Book Review: Isabel and the Rogue (The Luna Sisters Book 2) by Liana De la Rosa

 

Isabel and the Rogue (The Luna Sisters Book 2)    

Author: Liana De la Rosa

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: June 4, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Multicultural & Interracial Romance/352 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

A couple of years have passed since the arrival of the Luna sisters in Great Britain. Ana and Gideon are happily married, the civil war in the United States is over, but the French are still harassing the people of Mexico, at the behest of the faux Napoleon who has wangled his way into power.

Isabel Luna is the middle sister - the bookish, quiet overlooked sister. The wallflower.  Few people ever seem to notice her, especially when she’s in the company of her far more beautiful sisters. But that can be an asset, as Isabel discovers. Far from home, and the turmoil that is taking place there, she has received a request from her sister Ana’s former fiancé prior to leaving Mexico. He wants her to look for any information she can find regarding the French and their movements inside of Mexico. She readily agrees, knowing her parents’ fate is linked to that of the nation through its president, Juarez. Having entrée to the best homes in society, she is often invited to their gatherings. Being virtually invisible makes it easy for her to steal away unnoticed and peek into certain gentlemen’s studies, searching for whatever she can find.

Captain Sirius Dawson is a veteran of the Crimea and has a great deal of PTSD to show for it. Guilty for having survived what many of his men did not, he does what he can to aid their families as well as those who came back with him. He also has his work with the Home Office, which is looking into what the French are up to, particularly in Mexico. He too knows everyone and is invited everywhere. He met Isabel when she and her sisters took refuge in his home, fleeing from a traitorous nobleman. He gave her little thought then but suddenly she is on his mind a lot. And he is watching her. So it is with some surprise that he sees her steal away to what should be rooms without interest to her, and he follows her.

The second book in the Luna Sister series is every bit as good as the first. Despite her thinking otherwise, Isabel is a wonderful protagonist – she is intelligent, witty, beautiful, brave and very strong. All attributes she comes to realize she possesses in the course of this book. Her attraction to Sirius Dawson baffles her. Sure, he’s very good looking, very charming, and very well-spoken. Not to mention they have similar taste in books. But he is also a rogue, and he goes through women without a second thought. On the other hand, Lord Westhope is also nice looking, kind and sweet, and he has a title. So why can’t she feel the same way about him as she does about Sirius? It would certainly make life easier. Plus, she feels a little guilty about spying on him, taking advantage of his kind nature.

Sirius survived the war, but his wounds are not readily visible, and he carries a great deal of guilt. He is attracted to Isabel, even as he wonders what she is up to and why he keeps finding her in the unlikeliest of places. But he also realizes that he doesn’t see her the same way as the other women in his life and there is the problem – he can’t treat her the same way. Love’em and leave’em will not do for Isabel.  Furthermore, he doesn’t think he is nearly good enough for her, as he considers himself to be damaged.

Watching these two characters grow and develop was wonderful. Their blossoming romance is heart-fluttering, and the sex scenes are hot, hot, hot! I loved every minute of it. And now that the second sister’s story is done, that just leaves Gabby for a third book. I have my suspicions as to  who her love interest will be, but I’m not saying. If you want to know, read this book for yourself. I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Ana Maria and the Fox (The Luna Sisters) by Liana de la Rosa

 

Ana Maria and The Fox (The Luna Sisters)    

Author: Liana De la Rosa

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: April 4, 2023

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Mulicultural & Interracial Romance/352 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

The French occupation of Mexico as ordered by Napoleon III -  a pale imitation of famous uncle -  has been disastrous The United States is in no position to enforce the Monroe Doctrine, caught up as they are in their own Civil War. Outside help is crucial to provide aid to the Mexicans, under the leadership of Juarez. To the end, the three Luna sisters – Ana Maria, Gabriela, and Isabela, have been sent to London on a mission of diplomacy, representing their country in the hopes of eliciting assistance from the English. However, they do not reveal everything about themselves, including their relationship to the Mexican rebels.

Ana Maria and her sisters have not been close, more antagonists than friends. The journey across the Atlantic was not without its challenges. But in London, Ana Maria finds a freedom she could never have under the tight reins of her domineering father. And she has never truly appreciated her sisters for the individuals that they are.

Gideon Fox is the grandson of a woman who escaped slavery in America, cross the Atlantic and married a Scotsman. Gideon has always had his eye on the prize – the ending of the abhorrent institution of slavery. By dint of hard work, he has become a member of Parliament and is working to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. Despite being greatly attracted to Ana Maria when they meet, he cannot afford to let his feelings interfere with his purpose. At least not until, danger threatens Ana Maria, and Gideon has to make a difficult choice. Or maybe his choice isn’t so difficult, after all.

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. I especially am looking forward to the next book in the series. She writes very well, bringing all her characters to life while painting a portrait of 1860s Victorian London.  She has clearly done her research, and it shows. The historical details are amazing. My only quibble is the appearance of Prince Albert, as the Prince Regent died in 1861 and the book takes place in 1863.

The romance between Ana Maria and Gideon is breathtaking, and the action toward the end had me on the edge of my seat, feverishly turning the pages. The cover by Tiffany Estreicher is beautiful. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next volume of The Luna Sisters.

Book Review: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

 

The Personal Librarian      

Author: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: June 29, 2021

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Historical Fiction/352 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Sometimes who you know can make all the difference, as Belle da Costa Greene discovers when her friendship with Junius Morgan at  Princeton University leads to her applying for and winning the post of personal librarian to Junius’ father, the famous JP Morgan himself! Morgan is building his personal library and requires the skill and knowledge of a good librarian to assist him in his endeavors. Belle more than fills that bill, and is excited to take an opportunity few women in the early 1900s were ever afforded.

