Review: How to Wed a Warrior by Christy English

How to Wed a Warrior by Christy English
Series: Broadswords and Ballrooms, Book 2
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781492612902
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

He's the scourge of the Season…

Reasons to quit London:
1. It’s not the Highlands.
2. It will never be the Highlands.
3. It’s full of the bloody English.

When his wild spitfire of a sister makes a scene by drawing a claymore in Hyde Park, Highlander Robert Waters knows something must be done. To forestall the inevitable scandal, he hires widowed Prudence Whittaker to teach his sister how to be a lady-never expecting to find unbridled passion beneath the clever Englishwoman's prim exterior.

Mrs. Whittaker is a fraud. Born Lady Prudence Farthington, daughter of the ruined earl of Lynwood, she's never even been married. In order to make her way in the world, she has to rely on her wits and a web of lies...lies a sexy Highlander is all too close to unraveling.

He swears he will possess her; she vows he will do nothing of the sort. Yet as passions heat, Prudence comes to realize the illicit pleasure that can be had in going toe-to-toe with a Scot.

The irrepressible Waters family is back in How to Wed a Warrior. The second Broadswords and Ballrooms story is even better than the first as ladies’ man Robert Waters falls fast and hard for a “widow” who is more than she seems.

Prudence was born and raised a lady, but after the death of her parents a scandal that tears her family’s reputation to pieces, she dons a disguise and hires herself out as a companion. Pru has got her work cut out for her with Mary Elizabeth Waters, a spirited Highland lass whose unladylike manner makes her an outcast among society. But Pru can handle a spitfire Scottish lady; it’s Mary Elizabeth’s brother, Robert, who throws Pru off her stride. It’s clear from the start that Robert wants her, and to Pru’s own surprise she’s equally attracted to him. The sexual tension between them is excellent, but between Pru’s deception and her concern over dragging the Waters family down if her secrets are revealed, the road to happily ever after isn’t an easy one for her and Robert.

Author Christy English makes it easy to root for Pru and Robert. They have solid chemistry, are both incredibly likeable characters, and their romance is both sweet and sensual. The “I love yous” do come a bit too fast to be believable, but otherwise the love story is perfectly charming. A bit of a mystery involving Pru’s family adds excitement, and (though it’s a bit predictable) helps the story move at a quick clip. That being said, while I liked Robert and Pru, and their romance was sweet, they were clearly outshone by the more vivacious Mary Elizabeth. As she did with the previous Broadswords and Ballrooms book, Mary Elizabeth steals every scene she’s in. She’s exuberant, definitely unusual for a lady, speaks her mind, and has different ideas about what’s important. She’s a strong, interesting character who’s also quietly vulnerable and I wanted desperately to learn more about her. This in and of itself is fantastic, but since it’s not Mary Elizabeth’s book it did highlight the fact that neither Robert nor Pru were as complex and engaging. Still, I enjoyed How to Wed a Warrior and I finished it incredibly excited to read the next Broadswords and Ballrooms story, which I hope will be Mary Elizabeth’s book.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Midnight Revenge by Elle Kennedy

Midnight Revenge by Elle Kennedy
Series: Killer Instincts, Book 7
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Romantic Suspense

ISBN: 9780451474438
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Elle Kennedy Reading Order

Out of all the stone-cold mercenaries in Jim Morgan’s black ops organization, Derek “D” Pratt is the most intimidating. He is tight-lipped and covered in tattoos, and even the other guys on his team are afraid to ask him about his past. D’s been off the grid for years, but after his teammate Sullivan is mistakenly captured in his place, D is forced to come out of hiding and face his demons.

When D lands in Mexico, he’s ready to risk everything to save his friend. To complicate matters, Sofia Amaro, a feisty doctor whom D had a one-night stand with months ago, has tracked him down. And in an instant she’s unintentionally caught up in his life-threatening rescue mission.

Now D must extract not one but two people from the most violent world he's ever encountered. And one of them is carrying his child…

Get ready for a dark, gritty, heart-pounding suspense tale mixed with red-hot romance in Midnight Revenge. Elle Kennedy pulls out all the stops as stone-cold mercenary Derek “D” Pratt is thrown for a loop in this enthralling seventh Killer Instincts novel.

I didn’t expect to love D. Out of all of Morgan’s men, D has long been the most hardened, closed-off, scary mercenary of the bunch. I found him interesting before, but I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about him as a hero. Of course, since (1) this is an Elle Kennedy book and (2) scenes in a couple of other Killer Instincts lead me to believe we’d have some surprises in store regarding D, I eagerly dove in. I didn’t know what to expect from him other than a dark and dangerous man who was seriously sexy. What I found as the layers to his character were peeled back was a seriously fantastic hero. D is all the scary things he shows to the world, but he’s also a kick-ass hero who could make me melt at the most unexpected moments. He doesn’t want to care about people, but it’s clear his teammates mean more to him than even he understands. And with Sofia, D is almost…sweet. Yep, Derek Pratt can be incredibly sweet in his own way (who knew?). He’ll never be the cuddly type, but with Sofia he is protective, sometimes awkward, and wholly endearing. His past has scarred him almost to the point of no return, but watching Sofia bring him back and seeing their quiet moments together was fantastic.

It takes a strong heroine to capture not just the attention, but the heart of Derek Pratt. Sofia is more than up the task. She’s a doctor with a huge heart and a spine of steel. D doesn’t scare her, and when she finds out she’s pregnant after their one hot-as-hell encounter two months before, she doesn’t hesitate to track D down. Doing so lands them both in a terrible situation, but even when she’s out of her depth, Sofia doesn’t break. She’s simply a great heroine and the way she draws D out, gets him to open up to her, and shows him love is simply phenomenal. They’ve got serious red-hot chemistry and it’s no surprise that they make the pages of Midnight Revenge sizzle, but it’s their emotional connection that really stood out for me.

Romance aside, there’s a lot of action that keeps Midnight Revenge moving at a fast pace. Once I started the book, I did not want to put it down. Ms. Kennedy knows how to amp up the tension and this story is dark, dangerous, and completely enthralling. The fact that it’s Sully – one of D’s teammates – who is in danger only makes the stakes higher. Of course, the fact that it’s Sully in particular whose life is at risk means that Ms. Kennedy teases out another subplot that’s been running through the past couple of books. Yes indeed, the tension in the Sully-Liam plot is increased to an almost unbearable degree in Midnight Revenge and I absolutely loved it. It’s a testament to how strong D and Sofia are as characters that Liam and Sully didn’t steal the show completely, because those two hot mercs have me on the edge of my seat and I desperately hope they get a book of their own before I (or they) combust.

Midnight Revenge is the seventh book in the Killer Instincts series, and – if you don’t mind minor spoilers from previous books – Ms. Kennedy provides enough information that readers new to the series can easily follow along. Fans of the series are going to love the scenes involving Morgan and Noelle’s joint mercenaries and assassins team, and there are a few light moments that balance out the darkness in the tale. It should be mentioned that Midnight Revenge isn’t for everyone. The story can get incredibly dark, which is no surprise given the kinds of evil our heroes and heroines go up against in this series. In addition, scenes of sexual assault are both discussed and shown, so I wanted to give a trigger warning.

Elle Kennedy is a master of the romantic suspense genre and in Midnight Revenge her talent shines. I absolutely loved D and Sofia and I cannot wait to see where Ms. Kennedy takes the Killer Instincts series next!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: What a Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden

What a Gentleman Wants by Caroline Linden
Series: Reece Family Trilogy, Book 1
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781420137538
Re-issue Date: January 26, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Marcus Reece, Duke of Exeter, has spent most of his life pulling his twin brother out of trouble. An occasional thank you would suffice; instead, his resentful sibling forges his name to a marriage license and presents him with an unwanted wife. She's a vicar’s widow with a mind of her own who may be the first person in Marcus’s well-ordered life to make him feel…completely out of control.

