Authors at the RARE 17 and their books (Ruth Cardello/Katie Ashley/Claire C.Riley) #RARE17

In Berlin in also met the amazing Ruth Cardello, whose books I love and have read and reread several times. I got her latest novel In the heir
at her table, the first book in her new Westerly Billionaire series (and believe me the book is really good, I love it!) and when I asked her whether I was allowed to post a photo of her on my blog, she asked me if I do giveaways and if my readers might like one of her books. Well, of course, I said that my readers love giveaways and would love one of her books - and ended up with two books to give away. Sounds good? That's what I thought! I can tell you that it is not her latest book but one that is part of one of her other series like the Legacy Collection or the Barrington Billionaires

or the Andrades. Curious? Well, let's just say that that might have been my intention! Apart from mysterious books for giveaways, Ruth Cardello has also had several of her books translated into German which are available as ebooks and print books and even as audio books!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Okay, this harmless (and very nice) looking lady might sic some zombies on you  - at least if you try out her book Odium, the first book in her The Dead Saga. Claire C. Riley also writes Dirty Biker romances under the pen name Cee Cee Riley but if you'd prefer a romantic stand-alone, you might want to check out her contemporary romance Shut up & Kiss me.
Meeting Claire C. Riley was fun and guess what - browsing through the books at her table and talking to her did lead to more books on my wish list....again.

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

The last author that I met and whose books caught my attention at the RARE 17 in Berlin (even though there were many more authors, of course, but I was running out of time and couldn't meet everyone), was Katie Ashley. Her books The Proposition and Music of the Heart sound very promising. Those of you who prefer to read in German, will be happy to hear that  The Proposition/Der Vorschlag
is also available in German on Amazon.

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

The RARE was an amazing experience and I am looking forward to RARE 18 in London and maybe also RARE 18 in Rome if I get the tickets for Rome. 

Booknerds meeting other booknerds and the authors who provide us with our beloved books - sounds great, doesn't it? Book lovers are the best!

Audiobook: Haven by Karen Lynch

Haven is finally available on Audible!

Haven is an amazing book that is set right after the end of  Warrior and Rogue, the last books in the Relentless series.

That is to say - it was already amazing as a book, a brilliant five-star read, and now it is available on Audible, narrated by Caitlin Greer and Zachary Webber
who did such a wonderful job with the first books in the series. Caitlin Greer is the narrator of Relentless, Refuge and Rogue, still my all-time-favorite audiobooks and Zachary Webber is the narrator or Warrior, also a part of this all-time-favorite audiobooks team. 

So - just imagine what might happen when you take an amazing book and two brilliant narrators and turn this into an audiobook? 
Right. That's exactly what happened - you get a fantastic audio book that draws you in and lets you feel as if it was the first time that you've ever read (or  -in this case - heard) this story. The narration is absolutely great. You get the feeling but it never feels forced or over the top just, well, right. Perfect. 

Judge for yourself, aren't they simply amazing? 

>>> https://soundcloud.com/audible/haven-karen-lynch <<<

If you would like to learn more about this audiobook, 
the book itself, the narrators or the author, you are in for a treat: 

Due to circumstances, the podcast has been rescheduled, 
I'll let you know, when it'll take place!

 

This book sounds good?

Check it out!

 

 

 

Seducing the Prince (Book 3 of the Kazanov Series) by Patricia Grasso

 Seducing the Prince by Patricia Grasso 

Blurb:

She longs to soar 

Regina Bradford, the Countess of Langley, did not get her “happily ever after”. Her father, a wealthy business man, married her off to an impoverished earl to gain an aristocratic title for the family. Regina is miserable in her marriage to Charles, the Earl of Langley, who is cheating on her on with the blonde beauty, Princess Adele Kazanov. Regina is an aspiring author, and despite her husband’s cruelty to her and his disdain for her writing, she is determined to finish her manuscript. She has resolved to living the rest of her life in a loveless marriage and spends most of her time with her beloved infant son, Austen, her best friend Ginger, her loyal butler Pickles, and her protective Great Dane, Hamlet. But when Regina meets the darkly handsome Prince Viktor Kazanov at a garden party, she yearns for more than a writing career: she yearns for true love as well.

He longs for freedom

Prince Viktor Kazanov wants a divorce. He is fed up with his wife Adele’s adultery with the Earl of Langley, and her lack of love for their daughter, Sally. At the Duke of Inverary’s annual retreat at his country estate, Viktor meets Regina and is immediately drawn to her wit, intelligence, and her fiery red-headed beauty. He decides then and there that he will begin divorce proceedings and free himself and his daughter from his cold-hearted wife. But when Adele and Charles are found murdered, suspicion turns to both Viktor and Regina, and the authorities seek to arrest them for the deaths of their spouses. It’s a race against time as Regina and Viktor try to clear their names and avoid the hangman’s noose. But when the killer strikes again, will they be destined for tragedy instead of happiness?

