Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Historical Romance POV: Third Person, Multiple Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: James Alexander William Ormond Heroine: Georgiana Manning Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: July 01, 2025 Started On: July 22, 2025 Finished On: July 25, 2025
Anne Stuart’s To Catch a Thief is a Victorian romp that tries to blend the sparkle of a screwball comedy with the darker edges of a thief-hero romance, and while the premise had me intrigued, the execution left me pretty much deflated. The setup is delicious: James Rafferty, a former highwayman and reluctant thief, slips into the Manning household under the guise of a butler, intent on uncovering a hidden stash of money left by his late employer.
What he does not expect is Georgiana Manning, the spirited and slightly harum-scarum (reckless) younger daughter of the house, who latches onto him with equal parts naiveté and stubborn determination. Their worlds collide in ways both comedic and fraught with danger, all under the watchful eyes of her disastrous family.
Rafferty, at thirty-one, should have been the sort of dangerous rake Anne Stuart is so good at delivering; a man torn between his criminal instincts and his inconvenient conscience. Instead, he spends far too much of the story vacillating, sometimes ruthless, sometimes noble, sometimes maddeningly indecisive. His backstory as the grandson of a duke who abandoned privilege for a life of thievery had such potential, but it remained unexplored, leaving me wishing for more depth.
Georgie, meanwhile, at twenty, is the archetypal sunshine heroine, full of chatter, good intentions, and starry-eyed notions of reforming her “project.” At first her effervescence is charming, especially when contrasted with her odious sister Norah and selfish mother, but over time her blind devotion and lack of growth made her feel more like a lamb following Rafferty around than a heroine finding her strength.
The conflict, on paper, has everything I adore: class difference, forbidden attraction, a hero caught between his past sins and his chance at redemption, a heroine desperate to be seen and loved for herself. Yet the pacing falters under repetitive inner monologues, with Rafferty constantly telling himself he must resist Georgie, only to fall into her arms again and again. Instead of delicious tension, it sometimes felt like narrative whiplash. The treasure hunt subplot and the looming threat of Rafferty’s criminal rival which should have injected urgency often took a backseat to the circular dance of “will he/won’t he” between the leads.
What kept me turning the pages were the glimpses of Anne Stuart’s signature style; moments of biting humor, wicked dialogues, and a secondary cast that sparkled with more life than the central pair. Martina and Neddy’s unlikely romance, Norah’s comeuppance, and even the dowager Duchess added texture and entertainment. Georgie did win me over in flashes, particularly when her unvarnished honesty forced Rafferty to confront himself, but too often she was written as a childlike foil rather than an equal partner.
For me, the greatest disappointment is that this story echoed the elements that make Anne Stuart’s older works so irresistible; ruthless anti-heroes, headstrong heroines, high-stakes passion, but never fully captured the sharp edge of danger or the intoxicating pull of inevitability. It felt like a pale imitation of her best, with potential left untapped.
Recommended for: readers who do not mind a stubbornly naïve heroine, a hero torn between sin and salvation, and an eccentric supporting cast stealing the spotlight.
Final Verdict: A Victorian romance bringing together two protagonists who should have worked, yet remained weighed down by indecision and repetition. Left me mourning for the untapped potential.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Oasis Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: First Person, Single Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Ian Heroine: Katherine Mirabel Whitehead Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: May 02, 2024 Started On: May 13, 2024 Finished On: May 19, 2024
Anne Stuart delivers another darkly seductive tale in Return to Mariposa, steeped in gothic atmosphere, family intrigue, and the kind of dangerous romantic tension she is known for. Katherine Mirabel Whitehead (Kitty) returns to the ancestral home she was banished from, only to step into her glamorous cousin Bella’s life through a daring masquerade. What follows is a story of secrets, betrayals, and forbidden desire, set against the backdrop of Mariposa.
Kitty, as a heroine, is both compelling and exasperating. She is intelligent on paper, with a PhD in plant eugenics that the story itself wryly points out as fairly useless, but emotionally she is vulnerable, with a deep well of insecurity and lack of self-worth. This makes her ripe for manipulation by her cousin and far too easily dazzled by charming vipers in disguise. There are moments when she veers into “too-stupid-to-live” territory, giving herself away and stumbling headlong into danger, which was as frustrating as it was hilarious. But at the same time, those flaws are what makes her believable — she has been shaped by rejection and she has never learned to see her own worth.
Ian, by contrast, is pure Anne Stuart hero. Harsh, unreadable, disdainful, and yet undeniably magnetic, he embodies that dangerous allure that makes you both wary and desperate for more. There is history between him and Kitty, one that adds depth to their dynamic, and discovering those intricacies is half the fun of this novel. Watching Ian, so certain and contained, slowly crumble under the weight of desire for Kitty is what makes this romance crackle. It is to his credit that he saves her from herself time and again, even when she cannot see the vipers circling.
The suspense of who wants Kitty — or Bella — dead runs alongside the romance, giving the story its bite. But it is the chemistry between Kitty and Ian that steals the show. The sex scenes are scorching hot, some of the best Stuart has written in recent years, and they carry that perfect balance of danger and tenderness that defines her work.
What I loved here was how quintessentially Anne Stuart this novel felt — the manipulative family drama, the enigmatic hero who you cannot quite trust, the heroine you sometimes want to shake, and the sheer heat that explodes between them.
But I also have to admit that this is not the best of her works. The plot meanders at times, and Kitty’s lack of self-preservation instincts can test the your patience. Still, for all that, it is a worthy read — especially for those who, like me, have missed Stuart’s trademark blend of scorching sensuality and gothic romantic suspense. If there was one thing I missed, it was an epilogue to give a glimpse into the future of these characters after such intensity — but then again, withholding that comfort is also classic Stuart.
Recommended for: Readers who love gothic-tinged suspense, darkly enigmatic heroes, flawed but vulnerable heroines, and the unique alchemy that only Anne Stuart can deliver.
Final Verdict: A darkly seductive gothic romance, Return to Mariposa delivers family intrigue, a hero who smolders, and sex scenes that are vintage Anne Stuart at her best.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novella Genre: Historical Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Alistair Darcourt Heroine: Lady Elspeth of Gaveland Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: December 15, 2011 Started On: June 07, 2023 Finished On: June 18, 2023
His smile was unnerving. He knelt down on the bed, leaning over her, and he seemed huge and dark and smothering as he blocked out the moonlight. “Indeed, I do just as I please,” he said. “You’re my destiny, Elspeth of Gaveland. Or my curse. It remains to be seen.”
Anne Stuart’s The High Sheriff of Huntingdon is a historical romance novella that draws the reader into a world of power, intrigue, and passion. The novel opens with the forced marriage of Alistair Darcourt, the High Sheriff of Huntingdon, to the young 22 year old Lady Elspeth of Gaveland.
Married by proxy and having spent the last eight years in a convent, Elspeth is thrust into a new life filled with uncertainty and danger, even unknowingly. Alistair, a man of formidable reputation and rumored to be the spawn of a witch and the devil, welcomes his new bride by placing her in the reputedly haunted tower. This initial act sets the tone for their tumultuous relationship, one that is marked by power struggles, distrust, and undeniable attraction.
Elspeth is a remarkable heroine—willful, intelligent, unyielding, with a core of vulnerability that she does not show to most. Her father’s dismissive attitude towards her only fuels her determination to survive and thrive in the new environment into which she is thrust. Elspeth’s strength lies in her ability stand up to Alistair’s harsh demeanor and call him on his bullshit when and as needed. She is not the shrinking violet that her husband had expected her to be, and this is where the true thrill of the story lies as they navigate the newness of their marriage.
Alistair is a complex and compelling hero. Known for his ruthlessness he is initially dismissive of Elspeth, seeing her merely as a means to an end—a piece of land and a future heir. However, his preconceived notions are challenged as Elspeth proves to be a match for his formidable will. Alistair is a man torn between his desire for power and his burgeoning feelings for his wife, a struggle that adds nuances to the story that I loved.
One of the best aspects of the story lies in the intense chemistry between Alistair and Elspeth that serves to be both their undoing. Their relationship evolves from one of mutual distrust to a passionate and consuming love, which especially Alistair does not care much for. I rooted for both Alistair and Elspeth; Alistair because his brooding nature demands nothing less, and Elspeth because she is what Alistair needs in his life, in every sense.
Recommended for fans of historical romance, offering a perfect blend of passion, intrigue, and richly drawn characters that draws you in from the get go.
Final Verdict: The High Sheriff of Huntingdon is a well crafted tale of love, power dynamics, and redemption, pairing Elspeth’s bold and daring nature with that of Alistair’s brooding intensity.
Favorite Quotes
He lifted his head, looking down into her bewildered face with cool satisfaction. “Your heart is pounding, bride. Is it because you’re frightened? Or is there some other reason why your pulse is racing?” She tried to shake her head, to deny the evidence of her body, but his mouth caught hers, silencing her argument. He kissed her, deep and full and hard, allowing no escape. Indeed, she wasn’t sure she wanted to escape. Her arms came up of their own accord, around his waist, and she held on, suddenly afraid she might faint.
He said what he never thought he’d say. “I don’t want to hurt you.” The words were torn from him in an agonized gasp as he tried to control the powerful urges of his body. His muscles were clenched in iron will, his forehead was beaded with sweat, and he didn’t know how much longer he could stand the torment. “It’s all right,” she said in a whisper. “I’m your wife. Your destiny. Take me.” And she arched up against him, seeking him. He lost control. For the first time in his life, a woman overpowered him. He thrust against her, breaking through the frail barrier of her maidenhead, sinking deep into the glorious tightness of her. She cried out then, a small, soft sound, and he kissed her, his mouth covering her face, drinking her tears, tasting her soft mouth.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novella Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Sebastian Brand Heroine: Emma Milsom Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: September 01, 1992 Started On: May 28, 2023 Finished On: June 07, 2023
She could tell him that she was obsessed with him. That she wanted him. That for whatever perverse reason, she was crazily, improbably in love with him. But she couldn’t tell him that he didn’t frighten her. She couldn’t lie. He scared her half to death.
The Monster in the Closet by Anne Stuart is a riveting and intense tale that expertly blends themes of horror, romance, and psychological intrigue. Being the avid fan of Ms. Stuart’s dark and complex characters that I am, I found this book to be a great way to keep away the blues that hits every now and then because I am left with very little from Ms. Stuart’s impressive backlist of published books to indulge in.
The story centers around Sebastian Brand, a British horror actor who is as enigmatic as he is troubled. Sebastian owns a house that developers are after him to sell for them redevelop the property, but he stands firm, haunted by the memories that the house holds. His reluctance to let go of the past sets the stage for the unfolding story that brings into his sphere the unsuspecting Emma Milson, whose life turns upside down from the moment they meet.
Emma takes on the role of general manager for the volatile and brilliant Teddy Winters who is directing the movie that would redefine his career, starring none other than Sebastian. Against her better judgment, Emma accepts the job, knowing Teddy’s reputation for pushing people beyond their limits. It is also partly the safe and boring status of her life that pushes her to give in to Teddy’s demands, landing her in a situation more than she bargained for.
Emma’s task is to keep Sebastian out of the public eye, a job that proves more difficult than she anticipated. Sebastian’s initial coldness towards Emma gradually gives way to a reluctant fascination. The chemistry between them is intriguing, and their interactions charged with an intensity that keeps growing with every encounter, until the inevitable happens. Sebastian’s charismatic yet tortured soul contrasts sharply with that of Emma’s vulnerability, creating a dynamic that I reveled in.
Ms. Stuart’s portrayal of Sebastian’s traumatic history is both heartbreaking and compelling, making him a character you can’t help but root for despite his flaws. Emma being the bleeding heart that she is, finds herself unable to walk away from Sebastian, even when he is being his coldest, trying to do his best to push her away, especially when danger increasingly seems to stalk Emma, eerily similar to incidents from Sebastian’s past.
What I particularly appreciated about The Monster in the Closet is Ms. Stuart’s creation of Sebastian, who is deeply flawed and yet incredibly compelling as is usual for her heroes. Sebastian’s struggle with his dark past and his fear of vulnerability make him a complex and intriguing, while Emma’s journey from a life of safety to one of risk and emotional exposure is equally so. The passion between the two is all consuming, one that scares Sebastian and compels Emma to fight for Sebastian in every single way.
