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Daventry Sisters #1
Sins of Midnight
I'VE MADE A VOW TO AVOID SCANDAL, BUT MY BEST INTENTIONS CANNOT WITHSTAND THE HEART OF PURE PASSION AND THE ... SINS OF MIDNIGHT
My unladylike association with the Bow Street Runners has made me fair game for London's loose-tongued rumormongers, but I, Lady Jillian Daventry, promise to behave --- at least until my sister's coming-out season has concluded. But my vow will not keep me from solving the mystery that overshadows my life --- nor, I reluctantly admit, will it keep my heart from racing madly in the presence of Connor Monroe.
I cannot ignore Connor's request for assistance in solving a mystery of his own. But the hungry fire of his gaze and the heat of his touch suggest the irresistibly handsome rogue wants so much more ... I know I'm entering dangerous ground, but I'm tempted by his sinful kiss.
My unladylike association with the Bow Street Runners has made me fair game for London's loose-tongued rumormongers, but I, Lady Jillian Daventry, promise to behave --- at least until my sister's coming-out season has concluded. But my vow will not keep me from solving the mystery that overshadows my life --- nor, I reluctantly admit, will it keep my heart from racing madly in the presence of Connor Monroe.
I cannot ignore Connor's request for assistance in solving a mystery of his own. But the hungry fire of his gaze and the heat of his touch suggest the irresistibly handsome rogue wants so much more ... I know I'm entering dangerous ground, but I'm tempted by his sinful kiss.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 27, 2006
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135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 12, 2017
As they say in baseball, sometimes you just have to tip your cap. This book had everything stacked against my approval -- Avon, Regency setting, fugly cover, giant font, & sitting unread for 8 years -- yet I really enjoyed it.
Yes, you read correctly. Better stock up on toilet paper & canned food, for the apocalypse is upon us. I enjoyed an Avon romance. Holy shit. :D
N.B. I shall honor The Hound in this review, because nothing says 'romance' like a ginormous, gravelly, scarred-up badass killer who hates conversation. (And if you've got something against Sandor Clegane, you can toddle off & pound sand.)
Now. Let's break down what I liked, shall we?
1) Legit baggage. The heroine, Jillian, finds her mother dead in the library & doesn't believe Bow Street cares, so she takes it upon herself to search for the truth -- i.e., that her mother wasn't a slut of an actress who deserved to get murdered by her lover. The hero, Connor, has his own problems; born into poverty, he & his brother were grossly abused & ran away as teenagers, but his bro died & now other people close to him (housekeeper, business partner, mistress) are getting killed in gruesome ways. And...presto! We have conflict. We have backstory. Most importantly, we have a reason for people actually do things. I really hate romance novels that can't stop diddling their feelz long enough to allow a plot.
2) Hero with a day job. I like when heroes work for a living, but they're unicorns in the modern HR catalogue. Why? I have no idea, but it sucks. Just because they have a job doesn't mean they can't have spending money, sexy arms, & mad bedroom skillz. Connor was also an un-handsome hero -- somewhat battered, craggy, & disinclined to conversation. I dig taciturn. :D So many newfangled heroes refuse to STFU their wish-fulfilling spoonfed psychology for 3 minutes together.
3) An actual plot. (Sounds basic, yeah, but remember this is Avon.) There's a strong Scooby Doo element, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. As I've said before, even a small thread of non-romance can work wonders. But please imagine my shock to find an unfaithful mother, suicide, rape, abuse, murder, & ped0bear, let alone the violence of a genuine serial killer. Whut?! How interesting! There's a definite thread of darkness to this book (albeit somewhat veiled for polite viewing), & I like that.
4) Decent sex scenes. The heroine was inexperienced, but not stupid or overly shy; the hero was protective & adept, but not a horndog caveman. Nicely done. (But, again, actually liking the characters helps a great deal.) I particularly enjoyed Jilly's ogling of Connor, as she seemed to share my fascination with nicely formed shoulders & forearms. ;)
Overall, this was an excellent genre romance, one that kept me hooked despite the occasional veering into cliche and/or cornball. It reminded me of Gail Ranstrom's HQN novels, though the writing lacked her sophistication. Even so, I tip my cap -- well played, Kimberly Logan. 5 stars for sheer enjoyment & keeper status.
And on that note, I'm spent. Until the next good Avon or the end of the world, whichever comes first...goodnight.
Yes, you read correctly. Better stock up on toilet paper & canned food, for the apocalypse is upon us. I enjoyed an Avon romance. Holy shit. :D
N.B. I shall honor The Hound in this review, because nothing says 'romance' like a ginormous, gravelly, scarred-up badass killer who hates conversation. (And if you've got something against Sandor Clegane, you can toddle off & pound sand.)
