[Druckfrisch] 24.–30. August 2011

Wie immer Ende des Monats nur vereinzelte deutsche Nachzügler, aber viele englische Bücher – aufgrund meiner Schwerpunktsetzung vorwiegend Historicals.

 

Stephanie Laurens: Cynster 16 – Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue
Determined to hunt down her very own hero, one who will sweep her off her feet and into wedded bliss, and despairing of finding him in London’s staid ballrooms, Heather Cynster steps out of her safe world and boldly attends a racy soiree.

But her promising hunt is ruined by the supremely interfering Viscount Breckenridge, who whisks her out of scandal-and straight into danger when a mysterious enemy seizes her, bundles her into a coach, and conveys her out of London.

Now it’s up to the notorious Breckenridge to prove himself the hero she’s been searching for all along…

Victoria Dahl: York Family 02 – It’s Always Been You
In their youth, Aidan York and Kate Hamilton had fallen head over heels in love, and spent nearly a year daring secret meetings and romantic interludes. But Kate’s family refused his proposal. Kate begged Aidan to take her away to Gretna Green and marry her, but he’d hesitated, arguing that they should proceed cautiously. Kate had called Aidan a coward and cad. Aidan had accused her of being spoiled and childish. They’d parted with even harsher words, with Kate threatening to marry the first man her family chose for her, and Aidan encouraging her to marry anyone she damn well liked. But he hadn’t expected her to actually follow through with her threat.

Tessa Dare: Spindle Cove 01 – A Night to Surrender
Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters . . . and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

Cathy Maxwell: Scandals and Seductions 05 – The Seduction of Scandal
Lady Corinne, rebellious daughter of the duke of Banfield, refuses to marry Lord Freddie Sherwin. Yes, he’s the catch of the Season and the man her father chose for her. He’s also the most despicable male of her acquaintance. With her wedding only weeks away, she flees and finds herself a prisoner of the notorious Thorn!

The rich and powerful tremble at the highwayman’s name, while England’s villagers rejoice in his bold exploits. His identity is a secret; his life a mystery— until Lady Corinne tumbles into his arms. If the Thorn wants her silence, he must hide her until her wedding day passes. It’s a devil’s bargain and one that can only lead to a hangman’s noose.

Corinne believes it the perfect plan—until her highwayman reveals a passionate lover’s heart, and she realizes that in the seduction of scandal, she may have found the hero she’s been waiting for her whole life.

Katharine Ashe: Rogues of the Sea 03 – In the Arms of a Marquess
Miss Octavia Pierce is witty, well-off . . . and shockingly unwed. Still, she is far too successful in society to remain on the shelf forever, and her family has hopes that Octavia will finally make the perfect match. What they don’t know is that, years earlier, Octavia was scandalously tempted by the one man capable of sweeping her off her feet— the man now known as the Marquess of DoreÉ.

A third son, never meant to inherit, Lord Ben DoreÉ has abandoned his past and grown accustomed to his illustrious new position of wealth and power. But he has never forgotten Octavia, and now she desperately needs his help in a most dangerous, clandestine matter. Although she claims she has put the memories of the passion they shared behind her, Ben is determined to once again have her in his arms—and in his bed.

Jenny Brown: Astrology 02 – Star Crossed Seduction
Shrewd and wily, pickpocket Temperance Smith needs no man’s favor to survive on London’s unforgiving streets—even when she’s caught red-handed by an officer of the hated dragoons.

On leave from India to find a proper bride in London, Captain Miles Trevelyan is easy prey for a seasoned pickpocket like Temperance. But when the dazzling thief steals first his wallet, then his heart, his pursuit throws them into a deadly world of treason and betrayal that will force them to question everything they know about love, loyalty, and desire. For there can be no middle ground for these two stormy-tempered Scorpios entangled in the star-crossed romance that threatens to destroy them both . . .

 

Caroline Linden: One Night in London: The Truth About the Duke
Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case . . . if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . . and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

Lynsay Sands: Deed 01 – The Deed
Lady Emmalene Eberhart wanted to do it. She’d even begged an audience with the King so that he would order her husband to do it— because she was determined to be a good wife. But then her husband died, and Emma remained a virgin.

Now the innocent young beauty finds herself with an ample dowry and promised to Amaury de Aneford, a landless knight whose able sword helped defend the King’s crown. Surely her new husband would want to do the deed, for his rugged good looks certainly make Emma’s heart skip more than a beat. And Emma suspects there is more to a wedding night than just a sound sleep . . . and more to true love than she ever imagined. (Neuauflage)

 

Victoria Dahl: Donovan Brothers Brewery 01 – Good Girls Don’t
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their „baby“ sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.

