MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

Blurb:

The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting.

Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing.

With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.

But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient.

Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.


Oh my...this book was so amazing! I've read most of Mariana Zapata's books up to now and I loved almost all of them. When the cover of "Luna and the Lie" was out, I was intrigued. When the first chapter of it was released, I was hooked. When the book was finally, FINALLY out, I started reading and didn't stop till I was done.

I won't mention the number of handkerchiefs needed (Don't forget to restock before you start reading!) and I won't talk about the tears and the fits of rage - and the swooning and the giggling and the sighs either. I want to talk about the wonderful story and the fantastic, rugged, authentic, flawed and amazing characters though.

This book is not for the faint of heart, things get dirty, things get rough but Luna is like a ray of sunshine, no matter how much she struggles, no matter what she does and how hard things are, there is always some light around her. I love her little quirks, her choice to be happy and the way she tries to be there for those around her.

Ripley, well, Ripley is the prototype of rugged and flawed and more often than not, he made me furious and he made me roll my eyes - and I loved to see how much he cared for Luna, despite the age gap and his past making him wary to act upon his feelings. Finding that Luna herself is no stranger to the darker sides of life and society and the brutality that goes along with it is eye-opening and makes him dare open up to her.
Okay, romance and Ripley might both start with an r but, well, otherwise those two don't have much in common. His particular brand of courtship is unlike most others and not always easy to spot - putting it mildly.

Those two plus a bodyshop full of great people and amazing cars, a wonderful story and lots of slow-burning romance - I really loved this book. Now, I can't wait to re-read it - and I'm really looking forward to the audiobook as well.

Sure, the whole concept is not new, especially in Mariana Zapata's books and I wish that there were fewer typos, grammar issues and such but I loved the way this tale was spun and I loved Luna and Ripley.

 ★★★★★

Bannon's Brides by Loretta C. Rogers

 Bannon's Brides by Loretta C. Rogers

Blurb:

Jail or prostitution?
Fiona Quinn chooses neither. On a wagon train bound for Oregon , the newly-contracted mail-order bride braves rattlesnakes, Indians, and depraved buffalo hunters who kidnap her. But nothing tests her mettle like Cordell Bannon, the wagon master poised to steal her heart.

Cordell Bannon signed a contract to safely deliver thirty mail-order brides to their husbands. Yet one bride stirs his emotions, threatening his oath of celibacy and making him choose between his job and his passion. Can he stand by as she marries another, or will he claim her as his bride?

I've read and thoroughly enjoyed other books by Loretta C. Rogers but unfortunately, this one was just too foreseeable. I liked it well enough and I worried and cried over those women who didn't make it and I was upset with our hero but the end was very much what I had expected. Sure, I was still upset but ...

On the whole, it was a rather harsh reminder what life was like in those times. Cordell and Isaiah were good men trying to protect the women in their care but they knew exactly what they did when they brought ten more than necessary because far too many of those women never reached Oregon and the men they were promised to.

Of course, it was also another harsh reminder of the vulnerability of women in those times. Without a husband, they had no rights - and when they were married, well, they still had no rights but hopefully a good husband to protect them.
A well-written story with very likable characters, Bannon's Brides is a nice read even though it couldn't completely captivate me.

 ★★★★

Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4) by Suzanne Wright

  Echoes of Fire by Suzanne Wright

Blurb:

They may not be made for each other, but animal instincts are impossible to ignore.

Madisyn Drake is a rare breed of cat shifter…a loner, unpredictably wild, and emotionally distant. A recent betrayal has left her ready to sharpen her claws on the next man she sees…until a prowling wolf with steel-gray eyes and a brooding dark edge challenges her distrust. No matter how fully he satisfies her touch-hunger, Madisyn’s not ready to open up again, even if it is oh so gratifying.

Bracken Slater has earned his reputation as an indomitable predator. Once broken by grief and guilt, Brack is feeling alive again, thanks to the heady scent of this independent feline. Convincing her that they’re meant for each other is going to take more than branding Madisyn’s beautiful neck. She’s not interested in joining an unfamiliar pack, much less answering to an alpha. But when threats from both their pasts take shape, their unexpected destiny may be the only thing that can save them.


I simply couldn't put it down, this book got me hooked from the first page on and I didn't put it down till the end. I literally carried my e-reader around my place, while trying to get things done.

Madisyn is amazing and I fell for her from, yeah, I think from the first strike of her claw on - or something like that. Somehow I ended up on Youtube checking out videos of a certain kind of felines. I had never heard of this kind of cat before but I won't forget them and I'll always see them kicking a...nother shifter. Or two. Or three. Or...well, you get the meaning. "Cute, furry bundles of terror", as people describe her breed, indeed. At least if you are her enemy or threaten someone she cares for. Madisyn is just that awesome, no wonder that Bracken falls for her even if it takes him some time to realize how completely and irrevocably he has fallen for her. And Bracken - after everything that guy has been through, I just wanted him to find love and peace and happiness again.
With enemies piling up rather quickly and some issues of their own, Bracken and Madisyn have to fight for their happiness - and for their lives.

Lots of action, love (and sex) and great characters - this book is another capitvating and amazing book in this series. I can't wait for the next! 

