Review: The Mad, Bad Duke

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Sheila

The Mad, Bad Duke (Nvengaria, #2) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Nvengaria #2
Published by Leisure on October 18, 2016
Genres: Historical, Paranormal
Pages: 383
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Incredibly enjoyable for readers open to fusion romances. This charming historical paranormal perfectly merges the genres to fashion a fairy tale about a former villain who can’t help but fall in love (because of a love charm) with a woman he never would have chosen on his own.

THE STORY: Megan Tavistock gets unexpectedly snared by a love spell which results in her ending up married to Grand Duke Alexander of Nvengaria. Alexander has been sent to England because he plotted against the Prince of Nvengaria. In England, Alexander is redeeming himself being running intricate plots to protect Nvengaria’s interests. A widower with a young son, Alexander never thought to marry again, especially not an innocent like Megan, but when the love spell results in him ruining Megan, Alexander is determined to protect Megan and discover who is trying to plot against him.

OPINION: Ashley has a way with men who are handsome and unconventional. Here, Alexander is a man who has been isolated and alone. He doesn’t have strong connections with people and sees his only value in intrigue and deception. Having been married and with a young son, Alexander remains essentially alone.

This book is inspired by the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and the inspiration is cleverly done without being a scene by scene repeat of the classic. Alexander is a man isolated and when the beautiful and innocent Megan comes into his life, Alexander is dazzled by her even as he tries to keep her at a distance.

The love spell works to bring these two together quickly and unexpectedly. Their first meeting is hot and passionate and I really liked how the love spell worked in the story. It is the catalyst that forces Megan and Alexander together so that they can spend time together working though their relationship.

The mix of genres really works in this book in a way that it didn’t completely mesh in the first book in the series. The combination of paranormal and historical and fairy tale gives this book interest and heft and I just loved every page.

Like a true beauty, Megan transforms the beastly Alexander into a loving husband and father by the end of the book and allows his true self to be revealed.

WORTH MENTIONING: The Scot Egan MacDonald has a significant role and his story is up next.

CONNECTED BOOKS: The Mad, Bad Duke is the second book in the Nvengaria series. While this story can be read as a standalone, I think it is better having read the first book in the series so that readers can truly understand what a potential bad guy Alexander is.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: The Danger of Desire

Posted on November 22, 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.

The Danger of Desire (Sinful Suitors, #3) by Sabrina Jeffries
Series: Sinful Suitors #3
Published by Pocket Books on November 22nd 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 400
Goodreads
three-stars

FINAL DECISION: This story was nice, but the quick resolution to the book long conflict left me feeling unsatisfied. I enjoyed the romance a great deal and the “weakness” of the hero was well done and emotional.

THE STORY: Warren Corry, Marquess of Knightford has been asked by his sister to help her friend who has been behaving strangely. Warren is part of the St. George Club where men who care about the women in their lives can find out information to protect them from scoundrels. Warren fears that Miss Delia Trevor is in trouble and is determined to find out her secrets. While chasing her secrets, Warren ends up at a gambling hell chasing a man who is a potential threat to Delia. Warren is shocked to discover this man is actually Delia in disguise. Delia is looking for the card cheat responsible for her father’s death. Disguised as a young man, she has been searching gaming hell for the man. When Warren discovers her secret, Delia doesn’t know if Warren intends to ruin her or help her.

OPINION: The undeniable strength of this book is Warren, himself. His struggles and his shame about them are the most compelling part of the book. Warren is a good man who has demons which he believes will keep him alone. He spends the nights carousing because he cannot bear to be alone. When he begins to fall for Delia, he fights because he believes that he cannot have a normal relationship with her. The pain Warren feels and his journey to trust and happiness with Delia is what I loved about this book. I can’t resist a wounded hero and I really liked Warren.

Delia was practical and a bit stubborn but her character made her a good match for Warren because she would not allow him to hide from her. Her strength allows him to lean on her when he needs it. She is too loyal to her lousy brother, but her loyalty and determination is a deep part of her character.

