So I read Kristie’s, Dreaming of You, about a couple of week’s ago. I was so impressed with Lisa Kleypas’s writing that I went and bought up her entire backlist. Yes, I have a habit of judging writers by one book, this can sometimes be risky, but what the hell, it’s only money right? *g*
Sarah Fielding is a well-bred gal who was brought up by aging parents in a small village called Greenwood Corners. She has been seeing the same bloke for over four years, but they have yet to share more than a chaste kiss. Indeed, her betrothed doesn’t seem in any great hurry to marry her, a fact which was starting to piss Sarah off.
All his life, Derek Craven has worked hard to escape the abject poverty that he was born into. Abandoned by a slut-faced ho of a mother, Derek was brought up by local prostitutes until he was old enough to go out and work as a climbing boy, cleaning chimneys. Various morally questionable ways of making money, finally enabled him to open up what has now become London’s most exclusive gaming club, which in turn provided the means for his entry into London’s Rich List.
Sarah is a writer conducting research on the seedier side of London, when she witnesses some thugs giving Derek a good going over.
Being the saintly and brave maiden that she is, she goes to his aid, and ends up shooting and killing one of the men who set upon poor Derek.
Derek can scarcely believe that this virginal goody two shoes was the one to come to his rescue, and feels obligated to let her conduct her research within the confines of his gambling club.
DC is inexplicably attracted to Sarah, and he finds himself having all kinds of wild carnal thoughts about her.
Sarah, being the gently bred, prim and proper woman that she is, is also amazed to find that she wants to climb onto Derek’s well-used cod-piece, and have her wicked way with him, but alas she has a fiance already, so she tries to resist his charms.
As these two people get to know each other, sparks fly at every turn, and soon, Derek grows to recognise and appreciate the strength of character, and inner beauty that Sarah has.
Trusting a woman is unchartered territory for him, and it will take all of Sarah’s patience and understanding to win this rascal over.
My Verdict
Yes, Kristie, I really liked it. Really really liked it.
I definitely have a thing for bad boys, and Derek Craven was the quintessential badass. It also helped that I thought the heroine was pretty fab too. Even if she was a virgin. *g*
I really liked Kleypas’s voice. She was remarkably easy to read, and I loved her overall characterisation. There wasn’t a single superfluous character in the entire book, and I loved how much effort she put into her secondary character’s individual stories. I also like the fact that she’s not afraid to include raunchy love scenes in her book. I must admit, I was expecting lukewarm sex scenes that I would have to skip over, but guess what, I didn’t hate it, and gulped down every line like it was manna from heaven.
LK managed to keep my undivided attention all the way through the book, and with my life as hectic as it is at the moment, that’s no small feat.
Like I said, based on this book alone, I went and bought up most of her backlist. Yes, all the books were bought new, so Kriste, damn you, you did it again. I’d say that was two out of two, wouldn’t you?
BTW, I’ve read 9 of her books so far, and I have loved them all. Even the flawed ones. How mad is that?
I think even readers who usually pass on historicals will dig this one. It’s a definite keeper.
Dawn, I think you’ll like this one too. If you send me your address, I’ll even let you borrow it!
Oh and another thing, I’ve decided to overlook the fact that she’s pals with that sanctimonious Elizabeth Bevarly. I guess nobody’s perfect huh? Big sigh…
Andrea
March 26
9:53 pm
I can’t believe you just said that about Elizabeth Bevarly! I just DIDN’T finish one of her books because of it’s ridiculous sanctimonious tone. And when I attempted to send her an email telling her what I thought, SURPRISE she has no workable email link! Blech. No longer a buy for me, not even a library read. Too little time to read crap.
Kristie (J)
March 26
10:00 pm
LOL – Holy Shit Karen – I said just the one and here you went and bought up the whole damn lot of them *g* Glad you liked it! And that I don’t have to figure out a way to send the British pounds or Eurodollars across the ocean. Because I would have – I really would have.
Angela James
March 26
10:35 pm
lmao Karen, I feel exactly the same about Elizabeth Bevarly and I think it’s likely you and I formed our impressions over the same thing.
Don’t tell Kristie but I asked Sybil yesterday to tell me which books I needed to order and I ordered them this morning (funny enough, well before I read your post this evening, lol). That Kristie, she’s got some evil mojo 😉
Lori
March 26
11:58 pm
Woohoo Karen!! I KNEW you would love this book!
Rocio
March 27
12:39 am
but what the hell, it’s only money right? *g*
Awwwwww! did you really said that??? There´s still hope!!! LOL!
that was an amazing review, and likely to become another pocket cancer to me!..I just won´t try and read it while I´m waiting for a plane! If you get out of space for all those books, I could be your keeper, only for the good books and for a very cheap price!
Loreley
March 27
12:46 am
Isn’t it a fantastic book? Do you know the first part of the series “Then came You”? What a fabulous story!
By the way, what is the matter with Elizabeth Bevarly, did I miss some juicy gossip? *lol*
I don’t like her books either, boring, boring, booooooooooring!
Mailyn
March 27
3:54 am
Yay another Derek fan! He is the ultimate suave bad boy lol. I seriously loved that book.
Did you like Devil in WInter as well? That’s a close second and all the Derek references made my day lol
🙂
Anonymous
March 27
5:51 am
Oy, Elizabeth Bevarly’s books are dull as hell. I tried reading a couple of her books recently (they were freebies) and I just couldn’t get into any of them.
I guess I’ll have to get Dreaming Of You now to see what all the fuss is about!
Stacy~
March 27
5:57 am
I love this book! I am a long-time LK fan – along with Judith McNaught she’s my favorite historical romance writer (Sylvia Day is catching up – after reading her sizzling Bad Boys Ahoy, I think I’ve found another fave)
Another fave LK book is “Where Dreams Begin”. Zachary Bronson is hot, a rough-around-the-edges hero who needs a wife, and oh, man, I’d volunteer in a heartbeat 😉 I highly recommend it.
Never read a EB book, so I have no idea who she is. Guess I’m not missing anything(?)
Dawn
March 27
8:15 am
Hey Karen, thanks for the thought. How bout we do a “swap lend”. I’ve just re-read Justine Davis’s “A Whole Lot of Love”, which has a big chick, and still enjoyed it. I’ll email you.
ag
March 27
5:06 pm
Hi Karen,
I don’t think you’ll regret it. I see you’ve also fallen for Derek. Sara saved the book for me, it’s firmly on my keeper shelf, and I’m waiting for DiW.
Hope you’ll like Nick Gentry — he’s one of the runners, and he’s in Worth Any Price.
Hey Stacy,
I remember Zachary. He’s bold as brass and such an alpha male with a capital A. And boy, was he tenacious in his pursuit of Holly.
Valeen
March 27
6:02 pm
*sorry, still trying to get the hang of this blog stuf*
I’m so glad to find another lady who loved this book! Its fabulous and Craven has to be one of my all-time favorite heroes.
If Devil In Winter ranks up there with this book I think I might just bump it a little higher in my TBR.
Lanie
March 27
11:02 pm
I really like LK, her writing just sucks me in. That said. I’ve never read Dreaming of You. I know, I know. It’s on my Must Buy list though LOL.
sybil
March 29
8:06 am
LOL
Kristie hon you should be getting kick backs from kleypas ;).
Glad you liked the book Karen. What else have you read so far? I love them. I can’t think of a one I have read that I hated and yes I can overlook crap if it is a kleypas book. Her writing is great. Of course DiW is my current fave.
Anonymous
August 30
11:56 pm
I have read almost all of Lisa Kleypas’s historical romance novels and love them. However, I know she has about 5 or 6 early books which are now out of print. I would love to see these books published again so all of us can read them.