Recommended for fans of Anne Stuart and stories that deliver a unique mix of romance, horror, and elements of mystery.
Final Verdict: The Monster in the Closet is a masterfully crafted novella that combines elements of horror, romance, and psychological drama, weaving intricate and emotionally charged narratives.
Favorite Quotes
She’d never been kissed like that. With that much longing and restraint and carefully leashed passion. He kissed her as an artist might paint a picture, delicately, powerfully, thoroughly, so that all she could do was stand there and tremble in helpless response. She brought her hands up to touch him, and despite the fact that his hands were cradling her face so gently, the iron-hard tension in his tightly muscled arms was shocking. The moment her fingers touched him, touched the smooth, hard flesh of his biceps, he broke away, stepping back into the shadows, leaving her suddenly alone.
“The fact of the matter is, Emma,” he whispered, his mouth brushing hers so lightly that she might have imagined it, “I feel the same way. Angry.” He pushed his body closer, up against hers, his hips pressing against hers. “Turned on,” he said, and there was absolutely no doubt of that. “And quite, quite terrified of you.” With that, he released the iron bars and pulled her into his arms, imprisoning her against his hard, tense body. He kissed her then, and she was lost.
“Stop fighting it,” he breathed in her ear, his own voice ragged, and she knew he understood her body better than she did. “Stay with me, damn it.” She released the iron bars, turning her hands beneath his above her head. He clasped them, driving his hips against her as his mouth crushed hers, and the fear was gone, burnt away in a flashpoint of cataclysmic proportions as her entire body seemed to arch, shatter, and dissolve.
He covered her, sliding into her, filling her with a deep thrust that brought a cry to her lips. But her arms wrapped around his back, her long, beautiful legs wrapped around his hips, and she buried her face against his shoulder, against his hair, and her voice was muffled, fierce, as she told him what she needed. He put his hand between their bodies, touching her, and she exploded immediately, her body convulsing around him. He’d gone into some dark, wild place, beyond sense, beyond reason, and all that existed was her body, her soul, her heart racing against his, her breath panting in his ear, as he thrust into her again and again as she clung to him, sobbing.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novella Genre: Contemporary Romance POV: Third Person, Dual Series: Ice, #6.5 Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Luc Dubois Heroine: Emma O’Bannion Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: March 17, 2023 Started On: May 27, 2023 Finished On: May 28, 2023
Dangerous Lover by Anne Stuart, the latest release in the bestselling Ice series, takes readers on a captivating journey through the shadowy world of covert agents and forbidden romance that is synonymous with the series. As an avid fan of Ms. Stuart’s work, especially her knack for creating irresistibly dark and complex heroes, I was in a sense of anticipation as I dove into this novella, and I was not disappointed.
The story begins with 29-year-old Emma O’Bannion dreading the upcoming Valentine’s Day. It is a holiday she finds particularly depressing, amplifying her restlessness and longing for an adventure that might distract her from her inner musings. Emma’s life is seemingly well-planned, with her ambitious goal of making partner at Kelton and Kelton by the time she turns 35. Yet, there’s a spark of impulsiveness within her that ignites when she encounters Luc Dubois, the enigmatic new tenant in her building.
From the moment Emma decides to send Luc an anonymous lover’s card for Valentine’s Day, believing it to be a harmless gesture, the story takes the turn that I was waiting for. Luc, a retired agent of the Committee, a global covert agency with its own hidden agendas, has been living a life of relative quiet in his retirement until a warning makes him up his guard once again. When Emma’s seemingly innocent card coincides with this warning, Luc deliberately puts himself in Emma’s space and world, something which he had been resisting up till that point.
Luc is a man marked by his past, particularly by betrayal five years ago, also on Valentine’s Day. This haunting memory makes Emma’s “anonymous” gift too much of a coincidence for him to walk away from and consider as harmless. When Luc confronts Emma suspicious of her in every sense, what ensues is a tense, captivating dance between them, culminating in the kind of passion and want that Luc has no place for in his life.
Ms. Stuart excels at crafting heroes who are dark, broody, and dangerously irresistible, and Luc Dubois is no exception. His initial coldness and calculated demeanor hides a deep well of passion and vulnerability, which Emma gradually uncovers. Their chemistry is electric and Luc’s protective instincts towards Emma, despite his better judgment, adds a layer of complexity to their relationship that kept me hooked.
While Dangerous Lover is a novella and shorter than a full-length novel, I found myself wishing for more time with Luc and Emma, as it always happens when you are enamored by a story and want it to continue forever. I wanted to delve deeper into their backgrounds and the intricacies of their relationship and encounter the angst that Ms. Stuart so famously delivers in most of her novels.
Ms. Stuart’s ability to write darker romance with a flair that is uniquely hers is why she remains my go-to author for my dark romance fix. I aim to do a re-read of some of my favorite books of hers sometime soon, having done so a year or so back in recent times. Not every romance reader may appreciate the dark themes and morally ambiguous characters that Ms. Stuart excels at creating, but for those who do, her books are a treasure trove of unforgettable stories, some of which remain permanently on my favorites shelf.
Recommended for fans of the Ice series and those who love their heroes a bit darker than most. While part of a series, Dangerous Lover can totally be read as a standalone.
Final Verdict: Dangerous Lover is a thrilling addition to the Ice series, delivering on the suspense, romance, and dark allure that Anne Stuart fans have come to expect and love from her novels in the series!
Favorite Quotes
The last button went, and her silk blouse hung open, exposing her indecent little wisp of a bra. “And what made you choose my apartment building? What made you decide to move in beneath me, and watch me every time you could catch a glimpse of me?” “I didn’t even know you were there,” she said wearily. “I told you, I didn’t think anyone lived upstairs until a couple of months ago. And it’s not your apartment building, buster, it belongs to the owners and it’s run by Mr. Habib and I have just as much right as you have…” “It is my building. I own it.” She could feel the tip of the knife against her bare skin, a strange, painless caress. A shiver of pure fear ran across her skin. She looked up at him, into his opaque, unreadable eyes, and she held her breath.„ And then he slid the knife between the bra and her skin, cutting it open.
