A talent for temptation - Sabrina Jeffries

Widow Meriel Vyse is stunned speechless when someone tries to abduct her on her way to a ball. Fortunately, Quinn Raines, her secret beau, shows up to foil the attack. Unfortunately, as the two of them are struggling with her abductor, Meriel accidentally stabs Quinn with a knife.

Unbeknownst to Meriel, Quinn set up the fake abduction so he could play the hero and win her hand in marriage. But now that his plan has gone disastrously awry, can he convince her that he’s still the man for her?

My thoughts:
So this was just a short novella.

Meriel has been flirting and seeing Quinn for months. Not daring to tell her brother in law, and not daring to wish for more. Quinn's mum is a count's daughter. Meriel is nothing. Better not go there.

Then she gets kidnapped ..well almost

Quinn to the rescue, of course he planned the whole thing cos he really wants her.

Aye, one of those he wants, she is afraid ones. I may not approve of the way he wanted to show that he is the one for her, but it all worked out.

Conclusion:
A nice little romance, that gives us a a look at a 3rd person. The hero in the next book ;)

Cover

Eyes please

ebook, 100 pages
Expected publication: October 2nd 2017 by Pocket Star
Sinful Suitors #4.5
Historical romance
NetGalley

The pleasures of passion - Sabrina Jeffries

When Niall Lindsey, the Earl of Margrave, is forced to flee after killing a man in a duel, he expects his secret love, Brilliana Trevor, to go with him, or at the very least wait for him. To his shock, she does neither and sends him off with no promise for the future. Seven years and one pardon later, Niall returns to England disillusioned and cynical. And being blackmailed by the government into working with his former love to help catch a counterfeiter connected to her father doesn’t improve his mood any. But as his role as Brilliana’s fake fiancé brings his long-buried feelings to the surface once again, he wonders who is more dangerous—the counterfeiter or the woman rapidly stealing his heart.

Forced to marry another man after Niall was exiled, the now widowed Brilliana wants nothing to do with the reckless rogue who she believes abandoned her to a dreary, loveless life. So having to rely on him to save her father is the last thing she wants, much less trusts him with....But as their scheme strips away the lies and secrets of their shared past, can she let go of the old hurt and put her pride aside? Or will the pleasures of their renewed passion finally enable them both to rediscover love? 

My thoughts:
The last book sure made me wonder about this one and what was up with Brilliana and Niall.

It starts with their lovestory, which I know ended badly, but not why. She married someone else. He was in exile after a duel. I know why he dueled, it was for a good reason. But it did cost him her.

And now they are back together. Well they are put together to solve a mystery. And they so do not want to work together. She despises him, he resents her. And I was all, omg talk talk talk!!!! Talk it through, but they are both angry for different reasons. Talking is not really what they want.

I liked Brilliana. I liked Niall. They obviously belonged together but there are so many lies and secrets in the way. But they will get closer, even if they are still angry, they really want each other.

Then there is the danger too, what is her father up too? Can they solve it?

Conclusion:
It was a good lovestory- A bit of suspense, a lot of lies and lots of passion.

Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Expected publication: June 20th 2017 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #4
Historical romance
Netgalley

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

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

Stormswept - Deborah Martin

The first wedding night that Lady Juliana St. Albans spent with the dark and daring Rhys Vaughan was intoxicating, the heady culmination of her new husband’s driving hunger and her own awakened sensuality. When he mysteriously disappeared the next morning, she waited for him in hope and desperation. And when he was finally proclaimed dead in a shipwreck, she bitterly mourned the loss of her love.

The second wedding night that Juliana spent with Rhys Vaughan was six years later, after he returned to claim her just as she was about to wed another. This Rhys was different—bolder, harder, and convinced that she’d betrayed him. Only their blazing passion remains from their years apart. But is it enough to light their way through the maze of mystery, menace, and mistrust—to the love they once shared and would have to find again? 

My thoughts:

I did want to hit Rhys over the head a few times, oh you know me, I always want to hit book characters over the head!

Rhys and Juliana met and fell in love, in secret of course. And married, in secret of course. They were enemies after all.

Juliana was sweet and naive. And I did not mind, how could she be any other way?

While Rhys wanted to save his Wales, and could not help falling for her. Though he had some issues.

And this book is all about those issues. See he disappears and comes back with one big chip on his shoulder. And I was all Hold up! You are angry? She could be angry too! And I wish she had been mad too. He is all You betrayed me! And he is so nasty about it. I wanted her to stop explaining and just be that mad too. She had every right. But that was not her.

I also had some fears when I realised it was written in the 90s, cos he was so angry. And well at least 80s book can go a bit too far, but it never did. And I am glad it did not. Rhys is mad, just not crazy.

I must mention that her brother is an ass. And I want to hit him, but at the same time I kind of wanted a book with him. So he could redeem himself, but since it was written 20 years ago then that has passed.

Conclusion:
A good book where 2 lovers has to find each other again and find forgiveness and trust.

