Rose by Leslie North

Giovani DeRose has dreamed of running his father's tattoo studio since he was a young boy just learning to draw.  Now, he is on a sinking ship that his brother owns yet isn't willing to give up an inch of control.  Antonio brings in Riley Byrne who has a strong finance background.  Riley and Giovani butt heads over her every change to Thorn Tattoo.  Can Giovani and Riley combine their talents and passion to help Thorn Tattoo survive?


After reading this book, I wanted to hop on a plane and go to Vegas so I could get a tattoo from Riley!  This is an amazing start to the series!  I think that Giovani is one of the best bad boy characters from Leslie North.  I can't wait for the rest of the series!

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

Too Scot to Handle by Grace Burrowes

I enjoyed this novel.  Anewn Windham gave most people the impression that she was a demure young lady.  Lord Colin MacHugh was the strong, former soldier that is learning how to go about in polite society.  He has compassion and listens to Anwen.  It was a great read.

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

Blackthorne's Bride by Joan Johnston

The book opens with a rather brutal prologue in America.  Marcus, the Duke of Blackthorne is on a tour of America with his friend (who is the brother of his fiancee).  They want to go on a buffalo hunt and is in a band or renegade Sioux's camp.  He sees a young woman tied to a post and being whipped.  Marcus is stunned and attempts to barter for the girl with his knife and his grandfather's gold watch.  He rescues her and takes the girl to England.  Marcus has been summoned back home and takes the girl with him.  On the ship, he devoted himself to nursing the girl.  Since Marcus is going to be married soon, he asks his friend, Seaton, to take care of the girl.

Two years later, Marcus's wife has died in childbirth along with the baby and his younger brother died in a carriage race leaving Marcus the guardian of his two nephews.  The previous Duke has made a series of bad investments that ha almost bankrupted the estate.  Marcus needs to marry a rich woman to make the estate solvent and has his solicitor search for a wealthy American bride.

The young woman that Marcus saved, Josie Wentworth, was dumped at one of his estates at the request of Marcus's fiancee.  She knew she was dying and realizing that Marcus loved the young woman he had saved, wanted Marcus to have her after she died.

In the time that Josie has been at the crumbling estate, she has been a maid of all work at the mercy of the housekeeper and Marcus's nephews nanny.  A Pinkerton agent visits Josie and tells her that she is an heiress.  As Josie is getting ready to leave for America, she discovers that Marcus is now a widower and seeking an American heiress.  She decides to marry Marcus so that she can rescue his nephews and take them to America with her.


There were so many points in this novel that I wanted to scream.  I liked Josie and thought she was an amazingly strong woman.  However, what made this book a 3 rather than the 5 it should have been was Marcus.  He was obsessed with Josie from rescue to landing in London, then he just lets his friend take over.  Marcus is off-handed when asked about his nephews.  I would have rather seen Josie grab the boys and leave England with the Pinkerton agent and marry him!

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

Lord of Night by Erica Ridley

Miss Dahlia Grenville isn't like other proper debutantes.  She runs a home for wayward girls that has too many pupils and not enough donations.  Dahlia has the solution for her funding and is about to pull of the heist of the Season when she stumbles into the arms of Bow Street Runner, Simon Spaulding.

Simon Spaulting is a successful Bow Street Runner.  He is attempting to solve a rather unusual crime where the victim never realizes that their belongings have been taken until they receive a note.  When Simon realizes that the young woman that he has been courting is the thief behind his unsolved mystery, can he bring her to justice and risk losing her forever?


This novel is true Erica Ridley.  Well written, quick pace with characters the reader likes.  I liked how Dahlia stood up for her goals and opened the school for girls from the worst section of London.  Simon was the handsome hero that had the aristocratic bearing that comes from being the by-blow of a Marquess.  I enjoyed the Robin Hood sub-plot and the resolution.

