Monday, February 20, 2012

New Releases: Historical Romances Feb-May 2012

It's time to highlight a few upcoming 2012 new releases. There are quite a few upcoming historical romances releasing within the next few months that I'm really looking forward to reading. Here are just a few of them, beginning with the end of February and ending with May 2012.

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Title: The Temporary Wife/A Promise of Spring by Mary Balogh
Release Date: February 28, 2012
In two classic tales of Regency-era romance from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh, the vagaries of love have a way of challenging the most convenient arrangements.

THE TEMPORARY WIFE
Miss Charity Duncan has no illusions about Lord Anthony Earheart’s proposal. The arrogant aristocrat has made it painfully clear what he wants: a wife who will enrage the father he despises and then disappear from his life. In exchange, Charity’s family will receive the money they desperately need. But after Charity agrees to this mockery of matrimony, she soon discovers a startling fact: She has fallen for Anthony, and breaking their marriage vows may also break her heart.

A PROMISE OF SPRING
Grace Howard has every reason to be devoted to Sir Peregrine Lampman. After all, the gallant gentleman rescued her from poverty by making her his bride. Even more nobly, he did not withdraw his affection after she confessed to a youthful folly that had compromised her virtue. But Grace did not tell the whole truth about the handsome lord who betrayed her—and now the one thing she’s kept from Perry threatens to destroy her last chance at true love.
The Temporary Wife (1997) and A Promise of Spring (1990) were originally released by Signet. They have been out of print forever! Dell is re-releasing both of those books under one cover, and as I'm a Balogh fan, this is a "must buy/must read" for me.
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Title: The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne by Madeline Hunter
Series: The Fairbourne Quartet, Book #1
Release Date: March 6, 2012
A woman running a prestigious London auction house? Preposterous! But that is exactly what Emma Fairbourne intends to do when her father dies, leaving her the reins of this fabulous enterprise. Of course, she is not addlepated enough to do this openly and scare away her wealthy collectors. So she and her friend concoct a deception, hiring a handsome and charming front man who will do her bidding...

All would have proceeded smoothly--if it weren't for the maddening interference of Darius, the arrogant Earl of Southwaite, who has been her father's "silent partner" and now shares ownership of Fairbourne's. An earl, of course, has no interest in running an auction house--and Darius is certainly not interested in allowing the lovely Miss Fairbourne to run it either, her ludicrous scheme notwithstanding. Clearly the business must be sold.

But the headstrong Emma is like no other lady he has ever encountered, refusing to follow his dictates. Holding his temper in check, Darius decides to attack on a different front. There is another way to achieve her surrender, one far more pleasurable for both of them...
I like Madeline Hunter's books. It has been a while since I read any of them, although I do have a few of them in my "to be read" pile. But this is an opportunity to begin with the first book of a new series. I'm getting on the bandwagon.
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Title: The Rake by Mary Jo Putney
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Fate has given a disgraced Rake one final chance to redeem himself--by taking his place as the rightful master of an ancestral estate. But nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with a beautiful lady who has fled a world filled with betrayal. Now he will awaken in her a passion more powerful than anything she has ever known--a passion that can doom or save them both if they dare to believe.
Here's another re-release! The Rake is one of Mary Jo Putney's most popular books. This book was originally released by Super Regency Signet in 1989 under the title "The Rake and the Reformer." It won the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Romance in 1990. The book has been re-released since then under the title The Rake, and now it's coming out again. I don't own this book, so I'm definitely getting this new version of the old classic. :)
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Title: The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures, Book #4
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart.

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late.

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.
And.... yay! Hart's book is coming! Am I going to miss the fourth book about the Mackenzie brothers? No way! I've liked Hart from the beginning and can't wait to find more about him. Plus I really liked Lady Eleanor in the last book. I'm curious, really curious. This is a "must read" for me.

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Title: The Proposal by Mary Balogh
Release Date: May 1, 2012
In Mary Balogh’s engaging and seductive new novel of drama and romance, a woman comfortable in her solitude allows temptation to free her heart, when a daring war hero shows her how truly extraordinary she is.

THE PROPOSAL

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her.

Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous—if beautiful—aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title now demand that he finds a wife. He doesn’t wish to court Lady Muir, nor have any role in the society games her kind thrives upon. Yet Hugo has never craved a woman more; Gwen’s guileless manner, infectious laugh, and lovely face have ruined him for any other woman. He wants her, but will she have him?

