A Pirate's Revenge by Meg Hennessy

A Pirate's Revenge by Meg Hennessy

This is book 3 in the Secrets of the Bayous series.

After kidnapping her brother's son, he wants revenge. Even though everything turned out in the end, Rayna de La Roche knew that her brother would not forget what she had done. Sending her to hunt down a hidden treasure, Rayna believes that she is all on her own in new Orleans. She doesn't know that her brother has arranged for a bodyguard.

Captain Zachary Nash owes his freedom to the de La Roche family, so when Rayna's brother asks him to follow and protect her, he agrees. He didn't count on the instant attraction he felt for her or that his past would get in the way of their mission.

Having grown up as royalty, Rayna is use to getting what she wants, when she wants it. But the American captain protecting her has other thoughts. Can this unlikely pair find the treasure and an everlasting love that neither of them knew they needed?

I did enjoy this story a lot. Although Miss High and Mighty did get on my nerves at times. But she did act like what I imagine royalty to have acted like back in the day.

As I've stated before, I like when couples come from different social statuses. Although most are not as large a gap as these two are. I also liked that Zach stood up to Rayna and didn't take $hit from her like most of the other men in her life. I honestly believe that was what drew her to him. All the other men that she had been involved with, had let her walk all over them or so she thought.

I really enjoyed this series. There are several secondary characters that I would love to see get their own story. My fingers are crossed that Hennessy has plans to add to this series!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

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The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan

The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan

This is book 4 in the Legendary Lovers series.

When Venetia Stratham learns that the notorious Quinn Wilde, Earl of Treherne, is courting her sister, she returns from her exile in France to make sure is sister is not hurt like she was. Dressing up as a man, she confronts Quinn at a gentleman's club, demanding that he stop courting her sister. What she didn't count on was the attraction she felt for him as soon as he was in her site.

Quinn feels bad about what happened all those years ago to Venetia and was only trying to help out her family by courting her sister. By showing interest in her, he hoped to attract more men to vie for her hand. Quinn has no interest in Venetia, only in her. He has been attracted to her since they became acquainted, but wasn't about to poach on his friend's territory.

When Venetia gets caught up in someone trying to kill Quinn, they must marry to save her reputation. Can this marriage of convience turn into one based on love?

I really enjoyed Venetia and Quinn's story.  I mentioned when I reviewed Secrets of Seduction, that I didn't think it was as well written as Jordan's other books. This book was definitely better written than SoS. 

Venetia is trying to fight her attraction for Quinn because she feels like he is just like her former fiancee and isn't about to get her heart broken again. Quinn and her former fiancee were best friends and she can't imagine that Quinn is any different.

Quinn had never planned on getting his heart involved after getting it broken once before, but once he realizes he is in love with Venetia, he has to convience her that what he feels for her is real. Unfortunately, she doesn't believe that he can ever be faithful, so it takes a lot of work on Quinn's part to convience her.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series which is featuring Kate, the last remaining cousin.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Random House via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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The Improper Bride by Lily Maxton

Henry Eldridge, Marquess of Riverton, barely survives a fire in his home. During his recovery, his doctor asks his staff to find something to to occupy his time so he doesn't end up brooding all the time. 

Cassandra, Henry's housekeeper, steps up and volunteers. She has always wanted to learn German and what better way to help herself and the Marquess at the same time. But as Cassandra spends more and more time with her employer, the attraction she feels for him grows out of control.

As Henry starts to heal, he realizes that time is getting away from him and he must find a bride. He organizes a house party and has his sister invite eligible prospects. But he soon realizes that he would much rather be spending time with his housekeeper than his guests.

Can these two, from two different world, make it work?

Viscountess of Vice by Jenny Holiday

Viscountess of Vice by Jenny Holiday

This is book 3 in the Regency Reformers series.

Catharine, Viscountess Cranbrook was looking to do something more with her life. When she was approached to help find a traitor, she jumped at the chance. Her role requires her to take on the persona of "Lady V" at a high end brothel where she is paid to have "conversations" with gentleman. There is help catch a criminal, Catharine is surprised to find herself attracted to one of her clients.

Social Reformer James Burnham is at the brothel to learn more about the girls there. He wants to know if they are there willing or if they have been put to work against their wishes. But instead of talking to the girls of the house, he ends up paying for time with Lady V. He knows that she won't have the answers that he is looking for, but he couldn't stop that attraction that he felt for her.

Catharine doesn't want James know her true identity, but when they both attend the same function, her secret is revealed. Knowing that her reputation would hurt James, she tries to stay away. But sometimes that attraction is just too much to ignore. 

Can the scandalous widow and the social reformer make a go of it?

Loved this story!! I've always been partial to stories that involve undercover work for the government. It's even better when it is the heroine of the story that is doing it!! 

I really liked James and Catharine together. The attraction between the two of them was red hot from the very beginning! As they say, opposites do attract!

I've loved this whole series and I hope that Holiday is continuing it!!


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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Enchantment of a Highlander by Madeline Martin

After leaving home at an early age to get away from his father, Alec MacLean has finally returned only to find his home in ruins and bandits running rampant on his lands. He is not there long when he finds those bandits attacking a your woman. He defeats them, but is injured. He is soon patched up by the local healer. Not only does he leave with his wounds patched up but with a strong attraction for the woman he just left.

Celia, the healer, has come to enjoy her life. Healing the local people and no laird to dictate to her. When she learns that the man she patched up is none other than the returning laird, she doesn't know how her life will change. She does know that she must fight the attraction she feels for the man, as nothing good can come from it.

When Alec calls Celia to the castle to help heal is foster son, they end up spending a lot more time together. Can this unlikely duo go against the odds and make a life together?

To Catch A Lady by Pamela Labud

To Catch A Lady by Pamela Laud 

This is book 1 in the Hunt Club series.

Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, is determined to undermine his aunt's plan for him to marry. He doesn't want a love match because he saw how it tore apart his parents. Ashton decides to throw a ball and at the end of it will name his bride. They will get married that evening, quickly get an heir and then live their separate lives. Of course things do always go as planned...

Caroline Hawkins is trying to get her sister married. She is passed the age of finding herself a good match, so she puts all her energy into her sister. Going so far at to demand to see the Duke to get her sister noticed. Unfortunately her plan backfired...for with her visit the Duke became intrigued with her. At the ball, Caroline and Ashton find themselves alone and end up being compromised. Fate had determined the outcome of the ball.

Married in haste, Ashton takes Caroline to his hunting lodge where nothing goes as planned. Can this hasty marriage turn into one of true love?

I will say that I enjoyed the beginning of this book, but then it just went down hill...

I liked the idea behind the story. The H/H of the story have an attraction to each other and then they get caught in a compromising situation.  Caroline had no plans of marrying, so Ashton could have let her reputation be ruined. But instead he steps up and does the right thing. 

I don't know if it was the writing style or the writing quality that had me skimming over the second half of the book, but it just didn't hold my interest.

I will probably give Labud another try. I just hoping that the next one in the series is better than this one...


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Random House via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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Her Wicked Proposal by Lauren Smith

Anne Chessley is tired of all the fortune hunters coming to court her after her father's death. There is only one man who she thinks can help her, Cedric, Viscount Sheridan, who was once her suitor. She proposes a plan for them to marry freeing Anne from her unwanted suiters. But Cedric has a condition to his agreeing...

Having once thought to seduce Anne, but getting the cold treatment from her, Cedric is surprised at her offer. Ever since going blind, he has struggled with what he is going to do with his life. Not being able to do the previous things he enjoyed, Anne's offer opens the doors to some possibilities. His one condition is that when they are in bed, she has to drop her ice maiden persona and respond to him.

Can this marriage of convenience turn into one of love?

Sutherland's Secret by Sharon Cullen

When Brice Sutherland, the Earl of Dornoch, finds a half-dead woman in the middle of the road, he can't just leave her there. Even knowing that if he is found with her, it could mean his death, Brice takes the woman up on his horse with him and makes his way home. No one is more surprised than him, when the woman survives. But what surprises him even more is the attraction he feels for her. After his wife left him, Brice had given up on women.

Lady Eleanor Hirst had been to hall and back when she was found by Brice, but did she escape from one hell just to be put into another? She soon learns that Brice doesn't mean her any harm and she relaxes her guard only to find herself wildly attracted to him. 

Brice and Eleanor both know that their being together could bring devastation to his clan, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. Can they figure out a way to stay together?

Enraptured by Candace Camp

Enraptured by Candace Camp

This is book 3 in the Secrets of the Loch Trilogy

When her uncle dies, Lady Violet Thornhill makes to point to still excavate the site that they planned to visit together. Being a woman in this field gives her little opportunity to shine, so she is not going to let this opportunity to pass her by. When the owner of the site is not in residence, she must deal with Coll Munro, the estate manager. She never counted on being so effected by the man.

Coll is still trying to get use to the idea of his new position when Violet comes into his life and disrupts it even further. Knowing that her station is far above his, he tries to deny the attraction he feels for her and keeps his distance. But when someone breaks into the house, Coll moves in to try and catch the culprit. This, of course, puts Coll and Violet in each others company a lot more.

Can this unlikely duo make it work when they have so much going against them?

This is book 3 in the series and they are all very much intertwined. I would recommend reading all three of them in order and one right after the other. 
I really liked Coll. He was definitely what I would consider to be a brawny highlander!! We met him in the first book of the series and he made several appearances in book 2 as well. You see the bitterness in him in the other books and then learn more about why he is the way he is in this one. Of course, it talks a good woman to make him have a change of heart.

Violet was just an ok heroine to me. Nothing that really stood out to me other than that she was determined to live her life the way she wanted which was not common for that time period.

The biggest reason that I would read this series in order and one after the other is that there is a mystery of a lost cash of gold that run throughout the books.  Without reading all three books you don't get the full picture of it.

Camp has always been one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

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A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver

A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver

This is book 1 in the Grantham Girls series.

Andrew Hargrave left home as soon as he was able so that he had nothing to do with his parents. When he is called home to marry, needless to say, he is not happy. Since the papers were already signed, and his father placed the safety of his sisters upon his decision, he made the best of it and married his parent's choice. Having consummated the marriage, Andrew then quickly goes back to Italy where he is working as an archeologist.

Victoria Carson knew that she had been married for her money alone, but she was still surprised when her husband left without a word after their wedding night. Having been left at the ancestral home, she set about making the changes that her dowry could finally pay for. 

Can this couple that have come together for money alone ever make a go other their marriage?

I will say that Weaver is a wonderful storyteller and writer and this story would have gotten a 5 star review from me for that alone if it had not been for Andrew having a mistress in Italy and him going back to her after his marriage. I know that happen a lot in this time period, but I don't want to read about it in the romances that I read...

Having said that, I did throughly enjoy this story. When Andrew came back to England to try to make his marriage work, he was a man that I could fall for. I'm glad that he had to really work to win over Victoria after his treatment of her. I would have thought less of her had she just given in to his kindness toward her and his sisters.

Andrew's sisters were precious and I hope that they eventually get their own stories. Victoria's friend Amelia is the next to get her story told. I am really looking forward to reading it.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Carina Press via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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Unmasking of a Lady by Sophie Dash

Unmasking of a Lady by Sophie Dash

Doing what she needs to survive, Miss Harriet Groves rides out at night as the Green Highwayman stealing from the rich so that her family is not ruined. She didn't count on Major Edward Roberts being brought in to bring the highwayman to justice. What makes it even worse is that she finds herself attracted to the man.

Edward has a job to do and doesn't like that he is being distracted my Harriet. He knows she is hiding something, but he can't figure it out. What will he do when he finds out the the woman he is falling for is the person he is charged with bringing to justice?

