Tag Archives: Historical Romance

My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe-a review

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MY LADY, MY LORD by Katharine Ashe-a review

My Lady, My Lord

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date: March 10, 2014

Book #1 in a new series of historical romances… with a twist.

The Bluestocking
Lady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.

The Rake
Lord Ian Chance has three pleasures: beautiful women, fast horses, and tormenting high-and-mighty Corinna Mowbray.

Neighbors for years, they’ve been at each other’s throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?

•••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: MY LADY, MY LORD is the first instalment in Katharine Ashe’s historical romance series ‘with a twist’. This is Lord Ian Chance and Lady Corinna Mowbray’s storyline –one that features a ‘Freaky Friday’ switcheroo.

The premises follows Ian and Corinna’s tumultuous relationship-bitter combatants for years in a war of words, our couple will perchance to meet at a museum where an exhibition of Greek statuary is on display. While the couple continues their verbal sparring a stranger will seek information while our couple is ‘arguing’ in front of the statue of Aphrodite and, when all is said and done, Ian and Corinna will wake up the next day in one another’s body.

What ensues is a storyline of enemies to friends to lovers. Our couple has been fighting with each other since childhood and now that each is living the other’s life,  their true feelings will surface when threats are made and lives are in danger.

There are several secondary characters including Ian’s brother and friends as well as a town full of woman hoping to find love or at the very least financial security. There is no graphic sex or violence and, no foul language. This is a story of romance, mystery and a little bit of magic.Ian and Corinna’s relationship is one of denial-two stubborn people in love- that may very well place their future together in jeopardy.

The storyline twists the typical switcheroo scenario where a man and woman must endeavor to live as the other half but I did have some difficulty keeping up with the Corinna/Ian /Ian /Corinna dialogue. It was very disconcerting at times; I had to go back and reread on many occasions because the person talking was not necessarily the person noted in the book-it was Corinna as Ian or Ian as Corinna or Corinna as herself and so on. Confusion reigned throughout most of the first half of the read-I didn’t know who was talking most of the time.

Katharine Ashe writes an interesting storyline where magical entities are at work; where lessons are learned and taught; where love truly does conquer all. This is the first storyline in the series and I hope that the subsequent stories are not as confusing to the reader. Perhaps a different type of ‘magical’ formula is necessary for coherency.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin-a review

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The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin-a review

The Jade Temptress

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THE JADE TEMPTRESS (The Pingkang Li Mysteries #2) by Jeannie Lin

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 18, 2014

Welcome to the infamous Pingkang Li—home of the celebrated Lotus Palace courtesans, and a place of beauty and treachery…

Charming and seductive, Mingyu is the most sought-after hostess in the pleasure quarter. She has all men wrapped around her finger—except Constable Wu Kaifeng, the one man she can’t resist, the only man to have placed her in chains.

Wu Kaifeng’s outwardly intimidating demeanor hides a reluctant, fierce attraction to beautiful Mingyu. But the passionate temptation she presents threatens to destroy them both when a powerful official is murdered and they find themselves on a deadly trail. Amid the chaos, a forbidden affair could change Mingyu’s fate forever, for following her heart is bound to have consequences…

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE JADE TEMPTRESS is the second instalment in Jeannie Lin’s historical romance mystery series set in the Tang Dynasty of historical China. This is courtesan Mingyu and Constable Wu Kaifeng’s storyline. When Mingyu finds the prominent and powerful General Deng beheaded all fingers point to the beautiful courtesan who was known to be one of the General’s favorites. We were first introduced to Mingyu and Kaifeng in The Lotus Palace-book number one.

The storyline focuses on Kaifeng’s investigation into the murder of General Deng as well as Mingyu’s fight to prove her innocence. There is a prior history between Kaifeng and Mingyu that started at the Lotus Palace months before when Mingyu was the prime suspect in another murder. As Kaifeng searches for clues, Mingyu must fight off the advances of another investigator who wants Mingyu for himself.

The relationship between Kaifeng and Mingyu is surprising as they have been battling one another for several months. They deny their attraction to one another at every opportunity and both refuse to admit that there is any possibility of a future.

THE JADE TEMPTRESS is a compelling story of intrigue, suspense and romance. The secondary characters are an eclectic mix of reprehensible and familiar; engaging and colorful. The world building continues with the inclusion of The Lotus Palace courtesans and their Mother as well as some of the previous storyline characters.