I really enjoyed reading Seducing the Prince". The story has some interesting twists in it, that set it a bit apart from other romances set in this time period.

In addition to the hero and the heroine, there are also a number of interesting minor characters that are also well described, who captivate the reader's attention by their unique character and their spirited and often witty interactions. I very much enjoyed the sassiness and the spirit of the female characters who refuse to bow to society's rules and expectations and who expect the men in their lives to respect them.

When Reggie meets Prince Viktor Kazanov and falls in love with him, which in itself is rather ironic, considering the fact that his wife is her husband's lover, she doesn't know yet that her biggest wish will come true and she will finally be free of her husband whom she despises. 
Seeing the man she loves or even worth herself, accused of this murder - actually a double murder, granting Viktor the same freedom from a spouse he despised as herself - was not really what she expected in her future though. It might make a nice inspiration for her novel writing but to live this nightmare? Nope. No fun there. 
Fortunately, her friends and her family are loyal and with their combined efforts they might be able to find the murderer - they will have to hurry though because more people start to die and things get really tight!

Amazing characters, a funny, entertaining and captivating read - another book by Patricia Grasso that I can definitely and wholeheartedly recommend!

★★★★

Authors at the RARE 17 and their books (Brenna Aubrey/Emma Hart/Harper Sloan) #RARE17

I read Brenna Aubrey's books first in....well, a couple of years ago, when I stumbled upon the first book in her Gaming the System series At any Price and fell in love with it. The first books in the series are also available in German, by the way.  I must admit that I never looked for other books by her so I was really surprised when I looked them up for this post and found that she has also contributed a story to a Jane-Austen-inspired anthology!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

                                   

Emma Hart, on the other hand, is one of those authors that I met for the first time at the RARE but whose books are definitely worth looking at twice. Actually, she was also one of those authors whose books were already on my kindle without my having realized it. Up to now I have Twisted Bond by her and the first two books of her The Game series. She was funny and nice and it was really great to meet her at the RARE!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Last but not least for today - Harper Sloan, whose Corps series is a good place to start when you want to check out her books. if you prefer stand-alones, you might want to take a closer look at Perfectly Imperfect.  I know that Axel and I will get reacquainted soon as I'll have to re-read that series now that I've met its author.
Another really nice author, it was fun to meet her even though there wasn't much time to talk to her due to the line. I hope to meet her again at the RARE 18 in Rome if I am lucky and get tickets for it.

Yep, Rome and London - I really hope that I will be able to attend both of the events, it's so much fun to meet all those other book nerds and to meet all these amazing authors, get inspired, find more books to love and well, just to have fun with books and those who love them!

King of Clubs (Aces & Eights #2) by Sandra Owens

King of Clubs by Sandra Owens 

Blurb:

In the second novel in acclaimed author Sandra Owens’s Aces & Eights series, passions—and tempers—flare as one star-crossed couple gets a second chance at love.

Covert FBI agent Court Gentry loves his brothers, his job, and his Harley-Davidson. Once he loved a girl, too, but when she broke his heart, he put his emotions on lockdown…until she crosses his path again.

On vacation six years ago, free-spirited Lauren Montgomery fell hard for Court Gentry. She returned home happier than ever, only to descend into a spiral of abuse by her ex-husband, Stephan. When Stephan threatened to kill any man who touched her, Lauren cut Court from her life—but not from her heart.

When Lauren and Court reunite after her friend marries his brother, Court guards himself against the person who made him feel such intense passion and pain. Except the undeniable spark between them is impossible to contain and heating up fast. Six years ago, it was love. Now, it’s just lust. Keeping it merely physical is a foolproof plan…right?

When Stephan is released from prison, Lauren can’t outrun her past anymore, and Court vows to protect her. But with Lauren in imminent danger, Court must question his heart and risk his life to save the woman he never stopped loving.

Wow, this book captivated me from the first page on. It kept me on my toes and left me breathless more than once -  and sometimes it made me swoon and sigh and smile goofily and most of all, my heart went out to Lauren and Court who were hurt so badly by Stephan's actions.

I loved to see those two find their love for each other again and of course, you just have to love those Gentry brothers, they are so amazing! I must admit that I'm a bit worried about Nate especially as the epilog ruled out one of the explanations for his behavior but well, I guess, that story is for the next book to tell. Right now, I just can say that the story about Court and Lauren, as heartbreaking and painful as it is at the beginning, is just amazing!

I loved those wonderful characters and the fast-paced story that didn't let me put down my reader till I had read the last page. I loved it and I know that I'll definitely read the other books in the series and of course, I am looking forward to reading other books by Sandra Owens. This was my first book by her but definitely not my last.

★★★★★

Storm Unleashed: Phantom Islanders Part III by Ednah Walters

You have read Storm Revealed?

You've been waiting for Storm Unleashed?

Your wait is over!

  Storm Unleashed by Ednah Walters

is out!

(And it is amazing!)

Blurb:

Sassy heroine, a legend and a people in peril...

Legends are made
When all seems lost

The magical world Lexi has come to know isn’t done with her yet, and she must discover the lengths she and Storm will go to prove their love and claim each other.

Wow, simply wow! This amazing finale to Storm's books just blew my mind!
Again Ednah Walters, who is one of my all-time favorite authors wrote an amazing and wonderful book, full of imagination, magic, and romance.
Okay, when I read the first pages, I was so upset with her, I started to turn the pages and search for ...well, search because I just couldn't believe what happened.
The book kept me glued to my reader and I couldn't put it down till I finally knew that I'd get my HEA, FINALLY! Well, Storm and Lexi get theirs and I celebrated with them.
And now I am waiting patiently for the next book in this series.
Okay, kidding, I've never waited patiently for a book especially not this one. I really love this series and I can't wait for the next book to come out!

★★★★★

Authors at the RARE 17 and their books (Alexa Riley/Celia Aaron//L.H.Cosway/Meghan March) #RARE17

Okay, let's see, who else was there...

If you like to read romances, you have probably come across Alexa Riley's books every now and then, right? She has written more than 60 books, rather short and sexy reads and she has some really funny swag, blinking pens and baby batters, c*c*s and ...lots of stuff. 😉 Usually you can rely on her books being full of sexy promises, no cheating and as fitting for a real romance - they always have an HEA (without

an HEA, it's no real romance, I think). I've read some of her books already like Lassoing the Virgin Mail-Order Bride.

At Alexa Riley's table, I got her book Guarding his obsession. Looks hot, right? Well, I'm looking forward to reading it!

At Alexa's table, people had a lot of fun with all her cool stuff out there and it was really nice to meet her.

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Before RARE, I had never heard of Celia Aaron's books, so this was another author that I discovered due to the RARE Berlin. She writes erotic romances with some darker or more violent content, at least as far as I can see.
Up to now I haven't read any of her books but I will check them out, the first one is already on my kindle. This way, I'll at least have read one of her books when I meet her again at the RARE London in February!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

L.H.Cosway's Heart series is a good place to start if you want to get to know her books. First in the series is Six of Hearts but if you prefer stand-alones, you might want to take a look at The Nature of Cruelty.
She has also written some books together with Penny Reid, another author, who was also present at the RARE (I didn't meet her though, the line was too long and I was running out of time). Those books are the books of The Rugby Series

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

And the last of the authors for today is Meghan March.
I must admit that I hadn't even realized that I had one of her books on my kindle. Actually it had been there since 2015. Somehow I never started to read it and then - forgotten.

When I met Meghan March at the RARE I browsed through her books and found that they looked really promising and, well, that's when I discovered her book on my kindle . Let's just say that I really enjoyed reading Beneath the mask once I started to read it and that the rest of the series will definitely follow because the book is amazing! Not what I expected but much better, in fact.

The Highland Commander (Lords of the Highlands #2) by Amy Jarecki

Remember the 

Highland Duke?

 The next book in the series is out today!

  The Highland Commander by Amy Jarecki

Blurb:

She cannot resist the man behind the mask...
As the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish earl, Lady Magdalen Keith is not one to partake in lavish balls or other frivolities. Yet at her father's urging, she agrees to dance with the battle-weary officers at this year's holiday masquerade. It's practically her civic duty! But when one such officer-whose dashing good looks cannot be disguised by a mere mask-sweeps her off her feet and into his arms, the innocent lass can't help herself. Her lips are his for the taking.But will he betray his country for a kiss?
Navy lieutenant Aiden Murray has spent too many months at sea to be immune to the charms of this lovely beauty. Even after he returns to his ship, she lives in his dreams. But when he discovers Maddie's true identity-and learns that her father is accused of treason-will the brawny Scot risk his life to follow his heart?
 

