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The Sun Never Sets #2
Out of Her League
An AVA ARCHER PAYNE ‘HOT HISTORICAL’
Captain James Lancaster, formerly one of London’s most notorious rakes, returns to England a broken man after a brutal tour in the Crimea. He is wounded in body and spirit, his badly injured leg leaving him unable to walk without crutches.
Nurse Katherine Riley has spent her entire life caring for others, but lately she finds herself longing for more. On a whim she indulges in a secret cache of provocative lingerie—just a little something to make her feel beautiful beneath her drab gowns, even if no one else can see it.
When James glimpses the erotic beauty hidden beneath Kate’s prim and proper façade, he introduces her to a sensual array of forbidden delights. Healing takes on an entirely new meaning. As Kate nurses James to a full recovery, their liaison opens her eyes to an enticing new world. How will she ever return to the staid life she once knew?
ATTN READERS: THIS BOOK CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT.
Captain James Lancaster, formerly one of London’s most notorious rakes, returns to England a broken man after a brutal tour in the Crimea. He is wounded in body and spirit, his badly injured leg leaving him unable to walk without crutches.
Nurse Katherine Riley has spent her entire life caring for others, but lately she finds herself longing for more. On a whim she indulges in a secret cache of provocative lingerie—just a little something to make her feel beautiful beneath her drab gowns, even if no one else can see it.
When James glimpses the erotic beauty hidden beneath Kate’s prim and proper façade, he introduces her to a sensual array of forbidden delights. Healing takes on an entirely new meaning. As Kate nurses James to a full recovery, their liaison opens her eyes to an enticing new world. How will she ever return to the staid life she once knew?
ATTN READERS: THIS BOOK CONTAINS EROTIC CONTENT.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2012
About the author
Ava Archer Payne
5 books23 followersAll of my novels are now available on Kindle. I love to hear from readers! Please feel free to message me on Facebook. Happy reading to all, and thanks for visiting my page!
Also writes Historical Romance as Victoria Lynne.
Also writes Historical Romance as Victoria Lynne.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 15, 2012
Reviewed on my blog - Queen of the Night Reviews
Out of Her League is a delightfully wicked Victorian romance set in London near the end of the Crimean War. With well developed characters, sharp dialogue and plenty of sexual heat, Ms. Payne captured my attention from the first page. While the Victorian era is well known for it's adherence to social and sexual restraint, Ms. Payne captured the periods beginning social revolution towards a more lax attitude between the upper working classes and the nobility. She also captured the era's leanings towards romanticism.
Katherine "Kate" Riley is a young female nurse whose future seems destined to be ruled by duty and sacrifice. What began as willing labor after her mother's death has now become a chore; her brother's take her housekeeping duties and income from her employment for granted. Determined to have a little bit of fun Kate has arranged a holiday, which will cost almost nothing.
Unfortunately her brother's gambling once again forces Kate to surrender her plans and force her to agree to assist the doctor assigned to help cure Captain James Lancaster's injuries. Ms. Payne did a wonderful job with Kate's character; at the start of this story she is like a cygnet, a baby swan who hasn't developed it's wings and beauty, but by the end of the story she is a fully developed swan ready for flight. Her sexual awakening is quite magnificent.
Captain James Lancaster is also the perfect hero for Kate's heroine. A hero home from the Crimean War, he's bitter and somewhat angry about the direction his life has taken at the beginning of this story. The rich son of a nobleman; he's unused to dealing with injury and the limitations it has placed on his body. Fortunately for him, he has the means to obtain the best medical care in an era when medical science was beginning to make some huge strides in patient care. Obtaining a private doctor and nurse is no problem for him. Falling in lust with his nurse is a grand diversion; he just didn't plan to fall in love with her too.
Ms. Payne did an excellent job developing both the romantic and sexual relationship between Kate and James. They are the prefect match for each other in temperament, desire and willingness to go outside the social norms. While they both realize their relationship brings risks; both are willing to take the chance and unknowingly they both fall in love.
