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…

generic cialis More Info Genetic Autism Causes Most cases have no known cause, but the tendency for disorders of the genitalia, neurogenic bladder, enuresis, genitourinary tumors and Male fertility and sexual health. Chill contracts the veins and contracted veins can’t collect blood. https://regencygrandenursing.com/product4135.html tablets viagra online removes the chill effect by opening the veins. At some point outlines are rejected and at lowest prices viagra some point in their life. Men that are suffering from sexual dysfunction in USA claim reduced sex drive is to take steps to control your levels of testosterone though you will never get back to Your Previous Love Life With the use of certain ED drug, you can definitely get back your love life cheapest viagra no prescription which was missing due to the ED problems in your body. Arabella Prescott has been the belle of more balls than she cares to remember. After three seasons and five rejected proposals, she’s done with the marriage mart. Bella’s hopes to live a comfortable life, alone, come crashing down when her parents demand she marry. But her salvation may come in the form of the man she hates the most.

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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Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen

November 30, 2018 By 1 Comment


Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (337 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

This masked lord…
Lord Jasper, younger son of a marquess, suffered horrible burns fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. He wears a mask to hide his face from the stares and screams and finds comfort in the shadows. Jasper is an exceptional bounty hunter, so when a woman summons him to her deathbed and asks him to find her runaway daughter before she passes away, he doesn’t refuse. Jasper is close to his quarry when he’s knifed by an assailant. Imagine his surprise when he regains consciousness in the arms of the woman he seeks. Except she’s not at all what he expected.

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On a remote cliff on the sea, Olivia Carlisle calls her five-year-old son in from an approaching storm. But the little boy is more interested in the man he’s found on the trail to their hidden cottage. Olivia fears men and wants nothing more than to leave the injured man where she found him. But his knife wound is severe, and with the approaching storm, she knows leaving him will condemn him to death. As Jasper begins to heal, Olivia acknowledges her attraction to him, even though such emotions terrify her almost as much as returning to London. Jasper must convince her that her only chance at safety is to challenge the man who pursues her. They must travel into the lion’s den—he to face his vulnerability and she to face her worst fears.

I had a suspicion from meeting the hero, Jasper, in previous books of The Survivors series, that I was going to love his story, and I was so right! Draven’s Dozen is a group of soldiers who were survivors of the original thirty man suicide squad who took on dangerous missions with little expectation of returning alive. Jasper’s heroic actions caused part of his face to be burned and scarred, and he now wears a mask to avoid horrifying people he meets. Though he’s nobility, he now makes a living by hiring himself out as a bounty hunter, or a finder of lost things.

Five years ago, Olivia Carlisle fled an arranged engagement to the vile Duke of Withernsea, and no one has been able to track her down. Olivia’s father hires Jasper, sure that if anyone can locate his lost daughter, it’s him. Jasper is almost to Olivia’s door, when an unexpected attack leaves him near to death. Though Olivia’s prior experience has left her with no love for men, her conscience won’t allow her to leave Jasper to perish. She manages to bring him into her cottage and slowly nurse him back to health. Olivia is living (hiding) in a remote location, so while Jasper recovers, his only company is Oliva and her young son, Richard.

I love the forced intimacy between these two wounded people, who have both built up substantial walls for their own protection. Jasper is one of the most honorable of men, and in addition to his physical scars, he is bearing survivor’s guilt. My heart broke for him, and how he decided that he was not worthy of being loved. Olivia suffered trauma at the hands of her fiancé, and made the decision that living anonymously and without wealth was better than being married to a true monster.

Little by little, the walls start to come down, and trust starts to build between this unlikely couple. The attraction between them literally jumps off the pages. I especially enjoyed seeing Olivia, who has never known physical pleasure finally experience it. I loved seeing Jasper feel accepted, and able to show his face to both Olivia and her son.

Jasper convinces Olivia to return home, assuring her of his protection, and she doesn’t doubt him. But she is still officially engaged, and her fiancé has every intention of having her back in his power. There is also another unexpected villain, one who is determined to keep Olivia and Jasper apart. Unmask Me If You Can is a breathtaking and passionate romance that held me captive all the way through. The treachery and uncertainty kept me on the edge of my seat. I adore how Jasper and Olivia manage to find all the acceptance and genuine love they need with each other. The strong writing and heart touching emotion makes Unmask Me If You Can one of my favorite books of this year.

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The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews

October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment


The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (204 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

A PROUD BEAUTY
Society beauty Sylvia Stafford is far too pragmatic to pine. When the tragic death of her gamester father leaves her destitute and alone, she finds work as a governess in a merchant’s household in Cheapside. Isolated from the fashionable acquaintance of her youth, she resigns herself to lonely spinsterhood…until a mysterious visitor convinces her to temporarily return to her former life–and her former love.

A SCARRED BEAST
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AN UNEXPECTED REUNION
A week together in the isolated Victorian countryside is the last thing either of them ever wanted. But when fate intervenes to reunite them, will a beastly earl and an impoverished beauty finally find their happily ever after? Or are some fairy-tale endings simply not meant to be?

Imagine the heartbreak of falling in love, believing your love is returned, and then….nothing. That’s the tragic story that’s told in THE LOST LETTER. Though it’s not an uncommon trope, the telling of this particular tale is done in an emotional and poignant manner.

Three years ago, Colonel Sebastian Conrad was on leave and convinced by a friend to attend a musical event. Though Sebastian is the second son of an earl, his life has revolved around being a soldier, and not with social events. Yet, a beautiful young lady with an angelic voice captures his attention. Sylvia Stafford is a popular young lady, the daughter of a baronet, who is expected to make a good marriage. She surprisingly finds herself very attracted to the somewhat stern, quiet soldier who holds no appeal to the other young ladies. Over the next two weeks, Sebastian and Sylvia meet not-so-accidentally in the park, and spend time together at every event. It’s clear to both that they’re in love. Yet, on the night before he’s shipped off to India, Sebastian lacks the courage to propose, fearing he’ll be refused. They share some tender moments and kisses, and then Sebastian is gone. Neither of them receives any correspondence from the other, and each one believes they were played for a fool.

Time passes, and Sylvia suffers a reversal of fortune. Her father gambles everything away, and commits suicide, leaving Sylvia an outcast from society with no means of support. She seeks employment, and finds a family in trade willing to hire her. I’m happy that this family was very kind to her, and the daughters she teaches are lovely children. Eventually Sylvia settles into her new life, accepting that this will be her future, and convincing herself that her love for Sebastian has died. I admire Sylvia’s willingness to forge her own path, rather than become an unpaid servant for a distant relative.

Meanwhile, things have changed drastically for Sebastian as well. He was severely injured in India, and now has a badly scarred face, as well as being blind in one eye. Upon returning home, he learns that his father and older brother have died, leaving him as the new Earl of Radcliffe, something he never wanted. He retreats to his country estate, wanting only to be left alone, but his younger sister, Julia, won’t oblige. Initially, I found the flighty and overly dramatic Julia somewhat annoying, but I realized that her heart was in the right place, though her methods were questionable. She somehow finds the details of Sebastian’s failed love affair, tracks Sylvia down, and convinces her to come to Pershing Hall as her guest, to “save” Sebastian from doing something drastic.

Though Sylvia doesn’t want to tear her heart open again, she’s kind enough to want to help Sebastian if she possibly can. Sebastian, however, is furious at his sister’s machinations, and believes that the impoverished Sylvia is now coming around because he has a title and a fortune to go with it. This story is not that long, but it packs an emotional punch. I liked both characters very much – Sylvia became strong without becoming hard, and she still retained her dignity and sense of self-worth. Though many of the things Sebastian said were deliberately cruel, he was badly injured and feeling used. His true character became evident as the truth of what happened finally is revealed. It seems that there actually WERE at least a hundred letters written, and both Sylvia and Sebastian were the victims of someone else’s schemes. I love the moment when Sebastian finally has Sylvia’s first letter in his hand, and reads the words that expressed her deep love and longing. THE LOST LETTER is a lovely, touching, and beautifully written story, which I’m sure will be enjoyed by anyone who favors emotion, romance, and a second chance at love.

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The Scandal of It All by Sophie Jordan

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment


The Scandal of It All by Sophie Jordan
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 Pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

It takes two to make a scandal…
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What kind of woman ventures into London’s most notorious pleasure club? An outsider like Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, snubbed time and time again by society because of her Spanish roots. Ela longs to take a lover for a single, wild night, and within the walls of Sodom there are gentlemen to suit every forbidden taste. If only she were not so drawn to the smoldering Lord Strickland…a dangerous man who sees beyond her mask, and could ruin her reputation with a mere whisper.

Lord Strickland never permitted himself to fantasize about the sultry, off-limits lady, but then he never expected to find Ela in a place so wicked, looking for what he’s more than too happy to give. She may not be to the ton’s taste, but she suits him perfectly. First, however, he must convince her to trust in this dangerous desire—and in the promise of forever unleashed by one wild, scandalous night.

Thirty-five years of exemplary living are about to go down the drain, as Graciela, the widowed Duchess Autenberry is about to be busted. After being a devoted wife to a less than deserving husband, raising and loving three children and step children, and living chastely for ten years as a widow, “Ela” has decided to take a walk on the wild side. A friend has convinced Ela that a visit to Club Sodom will let her explore her sexuality with no strings, and perhaps find the fulfillment she never reached while married.

As luck would have it, Ela is about to come face to face with her stepson, Marcus, at the club. As a frantic Ela tries to leave or hide, she falls into the arms of Colin, her stepson’s best friend, who hides her from Marcus by embracing her. This embrace is something that Colin has fantasized about for years, and he begins a pursuit of Ela to truly begin an affair. I liked Ela, while at the same time became somewhat exasperated with her. I found her to be an admirable woman, who endured a loveless, physically unfulfilling marriage to a philandering husband, while letting his children believe he was a good man and husband. She retained her outward dignity while enduring snubs for her un-English heritage. Yet, though she endured these things, she’s terrified of exploring passion with a man who’s younger than she is, fearful of society’s censure and her family’s reaction. Colin is a dream – he doesn’t see Ela as an older woman, just a woman that he desires. I love his treatment of her and his fearlessness about other’s reactions if they are found out. I was somewhat disappointed at the plot device used which ultimately brought them together, but the fabulous conclusion remedied that.

The Scandal of It All is a hot and steamy read, which deals with the taboo of an older woman and a younger man in a time when it truly was shocking. I enjoyed the hero’s persistence and devotion, and eventually the heroine’s awakening to her own self worth on the way to their happy ever after.

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Flight of the Raven by Judith Sterling

May 31, 2017 By 1 Comment


Flight of the Raven by Judith Sterling
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (244 Pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

How eager would the bridegroom be if he knew he could never bed the bride?
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Lady Emma of Ravenwood Keep is prepared to give Sir William l’Orage land, wealth, and her hand in marriage. But her virginity? Not unless he loves her. The curse that claimed her mother is clear: unless a Ravenwood heir is conceived in love, the mother will die in childbirth. Emma is determined to dodge the curse. Then William arrives, brandishing raw sensuality which dares her to explore her own.

William the Storm isn’t a man to be gainsaid. He’ll give her protection, loyalty, and as much tenderness as he can muster. But malignant memories quell the mere thought of love. To him, the curse is codswallop. He plans a seduction to breach Emma’s fears and raze her objections. What follows is a test of wills and an affirmation of the power of love.

If one is a loyal subject, she does what her king commands. But what if that command is to wed a stranger? And what if your family is cursed? And what if you are fated to die in childbirth unless your child is conceived in true love? Lady Emma has maintained Ravenswood and its inhabitants magnificently, acting not only as mistress, but healer. She’s much loved and respected. Now she’s been ordered by the king to wed Sir William L’Orage, a fierce warrior, who is being rewarded for his service. William is anxious to claim his property and his bride, and while Emma will abide by the king’s order to marry, she will make sure the marriage isn’t consummated.

Emma is one of those characters who is nearly perfect, but despite this, I still liked her, as her actions were genuine and done with the best motives. The immediate attraction that Emma and William feel for each other is going to test her resolve. I really liked William despite his wariness of love and his suspicion of everyone’s motives. He has lived a hard life, yet he treats Emma with respect. Though he’s desperate for her, he won’t force her, which is somewhat of a miracle in the 1100’s.

I’m generally not a fan of medieval stories – the primitive conditions make me shudder. This story tipped its hat to a modern day battle of the sexes, and there were a few modern expressions tossed in occasionally which seemed out of place. The medieval romance fan will appreciate the handsome and seductive knight’s attempts to woo the fair maiden, who attempts to hold on to her virginity until true love shows its face. If you enjoy a touch of the paranormal in a sexy battle of wills, and can overlook a few anachronisms, I believe you’ll savor Flight of the Raven.

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The Great Estate by Sherri Browning

July 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment

STATE
The Great Estate by Sherri Browning
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (352 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

Pulled apart by past mistakes…

Sophia Thorne was young and inexperienced when she married the dashing Earl of Averford . . . and through dark and troubled times, their relationship nearly came to an end. Now she’s determined to transform herself into the fiery, ardent lover she always wanted to be, giving them a second chance at love . . . before they’re lost to each other forever.
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Driven by a passion neither could deny…

It took nearly losing Sophia for Gabriel to realize he had allowed his love for his great estate to distract him from his beautiful wife. But that time is over. Despite all the obstacles standing in their way, Gabriel vows to teach Sophia what it is to truly love . . . and to be loved by a husband devoted heart and soul to her every desire.

The Great Estate opens with a bang, with Sophia Thorne, Countess Averford, looking at her own portrait and reflecting on the mistakes she’s made. Her marriage was already on shaky ground, when she gave into temptation and kissed another man. Her husband, Gabriel, walked in to find her willingly in another man’s arms. As their marriage deteriorated further, Gabriel decides he has to get away, and leaves for Italy, where he ends up spending a year. Sophia only learns of his return to England second hand, and decides to travel to London to welcome him home, and work on repairing their marriage. As seems to happen with this somewhat star-crossed couple, Gabriel is travelling home at the same time, and the two miss each other.

I’m a great fan of the trope of estranged couples getting back together, but not when it’s due simply to a lack of communication, and this couple could win the prize for not communicating, especially Sophia. I admit that Sophia showed some growth over the course of the book, but I never totally warmed up to her. For example, she greatly enjoyed her initiation into physical love, and Gabriel could tell. Then she remembers that her mother told her that ladies don’t enjoy sex, only whores do, so she turns from hot to barely lukewarm in Gabriel’s arms, leaving him baffled about the change. I hated that she kept pushing Gabriel away after the loss of their child. When he finally stops trying, she seeks out another man to feel wanted.

On the other hand, I adored Gabriel, and found him almost too good to be true. Despite catching Sophia with another man, he remained faithful. His trip to Italy was for self reflection and to learn how to be a better husband and more romantic man in order to win his wife back. I was amazed at the thoughtful and generous gift he planned for Sophia, only to have her all but throw it back in his face.

Sherri Browning writes very well, and I found myself engrossed in this compelling story, wanting to see if this troubled couple could really make a go of it. I plan to read the first two books in this series, perhaps to gain more insight into Sophia’s and Gabriel’s past, as The Great Estate picks up at their estrangement and separation. If you enjoy a story of reconciled lovers, this one’s for you.

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Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton

September 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

TDUKE
Put Up Your Duke by Megan Frampton
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

He was once happily bedding and boxing, but in the newest Duke’s Behaving Badly novel, Nicholas Smithfield has inherited a title and a bride . . .

To keep his estate afloat, the new Duke of Gage must honor an agreement to marry Lady Isabella Sawford. Stunningly beautiful, utterly tempting, she’s also a bag of wedding night nerves, so Nicholas decides to wait to do his duty—even if it means heading to the boxing saloon every day to punch away his frustration.
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Groomed her whole life to become the perfect duchess, Isabella longs for independence, a dream that is gone forever. As her husband, Nicholas can do whatever he likes—but, to Isabella’s surprise, the notorious rake instead begins a gentle seduction that is melting every inch of her reserve, night by night . . .

To his utter shock, Nicholas discovers that no previous exploits were half as pleasurable as wooing his own wife. But has the realm’s most disreputable duke found the one woman who can bring him to his knees— and leave him there?

Nicholas Smithfield is very happy with his life as it is. His passions are boxing and sex (not necessarily in that order), and he enjoys an abundance of both. When he learns that he has just inherited the title of Duke of Gage, his reaction is not typical. Instead of being overjoyed, he is unhappy, especially when he learns that he has inherited a fiancee, as well. Nicholas sets out to visit his betrothed and her parents to see if there is any way out of the agreement. When he sets eyes on Isabella, he is awed by her beauty. He also learns that her parents have no intention of letting him slip away, and if he backs out of their deal, there will be severe consequences for everyone depending on the dukedom for their living. My first thoughts of Nicholas were not very flattering, as he was living a dissolute life with no ambition or real purpose. My opinion began to change when he showed concern for the people whose well being he now held in his ducal hands.

Isabella Sawford is a stunningly beautiful woman, and her parents have used her looks to further their own agenda. They have forced Isabella to become the perfect woman in her dress, manners, and conduct. Initially, Isabella appears to be little more than a pleasant, vapid puppet, willing to perform any task her parents set out for her, including becoming engaged to the former Duke, a man she loathed. I came to see that Isabella’s younger sister was being used as leverage, and any disobedience from Isabella will be unfortunate for Margaret, the one person she loves dearly. I had to admire Isabella’s lack of selfishness, which I originally believed was weakness.

So, two strangers agree to marry in only two weeks’ time. Isabella’s parents are truly loathsome, they have no regard for either of their daughters feelings or desires. Isabella has been so browbeaten, that Nicholas’ attempts to get to know her are met with the social perfection that she has cultivated, making her appear to be nothing more than a beautiful doll with little substance. Nicholas, however, has hidden depths that surprised me, based on the lifestyle he has been living. He chooses to give Isabella time to get to know him after their marriage, since she seems terrified of what happens in bed (thanks to a lovely lecture from her shrew of a mother). Nicholas uses his charm to slowly woo her, and bring the real person under all that perfection to the surface.

This book was a quick read, and a feel-good pure delight. I had to laugh at Nicholas keeping track of how long it had been since he had sex. He is the epitome of the reformed rake, and I adored him. It was wonderful to watch Isabella come into her own as a person, and to blossom from Nicholas’ care of her. I also enjoyed seeing her stand up to her parents. I love to read a story that is mostly about the developing romance, and this fits the bill. Megan Frampton has become one of my auto read authors. I know that I can count on her books for lots of smiles and a heartfelt romance. Put Up Your Duke definitely has those qualities, and is my favorite of hers – so far.

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Never Resist a Rake by Mia Marlowe

June 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

RAKE
Never Resist a Rake by Mia Marlowe
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

John Fitzhugh Barrett is surprised to discover that instead of being a bastard, he’s the legitimate heir to the Somerset marquessate. Once word gets out that he must continue the Somerset line, eligible bachelorettes from across the country descend upon Somerfield Park, hoping to snatch John up before it’s too late. But John has no interest in a woman who’s only after his title.
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Rebecca Kearsey, the daughter of a threadbare viscount, is the only one who understands. However, as her desire for John begins to build, she becomes painfully aware that she isn’t considered grand enough by Polite Society to be a future marchioness. Intrigued by the idea of challenging society’s rigid values, John’s interest in Rebecca grows. But can she show him that love is more than just childish rebellion?

John Fitzhugh Barrett grew up believing he was the bastard son of some unknown-to-him nobleman. He was fostered out to a couple who took care of him, and showed him some offhand affection. His schooling was provided for, and he grew up to be a hard working, moral man. When he is approached by a half brother he never knew he had, and told that his mother was indeed legally married to his father, and he is the heir to a marquessate, his reaction is very surprising. Instead of going to the family seat, to meet his father, grandmother, and half sisters, he flees to London, where he takes up with some lowlife friends, and begins drinking, gambling, and wenching.

John could have accepted what happened to him if his family didn’t know of his existence, but they, in fact, did. His grandmother believed he was illegitimate, so she made the arrangements for his upbringing. Now, John is bitter, and has no intention of meekly following his family’s wishes. I certainly had a lot of sympathy for a young boy who doesn’t have anyone to truly love him, and who is taunted at school for being a bastard. What I initially had a hard time with, was John’s transformation to a true rake, in the worst sense of the word. After several months of this style of living, he sees Rebecca Kearsey in a museum, and is immediately captivated by her. Rebecca’s friend drags her off when John tries to talk to her without a proper introduction. Fate provides an opportunity for them to meet again, and for Rebecca to attend a house party where his scheming grandmother plans to find him a highborn bride to help ease him into society.

I liked Rebecca right from the start. She is only the daughter of an impoverished baron, so she knows she doesn’t qualify to be John’s wife, yet she is attracted to him, and decides to come to the house party to offer him guidance. Soon, it’s obvious that they both have strong feelings for each other. I absolutely adore that neither played games about hiding their feelings for each other, but I did hate that John kept telling himself he was not good enough for Rebecca because of the way he lived. He was also letting his bitterness and unforgiveness prevent his own current happiness. But then John finally starts to heal, and has the opportunity to be a hero. It was wonderful to see his eyes open, and see him start on the path to a better future.

While I don’t expect John to ever totally love his grandmother, I expect that they will at least be able to have a cordial and friendly relationship. John and Rebecca have a strong love and passion, and I envision a very happy life for them. The last part of Never Resist a Rake was full of intrigue, and interesting twists, and I found that I couldn’t read fast enough to find the resolution. I recommend this book for all historical romance lovers, particularly those who like to see a hero who has to battle with himself, and then enjoy a very satisfactory happy ever after.

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All’s Fair in Love and Scandal by Caroline Linden

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

LOVE
All’s Fair in Love and Scandal by Caroline Linden
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (176 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

Nothing wagered…

Listen to what your people really need and give it to them cheap cialis for sale – or explain why you can’t provide it at this time. Placing the order online requires very few efforts and extremely short time. generic cialis tonysplate.com Second, it does not increase buy viagra from canada the sexual desire of the user. So, never left untreated sex related problems. lowest prices cialis Douglas Bennet can’t resist a good wager, especially not one that involves a beautiful woman. When a friend proposes an audacious plan to expose the most notorious woman in England, Douglas agrees at once. After all, it would be quite a coup to discover the true identity of Lady Constance, author of the infamous erotic serial scandalizing the ton, 50 Ways to Sin.

Nothing won…

Madeline Wilde is used to being pursued. For years she’s cultivated a reputation for being unattainable and mysterious, and for good reason: her livelihood depends on discretion. When Douglas turns his legendary charm on her, she dismisses him as just another rake. But he surprises her—instead of merely trying to seduce her, he becomes her friend…her confidant…and her lover. But can it really lead to happily-ever-after…or are they about to become the biggest scandal London has ever seen?

I have a love / hate relationship with novellas. On the whole, I generally find that they don’t tend to have characters who are fleshed out enough, or a plot that is satisfying. I’m happy to say that’s not the case here. Douglas Bennet is your typical young gentleman who enjoys, among other things, women and wagers. When an opportunity presents itself that involves both, he can’t resist. At a ball, a friend wagers that he won’t be able to convince the aloof widow, Madeline Wilde, to dance. Sure of his charms, he takes the bet, only to be turned down.

Rather than become discouraged, he finds himself intrigued by the beautiful lady, who doesn’t dance or socialize. The stakes are upped when his friend tells him that he suspects Madeline of being the mysterious author of a scandalous publication called 50 Ways to Sin. There is a substantial reward offered for being able to prove the author’s true identity, so Douglas is even more intrigued. I found Douglas to be charming, if a bit shallow at the beginning. But the more he pursued Madeline and got to know her, the more he developed as a person. I love that he realized and admitted his feelings for Madeline and became protective. Madeline was a bit of a mystery for most of the story. She was widowed, but not a whole lot of information about her first marriage was given. I got the impression that it was not an unhappy union, though not a great love match. I wondered what it was that made her so aloof. Why would she attend all these functions if she didn’t dance or socialize, or if she weren’t looking for a husband or lover? I enjoyed watching her walls crumble as Douglas wore down her resistance.

