Nell by Jeanette Baker

Nell

by Jeanette Baker

Genre: Contempory Fiction | Romance | Historical

Jillian Fitgerald, whose grand house had 60 rooms, grew up together with Frankie Maguire, the kennel keeper's son, in Northern Ireland. That she was rich and he was poor did not daunt their dreams of someday marrying. But Jillian was headed for a privileged life and the university. Frankie, drawn into the nationalist cause, faced a charge of murder and the dark walls of a jail cell.

With their lives torn apart, there seemed no chance for Jillian and Frankie. But the heart owns knowledge to which the mind is not privy. Generations before, an Irish princess, Eleanor "Nell" Fitzgerald, her family killed, her life in jeopardy, her beloved torn from her arms, was preparing to reach out to another woman who shared her heritage...a woman in another century. Now, from the court of Henry VIII to the violent streets of modern Belfast, Nell and Jillian will become two souls joined in one courageous battle to prove that neither prison bars nor the hands of time can stop the power of love...

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The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

The Time-Traveling Fashionista
on board the Titanic
(The Time-Traveling Fashionista, Book #1)
by Bianca Turetsky

Genre: Contemporary Fiction | Time-Travel | Fantasy | Historic | Young Adult

What if a beautiful vintage dress could take you back in time?

Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly on-board a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamorous life of this opulent era and slips into a life of secrets, drama, and decadence....

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The Wolf Who Loved Me by Lydia Dare

The Wolf Who Loved Me
by Lydia Dare
Pseudonym for Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Historic

Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems...

Specifically, she has so much of it that she's dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners...

Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis...

Specifically, he's just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it's up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast...if she can...

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Conquered by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

 Conquered by a Highlander
(Children on the Mist, Book #4)

by Paula Quinn 

Review on behalf of NetGalley
(via Grand Central Publishing)

Genre: Historical Romance

BOUND BY DUTY
Colin MacGregor was born to fight-for his beliefs, his king, and his family's honor. After years away from his beloved Scotland, he yearns to return to its lush, green hills-and he can, after he completes one final mission for the king. Sent to infiltrate a traitor's home, Colin is determined to expose the treasonous plot and triumph on the battlefield . . . until he meets a sensual lass who tempts him towards other pursuits . . . .

BETRAYED BY PASSION
Lady Gillian Dearly is no stranger to temptation. Cast out of her family for bearing an illegitimate child, she's now the ward of a barbarian conspiring against the king. Her only desire: freedom for her son and for herself at any cost, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Yet when a mysterious Highlander appears in their midst, his braw strength and smoldering gaze give her hope for a future beyond the castle walls-and promise a desire unlike any she's ever known. But passion comes at a price . . .

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The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

The Winter Sea

( UK Title: Sophia's Secret )

by Susanna Kearsley

Genre: Contemporary | Romance | Historic

History has all but forgotten the spring of 1708, when an invasion fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown. Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors, and starts to write. But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory...making her the only living person who can know the truth of what did happen all those years ago - a tale of love and loyalty...and ultimate betrayal. 

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Lord of the Isles by Debbie Mazzuca

Lord of the Isles

(Isles Series, Book #1) 

by Debbie Mazzuca

Genre: Historical Romance | Time-Travel | Fantasy

After traveling to Scotland on business, the bed of a highland laird is the last place Ali Graham expected to wake up. But there's no mistaking the irresistibly masculine Scottish Highlander whose chambers she's accidentally infiltrated—or the severe wound he's suffered in battle. As a doctor, Ali knows how to heal his injury, how to nurse his body back to health. What she doesn't know is how to heal his heart...A proud warrior and the leader of a powerful clan, Rory MacLeod is ready to fight to the death to protect his homeland. After all, ever since tragedy robbed him of his wife, he has had nothing to lose. Yet the mysterious woman sent to tend his wounds is beginning to reawaken something inside him—something that he'd rather stay buried. But when true passion is mixed with Scottish magic, even the most fearsome warrior could begin to fall...