When James injuries are healed, will he figure out a way to keep his private nurse? Will Kate fully awaken to her worth and deal with her brothers? You need to read Out of Her League to find out. I really enjoyed it and I think you will too.
Out of Her League is a delightfully wicked Victorian romance set in London near the end of the Crimean War. With well developed characters, sharp dialogue and plenty of sexual heat, Ms. Payne captured my attention from the first page. While the Victorian era is well known for it's adherence to social and sexual restraint, Ms. Payne captured the periods beginning social revolution towards a more lax attitude between the upper working classes and the nobility. She also captured the era's leanings towards romanticism.
Katherine "Kate" Riley is a young female nurse whose future seems destined to be ruled by duty and sacrifice. What began as willing labor after her mother's death has now become a chore; her brother's take her housekeeping duties and income from her employment for granted. Determined to have a little bit of fun Kate has arranged a holiday, which will cost almost nothing.
Unfortunately her brother's gambling once again forces Kate to surrender her plans and force her to agree to assist the doctor assigned to help cure Captain James Lancaster's injuries. Ms. Payne did a wonderful job with Kate's character; at the start of this story she is like a cygnet, a baby swan who hasn't developed it's wings and beauty, but by the end of the story she is a fully developed swan ready for flight. Her sexual awakening is quite magnificent.
Captain James Lancaster is also the perfect hero for Kate's heroine. A hero home from the Crimean War, he's bitter and somewhat angry about the direction his life has taken at the beginning of this story. The rich son of a nobleman; he's unused to dealing with injury and the limitations it has placed on his body. Fortunately for him, he has the means to obtain the best medical care in an era when medical science was beginning to make some huge strides in patient care. Obtaining a private doctor and nurse is no problem for him. Falling in lust with his nurse is a grand diversion; he just didn't plan to fall in love with her too.
Ms. Payne did an excellent job developing both the romantic and sexual relationship between Kate and James. They are the prefect match for each other in temperament, desire and willingness to go outside the social norms. While they both realize their relationship brings risks; both are willing to take the chance and unknowingly they both fall in love.
When James injuries are healed, will he figure out a way to keep his private nurse? Will Kate fully awaken to her worth and deal with her brothers? You need to read Out of Her League to find out. I really enjoyed it and I think you will too.
August 9, 2012
Update: Upon re-read, this book is just as awesome as I remembered!
A lot of times when you read Historical erotica, it's all about the sex. There may be a few mentions of corsets and cravats thrown in, but the real history just isn't always there. What I loved about this book is that you get that hot erotic story, but with a rich Historical setting. As a former nursing student, I especially appreciated the history of nursing thrown in as well as mentions of Florence Nightingale.
As a heroine, I really sympathized with poor Kate. It is a story we've all read about in Historicals, the pragmatic younger sister who has to sacrifice her happiness because of her drunken, gambling, bumbling idiot brothers. After her physician father's death, Kate's brothers gamble and drink away their inheritance, leaving Kate to have to scratch, scrimp, and work like a dog to support them all. She's got dreams though...getting to Paris and exploring the Lourve and the cafes and shops, freely and without demand from her brothers, while wearing her scandalous collection of lacy and silky unmentionable beneath her gowns. Kate doesn't buy the lingerie with seduction on the mind, she buys the decadent confections because she wants to feel beautiful, womanly. When her dreams of a Paris trip are crushed, Kate finds herself working with a doctor to do physical rehab on an injured war veteran.
Enter James Lancaster, the perfectly charming hero. He was definitely my favorite character of the two. Suave, charming, sexy and best of all, owning a sense of humor that had me giggling on several pages. When he catches a glimpse of Nurse Kate's silky unmentionables beneath her drab work clothes, he is intrigued with her. Throughout the book, though, I was intrigued with him. He was just that loveable.