I liked so much about this story, but what I didn’t like was the resolution to Delia’s search for the man who cheated her brother. The end had promise and was a surprise but after the reveal, the problem was quickly resolved without emotional drama that I expected. Things were revealed, and the solution was too neat and resolved within only a few pages. Considering that this was such a motivating factor in the book, I found it anticlimactic and a disappointment. For me, it colored my enjoyment of the rest of the book and resulted in me downgrading my rating.

WORTH MENTIONING: I hope the next story is about Delia’s sister in law.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DANGER OF DESIRE is the third book in the Sinful Suitors series. It can be read as a standalone although there are overlapping characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Review: The Viscount’s Rose

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Sheila

The Viscount's Rose (The Farthingale Series Book 5) by Meara Platt
Series: Farthingale #5
on September 19th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 248
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A sweet story that doesn’t have much emotional drama but rather external factors keeping the hero and heroine apart. Funny and gentle and sweet. This is an enjoyable finish to the Farthingale sisters stories.

THE STORY: Rose Farthingale, the oldest of five daughters, is saved from an explosion in her pottery workshop by Justin Emory. The brother of Rose’s dearest friend, Justin is a viscount and rumor says he is almost ready to propose to a woman that his family detests. In order to save Justin from himself, Rose helps his family concoct a scheme to separate him from that woman. What Rose doesn’t expect is Justin’s family throwing them together at every opportunity resulting in her getting abducted along with him.

Justin, himself, has a secret. He is working for the crown wooing a woman to try and find out information on a French spy ring. His family’s machinations threaten his mission but an even greater threat is Justin’s own attraction to Rose.

OPINION: This book is so sweet. Rose and Justin are a cute and uncomplicated couple. These are both oldest siblings who have several younger siblings. Family is important to both of them. They both have family legacies of falling in love only once. They are simply adorable.

This is a book without intense emotional unrest. Instead, what keeps these two apart are Justin’s work and the necessity of deception. While the premise of this book has certainly been done before, I liked Platt’s take on the story. Rather than focusing on angst, this book focuses on Rose’s continued trust in Justin despite all appearances.

There is less drama in this book, but I love sweet, uncomplicated stories sometimes too. Likeable characters, a fun premise and lots of love and family hi-jinks.

WORTH MENTIONING: I still love how Platt manages to make telling the story of these five sisters in reverse work. This is truly a series that can be read forwards and backwards.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE VISCOUNT’S ROSE is book 5 in the Farthingale series. It can be read as a standalone as it occurs prior to the other books in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: Someone to Love

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Sheila

Someone to Love (Westcott, #1) by Mary Balogh
Series: Westcott #1
Published by Signet on November 8th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 400
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable slow burn romance. The hero is such a kind person and his connection with the heroine lacks unnecessary drama. I liked that these are truly kind people.

THE STORY: Anna Snow grew up in an orphanage knowing nothing about her parents. Then she discovers that her father was actually the Earl of Riverdale, who recently died. Even more surprising, it is revealed that Anna was actually the earl’s only legitimate offspring due to a hidden marriage and that his “legitimate” children are not legitimate at all. Anna has inherited the entire estate of her father much to the dismay of her half-siblings. Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby, is a relative by marriage to the Westcotts who are in disarray after the revelations regarding Anna. Avery is intrigued by Anna and her evolution to a lady.

OPINION: I am a big fan of Balogh’s slow burn romances. Her characters often have mature and unorthodox relationships. What I loved most about this book is that Anna and Avery are both kind.

Avery is a man who has made a facade for himself to mask his perceived weaknesses. He is a quiet man, and I absolutely loved that he likes Anna from the beginning and doesn’t want her to change to become the stereotypical society lady. He loves seeing how she is an original. His support for Anna without taking a position on what she should do is deeply attractive.

Anna (aka Anastasia) is a good person. I just adored her when her reaction to finding out about her inheritance is dismay. She would much prefer a family to money. Her efforts to build relationships demonstrate her gentle and kind nature.

These two people are so nicely matched. The drama in the story really concerns all the disarray the family is sent into when Anna’s existence becomes known. Her recreation of her own identity is the focus of the book along with the romance.

I love the quiet romance present in this book. The characters fall in love day by day, minute by minute. Their relation to one another is based on respect and honesty.

My one complaint is that the lack of any conflict between Anna and Avery makes their story resolved too quickly, but the story is worth it anyway.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book introduces lots of characters who have intriguing stories to tell.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SOMEONE TO LOVE is the first book Westcott series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: A Very Ruby Christmas

Posted on November 14, 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.

A Very Ruby Christmas by Lavinia Kent
Series: Bound and Determined #4.5
Published by Loveswept on October 25th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 96
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Especially for fans of the series, this novella wraps up Ruby and Derek’s story, gives some hot and spicy moments with beloved characters from the Bound and Determined series and also pushes the series forward into a new era.

THE STORY: This novella takes place before the epilogue of RAVISHING RUBY. In this book, Ruby (who is the owner of a brothel) is trying to organize her life to be able to leave London with Derek, the man she loves. The story takes place at Christmas time and is a bit of a last hurrah to Ruby’s reign as madam.

Ruby’s inability to sell her brothel is causing some problems for her and Derek. Into this difficult time, Ruby’s half sister arrives on her doorstep. Her sister in in desperate straits and Ruby feels that something else may come between her and Derek.

OPINION: I adore Ruby. I’ve followed her story through the entire Bound and Determined series (where she has been a matchmaker for the couples) and especially enjoyed the story of her and Derek. This novella adds some information to their story but doesn’t disturb their happy ending (which occurred in RAVISHING RUBY).

This novella add something significant to Ruby and Derek’s story. Ruby is a woman who has made her own way in the world. Although she loves Derek, she still has not surrendered to their happy ending. She continues to make contingencies after being disappointed by men in her past. She seeks to protect herself when reality insists that she take a chance and rely on the man she loves.

Ruby is such a complicated character. This novella shows many facets of her. She is a woman who has successfully run a brothel. She cares about the women who work for her. She manages difficult men. She is separated from her legitimate half-siblings, but desperately wants family connection.

This novella serves to wrap up Ruby’s story and launch a new story for Ruby’s brothel. Anyone who enjoyed the Bound and Determined series should read this novella. It’s like a Christmas present (if Christmas presents were sweet and hot and sexy and definitely spicy).

WORTH MENTIONING: A foresee a story about Madame Blanche in the future.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A VERY RUBY CHRISTMAS is book 4.5 in the Bound and Determined series. It can should be read after at least RAVISHING RUBY which tells the story of Ruby and her captain’s love story.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: One Summer of Surrender

Posted on November 8, 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.

One Summer of Surrender (Seasons, #3) by Jess Michaels
Series: Seasons #3
Published by The Passionate Pen on November 8th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 212
Goodreads
five-stars

“What she had done to him deserved anger and revenge and a great deal else. She had already served part of her penance in a desperately unhappy marriage. Perhaps this was the rest.”

FINAL DECISION: Filled with angst, longing, pain and love, this book made me fall in love with Lucien, a man who can’t help but love the woman who broke his heart. The path from his complete brokenness in the prologue to the ending was a fantastic journey.

THE STORY: Lucien Danford, Earl of Stenfax had his world destroyed when the woman he loved abandoned him to marry a duke instead. Lucien is determined to stay away from Elise, Duchess of Kirkford, now that she is widowed but he cannot deny thinking about her. When the two unexpectedly end up in the same place, the anger and passion explodes between them. The past is an obstacle that Lucien and Elise cannot seem to overcome even as they cannot resist one another.

OPINION: This book begins with one of the most devastating depictions of a broken heart that I think I have read in a romance book. It immediately made me fall for Stenfax. A man who could love that deeply is a good man indeed. I was also surprised with the direction that Michael’s took with Lucien’s despair. I thought it very brave to depict his reaction in such a manner because some people would see him as weak. I didn’t but there are still stigmas. Everything about Lucien was wonderful. Even angry and brokenhearted he is such a wonderful human being in how he treats Elise that I just wanted to hug him.