I must admit that even though I really enjoyed reading this book, I had some problems deciding how to rate it. It is entertaining, thrilling and captivating, well-written and has wonderful characters but - and that is a huge "but" in my romance-seeking heart- sometimes I thought that it was a bit too much of bad luck and, well, it probably reflects the times rather too well because those times were harsh and life wasn't predictable, especially when you were born out of wedlock and lived on the outskirts of society due to your status.

Rules and social status dominated the lives of the people and there was no Declaration of Human Rights or whatever to protect you when you were disgraced.

Unfortunately, truth and reality do not always mix well with romance and it took me a bit to accept that some really bad things happened to "my" heroes. *sigh*
Reality-is-a-bitch-issues aside, the book was really great and I didn't just enjoy the well-plotted story but also the interaction of the characters. So - once again a great book that I can recommend.

★★★★

Storm Unleashed by Ednah Walters is out!

And just another quick reminder for those of you 

who are waiting anxiously for the release of the amazing

Storm Unleashed by Ednah Walters

 

Finally out - Duke with Benefits by Mandy Collins

Just a quick reminder that the lovely 

Duke with Benefits

by

Mandy Collins 

pubs today!

 

★★★

★★

★

Release Day Blitz: The Highland Commander by Amy Jarecki

Out today:

 THE HIGHLAND COMMANDER

by 

Amy Jarecki 

Blurb:

She cannot resist the man behind the mask...

As the illegitimate daughter of a Scottish earl, Lady Magdalen Keith is not one to partake in lavish balls or other frivolities. Yet at her father's urging, she agrees to dance with the battle-weary officers at this year's holiday masquerade. It's practically her civic duty! But when one such officer—whose dashing good looks cannot be disguised by a mere mask—sweeps her off her feet and into his arms, the innocent lass can't help herself. Her lips are his for the taking.

But will he betray his country for a kiss?

Navy lieutenant Aiden Murray has spent too many months at sea to be immune to the charms of this lovely beauty. Even after he returns to his ship, she lives in his dreams. But when he discovers Maddie's true identity—and learns that her father is accused of treason—will the brawny Scot risk his life to follow his heart?

THE LORDS OF THE HIGHLANDS SERIES

THE HIGHLAND DUKE, #1

THE HIGHLAND COMMANDER, #2

THE HIGHLAND GUARDIAN, #3

Check out the Giveaway on Rafflecopter!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Jarecki is a descendant of an ancient Lowland clan and adores Scotland. Though she now resides in southwest Utah, she received her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Winning multiple writing awards, she found her niche in the genre of Scottish historical romance. Amy writes steamy edge-of-your-seat action adventures with rugged men and fascinating women who weave their paths through the brutal eras of centuries past.

Authors at the RARE 17 and their books (Tamarra Webber/Anne Eliot/Karina Halle/Natasha Boyd) #RARE17

Okay, I was really really looking forward to meeting the very charming Tammara Webber as I fell in love with her book Easy and later on Breakable in 2012. I can't say how often I've read that book since that day but - quite a few times. Both books are also available in German: Einfach Liebe and Einfach für Dich, by the way. Three years ago I was lucky and won both books, Easy and Breakable (Signed!) in a giveaway.
That's when I finally realized that Tammara Webber has written many more books and started to read Between the lines, the first of four books in the series. Those books have also been translated and are available in German - and they are also definitely worth a look!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Completely new to me was Anne Eliot. I didn't have the time to check out her books before I went to the RARE and when my daughter and I passed her table, I was curious and just had to look at all those beauties there, especially as Anne Eliot did not only have her books there but also very lovingly prepared little swag bags with signed cards and bracelets and stuff in them that drew my eyes as well. Her books Almost and Unmaking Hunter Kennedy somehow found their way in our bag. Both sound very promising and I'm looking forward to reading them. Anne Eliot herself was very sweet and nice and it was fun to meet her!

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Another author who we met at the RARE and went to get our books signed by was Karina Halle, whose books The Pact and The Play are also waiting to be read. What I've read about them and according to the first pages, I'm very optimistic that I'll like them.

I know, I know, I just didn't have enough time because the decision to go to the RARE Berlin was rather spontaneous and we simply didn't have enough time before it to read all the books that I bought in anticipation of the event.

🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺

Do you know Natasha Boyd? But - do you now her award-winning Butler Cove Series? No? Well, it's time to change that, I think!  Look at those badges:"No boy I knew lived up to the fantasy from the many books I'd read UNTIL JACK" - That about sums up the whole dilemma of all those amazing book boyfriends, right? Almost no living, breathing boyfriend could ever win, when you compare them to our beloved book boyfriends! Apart from Jack, the books have many other qualities and you might want to check them out starting with Eversea which is also available in German.