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The Byrons of Braebourne #1.5
Four Dukes and a Devil
Fall in love with the unpredictable and irresistible dukes (and one dog named Duke) of Four Dukes and a Devil. Join New York Times bestselling authors Cathy Maxwell, Jeaniene Frost, and Tracy Anne Warren, along with USA Today bestselling author Elaine Fox and RITA® Award winner Sophia Nash, for tales of noble danger and devilish desire.
Delicate young ladies must be protected from him.
First he steals her clothes, then he steals her heart.
Most would be terrified of this powerful vampire—but not him.
He's "the catch of the century". . . but she's the only one he can't have.
A young miss demands a kiss. But he won't rest once she's touched her lips to his.
With four dukes and one devil, there's no limit on love.
Delicate young ladies must be protected from him.
First he steals her clothes, then he steals her heart.
Most would be terrified of this powerful vampire—but not him.
He's "the catch of the century". . . but she's the only one he can't have.
A young miss demands a kiss. But he won't rest once she's touched her lips to his.
With four dukes and one devil, there's no limit on love.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2009
113 people are currently reading
2894 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
71 books2,191 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
July 18, 2009
Three and a half stars for "Four Dukes and a Devil", an anthology from Avon romance authors Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash, and Tracy Anne Warren. The best thing about this anthology is its mix of contemporary and historical, racy and sweet, and both vanilla and paranormal settings. Something for everyone.
The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell spins a tale of a penniless noblewoman who turns to match-making to support herself. When one of her best selling 'hooks' adversely affects a new Duke, he decides a face-to-face meeting is necessary!
The Duke Who Came to Dinner is Elaine Fox's story of a possible ghost...or a possessed dog...or neither. Not scary, just a little spooky contemporary.
Jeaniene Frost's Devil to Pay pits a determined vampire against a man possessed by an ancient demon. He's made the decision to kill the demon by killing himself...she's determined to save the man and kill the demon.
The 'Catch of the Century' finds his most unlikely match in Sophia Nash's story of the same name. He never expected to find his perfect woman walking beside the road...with three young boys trailing in her wake.
Finally, a May-December historical from Tracy Anne Warren in Charmed by Her Smile. When she accosts him and solicits his assistance to save her from a persistent suitor, the Duke is intrigued. But she's much too young for him...right?
Fun reading that makes it hard to pick a favorite.
The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell spins a tale of a penniless noblewoman who turns to match-making to support herself. When one of her best selling 'hooks' adversely affects a new Duke, he decides a face-to-face meeting is necessary!
The Duke Who Came to Dinner is Elaine Fox's story of a possible ghost...or a possessed dog...or neither. Not scary, just a little spooky contemporary.
Jeaniene Frost's Devil to Pay pits a determined vampire against a man possessed by an ancient demon. He's made the decision to kill the demon by killing himself...she's determined to save the man and kill the demon.
The 'Catch of the Century' finds his most unlikely match in Sophia Nash's story of the same name. He never expected to find his perfect woman walking beside the road...with three young boys trailing in her wake.
Finally, a May-December historical from Tracy Anne Warren in Charmed by Her Smile. When she accosts him and solicits his assistance to save her from a persistent suitor, the Duke is intrigued. But she's much too young for him...right?
Fun reading that makes it hard to pick a favorite.
February 4, 2010
I decided to break this anthology down by story in my review:
Devil to Pay(Jeaniene Frost):
A parnormal short story. Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series is one of my favorites. She is actually the reason I had picked out this anthology to begin with because I saw her name on the book. I was not expecting this story to be a spin-off from Night Huntress… nobody had told me that Mencheres, Bones, and Cat would be in this book, albeit in minor roles as secondary characters. I would guess that this particular story takes place somewhere between At Grave’s End and Destined for an Early Grave timeline-wise in the Night Huntress series, but you really don’t have to have read any of that series to read this short story. As for the plot of the story, it wasn’t my favorite Frost story, but I take what little Bones tidbits I can get *grin*
The Irish Duke (Cathy Maxwell):
A historical romance short story. It actually started out with lots of promise and I enjoyed the first half of the story immensely. Unfortunately, the story broke down about 2/3 of the way through. I think the story wrapped up way too easily, probably the consequence of being a short story in an anthology. I don’t know that there was enough to carry an entire novel, but I felt like the potential was there, and it would have been a better story in the end if it had been longer and more involved.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner (Elaine Fox):
A contemporary story with a hint of paranormal. I wasn’t impressed with the story. It seemed kind of random and pointless. Maybe I would have liked it better if the author had taken the paranormal storyline and ran with it? I don’t know, I just felt like there was no purpose behind the story at all, and I didn’t feel the romance between the h/h.
Catch of the Century (Sophia Nash):
A historical romance story. I can't remember much about this particular story after finishing the book. Guess that says something *laugh*
Charmed By Her Smile(Tracy Ann Warren):
A historical romance story. This one had potential. It was interesting, but I still felt disappointed in the end. I never seem to do well with anthologies because the characters don't get a chance to grow on me I think.
Devil to Pay(Jeaniene Frost):
A parnormal short story. Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series is one of my favorites. She is actually the reason I had picked out this anthology to begin with because I saw her name on the book. I was not expecting this story to be a spin-off from Night Huntress… nobody had told me that Mencheres, Bones, and Cat would be in this book, albeit in minor roles as secondary characters. I would guess that this particular story takes place somewhere between At Grave’s End and Destined for an Early Grave timeline-wise in the Night Huntress series, but you really don’t have to have read any of that series to read this short story. As for the plot of the story, it wasn’t my favorite Frost story, but I take what little Bones tidbits I can get *grin*
The Irish Duke (Cathy Maxwell):
A historical romance short story. It actually started out with lots of promise and I enjoyed the first half of the story immensely. Unfortunately, the story broke down about 2/3 of the way through. I think the story wrapped up way too easily, probably the consequence of being a short story in an anthology. I don’t know that there was enough to carry an entire novel, but I felt like the potential was there, and it would have been a better story in the end if it had been longer and more involved.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner (Elaine Fox):
A contemporary story with a hint of paranormal. I wasn’t impressed with the story. It seemed kind of random and pointless. Maybe I would have liked it better if the author had taken the paranormal storyline and ran with it? I don’t know, I just felt like there was no purpose behind the story at all, and I didn’t feel the romance between the h/h.
Catch of the Century (Sophia Nash):
A historical romance story. I can't remember much about this particular story after finishing the book. Guess that says something *laugh*
Charmed By Her Smile(Tracy Ann Warren):
A historical romance story. This one had potential. It was interesting, but I still felt disappointed in the end. I never seem to do well with anthologies because the characters don't get a chance to grow on me I think.
September 27, 2009
I bought this for the Jeaniene Frost story. I liked it, but there was an obvious solution to the overriding dilemma that was never brought up and I think that was lame. Still, Frost is a good story teller and I enjoyed it, particularly knowing that some of the details are pertinent to Spade's upcoming book. So ... even though he never makes an appearance, I thought about Spade a lot and how can I complain about that?
The other stories were mostly regencies. I'm not sure how this anthology was put together. There's no real theme, except for most of the stories including a duke. It's like Frost got stuck in there at the last minute regardless of whether or not her story fit.
I read all the other stories even though I wasn't familiar with any of the writers. A couple of them were pretty enjoyable. I particularly liked "Catch of the Century" by Sophia Nash and "Charmed by her Smile" by Tracy Ann Warren.
"The Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell was frustrating because it seemed like an outline to what should have been a full novel. It's a really clever premise, and I would have liked to read the whole thing in "long hand" rather than skipping all the natural steps to an HEA.
"The Duke Who Came to Dinner" by Elaine Fox ended rather abruptly and never explained what was going on with the ghost theme. Again, it seemed like an idea for a longer story that the author just didn't fill in.