I thought this book had a lot of potential, but in the end it just fell flat. I liked the storyline. It was different from a lot of the historical romances that I read and that appealed to me. What it lacked was that the H/H hardly spent any time together. The whole point to a romance is to see the characters fall in love with each other. These two didn't spend enough time together to even make it believable.

Dash is a new author so I will check out her next book to see if it is any better. I'm always willing to give an author a second chance...


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Carina UK via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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The Rakes Unveiling of Lady Belle by Raven McAllan

The Rake's Unveiling of Lady Belle by Raven McAllan

Lady Belinda Howell has set herself up as a mysterious dressmaker to the ton known as Madame Belle. Having run from her father after he tried to use her for his gains, Belinda needed to find a way to support herself. With the help of her best friend and the lady's godmother, Madame Belle was invented. Having resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood, she never counted on Lord Phillip Macpherson, the brother of her best friend, coming back into her life.

Phillip has gone to Madame Belle's to buy one of her creations to pay off a would be paramour. He didn't count on his instant attraction to the lady. Unable to convience her to marry him, he sets out to change her mind. But what happens when he learns that she is the friend of his sister's that he never stopped thinking about.

When Belinda's father comes back into her life, will Philip be able to protect the woman he has come to love?

After reading The Scandalous Proposal of Lord Bennett, I couldn't wait to read Belinda and Phillips story! McAllen did not disappoint!!  The sizzle between the two was red hot!

I love that Belinda was able to get out from under her father's thumb and not have to succumb to his plans for her. She was able to find a family that treated her as she should be treated even though they were not blood related. 

As with any good rake, when he finds the woman for him all others cease to exist. Phillip had found his match and had decided his course, even though Belinda didn't want to follow its path...

This is the second book that I have read by McAllan and I loved it as much as the first one. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


Thanks go out to Carina UK via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
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Ravishing Ruby by Lavinia Kent

Ravishing Ruby by Lavinia Kent

This is book 3 in the Bound and Determined series.

Emma Scanton's grandfather is determined that she will get married. If she doesn't, he will cut off on contact with her grandmother. Not wanting to give up her family, Emma agrees to his demands on the condition that she has some time to find her own husband. The problem is that Emma is also known as Ruby the owner of Madame Rouge, a high end brothel and the one man that she could see marrying doesn't know about her life as Emma. 

Captain Dereck Price is just about to get engaged to an English heiress. But he can't get his one night with Ruby out of his mind. Deciding that he can continue his visits until he is in fact betrothed, he never imagined that he would get so close to the red-headed beauty. Now he must make a decision of following his heart or the wishes of his family.

So after reading Revealing Ruby, I wanted to know what happen to Ruby and her Captain!! Kent did not disappoint. The chemistry between Ruby and the Captain was red hot and not just in the bedroom. You could feel the connection they had just when they are talking and learning about the other. They were able to open up to each other unlike what they have been able to do in the past.

Keep in mind that this is another read that is not for the faint of heart! While it is definitely erotica, he does have a  very worthwhile storyline.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

Gabriel Woodley is obsessed with finding his missing sister, so much so that he doesn't have time for anything or anyone else. But when his mother invites the enchanting Juliet Gray to stay with them in London, he can't avoid her any longer.

Juliet didn't want to go to London knowing that she will be around Gabriel a lot more than back home. But she sees that her father and Gabriel's mother seem to be rekindling a friendship from years ago and she longs for his happiness. Resigned to spend time with the man that seems to hate her, Juliet is surprised when they start working together to find his sister.

Working this closely, they can't stop the attraction that finally combusts. Can Gabriel finally put his obsession away long enough to find happiness for himself?

The Last Chance Christmas Ball by Putney, Beverley, Bourne, Rice, Cornick, Elliott, Gracie and King

The Last Chance Christmas Ball by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliott, Anne Gracie and Susan King.

A second chance at love...

Childhood friends become lovers...

Childhood sweethearts reunited...

Spouses reconnecting...

Strangers finding love...

