Geboortedatum: 1983-10-11
Geslacht: female
Nationaliteit: USA
Woonplaatsen: Los Angeles, California, USA
Opleiding: Scripps College (BA|Art History)
Pratt Institute (MSLIS|Library Science)
Beroepen: novelist
Organisaties: Romance Writers of America
Agent: Kim Witherspoon (InkWell Management)
Korte biografie: SARA LINDSEY began writing during her senior year of college. The rest, as they say, is history… or rather, historical romance. Sara divides her time between her native Los Angeles and Manhattan, where she is pursuing her graduate degree in information and library science.
Having read many romances featuring librarians, Sara figures this profession bodes well for someday getting her own happily ever after. In the meantime, she plans to turn as many unsuspecting library patrons as possible into fellow romance addicts.

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A Rogue for All Seasons (Weston Family) door Sara Lindsey

I'm a sucker for happily ever afters, but I'm picky about the journey. When a historical romance doesn't work for me, it's usually because the obstacles are created due to lack of direct conversation or there are misunderstandings so outrageous they beggar belief. When historical romances do work for me, they feature a hero and heroine who are learning about themselves as much as they are learning about each other, and the challenges in their courtship are dramatic and emotional without being unhealthy.

This book is one of those that work.

Henry Weston comes from the blessed Westons -- wealthy, good-looking, good-humored. While his sisters have fallen happily into matrimony (Lindsey's two previous novels), Henry is just as happy to keep up with his string of women and fun-loving life. Except, he's kind of not. When he finally acknowledges he has an aspiration -- to breed horses -- he learns that the owner of the famed stud he plans to purchase is afraid Henry will turn it into a brothel or some pleasure palace. To purchase the stud, Henry has to prove he's a real gentleman. Henry's parents are agreed; if Henry can find investors for half the cost, they'll front him the other half.

Diana Merriwether is the granddaughter of a duchess, facing her seventh season single. Resigned to being a spinster, Diana has guarded herself from all impropriety due to the scandal of her parents' separation more than fifteen years earlier. Wounded, too, from her father's rejection of her and preference for her brother, Diana is certain that love is fickle. She wants none of that nonsense.

After being encouraged to be nice to Diana for years, including being urged by his mother to dance with her at least once if they're at the same event, Henry offers Diana an odd bargain. If she'll enter into a mock courtship with him to make him seem as if he's the reformed gentleman -- for who but the blameless would Diana Merriwether court? -- he guarantees his interest in her will draw other suitors, and she may 'throw him over' at the end of the season for her real choice.

You can imagine the shenanigans that ensue from this arrangement. Refreshingly, while there are some moments of miscommunication that do add conflict, Lindsey doesn't turn this into an agonizingly long wait for Diana and Henry to just admit their feelings.

To my surprise and delight, the novel's end doesn't come with their inevitable to marriage, but their growth as a couple learning to trust each other and behave honestly. Diana doesn't trust that she's loveable. Normally that's a trope I loathe in a heroine but Lindsey articulates it in a manner that makes sense, given Diana's past, and when Diana gets over it, it's so very satisfying. (And kind of made me teary, because, yeah, I've got my own anxieties about my loveable-ness!)

Now, for the important part: the sex is hot. They're into each other, there are no weird hang ups about liking sex or their bodies, Lindsey doesn't use any uncomfortably odd euphemisms for body parts, and happily, it's more than just missionary style. Those who are shy or prude-ish might be uncomfortable but the sexy scenes still feel romance novel-y rather than erotica-y.

I was stunned to discover upon finishing this book, that this is self-published. The quality of the writing, the editing, and the e-book's formatting had me assuming this came from a traditional publisher. Kudos to Lindsey for that.

I'm absolutely eager for another book from Lindsey and can see why her fans keep calling for more of the Westons. They're a charming bunch, and I'm smitten. If you're facing hectic holidays, consider adding this one to the queue for fun, engrossing escapism.… (meer)

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unabridgedchick | Dec 12, 2013 |

Promise Me Tonight: A Weston Novel door Sara Lindsey

RATING: 2.5 stars.

A quick read, but the story isn't particularly original (but then again is there such a thing anymore, in any genre). The entire setting (noble family with a bunch of brothers and sisters) is remarkably similar to Julia Quinn's Bridgerton's series. The story is reminiscent of Daphne's (older Bridgerton sister, her story is told in "The Duke and I") in some points, although this book has a very nice (and relatively original) twist happening about halfway through the book, after the wedding.

As for the characters, I didn't really feel the chemistry between them. So Isabella says she loves James, but all the time it felt like childish infatuation only. I thought, at times, I'd have liked for another man to step in and make Isabella fall in love for real. Didn't really like James, mostly.

The ending was dragged on for way too many pages, and I didn't see the need to add that last drama where the hero leaves again and all that. It seemed to me more like an effort on the author's part to reach the 300-page mark than anything else.

Still, nice writing style and a decent debut. I'm curious about Olivia's story and I have the book here, so that will be my next read, although the plot seems a bit like the one from Julia Quinn's "To Sir Phillip, with Love". Which isn't a bad thing at all, since I loved that book. Also looking forward to Henry's story... will he end up with the spinster, I wonder?… (meer)

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slayra | 1 andere bespreking | Sep 21, 2013 |

Tempting the Marquess: A Weston Novel door Sara Lindsey

RATING: 3.5 stars.

Much better than the first book of the series, in my humble opinion. I loved Olivia, she was a great character and although Jason was kind of a chiché (dark, brooding, etc), I liked him too. And I thought the plot was imaginative.

Overall a very nice read. Keep them coming Ms Lindsey! Can't wait for Henry's story! :)

Gemarkeerd

slayra | 1 andere bespreking | Sep 21, 2013 |

Tempting the Marquess: A Weston Novel door Sara Lindsey

The heroine, Olivia, bordered on TSTL territory and really drove the book downhill.

Olivia had discovered Jason's late wife's diary when organizing a library. After reading it she is determined to help Jason overcome his grief and return to real life. The characters intrigued me but I felt that Olivia was empty headed at times and Jason was a caricature of a hermit.

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reesa00 | 1 andere bespreking | Feb 2, 2011 |

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