Review: The Songbird's Seduction by Connie Brockway

Effervescent bon vivant Lucy Eastlake is a young operetta singer whose star is on the rise in Edwardian London. Though struggling to maintain her beloved great-aunts’ household, she holds fast to the belief that “things will work out.” Now, with the fiftieth anniversary of a siege her great-aunt Lavinia lived through approaching, it looks like Lucy is right, because a fortune is due to be divided among the survivors. All Lucy and her great-aunts have to do is travel to a small Pyrenees town to claim Lavinia’s share of a fabulous treasure in rubies. What could be more simple?

Professor Ptolemy Archibald Grant is the brilliant, straitlaced grandson of a British lord who also withstood the siege. When his grandfather asks him as a matter of honor to escort his old love on the journey, the about-to-be married professor agrees, not expecting Lucy to be part of the bargain. Losing the great-aunts en route, the handsome, buttoned-down professor finds himself caught up in Lucy’s quirky, bewildering, and probably illegal efforts to reunite with them, as he is drawn further and further into an inexplicable infatuation with the free-spirited singer. What could be more complicated?

But when unwilling attraction gives way to sizzling passion, both will be forced to confront the ages-old question of whether love trumps honor…or the other way around.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Quirky, fun, and romantic in the Edwardian age! I love the unusual heroes and heroines of Connie Brockway's stories! She takes us on an adventure through Downton Abbey's England and France.

A rising operretta star, Lucy Eastlake is used to conforming to everyone's expectations. Passed around to numerous relatives since her parents death at age 7, she has tried to be what everyone needs. Her two great-aunts were the last stop for her and she loves them dearly. When the chance to change their future occurs through an inheritance of her aunt Lavinia, she insists on going on the adventure of a lifetime to retrieve it! Professor Ptomley Archibald Grant is a stick in the mud, anthropology genius and the grandson of Lavinia's old flame.

The chemistry from Lucy and "Archie" (as Lucy says what every reader is thinking... Ptomley, what kind of name is THAT for a hero !), is off the charts romantic. They tumble into love on the road to France in a gypsy troupe. Wonderful writing, Ms. Brockway!

This review is for an ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley.

Review: The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins

Synopsis

A handsome, rakish prince who doesn't believe in true love meets a stubborn lass who will settle for nothing less...

In a lighthearted retelling of a classic fairy tale, bestselling author Karen Hawkins gives Cinderella a Scottish twist!

Prince Alexsey Romanovin enjoys his carefree life, flirting—and more—with every lovely lady who crosses his path. But when the interfering Grand Duchess Natasha decides it's time for her grandson to wed, Alexsey finds himself in Scotland, determined to foil her plans. Brainy, bookish, and bespectacled, Bronwyn Murdoch seems the perfect answer—she isn't at all to the duchess' taste.

Living at the beck and call of her ambitious stepmother and social butterfly stepsisters, Bronwyn has little time for a handsome flirt—no matter how intoxicating his kisses are. After all, no spoiled, arrogant prince would be seriously interested in a firm-minded female like herself. So . . . wouldn't it be fun to turn his "game" upside down and prove that an ordinary woman can bring a prince to his knees?

My Rating: Five Stars

This Scottish rendition of the Cinderella fairy tell is witty, sweet, and clumsily romantic. Karen Hawkins excels at twisting fairytales! This was such an enjoyable read!

Bronwyn is a bookish, on the shelf, girl who even goes so far as to say “I’d rather own a subscription library than be a princess.” Who can argue with that?! The way she attempts to falsely woo Alexsey is hilarious.

Prince Alexsey Vitaly Grigori Romanovin, is a mischievous devil! They both enjoy books and dogs. When he reads to her out of her romantic novel…swoon worthy! The meddlesome grandmother returns to us from her previous series, The Duchess Diaries, and here she seems quite mean, but I believe it turns out sweet in the end.

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Cover Reveal: The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London

The Devil Takes a Bride
Julia London
Historical romance
Release date: January 27, 2015

Synopsis

From powerful love to sizzling passion, Julia London always delivers an incomparable Regency reading experience. Returning to her acclaimed Cabot sisters series, we meet an earl who can only be tamed by one wicked lady…

A plan born of desperation…

Once the toast of society, Grace Cabot and her sisters now await the shame of losing high status and fine luxuries upon the death of the Earl of Beckington. The dire circumstances are inevitable unless, of course, Grace's wicked plot to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage goes off without a single hitch. But once a stolen embrace with the wrong man leads her to be discovered in the arms of Jeffrey, the Earl of Merryton, her plan takes a most unexpected—and scorching—twist.