You can't go wrong with this anthology!  It covers almost all the different types of storylines that you might want to find in a romance story. I loved how even though the stories were all written by different authors, they were all connected to the Christmas Ball that was taking place. You even have the characters crossing over into each others stories. I really hope that they decided to do it again as I throughly enjoyed the whole book!


You can get this novella at the following retailers:


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

Still grieving after the death of his wife and newborn child, Cameron Andrews is set to travel around the world to try and find a purpose again. But he runs into one small problem... a young child claiming him as her father. Returning the child to New Orleans and her aunt, Cameron is determined to get to the bottom of this story. How could he have a child he didn't know about?

Josette doesn't know what to do about her niece, Alexia, and her rebelling so she writes to the girl's father. But before she can send the letter, Alexia goes off on her own to find him. When Alexia and Cameron show up, Josette must convince him that Alexia is indeed his daughter.

Josette and Cameron have an instant connection. But what Cameron doesn't know is that Josette has had feeling for him since she was a child. Will Cameron stay around long enough to see where these feelings will take them?

The Scandalous Proposal of Lord Bennett by Raven McAllan

The Scandalous Proposal of Lord Bennett by Raven McAllan

Lady Clarissa Mcpherson has determined to never wed because she can't find anyone that makes her heart pound the way it does when she is around Lord Theodore "Ben" Bennett. A friend of her brother, Ben had never given her any indication that he even sees her as a woman. But everything changes the day that her comes to her rescue. They are caught in a compromising position and are forced to wed.

No one is more shocked than Ben himself that he came to the rescue of Clarissa. Although he is not ready to get married, he does need an heir, so now is as good a time as any to do it. What his beautiful new bride doesn't know is that he had been intrigued with her for many years. He has also made the decision to give up his rakish ways and be faithful to Clarissa.

What will it take to convience Clarissa that Ben has turned over a new leaf and is determined to be the husband that she wants and deserves?

I really liked this story! The bantering between Clarissa and Ben had me laughing out loud. They do say the rakes make the best husbands and that is certainly the case with Ben! Determined to make a marriage of their forced wedding, he did everything he could to get Clarissa to see that he was a changed man. Of course, if they had just talked a little sooner then they could have enjoyed the thrills of married life a little sooner...but then where would the story have been??

The next book in the series stars Clarissa's best friend Lady Belinda Howells and her brother Lord Phillip Macpherson. It looks to be just as good as this one!!


You can purchase this book at the following retailers:


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

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Taming his Rebel Lady by Jane Godman

On his way to claim his prize for his loyalty to the English crown, Sir Edwin Roxburgh is attacked by a lone bandit. He soon learns that his attacker is none other than the widow of the former owner of his new home. With her rebellious nature, they soon find themselves married to save both of their necks from the chopping block.

Lady Iona Cameron will not lose her home to an English soldier without a fight. When she finds herself attracted to her new husband, she tries her best to ignore the pull she feels for him. But as they spend more tome together, she finds that she doesn't want to ignore her feelings any longer.

Can this unlikely duo find an everlasting love with everything working against them.

Highlander Undone by Connie Brockway

Recovering from his wounds at his uncle's estate, Jack Cameron is trying to figure out how to catch a traitor amongst Her Majesty's Black Dragoons. When he overhears a conversation between Addie Hoodless and her brother, a plan starts to form. He will pose as an artist and "hang out" with the siblings while Addie's brother paints the soldier's portraits. Not knowing who Jack is, might have the culprit talking and revealing himself.

Addie Hoodless has just come out of mourning for a husband she loathed. He was an officer who mentally and physically abused her. Since her marriage, she has stayed away form all men that have the domineering personality that her husband had which includes all soldiers.

As Addie and Jack get closer, he hates that he is lying to her. What will Addie do when she finds out that Jack is a part of the institution that she hates?

How to Rescue a Rake by Jayne Fresina

How to Rescue a Rake by Jayne Fresina

This is book 3 in the Book Club Belles Society.

Nate Sherringham has returned to Holcombe Prior having grown up and gotten his life together. He is determined to find a wife. His old flame is still available and he is determined to get her back.

