Seducing the Duchess by Ashley March

http://amzn.to/29bpsAc
Love and marriage don't have to be strangers... 

Gambling. Carousing. Flirting. Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford, will do anything to escape her painful marriage and force her husband to divorce her. But when Phillip, Duke of Rutherford, promises a divorce if Charlotte will help him become a better husband for another woman, she wonders if she really wants to lose him...



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I love a good 'second chance at romance' story and the premise of this story really seemed to tick all the boxes for me. Unfortunately I was probably about 5 pages in before I began to have serious reservations about the story. Or, more accurately, the characters.

Philip has decided that he loves his wife despite marrying her for reasons other than love and not having spent much time in her company over the last few years. He wants her back and wants to atone for his sins so he is, in some ways, sympathetic. Charlotte on the other hand was just terrible. She was a shrew and instead of being strong she came across as a hard, unlikeable harridan who acted childishly and pathetically to get back at her husband. Her behaviour was atrocious and didn't endear me to her one bit.

Because of my dislike of the characters it was very hard to care about them or the things that they did. There were very few tender moments and the love scenes didn't interest me - possibly due to my lack of emotional involvement with the story overall.

To be honest, I found it really difficult to find the enthusiasm to finish this book. I even thought that the conclusion left it open to the couple falling out once again - but perhaps that's just me being cynical. I don't like giving books low ratings but I'm sorry to say I just can't recommend this book to you. 1 star and I'll be giving this author a miss from now on.


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311 pages

A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

http://amzn.to/29bpWGA
Miss Kate Daltry doesn't believe in fairy tales . . . or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince, and decides he's anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman - a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfil his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancée, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn't love her, and knows, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.
Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after - unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.


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This is the first in James' Fairy Tales five part series. There are also a few e-books that follow on from this story however these and all the rest of the series stand alone and have no connection to each other except the fairy tale theme.

From the first I liked Kate and felt for her situation. It was especially well done that although the stepmother wasn't particularly nice, she wasn't a caricature and was believable in her meanness! Gabriel was a very enjoyable hero and I always like a pair that bicker but are strong enough to stand up for themselves with each other. Together Kate and Gabriel worked really well and I really enjoyed their scenes together and thought the pair had good chemistry.

The story itself ticked over nicely and I loved the supporting characters who were vibrant but never overshadowed or upstaged the main romance. I never had a problem with wanting to pick up this book and keep reading. If I had to make one critisism it would be that there were a few too many Americanisms for my liking. Having said that, at the end of the book the author's note explains that this is set in Fairy Tale land rather than being an actual historical so I'm not sure whether that was a deliberate move.

Regardless, this was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I felt the magic and adored watching Kate and Gabriel on the path to their happily ever after.


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383 pages

Fairy Tale Series:

               


Related novellas:

       






Lady Drusilla's Road to Ruin by Christine Merrill

http://amzn.to/29rDGsv
MAD DASH TO GRETNA!

Considered a spinster, Lady Drusilla Rudney has only one role in life: to chaperon her sister. So when her flighty sibling elopes Dru knows she has to stop her! She employs the help of a fellow travelling companion, who looks harmless enough…

Ex-army captain John Hendricks is intrigued by this damsel in distress. Once embroiled with her in a mad dash across England, he discovers that Dru is no simpering woman. Her unconventional ways make him want to forget his gentlemanly conduct…and create a scandal all of their own!


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This appears to be the second book in a series after Lady Folbroke's Delicious Deception. Although the couple from that book appear in this one, you don't have to have read the first one to understand this one.

While this book passed the time, I'm afraid that I found it quite basic and ultimately forgettable. Dru was a nice enough character - feisty without ever conforming to a stereotype. I also liked that John was a strong, un-titled man but his glasses gave him a sweet, studious edge. I wanted the pair to have chemistry but I just didn't believe that they felt anything for each other, other than perhaps lust.

Halfway through the book I started to wonder what on earth was going to fill the rest of the book and that is never the sign of a riveting and enthralling story. There was also a fair number of jarring Americanisms throughout the book which pulls you from the story.
Overall this was an easy enough read with a basic plot that just didn't seem to rise to any sort of high level. 3 stars.


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304 pages



When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

http://amzn.to/29JJzBs
Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman.

She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.

If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?


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From page one I was engrossed with this book. The characters jumped off the page and you couldn't help but love them, root for them and want them desperately to find a way to be together. Linnet was a very beautiful woman and while she was aware of that fact and used it to her best advantage you never got the impression she was spoiled and I liked her from the get go. Piers too could quite easily have been a character that was hard to like with his temper and grumpy demeanor. Quite the opposite was true and I loved him. Together the pair had chemistry and spark as well as fabulous banter and enjoyable sparring dialogue.

The plot was fast pace and kept you turning the pages. This is the kind of novel that you can't stop thinking about when you put it down and want to talk about with anyone that will listen. I was on the edge of my seat during the dramatic ending and I just adored the epilogue. If you're looking for an enchanting historical romance that you can lose yourself in for an afternoon then I would highly recommend this novel to you.

*This is part of James' Fairy Tale series. Each book is inspired by a classic fairy tale but do not have linked characters, situations or locations.* 


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349 pages

Fairy Tale Series:

               


Related novellas:

       






Maid for the Billionaire by Ruth Cardello

http://amzn.to/29uOsSt
Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex.

Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn’t believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men - until she meets Dominic. He’s both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic’s company. 


With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good? 


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This is the first time I've ever read a self-published novel so I'll admit to being a little apprehensive at first. However, once you start to read you get swept up into the story and you can't help but want to read just a little bit more each time you pick up the book.