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Blood Eternal by Marie Treanor

Blood Eternal

(Awakened by Blood, Book #3)

by Marie Treanor 

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Fantasy | Historic

Secrets don't disappear after seduction ... Elizabeth Silk is struggling to reconcile her passion for the vampire overlord Saloman and her allegiance to the vampire hunters.  When a shocking vampire revolt calls Saloman away from her, she refuses to follow him.  To make matters worse, Saloman's beloved cousin Luk has been found and awakened by one of his greatest enemies.  Frenzied with blood-lust, Luk embarks on a killing spree and prepares to expose Saloman's biggest vulnerability: Elizabeth.  But under Saloman's regime, vampires have become less concerned with secrecy, no longer will to hid their power.  Rumors are swirling about attacked on humans.  After Saloman joins forces with the vampire hunters to consolidate his power, Elizabeth begins to understand her role in the inevitable collision of the two worlds.  She could bring resolution between vampires and humans -- if she can manage to say alive long enough to play both sides... 

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Blood Sin by Marie Treanor

Blood Sin

(Awakened by Blood, Book #2)

by Marie Treanor 

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Fantasy | Historic

Even if you walk in the light, you can dwell in the dark.  Months after her dangerous encounter with vampire overlord Salaman, Scottish academic Elizabeth Silk is still trying to cope with both the demands of her ancestral bloodline -- which marks her as a vampire hunter -- and the overpowering desire she feels for the immortal she brought back from the grave.  But she is not alone is her fascination with Saloman.  When Elizabeth tracks down a distant cousin from America, she learns he possesses an antique sword that has caused the interest of the Grand Master of the American hunters. It is the ancient and mystical sword of Saloman -- a treasure of vast occult powers and a price beyond measure to both vampires and humans.  Now the race is one on for possession of the sword.  Even as her enemies and allies shift their allegiances and battle for supremacy, Elizabeth must decide which will rule her own perilous fate: unwanted loyalty or unholy love.

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Blood Will Tell

(Warriors of Ankh, Book #1)

by Samantha Young

Genre: Young Adult | Dark Fantasy

Eden is a Soul Eater. While that hasn’t meant much to her in the past, she’s pretty sure any minute now she’s going to go all "Carrie" on her eleventh grade class.

Noah is an Ankh. As an immortal Warrior, his purpose in life is to hunt down and kill Soul Eaters.

Eden is Noah’s next assignment. Problem is… this is an assignment with a difference. Eden’s not your average, run of the mill, Soul Eater. Noah’s job? To test Eden for possible redemption.

It’s a risky business.

Especially if Noah awakens Eden’s inner monster.

It would be kind of hard for Eden to listen to the angel on her shoulder when the devil on the other is telling her, her new best friend is a lying, scheming, immortal enemy...

....betrayal is such a bitch.

So is Eden when you get on her bad side.

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The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

The Splendor Falls

by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Genre: Young Adult | Supernatural

Can Love Last Beyond the Grave?

Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.

 Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

Summary: Sylvie Davis is sent to her late father's ancestral home for the summer in Alabama to recover from "The Accident" that ruined her career in ballet.  Bitter and distraught, Sylvie begrudgingly adapts to her new historical residence even though there are some unsettling rules (ex. no dogs in the house), bewildering small-town beliefs/superstitions, and two young men that she develops conflicting/unbalancing feelings for.  Even though the lush green gardens outside her home brighten her days, Sylvie's nights are haunted by a watcher in the windows and high-pitched howling noises from the nearby woods.  Any attempts to discover the secrets of her father's Old South legacy are usually interrupted by the Teen Town Council/Shawn Maddox or the local ghost town (Cahawba) archaeological dig volunteer, Rhys Griffith.  And when the legendary ghost stories begin to become reality, Sylvie takes it upon herself to set the past straight by uncovering the mysteries of Bluestone Hill.

Review: Sylvie was a rocky character for me, she either came off a stubbornly strong or frustratingly vulnerable and as much as I wanted to recognize her as an independent female lead, in my eye, she only succeeded in lacking confidence.  I know she had good reason to be gloomy, but her coarse actions towards events in the story dampened my feelings towards her.  On the other hand, Rhys was a highly witty and delightful character.  He portrayed a compelling figure that actually revealed many of the stories historical facts and much-needed revelations that moved the tale along.  Shawn also depicted a vibrant character who shined greatly as the small-town's favorite son, but who also had a darker more complex and intense side.  The side-characters were all entertaining enough (somewhat excluding cousin Paula who was more of a downer than anything else) without distracting from the main leads -- a plus!

The story had an intriguing concept full of ghosts, folk-lore, history, mythology, etc. that it instantly appealed to me, but there was almost too much going on in each of those areas that they kind of eclipsed each other.  Also, sadly, some parts that I felt were very important in the story were either anti-climatic/down-played and only slightly revealed right at the end (ex. the whole 'past-life' concept), thus I would have liked a bit more development altogether.  I was entertained though by the spook-factor created from the local ghost beliefs/visions which added a little supernatural thrill.  Plus, the romance sparks were there, just slightly hollow.

  

Likes: Personally, I did enjoy Sylvie's soy milk drinking/meat-substitute eating lifestyle since recently I've adapted to becoming a part-time vegan and got a hoot out of her reactions to the southern dishes. Also, the Welsh mythology was something all together new for me (and that's saying something for a historical/folk-lore Nut like me)!

Dislikes: The overall story's plot development was too lethargic and disordered for my reading taste. The ending left me asking questions that, I felt, weren't fully answered as well as confusion in some of the misleading directions the story took.  All in all, it left me a bit baffled!

Rating:

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The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star
(Shades of London, Book #1)
by Maureen Johnson

Genre: Young Adult | Supernatural Thriller

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it’s the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn’t notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Moving to London was to be a new experience for Rory's last year of high school. The most she was expecting was to make new friends, try out some new sports, and move back to Louisiana with new memories of living abroad. But what she got instead was a morbid life-altering adventure into one of London's darkest mysteries that became a little to personal for Rory and her roommates. Thus, as the gruesome Ripper copy-cat killer begins re-creating the bloody murders right in Rory's East London neighborhood and Rory herself becomes the only witness . . . a darkness unlike anything she has ever known existed begins to take over the whole city.

I found this book to be quite refreshing within the current YA releases. Yet, the beginning and the end almost created two totally different stories for me. It was easy to devour the first few chapters since Rory was witty and very accepting of her new transition into her London boarding school. The settings created were richly detailed & highly intriguing and the variety of side-characters created added enjoyable sparks to the overall tale. The thrilling murders along with the instant media sensation of "Ripper-Mania" blended realistically well into Rory's new lifestyle and set up for a very dark/suspenseful read, but then the story took a bit of a supernatural spin . . . something one would think I would be highly anticipating, but unfortunately I felt it took away something from the story. It was not as if this new direction during the second portion of The Name of the Star was any less gripping than it's first portion, it just created a different reality within the tale that was some-what lacking. All in all, I'm still tempted to check out Book #2 and will judge the series better after that book.

Likes: The New Orleans/Louisiana references were fun and easily relatable (i.e. hurricanes, swamps, gators, etc.)

Dislikes: Loved the beginning, not so much the ending!

