Review: Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt

SHE'S TAKING CHARGE

Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London's premier pleasure garden, Harte's Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can't be controlled.

HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW

Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn't have time for a penny-pinching prude like Eve. As the garden's larger-than-life owner, he's already dealing with self-centered sopranos and temperamental tenors. He's not about to let an aristocratic woman boss him around . . . no matter how enticing she is.

BUT LOVE CONQUERS ALL

In spite of her lack of theatrical experience-and her fiery clashes with Asa-Eve is determined to turn Harte's Folly into a smashing success. But the harder she tries to manage the stubborn rake, the harder it is to ignore his seductive charm and raw magnetism. There's no denying the smoldering fire between them-and trying to put it out would be the greatest folly of all . . .

I finished Dearest Rogue, the previous novel in the Maiden Lane series, two years ago.  I have picked up Sweetest Scoundrel a couple of times but have never been able to finish it.  I think Eve's character as she's depicted in Dearest Rogue prevented me from really being excited about her love story with Asa Makepeace.  

Asa, however, is the most elusive of the Makepeace siblings; he is just now appearing in the ninth book of the series.  I wanted to know what about him made the other siblings maintain their distance following their father's disowning of Asa (and their father's death).  

As proprietor of Harte's Folly, Asa wants to restore the pleasure garden to its former glory.  The only roadblock to his dream is Eve Dinwoody, who is acting on behalf of her brother, the Duke of Montgomery, and his investment.  I know they will fall in love, but their relationship didn't have the same structure and oomph as Hoyt's prior books.    

Ultimately, Sweetest Scoundrel may be my least favorite of the series, but it does a good job of propelling the new sub-series -- the Lords of Chaos -- to the forefront.  

Review: The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne

Can the fiercest master of battle conquer a woman’s heart?

They call him the Demon Highlander. The fearsome Lieutenant Colonel Liam MacKenzie is known for his superhuman strength, towering presence, and fiery passion in the heat of battle. As Laird to the MacKenzie clan, the undefeated Marquess has vanquished his foes with all rage and wrath of his barbaric Highland ancestors. But when an English governess arrives to care for his children, the master of war finds himself up against his greatest opponent... in the game of love.

Defying all expectations, Miss Philomena is no plain-faced spinster but a ravishing beauty with voluptuous curves and haughty full lips that rattle the Laird to his core. Unintimidated by her master’s raw masculinity and savage ways, the headstrong lass manages to tame not only his wild children but the beast in his soul. With each passing day, Liam grows fonder of Miss Mena—and more suspicious. What secret is she hiding behind those emerald eyes? What darkness brought her to his keep? And how can he conquer this magnificent woman’s heart... without surrendering his own?



The previous books in this series -- The Highwayman and The Hunter, respectively -- featured broken heroes; The Highlander, however, features a broken heroine.  

Mena St. Vincent was rescued from the asylum by Dorian Blackwell and Christopher Argent and sent to the Highlands under a false identity to protect her from her husband and his family.  Mena has a lot of fire and grit, and despite her past, she is stronger than she knows.  

Liam and Mena have instant chemistry, but there was something off about this novel that I didn't experience while reading the first two.  I didn't inhale it; it took longer to finish.  I cannot really articulate what that "something" was, only that I didn't enjoy The Highlander as much as I had hoped I would.  

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Highlander.)

Review: When the Scoundrel Sins by Anna Harrington

A MOST INDECENT PROPOSAL

Annabelle Green needs a husband-and quickly. To inherit the only home she's ever known, she must be married by her twenty-fifth birthday. But finding a suitor has been next to impossible after a reckless rogue named Quinton Carlisle seduced her into a scandalous midnight tryst. Her reputation in ruins, Belle now needs a rather large favor. And she knows just who to turn to . . .

