Duke of Pleasure - Elizabeth Hoyt

Bold. Brave. Brutally handsome. Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle, is the king's secret weapon. Sent to defeat the notorious Lords of Chaos, he is ambushed in a London alley—and rescued by an unlikely ally: a masked stranger with the unmistakable curves of a woman.

Cocky. Clever. Courageously independent. Alf has survived on the perilous streets of St. Giles by disguising her sex. By day she is a boy, dealing in information and secrets. By night she's the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, a masked vigilante. But as she saves Hugh from assassins, she finds herself succumbing to temptation.

When Hugh hires Alf to investigate the Lords of Chaos, her worlds collide. Once Hugh realizes that the boy and the Ghost are the same, will Alf find the courage to become the woman she needs to be—before the Lords of Chaos destroy them both? 

My thoughts:

I have 3 books and 1 novella in this series. But I did read the last one, where we found out Alf is a girl (or if that was found out before who knows, did I remember her from before, who knows). Oh and that last book was freaking amazing...amaaazing. He was so dark.

Hugh, the Duke of Kyle, bastard son of the king, is looking for the Lords of Chaos. These guys are so twisted! Effing sickos. Hang 'em all! So yes he is busy with that. He is also busy caring for his two sons, seems he was married to some idiot who cheated on him and then died.

Alf, is a woman pretending to be a teenage boy, running around the bad parts of London, gathering info, and at night saving people. She was, oh to be honest, she was hard to like. Because she went from being one thing to being another thing.

And also, sure he liked the strange female he runs across, but he never notices Alf is the same woman? Oh men, you are so silly!

Conclusion:
I got wrapped up in their romance. It was fun to watch, but yes gotta catch those sickos too.

The next book, aye it was obvi who it would be about and omg, it looks dark too. I must read it

Cover
HA, no

ebook, 364 pages
Expected publication: November 29th 2016 by Grand Central Publishing
Maiden Lane #11
Historical romance
NG

Mistletoe, mischief and the marquis - Amelia Grey

The Marquis of Wythebury, is expecting an ordinary Christmastide at Hurst—until he is set upon by a beautiful miss who takes him to task for not allowing his young nephews to play outside. In his mind, a five and seven year old needn’t get chilled in the snow; better to plop them in front of the fire with a book. Few people have ever been brave enough to challenge him over anything, much less the rearing of his wards. The cheeky Miss Prim has no such compunction. No matter how fetching he finds her, he can’t give in to his attraction…for she is the sister of his best friend.

Growing up the middle child of five rambunctious girls, Lillian Prim doesn’t understand why two young boys visiting Hurst don’t know how to play until she meets their dashing guardian. The Marquis of Wythebury is commanding and intensely serious-minded. To her surprise, she’s captivated by him. It’s all she can do not to give into her feminine fantasies about him kissing him. Lillian has no intention of falling in love with the Marquis, but she will create Christmastide mischief and teach the boys and the handsome Marquis how to play. 

My thoughts:

A cute xmas novella is always nice, and I like Grey's books. They are sweet.

Here we have Lillian and Seth. And yes at first they do not really seem like a match. He is so busy protecting his nephews that he forgets they need to live too. And she is all boys should play! But they really fancy each other too. But the arguments they would have!

So yes they meet at a house party, flirt (and yes things must move fast, it is just over xmas after all). She is the Duke's sister in law, he should know better. They argue, they make up and love happily ever after. Everyone can change.

Conclusion:
Sweet and short.

ebook, 89
Expected publication: November 29th 2016 by Swerve
The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #3.5
Historical romance
NG

The Heiress and the Hothead - Sabrina Jeffries

This upcoming release is a novella that was previously published in 2015 in the Christmas-themed anthology, What Happens Under the Mistletoe.

Stunned by the heat of an unexpected kiss on a cold winter’s eve, two strangers from vastly different worlds turn hotheaded principles into burning passion in Sabrina Jeffries’s delightful yuletide story, The Heiress and the Hothead.

