The Accidental Duchess (Fairbourne Quartet #4) by Madeline Hunter

I really enjoyed this book! There was something so fresh and compelling about Lady Lydia and Penthurst's relationship that I just couldn't help but be drawn in and held captive by their story!

Description...

When Lady Lydia Thornton is blackmailed over the shocking contents of a manuscript she once wrote, she must go to the most desperate of measures to raise the money to buy back the ill-considered prose: agreeing to an old wager posed by the arrogant, dangerous Duke of Penthurst. At least Penthurst is a man she wouldn’t mind fleecing—and she’s confident she’ll win.

Penthurst long ago concluded Lydia was a woman in search of ruinous adventure, but even he is surprised when she arrives at his house ready to bet her innocence against his ten thousand pounds—a wager he only proposed to warn her off gambling.

When she loses to a simple draw of the cards, Lydia is shocked. Now, her problems are twofold: a blackmailer determined to see her pay and a duke determined to tame her rebellious ways. One misstep and Lydia could find herself ruined—or bound to the seductive man who would make her his duchess.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine

Author: Madeline Hunter
Title: The Accidental Duchess
Publisher: Penguin/Jove
Format: Paperback
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0515151312    

His Mistress by Christmas (Sinful Family Secrets #2) by Victoria Alexander

His Mistress by Christmas is one of those stories that will have you laughing at society's rules and the pompous, self serving 'elite' of the ton. It's a wonderful holiday romance, and a great addition to the Sinful Family Secrets series!

Blurb... For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow--and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him.

Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks--if his family deems him responsible enough. There's no better way to prove his maturity than with a wife. But though Veronica will share his bed, she refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan: An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica's mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together--in this, and every season to come. . .

*********

This is such a fun historical romance! No angst, no contrived drama here… just a feel good, steamy, delightful holiday tale!

An ARC was received by, and reviewed for, Affaire de Coeur Magazine.

The Perils of Pursuing a Prince (Audio) by Julia London and Anne Flosnik

Description...

Lady Greer Fairchild hopes to avoid guardian Lord Downey's plan of marriage to the first bidder by seeking her distant inheritance, controlled by Rhodrick Glendower, Earl of Radnor, Prince of Powys. Overly helpful Mr Percy reinforces rumor that the prince is rough, ruthless -- even a murderer. But Greer never imagines the brute would refuse to let her leave his remote Welsh castle until she has proven her identity. Or that she would be powerfully attracted to the passionately virile man whose gruff demeanor belies a proud and sensual nature. Greer falls under his spell, determined to unravel the secrets of her Welsh heritage and the mystery surrounding the dark prince who dares her to become his wife and princess.

4 solid 'Beauty and the Beast' stars

The Perils of Pursuing a Prince is the second book in the Desperate Debutantes Trilogy and a fun, romantic, sexy tale. It was my first taste of Julia London's writing as well as my first listen of Anne Flosnik's narrating, and I enjoyed both very much.

My Quickie Review...

Like several others whose reviews I read, it took me awhile to warm up to Greer and Rhodrick, but the story itself was intriguing and is what kept me reading. Eventually, though, we learn that all the things that make them hard to connect with are, once understood, the same things that make them endearing people. I really did come to adore them, their complicated,. emotional story, and their happily ever after!

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine www.affairedecoeur.com

Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright, Narrated by Jill Redfield

Description:

Despite having been besotted with Dante Garcea since she was a child, wolf shifter Jaime Farrow figures that it’s time to move past the crush. If he wanted her, he wouldn’t have ignored her flirtatious behavior, right? Hiding her intense attraction to him isn’t easy – especially now that they're part of the same pack again – but with bigger issues to worry about and with the submissive wolf act to maintain, Jaime is resolute on moving forward. Now if only the workaholic control-freak would let her…

As the pack Beta, Dante doesn't have the space or time in his life for a relationship. As such, he ignores his intense hunger for the willful – and sometimes crazy – Jaime. Yet when her flirtations abruptly end, Dante finds that he doesn’t like losing her attention. He finds something else too – Jaime's hiding something. Determined to uncover her secret, he sets out to break through her defenses, even though being around her intensifies his cravings for her. What he finds is a problem that Jaime is convinced not even a powerful Beta can solve.

***** 

Witty, exciting, and very sexy!!

Wow! Just… WOW! I have to say, I enjoyed the first book, Feral Sins, a lot, but Wicked Cravings is even better! I was pulled into the story from the get-go and fell hard for our Beta hero, Dante, and his kick-ass heroine, Jaime!

My review…

I’m not sure what I loved most about this story – the plot or the dialogs. I can’t tell you how many times I groaned in a giggling “oh, that was cheesy” kind of way! There are so many tongue-in-cheek one-liners that had me laughing at Dante and the rest of the Pack, even as they continue the arduous task of establishing themselves as a Pack to be reckoned with amongst the others in the area.

I wasn’t too impressed Jill Redfield’s audio book narration of Feral Sins, but I sure enjoyed her this time. She really hit the mark with her performance and I’m looking forward to listening to more of her narrations!

The bottom line…

In my mind, Wicked Cravings has proven Suzanne Wright's genius as an author in the world of paranormal shifters, because anyone can write the genre, but not everyone does it this well. And with Ms. Redfield’s talented voice further bringing the story to life The Phoenix Pack series is a must read for fans of the Paranormal Romance/Shifter genre!

The audio book was reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine

Mirror, Mirror Anthology by J.D. Robb

Once upon a time…

…in a world far removed from the days when fairy tales were new, five bestselling authors spin versions that take the classic stories into a new dimension. You’ll recognize Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and other enduring characters, but they’ll exist in realms beyond your imagination, where the familiar is transformed into the extraordinary and otherworldly. 

*****

4.5 intriguing, lively, romantic, sinister, and enchanting stars!

This anthology offers something for everyone, and should not be missed!

#1 - Taken in Death by J.D. Robb - 5 stars -

For whatever reason, I haven't yet ventured into J.D. Robb's In Death series, even though my daughter is wild about these stories and owns every book. But I received the Mirror, Mirror anthology for review, so figured, why not give it a go. Holy cow! From the very first paragraph this story grabbed hold. It's a riveting retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale, and leaves absolutely no doubt in my mind why this series is so popular - Intense, intriguing, masterfully told... Ms. Robb is a brilliant author!

#2 - If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blayney - 4 stars -

Told in shades of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this is a delightful historical romance. It's a story about finding your perfect fit - be it in chairs, beds, or that once in a lifetime love. It's also a story about being careful what you wish for, because when your wish comes true, it might not happen in the way you had hoped.

#3 - Beauty, Sleeping by Elaine Fox - 5 stars -

This is a wonderfully imaginative and thoroughly entertaining retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It's unique, romantic, thoughtful, and I enjoyed every moment I spent reading. I also appreciated the 'moral of the story' which Ms. Fox wove neatly into this modern day twist on a beloved fairy tale.

#4- The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComas - 4 stars -

There was something special about this story...a feeling of hope, faith, love, and sweet but not sappy. Drawing from by Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Matchstick Girl, and the Brothers Grimm's The Star Money, theres just so much heart to this tale!

#5 - Stroke of Midnight by R. C. Ryan - 4 stars -

A modern day Cinderella tale, this story is entertaining and enchanting! I loved the strength of our heroine, Sydney, and her sense of adventure that led her to Cullen and their Happily Ever After!

The Bottom Line - I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. Each author has a distinctive, creative, and very entertaining voice and I'm looking forward to reading more of their writing!

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine


Mirror, Mirror
J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan
Jove
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-0515154078
****1/2  

Nautier and Wilder by L. Leigh and J. Burton

I was so, so pleased with both stories in this book! They're exciting, romantic, sexy... yep! I'm very pleased!

Nauti Siren by Lora Leigh:

My synopsis:

Piper Mackay just wants to live life on her own terms, without her meddling, overbearing, obnoxious brother Dawg, and cousins Rowdy and Natches, dogging her every step. But as it often does for those Mackays, danger lurks around every corner and they're not about to willingly leave her unguarded. Jedediah Booker agrees that Piper needs protecting, but he doesn't want to suffocate her or hold her back, but convincing her he's not like the others isn't going to be easy. He wants her safe, but he wants her in his bed, and his life.

It was such a treat to revisit those Mackays! It's been awhile, and it's nice to see that some things don't change... those Mackay men are just as... well... obnoxiously overbearing - and sexy - as ever! And I love it!

Riding to Sunset by Jaci Burton:

My synopsis:

Jed Templeton is the newest member of Wild Riders, a group of Harley riding undercover agents headed by General Grange Lee. When the General's sister goes missing, Jed is assigned to keep an eye on her daughter, Elena Madison. To keep her safe Jed has to concoct a bunch of lies because Elena doesn't even know she's got an uncle, nor does she understand the possible danger they're all in. There's an undeniable sexual attraction between she and Jed, but once Elena learns the truth about why he's in her life, she has a hard time believing that she's nothing more than a job to him.

Oh, how I loved this story! You know, I've only read one of the books in this series, and it was a while ago, but I'm DEFINITELY going to go back and read the others. So exciting, so sexy!

For those wondering, these stories work VERY well as stand-alones, and as for the wait... it's been LONG, but well worth it!

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine