Going Forward. . .

Hi All--

I just wanted to let you all know I am taking a small break from my blog here.  With both my kids in school now (why do they have so much homework already?!?) and going back to working full time, I just do not have the time to keep my blog as up to date as I have in the past.

I will still review a few books a month but only on Goodreads and Amazon.  I have found I prefer to read short and to the point reviews so that is also what you may see from me going forward, it just depends on the book and if I have a lot of gushing to do or not :)

Thank you for all your support and I hope you understand the reason I need to take a break to be with  my family more.

Enticing the Earl by Christie Kelley

This was a solid addition to Christie Kelley's new trilogy of wise women. I loved how this story centered around the earl, Simon Blakesworth, being in love with his wise woman's daughter, Mia Featherstone, since he was a young man. When he finds her badly beaten one day he gives her shelter and convinces her to marry him in order to protect her. I liked watching his attempts to tell Mia his true feelings for her and how everyone else around him knew, except Mia. However, he is concerned about his past actions will change her developing feelings for him. What he is unaware of is that Mia is holding her own secrets that could change everything.

One thing that was a bit off for me in this book were all the frank discussions between Mia and Simon, and even Mia's mother about some private matters. Other than that, the pacing was well done, the characters delightful, the heat spicy. I'm looking forward to Mia's sisters upcoming story.

Review copy provided by eKensington via netgalley

Back cover:
Only His Passion. . .

With his estate near bankruptcy, Simon Blakesworth, Earl of Hartsfield already has a perilous secret to keep. Still, when he finds Mia Featherstone badly beaten, he doesn't hesitate to shelter her in his home. . .and offer marriage to protect the lovely healer from her attacker. But Mia is concealing a danger this honorable earl never imagined--and can't resist. . .

Can Save Her Love. . .

Mia's valuable discovery on Simon's land saved her patients' lives. Now the only way she can help the man she's always loved save his home is to secretly find the rest of a cache of hidden artifacts. But their passion is making it impossible for Mia to ever walk away--even from a love that may not survive the truth. . .

Review copy provided by eKensington via netgalley

Related books

Tia's story coming soon

Summer is for Lovers by Jennifer McQuiston

This was another refreshing, light hearted romance from the up and coming Jennifer McQuiston!  While I did not like it quite as much as her debut, What Happens in Scotland, I really loved that this was set in Brighton and the entire aspect of swimming.  Our heroine, Caroline, grew up in Brighton swimming in a secluded cove and when she rescues a man one day, her heart is lost to him forever.  Daniel has demons that he keeps locked up tight and feels he is not good enough for the willful, eccentric Caroline so he pushes her away, even though it pains him.

While this book was enjoyable, I did feel like it all moved just a bit too slow.  There is plenty of simmering tension between Caroline and Daniel but I really just wanted to smack Daniel upside the head and tell him to move on from his grief to this wonderful woman waiting for him.  I really enjoyed the addition of Caroline's sister, Penelope and hope to see her get her own happily ever after!  What makes this story stand out is the attention to detail regarding swimming in this era and that makes this book a real treat. Delightful and charming, this is a story about acceptance and finding yourself stronger with a partner.  I eagerly look forward to more even though this one lacked a bit for me.

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Back cover blurb from Goodreads:

His heart is unavailable.

Luckily, her interest lies in the rest of him…

Though she was just a girl when they first met, Caroline Tolbertson’s infatuation with David Cameron remains undimmed. Now fate has brought the handsome Scotsman back to Brighton for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. Soon, Caroline will have to choose a husband, but for now she is free to indulge her curiosity in things of a passionate nature. 

That is, if David will agree to teach her.

Past mistakes have convinced David he’ll make a terrible husband, though he’ll gladly help the unconventional Caroline find a suitor. Unfortunately, she has something more scandalous in mind. As the contenders for her hand begin to line up, her future seems assured…provided David can do the honorable thing and let them have her. 

When a spirited young woman is determined to break Society’s rules, all a gentleman can do is lend a hand…or more.

The Sheik Retold by Victoria Vane & E.M. Hull

The Desert Was Never Hotter!

A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground... A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own... When pride and passion vie for supremacy, blistering desert days are nothing compared to sizzling Sahara nights...

NOW AVAILABLE!!

Amazon Print |  Amazon Kindle | B&N Print | B&N Nook

Ebook only $2.99 through 9/16!

Author Website: http://authorvictoriavane.com

DeVere Fan Site: http://thedevildevere.com

Author Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com

Facebook: Author Victoria Vane

Twitter: @authorvictoriav

Look for my review soon!

The Governess Club: Claire by Ellie Macdonald

This was a very refreshing debut from Ellie Macdonald.  Our couple, Claire Bannister, a governess who is trying to make ends meet following the death of her father so she can get her childhood back and Jacob Knightly, an Earl posing as a tutor to show his family he can be respectable and not just wild, find a deep attraction to each other for who they truly are.  When they are caught out by her charges (the children were so well done in this story!) her life alters drastically and the truth about Jacob's identity throws it even more so.  How can she love, marry and fit in in an Earl's lifestyle?  As this is a novella, the resolution is quick but very satisfying and we get just enough teases of Claire's three other governess friends to make you anxious for their stories.  Well written with a dose of steam, enjoyable humor and realistic characters, I know I will be keeping an eye on Ellie Macdonald in the future!

eARC provided by Avon via edelweiss

Blurb:

Claire Bannister just wants to be a good teacher so that she and the other ladies of the Governess Club can make enough money to leave their jobs and start their own school in the country. But when the new sinfully handsome and utterly distracting tutor arrives, Claire finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance that could change the course of her future.

Jacob Knightly has a secret. He is actually the notorious Earl of Rimmel. He's just posing as a tutor to escape his reputation in the city. He never expected to fall in love with the kind and beautiful governess. She is the first person to love him for himself and not his title.

But when Jacob's true identity is revealed, Claire realizes she has risked her reputation and her heart on a man she doesn't truly know. Will Jacob be able to convince her that the Wild Earl has been tamed and that she is the true countess of his heart?

Governess Club series

     Sept 17th
Governess Club: Sara
Governess Club: Louisa  (release dates to be announced)

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