Diana Makepiece's heart was broken when Nate left town. Still under the control of her mother, she asks to leave town to visit her cousin in Bath. She doesn't think she can stand watching her former love find a wife.

What neither Nate or Diana know is that they will both end up in Bath. Can Nate convience Diana to take a chance with him while she is out from under the watchful eye of her mother?

I really liked the conclusion to the Book Club Belles Society series. I'm so glad that Fresina had Diana go to Bath where she could get out from under her mother's influence. I don't think she could have made the story work otherwise.

I love the banter that goes on between two people that have known each other for awhile which is the case between Nate and Diana. They knew just the right thing to rile the other one up which most often had me laughing out loud.

Bravo to Fresina for such a great conclusion to her series. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

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Heir to the Duke by Jane Ashford

When Nathaniel Gresham settled on Lady Violet Devere as a wife, he was prepared to live a nice, quiet life with her. But as soon as Violet was out from under the thumb of her dominerring grandmother, she longed to spread her wings.
Nathaniel didn't know what to think of his wife's change in clothes and her change in attitude, but he is along for the ride.

Can this marriage last with all the changes that are occurring? 

The Lady's Command by Stephanie Laurens

The Lady's Command by Stephanie Laurens

This is book 1 in the Adventurers Quartet.

Captain Declan Frobisher knew the moment that he laid eyes on Lady Edwina Delbraith that she would be his wife. What he didn't realize was that she had as big an adventurous spirit as his own. 

Upon learning that her husband was leaving on his ship to complete a job shortly after their wedding, Edwina did what she had to to set the tone for the rest of her marriage... she stowed away on his ship. What she didn't know was that her husband was on a secret mission for the crown.

Finding his wife aboard his ship was shocking to Declan, but he soon realized that she could be an asset to his mission.

Can these two accomplish their mission and become closer to each other in the process?

I really enjoyed this story, but I will say that I was disappointed that we didn't get to see the development of their love story. The story a few weeks after the marriage and we do learn a little about the courtship, but not enough to satisfy this romantic heart. I felt like this story was more of a mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in.  Not at all what I would normally expect from Laurens.

I was however very intrigued by the mystery that will span all four of the novels. What a way to keep the readers interested!!

While it is a very good and well written story, don't read it counting on getting your romance quota for the day...

It appears that the next story in the series will have more of the romance that I have come to love from Laurens. It will be out in April.


You can get this book at the following retailers:


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

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How to Rescue a Rake Spotlight Tour

Title: How to Rescue a Rake
Author: Jayne Fresina
Series: The Book Club Belles Society, #3
Pubdate: January 5th, 2016
ISBN: 9781402287824

Nathaniel Sherringham has returned to Hawcombe Prior a changed man. Gone is the reckless rake who went out on a limb to propose to Diana Makepiece three years ago. Now Nate’s mysterious new wealth has the town’s rumor mill spinning. To stir things up (and get Diana’s attention), Nate boldly announces his plans to marry “any suitable girl” under the age of 25.

Diana, now 27 and still single, is acutely aware of Nate’s return. When her mother suggests a trip to visit a cousin in Bath, Diana leaps at the chance to escape the heartbreak and regret she can’t help but feel in Nate’s presence…and avoid his irritating charade to find a bride.

But for Nate, Diana has always been the one. He might just have to follow her to Bath and once again lay his heart on the line to win her attention—and her heart.

Jayne Fresina sprouted up in England. Entertained by her father’s colorful tales of growing up in the countryside, and surrounded by opinionated sisters, she’s always had inspiration for her beleaguered heroes and unstoppable heroines. She lives in upstate New York. Learn more about the author at www.jaynefresinaromanceauthor.blogspot.com.

Buy Links:
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1QHNIXR

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How to Rescue a Rake, the third in Jayne Fresina’s Austen-inspired Book Club Belles series, comes out this January! For all of you Jane Austen fans, this fun new release is based on Persuasion and it’s a book you don’t want to miss. To celebrate this latest release, the heroine is here to give our readers a tip on how to rescue their own rake and to share an excerpt with us.

