Veena’s review of Forbidden To Love The Duke (Fenwick Sisters Affairs, Book 1) by Jillian Hunter
Historical Romance published by Signet Books 03 Feb 15

This book is a delightful romp as James, Duke of Ellsworth attempts to seduce and tempt the governess. He first met Ivy Fenwick at a masquerade ball and kissed her. Would things have taken a different turn if he hadn’t left for war and Ivy’s father hadn’t been killed in a duel, labeled a cheater? It’s hard to tell because the reality is that James has never forgotten Ivy and she’s never forgotten her first kiss, but the intervening years have been hard on both of them. Now James wants a castle for his mistress, her as governess for his wards – dash it, perhaps he’d rather have her in his bed instead of his planned mistress and she…

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If you’re a fan of Bec McMaster‘s London Steampunk series, then no doubt you have a favorite character.

How about if you could be any character from the series? Would you choose your favorite?

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Bec McMaster brings together the threads she’s spun in her earlier books for a thrilling conclusion to the  London Steampunk series.  If you haven’t read this series, then you’re in for a treat as you get to experience Victorian England straight out of the imagination of the author, particularly the oh-so-not-romantic relationship between the young queen and her beloved husband.

Aramina is a lady-in-waiting to the queen, a rare female blueblood who holds a position of power at court.  Try as she can to hate Leo and get her revenge against the Barrons family for their treatment of her father, she just can’t seem to resist him. The chemistry between these two will raise your temperature as you follow her into the dregs of London in search of Leo’s secrets. All the characters from the earlier series come on stage to play their part in bringing the series to an exciting finish.

Sourcebooks is offering up a copy of Of Silk and Steam in a Rafflecopy giveaway, so be sure to get your entry in ASAP!

Summary:

ENEMIES. ALLIES. LOVERS.

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina’s long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she’s hiding something, and he’s determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn’t expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort…or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.

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Veena’s review of Of Silk and Steam (London Steampunk, Book 5) by Bec McMasters
Steampunk Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 03 Mar 15

I fondly recall the first time I was introduced to this genre and my feelings about how this was not something that would ever appeal to me. Well, I can freely admit that Ms. McMasters has definitely proved that claim false, because I have very definitely enjoyed this series, which skillfully blends the paranormal elements of vampirism and weres with the steamy elements of technology to create a Victorian England that is so very different from what we read in the history books.

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Stevie‘s review of Whisper (Aidan Falls, Book 0.5) by Crystal Green
Contemporary New Adult Romance published by InterMix 20 Jan 15

Back in the days when I had lots of free time in which to browse the internet, I would sometimes lose hours to browsing the various sites that spun off from the Post Secrets community art project. So the idea of something similar existing as a phone app and being the starting point for a New Adult series definitely appealed to me. However, I’ve was a bit dubious about the ease with which users are able to recognise themselves in others’ posts, and this story got around that potential barrier rather neatly.

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I hope you’ve been following along with Grace Burrowes‘ new contemporary series, Sweetest Kisses. If so, you know what fun these books are. If not? Well, you’re definitely missing out, and you should catch up soon!

The Knightley brothers are sexy, honorable, and know how to treat their women – even before they become their women. And these heroines are perfect matches for the brothers – feisty, intelligent, and just as fun as the men are.

So take a few minutes to meet James and Vera. Then be sure to pick up a copy of their story, and make sure you get the other two books while you’re at it. What a great reading session that will be!

Summary:

Classical pianist Vera Waltham is recovering from a bad break up by taking a hiatus with her daughter in the Damson Valley countryside. She’s content with her music, and has no interest in complicating her life with further attempts at romance.

Attorney James Knightley is a numbers guy who reads contractual fine print for lunch, and wants nothing to do with damsels, in distress or otherwise. Nobody is more surprised than James when he falls for Vera Waltham, and the only contract on James’s mind when it comes to Vera is holy matrimony.

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Sandy M’s review of The First Kiss (Sweetest Kisses, Book 2) by Grace Burrowes
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 3 Feb 15

I try not to be redundant in writing my reviews, but in this case, I can’t help it! I love this series! I wish there were eight or ten Knightley brothers instead of three, so the series would go on and on and on. Everything about these books hits the mark with me – the characters, the storylines, Ms. Burrowes’ writing, the pacing, and so on. One more book to go. Then I think I’ll be down in the dumps for a bit, no more Knightleys to read and have such fun with.

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Stevie‘s review of Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Historical Fiction published by NAL 03 Feb 15

With all the anniversaries kicking around this year and last, it’s no surprise to see so many books set during the first and second world wars. Which is great for someone like me with a strong interest in 20th Century social history. However, being interested in the era, combined with having lived in (or had friends in) many and varied parts of the UK, means that I’m easily thrown out of a story by details that don’t feel quite right. So how did this book, which I gather has gained stellar reviews elsewhere, live up to my stringent demands?

