Thursday, March 29, 2012

New Covers

Pretty quiet on new cover reveals this week but here are a few that popped up. . .


Madeline Hunter is an author that has just not quite hit home with me yet but she certainly has some pretty covers :)  Book two in her Fairbourne Quartet, The Conquest of Lady Cassandra, is set to release Sept 25th.


What a lovely cover for a holiday book! Just the right amount of Christmas colors.  His Mistletoe Bride will be out Oct 1st.


Hmm, not to sure about this one.  I think its the yellow in the title that I don't really like.  Or the white of the author name over the white dress.  Anyways, still looking forward to Wedded in Sin when it comes out Aug 7th.

That's all for now!  Have a great weekend!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a a weekly blog hop hosted by Breaking the Spine where we all mention one upcoming book release we are waiting for.

This week my can't-wait book is The Duke's Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley.  I finally just read the previous three books in this series over the past two weeks and really, really enjoyed them so now I am very eager for Hart's story and so happy it comes out in just a week!  Here is the goodreads.com summary:

Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart.

Hart has it all--a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him--his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He's also suffered loss--his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late.

Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart's doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes--and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination--Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.


  Sigh...I can't wait :)  If you have not read this series, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible!  All the glowing reviews are true and I can't believe I waited a few years to read them!  But at least my wait for this one is short :)

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

It's Tuesday so it must be release day!

First up are two that were released this past Tuesday.  I've read the Kasey Michaels one and hope to read the one by Portia Da Costa.

In the Flesh (The Ladies' Sewing Circle, #5)Much Ado About Rogues (Blackthorn Brothers, #3)


And here are some of the wonderful books releasing today--

Taming an Impossible Rogue (Scandalous Brides, #2)At Your PleasureThe Seduction of Lady X (The Secrets of Hadley Green, #3)
How to Ravish a RakeHighland LoverMaster of Sin (Courtesan Court, #4)
A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove, #2)Confessions From an Arranged Marriage (The Burgundy Club, #4)The Art of Duke Hunting (Royal Entourage, #2)Perilous Pleasures

Yay!  Look at all of those books I think I need to buy, lol :)  I have only read four of them and if you have not read anything by Tessa Dare you must buy A Week to Be Wicked!  It is one of my favorite books of the year so far.  I am really looking forward to the Suzanne Enoch, Meredith Duran and Vicky Dreiling ones!  I know I will be buying them all.  Amanda Scott and Jenny Brown are on my list to read one of these days so thats where there new books will be shelved for me.  Also looking forward to the newest from Julia London but I have not read her previous newest release so I need to get caught up there.

So....which ones are you most looking forward too??  And if nothing has caught your eye there are a few more great releases on the 2nd from Jennifer Ashley, Tracy Anne Warren, Kate Noble and a debut from Tracy Devlyn.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Master of Sin by Maggie Robinson

Andrew Rossiter had a very unpleasant upbringing that has shaped him into the dark man he is today.  Raised by a man that sexually abused him from age seven forward, Andrew became a male prostitute and was more than willing to do anything with anyone, male or female...even offer himself as a stud if the price was right.  As he was able to deliver one son to an Italian couple, they have called upon his services again in hopes for another child.  But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Andrew is forced to become a father to the little boy who has no idea who truly is.  With the murderers sure to be on the hunt for Marco soon, Andrew quickly relocates out of London, anywhere where he is known for his devilish actions, and heads to a very remote area in Scotland, determined to put all of his past life behind him and begin anew with his young son.

Gemma Peartree has arrived at this remote island in hopes of escaping her own shameful past but is dismayed to find herself attracted to the blond angelface of Andrew.  As Andrew quickly develops some true affection, the first he has felt in years, for Gemma as well, he knows he must quickly ship her off the island.  But weather and Marcos deep affection for Gemma prevent this from happening as soon as he would like and before he knows it, he has spilled all of his shameful secrets in hopes of deterring this sprite-like beauty.  Gemma is much more responsive and open-minded though, as her own upbringing comes to light as well, and she finally persuades the suddenly morally uptight Andrew to indulge in a delicious affair.  Even as Andrew attempts to brush Gemma off again and again, together they slowly become true friends and beneath the friendship, a deep love grows.  However, it takes the past finally catching up to them for Andrew to finally realize the true depth of his feelings and hopefully it will not be too late to finally start anew as a happy couple.

