Je suis Charlie

Je suis Charlie

Monday 26 November 2018

The Duke of Kisses (The Untouchables #11) 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!


★★★★

Tuesday 20 November 2018

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!

★★★★

Monday 19 November 2018

A Very Regency Christmas by Julie Johnstone #AVeryRegencyChristmas #RegencyChristmas











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.


★★★★

 

Wednesday 14 November 2018

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! 

★★★★
 >>> 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+.

🜲🜲🜲🜲


Monday 12 November 2018

Captivating the Earl by Callie Hutton #CaptivatingTheEarl







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!

★★★★



Sunday 11 November 2018

The Millionaire's Revenge Contract by Sonya Weiss #TheMillionairesRevenge








Blurb:
 


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. 



★★★

Friday 9 November 2018

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/

Thursday 8 November 2018

Hörbuch: Rilke Projekt - Wunderweiße Nächte von Schönherz & Fleer











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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: 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Highland Wolf (Murray Family #15) 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.

★★★★


Tuesday 6 November 2018

BLOG TOUR: Kiss Me at Christmas (Playful Brides #10) by Valerie Bowman #KissMeAtChristmas






Blurb:

A spirited lady facing spinsterhood. A common man with a noble mission. And a surprise that just might be waiting for them under the mistletoe. . .

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman…

Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?



I fell in love with Daffin and Regina in the other books of this series and I was looking forward to reading their story.

Regina has been waiting to fall in love all her life but now that she is nearing spinsterhood, her uncle has chosen someone for her. Not willing to give in so easily, she wants to experience something more at least once in her life, preferably with a (rather dumbstruck though intrigued and slightly scandalized) Daffin Oakleaf.
 Oakleaf is far too honorable to even think of betraying his friendship with Mark Grimaldi, Regina's cousin, whom we met in "A Duke like no other" where he reconciles with his wife. Daffin is not only just a Bow Street Runner whereas Regina is a Lady but he is also illegitimate.
None of that is powerful enough to stand in the way of true love though, and when those two have to work together to eliminate a thread again Regina, well, let's just say that their feelings intensify... Will true love get a chance despite their circumstances?

Regina and Daffin are wonderful characters and I loved the writing and the style of all of these books a lot. "Kiss me at Christmas" is another great addition to this series that I can fully recommend!

★★★★

 Excerpt

♥♥♥
 
CHAPTER ONE
London, December 1818

Lady Regina Haversham’s thirtieth birthday was precisely one month away, which didn’t leave her much time to lose her virginity. Not that she wanted it lost. She wanted to know where it went and choose to whom she gave the dratted thing.

Her coach came to a stop in front of the offices of the Bow Street Runners in central London, and she drew in a deep, unsteady breath. She pressed her hands deeper into the white fur muff that sat atop her lap and willed her pounding heart to slow its nervous beat. Christmastide was her favorite time of year. She was in high spirits, but she was also as nervous as a young lady making her debut on her way to see the queen. This particular outing had every chance to end in disaster.

She glanced out the window. She probably should have hired a hackney. It would have been less conspicuous than her uncle’s resplendent coach. There were already several onlookers staring up at the black-lacquered conveyance with the Duke of Colchester’s seal on the side. She glanced down at her clothing. No doubt her ensemble was too elegant for marching into the offices of the best private investigative team in London, but she had no other clothing to wear, and this particular message was best delivered in person. She didn’t know Daffin Oakleaf’s home address, and she hardly thought a note to him for what she had in mind would be appropriate. No. Regardless of the stares, she had to see him in person.

Regina had settled on the perfect birthday gift to herself. She would spend the night with a man. Not just any man. The finest candidate. One who had the face and body of a Greek god. Thirty years old. Tall, fit, and handsome. Blond hair and green eyes that held a twinkle she found irresistible. She’d met him last summer at her uncle’s estate. Her family had been gathered there for the unfortunate purpose of her cousin, the marquess’s, funeral. John had been murdered, and inappropriate or not, the man Regina had come to covet was the Bow Street Runner who’d helped investigate his murder.

She hadn’t seen Daffin since he’d left the estate that hot July day taking away the two murderers in shackles. Rarely a day passed since that Regina didn’t think of him. She’d read about him in the paper, too. Lately, there’d been a series of articles in the Times focusing on his exploits. He’d caught criminal after criminal and, according to her cousin Nicole, made hefty bounties doing it. Now that Regina’s period of mourning was over and her uncle was forcing the issue of her marriage, Regina was here to ask Daffin Oakleaf, legendary Bow Street Runner, to make mad, passionate love to her.