The Sophia Nash story seems to be part of a series and, of course, Jeaniene Frost's story fits into the Night Huntress world, and since those stories are among the best ones, I can give this quirky anthology a mild recommendation.
The other stories were mostly regencies. I'm not sure how this anthology was put together. There's no real theme, except for most of the stories including a duke. It's like Frost got stuck in there at the last minute regardless of whether or not her story fit.
I read all the other stories even though I wasn't familiar with any of the writers. A couple of them were pretty enjoyable. I particularly liked "Catch of the Century" by Sophia Nash and "Charmed by her Smile" by Tracy Ann Warren.
"The Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell was frustrating because it seemed like an outline to what should have been a full novel. It's a really clever premise, and I would have liked to read the whole thing in "long hand" rather than skipping all the natural steps to an HEA.
"The Duke Who Came to Dinner" by Elaine Fox ended rather abruptly and never explained what was going on with the ghost theme. Again, it seemed like an idea for a longer story that the author just didn't fill in.
The Sophia Nash story seems to be part of a series and, of course, Jeaniene Frost's story fits into the Night Huntress world, and since those stories are among the best ones, I can give this quirky anthology a mild recommendation.
July 24, 2011
I bought this anthology for the Cat and Bones short story. Unfortunately, it is not alone. First there is the story for which I bought this. It's not bad, but not exactly consistent with the Night Huntress world. Didn't we just recently get a story about demon blood/vampire drug? All in all, it didn't really add much to the Night Huntress world/story. But still it was certainly a decent read. *** for the Frost story.
But there are four non-paranormal stories (well, three and a half) matched with a contemporary PNR story. One of them is a contemporary by Elaine Fox entitled, The Duke Who Came to Dinner. I've never read anything by Ms. Fox before but I certainly will in the future. This was my favorite story of the anthology.
The other three were regency romances. I hate regency romances. Really. But once I start a book I will end up reading all of them. So I did. and I wonder why I did. I keep hoping that one of these days I'll be surprised by a Regency romance and really like it. The streak was not broken here.
Just an odd collection. The Cat/Bones short should have been packaged with a PNR collection and the Fox story with other contemporaries.
But there are four non-paranormal stories (well, three and a half) matched with a contemporary PNR story. One of them is a contemporary by Elaine Fox entitled, The Duke Who Came to Dinner. I've never read anything by Ms. Fox before but I certainly will in the future. This was my favorite story of the anthology.
The other three were regency romances. I hate regency romances. Really. But once I start a book I will end up reading all of them. So I did. and I wonder why I did. I keep hoping that one of these days I'll be surprised by a Regency romance and really like it. The streak was not broken here.
Just an odd collection. The Cat/Bones short should have been packaged with a PNR collection and the Fox story with other contemporaries.
May 2, 2023
This anthology consists of two normal historical romances, two paranormal romances, and one contemporary romance.
Series
"Devil to Pay" (Night Huntress and Night Huntress Universe, 3.5)
"Catch of the Century" (Widows Club, 3.5)
"Charmed by Her Smile" (The Byrons of Braebourne, 1.5)
Cathy Maxwell's Irish Duke"
This was a bit simple but cute in spite of the incongruities sprinkled throughout with the trouble Miss Susan Rogers causes Roan Gillray, fourth Duke of Killeigh. Orphaned with no money, Susan has created a niche market making suitable matches for young ladies of nobility.
This Season, Susan has been parading her valuable "knowledge" by terrifying the parents with a little known fact about Irish Dukes . . . they are always last. And god forbid, any of their precious daughters should ever be last!
Elaine Fox's "The Duke Who Came to Dinner"
A contemporary romance with Gray determined to step outside her shell while housesitting a friend's beach house and in the process exposes herself to Sam. A sweet, simple story spiced up with a reluctant ghost . . . or is it just the furnace?
Jeaniene Frost's "Devil to Pay"
This involves a scion of Mencheres' — Elise who encounters a human possessed by a devil just as he attempts to throw himself in front of a subway train. Blake's terror at the hurt he/the demon has caused to so many people has hardened his desire to kill himself to rid his body of the devil possessing him. And his honorable intentions wake Elise up. For fifty-some years, Elise has hidden from the world but Blake's concern for everyone but himself spurs her to save him. Excellent, excellent story!
Sophia Nash's "Catch of the Century"
This was a fun romp in Regency England when Victoria Givan and her young crew of architectural students are abandoned on the side of the road over 60 miles from their destination. A chance encounter provides them with a ride from the Catch of the Century, John Varick, ninth Duke of Beaufort, when his driver almost runs them down
It's Victoria's unimpressed attitude that catches Varick's attention especially as she continues to elude him.
Tracy Anne Warren's "Charmed By Her Smile"
Another Regency England adventure when India Byron is desperate to elude Peter the Pest who just will not understand "no" and asks Quentin Marlowe, eighth Duke of Weybridge, to kiss her in the hopes that it will finally sink into Peter Harte's brain that she is not interested.
It's a lovely adventure for both of them as Quentin falls in love with the vivacious India.
The Cover
The cover is odd with the roof of its country house illuminated with the ball of light. I don't really understand the relevance . . .
Series
"Devil to Pay" (Night Huntress and Night Huntress Universe, 3.5)
"Catch of the Century" (Widows Club, 3.5)
"Charmed by Her Smile" (The Byrons of Braebourne, 1.5)
Cathy Maxwell's Irish Duke"
This was a bit simple but cute in spite of the incongruities sprinkled throughout with the trouble Miss Susan Rogers causes Roan Gillray, fourth Duke of Killeigh. Orphaned with no money, Susan has created a niche market making suitable matches for young ladies of nobility.
This Season, Susan has been parading her valuable "knowledge" by terrifying the parents with a little known fact about Irish Dukes . . . they are always last. And god forbid, any of their precious daughters should ever be last!
Elaine Fox's "The Duke Who Came to Dinner"
A contemporary romance with Gray determined to step outside her shell while housesitting a friend's beach house and in the process exposes herself to Sam. A sweet, simple story spiced up with a reluctant ghost . . . or is it just the furnace?
Jeaniene Frost's "Devil to Pay"
This involves a scion of Mencheres' — Elise who encounters a human possessed by a devil just as he attempts to throw himself in front of a subway train. Blake's terror at the hurt he/the demon has caused to so many people has hardened his desire to kill himself to rid his body of the devil possessing him. And his honorable intentions wake Elise up. For fifty-some years, Elise has hidden from the world but Blake's concern for everyone but himself spurs her to save him. Excellent, excellent story!
Sophia Nash's "Catch of the Century"
This was a fun romp in Regency England when Victoria Givan and her young crew of architectural students are abandoned on the side of the road over 60 miles from their destination. A chance encounter provides them with a ride from the Catch of the Century, John Varick, ninth Duke of Beaufort, when his driver almost runs them down
It's Victoria's unimpressed attitude that catches Varick's attention especially as she continues to elude him.
Tracy Anne Warren's "Charmed By Her Smile"
Another Regency England adventure when India Byron is desperate to elude Peter the Pest who just will not understand "no" and asks Quentin Marlowe, eighth Duke of Weybridge, to kiss her in the hopes that it will finally sink into Peter Harte's brain that she is not interested.
It's a lovely adventure for both of them as Quentin falls in love with the vivacious India.
The Cover
The cover is odd with the roof of its country house illuminated with the ball of light. I don't really understand the relevance . . .
September 10, 2009
I only read the Jeaniene Frost story, Devil To Pay.
Bones and Cat make only a brief appearance. Most of this book centers around a vampire named Elise, Mencheres, and a demon possessed human male named Blake. And it was sad! Very sweet and very sad! * sniffle* but of course since this is a romance story there's a happy ending to sigh over. I wish there could have been a wee bit more to the ending though.
