Wilde Child by Eloisa James

April 27, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Wilde Child by Eloisa James
book 6 of 6 in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

He wants a prim and proper duchess, not the Wildest of the Wildes!

Already notorious for the golden hair that proves her mother’s infidelity, Lady Joan can’t seem to avoid scandals, but her latest escapade may finally ruin her: she’s determined to perform the title role of a prince—in breeches, naturally.

She has the perfect model for an aristocratic male in mind: Thaddeus Erskine Shaw, Viscount Greywick, a man who scorned the very idea of marrying her.

Not that Joan would want such a dubious honor, of course.
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For years, Thaddeus has avoided the one Wilde who shakes his composure, but he’s horrified when he grasps the danger Joan’s putting herself in. Staring into her defiant eyes, he makes the grim vow that he’ll keep her safe.

He strikes a bargain: after one performance, the lady must return to her father’s castle and marry one of three gentlemen whom he deems acceptable.

Not including him, of course.

I have never heard of the author, Eloisa James ,who is a New York Times Bestseller. Based on the one book that I just finished, Wilde Child, it’s clear I’ve been missing out. One of the other reviewers here at Long and Short Reviews, Xeranthemum, has reviewed all the previous books in the series. I took the time to read her reviews of the Wildes of Lindow Castle series and promptly went to Amazon to purchase the box set. I can’t wait to start from book one. I enjoyed this novel immensely and want to read the previous five stories in this series as soon as possible.

Wilde Child can be read as a standalone although I wish I hadn’t requested it. Based on the knowledge that I have gathered, I prefer to start the series from the beginning. I wish I knew Xeranthemum was following the series so she could have reviewed this novel. I agree with all of Xeranthemum’s earlier reviews. The Wildes family of Lindow Castle are unique, refreshing and entertaining. The best characteristic of the Wildes is their family loyalty to each other.

I fell in love with the heroine, Lady Joan. She was independent, feisty, possessed a witty sense of humor and was guided by her tender heart. The hero, Thaddeus, was preparing to be the ever-so-proper Duke. He lost perspective of any joy in his life, that is, until he met Lady Joan. At first the two of them shared a dislike of each other that turned from protectiveness to love. It was an entertaining read to see their perceptions of each other evolve from disgust to lust to true love. It was a scandalous process that resulted in several book glows.

The plot contained several memorable scenes. Joan’s good friend Otis was hilarious as Ophelia in the Hamlet play. The banter between him and Joan had me giggling. The back and forth repartee of Joan and Thaddeus was equally funny. The aging peacock, Fitzy, and Gully, the castle goat, had me cracking up as well. There were some serious scenes such as the ones between Thaddeus and his father. There were joyous scenes such as the birth of Joan’s sister, Viola. Then there were some sad scenes such as when they shared their past hurts. Then there were a few scenes where I hated Thaddeus’s father. All in all when put together, Wilde Child was a book that I didn’t want to put down or have it end.

I’m thrilled to have discovered a new author, Eloisa James. I anticipate the Wildes of Lindow Castle series will be going on my “keepers’ bookshelf” once it’s delivered by my favorite book store. Happy Reading!

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Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands

January 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Highland Treasure by Lynsay Sands
Highland Brides #9
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

After escaping from the English soldiers who attacked her home and imprisoned her in a dungeon, Lady Elysande de Valance is grateful for the rugged Scots who are escorting her to safety in the Highlands. Even with danger dogging their every step, she hadn’t expected to welcome the strong comforting embrace of their leader, Rory Buchanan. They say he’s a healer, but she finds the heat of his touch does so much more…

The whole purchase cialis appalachianmagazine.com structure appears very easy to use. If you take it and start off then you won t online tadalafil be able to see any possible guaranteed results. Sex is something that couples can enjoy monthly, weekly and even daily. cialis overnight online It also improves libido naturally by increasing sensation in the genitals. levitra free sample Let his brothers get married—Rory is too busy tending to the sick to be bothered with wooing a bride. But when he is tasked with accompanying a family friend’s “treasure” to the Highlands, he is surprised to learn the treasure is a beautiful woman on the run—and even more surprised to discover bruises hidden by her veil. Rory makes it his mission to tend to her injuries and protect her, but the thought of losing her makes him realize that perhaps it is his heart that is most in need of healing…

Talk about a heroine being tested by fire. A reader meets Elysande while she’s in the middle of a life and death situation. Right away, this reader wanted the heroine to be safe, to find justice for her family, and I wanted her to stop hurting, both physically and emotionally. The author wanted to make sure that I was vested in the fate of Elysande, and Ms. Sands was 100% effective in creating that link.

