Much Ado About You by Eloisa James Published by Zondervan on October 13, 2009
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / 20th Century, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Ancient World, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
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When you're the oldest daughter, you don't get to have any fun!
Witty, orphaned Tess Essex faces her duty: marry well and marry quickly, so she can arrange matches for her three sisters -- beautiful Annabel, romantic Imogen and practical Josie. After all, right now they're under the rather awkward guardianship of the perpetually tipsy Duke of Holbrook. But just when she begins to think that all might end well, one of her sisters bolts with a horse-mad young lord, and her own fiancé just plain runs away.
Which leaves Tess contemplating marriage to the sort of man she wishes to avoid -- one of London's most infamous rakes. Lucius Felton is a rogue whose own mother considers him irredeemable! He's delicious, Annabel points out. And he's rich, Josie notes. But although Tess finally consents to marry him, it may be for the worst reason of all. Absurd as she knows it to be, she may have fallen utterly in love . . .
We first meet the Essex sisters with Much Ado About You, Tess’ story.
As the eldest sister, Tess knows that she must make a brilliant match to help overcome the challenges in the wake of her father’s passing.
From Scotland, the girls travel to their new home…stranger the Duke of Holbrook had committed sight unseen to being named ward of the girls. He’s expecting children, and is surprised to meet four young ladies with nothing more than the horse each has been bequeathed as dowry.
Kiss Me, Annabel by Eloisa James Published by Harper Collins on October 13, 2009
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Scottish, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
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The rules of marriage . . . according to Miss Annabel Essex
A husband must be:
Rich.
Make that very rich. She's had enough of leaky roofs and thread-worn clothing.
English.
London is the center of the civilized world, and Annabel has a passion for silk and hot water.
Amiable.
Good-looking would be nice, but not necessary. Same for intelligent.
Isn't she lucky? She's found just the man! And her chosen spouse is nothing like the impoverished Scottish Earl of Ardmore, who has nothing but his gorgeous eyes, his brain—and his kisses—to recommend him.
So what cruel twist of fate put her in a carriage on her way to Scotland with just that impoverished earl and all the world thinking they're man and wife? Sleeping in the same bed? Not to mention the game of words started by the earl—in which the prize is a kiss. And the forfeit . . .
Well. They are almost married, after all!
Annabel is the spoiled and vain sister who finds herself unluckily wed to a penniless earl who is taking her back to Scotland (a place she would prefer to never go to again!).
The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James Published by HarperCollins on March 28, 2006
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / General
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
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Imogen, Lady Maitland, has decided to dance on the wild side. After all, she's in the delicious position of being able to take a lover. A discreet male who knows just when to leave in the morning.
But Lady Maitland is still under the watchful eye of her former guardian, the wildly untamed Rafe, the Duke of Holbrook. He believes she is still in need of a "watchdog." She laughs at the idea that someone so insufferably lazy and devoted to drink can demand that she behave with propriety.
It's Rafe's long-lost brother, a man who looks precisely like the duke but with none of his degenerate edge, who interests Imogen. To Imogen, he's the shadow duke . . . the man who really should hold the title. But when Imogen agrees to accompany Gabe to a masquerade...whose masked eyes watch her with that intense look of desire? Who exactly is she dancing with? The duke or the shadow duke? Rafe . . . or Gabe?
Taming the Duke is a lovely story involving long lost brothers. (I don’t want to spoil the series by revealing too much, but this one is great!)
Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James Published by Harper Collins on October 13, 2009
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
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The conclusion of New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James's Essex Sisters series!
Fueled by the knowledge that notoriety is better than failure, witty, unconventional Josie does what no proper young lady should—she challenges fate. She discards her corset and flirts outrageously. She attends the horse races and allows an arrogant rakehell to whisk her behind the stables for a surreptitious kiss . . . and is caught!
She doesn't want to marry the young hellion—but who's to help? Her chaperone keeps disappearing for mysterious appointments; her guardian is on his wedding trip; and his friend the Earl of Mayne is too busy staring into the eyes of his exquisite French fiancÉe.
Can a marriage forced by stuffy convention and unwilling desire become the match of the season?
And finally, the youngest Essex sister has her own surprising adventure in one of my all time favorite hist-ros, Pleasure for Pleasure (which I have read at least five times and will probably read five more!)
Although characters in these series originally pop up in earlier books, this is a great place to start if you are new to Eloisa James. The heroines and heroes are human, warmly written and ultimately identifiable (and lovable!).
James shines at her craft here, and sets a high standard for her contemporaries.
I recommend purchasing the whole set and blazing through them. You will find yourself returning again and again to enjoy these stories and Eloisa James!
I have to agree…I love these books and the characters are fun. The last two are my favorites from EJ.