ARC Review: How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray

How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray
Publication date: June 3, 2014
Series: A Princess in Hiding #3
Publisher: Berkley
Amazon |  Goodreads  B & N

~~Reviewed by Bonnie~~

With her country in turmoil, and her life in danger, Princess Luisa and her sisters are forced to flee their small homeland of Holstein-Schweinwald-Huhnhof for England.  The Royal Prince (the girls’ father) as well as Luisa’s new husband were murdered by rebels seeking to overthrow the monarchy.  The three princesses are half English, and their English uncle, The Duke of Olympia concocts a plan to have them masquerade as men to keep them safe.

Luisa is to become Mr. Markham, and apply to become secretary to the notorious Earl of Somerton. During the initial interview, Luisa displays a cockiness that appeals to Somerton, who is used to everyone trembling in his presence, and he hires her (him.)  They develop a relationship, while not exactly a friendship, buta sort of mutual trust and respect.

Somerton is in an unhappy marriage.  Years ago, he fell in love with his wife, who was in love with another man.  He bulldozed her parents into making her accept his suit, and basically bought her.  She still loves this man, and Somerton is obsessed with finding proof of her infidelity, and enacting revenge.

I am amazed at how the author managed to weave all the various threads of this story so tightly together.  First of all, I have to say that I really dislike the trope of ladies disguising themselves as men. Second, I am really not at all fond of political intrigues, especially involving monarchy.  And third, I totally dislike the kind of man Somerton was.  (No spoilers, but he had a whole lot of sins in his past.) Yet, I absolutely loved this story.  As it progresses, we get to see that Somerton is a lonely man who has never been loved, and his first attempt at loving was rejected.  We also get to see him transform into a hero without losing his toughness, which is something Luisa will need.  Luisa, meanwhile, has always lived for duty alone, and now she feels love as well.

This book is the third book of the princess trilogy, and these books were my first introduction to Juliana Gray.  I will definitely be reading her previous books, and she is now an “auto buy” author for me.  I have also learned that one of her previous books, “A Gentleman Never Tells” is the story of Somerton’s troubled marriage, told from his wife’s point of view.  I can’t recommend this book highly enough – it has it all.  It’s exciting, sexy, angsty, heartbreaking, and ultimately satisfying.  The epilogue is a treasure

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating:

ARC Review: Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen

Love and Let Spy by Shana Galen
Publication date: August 5, 2014
Series: Lord and Lady Spy #3
Publisher: Avon
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Evelyn~~

Love and Let Spy, the third book in the Lord and Lady Spy series by Shana Galen, is 352 pages of mysterious and sexy fun!  From the first chapter when we meet our colorful heroine Jane Bondeas she frantically chases down an international assassin through the streets of the city, to the explosive and satisfying conclusion, we are treated to twists and turns, secrets and surprises.   

Jane, who was raised by her uncle to be a spy, is a very unusual but extremely likeable heroine.  She is smart and tough, and not at all interested in society, men or marriage like her contemporaries. She is upset when her uncle announces that she must marry Dominic, the handsome eldest son of Lord and Lady Edgeberry, to settle a longs-standingfamily issue.  Dominic, who has intense secrets of his own, is no more eager to marry than she is.  In spite of their reluctance to get involved, Jane and Dominic soon find their lives entangled and a strong romantic attraction growing between them. 

I highly recommend Love and Let Spyand give it five stars.  While it has it’s intense moments, it is a quick read that doesn’t want to be taken too seriously.  The only thing it is missing is 007 spy music playing in the background!  Enjoy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating:

Review: Mini Reviews of Four Books by Grace Burrowes

Morgan and Archer, A Novella by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: November 2013
Series: Windham #8.5
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Sharon~~

It is a short but sweet story. We first met Morgan in The Heir, she being the younger sister of Anna, Duchess of Westhaven. Morgan lost her hearing in an accident, but has regained partial hearing and she also can read lips. Archer is the cousin of Benjamin Hazlit, Earl of Hazleton, and an investigator trying to solve a plot against the Crown. Loved the interaction between Morgan and Archer and also how Morgan assisted Archer with solving the mystery. This is a novella so it moves along quickly, but I would recommend this book as well as the others in the Windham series.  