I remember the last story, when Rory’s brother, Conran, was mistaken for him. Although there was a substantial plot, the sense of humor, adventure and romance was quicker to happen and grins were more prevalent. Highland Treasure has an extra serious bent because more than Elysande’s life is on the line and she feels that pressure every step of the way, in every place that they stay. Rory starts off doing what’s right but the quest quickly turns personal. I enjoyed watching their friendship and relationship grow. The moment both realize they have red hot chemistry happens in the absolute darkness of night in a forest, alone, when Rory has to apply more pain salve on Elysande’s bruises. That scene was the tipping point and I knew right then that not only were they going to be great together, but once that genie is out of the bottle, there’s no putting it back in. It gets quite hot. Even during those times, there were elements of humor and embarrassing instances which made for fun reading.

No story written by Ms. Sands is heavy-handed in dark plots – there are moments to spice it up, to provide motivational conflict and drama, but they are short lived, placed perfectly and give the right level of backdrop to showcase the strengths of both hero and heroine. This novel is no different. It’s entertaining, interesting and at times, quite adventurous – in short, a great read.

I felt so bad about one of the bad guys. I mean, I really hope that he can be redeemed because I truly felt that he was a victim too and shouldn’t be written off. I hope Ms. Sands lets readers know the full skinny when she’s ready. As it is, he served his diabolical purpose in this book.

Highland Treasure ended with a truly surprising and broad-scoped happy ever after that was over-the-top wonderful and satisfying. I enjoyed it so much and was left with a happy glow. There was so much joy it was almost perfect. There is one thing the author didn’t do and that was answer the biggest question about Elysande!! How could Ms. Sands not do an epilogue of the epilogue!! I hope to find out the answer in the next book. There WILL be a next book in the Highland Brides series, right?

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Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James

June 12, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Say Yes to the Duke by Eloisa James
The Wildes of Lindow Castle,Book 5
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (396 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A shy wallflower meets her dream man–or does she?–in the next book in New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James’ Wildes of Lindow series.

Miss Viola Astley is so painfully shy that she’s horrified by the mere idea of dancing with a stranger; her upcoming London debut feels like a nightmare.

So she’s overjoyed to meet handsome, quiet vicar with no interest in polite society — but just when she catches his attention, her reputation is compromised by a duke.

But still, thousands of commander viagra them were not aware from this latest medicine. Easy going laid back cialis 50mg life style, nutritious diet are a remedy for high cholesterol. And it ultimately causes viagra wholesale uk ED. There isn’t actually a tag called dofollow but it is a pill before a certain amount of viagra tablets online amerikabulteni.com time. Devin Lucas Augustus Elstan, Duke of Wynter, will stop at nothing to marry Viola, including marrying a woman whom he believes to be in love with another man.

A vicar, no less.

Devin knows he’s no saint, but he’s used to conquest, and he’s determined to win Viola’s heart.

Viola has already said Yes to his proposal, but now he wants her unruly heart…and he won’t accept No for an answer.

I adore the Wildes of Lindow Castle. They are a wonderful family, very supportive, unconventional and always loving. The heroine of Say Yes to the Duke certainly needed every ounce of care, patience and support in the early parts of the novel. She had good reasons for her fear and the resultant tumultuous tummy, but at the same time the occurrence of the reason made me grin. It certainly was memorable for me too.

Viola was a delightful heroine. I enjoyed her penchant for befriending a crow, defending cows, and her other general personality traits. She has a self-esteem issue initially and her sister, Joan, was a huge help, but it’s the man she encounters that starts her on the path of getting over her fears.

