Some wallflowers bloom at night...

Violet Winterbottom is a quiet girl. She speaks six languages, but seldom raises her voice. She endured bitter heartbreak in perfect silence. The gentlemen aren't beating down her door.
Until the night of the Spindle Cove Christmas ball, when a mysterious stranger crashes into the ballroom and collapses at Violet's feet. His coarse attire and near-criminal good looks would put any sensible young lady on her guard. He's wet, chilled, bleeding, and speaking in an unfamiliar tongue.
Only Violet understands him. And she knows he's not what he seems. 

She has one night to draw forth the secrets of this dangerously handsome rogue. Is he a smuggler? A fugitive? An enemy spy? She needs answers by sunrise, but her captive would rather seduce than confess. To learn his secrets, Violet must reveal hers—and open herself to adventure, passion, and the unthinkable... Love.

Warning: The heroine packs a pistol, the hero curses in multiple languages, and together they steam up a cold winter’s night. 

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This novella is a short story that is part of Dare's Spindle Cove series. This story follows A Night to Surrender and comes before A Week to Be Wicked. I've not read either and found that this story was an intriguing insight into the series and didn't need to be read in order to be understood.

The characters in this story were great. Violet was a quiet girl but didn't fall into the cliche of being shy with it. She was feisty, honest and bold - I really liked her. Equally, the hero was everything I like in a leading man - brooding, mysterious and willing to sacrifice anything for the woman he loves. The pair had great chemistry and I really liked them as a couple.

This is an implausible, fun and feisty romp with characters I really enjoyed and an almost farcical, fast-paced storyline that was a delight from start to finish. It will only take you a little while to read, but the price is right and the story is a great way to spend an hour or so. If you're a fan of Tessa Dare or just looking for a light and frothy tale to take your mind off things for a while then I would recommend this to you. 5 stars.

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96 pages

Spindle Cove series in order:

Click to see other books by Tessa Dare

A virgin, a rake, Regency England... pleasure.

Our hero finds himself in trouble when Miss Winters is sent to his office for punishment. Is he strong enough to withstand her youthful innocence and passion? 

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This is a very short and sexy, erotic tale and the first that I have read by Laurel Bennett. It's the same story as The Headmaster's Fall but this time seen through the eyes of the headmaster rather than Miss Winters.

At only 17 pages long the book is more of an encounter rather than a full story. Having said that, the writing was very good, the situations hot and I enjoyed it very much. The twist at the end is both welcome and handled well; it made me like the story much more.

Overall, if you're looking for a hot, 10 minute read then I would recommend this to you. 4 stars.

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17 pages

Click to see other books by Laurel Bennett

Someone borrowed is something new… 

Nikki Fine’s debut as an exotic dancer is also her closing act. Because the moment she pops out of the “cake” at a bachelor party, Nikki manages to whack Adam Burke. Fortunately, he overlooks their collision, which leads to a very private – and satisfying – encounter.

But it seems this fling isn’t meant to be. It turns out Adam is a conflict of interest at Nikki’s new day job – the one she can’t afford to lose. Resisting him is easier said than done when he keeps turning up at the office. Maybe she can risk borrowing this bachelor one more time…

All the Groom’s Men: These guys are too hot to be left at the altar!

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I'm always happy to read a Blaze romance and wasn't put off by the unusual premise or how the characters meet in the beginning. Unfortunately, after reading the book I feel that these are the only positive things I can say about it.

Firstly - the characters. Adam was far too immature for my tastes right off the bat and not just because he was only 25. I prefer the male lead to be a strong, confident man but Adam was a juvenile, college boy. Nikki, however, just left me shaking my head in disgust. She too was young, immature and so whiney that I actually couldn't stand her. The pair had no chemistry and the sex scenes were embarrassing to say the least. I want to read about men I want for my own and women that can inspire me - not two kids fumbling and groping about, playing at love and sex.

The plot was flimsy and ridiculous and just didn't interest me at all, I'm afraid. The language used was unbelievably unsophisticated and I just couldn't believe how the characters acted and interacted.

Whenever I put this book down, which was often, I started thinking that perhaps I was being too harsh and that it couldn't have been that bad. So I would pick it up to read again and find out that yes, it really was that bad.

Some books are so bad they are funny. This book didn't even reach those heights. I'm actually flabbergasted that this was a Blaze book and will be avoiding this author from now on. I'm still shaking my head that I wasted so much of my time reading this book and I can't recommend it by any stretch of the imagination. 1 star.

