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The Redgraves #2
What a Lady Needs
From USA TODAY bestselling author Kasey Michaels comes the second book in her captivating series about the Redgraves—four siblings celebrated for their legacy of scandal and seduction…
Lady Katherine Redgrave has one mission—to find her deceased father's journals, which may hold the key to a traitorous conspiracy that puts Kate's family in danger. Kate vows to let no obstacle stand in her way…but when she meets Simon Ravenbill, Marquis of Singleton, her attention is diverted as the sinfully handsome nobleman tempts her beyond reason.
Simon has a mission of his to uncover the truth about the secret society he believes murdered his brother. All he needs is to get to the Redgrave journals before Kate does. The solution is simple—he'll romance the fiery beauty in hopes of distracting her from her quest, all while covertly searching for the diaries himself. Yet what begins as a charade soon becomes an all-consuming desire…one that could lead them down the most dangerous path of all.
Lady Katherine Redgrave has one mission—to find her deceased father's journals, which may hold the key to a traitorous conspiracy that puts Kate's family in danger. Kate vows to let no obstacle stand in her way…but when she meets Simon Ravenbill, Marquis of Singleton, her attention is diverted as the sinfully handsome nobleman tempts her beyond reason.
Simon has a mission of his to uncover the truth about the secret society he believes murdered his brother. All he needs is to get to the Redgrave journals before Kate does. The solution is simple—he'll romance the fiery beauty in hopes of distracting her from her quest, all while covertly searching for the diaries himself. Yet what begins as a charade soon becomes an all-consuming desire…one that could lead them down the most dangerous path of all.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books541 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 2, 2013
This is an incredible piece of work, combining just the right amount of humor, intrigue, and love into a history suspense-cum-romance story, along with endearing, wonderful characters. The mystery of the Redgrave scandals pick up from the previous novel, but the important details are all explained in this novel, so readers would not feel left out of the grand mission that interposes the four novels of the Redgrave siblings (Gideon, Max, Val, Kate; Max and Val's story yet to come).
The Redgrave family, of the Saltwood earldom, has always been lucky. Its ancestry traces several centuries back, and through sheer cunning and pragmatism, have managed to profit from England's turbulent 18th century history. Naturally, every noble family has its own scandals, except the Redgraves are now confronting the rebirth of the Society, a hellfire club that the current generation's grandfather had created, suspecting its unknown members of plotting treason. I won't explain further, as the prologue provides a good understanding of the gist of this mystery/suspense, which is the underlying component of the Redgraves series.
Taking over the reins from Gideon Redgrave, the current Earl of Saltwood, is his sister Katherine. Kate is the youngest of the four Redgrave siblings, and having been raised by their eccentric grandmother Trixie, is now an adventurous and bold beauty possessing a curious combination of worldly knowledge and innocence. She and her brother Valentine are to search for the hidden journals of the Society, along with Simon Ravenbill, the Marquess of Singleton, whose interest in the Redgrave family is mired with his own family secrets. At first sight, Simon is struck by Kate's beauty, but as he comes to understand her more, and she him, they come to truly fall in love with each other.
Simon and Kate are both unique individuals who are well-crafted on their own but together, they complement each other so well the chemistry really flares up between them. The first chapter sums up well Kate's appeal. Having a gorgeous body, a strong intellect and intense curiosity as well as an adventurous spirit, she could lead any man on a merry chase. Kate's character is of more focus in the book, as she represents the scandalous Redgraves in her spirit and unladylike behavior. By this I don't mean anything truly scandalous, but rather indulging her curiosity and intelligence where it suits her, and living her life as she wants under the careful watch of her loving brothers and servants. Having received a fulsome education from Trixie, Kate is confident in her own beauty and irresistable charms, but from all manners she is simply an independent, singular lady, and not shrewish nor manipulative as she might have turned out had another author without Mrs. Michaels' touch for characterization written it. To put it simply, I was both pleasantly surprised and delighted at Kate's mischievousness, sharp wits, loving nature, and mental maturity throughout the story as she deals with the crushing realities of her father.
Simon is just as likable as Kate, and in some instances, more so because he was less impacted by their discovered secrets. He is kind and sweet towards Kate, despite their initial brief hostility towards each other. Not only can he see through Kate's vulnerabilities, but he treats her as an equal and appreciates her for who she is, not wanting to change any aspect of her personality. He gradually realizes that he will have to marry Kate, because to not do so would mean living a miserable existence. Simon is a true gentleman, letting Kate win their mock battles at times, and other times hilariously showing off, but all the while conscious of Kate's feelings and slowly falls in love with her. Simon's first gift to Kate is his trust and friendship, which lends this novel to far more value than those others that are only concerned with repressed passions. Simon's giving Kate time to sort out her feelings to their discoveries, along with his promise that he will always be waiting for her, is just the sweetest action any hero can do for the heroine in a time of confusion.
The story's plot is done with superb pacing, with not a single seemingly useless detail mentioned that would not prove its worth. The intrigue is maintained throughout the novel, never losing my attention even when the action slowed down in the middle as the romance gained more attention. No hacked off ending or convoluted and improbable plot twists marred the story, and the historical detail paid was astounding; it's evident that Mrs. Michaels had thoroughly done her research for this novel, even down to the diction and dialogue.
With regards to dialogue, it ranges from humorous to outrageously hilarious; I was laughing throughout the book at the antics of Kate's doltish and idiotic brother-in-law Adam, the amusing and loving butler Dearborn, and Kate's charming brother Val, who is getting his story next. All of the aspects of a fine novel are showcased in WHAT A LADY NEEDS, and I urge readers to read and see for yourselves what a great read this is. I've only recently been introduced to Kasey Michaels, and now I can say with certainty that her writing is original even in this heavily populated genre of historical romance.
The Redgrave family, of the Saltwood earldom, has always been lucky. Its ancestry traces several centuries back, and through sheer cunning and pragmatism, have managed to profit from England's turbulent 18th century history. Naturally, every noble family has its own scandals, except the Redgraves are now confronting the rebirth of the Society, a hellfire club that the current generation's grandfather had created, suspecting its unknown members of plotting treason. I won't explain further, as the prologue provides a good understanding of the gist of this mystery/suspense, which is the underlying component of the Redgraves series.
Taking over the reins from Gideon Redgrave, the current Earl of Saltwood, is his sister Katherine. Kate is the youngest of the four Redgrave siblings, and having been raised by their eccentric grandmother Trixie, is now an adventurous and bold beauty possessing a curious combination of worldly knowledge and innocence. She and her brother Valentine are to search for the hidden journals of the Society, along with Simon Ravenbill, the Marquess of Singleton, whose interest in the Redgrave family is mired with his own family secrets. At first sight, Simon is struck by Kate's beauty, but as he comes to understand her more, and she him, they come to truly fall in love with each other.
Simon and Kate are both unique individuals who are well-crafted on their own but together, they complement each other so well the chemistry really flares up between them. The first chapter sums up well Kate's appeal. Having a gorgeous body, a strong intellect and intense curiosity as well as an adventurous spirit, she could lead any man on a merry chase. Kate's character is of more focus in the book, as she represents the scandalous Redgraves in her spirit and unladylike behavior. By this I don't mean anything truly scandalous, but rather indulging her curiosity and intelligence where it suits her, and living her life as she wants under the careful watch of her loving brothers and servants. Having received a fulsome education from Trixie, Kate is confident in her own beauty and irresistable charms, but from all manners she is simply an independent, singular lady, and not shrewish nor manipulative as she might have turned out had another author without Mrs. Michaels' touch for characterization written it. To put it simply, I was both pleasantly surprised and delighted at Kate's mischievousness, sharp wits, loving nature, and mental maturity throughout the story as she deals with the crushing realities of her father.
