Review: Once Upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane #10.5)

Once Upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane #10.5)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Blurb:

Hippolyta Royle is running for her life. Pursued by hounds on a cold rainy night, the heiress flags down a passing carriage and throws herself at the mercy of the coach's occupant. Whoever this handsome traveler may be, he is her only hope to escape a terrible fate. But should he agree to escort her to safety, he's in for much more than he bargained for.

At first Matthew Mortimer doesn't believe Hippolyta's story, that she's a fabulously wealthy heiress who's been kidnapped. He assumes she's a beggar, an actress, or worse. But once his new travel companion washes the mud from her surprisingly lovely face, and they share a breathtaking kiss, there is no turning back.

Themes:  Historical, Novella

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

For readers that have been following this series you will recognize the heroine Hippolyta Royle as the sweet, young and wealthy heiress that burst onto the scene in London and turned quite a few heads.  Her father is a wealthy self-made man and he is offering quite the dowry for her marriage; but Hippolyta and her father are keeping secrets and a blackmailer is out to profit from them.  She is running for her life after escaping her kidnapper when she finds herself in the path of Matthew’s carriage, literally, and is desperate for his help to finish her escape. Matthew only sees a dirty and scheming woman when he sees Hippolyta, but against his better judgment he takes on the task of escorting her to the next town. Once Hippolyta is all cleaned up, Matt sees the beauty underneath the dirt and is immediately drawn to the sensual but sweet young woman, even though he doesn’t believe the story of her identity. As they travel to London together the pull between them becomes more and more apparent, but Matt has no intention of falling for the lady, heiress or not, until circumstances dictate that they are stuck with one another, forever.  I loved seeing Hippolyta’s spunk and sass even as she dealt with some pretty serious garbage.  Matt was an ass to her again and again, but she never let it bring her down and looked on her journey as an adventure once she was no longer in immediate danger.  It’s obvious the lady has more backbone than many of the men of her world and I LOVED the way she bestest the blackmailer.  Matt, once he accepted his attraction was not going away, becomes more of a gentleman and the type of guy that I can see myself falling for.  While the story is short, the love between them is apparent in every word and seeing them come together was sweet and thrilling.  Once Upon a Moonlit Night was a great story to hold us over until the next release and a great way to wrap up the previous story.  Simple HEAs are always welcome after the intensity and craziness of stories like the previous one in the series, Duke of Sin, and I am looking forward even more to the next release after reading Matt and Hippolyta’s love story.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Always for You: Jack (Sergeant Joe's Boys #1)

Always for You: Jack (Sergeant Joe's Boys #1)

by Alexis Morgan 

Blurb:

No one understands family loyalty like Jack McShane. He’d do anything to honor his foster father’s last wishes, even if it means putting his own plans on hold to manage Joe’s construction business. An ex–Special Forces operative, Jack thrives on the thrill of globe-hopping rescues. But now he’s needed closer to home. His foster mother has her hands full with a troubled teen, and when Jack meets the hired tutor, he discovers a woman who stirs his protective instincts—and his deepest desires.

Caitlyn Curtis knows that good looks can hide a hot temper. After an abusive marriage crushed her dreams of a happy ending, she swore off men—until one intoxicating dance in Jack’s strong arms breaks down every emotional barrier. Tough but tender, he leaves Caitlyn yearning for more of his gentle seduction. Despite the violence he’s seen, Jack is a good man. And even though passion can be dangerous, the promise of Jack’s kiss tempts her to believe that love is a risk worth taking.

