Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #76 ~ Lord Midnight ~ Donna Cummings

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is a weekly meme hosted by my blogger wife, Lexxie, @(un)Conventional Bookviews. It's a way to highlight a book using quotes that revolve around food and/or drinks. Every Thursday, post a line or two...or heck, a whole paragraph, that spoke to you in some way using food or drinks. *wink* Don't forget to link up!

My pick this week for Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts is from:

Lord Midnight by Donna Cummings

I'm really not much of a brandy drinker but it does have its purposes and I like how Marisa used it to suit hers...and Gabriel's.

***

He sat down, his eyes widening at the heavily-laden tray on the table between them. "'Tis a veritable feast! And brandy no less! I imagine that request must have raised a few eyebrows belowstairs."

The lass was eminently resourceful, and he would be wise to remember that.

...

"I convinced Daphne that even my father espoused the medicinal properties of brandy on occasion. Of course," she confessed, "Father would add the blatant falsehood to the list of my failings should he ever learn of it."

#COYER Review ~ Lord Midnight ~ Donna Cummings #ShelfLove

Lord Midnight by Donna Cummings 
Release Date: November 13, 2013
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on Kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
GABRIEL DeVAULT, a dashing highwayman, lives to avenge himself against the uncle who stole his title and tried to kill him as a child. One night's robbery yields unexpected riches when his uncle's spirited bride-to-be falls into Gabriel's arms. Now his plans for vengeance include seduction of the innocent miss, in the home that once was his own.

MARISA DUNSMORE is blackmailed into wedding the cold and calculating Edmund DeVault, Lord Westbrook, to protect her beloved aunt. When her attempts to escape the upcoming marriage fail, she turns to the man she knows as Lord Midnight, entrusting him with her love, and her future.

Soon Gabriel must choose: saving the woman who stole his heart, or destroying the man who stole his life.

Lord Midnight is going to stick with me for quite awhile. From the premise to the characters - I adored everything about it!

Marisa is in need of rescue. This intelligent and cunning young lady has tried everything but her father has threatened the one thing - the only thing that could induce her to agree to a marriage she has no interest in. Enter Gabriel. He's a highwayman, and along with his merry band of brigands, he relieves the wealthy of some "weight" - their valuables - as they travel along the road. It's serendipitous Gabriel should hold up the carriage Marisa is ensconced in - the one delivering her to her betrothed...

• Marisa and Gabriel
  I adored these two! Marisa is cunning but also so forthright. She's almost bewitched by Gabriel - whom she seems to trust implicitly - but having no reason to have trusted anyone save her aunt. Gabriel doesn't realize the gift her trust is. He is enchanted by Marisa's ethereal beauty, sharp mind, and sharper tongue. He's determined to help some Marisa - at first for selfish reasons - but soon for more noble ones. Gabriel has a secret - one that could be life-altering for himself, Marisa, and her betrothed.
• Lord Westbrook
  He's Marisa's betrothed and the villain. DCummings drew him in such a way thought that at times I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. At his core, he's wicked and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
• Setting
  DCummings painted a lovely setting for the story - from Westbrook's estate to Gabriel's abbey - the details were sharp and allowed me to envision it all.
• Action, Suspense
  All that goes on is so very realistic. I worried constantly over what Marisa and Gabriel were going to do and if they'd be caught. Even Gabriel's midnight visits caused me concern. It made for an exciting read.
• Secondary Cast
  The secondary cast - Gabriel's gang - Jamie, Gilbey, and Davy - and M's brother Bernard along with the test were a lively group that enhanced Maris and Gabriel as characters and added complexity to the story.

I finished this several days ago and it's still churning in my head. I can't say enough good things about it. It was exciting, entertaining , and swoon-worthy. This one awhile go on the re-read pile.

#COYER Review ~ Lord Wastel ~ Donna Cummings

Lord Wastel
The Curse of True Love #2
Release Date: November 2, 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: $0.99 Purchase on Amazon
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
When Aprhodite, the Goddess of Love, plays matchmaker, true love can seem like a curse...

Lord Wastrel -- the most notorious rake in London -- has a child? Clearly he knows how to sire one, but he has no idea how to actually raise one. He has to learn quickly, since he is the little girl's only surviving parent, and he's determined to find a wife who can be a suitable mother. All he needs is someone demure, and biddable, and most importantly, scandal-free.

Lady Felicia Selby is no stranger to scandal, thanks to her numerous failed elopements and Society's insatiable curiosity about her misadventures. She has devoted many years to finding her one true love, desperate to escape the consequences of the family curse if she fails. But she has begun to give up hope.

Then, one evening, a chance encounter with Aphrodite changes everything.

Aphrodite and Ares are at it again!

Lord Wastel was even more delightful than Lord Rakehell's Love! Longer in length, the added character development really enhanced the story. And the addition of a strong-willed, cherubic 4-year old was a treat!

We met Felicia and Hugh in book 1, as they are best friends to Georgiana and Simon, respectively. Felicia, known as Flighty Felicia to the ton, has been endeavoring to find her one true love, by eloping every two weeks, to escape a family curse. She is very dismayed to realize Lord Wastel -- Hugh -- is her fated match. Not only because she's known him most of her life, but also because he's engaged to another woman!

Hugh, Lord Weyson, has recently discovered he's a father. In an attempt to provide his daughter a loving home and a strong family unit, he's sought out a staid woman to take as his wife. Things don't go exactly as he'd planned when Felicia begins her undaunted pursuit of him.

Felicia and Hugh are both prone to scandal and are both very strong-willed. This made for an entertaining courtship. The repartee between the two was witty and humorous -- Felicia is not a shrinking violet and never shied away from giving Hugh her opinion or a well-deserved pinch. She knew she loved Hugh but it took awhile for Hugh to realize his feelings.

Seeing both Felicia and Hugh with Lucinda, Hugh's daughter, was an absolute joy. Lucinda is equally as head-strong as her Papa and new Mama. She melted everyone's heart including mine. I could easily envision her using her bright eyes and adorable smiles to win whatever she desired of her parents. 

This is a series I adore. I enjoy watching Aphrodite and Are playing at matchmaking -- and the love matches they make are charming, amusing, and a pleasure to watch unfold. I'm eager to see what Aphrodite has in store for Julian, Felicia's brother, and Tony, her cousin. Oh, and Aunt Aurore, too! It's sure to be uproarious fun!