The hard, dour ex-military officer who so gently carried Gwen to safety is a man who needs a lesson in winning a woman’s heart. Despite her cautious nature, Gwen cannot ignore the attraction. As their two vastly different worlds come together, both will be challenged in unforeseen ways. But through courtship and seduction, Gwen soon finds that with each kiss, and with every caress, she cannot resist Hugo’s devotion, his desire, his love, and the promise of forever.
Mary Balogh is coming out with a new book, and I will not miss reading The Proposal. This is a long summary! It's about a Lady and a soldier. Ms. Balogh likes her soldiers and I love the way she portrays them. I will be looking for a fresh approach to her portrayals. I'm really looking forward to this book. :)

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So these are just a few of the upcoming historical romances I'm looking forward to reading from now until May 1st. How about you? Is there a historical romance you just cannot wait to read?


13 comments:

  1. Oh, I need to get me these Balogh books, I read the first two and I actually liked them a lot.

    and the last one in the least sounds just like my thing

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  2. If you haven't read The Temporary Wife you're in for a treat! It is my favorite of her old trads. Just an awesomely crafted book. I'm also looking forward to the new releases here! Some good stuff coming it seems.

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  3. O.M.G.! I have a copy of The Rake! I inherited it from my mother and I adore it! It is very battered, so I would love a new copy! It's a brilliant book! I love the hero to absolute pieces and IMHO the heroine is unconventional and I love her for that! Bring it on!

    Sorry...ummm...other books. I read a great review of Conor's Way (Laura Lee Guhrke) on GoodReads earlier and I wanted to try that :)

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  4. Alex, you'll be getting the Baloghs? LOL! Good. I know you're iffy about her, so I'm glad to hear that you liked the first two books. :D

    Phyl, I can't wait to read all of these. It's good to know that The Temporary Wife is a favorite of yours, I'll read it with care.

    Orannia, I thought of you when I saw that The Rake was being re-released. I remember you posted about the book being a favorite before. I think it's a great way to update or replace old books, or get to read out of print books. I'm excited too!

    RE: Conor's Way by Guhrke. There are some awesome reviews about that book around! Just check out Phyl's site, Breezing Through and Wendy's site. The book is for sale at amazon for 0.99 cents on ebook. I bought it and will be reading it too!

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  5. Great books - I'll have to add these to my list - especially the Balogh.

    I'm reading A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean right now but technically it doesn't come out until Feb. 28th. I'm also looking forward to:
    Blame it on Bath by Caroline Linden (Feb. 28)
    Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels (March 20)
    Beguiling the Beast by Sherry Thomas (May 1)
    They all sound so good. I'm especially looking forward to reading the Thomas - I love her books.

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  6. Trace, a new Balogh is always a great addition! IMHO, lol.

    You have a great list of reads coming up too! I'll looking up the MacLean and the Michaels. I've only read the first two books that Sherry Thomas wrote but haven't followed up on the rest. I'll wait for your review!

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  7. Nice list. The Hunter book looks promising along with the Balogh. Confession time... I've never read a Mary Balogh book. I think I will start here.

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  8. Oh Brie! Mary Balogh is a favorite of mine... character driven romances. I hope you enjoy this book and other books if you decide to read her backlist. She has plenty of great books there! I'm still catching up with some of her best books.

    I'm looking forward to reading the Hunter. I'm hoping this will be a good series.

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  9. I want to read all of these now! Thanks a lot, Hils.. ;)

    I bought Conor's Way last week myself and read it over the weekend. I loved it like everyone else did. I have to go revisit all those tbr challenge reviews now. I see it's listed at $3.99 now. It is lendable through kindle so I could lend it to someone but I haven't tried to do that before. Anyone know how?

    I am looking forward to:
    A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
    At Your Pleasure by Meredith Duran

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  10. Very nice list :) But how comes it's all historical? LOL.

    I might give the Madeline Hunter a try. It sounds pretty interesting :) Most probably getting the Jennifer Ashley as well.

    And is The Proposal HC?

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  11. Christine, isn't this a great list? I'm a little impatient waiting for them to release. :) And you read Conor's Way already! I hope to read it next month... I'm glad I got m copy of the book at the 0.99 cent price.

    I saw the new Meredith Duran book and just KNEW you'd be getting it... LOL! I'll look forward to your review!

    Nath, I decided to feature historical romances for a change... sigh... I'm looking forward to reading quite a few of them. :) I know we're both looking forward to the Jennifer Ashley book.

    The Proposal by Mary Balogh IS a hardcover and also available in ebook format. :)

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  12. I just realized that I put Sherry Thomas's new book as Beguiling the Beast. Duh. It's Beguiling the Beauty. BIG difference. lol Sorry.

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  13. LOL Tracy! I can see how you made that mistake! I didn't even notice the error in the title until you mentioned it, but yes... there's a HUGE difference. LOLOL!

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