Wednesday, May 31, 2017

How to Ruin Your Reputation In 10 Days by Harmony Williams

My first reaction on reading the first page was "what the heck!?"  I looked at the title, I looked at the cover.  This is supposed to be Regency Romance, yet it is written in first person POV.  

I did attempt to read the book.  Most of the time, it didn't feel like a Regency then words like "breeches" and "phaeton" pop up.  

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

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

The Duke Needs a Wife by Katy Walters

I couldn't believe how absolutely bad this book was.  There are so many plot errors that I just couldn't read it.  From Cassandra inheriting her mother's aunt's title to the Dowager wanting to take over Cassandra's new castle.  How did a reclusive old woman rewrite an entail to get her husband's family title transferred to a woman?  The book was very stiffly written and did not flow.

I normally don't comment on formatting because I know that the NetGalley edition I receive isn't a final copy.  In this case, the Goodread's blurb says that the book was edited, rewritten and shortened from the January 25, 2017 version of "The Countess Refuses".  The book was hard to follow at points because it changes from scene to scene with no paragraph separation.  In the beginning, it jumps from a scene with Max to one with Cassandra.  I had to go back and re-read to see if I missed anything.

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

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Breaking the Cowboy's Rules by Leslie North

This was a very quick read.  When I checked my app at the beginning, it said "60 minutes left in book".  I liked the story and characters, but I wish there was more development.  There are a lot of things that are thrown out but never developed, like Sabrina's grandparents and Trevor's ex-girlfriend. I would have loved to seen as a longer book.

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






Lord of Pleasure by Erica Ridley

Miss Camellia Grenville is the eldest sister and very protective of her two younger sisters.  She has been told by her mother that a marriage with Mr. Bost has been arranged.  In a flash, Camellia sees her dream of singing on stage dashed as Mr. Bost lives in Northumberland.  She wants to experience life before she is married.  Her sister Byrony has an invitation to the Duke of Lambley's masquerade and insists Camellia take her place

Michael Rutland, Earl of Wainwright is known among the Ton as the Lord of Pleasure.  He is constantly in the scandal sheets.  Michael is tired of his reputation and accepts a wager with his friends that he can't spend forty days out of the scandal sheets.

As Lady X, Camellia seeks to shed her spinster shield and live before marriage to a man twice her age.  She meets Lord X who intrigues her and matches her whit.  Under the protection of their masks, they share their secret desires and dreams.  When it is time for Camellia to leave, Lord X begs her to return.

When his Lady X leaves behind an earring at the last masquerade, Michael does everything he can to search for his mystery lady.  He is absolutly astonished to find his Lady X is the woman that has vexed him at every turn this season.

Can Michael win his Lady X?

Wow!  Absolutley fantastic.  I was hooked from the first chapter.  I loved the characters and the rake that wants to reform plot!  I felt bad for Michael having a reputation that he did deserve, but there was more to his character.  I liked Camellia's sisters but thought that her one sister running a school for destitute girls a bit of a stretch.

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



Tuesday, May 9, 2017

SEAL Guardian by Leslie North

Jace Stevens is a former Navy SEAL that has formed a civilian training company called Brothers-in-Arms.  Someone is killing SEALS and Jace wants to put a stop to it.

FBI agent Felicity Belasko wants to know who is murdering SEALs and making it look like suicides.  She knows there is a connection to Brothers-in-Arms.

As the heat rises between them, can they solve the mystery?

I loved this series.  I loved the camaraderie between the Brother's-in-Arms and their dedication.  This book ran seamlessly with the first two.  I liked Jace in the first books and was liked his HEA.

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


The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

Lady Claire Cavensham was known in society as "The Bad Luck Bride" because of three engagements that were broken around unfortunate circumstances.  She thinks she has finally found the right fiance in Lord Paul until disaster strikes again.

Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, lost his sister and is seeking revenge against Lord Paul for the role he played in her death.  Alex finds our that Lord Paul is going to announce his engagement to Claire and will do anything to make Claire his fiancee.

Lies drive the them apart.  Can Alex and Claire break the curse and find their HEA?

This book is an emotional roller coaster.  Claire was an strong heroine.  I loved her family and hope to see more of her cousins in future books.  Alex was a brother that felt guilty that his sister committed suicide.  At some points, he is a total ass.  At other points, he is broken and made my heart ache for him.

This book is in the top 5 of the best books I have read this year!  I can't wait for the next one.

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

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Dangerous Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden is one of my favorite authors.  I was thrilled to get an ARC of this book.
Sullivan "Van" Tate is one of three orphaned boys adopted by an oil tycoon.  While he was raised among the New York City elite, he prefers being a Navy SEAL.  When their father dies, Van is the one that must give up his career to protect the family empire and the one woman that is forbidden to him.
Chloe Tate just wants the ranch that she loves.  Throughout the years, she has learned to live with her  father's broken promises to bring hr to New York.  When danger threatens Chloe, the one that is protesting her is the man she desires.
This is one of those books that once you start it, you dig so deep into it and don't want to stop reading.  I loved the characters and the story line. Jackie Ashenden did not disappoint with this opening to her new series!

That said, there is one point that I had to ignore throughout the book.  Van was adopted by Noah Tate.  Chloe was his biological daughter.  The author should have made the three boys Noah's foster sons.  Or googled "Can adopted siblings marry."  

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

Never Trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman

I have enjoyed this series and this book did not disappoint.  I found it fast paced and a book that I did not want to put down.  The characters were likable and I found Cade a charming rogue.  I liked how Rafe and Daphne were great supporting characters in this novel.

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

Dark Alpha's Lover by Donna Grant

Donna Grant is a new-to-me author and I want to know why I didn't find her sooner.  I have read "Firestorm" from the Dark Kings series and now "Dark Alpha's Lover" from the "Reaper" series.  I hate that I have come in the middle of the each of these series!

Donna Grant's writing is spell-binding.  Fans of KMM will enjoy this novel.  I love the Dark and Light Fey and Death is a beautiful woman named Elith.  I liked that it is written in 3rd person and not jumping PoVs.

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