Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Aloha to Elizabeth Michels and DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA - Book Review


17586489

Get into the grove with Elizabeth Michels' DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA:

Her Cinderella Moment

Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later, she’s in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it all on her new persona—Suzanna. So Society’s most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth.

All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but in truth she’s not being all that helpful. And in truth, the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along…


Fairy Godmothers ... Hawaiian Style

Beauty is where you find it. – Madonna, lyrics from Vogue

Sue Green borrows some of Madonna’s courage to sneak into a masquerade ball with her younger sister and mischievous cousins.  “Sensible Sue” lets down her guard, hikes up her dress, and assumes the persona “Saucy Suzanna”.   She dances seductively down an empty staircase, or at least she thought it was empty, until her high kick smacks the aristocratic nose of Lord Holden Ellis.   Their chance meeting lead to a few passionate kisses that are rudely interrupted … and Sue escapes the ball ala Cinderella.  

Holden reluctantly enters society to search for Suzanna as no other woman has stirred his passion.   He dodges the marrying mommas, including Sue’s own mother who is trying to find a titled husband for her younger sister, Evangeline.   Yet he seeks Sue’s company, believing she knows how to locate Suzanna. While Sue enjoys Holden’s banter (and the memories of his kisses), she believes she should avoid Holden so she can find a “sensible” husband before she is put on the shelf.   

Michels delivers an entertaining romp through Regency England with hints of Cinderella, The Ugly Ducking, and even Desperately Seeking Susan.    Michels’ secondary characters provide the comic relief to the underlying themes of inner beauty, self acceptance, and familial duty.    Hats off to Sensible Sue for being true to herself and her talent as an artist.

DESPERATELY SEEKING SUZANNA is Book Two in Michel’s TRICK OF THE TON series.   The opening chapters run parallel with the opening chapters of Book 1, MUST LOVE DUKES.    I enjoyed Book 1 and welcomed the opportunity to see those characters from a different angel in Book 2.   It is not necessary to read Book 1 before Book 2, but I recommend reading both books to appreciate Michel’s storytelling talent.

Michels is a fresh new voice in Regency romance.   I look forward to more from Michels, especially if she gives Evangeline and the cousins their own stories!  


I received an ARC from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Elizabeth and her books, check out her website at elizabethmichels.com.

1758648817796407


11 comments:

  1. I just got Must Love Dukes and looking forward to her next one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The covers are all so beautiful too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I read the first book and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to this book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a great book. I love historical romances set during this time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I discovered Elizabeth when I read "Must Love Dukes", which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'd love to read the next in the series. I must say that the covers are gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for your review, Kim - sounds like a good read.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Elizabeth is a new author for me. I love historicals and enjoyed your review, Kim!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love spending time in the Regency Period. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Interesting sounding series

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have this on my list. I will probably read the books in order. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete