Monthly Archives: March 2014

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs – a Review and Giveaway

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Night Broken by Patricia Briggs – a Review and Giveaway

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Night Broken
Mercy Thompson series – Book #8
by Patricia Briggs
Release Date: March 11, 2014

night broken_front mech.indd

Links to order Night Broken: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

 

Review:
Night Broken by Patricia Briggs is the 8th novel of her Mercy Thompson series.  Mercy Thompson is another one of these fantastic kick-ass heroines.  Mercy is a walker, as she can shift into a coyote, though she is always a tough smart warrior in her human form.  Mercy is married to the love of her life, Adam, who is the Alpha of his werewolf clan, and because she is not a werewolf, Mercy still has to gain the respect and win over many of the clan members, mainly some of the female wolves.  Just when things were peaceful, Adam’s ex has stalker and she wants to come home to have the wolves protect her.  Mercy isn’t thrilled about it, but understands that Christy (the ex wife), is in danger.  Needless to say, these two will never get along, as Christy is a self centered bitch, who wants Adam back, even though she is the one who left Adam.  Mercy knows how much Adam loves her, and she isn’t threatened by Christy, but knows that Christy will try to undermine her with the rest of the pack. 

This is a part of the continual story, with Christy’s snide ways of undermining Mercy.  But the major part of the story is what the stalker who comes looking for Christy is; a creature in human guise that is more powerful then anything they have seen before, and Werewolves are very powerful.  This series has always had the supernatural, like Fae, & Werewolves; but this creature is a god, a volcano god to be exact, and there is no way to kill him.  Only Mercy, and her old friend Coyote have any chance at stopping him from killing everyone, including the Werewolves, unless they give Christy to him.  Werewolves stand by those they promise to protect, so that is not an option. 

What follows is an exciting and tense fight, which Mercy of course finds herself at times all alone to try to handle this monster.  As good as she is, this is an impossible task, and with Adam, they try to find other sources to help them, allowing us to see some of the oldies, such as Samuel, Coyote, Tad, Stefan, Wulfe, etc.  In between this, Mercy must also deal with the Grey Lord (Fae), who wants his father’s Walking Stick back, and threatens her to find it.  This is the magic walking stick that no matter how many times she gives it away, it always finds it way back to Mercy.  She also has to deal with her half brother, who has visions and comes looking to Mercy to warn her about this monster.

This was non stop action throughout, and at times very tense, especially when you worried how Mercy, Adam, and the others were going to get out of this battle alive.  Mercy is a smart, savvy and tough heroine, without shifting, and if anyone can figure out what to do it is Mercy. But things were looking dire right to the exciting climax. Were they able to stop the Volcano God?  Will Mercy survive Christy? There were a number of times I would have wanted Mercy to punch Christy, or even force the issue with those from the pack who sided with Christy.  I also thought the ending was great, but though it did end with a resolution, it did seem a bit abrupt, with some things that I felt were left open.  I guess for the next book, but I really enjoyed this story, and thankfully Patricia Briggs will continue to give us more of Mercy Thompson. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

giveaway
Patricia & her publisher are offering a paper copy of NIGHT BROKEN by Patricia Briggs to ONE (1) lucky commenter.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open to USA only.

6. Giveaway runs from March 11 to March 14, 2014, 2014

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The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros – a Review

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The Darkest Joy by Marata Eros – a Review

 

The DArkest JoyLinks to order The Darkest Joy:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository


Description:
A sexy and poignant new adult novel from New York Times bestseller Marata Eros, about two lost souls who find each other in the wake of tragedy, only to learn that love may not be enough to heal the wounds of a dark and tortured past…

Twenty year-old Brooke Starr has escaped the aftermath of a brutal tragedy by abandoning her music studies and moving north to take a summer position as a part-time deck hand on a deep-sea fishing boat. When her survivor’s guilt becomes unbearable, Brooke realizes there’s only one thing she can do to finally erase the pain.

Deep sea fisherman, Chance Taylor, has just wrapped his guitar set at the local saloon when he sees the silhouette of a young woman in repose, the full moon highlighting her shadow as she plummets from a pier too high for diving… into water too cold to survive. Without thinking, he plunges in after her, saving Brooke from drowning.

