Pam B. (PamelaK) reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 1217 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Light, frothy collection of five stories by five different authors. No heavy reading or mysteries, these vignettes are perfect for the beach, each being a fast, easy read.
Cali (Cali) -
Helpful Score: 4
Wow! It's very rare that an anthology has more than 1 or 2 stories worthwhile for me. And I'm surprised at the low ratings on this. I felt like this one delivered! =)
Now I like Nash, Maxwell, and Warren already as historical romances are my genre! And I was not disappointed! As for the other 2 authors, I had read one or two books by them and while they are also good authors, they just don't push the 'extra' for me that these other authors do.
The stories from Nash, Maxwell, and Warren use one ingredient the others didn't: humor! If you are of the same mind you will love these! And you will probably recognize characters from previous stories!
The other two stories if I had to rate them individually were better than usual with antho's. so, I have rated them overall and individually. I hope this helps! note, Warren Maxwell were a very close tie actually for 2nd; thus the odd #. And one reviewer was turned off by one of the female leads stubborness - I on the other hand found that this trait was a big part of what gave the story so much humor! Just goes to show - different strokes... as another reviewer commented, there is something here for everyone! =) Enjoy!
Cathy Maxwell - 3 (4 3/4*) Yes, I know, only whole and half #'s but...=)
Elaine Fox - 5
Jeaniene Frost - 4 (4 1/2*)
Sophia Nash - 1 (5*)
Tracy Anne Warren - 2 (5*)
Now I like Nash, Maxwell, and Warren already as historical romances are my genre! And I was not disappointed! As for the other 2 authors, I had read one or two books by them and while they are also good authors, they just don't push the 'extra' for me that these other authors do.
The stories from Nash, Maxwell, and Warren use one ingredient the others didn't: humor! If you are of the same mind you will love these! And you will probably recognize characters from previous stories!
The other two stories if I had to rate them individually were better than usual with antho's. so, I have rated them overall and individually. I hope this helps! note, Warren Maxwell were a very close tie actually for 2nd; thus the odd #. And one reviewer was turned off by one of the female leads stubborness - I on the other hand found that this trait was a big part of what gave the story so much humor! Just goes to show - different strokes... as another reviewer commented, there is something here for everyone! =) Enjoy!
Cathy Maxwell - 3 (4 3/4*) Yes, I know, only whole and half #'s but...=)
Elaine Fox - 5
Jeaniene Frost - 4 (4 1/2*)
Sophia Nash - 1 (5*)
Tracy Anne Warren - 2 (5*)
Gary J. (gjbookworm) reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A very pleasant surprise! I was expecting (hoping) for stories more in the paranormal line, and the only one that applied was the one by Jeaniene Frost (which was very good). But the other stories were just that--very good short stories, by very good authors. So a very nice read altogether.
Yvonne L. reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 929 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A really good anthology of short stories. Out of the five authors, I have only read Elaine Fox and Jeaniene Frost.
"The Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell: Very short, quaint story. Susan works as guide for young girls trying to find a husband. Using a marketing ploy she inadvertently slated an Irish Duke looking for a wife. Well done simple story. I am interested to see what her full length books would be like.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox: A modern story loosely associated with a Duke from the past or Duke, the dog. If you have ever read Fox she is fond of writing about people having preconceived notions about the one they want to be with and the ones they dont. Of course they end up falling for the ones they are not supposed to be with. Gray is an uptight teacher trying to reinvent herself. Sam is a local and music critic (Gray thought he was a plumber and Sam thought Gray was insane). Throw a possible ghost and a dress-stealing dog, you have a cute little romance. The story was okay with a little bit of humor. Nothing special.
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost: This is who I got the book for. If you are really into her Cat and Bones series, they do have a small cameo. This book happens before Mencheres and Kira get together but after Bones and Mencheres merged their lines. This one is about Elise of Mencheress line. Elise basically helps find her humanity while helping Blake end his life in hopes of ridding the world of the demon inside of him. Very touching.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash: Very funny story about working class Victoria and a Duke named John. Great verbal sparring and lots of fun situations. This one ended up my favorite story and I will definitely look for her books.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Ann Warren: This was my least favorite story. It had potential at first but towards the middle it kind of fizzled and never regained momentum. India, in an effort to avoid a persistent suitor asks for the help of a notorious rake, Duke Quentin. Quentin thinks she is too young and innocent but is willing to pretend to be interested in her to avoid boredom. You know the rest. I didnt hate it but I wont be searching for Warrens other works.
Overall a very worthwhile anthology. Very easy read.
"The Irish Duke" by Cathy Maxwell: Very short, quaint story. Susan works as guide for young girls trying to find a husband. Using a marketing ploy she inadvertently slated an Irish Duke looking for a wife. Well done simple story. I am interested to see what her full length books would be like.
The Duke Who Came to Dinner by Elaine Fox: A modern story loosely associated with a Duke from the past or Duke, the dog. If you have ever read Fox she is fond of writing about people having preconceived notions about the one they want to be with and the ones they dont. Of course they end up falling for the ones they are not supposed to be with. Gray is an uptight teacher trying to reinvent herself. Sam is a local and music critic (Gray thought he was a plumber and Sam thought Gray was insane). Throw a possible ghost and a dress-stealing dog, you have a cute little romance. The story was okay with a little bit of humor. Nothing special.
