Sunday, June 21, 2015

The Billionaire's Intern, Part 1 by Maisey Yates

This novel is a four part serial.  I have only received part one to review.

Addison Treffen has been groomed to be the perfect society daughter and wife. Her life has just been turned upside down when her father was murdered in front of her by a sniper.  After it had been discovered that his law firm that was supposed to help women was just a front for a prostitution ring.  Her sorority has politely told her to leave and the boyfriend to be husband that was picked for her is in Bermuda.  Her brother Addison helps her go of the grid by finding her an unpaid internship with Logan Black, CEO of Black Properties.

Maisey Yates is one of my all-time favorite Harlequin writers.  Heck, I would read anything that Maisey Yates wrote.  Though this was the first of a four part serial, I loved it and was hooked once I got past the first part.  It felt like I was starting a book in the middle.  I did find out that Addison's brother has his own book.

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

The Alpha's Hunger by Renee Rose

Ashley Bell meets the CEO of the company she works for while lying on the floor of her cubicle attempting to get rid of a migraine.  Ben Stone is instantly drawn to Ashley but he knows he can't have her because she isn't a shifter.  He has taken over his brother's company after his death (that Ben feels responsible for) but can't take over his pack.  Due to his father's actions, he carries a death threat over his head.  Since he can't have Ashley, he does the next best thing and creates a position as his personal assistant (which even he finds odd because he hates being around people).  Shortly after Ashley starts her new job, her twin sister is kidnapped and the price of her ransome is to destroy Ben.  As they work together to solve who wants to destroy Ben and who has her sister, the sparks and spankings fly.  

I will admit that one of my guilty pleasures is shifter romance.  And this novel did not disappoint.  For something I chose at random because I didn't want to read a historical, this was awesome.  I enjoyed the sexual tension between the characters and at several points in the book, I was worried that my e-reader was going to combust!  I hope that this isn't the only shifter romance that the author writes.  I would love to see more.

This novel isn't for the faint of heart.  Ben is an Alpha dominant male that likes to spank and there is plenty.

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







Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips

Ian Dare's world came crashing down when he discovered that his father had another family on the side.  Ian steps up and is the responsible older brother/father figure to his younger siblings.  He meets Riley Taylor at a family party and discovers that her best friend is his half-brother.  The sparks fly instantaneously between Ian and Riley.

I stumbled upon Dare to Love when browsing my library's e-book catalogue.  It was amazing!  Ian has been scarred by his father's betrayal to his family.  Riley has her own emotional scars and needs to learn to trust.  I loved the rebuilding of family that was starting to take place at the end.

Half way through the book, I wanted to buy it.  What I liked is the novels are reasonably priced at $3.99 at the B&N site.  And, the second novel, Dare to Desire, was free!







Simply Irresistible by Kate Pearce

Abigail Beecham and Peter Howard have been in love for several years now and Kate wants another child.  However, Abigail's husband James in the West Indies and if she were to become pregnant, Society would notice.  Abby can no longer continue to pretend and ends her relationship with Peter.  Peter's best friend, Lord Valentin Sokorvosky help Abby and Peter find their HEA.

Be warned that this novella is a continuation of Simply Sinful with characters from Simply Sexual.  If you haven't read either one, you need to before reading Simply Irresistible.  

I loved this continuation of one of my favorite novels in the series.  Abby and Peter got the HEA they deserved.  For being as short as it is, it sure packs a lot of bang.  The novella is brilliantly sexual and leaves the reader wanting more.  


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

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Never Resist a Rake by Mia Marlowe

John Fitzhugh has recently learned that he is the heir to a marquessate and the family that ignored him for his entire life is now attempting to claim him.

Rebecca Kearsey is the daughter of a baron with a gambling problem that is quite destitute.  They are so low on the rungs of society's ladder that they can't reach the first rung.  Rebecca is kidnapped while in the market and John claims her as his prize when he wins a boxing match.  

I liked this novel as much as I liked the first in the series.  The characters are well written.  John's grandmother is hilarious.  When I was reading the novel, I was hearing Lady Violet (Downton Abbey) as her voice.  Rebecca is a sweet soul that needs a man like John.  I loved how Rebecca made John into a better person.  And, there is just enough intrigue to keep the novel flowing well.

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



Never Refuse a Shiekh by Jackie Ashenden

Princess Safira has been hidden with a desert tribe since she was a young girl and her parents were killed.  There has been war for the past five years and now, is the time that Sheikh Altair is coming to claim her to be his queen to quell the unrest.  He finds an uncivilized woman that he wants to bring to his will.  Yet, in Altair, Safira sees his wild side that he has clamped down.
This was a wonderful novel full of action and intrigue.  The alpha hero has to stake his claim not only on his throne but on his woman.  For a novella, it is amazingly well developed and I didn't want it to end.  This novel can stand up to any Harlequin Sheikh novel.
I received this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

True Devotion by Liora Blake

As much as I like the cover and the description and I was in the mood for a contemporary romance, I just could not read this novel.  It is not the fault of the author.  I was laughing at the description of the wedding.  I just can not read romance when it is written in first person.

So, if you like a book with humor and a feisty heroine and a hero that is totally hot, this is the novel for you.

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

The Beautiful One by Emily Greenwood

Anna Black, the seamstress from the Rosewood School for Young Ladies of Quality is escorting Elizabeth Tarryton to her uncle's house after Lizzy was expelled.  As they approach her uncle's estate, their carriage overturns and they are met by the most annoying man.  When they reach the estate, Anna finds out that the man is Lizzy's uncle, Will Hailfax, Viscount Grandville.  Grandville offers Anna a large sum of money to chaperone Lizzy for a month until he can find another school.

Anna Black isn't what she seems.  She is on the run because her father's former apprentice violated her privacy and created scandalous drawings of Anna (thus the name of the novel).  Now, he is commissioned with painting her in the nude along by the Marquess of Henshaw and they won't take no for an answer.

This was one of those novels that when I wasn't reading I was thinking about it.  Anna takes an anti-social man and by the end of the novel, he is willing to re-enter society and make amends with his stepmother.  I liked how Anna stood up for herself.  She was a young woman without family that stood up to two bullies.  Then when she met Grandville, she pushed him to look at  his life and his neglect of his niece.  Will went from tortured hero to "stand up for  your woman" hero.  Anna pushed him out of the funk he had been living in for a year and made him live.

I enjoyed all of the major characters in this novel.  Lizzy went from spoiled brat to thoughtful young woman  And, Will's stepmother, Judith, could have been the evil stepmonster, but was delightful and charming.  I was cheering on Will when he defended Anna against Henshaw.

I truly enjoyed reading this novel and didn't want it to end.

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


Saturday, June 13, 2015

The Duke and The Domina : Warrick The Ruination of Grayson Danforth by Jenn LeBlanc

Lulu is a true artist with a whip.  She had created wings on the back of her sub and was going to photograph them when she tripped on her tripod and hit her head.  She is thrust back into time and in the arms of Grayson Locke Danforth, Duke of Warrick.

Grayson was the third unwanted son and he never wanted to be the Duke of Warrick.  He was sent to India by his father when it was discovered that Gray needed pain.  Gray has to marry the daughter of his father's best friend, the Duke of Exter, to satisfy a contract.  When Lady Cecilia cracks her head, Lulu is transported into her body.

Lulu wakes up in a strange time and in a strange body.  Gray needs the money that Lady Cecilia's dowry will provide and Lulu needs the protection.  While they have a marriage of convenience, they both discover that through each other they can achieve their true desires as they learn to trust.

This was the first book by Jenn LeBlanc that I have read.  I fell in love with Gray.  He was a tortured soul that was ashamed of what made him what he was.  I wanted to step into the book and probe deeper into his character.  I was on the fence with Lulu.  Part of why I why I was ambivalent was there could have been so much more dept to the character.  There was very little history given.  I wanted to know what made her tick.  Why did she become a switch and yet work as a professional Dominatrix?

That said, I truly enjoyed the book.  I liked the idea of time travel because of couples being accidentally separated through time.  The story was well written and very easy to follow despite being the third in a series.  I am hoping that Gray and Lulu are in upcoming novels so we can know what happens.  Does Lulu ever heal to the point she wants to have kids.  After all, Gray is a Duke and he needs to have an heir.

I found it amazing that the author has illustrated her novels and is a truly talented photographer.  I took a lot of time and browsed her website.  Awesome photos that are tastefully done yet totally sexy.
I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.




Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Only Marriage Will Do by Jenna Jaxon

Amiable Dawson has returned to England after being a soldier and is attempting to find his beloved Katarina.  When he goes to her house, he discovers another woman arguing with a man that insisted that he was her husband.  Amiable steps in to help and they fall in love in the end.

I had a hard time with this nove.  There was way too much psycho guy that wanted Juliet.  I just couldn't complete it due to crazy man.

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




The Lady Hellion by Joanna Shupe

Again, another amazing book by Joanna Shupe.  I was hooked from page one.

Lady Sophia Barns saved the life of the man she loves but can't have Damien Beecham, Viscount Quint.  Damien has never stopped wanting Sophia, but due to his family history, he thinks he can't have her.  Sophie is on a mission to help the downtrodden and needs help from Damien.  When things get rough, Damien is there to help.

I was thrilled to receive the ARC for this book and it didn't disappoint.  From the characters to the thrilling plot, this book is wonderful.  Sophia was a strong character and knew what she wanted.  I loved how Damien is fighting with his own self over his attraction to Sophia.

I had received this novel as an ARC and I liked it so much that I bought it.  This is one that I will read over and over.

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

Thursday, June 4, 2015

A Marquis For Mary by Jess Michaels

Mary Quinn has escaped her father's house thanks to clever the clever negotiation of her brother-in-laws.  Now the agreement is almost at an end and Mary must return to her father's house if she isn't married at the end of this season.  Mary bumps into Edward, Marquis Woodley at a ball.  Her father catches them together and immediately demands they marry.  As their wedding draws closer, people  from Edward's past attempt to destroy their happiness.

I have loved Jess Michael's novels and this one was no exception.  It is almost a continuation of "The Widow Wager" because it picks up close to where that book ended, yet so well written that you could pick up the series with this novel.  Mary was a strong, determined character while Edward was a tortured hero due to his first marriage.  This novel was a thrilling read from beginning to end.  I am waiting for Jess Michael's next novel!

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

The Major's Faux Fiancee by Erica Ridley

Miss Daphne Vaughan's father had died leaving her the ward of a cousin that is a pirate.  Captain Steele wants to be rid of his ward so he is forcing her into marriage.  Daphne is desperate to avoid marriage so she begs her former neighbor, Major Bartholomew Blackpool to pose as her faux fiancee.  Major Blackpool has returned from war only part of a man.  He lost not only a leg but his twin brother.  As they are posing as faux fiancee's Daphne and Bartholomew fall in love.

When I received this ARC, I was so thrilled.  I have loved the Dukes of War series since the beginning.  I picked this book up and didn't stop reading until I was done.  And I didn't want it to end. I loved Daphne's passion for her causes.  She doesn't want to give them up for marriage.  Bartholomew is a tortured hero.  He is struggling to adjust to his return to England and the loss of his twin.  I am anxiously awaiting the next in the series.  I hope Captain Steele gets his own novel!

I received this ARC from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!



Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

Lady Phoebe Batten yearns for the things she can no longer have due to being almost completely blind.  She is attracted to her bodyguard, Captain James Trevillion.  Captain Trevillion is brooding due to an injury he suffered during service to the King.  When Lady Phoebe is threatened by kidnappers, James must risk his life to save Phoebe.  

I must admit that since I read "Darling Beast" I have been waiting for this novel.  I was thrilled that Phoebe got her man.  I loved the writing and the passion felt in the characters.  The book was a delight to read.  

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







A Kiss For Lady Mary by Ella Quinn

When Lady Mary Tolliver's parents died, her uncle took control of her dowry and wants his son to marry her so he can keep her fortune.  With her cousin stalking her in an attempt to compromise her, Mary goes into hiding with the help of her grandmother and aunt.  She ends up at an isolated estate, not aware of who the owner is.  Mr. Christopher "Kit" Featherton has decided that as heir to a Viscount, it is time for him to marry.  Mary has been aware of Kit for several seasons.  Every time she thinks he is going to ask her to dance, he heads the other way.  Kit has decided that he wants to marry Mary, however, he hasn't seen her in quite a while.   When Kit unexpectedly returns to his estate, sparks begin to fly.

I enjoyed this novel.  Mary was a strong, determined woman.  There were times that I wanted to reach into the book and shake Kit.  Why didn't he just ask Mary's brother where she was!  I loved the chase of them falling in love.  The book was a great read and one that I will re-read again.

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