Friday, March 4, 2016

Review and Giveaway: Happily Bedded Bliss

Happily Bedded Bliss (Rakes of Cavendish Square - Book 2) by Tracy Anne Warren

Publication Date: 03/01/2016
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-100451469232
ISBN-13978-0451469236

(Received for an honest review from Signet)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Tracy Anne Warren on the WEB: Website, Tidbits, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from Happily Bedded Bliss, courtesy of the author's website.

Books in the Series

Rakes of Cavendish Square

1. The Bedding Proposal
2. Happily Bedded Bliss


Coverart: Click on the photo for a larger, clearer picture of the titles in this series




Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bedding Proposal comes a seductive new novel about the most devilishly dangerous men in London...

When Lady Esme Byron happens upon a gorgeous naked man sleeping beside a secluded country lake, she can’t resist the impulse to sketch him. But when her highly improper drawing is mistakenly revealed at a party, she finds her once-pristine reputation in tatters. 

Gabriel, Lord Northcote, may be a notorious rakehell, but he is still stunned to find himself accused of despoiling a duke’s sister—especially since he's never set eyes on her. When Esme’s six irate brothers demand a hurried trip down the aisle, he has no choice but to comply. He thinks he can forget about his inconvenient bride but Esme Byron is no ordinary woman and Gabriel is about to learn just how unforgettable she can be.


Thoughts:

Tracy Anne Warren continues her Rakes of Cavendish Square series with the second book, Happily Bedded Bliss. Warren's attention to detail and historical accuracy are her finest writing attributes. Readers who want a story that conforms to the norms of the ton will find this one top notch, but also refreshing and full of surprises. A nude portrait, puts the heroine in a scandalous position that ends in marriage. This one is a wild ride that readers will love!

What I liked:

Tracy Anne Warren in a favorite of mine. Though I have read her contemporary novels, I always go back to her historical romances. Research, research, research. To make historical romances great you have to have historical accuracy. There have to be those little details that the author instills in the story to set the stage for the reader, to anchor them to the time period and Warren excels at this. She knows the ton backwards and forwards, with all it's nuances and ridiculousness. This is an author that gets an A when it comes to knowing her subject.

Warren also knows her audience. In Happily Bedded Bliss readers are looking for a good regency romance. One that walks that fine line between the rules of the ton and scandal. Warren gives them what they want here, with a heroine who has a penchant for trouble. Esme is an artist, an animal lover and a beloved sister to five arrogant brothers. When sketches a portrait of a naked man on a creek bank, she never imagines she will end up married to him. As a heroine she was young and perhaps a little naive, but she grows throughout the story and I know readers will fall in love with her.

Gabriel is no angel. Lying naked, asleep beside the water, he doesn't even know he is being sketched, but it ends up with him marrying the artist. I liked the fact that he was a rake, with some honor. He didn't let this situation ruin Esme's reputation. I wouldn't call this a marriage of convenience... more like a shotgun wedding. Her brothers were adamant. Gabriel was a little brooding throughout the book. His past continues to haunt him even in his relationship with his wife. Warren makes the reader sympathize with the plight of both bride and groom and gives readers a very poignant and enchanting romance.

What I didn't like:

I love historical romances, but sometimes they get a little boring. With regency novels it seems like it's the same old thing over and over again. Warren proves it doesn't have to be that way with this novel. It had a freshness about it that I liked. The scandalous portrait certainly helped with that. I think some readers might find the heroine a bit too young for the hero. But I think Esme grows on the reader as the story goes on. She is certainly not boring!

Bottom Line:

This is another great book by Tracy Anne Warren. She knows her subject well and that translates to authenticity and credibility as a historical romance writer. Readers can trust that her books, fit what tey are looking for in a Regency read. Attention to detail is essential and this one has it. The heroine was a bit naive, but she learns fast. The hero a bit brooding, but he has good reason. This is a good one!

Happily Bedded Bliss is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!



About the Author:


Tracy Anne Warren is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romance novels, including The Bedding Proposal, The Trouble with Princesses, and Her Highness and the Highlander. After working in the corporate world for a number of years, she quit her day job to pursue her first love: writing. She has won numerous industry awards, including Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion.


Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Happily Bedded Bliss by Tracy Anne Warren.

* You must be an email subscriber to participate.
* U.S. Addresses only
* The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, March 18th.

1. Please leave a comment about why you like historical romances.
2. Please fill out the FORM.

12 comments:

Sue Farrell said...

I like historicals because I can learn a little bit about the period while I'm enjoying a romance.

Grandma Cootie said...

I love historicals for all the reasons you name in your great review - if the research is well done they are informative and don't feel "made up." I like the contrast between the expected behaviors and the trouble that happens when the characters don't conform to expectations.

Di said...

Why do I love historical romance? Well, I've always loved history, so I often learn things, and I love a good romance, so the combination is perfect for me!

Anonymous said...

I love historical romances b/c of the history that is so different and enchanting. I love the titles and balls, ladies in gowns, society, the ton, scandal and the romance.

Charlotte said...

Nice to put two things together that brings pleasure.

Natasha said...

I love historical romances because it is nice to get lost in a different time period.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Nancy said...

I like historical reads for the same reason I like working on genealogy.I like learning those little bits of history along with the romance.

traveler said...

Historical romances are fascinating for the era, the lives and the characters lives. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

bn100 said...

the setting

Joanne B said...

I love learning about the history, the dress, and the customs

Elizabeth Schroedle said...

I love historical romances because I can daydream about a different time and place as I read them.

Michelle F. said...

I like historical romance such as Regencies and Victorian stories because I like history and enjoy the outfits, time period, and language. Sometimes the men were gentlemen. It's interesting to read about the balls and dukes, etc. I don't like much contemporary romance and in historicals I'm glad they don't use the word sexy.