Dearly Beloved by Mary Jo Putney #DearlyBeloved

Dearly Beloved by Mary Jo Putney

LOVE MUST FIND A WAY . . .

A sheltered life in the countryside has left Diana Lindsay restless to see the wider world, for both herself and the son she is raising alone. She cannot marry, but perhaps as a courtesan she will find love and protection despite her painful past. Gathering her courage, she moves to London--and finds herself the city's most desired woman, as admired for her charm as for her beauty. But it is one man who captivates her--handsome, haunted, and harboring a secret as deep as her own . . .

Bound by the sins of his youth, Gervase Brandelin, the Viscount St. Aubyn, has spent his adulthood seeking redemption through service to England. Now a spymaster, he can allow nothing to distract him from his duty. But when he meets Diana, his burdens seem to lift. Though she can never truly be his alone, their genuine love fills him with hope, until a treacherous deceit--and a deadly enemy--threatens to tear them
apart forever . . .


I've got very mixed feelings when it comes to this book. On the one hand, there were long passages of it that I really enjoyed reading and I loved the dynamic and the feelings of the protagonists towards each other. On the other hand, well, right at the beginning, drunk and furious or not, the hero commits an, in my eyes, unpardonable crime. Considering the fact that this situation left him with a very young wife who he never wanted to see again - a promise that he keeps till ...well. Leaving his young wife behind, never looking back - nope, even considering the circumstances this was unforgivable and absolutely not acceptable.

When we meet the heroine, Diana Lindsay, she is raising her young son alone in the countryside, longing to see more of the world. Why she thinks that her idea of a, let's say, working vacation as a courtesan in London is an even remotely acceptable idea,...? I have no idea because it really doesn't make sense especially as she has her son to consider who already has to deal with his bouts of epilepsy which is not easy in our days and was even more difficult in those times. I really liked Geoffrey, he was a very strong character and to see how he dealt with his illness was amazing.

Okay, at least our hero and our heroine meet each other that way and fall in love. That would be nice if the circumstances were different. Oh, well, even that might have worked if we don't look at the time in which it is set and ...right. Soooo...why the heroine doesn't want to make a commitment and thinks that it is necessary for him to feel unsure about her feelings in order to be able to acknowledge his own... nope. It didn't really make sense in my eyes.

Despite their deficiencies, I really liked all of these characters (yes, even Gervase, our hero had redeeming qualities if you got to know him) but the whole story felt constructed and a bit off. There were just too many different topics to deal with. There were different kinds of abuse and rape, there were epilepsy and madness, spies and traitors, homosexuality and ...the list goes on.
No, even though I really love the other books by Mary Jo Putney that I've read and I've read quite a few already, this one is not one that I'd recommend.

★★

BLOG TOUR - No other Duke but You by Valerie Bowman #NoOtherDukeButYou

BLOG TOUR

NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU by VALERIE BOWMAN

Synopsis:

A lady with a love potion. A Duke who takes it by mistake. Romance and mischief ensues when plans go awry in No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman.

SINGLE LADY SEEKS DUKE

Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There’s just one problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she’s got a plan to win him over with her charm, her wit—and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn’t hurt her cause...

Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah’s quest to become a duchess is ridiculous. He’s always said he’d rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah’s love potion can’t possibly win over Branville…since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he needs to show her he’s always loved her...

Delilah can’t believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been before her eyes all along?

No Other Duke But You is the last and final book in the Playful Brides series and even though I enjoyed reading it and laughed and giggled along the way, there were a number of things that were a bit annoying. On the other hand, there were many things that made it enjoyable and funny so let's start there.

I loved Delilah and Thomas as a couple and enjoyed all the banter and fun, loyalty and friendship. The whole group of friends is amazing and I like how they help each other and take care of their friends. The story itself was entertaining and considering the play they were performing, I also liked the idea of a love potion that had to be sprinkled on someone's eyes. Yep, exactly like the potion in Midsummer Night's dream - and guess, which play it is that they are performing? Right.

Soooo....all this chaos that resulted from the use of the potion and everything around it was entertaining and funny but it also made me mad. I don't know how often I thought that NOW would be the moment one of them finally said what they felt and for how long they've felt like it and...the moment came and I was sitting on pins and needles and... nope. Nothing. Niente. Nada. They didn't say anything. At least nothing helpful.

Considering the fact that they've been friends for ages and know each other well, even considering the change of circumstances, it shouldn't have been that difficult to simply TALK. You know, the thing where you use brains and mouth and tell the other what you think and what you mean - and what he or she means to you. Soo...a definite lack of communication, a magic potion that may or may not have worked and a kind of mistaken identity as in the wrong person in the wrong bed, add a healthy dose of absolutely evil witch of a mother, greedy soon-to-be relations and a pinch of pathetic fiancé and you got the mix.

