Book Review-How To Entice An Enchantress

How To Enchant An Enchantress
The Duchess Diaries (3)
Karen Hawkins
Pocket Books
Published October 2013
352 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4516-8522-0
Authors Website

Synopsis
 The third sizzling novel in New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’s Duchess Diaries series, featuring three unruly sisters and their headstrong godmother with a penchant for matchmaking.

Reclusive Viscount Kirk, horribly scarred by a tragic accident that stole the life of his beloved first wife, is a man defined by fury. For years he’s eschewed society, growing abrupt and curmudgeonly. But now, when he’d given up on life, he’s fallen madly in love with the refreshingly naive daughter of his neighbor, dainty and charming Dahlia Balfour. Desperate to win her attention, Kirk calls in a favor from the Duchess of Roxburghe and asks that she transform him into a fashionable suitor for Dahlia’s hand. But what’s easy to change on the outside, isn’t as easy to change on the inside…

Dahlia’s always dreamed of a fairytale romance. Although Viscount Kirk is only seven years her senior, because of his cantankerous ways and lack of social graces she thinks of him as her “older neighbor,” and is blissfully unaware that he sees her as anything other than an acquaintance. She is shocked to see him at the duchess’s grand house party, trying to fit with the very societal rules he so frequently mocks. Surprised by his attention, irritated at his bald honesty, and intrigued that he finds her worth the effort, Dahlia regards Kirk as the opposite of Prince Charming. Without the pretty words and grand gestures she yearns for, can true love find its way into her unwilling heart?

My Review

Book Review-How To Pursue A Princess

How To Pursue A Princess
Duchess Diaries (2)
Karen Hawkins
Pocket Books
Published June 2013
383 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4516-8520-6
Author's Website

Synopsis
A PRINCE IN WOLF’S CLOTHING SETS HIS SIGHTS ON AN INDEPENDENT SCOTTISH LASS IN THIS SPARKLING ROMANCE FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR KAREN HAWKINS.

An innocent lost in the woods . . .

The sensible solution to her family’s dire financial woes is for Lily Balfour to marry the Earl of Huntley, a wealthy widower handpicked by her matchmaking godmother, the Duchess of Roxburghe. Huntley is pleasant and attractive, the perfect candidate in every way. But Lily knows she’s in big trouble as soon as passionate, unprincipled Prince Wulfinski sweeps a hot, possessive glance over her.

Powerful and sexy, Wulfinski declares he will make her his—no matter the cost.

By his own account, Wulf is a pauper, barely able to afford his own cottage. Yet nothing will stop him from pursuing the elusive beauty with every cunning trick he can muster. But which is more important: power and money . . . or love everlasting? To make the right choice, both Wulf and Lily must trust their hearts, not just their heads, to lead them to the happiness they desire.

My Review
I was shocked when I saw a copy of the newest book of Karen Hawkins, available on the library shelf. Normally I would have to wait months sometimes a year, before it would become available. Let me tell you, I grabbed it faster than I could breath air. I have always had a deep appreciation for Karen Hawkins. She was the first author that I read that made me fall in love with romance. If any of you like a bit of witty YA romance, that is set in the historical time period--starts with Catherine and the Pirate--one of my all time favorite books, and is probably the reason I am still in love with romance, especially historical romance. There is so much talent in Karen Hawkins voice, and I would swear that How to Pursue a Princess is one of her best so far!! There were so many things that I enjoyed about this story, so first let me talk about the actual story.

When Lily and her younger sister learn that their father has come into some big debt, that will have to be paid quite soon, within the month, so knows that with the large quantity due, she will have no choice to marry. So she sends a request to her aunt the Duchess, who sets up a house country party, where she will try to match her with the Earl of Huntley. But when she leaves for a few moments on a ride, she ends up getting hurt, and she finds herself getting rescued by the most gorgeous yet stubborn man. Large and overbearing, Prince Wulfinski. When Wulf first sees Lily, he is captivated by her engaging eyes, and wild hair that only stimulates his senses. He knows that she is his future mate, but he must convince her first. Lily finds herself revealing all of her secrets to Wulf, and she wonders if circumstances were different that they might have had a future together. But believing he is a poor prince, she knows she has no choice but to marry the Earl, because her family is depending on her. But will she choose her duty over her family, or her love for Wulf, who makes her feel more alive than ever before.