Devil to Pay by Jeaniene Frost: This is who I got the book for. If you are really into her Cat and Bones series, they do have a small cameo. This book happens before Mencheres and Kira get together but after Bones and Mencheres merged their lines. This one is about Elise of Mencheress line. Elise basically helps find her humanity while helping Blake end his life in hopes of ridding the world of the demon inside of him. Very touching.
Catch of the Century by Sophia Nash: Very funny story about working class Victoria and a Duke named John. Great verbal sparring and lots of fun situations. This one ended up my favorite story and I will definitely look for her books.
Charmed by Her Smile by Tracy Ann Warren: This was my least favorite story. It had potential at first but towards the middle it kind of fizzled and never regained momentum. India, in an effort to avoid a persistent suitor asks for the help of a notorious rake, Duke Quentin. Quentin thinks she is too young and innocent but is willing to pretend to be interested in her to avoid boredom. You know the rest. I didnt hate it but I wont be searching for Warrens other works.
Overall a very worthwhile anthology. Very easy read.
Toby D. (bookswapper) reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 188 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Surprisingly good anthology. Had read books by most of these authors before, pleasantly surprised at Elaine Fox's contribution - was better than her full length novels that I had read. Both the Cathy Maxwell and Tracy Anne Warren stories felt like full stories, although I think you usually wish that short stories were longer if they were good. :-)
A fun quick read, unusual in an anthology to have no total stinkers. My least favorite was the contemporary with the dog named Duke, most of the stories in this book have characters whose title is Duke.
A fun quick read, unusual in an anthology to have no total stinkers. My least favorite was the contemporary with the dog named Duke, most of the stories in this book have characters whose title is Duke.
Carolyn H. (carih) reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ordered this for the Tracy Anne Warren story and it was just OK. Ended up liking Cathy Maxwell's better. The other 3 stories included a contemporary short-story, vampire short story and another short historical by Sophia Nash. I was not greatly impressed with the latter 3 at all. I think I would save my credit and look for this one in a deal in the book bazaar.
Karen H. (warbler43) -
Helpful Score: 1
Five excellent & enjoyable stories. You're going to love Duke the Dog. BTW, 'Charmed by Her Smile' by Tracy Anne Warren is part of her latest series, The Byrons of Braebourne and was very, very good! Of course, I haven't met a book by Tracy Anne I didn't like!
Susan S. (MoonLily) - , reviewed Four Dukes and a Devil: The Irish Duke / The Duke Who Came to Dinner / Devil to Pay / Catch of the Century / Charmed by Her Smile on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
These were all pretty good. One was modern times paranormal (vampire, demon), the other modern one was tinged with paranormal (possible ghosts), the rest were historical.
Fun stories for the most part and worth the light read.
Fun stories for the most part and worth the light read.
Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
While not a great lover of the anthologies, I love a full book by my chosen author, these five stories were pretty good. I got it primarily because of the Jeaniene Frost short story about Cat and Bones. Was really disappointed as they were only a very,very minor part of the short story. It does give you a taste of other authors that might lead you to checking out their full length novels but I am going to stick to non anthologies after this.
Janice -
I bought this for the Sophia Nash story, which is part of her 'Widows Club'. Only a couple of the stories in this book are regency; the others are contemporaries. Had I known that before I bought it, I would have saved my money :( That said, the Nash story was just OK and I didn't find any of the others of much interest. Nothing really wrong with them, just ho hum, read that a zillion times already stuff.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
I bought this book to read "Devil to Pay" by Jeaniene Frost.
Elise is a vampire who is tired of everything. She has shut herself away in a room underneath the subway and hasn't had much contact with vampires or humans in years. But when she stumbles across a man ready to jump in front of a subway train, Elise doesn't hesitate to save him. Blake wants to end it all. He has been possessed by a demon and has no control over the destruction the demon has caused. Elise decides she will help Blake get rid of this demon with the help of her sire, Mencheres.
This is a short story set in the Night Huntress world. We get a short visit from Cat & Bones. Mencheres is involved with helping Elise save Blake. I enjoyed this novella and think anyone who reads the Night Huntress series would like it also. My rating: 4 Stars.
Elise is a vampire who is tired of everything. She has shut herself away in a room underneath the subway and hasn't had much contact with vampires or humans in years. But when she stumbles across a man ready to jump in front of a subway train, Elise doesn't hesitate to save him. Blake wants to end it all. He has been possessed by a demon and has no control over the destruction the demon has caused. Elise decides she will help Blake get rid of this demon with the help of her sire, Mencheres.
This is a short story set in the Night Huntress world. We get a short visit from Cat & Bones. Mencheres is involved with helping Elise save Blake. I enjoyed this novella and think anyone who reads the Night Huntress series would like it also. My rating: 4 Stars.
Lenna W. (bratz54) -
the only story I read was Jeaniene Frost's and that alone was a 5 star story.