Susan Mallery: Fool’s Gold 05 – Only Yours
Montana Hendrix has found her calling—working with therapy dogs. With a career she loves in a hometown she adores, she’s finally ready to look for her own happily ever after. Could one of her dogs help her find Mr. Right… or maybe Dr. Right?
Surgeon Simon Bradley prefers the sterility of the hospital to the messiness of real life, especially when real life includes an accident-prone mutt and a woman whose kisses make him want what he knows he can’t have. Scarred since childhood, he avoids emotional entanglement by moving from place to place to heal children who need his skillful touch. Can his growing feelings for Montana lead him to find a home in Fool’s Gold, or will he walk away, taking her broken heart with him?

 

Jeaniene Frost: Night Huntress World 06 – One Grave at a Time
Having narrowly averted an (under)World War, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans’s voodoo queen just keeps on giving—leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity—forever. But one wrong step and they’ll be digging their own graves.

Richelle Mead: Georgina Kincaid 06 – Succubus Revealed
In Georgina Kincaid, succubus and she-demon, #1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead has created one of her most enticing characters. But with a shot at love, and maybe even redemption, is the ultimate seductress finally going soft? Like hell she is. . .

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina’s boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can’t just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she’s being forced to transfer operations. . .to Las Vegas.

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina’s allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell’s most valuable assets, but if there’s any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won’t include the one man she’s risking everything for. . .

 

Syrie James: Die geheimen Memoiren der Jane Austen (OT: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen)
Jane Austens einzige große Liebe Begegnete Jane Austen 1809 im Seebad Lyme ihrem persönlichen Mr. Darcy? Zumindest vermutete das ihre Schwester Cassandra. Syrie James schließt sich dieser Vermutung an, denn von Januar 1809 bis April 1811 ist nichts über das Schicksal der Autorin von „Stolz und Vorurteil“ bekannt. Eine bezaubernde Liebesgeschichte á la Jane Austen mit Jane Austen und eine mögliche Antwort auf die Frage, woher die Autorin ihre Erfahrungen in Sachen Liebe nahm.

 

Tara Hudson: Hereafter 01 – Wenn du mich siehst (OT: Hereafter)
Amelia ist 18 – zum Zeitpunkt ihres Todes. Seitdem streift sie als ruheloser Geist durch die Kleinstadt, in der sie einst zur Schule ging, mit Freunden die Nachmittag verbrachte, lernte, lachte, liebte: All dies scheint ihr unwiderruflich verloren. Doch dann lernt sie Joshua kennen, der mit seinem Wagen über die Böschung schießt und beinahe ertrinkt – in jenem Fluss, in dem Amelia ihren Tod fand. In letzter Minute wird er gerettet. Tief in den dunklen Fluten aber erblickt er für einen Sekundenbruchteil Amelia, die ihm in dem verzweifelten Versuch zu helfen hinterhergesprungen ist. Und das Wunder geschieht: Die Gabe, Amelia sehen, hören und sogar berühren zu können, bleibt Joshua erhalten. Er trifft sich mit ihr und die anfängliche Beklommenheit beider weicht bald einer zarten Liebe. An seiner Seite kann Amelia das unheimliche Zwischenreich, in dem sie einer Gefangenen gleich orientierungslos umherirrte, verlassen und ein Stück weit ins Leben zurückkehren. Doch ihr Glück ist nur von kurzer Dauer: Denn da ist noch jemand, der Amelia sehen kann, jemand, der Böses im Sinn hat und sie endgültig ins Jenseits befördern will …

 

Charlaine Harris: Aurora Teagarden 01 – Echte Morde (OT: Real Murders)
Eine wendungsreiche Handlung und ausreichend Blutvergießen machen diesen ersten Roman um die Bibliothekarin Aurora „Roe“ Teagarden aus der Feder Charlaine Harris’, der „Mutter“ von Sookie Stackhouse, zu einem echten Lesevergnügen. Eine Mordserie nach dem Vorbild berühmter Tötungsdelikte erschüttert die kleine Gemeinde Lawrenceton im US-Bundesstaat Georgia. Die achtundzwanzigjährige Hobbydetektivin gehört zu dem Club „Echte Morde“, einer Gruppe von 12 Krimifans, die sich einmal im Monat treffen, um sich mit berühmten oder ungelösten Verbrechen zu befassen. Zu Beginn eines dieser Treffen findet Roe die Leiche eines Clubmitglieds. Sie erkennt den Modus Operandi als genau den wieder, um den sich das Treffen drehen sollte – und muss plötzlich tatsächlich ermitteln. Der Mörder findet derweil weitere Opfer, jeweils im Stil eines anderen historischen Verbrechens. Roe wird selbst zur Zielscheibe und findet zudem zwei Verehrer, einen jüngst nach Lawrenceton gezogenen berühmten Krimiautor namens Robin Crusoe und den Kriminalbeamten Arthur Smith, der ebenfalls dem Club angehört. Der Tod scheint ihr dahinsiechendes Sozialleben wiederbelebt zu haben, eine Ironie, die der nachdenklichen Heldin nicht entgeht.