Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: The Harlot Countess by Joanna Shupe

The Harlot Countess
Wicked Deceptions # 2

By: Joanna Shupe

Releasing April 28^th, 2015

Zebra

Blurb

Lady Hawkins’s debut was something she’d rather forget—along with her first marriage. Today, the political cartoonist is a new woman. A thoroughly modern woman. So much so that her clamoring public believes she’s a man…

FACT:  Drawing under a male pseudonym, Maggie is known as Lemarc. Her (his!) favorite object of ridicule: Simon Barrett, Earl of Winchester. He’s a rising star in Parliament—and a former confidant and love interest of Maggie’s who believed a rumor that vexes her to this day.

FICTION:  Maggie is the Half-Irish Harlot who seduced her best friend’s husband on the eve of their wedding. She is to be feared and loathed as she will lift her skirts for anything in breeches.

Still crushed by Simon’s betrayal, Maggie has no intention of letting the ton crush her as well. In fact, Lemarc’s cartoons have made Simon a laughingstock…but now it appears that Maggie may have been wrong about what happened years ago, and that Simon has been secretly yearning for her since…forever. Could it be that the heart is mightier than the pen and the sword after all?

My Thoughts:

Forever Romance Spotlight + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Sugar on Top by Marina Adair

SUGAR ON TOP 

Sugar, Georgia Book #2

by Marina Adair 

April 28, 2015

Forever 

She's sassy and sweet

The last thing Glory Mann wants is to become chairman of the Miss Peach Pageant in Sugar, Georgia. Spending months hearing nothing but the clinking of pearls and judgment? No thank you! But when Glory is forced to take the rap for a scandal she didn't commit, the judge sentences her to head the committee. Even worse, her co-chairman is rugged, ripped . . . and barely knows she's alive.

He's ready and willing

Single dad Cal McGraw can't take any more drama in his life. After a difficult divorce, his little girl became a boy-crazy teenager and his hands are full. The last thing he needs is to spend his down time with the town bad girl. Glory is pure trouble-tempting and tantalizing trouble. But he can't deny the strong chemistry between them-or how her touch turns him inside out. Now as squabbles threaten to blow up the contest and the town of Sugar itself, Cal must risk everything on the sexy wild card to get a second chance at love . . .

My thoughts:

RockStar PR Spotlight + Review + Excerpt: Dare to Hold by Carly Phillips

Dare to Hold 

Dare to Love #6

Carly Phillips

4/14/2015

Blurb:

Some women always get it right. Kindergarten teacher, Meg Thompson, on the other hand, consistently makes the wrong decisions — and she is currently single, pregnant and alone. Meg is determined to make changes in her life, to be a better mother than her own had been. No revolving door of men. No man, period. Just a single-minded focus on her baby. Her resolution would be easier to keep if not for hot cop, Scott Dare. He insinuates himself in her life, making Meg want to believe in happily ever after, even if history has taught her to know better. 

When Scott Dare hears Meg’s friends are determined she have a night of hot sex, before her life changes forever, he decides that man must be him. Their one night is mind blowing and life altering. And Scott, a man already burned by his ex-wife, finds himself all in anyway. While protecting Meg from her violent ex and becoming part of her increasingly complicated life, he’s falling hard and he can’t seem to find distance. Not when their bodies respond to each other with such heated intensity and he’s drawn to her unique combination of strength and vulnerability. 

But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his growing feelings say otherwise … 

My Thoughts: 

Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: The Devilish Mr. Danvers by Vivienne Lorret

The Devilish Mr. Danvers
The Rakes of Fallow Hall # 2

By: Vivienne Lorret  

Releasing April 21, 2015

Avon Impulse

Blurb

For the first time in her life, Hedley Sinclair holds the keys to her own future. She’s inherited the crumbling Greyson Park, but the disrepair does nothing to dissuade her. No one will ever lock her up again or attempt to take away what’s hers. No one except Rafe Danvers—the charming, fiendish man from Fallow Hall. He’s determined to claim Greyson Park, but if Hedley isn’t careful, he’ll claim her heart as well.