I have read and enjoyed all the books in Maggie Robinson's Courtesan Court series and this book is a bit more darker and deep than the previous books.  I enjoyed how Andrew is not a titled gentleman trying to reform his rakish ways but rather a deeply scarred man that was abused during his childhood and built up such a wall around himself going into adulthood, he about misses the one thing that will finally give him some peace. The fact that the past was laid all out quickly was also a relief...there is no big misunderstanding and Gemma accepts Andrew for all his past misdeeds.   I also enjoyed how Marco was included in the story but the child never overshadowed the romance and felt real.  He naturally has a big distrust for Andrew and we get to slowly see father and son come together.  Truthfully, besides some crude language, I actually felt this book was a bit tamer than some of the previous books.  With Andrews fresh start, he also wanted to leave behind all sexual encounters and I was very pleased to see he did not drop that front quickly.  Gemma was a delightful heroine, small, bossy and knew how to get what she wanted when she wanted it.  She was the perfect balm to help Andrew accept himself and show that everyone deserves happiness, no matter how shaky or seedy the past may be.  Overall, a wonderfully satisfying, sensual romance.  4 stars

~Thanks to Kensington Publishing (Brava) for providing me with this ARC~

Courtesan Court Series
(Can be read as stand alones but I would recommend reading at least Mistress by Marriage as Andrew is in that book a bit and will give you some more insight into him)
Mistress by Mistake (Courtesan Court, #1)Mistress by Midnight (Courtesan Court, #2)Mistress by Marriage (Courtesan Court, #3)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a a weekly blog hop hosted by Breaking the Spine where we all mention one upcoming book release we are waiting for.


This week my can't wait for release is Undone by Lila DiPasqua. I have loved all of her Fiery Tales (steaming retellings of fairy tales) and I have no doubt her take on Rapunzel is going to be awesome!  She is self-publishing this one and we can expect it in April.  Goodreads says April 9th so I am really, really hoping for that date!  Here is the gorgeous cover and blurb from her website:

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Christine safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

 Sigh, I can't wait! :)

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash

Roman, seventeenth Duke of Norwich, has two rules by which he guides his life--never marry and end the dreaded Norwich curse as he is the final heir to the dukedom and to never to go sea as he is certain as this is how he is going to die.  When he wakes up on a ship in the middle of a storm after one disastrous bachelor party, he naturally flies into a panic.  Esme, Countess of Derby, sees a man who looks like he is about to fall overboard, she gathers her wits and rescues the man and she quickly sees the blind terror he is suffering and sets about trying to soothe him.  What they share is just for the moment but the resulting actions from the bachelor party force these to into an unwanted marriage.  However, Esme is the perfect balm to Roman's fear of never letting himself fall in love but she is holding a secret that could jeopardize their new found happiness and when yet another secret from Roman's past comes to light, it is with love and joy that Roman and Esme are able to finally find peace together.

I really enjoyed this book.  It is not overly serious, but just warm, light, silly and sexy fun!  I loved the instant attraction between Roman and Esme and how Esme insists that they call each other by their last names (to help protect her secret).  So Esme is known as 'March' and Roman is know as 'Montagu'.  It always brings a smile to my face when couple give each other nicknames that are just perfect for each other.  I also liked how Esme was not a great beauty and she was aware of this and was happy to just go about her life as a widow, never planning of falling in love with someone who could truly love her back.  She is warm, witty and enjoys her independence but ends up finding life as a duchess something she can bear.  Roman was also a very likeable character from his fear of ducks to his steadfast belief that he must break the family curse, even if it costs him his own happiness.  There were some wonderful secondary characters that will give you just enough glimpses to be anxious for their own stories!  There are no major flaws with this story other than the fact there are quite a few characters and it took be a bit to remember all the titles, last names and first names...I always get a bit confused when the author goes back an forth.  Overall though a truly delightful romance filled with humor, snappy wit and dialogue and a wonderful romance that blooms over time.  I can't wait for more in this delightfully fun series!  4 stars

I received an eARC from Avon via edelweiss.com

Royal Entourage series
(This book can be read as a standalone as it happens about the same time as the first book but in the long run I believe this series of six books will be best enjoyed in order)
Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea (Royal Entourage, #1)

Thursday, March 15, 2012

New Covers!!

I thought it was going to be a quiet week for covers but I found a whole slew of them today! 


Love, love, love this cover!! I can not wait to see the stepback for it as I'm sure it will be smoldering!  It's a bit unfortunate there is not allusion to the heroines birthmark on her face but I guess you can't really have that on a romance cover.  So, so, so excited to read A Lady by Midnight at the end of August!  A beautiful midnight blue cover to match the title :)


Bam!  That's what I think when I see this cover, lol :)  She looks like she knows what she wants and how to get it and no one is going to mess with her.  Love the pretty blue.  I'm really looking forward to this one as well!  This one also releases August 28th.


Book four in Eloisa James' Fairy Tale series is obviously based on The Ugly Duckling and I love the swan on the cover. The Ugly Duchess will also be out August 28th (a month which I am going to go broke apparently!)


Lessons from a Scandalous Bride is book two in Sophie Jordan's Forgotten Princesses series and yet another eye-catching cover!  I really like the hot pink as a background.  I wonder if there will be a step back for this one?  This one will be out July 31st.


While I don't like this cover as much as Anna Randol's debut book, it still is giving me the feeling that it is set somewhere beyond just London/England area by the background.  Looking forward to more info about Sins of a Virgin before its August release.


The Warrior Laird will be July 31st.  I've read a few of her books and enjoyed them but this one looks to be more Scottish themed which is always a nice change of pace.


A Little More Scandal will be an ebook exclusive and is available for preorder at my favorite price, .99!  It will be out May 29th and is book 1.5 in her Christies series.  I have yet to read Flawless so I need to get on that soon so I can be caught up for her two new releases!  I really do like when publishers take the time to make even short novellas have lovely covers!


And then the next month (June 26th) we get the full lengthy release of Starlight!  Another pretty cover and I love the little sparkle of the stars.  Carrie Lofty sure has been blessed with some lovely covers!  (Flawless is one of my favorite covers ever)


When the Duchess Says Yes is book two is Isabella Bradford's debut series (under this pen name) the Wylder Sisters.  It fits in very nicely with the previous book and I love the fan :)  It will be out Sept 25th.


And lastly (seriously, I only had two covers until this morning!) is the upcoming start of a new self published series from Jess Michaels, who I have only read under her Jenna Petersen name but really enjoyed what I have read.  I'm intrigued by the series title 'Mistress Matchmaker' and can't wait until June to read this one!  I really love this cover as well!

As always, covers can change anytime :)

Whew!  What a bunch of lovely covers!  Sorry for your pocketbooks :)  I know mine will be crying, especially in August!  (Why, why, why does Avon publish so many great books in one month?!?  They need to spread it out a bit more, lol)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Much Ado About Rogues by Kasey Michaels

'Black Jack' Blackthorn.  He has been very mysterious in the previous two books in this series so I was happy to finally have his story.  What exactly Jack does is a mystery to his two brothers but when Jack's mentor, who taught him all his tricks from killing to stealing, goes missing, the government assigns him one last task--to find him.  There is just one little problem with that--his mentors daughter.  His one true love, the woman he was forced to betray, Lady Tess.

Tess knows that once her father goes missing that the only man who will come to find him is Jack.  Jack--the man she loves and the man who she betrayed and is hiding a secret from.  However, when Jack appears to confront her about her father, it is her fathers secrets that almost shatter her.  Circumstances force our couple to engage on a journey to find Tess' father and along the way, secrets are reveled, passion is reignited and barriers surrounding their battered hearts are slowly beaten down.

 I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book.  On one hand I was anxious to read about this mysterious, private man and learn all his deep, dark secrets but as all the twists and turns were revealed, I wasn't sure if I liked them all.  It was very interesting to see this different side of Jack--a man deeply passionate about the women he loved and lost and his hope to reclaim that love for the future.  He tries to soften the reality of what Tess' father has done and he is there to help Tess overcome her sadness and rage.  We get to see a bit more of his brothers, especially Puck, and I was happy with the resolution of his personal family drama involving his mother and father.  Tess is strong and plucky and seems to handle all the unexpected drama fairly well.  Overall, I liked this book but I just don't think I was in the mood for the darkness of this book when I read it.  Ms Michaels again delivers a nasty villain and plenty of twists and turns that will leave your head spinning.  So, while not my favorite of this series this was still a solid conclusion to an interesting series.  3 1/2 stars

I received this eARC from the publisher via netgalley.com

Blackthorn Brothers
Could be read as a standalone but best enjoyed in the series
The Taming of the Rake (Blackthorn Brothers, #1)A Midsummer Night's Sin (Blackthorn Brothers #2)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

When Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, is forced to answer his door one rainy night he does not expect the proper Minerva Highwood to be there.  When the decidedly quiet, bookish Minerva then asks for his assistance to travel to Scotland...to attend a gathering about rocks no less...he is a bit stunned.  After all, Minerva and himself do not exactly see eye to eye on any matters.  So he decides to thrown in a few conditions that will be sure to scare her off but when they don't, Colin finds himself helping Minerva achieve her lifelong dream.  He just can't understand how she is ok with being ruined, because nothing but that will come from their unchaperoned, fake elopement even if nothing were to happen and she has no desire to marry him.  But when the nights force them to be together and Minerva's inquisitive scientific mind full of curious questions, passion quickly arises and true feelings are discovered.

Minerva is determined to attend the Royal Geological Society of Scotland to show her discovery of a unique footprint set in stone.  Obviously her flightly mother is not going to take her so she decides to go to a man she dislikes, a man supposedly set to propose to her sister.  Her sister is much to good for Colin so she must convince him to go with her and the prize winning money should be enough to hook the broke lord.  However, she does not expect to encounter his morals (who knew he had any?) or in the process, discover a caring, gentle, sexy as all get out man underneath a rakish persona.

Oh, sigh.  This book.  I sighed, laughed, cheered, and wanted to hug my Kindle.  Such a wonderful, lovely romance!  I adored Colin.  He is always calling Minerva by some other name starting with 'M' making her believe that he can not remember her true name and there is a scene later in the book that is just going to make you sigh with happiness!  The banter between these two is just delicious and hilarious at the same time!  Minerva takes Colin to show him why it is so important for her to attend the geology gathering and her way of doing it takes Colin quite unawares and it literally had me dying of laughter at his reaction!  But then it also showed a much deeper side to Colin that he has tried to keep hidden from the world and as time passes, he learns that Minerva is the one person who can finally complete him.  And we can not forget the sizzle factor between these two!  Being forced to share a bed--naturally--leads to some smoking hot 'exploration' lessons that will leave little doubt as to these two compatibility together.  Overall, I adored this book.  It is a wonderful blend of romance, heat, laughter and proof that opposites can be absolutely perfect for each other.   I just skimmed the preview chapter for the next book and I can not wait for it!  Tessa Dare is a new auto-buy author for me following this book!  A delicious 5 stars

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via edelweiss.com

Spindle Cove series
(This one can be read as a standalone)
A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove, #1)Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove, #1.5)
A Lady by Midnight August 28, 2012

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a a weekly blog hop hosted by Breaking the Spine where we all mention one upcoming book release we are waiting for.


This week by can't wait for release is Be My Prince by Julianne MacLean.  I'm not going to lie...the cover has really drawn me in for this one!  I love purple :)  But the summary sounds good too:


Attention one and all. His Royal Highness, Prince Randolph of Petersbourg, will set sail for London in early June and reside at St. James Palace for one full month…Some say the true motive for the prince’s visit to our fair country is to seek and marry his future queen. I will therefore pose the question to our devoted and reflective readers: Who among us will be the chosen one? —From the London Ballroom Society Pages

Lady Alexandra Monroe has been told in no uncertain terms that she must set her sights on a proposal from Prince Randolph to better her family’s situation. Instead, she finds herself falling for his charming but dangerous younger brother Nicholas, a man whose passionate nature—and irresistible good looks—makes it impossible to remember her duty. But while she is torn between ambition and desire, a wicked scandal brews, shocking secrets are revealed, and soon she begins to wonder: can true love really conquer all?

I enjoy stories about royalty so this trilogy looks like it is going to be right up my alley.  It releases April 24th.  How about you...do you enjoy stories with royalty?  And do you not just love this cover? :)


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Happy Release Day!!

Here are a few of the new releases out today for your reading enjoyment!


Wedded in ScandalThe Surrender of Miss Fairbourne (Fairbourne Quartet, #1)The Runaway Countess
Never Seduce A Scoundrel (Foxe Sisters Trilogy, #2)Passion and PretensePassion Wears Pearls (Jaded Gentleman, #4)

Nothing I am absolutely dying to read but I am going to pick up Wedded in Scandal as it sounds interesting.  I didn't love Madeline Hunter's previous series but The Surrender of Miss Fairbourne is the start of a new one and I am going to give it a try.  I was able to read The Runaway Countess early and I really enjoyed it so I hope you try it as well!  The other three are going on my to read pile someday.  Which ones have caught your eye?


Monday, March 5, 2012

New Covers

Just a few new covers this week. . .


Here is the cover for Stefanie Sloane's upcoming October 2012 release, The Scoundrel Takes a Bride.  I like it but it's not my favorite of hers...  This will be book five in her Regency Rogues series.


This is the start of a new series from Maggie Robinson and I expect it to be filled with steamy goodness!!  I really like this cover too...I enjoy covers that have a bit of landscape on them and we still get some eye candy :)  This one will be out in November 2012.


A lovely red cover from the delightful Delilah Marvelle.  Forever a Lady is book two of her Rumor series and is sure to be scandalous :)  Look for this one July 24th.


And one last eye-catching cover for your week from a favorite author of mine, Anna Campbell.  She just shared this one today and I am dying for the September 25th release date!!  So far away!  Currently Amazon only has the Kindle version listed but I am sure there will be a paperback as well.  I know I pre-ordered it already!  It sounds delicious! :)

Well, pretty quiet front on the covers this week but these are all books that I am anxious to read!  Did any of them catch your eye?