Monday, April 29, 2013

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke by Samantha Grace

Lady Vivian Worth knows perfectly well how to behave like a lady. But observing proper manners when no one is around to impress is just plain silly. When Luke Forest, the newly named Duke of Foxhaven, arrives early to visit his bride-to-be, he catches Vivian acting most unladylike—in her chemise. Though amused by her unconventional ways, Luke hadn't planned on marrying such a sprightly and opinionated lady. He'll just have to find her another husband. But can he stand to see the vivacious woman in the arms of someone else?

This was such a fun, charming, easy read! Vivian and Luke were just so perfectly suited for each other and I loved seeing them fall for each other.  Luke had initially decided to help Vivian find another husband but he quickly realizes how perfect she is for him and finds it hard to believe his father, whom he had a strained relationship, could have known him so well to pick Vivian for him.  He has left his Duke duties for his brother and has been determined to go off on an adventure but Vivian makes him rethink his true purpose,  She is lovely, intelligent, full of high spirits and boldness and he can not help but be drawn to her.  Vivian, for her part, falls for Luke quickly as he does not berate her (much) for her behavior and knows she needs to convince Luke she wants no one else except him.  Throw in a love struck cousin and a revenge minded class mate and you get a bit of drama and action.  The addition of Luke's family adds a wonderful sense of warmth and humor, they are just the type of family you wish you were a part of!  Every Samantha Grace book I read has me laughing, smiling, and sighing with happiness and this one is no exception!  Pure enjoyment!

eARC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via netgalley.com

The Beau Monde series
Could be read as standalones but previous characters are featured
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel (Beau Monde, #1)Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half (Beau Monde, #2)Miss Lavigne's Little White Lie (Beau Monde, #3)

Saturday, April 20, 2013

A Passion for Pleasure by Nina Rowan

Another refreshing, unique, smart and sexy romance for them talents of Nina Rowan!  It is refreshing and unique in the aspect that our widow, Clara Whitmore, is living with her uncle and helping him with his automaton museum.  I loved seeing the bits and pieces that went into making these 'new' automatons.  When she runs into her piano teacher from her youth, Sebastian Hall, she sees a chance to get her son back from her father.  Sebastian is is need of some plans that he believes Clara's uncle has so he agrees to her marriage bargain never realizing how fast his life was going to turn upside down. Her vengeful father is hiding a secret (though I thought it was fairly obvious) and he promises to drag Sebastian's family through the mud...his family which has already had to deal with the scandal of adultery and divorce.  Clara refuses to put Sebastian through any more pain in his family but Sebastian finds himself caring very deeply for Clara and is determined to help her...even if it drives a wedge between himself and his father.

Watching the love grow and deepen between Sebastian and Clara was such a treat.  Sebastian was so easy to love; he kept his pain of his hand being damaged, making it unable for him to perform his music, his passion, very close to himself but Clara sees this pain and helps him heal.  She allows Sebastian to see the light again and find a way to express himself through his music again.  I loved how quickly he became Clara's champion for her son.  Sebastian follows his heart and instincts regardless of what other people think.  He is kind, generous, loyal and would do anything to help those he cares about.  Now there were times I wanted to shake Clara for her refusal to tell Sebastian her plans regarding her son but I know she did it out of her love for Sebastian, her desire to keep him and his family out of scandals reach.  Passion, tenderness, sorrow and the healing power of love are all wrapped together in this heartfelt romance.  4 stars

Review copy provided by Grand Central Publishing, Forever.

Daring Hearts series
This one worked well as a stand alone though the first is just as good!
A Study in Seduction (Daring Hearts, #1)
Book three with Sebastian's sister is next

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

What a lovely, heartbreaking, satisfying conclusion to Lorraine Heath's Lost Lords of Pembrook series!  At long last we get the story of the youngest brother, Lord Rafe Eason and the woman who breaks down the walls around his heart, Miss Evelyn Chambers.  Evelyn is saddened by the death of her father but her half brothers promise to look after her takes a very unexpected turn when he sells her off and after one glimpse, Rafe knows he has to have her...and no one tells him no.  Yet when the circumstances become clear as to what Eve is to become to Rafe, he sees her shock and dismay and for some reason, gives her time to adjust.  He finds himself fascinated by this slip of a woman, this woman who talks back to him and does not back down in fear.  Rafe knows his dark and tortuous past will be too much, even for Eve and he realizes he must let her go before she finds out about how much pain he has caused and try to avoid causing pain to Eve.  Eve is stubborn though and when his life is threatened he can only hope for Eve to find him so they can find a new life together. . .

I have been eagerly anticipating Rafe's story since I read the previous books in this series as I knew that underneath that gruff exterior was a kind, caring soul and I was so happy to see this all unfold.  Rafe is tough and comes across rude and unbearing to those around him, which helps immensely in the running of his club, yet Eve with her boldness and gentle heart seeps into the cracks he has built around himself and sinks in in a way that Rafe never thought possible.  I loved watching the relationship between Eve and Rafe develop but also that of Rafe and his brothers.  They have overcome so much and dealt with so much at a young age, it has been hard for them to find common ground to start anew on, even after many years of being reunited.  As Rafe still struggles with how he was seemingly abandoned by his older brothers, Eve is there to charm and help heal.  I was drawn to the story straight from the beginning as was sad to read the epilogue as I knew this tale was over.  Equal parts joy, love, heartbreak, heat and humor this romance will be a winner for all romance fans alike!  4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon books via edelweiss

The Lost Lords of Pembrook series
Could be read as stand alones, deeper sense if read in order
She Tempts the Duke (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #1)Lord of Temptation (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #2)Deck the Halls With Love: A Lost Lords of Pembrook Novella

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Devil's Pearl by Jennifer Haymore

Lady Esme has a secret...she writes scandalous stories and if anyone were to find out, well, that would be disastrous.  The Devil's Pearl is one of her stories and while short, it is filled with passion, betrayal and obsession.

Sir Delvin Vaughn is outraged when he sees the woman he can not stop thinking about, the woman who dared shun him in society, hanging off two men.  Two!  His riches and power were not enough to keep her but seeing this drives him mad and he knows he needs to have her now and forever and he will do whatever it takes.  Julia Beaumont had to leave Devlin before he hurt her and she had to do it in a public manner to get her point across but now he is back and taken her hostage.  Can she stand up to him again or will this couple explain the true depths of their hearts to find the happiness that is there waiting?

I was a bit hesitant to keep reading this one after the first chapter as I was worried it would have a forced seduction scene in it but it thankfully did not play out that way.  Instead, I found myself surprisingly invested with this couple, especially considering how short this story is (about half my kindle file) so kudos to Jennifer Haymore for that!  I liked seeing how torn up this couple was (even though just talking would have fixed it) but since this is a novella, it worked for me and did not bother me too much.  It has drama, despair, heat and a dash of humor and I was sad to see it end.  Smart writing, a brisk pace, a nice dose of heat all add up to a winner for me.  4 stars

eARC provided by Forever Yours via netgalley.com

House of Trent series
(It looks like the novellas will be stand alone stories)
The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent, #1)
      June 25th

Saturday, April 6, 2013

The Earl is Mine by Kieran Kramer

Back Cover:
Who will be the first to surrender?

An Affair To Remember

Handsome, charismatic, and on the verge of becoming a successful architect, Gregory Sherwood, Lord Westdale, could have just about any woman he wants. So why rush to marry? So far there’s only been one woman he’s ever truly loved. But that was before she had a secret affair with his best friend…with the help of an unwitting accomplice named Lady Pippa Harrington.

A Passion Too Good To Deny

Pippa may not have acted in her old friend Gregory’s best interests, but she’s always believed that the heart sets its own rules. This is why Pippa must escape her arranged marriage—fast—by fleeing to Paris, where she hopes to pursue her artistic passions. To do so, Pippa will need all the help she can get—from Gregory, the one man she isn’t sure she can trust…or resist…

When I am in the mood for a feel-good, light, smart book I know I can count on Kieran Kramer to deliver and The Earl is Mine is no exception.  The banter and tension between Gregory and Pippa was a delight to read.  Hijinks just seem to follow Pippa and Gregory seems to be the one to deal with them, from her dressing as a man to escape a horrible marriage offer to serving as Gregory's valet (which you know leads to some very heated moments) this couple is just destined to be together. Gregory is holding a family secret very close to him and he has built some walls around him and Pippa, with her dreams of being a sugar sculpture (really loved this element, almost wish we had seen more of it!) and her determination to only marry for love, form a very unique, bold couple that have much to overcome before true feelings can be explored and delivered on.  The ending was very satisfying and answered any questions I had throughout the story.  Warmth, humor, strong family bonds and heat; Kieran Kramer delivers it all and I can't wait for more.  4 stars

House of Brady series
Loving Lady Marcia (House of Brady, #1)The Earl with the Secret Tattoo (House of Brady, #1.5)Say Yes to the Duke (House of Brady, #3)
                                                                 Aug 27th

Monday, April 1, 2013

Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

Miss Diana Highwood, the perfect beauty of her family, is destined to be a noblemans wife, at least according to her mother and Diana has accepted this until they arrive in Spindle Cove to address her health and she meets the local blacksmith, Aaron Dawes.  Now with two years of glances and delicious thoughts, she is pushed by her sister to live her life her way and Diana decides to finally act on her thoughts and desires, much to the delight of Aaron.  Never in his dreams would he expect a lady to give up a genteel life for the life of being a blacksmith's wife but Diana seems determined too even though she refuses to tell anyone about their relationship.  Matters come to light that force this couple to explain themselves (seriously, I about died laughing at that scene...oh, her poor mother!) and you just hang on for the happily ever after that is sure to come!

Oh my goodness, what a clever, hilarious  tender and sexy romance!  I devoured it and was so disappointed when it was over!  Tessa Dare has become an auto buy author for me with her Spindle Cove series and this novella is the reason why.  I know when I read a Tessa Dare book I will get a smoldering romance with trials and grit mixed with some laugh inducing scenes that will keep you up all night until you finish and Beauty and the Blacksmith is no exception!  Diana is quite a beauty but through her actions, Aaron learns that beauty goes all the way through and helps showcase her strength, determination and intelligence.  However, he learns that maybe she isn't the right fit for a kitchen :)  Aaron is protective (having had to raise two sisters), affectionate, honest and strong... especially in the forearm area and he is a wonderful counterpart to Diana and takes her mishaps in stride and helps give her the courage to follow her heart.  Clever wit, charm, smoldering heat and a true love destined to be make this a keeper for both new and old Tessa Dare fans!  4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Spindle Cove series
Could be read as standalones but characters are recurring and probably best enjoyed in order
A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove, #1)Once Upon a Winter's Eve (Spindle Cove, #1.5)A Week to Be Wicked (Spindle Cove, #2)A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove, #3)Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove, #4)
                                                                                                                         May 28th