Rafe has every intention of ridding Greyson Park of the conniving Sinclairs, once and for all. The last thing he expects is to find the beguiling Hedley Sinclair—the younger sister of his former fiancée—standing in his way. With drastic measures called for, he plans to marry her off in order to regain control of the estate. The only trouble is, he can’t seem to stop seducing her. Even worse, he can’t help falling in love with her.

My Thoughts:

InkSlinger PR Spotlight +Review + Giveaway: Hard To Be Good by Laura Kaye

Hard To Be Good

Hard Ink Series, #3.5

Laura Kaye

Avon Impulse

April 14, 2015

About HARD TO BE GOOD:

Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother’s stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy’s whole world has been turned upside down—not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever.

Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he’s drawn into the SF team’s investigation of his army colonel father’s corruption, he’s surprised to find acceptance and friendship—especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie’s opposite in almost every way.

With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can’t help but wonder why they’re trying so hard to be good...

My Thoughts:

InkSlinger PR Review + Giveaway: Hard To Come By by Laura Kaye

Hard To Come By

By Laura Kaye

Releasing November 25,2014

 Avon 

About HARD TO COME BY:

Caught between desire and loyalty…

Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.

When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust.

As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…

My Thoughts:

The Confession by Marquita Valentine (Review)

We have arrived to the conclusion of the The Request Trilogy. All is revealed in The Confession.

Now when we last left off, Roman was practically dead. Of course, we were left hanging. How could Marquita do that to use. Fortunately, at the beginning of The Confession we find out Roman is not dead. However, he has a mess to clean up and save the woman he loves.

What A Rancher Wants by Sarah M. Anderson

So yesterday I spent most of the day reading What a Rancher Wants by Sarah M. Anderson. This is book nine in the Texas Cattleman's Club: The Missing Mogul. First off, I haven't read the previous story that leads up to the missing mogul and each of the stories has been written by different author. However, we are one step closer to finding out what happen Alex del Toro. Anyway, we are going to focus our attention on Chance McDaniel the man accused of the kidnapping and Alex's little sister Gabriella.

Basically, Chance wants to know the situation on his friend and wants to know if he's well enough to visit him. Of course, Alex isn't ready to see Chance cause he's kind of suspicious that Chance is behind it. Gabriella wants to know wants to find out Chance is guilty, so she decides to checkout his ranch to see if it's possible.

I can understand Gabriella wanting to make sure her brother is still safe from the possible evil that might be his so-called friend. However, once she starts to get get to know Chance she still keeps her brother's condition the secret. Yes, she does carry a little guilt, but not enough for her to be forth coming to Chance.

Oh man, Chance. The guy just seems to have crappy luck when it comes to ladies. First his best friend takes one of the only girls from Chance. Yet, Chance isn't bitter. No he wants his friends to be happy together. Next he falls for a girl who isn't being completely honest, but he still once to give her a chance after all he feels something special towards Gabriella.

Overall, What A Rancher Wants is a pretty quick read. Nothing to stressful to read. Yes, you have Chance trying to clear his name and hopeful find someone to settle down that isn't afraid to live on a ranch. Can you read this as a stand alone, yeah. Would you benefit from reading the previous story? It might be more enriching. Anyway, I really did like the story and I want to know whats going to happen to Gabriella's brother. So, if you are looking a fairly quick read that's not going to weigh you down, you might want to give What A Rancher Wants a go.

Copy provided by author

Rating:

Falling for Mr. Wrong by Inara Scott

So, I have read every book that has been written so far about the Bencher family. The impress I have gotten from the other books was Ross was a really young sibling. Well, my little bubble was burst when I found out that he was about a year younger than Britt.  Anyway, today I bring you the third installment of the Bencher family, Falling for Mr. Wrong by Inara Scott. I must say that have enjoyed each and every book. I believe there is one more sibling, but I could be wrong. Back to my purpose.

If you have read any of the previous books you would remember Ross had a pretty rocky marriage that eventually ended. After his disastrous marriage he decided that he needed to find a woman that would be the epitome of Donna Reed. For those who don't know who Donna Reed is, well she was a 1950s TV mom that did everything that a wife should do. Ross didn't want to find an impulsive adventure seeker for his next wife. Of course the woman Ross finds is the complete opposite of what he is looking for, meet Kelsey Hanson. Kelsey is basically lives like a nomad. She doesn't form attachments very well and she tends to look for an excuse to bail. Part of the reason is her father.

