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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