As far as the sex goes, it is hot, hot, hot, with lots of spice and variety thrown into the mix. What I appreciated most about it, though, is that none of it was fluff. None of the sensual scenes seemed just thrown in for the sake of being there, as I have experienced in other erotic books. I also appreciated that while Kate was a virgin, she wasn't one of those simpering heroines waiting for the man to show her what to do. She was eager to please and learn and that created much hotter interaction between the two.
The ending was satisfying and believable and I found myself with a new go-to author for hot historical romance in the end. Ava Archer Payne is definitely an author I will read again.
A lot of times when you read Historical erotica, it's all about the sex. There may be a few mentions of corsets and cravats thrown in, but the real history just isn't always there. What I loved about this book is that you get that hot erotic story, but with a rich Historical setting. As a former nursing student, I especially appreciated the history of nursing thrown in as well as mentions of Florence Nightingale.
As a heroine, I really sympathized with poor Kate. It is a story we've all read about in Historicals, the pragmatic younger sister who has to sacrifice her happiness because of her drunken, gambling, bumbling idiot brothers. After her physician father's death, Kate's brothers gamble and drink away their inheritance, leaving Kate to have to scratch, scrimp, and work like a dog to support them all. She's got dreams though...getting to Paris and exploring the Lourve and the cafes and shops, freely and without demand from her brothers, while wearing her scandalous collection of lacy and silky unmentionable beneath her gowns. Kate doesn't buy the lingerie with seduction on the mind, she buys the decadent confections because she wants to feel beautiful, womanly. When her dreams of a Paris trip are crushed, Kate finds herself working with a doctor to do physical rehab on an injured war veteran.
Enter James Lancaster, the perfectly charming hero. He was definitely my favorite character of the two. Suave, charming, sexy and best of all, owning a sense of humor that had me giggling on several pages. When he catches a glimpse of Nurse Kate's silky unmentionables beneath her drab work clothes, he is intrigued with her. Throughout the book, though, I was intrigued with him. He was just that loveable.
As far as the sex goes, it is hot, hot, hot, with lots of spice and variety thrown into the mix. What I appreciated most about it, though, is that none of it was fluff. None of the sensual scenes seemed just thrown in for the sake of being there, as I have experienced in other erotic books. I also appreciated that while Kate was a virgin, she wasn't one of those simpering heroines waiting for the man to show her what to do. She was eager to please and learn and that created much hotter interaction between the two.
The ending was satisfying and believable and I found myself with a new go-to author for hot historical romance in the end. Ava Archer Payne is definitely an author I will read again.
December 16, 2012
Not bad! Considering the anachronistic title/cover and all the sideplots that ended up nowhere, the main characters had something to recommend them, specially the hero, who came out as charming and funny because as he put it "a little teasing is preferable to dark bouts of brooding."
With a subtitle like 'an erotic romance' I was expecting them to roll in the hay in the first five pages but it actually took until halfway through the novella! (There was some kissing and heavy petting before that, but nothing major.)
I would definitely be tempted to read a full length novel by this author because I think she can make good dialogue. However, she must work on those side plots. This novella had like a million side plots that suddenly fell as if from a cliff and went nowhere but maybe she can make them work if she has more room to work.
With a subtitle like 'an erotic romance' I was expecting them to roll in the hay in the first five pages but it actually took until halfway through the novella! (There was some kissing and heavy petting before that, but nothing major.)
I would definitely be tempted to read a full length novel by this author because I think she can make good dialogue. However, she must work on those side plots. This novella had like a million side plots that suddenly fell as if from a cliff and went nowhere but maybe she can make them work if she has more room to work.
January 2, 2015
I did a Sample Reading of this book when it was released in 2012 and really enjoyed the excerpt. I finally got the chance to read this book recently and most of what I wrote in my assessment of the first two sample chapters hold true: Kate's very unique "hobby" is what drew me in, and, when you read further and discover her family's story, you realise that it isn't merely a hobby, but her act of quiet rebellion against her unfeeling brothers. Kate is like many other women (of her time and ours) whose dreams have been suppressed by forces beyond her control -- she's made the best of her situation, and, despite their strained finances, she quietly saves up her portion and indulges in the luxury of fine ladies' undergarments.
