Tag: Jane Feather

Review: Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather

Posted July 22, 2014 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

trapped
Rowena’s review of Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather.

Torn between a true love and family duty…

Ariadne “Ari” Carfax has never been one to play by the rules; she’s an heiress to the Carfax family, banished from London when Oliver Cromwell seized the throne from King Charles, who has since gained notoriety for pillaging, thieving, and ruling the Carfax Valley with an iron glove. All too soon, Ari finds herself in her family’s legendary vise, forced into a marriage to Ivor Chalfont, Ari’s childhood friend and confidante, against her wishes.

While the Carfax family has only its own interest at heart—a union between the Catholic Carfaxes and Protestant Chalfonts will guarantee the Carfaxes’ reinstatement at London court, and the rehabilitation of their noble name—Ari cannot bear the thought of being separated from her secret lover/poet, Gabriel. She vows to fight her family—and Ivor—every step of the way, even when forced into the marital ceremony at her own grandfather’s wake, in a treacherous coup de etat that leaves her wed to another, and eternally broken-hearted.

Sending Gabriel to the temporary safety of Lord Monmouth’s outpost at The Hague in Scotland, Ari resigns herself to her new life as Lady Ivor Chalfont—at least until the newlyweds travel to London, and she can escape her new husband and reunite with Gabriel. As the two make their preparations to travel, however, Ari finds herself entertaining entirely uncharacteristic thoughts about her new husband: she finds that she likes him as perhaps more than a friend, after all. Not wanting to be disloyal to Gabriel, but simultaneously more and more attracted to Ivor, Ari can’t help but give into the physical pull between her and her new husband, and the two embark on a tentative, post-marital courtship that just might hold the seeds of love…until, that is, Gabriel spots Ari in London and makes it his mission to get her back. Ari is caught between a lover who might be better left in the past, and a husband who she just might be able to love; who will win Ari’s heart?

Set in 1600s England during the tumultuous Monmouth Rebellion, this is the epic story of what happens when the one thing we think we can trust—our hearts—turns out to be the most duplicitous.

Let me start this review by saying that I’ve never read anything by Jane Feather before and while I did end up liking the story, it was really slow going for me. The beginning of the book dragged and there were times when I wanted to put the book down and that had a lot to do with the heroine, Ari.

I didn’t like her.

She was used to getting what she wanted and after she marries Ivor and wants to keep her relationship going with Gabriel (her lover) AFTER the marriage. I’m all about strong heroines who know their mind and go after what they want but in Ari’s case, it got on my nerves. She got on my nerves. I mean, her and Ivor were friends before they got married and she treated him like shit like that friendship didn’t mean anything to her and I thought that Ivor was a whole lot more patient with her than I would have been. I just don’t think that you do shady shit like Ari did TO YOUR FRIENDS. And they were friends, make no mistake about that. Her devotion to Gabriel really pissed me off throughout most of the book that she started to sour my enjoyment of the book.

Ivor isn’t the most perfect of heroes but I liked him. I liked that he was strong and he was fair and he did want to do right by Ari and yes, there were times when I wanted to smack him upside the head but for the most part, I liked him.

There are a lot of things that happen in this book and the story really took its time developing so while I’m glad that I finished the book, I struggled with the reading of this one. Ari wasn’t a likable character and even in the end, when all is well, I still didn’t really care for her. Her redemption was still a tad bit short for me but reading this book almost felt like a chess match. The pieces were being moved, strategies were being laid out and the game moved at a slow pace but when everything starts falling into place, I was too mad at Ari and frustrated with Ivor and still annoyed that Gabriel was still in the mix that while it ended the way that it was supposed to end (happily, just the way that I like it), I was still mad. When I don’t like one of the main characters in the book, I struggle with the story itself. Yes, I know that perfect characters are boring and seeing a person redeemed is so much more interesting but for me, Ari wasn’t really redeemed. I just couldn’t get past a lot of the shady shit she was doing behind Ivor’s back.

I will say this though, Jane Feather wrote an interesting story that was slow to come together but in the end, it was a solid story. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Grade: 2.5 out of 5

This book is available from Simon & Schuster. You can purchase it here and here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


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What I’ve Been Reading This Week

Posted December 15, 2008 by Tracy in Features | 11 Comments

Howdy! How are you my friends? Did you have a good week? A good weekend? I certainly hope so.

I helped my brother move this weekend. He’s rented this house for 12 years and the landlord gave them 6 weeks to find a place and get the heck out. They found another place to live, but they did no packing whatsoever until Friday. Now, I love my brother but he’s a pig and I don’t mean he’s an ass – which of course he is, but I mean his house is/was a sty. I can’t believe how disgusting some people can be and he lives with his wife and 13 year old daughter. At this time 5:52pm I brought the kids home to bathe (and bathe and bathe) but my hubby is still there. They have to be out of their house by today and frankly when I left I didn’t think there was anyway in hell they were going to make it. If my oldest didn’t have a speech to memorize by tomorrow (yeah…let’s put things off til the last minute, shall we?) then I would have stayed. Of course even now I feel like a truck ran over me. Boy, I’m soooo out of shape! lol

I did get my tree up however! Yippee! The girls helped and we had a great time. I got started on my cards but will have to do them on my lunch hours this week at work. Needless to say with the moving I didn’t get any shopping done. I’ll work that in too…somehow…I’m sure.

