Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THE MERRY VISCOUNT, a Widow's Brew novel by Sally MacKenzie

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!

I present to you a guest review of THE MERRY VISCOUNT, a Widow’s Brew novel by Sally MacKenzie, published September 24, 2019.

Blurb for THE MERRY VISCOUNT:

The “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home are determined to rise above scandal—and forge a sparkling new future operating their own brewery and alehouse…

With Christmas around the corner, Miss Caroline Anderson hoped to persuade a London tavern owner to carry the Home’s Widow’s Brew—only to discover the dastard was more interested in her ankles than her ale! To her further annoyance, her stagecoach back to Little Puddledon is waylaid by louts and a snow-covered ditch. Amid a nasty storm, Caro seeks shelter at a nearby estate—only to be greeted by Viscount Oakland, aka Nick, her brother’s childhood friend—and her schoolgirl crush. Now he’s the half-dressed host of what is clearly a holiday bacchanal. Still, his house is irresistibly warm.

Ever the free spirit, Nick has invited the wilder gentleman of the ton, and an assortment of London’s lightskirts, to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional, pagan fashion. So he’s surprised to find Caro at his door. Now, with a blizzard raging, he must take her in—despite his fear she won’t take to his guests, and worse, upend his party. But she may surprise him—and upend his life.

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Connie’s Review:

Caroline (Caro) Anderson is traveling in the snow on a stagecoach heading back to the Benevolent Home for the Maintenance and Support of Spinsters, Widows, and Abandoned Women and their Unfortunate Children located in Little Puddledon. She had traveled to London hoping to encourage Mr. Harris, owner of the Drunken Sheep to purchase Widow’s Brew which she and the other residents of the Home produce. It has been well-received and if she can send more of it, they will not be under the threat of their patron, the Duke of Grainger. It is difficult to be a woman in business as so many men try to put their hands on her.

On the drive, they pick up another couple of passengers, a mother and her young son. Once onboard, the mother shows she also has a newborn daughter with her. But a broken axle brings the coach to a halt.

Luckily, it happens near the home of Nicholas (Nick) St. John, Viscount Oakland, age 32, and sometimes called Lord Devil. It just so happens he is hosting a Christmas orgy for some of his friends, which has quickly become a bore to him. When Caro and the others knock on the door, Nick is shock to see a young woman with a baby requesting help for the people in the disabled coach.

Nick had inherited his title and home from his uncle whom he despised. The man had been mean and cold to him. Now, Nick doesn’t really know where things are in the large mansion he has inherited as he was never allowed in certain areas.

Nick and Caro had been childhood friends as he played with her brothers. However, she no longer has contact with her family. At one time, Caro had had a crush on Nick, but she has since put all that aside to concentrate on selling the ale they brew. Now that she realizes that trying to supply ale to far away London would be impossible, she asks for Nick’s help.

As they spend more days together, they want to give in to their attraction to one another, until Nick learns that Cleo had been violated as a young woman and along with being skittish of men, is afraid of sex. Ah, but Nick is a good teacher, so will he be able to guide her to happiness for both of them?

As always, Sally MacKenzie has written a thoughtful, sexy, and humorous novel that readers will enjoy. Well done!

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

THE MERRY VISCOUNT, a Widow’s Brew novel by Sally MacKenzie, Zebra Books, available now in ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of DECEIVED BY DESIRE, a Gilded novel by Marie Force

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!

I present to you a guest review of DECEIVED BY DESIRE, a Gilded novel by Marie Force, published August 27, 2019.

Blurb for DECEIVED BY DESIRE:

Wealthy American industrialist Aubrey Nelson has invited the Duke and Duchess of Westbrook to visit his family’s Newport seaside “cottage” for the summer. With his parents’ departure from New York delayed, Aubrey’s mother sends him ahead to oversee preparations for their guests. But when he arrives, he’s surprised to find the house and staff in disarray …

With much to do and little time, Aubrey comes to rely on the housekeeper, a lovely young Irish woman named Maeve Brown. And when he also finds himself confiding in Maeve about more personal matters, he tells himself it’s merely their close proximity that draws him to the compassionate, hard-working beauty. Yet when he suspects Maeve is in danger, Aubrey realizes his feelings for her have grown much deeper than they should have. For what will his mother, who dreams of a society match for her only son, have to say when she arrives to discover he’s lost his heart to a girl of the working class?

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Connie’s Review:

1903 - Newport, Rhode Island

Aubrey Nelson, 32, is observing the beauty of the housekeeper, Maeve Brown, who is cleaning his home called Paradis Trouve on Bellvue Avenue. His family had purchased the home from the Astor family.

Having just arrived to see the house opened for the season, he is shocked to see how filthy it is. His parents had wanted him to see that all was ready for the upcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess of Westwood.

Apparently, the staff had been angry at Mrs. Nelson, Aubrey’s mother, when they left last season and instead of closing the house up tight, they left windows open. Birds and rodents had come in and fouled up the rooms. Now, Maeve is doing all she can to scrub each and every room.

At first, Aubrey introduces himself as the new butler, but when the real butler shows up, Aubrey is caught in his lie and confesses who he really is. Aubrey pitches in to help, but Maeve does not feel that the owner should do that. He sees the huge mess that has been made so he hires a bunch of people from the village to help clean it.

Aubrey is taken with Maeve’s beauty and her cultured and graceful ways. Although she tries to tell him that he is gentry and she is not, he doesn’t care. He soon learns that she fled Ireland after killing her cruel husband in self-defense. That’s when Aubrey offers to marry her. She agrees and they marry quickly.

But when Aubrey’s family arrives to visit, they are welcoming to Maeve - expect for his mother. Her hatred is deep and Maeve is worried how far the woman will go to get rid of her.

This is a story of two people who fall deeply in love. Their affection for one another is well-written into the story and is totally swoon-worthy. I know readers will enjoy the book. The Gilded Age is a favorite time period of mine. Marie Force is a terrific author and I look forward to reading even more of her books.

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

DECEIVED BY DESIRE, a Gilded novel by Marie Force, Zebra Books, available now in ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of NEVER KISS A NOTORIOUS MARQUESS, an Infamous Lords novel by Renee Ann Miller

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!

I present to you a guest review of NEVER KISS A NOTORIOUS MARQUESS, an Infamous Lords novel by Renee Ann Miller, published April 30, 2019.

Blurb for NEVER KISS A NOTORIOUS MARQUESS:

They are the infamous lords, whose scandalous ways keep tongues wagging. But when darker whispers take hold, a spirited writer's encounter with a dangerously desirable nobleman may uncover the whole story...

For James Trent, Lord Huntington, there's no escaping the question that labeled him The Murdering Marquess: was his wife's death a tragic accident or a cold-blooded crime? He's avoided London's gossipmongers since that terrible night, as guardian to his younger siblings on his Essex estate. But trouble finds him when a veiled temptress with secrets of her own falls—quite literally—into his arms.

Caroline Lawrence doesn't need a man to rescue her—the aspiring journalist anonymously advocates for women's rights in a radical London newspaper column. But when a suffragist's soapbox speech turns to pandemonium, Caroline is knocked on the head and reawakens in Trent Hall—with the notorious lord of the manor irresistibly close. If there is any truth to his tarnished past, she should denounce him with her powerful pen. Yet love has a way of revealing a man's true character.

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Connie’s Review:

Helmsford, England - 1878

Caroline Lawrence is riding in a carriage from the train station to the Essex countryside. She is disguised as a widow and has come to listen to Beatrice Walker speak on women’s rights. Caroline doesn’t want her father to know she has come to listen to the woman, nor does she want her father to know her big secrets. Caroline writes a well-known column for the London Reformer under the name Mr. C. M. Smith. When a man tries to throw an egg at the speaker, Caroline intervenes and gets knocked to the ground, hitting her head.

James Trent, the Marquess of Huntington, rescues Caroline bringing her to his home, Trent Hall, for the doctor to examine her. While James is not comfortable with Caroline staying his place while she recuperates as the doctor suggests, he relents. James has several siblings who live at the Hall and they can act as chaperones.

Two years ago, James’s wife, Henrietta, died after she fell down the stairs. Some people think he pushed her which is not true. He loved his wife and mourns her.

Caroline knows she needs to get back to London before her father returns from his latest diplomatic trip to France. She gives James a false last name. One night, she goes out to the garden for air and sees James. There, they share a kiss that stuns both of them. Next day, Caroline sneaks back home. James wants to find her but no one knows her by the fake name she gave him.

When he heads to London, he happens to see her and now his pursuit begins.

This is an enjoyable novel about a determined young lady and a man who genuinely cares for her. I liked it quite much.

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

NEVER KISS A NOTORIOUS MARQUESS, an Infamous Lords novel by Renee Ann Miller, Zebra Books, available now in ebook and print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of LONDON'S BEST KEPT SECRET, a Midnight Secrets novel by Anabelle Bryant

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!

I present to you a guest review of LONDON’S BEST KEPT SECRET, a Midnight Secrets novel by Anabelle Bryant, published March 26, 2019.

Blurb for LONDON’S BEST KEPT SECRET:

In Anabelle Bryant’s latest novel of ardor and ambition, a lord will stop at nothing to possess the woman of his dreams . . .

In monetary matters, Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, is used to being in control, but from his first sight of Lady Charlotte, his carefully cultivated world is rocked to its foundations. Determined to best her other, more eligible suitors, he goes to great lengths to ensure his betrothal to Charlotte. A locked black leather box holds the dark secret that has assured his success.

Innocent Lady Charlotte is baffled by her new husband’s behavior. Why does Lord Dearing seem so distant one day, and so attentive the next? Her family’s dire financial straits did not allow her the luxury of an extended courtship. If only she could entice him into the marriage bed! When at last Charlotte’s efforts are rewarded, she revels in Jeremy’s unexpectedly bold possessiveness. But outside of their bedchambers, her groom’s guardedness quickly returns. Passion is no longer enough for sweet Charlotte, who vows to unlock the mystery of this complicated man. The truth, however, might be more than her principled heart is prepared to handle. . . .

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Connie’s Review:

Charlotte Lockhart, Lady Dearing, is being gifted a kitten by her friend, Amelia Beckford, Duchess of Scarsdale. But, Charlotte knows that her husband, Jeremy Lockhart, Viscount Dearing, will not let her keep the adorable little ball of fluff.

Jeremy had rescued Charlotte’s family from financial ruin and Charlotte’s parents informed her then she would wed the man. Now, after 10 months, the marriage has yet to be consummated.

One thing Jeremy likes to do is find investments that may seem risky, but have made him quite wealthy. But, Jeremy has a secret about the financial transaction he made with Charlotte’s father. Should she ever learn the secret, he fears she will hate him. Therefore, his secret is locked in a leather box on his desk and he carries the key with him everywhere…until one day he loses it.

Jeremy spends a lot of time in his study working on his accounts. But he breaks away when he hears Charlotte play the piano in the afternoon. She is an accomplished pianist. They both long to break the ice between them and make their marriage a real one.

When Jeremy realizes how attractive Charlotte is to other men, he decides it’s time to woo and court his wife. Before long, they are spending more time together and getting to know one another.

Can their marriage become a loving one? Should Charlotte ever learn the secret he carries, will she hate him?

The author did a great job writing this love story that grows in steps. Both Charlotte and Jeremy are well-constructed characters and I found myself rooting for them to open their hearts to one another. Of course, when you add a kitten to the mix, it can’t help but be a fun story. Well done, Annabelle Bryant!

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

LONDON’S BEST KEPT SECRET, a Midnight Secrets novel by Anabelle Bryant, Zebra Books, available now in ebook, print, and audiobook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Unwrapping a Review of SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD, a Renegade Royals novel by Vanessa Kelly

I first discovered the writing of Vanessa Kelly through LOST IN A ROYAL KISS, a novella that introduced me to The Renegade Royals series. After reading that delightful novella, I knew I wanted to continue with her first full-length novel, SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD.    

***eARC provide by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD:

In this witty, sensual new series, Vanessa Kelly introduces the Renegade Royals, illegitimate sons of the Royal Princes who are finding their rightful places in society…

Accomplished spy Aden St. George prefers to stay away from the frivolous ton, especially after the way his mother was used by the Prince Regent. But his latest mission compels him to guard unconventional, vibrant Lady Vivien Shaw. Rescuing her from kidnappers was easy. Resisting her beauty is not. Duty demands he keep an eye on her—and naturally, his lips soon follow. For someone who views entanglements as a weakness, this is pure, delicious folly…

Though grateful for Aden’s help, Vivien has secrets she must keep hidden. Yet with her abductors still at large, she needs Aden’s protection almost as much as she craves his touch…

*             *              *              *              *

Lady Vivien Shaw had been kidnapped, manhandled, and treated as no woman of her standing should ever be treated.

