How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan

I love books that start with a unique beginning and the newest from Sophie Jordan certainly does that!  Annalise Hadley thinks she has struck gold, not only has she been reunited with her wealthy father and found she has sisters, but she is marrying a duke.  A duke who seems to care for her in spite of her limp and normal features.  However on her honeymoon barge the horrible truth comes out about her duke as he tries to kill her and she is thrown overboard.  Unconscious, she washes up on shore and is found by the reclusive Earl of McDowell, Owen Crawford.  An unconscious woman is not what Owen wants to deal with but something about her grabs him and he know he can not let her die.  With the help of some gypsies Annalise starts to heal on the outside but her emotions are quite strained.  Unwilling to trust another man, she decides to keep the truth about herself from Owen but after a time, her past comes back to haunt her and she must decide if Owen is worth the risk of the truth.  Owen is battling his own inner demons following his turn as a solider and Anna seems to heal him but will the truth of her past shatter the bond they have created?

This story grabbed me from the beginning and never let go!  Annalise grew up not knowing her father and suddenly she is thrown into a whirlwind and she handles it well but she is used to being alone in her solitude.  Owen shows her that she can be stronger and smarter with knowledge and skills to protect her from anything bad happening to her again.  Annalise also helps Owen see that he needs to honor his past by living and helping him move forward from the horrors of war.  I also really enjoyed watching this relationship slowly develop.  We get to see each part and how all those parts fit together to become whole and complete.  The only thing I wished that would have been different is when Annalise finally told Owen the truth.  Secret keeping always is hard for me to accept and I think it would have suited Annalise better if she had explained the truth sooner, especially after her past catches up to her.  Overall though, this is a enjoyable romance with a dash of intrigue with forgiveness, love and heat.  Well done.  4 stars.

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Forgotten Princesses series
Could be read as stand alones but the novella really ties in with this story

The Earl in My Bed by Sophie Jordan

This was a charming, delightful quick read about Paget, the daughter of a vicar, and Jamie, the new Earl of Winnigham.  Paget always thought she would marry Jamie's younger brother but with Owen off to war, she has come to realize her feelings are more platonic.  Jamie is suddenly stirring up new feelings that she never thought she could feel for this cold, uptight man.  Jamie knows that Paget belongs to Owen, even though there is no formal engagement, but with his new, unexpected duties, the girl from his childhood is beckoning to him, making him rethink his views of her just being a lowly vicars daughter.

Even though this is short, it packs quite a bit into the story.  Jamie always felt like an outcast amongst his brothers and Paget, envied their easy companionship and it has made Paget disregard him.  However, there is a spark that flares from Paget's bold treatment of Jamie and it was a pleasure watching Jamie uncover his true feelings and show a more softer side.  I did feel like the "I love yous" were a bit quick and easy but that comes with the shorter length.  This was a very appetizing story that has really piqued my interest in Owens story, which is next in this series, How to Lose a Bride in One Night and I know I will be reading it to see how he deals with this turn of events!  For a quick, emotionally satisfying romance with a dash of heat, this one is a solid choice.  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss

Forgotten Princesses series
This worked well as a stand alone

New Covers

Quite a few really lovely covers found out and about this past week. It's long! :)

I am so excited that Maggie Robinson's new series is going to be a mass market paperback release (her previous books are all trade which equals higher prices).  I have really enjoyed her work so I am looking forward to the start of the Ladies Unlaced, In the Arms of the Heiress out July 2nd.  The house in the background reminds me a bit of Downton Abbey :)

Oh, pretty!  The Secret Life of Lady Julia will be out May 28th.  Love the blue and the flower and the little attention to detail on her dress.  I will definitely be reading this one.

I really like gold on the cover and with the addition of the purple sky in the background..lovely.  Love and Other Scandals is the start of a new series or a stand alone, not sure yet.  Look for it July 30th.

And now for a stretch of really lovely green covers!  I have yet to read anything by Adrienne Basso so maybe I will change that with How to Be a Scottish Mistress, which is set for release July 2nd.

Nicola Cornick is also an author I have been meaning to read and collecting all her books.  The Lady and the Laird is the start to her new Scottish Brides series so hopefully I get a chance to read it.  Look for it July 30th.

Yay!!  A new Julie Anne Long!  And the cover!  Love.  I love that she is looking right at you and her dress is gorgeous.  It Happened One Midnight is book eight in her Pennroyal Green series and one I can't wait for its  June 25th release!

Juliana Gray was added to my auto buy list this past year and How to Tame Your Duke is the start of a new series, set for release June 4th.  Added to my list to buy!

How to Lose a Bride in One Night (what a fun title!) is book three in the Forgotten Princesses series by Sophie Jordan.  This cover reminds me a bit of Cinderella fleeing the ball so it will be interesting to see if something like that happens in the book which will be out July 30th.

This is such a fun and flirty cover for the newest Cynster novel by Stephanie Laurens.  I also love the attention to the background detail.  The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh reaches shelves June 25th.

Isn't this an eye-catching cover?  The lighter colors really work well together.  My Notorious Gentleman is book six in the Inferno Club series and should arrive July 30th.