Tips for Capturing a Rake's Attention: By Diana Makepiece (Or How to Stay Calm and Capture a Rake)

A tongue-in-cheek guide by one old maid, who has lost her bloom, has let her last chance for happiness pass her by and is now, at twenty-seven, half way to death (according to the parson's wife)... and not at all bitter about it, thank you very much.

Stay chilled and any rake worth his salt will immediately want to warm your extremities for you, regardless of any protest you might be obliged to make for the sake of appearances.

An Excerpt:

     “I sent you a message the morning I left, Diana,” he said. “I fired it myself through your bedchamber window with a sling.”
     “You did what?”
     He ran a hand over his face, flattening rain-drenched spears of hair to his brow. “I climbed that damnable oak behind your mother’s cottage. I didn’t want to leave without giving us another chance.”
     She tried to think, but her mind wouldn’t cooperate. Don’t believe him, Diana. This is another of his practical jokes, no doubt. Any moment now he will burst his seams with laughter.
Diana sniffed. “What did this supposed note say?”
     He frowned.
     “And don’t bother making something up, Captain, for I will know you’re fibbing. It comes naturally to you and always did. But I never fell for it, did I?”
     The frown broke with exasperation and then reformed with scorn. “Oh, you know me. It was childish nonsense. Just what you would expect. Good thing you never read it.”
     “Don’t tell me then,” she grumbled into her handkerchief. “It hardly matters now anyway. The years have passed, and we are both too old for climbing trees.”
     “Quite,” he snapped. “Three years is an eternity.”
     For me it has been, she longed to say.
     Suddenly Nathaniel seized her hand. “We should start again, Miss Diana Makepiece, and put the past behind us.”
     “And why, pray, would we do that?”
     He lifted her gloved fingers and pressed his lips against her knuckles.
     “Captain?” she demanded.
     He met her frown with a narrow-eyed, somewhat menacing appraisal. “Your opinion of me might improve.”
     “Well, it could hardly get any worse.”
     Nathaniel’s hand tightened around hers and tugged her closer. “I am not all bad. We may become friends.”
     Skeptical, Diana tried to retrieve her hand, but his grip was too strong. “I wouldn’t hope too hard, Captain.” She admired his spirit; she envied his lively manners and his fearlessness. But to feel more for such a capricious man would be a mistake. “I think you should—” A dark, devious twinkle sizzled in his blue eyes and made her draw an anxious breath. “Do not think of it!”
     He blinked, but the wicked sparkle remained. “Do not think of what?”
     “That. It is not proper!”
     “I’m afraid not. It is, however, necessary.”
     “Captain Sherringham, if you dare—”
     The words were stolen away as his mouth lowered to hers, claimed her lips. She’d said the wrong thing, of course. In his case, saying “if you dare” was like waving a red rag at a bull.
     Diana was almost lifted off her feet, left to hover on her toes as he took his kiss. His tongue touched hers and stroked it gently. A raindrop that fell from his eyelashes to her cheek was warm and soft, tickling her skin as it trickled down the curve like a tear and finally gathered on the ridge of her jaw. Until the tip of his tongue followed it and then licked it away.
     She was stunned speechless.
     “If you don’t believe me about the note,” he whispered, his lips warm against her ear, “ask Jamie Bridges. It was his sling I used.”
     Every inch of his hard body was pressed against her, and in her wet clothes she had little defense. He must feel her heartbeat. She might as well be naked. The wicked thought flashed through her mind as if he had put it there with his kiss.
     “Ask him,” he repeated. “Unless you’re afraid.” A flare of white teeth showed as he smiled. Oh, that lethal charm. He would never lose it. “The world might tip upside down if I was proven honest for once.”
     Nathaniel’s eyes shone down at her and she was caught up in their brilliance, like a fly trapped in a spider’s web.
     “I once fell out of a tree for you,” he whispered, sounding bewildered.
     “That would explain these bouts of madness,” she reasoned.