Quinn can hardly believe that the shy bookish girl he teased as a child has grown into such a brazen beauty. The very idea of marrying Belle to right the wrongs of his past is downright shocking . . . and deliciously tempting. Too bad marriage, convenient or otherwise, is the last thing Quinn wants. He'll help Belle find a husband and be on his way. But if he can't control his attraction to the bride-to-be, this marriage could go up in flames-of wicked desire.



I did not find Quinton Carlisle very like a scoundrel as the title suggests.  He doesn't want to get married, yes.  He kissed Annabelle when they were younger, and placed her in a delicate situation, yes.  But he isn't so bad or frowned upon in proper society.  Especially since Lady Ainsley invites Quinn and his brother Robert to help her select a husband for Annabelle.  

While I liked Quinn and Annabelle's pairing, there wasn't much substance to this book.  You know Annabelle and Quinn are right for each other; you know they will end up married, no matter how many objections either person makes.  So reading this was a question of "when will they?" rather than "if".  

I am curious about Robert's bad luck, as he is suffering from a broken heart in When the Scoundrel Sins while his marriage was a foregone conclusion in the first book of the series.  

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Hachette Book Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of When the Scoundrel Sins.)

The Scot Beds His Wife

 

They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards—dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster.

Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, is a notorious Highlander and an unrelenting Lothario who uses his slightly menacing charm to get what he wants—including too many women married to other men. But now, Gavin wants to put his shady past behind him...more or less. When a fiery lass who is the heiress to the land he wishes to possess drops into his lap, he sees a perfectly delicious opportunity...

A marriage most convenient

Samantha Masters has come back to Scotland, in a pair of trousers, and with a whole world of dangerous secrets from her time spent in the Wild West trailing behind her. Her only hope of protection is to marry—and to do so quickly. Gavin is only too willing to provide that service for someone he finds so disturbingly irresistible. But even as danger approaches, what begins as a scandalous proposition slowly turns into an all-consuming passion. And Gavin discovers that he will do whatever is necessary to keep the woman he has claimed as his own…

 

Chapter Two

Union Pacific Railway, Wyoming Territory, Fall, 1880

Samantha Masters squeezed the trigger, planting a bullet between her husband’s beautiful brown eyes.

She whispered his name. Bennett. Then screamed it.

But it was the woman in his grasp she reached for as he fell to the ground.

Though they’d known each other all of twenty minutes, she clung to Alison Ross as though the younger woman were the most precious soul in the entire world, and they sank to their knees as their strength gave out.

 Alison’s hold was just as tight around her, and their sobs burst against each other’s in a symphony of terror, shock, and abject relief.

 What in the hell just happened? 

When The Scoundrel Sins by Anna Harrington

Six years ago, a childish prank perpetrated by the reckless Quinton Carlisle ruined Annabelle Greene's reputation and any chance she had at securing a successful marriage.  Incensed, she moved to her beloved estate on the Scottish border and has reveled in the solitude...until now when the contents of a family will are revealed.  Suddenly, Belle's single status may cost her the only home she's ever known.  Now, with her only marital prospect a horribly greedy and completely undesirable man, Belle knows just the person to rescue her-the one person who owes her for his bad behavior...

There's nothing Quinn Carlisle wants more than to get out from his older brother's shadow and make a name for himself abroad. So when a mysterious letter arrives, promising adventure, he rushes to the Scottish border...only to find that Belle laid a trap for him.  The awkward, shy bluestocking whom he so enjoyed tormenting is gone, replaced by a graceful, elegant woman who ignites a desire in him he can't resist.  Can Quinn help her save her home-and win her heart in the process? 

EXCERPT

“You look much more like your father now,” she commented, nervously licking her suddenly dry lips but only serving to draw his attention to her mouth. Which made her even more nervous, so nervous that she couldn’t stop the trembling of her fingertips as they wrapped into the skirt of her night rail. “But you’re still a troublemaker.”

A faint smile played at his mouth. “And you’re still a bluestocking,” he countered. Unintentionally simmering a slow heat low in her belly, he reached up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “Still retreating to the sanctuary of your library.”