Simon is just as likable as Kate, and in some instances, more so because he was less impacted by their discovered secrets. He is kind and sweet towards Kate, despite their initial brief hostility towards each other. Not only can he see through Kate's vulnerabilities, but he treats her as an equal and appreciates her for who she is, not wanting to change any aspect of her personality. He gradually realizes that he will have to marry Kate, because to not do so would mean living a miserable existence. Simon is a true gentleman, letting Kate win their mock battles at times, and other times hilariously showing off, but all the while conscious of Kate's feelings and slowly falls in love with her. Simon's first gift to Kate is his trust and friendship, which lends this novel to far more value than those others that are only concerned with repressed passions. Simon's giving Kate time to sort out her feelings to their discoveries, along with his promise that he will always be waiting for her, is just the sweetest action any hero can do for the heroine in a time of confusion.
The story's plot is done with superb pacing, with not a single seemingly useless detail mentioned that would not prove its worth. The intrigue is maintained throughout the novel, never losing my attention even when the action slowed down in the middle as the romance gained more attention. No hacked off ending or convoluted and improbable plot twists marred the story, and the historical detail paid was astounding; it's evident that Mrs. Michaels had thoroughly done her research for this novel, even down to the diction and dialogue.
With regards to dialogue, it ranges from humorous to outrageously hilarious; I was laughing throughout the book at the antics of Kate's doltish and idiotic brother-in-law Adam, the amusing and loving butler Dearborn, and Kate's charming brother Val, who is getting his story next. All of the aspects of a fine novel are showcased in WHAT A LADY NEEDS, and I urge readers to read and see for yourselves what a great read this is. I've only recently been introduced to Kasey Michaels, and now I can say with certainty that her writing is original even in this heavily populated genre of historical romance.
August 19, 2015
3.5 really. What a Lady Needs is considerably better than the first book in the series, What an Earl Wants. What makes this book better is the banter between Kate and Simon, sniggers and giggles galore. Also, because Kate wasn't seen by Simon as being a loose woman, as Gideon first saw Jessica, their relationship was allowed to develop more naturally. I felt the love between Kate and Simon far more than I did between Jessica and Gideon, but in both books the sex scenes were too abbreviated, they had promise but then Michaels glossed over the details and rushed the ending. The continuing hunt for the journals was exciting and while not much new information (new members etc) was revealed they did find the journals and Gideon, Kate, Valentine and Max's father's skeleton was finally uncovered. Now, that Gideon and the other brothers have the journals to examine I reckon that the next book, which looks like being Valentine's story, will reveal a large chunk of the mystery. I hope Michaels continues to improve the romance in Valentine's story.
July 29, 2020
Chap. 4 - The horse was ready for a run, but the marquis controlled it beautifully. Not that she'd compliment him on either his fine judge of horseflesh or his horsemanship. Not now, and not if he cleared two five-bar fences while sitting backward in the saddle, playing the flute.
That made me laugh. Was some funny bits, but mostly about finding diaries, which belonged to a team of conspirators from a secret society from Lady Katherine's family.
I enjoyed reading it. Always love a HEA. 3.5☆
That made me laugh. Was some funny bits, but mostly about finding diaries, which belonged to a team of conspirators from a secret society from Lady Katherine's family.
I enjoyed reading it. Always love a HEA. 3.5☆
April 9, 2023
3,5
Il libro precedente mi è piaciuto un pò di più, comunque questa serie si sta dimostrando molto interessante.
Leggerò sicuramente gli altri 2, sono davvero curiosa di sapere chi c'è dietro la Society.
Il libro precedente mi è piaciuto un pò di più, comunque questa serie si sta dimostrando molto interessante.
Leggerò sicuramente gli altri 2, sono davvero curiosa di sapere chi c'è dietro la Society.
May 2, 2013
In my review of the first book of this series what really stood out to me was how sex was used by so many of the characters. It was a weapon, a commodity, a tool, and in its purest form was how the two main characters showed their love for one another. Having sex discussed so much within the story seemed to diminish its impact for me as a reader and I felt took away from other subplots that were starting to germinate within the greater arc that would follow into the next stories of the series. Thankfully I think author Kasey Michaels got a lot of the sex talk out of her system because while it is still a motivator for the actions of many people, in What a Lady Needs the story is more dependent on the intrigues between characters. We get a chance to see how the power was used by The Society of the old and new generation with everything leading into a plot that could destroy the lives of not only our new hero and heroine but also take down the government of England.
With the Redgrave family now aware of the existence of the hellfire club created by their grandfather, as well as the new version of the club known in intelligence circles as The Society, it becomes a race to find the documents that could reveal the members and their seditious plots against the crown. Wanting to do something to help her brothers keep the family name clear of suspicion, Lady Katherine returns to the family’s ancestral home to find the journals kept by the society members as well as the bible of the group containing all the names. Her eldest brother the Earl of Saltwood is sure it’s a fool’s errand to have her search until the government gains intelligence that says the documents may very well be stored at the home. The chief inspector, with the help of the Earl, sets a plan in motion to send an agent into the home under the guise of being a friend of the youngest brother Valentine and he will keep an eye on Lady Katherine to report back on anything found.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
With the Redgrave family now aware of the existence of the hellfire club created by their grandfather, as well as the new version of the club known in intelligence circles as The Society, it becomes a race to find the documents that could reveal the members and their seditious plots against the crown. Wanting to do something to help her brothers keep the family name clear of suspicion, Lady Katherine returns to the family’s ancestral home to find the journals kept by the society members as well as the bible of the group containing all the names. Her eldest brother the Earl of Saltwood is sure it’s a fool’s errand to have her search until the government gains intelligence that says the documents may very well be stored at the home. The chief inspector, with the help of the Earl, sets a plan in motion to send an agent into the home under the guise of being a friend of the youngest brother Valentine and he will keep an eye on Lady Katherine to report back on anything found.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
March 19, 2015
4.5 stars
This is the second book in the story about the Redgraves. Loved the first, love this one also. Although the love stories are concluded in each book, there is a mystery that weaves throughout this series so I recommend reading those in order.
And the mystery is just fantastic. Its really kicked up in this second book and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The story is basically about the Redgrave family who's grandfather and then father had some sort of hell club. Both are dead and rumors abound.
Someone revived the club and so the current Redgrave siblings are trying to find out who and the why. It all started with searching for journal's that document the depravity of the club. Its basically like a great treasure hunt with a wonderful love story.
Now I have read hell fire club type stories before and they usually make me roll my eyes at some point. This one though is very well done. It is pretty much about the fallout and there is no sugar coating what might have gone on.
This has everything. Smugglers, tunnels, artifacts, death.
I totally loved the heroine here too. Inquisitive, stubborn and just very very smart. As much as the brothers and the hero try to keep her out of things, its a lost cause. She sees through all of their stuff so they just bring her in. Which makes the couples antics while searching the manor quite entertaining.
Wonderful side characters with some of them carried over from the last book. Adam the nincompoop peacock young man house guest cracks me up.
It was just a joy to read and the dialogue was witty and poignant.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
This is the second book in the story about the Redgraves. Loved the first, love this one also. Although the love stories are concluded in each book, there is a mystery that weaves throughout this series so I recommend reading those in order.
And the mystery is just fantastic. Its really kicked up in this second book and I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The story is basically about the Redgrave family who's grandfather and then father had some sort of hell club. Both are dead and rumors abound.
Someone revived the club and so the current Redgrave siblings are trying to find out who and the why. It all started with searching for journal's that document the depravity of the club. Its basically like a great treasure hunt with a wonderful love story.
Now I have read hell fire club type stories before and they usually make me roll my eyes at some point. This one though is very well done. It is pretty much about the fallout and there is no sugar coating what might have gone on.
This has everything. Smugglers, tunnels, artifacts, death.
I totally loved the heroine here too. Inquisitive, stubborn and just very very smart. As much as the brothers and the hero try to keep her out of things, its a lost cause. She sees through all of their stuff so they just bring her in. Which makes the couples antics while searching the manor quite entertaining.
Wonderful side characters with some of them carried over from the last book. Adam the nincompoop peacock young man house guest cracks me up.
