The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander

Lady Delilah Hargate, a widow, has just spent an amazing night with a man that she has just met. Being half way across the world means that she can forget about her adventure and return to England where she will go about finding that perfect spouse. Unfortunately for Delilah, she can't stop thinking about it, She soon learns that her one night stand has ended up in England and has no desire for her to forget about their amazing night together.

Samuel Russell can't seem to get Delilah out of his mind. When he ends up in England on business, he decides to show up early for his friend's wedding. It doesn't hurt that he might get to spend more time with the woman that has taken over all of his thoughts.

Delilah can't believe that Sam has shown up for the wedding. She thought he was just a clerk or some other employee. She never imagined that he was the boss and really good friends with her future brother-in-law. If she had known that there was any chance she would see him again, she wouldn't have had an adventure with him.

Sam is surprised to learn that Delilah is Lady Hargate and not just Mrs. Hargate. She also happens to be the sister of his best friend's fiancee.  But for Sam, that changes nothing.  He wants get to know Delilah better, but she thinks they are too different from each other.  Can they work out their differences for the chance of true love?

Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton

Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton.

This is book 2 in the One Scandalous Season series.

Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate and when Kate's family gets into financial trouble Daphne does the unthinkable. To help pay back the debt her family owes, Kate has been dancing at an underground brothel. When Kate comes down with food poisoning, Daphne steps in to take her place. She never imagined that the place would get raided by the police and she would have to run for her life. First her carriage is stolen and then a man attacks her. Luckily she is saved by Cormack, a merchant.

Lord Cormack Northmore is at the brothel to find information about the man that seduced and abandoned his sister. When he spies Daphne on the stage dancing, he know that she does not belong there. When the police raid the place, he quickly chases his quarry, but they get away. He hears a woman's scream and finds Daphne being attacked. Quickly dispatching her attacker, he gets Daphne into his carriage.  

Daphne explains to Cormack why she is at the brothel (she gives him the name of her maid Kate and her story) and he vows to take care of the financial situation. Thinking to never see each other again, they give into the attraction the feel for each other with a scorching kiss.

What will happen when they find out the other was lying about who they are? Will Cormack reveal that Daphne was at a brothel and ruin her reputation or will he keep her secret?

I throughly enjoyed this story.  I loved Daphne and the fact that she would do anything to help her maid.  You don't often see that kind of relationship between a member of the ton and their servants. I also liked the fact that Cormack didn't grow up in high society, so he wasn't enamored of all the "rules" that society follows. It made for some interesting scenes. 

Dalton also keeps the reader on their toes with several plot twists. You just didn't know what would be the next surprise to pop up. There is nothing worse than figuring out the twist of the story before the author reveals it. Dalton did a splendid job of keeping me guessing.

I can't wait for the next book in the series, Never Seduce a Scoundrel, which come out in the Fall.


You can get this book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Book Depository, Chapters and IndieBound.

Thanks go to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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His Wicked Smile by Heather Hiestand - Book Tour and Giveaway

His Wicked Smile by Heather Hiestand.

This is book 3 in the Redcakes series.

Having spent a passion filled night with the widowed Ann Haldene, Gaiwain Redcake goes about his business and returns to London. Unfortunately, he can't seem to get Ann out of his mind. Not only was she able to help with the pain of his wounds, but she gave him a night of passion that he can't seem to forget.

Returning to the establishment that Ann owns, Gaiwain learns that she is pregnant and has gone to London in search of him.  Finally connecting with her in London, Gaiwain insists that they marry. Ann is shocked at his proposal. If she was to marry again, she wanted to do it for love. She feels that Gaiwain is only marrying her to give their child his name.

Can they take what was a one-night stand and make it a marriage filled with love?

Having not read the other stories in the series, I was a bit confused with who everyone was at the beginning of the story. It took me a couple of chapters to keep the names straight in my mind and what their relationships where to each other. I would definitely read the other books in the series before reading this one to avoid the confusion.

This story is a little later in time than most of the books that I read (Regency and earlier), so it was a nice change in pace.  It was interesting to me to see a family that was tied to a bakery as I am a huge Cake Boss fan.  That part of the story intrigued me enough to want to read the other stories in the series as they appear to have more of their story take place within the bakery.

