Review: The Gift of the Marquess (Love is All Around #2) by Darcy Burke

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The Gift of the Marquess by Darcy Burke

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋 💋 💋

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The Marchioness of Darlington wants nothing more than to be a mother, but after nearly three childless years of marriage, Poppy believes she is barren. Her sadness is eclipsed by anger and hurt, however, when she learns that her husband does not share her despair, and she suspects he is having an affair. Unsure where to turn, she distances herself from him and rededicates herself to helping the women and children at the poorhouse—they are all she has.

Gabriel Kirkwood, the Marquess of Darlington, is certain his wife will die in childbirth just like her mother, his mother, and his sister, so he is relieved when they are unable to conceive. Even so, he knows how desperately she wants a child and watching her struggle with her disappointment is a knife in his heart. When he meets a young pregnant woman who doesn’t want her baby, he glimpses a possibility to give his beloved a happy ever after. But feeling Poppy slip away, he only hopes it won’t be too late.

This is a truly heartwarming and emotional story from beginning to end! It’s a unique story because they are already married and in love, but going through such a rough time that tests them. I loved that this is going on at the same time as the first book so you know what was going on with Poppy at the house party. It’s heartbreaking to see them both struggle in different ways and be torn apart.

The scene where Gabriel remembered everything that happened with his mother and everything after was so raw with emotion. I absolutely loved the moment they made up because their love was so strong and it was such a powerful moment for many reasons.

Poppy wants to be a mother so badly, but after three years she’s trying to come to terms with it won’t happen the way she dreamed. She so desperately wants a baby, but can’t help but try to help Dinah in any way possible. I loved her fire from the start and when she laid into her brother.

Gabriel thought he found a way to give Poppy her dream and banish his fears, but it only brought them up in full force. He will break your heart as he talks about his fear. I loved how much he cared about helping others and when he realized he couldn’t let fear control him.

The ending was absolutely perfect and I can’t wait to read her brother’s story and find out what happened to him.

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ARC Review: Outlaw’s Redemption (Redemption Bluff Book 2) by Lynda Cox

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Outlaw’s Redemption by Lynda Cox

Releasing October 18, 2019

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋 1/2

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Sometimes you can’t tell the end of a story by the color of hat someone wears and sometimes, second chances change everything…

Clay Denton is living on borrowed time. The only thing keeping him from a dance for the hangman is a promise he made to find a US Marshal’s niece. Clay doesn’t care if it’s vengeance the marshal really wants. As long as the man believes Clay’s looking for Josephine, he’s free to keep living.

Josephine Myers lives on the run, never straying too far from the towns of Purgatory or Redemption. She won’t leave, even though to stay means she’s putting herself right into the line of fire. She’s too frightened to fight back, and much too afraid to run far. Until Clay rides into her life, saving her from a terrible attack.

Clay and Josephine’s redemption might come at a steep price, depending on who wins. The white hat…or the black.

Lynda puts a unique spin on how this story of redemption is told. An angel and fallen angel are watching things unfold to see if love can really change the outcome of what they know will happen. I was on pins and needles throughout the whole story especially when there was unexpected interference.

Something else Lynda does an amazing job at is writing villains that make your skin crawl and having them meet the perfect ending. The ending will bring tears to your eyes for so many reasons and you won’t want it to end.

Josephine was frightened and alone in the world until Clay and Princess saved her and gave her the strength to fight. I loved seeing her remember the past and telling her uncle what she wanted for Clay. She wasn’t going to give up on Clay or let anyone else suffer as she had.

Clay has spent two searching for her to avoid hanging, but he also saw what happened all those years ago and wants the villains to pay. When he threatened people he meant it and it could send shivers down your spin. I loved that he wasn’t going to let her go back even if it meant his death.

Princess the dog deserves to be talked about because he is an amazing dog. He would give his life to protect Clay and Josephine and hated it when he was kept away. I loved how well trained he was.

Review: A Second Chance for Love (Bachelors of Bond Street) by Minerva Spencer

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A Second Chance for Love by Minerva Spencer

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋 💋 💋 💋

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An all-new anthology featuring novellas from acclaimed Regency historical authors Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer. Bond Street is famous for its elite clubs, fashionable shops and successful businesses. Now meet the bachelors who’ve made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?

Justin Taylor is rich beyond his wildest dreams and he has everything he’s ever wanted: everything except revenge against the man and woman who wrecked his life a decade earlier.

When Oona Parker—one of the two people responsible for years of misery—suddenly reappears in his life, Juss knows fate has brought them together for a reason.

But is fate giving him an opportunity for vengeance—or a second chance at love?

I love a bit of enemies to lovers and a second chance at love. Neither one’s story is what the other thought and they will only realize that after striking a deal. It’s clear from that start that they weren’t going to be able to resist each other. Fate brought them together for better reasons.

Oona was shocked to see him again and wasn’t prepared to give up her secrets. She did what she had to for her future when agreeing to his deal, but her heart took over.

Juss is set on revenge, but being alone with her and telling his story makes him realize that’s not what he wants. The truth will come out and his heart will win.

Review: Love by the Letters (Bachelors of Bond Street) by Janna MacGregor

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Love by the Letters by Janna MacGregor

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋 💋 💋

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An all-new anthology featuring novellas from acclaimed Regency historical authors Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer. Bond Street is famous for its elite clubs, fashionable shops and successful businesses. Now meet the bachelors who’ve made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?

Bespectacled booklover and bluestocking Miss Portia Bellingham delivers a love letter on her sister’s behalf but there’s a problem—she gives it to the wrong man, a dashing and handsome bookseller, Mr. Gabriel St. Aulyn.

Wary of love, Gabriel can’t help but be enchanted by Portia, his newest customer who always seems to be looking for something—but when Gabriel finds Portia’s love letter, he knows she’s the woman he’s been waiting for all his life.

But when the mistake is revealed, can Portia and Gabriel trust fate and open their hearts to each other?

One little mistake leads to a romance that will make you giggle with the way things happen between them. They got off to a bumpy start with their first meeting, but it was clear they were perfect for each other. They are a couple that goes about things differently and won’t let anything stand between them. I loved the twist in the end with her family and didn’t see it coming at all!

Portia has a way with words and will do anything to help her sister get the man she loves. I loved how she didn’t really care about what others thought and wasn’t shy when it came to Gabriel.

Gabriel didn’t know what was missing from his life until he met Portia. He’s a good mix of going after what he wants, but also not hiding his feelings.

Review: How to Brew a Perfect Kiss (Bachelors of Bond Street Anthology) by Shana Galen

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How to Brew a Perfect Kiss by Shana Galen

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋

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An all-new anthology featuring novellas from acclaimed Regency historical authors Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer. Bond Street is famous for its elite clubs, fashionable shops and successful businesses. Now meet the bachelors who’ve made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?

Raeni Sawyer is penniless and alone in a foreign country. When she finds a job at a coffee shop on Bond Street, she hopes it’s the beginning of a new life.

Thomas Gaines is intrigued by his new server—until she spills coffee all over him. Despite her clumsiness, he sees her potential to be more. But will Raeni’s dangerous past ruin their bright future?

I’ve loved Thomas since he appeared in An Affair With a Spare and was excited to see his story. There is heat between instantly and not just from the hot coffee on his pants. The dangers of the past weren’t going to keep them apart.

Raeni is a strong young woman that has fled from her home and is trying to make it on her own. I loved her right away with how brave she was and how smart she was.

Thomas will never think twice about helping someone that he knows needs helps. Add in that he loves the woman and he won’t stop at anything to protect her or help her.

ARC Review: Maid Under the Mistletoe (Lady it’s Cold Outside) by Annabelle Anders

*This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you buy a book through my link. There is no extra charge and I use these funds to feed my book addiction and keep my puppy in sweaters and toys. I only post links for books I love.*

Maid Under the Mistletoe by Annabelle Anders

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ Spice Level: 💋

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Eliza Drake is failing miserably at her duties as a lady’s maid. The Earl of Mapleton is failing miserably at wooing Eliza’s mistress. Perhaps they can fail together… aided by the magic of the season and some harmless mistletoe.

This is such a sweet and magical Christmas time story! These two were clearly meant to be together even though they come from very different backgrounds. Everyone can see what’s between them, but Christmas magic will make sure they are together.

Eliza is strong-willed and sharp-tongued and not meant to be a Lady’s maid. She has a way of knowing the perfect gifts for anyone and speaks her mind.

Anthony puts others first and that’s why he needs a wife with a dowry. He couldn’t stay away from Eliza no matter how hard he tried.

Review: Lawfully Courted: A Spy Lawkeeper Romance by Laura Beers

*This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you buy a book through my link. There is no extra charge and I use these funds to feed my book addiction and keep my puppy in sweaters and toys. I only post links for books I love.*

Lawfully Courted by Laura Beers

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Spice Level: 💋

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Marianne Notley knew her father, the Viscount of Rawlings, had secrets… many secrets. But when they are unexpectedly attacked, she must fight her way to the only man her father says she can trust… Lord Harington.

Edwin, the Earl of Harington, is one of the best spies the Crown has. When his partner’s infuriating daughter shows up injured on his doorstep, he’s forced to ensure her protection while he searches for Lord Rawlings.

As Marianne stumbles into his world of espionage, Edwin struggles with his growing attraction towards her, while still maintaining his own secrets. As traitors are revealed, can they learn to trust each other before it’s too late?

I wished this had been longer because I wanted more romance between Edwin and Marianne. They worked well together and I could see lots of fun between them as time went on. I couldn’t figure out who was helping the kidnappers until it was revealed and didn’t see the ending coming at all.

Marianne is nothing like other ladies and has been trained to take on anything. I loved her personality from the start because she did what she had too. She defended Edwin when he needed it and didn’t care about scandal.

Edwin hides his true self to protect himself, but Marianne saw right through that and saw the true him. I loved how he praised her skills and was determined to keep her safe.

Review: The Red Hot Earl (Love is All Around #1) by Darcy Burke

*This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you buy a book through my link. There is no extra charge and I use these funds to feed my book addiction and keep my puppy in sweaters and toys. I only post links for books I love.*

The Red Hot Earl by Darcy Burke

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Spice Level: 💋💋💋

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The Earl of Buckleigh was once an untitled misfit, tormented at Oxford. Now, he’s overcome his challenges and is eager for the future, especially when his oldest and dearest friend, Bianca, needs help to save the annual holiday party. Ash has a plan to rescue the event, but when the bullies from his youth are up to their old tricks, he must risk everything to put the past behind him and find true love.

Furious when her brother refuses to host the St. Stephen’s Day party, Lady Bianca Stafford is committed to giving the villagers their celebration. In Ash, she sees salvation for their local tradition, and perhaps a future she never expected. But her brother has other plans for her—a Season and marriage, and not to Ash. When disaster strikes, everything she cares about is threatened and it will take a miracle—or a hero—to save the day.

The Red Hot Earl is inspired by the song and story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 

What an amazing start to a new series! Darcy did an amazing job using the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as inspiration. These two are a perfect match because they see each other for who they are and always have. Even though they were old friends their romance was a whirlwind that neither one saw coming. It was a refreshing change to read characters like them that didn’t worry about things like others did.

I loved the snowball fight scene and how it all ended in the end and can’t wait for the next one.

Bianca is feisty and doesn’t hold back when she speaks her mind. I loved how she told people off and also calmed Ash when he needed it. She didn’t care about his challenges and realized he was what she wanted.

Ash has worked hard to put the past behind him, but it’s not completely gone. I loved how he didn’t treat her differently and remembered things about her from years ago. He was quiet until someone dared to treat her wrong.

Review: A Duke a Dozen (The Survivors #6) by Shana Galen

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A Duke a Dozen by Shana Galen

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Spice Level: 💋💋💋

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They call him the Doomed Duke.
Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four—count them—four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. The beautiful widow isn’t at all what Phin expected. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with another request, he can’t deny it. A few days in the country with Lady Longstowe reveal two truths to the new duke. One, he cares for the countess much more than any other woman he’s ever known. Two, Phin either has very bad luck or someone is trying to kill him.

They call her the Wanton Widow.
Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Not even a handsome duke like Mayne, who is far too young for her anyway. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that she needs a man with power and status. She needs the Duke of Mayne. When the two are thrust together, Annabel struggles to fight her attraction to the charming Phin. She’s losing the battle. But can she ever trust another man, especially with the one part of herself she’s never given away—her heart?

Two people have never gotten off to such a bad start, but that spark between them can’t be denied. That heat is constantly between them building and waiting to burst into one of the strongest love stories. Between them and wondering who is after him I couldn’t put it down and flew through the book. I loved the switch with her being older than him and how open with each other they were.

When it came to who was trying to kill Phin I didn’t see it coming at all and almost dropped my Kindle. I was on pins and needles during that scene. It just sealed their love even more and there was no denying it. Let the scandal sheets and gossips scream it from the rooftop because the doomed duke and wanton widow are never letting go of each other.

Annabel has to be one of the strongest women alive. She survived a cruel man that forced her to shut down parts of herself and left her fearing she could never get those parts back. I absolutely loved her from the start with how she could put someone in their place. She found just who and what she needed after all those years.

Phin never wanted to be the duke, but he was made to be the duke because he was nothing like his brothers. He saw in her what she tried to hide and was determined to help her find her daughter and show her she could get those parts of herself back. I love him and his skills for getting information and how he would give up control to her.

The stories in this series just keep getting better.

ARC Review: An Agent for Alexina (The Pinkerton Matchmaker) by Laura Beers

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An Agent for Alexina by Laura Beers

Releasing September 6th

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Spice Level: 💋💋

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Alexina Kimball is an experienced Pinkerton Agent, and arguably one of the best agents at the Chicago office. She works alone and always catches the bad guys. However, everything changes when she’s transferred to the Denver office and is assigned a partner. 

Finally, Dawson Wayne’s dream of becoming a Pinkerton Agent is becoming a reality. The only catch is that he must marry his trainer… a beautiful, infuriating woman. 

Together, they’re sent to the small town of Hidden Ditch, Kansas. Their case: discover the whereabouts of two schoolteachers who’ve gone missing. As the stakes increase, can Alexina and Dawson work together to solve the case, or are they both too stubborn to recognize that there is more on the line than just the missing schoolteachers? 

Can two headstrong agents learn to trust each other’s instincts when love is on the line? 

I love this series because you get a romance and a crime to solve along with female agents. This one may just be my favorite because they are both so headstrong and drive each other crazy. It’s clear pretty fast that they are meant for each other. I figured out who was behind the kidnappings but wasn’t expecting how crazy they were. I loved everything about the rescue and how it brought them together even when it caused a slight misunderstanding.

Alexina keeps to herself and prefers to work alone, but Dawson easily flips her world upside down. I loved her from the start with stubborn she was. She had no problem telling men what she thought about them and is always serious.

Dawson is adorably cocky and annoying, but that’s what makes you love him so much. He has such a different back story than Alexina, but he is fascinated by the woman she is. I was holding my breath because of him during the fried apple scene. He will make you laugh with some of the things he does.