It was just a joy to read and the dialogue was witty and poignant.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
August 22, 2014
I'm sorry, but this book was sooo Bad I just couldn't finish it. I really try to complete every book I start, now matter how bad the book may be. I know some books start out slow and later pick up, but Lady Katherine was such a Stupid Brat, that I was ready to burn my own eyes for reading as much as I did!!!! Lady Katherine showed potential in the first book of being a interesting character, with humor and spunk, but she turned out to be a spoiled, naive, wet behind the ears BRAT, who thought she was so grown up and sophisticated. She has no substance what so ever!! Lord Simon Ravenbill(who also had that bad boy appeal in the he first book) turned out to be a shirt tail and I really, really just can't seem to follow this notion that Simon is in love with Katherine after what 2 days, and it is 2 days of her being a petulant child!!! PLEASE!!! I could only get to about page 170, and I simply could not take any more. Sorry to the author and so glad that I did not pay for this book!!
February 2, 2015
Regency with a plot! Who knew such a thing existed? Now, I haven't read the first book since Big W delights in putting these style of books out as individuals, and I don't think I really needed to. I got enough of the story, and what had happened before, in recaps. I understood there was a treasure hunt, with the object not necessarily a treasure, and most of the history of it. I enjoyed all the references to time periods and people.
I unexpectedly enjoyed the romance too. Some parts felt a little rushed, but probably because these kind of books never leave you in doubt of their eventual conclusion. I really liked that Kate never played the damsel in distress, and went after what she wanted. Awesome!
I highly doubt my chances of finding the next book in this series, but hopefully I'll know it when I see it. I get into moods where Regency romance is all I want to read and buy, but then go months or even years without reading any. Who knows what I'll read tomorrow?
I unexpectedly enjoyed the romance too. Some parts felt a little rushed, but probably because these kind of books never leave you in doubt of their eventual conclusion. I really liked that Kate never played the damsel in distress, and went after what she wanted. Awesome!
I highly doubt my chances of finding the next book in this series, but hopefully I'll know it when I see it. I get into moods where Regency romance is all I want to read and buy, but then go months or even years without reading any. Who knows what I'll read tomorrow?
November 4, 2014
It was interesting but it dragged in some places to the point that I put it down to do chores! I hadn't read the first one so I was missing details on the mystery and that bothers me as I'd much rather have the whole mystery in one book instead of spread across 4 books. But mostly I disliked that idiot Adam. He's too self absorbed by half! Fortunately he wasn't in the story too often but I found myself scanning the parts where he was in it and missing a few details because of it.
June 4, 2013
I've tried a couple books by Kasey Michaels but I just can't get into her writing style. I find the chemistry is a bit lacking with her characters. The mystery was pretty good but not enough to carry the story.
January 7, 2019
Ho letto tutti i libri di questa scrittrice e pensavo di non aver più sorprese nel leggere i suoi scritti , perché sapevo già che era brava e mi sarebbe piaciuto il libro … ma c’è stato qualcosa che mi ha lasciato di stucco…
La storia mi ha coinvolto fin dal primo libro e più va avanti la serie e più mi intriga. I personaggi principali in questo libro sono Lady Katherine Radgrave e Simon Revenbill, Marchese di Singleton.
Se già avevamo potuto conoscere la stravaganza di Lady Katherine nel primo libro, in questo preparatevi perché ne combina delle belle… Lei non è la solita giovane debuttante che rispetta i canoni di eleganza ed etichetta a tutti i costi, anzi al contrario è un vero maschiaccio, infatti, si considera il quarto fratello Redgrave. Pur avendo un carattere forte, con modi ed atteggiamenti a volte maschili, è femminile e sensuale quando vuole. Non solo la sua intelligenza è notevole ma darà dei grossi grattacapi al povero Simon. D’altro canto lui non è il solito nobile debosciato con cui lei ha avuto a che fare, anzi è intelligente e forte, vuole arrivare a smantellare la rediviva Society. Quindi, si reca alla tenuta dei Redgrave per cercare i diari dei membri sella società e la loro bibbia, e qui insieme alla bella Lady Katherine cominceranno la ricerca e non vi dico che avventure che i due si troveranno ad affrontare, oltretutto molto esilarante in alcuni momenti. A tutto questo aggiungeteci la forte attrazione tra i due e ne viene fuori un mix esplosivo.
Ma la sorpresa più grande è stata riscoprire durante la lettura, dei personaggi di un’altra saga della Michaels che ho tanto amato. Non vi dico quali, infatti chi conosce bene tutti i libri della scrittrice se ne accorgerà subito , come è successo alla sottoscritta.
Ora non vedo l’ora di continuare a leggere la serie quindi attendo il seguito. Il libro se non si fosse capito mi è piaciuto moltissimo, e non vi dico quanto ho riso…. Spero possa piacere anche a voi , perché la lettura è piacevole e la scrittrice riesce a coinvolgervi nelle avventure dei protagonisti, almeno per quanto mi riguarda è sempre stato così. Poi mi saprete dire….
Buona lettura e alla prossima.
.
Lady Shanna
La storia mi ha coinvolto fin dal primo libro e più va avanti la serie e più mi intriga. I personaggi principali in questo libro sono Lady Katherine Radgrave e Simon Revenbill, Marchese di Singleton.
Se già avevamo potuto conoscere la stravaganza di Lady Katherine nel primo libro, in questo preparatevi perché ne combina delle belle… Lei non è la solita giovane debuttante che rispetta i canoni di eleganza ed etichetta a tutti i costi, anzi al contrario è un vero maschiaccio, infatti, si considera il quarto fratello Redgrave. Pur avendo un carattere forte, con modi ed atteggiamenti a volte maschili, è femminile e sensuale quando vuole. Non solo la sua intelligenza è notevole ma darà dei grossi grattacapi al povero Simon. D’altro canto lui non è il solito nobile debosciato con cui lei ha avuto a che fare, anzi è intelligente e forte, vuole arrivare a smantellare la rediviva Society. Quindi, si reca alla tenuta dei Redgrave per cercare i diari dei membri sella società e la loro bibbia, e qui insieme alla bella Lady Katherine cominceranno la ricerca e non vi dico che avventure che i due si troveranno ad affrontare, oltretutto molto esilarante in alcuni momenti. A tutto questo aggiungeteci la forte attrazione tra i due e ne viene fuori un mix esplosivo.
Ma la sorpresa più grande è stata riscoprire durante la lettura, dei personaggi di un’altra saga della Michaels che ho tanto amato. Non vi dico quali, infatti chi conosce bene tutti i libri della scrittrice se ne accorgerà subito , come è successo alla sottoscritta.
Ora non vedo l’ora di continuare a leggere la serie quindi attendo il seguito. Il libro se non si fosse capito mi è piaciuto moltissimo, e non vi dico quanto ho riso…. Spero possa piacere anche a voi , perché la lettura è piacevole e la scrittrice riesce a coinvolgervi nelle avventure dei protagonisti, almeno per quanto mi riguarda è sempre stato così. Poi mi saprete dire….
Buona lettura e alla prossima.
.
Lady Shanna
July 22, 2018
Could have been a four, usual story of Hellfire Club with better dialogue and great characters but too much filler.
February 5, 2021
This was much funnier than I anticipated and I throughly enjoyed the story line. I just found out it is a series and want to go read the first one and finish the series.
April 16, 2021
Abbandonato
March 3, 2023
Entertaining, sometimes funny, but long.
June 1, 2013
If anyone knows what a Regency era lady needs, it’s USA TODAY bestselling author Kasey Michaels. With this latest release, Michaels offers the much-anticipated second book in The Redgraves series—and it’s an offer no reader can refuse. In fact, Michaels proves once again that she knows exactly what a romance reader needs.
Their bodies were touching now, as he eased her feet toward the grass. She was looking up at him, her full wide mouth a whisper away.
She had no idea what she was doing to him. Or perhaps she did.
“Yes, precisely like this. And then, as naturally follows, I steal a kiss.”
She was gone so quickly he barely had time to realize the way she bent her knees, pulling down and out of his light grasp on her waist. In a heartbeat, she was standing a good five feet away from him. She had her arms crossed tightly beneath her breasts, and she was still breathing rather hard.
“Very neatly done, Kate. You do this often?”
Her cheeks had gone faintly pink, but Simon didn’t believe the flush was in anger. “No, I most certainly do not. You shouldn’t ask questions like that.”
“No? Well, then, how about this one? How many men have kissed you, Lady Katherine?”
There went the chin again, aiming for the sky. “That’s absolutely none of your concern. But if you must know, several. A lot. Dozens.”
He began advancing on her, slowly. “Then one more certainly shouldn’t matter, should it?”
What a Lady Needs is complex and clever, an ambrosial mix of intrigue, adventure, peril and passion, with a just-right amount of historical detail that adds a fascinating and chilling realism. The conspiracy endangering Kate’s family is a truly diabolical one, involving generations of sexual perversion, blackmail, rape, sedition...and murder. Kate and her brothers are determined to not only clear the family name, but to save the British monarchy from ending up in the hands of the French. High stakes indeed. And despite the gradual, painstaking reveal of horrifying truths—not only about the Society, but about her family—Kate is determined to see her quest through to the end. She becomes even more determined when she discovers Simon’s scheme to lead her astray—only it doesn’t take Simon long to realize the error of his ways, and suddenly it’s not the incriminating journals but Kate’s virtue he’d like to steer her away from. And she’s all for letting him! Yet neither can they dismiss the conflicts that challenge their feelings—Kate’s impetuous nature, Simon’s need to be trusted, and Kate’s belief that the Redgrave legacy of debauchery makes her undeserving of Simon’s love.
The intricate, intelligent plot features a stellar complement of oddball characters. Besides Kate (the independent and stubborn tomboy) and Simon (the smug yet lovable showoff), we have a dour but doting butler; a foppish, fatuous teenage in-law; a shrewd, hulking smuggler; a mischievous though well-meaning brother; an audacious, indiscreet grandmother; and the grandmother’s devoted minions, a slew of servants who employ all kinds of hilarious and underhanded methods to watch over Kate. And speaking of hilarious—Michael’s trademark droll humor gives the story a playful polish. Never have I heard the expression kick him in the fork, but it still has me chuckling. And the scene with the playing cards—well, it’s too delicious to miss.
The story’s prologue neatly provides the history of the Redgrave family and the Society, and though it takes several pages for the true action to begin, it’s well worth the wait. Now what this reader needs is to treat myself to What an Earl Wants, the first book in the series—because I’m missing those unruly Redgraves already.
Their bodies were touching now, as he eased her feet toward the grass. She was looking up at him, her full wide mouth a whisper away.
She had no idea what she was doing to him. Or perhaps she did.
“Yes, precisely like this. And then, as naturally follows, I steal a kiss.”
She was gone so quickly he barely had time to realize the way she bent her knees, pulling down and out of his light grasp on her waist. In a heartbeat, she was standing a good five feet away from him. She had her arms crossed tightly beneath her breasts, and she was still breathing rather hard.
“Very neatly done, Kate. You do this often?”
Her cheeks had gone faintly pink, but Simon didn’t believe the flush was in anger. “No, I most certainly do not. You shouldn’t ask questions like that.”
“No? Well, then, how about this one? How many men have kissed you, Lady Katherine?”
There went the chin again, aiming for the sky. “That’s absolutely none of your concern. But if you must know, several. A lot. Dozens.”
He began advancing on her, slowly. “Then one more certainly shouldn’t matter, should it?”
What a Lady Needs is complex and clever, an ambrosial mix of intrigue, adventure, peril and passion, with a just-right amount of historical detail that adds a fascinating and chilling realism. The conspiracy endangering Kate’s family is a truly diabolical one, involving generations of sexual perversion, blackmail, rape, sedition...and murder. Kate and her brothers are determined to not only clear the family name, but to save the British monarchy from ending up in the hands of the French. High stakes indeed. And despite the gradual, painstaking reveal of horrifying truths—not only about the Society, but about her family—Kate is determined to see her quest through to the end. She becomes even more determined when she discovers Simon’s scheme to lead her astray—only it doesn’t take Simon long to realize the error of his ways, and suddenly it’s not the incriminating journals but Kate’s virtue he’d like to steer her away from. And she’s all for letting him! Yet neither can they dismiss the conflicts that challenge their feelings—Kate’s impetuous nature, Simon’s need to be trusted, and Kate’s belief that the Redgrave legacy of debauchery makes her undeserving of Simon’s love.
The intricate, intelligent plot features a stellar complement of oddball characters. Besides Kate (the independent and stubborn tomboy) and Simon (the smug yet lovable showoff), we have a dour but doting butler; a foppish, fatuous teenage in-law; a shrewd, hulking smuggler; a mischievous though well-meaning brother; an audacious, indiscreet grandmother; and the grandmother’s devoted minions, a slew of servants who employ all kinds of hilarious and underhanded methods to watch over Kate. And speaking of hilarious—Michael’s trademark droll humor gives the story a playful polish. Never have I heard the expression kick him in the fork, but it still has me chuckling. And the scene with the playing cards—well, it’s too delicious to miss.
The story’s prologue neatly provides the history of the Redgrave family and the Society, and though it takes several pages for the true action to begin, it’s well worth the wait. Now what this reader needs is to treat myself to What an Earl Wants, the first book in the series—because I’m missing those unruly Redgraves already.
June 27, 2013
Whew, I can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Here's how my brain works. I've been reading romance novels for a l-o-n-g time and I have multitudinous authors who I have read from the very beginning of their careers. I have become very loyal to these authors. We have grown old together. But, as we all know time marches on, my taste changes, their taste changes (or doesn't). And, what happens? I start losing interest in their books. This makes me very sad, because these authors are like old friends. What do I do when my favorite authors start to fade? Well, my routine has always been to continue to buy their books, but just not read them and then one day I just stop buying them. Ms. Michaels is/was one of those authors, one of my auto-buy authors and I was becoming concerned. Her Romney Marsh series was not one of my favorites and her first book in the Redgrave series, What an Earl Wants, almost became a wallbanger for me. So, it was with some trepidation that I began reading What a Lady Needs. However, it didn't take me long to realize that Ms. Michaels was back at the top of her game.
I enjoyed What a Lady Needs, oh sure it's not perfect, but the couple in this story blended together really well. Dare I use the term "adorable" when speaking of them?
I liked both Kate and Simon. When we were first introduced to Kate in What an Earl Wants, I thought she had all the earmarks of a future TSTL heroine. Even though she had those characteristics, those moments when she might run into a burning building or confront someone who was holding five guns. You all know what I’m talking about; they usually happen right after the hero tells the heroine not to move. Do not fear gentle readers, with Kate all those moments were believable and I found myself cheering her on. Kate was a fun character, smart, loyal, tricky and usually one step ahead of the hero. She was a force to be reckoned with and our charming hero Simon never had a chance. Actually, from the moment Simon met her, he accepted his fate...although he didn't let her know right away.
For once in a romance we have a couple who worked together. They were honest with each other, and even when Simon tried to hide something from Kate, it didn't do any good because she always found out. She was one sharp woman and I just loved her. This was also one time I was able to buy into the independence of a woman in a particular time period; Kate was authentic in her uniqueness.
There was a return of some characters from the first novel. Trixie, Adam, Richard and Valentine all put in an appearance. This time the secondary characters didn't overwhelm the story. I do have to say that Adam was starting to get on my nerves. He needed to be either funnier or maybe turn to the dark side. Speaking of the dark side, we also had the return of the secret society, those people with flowers in their lapels. There won’t be an end to the mystery of the secret society any time soon, even though their members were dropping like flies. Maybe there won’t be anyone left or just maybe there will be only one person left and that person will be the “master”. Anyway, unlike the last book, the secret society did not overwhelm the story and neither did the sex. In fact, if you blink in this book you might miss it.
Overall, I found What a Lady Needs to be a vast improvement over the last Redgrave story. Kate and Simon just may be my favorite romance couple this year. And, I won't be saying goodbye to Ms. Michaels any time soon.
