Book Review-Her Master And Commander

Her Master And Commander
Just Ask Reeves
Karen Hawkins
Avon, 358 Pages
Published March 2006
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 0060684084

Synopsis:
Just ask Reeves!
Dying without legitimate issue, the late Earl of Rochester sent his butler extraordinaire, Reeves, to find his wild, illegitimate children and "civilize" them. Reeves must seek out the first of the earl's arrogant sons, Captain Tristan Llevanth, a one-time pirate, and teach him to be a gentleman.
A will of steel...
Tristan Llevanth gave up his free-wheeling life as a pirate to fight at Admiral Nelson's side. Wounded, Tristan will never again sail the seas he loves. Life has no more challenges. Or so he thinks, until Reeves brings a certain outspoken lady into the captain's uncultured househol...
An iron-clad spirit...
Reeves believes Tristan needs a spark to relight the fires of his soul. And who better than lovely Prudence Thistlewaite, the bane of the captain's existence? Prudence wants nothing to do with her wickedly handsome, ill-tempered neighbor. Still, she cannot refuse the outlandish sum Reeves offers to smooth Tristan's rough edges.
Can Prudence tame the rakish captain? Or will Tristan gain what he most wishes, to become...

Summary:
 Tristan Llevanth loved the sea and being aboard his ship, but when he is injured fighting side by side with Admiral Nelson, he has to give up what he loves, and his men come with him. Tristan settles in a house in the countryside that overlooks the ocean. And despite the peace he desires, he never manages to hold onto it. A neighbor widow, Prudence Thistlewaite, is definitely the bane of his existence and they tend to get on each other's nerves. Then Reeves (his late father's butler) tells him that he is the new earl, he needs to learn all the pompous rituals that come with the title and the money, which he desperately needs for his men. So Reeves has Prudence endeavor to teach Tristan, which is a sore trial in and of itself. And the more time they are alone together, passions ignite between the two of them, with the future uncertain if they could end up together in the end.

The Hero
Tristan Llevanth was a pirate of the sea, and ever since he was ten years old, has lived on a ship and the ocean, and has loved his life aboard. However after his leg gets injured he has to give his life up. Tristan is a twin, his mother died in prison, charged with treason, even though she was innocent, he has despised his father for not saving her in time, and lost his twin brother and has searched for him ever since. Now he has to take the title, if it means to help his men who are like family to him. And to contend with a widow, who threatens to take hold of his heart.

The Heroine 
Prudence Thistlewaite, loved her husband but then he died and now lives with her mother, and about to set up a school for girls. But is utterly annoyed with Tristan and their tempers tend to fire up when they are near each other, but when he kisses her senseless, and everything changes for him, because she knows that she could very easily fall in love with this handsome rogue.

My Thoughts:
As much as I love this author, this is probably my least favorite book of Karen Hawkins. It took me a while to get into the story, and had to force myself to keep reading until I got into the story, which thankfully I did, but it seemed to take a while. There were certain aspects of the story that I really fell in love with though. The characters I found intriguing and utterly fascinating, and all of them had me at the very beginning. The plot was very mystery packed and filled with surprises, that will delight you. However I just found at the beginning the interaction between Prudence and Tristan, leaves much to be desired, however once the story really got going, then it started to even out, and I started to enjoy the story. But overall it was a good romance and was glad to finally read Tristan's story.

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
Her Officer And Gentleman

Book Review-Her Officer And Gentleman

Her Officer And Gentleman
Just Ask Reeves Series
Karen Hawkins
Avon, 361 Pages
Published June 2006
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978006058414

Synopsis:
No ordinary highwayman...


A mere whisper of the name "Gentleman James" sends chills throughout the ton (and thrills the ladies who have heard rumors of his amorous exploits). But the dashing brigand never dreamed that the passing of the father he never knew would leave him with a title, a fortune...and a mission.


No predictable lady...


Considered unmarriageable at twenty-five, Lady Elizabeth has the perfect life, happily snuggled among her beloved books while caring for her curmudgeonly grandfather. Or so she thinks until she meets Christian Llevanth, the dark and mysterious Viscount Westerville, and discovers the delicious ache of desire. Elizabeth finds herself longing for more -- more romance, more excitement, and definitely more passion. But when does "more" become "too much"?

My Review:

Summary:
 Lady Elizabeth, at twenty five years of age, has yet to find herself a husband. Beth is content to live in the country with her grandfather, and among her roses and beloved books. Then her grandfather insists that she has a season in London, so she can find a husband. Beth doesn't want a husband, knowing that the only reason that she has any suitors is because of her large dowry that her grandfather has bestowed upon her, but then she meets Christian Llevanth, the Viscount Westerville, where rumors fly about him. Christian intrigues her, and Beth finds herself looking forward to their meets, and despite the fact that she isn't looking for a husband, she longs for his kisses, that throw all of her logic and reason out of the window. But there is so much more to Christian than meets the eye, especially when she figures out that he is looking into her grandfather, and knows that she must find out what he wants to know so badly about her grandfather, but will it destroy what they feel for one another?
The Hero
Christian Llevanth, even though has inherited the title of Viscount, was definitely never raised in society. He used to be a highwayman, a dashing rake that the ladies swooned over. But there is alot more to Christian than his scandalous past, and his title as "Viscount". Christian loved his mother dearly, and hated his father, but he wants to find the truth behind his mother's death, who was a innocent bystander, and didn't deserve the kind of end fate dished out to her, so Christian is determined to find out the truth, and he knows that Beth's grandfather is behind it somehow. However he never expected that it would be so difficult to get through Beth, to get to her grandfather, she is certainly a challenge he never expected, and one that he wishes was in his bed.

The Heroine
Lady Elizabeth, has always wanted a serene life, out in the countryside, with her grandfather, and her books and garden. So when she hears that her grandfather insists on her going to London for a season, she does her best to persuade him otherwise, but unfortunately is unsuccessful. Therefore she comes up with a plan to keep all the men at bay.  But then she comes across Christian, whose touch ignites her senses, and overthrows all her plans out the window for a long life on her own. Elizabeth is independent, and loves nature and being on her own, and is content to be a spinster, until she meets Christian, and now everything changes for her, especially when she figures out that he has plans for her grandfather, and Beth is determined to make sure he doesn't get what he is after.

My Thoughts
Her Officer And Gentleman is the sequel to Her Master and Commander, and I have yet to read the first one, but it turns out that I didn't need to, although after reading this one, that's next on my list for Karen Hawkins, that for sure. Her Officer and Gentleman, takes place in England, the Regency period. This is part of a duo series called "Just Ask Reeves" Reeves is their butler, and serves both brothers, which is what these two books are about. I have to be honest I did enjoy reading this book, but it took a little while to get into, and I didn't really get into it, until almost halfway through the book. I have always loved reading from Karen Hawkins, however this is probably one of my least favorite of hers, even though it was a great historical romance, and had some good attributes about it, but it just didn't click all the way for me. But what I did love about this story is the mystery and romance throughout the story. I will say that I did cry toward the end though, definitely had a emotional tie to the story, that really moved me, I just love the tender romantic endings.

My Grade On This Book
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series
Her Master And Commander