REVIEW: To Catch an Earl by Kate Bateman
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Jun 20
Emma Danvers and Alex Harland first met at a society event in a garden, where they exchanged an unforgettable kiss. Alex subsequently went off to war and came back a changed man. Emma has also grown up. She’s now masquerading as the Nightjar, her father’s nom de plume, to steal priceless jewels to keep her family safe. What a chase Emma leads Alex on as he tries to reconcile the kiss he’s never forgotten with the intriguing jewel thief who’s stealing his heart.
REVIEW: The Highlander’s Destiny by Mary Wine
Historical Romance published by Dragonblade Publishing 02 Nov 20
I enjoy Ms. Wine’s stories in Scotland because her heroines are feisty lasses who capture my imagination by taking destiny in their own hands. Cora MacKenzie is no exception. When fate finds her in the middle of a storm fighting for her life, she takes on the very elements and forges her own future. Fortunately Faolan McKay is a very likeable match to her.
REVIEW: The Real World by Kathleen Jowitt
Stevie‘s review of The Real World (Stancester, Book 2) by Kathleen Jowitt
Contemporary LGBT+ Fiction published by Kathleen Jowitt 16 Sep 20
I’ve waited a long time for a sequel to Speak Its Name and I finally got my wish this year when the author contacted me with the offer of a review copy. Picking up the story around four years later, Lydia and Colette have now graduated from university but are still living in Stancester, while Colette completes her PhD. Lydia, meanwhile, is working for the council in an administrative role, supplementing her girlfriend’s research funding and figuring out what she wants to do with her life. It was really good to see a story centred around a young established couple with most of the conflict coming from external events, and their own inner – admitted – insecurities, rather than from any contrived relationship issues.
REVIEW: The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman
Historical Romance published by St Martin’s Paperbacks 29 Dec 20
A Russian princess hiding in Covent Garden as plain Anna Brown, companion to a noblewoman, doing good deeds, and kissing strange men in her spare time. Sebastian Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, who is hunting down Russian spies and looking for a Russian connection to help him in his endeavors. Is this match made in heaven?
REVIEW: Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane
Domestic Thrilled published by William Morrow Paperbacks 29 Dec 20
Sometimes I’m a bit fearful when a favorite author begins to write in a different genre under a pseudonym. There’s just enough tweaking differences to make those new books just not as great as what we’re used to from them. So I had a bit of trepidation when I learned Darby Kane is one of my all-time favorites, HelenKay Dimon, author extraordinaire. Ms. Dimon writes romantic and contemporary suspense so well, you can’t put those books down. Would I like this new book, a thriller with no romance? Well, there was only one way to find out.
REVIEW: The Rancher Meets His Match by Kate Pearce
Contemporary Romance published by Zebra Books 29 Dec 20
I am not a huge fan of cowboy romances, but I was hooked to this series from the first and awaited each new chapter in the Miller family saga. Julie and Kaiden have been childhood antagonists who found the other attractive but ended up maintaining a bristly exterior to keep their feelings safe and hidden. Apparently things haven’t changed much, now that they’ve met again, which makes for romance being more subtle than I like. read more…
REVIEW: Bayou Dreaming by Lexi Blake
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 01 Dec 20
Given all the time recently spent in the kitchen following recipes, I must say that Lexi Blake combines the right amounts of emotion, romance, and conflict with a pinch of this and that to create a beautiful love story. I have been reading Ms. Blake for some time, but I feel that this series showcases her as a romance writer full of depth and sensitivity.
REVIEW: Bucked by Tara Sue Me
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by After Six Publishing 27 Feb 20
It’s quite disheartening when one of a favorite author’s books doesn’t quite work for you, isn’t it? You’ve come to love a certain series or the last five releases, and you can’t wait for the next book. This was me back in February – yes, it’s taken me that long to get to the review point of this one – when I opened this book. I was expecting a special erotic time with the characters before I even began reading. What I got?
REVIEW: Don’t Look Back by Christie Craig
Romantic Suspense published by Forever 15 Dec 20
Bree Ryan is in pursuit of her suspect in a “borrowed” car, speeding down a Texas highway when she’s pulled over by the local police. She uses her get-out-of-jail card, but leaves the patrol officer handcuffed to a pillar by the side of the road, nursing a tender spot after she kneed him. What a great way to begin what turns out to be an exciting story with all suspense, romance, and action that I’ve come to crave in my stories. Oh, and the best bonus of all, the discovery of an author that I have not read before with a back list that’s going to be exciting to catch up on.
REVIEW: Love on Beach Avenue by Jennifer Probst
Veena’s review of Love On Beach Avenue (Sunshine Sisters, Book 1) by Jennifer Probst
Contemporary Romance published by Montlake 01 May 20
Be it the groom’s ring bearer dog peeing in the aisle before the bride can walk down or the best man puking his guts out or an ex-boyfriend showing up to contest the wedding, Avery Sunshine, as CEO of Maine’s leading Bridal company, can handle any and all disasters with aplomb. Wedding Planning 101 and jostling for position between the wedding planner and man of honor kicks off what looks to be a delightful trilogy from one of my favorite contemporary romance authors.
