A Midnight Dance by Lila DiPasqua

The daughter of a wealthy theater owner, Sabine Laurent grew up seeing royalty and dreaming of her own prince charming. But when they fall from grace, she must do whatever she must to provide food and shelter for her family. As a distraction, Sabine end up playing a prostitute so that her cousins can steal a hoard of silver. She didn't count on her mark being the handsome prince from her childhood.

Jules Moutier must take his ill gotten gains to restore his family's name. When Sabine shows up at his camp wanting food, he pushed aside his reservations because of his instant attraction to her. When Jules doesn't fall for their plan, Sabine goes through with her ruse and plays her part even though she is a virgin.

With her plan spoiled, can Sabine help her family survive? And now that she has had her prince charming, is she willing to give him up.

What Happens Under the Mistletoes by Jeffries, Hawkins, Camp and Duran

***The Heiress and the Hotheat by Sabrina Jeffries - book 1.5 in the Sinful Suitors series***

Amanda Keane is visiting England to see her brother as well as learning more about the textile mills that are more profitable than the one she is running in America. She didn't count on falling in love.

Lord Stephen Corry, a writer and crusader against the unjust treatment of mill workers, doesn't know what to think about the woman that her mistakenly kissed under the mistletoe. As a mill owner, she represents everything he is against.

Can these foes get past their differences to find their HEA?

A quick read with some of my favorites from last and current series by Jeffries.  Foes that turn into lovers are always a favorite of mine.

***Twelve Kisses to Midnight by Karen Hawkins - loosely tied to the Oxenburg Princes series ***

Marcus Sutherland, the Duke of Rothesay sees his mistress standing under the mistletoe and sweeps in for a kiss. As soon as his lips touch hers, he knows it is not his mistress. It's his former fiancee, Lady Kenna Montrose. Scandal ensues and Kenna leaves the house party to get her father to "fix" things. Of course, Marcus follows her and he gets injured. Kenna luckily finds shelter, but they are forced to stay for several days while a winter storm passes. 

Will their close proximity rekindle the love they once held for each other?

A wonderful, quick read! I always love a reunion story and Hawkins hit it out of the park.  It also helped that Grand Duchess Natasha Nikolaevna was there to meddle!!

***By Any Other Name by Candace Camp***

Rylla Campbell is desperate to find her brother before Christmas, so much so that she dresses as a man and huts for him in the gaming hells. Leaving the hells, she is attacked and Gregory Rose steps in to help. He soon learns she is a girl which is a relief since he couldn't imagine why he was feeling an attraction to the young man he rescued. Not wanting to let her go, Gregory agrees to help her find her brother. Spending every evening together brings them closer than either anticipated. 

Another great read by one of my favorite authors. Mystery and romance...a perfect combination!

***Sweetest Regret by Meredith Duran***

Left in charge of her father's house party, Georgie Trent is left to entertain her father's guests. If that weren't bad enough, her father has sent for Lucas Godwin to find some letters that were stolen. Georgie has no desire to see Lucas again after he broke her heart two years ago, but what is she to do? Seeing Lucas again makes her realize that she never got over him. Can they get passed their previous hurt to work together and find the love that they lost?

Another wonderful reunion story that had me wishing it was a full length novel!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


One Wild Winter's Eve by Anne Barton

One Wild Winter's Eve by Anne Barton

This is book 4 in the Honeycote series.

Lady Rose Sherbour was rendered mute after seeing a traumatizing event as a young girl. But that didn't stop her from having a wonderful summer with the stable boy. They were able to communicate without words. Even though they were very young, she could sense the connection between them even then. But he just disappeared one day and Rose has no idea what had become of him. Now speaking again and moving about in society, Rose runs into her stable boy at a most unexpected place.

Charles Holland never imagined that he would see Lady Rose again. When she shows up to stay at the home of his employer, he realizes that his feelings for her haven't changed in all the years they have been apart. When Rose asks him to help find information about her mother, Charles can't refuse.

Will the difference in their stations keep this unlikely couple apart?

Once again Barton put together a wonderful story! It's not often that we see a story where the H/H have such class difference. But once again, Barton was able to pull it off. I always love her stories because they always contain some mystery in which the H/H need to solve. That just enhances the story as it puts them into situations in which they normally wouldn't have found themselves in.

I've loved this series, but I think this is the last one....so sad!! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!!


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books A Million | IndieBound | Powell's | Hachette Book Group
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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Christmas in Duke Street by Neville, Jewel, Galen and Burrowes

Christmas in Duke Street by Miranda Neville, Carolyn Jewel, Shana Galen, and Grace Burrowes.

The Rake Who Loved Christmas by Miranda Neville

When Devlyn Stratton hears that his brother wants to call off his soon to be engagement to an heiress, he plans to do everything he can to stop the fortune hunting shopkeeper. But when he meets her, he understands his brother's infatuation.

Oriel Sinclair won't be anyone's mistress and she doesn't believe that Devlyn has honorable intentions. But why can't she stop thinking about the man?

A Seduction in Winter by Carolyn Jewel

Leoline Marrable is back in London after fighting for the crown. Now Lord Wrathell, after the death of his brother, he must find a way to reconcile with his father, the duke. Can the key to reconciliation be with his childhood friend?

Honora Baynard has a terrible facial scar from a childhood injury. When Wrathell defended her against childhood tormentors, he became her knight in shining armor. As they spend time together, Honora finds herself falling in love. But will her feeling be reciprocated?

A Prince in her Stocking by Shana Galen

Cass Ashbrooke has heard the talk that the homeless man in the bookstore claims to be a foreign prince. Intrigued by his story, she finds a way to befriend him. But is his story true?

Prince Lucien of Glynaven had to flee to England when his family was killed in the revolution. Trying to find documents to prove who he is, he spends his day in the bookstore and his nights on the street. When he is befriended by a lovely widow, he is worried about her safety but can't seem to stop thinking about her. Can her find the key to his identity before harm befalls him?

The Appeal of Christmas by Grace Burrowes
Gervaise Stoneleigh wants nothing to do with holiday sentiment, but since his best friend loves the holidays he does his best to play along. Hester Hooper loves the holidays and does her best to get Gervaise to enjoy a little of her holiday spirit. 
As the holidays approach, they find themselves under a mistletoe. That one kiss sends their friendly relationship to another level.  Could it lead to their HEA?
I really enjoyed all four stories. Neville, Galen and Burrowes have been on my must read list for awhile now, but this is my first story by Jewel. It definitely won't be my last.

I really liked how each of the stories took place in the bookstore as some point in their story. The authors also wove in other stories into each of their own.

There are several other anthologies by this quartet and I will being getting those to read soon!!!


You can find this book at the following retailers:


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To Desire A Highlander by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

To Desire A Highlander by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

This is book 2 in the Scandalous Scots series.

Lady Gillian MacGuire is dreading the return of her betrothed. Promised to Donell MacDonnell five years ago, she is hoping that she can talk him into releasing her from the betrothal when he returns.  But when she is finally face to face with Donell, he doesn't seem to be the same man. Where the Donell of five years ago repulsed her, this feels nothing but attraction for the Donell before her now.

Roag the Bear has taken on the identity of the deceased Donell MacDonnell because of a mission for the Fenris Guard. He didn't know that the man had a fiance waiting for his return. But after one kiss, Roag is smitten and not ready to give up Gillian.  

What will happen when the truth about his identity is revealed?

I really enjoyed this book. I was intrigued by Roag after reading To Love a Highlander and I was not disappointed by Welfonder's story for him.

Roag had gone undercover many times for the Fenris, but this time was different. He knew that he had a job to do, but because of the way he came to feel for Gillian, he had a hard time justifying his lying to her. It was interesting reading his back in forth with himself. He wanted to reveal the truth to Gillian, but he wasn't allowed to reveal his mission to anyone outside the Fenris group.

Gillian had to be a strong woman to survive growing up with so many brothers. I think her upbringing helped her to be the perfect match for Roag. She knew upon meeting Roag that he wasn't who he said he was and she didn't stay quiet about it.

I can't wait to read the rest of the stories about the members of the Fenris Guard!


You can get this book at the following retailers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Book Depository | IndieBound | iBooks | Kobo

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

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Say You'll Love Me by Ally Broadfield

Say You'll Love Me by Ally Broadfield

Lady Abigail Hurst is excited to finally announce her betrothal to her childhood sweetheart. But when he ends up being the prime suspect in his mistress's murder, Abigail realizes that he is not the man that she thought he was. Turning to her best friend's brother for help, she hopes to learn if her fiance is innocent or not.

Edmund Townsend, the Marquess of Longcroft, prefers to work mathematical equations over attending society events. But when Abigail asks for his help, he can't turn her down. Thrust into society with Abigail at his side makes him reconsider his stance on marriage and possibly even love.

Can these two solve the murder and find their other half?

I really loved the first book that I read by Broadfield, How to Beguile a Duke. I was really looking forward to this one, but find that I'm a little disappointed with it. 
The writing was great as was the storyline. But I just didn't feel like the H/H were great characters. There was really nothing about them that stood out to me. For me to really enjoy a book, I need to love both leads. To me, Abigail and Edmund were just ok. I like a hero to be swoon worthy and he just wasn't.

I'm hopeful that Broadfield's next book is more like Beguile than her latest...


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


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

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One Forbidden Knight by Nicola Davidson

One Forbidden Knight by Nicola Davidson

Living in the Queen's court as a favorite, Catherine Linwood is devastated to learn of her father's death. When she suspects that what she is told about his death, she turns to Sir Brandon FitzAlan for help in finding the truth.  When they suddenly become wanted by the crown, Catherine knows she was right.

Can Catherine and Brandon find out the truth about her father's death?

A quick, enjoyable read with some insight into the Tutor court. A romance that developed while on the run and a plot from the queen!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to  Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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Duchess Decadence by Wendy LaCapra

Thea Worthington, the Duchess of Wynchester, ran from her marriage after her miscarriage. She has been running a high-end gaming hell with her best friends. But when her husband's life is in danger, she makes the largest bet of her life to save him.

The Duke of Wynchester, Wyn, has never stopped loving his wife. When he is invited to play a game of chance with her, he jumps at the chance to get back in her life. Winning the bet and therefore the summer with his wife, he sets out to win her love again. But someone is set on sabotaging his efforts.

Can love win over the enemy?

Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney

Not Always a Saint by Mary Jo Putney

This is book 7 in the Lost Lords series.

Daniel Herbert has suddenly inherited a title that he has no use for. He is a doctor by trade and doesn't want the burden that the title will bring to him. But knowing that he take up the mantle, he heads to London to find a bride that can run his estate for him while he continues to practice medicine.

Jessie Kelham's looks have caused her more pain than anything else in her life. As a recent widow, she would like nothing better than to stay in her home and enjoy raising her daughter. But when her nephew by marriage threatens to take away her daughter's heritage, Jessie realizes that she needs a high born husband to help protect her.

Daniel and Jessie can't seem to fight their attraction for each other even when the other is not what they think they wanted. Can they make a marriage work?

After reading Not Quite a Wife, I wondered who Putney would pair Daniel with. He was so dedicated to his work that he didn't seem to have time to find a significant other. I really liked the twist of Daniel inheriting a title. It forced him to go into society when he wouldn't have gone back had he the choice.

The chemistry between Daniel and Jessie was red hot from the very beginning. It was always sizzling at the surface every time they were near one another.  When chemistry is that strong, it is hard to deny it.

I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to see what Putney has for us next!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

 

An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham

An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham

This is book 1 in the Spies and Lovers series.