“Because books are usually more pleasant than most people,” she answered, swallowing hard when he trailed his fingers down the side of her neck. She forced out, not at all as firmly as she’d hoped beneath the soft touch of his fingers,

“And more trustworthy.”

Ignoring that jab, he slid his hand lower to let his fingers play at the edge of her shawl. “Yet there are things that people can do that books can’t.” His fingers tugged gently at the shawl and pulled it down her shoulder to reveal the scooped neck of the nightdress beneath. His gaze flicked to the small patch of revealed skin at the base of her throat, then back to her eyes. “All kinds of interesting things.”

Review: If The Duke Demands by Anna Harrington

Miranda Hodgkins has only ever wanted one thing: to marry Robert Carlisle. And she simply can't wait a moment longer. During the Carlisle family masquerade ball, Miranda boldly sneaks into his bedchamber with seduction on her mind. Soon she's swept into rock-hard arms for the most breathtaking kiss of her life. But when the masks come off, she's horrified to find herself face-to-face with Sebastian, the Duke of Trent-Robert's formidable older brother.

Shocked to find Miranda in his bed, Sebastian quickly offers her a deal to avoid scandal: He'll help her win his brother's heart if she'll find him the perfect wife. But what begins as a simple negotiation soon spirals out of control. For the longer this reformed rake tries to make a match for Miranda, the more he wants to keep her all to himself.



A classic case of mistaken identity, which lends to the predictability of this romance, but If The Duke Demands is a good way to spend a rainy afternoon.  

Miranda is in love with Robert Carlisle.  She's always been in love with him.  So she takes matters into her own hands and plans to seduce him.  Instead of Robert, however, she finds herself with Robert's older brother, Sebastian.  The two make a plan to get Robert to fall in love with Miranda, and of course, that plan backfires.  

For its predictability, If The Duke Demands is a cute romance and was able to keep my interest until The End.  I enjoyed the Carlisle family and look forward to reading about the other two brothers, Quinton and Robert.  

(Thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of If The Duke Demands.)

Review: The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

IS MARRIAGE A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
A man of honor, Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he exacts revenge on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece must fall into place for him to succeed he needs to convince his enemy's fiancee, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead.

Lady Claire's curse has always left her one misstep away from social ruin her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth is headed in the same direction. . .until Alex, a man she barely even knows, shocks the ton and Claire by announcing their engagement. What begins as a sham turns into something deeper, and more passionate, than either Claire or Alex could have imagined. But when their secrets are revealed, will the truth behind their union scandalize them both or is their love strong enough to break the curse and lead them toward their happily ever after?

I love to give new authors, especially authors of historical romances, a chance.  Unfortunately, I didn't connect with Ms. MacGregor's writing as much as I had hoped.  

Alex is after revenge on behalf of his deceased sister.  Claire just happens to be in the way as a pawn.  Alex's manipulations and Claire's behavior, particularly in the second half of the novel, didn't engage me.  I kept wondering why they were still together!  The ton believes Claire is cursed, so a separation would only feed into that notion.   

A disappointing historical romance for me, I'm sorry to say. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Bad Luck Bride.)

Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD

Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.

Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?

The Rebel of Clan Kincaid picks up almost immediately after The Beast of Clan Kincaid.  Magnus is dealing with the fallout of learning his true identity, which comes with a lot of emotions, when he meets Tara Iverach.  He steals a kiss from Tara, who happens to be engaged/betrothed to Hugh, Alwyn's legitimate son. 

Tara has lived in a nunnery before the Earl of Buchan claims her as his ward.  She is thrust into the fray after she learns of her sister's death and is promised to marry Hugh, the son of Buchan's friend and supporter. 

Tara and Magnus are tossed together in a convenient line-of-sight plot.  I didn't always buy their chemistry or connection, but they were able to work together and achieve their respective goals with the help of the other.  The Rebel of Clan Kincaid wasn't as dynamic or intriguing as The Best of Clan Kincaid, and I think the pacing hindered the story, probably because I wanted to see Magnus lose control and reveal his true self to Alwyn. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a ARC of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.)

