Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas

Julia Wentworth & Lord Damon Savage's book 



Somewhere I'll Find You (Capital Theatre #1)

by Lisa Kleypas

Book Blurb:
The toast of the town...

All London is at Julia Wentworth's feet—and anything she desires is hers for the asking. But the glamorous leading lady guards a shocking secret: a mystery husband whom she does not know, dares not mention ... and cannot love.

For years Damon Savage has been searching for the stranger his parents wed him to without his consent, hoping to legally free himself from matrimony's invisible chains. And he is astonished to discover his "bride" is none other than the exquisite lady he'd hoped to make his mistress! But though his wife by law, Julia will never truly be Damon's—until he conquers her fears, his formidable rivals ... and her proud, passionate, and independent heart.

Originally Published 1996
Well I must say that this is a first for me. There actually exists a Lisa Kleypas book that I am not crazy for. Somewhere I'll Find You just fell flat for me. It took me a few days to read it because I just piddled through it without much gusto. First time ever that has happened with one of her books.

The idea of the story was captivating enough but the characters, Julia and Damon were an utter bore. The secondary cast did nothing to enhance the story either. Damon came across as a clingy desperate man that held little appeal to me and Julia with her naive decisions just made me roll my eyes. 

With a theater as the back drop for the storyline, I thought I would be immersed into the story as I really hadn't read much in the way of historical theater stories. It intrigued me. I liked the idea of an actress being the lead of a story in a historical setting and I liked the idea of a hidden marriage. However the two just didn't mix. It struck me as odd that these two were forced to be married as very young children by their parents but then never saw each other afterwards. 

First it was just basically creepy about the marriage to begin with but then how the story itself was all carried out afterwards just didn't sink or become believable. Years later when they finally found each other and confronted the situation, their behaviour towards each other contradicted everything they said to each other. Damon ultimately fell madly in love rather quickly and almost immediately thrust forward with the "I love yous" and "come away and be my real wife" and oh by the way, drop everything you have worked for to hold this coveted theater position to be my wife. All this without even giving Julia a chance to weigh her options. 

I guess for me it simply came down to characters and the silly plotline. Unfortunately Somewhere I'll Find You just didn't work for me like other books  Lisa Kleypas  has wrote.  Fortunately there are dozens of Lisa Kleypas books I am utterly in love with.

Teasers: Child marriage, fake pregnancy by lover, theater fire, secret visits with mother 

Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas

Lady Holly Taylor and Zachary Bronson





Where Dreams Begin

By Lisa Kleypas

Book Blurb:
"We're strangers in the darkness," he whispered. "We'll never be together like this again."

Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power, but all London knows is not a gentleman. He needs a wife to secure his position in society—and warm his bed in private. But one alluring, unexpected kiss from Lady Holly Taylor awakens a powerful need within him beyond respectability.

An exceptional beauty whose fierce passions match Zachary's own, Holly always intended to play by society's rules, even when they clashed with her bolder instincts. But now a dashing stranger has made her a scandalous offer that does not include matrimony. Should she ignore the sensuous promise of a forbidden kiss...or risk everything to follow her heart to a place where dreams begin?

I am really loving reading this post regency era. One thing that I particularly love about Lisa Kleypas' historical books are that the men are not all Dukes, Earls etc. I really enjoy the different historical scenarios that she reaches for. Whether it be the locomotive industry, publishing or bow street runners she delivers fresh new situations that leaves me checking out Goodreads looking for more books she wrote. 

I noticed that quite a few of my Goodreads friends indicate that Where Dreams Begin is their favourite Lisa Kleypas book. I can easily see why. Where Dreams Begin is a stand alone book that is not part of a series. 

The story focuses on a lonely young widow, Lady Holly. She has spent three years in practical seclusion mourning her beloved husband who passed away after a relatively short marriage. I really appreciated that she had a true love match with her husband. There was no unnecessary villain here. Even Holly's in-laws were stellar people. Holly's conflict was her need to find a way to make a life after her husband's death. 

Enter into her life Zachary Bronson. Even his name gives off an air of a strong determined male. He was born dirt poor and has worked his way up in the world to be so rich, that he surpasses even the richest of the aristocracy. His biggest problem is that he cannot be accepted among the ton as he is so far from gently bred that he could easily have ended up being one of their servants. He used to be a boxer to earn money in his younger years which only added to his already large size. So not only does his station in life set him apart but just the sheer size of his shoulders and arms makes him stick out. Zachary is a thinker and after a brief but highly memorable encounter with Lady Holly, he devises a plan to become more acquainted with her. His plan is so genius he actually ends up having Holly move in with him and his family. 

Zachary is crass with his mannerisms and is far to blunt with his words. He can even be a whole lot on the ridiculous side as he ponders whether or not to buy Lady Holly's precious four year old daughter a crown when she mentions she wants to be a princess. But this right here is a defining moment for Zachary and probably where I fell for him:

"For the first time in his life, he was beginning to recognize that true passion was not easily satisfied, that there was a difference between the needs of his cock and the organ that resided two feet above."

Zachary wants Lady Holly so badly and not just to bed her. He falls completely in love with her and all her proper ways. He wants to better himself and protect her. It warmed me right down to my toes. Lady Holly wants to move on but the memory of her husband holds her back from dreaming. She knows she will be shunned out of polite society if she get involves with Zachary. I loved the pull this story had on me. Where Dreams Begin is a keeper shelf to be read again and again and again.

Teasers: button string, gaudy mansion, death bed promise, sickness returns  

Sizzling Books of Summer Hop - Prizes!

It's all about the Sizzle so how about a little sexy read by debut author, Evelyn Jules!

I loved this sexy little read so much that I want to give away 5 Kindle copies. So to enter, I need to be able to buy you a copy from Amazon US/CAD. 

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card 
(so you can buy what ever sexy read you want!) 

I feel generous so no hoops to jump through to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway