The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig

I received a galley of this novel from NetGalley for review. This in no way affected my opinions.

I'm a big fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series, and I'm finding her other books enjoyable, as well. Her writing flows very well, and her characters are engaging and full of surprises.

The Other Daughter looks like another story about the Bright Young Things of the 1920s, all parties and frivolity and such. However, this book, while starting out as so, slowly peels back the layers of the facade, showing the ugliness underneath.

The drama and secrets made The Other Daughter gripping for me, because I wasn't interested in another story set in the 1920s about young people causing trouble with no consequences. I wanted to see what was underneath the shininess.

The Other Daughter is not a long book, and was a speedy read. There is a slight romance, but it's not really what the story is about, which is another thing I was pleased with. It was about a young woman finding herself, and that was good enough.

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

Another delightful addition to the Pink Carnation series.

The story is still taking place in France, the hero and heroine of this piece – we met them in the previous book – are Emma Delagardie, an American, and Augustus Whittlesby, an English spy who is masquerading as a ridiculous poet as a cover.

Whittlesby needs a way in to Malmaison to find out what exactly is the top-secret invention being unveiled there that could prove doom to the English navy. His way in? Emma, who is charged in writing a masque for the entertainment for the Emperor. Being a poet and all (er, sorta), Augustus devises it to be a perfect a ploy.

Things don't go as planned for Augustus (do they ever?) and he finds himself tackling another problem that he wasn't prepared for.

There wasn't a whole lot of action, and the majority of the story took place around the same area, but honestly? I didn't even notice until I finished the book. Augustus and Emma's banter had me wonderfully distracted.

The modern day story with Colin and Eloise was only a few chapters and that story didn't unfold a whole lot. Except, there was one big revelation and I suspect that'll be tied in to the historical story, as well.

A great, humorous, historical romp. I enjoyed every word of it.

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig

Another fabulous installment in the Pink Carnation series. We are back in France for this one, in both the modern story and the historical story.

In the historical story we are introduced to governess Laura Grey, who is on a mission for the Pink Carnation and placed into the employment of Andre Jaouen to be governess to his two children. Laura's mission is to report anything suspicious or anything that may be helpful to the Pink Carnation, and there is bound to be plenty, seeing Jaouen's closeness to the minister of police.

Laura is probably the best heroine yet. She is vastly intelligent and has a strong independent nature. Despite her doubts of herself, it is clear that she can take care of herself, seeing as how she has been doing so for 16 years. She is also quick witted and has a great talent of improvising to get herself – and others – out of the devil of scrapes.

I was glad to see the Pink Carnation have a part in the story rather than just hearing her name every now and then. And Laura's contact, boy was he hilarious. As we've come to expect from this series, the dialogue is fun and the plot is very clever. The ending was great; it was nice to see an appearance from another character we haven't seen in a while.

The Orchid Affair was another great romp in the early 19^th century. And as for the modern day story of Colin and Eloise, things are just clicking right along for them. Things in Colin's family have hit the boiling point.

Pink Carnation fans will not be disappointed in The Orchid Affair. I cannot wait for the next book!

I had a review copy of this book.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

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

A delightful holiday mystery and addition to the Pink Carnation series.

I love Turnip, who is the hero of this story and a Pink Carnation favorite, and was very happy to find out he was getting his own book. He's one of the bumbling, loveable sort that you want to see have a happy ending.

The heroine in this story is a Arabella Dempsey, a young lady who after her aunt's interesting marriage, ventures forth to form her own future as a schoolmistress. On the day she goes in to Miss Climpson’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies to inquire about the job, she runs into Mr. Turnip Fitzhugh – literally – and comes across a Christmas pudding with a mysterious message tucked inside.

This Christmas pudding turns both their world's upside down. Before they know it, there is mysterious goings on at Miss Climpson's: folks sneaking around at night, Arabella's room being ransacked, and someone out there who seems to think Arabella has some sort of list that they are devilish eager to get their hands on.

Everything comes to a head at the Dowager Duchess of Dovedale's 12 day Christmas celebration. For those that have read the series, they will notice a familiar setting, as this part of the book takes place during the same time as the fifth Pink Carnation book: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe was an absolutely charming and hilarious book. Turnip is a hoot and a half and Arabella was a great heroine who seemed to be just fine at taking care of herself, thank you very much.

Highly recommended to Pink Carnation fans.

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig

I really love this series! The only thing I hate is the long wait in between books!

An action-packed, romance, espionaged filled story set in early 19th century India. Yes, please!

When we last saw Penelope, she was forced into a hasty marriage after being caught in a most scandalous act. She finds herself in India as Lady Frederick Staines, where she finds a spy named Marigold lurking about. I loved Penelope. She was a spitfire redhead who made the best of her situation. She found herself in a foreign country married to man she didn't even like, let alone love, and decided to have a little fun.

Arriving in India, Penelope and her new husband are escorted to their new digs in Hyderabad by Captain Alex Reid, and he is in no mood to play baby sitter to aristocrats, but he soon finds Lady Frederick to not be your average English Lady.

As for Eloise's story, I felt it to be a bit stale, here. I usually like her story, but nothing really happened to her in this novel. And the way her chapters kept popping up - right after a shocking revelation in the historical story - made me want to hurl my Sony Reader across the room - that is, if it didn't cost so much.

Willig has done it again. In the sixth installment of the Pink Carnation series, the story is just as exciting as ever. I couldn't read this fast enough, even though I wanted to savor it. Now I must wait until book six, but fortunately I do not have to wait a year, this time!