Bones and Cat make only a brief appearance. Most of this book centers around a vampire named Elise, Mencheres, and a demon possessed human male named Blake. And it was sad! Very sweet and very sad! * sniffle* but of course since this is a romance story there's a happy ending to sigh over. I wish there could have been a wee bit more to the ending though.
December 21, 2010
Cute book, Quick, fun read.
January 27, 2021
Slightly lacklustre romance anthology
3 stars
THE IRISH DUKE by Cathy Maxwell
Pretty Susan Rogers is a 26 year old spinster who helps the young ladies of the ton find suitable husbands - so long as they are not Irish Dukes. So who should appear at the beginning of the season to find a wife but an Irish Duke, Roan Gillray, who seems to have set his sights on Susan herself.
This was a sweet story but lacked believability due to the short length. It was still an enjoyable, well-written story that will make you smile.
THE DUKE WHO CAME TO DINNER by Elaine Fox
Gray Gilliam has come to sleepy Wellfleet, Massachusetts to spend a summer changing her life. But that's before she goes skinny dipping, a dog called Duke steals her clothes and her hot neighbour, Sam Gregory, sees her stark naked!
This was a good, fun-loving story with good characters and a cute dog. I couldn't really decide the purpose of the ghost in the story but apart from that I enjoyed it.
DEVIL TO PAY by Jeaniene Frost
Blake Turner has been possessed by an evil demon and the only way to get rid of it is to die. But now he's met gorgeous vampire Elise, he suddenly realises he desperately wants to live.
I am really not into vampire/demon stories and this one didn't change my mind. It was interesting with a good ending but it really wasn't a romance story.
CATCH OF THE CENTURY by Sophia Nash
When John Varick, Duke of Beaufort nearly runs down Miss Victoria Givan in the middle of a country road, he has no idea that by offering her and her teenage charges a lift to their destination, he might be risking his bachelor status.
I enjoyed this story and the characters in it but towards the end the story started to brim with characters from previous Nash books. Having never read her before, I found this annoying and spoiled the story for me somewhat.
CHARMED BY HER SMILE by Tracy Anne Warren
Miss India Byron is being plagued by the unwanted attentions of a rather insipid suitor. So she enlists the help of Quentin Marlowe, Duke of Weybridge to pretend to pursue her in the hopes of deterring the love-struck lad. But is it really pretend after all?
I could have lived with the tried and true plot if it had a little pizazz, but it was actually quite bland and boring. I also didn't believe that it was anything more than infatuation and lust between the couple. Disappointing.
The good thing about this anthology is that it has a wide selection of very different types of story. Unfortunately, personally I didn't find any of the stories particularly thrilling and although a few of them were fairly interesting, I don't think I'll be going out of my way to read any of the stories again in a hurry. 3 stars.
July 15, 2010
This was a fantastic anthology with stories by several very familiar authors and a few authors I hadn't read before. I enjoyed all five of the stories a lot, especially Jeaniene Frost's vampire tale.
The Irish Duke - Cathy Maxwell: Susan Rogers has warned everyone in London about The Irish Duke in order to get more clients for her business of shepherding young ladies through the season. When the actual Irish Duke shows up, irate because all the young ladies are avoiding him, he and Susan butt heads in this delightful story.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner - Elaine Fox: Gray decides be bold by skinny dipping in the ocean, but doesn't count on a dog named Duke stealing her dress and then having to ride her bike through town naked. After Sam sees her, he's entranced by Gray and a whirlwind romance ensues. I was confused on who the ghost was, the man Gray sees walking on the beach with Duke, the ghost leaving the scent of pipe smoke in the house she's summering in, the big white dog named Duke - or maybe all three? Regardless, I enjoyed this ghost story, it was a lot of fun.
Devil to Pay - Jeaniene Frost: I loved this story of the lonely vampire Elise who runs across the demon possessed Blake and determines to help him rid himself of the demon by helping him die on the Utah salt flats where the demon won't be able to possess anyone else. She has the help of her vampire sire Mencheres, who gets his own story told in Jeaniene's newest book, Eternal Kiss of Darkness.
Catch of the Century - Sophia Nash: When Victoria and her three young charges are rescued on the side of the road by the Duke of Beaufort, little does he know that he will have met his match in this lovely, spirited, exasperating, young schoolmistress. Not having read A Dangerous Beauty or The Kiss, I still enjoyed the visit made by the characters from those two books in this wonderful story.
Charmed By Her Smile - Tracy Anne Warren: When India convinces Quentin, the Duke of Weybridge to pretend to court her so she can avoid a certain pesky suitor, he knows he won't be bored, but never realizes he'll be entranced. A great ending story to a wonderful anthology.
The Irish Duke - Cathy Maxwell: Susan Rogers has warned everyone in London about The Irish Duke in order to get more clients for her business of shepherding young ladies through the season. When the actual Irish Duke shows up, irate because all the young ladies are avoiding him, he and Susan butt heads in this delightful story.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner - Elaine Fox: Gray decides be bold by skinny dipping in the ocean, but doesn't count on a dog named Duke stealing her dress and then having to ride her bike through town naked. After Sam sees her, he's entranced by Gray and a whirlwind romance ensues. I was confused on who the ghost was, the man Gray sees walking on the beach with Duke, the ghost leaving the scent of pipe smoke in the house she's summering in, the big white dog named Duke - or maybe all three? Regardless, I enjoyed this ghost story, it was a lot of fun.
Devil to Pay - Jeaniene Frost: I loved this story of the lonely vampire Elise who runs across the demon possessed Blake and determines to help him rid himself of the demon by helping him die on the Utah salt flats where the demon won't be able to possess anyone else. She has the help of her vampire sire Mencheres, who gets his own story told in Jeaniene's newest book, Eternal Kiss of Darkness.
Catch of the Century - Sophia Nash: When Victoria and her three young charges are rescued on the side of the road by the Duke of Beaufort, little does he know that he will have met his match in this lovely, spirited, exasperating, young schoolmistress. Not having read A Dangerous Beauty or The Kiss, I still enjoyed the visit made by the characters from those two books in this wonderful story.
Charmed By Her Smile - Tracy Anne Warren: When India convinces Quentin, the Duke of Weybridge to pretend to court her so she can avoid a certain pesky suitor, he knows he won't be bored, but never realizes he'll be entranced. A great ending story to a wonderful anthology.
June 30, 2011
The following review is for Tracy Anne Warren's "Charmed By Her Smile" only.
This one was a very neat and clean short read. It was one of those fluffy love stories that bring a sweet smile in your face which lingers as long as you read it!
India Byron is the cousin of Edward Byron, Duke of Clybourne (his story can be visited in At the Duke's Pleasure) and is troubled by an exasperating suitor’s relentless perusal. She wishes nothing but to get rid of him and is desperate to do anything to confirm the notion. So desperate that she coaxes a wicked Duke no less, to masquerade as her affectionate suitor for a certain time to drive off this suitor she calls ‘the pest’ for good. But things never get along in life and hence in a romance novel as we wish them is it? :)
I had to read this novella since I am a fan of "The Byrons of Braebourne" series and hence Miss Tracy Anne Warren!
Though it won’t harm much to follow the series if this one is left out, but however, if you are feeling rather light-hearted and downy and wish to read something of less elaborated yet very well-written, give this novella a chance!
June 21, 2013
DNF.
This is a collection of short stories, a mix of historical, contemporary and paranormal.
I read the first short called the Irish Duke which seemed to have potential. But like most short stories, the plot is simple and character development minimal. I did not believe in the speed in which the couple meet and fall in love within two weeks.
I read a few chapter of the next short contemporary (the duke is a dog named Duke). Nothing special about the characters or the plot, not enough to emotionally engage me - but then I'm not a fan of contemporary romance stories so that might be my fault.
The third story is about a vampire and a man possessed by a demon. Lots of blood, death and gore. Not what I want in a romance novel.
There are a couple more stories in the anthology but after the three strikes from the others, I moved on.