How To Pursue A Princess is a astounding read!! I felt myself utterly captivated from the fast paced plot to the deep sensuality that develops into a powerful love story! There was quite a bit I loved about this one. First is the hero...*sigh*, boy was I impressed. He is from another country, and could care less about society's rules, and is very blunt and says what exactly is on his mind, and isn't modest about it. He above all was my favorite character, and my favorite hero from this author. I would trade places with Lily any day of the week! When he goes after Lily to convince her to choose love over duty to her family, he is very tenacious and stubborn with the issue, much to my delight. I love a man who knows what he wants and charges after it. This newest addition to the Duchess series is a tale full of witty humor, sensational fun, and has a refreshing flavor to it that only ends up captivating its reader. SPLENDIDLY WELL DONE!!!

My Grade 
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Steamy

Other Books In Series 
How To Capture A Countess
Princess In Disguise
How To Entice A Enchantress
 

Book Review-How To Capture A Countess

How To Capture A Countess
The Duchess Diaries (1)
Karen Hawkins
Avon Romance
E Book
Published Sep 2012
384 Pages
Historical Romance

Urged by her favorite nephew, the intimidating Duchess of Roxburghe agrees to transform a thorny Scottish rose into a lovely bloom. But even she isn’t prepared for fiery Rose Balfour.

At seventeen, Rose fell wildly in love with Lord Alton Sinclair, known as Lord Sin for his wicked ways. Stung by his indifference, the starry-eyed girl tried to win an illicit kiss, but then panicked and pushed the notorious rakehell into a fountain. Leaving Lord Sin floating among the lily pads to the mocking laughter of his peers, Rose escaped back to the obscurity of the Scottish countryside.

Six years later, Sin convinces his aunt, the Duchess of Roxburghe, to invite Rose to her annual house party, where he plans to get revenge by making Rose the laughingstock of polite society. To his astonishment, he finds she has become an alluring woman who threatens to turn the tables on his nefarious plans. Thus Sin and Rose begin an epic battle of the sexes that becomes more passionate at every turn. Eventually, one will have to surrender . . . but to vengeance? Or to love’s deepest passion?

My Review

Summary 

When Rose was seventeen, she was very innocent and impulsive, and kissed Lord Sinclair, but overwhelmed by the sensations, ended up pushing him into a fountain and fleeing the scene and hiding from everyone inculding him, and leaving him to face the consequences, and Lord Sinclair has been wanting revengefor six years, and has found her again and is determined to get back at her, only he never thought he would fall in love with her. Rose, regretting her foolish act six years ago, has lived in the countryside taking care of her father and sisters, but when she is invited to a house party by her godmother (also Lord Sinclair's Aunt), she knows she has no choice but to except, especially for her sister's sake. However when she bumps into Lord Sinclair, she is shocked to see him again, but she starts to feel alive whenever he is near, and even though they are in one wager after another, she starts to fall in love with him again, but doesn't know if she can truly trust in their love and in Lord Sinclair......

The Hero ( Alton Sinclair )

Ever since that dreadful night six years ago, Sin has lived up to his name, living in a life of debauchery. He suffered the consequences of the scandal years ago, and still suffers from it, and now that he has found Rose again he plans on revenge, but he never expected that Rose would have grown into such a beautiful and capable woman. As he pursues her in a very sensual way, but she starts to worm her way into his heart, and he knows he couldn't do anything to hurt her.....

The Heroine (Rose Balfour )

Rose, when she was young fell in love with Lord Sin, charmed and intrigued by his wicked way, only to ruin  both her and her sisters' futures in the process, and has suffered in guilt ever since. Even though her family has never blamed her, she has suffered just as Lord Sin only in a different way. When she see's him again, she has no idea how to handle him, and when he kisses her she knows she is lost and doesn't know how she could protect herself from falling in love with him again.....

My Thoughts 

How To Capture A Countess is the first of a new series "The Duchess Diaries" by Karen Hawkins. Karen Hawkins has been one of my favorite authors, and I just loved the energy of this new book, it definitely had Hawkins spark and flair, and the story had the same feeling of fun and humor that I have always seen in the past. Lord Sinclair, just cracked me up especially in the beginning, especially his attitude toward life, and women, and I loved the playful interaction between Lord Sin and Rose. I also loved the spirit of Rose Balfour, at first she seems timid and reserved, but as the book progresses she comes out of her shell into a playful and full of life heroine, that you just want to cheer her on......a beautifully written romance filled with passion, zest and humor that will definitely enthrall you for more!!! A Must Read!!! 

My Grade On This Book 

5 Blossoms