Jeannie Lin pulls the reader into the mystical and secretive world of the fabled courtesan where the famous and infamous meet behind closed doors whispering secrets about life, love and the political machine. THE JADE TEMPTRESS is a story about one woman’s fight for freedom and the man who will do almost anything to ensure she gets what she wants.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Shelley Munro – Mistress of Merrivale – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Shelley Munro – Mistress of Merrivale – Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Mistress of Merrivale Banner

Mistress of Merrivale
by Shelley Munro
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Genre: historical, romance

Mistress of MerrivaleLinks to order Mistress of Merrivale:
Samhain Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Description:
A marriage of convenience…full of inconvenient secrets.

Jocelyn Townsend’s life as a courtesan bears no resemblance to the life she envisioned in girlish dreams. But it allows her and her eccentric mother to live in relative security—until her protector marries and no longer requires her services.

Desperate to find a new benefactor, one kind enough to accept her mother’s increasingly mad flights of fancy, Jocelyn is nearly overwhelmed with uncertainty when a lifeline comes from an unexpected source.

Leo Sherbourne’s requirements for a wife are few. She must mother his young daughter, run his household, and warm his bed. All in a calm, dignified manner with a full measure of common sense. After his late wife’s histrionics and infidelity, he craves a simpler, quieter life.

As they embark on their arrangement, Leo and Jocelyn discover an attraction that heats their bedroom and a mutual admiration that warms their days. But it isn’t long before gossip regarding the fate of Leo’s first wife, and his frequent, unexplained absences, make Jocelyn wonder if the secrets of Merrivale Manor are rooted in murder…

Warning: Contains mysterious incidents, a mad mother who screeches without provocation, scheming relatives, and a captivating husband who blows scorching hot and suspiciously cold. All is not as it seems…and isn’t that delicious?

Review:

Mistress of Merrivale is a wonderful new book by Shelley Munro. It’s basically historical romance with a unique mystery/crime premise. I just never considered how very hard it would be to solve crimes back in the 1700’s.  To prove someone committed a crime you pretty much had to catch them red-handed.  This was made so much more difficult by no phones, no fingerprints, and no modern crime investigation methods at all.  It’s really interesting!

The story begins with Joycelyn Towsend, a lovely young woman whose father after having successfully married two of his daughters to titled men, lost his family money and business gambling and offered his home and last daughter as payment of his debts.  Yeah, he was a real charmer, I’m sure.  So Joycelyn became a consort to a very brutal man to pay her father’s debts.  When her father died, she took in her mother (her sisters didn’t want to soil their hands with her) who suffered from dementia and more. 

She was then won in another card game by Tobias Sherbourne, Earl of Melburn.  He was a kind and gentle man with a great deal of money.  However, he fell in love and proposed to another lady and had to set Joycelyn free. Tobias was such a good man and knew her circumstances were not of her own making, so he arranged for her to meet and marry his cousin Leo Sherbourne of Merrivale.  Leo’s wife had died and he needed a wife for his daughter and wanted one that would be easily cared for and would do as asked and not betray him with other men, as his first wife had done.  A marriage was arranged and she would even be allowed to take her mother with her to the country estate.

What’s interesting is, Leo is really attracted to Joycelyn and is looking forward to this marriage.  She’s also attracted to him, and even thought she doesn’t know him is also looking forward to this.  This would have been a wonderful story if just the romantic part was all there was; but Ms. Munro has chosen to weave a very intricate and really intriguing story of betrayal, murders, and so much more into this.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well written story! In fact, I couldn’t put it down.  So, of course, I didn’t.  I just had to find out what was going to happen next.  Would Joycelyn fall in love, would Leo and what would happen to the mother…you get the picture.

Do yourself a favor grab this wonderful book, your favorite beverage, some snacks; and please don’t forget the tissues!  This will keep you guessing; make you laugh, cry, and swoon.  All the things that make life and a book worthwhile.

This was my first book by Shelley Munro, but it certainly won’t be my last.  I look forward to much more from this talented author.  Enjoy everyone, I really did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Author


guest post

Six Reasons to Read a Historical Romances

1. A historical romance is a cheap and comfortable way to time travel back to the past. The reader has the best of both worlds—the historical world with handy snacks and restrooms!

2. There is a historical era for everyone, and historical romances are much more interesting than those history classes back at school. Vikings, Medieval, Regency, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Tang Dynasty, 1930s, World War I or II. The world of historical romances is diverse and entertaining.

2. Most of the heroes are alpha, and there’s more than one bad boy between the pages of a historical romance.

3. Tired of all those contemporary billionaires? Try a sexy historical man instead. Nine times out of ten, he has money, position and dresses well.

4. The men knew how to seduce a woman. They were masters in the art of seduction, and could make a woman’s knees knock with a heated glance or a softly spoken word.

5. The clothes were sexy and displayed the body. Men wore tight breeches and the women wore tight corsets to define their waists and lift their breasts. Uncomfortable—maybe, but very sexy too!

6. Classic plots such as marriage of convenience work beautifully in a historical setting. In fact most of my favorite marriage of convenience stories are historical romances such as A Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.

My latest release, Mistress of Merrivale features the marriage of convenience trope. This type of story comes with inbuilt conflict and makes for an exciting journey to happy ever after.

What do you like about historical romances?


Giveaway Black and Deep Rose

Shelley is graciously offering an e-copy of one of her Historical romances, The Spurned Viscountess to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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 Internationally.

6. Giveaway runs from April 9 to April 12, 2014

 

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The Duke’s Quandary by Callie Hutton – a Review

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The Duke’s Quandary by Callie Hutton – a Review

The Duke's QuandaryLinks to order The Duke’s Quandary:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
This is the first sequel to The Elusive Wife. In the Duke’s Quandary, we are re-introduced to Jason’s best friend, Drake, who is now the Duke of Manchester.  Drake, duke of Manchester has always known he would one day step into his father’s shoes. However, the older man took the family by surprise when he died in a riding accident.  Not feeling ready for the responsibilities, Drake decides marrying a perfect woman will assure him, as well as the ton, that he is, indeed, up to the job. Miss Penelope Clayton, a shy and somewhat clumsy botanist, intends to spend her life as a spinster, crawling around in the dirt pursuing her work.  That all changes when her aunt insists she travel from her home in the country to London and present herself to the dowager duchess of Manchester who will guide Penelope through a Season.  The first meeting between Drake and Penelope is a disaster, and he resents his mother’s request that he help keep their houseguest’s dance card filled with eligible gentlemen.  He wants to spend the time this season looking for the perfect wife.  Penelope doesn’t want a husband, and Drake surely doesn’t want her for a wife.  But things change when they’re caught together in a compromising situation.  Will he have his perfect duchess?


Review;

Having recently become a fan of historical romances, this one did not disappoint me one bit.  I’ve never read anything before by Callie Hutton, but let me just say this won’t be the last for me.  I thoroughly enjoyed this read.  The Duke’s Quandry is a short and fast paced read and many times had me chuckling out loud at the antics of one Penelope Clayton. 

I would have to say that the reason I enjoyed this read so much would be because of our unlikely heroine, Penelope Clayton.  Her whole persona appealed to me and many times had me thinking, yup that would so be me in that situation at a coming out ball.  You see Penelope is not your typical lady of the ton in a society where ladies are to present themselves in just such a way.  No, not at all, she’s shy, clumsy, introverted and a tad on the geeky side, and just wants to be left to her botany pursuits.  I don’t know how many times I laughed out loud at something that happened to poor Penelope.  Whether she was bumping into pieces of furniture because her aunt convinced her she’d never find a husband wearing her glasses, or knocking drinks over, or crawling around in the dirt digging up flowers while catching her night gown on fire, and causing our poor Duke to wring his hands over her, she just brought the story to life for me.  Penelope was a like a breath of fresh air in a stuck up society where ‘perfection’ in a wife is what the men are looking for.

Which leads me to our hero, Drake the Duke of Manchester.  Having decided in order to show he is ready to truly take up the mantle of Duke of Manchester after their father perished in a riding accident he decides it’s time to find a wife amongst the ladies of the ton.  Looking for the ‘perfect’ lady doesn’t go quite as he thought it would.  For some reason there’s just something about Penelope that keeps drawing Drake to her, and causing him to loose all control and reason around her.  Even though she’s constantly causing him grief with her awkwardness in society, and pretty much driving him batty, he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and he can’t quite figure out why.  I got such a kick out of watching Drake flounder around where Penelope was concerned, and convince himself that there were no feelings of love developing towards her on his part.  There were times he seemed completely clueless where he and Penelope were concerned, but then the more time he spent with her, and the more he got to see just who Penelope really is, we get to see a transformation in Drake as he begins to realize maybe he doesn’t need the ‘perfect’ wife, but a wife who’s perfect for him. 

I would have to say that Ms. Hutton has another hit on her hands with The Duke’s Quandry.  It’s a fresh and witty story, with plenty of comical scenes that will have you chuckling to yourself many times.  Penelope is the type of heroine that you can really identify with, and come to adore.  You want to see her succeed in both her botany pursuits and finding love.  I really enjoyed the way Ms. Hutton slowly built up the romance between these two characters and allowed the reader to come to know both and see how each see themselves in society and in a relationship.  The descriptions of the balls, ballrooms and gowns transports the reader back in time to a place where the girls had coming out balls to be presented to available suitors.  I felt like I was right there with Penelope worrying about how I was going to do at the latest ball I was being dragged too.  For anyone who is a fan of historical romances, then I highly recommend this one and trust me you won’t be disappointed. 

Until next time, happy reading!

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by publisher

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Summer at Rye by Lucy Oliver – a Review

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Summer at Rye by Lucy Oliver – a Review

 

summer at RyeLinks to order Summer at Rye:  Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Description:
A tragedy brought Eva Brookwell and Samuel Shaw back into each other’s lives. But will lies from the past destroy their chances of a future?

Left penniless after the death of her philandering father, Eva Brookwell takes a job as a governess at Rye Hall, but didn’t expect to find her young charges scarred and blinded from smallpox. Rye Hall is an unhappy house with a tyrannical master and Eva is forced to turn to her pupils’ uncle, Samuel Shaw for help.

Eva and Samuel had once been engaged, until his lies drove them apart. Still in love with him, Eva knows she could never trust him again; however he is her only ally in the dark and disturbed household she now lives in

 

Review:

Summer in Rye by Lucy Oliver is a historical romance novella. This was a fast and very nice read.  It is different then what I have read before of Oliver.  The heroine of the story is Eva, who has to take a job as governess at Rye Hall, since her family is in dire need of funds.  Eva has no experience, as she never needed to work, coming from wealthy family.  But her father lost all the money with a bad investment, and then died leaving Eva, her mother and sister penniless.  When Eva meets the family, she knows the master is tyrant, with even his wife scared of him.  The two children are disfigured and one blind, due to small pox, which their father did not care or want to get them vaccinations that would have prevented this.   Eva does her best to help the children and avoid Shaw, who looks at her with evil eyes. 

The main part of the story though is Eva’s old flame Samuel Shaw, comes home to his brothers mansion and finds Eva. Both loved each other before, but due to unfortunate circumstances, Samuel broke off his engagement to Eva.  Eva ignores Samuel, but in time he tells her he still loves her, and explains why he left.  Can Eva understand Samuel’s predicament and forgive him?  Will she be able to keep her distance from the Head of the house, who thinks of all women as sluts?  Does this have a HEA?

Since this is a novella, saying too much more would be spoilers.  Summer in Rye was a nice simple love story of a couple that had quite a few odds against them, and the exciting ending was very good. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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David (Lonely Lords #9) by Grace Burrowes-a review

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David (Lonely Lords #9) by Grace Burrowes-a review

David

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

David Worthington, Viscount Fairly, has inherited a brothel he does not want, but hesitates to sell for fear his employees will not be treated well by the establishment’s next owner. He hits upon the idea of hiring Letty Banks, a courtesan currently without protector, to serve as madam, but soon finds himself attracted to her on more than just a physical level.

When serious harm befalls Letty as a function of her role at David’s brothel, he realizes he cannot continue to exploit a woman he cares for. He arranges a way for Letty to return to obscure respectability, and prepares to walk out of her life, only to find he cannot leave her undefended against the trouble bearing down from her past.

REVIEW

5 out of 5 for this reader folks! I know …. what a shocker huh?? LOL

Dear Grace, I adore you! Love Rachel (one of your biggest fans and one who is still waiting for you to mail me my own Lonely Lord .. I will even let you pick who … but DAVID would be a great choice!) WINK

David by Grace Burrowes is the 9th book of her Lonely Lords series and WOWSA! We’ve met David a few times in her past LL books and he was always a bit of a mystery. We were teased with his personality and I have to admit I was REALLY happy to start his book. David Worthington is the Viscount Fairly who absolutely loves his family, is trained as a physician although he doesn’t formally practise, is proper as needed but flies by the seat of his pants in a fairly jovial manner (underneath is a fair amount of complicated though), and has inherited a brothel that he is quite unsure what to do with.

Letty Banks is a known courtesan that just so happens to have had David’s ex brother in law as her last protector before he died. Now Letty is left to make it on her own and she is slowly drowning in poverty and starvation. When a close friend brings this knowledge to David’s attention, David makes contact and ends up offering Letty the position of Madam at his brothel. This idea may kill two birds with one stone (David can carry on his life without worrying about the running of his brothel and Letty gets to eat and live a little better), but creates a whole wack of possible trouble for the couple.

David cannot seem to stay away from Letty who he comes to find rather guarded for a supposed courtesan. Letty is suspicious of everyone and their intention and rightfully so as the story begins to unravel. When Davis is pretty much up front with her about his attraction towards her, Letty finds she really wants to lower her walls and let him in a little. She also believes lowering her walls makes her vulnerable and she has too much trouble from her past to be vulnerable.

These two are so meant for each other and you know you are reading a great story when you start it and before you know it you are more than half way through and you have missed what real life has been happening around you. LOL Most of Grace Burrowes books are like this and I am considering writing a Do Not Disturb reading Grace Burrowes sign for my bedroom door. David is a charmer but a “lay it all out, you can trust me” charmer. These two do really start with a beautiful friendship and I think it is that friendship that enables them to take the next few steps. Letty of so complex and multi layered and experiencing David peeling these layers back made my heart happy! Let me tell you though .. Letty peels David’s layers just as well!

Another great read. I don’t like to give away much of the story, but those that have read my reviews know that I am a HUGE historical romance fan. Only a choice few series go on my “MUST KEEP” shelf, and The Lonely Lords is absolutely one of them!

One last thing … 9 books in this series, released all in one year. That blows my mind and one would think the quality would suffer. NO WAY did quality suffer here. Just goes to show how talented of an author we have here when ALL my reviews in this series have rated 5 out of 5.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe-Promotion

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My Lord, My Lady by Katherine Ashe-Promotion

My Lady, My Lord

ebook ONLY $2.99 until March 31, 2014-after that date price will be $3.99

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 10, 2014

Book #1 in a new series of historical romances… with a twist.

The Bluestocking
Lady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.

The Rake
Lord Ian Chance has three pleasures: beautiful women, fast horses, and tormenting high-and-mighty Corinna Mowbray.

Neighbors for years, they’ve been at each other’s throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?

excerpt

“Pelley is in there.”

Corinna halted her flight and looked over her shoulder. Ian stood in partial shadow, his long legs and handsome face slanted with torchlight.

“He is?” she said.

He folded his arms over his chest. “I thought that might stop you.”

“Are you telling the truth?”

“I never lie.”

She bit her lower lip. “I didn’t consider the possibility of his presence here.”

He frowned, his gaze slipping along her bodice to her hips. “Apparently.”

“Don’t look at me with such disapproval,” she snapped. “Your doxies wear much less than this.” How on earth had she gotten herself into this? What had she been thinking? He was right: this was not she. She was trying to be something she wasn’t and making a fool of herself. And now Lord Pelley would see her in this scandalous gown, and any last hope she might still have of convincing him she was the serious woman to whom he should sell his publishing company would be lost.

“I don’t disapprove,” Ian said. “Quite the contrary. I’m merely curious as to your motive.”

The words that were so easy to practice alone in her dressing chamber now clogged her throat. His eyes sharpened. For a moment that seemed like forever, neither of them spoke.

He strode forward and grasped her arm. Raindrops pattered on the shoulders of his dark coat and her lashes.

“I’m taking you home.”

She resisted. “What if I don’t want you to?”

“Oh,” he said in a low rumble. “You want me to.”

About The Author Black and Blue

Katharine AsheKatharine Ashe is the award-winning author of historical romances that reviewers call “intensely lush” and “sensationally intelligent,” including How to Be a Proper Lady, an Amazon Editors’ Choice for the Ten Best Romances of 2012, and I Married the Duke, Historical Romance of the Year nominee in the 2013 Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Awards. A professor of history, she writes fiction because she thinks modern readers deserve grand adventures and breathtaking sensuality too. Please visit her at www.KatharineAshe.com.

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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?

_______________________

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

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

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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