My thoughts:
I requested this one from NG and did not realise I had read it in an anthology, So here is that review

Lord Stephen writes angry news articles about mills. Amanda owns mills. The whole mill thing was not exactly romantic (only North and South can do that.) But they will dance around each other and fall in love.

But that smexy scene, seriously. No, not then and there. Ugh. It was weird.

Conclusion:
A nice holiday novella.

Cover
nice

ebook, 90 pages
Expected publication: November 28th 2016 by Pocket Star
Sinful Suitors #1.5
Historical romance
NG

Joint Discussion: Children of Earth and Sky

Happy end of November! This week Carole and I are discussing, "Children of Earth and Sky" by Guy Gavriel Kay. 

We are doing something special for next month! We are letting you guys choose what we read. The choices will be at the bottom after our discussion. The most votes win!

Author: Guy Gavriel Kay

Title: Children of Earth and Sky

Genre: Historical Fiction and Fantasy

Pages: 571

First Published: May 2016

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

From the small coastal town of Senjan, notorious for its pirates, a young woman sets out to find vengeance for her lost family. That same spring, from the wealthy city-state of Seressa, famous for its canals and lagoon, come two very different people: a young artist traveling to the dangerous east to paint the grand khalif at his request—and possibly to do more—and a fiercely intelligent, angry woman, posing as a doctor’s wife, but sent by Seressa as a spy.

The trading ship that carries them is commanded by the accomplished younger son of a merchant family, ambivalent about the life he’s been born to live. And farther east a boy trains to become a soldier in the elite infantry of the khalif—to win glory in the war everyone knows is coming.

As these lives entwine, their fates—and those of many others—will hang in the balance, when the khalif sends out his massive army to take the great fortress that is the gateway to the western world...  

C: So...this was not what I expected it to be. LOL Where shall we begin? B?

B: Well for me it feels like I picked another crap one. UGH. I just could not follow it, sooo boring. So many things I want to complain about

C: I don’t think it was a “crap one”....I think it was just boring. LOL Like it was a people-story, but the people were meeeehhhh.

B: Yes! So meh. I wish I had cared for someone, but I did not. I can’t even say I read the whole thing cos I skimmed so damn much. It just have to be a dnf for me in that aspect. I just did not care about them or their story.

C: There was one character (can’t remember their name) that I liked, but they seemed to just not matter to the story anymore. Which boo. The rest of the people were meh. Like nothing happened. Things that did happen none of the characters were around. They just happened to escape to the next town. Like the riot. Boring. I did a LOT of skimming to. XI I feel bad, but I just didn’t care about some of those people’s stories. 

B: From the rave reviews I read I expected something great, and then I got this and you know, I just felt so disappointed :/ Another issue I had was that it was so our world. Oh there is the Ottoman empire, oh there is Venice, oh there is blah blah. The Ottomans even took boys to become those, whatever, but it was too our world. I do not want that. Sure, borrow from a culture, but do not put every other country next to it. Make it harder, mix things up. Now I just read a historical novel set here...sort of ;) I wanted fantasy.

C: Was there suppose to be fantasy elements mixed in? 

B: It’s not that I need magic and unicorns, but if I wanted to read about the Ottomans and the rest of that area we could have chosen a book at least set in our world. Instead of this pseudo earth. But yes magic and unicorns are fun

C: It felt like such a Historical Fiction. I didn’t even notice the small fantasy that was suppose to be in there. XI But I agree with you. I love the epic fantasy stuff, but I think there should have been more fantasy to make it feel like it. 

B: More fantasy, less our world, interesting characters, maybe then it would have been a book I would not have skimmed.

C: Same. I was just meh. The world-building was exhausting at the beginning. Once it get past that it was better, but not good. 

B: For me I just want to put a big fat failure sign on it

C: I’m wanting to put a “meh” sign on it. From reviews I read there are other books set in this world. I think this might have been better if we read one of those to understand. 

B: You are supposed to be able to read these without having to read the others. His failure if he did not make that work. Oh and I will SO NOT read more books set in this world.

C: Completely agree! 

B: This is such a meh book, we can’t even complain. The crappy ones we can write pages about here...meh

C: I’m  bummed by this. I was so excited. LOL. So...anything else you want to add? 

B: Nope

C: Nothing here except...if you wanna read anything by this author read something else. A total meh. 

B: HA, I agree.

C: I’m curious to see which book is next! Let us leave it to the people since we stink at picking. Hehehe xD

B: I have picked two, just like that, no reviews, no ohhh must read. Just picked two so not to get disappointed

YA - The statistical probability of love at first sight by Jennifer Smith

FICTION - The secret keeper by Kate Morton

C: I picked two. I ignored the reviews as well.

Fantasy/PNR -  Bound by a Dragon by Linda K. Hopkins

HF - Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson

B: Ok then readers, please tell us in your comments which book we should read next :)

C: We leave it in your hands! :D Don’t let us down. ;) LOL! Until next time?

B: Until next time

#FitReaders Check-In: November 25, 2016

FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in

Sun 1 h walk
Mon 8 km bike. 45 min foam rolling
Tue  20 min walk. 4 km bike
Wed  4 km bike. 30  min walk
Thu  4 km bike, 30 min walk
Fri 4 km bike, 1 h walk

Sat Gone all day, boo. Nothing

Sweetest Regret - Meredith Duran

This upcoming release is a novella that was previously published in 2015 in the Christmas-themed anthology, What Happens Under the Mistletoe.

In "Sweetest regret", will the festive spirit of the season sweep Meredith Duran’s feisty heroine beneath the mistletoe—and back into the arms of the dashing rogue whose carelessness soiled her reputation and sent her into exile in London?

My thoughts:
I actually read this one last year, and now when I started it I was all why does this sound so familliar? Oh, I have read it before ;)

Georgie is hosting a xmas party, and her father is nowhere to be found. She has some issues.

Lucas is sent to help her. But uh uh...they were in love once.

I liked this one. A couple that used to be in love meet again. They are angry. Something went wrong. Everything happens during a house party.  A nice holiday feeling too. It was a novella, I can't say much.

Conclusion:
Cute and nice.

Cover
Nice

ebook, 110 pages
Expected publication: November 28th 2016 by Pocket Star
Historical romance
NG

Author Interview and Giveway: Kasey Lane

Today's interview is with Kasey Lane, and do not miss the giveaway at the end.

1. Tell me about yourself.

I live in rural Southern Oregon with my husband and two kids. We share property with my parents on the Applegate River. I’m originally from more urban California. I’m an old school entrepreneur and handle the marketing for a manufacturing company that I helped found. I still have a bit of a punk rock heart and I think that kind of shows up in my writing. 

  

2 And your new book? 

My new book, Beautiful Crazy, is an opposites attract story about two competing music marketing consultants that are going after the same band. They have to win the contract for different reasons. They also have to TRY and ignore their over the top chemistry. I love stories about opposites…probably because I feel like it’s a little bit like my own love story with my husband.

3. Since this is a music book, tell me about your taste in music. 

My friends would probably tell you I'm music snob, but I think my taste in music is eclectic. Right now I’m really into electroswing, but I love everything from old school Metallica to classic Elvis to some EDM like Parov Stellar and Flume. I grew up in the late 80s in the SF Bay Area. I was lucky enough to see a lot of awesome punk rock and new wave bands locally. And now my husband and our friends still go shows…sometimes with our kids and sometimes without. Just this year we've seen Getter several times (he's my good friend's son), Hunter Hayes, Diana Ross, Kaycee Musgraves, Pat Benatar, Hollywood Vampires, Purity Ring, and a bunch of local bands. 

4. Tell us more about the hero .

Mason is very alpha and pretty much used to an easy life where everything just sort of goes his way. We meet him when he’s a pretty big hitch in his career (which is pretty much his life) and is reeling a bit. Then Kevan comes into the picture and just completely rocks his world. It was fun to to bring the big bad handsome man to knees a little. Well, as much as I could with such a strong willed character.

