Nicola Davidson

Blake owns Purgatory where the aristocrats come to gamble and loss. When they cannot pay, Blake brings them to his cellar and takes it out of their hide literally. When he goes to collect the debt owed him by the Duke of Tolwick, the Duke offers up his widowed sister-in-law to settle the debt. Blake agrees but to a week, not the night originally offered. Estelle, the sister-in-law, agrees. She goes to Purgatory where Blake can do anything he wants with her. Will a week be enough for him? Will it be enough for her?

I enjoyed this story. I loved Estelle's reactions to so much of what Blake exposed her to. It was not what he expected. He got angry because she rouses feelings in him he thought were gone. She is outrageous at times especially when she finds his cellars. I loved how the employees at Purgatory fell in love with her. They knew their boss better than he knew himself. Estelle brings out parts of him that have been hidden for years.

I am glad these two found each other. I would love to see their further adventures.… (mere)

Maude goes to Keir when she learns he is hurt. Her late husband, the laird, had banished Keir after an altercation between them. Maude has always had feelings for Keir. He also has loved her for years. While there, a fire occurs, and they and Keir's niece escape through a tunnel he built in his cottage. When they get out, they find a chain locked on the door as well as threats. Callum, Maude's son and the current laird, lets the clan know Keir's banishment is lifted and that the fire at Keir's place was deliberate, designed to kill. Who is responsible for the fire? Will Callum allow his mother to be part of Keir's life?

I enjoyed this book. There was a lot happening. I liked that Maude and Keir were older. I enjoyed the laird telling his mother what he expected from her regarding Keir. I liked Keir's niece, Sorcha. She is an orphan, looking for the love she lost when her parents died. Keir is bewildered by her but tries to do his best. You can feel the unsp0ken love between them. When Sorcha gets hooked up with Isla, Maude's daughter-in-law, you know eventually Sorcha will be as much a handful at Isla.

I was glad that they found out who was responsible for the raid that killed Sorcha's parents as well as the fire that almost killed Maude, Keir, and Sorcha. I'm sorry to be leaving Glennoe. It is an enchanting place full of love.… (mere)

Five novellas centered around the Surrey SFS. I enjoyed them all. Each deals with a different couple and a different set of circumstances for their particular couple or threesome. This culminates with the last novella set at Christmas where they all come together at a house party and take the time to repair their relationships and move forward.

The first is My Lady's Lover with Beatrice as a lady's companion and Amelia who is married. Beatrice has been disowned by her family for her desires. Her desires for Amelia, for whom she works, show and help Amelia as her marriage weakens. I liked both ladies. I am glad Amelia had Beatrice to support her. I liked what happened.

Second comes to Tame a Wicked Widow where Madeline has been widowed and is now under attack from both sides of the family to remarry. Her side wants fresh money while her late husband's side wants her to become someone else's wife, so they don't have to bear the shame of her lichenous ways. The new earl, Ethan, has come back from his archeological studies in Egypt, to clean up his inheritance. When he meets Madeline, he has no idea what his relatives are talking about. She is perfect as she is but will they be able to make a match since he is younger than her plus there is very little money left? I loathed the relatives on both sides. I loved Madeline and Ethan. They are good together even as they get their wires crossed.

Next comes My Lord, Lady, and Gentleman where Joseph and Susanne's marriage is turning into a cold, loveless affair. Susanne is hoping that having Clayton paint an erotic painting of her will help her marriage. Clayton is hoping to be invited to share lives with the couple. Can it be done? I liked Clayton a lot. He is a bit over the top but he is fun. Joseph and Susanne are more subdued but I liked that Clayton is able to get both of them to talk to him and finally communicate with each other.

Fourth comes At His Lady's Command with Lady Portia and her bodyguard Randall. While Randall may have spent much of his adult life in the military, he has desires he cannot express. He knows Portia will be good for him but there is the class difference between them. Randall's past comes out. Portia's brother is a jerk but that is the impetus Randall needs. I was glad how it worked out.

Finally, we have A Very Surrey SFS Christmas with all of them gathered at Randall and Portia's for a Christmas house party. Each needs to work on something to revive their relationships as there are now two babies amongst them. There is also new situations for them all. Naturally, it all works out.

I enjoy Nicola Davidson. I plan on reading more of her work.… (mere)

Jack has been disabled with a hip problem since birth. His parents sent him at two-years-old to a family member in the country, so he was not an embarrassment to them. His father and two brothers died close together, and he becomes the Earl. The family's attorney comes to tell him. They have an accident while traveling to London and are rescued by Rosalind, a widow, whose manor they crashed outside of. Jack is the only one to survive. He stays until he is well. By then Jack and Rosalind have given into their attraction. When the truth comes out about Jack, what will Rosalind do? Will she have a place in Jack's life?

I enjoyed this book. I liked Jack and Rosalind. Both are plain spoken. Rosalind knows she is Jack's first lover, and she instructs him. He is a quick study. Rosalind also helps couples who have problems in their bedrooms. It is a couple Rosalind is helping that is the catalyst that causes problems between Jack and Rosalind, plus she is unwilling to listen to Jack's explanation. I liked Jack's plan to get Rosalind back.

His real mother is an unfeeling jerk. Fortunately, she gets the dowager house. I loved Rosalind's aunt and uncle. They are a hoot! Her daughter is a doll. Jack loses his heart to them all. That was easy to do.

I look forward to reading more books from this author. I love her work.… (mere)