June 2016 Netgalley Reviews

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne
4 star rating
It was not easy getting through Liam's prologue or the opening scene with Mena, but through their anguishing start I was immediately pulled into the story of the Demon Highlander and Philomela Lockhart.  I won't lie, it was a very dark story but the author masterfully showed how these two characters brought healing to each other. I loved how safe Mena felt with the temperamental hero and absolutely enjoyed seeing Liam fall so fast. There was one moment when he showed some doubt towards her which bothered me but he more than made up for it a bit later. The brutality that both characters faced in life led to the most justified ending. Gripping, dark and yet a beautiful romance!

Once Upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane 10.5) by Elizabeth Hoyt
5 star rating (novella category)
The perfect novella. Hippolyta Royle has just escaped from the Duke of Montgomery's forced attempt to compromise her into becoming his wife. Disheveled she comes across the carriage of Matthew Mortimer who reluctantly whisks her inside and a delightful romance filled with humor and sensuality begins. I love these two together. Hippolyta trying to convince Matthew that she is an heiress and he hiding the fact he is the Earl of Paxton. Though brief, I thoroughly enjoyed the delightful trip back the Maiden Lane series.

Angel in Scarlet by Lavinia Kent
1 star rating
I just never could get into this book. It was so choppy, feelings were never explained, the dilemma element was never flushed out. It was simply frustrating! Was Angela ever looking to get even with Colton and did he feel anything for her before calling things off? If so, neither character was believable. I was disappointed since the first 3 books in the series were better developed.

May 2016 Netgalley Reviews

Seduced (Wicked Woodley's #4) by Jess Michaels

From the moment he was introduced as Warrick's older brother in the previous book, Ruined, I have been looking forward to the story of Captain Jack. Taking on a life of crime to care for his brother, he became king of the underworld who happened to have a huge heart. From the moment he was confronted by Letty (who thought he was enticing her brother Griffin to follow his notorious lifestyle) he was the one seduced. Soon Letitia saw the true heart of Jack and quickly confided her own struggles in life that led to low self esteem and self doubt. If not for their stations in life they were the same side to a coin - fighters and defenders of those they loved even it it caused them a lifetime of pain. In finding each other the pain was able to heal and their loved restored hurts of the past.

Enjoyable characters,steamy romance, great story-line time and time again from Jess Michaels.

The Wedding Affair by Heather Boyd
I was into this story enough to want to reach through the pages and shake Felix and tell him to move onward and upward from Sally. She must have been a catch 6 years prior but time turned her into someone who held on to a grudge no matter what. I don't understand why Felix spent so much time groveling when I never felt it was really explained how he hurt her in the first place. Even once the misunderstanding of his ambition was explained (not very well explained at that) Sally chose to still be bitter for no other reason than why stop being bitter when that's all she knows how to be towards the hero? I liked Felix' s character but I wish he was paired with someone else or the heroine was written less spoiled.

April 2016 Netgalley Reviews

Lana and the Laird by Sabrina York
4 Star Review
I have been anticipating the story of the Duke of Caithness since book one of this trilogy. The story of the three sisters take place at parallel times so the reader gets bits and pieces of Lana and Lachlan's love story before this novel even begins. I didn't know how the author would retell it in s way to hold my interest but with a great mystery and the paranormal aspect (which I typically don't enjoy) this held my interest the whole way through. I love how Lachlan transforms from a lace wearing Duke to Highland warrior to gain favor in Lana's eyes. When she asked him what he slept in had me rolling with laughter. The epilogue was a nice cap to the series as well.

A Pledge of Passion by Victoria Vane
2 Star Review
I enjoyed the first book in the series but this second installment didn't capture as much of my attention. As a stand-alone it would have been confusing as it relied heavily on the character descriptions from the previous novella.  The conflict resolution was too swift and I never fully believed or understood the conflict to begin with.

The Untamed Earl by Valerie Bowman

3 Star Review

The opening scene of a young Alexandra looking out her bedroom to see the future man of her dreams coming to the rescue of her brother and friend was very heartwarming. Three years later her crush on Owen is just as strong and she is determined to get her man. I loved that she was not a pushover and didn't back down from her youthful goal. Owen saw this in her from the get go was taken with her.  

