Thursday, March 31, 2016

Three Weeks to Wed by Ella Quinn

Lady Grace Carpenter knows that she can never marry because she would lose the guardianship of her siblings that she fought hard to win.  No sensible man would take on seven children.  She is caught at an inn during a storm.  Mattheus, Earl of Worthington was caught in the same storm.  Grace recognizes Matt as the man that she fell in love with during her season and waited for him to notice her.  Now is her last chance.  She can't have marriage but she can have an anonymous tryst with Matt.  After a passion-filled night, Grace disappears leaving Matt desperate to find the woman he realizes he loves.

After searching and several near misses, Matt finds Grace.  While they have a passionate connection, Matt has to convince Grace that he is serious abut marring her.


 There was almost a "Yours, Mine and Ours" feel to the book.  Grace and Matt were wonderful characters.  While Grace was always the steady, mature character, Matt matured from a care-free bachelor to the man that knew he found his true love.

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

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

How to Please a Lady by Jane Goodger

The book opens in the present with widowed Rose Cartwright meeting her new neighbor.  The neighbor that has inappropriate noises coming from his house in the middle of the night.  As Rose realizes who her neighbor is, we are thrown back five years.  Rose is Lady Rose Dunford.  She has attracted the attention of the much older Duke of Weston.  Her parents are thrilled but Rose does want to marry Weston after she finds out what type of man she is.  The head groom for her families stables, Charlie Avery, prevents Weston's attack on Rose.

Rose has known Charlie since she was a little girl.  When she finds out that he is leaving for America, she packs her bag and runs away with Charlie.  As the book progresses to the present, Rose realizes that she has always loved Charlie.

This book was amazing.  I loved how the story flowed.  Charlie's character grew as he became more successful while Rose was a bit of a snob in the beginning she changed and became accepting of those around her.

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




The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries

I was unsure of this book because I was so disappointed in the first in this series.  I hated the characters so much that I couldn't finish the book.  "The Study of Seduction" was redemption.  I loved the book and didn't want to stop reading.

Edwin has known Clarissa since they were young and she has always rubbed him the wrong way.  His best friend, her cousin, Warren Corry, Marquess of Knightford has to go to Europe to help Clarissa's brother.  Clarissa has a stalker that has become more and more aggressive.  Warren enlists Edwin's help in protecting Clarissa.  When the stalker accosts her at a ball, Edwin announces they are engaged.  In their fake engagement, Edwin's feelings for Clarissa slowly start to change.

This was an enjoyable read.  Edwin and Clarissa were wonderful characters.  There was character development.  The only issue is perhaps Clarissa was a touch too independent.   It is one that goes on the "keep" shelf and pull it out several times a year to re-read it.

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


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

To Win a Lady's Heart (A Landon Sisters Novel) by Ingrid Hahn

Lady Grace Landon is attending a house party with her mother and sisters.  The weather has kept the guests inside and Grace is looking for a place to hide from the other guests so she can have some privacy.  John Merrick, the Earl of Corbeau, finds Grace in a storeroom.  When the door closes, they become trapped and are discovered by some of the biggest gossips of the ton.  Corbeau immediately announces that he has just asked Grace to marry him.

Grace's family has been crushed and impoverished by her father's disgrace and they do not have a place to live.  Grace would rather find employment as a governess instead of marring her best friend's oldest brother.

Shortly before Grace's father died and they were starting to realize the mess he had created, Corbeau asked to court Grace and she turned him down flat.  Corbeau still desires Grace and uses getting caught in the storeroom to his advantage.  Can Corbeau prove to Grace that he loves her?



This is a debut book from Ingrid Hahn. I loved the characters from Grace and Corbeau to Grace's mother and sisters.  Corbeau is going on my "book boyfriend" list.  He was the perfect man for Grace.  I loved that he wasn't afraid to admit to her that he hated the endless entertainments of the ton and the crowds.  This was an amazing read.  If I had a real bookcase, it would go next to Eloisa James.  It was sensual without being sexual.