He slid one hand through her hair and kissed her on the mouth again, taking his time, no need for hurry, no need for force. He was willing to wait, to see how long it would take her to respond. Her mouth opened beneath his slow, deliberate kisses, reaching for breath, reaching for words, reaching for his mouth, letting him, asking him, her lips clinging for a shy second and then falling back, then kissing him again, and this time when he used his tongue it truly was like sex, entering her, pushing inside the dark wetness of her mouth, and she let him, taking him, a hot damp clinging of mouth to mouth.
“Don’t think about it,” he whispered against her mouth. “Don’t think about anything. Just feel.” She wanted to cry. She lost herself in the taste of him, the sweet texture of his mouth and his tongue, the silken heat of his skin beneath her trembling hands. He hadn’t touched her breasts, yet they felt exquisitely sensitive, almost burning. He was rocking her against him, a slow, lascivious rhythm, her wispy silk panties against the buttoned fly on his jeans, and the sensation was a powerful one, making her breath catch in her throat. His eyes were half closed, watching her, and she was shy, edgy, her fingers digging into his smooth shoulders, as her stomach knotted and a jolt of something streaked through her body in anticipation.
She didn’t know why she was so wet, and she didn’t care. He was holding her too tightly for her to pull away, her face was pressed close against his shoulder, and she could feel the thunder of his heart, could feel the tension thrumming through his muscles, and she wanted to lick his skin, she wanted his mouth, she wanted everything, she no longer cared what he wanted to do with her. Nothing mattered but the wet, delicious waves of sensation he was coaxing from her, an almost lazy cycle of response that began to build, sharply, until without warning it exploded, and she screamed against his chest and her body arched off the bed in a spasm of hot, prickling response.
“Open your eyes, Emma,” he whispered in a harsh voice, and there was no ignoring him. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she stared up at him in dazed confusion. He cupped her buttocks, pulling her up closer against him, but she simply wrapped her legs around him, tight, drawing him in deeper still. His faint smile was answer enough. “You like it?” “I like it,” she whispered. “You want more?” “Yes, please.”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novel Genre: Historical Romance POV: Third Person, Multiple Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Ben Crawford (Nick the Butcher) Heroine: Emma Louise Manchester Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥 Published On: June 28, 2022 Started On: August 27, 2022 Finished On: November 06, 2022
“You aren’t going anywhere.” She looked up at him. She knew tears were swimming in her eyes—he’d always been the only one who could make her cry. “Why not?” “Because…” he said in a harassed voice. “Because…” He took a step toward her. “Because…” He caught her arms in a tight grip, pulling her against his hard body so suddenly that she let out a gasp. “Because of this.”
It Takes a Thief by Anne Stuart was one of the most highly anticipated novels for me in 2022 from an author who remains on my top shelf of go-to authors due to her exceptional flair for writing dark heroes that most romance readers don’t find affinity with.
I know that there are many authors of today who label themselves as writers of dark romance because their stories feature heroes from backgrounds such as the mafia. However, those authors don’t really live up to the hype and buzz that their books create amongst a wider audience. Heroes who are truly dark are written by authors like Ms. Stuart who captures in most of her books, the essence of what it means to be a villainous hero in its finest sense.
Published in June of 2022, told in the third person from the perspective of four characters, two main and two secondary, It Takes a Thief is a novel in a historical setting, featuring the story of how 23 year Emma Louise Manchester wins over the heart of her long lost step-brother Ben Crawford, aka Nick the Butcher.
It is unfortunate circumstances that reveals to Emma that her partner in crime up till she was eleven years old when Ben had been kicked out of the family home and seemingly lost to her forever, is in fact alive and thriving, albeit in a criminal setting. It is common knowledge that Ben is the leader of the Beggar’s Ken, of which the name itself signifies what the “organization” does.
Betrothed to a man not of her choosing as compensation for the gambling debts incurred by her brother, Emma was willing to bury her yearning for adventure and her belief in true love and happily ever after to become the dutiful wife of her betrothed. However, that single glimpse of Ben changes everything and Emma finds herself pursuing him with a newfound enthusiasm and fervor that makes a mockery of everything she is supposed to do.
Emma’s spirit for adventure and zest for everything to do with Ben, even when he tries (and fails spectacularly) to dissuade her, is the reason that Emma finally manages to pierce through the armor that Ben protects his heart and soul with. Ben believes that he is undeserving of a woman like Emma, even when he knows that her betrothed would destroy Emma’s spirit and heart if he were ever to truly claim her.
I must admit that for the very first time in a novel by Ms. Stuart, I was more enamored by the love that blooms between the secondary characters in the story, Molly O’Hanlon, better known as Red Molly who looks after the young ones at Beggars’ Ken and Thomas Alexander Campion, the man who pursues her, who wears her down bit by bit, and brings down the walls that she puts up with renewed strength every single day. Her back story was fascinating, and it was truly heartwarming when she found love in its truest form when she has always believed that she was of the undeserving.
I found that throughout the story, I was in a state of anticipation for that special something to happen between Emma and Ben which would give the novel the Anne Stuart factor, but alas. Nevertheless, because Ms. Stuart is such a stellar weaver of magical tales of love where one would least expects to find it, I enjoyed this little number and will continue to look forward to her announced publications in the future.
Recommended for fans of Anne Stuart and those who love romances in historical settings.
Final Verdict: It takes a thief like Emma’s undaunted spirit to win over the hardened heart and cynical soul of such as Ben’s. Ms. Stuart always delivers a rousing tale!
Favorite Quotes
The autumn sun was setting low, turning the chilly air even colder, when suddenly Campion took her arm and drew her into the shadows. She didn’t resist. “Listen to me,” he said in a low, vibrant voice. “I can’t keep doing this to you. I’m driving you mad and I know it, and I’ve refused to listen to what you’ve told me over and over again. But I’ll listen now. You don’t want me; you don’t want anything to do with me. So be it. We’ll find Skittle, bring him back to the ken, and then I’ll leave you alone from now on.” “Will you?” she said, her voice tremulous, and his eyes narrowed in the twilight. Before she realized what he was doing, he’d lifted his hands to cup her face, and his eyes were searching, questioning, as his thumbs stroked her cheeks. “Molly?” he whispered. “Why are you crying?” She couldn’t be. She’d shed all her tears for a lifetime, and she wasn’t ever going to cry over some damned man… Whom she loved. “I don’t want you to leave me alone,” she said in a hoarse voice. “Then tell me what you want from me. Because I have no earthly idea what it is.” He was right, she was crying—she could feel the wetness on her cheeks, the sting of the cold wind against them. “Love,” she said. “I want your love.”