I've decided I won't waste my time on anthologies or short stories (I will still read novellas that are long enough for a fuller development of plot and character).
This is a collection of short stories, a mix of historical, contemporary and paranormal.
I read the first short called the Irish Duke which seemed to have potential. But like most short stories, the plot is simple and character development minimal. I did not believe in the speed in which the couple meet and fall in love within two weeks.
I read a few chapter of the next short contemporary (the duke is a dog named Duke). Nothing special about the characters or the plot, not enough to emotionally engage me - but then I'm not a fan of contemporary romance stories so that might be my fault.
The third story is about a vampire and a man possessed by a demon. Lots of blood, death and gore. Not what I want in a romance novel.
There are a couple more stories in the anthology but after the three strikes from the others, I moved on.
I've decided I won't waste my time on anthologies or short stories (I will still read novellas that are long enough for a fuller development of plot and character).
March 12, 2010
This was a collection of 5 short stories. I decided that each story was worth 1 star, either it got it or it didn't. As you can see--only 2 of the stories were what I considered "worth while." The Jeanine Frost story was good--it was part of the Cat and Bones series, so you did need at least some knowledge of the series to appreciate it. The second story that I really enjoyed was the story by Sophia Nash. It too was part of a series, one that I think that I'm going to have to check out. It was funny, interesting and had characters that I think I want to get to know better. The other 3 stories were, at best, mwha--you know, so-so. There were 2 that I actually had to force myself to finish. Not sure why, but they just didn't appeal.
August 17, 2011
I only read the Jeanine Frost story. It was enjoyable although nothing to write home about. It was so short there wasn't much to do with it. There was one really beautiful scene I loved:
"I know this makes no sense, since we've only known each other less than a week, but Blake...if I could spend the rest of my life with just one person, it would be you," she whispered.
Blake pulled away. Looked at her face and saw the naked vulnerability, emotion, and need there. He smiled, brushing back a strand of her blond hair.
"No, Elise. We've known each other forever, because that's how long I'll love you."
Then he kissed her, trying to imprint the feel of her on his mouth, his hands, and body before death came to take him away.
"I know this makes no sense, since we've only known each other less than a week, but Blake...if I could spend the rest of my life with just one person, it would be you," she whispered.
Blake pulled away. Looked at her face and saw the naked vulnerability, emotion, and need there. He smiled, brushing back a strand of her blond hair.
"No, Elise. We've known each other forever, because that's how long I'll love you."
Then he kissed her, trying to imprint the feel of her on his mouth, his hands, and body before death came to take him away.
May 15, 2017
This anthology is comprised of 5 romance novellas. One of them is a modern romance (Elaine Fox), one is a contemporary paranormal romance (Jeaniene Frost), and the other three are historical romances. The individual styles and quality of writing vary greatly from story to story. Below are mini-reviews for each of the stories. The overall rating is a compilation of the individual rating for each story – see below.
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Cathy Maxwell – The Irish Duke (1 star)
Horrible writing. Very blah.
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Elaine Fox – The Duke Who Came to Dinner (4 stars)
I liked it a lot. I’ve read many other books by this author and enjoyed most of them. In this contemporary romance, a young teacher, Gray, comes to a small town on Cape Cod to escape her joyless life elsewhere. She meets a fascinating set of characters, including a ghost of a long-dead duke and a strange white dog. And of course, a tall and handsome music critic Sam. With the romantic ocean shore as the background, love has no choice but to flourish.
The story is written with skill and humor, and I have to share a couple of quotes from it. The first one is how the story starts:
In the next snippet, which happens a couple hours later, Sam finds a woman’s dress in his backyard just after his dog Duke came in from his solitary morning outing.
After that, the story really takes off and becomes a swift and charming tale of love and self-discovery. My one objection: it is too short and ends too abruptly. I wanted more.
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Jeaniene Frost – Devil to Pay (3.5 stars)
Here we have a paranormal romance. A few months ago, Blake was possessed by a powerful demon. Once in a while, the demon seizes Blake’s mind and goes on a killing spree, spreading blood and destruction. Although Blake himself blacks out during such episodes, he is aware of the consequences and terrified of what he had become. His only way out is death, but the demon wouldn’t let him kill himself.
Elise is a vampire, has been for 70 years. She is a recluse and lives in an abandoned tunnel under a New York metro station. When she meets Blake, she recognizes his evil rider. Her emotions, which have been dormant for many years, stir at Blake’s plight. She wants to help this particular human. Blake pulls at the strings of her heart she had thought extinguished for half a century. Unfortunately, to exorcise such a powerful demon is not easy, even for a mighty vampire. The demon fights back, and the passion that springs between these two doomed lovers seems hopeless until the very end.
The narrative flows, and the tension builds quickly, as Blake and Elise explore their ill-fated, horribly-timed attraction, all the while resisting the demon’s tricks.
I’m glad this poignant story of the two wounded people finding solace in each other’s arms had a happy resolution. I cared for the protagonists and I enjoyed reading their tale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sophia Nash – Catch of the Century (3 stars)
In this historical romance, a handsome and rich duke of Beaufort is en route to his estate in Derbyshire, when his carriage almost runs down a young, badly-dressed teacher with three young boys. Beaufort doesn’t know what they are doing trudging along a country road in the middle of nowhere but he can’t leave them there. He feels compelled to help them.
From the moment he stops his carriage, all his carefully laid plans go astray, and the beautiful teacher finds her way into his heart, no matter how much he resists it.
Victoria, a sharp-tongued spinster, is used to managing classrooms of boisterous children in the orphanage where she works. She resists her attraction to the duke as much as he does. After all, she knows that nothing will come of it. Dukes and teachers don’t mingle, but her heart has other ideas. And so does her treacherous body.
This one was a classic Cinderella story, average in every way but still a nice read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracy Anne Warren – Charmed by her Smile (3 stars)
Not bad but nothing special about this historical romance. Unlike the previous novellas in the anthology, India, the heroine of this tale, is very young, not yet 18, and hasn’t had her first London Season yet. The hero Quentin is much older, over 30. Another difference: by the end of this story, India is still a virgin, although there were a few torrid kisses along the way. The wedding bells were tolling just as the story ended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cathy Maxwell – The Irish Duke (1 star)
Horrible writing. Very blah.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elaine Fox – The Duke Who Came to Dinner (4 stars)
I liked it a lot. I’ve read many other books by this author and enjoyed most of them. In this contemporary romance, a young teacher, Gray, comes to a small town on Cape Cod to escape her joyless life elsewhere. She meets a fascinating set of characters, including a ghost of a long-dead duke and a strange white dog. And of course, a tall and handsome music critic Sam. With the romantic ocean shore as the background, love has no choice but to flourish.
The story is written with skill and humor, and I have to share a couple of quotes from it. The first one is how the story starts:
Distracted, Sam Gregory... stared out the window into the dawn light of the village street.
Pedaling a bicycle with all the determination of Dorothy’s Wicked Witch of the West was a slender, fair-haired, stark-naked woman.
Stark, he marveled, forgetting his coffee.
Naked.
In the next snippet, which happens a couple hours later, Sam finds a woman’s dress in his backyard just after his dog Duke came in from his solitary morning outing.
He looked from the dress in his hand toward the back door of his house, putting two and two and two together. And getting a mess.
Low laughter started in the back of his throat. A runaway dog, a naked bicyclist, and the sudden appearance of a dress all pointed to one thing: somehow Duke had stolen that poor woman’s clothes. No wonder she’d been pedaling so fast. She wasn’t an exhibitionist; she’d been robbed.
After that, the story really takes off and becomes a swift and charming tale of love and self-discovery. My one objection: it is too short and ends too abruptly. I wanted more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeaniene Frost – Devil to Pay (3.5 stars)
Here we have a paranormal romance. A few months ago, Blake was possessed by a powerful demon. Once in a while, the demon seizes Blake’s mind and goes on a killing spree, spreading blood and destruction. Although Blake himself blacks out during such episodes, he is aware of the consequences and terrified of what he had become. His only way out is death, but the demon wouldn’t let him kill himself.