Devin, the hero, is the character that does the most growing, changing and discovering. He discovers that he can actually smile, he discovers *gasp* feelings! Devin also has had a horrid childhood that shaped how he deals with anger, relationships and responsibilities but it’s his interactions with Viola and the rest of the Wilde clan that make him realize that love, banter and ‘tender feelings’ do not make him weak. That whole journey was a joy to watch because during it all he’s falling in love with the heroine. It was majorly entertaining and I relished every moment.

I really enjoyed the play. I felt it was the turning point and the culmination for so many plot threads. It was a delight to read. Like Devin said, it was the ‘fifth act’ and it was great because it included quite a few giggles. Of course, those earlier counted ‘acts’ (1-4) were fun, saucy and quite entertaining between Devin and Viola.

The novel ends with a most adorable and sweet epilogue that is like icing on a cake. I have a happy book buzz after reading it and a smile on my face. To confirm that this novel made me feel that happy, I read it again before writing this review. Truly, Say Yes to the Duke is a charming and delightful read and one I encourage romance readers not to miss.

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Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle

June 8, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Nothing Compares to the Duke by Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (368 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

His Only Regret…

Rhys Forester, the new Duke of Claremont, lives his life by four words: Enjoy All, Regret Nothing. He’s devoted to the pleasure of his wild soirees, reckless behavior, and shocking the ton with his interests in trade. The debts that come with his title don’t fit the carefree lifestyle he’s created and when he’s forced to return to his family’s estate, he’s also forced to confront his one and only regret: the beautiful girl he left behind.

May Be Falling in Love…

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Bella has never forgiven Rhys for what he did to her, but desperate times call for fake engagements. With a few dozen rules, their scheme begins, but it’s not long before the former enemies find themselves breaking every single rule, including the most important of them all: don’t fall in love…

Arabella Prescott and Rhys Forester live on neighboring estates, and have been best friends since they were young children, even though Rhys is four years older. Although much of their youth was spent running about and playing, Bella is remarkably intelligent, and helped Rhys with his reading disorder. The years pass, and it’s now time to celebrate Bella’s eighteenth birthday. She’s nervous about having to give a speech in front of everyone, and is counting on Rhys’s face front and center to focus on. She also has been feeling her love for Rhys turn in a new direction, and hopes that he returns her affection. When Rhys isn’t part of the crowd, Bella runs off to seek him. And she does find him, unfortunately, it’s in the arms of an obliging older lady. Bella’s young heart is broken, and she is too distraught to listen to Rhys’s apology.

Rhys realizes he has ruined his beautiful friendship. Unknown to Bella, he had already begun to live the rakish lifestyle that he would become notorious for over the next five years. His life in London consists of some genuine business ventures with his two close friends, but is full of wild parties, gambling, and a string of affairs and liaisons. When Rhys’s father dies, and there are serious financial problems, Rhys knows he must go back to his country estate and try to sort out the mess, as he’s now the duke.

While Rhys has been living as a libertine, Bella made her debut, and has turned down numerous marriage proposals. She is hopeful that her parents will give up on trying to marry her off, and allow her to happily become a spinster, and to write her puzzle books, which she hopes to publish. Her world is turned upside down when she hears Rhys’s voice for the first time since that awful party five years ago.

I’m all team Bella in this story, as I hated Rhys’s actions from his awful deed five years ago to the frivolous and ridiculous life he chose to live since then. Having said that, he does have an abundance of good qualities which were buried underneath the persona he created. He also felt genuine guilt and remorse over how he hurt Bella, and accordingly lost his best friend. I admire that he had the courage to ask her forgiveness, albeit five years later. I loved watching Rhys change the more time he spent with the “new” Bella, becoming a better person, and vowing that he would never break her trust again.

Bella was easy for me to like, as who doesn’t remember and sympathize with their first experience at heartbreak? What made this sadder was the decade of solid friendship before their falling out. I commend Bella’s resolve not to marry just for the sake of being wed, and how she worked at building her own future of becoming a published author. It takes a good person to forgive someone who has hurt you that badly, and I applaud Bella’s finally being able to do so.

Nothing Compares to the Duke is well written and enjoyable to read, with plenty of emotional scenes and some steamy moments. I think it will appeal especially to those readers who enjoy drama and many hurdles to overcome. I have to confess that I was left with a kernel of doubt as to whether Rhys could truly stay faithful to Bella, or whether the siren song of his former life would lure him back. I know I’m rooting for them.

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Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

May 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (374 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Everything has a price . . .

Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give.

Everything except her . . .

Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win.

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Never underestimate a Ravenel.

The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun . . .

At first, Tom, the hero, sounds like a stuffed and starched shirt – rigid, set in his ways and overly sure of himself. That is until he utters the most un-starched comment, “I’ll be your oyster.” In a very short amount of time, Ms. Kleypas provided me the measure of the man, so I’m well aware his statement is wholly out of character. That is also my ‘aha’ moment when I realize that the person doing the most growth, who is going to experience the most changes in circumstances and new awareness, is going to be Tom. My first thought after the first chapter? This, is going to be fun.

If you are a reader who likes to judge a book as readable based on the blurb, a word of caution – I do not agree with the ‘chase being over’, nor that about Cassandra’s heart. I saw the reason for the chase present itself in the first chapter, and even after he received her hand in matrimony, it continued but not quite as the blurb leads you to believe. I perceive it’s not the heroine’s heart but the hero’s. Tom has a dearth of feelings, but Cassandra has an overabundance which will prove to be the hero’s undoing. The results are eminently readable, enjoyable, entertaining and positively delightful. Bazzle’s character is the litmus test – the evidence that the heroine is reaching and thawing Tom’s frozen heart. The twists and turns of their unusual courtship is pure romantic entertainment and very well written.

As for the enemy, again the blurb makes it sound like there’s going to be danger, as in – there might be spies, skullduggery or serious and menacing peril. No one is out to kill anyone, thank goodness. There’s nothing dark or stressful about Chasing Cassandra for which I am grateful. The external conflict puts the heroine in jeopardy; that is true. However, the form it takes is something historical romance readers will appreciate and accept because they understand the gravity of the threat. A nail biting event does exist and it revolves around Bazzle. That scene is where I was truly worried because I’d come to care about his character. How it is resolved gives me great satisfaction, and even while I’m writing this review I am still remembering and appreciating Tom’s actions. He’s a wonderful hero.

Tom eventually seduced Cassandra. Although it was spicy and well written, it also makes me grin from ear to ear. Why? Because I think he was seduced right back, and it confused him. It messed with his will-ordered and efficient mind and I liked that effect. It made the hero approachable, likeable and worthy of the heroine. I especially enjoyed the moonlight waltz. There’s something to be said for shoes that don’t fit.

I was entertained by the contract that Tom and Cassandra came up with. I liked how the author used it to benefit her characters while at the same time giving readers a greater insight into the couple. His reference to ‘tablemats with holes’, and what he thought of fringe, made me giggle. It certainly had me liking him all the more.

Chasing Cassandra was a perfectly delightful read. I have been a bit stressed lately and I can honestly say that the world fell away once I got into the story. I was able to forget the seriousness of life and escape to love, happiness, hope, optimism and laughter. I was treated to a well-rounded happy ever after with characters I really liked. I can easily recommend this a great read.

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Restless Rancher by Jennifer Ryan

April 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Restless Rancher by Jennifer Ryan
Wild Rose (Book 2)
Publisher: Avon Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

One minute down-on-his-luck rancher Austin Hubbard slept soundly, the next, a sassy spitfire dumped a pitcher of water on his head and woke him up—in more ways than one. Hired to help him rebuild his ranch, Sonya Tucker ends up helping him put the tattered pieces of his life back together. The capable, all-business accountant is on a mission to get the ranch up and running, but can he convince the temptingly beautiful woman to take a chance on him?

Sonya was dismayed that Austin had lost it all: money, family, respectability. Things she—who’d been raised by her mother at Nevada’s notorious brothel Wild Rose Ranch—only dreamed about. But working with the long, lean cowboy shows her that Austin is honorable to his core. Together they slowly grow to see what the love between them might bring.

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Wow, talk about a bad parent. Poor Austin, he’s such a good guy and has a great capacity for forgiveness but after finding out what his dad is capable of doing, he has to find the strength to do what has to be done. That is where the heroine, Sonya, plays a vital role. It’s also where Austin’s ex has a significant role to play as well.

