Tag Archives: Historical

The Prince’s Highland Bride by Cathy & DD MacRae-Review & Giveaway

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The Prince’s Highland Bride (Hardy Heroines #6) by Cathy & DD MacRae-Review & Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 10, 2020

Phillipe de Poitiers, a prince of Antioch, finds himself a breath away from wrongful execution. Risking everything, he leaves behind his crown, his family, his country-and a body sworn to be his by the Bishop, himself.Free of court intrigue and drawn to Scotland by memories of a woman who once possessed his heart, Phillipe sells his sword to pay for his travels and accepts the task of guarding the daughter of Laird MacLaren.When Maggie MacLaren’s abusive marriage fails, she want nothing more than to retire to her childhood home on the banks of Loch Lomond. Trouble follows her, putting her clan in danger, and she travels to the Isle of Hola, placing her safety in the hands of a mysterious mercenary with a haunted smile and a kind heart.

As Maggie and Phillipe struggle with their pasts, love blooms. But when a pirate’s treasure offers a seductive lure, will it free them-or prove the downfall of all they hold dear?Phillipe of Antioch, briefly king of Cilicia, would be remembered by the world as an arrogant, presumptuous man, poisoned two years after his marriage to the queen of Cilicia, accused of crimes against his adopted country. This re-imagined telling of Phillipe’s life, one of court intrigue, distrust, and the lust for power, shines a different light (and ending) on the tale.

••••••••••

REVIEW:THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE is the sixth instalment in the adult, historical, HARDY HEROINES Highland romance series co-authored by Cathy and DD MacRae. This is Prince Phillipe de Poitiers, and Maggie MacLaren’s story line. THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE begins in 1224AD and focuses on some of the true events of thirteenth century prince of Antioch, Phillipe de Poitiers, a man whose reputation, and unfortunate politics ended his life in the dungeons of Cis Castle but Cathy and DD MacRae have chosen to write a “what if” storyline wherein the fictional Phillipe de Poitiers, escapes and eventually falls in love.

Told from several third person perspectives including Maggie and Phillipe THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE follows the building relationship between Prince Phillipe de Poitiers, and Maggie MacLaren. An unfortunate turn of events, and battle for power, lands our hero behind bars where he will soon discover he has been marked for termination. With the help of someone he knows, Phillipe will escape finding himself at sea as a mercenary soldier guarding Maggie MacLaren, a woman whose former husband disposed of our heroine when she was unable to conceive following twelve months of marriage. With her dowry no longer a viable option, Maggie is given the rights to a rocky isle where she is determined to spend to the rest of her life. As Maggie, Phillipe and their intrepid crew head to the Isle of Hola, a small island whose current residents are descended from the historical Norse, the island will reveal its secrets, secrets that are about to make the islanders and their land targets of pirates and the greedy few. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Phillipe and Maggie, and the potential fall-out as Maggie, Phillipe and the residents of the Isle of Hola must take a stand to defend the land and people they love.

THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE is a detailed and intricate story of history reimagined; a colorful and captivating tale of family, friendship, relationships and love. The world building is intricate; the premise is engaging; the characters are energetic and charismatic. THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE is a wonderful addition to the Hardy Heroines series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Highland Escape
The Highlander’s Viking Bride
The Highlander’s Crusader Bride
The Highlander’s Norse Bride
The Highlander’s Welsh Bride

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Follow Cathy: Twitter / Goodreads /Website / Facebook

Cathy MacRae lives on the sunny side of the Arbuckle Mountains where she and her husband read, write, and tend the garden—with the help of the dogs, of course.

You can visit with her on facebook, or read her blogs and learn about her books at www.cathymacraeauthor.com. Drop her a line—she loves to hear from readers!

••••••••

D.D. MacRae enjoys bringing history to life and considers research one of the best things about writing a story! With more than 35 years of martial arts training, DD also brings breath-taking action to the tales. You can connect with DD through Cathy’s website.

Cathy & DD MacRae are graciously offering an ebook copy of THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE to ONE (1) lucky commenter  and a $10 Amazon Gift card (US only) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe. 

There will be 2 winners.

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.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

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

3. Follow Cathy MacRae on Facebook.

4. Add THE PRINCE’S HIGHLAND BRIDE to your GOODREADS mountain.

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

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8. ebook giveaway is open internationally: $10 Amazon Gift Card is open to US residents only. There will be 2 winners.

9. Giveaway runs from May 17-22, 2020

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Boudreaux’s Lady by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Boudreaux’s Lady by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Danger makes the heart grow fonder…
Miss Philippa Wilson makes the best of a bad situation. Her lot in life isn’t what she’d choose, but being an upstairs maid for a wealthy baron is better than living on the streets. Little does she know her lackluster days are about to become decidedly more interesting…and dangerous. When a madman wants Philippa dead, it’s going to take more than the plan of her good-hearted employer to save her and find out why she’s being targeted. It’s going to take a hero…or maybe a rogue.
Beauregard Boudreaux is a notorious rogue, living uneventful days and terribly scandalous nights with little thought to settling down. He needs nothing more than a strong drink, a beautiful mistress, and a spirited card game to be happy…When he intervenes to rescue a friend’s upstairs maid from a killer, he’s drawn into a game of cat and mouse with the maid used as bait to draw out the killer. But the more time Beau spends with Philippa as her protector, the more he has an irresistible attraction to this mysterious woman. He also can’t shake the feeling that he’s seen her somewhere before.
But Beau has lost too much in life to risk being hurt again. He can’t let himself fall in love, not even with the temptation Philippa presents to him.
And bloody hell, she is oh-so tempting…

 

 

Review:

Boudreaux’s Lady is a historical romance novel. If you are familiar with Lauren Smith’s League of Rogues Series, you will recognize many of the characters in this new novel. This is a wonderfully thrilling novel with mystery, danger, suspense and of course, sizzling romance.

The main characters of the story are Beauregard Boudreaux and Phillipa Wilson (Selkirk).

This novel begins with a prologue set in London in October of 1806. Lady Albina Selkirk, wife of Cornelius Selkirk, the Earl of Monmouth has given birth to twins. A boy and a girl. The first born was a son, but he was stillborn. The girl was born second and healthy. Lord Monmouth was furious that his only son and heir was stillborn. He cursed at his wife as she lay bleeding out, dying. He instructed the midwife, Lucy, to take the girl to the miller’s cottage (the Wilsons) and make a deal to swap her for their son. He would give them much money to start over and he would raise their son as his heir, but they must all keep silent about it, forever. If they would not take his offer, he would kill the girl child.

The story picks up twenty years later at a ball where the Duke of St. Albans watched his grandson, Roderick, dancing.  He spoke to his good friend and almost neighbor Beau Boudreaux. The duke remarked on how the boy did not favor either him or his father, the Earl of Monmouth. But he loved the boy anyway. He was a good man with a kind heart. Beau and the duke were good friends since Beau was a boy and his mother had moved them here after his father had (a marquess) been killed by a firing squad in France, for his political beliefs. Beau thought of the duke as a surrogate father. The duke told Beau was the anniversary of his daughter’s death during childbirth and showed Beau her portrait in his hall. She was the most beautiful woman Beau had ever laid eyes on.

This setup is a little long, but I’m attempting to let you know what the story entails. I am, of course, leaving out the juicy details and conversations. I don’t do spoilers and you wouldn’t want me to spoil this marvelous tale. The author has done a marvelous job of showing the characters and gently letting you get to know them and their motives.

Our second main character, Philippa, is introduced now. She’s a maid in the household of Lord Lennox and his wife Rosalind (League of Rogues). While making up rooms upstairs, she hears someone arrive to see Lord Lennox. It was Lord Monmouth. Something about his voice chilled her and she became curious. Watching from the staircase as he waited, he became aware and looked up. His face paled and he muttered “No, you can’t be… Not here. It’s not possible.” He suddenly rushed up the staircase and grabbed by the throat and began choking her…

And that’s as far as I go with the setup! Except, she first meets Beau when he helps Lennox try to rescue her after Monmouth has someone kidnap her to kill her. Yes, this is an exciting thriller from start to finish. I haven’t given you much of the details that are included…because I don’t want to spoil it. Grab yourself a copy and make sure you have time to read. You won’t want to put this one down! I couldn’t!

Congratulations to author Lauren Smith on a brilliant novel.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

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Stages of the Heart by Jo Goodman – a Review

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Stages of the Heart by Jo Goodman – a Review

 

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Description:
Experience has taught Laurel to be suspicious of the men who pass through Morrison Station. She’s been running the lucrative operation that connects Colorado’s small frontier town of Falls Hollow with the stagecoach line since she inherited it from her father, and she’s not about to let some wandering cowboy take over the reins. But newcomer McCall Landry isn’t just any gunslinger. He seems to genuinely care for Laurel, and with his rugged good looks and mysterious past, he could be the one man to finally tempt her off track…

Call Landry doesn’t expect much from Falls Hollow. He doesn’t expect much from anything anymore. But Laurel Morrison took him by surprise when she put in a good word for him, a virtual stranger, after the stagecoach was robbed–and she keeps taking him by surprise. Charmed by her clever wit and fierce loyalty, Call finds himself falling hard. Now all he has to do is convince her he means to stay–in her bed, in her life, and in her heart.

 

 

Review:

Stages of the Heart by Jo Goodman is a western standalone novel that takes place in the Colorado frontier.  This is a western historical romance that I really enjoyed, especially with the couple being so likable, as well as Goodman always writes wonderful stories.

We meet our heroine, Laurel Morrison, who runs a stagecoach line (Morrison Station) that connects through Falls Hollow.  Laurel inherited this from her father, and both of her brothers were killed, leaving her alone to run the station.  She has a very good group of people who help her, and she is determined to make sure she wins the contract for the future railroad tracks coming their way. 

Call Landry, our hero, makes an overnight stop at the station, when a robbery is discovered, he agrees to help the driver to the next stop..  Call accepts a job from the head of the stagecoach to go back to Falls Hollow and investigate who stole the money.  Call is happy to go back, as he couldn’t help but be very attracted to Laurel.  In a short time, they will begin to work together to try and discover who was behind the robbery; along the way, they will both succumb to the fantastic chemistry between them.  I loved Call and Laurel together, and got a kick out of the bantering between them.  Will Call stay in Falls Hollow and Laurel?  Will Laurel allow herself to trust her feelings for Call, and his feelings for her?

What follows is a sweet romance between Call, who had quickly fallen hard for Laurel, with him having to convince her that he was serious about his feelings for her and that he wanted to stay.  Will Lauren believe him?  They were so great together, as the romance was fun, humorous and their chemistry was sensual.    The mystery of finding the robber, escalates after finding the body of the suspected robber.  There were a number of suspects, which created the danger and tension.   To say too much more would be spoilers, but I loved this wonderful couple, as well as some great secondary characters.  Jo Goodman did an excellent job in creating a wonderful couple in Call and Laurel, and a story which had a lot of humorous banter, tragedy and an enjoyable romance.  If you enjoy romance, a western and historical background, with a fun sexy couple, then you should read Stages of the Heart.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

Laurel drew her braid forward over her shoulder and fingered it. Up and down. Up and down. Working up to asking the question that had been uppermost in her mind. He seemed to know it, too, because he let her sit there in silence and didn’t feel a need to fill it. “Why are you doing this?” she finally asked. “Why did you accept the job?”
“There are a few different answers to that, all of them true, some of them truer than others. Are you sure you want to know?”
“I asked,” she said. “Yes, I want to know. I want to know the truest answer.”
“All right, but don’t make me sorry I told you. Don’t suddenly get up like you forgot something you have to do and disappear on me.”
“I don’t run.”
“Mm. Let’s see. Here it is: I took Mr. Stonechurch up on his offer because it was an opportunity to see you again.” Call waited to see if she would say something. She didn’t. She didn’t move either. She was so still that she might have been stone. “Are you breathing? Doesn’t seem as if you’re breathing.”
“Yes, I’m breathing.” In fact, her breath had caught for a moment and the next breath she captured was shallow. There was no reason to tell him that. “You must think a lot of yourself if you believe I’d be so flattered that I’d cease to breathe.”
Call shrugged. “I’ve seen it happen.”
“You’re either a liar or a braggart. Neither quality recommends your character.”
He chuckled low in his throat. “True. What about your heart? Did it skip a beat?”
Laurel smirked. “Uh-huh. Tripped right over itself.”
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you? I hear mocking.”
“I’m smirking, too.”
“Can’t see that. Not sure smirking is an attractive expression for you.”
“That’s unfortunate. I do it a lot.”
“Doesn’t put me off, though. I’m still glad I took the job.”
“That’s ridiculous, you know.”
“So you say. I’m satisfied.”
Laurel simply shook her head. “What are the other slightly less true reasons you took the job?”
“So we’re moving on, are we?”
“Yes.” She was firm on that.
“Well, you know I was looking for a job with Stonechurch Mining when this came along. I needed money, and I figured a job was a better way of getting it than thievery. Maybe I can rise a little in your estimation by telling you that stealing never occurred to me.” He waited to see if she would comment. She didn’t so he went on. “I didn’t have enough capital to buy into a poker game. Didn’t want to start riding shotgun again if I could avoid it. And I figured my prospects were limited for what the army trained me to do.”
Laurel peered through the darkness, trying to make out his features and gauge the truth of what he was telling her. “And what was that?”
“Kill.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah,” he said flatly. “You probably don’t want to know if I was any good at it.”
“No, Mr. Landry, I don’t. Your presence is testament enough to your talent for it.”
“Call,” he said.
“What?”
“My name. You keep calling me Mr. Landry, I’m going to stop answering to it.”
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I won’t say your name at all.”
“That’d be better than the other.”
“I’m not sure I understand your objection.”
He shrugged. “Isn’t it enough that I have one?”
Laurel considered that. “All right,” she said at last.
“Thank you.”

 

 

 

 

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Close Up by Amanda Quick – Review & Excerpt

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Close Up by Amanda Quick – Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
Welcome to Burning Cove, California where 1930s Hollywood glamour conceals a ruthless killer…

Vivian Brazier never thought life as an art photographer would include nightly wake-up calls to snap photos of grisly crime scenes or headshots for aspiring male actors. Although she is set on a career of transforming photography into a new art form, she knows her current work is what’s paying the bills.

After shooting crime scene photos of a famous actress, the latest victim of the murderer the press has dubbed the “Dagger Killer,” Vivian notices eerie similarities to the crime scenes of previous victims—details that only another photographer would have noticed—details that put Vivian at the top of the killer’s target list.

Nick Sundridge has always been able to “see” things that others don’t, coping with disturbing dreams and visions. His talent, or as he puts it—his curse—along with his dark past makes him a recluse, but a brilliant investigator. As the only one with the ability to help, Nick is sent to protect Vivian. Together, they discover the Dagger Killer has ties to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood royalty and high society. It is a cutthroat world of allure and deception that Vivian and Nick must traverse—all in order to uncover the killer who will stop at nothing to add them to their gallery of murders.

 

 

Review:

Close Up by Amanda Quick is the 4th book in her exciting Burning Cove series.  This series takes place during the 1930’s in the small town of Burning Cove, California.  Some of the characters we met in the first two books have secondary roles, as we return to Burning Cove.  Burning Cove is a small resort town with many Hollywood stars or the very rich, but it seems that is it also a magnet for danger.

We meet our heroine, Vivian Brazier, who is a freelance photographer, trying to create and sell artistic photographs to galleries; but in order to make money, she also takes pictures at crimes scenes.  Vivian manages to have a different take on scenes, and uses her expertise to sell these crime photos to the local newspaper, for a cover shot, which helps her make ends meet.  After being turned down on a her new artistic series that she offered the local gallery, and after her recent cover photo of a murder from the night before, Vivian receives a visit from a private investigator, who tells her that her life is in danger.

Nick Sundridge, our hero, is the investigator that has been hired to become Vivian’s bodyguard, with his dog, Rex.  Vivian at first doesn’t take him seriously. Why would anyone want to kill her?  She learns that Luther Pell, who we have known since the first book, received information that someone is planning to kill her, and he is the one who hired Nick to protect her.  

Vivian is a wonderful heroine, who is independent, mature, smart, savvy and with an excellent ability to see special secretive things in her photos.  Nick is also a great hero, as he also has a psychic ability that give him visions in dreams of what may happen.  Their romance was slow built, as each began to learn more about each other, and their chemistry was great; in so many ways, they made a great couple who also worked well together, as well as understanding each of their abilities. 

What follows is an exciting story that never lets up, with Vivian and Nick in the middle of all the action.         This intriguing story had a few surprises, which had me guessing until the end.  I thought Rex, Nick’s dog, was a wonderful partner.  I did like Vivian’s sister, Lyra and would love to see her get her own story.   I do not want to give spoilers, saying anything more would ruin the book for you.

Close Up was a wonderful exciting, intense suspenseful story, with a bit of romance, great couple, as well as having a slight paranormal element.  Amanda Quick once again gives us a complex mystery that had a bit of everything and the fun of being in the glamorous world of 1930’s.  I suggest you start this series from the beginning to enjoy the setting of this series, as well as meet some very good characters. However, each book does read very well as a standalone

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Vivian Brazier was attractive but not in the traditional sense. Her features were too striking, too bold, too intriguing. Too compelling. The effect was definitely more than skin- deep. If she lived to be a hun¬dred she would still be a fascinating woman.
Her high-waisted trousers and black silk shirt emphasized her slim, graceful frame. A couple of combs anchored her whiskey-brown hair behind her ears, framing mysterious, unreadable green eyes. She watched him in a way that warned him she saw things other people never noticed. They were the eyes of a woman who viewed the world from a different dimension.
The smile she had given him when she had answered the door, polite and professional though it was, had sent a thrill of delight across his senses. Now he was aware of a deep, prowling curiosity; a need to learn more about Vivian Brazier.
“I don’t know this Luther Pell,” Vivian said.
Rex leaned forward far enough to put his head in the vicinity of Vivian’s right hand. She glanced down at him, frowning a little. Then she reluctantly gave him a couple of pats. Rex grinned a wolfish grin and inched a little closer to Vivian.
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve never met Pell, either,” Nick said. He paused and then decided there was no point keeping the truth from her. “He owns a nightclub in Burning Cove. There are rumors that he’s got mob connections.”
“That’s not exactly a resounding testimonial.”
“I know. But my uncle says Pell also has connections with the FBI and with a certain clandestine government agency. Evidently Pell used to run an intelligence operation during the Great War. All I can tell you is that Uncle Pete trusts him, and that’s enough for me to take this threat seriously.”
“Well, it’s not nearly enough for me to believe what you’re saying.”
“You’ve got every reason to be cautious,” he said. “But if you will call a homicide detective named Archer at the Adelina Beach police station, he will vouch for me.”
“Detective Archer knows you?” Vivian asked warily.
“No, but he knows Luther Pell. They both served in the War. Why don’t you go inside, Miss Brazier, and make the call? Lock your door. I’ll wait out here until you’re satisfied that I’m not dangerous.”
Vivian eyed him with a considering look. “Does this have some¬thing to do with the Dagger Killer?”
He had already figured out that she was a very smart woman, he reminded himself.
“That,” he said, “is a very interesting question. What makes you ask?”
“It’s not as if I’ve got a long history of people trying to kill me. My only experience in that regard occurred about three weeks ago. Now here you are on my front step telling me that someone wants me dead. It strikes me that if there is no connection to the Dagger Killer, we’re discussing an amazing coincidence.”
He nodded, pleased that her reasoning paralleled his. “Strikes me that way, too. But I don’t know the answer yet. Until I do, we should not leap to conclusions. Make the phone call, Miss Brazier. Then I’ll tell you what I do know.”

 

 

 

 

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Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly by Cerise DeLand-a review

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Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly by Cerise DeLand-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 27, 2020

Can you fall in love at first sight…twice…with the same man?

Lady Fiona Chastain hurries to her Aunt’s and Uncle’s May Day Frolic to brighten her dull existence…and accept her dwindling marriage prospects. When her coach breaks down, and the man who rescues her is the very one she’s yearned for these past six years, she’s angry with him for his dismissal of her. Still, she falls for his easy charm.

Then she learns his name, and she’s appalled that his family is among her father’s enemies. Dashing, tender Rory Fletcher, the earl of Charlton, is the one man she must never love!

But her heart is committed.

So is his!

Can their love conquer old hatreds?

Or are some family feuds too bitter to resolve?

•••••••••

REVIEW:Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly is a historical romance set in 1816 in Bath, England.

Lady Fiona Chastain, while not a completely typical woman of the period, is certainly one you can understand. Her father was an awful brute but has died. Her mother has become demented and needs to sometimes be restrained in a special “soft” room. She has complained to not one of her friends, she simply doesn’t want anyone, save the servants, to know. She also hides a small secret. She really can’t see much without her glasses. This led to a huge misunderstanding and the main plot of the story. However, I won’t spoil this for you…read this for yourself.

Rory is the earl of Charlton. Once a soldier he was not supposed to inherit. However, his older brother died and now he was the earl. He’s kind and caring, handsome.
I won’t do spoilers, so let me explain what I found so entertaining and fun about this novel. Author Cerise Deland has done a marvelous job of building her characters. Fiona has been through much, but she’s still a lovely and kind person. She takes good care of her demented mother, even though it embarrasses her. Her vision problems give us much entertainment as you will find out, as do her penchant for cards.

There’s a little family drama here and there as in most stories but these are well and interestingly handled. Romance between the two main characters sizzles from beginning to end. Can love bloom under such circumstances, awwww…that’s the real question! Grab a copy of this clever story and see for yourself. I found it entertaining and enlightening. A great read for days such as we have now.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Never Dance with a Duke by Collette Cameron-a review

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Never Dance with a Duke by Collette Cameron-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5, 2020

The cost of trust is more than she’s willing to pay. But he’ll do everything he can to change her mind…

A scandal ruined her future…
Nicolette Twistleton delights in thumbing her nose at Society. After all, becoming the Spiteful Spinster was what helped her through being jilted by her betrothed. Putting her faith in another man? Impossible. But there’s something about the entirely too handsome and charming Mathias Pembroke that makes her wish she was the kind of woman who could learn to trust again.

A secret can destroy his…
Mathias, Duke of Westfall, wants nothing to do with his inherited title and all the public scrutiny it brings. He has dark secrets to protect, and can’t afford to be distracted by the trappings of Society. What he apparently can be distracted by, however, is the lovely Nicolette. He understands her pain and knows he could help her heal…if only she were willing to open her heart to him.

Can love save them both?
When ghosts from the past emerge and threaten the fragile bonds they’ve begun to build, Nicolette and Mathias find themselves caught between their feelings for each other and devastating scandal. Will love be enough to protect them—or was their happily ever after doomed from the very start?

•••••••

REVIEW: Never Dance with a Duke is a wonderfully written historical romance novel with the emphasis on romance. This is a lovely and delightfully romantic read from beginning to end. This is the story of Nicolette Twistleton and Mathias Pembroke, Duke of Westfall.

Nicolette Twistleton is the sister of Ansley Twistleton, Earl of Scarborough (a title inherited from an uncle). She lives with her mother and brother and was betrothed to Alfonse Bremerton, the Duke of Kilbourne. However, four hours before the wedding he’d sent a small note stating that he could not marry her. He instead eloped to Gretna Green with Maribelle Grosenick, a vulgarly rich American heiress. She puts up walls around her heart and refuses the advances of every man that seriously approaches. She’s decided not to marry at all, but puts on a front of happiness for everyone to see.

Mathias Pembroke, Duke of Westfall inherited his title on the death of his father. His mother and father had a very loving marriage. His sister is recently widowed from a very loving marriage and returned to her family with her two sons. His good friends, also Dukes, are also the friends of Nicolette Twistleton. He has been waiting two years for her heart to heal from being jilted and notice him. He waits patiently in the background, being close and watching how she handles herself. He understands how she keeps her walls up around men. He was jilted as well, years before.

I don’t do spoilers, so just let me set the scene and then tell you why I enjoyed this extremely romantic tale.

Mathias is babysitting a friends large Newfoundland dog. The dog breaks away from the footman walking him and bounds across the park.

Nicolette is walking her little pug puppy through the park in the early morning, when a huge shaggy dog runs up to them. She pulls her puppy into her arms, but the big dog still wants to sniff and play with the puppy. In the process he knocks them both to the ground, twisting her ankle and bruising her arm. Mathias comes to the rescue. He has the footman take the dog back under control and gives the puppy to Nicolette’s maid to take home. He lifts her into his arms (and sparks do fly) and takes her home in his carriage. And the game is afoot!

If you love quick witty dialog, romantic touches, this will thrill you. Mathias is a dream of a man! Nicolette is fighting it, but not all that hard. She is well and truly caught. Mathias has his dream within reach. He’s been patient, seeing the beauty and spirit of the lovely lass. The path to true love is never quite straight, but so worth the trip!

I found the novel refreshingly romantic, heartwarming and exciting. Kudos to author Collette Cameron. A lovely story and warm loving characters. Love the evil ones too!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S

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Seductive Scot by Julie Johnstone & Cecelia Mecca-Review & Giveaway

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Seductive Scot by Julie Johnstone & Cecelia Mecca-Review and Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 23, 2020

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Reikart McCaim doesn’t want to be saved—despite the fact that he’s a time traveler from 2020 New Orleans stuck in medieval Scotland. He holds his jagged secrets close to his chest and wants to keep them that way. Even if he could open up to the incredible woman fate has tossed in his path, they’d both be shredded by the things he can’t let go of. Still, he needs her help. In his time, his father lies in a coma with only one wish: to see Reikart’s mother again, whom he’s always claimed was a time traveler pulled back to her true time. Two of Reikart’s brothers already traveled back to search for her, but they are missing, too. Now, Reikart must find his family and secure the magic cross they need to return to their time. And the lass who is everything he wants but cannot allow himself to have is the only one who can recover it.

Deirdre Irvine’s life is a disaster, and it’s about to get a whole lot messier. She’s been betrayed by her brother, and she finds herself unwittingly embroiled in a plot to gain control of the Scottish throne. Not to mention she’s harboring enormous guilt over failing the sister she adores. So when the unexpected chance to prove herself to her sister arises, Deirdre will do anything to use the opportunity to her advantage. It doesn’t matter that it means putting herself in danger and joining forces with a man who claims he’s from the future. But she is woefully unprepared for the jeopardy he puts her heart in.

For a scarred man and wounded lass, their greatest obstacle may not be the centuries that divide them, but the walls they’ve erected themselves. As Deirdre’s and Reikart’s lives intertwine and they’re confronted with dangerous enemies, she’s about to discover a strength she never knew she had, and he’s about to learn that facing his ghosts may be the only way to save not only himself but the woman he now loves.

••••••••

REVIEW: Seductive Scot by Cecelia Mecca and Julie Johnstone is the third novel in the Highlanders Through Time series. This is the story of Reikart McCaim and Lady Deirdre, daughter of the Earl of Fife.

If you read the first two novels in this series, you’ll recognize the brothers of Reikart McCaim, from Ian who is still with him in the future to the two, Rhys and Greyson who are in 1286. If you haven’t read them…more’s the pity?

What you haven’t been told about Reikart is that he’s damaged himself with guilt over the accidental death of a woman he was with in the future. He had a car accident, being a little reckless and she died. But it wasn’t all his fault, but he has conveniently or perhaps inconveniently forgotten everything that was not his fault. So, although he still has had sex with women, he refuses to truly care for any of them. In fact, he’s been very careful to pick only those who want an evening of uncommitted fun.

You should also be familiar with the character of Lady Deirdre. She’s been portrayed as a possible villain. However, we find that while she believed in her brother, Yearger, she was unaware of his plans and schemes and didn’t know he was an actual villain. There are, however, some truths she must face and does.
I don’t like spoilers, and this is a great series, so I won’t tell you everything, just the things I found fascinating and so very well written.

Reikart and Ian do the chant again, after seeing that their cousin would take care of their father and the family shipping business, just in case…
Reikart actually lands on top of Lady Deirdre in 1286. So, is there some design in where the cross and chant lands someone traveling? Hummmm… food for thought! Anyway, he was immediately being attacked by those invading the castle. No, I’m not going to go into why…that little wonderful part you’ll just have to read for yourself. However, he was defending himself and the lady he’d landed on, with encouragement from her. He was in trouble when a familiar voice stopped the fight. Low and behold it was his brother, Rhys! Okay, that’s enough spoilers.

Here’s the questions I came up with. Is Reikart attracted to Deirdre and her to him? Can these two characters forgive themselves for their human failings enough to live life? How does all this wonderful healing come about? Can they recover the imperative fae cross? How will they get away (truly unique answer)?

These are just a few of the details of this marvelous story. Authors Johnston and Mecca do a marvelous and inventive job of giving us pivoting plots, ingenious saviors, family situations and love and so very much more. Yes, of course the romance is sizzling…how could it not be? BTW, I love the cover!

Reading order and Previous Reviews
Sinful Scot
Sexy Scot

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S

 

About Julie Johnstone

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Author Julie Johnstone first fell in love with romance fifteen years ago when she picked up her first romance novel in an airport gift shop on the way to Conroe, Texas for a family reunion and spent her whole weekend reading rather than water skiing, which up until then was one of her favorite things to do.

Julie is staying up way too late and typing furiously on her keyboard to finish her next book or blog with her fellow authors at Ladyscribes. Julie is married to an amazing lawyer and when she is not running her two precocious children to one activity or another she is trying to seek out some time to stay in shape and see her dearest friends.

•••••••••

About Cecelia Mecca

Follow: Goodreads/Twitter/Website / Bookbub

Cecelia Mecca is the author of historical romance and also writes paranormal romance as C.L. Mecca.

Every heroine, from Lady Sara in the Border Series to Alessandra Fiore in Bloodwite, is your best friend– the one who kicks ass and takes names. When these ladies meet alpha-males who try to take control, sparks fly until the very last page.

Cecelia writes the Amazon bestselling Border Series and brand new Order of the Broken Blade series which take readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles in medieval England and Scotland.

She also has her hands full with the ultimate bad boys– sexy, wealthy and swoon-worthy vampires– a venture not for the faint of heart. Her debut paranormal romance series, Bloodwite, released in 2019.

​Our Highlander-loving, vampire-writing author can be found in Northeast, Pennsylvania​, chai in hand, thinking up new ways to tame both medieval and paranormal playboys. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.

 

Cecelia Mecca and Julie Johnstone are graciously offering an ebook copy of SEDUCTIVE SCOT to ONE (1) commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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10. Giveaway runs from April 25-29, 2020

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To Win a Wicked Lord by Sofie Darling -Review & Giveaway tour

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To Win a Wicked Lord (Shadows and Silk) Book 4 by Sofie Darling -review & Giveaway tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 22, 2020

Lord Percival Bretagne is used to playing games. He survived being a spy for a decade using his wits alone. But that was just life and death, now he’s playing for the most important prize of all—love.

He’ll Stop at Nothing . . .

Ten years after his family gave him up for dead, British spy Lord Percival Bretagne is back home, but his mission is far from over. Playing the aristocrat in London gambling dens and at country house parties is just a cover for Percy’s real quest. He’s hunting the man who stole everything from him—his family, his marriage, even his identity. And this time nothing, and no one, will stand in his way.

She’ll Risk it All . . .

But one night with Isabel Galante changes everything. She’s willing to gamble a woman’s most intimate prize in order to save her imprisoned father, but she didn’t expect a devilishly handsome opponent with a dangerously attractive wicked streak. Isabel would do anything for her family, including betraying Percy, but she has no idea that she’s stumbled into the middle of a decade-long quest for revenge.

Who Will Win in the Game Called Love?

Percy has been betrayed before, and now the man who destroyed his life is using Isabel to strike again. With the fate of the government and his new life in the balance, he’ll have to keep Isabel seductively, scandalously close. They begin a passionate game of truth and lies, deception and dalliance, uncovering the heart of who they really are and realizing that winning might mean losing what matters the most—each other.

•••••••••••

REVIEW:  Although it’s from a series, they all read as standalones.

Percy has been a spy for ten long years, it’s something he’s good at, and he likes it. But he wasn’t always a spy, his past is an interesting one, and we get to see glimpses of it through the story. But we get the full story near the end of the book.
He uses people to his advantage, and has no conscience, it’s for the good of the country (well that’s his excuse) and when an opportunity to return to England presents itself, Percy takes it with both hands. He’s going to end this game once and for all. He lost everything once, he’s not prepared to lose again. But Percy also has a dark side, an addiction to the chase, can he simply give up this spy game and become a Lord once again?

Isabel is a seamstress, but blackmail has her pretending to be a prostitution. She has to win to keep her family together, but meeting Percy throws it all into chaos. I liked Isabel, she had deep family loyalty, but when she meets Percy, she’s torn, does she do as her blackmailer wants? Or can she find a way round this mess, and have Percy and her family?

This is basically a mystery/romance. The main characters are very well written, both have a sense of duty, neither will be taken for a fool, both have been let down in the past. Liked the premise of the book, usually a period romance had the female role as a simpering fool, a weak minded simpleton. But Isabel is more than that, she has a brain, and it’s fully engaged at all time’s.

Percy is your usual rogue, but he has a hidden side, and that becomes more evident the further you get into the book.

Scenes are well written, the romance side is steamy and it rolls at a steady pace.

Click HERE for Julie’s review of book 3 Her Midnight Sin

Reviewed by Julie B ?

Copy supplied for review

 

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Sofie Darling is an award-winning author of historical romance. Her debut novel, THREE LESSONS IN SEDUCTION, won the Writers’ League of Texas’ Manuscript Contest in the Romance Category in 2016.

She spent much of her twenties raising two boys and reading every book she could get her hands on. Once she realized she simply had to write the books she loved, she finished her English degree and embarked on her writing career.

When she’s not writing heroes who make her swoon, she runs a marathon in a different state every year, visits crumbling medieval castles whenever she gets a chance, and enjoys a slightly codependent relationship with her beagle, Bosco.

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