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

IS MARRIAGE A BLESSING OR A CURSE?

A man of honor, Alexander Hallworth, Marquess of Pembrooke, will not rest until he exacts revenge on the man who destroyed his family. Just one more piece must fall into place for him to succeed. He needs to convince his enemy’s fiancée, the tragically beautiful Lady Claire Cavensham, to marry him instead.

Lady Claire’s curse has always left her one misstep away from social ruin Her past three engagements have gone awry, and now her fourth is headed in the same direction. . .until Alex, a man she barely even knows, shocks the ton and Claire by announcing their engagement. What begins as a sham turns into something deeper, and more passionate, than either Claire or Alex could have imagined. But when their secrets are revealed, will the truth behind their union scandalize them both or is their love strong enough to break the curse and lead them toward their happily ever after?

EXCERPT

 Alex smiled in earnest. “I would never allow you to be humiliated in front of society. I’m trying to help you.” Somehow, he had to convince her of that fact, then the idea of marrying him would be much easier to accept.

She blinked rapidly, then turned back to him and, for an instant, appeared startled to see him there. “That’s very gallant, my lord. Truly, thank you for the effort. But I must leave.”

Review: Twice Tempted by Eileen Dreyer

Fiona Ferguson and her twin sister Mairead are missing. Sisters of an alleged traitor, they have been cast out by their noble grandfather, who believes their brother's reputation will taint them. Furious at the old man's behavior, Drake's Rakes Alex Knight and Chuffy Wilde set out to find the sisters.

What Alex and Chuffy don't know is that they are also leading agents for the traitorous cabal The Lions right to the women. Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, the sisters and their rescuers are forced farther and farther into the slums of London to escape not only the Lions, but Minette Ferrar, a notorious assassin looking to revenge herself on Ian Ferguson by killing his sisters. What Fiona Ferguson cannot escape, though, is the dawning realization that she is falling in love with Alex Knight, who is burdened with secrets that pose the most danger of all.

In an effort to finish books I've started, then put away for one reason or another, I sat down and made myself read Twice Tempted.  I have read all the Drake's Rakes novels (Always a Temptress was my favorite of the series), so it was pretty easy to put myself back into this world, even though it's been several years.

The pacing of the story moved well -- we know Alex and Fiona will have a HEA; we assume Minette, the assassin, will be caught and the threat neutralized -- but once Chuffy and Mairead's connection became obvious, I was glad to see Chuffy get a HEA as well.   He has been my favorite minor character since the first novel.

The main issue I had with Twice Tempted is that it felt like a series finale.  All the loose ends were tied neatly, and I found myself speed reading simply to reach The End without having a real sense of connection between Fiona and Alex.  Still, all's well that end's well, and I'm glad Drake's Rakes ended well. 

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Twice Tempted.) 

Review: Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

HE CAN GUARD HER

Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.

FROM EVERY DANGER

Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.

BUT PASSION ITSELF

Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.

Captain Trevillion is one of those minor characters in Ms. Hoyt's Maiden Lane series that just pops up every now and then, and he is exactly what you need.  He has been injured -- and retired -- from service in the King's Dragoons, a position which gave him intimate knowledge of St. Giles.  When Lady Phoebe's brother, Maximus, hires Captain Trevillion as a guard for Phoebe, it seems a fitting employment.

But while Captain Trevillion must guard Phoebe's life, especially now that she is losing her sight, he finds himself quite attracted to her, which ups the stakes concerning his protection.

I really enjoyed the pairing of Phoebe and Trevillion, much more than I thought I would.  Perhaps it's because Phoebe is disabled and the normally gruff captain keeps his patience with her more than anyone.  Perhaps it's that Phoebe is vulnerable but she's also fearless and strong.  Whatever the reason, I thoroughly enjoyed Dearest Rogue. 