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Sandy M’s review of The Red Bikini (Sandy Cove, Book 1) by Lauren Christopher
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 1 Jul 14

I’m always happy to tell folks when I’m wrong about the reasons I put off reading a book. Especially when few of those times I end up with a terrifically unexpected surprise and a new author to add to my list. It was the surfing aspect of this story that just didn’t appeal to me for some reason. Yeah, I know, stupid reason, as it turns out. Now, however, I’m so glad I’ve met Fin, Giselle, and Coco, as well as Lia and Noelle, Giselle’s sisters, who will be featured in the next two books. Sandy Cove could definitely become a home away from home.

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Sandy M’s review of A Reason to Love (Snowberry Creek, Book 3) by Alexis Morgan
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 6 May 14

I was hoping this series would grow on me more than it has over the last year or so. Unfortunately, I enjoy Alexis Morgan’s paranormal stories over her contemporaries. I had higher hopes for this book, because we learn that Spence’s death has been greatly exaggerated, and he’s the reason that everything that’s happened throughout the series has occurred in Snowberry Creek. Now, all this being said, that doesn’t mean these aren’t books you may not enjoy. While they don’t equal the page-turning fervor I get when I read Ms. Morgan’s paranormals, they’re still good books because she’s a very talented author who can weave an entertaining read one way or another, no matter what.

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Veena’s review of Shadow Study (Soulfinder, Book 1) by Maria V. Snyder
Fantasy Romance published by MIRA 24 Feb 15

Towards the end of last year I was in a bit of a panic as no book seemed to appeal to me, and for the first time I had Cs and Ds and DNFs littering my reviews.  I am so glad that this trend is reversing itself, because I would be lost without good books. Ms. Snyder and this book have happily become a part of the new-to-me authors and series that I wish to add to my good-books list. If this trend continues, I might actually have to cull that list, but that would be a tale for another time. Except for a few rare twinges, I really didn’t miss not having read the earlier books in the series, while I totally lost myself in this fascinating world and even more fascinating characters.

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Veena’s review of Secret Harbor (Windfall Island, Book 3) by Anna Sullivan
Romantic Suspense published by Forever 24 Feb 15

Only three people could be the possible descendants of the long-lost heiress Eugenia Stanhope.  Maggie has the famous sapphire blue eyes, Jessi has the blanket that the baby was wrapped up in, and Paige has a ruby and diamond pin made from a priceless necklace that was lost with the baby. The three ladies, along with their significant others, try to unravel long-hidden secrets to get to the truth. It’s a race against time to keep the heiress alive and protected, while bringing the truth to light against the machinations of the current head of Family Stanhope.  I have enjoyed this series and definitely recommend it to readers who like their romance seasoned with a dash of suspense.

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Veena’s review of Cursed by Fire (Immortal Brothers, Book 1) by Jacquelyn Frank
Fantasy Romance published by Ballantine Books 24 Feb 15

This is a brand new series featuring the first of what will be four immortal warriors who defied their gods to gain immortality.  For their transgressions, they were punished in various horrific ways worse than death ever could be. Dethan, the hero of this story, is chained in hell and doomed to burn in flames that flay his flesh while his immortality keeps him alive.  Poor tortured hero, but there’s a lovely damsel who’ll succor and heal his wounds, plus capricious gods added to the mix. Sounds like a story totally up my alley…

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Veena’s review of The Girls Of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
Women’s Fiction published by MIRA 24 Feb 15

If you’re looking for a light-hearted summer romance, then this is not the right book for you. I personally wouldn’t even characterize this as a romance.  Instead it’s a beautiful story about life and love and choices set in a beautiful part of Southern California. Like real life, it’s got the highs and lows that everyone goes through in their day-to-day routines. This book is a realistic story about three women who became friends despite their differences. As we spend time with each woman and delve into their life and psyche, I find myself transported into the different stages of my own life as I rejoiced with them, cried with them, and laughed with them.
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Sandy M’s review of Sweet Surprise (Sweet, Texas, Book 4) by Candis Terry
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 27 Jan 15

I love small-town America stories, and Candis Terry has become one of my favorite authors in that respect. She also is a fave when it comes to writing brothers, another part of romance I really like. So this Sweet, Texas series has been a lot of fun for me, just as her Sugar Shack series was. The Wilder family is close-knit and full of love for each other, as well as those who have been extended the distinction of being an honorary Wilder. This story is about two of those honorees.

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