The Royal Conquest by Stacy Reid

Payton Peppiwell thought she had found her perfect match when he broke thing off.  Heartbroken, she is staying with the Duke of Calydon when she encounters the Duke's horse breeder, Mikhail Konstantinovich.  Payton is intrigued by Mikhail who slowly seduces her, though he can't handle the touch of another person. After her experience with a titled suitor who stopped talking to her once it was revealed that a relative was illigimate, Peyton wants nothing to do with the nobility.  As their romance develops, will Peyton still want Mikhail when she learns that not only is he titled in England, but he is a prince?  Can Mikhail overcome his traumatic past and learn to touch Peyton and love her?

Stacy Reid is one of my favorite authors and this has been one of my favorite series.  She has such a wonderful way of blending historical romance with erotic romance.  This is one of those books that you need to block out free time to read it because once you start reading, you will not want to stop!  I loved the tortured hero in Mikhail and the strong, determined woman in Peyton.

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

Christmas with the Billionaire Rancher by Mandy Baxter

Chloe Benson is at Byron Christensen's wake to talk to Nate about donating his father's inheritance to her charity.  When Nate meets Chloe the spark is instantaneous.  After their first encounter, Chloe starts perusing other doners for her charity.  Nate makes Chloe burn with desire and Chloe smooths Nate's war-damaged soul.  When Nate's brother accidentally reveals why Chloe was at the wake, Nate feels betrayed.  Can their relationship survive?

This was the first book by Mandy Baxter that I have read.  I have made a rule to stay away from Christmas themed novels.  I am always cautious when getting a Contemporary ARC because I dislike intently writings in the first person.  I was thrilled to find that his novel was a a hot read from almost the first chapter.

I liked the characters.  Byron had jones the Navy and basically broken off any communication with his father.  He was suffering from post-traumatic syndrome then having his father leave him money that he didn't want.  He immediately clicks with Chloe and she forgets about even hitting him up for a donation to help save her charity.

I liked the book so much that I wanted to know when the next in this series will be published.  I was disappointed to see that the authors website hasn't been updated since 2014.  This book isn't even posted on the website.  I rely on authors websites and book blurbs to make my purchases.  

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

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt

Eve Dinwoody, sister to the Duke of Montgomery, is protecting his investment in Hart's Folly, London's premier pleasure garden and theater.  She confronts owner, Asa Makepeace at his lodgings and he isn't prepared for a buttoned up spinster to challenge him.  Eve demands to be involved in the rebuilding of Hart's Folly and the clashes begin.  With the clashes starts a desire between Asa and Eve.  Can Asa help Eve overcome her traumatic past?

I loved the dynamic between Asa and Eve.  He didn't set out to be her hero, but he ended up saving her and himself in the process.  I loved how bad boy Asa tore down the prim and proper wall surrounding Eva and made her feel.  Seeing her transformation and heal was wonderful.  I loved he little snippets of the Duke and his housekeeper.  I can't wait for that novel!

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

Reckless Rendezvous (Reckless Beat 4.5) by Eden Summers

Leah kissed Ryan.  Ryan, her best friend, Reckless Beat rhythm guitarist, and MARRIED.  As band manager, Leah has done everything for Reckless Beat since she became their manager. To preserve her sanity and career, she turns off her cell phone and heads to Las Vegas.  She got a piercing done by Logan during a bridal shower dare between guys and girls.  Leah wants to see if the attraction was mutual and to erase the years of loving Ryan.

First, this is a novella, only 63 pages on my app.  Second, if you haven't read the entire series, go back and read the four books prior, then read this.  After I read the novel, I just sat and processed.  For only being 63 pages, it packed quite a wallop.  Leah's trip to Vegas almost combusted my e-reader.  But, it didn't resolve anything.  I was so torn.  Part of me wants Ryan to resolve his issues and have a HEA with Leah.  Part of me wants Logan (and possibly Cole) to find Leah and have a HEA.  I will just have to wait for book 5.

I received this ARC from Eden Summers.  Thank you for the pleasure of reading this great novella.

The Reluctant Duchess by Sharon Cullen

Two years ago, Lady Sara Emerson's life was shattered by her cousin's brutal and senseless murder.  When Sara began receiving cryptic letters about her cousin's murder, she turns to the one person that can help - the man that was her cousin's fiance, the Duke of Rossmoyne.  Rossmoyne has just returned to England India and is surprised to find Sara seeking his help.  Once he sees the letters, he insists that she move into his home so he can protect her.  He slowly starts to realize that Sara isn't the plain wallflower that he thought she was when he was engaged to her cousin.

As they get closer to the murder, the desire between Sara and Ross grows.  The only thing holding her back is she can't be the Duchess society needs her to be.

I hated having to put this book down.  On one hand, I wanted Ross to realize that Sara was his ideal match.  On the other hand, I wanted to know who killed Sara's cousin.  The characters in the novel were wonderful and the suspense of them finding the killer added to the novel.

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

Miss Featherton's Christmas Prince

Meg Featherton has had bad luck with her suitors the past two seasons. One had sexual proclivities that were not suited for a gently bred lady. The second had a mistress and children. Meg decided to leave love completely out of the marriage equation and marry for suitability.  She has found her perfect candidate, Viscount Throughgood. He is perfect except that his best friend Lord Hawksworth is a dandy and pursuing her best friend Amanda.

