Release Day Review- Completely by Ruthie Knox

Title: Completely (The New York Trilogy, book #3)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Ruthie Knox
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Loveswept
Pages: e-book
Rating: 3
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 0
Description from Amazon:

Everest. If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere. Maybe even New York, where Ruthie Knox takes her charming rom-com style to new heights.

Beneath her whole “classic English beauty” appearance is an indomitable spirit that has turned Rosemary Chamberlain into something of a celebrity mountain climber. But after an Everest excursion takes a deadly turn, Rosemary is rescued by her quick-thinking guide, New York native Kal Beckett. Rosemary’s brush with death brings out a primal need to celebrate life—and inspires a night of steamy sex with the rather gorgeous man who saved her.

The son of a famous female climber with a scandalous past, Kal Beckett is still trying to find himself. In the Zen state of mind where Kal spends most of his time, anything can happen—like making love to a fascinating stranger and setting off across the world with her the next morning. But as their lives collide in the whirlwind of passion that is New York City, the real adventure is clearly just beginning. . . .

**
I’m a fan of Ruthie Knox and this series, but this offering is one I didn’t like as well as the others. Completely is more depressing than either book that went before. I didn’t really like Rosemary. I thought her selfish and self centered. Kal was a nice guy but really not hero material in the romance area. He seemed unfocused in his life and was in love with a woman who bounced from one focus to another. Of course this was well written and the characters drawn very well because Ruthie Knox is a terrific author. You will learn a lot about Sherpas in Nepal and New York City and some about Mt. Everest. I just never could get behind this romantic couple.

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Advance Review- Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor by Anna Bradley

Title: Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor (The Sutherland Sisters book #1)
Genre: Historical Romance/ Regency
Author: Anna Bradley
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Sept 5, 2017
Pages: 272
Rating: 4
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 0
Description from Amazon:

Two sought-after sisters, a slew of suitors—and a vow to hold out for true love. How many proposals will it take to get to “I do”—especially when the stakes are high . . .

There have been six suitors so far, all vying for the attention—and generous dowry—of the beautiful, elusive Eleanor Sutherland. What does this woman really want? Who has what it takes to melt the heart of the so-called Lady Ice? These are the questions Camden West keeps asking himself. But rather than wait for answers, Cam takes matters into his own hands . . . for he has a secret weapon.

Cam knows that Ellie’s sister, Charlotte, harbors a scandalous secret—one that could bring ruin to the Sutherland name. If Ellie marries him, Cam promises to keep mum. But is she willing to sacrifice her own happiness for her sister’s reputation?

To Ellie’s surprise, it becomes clear that Cam doesn’t need her money, nor is he interested in her status. Soon, what begins as a sham engagement transforms into something deeper, and more passionate, than Ellie could have imagined. Is it possible that all Cam truly wanted was her? And is that reason enough to say yes—or is handsome Cam hiding something else? Even for a lady in love, only the truth will do . . .

**
Oh yes! This is a very yummy enemies-to-lovers romance. The characters are so well drawn that I never once thought of them as anything but real people, certainly not like so many cardboard cutout characters we get in so many novels. Eleanor wants a love match and all she has been offered are fortune hunters and unsuitable suitors. Cam has very definite reasons for wanting to marry Eleanor and he is going to make that happen, even if his methods are not above board. Anna Bradley sets us down in Regency England to become voyeurs to this apparently mismatched courtship. Can anything good come from this match; I kept turning pages to find out.

Advance Review- When The Scoundrel Sins by Anna Harrington

Title: When The Scoundrel Sins (Capturing The Carlisles book #2)
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Anna Harrington
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Forever, Aug. 29, 2017-preorder available
Pages: 352
Rating: 4
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 4
Description from Amazon:

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.

**
Anna Harrington gives us another delightful romance in her Capturing The Carlisles series. Quinn caused Annabelle to be ruined some years prior and she has not forgiven or forgotten. Now she must find a husband so that she can claim her inheritance. Her Foster mother sends for Quinn, her nephew, to help in finding that husband. The local neighbor thinks he should be the bridegroom since her land would benefit his coffers and he seems to be a dastardly villain capable of all kinds of evils. Quinn realizes that if he is to help Annabelle he must find a way to circumvent his Uncle’s will.

Yes, there is romance. Two people so intent on not believing their true feelings for each other and sexual tension that just seems to grow more lusty. Well written with characters who although blind to their own feelings are none the less well drawn. A good book to curl up with on a rainy summer afternoon.

Release Day Review- Traitor In Her Arms by Shana Galen

Title: Traitor In Her Arms (The Scarlet Chronicles book #1)
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Shana Galen
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Loveswept, Aug 22, 2017
Pages: 275
Rating: 5
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 5
Description from Amazon:

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.

**
Hang on for a wild ride. Set in the tumultuous Reign of Terror, Lady Gabrelle is pressed into service by the Scarlet Pimpernel to help save a titled woman and her child from the Guillotine. The Earl, Ramsey, needs to find out the identity of the Pimpernel to save himself from his nefarious blackmailer, and Lady G. seems like a good entry to the Pimpernel. But what starts out as two individuals working for themselves turns into romance.

