A Duke by December by Sabrina Darby

The year is 1816. The Duke of Beckworth has died without a direct heir. As the solicitors attempt to find the next Duke, what happens with the people that depend on Beckworth for their livelihood? There are five books in this series, each written by a different author.

Nathaniel Hughes and Elizabeth Smith meet when he rescues her and her half brother in a tavern in the Arkansas Territory.  Nate takes Lizzie and her brother to New Orleans and then New York where she acts as his secretary.

When Nate has to return to England after leaving when he was a young man and making his fortune in America, it is only logical that he takes Lizzie with him.  Nate has a new challenge as the Duke of Beckworth revitalizing the estate that has been left in limbo for the past year.

Lizzie has secretly loved Nate since he rescued her.  Will Nate be able to see her as more than his secretary when he is being pushed to do his duty to the estate and provide an heir?



This was the perfect end to the series.  I loved the characters and the slow build of a romance between Nate and Lizzie.  It provided the perfect wrap to the lives of the characters in the other four novels.  I enjoyed reading this novel.

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

The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan

On the day of her wedding, standing on the church steps, Venetia Stratham found out that the man she loved would never be faithful when she got a whiff of his mistresses perfume.  She walked into the church and announced there would be no wedding.  Her parents disowned her threw her out of their house.  She became the companion to her best friend and has been living in France until she heard a rumor.

Venetia has learned that Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne, a man cut from the same cloth as her former fiancee is courting her sister. Venetia enters the gentleman's club to prove to her sister what type of man Quinn is.  Quinn saves her from being groped by a drunken gamester and ends up kissing her.  As they were leaving the club, they are attacked.  When there is an attempt on their lives, Quinn proposes.

Venetia has to fight her attractions to Quin and Quinn has to attempt to win his wife's trust.  The sparks fly as they battle their attractions while attempting to find out who is attempting to kill them.

This was an amazing novel.  I was hooked from the first chapter to the end.  There was a passion that just sizzled over the pages.  Can Venetia tame the rogue?  Can Quinn prove to Venetia that he is more than a rake?  This is one of those books that you put on the shelf and when you want to read a book that you know is going to have a great HEA, you pull this out.  If I read paper, this is the book that I would have put in a place that I could find it quickly.  Loved it.

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

The Best Laid Plans by Lauren Gallagher

Gabe and Shahid have just had another adoption fall through.  It isn't because they are gay, it's because Shahid is Muslim.  Kendra and Gabe are teachers at the same high school and good friends.  Gabe and Shahid supported Kendra during her ugly divorce and she wants to do something to pay them back.  She suggests that she carry their baby for them.  When they have the idea go do it the "old fashioned way", Shahid is initially reserved because Gabe is bisexual.  They end up with the perfect solution - they share parenting responsibilities and Kendra lives with them.  When their plans get derailed, will the trio survive.


This was my first dabble in New Adult, alternating first person.  The book was so powerful that I was an emotional wreck at the end.  The characters were wonderful.  I loved how the relationship worked and worked so well.  I just hated the unexpected news and wish that it would have worked out different.

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

An Affair in Autumn (A Year Without a Duke, Book 4) by Jenifer Haymore

The year is 1816. The Duke of Beckworth has died without a direct heir. As the solicitors attempt to find the next Duke, what happens with the people that depend on Beckworth for their livelihood? There are five books in this series, each written by a different author.


Lord Markus Hawkins needs to find his childhood best friend who he lost track of after an argument revolving around Caro. Caroline Addison, Lady Whytestone is shocked when Mark visits her to find out where Nathaniel Hughes is and why Mark needs to find Nate. She has been a widow for a year and is delighting on giving away the money left to her by the husband she didn't want. Caroline insists on going with Mark on the trip to America and Mark refuses to let her go. Mark boards the schooner that will take him to New York only to find that Caroline is already on board. During the trip to New York, Mark learns more about what happened when they were seventeen and his desire for Caroline only deepens as the journey progresses. Will Mark and Caroline be able to resolve their differences and find a new start?


A Year Without a Duke been an amazing series. Short novellas that pack an emotional punch. This one did not disappoint. This is a tie-in to the author's "House of Trent" series.  Mark is the younger brother of the Duke of Trent.  Caroline is protecting her broken heart from the man she loved when she was seventeen and forced into marriage with a much older man. Mark believes that Caroline was only after the title and money. He still believes that Caroline loved Nathan and doesn't want to betray his best friend. I loved the passion in this novella. I have read all four in the series, and this one is the hottest.  The characters were wonderful. While it is short, it packs a punch.

