I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her family may live in a ramshackle old English castle, but that’s about as romantic as her life gets. While her beautiful older sister, Rose, longs to live in a Jane Austen novel, Cassandra knows that meeting an eligible man to marry isn’t in either of their futures when their home is crumbling and they have to sell their furniture for food. So Cassandra instead strives to hone her writing skills in her journals. Until one day when their new landlords move in, which include two (very handsome) sons, and the lives of the Mortmain sisters change forever.

REVIEW:
I don't know how this wonderful coming-of-age story has never crossed my radar screen before, but wow am I grateful for the online recommendations that made me pick up up now. Written post WWII but set in pre-war England, every page is steeped in nostalgia and the author's love for England bleeds through every word. Cassandra's narrative voice is magnificent as is the bucolic and unbelievable setting. The story here is secondary to the characters and the setting and Cassandra's growing realization that she is truly leaving childhood behind. I couldn't put it down once I started, and the memory of the prose gives me a warm glow even now that I'm finished. Highly recommend!

In Bed with the Earl by Christi Caldwell

To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?

Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.

The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed [In Bed with the Earl] - strong characters, believable scenarios, and subtle wry humor. Verity is hard-working, dedicated to family, and determined to make her way in a man's world and profession. Malcolm has made his fortune and found a family to replace the one stolen from him, but still clings to the dank sewers where he grew up. I would have liked a little more info on the mystery of the missing earl, but the romance here was delightful as was the character development. Well-written with strong dialogue, this series opener definitely inspired me to buy book two.

Forever Your Earl by Eva Leigh

Eleanor Hawke loves a good scandal. And readers of her successful gossip rag live for the exploits of her favorite subject: Daniel Balfour, the notorious Earl of Ashford. So when the earl himself marches into her office and invites her to experience his illicit pursuits firsthand, Eleanor is stunned. Gambling hells, phaeton races, masquerades... What more could a scandal writer want than a secret look into the life of this devilishly handsome rake?

Daniel has secrets, and if The Hawk's Eye gets wind of them, a man's life could be at stake. And what better way to distract a gossip than by feeding her the scandal she desperately craves? But Daniel never expected the sharp mind and biting wit of the beautiful writer, and their desire for each other threatens even his best-laid plans.

But when Eleanor learns the truth of his deception, Daniel will do anything to prove a romance between a commoner and an earl could really last forever.

REVIEW:
Though I loved the basic premise of Forever Your Earl, the execution left me unmoved. Both Eleanor and Daniel were enjoyable characters (she the editor of a gossip rag, he the paper's most popular subject) but the situation they found themselves in was just too contrived for my taste. It was never at all clear why Daniel felt having a reporter along for the ride on his wild escapades would bring less attention than when he set out alone? Nothing about that makes any sense. The book was an OK read but one I had to keep chiding myself to continue. 2.5 stars.

Pomeroy's Postscript by Mary Fitt

When Pomeroy Parker went to stay in the country with old Mrs. Livingstone, his sister Marguerite expected a long letter from him telling her all about the house, the countryside, and Mrs. Livingstone herself (since neither Pomeroy nor Marguerite has ever set eyes on her before). Pomeroy, unlike most brothers, was a very good letter-writer and loved describing things, even if his handwriting was pretty bad.

But the weeks went by and all that Marguerite heard from Pomeroy was in a postscript to a letter written by someone else: a typewritten letter from Cousin Job. Cousin Job was a lawyer, his letter a warm invitation to Marguerite to join her brother as Mrs. Livingstone's guest. Pomeroy's postscript said simply: "Dear Sis, do come."

Why did Marguerite hesitate for a moment before accepting? And why did she find when she arrived?

REVIEW:
I originally read Pomeroy's Postscript as a kid in my local library and the story stuck with me (though the title did not).  Decades later I was able to track down the title and ultimately a copy of the book, but I shelved it without rereading.  I recently rediscovered the book on my shelves and am delighted to report it was as enjoyable a read now as all those many years ago.  I like that it is an adventure story that focuses on a female character (Marguerite) rather than on her twin brother (Pomeroy).  Sort-of cousin Merritt is another great character that rounds out the story - bookish and clever but somewhat uncertain of himself socially.  Though the book was written in the 1950s, there isn't actually much about it that is dated (other than a few lines at the very end about Uncle Sam handling everything as if Aunt Maud wasn't capable of doing so).  All in all an enjoyable reread of a story I very much enjoyed as a kid.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?

Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.

REVIEW:
This creative look at the limbo between life and death was a wonderful read. After all, what bookworm hasn't imagined a library of possible lives just waiting to be read? I quite enjoyed Nora's story of self-discovery through the infinite possibilities every life encompasses. The writing is strong, the characters engaging, and the tradeoffs between perfect choices for one vs. many thought provoking. Once I started, I couldn't put it down - highly recommend.

Three Weeks to Wed by Ella Quinn

Lady Grace Carpenter is ready to seize the day—or rather, the night—with the most compelling man she’s ever known. Marriage would mean losing guardianship of her beloved siblings, and surely no sane gentleman will take on seven children not his own. But if she can have one anonymous tryst with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, Grace will be content to live out the rest of her life as a spinster.

Matt had almost given up hope of finding a wife who could engage his mind as well as his body. And now this sensual, intelligent woman is offering herself to him. What could be more perfect? Except that after one wanton night, the mysterious Grace refuses to have anything to do with him. Amid the distractions of the Season he must convince her, one delicious encounter at a time, that no obstacle—or family—is too much for a man who’s discovered his heart’s desire . . .

REVIEW:
This book lost me from almost the very beginning, after the hero and heroine shared one meal before falling into bed and being struck by eternal love. Never mind that the hero didn't even know the name of his beloved, or that she was the guardian for seven siblings - still it was love! The central conflict always seems contrived - Grace loved him enough to sleep with him after one meal, but didn't trust he would make a good guardian? The evil uncle doesn't enter the book until more than halfway through and is quickly dealt with - he would have made a much more convincing villain if he had entered the story early enough to actually threaten the outcome of this relationship. I slogged through to finish but won't be seeking out any more in this series.

Someone to Romance by Mary Balogh

Lady Jessica Archer lost interest in the glittering excitement of romance after her cousin and dearest friend, Abigail, was rejected by the ton when her father was revealed to be a bigamist. Now that she is twenty-five, however, Jessica decides it is time to wed. Though she no longer believes she will find true love, she is still very eligible. She is, after all, the sister of Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby.

Jessica considers the many qualified gentlemen who court her. But then she meets the mysterious Gabriel Thorne, who has returned to England from the New World to claim an equally mysterious inheritance. Jessica considers him completely unsuitable, especially when, while they are still barely acquainted, he announces his intention to wed her.

When Jessica guesses who Gabriel really is, however, and watches the lengths to which he will go in order to protect those who rely upon him, she is drawn to his cause--and to the man.

REVIEW:
I've read and enjoyed Balogh's Westcott series. Though it was lovely to finally see Jessica find happiness, I had a hard time shaking my initial dislike of her based on previous books. I felt like she was never a fully fleshed out heroine- I never really understood what made her tick. Gabriel on the other hand was a delightful hero, and I did enjoy the way they came together as friends rather than found love in one mighty and unexpected flash. Balogh is a wonderful writer and I find myself hoping the next book focuses on Estelle who I have always enjoyed.

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson.

The accidental governess

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart . . . without risking her own.

The infamous rake

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling . . . and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

REVIEW:
It's impossible not to love a book that starts with a collision in a bookshop, even if the hero does make off with the heroine's prized find! Add in a heroine who sets clocks for a living, a neverending succession of doll funerals, and a sexy hero who is unexpectedly kind to all and you have a lovely love story. Well-written dialogue, engaging characters, and a delightful cast of secondary characters combine to make this book a great read.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

REVIEW:
I loved the beginning of this book when Emma shows up in a wedding dress made for Ash's former fiance, demanding to get paid. Emma is feisty and proud and compassionate- all a person could want in a romance novel heroine. Ash is a wounded warrior with a wickedly dry sense of humor which makes him an excellent hero. They share a great chemistry and a great dynamic, and watching them fall in love and come to terms with a future together is delightful. All in all a great read!

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

REVIEW:
The Alice Network is a fictional account strongly rooted in history. This story of women and war is an eye-opening reminder of man's inhumanity to man, and the far-reaching impact of that violence. Both Charlie and Eve carry the scars of war, and finding out how those scars are connected is the central premise of the story. I enjoyed very much the interactions between these two generations of women, and found those the strongest part of the novel. I did feel that the knowledge of what exactly happened to Eve took so long to emerge that its impact was blunted by the rapidly approaching denouement. I found the final confrontation unsatisfying because I felt it wrapped things up rather abruptly. That said, I did appreciate the fast-forward at the end to see how Charlie and Eve were faring in the future. All in all, an enjoyable read. 4 stars.