Review: Along Came a Rogue by Anna Harrington

THE WICKEDEST SECRET . . .

Major Nathaniel Grey is free to bed whomever he wants, whenever he chooses, and that's exactly how he likes it. His only loyalties are to country and the two friends he served with-brothers he'd do anything for. So when one of them is gravely injured and asking for his little sister, Grey will move heaven and earth to bring her home. He's greeted not by the gangly girl he remembers, but a stunningly beautiful woman holding a loaded musket. And he's utterly captivated by her . . .

IS A SECRET SEDUCTION

Once upon a time, Emily would have loved nothing more than a stolen hour with her brother's best friend, the dashing officer who captured her heart and soul. But things are different now-and so is she. Gone is the eager young woman who believed in love. In her place is a widow weighed down with secrets who desperately needs to disappear before they're revealed. But Grey's sinfully sexy smile offers protection unlike anything she's ever known, tempting her to risk everything . . . even her heart.

Best friend's little sister is one of my favorite contemporary romance tropes, so I was surprised to see it in an historical romance.  But I loved it!

When one of his best friends, Thomas, is injured and near death, Grey agrees to bring Thomas's sister, Emily, home.  Grey doesn't find the girl he remembers, however; he finds a young widow with secrets.

I enjoyed everything about Along Came a Rogue:  the sexual tension between Emily and Grey, the mystery surrounding Thomas's injury, even the secrets Emily is keeping from her family.  Once I started, I could not put the book down!

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Along Came a Rogue.)

Review: Once a Rake by Eileen Dreyer

All he wants is her help . . .
Colonel Ian Ferguson may be a rake, but he's no traitor. Accused of trying to kill the Duke of Wellington, the disgraced Scotsman is now a fugitive-from the law, the army, and the cunning assassin who hunts him. Wounded and miles from his allies, Ian finds himself at the mercy of an impoverished country wife. The spirited woman is achingly beautiful . . . and hiding some dangerous secrets of her own.

All she needs is his heart . . .
She was a child nobody wanted. Now for Lady Sarah Clarke, holding on to her vanished husband's crumbling estate is her final chance to earn respectability. She knows that hiding the devastatingly handsome Ferguson will jeopardize her home. Common sense demands that she turn him in. But a single, delirious kiss shatters her resolve . . . and awakens a passion that neither of them can escape.

Another book from my Goodreads "Currently Reading" stash.  I received an ARC of Once a Rake but couldn't get into it to finish in a timely manner.  I've also checked this book out a couple of times from my public library. 

Reading the three previous books aren't necessary to understand the grand scheme of the entire series:   Revolutionaries who seek to place Princess Charlotte on the British throne -- the Duke of Wellington the main block in such a move -- and Drake's Rakes must foil it.

Colonel Ian Ferguson is a member of Drake's Rakes, as well as a newly found heir to a marquess, and has been named a wanted man for attempting to kill the Duke of Wellington.  Ian is injured during his escape and finds himself on Lady Sarah Clarke's property.  Sarah is the illegitimate daughter of a duke who was sent to "Last Chance Academy" (where she became friends with Ian's sisters), then given to marriage.  Sarah's husband used the last of her dowry to purchase an army commission, so Sarah manages the household of her mother-in-law, her mother-in-law's companion, and her sister-in-law while doing most of the hard labor as well.

The majority of the action takes place at the Clarke farm, since Ian is convalescing there, with the final third at the Duke of Dorset's estate.  Sarah manages to involve two of her friends from "Last Chance Academy" -- Lizzie and Pippin -- and we see several members of Drake's Rakes who have been secondary characters in previous books.  Chuffy Wilde is my favorite!   The assassination/revolution plot is somewhat squashed, though one of the traitors escapes.  Otherwise, the book focused on Sarah denying her attraction for Ian before finally giving in.      

