Ready, Set, Rogue (Studies in Scandal #1) by Manda Collins
2 1/2 star rating
Often the first book in a new series either completely draws the reader in or sets up the upcoming books in the series; for me it was the latter. I was hooked during the opening scene at the inn between Ivy and Quill. I hoping it stayed on the path of barbs and banter but that ended as soon as the murder mystery began. Their romance got lost in the shuffle of finding the killer. At that point more time was given to Daphne and Maitland' s budding romance, which although I am excited about, but it took away from Ivy and Quill.
Campbell's Redemption (Highland Pride #3) by Sharon Cullen
3 star rating
I have been anticipating Iain Campbell's story since book one in the series. His secretive persona that neither the Scottish or English could trust was intriguing and came to a head in this story. While I liked the type of woman he was matched with in Cait Campbell I still don't think she came close to matching his enigma. She wasn't the fierce warrior Maggie was in the previous book nor as soft as Eleanor in the first book in the series. I guess I was hoping the heroine would top them both in order to match Iain but she was just not as compelling of a character so it just fell short for me. I enjoyed the series but probably built this book up too much. The other two couples did make an appearance which was lovely but an epilogue would have been an added bonus.
Adored in Autumn (Seasons #4) by Jess Michaels
4 star rating
A similar enjoyment that I receive from each series by Michaels' is how she weaves the characters together from book to book. All the past romances come together to rescue one of their own. In a cliffhanger from the last story we find Felicity Barbridge coming to the realization that her past may come back to hurt her and her siblings. Years of an abusive marriage come to a head when she must kill or be killed. She is able to hide her act of survival until a blackmailer's book of secrets is stolen and will soon be uncovered. Coming to the rescue after his services were requested to track down the culprit, is former servant to the family, Asher Seyton.Along the way to rediscovered love between Asher and Felicity is the wrap up of all the loose ends from the former books. While I appreciated the focus on forgiveness and putting the blame where it should lie, some characters got off a little to easy, especially Felicity' s mother. The acceptance of what lives the Asher and Felicity were pushed into was a little too utopian in feel.
I enjoyed this but none were quite as good as An Affair in Winter (Seasons #1).