Rating:

Andrew: Lord of Dispair by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: December 3, 2013
Series: Lonely Lords #7
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Sharon~~

Andrew has lived with guilt for years after a boating accident that cost him the life of his father and his brother Gareth's fiancée and feels that he is unworthy of anybody's love, including Astrid, his brother's sister-in-law. This story picks up a few years after Gareth's book where we saw Andrew leave England for a tour of the continent, leaving Astrid behind. Astrid loves Andrew, but when he leaves her and England, she knows she needs to move on with her life so she marries Herbert, Lord Amery, who ups and dies, leaving her in the family way. Andrew returns shortly after Herbert's death and although he is very much in love with Astrid, tells her that he can never marry her. Watching these two very lonely people go through the trials and tribulations of their past had me sobbing like a baby at times, but there was also the joy of seeing them work through their past guilt to get to their HEA. If you enjoy historical romances, then I highly recommend you adding Grace Burrowes to your list of authors.

Rating:

Douglas: Lord of Heartache by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: January 7, 2014
Series: Lonely Lords #8
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Sharon~~

Douglas, Viscount Amery, came into his title upon the death of his older brother and finds that the not only is his estate in financial difficulty, but he knew absolutely nothing about how to go about making them profitable. Guinevere Hollister, who oversees her cousin's estates in his absence has an illegitimate daughter, Rose, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Moreland. She is happy, but lonely, with her life and just wants to be left alone. Douglas is thinking about purchasing a property of Gwen's cousin, so he persuades Gwen to travel with him to the property to see if she thinks it would be a profitable purchase and to teach him about land husbandry. Gwen is awkward and uncertain around Douglas, but he is so gentle with her that you just want to swoon. There are a few tense moments when the Duke of Moreland sets out to have Gwen marry his heir, but Douglas knows that he is the only man who could ever make Gwen happy and is just as determined to win her love for himself. Once again, Grace Burrowes has written a story that will stay with you long after the book has ended.

Rating:

David: Lord of Honor by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: March 4, 2014
Series: Lonely Lords #9
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Sharon~~

Grace Burrowes has once again written another magnificent Lonely Lords book.  David, Viscount Fairly, has inherited a high-class brothel, which he wants to be free from.  Letticia (Letty) Banks was a former mistress to David's late brother-in-law.  When David offers Letty the position of Madam at the brothel, she knows that it is not the life she wants, but must accept or be forced to find another protector, which she has no interest in doing.  Loved the interaction between David and Letty and the way they overcame the hurdles set in front of them to get to their very own HEA.

Rating:

Review: The Whisky Laird's Bed by Donna MacMeans

The Whisky Laird's Bed by Donna MacMeans
Publication date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Debbie~~

Claire Starke is a member of the Women for a Sober Society.  The fellow lady members are her family now that her father had died.  She loved being active in the cause of spreading the word of the evils of drink.  Also, she was involved with the Rake Patrol (Donna MacMeans's previous series), a group that warns and rescues innocent women from being duped by fraudulent and misleading personal ads placed in the paper.  This was the situation Claire found herself in after she returned from passing out pamphlets against drink. A Miss Townsend was determined to go to Scotland to an answer an ad looking for a wife.  She had come to ask advice from Claire. Claire and her friend, Faith, were convinced it was a fraudulent ad.  Miss Townsend was determined to go as it might be her last chance to be wed.  Faith accompanied her to Scotland.  When Claire found out, she followed to save both ladies.  

In Scotland, Cameron Macpherson was tired of his mom placing ads, luring society ladies to his home to get him a wife. He was too busy trying to build up Ravenbeck Whisky distillery.  Since it had burnt down a few years ago, he had scarce money and the last thing he needed was to be hunting for a wife.  

