ARC Reviews

27/05/2021

Lord Ares (Lords of the Masquerade #3) by Jade Lee. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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LORD OF WAR

He’ll fight for veterans, defend the poor, and give the shirt off his back, but he hasn’t got time for love. Aaron, Earl of Kittrel, is too busy governing England to find a wife. When a feisty fairy at his masquerade catches his attention, he’ll defend her honor, but he won’t marry her. And if he captures a kiss from her delectable lips, then it’s not enough to pull him from his duty. Or is it? Because he can’t stop thinking about her...

LADY OF SUBSTANCE

Lilah Rees defies categorization. Born illegitimate, she was raised as a lady. Trained to manage the most elevated of homes, she’s been dismissed by everyone with a pedigree. What could a famous Member of Parliament want with a bastard? Nothing but a kiss. So she turns her attention to forging her own way outside of the ton.

When the battle is for love, the one who surrenders wins. But who will lay down arms first? And whose heart will break wide open?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Lilah Rees is illegitimate but has been raised in her father's family. As much as the family love her, high society refuses to accept her. Our heroine has big ideas on how to live on her own terms. 
Aaron,  Earl of Kittrel works hard in Parliament to help veterans. He is so busy trying to influence others to his way of thinking, he has no time for love. Our hero us about to get his whole life turned inside out. 
We have fabulous, fearless characters in this historical romance.  A very unusual night at a gambling den adds some tension.  
Lots of fun with a Twist at the end.  
Great fun. 


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A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.

 Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter




25/05/2021

Undercover Wolf (STAT: Special Threat Assessment Team #2) by Paige Tyler. Release & ARC Review.

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An unexpected partnership leads two wolves to reconsider everything they know...

Alpha werewolf Harley Grant isn't exactly comfortable with her inner wolf. Even though she's on a STAT Team where she can use her abilities because her teammates know about her, she refuses to do so, putting herself and sometimes them at risk.

Alpha werewolf Sawyer Bishop would give anything for his M16 Team to know about his inner wolf, but his teammates are mistrustful of anyone or anything with inhuman abilities. When he meets Harley on an overlapping case and realizes she's a fellow wolf, he's more than a little intrigued.

Now that STAT and MI6 have to team up to stop a crew of supernatural bad guys intent on causing a nuclear meltdown, Harley can no longer deny her wolf and Sawyer can no longer hide his. As they grow closer to resolving the case and grow closer to each other, they discover things aren't what they seem and revenge could cost them their lives.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Alpha werewolf Harley Grant never uses her wolfy gifts, so they are not as strong as they could be.  She works with an organization that knows what she is, and with others like her.  When a trafficking ring they are working to stop is found in Paris they find they're not the only ones chasing them. 
Sawyer Bishop has hidden his Alpha werewolf abilities from the team he works with.  When they find themselves on the same mission as the American team, it becomes harder to hide what he is. 
This is an action packed paranormal romance that hardly gives you time to draw breath.  The missions they will face cost many lives but not as many as they will save.  One team learns there is much more in their world than they ever knew.  How they handle that knowlage is the key to success or failure.  
Very exciting reading.  


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Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them.

You've Got Plaid (Prince Charlie's Angels #3) by Eliza Knight. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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This Highlander is determined to return the daughter of his enemy to the safety of her home, even if it means helping her...

Brogan Grant, a Jacobite soldier and bastard son of the Chief, fought savagely on the battlefield, and barely escaped capture. On the run for his life, Brogan comes across what he thinks is a spy—a very bonny lass disguised as a lad, who happens to be the daughter of his clan's enemy. He admires her bravery, but he knows what can happen to a woman alone in a war-ravaged land.

Lady Fiona MacBean is determined to do her part to ensure there is a Scottish king. Disguised as a healer, she delivers coded messages to rebels throughout the Highlands. There's only one thing impeding her mission—a striking Highlander who's determined to send her home.

Unfortunately, Fiona will not be deterred. Left with little choice, Brogan agrees to join her mission if she agrees to return home after. Now the two must work together and risk everything to save the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie himself. If only their hearts weren't at risk as well...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Lady Fiona MacBean is a secret messenger for Bonnie Prince Charles.  She's very good at blending in with her surroundings,  but it is a very dangerous undertaking. 
Brogan Grant is a rebel soldier. He and the men he's traveling with have just escaped the carnage of the battlefield, and are on the run for their lives. 
With the dragoons hunting them all the last thing he needs is a woman to protect.  
This is an all action, historical romance filled with intrigue and danger. Both our lead characters are truly heroic and  believe whole heartedly in what they are doing.  
You might have read the previous books in the series and met our heroine's friends,  but you can easily read this on it's own.  Female heroines make for exciting and unusual stories. 
I loved it.  


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Eliza Knight is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of sizzling historical romance and time-travel erotic romance. Under the name E. Knight, she pens riveting historical fiction. She runs the award-winning blog, History Undressed. When not reading, writing and researching, she likes to cuddle up in front of a warm fire with her own knight in shining armor. 