Oh! And I’m sending this via our new computer! Yippee. This was the hubby’s and my gift this year to ourselves. 3 GHz with a duo processor. That and my cable hook up and this baby flies! I friggin love it! I’m still getting used to Windows Vista but so far I’ve only had 1 issue so that’s cool. Now I just have to move all my files from one to the other. Luckily the other is currently hooked up as well so I have access.

Anyway, this is what I read this week:

My first book was The Storm by Jean Johnson. Book 6 in the Sons of Destiny series. I liked this one the best so far. I was always curious about Rydan and this explained a lot. I have the next one so will read that soon and then only 1 more and it’s over…yay! I know you’re wondering why I’m reading if I don’t LOVE the series but I can’t seem to help myself! lol

My second book was To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn. Yes, I’m still reading the Bridgerton’s! lol I know, seems like I’ve been reading them forever, but it’s only been a few weeks, I’m almost done. This was a very well written book but of the series so far I think this is my least fav. Phillip and Eloise just didn’t click with me for some reason.

Snowy Night with a Stranger was next. This is a historical Christmas anthology that has stories by Julia London, Sabrina Jeffries & Jane Feather. You read my mini (and I do mean mini) reviews here.

Next up was Hot as Hell by Helen Kay Dimon. I’ve read a couple of her books and enjoyed them. This one started off well for me but then just went downhill. The relationship between the h & h was on the line and there were serious trust issues. Their banter at the beginning was enjoyable but then the heroine started making me annoyed and I stayed that way! lol I really liked the hero though – he was great.

Next was Dog Wild 1 by Melissa Glisan. I’ll be doing a review of this sometime this week.

Last on my list was my last Bridgerton for a while: When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn. I really enjoyed Francesca and Michael and this was a great read. I do have the next 2 books but they need to be back to the library soon. I just don’t think I can read them right now – not because they’re not wonderful, because they are. But because I have so many other historicals to read right now and I feel actual guilt when I’m reading one of those and not a Bridgerton! lol I need to take a break. Maybe after the first of the year?

That’s it for me. I hope you have a wonderful week!
Happy Reading!


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Guest Review: Snowy Night with a Stranger by Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries & Julia London

Posted December 12, 2008 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 1 Comment

Guest Review: Snowy Night with a Stranger by Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries & Julia LondonReviewer: Tracy
Snowy Night with a Stranger by Jane Feather, Julia London, Sabrina Jeffries
Publisher: Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: October 28, 2008
Genres: Historical Romance
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four-stars
I’m a huge fan of anthologies and was very excited to see a Christmas anthology on the shelf when I hit my local bookstore.

Jane Feather leads an unwitting Yuletide traveler down a twisting path….

Edward Vasey, Viscount Allenton, is journeying precariously through a snowstorm when his coach is overtaken by high-waymen! Robbed of his money, Ned takes refuge at Selby Hall, where a spirited beauty with a shocking secret may steal something more — his heart.

Sabrina Jeffries unlocks the heart of an embittered lord….

When a coach accident strands heiress Elinor Bancroft at the home of the notorious Black Baron, she discovers the Christmas Day heartache that darkened his soul years ago — and her generous heart brings a festive air to his home and reawakens his spirit to love.

Julia London sends a debutante into the wintry Scottish wilds….

Searching for her rakehell brother, an earl lying low in the wake of a scandalous affair, Fiona Haines is led by a rugged Highlander who obscures his scarred face. As they journey on, Fiona draws closer to her brave, enigmatic protector — but will fury or passion ignite when he reveals his identity?

A Holiday Gamble by Jane Feather

This story takes us in to Northumberland where the snowy weather has turned into a blizzard and Viscount Allenton is stuck in the middle of it. He takes refuge at the nearest house which is owned by Lord Selby. There Lord Allenton finds himself enamored with Lady Georgiana Carey – the home owner’s 20 year old ward. As the blizzard gets worse Lord Allenton realizes that things are not as they seem with Georgiana. It seems that Lord Selby has some villainous ideas about what to do with Georgiana’s inheritance which include marrying her off to his cohort, Godfrey Belton. This was a cute little story of finding love in the strangest of circumstances.Rating: 3 out of 5

 


When Sparks Fly by Sabrina Jeffries
Elinor is on her way to her father’s house with her cousins and aunt for Christmas when a carriage accident forces the family to seek help from a man known as the Black Baron. Martin, Lord Thorncliff aka the Black Baron, was accused of killing his own brother during a mine explosion and has cut himself off from just about everyone. He only keeps male servants because he doesn’t trust women to not get hurt. After meeting Ellie he starts to think that maybe having a woman around wouldn’t be such a bad idea, but he still can’t forgive himself for his brother’s death.I loved this story. I thought it was a great story of love and acceptance and truly enjoyed reading it.

Rating: 4 out of 5

 


Snowy Night With A Highlander by Julia London

Lady Fiona Haines has to travel to Scotland to find her rake of a brother to try to keep him out of serious trouble. She enlists the help of a Laird that she’s known in the past to help her get to his castle in the Highlands. Unfortunately the Laird in question, an arrogant man according to Fiona, made some disparaging remarks about Fiona at one time and she does not like him at all.Very early into the journey Fiona’s lady’s maid abandons her and Fiona is forced to travel with the Laird’s man who she starts having feelings for. Little does she know that the man is the Laird himself, Duncan Buchanan. Caught in a blizzard the two are left to survive the nights in the storm as well survive the growing feelings they have for each other.This was my favorite of the three stories. The story of Fiona and Duncan coming together was quick, romantic and definitely worth the read.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This book is available from Pocket Star. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Read more from Tracy at Tracy’s Place.

four-stars


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