Firstly, I've only read "Charmed by Her Smile" because it's #1.5 in the Byrons of Braebourne series by Tracy Anne Warren.Detailed plot summary: Fleeing Peter "the Pest" Harte at Cade's (B of B #1) wedding reception, India Byron escapes to the gardens where she runs into Quentin Marlowe, 8th Duke of Weybridge. Though a stranger to her, she decides her best option for eliminating Peter's advances are to be found in his arms. So she asks the stranger if he'll kiss her. He happily agrees, Peter finds them in an embrace, and India and Quentin depart from one another not knowing who each other is. Some wks later at a house party - whose invitation India readily accepts to avoid Peter - India is aghast to find Peter there. (Apparently some aunt procured an invite for him.) India tries to avoid his advances again by telling him she's still involved with the man whose arms she was in when they last saw each other and that he'll be joining them shortly. (All lies of course b/c she doesn't even know who she kissed.) But low and behold, who should appear at the house party but Quentin. India quickly asks Quentin if he'll appear to court her for the duration of the house party to try and discourage Peter; once again Quentin happily agrees. But Peter is not easily discouraged and ultimately India agrees to go on a ride with him. Peter uses the opportunity to push marriage on India once more and when she emphatically restates her disinterest, Peter abandons her in the middle of nowhere out of spite. Quentin puts two and two together and goes off looking for her, ultimately finding her. India confesses her love for him, but Quentin believes it's just infatuation; not wanting to steal any more of India's youth or deprive her of her coming out and first Season, he leaves. The house party ends, India's heart-broken and returns home. Several weeks / months (?) pass when she's told that a visitor has come to speak with her father, possibly for her hand in marriage. Assuming it's Peter, she storms in the confront Peter and tell her father directly of her feelings, but it turns out that it's Quentin. He GUSHES his love for her, asks her to marry him... HEA.Annoying things: 1) So many other historic romance novels give the impression that if someone was caught in a kiss, it would be the most scandalous thing EVER. And yet India throws herself into a public kiss with a then-stranger, KNOWING Peter would see. So which is it? 2) I think it would have been a happier ending if Quentin hadn't waited so long to return... especially since they only had 8 days to build their relationship. DNF.This is a collection of short stories, a mix of historical, contemporary and paranormal.I read the first short called the Irish Duke which seemed to have potential. But like most short stories, the plot is simple and character development minimal. I did not believe in the speed in which the couple meet and fall in love within two weeks.I read a few chapter of the next short contemporary (the duke is a dog named Duke). Nothing special about the characters or the plot, not enough to emotionally engage me - but then I'm not a fan of contemporary romance stories so that might be my fault.The third story is about a vampire and a man possessed by a demon. Lots of blood, death and gore. Not what I want in a romance novel.There are a couple more stories in the anthology but after the three strikes from the others, I moved on.I've decided I won't waste my time on anthologies or short stories (I will still read novellas that are long enough for a fuller development of plot and character).
What do You think about Four Dukes And A Devil (2009)?
Quite nice stories. My favorite is 'Catch of the Century' and 'Charmed by Her Smile'.
—hebazaghlan
Enjoyed Cathy maxwell, Sophia Nash, & Tracey Ann warren's
—rebuntu