And I may not be a stickler for authenticity but there were a bunch of things that were just unrealistic and not in accordance with the time and its society, even if you were unconventional. Some things just weren't done and you couldn't get away with them without getting shunned and talked about.

Despite all that, the book kept me entertained and I enjoyed the wit and banter and loved to see Thomas and Delilah finally get together so I rate it three stars but would still recommend it because I enjoyed it and will definitely read it again as well.

★★★

Do you want to know more about the author?

Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at SmithCollege, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her familyincluding her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading,traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Her website: http://www.valeriegbowman.com/

Excerpt

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Delilah glanced up and down the dim hallway. It was well past three in the morning, she was still
dressed in the pink ball gown she’d worn to the party, and she clutched the small vial of Cupid’s
Elixir in her sweaty, guilty palm. She pressed her back against the shadowed wall not far from the
Duke of Branville’s bedchamber. She could do this. More importantly, she would do this. She’d come
this far, hadn’t she? What did a little sneaking about in the middle of the night matter?
She’d got detailed instructions to Branville’s room from Derek, who thankfully hadn’t asked
any questions about why she wanted to know. According to him, the room was four doors to the
right, just past the staircase on the third floor. The third floor was where all the bachelor gentlemen
were sleeping. It would be a complete scandal if she was found lurking about alone at this time of
night, but she’d waited until the household seemed quite asleep and then waited a bit longer for
good measure. Anyone who saw her now would be skulking about themselves, which meant they
would hardly be in a position to judge her. She briefly wondered if she’d run into Lavinia.
It was not as if she was out to do anything particularly scandalous. It was more silly and
frivolous than anything else. She’d simply die, however, if Branville woke up and asked her what she
was doing sprinkling pixie water in his eyes. She’d already decided to pretend as if she were
dreaming, thinking she was Puck in the play. Sleepwalking. That would make all the sense in the
world. Wouldn’t it? She swallowed hard. Probably not, but she wasn’t about to let the fear of being
caught stop her. Besides, all of her and Lucy’s matchmaking had turned into a colossal mess. If a
spray of perfume could sort it out, so be it. Of course, Delilah’s conscience reminded her that she
hadn’t offered any of the perfume to Rebecca to use on Thomas. She didn’t want to even
contemplate that. She’d already shared it with one other person, and that made her guilty enough.
The image of Madame Rosa’s disapproving, craggy face had haunted her all evening.
Delilah shook off the thought and turned her attention back to the matter at hand. Pressing
her empty palm against the darkened wall, she inched her way along until she came to Branville’s
door. She felt like a spy. This was how professional spies did such things, wasn’t it? Too bad she
was too embarrassed by her actions to ask the veritable house full of professional spies who
happened to be asleep behind other doors right now.
She transferred the vial into her opposite hand and slowly reached to grasp the door handle.
The metal was cold in her bare hand. She’d discarded her gloves, deciding that they would make her
actions more clumsy. The last thing she needed tonight was to be more clumsy than usual.
Decidedly, she needed to be less so.
She clutched the door handle like a lifeline and closed her eyes, steadying her shaking
fingers on the knob. She was close, so close. Praying that the door wouldn’t squeak, she turned the
handle slowly. The only sound was the thumping of her own heart in her ears.
When the handle was turned as far as it would go, she pushed it, praying fervently that it
wasn’t locked. It took a moment before she realized the door was opening. Its hinges silent, merci a
Dieu. Completely silent.
She slipped inside the cool, dark room. Steady, deep breathing came from the bed. Thank
goodness, she hadn’t woken the duke with her entrance. She could barely see a thing, but she didn’t
dare light a candle. A tiny stream of moonlight filtered into the room through a small opening in the
curtains on the far window. She used that to identify the hulking bed in the center of the room. She
tiptoed over to it slowly, taking care in case there was anything to trip over. No doubt she would find
it if there was.
She made it to the foot of the bed without incident and paused, trying to quell her nerves and
dispel her guilt. She clutched the vial more tightly in her palm, shaking with fear and anxiety. Now
that she was here, she had no earthly idea how to drop liquid on a man’s eyes without awakening
him. Besides, how much of it was she supposed to use? Surely not much. She would employ the
tiniest drops possible so as not to disturb him, but she also needed to ensure the perfume touched
his eyelids. Tricky business, this being a fairy. She had a sudden appreciation for Puck.

