Book Reviews by Lynn

Playboy Sam Carson has it all. Success. Money. Women. But when an elderly woman riding in a carriage around Central Park asks him which Duke he is, it's unmistakable - he also has trouble on his hands. He accompanies the woman to her granddaughter's home to be sure she gets home safely, only to encounter the most exasperating woman he's ever met.

Ally Giordano is as sensible as the day is long. So when her grandmother shows up on her doorstep with a 'Duke' in tow, spouting details from her favourite historical novel like it's reality, Ally is flummoxed. But when her grandmother demands that Ally marry this 'Duke' as he's her last chance at a suitable match, Ally knows it's time for meds. Finally when her grandmother's one last wish is to travel the country, with a fantasy of it being Regency England, Ally can't refuse the woman who means everything to her. The catch: Ally's grandmother refuses to go without Sam. But how can Ally ask this sinfully sexy playboy to accompany them when all she wants to do is rip his clothes off?

Review 5*

I won a copy of this book in a competition a while ago. Due to my large reading list, I wasn't able to read it until recently. I loved it!

Ally Giordano is a wonderful character. I admit that she comes across as a little straight laced and severe at times. It's like she has a rod placed down her spine and is unwilling to bend a little in case she has fun. In a way, I can understand her wanting to control things around her when things are unraveling into chaos. Meeting the charming Sam Carson throws a spanner in the works and sparks fly.

Sam Carson is most definitely a charming rogue. I fell a little in love with him myself. He has an easygoing manner that I liked, along with a wonderfully warm heart. Meeting an elderly lady in distress, he takes it upon himself to rescue her, but her stuffy granddaughter is another matter altogether. He realises that, just maybe, she's a worthy risk to his heart.

This is a sweet contemporary romance that completely charmed me. The story combined two of my favourite genres - historical and contemporary romance. It took me on a roller coaster ride of emotion. I started to read it and didn't put it down until I had finished it.

I fell in love with Ally's grandmother. She may be a little confused about which era she is living in, but she is still sharp as a tack when it comes to the important things - mainly her granddaughter and her happiness. The story is told in such a way that I felt I was actually there. I could picture all the scenes clearly and I fell in love with all of the characters. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Sam and Ally, but Mateo (the coach driver) and Ally's grandmother also have something to share. I loved the soccer scene, though I'm not a fan of the sport myself. The game can be brutal and the author didn't pull any punches with the description. I also loved the scene where Sam reads the historical romance novel that started the whole debacle. His reaction to it made me giggle. There are some incredibly touching moments in this book and I found myself shedding a tear or two, as well as laugh out loud moments; I'm glad I was at home alone and not out embarrassing myself with my sniggers. The chemistry between Sam and Ally is palpable and it is fun watching them bicker and banter. I also love how Sam persisted in breaking down Ally's walls and making her see that a little fun doesn't hurt once and a while. There are some scenes of a sensual nature that are not as explicit as some of the books I have read in the past, but are a little on the hot side. I reached the end of the book and felt sad. Not because it had a sad ending (it doesn't), but because the book had finished. I wanted the story to keep going!

Diana Holquist has written a charmingly sweet contemporary romance. I love her fast paced writing style and the flow was wonderful. Her characters come alive on the page. I have never read any of this author's books before, but I would most definitely read them now. She's found a fan in me.

Due to scenes of a sensual nature, I do not recommend this book to younger readers. However, I highly recommend this book to readers over the age of 15 who love contemporary romances with a little heat. - Lynn Worton