[Review] A Daring Arrangement, by Joanna Shupe

Title A Daring Arrangement
Series: The Four Hundred #1
Author: Joanna Shupe
Publisher: Avon
Number of pages: 384
Publication date: October 31st 2017

Synopsis:

Set in New York City’s Gilded Age, Joanna Shupe’s Avon debut introduces an English beauty with a wicked scheme to win the man she loves—and the American scoundrel who ruins her best laid plans…

Lady Honora Parker must get engaged as soon as possible, and only a particular type of man will do. Nora seeks a mate so abhorrent, so completely unacceptable, that her father will reject the match—leaving her free to marry the artist she desires. Who then is the most appalling man in Manhattan? The wealthy, devilishly handsome financier, Julius Hatcher, of course….

Julius is intrigued by Nora’s ruse and decides to play along. But to Nora’s horror, Julius transforms himself into the perfect fiancé, charming the very people she hoped he would offend. It seems Julius has a secret plan all his own—one that will solve a dark mystery from his past, and perhaps turn him into the kind of man Nora could truly love.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

I haven't read a book that made me feel this good in a long time! I feel all giddy and happy inside! Just like the characters at the end of the book! Julius is probably one of my new favourite heros! And Nora is so brave and exciting! They match each other so well.

I think it was such a good book that's going to give me a book hungover. I'm so drowsy from reading it that I just feel like I'm in the clouds. I don't even know what to write, I just want everyone to read it and enjoy it as much as I did!

[Review] The Dancing Lady: The Ninth Day, by Mimi Milan

Title The Dancing Lady: The Ninth Day
Series: The 12 Days of Christmas Mail-Order Brides #9
Author: Mimi Milan
Publisher: Eaton House
Number of pages: 158
Publication date: December 9th 2017

Synopsis:

A flamenco dancer in disguise and a driven diner owner fighting his own desires. What could possible go wrong?

Her dream was to become a celebrated entertainer. So, how did Josefina de Zapatero end up with the life of a sporting lady? Determined to escape a repulsive past and oppressive future, her salvation appears in the form of a mail order bride request for a domesticated cook. The fact that she can barely boil water shouldn’t matter too much, though. She has learned to dance circles around her competition. Surely, she can cook up something to please the man. Right?

Having suffered a life of lies and loss, Ignacio Villanueva has learned the importance of making wise choices. He’s determined to find an upstanding woman who will be the helpmate he needs to make his restaurant successful. Honesty and the ability to cook well. That’s all any man really needs. Isn’t it?

It's a match of stubborn wills and unexpected thrills when the two of them pair up. Will the new menu at Noelle’s favorite Mexican restaurant include a marriage meal made for two… or a recipe for disaster?

Review:

I received an ebook as gift from a giveaway done by the author. Thank you.

Although in general I liked the book, it did have some issues for me.

For example Josefina (Fina from now on) spends most of the book struggling with telling Ignacio (Nacho from now on) what she actually did for a living and who she truly is. Nacho spends the whole book saying he doesn't want someone like he's previous wife (and what I gathered from that was that he didn't want someone who did what Collette did). Nacho ends up discovering that Fina pretty much did what Collette did (however they are not the same, and I would like to stress that) but it should have been a more developed theme, how Nacho handled the revelation that Fina told him. And Fina told him in 2 paragraphs - what?! She spent the whole book not knowing how to tell him and we don't even get that full conversation, just (almost) a note saying that she spilled the beans and he knows and now she doesn't know how he'll react? And he reacts like it was nothing? Something like "oh I am not happy you lied but I don’t care" after spending the whole time saying he didn't want someone who lied and who did what Fina did....

It was just resolved to easily and too fast for me. There was no intensity in the end, no climax... Sadly, it felt unsatisfactory. It has a lot of potential, I just feel it wasn't as well explored as it could have been.

[Review] An Earl Like You, by Caroline Linden

Title An Earl Like You
Series: The Wagers of Sin #2
Author: Caroline Linden
Publisher: Avon
Number of pages: 384
Publication date: August 28th 2018

Synopsis:

When you gamble at love...

When Hugh Deveraux discovers his newly inherited earldom is bankrupt, he sets about rebuilding the family fortune—in the gaming hells of London. But the most daring wager he takes isn't at cards. A wealthy tradesman makes a tantalizing offer: marry the man's spinster daughter, and Hugh's debts will be paid and his fortune made. The only catch is that she must never know about their agreement.

You risk losing your heart...

