[Review] Tempting the Laird, by Julia London

Title Tempting the Laird
Series: Highland Grooms #5
Author: Julia London
Publisher: HQN Books
Number of pages: 377
Publication date: June 26th 2018

Synopsis:

Mystery and desire cloak the Scottish Highlands

Unruly. Unmarried. Unapologetic. Catriona Mackenzie’s reputation precedes her everywhere she goes. Her beloved late aunt Zelda taught Cat to live out loud and speak her mind, and that’s exactly what she does when Zelda’s legacy—a refuge for women in need—comes under fire. When her quest puts her in the path of the disturbingly mysterious Hamlin Graham, Duke of Montrose, Cat is soon caught up in the provocative rumors surrounding the dark duke. Never one to retreat, Cat boldly goes where no one else has dared for answers.

Shrouded in secrets, a hostage of lies, Hamlin must endure the fear and suspicion of those who believe he is a murderer. The sudden disappearance of his wife and the truth he keeps silent are a risk to his chances at earning a coveted parliamentary seat. But he’s kept his affairs tightly held until a woman with sparkling eyes and brazen determination appears unexpectedly in his life. Deadly allegations might be his downfall, but his unleashed passion could be the duke’s ultimate undoing.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

I’ve read all the previous book on the Highland Grooms series and I have to say I really enjoyed reading this one.

Catriona Mackenzie is so fierce, she is amazing. She... reminds me of myself, to be honest, so I really identified with her character throughout the book (with her wishes and desires at least). Hamlin Graham, Duke of Montrose, was probably one of my all-time male heroes, because he was a great man, a great warden, and he is like that pretty much the whole time – even if others don’t see it.

The story was so good, so well written (just like Julia London has gotten us used to) and it just made me want to know more, about what was going to happen to Cat’s shelter, to Hamlin’s life when things changed, to everything! I know I’m not saying much, but I’m trying not to spoil anyone.

I can say it’s a wonderful story, with strong-willed, interesting characters, themes a bit different than what we usually see in historical romances but that I honestly loved seeing portrayed here.

Definitely one of my favourite books of this series.

[Review] A Duke Like No Other, by Valerie Bowman

Title: A Duke Like No Other
Series: Playful Brides #9
Author: Valerie Bowman
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Number of pages: 353
Publication date: May 1st 2018

Synopsis:

General Mark Grimaldi is devoted to his service for the Crown, risking his life and giving up everything for his career. The political promotion he's always wanted is now within his reach, but he needs to convince his estranged wife to return to England and play the role of happy bride in order for him to get the position.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent the past ten years in France, not having seen her husband since she left England. But now he's on her doorstep, asking her to return with him, and Nicole sees the opportunity to get something out of this deal. So she agrees, on one condition: she wants a baby.

A Duke Like No Other is a Regency spy caper with Valerie Bowman at her best as husband and wife match wits and may just fall in love in the process.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

A few days ago, I read a review somewhere that talked about who much you can love a book and still acknowledge that it has some problems. And I have to say that this book fits that description.

I really enjoyed it, and I really liked both the plot and the author’s writing style, but sometimes there were small problems that slightly annoyed me. An example: Mark is a very intelligent man, he knows how the world works, and knows that influence and titles are important. However, somehow, he fails to see how that might come in handy for when he decides to propose a new police force to the House of Lords, etc. Really? It was small things like this that sometimes annoyed me.

Anyway, the story starts with Mark focused on trying to get a promotion and him needing a wife to achieve it – but he already has one that went to France 10 years ago. And right away we start wondering what happened between them – 10 years is a long time (in another country, especially!). I really liked Nicole, and I sympathized way more with her than with Mark (he was a bit too proud for me, and it took him too long to realize it). Their love story is a bit complicated, but like most love stories, if they had just talked to each other and weren’t so proud (and arrogant, in Mark’s case), those ten years apart would not have come to that.

With all of this said, you would expect me to give a lower rating to this book, right? Wrong! Because even though it had its issues, I really enjoyed reading it – I read it in just a few hours! It was very engaging, with a Clue-like mystery to keep the plot going, and steamy romance between Nicole and Mark. I have to say, I’ve read my fair share of sexy/sexual/sex scenes, and these were some of the best! Granted, they were only bedroom scenes, but you can tell a lot about an author and their style of writing from the way they can actually describe a romantic scene: every sense most be awake (and awoken) with these scenes, and I really liked how the main characters connected by using their lovemaking as a way to be able to talk (both literally and metaphorically) to one another, and eventually work out their problems.

I also liked that, even though this is an independent book, it sets the scene for the next one. All the secondary characters were there for a reason, they weren’t just there to fill in the space, they actually brought something to either the plot, the main characters development, or both.

In the end, it was a very pleasurable read, with romance, mystery, and strong enough points that kept me interested and made me want to keep reading as fast as I could.

