Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol

When Madeline Valdan is no longer needed by her country, she is given a paltry sum of money for her years of work.  Knowing this will not be able to sustain her, she creates a daring plan...hold an auction for her virginity.  As Madeline is one of the most notorious courtesans, the question quickly becomes is she truly a virgin?  Men fall all over themselves to discover the truth.  Madeline is quite smart, though, and hires a Bow Street runner by the name of Gabriel Huntford to investigate all the men bidding on her.  After all, the men must be able to pay the price they bid and have no sickness in their backgrounds.  Gabriel is hesitant to accept such a job as his true goal in life is finding the murderer of his sister but he quickly sees that Madeline's job will prove helpful as some of the men bidding on her are also on Gabriel's suspect list and he will be able to investigate them more closely.  But this supposedly simply job slowly becomes much more as it becomes clear that someone is out to kill Madeline.  With Madeline so used to hiding everything about herself under her seductress persona, it is hard to find the truth and she has a hard time finally trusting someone and letting them in.  Can she find a way to tell Gabriel the truth and still hang on to her heart or will she finally gamble with her heart, just to have it broken?

This was another winner from the talents of Anna Randol for me!  While it does not have the exotic setting of her debut novel, it does feature a couple who is not titled which is always a nice change of pace and still has the fast paced storyline.  Madeline is quite a character--she has been undercover with the government for years and her ruse was that of a seductress and now that she can put that behind her, she finds that she can't.  As she finds herself falling for Gabriel, he makes her question he every sultry move.  He wants the real Madeline, not the showy one and we get to see Madeline slowly find her true self again.  She is also bold, sassy and confident while being a strong, capable spy that is intent on protecting herself without help from some man.  She has hesitations about marrying after the awful treatment of her mother by her father and it has shaped her into the woman she is today.  Gabriel is a wonderful balance to her, with his devoutness to finding his sister's murderer and sharpness for details.  He is the only one that can help Madeline peel away her persona and together they find that they work well together while chasing after suspects.  Overall, a delightful mix of mystery, intrigue, and romance with wit and passion that will leave you happily satisfied.  4 stars

I received this eARC from Avon via edelweiss

The Sinners Trio series
Sins of a Former Lover Exp pub March 26th, 2013
Sins of a Wicked Princess Exp pub Oct 1st, 2013

A Most Naked Solution by Anna Randol

When some new information comes up regarding the mysterious death of a local viscount, Lord Camden Grey reluctantly looks into it, as he is the justice of peace for his village.  Camden truly does not want to pursue much into the matter as the late viscount's wife was someone he knew when he was younger and had a crush on her so he does not want to turn her in if necessary.  Now, Lady Sophia Harding is back in his life, denying any wrong doing in her husbands death and denying she knows what truly happened.  But as Camden can see Sophia is lying, he attempts to find the truth any way he can.

Sophia is glad her husband is dead but is fearful that her father and brother had something to do with it.  As she refuses to see them suffer for her horrible marriage, she tries to do what she can to protect them--even if it makes her look guilty.  But when a mysterious gunshot almost hits her, it becomes clear that someone is now after her.  Being around her childhood crush brings back feelings that she thought were long buried.  Together, Sophia and Camden attempt to find out who would want to harm Sophia and also to prove the truth.  But as the truth of Sophia's marriage slowly comes out, can Camden forgive himself for ignoring her all those years ago and will Sophia finally be able to find herself and stand strong for herself and she that she is worth protecting?

First, I love this cover.  It is so simple and sexy at the same time and alludes well to the title :)  I really enjoyed this novella.  Sophia is such a strong woman but she has been beaten down both mentally and physically and we get to watch her try and find herself again, see that she is special.  She stands up and protects all those around her she cares for, even if it causes her harm.  The attraction that she felt for mathematician Camden as a girl, stills grows strong but learning to trust again takes time.  Camden was also a very enjoyable character.  He went to war and gained his cursory title but his true passion is math, much to the disappointment of his father.  I so enjoyed the scene where Sophia and Camden come together and work on Camden's math equation...it showed how normal and happy this couple could be out in the country.  Overall, an excellent novella that I didn't want to end!  If you missed Anna Randol's debut, A Secret in Her Kiss, this is a great taste of an author to watch.  A Most Naked Solution is sure to have something to please any historical romance fan--an intriguing mystery that does not overwhelm and a romance that will curl your toes all written in a delectable manor.  4 stars

I received this eARC from Avon Impulse via edelweiss.com

Related books
Not necessary to read beforehand (Sophia is Bennett's sister)

The hero was introduced in this novella for Sins of a Virgin, out Aug 28th

New Covers

This weeks new covers that I have seen, also know as the white dress edition :)

First up is Season for Surrender by Theresa Romain.  This is the follow up to her debut book and I love the little touch of holiday and as the author said herself, it looks like Louisa is up to no good :)  This one will be released October 2nd.

Blackstone's Bride is a new book from Kate Moore and I don't see much information about the story line yet.  I have not read anything by this author but I do like the cover so I guess I will wait for more info on it.  Look for it August 7th.

Oh, look what Julianne MacLean shared this week!  I love it and I love the super sexy stepback as well :)  I am so excited to read this new series and this will be book two and Princess in Love is set for a November release.

I know I have shared the cover of The Bride Wore Pearls previously but Liz Carlye shared the stepback this week and as I love stepbacks, I thought I would share it with you in case you did not see it.  This one will be out July 31st.

Having really enjoyed the first book in Lorraine Heath's new trilogy, Lord of Temptation is on top of my list to read in October.  I like how the author name is bigger than the title :)  I wonder if there will be a stepback for this one because I can imagine it would be nice and sexy...

I don't have much information about this newest title from Stephanie Laurens as I see no info on her website yet and for some reason it is on Amazon and not goodreads yet.  It looks to be a new title as it says 'first time in print' and the release date is set for Sept 25th.  And it has yet another lovely white cover.

Look--a non white cover! :)  I'm really liking this cover!  The shade of blue is lovely and I like the fact the heroine looks like she is about to -- ahem get 'ruined by the moonlight.'  Ruined By Moonlight: A Whispers of Scandal Novel will be out Sept 4th.

And one last one to add quickly-- A Most Naked Solution is a novella by Anna Randol that is set for release June 26th and the cover sure is pretty and gold!  Doesn't necessarily scream 'historical' to me but definitely alludes to the naked part of the title.  This will feature the sister of the hero from her debut book and I'm eager to read it.

So, which covers are your favorites of this batch?  What do you think of the white trend?

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)

A Secret in Her Kiss by Anna Randol

Attention grabbing cover?  Check.  Unique historical setting?  Check.  A smart and sassy heroine?  Check.  A hero destined to protect her, no matter the cost to himself, his country and his heart?  Check.  Great writing from a debut author?  Yup, another check.

Obviously the biggest thing that drew me to this book was the unique setting.  The entire book is set in Constantinople and with that came the lush descriptions of the land and fashions, which were done very well.  I really enjoyed our strong heroine, Mari and her belief that she can protect herself even though her life has been in danger before due to her secretive drawings.  When the overbearing, Adonis looking Major Bennett Prestwood arrives to protect her during her last mission, the gloves are drawn on both sides and the sparks fly. 

For a debut I was very happy with this book.  The storyline was interesting and moved quickly along.  There is a sweet side story that was enjoyable and I really did not see the big reveal at the end of the villain.  The chemistry between Mari and Bennett was smoldering and the little attentions to detail were fabulous.  It is so refreshing to read a historical that is set within a unique setting that gave me glimpses of the new area without overwhelming me with too many details.  There is just enough freshness that will have you finishing up this books with a wonderful smile on your face.  I would have liked an epilogue, but that is just me.  I love epilogues :)  If you are in the mood for a fresh location and storyline that features a strong couple amongst danger and intrigue, Anna Randol looks to be an author on the rise if her debut is any indication.  4 stars

End of January releases!

Wow, I can't believe it is almost the end of January already!!  Here are some of the upcoming releases I am most looking forward too.

This one just came out on the 24th and it is the highly anticipated conclusion to Sabrina Jeffries Hellions of Halstead Hall series and it is already downloaded on my Kindle and I hope to read it soon.

Also releasing on Jan 24th, but just for you lucky Nook owners (the rest of us have to wait until Feb 21st, I think) is a debut from Sara Ramsey that sounds good!


Here is a look at all the great titles releasing on the 31st!  Four great debuts from Jillian Stone, Anna Randol, Manda Collins and Sophie Barnes.  Plus a the start of a wonderful new series from Lorraine Heath and a new series from Nicole Jordan, a continuation from Jennifer Haymore (a novella and a full length out on the same day) and from Victoria Alexander and a conclusion from Stephanie Laurens.

 

And if nothing catches your eye here (but I'm sure a couple have!) don't worry as there are some great releases in just a week on February 7th from Shana Galen, Samantha Grace, Heather Snow, Victoria Alexander and Carolyn Jewel!