After the Kiss by Lauren Layne

I decided to give this debut effort from Lauren Layne a go because the summary reminded me a bit of one of my favorite movies, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and I am happy to say, I enjoyed this book just as much as the movie!

Julie Greene is part of a trio of women who write articles about love in the leading women's magazine and when her boss throws her a curveball...write about a relationship...what happens after the first kiss, Julie knows some drastic measures are going to have to be taken!  Enter the nerdy looking Wall Street guy Mitchell Forbes.  A man upon appearances is just what a steady kind of girl would want in solid relationship.  Too bad Mitchell has just ended a long relationship and his friends think he can not just have a fling.  Surely Julie, a known flingster, is the perfect choice?  They are exactly what they think they want until the heart takes over and a vicious co-worked threatens everything they have found together.

This was a quick, fun read and I am so ready for more from Lauren Layne!  I loved watching this opposites-attract couple find each other and how they completed each other.  Julie is not subtle, she is too bright, too intense...everything that Mitchell steers clear of but he soon learns to realize that a little disruption in your life can be refreshing.  And the same philosophy works for Julie.  Mitchell makes her explore things she tended to ignore (running on a Sunday morning?) and she loves how he accepts her for who she is, flaws and all.  Mitchell can finally just be himself without being 'on' like he has in the past.  The friendship between Julie and her two co-workers adds a nice sense of warmth and makes me very anxious for their stories!  I really adored this fun, flirty, sexy, and emotional romance and recommend it to any romance fan looking to smile with happiness!  4 stars

eARC provided by Random House (LoveSwept) via netgalley

Sex, Love & Stiletto series
Look to be closely related but as this is the first book, this remains to be confirmed

         Dec 9th
Just One Night  March 10th 2014

A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

I thoroughly enjoyed this smoldering romance by one of my favorite authors!  Genevieve Barrett is tired of living in her father's shadow and is ready to break free and show the world who really writes up his academic articles by publishing her research on the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel.  Unfortunately, the jewel was left to her by an aunt and Sir Richard Harmsworth wants it back for himself and will go to any means to obtain it back...even steal.  When the break in goes awry, he is drawn to the prickly Genevieve and devises a new plan that involves going undercover to seduce the lady and get the jewel back.  What he does not expect is to have Genevieve help him find himself and fall hard for her.  When a vile threat poses too great of a risk to Genevieve's life, Richard knows he must tell her the truth before it is too late.  Will Genevieve be able to forgive the deceit and hurt that Richard has caused?

Reading an Anna Campbell romance is always guaranteed to make me smile, blush and devour the book to fast and wish I had not!  This book accomplished all of that and more!  I adored Genevieve with her appealing, clever, prickly demeanor she is just the right woman to help Richard see past the views of society to the man he truly is.  She can see that his heart is heavily guarded due to his mothers indiscretion that lead to his birth and it has shaped him into the man he is today.  Richard has grown up with being sneered at in society as all of society knows he is not the true heir, even if he was accepted by his father.  She finds herself misjudging him just as everyone else has done but she gradually sees him for the kind, brave, perceptive handsome man he is.  The only thing that really bothered my about the wonderful story was the deception.  I understand why Richard did what he did but it is always a touchy subject for me, especially when he choose to finally reveal his true identity to Genevieve.  I thought the villain aspect was well done and worked well within this story.  Anna Campbell writes with her usual lush descriptions and smoldering passion and I got swept away by the delicious romance of Richard and Genevieve!  4 stars

eARC provided by Grand Central Publishing via netgalley

Sons of Sins series
Work well as standalones but richer in order

 Book Three: To be announced

True Spies by Shana Galen

When her husband, Baron Winslow Keating, fails to show up to take her to a ball yet again, Elinor has had enough.  She dons her most daring gown and goes to the ball alone and in the process, turns a new leaf.  She is ready for some adventure, some passion to be brought back into her life.  Elinor wants to feel needed more than planning balls and taking care of her daughters and if her husband fails to realize that, then maybe she should consider the attention of a new gentleman.  Winn is flabbergasted by the new changes in Elinor.  When he sees her in her daring gown he can hardly believe this is the same meek woman he married years ago.  And she talks back to him!  He finds himself jealous of the fact she seems to be turning to another man and he knows it is finally time to quit his secret double life as a spy.  Unfortunately, a master criminal is closer than ever and when he grabs onto Elinor, Winn knows he will do whatever it takes to get her back and prove how much she means to him.