Hannah can't help but curse her own idiocy. Dire straits have led her to the altar with a gentleman she hardly knows. Played for a fool, she’s embarrassed, furious, and worse, married to an equally outraged stranger—an exasperating man who unleashes all manner of emotions in Hannah, not to mention unwanted desire. Reluctantly she agrees to play the wife until he can sort out the mess. But the nearness of the undeniably attractive duke and the passion in his black eyes unsettles her well-guarded heart—making her want to do so much more than 'act' the role of blissful bride…

Marcus Reece, Duke of Exeter, likes his life orderly, which is no surprise since his twin, David, seems to cause as much chaos as he can. But David’s latest act – marrying a vicar’s widow and signing Marcus’s name in the register – goes above and beyond. Marcus doesn’t want a wife, particularly not one he didn’t marry himself. Yet there’s something about Hannah Preston that Marcus can’t resist. And as the two of them try to untangle David’s mess without causing a scandal, it becomes clear that the duke’s errant twin may have done them the greatest favor of all.

What a Gentleman Wants charmed me with its refreshingly different characters. Marcus has his world turned upside down when he finds out he’s married to Hannah, but unlike many a historical romance hero, he doesn’t blame the heroine for the mess someone else created. That doesn’t mean he’s instantly taken with Hannah, either. For her part, Hannah is a widow with a young child who took David up on his offer of a marriage of convenience in order to secure her daughter’s future so that she would never be caught in a situation like Hannah’s. And though Hannah is horrified to learn she’s been played, her spine of steel and common sense enable her to stand up to her cold, aristocratic husband. Though there’s a simmering attraction between them, neither Hannah nor Marcus give in to it. Instead, though they do their best to avoid one another, they slowly begin to learn more about one another. It’s interesting to see Hannah and Marcus peel back the layers of each other’s characters. Hannah is nothing like the ladies of the ton, but she makes Marcus come alive, breaking through the layers of ice and humanizing him. What I liked best about What a Gentleman Wants is that there isn’t heavy drama. Both Marcus and Hannah act like adults, talk when things are wrong, and slowly, sweetly fall in love. It’s a wonderful change of pace from the norm and I absolutely adored their quiet romance.

A subplot involving a counterfeiting ring adds suspense to the tale, but what appealed to me most about this book were the characters. Marcus’s sister and stepmother endeared themselves to me immediately, and even the rapscallion David managed to win me over. Marcus and Hannah’s romance is the first book in the Reece Family trilogy and I cannot wait to see what author Caroline Linden has in store for David and Celia Reece!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 42
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense

ISBN: 9780399170898
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
J.D. Robb Reading Order

Sometimes brotherhood can be another word for conspiracy…

Dennis Mira just had two unpleasant surprises. First he learned that his cousin Edward was secretly meeting with a real estate agent about their late grandfather’s magnificent West Village brownstone, despite the promise they both made to keep it in the family. Then, when he went to the house to confront Edward about it, he got a blunt object to the back of the head.

Luckily Dennis is married to Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s top profiler and a good friend of Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When the two arrive on the scene, he explains that the last thing he saw was Edward in a chair, bruised and bloody. When he came to, his cousin was gone. With the mess cleaned up and the security disks removed, there’s nothing left behind but a few traces for forensics to analyze.

As a former lawyer, judge, and senator, Edward Mira mingled with the elite and crossed paths with criminals, making enemies on a regular basis. Like so many politicians, he also made some very close friends behind closed—and locked—doors. But a badge and a billionaire husband can get you into places others can’t go, and Eve intends to shine some light on the dirty deals and dark motives behind the disappearance of a powerful man, the family discord over a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate…and a new case that no one saw coming.

An attack that wounds one of her loved ones is only the beginning of what turns into a monstrous case for Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Brotherhood in Death features an intense, layered case where every victim and suspect is hiding valuable secrets and Eve must race the clock before the bodies pile up. Conspiracies abound and every twist the case takes makes this latest In Death novel even more difficult to put down.

My favorite books in the series are the ones where we have an exciting mystery and personal growth for our beloved characters and Brotherhood in Death has both. I don’t want to say too much about the case because it would spoil the book. I will say that this is the rare instance where Eve is on the job before there is even a body. Eve comes to the aid of Dennis Mira when he’s bashed on the head right after he sees his cousin wounded in their grandparents’ home. His cousin is missing and Eve has a feeling that if she doesn’t find him soon, this will turn into her next homicide case. Of course she’s right, and once Edward is found – the victim of an exceptionally violent and angry murder – things get dark fast and Eve has to unravel a host of mysteries to discover what is going on and why. Power, politics, sex, lies, and “brotherhood” all go together in this case and it’s rough on Eve and her loved ones. That the case affects Eve makes the story more powerful, upping the stakes for readers because we are connected to the story through her.

Murders and conspiracies aside, the moments that shined in the story were, for me, the more personal ones. Eve and Roarke have been married for a couple of years and though their love is as strong as ever, a disagreement between them truly shines a light on how far Eve has come over the course of the series. There are also enjoyable moments between Eve and her team, and some truly emotional scenes featuring Eve and Dennis. Dennis has popped up in various In Death books for years and his genuine kindness and caring heart have made him a favorite of mine. Brotherhood in Death connects him to one of Eve’s cases for the first time, and I absolutely loved seeing more of him. Eve’s adoration of him is incredibly sweet and the moments they have together have excellent emotional impact.

Almost every In Death book can be read as a standalone and Brotherhood in Death is no exception. That being said, much of my enjoyment in this story stemmed from reading about Eve, Roarke, and the family they have made from friends. Having dozens of books’ worth of history behind the personal scenes is part of what makes those moments shine, so for maximum enjoyment I recommend being at least a casual reader of the In Death series before diving into this tale. J.D. Robb never disappoints and forty-two books and almost a dozen novellas into the series there is no sign of Eve and Roarke slowing down. For this I’m thrilled because I absolutely love the characters Ms. Robb has created and I cannot wait to see what awaits them in the next In Death story!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Waiting on Wednesday: My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I've been on a historical romance kick lately, so it's fitting that my Waiting on Wednesday pick this week is from one of my absolute favorite historical romance authors. Eloisa James's My American Duchess hits the shelves later this month and it sounds absolutely wonderful :)

Title: My American Duchess
Author: Eloisa James
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Eloisa James Reading Order

Book Description (from Amazon):

The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. The last woman he would ever consider marrying is the adventuresome Merry Pelford — an American heiress who has infamously jilted two fiancés.

But after one provocative encounter with the captivating Merry, Trent desires her more than any woman he has ever met. He is determined to have her as his wife, no matter what it takes. And Trent is a man who always gets what he wants.

The problem is, Merry is already betrothed, and the former runaway bride has vowed to make it all the way to the altar. As honor clashes with irresistible passion, Trent realizes the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined. In his battle to save Merry and win her heart, one thing becomes clear:

All is fair in love and war.

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Review: The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan

The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan
Series: Legendary Lovers, Book 4
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9780553392555
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Despite his notorious reputation, Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne, has mostly honorable intentions. So when beautiful Venetia Stratham boldly enters a gentlemen’s club, demanding that Quinn stop courting her sister, he does what any bachelor would do: He kisses her. With her sharp wit, intoxicating passion, and surprising vulnerability, Venetia is irresistible—except for all this nonsense about threatening to shoot Quinn. But when clandestine enemies make an actual attempt on the earl’s life, Venetia is implicated. To save her good name, Quinn does what any true gentleman must do: He proposes.

Thus Venetia finds herself wed to arrogant, wickedly sensual Quinn, whose devilish ways are as legendary as his rumored skills as a lover. Yet vexingly, her body rebels against her vow to remain immune to his many charms. If only she could reform the infuriating nobleman—without diminishing his undeniable allure. As Venetia discovers that a true rake is hard to tame, Quinn faces an even greater challenge: winning his wife’s fragile trust…while defending both their lives.

Regency England meets Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in The Art of Taming a Rake. Nicole Jordan gives playful nods to the Bard while still managing to deliver a story uniquely her own in this fast-paced, sexy, highly entertaining romance.

Quinn is an utterly delicious hero. He’s got that easy, natural charm I adore, a sinfully sensual nature, is intelligent, loyal, and honorable. How can a reader resist a hero like that? Quinn was burned in the past by love and has lost loved ones, so he’s determined that he will guard his heart and never fall in love. Of course, it’s obvious from the start that he’s completely entranced by Venetia and could easily lose his heart to her. She’s an outcast, a lady who dared to publicly call off her wedding after learning of her fiancé’s infidelity. Since that fateful day, Venetia has been living abroad, honing her talent as an artist and living a life quite unlike the one she had been raised to lead. Like Quinn, she was hurt, badly, by someone who should have loved her. Quinn used to be close with her former fiancé and his rakish reputation is well known, so no matter how tempting she finds him, Venetia resists her attraction to him. Her sharp tongue and independent nature may intimidate much of the ton, but not Quinn. When he and Venetia find themselves wed in a most unusual set of circumstances, the forced time together gives them the opportunity to truly see the person they have married. It was delightful watching them grow close, even as they try to fight the inevitable. It isn’t easy for them to open their hearts, to trust each other and their growing closeness enough to risk everything on love, but Ms. Jordan makes every bump in the road worth it. Venetia and Quinn have powerful chemistry and this makes the pages of The Art of Taming a Rake fly by.

The Art of Taming a Rake is the fourth book in Ms. Jordan’s Legendary Lovers series, but it can be easily read as a standalone. But fans of the series need not worry – Quinn’s family members play strong supporting roles and add even more liveliness to the tale. Their appearances made me want to go back and revisit the first three Legendary Lovers books again, and it made me more eager than ever to see what Ms. Jordan has in store for the only unmarried Wilde left – Katharine. So whether you’re a dedicated Legendary Lovers fan or just enjoy a sexy and fun historical romance, you won’t want to miss The Art of Taming a Rake!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Beck and Call by Nicole Morgan

Beck and Call by Nicole Morgan
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9780857156068
Source: Publisher
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 out of 5
Original Review Link

Jenny Jacobson loves managing the Arcadia hotel, but the owners’ penny-pinching ways are making her life a living hell. The Arcadia needs a new maintenance man in the worst way, but Jenny – who definitely isn’t handy with a tool belt – has been doing the work herself. When an attempt to fix the plumbing in a room leads to disaster, Jenny is saved by Beck, a handy man who’s good with his…tools. Attraction sparks instantaneously, but is it possible for Jenny to fall for a man she barely knows anything about?

BECK AND CALL is one supremely satisfying, sexy romance. Author Nicole Morgan takes readers on a fast and hard journey from lust to love, and it is one incredibly erotic trip.

While the red-hot sex appeal of BECK AND CALL shouldn’t be understated, at the heart of the story are Jenny and Beck. Jenny is a hardworking woman in a bind. Her boss wants her to cut corners where none can be cut, so as a result she’s close to working herself to death. She needs someone like Beck who can carry part of the heavy load she carries. Beck charmed me with how determined he was to care for Jenny. He never doubts her strength and her abilities, but he wants to help, which makes him a perfect hero in my opinion.

BECK AND CALL is an entertaining read from start to finish. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Morgan’s work!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver

A Duchess in Name by Amanda Weaver
Series: The Grantham Girls, Book 1
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781459290617
Release Date: January 18, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Victoria Carson never expected love. An American heiress and graduate of Lady Grantham's finishing school, she's been groomed since birth to marry an English title—the grander the better. So when the man chosen for her, the forbidding Earl of Dunnley, seems to hate her on sight, she understands that it can't matter. Love can have no place in this arrangement.

Andrew Hargrave has little use for his title and even less for his cold, disinterested parents. Determined to make his own way, he's devoted to his life in Italy working as an archaeologist. Until the collapse of his family's fortune drags him back to England to a marriage he never wanted and a woman he doesn't care to know.

Wild attraction is an unwanted complication for them both, though it forms the most fragile of bonds. Their marriage of convenience isn't so intolerable after all—but it may not be enough when the deception that bound them is finally revealed.

A marriage of convenience becomes something much more in A Duchess in Name. Amanda Weaver kicks off her Grantham Girls series with this compelling, emotional tale featuring a fantastic heroine and a hero who has to become the man she deserves.

I absolutely adored Victoria. She’s been raised to do her duty and allow her parents to use their wealth to capture her a husband with a title they covet. Victoria is accepting of her destiny, but that doesn’t mean she’s spineless. When her parents’ conniving throws the Earl of Dunnley practically in her lap, Victoria is surprised that fate has done her a favor. Andrew is kind, attractive, and there’s a spark between them that makes her hope for more than the life she has planned out. But when her new husband abandons her, leaving her to fend for herself in his tumbledown ancestral home, Victoria doesn’t fall to pieces in the face of a shattered new dream and a mess of a house. Rather, she picks herself up and uses her wits and fortune to make a home. She isn’t perfect, but she also isn’t afraid to ask for help when she’s in over her head. Quite simply, Victoria is a wonderful heroine who is resourceful, kind, and generous. She’s so deserving of the happily ever after she never thinks she’ll get that you don’t want to put the book down until the fairytale is hers.

Andrew is where A Duchess in Name hits a snag for me. He’s an archeologist who lives outside society and would be content never to return to England if his parents weren’t putting his sisters’ futures in jeopardy. Being forced to wed a stranger upsets him, which is logical, but it’s clear that he and Victoria are hitting it off when they first meet. When he learns the truth of what brought them together, however, he acts poorly, blaming Victoria when he has little reason to. Andrew is a flat-out terrible husband for most of the story, and it went on for so long that it left a sour taste in my mouth. When he does come to his senses, I don’t blame Victoria for having had enough. Ms. Weaver did show goodness in Andrew, and because of this I was willing to watch him work to be the hero Victoria deserved. Still, there is so much discord between Andrew and Victoria that I wish a bit more time had been spent on the happily ever after part of the story to smooth those rough edges.

Even with my reservations about the story, I cannot deny that I was completely drawn in by Ms. Weaver’s writing. She has a talent for making characters come alive and that made A Duchess in Name impossible to put down. I finished the book wishing Victoria’s fellow Grantham Girls, along with Lady Grantham herself, already had stories out because I was so intrigued by them. So while there were perhaps a bit too many ups and downs to Victoria and Andrew’s romance, I still cannot wait to read the next Grantham Girls book, A Common Scandal.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

If you're so much as an infrequent visitor to Wit and Sin then you probably know that my favorite series is J.D. Robb's In Death series. There simply is nothing quite like cracking open a book and entering Eve and Roarke's world. It's no surprise then that I cannot wait to read Brotherhood in Death. Not only does this series never disappoint, this time around the case involves one of my absolute favorite reoccurring characters, Dennis Mira. Dr. Mira's husband has never taken center stage like this and I. CANNOT. WAIT.

Title: Brotherhood in Death
Series: In Death, Book 42
Author: J.D. Robb
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: February 2, 2016
J.D. Robb Reading Order

Book Description (from Amazon):

Sometimes brotherhood can be another word for conspiracy...

Dennis Mira just had two unpleasant surprises. First he learned that his cousin Edward was secretly meeting with a real estate agent about their late grandfather’s magnificent West Village brownstone, despite the promise they both made to keep it in the family. Then, when he went to the house to confront Edward about it, he got a blunt object to the back of the head.

Luckily Dennis is married to Charlotte Mira, the NYPSD’s top profiler and a good friend of Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When the two arrive on the scene, he explains that the last thing he saw was Edward in a chair, bruised and bloody. When he came to, his cousin was gone. With the mess cleaned up and the security disks removed, there’s nothing left behind but a few traces for forensics to analyze.

As a former lawyer, judge, and senator, Edward Mira mingled with the elite and crossed paths with criminals, making enemies on a regular basis. Like so many politicians, he also made some very close friends behind closed—and locked—doors. But a badge and a billionaire husband can get you into places others can’t go, and Eve intends to shine some light on the dirty deals and dark motives behind the disappearance of a powerful man, the family discord over a multimillion-dollar piece of real estate...and a new case that no one saw coming.

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Review: A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781451612646
Source: Publisher
Blue Ribbon Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link

To snobby book critic Ellery Sharpe romance novels are at the bottom of the literary barrel. But when she gets in trouble for trashing the biography of a well-known romance publisher, Ellery is forced to choose between keeping her job and writing an article that is a love letter to the romance genre. If the assignment alone wasn’t enough to make Ellery want to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, the man hired to take the photos for the article would seal the deal.

Axel Mackenzie knows that this job is his last chance to win back Ellery. Axel knows that although he’s a changed man, it won’t be enough, so he turns to romance novels for help…specifically, the insanely popular Kiltlander. To his surprise, Ellery falls in love with Kiltlander, and Axel learns a thing or two about love from the book’s protagonists. Will romance novels be what brings one former bad boy and his romance novel-hating book critic to the happily ever after of their dreams?

A romance novel featuring a heroine who hates romance novels but is forced to give them a try. When I read the premise of A NOVEL SEDUCTION, I just knew this book would be tons of fun. Happily, I was right. Author Gwyn Cready takes her skeptical heroine and hero on a journey of self-discovery via romance novels that will make you smile.

Axel is one heck of a hero. He’s a former party boy who has since learned his lesson and grown up. Ms. Cready gives enough flashbacks and information on Axel’s past for readers to truly appreciate how he’s grown. I liked that I didn’t just see the perfect hero. Axel’s flaws endeared him to me and made me root for him on his quest to win Ellery back. Ellery, in turn, is a heroine who could have been unlikeable at the hands of a lesser author. She’s the type of person who has never read a romance novel, yet passes judgment on the entire genre and thinks herself above it. Every romance reader I know has met someone like that. Now if only those of us in the real world could do what Ms. Cready does to her heroine and force her to read a couple of romance novels. Watching Ellery as she learns that there’s more to romance novels than she thought was a pleasure. What was also a lot of fun was hearing about the three different books she read. Ellery tries an adult paranormal romance that has Twilight-level fame, a historical romance and then the famed Kiltlander, Ms. Cready’s homage to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.

A NOVEL SEDUCTION is truly a delightful book. It has a great love story, humor and self-aware insight regarding the pleasures of reading a romance novel, something that is just too delicious to ignore. This is the first book I’ve read of Ms. Cready’s, but it definitely won’t be the last!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Monday in Review

Happy New Year!

There are some great reads coming out in 2016 and I've been privileged to review some excellent January romances (heck, two of them I loved so much they made my Top Fifteen Books of 2015 list).

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written for Wit and Sin. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- New Leaf (Mystic Creek, Book 2) by Catherine Anderson (available 1/5/16)
- Everything at Last (Magnolia Beach, Book 2) by Kimberly Lang (available 1/5/16)
- Off the Clock (Pleasure Principle, Book 1) by Roni Loren (available 1/5/16)
- The Score (Off-Campus, Book 3) by Elle Kennedy (available 1/11/15)
- What a Werewolf Wants (San Francisco Wolf Pack, Book 3) by Kristin Miller (available 1/11/15)
- Stealing the Bachelor (Stealing the Heart, Book 3) by Sonya Weiss (available 1/11/15)

All other new reviews:
- The Final Move (Hometown Players, Book 3) by Victoria Denault
- Tell Me You Want Me (Search and Seduce, Book 2) by Joya Ryan
- My Kind of Wonderful (Cedar Ridge, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis

Upcoming reviews:
- The Conquering Dark (Crown & Key, Book 3) by Clay and Susan Griffith
- Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, Book 6) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- Down for the Count (Dare Me, Book 1) by Christine Bell
- Down and Dirty (Dare Me, Book 2) by Christine Bell
- The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole
- The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole
- Wicked Ever After (Blud, Book 4) by Delilah S. Dawson
- Filthy Rich by Virna DePaul
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- How to Wed a Warrior (Broadswords and Ballrooms, Book 2) by Christy English
- Air Bound (Sea Haven, Book 3) by Christine Feehan
- Earth Bound (Sea Haven, Book 4) by Christine Feehan
- His Game, Her Rules by Charlene Groome
- Captured (Fallen Siren, Book 0.5) by S.J. Harper
- Reckoning (Fallen Siren, Book 2) by S.J. Harper
- One Taste of Scandal (Redcakes, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand
- Base Instincts (Demonica) by Larissa Ione
- The Volatile Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 4) by Sandy James
- Breathe (In Vino Veritas, Book 2) by Lauren Jameson
- Linger (In Vino Veritas, Book 3) by Lauren Jameson
- When the Rogue Returns (The Duke’s Men, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries
- If the Viscount Falls (The Duke’s Men, Book 4) by Sabrina Jeffries
- The Art of Sinning (Sinful Suitors, Book 1) by Sabrina Jeffries
- The Art of Taming a Rake (Legendary Lovers, Book 4) by Nicole Jordan
- Carolina Dreaming (Dare Island, Book 5) by Virginia Kantra
- Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
- Midnight Revenge (Killer Instincts, Book 7) by Elle Kennedy
- Before You Break (Between Breaths, Book 2) by Christina Lee
- There You Stand (Between Breaths, Book 5) by Christina Lee
- Caught Up in You (Loving on the Edge, Book 4) by Roni Loren
- Yours All Along (Loving on the Edge, Book 6.5) by Roni Loren
- Break Me Down (Loving on the Edge, Book 8.5) by Roni Loren
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss
- Fight to the Finish (First to Fight, Book 3) by Jeanette Murray
- While You Were Writing (Watkins Pond, Book 2) by Virginia Nelson
- Prince’s Gambit (Captive Prince, Book 2) by C.S. Pacat
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Soul Sucker by Kate Pearce
- The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
- Laugh (Burnside, Book 2) by Mary Ann Rivers
- Festive in Death (In Death, Book 39) by J.D. Robb
- Blood Magick (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
- Beauty’s Kingdom (Sleeping Beauty, Book 4) by A. N. Roquelaure
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- The Millionaire Makeover by Naima Simone
- Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss, Book 1) by Nalini Singh
- Fighting the Fall (Beyond the Cage, Book 2) by Jennifer Snow
- The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings, Book 1) by J.R. Ward
- Takeover by Anna Zabo

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Review: What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller

What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller
Series: San Francisco Wolf Pack, Book 3
Publisher: Entangled: Covet
Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 9781633755277
Release Date: January 11, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

They may not be the perfect match…But they’re having fun.

Going to the chapel, and her sister is going to get married…no matter what.

Josie Cole might be unlucky in love, but she’s a pro at matching other couples. When her sister gets married to the man of her dreams, it’ll be Cole Matchmaking Services one-hundredth match, and secure Josie a television special that would boost business.

Private investigator–and werewolf–Ryder McManus doesn’t believe in marriage. Catching cheating spouses has taught him there is no such thing as happily ever after. But then he never expected to find his fated mate, Josie, at his best friend’s wedding festivities.

When Josie and Ryder are together, the chemistry heats up. While he’s trying to stop the wedding, she’ll do whatever it takes to give the couple a dream day. But the secret he’s trying to expose might just ruin everything…

Sparks fly – literally – when a werewolf who doesn’t believe in happily ever after meets his fated mate in What a Werewolf Wants. Kristin Miller’s third San Francisco Wolf Pack story has a sexy werewolf hero, a hopeless romantic for a heroine, a dash of humor, and the hope that true love will conquer all – how can you resist?

Josie is a vivacious heroine who is easy to adore. She’s a smart businesswoman with an almost supernatural gift for matching people together. Her success at doing so only solidifies her belief in true love, which is why she’s shocked that the best man at her sister’s wedding wants to keep his best friend from reaching the altar. Ryder doesn’t believe most people are meant to be together forever, especially not werewolves like himself and his best friend who can live for a thousand years with one mate. Ryder’s cynicism makes sense, given that he’s a private investigator who specializes in infidelity. Having been burned by love himself, there’s no way he’ll take a chance on revealing his whole self – paws and all – to a woman who might see him as nothing more than a monster.

Ryder and Josie’s clash of wills set the stage for a battle we know Ryder will lose. Because Josie is his Luminary, or fated mate, she gets under his skin like no other. Their mutual attraction steams up the pages of What a Werewolf Wants and both Josie and Ryder begin to see that what they thought they wanted for themselves pales in comparison to what they could have together. It’s easy to become invested in not only their romance, but that of Carrie and Mitch, the bride and groom whose wedding starts as a bone of contention between Josie and Ryder. The two couples are each endearing in their own way and I was rooting for everyone to get their happily ever after.

What a Werewolf Wants is the third book in the San Francisco Wolf Pack series, but as I have not yet read The Werewolf Wears Prada or Beauty and the Werewolf I can safely say that Josie and Ryder’s story can be read as a standalone. I was incredibly intrigued by Ms. Miller’s werewolves and the structure of their world, and I’m eager to learn more. I adored What a Werewolf Wants and I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the San Francisco Wolf Pack books.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Everything at Last by Kimberly Lang

Everything at Last by Kimberly Lang
Series: Magnolia Beach, Book 2
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9780451471048
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

At first sight, Molly Richards knew Magnolia Beach, Alabama, was the perfect place to escape her unhappy life. And though she's proud of the small coffee shop she’s opened, something is missing. But she won’t let herself be burned by love—again.

Veterinarian Tate Harris finds the local dating scene awkward, since he's known most of the eligible ladies his whole life. But he's finding it hard to resist the unassuming charm of the sweet-faced owner of Latte Dah. And when a late-night pet emergency finds Tate at Molly's house, that fascination turns into a potent mutual attraction.

But just as their relationship begins to take off, Molly's haunted past returns. Fortunately, Tate is determined to help Molly fight for the life she's been wishing for…

Everything at Last is a charming read filled with warm, welcoming characters and a romance that will leave you with a smile on your face. I’m a sucker for a sweet small town romance and Kimberly Lang has delivered an absolutely delightful one.

After escaping a horrible marriage, Molly Richards has built a new life for herself in Magnolia Beach. She adores the town she now calls home, but she still keeps herself set just a bit apart from others, save for her best friend, Helena. Now Molly’s been charged with organizing the town’s Children’s Fair and she’s not only in the limelight, she’s in over her head. Luckily for her, Molly finds a white knight in veterinarian Tate Harris. Tate knows Molly through Helena, but he’s never truly looked at her. But working together on the fair brings them closer together, and Tate starts to see Molly in a new light. Molly’s marriage may have soured her on relationships, but there’s no denying the budding attraction between her and Tate. Both of them will have to face their pasts and take a risk if they hope to have a chance of a relationship.

Ms. Lang makes it supremely easy to root for Molly and Tate – they’re both endearing characters with caring hearts. Molly has been through a terrible marriage and has had to handle an unsupportive family on top of it. It takes a spine of steel to stand up to that and make a new life, and it’s clear Molly has that. Her past has made her wary of opening up, but it was lovely to watch her come out of her shell over the course of the book. Tate is the catalyst for her change in some ways, and he’s also her perfect match. I have a soft spot for veterinarian heroes, so of course Tate won me over from the start. That being said, he’s not a perfect hero. He’s got White Knight Syndrome and this causes him to mess up more than once, but the fact that he wasn’t perfect made the story all the more interesting. It isn’t all smooth sailing for Molly and Tate, but Ms. Lang makes all the obstacles in their path worth it.

Everything at Last is the second book in the Magnolia Beach series but it can be read as a standalone. What can sometimes make or break a small town romance is the townspeople and the residents of Magnolia Beach are warm and inviting. Ms. Lang made me want to visit this lovely Southern town, which means I’ll definitely be going back to read the first Magnolia Beach book, Something to Prove.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Off the Clock by Roni Loren

Off the Clock by Roni Loren
Series: Pleasure Principle, Book 1
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9780425278543
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Overtime has never felt so good…

Marin Rush loves studying sex. Doing it? That’s another story. In the research lab, Marin’s lack of practical knowledge didn’t matter, but now that she’s landed a job at The Grove, a high-end, experimental sex therapy institute, she can’t ignore the fact that the person most in need of sexual healing may be her.

Dr. Donovan West, her new hotshot colleague, couldn’t agree more. Donovan knows that Marin’s clients are going to eat her alive unless she gets some hands-on experience. And if she fails at the job, he can say goodbye to a promotion, so he assigns her a list of R-rated tasks to prepare her for the wild clientele of The Grove’s X-wing.

But some of those tasks are built for two, and when he finds Marin searching for a candidate to help her check off her list, Donovan decides there’s only one man for the job—him. As long as they keep their erotic, off-the-clock activities strictly confidential and without strings, no one will get fired—or worse, get attached…

It’s rare to read a book that is incredibly smart, supremely sexy, and wonderfully human, but Off the Clock is all those things and more. Roni Loren’s first Pleasure Principle novel is a complex, interesting, emotional, decadently erotic romance that will both satisfy you and leave you begging for more.

It’s pure chance that Marin Rush meets Donovan West late one night in the psychology building her freshman year of college. What follows is the most stimulating – intellectually and otherwise – week of her life. I love that Ms. Loren shows how Donovan and Marin meet. Getting to know their younger, sweeter selves is crucial to their story. Already when we meet Marin she has been shouldering far more responsibility than an eighteen year old should have. With everything she’s been through in her home life, it’s a miracle that she isn’t hardened, but is rather a bright, eager, utterly charming young woman. As for Donovan, he too has known pain, and bears psychological scars because of it. It’s easy to see why Marin is drawn to him; even as a young man Donovan is compelling. He’s sensual, slightly nerdy, and is genuinely open and excited about his studies. Their attraction to one another is undeniable, and it’s easy to be swept up in their late-night meetings. Then Marin’s world comes crashing down around her, ending her time with Donovan before they can truly begin something.

Though Donovan and Marin’s first week together sets the stage, the vast majority of Off the Clock takes place nine years later. Marin has just taken a job as a sex therapist at The Grove, an exclusive, experimental therapy institute. Marin has never wanted to do clinical work, but she needs the job and the money to help her brother with his college tuition. What she doesn’t expect to learn is that her new mentor is none other than her college one-night stand. When Marin and Donovan meet again, their attraction reignites in an instant. But they aren’t the people they once were, and their lives and jobs make things even more complicated now. Though they initially think the past should stay in the past, it soon becomes clear that Marin’s sexual inexperience is a detriment to her work. The assignments Donovan gives her to make her more comfortable with her job are not only X-rated, they’re far more fun when done with a partner, which is when Off the Clock really heats up. Marin and Donovan have incredible chemistry and the sexual tension between them makes the pages of the book practically smolder. When they give into temptation for some off-the-clock fun, Ms. Loren’s talent for penning wickedly erotic scenarios becomes clear.

The heat Donovan and Marin generate is undeniable, but it’s the characters themselves who are the heart and soul of the book. Donovan has become cynical since Marin first met him. He doesn’t believe in the idea of soulmates, closes himself off from others, and is as talented a therapist as he is a terrible prospect for a partner. I loved peeling back the layers to Donovan’s character, and with each new aspect of his life I saw, my heart broke more for him. He’s a smart man, skilled and giving in his profession, and has an undeniable sex appeal. But underneath is a man who needs help, and perhaps because of their initial connection only Marin sees the true him. As for Marin, she’s a brilliant mix of intelligence, courage, determination, and vulnerability. Unlike Donovan, she has faced her past and acknowledges her fears, making her an incredibly strong heroine, one who doesn’t back down from anyone. Because she’s had to take so much on her shoulders from such a young age, she’s sexually inexperienced. That doesn’t mean she’s clueless; far from it. What she lacks is practical knowledge, so to speak, and her erotic discoveries are both sexy and entertaining.

Off the Clock is undeniably erotic, but that’s not enough to make it a stellar read in my mind. What takes this story to the next level is the intellectual and emotional connections Marin and Donovan have. They are each other’s equal in every way, and watching them become friends and colleagues is every bit as entertaining as seeing them become lovers. I was invested in Off the Clock because the hero and heroine are such multi-faceted, flawed, human characters. Marin and Donovan grow as characters and as a couple over the course of the book and the result is a refreshingly open, emotional, memorable romance. Add in a cast of endearing, fascinating secondary characters that make the world of The Grove come alive and you have one heck of a story. I absolutely loved Off the Clock and I cannot wait for the next Pleasure Principle tale!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Tell Me You Want Me by Joya Ryan

Tell Me You Want Me by Joya Ryan
Series: Search and Seduce, Book 2
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781633755314
Release Date: January 4, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

She’s getting dirty with the bad boy…

Determined to find her inner badass and save her business, boutique owner Michelle Ruby signs up for a twenty-four hour survival class. Except, she’s the only person who registered, and the guide is a sex-on-a-stick G.I. Joe come to life. Between his massive muscles, smoldering blue eyes, and “there’s no crying in camping” attitude, she’s in trouble…in more ways than one.

Search and rescue squad member Dex Young never thought he’d be roped into teaching “survival skills” to pageant queens. His sole student is upper class, upper state, and sexy as hell. And he has a sneaking suspicion that beneath her tight updo and designer jeans, there’s a sex kitten waiting to claw her way out.

But Dex knows women like her. Knows they only bring guys like him home to piss off their daddies. If it’s the bad boy experience she wants, she’ll get it. And Dex? Well, he can’t wait to find out just how dirty Michelle’s willing to get…

Michelle has spent her entire life under the control of her parents and then her (now ex-) fiancé. Having finally broken free from her Upper East Side ivory tower, Michelle lives in North Carolina and runs a boutique even she has to admit is struggling. But Michelle isn’t going down without a fight and in order to build her confidence and establish that she is a strong, independent woman, Michelle signs up for a survival class. Only her friend has to bail on her, which leaves Michelle alone with the incredibly handsome instructor.

Dex can see Michelle’s privileged upbringing practically oozing from her when they first meet, and for a man with no patience for the shallow and wealthy, he’s not impressed. Still, Michelle’s determination makes him smile even as his attraction to her makes him sweat. If Michelle wants to play with a bad boy, then Dex is happy to oblige...

Tell Me You Want Me is a fast-paced, red-hot story that’s easy to enjoy. Michelle is a smart, sweet woman who has lived such a sheltered life that she’s not really equipped to handle true struggle. While she isn’t easy to relate to, she’s a likeable heroine and I admired her determination to make it on her own and try new things. Her quest to branch out takes a turn for the extremely sexy when she meets Dex. Dex has a chip on his shoulder the size of a mountain when it comes to the wealthy, which should mean that he and Michelle have no hope as a couple. Of course, erotic attraction helps pave the way for these two and it’s not long before they’re steaming up the page and winding their way into each other’s hearts. But prejudices have to be overcome and both Dex and Michelle will have to open up if they want something together that will last.

In some ways, Tell Me You Want Me is hard to review. It’s an entertaining read, but not the most memorable. The sex scenes are wonderfully hot and Michelle and Dex have a lot of potential. They make an unlikely pairing, which is always a fun way to start, but author Joya Ryan doesn’t fully succeed in making me believe they are “meant to be.” If it weren’t for the helpful nudging of some secondary characters, I don’t see how these two would have gotten their happily ever after, a plot device I’m not too fond of. Perhaps the characters would have been better served by a longer format where they could be given more depth. Still, for a fast and hot read, Tell Me You Want Me is fun and I will definitely be checking out the first Search and Seduce story, Tell Me You Need Me.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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2016 A to Z Reading Challenge

I've had a blast doing this challenge for the past few years and I can't resist another go 'round. I've discovered a few now-favorite books I might not have otherwise noticed because of this challenge :)

Challenge details:
- Duration: January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
- Read 26 books which titles begin with the letters of the alphabet.
- You may ignore articles like A, An and The at the beginning of the title.
- For the letter X, any book title with the letter X in it is acceptable if you can't find one that begins with X.
- You can sign up anytime.
- Please only list books you have read. You can read them in any order.
- A book only counts once, so you can include a re-read the first time you read it.

Date Completed: December 25, 2016

My List:
Art of Taming a Rake, The by Nicole Jordan – 1/17/16
Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb – 1/12/16
Carolina Dreaming by Virginia Kantra – 1/27/16
Duchess in Name, A by Amanda Weaver – 1/13/16
Even the Score by Kate Meader – 2/1/16
Fight to the Finish by Jeanette Murray – 2/27/16
Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder, A by Julie Anne Lindsey – 2/25/16
How to Wed a Warrior by Christy English – 1/22/16
Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb – 1/9/16
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb – 10/13/16
Keeping Faith by Kris Norris – 12/11/16
Listener, The by Christina Dodd – 4/17/16
Millionaire Makeover, The by Naima Simone – 1/5/16
Nobody But You by Jill Shalvis – 3/20/16
One Night Only by Roni Loren – 1/3/16
Perfect Fit, The by Jenna Sutton – 3/26/16
Questionable Client, A by Ilona Andrews – 12/25/16
Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley - 1/22/16
Study of Seduction, The by Sabrina Jeffries - 3/15/16
Taking the Score by Kate Meader – 2/11/16
Untamed Earl, The by Valerie Bowman – 4/20/16
Virtue Falls by Christina Dodd – 4/26/16
What a Werewolf Wants by Kristin Miller – 1/3/16
Heroine CompleX by Sarah Kuhn – 7/1/16
Yes! by Kim Dare – 12/24/16
Zoe’s Workshop by Nalini Singh – 11/20/16

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2016 New (to me) Author Challenge

I've done this challenge for the past six years and discovered some great new-to-me authors along the way (not hard to believe since I've read 473 new (to me) authors from 2010 to 2015). My favorite authors I "discovered" over the past few years are Macy Beckett, Jenn Bennett, C.C. Galloway, DJ Gross, Larissa Ione, Robin LaFevers, Jeanette Murray, Lilah Pace, Abigail Roux, Riley Shane, Cherise Sinclair, Dee Tenorio, Lynn Viehl, Amanda Weaver, and Elia Winters.


The Challenge: Read 20 or more books this year by authors you’ve never read before.
Dates: January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

My list:

1. Author: Kristin Miller
Title: What a Werewolf Wants (San Francisco Wolf Pack, Book 3)

2. Author: Naima Simone
Title: The Millionaire Makeover (Bachelor Auction, Book 2)

3. Author: Jenni Hulet
Title: My Paleo Patisserie

4. Author: Samanthe Beck
Title: Emergency Engagement (Love Emergency, Book 1)

5. Author: Julie Anne Lindsey
Title: A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder (Geek Girl Mysteries, Book 1)

6. Author: Aziz Ansari
Title: Modern Romance

7. Author: Eric Klinenberg
Title: Modern Romance

8. Author: Kira Archer
Title: Truly, Madly, Sweetly (Sweet Love, Book 1)

9: Author: Holly Jennings
Title: Arena

10: Author: Juliet Marillier
Title: Dreamer’s Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1)

11. Author: Valerie Bowman
Title: The Untamed Earl (Playful Brides, Book 5)

12. Author: Chanel Cleeton
Title: Fly with Me (Wild Aces, Book 1)

13. Author: Kate Davies
Title: Cutest Couple (Girls Most Likely To…, Book 2)

14. Author: Marie Kondō
Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

15: Author: Stacy Reid
Title: Accidentally Compromising the Duke (Wedded by Scandal, Book 1)

16: Author: Lynda Aicher
Title: The Harder He Falls (Kick, Book 1)

17. Author: Katee Robert
Title: Foolproof Love (Foolproof Love, Book 1)

18. Author: Stina Lindenblatt
Title: Heat it Up (Off the Ice, Book 1)

19. Author: Lecia Cornwall
Title: Beauty and the Highland Beast (Highland Fairytale, Book 1)

20. Author: A.M. Arthur
Title: Body Rocks (Off Beat, Book 1)

21. Author: Sarah Kuhn
Title: Heroine Complex

22. Author: Sarah Knight
Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck

23. Author: Rachel Lacey
Title: Rock with You (Risking It All, Book 0.5)

24. Author: Julie Mulhern
Title: Bayou Nights (Haunting Desire, Book 2)

25. Author: Kerrigan Byrne
Title: The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels, Book 1)

26. Author: Tessa Bailey
Title: Worked Up (Made in Jersey, Book 3)

27. Author: Alan Moore
Title: Batman: The Killing Joke

28. Author: Julia Kelly
Title: The Governess was Wicked (Governess, Book 1)

29. Author: Tamsen Parker
Title: School Ties

30. Author: Anna Bennett
Title: My Brown-Eyed Earl (The Wayward Wallflowers, Book 1)

31. Author: Kerry Greenwood
Title: Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, Book 1)

32. Author: Tiffany Reisz
Title: Her Halloween Treat (Men at Work, Book 1)

33. Author: Kristi Charish
Title: The Voodoo Killings (Kincaid Strange, Book 1)

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Books I've Read in 2016

For the past six years I've kept track of the books I read. I read so much that everything tends to blend together in my mental library. It's always fun at the end of the year to look back and see what I've read, loved, and want to re-read (and - on the rare occasion - want to avoid). Plus, it's great to share and compare lists with other book bloggers :)

This list is only of books and novellas I've read and finished (though if I read an entire anthology, I list only the anthology title). The books are listed in the order I read them.

There are sure to be many wonderful stories on the list, but the ones with a ** by them are ones I highly recommend.

1. One Night Only (Pleasure Principle) by Roni Loren
2. What a Werewolf Wants (San Francisco Wolf Pack, Book 3) by Kristin Miller
3. The Millionaire Makeover (Bachelor Auction, Book 2) by Naima Simone
4. Innocent in Death (In Death, Book 24) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
5. My Paleo Patisserie by Jenni Hulet
6. Brotherhood in Death (In Death, Book 42) by J.D. Robb
7. A Duchess in Name (The Grantham Girls, Book 1) by Amanda Weaver
8. The Art of Taming a Rake (Legendary Lovers, Book 4) by Nicole Jordan
9. What a Gentleman Wants (Reece Family Trilogy, Book 1 by Caroline Linden
10. Rock Chick (Rock Chick, Book 1) by Kristen Ashley (re-read) **
11. How to Wed a Warrior (Broadswords and Ballrooms, Book 2) by Christy English
12. Carolina Dreaming (Dare Island, Book 5) by Virginia Kantra
13. Midnight Revenge (Killer Instincts, Book 7) by Elle Kennedy
14. Even the Score (Tall, Dark, and Texan, Book 1) by Kate Meader
15. Emergency Engagement (Love Emergency, Book 1) by Samanthe Beck
16. Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5) by Ilona Andrews (re-read)
17. Taking the Score (Tall, Dark, and Texan, Book 2) by Kate Meader
18. Rock Chick Renegade (Rock Chick, Book 4) by Kristen Ashley
19. Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, Book 4.5) by Ilona Andrews
20. Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, Book 6) by Ilona Andrews
21. Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, Book 6.5) by Ilona Andrews
22. Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, Book 7) by Ilona Andrews
23. Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, Book 8) by Ilona Andrews
24. A Geek Girl’s Guide to Murder (Geek Girl Mysteries, Book 1) by Julie Anne Lindsey
25. Fight to the Finish (First to Fight, Book 3) by Jeanette Murray
26. Ain’t She Sweet (Green Mountain, Book 6) by Marie Force
27. A Geek Girl’s Guide to Arsenic (Geek Girl Mysteries, Book 2) by Julie Anne Lindsey
28. Asking for More (Asking for It, Book 2.5) by Lilah Pace **
29. Trifling Favors (Redcakes, Book 7) by Heather Hiestand
30. Creation in Death (In Death, Book 25) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
31. Emergency Delivery (Love Emergency, Book 2) by Samanthe Beck
32. The Study of Seduction (Sinful Suitors, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries **
33. Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews **
34. Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg **
35. Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge, Book 3) by Jill Shalvis
36. The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy (Smythe-Smith Quartet, Book 4) by Julia Quinn
37. Truly, Madly, Sweetly (Sweet Love, Book 1) by Kira Archer
38. The Perfect Fit (Riley O’Brien & Co., Book 2.5) by Jenna Sutton **
39. If the Viscount Falls (The Duke’s Men, Book 4) by Sabrina Jeffries (re-read)
40. Arena by Holly Jennings
41. The Obsession by Nora Roberts
42. 'Til Death Do Us Part by Amanda Quick **
43. Dreamer’s Pool (Blackthorn & Grim, Book 1) by Juliet Marillier
44. Gone with the Wolf (Seattle Wolf Pack, Book 1) by Kristin Miller
45. Four Weddings and a Werewolf (Seattle Wolf Pack, Book 2) by Kristin Miller
46. So I Married a Werewolf (Seattle Wolf Pack, Book 3) by Kristin Miller
47. The Listener (Virtue Falls, Book 0.5) by Christina Dodd (re-read)
48. The Untamed Earl (Playful Brides, Book 5) by Valerie Bowman
49. Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
50. Nick & Meichol & Corin by Mychael Black
51. Virtue Falls (Virtue Falls, Book 1) by Christina Dodd
52. Fly with Me (Wild Aces, Book 1) by Chanel Cleeton **
53. Cutest Couple (Girls Most Likely To…, Book 2) by Kate Davies
54. Wish upon a Wedding (Cricket Creek, Book 10) by LuAnn McLane
55. Rock Chick Revenge (Rock Chick, Book 5) by Kristen Ashley
56. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
57. One Taste of Scandal (Redcakes, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand (re-read)
58. Rock Chick Reckoning (Rock Chick, Book 6) by Kristen Ashley **
59. Sweet Little Lies (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 1) by Jill Shalvis
60. Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane, Book 10) by Elizabeth Hoyt **
61. A Common Scandal (The Grantham Girls, Book 2) by Amanda Weaver
62. Accidentally Compromising the Duke (Wedded by Scandal, Book 1) by Stacy Reid **
63. Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changelings, Book 15) by Nalini Singh
64. The Harder He Falls (Kick, Book 1) by Lynda Aicher
65. Foolproof Love (Foolproof Love, Book 1) by Katee Robert
66. Hanging by a Thread (Riley O’Brien & Co., Book 3) by Jenna Sutton
67. The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings, Book 1) by J.R. Ward
68. Bay of Sighs (The Guardians Trilogy, Book 2) by Nora Roberts
69. Heat it Up (Off the Ice, Book 1) by Stina Lindenblatt
70. Beauty and the Highland Beast (Highland Fairytale, Book 1) by Lecia Cornwall
71. Forevermore (Darkest London, Book 7) by Kristen Callihan
72. Body Rocks (Off Beat, Book 1) by A.M. Arthur
73. Once upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane, Book 10.5) by Elizabeth Hoyt
74. Addicted (Outlaws, Book 2) by Elle Kennedy
75. Stormswept by Sabrina Jeffries
76. The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
77. The Bride Says No (The Brides of Wishmore, Book 1) by Cathy Maxwell
78. A Gift for Guile (The Thief-takers, Book 2) by Alissa Johnson
79. Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn
80. Into the Blue (Wild Aces, Book 2) by Chanel Cleeton **
81. The Bride Says Maybe (The Brides of Wishmore, Book 2) by Cathy Maxwell
82. Playing by Her Rules (Sydney Smoke Rugby, Book 1) by Amy Andrews
83. One Week to Score (Tall, Dark, and Texan, Book 3) by Kate Meader **
84. The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don't Have with People You Don't Like Doing Things You Don't Want to Do by Sarah Knight
85. Rock with You (Risking It All, Book 0.5) by Rachel Lacey
86. His Royal Secret (His Royal Secret, Book 1) by Lilah Pace **
87. Bayou Nights (Haunting Desire, Book 2) by Julie Mulhern
88. The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels, Book 1) by Kerrigan Byrne **
89. Fool Me Once (Foolproof Love, Book 2) by Katee Robert **
90. The Hunter (Victorian Rebels, Book 2) by Kerrigan Byrne **
91. Worked Up (Made in Jersey, Book 3) by Tessa Bailey
92. Seducing the Boss (Pulse, Book 2) by Mari Carr
93. The Highlander (Victorian Rebels, Book 3) by Kerrigan Byrne
94. Even Odds (Slices of Pi, Book 1) by Elia Winters
95. The Groom Says Yes (The Brides of Wishmore, Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell
96. The Widow’s Auction by Sabrina Jeffries (re-read)
97. Tied Score (Slices of Pi, Book 2) by Elia Winters **
98. Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland
99. Wild Embrace (Psy-Changeling, Book 15.5) by Nalini Singh
100. Apprentice in Death (In Death, Book 43) by J.D. Robb
101. Obsession Falls (Virtue Falls, Book 2) by Christina Dodd
102. The Deeper He Hurts (Kick, Book 2) by Lynda Aicher **
103. Stealing Taffy (Bigler, North Carolina, Book 3) by Susan Donovan
104. Because I’m Watching (Virtue Falls, Book 3) by Christina Dodd
105. Magic Stars (Grey Wolf, Book 1 / Kate Daniels, Book 8.5) by Ilona Andrews
106. Playing It Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby, Book 2) by Amy Andrews
107. The Governess was Wicked (Governess, Book 1) by Julia Kelly
108. The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark, Book 1) by Kresley Cole (re-read) **
109. Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, Book 9) by Ilona Andrews **
110. The Widow’s Auction by Sabrina Jeffries (re-read)
111. Tower of Thornes (Blackthorn & Grim, Book 2) by Juliet Marillier
112. Blood Red Kiss (Immortals After Dark, Book 1, MoonBound Clan Vampires, Book 2.5, and Otherworld Assassin, Book 2.5) by Kresley Cole, Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter
113. School Ties by Tamsen Parker
114. The Goal (Off-Campus, Book 4) by Elle Kennedy **
115. The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
116. My Brown-Eyed Earl (The Wayward Wallflowers, Book 1) by Anna Bennett
117. A Fool for You (Foolproof Love, Book 3) by Katee Robert
118. The Governess was Wanton (Governess, Book 2) by Julia Kelly
119. Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, Book 1) by Kerry Greenwood
120. Judgment in Death (In Death, Book 11) by J.D. Robb (re-read) **
121. Her Halloween Treat (Men at Work, Book 1) by Tiffany Reisz
122. Her Naughty Holiday (Men at Work, Book 2) by Tiffany Reisz **
123. Archangel’s Heart (Guild Hunter, Book 9) by Nalini Singh
124. Den of Wolves (Blackthorn & Grim, Book 3) by Juliet Marillier **
125. Ruled (Outlaws, Book 3) by Elle Kennedy
126. The Legendary Lord (Playful Brides, Book 6) by Valerie Bowman
127. The Governess Was Wild (Governess, Book 3) by Julia Kelly
128. Busted (Promise Harbor Wedding, Book 3) by Sydney Somers (re-read)
129. Compromising Her Position (Compromise Me, Book 1) by Samanthe Beck
130. Hard Compromise (Compromise Me, Book 2) by Samanthe Beck
131. The Danger of Desire (Sinful Suitors, Book 3) by Sabrina Jeffries
132. Ian’s Dream Girl (Men at Work, Book 2.5) by Tiffany Reisz
133. One Hot December (Men at Work, Book 3) by Tiffany Reisz
134. Zoe’s Workshop (Guild Hunter) by Nalini Singh (re-read)
135. The Voodoo Killings (Kincaid Strange, Book 1) by Kristi Charish **
136. Duke of Pleasure (Maiden Lane, Book 11) by Elizabeth Hoyt **
137. The Heiress and the Hothead (Sinful Suitors, Book 1.5) by Sabrina Jeffries (re-read)
138. The Heart of Christmas (Maiden Lane) by Elizabeth Hoyt
139. When All the Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz
140. Wound Tight (Made in Jersey, Book 4) by Tessa Bailey **
141. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
142. Keeping Faith by Kris Norris
143. Marry Me on Main Street (Cricket Creek, Book 11) by LuAnn McLane
144. More Than Anything (Magnolia Beach, Book 3) by Kimberly Lang
145. Yes! by Kim Dare (re-read)
146. A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, Book 0.5) by Ilona Andrews (re-read)
147. I Will (Capital Theatre, Book 2.5) by Lisa Kleypas
148. Midnight in Death (In Death, Book 7.5) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
149. Her Naughty Holiday (Men at Work, Book 2) by Tiffany Reisz ** (re-read)
150. Single Player (Slices of Pi, Book 3) by Elia Winters
151. His Royal Secret (His Royal Secret, Book 1) by Lilah Pace (re-read) **
152. So This is Christmas (The Adrien English Mysteries, Book 5.5) by Josh Lanyon

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