…and altered by passion.

Governed by routine and ruled by duty, Jeffrey had no desire for a wife before he succumbed to Grace's temptation. Though his golden-haired, in-name-only bride is the definition of disorder, he can't resist wanting her in every way. But once her secrets meet his, society might consider their lives to be ruined beyond repair…while Jeffrey might just see it as a new beginning.

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About the Author

Julia London is the NYT, USA Today and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, contemporary romance, and women's fiction with strong romantic elements. Previous series include the Secrets of Hadley Green and Homecoming Ranch. She is a six-time finalist for the RITA Award of excellence in romantic fiction, and the recipient of RT Bookclub's Best Historical Novel. She lives in Austin, Texas.

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Review: When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan

When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Below is my honest, emotional reaction from right after I finished this book last night. I don't like to read books without HEA at the ending of it. If I had known this book had a cliffhanger I wouldn't have requested it from Netgalley. I'm so thankful I did though. This is Kennedy Ryan's debut novel. She runs us though an emotional gamut. What happens when you fall in love with your best friends' girlfriend? With your boyfriends' best friend? This is a heart breaking, HONEST portrayal of when that happens. I'm am seriously excited for the next book. I want to say that you can tell an author is a suburb writer when you are so caught up in the book that you cry in front of the cable guy... (yes I got up and walked into the other room but still :) )





Blown away!!! I hate cliffies Honestly if I had read the reviews before reading this book , I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I would have missed such a thrilling ride!!! My heart aches. You know the writing is suburb when you can laugh and cry and get so angry at the characters. The characters are all flawed and so believable. Their choices stink!!! I didn't know if I was going to 5 star it or 1 star it. I'm still fluctuating on that. My hands were shaking when I started writing this. I screamed at the ending.. Going to end with BLOWN AWAY!!!! I received an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley



Forever is a heartbeat away . . .

Kerris Moreton knows how to make things work. Bounced from foster home to foster home as a kid, she adapted; when opportunity arose, she thrived. Now, about to open her own business and accept a marriage proposal, Kerris is ready to build the life she's always wanted. The only thing missing? A passionate connection with her would-be fiancé, Cam. Kerris wants to believe that sparks are overrated-until Walsh Bennett lights her up like the Fourth of July.

. . . but what about love?

As one of the East Coast's most eligible bachelors, Walsh enjoys financial independence, fulfilling work with his family's nonprofit, and plenty of female attention. But lately he's been distracted by the one woman he can't have. Lovely to look at and even sweeter to know, Kerris is the soul mate Walsh never thought he would find. The problem is, his best friend found her first . . .


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Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche

Knight of Love by Catherine LaRoche

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Amazing new author for me! I loved this strong heroine and how she stand on her own feet and insists she doesn't need a gallant hero! Poor lovesick Wolf! He's a strong alpha male who insists Lenora is a "damsel in distress" and he's the "Knight of Love" to save her! This is a break from the traditional Historical Romances. This heroine will go to great links to save her hero!!


I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.





In this saucy romance, an English lady turns the damsel-in-distress tale on its head as she escapes her malicious fiancé and fights for both her life and that of the lustful rebel that has become her protector.

Lady Lenora Trevelyan, a naïve yet stubborn young lady born to the highest noble houses of England and Germany, finds herself betrothed to the brutal Prince Kurt von Rotenburg-Gruselstadt. But after she is cruelly bruised and flogged by her fiancé, she decides to take the reins of her fate. In the midst of a German revolution, Lenora escapes Kurt’s iron fist and embarks home to England. She quickly finds herself in the hands of a rebel group and their robust, gentle, and handsome leader, Wolfram von Wolfsbach und Ravensworth, the English Earl of Ravensworth.

Lenora struggles to deny the passion she feels towards the frustratingly chivalrous Earl, but her desire for him continues to bloom. Wolfram hungers for nothing other than to fight for democracy and civil rights in uniting Germany and to protect what he assumes is his damsel in distress. Through nights of immeasurable pleasure, Lenora and Wolfram learn that their passion is no match for the revolutionary chaos that ensues. And when Lenora discovers that her protector’s life is threatened, she must risk everything to save her Knight of Love.


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