[Review] A Devil of a Duke, by Madeline Hunter

Title: A Devil of a Duke
Series: Decadent Dukes Society #2
Author: Madeline Hunter
Publisher: Zebra
Number of pages: 352
Publication date: April 24th 2018

Synopsis:

HE MAY BE A DEVIL

He's infamous, debaucherous, and known all over town for his complete disregard for scandal, and positively irresistible seductions. Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is obscenely wealthy, jaw-droppingly handsome, and used to getting exactly what he wants. Until his attention is utterly captured by a woman who refuses to tell him her name, but can't help surrendering to his touch...

BUT SHE'S NO ANGEL EITHER...

Amanda Waverly is living two lives—one respectable existence as secretary to an upstanding lady, and one far more dangerous battle of wits—and willpower—with the devilish Duke. Langford may be the most tempting man she's ever met, but Amanda's got her hands full trying to escape the world of high-society crime into which she was born. And if he figures out who she really is, their sizzling passion will suddenly boil over into a much higher stakes affair...

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

The second book in the Decadent Dukes series brings us the story of Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, and Amanda Waverly, a secretary whose parents were thieves and taught her the trade – until she didn’t want to do it anymore.

Gabriel never really believed in getting married – or actually loving someone. Love for him was just an infatuation that would eventually disappear – until he met Amanda Waverly. As a simple secretary, Amanda was happy with her life, at least in most aspects. That is, until she is blackmailed to do something that could get her in jail…. or worse.

I really liked Gabriel, he was dashing and sweet, more than your regular roguish duke. He was helpful, and always there for Amanda, almost no questions asked. Amanda, on the other hand, wasn’t one of my favourite characters. I liked how she was with the ladies that wrote the Parnassus (a newspaper of sorts) but I didn’t like how she handled the situation that actually got her in danger. At the end of the book, however, she was way more likeable.

It was a pleasure to reunite with the other dukes, both Stratton and Brentworth as such amazing characters, and I can’t wait to read Brentworth’s story – I have a feeling it’s going to be the best of the series.

The plot was interesting, with theft, blackmail, and love all in the mix, but because I couldn’t connect so much with the main female character, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the previous one. But I still recommend it, it’s a book with a good and strong hero, good friends that back up the whole story and keep the plot going by keeping the main characters mostly in line and, in the end, it’s a pleasurable read.

[Review] Murder in St. Giles, by Ashley Gardner

Title: Murder in St. Giles
Series: Captain Lacey Mysteries #13
Author: Ashley Gardner
Publisher: JA / AG Publishing
Number of pages: 300
Publication date: April 10th 2018

Synopsis:

London, 1819: When Brewster, my bodyguard, comes to me about a murder of a pugilist—and what’s more, says his wife has summoned me—I must hasten to St. Giles to find a killer before Brewster is arrested for the crime.

This is made difficult because Donata's late husband’s odious cousin has materialized to try to wrest her son into his care. After all, seven-year-old Peter is a viscount, and his cousin wants to get closer to the title.

But how close? If Peter’s life is in danger, I must remain, but Brewster risks hanging for the death of his wife’s brother-in-law. He’s done too much for me to turn my back on him, but the devil if I’ll let the Breckenridge cousin get his clutches on Peter.

It will take all my perseverance, and a few wiles, to plough through these difficulties. In the meantime, I meet a Runner who teaches me about crime and punishment in this enlightened age, and Brewster’s old trainer, who made him the excellent pugilist—and thief—he is today.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

Murder in St. Giles was my first Captain Lacey’s book – and I can’t wait to read the other books!

Although I do like mysteries, I usually end up a bit disappointed because I can tell right away who did what (in this case, who killed Finch). But with this book, I kept thinking “who did it? Who did it?” because I just couldn’t tell. I really enjoyed discovering the killer along with Gabriel Lacey and Brewster.

The one tiny thing I would have liked a bit more is movement. Sometimes it was a bit slow, how the story was developing, and at the end it was maybe a bit too quick. But it was very satisfying, I didn’t feel like things were left to chance, everything was very well planned, since the order of meeting the suspects, to the suspects themselves.

The subplot was also good, although I have to say I didn’t connect with Donata and her son Peter that much, but that might have to do with only meeting them now, and not in a previous book. The most important part of this subplot, for me, was showing Captain Lacey in a different light, more of a husband and father (same thing with his daughters, Anne and Gabriella), which I could appreciate.

In the end, it was a great historical mystery book, it kept me guessing and wondering and I liked most of the characters, which meant I was truly engaged with what happened to each of them. I will, definitely, return to this series and read more about Captain Lacey.

