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

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

It Takes Two to Tangle by Theresa Romain

Henry Middlebrook returns from war weary and wounded and he knows he needs to go back into society expect he feels the pity of the ton with his injury.  Deciding that having the right wife will soothe the pathway, he sets his sights on a lovely widow and asks her companion for some help in securing her hand.  Frances Whittier agrees to help Henry even though Henry has captured her attention in way she has never felt before.  Attempting to draw his attention through a letter, he concludes the wrong lady wrote it and Frances is forced to put up a charade to keep her feelings hidden.  As time passes though, it becomes clear to Henry that Frances is the woman he is looking for but when he finds out the truth about the letters, will forgiveness be found especially as Frances is holding out a secret about her first marriage that she feels makes her entirely unsuitable for Henry?

This is the start of Theresa Romain's new Matchmaker trilogy and I enjoyed it just as much as her other works.  Frances was such a refreshing heroine with her quiet strength and decisive talk.  I really wished she had just told Henry the truth about the letters much sooner than she did though and I thought her secrets were also refreshing from what I have read before and thought the resolution to them was handled well (in fact, how Henry deals with it made me tear up a bit!).  Henry is dealing with his own after effects of war and finds his well meaning, forgiving family a bit off putting.  Frances challenges him to move past the past and strive towards new beginnings and shows him that he still has all the respect he had before the war.  Overall I really enjoyed this book however it was a bit slow in places and heavy on details in parts for my taste but the characters with their vibrant. well written natures brought the book to a solid conclusion.  Subtle humor, passionate encounters and heartfelt letters made this a very lovely read!

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley

The Matchbreaker Trilogy
Two more titles to come

A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

I thoroughly enjoyed this smoldering romance by one of my favorite authors!  Genevieve Barrett is tired of living in her father's shadow and is ready to break free and show the world who really writes up his academic articles by publishing her research on the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel.  Unfortunately, the jewel was left to her by an aunt and Sir Richard Harmsworth wants it back for himself and will go to any means to obtain it back...even steal.  When the break in goes awry, he is drawn to the prickly Genevieve and devises a new plan that involves going undercover to seduce the lady and get the jewel back.  What he does not expect is to have Genevieve help him find himself and fall hard for her.  When a vile threat poses too great of a risk to Genevieve's life, Richard knows he must tell her the truth before it is too late.  Will Genevieve be able to forgive the deceit and hurt that Richard has caused?

Reading an Anna Campbell romance is always guaranteed to make me smile, blush and devour the book to fast and wish I had not!  This book accomplished all of that and more!  I adored Genevieve with her appealing, clever, prickly demeanor she is just the right woman to help Richard see past the views of society to the man he truly is.  She can see that his heart is heavily guarded due to his mothers indiscretion that lead to his birth and it has shaped him into the man he is today.  Richard has grown up with being sneered at in society as all of society knows he is not the true heir, even if he was accepted by his father.  She finds herself misjudging him just as everyone else has done but she gradually sees him for the kind, brave, perceptive handsome man he is.  The only thing that really bothered my about the wonderful story was the deception.  I understand why Richard did what he did but it is always a touchy subject for me, especially when he choose to finally reveal his true identity to Genevieve.  I thought the villain aspect was well done and worked well within this story.  Anna Campbell writes with her usual lush descriptions and smoldering passion and I got swept away by the delicious romance of Richard and Genevieve!  4 stars

eARC provided by Grand Central Publishing via netgalley

Sons of Sins series
Work well as standalones but richer in order

 Book Three: To be announced

True Spies by Shana Galen

When her husband, Baron Winslow Keating, fails to show up to take her to a ball yet again, Elinor has had enough.  She dons her most daring gown and goes to the ball alone and in the process, turns a new leaf.  She is ready for some adventure, some passion to be brought back into her life.  Elinor wants to feel needed more than planning balls and taking care of her daughters and if her husband fails to realize that, then maybe she should consider the attention of a new gentleman.  Winn is flabbergasted by the new changes in Elinor.  When he sees her in her daring gown he can hardly believe this is the same meek woman he married years ago.  And she talks back to him!  He finds himself jealous of the fact she seems to be turning to another man and he knows it is finally time to quit his secret double life as a spy.  Unfortunately, a master criminal is closer than ever and when he grabs onto Elinor, Winn knows he will do whatever it takes to get her back and prove how much she means to him.