Meg is so caught up in protecting her best friend Amanda from Lord Hawksworth that she can't see that Amanda and Viscount Throughgood are perfect for eachother.  While attempting to protect Amanda from Hawksworth, Hawksworth starts to woo Meg.

Last Season, Hawksworth was introduced to Meg, except she fell for Unsuitable Suitor #2 before Hawksworth could pursue her further. Now, they are all headed to Hawksworth's godmother's house party for Christmas and he can make his move.


In the beginning of the book, I kept thinking if Meg didn't want Hawksworth, I would love to have him. He was a wonderful hero.  I felt sorry for Meg and her poor track record with suitors.  The secondary plot of Chuffy and Amanda added to the romance of the novel.

As much as I loved this novel, the plot line of how Hawksworth's father, the Duke, did not like him needed a better resolution or didn't need to be as wishy-washy.  Throughout the novel, we learn how the Duke treated Hawksworth, sent his heir to war, made his eldest half-brother his factor.  Then, we learn that the Duke really loves Hawksworth, he is just afraid to loose him like he lost his first wife.  And, at the end, the Duke resumes being a jerk and attempts to disrupt Hawksworth's marriage to Meg and doesn't attend.  Either have the Duke hate him until the end of the novel or have a wonderful scene where the Duke changes and fixes the relationship.

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

Merry Christmas Mrs. Robinson by Delilah Marvelle

This novella was originally published in the "All I Want for Christmas is a Duke" anthology.  I love that it is being re-released as a stand-alone.

Jane Robinson wanted to be an opera singer, but as the daughter of the Earl of Chadwick that was an unrealistic dream.  She befriended the quiet Martin Pierce, heir to the Duke of Somerset who encouraged her to reach for her dreams.  When Jane left, her father disowned her.  Jane became the toast of London.  When her mystery admirer became public knowledge, Jane marries man that proves to her that he is her Mister X.  However, her new husband isn't who he claims to be.  Forward eight years.  Jane is living in poverty and Martin is the Duke of Somerset.  Martin has just discovered a great aunt that was disowned years ago and she lives in the same building as Jane.

This is one of my favorite novellas. I love the chemistry between Jane and Martin and they were able to pick their friendship up where they left off.  Normally, I am not a big fan of novellas because there isn't great character development.  This novella had wonderful character development.

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

Daniel's True Desire by Grace Burrowes

Daniel Banks has just accepted the post of vicar in Haddondale. He is given directions to the former home of a fallen women as a joke by the villagers in the tavern.  Daniel meets Lady Kristen Haddonfield at the cottage as she is planning its renovation.  Kristen is normally seen by others as grouchy, but she is drawn to Daniel's kind heart.  However, Daniel has some well hidden secrets that could hurt their chance for a happily ever after.

This is one of those sweet romance novels that you don't want to ever end. The characters are so well written it's almost if they come to life. I liked how they weren't perfect.  Daniel had a hidden past and Kristen is headstrong yet she is hurting. I loved reading this novel and the HEA was sweet.

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

The Irresistible Rogue by Valerie Bowman

Daphne Swift has made a list of the the men that meet her requirements for a husband and Lord Fitzwell is her chosen bridegroom.  She is anxiously awaiting his proposal at a ball at her family estate.  There is one thing that is stopping Daphne from marring Lord Fitzwell.  She is already married to Captain Rafferty Cavendish.  Now, all she wants for him to annul their brief marriage.

Daphne married Rafe when she was assisting him in spying for the Crown as his cabin boy. Her brother Donald insisted that they be married before they started the mission to protect Daphne.  The mission is over and Donald was killed by the French.  Rafe needs Daphne's assistance again, this time to capture the villains that killed Donald.


I always enjoy characters that are different.  The Swift family though blue blooded, was involved in spying for the Crown and even Daphne was involved.  I have read the other novels in the series and I liked how the other characters were involved, yet the book stood by it's self.  I was laughing at the antics of Daphne's cousin Delilah in the first part of the novel (she almost took the book over) and was breathless with waiting to see what would happen next with Rafe's mission and his mission to make Daphne his wife in truth.  Another wonderful novel from Valerie Bowman.

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

Bella and the Beast by Olivia Drake

After living most of her life in areas no proper Englishman (or woman) would even think to visit, Isabella Jones is forced to return to England with her siblings to the house that their father owned.  When Bella's father died in Persia, the last thing he told her was to find Aylwin and to find the map.  Unfortunately, Bella had no way of finding Aylwin until the Countess of Milford showed up on her doorstep with her magical slippers.  The Countess gives her the means of finding the Duke of Aylwin and the treasure her father spoke of.  Miles Grayson, the Duke of Aylwin, has been fighting off matchmaking mamas and their determined daughters for years. When Bella seeks an audience with Miles to be his assistant, it is the start to his fall.

I started this novel and I didn't want to put it down. I love this series and the Countess's magical slippers.  This novel was sensual and had a mystery as a sub-plot that kept the reader guessing.  The characters have depth.  I liked how Bella isn't a fresh faced debutant, but a woman that has lived in some rather rough areas.  She had a backbone that was needed to be strong enough to reach Miles.

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