You don't often see other ethnicities in historical romances, so it made the heroine stand out to me. She was descended from Indian royalty but was living the life of a commoner. Her cultural background added something different to the story. The author was not shy about mentioning the discrimination that she would have received during that time making the story all that more authentic.

This is definitely one for the keeper shelf!


You can purchase this book on May 1, 2014 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Google Books.

Thanks go to Kensington books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.


Make sure to enter the giveaway where you could win a Redcakes ebook or a $10 Amazon gift card.

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Untamed Hearts by Heather McCollum

Will Wyatt, a known pirate, is hanging out in Scotland with his sister until there is no longer a bounty on his head. Trying to find his way in this new place, he never expects to meet a woman like Jonet Montgomery. He is instantly smitten after a stolen kiss.

Jonet Montgomery has been looking for her knight in shining armor and never thought he would come in the form of a pirate. Having been wed to a cheating husband, she does not want to get hurt again. But even with all the warnings from others about Will's reputation, she just can't seem to stay away from him.

When the highland clan must seek shelter with a neighboring clan, Will leads Jonet on a wild adventure. Can she keep herself from getting hurt again or will she let her past haunt her forever?

How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days by Kate McKinley

Pippa Welby can't imagine why the man that gave her the cut direct is asking her to marry him. He has even given her an invitation to her own engagement ball that is to happen in 10 days. Pippa has been looked down on by the peerage her whole life because of her heritage and there is no way she is going to marry into it.

Lucas Alexander, the Duke of Arlington, is smitten with Pippa the first time he sees her. So taken with her, he was at a loss for words and walks away from her. Finding out that her father owns the largest coal mine in the area is just the icing on the cake.

What happens when what starts out as a seduction of convience turns into true passion? Can Pippa forgive Lucas when she finds out why he really wants to marry her?

The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart

The Temptations of Anna Jacobs by Robyn DeHart.

This is book 2 in the Dangerous Liaisons series.

Drew Foster has just bee released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. Unfortunately, others are not very forgiving and he finds himself on the receiving end of several fists. Lucky for him, his friend Simon Jacobs and his sister see the confrontation and run off his attackers.

The siblings take Drew back to Simon's home where Anna, a medical student, treats his wounds. Just before Drew leaves, Anna overhears part of a conversation and assumes that he refused to help Simon with his latest case. Later in the week she confronts Drew at a ball, but soon learns she was mistaken.  With Anna's medical knowledge, Drew realizes that she would be helpful to the investigation. Since Simon has been sent out of London, the two form an unlikely partnership.

The case keeps the tow of them working together and they soon can't fight their attraction for each other. But Drew keeps a part of himself back because of the secrets he is keeping. What will Anna do when Drew's secrets are finally revealed?

I loved book 2 in Robyn DeHart's Dangerous Liaisons series. The mystery started in book 1 (The Secrets of Mia Danvers) and continued with this story.  Even though the mystery is based on a real life crime (Jack the Ripper), I was still very much intrigued to see where DeHart would take it. Not knowing much about the actual cases, I found myself doing a little extra reading to see the facts of the Ripper case (you can find actual pictures, so it is not for the squeamish!)

Having been introduced to Drew in the first book, I was curious to see where his story would go. He was a wastrel that didn't seem to care what happened to himself. His wake-up call was his time spend in prison. When Simon asks him to help with the Ripper case, he finally sees that he has a purpose in his life.  

Anna is the perfect woman for him. As an unconventional woman (she is studying to be a doctor after all), it doesn't change her opinion of Drew when she learns his secret. Someone with more traditional values and notions of propriety would not have looked beyond Drew's history to see what a great guy he was. Drew is equally perfect for Anna. Probably because he didn't spend much time in society, he didn't feel that being a woman doctor was inappropriate. These two were a very well matched pair.

Since the murders were not solved, I'm hoping that DeHart continues with the series. I'd love for the next book to be about Simon!


You can get this book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

Thanks go to Penguin Group via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.


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Beauty and the Earl by Jess Michaels

Violet Milford has been called to the home of the Duke and Duchess of Rothcastle and she can't imagine why. When she arrives, she learns that the Duchess would like Violet to gather information about her brother. He has been in seclusion after a horrible accident and the loss of his beloved.  The Duchess would like Violet to use the skills she has learned as a courtesan to seduce his secrets from him.