Cover
I could do with a head

Kindle Edition, 400 pages
Published June 28th 2016 by Pocket Books (first published September 1st 1995)
Wales #1
Historical romance
NG

The study of seduction - Sabrina Jeffries

When Edwin Barlow, the Earl of Blakeborough, agrees to help his best friend’s impetuous ward, Lady Clarissa Lindsey, in her time of need, he knows he’s in for trouble. He’s been hunting for someone to wed, and she’ll just get in the way. Although captivated by the witty, free-spirited beauty, he fears she’d be all wrong as a wife...if she would even take such a gruff cynic for her husband. Yet he wants nothing more than to have her for his own.

Clarissa has no intention of marrying anyone—not Edwin, whom she’s sure would be an overbearing husband, and certainly not the powerful French diplomat stalking her. But when matters escalate with the diplomat, she chooses Edwin’s gallant offer of a marriage between friends in hopes that it will deter her stalker. She expects nothing more than an amiable union, but their increasingly tempestuous kisses prove more than she bargained for. When her stalker’s vow to expose the lovers’ deepest secrets threatens to destroy their blossoming attraction, will their tenuous bond withstand public ruin, or will Edwin lose all that’s important to him to protect his bride? 

My thoughts:

Did I like Edwin in book 1? Hmm, eh , who knows, but I do like him here. He is a cutie, and he makes automatons, very cool.

Clarissa is, well the more I got to know her, the more I understood her. She was flighty, and, well I understood at the end. I understood,  they complement each other.

Clarissa has a suitor that does not take no for an answer, I mean not at all, that guy needs to be kicked in the balls. What a creep.

Edwin is looking out for her while her guardian is away.

Damn creepy suitor!

Oh oh, they are married now.

So this book is about their marriage. A hasty marriage to save her. But they do not love each other, and she does not want to rush into things. So they get to know each other more, they find out that they do like each other. Drama unfolds and truths are learned and they live happily ever after.

And the title is good, it is a study of seduction ;)

Conclusion:

A good book. I look forward to reading about her brother next.

Cover

nice

ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: March 22nd 2016 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #2
Historical romance
NG

What happens under the mistletoe anthology

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. In the snowy Scottish countryside, Karen Hawkins’s rakish duke has an unforgettable holiday encounter in Twelve Kisses when the alluring lady he surprises under the mistletoe is not who he expected, but a long-lost love with a score to settle. In By Any Other Name, Edinburgh is aglitter for Christmastime as Candace Camp sends a curious gentleman in hot pursuit of an intriguing lady in disguise—one who refuses to reveal her true identity, though she fears he has already stolen her heart with his kiss. In Sweet Ruin, 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:

The heiress and the hothead by Sabrina Jeffries

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.

Twelve kisses to midnight by Karen Hawkins

I have a problem. I forget short stories SO FAST. Luckily I had written lovers trapped by snow cos I can hardly remembering that the story ended. Just general feelings now by those words.

So yes former lovers meet, are trapped, and realises they still like each other. I'd read more of her books.

By any other name by Candance Camp

A woman in disguise is trying to help her brother. And a man finds her fascinating and tries to find out more about her. And that is the story, he searches, he finds, he searches, he finds

Sweetest regret by Meredith Duran

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. Def the best of the novellas in this anthology. A nice holiday feeling too. 

Conclusion;
An anthology where I actually liked all the stories ;) Yes that does not happen a lot. But to be fair there were only 4, and I do like holiday novellas so that helped. They were cute and nice stories.

Cover

Nice, but heads would be better

Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Expected publication: October 27th 2015 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #1.5
Historical romance
NetGalley

The art of sinning - Sabrina Jeffries

American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father’s business. He’d much rather sample bevvies of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he’s driven to paint. When he meets Lady Yvette Barlow at a London wedding, he realizes she’s perfect for his work—and determines to capture the young heiress’s defiant spirit and breathtaking sensuality on canvas.

No stranger to scandal, Yvette agrees to be Keane’s subject—in exchange for his help gaining entry to the city’s brothels he knows intimately, so she can track a missing woman and solve a family mystery. But when their practical partnership leads to lessons in the art of sinning, can they find a bold and lasting love? 

My thoughts:

I am always here with my, this felt different, well it did! Maybe it was because he was a American, he is so not Ton then. Also, he was an artist, and you all know those artist types ;)

Jeremy is an artist, and lately he has painted more bleak things. He has a past he wants to forget in America. His family wants him back. Then he sees his muse and have to paint her. So yes I got the whole, I am wounded and can never love again. That stuff hurts, but we all have to move on. Man up.

Yvette has a secret too. And with the ton around, yes I understood why it's a bad one. She was a bit too hasty though. Come on woman! You are nobility, there is danger around. Poor Jeremy who was faced with you!

They have their dance while he paints her (oh oh, her brother, he was yummy, I hope his book is next.) She wants Jeremy's help with a secret, he will do anything. They start to fall but he is all woe is me! And she is all, I want have someone with half a heart. You go girl, you deserve more!

Conclusion:

A cute dance that turns passionate. 

Cover

Ok

Kindle Edition, 416 pages
Published July 21st 2015 by Pocket Books
Sinful Suitors #1
Historical romance
NG