Elise is a vampire, has been for 70 years. She is a recluse and lives in an abandoned tunnel under a New York metro station. When she meets Blake, she recognizes his evil rider. Her emotions, which have been dormant for many years, stir at Blake’s plight. She wants to help this particular human. Blake pulls at the strings of her heart she had thought extinguished for half a century. Unfortunately, to exorcise such a powerful demon is not easy, even for a mighty vampire. The demon fights back, and the passion that springs between these two doomed lovers seems hopeless until the very end.
The narrative flows, and the tension builds quickly, as Blake and Elise explore their ill-fated, horribly-timed attraction, all the while resisting the demon’s tricks.
I’m glad this poignant story of the two wounded people finding solace in each other’s arms had a happy resolution. I cared for the protagonists and I enjoyed reading their tale.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sophia Nash – Catch of the Century (3 stars)
In this historical romance, a handsome and rich duke of Beaufort is en route to his estate in Derbyshire, when his carriage almost runs down a young, badly-dressed teacher with three young boys. Beaufort doesn’t know what they are doing trudging along a country road in the middle of nowhere but he can’t leave them there. He feels compelled to help them.
From the moment he stops his carriage, all his carefully laid plans go astray, and the beautiful teacher finds her way into his heart, no matter how much he resists it.
Victoria, a sharp-tongued spinster, is used to managing classrooms of boisterous children in the orphanage where she works. She resists her attraction to the duke as much as he does. After all, she knows that nothing will come of it. Dukes and teachers don’t mingle, but her heart has other ideas. And so does her treacherous body.
This one was a classic Cinderella story, average in every way but still a nice read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracy Anne Warren – Charmed by her Smile (3 stars)
Not bad but nothing special about this historical romance. Unlike the previous novellas in the anthology, India, the heroine of this tale, is very young, not yet 18, and hasn’t had her first London Season yet. The hero Quentin is much older, over 30. Another difference: by the end of this story, India is still a virgin, although there were a few torrid kisses along the way. The wedding bells were tolling just as the story ended.
October 15, 2009
I read this one just for the Jeaniene Frost story. I really liked it. The one problem I had with it...and it's the same problem I have with all short stories...is that it's too short (state the obvious, I know). But it doesn't give enough time to bond with the characters properly. Although, I must say, given the length of the story, the characters were surprisingly well fleshed out.
The other stories were entertaining as well. Enough to keep my reading, at least. I got a sample of some new authors that I'll definately be checking out later.
The other stories were entertaining as well. Enough to keep my reading, at least. I got a sample of some new authors that I'll definately be checking out later.
Want to read
June 7, 2011DEVIL TO PAY by Jeaniene Frost
Elise & Blake . . .
Bones & Cat made a very short appearance - but this novella is focused on Elise & the demon-possessed Blake - with Mancheres playing a bigger role than Cats & Bones.
Blake's dilemma is that he's possessed by demon Xaphan. Elise is determined to save Blake - and needed Mancheres' help in the process . . .
This is a good short read. But I somehow hoped to read more . . .
Overall: 3.5 stars.
Elise & Blake . . .
Bones & Cat made a very short appearance - but this novella is focused on Elise & the demon-possessed Blake - with Mancheres playing a bigger role than Cats & Bones.
Blake's dilemma is that he's possessed by demon Xaphan. Elise is determined to save Blake - and needed Mancheres' help in the process . . .
This is a good short read. But I somehow hoped to read more . . .
Overall: 3.5 stars.
July 29, 2013
I enjoyed all the stories in this anthology. Of course the one by Jeaniene Frost a Cat and Bones short was my favorite and the only paranormal of the bunch. One story had what I considered an inappropriate explicit sex scene for its genre but the rest of the story was great. Each story had well fleshed out characters, humor, romance, strong women, and felt complete, not rushed.
July 16, 2009
First off, this anthology mixes genres - 3 regencies, 1 contemporary, and 1 paranormal. I hate that, as I typically only read historical romances.
The only story that was at all memorable was "The Catch of the Century," by Sophia Nash. That probably would get at least 3 stars, but even so, she had too many cameo appearances from characters in her other novels.
The only story that was at all memorable was "The Catch of the Century," by Sophia Nash. That probably would get at least 3 stars, but even so, she had too many cameo appearances from characters in her other novels.
December 8, 2009
I bought this book for "Devil to Pay" by Jeaniene Frost and it is the only novella I read.
September 7, 2022
Overall: (3.5 stars)
This is a really strange mix of stories. There's three historical romances, one contemporary romance, and one paranormal romance in this collection. It just seems like a really weird mix considering most anthologies try to stick to a certain genre. What's funny is that paranormal romance is my favorite genre in general, but that story was my least favorite in this collection. Also, I'm not a big fan of contemporary romance, but I found that was my favorite in this anthology. Go figure. Oh well. Overall, this was an alright collection. But, I thought it started off strong with the first two stories, and then started going downhill as you go.
The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell: (4 stars)
This was a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this story -- other than it's about a Duke! :) I also haven't read too much historical romance so I'm leery about which authors in the genre I would like or not. But, I was pleasantly surprised by this short. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
In this story Susan is an oh-so-old twenty-six year old spinster. To make a living she helps girls in the ton which are in their first season to find "suitable" husbands (a.k.a. rich and having a good title). In order to help sell her services, she often tells a tale of The Irish Duke, feeling that it's quite harmless considering there's only a handful of Irish Dukes and none of them reside in London. However, when the Duke of Killeigh shows up to one of the season's first balls, she is in for a real shocker.
Again, I really enjoyed this story. Although short, I really liked both characters and I thought it was really cute and entertaining. The one thing I did find a bit annoying was throwing around the word "love" so much and so fast. I know it's a short story, but that word could have probably not even come up and the ending still could have been quite satisfying. It was just too soon and too much. Other than that, I loved it!
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox: (5 stars)
This was the first story I've read by Elaine Fox. It was a contemporary romance with some paranormal aspects having to do with ghosts. But mostly just contemporary romance.
In this story Gray Gilliam goes to her friend Rachel's place in Cape Code for the summer. She needs some time off from teaching to "find herself" and experience life more. So it seems the perfect opportunity. The only problem? Rachel's place might just be haunted by a dead Duke. Gray is leery about the possibility, but tries to push it out of her thoughts. After she meets Sam in town though, some even stranger things start to happen in the house.
This story was fantastic. A definite five star short story. I absolutely loved both the main characters, I loved the mystery, and their relationship was very much realistically built throughout. I also really liked her writing style. I planned to read only a few pages of this story, but sat down and finished it. It was really good. It's made me curious about more of her work, but unfortunately none of what she currently has out looks like anything I'd be interested in. If she did more romances like this, I'd definitely read more from her though!
Devil to Play by Jeaniene Frost: (2.5 stars)
(Night Huntress, #3.5)
This story was the reason I picked up this anthology as I am very much a Night Huntress fan. However, I am not really a fan of this novella.
In this story a vampire named Elise encounters a human named Blake who is possessed by a demon. The demon will not allow Blake to kill himself and he will not leave him so Blake has been suffering with the demon for awhile. Now Elise must help Blake get rid of the demon. But, she finds herself developing feelings for him. What will she do if the only way to save Blake from the demon is to take his life?
Overall, this was pretty terrible. I really didn't find it all that interesting. The new characters were alright, I didn't have anything against them though. We also get a glimpse at Bones and Cat, as well as Mencheres in this one. However, I found the story just plain boring. There wasn't much going on and I had to struggle a bit to get through it.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash: (2.5 stars)
(Widows Club, #3.5)
This is the first story I've read by Sophia Nash. It is part of her Widows Club series, which I had not heard of until this novella.
In this story Victoria and three boys she is helping to care for are on their way out of London. She's taking the boys to an architect in the hopes of them being apprentices and moving up in the world. On their way out of London, they get into an accident with a carriage (they are walking). This carriage belongs to the new Duke of Beaufort (a.k.a. John). After this accident he, not knowing how far they have to travel, offers to take them to their destination. However, they are headed about sixty miles away. Along the way, both Victoria and John discover an irresistible attraction brewing between them.
I thought this was pretty "meh". My primary problem with this story is the writing style. I couldn't stand it. Everything was sort of blurry and not described very well at all, and I also just found it boring to read. There could have probably been a better story, but I didn't find it interesting the way it was written. I also didn't really like Victoria that much. She just seemed bitchy and ungrateful for everything. In addition, the one "sex scene" this story had was rushed and not even described at all. I like a little sex in my romance novels, so this was disappointing. I bumped this up a half star primarily because I liked John. I thought he was a good character, but I think he deserved better than Victoria. I will not be reading this series or any other Sophia Nash stories anytime soon though. Not for me.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren: (3.5 stars)
(The Byrons of Braebourne, #1.5)
Tracey Anne Warren is also an author I've never read, nor heard of before. This story is, I guess, in The Byrons of Braebourne series, although I have not read anything from the series before.
In this story India (that's her name) is running from an overly persistent suitor during a party. She sprints outside to the gardens and finds Quentin, the Duke of Beaufort there. Although, she doesn't know he's a Duke at first. In an effort to get her annoying suitor off her back she begs a kiss from Quentin to drive him away. Ever obliging to a lady, he agrees and they share a moment of embrace. This moment triggers an irresistible chemistry between them that neither of them seem able to escape.
This story was pretty good, better than some of the others in this collection, however it was missing something as well. I liked both of the main characters, especially Quentin, and I thought they had pretty good chemistry. What I think was missing was the sex aspect. Call me a perv, but I like sex in my romance novels. This one had a few teasers here and there, but we don't get any sex and what we did get was pretty bland. So that made the story all around a little boring. I don't think I'll be looking into any more of her writing at this time, but this was entertaining enough.
This is a really strange mix of stories. There's three historical romances, one contemporary romance, and one paranormal romance in this collection. It just seems like a really weird mix considering most anthologies try to stick to a certain genre. What's funny is that paranormal romance is my favorite genre in general, but that story was my least favorite in this collection. Also, I'm not a big fan of contemporary romance, but I found that was my favorite in this anthology. Go figure. Oh well. Overall, this was an alright collection. But, I thought it started off strong with the first two stories, and then started going downhill as you go.
The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell: (4 stars)
This was a new author for me so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this story -- other than it's about a Duke! :) I also haven't read too much historical romance so I'm leery about which authors in the genre I would like or not. But, I was pleasantly surprised by this short. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
In this story Susan is an oh-so-old twenty-six year old spinster. To make a living she helps girls in the ton which are in their first season to find "suitable" husbands (a.k.a. rich and having a good title). In order to help sell her services, she often tells a tale of The Irish Duke, feeling that it's quite harmless considering there's only a handful of Irish Dukes and none of them reside in London. However, when the Duke of Killeigh shows up to one of the season's first balls, she is in for a real shocker.
Again, I really enjoyed this story. Although short, I really liked both characters and I thought it was really cute and entertaining. The one thing I did find a bit annoying was throwing around the word "love" so much and so fast. I know it's a short story, but that word could have probably not even come up and the ending still could have been quite satisfying. It was just too soon and too much. Other than that, I loved it!
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox: (5 stars)
This was the first story I've read by Elaine Fox. It was a contemporary romance with some paranormal aspects having to do with ghosts. But mostly just contemporary romance.
In this story Gray Gilliam goes to her friend Rachel's place in Cape Code for the summer. She needs some time off from teaching to "find herself" and experience life more. So it seems the perfect opportunity. The only problem? Rachel's place might just be haunted by a dead Duke. Gray is leery about the possibility, but tries to push it out of her thoughts. After she meets Sam in town though, some even stranger things start to happen in the house.
This story was fantastic. A definite five star short story. I absolutely loved both the main characters, I loved the mystery, and their relationship was very much realistically built throughout. I also really liked her writing style. I planned to read only a few pages of this story, but sat down and finished it. It was really good. It's made me curious about more of her work, but unfortunately none of what she currently has out looks like anything I'd be interested in. If she did more romances like this, I'd definitely read more from her though!
Devil to Play by Jeaniene Frost: (2.5 stars)
(Night Huntress, #3.5)
This story was the reason I picked up this anthology as I am very much a Night Huntress fan. However, I am not really a fan of this novella.
In this story a vampire named Elise encounters a human named Blake who is possessed by a demon. The demon will not allow Blake to kill himself and he will not leave him so Blake has been suffering with the demon for awhile. Now Elise must help Blake get rid of the demon. But, she finds herself developing feelings for him. What will she do if the only way to save Blake from the demon is to take his life?
Overall, this was pretty terrible. I really didn't find it all that interesting. The new characters were alright, I didn't have anything against them though. We also get a glimpse at Bones and Cat, as well as Mencheres in this one. However, I found the story just plain boring. There wasn't much going on and I had to struggle a bit to get through it.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash: (2.5 stars)
(Widows Club, #3.5)
This is the first story I've read by Sophia Nash. It is part of her Widows Club series, which I had not heard of until this novella.
In this story Victoria and three boys she is helping to care for are on their way out of London. She's taking the boys to an architect in the hopes of them being apprentices and moving up in the world. On their way out of London, they get into an accident with a carriage (they are walking). This carriage belongs to the new Duke of Beaufort (a.k.a. John). After this accident he, not knowing how far they have to travel, offers to take them to their destination. However, they are headed about sixty miles away. Along the way, both Victoria and John discover an irresistible attraction brewing between them.
I thought this was pretty "meh". My primary problem with this story is the writing style. I couldn't stand it. Everything was sort of blurry and not described very well at all, and I also just found it boring to read. There could have probably been a better story, but I didn't find it interesting the way it was written. I also didn't really like Victoria that much. She just seemed bitchy and ungrateful for everything. In addition, the one "sex scene" this story had was rushed and not even described at all. I like a little sex in my romance novels, so this was disappointing. I bumped this up a half star primarily because I liked John. I thought he was a good character, but I think he deserved better than Victoria. I will not be reading this series or any other Sophia Nash stories anytime soon though. Not for me.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren: (3.5 stars)
(The Byrons of Braebourne, #1.5)
Tracey Anne Warren is also an author I've never read, nor heard of before. This story is, I guess, in The Byrons of Braebourne series, although I have not read anything from the series before.
In this story India (that's her name) is running from an overly persistent suitor during a party. She sprints outside to the gardens and finds Quentin, the Duke of Beaufort there. Although, she doesn't know he's a Duke at first. In an effort to get her annoying suitor off her back she begs a kiss from Quentin to drive him away. Ever obliging to a lady, he agrees and they share a moment of embrace. This moment triggers an irresistible chemistry between them that neither of them seem able to escape.
