The Truth About Lord Stoneville (1) (The Hellions of Halstead Hall)

This book was delicious could not put it down! The Hellions of Halstead Hall series is about five siblings who have been living life by their own rules since their parent's apparent murder suicide. Now their maternal grandmother has said if they continue to want her money they all must marry in the next year. This is Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville story - he decides to find someone that his grandmother will hate and stop this whole scheme - he finds Maria Butterfield who is a catholic American and as her pretend to be his fiancé --- of course nothing goes as planned.... Can't wait for book two of the series A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall) due out fall 2010.

I really enjoyed this book. I waited in anticipation and the story did not disappoint. The characters were well written and very funny. Gran was very easy to like and her character was quick witted. I am so happy that Lord Stoneville got his story and I liked Maria. Marias cousin was affectionate with a loving quality and I would have liked to see him get his own book. All in all a fun and entertaining read. Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint.

Hetty Plumtree had had enough. At the age of 71, she was tired of the gossip and scandals surrounding her grandchildren. Since the time of their parents deaths the Sharpe siblings have run amok in society, enough so they were dubbed Hellions of Halstead Hall. Rare was a gossip rag that didn't mention at least one of them in some unfavorable manner. Well they better mend their scandalous ways and very soon. The siblings have just been given an ultimatum by dear old gran. ALL five must wed within a year or be cut off financially. Grandson Oliver Sharpe, Marquess of Stoneville, is wise to gran's scheme. The head of the family and arguably the worst of the notorious lot has other ideas. The unrepentant rakehell never had the desire to marry after seeing his parents disastrous union end so tragically so he comes up with a plan to thwart the requirement. He will simply find and pay the most unsuitable er...lady.. to become his "betrothed". Once Oliver's grandmother meets this "lady of virtue" she will surely acquiesce and end this marriage madness. And who should Stoneville stumble onto during his search at a brothel other than a brash, brazen American woman (and a Catholic one to boot!) with a havey cavey story about some lost fiance. The perfect woman for his bluff. Blackmail comes in handy at such times and so Stoneville having no morals strong arms the reluctant miss to accept his scheme with the promise of looking into her betrothed's disappearance. Gran will surely gape and swoon when he presents this lady and all will be set back to rights.....or so he plans. I've been waiting patiently for Stoneville's book since he was mentioned in the School of Heiresses series and I wasn't disappointed. An excellent beginning to a new series. Perfect for the reader looking for a reformed rake book, a wounded unrepentant gentleman with dark clouded soul is brought back to life by the love of a good woman. Don't we all dream about loving the bad boys? (well at least I do ;)) I think the Jeffries sums it up quite nicely in this quote "She believed in him when he himself could not. And her belief now transformed her into the angel descending to make him whole, to soothe his hurts, to bring his body alive". ~sigh~ Along with the wonderful romance were the funny machinations of the brothers and sisters trying to get Oliver and Maria together permanently. The morning of the Valentines ball is particularly good (I didn't know such customs about Valentines Day even existed!). And lets not forget gran who is not as she would seem in the beginning of the book. That old lady is up to something! She will be interesting to read about in the forthcoming books. Can't wait! Other reformed rakes books I have enjoyed- The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3) The Last Hellion (Avon Romantic Treasure) Splendid Devil's Cub The Rake If You Deceive (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 3)

The Truth About Lord Stoneville (Hellions of Halstead Hall) by Sabrina Jeffries Regency Romance - Jan. 19, 2010 4 ½ stars The Truth About Lord Stoneville is a winning tale that is sure to please Regency fans. Sabrina Jeffries's sure touch carries this story as I quickly found myself attracted to the characters in her newest series. In this series, the members of the Sharpe clan are all summoned by their canny and rich grandmother to their old home Halstead Hall. The Sharpe brothers and sister are known for their reckless and independent ways. But when one has an unfortunate accident the grandmother finally commands them all to marry within the year or all of them will loose their inheritance. Outraged they try to reason with her but without avail. But Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville has a cunning plan of his own. He means to find the most wretched and unappealing fiancée. One that his grandmother will never approve of and therefore call off the ridiculous plan to force him to marry. Maria Butterfield is a dreadful American who is stubborn, independent and dreadfully `inexperienced.' But Oliver soon finds Maria is more attractive than he knows what to do with and her American charm has a way of getting under his skin. A woman that is the complete opposite of what he usually prefers may just be what he needed all these years. But can he convince her of his true affections after blackmailing her to pretend to be his fiancée? This was a fun romance. I was charmed with Oliver's brothers and sisters as they tried to match make Maria and Oliver. Even they knew before Maria and Oliver that they were destined for each other! As they tried to get the 2 together (They also think if only Oliver marries then they won't have to!), the story gets more entertaining and outrageous. I can't wait to read how each of them gets caught in the marriage trap! Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite writers. The only reason I did not grade this story higher is because I actually found myself becoming more interested in Oliver's siblings as the story progressed! This is a solid story with very engaging characters. I am eager to find out more about the rest of the Sharpe clan and their devious grandmother. This series is one sure to delight Regency fans and keep them coming for more! Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club