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: Standalone Publisher: Self-Published Hero: Matthew Connelly Heroine: Jeannie MacPherson Sensuality: 3 Date of Publication: November 1985 Started On: November 14, 2021 Finished On: November 20, 2021
Rocky Road by Anne Stuart is a novel that was first published in 1985 from Harlequin. Republished recently on major e-book platforms, from the queen of romance who can seldom do wrong, comes the story of 40 year old Matthew Connelly, head of the detective squad of the Chicago police force and 33 year old Jeannie MacPherson, who is running from her own demons of a totally different variety.
When Jeannie tries the neighborly tactic of trying to welcome Matthew to Muscatoon Island where she has been residing in for the past two years, Jeannie is met with resistance of the kind that speaks of a man wanting to be left alone. Posing as a painter, but recovering from both physical and emotional wounds from the last case that Matthew was working on, he is determined that he would keep to himself through his recovery, even if Jeannie tempts him otherwise.
How these two tangle is quite invigorating at times, but ultimately, the story turned out to be a frustrating one for me. I always felt as if Jeannie was the one who was doing all the chasing and wooing when it comes to Matthew. Matthew is one of the most reluctant heroes I have come across of late and he made me grit my teeth from frustration because of his obstinate nature and with his emotions under control at every turn.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love a controlled hero – to a point. A controlled hero is no fun unless the heroine has the effect of unraveling him and smashing through that iron clad will. But Matthew seems to be made of sterner stuff than most, and while I am all for heroines who choose to assert themselves and go after what they want, I found her ploys to get noticed by Matthew, while hilarious, to be a tad desperate at times.
Perhaps I would have been more appeased, had she cut her losses and removed herself from the situation that she found herself in and let Matthew come to her, when all was said and done. If he felt so deeply about her, that is something he could do as well in my opinion. Even the last scene does not really give the reader any sense of happiness if you ask me, because even towards the very end, the push and pull factor is controlled by none other than Matthew. In my opinion, Jeannie just settled for what Matthew was willing throw her way, because she was lost from the minute he limped into her life.
I would also have loved to learn more about Matthew’s past – the last case he worked on seemed to have done a number on him in every sense. I always felt as if Ms. Stuart had a purpose behind including tantalizing bits and pieces of the case, which perhaps could have been part of the larger plot, giving the story an edgier ending.
Recommended for fans of Anne Stuart who are looking to read her older books as refurbished titles.
Final Verdict: Rocky is the road that Jeannie travels when it comes to winning the affections of Matthew; there is no stone that she would leave unturned to win over her beloved!
Favorite Quotes
He moved then, swiftly, gracefully, so fast that she couldn’t avoid him. “You forgot to kiss me good-bye,” he said, and pulled her into his arms, his mouth coming down on hers before she had a chance to duck. One of his strong hands held the nape of her neck in a viselike grip, the other arm slid around her waist and pulled her up against him as he kissed her, a long, slow, erotic insult of a kiss. She’d opened her mouth to protest and he’d taken possession of it, with a deliberate, sexual kiss that brought her blood racing to her loins and flames of fury racing to her brain.
For a moment she forgot everything, forgot her doubts, her better judgment, her sense of self-preservation, and she twined her arms around his neck to kiss him back. She was lost in the wonder of his mouth. In the dimness of the rocking cabin there was only the scent of his skin, the feel of his mouth, and the warm, wet, seeking pleasure of the mouth on hers. She wanted to get closer, closer to him; she wanted to climb inside his skin and kiss him from the inside out; she wanted to rip off her clothes and climb on top of him, to blot out the storm and her fears and her doubts and her loneliness that she never admitted existed. She wanted nothing but Matthew Connelly, and the demanding mouth on hers, the strong hands that were threading underneath her sweater to slide up her hot skin told her that he wanted her, too.
“Should I let you go?” His words came out on the breath of a sigh, and he was warm and strong and so very near. “Yes,” she whispered, and raised her mouth to his, no longer able to fight it. He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her into the haven of his body, and she went gladly, mindlessly, sinking against him with a sigh of pure delight. There was no question that this was dangerous and very wrong, no question that she was a fool. And no question that it no longer mattered. She kissed him, reaching up to him, and it was long and slow and deep, and finished the last shreds of common sense left to her. His tongue was hot and rough and wet in her mouth, bold and demanding, allowing her no pretensions. She couldn’t be kissed like that, return a kiss like that, and still pretend they weren’t headed directly for bed.
He was with her, the force of his thrusts pounding her into the bed, and the ancient springs creaked in protest, a protest they both ignored as she reached for him, with her arms, her hips, her heart and soul, dissolving against him in a damp tangle of arms and limbs and love.
“You aren’t going to get warm standing there glaring at me,” he observed. Jeannie counted to ten mentally, then managed a smile as chilly as her icy flesh. “What do you suggest I do about it?” she demanded. “You could come over here and get warm.” She stared at him in amazement. “You think you could warm me Up?” “Oh, I think between the two of us we could manage quite a conflagration,” he said, and the rough silk of his voice began to melt the ice around her heart. “Come here, Jeannie.” Pride and common sense would have kept her rooted to her spot in the sand, but pride and common sense were at the bottom of the ocean.
She clung to him like a piece of rockweed clinging to a rocky shore, wrapping her arms and her body around him like tendril of kelp. Slowly the heat began to penetrate through her wet clothes, her salty skin, into her very bones, and then she was shivering with something other than cold, and he was shivering, too. “I feel as if I’m kissing a mermaid,” he whispered against her ear. She laughed against the solid warmth of his chest, a rusty, shaken sound. “You have been. Actually, I’m a siren, here to drown unsuspecting sailors.”