Personally, I found it refreshing to find a heroine with compassion and vulnerability but also with a real strength. Despite Dominic's strong, forceful and, at times, arrogant personality, Abby never lets him bully her. It was also nice to see Dominic's emotions and motivations shown throughout the book. He was deliciously alpha but not in an overbearing way. The pair had nice chemistry and played well off each other.

I enjoyed the overall story and the interactions between the characters. I'm really looking forward to reading Nicole and Stephan's story (For Love or Legacy) as well as Lil and Jake's story (Bedding the Billionaire) who all appeared as minor characters in this book.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that I would have preferred to see a little bit more of a grand romantic gesture at the end. Having the family descend on Dom and Abby when they'd only just declared their love made it a little anti-climactic and took the focus off the main pair. But that's a minor point in what was a very enjoyable story overall. 4 stars and definitely worth a read.

The book would fit into the Mills and Boon Modern line so if romance is not your thing then this book probably isn't for you.


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221 pages

Playing Dirty by Susan Andersen

http://amzn.to/29tF3Iz
When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…

Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he'd slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn't the gullible dreamer she once was– and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can't refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She's certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade's determination. Because he's never gotten over her– and he's not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red hot future…


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Back in high school, Cade Gallari slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet and proceeded to break her heart, dent her confidence and make her vow to hate him forever. Now, 13 years later, Cade, hotter than ever, is back and about to make an offer Ava can't refuse.

Now a documentary film producer, Cade needs Ava to work closely with him on his newest project and if she manages to forgive him at the same time then he'll be happy. But he won't be completely satisfied until Ava gives him another chance and he's not above playing dirty to get what he really wants.

This is the third book in the Sisterhood Diaries series after Cutting Loose and Bending the Rules and I probably would suggest that you read the books in order for everything to make sense.

This book was a long time coming and I was so excited to receive it and read it. Perhaps my high expectations were part of the reason that I failed to be completely blown away by this novel.

It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination and Susan Andersen's wit, style of writing and humour are there in spades. Both Cade and Ava were lovely characters and had the kind of 'hate turning to love' storyline that I really enjoy. They had good chemistry and I was really happy for them and rooting for them on their path to the happily ever after.

I would have liked to see a little bit more interaction between Ava, Jane and Poppy (especially as the scenes when they were together were so sweet!) and perhaps a few more scenes with Jase and Dev but that's probably just personal preference and didn't necessarily distract from the actual love story. The baddie wasn't scary (and I'm a total wimp) and was dispatched so easily that there really hadn't been much danger.

Overall, if you like Susan Andersen and are reading the Sisterhood trilogy then this isn't a book you'd want to miss. I wasn't sure how to rate this one as although it's not nearly as good as the first two in the series, it's still much better than other books I've read so I've stuck with 4 stars and Susan Andersen continues to be one of my favourite authors.


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336 pages

Sisterhood Diaries series:

           






The Captive by Joanne Rock

http://amzn.to/29Hm4gW
Women should be sweet, mild mannered...docile. Unfortunately, Lady Gwendolyn, a rich Saxon widow, is none of those things.

And Viking warrior Wulf Geirsson wants her desperately! One glimpse of the brazen beauty scrambling over the castle ramparts, and he knows he has to have her. Especially when she takes a tumble and lands at his feet.

But Wulf quickly finds that taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two different things. And once she decides to engage in a seductive assault of her own, he's the one captivated....



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When I first started to read this book I assumed it would be all strong, brawny Vikings raiding English villages, stealing away innocent maidens and sailing on the high seas. So I was more than a little surprised when the story was actually a lot slower than the mad paced adventure I thought it would be.

That's not necessarily a bad thing though as it gave you time to get to know the characters. Gwendolyn was a delight. She was a strong woman who knew her own mind but still had insecurities, faults and while being impulsive, was sensible with it. Wulf was the strong, silent type and while I knew he was a tough leader, he did tend to be a lot softer and calmer than you might expect a Viking warrior to be. Together the couple worked well and they had some good chemistry although not as hot as some I have read.

The story held me from beginning to end and I did enjoy the battle of wills between Wulf and Gwendolyn. The ending was wrapped up nicely and overall this was an enjoyable story that I very much enjoyed. If you enjoy a Viking romance without too much war or wickedness then I would recommend this book to you. 4 stars.


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217 pages



Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles

http://amzn.to/29rF12xA Viking raid
 
They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors. An honorable captor One man protected her–Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A new life–as his mistress! Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking's arms!


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This is the first of three novels all connected by the raid at Lindisfarne coming before Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife and The Viking's Captive Princess. While they share similar characters and back story, each are entirely stand alone.

Annis is a strong woman who knows her own mind but her insecurities and worry make her much more than a stereotype. Haakon is the strong Viking Jaarl who tries desperately to keep control of his headstrong captive and his own heart. The pair had chemistry and although the sex scenes weren't scorching, they were still nicely sexy. If I could have changed one thing, I would have liked to have Haakon show just a little more emotion when it came to his feelings for Annis - even if that was in private. Despite that, the ending was lovely and had me sighing!

The story was very rich in detail and it was obvious that the author not only did a lot of research into the time period but also put her heart into ensuring historical accuracy. At the end of the book she explains some of the points of note and lists the books she found useful which is an interesting touch and good if you are interested in learning more about the history of the Vikings.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story to pass the time and one that I would recommend if you enjoy a Viking romantic adventure. 4 stars.


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304 pages






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