Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of WILD, WILD RAKE, a Cavensham Heiress novel by Janna MacGregor

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that by publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of WILD, WILD RAKE, a Cavensham Heiress novel by Janna MacGregor, published February 25, 2020.

Blurb for WILD, WILD RAKE:

Her first marriage was an epic failure.

Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

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Connie’s Review:

London - 1805

Avalon, the Marchioness of Warwyk, is due to have a baby in a few months. Her marriage to her husband was pushed upon her and him by her parents. Thus, they cannot stand one another. He is very ugly, brutish, and demeaning to her. But when he dies, she is so relieved.

1815

Avalon lives with her son, Thane Pearce, age 10, in the village of Thistledown. Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton, is the guardian and conservator of Avalon’s son, Thane, and the estate. Gavin thinks that Avalon may be using funds from the estate to help support her projects to build housing to rehabilitate prostitutes and their children. However, that is not the case as she is using her own funds. Therefore, Gavin decides to send his brother, Devan, a vicar, to become the new vicar of Thistledown. This does not set well with either Devan or Avalon as there as always been animosity between them. He calls her the Marquess of Warlock and she calls him the Vicar of Vermin. So, they start off on the wrong foot as she tries to thwart any authority he might have and he gives it right back to her. However, Thane proves to be the mediator between them as Devan helps to tutor the boy in Latin and teaches him to play chess. He wants to prepare him for Eton. Thane and Devan bond well and enjoy being together. But Avalon continues to resent him being there. What can be done especially when their animosity turns to attraction? Is there a way that these two opposites can come together?

An enemies to lovers book that is very sweet. Lots of chuckles as each of them learns to see the other for the really good person that they are. I truly enjoyed this book and Janna MacGregor has quickly become a favorite author of mine. Well done! Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

WILD, WILD RAKE, a Cavensham Heiress novel by Janna MacGregor, Stm Martin’s Paperbacks, available now in ebook, print, and audiobook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of FOREVER MY DUKE, an Unlikely Duchesses novel by Olivia Drake

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that by publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of FOREVER MY DUKE, an Unlikely Duchesses novel by Olivia Drake, published December 31, 2019.

Blurb for FOREVER MY DUKE:

“I find Miss Fanshawe to be quite charming—for an American.”—The Prince Regent

Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She’s the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.

But Natalie doesn’t have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn’t care less about Hadrian’s title. After all, it’s not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can’t understand what it’s like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke?

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Connie’s Review:

Hadrian Ames, age 29 and the eighth Duke of Clayton, has been delayed by bad weather as he travels to have dinner with the family of his prospective bride, Lady Ellen Godwin, age 18. When his father died, Hadrian was just 6-years-old and at the behest of his late father, went to live with the Earl of Godwin, the man’s cousin. His mother was furious as she only got to see her son a couple times a year. His father and Lord Godwin had made a contract years ago that Hadrian would marry Godwin’s daughter, Ellen, and he has decided it is time to honor his father’s request. His mother is against the match because she feels that while they grew up together, there is no love between them. This does not bother Hadrian as he feels that Ellen would be a good duchess.

At the inn where he staying overnight, Hadrian meets a beautiful young woman caring for a young boy named Leo. Natalie Farshawe, age 26, has brought the boy from America to live with his grandfather now that his parents have passed away. Since Leo tends to be a rascal running off and such, Hadrian ends up helping Natalie to find him. It turns out that the grandfather is Lord Godwin. At the man’s house, he is reluctant to recognize Leo as he had disowned his daughter when she married a minister and moved to America. While they wait for proof from Lord Godwin’s solicitor that Leo is actually his grandson, Natalie stays there and she and Hadrian enjoy getting to know one another. Even though Natalie is unused to the respect given the English aristocracy, she soon learns what it all means. Natalie is the daughter of the late senator from Pennsylvania in America and was used to entertaining many people in America’s government. In addition, there are hints that she may have even higher ranked relatives.

Is there a way for Natalie to remain in England and not have to leave Leo? Could she and Hadrian have a future together?

Totally delightful book! I loved the creation of the plot and the characters and all quite real and intriguing. There is romance and intrigue both in this book so enjoy!! Both Natalie and Hadrian are strong people and I think they would make a perfect couple.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

FOREVER MY DUKE, an Unlikely Duchesses novel by Olivia Drake, St. Martin’s Press, available now in ebook and print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THIS EARL OF MINE, a Bow Street Bachelors novel by Kate Bateman

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that by publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of THIS EARL OF MINE, a Bow Street Bachelors novel by Kate Bateman, published October 29, 2019.

*And check out that gorgeous cover!

Blurb for THIS EARL OF MINE:

The first book in a new Regency romance series, an heiress and a rogue accidentally end up in a secret marriage of convenience.

In a desperate bid to keep her fortune out of her cousin's hands, shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed marries a condemned criminal in Newgate prison. The scoundrel's first kiss is shockingly heated, but Georgie never expects to see her husband again. Until she spots him across a crowded ballroom. Notorious rogue Benedict Wylde never expected a wife. He was in Newgate undercover, working for Bow Street. To keep their marriage of convenience a secret, Wylde courts Georgie in public, but the more time they spend together, the more their attraction sparks. Could an heiress with the world at her feet find happiness with a penniless rake? Kate Bateman's This Earl of Mine is a delightful start to the Bow Street Bachelors series, with witty banter, dynamic characters, and swoon-worthy romance.

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Connie’s Review:

London - 1816

Georgiana (Georgie) Caversteed, age 24 and a wealthy heiress, is off to Newgate Prison to find a husband. Her father’s manservant, Pieter, is with her. She prefers someone about to be hanged the next day leaving her a widow and in control of her own money. After her father died, she came under the dictates of her odious cousin Josiah who wants to marry her and control her money. This way, he must now leave her alone. She had inherited her father’s trading and shipping business and is extremely wealthy. Her mother and younger sister live with her and they also received nice inheritances.

Benjamin (Ben) William Henry Wylde, age 28 and the second son of the late Earl of Morcott, is a war hero who has been imprisoned at Newgate. He, along with two friends, Alex and Seb, own the Tricorn Club, a gambling hell, which also allows them to spy on people for the Crown. Ben is in prison as a plant to listen in on a smuggling scheme. Ben makes extra money from the Crown to help his brother, John, pay off their late father’s debts.

At the prison, Georgie finds there are no men assigned to be hanged soon so she decides to marry Ben because the jailer says he is to be deported the next day. In exchange for marrying her, Ben will receive 500 pounds with no claim to anything more.

Thinking herself safe, Georgie is shocked to meet Ben at a soiree. She soon discovers his true background and admires him for vowing that he did not marry her for her money. But before they can even consider whether they should continue their marriage, there are many adventures ahead for them.

This is a nice romance with lots of intrigue thrown in. I think that there is almost too much “extra" added to the story which is why I gave it 4 stars. Sometimes, less is more.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

THIS EARL OF MINE, a Bow Street Bachelors novel by Kate Bateman, St. Martin’s Press, available now in ebook, audio, and print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of the thriller, 29 SECONDS by T. M. Logan

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

***This one is a thriller rather than romance but I think you’ll enjoy hearing about it since it is very socially timely. I know I want to read this after reading Connie’s review. It sounds very edge of the seat. What would you do if you had this chance?

I present to you a guest review of 29 SECONDS by T. M. Logan, published September 10, 2019.

Blurb for 29 SECONDS:

Give me one name. One person. And I will make them disappear…

When Sarah rescues a young girl in trouble, she expects nothing in return. But her act of bravery puts a powerful and dangerous man in her debt. He lives by his own brutal code, and all debts must be repaid - in the only way he knows how.

He offers Sarah a way to solve a desperate situation with her intolerable boss. A once-in-a-lifetime deal that will make all her problems disappear.

No consequences. No comeback. No chance of being found out.

All it takes is a 29 second phone call.

Because everyone has a name to give. Don't they?

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Connie’s Review:

Alan Hawthorne is hitting on Sarah Haywood in a cab taking them back to their hotel. A group of them are attending a conference. After dinner, they went out a get a cab. Alan had grabbed Sarah and pushed her into a taxi and took off leaving the others behind. When they get to the hotel, she is able to get away from him and breathes a sigh of relief.

Dr. Sarah Haywood has a good job at a university and is hoping to continue to prove herself and finally get a permanent position. Unfortunately, she is at the mercy of Professor Hawthorne who is a man who cannot keep his hands to himself. He literally preys on women, but the heads of the university look the other way because Alan is a charismatic man who brings in a lot of money to the university. He even has his own TV series. He is known as the Bulletproof Professor.

Sarah’s husband has left her and their two young children to take a break and find himself. Therefore, all the responsibility falls upon her. But she manages to get the children to school, teach her classes at the university, and get back to pick up the children from their after school program.

Driving home one day, Sarah sees a man and child on the sidewalk when a Mercedes in front of her purposely runs the man down and tries to kidnap the little girl. Before he can get to her, Sarah rams into him crushing his legs. Someone in the car takes a picture of her car and now she is afraid they will come after her for revenge.

Alan calls Sarah into his office and tells her that if she wants her promotion, she is going to have to play the game and have sex with him. Furious, she refuses and manages to get away from him.

When Sarah is purposely bypassed for a permanent position by Alan and the position goes to a man with much fewer qualifications and whom she had been mentoring, she is devastated.

One day she is grabbed and taken to a private place where she meets a man who is very wealthy. He is the father of the little girl she saved. He says that since she saved her, he wants to return the favor to Sarah. He tells her to give him the name of one person and he will make them disappear. She assures him that there is no one. But he gives her time to get back to him.

Sarah is faced with a serious decision to make. Could she be revengeful enough to get rid of the devil in her life? If so, could she then live with herself? What will she decide to do?

I have just described what is just the tip of the iceberg of this magnificent thriller. The author has presented to the reader how evil sexual predators can be to women and how many of them get away with it, especially if they have power and money. The author shows us the feelings of desperation and loneliness that victims of abuse feel and why many of them are left with their lives destroyed. I really loved this book and I know both women and men alike will enjoy it. I would like to see it become a movie.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

29 SECONDS by T.M. Logan, St. Martin’s Press, available now in ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Wacky Wednesday: More Christmas Themed Romance

On December 10, 2012, Hallmark Hall of Fame presented the delightful story, CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY. It was nice, it was sweet, it was Hallmark worthy but as usual the book is always better than the movie. The book this movie was based on - CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas.

If you haven't watched CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY, you can see it on the Hallmark Channel - Thursday night, December 20, 2012. Perhaps after you watch it, you'll come back here and put in your dibs for one of three copies of this delightful story! Yes, a three copies Giveaway!

Click HERE to go watch a trailer for CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY but then hurry back!

Christmas is less than a week away and that's why I saved this Christmas themed giveaway for this last Wacky Wednesday before Santa makes his big run. Once the weekend comes, you know there's going to be a lot of last minute things to do, shopping to finish, goodies to bake, and yummies to cook. Oh, I'll still be around but I know you might not have time to visit and if you don't I'll understand but I hope you'll stay around long enough for your own chance at winning one of the three copies I have of CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas.

Blurb for CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR:

ONE LITTLE GIRL NEEDS A FAMILYOne rain-slicked night, six-year-old Holly lost the only parent she knew, her beloved mother Victoria. And since that night, she has never again spoken a word.

ONE SINGLE MAN NEEDS A WIFE
The last thing Mark Nolan needs is a six-year-old girl in his life. But he soon realizes that he will do everything he can to make her life whole again. His sister’s will gives him the instructions: There’s no other choice but you. Just start by loving her. The rest will follow.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE MAGIC…
Maggie Collins doesn’t dare believe in love again, after losing her husband of one year. But she does believe in the magic of imagination. As the owner of a toy shop, she lives what she loves. And when she meets Holly Nolan, she sees a little girl in desperate need of a little magic.

…TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Three lonely people. Three lives at the crossroads. Three people who are about to discover that Christmas is the time of year when anything is possible, and when wishes have a way of finding the path home…

                                     *                         *                       *                        *        

If you'd like to read an excerpt from CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR, click HERE then come on back for an awesome chance to win a hardcover issue of this book.

As I said before, I love Christmas songs, Christmas movies, and Christmas stories.  I start listening to Christmas music as soon as the local radio station goes all Christmas at Thanksgiving and don't stop until they do. I've already seen WHITE CHRISTMAS on AMC four times already, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE HOLIDAY, and MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, as well as a slew of others, including A CHRISTMAS STORY just the other night.  Traditionally, every Christmas Eve or there abouts if we have to be elsewhere, my hubby and I watch either NATIONAL LAMPOON'S A CHRISTMAS VACATION or our newest one these past few years, LOVE ACTUALLY.  

So - what is your Christmas Eve tradition?     

GIVEAWAY PRIZE:  Three (3) Lucky Winners will each get a Hardcover Copy of CHRISTMAS EVE AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas.

GIVEAWAY RULES: 

***  This Giveaway is OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY (valid where prohibited).

***  To qualify for entry in this Giveaway, you must leave a comment and a valid email address. Remember the magic formula to be entered:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!

***  This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, December 21, 2012, at which time 3 lucky comments will be randomly chosen and the winners will be notified by email and then announced in a special Saturday post. If I do not hear from any or all of the winners by end of day, December 27, 2012, I will run the randomizer for the remaining entries and any or all of the prizes will be awarded to someone else.

Happy Reading Everyone and Good Luck!

CHRISTMAS AT FRIDAY HARBOR by Lisa Kleypas, St. Martins Press, available now in print, ebook and audio formats.