I know whenever I settle in with a Shana Galen romance I will be swept away by the adventure and romance and True Spies is no exception!  I really loved the fact that this is a romance about rekindling the magic of a marriage.  I also really enjoyed watching Elinor blossom from a biddable wife into a vocal, passionate woman.  Her thirst for adventure takes her much father than she ever thought she would go but it brings her back to Winn.  I also admired how the truth was handled when Winn finally told her his reasons for all his absences throughout the years.  I thought the struggles between Winn and Elinor were believable and not quickly resolved and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this couple rediscover each other!  The ending is a continuous stream of heart-pounding action and chases and I felt a bit sad when it was all over.  I also loved seeing more of Lord and Lady Smythe from Lord and Lady Spy and I am so anxious for the next book to see what happens next!!  This was another rollicking, laugh-out-loud, sexy and adventurous romance from one of my favorite go-to authors for smart and sexy adventures in the romance world!  4 solid stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley

Lord and Lady Spy series
Can be read as standalones but richer in order I think

 Book Three (I think!) 2014

The Trouble with Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes

Isabella Chilcott has dreamed of going to the Kingsborough Ball since she was a girl watching the fireworks from her bedroom and with the passing of the duke, the ball has been on hold for a few years.  With the announcement that it will resume, Isabella knows she must attend before she is married to the stuffy man her parents have picked for her.  She dons a beautiful gown stuffed away in the attic and sneaks in and captures the attention of the new duke, Anthony.  Even knowing that Isabella snuck in he finds himself captivated by this vibrant, cheerful woman and when she slips away his only clue in finding her whereabouts is a drawing they had done together and also the fact that someone recognized her gown as one that has been missing.  Taking these pieces he attempts to find the woman that has captured his heart in a glance but when he finds out the truth, will he be able to overcome all the objections, especially when a jealous lady spreads vicious lies?

The start of Sophie Barnes newest series is a feel-good, happy romance and I was very charmed by it.  This was a delightful spin on one of my favorite fairy tales, Cinderella and I loved how all the pieces fit together but were a bit fresh from what I have read before.  Isabella adores reading and finding her own happily-ever-after but the man her parents have chosen for her will help the family financially (as they are struggling) but he does not inspire her or treat her with the respect she deserves.  Meeting Anthony changes everything but she knows he is well above her class station and that they can not have a future, no matter how much Anthony says that they can.  Her mother has very strong feelings against the aristocracy and this adds some weight to the story.  I did feel like her parents refusal to even consider the duke as a suitor was overdone but as the story unfolded, it made sense.  Anthony had been feeling the weight of all his responsibilities following his beloved fathers death and meeting Isabella makes him feel happy again, the desire to have fun resurfaces and his load feels lifted with Isabellas sense of humor and forgiving nature.  Stolen kisses, vengeful peers and a strong family bond complete this romance and one scene in the book will leave you very anxious to read the next book in this series and find out what else happens at the Kingsborough Ball.  This book made me smile, laugh and sigh which is what all of Sophie Barnes charming romances make me do!  4 stars

Review copy provided by author

At the Kingborough Ball

    Dec 31st
Untitled book 3 August 2014

How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan

I love books that start with a unique beginning and the newest from Sophie Jordan certainly does that!  Annalise Hadley thinks she has struck gold, not only has she been reunited with her wealthy father and found she has sisters, but she is marrying a duke.  A duke who seems to care for her in spite of her limp and normal features.  However on her honeymoon barge the horrible truth comes out about her duke as he tries to kill her and she is thrown overboard.  Unconscious, she washes up on shore and is found by the reclusive Earl of McDowell, Owen Crawford.  An unconscious woman is not what Owen wants to deal with but something about her grabs him and he know he can not let her die.  With the help of some gypsies Annalise starts to heal on the outside but her emotions are quite strained.  Unwilling to trust another man, she decides to keep the truth about herself from Owen but after a time, her past comes back to haunt her and she must decide if Owen is worth the risk of the truth.  Owen is battling his own inner demons following his turn as a solider and Anna seems to heal him but will the truth of her past shatter the bond they have created?

This story grabbed me from the beginning and never let go!  Annalise grew up not knowing her father and suddenly she is thrown into a whirlwind and she handles it well but she is used to being alone in her solitude.  Owen shows her that she can be stronger and smarter with knowledge and skills to protect her from anything bad happening to her again.  Annalise also helps Owen see that he needs to honor his past by living and helping him move forward from the horrors of war.  I also really enjoyed watching this relationship slowly develop.  We get to see each part and how all those parts fit together to become whole and complete.  The only thing I wished that would have been different is when Annalise finally told Owen the truth.  Secret keeping always is hard for me to accept and I think it would have suited Annalise better if she had explained the truth sooner, especially after her past catches up to her.  Overall though, this is a enjoyable romance with a dash of intrigue with forgiveness, love and heat.  Well done.  4 stars.

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Forgotten Princesses series
Could be read as stand alones but the novella really ties in with this story

Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins

Lady Isabella Wharton and her friends were part of something they would dearly like to forget but her godmother has other ideas and holds the threat of revealing what really happened to have Isabella do her will.  As such, Isabella finds herself off to the countryside in order to summon home the new Duke of Ormond, a man who seemingly ignores his duties.  Yet when Isabella meets Trevor Carey, she finds the opposite.  Here is a man devoted to caring for his tenants and land.  He never expected to inherit the dukedom and due to some bad blood in the past, he has no desire to go to London and assume the duties.  Spending time with Isabella and seeing how his beloved sisters interact with her, Trevor slowly starts to rethink his decision.  When a threat on Isabella's life becomes known, Trevor takes steps to protect her.  Will he lose his heart in the end as well?

The start of Manda Collins newest series was an enjoyable, easy read and my favorite book by her so far!  Isabella was such a strong woman who has overcome a bad first marriage and somehow still keeping her spirit intact and becoming very resilient.  Trevor quickly notices this along with a sweetness underneath, especially in the way she bonds with his sisters.  Isabella comes off a bit rude in the beginning but she grows into herself with Trevor and together they just fit.  Trevor was a dedicated man and I liked seeing his layers unfold and I really enjoyed his interactions with his sisters.  After all, what man wants his sisters to grow up into ladies?  I was pleased with the mystery aspect of this romance as well.  It does not overpower the story at all and I was surprised at the revelation in this one but the overall arc continues on through the next books while still giving a nice conclusion in this one.  This book had me laughing, smiling and sighing and flipping the pages to find out what would happen next and I eagerly look forward to the friends' upcoming stories.  4 solid stars

eARC provided by St Martins Press via netgalley.com

Wicked Widows series

   Jan 28th 2014

Winning a Bride by Jade Lee

This was a charming, sexy delight of a novella! Jade Lee has penned a romance that was heartfelt and fun to read. William Benton has become the steward to his families land after it was lost due to his fathers mistakes and it is hard for Will, at times, to let the past go.  He wants his families land back but knows his elder brother has no means to purchase it back so he comes up with a new idea...wed the new owners daughter, Josephine.  A woman whom he thinks to be a bit haughty and out of his reach. Yet during some nightly interludes he comes to find that Jo is kind, generous and a lady worth fighting for. A lady worth more than some land. He just needs to convince her and her father of this fact. Jo is the perfect woman to help him realize that there is more to life than titles and land and find his true worth. She is a bit wild and unpredictable and finds herself going a bit mad from the pressure of her life, from the man he father has arranged to marry her to finding the calm she needs to have in Will.  Filled with heat, banter, emotion and an interesting look at some history of the canals and how they are built, this romance is sure to make you grab more by Jade Lee. 4 stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Back cover blurb:
Due to his aristocratic family’s downfall, William Benton serves as steward on the land his brother should have inherited. His one weakness is for the daughter of the new owner. Josephine Lawton is beautiful, charming, and enamored of titles and all things aristocratic. Or so he thinks until he discovers that it’s her father who is doing the matchmaking. When he learns that there is more to the exciting Josephine than first meets the eye, he puts all his passion into restoring his family’s honor and winning the woman he loves. It’s going to be a hot summer on the estate.

Bridal Favors series
This worked well as a standalone and gives us a glimpse of the next hero
 
                                                               Aug 2013             Feb 2014

Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden

Ever since Tristan, Lord Burke, burst into Joan's bedroom as a child she has been half in love with him.  When fetching a promise from her brother one morning she is greeted by Tristan all grown up and the sparks, and snipping, fly between them both.  When Joan's parents leave town suddenly, she is left in the care of her aunt who sees that Joan's fashion choices, which are guided by her mother and the height of fashion, are all wrong and helps Joan feel comfortable in some different dresses.  Coupled with the promise that Tristan made to Joan's brother about keeping an eye on Joan, this couple finds themselves together more and more.  During their time together they bicker, laugh, kiss and go on a grand adventure while developing their relationship.  A relationship Joan's mother has forbidden due to Tristan's wild ways and seemingly cold ways towards his only family he has left following his parents death.  Can Joan help her parents see the true nature of Tristan, the side he has shown her?

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, fun romance that was a perfect read for a lovely afternoon,  It was light, not overly angsty, humorous, sexy and the cover perfectly fits the book (a huge bonus in my book).  I loved watching the sparring between Tristan and Joan slowly grow into something more and also how Tristan saw her for who she was even before she started dressing in a more flattering way.  Joan is practically on the shelf and she attributes this to her height and non-willow like figure but Tristan sees past this to the warm, clever, kind-hearted and determined woman she is.  And though Joan's family think Tristan is too wild, Joan sees past the wildness to the man who just wants a family, a place to finally belong after being alone since a child.  I do wish the ending had not seemed so rushed, everything happened rather quickly compared to the nice easy pace of the rest of the story.  Overall, one of my favorites from Caroline Linden--light, funny, sexy and a romance that is true and deep with a couple learning to accept who they are and what they can be together.  4 stars

eARC provided by Avon via edelweiss

Hopefully this is part of a series as I would love Joan's brother and her friends to have their stories told!

Tempting the Devil by Samantha Kane

Lady Harriet Mercer is desperate to be publicly ruined in the hopes that her blackmailer will finally leave her and her son alone.  Already having a loveless marriage she has no plans to enter into another one and if her pristine reputation is ruined, the blackmailer will not accept her and keep her secret just that, a secret.  When she attempts to seduce her old childhood friend, Roger Templeton, she believes she has found the perfect man.  Roger is a devil and has no qualms about ruination...until it involves Harry.  He finds her excuses about who is trying to kidnap her son flimsy and refuses to bed her.  So let the taunting, teasing and plotting begin!  The closer that Roger gets to Harry, the more he sees that something is lurking behind Harry's cheerful facade and he is determined to find out what and help her.  But having been burned in the past by a woman makes him a bit leery of entering into the type of relationship Harry wants and she must find a way to show she is different than everyone thinks her to be.  With the blackmailer closing in, can Harry and Roger find the path to happiness together?

This is the second book I have read by Samantha Kane and it was another enjoyable experience!  I really enjoy her use of subtle wit and smoking heat while dealing with true emotions and putting a fresh twist on a topic used many times before.  Harry was a delightful heroine: intelligent, outspoken, practical, stubborn, shrewd and feisty and she was a perfect match for the kind-hearted, loyal, witty, handsome devil Roger.  Roger is a man with no money and no real connections and sort of makes his way through life on his charming actions but Harry finally makes him realize that he has nothing to offer a woman if he is still searching for himself.  I did think his reasons for trying to keep Harry at bay were a little weak and I wished he would have told her the truth but it all worked out in the end.  Harry, for her part, also could have been more truthful but the truth always has a way of revealing itself in due course and it worked well for this story. Childhood friends to lovers is always a favorite storyline and it was well done in this romance and I am very eager for more from Samantha Kane who has the sizzling, smart, intriguing storytelling down!  4 stars

eARC provided by LoveSwept (Random House) via netgalley

The Saint's Devils
Can be read as standalones but previous characters do appear in following novels

The Damsel and the Devil  Late 2013

Never Love a Scoundrel by Darcy Burke

Lord Jason Lockwood has his life turned upside down in the past when his father favored his half brother, who was illegitimate.  After an altercation with him leaves him physically scarred, the worst gossip in town spreads vicious lies and it makes his mother seem mad and him as well.  Now shunned by society, he delights in his debauchery by throwing vice parties and seemingly fitting in in his new role in the ton.  Then he meets the lovely Lady Lydia Prewitt and just when he thinks he might be willing to change, he finds out she is the niece of said worst gossip in town.  Trying to believe that Lydia is different takes some time and with their growing love being forbidden by Lydia's aunt, it seems like a long and bumpy road to their happiness especially as Jason is trying to mend fences with his half brother who has a very rocky past.

The latest addition to Darcy Burke's Secrets & Scandals series is another winner for me.  Full of the healing power of love, a forbidden love and overcoming the past to grasp the future.  This story fits very true with the present day and how gossip can really upset a person's life.  I thought the whole subject was handled very well and I also liked that Jason did not immediately fall for Lydia after he found out about her gossiping aunt.  Lydia proves her loyalty to Jason and she has her own problems to overcome with her bitter aunt and her need for friends, a home, a family.  She is aware of her presence as an air-headed gossip but Jason learns the truth about her and in return, she helps set him free from his demons of his past.  Jason's transformation for dissolute rake to upstanding charmer was also very well done and I was glad it was not a complete one-eighty so quickly.  It took time and patience and in the end everything played out as it should.  His relationship with his half brother added some depth and set up the next book very well and I can't wait to finally have Ethan (Jagger) story!  Darcy Burke is an author to watch and each book I read of hers gets better and better and I feel she is an excellent storyteller and her romances are ones I would read again and again.  4 sigh worthy stars

Secrets & Scandals
This would work well as a standalone but previous characters to appear


Scoundrel Ever After  Fall 2013

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

What I liked:
Jonathan Redmond:  He was strong, sexy and much deeper and smarter than most people, including his own family, give him credit for.  When his father gives him an ultimatum-marry or lose the family money-he scoffs it off until the lovely Tommy captures his attention. When he learns the true nature of what Tommy is dealing with, he can not help but be drawn in and help her, protect her...fall in love with her.
Thomsina de Ballesteros:  Tommy holds many secrets close to her and has built up a persona that London believes.  Is she a courtesan? Does she have Spanish princess blood in her?  Beneath all that is the scars from her past and running into Jonathan one midnight changes her life forever.
The romance:  Tommy and Jonathan just connect right away and it was such a delight to watch it grow into a deep, permanent love.  Jonathan handles his arrogant father in a good way and it really showed his depth of feelings for Tommy.
The mystery aspect:  I'm a little bit vague here since Tommy's secrets come out in their own time and they add a deeper undertone to this story.  I loved how the mysterious gypsy reading Jonathan receives in the beginning comes true in a most unexpected way!
Family:  I loved Jonathan and his expecting sister Violet together.  It added humor and heart which I enjoyed.

What I did not like;
Not much really but I did feel like the romance almost moved a bit too slow.  Nitpicky I know, but I felt my attention shifting a little too easily.

Overall, another solid winner from Julie Anne Long in a very strong historical romance series.  This story could easily be read on its own but it will make you anxious to read previous ones and new ones yet to come.  Wit, charm, true love, heat, family with a deeper undertone that is sure to touch your heart, It Happened One Midnight is sure to please historical romance fans!

eARC provided by Avon Book via edelweiss

Pennroyal Green series
Can be read out of order but best enjoyed in order as it focuses on two families

                 
Between the Devil and Ian Eversea March 2014

The Perks of Being a Beauty by Manda Collins

Miss Amelia Snow, noted mean-spirited beauty of the ton, has had a turn of fate. After her mother dies and she is left with no money, she takes on a job as a companion where she tries to blend in and help her charge find a good match. When a childhood friend arrives at a country house party, she remembers how she broke his heart and how he has always had a piece of hers. However, Amelia turned into a different woman after she went to London with her mother, who always told Amelia that all other girls were her competition, and Lord Quetin Fortescue is unaware of the pain and humiliation she caused in the ton. Even though Amelia has made amends with the woman she hurt, she still has not forgiven herself and is a bit hard about life. A rainstorm forces this couple to seek shelter together and this, of course, leads to a good heart to heart and some heated moments. Can Quetion show Ameila she is not the woman of her past and ready to move forward, together? With the humor, depth and a dash of heat I have come to expect from Manda Collins, The Perks of Being a Beauty is a story of forgiveness, healing and heart. 4 stars 

eARC provided by St Martins Press via Netgalley

Ugly Ducklings series
Not necessary to read the series before this one, but you really get more of a sense of Amelia in the past before she grows in this novella

The Mad Earl's Bride by Loretta Chase

When Gwendolyn Adams is asked to marry a man considered mad and soon to die, she takes it in stride and accepts the offer. By marrying the Earl of Rawnsley she will gain his name and position which will make it easier for her to accomplish her dream of opening a hospital. What she does not expect is to be drawn to this 'mad' earl. She researches his condition, and that of his late mother, and attempts to help him find ways to cure him. During there discussions together, this couple find a type of love they never thought possible. But with Dorian certain he is going to die, he tries to distance himself from Gwen while at the same time, encouraging her to discover as much as she can about medincine. He learned at a young age to keep his feelings to himself so these emotions he feels for the steady, level headed Gwen are new and a bit terrifying. The truth of Dorian's disease is revealed and watching this couple come to the new terms was enjoyable. Well written, emotional (the storyline is a bit dark) and sexy with a bit of humor, this novella was a treat to read! 4 stars