Themes: contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 I have always been interested to read when an author I am comfortable with branches out into an all new experiment.  Alexis Morgan is a favorite paranormal romance author of mine, but more and more her contemporary romances have been capturing my attention and my heart.  I was surprised when I read this story, mainly because it reminded me a lot of a series I’ve read by a best-selling author, but Morgan places her own twist on everything and makes the story unique.  Joe and his wife Marlene rescued three young boys that were trapped in the CPS system and turned them into wonderful and brave men that have served our country in the most dangerous way, but now that Joe is gone Jack is taking his place as the head of the family.  Jack returns home to help his mother and find his own future now that he has been injured, but he didn’t realize that a young boy would be coming into his life to change it forever—or that his arrival would also herald the arrival of the woman he is made to love.  Jack is determined to give Ricky a chance to know that there is such a thing as caring and goodness in the world and one way he can do that is to help him get back on track in his education.  Enter Caitlyn Curtis, tutor extraordinaire, who comes along to help Ricky.  The moment she and Jack are in one another’s company sparks fly and you can see the connection forming between them quickly, but Caitlyn’s past has made her wary of men—especially gorgeous alpha men.   I loved seeing Jack prove to Caitlyn that he was the man for her and seeing him working through his own issues as Ricky’s life entwines more with Jack and Caitlyn’s.  Jack is the type of hero I love to read about, simply a man that deals with things that are thrown at him the best way he can.  Caitlyn was an interesting characters as well, obviously not used to attraction anymore, having shut down that part of her life, she is surprised when Jack affects her so strongly, but if you look closely it easy to find the sensual sweet woman buried under layer of fear and history.  I liked Caitlyn a lot, even when I almost gave up on her, but luckily it all turns out well in the end.  I can see another generation of rescues coming with Jack and Caitlyn and am sure that Sgt. Joe would be thrilled that his family expanded, even if he wasn’t alive to share in the joy.  I cannot wait for Tino’s story next and wonder what type of woman will be his perfect match. This will be a very fun trilogy. 

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Awakened (Eternal Guardians #8)

Awakened (Eternal Guardians #8)

by Elisabeth Naughton 

Blurb:

DAMON – For twenty-five years he’s served as a plaything for the gods. With no memory of his past, he has no way of knowing if this is his ultimate fate, but he senses there has to be more to life.

Damon’s hope for more comes in the form of the Sirens’ newest recruit. Elysia is unlike any trainee he’s ever met. Not only can she remember where she came from—an ability the Sirens block—but she has an instant connection to Damon, one he’s never felt and doesn’t understand. Soon Damon is willing to do anything to have Elysia. Even risk the wrath of the gods to break her out of Olympus so he can keep her for himself.

But Damon’s past isn’t a mystery to everyone. Evil forces are at work beneath the surface, and before long, Damon realizes that the connection he shares with Elysia isn’t a random coincidence. His fate—and the darkness it brings—was cemented long ago. And when it is finally revealed, no one will be safe.

Themes:  paranormal, Greek mythology, magick

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I have been looking forward to the continuation of this series, but I didn’t realize until I’d begun reading it that it was actually a huge jump in time from the previous stories in the series.  The series has jumped ahead 20 years until the children of the original Guardians are now the main characters.  Elysia is the daughter of the Queen and her Argonaut and she has grown into a lovely but stubborn young woman.  Fans of this series will be pleased to see how happy the men and women we fell in love with in the previous stories in the series have been in their twenty years of peace, making babies and living life to the fullest.  This story is one that was seriously heartbreaking and reminded me that no matter how well intentioned a person might be in the way they live their lives, more often than not, we are all pawns in the machinations of those with more power than us. I loved reading this story and cannot wait for the next full length novel to be released.  If you haven’t read the previous stories in the series, you will be missing out on a lot of the subtext in this story, but overall you’ll get the info you need to appreciate the greatness of this series and the awesomeness of the characters and their creator as well. 

Elysia is running from the future her parents have planned for her when she finds herself pulled into an age old feud that could cost her life, unless she is able to prove that she is more than just a pampered princess.  Dropped alone on the island of Pandora, Elysia must prove her ability to survive in the most inhospitable place in all the realms, and if she survives her hell will have just begun as she begins life as a trainee in the Order of Sirens.  Ill equipped but determined to survive, Elysia works her way through her assigned tasks until she suddenly finds herself faced with a sensually and deadly man—an injured man—that she is immediately drawn to and works to save.  Damon is a trainer in the Siren program and a salve that has no memory of his original or previous life, but when he claps eyes on Elysia he knows she is someone that he has to get to know better.  Constantly pulled apart and then coming together again puts immense pressure on their emotions but soon there is no denying that they are meant to be together.  But escaping Olympus will only cause more problems and sooner or later the chess game that is going on with their lives will have to come to an end.  The question is will they survive the game and if they live through it, will their relationship survive the trauma that the truth causes?

Elysia was a great character and I found myself more and more interested in the way she was able to overcome challenges. In the beginning she seems like a spoiled princess, no pun intended, and she is running away from being forced into an arranged marriage.  But the more you get to know Elysia the more you can see she is a very determined and intelligent woman, one of those ladies that have a true backbone under all the beauty of royalty, which isn’t hard to believe knowing who her father is.  I also loved how once she gave her heart and soul to her man; nothing could bring her to believe that he would ever betray her.  She gives her all to her relationship and even if it means losing her life to keep her love safe she is willing to sacrifice.  Damon is an enigma, wrapped in a puzzle, when we first meet him.  He seems so nonchalant about his life as a slave to the gods, but the more you get to know him you understand that his hatred for them runs deep, but his intelligence keeps him from rebelling until just the right moment.  Even though he doesn’t realize it, Damon is a missing piece of the Argonaut family and once he is brought back into the fold his life changes forever.  But the forces that draw on him, using him for their revenge, places not only his life, his soul, and his love in danger but always pose a threat to the entire universe.  I loved seeing Damon overcome adversity, and his determination to keep Elysia alive no matter the personal cost.  Elysia bring out the light in his soul and she really is the only person that could truly destroy the man he has become. 

Awakened is the story of two people truly coming into their own and finding their place in the world, individually as well as together.  Their love was a powerful force, strong enough to overcome years of forced amnesia and the loss of an identity that means everything to them.  I loved seeing Elysia come into her own, both as a woman and as a warrior, and finding her true place in the world thanks to Damon.  Her destiny to become queen someday is cemented and there is no denying she will be just as great as her mother before her, after all a woman that has found, lost and rescued her soulmate from the hands of a god will make an unstoppable ruler for her people. Damon has some serious issues to overcome, there is no denying that, but once he finds his way with Elysia’s help, Damon becomes the truly great man he was always destined to be and I immensely enjoyed watching him find his way. The passion between these two explodes from the second they come within viewing range of one another and the heat is enough to burn to world to ash.  I never imagined where this story was going and to me that’s the sign of a truly great author, because though I might have had inklings of some things, the surprises and twists never ended.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next and can’t wait to see more of the children of my favorite Argonauts come into their own. I have read very few series able to successfully make this jump to the next generation, but I can say without any doubt that Elisabeth has done it and done it well. 

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Barefoot at Sunset (Barefoot Bay Timeless #1)

Barefoot at Sunset (Barefoot Bay Timeless #1)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb:

When widower Mark Solomon arrives in Barefoot Bay for his 30th high school reunion, he’s not quite prepared for the onslaught of memories or the attention from interested single women who’ve gathered for the annual event on the beach. He’s ready to ditch the whole thing and resume his life as an adventure-seeking world traveler until he discovers a woman sobbing on his doorstep…and has an idea.

By her own admission, advertising copywriter Emma DeWitt is jaded, jilted, and jobless, but she goes over the edge when she learns that the resort villa that was supposed to be the site of her romantic honeymoon is occupied by a single man. But when the sexy silver fox who's staying in the villa surprises her with an irresistible offer to pose as his fake fiancée, Emma sees a way to have her week in paradise and begin healing her broken heart.

Themes:  contemporary, silver fox

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Ok, for those of you that think love ends when you hit the age of 40 (or whatever number), Roxanne St. Claire’s new trilogy within the Barefoot Bay series is here to prove you wrong.  These next three novels are all about men some might consider past their prime, but that have finally gotten to a place in their lives where the right woman can make their lives fully complete.  Mark Solomon has returned to his small hometown of Mimosa Key for his high school reunion, even though he dreads the experience. He has so many memories of the home he left long ago, primarily revolving around the love of his life, whom he lost to cancer many years before.  He has had his one chance at a soul mate so even though he is not a monk, he knows no other woman will ever compare to his Julia; or at least he knows that until Emma Dewitt bursts into his life.  Emma’s life has seriously gone downhill in the past month, but she is determined to have a vacation where she can rethink her life goals and hopefully find her true place in the world.  She never imagined she would find herself drawn into Mark’s world as his fake fiancé, and she certainly never imagined the attraction between them could be so intense. The moment they are alone together the passionate chemistry between them becomes something that is impossible to deny, but neither of them are willing to risk their hearts. Soon though their attraction and friendship leads to an even more fiery desire and giving in to that heat is the only way to stay sane.  But can two people so obviously looking for different things in life find a way to come together and share their hearts?  Or is that soul deep connection truly only once in a lifetime?

True to her previous novels, Rocki is the type of author that rips out your heart with pain and sorrow before giving you the HEA that makes a truly great love story.  Mark has lived his life freely for a long time now, but he has never forgotten the woman that captured him, heart and soul, when he was just a teenager.  I loved how devoted he was to her memory, but I am glad he was finally able to release his pain and finally appreciate the true happiness that his memories could provide him with. He is a sexy, alpha, but sweet gentleman reminiscent of a time gone by when men actually cared about their women and devoted themselves to their love.  Even though he is much older than I, even I could appreciate how sexy he was and wouldn’t have minded having him fall in love with me.  Seeing him get a second chance at love, truly proving that the space in our hearts is unlimited and immeasurable was beyond perfect.  Emma has not been having much luck in the romance department lately—or to be honest in the life department. Finding herself on Mark’s doorstep changes her life forever though and he is just what she needs to prove to herself that she is a woman to be reckoned with.  I enjoyed seeing her come out of her shell professionally and once Mark convinced her to trust herself she was able to find her place professionally.  These two have it all going for them: passion, friendship, and the understanding of two people that are ready for the next stage in their lives to begin.  Having the chance to begin that next phase of life with their perfect mate is just the ticket.  I recommend this book to anyone who thinks romance novels are just for the young and highly recommend you come prepared with a whole box of tissues.  I LOVED this book and cannot wait for the next one in the trilogy, Barefoot at Moonrise.  Keep the magic coming Rocki!

*ebook provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Rock with You (Risking It All 0.5)

Rock with You (Risking It All 0.5)

by Rachel Lacey

Blurb:

SWEET AS SUGAR. SEXY AS SIN . . .

Carly Taylor is pretty sure she's dreaming. It's not possible that Sam Weiss - rock star god and sexy hotness personified - is actually in her bakery. This sort of thing never happens in the too-small town of Haven. Or to her. And being stranded in a secluded mountain cabin with the deliciously decadent Sam during an ice storm? This is definitely not Carly's real life . . .

Now there's just the two of them, a roaring fire, lots of food and drink, and a sizzling attraction - one that just might make Carly do the unexpected. For one night, she'll live the fantasy. For one night, nothing else matters. . . not her struggling business, not her lonely life, not Sam's bad-boy reputation. But sometimes one night can turn one crazy, beautiful dream into something real.

Themes:  novella, contemporary

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 If you’re looking for a sensual short story about two people from very disparate backgrounds finding one another despite the odds, Rock with You is the perfect way to spend a cold evening. I have only read one other story by this author, but the more I read the more interested I have become in her writing.  This story was a short read but full of passion, sweetness and the unexpected love that can develop in intense situations and last a lifetime.  Carly is the sweetest lady but is the most unprepared for life heroine I have read about in a long time.  I loved seeing her blossom under praise for her baking, but it's obvious she is in over her head with both her business and when she suddenly finds herself faced with the man of her dreams I was surprised to see her throw caution to the wind.  I expected much more reticence on her part, but she jumped right in and brought her passionate man to heel.  Sam is in a slump for sure, but the subtle sexiness that Carly exudes has definitely got his juices and hormones flowing.  When trapped with her during a snowstorm, he refuses to pass up the chance to make her his.  He never imagined just how deep their emotions would become in so quick a time.  I was thrilled to see Carly and Sam find a way to make their winter fling into a lasting romance and I hope they make it a long time in the future.  Maybe we even get to see them again in the coming stories in the series.  I, for one, am looking forward to more along the lines of this one.  Keep the goodness coming, Rachel, and I’ll keep the glowing reviews coming.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security #13)

Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security #13)

by Katie Reus 

Blurb:

She refuses to trust him.

Red Stone Security employee Dominique Castle knows all too well that there are people in this world she just can't trust. After losing both her parents, Dominique keeps her distance from anyone tied to her past—especially the man she's hated for years. And Viktor Ivanov isn't going to change her mind about who he really is—no matter how determined the infuriatingly sexy Russian is.

He's determined to win her over.

She may hate him and not trust him, but Viktor is determined to crack through Dominique's icy exterior one way or another—even if it means taking the game into his own hands. With a past like Viktor's, he's made more than a few enemies along the way—enemies who'll stop at nothing to take him down. When Viktor realizes Dominique's life is in danger because of him, he’ll stop at nothing to protect her—whether she likes it or not. Now it's up to Dominique to trust the one man who's linked to the agony of her past. Can she find a way to love the enemy she always loathed?

Themes: contemporary, novella

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Longtime fans of the Red Stone Security series will find themselves drawn in by this new look into some of the less obvious members of the red stone family.  Dominique is a woman that has dealt with the harsh realities of life by making sure that she keeps the darker side of society away from her everyday life.  She works hard every day to prove herself to her friends and family and to make sure that she keeps herself on the right side of the law.  Viktor on the other hand lives in the shadows and hasn’t seen a shade of gray that he hasn’t had to delve into.  He’s a genuinely good man, but his past and his family have made him have to fight for his position and his ability to keep the darkest of his sides from ever surfacing.  When he meets Dominique he knows he wants her, but when he learns the truth about her past he simply wants to show her that he is nothing like his father and his heart is good in the center.  Dominique finds herself falling for the honorable, though sometimes scary man that seems ready to offer her the world, but the danger that surrounds him warns her away more than the goodness he exudes could ever pull him in.  I enjoyed watching Dominique and Viktor find a way for their love to overcome the enemies out to destroy Viktor and certainly seeing her come to understand that sometimes what needs to be done is not always the most savory of options.  Viktor too learns that sometimes risking all is worth the light and goodness that can be found in the end.  I am looking forward to whoever finds their love next, though I continue to wish for a longer and more detailed story in this series because I think they could be really great with more time to develop.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane #10)

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane #10)

by Elizabeth Hoyt 

Blurb:

A MAN OF SIN

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . .

Themes: historical              

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Wow! That was an interesting way for a man to find himself turned from villain to—well...not hero, but definitely into a human man. Anyone that has read the recent installments of this series well knows the dastardly deeds that Valentine Napier, Duke of Montgomery, is capable of and there is certainly no denying that the man leads a lifestyle that even in the much freer society we currently live in would be considered disreputable.  This series has evolved through many different paths and taking us down the road of reforming (sort of) this villain into a man worthy of the love of a good woman was going to be a challenge, but Elizabeth certainly meets and possibly even exceeds my  expectations. I loved seeing Bridget sparring with Val as she tried to get around him to meet her goal, but as she starts to see the true man behind the mask of indulgence and insolence and fall in love I fear for her sanity.  Val was the kind of man that always has an endgame in sight, always 12 steps ahead of his opponents, until he finds the strangely compelling Bridget sneaking through his room.  She throws his world upside down and there is no way for him to deny that he wants her.  But the more she denies the connection and possibilities between them the more he wants her.  The question becomes will he be willing to give up on his lifelong goals in order to keep the woman he has inexplicably fallen in love with from being sacrificed for his goals. 

I loved this story, mainly because it really is a story of a man that has gone far off the path of righteousness in order to protect those  in need, while still maintaining a nonchalant and over-the-top way of life, one that is expected from his family name.  Valentine is one of those characters that you love to hate until you just have to love him.  He knows what he wants and though he is willing to work for it, his ways are often not-so-mainstream.  Seeing him interacting with, and seducing, the timid and understated Bridget and knowing that he might not ever be worthy to hold such a treasure leads him to make some very questionable choices.  Bridget on the other hand knows what she is doing is wrong, even as she falls into his arms and into his bed, but resisting him is unbearable to both heart and body.  Seeing them falling in love as they both worked to keep their chess game from imploding was more that fun, it was the game of a lifetime.  I cannot wait to see whose story will be next, though I have my suspicions and if I’m right it could be very interesting.  All in all another Hoyt masterpiece in a series I can see evolving and lasting for a long time more.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.