★★★★★

 

Do you want to know what kind of  cat shifter Madisyn is?

 

Go ahead. 

 

You don't want to know more before you've read the book? 

 

What are you waiting for? Read - and come back!  

 

But right now? Turn around and don't read on.

 

 

This is it: 

 

 

***

 

The cute version....

 

 

 

The naked... or rather fluffy  facts:  

 

 

 

The hunter

 

Fury Freed (Of Fates and Furies #3) by Melissa Haag

  Fury Freed by Melissa Haag

Blurb: 

While preparing to leave Uttira after graduation, Megan finds the Book of Fury. The answers she's needed about who she is, her purpose, and her powers have been there the whole time, along with a shocking revelation. Now, it's not just a matter of finding Megan's mother. Megan must find the two preceding generations as well, because the book is clear on one thing: there can only be three furies.


How long have I been waiting for this book? Far too long...even though it's been just a couple of months but I can't say that I've been waiting patiently. Nope. Not at all. I really, really wanted to know how things would go on because, let's face it, those last lines of Fury Focused? That was a bombshell. And with everything else still going on there, yep, I was waiting for this final book of Megan's story. 
 Was it worth the wait - ohhhh, yess....... this book was once again amazing!

Once again the perfect combination of humour, action and some sweet romance, wonderful characters and a great story that will keep you on your toes and won't let you sleep!
I must admit that these books are really difficult to review because there's so much that is fun and unexpected and I really don't want to spoil the story for anybody because I told too much so - I'll just say that this book is amazing and if you've loved the other books in this series (which you definitely should have read before even thinking of picking up "Fury Freed") you will also love this one.

★★★★★

 

 

 

Wie Blut im Sand (Naliri-Saga 3) von Kira Gembri und Lena König

Wie Blut im Sand von Kira Gembri und Lena König

Inhalt:

Eine Feindschaft zwischen zwei Völkern.
Eine unsterbliche Liebe.
Und eine Schlacht, die alles verändert.
Das Finale der Naliri-Saga – packend, dramatisch und voller Leidenschaft!  


Ich entdeckte Kira Gembri über ihre Jugendbücher und verliebte mich dort in ihre Schreibweise und ihre gut geschriebenen Bücher. Als dann der erste Band der Naliri - Saga herauskam, der ja ein ganz anderes Genre ist, war ich doch sehr gespannt, zumal dies ja mit einer Co-Autorin zusammen geschrieben wurde.

Schon der erste Band der Reihe konnte mich begeistern, der zweite hielt die Spannung und führte auch die Geschichte unserer beiden Protagonisten weiter und nun wartete ich auf das Finale. Immerhin gab es da noch einiges, was geklärt und in Ordnung gebracht werden musste, bevor wir Liria und Thrakon so ganz gehen lassen können.

Kurz, die beiden Autorinnen haben mich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite fesseln können. Ich habe geweint, ich habe gelacht, ich habe die Autorinnen verflucht und inständig gehofft, dass sie jetzt doch bitte noch ganz schnell eine rettende Idee....und am Ende ließ mich dieses Buch zufrieden und mit einem guten Gefühl zurück, auch wenn es vorher doch noch einmal ganz schön heftig wurde. Alles habe ich den beiden immer noch nicht verziehen, nur mal so nebenbei, aber...

Wem es im letzten Band vielleicht an Spannung und Actin gefehlt hat, nun, der dürfte hier voll auf seine Kosten kommen - und das Buch nicht freiwillig aus der Hand legen.
Ein tolles Ende für eine schöne und spannende Trilogie mit Herz und Action.

★★★★★

Leseprobe 

In meinem Inneren kämpften Nervosität, Scham und Reste von Zorn gegeneinander an, während Thrakon den Abstand zwischen uns mit einem einzigen Schritt überwand.
„Sag mir eines, naliri“, knurrte er, nur noch zwei Handbreit von mir entfernt. „Vertraust du mir?“
Ich schluckte trocken und starrte schweigend zu ihm hoch. Es kam mir so vor, als strahlte sein Körper noch viel mehr Wärme aus als die Feuerstelle.
„Vertraust du darauf, dass du die richtige Frau für mich bist?“, fuhr Thrakon fort. Ein Muskel an seiner Schläfe zuckte, und seine Brust hob und senkte sich schnell. Auf einmal sah er ernsthaft bedrohlich aus. Noch vor wenigen Monden wäre ich schreiend zurückgewichen, wenn ein Mann wie er die Hand zu meinem Gesicht erhoben hätte – jetzt aber stand ich reglos da, als seine rauen Finger mein Kinn umfassten. Sein Griff war hart, beinahe grob. „Quisem ar?“, fragte er leise, und sein Atem fuhr über mein Gesicht. „Quisem arth?“
Wem gehöre ich? Wem gehörst du?
Immer noch brachte ich keinen einzigen Ton zustande. Ein heftiges Zittern breitete sich in meinem Körper aus, während ich den rechten Arm vorstreckte und die Unterseite nach oben drehte. Das Brandmal von unserer Hochzeit war im Feuerschein gut zu erkennen.
„Ganz genau“, sagte Thrakon mit dunkler Stimme. „Und jetzt werde ich dafür sorgen, dass du das nicht wieder vergisst.“

Of Fates and Furies - with a new look!

*

***

*****

Do you remember this great series by Melissa Haag?

Of Fates and Furies

While we've been waiting (more or less) patiently for the last book in this amazing series, 

those book got a new look. Look at those amazing new covers!

Fury Frayed by Melissa Haag  

Fury Focused (Of Fates and Furies, #2)

and last but not least ....

Fury Freed (Of Fates and Furies, #3)

*****

***

*

 

Cover reveal - Catastrophe Queen by Emma Hart

One hot mess. One hot boss.
One too many hot encounters...

It’s not you. It’s me.
No, seriously. It is me. Not only does my name literally mean “unfortunate,” but that’s the story of my life.
Everything I touch turns to crap. An apartment fire—that I swear I was not responsible for—means I’m living back at home with my sex-mad parents. Yay, me!
Which is why I need my new job as personal assistant to Cameron Reid to get back on my feet. Three months in this job and I can move back out and, hopefully, remember to turn off my flat iron once in a while.
Ahem. 
On paper, my job is easy. Make coffee. Book appointments. Keep everything in order.
Until I walk in on my boss, half-naked, wearing nothing but the kind of tiny white towel that dreams are made of.
Now, nothing is easy—except our mutual attraction. But he’s my boss, and you know what they say about mixing work and pleasure: unless you do porn, it’s just not worth it.
Or is it?
 

Amazon US → https://amzn.to/2AEm3pw Apple Books → https://apple.co/2CnZjLJ
B&N → http://bit.ly/2pVEdgk
Kobo → http://bit.ly/2yJ64o6

Herzhaft backen ohne Mehl von Anja Donnermeyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Herzhaft backen ohne Mehl von Anja Donnermeyer

 

Inhalt:

 

Sie möchten oder müssen sich glutenfrei ernähren, aber es fehlen die Ideen? Hier finden Sie, was das Herz begehrt: Anja Donnermeyer zeigt, wie Pizza, Quiches, Flammkuchen, Focaccia und Co. ganz einfach ohne Mehl gelingen. Von Spinat-Feta-Quiche über Pesto-Schnecken bis zur Pizza Caprese – über 50 himmlisch leckere Rezeptideen bringen Vielfalt in die glutenfreie Küche. Mit den Grundrezepten für mehlfreie Böden lassen sich die Rezept nach Herzenslust variieren und obendrein erhalten Sie wertvolle Tipps zur glutenfreien Ernährung. Das Besondere: Alle Zutaten sind von Natur aus glutenfrei und in jedem Supermarkt erhältlich. Backen ohne Mehl – jetzt endlich für den herzhaften Gaumen.

 

 

Klar, alles wird nicht jedem schmecken und gerade beim Würzen gehen die Meinungen ja gerne mal auseinander, aber bereits nach den ersten Versuchen kann ich sage, dass mich dieses Buch begeistert. Die Rezepte selber sind einfach umzusetzen und auch für ungeübtere Köche gut zu bewältigen, wobei sie auch sehr schnell zu eigenen Variationen und eigenen Interpretationen einladen.

Im Hinblick auf Maße und Zeiten erscheint mir bisher alles stimmig, allerdings hängt das natürlich auch immer mit vom eigenen Ofen ab und der eigenen Form und dergleichen. Die einzelnen Arbeitsschritte sind gut nachvollziehbar und die Mengen angemessen.

Was mir ausgesprochen gut gefällt, ist die Tatsache, dass hier glutenfrei gebacken wird, ohne dass irgendwelche Ersatzstoffe und Ersatzmischungen und dergleichen zur Anwendung kommen. Ich habe einen großen Schrankbereich voll mit allen möglichen Zutaten, die glutenfrei sind und wild gemischt werden, um die möglichst gute Kopie von irgendeinem glutenhaltigen Produkt zu werden. Das ist hier nicht der Fall. Dieses Rezepte basieren alle auf Zutaten, die man im Haushalt hat, die erschwinglich und leicht zu verarbeiten sind und vor allem, die man in nahezu jedem Supermarkt findet.

Wer eine Zeitlang nur versucht hat, sich glutenfrei zu ernähen, weiß, wovon ich rede. Normalerweise ist es einfach teuer und trotzdem nicht immer gut, wenn glutenfrei draufsteht. In diesem Buch finden sich Rezepte, die für die ganze Familie geeignet sind und allen schmecken. Und wenn sie doch nicht allen schmecken, dann liegt es nicht an den Zutaten, sondern daran, dass Menschen einfach einen unterschiedlichen Geschmack haben.

Lecker schmeckende, glutenfreie Rezepte für die ganze Familie, die leicht umzusetzen und nachzuarbeiten sind und außerdem auch noch erschwinglich.

★★★★★

 

 

Verführt von einem Herzensbrecher by Patricia Cabot

  Verführt von einem Herzensbrecher by Patricia Cabot

Inhalt: 

London, 1870: Lady Caroline Linford, eine junge Frau aus gutem Hause, beobachtet, wie sich ihr Verlobter mit einer anderen vergnügt. Doch Caroline fürchtet einen gesellschaftlichen Skandal, wenn sie die äußerst vorteilhafte Verlobung auflöst. Sie sieht nur einen Ausweg: ihren zukünftigen Ehemann dazu zu bringen, nur noch sie zu lieben und zu begehren.
Leider hat Caroline von der körperlichen Liebe so gar keine Ahnung und wendet sich an den berüchtigten Braden Granville, der im Ruf steht, ein Meister der Verführung zu sein. Von ihm möchte sie sich in die Kunst der Liebe einweihen lassen – so lautet zumindest ihr Plan. Allerdings hat Braden Granville nicht die geringste Absicht, Caroline zu helfen.
Doch da auch Braden von seiner Verlobten hintergangen wurde, sucht er nach Beweisen, um die Verbindung lösen zu können. Caroline ist die Einzige, die ihm dabei helfen kann und so gehen die beiden einen Handel ein. Aber die Chemie zwischen ihnen ist unwiderstehlich und es beginnt eine funkensprühende Romanze.


Ich lese sehr viele historische Liebesromane, wobei ich sagen muss, dass ich mich hier erst einmal ein wenig umstellen musste. Wer Meg Cabots Stil kennt, wird ihn auch hier wiedererkennen und seine Freude an diesem Buch haben, wer allerdings historische Korrektheit erwartet, wird enttäuscht werden. Ich musste für mich sortieren, dass es ein modernes Buch ist, das in der Vergangenheit spielt, dann konnte ich es richtig genießen.
Die oftmals kurzweiligen, unterhaltsamen Dialoge und die markanten, gut ausgearbeiteten Charaktere tragen sehr dazu bei, dass man dieses Buch nicht gerne aus der Hand legt, wenn man einmal mit dem Lesen angefangen hat.
Man fiebert mit den Protagonisten mit, schimpft und regt sich über die garstigen Widersacher auf und so vergeht dann die eine oder andere Stunde - bis zur allerletzten Seite.
Die Szenen zwischen den Protagonisten hätten manches Mal noch ein wenig mehr knistern können, hier stimmte zwar die Chemie, aber es hätte gerne ein wenig mehr davon da sein dürfen. Natürlich sind einige der Szenen darauf ausgelegt, ein wenig Verlegenheit und Unsicherheit anstelle von rasender Leidenschaft zu enthalten, aber wie gesagt, ein Fünkchen mehr hätte es sein dürfen.
Trotzdem fesselte mich das Buch und hat mich gut unterhalten, so dass ich auf jeden Fall auch noch andere Bücher von Patricia Cabot gerne lesen werde.

★★★★

The Duke of Kisses (The Untouchables #11) by Darcy Burke

  The Duke of Kisses by Darcy Burke

Blurb:



Frances Snowden can hardly believe her good fortune when she’s whisked away from her boring life by her sister who is now a duchess. Instead of becoming the third wife of her parents’ stuffy neighbor, she can be anything she wants: a doting aunt to her newborn niece, a debutante in London, or even an independent spinster. But when she meets and kisses a mysterious man on a walk in the countryside, she knows exactly what she desires—him.

David Langley, Earl of St. Ives, is resigned to marrying the dull woman his parents chose when he was a child. His future is suddenly, and happily, diverted when he encounters a captivating young woman who shows him everything he’s been missing. Ready to embark on a blissful life together, a long-buried feud between their families makes their marriage impossible. Nothing is more important than duty and family, but can he turn his back on love?

  
Fanny and David, our hero and our heroine are a wonderful couple! I loved to read how David realized what he really needs in his life and that his ideas of the ideal life just don't hold up to the reality of Fanny. Fanny being Fanny, clumsy, daring, racing and simply being fun whenever they meet seems to be just the right kind of woman for him. Well, she would be, if there wasn't this pesky promise made to a dying man and, oh, yeah, that feud.... let's just say that there are some not so minor -or bigger- problems to sort out.
Unfortunately, David doesn't only have to deal with his family opposing his plans but Fanny's, family isn't exactly a case of rainbows and unicorns either. Despite all that, he fights for the woman he wants and, even more important, for the woman he loves.

I really loved this story, which is another wonderful book in the series about The Untouchables. Each of them is unique and I liked each and every one of them. Well-written stories with great plots and amazing characters, all of them are linked but each of them can be read as a stand-alone. If you loved the other books in this series, you'll love this one as well and if you haven't read any of them yet - well, this is as good a place to start as any of them so just read it! You'll love it!

★★★★★

BLOGTOUR: Tequila, Tequila by Emma Hart #TequilaTequila #Blogtour

*Blogtour*

Tequila, Tequila by Emma Hart

Blurb:  

TEQUILA + YOUR BEST FRIEND + YOUR BEDROOM = UM. WHOOPSIE?

Don’t sleep with your best friend.
Take it from me. I did it. And it was awful.
I-wish-the-tequila-made-me-forget kind of bad.
The problem is, Luke has forgotten. He swears that he can’t remember a thing about that night beyond the trays of tequila shots being set on the tables.
Except I can't forget. I can’t forget how good his hands felt until I fell over and hit my hip on the dresser, and I sure as hell can’t forget the entire two minutes of tap-tap-squirt.
Awkward. Embarrassing. And the new subject of a couple of dirty lucid dreams.
But I have no intention of telling him what we did. Nothing good comes from telling your best friend he’s the worst guy you’ve ever slept with.
Which makes the tequila on my birthday a very, very bad idea…

This book made me laugh so hard, it's amazing! We had kind of a rough start, I read a couple of pages and then, well, I just put it away. When I went back and read a bit further, I simply couldn't put it down anymore. I laughed, snorted and giggled my way through this book till the very last page. Then I put it down with a deep swoon-ladden sigh. Yup, I loved this book. It was fun and it was a great story with amazing, authentic and very likable characters.

How do you go back from a Tequila-incident as in having the kind of pretty bad tap-tap-squish-action with your best friend? And what's more, if you really, really think about it - do you want to go back from there or could there be a chance for something more, something like forever?
Well, when a couple of tequilas, alright, some more of them, actually, turn Aspen and Luke's friendship upside down, they have to figure out what they really want. Step back and try to forget about it (or at least try to fake that they forgot about it) or go ahead and see where this might go.
Not an easy decision, when your friendship goes way back to kindergarten because there's always the risk of losing everything but when there's no going back the only way left may be the one forward.

I loved Aspen and Luke and I loved reading this amazing book - I can't wait for the next book by Emma Hart!

★★★★★

A Very Regency Christmas by Julie Johnstone #AVeryRegencyChristmas #RegencyChristmas

  A Very Regency Christmas by Julie Johnstone

Blurb:

From the glittering ballrooms of the English nobility to the cozy countryside of Regency lords and ladies, cuddle up this Christmas with three swoon-worthy holiday tales filled with dashing heroes, bold heroines and epic true love from USA Today bestselling author Julie Johnstone!

The Redemption of a Dissolute Earl – Book 1

The day Andrew Whitton, Earl of Hardwick chooses his fortune over the woman he loves, Drew discovers that money makes for a cold bed partner. Now, no matter how far he runs, the memory of his betrayal haunts him, and there’s not enough liquor to dull the past or diminish his disgust.

Charlotte Milne trusted in happily ever after until her knight turned out to be wearing rusty armor. Drew, the scoundrel, seduced her, though she very much enjoyed the seduction by the man she’s loved since childhood. Left scandalously ruined, Char flees her home intent upon forgetting Drew and proving her worth.

Separated by disloyalty and pain, each struggle to bury the memories of the other until a mandatory summons from the Duke of Danby sets them on a path of collision to Danby Castle. With the tides of irrevocable change rising, Drew must find a way to show Char that even the most selfish of rakes can be redeemed by love before the woman of his heart becomes the wife of another.


Season for Surrender – Book 2

Lillian Lancaster would rather catch the plague than a husband. Unfortunately, her abusive, recently deceased father’s will stipulates her inheritance hinges upon her marrying a lord. With time running out, Lillian proposes to the guilt-ridden, marriage-averse Lord Edgeworth after securing his agreement to a marriage in name only.

Edgeworth feels responsible for his former betrothed’s death and believes he doesn’t deserve love, which makes Lillian’s proposal oddly perfect. Commanded by his grandfather to marry by Christmas or become penniless, the obviously perfect choice is a woman who wants nothing to do with him.

When Lillian displays a brave and true heart and Edgeworth reveals his honorable, protective side maintaining a marriage of convenience becomes harder than these two wounded souls imagined. Now, Lillian and Edgeworth must decide if they are courageous enough to risk their hearts and surrender to love.

It's in the Duke’s Kiss – Book 3

Lady Emmaline Radcliffe always knew she never wanted to marry a man who embraced the rules of Society. But when her mother threatens to secure a suitable match for Emma if she cannot make one on her own, Emma sets out to determine if her girlhood infatuation is the love she’s been looking for. Nathaniel did save her life once, after all. But when she finds herself in the arms of the gentleman’s brother—the serious and proper Duke of Blackbourne—she begins to question all she ever thought she desired.

Lucian, the Duke of Blackbourne, is tired of playing keeper to his irresponsible brother. He vows to quit, but when his brother resolves to seduce the impetuous Lady Emmaline, Lucian knows he must save his foolish brother and the innocent debutante from themselves. Yet his plan to intercede goes awry when he finds himself drawn to the woman who is everything he was positive he didn’t want in a wife.

But his brother won’t give up so easily, and soon Lucian’s well-intentioned plans are revealed. Now to keep Lady Emmaline’s heart he must prove that he’s truly not the stuffy, sneaky duke he seems to be.


This is an anthology that includes three novellas that have been previously published separately under the same names. Novellas are always difficult because they often feel rushed or simply too short for a real story with real feeling and developed characters. On the whole these three novellas are really nice to read but I must admit that I like the third one the best and the first one the least.

Even though The Redemption of a Dissolute Earl was a nice story, it was lacking some depth in my opinion. I liked it but I couldn't really lose myself in it. The characters were nice but there were too many conincidences and the story was a bit rushed.
The second story, Season for Surrender, felt also as if it could have done with a couple of more pages but on the whole I really enjoyed reading it. The characters were more complex and the story more convincing.
It's in the Duke’s Kiss, the third of the novellas is the one that I liked best. It's not only the longest but it is also the one that drew me in and made me feel with the characters. The characters were much more complex and authentic than those in the other novellas. I loved Lilian and Nick despite the fact that their union wasn't very likely or realistic in those times, but Lucian and Emmaline are much more convincing and fitting as a couple. I liked to read how Emma realized where her real feelings lay and how she made Lucian realize that this snow fairy was exactly what he needed in his life.  A sweet and warm story, perfect for this time of the year!

I liked the last one best but I also liked the other ones, so, on the whole, I end up with four stars for this heartwarming and charming anthology.

★★★★

 

Stolen Princess (Royal Conquest Duology Book 1) by Nikki Jefford #StolenPrincess

🜲🜲🜲🜲

 Stolen Princess by Nikki Jefford

This is the story we've been waiting for ever since the Ball!

Which Ball?

You've been to the Monster Ball, haven't you?

Where you there, when enemies turned into lovers when a game of campaign turned into so much more and Aerith Elmray fell for Jhaeros Kaesandarol - or did he fall for her?

If you've been there, you know how deeply Aerith feels for Jhaeros and he for her. Will that be enough when they have to face her family back home?

As it turns out though, her family, no matter how much they might object to their union, is not the biggest obstacle. Her former brother-in-law's infatuation with Aerith and the actions he is willing to take in order to get her, turn out to be even harder to deal with than her family.

When the worst happens and all those who care for her turn up in Faerie for a rescue mission, things become ...interesting.
Who will win, who will lose - and who will be the one to spend his life with Aerith?

And believe me, you don't want to miss this book. It is captivating and intense and I really enjoyed reading it. It was fun and it was rather fast-paced and entertaining. For a while I worried that things might not turn out right, but...well, all is well that ends well....is it the end, though?

Even if you haven't read the Monster Ball or at least Nikki Jefford's story in it, you will definitely enjoy this book. You don't have to know everything that happened before it, it's just a nice appetizer which you will probably want to read anyway when you've finished this delicious main course.

And I look forward to the next book in this duology! 

★★★★

The story:

 >>> A supernatural Cinderella meets Mr. Darcy and The Cruel Prince <<<

She sacrificed herself to save her family from poverty…

I finally regained my freedom, but it’s being threatened.

It wasn’t enough to kill my mate, heir to the throne. My obsessive Fae brother-in-law wants the crown. And he wants me ruling by his side.

I thought I was done with romance until a certain pompous elf reappeared in my life at the illustrious Monster Ball. A little teasing led to bruised lips and captured hearts. No one wants Jhaeros and me to be together, not even my favorite sister, Melarue. She thinks he’s a drag. But she’s a teenager just coming into her elemental powers and discovering boys—the wrong kind—the type I want to shoot arrows through.

My royal in-laws are playing a treacherous game, and my brother-in-law is determined to get what he wants. But this princess no longer has a master. I don’t want a crown. I want freedom, family, and the love of a lifetime. But love might be the one thing that destroys us all.

*Recommended reading after the prequel novella "Enemies and Lovers" in The Monster Ball Anthology. Part of a duology, but can be read as a standalone.

*This is a full-length, 90,000 words, new adult novel for mature audiences, ages 18+.

🜲🜲🜲🜲

Captivating the Earl by Callie Hutton #CaptivatingTheEarl

  Captivating the Earl by Callie Hutton     

Blurb:

Lady Elizabeth is hiding in the country as governess, Miss Lizzie Moore. When handsome Lord Hawkins arrives at her employer’s house, she wants nothing to do with the roguish earl, even though her heart says otherwise.

Lord Hawkins is a rake of the highest order but when he is drawn to his cousin’s beautiful governess he must rein in his impulses. She can’t be his, though Hawk can’t stop thinking about her.

After an attempt on Lizzie’s life, Hawk learns who she really is. In defiance of orders from the Home Office to bring her in, he vows to protect her. Even though he’s not entirely sure she’s innocent, she is his responsibility. Lizzie doesn’t trust him but has grown to love him. When Hawk offers her the ultimate safeguard against nefarious scoundrels—his name—she refuses. She loves him, but fears she’s merely another one of his ’duties.’


There were a couple of books by Callie Hutton that I really loved and read several times and then there were some that I didn't like so I thought long and hard whether I wanted to read this book or not. It sounded very tempting but I was worried that I wouldn't like it. Well, I needn't have worried at all. I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed the story.

When Hawk meets his friends' governess, he slowly but irresistibly falls in love with her while starting to question everything he knows about her story. Elizabeth, on the other hand, knows exactly to whom she is talking and she just hopes that he doesn't find out who she really is. Alas, that wish isn't granted and Hawk has to think long and hard where his loyalties lie when he gets an order to bring her to London to be interviewed at the Home Office in relation to her father's crimes against the crown. When Lizzie is attacked and it becomes obvious that someone tries to kill her though, his protective side gets the upper hand and he'll go as far as he has to in order to keep her safe - even if that means leading her to the altar...

Romance, murder and treason - this book has it all and some. There are the sparks and the suspense, the swooning and the fury - I really enjoyed reading this book!