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224 pages

Click to see other books by Karen Kendall

She had long, gorgeous hair

Summer Tomlinson always had a thing for Andrew Macmillan. Now that they're business partners--as well as bed partners!--Summer wonders if letting her hair down will catch him for good....

He sought a sleeping beauty

Historian Ashlynn Scott is seeking the fabled castle of Sleeping Beauty. But with just one kiss, she finds herself tangled up--and tangled in the sheets!--with a rogue adventurer. She might never want to wake up!

She was being chased by every man

Ginger Redman wanted to be irresistible, so she made a wish on a magic cookie. And the baked treat delivers--sending her sexy best friend, Stephen Fox, right into her bed!

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All Tangled Up by Stephanie Bond
Andrew is back in his small town after the death of his estranged father. He finds his father's estate in turmoil but can gorgeous neighbour, Summer, with long flowing hair, lead him back to find a happily ever after.

I swear I've read this story a hundred times before - man back in home town, estranged father, girl who loved him when younger etc etc etc. This really didn't excite or interest me and apart from Summer's hair I could see little resemblance to the fairy tale.

Sleeping with a Beauty by Leslie Kelly
Historian, Ashlynn is searching for Sleeping Beauty's castle when she finds herself accosted by rogue adventurer, Raine. With one kiss Ashlynn realises that even though she hasn't found her castle perhaps she has found her Prince Charming.

In this cute and unique story we travel back to the fairytale land of Elatyria which featured in a few of Kelly's previous short stories. Both Raine and Ashlynn are lovely characters and their love story is cute and satisfying.

Catch Me by Michelle Rowen
All Ginger wants for Valentine's Day is for men to want her so that she can have her pick rather than being stood up on the most romantic night of the year. But when a magic cookie makes her dream come true she takes refuge in the arms of her best friend, Stephen, the one man she dreams of having a happily ever after with.

I couldn't remember much about the tale of the Gingerbread Man but when I read this story I definitely saw the clever similarities. I loved both Ginger and Stephen and their relationship was so sweet. I've never read Michelle Rowen before but I'll look out for other Blaze books by her in the future. Good fun.

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I didn't like the first story at all but the other two certainly made up for it. If you're looking for light, sweet and romantic stories then even with the bad apple at the start I would still recommend this book to you. 4 stars.

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224 pages

Kristina Taylor's biological clock just went off. She has endometriosis. Now “who's your baby's daddy” just took on a completely new meaning. A brilliant plan for conception includes her hot best friend Johnny Huston. Taking him to bed won’t be a hardship—if she can only get him to play by her rules. After all, she wants to maintain their friendship. Not easy if he ends up being the best sex of her life.

Knock her up? Krissy has to be crazy. Or is she? Johnny has loved her since high school. Her plan might not include life after baby. His does. But how is he going to show her how good they can be together with all her rules—no kissing, no touching, no caressing. He can make love to her, but she’s determined not to enjoy it. To hell with that and to hell with her rules. He’s determined to show her friendship is the best foundation for a relationship.

But there are always complications…

With Johnny, Krissy is afraid to look to the future. Right now, she can’t get enough of the present, and she dreads the thought of losing what she’s had with him in the past.

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I was in the mood for a light, erotic tale and as I enjoy the storyline where friends fall in love I thought this one sounded perfect.

Almost from the start I realised that this story wasn't going to hit the right notes with me. Both our main characters were of college age and acted like it. Their priorities certainly weren't the same as if they had been a little older or more mature. There's nothing wrong with that but it made me dubious about whether they were making choices that could last in the long run.

I didn't really find either of the main characters likeable or relatable, either. Johnny was fair but Krissy just didn't do it for me. She was touted as a slim, gorgeous girl with oversized surgically enhanced breasts and her personality came across as childish, demanding and unsympathetic. The pair were constantly playing games with each other or creating conflict that a simple conversation could have sorted out - very frustrating.

Now onto the sex. Perhaps because of my points above, I found the sex completely unsatisfying despite there being a lot of it. It was a little tawdry and I got bored with them boinking, not boinking etc etc. There was also Johnny's fixation with Krissy's 'ass' which could only lead to one thing. This doesn't do it for me at all and even so, was written in a way that made me feel quite uncomfortable.

Good points about this book are that it's short and fairly inexpensive. Apart from that the elements just didn't work for me and I can't recommend it. 1 star.

