Moonlight Raider by Amanda Scott

Moonlight Raider by Amanda Scott.

This is book 1 in the Border Nights series.

Shortly after losing his father, Lord Walter Scott of Rankilburn find himself walking the forest contemplating his new role. He comes across a half-naked girl on the run and offers her protection in his keep.

Molly Cockburn has fled her home the night of her forced wedding. Not knowing where to go, but needing to get away from the horrible man her brother forced her to marry she heads out into the night. When Walter (Wat) finds her, she doesn't tell him who she is in fear of him returning her to her family.

Upon arrival at the keep, Wat's family soon determines her identity and are determined to help her get out of her marriage. Molly is fearful of their help, thinking that her family will retaliate against them for it.

Molly's wedding is soon declared unlawful, but the only way to save her is to get her married to someone that can protect her from her family.  Since Wat has already promised her his protection, he is the perfect choice to fill that position. Can he convince Molly that marriage to him is the right choice?

I've read of all Amanda Scott's other books and enjoyed going back the the Highlands with her. While we didn't see as much of Watt and Molly together as I would have liked to, I still thoroughly enjoyed their story. Being such a big history buff, I really enjoy the historical facts that Scott weaves into her romances.

I loved Wat's grandmother and other secondary characters as much as the H/H of the story. I hope that when Scott continues this series that they are a major part of it too.

I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of the series and can't wait to see what Scott has in store for us!!

You can purchase the book at the following retailers:

Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | IndieBound | GooglePlay | iTunes | Amazon

Thanks go out to Forever Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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Moonlight Raider Blog Tour with Amanda Scott



About MOONLIGHT RAIDER

A MAN OF HIS WORD

Border lord Walter Scott of Rankilburn, grief-stricken after burying his father, goes to the forest seeking solace. Instead he finds a half-naked young lady fleeing pursuit. Wat offers his protection, but honor demands that he return the golden-eyed beauty to her rightful husband-even though the last thing he wants is to see her in another man's arms.

A RUNAWAY BRIDE

Molly Cockburn has fled her home, family, and the brutal scoundrel she was forced to wed. Her pursuers are closing in when the powerful new Lord of Rankilburn bravely intervenes, then promises to help prove her marriage unlawful. Though fiercely loyal to her family, Molly fears they might harm the man she is coming to love, and now she must decide whether to remain faithful to her blood . . . or to her heart.

Excerpt

Without thinking, she put a hand to his arm, noting how hard his muscles were as she looked into his eyes said with deep sincerity, “I’m sorry I frightened you. I don’t think clearly when I’m angry. In troth, I fear that whenever my temper gets the better of me, I do try to get away, but only to try and calm myself. Losing my temper has often …” 

She paused when his expression altered rather strangely.

“You should not look at a man like that unless you want him to kiss you,” he said softly. 

“But I do,” she replied honestly and without hesitation. “No man has kissed me since my granddad died, and I think I would like you to, if you don’t mind.” 

*** 

A voice deep within Wat shouted a warning of where such a kiss might lead, but he ignored it, cupping her chin again with one hand while he drew her closer with the other. Then, gently and ever so slowly, savoring the moment for himself, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. 

Her rosy lips were feather soft and warm against his own. Her slender body snuggled against his and seemed to fit there unusually well. When she moved her lips beneath his, kissing him back, he shifted the hand that had cupped her chin to cradle her head beneath her veil, marveling at the soft silkiness of her hair. 

 She moved her lips as if to taste different parts of his, and another part of his body stirred strongly in response. 

The urge to take her then and there was nearly overpowered him, and as much to distract himself from that dangerous urge as to answer the invitation her lips were offering, he pressed his tongue between them and began to explore the intriguing, moist interior of her mouth. 

She gave a gasp, then seemed to stop breathing. But when he continued his exploration undaunted, she inhaled with a moan and touched her tongue to his. 

Her breath was whisper soft and clean, and her breasts pressed against him, tantalizing him and making his fingers itch to stroke them. That thought provided stronger warning than the voice in his head that he was treading dangerous ground. 

 Remembering his vow to protect her but wise enough not to break their embrace too abruptly, he eased his tongue from her mouth. Then he kissed her more lightly on the lips and again on her forehead. 

“We must go back, lass. I should not have done that, but I’m not sorry I did.” 

“We did it, sir,” she said, looking solemnly into his eyes. “Faith, I invited it.” 

