Blackmoore

From Goodreads:    Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a very satisfying story with lots of tension and heartache! I loved it!

-    I know it is unfair to compare this with Edenbrooke, and I know they are two separate stories, but I can't help comparing them. I enjoyed Edenbrooke a lot, but Blackmoore was even better!

-    I loved Kate so much more than Marianne! Kate has more depth and character, and she wasn't as annoying.

-    I loved the inner struggles of Kate. She was so torn and lost, and I loved how she wanted to be free from her "cage". 

-    I loved Philip in Edenbrooke, and I like Henry a lot too. I don't know which is my favorite, but I'm leaning towards Philip. Although I did picture Richard Armitage as Henry the whole time :)

-    I was SO scared that the ending was going to be sad! I didn't know how things were going to turn out until the very last pages. I loved it! The ending was not how I predicted.

-    I loved the description of Blackmoore and the surrounding areas. I felt like I fell in love with the estate just because of the character's love for it and the way they described it. 

-    The relationship between Kate and Henry was perfect! I am a big fan of long life friendships turning into love! My heart ached and rejoiced for these two! 

-    Kate's mother was atrocious! I would be so embarrassed by her too, and I would have wanted to run away as well! What a fickle control freak!

-    I didn't read this book as fast as I normally read books. I was trying to savor it! 

-    I really liked how Kate's past was a bit mysterious. I liked the flashback chapters where we got to learn why Kate became the way she is. 

-    I loved how Edenbrooke and Blackmoore were very different. I enjoyed the gothic feel of Blackmoore and the darker moods. It was fun! 

Blackmoore Launch Party

On Tuesday, some friends and I went up to The King's English for Julianne Donaldson's launch party. It was a strange party. I was expecting chairs, but no!

They had some yummy food, including a Blackmoore cake.

Here is everyone mingling! I didn't like it. I wanted to sit in a chair and listen to the author talk about her book. Instead, we awkwardly wandered around the gallery.

At least there was some eye candy in tails! They were really tall!

Here is Jenni, Me, the author, and Suey! I had fun with these gals!

Edenbrooke

From Goodreads:    Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will she be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

My Thoughts:

-    I've heard lots of great things about this book, but I wasn't sure how I'd like it because it is a romance. I enjoyed the book, but probably not as much as others.

-    Why are all the people in this time period so witty and clever? I'm so jealous! I wish to banter with people like that!

-    Marianne is an emotional fool! I suppose she could just be called a girl. She was also dramatically delicate. She needs to eat more or workout or something because normal people don't faint and almost faint that much! 

-    I think the female sex reads and loves books from the Regency time period for the men. Besides the lovely estates, the way they talk, and the clothes, the swoon worthy gentlemen are the highlight of these books!

-    Philip is a very swoon worthy gentlemen. I love how it describes the desire, the teasing, and other looks in his eyes. I also love how he always knew the perfect thing to say.

-    I admit, I get caught up in the grandeur of books like this. 

-    The ending is very captivating! I couldn't read fast enough. I love how a little thrill and danger was thrown into the story. 

-    This was a really fun read. Marianne's pining, swooning, and uncertainty bugged me at times, but I still think this is a great book.