The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander

Oh man you just gotta love a tawdry romance! Sure this book is predictable and smutty but that's half of it's charm. While this is not as good as some of Victoria Alexander's other books it was still good.

Synopsis (from barnesandnoble.com): When the Earl of Wyldewood meets Sabrina Winfield, he thinks he's found the ideal match. Graceful and genteel, the elegant blonde will look simply exquisite displayed on his arm. And a lady like Sabrina will undoubtedly occupy her time with proper matters, leaving him free to pursue his own pleasures . . .
But beneath Sabrina's delicate beauty lies the most infuriatingly stubborn, wildly adventurous woman the earl has ever met. She's nothing like the perfect wife he had imagined. And before long, all he can think of is quieting her biting wit (with his kisses), putting an end to her outlandish schemes (with his own carefully planned seduction), and doing everything in his power to become the perfect husband.

Dislikes: The story was really slow at times and could have been a little more exciting. The cover is kind of blah.

Likes: Sabrina is strong and an older woman which I thought was a nice change from a 19 year old virgin leading lady. Earl of Wyldewood is hott. A descent historical romance read.

Belle by Melanie Jackson

This was an interesting and entertaining read. Every once in a while I just get in the mood for a historical romance.

Synopsis (from melaniejackson.com): With the letter breaking his engagement, Stephan Kirton's hopes for respectability -- and his chance at happiness -- went up in smoke. He supposed it was inevitable; his travels abroad, his "interaction with the lower classes", had put him beyond the scope of polite society. Oh, those and the fact that he was a bastard. He could still find consolation, though. Ormstead Park was a place for dancing and flirting, for drinking and gambling... and those came before less innocent sports. It was a place where he could find a woman for the night. Instead, she found him.

He didn't recognize her at first; real ladies didn't come to Lord Duncan's masked balls, and this young beauty -- as he recalled from his youth -- was just that. Her descent into this netherworld had brought her within reach, yet this was no girl of the day. Annabelle Winston was sublime. And if he had to trick her, bribe her, dare her, or get her drunk... if he had to protect her, server her, save her, whatever -- one way or another he would make an honest woman out of her. And she would make a happy man out of him.

My Thoughts: This book is beginning to end fun. There is romance, adventure, humor and can be read in one sitting on a rainy afternoon. Belle is courageous yet naive all at the same time. Stephan can be dominating and gentle. I would recommend. A good read.

The one complaint I have is of the cover. While reading the book the Belle in my mind did not resemble the girl from the cover. There is nothing interesting about the cover which is boring.