The Forbidden - The Untouchables #1 by Darcy Burke

The Forbidden Duke

The Untouchables #1

By

Darcy Burke

Reviewed on March 31, 2016

The Forbidden Duke by Darcy Burke is such a breathtaking read, filled with vivid history, passion, loss and yes, romance. Lots of romance. A wonderful 5 star read that will make a great addition to anyone’s library.

We start off by seeing spinster, Eleanor Lockhart meeting with her father and being informed that he’s lost it all. He has nothing left to provide her with and she must find new accommodations. Eleanor at first is at a loss of what to do, she been banished by family and many friends due to an incident that occurred several years prior. She was caught in a passionate kiss with a rake which ruined her name and life in society.  The only thing she could do is become a ladies companion. She’s soon hired by Lady Satterfield, who immediately falls in love with the young woman. Here, Eleanor meets the dashing, yet dark and mysterious Forbidden Duke or so his nickname goes. Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal who just happens to be Lady Satterfield’s step-son and the one who is responsible for Eleanor’s fall from grace some years prior, no, he’s not the man in question. However, it was he who influenced his friends to go about acting rakish and ruining innocent misses. Titus soon finds himself smitten with the lovely Miss Eleanor and he soon finds himself drawn to helping her and she too begins to fall for the dark and mysterious duke. Can Titus help Miss Eleanor regain her rightful name in society? Will he express his love and finally settle down and wed the lovely miss?

This is my first book of Darcy Burke’s and I must say I am now a huge fan. Her writing style is impeccable and she weaves such a deep and vivid tale that just captures the reader and draws them back in time to the elegant ballrooms, the afternoon teas of the ton and of course into the passionate lives of the characters. Her characters spring to life on the pages and one can’t help but fall in love. This is a wonderful read and I can’t wait see what to come next in this amazing series of The Untouchables.

**I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review**

Three Weeks to Wed - The Worthingtons by Ella Quinn

Three Weeks To Wed (The Worthingtons)

By

Ella Quinn

Reviewed on March 29, 2016

Release Day!

Three Week to Wed (The Worthingtons) by Ella Quinn is truly a masterpiece and a series that you will want to watch out for and add to your library! A definite high 5 stars!

We start off in a little inn where Lady Grace Carpenter has had to stop due to the impending rain. She’s resting in the inn’s parlour when a gentleman enters. Mattheus (Matt), Earl of Worthington has also been stopped by the rains and at the inn finds a delightful young lady whom he shares dinner with and later the two end up in a rendezvous. Grace gave into her desires as she feels she will never get married and therefore never experience the touch of a man because she’s the guardian of her seven brothers and sisters and therefore has accepted a life of singlehood.

However, upon this night of love and passion, Matt falls madly in love with “His Love” as he calls her and when he returns to London, he can’t get her out of his mind and goes in search of her. Grace comes to London to see her sister Charlotte’s come-out season and she learns the Worthington is also there for the season as his sister is coming out as well. She does all she can to avoid him, however she runs into him at a gathering and here again she falls into his arms and is enraptured by their love-making.

Worthington loves Grace dearly and can’t see his life without her, he goes the next morning to seek her hand. Only to his surprise, he’s met with seven children and Grace confesses to him why she can’t marry him. However, he’s relentless and with the help of the children, eleven now in total counting his four sisters. He expresses his love and pleads for Grace to become his wife. Will Grace open her heart and become Matt’s wife? Will these two combine and create one big beautiful family?

Quinn weaves a beautiful tale of love and deep passion between two remarkable people and her writing style is impeccable. Her characters just draw the reader in and welcome them into their lives and home. The twists and turns they all go through takes the reader on quite the ride. Quinn is truly a lady of words and weaves such a tale that is so vivid, the reader can’t help but feel as if they are right there, feeling, hearing and tasting it all. Three Weeks to Wed is a masterpiece and tells of the deep love and faith of this beautiful family. One can’t help but fall in love with the Worthingtons. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

**I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review**

The Road to Winterhill by Gloria Gay

The Road to Winterhill

By

Gloria Gay

Reviewed on March 18, 2016

The Road to Winterhill by Gloria Gay is truly a 5 Star read, one that you will not be able to put down! I absolutely loved this story and felt drawn into it from the first paragraph. Our heroine of the story Belinda Presleigh is conned by her mother into a scheme involving Richard Branston, Earl of Berrington. Lord Berrington is drawn into the wine cellar by his mistress or so he thought, but instead and to his surprise he sees Belinda Presleigh. He goes back up the stairs and finds the door locked. Belinda at that moment knows her mother was behind this. She and Lord Berrington are stuck in the cellar throughout the night and to the Tons surprise are found the next morning. Lord Berrington, doing the honorable thing offers his hand to Belinda and she accepts. Belinda truly has been in love with Lord Berrington most all of her life but never let him know. She’s a very shy young woman and drowns herself in the written word and taking leisurely walks.