[Review] It Started With a Whisper, by Dawn Brower, Deb Marlowe, Amanda Mariel, Christina McKnight, Erica Monroe,and Ava Stone

Title It Started With a Whisper
Series: --
Author: Dawn Brower, Deb Marlowe, Amanda Mariel, Christina McKnight, Erica Monroe, and Ava Stone
Publisher: Monarchal Glenn Press
Number of pages: 638
Publication date: January 23rd 2018

Synopsis:

It started with a whisper...

Rumors, gossip, and secrets all have a way of unraveling at the worst possible time. Follow each story as it leads you through a path of mystery and intrigue. Lady X's gossip sheet tells all and it leaves everybody talking. The rumors have the potential to ruin lives and with each whisper a new scandal arises.

Will those who find themselves the subject of her scandal sheet escape unscathed and discover who Lady X is along the way?

One Moonlit Tryst by Amanda Mariel Lady Tabitha Pemberton wants nothing more than to enjoy her first season without becoming attached, but when Lady X writes of a forbidden tryst between Tabitha and Colin Brooks, the earl of Harcourt, everything changes. Now Tabitha must choose between her reputation and her desire to remain unattached.

Love Me, Lord Tender by Deb Marlowe Lord Tensford has an old title and an empty purse. He knew it would be difficult to find a Society bride, but after Lady X heeds baseless rumor and brands him Lord Terror, it’s next to impossible. Until he comes to the aid of Lady Hope Brightley, causing Lady X to re-dub him Lord Tender.
Now he’s a laughing stock and a fortune hunter. But Lady Hope means to repay him and help him find a bride. In the end, will she turn him over to the perfect mate? Or ask him to . . . Love Me, Lord Tender?

The Lady Loves a Scandal by Christina McKnight Many years ago, Gideon Lyndon, Viscount Galway, made a grave mistake. On the verge of rectifying this misdeed, he finds himself faced with his greatest challenge yet: winning back the woman he has loved since the moment he met her. But after a year of silence, convincing his headstrong paramour Sybil Anson to take him back will not be easy. Especially since he can’t even explain why he left—not if he wants to keep her safe.

The Scandalous Widow by Erica Monroe Bow Street Runner Gabriel Sinclair has spent the last three years trying to forget about smart, beautiful Lady Jemma Forster, Countess of Wolverston, who broke his heart when she married his best friend. Her husband's death thrusts Gabriel and Jemma back together, as they work to find his murderer. Their investigation takes them into the darkest, most dangerous parts of London. They’re perfect partners for solving crimes, but can they be partners in love too?

How to Land an Earl in Ten Days or Less by Ava Stone Known for his silver tongue, Reese Delacy, the Earl of Darling, wagers that he can make any girl fall in love with him in less than a fortnight. Unfortunately, the boast catches the ear and subsequently the pen of a notorious gossip columnist, making Reese a pariah in short order. He seems doomed for failure until he meets a Bermudian beauty who is seemingly unaware of the scandal. With control of the Caribbean salt trade hanging in the balance, Miss Cara Beckett, left her home to solicit the support of parliament, never imagining she’d become embroiled in a reckless wager.

A Lady Hoyden's Secret by Dawn Brower Lady Helena Carter has a secret. She dare not reveal it and court her own ruin--or incur the wrath of Lady X. Oliver Hunt, the Marquess of Dashville has problems of his own regarding the Lady of Whispers, and only Lady Helena can help him. As they cross paths, desire sparks between them. Their budding romance is tested as secrets are uncovered, and the revelations will either bring them closer together or tear them apart forever.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

Review:
Overall, it was a good book.

I did not enjoy the first story (maybe 2, 2.5*) and that was a bit of a problem because it took me sometime to get really involved with the book.

The next two stories were quite good (4*) and I got through them very easily and enjoyed them much more than the first story.

The 4th story was a bit different and I liked but thought at the same time that is rapped up to quickly - I know it's a novella, but maybe instead of in the beginning doing more description, a bit more of the story could have been developed? I really liked how strong Jemma was, she really made an impression on me (3.5,4*).

I really liked the concept of How to Land an Earl in Ten Days or Less - I love the film "how to lose a guy in 10 days"! - so it was fun to see Ava's take on it. I really enjoyed it, it was fun and at the same sweet and romantic. The last story was one of my favourites as well , although I would have changed just one thing: instead of having Oliver chase Helena, I would have just made them share the carriage ride to Scotland and made them fall in love during the trip, and maybe it would have been more believable for me that Oliver had fallen in love in Helena, instead of just one day waking up and thinking "wow the girl I ignored for years is actually a clever, intelligent, beautiful woman". Apart from that, I really liked the story, Helena was one of my favourite heroines and Oliver (much like Daring!) was very dashing and alluring.

In the end, I liked this anthology, but I think I'm finally understanding that novellas aren't my favourite kind of book - I like more fully developed stories. Still, it was a good book and I would recommend it to any historical romance fan.