Aden St. George was charged with rescuing her but soon discovered why Vivien is so highly regarded by the ton as a most sought after prize. His mission extended beyond her rescue and has now entangled him in a situation fraught with intrigue, danger, and the battle within himself to resist her beauty and the need to have her for his own.

From the moment these two meet in the dank deplorable caves in which Lady Vivien was held, there’s an indisputable attraction, one that neither wish to acknowledge or avoid. SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD by Vanessa Kelly is fast-paced, and cleverly crafted to keep us guessing as to who the real villain is, yet it treats us to a couple who fall head over heels in love while trying to deny their feelings.

In the mode of classic historical romances, Aden as a hero is everything we want him to be. He’s to fall in love with charming even as he carries his own personal demons, which stem from the circumstances of his birth and the walls he’s built around his heart to keep from being hurt any further. His loyalty to Dominic and his need to protect Vivien is unwavering and that alone makes him most swoon-worthy.

I will say that I might have chosen a different title for this story but that aside, SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD, book one in The Renegade Royals series by Vanessa Kelly is a romance reader’s delight. With its fast-pace, its intrigue, and cleverly woven mystery as well as the lethal danger that surrounds Lady Vivien, and the maniacal lengths of which the bad guy goes to reach his goals, Vanessa has created a read that will satisfy even the most picky of historical romance readers.

I highly recommend SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD by Vanessa Kelly and if you haven’t already read LOST IN A ROYAL KISS, the story that introduces Dominic, then by all means do so before Griffin’s story comes along – one I’m truly looking forward to as well.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD, a Renegade Royals novel by Vanessa Kelly, Zebra Books, release date – January 7, 2014, available in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes& Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links or cover below for purchasing information

   

Unwrapping: Review of LOST IN A ROYAL KISS, a Renegade Royals novella by Vanessa Kelly

Intrigued by the name of this new series from Vanessa Kelly, the Renegade Royals, I just knew I had to start at the beginning. It all begins with LOST IN A ROYAL KISS and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

***eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for LOST IN A ROYAL KISS:

In this thrilling introduction to her Renegade Royals series, Vanessa Kelly transports readers to the court of King George III—where a London street urchin unwittingly plays Cupid, ushering in a new era—and ultimately a new kind of royal…

With her widowed mother working long hours as governess to the royal children, Linnet St. Clare must look after her siblings and run the household. Now she must add to her worries the fate of Dominic, a poor orphan who has inspired the wrath of the king himself. Clearly, Linnet has no time to consider her own desires—much less notice the attentions of a certain handsome, powerful magistrate…

Sir Anthony Tait is at a loss for how to capture Linnet’s interest. If only she would be still long enough for courting. Outright seduction seems the only answer. But will his kisses be enough to persuade her—or might Anthony have something to learn from young Dominic about matters of the heart? And in saving the boy’s future, might Anthony and Linnet at last create their own?

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Sir Anthony has a problem in the guise of an independent, quick-tempered, and family loyal woman named Linnet St. Claire. He wishes to make her his wife yet she deems to avoid him at every turn. His chance arrives on a day when she sweeps into his office with the young Dominic in tow and declares that Sir Anthony must assist her. Of course, he’ll do anything that per chance might keep her close and his debt. Things don’t quite go the way he hoped.

Linnet has always had, for want of a better word, a crush on Sir Anthony but she believes him indifferent to her until he kisses her into a state of absolute fever and then declares - it was just one kiss. Irate and indignant, Linnet vows to avoid him, forever if need be, until one night changes everything and puts her desires, her hopes, and her love on the line and twists her future into a puzzle she may never resolve.

LOST IN A ROYAL KISS, a Renegade Royals novella by Vanessa Kelly is a perfect beginning to what promises to be an exciting and adventurous new series. Within this novella, we experience first love, innocent and mature. We experience the torment of love torn asunder by rules and loyalties but never lose faith that all will work themselves out in the end. Well, we get a sweet and surrendering HEA with Sir Anthony and his lovely Linnet, but then are introduced to the beginning of a long journey for the youthful pair in this tale. Stay tuned for more love, romance, adventure, and hopefully happily-ever-afters with the continuing series – next up, SECRETS FOR SEDUCING A ROYAL BODYGUARD. With a title like that, you know we’re in for an adventure.

I highly recommend reading LOST IN A ROYAL KISS by Vanessa Kelly. A lovely, fast-paced novella that gives us a wonderful opening for further adventures with the Renegade Royals. This how a man chases a woman until she finally captures him themed story is set in Georgian London and keeps us wonderfully entertained while it whets our reading appetite for those tales yet to come.

Happy Reading Everyone!

LOST IN A ROYAL KISS, a Renegade Royal novella by Vanessa Kelly, Zebra books, available now in ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links or cover below for purchasing information

   

Unwrapping: SOUL KISSED, a Shadow Kissed Novel by Erin Kellison

I was so excited about reading SOUL KISSED, book two in the Shadow Kissed series by Erin Kellison that I actually entered a contest to win an ARC copy of the book before it was released. Now, I very seldom enter contests anymore since I’ve got more than enough reading to keep me busy and not enough hours in the day to do it, but now and then I do – if it’s a book I just have to read. SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison was one of those books. Well, I guess she wanted me to read it too because as soon as I entered, she contacted me and asked if she could send me a copy. Wow, did that make my day! If you love urban fantasy with a paranormal romance twist, you’re going to want to read this one!

***Print ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SOUL KISSED:

While the world slumbers in Shadow, a fatal plague has swept through magekind. No one is immune to its ravages, and now that her father is dead, Cari Dolan must wield the fearful magic of her House to save innocent lives.

At the mage Council's bidding, dangerous outsider Mason Stray joins forces with Cari to hunt down the fiend responsible. But can he trust the daughter of wealth and privilege, especially when his own son is at risk?

The princess will always welcome to her bed the warrior, even if one must pay the ultimate price...

*                *                  *                   *                   *

Mason Stray is a man of independence, a man with skills that only some have witnessed and known how to utilize. Most of all, Mason is a father. His son Fletcher is his life, his world, and when a plague among the Mage threatens him, he does what any good father would do – gives him up to protect him.

Cari Dolan has survived the plague when many others haven’t, including her father. Now the head of Dolan House, she has the weight of the world on her shoulders and is determined to find the fiend responsible for bringing this race-ending plague to magekind. Soon she discovers that her Shadow has grown stronger and nearly out of control, a voice in her head becomes clear. The voice belongs to Maeve, a fae queen who isn’t there for good.

Cari and Mason work together to find the villain that threatens not only their lives, but their world. With the plague, Shadow is in the open and the humans are not happy about it. Danger lurks in every turn of their investigation and the question of who to trust becomes first, and foremost, in their minds. Second, perhaps, to their growing attraction that by mage rules can't happen.

SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison is action upon action from the first page straight on through to the end. If you read the first book in the series, FIRE KISSED, you will already know some of the characters and their stories. Whereas with some series, you must read from the beginning, and in order, and although I do recommend reading the first before the second, it’s not imperative that you do because they work well as stand-alones.

SOUL KISSED is powerful, action-packed, and Erin has created a world that intermingles with human lives in such a way as to believe it could very possibly exist just the way she’s written it. The character relationships, such as that between Mason and Fletcher, are believable, sensitive, and loving when they need to be and powerful, aggressive, and protective when needed to survive. The characters are three dimensional, easily related to even with their extraordinary abilities, and long lasting. I have no doubt that we’ll see more of Mason, Cari, and Fletcher in the books to come.

I highly recommend SOUL KISSED by Erin Kellison if you’re a lover of dark and dangerous, magic seeping from every corner of the page, good versus evil plot lines, and urban fantasy with enough paranormal romance heat that you’ll be begging for more as soon as you close this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

SOUL KISSED, a Shadow Kissed novel by Erin Kellison, Zebra Books by Kensington Publishing Corp., release date – September 3, 2013, available in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on the links or cover below for purchasing information.