17/05/2021

The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies #1) by Maddison Michaels. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Bachelors, beware. For those who keep secrets and prey on the innocent, you will be exposed, with all your dirty little secrets laid bare to one and all. You have been warned...

Lady Olivia Haliford has had enough. Tired of seeing women lose their reputations, futures, and sometimes even their lives to scandal while the men walk free, she is ready to take back power and stand up for women everywhere. Along with her two closest friends, she plans to start an anonymous publication dedicated to dishing the dirt and exposing the secrets of society’s most eligible bachelors. But in order to do so, she will have to make a deal with the devil...

Sebastian Colver, known as the Bastard of Baker Street, is feared throughout London as the city’s most notorious gambling den owner and undisputed king of the underground. His life is nothing but darkness and danger, so he is shocked when the petite lady gracing his doorstep seems anything but frightened of him. He agrees to be a silent partner in the publishing of the Gazette if she will use her connections to sponsor his sister and launch her into Society and away from his dark world.

But exposing the secrets of the rich and powerful can be dangerous. Almost as dangerous as a lady falling in love with the king of the underground.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Lady Olivia Haliford has just attended the funeral of one of her dearest friends.  Her friend is dead because a disreputable man took advantage of her. 
This type of man always get away with whatever they want to do.  It's time somebody stopped them,  and she has an idea how. 
Livie knows she will never marry because of her disability, but she can give her life purpose.  With a little help from an unlikely source she will dish out justice. 
Sebastian Colver has fought his way up through the worst streets of London.  He is now known to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in town.  He has one very strict rule in his streets, and that is nobody must harm a woman in any way. 
A business proposition from a very unusual Lady stirs interest from more than just the money-making part of his brain. 
This is a fabulous book that I couldn't put down.  Danger and intrigue on nearly every page.  Lots of excitement and wonderful characters.  Strong and opinionated women and ruthless but caring men.  It is set in Victoria's England and featuring some of the new inventions of the time,  like trains and telephones. 
This is the start of a series and I'm hooked.  I will definitely be reading the rest, and I think I might have guessed the next heroine.  
Fantastic story,  I loved it. 


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Indoctrinated into a world of dashing rogues and feisty heroines when she was 14 years old, Maddison Michaels is a prolific reader and writer of romantic suspense and historical fiction. She gets her daily dose of suspense from prosecuting real life villains in the Courts.

A member of the RWA and RWA Australia, Maddison is as passionate about her writing as she is about her other two loves; her family and her cups of tea. Luckily she gets a healthy dash of romance married to her wonderful husband and her exercise regime is kept on track by her six-year-old daughter, who ensures Maddison is kept very busy chasing her around.

Maddison’s historical novels are her way of time traveling back to Victorian London to experience a cornucopia of intrigue, romance and debauchery all from the comfort of her living room! 

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11/05/2021

A Governess of Great Talents (The Governess Bureau #1) by Emily E.K. Murdoch. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Welcome to a brand new and exciting series titled "The Governess Bureau" from Best Selling Author Emily E.K. Murdoch!

When the nobility and gentility of England are at their wits end, they send a discrete note to Miss Vivienne Clarke’s Governess Bureau. Only accepting the very best clients, their governesses are coveted by minor royalty, with every governess following three rules:

1. You must have an impeccable record.
2. You must bring a special skill to the table.
3. You must never fall in love…

Book 1, A Governess of Great Talents

When a governess of great talents is required, there is only one place the nobility of England go: The Governess Bureau.

It was why Miss Meredith Hubert had worked so hard to gain her place there. Finishing with the Earl of Marnmouth's children, she is about to be given her next assignment—a Duke called Alfred Carmichael with a political campaign to win and a half-brother who needs controlling.

Archibald is but eight years old, but already threatens to ruin the family's reputation as Alfred, the Duke, tries to maintain it. They have to be spotless as the election looms.

But Meredith has a secret to hide, and she's not the only one. Maids sent away in secret, items missing from the house, there is more than one mystery at Rochdale Abbey. When a Duke falls in love with a governess, there's only one way this can end—in scandal.

As Alfred Carmichael tries desperately to regain his family's honor in Parliament and fight his desire of Meredith, how will Meredith's Great Talents ensure a happily ever after for them all?

This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.


⭐⭐⭐⭐


Miss Meredith Hubert has just ended a successful employment as a governess for an Earl's family and is back in The Governess Bureau to hopefully get her next.  The owner of the bureau is very strict and expects extremely high standards from the ladies she places in some of the highest households in the land. 
If the woman knew just who Meredith really is, she would never represent her. Our heroine's special talents make caring for difficult children easy for her. 
Alfred Carmichael the Duke of Rochdale needs someone to teach his half-brother while he concentrates on winning his seat in Parliament.  As his is only a small duchy he has no automatic seat in the House of Lords. 
Our hero is following a longstanding family tradition, even though the very idea of sitting in boring parliament instead of riding his grounds drives him to distraction. Keeping his mind on what he should be doing only gets harder in the coming weeks. 
This is an unlikely, but very amusing story with fabulous characters.  A governess is a very important part in the lives of many children and provides more than just education. If the rest of them from this new series do the same as this one, the owner of the bureau is not going to be happy.  
I thoroughly enjoyed this one,  and look forward to the next book.  
Good fun.