Holding her breath, she lifted her skirts with her free hand and tiptoed to the right side of the
bed. Because it was summer, the bed curtains weren’t drawn. The window was open, and a slight
breeze blew through the crack in the curtains.
The outline of the duke’s body was barely visible in the moonlight. He was turned away on
his side, his back to her, his face toward the window. She would have to lean over his body to
sprinkle the elixir on his eyes. The bed was tall. She must carefully climb up to do this task properly.
She only hoped she didn’t jostle the mattress enough to wake him.
She waited in silence for a few moments to ensure his breathing remained steady, then she
carefully lifted first one knee and then the other, bracing them on the mattress and pulling herself up,
still clutching the vial. She winced as he moved slightly in his sleep, but he kept his face turned
away. Blast it.
Once she was fully atop the bed, she paused and hoped the hammering of her heart didn’t
wake him. He smelled good, a combination of soap and maleness that she wanted to breathe in.
There was something vaguely familiar about his scent.
Shaking away that unhelpful thought, she moved gingerly across the mattress on her knees
until she came to a stop at his side. His shirt was off. The beam of moonlight hit his smooth, muscled
arm. She swallowed. The man’s chest was positively swoon-worthy. She took a deep breath to calm
her nerves and uncorked the vial. Then she carefully leaned over as far as she could to locate his
eyes. They remained shrouded in the dark, but she took a guess as to their general direction and
tipped the little vial as slowly and carefully as she could. He turned then, and she was afforded
enough light to see that the first tiny drop of liquid did indeed fall directly onto his eyelid.
He blinked, and she held her breath. When he settled back into sleep, she closed her eyes
and said a brief prayer that she would get away with it a second time before tipping the vial once
more to allow another tiny drop to fall on his other eyelid.
He blinked and rubbed at his eyes while Delilah held her breath again, paralyzed with fear.
Soon, he settled back into his pillow and his breathing returned to its steady pace.
She pressed a hand to her throat. It was over. She was done. All she had to do was extract
herself from the bed and the room without being seen or heard. The difficult part was behind her.
Still praying he wouldn’t stir, she backed away from the duke. Slowly. Slowly. She’d nearly
made it to the edge of the bed when he flipped over to face her. A beam of moonlight slid over his
sleeping features.
Delilah gasped.

From No Other Duke But You. Copyright © 2019 by Valerie Bowman and reprinted with
permission from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

The Last Duke (The 1797 Club #10) by Jess Michaels

 The Last Duke by Jess Michaels

Blurb: 

When Christopher “Kit” Collins’ father dies, he is devastated, but he must swiftly take on the title of Duke of Kingsacre and all the responsibility that comes with it. Including the care of his very young illegitimate half-sister, who is now his ward. He is very upset when he discovers the governess his father hired for the child just before his death is Sarah Carlton.

Sarah is equally disturbed by the arrival of her new employer, as she and Kit once had an unpleasant encounter when she was at her lowest point. But since she has no other place to go, she can only hope he will not sack her. Thanks to the adoration of his sister, he does not and the two enter into a wary truce because they both care for the child.

A truce that explodes one passionate night after a nearly tragic accident. Comfort leads to more and soon the two are engaged in an affair. But when danger comes to threaten the child they both love, they must overcome their deeply rooted mistrust and work together to keep her safe. And perhaps find a way to make a family together.

Length: Full length book
Heat Level: Swoon-worthy

This book is part of a series (The 1797 Club), but can be read as a standalone book.

 

The day has come that the Dukes hoped would never come but...we all knew that it would as he has been ailing for a while: Kit's father has died and Kit is now the last of our band of dukes to take his title. As his father was the one all of those (former) boys (turned dukes) looked up to and respected, all of them come to the funeral of the former Duke of Kingsacre. All of them stand behind Kit and lend him their strength and it's their friendship that pulls him through when his grief becomes too much.
As a surrogate father to his young illegitimate sister, he is often confronted with her governess Sarah now - and with his feelings for her. Maybe there is something more than just the memory of an unpleasant encounter in their past, maybe there is a future for them...if he finally stops refusing to see what everybody else sees...

I liked the way his friends care for him and make him see that his feelings are real and that he is allowed to feel that way despite everything else going down.  And of course, our dukes being the way they are, I loved to see how welcoming they are and how much they support Sarah and never hold her social status against her. As meddlesome as those guys (and girls) are, it is probably no wonder that Sarah and Kit...well.