This story was pretty good, better than some of the others in this collection, however it was missing something as well. I liked both of the main characters, especially Quentin, and I thought they had pretty good chemistry. What I think was missing was the sex aspect. Call me a perv, but I like sex in my romance novels. This one had a few teasers here and there, but we don't get any sex and what we did get was pretty bland. So that made the story all around a little boring. I don't think I'll be looking into any more of her writing at this time, but this was entertaining enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
The Irish Duke by Cathy MaxwellI think my biggest issue was this needed to be longer. It went from Susan using Roan as a bad example and suddenly they're in love. The story just developed too quickly for me, even for a shorter novella, especially since the two of them hadn't had any interaction/relationship prior to this. Overall, Susan was decent although I didn't like the fact that she defended her whole bashing of "The Irish Duke" as a way to keep her job. It's one thing to acknowledge she was treating him like a phantom/scare but once she realized he was real and actually trying to participate in the Season, she should have apologized, IMO.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine FoxThis one definitely needed to be longer because I was just lost. It seemed like it was trying for a supernatural bent, between the ghost at Gray's house and then all the mentions of the man in the long coat walking Duke. Plus the various references to the Duke of Dunkirk and I just feel like stuff got dropped because of the length of the story and it left things feeling unfinished. Even with the way things ended with that comment about pipe smoke. Again I can see kind of what the author was going for, but I feel like the whole "cliffhanger"/"is it?" ending the author used would have worked better if there'd been less pivot into Gray and Sam's relationship or just a longer overall story.
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene FrostSo I haven't read any of the Night Huntress world books yet, but they've been on my list. Honestly, I'm thinking I might have to figure out how to start it sooner than later because I have to know how Bones and Cat started. Plus it would be interesting to see if Elise and Blake make any appearances at any point. I liked the solution that Mencheres came up with to try and save Blake.
Catch of the Century by Sophia NashAgain: this needed to be longer because I wanted more time with these characters! Victoria was headstrong and knew how to take care of herself but I did wish she'd been a little less frosty with John. Although their conversation at the end seems to point to it maybe being a little more on purpose than just her personality. I did like the way the Helstons and the Wallaces were such good friends and just basically took everything in stride.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne WarrenThis was fun and again, I wanted a longer story but this time more so we could see India escaping Peter the Pest. Even though she explained things, I think it would have been a little better for the progression to have taken longer rather than it just being written that it had been days/weeks. I did like the way Quentin handled Peter when he realized he'd left India behind but part of me wishes there'd been one last scene where India could punch him in his stupid face.
March 30, 2020
Wow, I surprisingly hated this on the whole.
I actually kinda liked The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell, but I found the story too short and the "love" too fast to enjoy. There was a lot of crying and a lot of declarations of love and way too much honesty for a couple who met, fell in love, got married & had sex all within 50 pages (less, since Susan & Roan meet on page 16). I would have loved Susan & Roan's love story had it been told in a novella or full length novel.
3.5 stars
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox, I'm sorry to say was boring. I ended up skimming pages.
1.5/2 stars.
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost was my first paranormal romance! It was only OK, and actually lost my interest the more I read. (I found the beginning to be a lot stronger than the story's follow-through.)
2.5 stars
Ug, the Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash was a real eye-roller. A poor woman walking along the side of the road with three young boys is rude to the Duke that rescues them in his carriage. And then she and the Duke obviously share extreme sexual tension that leads to an annoying back and forth, and then releases in the most ridiculous sex scene ever written. And they just get more annoying from there (ignoring each other to then professing love, etc.)
1.5/2 stars
Finally, the only good story in this collection: Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren. India accosts/solicits the help of a stranger in a garden to get away from the annoying (and then misogynistic and kinda threatening) attentions of this creep Peter. Quentin (a Duke, of course) was pretty bored anyway, so happily steps in to help by pretending to court India... and then for real falls in love with her (and she him). <3
I thought this was the best written short story, and I honestly wish it came as it's own little book for me to keep, so I could toss the rest of this collection.
4.5 stars for Charmed by Her Smile.
2 stars for the book/collection.
I actually kinda liked The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell, but I found the story too short and the "love" too fast to enjoy. There was a lot of crying and a lot of declarations of love and way too much honesty for a couple who met, fell in love, got married & had sex all within 50 pages (less, since Susan & Roan meet on page 16). I would have loved Susan & Roan's love story had it been told in a novella or full length novel.
3.5 stars
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox, I'm sorry to say was boring. I ended up skimming pages.
1.5/2 stars.
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost was my first paranormal romance! It was only OK, and actually lost my interest the more I read. (I found the beginning to be a lot stronger than the story's follow-through.)
2.5 stars
Ug, the Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash was a real eye-roller. A poor woman walking along the side of the road with three young boys is rude to the Duke that rescues them in his carriage. And then she and the Duke obviously share extreme sexual tension that leads to an annoying back and forth, and then releases in the most ridiculous sex scene ever written. And they just get more annoying from there (ignoring each other to then professing love, etc.)
1.5/2 stars
Finally, the only good story in this collection: Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren. India accosts/solicits the help of a stranger in a garden to get away from the annoying (and then misogynistic and kinda threatening) attentions of this creep Peter. Quentin (a Duke, of course) was pretty bored anyway, so happily steps in to help by pretending to court India... and then for real falls in love with her (and she him). <3
I thought this was the best written short story, and I honestly wish it came as it's own little book for me to keep, so I could toss the rest of this collection.
4.5 stars for Charmed by Her Smile.
2 stars for the book/collection.
October 26, 2017
The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell
Awal cerita lumayan, sayang kandas di ending dgn begitu mudahnya Miss Rogers menyerahkan diri.
The Duke who Count to Dinner by Elaine Fox
Ingat legenda Jaka Tarub mencuri selendang bidadari sehingga tidak bisa kembali ke kahyangan? Nah, ini versi modern-nya. Bedanya, yg nyolong baju ceweknya adalah seekor anjing. So-so saja ceritanya.
Deal to Pay by Jeaniene Frost
Terbaik dari semua anthology di novel ini.
Blake sudah tidak berniat hidup lagi krn tubuhnya dirasuki oleh iblis kejam. Elise berusaha membantu Blake utk melenyapkan iblis tsb, dibantu oleh Mencheres, master Elise. Tapi siapa yg menyangka Elise dan Blake malah jatuh cinta satu sama lain. Menjelang maut menjemput Blake, Elise hampir tidak sanggup menahan godaan demi menyelamatkan kekasihnya.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash
Sebenarnya ide cerita lumayan menarik. Miss Victoria yg angkuh ini mirip Cinderella yg bertemu Prince Charming. Sayangnya karakter Victoria yg galau membuat saya kurang terkesan.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren
Awalnya India hanya memanfaatkan Quentin utk melepaskan jerat pengejaran tak tahu malu dari Peter Thorpe. Yg tidak dinyana, akhirnya tumbuh cinta juga antara India dan Quentin. Tetapi India galau apakah Quentin mau terikat pd dirinya atau tidak. Lumayanlah utk ukuran novella.
Awal cerita lumayan, sayang kandas di ending dgn begitu mudahnya Miss Rogers menyerahkan diri.
The Duke who Count to Dinner by Elaine Fox
Ingat legenda Jaka Tarub mencuri selendang bidadari sehingga tidak bisa kembali ke kahyangan? Nah, ini versi modern-nya. Bedanya, yg nyolong baju ceweknya adalah seekor anjing. So-so saja ceritanya.
Deal to Pay by Jeaniene Frost
Terbaik dari semua anthology di novel ini.
Blake sudah tidak berniat hidup lagi krn tubuhnya dirasuki oleh iblis kejam. Elise berusaha membantu Blake utk melenyapkan iblis tsb, dibantu oleh Mencheres, master Elise. Tapi siapa yg menyangka Elise dan Blake malah jatuh cinta satu sama lain. Menjelang maut menjemput Blake, Elise hampir tidak sanggup menahan godaan demi menyelamatkan kekasihnya.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash
Sebenarnya ide cerita lumayan menarik. Miss Victoria yg angkuh ini mirip Cinderella yg bertemu Prince Charming. Sayangnya karakter Victoria yg galau membuat saya kurang terkesan.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Anne Warren
Awalnya India hanya memanfaatkan Quentin utk melepaskan jerat pengejaran tak tahu malu dari Peter Thorpe. Yg tidak dinyana, akhirnya tumbuh cinta juga antara India dan Quentin. Tetapi India galau apakah Quentin mau terikat pd dirinya atau tidak. Lumayanlah utk ukuran novella.
