Review: His Unsuitable Viscountess – Michelle Styles

Posted on November 30, 2012 by juliemt

A convenient arrangement between an unconventional Regency businesswoman and a debonair nobleman leads to something more in Michelle Styles’ delightful historical romance, His Unsuitable Viscountess!

Miss Eleanor Blackwell will do anything to save her thriving sword-making factory from the nefarious clutches of her stepfather’s nephew. Eleanor has not dedicated her entire life to the business only for it to be snatched away by an odious man who doesn’t know the first thing about making swords! With the welfare of her employees and their families to think about, Eleanor quickly realizes that the only solution available to her is matrimony! Suitable bachelors in Durham County are thin on the ground, but when Eleanor learns that an acquaintance of hers, Sir Vivian Clarence, is looking for a way to clear his substantial debts, she wonders whether she has found a solution to her problem. However, Eleanor’s plans to wed Sir Vivian hit a major stumbling block when his formidable cousin, Benjamin Grayson, Viscount Whittonstall, uncovers the truth about her disreputable intentions…

Eleanor is absolutely stunned when Viscount Whittonstall puts himself forward as a candidate for her hand in marriage. Eleanor might have only been looking for a convenient husband, but how can their relationship have any hope of succeeding when they both come from such different worlds? A man like Viscount Whittonstall needs a woman who is poised, elegant and sophisticated – he certainly does need a woman who is more at home in a foundry than in a ballroom! But with no other option available to her, Eleanor has got no other choice but to accept his proposal.Benjamin knows that the last thing his feckless cousin needs is to saddle himself with a wife. Sir Vivian is a spineless and feeble hedonist with a penchant for getting into trouble and a predilection for getting himself into debt. Marriage is certainly not on the cards for him. However, Benjamin is not so eager to see the vivacious Miss Blackwell walk out of their lives. With his vast fortune, impeccable lineage and breathtaking good looks, Benjamin has been fighting off the advances of doe-eyed debutantes and lascivious society ladies for years. But Miss Blackwell is nothing like the women he usually comes across. She is fiercely intelligent, astonishingly clever, quick-witted – and the first woman in a long while to get under his skin! If she wants a husband, then Benjamin is more than willing to take up this position – providing that she understands that his heart is strictly off-limits!

Theirs was meant to be a marriage in name only – until a passionate kiss unleashes unforeseen emotions deep within them. Are Eleanor and Benjamin ready to face up to the truth about their feelings for one another? Or is their marriage destined to remain a cold and convenient arrangement?

Readers can always count on Michelle Styles to deliver a splendid historical romance that will keep them turning the pages late into the night and His Unsuitable Viscountess is certainly no exception. A captivating tale that sparkles with wonderful characters, searing emotion, witty dialogue and intimate sensuality, His Unsuitable Viscountess pits a strong and independent heroine against a gorgeous and honorable hero no woman will be able to resist!

A fantastic historical romance from one of my favorite writers, His Unsuitable Viscountess is another Michelle Styles book destined for your keeper shelf!

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Review: Slow Dance with the Sheriff – Nikki Logan

Posted on November 19, 2012 by juliemt

An exceptional tale about acceptance, coming home and the healing force of love, Slow Dance with the Sheriff is the second title in the unmissable Larkville Legacy continuity from Harlequin Romance!

The eminent Patterson clan has ruled the upper echelons of Manhattan society for decades. The New York social scene was in awe of their unbelievable wealth, polished good looks and effortless elegance. Yet their sophisticated exterior hid a plethora of shameful secrets and despicable lies that the Patterson family had gone to create lengths to keep buried. But when reality reared its ugly head, Ellie Patterson was shocked to her very core when she discovered that her parents had been lying to her for her entire life. Desperate for some answers and determined to get to the bottom of the convoluted web of deception and falsehoods which she’s found herself caught up in, Ellie decides to pack her bags, leave New York behind and to head to Texas where she is adamant that she will uncover the truth beneath her parents’ contemptible actions.

Ellie is relieved to be leaving New York. Having dedicated her entire life to ballet, Ellie had been crushed when she had realized that all that hard work and dedication had been for nothing. She wants to forget about all the pain, misery and heartbreak which she’s endured in the last couple of months and concentrate on finding herself somewhere where she is judged on her own merits as opposed to other people’s perception of her and her wealthy family. Ellie wants some time to recharge and recover from all the upheaval which she’s been through. However, on her arrival in Texas, city girl Ellie soon realizes that she is ill prepared for rural life – and for the sheer force of attraction which consumes her when she claps eyes on drop dead gorgeous Sheriff Jed Jackson!

Jed is intrigued by this new arrival. Ellie might look like she’s just walked off the cover of a magazine, but beneath that glossy surface, Jed can sense a depth of vulnerability that awakens feelings deep within him which he thought long buried. Despite their resolves to keep temptation at bay, Jed and Ellie soon find themselves giving in to their feelings for one another. However, before they can move on with their lives and claim this chance at happiness they must first vanquish the demons that have been holding them captive for so long. But are they ready to take this step? Or will they continue to let the past hold them hostage?

Nikki Logan packs plenty of emotional punch in this tender, heart-wrenching, poignant and wholly engrossing romantic story. Make sure you keep a box of tissues nearby, because Slow Dance with the Sherriff is a warm-hearted, engaging and truthful tale full of characters you cannot help but care about who will stay in your mind and in your heart long after the last page is turned.

A first-class contemporary romance that you will find difficult to forget, Slow Dance with the Sheriff is another keeper by Nikki Logan!

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Review: Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah – Marguerite Kaye

Posted on November 13, 2012 by juliemt

A sensuous delight that is sure to enchant readers of Regency romances everywhere, Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah is a captivating tale of old secrets, burgeoning passion and everlasting love I found absolutely impossible to put down.