Once again this is a beautiful and captivating story with twists and turns that draws you in right from the start and won't let go till the end. As this is the last book in this series, I was a bit anxious to see if it would live up to my expectations because I really loved each and every one of those books in this series. And I must say - it didn't disappoint. It was exactly what I had hoped for and I really enjoyed reading it. And now I can't wait for the next books by the author to come out! I've read almost all of her books by now and up to now,I haven't found a single one that I didn't like.

Coming October 29th - This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

Coming October 29th....save the date!

 

This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

✿✿✿

Where you can buy it?

*click*

Blurb:

In a desperate bid to keep her fortune out of her cousin’s hands, shipping heiress Georgiana
Caversteed marries a condemned criminal in Newgate prison. The scoundrel’s first kiss is
shockingly heated, but Georgie never expects to see her husband again. Until she spots him
across a crowded ballroom.
Notorious rogue Benedict Wylde never expected a wife. He was in Newgate undercover,
working for Bow Street. To keep their marriage of convenience a secret, Wylde courts Georgie
in public, but the more time they spend together, the more their attraction sparks.
Could an heiress with the world at her feet find happiness with a penniless rake?

The author:
Kate Bateman, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of Regency,
Victorian, and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets & Spies series: To Steal a
Heart, A Raven’s Heart and A Counterfeit Heart. All her books feature her favorite feisty,
intelligent heroines, (badasses in bodices!) wickedly inappropriate banter, and sexy, snarky
heroes you want to both strangle and kiss.
Kate wrote her first historical romance in response to a $1 bet with her husband who rashly
claimed she'd never finish the thing. She gleefully proved him wrong. When not traveling to
exotic locations, she leads a not-so-secret double life as a fine art appraiser and on-
screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK, each of which has up to 2.5 million
viewers. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England, and writes despite three
inexhaustible children and that number-loving husband who still owes her that dollar.

Lady ohne Furcht und Tadel by Lisa McAbbey

  Lady ohne Furcht und Tadel by Lisa McAbbey

 Inhalt:

Abenteuer, Verschwörung - und die große Liebe

London 1754: Im Hof des "Black Swan Inn" machen sich sechs Reisende bereit für ihre Kutschfahrt nach Edinburgh. Unter ihnen die junge Samantha Fairfax - verkleidet als junger Bursche und auf der Flucht vor einer arrangierten Heirat.

In der beengten Kutsche sitzt die arme Sam ausgerechnet "Mr Rüpel" gegenüber, einem durchaus attraktiven Landschaftsarchitekten, der sich aber leider völlig ungehobelt benimmt. Ganz im Gegensatz zum eleganten französischen Comte, der immer wieder Sams Nähe sucht. Doch schon bald wird klar: Auch ihre Mitreisenden sind nicht alle die, als die sie sich ausgeben! Für die junge Frau beginnt eine abenteuerliche Fahrt mit Stationen beim Pferderennen, auf dem Jahrmarkt und auf einem Maskenball. Doch nicht nur diese Ereignisse lassen Sams Herz schneller schlagen ...

*Dieser Roman ist eine stark überarbeitete Neuausgabe und zuvor bereits unter dem Titel "Die Reise nach Edinburgh" erschienen.*

Ganz ehrlich, dieses Buch hat mich absolut gefesselt. Ich hatte einfach nur eine nette, romantische und unterhaltsame Geschichte erwartet und bekam stattdessen ein Buch, bei dem einfach alles stimmte.

Die Atmosphäre, der Zeitbezug und eine stimmige, sehr gut konstruierte und fesselnde Geschichte mit etlichen unerwarteten Wendungen und einem wunderbaren Happy End, trugen dazu bei, dass ich meinen Reader die ganze Zeit kaum aus der Hand legen mochte. Die absolut liebenswerten Charaktere, deren Schicksal man gerne und mit Interesse und viel Anteilnahme verfolgt, eroberten mein Herz im Sturm und ich musste einfach wissen, wie es ihnen ergeht.

Dass man dem Buch auch noch deutlich die offensichtliche Liebe der Autorin zur Geschichte und den historischen Fakten anmerkt, rundet das positive Gesamtbild noch ab. Es ist alles sehr stimmig geschrieben und wirkt insgesamt einfach authentisch.

Dies war mein erstes Buch von Lisa McAbbey, aber definitiv nicht das letzte, das nächste Buch von ihr, tummelt sich auch schon auf meinem Reader.

★★★★★

Never Say Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #4) by Erica Ridley

 The 4th book 

in the 

 12 Dukes of Christmas Series 

is out!

  Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley

Blurb:

The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a laugh-out-loud historical romance series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!


Nice, sweet, somewhat fluffy and totally christmassy, this story kept me reading and reading, and sighing and laughing. I really loved those characters. Our hero and our heroine seem to be some stereotypes but become so much more, the more you get to know them.

Virginia, who seems to suffer from some kind of autism, is so sweet, gentle and unique, as well as charming and witty, I love the way she cares about every stray that comes her way, no matter how many legs of wings it has. When we learned more about her past, I was furious and heart-broken for her.
Her cure of ice cream and bullying back to health works well for her (very reluctant) patient, our hero Theodore, who came to Christmas to lick his wounds in peace after having been severely wounded in the war.

Add a crazy, very independent cat named Duke and some serious chemistry and you've got a really sweet and captivating story that surprised me in a completely wonderful way.

★★★★★

There Are Plenty More Dukes in the Sea (The Inheritance Clause Book 1) by Samantha Holt

 There Are Plenty More Dukes in the Sea by Samantha Holt

Blurb:

The Templeton siblings have inherited a fortune. But there's a catch...

I, George Lockett, do decree that my grandchildren, herein named, will inherit my fortune in its entirety, so long as they fulfill the following terms. Each person must complete their task to my lawyer's satisfaction or their share of the inheritance shall be forfeit.

There are many reasons Lady Angel Templeton needs her grandfather's money. Of course, she wants to be less of a burden to her oldest brother but, goodness, once she has even more money, she can have her pick of the men! A certain Duke of Norwick would be a fool to ignore her...

Unfortunately, their beloved grandfather decided not to make it easy on the Templetons, though Angel is convinced her task must be the hardest. To fulfill the terms of the will, she must perform unpaid duties as a lady's companion for two months to the entirely unmanageable Mrs. Stone.

Two whole months of work.

What's worse, Mrs. Stone is determined to be an even bigger handful than Angel herself.

No...what's worse, is the lady comes along with a miserable wretch of a nephew. While she cannot deny he is handsome in that dark, brooding way so many women adore, Angel does not enjoy the company of serious men--especially when they have already declared they do not trust her one jot.

Well, she doesn't trust him either. It soon becomes obvious why the stern Mr. Hunter is determined to haunt her every move--he must want Mrs. Stone's money! 

Well, Angel cannot allow anything to happen to her new friend, especially when she risks losing everything.

There Are Plenty More Dukes in the Sea is a Regency romance novella with a little heat. Keep an eye out for the rest of the Templeton siblings, coming very soon! 

 

 

When a spoiled socialite turns out to be much more...or how an inheritance clause from hell may turn out to be the best thing to ever happen to you... 

 

When Angel learned that in order to get her inheritance she will have to work as a companion for two months, she didn't know yet that these two months will change her life forever. At least, well, she definitely didn't expect her life to take that turn, right? 

I really enjoyed reading this story even though it was a bit short. Despite that, there were well developed and very likable characters, a nice and entertaining story and lots of fun and humor as well.

A short but entertaining read that made me curious to learn more about Angel's siblings and their tasks.

★★★★

 

 

 

An Improper Encounter (The Macalisters #3) by Erica Taylor

  An Improper Encounter by Erica Taylor

Blurb:

Lady Sarah Hartford is beautiful, wealthy, widowed, and bored. After agreeing to a scandalous dare to seduce a stranger into her bedchamber, she meets the devilishly handsome doctor, William Gordon. Though both keep their true identities hidden, an intense romance blooms between them, and Sarah finally feels like she could be happy again.

After a three-day affair ends when they arrive in London, William promises to reunite with Sarah after dealing with his ailing father, the reason to which he was summoned to London. But three months pass, and Sarah begins to lose hope of ever seeing her lover again.

Until one day, when he arrives on her doorstep, married, a duke, and with a pregnant duchess in tow. As the pair try to untangle truth from lies while keeping their history a secret from everyone around them, they realize they may never be together.


This book kept me on my toes but it also made me rather furious when something rather predictable happened - and people got hurt. Really hurt. Ugh. Unfortunately, the solution was also somewhat predictable sooooo... I was really torn. I loved the story on the whole and I really really loved our hero and our heroine but there were some twists and turns, well,...

William is a wonderful character and Sarah is just amazing. I loved how she dared reach for what she wanted, be it an improper encounter (or some part of it at least) or her dreams.
William, on the other hand, is rather predictably honorable, which is a part of the problem.

On the whole, it is a rather fast-paced story with lots of action, heartbreak and happiness that would have been good and it did actually entertain me well, even though I was missing ...well.. something. I enjoyed reading it and will read it again though.

★★★

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!

★★★★★

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.

★★★★

 

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!

★★★★

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

  Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman

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?

 ♥♥♥

A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal (Redeemable Rogues #5) by Tanya Anne Crosby

  A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal by Tanya Anne Crosby

Blurb:

 Not quite sweet, not quite spicy, A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal is a witty, passionate Victorian novella by New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Tanya Anne Crosby.

Lady Margaret Willingham is a wealthy heiress, who knows what she wants. No husband. No children. No man to tell her what to do, or how to do it. Forced to marry, or lose her inheritance, she defies convention and places an ad in the paper for a commoner husband, fully intending to take charge of her life. When the perfect candidate applies, Margaret has no inkling that he's keeping a life-long promise or that a midnight kiss holds the key to healing her spinster's heart.


"A Perfectly Scandalous Proposal" is a sweet and charming story, that once again drew me in and made me swoon and sigh a  lot. I loved the hero and the heroine, Lady Margaret and Gabriel because of their authenticity and of course, Lady Margaret was such a strong character who knew exactly what she wanted and how to make it happen (even though she didn't get what she asked for but she might have got what she really wanted).
Gabriel fulfilling a life-long promise may find some real love along the way and Lady Margaret, well, Maggie will find everything she ever dreamed of - and more. What I also loved was the fact that once she realized who she had married, she didn't play any games.
This story about two childhood friends finally getting a chance at love, also shows once again the social status of a woman in those times and how powerless they were when it came to protecting themselves and their property against abuse.
A short but beautiful story that I really enjoyed reading.

★★★★

The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo (Victorian Rebels #6) by Kerrigan Byrne #TheDukeWithTheDragonTattoo

  The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrigan Byrne

Blurb:

The bravest of heroes. The brashest of rebels. The boldest of lovers. These are the men who risk their hearts and their souls—for the passionate women who dare to love them…

He is known only as The Rook. A man with no name, no past, no memories. He awakens in a mass grave, a magnificent dragon tattoo on his muscled forearm the sole clue to his mysterious origins. His only hope for survival—and salvation—lies in the deep, fiery eyes of the beautiful stranger who finds him. Who nurses him back to health. And who calms the restless demons in his soul…

A LEGENDARY LOVE

Lorelei will never forget the night she rescued the broken dark angel in the woods, a devilishly handsome man who haunts her dreams to this day. Crippled as a child, she devoted herself to healing the poor tortured man. And when he left, he took a piece of her heart with him. Now, after all these years, The Rook has returned. Like a phantom, he sweeps back into her life and avenges those who wronged her. But can she trust a man who’s been branded a rebel, a thief, and a killer? And can she trust herself to resist him when he takes her in his arms?


Wow, that book took me on a ride!
When The Rook comes to claim his woman, a long time has passed - too much time? He isn't the young man he once was and Lorelai, well, not much has changed for her otherwise but it is difficult to feel the same for someone who doesn't resemble his former self anymore. Is it?
The Rook is formed by those years that separate them, he is harsh and hard, a pirate, a killer - and he has one weakness: Lorelai. Will that be enough? And will he ever find out who he really is?

I really loved Lorelai and the way she cares for those around her and how she opens her heart to those in need. Her brother being a brute of the kind that lives in your nightmares and her father being too weak to protect her, she is used to abuse and suffering but she never gives up and she never loses hope.
The Rook and her, they belong together and I loved to see them fall (back) into love while they slowly unravel the mysteries of his past - and not just those of the past!

The story captivated me right from the start and I enjoyed every page of it. There were some minor aspects that made me go for four stars instead of five though.
Considering her age and the fact that she lived with her brute of a brother all those years, Lorelai hasn't aged. Twenty years later she is still the same and she still sounds like the young girl of fourteen that she was when Ash left her. And I must admit that I felt that the fact that The Rook is so hard and that he can't feel and ....well, all that, was stressed a bit too much. Add the fact that he and his friends who finally turn up everywhere (at least it feels like that) all got up in the world and became people of consequence in one way or another, well, that was a bit too much for me.

Despite that, I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to find out, hopefully, about Veronica and her groom in the next book!

★★★★

The Duke Who Lied (The 1797 Club #8)

 

The Duke Who Lied by Jess Michaels

Blurb: 

The 8th Book in the bestselling 1797 Club series by USA Today Bestseller Jess Michaels

Hugh Margolis, Duke of Brighthollow, has been keeping a secret that eats him up inside. His beloved sister was seduced and nearly ruined by a wicked man. The trauma sent her into exile and to protect her reputation, he never did anything about it. But now the ‘gentleman’ is back in Society and recently engaged to another lady.