February 27, 2025
Delightful!
Such a fun compilation of stories - most involving some sort of Duke, but one with a demon. They were so fun and borderline risqué at times, but overall just fun. The first story involved an Irish Duke set to reclaim his honor after the whispered words of a matchmaker left him slightly shunned from the Ton. But rather than dueling it out, the two found a different resolution. The next story took place along the seashore of the upper East Coast where a seaside home may or may not be haunted, but Duke the dog certainly has something to do with clothes disappearing… The demon story came third as my favorite vampires made some cameo appearances while Elise tries to save her newfound friend from the clutches of a powerful demon. And onto the sassy Victoria Givans in the fourth story where I was delighted by her quick whit and enthusiasm as she verbally sparred with a Duke. The final story was of a fake courtship turned into something far different and it was absolutely entertaining.
Such a fun compilation of stories - most involving some sort of Duke, but one with a demon. They were so fun and borderline risqué at times, but overall just fun. The first story involved an Irish Duke set to reclaim his honor after the whispered words of a matchmaker left him slightly shunned from the Ton. But rather than dueling it out, the two found a different resolution. The next story took place along the seashore of the upper East Coast where a seaside home may or may not be haunted, but Duke the dog certainly has something to do with clothes disappearing… The demon story came third as my favorite vampires made some cameo appearances while Elise tries to save her newfound friend from the clutches of a powerful demon. And onto the sassy Victoria Givans in the fourth story where I was delighted by her quick whit and enthusiasm as she verbally sparred with a Duke. The final story was of a fake courtship turned into something far different and it was absolutely entertaining.
June 18, 2018
This is going to be short. I liked the first story. Tolerated the second one. Enjoyed the third. Thought the fourth was splended. And the fifth was spectacular.
My biggest complaint is that the five stories weren't all set in the same time. I've only ever read one other book like this but all those stories took place during the same time period. It really threw me for a loop when the first story was in Jane Austin England and the second in modern somewhere in America (or close I don't recall for sure but it wasn't England). Otherwise my complaints are all just basic. I liked some bits of the stories I didn't like other bits. The fifth was absolutely my favorite though.
This book was great for lazing around the house reading. The stories didn't feel too rushed despite their length and they had satisfying ends. All in all a pretty good read.
My biggest complaint is that the five stories weren't all set in the same time. I've only ever read one other book like this but all those stories took place during the same time period. It really threw me for a loop when the first story was in Jane Austin England and the second in modern somewhere in America (or close I don't recall for sure but it wasn't England). Otherwise my complaints are all just basic. I liked some bits of the stories I didn't like other bits. The fifth was absolutely my favorite though.
This book was great for lazing around the house reading. The stories didn't feel too rushed despite their length and they had satisfying ends. All in all a pretty good read.
March 20, 2019
Yay! I found three new to me authors to read! These short stories were a variety of periods and situations. They also ranged from cleverly entertaining to dismally disappointing.
"An Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell. Delicate young ladies must be protected from him. Cute story. Will definitely be reading more of her books.
"The Duke who Came to Dinner" by Elaine Fox was so ridiculous and poorly written I didn't finish it. (Who "summers" in the Cape and takes their Coach clutch purse to 'slum' it at a dive bar....seriously out of touch). 🙄
"Devil to Pay" by Jeanine Frost. Sigh. Mencheres. I love anything by Queen Frost.
"Catch of the Century " by Sophia Nash was clever, fresh and highly entertaining. I have already added a couple of her books to my reading list.
"Charmed by her Smile" by Tracy Anne Warren was funny and sweet. Another author to add to my reading list.
"An Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell. Delicate young ladies must be protected from him. Cute story. Will definitely be reading more of her books.
"The Duke who Came to Dinner" by Elaine Fox was so ridiculous and poorly written I didn't finish it. (Who "summers" in the Cape and takes their Coach clutch purse to 'slum' it at a dive bar....seriously out of touch). 🙄
"Devil to Pay" by Jeanine Frost. Sigh. Mencheres. I love anything by Queen Frost.
"Catch of the Century " by Sophia Nash was clever, fresh and highly entertaining. I have already added a couple of her books to my reading list.
"Charmed by her Smile" by Tracy Anne Warren was funny and sweet. Another author to add to my reading list.
November 17, 2016
This is a collection of five short stories
"Irish Duke" 2,5*
"Duke Who Came to Dinner" 2,5*
"Devil to Pay" 4*
"Catch of the Century" 3,5*
"Charmed by Her Smile" 3*
I havent been paying attention to the authors of the stories when I first started this book.
I was plesantly surprissed with third story being Jeannine Frost story. Her Night Huntress books are on my TBR for a while now and I never seem to get to them. This story showed me what to expect and I liked it.
First story was not bad but I guess it took me a while to get into the romance genre.
Second story was missing something to be interesting to me - without historical, comic or supernatural elements it felt way too bland :/
Fourth story was intriguing.
And the last story had potential for something good.
"Irish Duke" 2,5*
"Duke Who Came to Dinner" 2,5*
"Devil to Pay" 4*
"Catch of the Century" 3,5*
"Charmed by Her Smile" 3*
I havent been paying attention to the authors of the stories when I first started this book.
I was plesantly surprissed with third story being Jeannine Frost story. Her Night Huntress books are on my TBR for a while now and I never seem to get to them. This story showed me what to expect and I liked it.
First story was not bad but I guess it took me a while to get into the romance genre.
Second story was missing something to be interesting to me - without historical, comic or supernatural elements it felt way too bland :/
Fourth story was intriguing.
And the last story had potential for something good.
December 23, 2019
I’ve had this collection on my shelf for a little while. And wow! Why did it take me this long? I completely loved all five novellas. They managed to run the gambit of romance genres and all featured good, strong women who you were completely gunning for the entire time. Five different couples, five different authors, five different settings, one really good adventure. This is the first collection in a long time that I have wanted to read cover to cover instead of taking a break in between like I usually do…
One of the things I loved about this collection is that although all five stories are romances of a sort, they’re from completely different genres. To start with there is a historical romance, then a contemporary one, then a romantic journey that features vampires and a demon. And finally, two regency romances to tie it all out. An intriguing mix, one that I would never have thought would work so well. But wow. It was impossible to put down and impossible to forget.
I now have many stories to put on my wish list… some are to expand on the series which this collection introduced me to, some just because I need to read more by some of these authors. Regardless, I have one more Night Huntress tale that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and four new authors to obsess over.
For individual reviews, head to: https://earthandskye.org/four-dukes-a...
One of the things I loved about this collection is that although all five stories are romances of a sort, they’re from completely different genres. To start with there is a historical romance, then a contemporary one, then a romantic journey that features vampires and a demon. And finally, two regency romances to tie it all out. An intriguing mix, one that I would never have thought would work so well. But wow. It was impossible to put down and impossible to forget.
I now have many stories to put on my wish list… some are to expand on the series which this collection introduced me to, some just because I need to read more by some of these authors. Regardless, I have one more Night Huntress tale that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and four new authors to obsess over.
For individual reviews, head to: https://earthandskye.org/four-dukes-a...
May 10, 2017
Even though the series has ended doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the love and dedication that Ms. Frost continues to put into it by giving us these lovely novellas to keep our cravings fed. Some characters are new-to-us while others we’ve had glimpses of in prior stories. This is nicely done with endearing characters and a short but complete story. Of course, getting the opportunity to read more about Cat and Bones makes it even better.
May 22, 2017
I've never read general romance before (if that's what you call this genre), and am usually an urban fiction sort. The five short stories were an odd combination. Four stories that had something to do with a duke, ranging from period romance to haunted houses, then a random break for a story about vampires and a demon. Each story was decent, but I don't know how the publisher came up with this particular compilation.
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