I kept waiting for her brothers to receive their comeuppance, but, that didn't seem to be the point of the story. Although I did get the impression that the author was hinting at a subplot relating to Kate's brothers: I honestly thought the "work" they were involved helping a random person (referred to as a "chap" in loc 311) ship supplies to the Crimea was a bit shady, but the author never pursues the thread -- focusing, instead on developing Kate and James's relationship.
James Lancaster was injured in the war and has already given up hope of ever recovering, but his mother believes otherwise and has hired a doctor whom she thinks can help James recover the use of his legs. Kate happens to be the nurse assisting Dr. Michaelson -- and what happens next between James and Kate is instant attraction. For James. For Kate, it's revisiting an infatuation she had felt for James when she first saw him three years ago.
Ava Archer Payne refers to her works as "Hot Historicals" and Out of her League is exactly that -- a straightforward story about our hero and heroine giving in to their mutual attraction and desire to each other. Kate and James are very aware that their relationship is based on physical desire, and neither seems to think about the future. I like how pragmatic our hero and heroine are -- I like that Kate is making very realistic decisions based on her own wants and needs.
James's recovery happens on two levels: physically, Dr. Michaelson's unconventional treatment works and allows James to walk with the assistance of a cane, and emotionally -- James had resigned himself to having a society marriage with his betrothed Vanessa Kittworthy. He knew it would be a polite marriage, but one with no spark or excitement. He knew his heart wasn't engaged, but, with Kate, James feels everything and rediscovers his lust for life. (Pun intended.)
This is a short novel, but one that also explores the sad circumstances of injured soldiers who have returned home from war: they are not titled or important, and, while they've given up life and limb for their country, they aren't heralded as heroes and invited to balls -- they are left to recuperate in lonely hospitals because their families cannot afford to visit them.
Overall, a very satisfying read. I have a feeling I'll be reading more of Ava Archer Payne's books this coming 2015. ^_^
It wouldn't matter that no one else would know what she wore beneath her plain wool gowns. It wouldn't matter that her breasts were too generous for the current fashion, or that her hips were slightly wider than what was deemed attractive. For once, Katherine Riley would feel beautiful. Special. Noticed.
- loc 14
I kept waiting for her brothers to receive their comeuppance, but, that didn't seem to be the point of the story. Although I did get the impression that the author was hinting at a subplot relating to Kate's brothers: I honestly thought the "work" they were involved helping a random person (referred to as a "chap" in loc 311) ship supplies to the Crimea was a bit shady, but the author never pursues the thread -- focusing, instead on developing Kate and James's relationship.
James Lancaster was injured in the war and has already given up hope of ever recovering, but his mother believes otherwise and has hired a doctor whom she thinks can help James recover the use of his legs. Kate happens to be the nurse assisting Dr. Michaelson -- and what happens next between James and Kate is instant attraction. For James. For Kate, it's revisiting an infatuation she had felt for James when she first saw him three years ago.
Ava Archer Payne refers to her works as "Hot Historicals" and Out of her League is exactly that -- a straightforward story about our hero and heroine giving in to their mutual attraction and desire to each other. Kate and James are very aware that their relationship is based on physical desire, and neither seems to think about the future. I like how pragmatic our hero and heroine are -- I like that Kate is making very realistic decisions based on her own wants and needs.
"What are you intending?"
"Damned if I know."
"This certainly isn't proper."
"Damned if I care."
To her utter astonishment, Kate wasn't entirely certain she cared, either. She'd played the part of dutiful daughter, dutiful sister, and dutiful nurse her entire life. Now, at the age of three and twenty, she was coming to the realisation that the role didn't entirely suit her. She'd lived her life as though crammed into a pair of shoes that had been pinching and cramping her for years. Here was an opportunity to try something scandalous and new. An invitation to see what she'd been missing, if only she had the courage to reach for it.
- loc 406 to 414
James's recovery happens on two levels: physically, Dr. Michaelson's unconventional treatment works and allows James to walk with the assistance of a cane, and emotionally -- James had resigned himself to having a society marriage with his betrothed Vanessa Kittworthy. He knew it would be a polite marriage, but one with no spark or excitement. He knew his heart wasn't engaged, but, with Kate, James feels everything and rediscovers his lust for life. (Pun intended.)
This is a short novel, but one that also explores the sad circumstances of injured soldiers who have returned home from war: they are not titled or important, and, while they've given up life and limb for their country, they aren't heralded as heroes and invited to balls -- they are left to recuperate in lonely hospitals because their families cannot afford to visit them.
Overall, a very satisfying read. I have a feeling I'll be reading more of Ava Archer Payne's books this coming 2015. ^_^
January 3, 2017
A Rare find- good steamy romance set in Victorian era
It is always a pleasant surprise when I find a well-written historical romance that seamlessly incorporates sexy love scenes. Thank you, Ms Vane, for a rare treat.
I truly loved Katherine, the heroine. She embodied a competent working woman in an era where men had all the legal rights and women had few choices. Kudos to the author for obviously putting real effort into merging historical culture with a sexy romance between an independent gentlewoman and a titled hero.
She also did a nice job of setting the heroine in a situation where her choice to embark on an affair was quite credible.
At one point, I did find myself questioning why the heroine stayed in the same household with her profligate dependent brothers. However the author nicely wrapped up that conundrum by the end of the book.
My only disappointment- wished the book would've been longer. I would've liked more about the hero's family relationships. Also felt the HEA was a bit sudden, which is not unusual for novellas.
All said, I enjoyed this book so much that I will definitely put the author on my must-read list.
It is always a pleasant surprise when I find a well-written historical romance that seamlessly incorporates sexy love scenes. Thank you, Ms Vane, for a rare treat.
I truly loved Katherine, the heroine. She embodied a competent working woman in an era where men had all the legal rights and women had few choices. Kudos to the author for obviously putting real effort into merging historical culture with a sexy romance between an independent gentlewoman and a titled hero.
She also did a nice job of setting the heroine in a situation where her choice to embark on an affair was quite credible.
At one point, I did find myself questioning why the heroine stayed in the same household with her profligate dependent brothers. However the author nicely wrapped up that conundrum by the end of the book.
My only disappointment- wished the book would've been longer. I would've liked more about the hero's family relationships. Also felt the HEA was a bit sudden, which is not unusual for novellas.
All said, I enjoyed this book so much that I will definitely put the author on my must-read list.
August 26, 2012
Out of Her League, for being a rather short and quick read, packs a lot of emotions and super hot sexual encounters amongst the pages. From the likable characters to the nice balance between sexy encounters and character development this ends up being a satisfying read that will appeal to fans of the historical genre as well as erotica.
Katherine Riley's family used to socialize with the uppercrust until her father's passing and her brother's vices squandered their inheritance, forcing them to live in a more meager fashion. The last ball she attended before their financial fall left her with many dreams of the handsome soldier she watched from afar all night. Fate has brought her back into the company of that soldier to help heal his war wounds and this time around he gives Katherine his undivided attention and changes her life completely. Changing her life is a big part of the story. Katherine has taken care of her brothers for so long that she's lost herself and the possibilities for her future. She's made them weak by not making them care for themselves and their responsibilities. It's an unconventional impetus that makes Katherine stand up for herself and the scene where she finally declares her independence is not only humorous but empowering. I admired her familial dedication at the start and admired her even more for asserting herself.
War hero James Lancaster seems depressed when we first meet him and desperate to get his body back to the way it was. Stuck with an uncaring almost-fiance he's struck by his immediate connection to Katherine and the promise of future happiness he sees in her eyes. He immediately turns on the charm and I can see why Katherine's immediately smitten and willing to carry on such an unconventional relationship. She seems like the perfect match for him on many levels and the connection between them evolves quickly and intensely. This leads to many creative and erotic encounters that are perfectly spaced throughout the story and keep the level of sexual tension running high.