However, unknown to her new employer, or anyone else outside of her family, Belle has a secret, one she must keep in order to maintain her increasingly important position with the millionaire, who has become not only dependent on her talents but fond of her as well. Belle does not appear to be so, but she is black, her real name being Belle Marion Greener. She and her entire family are light-skinned. The family had originally lived in Washington DC near her mother’s family, the Fleets. But Belle’s mother wanted more for her children, a better life than they would have as black people, knowing that they would be able to pass as white. When she wrote their race as white on the census, that was the last straw for Belle’s father, who had been the first black man to graduate from his university and who was a major advocate of civil rights. The family, minus the father, moved to New York, and Belle and her siblings worked hard in order to keep them afloat. This opportunity which had presented itself was a godsend, but there was a price to be paid.

The Personal Librarian was co-written by two women, and it is a treasure trove of a book about the first African American woman to hold a position of such great power and authority at a time when women had few freedoms. But she had to suppress who she was and keep the secret. The research that must have been undertaken for the writing of this book is mindboggling. The authors weave a beautiful tale about a strong woman who lived life on her own terms, loved where she wanted, and was a great influence in shaping JP Morgan’s library but sacrificed her identity to do so.  The writing simply flows, elegant and graceful, much like Belle.

History lovers will enjoy this story, but I think others will too, and Belle’s story deserves to be read by everyone.

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake #3) Review

Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #3)   

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: January 2, 2007

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/paranormal/drama/303 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

The big question of the day—at least the one people keep asking Anita Blake—is who is the Master of the City? Anita’s not telling anyone, although she isn’t entirely sure herself why she even wishes to protect Jean-Claude. Some things just don’t bear thinking about.

A phone call from the police leads Anita to a crime scene in Arnold, south of St. Louis. It appears the victim was killed by more than one vampire, as in a mass feeding. Was this the work of one of the two master vampires in St. Louis? Or is there a newcomer they’ve been unaware of?

Anita leaves a message for Jean-Claude that she needs to see him, and he sends word for him to meet him at the Circus of the Damned that night. On arrival, she’s taken up to his office in the midst of the big top. There she meets Yasmeen and Marguerite… and Richard. What’s a nice guy like Richard doing in the middle of all this?

Anita is two marks away from being Jean-Claude’s human servant, although damned if she intends to let that happen. But there’s a new player in town who has designs on having Anita fill that role for him, and she realizes she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. What to do now?

Anita tells Bert she needs more help at Animators Inc, and she gets it in the form of fresh-faced Larry, an innocent who has no real idea what he’s getting himself into. But his innocence is about to go by the wayside when he pushes himself too far and loses control of a zombie he’s raised.

And then there’s Edward, who’s determined to learn who the Master of the City is and where is his daytime resting place… and he’s willing to kill to find out.

The action never stops in this third installment of the Anita Blake series. I admit there are times I don’t care for Anita, times when I don’t understand her. Especially when it comes to Jean-Claude. I keep thinking it’s in her best interest to become his human servant, and it’ll be good for both of them. I also happen to think Jean-Claude is damn sexy.

And now we’ve got Richard to add to the equation. Anita is undoubtedly drawn to him, but can he be everything he appears to be? And why does Jean-Claude seem to be throwing Richard her way?

I love the worldbuilding that Laurell Hamilton does to create this alternate St. Louis, populate it with vampires and other creatures that go bump in the night, and make it entirely credible. I also love reading about locations that I recognize, which is pretty cool.

The race is on to see who can finish marking Anita first. I totally loved this book and can’t wait to read more. A very worthy addition to the series, maybe even my favorite so far.

The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake #2) Review

The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #2)    

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Berkley

American release date: August 2, 2005

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/paranormal/drama/320 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Anita Blake goes with her boss, Bert, to the house of a wealthy client who desires her services. What Harold Gaynor wants, though, Anita isn’t willing to do, since resurrecting a corpse that old requires a human sacrifice be made. And Anita won’t do that, not for any amount of money. The trouble is, Gaynor is one of those guys who just won’t take no for an answer.

As if she doesn’t have enough problems, she has to deal with fittings for her role as bridesmaid in her friend Catherine’s wedding. There are only so many ways to hide scars. Having an ugly dress to begin with isn’t helping.

Then there’s the case Anita is called in on for the police. It appears that a rampaging zombie has eaten a family, and it’s not a pretty scene. It would take a pretty powerful person to raise a zombie and have it kill. Anita can only think of a few people who might be able to do that, and one of them is dead, which tends to eliminate him. And she isn’t giving the police the name of the one person she really suspects, because surely that can’t end well. So she decides to confront voodoo priestess Dominga Salvador herself, with Manny Rodriguez at her side.

As if life wasn’t complicated enough, Jean-Claude—who is now the new Master of the City—keeps insisting that Anita is his human servant, which she denies, as often as she tells him not to call her ma petite. Denial is a wonderful thing.

The second book in the series is even more action-packed than the first. Anita Blake is a great character, even if she sometimes gets on my nerves. But on the whole I like her sense of humor, as well as her sense of honor and justice. The attraction between her and Jean-Claude only grows stronger, and I have to admit it’s a large part of the draw of the series for me, to see where their relationship goes.

I find it fascinating, personally, that the story takes place in St. Louis, and I enjoy visiting familiar spots as well as ones she’s made up but I can guess where they really are.

Anita seems to be in over her head at times in this one, and she doesn’t always come out on the right end of a fight. But she has guts and determination. And she’s about to learn some truths about herself.

A wonderful addition to the series, looking forward to the next one. Well-written and exciting, a must-read for Anita Blake fans.