KaysBlog
Here's how my brain works. I've been reading romance novels for a l-o-n-g time and I have multitudinous authors who I have read from the very beginning of their careers. I have become very loyal to these authors. We have grown old together. But, as we all know time marches on, my taste changes, their taste changes (or doesn't). And, what happens? I start losing interest in their books. This makes me very sad, because these authors are like old friends. What do I do when my favorite authors start to fade? Well, my routine has always been to continue to buy their books, but just not read them and then one day I just stop buying them. Ms. Michaels is/was one of those authors, one of my auto-buy authors and I was becoming concerned. Her Romney Marsh series was not one of my favorites and her first book in the Redgrave series, What an Earl Wants, almost became a wallbanger for me. So, it was with some trepidation that I began reading What a Lady Needs. However, it didn't take me long to realize that Ms. Michaels was back at the top of her game.
I enjoyed What a Lady Needs, oh sure it's not perfect, but the couple in this story blended together really well. Dare I use the term "adorable" when speaking of them?
I liked both Kate and Simon. When we were first introduced to Kate in What an Earl Wants, I thought she had all the earmarks of a future TSTL heroine. Even though she had those characteristics, those moments when she might run into a burning building or confront someone who was holding five guns. You all know what I’m talking about; they usually happen right after the hero tells the heroine not to move. Do not fear gentle readers, with Kate all those moments were believable and I found myself cheering her on. Kate was a fun character, smart, loyal, tricky and usually one step ahead of the hero. She was a force to be reckoned with and our charming hero Simon never had a chance. Actually, from the moment Simon met her, he accepted his fate...although he didn't let her know right away.
For once in a romance we have a couple who worked together. They were honest with each other, and even when Simon tried to hide something from Kate, it didn't do any good because she always found out. She was one sharp woman and I just loved her. This was also one time I was able to buy into the independence of a woman in a particular time period; Kate was authentic in her uniqueness.
There was a return of some characters from the first novel. Trixie, Adam, Richard and Valentine all put in an appearance. This time the secondary characters didn't overwhelm the story. I do have to say that Adam was starting to get on my nerves. He needed to be either funnier or maybe turn to the dark side. Speaking of the dark side, we also had the return of the secret society, those people with flowers in their lapels. There won’t be an end to the mystery of the secret society any time soon, even though their members were dropping like flies. Maybe there won’t be anyone left or just maybe there will be only one person left and that person will be the “master”. Anyway, unlike the last book, the secret society did not overwhelm the story and neither did the sex. In fact, if you blink in this book you might miss it.
Overall, I found What a Lady Needs to be a vast improvement over the last Redgrave story. Kate and Simon just may be my favorite romance couple this year. And, I won't be saying goodbye to Ms. Michaels any time soon.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2013
Lady Katherine Redgrave has one mission—to find her deceased father’s journals, which may hold the key to a traitorous conspiracy that puts Kate’s family in danger. Kate vows to let no obstacle stand in her way . . . but when she meets Simon Ravenbill, Marquis of Singleton, her attention is diverted as the sinfully handsome nobleman tempts her beyond reason.
Simon has a mission of his own: to uncover the truth about the secret society he believes murdered his brother. All he needs is to get to the Redgrave journals before Kate does. The solution is simple—he’ll romance the fiery beauty in hopes of distracting her from her quest, all while covertly searching for the diaries himself. Yet what begins as a charade soon becomes an all-consuming desire . . . one that could lead them down the most dangerous path of all.
It’s probably not as popular today as it once was, but celebrating family heritage, knowing the roots of one’s heritage and those who have come before — all that was really important when I was growing up. My Kentucky grandmother always counseled me to ” . . . never forget who your people are.” And I took that seriously. In the years I was teaching school, I was appalled at how few of my students really know anything at all about their family, where they came from, their ethnic heritage, their countries of origin, etc. That was always important to me and still is. And in this second novel in this historical series, it’s vitally important to the main characters whose fathers were drawn into a society that capitalized on pandering to the darkest desires of its members, all in the pursuit of pleasure, of extreme hedonism, and in achieving their greatest ambitions of power wealth. Now the hero and heroine are thrown together as each search for the journals that were required of all members and which have been hidden by one of its past leaders. Members are dying, making it even harder to follow leads and make sense out of clues. Add in the intrepid grandmother, wife of the founder of this society, and you have a cast of characters, some of whom are left from novel one, that will make this a truly fine mystery all mixed up with a sizzling romance.
I also find it fascinating at how those who are bent on expressing their sexuality in spite of the iron-clad social boundaries and the prohibitions against involvement sexually by young ladies of good reputation with men who society allows to live openly and freely as rakes. Perhaps the the lure of historical romance as most of us are intrigued at how inventive and creative some of these characters are at getting around society’s rules while engaging in some pretty raw and raucous affairs of heart and body. Yet there is a sense of honor about these characters here–wanting to put away the threat to one’s family while recognizing that one’s love interest could make for additional problems. It’s all snarled up together and makes for really fun reading. I have to admit that the grandmother is one of my favorite characters, “sticking it to” polite society in general and yet who is so deeply lonely, fearful of allowing her life to become entangled long-term after being scalded by the blatant disregard of her husband and son. It’s all that is truly fine in historical romance fiction and a book that I really loved reading.
I recommend that you read both the books in this series and appreciate the fine writing of an author who seems to know how to put a good story together and base it in the realities of this historical period.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.
Simon has a mission of his own: to uncover the truth about the secret society he believes murdered his brother. All he needs is to get to the Redgrave journals before Kate does. The solution is simple—he’ll romance the fiery beauty in hopes of distracting her from her quest, all while covertly searching for the diaries himself. Yet what begins as a charade soon becomes an all-consuming desire . . . one that could lead them down the most dangerous path of all.
It’s probably not as popular today as it once was, but celebrating family heritage, knowing the roots of one’s heritage and those who have come before — all that was really important when I was growing up. My Kentucky grandmother always counseled me to ” . . . never forget who your people are.” And I took that seriously. In the years I was teaching school, I was appalled at how few of my students really know anything at all about their family, where they came from, their ethnic heritage, their countries of origin, etc. That was always important to me and still is. And in this second novel in this historical series, it’s vitally important to the main characters whose fathers were drawn into a society that capitalized on pandering to the darkest desires of its members, all in the pursuit of pleasure, of extreme hedonism, and in achieving their greatest ambitions of power wealth. Now the hero and heroine are thrown together as each search for the journals that were required of all members and which have been hidden by one of its past leaders. Members are dying, making it even harder to follow leads and make sense out of clues. Add in the intrepid grandmother, wife of the founder of this society, and you have a cast of characters, some of whom are left from novel one, that will make this a truly fine mystery all mixed up with a sizzling romance.
I also find it fascinating at how those who are bent on expressing their sexuality in spite of the iron-clad social boundaries and the prohibitions against involvement sexually by young ladies of good reputation with men who society allows to live openly and freely as rakes. Perhaps the the lure of historical romance as most of us are intrigued at how inventive and creative some of these characters are at getting around society’s rules while engaging in some pretty raw and raucous affairs of heart and body. Yet there is a sense of honor about these characters here–wanting to put away the threat to one’s family while recognizing that one’s love interest could make for additional problems. It’s all snarled up together and makes for really fun reading. I have to admit that the grandmother is one of my favorite characters, “sticking it to” polite society in general and yet who is so deeply lonely, fearful of allowing her life to become entangled long-term after being scalded by the blatant disregard of her husband and son. It’s all that is truly fine in historical romance fiction and a book that I really loved reading.
I recommend that you read both the books in this series and appreciate the fine writing of an author who seems to know how to put a good story together and base it in the realities of this historical period.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.
May 28, 2013
This review also appears on Reading with Analysis.
I enjoyed the first book in The Redgraves series by Kasey Michaels, so when I saw the second book come up on NetGalley, I requested it right away. I was excited to read the second book, which features the inimitable Lady Katherine Redgrave, because she seemed, in book 1, to be an interesting character. She was so comfortable with herself, wearing what she liked, sitting how she liked, conversing how she liked, etc., and I was interested to see how Michaels would take all that self-sufficiency and incorporate it in a love story. The result, to my mind, is a bit mixed, with some aspects working very well and others not so much.
