Pleasing the Pirate by Sharon Cullen

Mairi McFadden is desperate to find her brother to save her clan from starvation. She received a letter from him saying that he was in prison in London. With the aid of a clansman, Mairi finds her way to Phin Lockwood's ship to ask him for help.

Phin Lockwood has been given a reprieve from hanging. If he brings in a traitorous Scot, he will be granted his life.  The Home Office arranges for Mairi, the traitor's sister, to be lead to him. He plans to use her as bait to draw her brother out.
Mairi is excited when Phin agrees to help her find her brother, but is startled to learn that he has escaped captivity and is considered a traitor to the English crown. 

Mairi soon learns that Phin is using her to capture her brother but doesn't know that he is doing it to save his own life.  As the two of them spend more and more time together, they can't fight the attraction between them. Can Mairi find happiness with the man that is trying to imprison her brother?

The Warrior's Bride by Amanda Scott

The Warrior's Bride by Amanda Scott.

This is book 3 in the Lairds of the Loch series.

Unbeknownst to Lady Muriella MacFarlan, her father offers her up to Robert (Rob) MacAuley as a bride. Rob declines stating that he won't inflict himself on any woman.

Muriella has her mind set on being the clan story teller, but after seeing how happy her sisters are in their marriages Muriella has set her eyes on Rob macAuley. That is until she learns that he has already rejected her.

When Muriella is kidnapped by Dugal MacFarlan, her father asks Rob to be the one to bring her back. As Rob has business with Dugal's father, he quickly agrees.

Rob arrives in the middle of Muriella's "trial" where she is accused of doing the kidnapping and is told to marry Dugal to make amends.  There was no way that Muriella was going to marry the enemy of her clan, so she claims that she can't marry Dugal since she is already married to Rob.  

According to Scottish tradition, when Rob does not deny the marriage it become true to fact.  What will they do with a marriage that neither one of them wanted?

This novel continues the story of the Andrew MacFarlan trying to reclaim is place as the Laird of Clan MacFarlan.  I really enjoyed reading all three books in the series. Amanda Scott always includes so much history in her novels. I feel like I can really understand what is happening in the world at that time and have a better understanding of what drives the characters she writes about. For this history lover that is definitely a plus.

I wasn't sure how Muriella's story would progress as she was pretty young in the other two novels. Scott did progress  the book a year from the previous one to give her some time to go up, although Muriella was still an impulsive young lady (which leads to her being kidnapped). I loved Rob since he was previously introduced in the series and grew more attached as his story progressed.

I did enjoy the unique gifts that the sisters possessed and didn't feel like they were unrealistic.  I wish that this was not the end of the series as I will miss all the characters (even Dugal and all his craziness!)


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

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


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The Raider by Monica McCarty

The Raider by Monica McCarty.

This is book 8 in the Highland Guard series.

Six years ago, Lady Rosalin Clifford saved Robert "Raider" Boyd from being executed by her brother. So when he kidnaps her and her nephew during a raid, she tells him he must re-pay the debt by releasing them.

Robert didn't know that it was his enemy's sister that saved him all those years ago, but he can't let her go. He needs her to get a peace treaty signed by the English and stop the bloodshed that is tearing apart his country.

Robert (Robbie) has had a place in Roselin's heart since she saw him acting the gallant warrior while imprisoned. She can't believe that this is the same man that she thought deserved to be free. Six years of war have hardened Robbie and he is no longer the man that he use to be.

Roselin and her nephew try to escape at every opportunity, but as Roselin spends more time with Robert she sees the man under the warrior.  She must decide if what she really wants is to go back to the English or fight for the love of a Scottish warrior.

This is the first book that I have read by Monica McCarty and it definitely won't be the last. I usually read series books in order, but didn't have time to read the other 8 before reading this one. I will definitely be going back and reading them now.  Even though there were 8 books before this one that I hadn't read, I didn't feel like it took away from the story at all.  Several characters and story lines were mentioned, but nothing that had me wishing that I had read the others first.

I loved the faith that Roselin had in her brother even in the face of all the bad things that Robbie had to say about him.  Her brother was all that she had left and even if it meant losing Robbie, she did not lose her faith in him. Robbie was the same with his convictions, he would do anything for his country even if it meant losing Roselin. 

I don't want to give away too many things, but it was a really great book. I hope to find the time to read the rest of the series very soon!


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

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

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A Wicked Pursuit by Isabella Bradford

A Wicked Pursuit by Isabella Bradford.
This is book 1 in the Breconridge Brothers series, which is connected to her Wylder Sisters series.

The Earl of Hargreave, Harry Fitzroy, heads to the country to finally propose to the beautiful Julia Barclay. Once there, they go on an early morning ride where Harry will finally get his chance to propose. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and Harry is thrown from his horse.  Having broken both bones in his leg, Harry is forced to convalesce at the Barclay home.

Lady Augusta, Gus, has always been in the shadow of her beautiful sister. But when Harry is injured, it is Gus and not Julia that steps up to make sure that his recovery goes smoothly.

Julia has run back to London and Gus must make excuses to Harry. Forever the one to look after everything, Gus does her best to entertain Harry while he recuperates. As Harry spends time with Gus, he realizes that he almost proposed to the wrong sister. He would have been miserable with Julia.

As he sets out to win the heart of Gus, he remembers how he became injured and is angry at himself.  Because of his antics, he can not be the husband he would like to be for Gus.  Can Gus convince him that he is good enough just as he is?

I really enjoyed this story.  Gus was the ugly duckling that turned into the swan with the love of Harry. 

When Harry is introduced, I felt he was kinda of an @$$.  When he was injured, he started inviting all these people to Gus's home and having a bunch of things delivered, including his dogs. I was a little taken aback by his high-handedness, but then thought about how the son of a duke would have been raised.  As a future duke, everything would have been catered to him and his every wish fulfilled. Then he realized that his feelings for Gus were more than just friendship and his actions made me fall in love with him. He wanted Gus to see herself as he saw her, not as she had seen herself her whole life.

This is an awesome start to a new series and I can't wait for the rest of it to come out.  This is the first book of Bradford's that I have read and I was impressed with it. I will definitely be going back and reading her Wylder Sisters series.


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

Thanks go to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for a copy of the book in exchange on an honest review.


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The Temptation of Laura by Rachel Brimble

The Temptation of Laura by Rachel Brimble.

Laura Robinson had been a prostitute since the age of 15. She is tired of that life and wants to make something of herself. She has always wanted to be an actress and manages to get a job selling food at the local theatre.

Adam Lacey has the staring role at the theatre, but would really like to be writing the plays instead of acting in them. When he sees Laura for the first time, he knows she would be the perfect person to star in his play.  It was if the part had been written just for her.

Laura don't believe that Adam wants her for his play. She believes that he knows what she use to be and just wants to get her into bed.  Adam soon convinces her of his sincerity and they begin rehearsing.

As they spend more and more time with each other, their attraction grows. Can it lead anywhere? What will each of them do to get the life that they want?

I'll be honest and say that if I had known that the story was about a prostitute, I probably wouldn't have requested it (I'll  remember to read the write up better next time).  Having been approved for the story through NetGalley, I went ahead and kept reading to do the review.  The writing was good, but I just couldn't get into the story. I don't know why the idea of a prostitute turned me away as I've read stories about courtesans and enjoyed them, but it did.  I did like the character of Adam and most of the secondary characters, but the story just didn't do anything for me.  Having said that, I see that the author has another historical novel that I would be willing to read it in the future.


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

Thanks go out to NetGalley and eKensington for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.


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Must Love Dukes by Elizabeth Michels


Must Love Dukes by Elizabeth Michels.

This is book 1 in the Tricks of the Ton series.

Lillian Phillips must travel to London to buy back the family heirlooms that were sold off to pay for her brother's gambling debts. Unfortunately, when she arrives she is told that her father's watch was just sold. Lillian decided to follow the man and try to get the watch back.

Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, is on his way to having a nice leisurely drink at a local pub when he senses that someone is following him. He can't imagine why the young woman is following him.  

When he arrives at the pub, Lillian makes herself known and they sit down for a drink.  After several drinks and lots of talk, Devon invites Lillian back to his place to see all the artifacts he has collected on his many journeys.  They have been fighting their mutual attraction all night and when they arrive at Devon's home one thing leads to another....

Early the next morning, Lillian sneaks out of the house but not before finding that watch that started it all. Devon awakens to find Lillian and his watch missing. Since Lillian gave him a fake name, he is unable to find the thief.

A year passes and Lillian's bother is determined that it is time for her to marry. She must pick a husband from a list he has put together.  Of course, she runs into Devon at the first ball she attends and he is ready for revenge.  In exchange for Lillian doing a few things for him, he will not tell everyone about their night a year ago.  Lillian agrees and soon learns that Devon's plans have a positive effect for her. He is getting the men on her brother's list out of the picture.

Can Lillian hold out on getting married until she reaches her majority or will spending all that time with Devon change her mind about marriage?

This was an awesome debut novel by Elizabeth Michels. I love when the banter between the h/h has me laughing out loud and Michels achieved this over and over again.  I love that Lillian stood up to her brother as much as she could and what Devon was willing to give up to marry her. Devon's mother was a secondary character that I fell in love with. She saw what her son was unwilling to admit and did what she could to manipulate the situation.  

An interesting addition to the novel was Lillian's gay brother.  It's been alluded to in other novels that I have read, but it's never been blatantly out there. I LOVE when authors throw an element into the story that makes it unique. Michels did a wonderful job of adding this to the storyline without it overpowering it.

We met the h/h of the next novel, Sue and Holden (Desperately Seeking Suzanna), during this story. Having already seen the interaction between the two of them, I am on pins and needles waiting for it to come out! My fingers are crossed that we are able to see more of Lillian and Devon as their story unfolds.


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

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


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Sinfully Yours by Cara Elliot

Sinfully Yours by Cara Elliot.

This is book 2 in the Hellions of High Street series. You can find my review of book 1 HERE.

Anna Sloane's mother is surprised to hear that she wants to go to the house party in Scotland. But what Anna's mother doesn't know is that she wants to spend the time working on her book and not looking for a titled husband. She has also got to get away from "Devil" Davenport as he is proving to be too distracting.
The ton thinks that the Marquess of Davenport, Devlin, is a penniless rake that doesn't have a kind bone in his body. What they don't know, is that he does missions for the government and his reputation helps him learn things he wouldn't have otherwise.  His next mission is at a house party in Scotland. The government thinks that someone is going to kill a visiting prince.
Anna and Devlin are both surprised to see the other when they arrive at the house party. One reason both of them accepted the invitation was to get away from the other. They each feel as if they spend too much time preoccupied with the other.
With each on a mission of their own, much speculation ensues.  Anna sees Devlin sneaking around where he shouldn't be right when some jewelry goes missing. Is he so desperate for money that he must revert to stealing to make ends meet? Devlin catches Anna sneaking away from where the guns are kept and the prince's gun explodes the next day.  Is Anna in on the plot to kill the prince?
Will they learn the truth about each other and find a way to marital bliss?
I knew from reading Scandalously Yours (SY), that Anna and Devlin would be the next h/h (at least I hoped they would be). The chemistry they had with each other practically jumped off the page.  We briefly saw a side of Devlin in that story that made me believe that he was not exactly whom we were lead to believe he was (great foreshadowing!)  Sinfully Yours definitely lived up to all that I hoped it would be.

One of the things I loved about SY, was the relationship between the sisters.  In Sinfully Yours, Elliot continues with this theme and does it masterfully.  We only see two of the sisters during this story, but I hope that changes with the story of the youngest sister (I've got my fingers crossed about who she will be paired off with).

We have a pretty good understanding of who Anna is from SY, but she truly comes into her own with this novel. She has always been the perfect sister, the one her mother told the others to emulate.  We finally see the person she has been hiding behind this facade. The adventuress person who will do what she has to do get what she wants.

Devlin on the other hand was just the opposite.  Known as a rake and not good for much else, we see the side of him that he has kept hidden. It takes the love of Anna to get him to share this side of himself. With every bit of new information, I fell a little bit more in love with him!

I just can't say enough about this series. I LOVE IT!! This series is the only one that I've read from the author, but from these two books I will definitely be picking up her other series. 


You can get this book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Thanks go out to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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Much Ado About Jack by Christy English

Much Ado About Jack by Christy English.

This is book 3 in the Shakespeare in Love series.

Angelique Beauchamp, the widowed Countess of Devereaux, is determined that she will never again give her heart away or give up her freedom. Her deceased husband and former lover broke her heart and she is determined never to put herself in that position again. 

Captain James Montgomery is looking for a ship to purchase and is directed to the one owned by Angelique. Unfortunately for James, Angelique is not selling her ship. Since he couldn't get her ship, he turns his attention to getting her!

Angelique is determined that any affair they engage in, will be very brief.  James has other plans for their relationship. As he spends more time with Angelique, he is more or more determined to keep her in his life. Will Angelique open her heart to what could be the best thing to happen to her?

I really enjoyed this novel.  After reading book one in the series (How to Tame a Willful Wife), I was not sure I wanted to read a story about the "other" woman.  But in book 2 (Love on a Midsummer Night), we see more of Angelique and learn that she acted the way she did because she was heartbroken.  By the time I got to her story, I was ready for her to get the HEA that she deserved. 

I fell in love with James almost instantly.  I like when a hero sees what it is he wants and goes after it. There were times when he was a bit cocky, but I think you need a little bit of that to be the go getter type.  I also loved the way that Angelique stood up for herself and didn't always allow James to get what he wanted.  The banter between the two of them had me laughing out loud. They were the perfect match for each other.


You can find this book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound.
Thanks go out to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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When a Lord Needs a Lady by Jane Goodger

Katherine Wright, American heiress,  is in England to find a titled husband to make her parents happy. She would much rather go back home and go to college.  During her stay in Brighton Beach, she dresses as a maid and enjoys some alone time walking along the beach. She meets a man, the valet to Lord Graham Spencer, and is instantly intrigued.

Lord Graham Spencer sees an intriguing woman walking along the beach. He is so drawn to her that he goes down to the beach to meet her.  Saving her from dropping into the ocean, Graham strikes up a conversation with her. But Graham tells her is is actually his valet.

Graham and Katherine, both letting the other think they are not who they appear to be, engage in a flirtation. Katherine sneaks out of hotel room to meet Graham in secret.  They both know that the relationship would never work, but they can't stay away from each other.

They have one last night together, but Katherine never show up.  Graham goes to her hotel and demands to find out what happen to her and learns that her party has left early.  He is devastated thinking that he will never see her again.

Fortunately for them both, they end up at the same house party and soon learn that the other was not honest with who they were. Unfortunately, Graham is soon to be engaged to another American heiress to save his properties from ruin.  Will Graham follow his heart or will his need to save his legacy prevail?

The MacGregor's Lady by Grace Burrowes

Asher MacGregor has been charged with escorting American heiress Hannah Cooper through London's ballrooms to find her a titled husband.  He has spent the last several years in Canada and the last thing he wants to do is escort someone to parties while in London.

Hannah Cooper is only in England to satisfy her step-father desire for her to marry. Unfortunately, Hannah would rather be back home waiting to be of age to get the inheritance that will protect her family in Boston.

Although neither of them want to go looking for a spouse, Hannah and Asher promise each other that they will do so on the condition that the other does the same.  In the course of "looking" for a spouse, the two develop a friendship that quickly turns into something more.

Can Asher open his heart to love again and will Hannah let Asher protect her family?

Miss Molly Robbins Designs a Seduction by Jayne Fresina

Miss Molly Robbins has just walked away from her own wedding to start her dress shop in London. She has sent all her money home to her family while she was a lady's maid to Lady Mercy Danforthe (from Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal, book #3), so Molly goes to her former employer, Carver Danforthe, Earl of Eversham, to get a loan.

Having been woken up at an ungodly early hour, Carver agrees to Molly's proposition even with her clause of "No Tomfoolery." As time progresses, Carver would like to add an addendum to the contact. Will Molly accept their new agreement?

The Heart of a Duke (Anthology)

The Heart of a Duke by Samantha Grace, Christi Caldwell, Robin Delany, Olivia Kelly, and Aileen Fish.

This anthology is different from other anthologies I have read. The author's have worked together to tie the characters and storyline throughout each of the stories.
Nadya Pankova is resentful of the privileged girls that come to have their fortune told at the gypsy camp. She sells them a cheap necklace and tells them that if they wear it, they will win the heart of a duke.

Since Eleanore Barnaby is betrothed to a duke already, the friends decide that she should be the first to wear the necklace. Unfortunately, Eleanore is not happy about her betrothal. Her parents arranged the marriage when she was just a small child.  Her betrothed never spends any time with her and is always pawning her off on his cousin. 
Eleanore decides to run away to her grandfather in hopes of not having to go through with the wedding. Will love follow her on the adventure?

The necklace is soon passed to Valera Bell.  She has her sites on landing a Duke, but will someone she has known forever show her that having a duke is not everything?
Aldora Adamson is next in line and must marry to save her family from ruin. Aldora sets her eyes on the perfect man, the Marquess of St. James. He is wealthy, had a commitment for the less fortunate and he his family had its own skeletons in the closet.  Unfortunately, it's not the Marquess that makes her heart beat faster it is his notorious brother. Will Aldora continue to protect her family, or will she follow her heart?

Alison Griffith doesn't believe in the magic of the necklace, but is willing to do anything for the man she wants as her husband.  Can she convience scientist, Jonathan Foster, that she will make him a wonderful partner in all his scientific endeavors?

Charlotte Griffith has dreamed of her duke since the girls found the necklace. As each one of the girls found true love with someone other than a duke, Charlotte still had a picture of her husband in her mind. He looked just like the Duke of Langley. Unfortunately, Charlotte overhears a conversation that the duke has with a friend and decided that he is not he person for her.  She wants to marry for love and the duke will never love her.  So when Langley proposes marriage to her, Charlotte turns him down. She does, however, agree to help him find his future wife.  But is Langley falling for Charlotte as he spends more and more time with her?

Captured by a Pirate Lord by Amy Jarecki

Captured by a Pirate Lord by Amy Jarecki.

This is book one in the Highland Force series.

Lady Anne is on the way to meet her husband (whom she wed by proxy and has never met) when the ship carrying her is attacked by pirates.  Laird Calum MacLeod has attacked the ship to get much needed supplies to feed his starving clansmen. He never imagined that he would find a well-born English lady on board.

With no other choice to make, Calum takes Anne back with him to the isle of Raasay where she will stay until her husband ransoms her.  As they spend more and more time together, they realize their growing attraction for the other is mutual. But as Anne is married to Calum's enemy, they can do nothing about it.  Anne must honor her vows even as the disgust for her husband increases with each tale of his misdeeds.

Anne's husband has finally agreed to the ransom terms. They must come up with a plan to get her back to him without Calum being caught for kidnapping. Will they both find the happiness they deserve?

I really enjoyed this novel.  Being on a ship is one of my favorite settings as the characters are in such a confined space they have to interact with each other!  I love when the hero is a very dominant male, but is not afraid to show his softer side. Calum is one such man and I fell in love with him! 

Jarecki did a wonderful job of keeping me intrigued with the storyline which included many plot twists. She did an outstanding job of pulling my heartstrings throughout the story. I was laughing and crying throughout.One aspect that will always keep me coming back to an author is one that has me falling in love with not just the h/h of the story but the secondary characters as well.  Jareck sure pulled me into this little bunch of characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series, The Highland Henchman, which features Bran whom was Anne's chaperone throughout most of the story.

Jarecki did an outstanding job of pulling my heartstrings throughout the story. I was laughing and crying throughout. She definitely has a new fan in me!


You can get is book from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Thanks go to NetGalley and Rapture Books for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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What a Groom Wants by Jade Lee

Radley Lyncott has been in love with Wendy Drew since before he went to sea. Unfortunately, Wendy was too young to court before he left. Now that he is about to become a captain of his own ship, he plans to woo Wendy and make her his.

Wendy Drew has made something of herself during the time that Radley has been away.  She got training on how to act like a lady and and co-owns a bridal shop. Unfortunately, her brother has gotten himself into a pile of debt which can't be covered with the money she makes from the shop. To help him pay off that debt, she is working nights being a dealer at Demon Damon's gambling den.

Everything changes when Radley returns to his home to find out that he has inherited a dukedom. Where once Wendy saw a bright future for herself and Radley, she now feels like she is not good enough for him.  Radley also get competition from Demon Damon for Wendy's hand.