The Liar by Nora Roberts

The Liar by Nora Roberts - 501 pages

Shelby was shocked to learn after her husband's death that nearly everything about him was a lie.  He's left her with millions in debt to repay.  He was a thief and conman.  And ultimately, they weren't even married.  So she moves back home to Tennessee to try to make a life with her daughter in her hometown and with her family.  There she meets Griff, a contractor new to town.  While she wasn't looking for romance, she just might have found it . . . along with a lot more trouble leftover from her husband's lies.

I didn't think this was Nora Robert's best book or her worst.  It was a fairly average romantic suspense novel.  I thought the big reveal at the end was pretty obvious from the start of the book -- after all if the character is a liar, why wouldn't the big reveal be a lie also.  I also thought Shelby's constant fear she would be sent to prison and that she needed to pay back all of her husband's debts was unrealistic.  If she was never actually  married to him she would not be responsible for his debt -- especially as she could prove several times that he had forged her name on documents.

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas - 374 pages
(Wallflowers series - book 4)

It is time for the final Wallflower to find a husband.  It will take the combined efforts of all the Wallflowers for Daisy to find a man who loves her.  Her father has decreed that if she doesn't have a husband by the end of the season she will have to marry his business protege Matthew Swift.  She has always despised the straightlaced Matthew.  He doesn't seem to have a romantic bone in his body.  But Matthew has some secrets that will shock Daisy, her family, and her friends.
This is the final book in the Wallflowers series.  It is a good conclusion to the series, tying up all the loose ends in the series.

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas - 391 pages
(Wallflowers series - book 2)

The Wallflowers are back and trying to find Lillian Bowman an aristocratic husband.  She has set her eyes on a shy, young aristocrat while at a house party at Lord Westcliff's estate.  Unfortunately, her and Lord Westcliff continually butt heads.  Could their arguing hide a possible attraction?
This is the second Wallflowers book.  I liked this book and can't wait to read the others in the series.

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas - 375 pages
(Wallflowers series - book 1)

Four young women who have been perpetual wallflowers throughout the entire London season decide to band together to help each other find husbands.  They decide to help the oldest one first - Annabelle.  Annabelle needs to find a wealthy husband as her family is increasingly broke and desperately needs to find someone to pay the bills and take care of their expenses.  Annabelle wants to find a husband before she is forced to become a mistress to pay off her family's debts.  Her hope is to ensnare a wealthy aristocrat.  Unfortunately, Simon Hunt, crude businessman, keeps getting in her way.
This is the first book in Lisa Kleypas' Wallflowers series.  I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

By Gillian Gill

460 pages

The marriage of Queen Victoria of Great Britain (1819-1901) and her husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861) of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha was a marriage of love at a time when loveless marriages among royalty were all to common.

Victoria’s reign began in 1837, when she was just 18 years old. The Queen married a few years later. Although the marriage was fundamentally arranged, Victoria and her husband, now the Prince Consort of Great Britain, cherished and worked to insure the happiness of the other. As with all married couples they had multiple arguments and endured lows in their marriage. However, they were faithful to each other and valued each others’ company.

The British people loved Queen Victoria. Her reign was eventually known as the Victorian Era, a time of prosperity.  However the people never embraced Albert, a German.  He was an extremely intelligent man and after winning the Queen’s confidence helped manage the Queen’s household, among other duties.

The couple had nine children together. 

The Husband List by Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly

The Husband List by Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly - 309 pages

Caroline is tired of the husband hunt.  Her mother is determined to marry her off to a wealthy aristocrat while Caroline just wants adventure -- especially with her brother's best friend Jack.  When Lord Bremerton, heir to a British dukedom, visits Newport, Caroline's mother determines that he will propose to Caroline.  Now Caroline has to find a way to lost Bremerton and get Jack to admit he's in love with her.
This was an interesting book.  I enjoyed the different characters within the book and the plots they all had.