The moment spymaster Baron Fulkham meets the stunning Princess Aurore of Chanay, he's positive her royal persona is a ruse and that she's actually Monique Servais, the mysterious actress he met three years before in Dieppe. But as he pursues his suspicions, he uncovers a plot of attempted assassination and betrayal that could very well destroy his career, expose his own secrets...and ruin the woman he's rapidly coming to love.

Title: The Secret of Flirting
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Series: Sinful Suitors
Pages: 416
Genre(s): Historical, Regency, England
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I have to hold my hands up and say I am a massive fan of Sabrina Jeffries. This is a double edged sword as while I’m pre-disposed to like her novels, I also have very high expectations of what I want from her books. So I’m always a bit nervous when I start one of her novels - will I love it or will it be the first to disappoint me?

Luckily, this book didn’t cause me any problems whatsoever as it was a classic Sabrina Jeffries tale - full of sparkling banter, wit and sexual tension between two well-rounded and likeable characters you can’t help but fall in love with.

This is the 5th book in the Sinful Suitors series. You don’t have to have read any of the others to like and understand this one although the characters from the previous books do make a few appearances. I’ve read all the previous books and even I was quite confused by everyone popping back up - but it was nice to see that all our previous couples were still happy and in love.

This book had two of the things that I really love in a hero/heroine combination. First, Gregory is an arrogant, closed-off man who always thinks he knows what’s right and what should happen and when. Enter Monique. From the first the pair rub each other the wrong way - and rub sparks off each other in a big way. When they meet each other again, years after their initial encounter, Monique throws Gregory for a loop and really knocks him off balance and this causes the pair to constantly spar. That’s the second thing I love - lots of banter that barely disguises the sexual tension.

The sex scenes are hot but perhaps not as plentiful as in other books, including previous Sabrina Jeffries novels. Still deliciously satisfying, though.

This book is a romance but there is still a little bit of mystery as to who wants to cause disruption to the conference to choose the first ruler of Belgium. Even as a small part of the romantic storyline, I still didn’t know who the bad guy was or what his/her motives were. It was a nice little aside and helped to bring about a happy conclusion to the story as a whole.

The love story was sweet, believable and gave me little butterflies in my tummy. As I mentioned before, Gregory was an arrogant sort and it’s always more satisfying to see them fall into love. It was especially wonderful as Monique was such a different character than you would normally expect from a Regency. As a French actress, she was more free, unrestricted by the strict rules of the ton (despite her having to play that role) and she was an all-round likeable character. I was rooting for her.

And as for the whole ‘deception’ plot - I was very pleased that it didn’t go the traditional route where Gregory was unaware of her real identity when she was playing the role of Princess. Not only would that have been daft, it would have felt like we would have been just waiting until Gregory figured it out. This way, there was a different set of problems which made for a good read.

I was going to take exception to the use of Guy Fawkes Day rather than the more usual Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night - but having looked it up, I have to admit that during the time this book was set (1830) it looks like ‘day’ was the preferred term since there was a lot of civil disobedience throughout the whole day rather than just the normal night time festivities. So that’s me telt! British people definitely don’t call each other pistols, though! (“He’s a real pistol!”)

All in all, this was an enjoyable, rich and witty tale - the best of historical romance. We’ve only got one book left in the Sinful Suitors - a novella out in July - The Risk of Rogues. I hope that will be as enjoyable as this which will make it a great end to what’s already been a very great series.

And you’ll be happy to know that we do find out what the secret of flirting is. Watch out men - I’m coming!

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* I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

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Victorian class lines are crossed when cook Kat Holloway is drawn into a murder that reaches all the way to the throne.

Highly sought-after young cook Kat Holloway takes a position in a Mayfair mansion and soon finds herself immersed in the odd household of Lord Rankin. Kat is unbothered by the family’s eccentricities as long as they stay away from her kitchen, but trouble finds its way below stairs when her young Irish assistant is murdered.

Intent on discovering who killed the helpless kitchen maid, Kat turns to the ever-capable Daniel McAdam, who is certainly much more than the charming delivery man he pretends to be. Along with the assistance of Lord Rankin’s unconventional sister-in-law and a mathematical genius, Kat and Daniel discover that the household murder was the barest tip of a plot rife with danger and treason—one that’s a threat to Queen Victoria herself.