Lady Deborah Napier, Dowager Countess of Kinsail, has spent most of her life keeping secrets. She’s never told a soul the truth about her respectable marriage to her late husband and keeps under wraps her identity as a writer of scandalously erotic tales. The shocking adventures of her brazen heroine might be daring and outrageous, but Lady Deborah’s life is sedate and dull. She yearns for a life of peril and passion, however, she has long resigned herself to spending the rest of her life alone and desperately yearning for somebody to love her. But one night when Deborah is anxiously looking for something to distract her from her relatives’ tedious company, she stumbles upon a dashing thief who looks set to turn her entire life upside down!

Elliot Marchmont is a man with a mission. The former soldier wants to wreak revenge upon the men who had callously ignored the plight of some of his comrades who had either lost their lives on the frontline or are unable to look after themselves now that they have returned from war. Elliot is determined to make these heartless monsters pay for their lack of concern for the welfare of these former soldiers and by breaking into their houses, he can get his hands on priceless works of art that could make a world of difference to the broken men whom Elliot is determined to help back on their feet. Major Marchmont knows that he cannot afford to make mistakes – or to arouse anybody’s suspicion. But it looks like his secret is out of the bag when he is caught climbing out a window by Lady Deborah who assures him that she will not breathe a word about his secret identity- but only if he lets her tag along on his next adventure!

Elliot reluctantly finds himself accepting Lady Deborah’s shocking proposition. Although the stakes are high and the danger palpable, Elliot finds himself admiring Deborah’s resilience, courage – and her breathtaking beauty…

Admiration soon gives way to undeniable attraction, but are Deborah and Elliot prepared to face up to the truth about their feelings for one another? Or will they continue to pay the price for past mistakes and old fears?

Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah has got winner written all over it with its beguiling blend of heart-pounding intrigue, explosive sensuality and pulse-racing romance! Marguerite Kaye never fails to create richly drawn characters that leap off the pages and readers are sure to love spirited and nuanced Deborah and the irresistibly handsome Elliot!

Passionate, compelling and engrossing from start to finish with Outrageous Confessions of Lady Deborah, Marguerite Kaye continue to cement her reputation as the grand mistress of historical romantic fiction!

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Review: Kansas City Cowboy by Julie Miller

Posted on October 24, 2012 by emilyh

Small town sheriff Boone Harrison;s life comes to a halt when he finds out his sister was murdered by a serial rapist, known as the Rose Red Rapist. Wanting the man caught before he can do it again, while trying to grieve he finds himself working alongside Dr. Kate Kilpatrick who is a Forensic psychologist and working with the task force set up to stop the maniac before he attacks again. Although they try not to cross the invisible line, they cannot resist the chemistry between them, but both have issues with their past that have them questioning trust with one another.

Suspenseful thriller that draws the reader in. There is definitely more to this story to come, I thought Boone was a fascinating character. He is intense and in control, he is a perfect match to Kate if they both can not reflect on their past. The story is filled with twists and turns that readers will love.

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Review: The Navy SEAL’s Bride – Soraya Lane

Posted on October 2, 2012 by juliemt

Soraya Lane excels at writing heart-wrenchingly emotional stories that resonate with readers everywhere and linger in the mind long after the last page is turned. Her last book for Harlequin Romance, The Navy SEAL’s Bride, is a spellbinding tale of redemption, renewal, second chances and the power of love readers will simply adore!

Former Navy SEAL Tom Cartwright is looking forward to spending the next couple of weeks looking after his gorgeous niece. Tom hopes that dedicating his time to taking care of his brother’s adorable child will stop him from brooding about memories he would rather forget. Tom’s life used to revolve around his career. He was an excellent Navy SEAL and his courage, integrity and dedication was admired and respected by his peers and his superiors. However, Tom’s illustrious career had been halted by a cruel twist of fate that had forced him to do something he’s regretted ever since. Tom is unable to forget about the moment that had changed his life forever and he is unable to forgive himself for not saving the lives of those he was meant to protect. Telling a bunch of kids about his job in the Navy is the last thing Tom feels like doing, but there is nothing that he wouldn’t do for his niece, so he reluctantly finds himself being dragged to her classroom for show-and-tell. Revisiting the glory of his career wasn’t something Tom was looking forward to doing. However, he quickly changes his mind when he meets his niece’s teacher, Caitlin Rose…

Relationships are strictly not on the agenda for Caitlin. Although her best friend is desperate to find her a man, Caitlin is adamant that she will never let anyone get close to her ever again. She had learned the hard way that men are not to be trusted and she is adamant that she will never allow another man to hurt her ever again. Caitlin loves her job and she is perfectly happy with her life. She doesn’t need a man and she certainly does not want all the angst and heartache that are part and parcel of any relationship. However, when Tom Cartwright strides into her classroom, Caitlin cannot help but be attracted to the former Navy SEAL!

Caitlin vows to stay strong and not to let Tom breach the impenetrable defenses which she has built around herself. However, his kindness, sensitivity and understanding soon have her wondering whether she is ready to put her heart on the line again. Will Caitlin trust Tom with her heart? Or will she continue to be held hostage by her past?

Soraya Lane strikes gold once again with The Navy SEAL’s Bride! This outstanding writer of emotional contemporary romance has penned a powerfully dramatic, wholly compelling and wonderfully uplifting story that readers will not be able to put down.

Soraya Lane creates believable characters readers take immediately to their hearts. She writes effectively about their dilemmas and their predicaments by abandoning hackneyed cliches and trivial sentimentality and writing with warmth, compassion and emotional veracity.

Nobody tugs at the heartstrings like Soraya Lane and with The Navy SEAL’s Bride, this talented storyteller continues to affirm her position as one of the genre’s boldest and most talented writers.

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