Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale

I received a review copy of this novel from Sourcebooks. This in no way affected my opinions.

Prior to reading Uncertain Magic I had read two other Kinsale books, Lessons in French and Flowers From the Storm, both of which I loved.

Uncertain Magic is one of Kinsale's first books, from what I understand. I liked it well enough, but if I hadn't already read Lessons in French and Flowers From the Storm prior to reading this, I'm not sure if I would have wanted to continue with her other books. I love historical romance. Historical paranormal romance? I guess I'm not a fan. This was my first romance novel with paranormal elements and I found them very distracting, especially the whole 'mind reading' thing.

Things I did love, however, was the whole mystery surrounding the hero's father's death. I never saw that ending coming. The hero, Faelan Savigar, is suspected of murdering his father when he was just 10 years old. Trouble is, he can't remember anything about it. I love how the heroine, Roderica, helped 'unlock' the truth. It was very well set up. And the other thing I love was the descriptions of Iveragh. It sounded like a breathtaking place that I wanted to dive in to. The way in which it was described, it sounded like a very enchanting, mystical place full of mystery.

This is a very good Georgian romance and if you love paranormal romance, then you'll love this!

Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale

A great return for Laura Kinsale. I scarfed down this book in only a few days!

Here we find Lady Callista Taillefaire, who has been jilted not once, not twice, but three times! Even with her tremendous fortune, she can not keep a fiance. She comes to the conclusion that she will forever be a spinster and devotes all her time to her prized bull Hubert. However, her world is turned completely on its side when her first love (not one of the jilters, mind you) returns after he left years before.

Trevelyan d'Augustin (what a name!) has come back to take care of his ill mother. Not all is as it seems when it comes to this Frenchie. We find he is hiding a very many secrets, as to not drive his mother further into her ailment.

Of course, Callie and Trevelyan are constantly thrown together, thanks to that Hubert. And how the sparks do fly!

I found this book completely engaging from beginning to end. I always love historical romance novels when the heroine has been out of the schoolroom for at least a decade. Callie is a smart, driven heroine.

Kinsale is back in a big way. Her fans will not be disappointed with this one.

Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale

Would you like to convert someone who says romances aren't "real" novels? This book is the one that will do it! Flowers from the Storm is one of the best books in the genre. Christian Langland, Duke of Jerveaux is the ultimate hero. A brilliant mathematician and a complete rake, Christian is a man of contradictions. When a stroke leaves him permanently unable to speak, his family believes him to be mad and relegates him to a sanitarium. Fortunately, Maddy, a righteous Quaker and do- gooder, recognizes that Christian is not insane--he just can't talk! Maddy may not be the most likable heroine you'll encounter, but she has depth and character, and is probably one of the few people you could imagine who would have the patience and understanding to accept and live with Christian's intense anger and frustration. This is a book that defines the word "keeper."

I was completely gripped from the beginning. Such an original story, not light in any means. It dealt with some intense issues, such as: horrible conditions in lunatic asylums. I was originally wary of reading romance novels, but my opinion was given unfairly. Never judge a genre! There are gems everywhere. I knew just from reading the summary that this book would change my mind, and it did!