2 star review
To put it simply this series has thus far not had a strong enough plot to keep me engaged all the way through. The general tension is never developed in a way that make me believe there was a problem in the first place.
Dotty/Thea had Dom figured out right away. He just was raised in a bad environment but once he got a look at real life he quickly made the right decisions and changed his ways. All well and good but it doesn't make for a gripping read.
Hero: C+
Heroine: C
Romance: C+
Heat: C
Side Characters: B-
A Spring Deception (Seasons #2) by Jess Michaels
4 star review
I have to preface this review with the fact that I am a bit of a Jess Michaels fan so just she automatically starts with a 3 star review just from the excitement over the continuation of the stories of characters I grow attached to.
I was looking forward to reading Celia' s story and while I liked it, I had higher expectations.
I don't want to give away any spoilers but I will say I thought Celia deserved more closure on some issues. I thought she had it but it never came to fruition. I can only suppose it is meant for another story line. Celia was a favorite character of mine from the previous book, An Affair in Winter. I was hoping she would be matched with someone even stronger than Gray who would have to really fight to have her love and devotion. While I liked her strength she deserved more at times from Aiden/John.
I do hope that when parts of the story finish up in subsequent books in the series (at least I hope they finish up) that Celia makes a come back to be part of it.
Hero: B-
Heroine: A-
Romance: B (Celia deserved a bit more)
Heat: B
Highland Temptation (Highland Knights #3) by Jennifer Haymore
3 1/2 star review
While this wasn't my favorite in the series, the following line alone had me saying to a fictional character, "You go girl"!
"I love you and nothing will make me stop. Nothing. I will not let them beat us. I will slay your wretched demons, one by one if I must, but I will not let them tear you away from me, do you hear me"?
Both Colin and Emilia felt like failures yet when together their bravery came out in full force. There is nothing these two couldn't face as long as they were with each other.
The villain was horrible and it was almost too over the top but it did show why Emilia felt herself as fragile when really she was nothing of the kind.
Good book overall.
Hero: B
Heroine: B
Romance: B+
Heat: B
A Taste of Seduction (The Disgraced Lords #5) by Bronwen Evans
4 star review
I really have enjoyed this series and think that any low reviews might be the result of not reading the books in order. I wouldn't say this was a stand alone series at all. To understand the characters, their love for one another and their goal of capturing the villain you have to read from book one. I loved and enjoyed the imperfection in the characters; the flaws made them more real. There was a lot of this with the relationship between Evangeline and Hadley. They both failed each other but they loved each other more and because of that it was such a touching story.
Hero: A-
Heroine: A-
Romance: B
Heat: B
A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen
2 star review
I just never felt the instant connection between Noah and Elise and therefore the story fell flat for me. I didn't read the first book in the series so it could be I was missing some element. My other problem was so much focus was spent on the characters past yet nothing was wrapped up. I was given this great back story and it went no where.
Highland Deception by Lori Ann Bailey
5 star review
I am finding it hard to believe this is a book by a debut author. It was as woven together and solidly written as some of my favorite Highland romance authors. It had everything that made it impossible to put down; treachery, betrayal, suspense, romance and love.
Maggie was a strong female character fleeing from her home in order to escape a disastrous marriage set up by her father (who did not have any redeeming qualities himself). She runs into Lachlan, who is the complete opposite of man she has ever met. He had so many strong character traits that were likely due to the loving home he was brought up in. His most endearing quality was a heart for those who couldn't fight for themselves and his one major flaw was some major trust issues (he had been burned in the past). Maggie hid her identity from Lachlan for more than halfway through the book and while that is something that typically annoys me it worked with their storyline. I typically like a little more heat in a Highland romance but it was still wonderful and I hope the follow up story is just as riveting.
Hero: A
Heroine: A
Romance: A-
Heat: B
Side Characters: A
Debut: A+
I really have enjoyed this series and think that any low reviews might be the result of not reading the books in order. I wouldn't say this was a stand alone series at all. To understand the characters, their love for one another and their goal of capturing the villain you have to read from book one. I loved and enjoyed the imperfection in the characters; the flaws made them more real. There was a lot of this with the relationship between Evangeline and Hadley. They both failed each other but they loved each other more and because of that it was such a touching story.
Hero: A-
Heroine: A-
Romance: B
Heat: B
A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen
2 star review
I just never felt the instant connection between Noah and Elise and therefore the story fell flat for me. I didn't read the first book in the series so it could be I was missing some element. My other problem was so much focus was spent on the characters past yet nothing was wrapped up. I was given this great back story and it went no where.
Highland Deception by Lori Ann Bailey
5 star review
I am finding it hard to believe this is a book by a debut author. It was as woven together and solidly written as some of my favorite Highland romance authors. It had everything that made it impossible to put down; treachery, betrayal, suspense, romance and love.
Maggie was a strong female character fleeing from her home in order to escape a disastrous marriage set up by her father (who did not have any redeeming qualities himself). She runs into Lachlan, who is the complete opposite of man she has ever met. He had so many strong character traits that were likely due to the loving home he was brought up in. His most endearing quality was a heart for those who couldn't fight for themselves and his one major flaw was some major trust issues (he had been burned in the past). Maggie hid her identity from Lachlan for more than halfway through the book and while that is something that typically annoys me it worked with their storyline. I typically like a little more heat in a Highland romance but it was still wonderful and I hope the follow up story is just as riveting.
Hero: A
Heroine: A
Romance: A-
Heat: B
Side Characters: A
Debut: A+