The theme of good parenting versus bad parenting is highlighted in this novel. It’s messy, at times unconventional, but the difference between the two (good vs bad) is clear and well delivered.

Ms. Ryan created her hero with enough depth, caring and humor, and with a strong moral compass, I found Austin easy to like. Sonya was presented as smart, giving, loyal and who also had a strong sense of family that she made a wonderful partner for the hero. I enjoyed how the author played one off the other, showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in such a way that I was vested in their success.

Secondary characters, like Roxy, Noah, Kelly and June highlighted the theme of family, love and new beginnings. They all were part of an effective supporting cast that enriched the relationship and growing love between Austin and Sonya.

The funny thing about reading this story was my outbursts at key plot moments. My hubby was watching t.v. while I was reading near him. I shouted at the book a few times, “Oh no!” and he thought something bad was happening for real. What?!! What!!?!! -“Oh, you’re reading your book. *heaves a big sigh*. I thought something was really wrong”. I replied, “Well yes, there IS something really wrong, for the hero”. He just rolled his eyes at me. Of course it happened a few more times and each time, my hubby reacted to my reaction and then was disgusted because it was only about a ‘story’. Don’t others realize that to a reader vested in the characters, the crisis points, the suspense and ‘oh my gosh!’ moments ARE real? They wouldn’t be if the author wasn’t good at their craft. Ms. Ryan is very good.

The plot was a solid one, and even though I knew what would eventually happen, the how of it is what made this novel a good read – entertaining, engrossing and worth the time. It had a wonderful happy ever after times two, and a just ending for the man who could be awarded the ‘worst father of the year’ 1st place ribbon. It’s sad actually because there were other options, and any and all olive branches were brushed aside. Having Austin finally and completely happy at the end was so satisfying.

I recommend this book because Restless Rancher is a really good read and Austin and Sonya are worth spending an afternoon with.

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The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe

March 3, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Prince of Broadway by Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Powerful casino owner.
Ruthless mastermind.
Destroyer of men.

He lives in the shadows . . .

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She is society’s darling . . .

Florence Greene is no one’s fool. She knows Clayton Madden is using her to ruin her prestigious family . . . and she’s using him right back. She plans to learn all she can from the mysterious casino owner–then open a casino of her own just for women.

With revenge on his mind, Clay agrees to mentor Florence. However, she soon proves more adept–and more alluring–than Clay bargained for. When his plans are threatened, Clay must decide if he is willing to gamble his empire on love.

A gilded age romance for the ages.

I’ve read other books by Joanna Shupe and have never been let down. I wasn’t this time, either. This book plugs right along, the writing is well-done and kept me invested throughout. I’ll be reading more by this author.

Yes, there were times when I thought Florence was a bit above her station. Women had some freedoms and she tends to go higher than she should be. But that’s what made her fun. Okay, sometimes it made her petulant and a tad irritating, but she knew what she wanted and was not going to let anyone tell her no. I liked that. Then there’s Clayton. He’s just as much of a piece of work. He’s doing things that aren’t quite square, yet he’s not doing it for ill-gotten gain. It’s a tad trite that he’s the casino owner with the heart of gold, but he kind of is. The chemistry between him and Florence is off the charts. I liked each time they got together.

If you’re looking for a book with rich characters that might annoy you one minute, make you love them the next and ultimately stay with you, then this is the book you’re looking for. Recommended.

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The Duke’s Stolen Bride by Sophie Jordan

January 22, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Duke’s Stolen Bride by Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (355 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

An urgent dilemma…

To save her impoverished family, Marian Langley will become a mistress. But she will not be just any mistress. Marian intends to become so skilled, so coveted, that she can set her own terms, retaining control over her body and her fate. Only one problem remains: finding a tutor…

A scandalous solution…

Other men deprive themselves of pleasure for propriety’s sake. Nathaniel, Duke of Warrington, would much rather be depraved. He slakes his desires with professionals who ask nothing of him but his coin. Marian’s proposal—that he train her without taking her virtue—is an intriguing diversion, until their lessons in seduction spin out of control.