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

Ryker (A Cold Fury Hockey Novel) by Sawyer Bennett

Gray Brannon his been named the league's only female general manager.  She is a talented, brilliant woman that knows her game of hockey.  She has to convince the players that she knows her game.  Ryker Evans believes in Gray because she was the one that took a chance on him when she was a scout and he was let go from his previous team.

Ryker's contract is running out and he has to prove to the Fury that he is still on top of his game.  He is balancing his career with being a single parent.  Gray believes in Ryker when others in the team want him replaced.

She is the league's only female manager and skating into uncharted ice.  When the attraction between Gray and Ryker can't be ignored will she be willing to give up her dream job?


I accidentally found this book on my library's site and thought I would take a chance.  I was immediately hooked and blown away.  The characters were amazing.  I loved how it is a true stand alone in a series.  When I started reading, I could not put it down.


Alex (A Cold Fury Hockey Novel) by Sawyer Bennett

Alexander Crossman is a hockey player that the fans love to call MVP (and the P isn't for player).  Management wants their bad boy to tame it down.  He is given the choice of getting splinters on his butt from riding the bench or doing community service.

The Cold Fury want Alex to help social worker Sutton Price create a drug-awareness program for at-risk youth.  Alex arrives late and immediately sets out to charm and snag Sutton.  Sutton is all business but as her professional relationship with Alex grows, she starts to see beneath the facade he has created to the boy that was mentally abused by his alcoholic father.


I normally don't read first person, alternating POV but I got hooked with Ryker.  This book didn't disappoint.  The chemistry between Alex and Sutton was so hot you could feel the steam.  The book was well written with great characters.

Monday, March 14, 2016

The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke

Nine years ago, Eleanor Lockhart was sent home from her season in London in disgrace and ruin.  After her father looses the last of their money he has to move to a cottage in his sister's sheep meadow and there is no room for Eleanor.  She obtains the position of a paid companion to Lady Satterfield, the stepmother of Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal.

Nine years ago, Kendal was a wild rake.  He was the one that encouraged his friend to take what he could get away with.  Now, Kendal is known as the Forbidden Duke and is only seen in Society once a year at his stepmother's ball.  Lady Satterfield decides that she is going to sponsor Eleanor and pushes Kendal to attend functions so Eleanor can gain popularity.  Kendal slowly realizes that he is more interested in Eleanor than his mistress.  Will Kendal save Eleanor or will she save him?

I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley.  When I was done, I immediately pre-ordered it.  I just loved how well written the characters were including the supporting characters.  Every wallflower could use a Lady Satterfield to help them.  The novel could have taken a drastic turn when Eleanor found out the role Kendal played in her disgrace.  She saw Kendal for the man that he was then not in the past.

This novel was just a pure delight to read.  It was perfect.

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


I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has been kidnapped.  Her father, the Duke of Lennox, hires Sir Brook Derring to find her.  Brooke just wants to find her and go back to his solitary life.   They have to negotiate the underbelly of London to find who wants Lillian-Anne dead.  What Brook gets is a woman that he falls in love with.

I was disappointed in this novel.  Shana Galen is normally an author that I normally like.  I wanted to reach into the book and slap Lillian-Ann senseless.  She was a spoiled brat.

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





Thursday, March 10, 2016

Her One True Love by Rachel Brimble

The premise of the novel is Jane Danes has loved Matthew Cleaves the squire of her country town since she can remember.  Matthew married another woman and destroys Jane's hopes.  She moves to Bath to start a new live.  Matthew's wife leaves him for another man.  And, no matter what I did, I just couldn't get past the wife still being around.  For me, this fell flat and I did not like this novel.

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

The Infamous Heir by Elizabeth Michaels

Lady Roselyn Grey intends to marry Trevor Moore, Lord Ayton, until she meets his brother Ethan at a house party.  Ethan Moore was disinherited and has survived by boxing.  He has returned to England after searching for his mother in Europe.  When Ethan unexpectedly gain's the courtesy title upon his brother's murder, Ethan needs help from the Spare Heirs Society.  Can Ethan keep the lady that he has loved since they were children safe while he finds his brother's murderer?