Review: Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .
Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown's soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he's quickly driven to distraction . . .
A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .
London's premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she's forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren't the only inhabitants-a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there's more to this man than meets the eye.
OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES
Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he's forced to make a choice: his love for Lily . . . or the explosive truth that will set him free.

Darling Beast is a book I've had on my TBR pile since it's release.  Why I couldn't get into it, I'm not sure.  Usually, I have to make myself s-l-o-w d-o-w-n when reading Ms. Hoyt.  And since I have declared the Summer of 2016 "Finish Your Goodreads Currently Reading List," I sat down and starting this book -- again.

We first met Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne, in Duke of Midnight.  His now brother-in-law, Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield, helped him escape Bedlam.  Apollo has aligned himself with the mysterious Mr. Harte and is reconstructing Harte's Folly.  Little does he know actress Lily Stump, her maid, Maude, her son, and their dog are living in the burned theatre.

Apollo and Lily are both keeping secrets in hopes of keeping themselves and those they love safe.  I found their attraction interesting yet not unexpected, and I really loved Apollo's first spoken words are in relation to Lily.   Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, a new secondary character introduced here, overshadowed the main characters and others we have come to know throughout the course of this series.  I can't figure Napier out, so I'm definitely intrigued by him.    

Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood

They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…

Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?

I was very glad to pick up The Beast of Clan Kincaid.  It was a perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon!

Revenge books are hit-or-miss with me, but I have to say the set-up for Niall's revenge against Clan MacClaren was very good.  It was obvious that Niall returned to his home with the strict purpose of revenging his father's death and reclaiming his clan.  Unexpectedly, Elspeth MacClaren causes distraction and disruption of Niall's agenda.

My only complaint is Elspeth seemed to forgive Niall's deception/betrayal easily.  Niall saved Elspeth's life at least three times during the novel, and they always managed to sneak in a kiss or two before being discovered by other parties, but she seemed very hurt and upset when Niall's true name was revealed.  I never believed Niall would intentionally hurt or use Elspeth; for all his plans of revenge, he seems like a pretty good guy.

I am quite interested to see what will happen in book 2, The Rebel of Clan Kincaid, now that one of Niall's brothers has been found. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.)

How I Married a Marquess by Anna Harrington

A SHOCKING DECEPTION . . .
Josephine Carlisle, adopted daughter of a baron, is officially on the shelf. But the silly, marriage-minded misses in the ton can have their frilly dresses and their seasons in London, for all she cares. Josie has her freedom and her family . . . until an encounter with a dark, devilishly handsome stranger leaves her utterly breathless at a house party. His wicked charm intrigues her, but that's where it ends. For Josie has a little secret . . .


. . . LEADS TO AN EXQUISITE SEDUCTION
Espionage was Thomas Matteson, Marquess of Chesney's game-until a tragic accident cost him his career. Now to salvage his reputation and return to the life he loves, the marquess must find the criminal who's been robbing London's rich and powerful. He's no fool-he knows Josie, with her wild chestnut hair and rapier-sharp wit, is hiding something and he won't rest until he unravels her mysteries, one by one. But he never expected to be the one under arrest-body and soul . . . 

 

Buy the book!!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1VI9YEB

B&N: http://bit.ly/1Tl4yMz

iBooks: http://apple.co/1SdsKBw

Kobo:http://bit.ly/244dlaD

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Tl4wnV

Review: The Hunter by Kerrigan Byrne

A scandalous proposal.

As one of London's most elite hunters, Christopher Argent never misses his mark and always gets his man. But when his latest target turns out to be a woman—the popular, and stunningly beautiful, actress Millie LeCour—it turns his whole world upside-down. Overwhelmed by the heat that simmers between them, Christopher can't complete his mission. On the contrary, he'll do anything to save Millie's life—even if it means risking his own...

A dangerous passion...

When she learns what Christopher was hired to do, Millie is torn between the fear in her heart and the fire in her soul. Putting herself in this dangerous man's arms may be her only path to safety—but giving in to her desire may be the deadliest mistake she's ever made. With both of their lives in jeopardy, Millie and Christopher must learn to trust the real feelings they're hiding—to find the true love they're looking for...

