Lisa Kleypas
Mine Till Midnight (2007)
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Romance (Historical)
Plot Summary:
After the Hathaways' parents have died and the viscount son becomes an alcoholic, Amelia assumes the role as the head of the family. When her brother goes out drinking and is missing for days, Amelia searches for him in London's taverns and brothels. She meets Cam Rohan, who is part Gypsy, in a gambling den, and he uses his knowledge of the city and his self-proclaimed Gypsy instinct for direction to find her brother. Cam finds himself attracted to Amelia's independence and innocence, and assuming that he will never see her again, he steals a kiss before she leaves London. Amelia then moves the family to a run-down estate in Hampshire to distance her brother from the city's vices, but she finds that Cam is visiting the family on the neighboring estate. Resigned to be a spinster after having her heart broken years earlier, she states that she does not want a husband controlling life, but she cannot fight her attraction to Cam. Despite his feelings for her, Cam thinks he should not marry Amelia because of the discrimination she would face for marrying a Gypsy. SPOILER: A fire destroys part of the Hathaways' house, forcing them to stay at their neighbors' estate with Cam. Cam uses his fortunes to rebuild the house, and he also helps Amelia's brother deal with his depression. Amelia learns to relax her controlling ways and decides to marry Cam.
Geographical Setting: London and Hampshire, England
Time Period: 1848
Series: The Hathaways, Book 1
Appeal Characteristics:
The historical, upper class setting of Kleypas' novel helps to create an atmosphere in which feelings of attraction conflict with societal rules of propriety. Characters know that if they act on their desires, they could damage their reputations. Desires and emotions in this romance add a sensual tone, but the story also has a humorous tone at times. Aristocrats shooting rockets, children bringing pet lizards to dinner, and other light-hearted situations occur throughout the book. Kleypas' use of dialogue and quick banter between characters move the story along quickly. Although the story is set in the nineteenth century, Kleypas' writing style is more natural instead of dense or ornate with historical details and phrases. The natural style adds to the quick pace since the dialogue is easy to understand. The storyline is action oriented with the main focus on Amelia and Cam, their encounters, and the situations they each face. Kleypas also includes strong secondary characters, many of which have their own plotlines. Amelia's brother suffers from depression after his fiance dies, her sister starts stealing items from their neighbors, and her friend nearly dies from burn injuries. Characters are easily recognizable, and the dialogue makes them more realistic. Amelia is a caring, independent woman who thinks that she does not need a man in her life. Cam seems like the "bad boy" but actually wants to love and take care of Amelia.
Read-alikes: The next book in Kleypas' Hathaways series, Seduce Me at Sunrise, involves Amelia's sister Win and their Gypsy friend Merripen. Set a few years after Mine Till Midnight, this novel uses a similar historical frame emphasizing the conflict between propriety and desire. Once-frail Win has grown up into a healthy young woman, but Merripen thinks he could never be with her. Another man tries to court Win, so Merripen must decide if he should let her know about his feelings and his past. Quick dialogue and recognizable characters will be familiar to readers of the first Hathaways book. In the historical romance Never Lie to a Lady by Liz Carlyle, Xanthia investigates Stefan's possible involvement in a gun-smuggling case. The protagonist is another strong, independent female character whose attraction to Stefan would be seen as scandalous by society. The story is action oriented with Xanthia encountering criminals and spies. Almost a Princess by Elizabeth Thornton is set during the Regency period and includes a murder mystery. Case is searching for a murderer, and Jane has information that may help Case but will put herself in danger. Like Amelia Hathaway, Jane is a self-reliant woman who thinks she will never want a husband until she meets Case. The story is fast paced as Case follows clues and works quickly to keep others safe. The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is set in Victorian London. India works in a city hospital and must take care for Sid, a "crime lord," and both are surprised to find themselves falling in love with each other. When her fiance is determined to marry her to claim her family's fortune and Sid must leave London to escape his enemies, India must decide what is best for her. Similarly to Kleypas, Donnelly uses a natural style without too much focus on historical or medical details. The action oriented story moves from encounters between India and Sid, Sid's involvement in the criminal underground, and India's difficult decisions regarding her fiance and family. Like Amelia, Cordelia in Secrets of a Proper Lady by Victoria Alexander is happy to be single and independent. When her father plans for her to marry Daniel, Cordelia meets Daniel's secretary but gives him a false name. The secretary is actually Daniel, and the two fall in love without knowing the other's real identity. Alexander's story has a romantic and humorous tone as the main characters banter while trying to hide their true selves and true feelings. The dialogue is quick and witty which creates a fast pace.