I know whenever I settle in with a Shana Galen romance I will be swept away by the adventure and romance and True Spies is no exception!  I really loved the fact that this is a romance about rekindling the magic of a marriage.  I also really enjoyed watching Elinor blossom from a biddable wife into a vocal, passionate woman.  Her thirst for adventure takes her much father than she ever thought she would go but it brings her back to Winn.  I also admired how the truth was handled when Winn finally told her his reasons for all his absences throughout the years.  I thought the struggles between Winn and Elinor were believable and not quickly resolved and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this couple rediscover each other!  The ending is a continuous stream of heart-pounding action and chases and I felt a bit sad when it was all over.  I also loved seeing more of Lord and Lady Smythe from Lord and Lady Spy and I am so anxious for the next book to see what happens next!!  This was another rollicking, laugh-out-loud, sexy and adventurous romance from one of my favorite go-to authors for smart and sexy adventures in the romance world!  4 solid stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley

Lord and Lady Spy series
Can be read as standalones but richer in order I think

 Book Three (I think!) 2014

What the Bride Wore by Jade Lee

Grant Benton, Earl of Crowle, has spent the past five years working at his mill earning enough money to buy back the land his father so foolishly sold.  He has told no one what he is doing, not his mother or his brother as he is a bit ashamed of what he is doing...laboring.  Yet when he goes to by back the land, the improvements on the land prove to be to great and force the price out of his reach.  Despondent, he crawls back into himself with the only bright spot being the woman he met earlier, a purchaser for a dress shop of his fabrics, Lady Irene Knopp.  Widowed years ago, she has found happiness in working and having a purpose for each day and she sees that Grant needs to find this same solace.  Together they find happiness but Grant is reluctant to let go of his fears.  When someone attempts to kill them, he must push past them to find who this person is and why they want to harm Irene or himself.  Will Grant be able to let go of his past indiscretions and find peace with Irene and will Irene be able to trust her heart again to someone as reckless as Grant?

This is book three in Jade Lee's Bridal Favors series but it worked well as a standalone though I do recommend reading the novella, Winning a Bride as it shows more of the depth of anger between Grant and his brother and how much needs to be repaired between them.  This was a very lovely story of finding oneself and growing into a true, deep love.  Irene was the perfect woman to show Grant how to be focused and move past the sadness in life.  She found a way, by becoming a purchaser and she helps him find his own way past all the mistakes of his youth.  However, Irene feels she can never be a countess as she wants to continue her work so she has her own reservations of becoming to involved with Grant.  The suspense portion of this book was well done and not overly dramatic which I appreciated with more of the focus on the romance and rebuilding of Grant's family.   Irene and Grant's mutual attraction leads to some very steamy bedroom scenes that added a nice dose of spice to a somewhat slow moving storyline for me.  Other than the slowness, it was quite enjoyable and is set up perfectly for the final book in this series and I can't wait to dive into it!  Jade Lee always delivers a satisfying romance with the perfect dose of steam.  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley

Bridal Favors series
Can be read as standalones but richer in order

                                                                                          Feb 4th 2014

Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins

Lady Isabella Wharton and her friends were part of something they would dearly like to forget but her godmother has other ideas and holds the threat of revealing what really happened to have Isabella do her will.  As such, Isabella finds herself off to the countryside in order to summon home the new Duke of Ormond, a man who seemingly ignores his duties.  Yet when Isabella meets Trevor Carey, she finds the opposite.  Here is a man devoted to caring for his tenants and land.  He never expected to inherit the dukedom and due to some bad blood in the past, he has no desire to go to London and assume the duties.  Spending time with Isabella and seeing how his beloved sisters interact with her, Trevor slowly starts to rethink his decision.  When a threat on Isabella's life becomes known, Trevor takes steps to protect her.  Will he lose his heart in the end as well?