Gray Masterson has been asked by his best friend to watch over his little sister while she is in London. Not wanting to be a part of the social scene, he forces himself to go to a ball to check on Lady Lily Drummond. If she is anything like she was as a child, she could do something rash and ruin herself. It doesn't take long before Gray is distracted by a beautiful woman who won't tell him her name.

Lily can't believe that Gray doesn't recognize her. Leading him on a merry chase, he soon figures out who she is. Determined to find information about her missing father, the Earl of Windor, Lily tells Gray that she will investigate on her own if he doesn't help her. Joining forces, Gray soon learns that Lily can hold her own against some of the best spies working for the crown.

Can Lily and Gray work together to find the Earl and their own HEA?

I LOVED this story!!! This is my first book by Trentham and it definitely won't be my last. I'm ready to read the next book in the series which features Lily's brother!!

I love a good spy story and loved that Lily got in on the action too. Her father and brother were spies for the crown, so it is no leap to see her come into the family business.

The chemistry between Lily and Gray was RED HOT!! I liked that Gray was not a part of the ton. Although they are seeing more of this type of story, it is hard to make it believable. Trentham did a wonderful job with this!

I'm not certain when the next book is coming out, but I will be reading it!!!


You can get the book at the following retailers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Samhain | iBooks

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

 

The Duke and Miss Christmas by Amelia Grey

When Miss Gwen Prim sees a gentleman forcing her sister onto his horse, she does the only thing she can think of. She hits him over the head with a baskets and tells her sister to run away and get help. What she doesn't know is that the man she just assaulted is a duke.

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, is out on a ride when he comes across a young girl that is injured. While trying to get the girl situated on his horse, he is attacked by the girl's sister. He really should be mad, but all he can think about is that he has finally met his match.

Can Gwen get over her mortification of assaulting a duke long enough to see that he is her future?

Deceived by Jess Michaels

Josie Westfall has been bullied her entire life and an incident involving her best friend's brother didn't help matters. Josie is resigned to the fact that she will never marry even if her mother does everything in her power to see that she does. Looking forward to spending some time in the country, Josie is dismayed to find out that the man that contributed to her years of loneliness will be there too.

Evan Woodley has always felt bad about what happened with Josie and has apologized numerous time, but it doesn't seem to help her animosity toward him. When he and his brother think that Josie might know something about their missing sister, her best friend, they concoct a scheme for Evan to seduce the information from Josie.

What happens when Evan starts to have real feeling for Josie and she finds out about his and his brother's plan for seduction? Can he make Josie realize that his feelings are real?

My Highland Bride by Maeve Greyson

My Highland Bride by Maeve Greyson

This is book 2 in the Highland Hearts series.

Traveling back in time to thirteenth-century Scotland for the birth of her sister's baby, Kenna Sinclair is met by Colum Garrison. Seeing him for what he is, a womanizer, Kenna vows to steer clear of him but that proves hard to do.

Colum takes one look at Kenna and knows his womanizing days are over. But can he convince her that he has changed before someone else wins her heart?

I always love a good time travel story and I really enjoyed this one. I liked Colum while reading My Highland Lover. I knew that it would probably be one of Trulie's sisters that finally brought him to his knees.

I felt bad for him because he didn't think he was good enough for Kenna and so he delayed proposing. Since she was technically still single, that left the door open for someone else to come in. And come in he did! One thing leads to another and Kenna has a choice to make...did she make the right one? Read to find out!

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

You can purchase this book at the following retailers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Random House

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

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Again, My Lord by Katharine Ashe

Again, My Lord by Katharine Ashe

This is book 2 in the Twist series.

Six years ago, Tacitus Everard, the Marquess of Dare spent a month courting Lady Calista Chance. But she broke his heart and soon married another. When he is stranded at an inn because of weather, he runs into her all these years later.

Calista can hardly believe that she has run into Tacitus again. After all these years, he still makes her heart beat faster just by looking at him. When she wakes up to find that she is repeating her day again, she does her best to first ignore him but then realizes that she wants him in her life.