Title: Death Below Stairs
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Below Stairs Mystery
Pages: 106
Genre(s): Historical (Victorian)
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An absorbing, vibrant mystery

This book is the first book in the Kat Holloway Below Stairs Mystery series. The second book, Scandal Above Stairs, comes out in July 2018 although it’s not yet clear how long the series will continue after that.

I didn’t realise until I’d finished this book that it was actually the start of a series. (In fact, Kat Holloway first appeared in Ashley’s previous Soupçon of Poison - now noted as a prequel to the series.) This irked me for about 5 minutes - I was really hoping for a conclusion to the wonderful relationship between Kat and Daniel - and that shows just how wonderful this book was. I staunchly avoid books where the relationship doesn’t conclude within the pages of the first book - and if I don’t realise it until the end - I don’t go on to read the rest. The beauty with this book is that the relationship is simmers deliciously in the background while all the murder, mystery and adventure is going on. I really want to read more of Kat and Daniel - partly for the mystery and partly because I really, really, really want them to end up together!

Kat was the kind of character that I imagine is very hard to write - and get right for the reader. She’s a bit snarky, a bit standoffish and likes her life, and her kitchen, just so. And I bloody loved her. She felt so real and I could feel her emotions - especially when she was trying to keep herself at an emotional distant from Daniel. With varying degrees of success!

The book is written purely from Kat’s point of view and in first person. We get to see things as they develop and get to know how Kat is feeling and reacts to things - probably another reason there is such a connection with her. Because of this, Daniel is as mysterious to the reader as he is to Kat. I had plenty of theories as to his back story and occupation (all theories left unfulfilled) but Kat had them too. She was a smart cookie and I loved that she was a strong, independent woman when it probably wasn’t acceptable to be one. Still, I think I loved Daniel as much as Kat obviously did and I want to know so much more about him. As an aside, the book isn’t filled with sex - in fact, there are only a few kisses. But as someone who prefers a little steam in their stories, I promise you you do not miss it.

The mystery element of the story is interesting, constantly moving and contains lots of elements that fit together - not neatly like you might expect - but messily and more true to life than I expected. I didn’t guess the “answer” to the mystery/ies but then I’m happy to let the characters do all the sleuthing and guess work!

But hands-down, hand on heart, the best thing about this book is the storytelling. From the very first page I was pulled right into 1880s London and Kat’s world. The story was so rich, vibrant and absorbing - it felt so wonderful to be pulled into the world of a good story. I was actually in Kat’s kitchen (and other locations around London and the south) as if I was there and Kat was relating her story to me.

This book wasn’t what I expected but it took me by surprise in the best possible way. I’m really looking forward to the next in the series and recommend this book to you whether you’re a diehard mystery fan or, like me, you are a romance reader looking for something a little different but just as captivating. A wonderful book - 5 stars.

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She’ll play his game―but only by her rules!

Alex Lancaster is an adrenaline junkie. He’s also a sexy British billionaire who should come with his own warning signs. When Libby insists she is done with men who live on the edge, Alex coaxes her out of her comfort zone―professionally and very, very personally. Libby’s taking a high-stakes gamble, but the pay-off could win her everything…

Title: A Week to Be Wild
Author: JC Harroway
Series: -
Pages: 224
Genre(s): Mills & Boon Dare
Hot Buttons: Death of a Fiance, Ill Baby

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I was so excited when I saw that Mills & Boon were releasing a new line of books. Perhaps this would fill the hole that the recently defunct Blaze line created for me. Man, I loved those books of sexy, successful men and feisty, strong, take charge women. Looking back, I think that my excitement - and subsequently high expectations - were never going to be lived up to.

The book started off well. The writing style of J.C. Harroway flowed well, was fresh and really kept my interest and the pages turning.

Alex was a British billionaire who was also a little bit of a daredevil. But he had a heart of gold and it was just as easy for me to fall for him as it was for Libby. He was also never written as a stereotypical Englishman which pleased me no end. No ‘jolly good old chap’ for this hero. Can’t really say the same for - och, was it the wee Scottish assistant? - but he was barely there so I glossed over that part.

I also liked Libby (although I’m pretty sure Libby is a derivation of Elizabeth - not Olivia). I liked her sassiness, understood her motivations but…then her damned internal monologue just wouldn’t quit.

