Waiting on Wednesday: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

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

I LOVE Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series - it's one of my all-time favorite series and the fourth book in particular (Romancing Mr. Bridgerton) is one of my top 3 favorite historical romance novels. With that being said, it's probably no suprise to anyone that I'm ecstatic over the upcoming release of The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, a collection of "2nd epilogues" for each of the eight books, plus a bonus story about the Bridgerton siblings' mother, Violet.

If you enjoy fun historical romance and are interested in giving the Bridgerton series a try, the first book, The Duke and I is currently on sale on Kindle and Nook for $1.99.

Title: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After
Series: The Bridgertons
Author: Julia Quinn
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Julia Quinn Reading Order

Book Description (from Julia Quinn's website):

Once upon a time, a historical romance author created a family...

But not just any family. Eight brothers and sisters, assorted in-laws, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, (not to mention an overweight corgi), plus an irrepressible matriarch who's a match for any of them... These are the Bridgertons: less a family than a force of nature. Through eight bestselling novels, readers laughed, cried, and fell in love. But they wanted more.

And so the readers asked the author...

What happened next? Does Simon ever read his father's letters? Do Francesca and Michael become parents? Who would win in a Pall Mall grudge match?

Does "The End" really have to be the end?

Now, with The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After, Julia Quinn delivers eight sexy, funny, and heartwarming "2nd epilogues," plus a bonus story about none other than the wise and witty Violet Bridgerton herself. So get to know the Bridgertons all over again — because Happily Ever After is a whole lot of fun.

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Sunday 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:
- Crazy Thing Called Love (Crooked Creek, Book 3) by Molly O’Keefe (available 1/29/13)

All other new reviews:
- By Mutual Desire by Dalton Diaz
- Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, Book 1) by Robin LaFevers
- Fated (Serendipity, Book 1.75) by Carly Phillips
- Perfect Fit (Serendipity’s Finest, Book 1) by Carly Phillips

Upcoming reviews:
- Hex Appeal anthology
- Love is Murder anthology
- Getting Lucky (Marine, Book 2) by Susan Andersen
- Legacy (The League of Illusion, Book 1) by Vivi Anna
- Sinner’s Heart (Hellraisers, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wickedly Good by Anya Breton
- Winterblaze (Darkest London, Book 3) by Kristin Callihan
- Ninja Cupcakes by T.A. Chase
- A Younger Man (Cabin Fever, Book 3) by Cameron Dane
- 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
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Come Fly With Me (Alaskan Nights, Book 2) by Addison Fox
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration, Book 2) by Lia Habel
- Princess in Disguise (The Duchess Diaries, Book 1.5) by Karen Hawkins
- Midnight Alias (Killer Instincts, Book 2) by Elle Kennedy
- If You Give a Girl a Viscount (Impossible Bachelors, Book 4) by Kieran Kramer
- Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin
- Lyon’s Bride (The Chattan Curse, Book 1) by Cathy Maxwell
- The Devil’s Heart (The Chattan Curse, Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Crazy Thing Called Love (Crooked Creek Ranch, Book 3) by Molly O’Keefe
- Educating Elizabeth by Kate Pearce
- Redeeming Jack by Kate Pearce
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Alien Sex 102 by Allie Ritch
- Calculated in Death (In Death, Book 36) by J.D. Robb
- Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Jake (Wyoming Sky, Book 3) by R.C. Ryan
- Wild Invitation (Psy-Changelings) by Nalini Singh
- Daniel’s Surrender (Corporate Affairs, Book 3) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Fifty Shades of Mr. Darcy by William Codpiece Thwackery
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Easy by Tammara Webber

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Review: Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O’Keefe

Crazy Thing Called Love by Molly O’Keefe
Series: Crooked Creek, Book 3
Publisher: Bantam
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
ISBN: 9780345533692
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Madelyn Cornish has worked hard to get where she is: the host of a popular Dallas morning TV show. More importantly, she’s worked even harder to forget who she was and where she came from. But the past comes back to haunt her in the form of her ex-husband, hockey star Billy Wilkins. Billy’s the focus of her show’s on-air makeover project and it’ll take all of Madelyn’s formidable self control to resist her attraction to her bad boy ex. It’s not an easy feat, particularly since Billy seems determined to win her back…

I freely admit that I picked up Crazy Thing Called Love because of the hockey element and the reunion storyline — I’m a sucker for both. But this Crooked Creek novel is sure to delight fans of contemporary romance, whether or not you have any interest in sports.

I absolutely love a good hockey hero and Molly O’Keefe delivers a winner with bad tempered enforcer Billy Wilkins. He’s genuinely rough around the edges, but there’s a wealth of caring within him that makes him an endearing hero. It was wonderful to watch him grow and change over the course of Crazy Thing Called Love. Maddy, in turn, was a bit harder to like. I understand her ambition and wanting to put her history with Billy behind her, but she went a bit too far for me in the beginning. However, by the end of the story Maddy had won me over and I was delighted to see her find happiness with the only man she’s ever loved. Ms. O’Keefe did a masterful job with character development, something I love in a story.

Crazy Thing Called Love was a bit of a slow starter for me. However, when everything in Billy’s life comes crashing down around him, Crazy Thing Called Love starts to roll and I did not want to put it down. Billy becomes guardian to two troubled children who are sure to capture your heart. Ms. O’Keefe adds a sobering dose of reality with Billy’s niece Becky, a thirteen-year-old who’s had to deal with much more in her life than any child should. The plotline involving Billy learning how to be a parent was almost more captivating than his romance with Maddy.

Crazy Thing Called Love is the third Crooked Creek novel, but you don’t have to have read Can’t Buy Me Love or Can’t Hurry Love in order to follow along. However, after finishing Crazy Thing Called Love I’ll definitely be picking up the first two books in the series. With just one book, Ms. O’Keefe has me hooked!

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Review: Fated by Carly Phillips

Fated by Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity, Book 1.75
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781101617236
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link

After a disastrous romance gone bad, Kate Andrews swore she’d never again be second best to a man again. Unfortunately, she’s undeniably attracted to Nick Mancini, a man who never even noticed Kate until her best friend fell in love with someone else. Now Nick’s pursuing Kate with a vengeance and she’ll have to decide whether she’s brave enough to risk her heart on the chance that she and Nick are fated to be together.

Some couples are just meant to be, and that’s the case with Kate and Nick. Author Carly Phillips made me smile over and over again in FATED. Kate’s been burned by love before and she’s understandably wary when Nick — who’s been in love with her best friend Faith — starts asking her out. I loved that Nick pulled out all the stops when it came to trying to win Kate over. Yes, Nick had it bad for Faith in high school, but there’s no question that as an adult he’s head over heels for the woman he never saw as more than a friend. I adored Kate and Nick together and each time I read FATED their love story makes me smile.

FATED is a novella that takes place between the first two books in Ms. Phillips’s SERENDIPITY series. While FATED can easily be read as a standalone, fans of SERENDIPITY will enjoy revisiting some of their favorite characters from that book, particularly Faith, who helps Nick with his campaign to get Kate’s attention.

Like all the SERENDIPITY stories, FATED is warm, sensual and fun. I absolutely adored Kate and Nick’s story and I look forward to re-reading it again and again and again.

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

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Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Series: His Fair Assassin, Book 1
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Genre: YA Historical with paranormal elements
ISBN: 9780547628349
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Ismae Rienne was sired by Death, something that has cursed her her whole life. That is, until she escapes from her brutal father and an arranged marriage and is given sanctuary at the convent of St. Mortain. The nuns who serve St. Mortain aren’t like any Ismae has ever heard of. They serve the god of death, and it is here Ismae learns that St. Mortain has graced her with certain gifts. Gifts that will serve her well as an assassin — a handmaiden of death.

Ismae’s newest assignment is one that will change her life forever. The convent is worlds away from the court of Anne, Duchess of Brittany. It is there that Ismae’s strength and devotion to St. Mortain will be tested. For she must pose as the mistress of Breton noble Gavriel Duval and uncover the identities of those who would betray Anne to France; a task that is more complicated than Ismae could ever imagine. Treachery abounds in Anne’s court, but the convent’s prime target is Duval. Ismae knows in her heart that Duval’s innocent, but can she prove it? Time is running out, for more than Duval’s life rests on the choices Ismae makes.

I have one word for Grave Mercy: spellbinding. Robin LaFevers begins the His Fair Assassin trilogy with a voluptuous novel of death, danger, intrigue, and romance, and I am hooked!

Ismae Rienne is a heroine unlike any I have read about in a long time. There’s a grace and inner beauty to her that shines through the pages of Grave Mercy, but what really captivated me about her was her strength, intelligence, and personal code of honor. Though the nuns of her convent have given her a purpose, Ismae learns that there is more to serving St. Mortain than blindly following the convent’s teachings. Her growth as a handmaiden of death was utterly engaging.

In Grave Mercy, Ismae witnesses the deadly side of court politics in the Duchess of Brittany’s court. At the center of the intrigue is Gavriel Duval, the duchess’s illegitimate half-brother. Ismae’s been sent to determine if Duval is a traitor, but though there are many close to the duchess who will betray her, it’s clear that Duval is not one of them. In Gavriel Duval, Ms. LaFevers has created a hero who captivates and softly seduces the readers as well as Ismae. Duval’s unflinching loyalty, tenderness with those he cares about, and bone-deep honor made me fall for him from the first. Though the romance in Grave Mercy is understated (at least, it is to someone who primarily reads adult romance novels), it fits the book and characters perfectly. Ismae and Duval’s love story was perhaps my favorite aspect of Grave Mercy, for it unfolded over the course of the story beautifully.

A wealth of political intrigue keeps Grave Mercy moving at a fast pace. Given that the book is 549 pages, you’d think there’d be a slow moment here or there. There isn’t. It’s clear that Ms. LaFevers is a master at her craft. There’s not a dull or dragging moment, which is sometimes difficult to pull off when all the characters are fully fleshed out and each twist and turn of the story is completely organic.

In general, I’m picky when it comes to reading young adult novels. I have nothing against them, but I don’t often connect with the characters or writing style. I’m so, so glad I picked up Grave Mercy, because it’s a new favorite read of mine. There isn’t a single thing I didn’t love about the first His Fair Assassin book, unless I count having to wait for the second story, Dark Triumph, to be released.

Whether you like historical fiction, romance, unique characters, the twists and turns of court intrigue, or are just interested in reading an incredibly well-crafted novel, Grave Mercy is the book for you. Brava, Ms. LaFevers!

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Sunday in Review

It’s update time again :)

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

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- The Impetuous Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 2) by Sandy James (available 1/14/13)
- One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, Book 2) by Sarah MacLean (available 1/29/13)
- Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane Series, Book 5) by Elizabeth Hoyt (available 2/26/13)

All other new reviews:
- The Reluctant Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 1) by Sandy James
- Simply Scandalous (House of Pleasure, Book 9) by Kate Pearce

Upcoming reviews:
- Hex Appeal anthology
- Love is Murder anthology
- Getting Lucky (Marine, Book 2) by Susan Andersen
- Legacy (The League of Illusion, Book 1) by Vivi Anna
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wickedly Good by Anya Breton
- Winterblaze (Darkest London, Book 3) by Kristin Callihan
- A Younger Man (Cabin Fever, Book 3) by Cameron Dane
- By Mutual Desire by Dalton Diaz
- 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
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, Book 1) by Robin LaFevers
- Come Fly With Me (Alaskan Nights, Book 2) by Addison Fox
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration, Book 2) by Lia Habel
- Midnight Alias (Killer Instincts, Book 2) by Elle Kennedy
- If You Give a Girl a Viscount (Impossible Bachelors, Book 4) by Kieran Kramer
- Lyon’s Bride (The Chattan Curse, Book 1) by Cathy Maxwell
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Crazy Thing Called Love (Crooked Creek Ranch, Book 3) by Molly O’Keefe
- Educating Elizabeth by Kate Pearce
- Redeeming Jack by Kate Pearce
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Fated (Serendipity, Book 1.75) by Carly Phillips
- Perfect Fit (Serendipity’s Finest, Book 1) by Carly Phillips
- Alien Sex 102 by Allie Ritch
- Calculated in Death (In Death, Book 36) by J.D. Robb
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Jake (Wyoming Sky, Book 3) by R.C. Ryan
- Daniel’s Surrender (Corporate Affairs, Book 3) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Easy by Tammara Webber

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Sandy James Book Order

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

Alliance of the Amazons
Damaged Heroes
Stand Alones

Alliance of the Amazons

Publisher: Carina Press

1. The Reluctant Amazon
Rebecca Massee and Artair MacKay
My Review

2. The Impetuous Amazon
Megan Feurer and Johann Herrmann
My Review

3. The Brazen Amazon
Gina Himmel and Zach Hanson
My Review

4. The Volatile Amazon (est. release September 2013)
Sarita Neeraj


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Damaged Heroes

Publisher: BookStrand

1. Murphy's Law
Seth Remington and Katie Murphy

2. Free Falling
Ross Kennedy and Laurie Miller

3. All the Right Reasons
Lucas Mitchell and Joy Kovacs

4. Faith of the Heart
Joshua Miller and Sarah Reid

5. Twist of Fate
James Williams and Susan Williams


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Stand Alones

Rules of the Game
Scott Brady and Maddie Sawyer
Publisher: Carina Press

Turning Thirty-Twelve
Mark Brennan and Jackie Delgado
Publisher: BookStrand


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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://www.sandy-james.com/

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