Review: The Unforgettable Hero: A Playful Brides Story

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Sheila

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Unforgettable Hero: A Playful Brides Story

The Unforgettable Hero (Playful Brides, #4.5) by Valerie Bowman
Series: Playful Brides #4.5
Published by Swerve on February 2nd 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 100
Goodreads
three-half-stars

Amusing Little Story But Honestly Little Romance

“She’d called him a hero. No one had ever done that before. No one would ever do that again. In that moment, that one unforgettable moment, she’d made him feel like a hero. Her hero. Jesus, was it wrong to wish that she’d never remember who she truly was?”

FINAL DECISION: The story was amusing but there were too many things going on and the romance suffered. This story is enjoyable but don’t expect a deep romantic connection.

THE STORY: Cecelia Harcourt is an aspiring romance writer trying to sell her book to avoid a forced marriage to her cousin. When an accident results in amnesia, Cecelia believes that she is the heroine in her novel with the man who rescued her as her betrothed. Lieutenant Adam Hunt is the youngest brother of a duke. He is at a crossroads of his life when he sees a young woman being run down by a carriage. When she awakens, she believes that he is Peter, her betrothed. While he goes along with her belief at the request of the doctor, he begins to find he likes the intelligent young woman.

OPINION: This novella has an amusing premise. Cecelia, after an accident, believes that she is heroine in her novel and that her novel is her life. Her situation is humorous. At the same time, her actual story is somewhat like her own romance novel with a different plot. She has a sister who needs medicine. An evil uncle trying to force her marriage to her greedy cousin. For me, I enjoyed the story but the romance was superficial. Adam and Cecelia don’t really get to know one another at all. This is a book where everything is the plot and the dramatic situation. A nice read, but not a compelling romance.

WORTH MENTIONING: How many of us would like to be the heroine of a romance novel?

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE UNFORGETTABLE HERO is book 4.5 in the Playful Brides series. Although there are characters from the novels, this novella can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Save

Review: The Hunter

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Sheila

The Hunter (Victorian Rebels, #2) by Kerrigan Byrne
Series: Victorian Rebels #2
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on February 2nd 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 432
Goodreads
five-stars

I Loved This Better Than the First in the Series

“Christopher Argent was a creature born of nightmares, a man who looked evil in the face and challenged it to a duel. Millie acknowledged that in this instance, she didn’t need a white knight, but a shadow that could traverse the darkness with the cunning and speed of that lethal viper.”

FINAL DECISION:

THE STORY: Christopher Argent is a hunter, a hired killer and assasin. Born and raised in Newgate Prison, Christopher is the “coldest, deadliest man in all London.” He is hired to kill Millie LeCour, an actress and mother and supposedly a whore and thief. When he arrives at the theater to kill her, he finds himself entranced by Millie and unable to bring himself to kill for the first time. Instead, Christopher offers Millie a bargain — a night in her bed in exchange for his protection. Millie will do anything to protect her son and her attraction to Christopher makes their bargain palatable and perhaps even desirable.

OPINION: Oh, I am a sucker for these dark, dangerous and damaged heroes. Christopher is a man who has lost so much that he desires nothing. He survived a monstrous childhood by shutting out all emotions and being a cold killer. When he sees Millie, her vivacity changes him. Even as he finds himself fascinated, he doesn’t understand what is happening to him. This book chronicles his journey from cold killer to a man who can love. The ability to make a man who kills without remorse a hero is a difficult task, but Byrne does a marvelous job of allowing readers such insight into Christopher that his transformation is believable.

Millie is a heroine to admire. Practical, accomplished, ambitious, professional, loving and willing to risk everything for Christopher and her son. She is a professional actress and this book depicts that life in a way that feels organic and real. I especially enjoyed how Millie is not waiting for a man to rescue her. In both this book and in THE HIGHWAYMAN, Byrne depicts women who are making their own way through life by way of their own work and efforts.