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

Their Kidnapped Bride by Vanessa Vale

Emma James had a secure life.  She lived with her step-brother and had an inheritance from her father and social standing.  Until she walked into the kitchen and found something she shouldn't have.  Her brother took her money and sold her to a brothel.  Emma is given two choices by the madam:  either work off the money she paid for Emma or participate in a virgin auction.  When the auction is over, Emma is shocked to find out that she has two husbands.

Whitmore Kane and Ian Stewart served in the British Army together.  They learned about the Mohamiran style of marriage when protecting a local secular leader.  When they left military service after their commanding officer attempted to pin a murder he committed on Ian, they came to the American West with others in their military unit so they could enjoy the lifestyle they wished to pursue.  They found out about the bride auction and decided to bid.

For me, this is an unusual Historical Menage.  It is written in alternating POV, kind of like a New Adult Romance, which I am not a fan of.   By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked.  Vanessa Vale made the alternating POV work.  I loved the characters and reading from their point of view.  It was a steamy, erotic novel.

 I know that when you read menage, you have to suspend belief. However, there were several things in this book that bugged me. Kane is introduced as being British and for the first half of the book, his speech patterns are British.  Close to the end of the book, Kane starts speaking as if he is Scottish.  Huh?

When Emma gets to Kane and Ian's ranch, there is another menage marriage:  Robert, Andrew and Ann.  It felt like this was the second book in the series and I had missed Robert, Andrew and Ann's story.

And, Kane keeps calling Emma "baby".  This isn't a term that I can remember seeing in any historical yet alone out of the mouth of an Englishman.

What happened to Ian "taking care" of Emma's step-brother?  Ian talks about it and nothing is ever mentioned again.

I think this would have worked much better as a contemporary not historical.

That said, I received an ARC from NetGalley and I ended up buying this novel and the third.  I did like it.

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

Furever Mated by Meredith Clarke

Scarlett Jones has been in a relationship with the wrong guy.  She is tired of him being late and canceling dates or when he calls, music is playing in the background.  Scarlett dumps him and her best friends convince her to go on a vacation.  They end up at Bear Ridge resort, a shifter matchmaking resort.

Kurt Donnelly lost the love of his life when he was in college.  After starting one too many fights, he joins the Army where he is recruited for a special program and ends up a bear shifter.  Kurt did not want to go to Bear Ridge but his pack booked the trip without his knowledge and they can't go without their Alpha.

Kurt and Scarlett meet by chance in the library, both trying to avoid participating in the matchmaking events.  They don't know that they have found their perfect match.



This was a quick, fun read.  (I think it took about 30 minutes to read.)  I liked that Kurt and Scarlett got their HEA without a cliffhanger or the book being a serial.  This is the first book by Meredith Clarke that I have read.  I will have to check out her other books.

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

Secret Blend by Jennifer Bramseth

Rachel Richards and Brady Craft have known each other since high school.  Rachel followed Brady to college, then law school, clerking then to their home town.  When Rachel receives an appointment to a judgeship, Brady is jealous.  He gets an appointment too but has to face election with a formidable opponent in Hannah Davenport.  Hannah is the co-owner of Old Garnet Distillery and Rachel's best friend and Brady's former high school girl friend.  When Rachel and Brady's relationship heats up can they keep it a secret?

I found this novel through BookBub.  It wasn't what I normally read, but what the heck, it was free.  I was hooked after the first chapter.  I loved how Brady changed from being a pompous ass to Rachel to being her friend.  Then when he discovers her secret, the passion explodes.  After I was done, I purchased the next in the series.

The Tycoon's Captured Heart

Grayson Brooks has known Scarlett Evans since she was five and he was fifteen.  She had loved Grayson since she was a teenager and as she grew into a woman, he fell in love with her.  As the years passed, every time she wanted to tell him how she felt, he had a new woman on his arm.  When her beloved Uncle died, Grayson finally took a chance and seduced Scarlett.  The next day, he is cold.  Scarlett asks him to help teach her how to attract a man.  Grayson finally admits to himself that he loves Scarlett, but after how he left her, can he win her love?

Grayson and Scarlett finally got their HEA!  It was a great short story.  I have been waiting for Grayson's story since I read the introduction to the series.  The only thing I wish was there was more of a backstory for Grayson.  There is a novella at the end of the book that wraps up the series quite nicely.