My sympathies were completely in Lucien’s corner and thus I was prepared to dislike Elise, but instead, I felt sympathy for her as well even as her motives remain murky. She is a desperate woman and her situation is so untenable and it is imperative to remember how few choices women had in the past. Elise is left with nothing else other than using her body to save herself.

These two are so desperate to be with one another even as they know it is hopeless. I love the amount of angst and pain in this story because the darker the journey, the more beautiful the happy ending. Both Lucien and Elise are put through the wringer in this book. Even as the truth comes out, there is still pain and betrayal for the two to overcome.

In addition to the angst filled romance, I really enjoyed the interaction between all the prior series characters. They have intriguing interaction among one another. There is caring and anger and it is clear that Lucien and Elise are the pivot in this book with all these people. I’ve liked these characters in the prior books and it is nice seeing them again in substantive ways.

Finally, there is a nice plot which motivates the actions of the characters. That story is clearly going to continue in the next book in the series (not the romance but the overarching plot) so be prepared to accept that when reading this book.

WORTH MENTIONING: Felicity is up next.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ONE SUMMER OF SURRENDER is the third book in the Seasons series. This book can be read as a standalone although it has more power having read the other two books in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

Review: Pleasured by a Duke

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Sheila

Pleasured by a Duke (Regency Unlaced 7) by Carole Mortimer
Series: Regency Unlaced #7
Published by Smashwords Edition on October 28th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 122
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable little novella that is hot. The short nature of the story doesn’t allow for much characters development but the characters of Sebastian and Tia are fun in their interaction with one another.

THE STORY: Sebastian Falkner, Duke of Stowmont, is a rake who ironically keeps getting unwanted wards. Having just gotten rid of one, he finds himself guardian to a seven year old boy. And this child comes with his adult step-sister. Horatia “Tia” Chelford is a self-described mousy woman whose betrothed was killed in Waterloo. Believing that she has lost her chance for love and marriage, Tia has dedicated herself to her step-brother. While the duke intends to rid himself of the opinionated and mouthy Tia as quickly as possible, Tia intends on finding a way to stay. At the same time, Tia and her stepbrother are in danger from the person who murdered Tia’s stepmother.

OPINION: I’ve come to enjoy Mortimer’s Regency Unlaced series which are generally short novellas with an emphasis on the hot sex. The stories focus on the sexual relationships and the characters tend to be in situations which heightens the tension in that relationship.

This book follows in that formula. The characters are set in the beginning. Sebastian is a man who never expected to be a duke but has taken on the role with a disdain for society. He cares deeply for his family, including his illegitimate half-brother who acts as his secretary. When he is given the guardianship of a young boy, he intends to fulfill his duty but doesn’t want anything to do with the older sharp-tongued step-sister — until he can’t resist her.

Tia is a woman who has lost everything except her younger step-brother and is willing to do anything to stay with him. She has loved and lost and she accepts her limitations. When she has the opportunity to find some happiness, she is willing to take it — even if society would not approve.

I liked this book. My one complaint is that everything is wrapped up too quickly and too neatly. I wanted a bigger confrontation on Sebastian and Tia’s relationship or a bigger part for the villain in the story. Instead, things are just resolved too quickly (in a couple of pages) and that left me wanting in the story.

WORTH MENTIONING: The duke’s illegitimate half brother looks to be getting his story next.

CONNECTED BOOKS: PLEASURED BY A DUKE is the seventh book in the Regency Unlaced series. It can be read as a standalone. The only connection to the prior books are the mention of other characters in the epilogue.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Review: A Night of Forever

Posted on October 25, 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.

A Night of Forever (The Disgraced Lords, #6) by Bronwen Evans
Series: The Disgraced Lords #6
Published by Loveswept on October 25th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 240
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: An enjoyable end to the drama of the Disgraced Lords series, the romance between Arend and Isobel has much angst and distrust on Arend’s part. Isobel must get beyond the shields that Arend has erected while an enemy intends to destroy them both.

THE STORY: Arend Aubury will do anything to protect the only people he trusts, his fellow Libertine Scholars. After all his friends have suffered from the person who is trying to destroy them all, Arend knows that he is next and he is ready. He suspects the stepdaughter of their enemy, Lady Isobel Thompson and intends on keeping a close eye on her. When Isobel approaches him with her own suspicions about her stepmother, Arend agrees to work with Isobel — while secretly suspecting her. Isobel wants a marriage like her friends, but can’t seem to ignore the dangerous Arend. A fake betrothal hides their investigation but also ignites a strong passion between Isobel and Arend while they question motives and evade their enemies.

OPINION: This book brings the series story regarding the Libertine Scholars enemy to a close. This book overlaps the fifth book in the series, A TASTE OF SEDUCTION. I enjoyed this book because Arend and Isobel are an intriguing match with a significant amount of angst.

Arend is a man who thinks himself unworthy. He has lived in poverty, been abused, betrayed and as a result has a difficult time trusting anyone. Even his attraction to Isobel is something that he distrusts. At the same time, Arend is loyal, caring and willing to sacrifice himself for those he cares about. His guilt and shame and fear prevent him from having an open relationship, but he cannot seem to resist Isobel.

Isobel is a woman who has been tainted by her stepmother’s evil, but still sees the good in people, especially Arend. Even as Isobel is warned away from him, she finds him irresistible. Isobel is strong willed and willing to go after what she wants. She can also stand up to Arend which is important. Most significantly, she believes in Arend’s goodness and is determined to make him see it as well.

I liked the relationship between Arend and Isobel because many times Isobel is the strong one if the relationship which is a reversal from traditional roles. Arend has the poor self-image and abusive background and it is Isobel who must help him accept himself and believe that he is entitled to a good future.

I enjoyed this book as a closure to the series (even though there will be some spin off books). I thought that there was enough about the other characters to see where their lives are going without overwhelming the story and the overarching storyline was neatly wrapped up as well.

WORTH MENTIONING: Although this book completes the continuing story in the Disgraced Lords series, Evans states that there will be some future connected books wrapping up the romances of other characters in the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A NIGHT OF FOREVER is the sixth book in the Disgraced Lords series. The romance can be read as a standalone although there is an overarching story in the series that finishes in this book.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: The Legendary Lord

Posted on October 25, 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.

The Legendary Lord (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman
Series: Playful Brides #6
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on November 1st, 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 318
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Funny and Yet Deep Emotional Undertones

FINAL DECISION: A man must take the risk to get what he wants and a woman who must upset expectations and disappoint others. THE LEGENDARY LORD starts with two people who are obviously meant for one another but have to fight their own natures to be together. Funny at moments but emotional as the two are seemingly destined to be apart. I loved the characters and the resolution. A winner!

THE STORY: Christian Forester, Viscount Berkeley, has many women friends but no woman to call his own. Every woman he might be interested in becomes his dear friend instead. Retreating to his hunting lodge in Scotland, Christian doesn’t know how to proceed. When he arrives, he is held at sword point by a beautiful young woman who turns out to be Sarah Highgate, a woman who has run from her arranged engagement to a marquess. Now Sarah is beginning to have regrets for her flight because she realizes that she will disappoint her parents and be ruined. Christian realizes that he can be a friend and help Sarah avoid scandal and return to London. In exchange, Sarah offers to give Christian advice on how to change his image and become a Legendary Lord — the gentleman of the season — in order to find a wife. The problem becomes that Christian soon realizes that the woman he really wants is the one that he truly can only be a friend to — Sarah.

OPINION: A hero who convinces the heroine to return to an arranged marriage and then regrets it. A heroine who wants to find love but is convinced to settle for the approval of her parents. These two are seriously mixed up. That is what makes them interesting because they are both struggling against convention and expectations.

Christian is a man who has made a habit of saving women and becoming friends with them. Unconcerned about town life, Christian is only serviceable in dress and he is more friendly than flirty. When he meets Sarah, she offers to help remake his image — and she does. As with image, however, Christian remains who he truly is. As Sarah discovers, there are reasons that Christian remains single that has nothing to do with his clothes or image. I loved Christian because he is kind and supportive and he treats women well. I like that he has women friends (characters from the prior books in the series that he has helped) and he treats them as equals. They treat him as a beloved brother who they needle and care for.

Sarah was more difficult for me to immediately like because she starts out in such a great spot — having taken a chance to run from her arranged marriage, but then experiences regret such that she is willing to return to her fiance to satisfy her parents (who I heartily disliked!) The question I had to ask was what other choices did Sarah really have. Sarah’s opinions don’t matter to her parents because society accepted that. To reject her parents’ choice would mean that not only would Sarah lose the love of those she cared about but her physical and financial security as well. It’s not easy being a rebel without support.

The story of Christian and Sarah is ultimately about commitment — about putting yourself out for those you love — about taking huge chances. These two people who mostly play it safe, but there can be nothing safe in love — especially when you have to risk scandal to be together.

Christian and Sarah have different types of risks and challenges in their relationship. As much as Christian says he wants to marry, he is afraid of emotionally risking himself. As much as Sarah says she wants love, she is afraid of the approbation of her parents and society. Both claim to want to love, but neither wants to take the first scary step.

Balancing the mild angst in this book is humor from the heroines of the prior books in the series. As they scheme to push Sarah and Christian in the right direction, I laughed at their meddling ways and urged them on when it appeared that Sarah and Christian might miss their chance to be together.

I find it immensely satisfying to read about characters that I like and who I can identify with. Neither of these characters wants to be in the limelight. I can imagine them leading a happy and quiet life together after the pages of this book end and living happily ever after.

WORTH MENTIONING: Keep an eye out for a romance that is certainly on the horizon with Sarah’s brother.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE LEGENDARY LORD is the sixth book in the Playful Brides series. While there are appearances by continuing characters of the series, this book gives you everything you need to know and thus is a complete standalone as well.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: A Masked Deception

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Sheila

A Masked Deception by Mary Balogh
Published by Class eBook Editions Ltd. on July 26th 2016
Genres: Historical
Pages: 224
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I really enjoyed the concept of this book and Balogh’s characters are always complex and imperfect. My only complaint is that I just could not suspend disbelief that a husband would not recognize his “mystery” woman as his wife. Putting that aside, I thought this was a very intriguing book.

THE STORY: Margaret Wells has loved Richard Adair, Earl of Brampton for years, but he has paid no attention to the quiet, mousey woman. But the time has come for Richard to marry and he figures that Margaret will do well as his wife and not interfere too much with his life. As the two settle into a quiet, if dull, marriage, Margaret cannot help but wish for the passion involved in her greatest secret. Six years ago, Margaret met up with Richard at a masquerade ball. While she was unrecognizable, she flirted and Richard was attracted. The two shared a passionate kiss that hasn’t appeared in their marriage. Desperate to change something, Margaret again dons her costume and ends up having an affair with her own husband.

OPINION: This is a complicated book. Richard is dismissive of Margaret in the beginning of the book and frankly acts like a jerk for a good portion. But Balogh doesn’t disappoint. Richard reluctantly begins to fall in love with his gentle wife. It is difficult to like Richard because he openly commits adultery, but Balogh’s characters are imperfect. I enjoyed the progression Richard makes — although I think he should have had to confess his transgressions to his wife.

The reason Richard works for me is because Margaret is also an imperfect mistake prone individual. She won’t speak up for herself and rather than speaking with her husband concocts a crazy disguise to rediscover the passion she knows is missing from her marriage.

I found this book enjoyable but I didn’t like that Richard commits adultery and never has to admit to it.

WORTH MENTIONING: Content warning that this book contains adultery. This book is also a reissue of a 1980s book.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A MASKED DECEPTION is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Top 10 Romance Books

An Omnivorous Romance Reader

Blog Archives

Review: The Mad, Bad Duke

Review: The Danger of Desire

Review: The Viscount’s Rose

Review: Someone to Love

Review: A Very Ruby Christmas

Review: One Summer of Surrender

Review: Pleasured by a Duke

Review: A Night of Forever

Review: The Legendary Lord

Review: A Masked Deception