror)

• Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta (Pocket Books - PNR)

• Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta (Pocket Books - PNR)

• The Alchemy of Murder by Carol McCleary (Forge - Thriller)

• Wicked: Resurrection by Holder & Viguie (Simon & Schuster -YA Fantasy)

• The Folding Knife by K. J. Parker (Orbit - Fantasy)

• The Lord of Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier (Orbit - Fantasy)

• The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan (Simon & Schuster - YA Fantasy)

• Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Atom - YA Fantasy)

• Passing Strange by Daniel Waters (Simon & Schuster - YA Fantasy)

• Nicholas Dane by Melvin Burgess (Penguin - YA)

• Dark Secrets 2 by Elizabeth Chandler (Simon & Schuster - YA Fantasy)

• Deadfall by Shaun Jeffrey (Lacroute - Zombie Horror)

• Theodore Boone, Young Lawyer by John Grisham (Hodder & Stroughton - YA Thriller)

• The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (Puffin - YA Fantasy)

• The Whisperers by John Connolly (Hodder & Stroughton - Thriller)

• Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda (Puffin - YA Fantasy)

• Jail Bird by Jessie Keane (Harper - Crime)

• Dead Silent by Neil White (Avon - Thriller)

• The Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy (Avon - Historical Fiction)

• Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (Definitions - YA)

• My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares (Hodder & Stroughton - Fantasy/Romance)

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BOUGHT

• Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas (Historical Romance)

• First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh (Historical Romance)

• The Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens (Historical Romance)

• On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards (Contemporary Romance)

• The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

• To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

• The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn (HR)

• Queen of Silks by Vanora Bennett (Historical Romance)

• Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer (Historical Romance)

• What Happens in London by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

• The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

• Brighter than the Sun by Julia Quinn (Historical Romance)

• The Rapture by Liz Jensen (Thriller)

• Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody (Mystery)

• The Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley (Historical Romance)

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WON

Thanks to Walker Books I won:

• The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (YA Science Fiction)

Thanks to Harper Voyager I won:

• Spellwright by Blake Charlton (Fantasy)

• Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane (ARC - Urban Fantasy)

• Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay (ARC - Fantasy)

• The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb (Fantasy)

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NB: As you know, there are books that I receive for review from time to time that I will not read/review for Book Chick City due to genre or the book just doesn't appeal to me. I have set it up so you can now view all these book on my Goodreads shelf: BOOKS TO OUTSOURCE.

If you are a reviewer and like any book from this list and are interested in reviewing it on your own blog, then send me an email (bookchickcity [at] dsl [dot] pipex [dot] com) along with the book you wish to review. The only thing I ask is that you can pay for postage via Paypal and have had a book review blog for more than six months.

Labels: In My Mailbox |

22 comments |