Rating:

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Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red
(Ruby Red trilogy, Book #1)
by Kerstin Gier

Genre: Young Adult | Time-Travel

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Gwyn's family is quite unique since they share a secret time-traveling gene. Her cousin Charlotte is the most recent of family members to go through the extensive training that will prepare the travelers for their adventures into the past. Little does the family expect that the lessons have been wasted on the wrong family member since Gwyn suddenly develops dizzy spells herself and literally falls back into the past--twice! Caught off guard by her new ability, she keeps it secret until the truth becomes revealed and she's quickly brought into a mysterious society that is deeply rooted with dark passages, archaic passwords, and oddly enough. . .a cute (but egotistical) boy with the same time-traveling ability. Since Gwyn's new skill was discovered ( along with another darker hidden talent she reveals to only a select few ), she and those around her have been questioning her past and just who she really is. Can the truth be revealed in the past?

This was an okay read. Nothing really special, but interesting enough that I'm tempted to check out Book #2, Sapphire Blue, in hopes it will get better and much more enjoyable. Unlike many books in a series that have continuous stories that AT LEAST contain one plot line which gets concluded within that book. . . this story just keeps going and going. So much so, that I was left hanging at the end going "That's it?" even though it was obvious book #2 would be coming out soon. I didn't feel there was a sense of completion within the tale and because of that, makes me imagine this trilogy as one big substantial book cut into three smaller/duller parts -- boo! Yet, all in all, it contained an intriguing concept that was both unique and puzzling. Book #1 gives you a taste of what to expect further into the series with little glimpses/foreshadowing of Gwyn and Gideon's adventures into the past, so I guess I'll give this series a fuller evaluation after reading further.

Likes: The clothing attire needed for each past visit was fun and I was amused by each character's reactions to their apparel.

Dislikes: With a family that was so use to discussing/praising it's "rare" gene and being very open about it, I was somewhat taken back by Gwyn's reluctance to reveal her ability to her mother due to the fact she was afraid many would consider her crazy. Didn't make sense to me!

Rating:

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern

Genre: Historical | Fantasy

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Two kids are raised to compete in an unknown magical challenge one day. Neither knows what will be rewarded to the winner or who is their competition ( or even much about the overall challenge itself ), but nonetheless, they both dutifully work on their magic under very different and very eccentric teachers. One takes a more physical force when learning about illusions while the other studies from books how to bend the imagination, yet they grown up into powerful figures who can easily enchant and delight through there impossible tricks. Thus, when Le Cirque des Rêves is created, both find themselves drawn to it and each other as the battles truly begins.

This was a refreshing read for me since it was something new to excite my romantic taste and yet satisfy my historical curiosity. The overall book covered many different genres throughout, thus sometimes it felt very mysteriously charming, other times like a young adult adventure, and then it would flip into a very unrealistic delusion of fantasy - so it will definitely keep the reader on their toes. The narration skips all over though, so you do have to pay close attention to the year and the characters since the book will easily go back and forth in time to expand on a tale related to the circus. In the end, it all comes together but it is a bumpy ride for all ( lots of side characters and settings...even within the circus itself ) until the final chapters, so expect lots of passion and excitement as The Night Circus does what it does best . . . enchants!

Likes: (( Spoiler )) Great name for the young male character, Bailey, since it instantly brings to mind "The Greatest Show on Earth" BARNUM & BAILEY ® Circus

Dislikes: Luckily I devoured this book in just a few days, but if this was something you kept by your bed for a few weeks, I could see how easily overwhelmed one could get with the numerous narrations and small stories intertwined within the larger tale. Lots to take in!

Rating:

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Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

Never Love a Highlander
(McCabe's Trilogy, Book #3)
by Maya Banks

Genre: Historical Romance

Caelen McCabe’s young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother’s jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father’s power game, Rionna will do her duty but protect her heart and her pride from another man’s humiliation. Despite everything, the heat in Caelen’s touch melts her defenses and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna’s true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife’s love is too precious to lose.

The youngest McCabe brother, Caelen, marries the twice-jilted bride, Rionna, out of duty to his family. Both go into the marriage for different political reasons but eventually end up sharing a mutual understanding that blooms into affection. Though it is a rocky relationship at first with many trivial arguments ( followed by many bouts of make-up sex ), both Caelen and Rionna create a satisfying ( and somewhat suspenseful ) romance that concludes presently . . . all while building up to the final/fatal battle with the trilogy's evil villain, Duncan Cameron. Expect lots of clan wars, stubborn male tactics, devious plotting, family ties, and a fierce maiden, but overall an enjoyable read!

Likes: The stubborn warrior personalities that both share . . . when you get past their tough outer-shell, they also are both rather vulnerable and hopeful.

Dislikes: I'm not a fan of books that focus on brutal physical abuse and yet that was quite obvious in both Rionna's past as well as her present lifestyle. That is always an emotional downer for me ( even though I can understand the author's motive to create a bleak background story for the protagonist to grow stronger from )

Rating:

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Lothaire by Kresley Cole

Lothaire
(Immortal Afters Dark Series, Book #12)
by Kresley Cole

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Elizabeth (aka Ellie) has had an interesting life. She's grown up deep within the Appalachian Mountains in a back-woods type of family while becoming possessed by a blood loving goddess who has been committing horrendous murders while within her teenaged body. Then upon meeting an evil vampire, ends up on execution row in prison for five years without any family contact. So ... "interesting life" is really a nice way of putting it. On the other hand, Lothaire (aka LEO of Lothaire: Enemy of Old) is torn in his loyal commitment to this Bride, the cursed vampire deity Saroya, and in his intense attraction to Ellie, a lowly insignificant human. Since both female obsessions share the same body, duties & emotions get very confusing for Lothaire and his endgame. With detailed plans set in motion many many many years in advance for Lothaire to gain a kingdom and win back his royalty status, this new relationship really begins to throw everything out of place -- as if fate is truly giving him the finger! Is it even possible for intimacy and understanding to grow when both share such dark pasts and, more importantly, what are they both willing to give up in order to get it?

I've been a long time fan of Immortals After Dark and can honestly say there have been many up and down books for me in the overall series, but Lothaire really brought the story line back into being a delicious read! I am a lover of stories that focus on the character relationship development without burdening the reader with too many frustrating side-plots or trying to incorporate insane amounts of additional characters within too many detailed settings (i.e. to build a longer series). Thus, this book really went back to the basics and revolved around the growing connection between the two lead protagonists. Lots of focus on the various outcomes and turmoil of ending up together as well as being tragically separated - LOVED IT! The tension caused by both the sexual side and suspenseful side of the tale really drew me in and the humor throughout made it even more enjoyable. Expect lots of egotistical comments from Lothaire and silly stubborn actions from Ellie, but overall buckle up for a juicy sensual ride (with lots of past characters popping in throughout)!!!!!

Likes: {{SPOILER}} I appreciated that Ellie was a human at the beginning of the story and loved comparing that to Holly in the beginning of Dark Desires After Dusk (one of my favorite books). The humanization of the female lead characters really makes the story somewhat more relatable and realistic . . . excluding the full-body possession and vampire interactions and ability to trace to different destinations, etc. etc. etc. . . . so maybe NOT "realistic", but at least a lot more comparable than being some witch, demon, or valkyrie.

Dislikes: {{SPOILER}} What really happened to Mariketa's hand!?!? Also, not really a fan of Thaddesu. The whole Friday-Night-Lights small town Texas boy doesn't really work on me since I'm really small town Texas girl and need something more exciting/different in male lead. Thus, Thaddesu is too boring for me . . . Blah!

Rating:

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His Christmas Pleasure by Cathy Maxwell

His Christmas Pleasure
by Cathy Maxwell

Genre: Historical Romance | Seasonal

Anything Can Happen at Christmas!

When her father threatens to marry Abigail Montross off to a man twice her age (and with thirteen children!), she decides to elope instead with the irresistibly handsome Baron de Vasconia. She know all abut his notorious reputaiton. He is the most seductive man in all of London, but he’s vowed to protect her, so she allow herself to be tempted into his bed, promising to guard her heart at all costs.

Andres believes he’s entered into nothing more than a marriage of convenience with a charming and very wealthy young woman. But the days–and nights–Abigail spends in his arms soon reform this rogue. He’ll do anything to gain her love–until they each discover the truth about the other and old wounds are revealed.

It’s the season of miracles and passion–when love not only awakens the senses but delivers the greatest gift of all . . .

Abby is cherished by her parents and foolishly in love with the wrong man, but she doesn't know that. She's been jilted, past the "marriageable age" and isn't the most popular lady at the ball, but things quickly change when one of the hottest bachelors in town, Andres, defends her beauty and causes a big hoop-la throughout the gossip scene. Yet, when both Abby & Andres find themselves in a sticky situation, they turn to each other for aid in a daring plan that could be a blessing in disguise - but only if they have enough courage and love to pull it off!

I was kind of taken back by how much I found myself enjoying this book. I started reading one night before bed and next thing I know, I'm staying up till 1am engrossed in the tale and having a grand time with Abby & Andres's adventures. I found myself relating very closely to Abigale (shockingly so!!!) and that really bonded me to the main characters. The way the story was written felt like there were almost three different sections: Part One in plotting to run away and following their fated dreams, Part Two in the actual escape & capture, and Part Three in dealing with the consequences and making the best of it. Each section had very different feelings for me, thus adding to the realization of how the characters were changing emotionally and really developing throughout. I loved it!

Likes: It was entertaining to watch how comfortable the two main leads were around it other, especially from the very beginning. They made scenes very comical and memorable without a lot of effort.

Dislikes: Got a little lovey-dovey cheesy near the end, but that didn't change my feelings toward an overall enjoyable book! BUT, I felt there was very little seasonal aspects in this story to really make it a Christmas themed book.

Rating:

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A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp

A Winter Scandal
(The St. Dwynwen Series, Book #1)
by Candace Camp

Genre: Historical Romance | Seasonal

Gabriel is intrigued by the vivacity in Thea’s flashing gray eyes when she accuses him of fathering the orphan, even as he adamantly maintains his innocence. The brooch is one he remembers all too well, however, and Gabriel is determined to find the mother of the missing child. As the mystery around the baby deepens, Gabriel is continually thrown together with Thea—and finds himself growing more entranced every day.

Even with whispers of winter scandal swirling around them, they cannot deny the longing in their hearts. A longing which promises the best gift of all: a shelter from the storm... in each other’s arms.

Thea Bainbridge has fully acknowledged she's a spinster and being the vicar's sister while turning twenty-seven unmarried has fully put her "on the shelf". Even though she dearly prays that things were different, she accepts her way of life until a baby is mysteriously left in her church's Christmas manger scene. Her only clue from the baby leads to the newest resident in town, Lord Morecombe (aka Gabriel). Before either of them know it, they're swept up into a race to uncover the babies identity and the reason behind its abandonment ... all while confronting their deepening feelings for each other during the festive Holiday season.

What a pleasing book! I highly enjoy the concept of time passing for two people who shared a pivotal moment in the past and meeting again in the future, but that was just one of the many delightful parts of the story. Little Matthew was way more adorable than a real baby could ever be, but he added a lot of cuteness to the overall tale and his interactions with everyone throughout really warmed up their written characters. The mystery concept was intriguing and it was nice to see Thea bloom throughout and really witness her hardened persona becoming softer and more open to love. Many of the side characters were appealing and I'm interested to see who will be the next couple in this series (*fingers crossed* for Damaris & Lord Rawdon)

Likes: Gabriel's persistent passion toward Thea was something I highly enjoyed throughout, he wasn't shy about public displays of affection or playfully tuning Thea's words back on her in a "mind-in-the-gutter" sort of way - Fun guy!

Dislikes: I had a different outcome in mind for Gabriel's sister, thus I was somewhat sad to find out the real truth!

Rating:

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