What a Lady Needs continues the intrigue story arc from the first book of the series, though I do think it could easily be read as a stand-alone story, but the focus of this story is on the romance developing between Simon and Katherine. I thought Michaels did a fine job tying in the continuing story elements with the romance, and I enjoyed the carryover of some of the first book’s charming elements into this story. Adam is still delightfully stupid, and Trixie is still wonderfully disturbing in her dual roles of oversexed political and social mastermind and awkward grandmother.
In fact, there was really only one thing that I didn’t like about the book, but it’s a biggie. The writer’s voice of What an Earl Wants was rather serious, and it suited the subject matter of the book. This series is about uncovering the members and the plots of a hell-fire club bent on treason and predicated on rape… it isn’t lighthearted stuff. The author’s voice in What a Lady Needs is much lighter, and it made the book seem like a romp. It bothered me throughout. I had a difficult time connecting to both Simon and Katherine because neither of them seemed to be taking anything as seriously as they should. I kept putting the book down in favor of other books until I finally forced myself to read the second half in one sitting. When I was done, I felt more relieved to be done than happy I’d read the book. To be fair, my experience of the book does not seem to be typical (it’s getting loads of very positive reviews on Goodreads), but other readers whose tastes run similar to mine may experience a similar difficulty enjoying the book.
Now I have a quandary… I didn’t truly enjoy reading What a Lady Needs, but does that mean that I should stop looking forward to the next book in the series? I’m leaning towards continuing to look forward to book 3, because I loved book 1 so very much. I hope I am not leading myself astray.
Bottom line: those who enjoy romantic romps will, I think, absolutely love What a Lady Needs. Readers who want a little more depth with their romance should stick with What an Earl Wants.
I enjoyed the first book in The Redgraves series by Kasey Michaels, so when I saw the second book come up on NetGalley, I requested it right away. I was excited to read the second book, which features the inimitable Lady Katherine Redgrave, because she seemed, in book 1, to be an interesting character. She was so comfortable with herself, wearing what she liked, sitting how she liked, conversing how she liked, etc., and I was interested to see how Michaels would take all that self-sufficiency and incorporate it in a love story. The result, to my mind, is a bit mixed, with some aspects working very well and others not so much.
What a Lady Needs continues the intrigue story arc from the first book of the series, though I do think it could easily be read as a stand-alone story, but the focus of this story is on the romance developing between Simon and Katherine. I thought Michaels did a fine job tying in the continuing story elements with the romance, and I enjoyed the carryover of some of the first book’s charming elements into this story. Adam is still delightfully stupid, and Trixie is still wonderfully disturbing in her dual roles of oversexed political and social mastermind and awkward grandmother.
In fact, there was really only one thing that I didn’t like about the book, but it’s a biggie. The writer’s voice of What an Earl Wants was rather serious, and it suited the subject matter of the book. This series is about uncovering the members and the plots of a hell-fire club bent on treason and predicated on rape… it isn’t lighthearted stuff. The author’s voice in What a Lady Needs is much lighter, and it made the book seem like a romp. It bothered me throughout. I had a difficult time connecting to both Simon and Katherine because neither of them seemed to be taking anything as seriously as they should. I kept putting the book down in favor of other books until I finally forced myself to read the second half in one sitting. When I was done, I felt more relieved to be done than happy I’d read the book. To be fair, my experience of the book does not seem to be typical (it’s getting loads of very positive reviews on Goodreads), but other readers whose tastes run similar to mine may experience a similar difficulty enjoying the book.
Now I have a quandary… I didn’t truly enjoy reading What a Lady Needs, but does that mean that I should stop looking forward to the next book in the series? I’m leaning towards continuing to look forward to book 3, because I loved book 1 so very much. I hope I am not leading myself astray.
Bottom line: those who enjoy romantic romps will, I think, absolutely love What a Lady Needs. Readers who want a little more depth with their romance should stick with What an Earl Wants.
July 5, 2013
Second installment in the Redgraves series. The backstory for the series is that Barry Redgrave, and his proud papa before him, were founding members of a secret society based on the actual historical Hellfire Club. Like the real Hellfire Clubs, the Society is composed of a bunch of perverted nobles who look to, let's say, more "esoteric" entertainments.
As the nobles are thoroughly "entertained," their activities are scrupulously documented, and, once they're compromised beyond redemption, the leaders of the Society call upon them for "favors." Which tend to be treasonous. Since Barry was, to his great surprise, shot to death in a duel (but not by his opponent, by his wife) the Society was supposed to have fallen apart. But a new leader has emerged and is using the Society for his own ends. The meticulous journals—and the even more incriminating bible—of the Society could ruin a lot of families, not the least of which are Barry's children, Gideon, Maximillian, Valentine, and Katherine. So they're set on finding the incriminating documents and thwarting the new Society.
This story is takes up where What an Earl Wants left off, with Lady Katherine at her family's estate hunting for the journals. Valentine has been sent to "help" her (which means he's supposed to search for them with her, and make sure she doesn't read them if she finds them). Val has recruited (or been recruited by) Simon Ravenbill, Marquis (isn't the English variant on this title "Marquess?") of Singleton. Simon has his own family secrets, and a personal reason to find the journals.
He's instantly taken by Kate, and the feeling is mutual. So much so that she's just fine with being "protected" to the point of being kept out of the action at key points. Which I found a little curious. Kate is presented as this independent, curious, stubborn and feisty gal—raised with three brothers she's not at all ladylike and not one to be left on the sidelines. And yet it seemed to me she was pretty darned biddable, and more than happy to stand aside and let the menfolk deal with anything dangerous, or anything that was too raunchy for her delicate sensibilities.
And speaking of sensibilities, the reader's are spared as well. While there were times I objected to being overly protected—I really wanted to know WHAT was so bloody bad that Kate couldn't stay in the room with the porno statues, for example—on the other hand, I tend to skip over the lurid details in most romance novels and focus on the actual story, so just as well the lurid details weren't presented in excruciating detail.
Anyway, I like the premise, as I've long been fascinated with the whole idea of clubs like this, and the fallout from them. So I'll give this one 4 stars.
As the nobles are thoroughly "entertained," their activities are scrupulously documented, and, once they're compromised beyond redemption, the leaders of the Society call upon them for "favors." Which tend to be treasonous. Since Barry was, to his great surprise, shot to death in a duel (but not by his opponent, by his wife) the Society was supposed to have fallen apart. But a new leader has emerged and is using the Society for his own ends. The meticulous journals—and the even more incriminating bible—of the Society could ruin a lot of families, not the least of which are Barry's children, Gideon, Maximillian, Valentine, and Katherine. So they're set on finding the incriminating documents and thwarting the new Society.
This story is takes up where What an Earl Wants left off, with Lady Katherine at her family's estate hunting for the journals. Valentine has been sent to "help" her (which means he's supposed to search for them with her, and make sure she doesn't read them if she finds them). Val has recruited (or been recruited by) Simon Ravenbill, Marquis (isn't the English variant on this title "Marquess?") of Singleton. Simon has his own family secrets, and a personal reason to find the journals.
He's instantly taken by Kate, and the feeling is mutual. So much so that she's just fine with being "protected" to the point of being kept out of the action at key points. Which I found a little curious. Kate is presented as this independent, curious, stubborn and feisty gal—raised with three brothers she's not at all ladylike and not one to be left on the sidelines. And yet it seemed to me she was pretty darned biddable, and more than happy to stand aside and let the menfolk deal with anything dangerous, or anything that was too raunchy for her delicate sensibilities.
And speaking of sensibilities, the reader's are spared as well. While there were times I objected to being overly protected—I really wanted to know WHAT was so bloody bad that Kate couldn't stay in the room with the porno statues, for example—on the other hand, I tend to skip over the lurid details in most romance novels and focus on the actual story, so just as well the lurid details weren't presented in excruciating detail.
Anyway, I like the premise, as I've long been fascinated with the whole idea of clubs like this, and the fallout from them. So I'll give this one 4 stars.
April 16, 2013
My Rating: 4/5
Not completely perfect, but still a wonderful read! What a Lady Needs was a book that mixed sweet romance with the intrigue of a secret devil's club.
I really liked the first book in the Redgraves series, What an Earl Wants, so I was hoping to like this book as well. Though I didn't love it as much and I did book 1, I definitely liked this book. I love the Redgraves. That family is so lively and reading about them is a blast. And the whole premise of uncovering a secret society is positively thrilling. So, though I didn't adore this book, I really liked it.
Kate was a great character. She was so hilarious. She was incredibly stubborn and, while that worked to her advantage sometimes, other times it just got her stuck in odd situations. Her reactions to everything that was going on had me cracking up. But, besides that, she was a strong, determined heroine. She was totally awesome.
Simon was just as great. In the beginning, he was a serious, staid character. But, as his relationship with Kate deepened, he loosened up. He was clever, focused, and a force to be reckoned with. But, he was also sweet and absolutely endearing at times. He was a wonderful hero and I adored him.
Kate and Simon were a wonderful couple. They seemed to balance each other out. They were so sweet. And things definitely got spicy on a few occasions. I loved them together-one of my new favorite romance couples.
Val plays a big role in this book, and I already adore him, just from how he is in this book. I believe his story is next, and I'm so excited to read it.
Adam, Jessica's brother, also showed up a lot. He was still so ridiculous that it was hilarious. His foppish ways had me laughing so hard. It was so funny. I hope he showed up even more in the next books because I just love his character. He totally cracks me up.
The plot was the weak spot in the book. The first quarter and second quarter were fast paced and had me hooked. But the middle half dragged. Despite my enjoyment of the characters and their story, I didn't feel like anything truly important happened in the middle. It wasn't terrible, I wasn't tempted to stop reading at any point. But I did skim a little in some parts. So that brought down the book a little. However I still loved it. When the plot picked up, I was on the edge of my seat. The new revelations about the secret devil's club sent chills down my spine. I can't wait to read more revelations about it in the next books. And the ending was a sweet happy ending, with a nice lead into book 3.
Other than the slow plot in some parts of the book, I really enjoyed What a Lady Needs. I loved the characters, the story line, the writing style. And I'm so looking forward to the next Redgraves book. To all romance lovers, you should definitely read this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy!
Not completely perfect, but still a wonderful read! What a Lady Needs was a book that mixed sweet romance with the intrigue of a secret devil's club.
I really liked the first book in the Redgraves series, What an Earl Wants, so I was hoping to like this book as well. Though I didn't love it as much and I did book 1, I definitely liked this book. I love the Redgraves. That family is so lively and reading about them is a blast. And the whole premise of uncovering a secret society is positively thrilling. So, though I didn't adore this book, I really liked it.
Kate was a great character. She was so hilarious. She was incredibly stubborn and, while that worked to her advantage sometimes, other times it just got her stuck in odd situations. Her reactions to everything that was going on had me cracking up. But, besides that, she was a strong, determined heroine. She was totally awesome.
Simon was just as great. In the beginning, he was a serious, staid character. But, as his relationship with Kate deepened, he loosened up. He was clever, focused, and a force to be reckoned with. But, he was also sweet and absolutely endearing at times. He was a wonderful hero and I adored him.
Kate and Simon were a wonderful couple. They seemed to balance each other out. They were so sweet. And things definitely got spicy on a few occasions. I loved them together-one of my new favorite romance couples.
Val plays a big role in this book, and I already adore him, just from how he is in this book. I believe his story is next, and I'm so excited to read it.
Adam, Jessica's brother, also showed up a lot. He was still so ridiculous that it was hilarious. His foppish ways had me laughing so hard. It was so funny. I hope he showed up even more in the next books because I just love his character. He totally cracks me up.
The plot was the weak spot in the book. The first quarter and second quarter were fast paced and had me hooked. But the middle half dragged. Despite my enjoyment of the characters and their story, I didn't feel like anything truly important happened in the middle. It wasn't terrible, I wasn't tempted to stop reading at any point. But I did skim a little in some parts. So that brought down the book a little. However I still loved it. When the plot picked up, I was on the edge of my seat. The new revelations about the secret devil's club sent chills down my spine. I can't wait to read more revelations about it in the next books. And the ending was a sweet happy ending, with a nice lead into book 3.
Other than the slow plot in some parts of the book, I really enjoyed What a Lady Needs. I loved the characters, the story line, the writing style. And I'm so looking forward to the next Redgraves book. To all romance lovers, you should definitely read this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy!
April 25, 2013
Desert Isle Keeper Review
What a Lady Needs
Kasey Michaels
May 2013, European Historical Romance (1810 England)
HQN, $7.99, 352 pages, Amazon ASIN 0373777647
Part of a series
Grade: A-
Sensuality: Warm
After reading and reviewing books for All About Romance for three months, I was almost giddy when I finished reading my first DIK. Kasey Michaels' second book in the storyline about the Redgraves is actually better than the first. I liked the heroine when I first met her in What an Earl Wants and I loved her in What a Lady Needs. The hero is equally engaging and I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This novel is a continuation of the story begun in What an Earl Wants. The previous book featured Gideon Redgrave and this one belongs to his sister Katherine. When this book begins, Katherine/Kate has just been sent home to Redgrave Manor from an abbreviated and disastrous season in London. Almacks slammed its door in her face after she punched a dancing partner in the nose for daring to stare at her bosom. But that is not the main reason Kate has been sent home. Her family is involved in one of the most potentially scandalous and politically damaging circumstances one can imagine. Kate’s father and grandfather (the two previous Earls of Saltwood) were members of a secret society that Gideon Redgrave had though defunct. In the previous book, he discovers that someone has revived that society and the very fate of the nation may rest on the exposure of its membership. Gideon discovered a journal that gave reference to a collection of other journals that might expose treason. Kate, her brother Valentine and Gideon’s brother-in-law Adam are all ensconced at Redgrave Manor on a desperate treasure hunt to find these journals. Well, at least Kate and Valentine are. Adam is deliciously oblivious. What Kate does not know, and Valentine will not tell her, is that the English Crown is now involved in the hunt for the journals and Simon Ravenbill, the Marquis of Singleton is their agent.
In addition to helping the crown weed out a nefarious group of traitors, Simon Ravenbill has personal reasons to hunt down this reenactment of a hellfire club. His brother’s death was a result of his knowledge of this society and Simon means to bring them all to justice. So when he travels to Redgrave Manor, it is for very serious reasons. He does not expect to be blown over by the sole Redgrave daughter in the process. Simon is intelligent with a good sense of humor and is the epitome of what a good hero should look like. He is strong but not overbearing. He worries about the heroine but is not condescending to her. Simon is a wonderful mixture of strength, humor and compassion that just makes the reader love him from the very beginning...
To read the rest of this review, please visit All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
What a Lady Needs
Kasey Michaels
May 2013, European Historical Romance (1810 England)
HQN, $7.99, 352 pages, Amazon ASIN 0373777647
Part of a series
Grade: A-
Sensuality: Warm
After reading and reviewing books for All About Romance for three months, I was almost giddy when I finished reading my first DIK. Kasey Michaels' second book in the storyline about the Redgraves is actually better than the first. I liked the heroine when I first met her in What an Earl Wants and I loved her in What a Lady Needs. The hero is equally engaging and I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
This novel is a continuation of the story begun in What an Earl Wants. The previous book featured Gideon Redgrave and this one belongs to his sister Katherine. When this book begins, Katherine/Kate has just been sent home to Redgrave Manor from an abbreviated and disastrous season in London. Almacks slammed its door in her face after she punched a dancing partner in the nose for daring to stare at her bosom. But that is not the main reason Kate has been sent home. Her family is involved in one of the most potentially scandalous and politically damaging circumstances one can imagine. Kate’s father and grandfather (the two previous Earls of Saltwood) were members of a secret society that Gideon Redgrave had though defunct. In the previous book, he discovers that someone has revived that society and the very fate of the nation may rest on the exposure of its membership. Gideon discovered a journal that gave reference to a collection of other journals that might expose treason. Kate, her brother Valentine and Gideon’s brother-in-law Adam are all ensconced at Redgrave Manor on a desperate treasure hunt to find these journals. Well, at least Kate and Valentine are. Adam is deliciously oblivious. What Kate does not know, and Valentine will not tell her, is that the English Crown is now involved in the hunt for the journals and Simon Ravenbill, the Marquis of Singleton is their agent.
