Amita4ever's manga / #Secrets(219)

2 people with different secrets and the angst involved in trying to decide when to tell the other because the closer they get, the guiltier they feel about keeping their secrets. That’s the extent of the drama here. Sadly, they do jump into bed before his secret is accidentally revealed, so things get even more emotionally complicated than they should have, but it’s a Harlequin so - of course - it gets worked out in the end.

SUMMARY: After being kidnapped from her wedding reception, she discovered not all was as it seemed, but that doesn't change the fact, that she is now being held as a hostage in return for another man's lover. And the man holding her claims to be heartless and cruel, but the more time she spends with him, the less she's convinced. This story had a lot of details crammed in its pages, but it had a good flow, and didn't get bogged down. Only couple things I didn't like, although both are biggies in my book: 1) It didn't need the BBV (Bed Before Vows). 2) The quality of the scan makes it hard to read.

ONE SHOT

An enjoyable tale. We have a little deception and family drama added to a few standard obstacles. Neither lead is very adept in the communication venue, but their actions speak very strongly for their love and dedication although it isn't immediately obvious to the other.

I really enjoyed this. It wasn't angsty enough to make my heart thump, but there was definitely some drama and conflict. Our common born heroine has not only assumed her father's position as landlord when he went missing, but as the head of the local smuggling ring as well. This puts her in a bad place when she falls in love with the nobleborn Navy captain and war hero who has recently purchased the land and mansion under her care.

This story is (another) good example of what can happen if you get physical too soon. I liked that he diliberately waited until they got married, but they got married in such a rush that they still skipped step one - building a strong emotional connection and a foundation of trust. When a woman (or man, for that matter) jumps to infidelity presumptions without asking questions and/or wonders if they are only wanted for their body, the foundation of love and trust that should be there has been allowed to erode or was never built to begin with. Getting physical and throwing hormones into the mix before that foundation is established can be incredibly detrimental. That said, I'm not sure why he couldn't let her in on what was happening, especially after he suspected she overheard. He had to know that would shake her trust in him, and it was only further complicated by the entrance of his old lover (Really!? Who lets their old paramour keep the key?! Makes you wonder how many keys to his place are running around out there.). Right then and there, he should have been intent on a heart-to-heart... and I have come to hate the phrase, "I need to talk you later." Add a topic!!! '...about extending our relationship.' '...about saving your company.' '...about my past, because you are really the only one in my life now." Whatever! All that said, it wasn't a bad story. It just wasn't exceptional.

When the princess is looking for an appraiser to catalog centuries of artifacts, she tempts a reclusive specialist with an ancient volume that holds a legend from her kingdom. He agrees and the princess finds herself drawn to him inspite of his mysterious nature, and that mystery only deepens when her head of security finds a picture of the same man taken decades in the past. It was a rather simplistic plot, and both protagonists were strong and respectable. I was actually enjoying the tale and considering getting an official copy right up unto the last few pages. After trying to break his curse for centuries, he succeeds with something as anticlimactic as a press conference? I recognize it was the motive that made the difference, but couldn't the author come up with something a little more dramatic? This is a romance, after all. We are looking for hero's to sweep us off our feet. This just didn't quite do it for me.

A lackluster tale of revenge with the FL caught up in the middle used as a pawn, guilted into selling her inheritance, bedded and rejected, accused of being loose, ignored when she wanted to talk... yeah, that's a wonderful way to start a romance.

This was a good story. I enjoyed that the FL was not only strong, but she's shown as quite capable within her limitations. And I loved her self appointed guide dog. And you got to love a servant willing to get into his Lord's face when he needs it.