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

A Family Affair by Jennifer Wenn

This was a very lovely romance and a strong debut and start of what is sure to be a lively, romantic series from Jennifer Wenn!  Lady Francesca Darling has known she would marry Devlin Ross, Duke of Hereford, from the tender age of five.  Not having seen him for thirteen years, she still harbors her young crush and when she runs into him again at her debutante ball, her feelings come crashing back and intensify into an adult longing.  Devlin has decided long ago not to marry and be the kind of father his father was to him, cold and cruel but something about Fanny makes him reconsider.  Maybe he can marry and be happy but then tuck her away in the countryside with their children and stay away....or maybe Fanny has her own intentions and will never let that happen.  Watching how this all resolves itself, with plenty of help from her loving, interfering family is a delight to read!

I enjoy stories that have large, lovingly meddlesome families and Fanny is part of a wonderful one!  The first female born in years, she is spoiled and indulged but it has shaped her into an honest young lady with a kind, generous heart.  I enjoyed watching all the interactions between her parents, brothers and uncles and how close they are were with each other.  This is a huge adjustment for Devlin who was an only child and is not used to the boisterousness of a large family.  Even though he has been friends with Fanny's uncle for years, it is still a hard adjustment and he handles it badly at first and it causes quite a strain on Fanny and Devlin's relationship. His fear of being a rotten father is also handled well and I admired how he came to realize how happy he can be as a father and husband and not just as a husband.  Warm, sexy and delightful, I thoroughly enjoyed this romance and am looking forward to more of this wonderful family finding their happily-ever-afters!  4 stars

*review copy provided by author, thanks!!

Book blurb from Goodreads:

Devlin Ross, the Duke of Hereford, has long ago made a vow to himself to break the curse his father has cast upon him by mentally abuse him throughout his childhood by never marry or have a family of his own. But when he meets Lady Francesca Darling, his best friend's merry niece, he can't help himself - he must have her.

Fanny, who fell in love with Devlin when she was a mere five years old in that obnoxious, stalking way only a child can, didn't hesitate when it came to her feelings towards him. She had loved him dearly for thirteen years and would not let her interfering relatives stand in the way between her and lifelong happiness. 

But was she stubborn enough to make him realize exactly how simple-minded he was when it came to fulfilling the vow he once made?

What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

The start of Vicky Dreiling's new series is fun, sexy and romantic!  Laura Davenport is worried when she receives a letter from her stepson's guardian, a man who has taken no interest in her stepson in years.  When he suddenly shows up to take him away, she panics and informs him she in engaged and the man has taken a personal interest in her stepson's upbringing.  Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, never imagined that his good deed of returning a flask being used by a wayward lad would get him engaged.  Yet seeing the desperation of Laura, and the way the guardian treats her, his protective nature kicks in and he plays along with the charade.  What he doesn't count on his Laura and her stepson becoming like a family to him, the one thing he will not have in his life again after the sudden death of his own family.  When circumstances change, his gentlemanly nature comes back into force but Laura is not sure she wants what he offers...she wants more.  Will Bell be able to find the words to express his true feelings before Laura is gone for good?

Laura and Bell's romance was a fun journey to read.  I really adored Andrew.  He was haughty and blunt but that was all due to the fact he was afraid to let himself fall in love again because he didn't want to lose those he loved again, like his mother, father and brother.  When he realized he had recreated a family with Laura, he, of course, reacts badly.  He knows Laura needs to be needed and he is not sure he can do that for her.  The romance grows from a friendship into something more and is very sigh-worthy.  I liked how Laura's stepson is very much part of the story and hopefully we will see his own story someday, after he grows up a bit more.  Bell's two friends add a bit more humor to the story and I also look forward to their stories and them growing up a bit as they seemed just a dash immature yet for me.  Overall, a delicious start to a sexy, witty new series!  4 stars

eARC provided by Forever via netgalley

The Sinful Scoundrels series

Book Two: What a Reckless Rogue Needs (the set up for this one was well done and I can't wait for it!)

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

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!

Book three with Sebastian's sister is next