New Covers

Some new covers shared recently. . .

Squee!!!  A new book from Sarah MacLean!!  Super excited for it!  Don't you just love this cover?!?  The royal blue is fantastic and I love the addition of her spectacles on the desk :)  One Good Earl Deserves a Lover will be out January 29th....so not too much longer... sigh

Erin Knightley has a novella out that looks perfect for the holiday season.  I really enjoyed her debut (even if it was PG :-) so I pre-ordered Miss Mistletoe.  I like how Penguin made a cover instead of not doing one as they have in the past with novellas.  This is simple and lovely.  Look for it Nov 6th.

I'm really excited about this debut from Maire Claremont!  The blurb can be found here on goodreads.  It sounds dark, gritty and fantastic!  The cover for The Dark Lady is simply stunning and I have this one on pre-order as well and it is going to be a long wait until Feb 5th.

And lastly a very sweet, lovely cover for Cheryl Ann Smith's A Convenient Bride.  This will be book four (plus a novella) in the School for Bride series and I have yet to read the latest release but I will be caught up by Dec 31st when the newest releases.  I love the attention to detail for the background and the all white dress really pops.

Well, a pretty good week of covers for me!  All books I am looking forward to...as usual :)  Which ones stand out to you?

Happy Release Day!!

Here are some of the historical romances releasing today. . .

First up is a debut that I have been waiting for from Erin Knightley, More Than a Stranger.  I love that they are pen pals :)  The Scarlet Bride is book three in Cheryl Ann Smith's School of Bride series and one I plan to pick up as well as The Casanova Code by Donna MacMeans, who is a new to me author and start of a new series.  It's my birthday tomorrow so I put these three on my list for my hubby to get so we will see. . . :)  The next three are all ones I had the pleasure of reading early.  I highly recommend Samantha Grace's Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half, it hit all the right notes with me and I will be picking up my own keeper copy.  And while I did not love the last two, they were both light hearted and fun and have me anxious for the next books!

So any titles on your must read now list?  At the end of the month we see new releases from Elizabeth Hoyt, Loretta Chase, Katharine Ashe, Christina Brooke and Carrie Lofty!

New Covers

Here are some new covers that were mentioned online recently.

Rules of Engagement: The Reasons for Marriage\The Wedding Party\Unlaced features, I think, two new stories and one reprint (the Laurens one).  I'm not positive about that but Delilah Marvelle  does have some info on her website and it releases April 17th.  Looking forward to her story :)  And I love the teal of this cover!

The Scarlet Bride is book three in Cheryl Ann Smith's School  for Brides series and I think this is a very unique cover.  Obliviously, the red dress seems appropriate based on the title but I really like the background shot of a city.  Something different :)  This one comes out in June.

Elizabeth Boyle is on my to read soon list and I think I will be starting with Along Came A Duke!  Such a pretty cover (done by the ever talented Jon Paul Studios as I remember him posting this cover art to facebook).  And the synopsis sounds good as well!  Look for it June as well.

And finally, Karen Ramsey revealed her upcoming cover and stepback through her email/blog subscription.  Very nice and Scottish and the stepback is super sexy.  Look for A Scandalous Scot  June 26th.

Any of these covers grab your attention?  Any new cover goodies out there that I have not seen yet?

Upcoming October historical releases

Here are some upcoming historicals being released in October! 

Oct 4th


Phew, lots of good ones being released on Oct 4th!  I know I have said it before, but grab Theresa Roamins debut, Season for Temptation,if you are a fan of fun romances (sort of like Julia Quinn).  I know I will be buying Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish as it continues her series with a great family (though it is the start of a trilogy just about the sisters, I think the brothers are separated into their own series).  I have not seen alot about Suzanne Enochs upcoming release, A Beginner's Guide to Rakes, but the little I have seen has been very positive so I am looking forward to it as well :) A Bride Unveiled is book two in a series that I have not yet tried but is on my huge mountain to read. The Accidental Courtesan is also book two in a series and while some didn't love the first one, I enjoyed it so I will be picking this one up.  And I just saw a mini review from a goodreads friend for Tis the Season to Be Sinful that has me looking forward to a delightful story in this one.  Yeah, looks like I am going for broke in about a week with all these titles!

Oct 18th



Sigh...I don't think I need to say much about this book as I have said numerous times I am dying to read this one...right now!

Oct 25th




Another book I am just dying to read right now is the last of Maya Banks Highlander series, Never Love a Highlander! Loved the last one so very eager for this one as well :) Engaged in Sin sounds like a promising book from a new to me author and a very pretty cover as well. Too Wicked to Wed is the start of a new series from Cara Elliot and as I enjoyed her past trilogy, featuring strong woman with male-dominated professions, I have high hopes for the new series.  And finally, only two historicals from Avon this month (though they do have a contemporary from one of my favorite authors, Toni Blake coming out, Holly Lane).  One being All About Seduction which is another new to me author and the premise for this one is quite interesting and I hope to get to it as I have it from Netgalley.  The last one for the month is book three in a trilogy from Sara Bennett, To Pleasure a Duke and I hope to read this one early as well as I read the first in the trilogy and enjoyed it.

So overall, another good month for historical romance fans.  What about you?  Which books are you looking forward to in October?

The School for Brides by Cheryl Ann Smith

Miss Eva Black has worked hard to conceal her mothers past life as a courtesan and it has led her to open a school for courtesans who want to give up that lifestyle and settle down and be married. Eva keeps her life, personal and professional, very quiet and is quite surprised one stormy night to have an angry duke appear on her doorstep. Nicholas, Duke of Stanfield, is furious with this plain looking spinster for "stealing" his mistress and he wants her back, after all....he "owns" her. Needless to say, that gets Evas back even straighter than it already is and she tells Nicholas she is gone and married and happy. He is not happy with this turn of events, after all it took weeks to even locate Eva, and plans to get revenge on Eva by either having one of her current courtesans replace his lost one or Eva herself. As he finds the key to getting her to accept his proposal, he learns all of Evas secrets she has worked so hard to protect and she is forced to agree as she refuses to send one of her girls to him.

I really don't want to say much more about the story because it has quite a few surprises that I think are best read for yourself and enjoying in the moment. I will say though, that I really enjoyed this story. I liked the premise of it and I enjoyed Evas feisty and somewhat bold nature and Nicholas' deep desire for her and to protect her and their hot love scenes. I liked that both Eva and Nicholas had good relationships with their mothers. I liked all the little twists that popped up throughout, I just wished the ending would not have had so many within a short period of time. Overall, is this book going to wow you? Probably not. Is it something that will help pass away the time and help you forget a stressful day? It certainly could. I thought the characters were written well and the author did a good job with the storyline, even if the ending had a bit too much happening at the end. I know I will be picking up her next book, The Accidental Courtesan when it releases in October and I look forward to more from this author! 3 1/2 stars