Is she destined to repeat this day for the rest of her life or can her choices break the "spell" that is setting her life on repeat?

This story is similar to the Groundhog's Day movie where one day just keeps repeating itself over and over again. We see Calista grow as a person with each repeated day as she tries to determine what she needs to do to make the next day actually come.

Is was a nice twist on the Groundhog's Day story!


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Billet-Doux Books for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

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Virtuous Scoundrel by Maggie Fenton

Virtuous Scoundrel by Maggie Fenton

This is book 2 in the Regency Romp Trilogy.

Sebastian Sherbrook, the Marquess of Manwaring, has recently returned to London after the death of his estranged Uncle whom he inherited the title from. Trying to reform his rakish image, he ends up tangled in the biggest scandal of the season. This does not help him woo the only woman he has ever loved. 

Lady Katherine Manwaring has never had a good opinion about her late husband's nephew and with this latest scandal, her opinion is confirmed. But when Sebastian is needs to recover from an assault, he does so at Katherine's home.

What happens when Katherine finds out that she is the woman that Sebastian is in love with and that her perception of him might not be all that accurate?

I've been waiting for this story since I read The Duke's Holiday last March. I was hoping that Fenton would pair up Katherine and Sebastian after reading their interactions during Astrid and Monford's story.

We have the whole love/hate relationship going with these two.  Katherine has heard nothing but bad things about Sebastian. Sebastian can't believe that Katherine married a man like his uncle. But neither can deny the attraction they feel for each other when they are anywhere neither the other. They end up being at war with themselves over their decisions.  Should they or shouldn't they. Do you follow what your heart is telling you or what you think is the logical decision?

Fenton surpassed my expectations with this story and I can't wait to read Viscount Marlowe's story which comes out at the end of the year.


You can purchase this book 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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Some Like It Scot by Suzanne Enoch

Munro "Bear" MacLawry lives up to his nickname. Always the big and brawny one in the family, he has always been protective of his family. But as each of his siblings marry, Bear finds himself more and more alone. They all have their own families now and Bear is definitely not ready to settle down no matter how hard his brother pushes him. When he finds Catriona MacColl hiding in the woods, he finds someone in need of his protection...or does she?

Catriona and her sister are hiding from an English Duke as well as their father's family each for their own reasons. Finding the abandoned building was a blessing as winter was approaching, that is until Bear show ups. Having been raised like a boy by her father, Catriona resents Bear's presence as she believes she can take care of her sister and herself just fine. But when Bear shows up every day and makes their life better by fixing up their temporary home, she is surprised to find herself looking forward to his visits.

Can two individuals who think they don't need a partner find the a love that they didn't know they wanted?

Good Earl Gone Bad by Manda Collins

Hermione Upperton is devastated when her father wagers her matched pair and loses them in a card game, but that doesn't even begin to compare to how she feels when she learns that he bet her hand in marriage and lost to the Earl of Mainwaring. The man is a infamous gambler just like her father and he has made his opinion very clear on how he feels about her driving and belonging to the Lords of Anarchy driving club.

Jasper Fawley knows how devastated Hermione will be when he witnesses her father losing her matched pair. He also knows that her father will soon have nothing else to bet but the hand of his daughter, so he approaches him with an offer and wins Hermione with a few turns of the card.

Can they make this marriage work when it starts out so poorly?

I Spy a Duke by Erica Monroe

Vivian Loren wants revenge for the death of her brother. Knowing that it was not a robbery gone wrong like she was told, she will do anything to find out the truth. When told to spy on the Duke of Abermont in exchange for answers, she jumps at the chance. Now in the employee of the duke, Vivian searches for evidence of him betraying the country.

James Spencer, the Duke of Abermont, is the head of Britain's elite intelligence agency. When he finally gets the truth from Vivian, after her life is threatened, he sees an answer to both of their problems. He needs a wife and she needs protection. Vivian will become his duchess and he will do everything in his and the agency's power to protect her.

Can a marriage of convenience turn into the love of a lifetime?