The Rogue's Proposal by Jennifer Haymore

Lord Luke Hawkins and Emma (Curtis) Anderson's book




The Rogue's Proposal (House of Trent book 2)

By Jennifer Haymore

Book Blurb:
Lord Lukas Hawkins, the rakish second son of the House of Trent, has never found a wager he couldn't win or a woman he couldn't seduce—until his search for his missing mother leads him to a mysterious encounter with a beautiful stranger.

Luke's mother has been missing for months, and while his honorable older brother Simon, Duke of Trent, leads the official investigation from London, Luke sets out on a somewhat seedier path. Sources have told him his mother was last seen with a scoundrel named Roger Morton, but their association isn't clear. Was she kidnapped or did she go willingly?

While searching for Morton, Luke meets Emma Anderson, a secretive beauty with her own reasons for hunting Morton. At first Luke laughs at the idea of allowing a woman to join him in his search, but soon Emma's insights into Morton—like the woman herself—prove impossible to resist.

I am wow'd right now. I freaking love this series and this book, The Rogue's Proposal is only book 2! You could read The Rogue's Proposal as a stand alone book but I would not recommend it. There is an overall story that is carried forward and is probably going to last until the end of the series. It is not a heavy plot but it is the plot that will link these stories together. 

Luke is what I would call my absolutely perfect lover. Note I didn't say perfect man; because he is not a perfect man. But oh wow he can set the sheets on fire. In fact I am willing to say that the intimate scenes between Luke and Emma are one of the best that I have ever in a historical romance (if ever). Their lovemaking was the perfect mix of erotic and mild bondage and complete love. Now don't go into this thinking that The Rogue's Proposal is a BDSM book and be disappointed because it is not. There is mild and sexy bondage which perfectly matched this excellent couple. 

I know that the first thing I have reviewed is about Luke and Emma's intimate scenes (which were brilliantly written) but that is only a partial component of this amazing story. The majority of The Rogue's Proposal takes place on a carriage journey from Bristol to Edinburgh and all the way back to London. I loved it! The author, Jennifer Haymore takes the reader on a journey all across the United Kingdom. I was smitten with all the tiny inn's and the chilly countryside journey. Since it was only the two of them making this trek, you really got to know them well. 

I adored both Luke and Emma. Luke is supposed to be a rogue and he is just so damn likable. Since Luke was the most distant sibling in book 1, The Duchess Hunt, an explanation is satisfactorily provided on Luke's distant demeanor and especially the grudge he has against his eldest brother, the Duke of Trent. A great story there! Emma was great. She was not a timid lady. She was a bit naive with her lack of experience but she was smart and determined. I found I really liked her. 

I cannot wait for the next book in this series. It is out in May 2014 I think. 

Teasers: "Do you like to be bound, Mrs. Curtis?"

  

The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore

Simon Hawkins, Duke of Trent and Sarah Osborne's book





The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent book 1)


By: Jennifer Haymore

Book Blurb:
Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved--and the last woman he should desire...

Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids--or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

 

I'm so upset! I simply LOVED The Duchess Hunt BUT I just realized AFTER I read it that it is part of a series and this story is only book 1...which was just recently published. That means I now have to wait and wait for the entire series to be finished. I'd rather read a series all in order because I hate to wait for books one at a time. I am far too impatient. 

I loved the story. I love looooved the story. There is an awesome romance combined with a mystery. 
Sarah was a child when she first encountered the ducal family but she was not a priviledged member of society. In fact, she was the family gardiner's daughter. She was rescued from a prickly prediciment when she was just a child by the duke himself. Simon was just a teen at the time; a mere child in his own right. As Sarah became familiar with the entire family, the eccentric Duchess welcomed Sarah into their home with open arms and she was even educated right along Simon and his siblings. 

The reason for my love of The Duchess Hunt is because Simon and Sarah are just so romantic. Their love is forbidden due to the levels of their stations and yet it is evident how deeply they love each other. Even with years apart as they grew older, their hearts still seem to belong to each other. It is all very romantic. I found as the reader I was getting very swept up in their emotions and when Simon tries to move forward with a "proper" wife, I felt as though he was cheating on Sarah. It was maddening and it just felt so wrong when he'd kiss another lady.  My heart was breaking. 

I loved the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Simon's mother the duchess. I had a few idea swirling around in my mind of what happened but as the story progressed further along, all my ideas were trashed. I honestly have no idea what happened and I will keep reading the series because I need to know what happened to the duchess. 

Teasers: illegitimate brothers, idiots, blackmail, Gretna Green rescue