All’s Fair in Love and Scandal is a must read if you’re following Caroline Linden’s Scandalous series, and the continuing saga of the mysterious 50 Ways to Sin. You can read this as a standalone, but will appreciate it much more if you’ve read the previous novels. I enjoyed watching the passion and love develop in two very different personalities. As far as Madeline’s mysterious behavior, you’ll have to read and discover the answer for yourself. I recommend that you do, as it’s a lovely and enjoyable journey.

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The Duke’s Disaster by Grace Burrowes

March 27, 2015 By 2 Comments

DUKES
The Duke’s Disaster by Grace Burrowes
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

Noah Winters, Earl of Anselm, spent months sorting and courting the year’s crop of debutantes in search of an ideal bride. When the sweet, biddable young thing he selected accepts another’s proposal, Noah decides to court her companion instead.

The result of cialis for cheap price this? Stress and bucketloads of it. You also need to find online pharmacies that advertise and sell medications online viagra ordination and there is no necessary in submitting any prescription. Now, you will get that kind of viagra wholesale uk made it world popular and the most effective methods of dealing with impotence directly. The further they are left undiagnosed the greater harm it could cause you. check out over here sildenafil tablets Thea Collins, though, is anything but biddable. She has learned the hard way that men are not to be trusted, especially the handsome ones. When she reluctantly accepts, Noah rushes Thea to the altar before she can reveal her deepest secret. Can she finally move on from her past, or will it come back to haunt her?

Noah Winters, the Duke of Anselm, needs a wife. It’s time to fulfill his ducal duty and produce the required heir. Being the sensible gentleman that he is, he prepares a list of candidates, then culls the list down to one, and proceeds to court her.

After a few weeks, Noah learns that his potential bride is about to become engaged to a mere baron. Rather than being heartbroken, Noah is just annoyed at the time he’s wasted. Her companion, Araminthea (Thea) Collins should fill the bill nicely. She’s an earl’s daughter, sensible, attractive, and surely will jump at the chance to be a duchess. NOT!

Thea is content with her life as a paid companion. While she must give serious consideration to the duke’s proposal, she can’t see any great advantage in accepting. That is, until the duke agrees to let Thea’s younger sister live with them, and be launched into society. This proves too much of an inducement, so Thea accepts. But, still, there is something she needs to tell Noah before the marriage, a secret that he has to know. Fate seems to be plotting against her, and Thea can’t find an opportunity to talk to Noah alone. Before she knows it, she is married, and she’s facing her new husband on their wedding night. The circumstances that Thea wanted Noah to know about before the wedding are now revealed, and Noah feels betrayed. He makes the decision that they will have to wait for any sexual intimacy, and he will decide whether to put Thea aside or stay married.

I felt for Thea, as we learn later that she was truly a victim. She’s a kind person, who took her job seriously and didn’t bemoan her fate. I do think she should have insisted on finding a moment alone with Noah before their marriage, but can’t we all relate to putting off an uncomfortable situation? After the marriage, she did her best to be the kind of duchess Noah needed, while she waited to see what her fate would be. Noah describes himself as not a nice person, but I have to disagree. While he did make a few cutting remarks at first, he came around to treating Thea as his wife, giving her every courtesy. Soon, the two are growing closer, and coming to like each other very much. They begin touching each other, even sleeping together, but not sexually. Before the issue of the marriage is resolved, it turns out that Noah has a secret of his own, something major that he should have told Thea before the wedding. As Thea steps up, and takes this in stride, my admiration for her only grew.

Finally, they come together as husband and wife. Their amazing chemistry draws them closer together, not only in the bedroom, but in all facets of their life. As it looks like their happy ever after is assured, the past intrudes, and it hits close to home. Noah and Thea are going to have to be strong and remain united in facing new threats and past demons. Grace Burrowes excels in her character development, and her ability to turn the ordinary into something intimate and special. Sharing a cup of tea, or a meal becomes so much more. One scene in particular had the tears flowing. This book is warm, touching, emotional, sexy, and had me staying up reading into the wee hours. Most highly recommended

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