It Begins with a Kiss by Eileen Dreyer

Fiona Ferguson is ready to flee her school when she receives word that her sister is missing but she gets caught and is struck with yet another punishment.  Her two closest friends help her flee again, this time with a better plan in place.  Fionas friend is certain her brother will help Fiona in her search if she would just wait but Fiona can't believe that anyone that recommended this school, a place of disappointment and punishment, would agree to help her--even if her brother did save his life.  All Fiona knows is that she must find her sister and nothing, and no one, will stand in her way.

Alex Knight arrives to late to talk to his latest mission--Fiona.  He has just received some information that will alter her life forever but first he must find the girl and make her listen to him.  Having his nosy sister along adds a bit of humor but Alex finds himself drawn to the Scottish beauty.  But what will Fiona do when she learns the truth about herself and also Alex, especially after they share a romantic kiss?

Well, I really enjoyed this and then it ended.  It ends with a cliffhanger and I don't believe the next book is out until next year!  This seemed like a long prologue.  It introduces us to a couple I can't wait to read more about--studious, feisty Fiona and dashing Alex.  We also meet the other young ladies that I believe will have their own stories told in the future.  We get just a taste of what is to come and then it ends, which frustrated me and detracted a bit from the story as a result for me.   This was well written and I could feel the attraction between Fiona and Alex and I look forward to reading their full story!  I also can't wait to see more of the friendship between the ladies and what becomes of the school they attend.  Overall, a very nice teaser introduction of what is looking to be a wonderful new set of books from Eileen Dreyer and I am very, very anxious to read more!  4 stars

--I personally think this would have been better released around a month or so before the full length book is to be out instead of months in advance.--

Review copy provided by Forever via netgalley.com

New Covers and a small update

Here are a few pretty covers from this week. . . I have quite a few more from the October books from Avon but since none of the authors have shared any of them yet, I'm going to wait another week or so to share them :)
Also, if my posts seem a little on the slower side it is because my work got slammed with work so I have been working at least 10 extra hours a week lately and that cuts into my reading and blogging time.  Sigh...it's more money (yay!) but tiring :)  Hopefully this will be cleared up within the next two weeks though!!  At least I hope so...I have to many books to read and my boys will be home from school so they need attention too...I guess, lol.

I really like this cover.  It is nice and simple and perfect for the holidays. Twas the Night after Christmas is a hardcover release that will be out October 30th and is listed on goodreads as book six in the Hellions of Halstead Hall but since I have not read the last two yet (and I thought the series was over), I'm not sure how this one factors in.  Anyways, I will be picking it up either way :)

Oh, sigh.  What a pretty cover!  You wouldn't think red hair and a magenta dress would work together but I guess they do :)  This will be an ebook available July 3rd and will introduce the new heroines in the continuation of the Drakes Rakes saga.

This is one awesome, sexy cover!  I love the red!  Ripe for Seduction will be out January 2013.  I still need to read the previous book (Ripe for Scandal), but I did enjoy the first novel in The League of Second Sons (Ripe for Pleasure) so I will get caught up before January!

Elise Rome shared the updated cover for The Sinning Hour!  This was previously going to be a novella but turned into a full length, yay :)  I love the gold!  That seems to be a hot color for covers lately.  Look for this one at the end of June (self publishing).

And finally is When the Duke Found Love.  This will be book three in Isabella Bradford's new series, Wylder Sisters and I love that the cover fits right in with the previous two.  The blue/yellow combo makes it pop a bit and I love the inclusion of the purple fan :)  Look for this one November 27th.

So, that is it for now!  Hopefully I can share the other goodies I have on tap as well soon :)  I really like all these covers--how about you?  Any of them catch your eye?

Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer

Lady Kate Seaton has put on a happy face for years.  She is the daughter of a duke, the sister of a duke and the wife of a late duke which has made her bold, admired and envied by all...all that is except her brother and his wife, who are trying to commit her into an asylum to gain control of a home Kate owns.  When her brothers latest attempt happens in the presence of Major Sir Harry Lidge, Harry steps in and says they are married so Kates brother has no control of her anymore.  Harry is shocked by what he says as he and Kate have a past in which they were happily in love and Harry was lead to believe that Kate tricked him and it sent Harry into the army for ten years.  Upon his return, he learns that Kate holds a vital clue needed for the Drakes Rakes and he knows he can not let her go into an asylum, hence the announcement of marriage.  Even though neither one of them want to marry, especially to each other, they agree that it must happen to protect Kate and Harry temporarily puts his dreams of travel on hold to help solve the mystery of who is after Kate, if Kate has this mysterious verse and if he can ever trust Kate again.

There is so much depth and emotion in this story that it will just keep you so engrossed you won't even notice the time!  Kate.  Wow, her secrets and her past are just truly heartbreaking and the more we learn, the more you feel for Kate.  And Harry.  Wow again.  His understanding and caring for Kate, whom he thinks betrayed him, is just so wonderful.  It is really hard to say much without spoiling anything but you will fall in love with these two as a couple!  They are just perfect for each other.  They need each other to be complete and you can just feel that.  Truly, they need each other and the road to that is filled with bumps but when they find each other finally, you will be sighing with happiness!  And yes, I did sort of guess some of the reason as to why Kate was treated the was she was, I was still a bit surprised in the end so that is always a plus for me.  Also, the culprit behind Kates attacks was not quite who I thought either.  Overall, a truly heartbreaking, sigh-worthy, happy 5 stars!

This was my first Eileen Dreyer book and is book three in The Drake Rakes series and I really did not feel out of place ready it as such but she has a new fan in me!  I plan on going and grabbing Barely a Lady and Never a Gentleman to read their stories and it looks like there is going to be more in the future for this series that I know I will be picking up!