As Chance works to save her from her own emotional fragility, Brooke finally begins to learn how to save herself. But when their chemistry begins to consume them, Brooke withdraws. She’s determined to be the master of her own destiny… until the past catches up with her in a cataclysmic plan so dark, so final… it threatens their love and their very lives.

 

Review:

When I received this book to read and review, the first thing I noticed was the nice sexy cover.  I assumed (I know ) that this was an erotic novel.  I enjoy steamy sexy books in my stories, but I prefer my books a mix,  not just full erotic, so I never planned on reading this book.  A few days later, I read the blurb on the back cover, and discovered that this was a New Adult and it sounded good.  I decided to read it.  I am so glad I did, as I loved The Darkest Joy and came away very impressed with the writing of Marata Eros. 

The Darkest Joy blows you away with a beginning that by the time I was on page 2, I was already hooked. Our heroine, Brooke, who is a young pianist prodigy awaiting to be admitted to Julliard.  She is on her way home from school for Christmas, when she gets a call from her mom, who is worried about her travelling home.  What follows is a few minutes of hell, as Brooke while talking to her mom, hears the doorbell ring and then begins to hear the terrifying sounds of her family being brutally murdered.  Having lost her mother, father, brother and aunt, Brooke goes into shock, with anxiety attacks when she thinks about it.  She has a hard time dealing with it, and decides to sell her home and go to Alaska for a few months to get away from every one.  The aunt who was also murdered, left her a cabin in Alaska.

Chance Taylor is a fisherman, who runs his own business, and is our hero.  Chance is a hottie, who also plays the guitar.   When Brooke arrives in Alaska, she is befriended by Evan and Tucker, and she is invited to the local tavern that night.  It is here that she sees the gorgeous guitar player, not knowing he will be her boss, since she starts the next morning working as a deckhand.  But before that, listening to Chance play a certain song, brings on an anxiety attack and she runs away.  Brooke, thinking she doesn’t deserve to live, then attempts to kill herself, as she jumps off the bridge.  Chance comes upon her when she jumps, and he saves her life. 

What follows is a fascinating story of Brooke trying to accept her loss, handle her anxiety, and move on with her life.  She falls hard for Chance, as he does her.  Slowly Brooke realizes that her family would not want to her give up on life, and with the help of Chance, she begins to live again. She enjoys the different type of life in Alaska, and they friends she makes.  Her best friend from home, Lacey, constantly calls her to give her updates.  Just when Brooke is getting a handle on things, there are more murders of families from other upcoming pianist prodigies.  The FBI tries to warn Brooke that the killer is probably coming after her.

Since I do not want to give spoilers, this is a great story that has everything, tragedy, romance, sex, emotional turmoil, danger, brutality,  excitement, and suspense.  The first half of the book, Eros pulls all your emotions, and the second half you are on the edge of your seat.  There are some twists,  surprise at the wild ending as we reached the climax.  

Besides loving Brooke and Chance together, I thought Marata Eros has created a wonderful group of secondary characters from Evan, Tucker, Jake, Clearwater, and Lacey.  She has also created a terrible villain. 

This story was told in both Brooke and Chance’s POV.  I usually don’t like that, but it was good to see things from both perspectives.  Amidst all this tense emotions, Eros managed to give us a wonderful couple, who fall in love and find the joy from within the darkness.  The Darkest Joy was a terrific read and one of the best books I have read this year.  Marata Eros has put herself on my list to make sure I read more of in the future. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Tea and Primroses by Tess Thompson – a Review

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Tea and Primroses by Tess Thompson – a Review

Tea and PrimrosesLinks to order Tea and Primroses:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Description:
Nothing is as it seemed in calm, quaint Legley Bay.

Famous novelist Constance Mansfield lived a seemingly straightforward – if private – and somewhat predictable life. Friends, beloved daughter Sutton, a beautiful home, and all the success an author could wish for. A perfect life….but was it?

When a hit and run accident suddenly takes her mother’s life, Sutton finds hidden secrets with her heartbreak. Emotional walls she assumed Constance had built to protect her privacy may have been to protect something – or someone – else entirely. Family and friends return home for support, including her own lost-love, Declan. He’s the first thing she craves to help her cope with her loss and the questions she’s left with, but he’s also the last person she wants to see. Will he be able to put down roots at last?

Can the loss of true love be the making of a life, or is it destined to be the undoing of everything? When money, power and love combine across time, anything is possible.

 

Review 

Oh my lord !!! You did it AGAIN 🙂

Tess you TOTALLY rock !!!   Tea and Primroses by Tess Thompson is a gorgeous story, the characters grab you from the start and don’t let go till the last page. 

It’s two stories in one (so it’s a bargain already). And I have a feeling it’s the start of a few more in this series (fingers are crossed). Sutton and Declan are the main characters, but Sutton’s mom plays a big part in this book also, it’s her love story as well. 

Sutton and Declan have known each other from birth, and have loved each other for just a long. Declan has longed for adventure and travel, not so for Sutton, she longed for a quiet life, but for Declan to be by her side, and this is where their love falters, so Declan leaves the sleepy village and lives life to the fullest, but he never can forget Sutton.

A tragic accident brings Declan back home to Sutton. Now this is where I had to stop and regroup.  Sutton’s mother has died, and its time to lay her to rest. Whilst trying to find paperwork, Sutton discovers a hidden manuscript. And this is the part I fell in love with. It’s Constance’s (Sutton’s mother) autobiography. 

I won’t spoil anymore, but PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. it’s a moving and well written story.  And it helped me through a really hard part of my life.  It’s a 5 star for me xxx 


Reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Author

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Spirited by Mary Behre – a Review

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Spirited by Mary Behre – a Review

spiritedLinks to order Spirited:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
She’s running from who she is…

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life–preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s ability for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

Detective Seth English can’t get distracted from the big case he’s working on, not even by his alluring new neighbor. He doesn’t believe that Jules had anything to do with the string of robberies-turned-murders that he’s investigating, but when she keeps showing up in all the wrong places, his gut tells him she knows more than she’s letting on. To solve his case, he’ll need to expose what the sexy redhead is hiding–no matter how impossible the truth may be…

 

Review:

Spirited by Mary Behre is the 1st book in her new Tidewater series.  We meet our heroine, Jules at the start as she seems to be running from something, as well as missing her cell phone and keys to get into her apartment.  The fact that she ends up in our hero, Seth’s apartment sets the stage for a somewhat funny story, with mostly suspense and romantic elements throughout. 

Seth is a detective, and when this strange women climbs through his window in a bustier, he threatens to arrest her, thinking she is a hooker.  But Jules doesn’t really know how she ended up in Seth’s apartment, and tries to make him understand she went to a costume party, and lives in the same building. He did not believe her, until as he was taking her to the station, the owner of the building vouches for her, that she is his adopted daughter.  Seth lets her go, and soon both of them become the romantic couple of this story. 

Jules is keeping a major secret from Seth.  She is psychic, having the ability to see the dead, with the spirits coming to her for help.  Only her adopted parents know of this ability, and there was no way she could tell Seth that it was a spirit who led her to climb into his window.  What follows is a cute sweet romance that develops with Seth and Jules, in the midst of a major suspense story of murder; with Jules life very much in danger.  It seems that wherever she goes, Jules finds herself in a dangerous situation, as someone wants something desperately that she unknowingly has. The spirit is a murdered woman who tries to get Jules to help find her killer, but Jules has a hard time understanding her.  Seth senses that he is falling in love with Jules, but every time a murder or attack happens, he has to try to explain to his superiors that she is innocent. 

The last third of the book was an exciting story, not to mention also very hot between Seth and Jules.  Throughout the book, Mary Behre has added a lot of humor to this story that was fun.  I did enjoy Jules and Seth, and the mystery was very well done.  The only thing I did not really like was Seth’s attitude at times to Jules, when he would doubt her story. At times he went too far, even if some of her story sounded unbelievable, but he loved her and should have listened to her.  I thought she accepted his later apologies too easily.  I would have smacked him a few times.  Other then this, it was a very good story in this new series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Raider (Highland Guard #8) by Monica McCarty-a review

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The Raider (Highland Guard #8) by Monica McCarty-a review

The Raider

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24, 2014

After consolidating his gains against the enemy English, King Robert the Bruce of Scotland sends his best soldiers to fortify the lawless borders. These legendary warriors of the Highland Guard let nothing come before king and country – except the calling of their heart.