As I have said, I have enjoyed all the Bencher books. If you have read the previous books Ross was kind of portrayed as a playboy. However, that's not really possible, because most playboys tend to focus on themselves while Ross tends to focus more on his children and even his ex-wife. Yes, his ex-wife is still in the picture, but more like his best friend. I know weird, but it works for them. So, that really endeared me to really like Ross. He had was gooding looking and kind, but had that "Oh I can be bad" edge about him. That could have been his confidence that oozed off him.

Now Kelsey. I'm not going to lie, I wanted to choke her. Seriously, she drove me nuts with "oh I'm not good with kids" or "I never really wanted to be married or have a family". I guess you tell yourself something like that enough, you start to believe it. However, Kelsey's problem was her father and her lack ability to standup for herself when she was around him. Kelsey is a strong independent woman, but when it came to father she became all pathetic. That's part of the reason she drove me nuts. She almost missed out on a great thing in her life by not finding her backbone.

Overall, I really did love the story. Yes, Kelsey drove me nuts, but Ross and his kids really won me over. I love how Ross was more than the playboy guy and how he really grew into a great guy. Both of them are bit stubborn and set in their own ways. Yes, they struggle to compromise, but somehow made it work. Kelsey had to learn to be herself, while Ross had to let go of his preconceive ideas of a proper wife after a divorce. So, if you are looking for a good story with two stubborn people, you might want to give Falling for Mr. Wrong try.

Copy was provided by publisher and author.

Rating:
1/2

Hunter's Moon by Lisa Kessler

So, a couple months back I read Moonlight which was the start of Lisa Kessler's newest series The Moon. Now we are progress into the story with Hunter's Moon. Oh yeah, we delve deeper into the series and learn more about Nero. Boy are they bad.

While we are starting to understand the evilness of Nero, we also can't forget about the romance. Yes, we have romance, but it's a bit complicated. If you remember from the first book, you would remember Sasha was a bit of a loose cannon. She still is, but she has a problem in a shape of a werewolf by the name of Aren Sloan. Poor Aren; he finally finds his mate and she's not what he expect. Oh goodness.

Why this book is pretty awesome: 1) We get little more information about the bad guy. 2) Sasha and Aren's relationship is bit complicated. Come on, she tried to kill him in the first book. When more secrets are reveal, somehow more secrets pop-up. So far, I'm finding each story is getting a bit more exciting. I can't wait to see what happens next. As I said Hunter's Moon is pretty awesome. I would advise reading Moonlight first cause you might get a bit lost in this story if you haven't read it first. Other than that, checkout this series if you like paranormals.

Copy provided by publisher

Rating:
1/2

Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire

The past couple of days I have been reading Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Claire. This is the final installment to Barefoot Bay series, but we aren't finish seeing stories that are set at Barefoot Bay. Oh no, Roxanne plans to launch another series set at Barefoot Bay. YAY! Anyway, the reason I'm reading this book. We all know that I participate in Harlequin Junkies HEA Book Club, and this months selection is Barefoot by the Sea. Everyone is welcome to come, even if you haven't gotten a chance to read the book. All you really need to do is go to Harlequin Junkies website go to the tab for HEA Book Club and click on Live Chat or click the link http://harlequinjunkie.com/hea-book-club-live-chat-barefoot-by-the-sea-by-roxanne-st-claire/ at about 6pmPST/ 9pmEST on November 21. Now that I'm done pitching book club, here are my thoughts on the story:

We finally get to Tessa's story. Tessa is know to be the caring nurturing person who doesn't like secrets. However, she carries one secret close to her heart. Yet there is one thing she doesn't keep secret, the yearning of having a child of her own. At the end of Barefoot in the Sun she tells her friends that she plans to have a child. When I read that, I automatically thought it would be like The Backup Plan. You know the movie with Jennifer Lopez who decides to have a baby via  sperm donor, and then finds the perfect guy after she gets pregnant. That doesn't happen in the story, instead she meets John Brown. John just seems to good to be true, and at the same time Tessa doesn't feel like she can trust him completely. Yes, John is a man of secrets. One he's in the British form of witness protection and needs to keep a low profile and prove that he's in a situation where he can take his children. Then he gets the bombshell that he needs to prove that he has a wife in order to get his children.