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234 pages

Click to see other books by KyAnn Waters

Her Only Hope For The Season

With their father gone this Christmastide, Bronwyn de Breton and her two younger sisters are utterly vulnerable at unprotected Hunswick Castle. And their troubles are compounded when a fearsome knight arrives on the king's orders to take Hunswick as his own--and the youngest de Breton daughter as his wife.  

Is A Man She's Never Met

Bronwyn would never let her little sister be forced to marry a man as rough and wild as the new lord is whispered to be. Yet someone must form an alliance with him, or all of Hunswick will be at risk. So she steps forward, pretending to be her own sister.

And A Love She Never Expected

But the new lord is not so easily fooled. He knows Bronwyn is not the woman he has promised to marry. And yet, no matter how duty-bound he may be, there is no resisting the golden-haired beauty who so fearlessly gives herself to him. . . and awakens a passion unlike any he's ever known... 

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I have never read Michele Sinclair before but I can't resist a Christmas tale and this one seemed right up my street with a scarred man made whole by the love of a good woman. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed.

Ranulf was, for me, the perfect kind of hero - brooding and angry but underneath so vulnerable; I just wanted to hug him! Bronwyn was also an exceptional character and was a spirited and likeable female that still felt right for the medieval time period. They worked fantastically together and I liked their chemistry and how together they were stronger - once they got over their insecurities, that is.

The book mainly covered the relationship between Bronwyn and Ranulf although there was a little bit of intrigue and danger. Some might find this makes the book a little slow but I was gripped from start to finish. There were also lovely little snippets about Christmas and festivities in the medieval period which were a nice touch and really fascinating. There were a few too many modern Americanisms for my liking but I'll admit that this is a personal peeve of mine in any historical book.

I see that there are books planned for Bronwyn's sisters and I very much look forward to reading them and hope that I enjoy them as much as I did this one. Overall, this was an entertaining book that I couldn't wait to continue reading and one that I would very much recommend. A high 4 stars from me.

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481 pages

Click to see other books by Michele Sinclair

Lady Celia Sharpe hopes that if she can garner offers of marriage from several eligible gentlemen and show her grandmother she is capable of gaining a husband, she can convince Gran to rescind the marriage ultimatum for her. And if that plan doesn't work, at least she'll have a husband lined up. 

But Bow Street Runner Jackson Pinter seems determined to ruin her plans by disapproving of every suitor she asks him to investigate. It's only when she and Jackson work together to solve her parents' murders, plunging them both into danger, that she realizes why--because the only man he wants her to marry is himself!

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This is the final book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series following The Truth About Lord Stoneville, A Hellion in Her Bed, How to Woo A Reluctant Lady and To Wed a Wild Lord. It's probably not essential that you read the books in order but I would strongly suggest that you do simply to get the back story and to get to know the characters.

I've been looking forward to Celia and Pinter's story since the first book as I do love a couple that start off with an antagonistic relationship that turns to love. The book didn't disappoint and the pair still had that passion and spark with each other even once the relationship progressed.

We really got to know Jackson and I felt both his desire for Celia and his anxiety over the barriers to their happily ever after. Celia, too, was a fine character that I liked and rooted for. She was impulsive, feisty but still had sense and intelligence.

I liked the fact that the other characters from the previous books appeared although I would have liked a bit more interactions between the couples. Gran was also on fine form with her meddling although if I'm honest she really irritated me with her unwillingness to unbend when Celia was so obviously unhappy.

As the last book in the series we finally find out the answer to the mystery of the parents' death. This could easily have overwhelmed the romance but I'm happy to say that it sat alongside it nicely. I was slightly underwhelmed by the solving of the mystery but that's probably just because it's been built up over the course of five books. It couldn't have gone any other way and I was still satisfied.

Despite the couple of niggles I'm still giving this book 5 stars as the writing is superb, the characters come to life and it's a fantastic end to a series that I have really enjoyed. I'm glad to see that some of the secondary characters are to get their own stories so although the series ends, hopefully the characters that I've grown to love will appear again.

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420 pages

The Hellions of Halstead Hall series:

            

Click to see other books by Sabrina Jeffries

Sophie believes that desperate measures are required to save her cousin from ruin, which is why she takes Alice's place in the Marquis of Roxburghe's planned seduction. Instead of the easy retreat she was anticipating, however, Sophie finds herself at the mercy of a man who shows no mercy when it comes to his desires. And she quickly discovers that Roxburghe is not a man who takes deception well...

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I bought this at the same time as the disappointing His Wayward Ward by the same author. Had I not, I would definitely not have downloaded this one but I had so I felt I should at least give it a go. Unfortunately, I wish that I hadn't bothered.

Within the first few paragraphs I had taken a huge dislike to our 'hero', Devereux. I normally like a dissolute rake that is redeemed by the love of the heroine but in this case it was his character and morals that were flawed and not just his behaviour. At one point he choked Sophie and bruised her but, don't worry, he was sorry - he has a temper and it would never happen again!! Shocking that such a leading man could be in a romance novel.

Sophie was a fair enough character but she lacked any excitement or strength and you felt it was only lust that the two characters felt for each other. I also couldn't forgive her for putting up with Dev's behaviour towards her.

The plot was staid and clichéd but nothing truly offensive. There was also nothing particularly sexy about the story despite it being billed as a risqué Regency romance.

Overall this isn't worth buying and I can't recommend it even if it was free. Sorry.

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55 pages

Click to see other books by Kate Harper

Joe Rafferty is just as mouthwatering as the food he cooks. But if he thinks he's going to waltz in and take over her kitchen, he's denser than a thick slice of chocolate ripple cheesecake. 

Marly has invested too much of her life in Chameleon to hand off the restaurant to someone else—especially a cocky–as–all–get–out superstar chef. But there's no denying the man knows how to light her fire. 

Question is: Can she have the sizzle without feeling the burn?

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As someone who loves both romance novels and food - I've been keen to read stories that combine the two. Unfortunately I haven't found any that do justice to my expectations and this book was no exception.

My first, and main, complaint was about Marly. I just didn't like her. She was over-confident, happy (and proud) to sleep around, quite juvenile in her reactions and not someone I could either relate to or aspire to be like. I'm all for strong, confident women in stories but Marly's casual attitude turned me off.

Joe was a likeable character who was doing his best to make changes in his life although to be fair he wasn't particularly discerning either when it came to his relationships. His character was fairly well developed and I liked him but he certainly wasn't a hero that I would swoon over. Regardless, his relationship with Marly was, for me, clouded by the fact that I wanted him to find someone better!

The story was okay but towards the end it all went a little bit ridiculous and I was a little confused as to why it had changed for no apparent reason. I also couldn't really understand much of the tension or conflict in the book. Surely a conversation between best friends, Marly and Olivia (another unsympathetic character and owner of the restaurant) would have made much of the point of the book disappear.

Overall this wasn't my thing at all. The writing wasn't terrible which is why I've given the book 2 stars rather than 1, but it was really hard to finish and I can't recommend it, unfortunately.

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321 pages

Click to see other books by Amanda Usen

Not every fairy tale begins with a prince or a princess...

When Miss Philippa Damson runs away from home to Pomeroy Castle, she is far from a princess...she's an extraordinary beauty with ordinary dreams - to live a quiet life as a nursemaid.

Jonas Berwick, rakish son of a grand duke, has vowed never to wed.
 
He offers Philippa everything - except his hand in marriage.

Philippa has stormed the castle, but now she faces an impossible challenge: to win the love of a prince, she may have to risk everything that makes her a lady.

Will the sacrifice of her honour be too high a price to pay?

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This short story is a sequel from James' A Kiss At Midnight which is the first in the Fairy Tales series. The series is set in Fairytale time with a dusting of the Regency so they aren't as strict when it comes to historical detail and accuracy. You probably want to have read A Kiss... before reading this one but I don't suppose it's 100% necessary.

I'm really glad that Wick got his own story and from the start I thought Phillipa a great match for him. She's that perfect blend of smart and strong but with a vulnerability in her that makes her likeable and relatable. Wick was also a good hero being proud and strong but truly in need of the love of a good woman. The pair had good chemistry and I was rooting for them throughout.

I debated between giving this 3 or 4 stars but decided in the end to be generous. My reason for this indecision was that due to its short nature the declarations of love came a little too abruptly for me. The conflict was also surrounding whether Wick and Phillipa could be together due to their different statuses but when the book concluded this was apparently a forgotten problem.

Overall this is a fun, quick read with characters I'm glad got their happily ever after. It's not the best I've ever read but it's a good read to pass an hour or so.

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novella

Click to see other books by Eloisa James