This was an excellent novel.  The plot was different and the characters were very strong.  I enjoyed the murder mystery sub-plot and was kept guessing until the end.  Ethan made a wonderful hero.  He wasn't the typical lord waiting for the title, but a man that wasn't afraid to work.

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

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Kidnapped by the Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

Elijah Hunt wants revenge.  He became the bodyguard for Violet Fitzgerald's father after he lost everything that meant anything to him.  As part of his revenge, he kidnaps Violet but Elijah isn't prepared for Violet.  She isn't a typical rich man's daughter.  Violet is fiercely independent and breaks through the shell Elijah has built around himself.

Violet is fascinated by her captor though at first, she wants to escape and will even harm herself to do so.  Elijah makes her surrender to his every demand.  Who is the captor and who is in control?

Wow.  This was quite the novel.  Rich girl kidnapped by former bodyguard only to find out the truth about dear, dead, dad and why the bodyguard wanted revenge.  Jackie Ashenden didn't disappoint with this novel.  The characters were powerful and there was plenty of sympathy towards Elijah for what he had lost.

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




Saturday, March 5, 2016

Wedding Night With the Earl by Amelia Grey

Adam Greyhawke lost his wife and babe in childbirth when he was younger.  He wants to wallow in his misery away from society until the King's man arrives and tells Adam not only is he the new Earl of Greyhawke but he is the guardian to his young cousin.  Adam is forced to rejoin Society and to learn how to be an Earl.

Katharine Wright has longed for a family of her own.  She lost her parents and siblings in a tragic accident that injured her.  The only men that are interested in her are after her wealth.  Adam sees Katharine watching the dancers at a party given by her uncle.  He approaches her and asks her to dance.  Adam didn't expect Katharine to be unable to dance and their conversation to intrigue him.  At dinner, Adam unwittingly puts Katherine in the gossip columns.  After the party, he challenges her to dance with him and to push herself to be able.  Though Adam didn't intend on falling in love, Katherine gives him hope for a future.

I was hooked from the first chapter.  I loved the roller coaster of emotions in this novel.  I loved Katharine's spirit.  She wasn't afraid to take Adam up on his dare.  Adam was a wonderful tortured hero.  When he realized that his wife's death wasn't his fault, you could almost see the relief.

I loved how well written this novel was.  The supporting characters were great.

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



A Reckless Desire (A Breckonridge Brothers Novel) by Isabella Bradford

Lord Rivers Fitzroy is the third of three brothers.  His father, the Duke, has insisted that he get married because he is desperate for a grandson.  Rivers wants to make the most of his bachelorhood before he has to get married so he pursues a troupe of Italian dancers.  His former mistress dares him to turn her mousy cousin into a lady that is noticed.

Lucia di Rossi wants to be a great actress and is tired of living in her cousin's shadow.  River's wager could help her become the first lady of the London stage.  While the transformation is taking place, will they discover a true love?

It took me way too long to gain interest in the story.  I didn't like Rivers at all.  I liked the other Breckonridge Brothers novels but this one just fell flat for me.

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


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Distilled Heat (Bourbon Springs, #6) by Jennifer Bramseth

Pepper Montrose has had a rough life.  She has just won the lottery and can quit her job as an elementary school teacher and take care of her ailing mother.  Pepper calls her lifelong best friend, Jon Buckler, who is a local attorney to help her.  Jon doesn't believe that she actually won the lottery so Pepper contacts another lawyer.  Jon attempts to make amends with Pepper and they fall into a hot affair.  When Pepper finds out Jon omitted a truth, she breaks things off with him and focuses on her new home and thoroughbred sanctuary.

Jon does not want to give up on Pepper and their life-long friendship.  Will he be able to succeed and win the woman he loves?


I love this series and anxiously await the next book.  I was delighted to get "Distilled Heat" as an ARC and didn't put it down until I was done.  

Each book had memorable characters and builds where the previous books left off.  The books are so well written that you feel like you are part of the town. I wish I could apply to be a tour guide at Old Garnett.

I enjoyed this life-long friend to lovers romance.  Pepper and Jon were wonderful characters.  I felt sorry for Jon because he took so long to figure out what was right in front of him then he kept messing things up.  I loved how Pepper contributed to her community after she had won the lottery.

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