Tag Archives: Juliana Gray

How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray – a Review

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How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray – a Review

 

How To School Your Scoundrel
A Princess in Hiding series – Book #3
by Juliana Gray
Release Date: June 3, 2014

How to School a Scoundrel

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BMM

 

Description:
Princess Luisa has devoted her life to duty, quietly preparing to succeed her father as ruler. Nothing, however, primed her to live on the run, disguised as a personal secretary to a notorious English scoundrel. The earl is just the man to help her reclaim her throne, but Luisa is drawn to her powerful employer in ways she never imagined…

Philip, Earl of Somerton, has spent six years married to a woman in love with another man—he refuses to become a fool due to imprudent emotions ever again. Only, as his carefully laid plans for vengeance falter, fate hands him hope for redemption in the form of a beautiful and determined young princess who draws him into a risky game of secrets, seduction, and betrayal. And while his cunning may be enough to save her life, nothing can save him from losing his heart


Review:
How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray is the 3rd book in her historical romance, A Princess in Hiding series. I very much enjoyed the first two books in this series, as Juliana Gray does a wonderful job in creating a fun storyline with a little bit of everything; romance, historical, mystery, danger, but above all the story had a lot of humor, and was joy to read.

A quick but spoiler free background on this series: Three princesses (Louisa, Stefanie and Emilie) find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown, that has already killed their father. Their uncle, the Duke of Olympia, puts together a plan to separate them in disguise, until it is safe.

This is Louisa’s story, as she is sent to the mansion of the Earl of Somerton, to be his assistant. What I love about these stories is the fun watching each of these young ladies in disguise, and how the hero of the book finds himself becoming somewhat attracted to them. Gray does this so well.

Somerton is our anti-hero, who comes across early on as ruthless, and arrogant. We met him in a previous series of Gray’s, and at that time he was an unlikely hero. Early on, when Louisa arrives to work for Somerton as Mr. Markham, we found ourselves not liking him. Somerton is in an unhappy marriage, as his wife of 6 years, pines for another man, and all he wants is revenge against the man in question. Louisa sympathizes with the wife and her young son, since Somerton is cruel, angry and mean to his wife, totally ignoring her. I personally thought he had every reason to feel this way. J

Somerton tests Mr. Markham, sending him on wild goose chases to ensure his loyalty. It is Markham to finds the proof for Somerton about his wife’s love of the other man. At this point, Somerton finds himself losing control, but it is Louisa who will help him see the light. . Eventually, in time, things will change and he will see the woman under the disguise.

Louisa visits often her “aunt” (Duke Olympia) to check up on her sisters, as it is Louisa who will become the ruler of the crown, and she is the one the traitors are trying to find and kill. She knows she needs someone powerful, like Somerton to help her reclaim her throne, not to mention she finds herself falling for him.

What follows is a wonderful romance, which you knew was coming, but totally took us by surprise as how great they were together. The fact that Gray can redeem someone like Somerton, who was a villain in a previous story, not to mention his unlikeability early on tells you how terrific a writer she is.

How to School a Scoundrel not only is a wonderful, sexy and fun romance, but it also an exciting mystery, with danger throughout that heads to a wild frenzied climax, with a few twists along the way. It was fun to see everyone from all three books come together to fight the enemy. I love Juliana Gray’s writing, as she creates wonderful couples, great secondary characters, and adds such fun humor to her stories. If you enjoy historical romances, with a little bit of mystery, sexy romance, and just simply a delightful read, then this book is for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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How to Master Your Marquis by Juliana Gray – a Review

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How to Master Your Marquis by Juliana Gray – a Review

 

How to Master Your Marquis
A Princess In Hiding – Book 2
by Juliana Gray
Release Date: January 7, 2014
How to Master Your MarquisLinks to order How to Master Your Marquis:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—       until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe…

Of all her sisters, Princess Stefanie is by far the least amenable to law and order, which is why she’s appalled to find herself masquerading as an unbearably drab clerk for the most   honorable barrister in England. But her dull disguise turns out to have its privileges:           namely, the opportunity to consort unchaperoned with her employer’s exceedingly             handsome nephew, James Lambert, the Marquess of Hatherfield.

Hatherfield quickly realizes that his uncle’s spirited new clerk is, in fact, a lovely young    woman of daring habits. The outwardly impeccable marquis isn’t about to reveal her deception. After all, he’s hiding a dangerous secret of his own. But when one too many       escapades with the madcap princess bring Hatherfield’s troubled past to light, it is only      Stefanie’s sharp wits that stand between the marquis and utter disaster, and only   Hatherfield’s daring that can save the princess from the shadowy agents bent on finding   her.

 

Review:

How to Master Your Marquis by Juliana Gray is the second book in her historical romance, A Princess in Hiding series.  If you have not read my review of the first book, the premise of the series is about three sisters (Louisa, Stefanie and Emilie), who are princesses on the run from a plot to overthrow their German principality crown, as their father has been killed.  Their uncle, the Duke of Olympia, puts together a plan to separate them in disguise, until it is safe.  How to Master Your Marquis belongs to Stefanie, the youngest sister, who is sent to England in disguise as a young man, to work for a barrister as a law clerk.

Stefanie, always the wild child getting into constant trouble, finds herself in a boring situation, until she meets the gorgeous hunk, James Hatherfield, the Marquis of the title.  Hatherfield finds himself unusually attracted to the meek Mr. Thomas, but it doesn’t take long for Hatherfield to know that underneath it all, lies a woman.  Not knowing why, he doesn’t let on that he knows.  In time, both Stefanie and James begin to become closer, and eventually fall in love.  What is great about Juliana Gray, she takes romance stories a step above the normal historical.  There is the normal romance, intrigue, wonderful couple, very steamy sex; but what is different, is the humor she uses throughout the story. 

I got of kick out of watching Hatherfield try to hide his feelings for Stefanie, and how other people perceived this to be him falling for another man.  The witty remarks from Mr Thomas/Stefanie or Hatherfield had us laughing quite a few times.  With that aside, this is a wonderful romance, and I loved Hatherfield and Stefanie together, not to mention the sexual chemistry between them was hot.  The focus of the story is that Stefanie is in hiding to protect her life, and when a murder happens, it is Hatherfield who will do what it takes to protect her, even if it costs his own life. 

I don’t want to give spoilers, only to say that this is a sweet and fun story, with a fabulous and fun romance; it is also an exciting story, that had you turning the pages to see what happens, as well as pray that somehow they would find a way to salvage their love for each other. Gray also does an excellent job of creating excellent secondary characters that add to the believability of the story, including an evil conniving bitch, who wants James for herself. 

How to Master Your Marquis is a wonderful addition to this great series.  Juliana Gray    gives us a beautiful sexy romance, an exciting mystery and such delightful fun.  Don’t          miss this one.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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How to Tame Your Duke by Juliana Gray – a Review

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How to Tame Your Duke by Juliana Gray – a Review

 

How to tame your duke

Links to order How to Tame Your Duke:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

Description:
Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe…

England, 1888. Quiet and scholarly Princess Emilie has always avoided adventure, until she’s forced to disguise herself as a tutor in the household of the imposing Duke of Ashland, a former soldier disfigured in battle and abandoned by his wife. When chance draws her into a secret liaison with the duke, Emilie can’t resist the opportunity to learn what lies behind his forbidding mask, and find out what adventure really means…

The duke never imagines that his son’s tutor and his mysterious golden-haired beauty are one and the same. But when the true identity of his lover is laid bare, Moreland must face the demons in his past in order to safeguard both his lady—and his heart.

Review:

How to Tame Your Duke by Juliana Gray is the first book in her new Historical Romance series. Early on we are introduced to the three sisters, (Louisa, Stefanie and Emilie), who will be part of each book in this series.  They are princesses on the run from a plot to overthrow their German principality crown, as their father has been killed.  Their uncle, the Duke of Olympia, puts together a plan to separate them in disguise, until it is safe. 

How to Tame Your Duke is Emilie’s story. She travels in disguise as a man, Mr. Grimsby, to Duke of Ashland’s estate to tutor his 16 year old son.  What ensues is a different and fun story that builds into a wonderful romance.  I loved Emilie, both as herself and as Mr. Grimsby.  Her friendship with Freddie, the duke’s son was fun. 

Duke Ashland is our hero in this book.  He stays on his estate, as he does not like to travel, since he lost his hand, and was badly scarred on the right side of his face during war time.  His wife left him years ago, when he came home from the war, leaving him to take care of his son alone.  Emilie was shocked when she first saw Ashland, looked at his perfect handsome profile, and then to see his flawed side.  But as time goes on, Emilie finds herself becoming attracted to Ashland, but of course, she is unable to show any feelings, as they see her as Mr. Grimsby.

Until Emilie goes on her day off to the hotel nearby to relax as herself, but under another assumed name.  To her shock, she sees Ashland at the hotel, and discovers why he visits there weekly.  Emilie is mistaken as the woman Ashland was waiting for, and comes face to face with him in his room.  He also is under an assumed name, and when he meets Emily, he immediately begins to fall for her, as she treats him not like the other woman, whom he will not let see his face.  Their liason begins tentatively at first, as Ashland has no idea that this Emily, is Grimsby, and what starts out only as her reading to him in blindfold, to a full fledged sexual affair after a few visits, that Emilie cannot stop meeting Ashland.

What follows is a wonderful romance that builds in time,  and the obstacles in the way that could cause danger to Ashland, that prevents Emilie from pushing more for this relationship; not to mention her at some point revealing who she is.  It was a fun and interesting story, as Ashland becomes embroiled in Emilie’s situation, and the danger involved.  But true love will always suffice in romance, and though Gray keeps this open for the next few books, we do get a happy solution to keep us coming back for more.  A wonderful and different type of romance by Juliana Gray.  I look forward to the next book in this series, which belongs to Stefanie.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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A Lady Never Lies by Juliana Gray

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A Lady Never Lies by Juliana Gray

 

Description:
Lady Alexandra Morley, an alluring widow, is desperate to devise a plan to reverse her fortunes. When fate lands her in the arms of Phineas “Finn” Burke, an attractive inventor, she despairs of ever getting what she needs…until they kiss.

Finn has always been impervious to the charms of the female species, intent only on perfecting his “horseless carriage” engine. He never dreamed he’d meet a woman like Alexandra, who is as stubborn as she is comely. Despite the brewing scandal, Finn longs to make Alexandra his wife, but he must first convince the maddening lady that their love is the only thing that matters.

Review:

A Lady Never Lies is the debut novel of Juliana Gray, and her first book in her Affairs by the Moonlight Trilogy.  This is a historical romance that takes place in Italy around the time period of 1890.  As described on Gray’s website…
Three English ladies on a holiday escape. Three dashing bachelors competing in a wager to remain chaste. Three scandalous affairs in an enchanted castle.

Our heroine in A Lady Never Lies is Lady Alexandra Morley, who is widowed and is running away from her home in London to avoid her creditors.  Having been tricked by a nephew into investing in a company going bankrupt, Alexandra is desperate to find a way to salvage the company.  She, her sister and cousin head for a castle near Florence, Italy, where no one would find them.  Alexandra is also protecting her sister, who is also running away from an abusive husband. 

Finn (Phineas) Burke is a successful and wealthy inventor, who makes a deal with his two friends, the Duke of Wallingford and his brother Lord Roland to take a yearly leave from partying every night, and become abstinence for one year.  Finn wants to work on his new invention, an electric car, as he is scheduled to race later in the year, which he is determined to win.  Finn has created his own success, but is not as flamboyant or reckless with woman, like the Wallingford brothers. However, Finn convinces them they need to take this one year leave to save themselves, and they leave London to a castle in Italy.

Of course, along the way, the ladies and the gentleman meet, and find themselves heading for the same castle.  A beat up old castle as it is.  They are forced to share, with each taking a different wing and working together to fix up the place. 

Despite his determination to steer clear of the women, Finn finds himself falling in love with Alexandra, and she with him.  Very early on, I have to admit, I was not crazy about Alexandra, who came across like a rich scheming and selfish snobbish lady.  

But that did not last long.  As Alexandra begins to show interest, perhaps to help her learn more about what Finn is doing, she does begin to fall for Finn.  He, who normally is only interested in his invention, tries his best to avoid Alexandra at all costs.  But he falls hopelessly in love with her.   

This was such a wonderful romance, with a lot of humor and fun watching them hide their attraction from others, as well as the witty comments all around.  The sexual scenes were pretty steamy, but well done, and also fun to see Alexandra truly learning what sex was all about. She was married to Lord Morley, an elder gentleman, and there with little sex between them. But Finn and Alexandra’s romance was beautifully done, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall deeper and deeper in love. 

There was a short glitch, where Finn begins to suspect that perhaps Alexandra was hiding something, and was using him. Alexandra, who was trying to salvage the Motor Company, which her money was tied up with, did hope to possibly learn more from Finn, but she was not using him.  She was totally in love with him.  But Finn leaves the castle, and Alexandra is heartbroken, not knowing why or where he was.  The last ¼ of the book had a wonderful adventure, with a wild car race, with both Finn and Alexandra driving. It was a lot of fun, and this book had quite a bit of humor in it.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the wonderful fun romance of Finn and Alexandra.  Juliana Gray has done a wonderful job writing this book, keeping us interested almost from the start, and I look forward to the next two books, which will most certainly be about the other two couples. If you want a fun romance, with sexual tones, then this is the book for you. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by publisher

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