Her stomach performed a somersault. Could nerves make one physically ill? She suspected they could. Suspected hers would. She winced. It wouldn’t do to cast up her accounts in front of the man. That certainly wouldn’t attract him.

She glanced at her maid, who sat on the seat facing her, back ramrod straight. If the proper young woman knew what Regina was thinking, no doubt she’d be scandalized. Precisely why Regina had said as little as possible about their outing today. Genevieve hadn’t asked many questions. Thank heavens.

The coachman opened the door and Regina took one more deep breath. “Wait here,” she said to Genevieve. “I shouldn’t be long.”

After all, how long could an indecent proposal possibly take?

 ♥♥♥


Monday 5 November 2018

Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland #CockyBastard







Blurb:

He was someone who belonged in my wildest fantasies instead of a rest stop in the middle of Nebraska.

A sexy, cocky, Australian named Chance was the last person I expected to run into on my cross-country drive.

When my car broke down, we made a deal. Next thing I knew, we were traveling together, spending sexually-tense nights in hotels and taking unplanned detours.

My ordinary road trip turned into the adventure of a lifetime. It was all fun and games until things got intense.

I wanted him, but Chance wouldn’t make a move. I thought he wanted me too, but something was holding him back.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for the cocky bastard, especially when I knew we’d be going our separate ways.

All good things must come to an end, right?

Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.


Author's note - Cocky Bastard is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

 

Oh my....I laughed so hard ...readers beware! This is definitely not a book that you should read in public! Never ever! Okay, I also got really emotional and may have shed a tear or two - again: never ever read it in public! But - read it!
This book was so amazing, the first thing I did when I had turned the last page - I downloaded the next book in this series.

Yes, I was upset when Chance didn't give up because for a while I wasn't sure if he was just persistent and hurting her by it or if he would turn out to be the one. I was upset with him though at the beginning and I had a hard time to forgive him actually, but in the end, I could understand why he thought that he had to leave that way.
And I fell for Esmeralda ...or Pixie or... I don't know how much or how often that one made me laugh. Every time I think of him, I feel a big fat grin on my face.

No, I didn't always agree with Chance and his actions but I loved this book nonetheless. Now it's up to you to take a chance on it - it's funny and entertaining and sucked me in right from the start. Oh, just, well - if you should ever go on a road trip, don't forget to bring your goat....just saying. There's no real road trip without a goat, right?

★★★★★


Sunday 4 November 2018

First Earl I See Tonight (Debutante Diaries #1) by Anna Bennett








Blurb: 

An heiress with a daring proposal. An earl who’s determined to resist her. And a love that just might be written in the stars…

Recently jilted by his fiancée, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport is not in the market for a wife. Even if Gray didn’t have his hands full renovating his crumbling country house, it would take more than a bold marriage proposal from a headstrong young beauty to thaw his frozen heart. Gray is confident that spending a week at his ramshackle estate will change her mind about marriage, but every passionate moment he spends with her tempts him to change his…


A talented artist, Miss Fiona Hartley desperately needs her dowry money to pay off a blackmailer set on ruining her sister. The handsome earl seems a sensible choice for a husband…if only she can convince him that romance will play no part. But marrying in name only may prove difficult for Fiona. Gray can’t help but be dazzled by her genuine warmth. Yet as their feelings deepen, Fiona’s deadline looms. Will her secrets destroy them, or is true love their final destiny?




I enjoyed reading this story about Fiona, a warm-hearted and desperate heiress and Gray, the jilted, disillusioned and slightly frustrated Earl of Ravenport! Fiona has to fight to protect her sister from ruin and if that means proposing to some stranger, well, Fiona is willing to do almost about everything in order to protect those that she loves!

The problem is that such a business arrangement as the one they agreed upon may look very different if you spend time with someone as warm and lively as Fiona every day..is it a problem? Well, it might become one if there are other forces conspiring against them and when former lovers and blackmail join in the fun.

