BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical Romance. Show all posts

Monday, December 17, 2018

Review For NOT THE DUKE'S DARLING By Elizabeth Hoyt- 4*

Title: NOT THE DUKE'S DARLING

Series: Greycourt #1
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: * * * * 
Publishers: Forever
(Dec 18, 2018)
Paperback: 496 pages
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Freya de Moray is many things: a member of the secret order of Wise Women, the daughter of disgraced nobility, and a chaperone living under an assumed name. What she is not is forgiving. So when the Duke of Harlowe--the man who destroyed her brother and led to the downfall of her family--appears at the country house party she's attending, she does what any Wise Woman would do: she starts planning her revenge.

Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, is being blackmailed. Intent on keeping his secrets safe, he agrees to attend a house party where he will put an end to this coercion once and for all. Until he recognizes Freya, masquerading amongst the party revelers, and realizes his troubles have just begun. Freya knows all about his sins. Sins he'd much rather forget. But she's also fiery, bold, and sensuous-a temptation he can't resist. When it becomes clear Freya is in grave danger, he'll risk everything to keep her safe. But first, Harlowe will have to earn Freya's trust-by whatever means necessary.

Features a bonus novella from New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes!
 


While this isn't Maiden Lane (which I loved, loved, loved), I still enormously enjoyed the start of Hoyt's new series. Hoyt manages again to create some simply awesome heroines and heroes. Freya is definitely not the typical female from 1760 London nor is Christopher the typical Duke. 
It's always a treat to get to read a new book by Hoyt and it blew me away to realize that it was almost 500 pages long.(One of the things I love and hate about the Kindle is not getting a true feel of the length of a book. I  always feel kind of shocked and sad when I realize the story has ended.) It was a weekend read for me that seemed to speed by much, much to fast. Presumably, I slept and ate this weekend (I don't recall) but obviously I must have had the Kindle attached to my hand most of the time as I did finish it so quickly. I love Hoyt's details of life from both the upper class point of view and the staff's. It's rather like getting a Downton Abbey moment with Hoyt's particular recipe for suspense and romance blended to produce a meal that is totally satisfying and filling.
One additional note that I just must add, if you haven't read the Maiden Lane series, it is now complete. Picking up this series for a binge read would be so awesome and I almost hate (nah, not really) I've already read it all cause I never reread a series. Just not enough time to indulge in rereading no matter how great it was.

Greycourt
1. Not the Duke's Darling (2018)


Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weeklybestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince.
Elizabeth was born in New Orleans but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was fortunate to be able to travel extensively as a child, visiting St. Andrews, Scotland; Germany; France; and Belgium. She spent a year in Oxford, England and was a summer exchange student to Kawasaki, Japan.
Elizabeth has a BA in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and, as a result of having no clue what to do with her life thereafter, a career history as a barista, a (terrible) sales clerk, a Wisconsin Revenue Service data entry slave, and an archeological field work grunt. Fortunately, Elizabeth married relatively young and produced two children who kept her busy until her mid-thirties. At about this time, when her youngest was entering Kindergarten, Elizabeth’s mother hinted that perhaps Elizabeth should get a Real Job.

Sadly, Elizabeth was so delusional she thought writing a romance novel might qualify as a Real Job.
But! Five years later, to everyone’s surprise, she actually sold that romance novel (The Raven Prince) and began a rather successful career as a Romance Novelist. This was most fortunate since Elizabeth is singularly unqualified to do anything else but Make Up Stories. Since then Elizabeth has written over twenty books to critical acclaim including three contemporaries under the pen name Julia Harper.
Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the ever faithful Mr. Hoyt.



Saturday, December 1, 2018

Review For THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE by Janna MacGregor -4*

Title: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE
Series: Cavensham Heiresses #4
Author: Janna MacGregor 
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: * * * * 
Publishers: St. Martin's 
(November 27, 2018)
Paperback: 368 pages
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?

Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?

First, what I loved about the book-- mostly, the heroine, Daphne. She was headstrong and pretty modern thinking for a woman of this era (although I'm not sure what the time period was). I also adored the history that she had with our hero, Paul. I so love getting a peek at the  childhood of characters and watching them morph into the  adults they become  for us in these books. 
What I didn't love -- that Daphne was so headstrong.  Let's face it, she was pretty impetuous and was lucky that her escapades did not land her in more trouble than they did. All in all though, this was a pretty enjoyable book. I read it in only 1 day and when I discovered that there were actually three earlier books in this series, kind of glad that I read it out of order (and if you've read any reviews I write, you know I'm a stickler for NOT reading a series out of order). So now, I can binge the earlier books without having to wait a year to visit the Cavensham heiresses again!
It is not a problem at all reading this book out of order. It does an excellent job of standing on it's own though I'm sure once I get the first three read, I'll probably reread this just to get the full enjoyment of an excellent series.

Cavensham Heiresses
1. The Bad Luck Bride (2017)
2. The Bride Who Got Lucky (2017)
3. The Luck of the Bride (2018)
4. The Good the Bad and the Duke (2018)

5. Rogue Most Wanted (2019)

Following the doctors cheerful announcement of triplets, the first thing Janna MacGregor did was pick her darling husband off the floor. The second thing she did was make a decision about what to do with all her newfound free time. Take her word for it, mandatory bed rest can skew ones perceptions. During her sojourn in bed, Janna remembered her attorney-husbands sage advice that successful attorneys always have the last word in an argument. Taking these wise words to heart, she became an attorney and soon was managing partner of his law firm. She is certain he and their triplets rue the day he ever made that comment.
After living in a variety of Midwestern cities, she settled in Kansas City Missouri, the crown jewel of the Midwest and home of her favorite team, the Kansas City Royals. Through all her wanderings, she has always found time to read passionate, sweeping romances. It didnt take long for her to decide to add Author on her resume. Practicing law by day, she writes sexy historicals set in the Regency period whenever she is not in court arguing those last words.

Join her and escape in stories about compelling and powerful heroines meeting and falling in love with their equally matched heroes. Rememberevery romance should be messy, carnal and forever.




Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Blog Tour For THE DESIRES OF A DUKE : Historical Romance Collection

Eight historical romances featuring roguish dukes willing to risk it all to get the lady their heart desires.
Out Dec 12th– The Desires of a Duke: Historical Romance Collection
Follow the blast and enter to #win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!


Title: The Desires of a Duke
Authors: Darcy Burke, Grace Callaway, Lila DiPasqua, Shana Galen, Caroline Linden, Erica Monroe, Christina McKnight, Erica Ridley
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: December 12, 2017

Available for a LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Enjoy eight historical romances from bestselling authors, featuring dashing, roguish dukes who are willing to risk it all to get the lady their heart desires. When these powerful, bold men take a chance on love, nothing can stop them.

THE FORBIDDEN DUKE by
Darcy Burke
The Forbidden Duke helps ruined Eleanor find a second chance for happiness. What will she say when she learns of the role he played in her downfall?

THE DUKE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by
Grace Callaway
A spinster and rake join forces to catch a murderer. Wills clash and passion flares; will they risk all for love—before it’s too late? 

THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL by
Lila DiPasqua
The only woman Leo, Duke of Mont-Marly, has ever yearned for is the adorably unconventional beauty who got away. Suzanne creates and selling matchsticks, elixirs for the ill…and is still so damned alluring. Leo is determined to give her a Christmas beyond her wildest imagination...

WAITING FOR A DUKE LIKE YOU by
Shana Galen
Pursued by assassins, Princess Vivienne of Glynaven escapes to England. The Duke of Wyndover aids her, but is he the man she’s been waiting for?

WHEN I MET MY DUCHESS by
Caroline Linden
The Duke of Wessex realizes he’s about to marry the wrong woman when he meets his bride’s sister…and the wedding may become a scandal.

I SPY A DUKE by
Erica Monroe
A governess entering into a marriage of convenience with a duke gets more than she bargained for, as he's also a spy for the crown.

THE MISFORTUNE OF LADY LUCIANNA by
Christina McKnight
The Duke of Montrose has only one choice: find a wealthy heiress to wed. When his quest brings him to Lady Lucianna, he can’t deny that he wants her for more than just her dowry.

THE DUKE’S ACCIDENTAL WIFE by
Erica Ridley
The unflappable Duke of Ravenwood meets his match in this rollicking New York Times best-seller!

Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks


Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.
Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

You can visit her online at the following places: Website Facebook | Twitter Goodreads | Amazon

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway For ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS EVE By Elizabeth Hoyt

Once Upon a Christmas Eve
 (A Maiden Lane Novella) 
Elizabeth Hoyt
From Forever Yours / $1.99 eBook

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.


Elizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained dogs and one long-suffering husband.



Find the book here!

Social Media Links:
Follow Elizabeth Hoyt on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2tyf2ja
Follow Elizabeth Hoyt on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uvYH2N

There are 15 eBooks up for grabs.





Release Day Blitz & Giveaway For LADY IN RED By Kelly Bowen




THE LADY IN RED
A Season for Scandal  #4
Kelly Bowen 
(December 5, 2017) 
Forever Yours eBook; $0.99


A lady with secrets, a man with a burning desire, a love that breaks all the rules

Lady Charlotte Beaumont has spent her whole life being ignored. By her parents, her brother, even the servants. So she was secretly able to develop her talent for painting well beyond the usual watercolors. Too bad no one will let her actually use it-women are rarely accepted into the Royal Academy. But when a connection at the Haverhall School for Young Ladies gets Charlotte her dream commission, she'll do whatever it takes to make it work. Including disguising herself as "Charlie."

Flynn Rutledge has something to prove. His lowly upbringing is not going to stop him from achieving his artistic dreams. This commission is the key to his future, and his partner, an unknown youth in oversized clothes who is barely old enough to shave, doesn't exactly inspire confidence. But Charlie does inspire Flynn's artistic passion-something he worried he might have lost forever. For all his street smarts, nothing can prepare Flynn for the shock of Charlie's true identity. He doesn't care that she's a woman, but a lady of the ton is a different matter altogether . . .

Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2zcIrpN

Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology. But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance.  When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields. Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process.  Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.

Social Media Links


Add The Lady in Red to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2hvCr1s
Follow Kelly on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2gVM6h7
Follow Kelly on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lDTLpH

Giveaway
Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of The Lady in Red




Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Review & Giveaway For ONCE UPON A MAIDEN LANE By Elizabeth Hoyt-5*


Title: ONCE UPON A MAIDEN LANE

Series: Maiden Lane #12.5

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: * * * * *
Publishers: Forever Yours
(Nov 14, 2017)
Ebook: 130 pages
FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.
 This does not affect my opinion of this book.


A stand-alone novella from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth---to the rakishly handsome aristocrat himself . . .

Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He's drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him---ladies simply don't dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can't help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry's world---or in his heart.

I know this series has barely ended, but I'm already grieving not getting to visit these characters every 9 months or so. This novella gives you just one more delicious taste of this awesome series and a chance to delve a bit deeper into Mary Whitsum's background. I loved the books that featured the St Giles orphanage so it was neat to revisit this setting and characters. Of course there's another great mystery-is she or isn't she?- and though it was a full length novel, there was a heck of a lot of a story crammed into a mere 130 pages. 


Buy the Book!



Maiden Lane Series

1. Wicked Intentions (2010)

2. Notorious Pleasures (2011)
3. Scandalous Desires (2011)
4. Thief of Shadows (2012)
5. Lord of Darkness (2013)
6. Duke of Midnight (2013)
7. Darling Beast (2014)
8. Dearest Rogue (2015)
9. Sweetest Scoundrel (2015)
10. Duke of Sin (2016)
11. Duke of Pleasure (2016)
12. Duke of Desire (2017)

Maiden Lane Novella
1. Once Upon a Moonlit Night (2016)
2. Once Upon a Christmas Eve (2017)
3. Once Upon a Maiden Lane (2017)


Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.





Social Media Links:
Add Once Upon a Maiden Lane to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2hhJsmO
Follow Elizabeth Hoyt on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2tyf2ja
Follow Elizabeth Hoyt on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uvYH2N

Enter win 1 of 15 ebook copies 
of Wicked Intentions

Monday, November 13, 2017

Review For SURRENDER OF TRUST By Mariel Grey-3 *



Title: SURRENDER OF TRUST
Series: Surrender #1
Author: Mariel Grey
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: * * * 1/2
Publishers: CreateSpace Independent  
( Apr 15, 2013)
Paperback: 229 pages
FTC Disclosure: Provided by the publisher via BookFunnel
Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.
 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

Lucy Goodwin knows more about horse breeding than a proper young lady should. Her brother’s thoroughbred business has given her purpose and independence, but when an accident leaves her solely in charge, despair and destruction threaten her every move. Trapped in an impossible position, Lucy must do the right thing and watch their dreams crumble, or save their livelihood at a cost too great to bear. 
Lord Philip Lyton, Marquess of Chalifour is a member of the prestigious Jockey Club, dedicated to eliminating cheating in horse racing. Trouble raises its ugly head when his business partner falls foul of an accident and he’s suddenly forced to deal with the man’s sister, who seems alarmingly out of her depth. Chalifour respects Lucy’s steely resolve, but knows that single-mindedness can be the most dangerous trait of all. 
She might be beautiful and beguiling, but Lucy Goodwin is keeping secrets and Chalifour is determined to find out what they are.


Reading the blurb of this book had me excited to read it but it failed to capture my attention on several levels. First of all it missed the historical feel to me and then the heroine just didn't seem very bright.
I love when a woman has an occupation or even just an interest in a field that is not considered proper in historical romances. I love seeing how they manipulate others into ignoring this fascination of theirs. This story lacked that and by halfway through I really didn't care any more. The premise was awesome but the storyline-not so much. 

From the moment she could put pen to paper, Mariel Grey knew she wanted to be a writer. Like all good adventures however, it didn't happen overnight; it was after several decades of working in litigation that the desire to create dramatic worlds and characters became too great to ignore. Her first foray into historical romance, Surrender of Trust, explored the grime and glamour of regency horse racing, following the determined but impoverished Lucy Goodwin and upright Lord Chalifour. Her second novel, A Gentleman's Surrender,  introduced the innocent Lady Monique and tortured Mr. Stanton, both struggling to find love in a world filled with deceit.
Though entirely at home in the ballrooms and street alleys of London past, Mariel Grey is currently working on a contemporary story set in Florida, a landscape dear to the author's heart. When she isn't conjuring words on her computer screen, Grey can be found on the water fishing, snorkeling, and enjoying the incredible natural beauty of her home.
Mariel has a wonderful husband (the hero of her own romantic story) as well as two mischievous rescue kittens (who are quite happy to play the role of villains). In addition to being a dutiful wife and animal wrangler, Mariel is a member of the Romance Writers of America and affiliated chapter of the Ancient City Romance Authors.