The start of Manda Collins newest series was an enjoyable, easy read and my favorite book by her so far!  Isabella was such a strong woman who has overcome a bad first marriage and somehow still keeping her spirit intact and becoming very resilient.  Trevor quickly notices this along with a sweetness underneath, especially in the way she bonds with his sisters.  Isabella comes off a bit rude in the beginning but she grows into herself with Trevor and together they just fit.  Trevor was a dedicated man and I liked seeing his layers unfold and I really enjoyed his interactions with his sisters.  After all, what man wants his sisters to grow up into ladies?  I was pleased with the mystery aspect of this romance as well.  It does not overpower the story at all and I was surprised at the revelation in this one but the overall arc continues on through the next books while still giving a nice conclusion in this one.  This book had me laughing, smiling and sighing and flipping the pages to find out what would happen next and I eagerly look forward to the friends' upcoming stories.  4 solid stars

eARC provided by St Martins Press via netgalley.com

Wicked Widows series

   Jan 28th 2014

Winning a Bride by Jade Lee

This was a charming, sexy delight of a novella! Jade Lee has penned a romance that was heartfelt and fun to read. William Benton has become the steward to his families land after it was lost due to his fathers mistakes and it is hard for Will, at times, to let the past go.  He wants his families land back but knows his elder brother has no means to purchase it back so he comes up with a new idea...wed the new owners daughter, Josephine.  A woman whom he thinks to be a bit haughty and out of his reach. Yet during some nightly interludes he comes to find that Jo is kind, generous and a lady worth fighting for. A lady worth more than some land. He just needs to convince her and her father of this fact. Jo is the perfect woman to help him realize that there is more to life than titles and land and find his true worth. She is a bit wild and unpredictable and finds herself going a bit mad from the pressure of her life, from the man he father has arranged to marry her to finding the calm she needs to have in Will.  Filled with heat, banter, emotion and an interesting look at some history of the canals and how they are built, this romance is sure to make you grab more by Jade Lee. 4 stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Back cover blurb:
Due to his aristocratic family’s downfall, William Benton serves as steward on the land his brother should have inherited. His one weakness is for the daughter of the new owner. Josephine Lawton is beautiful, charming, and enamored of titles and all things aristocratic. Or so he thinks until he discovers that it’s her father who is doing the matchmaking. When he learns that there is more to the exciting Josephine than first meets the eye, he puts all his passion into restoring his family’s honor and winning the woman he loves. It’s going to be a hot summer on the estate.

Bridal Favors series
This worked well as a standalone and gives us a glimpse of the next hero
 
                                                               Aug 2013             Feb 2014

The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

Miss Jane Fairfield has four hundred eighty days until her sister reaches her majority and she can free her from her guardian.  However, during those days she must find a way to ward off any suitors after her one hundred thousand pound dowry because if she marries before her sister is old enough, her sister could be lost forever.  Her solution is simple, be dreadful at all times.  Dress flamboyantly.  Say the wrong things to important people and make them uncomfortable so they stay away yet do not completely shun her due to her wealth.  One man sees through her ruse though.  Mr. Oliver Marshall finds the bold Jane intriguing and finds himself drawn to her even though she is far from what he needs in his life as he tries to achieve success in Parliament.  Yet when he is asked to teach her a sharp lesson, he finds himself wavering but maybe not quite enough.  Will Oliver find the courage to keep Jane, just as she is, or will he push her away?

Everytime I start a new Courtney Milan story, I know I am in for a emotional, layered tale.  Each piece fits and builds to the next and you slowly savor it as you go.  The romance of Jane and Oliver is slow, built upon friendship first and put to the test due to Oliver's ambitions.  I really adored Jane and how she is ignorant on purpose.  Her clothing choices were a delight and created a vivid blur in my mind.  Jane is bold, stubborn and her uncle, her sisters guardian, feels she is a bad influence due to her birth and having to be dreadful and find a way to protect her sister from her uncles attempts to cure her seizures, weary.  Jane forces Oliver to not stand back and be walked over due to his upbringing.  He has felt out of place due to having a duke for a father (on the wrong side of the blanket) and being accepted by his half brother and being raised by his working class father.  He rarely tells the whole truth to people as a result and Jane lets him do this.  Together they fit yet they shouldn't.  Jane is wrong for where he wants to go in the world but he needs her to be himself.  There is a secondary romance between Jane's sister and a wonderful suitor that I almost wished would have been a whole story in and of itself but it just added another layer to shaping Jane and Oliver.  This is another winner from an author I think is tops for the historical genre.  True love finding a place between an unlikely, yet perfectly fit, couple who need to accept themselves with subtle humor, a dash of heat and a promise to make you smile.  4 1/2 stars