A warm and compassionate heroine and a hero who tries to hold himself back and fails, a mysterious blackmailer whose identity remains unknown almost to the end - and I never even guessed who it was. I took me as well as our hero and our heroine completely by surprise when we recognized the blackmailer because, well, ...
There were parts of the story that were a bit bumpy but on the whole, I really enjoyed this first book in Anna Bennett's new series. I loved the writing and the characters a lot and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.



★★★★


Saturday 3 November 2018

BLOG TOUR: Tick Tock (EOD #1) by Jane Harvey-Berrick #TickTock







Blurb: 

Forget SEALS, Marines, Fighter Pilots - I have the most dangerous job in the world. And I love it.

James Spears is part of an elite group who lives and breathes danger. Where others run from it, he walks towards it, calm, focussed ice-cold. James is a top EOD operative.
Explosive…
Ordnance…
Disposal…

You’d call him a bomb disposal expert. Or crazy. A guy with a death wish. He’s heard it all before and he doesn’t give a shit. He’s the best.

They say he doesn’t have blood in his veins, he has ice. They say he has no nerves.
All that’s about to be tested.

Amira is recruited by the CIA to infiltrate a terrorist cell living in rural Pennsylvania. She’s the perfect plant, no one would ever suspect her. Because her brother was killed when a bomb was dropped on the Syrian hospital where he was working as a doctor. And now hate burns deeply inside her. She’s perfect.

That’s what they tell James when he’s told to train her to be the best damn bomb-maker there is. In a secret camp, deep in the woods, James teaches her everything he knows about building bombs. He’s not a praying man, but now he’s really hoping that he’s doing the right thing.

Can he trust her? Will she ever trust him? Who is playing who? And who will pay the ultimate price?

Codename: Hansel and Gretel



Oh my... This book shouldn't be read without a big supply of tissues at hand... As much as I loved this book, I also hated it (and the author a little bit as well for writing this story, nothing personal, sorry, just...this book...) and in the end, well, if the book hadn't been that intense and that amazing otherwise, I might have simply hated it. But I didn't. And I don't.
I loved the intense feelings, the love and the respect that all our main characters feel for each other, I feared with them, I feared for them, I was devastated, I cried and...well, I might have cried a bit more.

An intense story of love and hate, also of hope and loss and pain and violence. It is not an easy read, as it deals with all those intense feelings on the one hand but also due to the things that our heroes and especially our heroine experience.
I just hope that the next book in this series will present me with some kind of band-aid because right at the moment I'm still somewhat brokenhearted and, yes - furious as well whenever I think of this book and everything that happened.


 ★★★★

Excerpt

♥♥♥ 
 
James
Where do I go from here?

The question had been running through my head for days—and now it was my last few hours with Amira.

We were at JFK, two among thousands in the vast, white terminal.

Amira and her family were flying back to San Diego within the hour, and I had a late flight to Heathrow.

Nothing had been resolved between us, and every time I’d tried to start the what next question, she’d shut me down.

A wiser man would have taken the hint, but life could be short, ending suddenly, brutally—and I knew what I wanted. I knew who I wanted.

And now I was down to my last thirty minutes to make use of my limited charms to persuade her to agree with me.

Her parents were clearly uncomfortable with my presence—I definitely hadn’t charmed them. They were grateful, but they didn’t want me around their daughter. They definitely wouldn’t want me for a son-in-law. But I had a plan…

I’d managed to persuade Amira to go for a coffee with me, leaving her family at their flight gate, and we were sitting in a Starbucks concession. Amira was drinking some frothy iced coffee crap, and I had something that was supposed to be English tea (but wasn’t).

As I reached out for my cup, wondering how to start, she caught my hand, exploring the web of scar tissue that crisscrossed my palm and wrist, interrupting the normal lines.

So, I guess this is goodbye,” she said quietly, laying my hand back on the table.

Only for now.”

She shook her head sadly.

I don’t think so, and neither do you. Not really. You said it yourself—you live 6,000 miles away. This has to be goodbye.”

I studied my scarred hand, hoping I’d find the words to convince her that we had a chance.

Well, I read the other day that they’ve got this crazy new invention called air travel. And email—it’s like writing a letter but without having to buy a stamp—wow, magic! You should try it. And I heard telephones work across the Atlantic, as well, but that could just be a rumour.”

She didn’t crack a smile and she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

James, you and I don’t exist in the real world—we can’t. It’s a lovely dream, but it’s still just a dream.” She shook her head. “I was so naïve—Operation Hansel and Gretel—it seemed like being in a movie at first, or a fairy tale. I’m so stupid.”

Her words threw ice water over my hopes, but I wasn’t going to accept that as her last word. The game starts after you score. I’d had those words tattooed on my back for a reason—and it meant that I needed to up my game.

I wasn’t what you’d call a spiritual person, but I didn’t believe that we’d been through all this shit for nothing. I was sure of that.

It doesn’t have to be a dream, Amira. We can make this work: you and me—us.”

She glanced up, startled, and shifted on the hard chair.


♥♥♥ 





Friday 2 November 2018

Happy Baking glutenfrei: Von Brot bis Brownies von Franziska Schweiger

  




Inhalt: 

Don't worry, bake happy!
Glutenfreie Anleitungen zum Glücklichbacken: so verführerisch und kreativ wie noch nie!
Glutensensitiv und auf Kuchen verzichten? Das muss nicht sein! Denn auch glutenfrei kann man die herrlichsten Torten, Plätzchen, Brote und Kuchen aus dem Ofen zaubern. Vorausgesetzt, man hat Erfahrung mit glutenfreiem Backen - und die hat Franziska Schweiger, Autorin von Happy Baking glutenfrei, nun wirklich! Die junge Konditorin hat selbst Betroffene in der Familie und kennt sich bestens aus Getreidealternativen wie Reis, Hirse, Amarant, Buchweizen und Kastanien. Ihre glutenfreien Blaubeer-Minz-Muffins, Mandel-Orangen-Küsse oder Butternusskürbis-Brote sind so verführerisch, dass jeder ein Stück davon haben möchte - ganz gleich, ob er Gluten verträgt oder nicht. Denn süßer Genuss hängt nicht von der Mehlsorte ab, sondern von der Liebe und Fantasie, die beim Backen nun mal die wichtigsten Zutaten sind. Wenn Franzis glutenfreie Sachertorte oder ihr Kokos-Hefe-Gugelhupf auf der Kaffeetafel steht, ist schon nach dem ersten Bissen klar: Glutenfrei Backen ist ganz schön lecker!


Ich bin echt begeistert von diesem vielseitigen Backbuch, das ich mir mittlerweile nicht nur als Ebook, sondern auch als Printbuch gekauft habe, weil ich das für die Küche einfach besser finde. Da ich aber inzwischen schon viele Nackbücher habe, die sich mit dem glutenfreien Backen beschäftigen und bisher, ehrlich gesagt, kaum eins auch nur annähernd meinen Geschmack, bzw. noch wichtiger - den meiner Tochter traf, fand ich das Ebook erst einmal ausreichend.

Tja, das war wohl der Trick, denn dieses Buch gefällt der ganzen Familie. Bisher war es meist so, dass ich für uns etwas gebacken habe und für meine Tochter einen kleinen eigenen Kuchen oder so, weil, nun ja, muss nicht sein? Bei diesem Buch habe ich nun schon mehrere Rezepte ausprobiert und kann sagen, dass meine Tochter sich ranhalten muss, um auch was abzubekommen, weil es uns tatsächlich auch richtig gut schmeckt.

Ich habe inzwischen aus jeder Gruppe mindestens ein Rezept probiert, aus manchen auch schon mehrere und es hat bisher immer gut geschmeckt. Die Rezepte sind gut nachvollziehbar und verständlich aufgebaut, so dass man mit ein wenig Erfahrung keine Probleme damit hat, die Rezepte umzusetzen. Glutenfrei backen ist ja nun mal etwas anders als normales Backen, allein weil die Konsistenz oft eine ganz andere ist und man deutlich mehr Zutaten benötigt. Dafür sind heir die teige genau aufgeschlüsselt und es steht nicht nur da, dass man doch bitte einfach eine glutenfreie Mehlmischung nehmen sollte und dann passt es schon.
Glutenfreies Backen ist aufwendig und erst einmal muss man einige Zutaten besorgen, die aber letztlich doch immer wieder benötigt werden, so dass man zwar Platz braucht und es anfangs viel und teuer wirkt, sich aber auf Dauer (zumindest im Verhältnis zu gekauften, schmackhaften glutenfreien Produkten) doch wieder rentiert. Man merkt diesen Rezepten auf jeden Fall an, dass hier jemand backt und Rezepte entwirft, der selber betroffen ist und das auch selber essen muss.
Auch diese Rezepte werden nicht jedem schmecken, aber die Rezepte gelingen auf jeden Fall - und meine doch sehr kritische Familie mag sie. 