Heiress Eliza Cross has given up hope of marriage until she meets the impossibly handsome Earl of Hastings, her father's new business partner. The earl is everything a gentleman should be, and is boldly attentive to her. It doesn't take long for Eliza to lose her heart and marry him. But when Eliza discovers that there is more to the man she loves—and to her marriage—her trust is shattered. And it will take all of Hugh's power to prove that now his words of love are real.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

This story is somewhat a marriage of convenience – at least for one of the parties involved.

I really liked Eliza, she was the sweetest. In the beginning, she wore pink glasses when looking at the world, but I have to admit I loved her innocence. Hugh, on the other hand, has no other choice but to see the world as it really is – and I think that’s one of the reasons why we readers can forgive him for acting the way he does.

It was so romantic to see them develop their feelings for each other, and being so protective as well. Both main characters are so lovable that we just root for their happy ending from beginning to end, even with families imposing and trying to keep them apart. The book has a bit of mystery and lies in the middle, which helps the story flow and keeps the readers interested.

I read it just a few hours, that’s how much it kept me interested!

[Review] At the Duke's Wedding, by Caroline Linden, Katharine Ashe, Miranda Neville, and Maya Rodale

Title: At the Duke's Wedding
Series: --
Author: Caroline Linden, Katharine Ashe, Miranda Neville, and Maya Rodale
Publisher: The Lady Authors
Number of pages: 516
Publication date: June 10th 2013

Synopsis:

As society gathers at Kingstag Castle for the wedding of the year, matrimony is in the air. But who will be the bride? With swoonworthy lords, witty ladies, eccentric relatives, a gaggle of free-spirited girls, not to mention the world’s best high perch phaeton, it’s a recipe for mayhem — and romance. Award winning, best-selling authors Katharine Ashe, Caroline Linden, Miranda Neville and Maya Rodale serve up delectable Regency fun and a sexy contemporary twist in this anthology of original novellas. Four authors, four couples, four deliciously romantic surprises. When it comes to love, anything can happen…

That Rogue Jack by Maya Rodale
Jack, Lord Willoughby is charming, handsome, and utterly irresponsible. In other words, he’s the worst person to entrust with the ducal wedding ring. Miss Henrietta Black is prim, proper and the ideal person to help find the priceless family heirloom that’s gone missing… as long as she isn’t distracted by Jack’s gorgeous smile and tantalizing attempts at seduction. They MUST find the ring before the wedding… if they aren’t too busy falling in love.

P.S. I Love You by Miranda Neville
Handsome, inarticulate Frank Newnham asks for his cousin Christian's help when he woos Rosanne Lacy by letter. Rosanne falls for Frank's delicious prose, but when they meet in person at the duke's wedding party, Rosanne can't understand why Frank seems so ... dull. And why is she drawn to the dark brooding Earl of Bruton, with his scarred face and air of melancholy?

When I Met My Duchess by Caroline Linden
Gareth Cavendish, Duke of Wessex, believes he’s chosen the perfect bride… until he meets her sister and lightning strikes—literally! Now he’s the only member of society dreading the wedding of the season. Or is he? Cleo Barrows can’t fathom why her knees weaken every time the handsome duke approaches, or why her sister isn’t in the clouds at the prospect of marrying him. But the more often wedding plans throw Cleo and Gareth intimately together, the faster time is running out to turn the celebration of the summer into the scandal of the year.

How Angela Got Her Rogue Back by Katharine Ashe
When gorgeous Lord Trenton Ascot beckons to history grad student Angela Cowdrey from the pages of a comic book, she thinks she’s going crazy. When Trent rescues her from a lake and she claims she’s from the future, he knows he is. But a blackmailer is threatening Trent’s family and Angela is determined to help. While unraveling the mystery of her time-travel trip to the duke’s wedding, this modern girl and Regency lord just might discover a passion that defies centuries.

Review:

I received an eARC at no cost from the author

Of the four authors who wrote this anthology, I had only ever read books written by two of them, Caroline Linden, and Katharine Ashe – both authors I had really enjoyed and, therefore, had expected a good book from. They did not disappoint.

The first three stories are historical regency, and the last one has a paranormal/magical setting involving both the our current time and the Regency era, which I thought I wasn’t going to like because I was hoping for a typical historical romance story – it ended up being my favourite!

It was a fun and enjoyable book, with our usual rogues, and heroines that dazzled us with their intelligence and witty retorts. Each novella brought a unique element to complete the story, and it was exciting to see how every piece started to fit and make sense as a whole. I’ll definitely be reading more books written by these authors.

[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.