Determined to save her friend, Claire burst into the room, to find Miss Townsend and Faith in the presence of Lady Macpherson, Cameron’s mother, along with Cameron.  Before realizing her friends were in no danger, she had insulted Cameron, accusing him of luring innocent women to Scotland and being a white slaver.  

Review: Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather

Trapped at the Altar by Jane Feather
Publication date: July 22, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Books
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Debbie~~

The year is 1667 and the country under King Charles is in an uproar. The battle of religion is strong between the Catholic and Protestant sides. But in Daunt Valley, Somerset, the political and religious animosity between the Daunts and their enemy, Chalfont, was coming to an end. The Chalfonts were distant cousins to the Daunts who live the life of thievery, piracy and deceit. Young Ivor Chalfont was sent to live among the Daunts.  There was a betrothal between Ivor, then 6 years old, and Ariadne (Ari), three years younger. As the years flow by, they became close friends, spending their days in the valley, away from all other outsiders.

17 years later, they are told it is time for them to marry.  Ari believes herself in love with another, Gabriel Fawcett, a poet from outside the valley.  Once the marriage is announced to happen, she is against it.   Although Ivor and her have grown up together, becoming great friends, she loved Gabriel. Due to her refusal of the upcoming marriage, the Valley Council held a marriage ceremony, surprising her.  Now she finds herself on the journey to London, with a husband she doesn’t want, leaving behind her beloved Gabriel.  Ivor is aware of Ari’s feelings for another, but he is pleased with her as his wife since his desire was to build a marriage together.  

Ari and Ivor both know why Lord Daunt has sent them to London.  With the tension between the Catholic and Protestants, the country was divided.  All wealthy and influential families were intermarrying, just as Ivor and Ari had.  Ari was Catholic and Ivor was Protestant.  That way, no matter how the country turned in their religious war, the wealth would still belong to their families and they would ensure there would be not persecution against them.

Review: The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1) by Valerie Bowman

The Unexpected Duchess by Valerie Bowman
Publication date: April 29, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperback
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Debbie~~

Lucy was just trying to help her friend, Cassandra (Cass)... Out of marriage to a duke that is! Cass is in love with Julian, but Julian is to marry Penelope - that is, if he survives his injuries from the war. As a dying request, Derek Hunt, the Duke of Claringdon, promised Julian he would marry and take care of Cass.  But

 Cass only wants Julian. 

Determined to help Cass get out of marriage to the Duke, Lucy agrees to help her. Lucy is the daughter of an earl and a very beautiful woman, so Derek wonders why she is not married.  He soon learn why, as she keeps interfering in his courtship of Cass. Derek had never met a more sharp tongued woman; a woman

 who is strong-willed, opinionated, vocal, and quick to cut a man down with her words.  

As Derek pursues his wooing of Cass, Lady Lucy is always right there to discourage him. At each ball, a ride in the park, or an afternoon outing, Lucy is there to discourage Derek. Cass insists that she want Lucy’s help, but does she really?  Even as Lucy repeatedly tells Derek to stop courting Cass, he is

 nonetheless determined to continue. So why is it that despite his constant bickering with Lucy concerning what’s best for Cass, his thoughts turn to doing something else with Lucy? 

Review: The Scoundrel's Seduction (House of Trent #3) by Jennifer Haymore

The Scoundrel's Seduction by Jennifer Haymore
Publication date: May 27, 2014
Series: House of Trent #3 
Publisher: Forever
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Lisa~~

Samson Hawkins, illegitimate half brother of the Duke of Trent, works for the Agency to protect the Crown’s interests. At the age of 32 he has lost a lot and has built huge walls around his heart. He is a serious, war-hardened man with very strong protective instincts. His job has robbed him of most of his humanity.

Lady Elise Dunthrope is 28 and for 11 years has dreamt of freedom. She is strong, courageous, efficient and capable. Elise does not trust men; up to this point in her life they have all failed her.

Their meeting was anything but romantic Elise feared for her life and Samson did not trust her. They are both carrying large emotional baggage, but slowly chip away at each other’s barriers. As the barriers come down the attraction builds. The danger and mystery keep you turning pages. The secondary plot and characters bring loyalty, humor and veracity to the story. As the third book in the series things are wrapped up and mysteries are solved. Sam’s mother is a compelling, complicated, loving woman and my heart went out to her- being a woman in the era was not for the faint of heart. Elise and Sam’s struggles and journey occasionally had me wondering when they were going to stop the dancing, but in the end it was handled fabulously. The House of Trent is whole, the family members have had their questions answered and the HEA is sweet. It was a wonderful end to a great series. Thank you, Ms Haymore for a fantastic series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating:

Book Review: The Escape (The Survivors' Club #3) by Mary Balogh

The Escape (The Survivor's Club #3) by Mary Balogh

 

Hello there! First post here. 

Big historical romance fan, are you?

Well, are you bored of:

• Rakes with mistresses at seventeen. Seriously? Did your mama never teach you about respect and equality?

• Matrons who yather on and on about snaring a wealthy husband.

• Stitch, sew, horseback riding, water colors, anyone? Balls and poor excuses for flirting?

• Miscommunication. Iloveyou declarations after sex. No PTSD after heroine kidnapping.

• Filthy rich nobs who hunt. Oh you pathetic sonofa *Shh*. Oh I do hate you’ll the most. Argh!

• Wedding night = we must do our duty. *Rolls eyes* Baby, your sperms ain’t running away. Get to know her first. 

• Overflowing bosoms. Hm. This couldn’t be so bad, could it? *raises eyebrows*

There’s more. But we’ll continue this ‘areyouseriouslykiddingmetropesthatmakemeyawn’ list some other time. Okay?

Where were we? Right. Book review of Mary Balogh’s “The Escape”. Thank you very much Edelweiss (through MaryChen) for an early advance reader copy.

I liked this book. Really really did. Did not have those tropes I mentioned above.

Book Review: The Captive (Captive Hearts #1) by Grace Burrowes

The Captive (Captive Hearts #1) by Grace Burrowes
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Bonnie~~

Grace Burrowes wowed me with this first book of her new trilogy. I always expect great things when I read one of her books, but this one surpassed my expectations. This book had a slightly different feel to it than her previous books to me, maybe a little edgier or darker. This may be because of the torture Christian suffered - and he DID suffer. (ouch!)

Christian eventually is released, barely recognizable, unable to eat more than enough to stay alive, and suffering mentally. During his imprisonment, his wife and young son died. He is approached almost immediately by Gilly, his late wife's cousin, who has been looking after his young daughter, and she urges him to come back to his country estate. It's apparent that his daughter is suffering greatly, as well, and desperately needs him.

Christian convinces Gilly to stay, to help. The love that slowly develops between them is so touching, and seeing him gradually healing is amazing. Gilly is perfect for him, but their happy ever after is not so easy. Gilly has wounds of her own that haven't healed, they're just hidden. And there is still something preventing his daughter from speaking. And Christian still feels he has to find his torturer and kill him, and that may cost him Gilly. And someone appears to want Gilly dead..

This book was SO well written. The timing of events was perfect, the romance was perfect (and HOT)

and the resolution was perfect. I loved seeing St. Just (The Soldier) play a significant role in this story. Now I can't wait to see if Grace Burrowes can make me fall in love with "The Traitor" in the next installment in this series, because I haven't forgiven him yet. I couldn't put this book down, and I recommend it most highly.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating:

Book Review: The Kindling Heart by Carmen Caine

The Kindling Heart by Carmen Caine
Publication date: April 10, 2011
Publisher: Bento Box Books
Series: Royal Entourage #4
 Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

~~Reviewed by Debbie~~

THE KINDLING HEART is a wonderful start to THE HIGHLAND HEATHER AND HEARTS SCOTTISH ROMANCE Series.  Carmen Caine has started this series with story full of intrigue, adventure, danger and romance.  

Bree didn’t understand!  What had she done now?  It wasn’t unusual for her stepfather to be angry with her, but why was he calling her “whore, harlot”?  She knew it would lead to another beating, while her mother looked the other way.