★★★★

The Millionaire's Revenge Contract by Sonya Weiss #TheMillionairesRevenge

  The Millionaire's Revenge Contract by Sonya Weiss

Blurb:
 

Maddie Russell is a mile past desperate. She’s newly fired, broke, and needs money to help her still-healing sister. Her plan is to beg for her job back—until she realizes millionaire Cole Mitchell, the man who was once the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is the one responsible for taking everything her family owned.
Now she has a new plan. One that’s sure to please them both…and quench the fire that still burns between them. In exchange for his help, she'll become his mistress.
Cole doesn’t trust the Russell family, least of all Maddie. When he was a teenager, her grandfather framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. The only thing he wants from her is his revenge. But the spark between them won't be denied. As their lives tangle together, Cole quickly discovers falling for the enemy will cost him more than he imagined.
Because revenge demands its own price...

What can you do when all your best-laid plans for revenge somehow blow up in your face? Well, you might try to NOT fall for your enemy - and if you are really lucky, you might fail spectacularly.

At least that's what Cole, our hero, finds out. The hard way. Falling all the way and all that and fighting it tooth and nails and...in vain. Falling in love with Maddie is the one thing that he doesn't want but the only thing that he can't fight no matter how hard he tries - and I enjoyed every single page of his fight.
Cole hatred was palpable and understandable but, well, Maddie is far too nice and too sweet for him to hold on to those feelings especially when he realized that she was innocent.

I really loved Maddie. The way she cares for those around her, the love she gives despite her own upbringing, she is amazing - and she shows Cole that no one, not even her grandfather, is just good or just bad but that there are all shades of grey in between. And she shows him that sometimes living your life and loving someone are worth letting go of your hatred. 

★★★★

10 Jahre LOVELYBOOKS Leserpreis - es hat begonnen....

 

10 Jahre Leserpreis                                                

Am 5. November startete der LovelyBooks Leserpreis

In diesem Jahr wird der LovelyBooks Leserpreis zum 10ten Mal vergeben. Der Leserpreis zeichnet seit 2009 jährlich die besten Neuerscheinungen in 14 Kategorien aus.
Im Jubiläumsjahr kommt die 15. Kategorie “Das Beste aus 10 Jahren” hinzu. Hier kann unter allen Gold - Preisträgern der vergangenen Jahre abgestimmt werden.
In diesem Jahr feiert LovelyBooks mit freundin als Medienpartner.
Das Besondere: Die Leser bestimmen, welche Bücher und Autoren ausgezeichnet werden. Der Leserpreis zeichnet die Bücher aus, die die Leser wirklich lieben und em-pfehlen. Der LovelyBooks Leserpreis ist der größte von Lesern vergebene Buchpreis im deutschsprachigen Raum.

***************************************

Die erste Runde hat begonnen und die Leser können ihre Lieblingsbücher des Jahres 2018 in 14 Kategorien nominieren. Einzige Bedingung: Die Bücher müssen zwischen dem 1. November 2017 und dem 31. Oktober 2018 erst-malig auf Deutsch erschienen sein.

In diesen 14 Kategorien kann nominiert werden:
Romane, Krimi und Thriller, Fantasy und Science Fiction, Jugendbücher, Kinderbücher, Liebesromane, Erotik, Historische Romane, Humor, Sachbuch und Ratgeber, das beste Hörbuch, das beste E - Book Only, der beste Buchtitel und das beste Buchcover.
Einzige Ausnahme ist die Jubiläumskategorie “Das Beste aus 10 Jahren” Hier stehen alle Gold - Preisträger des Leserpreises der vergangenen Jahre nominiert und stehen dann in der Abstimmungsrunde zur Wahl.

Ab dem 19. November 2018 geht es in die nächste Runde. Dann stehen die 35 am meisten nominierten Bücher pro Kategorie zur Abstimmung.

Am 29. November 2018 werden dann die Preisträger von Gold, Silber und Bronze bekannt gegeben.


PRESSEINFORMATION
Der Leserpreis
-
Ablauf
5. November - 15. November 2018: Nominierungsrunde
In der Nominierungsrunde können die Leser in den einzelnen Kategorien bis zu drei Bücher
nominieren, bei denen sie der Meinung sind, dass die Bücher den Leserpreis verdient haben.
Die Bücher müssen zwischen November 201
7 und Oktober 2018 erstmalig auf Deutsch
erschienen sein.
In der Jubiläumskategorie “Das Beste aus 10 Jahren” können keine Bücher nominiert werden. Hier stehen die Nominierten bereits fest. Alle Gold-Preisträger der vergangenen Jahre sind nominiert und ste-
hen bei der Abstimmung zur Wahl.
19. November
-
27. November 2018: Abstimmungsrunde
In der Abstimmungsrunde werden in jeder Kategorie die 35 Bücher mit den meisten Nominierungen angezeigt, unter denen die Leser ihre finalen Stimmen für den Leserpreis verteilen können. Jeder Leser kann in jeder Kategorie drei Stimmen abgeben.
Einzige Ausnahme ist die Jubiläumskategorie. In der Jubiläumskategorie “Das Beste aus 10 Jahren” stehen alle Gold-Preisträger der vergangenen Jahre zur Abstimmung.
29. November 2018: Bekanntgabe der Preisträger
Am 29. November werden die Gewinner aller Kategorien in Gold, Silber und Bronze bekannt gegeben. Die Bücher, die während der Abstimmungsphase die meisten Stimmen erhalten, gewinnen.