Miss Amelia Quinton cannot believe her luck. After a whirlwind courtship, she has just become engaged and now she’s looking forward to a true love match. Only all her plans come to a screeching halt when her father announces she is now to marry the Duke of Brighthollow because he owns her father’s debts.

Amelia is horrified, for Hugh is nothing like the sweet and gentle boy she wanted to marry. Only once their vows are said, passions flare and she begins to know the man better. Little by little, both their walls come down and feelings grow. Until she finds out he lied. Will Hugh ever tell her the truth and will it even matter by the time it’s all said and done?


Ohhhh, I loved this book! I mean, I loved the other books in this series as well and every time I finish one of them, it feels as if this one is the best - till I read the next or one of the other ones again.
My heart went out to Hugh and Amelia, when both of them,  for different reasons, had to let go of their dreams of love and a loving family - only to find that sometimes love finds you unexpectedly.

Revisiting old friends and meeting new ones, I followed Amelia and Hugh's story from their rocky beginnings to their ...well, tumultuous but nonetheless happy ending.
Hugh and Amelia are both characters that I really liked. Both of them have been hurt in the past and it's not easy for them to trust considering the circumstances but never ever do they let their insecurities win and destroy what they have. Even when Amelia realizes the depth of the deception, all those lies....she is hurt, she is devastated but she is still willing to go on and make things right and even better.
And when things get really rough? Those two are so amazing and strong and courageous, you can't but love them!

Another beautiful and captivating book in a wonderful series!

★★★★★

 

 

 

 

The Duke and I (Saints and Sinners 1) by Heather Boyd #TheDukeAndI #NetGalley

The Duke and I by Heather Boyd

Blurb:

Widowed Nicolas Westfall, the Duke of Stapleton, cannot prevent the upcoming debut of his youngest daughter no matter how much he wishes her eventual marriage wouldn’t leave him all alone. Convinced to host a Christmas Ball to prepare her for the season, he’s aware he’s considered a catch on the marriage mart too, but Nicolas is drawn to companion Gillian Thorpe instead.

Gillian was hired to prepare the duke’s daughter for her first season, but it's not easy when the girl hasn’t the least interest in the men and its the widowed father makes her knees weak when he laughs with her. Gillian respects and admires (perhaps too frequently) the Duke of Stapleton and when she’s lured into a mistletoe kiss with him, will she be able to stop at one or even want to?

Note: A shorter version of the Duke and I was previously published in the Hot Winter Nights Racy Regency Christmas Collection.


Oh my goodness, this book was so sweet! Seriously, I simply couldn't put it down because I loved those characters so hard.

The story itself, well, it is nothing unusual, him falling for the unsuitable servant, his daughter's companion with or without wedding bells ringing at the hopefully happy ending but those characters made it very special. I loved Nicolas and his unabashed pursuit of Gillian. You can feel their chemistry and talk about sparks, right? It's fireworks, actually.
And don't get me started on Gillian, she is such a delight with her refreshing honest, her lovelyness and her capability to love (and to protect when it comes to her young charge and those around them). I loved that despite him pursuing someone in his employ, you never feel like Nicolas was pressuring Gillian, all their interactions are based on respect and honor and of course - love. The kind of love that doesn't care about outward appearances or status but that feels deep and warm and turns those fireworks into some kind of glowing and heart-warming fire.

I really enjoyed reading this book and felt myself grinning and swooning all the way to the last page!

★★★★

Dangerous (The Outcasts #1) by Minerva Spencer #dangerous

   

Dangerous by Minerva Spencer

Blurb:

What sort of lady doesn’t make her debut until the age of thirty-two? A timeless beauty with a mysterious past—and a future she intends to take into her own hands...

Lady Euphemia Marlington hasn’t been free in seventeen years—since she was captured by Corsairs and sold into a harem. Now the sultan is dead and Mia is back in London facing relentless newspapermen, an insatiably curious public, and her first Season. Worst of all is her ashamed father’s ultimatum: marry a man of his choosing or live out her life in seclusion. No doubt her potential groom is a demented octogenarian. Fortunately, Mia is no longer a girl, but a clever woman with a secret—and a plan of her own.

Adam de Courtney’s first two wives died under mysterious circumstances. Now there isn’t a peer in England willing to let his daughter marry the dangerously handsome man the ton calls The Murderous Marquess. Nobody except Mia’s father, the desperate Duke of Carlisle. Clearly Mia must resemble an aging matron, or worse. However, in need of an heir, Adam will use the arrangement to his advantage.

But when the two outcasts finally meet, assumptions will be replaced by surprises, deceit by desire—and a meeting of minds between two schemers may lead to a meeting of hearts—if the secrets of their pasts don’t tear them apart.


This book was amazing, so heartwarming, warm, thrilling an, well, amazing! halfway through the ebook, I went online to put the paperback on my wishlist because I felt that I simply needed to have this one in print as well!
The contrast between London's ton and Mia's warm and sensusal manner is striking and you just feel her husband relax into something unknown to him, something warm and very much alive, you feel the love between the hero and the heroine grow and I loved to see the lightness and the laughter Mia brings into her husbands life. And I also loved to see how Adam de Courtney's acceptance of her past and her allows her to blosssom and to be happy.
Mia hugs and caresses her way straight into her husband's heart and when she disappears, well, he won't let her get away...and he won't let her face the danger alone.....
A wonderful book - I just wanted to say "to read on a sunny afternoon" but actually, no mattter where and no matter what the weather or the place, this book is always a good choice! I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

 ★★★★★

Breathless by Celeste Bradley & Susan Donovan #breathless

   

Breathless  

by  

Celeste Bradley  & Susan Donovan

Blurb:

She was “the Swan.” London’s premiere courtesan. Men want to be with her. Women loathe her success and yet admire her beauty, her riches, her independence. But when the jealous wife of her lover moves to have the Swan banished from her home on the high seas, she winds up crashed against Spain’s rocky coast with no shoes, no clothes—and no name. Taken in by a tortured, sensuous man known as The Artist, the Swan comes to know the woman she wants to be—her artist’s siren.
When Art Professor Brenna Anderson is in danger of losing her post at Harvard, the rule-following, prim professor is at a loss of how to salvage the shreds of her life. But when a new painting in the mysterious Siren collection is discovered in a dusty old house in France, Brenna does the unthinkable—hops on a plane to uncover the identity of the beautiful, enigmatic woman who is the subject of the paintings.
There’s just one hitch—the frustrating, irritating, bold and beautiful art hunter Fitch Wilder is also looking for the Siren. He’s been a thorn in Brenna’s professional side for years, but when their individual quests lead them to team up despite being enemies, a whole new sumptuous world of art and culture opens up for the two of them. And with it, they enter a realm of passion and love…



Set in two different times, this book tells the story of the time when the Swan, a famous courtesan, loses her life as she knows it only to find a better one and true love in a place where she'd never have expected it and it also tells the story of Brenna and Fitch, who are looking for the forgotten paintings of the Siren collection.
The women's lives are very different on the one hand but there are also many similarities and I really enjoyed reading about their lives and the love they find along the way. I also loved to read about Brenna and Fitch's hunt for the paintings and the story behind them.
From the first page on, this book captivated me. I really enjoyed reading this book with its interesting characters and really interesting story line.

When Brenna and Fitch set out to find the lost paintings, they have no idea that this trip will change their lives forever. Working together, well, that wasn't exactly what they'd been dreaming of considering the fact, ....uh...let's just say that it's not always a good idea to tweet when you are upset especially when you don't have all the facts. Now they'll have to work together in order to get what both of them are looking for and somehow this whole thing turns into something more. Something real and great.

And who would have thought that losing everything, even one's own name and identity, will lead to finding true love and happiness, no matter how short or how long it might last. When the Swan was driven out of the country only to end up on a journey even worse than she could ever have imagined, she had no idea what or rather who would be waiting for her at the end of this trip.

A beautiful story that I really enjoyed reading.

★★★★

The Portrait of Lady Wycliff (The Lords of Eton #1) by Cheryl Bolen

  The Portrait of Lady Wycliff by Cheryl Bolen

Blurb: 

For the past decade Harry, the Earl of Wycliff, has worked feverishly to reclaim all that his father had lost. Only one item remains elusive: the Gainsborough portrait of his beloved mother. And the impossibly young, stunningly beautiful widow Louisa Phillips holds the key to finding it. If only he can persuade her to help him . . .


I've read and loved a couple of books by Cheryl Bolen up to now but somehow I couldn't get into this one. I started it, put it away, restarted, ...it went on and on and when I read it, it felt like it went on for ages.
I can't even say why I couldn't get into it but somehow neither the characters nor the story got me.

Sure, I understood that Harry, Lord Wycliff wanted to buy back everything that his father had lost and that it was in Louisa's interest to help him find the owner of the estate but I couldn't feel it. Okay, sure, Louisa's need was obvious as she needed the money to live after having been left with nothing when her husband died.

The pace was rather slow and even though there were times when a lot happened and things got messy and adventurous - somehow it still felt rather slow.
This book and I were not meant to be, I might try to read it again though and I'll definitely read other books by the author because I know that I loved the other books by her that I've read.

★★