Review copy provided by the author via netgalley.com

The Brothers Sinister series
Best enjoyed in order but this one could be read as a standalone

                                                                                             Late 2013             2014

Tempting the Devil by Samantha Kane

Lady Harriet Mercer is desperate to be publicly ruined in the hopes that her blackmailer will finally leave her and her son alone.  Already having a loveless marriage she has no plans to enter into another one and if her pristine reputation is ruined, the blackmailer will not accept her and keep her secret just that, a secret.  When she attempts to seduce her old childhood friend, Roger Templeton, she believes she has found the perfect man.  Roger is a devil and has no qualms about ruination...until it involves Harry.  He finds her excuses about who is trying to kidnap her son flimsy and refuses to bed her.  So let the taunting, teasing and plotting begin!  The closer that Roger gets to Harry, the more he sees that something is lurking behind Harry's cheerful facade and he is determined to find out what and help her.  But having been burned in the past by a woman makes him a bit leery of entering into the type of relationship Harry wants and she must find a way to show she is different than everyone thinks her to be.  With the blackmailer closing in, can Harry and Roger find the path to happiness together?

This is the second book I have read by Samantha Kane and it was another enjoyable experience!  I really enjoy her use of subtle wit and smoking heat while dealing with true emotions and putting a fresh twist on a topic used many times before.  Harry was a delightful heroine: intelligent, outspoken, practical, stubborn, shrewd and feisty and she was a perfect match for the kind-hearted, loyal, witty, handsome devil Roger.  Roger is a man with no money and no real connections and sort of makes his way through life on his charming actions but Harry finally makes him realize that he has nothing to offer a woman if he is still searching for himself.  I did think his reasons for trying to keep Harry at bay were a little weak and I wished he would have told her the truth but it all worked out in the end.  Harry, for her part, also could have been more truthful but the truth always has a way of revealing itself in due course and it worked well for this story. Childhood friends to lovers is always a favorite storyline and it was well done in this romance and I am very eager for more from Samantha Kane who has the sizzling, smart, intriguing storytelling down!  4 stars

eARC provided by LoveSwept (Random House) via netgalley

The Saint's Devils
Can be read as standalones but previous characters do appear in following novels

The Damsel and the Devil  Late 2013

The Perks of Being a Beauty by Manda Collins

Miss Amelia Snow, noted mean-spirited beauty of the ton, has had a turn of fate. After her mother dies and she is left with no money, she takes on a job as a companion where she tries to blend in and help her charge find a good match. When a childhood friend arrives at a country house party, she remembers how she broke his heart and how he has always had a piece of hers. However, Amelia turned into a different woman after she went to London with her mother, who always told Amelia that all other girls were her competition, and Lord Quetin Fortescue is unaware of the pain and humiliation she caused in the ton. Even though Amelia has made amends with the woman she hurt, she still has not forgiven herself and is a bit hard about life. A rainstorm forces this couple to seek shelter together and this, of course, leads to a good heart to heart and some heated moments. Can Quetion show Ameila she is not the woman of her past and ready to move forward, together? With the humor, depth and a dash of heat I have come to expect from Manda Collins, The Perks of Being a Beauty is a story of forgiveness, healing and heart. 4 stars 

eARC provided by St Martins Press via Netgalley

Ugly Ducklings series
Not necessary to read the series before this one, but you really get more of a sense of Amelia in the past before she grows in this novella

What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

The start of Vicky Dreiling's new series is fun, sexy and romantic!  Laura Davenport is worried when she receives a letter from her stepson's guardian, a man who has taken no interest in her stepson in years.  When he suddenly shows up to take him away, she panics and informs him she in engaged and the man has taken a personal interest in her stepson's upbringing.  Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, never imagined that his good deed of returning a flask being used by a wayward lad would get him engaged.  Yet seeing the desperation of Laura, and the way the guardian treats her, his protective nature kicks in and he plays along with the charade.  What he doesn't count on his Laura and her stepson becoming like a family to him, the one thing he will not have in his life again after the sudden death of his own family.  When circumstances change, his gentlemanly nature comes back into force but Laura is not sure she wants what he offers...she wants more.  Will Bell be able to find the words to express his true feelings before Laura is gone for good?