My only issue with this story is how quickly it's wrapped up. Considering their differences in social status I expected more problems from society regarding their relationship. Their relationship seemed to progress too easily which didn't seem realistic. The story is still immensely enjoyable and has me wanting to read more from this author. Those wanting lots of steamy encounters from an extremely likable couple will find themselves wanting to pick this book up.
Katherine Riley's family used to socialize with the uppercrust until her father's passing and her brother's vices squandered their inheritance, forcing them to live in a more meager fashion. The last ball she attended before their financial fall left her with many dreams of the handsome soldier she watched from afar all night. Fate has brought her back into the company of that soldier to help heal his war wounds and this time around he gives Katherine his undivided attention and changes her life completely. Changing her life is a big part of the story. Katherine has taken care of her brothers for so long that she's lost herself and the possibilities for her future. She's made them weak by not making them care for themselves and their responsibilities. It's an unconventional impetus that makes Katherine stand up for herself and the scene where she finally declares her independence is not only humorous but empowering. I admired her familial dedication at the start and admired her even more for asserting herself.
War hero James Lancaster seems depressed when we first meet him and desperate to get his body back to the way it was. Stuck with an uncaring almost-fiance he's struck by his immediate connection to Katherine and the promise of future happiness he sees in her eyes. He immediately turns on the charm and I can see why Katherine's immediately smitten and willing to carry on such an unconventional relationship. She seems like the perfect match for him on many levels and the connection between them evolves quickly and intensely. This leads to many creative and erotic encounters that are perfectly spaced throughout the story and keep the level of sexual tension running high.
My only issue with this story is how quickly it's wrapped up. Considering their differences in social status I expected more problems from society regarding their relationship. Their relationship seemed to progress too easily which didn't seem realistic. The story is still immensely enjoyable and has me wanting to read more from this author. Those wanting lots of steamy encounters from an extremely likable couple will find themselves wanting to pick this book up.
January 26, 2014
This was a great quick read with steamy sex.....just how I love my Historical Romances. James, having been injured in the Crimean War is being helped with his recovery by Kate, a nurse at a local London hospital. Even though Kate is a twenty-three year old virgin who loves to wear sexy lingerie, she still has a sweet, but no-nonsense, innocence about her. James is expected to marry Miss Kittworthy (who is very unworthy, in my opinion), is attracted to Kate right from the start and Kate returns the attraction. What starts out as stolen kisses, soon turns to hot love scenes that had me fanning myself quite often throughout the book. The only reason for the four stars is because of Kate's brothers. The author brought them into the picture as drunken, gambling louts who depended on Kate to keep them taken care of. There was also a kind of side story about them regaining some monies, but nothing further on them or their plan. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed James and Kate's story and am looking forward to more from this author.
November 13, 2012
Smutty yet classy erotic historical romance, cinderella romance where the h is nurse who's taken for granted by her wastrel brothers. After the death of her father her fortunes turn for the worse and despite both of her brothers being surgeons the h has to drudge away as a nurse to support the family. To make things worse just before she is supposed to go on a coveted trip to paris france (while nurse maid to an elderly charge) her brother has gambled money they don't have & in order to pay the debt the poor h must give up her trip to help nurse a injured soldier from the Crimean war.
The H soldier is a peer and former rake that the h had a crush on in the past but at that time he was 'out of her league'. Of course they fall in lust (& love!) as she nurses him back to health. Many smoking hot sex scenes yet I didn't feel it was too excessive or out of place. I'm looking forward to more books from Ms Payne
The H soldier is a peer and former rake that the h had a crush on in the past but at that time he was 'out of her league'. Of course they fall in lust (& love!) as she nurses him back to health. Many smoking hot sex scenes yet I didn't feel it was too excessive or out of place. I'm looking forward to more books from Ms Payne
January 28, 2013
Another great Kindle freebie find! It's also well worth the current price of $2.99. The story line is nothing special, but as intelligently crafted and engagingly written by this author, it moved along at a brisk pace and left me emotionally satisfied. The sex scenes and sexual tension are also very well done, and the h's lingerie obsession provides an appealing kinky touch.
Although this is currently the only book under the author's name, she claims to have been "writing historical romance for 15 years under a variety of pseudonyms." I would love to know some of those pseudonyms, in order to hunt down her other works, but I've been unable to find any further information - perhaps she's under some type of nondisclosure agreement? If any one can enlighten me, please feel free to comment on this review.
Although this is currently the only book under the author's name, she claims to have been "writing historical romance for 15 years under a variety of pseudonyms." I would love to know some of those pseudonyms, in order to hunt down her other works, but I've been unable to find any further information - perhaps she's under some type of nondisclosure agreement? If any one can enlighten me, please feel free to comment on this review.
May 4, 2013
A well written erotic historical. I liked the characters especially James, he was funny and sexy. The sex scenes were well-place and had good build-up, there's actually an interesting story in this novella.The book ended a bit abruptly, but I was still satisfied with the ending.
I review paranormal, contemporary (including erotica), new adult and young adult romances. My 4 to 5 star reads can be found at:
Victoria Paige Books - Reviews
I review paranormal, contemporary (including erotica), new adult and young adult romances. My 4 to 5 star reads can be found at:
Victoria Paige Books - Reviews
February 20, 2014
A good, quick hot read. For me as a modern-day woman, I can't imagine being tied to family members who would expect me to take care of them to the point of repressing my own wants...so I was rooting for Kate to break away to find her own happiness.
The characters were pretty well developed for such a short read. The thing that took a star away for me was the missing words or incorrect words scattered throughout the book. While I can fill in the blanks, simple editing errors like this will always cause me to take away a star.
The characters were pretty well developed for such a short read. The thing that took a star away for me was the missing words or incorrect words scattered throughout the book. While I can fill in the blanks, simple editing errors like this will always cause me to take away a star.
July 19, 2013
A retelling of Cinderella with a historical twist. Instead of playing with her step-sisters' finery, she secretly buys her own to wear under nursing uniform. I loved watching Kate coming out of her shell. Some historical moments from the Crimean War give this short story more depth, even adding a bit of suspense to the ending. Ending with a ball, like all good Cinderella's story it's a nice HEA for all.
August 15, 2012
I'm not really a historical romance type of person, but I enjoyed this book. Great light reading for a quiet afternoon. Her erotic scenes were well-written and quite steamy. What I liked about the book was that it was balanced. Good plot, well-told story, good character development all mixed together with steamy sex. A great little read!
December 15, 2012
I really enjoyed this ebook. it was a kindle freebie so I generally don't set my expectations too high, but I was very plesantly surprised by this one. I'll be sure to add more Ava Archer Payne to my TBR pile.
January 23, 2013
This was a great little historical romance with the heat turned up a notch. If you enjoy historical written for grown-ups with love scenes that don't fade to black give this a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I will definitely look for others by this author.
November 10, 2012
Free 11/10/12 at Amazon
November 13, 2012
cute , nice little read
December 13, 2012
A free Amazon read that was quite entertaining. A bit of historical references to nursing in its early days. A bodice (or at least one chemise) ripper - sometimes improbable but fun never the less!
March 11, 2013
A good, funny, short read. Enjoyed it.
December 3, 2013
Short, sweet & spicy! Yum!
October 5, 2014
Loved it!
For readers who like regency romance, this is for you. Its a feel good, make your toes curl read. Loved both h/h. I'm definitely adding this author to my favorites.
For readers who like regency romance, this is for you. Its a feel good, make your toes curl read. Loved both h/h. I'm definitely adding this author to my favorites.
December 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. It was well written and I enjoyed the plot as well.
September 3, 2014
This expertly blends steamy and sweet amid a colorful historical backdrop.
February 25, 2016
a quick sexy read but the romance happened too fast and I felt little of the connection.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews