The Duke Diaries by Sophia Nash

When Rory Lennox, first Duke of Abshire, wakes up holding a warm hand he does not realize his entire life is about to change as the hand he is holding is the sister of his former best friend...and he has no clue how he got into her bed.  It doesn't help matters that her brother is glaring at them and demanding a marriage and then satisfaction in the field.  Verity Fitzroy wakes up to mass confusion and refuses to marry Rory.  She knows nothing happened and she will not marry someone who does not love her, even if it is her childhood crush. Rory has a strong sense of duty and sets about to prove to Verity that they must marry and in the process, finds himself losing his heart. Will he be able to convince her of his true feelings?

While this is book three in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone.  It was such a fun, flirty, sexy romp and I really enjoyed it.  I really liked Verity as she is outspoken, honest, practical and amusing with a stubborn streak.  She thinks Rory is all wit and charm but she knows underneath that facade he is so much more.  The banter between them was a delight to read and watching them both fall truly in love with each other was sweet.  When Verity realizes her private diaries are being published in the local newspaper and they hold all her thoughts on the wild bachelor party, she worries what Rory will think when he finds out who the real author is.  I thought the resolution to this area was very sweet and showed the true nature of Rory to the best advantage.  Rory and Verity both have issues in their past that they must overcome to move forward and they strive to do so.  Sophia Nash also wove in some future characters with just enough tidbits to have me anxious for them now!  Recommended for fans of fun, sexy romances who like to laugh and sigh with happiness.

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Royal Entourage series
Can be read out of order

Book 4: Oct 29th

New Covers

Some more lovely new covers!

Emma Wildes continues her Whisper of Scandal series with the March 5th release of A Most Improper Rumor.  Such a lovely cover!  I adore the attention to the background detail!  Adding this one to my wish list :)

I really enjoyed Nina Rowan's debut so I am very anxious for A Passion for Pleasure!  Again, I adore the attention to details!  Love the purple and the piano and the fact that the back is just a pretty as the front!  Look for this one April 30th.

Fallen is a reprint from 2001 but I wanted to share it anyways since the updated cover is so pretty!  A nice pop of pink.  This will be out Nov 27th.

So pretty.  I love the play on the title for Liz Carlyle's newest book, A Bride by Moonlight.  I have yet to read anything by this author but I know this cover has caught my attention.  Look for it Feb 26th.

Sophia Nash continues her Royal Entourage series with The Duke Diaries.  Lots of bold red covers lately!  This fits in very nicely with the previous two covers and I am eagerly awaiting the February 26th release.

Teresa Medeiros is back January 29th with The Temptation of Your Touch.  She is also an author I have yet to read and I hope to remedy that this coming year!

This title popped up as a Facebook ad the other day for me and the cover definitely grabbed my interest.  The Trouble with Being Wicked is book one in The Naughty Girl Series and looks to be releasing Dec 18th from a new author (I believe) Emma Locke.  The second title, The Problem with Seduction, looks like a January 2013 release.  No preorder info yet but these are on my radar to pick up!! (Book descriptions are on her website).

Anne Gracie is yet another I need to read and she is kicking off a new series, Chance Sisters, with The Autumn Bride so I plan on picking this one up and giving her a try!  The cover seems very reflective of autumn and should be out February 5th.

Well, I always start off with just a couple covers but more always pop up!  I can't believe we are already looking at covers for February!  Less than three months until Christmas, yikes!  Any of these titles on your must read list for next year?

It's Tuesday so it must be release day!

First up are two that were released this past Tuesday.  I've read the Kasey Michaels one and hope to read the one by Portia Da Costa.

And here are some of the wonderful books releasing today--

Yay!  Look at all of those books I think I need to buy, lol :)  I have only read four of them and if you have not read anything by Tessa Dare you must buy A Week to Be Wicked!  It is one of my favorite books of the year so far.  I am really looking forward to the Suzanne Enoch, Meredith Duran and Vicky Dreiling ones!  I know I will be buying them all.  Amanda Scott and Jenny Brown are on my list to read one of these days so thats where there new books will be shelved for me.  Also looking forward to the newest from Julia London but I have not read her previous newest release so I need to get caught up there.

So....which ones are you most looking forward too??  And if nothing has caught your eye there are a few more great releases on the 2nd from Jennifer Ashley, Tracy Anne Warren, Kate Noble and a debut from Tracy Devlyn.

The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash

Roman, seventeenth Duke of Norwich, has two rules by which he guides his life--never marry and end the dreaded Norwich curse as he is the final heir to the dukedom and to never to go sea as he is certain as this is how he is going to die.  When he wakes up on a ship in the middle of a storm after one disastrous bachelor party, he naturally flies into a panic.  Esme, Countess of Derby, sees a man who looks like he is about to fall overboard, she gathers her wits and rescues the man and she quickly sees the blind terror he is suffering and sets about trying to soothe him.  What they share is just for the moment but the resulting actions from the bachelor party force these to into an unwanted marriage.  However, Esme is the perfect balm to Roman's fear of never letting himself fall in love but she is holding a secret that could jeopardize their new found happiness and when yet another secret from Roman's past comes to light, it is with love and joy that Roman and Esme are able to finally find peace together.

I really enjoyed this book.  It is not overly serious, but just warm, light, silly and sexy fun!  I loved the instant attraction between Roman and Esme and how Esme insists that they call each other by their last names (to help protect her secret).  So Esme is known as 'March' and Roman is know as 'Montagu'.  It always brings a smile to my face when couple give each other nicknames that are just perfect for each other.  I also liked how Esme was not a great beauty and she was aware of this and was happy to just go about her life as a widow, never planning of falling in love with someone who could truly love her back.  She is warm, witty and enjoys her independence but ends up finding life as a duchess something she can bear.  Roman was also a very likeable character from his fear of ducks to his steadfast belief that he must break the family curse, even if it costs him his own happiness.  There were some wonderful secondary characters that will give you just enough glimpses to be anxious for their own stories!  There are no major flaws with this story other than the fact there are quite a few characters and it took be a bit to remember all the titles, last names and first names...I always get a bit confused when the author goes back an forth.  Overall though a truly delightful romance filled with humor, snappy wit and dialogue and a wonderful romance that blooms over time.  I can't wait for more in this delightfully fun series!  4 stars

I received an eARC from Avon via edelweiss.com

Royal Entourage series
(This book can be read as a standalone as it happens about the same time as the first book but in the long run I believe this series of six books will be best enjoyed in order)

Happy Release Day!!

Here are some of the wonderful books out today!  Enjoy :)

I have had the pleasure of reading four out of this six and really enjoyed them all and I will be picking up When A Scot Loves A Lady and The Husband Hunt today to add to my collection!  And I have my signed copy of A Rogue By Any Other Name on its way from Sarah MacLean's local indie store, yay!!

 These two titles are also going on to read list.  I have received an ARC of Touch of a Rogue so I am anxious to see how I like it since it does have a touch of paranormal, which I usually stay clear of.  And I am slowing building my own Highlander collection to read someday in the not to distant future.

Which books are you most looking forward to reading today?  If nothing has caught your eye (and I find that hard to believe!) we can expect some new releases in just a week from Jade Lee, Madeline Hunter and Renee Bernard.

Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea by Sophia Nash

Alexander Barclay, Duke of Kress, is on his way to his country estate to marry an heiress quickly to help squelch the public outrage over a very sordid bachelor party.  Unfortunately, none of the men involved in the bachelor party can really remember what happened and as Alex provided the drinks for the party, well, he is first up to feel the wrath of the Prince Regent (who was also at the party and now needs to repair his reputation).  As he is gazing at the cliffs a movement catches his eye and he is stunned to see a woman hanging there!  He quickly rescues the spirited Roxanne Vanderhaven and agrees to shelter her at his home.

Roxanne is flabbergasted that her husband tried to kill her!  All she was doing was looking over the cliff, slipped on the wet ground and he says he will go get help.  Only to never return.  How can this man that she provided so much for want her dead?  Her goal is to find out and extract a measure of revenge.  With no money and the need to stay hidden, she pleads to stay with Alex and the sparks and humor start to fly. 

This series was inspired by "The Hangover" movie and while I have not seen it yet, I can see how the inspiration was played out.  It looks like there will six books about these bachelors at this infamous party who will all have to do their part, ordered by the Prince Regent, to rise above the scandal.  I really enjoyed how this book started out quickly and just kept on moving.  Watching Alex slowly fall for the scandal ridden and currently penniless Roxanne all while trying to host a house party to choose a 'correct' wife was delightful.  I also really appreciated how Roxanne knew she was still married--though presumed dead--and tried to honor that commitment.  I won't go into much detail but to me, there was no 'total' cheating.  Plus, her husband tried to kill her so I was not going to hold passionate moments against them!  There is also a bit of humor through Alex 'befriending" Roxannes husband to help find out why he did what he did.  Yes, the ending did wrap everything up a bit neatly but then again, it needed to for our couple to find their own HEA.  Overall, I was happy with this book and I am anxious for the next book as there are just enough glimpses of a few of the other bachelors to make me ready for their stories.  It looks to be the start of a delightfully fun series!  4 stars

I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com

Royal Entourage series

     March 27th