Wolf on the Hunt by N.J. Walters

Gray Everson is an artist that is looking for a quiet place to paint.  She found Salvation, North Carolina and a house to rent for two weeks.  She didn't expect to find hunters in the forest shooting at wild animals.  Louis LaForge has escaped his father's pack and is making a new life with his brother and their new pack in Salvation.  One of the mate's house was rented out and Louis decides to check on the new tenant.  He is shot by hunters and found by Gray's dog.  Gray and Shadow get the huge wolf back to the house.  Louis had given up on finding a mate and is surprised to find Gray is his mate.  Once he reveals himself to her, there is no turning back.  His father is determined to put an end to his wandering sons and nothing is going to stand in his way.  Can Louis protect Gray during the final battle?


I loved the characters in this novel.  Gray and Lewis were perfect for each other.  This is part of a series, but can be read alone.  I loved how Lewis helped Gray find out who she is.  I loved the conflict and resolution between Gray and Lewis.  This was an enjoyable book to read.

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

Wolf With Benefits by Heather Long

Shiloh Sullivan and Matt Montgomery were best friends from childhood until she left to go to college.  She had been working with lone wolfs to create a sixth pack when she was called back to Willow Bend.  Shiloh's family is human.  They have lived among the Willow Bend Pack for generations.  Because she is human, it is difficult to be accepted back even at the Alpha's approval.  Matt steps in and convinces Shiloh into pretending to be his fiancee to cement her acceptance back into the pack.  When they figure out that they are mates the sparks will fly!

I liked this book because of the friends to lovers plot device and how Shiloh and Matt had been friends since childhood even though she is human.  In this series, there are humans that live within the pack, protected almost like pets.  The slow build up to Shiloh finally realizing she loved Matt was great.  This was a well written novel and quite enjoyable to read.  It is part of a series.

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

Mastering the Beast by Tina Donahue

Zoe is a demon that works at From Crud to Stud, an agency that keeps supernatural creatures in line.  She has three new enforcers, Stefin, Anatol, and Taro.  The three don't take orders well and they are interested in sex with Zoe in every way except vanilla.


This was a fun book to read.  Yes, there was a whole lot of explicit sex, but there was also a lot of humor in it.  If you need a little escape from reality, this book is perfect.

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

Union of Sin by Eden Summers

Cassie Jackson has twenty-eight days to get her husband back.  Tate and Cassie started experimenting sexually, him pushing her boundaries and introducing her to new things.  On a trip, they decided to go to a sex club and Cassie was almost assaulted.  Tate will do anything to keep his wife safe.  He moved out of the bedroom then their house, now he has served her with divorce papers.  Only, Cassie doesn't want the divorce and will do anything to keep Tate.

This is the second in the "Vault of Sin" series.  It had a different spin because Tate and Cassie were already married and Tate loved Cassie.  I liked the rebuilding of the relationship and how Cassie won't give up on Tate.  While the focus of this novel is on Tate and Cassie, Shay and Leo also play a part along with Brute.

A Shot of Sin by Eden Summers

Shay Porter is the bar manager for the Taste of Sin restaurant and the Shot of Sin dance club.  She has had on-going flirtation with one of the owners, Leo Petrova.  Leo refuses to take things further because Shay is no match for what he craves sexually.  When the bar downstairs, Vault of Sin, is short a bartender, the only replacement is Shay.  Leo fights his partners knowing he can't expose Shay to the place where he doesn't hold back.

Shay has been aware of the mysterious club underneath the restaurant and bar where she works.   When she finds out what goes on in the club and how involved Leo is, will she be able to step out of her comfort zone and risk everything for Leo.

Ok, so "A Shot of Sin" is the first in a series about three guys that run a sex club.  That said, the book isn't about sex.  There is relationship development between Shay and Leo.  It is about Shay stepping out of her comfort zone and Leo being willing to meet her part way.  While the focus of this novel is on Shay and Leo, Brute and T. J. play an active role.  I loved the quality of the writing in this novel.

What a Werewolf Wants (San Francisco Wolf Pack) by Kristin Miller

Josie Cole is a professional matchmaker.  Her 100th match is her sister.  To celebrate, she is being filmed for a TV special.  The best man is Ryder McManus.  Because of his job as a private investigator only seeing the bad side of marriage, he is going to do everything to keep his best friend from getting married.  When Ryan meets Josie, he is startled to learn that she is his fated mate.  Ryan just needs Mitch to tell Carrie the truth about who he is and the wedding will be off.

I really liked this novel.  It was smoking hot without sex every chapter like some shifter novels.   Each author puts their own twist on shifters and this one is shifters are long lived when single, but when they find their true mate or Luminary, they live for a thousand years.  I was hooked at the first chapter just like Ryder hooked Josie.  I enjoyed the characters.  The sub-plot of Carrie's wedding and will Mitch ever tell Carrie he is a werewolf added to the plot.


