Reviews for Sex and the Single Earl
Long and Short Reviews – 4.5 Books
The dialogue clearly indicates a good handle of the vernacular of the day. The tone and atmosphere is spot on and time seemed to fly as I read Sophie’s exploits...I would recommend Sex And The Single Earl for historical romance buffs that enjoy a heroine who doesn’t simper or cow tow to her man and a hero who finds love and redemption in his woman’s arms.
Single Titles – 4.5 Stars: “Compels you to keep reading and thus discover each fascinating detail.”
For her second Regency novel, Vanessa Kelly often delves into a world outside ballrooms and daily visits with dramatic results. Sex And The Single Earl gives a vivid look into different social classes, where realistic details bring this story to life in an entertaining way.
BOOKPAGE – “A Regency Romp”
Sexy and charming, this fast-paced romance will have readers rooting for Sophie and Simon to survive impending scandal and find their happy-ever-after.
--Christie Ridgway
ROMANCE JUNKIES – 4½ Blue Ribbons
Author Vanessa Kelly...manages to bring the story to life right before your eyes. Filled with sensual love scenes, charismatic characters, an intriguing plot, romance and humor, this story is unforgettable. I highly recommend Sex And The Single Earl and I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
ROMANTIC TIMES - 4 STARS
With smart, sassy characters, a fast pace, rapier-sharp dialogue and engaging characters, Kelly captures reader attention with this sexy romance. The traditional marriage-of-convenience plotline is enhanced by the history and background of industrialization.
BOOKLIST
As far as Simon, the Earl of Trask, is concerned, marrying Sophie makes sense. He needs the coal-rich land included in Sophie’s dowry for his mills, and she could use someone to keep her out of trouble since she is so often in danger of capsizing in the choppy waters of the ton. What Simon hasn’t counted on is that Sophie wants a love match. So he must figure out a way to convince her that he loves her, or seduce her into falling in love with him. Successfully marrying the tart wit of a traditional Regency romance with the steamy passion of today’s Regency historicals isn’t easy, but Kelly proves to be more than capable in her latest impeccably crafted romance.
--John Charles
BARNES & NOBLE HEART TO HEART BOOKCLUB: Top Ten Reads for the New Year by Michelle Buonfiglio.
Sophie Stanton’s loved Simon St. James, 5th Earl of Trask, since she was a child. He knows this, so he figures she won’t mind his marrying her for her land. He doesn’t count on her being ridiculously passionate – or on her being more dedicated to her true passions than the love for him Simon thought he would manipulate. His downfall into HEA’s a joy to behold.
THE SEASON
...a beautifully crafted tale of two life-long friends falling in love. The storyline and characters were well-developed and likeable. The chemistry between the main characters is sizzling and entertaining...I recommend this book for those who want a beautiful, well-written story that exhibits love, trust, betrayal, and forgiveness.
HISTORICAL ROMANCE WRITERS (EYE ON ROMANCE): 10 out of 10
I loved this story. I had to keep reading to the end as I learned more about Sophie and Simon and followed their relationship. There really is a battle of wits between Sophie, the young woman, and Simon, the sophisticated man about town...this was a thoroughly enjoyable story.
COFFEE TIME ROMANCE: 4 cups – An Outstanding Great Read
The plot is lively with a lot of action and some very good love scenes…this is a very good romance that fans of the historical/regency genre are going to love.
Reviews for Mastering the Marquess
FALLEN ANGELS REVIEWS – Recommended Read
Mastering The Marquess is a perfect gem of a Regency Romance. The characters shine. They’re unique and real and not-at-all perfect. Meredith, having had three parents die, expects everything to go wrong. She paints distressingly dark and rather gory painting. She is also accustomed to being in control and doesn’t give up this control easily. Silverton, in contrast, likes everything to be just so. He arranges his perfect world so no unpleasantness touches him. When Mr. Icy Perfection is faced with the gloomy, controlling beauty, the air between them sizzles. There’s challenge and attraction and real emotion. Mastering The Marquess is what a modern Regency romance should be.
ROMANCE JUNKIES: 4.5 Blue Ribbon Rating
"A beautiful tale that will sweep you to another age and time with one snap of the fingers."
"Ms. Kelly pens here a delightful tale that grips the reader from the first page to the very last. Master of her craft, she is a virtuoso at story-telling, wrapping the reader in the world of the Regency and the haute ton with skilful craftsmanship. Mastering The Marquess catches the attention from the start, and the bows and curtsies of the plot maintain a steady pace throughout the story. The take on Regency’s haute society is accurate and infused with a freshness that sets it apart as a story that is more than a simple historical."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY – Beyond Her Book (WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs)
"Captivating tale of being a woman alone with no choices of her own. I cheered for Meredith when she escaped her cruel relatives and fought for her sister’s rights in a family she’s never known. This book pulled at my heartstrings and left me with a warm feeling."
THE ROMANCE STUDIO
"This is the best historical romance that I have read so far this year, and I look forward to more from this author."
"This is such a good romance it is hard to believe that it is the author’s debut. She has such a good grasp of the time period, its fashions, and customs that I’m sure this is only the start of a great career."
SINGLE TITLES – Four Stars: A Keeper
“MASTERING THE MARQUESS stirs the emotions of the reader by combining a passionate romance with an intriguing plot filled with unanticipated turns.”
“For her debut book, Vanessa Kelly brings the Regency period alive with festive social gatherings, scandals and plenty of emotion. The characters are genuinely portrayed, and the reader will come to deeply care about the hero and heroine, wanting them to finally find true happiness in their lives.”
ROMANTIC TIMES
“Fast paced and difficult to put down.”
“Kelly’s suspenseful and entertaining debut is a Regency romance with some gothic elements. The novel is a study in contrasts, and the main characters are well developed and supported by engaging secondary characters.”