 ★★★★★


Hier geht es übrigens zur Leseprobe!


***


Recklessly Ever After by Heather Van Fleet #RecklesslyEverAfter










Blurb:


Gavin St. James

After the hell I've been through in the Marines--in life--there's nothing I crave more than routine, stability, peace. Until McKenna Brewer walks into my life.

She's impulsive, fiery, tempting as hell, and everything I don't need. But when she offers me a night of no-strings-attached passion, I can't resist.

When our night together has unexpected consequences, I can't help but think this might be the perfect opportunity to show McKenna just how much I want her.

The only problem? She doesn't do forevers. But forever is exactly what I need with her.


Reckless Hearts Series:
Reckless Hearts (Book 1)
The Right Kind of Reckless (Book 2)
Recklessly Ever After (Book 3
)




I was waiting rather impatiently for the release of this book because I really loved the other books in this series about this trio of former marines who are living together to take care of little beaner, Collin's daughter Chloe since his girlfriend died.

Gavin is the last one of our guys who hasn't found love yet and he is the one who obviously needs help the most and he's also the one who makes it so hard for his friends to get closer, the one who cares so much for our little beaner but is scared to be left alone with her - well, let's just say that he has had a special place in my heart for some time now. And Mack...well, she was burned as well and has some major trust issues. These two are some hell of a package with all their insecurities and their problems and you can't help but feel for them, feel with them, encourage them to trust and not run away.

Gavin is the one hoping for forever but McKenna is the one girl who doesn't do forevers - except, well, there may be a little forever on its way that could just be the thing that convinces her to trust again.
I loved those two. I cried with Gavin and I cried with Mack, I laughed with them and I loved to see them together and I loved their chemistry - and most of all, I loved to see them find love and happiness!


 ★★★★★


Thursday 1 November 2018

Married in Vegas: In His Arms by Terri E. Laine #MarriedInVegas







Blurb: 


From USA Today's Bestselling Author, Terri E. Laine, comes a new standalone, fun and sexy contemporary romance.

My relationship with Cameron McCabe is complicated.

The NFL’s leading quarterback is the cute boy I grew up next door too. The cocky jerk—correction—hotter-than-sin jerk, can still charm the panties off any woman he wants with just a blink of his gorgeous green eyes.

He’s also my best friend’s older brother and totally off-limits. Or he’s supposed to be.

As my best friend’s wedding photos are finally finished and my bridesmaid’s duties over, the last thing I want to do is watch Cameron, #1 player in every sense of the word, flirt with all the single females at the wedding except me.

What do I do?

Try three, maybe four, okay, I lost count of the number of tequila shots I consumed.

So, it shouldn’t at all be a surprise when I wake up naked in a hotel room that’s not mine.

As alarming as that is, it doesn’t compare to finding myself handcuffed in bed to mister sexy pants himself.

Mature as I am, I chuck it off as a one-time mistake.

It is Vegas and you know what they say.

What happens here, stays here.

Or so I think.

Apparently, dirty talking Cameron McCabe isn’t done with me yet and I may not be done with him either.

Just this one weekend… or at least that’s what I tell myself.



I loved this sweet and tumultuous story about second (or maybe third and even fourth) chances. It is a short but sweet book about the dangers of...Tequila. Of course. And maybe also of being in love in Vegas and the realization that not everything that happens in Vegas really stays in Vegas. Some things follow you - or should I say that some guy might follow you? Well, Chrissy rather quickly catches up on that part...especially when it comes with some handcuffs and, well, other stuff of the more permanent nature.
There are turbulent times ahead of her and Cam but maybe there is also lots of love and fun around that will have you swoon and smile and chuckle and, yeah, swoon a bit more.

There's a lot chemistry and hurt feelings going on that make for rough times and less than stellar decisions but as Cam is not someone to give up on something good, Chrissy never really stood a chance of letting him go.
Short stories are always tricky because sometimes they tend to leave the reader dissatisfied and wanting for more but not in this case! Married in Vegas captivated and intrigued me and I loved to see it all play out! A wonderful, albeit short read, that I can definitely recommend.



★★★★