Book: Lessons From A Courtesan by Jenna Petersen

Rating: 8/10

"Ria", is the most desired and envied courtesan in all of London. Everyone is enamored with the mystery that surrounds her. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary because he is her husband! Justin left Victoria in the country estate after consummating their marriage. His rejection hurt her deeply and broke her heart. After three years, he is back from the continent and is shocked to come face to face with his wife at a mistress-seeking-new-protector party! He isn't thrilled by the reunion and neither is she. After being blackmailed by her father to marry her, he is less than happy to find her scheming. Meanwhile, she is on a mission and her husband is only going to get in the way. He is jealous and curious to know what her real motives are and thus, a game of wit begins. Can she fulfill her mission without letting herself be clouded by her husband's passionate kisses? Can he get Victoria to trust him enough to tell him what she is up to? Can they both learn to tell each other the truth and fix all the misunderstandings that lie between them?


Pros: This book had an interesting and surprising plot.
I enjoyed the struggle between the characters who are obviously meant to be together, but have misunderstandings keeping them apart. The battle between the passion and the logical thing to do is realistic and amusing to read. I even enjoyed the bitter and harsh truths... the disappointments and trust issues are quite real.
I also enjoyed the lessons that were at the beginning of each chapter. I thought them to be very true and I'd agree with most of them.
I found this book quite endearing because it doesn't just paint a pretty picture, but it shows complex and very real problems. For example: the differences between the roles of a wife and a courtesan, a women vulnerability and their need for protection, some perverse sickos in the world, obsessive behaviors turn dangerous, the fight for control over one's emotions/life, etc.
It was also entertaining to read about the supporting characters and the little insights into their lives.

Cons: Ending seemed to be wrapped up a bit too easily. I was hoping he'd have to work for it a bit more. xD

Favorite Parts:
The Lessons of a Courtesan (the beginning of each chapter has one)
Lesson 1: Every man loves a mystery.
Lesson 2: Never take more than you can control.
Lesson 3: It is simple to make a man want you. Don’t want him.
Lesson 4: When one man wants you, a second will follow.
Lesson 5: No man can make you lose control…unless you let him.
Lesson 6: Pleasure is the ultimate weapon.
Lesson 7: A kiss means nothing, but it can change everything.
Lesson 8: Leave him wanting more.
Lesson 9: A whore trades in money. A courtesan trades in far more.
Lesson 10: A mistress is not a wife, no matter how much she may wish to be.
Lesson 11: Scintillating conversation is a talent every woman should master.
Lesson 12: A lady must dress accordingly, whether in the ballroom or the bedroom.
Lesson 13: Always be the one to walk away.
Lesson 14: Be wary of who you trust.
Lesson 15: Never beg.
Lesson 16: Be careful how close you play to the fire. You might get burned.
Lesson 17: No amount of money or security is worth your pride.
Lesson 18: Lies and secrets have a way of coming out, so be prepared.
Lesson 19: Do not confuse weakness with vulnerability. They are not the same.
Lesson 20: Your body is your greatest commodity. Protect it.
Lesson 21: Never fall in love.
Lesson 22: If you break the rules, do it with all your heart.


“If you keep circling the room in this fashion, eventually you’ll bore a hole in the floor and we’ll all end up in the cellar with the laundry wenches,” Caleb said mildly as he took a sip of tea and ate another scone in one wolfish bite.


She had long ago learned not to live on dreams of what might have been. Those thoughts invariably led to disappointment



It wasn’t that those things weren’t true, they all  were, it was more that he still wasn’t certain he could trust her, and telling her had opened him up to a world of potential pain.

Book: How to Ravish a Rake by Vicky Dreiling

Rating: 8/10

People say opposites attract.. and in this case, they are right! Amy is in her last season and is determined to shed her wallflower image. Meanwhile, Will is a rake who likes to travel a lot, leaving his family to cut off his funds to curb his "devilish" ways. Will decides to go against them and try high-stakes gambling to win enough funds to go off again. He loses 20,000 pounds and him and his friends cook up a scheme to have him marry an heiress to cover the debt and then he can go off traveling with his friends. However, everyone know of Will and his "devilish" ways, so Amy sees right though his charming manipulative ways. But when a scandal leaves them in a compromising situation, these two are forced to marry to avoid scandal. How do they both deal with their marriage life? Can they learn to trust one another?

Pros: I fell in love with Will's family... especially Aunt Hester and her bluntness. I also liked the fact that her friends were there for her. I had some laughs and even some tears. The story was touching and sweet.
Cons: I felt the supporting characters could have been developed more. The story introduced Georgette and Beau, and a lot of pages were dedicated to them, however, by the end of the story, they were hardly mentioned. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I was hoping for a bit more about their life afterwards - an epilogue of some sort.

All in all, this story was quite entertaining. I would've loved to read more about Will's crazy family and the children.

Favorite parts:

Amy met her gaze and dared to hope her friend’s words would come true. “I’ve missed you.”
Julianne smiled. “I’ve missed all of you as well. We had such fun last season. My husband has never let me forget all of the trouble I caused. He is still suspicious of all of you and believes you influenced me—especially you, Amy.”
“Me?” She laughed. “I always tried to caution all of you.”
Julianne grinned. “He is convinced that you instigated the worst schemes. He believes you hid it all behind your quiet façade.”
Georgette grinned. “Amy, you often have this look in your eyes, as if the cogs and wheels are spinning like a
roulette wheel.”
“I do not,” she said.
Sally shook her head. “It’s true, Amy. While everyone else is chattering like monkeys, you look as if you’re
plotting something.”
“I’m not plotting; I’m thinking.”
“Now there is a euphemism if I ever heard one,” Georgette said.



Julianne said. “...Now I must return to my husband. We cannot stay long, because I must return home to nurse Emma.”
“I cannot wait to see your daughter,” Amy said. “I’m sure she’s beautiful.”
Julianne laughed. “According to my husband, she’s the most beautiful bald-headed lady in London.”



“The first time we met, I formed a low opinion of you. I
regret to inform you that you have just sunk even further in
my estimation.”




Georgette said. “I won’t marry until I cannot eat a bite and swoon at the mere thought of my beloved.”
Amy laughed. “Where did you get such silly notions of falling in love?”
Georgette grinned. “Well, that’s the way Suzanne described her feelings for my brother. But then, she’s a silly goose, and I am far too reasonable for such nonsense. I shall probably end up a spinster with a dozen cats.”



“Aunt Hester, thank you for receiving me,” he said.
She lifted her quizzing glass. “Shocking.”
He grinned. “What?”
“Your eyes aren’t glowing red, and I see no traces of horns or a forked tail.” Hester dropped her quizzing glass.



“Patience has four boys, including Peter, who helpfully waters my mother’s hothouse flowers.”
Amy smiled. “He uses a watering pot?”
“No. Peter is like a dog—only he prefers his grandmother’s flowers rather than trees.”
...
“That boy will be the death of me,” Montague said. “Where is that nurse?”
“Probably writing her resignation letter as we speak,” Hester said. “Who can blame her?”
“Oh, dear,” the dowager countess said. “What must you think of us, Miss Hardwick?”
Hester ambled to the rail and looked down. “No doubt she thinks we’re all dicked in the nob.”
“Hester, please mind your language,” the dowager countess said.

“Bah,” Hester said. “Come along, gel. We don’t bite. Well, one of his Patience’s brats does, but I forget which one. They’re all horrid.”
“Hester, they are my children and your great-nephews,” Patience cried.
“Not by choice,” Hester said.
...
When they reached the landing, Harmony offered to check on the nurse. “She is no doubt quivering in fear for her position.”
“It’s a miracle the woman has lasted this long,” Hester said. She regarded Amy. “Patience’s youngest brat,
Thomas, tried to scalp her last week.”
“He did not,” Patience said. “He only cut a small lock.”
“We should have named him Mischief,” Montague grumbled.