Her older sister was the beauty of the family and such high hopes were held that she’d become a great heiress. Her family was staying in London to prepare for her first season and the girl became very ill and shortly after died. Now all they had left was Belinda, who was not a striking beauty, rather plain and backward. However, she is their only hope to regain their position among the Ton and Society. So her mother focuses all her attentions on Belinda and when she learns of Belinda’s love for Lord Berrington, she creates a scheme that will assure the match must be made.

Lord Berrington and Belinda head from London to Winterhill, his country estate. Once at the estate, Belinda is greatly mistreated by Lord Berrington’s sister-in-law and his sister and the only friend Belinda has is her maid. It isn’t long before Lord Berrington heads back to London, leaving his new bride alone in the home to learn how to be the proper Countess and running Winterhill as promised by his sister-in-law. However, to his shock, his sister-in-law horribly mistreats Belinda and treats her as an outcast. While Lord Berrington is in London, he starts to realize the first stirrings of love for Belinda and he rushes home but a horror awaits his return. Will Belinda ever win Lord Berrington’s heart and love? Or will she be content to just live with the fact that she has loved him or will she be able to express that love?

Truly a wonderful story that will keep you awake all hours turning the pages! This story is filled with love, passion and a lot of suspense!

The Groom Wore Plaid - Highland Weddings by Gayle Callen

The Groom Wore Plaid: Highland Weddings

By

Gayle Callen

Reviewed on March 11, 2016

A wonderful story and I give it a 4 Stars! Maggie McCallum see's things in her dreams and they often come true. She saw the death of her dear friend and love, Owen Duff. THe McCallum's and Duff's have been warring clans for some time and it is felt that a match between the two would bring peace to the clans. So Maggie and Owen are betrothed, however, Maggie is at first against it because due to a dream she has had she knows Owen's life is in danger and his clan is in jeopardy. She relentlessly tries to call the marriage off but Owen will have none of it, He is deeply in love with Maggie and desires her in so many ways. Will the two end up in wedded bliss? Will Maggie be able to get through to Owen and save his and his clans lives?

This story has a wonderful concept behind it but I must admit it has some flow issues in parts where the plot does not make complete sense to the reader. I feel that needs to be further developed. Otherwise, the story is awesome, the characters are very strong and well developed. If you enjoy a good highlander story, this is a good one!

Defying the Earl - Regency Charms: Book 1 by Annabelle Bryant

Defying The Earl (Regency Charms, Book 1)

By

Annabelle Bryant

Reviewed on March 7, 2016

5 Teacups

Defying the Earl by Annabelle Bryant is a High 5 Star Read. This lovely tale will capture the hearts of historical romance lovers all around.

Wilhelmina Montgomery has come up with a clever way to help her sister get more treatments. Her sister, Livie, and her parents were in a terrible accident some years before. Her parents died and Livie was badly hurt, she became unable to walk. Live and Wilhelmina live with their aunt Kate and Livie’s treatments for her legs have become very costly and Wilhelmina come up with a plan to be a matchmaker and help bring couples who truly love one another together.  While browsing in the bookstore, Wilhelmina comes upon Lady Brigby who wants to see her son Leonard matched up with the one he truly desires, Lady Fiona. So Wilhelmina is on her way to matchmaking and bringing in some money to help pay for Livie’s treatments.

Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is in need of a way to make money quick. He and his brother are in dire straits. His father the former Earl squandered their savings and now his brother Jasper has gambled and partied what remained of their savings and inheritance and now creditors are hounding on their door and they are in fear of losing their manor in the country. So the two come up with a plan to be matchbreakers in order to recoup what they’ve lost. He meets with Lord Rigby who wants nothing more than to see his son not fall in love with Lord Noble’s daughter, Fiona. Leonard Rigby has been smitten with Lady Fiona and truly desires her, so it is up to Valerian to break the two up.

Through a series of circumstances and rather humorous meetings, Lord Valerian and Lady Wilhelmina keep running into one another and neither has any knowledge of what the other has been up to. Through their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes they both find themselves falling for one another. Valerian invites Wilhelmina to Kirby’s Place, his manor in the country and opens up to her about his impoverished situation and also bears his heart and expresses just how in love he is with her. Will Wilhelmina accept Valerian as poor as he is? Will she too open and give her heart to him? What will become of their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes?

Annabelle Bryant weaves a beautiful tale of love, romance and yes schemes and humor all around. The scenery and plot are vivid and deep. Each character is well developed and the reader can’t help but fall in love with each one. I can’t wait to read the next in this wonderful series! This is truly a wonderful book that will make a great addition to your library.

The Earl Next Door - The Bachelor Lords of London by Charis Michaels

The Earl Next Door: The Bachelor Lords of London

by

Charis Michaels

Reviewed on March 4, 2016

5 Teacups!

This is one of the year’s best historical romance tales and deserving of a high 5 Stars! I absolutely loved this story and just adore the characters especially our heroine of the tale, Lady Piety, she is such a charming character who is humorous and gutsy!

We first start off on the street of Henrietta Place in the home of Lady Frances Stroud, Marchioness Frinfrock where she and her maid, Miss Breedlowe are seen snooping on the new neighbor across the street who is moving into a home which has been abandoned for five years. To the marchioness surprise it is a single young lady who is accompanied by an African and her new home happens to be right next to the much unmarried Earl Lord Falcondale.

Lord Falcondale has no intent on staying at his home, he's emptied it out and dismissed all of the staff and intends to do nothing but put it up for sale. While at home playing a game of chess with his servant boy, he hears a noise above coming from the music room and he knows it's completely empty, pondering the idea of ghosts he seeks out the noise to accidentally bump into a lady who's hidden behind a door. He soon learns this lady is his new neighbor and also that there is a secret passage connecting her home to his. Lady Piety is shocked for she was guaranteed the use of his home while her home was being renovated. However, there's been a mix-up, Earl Lord Falcondale is not the Lord Falcondale she seeks and whom this arrangement was made, it's his now deceased uncle. Upon hearing of the arrangement and payment for this arrangement, Lord Falcondale is absolutely against it and refuses to help Lady Piety.

Through a series of events and some amazing twists and turns, Lord Falcondale does consent to a compromise in which Lady Piety may use the passage but not to disturb anything else or enter into any other rooms. Lady Piety's plights are not yet over, there has been serious trouble in rebuilding her staircase and she needs a good architect which Lord Falcondale just happens to be. She seeks his help but here again she's met with an astounding no, so she continues on in her quest to seek his aid. Lord Falcondale is stunned by his new neighbor who shows such striking courage, charm and is absolutely breathtaking, and he soon finds himself falling for the gutsy lady and she too begins to fall for the dashingly handsome yet frustrating Earl Next Door. Will Lord Falcondale consent to helping Lady Piety and will he bear his heart and allow himself to love? Will Lady Piety open her heart to the dashing earl?

This was my first book by author Cheris Michaels and she's now one of my favorites, I'm going to be collecting all of her books! What an amazing writer, she sure can weave a tale! This was such a wonderful story with so many twists and turns that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The characters just draw you in and melt your heart and add many a laugh to your day! I highly recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of romance and loves a good laugh too!

Schemes Gone Amiss - Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper: Book 2 by Collette Cameron

Schemes Gone Amiss (Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper Book 2)

By

Collette Cameron

Reviewed on February 9, 2016

 5 Teacups!

Schemes Gone Amiss by Collette Cameron is yet another sweet and romantic historical regency with splashes of humor throughout! A definite 5 Stars Read!

Blythe Culpepper has been taken to London for her first season, she is at one of her first balls of the season, and wearing a second hand gown that does not fit her properly. She would much prefer being at home running through the fields and mucking stalls but instead she’s putting on a smile for the ton. She’s promised dances to many dashing young gentleman and one being Lord Leventhorpe, whom just grates on her nerves.

Lord Tristan Leventhorpe has been asked a favor and if it weren’t from such a dear friend, and also that despite her annoying him, he’s finding himself drawn to one sister in particular. He’s agreed to help the Culpepper sister’s through their first season. As time goes on, Tristan and Blythe drive each other mad but in another way as well, for they find themselves falling for one another, despite their differences. Will Lord Tristan help bring the sisters’ into full swing this Season? Will he capture the heart Blythe? Or drive her back to the country forever? Can Blythe aid Lord Tristan in overcoming his past? Will he accept her heart?

Collette Cameron weaves a beautiful tale of love, passion and romance with splashes of humor throughout. Each character is fully developed and the plot just thickens with each page turn.  I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for the next!