When the Duke Found Love by Isabella Bradford

Lady Diana is the youngest of her three sisters and it has come time for her to marry, especially since she has had a few indiscretions already but since her sisters are duchesses she is hanging on to her respectability.   Through some persuasion from her sisters and mother, she agrees to a marriage to a man she doesn't know.  After all, the arranged marriages for her sisters worked out wonderfully so it can happen again, right?  Wrong.  Her intended is a dreadful bore and not suited for her at all.  And to complicate matters, she runs into the most dashing man at the park...a man that sparks her interest and he is just as intrigued by her.  The Duke of Sheffield is no stranger to gossip himself and needs to marry a respectable young lady quickly to avoid the kings wrath and he finds himself engaged to a passable lady.  Unfortunately she is in love with another and all of Sheffield's thoughts are consumed with Diana.  Will Diana and Sheffield do what is proper of them or will the do one last daring, risky endeavor for true love?

Overall not a bad conclusion to a fun, yet somewhat predictable, series.  I enjoyed Diana and her zest for life but I did feel she bent to the rules her mother and sisters wanted her to follow rather quickly.  I thought there might have been more conflict with her but there was not anything major.  Sheffield was a joy to read.  Yes he has rakish tendencies but underneath he has a heart of gold.  I liked his manner with dealing with his fiance and I thought his dog added a wonderful sense of humor.  Paired with Diana's love for her cat, the animals are a great secondary act.  The attention to details through fashion and the surroundings was great and something I always appreciate and enjoy.  The love blooms fast between Sheffield and Diana but they find it hard to find some time alone but I appreciated how truthful they were with everything.  So while nothing major happens, which is a nice change of pace sometimes, this is a nice comfort read with love, laughter and family.  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Ballatine Books via Netgalley

Wylder Sisters series
Best enjoyed in order since the sisters are featured heavily

When the Duchess Said Yes by Isabella Bradford

Lady Elizabeth Wylder is anxiously waiting to meet her betrothed, the Duke of Hawkesworth and is a bit humiliated when he fails repeatedly to show up for their appointed meetings.  Taking a few moments to herself after one such letdown, she wanders in a garden only to be approached by the most devilishly handsome man.  One shocking kiss and even more shocking proposition later, she flees to the safety of her sister and his husband, all the while berating herself for slipping up and kissing a man she doesn't even know while she is betrothed to another!  It just reenforces her reputation as the wildest sister and she makes sure to keep the scandal to herself.  But when Hawke finally shows himself for a meeting, she grows furious when she recognizes him as the man from the garden!  How dare he be out seducing other women and not spare the time to meet his finace?  However, they quickly realize that they have a fiery passion together that can not be denied and they eagerly look forward to their wedding day.  But after the passion cools, will true love last?  Or will Hawke run off and leave his dear Lizzie to deal with society by herself?

This was a very enjoyable light-hearted romance that was fun and quick to read!  Lizzie was a treat to read--bold, feisty, warm, fun, adventurous and very passionate.   Once she gets over her initial frustration with Hawke and his lack of communication for years, she opens up to him easily and lets him see all aspects of her heart.  I did have a bit of trouble warming to Hawke as he seemed to shrink his duties as duke.  Even upon meeting Lizzie and falling for her instantly, he stilled planned to leave her alone once an heir was born and return to his 'true' home in Naples.  Also, he knows he can never live up to his fathers grand shadow and frankly has no desire to try to.  I did really enjoy his appreciation for art and I loved seeing how happy it made him and how thrilled he was when he realized Lizzie shared the same appreciation.  Really the only major tension comes when Lizzie learns of Hawke's plans to leave in a most unfortunate way and the stubborn couple have a happy ending that suited them well.  It is well written and has lovely attention to fashion details, which I always enjoy.  The passion is hot and it gradually shifts to a deep love.  I liked how Hawke kept doing special little things for his new wife and each little moment lead to an adventure, proper or not for a duke and duchess.  If you are in the mood for something light that will make you smile and fan yourself, When the Duchess Said Yes is a treat indeed.  4 stars

Review copy provided by Ballantine Books (Random House) via netgalley.com 

Wylder sisters series
Best enjoyed in order as the sisters are quite close but can be read as stand alones so far

                                  Nov 27th

Happy Release Day!!

I apologize in advance for your wallets. . .big release day!

 Wowza!  Quite a good load of books out today! :)  The first three, Forever a Lady, Once Upon a Ballroom (all new e-shorts) and An Unsuitable Bride were all released on July 24th but I didn't have time to write up a post.  I can't wait for Delilah Marvelles since she is wonderful about sexy and unique stories and I'm excited to read four new short stories from some of my favorite authors.  Jane Feather is an author I have yet to try and this book is book three in the series so I will need to catch up soon!

I have had the pleasure of reading some of these titles early and I would recommend them all:  Almost a Scandal (sexy times on the sea), How to Romance a Rake (delightful), When You Wish Upon a Duke (start of a new series) and Lesson from a Scandalous Bride (enjoyable fun).  The ones that are on top of my must buy list today are All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess (part of a series) and Pleasures of a Tempted Lady (also part of a series).  Both are authors I have enjoyed and I can't wait for more!  Return of the Viscount, Touch of a Scoundrel, The Bride Wore Pearls and A Scandalous Affair (ebook) are all titles I hope to get to sooner rather than later! 

Does anyone else need a vacation from life to read all these books?!?  Wouldn't that be grand :)  If there is nothing here to tempt you--I find that hard to believe, lol--next week we see new titles from Juliana Gray (a debut I'm excited to read), Michele Sinclair and Jade Lee.  So again, I apologize for your empty wallets! :)

When You Wish Upon a Duke by Isabella Bradford

Lady Charlotte Wylder thinks her life is fine--she lives in the country with her mother and two younger sisters and a tree climbing cat.  So when a solicitor arrives one night to talk to her, and not her mother, she knows it must be something life altering.  Charlotte does not think it is going to be a summons from her fiancee... the one she never knew she had but has been engaged to since she was a baby.  Still, she dutifully goes with her family to London to meet and wed the Duke of Marchbourne.  Except their first meeting goes a bit awry...see March, as he goes by, is so anxious to finally meet his bride he 'accidentally' bumps into their carriage and more tree climbing ensures.  This is actually quite a fun first interaction between the confident and impulsive Charlotte and the solid, steadfast March and sets up the course for their upcoming relationship--fun and impulsive yet serious  But as the first attraction fades, will this couple find the happiness they long for without breaking all of society's' rules?

This is the start of a new series from Isabella Bradford and I enjoyed it.  Charlotte was a delight to read, though she is only eighteen which is always an annoyance to me even though I know it was perfectly acceptable during those times to wed and such.  Still, she is portrayed as eager to please her new duke but at the same time, do what is best for her and her heart.  There is quite a bit of back and forthness between our couple that I did find to be a bit tedious.  March grew up being very proper and knew that he was betrothed to a daughter of an earl to help boost his family standing.  Even though he is related to the kind his mother was just a mistress and if feels the taint still.  So March would let down his guard and be passionate and enjoy his new wife but then would immediately regret the way he treated Charlotte which naturally leads to Charlotte thinking she displeased him in some way.  And even though the talk about it, there is a deeper issue with March that takes some time to be revealed and helps explain his issues.  The attention to the details of the fashion during this time period was also great to read.  Not many books have heroines always in hoops and hair powder so it is always a nice treat to be immersed in something different.  Overall, a very delightful book full of wit and charm and passion that will leave you hoping this couple can overcome their trust issues and find the happiness they were blessed to have.  And oh, the epilogue is just going to make you sigh and smile.  So perfect.  4 stars

I received this eARC from Ballantine Books via edelweiss.com

Wylder Sisters

     Sept 25th               Nov 27th

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?

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)

New Covers

A few new covers to admire!

Sigh, I love Courtney Milan and she released all her upcoming covers in her Brothers Sinisters series which is to start with the novella, The Governess Affair, out sometime in spring.  There is more infor here about the entire series and I know I am eagerly looking forward to each one!!  Crossing my fingers she is able to get them all out this year :)  Ok, I will admit I am a little on the fence about the orange cover though...I mean did they really have that bright of orange then?  This is an updated cover than the first one that was out and I kind of liked the other one better.  But I really like the three full length novel covers!  Lovely dresses worn by strong women!

This next cover is from a new to me author and is the start of a new series called Wylder Sisters.  Isabella Bradford is a pseudonym for Susan Holloway Scott whose name I am not familiar with either.  But, When You Wish Upon a Duke sounds like it is going to be good!  (Three Wylder sisters--unruly county girls whose passion for life leaves their  London suitors breathless).  I really like this cover as well--lovely dress and I love the addition of the fan.  Look for this title July 31st. 

Oh, Sherry Thomas. You have some gorgeous covers for your upcoming trilogy this year.  Love them all. Tempting the Bride is the third book in the Fitzhugh Trilogy and I am anxious to read them all.  This one releases in October.  

I know, I know--you are wondering why there is a contemporary cover on here?  I read mainly historical romance but there are still a few contemporary authors on my auto buy list and one is Toni Blake.  She revealed her new cover this week and it is lovely.  I am a cat person so I love the cat on the cover and I know cats are always a part of her Destiny series.  Look for Willow Springs June 26th...just in time for a nice summer day!

Well, another passel of lovely covers!  Don't you wonder how the art departments come up with all these gorgeous covers?  What a fun job!  Too bad I am very un-creative, lol!