Release Day Review- The Duke Gets Desperate by Diana Quincy

Title: The Duke Gets Desperate (Sirens in Silk, book #1)

Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian

Author: Diana Quincy

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Avon, Sept. 26, 2023

Pages: 384

Rating:4

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon:

Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, inherits his spendthrift father’s title and can finally restore the family castle to its former glory. But at the reading of the will, Strick is stunned to learn that his father has secretly disentailed him, leaving the family manor—home to twelve generations of dukes—to Strick’s American stepmother. Everyone knows Strick detests the dowager duchess, and when she dies mysteriously, damning rumors start to surface. 

When Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her glamorous late cousin’s castle in the English countryside, she clashes with the charismatic young duke who insists the castle is rightfully his. The estate is practically bankrupt, so she must find a way to work with the duke in order to save both of their futures.

The two cannot stand each other, but mutual disdain soon gives way to desire. When questions arise about how her cousin died, Raya cannot help wondering if Strick’s sudden unbridled passion for her is part of a scheme to get his castle back…  

**

This book is an enjoyable start to a new HR series. There is romance, and mystery as well as evil goings-on. Raya has a head for business and is getting the Estate out of debt by her acumen. Anthony at first doesn’t think Raya’s ideas are proper to the aristocratic nature of the estate but he is won over by her results. Meanwhile there is someone trying to thwart Raya’s efforts. A good read and well written.

Release Day Review- Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

Title: Every Duke Has His Day

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Suzanne Enoch

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin, Sept. 19, 2023

Pages: 320

Rating: 4.5

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 4

Description from Amazon:

Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, has a passion, but it’s not for chasing ladies or gambling till dawn. No, his is the far more dangerous pursuit of the science of chemistry. He may be a tad eccentric, but he can navigate a society ballroom, and manage a polite conversation—if he must. He’s certainly capable of taking care of his aunt’s perfectly behaved poodle, Lancelot, while she’s on holiday.

Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering, third daughter of a viscount, is enjoying her second, spectacular Season in London. She is a Diamond of the Season and is adored by all—and especially by her precious black poodle, Galahad. To everyone else, however, Galahad is a demon dog. So much so that Bitsy’s most insistent beau and particular victim of Galahad’s bad manners, has hired a thief to steal the dog, clearing the way for his suit.

But none of them can plan for a chaotic encounter in the park, resulting in lost notes, a soaking in the Serpentine and an accidental dog swap…and Lancelot being kidnapped instead of Galahad! Determined to locate the dog, Michael isn’t thrilled to be saddled with a flighty female insisting on helping—except that Bitsy has a great deal more sense than he expected. And a sharp tongue to match. Still, what’s a scientist to do but continue to pursue an outcome, however unexpected it may be? But chemistry is all about attraction, and this is one formula with some hilariously romantic results.

**

It appears that Michael and Elizabeth should be totally incompatible, she being a young debutant and he being a serious scientist. Fate brings them together when their Poodle dogs are stolen and they muxt join forces to hopefully get back their dogs.

This book was a delight for the slow-burn romance and for the original plot. The villain is truly self-involved and evil. Although he thinks himself righteous. The character development is terrific. Perhaps a regency Deb would not be allowed this much alone time with a man but after all he is a Duke and very much an eligible bachelor. I can highly recommend this book to all Regency fans.

Release Day Review- How to Tame A Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long

Title: How To Tame A Wild Rogue (Palace of Rogues, book #6)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Julie Anne Long

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager, July 25, 2023

Pages: 384

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 3

Description from Amazon:

In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s thrilling new romance in the Palace of Rogues series, an infamous privateer’s limits are put to the test when he’s trapped during a raging tempest with a prickly female at the Grand Palace on the Thames.

He clawed his way up from the gutters of St. Giles to the top of a shadowy empire. Feared and fearsome, battered and brilliant, nothing shocks Lorcan St. Leger—not even the discovery of an aristocratic woman escaping out a window near the London docks on the eve of the storm of the decade. They find shelter at a boarding house called the Grand Palace on the Thames—only to find greater dangers await inside.

Desperate, destitute, and jilted, Lady Daphne Worth knows the clock is ticking on her last chance to save herself and her family: an offer of a loveless marriage. But while the storm rages and roads flood, she and the rogue who rescued her must pose as husband and wife in order to share the only available suite.

Crackling enmity gives way to incendiary desire—and certain heartbreak: Lorcan is everything she never dreamed she’d wanted, but he can never be what she needs. But risk is child’s play to St. Leger. And if the stakes are a lifetime of loving and being loved by Daphne, he’ll move any mountain, confront any old nemesis, to turn “never” into forever.

**

This is book six of this series. I have enjoyed every book. Each is a stand-alone novel but I do encourage readers to start at the beginning of the series and read along. Doing this gives you a very through understanding of all the delightful side characters. Julie Anne Long is a favorite author of mine ever since I discovered her Pennyroyal Green Series. This addition to the Palace of Rogues Series is not to be missed.

In this book we are not only treated to Lorcan and Daphne’s story but we are also given more insight into the marriages of Angelique and Delilah, the proprietresses of the Grand Palace On The Themes where this story takes place. All of the side characters are developed further in this addition to the series.

Release Day Review- The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath

Title: The Notorious Lord Knightly (The Chessmen Series, book #2)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Lorraine Heath

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager,  June 27, 2023

Pages: 384

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 0

Description from Amazon:
A scandalous book by an anonymous author takes London by storm, and everyone is convinced its villainous “Lord K” is the greatly admired Earl of Knightly. Heartbroken that he left her at the altar, Miss Regina Leyland impulsively sought revenge by revealing the true Knightly to the world but never expected the uproar to bring enemies to her door. To keep her identity hidden, she must trust the one man with the power to destroy her.
Furious to be the object of notoriety and gossip, Knightly confronts the lady he suspects of penning the tome only to discover she is no longer the naïve innocent he was forced to betray, but a woman of strength and conviction, who will bow before no man.
Knightly and Regina pretend a reconciliation to salvage their reputations and throw the ton off their scent. But false friendship soon turns to powerful passion. When truths emerge, threatening all they hold dear, they must face the consequences of their past if their story is ever to deserve its happily ever after.

*** 


This was a good page turner.  Both Regina and Arthur Knightly were still in love 5 years later although Regina was still angry about being left at the alter and Knightly was full of guilt over the incident even though he felt he had no other choice.

I did enjoy this escape into a very romantic novel.  If at times the melodrama was a bit over the top it all played into the scenario of lovers who were estranged but destined to be together.  Ms. Heath has created a heroine who is strong and practical and a hero who is compassionate and selfless.  The love scenes sizzle and the secrets are what keeps us glued to the pages when we should be getting some shut eye. This is book #2 in the Chessmen series but it is a standalone novel with the other chessmen making appearances.

Recent Release- Play For Me by Libby Hubsher

Title: Play For Me

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author: Libby Hubsher

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Berkley, June 20, 2023

Pages: 368

Rating: 3

Sexy Rating: 4

Violence Rating: 0

Description from Amazon:

When her new job takes her to a New England boarding school, she’s surprised to find her roommates are all men – including a very handsome one who plays by his own rules. 

Sophie Doyle has her dream job as the head athletic trainer for her favorite baseball team (go Red Sox!), a handsome boyfriend, and easy access to the finest cannoli in Boston. When she loses all three and the World Series to boot, she’s forced to apply for the open trainer position at an arts-focused boarding school in New Hampshire. The only available room is a glorified closet in an apartment with three guys: Jonas Voss, the aloof and attractive orchestra teacher, and his two rambunctious roommates.

Sophie knows that training a bunch of privileged high school kids whose idea of a play is A Chorus Line instead of a walk-off homer is going to be a big change from the pro athletes she’s used to. She wasn’t expecting that these students would have big-time talent and even bigger-time problems. Sophie has troubles of her own—Jonas is a full-fledged grump who clearly doesn’t want her near him or the precious piano he never plays.

With sunny optimism, Sophie sets out to win over Jonas and help the kids she’s growing attached to. But when her relationship with Jonas moves to the major leagues and plans change at the end of the season, they have to choose whether they are playing for keeps.

**

Okay, so I’m not into baseball. I’m also not much into professional teachers acting like college students. I guess I wasn’t into this book. The author had a good plot and the side stories were interesting but I just couldn’t warm up to the whole grumpy curmudgeon as worthy of Sophie’s time or interest. For me this book is a case of it-is-me-not-you.

Release Day Review- Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke

Title: Bookshop Cinderella

Genre: Historical Romance/ late Victorian

Author: Laura Lee Guhrke

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Forever, June 20, 2023

Pages: 336

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 0

Description from Amazon:

Evie Harlow runs a quaint little bookshop in London, which is the biggest adventure an unmarried woman with no prospects could hope for. Until Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, saunters into her shop with a proposition: to win a bet with his friends, he’ll turn her into the diamond of the season. The duke might be devilishly attractive, but Evie has no intention of accepting his ludicrous offer. When disaster strikes her shop, however, she’s left with little choice but to let herself be whisked into his high-society world.

Always happy to help a lady in distress, Max thinks he’s saving Evie from her dull spinster’s life. He’ll help her find a husband and congratulate himself on a job well done. But as shy Evie becomes the shining star he always knew she could be, she somehow steals his heart. And when her reputation is threatened, can Max convince her to choose a glittering, aristocratic life with him over the cozy comfort of her bookshop?

**

A little bit Cinderella and a lot more “My Fair Lady”. I really enjoyed this story of a shop owner who falls in love with a Duke. Of course, it doesn’t start out that way and there are many obstacles along the way but I did cheer for an HEA and was not disappointed. This was well written by an accomplished Historical Romance author. I highly recommend this book!

Release Day Review- Swamp Story by Dave Barry

Title: Swamp Story

Genre: Novel, Dark Humor

Author: Dave Barry

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Simon and Schuster, May 2, 2023

Pages: 320

Rating: 4.5

Sexy Rating: 0

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon:

Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times bestselling author and actual Florida Man Dave Barry returns with a Florida caper full of oddballs and more twists and turns than a snake slithering away from a gator.

Jesse Braddock is trapped in a tiny cabin deep in the Everglades with her infant daughter and her ex-boyfriend, a wannabe reality TV star who turned out to be a lot prettier on the outside than on the inside. Broke and desperate for a way out, Jesse stumbles across a long-lost treasure, which could solve all her problems—if she can figure out how to keep it. The problem is, some very bad men are also looking for the treasure, and they know Jesse has it.

Meanwhile, Ken Bortle of Bortle Brothers Bait and Beer has hatched a scheme to lure tourists to his failing store by making viral videos of the “Everglades Melon Monster.” The Monster is in fact an unemployed alcoholic newspaperman named Phil wearing a Dora the Explorer costume head. Incredibly, this plan actually works, inspiring a horde of TikTokers to swarm into the swamp in search of the monster at the same time villains are on the hunt for Jesse’s treasure. Amid this mayhem, a presidential hopeful arrives in the Everglades to start his campaign. Needless to say, it does not go as planned. In fact, nothing in this story goes as planned. This is, after all, Florida.

**

Are you laughing after reading that description? I laughed my way through this entire book. This is dark humor with really evil bad guys but we just feel that Jesse and baby Willa will be okay. Poor Jesse, she has no one to help her so baby Willa goes everywhere with Jesse in her baby carrier even running from the bad guys. Yes, this book is very over-the-top and the author asks us to suspend our disbelief over and over. However, I couldn’t help but have an achy smile face while I read the entire book. I especially like how the author wrapped up ALL the loose ends. Delightful!

Release Day- The Night She Met The Duke by Sarah Mallory

Title: The Night She Met The Duke

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Sarah Mallory

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Harlequin Historical, April 25, 2023

Pages: 288

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon:

Hearing herself described as “a lady as dull as her name” is the final straw in Prudence Clifford’s disastrous season, so she decides to stay with her aunt in Bath. But Pru’s new life is  anything  but dull when one night she finds an uninvited, devastatingly handsome duke at her kitchen table! Pru will never forget the emotional connection they shared. But it’s their unexpected reunion three months later that will prove truly unforgettable… 

**

Sarah Mallory is a new-to-me author who has written many romances. What took me so long? This book is well written and the character development is spot on. Pru is a spinster and has no betrothal prospects in her future. She is content to be a companion to her aunt in Bath. When she and her aunt are invited to London for the season she is happy to go along and see the sights. Then she sees the duke again and she can’t deny to herself that she has feelings for the man that the ton thinks is a rogue. He tries to discourage her but Pru is very stubborn and tries to save his tarnished reputation. This was a fun romantic read. I will definitely read more from this author.

Release Day Review- Return To Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

Title: Return to Satterthwaite Court (Somerset Stories, Book #3)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Mimi Matthews

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Perfecr Proper Press, April 11, 2023

Pages: 286

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 4

Violence Rating: 4

Description from Amazon:

Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But arranging to purchase the property he desires is more difficult than Charles ever imagined. The place is mired in secrets, some of which may prove deadly. If he’s going to unravel them, he’ll need the assistance of someone as daring as he is.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman.

From the wilds of rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London, Charles and Kate embark on a cross-country quest to solve a decades’ old mystery. Will the greatest danger be to their hearts—or to their lives?

**

Once again Mimi Matthews gives us a scrumptious romantic plot along with a hint of mystery. Katherine is a bit of a wild-child, not always acting in a manner society would approve. She does know her own mind and when she encounters Charles she knows he’s the “ONE”. I can’t help but think Charles didn’t know what hit him when Kate turned up unannounced at his country home. Soon they were getting better acquainted and having an adventure that had nothing to do with The high seas of Charles’ past. I can always count on Ms. Matthews for a page-turning yarn and a lovely romance.

Recent Release- A Spinster’s Guide To Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

Title:A Spinster’s Guide To Danger and Dukes (Ladies Most Scandalous, book#3)

Genre: Historical Romance/Mystery

Author: Manda Collins

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Forever, March 28, 2023

Pages: 310

Rating: 3.5

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 4

Description from Amazon:

England, 1867: Miss Poppy Delamare is living a lie. To escape an odious betrothal, she fled to London where she’s been hiding as the unassuming secretary Flora Deaver. However, when her beloved sister is accused of murder, Poppy cannot leave her to the wolves. Only a most unexpected—and unwelcome—collision interrupts her journey home . . . 

Despite a rather dismal first meeting, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady in need. But he’s not above asking a favor. A fake betrothal will give Poppy and her sister the power of the dukedom and protect Langham from the society misses intent on becoming his duchess.

Yet the longer the ruse goes on, the more Poppy and Langham realize how false their first impressions were—and the less pretend their engagement feels. But before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals. With time running out, can Poppy and Langham find the real culprit—before Poppy becomes the next victim?

**

This is a well written romance and mystery. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I kept thinking the characters should be doing “more”. Especially since Poppy was supposed to be so concerned about her sister. She had a powerful Duke at her side so couldn’t she demand to be taken to her sister? There is also some repetition which I always view as an author trying to fill-out the pages. Is the plot interesting? You betcha. It had exciting breathless moments and action. The romance was rather lukewarm but then it did heat up as the H/h got to know and like each other.