He shook his head at her. “Believe me, if my father were still alive, and I were to tell him exactly how it happened, he would have much to say to me, none of which I would want to hear. But I’d deserve every word.” 

“Sadly, he is not here to scold you,” she said. 

“Aye, but Westruther will give me an earful if he hears about it. You are an inexperienced maiden who was naturally curious, whilst I am …” 

“… much experienced at such things?” she said for him when he paused. 

“More experienced than you, I’d wager,” he said with a sudden grin. “But we are not going to discuss my experience, now or ever, my lass.”




Amanda Scott is the author of over 61 romance novels and the recipient of the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award. She lives in Folsom, California, outside of Sacramento. She is a fourth-generation Californian. 




Please visit Amanda at her website, Facebook, and Goodreads

You can purchase the book at the following retailers:



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The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins

The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins.

This is book one in the Oxenburg Princes series.

Bronwyn Murdock, a bookish spinster, is surprised by a small dog coming out of the nearby forest interrupting her quiet time reading by her favorite tree. A woodsman soon follows and and Bronwyn is intrigued like never before, especially when he kisses her before leaving.

Bronyn soon learns that her woodsman is really Prince Aleksey Romanovin from Oxenburg. When she overhears him talking to a friend about using her to get his grandmother to stop wife hunting for him, Bronyn decides to turn the tables on him. She will make him fall for her and then let him know that she knew of his plan.

But what happens when the feelings become all too real for both of them?

As always, Karen Hawkins has done a masterful job of storytelling. In her latest book, a twist on the Cinderella story, she introduced us to a whole new set of characters that you will fall in love with.

Even though Aleksey was a prince, I thought he was pretty down to earth. Grand Duchess Natasha, Aleksey's grandmother, loved her!!  Being a bookworm myself, I totally related to Bronwyn. She had the best attitude! She finds out that that the prince is using her and she turns the tables on him, LOL!  

I loved Aleksey and Bronwyn together and hope that we see more of them in the rest of the series.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Pocket Books for a copy of the book for an honest review.
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The Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley

The Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley.

This is book 6.5 in the MacKenzies & McBride series.

Coming out of a friend's home, Rose Barclay, the young widow of the Duke of Southdown encounters a very drunken Steven McBride. Seeing that he is in no shape to see himself home, Rose has her coachman bring him with her.

Steven wakes up to a splitting headache but the most beautiful woman is taking care of him.  Needing to get home, he has the perfect planned for tricking the journalists that are camped out trying to find the latest scandal the young widow is involved with. He has the carriage brought around and announces to all that they are to congratulate the couple as they are to get married.

Rose can hardly believe her ears, but soon realizes that Steven's plan has it merits. He has also agreed to help her get her inheritance from her step-son.

What happens when the fake engagements seems all too real?

Having not read the other books in the series, I would worried that I would be confused as to who everyone was. While characters from the previous books did come into play, it in no way took away from the enjoyment of this story. It actually intrigued me to seek out the rest of the series so that I can read their stories too.

Even though this was a novella, I felt that the author did a great job of developing the story and the romance between the couple. I really liked Steven. I thought pretty poorly about himself, but should true character in the way he jumped in to help Rose and others along the way. Even though Rose was not of noble birth, she acted much more noble than her step-son. It was nice to see that she didn't cower when confronted by the people that thought she didn't belong.

Jennifer Ashley is definitely an author that is now on my must read list and I eagerly await the next installment in the series.


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


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

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The Songbird's Seduction by Connie Brockway

The Songbird's Seduction by Connie Brockway.

Lucy Eastlake has lived with her great-aunts since she was a child. Now an operetta singer, she had been struggling to make ends meet for her family. But soon that will all change when her aunt Lavinia comes into an inheritance (a fortune of rubies split amongst the survivors of a siege fifty years before). Unfortunately, they must travel to France to get it.

Just before embarking on their trip, Lucy meets Ptolemy Archibald the grandson of Lavinia's lost love from the siege.  Having denied his escort, Ptolemy goes after Lucy and her aunts anyway wanting to make sure they arrive in France safely.  

But when he encounters Lucy without her aunts, they must make the rest of the trip alone.  What happens when the straight-laced professor and the spunky operetta singer decide not to deny the attraction they feel for each other?

This story does not take place during the historical time periods I usually read, but since it was a Connie Brockway story I picked it up anyway. Brockway did not disappoint!

I liked that the heroine had a career that was a little racy for that time period and that she was attracted to a stuffy ol' professor who turned out to not be so stuffy after all.  As usual, Brockway had me laughing out loud at the characters antics and kept me reading to see what else they would get up to.

If you are a fan of the Edwardian era, this is the book for you!


You can pick this book up at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Montlake Romance via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review. 

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The Kidnapped Bride by Heather Hiestand

Dougal Alexander has been sent to find Lady Elizabeth Shield. After a year of looking for her, he has finally tracked her down.  Before he can collect her and take her back to her family, she is taken by white slavers and he must rescue.

Elizabeth is thankful that Dougal has saved her from the slavers, but she is not going back to her family. She doesn't belong there and they will never accept the baby she has taken as her own.  

Will Dougal get Elizabeth back to her family or will their time together convince them both that they need something different than they thought?

Lord of Regrets by Sabrina Darby

Lord of Regrets by Sabrina Darby.

Despite being in love with her, Lord Marcus Templeton can not marry Natasha Polinoff. He has to follow his grandfather's dictates or he will be out of his inheritance. When Natasha announces that she is pregnant, Marcus flies off the handle and tells her to get rid of the child. Determined to save the life of herself and her child, Natasha flees into the night.

It has taken 5 years, but Marcus has finally located Natasha. Determined to wed her and be out from under his grandfather's rule, Marcus has worked hard to earn his own money. He has never stopped loving Natasha and wants her and his daughter to finally be a family.
Can Natasha forgive Marcus for what he did 5 years ago and make a family for her and her daughter?

I really didn't like Marcus at all at the beginning of the story. That his first instinct was to kill the child just turned me off of him. He did grow on me as the story went on and I really loved seeing his relationship with his daughter grow.

I can totally relate to Natasha.  After having Marcus say to kill her child, I'd have run far away too.  I'm glad that it took her awhile to forgive him, because that was a horrible thing for him to do.  

I'm intrigued by some of the secondary characters and hope that Darby writes their stories too!


You can get this book at the following retailers:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

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


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Keepsake by Heather Boyd

Keepsake by Heather Boyd.

This is book 5 in the Distinguished Rogues series.

Having anticipated their wedding vows, Miranda Reed is devastated when her new husband goes off with his mistress on their wedding night.  Not wanting to live that life, she runs off to live her life with their unborn child.

Ten year later, Kit, the Marquess of Taverham, has finally given up hope that his wife is ever coming back or is even alive. He is about to declare her dead so he can move on with his life when she suddenly pops up at the theatre.

Knowing that her husband was about to have her declared dead, Miranda comes out of hiding to give her son his rightful place in society and as Taverham's heir. What she doesn't count on is her attraction to Kit. It is still as strong as ever. But she must find her son, who is not with the caretaker Miranda left him with during her illness.

Can Miranda and Kit have the marriage that both of them dreamed of so long ago? What happens when Kit finds out he has a son?

I really enjoyed Kit and Miranda's story.  I didn't like Kit at the beginning of the story. I thought he was trying to have his cake and eat it too but he grew on me as the story unfolded.

Boyd did a good job of keeping the story interesting with many plot twists, a villain and a little bit of mystery. I'll definitely be reading more of her work.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

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Misadventures in Seduction by Robyn DeHart

Willing to do anything to keep her brother from going off to war, Prudence Hixsby makes a deal with Sir Bailey Fenton. One night in his bed in exchange for his help in keeping her brother safe.

Sneaking into a darkened room later that evening, she has a passion filled night. She soon learns that she slept with the wrong man and her brother is off to war.

Harrison Carlisle, the Duke of Sutcliffe, can't believe that Pru has come to his room. He has been attracted to her for sometime, but knows that the only way he can have her is marriage. He is not in a position to take a wife, so he has never pursued her. He soons learns why Pru had come to the room and does everything in his power to keep her brother safe. 

Unfortunately, it's not enough. When Pru's brother is killed, Harrison finds himself working alongside Pru to find his murderer.  Can he keep his attraction underwraps or will decide to reveal all?

The Lady's Disgrace by Callie Hutton

The Lady's Disgrace by Callie Hutton.

This is book 3 in the Marriage Mart Mayhem series.

Lady Abigail Lacey is the laughingstock of London after being jilted by her betrothed.  Her brother, the Duke of Manchester is determined to set things right. He needs to find her a new husband and get her out of London.

Rector Joseph Fox never imagined that he would be asked to marry Abigail when he stopped to visit Manchester intending to see about a donation for his school. Knowing that he would never be good enough for the daughter of a Duke, Joseph has never acted on his attraction to Abigail.

After being jilted and having her heart broken, Abigail is determined never to marry for love. Joseph is the perfect choice for her. Their marriage would be a marriage of convenience:  no passion or physical pleasures after an heir was conceived. 

What happens when Joseph decides he wants more out of his marriage?

I was really looking forward to Abigail's story and was excited to see her paired with Joseph.  I loved both of them in The Duke's Quandary.

Even though Joseph and Abigail had known each other their whole lives, Hutton does a wonderful job of showing their growing relationship. One going from friends to lovers. She also did a wonderful job of adding a little mystery to the mix (won't say more, I don't want to spoil it!!).

Definitely one for the keeper shelf!


You can get this book at the following retailers:




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Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles

Must Love Breeches by Angela Quarles.

This is book 1 in the Must Love series.

In the middle of a Victorian themed ball put on by her work, Isabelle Rochon finds herself wishing that she was at a real Victorian era ball. The next thing she knows, she is feeling dizzy and can't find a single one of her co-workers.  She soon realizes that she has some how been transported back in time where she meets Lady Ada Byron and Lord Phineas Montagu.

Isabelle soon figures out that the card case she was holding is what transported her back in time. Unfortunately, someone stole it as she left the ball. Having no where to go, Ada takes her back to the place she is staying. Isabelle talks Phineas into helping her find the missing card case and she agrees to be his fake fiance for a project he is working on.

As Isabelle and Phineas spend more time with each other, their attraction toward each other gets stronger.  Isabelle must make a decision, if she finds a way back to the future will she choose to stay in the past for a love of a lifetime.

I am a huge fan of time travel stories.  I just love to see how the modern person will act without all their modern conveniences.  I'm a little torn on how to rate this book as I loved the storyline and the chemistry between the H/H was red hot, but there were times that the writing was just awful. I felt like I was reading the script of some awful B movie. I did get better toward the end of the novel, but there were moments at the beginning that I was just cringing.

If you can get past the first part of the book, it was really an enjoyable read.  The next book in the series is about Isabelle's friend that goes back in time to Scotland.  I will probably pick it up just because I like this type of story and hope that the writing has gotten better...

Storyline:  5 stars,  Writing:  3 stars.....4 star book


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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



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In Bed with a Rogue by Samantha Grace

Having been jilted at the altar, Sebastian Thorne is determined to restore his family's reputation. When he finds the widow Lady Helena Prestwick in Whitechapel, he makes a deal with her. He will help her find the person she is looking for if she will befriend his sister and introduce her back into society.

Trying to find her sister in the high class brothels is not something Helena can do on her own. When Sebastian offers her deal, she jumps on it.  Since she can't get into the brothels, who better to go than a gentleman with a reputation. But can she keep the secret that it is her sister she is looking for?

As they spend time together in society, neither of them counted on their attraction to each other.  All Helena wants is to return to Scotland with her sisters. She has no plans to marry again, but Sebastian is making her question her decision.

Guest Post: Kathleen Bittner Roth

THE POWER OF PERSEVERENCE

Years ago, I founded a successful wellbeing center where I taught self-empowerment. I stressed the importance of perseverance in attaining one’s goals. I developed seminars, produced meditation CDs, and gave talks on the “how to” of successful living. I taught that if you wanted to shake up your ego so that self-realization could take its rightful place, move someplace where you don’t know anyone. But if you really wanted to give the old ego a twist, try relocating to a place where you don’t even speak the language. Little did I know that while I instructed people on how to replace ego with self-realization, that I would end up living in not one, but two post-Communist countries, or that I would settle in the one where the language is considered to be the second most difficult in the world to learn. How could I know that my beliefs would be tested to the marrow of my bones? 

 Let me backtrack a bit. I met my late husband, Hans Roth, in Texas. Hans was a romance-cover-handsome German who spoke six languages, and flirted audaciously in every one of them. It wasn’t long until his flirting worked. A year later, we were married in a castle in Scotland. A few years passed, and Hans itched to move back to Europe, so we settled in Croatia. While I had to locate the country on a map, Hans had vacationed there as a child with his family when the country was still Yugoslavia, and under communist rule of Marsal Tito. Oh, my gosh. I had no idea what a beautiful country Croatia was. 

We settled in Opatija (Google it for a glimpse of the city’s grandeur). Here was a postcard perfect setting founded by Emperor Franz Josef back in the 1800’s as a spa town for lovely Empress Elizabeth. Life by the sea was idyllic for Hans and me. We played in the clear-blue Adriatic and dined on fresh-caught seafood. Hans, an artist and builder, renovated old stone farmhouses as vacation homes for the Brits while I began doing what I’d been aching to do for years—write. I studied the craft, wrote a book or two, and began entering writing contests. And winning. I was filled with enthusiasm. Then life took a sudden turn. Hans became ill. We rushed him to a specialized hospital in Hungary where he passed away. 

Devastated, I found myself alone in Budapest. I cannot tell you the legal hoops I had to jump through amidst a burden of grief. I used every tool I’d ever taught others about self-empowerment. I persevered. Three months later, I began writing A Duke’s Wicked Kiss. I entered the manuscript in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Contest where I became a finalist. In the meantime, I caught the attention of my wonderful agent, Jill Marsal, of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Things fell into place like so many pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. I now have five books under contract, four of them releasing this year, the fifth in 2015. Currently, I am working on the sequels to A Duke’s Wicked Kiss and The Seduction of Sarah Marks as well as a WWII novel. 

If I were to narrow to one word what it took to get where I am today, that word would have to be: Perseverance. 

Author Bio

Kathleen Bittner Roth creates passionate stories featuring characters faced with difficult choices, and who are forced to draw on their strength of spirit to overcome adversity and find unending love. Her own fairy tale wedding in a Scottish castle led her to her current residence in Budapest, Hungary, considered one of Europe’s most romantic cities. However, she still keeps one boot firmly in Texas and the other in her home state of Minnesota. A member of Romance Writers of America®, she was a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist. 

 You can find Kathleen on FacebookTwitter, Goodreads and Pinterest; among the authors at Dashing Duchesses, and The Firebirds, or by visiting her website.

Kathleen's lastest book is A Duke's Wicked Kiss

Miss Suri Thurston knows the pain of abandonment. Intent on confronting the grandmother who tossed her to the lions, she travels from England to her birthplace in India. Her plans run afoul when she encounters the man who, ten years prior, left a mark on her soul with one stolen kiss. But he is a duke, and far beyond the reach of even her dreams.

The duke of Ravenswood, secret head of the British Foreign Service, has no time for relationships. His one goal is to locate and eliminate key insurgents involved in an uprising against the British East India Company before it’s too late. But when Suri appears in Delhi, his resolve is tested as he finds his heart forever bound to her by the haunting kiss they shared once upon a time.

With Suri’s vengeful Indian family calling for her death and insurgents intent on mutiny tearing their world apart, can their love rise above the scandal of the marriage they both desperately want?

You can purchase A Duke's Wicked Kiss at the following retailers:



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My Highland Spy by Victoria Roberts

My Highland Spy by Victoria Roberts.

This is book 1 in the Highland Spies series.

Lady Ravenna Walsingham is a spy for the crown. Her newest assignment is to go to the Highlands and act as a governess for Laird Sutherland. While there she is to see if Sutherland is planning anything against the crown.

Ruairi Sutherland is not about to send his only son to learn English. So when the the king sends a governess to do the job, he feigns ignorance of knowing the language himself to see what she is up to. He soons find himself intrigued with the English woman and can't keep himself from letting her know that he understands her.

As Ravenna spends more time with Ruairi and his son, she can't help but fall in love with both of them. But what happens when he finds out that she was spent to spy on him?

This was a great story. I loved that there was a female spy that we followed to Scotland. It definitely put her at a disadvantage not knowing the language. I fell in love with Ruairi and his son just as Ravenna did.

Roberts did a great job of combining a love story, a mystery and history of Scotland into this story. The only reason I rated this a 4 instead of a 5 was that I thought some of the writing was lacking. It was definitely not a strong as a lot of the other writers I read.

There were lots of secondary characters that I hope get their story told and I can't wait for the next book in the series.


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


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


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A Scandal to Remember by Elizabeth Essex

Taking on a voyage as the lieutenant with a drunken captain is hard enough without the added element of an unwanted female aboard. Charles Dance is dealing with a multitude of problems with his ship, when Jane Burke steps aboard stating she is a part of the expedition he is tasked to take to the South Seas. Making the members of the expedition decide whether Jane stays or not, he is surprised to see that she does.

Finally out from under the shadow of her father, Jane is excited to be on the expedition to prove her own worth. She never counted on being attracted to the man tasked with their safety. Between all the mishaps the ship goes through and being stranded on a deserted island, can Charles and Jane find their happily ever after?