This story has a lot of suspense and is very romantic. It is definitely good enough to read several times.

As a story, this isn't bad. Derek and Kelsey are, in my opinion, the most attractive h/h in the Malory series.

The only problem for me, really, is that Lindsey publishes the Malory series as historicals rather than as fantasy. The England, Caribbean, Boston, etc. in which the Malory family lives resemble the actual settings (as far as laws are concerned, in particular) only in the most glancing manner.

Haverston simply could not have declared an illegitimate son to be his heir. It couldn't be done.

If he was sufficiently influential in politics, he could have persuaded the king to issue the appropriate papers for the creation of a new title for his illegitimate son. It might even have been a variation on one of the titles that Haverston held.

I'm giving Haverston the benefit of a doubt on the matter of the estates -- since Haverston married Frances knowing that he didn't intend to have children from the marriage, the settlements at the time of his marriage probably broke any previous tail male and allowed him to bequeath his estates by will. Wills could make bequests to servants, friends, charitable institutions, and a wide variety of other non-heirs. This included illegitimate children, but they didn't "inherit" as they were legally unrelated to anyone.

I love the story in this book as I love the whole Mallory series. But I find it very difficult to listen to the Audio Book with the man that reads this, I much perfer when Laurel does it.

I enjoyed reading this story! It was different! Though I found myself instantly attracted to Cousin Jeremy with his handsome face, raven-black hair & cobalt blue eyes, he was so appealing to all your senses, only to be disappointed that he actually wasn't the main character in this story. It took me a while to grudgingly accept that I needed to let him go and accept Derek as the main gentleman for Kelsey. All in all, I gave in and finished enjoying reading the story and actually loved Derek and Kelsey as a couple. It's a great read, enjoy it!

Shortly after I ran to the bookstore and purchased the next Malory story: "A Loving Scoundrel" with Jeremy Malory and Danny.

SAY YOU LOVE ME by Johanna Lindsey
August 24, 2008


Amazon Rating: 4/5 stars

I've only read a handful of these books by Johanna Lindsey, in her THE MALORYS series of books. These take place in the regency era, and are all quite fun. It's currently my favorite type of historical romance. In this novel, Kelsey Langton and her sister are orphans, and are now currently living with their Uncle and Aunt. Their uncle, Kelsey has learned, has lost his job and needs help with the finances. He advises that she sell herself in an auction, and to use the winnings to help him take care of the family. Without telling her sister and aunt, she leaves for London with the help of her uncle, and finds herself at an auction where one of the Malorys buys her, because he notices that a ruthless man is about to bid on her. Derek Malory knows the reputation of this cruel man, and while he had no intention of buying a mistress, he's now gained one in order to save Kelsey's life. Kelsey, on the other hand, has no idea what fate she was saved from. All she knows is that she's now to be the mistress of this wealthy man, but being a mistress means she can no longer call herself a lady of the ton, a secret she keeps to herself in order to help her uncle out. As far as Derek and the Malorys are concerned, she's come from the lower classes and selling herself is nothing new.

While she adjusts to her new life, Derek can't help but think she may not be who she says she is. Her manners are that of the upper class and she speaks as if she's educated. But Kelsey finds all sorts of excuses to keep her secret. She doesn't want anyone to know who she really is. In the mean time, she has to learn how to be a mistress, and at the same time she finds she's falling in love with him! She thinks he may have similar feelings for her, but he has yet to tell her that he loves her.

Lots of fun, I can't have enough of the Malory series of books. I am not reading these in order so I can't say whether there are errors in continuity or not, but as a stand alone book, I found SAY YOU LOVE ME very enjoyable and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.