“Are you Scottish, dear?” Grandmamma shouted.
Will smiled as Amy shook her head. Grandmamma thought anyone with red hair must be Scottish.
“I always liked those kilts the Scotsmen wear,” Grandmamma hollered.
“What she really wants to know is what they wear or don’t wear underneath those kilts,” Hester said.
“Oh, Hester, we do not speak of such things,” the dowager countess cried.
Hester snorted and adjusted the tall feather in her turban.



“Maybe they should fight for her,” Aunt Hester said. “You know, like those stags that lock horns.”
“Hester, please,” the dowager countess said. “They are not animals.”
“They’re men; not much difference,” Hester said.
“Why must you say such things?” the dowager countess said.
“Because it’s true,” Hester said. “I’ve had five husbands, you know.”

Book: Girl on a Diamond Pedestal by Maisey Yates

Rating: 8/10

When the people who are supposed to love you most betray you, what do you do? Do you seek revenge like Ethan Grey? Or simply sit in denial and hope that when you wake up tomorrow, it is all a dream like Noelle Birch?

The main characters in this book have both had tough lives due to the selfishness of their parents. Noelle, the piano prodigy, was once a girl who had it all - fame and money. All of that disappeared when she started selling less CDs and her mother bankrupted her and left. Meanwhile, Ethan, a billionaire in the hotel industry, hates his father for abandoning him and his mother to go meet up his mistress... who happened to be... wait for it... Noelle's mother!

So when Noelle is about to lose the only property she has in her name, Ethan steps in to make a proposal: Marry him and she gets to keep her house free and clear. What starts out as a business deal, quickly changes to become something more. However, with their jaded past, can they learn to trust one another?

Pros: I found the plot interesting. I loved the interactions between the characters. They learn and grow together and I can really feel their bond strengthening.

Cons: I found the ending a bit lacking. I was hoping to read more about what happened to Noelle's mother and Ethan's father. I wanted to see them regret their selfish choices.

Book: The Duke's Wager by Edith Layton

Rating: 7/10

The story is about a tradesman's daughter, Regina Berryman, being pursued by two notorious rakes: Jason Thomas, the Duke of Torquay (aka Duke), and St. John Basil St. Charles, Marquis of Bessacarr (aka Sinjin). What starts out as an innocent country miss' night out at the opera, earns her the notice of the Black Duke who is notorious for his skills in seduction and licentiousness (Yes, I googled the word. It means lacking legal or moral restraints - especially disregarding sexual restraints.) What she didn't know, was that that specific night was a night for mistresses to prowl looking for new protectors and such. He stalks over to the innocent beauty and makes his proposition, only to receive her hasty and offended retreat. However, the Duke is not put down. He arranges to have her followed and decides to camp outside her house... ready to kidnap her if needed! Scandalous! Meanwhile, Sinjin is secretly in trade (a taboo among the peers) with Regina's elderly uncle, who acted as her guardian after her parents died. Before passing, he told her to go look for the Marquis of Bessacarr should she ever be in need of help.

Pros: The interesting story plot.
The main characters are complicated and well developed.
I was surprised to find that the villain is also the hero. Who doesn't love a reformed bad boy? And this story has two vying for her attention! That is one lucky girl.
I also loved heroine character. The author has captured all the difficulties a common woman faces without a protector or any family or friends. Even though she has nobody and no experience or any references, she is determined to find a way to support herself without selling her body. I find her strong sense of honor very refreshing.

Cons: Ending seemed abrupt. The book held so much promise, but I was sadly disappointed with the ending. It is hard to describe why I was disappointed... perhaps it is that I found it lacking somehow. Though I hear many great things about this author and this book, I was not WOWed by this book. It would not be considered as one of the books I can't seem to put down.
The lengthy descriptions were a bit of a bore.
A bit confusing when the character narration changes without any notice.

Book: Proof By Seduction by Courtney Milan

Rating: 7/10

What happens when a logical scientist marquess finds out his cousin has been consorting with a gypsy-like fortuneteller? He does what every scientist does! He analyzes the situation and tries to prove she is a fraud! In this battle of wits, who will win?

The book held so much promise and yet... I find myself bored at some parts. There are many worthwhile parts to the story.. such as the seduction and the way the main characters try to outsmart one another. However, I find myself bored when it came to Ned's roles. I suppose his depression was killing the mood for me.

Pros: Interesting plot. Witty.

Cons: A bit boring at parts - Ned's story. I never did find out much about the fortuneteller's family.


Favorite Parts: 

Madness, a physician had once told Gareth, was repeating the same events over and over while hoping for a different result. That was why Gareth had no fear he would fall in love, no matter what Madame Esmerelda predicted for him. Love was watching his sister choke back tears.
Love hoped that month after month, she would continue to issue invitations. And love believed, against all evidence, that one day, he would get it right, that he would learn to talk to her as a brother instead of the cold, unfeeling man she must have believed him to be.
In short, love was madness.



His Grace waited in the front parlor. He was in shirtsleeves, as if he couldn’t bother to dress for Ned. A
book was open on his lap. He didn’t look up when Ned entered. Instead, he continued to pretend to read. And a pretense it obviously was. Aside from the carefully timed turning of the pages, the Duke of Ware stared at the pages blankly, his eyes unmoving, his hands strangling the spine of the book. It was precisely the sort of thing Blakely would do—ignore a man to put him in his place.
Ned balanced from foot to foot in indecision. He didn’t want to antagonize the man. But then again, it wasn’t as if the duke could hate him more. And he couldn’t bear waiting for his life to happen to him. No; from this point onward, he would direct the course of his life.
He stepped forward and grabbed the book from His Grace’s hands. “I apologize for the precipitate behavior,” he said. “You see, you’re either going to have to kill me or allow me to talk with your daughter. I’m very difficult to ignore.”
Ware’s face slowly mottled an unflattering orange as he looked up. “Blazing pitch and sulfur! You’ve ignored me. Twice, now, we’ve been scheduled to meet. Twice, now, Blakely convinced me not to hunt you down. I demand satisfaction.”
“We all want satisfaction, Your Grace. Unfortunately, most of us are doomed to disappointment.”
“Pistols or swords, you bounder!”
Ned shook his head. “I’m not going to fight you. If it comes down to it, I prefer pistols. Through the heart, please. I’d prefer not to linger from a gut wound.”
“Confounded goat-lover! Puling rabbit!”
This was an easily recognizable pattern. Ned grasped at it.
“Ridiculous weasel?” he assayed.
Ware clenched his fists. “Impudent worm!”
“Five-toed chicken! Ravenous strawberry!”
That brought Ware up. “What? What did you call me?”
“Oh, were you calling me those names?” Ned replied innocently. “I thought we were playing a game. You know, irrelevant adjective applied to inexplicable noun. You know how it goes. First to string together a coherent sentence loses.”

Book: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Rating: 9/10

I have heard many good things about Julia Quinn's Bridgertons series, so I decided to start with the one that started it all, The Duke and I.

This story is about Simon, the Duke of Hastings, and how Daphne Bridgerton snatched him up. Simon's tragic past keeps him from fully moving on with his life - he absolutely refuses to marry! Unfortunately for him, he is deemed a prized catch for the season and all the marriage-minded society mama's have set their sights on him. Luckily, he has a plan!
Daphne Bridgerton is a clever and kindhearted girl. However, she can't seem to get any decent suitors! They are either too old or not too bright! And to make matters worse, the ones who she counts as potentials, consider her no more than a friend! What does a girl have to do to get noticed around here? Luckily for her, Simon's plan may be just what she needs.
Simon and Daphne can pretend to be romantically involved to help her attract some worthy suitors while also helping Simon safe from being a target from all the debutantes and their pushy mothers! It seems like the perfect win-win situation. However, what happens when Daphne starts to fall in love with the person she is pretending to be in a relationship with? Will their fake courtship turn into something much more?


Pros: I have always been partial to the tortured soul type of hero. (My heart broke when his father rejected him because of his speech impairment. His stuttering/stammering was well placed into the story, without being overly annoying.) Luckily, Simon isn't too tortured to finally find his happiness with his love, Daphne. It is nice to be introduced to a character with depth.

The big contrast between the two lovers are a nice touch.

The conflicting feelings and emotions between the two main characters are realistic and not overly done which is a hard art to master. Props to Julia Quinn!

Oh and needless to say, I loved the romance between Daphne and Simon.

I fell in love with Daphne's family. They are slightly annoying at times, but oh so amusing and loving. The tease and pester one another, but at the end of the day, their love is quite endless for one another. It's sweet!

Oh and of course, how can I not fall in love with  Lady Whistledown's witty comments about the ton? No wonder Julia Quinn had 2 other books put together for more of Lady Whistledown's avid fans.

Cons: I found the heroine a bit lacking. I can't really quite put my finger on why, but I suppose I would've liked to see her not to mild. But this was only a minor blip in the story.


Favorite parts:

Daphne looked up to see her eldest brother making his way toward her. "Anthony," she said, trying to decide if she was pleased to see him or annoyed that he might be
coming over to meddle in her affairs. "I hadn't realized you would be in attendance."
"Mother," he said grimly. No other words were necessary.
"Ah," Daphne said with a sympathetic nod. "Say no more. I understand completely."
"She made a list of potential brides." He shot his sister a beleaguered look. "We do love her, don't we?"
Daphne choked on a laugh. "Yes, Anthony, we do."
"It's temporary insanity," he grumbled. "It has to be. There is no other explanation. She was a perfectly reasonable mother until you reached marriageable age."
"Me?" Daphne squeaked. "Then this is all my fault? You're a full eight years older than I am!"
"Yes, but she wasn't gripped by this matrimonial fervor until you came along."
Daphne snorted. "Forgive me if I lack sympathy. I received a list last year."
"Did you?"
"Of course. And lately she's been threatening to deliver them to me on a weekly basis. She badgers me on the issue of marriage far more than you could ever imagine. After all, bachelors are a challenge. Spinsters are merely pathetic. And in case you hadn't noticed, I'm female."
Anthony let out a low chuckle. "I'm your brother. I don't notice those things." He gave her a sly, sideways look. "Did you bring it?"
"My list? Heavens, no. What can you be thinking?"
His smile widened. "I brought mine."
Daphne gasped. "You didn't!"
"I did. Just to torture Mother. I'm going peruse it right in front of her, pull out my quizzing glass—"
"You don't have a quizzing glass."
He grinned—the slow, devastatingly wicked smile that all Bridgerton males seemed to possess. "I bought one just for this occasion."
"Anthony, you absolutely cannot. She will kill you. And then, somehow, she'll find a way to blame me. "
"I'm counting on it."
Daphne swatted him in the shoulder, eliciting a loud enough grunt to cause a half dozen partygoers to send curious looks in their direction.
"A solid punch," Anthony said, rubbing his arm.
"A girl can't live long with four brothers without learning how to throw one." She crossed her arms.



"What do you suppose is taking them so long?" Violet Bridgerton tugged on her eldest son's sleeve, unable to take her eyes off of her daughter—who appeared to have thoroughly captured the attention of the Duke of Hastings—only one week in London and already the catch of the season.
"I don't know," Anthony replied, looking gratefully at the backs of the Featheringtons as they moved on to their next victim, "but it feels as if it's been hours."
"Do you think he likes her?" Violet asked excitedly. "Do you think our Daphne truly has a chance to be a duchess?"
Anthony's eyes filled with a mixture of impatience and disbelief. "Mother, you told Daphne she wasn't even to be seen with him, and now you're thinking of marriage?"
"I spoke prematurely," Violet said with a blithe wave of her hand. "Clearly he is a man of great refinement and taste. And how, may I ask, do you know what I said to Daphne?"
"Daff told me, of course," Anthony lied.
"Hmmph. Well, I am certain that Portia Featherington won't be forgetting this evening anytime soon."
Anthony's eyes widened. "Are you trying to marry Daphne off so that she might be happy as a wife and a mother, or are you just trying to beat Mrs. Featherington to the altar?"
"The former, of course," Violet replied in a huff, "and I am offended you would even imply otherwise." Her eyes strayed off of Daphne and the duke for just long enough to locate Portia Featherington and her daughters. "But I certainly shan't mind seeing the look on her face when she realizes that Daphne will make the season's greatest match."
"Mother, you are hopeless."
"Certainly not. Shameless, perhaps, but never hopeless."




"Mother?" Daphne said, the word croaking in her throat.
But Violet only had eyes for her sons. "I knew I'd find you here," she accused. "Of all the stupid, bull-headed—"
Daphne didn't hear the rest of her mother's speech. Simon was laughing too hard in her ear.
"He made her miserable!" Benedict protested. "As her brothers, it's our duty to—"
"Respect her intelligence enough to let her solve her own problems," Violet snapped. "And she doesn't look particularly unhappyright now."
"That's because—"
"And if you say that's because you lot barged into her home like a herd of mentally deficient sheep,I'm disowning all three of you."
All three men shut their mouths.
"Now then," Violet continued briskly, "I believe it's time we left, don't you?" When her sons didn't move quickly enough to suit her, she reached out and—
"Please, Mother!" Colin yelped. "Not the—"
She grabbed him by his ear.
"Ear," he finished glumly.
Daphne grabbed Simon's arm. He was laughing so hard now, she was afraid he'd tumble down the steps.





It's a boy for the Duke and Duchess of Hastings!
After three girls, society's most besotted couple has finally produced an heir. This Author can only imagine the level of relief in the Hastings household; after all, it is a
truth universally acknowledged that a married man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of an heir. 
The name of the new babe has yet to be made public, although This Author feels herself uniquely qualified to speculate. After all, with sisters named Amelia, Belinda, and Caroline, could the new Earl Clyvedon be called anything but David?
Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 15 December 1817

Simon threw up his arms in amazement, the single-sheet newspaper flying across the room. "How does she know this?" he demanded. "We've told no one of our decision to name him David."
Daphne tried not to smile as she watched her husband sputter and storm about the room. "It's just a lucky guess, I'm sure," she said, turning her attention back to the newborn in her arms.
...
"She must have a spy in our household," he said, planting his hands on his hips. "She must."
"I'm sure she doesn't have a spy in our household," Daphne said without looking up at him. She was too interested in the way David's tiny hand was gripping her finger.
"But—"
Daphne finally lifted her head. "Simon, you're being ridiculous. It's just a gossip column."
"Whistledown—ha!" he grumbled. "I've never heard of any Whistledowns. I'd like to know who this blasted woman is."
"You and the rest of London," Daphne said under her breath.
"Someone should put her out of business onceand for all."
"If you wish to put her out of business," Daphne could not resist pointing out, "you shouldn't support her by buying her newspaper. And don't even try to say that you buy Whistledown for me."
"You read it," Simon muttered.
"And so do you." Daphne dropped a kiss on the top of David's head. "Usually well before I can get my hands on it. Besides, I'm rather fond of Lady Whistledown these days."
Simon looked suspicious."Why?"
"Did you read what she wrote about us? She called us London's most besotted couple." Daphne smiled wickedly. "I rather like that."

Books: What She Craves and What She Needs by Anne Rainey

Rating: 6/10 for What She Craves and
              7/10 for What She Needs

I decided to give Anne Rainey another try with her two books, What She Craves and What She Needs. Both stories are about a ménage a trois relationship between Tory, Devon, and Con. In What she Craves, Tory decides to go to her friend Con's Christmas party with her other friend, Devon, since they are both dateless. However, she doesn't know that the guys have been in love with her and plan to have a Christmas Eve that none of them will forget. In What She Needs, their little threesome relationship is rocky due to jealousy. Will they be able to work things out?

