jennifercwilsonwriter posted: " The Marquess Next Door A dashing new neighbour… Temptation on her doorstep! To avoid an unwanted suitor at a ball, Hope Brookes asks another gentleman to rescue her. He obliges – with a surprisingly passionate kiss! Revealed as her sinfu"
To avoid an unwanted suitor at a ball, Hope Brookes asks another gentleman to rescue her. He obliges – with a surprisingly passionate kiss! Revealed as her sinfully handsome new neighbour, Lucius, Marquess of Thundersley, they forge a friendship over their balconies. It's refreshing that Lucius is more interested in her writer dreams than her looks, so why can't she stop thinking about that kiss?
Oh, I really do love Virginia Heath's heroes! And Lucius, or Luke, is no exception... We meet him as he rescues Hope from unwelcome attention, but he soon finds himself dunked in the pond for misunderstanding her request. What starts as a comedic encounter soon develops into something more, and as with all of her novels, I love the way the couple grow together. Hope knows her own mind, and I particularly enjoyed hearing about her battle for publication under her own name. I also absolutely understood her nerves about sharing her writing with her new friend.
As always, the world of Regency London is brought wonderfully to life, as we follow in the adventures of Hope Brookes, having previously met her sister Faith in the first book of the series. The three sisters are wonderful characters, but with Hope being a writer, I'm obviously drawn most to her, and the insecurities she faces. Both she and Luke are very likeable, and the Brookes family is one I've thoroughly enjoyed spending time with again, becoming absolutely wrapped up in the story, and devouring it over just two sittings. I really cannot wait to read the third book in the series!
About Virginia
When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.
Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of The Marquess Next Door (Open INT)
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Wilbur's Travels posted: " The three ex-Soviets all make intriguing destinations. Armenia Yerevan I have been to Armenia once and had a wonderful time. I arrived by overnight train from Georgia, at one point sharing our compartment with a blind cat! We actually arrive"
The three ex-Soviets all make intriguing destinations. Armenia I have been to Armenia once and had a wonderful time. I arrived by overnight train from Georgia, at one point sharing our compartment with a blind cat! We actually arrived on Armenia's Independence Day so we're able to gatecrash a great party. As well as the […]
travelrat posted: " On a cruise around the Eastern Mediterranean, we called at the Sicilian port of Messina. One of the first things we noticed about it were the posters saying 'No to the Bridge' … in Italian of course! It seemed that plans were well advanced to link Sicily"
On a cruise around the Eastern Mediterranean, we called at the Sicilian port of Messina. One of the first things we noticed about it were the posters saying 'No to the Bridge' … in Italian of course! It seemed that plans were well advanced to link Sicily with the mainland, and it seemed that most Sicilians wanted none of it. Since our visit in 2006, the idea has been abandoned, then resuscitated at least once; I'm not sure what the current situation is.
We didn't stay in Messina very long. We were told that, because of a succession of earthquakes, most of what is to be seen there is fairly modern. A hike to the summit of Mount Etna was on offer, but the top was covered in cloud and those who took the trip later pronounced themselves disappointed.
We went instead to Taormina, a hillside town overlooking the sea, founded about 750 BC by the Ancient Greeks. Our bus dropped us in a multi-storey car park, the supporting pillars of which bore distinct 'scars of battle' from its users, and we made our way to the roof … from where we would climb uphill to the town itself. I did say it was a hillside town! And, I've got to say … that's the best view from the roof of a multi-storey car park I've ever seen! A winding road led up the hill; giving a sight of red roofed villas and a glinting azure bay.
Most of what's to be seen lies in the main street, between the Messina Gate and the Syracuse Gate. In this largely pedestrianised street souvenir shops rub shoulders with boutiques and more traditional shops … there are even 'if you have to ask how much, you can't afford it' clothes shops. But, they didn't see any need to rip the heart out of the place in the search for 'modernity'. The shutters and elaborate signs remain, and many buildings are still finished in the slightly peeling coloured stucco which almost shouts 'Italy'
Glancing landwards, narrow alleys and steep steps lead dramatically uphill, while, mainly outside the churches, the street opens out into a piazza, with views of the sea. There's usually a café or two here, too.
Just outside the town, there's the 'Greek Theatre' … although the Romans adapted it later to suit their style of theatre. It's not quite right to call it 'ruined', though, for it's still used for the occasional performance. And, if you get bored with the production, there's a stunning view of Mount Etna … or there would have been, if it wasn't for the haze!
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