Laura and Bell's romance was a fun journey to read.  I really adored Andrew.  He was haughty and blunt but that was all due to the fact he was afraid to let himself fall in love again because he didn't want to lose those he loved again, like his mother, father and brother.  When he realized he had recreated a family with Laura, he, of course, reacts badly.  He knows Laura needs to be needed and he is not sure he can do that for her.  The romance grows from a friendship into something more and is very sigh-worthy.  I liked how Laura's stepson is very much part of the story and hopefully we will see his own story someday, after he grows up a bit more.  Bell's two friends add a bit more humor to the story and I also look forward to their stories and them growing up a bit as they seemed just a dash immature yet for me.  Overall, a delicious start to a sexy, witty new series!  4 stars

eARC provided by Forever via netgalley

The Sinful Scoundrels series

Book Two: What a Reckless Rogue Needs (the set up for this one was well done and I can't wait for it!)

Lady Vivian Defies a Duke by Samantha Grace

Lady Vivian Worth knows perfectly well how to behave like a lady. But observing proper manners when no one is around to impress is just plain silly. When Luke Forest, the newly named Duke of Foxhaven, arrives early to visit his bride-to-be, he catches Vivian acting most unladylike—in her chemise. Though amused by her unconventional ways, Luke hadn't planned on marrying such a sprightly and opinionated lady. He'll just have to find her another husband. But can he stand to see the vivacious woman in the arms of someone else?

This was such a fun, charming, easy read! Vivian and Luke were just so perfectly suited for each other and I loved seeing them fall for each other.  Luke had initially decided to help Vivian find another husband but he quickly realizes how perfect she is for him and finds it hard to believe his father, whom he had a strained relationship, could have known him so well to pick Vivian for him.  He has left his Duke duties for his brother and has been determined to go off on an adventure but Vivian makes him rethink his true purpose,  She is lovely, intelligent, full of high spirits and boldness and he can not help but be drawn to her.  Vivian, for her part, falls for Luke quickly as he does not berate her (much) for her behavior and knows she needs to convince Luke she wants no one else except him.  Throw in a love struck cousin and a revenge minded class mate and you get a bit of drama and action.  The addition of Luke's family adds a wonderful sense of warmth and humor, they are just the type of family you wish you were a part of!  Every Samantha Grace book I read has me laughing, smiling, and sighing with happiness and this one is no exception!  Pure enjoyment!

eARC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via netgalley.com

The Beau Monde series
Could be read as standalones but previous characters are featured

A Passion for Pleasure by Nina Rowan

Another refreshing, unique, smart and sexy romance for them talents of Nina Rowan!  It is refreshing and unique in the aspect that our widow, Clara Whitmore, is living with her uncle and helping him with his automaton museum.  I loved seeing the bits and pieces that went into making these 'new' automatons.  When she runs into her piano teacher from her youth, Sebastian Hall, she sees a chance to get her son back from her father.  Sebastian is is need of some plans that he believes Clara's uncle has so he agrees to her marriage bargain never realizing how fast his life was going to turn upside down. Her vengeful father is hiding a secret (though I thought it was fairly obvious) and he promises to drag Sebastian's family through the mud...his family which has already had to deal with the scandal of adultery and divorce.  Clara refuses to put Sebastian through any more pain in his family but Sebastian finds himself caring very deeply for Clara and is determined to help her...even if it drives a wedge between himself and his father.