Pros: Hot and passionate lovers.
Cons: Not much romance involved. I'd say this is more erotica than romance. What She Craves is too short without much substance in the story.



Favorite Parts:


Gage shrugged and turned his gaze toward Summer. “You know, baby, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. And it’s our first.”
Summer smiled and Tory found herself smiling right along with her. “I know. I’ve already bought your present.”
Gage leaned across the table and whispered, “Does it involve lace and satin?”
Summer placed her palm against his cheek. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Gage took hold of her hand and pressed a kiss to the center of her palm before releasing her and sitting back. “I’m looking forward to it.” He looked at their half-empty plates and added, “Looks like I missed lunch. Sorry. Time got away from me.”
Summer waved a hand in the air. “It’s fine. It gave me a chance to catch up with Tory.”
“In that case, do you mind if I head over to the mall?”
Tory watched Summer’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “Depends,” she said.
Gage’s face split into a grin. “On?”
“What are you buying at the mall?”
Gage picked up Summer’s unused butter knife and started twirling it around. “Uh-uh. If you aren’t telling, then neither am I.”
“Not even a little hint?”
Tory took another sip of her soda and watched the display, feeling a little like a voyeur.
“Give me one and I’ll give you one,” Gage growled. “It’s only fair, baby.”
“Okay. My gift involves…leather.”
Gage dropped the knife. “Leather?”
Summer and Tory both laughed. “Yep,” Summer replied. “Now you.”
Gage stood and stepped near Summer. He leaned close and whispered something into her ear. Tory was dying to know what. He straightened and sent a wink toward Tory before striding out of the restaurant. Summer merely sat, motionless. After several seconds drifted by with no sound coming from her friend, it became more than Tory could take. “Okay, spill it, woman. What’d he say?”
“I, he…wow.”
Tory reached across the table and smacked her stupefied friend on the arm. “You are killing me here!”
“He said my gift involves a lock and key.” Summer’s face turned such a deep shade of red Tory thought she’d have to call for help.
Tory’s mind spun with possibilities, and there was only one logical conclusion. “Whoa. He totally bought you handcuffs, didn’t he?”
“Either that or a jewelry box. And trust me, Gage isn’t the jewelry box type of guy.” A grin slowly spread across her face. “Handcuffs will go quite nicely with the leather bustier I bought today.”

Korean Drama: One Mom and Three Dads (아빠셋 엄마하나) Episode 16 (last)

Rating: 7/10 (for the series)

(Note: Rating has been decided! Official rating reasoning is located below the episode recap.)

This episode rating: 7/10

The sixteenth episode is the last episode. Seems to be cutting things a bit close don't-cha think? The girlfriend wants to visit his home. The stockbroker is a bit hesitant about it. Good thing mommy is quick on her feet and get out of sight. She goes off to hide with the button guy, telling him she is worried the lady might misunderstand. The button guy asks if she is jealous. She just scoffs and says no.

Later she goes home, but the artist lady still didn't leave yet, so the jig is up. She is unhappy about a woman living with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, the manga artist and the cop decide to not tell the stockbroker the child isn't theirs. They want things to stay the same with all of them taking care of the child together. The stockbroker has decided to keep his distance. Mommy has also decided that she needs to keep her distance too because the guys will have to marry sooner or later, so she probably is going to take the job overseas.

Lots of flashbacks... The stockbroker seems to have fallen hard for mommy too. He thinks of the memories they shared.

At work, mommy talks to the button guy. He is worried about her decision and is wondering if the reason she is hesitant about her decision because she likes one of the three guys she lives with. She explains that she feels guilty for leaving them when they have done so much to help her. She wants to repay them and she is worried her child will miss them too.

The manga artist sits there, watching the child. He keeps telling her to call him uncle and he also says that he plans on never marrying so he can take care of the child forever.

At a family meeting, the stockbroker put on the spotlight. The artist lady's father wants them to get engaged. At the meeting, he realizes that she lied to her father about his father. He goes out to drink on his own. He runs into the manga artist and he tells him about the engagement. Even the manga artist realizes that the stockbroker doesn't really like the artist lady. An engagement is supposed to be a happy thing, but he is sitting here drinking like he is depressed. The manga artist says, "What if the child is yours? Will you still marry the artist lady?" The stockbroker responds that it won't change anything because the child is their deceased buddy's and that they are uncles.

The cop is at home with the child and realizes she is playing with money. He tells her, "No! Money is dirty!" Then  he realizes that the child is very much like her father. "Like father, like daughter."

Mommy tells her father that she might be working overseas. Her father tells her that the button guy may like her. He also asks if she likes one of the three guys. She denies it all.

The button guy goes over to the house to talk to the guys. Obviously, the guys aren't happy to see him. The button guy wants to know if mommy has told them about the overseas job offer. He wants them to encourage her to go. He wants to know what they think of her. He wants to know if one of the three have a special relationship with her. He admits that he really likes her. The guys are all surprised.

When she gets home, the cop is freaking out and asking if she is going or not. The manga artist tells him to calm down. She tells them that it is a good opportunity and she can't always be with them forever. The stockbroker plays tough and mean by saying "Yay.. We don't have to eat your nasty cooking anymore. And I can have my upstairs room back!" The manga artist tells her not to take things to heart because he is just sad about her leaving. The atmosphere becomes a bit tense.

The cop doesn't want her to go. Therefore, he talks to the manga artist and asks if they should tell the stockbroker that the child is his. The manga artist talks him out of the idea. The guys decide to find a way to preserve the memories for the child to remember them by. They take pictures and record videos. It's really sweet how much they love this child. The stockbroker was a bit more hesitant about sharing his feelings. He just says a few simple things, such as, "study hard and listen to your mommy." Later at night, he records himself. Even though he has always been distant towards the child, in reality, he is the type who hides their feelings inside - for example, he knows exactly how long he has known the child... down to the last minute. Poor guys are going to miss them when they leave! They all keep crying, just thinking about it!

Everyone is feeling sad about her impending leave. The guys have already given mommy the video tape as a gift. They ask her to look at it after she has left. She is also a bit sad and hesitant to leave. She thinks of all the memories she's had with the guys. She silently says goodbye to each of them while they are sleeping. The cop... the manga artist... and at the stockbroker, she also adds in a congratulations for getting engaged.

The next day, they officially say their goodbyes and ask her to keep in touch. She leaves with the button guy to the airport. On the way to the stockbroker's engagement party, the cop and the manga artist both realize they can't just let mommy leave, so they get out of the car to go chase her. The stock broker drives off for a bit, trying to keep his feelings in check, but he finally decides to make a U-turn and go after her. At the airport, mommy keeps having flashbacks of how the guys all care about her so much that they helped her get prepared for her trip. How thoughtful! The more she thinks about it, the more sad she gets. The guys rush around the airport, looking for her. They are surprised to find the stockbroker at the airport too. What about his engagement party? The guys decide she probably left already. The guys go visit their deceased friend and they talk about how Mommy has taught them lots. Even though they seem to be the ones taking care of her, she has actually taken cared of them.

When they get home, they realize that mommy and the child haven't left! YAY! I was worried for a sec. She admits she had trouble leaving them. The stockbroker rushes over and hugs mommy. The mange artist reaches for the child. They go home.

Flash forward a while, the child is older. The guys talk to one another saying how as the child got older, they realize that she is starting to look more and more like their deceased friend. The stockbroker says, "of course! She is his kid." The cop ends up telling the stockbroker that the child is the stockbroker's. The stockbroker is surprised. He tells them that the kid isn't his because he also took a DNA test and the child isn't his either. He has always thought the kid was one of theirs. Oh no! Looks like the three daddies have been punked by the real daddy! The stockbroker continues on saying how he didn't dare get involved with mommy because he thought one of them was the daddy. Dun dun dun... Looks like the three guys are in competition for mommy's love!

The end!

So what did you think about the show?

Pros: I enjoyed the fathers and their silliness in dealing with the child. It is definitely an original story plot in my opinion since I have yet to see anything like it.

Cons: I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Other than that, I enjoyed the show.



Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• Eugene as Song Na Young
• Jo Hyun Jae as Han Soo Hyun
• Jae Hee  as Choi Kwang Hee
• Shin Sung Rok as Na Hwang Kyung Tae
• Kim Bin Woo as Park Seo Yeon
• Joo Sang Wook as Jung Chan Young

Book: Blackmailed by the Beast by Sam Crescent

Rating: 7/10

This story is about a girl who was blackmailed into marrying "the Beast". The girl is very much like Cinderella who was hated by her family. Both characters have had an unhappy childhood but they didn't let it beat out their will to make a better life for themselves. I thought that was inspiring. Other than that, there isn't much to say about the story. It was a pretty good read.
Pros: I enjoyed how they mixed Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast into the story.
Cons: The pace of the story was a bit too fast. Everything fell into place too quickly and a bit too easily.
What's interesting about this story is the epilogue is more like an introduction to the next book.

Chinese Drama: Prince + Princess 2 (王子看見二公主)

Rating: 8/10

Once upon a time, in a far away land (yes, I live in the US so China is far away to me), there lived a failed businessman, his wife, and their 3 daughters. Though they love each other very much, some sacrifices must be made. The oldest daughter is beautiful, feminine, and can play the piano. The family has decided to pour all their resources into the plan to have the oldest daughter hook a rich bachelor for a husband, so they can have a better life. The middle child ("the second princess") is a tomboy and is generally the person who does all the housework. She harbors a secret dream of wanting to design clothes, but is worried that paying for her education would cost too much, so she secretly attends some classes. Meanwhile, the "prince" is actually the manager to a clothing company. His family used to own a pawn shop and then their business grew. Though, it seems that his family is "mob-ish". The guy also acts sort of girl-ish and the girl is a tomboy. They are basically polar opposites, but they begin to attract one another. Unfortunately, the older sister also likes this prince. Meanwhile, the boy who grew up with the sisters has always harbored a secret crush on the middle sister. Then there's a new design manager, who begins to admire the middle sister's talent in fashion design. Who ends up with who?

Pros: 
I enjoy stories with a strong female lead. It is difficult to pull off a character who is "hard" at first and slowly starts to "thaw" because of love. This show pulled it off pretty well.
I loved the sisters' relationship; they love and support one another no matter what. Though the oldest sister is more spoiled, she loves her sisters. (For example: One night, the second princess was out late and didn't come home yet. Their father was surprised to find the oldest daughter sleeping in the 2nd daughter's bed. He asks her why she isn't in her own bed. She says that she is waiting for the 2nd daughter to come home. She figured that if she slept in the second daughter's bed, she will be able to know when she comes home since she is worried about her sister. I thought that was sweet.) Also, the youngest sister is bratty but she loves her sisters and sticks up for them.
I also loved how the drama showed all the dimensions of a person. For example, on the surface, the oldest sister is the beautiful, talented, and spoiled one... however, she shows a soft spot for her family and she goes on these match-making dates in order to help fulfill her mom's wish, not because she's a gold-digger. Also, there's the mother who seems to only love her oldest daughter, but in reality, her and the father are very much under pressure to repay their debts and she really loves all her daughters. The father must deal with his failed business and is sad how it effects his family. Etc. Oh, and a bonus, for once, the ending is cute and not too rushed.

Cons: The mother was a bit annoying because she may love her 3 daughters, but she is seems to still play favorites. The beginning was a bit too over-exaggerated. I also did not like how they introduced the best friend (who grew up with the 3 sisters) and he basically disappeared for half the series - he never forced her to give him an answer to his confession! Also, not sure if this is a con, but they always seem to go to the same restaurant for breakfast (which is shown a lot in the series).

Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• Annie Chen as Zhao Ke Rou 趙克柔
• Dylan Kuo as Ning Huan Yu 寧煥宇
• Hong Zi Han (洪子涵) as Zhao Mu Fan 趙慕凡
• Michael Zhang as Li Chen Xi 李晨曦
• Ken Hung as Xia Kuan 夏寬 
• Zhu De Gang as Zhao De Qiang 趙德強
• Ma Shi Li (馬世莉) as Liu Xiao Yue 劉小月
• Ring Hsu as Zhao Xing An 趙幸安 

Book: Touching Lace by Anne Rainey

Rating: 6/10

I decided to try a new author and randomly decided to pick Anne Rainy since I found more than one of her ebook titles interesting (others being What She Craves and What She Needs). I decided to try Touching Lace and see how I like her writing.

The story seems interesting enough. It is about a guy who has always wanted his best friend, but is worried about scaring her away if he tells/shows her his intentions. The main girl has just dumped another loser boyfriend and he gets his chance. Since she is worried that the reason she can't seem to get a guy to stick around for more than a few months is because of her lack of talent in the bedroom, he plots to be her sex instructor. I would probably put this book in the erotica genre since there seemed to not be much depth in the characters or the story. I was quite disappointed. Even the "sex instruction" was hardly even formulated - just throwing in the words "lesson 1... lesson 2" does not make it an actual learning experience. But there are some redeeming parts to reading this story and I have listed those below.

Pros: I enjoyed the beginning - the teasing and the sexy talk were stimulating and exciting. It was adorable and the underlying problem between the main characters, the fear that the friendship will fail if they got intimate, is very real and an audience can relate to that.

Cons: While the plot was interesting, the book's ending leaves me unsatisfied. It felt rushed and there are even some parts that didn't feel like it fit. I understand it is difficult to write a book and leave a little tid-bit for the next book to connect to the first one, however, it is weird to have a random character introduced and not develop it a bit more. For example, her family, her two friends, and another girl mentioned in a phone call by her brother could hardly be considered supporting characters since they barely leave an impression. I would have enjoyed a bit more character development. Even the main characters seemed pretty superficial and weak (in a development sense).

All in all, I am left unsure if I want to bother trying out her other books.

Book: An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley

Rating: 5/10

It seemed like a promising story plot, but I was deeply disappointed. I was looking forward to a story about how 2 unwilling people get together and the guy first falls for the girl and after they are married, he tries to get her to fall for him. However, all I read about was a supposed independent woman who becomes so terrified about her future husband and a man who is constantly thinking about going to war, but isn't allowed to because the Earl, "his father" won't let him without him first making some grandsons for the Earl first. At first, I was drawn to the sad story about the Earl and his wife. But even that wasn't enough for me to condemn the father figure in this story. He shows no love for his bastard daughter or his "son" for that matter.
Pros: It was an ok story. Seemed interesting enough. I liked some of the characters, such as the White Dove who is a strong actress and won't back down from a challenge. She was the mistress of the main guy but she feels no jealousy or hatred towards the main girl even though she is/was in love with the main guy. Although, I must say I enjoyed the quote and philosophical banter between the main characters (even though I'd enjoy it more if I read the books they were talking about).
Cons: I was bored to tears and skipped many parts (since it was about war and it got boring and confusing). Also, the relationship of the couple is just odd - it is not the volatile passionate type, but a hot and cold type. It doesn't feel like they are in love. I agree every relationship has its ups and downs but this is ridiculous. He often threatens to hurt her when something doesn't go his way. Oh, and the one thing I was ABSOLUTELY PISSED ABOUT... HE HIT HER AND SHE FORGAVE HIM JUST LIKE THAT *snaps fingers*. I absolutely can not stand that. He backhanded her somewhere near the end of the story and even though it was a misunderstanding and he keeps saying sorry and that he won't ever do it again, it is annoying how the main girl claims to be an independent but she totally just just acts like it's not a big deal. Agreeably, at that period of time, a woman is basically a man's position, but it still annoys me to no end. And of course, the story seems to carry too much, too fast - especially at the end where it feels like it was hurried. The pace of the story was not (sorry for the lack of a better word...) paced out. It starts off slow, but then too much happened in too little time and everything was rushed to a conclusion.

Book: Wedded in Scandal by Jade Lee

Rating: 8/10

Pros: I enjoyed this book because the author has managed to balance "the chase" with the element of true love. What I mean is... the main characters have a huge contrast between one another: (Warning: some spoilers ahead!) one is a "fallen woman" who is also a businesswoman while another is her best client's older brother who also happens to be viscount and has a secret of his own. He offers for her to be his mistress, but what he doesn't know is her secret as an innocent and her past as an earl's daughter before scandal ruined her and her family. He chases her and tries to seduce her into complying to be his mistress. In the meantime, she is battling her upbringing as a lady and refuses him while she also can't help the way he makes her feel. I believe it is difficult for an author to balance a good chase and still end up letting the audience feel that these two are in love without making the book too long. The fact that this book also shows the difficulties women must face without a protector is a nice touch. I also liked the fact that the female is a strong character - resisting temptation and picking up her mother and the debts after her father disappeared. The male lead also has the tough job of taking care of his own family since his father drunk himself to death and his mother basically became invalid (not sick... just seems to be a soulless shell and doesn't like leaving her room). He had to learn at a very young age to take care of the house and all the earl's businesses as well. It is a refreshing story full of real life trials and I can't wait to read another book by this author.

Cons: Everything seemed to fit too easily. For example, his family loves her and accepts her too easily. I was also curious about her seamstress' love affair and the expensive scarf. What happened to Irene? What about Penny and the mysterious death of her parents?


Bits and pieces from Wedded in Scandal by Jade Lee:


“My lord?” asked Dribbs as he pushed open the library door unbidden.
“No, Dribbs,” Robert said quite firmly.
“Well, yes, my lord. There is a visitor.”
“No, Dribbs, there is not.”
“But she is most insistent.”
“No, Dribbs, she is not. Because there is not a visitor to see me.” To further make the point, he dispensed with the swirling and airing of the alcohol and took a healthy swig straight from the bottle. It was almost gone anyway.
“Well, yes, my lord, there is.”
“No, Dribbs, there cannot be. My father has already been here today, so he cannot have purchased another mine or an interest in a gold venture in Antarctica or discovered the secret to stuffing genies into bottles to grant his every whim.”
“No, sir, it is not the earl.”
Robert exhaled in relief. “Thank God—”
“It is a woman.”
“No, Dribbs, it most certainly cannot be a woman. Because, you see, I have already spoken with Gwen about her upcoming nuptials just this morning. My mother is in bed where she always is at this hour. And as for all those future in-law women who have let the house next door, I have just this moment escaped from the upstairs salon where the baroness and her sister were rearranging Mama’s figurines. They were arguing about whether sunlight was bad for a porcelain shepherdess. Porcelain, Dribbs. Why would anyone ever be concerned about a porcelain complexion? Especially since the damned thing has a bonnet!”
Robert forced himself to take another swig of brandy. When had his life become so dashed ridiculous?
“Very true, my lord. Most odd. But the woman who wishes to see you is not destined to be your relation.”
“Thank heaven.”
He dropped down behind his desk, pushed aside the mountain of papers to set the bottle
down, then looked up in confusion when Dribbs had still not disappeared.
“You can go now.”
“Well, no, sir, I cannot.”
“Of course you can. Just step backward and shut the door.”
“Well, yes, I could do that, my lord, but if I were to do such a thing, you would damn me for it in a day’s time. Perhaps even sooner.”
“Perhaps. But at least you wouldn’t be damned right now.”
“Excellent point, my lord. But you see, the lady in question is a Mrs. Mortimer. And she has a trifling matter for you to deal with.”
Robert snorted. In his opinion, all female matters were trifling. But that didn't stop them from plaguing him with their nonsense day and night. Still, something about the name tickled the back of his brain. He knew that name, but from where?
“She is the dressmaker for your sister’s wedding,” supplied the butler.
Ah! There it was! Gwen had been waxing eloquent on the lady’s dressmaking skill just this morning. The woman had done this and that, tucked something in or let something out. And then Gwen had blushed a deep pink. That was what stuck in Robert’s mind: that his sister had blushed a deep, embarrassed pink. Because the dress made her look more attractive. In a sexual kind of way. And dashed if that was something he absolutely did not want to know about his sister.
He took another swig from the brandy bottle, only to discover that it was empty.
“I shall find you another bottle directly, my lord.”
“Good man.”
“But first you must speak with Mrs. Mortimer.”
“No, Dribbs. I must not.”
“But if you don’t, she will inevitably tell your sister that she was denied your presence. And then your sister will commence quietly sobbing in her bedroom because this wedding is already more than she expected and you will of course hear her or notice her red eyes. And then you will find out the reason for her tears and be furious with yourself for being such a callous brother. And then, my lord, you will instruct me most specifically to not allow you to say no to visitors anymore.”
“I would never say such a thing!” he said indignantly.
“You did say such a thing just last week when your mother was distraught over a lost delivery of perfumes.”
“I most certainly…” His voice trailed away. Damnation. He most certainly had.
“Bloody hell.”
“It is a trifling matter, my lord. Best deal with it now and be done. Then no more tears, and you can have your brandy straightaway after it is finished.”
Robert released a heavy sigh. “Damnation, Dribbs, I don’t know whether to sack you or double your pay.”
“Double my pay, sir. Indeed, I believe you promised me that last week.”
“I most certainly did not! That I would remember.”
Dribbs paused a rather telling moment. Then he tilted his head.
“Are you sure, my lord? Are you absolutely sure you would remember?”
“Yes. I most certainly am.”
Dribbs released a dramatic sigh. “Yes, I am afraid you would.”




“Stop it!” ordered Wendy without even looking up from her work. “I can hear your brain yapping all the way over here.”



"... Got the milliner’s daughter Francine coming tomorrow, and we need you to design her something that
will get her wed.”
Helaine sighed, the sound coming from deep within her.
“I’m not sure anyone can do that.” The girl was fat. Not even plump, but decidedly fat, and she had a mean temper to boot. The first could be hidden. The second made any efforts at dressing moot.
“Well, if you can do it, then we’d be established for sure.”
“Wendy—,” Helaine began, but her friend just shook her head.
“Jus’ talk to the girl. You can tell her things about how to be sweeter.”
“But there are some things—”
“Tut-tut!” the girl said as she pointed her needle straight at Helaine’s heart. “They can’t all be like Lady Gwen. You just think on that and not our prices. Teach that fat girl how to be nice on the inside, and then she’ll find her man.”
Helaine plopped down by the worktable and pulled out her sketchbook. She didn’t need it. She already knew what would look best on Francine. “It’s not about being nice,” she said as much to herself as to the seamstress. “It’s about feeling happy inside. Then nice is easy. As is husband hunting.”
“There you go,” said Wendy with a grin. “You just teach her that and we’ll be rich. Easy as stitching a straight line.”
“Well, maybe for you,” said Helaine. Her stitches had always wandered willy-nilly.

Chinese Drama: Skip Beat! (華麗的挑戰)

Rating: 7/10

Skip Beat! (華麗的挑戰) (スキップ・ビート!) is based on the Japanese manga by Yoshiki Nakamura. There is also an anime by the same name. The story is basically the same - The main girl devotes her life to her boyfriend to help his further his ambitions into becoming a top star in the entertainment industry. However, she finds out that he has been using her as a maid and becomes extremely angry. She vows to become a bigger star than him and thus, her quest for revenge begins.

Pros: The story of course. I like this version better than the anime.At least the main characters make their feelings better known (enough though it's not to each other). The show was done in a great pace - not too long and much going on in one episode.

Cons: I was sad that there's only 15 episodes. I was hoping there would be more since I wasn't satisfied with the ending - it was too abrupt. I wanted to see a bit more about her success as an actress. I also wanted to see Sho try to win the girl back. I also wished they expanded more about the characters Ren and her friend whose also in Love Me. I also wanted to see her end up with Ren!! (*^@%$%)

Differences: There are some minor differences, of course. If I remember correctly, Sho (the jerk ex-boyfriend who used her) was blond in the anime and Ren has black hair. Also, the Chinese drama was a bit more exaggerated with her little inner demons that come out to play when she doesn't get her way. The chicken suit also plays a bigger part in the Chinese drama since it is also one of her first on camera jobs (unlike the anime where the chicken suit was just a random costume she found). I watched this Japanese anime a while back and was extremely disappointed with the ending.

Favorite parts: 

• My favorite part in the anime was when she did Sho's music video and she totally showed him up and he was stunned at her acting ability. This scene is still one of my favorites even in the Chinese drama.
• My favorite part that isn't in the anime is the kitchen scene in the drama. It was very well thought out and it made me hold my breath.
• Another part the drama did really well is how the friendship between the two girls developed. Too bad they didn't really expand more about the friend.

Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• Ivy Chen as Gong Xi 宮囍
• Choi Si Won as Dun He Lian 敦賀蓮 (dubbed by Xie Kun Da ep.1-2, Nylon Chen ep.3-)
• Lee Dong Hae as Bu Puo Shang 不破尚 (dubbed by Darren from 浪花兄弟The Drifters)
• Bianca Bai as Jiang Nan Qin 江南琴

Book: Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

A different kind of romance novel - Unclaimed by Courtney Milan is a very lengthy story about s jaded courtesan must seduce a virgin celebrity and ruin his reputation, but didn't count on falling in love with him instead.

Rating: 7/10

Pros: I was touched by the courtesan character and her belief that happiness was not for her. There are many parts in the novel that showed me her strength and how she was willing to fight for her survival. While there are many bad things that happen to her, she has always found a way to survive and venture forward. It is a good lesson to learn.
Cons: I felt the story was a bit long - While I enjoyed the fact that the author has covered many angles of the story as a whole (SPOILERS AHEAD... For example - getting her family to acknowledge her again, taking care of the antagonist and the threats he offered, and avoiding a scandal their marriage would have caused because of their class difference), I felt the story was a bit slow paced. I was disappointed in the beginning where she was supposed to seduce him.


My favorite part in the story (Yes, I know it isn't about the romance between the main characters, but I thought it was adorable and it showed the brotherly love through their teasing):

“Here.” He pulled out the bundle—it was wriggling, and that made it feel twice as heavy—and held it
out.
Smite simply stared at him. “Dear God,” he said finally. “What is that thing?”
“Somewhere in the furthest reaches of your voluminous memory, you will recall seeing similar
creatures.”
“Yes,” Smite said, gingerly extending a finger. “Perhaps. Somewhat similar creatures. But in all my
prior experience, I have generally encountered puppies that have…eyes. Not great mounds of fur, topped by
a big black nose.” He parted the gray fur on its head, almost tentatively. “Good Lord. There are eyes in there
after all.”
Mark thrust the bundle out; Smite took it, his face a pattern of bemusement. “What sort is it?”
It was all long fur, gray everywhere except the white of its feet and chest. “It’s the progeny of the most
capable sheepdog in all of Somerset. But don’t think you need to rush out and purchase a flock. The owner
tested it for herding instinct. Apparently, it failed utterly, thinking it much more interesting to turn up grass.”
“Hmm.” Smite set the animal down, where it stood on clumsy legs. “And I suppose you thought I needed
a puppy to dribble on the floor? You imagined I wanted a beast that would demand to be taken on great
circuits of the surrounding areas? You wanted to make me a slave to sticks thrown and sticks fetched?
Have you any notion how much work a dog is?” His words were harsh, but his tone was light, and he gently
caressed the little dog, who immediately sank its teeth into his cuff. Smite tried to pull his hand back, but the
dog dug its claws in and growled in mock play. “Don’t tell me. This is all part of a clever plan to see my
shoes chewed to bits.”
“Not in the least,” Mark informed him. “I didn’t think you needed a dog. I thought the dog needed you.”
Smite looked up, his expression momentarily stricken. He looked down at the dog. “Thank you,” he
said quietly. It was the only acknowledgment Mark was likely to get from him.
Gently, his brother disentangled the dog’s teeth from his coat. “Cease that behavior, Ghost,” he
admonished. “Here—you may chew on this instead.”
Mark clouted him on the shoulder. “That’s my satchel, you buffoon.”
Smite didn’t answer, and when the pup grabbed one end of the strap and pulled clumsily, a smile lit his
face. “Good dog.”

Anime: Ouran High School Host Club

Rating 10/10
This anime is about a scholarship student at a school for the rich, who is mistaken as a boy and is forced to join the school's host club o repay a huge debt. You will fall in love with each of the amazing characters and join them on the ride of their lives as they go on adventures and learn new things about each other and themselves.
Pros: MY FAVORITE ANIME EVER! It is hilarious and very entertaining. Although the romance department was a bit lacking, but it is extremely amusing. I loved the interactions between the characters and all the character backgrounds have a chance to be developed. It is not a long series, so I was quite disappointed when it ended. I'm still hoping for a season 2.
Cons: Only thing I was annoyed with was the rival all girls school episodes. Those were very annoying.


Related News: 
There's a manga (桜蘭高校ホスト部). I don't read manga so I don't have much to say about it.
There's also a new drama with the same name. I have not started watching it, but I am hoping it is just as good as this anime.


P.S. YAY! There's a dubbed version! No more reading subtitles! xD

Episode 1
Note: I would've embedded more videos, but I keep running into errors. Therefore, please click on the links below to watch the episodes. If there's enough people interested, I'll try to find this series without commercials and embed the videos here.

For now...
Watch here @ Funimation (full subbed and dubbed episodes)

Watch here @ YouTube (full subbed episodes and 4 dubbed episodes)
I wonder why there's only 1-4 dubbed episodes.

Falling in love w/ the Best Friend's Older Brother

I have always been partial to the whole "falling in love with the best friend's older brother" thing. Don't really know why. Most of my friends don't have hot older brothers for me to trip over myself after. However, I must admit I tend to like older men. ;) Now let's get back to the books...

First up, The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst and I give it a 8/10. This book is about a girl who needed money to save her family's home. What I thought was cute was how she made references to Gone with the Wind; such as referring to her family's home as Tara and comparing herself to Scarlett O'Hara. The billionaire whom she ends up married to is her best friend's older brother whom she's always had a crush on. Where does his need come from? Not his love for her, but because he needs to marry in order to have complete control over the architectural firm his uncle left him. Their story is about how they fall in love while trying to face doubts in each other as well as their own. No matter how much they fight their attraction and try to keep it all business, this story proves that fate has a way of messing with the best laid plans.
Pros: There was good character development for the main characters. I really liked how well the background was developed,. They have a really long history and it is shown over and over again with their recollections of the past as they grew up together. And as adults, they both had their own problems to deal with, but they do so while reconnecting. There were some interesting scenarios, such as the card game. I enjoyed the little banters between the brother, sister, and the main girl. I thought it was cute how the girls ganged up on the guy. Go Girl Power!
Cons: There was also a lack of supporting character development. I wanted to read more about the sister since she is after all the middle person. I wonder about why she drifted apart from her brother. Did something happen? What about her date with the Count? Why did Alexa, the female lead, want to set her and the Count up? Is there something wrong with the sister's dating habits?
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good read.

The second book is His to Keep by Stephanie Julian and I'd rate it 7.5/10. This book is about a girl who was has always been in love with her best friend's older brother. The guy started noticing her when she turned 18 or so but kept his distance because he felt she would always be too young for him since they were 9 years apart. This all changes when he receives a threatening phone call and he becomes worried about her safety. They are thrust upon one another in more ways than one and become intimately involved.
Pros: Interesting plot that mixes looming threat and the passions of two people. The characters are quite entertaining as well.
Cons: I felt the ending a bit rushed. Right after the climax of the story - where the villain is revealed and captured, he proposes. I thought that was a bit weird. However, I suppose since they waited this long to be together, they just couldn't wait.

Between the two books, I'd say The Marriage Bargain has more of a family theme while His to Keep has a bit of a mystery theme. I enjoyed both books and look forward to reading other works by these authors.

Featured Author: Johanna Lindsey

Johanna Lindsey is another one of my favorite authors. Although, some of her works are not as good as others. The first book I read by Johanna Lindsey was When Passion Rules. It was a steamy book, but I would have liked the ending a bit more developed. Though the book was still interesting enough, with the murder plot and the who-did-it element, I was unhappy with the ending because it was confusing and felt a bit rushed. (For example, why did "papa" save the liar when I didn't even get a hint of them even having great feelings for one another?)

Then I started reading her Malory series and was hooked. The first bunch of the Malory series were very interesting and well written. I enjoyed the interactions between the family members since they like to "play fight" a lot. But the more books I read by this author, the more things started to feel repetitive. I would definitely suggest people to read at least the first few Malory books. Here are some tidbits I thought were amusing... of course you need to read the books for most of it to make sense.

Excerpt from Gentle Rogue (Malory #3):

"Well, it's plain to see she can't be left behind," James said irritably.
" 'Course she can't." Connie nodded.
"She'd clearly give the alarm."
" 'Course she would."
"You don't have to agree with me, you know."
" 'Course I do. My teeth, don't you know. I'm rather fond of them.''

Excerpt from Say You Love Me (Malory #5):

"You told him?"
Anthony chuckled. "'Course not, puppy," he said with obvious amusement. "If I noticed it right off, d'you really think he wouldn't? When James was decidedly more lecherous than I ever was?"
James raised a golden brow toward his brother. "I beg your pardon. Lecherous?"
Anthony's brow went up at just about the same angle. "Weren't you?"
"Well, possibly, but I prefer the way Reggie puts it, if it's all the same to you. 'Connoisseur of women' has a much nicer ring to it."
"I'll have to agree there," Anthony replied. "The little darling does have a nice way with words."
"Thought lecherous was rather apropos myself," Nicholas remarked with a smirk.

Chinese Drama: Office Girls (小資女孩向前衝)

Rating: 7/10

This drama is about a normal, working class girl who bumps into this obnoxious guy at the department store she works at. He was trying to get her to help him give his phone number to this hot chick when their tempers clash. She refuses to help him, saying it isn't in her job description, while he argues that she is supposed to service the customers of the department store. They start off on the wrong foot and soon, we find that this obnoxious man is actually the son of the CEO of that department store. The CEO has a plan - force his son to start at the bottom to learn the ins and outs of the business without the help of others. The guy has to sign a one year contract with 3 main points to consider: 1) Live on his own salary - No using the family money (that includes using the credit cards) 2) Move out and live on his own 3) Confidentiality clause: NOBODY is allowed to know who he is or about the deal. If in the event he is fired or he breaks any of those 3 rules, he must forfeit his right to succeed the family business. While he is stewing over his new circumstances, he is introduced to his co-workers.. and guess what? The co-worker who is going to personally train him is the girl who he just argued with! This drama circles around their budding relationship and the trials they face whether its personal or business related.

I'd say this drama was not too bad, but not that great either. I gave it a rating of 7/10.

Pros: Some parts were hilarious. I loved the best friend character. The main girl's manager was quite funny too but be warned that there are some parts where they speak Taiwanese and Korean - very brief though. Oh and of course, the main guy is so darn cute. I looked up what other dramas he was in and apparently, Roy Chiu was cast in a supporting role in Easy Fortune Happy Life (福氣又安康), which I am considering re-watching because I don't remember much about it.

Cons: I felt the story was a bit choppy. Keeping in mind to try and not put too many spoilers in, there are parts that were missing within the story flow. For example, why did the brother end up confessing about the fire alarm escapade? Did he know that was one of the conditions that forced his sister to marry guy #2? Did he even battle this with his conscious? It just jumped to him turning himself in which I thought was odd. There are other parts that seemed choppy as well, but I suppose it could be because I watched this series from a VCD disk (which I consider a fake DVD since its quality is usually a bit worse and the files are squished together that they may miss an episode or a few minutes of the film here and there). I assumed with 25 episodes, they would be able to make this drama without "holes", but I suppose the director made the story plot a bit slow in the beginning. I was also a bit disappointed the rival manager did not make an appearance back for revenge.

Main Cast (courtesy of DramaWiki):

• Alice Ke as as Shen Xing Ren 沈杏仁
• Roy Qiu as Qin Zi Qi 秦子奇
• Tia Li as Zheng Kai Er 鄭凱兒
• Wen Sheng Hao as Xu Cheng Feng 余承風
• Janel Tsai as Wei Min Na 衛敏娜
• Guo Shu Yao as Liu Yu Le 劉語樂
• Patrick Li (李沛旭) as Shi Te Long 史特龍

All in all, I thought this drama was ok and worth a try. Feel free to leave me any comments.

Featured Author: Lisa Kleypas

So far, one of my favorite romance novel authors is Lisa Kleypas. Not only are her characters well developed, but the story itself is interesting enough for me to not be able to set the book down (well in my case, leave my computer).

I started with the book, Blue Eyed Devil and was hooked on her books since. Blue Eyed Devil was basically about a rich girl was in caught in a tragic marriage and the man who grew up with nothing and needed to prove his worth. The two main characters fight their own demons and in the process come together. I enjoyed the book and learned a lot about Narcissistic Personality Disorder, something I have never encountered (thank god) and never knew about.

Another favorite book of mine by the same author, is Married By Morning. I enjoyed the banter of the two main characters were quite adorable if you ask me. From there, I continued the Hathaway series and found the family very amusing because of their various quirks (you will need to read the books to know what I mean).

Below is an excerpt from Tempt Me At Twilight. I hope you found this as entertaining as I did. Possibly one of my favorite parts of that book would be this scene.

The housekeeper’s eyes narrowed. “Have you noticed nothing odd about their relationship, Valentine?”
“No, and it’s not appropriate for us to discuss it.”
Monsieur Broussard regarded Mrs. Pennywhistle with keen interest. “I’m French,” he said. “I have
no problem discussing it.”
Mrs. Pennywhistle lowered her voice, mindful of the scullery maids who were washing pots in the
adjoining room. “There is some doubt as to whether they’ve had conjugal relations yet.”
“Now see here—” Jake began, outraged at this violation of his employer’s privacy.
“Have some of this, mon ami,” Broussard said, shoving a pastry plate at him. As Jake sat and picked
up a spoon, the chef gave Mrs. Pennywhistle an encouraging glance. “What gives you the
impression that he has not yet, er... sampled the watercress?”
“Watercress?” Jake repeated incredulously.
“Cresson.” Broussard gave him a superior look. “A metaphor. And much nicer than the metaphors
you English use for the same thing.”
“I never use metaphors,” Jake muttered.
“Bien sur, you have no imagination.” The chef turned back to the housekeeper. “Why is there doubt
about the relations between Monsieur and Madame Rutledge?”
“The sheets,” she said succinctly.
Jake nearly choked on his pastry. “You have the housemaids spying on them?” he asked around a
mouthful of custard and cream.
“Not at all,” the housekeeper said defensively. “It’s only that we have vigilant maids who tell me
everything. And even if they didn’t, one hardly needs great powers of observation to see that they do
not behave like a married couple.”
The chef looked deeply concerned. “You think there’s a problem with his carrot?”
“Watercress, carrot—is everything food to you?” Jake demanded.
The chef shrugged. “Oui.”
“Well,” Jake said testily, “there is a string of Rutledge’s past mistresses who would undoubtedly
testify there is nothing wrong with his carrot.”
“Alors, he is a virile man... she is a beautiful woman... why are they not making salad together?”