Saturday, August 31, 2013

Review: Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes by Gina Lamm

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes by Gina Lamm
Series: Geek Girls, Book 2
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Time-Travel Romance Geek Girls Dont Date Dukes Cover
Release Date: September 3, 2013
ISBN: 9781402277627
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Like any woman with a Darcy-loving soul, Leah Ramsey jumps at the chance to travel through time and find her true love. Only her trip to Regency England is nothing like she envisioned. Rather than taking tea with the ladies of the ton, Leah finds herself cleaning fireplaces in her position as maid in the Duke of Granville’s household. Not one to be defeated so easily, Leah is determined to catch the eye of the duke and win him over like any good historical romance heroine would. The problem is, it’s not the duke who makes Leah want to strip down to her shift, but the duke’s oh-so-unsuitable valet.

Former boxer turned valet Avery Russell isn’t quite sure what to do when a beautiful woman comes tumbling through a mirror and claims to be from the future. Leah’s like no other woman he’s ever met and Avery can’t resist helping her; even if that means he has to go out of his way to assist her in capturing his employer’s heart. Yet the longer he’s around Leah, the more Avery wants her for himself. He knows he’s not the right man for her – if he gets too close to her, the all-too-dangerous ghosts of his past might decide to use her as leverage against him.

Can a modern woman convince a pugilist from the past that their love is worth fighting for?

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes is a delightful story with energy and charm to spare. Author Gina Lamm made me fall in love with her hero and heroine from the first, and because of that I couldn’t put Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes down.

I loved Leah’s spunky attitude and willingness to work hard to make her dreams come true…even if that work is less than pleasant. Like Leah, I’m a geek girl and a historical romance novel enthusiast, so I understood her daydreams about travelling to the past. Even though you know life wouldn’t be anything like it is for the heroines of our favorite novels, you can’t help but dream that it’d be easy to go back in time and win the heart of a handsome duke. Because I identified with Leah’s fantasies, I had to grin over some of the trials and tribulations a historical romance lover such as Leah faces when she takes a trip to the “real” Regency England (though admittedly Leah’s trials did eventually being to wear, and thus slow the book down).

The only person who’s anything like the hero of Leah’s dreams is a beaten down valet who yearns to be free of his past. Avery broke my heart and made me swoon at the same time. He’s a sexy-as-hell hero who deserves the love and acceptance Leah can give him. Life hasn’t been kind to Avery and though both he and Leah try to resist each other, Ms. Lamm had me rooting for them to beat the considerable odds stacked against them and find their happily ever after together. While I liked that Avery and Leah did eventually get their happy ending, the one thing that kept me from absolutely loving Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes is said ending. Though I won’t spoil what happened, the ending of the book felt incredibly rushed and left me with quite a few questions. A few more chapters – even one more chapter – would have brought the book to a more satisfying close.

Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes is the second book in Ms. Lamm’s Geek Girls series, but since I haven’t read the first book, The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl, I can safely say that Leah and Avery’s story can be read as a standalone. Leah’s best friend Jamie, heroine of The Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl, is the inspiration for Leah’s adventure and I will definitely be picking up Jamie’s book. I hope Ms. Lamm has more Geek Girls books planned, because I love a good nerdy heroine and Ms. Lamm’s zippy writing style ensures that there are plenty more adventures to be found for geeky women in fish-out-of-water tales.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon


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

I'm a huge Sherrilyn Kenyon fan and the Dark-Hunter series is one of my favorites of hers (along with The MacAllisters/Brotherhood of the Sword series). It should come as no surprise, then, that I'm incredibly excited for Styxx to be released next week. As a huge Acheron fan, I'm interested in learning Styxx's side of the story.

Styxx Cover Title: Styxx
Series: Dark-Hunters, Book 23
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Sherrilyn Kenyon Reading Order and Reviews

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Just when you thought doomsday was over...

Centuries ago Acheron saved the human race by imprisoning an ancient evil bent on absolute destruction. Now that evil has been unleashed and it is out for revenge.

As the twin to Acheron, Styxx hasn’t always been on his brother’s side. They’ve spent more centuries going at each other’s throats than protecting their backs. Now Styxx has a chance to prove his loyalty to his brother, but only if he’s willing to trade his life and future for Acheron’s.

The Atlantean goddess of Wrath and Misery, Bethany was born to right wrongs. But it was never a task she relished. Until now. She owes Acheron a debt that she vows to repay, no matter what it takes. He will join their fellow gods in hell and nothing is going to stop her.

But things are never what they seem, and Acheron is no longer the last of his line. Styxx and Acheron must put aside their past and learn to trust each other or more will suffer.

Yet it’s hard to risk your own life for someone who once tried to take yours, even when it's your own twin, and when loyalties are skewed and no one can be trusted, not even yourself, how do you find a way back from the darkness that wants to consume the entire world? One that wants to start by devouring your very soul?

Blog Tour: A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

I’ve been a huge fan of Anna Campbell’s since her debut novel, Claiming the Courtesan, so I was thrilled when Forever invited me to be part of this blog tour. While Ms. Campbell’s newest release, A Rake’s Midnight Kiss, is worlds away in tone from her noir historical romance debut, one thing remains the same: Ms. Campbell’s phenomenal storytelling.

My review of A Rake’s Midnight Kiss can be found here (spoiler alert – I loved it!). Ms. Campbell’s second Sons of Sin novel is sensual, bright, and completely romantic. Don’t trust me? Check out the blurb and excerpt below – I dare you not to be intrigued by Richard and Genevieve.


Book Description

A Rakes Midnight Kiss CoverIt Takes a Lady
Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father's academic articles has always been her greatest deception-until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn't reveal that she recognizes her father's devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all...

To Catch a Thief
Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure...


Excerpt

She caught her breath on a frightened hiccup and struggled. “Let me go!”

His arms tightened like straps, controlling her with mortifying ease. Genevieve was a tall, strong girl, no frail lily, but the thief was taller and stronger. She’d never before measured her strength against a man’s. It rankled how easily he restrained her. She’d never been so aware of another person’s physical reality. The experience was disturbing beyond her natural terror of an intruder. “Hush, Miss Barrett. I give you my word I mean no harm.”

“Then release me.” She panted, her wriggles achieving nothing beyond the collapse of her never very secure coiffure.

“Not unless you put the gun down.”

She maneuvered to elbow him in the belly, but his grip made it impossible. “Then I’ll be at your mercy,” she said breathlessly.

A grunt of laughter escaped him. “There’s that to consider.”

He was so close that his amusement vibrated through her. The sensation was uncomfortably intimate. A few more of those blasted deft movements and he snatched her weapon. He placed it beyond reach on the desk.

“I’ll scream.”
A Rakes Midnight Kiss Cover
“There’s nobody to hear,” he said carelessly, and in that moment, she truly hated him.

“You’re despicable,” she hissed, trying and failing to free herself. Her heart galloped with fright and anger. With him, and with herself for being a stupid, weak female, prey to an overbearing male.

“Sticks and stones.”

He drew her into his body and took a sliding step backward. She became conscious not just of his size and strength—those had been apparent from the moment he caught her up—but also of his enveloping heat and the way that he smelled pleasantly of something herbal. Fresh. Tangy.

This ruffian took the trouble to wash regularly.

He reversed another step and opened the door with a rattle, containing her struggles beneath one arm with humiliating ease. Fear spurred rage. She wrenched hard against him and tried without success to sink her fingernails into his forearm.

“No, you don’t,” he huffed, tugging her closer.

“I’ll have your liver for this,” she snarled, even as his scent continued to prick her senses. What was that smell?

“You’ll have to catch me first.”

She wished she didn’t notice how laughter warmed that deep, musical voice. Any angry response died in furious shock as he brushed his cheek softly against the wing of hair covering her cheek.

Au revoir, Miss Barrett.”


Purchase A Rake's Midnight Kiss here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Monday, August 26, 2013

Monday in Review

It’s update time again :)

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

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- A Rake’s Midnight Kiss (Sons of Sin, Book 2) by Anna Campbell (available 8/27/13)

All other new reviews:
- Just in Time (Alaskan Nights, Book 3) by Addison Fox
- Maid of Dishonor (The Wedding Season, Book 3) by Heidi Rice
- Seeing Red by Jill Shalvis
- Her Ladyship’s Curse (Disenchanted & Co., Book 1, Part 1) by Lynn Viehl

Upcoming reviews:
- Christmas on Main Street by JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, LuAnn McLane, and Alexis Morgan
- Rise of the Gryphon (Belador, Book 4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
- The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap by Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Kimberly Kincaid
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- Mystery Man (Dream Man, Book 1) by Kristen Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker
- Down for the Count (Dare Me, Book 1) by Christine Bell
- Down and Dirty (Dare Me, Book 2) by Christine Bell
- Bolted (Promise Harbor Wedding, Book 2) by Meg Benjamin
- The Bridesmaid’s Best Man by Susanna Carr
- Cowboy Waltz by Cameron Dane
- Drawn Together (Brown Siblings, Book 6) by Lauren Dane
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Gossamer Wing (Steam and Seduction, Book 1) by Delphine Dryden
- 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
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Cowboy Take Me Away (Rainbow Valley, Book 1) by Jane Graves
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Cursed (Fallen Siren, Book 1) by S.J. Harper
- Beauty Bites (Biting Love, Book 6) by Mary Hughes
- Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
- Since You’ve Been Gone (Welcome to Paradise, Book 4) by Elle Kennedy
- Caught Up in You (Loving on the Edge, Book 4) by Roni Loren
- True by Erin McCarthy
- Moonlight Kiss (Cricket Creek, Book 5) by LuAnn McLane
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Soul Sucker by Kate Pearce
- The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
- Thankless in Death (In Death, Book 37) by J.D. Robb
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Always on My Mind (Lucky Harbor, Book 8) by Jill Shalvis
- Rumor Has It (Animal Magnetism, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
- This Is Who I Am (Masters of the Shadowlands, Book 7) by Cherise Sinclair
- Archangel’s Legion (Guild Hunter, Book 6) by Nalini Singh
- Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
- Sully’s Sweet Salvation by Sierra Summers
- The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- His Lordship Possessed (Disenchanted & Co., Book 2) by Lynn Viehl
- Easy by Tammara Webber

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Review: A Rake's Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

A Rake’s Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell
Series: Sons of Sin, Book 2
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Romance A Rakes Midnight Kiss Cover
Release Date: August 27, 2013
ISBN: 9781455512102
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Anna Campbell Reading Order

It’s no secret that Sir Richard Harmsworth is illegitimate. All of society knows it, and many choose to rub his face in the circumstances of his birth. Determined not to let the ton see how much the whispers and outright mocking bother him, Richard wears a mask of rakish gaiety. But one night it becomes too much and Richard decides to go on a quest. He’ll find the lost Harmsworth Jewel – a piece that legend claims signifies the rightful heir – and he’ll rub society’s nose in it. After tracking stone to a small town in Oxfordshire, Richard dons to guise of Christopher Evans and sets out to seduce the stone from its bookish owner. What Richard doesn’t expect when he sets out to find the Harmsworth Jewel is something far more valuable than any gem…

Hiding one’s true nature from the world is something Genevieve Barrett excels at. No one knows that she’s the brilliant mind behind her father’s scholarly papers. Genevieve is content to bury herself in books and she’s planning on breaking away from her current life and making a name for herself by writing about the Harmsworth Jewel. But when the mysterious Christopher Evans shows up, claiming he wants to her father to tutor him in medieval history, Genevieve learns that desire can be even more alluring than the life she has planned out for herself.

Richard never expected to fall for Genevieve, but now that he has, he has to wonder if she’ll ever forgive him for his deception. Then again, if a madman after the jewel has his way, Richard won’t live long enough to find out.

Secrets, seduction, and sparkling chemistry are the name of the game in A Rake’s Midnight Kiss. Author Anna Campbell has once again delivered a richly entertaining tale, complete with beautifully-drawn characters and a romance that’ll leave you smiling.

Richard is a hero you can’t help but sigh over. He’s handsome, protective, and kind, but he isn’t perfect. People have used his illegitimacy as a weapon against him all his life and my heart broke for how scarred he is because of this. Richard’s need to prove himself to society causes him to make many mistakes, but it also leads him to Genevieve, the woman who helps Richard heal his heart. Genevieve is a brilliant woman who’s out of her depth when it comes to dealing with Richard (or Christopher, as she knows him for much of the book). I loved Genevieve’s intelligence and I admired her determination to make name and a life for herself in a male-dominated field. The banter between Richard and Genevieve is lively and incredibly entertaining. I can’t count the number of times the two of them made me grin.

In addition to the romance, the character arcs, and Richard’s quest for the jewel, Ms. Campbell adds a large dollop of danger in the form of an obsessive collector who’s also after the jewel – and Genevieve. This is the one plotline I wasn’t quite so fond of, mainly because I was frustrated by the Barrett family’s blindness when it came to the villain. That being said, I did actually like the darker undercurrents this storyline added overall.

A Rake’s Midnight Kiss is the second book in the Sons of Sin series, but it can be read as a standalone. Richard’s two best friends do play strong supporting roles, Cam in particular. I give you fair warning, however: if you’re anything like me then this book will leave you more eager than ever for Cam's book. A Rake’s Midnight Kiss is very different from the first Sons of Sin book, the gothic Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed. Indeed, it’s actually quite different from a lot of Ms. Campbell’s books, as it’s more lighthearted. As much as I love Ms. Campbell’s darker books (and I do count them among my favorites), Richard and Genevieve’s story was fun change of pace.

Anna Campbell is a master of historical romance and every book she writes has been a winner to me. A Rake’s Midnight Kiss adds to the treasure trove that is Ms. Campbell’s work and I cannot wait to read the next Sons of Sin novel!

Anna Campbell Book Order

Click on series title to jump to a particular reading order:

Lairds Most Likely
Dashing Widows
Sons of Sin
Stand Alones


Lairds Most Likely

1) The Laird’s Willful Lass

2) The Laird’s Christmas Kiss

3) The Highlander’s Lost Lady

4) The Highlander’s Defiant Captive

5) The Highlander’s Christmas Quest


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Dashing Widows

1) The Seduction of Lord Stone

2) Tempting Mr. Townsend

3) Winning Lord West

4) Pursuing Lord Pascal

5) Charming Sir Charles

6) Catching Captain Nash

7) Lord Garson’s Bride


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Sons of Sin


0.5) Days of Rakes and Roses
Simon and Lydia
My Review

1) Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed
Jonas and Sidonie
My Review

2) A Rake's Midnight Kiss
Richard and Genevieve
My Review

3) What a Duke Dares
Camden and Penelope
My Review

4) A Scoundrel by Moonlight
James and Nell
My Review

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Standalones


Claiming the Courtesan
Justin and Verity

Untouched
Matthew and Grace

Tempt the Devil
Julian and Olivia

Captive of Sin
Gideon and Charis
My Review

My Reckless Surrender
Tarquin and Diana
My Review

Midnight's Wild Passion
Nicholas and Antonia
My Review

The Winter Wife
Sebastian and Alicia

These Haunted Hearts
Josiah and Isabella
Miles and Calista

His Christmas Cinderella (in A Grosvenor Square Christmas)

Her Christmas Earl
Blair and Philippa

The Christmas Stranger

A Match Made in Mistletoe

Mistletoe and the Major

A Pirate for Christmas

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Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://annacampbell.com/

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Last Groom Standing by Kimberly Lang


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

I've loved the multi-author Wedding Season Quartet so far (The Unexpected Wedding Guest, Girl Least Likely to Marry, and Maid of Dishonor), so it's no surprise that I'm eager to read the final book, Last Groom Standing. I have a lot of questions about Marnie and Dylan and I'm hoping Ms. Lang answers them all :)

Last Groom Standing Cover Title: Last Groom Standing
Series: The Wedding Season, Book 4
Author: Kimberly Lang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin KISS
Release Date: September 17, 2013

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Marnie Price's guide to surviving the bridesmaid blues…

1. Get a new man

2. Find a new job

3. When in doubt, drink wine!

Having watched her three closest friends all find love, Southern belle Marnie Price feels as if she's the only single girl left. Luckily she's found a solution—one sizzling night with Dylan Brookes. This man wears a wedding tux better than anyone, but all Marnie wants to do is get beneath it!

Dylan is all about making the sensible choice, and a fling with his ex's friend Marnie is about as far from sensible as he can get! Marnie might prove to him that taking risks is worth it, but that doesn't mean he's ready to give up his bachelor status quite yet, does it…?