5 And the heroine? 

Kevan seems like she’s all pretty face and pinup style, but there’s a lot going on under her perfect makeup. She’s very clever and the stakes are pretty high for her to get what she wants. She’s also a bit more damaged and really mistrusts Mason from the get go. I really love her character, her kindness wrapped up in this quirky shell.

6. What are you working on right now?

Right now I'm finishing up book 3 in the Rock 'n' Ink series, Beautiful Wreck. It's Bowen's (the heroine of Beautiful Crazy's brother) story.

Thank you!

Giveaway:

1 copy of Beautiful Crazy

1. US and Canada only

2. Ends Nov 27

3, Enter by commenting

“You confound me. You’re all these maddening contradictions that don’t make any sense… And I can’t get enough of your special brand of beautiful crazy.”

She’s a rocker with attitude and ink…

He’s a sexy suit who gets what he wants

Kevan Landry is trying to keep her life on track and her brother in rehab. If her fledgling marketing firm can sign the hot new band, Manix Curse, it will make a world of difference. Mason Dillon heads the most successful music PR firm in Portland. He’s desperate to breathe new life into the company by signing Manix Curse.

The last thing either one needs is a one-night stand with a smoldering stranger…

The stakes are high when a battle for the band—in the bedroom and the boardroom—becomes a battle of the heart. But if these two can set aside their differences, they may find they’re the right mix of sexy savvy to conquer both their worlds.

Award-winning debut author KASEY LANE writes sexy romances featuring music, hot guys with ink, kick-ass women, and always a happily ever after. A California transplant, she lives with her high school crush turned husband, two smart but devilish kids, two Papillons, three cats, and several chickens in the lush Oregon forest.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2edB1ac

B&N: http://bit.ly/2edBFEA

The Danger of Desire - Sabrina Jeffries

To root out the card cheat responsible for her brother’s death, Miss Delia Trevor spends her evenings dancing her way through high society balls, and her late nights disguised as a young man gambling her way through London’s gaming hells. Then one night, handsome Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, a notorious member of St. George’s Club, recognizes her. When he threatens to reveal her secret, she’s determined to keep him from ruining her plans, even if it means playing a cat-and-mouse game with the enigmatic rakehell.

Warren knows the danger of her game, and he refuses to watch her lose everything while gaining justice for her late brother. But when she starts to delve beneath his carefully crafted façade, can he keep her at arm’s length while still protecting her? Or will their hot desires explode into a love that transcends the secrets of their pasts? 

My thoughts:

Oh these two. Delia was sure a handful. I mean sneaking out, gambling and getting away with it. She has a good head on her shoulders but was so reckless.

Warren was a good guy, and he sure gets curious when he stumbles upon this mystery. And he is a gentleman too, he can't just leave it be.

There is also the mystery concerning her brother, who did he lose his money too. She needs to solve it. And save her home. Her brother and father both gambled away too much.

And as for Warren, he is just trying to avoid matchmakers.

But they fall in love. And she is so stubborn!

I liked the twist which I cannot speak of. Also the next book looks to be good too.

Conclusion:
A nice romance

Cover
Look two heads!

Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Expected publication: November 22nd 2016 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #3
Historical romance
NG

Interview and Giveaway: Margaret Brownley

Today I have Margaret Brownley over for an interview, and there is a giveaway too :)
Welcome!

Tell me about yourself

My husband and I have three grown children and six grandchildren and we make our home in Southern California. Some think I’m a terrific cook (probably because I raised a chef) but I’m only so-so at best. I love traveling and have been to all fifty states. As a writer, I write by the seat of my pants—no outline, nothing. No one’s more surprised at the way my books end than I am. Come to think of it, since I don’t plan in advance, even dinner is a surprise.

And your new book?

Left at the Altar is the first book in my A Match Made in Texas series. As the title suggests, Meg Lockwood is left at the altar by her erstwhile fiancé. The marriage was supposed to unite two feuding families, so not only is the jilted bride affected, but the entire town.

The book takes place in 1880 when time was often determined by the town jeweler. Unfortunately, Two-Time, Texas has two feuding jewelers who both insist that they alone have the right time. This causes all sorts of trouble for the town. Can you imagine trying to figure out when stores open and when to go to church or school? Talk about a divided town!

What makes the West to fun to write about?

I love writing about the old west.  That was when men were men and women were women, but a cowboy wasn’t a cowboy unless he was wild, woolly and full of fleas.  Of course the heroes I write about are more likely to be tall, dark and handsome.

Today’s language seems rather dull compared to the colorful expressions and words of yesteryear.  Can you think of more mouth-pleasing words than hornswoggle, caboodle or skedaddle?  Or what about fiddlefooted, ranktankerous, rumbumptious or splendiferous? A latte may be the haute cuisine of coffee, but give me an Arbuckle’s any day.

Tell us more about the hero

No sooner does Boston Lawyer Grant Garrison arrive in Two-Time, Texas when he finds himself in the midst of the town feud. His first mistake is defending Meg’s erstwhile groom against a breach-of-promise suit. His second mistake is falling for the plaintiff.

And the heroine?

Meg Lockwood is one of three sisters. The books opens on her wedding day which turns out to be the most miserable day of her life. Can you imagine the embarrassment of being left at the altar? All she wants to do is hide, but when her father files a breach-of-promise suit on her behalf, escape becomes impossible.

Thank you!

Giveaway
1 print copy of Left at the Altar

1. US only
2. Ends Nov 27
3. Enter by commenting :)
And remember to leave your details if they can not be found in your profile

Title: Left at the Altar

Series: A Match Made in Texas, #1

Author: Margaret Brownley

Pub Date: November 1, 2016

ISBN: 9781492608134

Welcome to Two-Time Texas:

Where tempers burn hot

Love runs deep

And a single marriage can unite a feuding town

…or tear it apart for good

In the wild and untamed West, time is set by the local jeweler…but Two-Time Texas has two: two feuding jewelers and two wildly conflicting time zones. Meg Lockwood’s marriage was supposed to unite the families and finally bring peace. But when she’s left at the altar by her no-good fiancé, Meg’s dreams of dragging her quarrelsome neighbors into a ceasefire are dashed.

No wedding bells? No one-time town.

Hired to defend the groom against a breach of promise lawsuit, Grant Garrison quickly realizes that the only thing worse than small-town trouble is falling for the jilted bride. But there’s something about Meg’s sweet smile and determined grit that draws him in…even as the whole crazy town seems set on keeping them apart.

Who knew being Left at the Altar could be such sweet, clean, madcap fun?

MARGARET BROWNLEY penned her first novel at age eleven and has been writing ever since. She’s now a New York Times and CBA bestselling author and has written thirty-five novels and one nonfiction book. Margaret and her husband have three grown children and make their home in Southern California. Twitter | Facebook

Buy Links:

Amazon

Books-A-Million

Barnes & Noble

Chapters

iBooks

Indiebound

Carole's Sunday Review: A great and terrible beauty - Libba Bray

Author: Libba Bray

Title: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Genre: Historical Fiction, YA, Paranormal, and Fantasy

Pages: 403

First Published: December 2003

Where I Got It: My Shelf (From the store - 2nd & Charles)

It's 1895 and, after the death of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped from the she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true. Gemma finds he reception a chilly one. She's not completely alone, though... she's being followed by a mysterious young man, sent to warn her to close her mind against the visions. 

It's at Spence that Gemma's power to attract the supernatural unfolds as she becomes entangled with the school's most powerful girls and discovers her mother's connection to a shadowy, timeless group called The Order. Her destiny awaits... if only Gemma can believe in it.

I've been meaning to read this book for a little while now. It's been sitting on my shelf collecting dust. I finally managed to get myself to read it to the persuasion of a friend of mine. 

Gemma has lived in India all her life with her parents. Through some tragedy, Gemma's mother is murdered and now she is given her wish to move back to England. But it is not at ALL what she expected or wanted. She is tossed in a boarding school away from her family and she is pretty much alone to suffer with her newfound powers. See kiddies? Be careful what you wish for.  

OMG I hated Gemma. I wanted to kick her. She was spoiled little shit. Okay, it's not her fault, because she is 16 and her mom didn't really do much to punish her. Totally get it, but she was sooooo annoying. It was really hard to fully enjoy the book, because she was so dumb and just did whatever she wanted to do. She needed a firm kick or slap outside the head. 

Honestly, I wish that this story would have stayed in India. I think the setting would have been interesting to go with the plot. But it makes sense that she would have returned to England, so it works. 

I honestly felt like I was on a roller coaster this whole story. One minute I was super involved and curious what was going on. The next I was bored. Then I was hooked again and then back to bored.

The ending was good, but there were a lot of things left unanswered and unfinished. Lots of plot holes. I'm sure these will be answered in the next book, but I'm not sure if I'm going to move forward. I'm undecided as of yet. I do want to learn more about Gemma and her powers. Maybe I'll like her more in the next one. IDK we shall see. 

In the end, this was not horrible, but it wasn't great. I think if I had liked the main character I would have enjoyed this more. It is an interesting story. Honestly, I am still undecided if I want to read the next one. I'll give this a three. I recommend it if you want an easy read. 

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in Nov 18

FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in

Sun 1 h walk
Mon 4 km bike
Tue  30 min walk. 4 km bike
Wed  4 km bike. 30 and 30 min walk
Thu  4 km bike, 45 min zumba toning
Fri 4 km bike, 45 min walk

Snow. Rain. Snow. Rain. Meh

A kiss for luck - Grace Burrowes

Game designer Sadie Delacourt has moved to the peaceful, bucolic town of Damson Valley for a fresh start where she can keep an eye on a recently divorced sister and her small nephew. Sadie plans to focus on her business and her family, until handsome neighbor Gideon Granville turns his focus on Sadie. When Sadie learns where Gideon has been aiming his snooping skills, she’s ready to delete him from her plans entirely—though Gideon is all that stands between her and the trouble she thought she’d left behind her. 

My thoughts:

I have no idea what I just read, it was confusing at times, and romance should not feel confusing. I was all what? Also it was way too rushed. Sure some books can be novellas and short stories, but this was a Book crammed into a novella, and it did not work.'

It was about Sadie who was forgettable.

Gideon who, oh sometimes the book confused me who was talking, but srsl Gideon, check what you are doing.

They liked brownies, did it, lived happily ever after and I was all, what happened?

It did not work. Total failure

Kindle Edition, 148 pages
Published December 2nd 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Sweetest Kisses 0.6
Contemporary romance
Own

The next always - Nora Roberts

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . . 

My thoughts:
Ok so it did take me 3 months, not cos it was bad or anything, but because it was my own book, and then I had 2 review books etc . You get the point. There was always something in the way. And I do not listen much either, if I manage I listen to 15-1 h at work at most. So yes it took some time, but with a good book you can listen one week, have weeks when you do not listen and still feel up to date.

The book is about Beckett and Clare. He had always been in love with her, and she is a widow with 3 kids. Let the romance begin.

But it was also the book about them renovating this old building...that has a ghost. For real. Which was weird. Getting to know his brothers who are getting books and brides of their own (obvi who will end up with who.) The small town. Lovely place by the way.

And then there was Clare and Becket. Both good people. Getting to know each other, getting to know her kids. Falling in love, falling in lust. It was great seeing their romance evolve, and since it took monhs for me to finish, well it felt like it took a long time for them too. Which felt very natural.

I would listen to more by this narrator. A nice pace, nice voices. Good work.

Conclusion:
Good book too

MacLeod Andrews (Narrator)Audio CD, Unabridged - Library Ed, 352 pages
Published November 1st 2011 by Brilliance Audio
Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy #1
Women's fic
Own

Duet: Emma Goldrick

Marcie's emotions needed a good rest. After the traumatic experience of a hijacking incident, the Adirondack cabin she'd inherited from her uncle beckoned invitingly. 

Certainly, Marcie never suspected that the peaceful mountaintop was the focus of an old family feud. That was the last thing she wanted to be involved in! 

But Marcie soon made two further discoveries. John Harley, her friendly neighbor, was the grandson of the very man who'd started the petty squabble. And Marcie's heart was already too involved to retreat! 

My thoughts:

She weighed a bit too much, was not really pretty, but he likes the light in her soul. ...did you just call her fat and ugly? Ok...but sure light in her soul, you are still thinking she was ugly though.

Their families are enemies. He has a bitchy girlfriend, I mean srsly deranged bitchy.

And then they get married. Oh and she has flashbacks from a hijacking. Just tossed in there at random at times.

Paperback, Harlequin Romance #2858, 187 pages
Published September 1987 by Harlequin
Own
Contemporary romance

She didn't intend to deceive him. — When Philomena Peabody met her boss's son, he was suffering temporary snow blindness. 'You sound like somebody's mother,' Penn Wilderman said, convinced by her no-nonsense attitude that she was 'a sweet little old lady.' — Even after she'd moved into his luxurious mansion to help look after his son, Phil couldn't disillusion Penn about her age.

To help win a custody battle for his teenage son, Phil agreed to marry Penn. But she dreaded facing him once the bandages were off, and he could see his attractive twenty-seven-year-old wife...

My thoughts:

Omg so silly, it was good for the cheesiness of it, but seriously!

He gets a housekeeper, babysitter whatevs, he thinks she is 50. It was all so weird, and then ok I can say it cos spoilers but it was effed up.

These oldies are freaky!!!
Oh and she screamed rape at one time, and not for rape. That is so not cool.

Paperback, Harlequin Presents #1035, 187 pages
Published November 1987 by Harlequin Books
Own

I read a Duet book, 2 in 1

The perfect play - Jaci Burton

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game...

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara's not interested in getting to know football's most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara's life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick's latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind. 

My thoughts:

I have had it for years, I think I won it ages ago when I wanted to see if I could read Ero Romance....I can't. I skim sex scenes, I want the emotional stuff, things happening and more.

But I finally gave it a try, and it was so good. But yes I skimmed the sex scenes, lol. But the rest, so good, she writes such good books. The emotions, the drama, everything works so well.

Mick is a playboy, he is a great football player, oh and he has a really bitchy PR agent.

Tara on the other hand is a hardworking mother with a teenage son. She wants no drama.

They meet, they do it, he wants more, she is careful considering his past, and hers. There are hardships, smexy times and just a really well written book. I would sort of even give it a 4 if I did not skim parts. I know! Not the books fault, but I am just not sure how the book would work without them either. They need each other.

Conclusion:
I would  recommend it.

Cover
hot

Trade Paperback, 324 pages
Published February 1st 2011 by Penguin Berkley Heat
Play by Play #1
Ero Romance
Own

Carole's Sunday Review: The Courtesan - Alexandra Curry

Author: Alexandra Curry

Title: The Courtesan

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 416

First Published: September 8th 2015)

Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

The year is 1881. Seven-year-old Jinhua is left an orphan, alone and unprotected after her mandarin father’s summary execution for the crime of speaking the truth. For seven silver coins, she is sold to a brothel-keeper and subjected to the worst of human nature. Will the private ritual that is her father’s legacy and the wise friendship of the crippled brothel maid be enough to sustain her? 

When an elegant but troubled scholar takes Jinhua as his concubine, she enters the close world of his jealous first wife. Yet it is Jinhua who accompanies him—as emissary to the foreign devil nations of Prussia, Austria-Hungary, and Russia—on an exotic journey to Vienna. As he struggles to play his part in China's early, blundering diplomatic engagement with the Western world, Jinhua’s eyes and heart are opened to the irresistible possibilities of a place that is mesmerizing and strange, where she will struggle against the constraints of tradition and her husband’s authority and seek to find “Great Love.”

I have heard of Jinhua in the past, but I admit I know pretty much nothing about her or her journeys. She was orphaned, became a courtesan, and then a legend. Unlike many Chinese women of the day, she was able to travel and learn about the world. She learned so much in her travels. She grew to love the Western world and brought that love back to China. However, as we all know, the Boxer Rebellion starts as she comes back. 

The beginning was rough to get in. It started dark and it was hard to read. Poor little orphan. Her parents are killed and she is sold to a whore house at a very young age. It took a while for me to become immersed in the story. Very dark. But it certainly got better as hope was brought to life and Jinhua began growing to the woman she was supposed to be. I was utterly hooked from there. 

I go back and forth on how I liked the multiple POVs. Some were okay, but some annoyed me and I skimmed them. I would have preferred just Jinhua's and maybe a couple key ones like Suyin's or Madame Hong's. Some were essential, some were not. I think cutting some and extending others would have been a huge benefit to the story and made it flow a little better. Some of the POVs made the flow choppy. 

Other than that, I enjoyed this story. It was dark, yes, but there was hope and I want to learn more about Jinhua. There is little ACTUAL knowledge about her since she was merely a woman and a Courtesan, but there is some.

In the end, I highly recommend this if you like historical fictions or just a good people story. The beginning was rough for me and some of the POVs were non-essential to me, but the rest of the story was addicting. I could hardly put this down! I shall stamp this with 4 stars. 

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Early Review: The Dare and the Doctor - Kate Noble

Dr. Rhys Gray and Miss Margaret Babcock are friends—strictly friends. But over the course of the year, as they exchange dozens of letters, they share personal details that put them on the path to something more. When Dr. Gray helps Margaret realize her dearest dream and she comes to his defense in the uproar that follows, it seems that their connection cannot be denied. But will their relationship stand the scruples of society and jealous intendeds, or are they destined to be only friends, and nothing more?

My thoughts:

I liked Rhys and Margaret. He was really focused on being a doctor, she loved her plants. She was a total nerd for plants. They are penpals in a time when a single woman and a single man weren't. But it is sort of a scientific correspondence so that works ;)

But they are just friends.

And then she goes to London to show off her roses.

And you know when you meet someone for real then it's just better.

Friends are sure good to have. Good to banter with, flirt with, dance with.

Yes there is a fun dance between these two, but always there is an obstacle in their way, but when that is over they can all live happily ever after.

It was a fun and cute book

Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Expected publication: November 22nd 2016 by Pocket Books
Winner Takes All #3
Historical romance
Netgalley

A divided inheritance - Deborah Swift

London 1609...

Elspet Leviston’s greatest ambition is to continue the success of her father Nathaniel’s lace business. But her dreams are thrown into turmoil with the arrival of her mysterious cousin Zachary Deane – who has his own designs on Leviston’s Lace.

Zachary is a dedicated swordsman with a secret past that seems to invite trouble. So Nathaniel sends him on a Grand Tour, away from the distractions of Jacobean London. Elspet believes herself to be free of her hot-headed relative but when Nathaniel dies her fortunes change dramatically. She is forced to leave her beloved home and go in search of Zachary - determined to claim back from him the inheritance that is rightfully hers.

Under the searing Spanish sun, Elspet and Zachary become locked in a battle of wills. But these are dangerous times and they are soon embroiled in the roar and sweep of something far more threatening, sending them both on an unexpected journey of discovery which finally unlocks the true meaning of family . . .

My thoughts:

Ok so I was somewhere, I had one book with me, since I could not possibly even finish one. But yes I did read almost half of it. I was never that into it, but I read on, what else to do...

But here came the problem when I came home, I did not read then, I did not read the next day, and at the evening the next day I finally picked it up again. But it was just so...ok, only ok. I started reading some, skimming some, just wanting it to end. I had already invested time in half of it, I had spent 3 good reading days and was pissed at the book.

Zach was somewhat of an ahole.

Elspeth was boring.

Then they were in Spain, meh, a lot happened.

Crappy ending.

I always have trouble with her books. They just are not for me

Meh, I will give it an ok. Barely!

Paperback, 544 pages
Published October 24th 2013 by Pan MacMillan
Historical fiction
Own