Review: Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane, Book 12.75
Publisher: Forever Yours
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781455539185
Release Date: December 5, 2017
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Elizabeth Hoyt Reading Order

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday---and Adam loves his grandmother, so he’ll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they’re forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met…

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she’ll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it’s the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque and admitted rake, loathes Christmas. Sarah St. John loathes rakes. It’s only fitting, then, that the two of them fall in love at Christmastime in the absolutely delightful Once Upon a Christmas Eve. I love a romance where a rake falls for the “on-the-shelf” heroine who isn’t impressed by his charm or good looks so this story was right up my alley.

It’s attraction masked by dislike at first sight when it comes to Adam and Sarah. Adam is used to women falling at his feet, so Sarah’s withering comments ruffle his feathers a bit. While Adam does live up to his reputation when it comes to women, he’s also smart, a genuinely nice man, and a grandson who loves his grandmother very much – how can you resist him? Even someone like Sarah, whose past experiences have given her good reason to distrust charming men, can’t hold out against Adam for very long. She’s his match in every way. She’s quick, intelligent, and clearly loves her family. Sparks strike immediately between these two, and even when they’re bickering the energy between them makes their back-and-forths fun to read. I couldn’t put this story down because Elizabeth Hoyt’s writing had me so wrapped up in Adam and Sarah’s romance. Since this is a novella, they do fall in love rather quickly, but with two such well-suited leads and a wealth of Christmas spirit shining on the page, I didn’t mind the swiftness and simply enjoyed the ride. And what a lovely ride it was. Sarah and Adam’s romance is engaging, sensual, fun, and left me smiling.

Once Upon a Christmas Eve is part of Ms. Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series, but even if you’re new to the books you can easily start with Sarah and Adam’s story. As a fan of the series, I was delighted that Godric and Megs (of Lord of Darkness) played supporting roles and it felt like a little gift to get a peek into their post-happily ever after lives. The only downside of this novella was it brought home once again how much I hate to see the Maiden Lane series end. Ms. Hoyt’s characters are always unique, interesting, and endearing and Adam and Sarah are no exception. If you’re looking for a heartwarming historical romance to get you in the holiday spirit, you definitely want to read Once Upon a Christmas Eve!


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: Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid
Series: Rebellious Desires, Book 1
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781979375153
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Stacy Reid Reading Order

Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, seemingly has it all—wealth, pedigree, and the admiration of the ton, except her heart hungers for a passionate affair. She meets the enigmatic and ruthless Mr. Rhys Tremayne, a man known to low and high society as the Broker. The attraction between them is impossible to deny, but she cannot be feeling it for this man.

Rhys Tremayne has built his wealth and empire by dealing secrets on the black market of the London underworld. He is determined to take his sisters away from the depraved world they’ve known their entire lives, and the duchess is the perfect woman to help sponsor his sisters into society. The only problem is that he wants more from Georgiana, even if the social divide between them ensures she can only ever be his lover in secret.

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night is sensual, interesting, and completely captivating. Stacy Reid has a way of wrapping you up in her writing, which made it really, really, really difficult to put Rhys and Georgiana’s story down.

Rhys is known to one and all as “The Broker.” He’s a man who deals in secrets, all so that he can make a life for his family and give his mother and sisters the life they deserve. Though he’s accumulated wealth and power, the one place Rhys hasn’t been able to infiltrate is the social whirl of the ton. Georgiana is the key to getting his sisters into society, but he finds that he cannot use her as a pawn, not when he’s drawn to her like no other. I absolutely loved Rhys. He’s worked and fought his way up the ladder for the sake of his family. He’s tough, but with a loving heart, and he’s got a quick and canny mind that I found incredibly appealing. Even though he deals in secrets and favors, Rhys has a strong sense of honor. Add in a few hidden pockets of vulnerability and the fact that he’s unbelievably sexy and you’ve got one heck of a swoon-worthy hero.

A hero as confident as Rhys deserves a heroine who can knock him a bit off his stride, and Georgiana fits the bill perfectly. She’s been raised all her life to be a proper duchess and now that she’s a widow with a young son, she continues to fulfill the role her parents and late husband set out for her. But Georgiana is unbelievably lonely, even though she’s the darling of society. Rhys is the first man to see behind the mask, to make Georgiana feel completely alive. The pull between them is so strong that she risks everything to engage in a clandestine affair with Rhys. But it’s clear to readers from the start that these two were meant for so much more than a few heated encounters. Rhys and Georgiana have searingly hot passion going for them, but they fit extremely well outside the bedchamber as well. Ms. Reid made the pages of Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night come alive with their chemistry and I loved getting lost in their romance. The divide in Rhys and Georgiana’s social classes is a huge obstacle in their love story and I liked that I really didn’t know how they would get their happily ever after. I won’t say how things work out, but Ms. Reid definitely did leave me smiling by the end of this book.

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night is the first book in Ms. Reid’s Rebellious Desires series and I absolutely cannot wait for more. From Rhys’s sisters to his best friend, there are a number of characters whose stories I am hoping will be told. If you like engaging, emotional historical romances with a healthy dose of heat, then you won’t want to miss Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night!


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: Trouble Next Door by Stefanie London

Trouble Next Door by Stefanie London
Publisher: Entangled: Lovestruck
Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781979435208
Release Date: November 13, 2017
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

McKenna Prescott is the queen of picking the wrong men. When her latest boyfriend dumps her, she decides to devote her time to “exploring herself” (read: drinking wine and ordering sex toys online) and starting her freelance makeup business. That is, until an embarrassing delivery mix-up puts her sexy, gruff neighbor in her path...

Beckett Walsh is married to his job...which is a deal-breaker for the woman he’s supposed to be marrying. Even worse, his would-be father-in-law has pulled support from Beckett's startup and now Beckett stands to lose everything. But the gorgeous, crazy makeup artist from down the hall has an equally crazy but mutually beneficial idea: if he convinces his sister to hire McKenna for her high-society wedding, McKenna will teach him about what women want so he can get his fiancée back.

All he has to do is make sure he doesn’t fall for the wrong girl.

From its hilarious beginning to the sexy and sweet ending, Trouble Next Door is So. Much. Fun! I had an absolute blast reading McKenna and Beckett’s romance – it was energetic, flirty, sexy, and even heartwarming at times.

Beckett is a serious hero in need of a shakeup. His childhood made him crave stability for himself and his family and he’s completely focused on making the app he’s working on a success. To launch said app, he needs funding and since his ex-fiancée’s father was his biggest investor… Well, things aren’t going too well for Beckett at the beginning of this book. I admired his intelligence and focus and the clear love he had for his family. Beckett definitely has his flaws, but at his core he’s a kind, loving man who is trying to do his best. His world is knocked off-kilter by McKenna, which made me grin more than once. She’s bright, sparkly, and has a larger-than-life personality that I absolutely loved. McKenna is stuck working the beauty counter until she can launch her career as a makeup artist. She’s got talent and determination, but after years of her family beating her down because she doesn’t fit their mold, she is somewhat vulnerable. Her passion for her work and her love of makeup shines and was actually one of my favorite things about Trouble Next Door. When an author really enjoys something and incorporates it into the story, it comes through, adding extra life to the book.

As individuals, McKenna and Beckett are great. As a couple, they’re dynamite. Even when they start out as friends, with McKenna trying to help him get his ex back, they have great chemistry. They’re supportive of one another, they actually listen to each other talk about their work and goals, and that’s fantastic. Add in sizzling chemistry that can’t be denied and it’s easy to see why I absolutely hated having to put Trouble Next Door down. The characters, the romance…there’s such a bright, popping personality to this book that I smile even just thinking about it.

Trouble Next Door is the first book I’ve read by Stefanie London but there’s no way it’ll be my last. I loved Ms. London’s writing; the humor, romance, and character growth was on point and I will definitely be glomming up her backlist. There are some books that just make you happy when you read them, and that’s what Trouble Next Door was for 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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Review: The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum

The Devil of Dunakin Castle by Heather McCollum
Series: Highland Isles, Book 4
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781979375221
Release Date: November 13, 2017
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Heather McCollum Reading Order

Englishwoman, Grace Ellington, has made a home in Scotland, but to escape from the meddling people around her who seem to think she needs to wed right away—because women need saving, right? —she volunteers to journey north to aid a friend in childbirth.

Keir MacKinnon, the younger brother of the MacKinnon clan chief, has been raised to strike fear in people, on and off the battlefield. Trained to uphold MacKinnon law, he has hardened into a lethal warrior. Caught in a Highland blizzard with the feisty Grace, Keir realizes the beautiful woman who saved him can also save his nephew’s life.

Sparks fly when he takes her against her will to his home, and Grace’s courage is put to the ultimate test. Is Keir MacKinnon the passionate, kind man she saved in the Highland blizzard, or is he truly the cruel executioner who seeks to solve all issues by the sword?

A kind hero forced to play the beast, a heroine who is braver and stronger than she knows, and a romance that is by turns sweet and sensual makes The Devil of Dunakin Castle a wonderful read. Heather McCollum’s writing charms the heck out of me and I loved getting lost in Grace and Keir’s story.

Grace is a wholly endearing heroine. She’s the wallflower type who finally gets a chance to come into her own and she shines. In the beginning of the story, she’s looking for adventure. She gets more than she bargained for when she’s nearly mauled by wolves, rescued by Keir, then snowbound with an injured Keir, and then kidnapped by the man so that she may use her healing skills to heal his nephew (these are not spoilers as they all happen right at the beginning of the story). Grace faces all these obstacles with determined practicality and strong spirit, which I adored. She has more spine than she knows, which she’ll need if she wants to claim Keir for her own. Keir has been groomed since childhood to be the Devil of Dunakin Castle, the great and brutal defender of the MacKinnon clan. His reputation is larger-than-life, making him feared by all except his family and closest friend who know the truth: that Keir is a good, strong, fair man. My heart broke for Keir, who is forced to be an isolated monster and carry out punishments in the name of his increasingly bloodthirsty brother.

Grace is the first woman not cowed by Keir’s reputation. She sees the man beneath the mask and I absolutely loved that. The two of them have great chemistry from the start. They’re the kind of couple that fits perfectly. But with treachery afoot at Dunakin Castle and Keir’s sworn duty as the Devil in the way, the road to happily ever after isn’t an easy one. I was rooting for them every step of the way and their love story is an excellent mix of sweetness and steam.

The Devil of Dunakin Castle is the fourth book in Ms. McCollum’s Highland Isles series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I have been reading this series out of order and have had no problems other than I desperately want to find the time to catch up because I love Ms. McCollum’s writing. If you’re a fan of Julie Garwood’s Highland romances, then you’re going to love The Devil of Dunakin Castle. It’s a spirited, delightful read with characters who will easily grab your heart.


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: Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane, Book 12.5
Publisher: Forever Yours
Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 9781455539208
Release Date: November 14, 2017
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Elizabeth Hoyt Reading Order

Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth---to the rakishly handsome artistocrat himself…

Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He's drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him---ladies simply don't dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can't help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry's world---or in his heart.

Once Upon a Maiden Lane is an utterly charming read! Mary Whitsun was introduced to readers in the first Maiden Lane book, Wicked Intentions, so I was delighted that – as the series comes to a close – the now-adult Mary gets a story of her own. Mary is witty, kind, and an overall endearing heroine. Even though she has grown up under the loving care of Temperance, now Lady Caire, Mary has never had a life all her own and there’s something a bit lonely about her at the beginning of the story. That’s why she’s wary, yet hopeful, when she learns that she might have a family that has been looking for her all her life.

Mary simply shines in this story and comes into her own, though not just because of her change in status. She’s a lovely woman and I wanted her to have the fairytale life and love she so deserves. What happens I will not spoil, but since this is a romance it’s safe to say that a happily ever after is guaranteed. I absolutely adored Mary and Henry’s love story. Henry may be an aristocrat, but he’s no snob. He’s a kind, loving man with charm and good looks to spare. He and Mary had instant chemistry and I cannot count the number of times they made me smile. The two of them fit like lock and key; they have friendship, passion, shared interests, and they just simply work as a couple. As this is a novella, the timeline of the romance is a bit swift, but I didn’t mind being swept away because I was so entranced by Elizabeth Hoyt’s writing.

Once Upon a Maiden Lane can be read as a standalone and is sure to delight anyone who likes a good fairytale-like historical romance. That being said, part of what made this story so satisfying to me was getting to see or hear mention of some of my favorite Maiden Lane heroes and heroines. Temperance, for example, plays a significant supporting role and warms my heart, and of course it takes no time at all for the irreverent Duke of Montgomery to steal the page. I cannot adequately express how much I enjoyed Once Upon a Maiden Lane. It’s a heartwarming story I know I will be reading again and again and again.


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: Dirty Games by Samanthe Beck

Dirty Games by Samanthe Beck
Series: Tropical Temptation, Book 4
Publisher: Entangled: Brazen
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781640633919
Release Date: November 13, 2017
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

A five figure fee. A private villa at an exclusive tropical paradise. Absolute compliance. Top tier celebrity trainer Luke McLean demands all of the above, plus strict adherence to his zero bullshit policy. Especially when faced with six short weeks to whip a spoiled starlet into leading lady shape.

Quinn Sheridan suddenly has half the time she anticipated to turn herself into an action hero for the role of her career. Luckily, her agent calls in a secret weapon, but the demanding, drop dead gorgeous hardass fails to understand SHE’S the client. She has no problem taking direction, but Luke’s definition of cooperation feels more like complete and utter submission. And she’s tempted to give it to him…

Samanthe Beck takes readers on one deliciously naughty tropical getaway in the aptly-titled Dirty Games. While this book has sun, fun, and enough steam to delight anyone looking for a fast and hot read, there’s also a healthy dose of emotion that gives the story heart and makes you want to come back for more.

Quinn Sheridan is a hardworking actress on the verge of making it big, going from popular TV actress to blockbuster movie star. The only problem is, after recovering from a knee sprain she is out of shape and only has six weeks to get into a skintight leather cat suit. When her agent sends her to paradise, it’s not for fun, but for hardass trainer Luke McLean to get her video game heroine-ready. Both Quinn and Luke had me from the get-go. Luke may be strict, but he’s also caring and compassionate. He’s got a good heart and he’s very good with his hands, which makes him a pretty drool-worthy hero. He’s been burned by Hollywood in the past and has no desire to get sucked into Quinn’s world. But there’s something about the spirited, determined actress he can’t help but be drawn to. Quinn is no spoiled diva, but someone who has worked hard to get where she is and who has very real emotional problems that comes from having an addict twin and a mother who enables him. There were times that my heart just broke for Quinn. I loved her mix of strength and vulnerability. She’s not used to being able to count on someone and that sometimes leads her to making mistakes. Her romance with Luke is fast-paced, but the situation Quinn is in means she has to open up relatively quickly to him which breaks down some of his walls in turn. Sparks fly between the two of them from the start, but their trainer-client relationship and all that goes with it means that getting involved is a terrible idea. Terrible idea or not, the sexual tension between them is hot as hell and when that tension boils over… Well, this book isn’t called Dirty Games for no reason.

Dirty Games is has a great mix of passion, fantasy, and emotion. It has all the sparks and sass I’ve come to expect from Ms. Beck’s work and I hated it whenever I had to put the book down. All in all I adored Dirty Games and I cannot wait to revisit Quinn and Luke!


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: Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh

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

I'll say up front that there's no book by Nalini Singh I wouldn't read, so it's easy to see why Cherish Hard is a Waiting on Wednesday pick for me. That being said, even if Ms. Singh was a new-to-me author, this book sounds like it'd be up my alley. I can't wait to "meet" Sailor and Isa!

Title: Cherish Hard
Series: Hard Play, Book 1
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Release Date: November 14, 2017
Nalini Singh Reading Order

Book Description (from Amazon):

Sailor Bishop has only one goal for his future – to create a successful landscaping business. No distractions allowed. Then he comes face-to-face and lips-to-lips with a woman who blushes like an innocent… and kisses like pure sin.

Ísa Rain craves a man who will cherish her, aches to create a loving family of her own. Trading steamy kisses with a hot gardener in a parking lot? Not the way to true love. Then a deal with the devil (aka her CEO-mother) makes Ísa a corporate VP for the summer. Her main task? Working closely with a certain hot gardener.

And Sailor Bishop has wickedness on his mind.

As Ísa starts to fall for a man who makes her want to throttle and pounce on him at the same time, she knows she has to choose – play it safe and steady, or risk all her dreams and hope Sailor doesn’t destroy her heart.

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