Royal Service by Leslie North

This light hearted romance is a wonderful twist on the classic Cinderella story.  King Philip of Danovia has to marry by his thirtieth birthday or the crown goes to his younger brother.  He is having problems choosing his bride, so his mother invites all of the eligible maidens to The Summer House Party. 

Ella Fernstone has retreated to the role of servant/personal assistant since her father's death.  Her stepmother is forgetful in her determination to make sure one of her daughters marry the king.  Ella wants to escape and be able to pursue her own dream.  Her goal is to have one of her stepsisters marry King Philip. 

I enjoyed reading Philip and Ella's story.  It was a smoking hot read!  The characters were fun.  I liked the Cinderella twist without the stepmother being evil.  Ella's stepsisters were sweet.  I can't wait for the rest of this series!

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

Claiming the Cowboy by Leslie North

Claiming the Cowboy is the last book in the Meier Ranch Series.  The story is a heartwarming romance between two people who are direct opposites, yet, are perfect for each other.  I loved the connection between Chase and Gretchen. 

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

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

I so wanted to love this book.  I liked the humor.  BUT, I thought that there were too many characters vying for attention.  At points, I wasn't sure who the main characters were.  It also felt like I was dropped in the middle of a story that has been going on for a while.  The book went on and on.  It needed to be much shorter.

What a Difference a Duke Makes

Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, pulled his family from near bankruptcy after his father's death to his position as one of the wealthiest men in England.  When his former mistress dies and the twins he didn't know about are sent to him, he needs help.  The twins have terrorized half the governesses in London until Miss Mari Perkins arrives on his doorstep.

Mari Perkins is an orphan who was hoping for a position as a nursemaid in a tradesman's house.  She arrived late for the interview and now she has no position.  Her trunk was stolen and she is left in London alone and without anything.  She hears the last governess of the Duke of Banksford describing the children and knows that this is her one chance.

As Mari tames the children, can she tame the Duke and find her HEA?


I picked up this book and did not put it down until I was done.  It was an afternoon of binge reading. I loved the characters from Mari and Edgar to the twins.  I can't wait to see what happens with Edgar's sister. 

The Big Alpha in Town by Eve Langlais; Milly Taiden; Kate Baxter

Bearing His Name by Eve Langlais - 4.5
When Ark meets his mate things aren't going to be easy.  Jade has sent letters to all of the guys that could be the father of her sister's baby.  Now, one of the potential baby-daddies is at her house telling her she is his mate. 

I always love Eve Langlais's books.  There is always humor in the books that make them enjoyable reads.

Owned by the Lion by Kate Baxter - 4.5
Keir has met his mate except he used to be a player and some of his old women are making things uncomfortable for his mate, Ally.  Ally is going to take a lot of convincing to believe that she is Keir's mate.

I liked the plot and the characters.

No Need Fur Love by Kate Baxter
Well, two out of three isn't bad.  I just didn't like the wood nymph trope. 

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

Redeeming the Rancher by Leslie North

At the end of his last military tour, Wes Meier returns home to his family's Texas ranch.  He is attempting to retreat from his memories of the war and the friends he lost.  When he meets artist Livie Blake, she brings out the emotions that he is attempting to escape.

Livie Blake is in Close Call to sculpt a memorial to local veterans.  She is looking for a model for her hero and Wes is a perfect choice.  Wes does not want to be immortalized as a hero, especially since it means he would have to spend more time with Livie.  One of the reasons Livie is in Close Call is because she is attempting to connect with her brother who died in the war.  Wes was one of her brother's best friends. 

Can Wes and Livie open their hearts to love?

This book was amazing.  The plot was a lot more intense than some of Leslie North's other books due to the subject.  Livie and Wes were amazing characters.  I loved their connection.  This was a book that I didn't want to put down once I started reading.

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

Scandal in Spades by Wendy LaCapra

Giles Langley, the Marquess of Bromton has learned that he is a bastard.  As he is an honorable man, he attempts to bestow his estate upon the rightful heir by manipulating a high-stakes card game.  When the winner says that he doesn't want the estate, but he wants Bromton to marry his older sister, Bromton agrees.

Lady Katherine has lived the life of a recluse and spinster since Brummell declared she was the least marriageable lady in all of England.  Her brother brings home his friend, the Marquess of Bromton.  Katherine knows her brother is attempting a match.  After attempting to foil the attempt, Bromton slowly wins over Katherine.  Katherine agrees to marry Bromton.  When he is forced to acknowledge his past, he could destroy his own future.

What a great read!  I loved the characters and the plot.  The connection between Katherine and Bromton was great.  They were perfect for each other.  I liked how she helped him find himself again.  The secondary characters added to the plot.

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

It Happened in the Highlands by May McGoldrick

Lady Josephine Pennington met and fell in love with Captain Wynne Melford.  When rumors of her questionable origins are being spread, she is jilted.