And a most unlikely duchess…
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When Marian is blackmailed into engagement by a man she despises, Nate impulsively steals her away. Though he never intended to take a wife, he can’t tolerate the idea of Marian forfeiting her freedom to another. But can he bear to give her what she demands—a real marriage?

Life can change without much notice. For Marian Langley it changed for the worse with the loss of her father and three younger siblings to care for. She had a steady position, living in beautiful homes, tasting society from the fringes and helping raise other people’s children.

Salvation in the form of the local favorite of the gossip mills, none other than the ‘depraved duke’ himself, seems unlikely but so does the scheme that Marian contrives to rescue her family from certain ruin.

Not necessarily an original story line but I still read the book in two sittings. Marian and Nate were what set it apart. Their chemistry and dialogue was spot on for this die hard romance reader.

Marian is the good side of feisty and fiery without being over the top. She certainly catches the attention of a bored, if not slightly hardened, duke of the realm. They have the unfortunate, yet destiny laden, ways of running to each other. Marian’s impulsiveness has a bit to do with that but it works to her favor. He’s had staid and traditional. She’s anything but. I looked forward to each new run in, it was sure to be lively.

Nate has resigned himself to staying out of society, away from match making mothers and having his cake brought to him rather than him having to visit the brothels in London, works to his advantage. But it’s a lonely life. Until a certain local lass finds her way under his table, needing his protection. Little did he know that ‘protection’ would cost him more than money, it would cost his heart.

Besides Marian and Nate, Ms. Jordan created some interesting side characters in the form of the younger Langley sisters, Nora and Charlotte. There’s also a younger brother, Phillip, but he’s away at school and never actually introduced. I look forward to reading Nora and Charlotte’s stories if Ms. Jordan decides to make this into a series.

The story moves along at a good pace but the end felt a little rushed. Don’t get me wrong, it works okay and the ending closes out their story. I think I was just expecting more details, more set up for future stories maybe. She can still do it, the very basic ground work was laid so I’ll just have to wait and see. This book was good so I’ll certainly be watching for others.

Readers who love a good, spicy historical romance will be glad they picked up The Duke’s Stolen Bride.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh

January 7, 2020 By Leave a Comment


My Fake Rake: The Union of the Rakes by Eva Leigh
Publisher: Avon Books from Harper Collins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (366 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review by Honeysuckle

Lady Grace Wyatt is content as a wallflower, focusing on scientific pursuits rather than the complications of society matches. But when a handsome, celebrated naturalist returns from abroad, Grace wishes, for once, to be noticed. Her solution: to “build” the perfect man, who will court her publicly and help her catch his eye. Grace’s colleague, anthropologist Sebastian Holloway, is just the blank slate she requires.

To further his own research on English society, Sebastian agrees to let Grace transform him from a bespectacled, bookish academic into a dashing—albeit fake—rake. Between secret lessons on how to be a rogue and exaggerated public flirtations, Grace’s feelings for Sebastian grow from friendship into undeniable, inconvenient, real attraction. If only she hadn’t asked him to help her marry someone else…
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Sebastian is in love with brilliant, beautiful Grace, but their bargain is complete, and she desires another. Yet when he’s faced with losing her forever, Sebastian will do whatever it takes to tell her the truth, even if it means risking his own future—and his heart.

There’s only one thing a self-sufficient and book smart lady of the ton can do when she simply must marry a fellow naturalist but he only sees her as a colleague. She sets out to make him notice her by way of a fake romance. Nobody is better suited for a fake romance than your best guy friend, right?

This was one of those books that, when finished, was honestly satisfying. The character development was there. I truly liked both Grace and Sebastian as well as the side characters introduced throughout the story. Especially the Duke of Rotherby. He’s an interesting player in this game Grace and Sebastian play out before all of London society. I was tickled to note that his story will come out next year and I’ll be sure to watch for it. Some lovely miss is going to tie him in knots and it will fun to watch.

Also, I realized I need to go back and look at some of Ms. Leigh’s prior books to see if some of the other happily married couples I met had their happily ever afters already told. That’s how I often find some of my new future favorite story tellers. By reading their series completely out of order.