Red Flags: Explicit sex; alcohol and some drug use; prostitutes; some profanity
Suddenly You (2001)
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Romance (Historical)
Plot Summary:
Amanda Briars, a renowned novelist, is going to officially be an old maid in less than a week. With her thirtieth birthday fast approaching, she decides she does not want to be a virgin for the rest of her life. As a birthday present to herself, she arranges to have a male prostitute sent to her house on her birthday. When the man arrives at her front door she pulls him inside and quickly explains that she has changed her mind. Unfortunately, Jack Devlin is not a prostitute. He is the ruthless owner of a huge publishing house and has come to tell her he has bought the publishing rights of her first novel. However, when Jack realizes who Amanda thinks he is, he cannot stop himself from playing along. Days later, Jack meets Amanda again and tells her who he really is. She is beyond horrified. She tells him she will never allow him to publish her novel, but he threatens to expose her for hiring a prostitute if she doesn't. They end up working together, and eventually ha
ving a love affair. SPOILER: Amanda ends her relationship with Jack, thinking he will never marry her, and gets engaged to another man. When Jack finds out she is pregnant with his child, he reclaims her. They get married, but their happiness is nearly destroyed when Amanda miscarries the baby. Jacks determination keeps them together, and they eventually have a child.
Geographical Setting: London, England
Time Period: 1836 (Early Victorian Era)
Appeal Characteristics:
This was the 2001 Romantic Times Award winner for Best Sensual Historical Romance. The sensual and erotic tone of this novel make this book impossible to put down. The fast pace is maintained through wonderful dialogue and just enough description to make the story seem real. The London setting, though not overly detailed, creates a perfect background for the story. The main characters are well-developed and more lifelike than is often found in other romance novels. They are not perfect people, which makes it easy for readers to put themselves in the characters' places. At the same time, the plot twists and turns will keep the reader guessing. Anyone familiar with romance novels will love the uniqueness of the storyline which includes the hiring of a male prostitute and a miscarriage. Anyone who loves historical romance but is looking for something unique will love this book.
Read-alikes: Anyone who enjoyed the particular style of Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas, should try reading another of her books, such as Where Dreams Begin. If you like Lisa Kleypas' writing style, you will want to read Bridal Favors by Connie Brockway. Those who enjoyed the Victorian setting, sensual language, and threat of blackmail will want to read Duke of Sin by Adele Ashworth, a story about a woman being blackmailed who must retrieve a manuscript from a Duke or have her secrets exposed. If you liked the London setting, the imperfections found in the main characters, and the unusual plot, you should try The Proposition by Judith Ivory. In this novel, a lady takes a bet that she can't pass a rat catcher off as a gentleman. Those who enjoyed reading a romance about a woman writer in the early 19th century should read Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. If you like historical romance with dominate male characters
forced to make their own way in life, you should read Christina Dodd's One Kiss From You. This is the tale of a man who has brought himself up from nothing and is now determined to become a member of the peerage, no matter the cost. Those wanting to read another Sensual Historical Romance Award winning novel will want to read Sinful Secrets by Thea Devine.
Red Flags: Includes graphic sex, graphic language, prostitution, and a miscarriage.
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