Of all Bruce’s elite warriors, Robert “Raider” Boyd is the most formidable. A true patriot whose bare hands are a deadly weapon, Robbie is the fierce enforcer of the Guard, and his hatred of the English has been honed to a razor-sharp edge. But vengeance proves bittersweet when his enemy’s beautiful sister falls into his hands and he finds himself fighting temptation – a battle he badly wants to lose.

Lady Rosalin Clifford barely recognizes the rebel prisoner she saved from execution six years ago. Though her girlish ideals for fairness have matured into a passion for justice, Rosalin believes she betrayed her brother when she helped this dangerous man escape. Now her traitorous act has come back to haunt her. But she can’t deny the longing this tormented warrior ignites in her, or deny the passion that turns sworn enemies into lovers. Is the gentle love of a true English Rose enough to free Scotland’s most brutal warrior from a path of vengeance – before it’s too late?

REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Man oh man. Monica McCarty knocks it out of the park once again, and goes on to prove she is my fave highland romance author of all time. This series is INCREDIBLE! Raider … OH RAIDER! SWOON and SLAP!!!!!

The Raider by Monica McCarty is the 8th book in her Highland Guard series. This series chronicles the war that waged Robert the Bruce against the English in the 1300’s and the elite special ops team called “The Highland Guard” that assisted in establishing Scottish independance . While some of these characters and battles are real historical facts and figures, the way Monica weaves a story full of fiction and romance is brilliant.

Robert Boyd (aka Raider) is about as patriotic and hard core as it gets. He hates the English with a passion that constantly drives him to conquer. He is known for his hand to hand combat, hard nature, supreme strength and many shake at the thought of facing him. One English Lord however (Lord Clifford), seems to consistently cross his path and has become his ultimate enemy. When the English play dirty, Raider finds himself captive with some of his fellow men. Certain to be hanged, it comes as a shock when a sweet English lass helps him escape his chains and assists in his freedom. Captivated by the kindness of the English beauty, Raider can never forget the kindness she showed nor the lingering kiss they shared.

Lady Rosalin Clifford is the epitome of kind, sweet and trusting. She is also the sister of Lord Clifford, and the once young lady who assisted the highland monster to escape. She now lives with a heavy heart, understanding she assisted in saving a man who has butchered her people, but troubled that she feels no regret in her actions. She dreams of this prisoner constantly.

Once again, Rosalin and Raider reunite when she is abducted with her nephew by the Guard members. Intent on using her nephew as collateral to force Lord Clifford into a peace treaty, Rosalin begs Raider to show her the kindness she once showed him and let them go. Years of battle have hardened Raider’s heart though, and his patriotic duty must come before his morals and virtue. Through much adventure, Raider and Rosalin once again begin to see beauty in the other. Rosalin continues to show trust and kindness consistently despite Raider’s constant degrading of her people. Raider battles his heart, unable to accept that he is falling in love with his enemies sister, and is certain there is no future.

This book was fabo! Full of action, intrigue, love, push and pull, anticipation, frustrations and smiles and some smexy scenes! I love it when a book makes me feel so much! I tell you though, Raider was really starting to tick me off and I would of loved to kick his rear end. Rosalin gave him chance after chance, integrated herself in the highland environment, and even felt empathy and compassion for the Highlander’s that have been oppressed by her people. Seriously the woman was somewhat of a saint. She was lovable and incredible and when she comes to the end of the tolerance level, it was hard to feel bad for Raider.

So .. will love be enough to over come years of battle? Is it possible for an English lass and a Highland Hero to put aside their differences long enough to understand that there is more to gain than there is to lose?? Flip that page! 😉

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Read the reviews for:

The Saint
The Recruit
The Hunter

Highland guard

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The Problem With Promises (Mystwalker #3) by Leigh Evans-a review

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The Problem with Promises (Mystwalker #3) by Leigh Evans-a review

the Problem with Promises

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

THE PROBLEM WITH PROMISES (Mystwalker #3) by Leigh Evans

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 25, 204

NEVER MAKE A PROMISE…

Robson Trowbridge, the Alpha of Creemore and my gorgeous mate, tries to protect me, Hedi Peacock, half-Fae, half-were, from all the trouble I get into. The thing is, my past is pretty messy and bad guys keep knocking down my door. Witches, thug bikers, the North American Council of Weres, dark magic Fae, and even an evil wizard are all after me. The Old Mage is the only one I really care about: He has my dear twin brother captive on the other side of the Gates of Merenwyn—not cool. So my alpha love is helping me to keep my promise to free my brother…

YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO KEEP.

Unfortunately, everyone who helps me ends up in a heap of trouble too—including my Trowbridge. Now, I admit I’ve had my moments as a shivering coward, hoping he will come to my brave rescue. The whole Prince Charming thing is hard to shake. But these bad guys after me mean business and those damsel in distress days are over. You know that “last straw” metaphor? That was two straws ago. It’s now or never. Again…

•••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE PROBLEM WITH PROMISES is the third instalment in Leigh Evans’s contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy Mystwalker series focusing on werewolves, fae and magic. Hedi Peacock is a hybrid-half fae/half were and mated to the Creemore Wolf Alpha Robson Trowbridge. But there is a war on the horizon between the fae and the wolves and, Hedi and her mate are caught in the middle. The storyline commences a few hours following the events of book two-The Thing About Weres- and is told from Hedi’s first person POV.

The premise of this particular storyline follows Hedi as she must uncover the people responsible for the destruction of the pack and the threat to her mate and the people that she loves. When everything begins to point to the addictive fae processed sun-potion (made to prevent wolves from shifting with the moon) Hedi and her companions will discover that the story behind the halflings and the drug hits too close to home. Halflings are the children of a wolf and human mating, and rarely if ever, survive their first change. When Robson is targeted for destruction, Hedi knows that the only way to prevent her mate’s demise is to set herself up for the fall. As a half-breed with both fae and wolf, Hedi is not welcomed by either side of her familial heritage and, in this, she is on the defensive when her allegiance is called into question by the wolves who follow her mate.

Leigh Evans writes an amazingly detailed and graphically violent storyline where no one is safe in a war between the species and between themselves. Most of the story focuses on Hedi’s search for her mate and the people trying to take her down. With her powerful fae magic, she is a power unto herself but at times, this power brings more problems to the pack then it solves.

THE PROBLEM WITH PROMISES forwards the storyline but a couple of days. The reader is pulled into a dark and dangerous world where wolves are loyal to no one but themselves and the brotherhood of the pack is required for their survival in a world of violence and unrest. The world building continues with all of the storyline remaining on this side of the portal. This is the third storyline in the series and I would highly recommend reading in order.

Copy supplied by the publisher through netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Reading Order

1. The Trouble With Fate
2. The Thing About Weres
3. The Problem with Promises

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Falling for the Wingman by Crista McHugh – a Review

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Falling for the Wingman by Crista McHugh – a Review

Falling For The Wingman
The Kelly Brothers – Book #3
by Crista McHugh
Release Date: March 1,2014

Falling For The Wingman

Links to order Falling For The Wingman:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository


Description:
Air Force pilot Caleb Kelly has come back home with one mission in mind—to propose to the woman whose letters and lucky charm helped him survive his deployment in Afghanistan. But when he finds their apartment empty with a note saying she’s left him, he arrives at her mother’s house in rural Alabama less than a week before Kourtney is about to marry another man. Now he’s out to win her heart again and gets some unexpected assistance from her younger sister, Alex.

Alex Leadbetter has always thought Caleb was too good for her manipulative, social-climbing sister. She had assumed Kourtney’s identity to write letters to him and keep his spirits up until he returned home to the hard truth, never expecting to fall in love with him along the way. After he shows up in town, she convinces him that the best way to get Kourtney back is to make her think he’s fallen for someone new — her. But when a fake romance becomes all too real, her deception may leave them both grounded.

 

Review:

Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees…………. Once Caleb returns from Afghanistan and finds Kourtney gone and a note saying that she’s left him, he makes it his mission to make her see that they are meant to be together.  Her emails were the one bright spot that he gravitated to while deployed.  He doesn’t understand how she could have written the things that she did, only to leave him high and dry.  He fell in love with the person who wrote those emails, and by damn, he will make her see that she loves him too.

Once he arrives in Alabama, he heads straight to Kourtney’s family home, only to find her finalizing her wedding plans……….to someone else.  Kourtney’s little sister, Alex, diffuses the situation and convinces Caleb to leave with her so that they can talk.  When Caleb tells Alex of his plans for he and Kourtney, Alex convinces him to pretend that she and Caleb are a couple, which will cause Kourtney to want him back.  After all, Kourtney doesn’t like to lose, especially to her little sister.  What Caleb doesn’t know is that Alex fell for him a long time ago and she is hoping that once they spend time together, he’ll realize that Alex is the one for him.  Not her egotistical, overbearing sister.  The one rub?  How in the world will she explain her deception to him?  Will he understand that she did it because she cares for him and wanted to give him something to look forward to?  Or, will things crash and burn before they ever get off the ground?  Well my friends, you’ll have to read to find out…….

Crista McHugh is a goddess.  Her writing style grabs you and doesn’t let go.  Once again she has written a wonderful story that starts from the very first word.  Sounds corny, huh?  But, let me tell you…….there is nothing gratuitous about the way she writes.  You know how when you’re reading a story and the same point gets made 14,792 times and you’re like “get on with it!!”??  That doesn’t happen in her stories.  EVER.  She draws you in from the very first word with wonderfully written dialogue that has you clamoring for more.  Alex was such a sweet soul.  She owns a garage and is a mechanic there as well, and goes out of her way to help those in need.  Not just in the garage, but in the town itself.  She is such a likeable character and has a huge heart, and is determined to make her own way.  She really is the antithesis of her big sister, Kourtney.  Caleb, even though he was a little thick headed at first, was the perfect match for Alex.  Along with their spot on chemistry, which burned up the pages, his willingness to ask his family for their input on the situation only endeared him to me more.

One more time people…………… If you’re not reading Crista McHugh’s wonderful series, you are seriously missing out.  And, once again, very well done Crista…..very very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

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The Jewels of the Ton Series by Shana Galen-reviews

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The Jewels of the Ton Series by Shana Galen-reviews

Jewels of the Ton

5 of out 5 for this reader folks!

I have to say, Shana Galen is moving up my list of fave “go to”, “must read” historical romance authors. I read her Lord and Lady Spy Series a while back and fell in love with her writing style and her story telling. Well once again, she blew me away with her Jewels of the Ton Series. Each novel was jammed full of adventure, mystery, danger, intrigue, one hot couple finding their way to each other, horrific villains and a secondary cast of characters that rounded out the storyline perfectly. You DO need to read this series in order as one story melts into the next, and so you can enjoy the anticipation of the storyline for the next novel. Do not deprive yourself of that experience as Shana is incredible at building the next story for her readers!

So before I go into the reviews I will give you a bit of a back story that pertains to all three! Our leading ladies of each book are acting as courtesans (they are not truly courtesans but ladies just trying to make the best out of crummy circumstances), they are also nicknamed “The Diamonds” for their beauty, charm and mystery. They are intriguing, secretive and much coveted by many a Lord in the ton. Once down on their luck individually, these three beauties were given another chance at life by a loving Count and Countess (they totally rock ..lol), came together and became true friends. They look out for one another and make no apology for the way they live their lives now!

When You Give a Duke A DiamondBOOK 1 – When you Give a Duke a Diamond

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

DESCRIPTION-Release Date September 2012

He had a perfectly orderly life…

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that’s the way he likes it. But he’s in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn’t begin to describe what happens next…

Until she came along…

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It’s disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William’s darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide…

REVIEW

Juliette is out first “Diamond” and nicknamed the “Duchess of Dalliance”. Extremely beautiful, she is desired by many. When she finds herself in a situation that crosses paths with the Duke of Pelham, little does she know her entire life is about to change. William, the Duke of Pelham, is a rigid, punctual and as stoic as it gets. In my opinion he has one huge pickle up his rear end. He is NEVER apologetic, he is sharp with his honesty, not caring for the emotions of others, and he lives his life without spontaneity and by a pocket watch. He believes the Dukedom excludes him from common rules.

When Juliette finds herself witness to the murder of the Duke’s fiancée, she seeks Pelham out despite her dislike of the man to tell him of what she witnessed and to request protection (the murderer knows she saw him). At first he doesn’t believe her. Then clues begin to point in the direction of Juliette’s story. By then, Pelham has already had his structured world completely upended by this famous “courtesan”. When Juliette discovers why Pelham is so rigid, she decides to knock his walls of armour down one by one and introduce a little bit of crazy, wild fun. When the murderer gets too close, it is then that Pelham must decide if his reputation as a hard natured Duke is too much to lose to keep this beautiful fun natured scandalous lady safe and in his life. Will Juliette even consider being his forever?

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If You give a rake a rubyBOOK 2 – If You Give a Rake a Ruby

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DESCRIPTION-Release Date March 2013

Her Mysterious Past Is The Best Revenge…

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

Only He Can Offer Her A Dazzling Future…

Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line…

To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire..

REVIEW

Warrick Fitzhugh is a spy. He is also cast out of his privileged family for the choices he has made in his life. When he discovers that one of “The Diamonds” has a past that links her to a man he seeks, he believes seducing the lady will be all that is required to get the information he desperately requires. Little does he know that this “Diamond” is a tough as nails.

Fallon is considered the “Marchioness of Mystery” for good reason. No one knows where she came from. However, once they take in her beauty, her past doesn’t seem important. While Warrick appreciates and savours her beauty, as a spy for the crown he is set on revealing all of Fallon’s dark secrets to get to the man that is threatening the lives of many. As Fallon participates in one grand adventure after another with Warrick, she begins to trust him (as he begins to trust her) and a love soon blooms. Will a man that once again craves to be a member of a prominent family risk it all for a supposed “courtesan”? Will it be too late and will her life be spared?

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Sapphires Are An Earls Best FriendBOOK 3 – Sapphires Are An Earl’s Best Friend

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DESCRIPTION-Release Date March 4, 2014

She Wants Him…
She Wants Him Not…

Lily Dawson, dubbed the Countess of Charm by the Prince Regent himself, plays the role of the courtesan flawlessly while her real purpose is spying in the service of the Crown. Her mission now is to seduce a duke to test his true loyalties. She’ll do it, even though the man she really wants is Andrew Booth-Payne, Earl of Darlington—the duke’s son.

Andrew is furious when he finds himself rivaling his father for Lily’s attention. When he uncovers Lily’s mission, Andrew is faced with impossible choices. It seems he is destined to betray either his family, his country, or the longings of his own heart…

REVIEW

Then there was Lily. SHE IS MY FAVE! Considered the third “Diamond” of the ton, Lily is nicknamed “The Countess of Charm”. Not as beautiful as Juliette or Fallon, Lily decides her speciality will be charm. She can charm her way through anything, and this time she need to charm a disgusting Duke that seems to be on a rather indulgent journey after losing his wife. Oh I forget to mention …. Lily is also one of the few female spies working for the crown, and the Duke is suspect of treason. Lily just needs the proof.

Andrew, Earl of Darlington, is horrified at his father’s behaviour. He is also ticked off at Lily for trying to invade his father’s life. At first, Andrew believes she is just after the title, but as time passes he begins to realize there is so much more to this understated beauty. Unaware that Lily has loved him for years (he was always drooling over Juliette), Andrew begins to see Lily as a woman and not “like a sister”. Wanting to do all he can to help makes things right, Andrew conspires with Lily to uncover secrets that could ruin his father. With danger all around them, they could not begin to realize that the most damaging danger is between the two of them and involves their bodies and hearts. Will they reveal all the secrets and live through all this destruction? Will they be able to believe that their love can conquer all?

I know I was quite vague in my descriptions of secrets and danger, love etc … and I have done this on purpose. There are so many amazing twists and turns in this series that I could not even dream of ruining it for anyone. It is what made these books so good! Shana Galen really does provide all in her novels. I loved experiencing our couples fight for their love, steaming up the pages, and denying the other only to finally give in. When you add a great back story full of adventure, humour, loveable and despicable characters, you have the makings of a 5 star read!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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