Dark, romantic and complex, the romance between Christopher and Millie is not for readers looking for a light and humorous read. But for those of us who love our heroes on the edge of being the villain with must angst and drama, this book is for you.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are significant appearances by the hero and heroine from the first book in the series, THE HIGHWAYMAN. I was pleased to see how their marriage was going.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE HUNTER is the second book in the Victorian Rebels series. It can be read as a standalone but is better read after the first book in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Save

Review: If You Kissed Me: A Farthingale Novella

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Sheila

If You Kissed Me by Meara Platt
Series: Farthingale #2.5
on 2015
Genres: Historical
Pages: 80
Goodreads
four-stars

IF YOU KISSED ME is a short novella in the Farthingale series. It is best read after at least the first book in that series so that the characters are familiar. I recommend reading both MY FAIR LILY and THE DUKE I’M GOING TO MARRY before this novella to best appreciate it.

This is the story of Lady Evangeline Cameron, the granddaughter of a duke who is expected to marry well and the man who fascinates her, commoner Dr. George Farthingale. With the help of George’s nieces, Evie makes a play to have the proper doctor to kiss her. This is a sweet little story. Sometimes novellas feel rushed and incomplete. Not this one. The characters end up being well formed and their story has a nice arc to it. This is an unlikely couple as the story begins and perfect together by the end. The story is clever and turns expectations around several times. A sweet, light little story that brought a smile to my face.

Review: Hanover House

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Sheila

Hanover House (The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, #0.5) by Brenda Novak
Series: The Evelyn Talbot Chronicles #0.5
Published by Brenda Novak on September 1st 2015
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 200
four-half-stars

Great Start to Romantic Suspense Series

“She wasn’t often attracted to someone like she was attracted to him — and had been from the first moment she’d set eyes on him. Especially someone who didn’t particularly like her in return.”

FINAL DECISION: While nothing is ultimately resolved in this book — it is a prequel, it does its job of making me want to read more about Evelyn, her project and her relationship with Amarok. Suspenseful but also a good romance, I hope the series lives up to the prequel.

THE STORY: Evelyn Talbot is a psychiatrist who studies serial killers and criminal minds. Kidnapped and tortured as a teen by her boyfriend, Evelyn is compelled to try and understand why people do such things. As part of her work, she is coordinating the building of a mental health center/prison in Hilltop, Alaska in order to house and study notorious killers. Many of the residents around the new facility are not pleased to have it in their vicinity. One of those is Alaskan State Trooper Benjamin “Amarok” Murphy. He is unhappy about the center, but attracted like crazy to Evelyn. At the same time, Evelyn’s own past is preventing her from having any relationship including one with the younger and handsome trooper. Also, the man who killed her friends and tried to kill her is still on the loose and may still be trying to kill her twenty years later.

OPINION: This is my first book by Brenda Novak, but it won’t be my last. This book has me intrigued by Evelyn’s story. In some ways, she has recovered from the crimes committed against her when she was sixteen and in other ways she is still that terrified teenager. Her budding relationship with Amarok has the possibility of allowing her to move beyond her past — and, of course, it is precisely at that moment that the past threatens to suck her back in.

This book is creepy and suspenseful and sometimes scary which is exactly what I like in my suspense books. What pleased me the most was how much time was devoted to the relationship between Evelyn and Amarok. Admittedly, I am a romance reader first so I prefer my suspense with a hefty dose of romantic relationship. This book satisfied that requirement for me.

Evelyn and Amarok are just so cute together. She is incredibly vulnerable and he is a protector by nature. Evelyn has lots of hangups and this man who is seven years younger than her attracts her but for her a relationship seems impossible for so many reasons. Amarok’s practical and down to earth demeanor is a perfect contrast to Evelyn’s understandably neurotic behavior.

Along with the intriguing cast of evil characters (the inmates who will inhabit Hanover House), I hope that future books will have a heavy dose of Evelyn and Amarok’s developing relationship.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is the beginning of a series dealing with serial killers. The prequel introduces the overarching plotline and the romantic relationship between Evelyn and Amarok.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HANOVER HOUSE is the prequel to the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles previously known as the Hanover House Chronicles series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Save

Review: The Duke I’m Going to Marry

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Sheila

The Duke I'm Going to Marry by Meara Platt
Series: Farthingale #2
Published by Meara Platt on January 30th 2015
Genres: Historical
Pages: 282
Goodreads
five-stars

Beautiful with a Balance Between Drama and Lightness

“When Dillie Farthingale crossed to her bedroom window to draw the draperies before retiring to bed, she never expected to wind up in front of the Farthingale townhouse, elephant gun in hand, worried that she’d just shot the Duke of Edgeware.”

FINAL DECISION: This is one of those books that I finished, sighed and then immediately wanted to return to my favorite passages. I loved both the hero and the heroine who are likeable in a story with humor, mystery, romance and sexy scenes. A keeper!

THE STORY: Daffodil “Dillie” Farthingale rescues Ian Markham, the Duke of Edgeware, outside her family’s townhouse from villains attempting to murder him. Ian ends up spending a week in Dillie’s bed recovering from his injuries. If that informations gets out, Dillie will be ruined regardless of how innocent Ian’s time in her bed was. Ian is a notorious rake and has sworn never to fall in love or marry. Despite this, he has been obsessed with Dillie for two years. He always seems to be there when he is needed. This time, Ian might need Dillie as it appears that someone is determined to kill Ian.

OPINION: I absolutely loved this book. I am a fan of the dark damaged heroes and Ian fits that bill exactly. At the same time, he is kind to Dillie and somewhat reluctantly fascinated by her. He has a dark and sad past and while he intends never to fall in love or marry, he keeps turning up around Dillie. Ian is a man who has become notorious as a way of dealing with his pain. What he really wants, however, is love and caring and companionship and family. The sweetness of how much Ian wants what he tells himself he cannot have made me love him as a hero.

Dillie is the perfect match for Ian because of her deep well of caring. Platt has done a remarkable job of differentiating the various Farthingale sisters — especially the twins Dillie and Lily. The personalities of the two sisters are different but not stereotypical opposites. Dillie is caring and funny and clever and determined and patient. I liked that she loves her family, finds them annoying at times, and also misses them as she is the only unmarried sister. These traits give Dillie individuality and complexity.

For me, the highlight of this book is the relationship between Dillie and Ian. From the beginning, it is clear that Ian needs Dillie and her capacity for love and caring. Dillie’s attraction to Ian and Ian’s reluctant attraction to Dillie just made me happy. Sometimes couples just click in books — Ian and Dillie did. They are clearly so perfect for one another and only Ian’s haunted past keeps them apart.

This book contains a mystery regarding who is trying to kill Ian. The story serves as the vehicle to examine Ian’s past. It also provides the impetus to bring Ian and Dillie together. The story is sad at the same time it is a good mystery. It drives the story well while allowing the relationship between Dillie and Ian to shine.

I can’t wait to read the stories of the three older Farthingale sisters.

WORTH MENTIONING: The Farthingale series has an interesting structure. As the series began, three of the five sisters were already married. At the end of this book, all the sisters are married. I love that the next book in the series goes back to tell the story of one of the married sisters.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DUKE I’M GOING TO MARRY is the second book in the Farthingale series. This book can be read as a standalone. While it takes place after the events in the first book, the two books can be read in any order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

Review: My Fair Lily

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Sheila

My Fair Lily (Farthingale, #1) by Meara Platt
Series: Farthingale #1
Published by Booktrope on October 13th 2014
Genres: Historical
Pages: 264
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Funny, Light Romantic Historical Romance

FINAL DECISION: This was a book that made me laugh, made me smile and made me really like the characters. Light and enjoyable, the darkness of this book is never deep but just enough to keep the story interesting.

THE STORY: Ewan Cameron is Scottish but is also the estranged grandson of the Duke of Lotheil. Ewan agreed at his father’s deathbed to come to London with his sister to meet with his grandfather for three months. Ewan intends to thwart his grandfather by emphasizing his Scottish background and intends to marry a Scottish woman. Ewan ends up meeting Lily Farthingale when his dog knocks her over into a puddle. A bluestocking, Lily has her own reasons to dislike Ewan’s grandfather. He is blocking her attempts to join the Royal Society. Despite this, Lily wants to help Ewan navigate being a proper English gentleman in order to bridge the gap between Ewan and the rest of his family.

OPINION: I loved the lighthearted romance here. Funny and sweet and a book that made me smile, I enjoyed the interactions between Ewan and Lily. Lily is an intelligent heroine so I loved how Ewan and his big dog knock her off her game. Lily’s kindness is also demonstrated by her attempts to close the breach between Ewan and his family. She is treated poorly by Ewan’s grandfather and yet does the right thing for Ewan.

Ewan is entirely entranced by Lily. I liked that he almost immediately puts Lily first even when he is rejecting the possibility of there being anything between them. Their interactions were so special that I had to smile every time they started bantering with one another.

I also enjoyed the relationship between the Farthingale’s which is boisterous, nosy and an authentic family. It is rare that a book has so many likeable characters. Even those characters who first appear the villains are provided the opportunity to show their true natures. The lack of obvious bad guys makes this book enjoyable to read.

The plot of the book includes a mystery regarding whether someone is attempting to kill Ewan or to hurt those around him. I liked the story because it twisted in a manner I did not expect.

This is the first book I have read by Meara Platt. The book is well written with characters that I really liked, a situation where the characters acted in reasonable manners and a story and romance which left me smiling and satisfied.

WORTH MENTIONING: This series has an interesting dynamic. There are five sisters, three who are married. The stories of the two unmarried sisters are told first but then the married sisters stories are told later.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MY FAIR LILY is the first book in the Farthingale series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: Mountain Man

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Sheila

Mountain Man by Diana Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Revised Classic Diana Palmer

FINAL DECISION: A revised old favorite, MOUNTAIN MAN provides all the classic Diana Palmer tropes. Virginal heroine, woman hating hero who misunderstands and treats the heroine poorly because of it. The characters, however, make this a good read.

THE STORY: Nicole White comes to Montana with her boss for work. They are staying with her bosses older brother who hates women after being burned by a society girl. Winthrop Christopher cannot forget being betrayed and yet he cannot forget Nicole. What he doesn’t know is that Nicole comes from a rich family herself but has decided to make it on her own. Winthrop feel betrayed when he discovers Nicole’s secret, he feels betrayed again.

OPINION: Diana Palmer writes a particular type of hero and heroine. The formula doesn’t vary a tremendous amount, but what makes her books interesting are the individual characters that she creates within those formulas. I like this book because the hero and heroine have a sweet connection. Winthrop has feelings for Nicole but doesn’t want to admit it. In fact, he fights hard against it. While he is somewhat of a jerk at times, his behavior is not unforgivable. The book also has a good sense of place and an admiration for the western land. No one does the modern western ranchers and farmers better than Palmer.

WORTH MENTIONING: MOUNTAIN MAN is a revised version of WOMAN HATER.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MOUNTAIN MAN is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: Secret Pleasure

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Sheila

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Secret Pleasure by Lora Leigh
Series: Bound Hearts #13
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on August 18th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 368
Goodreads
three-half-stars

“They were bound. She couldn’t break that bond, couldn’t escape it, now matter how she tried when her conscious mind ruled her.”

THE STORY: At age 18, Alyssa Hampstead is trying to get away from her overbearing mother and her political aspirations of her father. One night she meets Sebastian De Loren and his cousin Shane Conner. There is an instant connection between the three although Alyssa has no intention of getting involved with these two heartthrobs. The cousins want the beautiful young woman but know that they cannot hope to begin a relationship with her under the eyes of her parents. Instead, they plan on meeting up with her in Spain without her knowledge. The three begin an intense relationship that seems to be satisfying for all three of them, but one day they are torn apart by blackmail and threats. It is not until eight years later that the three come together again. The danger still remains, however, and this time someone may not survive.

OPINION: I liked the mystery in this story more than the romance. I was intrigued by the dangers that continued to threaten this trio. I also really liked the connection between the characters. It is not always easy to write a three sided relationship but Leigh has done this several times already. I didn’t feel that Alyssa’s connection with Shane was as well developed as her relationship with Sebastian. That diminished my enjoyment of this story because part of the trio didn’t seem as understandable. I did really enjoy the protectiveness that the cousins show Alyssa. The pain that all three of these characters endure because of their separation was well described and simply heartbreaking. This story is also pretty hot although I have read better ones by Leigh. Overall a good read but not the best of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: Readers should be aware that this book features a MMF menage relationship.

FINAL DECISION: This was one of the Bound Heart series where the story was definitely more interesting than I expected. The mystery of who was threatening Alyssa kept the story moving. I didn’t find the relationships in this book as well developed.

CONNECTED BOOKS: BOUND HEARTS is the thirteenth book in the Bound Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone. Although I have read the first couple books in the series, I have not yet completed the rest and did not feel that I missed anything.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

NOTE: I recieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to provide a positive review and all opinions contained herein are my own.

Save

Review: Sacrifice

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Sheila

Sacrifice (Bound Hearts, #5) by Lora Leigh
Series: Bound Hearts #5
Published by Ellora's Cave on July 1st 2004
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 133
Goodreads
four-stars

THE STORY: Kimberly Madison has been hiding from her feelings for Jared Raddington for a year. The two are techically step-siblings, but since their parents married when they were adults, they did not grow up together. Kimberly’s father, however, seriously disapproves of Jared and the sexual lifestyle he leads which includes menages and other extreme sexual activities. Kimberly’s inheritance requires her to be a virgin and she is subjected to regular exams to confirm her virginity. Kimberly has no intention of getting involved with Jared when she knows that they have no future. Jared has wanted Kimberly for a long time and is done with waiting.

OPINION: This book is one of the most sexually adventurous of the series and includes Kimberly having sex with another man opening the book and includes the almost required menage. The story is frank and explicit and focuses on the sexual relationship. Because “typical” sex is off limits, this leads to more creative sexual experiences. It also leads the characters to talk more and develop their relationship in different ways. My complaint is that the situation itself felt somewhat contrived with too many obstacles in the couple’s path. I did like the resolution to the problem and felt that it really showed more character development than I had expected.

WORTH MENTIONING: The book opens with the heroine having sex with a man NOT the hero and also contains a MMF menage.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SACRIFICE is the fifth book in the Bound Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Save

Review: Wicked Intent (Bound Hearts, #4)

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Sheila

Wicked Intent (Bound Hearts, #4) by Lora Leigh
Series: Bound Hearts #4
Published by Ellora's Cave on April 1st 2004
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 140
Goodreads
four-half-stars

THE STORY: Tally Raines is a smart mouthed secretary with an adventurous sexual side. One person she doesn’t like, however, is her new boss Lucian Conover. The two strike sparks off of one another immediately. Lucian, however, has had his eye on the sexy Tally for a year and has been maneuvering his way into her life. Lucian and his fraternal twin Devril have plans for Tally. Truthfully, Tally cannot resist the two brothers so different in looks but bound together by complicated sexual needs.

OPINION: This is my favorite of the series so far. Menage relationships are difficult because often there is a stronger connection between one pair. Here, Lucian and Devril are two sides of the same coin and yet have distinct personalities that make them compelling and makes the relationship work between these three. Both Lucian and Devril have different relationships with Tally and that helps with balancing the complicated relationship. This book is erotica and it is hot, but the relationships and characters always have priority here.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a true MMF menage relationship.

FINAL DECISION: The complex and well balanced relationship between the characters makes this my favorite of the series so far.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WICKED INTENT is the fourth book in the Bound Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Save

Top 10 Romance Books

An Omnivorous Romance Reader

Category Archives: Reviews

Review: The Unforgettable Hero: A Playful Brides Story

Review: The Hunter

Review: If You Kissed Me: A Farthingale Novella

Review: Hanover House

Review: The Duke I’m Going to Marry

Review: My Fair Lily

Review: Mountain Man

Review: Secret Pleasure

Review: Sacrifice

Review: Wicked Intent (Bound Hearts, #4)