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

The Sheikh's Stubborn Lover by Leslie North

Michelle Reynolds is is in the country of Al-Sarid to build a retreat on land that was given to her mother.  Sheikh Adilan Adjalane wants to get the land back from Michelle before his oldest brother.  Adilan.  He offers her cash and when that is refused he tries a compromise then seduction.  Michelle has been warned by her mother that the Adjaline men are dangerous heart breakers and Adilan is no different.  Will the two reach a compromise?

I am a big fan of Leslie North's and this is the second in the series that I have read and loved.  I like her fast paced novellas.  I liked the characters.  As much as I liked it, I had some issues.  If things are going to be on the synopsis that appears everywhere, they have to be in the book.  When I was done, I didn't remember any reference to Adilan being an Olympian.  And there isn't any mention to Michelle being a teacher.  I used the handy-dandy search tool and the only hits I got was in the synopsis.  I also would have loved to know what happened between Michelle's mother and Adilan's father.


That being said, I reviewed the book, not the synopsis.  Loved the book.  It is a quick five star read.  When I buy the books in a series as they come out, I read them.  Then when the series is done, I go back and read all of them together.  It makes a great afternoon.

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

Seduced in September (A Year Without a Duke Book 3) by Genevieve Turner

The year is 1816.  The Duke of Beckworth has died without a direct heir.  As the solicitors attempt to find the next Duke, what happens with the people that depend on Beckworth for their livelihood?  There are five books in this series, each written by a different author. 

Adele Vere has been molded into the perfect English model of womanhood by her foster mother.  She is the perfect governess of the Duke's ward.  The old Duke demanded that she learn to ride.  Since then, she has been tortured by stable master Edward Coyne's hands and how he touched her.  It was the lingering touch as he helped her mount, the way he arranged her knee over the horn and placed her boot into the stirrup.  She is afraid that Edward is going to discover that is is only a facade and discover who she truly is.

A small fire accidentally lit by the Duke's ward brings them closer.  Adele is more aware of Edward.  Caught in a rainstorm, Edward seduces Adele.  Can she take the risk with Edward?

I thoroughly enjoyed the slow, subtle seduction from the riding lessons to the rain storm.  This was a wonderful novella.

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

The Sheikh's Secret Bride by Leslie North

Sheikh Nassir Adjalane has been told by the board of Adjalane Oil that after his recent public debacles that he needed to find a bride and they suggested an American bride. Within the next thirty days and make amends with the Sharqui family. Nassir attends Amare Sharqui and is intrigued by wedding planner Janna Davis. Two weeks later, Nassir has summoned Janna to plan his wedding. Little does Jenna know that she is the bride. Jenna needs the money from this even to help support her family, but finds it hard to plan a wedding when the bride is never around. As she plans the wedding, the independent woman starts to fall for the man known as the Heartless Sheik. What will she do when she finds out that the wedding she has been planning is her own?

I am a huge fan of Leslie North's.  Her books are always sexy without being over the top.  They are connected, but can stand on there own.  I fell in love with Nassir when he told Janna "We only met recently, but I'm positive she is the one.  The woman I wish to marry."  I wanted to BE the wedding planner.  There was part of me that was yelling at Janna "why don't you ask him who his bride is?"  She never questioned where the mysterious bride was or even suspected.

Forbidden in February (A Year Without a Duke Book 2) by Suzanna Medeiros

The year is 1816.  The Duke of Beckworth has died without a direct heir.  As the solicitors attempt to find the next Duke, what happens with the people that depend on Beckworth for their livelihood?  There are five books in this series, each written by a different author. 

As the valet to the Duke of Beckworth, Robert Milton has an uncertain future.  The Duke is dead and the solicitors are attempting to find the new Duke.  But, will he be needed as the new Duke will most likely already have a valet?   His mother had been writing him that she was ill and he didn't go see her because she has used this tacit to get him to visit before.  Her solicitor writes him that she has died.  Robert returns to his childhood home to find his mother's companion keeping the house for him.  Robert is immediately attracted to Isabel Durham.  He visits his mother's solicitor and receives a letter for Isabel.

Isabel only wants her independence.  Her cousin is so determined to marry her off to a much older wealthy man that has rumors surrounding his first marriage.  

Robert was always aware that his mother was the mistress of a wealthy peer that found a new lover when he was ten and abandoned them.  He has kept free of romantic entanglements until he met Isabel.  When she asks him to ruin her to escape the unwanted marriage, will Robert be able to keep his heart free or will he decide it is time to stop running?

I enjoyed reading this novel.  Robert had an interesting backstory when it was revealed.  I wish more had been said about Isabel's backstory.  There were hints with the letter the cousin wrote and the cousin wanting her to marry that wealthy man, but not much more.  I loved the HEA.  

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

Jilted in January (A Year Without a Duke) by Kate Pearce

The year is 1816.  The Duke of Beckworth has died without a direct heir.  As the solicitors attempt to find the next Duke, what happens with the people that depend on Beckworth for their livelihood?  There are five books in this series, each written by a different author.

Rose Leyton is an impoverished relative of the Duke and has been living at the country estate while she waits for her fiance and brother to return from war.  Colin Ford is the assistant land agent  He is the youngest son of an impoverished Earl.  When the land agent mysteriously disappears, Colin breaks into the locked office and discovers a disaster.  Rose is just the gloried companion for her great-aunt and wants something to do, so she volunteers to help Colin straighten out the mess left by his boss.

Rose is shocked to learn in a letter from her brother that her fiance has gotten married.  When her brother wants her to marry an unexcaptable man, Colin steps up to the rescue and announces that he has proposed to her.  Will Colin be her hero and HEA?

I have read other books by Kate Pearce and this wasn't what I expected.  As I was reading, I realized that I really liked it.  It was the perfect start to the series and the characters were wonderful.  I loved how the romance slowly developed and how Colin was a true hero.  This was a wonderful novel.  Kate Pearce is such a talented author that can switch styles with grace.

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

A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver

Victoria Carson was born in America.  Her parents wanted her to marry an English title, so they moved to England when she was eight.  She was sent to Lady Grantham's finishing school to be molded into the proper wife for an English aristocrat.  Victoria has always known that she will be wanted for her money only.

Andrew Hargrave, Earl of Dunnley, is the unwanted second son of two people that have hated each other since they were married. He has escaped his family by working in Italy as an archaeologist, devoting himself to finding an Etruscan tomb.  The his older brother and father's heir died before he could marry his heiress, so now it is up to Andrew to save his family.  Phillip Carson sets up a dummy company to fail and the Duke of Waring is the target.  Andrew is forced to marry Victoria.  When he figures out what her father has done the day before their wedding, he dumps her at his decrepit, dilapidated family estate and returns to Italy and his mistress.

Upon his father's death, Andrew has to return to England.  Can he fix the damage he has done to his marriage?

I could not stop reading this novel.  I wanted to know what happened next.  This novel was so intense that you could feel what the characters were going through.  Andrew's feelings of betrayal, Victoria's feelings of despair when Andrew walked out.  The joy when Andrew realized that he loved Victoria and was going to fight for what he almost destroyed.

This was the first book by Amanda Weaver that I have read.  If I had a real book shelf, this novel would go next to Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.

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

Tempted by Jess Michaels

Juliet Grey had saved the life of the Dowager Marchioness of Woodley when she was sick.  To repay her, the Dowager is insisting on funding a Season in London for Juliet.  London with the Dowager is the last place Juliet wants to be because she knows she won't be able to avoid Gabriel Woodley.  Gabriel is obsessed with finding his twin sister who disappeared under mysterious circumstances two years ago.  It is his drive.  The one other thing he notices is Juliet.

Eventually, Gabriel can't fight his desire and asks Juliet for help in finding his sister.  Will her help bring him closer to finding his sister, or destroy all?

I absolutely love the passion between Gabriel and Juliet, yet Gabriel is determined to fight the attraction in his obsession to find his sister.  It was a fresh plot twist to have the hero a virgin.  I love the Woodley family because they learned that station in life does not necessarily make one a good person.  There is the sub-plot of Gabriel's mother and Juliet's father re-kindling a romance that was ended before it could start.  

This is the third book in this series.  I missed (and have since bought) the first two.  It stands well on its own but it is nice to see the have familiar characters woven into the story.

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

Heir to the Duke by Jane Ashford

Nathaniel Gresham marries Lady Devere because as the eldest son of the Duke of Langford, it is his duty to marry a woman of equal social standing.  Violet is tired of being under her families thumb.  Her grandmother, the dowager Countess of Morely makes her wear dresses that are abominable and controls everything she does.  Even her lady's made is controlled by her grandmother. Now that she is married to Nathaniel, she is going to stop wearing what her grandmother demands and enjoy life.

I got to 12% in the book and lost interest.  The book started out plodding along and the pace did not change.  I will admit that I skipped to the end of the book and that was the most interesting part of the book.  Basically, the marriage, some of Violet transforming into something her "grandmother" isn't dictating then the end.  That would have made a good novella.  From the synopsis, the book looked interesting, but I could not read any further.  Tossed into the DNF pile.

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