MY REVIEWS OF MORE
2018 RITA© AWARDS FINALISTS
The Scoundrel’s Honor
RITA© Award Finalist for Best Historical (long)
Sinful Brides Book 2
by Christi Caldwell
Reviewed at NetGalley: Feb. 12th, 2017
File Size: 3006 KB
Print Length: 354 pages
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01KZOA5BE
$4.99 in E-Book Format at:
or FREE to Read and Listen to With KindleUnlimited
Publisher’s Description:
London, 1822.
Thanks to her older siblings, Lady Penelope Tidemore is no stranger to scandal. In order for her to make a good match, her secret longings for intrigue and romance must be quelled. Yet it is through terrible mischance that Penelope is caught in a compromising position—however innocent—with the darkly enigmatic viscount Ryker Black.
Mr. Black is no gentleman. Raised from the streets and proprietor of the most notorious gaming hell in London, Black lives in a world filled with debauchery and danger. Taking a Society wife from the very ton he despises is not part of his plan, even if the innocent Penelope turns his blood hot with desire.
But Penelope isn’t afraid of Mr. Black, and she soon discovers that his reputation as a scoundrel may be designed to hide a surprising vulnerability. As this unlikely husband and wife grow closer, they learn that what started as chance could end up sealing their fates.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this tale by Christi Caldwell about two totally unsuited people.
Our hero is the bastard son of a Duke who grew up on the streets. Our heroine was born into the nobility with siblings that tend to cause scandal wherever they go.
Penelope vows to not repeat the errors of her family. However fate has a say in that end.
I fell in love with these characters and look forward to the younger sister, Poppy’s story. I’m certain Ms. Caldwell will continue to amaze us.
This is book #2 of the Sinful Brides Series and I have read both. This story makes the reader both laugh and cry, with its emotional rollercoaster.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. This sensual story gets 3 of 5 flames for heat and sensuality.
I highly recommend this read. It is not necessary to read book one to enjoy this title. It reads quite well as a standalone book.
My Review of
Mad for the Marquess
RITA© Award Finalist for Best Historical (long)
Reluctant Hearts Book 1
by Jess Russell
Reviewed at Netgalley: July 27th, 2017
File Size: 2709 KB
Print Length: 446 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1509215336
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Publication Date: July 14, 2017
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B072FHVCQB
$0.99 in E-Book Format
Available For Purchase at:
Publisher’s Description:
James Drake, Marquess of Devlin, had everything—until he was found covered in blood, standing over a dead girl. Now locked away in a madhouse, he has one short year to recover his memories and prove his sanity, or be condemned for life. But the demons inside Devlin’s head are far easier to battle than the evil surrounding him at Ballencrieff Asylum.
Anne Winton hardly expects to find her calling—or love—while working in a lunatic asylum. But despite all warnings, the “Mad Marquess” proves dangerously fascinating to innocent Anne. She vows to save him not only from his adversaries, but from himself.
Initially, Anne is only a pawn in Devlin’s bid to gain his freedom, until he begins to see her not just as a means to an end, but as a beautifully passionate woman. He must choose: compromise the woman he loves, or languish forever in hell.
My Thoughts:
This is the first time I have read this author’s work but hopefully not the last.
It is amazing at times how far society has come with their conception of mental illness. In the past people with mental instability were locked away and treated very badly. Their mistreatment often lead to their death or was detrimental to their health in general.
This heart rending tale of a man with only a slight affliction accused of a murder he has no memory of committing is an excellent example as to what society did to these unfortunate people.
I realize the author has toned down the “treatment” that people received in the past by using the mildest forms in this story but it does give the reader an excellent glimpse of the bias of society in those times.
James and Anne’s story is a very moving, sometimes funny but more often sad tale.
Will Anne’s passionate need to help this lord turn into an undying love or a tragic ending?
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5.0 flames. The underlying characters in this story are very interesting and essential to the plot. The sensual nature is very heated even though not so much physically, it has an undeniable sensuality.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book.
Friday’s Freebies
Bargaining With a Rake
A Whisper Of Scandal Novel Book 1
by Julie Johnstone
File Size: 2920 KB
Print Length: 292 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Night Shift Publishing
Publication Date: November 6, 2012; 1st edition
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00A333VF0
Digital List Price: $0.99
FREE For a Limited Time at:
Publisher’s Description:
For eleven years, Gillian Rutherford has dreamed of escaping her family’s dark secret and living a normal life. Now, faced with an unwelcome marriage that will chain her to London and the secret slowly killing her, she’s desperate to save herself and the sister she adores. Salvation comes in the form of an American shipping tycoon, and all she must do is seduce him into marrying her. But Gillian’s scheme hits a snag when she makes a bargain with a notorious rake Alexander Trevelle, Lord Lionhurst. He’ll help her win the hand of his American friend, if she’ll assist him with exacting revenge against her unwanted fiancé. But the price of the pact may just be their hearts.
McCutcheon Family Series
Boxed Set Books 1-3
McCutcheon Family Series
by Caroline Fyffe
File Size: 3487 KB
Print Length: 814 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07B4M48BV
Digital List Price: $5.99
FREE For a Limited Time at:
Publisher’s Description:
Enjoy the first three books of the award-winning McCutcheon Family series in this special offering. The ten book western historical saga follows the McCutcheon family, as well as the characters of Y Knot, Montana Territory and Rio Wells, Texas from 1883 to 1887.
Book 1: MONTANA DAWN
VCRW Laurel Wreath Winner, Maggie Finalist, Gayle Wilson Finalist ,RWA Golden Heart FinalistMontana Territory, 1883
When Luke McCutcheon finds Faith Brown about to give birth in her rickety wagon, his first instincts are to ride for help. Instead, he stays and delivers a beautiful baby girl. Unable to leave the pretty young widow and her little son and newborn unprotected in the Montana wilderness, he brings them along on his family’s cattle drive, to the absolute delight of the other friendly cowboys.Luke, third son of Montana’s wealthy McCutcheon family, is different from his brothers. As the offspring of a Cheyenne warrior, he carries a chip on his shoulder for all to see. His flashing eyes and handsome face make Faith feel she’s stepped into some long-ago tale where men cherish their women–and keep them safe. If only she could trust him! Faith is on the run, and although she’s pampered and protected by Luke and his family, she just can’t risk the consequences of sharing the details of her past–one that’s hunting to take her back to the nightmare she’s just escaped. Happy-ever-afters are for fairytales, she reminds herself sternly as her heart feels the warm pull of his. Still, she can’t help but dream of a loving family, a home to call her own, a beautiful and bright…Montana Dawn.
Book 2: TEXAS TWILIGHT
VCRW Laurel Wreath Winner
Texas Badlands, 1886
Fresh out of medical school, John McCutcheon finds his stagecoach under attack by brutal outlaws. With the help of a feisty acquaintance, Lily Anthony, he manages to fend off the assault. Lily is attracted to the charming cowboy-doctor, with his chiseled good looks and teasing ways, then heartbroken to learn he’s engaged to be married.
Once settled in Rio Wells, Texas, John tries to ignore the fact that his cousin has taken a shine to Lily. When a bounty hunter shows up looking for a priceless jewel that Lily has found stashed away in her aunt’s belongings, Lily fears her dreams of owning her own shop–and of finding true love–are about to go up in flames…or, could that just be the glow of a beautiful … Texas Twilight?
Book 3: MAIL-ORDER BRIDES OF THE WEST: EVIE
Golden Quill Contest Finalist
A mail order bride goes to Y Knot, Montana, 1886
Secretly answering a letter from the mail order bride agency she works for as a maid, Evie Davenport travels by stagecoach to Y Knot, Montana to marry Chance Holcomb, a young rancher who once worked for the powerful McCutcheon family. Evie’s never been out of St. Louis and rarely left the large Victorian where she was raised. The beauty and vastness of Montana steals her heart and soul, but will her fairytale marriage come to an end when Chance discovers the truth about her past and how his letter ended up in her care? Book three of the McCutcheon family series continues the saga…
Read the entire McCutcheon Family saga in order:
- Montana Dawn
- Texas Twilight
- Mail-Order Brides of the West: Evie
- Mail-Order Brides of the West: Heather
- Moon Over Montana
- Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn
- Montana Snowfall
- Texas Lonesome
- Montana Courage
- Montana Promise
Pies & Peril
Culinary Competition Mysteries Book 1
by Janel Gradowski
File Size: 1729 KB
Print Length: 199 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Publication Date: July 4, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00LK30NEY
Digital List Price: $4.99
FREE For a Limited Time at:
Publisher’s Description:
From USA Today bestselling author Janel Gradowski, comes a mystery that will leave you hungry for more…
When Amy Ridley decided to compete in the Kellerton Summer Festival Pie Contest, the last thing she expected was to find the reigning pie queen, Mandy Jo, dead—a raspberry pie smashed on her face! Mandy Jo made fantastic pies, but she accumulated more enemies than baking trophies. But when Amy receives a note threatening her own life, she decides to do some investigating herself.
It seems that half the town has a reason to kill the mean pie queen, and Amy finds herself sifting through a list of suspects that’s longer than her list of recipes. Not to mention playing cupid for her love-shy best friend, fending off a baker intent on finding out her prize-winning culinary secrets, and ducking the deadly attentions of Mandy Jo’s killer. If Amy doesn’t find out who wanted the pie queen dead soon, her own goose may be cooked!
**Recipes Included**
Pies & Peril (book #1)
Chicken Soup & Homicide (book #2)
Christmas Canapés & Sabotage (short story)
Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes (book #3)
Barbecue & Bad Juju (short story in the “Killer Beach Reads” collection)
Fudge Brownies & Murder (book #4)
Banana Muffins & Mayhem (book #5)
Pancakes & Pandemonium (book #6)
What critics are saying about the Culinary Competition Mysteries:
“PIES & PERIL is the perfect cozy to curl up with in your favorite chair or at the beach while enjoying some sun. It’s teeming with a lot of charm and great characters along with many tidbits of delectable goodies perfect for any foodie. I was really looking forward to reading (Janel Gradowski’s) first full length novel and it didn’t disappoint! PIES & PERIL is sure to please any reader who loves their cozy mysteries!”
~ Peeking Between the Pages
“PIES & PERIL is a beautiful debut and I know I will be eagerly awaiting the second book in the series. (Amy Ridley) had me laughing and smiling, and the warm cozy feeling of reading a good mystery never left me.”
~ Cozy Reader
“PIES & PERIL is a fun read with, murder, arson, threats and romance in the plot! This is a very enjoyable story with a very satisfactory closure. There is also an added bonus of recipes at the end of the book. Amy’s many trial recipes made me hungry and inspired me to bake some goodies! Enjoy!”
~ Indy Girl
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