Title: 'Twas the Night after Christmas

Author: Sabrina Jeffries

Series: Hellions of Halstead Hall, #6

My rating: 5 of 5

(Book read on July 1st, 2013.)

Summary:

 

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has been estranged from his mother for most of his life. When his mother’s new companion, Mrs. Camilla Stuart, writes to tell him that his mother is seriously ill, he goes home. But when he learns that the lovely widow tricked him in order to effect a holiday reconciliation, he refuses to stay - unless she meets his “terms.” Somewhere between trying to seduce the beautiful Camilla and struggling with the cruel memories of his childhood Christmases, Pierce discovers that not only does forgiveness go two ways, but that love can blossom even in the coldest of winters.

 

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:  

 

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and her series Hellions of Halstead Hall is also one of my favorite series. So, I was pleasantly surprised that after wrapping up the Sharpe siblings story in the 5th book (a book I thought will be the last in the series), she wrote another book in the series featuring Pierce Waverly, one of the secondary characters present in books 4 & 5 of the series, and a cousin to Virginia Waverly (now Sharpe). I thought he was a fun character when I met him for the 1st time, so I was looking forward to reading his story.

 

The mystery about why he was enstranged from his mother was well layed out through the story, and I enjoyed learning about it, because I couldn't quite point out the exact reasons why his parents did what they did. It's quite sad, but intriguing story, and we definitely get to know & understand why Pierce is the man he is now, and he's quite developed character. I also found him fun & charming, and really, really likable. 

 

As for Camilla, I loved her as a character. Yeah, she meddles where she shouldn't, but surprisingly, I didn't find that irritating at all. She's witty & fun, also honest & loyal, and really, really likable. Also, I absolutely adored her son Jasper, he was such a sweetie.

 

The chemistry & the interactions between Pierce & Camilla were great & lots of fun. I loved their banter, they made me smile again & again. I also loved that they didn't jump right into it, but they got to know each other. The attraction between them was there from the beginning, but their feelings for each other developed through out the story. In the end, they were sweet & perfect for each other.

 

'Twas the Night After Christmas is a lovely holiday romance, about family, love & forgiveness. It will definitely warm your heart. Also, if you're a fan of the series, you definitely wouldn't want to miss this one, because who wouldn't want more glimpses from the infamous Sharpe family ;) I know I did, and although it was sad saying goodbye to them all, it was still sweet & I wouldn't have missed it for anything!     

 

Challenges:

2013 TBR Pile Challenge

2013 Books-In-A-Series Reading Challenge

 Don't Let It End Reading Challenge

Title: How to Woo a Reluctant Lady

Author: Sabrina Jeffries

Series: Hellions of Halstead Hall, Book 3

Summary:

When a charming rogue proposes she marry him to meet her grandmother's ultimatum, the Sharpe clan's strong-willed sister makes a tempting counter-offer that preserves her inheritance and ignites his imagination.

Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart.

 

My rating: 3.5 of 5

 

My thoughts on the book:

As always when I read a book by Sabrina Jeffries, I enjoyed this book, but compared with the previous two books in the series, I was a little disappointed! Maybe because ever since I met both Giles & Minerva in the first book, I knew that they'll end up together & I couldn't wait to read their story, so maybe I had too high expectations. It was still lots of fun & I enjoyed it a lot!

 

Challenges:

• 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011
• Alphabet Challenge 2011  
• A to Z Challenge 2011
• Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2011  

Title: A Hellion in Her Bed

Author: Sabrina Jeffries

Series: Hellions of Halstead Hall, Book 2

Summary:

Furious at his grandmother's ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck - and his heart - at the card table against a most unlikely opponent. 

Mired in scandal after his parents' mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in him can't resist when beguiling Annabel Lake proposes a wager. If she wins their card game, he must help save her family's foundering brewery. But if he wins, she must spend a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy all his plans . . . and unveils the secret Annabel has held for so long. When Jarret discovers the darker reason behind her wager, he forces her into another one - and this time he intends to win not just her body, but her heart.

My rating: 4.5 of 5

My thoughts on the book:

I loved the book! It was lots of fun, I enjoyed the story a lot & I loved both Jarret & Annabel & their chemistry! Another great book by Sabrina Jeffries & Jarret is now one of my favorite heroes! I highly recommend it to every fan of historical romances!

Challenges:

• 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2011
• 2011 Historical Romance Challenge
• 2nds Challenge 2011

Summary:

Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has been London's most notorious rake for years. Fed up with his behavior, his grandmother threatens to disinherit him if he doesn't tame his wild ways and wed within the year. Outraged, Oliver decides to hire a woman from a brothel to pose as his fiancée to prove that he can't be forced into marriage. When he meets Maria Butterfield, a beautiful American woman who is searching for her fiancé in the most unlikely of places, he knows she's perfect for his ruse. But before long, Oliver finds himself willing to risk anything to make Maria his - even his heart, and the dark secret he hides inside it.

My thoughts on the book:

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite authors of historical romances and as always she doesn't disappoint. I loved the book & I'm looking forward to the other books in the series. I just love series about family members and I think that these one might become one of my favorites. Definitely a must-read for every fan of historical romances.

My rating: 5/5

Challenges:

• Historical Romance Reading Challenge 2010
• First in a Series Challenge 2010
• 100+ Reading Challenge 2010
• The Countdown Challenge
• Monthly Mixer Mele