For sixteen years, Josephine has molded herself into the perfect paragon.  Jo receives a package of sketches that look eerily like her with an invitation to meet the person that drew them.  Jo changes her travel plans because this may be a clue to the identity of her birth mother. 

Captain Wynne Melfort ended his engagement to Jo Pennington because he knew he could not protect her from his family while he was at sea.  After he broke the engagement, he thought he would never see Jo again until he sees the drawings of one of the patients at the clinic he supports.

While Wynne and Jo attempt to unravel the mystery of her birth, they begin their romance again.  Jo must learn how to trust Wynne and Wynne needs to forgive himself.  Will they be able to solve the mystery of her birth and rediscover their love?

This was a great second chance at love romance.  The only thing I wish was there was not such a large gap in Jo and Wynne reuniting.  I loved the characters from Jo and Wynne to the wonderful supporting characters.  This was such a well-written and enjoyable book.

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

The Perfect Duchess by Erica Taylor

Andrew Macalister, the Duke of Bradstone, hates his family's annual birthday ball.  Except for this year, he sees one woman he thought he would never see again, Lady Clara Masson.  Several years ago, Andrew was engaged to Clara's twin sister only to have her leave him at the altar for a footman. 

Now Andrew is openly courting social pariah Clara.  When her brother assaults her, Andrew steps up and announces they are engaged.


This was a book I so wanted to like.  I loved the opening but when the author kept cramming trope after trope into the book, I didn't like it.  You have the brother hating the sister, hidden child, the mystery of girl running off with the footman.  Just too much to make the book work in my opinion.

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

Small Town Siren by Lexi Blake

I was so thrilled when I found out that Lexi Blake was re-editing and re-issuing the Texas Sirens Series. 

Small Town Siren is one of my favorite books.  The additions to this book made it even better. 

Joanna's Highlander by Maeve Greyson

After being forced out of her job as a successful pharmaceutical sales rep by a lying and abusive ex, Joanna is trying to start a new career with a tour company.  Joanna and her foster sister Lucia need an exclusive contract with a North Carolina theme park, Highland Life and Legends.  Since they got a temporary contract, Joanna has put Grant MacDara in the "look but don't touch" category.  Until she had the matchmaking tour group of grannies.

Grant MacDara is a medieval highlander thrust into the twenty-first century.  The woman he loved and his unborn child were taken from him.  He was haunted by his lost love until he met Joanna.  She is the most irresistible woman Grant has met and when he decides that he is ready to risk his heart again, he doesn't want to let her go.

When Joanna gets an offer she can't refuse from her old company will she risk Grant's love and break his heart?

Once I got to the first chapter, I was hooked.  I loved the time-travel plot with the hot highlander.  The characters were great.  I loved Grant.  I was really enjoying the book until Chapter 20 when Joanna's ex's wife visits with a job offer and a way too crazy story about what happened to the ex.  I felt like I had to push through until the book was redeemed with the last chapter and epilogue. 

I was also thrown by the layout of the book before chapter 1.  There was a preface which explains the foundation for the series.  Next was the prologue which explains the MacDara's family history.  Then, was an author's note.  I found the placement of the author's note threw the rhythm of the book.  I will admit that I almost DNF'd this book based on the beginning of the book until I started to read chapter 1.  Again, once I hit Chapter 1, I was hooked.

This was a book that I ended up loving.  I can't wait for the next book in the series!

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

The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries

I was hooked from the first chapter to the end.  I loved the characters.  I enjoyed the push and pull between Gregory and Monique.  Monique's devotion to her beloved grandmother was sweet.  I liked how this book is part of a series, yet is a wonderful standalone.  Love it!

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

Dark Alpha's Night by Donna Grant

With no fault of the author, I could not get into the book at this time.  I will re-visit the book later.

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

Tempting the Rancher, Meier Ranch Brothers Book One by Leslie North

January Rose has always been a free spirit and as a teen, dreamed of traveling the world.  The moment she graduated high school, she left Close Call, Texas and the man she loved.

Rancher Nathaniel Meier has always had to put his responsibilities first.  His father died, his mother took off to "find herself" and his brothers are away.  It is his responsibility to run the families cattle ranch.  He struggles with making a profit every year with the bank breathing down his neck.  This year, he needs all the help he can get when the last person he ever thought he would see again comes back - January Rose.

Ten years later, January has roamed the world, sending postcards from exotic locations.  She has searched for that place to call home.  Will she realize that Nat is her home?  Can Nat take a risk to tame the wandering January?

I was amazed by this book.  I loved the characters, from Nat and January to Mona and Wes when he returned home.  The plot was like a rollercoaster of emotion with the tension between Nat and January so thick you could cut it.  I felt like I was living on the Meier ranch.

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