Liam, the Earl of Windbury, has been in seclusion since he lost his fiancee and his sister wed his greatest enemy. He has been staying at one of the family homes near Bath, but rarely ventures to town. On one of those rare visits to the healing baths, he gets an unexpected visitor. 
Violet has made her move and Liam is intrigued enough to invite her to stay at his home.  While exploring their attraction, Liam and Violet open up to each other about their past. But just as they get closer, the truth about why Violet is visiting Bath is exposed.  Will their relationship survive the truth?

A Promise of More by Bronwen Evans

Beatrice Hennessey is determined to get Lord Coldhurst to marry her in order to save her family from debtors prison after he killed her brother in a duel. She didn't count on their first meeting being him fishing her out of the Thames.

Sebastian, Lord Coldhurst, hadn't planned to get married anytime soon. But knowing that he owes this family a debt he agrees to the marriage. He has never wanted a love match like his parents because of all the hurt they caused each other and this is the perfect solution. Beatrice will never love him since he killed her brother and there was no chance he would fall in love with the spinster.

They are married the next day and are quickly drawn into the mystery of who is targeting the Libertine Scholars. But what happens to their marriage when what they believe to be true turns out to be different?

The Affair by Lily Maxton

Elizabeth, Lady Thornhill, is ready to shed her widow's weeds. Walking home from replenishing her wardrobe, it starts to rain. She quickly dashes into the bookstore to get out of the rain. In the process, she literally runs into the owner.

Cale Cameron, the owner of Cameron's lending library is intrigued by Elizabeth and invites her to a dinner  party at his home.  Elizabeth is unsure if she should go, but since her husband's death she has been looking for some adventure.

Elizabeth has one of the best night's of her life and doesn't want it to end.  Neither Elizabeth nor Cale can fight their attraction any longer and begin an affair. Elizabeth is sure that Cale will break her heart if she gets anymore involved with him, so she ends the affair after a week.

Can their week of passion lead to a life-long commitment?

The Rogue Returns by Leigh LaValle

Lady Helen Gladstone must find the hidden gold her brother buried in the country or her family falls into ruin. After Helen searches for the gold all day, Roane Grantham shows up looking for it too. Claiming that half of it is his, he wants to take over the search when they find a map instead of the gold inside the wooden box.

Not willing to give up her search, Helen demands that Roane allow her to help him search out the gold.  They don't count on their mutual attraction or former enemies jeopardizing their search.  Can they find the gold while evading their enemies and the folly of their attraction?

The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle

Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle.

This is book two in the Nottinghamshire series.
Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, is surprised to see that her husband has returned. He has been gallivanting around the world for the past five years and she didn't know if he would ever return.

Jamie has returned because of his need for an heir, at least that is what he tells his wife.  He can't tell her that he has missed her every day that he has been gone.  Because of a misunderstanding, Jamie couldn't stay around and have all of London think his wife cheated on him.  

Catherine doesn't know what to think when Jamie shows up. She has missed her husband and would really love a child, but can she forgive him for leaving her?

This was an enjoyable novella.  Having been introduced to Catherine in the previous novel, it was nice to see she got her happily ever after.  I think I would have like it more if Jamie had to do more to win Catherine back, she seemed to give in a little too quickly.


You can get this book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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The Runaway Countess by Leigh LaValle

The Runaway Countess by Leigh LaValle.
This is book one in the Nottinghamshire series.

Mazie Chetwyn has been taken captive by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. He knows that she has been working for the Midnight Rider and wants information to enable him to be captured. 

Trent Chathwick, the Earl of Radford and the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, is attracted to Mazie from their introduction and the feeling is mutual. When he finds out that she is really Lady Margaret, he is at a loss as to what to do with her.

Lady Margaret goes from captive to "guest" with Trent's sister acting as chaperone, but Mazie still finds ways to thwart Trent's ability to find the Midnight Rider by giving him false clues. 

Will Trent find out why Mazie will not give up information about the Midnight Rider and what will happen to their mutual attraction when it looks like Mazie might be heading to the gallows?

I throughly enjoyed this book. The banter between the H/H had me laughing out loud.  I always love when there is a very strong female lead and Mazie did not disappoint. The strength of character in Trent was heartbreaking as he had to reveal things about his family that he didn't want to be true.  I can't wait to read the next book in the series.


You can get the book at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. 

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The Highland Henchman by Amy Jarecki

The Highland Henchman by Amy Jarecki.

This is book 2 in the Highland Force series. You can read my review of Book 1 HERE.  

Bran MacLeod, Laird Callum's henchman, travels to the lowlands to participate in a tournament.  He didn't count on the Lowlander's daughter catching his eye. Knowing that she was way out of his league, Bran is determined to finish the tournament and head home. Unfortunately, Bran's services are pledged to help reinstate Mary, Queen of Scots to the throne and he must stay in the lowlands.

Enya has wanted adventure and excitement her whole life. She wants to travel the world and help her father and brothers when they go into battle.  When she sees Bran for the first time, she can't fight the attraction she feels for him. Her father has plans for her marriage, but Enya has plans of her own.

Can these two lovers from different classes fight against the odds and get their happily ever after?

Having met Bran in the first novel, I was anxiously awaiting his story.  Jarecki didn't disappoint.  I love that the Enya not the typical heroine we read in historical romances and that Bran was attracted to her because of this.  Jaricki has a way of telling a story that just sucks you in. The story is fast paced with many plot twists and turns. She is an author that keeps you on your toes!  

Another wonderful novel by Amy Jarecki! I can't wait for the next book in the series.


You can get this book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks go to Rapture Books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn

Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn.

This is book 4 in the Marriage Game series.

Gervais, the Earl of Huntley, is not ready to fall into the parson's mousetrap that all of his friends seem to be falling into. He flees England for a tour of Europe. He ends his tour in Venice to have a stay with his Aunt, Lady Horatia.

Lady Caroline Martindale has fled England and has spent the last several years living with her godmother. When Huntley arrives at Lady Horatia's home, Caroline is not prepared to be in such close proximity to a man and does everything in her power to stay away from him.

Unfortunately, Caroline has an unwanted suitor. Caroline, Huntley and Horatia are forced to flee.  What will Caroline do when she is forced to travel alone with Huntley?

Ella Quinn has not gotten great reviews from me in the past. I've felt that her writing lacked some of the polish that a lot of my current favorites have.  Having said that, I think that this novel shows growth in her writing.  The beginning of the novel had me doubting the fact that I picked up another one of her books, but the second half redeemed it. 

I've always enjoyed the story lines of Quinn's novels and this was no exception. We've met Huntley in previous novels and I always enjoy when those secondary characters I love get their own story.  He figures out early on why Caroline doesn't like men and does everything in his power to not be like the other men she has encountered.  Huntley is one of those men you hope to meet in real life!!

Caroline has basically decided that she will never marry after the incident in England and is amazed by the way that Huntley treats her. She is afraid to let down her guard, thinking that as soon as she does Huntley's true colors will come out. Huntley is the perfect match for her and seeing their romance blossom was sheer pleasure.


You can get this book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kensington Books, and iBooks.

Thanks go to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom by Vanessa Kelly

Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom by Vanessa Kelly.

This is book 2 in the Renegade Royals series. You can read my reviews of the other books in the series by clicking on their titles:  Lost in a Royal Kiss and Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard.

Griffin Steele is finally putting the life he has lived behind him by selling off his gaming hells and brothel. He is ready to leave London and start a new life by traveling the world. That is until a mysterious lady drops off an infant at his door step. 

Griffin's first course of action is to contact Dominic Hunter, the man how is always trying to reform him.  Dominic brings in his god-daughter, Justine Brightmore, to take care of the baby.

Justine is not only Dominic's god-daughter, but she is the daughter of a spy. Who better to take care of the mysterious baby? But while Justine is taking care and protecting the baby, who will protect her from the notorious Griffin Steele?

I've been looking forward to Griffin's story since the last book in the series and Vanessa Kelly did not disappoint! Having been abandoned by both his mother and father as a child, Griffin has let no one into his heart.  I think that he felt like he didn't deserve any love. He feels like his parents didn't feel enough love for him to keep him, so why would anyone else?

Justine was the perfect woman for Griffin. With her, we see a different side of him. With all of her "proper" ways, we see that under his rough exterior is a "gentleman". Even if he would never call himself one.  

The next book in the series is Dominic's story. Will he be reunited with the love of his life, Chloe?


You can get this book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks and Books A Million.

Thanks go to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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