Now. Let's break down what I liked, shall we?
1) Legit baggage. The heroine, Jillian, finds her mother dead in the library & doesn't believe Bow Street cares, so she takes it upon herself to search for the truth -- i.e., that her mother wasn't a slut of an actress who deserved to get murdered by her lover. The hero, Connor, has his own problems; born into poverty, he & his brother were grossly abused & ran away as teenagers, but his bro died & now other people close to him (housekeeper, business partner, mistress) are getting killed in gruesome ways. And...presto! We have conflict. We have backstory. Most importantly, we have a reason for people actually do things. I really hate romance novels that can't stop diddling their feelz long enough to allow a plot.
2) Hero with a day job. I like when heroes work for a living, but they're unicorns in the modern HR catalogue. Why? I have no idea, but it sucks. Just because they have a job doesn't mean they can't have spending money, sexy arms, & mad bedroom skillz. Connor was also an un-handsome hero -- somewhat battered, craggy, & disinclined to conversation. I dig taciturn. :D So many newfangled heroes refuse to STFU their wish-fulfilling spoonfed psychology for 3 minutes together.
3) An actual plot. (Sounds basic, yeah, but remember this is Avon.) There's a strong Scooby Doo element, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. As I've said before, even a small thread of non-romance can work wonders. But please imagine my shock to find an unfaithful mother, suicide, rape, abuse, murder, & ped0bear, let alone the violence of a genuine serial killer. Whut?! How interesting! There's a definite thread of darkness to this book (albeit somewhat veiled for polite viewing), & I like that.
4) Decent sex scenes. The heroine was inexperienced, but not stupid or overly shy; the hero was protective & adept, but not a horndog caveman. Nicely done. (But, again, actually liking the characters helps a great deal.) I particularly enjoyed Jilly's ogling of Connor, as she seemed to share my fascination with nicely formed shoulders & forearms. ;)
Overall, this was an excellent genre romance, one that kept me hooked despite the occasional veering into cliche and/or cornball. It reminded me of Gail Ranstrom's HQN novels, though the writing lacked her sophistication. Even so, I tip my cap -- well played, Kimberly Logan. 5 stars for sheer enjoyment & keeper status.
And on that note, I'm spent. Until the next good Avon or the end of the world, whichever comes first...goodnight.
January 17, 2020
Uno más en la lista de 'no está mal pero terminaré olvidándolo'.
Lo siento pero Kimberly Logan en este caso nos trae un libro francamente simple como otros mil que hay en el género. Además cae en lo que muchas tramas, mezclar el romance con un misterio y Bow Street, y la trama de la investigación muchas veces se come por entero la relación y evolución entre lo que sienten los protagonistas. Además que al no centrarse en ninguna de las 2 cosas, ni es un caso super interesante de misterio e investigación, ni es una historia romántica memorable.
No está mal. No está mal escrito y no me sacó de quicio. El prota no es noble y la chica no es tonta, hasta ahí bien. Pero después de eso diré que en unos años será de los que no recuerde haber leído sin mirar GR antes.
Hay mucho en el género mejor que este.
Lo siento pero Kimberly Logan en este caso nos trae un libro francamente simple como otros mil que hay en el género. Además cae en lo que muchas tramas, mezclar el romance con un misterio y Bow Street, y la trama de la investigación muchas veces se come por entero la relación y evolución entre lo que sienten los protagonistas. Además que al no centrarse en ninguna de las 2 cosas, ni es un caso super interesante de misterio e investigación, ni es una historia romántica memorable.
No está mal. No está mal escrito y no me sacó de quicio. El prota no es noble y la chica no es tonta, hasta ahí bien. Pero después de eso diré que en unos años será de los que no recuerde haber leído sin mirar GR antes.
Hay mucho en el género mejor que este.
September 18, 2017
the lust filled romance of Jillian and conor the eldest Daventry sister has her work cut out for her when it comes to the brooding mysterious connor Monroe. two mysteries keep both Hero and Heroine on their toes. what really happened four years ago the night Jillian's stage actress mother turned Marchioness died and who is killing everyone close to shipping millionaire connor now. a fast past love story that will have two worlds colliding and you on the edge of your seat.
June 10, 2021
The story moved really well and even though we know who the murderer is early on, it didn't detract from the story much. The clues and the characters figuring it out helped. I'm usually not for people falling in love so fast, but the trauma definitely helped.
May 23, 2022
Het was een oke boek. Niet super spannend. Ik vond het niet erg om het boek een keer weg te leggen. Er had meer in kunnen zitten.
August 14, 2013
Lady Jillian Daventry has been plagued with her mother's mysterious death for years. She knows deep in her soul that it was no accident, and that there was far more to her mother's untimely demise. Yet, she has been the only one in her family to question the details. However, she has done far more than just question the circumstances all these years, but has been actively pursuing the real answers. All to her family's chagrin. For unintentionally, she has been at the center of scandal after scandal due to her industrious endeavors. Of course, by association, the scandals have left no one untouched in her family. They've been most damaging to her father's attempts at finding suitable marriage contracts for herself as well as her sister. Finally, after all these years, Lady Jillian believes she has found the one clue and the one person who will help her to illuminate her mother's true end.
Connor Monroe knows he has hit more than just a streak of bad luck. Those closest to him are dying one after another. More than just dying, they are being killed. A cunning, ruthless killer is stalking his victims while Connor is his true victim. Connor know he is in a race to find the killer before he claims his next victim, destroying a piece of Connor's heart with each murderous act. Although Connor knows he is in over his head, and needs assistance to catch this cold-hearted murderer, he cannot fathom nor accept that this pristine Lady could be anything but trouble. However, the Lady Jillian does not know how to accept rejection. Connor's frustration and irritation soon evolve into true fear when he realizes the one person left who holds a piece of his heart is none other than the Lady herself. Unfortunately, Connor is not the only one to stumble upon this revelation.
I am usually not into mysteries much, but this romance mixed with a side of mystery was quite refreshing. If you are a fan of both genres, this will be a special treat! A 3.5-star read, nearly making it to my favorites shelf. Although there were many aspects I truly loved about the heroine of this story, at times, she seemed a little over-the-top, especially for the times she lived in. Also, her lack of empathy for what her own actions caused for others was somewhat off-putting. For such an intelligent woman, she often lacked the wit and caring for self-survival, as well. Entertaining aspects certainly and ones which clearly made this story standout as fiction, maybe even fantasy? I like to be able to relate to my heroines in a more realistic, personal way. This being the only real factor which kept the book from my favorites shelf. Overall, an exciting and entertaining read which should appeal to readers across multiple genres.
Connor Monroe knows he has hit more than just a streak of bad luck. Those closest to him are dying one after another. More than just dying, they are being killed. A cunning, ruthless killer is stalking his victims while Connor is his true victim. Connor know he is in a race to find the killer before he claims his next victim, destroying a piece of Connor's heart with each murderous act. Although Connor knows he is in over his head, and needs assistance to catch this cold-hearted murderer, he cannot fathom nor accept that this pristine Lady could be anything but trouble. However, the Lady Jillian does not know how to accept rejection. Connor's frustration and irritation soon evolve into true fear when he realizes the one person left who holds a piece of his heart is none other than the Lady herself. Unfortunately, Connor is not the only one to stumble upon this revelation.
I am usually not into mysteries much, but this romance mixed with a side of mystery was quite refreshing. If you are a fan of both genres, this will be a special treat! A 3.5-star read, nearly making it to my favorites shelf. Although there were many aspects I truly loved about the heroine of this story, at times, she seemed a little over-the-top, especially for the times she lived in. Also, her lack of empathy for what her own actions caused for others was somewhat off-putting. For such an intelligent woman, she often lacked the wit and caring for self-survival, as well. Entertaining aspects certainly and ones which clearly made this story standout as fiction, maybe even fantasy? I like to be able to relate to my heroines in a more realistic, personal way. This being the only real factor which kept the book from my favorites shelf. Overall, an exciting and entertaining read which should appeal to readers across multiple genres.
November 3, 2010
Trilogi Historical romance plus whodunit. Tiga saudara berusaha mengungkap misteri kematian ibu mereka. Hanya menggunakan deduksi dan logika, karena investigasi kriminal modern belum dikenal di masa Regency.
August 23, 2011
I liked both main characters in this book for being different. I also liked the treatment of crime science investigation in a whole different century and combined with a genre where one would never expect to come across it. Jillian is smart and gutsy and Connor is just plain hot and sexy.
June 25, 2015
Fabulous
I loved the author's innovative plot. I enjoyed the characters, both main and supporting. I can't wait to read about both of Jillian's sisters and to see who actually murdered their mother.
I loved the author's innovative plot. I enjoyed the characters, both main and supporting. I can't wait to read about both of Jillian's sisters and to see who actually murdered their mother.
April 29, 2013
Enjoyable historical romance with an exciting mystery. I thought the romance could have been more developed but overall I really enjoyed the story.
June 10, 2016
Just finished rereading this. Love it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews