Category Archives: Historical

Desperately seeking a husband . . .

Suzette is not like other heiresses; she wants a poor husband, a gentleman who will be so grateful for her dowry that he will allow her access to it so that she can pay off her father’s gambling debts. When this alluring beauty encounters Daniel Woodrow—handsome, titled, single . . . and even more impoverished than she could have hoped for—it seems Suzette’s wildest dreams have come true.

But Daniel has not been truthful. Tired of being accosted by an endless stream of vapid coquettes and their fortune-hunting mothers, Daniel has decided to plead poverty to stop them in their tracks. Yet here is a most refreshing and delectable lady, who claims to be thrilled by his penury. Now all Daniel has to do to find true happiness is to keep a little white lie alive . . . while avoiding a villain who’s determined to prevent this union by any means necessary. (from Goodreads)

Like the previous book in this series (The Countess), The Heiress is a bit of a disappointment.  Lynsay Sands books are generally very funny.  Although this one has its moments, it is not up to her usual standards.

This book takes place for the most part at the same time as The Countess.  As a matter of fact, it is 200 pages before any truly new material is introduced.  The explanations given of the back story are clumsy and poorly written.  I realize each book is supposed to be able to be read as a standalone, but how realistic is that really?

I was also disappointed that there was no further development in the relationship between the third sister, Lisa, and her probably suitor Robert.  I have read somewhere that the third book is not scheduled for release until sometime in 2012.  I find that odd because the first two were only release a month apart.

I am afraid that only a true Lynsay Sands fan will enjoy these books.  I hope no one uses them as an introduction to her work.

The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after . . .

Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters’ debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing’s happened . . .

Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title . . . only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited “wife”— certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new “husband” . . . and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts! (from Goodreads)

I love Lynsay Sands.  I started reading her vampire books originally and did not realize she wrote historicals until a year or so ago.  I think they are even better than the vampire ones.

Having said all that, this is not one of her best books.  There were way too many places where a complete suspension of belief was necessary.  Also, I felt that too much of the book was obviously a setup for the sequels.  There are three sisters, so the sequels are necessary, but the first book was fragmented unnecessarily.

Will this keep me from reading the next book?  Not a chance.  Even if this book is not one of her best, I can depend on Lynsay Sands to make me laugh out loud at some point.