Review – The Good, the Bad, and the Scandalous by Cora Lee

Posted on August 17, 2017 by

Andrew Elliott, Earl of Hartland, is no stranger to scandal. A notorious rake and eccentric genius, he fights crime in armor of his own design and celebrates his achievements with the merriest of widows. What the ton doesn’t know is that Hart has received a warning: danger is heading for London and it’s looking for Sarah Shipton.

Sarah discovers the bookshop her mother owns is failing and they will have nothing to live on when the month is out. So when the Earl of Hartland offers for her, she agrees to the marriage. But marrying Hart throws Sarah from the frying pan of imminent poverty into the fire of a world filled with science and peril she never knew existed.

How will Sarah cope with the knowledge that someone wants her dead? Can Hart keep her safe from a person hell bent on her destruction?

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                               The Good, The Bad, And The Scandalous (The Heart of a Hero Book 7)

My Review:    

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Andrew “Hart” Elliott, the Earl of Hartland, is a member of Wellington’s unofficial intelligence ring.  He’s also known as the “Armored Man,” because of his invention and wearing of early body armor.  Hart has a rakish reputation, which is perhaps not well deserved, though he has had several liaisons and enjoys gambling.  He also has a deep caring for innocent people, and a desire to protect lives.  When he receives word that a contract has been put out on Miss Sarah Shipton, his immediate response is to remove her to safety and to find the villain who wants her dead.

Sarah’s world has just been turned upside down.  First, she learns that her family bookstore is failing, and that she and her widowed mother will be all but penniless.  Next, the Earl of Hartland, a regular bookstore customer, informs Sarah of the danger to her.  As Hart and Sarah are having a private discussion about the handling of the situation, they are discovered alone and considered compromised.  Ever the gentleman, Hart proposes a convenient, typical aristocratic marriage.  Due to the danger to her and her mother, as well as their dire financial straits, Sarah accepts.  They marry immediately, and head off to one of Hart’s country estates.

Though Hart and Sarah were acquainted previously, that relationship was professional and only casually friendly.  They have to set the parameters for how they mean to carry out their marriage once the threat to Sarah’s life has been resolved.  Hart shows himself to be hardworking and dedicated as well as charming.  When he’s working, he loses all sense of time, and even forgets to eat.  His treatment and care of Sarah show him to be an honorable and likable man.  Sarah is very pragmatic, accepting, and intelligent.  Her knowledge turns out to be a huge help when the villain goes on a murderous rampage.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE SCANDALOUS takes some interesting turns and made for an exciting story.  I found the romance between Hart and Sarah to be warm, and I felt that they had a strong friendship and admiration for each other, but not a grand passion.  Their strength came from their learning to trust each other, and their intellectual and physical compatibility.  THE HEART OF A HERO is a series of books written by multiple authors, each one featuring a different member of Wellington’s intelligence ring, and showcasing his unique talent.  Though I haven’t read the other installments, this book seven of the series can easily be read as an enjoyable standalone.

The prequel to this series, NO REST FOR THE WICKED, by Cora Lee is an intriguing novella that introduces the characters who will be featured in the upcoming books, as we meet estranged couple Michael Devlin and his absent-for-five-years wife, Joanna Pearson.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:
No Rest for the Wicked (The Heart of a Hero) (Volume 1)

Posted in Cora Lee, Historical Romance, Review, Rose | 1 Comment

The Daughters of Ireland by Santa Montefiore – Spotlight and Excerpt

Posted on August 15, 2017 by

Ireland. 1925.

The war is over. But life will never be the same…

In the green hills of West Cork, Ireland, Castle Deverill has burned to the ground. But young Celia Deverill is determined to see her ruined ancestral home restored to its former glory — to the years when Celia ran through its vast halls with her cousin Kitty and their childhood friend Bridie Doyle.

Kitty herself is raising a young family, but she longs for Jack O’Leary — the long-ago sweetheart she cannot have. And soon Kitty must make a heartbreaking decision, one that could destroy everything she holds dear.

Bridie, once a cook’s daughter in Castle Deverill, is now a well-heeled New York City socialite. Yet her celebrity can’t erase a past act that haunts her still. Nor can it keep her from seeking revenge upon the woman who wronged her all those years ago.

As these three daughters of Ireland seek to make their way in a world once again beset by dark forces, Santa Montefiore shows us once more why she is one of the best-loved storytellers at work today.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:
The Daughters of Ireland (Deverill Chronicles)

Read an Excerpt:

At last the castle came into view. The western tower where her grandmother had set up residence until her death was intact but the rest of it resembled the bones of a great beast gradually decaying into the forest. Ivy and bindweed pulled on the remaining walls, crept in through the empty windows and endeavored to claim every last stone. And yet, for Kitty, the castle still held a mesmeric allure.

She trotted across the ground that had once been the croquet lawn but was now covered in long grasses and weeds. She dismounted and led her horse around to the front, where her cousin was waiting for her beside a shiny black car. Celia Mayberry stood alone, dressed in an elegant cloche hat beneath which her blond hair was tied into a neat chignon, and a long black coat that almost reached the ground. When she saw Kitty her face broke into a wide, excited smile.

“Oh my darling Kitty!” she gushed, striding up and throwing her arms around her. She smelled strongly of tuberose and money and Kitty embraced her fiercely.

“This is a lovely surprise,” Kitty exclaimed truthfully, for Celia loved Castle Deverill almost as much as she did, having spent every summer of her childhood there with the rest of the “London Deverills,” as their English cousins had been known. Kitty felt the need to cling to her with the same ferocity with which she clung to her memories, for Celia was one of the few people in her life who hadn’t changed, and as she grew older and further away from the past, Kitty felt ever more grateful for that. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? You could have stayed with us.”

“I wanted to surprise you,” said Celia, who looked like a child about to burst with a secret.

“Well, you certainly did that.” Kitty looked up at the facade. “It’s like a ghost, isn’t it? A ghost of our childhood.”

“But it will be rebuilt,” said Celia firmly.

Kitty looked anxiously at her cousin. “Do you know who bought it? I’m not sure I can bear to know.”

Celia laughed. “Me!” she exclaimed. “I have bought it. Isn’t that wonderful? I’m going to bring back the ghosts of the past and you and I can relive the glorious moments all over again through our children.

“You, Celia?” Kitty gasped in astonishment. “You bought Castle Deverill?”

“Well, technically Archie bought it. What a generous husband he is!” She beamed with happiness. “Isn’t it a riot, Kitty? Well, I’m a Deverill too! I have just as much right as anyone else in the family. Say you’re happy, do!”

“Of course I’m happy. I’m relieved it’s you and not a stranger, but I admit I’m a little jealous too,” Kitty said sheepishly.

Celia flung her arms around her cousin again. “Please don’t hate me. I did it for us. For the family. The castle couldn’t possibly go to a stranger. It would be like giving away one’s own child. I couldn’t bear to think of someone else building over our memories. This way we can all enjoy it. You can continue to live in the White House, Uncle Bertie in the Hunting Lodge if he so wishes and we can all be terribly happy again. After everything we’ve suffered we deserve to find happiness, don’t you think?”

Kitty laughed affectionately at her cousin’s fondness of the dramatic. “You’re so right, Celia. It will be wonderful to see the castle brought back to life and by a Deverill no less. It’s the way it should be. I only wish it were me.”

Celia put a gloved hand on her stomach. “I’m going to have a baby, Kitty,” she announced, smiling.

“Goodness, Celia, how many more surprises have you in store for me?”

“Just that and the castle. How about you? Do hurry up. I pray we are both blessed with girls so that they can grow up here at Castle Deverill just like we did.” And Kitty realized then that Celia had placed herself here within these castle walls for more than merely the annual month of August. She was one of those shallow people who rewrote their own history and believed in the absolute truth of their version. “Come on,” Celia continued, taking Kitty’s hand and pulling her through the doorframe into the space where once the great hall had been. “Let’s explore. I have grand plans, you know. I want it to be just the same as it was when we were girls, but better. Do you remember the last Summer Ball? Wasn’t it marvelous?”

Kitty and Celia waded through the weeds that grew up to their knees, marveling at the small trees that had seeded themselves among the thistles and thorns and stretched their spindly branches toward the light. The ground was soft against their boots as they moved from room to room, disturbing the odd rook and magpie that flew indignantly into the air. Celia chattered on, reliving the past in colorful anecdotes and fond reminiscences, while Kitty was unable to stop the desolation of her ruined home falling upon her like a heavy black veil. With a leaden heart she remembered her grandfather Hubert, killed in the fire, and her grandmother Adeline who had died alone in the western tower only a month ago. She thought of Bridie’s brother, Michael Doyle, who had set the castle ablaze, and her own foolish thirst for recrimination, which had only led to her shame in his farmhouse where no one had heard her cries. Her thoughts drifted to her lover, Jack O’Leary, and their meeting at the wall where he had held her tightly and begged her to flee with him to America, then later, on the station platform, when he had been arrested and dragged away. Her head began to spin. Her heart contracted with fear as the monsters of the past were roused from sleep.

Posted in Historical Romance, Promotions, Santa Montefiore | Leave a comment

Review – The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell

Posted on August 9, 2017 by

A horse race in trousers on Rotten Row. Visiting a gaming hall in a dress that would make her mother faint. Sneaking an invitation to a masquerade ball attended by only the wickedest, most debauched members of society…

None of these things are scaring off bookish but strong-willed Amelia Bishop’s stuffy, egotistical fiancé.

The only thing left is to entice childhood friend Nicholas Wakefield into a truly engagement-ending scandal. The Wakefields are the height of propriety, and Nicholas’s parents have made it clear a wife from the neighboring Bishop family would be unacceptable…

But Nicholas would give up his family and his fortune if Amelia would ever see him as more than just a childhood friend. He’ll go along with her scheme, even if it means ruining them both, because he’s got a plan that will change her mind about him being merely the boy next door.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:
The Importance of Being Scandalous

My Review:

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

 

Nicholas Wakefield has been summoned home from his two year sojourn where he studied art, pleasure, and generally enjoyed himself.  As the second son of a marquess, Nick is not the heir, and is surprised to learn that his parents require him to begin learning to administer the country estate.  The heir, Philip, is in town and is currently heavily involved in politics.  Nick finds out that his father has begun to have memory loss, and he is getting worse.  Nick is actually glad to help and to have a purpose, and truth be told, he’s glad to be home.  Though he enjoyed every bit of his journey, Nick has loved Mia, the girl next door, since he was nine years old.  He wrote letters to her every day, which he never sent, but now he’s ready to declare himself.  Only – one of the first things he learns is that Mia is engaged.

Amelia (Mia) Bailey and her family are considered social outcasts, so when she receives a marriage proposal from a respected earl, she accepts in order to uplift her family’s reputation.  Her fanatical mother and her sister, Julia, strongly encourage the match.  Besides, she gave up on love years ago when her crush, Nick, was attracted to a young dairy maid, breaking her heart.  She’s happy to see Nick when he comes to call, because their twelve year friendship is solid.  Though Nick is heartbroken at losing Mia before he could even propose, he vows to continue to be her friend.

Mia begins to discover that she feels “tingly” things while with Nick that she doesn’t feel with her fiancé, Embry.  Though she intends to carry on with her engagement, it soon becomes apparent that Embry is not the gentleman she thought him to be.  He has no intention of letting Mia slip away, and he’s prepared to go to drastic lengths to keep her.  Mia is also under extreme pressure from her mother, who is desperate to re-enter society at any cost.  Even her sister, Julia, who doesn’t take part in society due to an injury, urges her to go through with the marriage.  She realizes that she and Nick love each other, but there may not be a way for them to be together.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SCANDALOUS is a combination of a sweet romance and a madcap adventure.  I never grasped why Nick’s mother despised her neighbors so much – it seemed that her disdain went so much deeper than their inferior social status.  It also seemed that the ostracizing of the Bailey family was extreme just because they weren’t “old money” and had a daughter with an infirmity.  Mia’s mother went over the top in her desire to get back into society, and I never felt that it was fully explained.  Still, Nick’s steadfastness and dedication are truly romantic, and once Mia determined not to marry Embry, their encounters sent the steam billowing.  There is also plenty of humor, drama, scheming, scandal, and some memorable secondary characters, which made for a very enjoyable and different read.  I am looking forward to the upcoming second book, as I can’t wait to see how author Kimberly Bell matches the seemingly unlikely pair of Julia and Jasper, Nick’s very dissolute friend.

Posted in Historical Romance, Kimberly Bell, Review, Rose | 1 Comment

Review – Just Another Viscount in Love by Vivienne Lorret

Posted on August 7, 2017 by

As the toast of the ton, Samuel Wortham, Viscount Ellery, should have no trouble finding a wife. Yet each lady he pursues ends up married to another. As a last hope, Sam plans a house party, intending to choose a bride from one of his guests. But when he encounters a raven-haired beauty by his estate’s pond, he’s captivated by her charm and desperate to see her again.

A quiet trip to the country is just what Gemma Desmond needs to take her mind off marriage. After all, as the daughter of a notorious criminal, her prospects seem quite grim. The last thing she expects is a chance meeting with a handsome lord and an invitation to his lavish house party. Ellery is everything she hoped for in a husband. But can she ever escape the stigma of her father’s misdeeds?

When a pair of conniving debutantes frame her for theft, Gemma has her answer. Unwilling to let her scandalous reputation taint the kind, honorable man she adores, she flees. Yet Ellery isn’t about to give her up. He might be just another viscount in love, but he refuses to let this potential bride slip through his fingers…

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:
Just Another Viscount in Love (The Season’s Original)

My Review:  

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Samuel Wortham, Viscount Ellery, is ready to settle down – in fact, he’s looking forward to it with great anticipation.  The problem is, his two previous attempts at courtship amounted to nothing, as the young ladies fell in love with other men.  Now, a little leery, but determined nonetheless, Sam is going to host a houseparty which will include several eligible debutantes, along with a few of his friends.  Maybe the close group will produce the lady meant to be Sam’s future bride.  Before the party, Sam is leisurely strolling his grounds, when he encounters a  lovely young lady wading in his pond.  Not wanting to alarm her, Sam engages her in friendly conversation, and in the matter of a few moments, he is smitten.

Gemma Desmond is traveling the countryside with her Aunt Edith, the dowager Duchess Vale.  Gemma left London to avoid scandalous talk, snubs, and slurs.  Unfortunately, Gemma’s father is a notorious thief and criminal, and though Gemma has lived an honest life, she is guilty by association.  Aunt Edith  has even been the recipient of some social snubs for maintaining contact with her niece, despite her high social rank.  Gemma and Edith stopped their travels to rest at the lovely pond, not knowing they were on private property.  Though embarrassed at being caught wading, Gemma converses with the handsome young man, and also feels an instant rapport with him.

The scene with Sam and Gemma meeting at the pond is so lovely and beautifully written, that I could feel them almost falling in love at first sight.  I felt an instant click that these two people belonged together.  Sam finds out that the inn they will be staying at is very close by, and he comes calling and invites them to his houseparty.  Though Gemma would love to attend, she doesn’t see any reason to pursue the relationship, as once Sam realizes who she’s related to, he’ll distance himself.  Yet, Aunt Edith convinces Gemma to enjoy this bit of happiness, and they head off to Dunnock Park, Sam’s home.

As you would expect, the other ladies at the party realize who Gemma is, and make every effort to snub her and to keep her away from Sam, who is showing a marked preference for her.  When it appears that Sam doesn’t care about Gemma’s unfortunate family connections, a couple of the “ladies” decide to concoct a plot to incriminate Gemma.  These women are truly detestable villains.  Will their plot work, and will Sam believe his eyes or his heart?

It’s rare that I have such a genuine liking for both hero and heroine equally.  I loved their character, their personalities, their generosity, and their genuine goodness.  And I mean that in the best of ways – they are interesting, fully developed people with an amazing chemistry, both physically and emotionally.  Their love felt almost enchanting to me, and I adore this short story passionately.  JUST ANOTHER VISCOUNT IN LOVE is full of romance and warmth, and reading it was pure delight.

Posted in Historical Romance, Review, Rose, Vivienne Lorret | 3 Comments

Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss – August

Posted on August 5, 2017 by

Fresh Fiction is an entertainment and book review site, one where I post reviews as well as here at Roses Are Blue.  They offer a monthly book subscription service, which will include a minimum of 2-3 ebook download cards and 3-5 hard copy books.  (There’s generally a small treat enclosed, usually in the form of a tea sample!)


The August Fresh Fiction Box Not-to-Miss that I received is pictured above, and included the following:

Sample of Peach Black Tea

Sneak Peak pamphlets with exclusive looks at HARD JUSTICE and HOLDING FIRE by April Hunt

THE TROUBLE WITH BACHELORS by Caitlyn Blue – ebook download

HER MASTER AND COMMANDER by Anya Summers – ebook download

NOT IN HER WILDEST DREAMS by Dani Collins – ebook download

FUEL FOR FIRE by Julie Ann Walker with letter from author – paperback book

OVER MAYA DEAD BODY by Sandra Orchard – trade paperback book

THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP by Shirley Jump – trade paperback book

ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL by Jennifer Probst – trade paperback book

THE PLEASURES OF PASSION by Sabrina Jeffries – paperback book

TO SUBSCRIBE:

All the information you need about subscribing is here:  Fresh Fiction Box

Below is a short video of the actual unboxing:

Happy Reading!

 

 

Posted in Fresh Fiction Promotion | Leave a comment

August Romance Releases – Preview What’s New This Month

Posted on August 1, 2017 by

Welcome to August!  There are lots of fabulous romance novels released this month – below is the blurb for each of the featured books, along with a direct link to the Amazon page if you feel the urge to one-click!  Happy Reading!

Click on each underlined title to be taken directly to the Amazon page:

Beauty Like the Night (The Spymaster Series) by Joanna Bourne – Severine de Cabrillac, orphan of the French revolution and sometime British intelligence agent, has tried to leave spying behind her. Now she devotes herself to investigating crimes in London and finding justice for the wrongly accused.

Raoul Deverney, an enigmatic half-Spaniard with enough secrets to earn even a spy’s respect, is at her door demanding help. She’s the only one who can find the killer of his long-estranged wife and rescue her missing fourteen-year-old daughter.

Severine reluctantly agrees to aid him, even though she knows the growing attraction between them makes it more than unwise. Their desperate search for the girl unleashes treason and murder. . . and offers a last chance for two strong, wounded people to find love.

Just Another Viscount in Love: A Season’s Original Novella (The Season’s Original) by Vivienne Lorret – As the toast of the ton, Samuel Wortham, Viscount Ellery, should have no trouble finding a wife. Yet each lady he pursues ends up married to another. As a last hope, Sam plans a house party, intending to choose a bride from one of his guests. But when he encounters a raven-haired beauty by his estate’s pond, he’s captivated by her charm and desperate to see her again.

A quiet trip to the country is just what Gemma Desmond needs to take her mind off marriage. After all, as the daughter of a notorious criminal, her prospects seem quite grim. The last thing she expects is a chance meeting with a handsome lord and an invitation to his lavish house party. Ellery is everything she hoped for in a husband. But can she ever escape the stigma of her father’s misdeeds?

When a pair of conniving debutantes frame her for theft, Gemma has her answer. Unwilling to let her scandalous reputation taint the kind, honorable man she adores, she flees. Yet Ellery isn’t about to give her up. He might be just another viscount in love, but he refuses to let this potential bride slip through his fingers…

Whispering in French: A Novel by Sophia Nash – Home is the last place Kate expected to find herself…

As a child, Kate Hamilton was packed off each summer to her grandfather’s ivy-covered villa in southern France. That ancestral home, named Marthe Marie, is now crumbling, and it falls to Kate—regarded as the most responsible and practical member of her family—to return to the rugged, beautiful seaside region to confront her grandfather’s debts and convince him to sell.

Kate makes her living as a psychologist and life coach, but her own life is in as much disarray as Marthe Marie. Her marriage has ended, and she’s convinced that she has failed her teenaged daughter, Lily, in unforgiveable ways. While delving into colorful family history and the consequences of her own choices, Kate reluctantly agrees to provide coaching to Major Edward Soames, a British military officer suffering with post-traumatic stress. Breaking through his shell, and dealing with idiosyncratic locals intent on viewing her as an Americanized outsider, will give Kate new insight into who—and where—she wants to be. The answers will prove as surprising as the secrets that reside in the centuries-old villa.

Witty and sophisticated, rich in history and culture, Sophia Nash’s novel vividly evokes both its idyllic French setting and the universal themes of self-forgiveness and rebuilding in a story as touching as it is wise.

An Earl by Any Other Name (Sins and Scandals) by Lauren Smith – An earl in the streets, a rogue in the sheets . . .

Leopold Graham, Lord Hampton, was never a man to let propriety stand in the way of his pursuit of pleasure. Hedonism is his only desire in life—until his father’s death saddles him with debts that threaten to bankrupt the entire family. Now the only thing that stands between him and utter ruin is marriage to a proper, and preferably wealthy, young lady.

Ivy Leighton is no sweet English rose. Perhaps it’s her gypsy roots, but she would rather make a spectacle of her independent spirit than sit quietly on the sidelines. If that means that the only place she’ll ever have in society is firmly on the shelf, then so be it. But when Ivy runs into the handsome, rakish Leo who’s looking for a respectable, well-bred wife, she can’t stop thinking about the troubles they can get into. Now she just has to convince him that a life with her is really what he needs.

How to Marry a Marquess (Wedded by Scandal) (Volume 3) by Stacy Reid – Lady Evie Chesterfield is a darling of the ton who refuses to become engaged. She’s been desperately in love with her brother’s friend, Richard Maitland, Marquess of Westfall, since forever. But the dark, dangerous marquess only sees her as a friend and refuses to marry any woman. When circumstances change and Evie has no choice but to take a husband, she decides to convince London’s most notorious gentleman to marry her by seducing the scoundrel.

Richard Maitland decided long ago that he wanted nothing to do with love. So when the gorgeous, off-limits Evie asks him for lessons in seduction, Richard knows he’s playing with fire. Despite Richard’s determination to protect her from his dastardly reputation, he is tested at every turn by his need for the infuriating, but enticing, Lady Evie. Before too long he is faced with making an impossible choice…

The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare – When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Traitor in Her Arms: A Scarlet Chronicles Novel (The Scarlet Chronicles) by Shana Galen – Two morally compromised souls wage a battle of wits—and seduction—against the backdrop of the French Revolution in this thrilling romance from bestselling author Shana Galen.

After her late husband leaves her in debt to some dangerous people, Lady Gabrielle McCullough is forced to become a thief. In the intervening years, her skills have not gone unnoticed. After being recruited by the Scarlet Pimpernel, the mysterious do-gooder spiriting aristocrats out of revolutionary France, Gabrielle crosses the Channel for the most daring mission of her life. Accompanying her is the Earl of Sedgwick, a thief in his own right and an enticingly masculine presence. The man is not to be trusted—nor is Gabrielle’s body when he’s near.

Ramsey Barnes would not say he is an honorable man. His whole life has been based on a lie; why change now? Although it pains him to deceive the tantalizing Gabrielle, he’s working toward an altogether different objective: unmasking the Scarlet Pimpernel. If Ramsey fails, his blackmailer will ruin him. But when Ramsey’s confronted with the carnage of the Reign of Terror, he seeks refuge in Gabrielle’s heated embrace. Now he faces a terrible choice: betray the woman who’s stolen his heart—or risk losing everything.

Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses by Lorraine Heath – Lord Andrew Mabry, the second son of the Duke of Greystone, has no desire to marry. As the spare, he has no obligation to provide an heir and he rather enjoys spending his days and nights in play with the demimonde. But more and more of late, he finds himself wanting to play naughty games with the American heiress, Gina Hammersley.

After her scandalous older sister marries a marquess, Gina Hammersley suddenly finds herself the darling of London with beaux a plenty calling on her, sending flowers, and filling her dance cards. Unfortunately, the one she desires most is the one who has no wish to be caught in the marriage trap: Lord Andrew Mabry.

But when they are discovered in a compromising situation, this unlikely pair must decide whether to face scandal or discover if the passion they’ve always felt is strong enough to lead them into love.

Secret Lessons with the Rake (Hadley’s Hellions) by Julia Justiss – The courtesan’s courtship. Pursuing a role in Parliament, Christopher Lattimar needs a virtuous marriage to make society overlook his roguish past. When beautiful and disarming Ellie Parmenter offers to reform and refine him, he’s too tempted to say no. Pursuing a role in Parliament, Christopher Lattimar needs a virtuous marriage to make society overlook his roguish past. When beautiful and disarming Ellie Parmenter offers to reform and refine him, he’s too tempted to say no.

Pursued for the Viscount’s Vengeance by Sarah Mallory – Beneath that puritanical dress she was quite beautiful

Viscount Gilmorton had never seduced a woman before but, as the only way to avenge himself on her deceitful brother, he was prepared to disgrace the buttoned-up Deborah Meltham.

He was planning nothing more than to shame her, but not beyond repair. Gil would ensure that she came to him willingly, because if Deborah was as lonely as he thought, she should be receptive to him. Only Gil hadn’t counted on his feelings for her changing—nor her reaction when she realized he’d been deceiving her from the start…

The Laird Takes a Bride: The Penhallow Dynasty by Lisa Berne – Penhallow Dynasty series continues as a Highlander marries against his will — and discovers he may have found the perfect bride. 

Alasdair Penhallow, laird of his clan and master of Castle Tadgh, is forced to end his carefree bachelorhood, thanks to an ancient decree that requires him to marry. But Alasdair’s search for a biddable wife comes to a screeching halt when Fate serves up Fiona Douglass. Prickly as a thistle, Fiona challenges him at every turn, rendering herself surprisingly irresistible. Her love would be a prize indeed . . . if Alasdair could accept it.

Fiona gave her heart once, and doesn’t plan to repeat that folly. Yet she finds herself drawn to Alasdair’s intelligence and strength, and the passion he incites goes well beyond her expectations for what’s only a marriage of expedience. Despite herself, she’s falling in love with her husband.

But there’s a high wall between them — and Fiona’s not sure it can ever be torn down. (

When the Scoundrel Sins (Capturing the Carlisles) by Anna Harrington – A MOST INDECENT PROPOSAL

Annabelle Green needs a husband-and quickly. To inherit the only home she’s ever known, she must be married by her twenty-fifth birthday. But finding a suitor has been next to impossible after a reckless rogue named Quinton Carlisle seduced her into a scandalous midnight tryst. Her reputation in ruins, Belle now needs a rather large favor. And she knows just who to turn to . . .

Quinn can hardly believe that the shy bookish girl he teased as a child has grown into such a brazen beauty. The very idea of marrying Belle to right the wrongs of his past is downright shocking . . . and deliciously tempting. Too bad marriage, convenient or otherwise, is the last thing Quinn wants. He’ll help Belle find a husband and be on his way. But if he can’t control his attraction to the bride-to-be, this marriage could go up in flames-of wicked desire.

My Fair Lover: A Legendary Lovers Novel by Nicole Jordan – Legendary Lovers series continues in this sizzling twist on My Fair Lady, as a bewitching beauty and a rakish sea captain trade favors . . . and tempt fate. 

Lady Katherine Wilde believes she has crushed any lingering romantic feelings toward Brandon Deverill, who spurned her six years ago. And now that the rough-edged rogue needs polishing to claim his inheritance, she’s willing to strike a practical bargain: Kate will mold the brash privateer into an acceptable English nobleman if Deverill will safeguard her from brigands on a voyage to recover lost family treasure. However, the soul-melting kiss that seals their agreement just may reignite blazing passion.

Brandon’s fortitude was sorely tested when he turned Kate away from his bed all those years ago. Even a rake such as he wouldn’t seduce an innocent beauty before sailing into battle. But now that he’s inherited a title and must take a suitable bride, he sets his sights on Kate. Though he fiercely desires her, true love is a notion that baffles him–until their adventure turns perilous and Brandon realizes he’d gladly trade his life to save the woman who has captured his heart.

Dirty Dancing at Devil’s Leap: A Hellcat Canyon Novel by Julie Anne Long – She was a naive country girl. He was a billionaire’s spoiled son. He was her first crush, her first heartbreak…and now her sworn enemy.

As Avalon Harwood’s fortunes soared, Maximilian “Mac” Coltrane’s plummeted, and he had to fight his way back to where they both began: Hellcat Canyon. Now Mac and Avalon will play dirty—in more ways than one—to get what they each want: the glorious old abandoned Coltrane mansion. But when Avalon snaps the house up at auction, she discovers there’s something awfully familiar about the extremely hot caretaker…

Mac might have a heart of stone, and the abs to match, but Avalon—the dazzling girl whose heart was always too big and too reckless for her own good—was always his Kryptonite. And just like that, the stakes change: suddenly they’re fighting not just for a house, but for a magic they tasted only once before and never since—long ago, with each other, at Devil’s Leap.

Holiday in the Hamptons (From Manhattan with Love) by Sarah Morgan – The perfect summer escape…?

Professional dog-walker Felicity Knight loves everything about New York…until her ex-husband starts working at her local vet clinic. She hasn’t seen Seth Carlyle in ten years, but one glimpse of him – too gorgeous, and still too good for her – and Fliss’s heart hurts like their whirlwind marriage ended yesterday. So when her grandmother in The Hamptons needs help for the summer, it seems the perfect way to escape her past…

Their relationship might only have lasted a few scorching months, but vet Seth knows Fliss – if she’s run away to The Hamptons, it’s because she still feels their connection and it terrifies her. He let her go once before, when he didn’t know any better, but not this summer! With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see that he’s never stopped loving her…

Once a Rebel (Rogues Redeemed) by Mary Jo Putney – A ROGUE REDEEMED

As Washington burns, Callista Brooke is trapped in the battle between her native England and her adopted homeland. She is on the verge of losing everything, including her life, when a handsome Englishman cuts through the violent crowd to claim that she is his. Callie falls into her protector’s arms, recognizing that he is no stranger, but the boy she’d once loved, a lifetime ago.

Lord George Gordon Audley had been Callie’s best friend, and it was to Gordon she turned in desperation to avoid a loathsome arranged marriage. But the repercussions of his gallant attempt to rescue her sent Callie packing to Jamaica, and Gordon on a one way trip to the penal colony of Australia.

Against all odds, Gordon survived. Finding Callie is like reclaiming his tarnished soul, and once again he vows to do whatever is necessary to protect her and those she loves. But the innocent friendship they shared as children has become a dangerous passion that may save or destroy them when they challenge the aristocratic society that exiled them both…

Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3) by Carole Mortimer – Lord Sebastian Trentham, Marquis of Deveril, known to his close acquaintances as Devil, is the third of the eight gentlemen known as The Sinners, tasked with discovering which of eight ladies in Society has been acting as a spy for Napoleon. He is expected to do this by fair means or foul.

Alys doesn’t know whether to be distressed or angry when her brother informs her he has invited the Marquis of Deveril, along with several other of his male acquaintances, to join him for a weeklong shoot at their manor house in Worcestershire.

The last time the marquis visited Alys’s home, she discovered him with a pistol in his hand as he stood over the dead body of her father.

Devil is not looking forward to returning to Newcomb Manor and only accepted Sir Teddy Newcomb’s invitation because of the need to clear Alys Newcomb’s name of any wrongdoing. Not that she would thank Devil for it if she knew that was his intention.

Alys believes she has every reason to dislike and distrust him, and nothing Devil says or does will convince her otherwise.

From the minute the two of them meet again, sexual tension flares into life and refuses to be extinguished. Much as Alys might fight against it. When circumstances force the two of them into a hasty betrothal that sexual attraction flares out of control.

But if Devil didn’t kill Alys’s father, then the real murderer must still be at large…

Posted in New Releases | 3 Comments

Review – A Momentary Marriage by Candace Camp

Posted on July 26, 2017 by

                           New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp offers a delicious marriage-of-convenience story in this passionate historical romance, featuring her signature “clever and witty banter, sharp attention to detail, and utterly likable characters” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

James de Vere has always insisted on being perfectly pragmatic and rational in all things. It seemed the only way to deal with his overdramatic, greedy family. When he falls ill and no doctor in London can diagnose him, he returns home to Grace Hill in search of a physician who can—or to set his affairs in order.

Arriving at the doctor’s home, he’s surprised to encounter the doctor’s daughter Laura, a young woman he last saw when he was warning her off an attachment with his cousin Graeme. Alas, the doctor is recently deceased and Laura is closing up the estate, which must be sold off, leaving her penniless. At this, James has an inspiration: why not marry the damsel in distress? If his last hope for a cure is gone, at least he’ll have some companionship in his final days, and she’ll inherit his fortune instead of his grasping relatives, leaving her a wealthy widow with plenty of prospects.

Laura is far from swept off her feet, but she’s as pragmatic as James, so she accepts his unusual proposal. But as the two of them brave the onslaught of shocked and suspicious family members, they find themselves growing closer. They vowed, “until death do us part”…but now both are longing for their marriage to be more than momentary in this evocative romance.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:
A Momentary Marriage

My Review:

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Sir James de Vere is dying.  He’s seen a vast number of physicians, and while they all can’t agree on a diagnosis of what his illness is, they do all agree he doesn’t have much longer left to live.  Ever practical, James begins to set his affairs in order.  He confides the truth to Graeme, his cousin and true friend.  Graeme urges him to give one more doctor a try, the father of Graeme’s ex-fiancée, Laura.  James, although doubtful, but clinging to a thin thread of hope, travels to Dr. Hinsdale’s home.  He arrives to find that the good doctor has recently died, leaving his daughter, Laura, without any means of support.

James and Laura have a bitter history.  Eleven years ago, Laura and James’s cousin, Graeme, were in love and engaged.  Graeme’s estate and finances were in disastrous shape, and marriage to Laura would be of no help.  James convinced Laura to break the engagement for Graeme’s future good, and she did so.  Laura’s heartbreak eventually healed, and Graeme went on to marry an heiress.  (This story is told in A PERFECT GENTLEMAN.)  Still, Laura has no love for James and his highhanded, arrogant ways.

James leaves, disheartened, because his last hope is gone.  Yet, he begins to think of the state that Laura is now in.  She never married, and her father left nothing but debts.  If he were to convince Laura to marry him, he could leave her the bulk of his fortune, thus keeping it away from his grasping relatives.  It would also be a measure of recompense for the future James convinced her to give up years ago.  Laura is obviously shocked at the proposal, but she’s able to tell just how ill James truly is, and sees that he badly wants this to happen.  She accepts, and they head off to James’s country home to inform his family, and where James will live out his remaining time at the place he loves.

I find James to be a very complicated character.  He is cynical about life and love and his family.  He’s very wealthy and controls his family’s actions in a lofty manner, not caring for their opinions, or wanting their affection.  The only one showing him any love is his mother, whom he just tolerates.  This illness, though, shows James just how human he is, and some cracks begin to appear in his icy facade.  He continues to exhibit an outwardly pragmatic attitude and a sometimes morbid sense of humor about his impending demise.  When he can no longer make any pretense at functioning, and takes to his bed, my heart broke for him and the suffering he was enduring.

Laura is a very straightforward person, and she was easy for me to like and respect right from the beginning.  She cares for James, tending to him constantly, doing her best to ease his pain and fear.  It’s sad that the two began to form an actual friendship that is doomed to end even before it begins.  Or, is it?  Through a lucky accident, Laura discovers that James does not have an illness, but someone is intentionally trying to end his life.  Because James is so very ill, it’s touch and go as to whether he can still be saved.

This is where A MOMENTARY MARRIAGE veers off in a whole new and exciting direction.  Laura, fearing for James’s safety, refuses to leave him alone, and she uses her skill as a doctor’s daughter to nurse him back to health.  All this enforced intimacy causes James and Laura to see each other as something other than adversaries.  Soon, passion becomes part of their relationship, and they begin a real marriage.  As they adjust, they also have to find out who the would-be-murderer is, and why.  I love everything about this book – the story is solid and exciting, the character development is steady, and the romance is genuine and the passion is steamy.  A MOMENTARY MARRIAGE is an example of why I read and love historical romance, and I highly recommend this emotional tale.

As originally reviewed at Smitten By Books

 

Posted in Bonnie, Candace Camp, Historical Romance, Review | 3 Comments

Too Scot to Handle by Grace Burrowes – Release Blitz, Excerpt, Review, and Giveaway

Posted on July 24, 2017 by

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: TOO SCOT TO HANDLE                                                                                                  Author: Grace Burrowes                                                                                                              Series: Windham Brides, #2                                                                                                            On Sale: July 25, 2017                                                                                                                    Publisher: Forever                                                                                                                            Mass Market:  $7.99 USD                                                                                                                  eBook: $6.99 USD                                                                                                                                    Audio: $22.98 USD

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As a captain in the army, Colin MacHugh led men, fixed what was broken, and fought hard. Now that he’s a titled gentleman, he’s still fighting—this time to keep his bachelorhood safe from all the marriage-minded debutantes. Then he meets the intriguing Miss Anwen Windham, whose demure nature masks a bonfire waiting to roar to life. When she asks for his help to raise money for the local orphanage, he’s happy to oblige.

Anwen is amazed at how quickly Lord Colin takes in hand a pack of rambunctious orphan boys. Amazed at how he actually listens to her ideas. Amazed at the thrill she gets from the rumble of his Scottish burr and the heat of his touch. But not everyone enjoys the success of an upstart. And Colin has enemies who will stop at nothing to ruin him and anybody he holds dear.

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THE WINDHAM BRIDES SERIES:

THE TROUBLE WITH DUKES, #1                                                                                              TOO SCOT TO HANDLE, #2                                                                                                          NO OTHER DUKE WILL DO, #3                                                                                                        Series Page on Goodreads

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READ AN EXCERPT:

He’d taken care that this kiss be private, and thus unhurried.

Anwen liked the unhurried part exceedingly. Lord Colin held her not as if she were frail and fragile, but as if she were too precious to let go. His arms were secure about her, and he’d tucked in close enough that she could revel in his contours—broad chest, flat belly, and hard, hard thighs, such as an accomplished equestrian would have.

Soft lips, though. Gentle, entreating, teasing…

Anwen teased him back, getting a taste of peppermint for her boldness, and then a taste of him.

“Great day in the morning,” he whispered, right at her ear. “I won’t be able to sit my horse if you do that again with your tongue.”

She did it again, and again, until the kiss involved his leg insinuated among the folds and froths of her riding habit, her fingers toying with the hair at his nape, and her heart, beating faster than it had at the conclusion of their race.

“Ye must cease, wee Anwen,” Lord Colin said, resting his cheek against her temple. “We must cease, or I’ll have to cast myself into yonder water for the sake of my sanity.”

“I’m a good swimmer,” Anwen said. “I’d fish you out.” She contemplated dragging a sopping Lord Colin from the Serpentine, his clothes plastered to his body….

“Such a sigh,” he said, kissing her cheek. “If ye’d slap me, I’d take it as a mercy.”

“I’d rather kiss you again.” And again and again and again. Anwen’s enthusiasm for that undertaking roared through her like a wild fire, bringing light, heat, and energy to every corner of her being.

“You are a bonfire in disguise,” he said, smoothing a hand over her hair. “An ambush of a woman, and you have all of polite society thinking you’re the quiet one.” He peered down at her, his hair sticking up on one side. “Am I the only man who knows better, Anwen?”

She smoothed his hair down, delighting in its texture. Red hair had a mind of its own, and by the dawn’s light, his hair was very red.

“No, you are not the only one who knows better,” she said, which had him looking off across the water, his gaze determined.

“I’m no’ the dallyin’ kind,” he said, taking Anwen’s hand and kissing it. “I was a soldier, and I’m fond of the ladies, but this is… you mustn’t toy with me.”

Everlasting celestial trumpets. “You think I could toy with you?”

“When you smile like that, you could break hearts, Miss Anwen Windham. A man wouldn’t see it coming, but then you’d swan off in a cloud of grace and dignity, and too late, he’d realize what he’d missed. He wouldn’t want to admit how foolish he’d been, but in his heart, he’d know: I should ne’er have let her get away. I should have done anything to stay by her side.”

I am a bonfire in disguise. “You are not the only one who knows my secret. I know better now too, Colin.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “It’s our secret.”

MY REVIEW:  

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Colin MacHugh is a wealthy, successful Scottish businessman, as well as a former soldier.  Due to his brother, Hamish’s, recent acquisition of a dukedom, Colin is now his heir, and has been elevated to “Lord” Colin.  While he escorts his two sisters, he attempts to learn the ins and outs of English society.  Anwen Windham is niece to the influential Duke of Moreland, more familiarly known as Percival to those of us who love and follow the Windham family.  Anwen’s passion is the charitable work she does for an orphanage, which unfortunately is now in precarious financial straits.  Anwen is acquainted with Colin, due to the recent marriage of her sister to his brother.  During a chance encounter, they converse, and Colin agrees to visit the orphanage and to try to offer some solutions.

As Anwen and Colin become more friends than just casual acquaintances, a slow simmering romance begins to develop.  This lovely part of the book flows at a delicious leisurely pace, allowing me to become acquainted with the character of Anwen and Colin and to watch them fall in love and agree to officially court.  Anwen suffered some illnesses as a child, and to her dismay, is still cosseted and over-protected by her family.  She longs for them to see the strong, healthy person that she’s become.  I like Anwen very much, and admire her patience, intelligence, and her ability to say all the right things when the situation calls for throwing punches or banging ones head against the wall.  Anwen and Colin are both upfront about their desires and feelings with each other, and I absolutely love that.  Colin is an honorable man who has a knack for saying things to Anwen that will melt your ice cream.  This wonderful couple is perfect for each other, and they are in love.  What could possibly go wrong?

Greed, jealousy, affronted pride, and a desire for revenge cause the villain to threaten not only this couples’  happiness, but Colin’s very freedom.  The Windhams, however, are a force to be reckoned with, and with the help of four charming orphans, Anwen and Colin find their way to happy ever after.  While I admittedly would have liked to see the villain(s) suffer a far greater consequence than the fate they received, I thoroughly enjoyed the read.  TOO SCOT TO HANDLE contains the trademark warmth and family closeness that Grace Burrowes writes so very well.  The romance was tender and genuine with hints of passion and characters that I loved and rooted for.  Visiting with familiar secondary characters is a bonus for those who have read previous Windham books, though TOO SCOT TO HANDLE can be totally read as a very satisfying standalone.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win one of ten Windham Bride prize packs – Click link below:

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Posted in Grace Burrowes, Historical Romance, Promotions, Review, Rose | 1 Comment

Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss – July unboxing

Posted on July 23, 2017 by

Subscription services seem to be the “thing” – meals, clothes, wines, cheeses, and on it goes.  Well, how about something we all love – books?  Fresh Fiction is a book review and entertainment site, and they now offer a monthly book subscription service.  Each month, you will receive a minimum of three-to-five hard copies of books, along with download codes for two-to-three ebooks.  The hard copies of books may be paperback, trade size paperbacks, or even hardcovers.  Above is a photo of what I received in the July box, neatly packaged in the bright pink Fresh Fiction box.  The contents will vary for each box.  Below is what I received this month:

My July Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss included:

Heart Breaker by Stacey Kennedy – ebook download

The McKinnon by Ranay James – ebook download

Where the Pieces Fall by Blue Saffire – ebook download

Run to Ground by Katie Ruggle – paperback with letter from author

Under a Summer Sky by Melody Carlson – trade size paperback

Buns by Alice Clayton – trade size paperback

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy Reichert – trade size paperback

Murder on Black Swan Lake by Andrea Penrose – hardcover

Bonus sample of Acai Berry Herbal Tea

If you’d like to witness my first embarrassing attempt at a video, here I am, opening up the July box:

The Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss ships worldwide.  To see all the details and costs, visit the website: FreshFictionBox.com

Posted in Fresh Fiction Promotion | Leave a comment

Spotlight Tour – Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas – Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted on July 21, 2017 by

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Lord of Lies

Author: Amy Sandas

Series: Fallen Ladies, #3

ISBN: 9781492618782

Pub Date: July 4, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

 “You do strange things to me, Dell Turner. Tell me I am not alone in what I feel.”

His voice was low and rough. His eyes burned. “You are not alone,” he said.

 Portia Chadwick longs for a life of adventure. When a dangerous moneylender kidnaps her sister, she dares to seek help from a man known only as Nightshade. Soon she finds herself charging headfirst into his world of intrigue and danger—and unexpected passion.

Dell Turner grew up in London’s back alleys and gin lanes. Vowing to escape his low beginnings, he hires himself out to society’s elite. When he accepts a job from a beautiful debutante, he doesn’t anticipate her relentless determination to join his mad occupation…or her unnerving ability to inspire emotions he thought long buried. She’s as dangerous to him as his world is to her, and yet Dell can’t bring himself to turn Portia away—even if it means risking her life.

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READ AN EXCERPT:

He was home for only a few short minutes—not even long enough to shed the guise of Robert French—before there was a sharp knock at the front door. Morley was still taking care of the carriage and horses so wasn’t available to answer.
With a growl at being disturbed so blasted early in the day after being up all night, Dell lumbered from his study where he had been organizing a plan for his next steps in the Chadwick abduction. He opened the door just as the caller was about to knock again.

The disturbing slate-gray gaze of the precocious Miss Chadwick widened with a start before she low­ered her arm.

Dell’s immediate instinctive response was to slam the door shut. This woman triggered far too many distractions in his mind, as well as his body. She set him on edge, made him feel less in control.

He didn’t slam the door because his next thought was the realization that such a reaction would only pique her curiosity even more. He would need to employ another tactic to get rid of her.

Altering his voice to the smooth, unassuming, lilt­ing tones of Robert French, Dell asked, “Can I help you, miss?”

She tilted her head beneath the wide fall of her cloak hood, and her striking eyes narrowed dangerously. He was suddenly intensely aware of his appearance. French’s look often drew interested gazes from bold young women. Women who understood his jaunty swagger and the overt sensuality in his movement and expression.

Dell felt Portia Chadwick’s gaze like a stream of concentrated interest shooting straight to the center of his chest.

Then she smiled.

His body instantly reacted.

What the hell?

Dell straightened his spine and tried to look down his—or rather French’s—nose at her. Not that he thought any kind of intimidation would work on the chit, but he needed some way to distract from his unwelcome and wholly disturbing reaction.

“I believe you can,” she answered before she boldly strode across the threshold.

At any other time and with anyone else, Dell would never have allowed a person to just enter his home in such a way. But his current physical sensitivity to this woman had him stepping back on instinct to avoid direct contact, which gave her just enough room to sweep the rest of the way into the house.

Damn and blast.

Closing the door with a hard click, he turned to face her and saw that she had already crossed the small hall to the parlor. Dell gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. Following her into the front room, he watched with a further tightening in his loins as she swept her voluminous cloak from her shoulders to toss it care­lessly to the sofa.

She was still clothed in the same evening gown from the night before. Dell couldn’t stop his gaze from dropping briefly down her narrow back to the suggestive curve of her hips and buttocks before she spun around again to face him.

“I do not believe it is proper manners to so rudely force your way into someone’s home,” he said almost plaintively. “Especially when they are not at home.”

She laughed then, a full-bodied sound accompanied by a knowing flash in her eyes. She arched her winged black brows and placed her hands on her hips. “Do not bother with the theatrics. I know it is you, Mr. Turner,” she declared.

How the hell had she known?

The first time anyone had ever seen through one of his disguises, and it had to be she.

Dell considered denying it, but figured the truth would likely get her out of there faster.

“Fine,” he said in his natural voice, which carried more than a hint of his annoyance. “Mind telling me what the hell you are doing back here? I told you I would let you know when I learned something.”

“And did you? Learn something?” she asked, her tone hopeful.

“Not yet,” he replied stiffly, expecting her to press him further or demand he do more.

“Well, the situation has changed.”

Dell narrowed his gaze. “How?”

“My sister returned home safely less than two hours ago.”

It was not what he’d expected to hear. But it would do. “You have come to pay the remainder of my fee, then?”

She tipped her head, allowing the black ringlets falling from her coiffure to gently graze her col­larbone. “Not exactly.” Turning away, she strolled toward the front window.

“Then what? Exactly?” he asked, fighting the inex­plicable desire to follow her across the room.

She glanced back over her shoulder with a chal­lenging light in her gaze. “You were hired to find my sister and bring her home. Since she obviously managed to do that on her own, I have decided to give you another chance to earn your full fee.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Dell asked, “What would you have me do now?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today Bestselling author Amy Sandas’s love of romance began one summer when she stumbled across one of her mother’s Barbara Cartland books. Her affinity for writing began with sappy preteen poems and led to a liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She lives with her husband and children near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 Find Amy Online:

Website: http://www.amysandas.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmySandas

Twitter: @AmySandas

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6217869.Amy_Sandas

GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win a copy of Luck is No Lady, first book in Amy Sandas’ sexy and bold Fallen Ladies series!

Link:

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Posted in Historical Romance, Promotions | Leave a comment