And finally here is the lush cover for the newest from Karen Ranney, The Devil of Clan Sinclair.  I love when they include stepbacks and the gold is very striking.  Look for this title July 30th.

 Whew!  What a great batch of covers!  Which titles are you most looking forward too?

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! :)

Lessons from a Scandalous Bride by Sophie Jordan

Miss Cleopatra Hadley grew up impoverished with her mother and stepfather and has just delivered yet another stillborn babe to be buried when she vows to never be at the mercy of a man, never let her body betray her.  When her birth father suddenly appears in her life, she goes with him in exchange for enough money to keep her mother and all her siblings in a decent life.  A bit of time passes and Cleo has begun a campaign to wed a doddering old earl, in part to please her father with the English title he so wants in his family but more since she knows her marriage will unlikely be consummated.  Her plans go awry though when a Scottish man appears and tempts her body and her heart.  With the threat of harm coming to her siblings if she does not marry and pay more money quickly and a jealous nephew also at her neck, how can Cleo let go of the past to embrace a happy future?

Lord Logan McKinney needs to marry an heiress quickly to help his family and his falling down castle.  He had decided on a lady, and while she will do, she does not stir his blood like the delightful Cleo.  Once he meets Cleo, he knows she is the one for him.  Convincing Cleo that the attraction that burns between them proves to be very difficult but Logan uncovers the clues surrounding Cleo's instance of a loveless marriage and takes steps to protect her and her family.  But when circumstances force the couple together before Cleo is ready to let Logan in, can Logan find a way to show Cleo that love is possible as well respect or will Cleo's fear override her heart until it is too late?

Oh, what a delightful, witty, sexy book!  The attraction between Cleo and Logan just leaps off the pages!  But I admired Cleo for standing firm with her beliefs and also with her knowledge that she was soon to be engaged to another man.  She refuses to let herself fall for a man, just to be used physically and emotionally as she can not stand the toll it has taken on her poor mother and wants to do whatever she can to provide for them, even if it means sacrificing her happiness.  The beginning of this story is very sad and sets up Cleo wonderfully.  Her dedication to her family and to herself was a delight to read and I loved when Logan arrived and upended all her careful plans.  Cleo continues to push Logan away and that got a bit tiring at times but Logan was persistent and was the perfect man to break down her defenses.  I loved the epilogue, it brought happy tears to my eyes, but I would have liked to have seen more resolved with Cleo family situation and I also thought her change of heart was just a tad abrupt.  The ending is fast paced and exciting and I breezed through this book and was disappointed that I had to let go of these characters already!  Overall, a wonderful romance that is sure to make you smile, laugh, sigh and cheer.  4 stars

Review copy provided by Avon through edelweiss.com

Forgotten Princesses series
Can be read as stand alones so far

At least one more to come I think!

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)

Wicked in Your Arms by Sophie Jordan

This is just a quick review of a great book! 

Prince Sevastian Maksimi knows that following a long, grueling war that leaves his elder brother dead, he must quickly take a wealthy bride and produce an heir to help bolster his counties spirits.  He travels to London where a cousin of his lives and sets out to find a nice, docile wealthy bride.  Unfortunately for him, he is overheard saying some very rude things about Grier Hadley and in her bold, confident manner, she dumps her lemon water on him!  And so starts a sparking relationship that neither of them truly want and know can not end well but can not ignore. 

Grier needs to wed as well but her reason is her father wants a title in the family as he is the owner of a gaming hell and barely tolerated by society, only because of his wealth and he wants all the prestige as well.  Grier is instantly captivated by the dashing prince but can not forget his presumptuous comments before they even met but Sev is not easily deterred from what he wants.  When they are caught in a most scandalous position, will Sev take responsibility for it and forgo what his grandfather wants from him or will he just brush Grier aside?  Pick up this delightful, sexy romance filled with sassy dialogue and good supporting characters to find out! 4 stars

Upcoming July Releases

Here are a few of the upcoming historical romance books being releases in July~

These two were just released today from Sourcebooks Casablanca and both look promising for new to me authors: 

Here are the new releases from Avon on July 26:
 

I have Miranda Nevilles ready to read from Netgalley and am looking forward to it.  But once again, I want to read everything Avon is publishing for the month.  I will probably wait on the new Warren book as it is part of a series and I have to read in order otherwise...hear you go Avon....take my money, lol!

Here are a couple other releases for the month that I am looking forward to as well:

 

I have the Kasey Michaels and Jennifer Haymore novels from Netgalley and they are both new to me authors so looking forward to trying them!  Very excited about the new Victoria Dahl....she is one of my favorite contemporary authors but I wasn't thrilled with her last historical I read (A Little Bit Wild) but I love the cover of this one so heres hoping I like it a bit more!  The Sinner Who Seduced Me: A Regency Rogues Novel is the third in her Regency Rogues books and while I liked the first one (The Devil in Disguise: A Regency Rogues Novel) I wasn't thrilled with it, especially the editing but I do The Angel in My Arms: A Regency Rogues Novel on the way from the library to read so I am hoping the editing is better and the story moves a bit better because I love these covers and the author is so friendly on Facebook and I really want to enjoy her books!

Overall, not a bad month!  Lots of goodies to choose from and still many more I didn't mention!  Hope you can find something for yourself~