Alle Informationen zum Leserpreis findet Ihr unter:
https://www.lovelybooks.de/leserpreis/

Hörbuch: Rilke Projekt - Wunderweiße Nächte von Schönherz & Fleer

Rilke Projekt  - Wunderweiße Nächte von Schönherz & Fleer

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Schönherz & Fleer:

Rilke Projekt - Wunderweiße Nächte

Gelesen von Matthias Koeberlin und Julia Koschitz 

Das Komponisten-Paar Schönherz & Fleer ist der Schöpfer des mehrfach preisgekrönten Rilke Projekts. Renommierte Schauspieler und Sänger interpretieren ausgewählte Texte Rainer Maria Rilkes im Zusammenspiel mit eigens komponierter Musik – eine kongeniale Mischung. Erstmals widmen sie sich mit ihrem neuen Album WUNDERWEIßE NÄCHTE einem bestimmten Thema: der Schönheit, der Anmut und der Dramatik von Herbst und Winter. Das Hörbuch verströmt die Kraft der Einkehr und den Glanz des Lebens. Eine Transformation großer sprachlicher Sensibilität in die Moderne.

Gesungen von Klaus Hoffmann, Nicholas Müller und Cäthe.

 

Quelle: https://www.luebbe.de/luebbe-audio/hoerbuecher/lyrik/rilke-projekt-wunderweisse-naechte/id_6667647

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Ich hatte mir bereits vor geraumer Zeit einmal eine CD des Rilke Projekts gekauft, die ich ausgesprochen schön finde, so dass ich also begeistert zugriff, als ich diese CD hier als Rezensionsexemplar angeboten bekam.

Diese CD ist einfach nur wunderschön, vielleicht sogar noch schöner als die, die ich schon habe. Die Gedichte werden sehr stimmungsvoll durch die Musik untermalt und toll vorgetragen, so dass eine ganz besondere, wunderbare Stimmung entsteht, die genau das richtige für die kommende dunkle Jahreszeit ist. Gemütlich am Kamin sitzen, Tee trinken und diesen wundervollen Kompositionen lauschen - perfekt. Ich bin wirklich begeistert.
Klar, es ist mit Sicherheit nichts für jedermann, aber für jemanden, der Rilke liebt oder einfach auch nur diese Art von musikalisch untermalter Dichtung, ist dies einfach nur ein Genuss, entweder für einen selbst oder zum Verschenken.

Außer der CD liegt ein kleines Leaflet mit den dazugehörigen Gedichten dabei, in dem auch Fotos der Schauspieler und Sänger sind, die die Gedichte vortragen.
Rundum eine wunderschöne, sehr gelungene CD, die mich gemütliche Nachmittage und lange Winterabende herbeisehnen lässt.

★★★★★

 

 

Hier geht es zur Hörprobe des Verlags: 

 

 >𝄞𝄞𝄞>

 

 

 

Highland Wolf (Murray Family #15) by Hannah Howell

  Highland Wolf by Hannah Howell

Blurb: 

New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell returns to the breathtaking Scottish Highlands with the unforgettable Murray clan, and the stunning Annora MacKay who cannot resist the desire an alluring stranger offers . . .

Annora MacKay senses a disturbing evil in Dunncraig Keep, the estate acquired by her cousin, a cruel and ruthless man. Only her affection for the tiny girl he claims is his daughter stops her from fleeing. Then a mysterious woodcarver arrives at the castle, and she cannot stop thinking--or longing--for him . . .

James Drummond, once a laird, now an outcast, wants what was stolen from him--his good name, his lands, and his child. His disguise for getting into Dunncraig is step one of his plan, but the enticing raven-haired woman who cares for his daughter is an unwelcome surprise. For he has come seeking justice, not love . . .


Wow, another amazing book by Hannah Howell! Once again this book drew me in from the first page on to the very last. I was in for a rollercoaster of emotions, being upset, swooning, crying, being scared and - so much more.

Annora and James were a wonderful couple and when I wasn't fearing for their lives or their health or...everything else, I was cheering them on and hoping for them to find love and happiness. Both of them were much in need of both. With Donnell MacKay and his ruthless hold on the keep that he stole from James years ago set against them, with his cruelty towards each and every one who speaks up against him, things start to get really tough, especially when Donnell's man Egan joins the party and wants to marry Annora...whetehr she wants him or not.
James has been on the run for years but with his daughter and his love's lives and happiness at stake, he can't lose, he has to win back his keep and clear his name!

An amazing story, captivating and brilliantly told, Highland Wolf is definitely one of those books that I'll read again from time to time - like most of the books by the author, actually. I haven't found a book by her that I didn't love. This book is a stand-alone even though it is part of a series. You don't have to read the other books in this series in order to understand it but you'll probably end up reading them anyway because they are just so good.

★★★★★