Review: Geek Girls don't date Dukes - Gina Lamm

Leah Ramsey has always loved historical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to time travel and experience the history for herself, she jumps at it—figuring it can't be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels.

Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville's household . . . as a maid.

Domestic servitude wasn't exactly what she had in mind, but she's determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn't exactly who she's expecting.

My thoughts;

I liked Leah, I mean she was me. She wanted to go back in time, find her Mr Darcy/Duke and live happily ever after. Awesome. Did that happen? Yeah...kind of.

In book 1 a geek girl went back in time through a mirror, in book 2 her friend goes back. All in the quest of true love. Sure Leah is a bit blind first. When the witch tells her she will find true love in the Duke's house she at once assumes it's the Duke she will fall for. Now that would have been great, but the twist is that it's the valet, Avery she meets. He is a gentleman, all sweet and kind. He helps this crazy woman and gives her a job. The perfect guy, just, she does not see it.

What else was different is that in this book we get to see the downstairs regency era. And that is not something I see a lot, usually it's just the glittering ton.

There is also a little sideplot that causes some drama as Avery is a boxer and is in a bit of trouble.

Conclusion
Cute time-travel romance!

Cover

His head does not look like it belong on his body

Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Published September 3rd 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Geek Girls #2
Historical romance /time-travel romance
From the publisher

3 short Reviews: More Jill Myles Novellas

I am doing a 3 in 1 today since all these are so short.

Foreplay by Jill Myles

Series: The Succubus Diaries 0

Genre: Paranormal romance

Pages: Ebook 9

Published: 2010

How did Jackie Brighton get turned into a succubus? She can’t remember – all she knows is that she woke up in a Dumpster. This short story tells the tale of that night, and sheds a little light on her masters’ motivations..
 
 My thoughts:

I can't say a lot about this story since it is only 9 pages long. But you get to see how she became a succubus. And how Zane seems to have reasons for the change and how Noah just falls in the trap. And a bit of Jackie how she was before.

All in all a nice short story to red before book 1. Or afterwards if you want to. You will get a few answers and it is just fun to read more about these characters in the end.  And it just makes me Team Zane even more (but then I am always on that team). He is the best.

So if you are wondering how Jackie woke up in a dumpster with bigger boobs then read this book.

Zane's Tale

A succubus Diaries Short

Pages: Ebook 12

Published: 2010

Zane has a few changes in his life...but is the vampire happy with his choices? Or does he regret the path he has chosen and the succubus he has left behind? 

My thoughts:

Be still my heart, this novella was only 12 pages or so but it still packed enough for my heart to break over Zane. I love him, Team Zane!

This story takes place between book 2 and 3 and he has given up Jackie but in this we see how tormented he is because he had to give her up. And deep his love for her is. It is quite heartbreaking and it makes me love him all the more (and think Noah is so boring and that she should dump him). A short tale but an insight into Zane's heart that you do not want to miss. So one last time, Team Zane, wohoo! I sure hope they get together soon again.

And of course this one should not be read before book 2 because then you will miss why he left her.

Note:

These two can be bought on their own or together with Slave to Her Desires (reviewed that one last week. Together they form a nice little Succu-Bundle. 

 .......................................

 And now to something that has nothing to do with Succubi.

Shimmerlight by Jill Myles

Genre: Paranormal romance, time-travel

Pages: 40, ebook

Published: 2011

Chloe Sorenson's just started a brand new job at Ms. Muffet's art gallery. However, no one told her that the latest auction piece - a sculpture of a handsome Roman soldier - comes to life. Think it's hard to explain to your boss why you're fondling a statue? Try explaining to the statue why you're holding his, uh, fig leaf. Chloe never thought that touching the statue would turn him into a sexy, aroused man, but she's not saying no to this delicious Roman soldier. The curse requires that she touch him at all times? Such a hardship... But there's a problem in their lust-fueled relationship; she's falling dangerously in love with a guy that cursed to be hard as a rock - literally - unless she can somehow free him. And the statue of Titus just went up for auction. If she doesn't do something, he's going to be out of her life and trapped for all eternity...

My thoughts:

This story is a companion novel to Mirrorlight. They are both perfect to read as stand alone though. The only thing that connects them is a mysterious woman named Muffin and time-travelling.

In this one Chloe works for mysterious Muffin building a website at night. And then she finds a statue and fondles it, lol, yes she admires it and wonders what is under that leaf. And then he comes to life. You can figure out what the do next. Because this is one hot and short novella. They have fun with each other all while she tries to figure out how this can continue. He is a statue from another era. No happy ending in store for them. At least this is what she thinks because in the end this is romance and we all know they will live happily ever after. How is the question.

Conclusion:

Short and really hot is what this lovestory has in store for you. A perfect short read for a lazy summerday.

...............

My flash fiction for this week

Review: The Return of Black Douglas - Elaine Coffman

While visiting the Scottish tombs of her forebears, American archeologist Isobella Douglas encounters the ghost of her famous ancestor, Sir James, the Black Douglas. The matchmaking ghost seizes on her romantic fantasies, and before she knows it, Isobella and her twin sister, Elisabeth, a doctor, find themselves whisked to 16th-century Scotland, inappropriately dressed. When the dastardly Macleans capture Elisabeth, Alysandir Mackinnon, entirely fascinated by half-naked, strong-willed Isobella, offers to help her get her sister back.

My thoughts:

Sometimes the Scottish accent works and sometimes not. This time it worked for me and I do think I know the reason. The Hero had his accent, the heroine not, so it was never too much. Which I am glad for since it can be pretty hard sometimes to understand.

To the book then, it was sweet and fun. Isobella Douglas is visiting Scotland and soon she and her sister stands in a battlefield. Ok at the side, and they watch some handsome, really handsome highlanders fight each other. Every woman's dream (the hunky guys in kilts, not the fighting). Elizabeth is soon gone and then we have our hero and heroine, Isobella is a modern woman and she will let no man tell her what to do. But she is falling for Alysandir who do not want a woman again after being hurt. And Elizabeth knows that a mistress is of no worth. Alysandir did have some moments where I just shook my head. But then you saw it so much better in this book because they were from different times. But I was also sure that the heroine could transform him.

These two are slowly falling in love, Isobella wants help getting her sister back, and then she discovers a neglected child and takes the child under her wings. There is also a big question hanging in the air, will The Black Douglas suddenly come and take her back home, what if she wants to stay?

And the best of all, I know I always come back to my oh no! She is ruined bit, but here I did not care since this was a modern woman, so she could just do as she pleased ;)

Conclusion:

I finished this book rather fast because it was easy and fun. A good highland romance with a couple that is nothing alike.

Rating:

A fast read. Escapism

Cover:

Kind of like it, but she is too thin 

Genre: Historical romance /time-travel

Pages: 448

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, April 1st 2011

Source: From the publisher for review