Misfit Match by Sydney Ann Clary

He had rescued her. Now she would rescue him.

At the age of twenty, Catherine Carr was at the mercy of her aunt and her three cousins. Treated no better than a slave and threatened with an odious marriage, Catherine decided to escape.

As it would happen, she was rescued by Marcus, the Earl of Barrington, whom she had always secretly loved. Marcus, scarred in the war, had returned to London only to be cruelly rejected by his fiancee, Catherine's cousin.

Perceiving marriage would answer to both their needs, Marcus proposed and Catherine accepted. Knowing he did not love her did not change her determination to free him from his bonds of bitterness. She would gladly have paid any price, never suspecting how great the reward.

REVIEW:
I picked up Misfit Match because I love another one of Clary's books (The Duchess and the Devil) and was hoping to find the same magic; sadly I did not. The book was a fine read with an interesting plot, but I just didn't find that same connection to the characters. I only finished it a couple of weeks ago, and already I have a hard time remembering much of anything about the specifics. Catherine's family was terrible but I thought Marcus could have done a much better job of rescuing her from them, and Catherine herself was too dithery for my taste. I also thought there was too much that went unsaid- this book would definitely have been longer to let us see Catherine and Marcus actually develop a relationship. An OK read but not one I'm likely to pick up again. 3 stars.

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

It’s seven in the morning. The Bantrys wake to find the body of a young woman in their library. She is wearing an evening dress and heavy makeup, which is now smeared across her cheeks. But who is she? How did she get there? And what is the connection with another dead girl, whose charred remains are later discovered in an abandoned quarry?

The respectable Bantrys invite Miss Marple into their home to investigate. Amid rumors of scandal, she baits a clever trap to catch a ruthless killer.

REVIEW:
[The Body in the Library] is one of my favorite Agatha Christie mysteries, one that truly reveals the genius of Miss Marple. The mystery itself is perfect- it has glamorous movie people and the village staples plus a healthy dose of suspicious characters. In addition, it has a deft psychological discussion of guilt and innocence and the power of gossip to ruin lives that would not be out of place in a modern conversation about crime. Highly recommended!

In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen

World War II comes to Farleigh Place, the ancestral home of Lord Westerham and his five daughters, when a soldier with a failed parachute falls to his death on the estate. After his uniform and possessions raise suspicions, MI5 operative and family friend Ben Cresswell is covertly tasked with determining if the man is a German spy. The assignment also offers Ben the chance to be near Lord Westerham’s middle daughter, Pamela, whom he furtively loves. But Pamela has her own secret: she has taken a job at Bletchley Park, the British code-breaking facility.

As Ben follows a trail of spies and traitors, which may include another member of Pamela’s family, he discovers that some within the realm have an appalling, history-altering agenda. Can he, with Pamela’s help, stop them before England falls?

REVIEW:
I enjoyed In Farleigh Field though not as much as Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series. This book lacks the humor that makes the series so enjoyable, though it does feature some great characters. I enjoyed the view of WWII on the home front, and thought the key characters were well drawn. The problem for me is the rather abrupt end that doesn't explore at all the motivations of the people who were in fact working against the state as I think that would have been the most interesting conclusion. Everything just wrapped up too quickly which was disappointing as I felt invested in the affairs of the family. 3.5 stars for me.

A Shot in the Dark by Lynne Truss

It's 1957, and the famed theater critic A. S. Crystal has come to the British seaside resort of Brighton with something other than the local production of A Shilling in the Meter on his mind. Sitting in the Brighton Royal Theater with Constable Twitten, Crystal intends to tell the detective the secret he knows about the still-unsolved Aldersgate Stick-Up case of 1945. And yet, just before Crystal names the criminal mastermind involved, he's shot dead in his seat.

With a new murder case on his hands and a lazy captain at the helm of the police department, the keen and clever Constable Twitten and his colleague Sargent Jim Brunswick set out to solve the decade-old mystery of the Aldersgate Stick-Up. As the partners venture deep into the criminal underworld that lies beneath Brighton's holiday-happy veneer, they begin to discover a criminal conspiracy that dates back decades. But will Brunswick and Twitten be able to foil the mastermind, or will Crystal's death become just another unsolved crime in this seemingly peaceful seaside city?

REVIEW:
I loved this book right up until the end, but ultimately was disappointed with the finale (I won't say more because I don't want to be a spoiler!) Well-written and fast-moving, this book was a delight to read. I loved the tone, the vocabulary, and the interesting cast of characters populating this Brighton book, and will likely pick the next installment to see how things go for the brilliant yet unlucky Constable Twitten.

Eloise by Judy Finnigan

"She was a daughter, a wife, a mother. She was my friend. But what secrets did Eloise take to her grave?"

After her best friend Eloise dies from breast cancer, Cathy is devastated. But then Cathy begins to have disturbing dreams that imply Eloise's death was not all it seems.

With a history of depression, Cathy is only just recovering from a nervous breakdown and her husband Chris, a psychiatrist, is acutely aware of his wife's mental frailty. When Cathy tells Chris of her suspicions about Eloise's death, as well as her ability to sense Eloise's spirit, Chris thinks she is losing her grip on reality once again.

Stung by her husband's skepticism, Cathy decides to explore Eloise's mysterious past, putting herself in danger as she finds herself drawn ever deeper into her friend's great - and tragic - secret.

REVIEW:
I wanted to like this book but it was just too all over the place to make for a good read. Though the background story of Eloise and her family was quite engaging, Karen and Chris were just too unbelievable as characters to carry the story. I know the author was trying to call up the atmosphere of classics like Wuthering Heights and Rebecca but that effort failed. Karen's thoughts and emotions vacillated so wildly and unpredictably that I was unable to grasp her as a character, and Chris' reactions to Karen made it impossible to believe he could be a mental health professional. The drama of it all was just too much to be realistic even for a gothic style novel. 2.5 stars.

The Earl of Sunderland by Aubrey Wynne

He’s inherited the title of rake. She hides behind her independence... Fate accepts the challenge.

Grace Beaumont has seen what love can do to a woman. Her mother sacrificed her life to produce the coveted son and heir. A devastated father and newborn brother force her to take on the role of Lady Boldon at the age of fifteen. But Grace finds solace in the freedom and power of her new status.

Christopher Roker made a name for himself in the military. The rigor and pragmatism of the army suits him. When a tragic accident heaves Kit into a role he never wanted or expected, his world collides with another type of duty. Returning to England and his newfound responsibilities, the Wicked Earls’ Club becomes a refuge from the glitter and malice of London society but cannot ease his emptiness.

Needing an escape from his late brother’s memory and reputation, Kit visits the family estate for the summer. Lady Grace, a beauty visiting from a neighboring estate, becomes a welcome distraction. When the chance to return to the military becomes a valid possibility, the earl finds himself wavering between his old life and the lure of an exceptional—and unwilling—woman.

REVIEW:
Though I liked both Grace and Kit as characters, it was hard to fully fall into their love story. The Wicked Earls club made no sense- if members are kicked out when they get married/fall in love, how was Carson able to remain a member? And Kit himself? I also had a difficult time with Grace's breakdown after her friend's birth. Though I think the book would benefit from a strong edit because the pace was uneven, the writing was good and the main characters relatable. All in all a quiet read. 3.5 stars.

King of Hearts by Eileen Putman

Not for nothing is Gabriel Sinclair known as the King of Hearts. This rootless scoundrel won't be tamed. His wit beguiles, his charm seduces, and he's never met a woman he couldn’t captivate. As for family? He's seen enough madness in his own to last a lifetime. He shuns hopeless causes, deeper emotions, any whiff of permanence.

Widowed Louisa Peabody tolerates no man's touch. Her past has shown her men are seducers and abusers. She devotes herself to helping women in need, but her clumsy efforts often end in disaster. After she accidentally saves Gabriel’s life, she persuades him to help her stage a daring rescue from a prison hulk in the Thames.

But it’s a devil’s bargain: Can she protect herself from that wild, reckless fire in his eyes? Can he care for anyone but himself?

REVIEW:
This well-written Regency was awash in delightful secondary characters and more than its fair share of adventure. Gabriel is a great hero- strong but vulnerable, clever but kind, and he has a wicked sense of humor. Louisa was less successful for me- though her passion for justice was appealing, her blinding naïveté about how to go about saving women in need was off-putting. She jeopardized everyone with her determination to right injustices, ignoring the responsibilities she had to the women she had already helped which I found very aggravating. I almost preferred Violet who had a much more rational view of her life and her expectations- thankfully she finds her happy ending as well. I could have done without the subplot of Louisa's brother-in-law as it didn't advance the story in any way, and I certainly find it hard to believe Maitland could have so lost control of a situation it turns out was entirely of his own making- hard to then accept him as an intelligence mastermind. Regardless, these were small quibble with an ultimately entertaining and enjoyable read. I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.

The Duke's Holiday by Maggie Fenton

The cold, precise Duke of Montford demands things his way: neatly ordered, in place, and adhering closely to the rules. So he is furious when he learns that the tenant of his ducal estate has been dead for a year, and a stranger has been running the Honeywell business—which, by contract, is now Montford’s. When he arrives in Yorkshire to investigate, he discovers that the estate is being run by an unruly, tomboyish woman—and a bluestocking at that!

Fiery redhead Astrid Honeywell is independent and educated. She’s been handling the Honeywell family business for years. And she’s not about to relinquish it to anyone—not even Montford—because of some archaic contract.

Montford and Astrid have an instant hatred for one another…and an undeniable, unspeakable attraction. They must resist this improper desire—after all, Montford has a fiancée in London. But when Astrid’s life is placed in terrible danger, Montford finds he may be willing to risk everything to save her.

REVIEW:
This story was indeed a romp- with recalcitrant children, a wig-wearing grand-dame of an aunt, a crooked castle, and a runaway pig, not to mention a hero and heroine who have nothing at all in common except their desire to steer clear of one another. As Astrid learns her judgement isn't infallible and Montford learns his perfect life isn't a life at all, they battle well-meaning friends and an evil-minded suitor before finally finding their way together. This book introduced a colorful cast of characters and had some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. I for one enjoyed it enough to seek out others in the series.

Sweetest Regret by Meredith Duran

At a house party in the countryside, the joyful spirit of the Christmas season threatens to sweep Georgiana Trent under the mistletoe—and back into the arms of the dashing rogue who broke her heart two years ago. Little does she know that Lucas Godwin has no intention of leaving until he has reclaimed her as his own.

REVIEW:
This sweet Christmas-themed novella is a quietly enjoyable read. Georgiana and Trent are both nursing a broken heart, but watching them try to work together to avert a diplomatic crisis while coping with that pain makes for a great story. As they find their way back to each other despite the chaos of a weekend holiday party, they also share some of the magic of an old-school English Christmas. My only wish is that this book had been a full length novel rather than novella- I didn't get to spend enough time with this lovely couple.

Of Risk and Redemption by K.J. Jackson

A wary widow.
No stranger to love, Lady Desmond is well-versed in the heartache that can accompany it. Burned by her traitorous heart again and again, Cass has determined her life will include only what she can control—and has made her work as the proud proprietress of the Revelry’s Tempest gaming hall her sole mission.

A reluctant viscount.
Inheriting an English title was not something American Rorrick Trowlson wanted in life, nor was the mess that came with the estate. His brother’s mess. A mess he now has to clean up. But to do so, he needs a tract of land his brother flippantly lost in a stupid bet at the Revelry’s Tempest.

A past that needs to be righted.
After he mistakes her for a madam of a brothel, Cass wants nothing to do with the brash American—until she realizes he may be just the key to righting her deepest regret. She strikes a bargain with Rorrick—take her to America and she will sign the land back to him.

As the spark between them quickly turns into a flame, Cass resists, as she had sworn long ago to never be careless with her heart again. Once, twice, she had been a fool—but three times would be the death of her. But can a brazen American with a new title batter down the stalwart defenses of a widowed countess?

REVIEW:
This story is the third in a series, which I didn't realize until I really got into it. Regardless, it works very well as a standalone novel, though I confess after i read it, I did go back and buy books one and two because I wanted to read those stories as well. I liked both Cass and Rorrick, and found their story compelling. I enjoyed their adventure to America and the reason behind it, though it did seem that Cass was extremely naive for a person who runs a gaming hell in London. Watching Cass work through her terrible past experiences and start to trust Rorrick made for a lovely read. Highly recommended.