I enjoyed this action packed adventure romance. There are sexy times and very violent times. I admit to being a bit squeamish about all the “heads rolling”. Shana Galen can put us in the middle of the action and give us heart pounding scenes that keep the pages turning.

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Title: Leave The Night On (Cottonbloom Series #4)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Laura Trentham
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: St. Martin‘s Press, Aug. 2017
Pages: 331
Rating: 4
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating:
Description from Amazon:
Love, betrayal, and sweet revenge—life in Cottonbloom is about to get a whole lot hotter . . .
Sutton Mize is known for lavishing attention on the customers who flock to her boutique on the wealthy side of her Mississippi town. So when she finds a lace thong in her fiancé’s classic cherry-red Camaro, she knows just who she sold it to: her own best friend. In an instant, Sutton’s whole world goes up in flames. . .
Wyatt Abbott has harbored a crush on Sutton since he was a young kid from the other side of the tracks. He witnessed Sutton’s shocking discovery in the Camaro at his family-owned garage—and it made him angry. What kind of man could take lovely, gorgeous Sutton for granted? But then Sutton comes up with an idea: Why not give her betrothed a taste of his own medicine and pretend that she’s got a lover of her own? Wyatt is more than happy to play the hot-and-heavy boyfriend. But what begins as a fictional affair soon develops into something more real, and more passionate, than either Sutton or Wyatt could have imagined. Could it be that true love has been waiting under the hood all along?
**
A most enjoyable contemporary romance. Right from the first pages we want Sutton and Wyatt to get together. Sutton’s former fiancé is a cad and we delight that she is getting rid of him. Sutton’s BFF is so double-crossing that we have trouble with Sutton wanting to forgive her. There are steamy moments and villainous doings.This is a well written page turner perfect for all contemporary romance fans. I do wonder about the title, still can’t figure how one leaves the night on.

 

Advance Review- The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell

Title: The Importance of Being Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance/ Victorian
Author: Kimberly Bell
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Entangled, July 25, 2017 preorder available
Pages: 250
Rating: 5
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 4
Description from Amazon:
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.
**
Sometimes I just get lucky. I pick a book with an author I have never heard of and all turns out to be fabulous. This isn’t always my luck but it was this time. Kimberly Bell is a fairly new author. She has a 3 book series and this book that I hope will have at least a sequel because there were characters to whom I was not ready to say “good-bye”.
Nicholas and Amelia are meant for each other but Nick was away on the continent for two years and Lord Montrose proposed so Amelia said “yes”. Nick hadn’t written in over a year so he must have forgotten her. Nick returned and he still loves her, but how to end it with Lord Montrose whose overbearing and controlling attitude made him a pitiful villain? Why pitiful? He is so sure of himself and totally discredits Amelia’s attempts at ending the engagement and tells her he will bankrupt her family if she doesn’t marry him. Hilarity ensues as Amelia creates one scandal after another to rid herself of the impossible man. She has help from her invalid sister Julia and Nick’s best friend Jasper. I’m hoping that Julia and Jasper get together in the next book although they never meet in this book.

There are laugh out loud hijinks and Jasper is a fabulously funny character.
If a book can push my funny buttons then this one did for me. I love witty repartee and every word from Jasper is a gem. Julia also is wise and pushes Amelia to do what is right but not always proper. Nick is a besotted lover and Amelia needs Julia, Nick and Jasper to help her. Lord Montrose and Amelia’s mother are delightful in their villainous machinations.
I highly recommend this book. This one is going on my yearly “best of” list.

Advance Review- The Red by Tiffany Reisz

Title: The Red: An Erotic Fantasy
Genre: Contemporary Erotica Romance/Fantasy
Author: Tiffany Reiz
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: 8th Circle Press, July 11, 2017 (preorder available for Kindle)
Pages: 212
Rating: 5
Sexy rating: 5++
Violence rating: 4 (all sex is consensual but very often rough)
Description from Amazon:

** Paperback Not Available for Pre-Order, But Will Be For Sale on Release Day (July 11, 2017) **

The Red is a standalone novel of erotic fantasy from Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of The Bourbon Thief and the Original Sinners series.

Mona Lisa St. James made a deathbed promise that she would do anything to save her mother’s art gallery. Unfortunately, not only is The Red painted red, but it’s in the red. She soon realizes she has no choice but to sell it.

Just as she realizes she has no choice but to sell it, a mysterious man comes in after closing time and makes her an offer: He will save The Red if she agrees to submit to him for the period of one year.

The man is handsome, English, and terribly tempting…but surely her mother didn’t mean for Mona to sell herself to a stranger. Then again, she did promise to do anything to save The Red…

**
This is labeled a “Fantasy” but Mona isn’t sure if her involvement with Malcolm is reality or fantasy. She will do what it takes to save her mother’s art gallery and if that means submitting to Malcolm then how hard could it be when he is devastatingly handsome.

