Saturday, September 27, 2014

Season For Desire by Theresa Romain

Giles Rutherford was in England with his father, Richard, searching for the gems that his mother had hidden when she eloped and left for America with his father.  Lady Audrina Bradleigh, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Alleyneham, was abducted by David Llewelyn when the abduction was stopped by Giles.  Audrina's father does not believe her that she was being abducted and insists that he take Llewlyn back to London while Audrina travels with Giles, Richard and Lady Irving.  During the search for his mother's gems, they end up at the Castle Parr where the romance between Giles and Audrina grows deeper. 

I liked the hero and heroine.  Audrina wasn't a simpering virgin and Giles wasn't the rake needing to be reformed.  The supporting characters added a humor to the story that was appreciated.  My only issue with this novel is it feels like it is the second in a series of connected novels with the constant references to Audrina's sister Charissa to the Duke of Walpole.  I was surprised and disappointed to find out that while this is the fourth in "The Holiday Pleasures" series, the only connection is that they all take place around Christmas.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you.

The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins

Again, Karen Hawkins has proved why she is one of my go to authors because I know I will not be disappointed!  "The Prince Who Loved Me" had a semi-Cinderella feel, but without the evil stepmother and step sisters. 

When Bronwyn Murdoch was sixteen, her widowed father was forced by the new vicar and his wife to wake up to the fact that his daughter was growing up.  Now, she thinks she is firmly on the shelf and is looking forward to her step sisters, Sorcha and Mari, marrying and helping her papa with his patients. 

Alexsey Vitaly Grigori Romanovin, Royal Prince Menshivkov of Oxenburg was at the age where his grandmother, the Grand Duchess Natasha deemed he should marry.  He is visiting a friend, Lord Strathmoor at Strath's uncle's castle with his grandmother so he can start his bride hunt.  Alexsey is hunting when he stumbles upon Bronwyn in one of her favorite spots to read.  Bronwyn assumes that Alexsey is her neighbor, Sir Henry's huntsman.  When Bronwyn refuses to tell him her name, he calls her Roza.  Later, at a ball, Alexsey discovers who his Roza is.  This leads to a one sided infatuation with Alexsey doing his best to convince Bronwyn of the attraction.

I liked that this had that Cinderella feel but without the wicked step-mother/step-sisters.  The step-mother was actually quite likable and loved Bronwyn.  I was hoping that there would be a book for Strath and Sorcha, but that was nixed in the ending (oh well).

Bronwyn was a strong character and wasn't afraid to be labeled as "on-the-shelf".  Alexsey is a wonderful Prince Charming.  The supporting characters were so well written and weren't just after-thoughts.

This is one of those books that you can read again and again.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you very much!



Monday, September 15, 2014

The Kidnapped Bride by Heather Hiestand

Dougal Alexander has a photographic memory.  When he is giving his report on the capture of the jewel thief, Manfred Cross, to the lord that hired him, he realizes that Freddy's "maid" looks like Lord Judah Shield.  Dougal returns to Edinburgh and tracks down Lady Elizabeth.

This novella is the fourth in the Redcakes series.  I liked that this was not set among the nobility and there is a glimps of how the rest of the real world lived.  So far, I have enjoyed the Redcakes series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a honest review.



Lord of Regrets by Sabrina Darby

Natasha Polinoff was the mistress of Lord Marcus Templeton.   Marcus is under the full control of his grandfather.  If Marcus has an illegitimate child, he will loose his inheritance.  When Natasha announces she is pregnant, Marcus locks her in her room and goes to find the surgeon.  While he is gone, Natasha escapes with what she can carry through the bedroom window.

Five years later, the guy Marcus has hired to look for Natasha finally finds her.  Marcus rushes to the village she is living in and blackmails Natasha into marrying him.  He brings her back to London and his family where Natasha is miserable and takes it out on Marcus.  Marcus finally accepts his grandfather's offer and leaves her to assist in the peace negotiations.  


While I thought the novel was well written, I found Marcus so annoying through the entire novel that I wanted to reach through the pages and slap him.  He is such a waffler.  One minute he is the wimpy "poor me, I am being controlled by my grandfather", then the next it is the strong "you are going to marry me or else".  Marcus had a backbone that could be removed at will.  His most annoying line is "I'm only a man.  Tell me what you want from me."  I liked Natasha until she pushes Marcus to go to France then she is hurt that he left.  She sulks then starts a pseudo-fling that causes rumors to reach Marcus in France.  

Overall, I would have to give the book 3.5 stars.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.




Saturday, September 6, 2014

The Lady's Disgrace by Callie Hutton

Lady Abigail Lacey has jilted by her fiancee who eloped with another woman.  Now she is the laughingstock of the ton.  Her brother, the Duke of Manchester, is desperate to rescue her damaged reputation by marrying her off quickly.  When his long-time friend, Rector Joseph Fox, calls on him to seek a donation for a school, Manchester seizes upon the opportunity to arrange a marriage between Joseph and Abigail.

This was a well written, engrossing novel that I didn't want to end.  Abigail and Joseph are very strong characters and make this story very appealing.  I thought that the villain was also well written.  I just wish that the villain would have gotten the punishment suited to attempting to kill Abigail several times.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Entangled Publishing, LLC in return for an honest review.  Thank you very much.

The Duke of Snow and Apples by Elizabeth Vail

Charlotte Erlwood is attending her great aunt's house party in the hopes that she ca land a wealthy, titled husband.  When she arrives, her great aunt places the first footman, Frederick Snow, at her assistance.  Little did Charlotte know, but Frederick is the lost Duke of Snowmont.

I really wanted to love this book, from the description, it looked like it was going to be the perfect blend of Romance and Fantasy.  Yet, I had a hard time getting beyond the first chapter.  I was surprised to find out that this is the authors first novel.  This novel read as if it were the last in a series.  I felt like there were big chunks of the story missing.  There is no explanation for the type of world this is set in and the type of magic the inhabitants use.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Misadventures in Seduction (A Masquerading Mistresses Novella) by Robyn DeHart

Prudence Hixby and her brother, Johnston, are raising their siblings when Johnston decides to join the War.  Prudence is upset because she needs him to help with.  She seeks the help of a gentleman that has been interested in her before and trades her virginity to keep Johnston safe.  However, unknown to Prudence, she ends up in the wrong bed.  Harrison Carlisle, the Duke of Sutcliffe has desired Prudence for a while, but can't court her because he is a spy for the Crown.  Harrison recruits Johnston into his agency, but when Johnston is killed Prudence blames him.

I hate the term "novella".  To me, that is a story stuck in an anthology where the reader is left wondering where the rest of the story is.  But, since it is printed on the cover, I guess I will have to use the word.  This NOVELLA is very well written.  I loved the characters of Prudence and Harrison.  Prudence is a strong woman that willingly sacraficed her marriage prospects to raise her siblings.  When she meets Harrison, she doesn't like him but that is because she is attracted to him.  Harrison is just a great guy.  He knows he wants Prudence, but can't have her because of his dangerous occupation.

Apparently, this is the third of the series, yet, it read wonderfully as a stand alone.  Robyn DeHart is a wonderful author.  I can't wait to get the first two!

So far, I have been thrilled with the quality of authors from Entangled Publishing.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.  Thank you for the opportunity to read a wonderful book.