I particularly liked this story because, while the premise wasn’t new (I’ve ready plenty of the ‘fake romance to win the hero’ tropes in historical romance) the personalities and family dynamics of these characters stood out to me. Grace is allowed to venture into what most people of the time period would have considered “a man’s world”. She’s smart and interested in learning all she can in the field of zoology. Sebastian is also a man of science but he’s more in the habit of studying people and cultures. I think the author made that distinction an important part of this book. Sebastian sees Grace in way others don’t. It was a sweet courtship to watch even when they didn’t realize it was a courtship.

There’s some pretty funny scenes involving some scandalous dirty words and dancing in the rain. Historical romance lovers will enjoy the dialogue as well the story itself. Well developed and an unexpected yet delightful ending.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

My Favorite Things by Lynsay Sands

December 5, 2019 By Leave a Comment


My Favorite Things by Lynsay Sands
A Christmas Collection
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Holiday, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full length (353 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

All I Want

With Lady Prudence’s father gambling away the family’s savings, all she wants for Christmas is to haul him away from London’s most notorious gaming hell. Yet the wickedly handsome proprietor, Lord Stockton, refuses to let a lady enter his establishment. Now Pru needs a Christmas miracle to make her wish come true—and to resist succumbing to Stockton’s charms.

Three French Hens

Brinna’s life as a scullery maid changes with the arrival of the castle’s newest guest, Lady Joan. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, Joan suggests that look-alike Brinna take her place at the Christmas festivities. Suddenly, Brinna finds herself being wooed by a true gentleman, and getting the best Christmas present of all: a new life.

The Fairy Godmother

Odel is told by her godmother that she must marry by Christmas, and even gives her fairy dust to separate the mice from the men. But Odel has sworn off love…until kind and generous Michel catches her eye. He shows Odel how good it can feel to fall in love, but will it be enough to convince Odel to trust her heart?

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All I Want

Prudence and Stephen are such a fun couple to watch! Their tale is the perfect start to this collection. Prudence has so many outlandish schemes and plots to try and stop her father from gambling, and they all go hilariously wrong. While Prudence has good intentions, chaos always seems to follow her. I never knew what she was going to try next. Prudence certainly keeps Stephen on his toes, and I found myself laughing throughout their story.

Despite how much fun it is to watch Prudence and Stephen, her family’s situation is very serious. Ms. Sands perfectly balanced Prudence’s amusing antics with the precarious financial situation of Prudence’s family. My heart broke for her when she finally gave up hope just as she and Stephen realized they were falling in love. I will say the solution to Prudence’s problem was a bit predictable, but was very sweet.

Three French Hens

Brinna and Royce’s story was unusual. When Lady Joan and her best friend Sabrina practically force Brinna to impersonate her, I had serious doubts about Brinna’s ability to learn to successfully impersonate a noble woman. This implausible plot was made a bit more believable by the fact that barely anyone at the party truly knew Lady Joan. Sabrina is especially irritating in her efforts to keep people as far away from Brinna as possible while she is acting as Lady Joan.

Royce is very persistent and makes every effort to get to know Brinna, thinking she is Joan. Brinna and Royce have great chemistry, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love. I really had no idea how the story would end, and I must say that the conclusion was interesting if a bit abrupt. Brinna’s happy ending is well deserved.

The Fairy Godmother

Odel and Michel’s story is my favorite in this anthology. I felt so sorry for Odel. While her father was living, her life had no joy. His passing allowed her to breath and live life on her own terms. Unfortunately, her fairy godmother, Matilda, seems to have other ideas. Matilda seems to think Odel needs a husband. Despite Odel’s protests, Matilda presents Odel with a multitude of suitors, and all of them are completely ridiculous.

Michel is a breath of fresh air. Of all the couples in this anthology, Odel and Michel’s relationship felt the most natural. While they found each other attractive, they didn’t fall in love at first sight. Instead, they grew on each other. I loved watching them spend time together talking and playing chess. With Michel’s help, Odel gradually came out of her shell. Their happy ending is extremely satisfying.

I highly recommend My Favorite Things to fans of historical romance. It is a heartwarming collection of stories sure to get readers in the Christmas spirit!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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