“But what if you can?” she said in a desperate whisper. “What if you can simply put it all behind you, forget about it?” “That’s what I’ve been trying to do all summer, and so far I haven’t had much success.” “But what if you could?” she persisted. He looked down at her, lying against the pillows, her russet-colored hair black in the moonlight. “Then I’ll find you,” he said softly. “And I’m expected to settle for that? A vague possibility?” Her voice wasn’t angry, only resigned and very, very sad. “It’s all I can offer.”
She arched against him, the warmth in her turning into a fire. Her hands reached up to cradle his face, and she kissed him, long and deep, telling him without words how much she’d missed him, how much she loved him, how much she hated herself for hurting him. He answered her, his tongue a strong, driving force within the receptive warmth of her mouth, telling her he would never leave her again. Slowly, carefully she let her hands slide down his arms, past his ribs, down the hard flatness of his stomach to touch him, hold him. His answering groan was reward enough, as he pressed himself into her willing hands, and she gentled and stroked him. His response was to delve deeper into her mysteries, the warm dampness of her telling him how much she needed him.
Format: Hardback Read with: NA Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: Standalone Publisher: Thorndike Press Hero: Jake Marley Heroine: Molly Ferrell Sensuality: 3 Date of Publication: January 12, 2003 Started On: August 09, 2021 Finished On: August 10, 2021
The Road to Hidden Harbor by Anne Stuart is a novel that was hard to find, but nevertheless I persisted in trying to find a copy until I found a hardcover large print copy from a used bookstore and had it shipped all the way here. Now if that isn’t dedication when it comes to one of your favorite authors, I don’t know what is.
Molly Ferrell, an English Professor at Southern Michigan University travels to Hidden Harbor, Maine in pursuit of information for her book centered around none other than the poet Michael O’Flannery, around whom her adolescent dreams revolved. According to available information, the renowned poet had taken his own life twenty years back, something that Molly finds hard to believe. Determined to pursue the truth, she comes to understand that the townsfolk are less than willing to talk when it comes to their local hero.
45 year old Jake Marley is the most hostile of them all, doing his utmost to drive her away. But her infatuation with Michael which had begun when she was merely 15 years old is too fierce for Molly to let it go and she is determined that she would get closure of some kind through this trip, however hard it may be.
Clashing with Jake somehow makes Molly wonder at what could be, because Jake is a man who pushes all her buttons and then some, the epitome of what she finds attractive; tall and lanky, with good shoulders and narrow hips. It is all this and more that draws her towards the enigmatic Jake, who for all intents and purposes seems to want her against his own will.
While I liked The Road to Hidden Harbor well enough, I found it to be too short of a novel to have done the characters and the story justice. There was so much potential for build-up of the sexual kind and otherwise, which could have made this story a solid 5-star read. Even with all that, in both Jake and Molly, Ms. Stuart brings to life the kind of characters she is famous for; intelligent, independent, and yin to the other’s yang that tugs at the heartstrings of the readers.
While wishing for more, I enjoyed this short novel and await something that is lengthier from Ms. Stuart in the time to come. Recommended for fans of Anne Stuart!
Final Verdict: The Road to Hidden Harbor is an enticing appetizer to what Ms. Stuart’s abilities are as a writer!Loved Jake and Molly through it all.
Favorite Quotes
She looked at him, tense and frustrated. He was lying to her and they both knew it. “I’m going home,” she said abruptly. “It’s about time.” “I mean I’m going back to the inn. I’m not leaving this town. You can’t drive me away, either by threatening me or by being nice. There’s nothing you can do to make me leave here before I’m good and ready to.” “You think so?” he said. And before she had any idea what he had in mind he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Somehow one hand had slid up under the bunched-up quilt. He had wicked, clever hands, and before she knew what he was doing he’d slid his fingers beneath her panties, touching her. “Yes,” she said in a tiny yelp. And he touched her again, a little hard, “Please,” she said. His eyes were as hard as diamonds in the dimly lit room, and behind him she could see the storm coming down on them, the trees whipping in the wind, the crash of the waves on the rocky beach. And then she couldn’t see anything at all, as his head blocked out the light and he kissed her.
He wanted to make her come first, so he could concentrate on his own pleasure, but it didn’t work out that way. It didn’t take him long to figure out what she liked, the way she wanted him to move. It was easy enough to read the choking sound of breathing, the sudden spasm in her body. But he hadn’t expected her first, tentative orgasm to trigger his own, and he couldn’t stop, couldn’t hold back, as he felt her tighten around him with an anxious sort of wail. And then he was lost, buried in her, wrapped around her, holding her, as pure sensation swept over him, shaking him to pieces.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novel Genre: Historical Romance Series: Standalone Publisher: Impeccably Demure Press Hero: Christopher St. James Constant Heroine: Miss Bryony Marton Sensuality: 3.5 Date of Publication: August 14, 2020 Started On: August 20, 2020 Finished On: September 04, 2020
If you are fan of Anne Stuart like myself, and have in all probability read most of her published books you can get your hands on, you would probably jump at the very possibility of a new book being published by a veritable master of the genre. There are very few books by Ms. Stuart that has not satisfied me on all counts, and even then, her stories tend to have that edge and quality to them that makes them memorable. Ms. Stuart is also the maestro when it comes to writing anti-heroes; her ICE series (contemporary) and The House of Rohan series (historical) are testament to this fact.
Published in August of last year, The Absolutely Positively Worst Man in England, Scotland and Wales (quite a mouthful, I know), was therefore much awaited to say the least. I had been regularly following up on Ms. Stuart’s blog to see when this baby would be published, and of course once it was, I was so excited that I couldn’t wait to dig in, even with work deadlines looming.
Christopher St. James Constant, third Earl of Adderley (Kit) is a man bored out of his mind, willing to be amused by pretty much anything. The news that his “friend” Sir George Latherby is about to get married rouses him of the boredom and lack of interest in life that plagues him, and so cooking up a nefarious plan to kidnap the betrothed to hasten the nuptials among other things, thus Adderly finds himself in the company of 25 year old Honorable Miss Bryony Marton.
Bryony wants nothing to do with her betrothed or any man for that matter. On the plain side, with scandal having eroded any means of making a good marriage match possible, Bryony has been biding her time until she could escape the confinement that is her every day life. When that “escape” comes in the form of kidnapping, while Bryony could have managed everything if it had been just herself, the fact that her cousin Cecelia is also taken alongside with her complicates matters.
Adderly, while he expects to be entertained to some extent by the events that unfold, he never would be thought it possible to be taken by surprise when it comes to Bryony. Her calm and unflappable demeanor, even under the most trying circumstances leaves him with an indescribable feeling coursing through him. Furthermore, when it would be far easier to have his way with the silly chit that is Bryony’s cousin, Adderly finds himself drawn to the plain looking thing that Bryony is, in a way that he is not at all comfortable with.
In the midst of it, Ms. Stuart also brings to life a secondary romance between Cecelia and Peter Barnes, member of the Bow Street Magistrate’s Court who is hired by Cecelia’s parents to bring her back home, leaving Bryony to her fate.
The Absolutely Positively Worst Man in England, Scotland and Wales is a story that brings an abundance of joy to to the expectant fans of Ms. Stuart. It has the hero whose reluctance to accept his feelings towards the heroine prevents him from giving in, and the heroine who at first, with her survival instincts kicking in, knows that the hero heralds the end of her life as she had known it.
While both Bryony and Adderly may not want to accept the heat that is very much alive between them, especially Adderly who knows better, there is no denying nor resisting what is inevitable. Their coming together is explosive in the way only Ms. Stuart can deliver scenes of passion, and the aftermath giving you that ton of angst to keep your adrenaline pumping. While Adderly tries (he truly does), to leave Bryony behind and get on with his life (though there is not much to it without her by his side), towards the end, it is Bryony who musters up the strength required to get them to their happily ever after.
I did love the story as it unfolded, with the main protagonists being endearing in their own unique ways. When it comes to the secondary romance, at first, I did not mind much for Cecelia’s character – I just found her to be a “convenient distraction” from what was springing to life between Adderly and Bryony. I felt quite annoyed by the time Ms. Stuart dedicated to Cecelia at that point in time. But once Peter Barnes came into the picture, I somehow found myself eagerly waiting for the bits and pieces to their story as well, finding Peter to be a hero I would have loved reading about more!
Adderly is an addictive hero – there is no doubt about that. He is lethal to your heart in a way that you foresee, but at the same time, you are unable to prevent him from piercing through and staking his claim on it. Bryony, with her calm and at times motherly nature, is exactly what Adderly needs but resists up till the very last minute. Adderly hides his scars behind the mask of indifference and boredom that assails his life and there is a darkness to his past that he has never really recovered from. The tantalizing bits and pieces to his past that Ms. Stuart dangles is just enough to draw your own conclusions and that is somehow enough to understand where Adderly is coming from.
At the cost of repeating myself, I loved the scenes of passion; they were certainly decadent. Though there was an epilogue to the story (readers deserved one after all the upheavals that we went through), it was a strange one to say the least. But nevertheless, it did serve its purpose, leaving the reader wanting more, and at the same time wondering whether Ms. Stuart would write a story about finding the modern day equivalent of Adderly. As an avid fan of Ms. Stuart, I can only hope!
Definitely recommended for fans of anti heroes, fans of Ms. Stuart, and those who love historical romances!
Final Verdict: Ms. Stuart does it yet again, delivering a delectably phenomenal read, with characters who tug at your heart and incite every sort of emotion conceivable.
Favorite Quotes
He lifted his mouth from hers. “Open up, poppet,” he said, devilment in his eyes. “It’s time you learned to kiss properly.” “I know about proper kisses,” she said somewhat breathlessly. “I stand corrected—let me show you about improper kisses.” He dropped his mouth to hers once more, and his tongue touched hers with a slow, languorous stroke.
“Never let it be said I disappointed a lady,” he muttered, and before she realized it, he’d crossed the safe distance that had remained between them, slid his hands through the loose curls on the back of her head and crushed his mouth down on hers. Cecilia Elliston had kissed seventeen men and boys, and she considered herself a reasonable expert in the matter, but she’d never, ever been kissed like Peter Barnes kissed her. He’d turned her around, pressing her up against the wall, and his mouth slanted across hers, hot and hard and wet.
“I’m not a termagant.” “Perhaps not. In fact, I’m not entirely sure how sweet you are beneath your calm exterior. I have every intention of finding out.” Before she could sense what he was doing, he’d slid one hand behind her neck and drawn her face to his, his open mouth covering hers. She’d thought he was calm, poised, playing games with her, but his kiss wiped out any pretense of self-control. With a low growl, he turned her in his arms, so that she was straddling him on the wooden chair, and she could feel him between her legs, that hard part of him that fascinated and frightened her. He used his tongue, kissing her with such a ferocity that she could do nothing but let herself be kissed, as slowly he moved her, back and forth over that solid ridge of flesh beneath his breeches.
He took her hand away from her body and placed it between his legs. “There’s your proof. If you want to swear this night never happened, then be my guest. Most men wouldn’t notice whether you were a virgin or not.” She tried to pull her hand back, but he held it there. “Night?” she echoed doubtfully. “All night long,” he confirmed. “Now come here.” “I am here,” she said stubbornly, trying to ignore the fear and desire that were building anew within her. “Closer.” Obediently, she crossed the tiny distance so that she knelt between his long legs. “Now kiss me. Kiss me the way I kissed you.” This was the point of no return, her last chance to say no. She leaned forward and put her mouth against his, and her uncovered breasts pressed against his chest. She tried to retreat, but he put his arm around her, pulling her closer, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting her shy one, coaxing it, teasing it, so that she forgot to think, so lost in sensation that she felt drugged with it. With lust, he said.
The first, tiny wash of pleasure was a shock, and she let out a little gasp as it hit her. He lifted his head, breathing on her tender parts. “You liked that, didn’t you? Stop fighting me and you’ll like it a lot more.” He licked again, and then slid two long fingers inside her. The sudden invasion shocked her, and she squirmed, but it only seemed to bring her closer to his mouth, as he explored, licked, and sucked with seemingly all the time in the world, and his fingers pumped into her slowly, readying her, and this was all too much… The sudden convulsion hit her, so fast and so hard that she cried out, but instead of drawing back, he redoubled his efforts, and she felt the nip of his teeth. It was the last thing she remembered, as darkness shut around her, her entire body seemed to explode in tiny pinpricks of reaction, and no sooner had one wave crashed them another rose, and she was crying, thrashing, caught in the maelstrom.
He didn’t move, holding himself just slightly above her so that his full weight wasn’t crushing her, and his eyes were closed, his face cold and hard in the moonlight. Slowly, her body relaxed, beginning to accept his presence so deep inside her, and she wanted what she’d felt before, that glorious, unsettling crash of feelings that had now left her completely. She tried to shift, but his voice came, hard and strained. “Don’t move.” She stayed still, wondering when this would be over. Though admittedly, there was a certain…pleasure in being covered by him, surrounded and invaded by all that strength. “Are we done?” she whispered, uncertain. His laugh was the last thing she expected, and she could feel it all through her body, everywhere his skin touched her. “We’ve only begun.”
He bit her breast, and reaction slammed down on her, that mindless, blinding delight, multiplied by a thousand candle flames, and he was moving fast now, deep, powerful thrusts that only made her needier. She wanted to tell him, but she’d lost the power of speech, and he was moving so fast, slamming into her, and their bodies were slick with sweat, and she needed… And she was gone, lost in a storm of sensation that she simply shattered in his arms, holding tightly, as if she were drowning, and he was the only port in the storm. She was vaguely aware that he suddenly pulled out of her, and she felt the heat and wetness on her stomach, and she wanted to cry out. She needed him inside her, she needed everything….
“More,” he whispered hoarsely, and before she realized what he was doing he’d pulled her down onto him, still hard, and she let out a little cry of distress and satisfaction, as she felt him grow within her. “Your turn,” he said in a rough voice, hard hands at her hips, moving her. She pushed against his shoulders, straightening up, and the sensation was strange, different, wonderful, and he was moving her, in small increments, up and down his shaft, rubbing inside her. Fresh need filled her, and she was the one who needed more, needed more of him, all of him. She didn’t need his hands guiding the rhythm, she’d caught it on her own, and she moved, sure and certain, pulling up high and then sinking down again with a cry of pure satisfaction.
She came again, harder this time, and the little shriek was music to his ears, but when he went back for more, she pushed him away. “Wait,” she said in a hoarse voice. “Wait.” “I don’t feel like waiting,” he growled, so close to the taste of her that it was driving him mad. “Get over it,” she said, and he fell back with a laugh. She was standing up to him. No one ever stood up to him, particularly in bed, and his cock grew unimaginably harder. She got to her knees on the mattress, looking down at him, and she looked like a hoyden, an angel, and something in between. She looked like a woman without fear, and he wanted to celebrate it, but instead, she pushed him down on the bed and followed with her kiss.
He pulled out, and she let out of cry of desolation. “No!” she moaned, but he simply flipped her over beneath him, so that her face was in the disordered sheets. “Yes,” he said, pulling her hips up. “This way.” And he pushed inside her from the back, feeling her quim tighten around him once more, rippling in reaction, and finally he was released, let go. He thrust into her like a madman, over and over, until she suddenly shrieked, clamping down around him, and he exploded inside her, filling her with his seed, collapsing over her, holding her beneath him as he spurted, and at the last minute, he latched his teeth onto her neck and bit her like a big cat marking his mate.
Format: E-Book Read with: Kindle Paperwhite Length: Novel Genre: Contemporary Romance Series: Standalone Publisher: Harlequin Hero: Gabriel Heroine: Caroline Alexander Sensuality: 3 Date of Publication: October 25, 1993 Started On: May 02, 2020 Finished On: May 03, 2020
Falling Angel by Anne Stuart, first published in 1993, is a book that is “mellower” than most when it comes to Ms. Stuart’s legendary penchant for writing dark romances. Falling Angel is a Christmas themed romance, perhaps the reason why there is much lightness and hope infused with the Christmas spirit that is synonymous with the festive season.
Falling Angel begins in an unusual setting, where the hero, Emerson Wyatt MacVey III, who dies at the age of 32 finds himself given a second chance. Sent back to Earth to right his wrongs or otherwise face the consequences, thus Gabriel is “born”, who finds himself in Angel Falls, Minnesota.
26 year old Caroline Alexander (Carrie) has been living with a guilty conscious and a heavy heart for the past two years, given the havoc that she had wrought on the people of her small town. She has no time to take care of herself, much less spend time mooning over the most beautiful man to ever cross her path, someone who for some reason feels familiar to her at the same time.
With just enough details included about the shared past between Carrie and Gabriel to give the story a wholesome edge, Falling Angel is a novel that ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a heartwarming story of second chances and righting wrongs.
While I loved the story well enough, I believe that this dark heart of mine would have loved Emerson more as a hero. Emerson is the kind of hero who at first glance seems irredeemable. But if the very minute bits and pieces included as the premise upon which Gabriel’s character is built upon is anything to judge him by, I think watching him unravel would have been much more fun and heartwarming at the same time. A true Christmas miracle would have been turning someone like him into the best version that he can be. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the quirky characters, the holiday miracle, and the love that sprung forth between Gabriel and Carrie.
Recommended for fans of holiday themed romances and fans of the gentler heroes crafted by Anne Stuart.
Final Verdict: Falling Angel is a story of second chances and good cheer in every sense. There is nothing like the miracle of love to go along with the spirit of Christmas.
Favorite Quotes
He tore his mouth away and stared down at her. “More charity, Carrie?” he said. “How far does your saintliness extend? Passive kisses? Or are you willing to take off your clothes and lie down for the poor itinerant stranger in need of comfort?” He’d managed to reach behind that calm maternal facade, and her fingers dug into his shoulders as she tried to push him away. “You’re disgusting,” she said. “No, I’m not. I’m human. At least for now. And I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. But I don’t want a passive saint sacrificing her virtue. I want someone who wants me in return. I want a woman, not a martyr.”
He wanted to take his time, but she was as fevered as he was. She pulled him up between her legs, and he sank into her sleek, welcoming warmth with a muffled groan. She arched up to meet him, wrapping her long dancer’s legs around him, pulling him in deeper still, and her hands clutched his shoulders, her mouth met his with unerring instincts, and each thrust brought him closer and closer to heaven.
A Maldivian's Passion for Romance 