All About Love by Stephanie Laurens

 All About Love by Stephanie Laurens - 407 pages

Alasdair Cynster, known to his intimates as Lucifer, decides to rusticate in the country before the matchmaking skills of London's mamas become firmly focused on him, the last unwed member of the Bar Cynster. But an escape to Devon leads him straight to his destiny in the irresistible form of Phyllida Tallent, a willful, independent beauty of means who brings all his masterful Cynster instincts rioting to the fore. Lucifer tries to deny the desire Phyllida evokes--acting on it will land him in parson's mousetrap, one place he's sworn never to go. But destiny intervenes, leaving him to face the greatest Cynster challenge--wooing a reluctant bride.

Phyllida has had a bevy of suitors--her charm and wit are well known throughout the countryside--but none of them has tempted her the way Lucifer does. His offer to teach her all about the ways of love is almost too tantalizing to resist. And although she's not yet completely surrendered, she knows only a fool stands against a Cynster...and Phyllida is no one's fool.

The Right Path by Nora Roberts

The Right Path by  Nora Roberts - 336 pages

On the first night of Morgan's vacation to Greece to visit her best friend and new husband, she is attacked while on the beach.  Turns out her "attacker" is next door neighbor and wealthy exporter Nicholas Gregoras.  What is he mixed up with?

I was quite frankly offended by this book.  The whole premise that a woman would fall in love with someone who physically attacked her, continually harassed her, and even snuck unwanted into her bed is ludicrous.  Though she repeatedly tells him no, the "hero" proceeds to push her into a relationship.  This is rather offensive.  The only reason I kept listening to it was that it fit the February romance reading challenge.  Unfortunately, it took me a couple days longer to finish than I thought it would so I didn't even meet that challenge.  I truly don't think this earlier work by Nora Roberts should have been reissued.

The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter

The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter - 334 pages

Emma Fairbourne is deteremined to keep her father's auction house running after he dies.  She has a plan to have the auctioneer pretend to be running the house while she does all the work behind the scenes.  The problem is that Darius, the Earl of Southwaite, is a silent partner and he is determined to sell the business.  Now its a battle of wills between the two.

This was a fun historical romance read.  The elements of smuggling and espionage that were included were interesting.  I did think that it took a while for the the earl to figure out what was going on when it seemed fairly obvious, but the author played it well with him not wanting to believe the worst of Emma.