Release Day Review- The Virgin And The Rogue by Sophie Jordan

Title:The Virgin and The Rogue (Rogues File book #6)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Sophie Jordan

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Avon, April 28, 2020

Pages: 368

Rating: 3

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 4

Description from Amazon:

love potion…
Charlotte Langley has always been the prudent middle sister, so her family is not surprised when she makes the safe choice and agrees to wed her childhood sweetheart. But when she finds herself under the weather and drinks a “healing” tonic, the potion provokes the most maddening desire…for someone other than her betrothed.
With the power…
Kingston’s rakehell ways are going to destroy him and he’s vowed to change. His stepbrother’s remote estate is just the place for a reformed rogue to hide. The last thing he wants is to be surrounded by society, but when he gets stuck alone with a wallflower who is already betrothed… and she astonishes him with a fiery kiss, he forgets all about hiding.
To alter two destinies.
Although Charlotte appears meek, Kingston soon discovers there’s a vixen inside, yearning to break free. Unable to forget their illicit moment of passion, Kingston vows to relive the encounter, but Charlotte has sworn it will never happen again—no matter how earth-shattering it was. But will a devilish rogue tempt her to risk everything for a chance at true love?

**
Up front, if you don’t like detailed sex scenes then skip this one. There is opening talk of menstrual problems and a heroine who does ridiculous sexual advances to a stranger. All in the name of a aphrodisiac potion. Well perhaps, or perhaps she is just sexually excited. Whatever Charlotte is not a proper Regency young woman and it takes her awhile to figure out her place. Kingston has made a supreme effort to change his profligate ways so we are on his side for the entire book. No one besides Charlotte got to taste the potion so we are never to find out if it really is an aphrodisiac. (Now that would have been fun.) So many missed chances with this enticing premise.

Advance Review- A Duke By Any Other Name by Grace Burrowes

Title: A Duke By Any Other Name (Rogues to Riches, book #4)

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Grace Burrowes

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Forever, April 28, 2020

Pages: 384

Rating: 4

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating: 0

Description from Amazon:

Nathaniel, Duke of Rothhaven, lives in seclusion, leaving his property only to gallop his demon-black steed across the moors by moonlight. Exasperated mamas invoke his name to frighten small children, though Nathaniel is truly a decent man — maybe too decent for his own good. That’s precisely why he must turn away the beguiling woman demanding his help.

Lady Althea Wentworth has little patience for dukes, reclusive or otherwise, but she needs Rothhaven’s backing to gain entrance into Polite Society. She’s asked him nicely, she’s called on him politely, all to no avail — until her prize hogs just happen to plunder the ducal orchard. He longs for privacy. She’s vowed to never endure another ball as a wallflower. Yet as the two grow closer, it soon becomes clear they might both be pretending to be something they’re not.

**
As those who know me, know that I’m a fan of Grace Burrowes’ Historical Romances. Each one is a perfect bit of escapist, curl up with wine and a fluffy throw, romance book. (I also have a dish of chocolate truffles handy. TMI?) This book is another well written, character driven, lovely read.

Nathaniel’s brother Robbie should be the duke but he is afflicted with the “falling down” sickness (epilepsy), so the old duke concocted a plan to have second son, Nathaniel, assume that role even though Robbie was still living. This made for a multitude of secrets which unravel as the book goes on. Althea is the first to discover Robbie and her wise advice is to eventually bring her and Nathaniel together. I liked how Burrowes brings to light the horrendous treatment of those afflicted with disease in the Regency period. It is not all bad, for Nathaniel and Althea have an HEA and there is hope for Robbie in the folds of a loving family. I encourage you to read this book.

(This is a standalone novel in the series.)

Release Day- The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

Title: The New Husband

Genre: thriller

Author: D.J. Palmer

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: St. Martins Press, April 14, 2020

Pages: 384

Rating: 2

Sexy Rating: 0

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon:

Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them.
Nina Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But Glen’s gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—so she can’t confront him about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her daughter Maggie’s middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting her shattered life back together.
Simon, a widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina’s teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in their lives. Even Nina’s good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted—or dangerously possessive.
But Nina is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina must first clear her conscience that she’s not making another terrible choice in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.

**
This book is not written well. I could not like any of the characters even the dog was disappointing but at least he was redeemed in the end. I couldn’t find any relationship to the way normal people would live. No person would wait a year and a half to think about getting a job when they were broke. That is just one example. The book starts slow, and has chapters devoted to the point of view of different characters. By midway I was getting tired of the adolescent Maggie’s whining and her mother, Nina’s over the top understanding of Maggie while dismissing her daughter’s concerns. True the action ramps up toward the end but it is still unbelievable. I cannot recommend this book.

Happy Easter

I do hope you are all sheltering in place and staying safe.  Paul and I are going to have our own mini feast of Ham, sweet potatoes, creamed spinach and coleslaw; all our favorites.  I’ve become lazy about dessert and purchased an apple pie from Publix (their bakery is the best!). After dinner we will probably watch a movie, play a card game or do a jigsaw puzzle.  We may even go for a walk in the late evening when it is quiet and no one is around. Quiet and alone can be restorative. I’m counting my blessings.

Virtual hugs from,

Deet

Recent Release- A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones

Title: A Bad Day For Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram, book #1)

Genre: Mystery

Author: Darynda Jones

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, April 7, 2020

Pages: 396

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 3

Violence Rating: 5

Description from Amazon:

Sheriff Sunshine Vicram finds her cup o’ joe more than half full when the small village of Del Sol, New Mexico, becomes the center of national attention for a kidnapper on the loose.
Del Sol, New Mexico is known for three things: its fry-an-egg-on-the-cement summers, strong cups of coffee—and, now, a nationwide manhunt? Del Sol native Sunshine Vicram has returned to town as the elected sheriff—thanks to her adorably meddlesome parents who nominated her—and she expects her biggest crime wave to involve an elderly flasher named Doug. But a teenage girl is missing, a kidnapper is on the loose, and all of this is reminding Sunshine why she left Del Sol in the first place. Add to that the trouble at her daughter’s new school, plus and a kidnapped prized rooster named Puff Daddy, and, well, the forecast looks anything but sunny.
But even clouds have their silver linings. This one’s got Levi, Sunshine’s sexy, almost-old-flame, and a fiery-hot US Marshal. With temperatures rising everywhere she turns, Del Sol’s normally cool-minded sheriff is finding herself knee-deep in drama and danger. Can Sunshine face the call of duty—and find the kidnapper who’s terrorizing her beloved hometown—without falling head over high heels in love…or worse?

**
First, this book is lots of fun. There is witty banter galore, suspense and danger abounds and your heart will go out to Sunshine and her teenage daughter Auri. The male characters are all swoon worthy especially Deputy Quincy, bad boy Levi and that hunky US Marshall. Female Deputy Zee is the kind of gorgeous kickass sharpshooter we all want covering our backs.

Second, this is a terrific start to a new series. We are slowly introduced to Sunshine’s background and that of side characters without a dreaded info dump. And because it is a series there are still a few unanswered questions at the end. But most questions are tied up nicely.

And last, I cannot wait for the next book. Try this one, you’re gonna love it.

 

 

Relese Day Review- To Have And To Hoax by Martha Waters

Title: To Have and To Hoax

Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Author: Martha Waters

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Atria, April, 2020

Pages: 352

Rating: 5

Sexy Rating: 5

Violence Rating:

Description from Amazon:

Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and got married. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since.

Their once-passionate love match has been reduced to one of cold, detached politeness. But when Violet receives a letter that James has been thrown from his horse and rendered unconscious at their country estate, she races to be by his side—only to discover him alive and well at a tavern, and completely unaware of her concern. She’s outraged. He’s confused. And the distance between them has never been more apparent.

Wanting to teach her estranged husband a lesson, Violet decides to feign an illness of her own. James quickly sees through it, but he decides to play along in an ever-escalating game of manipulation, featuring actors masquerading as doctors, threats of Swiss sanitariums, faux mistresses—and a lot of flirtation between a husband and wife who might not hate each other as much as they thought. Will the two be able to overcome four years of hurt or will they continue to deny the spark between them?

**
This was a lively romp through the ridiculous games engaged in by this couple. As ridiculous and childish as the game was, the reader longs for these two basically charming, sane, husband and wife to find their HEA. But they keep digging themselves in a deeper and deeper hole.

I truly enjoyed every melodrama that turned up on almost every page. This plot was well written and I would have given it more than 5-stars if not for wanting to shake the heroine out of her machinations. At about 60% I was tired of the games. The characters were well drawn. Violet and James were easy to like and to understand their ongoing feud. The side characters were ripe for future books of their own. I can highly recommend this first book by Martha Waters and I hope for more fun HR’s in the future..

Advance Review- Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

Title: Lakeshire Park

Genre: Historical Romance

Author: Megan Walker

Source: Free for review from the publisher

Publisher: Shadow Mountain, April 7, 2020(paperback and audio)

Pages: 256

Rating: 4.5

Sexy Rating: 3

Violence Rating: 0

Description from Amazon:
Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore wants only one thing–to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own–without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter–and eventually playing by his rules–makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

**

A delightful romance by a new author. I love the Country House Party trope and this one is lots of fun with Amelia doing her best to thwart Peter’s efforts on behalf of his sister. Amelia decides if she can just keep Peter occupied then Clara, her sister, and Georgiana, his sister, can each duel it out for Sir Ronald’s affections without interference. But little did Amelia suspect she might fall for the man who drove her crazy.

This is a charming, sweet romance that will bring a smile to your lips.