There is constant suspense and mystery that is intertwined with all of the extremely erotic encounters of Mona and Malcolm. I initially thought Malcolm was real, then a fantasy, then real and I kept going back and forth wondering. That kept me turning pages to find out what was the outcome of this mystery.

I am a fan of Tiffany Reisz’ books ever since I read the wonderful THE HEADMASTER. She is a wonderful storyteller and there is no one better at writing erotic sex scenes. This is a romance even if not the usual vanilla type. If you are at all squeamish about BDSM, then you will want to skip this one. However the story is compelling enough so that you will like it anyway.

 

Some Facts for the Fourth

Did you know:

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day, July 4, 1826.

James Monroe, 5th president of the USA, died on July 4, 1831.

Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the USA, was born on July 4, 1872.

(these facts from The Washington Post, July 2, 2014)

Advance Review- Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain

Title: Scandalous Ever After (Romance of The Turf, book #2)
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Theresa Romain
Source: Free for review from the publisher
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 4, 2017 preorder available
Pages: 352
Rating: 3.5
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 5
Description from Amazon:
After years apart, old friends Lady Kate Whelan and Evan Rhys reunite at a race. They’ve been masking their feelings for each other for years, but when Evan must protect Kate from her late husband’s secrets, he may not be able to resist her any longer.
After being widowed by a steeplechase accident in Ireland, Lady Kate Whelan abandons the turf. But once her mourning is complete, her late husband’s debts drive her to seek help in Newmarket amidst the whirl of a race meet. There she encounters antiquities expert Evan Rhys, her late husband’s roguish friend—whom she hasn’t seen since the day of his lordship’s mysterious death.
Now that fate has reunited them, Evan seizes the chance to win over the woman he’s always loved. But once back within the old stone walls of Whelan House, long-held secrets come to light that shake up everything Kate thought she knew about her marriage. Now she wonders who she can trust with her heart—and Evan must decide between love and a truth that will separate him from all his heart desires.
Romance of the Turf Series:
A Gentleman’s Game (Book 1) currently $.99 on Amazon for Kindle, Deet’s Rating 3.5
Scandalous Ever After (Book 2)
**
This book played out very much like book one in the series for me. It was so slow in the beginning I almost didn’t finish and then at about 2/3 of the way through it picked up to go taking off at a gallop. Theresa Romain can write beautiful prose and dialog but I do wish she would not put us to sleep early in the book. There is a scene with Kate’s children and Evan that did provide quite a bit of plot information but it went on way too long. Some coincidences were just a bit TOO coincidental, and the wrap up left me scratching my head wondering “Why?” All that being said, it still was a good book. Yes, I know after all my peeves, that doesn’t make sense, but it is a good read in spite of the flaws. If you like the historical facts about horse racing in the Regency Era then this book is very well researched, as is the first in the series.

 

Review- A Fallen Lady by Elizabeth Kingston

Title: A Fallen Lady
Genre: Historical Romance/ Regency
Author: Elizabeth Kingston
Source: purchase
Publisher: Author
Pages: 364
Rating: 5
Sexy rating: 5
Violence rating: 5
Description from Amazon:

Six years ago, to the outrage of her family and the delight of London gossips, Lady Helen Dehaven refused to marry the man to whom she was betrothed. Even more shockingly, her refusal came on the heels of her scandalous behavior: she and her betrothed were caught in a most compromising position. Leaving her reputation in tatters and her motivations a mystery, Helen withdrew to a simple life in a little village among friends, where her secrets remained hers alone.

For reasons of his own, Stephen Hampton, Lord Summerdale, is determined to learn the truth behind the tangled tale of Helen’s ruin. There is nothing he abhors so much as scandal – nothing he prizes so well as discretion – and so he is shocked to find, when he tracks Helen down, that he cannot help but admire her. Against all expectations, he finds himself forgiving her scandalous history in favor of only being near her.

But the bitter past will not relinquish Helen’s heart so easily. How can she trust a man so steeped in the culture of high society, who conceals so much? And how can he, so devoted to the appearance of propriety, ever love a fallen lady?

**
After having read several very positive reviews of this book I just had to see what all the superlatives were about. I was not disappointed! This is the type of book that makes a reader cringe at any interruption. I wanted nothing more than to just continue reading and I was so sorry when it ended.

Helen had a trauma so devastating to her that she can hardly get words out to describe the horror. So she keeps her secrets deep inside; only sharing them with her best friend, Marie-Anne.
Stephen’s estate is close to where Helen lives and Helen’s brother has asked Stephen if he will help him to reconcile with Helen. Even though Stephen is very proper and views Helen as a fallen woman he is attracted to her but she keeps her secrets and distance. Stephen has some secrets of his own that he doesn’t share; he has quite a few.

This is a very emotional book. These two have to navigate a societal divide in order to be together. I kept reading to see how this author’s stunning prose and sensitive characterization would bring these two broken people together. Turns out, she does it beautifully.

Highly recommended!!