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Welcome! I love to read and write sweet and steamy historical romance, and if you love falling in love then you've come to the right place.

Enjoy my sweet romances written as Emily Murdoch, and my steamy romances as Emily E K Murdoch.

A SPRINGTIDE MEETING is currently free!

I am a historian and writer, and have a varied career to date: from examining medieval manuscripts to designing museum exhibitions, to working as a researcher for the BBC to working for the National Trust.

My books range from England 1050 to Texas 1848, and I can't wait for you to fall in love with my heroes and heroines!

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07/05/2021

The Highlander's Captive (Highland Rogues #3) by Mary Wine. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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Stealing brides is a tradition...

In the Highlands, strength is the currency of choice, and if you can't protect what is yours, be prepared to pay a ransom.

Annis is a prize. Born of a royal blood line, the fact that she's illegitimate isn't really important. With her mother gone, her kin barter her and send her off to Scotland, where her husband's family is eager to see her produce heirs to their line with impeccable lineage.

Rolfe Munro is sick unto death of the topic of marriage. His marriage is one everyone seems to have an opinion of. So, when his father offers him the chance to escape the Munro stronghold for a bit, Rolfe happily takes the chore! But he knows it's only a brief respite.

Duty is the other currency of the Highlands. He's the son of the laird, and he'll have to settle down or risk leaving the clan in a fight when he dies.

Still, he's not ready to steal a bride. Even when his fool cousin takes one and needs rescuing. Rolfe isn't going to get involved beyond making sure his cousin survives. That's his plan. And it's a firm one. At least, until he lays eyes on Annis. Rolfe has seen his share of pretty women.

Annis is different. Her allure is something he can't put into words or ignore, it would seem.

By the time he escorts them to his cousin's stronghold, all Rolfe is thinking about is how to steal Annis away.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Annis knows her only value is her bloodline.  She has been bartered as a bride and now she is widowed that same blood will see her stolen and made a captive more than once. For women of that era marriage and breeding heirs is sometimes the only worth they have,  especially when they are used to make alliances. 
Rolfe Monroe is sent by his aunt to stop his cousin from doing something stupid.  Capturing brides is seen as a normal way of life in Scotland.  An English one with Royal blood is very valuable.  
This is a Highland / historical romance with fabulous characters.  We actually get two brave heroines. One of which I think will be the main heroine in the next story.  Our hero is a dutiful son who wants to please his father but sometimes a man has to follow his heart. 
Lots of twists and turns to this story,  and a teaser for the next book at the end.  
Great fun. 


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Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.

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06/05/2021

Duke of Arrogance (Dukes of Distinction #4) by Alexa Aston. Historical Romance Release & ARC Review.

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A woman spurned by the ton . . .

A duke harboring an appalling secret . . .

Life radically changes for Arabella Jennings, the daughter of an Oxford don, when her father becomes the Earl of Barrington. She’s an intellectual who would rather be discussing Shakespeare’s works but now finds herself navigating the vicious waters of Polite Society.

Jonathan Sutton’s twin dies, making him the new Duke of Blackmore. Pledging to live for both himself and Arch, Jon becomes one of London’s leading rakes, breaking rules and bedding women as his brother would have done had he lived.

Jon meets Arabella the first night of the Season and decides this woman, so different from every conquest he’s made, might help him from the abyss he’s sunk into.

Can a bluestocking with a quick wit tame the disreputable Duke of Arrogance—and save his soul?

Find the answer in The Duke of Arrogance, Book 4 in the Dukes of Distinction.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



Jonathan Sutton loves his twin brother. He would willingly die for him,  or kill for him.  Arch is the heir and Jon the spare,  which means their father is only interested in Arch and ignores Jon when he isn't criticizing him. 
A terrible tragedy means a new Duke with a heavy burden to carry. 
Arabella Jennings is the daughter of an Oxford Don who suddenly finds himself an Earl.  The big changes in their lives will take all her intelligence to find a way through. 
Polite society can be harsh to those who don't fit in. 
Our hero has done his best to live the way his brother would want,  but now it's time yo be himself. 
Our heroine finds that her education doesn't help her navigate her new surroundings. 
There are wonderful characters in this historical romance.  Some of the secondary ones you might have met in previous books.  You can still easily read this book as a stand alone without spoiling the others in the series.  
I have thoroughly enjoyed this and the previous ones and will definitely read the rest of the series.  
Great fun. 


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Alexa Aston’s historical romances use history as a backdrop to place her characters in extraordinary circumstances, where their intense desire for one another grows into the treasured gift of love.

She is the author of The Knights of Honor, a medieval romance series that takes place in 14th century England during the reign of Edward III and centers on the de Montfort family. Each romance focuses on the code of chivalry that bound knights of this era.

A native Texan, Alexa lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and can’t get enough of Fixer Upper or Game of Thrones. Alexa also writes romantic suspense, western historical, and standalone medieval novels as Lauren Linwood. 


Connect with Alexa:
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