Watching the love grow and deepen between Sebastian and Clara was such a treat.  Sebastian was so easy to love; he kept his pain of his hand being damaged, making it unable for him to perform his music, his passion, very close to himself but Clara sees this pain and helps him heal.  She allows Sebastian to see the light again and find a way to express himself through his music again.  I loved how quickly he became Clara's champion for her son.  Sebastian follows his heart and instincts regardless of what other people think.  He is kind, generous, loyal and would do anything to help those he cares about.  Now there were times I wanted to shake Clara for her refusal to tell Sebastian her plans regarding her son but I know she did it out of her love for Sebastian, her desire to keep him and his family out of scandals reach.  Passion, tenderness, sorrow and the healing power of love are all wrapped together in this heartfelt romance.  4 stars

Review copy provided by Grand Central Publishing, Forever.

Daring Hearts series
This one worked well as a stand alone though the first is just as good!

Book three with Sebastian's sister is next

The Devil's Pearl by Jennifer Haymore

Lady Esme has a secret...she writes scandalous stories and if anyone were to find out, well, that would be disastrous.  The Devil's Pearl is one of her stories and while short, it is filled with passion, betrayal and obsession.

Sir Delvin Vaughn is outraged when he sees the woman he can not stop thinking about, the woman who dared shun him in society, hanging off two men.  Two!  His riches and power were not enough to keep her but seeing this drives him mad and he knows he needs to have her now and forever and he will do whatever it takes.  Julia Beaumont had to leave Devlin before he hurt her and she had to do it in a public manner to get her point across but now he is back and taken her hostage.  Can she stand up to him again or will this couple explain the true depths of their hearts to find the happiness that is there waiting?

I was a bit hesitant to keep reading this one after the first chapter as I was worried it would have a forced seduction scene in it but it thankfully did not play out that way.  Instead, I found myself surprisingly invested with this couple, especially considering how short this story is (about half my kindle file) so kudos to Jennifer Haymore for that!  I liked seeing how torn up this couple was (even though just talking would have fixed it) but since this is a novella, it worked for me and did not bother me too much.  It has drama, despair, heat and a dash of humor and I was sad to see it end.  Smart writing, a brisk pace, a nice dose of heat all add up to a winner for me.  4 stars

eARC provided by Forever Yours via netgalley.com

House of Trent series
(It looks like the novellas will be stand alone stories)

      June 25th

Hero of My Heart by Megan Frampton

Mary Smith is tossed up on the auction block by her debt-ridden step brother and sold to the highest bidder, Alasdair Thornham who really has no idea why he bought her, only he felt the need to rescue her.  Somehow through his opium induced haze, he recognizes that Mary needs to be taken care of and he seems to be the perfect man for the job.  He will simple marry her and then she will have access to his home and funds and he can go off and let the opium to its job, rid him of all his painful family and war memories.  What he doesn't expect is a fierceness in Mary to save Alasdair from his drug haze.  Mary is determined to set Alasdair free and help his realize the past can not be changed and everything was not his fault, not his burden to bear now.  Mary's step brother and Alasdair cousin, who wants Alasdair's title, force this couple to hide and take a trip across the countryside.  Close quarters allow for Mary and Alasdair's feelings to develop but what will happen once they reach London?  Will Mary be able to tell Alasdair her real desire to get to London, a secret she is sure will shame him?

While I did enjoy this romance, I also felt a bit let down.  I felt like some things were just glossed over, most specifically with Alasdair's opium addiction.  He struggles and fails early on but once they are forced into the countryside with no money or transportation, his struggles fall to the wayside and he has no side affects and I felt like there needed to be more of a struggle with that aspect.  I also would have liked to have seen more of Mary's secret explored and expanded upon as it was something a bit fresh in this genre.  Even with Alasdair's struggles, both inner and outer  he is a very swoon worthy hero; smart, handsome, generous and witty and I really enjoyed him.  Mary is strong, brave and not afraid to voice her opinions yet hesitant to trust a man who easily breaks his promises and is dependent on something that alters him.  Another thing that was a bit off for me was the trek through the countryside...they had a few bumps and then they were easily to London.  I feel like the ending could have been much stronger and really been a better fit for this story as it had good potential, but it just fell a bit short for me this time.  However, I do plan on checking out the future releases of Megan Frampton as I feel like she has a good voice that will hopefully connect together a bit better for me over time.  Recommended for fans of unique story lines with personal struggles and a happily ever after that will make you smile.  3 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Loveswept via netgalley.com...thanks!

Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

I have come to expect a tender, sweet, sexy, tear inducing romance when I read a highlander book from Maya Banks and she does it yet again with  Highlander Most Wanted!  Genevieve McInnes was on her way to her betrothed when she was captured and held prisoner by the vile Ian McHugh for a year.  Her family thinks she is dead and when she is finally free, she thinks it is best to let them think that rather than bring shame from her scars and the way Ian treated her.  She is broken emotionally and treated like dirt from the clan and hopes that the Montgomerys and Armstrongs will give her refuge away from the cruelty.

Bowen Montgomery seizes the clan that dare capture is sister in law and is struck by how cruel the clan is to one slip of a lass.  When Genevieve tells her whole story he is unsure what to due, especially when she divulges her part in the capture of his sister in law.  He finds himself falling hard for the spirited, brave lass and knows that he needs her in his life, even if it means falling out with his clan due to her actions.

Sigh.  Such a lovely story yet at the same time, a heart breaking one.  Genevieve's treatment is the worst sort and how she survived as long as she did took true strength.  I loved the way Bowen became her champion and showed her how she deserved to be cherished above all, that her scars are a badge of honor and not a way to repulse him.  I loved the strong family interaction and the way Bowen deals with Genevieve and her family situation brought tears to my eyes.  Yes, it was a bit easy but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  I also enjoyed how the pacing was a bit different in this one...the action on the battlefield is earlier than I expected and then it just focuses on Genevieve and Bowen which was a bit unexpected.  We get a nice glimpse of the upcoming couple for the next book and that story looks to be good!  I hope Ms Banks is writing more in this series are there are still unattached brothers and a sister that need attention :)  A strong setting, a strong attraction and a strong sense of honor with a nice dash of heat are all wrapped up wonderfully in this romance.  I can not wait for more Highlanders from Maya Banks!!  4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Ballatine Books via netgalley

The Montgomerys and Armstrongs series
Could be read as stand alones but much better read in order

                                    Sept 24th

If You Give a Rake a Ruby by Shana Galen

Warrick Fitzhugh needs the help of the lovely Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery but since she surrounds herself with friends and lovers at all times he has a hard time finding a way to speak with her.  So he does the only thing left to him...he sneaks into her bedroom and proceeds to reveal the secrets of Fallon's past, the secrets she wants to stay hidden.  Fallon sees no other choice than to help Warrick find the information he needs and they start on an adventurous hunt for the truth of who wants Warrick dead and once part of that is revealed, it turns Fallons life a bit sideways.  Throw in a smoldering attraction between Fallon and Warrick and this couple strives to find a way to see if this attraction is real...or part of the chase.

I know I can always turn to Shana Galen for fast paced, sexy adventurous romances and this is exactly what this book delivers!  Warrick is determined, bossy and dangerous and has a strained relationship with his family following his decision to become a spy, which caused the death of his brother.  Fallon is honest, clever, kind, brave and ready to take on anyone who gets in her way of what she wants.  Together they make a good pair but I did feel like their relationship was a bit rushed.  So much happens in just a small amount of time and I would have liked to have seen a bit more development with their relationship before they acted on their desire for each other.  I'm not sure I completely believed the 'I love yous' when they came.  Beyond that though, this book was a fast, fun read and I love how secrets are revealed at a pace that you just keep reading...until midnight without even noticing as it was very easy to get swept away by the action.  We get a good look at Fallon's fellow Jewel of the Ton, Lily and I am very anxious to learn about her secrets and to have a resolution to the overall mystery arc between these three books.  While not necessary to read the previous book, When You Give a Duke a Diamond, I do think this book is stronger having read it first.  Overall, not my favorite Shana Galen book but still a well written, action packed, surprising, steamy romance that deals with the issue of the heart and of family.  4 stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks via netgalley

Jewels of the Ton series

Sapphires Are a Girl's Best Friend