In addition to helping the crown weed out a nefarious group of traitors, Simon Ravenbill has personal reasons to hunt down this reenactment of a hellfire club. His brother’s death was a result of his knowledge of this society and Simon means to bring them all to justice. So when he travels to Redgrave Manor, it is for very serious reasons. He does not expect to be blown over by the sole Redgrave daughter in the process. Simon is intelligent with a good sense of humor and is the epitome of what a good hero should look like. He is strong but not overbearing. He worries about the heroine but is not condescending to her. Simon is a wonderful mixture of strength, humor and compassion that just makes the reader love him from the very beginning...
To read the rest of this review, please visit All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
May 8, 2013
This was an interesting book. The series revolves around a secret society that uses sex as a way to trap men into doing the leader's bidding. Who that leader is is still a mystery as is the members of the club. A few of the members have been exposed and most of those members have died under mysterious circumstances. Enter the Redgrave family. The Society was founded by the grandfather and resurrected by the father of the current Earl and his siblings.
In this book, the second of the series, Kate is on a mission to find the journals of her grandfather and/or father and since they're pretty scandalous her brothers send in someone to help her find them and keep her from actually reading them. The man tasked with that is Simon Ravenbill. But once they set eyes on each other they have more then journals on their minds.
I really liked the attraction that Kate and Simon shared and felt that they were a good fit for each other. Simon was a very understanding man and tried to keep the worst of the Society from Kate while at the same time not hiding thing from her.
I think people will enjoy this book and series, if for nothing else people will kick a kick out of Adam Collier. But seriously, it's a interesting read about the "hellfire" clubs and the threat of sedition in England at the time.
In this book, the second of the series, Kate is on a mission to find the journals of her grandfather and/or father and since they're pretty scandalous her brothers send in someone to help her find them and keep her from actually reading them. The man tasked with that is Simon Ravenbill. But once they set eyes on each other they have more then journals on their minds.
I really liked the attraction that Kate and Simon shared and felt that they were a good fit for each other. Simon was a very understanding man and tried to keep the worst of the Society from Kate while at the same time not hiding thing from her.
I think people will enjoy this book and series, if for nothing else people will kick a kick out of Adam Collier. But seriously, it's a interesting read about the "hellfire" clubs and the threat of sedition in England at the time.
November 25, 2013
As usual Kasey Michaels writes wonderfully intelligent, quirky characters in Kate Redgrave and Simon Ravenbill who fall in love in the midst of the Redgrave family's continuing quest to bring down the Society, a treasonous, perverted and chillingly conscienceless group of men. The cameo appearances of Ainsley and Court Becket with Jacko and Billy from the Beckets of Romney Marsh series added a fun touch for anyone who is a fan of the series (me). The premise of the Redgraves' grandfather and father perpetuating this perversion of a hellfire club for the purpose of ascending the English throne based on their teaspoon of royal Stuart blood never stopped being absurd, but the evil done in the past and being done by a new group of traitors is as believable as the evil men do today in the name of power. Michaels does a good job of balancing the horror the Society perpetuates (in this novel more the Society of the Redgrave patriarchs) and the witty banter the good guys excel at. The protaganists fight an engaging battle of the sexes with intelligence, humor and courage until they finally have to surrender to the realization they are perfect for each other.
October 1, 2024
💕 Σάιμον Ρέιβενσμπιλ & Κάθριν Ρέντγκρεϊβ 💕
⭐ Η κληρονομιά των Ρέντγκρεϊβ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Αυτό που θέλει ένας κόμης
Βιβλίο 2: Αυτό που χρειάζεται μια λαίδη
Βιβλίο 3: Αυτό που ποθεί ένας τζέντλεμαν
Βιβλίο 4: Αυτό που τολμά ένας ήρωας
⭐ Η κληρονομιά των Ρέντγκρεϊβ ⭐
Βιβλίο 1: Αυτό που θέλει ένας κόμης
Βιβλίο 2: Αυτό που χρειάζεται μια λαίδη
Βιβλίο 3: Αυτό που ποθεί ένας τζέντλεμαν
Βιβλίο 4: Αυτό που τολμά ένας ήρωας
September 20, 2013
WHAT THE LADY NEEDS by Kasey Michaels is an Regency Historical Romance set in 1810 London, which follows Lady Katherine Redgrave and Simon Ravenbill. #2 in "The Redgraves" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See, "What An Earl Wants". Both Katherine and Simon are on separate missions. One to find a father's journal, that may hold the key to a conspiracy. The other the secret society that murdered his brother. Together, they find passion, reveal secrets long ago hidden, danger, and love. Sizzling desire,and a dangerous mission only bring these two closer together. Well rounded characters that are engaging as well as realistic. An intriguing plot. What's next, you ask, will the siblings ever find truth that has scandalized society for years? If you have read one of Ms. Michaels' stories do pick up this series you will not be disappointed. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtsey of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtsey of My Book Addiction and More
April 30, 2013
What a Lady Needs by Kasey Michaels was a totally fun and witty read. The characters were delightful and intriguing throughout the book. I really liked Simon Ravenbill who was a manly hunk with all that raw sexual magnetism oozing around. He is one smart cookie who wants the beautiful Kate Redgrave. Simon doesn't care what he has to do to get her. But outsmarting Kate at her own game will be a challenge. Then Kate is introduced to Simon and sees in him something different than the usual popinjays who try to court her. Kate doesn't want to want the man who stirs her soul and is afraid of her feelings. These two people have a merry chase of love like nobody's business. There is a mystery concerning a hellfire club called "The Society". Simon and Kate are working together to get to the bottom of political intrigues which involve her family. I received this early ARC copy from Net Galley and Harlequin for an honest review.
September 8, 2016
The second Redgrave is about to fall in love. At the end of the first book in this series (which isn't absolutely necessary to read, but I would really recommend it), Lady Katherine's brother wanted to get her out of harm's way. It turns out that their father's traitorous (literally, he was plotting to overthrow the king) activities are still casting shadows. This includes a bible with the names of all of the men in his secret club as well as the journals they kept of their illicit activities.
Simon Ravenbill's (the Marquis of Singleton) brother was one of those men so he has a vested interest in making those secrets stay buried as well. Simon is a fair haired former sailor while Katherine is a headstrong twenty-year-old who started off her first season by punching her dance partner in the nose.
Not as good as the first book, this book does well to move the overarching story of the Redgrave family.
Simon Ravenbill's (the Marquis of Singleton) brother was one of those men so he has a vested interest in making those secrets stay buried as well. Simon is a fair haired former sailor while Katherine is a headstrong twenty-year-old who started off her first season by punching her dance partner in the nose.
Not as good as the first book, this book does well to move the overarching story of the Redgrave family.
March 23, 2013
Kasey Michaels’ second novel in her Redgrave series does not disappoint. I think the thing I like most is the complexity of the plot which revolves around a complicated scenario set up in the first novel, What an Earl Wants. And while this novel resolves some of the issues of the complicated plot involving a “hellfire” club known as The Society, it does not fully resolve the problems, leaving more for future Redgraves to work on. That’s fabulous! In this novel, both Kate Redgrave and Simon Ravenbill are fully realized characters, both appealing and engaging. Their attraction is believable and fun, passionate and complex. Overall, a fine addition to Michaels collection of works. I look forward to Valentine Redgrave’s story.
April 15, 2013
A really fine second novel about those whose lives have been deeply impacted by a secret society built on the basest of human urges, on pandering to the darkest dreams of important men and women, all of which eventually hold them bondage to the whims of those whose ambitions seek control of wealth and power at the highest levels of society and government. The main characters in this novel are the offspring of men who were deeply embedded in this society, whose journals will reveal the identity and darkest secrets of important men, many of whom are mysteriously dying. It is in the search for these journals that the lives of these searchers become intertwined and the sizzling romance begins to develop in ways and at levels they never expected. I really fine read.
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