A drawback for me was that I never got the discord between Owen and his father. It was resolved rather easily for such a buildup.  The villainous sister was also a bit over the top for me, especially the hissy fit she threw over not getting her way.

You Can't Always Get the Marquees You Want by Alexandra Hawkins

4 Star Review

I think I will enjoy this series after having some misgivings from the first in the series that set up the feud between these two families. Chance and Tempest were drawn to each other before knowing their families were bitter enemies.  Neither knew the circumstances of the rift and despite their better judgement kept meeting in secret until they fell in love.  Circumstances led to the details coming out and my only disappointment was the villain seeming to get off easy again. The other characters that were introduced were very charming and I am looking forward to their stories. I would like to have had an epilogue or at least hope that at some point Lord Norgrave will get his due. 

March Netgalley Reviews

The Wayward One Danelle Harmon

5 Star Review
I had waited a long time for the final book in the De Montefortes series and often when this happens it winds up being an utter let down but not this time. I love these siblings and was so happy Lucien played a major role. The biggest opponent he faced was his youngest sister, Nerissa. She proved herself worthy of the Dr Montfortes name and couldn't have been in better hands than with her captor/captain/champion, Ruaidri.
The story spanned from London to Boston and was a beautifully written adventure. I really never had the feeling that Nerissa was spoiled, I could tell her strong spirit from the get go. No one could match her as well as Ruaidri. She needed someone as, if not, more stubborn than her.
I was disappointed that there was not an epilogue but not enough to take away from a 5 star review. I will put in a plug for a complete reunion epilogue though!

To Lure a Proper Lady Ashlyn Macnamara

4 1/2 Star Review
Well done Ashlyn Macnamara, you are consistent in the quality of your writing which makes for an easy auto buy! As always the characters are well developed. Their background, hang-ups and reasoning behind their actions are made clear yet concise.
Dysart was a hero through and through and Lizzy was a good fit for him although the only reason this book is rated as a 4 instead of 5 is that she even considered anyone other than him for a moment.

Three Weeks to Wed Ella Quinn

1 1/2 Star Review

I will preface this review by saying I hate the instant love/hurry to bed by the first chapter type of romances. This seems to be an easy way out of building a story. I never develop the need to know more about the characters when this is the plot line and it was exactly what happened in this case. Matt and Grace did nothing for me and didn't buy the angst of the story being the worry over her retaining guardianship of her siblings. It was a hurried start of a story and I was in as much of a rush to have it over with.

A Reckless Desire Isabella Bradford

4 Star Review

While this wasn't my favorite book of the series, Isabella Bradford still did an amazing job with the story of Rivers and Lucia. I was up all night reading because I can't resist a "My Fair Lady" story. It differed in that Lucia did not need much help and Rivers quickly realized what a gem he had. I loved when characters are flawed and River's botching up so many conversations with Lucia was one of them. Faster than in most books of this genre, the main characters confessed their love for each other. This made most of the story heart-wrenching but oh so lovely (hence staying up all night). The only draw back in this is I wish the epilogue (which was satisfying) was still a bit longer to counter all that time they didn't think their relationship could continue on a permanent level. Lovely!

A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud
1 Star Review
There are too many holes in this story to be able to enjoy it. The pacing is all over the place, the characters change their feelings back and forth in a dime with no explanation of why. Because of all of these flaws I never felt any connection between Bea and Michael. This was a struggle to get through.

February Netgalley Reviews

Amelia Grey Wedding Night with the Earl (#3)

3 1/2 star Review

By not delving into some details of Adam and Katharine's past this lost out on the potential to be a 5 star rating. I was so looking forward to Adam's story and in many aspects it didn't disappoint. He was a kind, loving man with that little bit of swagger that all hero's need but his back story that had been mentioned in the 2 previous books was simply glossed over. There was clearly sadness and pain when Adam lost his wife and child in labor but I was just told that by the author, I never felt it. On top of that the drama of his past was resolved simply with a 5 minute conversation with a midwife. I missed out on the who, what, when, where and how. I would have been fine with that if the same exact thing didn't happen with Katharine's past as well. These two were meant to be together to help one another overcome the tragic losses they faced in life but the tragedy but their past suffering never came to fruition so a big chuck of the story fell flat.

All that being said, I love this author and would read this book again and any subsequent books of hers, but my expectations of Adam's story must have too high to attain.

Jennifer Haymore Highland Awakening
4 star Review

I have found this to be a bit difficult to review. To start, I love Jennifer Haymore, she is an auto buy author for me. I also thought the heat level in this was smoking hot (in a good way). There were a few things though that had me really wavering on whether I grade on a curve or base it on the flaws I couldn't overlook.
I'm still deciding and by the end I hope to have my rating. 
I loved the hero Cam but one of the first scenes is of him sneaking into Esme's room while she was sleeping which had me viewing him more in a creepiness light. It wasn't even an alpha male characteristic it was too 'stalkerish' for that. My guess is that it was added to show his fear of being like his father but that never materialized for me. From the first time they met I got the impression he was going to do anything to marry her and then there was one point where he wrestled with not being able to have forever with her due to his upbringing. Then in a flash he was back to orchestrating ways to have her as a wife. I never was sold on what was supposedly his major dilemma. Oh, but then there was the heat between these two (the heat, my god the heat) which I hate to admit more than made up for some negative elements. The last book in the series was titled Highland Heat but that was more appropriate for this one! I'll end on that note...4 stars.


Jane Goodger How to Please a Lady
3 Star Review

My favorite book from this author is the Mad Earl's Daughter.  I think part of my review is based on comparing this romance to that one.  The only thing I can pinpoint for my dissatisfaction was that the heroine Rose came off as extremely snobbish all the way to the end of the book.  I loved the set up and how the reader was introduced to the characters as they met again 5 years after escaping to America together.  We were then taken back to the set up of what led them on their journey.  This was a darker novel but so well written and full of depth.  I just feel that there had to be a way to justify how Rose came off as looking down on Charles (Charlie) Avery.  Blame it on her youth, the horrible things she had gone through in life, something.  Not only did I not get a reason for it, I never felt she ever saw Charlie as her equal.  It seemed he was always in the servant role to her, expected to satisfy her in every way.  There should have been more time (or any time) spent on her acknowledging how much Charlie accomplished but instead she continued to focus on herself (her horse Moonshine and being excited over her favorite flowers on all his designs).  This could have been so much better with just a few tweaks on Rose.

Amy Sandas Luck is No Lady
4 Star Review

Absolutely lovely!  Amy Sandas had won me over with her debut series and although this book was a departure in terms of the heat level, she more than made up for it in the romance between Emma, passionate bookkeeper by day, loyal family spinster by night and Roderick, the first gambling proprietor I have read about who was without the rakish characterization. There were so many subtle nuances of passion woven throughout the story (the simply tied cravat and the wager over the hands) that made this novel thoroughly enjoyable.
While I was eager to know the about the other characters future story lines, it did not detract from the hero and heroine (which happens often in the first book of a series). Yes, there were times where you had to suspend belief with situations that took place in this particular time period but isn't that what a romance novel is all about? Simply delightful.

January 2016 Netgalley Reviews

Kimberly Bell (Debut Author) A Convenient Engagement

3.5 star review

I am rating this a bit higher to take into account this is a debut author.  Let me begin by saying I will be reading whose ever story comes out next in a amazing array of side characters (Jane? Fiona? Ewan? Charles? Couseclay? Or dare I hope a combination of these?).  I actually enjoyed this story with only a few set backs here and there.  Where I would complain is in the disparaging feelings I ended up having for Gavan and Hannah.  In the beginning, Hannah was a strong and forthright woman and I loved this aspect of her character.  They way the two leads met was wonderfully clever.  The problem I had is as the story went on Gavan had so much growth and changed because of his love for Hannah whereas she just turned more and more selfish with not only taking Gavan's feelings into consideration,  but those she came to see as friends as well (Jane, Fiona and so on).  I needed to see more of a change in her before the last few pages in the book (and there was not an epilogue).  There was just too much time given to the negative qualities in the heroine without really delving in to what would make her behave as she did.  With all that being said this author showed extreme promise and I will no doubt be reading subsequent books in this series!

Jennifer Haymore An Affair in Autumn

3.5 star review (for a novella)

A review for all of the 'A Year Without a Duke' series will follow shortly but so far Jennifer Haymore's contribution to the series is the best by far.  I only am sad that another House of Trent story has been shortened to a novella.

Bianca Blythe How to Capture a Duke

3.5 star review

I do wish 1/2 stars were possible as this book did deserve higher than a 3. My overall description would be that this book was a charming read. I enjoyed how Percival and Fiona got to know each other while he thought she was a highwaywoman. The whole "I've been captured" announcements made whenever Percival got a chance being answered with "by Cupid's Bow no doubt" from passing crowds was hilarious! I had trouble with, after having strong feelings for one another, how quickly they thought the worst of each other with little evidence to go on. Even when they realized they were wrong in their judgements they still didn't seek each another out. While the separation set up the ending scenes it made me question their level of love and commitment. Yes, there were some flaws along the way but overall it was a good read by a new author.

Rachel Brimble Her One True Love

1 star review

If these two leads did anything other than lock eyes, gaze into each others eyes and/or refuse to look away from one another and actually have a conversation, this story may have worked (key word 'may'). By chapter two I was thinking no one would be comfortable being in a room with them with this stare down game.  I was too annoyed to be interested in the story which repeated the same sentiment over and over again...  

Jane... "I must get away from Matthew", "I can't be with your Matthew", "Leave Matthew", "Stay Matthew", "No, I changed my mind again Matthew".

I was hoping Matthew might grow a brain and work it out with his estranged wife!  I still have no answers to when, why or how or even if they fell in love.  They may have said it but I didn't get them from what I read (of course it must have been in the way they looked at each other).  This story made be beyond frustrated (insert eye roll here).

Valerie Bowman TheUnforgettable Hero (novella) 

4 star review (for a novella)

This was a very sweet story. Normally novellas have no backstory or development but this one provided just enough to make the story not feel forced or rushed.  Surprisingly what it showed more than anything was the love that Derek (The Duke from The Unexpected Duchess) had for his brother Adam/Peter. I also enjoyed the brief appearances of characters from other past books in the series.

Cecelia/Lady Magnolia was not was developed but part of that was due to the amnesia plot line. I really did enjoy her little sister Mary however and through her we get a better idea of who CeCe was.

Overall this was a very cute and refreshing novella.

Adrienne  Basso The Highlander Who Loved Me

2 Star review

This book seemed to be written in haste.  There were so many directions the plot could go and none were followed through with. There was no connection between the main characters other than them saying "I love you". Davina could have just flipped a coin between the two brothers and for a while I thought might actually happen. I hope Malcolm' s story gets more care.

Nicole Jordan TheArt of Taming a Rake

4 Star review

Book 4 in the Legendary Lovers series is more reminiscent of Nicole Jordan's earlier works such as the Notorious series (which was on of my favorites). It has the same instant connection between Quinn Traherne and Venetia Stratham. I liked that the misunderstanding of Quinn's character in the beginning of the story was quickly figured out by Venetia.  I don't like when an entire book is full of a misunderstanding that can be easily rectified. While I get the "we have to marry to protect your reputation" motif, this one seemed more forced and harder to believe than others I have read. Regardless of that, they were a couple who were perfect for each other and I enjoyed seeing them learn more about themselves after their hasty marriage and be each other's fiercest protector. I am now looking forward to the next book in this series!

Top 5 Historical Romance Authors

I have been reading my historical romance novels for a few years now so there are many I could review.  Before I start of my odd and end recommendations (both yea and nay ) I thought I would list my Top 5 of the authors you just can't go wrong with....

1. Does anyone have any author in the number one spot other than Lisa Kleypas?  I have loved each and every series and am so glad she has returned to writing historical romance!
2. Julia Quinn is my next favorite.  She still has not outdone her Bridgertons series but I would never skip anything she released.
3. Tessa Dare is in contention for moving up to number one.  Once she gets a few more series under her wings you may see a number one spot in the near future.
4. It will be an interesting contest for Tessa Dare to see if Sarah MacLean beats her take over that number one position.  They are both talented writers and are an auto buy for me.
5. I was so happy to see this author release another historical romance series as she is overlooked on so many reviewer sites.  Tracy Anne Warren is amazing and I hope she receives the recognition she so rightly deserves.