Christopher Argent is a dark, powerful man.  He's also a trained hunter/assassin, who is paid well for his jobs.  He's tasked with killing Millie LeCour, but once he sees the actress, he duty changes.  

The beginning of The Hunter details Argent's beginnings.  He's a little bit haunted by those experiences, naturally, but they also helped shape him into the gritty man he is now.  He is instantly attracted to Millie, despite the fact that he's supposed to kill her, and he begins to sense there is more to Millie's story than he's being told.  

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed The Hunter.  Dark and brooding heroes aren't my favorite, but something about Argent really drew me to him.  I'm very much looking forward to The Highlander in August. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Hunter.)

Review: Dukes are Forever by Anna Harrington

ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE
Battlefields and barrooms hold much more interest for Edward Westover, Duke of Strathmore, than a little girl's fondness for dolls and lace. When he takes possession of his enemy's estate, everything that villain held dear-including his daughter-belongs to Edward. Hire a governess, arrange a dowry, give a few reassurances, and be off on his way-that's Edward's plan. But he's in for the shock of his life. For his new ward is a beautiful, impetuous, and utterly irresistible woman . . .

. . . AND WAR
Kate Benton is stunned. Who is this arrogant, infuriating man who's invited himself into her home and taken over her life? Her vow: to do everything in her power to convince him to leave her-and Brambly House-alone. Yet as chilly days melt into sultry nights, Kate sees glimpses of kindness underneath Edward's cool façade . . . and a passionate nature that takes her breath away. There's so much she doesn't know about this man. But does she dare trust this devilish duke with her heart?

Revenge is high in the mind of Edward Westover, Duke of Strathmore.  He has decided he will punish Phillip Benton by taking everything from him, just as Benton did to Edward.  First on the list:  make Benton's daughter Katherine hate her father.

The unfortunately thing for Edward is that Kate, whom Edward believes to be a child, is a young women who has been on her own for quite some time.  She cares for those who helped raise her -- incidentally, not her father -- and she has planned her life in accordance with one day inheriting what had belonged to her mother.   

Kate and Edward are two very stubborn people who are pushed together by circumstances.  I liked that Kate was able to break through some of Edward's gruff exterior while losing none of her own gumption.   And of course they fall in love.  

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Dukes Are Forever.)

Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen

Captain Maximus Harcourt, the unconventional tenth Duke of Alderidge, can deal with tropical storms, raging seas, and the fiercest of pirates. But he's returned home from his latest voyage to find a naked earl - quite inconveniently deceased - tied to his missing sister's bed. And he has only one place to turn. Now he's at the mercy of the captivating Miss Ivory Moore of Chegarre & Associates, known throughout London for smoothing over the most dire of scandals.

Miss Moore treats the crisis as though it were no more serious than a cup of spilt tea on an expensive rug. As though this sort of thing happened on the job every day. Max has never in all his life met a woman with such nerve. Her dark eyes are too wide, her mouth is too full, her cheekbones too sharp. Yet together, she's somehow...flawless. It's just like his love for her, imperfect, unexpected - yet absolutely true.

 Buy the book!!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KvjotL

B&N: http://bit.ly/1PtjzqD

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Sa8ccv

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KvjwJP

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1ODae2p

BAM!: http://bit.ly/1WC7h5c

Review: The Duke and Miss Christmas by Amelia Grey

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match.

Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a London gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect...

This novella is short, so the romance between Crispin and Gwen seems rushed at times.  There's the emergence of INSTA-LOVE, which I'm not fond of, but there's only so many pages to give the characters a satisfying conclusion. 

The Duke and Miss Christmas is strongly connected to the first book of the trilogy, The Duke in My Bed, which features Gwen's oldest sister Louisa and Bray Drakestone. 

(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Duke and Miss Christmas.)