I have a very dirty mind and I do enjoy my filth - but even I was getting frustrated with Libby and her constant forays into sexual fantasies about Alex. How on earth had this girl managed to build a successful business when she couldn’t keep her mind off what she wanted to do to Alex - or what she wanted him to do to her? Her thoughts seemed more befitting a 12 year old boy and I felt a little dirty reading it and not in a good way.

About 50% of the book was build-up to the initial sex scene rather than a chance to get to know our main characters. I like a bit of sexual tension but half the book? That’s overkill and I got seriously bored.

And then came the second half of the book.

The story picked up. Alex and Libby really got into their relationship and their little games of oneupmanship - excitement inside and outside the bedroom. The pair had banter and you really started to believe in them and feel for them as a couple. They opened up to each other (and the reader) more and you got to understand their back stories, their quirks, their hangups and their baggage. And the sex was pretty darn sexy, too! Finally!

The ending, and happily ever after, was nicely done and it made me smile. It felt real and I liked the way that Libby acted and reacted to the whole situation. If she’d been the girl she was in the latter half of the book, during that first half, this would have been a 5 star book without a shadow of a doubt.

This was definitely a book of two halves for me. I would still recommend it if you like your billionaire romances, are a fan of Mills & Boon or are just looking to pass the time on a rainy afternoon. I’ll keep my eye out for the next from the Dare line as this book did show promise and I’m still hoping that this will be my new favourite line to make me forget all about Blaze. 3 stars.

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A Lord’s fortune is forever changed with a kiss on Christmas from a daring young woman…

Finn, Viscount Edgerton, has avoided the London scene to focus solely on digging out from under the pile of debt his father left behind. A decent dowry could make things a hell of a lot easier for the estate, but he hasn’t met the right woman. And he never would have expected her to come in the form of “Miss Mistletoe”—the young woman who stole a kiss at a ball in front of the ton and caused a scandal.

On the eve of her cousin’s wedding, Cece McCrea hardly expects to run into the man who inspired her indiscretion five years ago. This time, she resolves to put aside her childish crush and avoid him altogether. Her will is tested, however, when he pursues her….

Title: Miss Mistletoe
Author: Erin Knightley
Series: Sealed with a Kiss
Pages: 106
Genre(s): Historical, England, Christmas, Short
Hot Buttons: clean, no epilogue

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This novella is part Knightley’s 'Sealed with a Kiss’ series. I didn’t realise this until I’d finished the book so you obviously don’t need to have read the first book (More than a Stranger) to understand and like this one. This book does take place during the couple from the first book’s wedding but you see so little of them that if you’re reading this story in the hope of seeing more of them, I feel you’ll be disappointed. Richard (Cece’s cousin) appears in the next book in the series, A Taste for Scandal, which I now realise I’ve read and enjoyed a lot.
Both main characters are pleasing and likeable. Cece (Cecelia) is someone you can really understand - trying to get over her childhood fancy while constantly being forced into his presence. I felt that could have been played up a wee bit more. After a couple of interactions the pair had a truce. I prefer a bit more irritation and banter. I could understand her feelings for Finn and how they developed.

I had a bit of a more difficult time with Finn - although there are extra points for a great name. He was understandably irritated with Cece and on their first re-meeting, he was wary of her motives. And then they have one snipey conversation and suddenly he’s remembering that he really liked her as a young girl and he wanted to get to know her better. I didn’t buy it. It wasn’t even believable that he was irked that she was ignoring him instead of fawning over him - there wasn’t enough time or interactions for that to be the case.

The story picked up for me, emotionally, once the house party had finished. It was more believable and I could get behind it a bit more. I could have done with a bit more than the 2 or 3 kisses that we got but there wasn’t really an occasion for it, unfortunately. I just like things a bit steamier.

The festive touches in the book are minimal. The ‘incident’ took place at Christmas and the ending takes place at Christmas but apart from a few passing mentions - and the mistletoe - there isn’t much else to pull you into Christmas and all the merriment of the season.

This book was pleasant, well written and a nice diversion for a couple of hours. It just lacked sparkle for me. There was no magic in the couple and none from the Christmas theme, sadly. I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars but since that’s not an option, and I’m feeling the effects of the season, 4 stars it is. Give it a go if you like short, historical romances at Christmas, you enjoy Erin Knightley’s writing or are following the Sealed with a Kiss series.

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