I really did enjoy Barefoot by the Sea. I actually liked the story that Tessa got. I believe story really play into Tessa's caring side. Once she found out the truth about John/Ian she really wanted to help him, even go through a fake/real marriage with him. The story had me chuckling at times and had me worry about Tessa's well being, because she tends to give so much of herself. Overall, I really liked Barefoot by the Sea, because it's a marriage of convenience story. You have to look at it that way, because John needs a wife to get his kids back and Tessa is the perfect person for that. If you have liked the Barefoot Bay books, you might enjoy this story.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:
1/2

The Cinderella Seduction by Hope Tarr

So this is the third book in Hope Tarr's Suddenly Cinderella series. I have been impress with each of the story, because each of the heroines has been a Cinderella. However, I think Stefanie Stefanopoulos is probably the closest to Cinderella in The Cinderella Seduction. 

I love Stefanie, because she's like the epitome of all women. I mean she feels inferior compared to her stepmother and stepsisters who happen to be petite. Yet, her father tasks her with the responsibility of distracting Nikolas Costas while in the area. Of course, she wonders why her father would choose her while there are other choices. As she gets to know Nick, she doesn't understand what he sees in her. I mean he's been known to be many beautiful woman in the past. 

Stefanie has big heart and is loyal to her friends and family. She wants everything to workout in the end. Of course our Cinderella has a couple of roadblocks that would like her to stay in the shadows of her stepsisters. 

Like most Cinderella stories, I found myself crying. Yes, it has a happy ending, but getting there is always so rough. Nick and Stefanie were almost sabotage by her stepmother who was selfish and self-serving. However, the luck of some magic shows it was able to work itself out. I hope there is more to come, because I really have enjoyed the Suddenly Cinderella stories. I have been impress on how Hope Tarr has puts a modern twist on an old fairytale. So, if you like Cinderella stories, I would suggest checking out The Cinderella Seduction or the other books in the series. 

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:

1/2

Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson

So, I finished Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson. I actually have been dying to read this before it even had a title. If you had read Game for Marriage you would remember Nick and Willow and how there was this chemistry between them. However, they were secondary characters and weren't really important to Game for Marriage. Now Nick and Willow have there story and there is a little more than what I was expecting.

Willow has had an issue with football players, and thinking that they were players in more than one way. Only way you get those kind of thought is when you get burn by a athlete and you have scars from the incident. Which Willow does. Six years early Willow dated Nick Hamilton and she got dumped in the harshest way. Of course she's going to carry a chip on her shoulder when it comes to Nick.

Nick is a good ol' southern boy who was madly in love with Willow six years ago, but he did an idiot thing and dumped her. It wasn't because he wanted to play the field; no, it was Willow's good old daddy making the calls. After all he didn't want Willow entangled in with a football player, because she will get hurt.

Basically, Nick is trying to win back Willow in the story. Poor Nick. The guy has to jump through hoops to get Willow to look at him and he might have gone about it the wrong way. However, the more they hang out together, the more Willow starts to melt and land into Nick.

Overall, the story is really good for a past lovers story. They both want each other, but the past still hangs in the air and does jeopardizes the relationship. Plus, it doesn't help that Willow runs hot and cold when she's around Nick. Yes, it's a self-preservation mechanism, but I'm surprise Nick held on for so long. I guess love will make you do anything. I absolutely love Nick with his southern charm; it's easy to fall in love with him. So, if you love hot football players that will have you melting by his charm, you might consider reading Game for Trouble. Nick Hamilton is definitely trouble looking for.

Copy provided by the publisher

Rating:

Autumn in the Vineyard by Marina Adair

All right, for the past few days I have been trying to come up with what to say about Autumn in the Vineyard by Marina Adair. First off, I LOVE this book, and since it was so awesome I'm at a lost for words. One thing, it would be super easy to spill the beans about the story and tell you everything, because it was that awesome. However, that wouldn't be fair to everyone.

Reasons I love the story:

Frankie: She's a walking contradiction. Even though she acts big and tough, she really does have a good heart and willing to anything for people that she truly cares about. She tries so hard to get the love her family, but they seem to only give it on conditions. This tears Frankie up inside, and she's trying to hold it together.

Nate: The Golden Boy. The guy who can do no wrong and basically charm anything with his smile. Once he learns Frankie's situation he tries to help her. However, it doesn't go so well, because she doesn't trust him. Which is completely understandable, after all he's a Deluca and she's a Baudouin.

Mittens: The Alpaca. He's eats anything and everything. However, when Frankie needs a friend that won't judge or say anything, he's there for her.

I love this story, because it has it all. You're laughing and crying through this book. You feel the turmoil that Frankie goes through as she tries to rebuild her life. Then life has a sense of humor when she ends up stuck with her mortal enemy Nate. Her dislike for Nate goes further than the feud behind the family. This enemies to lovers story will have you entertain through out the book and wondering if it will become love or bloodshed. So, you like a good enemies to lovers story or a love for alpacas, I would highly recommend Autumn in the Vineyard.

Side note: This is a book three that can be a stand alone, but to get the full effect you might want to read the other Kissing Under the Mistletoe and Summer in Napa first before jumping into Autumn in the Vineyard.

Copy provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley

Rating:

Once She Was Tempted by Anne Barton

Staying up way past my bedtime, I finished Once She Was Tempted by Anne Barton, which is the second book in Honeycote books. By the way I don't recommend, however, it was a pretty good book. So, let's get on with my thoughts.

Basically, Once She Was Tempted is about Daphne Honeycote going out into society and possibly making a brilliant match, after all her sister did. Well, Benjamin Elliot, earl of Foxburn, doesn't want her setting her cap on his friend, because of a scandalous portrait she did a sometime ago. Now she's distraught because one of the portrait is technically out in society, and she needs to find the other one. She enlists the help Ben to find the other.

First off, I did enjoy Once She Was Tempted. Personally, I believe it takes a strong person to do whatever it takes to save someone they love. Daphne does have a good heart, if she didn't she would have sacrifice her reputation to try to save her mother by posing in such a scandalous manner. Plus, she honestly never believe her behavior could come to haunt her. It was probably more like bad luck that Ben happen to be the keeper of one of portraits.

I did like Ben. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he does care a lot for his friends and would do anything to ensure they are happy. Even if he tends throw himself a pity-party. Yes, Ben return from the war a damage man physically and mentally. He tends to believe that no one want the broken man he happens to be. Whenever he's around Daphne, she tends to bring sunshine to his life and he doesn't really realize the gem he has until it's almost too late.

Overall, I found Once She Was Tempted a delightful read. Yes, you have a wounded hero and a heroine who always looks on the bright side. She manages to still be cheerful with her impending doom, by the way takes strength. So, if you are looking for a story with a scandalous lady and a wounded hero, you might try Once She Was Tempted.

Copy provided Forever Romance via NetGalley

Rating:

Lady in Red by Máire Claremont

We all know that I love sunshine and lollypop kind of books, you know the sappy ones. The sappier the better. However, you will not find that in Máire Claremont's Lady in Red. No, this story has a darker sinister feel. Every now again I do enjoy a darker book. I guess my darker side needs to be unleashed. Máire's tend to be fantastic stories that are amazingly written and captive readers. In Lady in Red, we follow the harrowing adventure of Lady Mary Darrel.

If you remember from the The Dark Lady you would recall Eva and Mary escaping from the asylum with the help of Ian. However, they were being chase by the guards and Mary decided to jump out of moving carriage to save her friend Eva. Fortunately, Mary was never capture and we find her in London at the beginning of Lady in Red.

Poor Mary, she needs a lot of help. She first turns to her mother's old friend, Yvonne. Which Yvonne hands Mary over to Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh, for protection. In turn Edward calls upon his acquaintance Viscount Powers for help. So, Lady Mary has all these allies to help her take down her father.

At the start of Lady in Red, we see Mary doesn't see much worth in herself. With the help of Edward and Powers, Mary starts to develop confidence in herself and she realizes that she's worthy to have someones love. However, the one she wants to love her has a couple of demons to conquer. Edward has many demons and feels that he doesn't have the power to love anyone. In the story Edward believes one of the ways of exorcising these demons is to help Mary take out vengeance on her father.

As the story develops, Edward realizes that vengeance isn't the answer and tries to discourage Mary from taking out her father. However, Mary sees this as a way to control her, so she turns to Powers for help. At first Powers wanted to seduce Mary away from Edward, but he starts to develop some feelings towards Mary. Mary and Powers actually share a lot in common, so it would be natural for Mary to turn her affection to Powers. As we read the story, we see a possible love triangle. Both men are different as night and day. However, one has the thing that Mary so desperately needs.

One of my favorite quote from the story:

I suppose a book is a good if it can pull you into its world, so our world disappears. That the characters become as real as you or I.

The best way to sum up Lady in Red is from that quote. Máire has the ability to drag you into her world with her stories. It is truly a captivating story that will suck you in from the first page. Some of you might be like me and love stories that are sunshine and lollypop kind of reads, but if you are willing to take a chance with Máire story you find yourself wanting see how Mary and Edward conquers the demons they have. Even as a darker read, this an unbelievable story that will take you on a harrowing adventure and eventually find happiness in the end. So, if you are looking a Victorian romance that borders on the darker side, you might enjoy the Lady in Red.

Copy provided by author

Rating:
1/2

Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage by Valerie Bowman

So, I spent most of my day devouring Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage, which is the latest release from Valerie Bowman. Ever since reading Secrets of a Wedding Night, I have always hoped Medford would get his own story. Here's why: I normally tend to go for rakes in romance, but there was something different about Medford. He was just so lovable and needed his own happy ending. After reading Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage there is a bit more to Medford than meets the eye.

At the beginning the story Medford goes to Kate Townsende, Duchess of Markingham, to see if she would be willing to write her side of the story. After all she was about to go to trial for the murder of her husband. However, Kate wasn't going give her story up for nothing, but she wanted some amenities for her cooperation. One of them being turnover to a peer and staying with them instead of the Tower. You know what, I would prefer being in house arrest than being locked up in some dingy tower. Once Kate is in the custody of Medford, they start to get to know each other. Of course feelings start to bloom.

I love Medford. He is one of those good-hearted heroes that you just have to love. Plus, you have to love him, because he's dubbed Lord Perfect. However, you learn more about the reason for being Lord Perfect in the story, and you kind of feel bad for the guy. Don't get me wrong, he's a really decent guy. Then you have Kate, who never really aspired to be a Duchess, but thought she fell in love with a Duke at a young age. Yes a bit naïve, plus catching the eye of the duke was a huge deal for her family. Yet, Kate learned a hard lesson about love, which was kind of heart breaking. By the time she was locked away for murder, you could see her spirit being crush by the marriage.

Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage is a scandalizing good read that will have you laughing and crying. Well, at least did for me. Yes, you have perfect hero who starts to realize perfect isn't ideal and heroine who is a walking scandal. So, if you are looking for a perfect hero to become scandalize by association, you might want to read Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage.

Side note: It's better to read these stories in order.

Copy provided by author

Rating:
1/2

A Beauty Uncovered by Andrea Laurence

A Beauty Uncovered is the second book in Secrets of Eden series by Andrea Laurence. I must say that I'm loving this series. With each new book we draw closer to the mystery lies beneath the Eden's property. In Undeniable Demands we learn there is a body buried on the property (or former properties). In A Beauty Uncovered we learn a little bit more about the person and who he had been. However, there are still more secrets to be uncover. Other than the deep dark secret there is the story between Brody Eden and Samantha Davis.

In A Beauty Uncovered, we find a Beauty and the Beast story. Granted the beast isn't really that ugly, but a bit scarred. Yes, he does keep himself locked up from the world, because he's afraid of what they might think of him. When Sam stumbles in Brody's life she doesn't go quietly and let him brood. Oh no, she marches into his life full force. Honesty Brody doesn't know what to really think of her, but his barriers start come down as he gets to know this feisty fiery woman.

Seriously, I'm loving this series. Not only cause the mystery, but the main story line or you may say the romance. I love that Brody's all broody and moody, so much like the beast. However, he does have a good part to him, but he just keeps it hidden. While Sam is like a ray of sunshine and isn't going to let Brody's jerk-side takeover. She sees more than what he sees. I love how the relationship develops. Yes, Sam does have some insecurities and fears. Of course, we can't let a story go without a little trouble, because that would be boring. Granted we still have more secrets to uncover. Anyway, we have Brody throwing her past her face. Which got me all teary eye.

A marvelous story. I love how Secrets of Eden plot is staying strong. I marvel at the love story and I can't wait to see what will happen in Eden in the next book. So, if you have a hankering for Beauty and the Beast type stories, you might want to give A Beauty Uncovered a try. I would suggest reading Undeniable Demands for the beginning of the secrets, but if you aren't really interested in that and just want Beauty and the Beast love story just aim for A Beauty Uncovered.

Copy provided by Harlequin via NetGalley

Rating:

How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins

Early this morning  I finished reading Karen Hawkins' How to Pursue a Princess. I must say that I enjoyed the story. However, it was a little different from How to Capture a Countess. Actually, How to Pursue a Princess reminded me a Candice Hern's book A Garden Folly. Yes, there are similarities and difference, but today's focus on How to Pursue a Princess.

In How to Capture a Countess, it was filled with light-heartedness with the hero and heroine trying to one-up-each-other. In How to Pursue a Princess, we have Lily Balfour trying to save her family from finacial ruin. So, she always figure she wouldn't get married, but cirmstances call for her to action. Now she needs to marry for money and hope to find love in the process. After all, the Duchess of Roxburghe is known for making impectable matches. However, I think the Duchess is off her game when she tries to match Lily with the Earl of Huntley.

However, when Lily meets Piotr Romanovin, Prince Wulfinski (Wulf), it's instant attraction. Yet, when she finds out Wulf is pauper prince, she needs to keep pursuing Huntley because he has the means to save her family. Now Wulf knows that Lily is to be his, and he will try to prove that love can solve all problems. Granted Wulf is actually wealthy, but he wants her to love him for who he is other than a title and money.

There is a slight problem with Huntley. Actually two: 1) She doesn't love him 2) Miss Emma Gordon who happens to be a good friend to Huntley. However, that's not going to deter Lily for making her conquest. So, we have the Duchess cheering for the match, while Emma and Wulf team up to win the love of their lives. A tough task for Wulf and Emma to outwit the Duchess.

Overall, it was enjoyable. However, I was a little worry that Lily was going to forsake her happiness for security. Let's be honest, that can be stressful. I had to remind myself a couple of times it will all be ok. I really did like how Emma and Wulf try to out Duchess the Duchess with their plan. So, if you are looking for a story with "pauper" prince and a girl looking for a hero, you might enjoy How to Pursue a Princess.

Rating:
4 Stars

Protecting His Witness by Katie Reus

So, today I got a chance to read the next Red Stone Security book, Protecting His Witness by Katie Reus. I have to say I'm impress by the action, danger and the villain.

Jordan Alvarado went into the witness protection program seven years earlier, because she help catch a psycho. While in the process, she left behind her old life and a fantastic boyfriend, Vincent Hansen. Vincent never understood why Jordan up and disappear on him, but now he's wondering what she was doing back.

So, Jordan is picking up her life and trying to figure out to do with it. Since she has left witness protection, believing she is safe cause the psycho is presumably dead. Once she walks back into Vincent's life strange things start to happen. Not only strange, but scary things. Even though Vincent didn't understand why she didn't tell him, he's going to make sure to keep her safe.

I was impress by the story. The major surprise was the villain in the story. I was thinking it was one person, but I was completely wrong. Boy that was a shocker. Other than that, I like the reunion between Jordan and Vincent. It wasn't oh happy ever-after. Oh no, Vincent was pissed off at Jordan and scared her away. Realizing he made a mistake and needing to use his connection to find her. Once he realize Jordan was really helping him in the long run, he started the process of forgiving. I really did like that it just didn't magically happen. The only issue I had was when they catch the bad guy, it just seemed a little rushed. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story.

Plus, I love you can read the Red Stone Security books and not feel lost, because you didn't read the first story. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Those who like suspense and a little twist, might enjoy Protecting His Witness.

Copy provided by author

Rating: