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: 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.

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.

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.”

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.

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?”