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

A Dance with Seduction by Alyssa Alexander

I liked the books and the characters.  Vivienne Le Fleur isn't the typical debutante, but a sought after opera dancer and a spy known as the Flower.  When her sister is abducted by a French agent wanting her to be a double agent, she seeks Maximilian Westwood.  Maximilian is a retired code-breaker that now makes his living by translating for clients.  Will Maximilian and Vivienne be able to discover love in the world of secrets and espionage.

I really enjoyed how different this book is from what I have been reading recently.  I liked the danger and secrets in the book.  Vivienne was a bold character.  I loved how Maximilian was a true geek.  And the geek and beauty get their own HEA.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  I have voluntarily reviewed this ARC.

My Hellion, My Heart by Amalie Howard, Angie Morgan

Princess Irina Volkonsky has been called Ice Princess and other not so polite names because she has refused seven offers this season and it isn't her first season!  For Irina, the only man that she would marry is Lord Henry Radcliffe.

Henry Radcliffe, Earl of Langlevit is damaged from his service to crown and country.  He has been aware of Irina since she was 14 and his mother's ward.  Henry knows that he can never have Irina.

When they are thrown together, can they fight the attraction.

This is the third book in the series.  It can be read as a stand alone.  However, once I started, I wanted to read the other two!  I wanted to know what had happened when Irina and her sister were younger.

I loved the characters and the twists and turns in the book.

This was a great read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  I have voluntarily reviewed this book and have provided an honest review.

Stepbrother's Stowaway by Amber Bardan and Eden Summers

Nathan Hendrick has kept his desired hidden for his stepsister, Aria for years.  He had moved back to his home town of Greenpea, South Carolina, purchased a house.  Aria has tempted him for the last time by ending up naked in his bed.  Nathan is flying back to Seattle.

I absolutely loved this novella.  For the length, it was extremely hot.  I loved the forbidden relationship that got the HEA!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Stepbrother's Stowaway.

The Sheikh's Surprise Triplets by Leslie North

While I liked all three books in the series, this has been my favorite.  I loved the characters and the adventure that Basri takes Juliette on.  They were the perfect balance.  This was the perfect end for the series!

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

Addiction by Calista Fox

This is the second book in this series that I have read.  I like that it is a standalone, yet the other characters in the previous books play a part.  It is a quick, light, read.  Perfect for the beach.  I liked Nate and Tristan.  Because the book is so short, there is no back story for Nate and Tristan other than saying they are stepbrothers.

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

Misconduct (Birmingham Rebels) by Samantha Kane

I have been waiting for Carmina to get her HEA.

Carmina de la Cruz was in Afghanistan when an IED hit the truck she was riding in.  She was left with a traumatic brain injury that impaired her speech.  Her best friend is Sam Taylor, linebacker for the Birmingham Rebels.  Through Sam, she has slowly broken out of her shell and met more of the team.

Tom Kelly looks like the All-American Midwest poster boy, but like most of the Rebels, he likes to play both sides of the field.  Tom realizes that he wants what his team mates are getting - a committed three-way relationship.  He wants Carmina in the middle with his friend Danny Smith.

Danny Smith has his kinks.  He gave in to his temptations once and he dosesn't want to go there again.  Danny is starting to realize that Carmina may be the link between himself and Tom.

I have been a huge fan of Samantha Kane since I read her first Brothers in Arms book.  I started the Birmingham Rebels series hoping it would be a good because I hate football.  I was hooked with the first book.

Danny and Tom were introduced as secondary characters in the first book and finally get their own HEA.  Carmina was struggling with her own issues and Danny and Tom helped her work through them.  I loved how Carmina found her own place with the team and was successful despite her injury.

Again, Samantha Kane has kicked the field goal!

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

The Wicked Heir by Elizabeth Michels

This book landed on the DNF pile.  I did not like the first chapter.  I felt like I was missing a lot of information.  I really didn't like Isabelle or Victoria.


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

To Seduce a Lady's Heart by Ingrid Hahn

Jeremy Landon has spend the last ten years paying all of his uncles debts and rebuilding his estates after he inherited the title of Earl of Bennington from his uncle.  He has one last debt to pay but Lady Rushworth is refusing to see him.  On his last attempt, he is successful though she has manipulated him into marrying her ward.

Lady Eliza Burke has spent her entire life living under her mother's oppressive rule and life is more unbearable with her father gone.  She promised to look after her cousin Christiana.  Now, her mother is marrying her off to the Earl of Bennington.  Eliza attempts to break off the marriage but ends up marrying the Earl herself!

Eliza believed that she would never find love.  When her new marriage started to show promise, a scandal threatened to tear them apart.  Can Eliza and her Earl find their happiness?


This book is why I love historical romance.  I loved the characters and the plot.  Every time I thought that Jeremy and Eliza would find common ground, something else happened!  The one thing that kept being brought up but never addressed was how Christiana was Eliza's half sister.  That was never fully explained.  It would have been a wonderful way to have Lady R being her evil self.

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

Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain

This book fell flat for me.  I did not like the characters.  The plot wasn't one that I liked.  For me this was put on the DNF pile.

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

The Sheikh's Pregnant Fling by Leslie North

Cassandra is a professional matchmaker and has found many client's HEA.  Unfortunately, she is too busy for romance and has no intention of marriage after watching her parents nasty divorce.  Cassandra meets Nasir at a wedding for two of her clients and in instantly attracted.  She has a casual affair with him that quickly becomes complicated once Cassandra realizes that Nasir is her new client and she is pregnant with his child.

Nasir has given all of his energy to the family business.  His mother is pushing him to settle down and has hired a matchmaker.  He doesn't want to date because he is enchanted by the woman he met at a friend's wedding.  When he finds out his matchmaker is Cassandra, he is devastated that she wants to keep things professional.  As Nasir is focusing on his business and blind dates, he can't get Cassandra off of his mind.  Can Nasir convince Cassandra that they are the perfect match?

This is the second book in the Azhar Sheikhs series.  I was thrilled that Nasir found Cassandra.  I loved Nasir.  This was a fun read, perfect for a lazy summer day.

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

Duke with Benefits (studies in Scandal #2) by Manda Collins

Lady Daphne Forsyth attracted the attention of Lady Celeste Beauchamp because she is a brilliant mathematician who is obsessed with puzzles.  When Lady Celeste passes she leaved Daphne and three other ladies as heiresses to her estate.  Daphne also receives a letter containing information of the legendary Cameron Cipher which when solved, holds the key to great riches.

Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland is curious as to why Daphne is so obsessed with his aunt's library.  He becomes more intrigued by her blunt manner.   When love enters the equation can they still concentrate on solving the Cipher?

I am beginning to think that Lady Celeste was doing a little matchmaking!  Daphne and Dalton are perfect for each other.  He understands her blunt manner and her unconventional upbringing.  I loved how the book included the other ladies in the house and Lord Kerr.  It was also a novel about friendship.  Daphne has finally solved 1 + 1 and ended up with Dalton!

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

The Sheikh's Fake Fiancee by Leslie North

Elena has graduated from college and is traveling around Europe with her friend Aubrey.  They are half way through their trip and are in Lebanon.  They go into a cafe to use the internet when Elena meets a handsome stranger.

Sheikh Asim has enough pressure from his business to deal with his mother forcing him to settle down and marry the daughter of a business acquaintance. He is enchanted by Elena's beauty and asks her to be his fake fiancee and help him get out of the arranged marriage.

As the days slip into weeks, Asim and Elena develop a relationship, but when he can not commit to resolving his engagement or to her, Elena returns home.  Can Asim repair the damage and face a future together?


Loved it!  There is nothing like a Leslie North Sheikh book.  I loved Asim and sweet Elena.  I could have done without some of Aubrey's quips and attitude.

This was a great start to the series!

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