Yay! Welcome to Day 4 of the Counting on a Countess Blog Tour!

I'm delighted to have you here for this, my first ever Blog Tour. I'm a Blog Tour virgin!

Counting on a Countess is the second book in Eva Leigh's Scandalous Ladies of London series, the first being From Duke Till Dawn.

For this occasion, I had the opportunity to ask the wonderful Eva Leigh about the series, her writing and which book she wishes she'd written!

Welcome to the blog! What can you tell me about the Scandalous Ladies of London series?

Regency London was a much more dynamic place than we realize! There was Almack’s and White’s,  but there was a whole underworld full of fascinating people. I wanted to write a series that explored different aspects of that underworld, and I wanted to make my heroines the shady characters.

 

What made you write about the more unusual, underground aspects of Regency life - especially the scandalous ladies themselves?

I love that the high and low mixed together, and that the borders between the two were constantly shifting. Those liminal places are where stories happen. When it came to writing a romance that turned its gaze toward the in-between people and places, I wanted to focus on what it was like to be both a woman and someone who didn’t adhere to societal expectations and regulations. Resistance and nonconformity have always existed, so I wanted to turn the camera towards them.

 

Where did you get your inspiration for this series?

I love stories set in places that we don’t often see in historical romance, and I also wanted to see if I could write heroines who have moral complexity.

 

What kind of heroes are in these books - that can handle and love these unusual ladies?

Oh, yes! For me, the heroes have to appreciate all the aspects of what makes the heroines exceptional. They have to admire and support them. So while my heroes wear tall boots and cut dashing figures in Society, they’re also men who recognize the importance of a strong and unique partner. No matter what, my heroes are never misogynists. That’s not sexy to me, or a man who needs to be redeemed by love. And yes, there were men even then who believed in the equality between the sexes. That is definitely sexy.

 

What’s next for the series? Are we going to see Langdon’s story?

Most assuredly. Keep an eye on Langdon and Amina. They’ll get their HEA in Dare To Love a Duke. Be forewarned, their book is extremely sexy.

 

If you could become any of your heroines from any of your books, and live their story, which would you choose and why?

Honestly, I’m pretty accustomed to being me, though I love aspects of all of my heroines. Cassandra (from From Duke Till Dawn) is a survivor, and Tamsyn (from Counting On a Countess) is extraordinarily brave, so those are qualities I’d love to embrace in myself.

 

Did you always want to become a writer?

Yes! Almost immediately after learning how to read, I started writing. One of my earliest book-length projects, written when I was eleven, included a fantasy epic based on the musical Cats, followed by what we would call “fan fiction” centred around the group Duran Duran. I’m from the Eighties—could you tell? ;)

I went through a few different permutations, thinking I might become a book illustrator, a costume designer, a dramaturge, or an academic, but I always came back to writing, because I never stopped. 

 

Which romance book do you wish you’d written?

I love the wit of Tessa Dare, and the beauty and insight of Julie Anne Long. And I wouldn’t be upset if I, and not Jane Austen, had written Persuasion.

 

If you got transported to the Regency - which three modern inventions or things would you miss the most?

My contact lenses, my medications, and chocolate bars.

 

Looking back to when you were a new author - what piece of advice would you give yourself from everything you’ve learned to date?

Keep going. You’ll face many setbacks and pivots and reinventions, but don’t stop, because the struggle is worth it.


Thank you for joining us, Eva, and for answering the questions. I for one cannot wait to read Dare to Love a Duke!

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To read my reviews of From Duke Till Dawn and Counting on a Countess, 

click on the book covers below.

                                   

                        

BUY IT NOW!	BUY IT NOW!

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The London Underground / Scandalous Ladies of London Series:       

               

Click to see other books by Eva Leigh

Rock bottom has never felt so good.

At least, that’s what I tell myself when I bargain with the enemy and score a renovation for my hair salon. 

The enemy? Nick Stamos, my best friend’s older brother.

He’s got a body and face the Greek gods would envy but his personality needs a major overhaul.

He’s surly.
A rule-follower.
Did I mention he’s seen me naked?

I may have crushed on him for years, but the only place I want Nick swinging his hammer nowadays is at my salon.

Except, he needs something in return...

A fake girlfriend.

And I’m just reckless enough to say yes.

Title: Hold Me Today
Author: Maria Luis
Series: Put A Ring On It
Pages: 435
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: adoption, unhappy childhood <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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Let me start by laying it out quite simply - this book slayed me. In the best possible way. It made me laugh - it made me cry - it made me laugh while crying. I gasped out loud - and had to fan myself on more than one occasion. All in all, it was utterly fantastic.

I’ve never read Maria Luis before but now I want to get everything she has ever written and I want it now. This books stands alone but I did notice tiny teases of her Blades Hockey books, and the introduction of a certain burly ex-footballer with cynical eyes, who I’m hoping will be the subject of the next book in this series, Kiss Me Tonight.

Back to this story - I am straight up in love with Mina. Just bloody love her. She came alive off the pages and I want to simultaneously hug her for her vulnerabilities, and also to be her because she’s so damn sassy, sweet, kind, fun, mouthy - and everything else in between. But you also needn’t fear - she’s no cookie cutter adorable airhead. She’s smart and savvy in her own way. No cliches for Mina. I almost loved her more than I loved Nick. Almost.

Because Nick is just perfection. He’s a hot construction boss who might be called grumpy. Even he thinks he’s staid and sensible but oooft - that man can be bad when he wants to be. And dirty to boot. And no saint ever looked the way that he does. Yum! I especially loved the way he’s looked after Mina all her life. He’s cared for her all his life. And he even thinks that he doesn’t, and hasn’t always been in love with her. It’s so adorable that he’s so clueless about his own feelings.

I’m also almost speechless at the sexual tension and the build of Nick and Mina as a couple - I’m pretty sure my eyes rolled back in my head at one point as my stomach clutched. A dangerously gorgeous mixture of sweet and oh-so-sexy. I was overwhelmed with love and lust!

Ms Luis’s words just flowed from beginning to end. I found myself having to re-read paragraphs because I wanted to devour them so quickly - but also wanted to make sure I caught every single work. She so deftly captures the nuances of the evolution of the relationship between Nick and Mina. It’s not just a simple friends to lovers. Neither is it a high school crush brought to reality. It’s more. It’s everything.

I honestly cannot praise this book highly enough. I feel a bit shell-shocked now it’s over. Like I’m wrung out in the best possible way. Truly spectacular and very worthy of 5 stars from me.

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Buy this book now:

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

Maria Luis is the author of sexy contemporary romances, though she may or may not have a few historical romances hiding in the cobwebs of her computer.
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When she's not writing about strong men and the sassy women who sweep them off their feet, Maria is a historian who specializes in medieval England and 19th century New Orleans. What do the two eras have in common, you ask? Not much, except for disease, scandalous activities and crime--Maria's favorite topics.
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Maria lives in New Orleans with her better half, where she can generally be found hiking with her two dogs, Zeus and Athena, kayaking in Louisiana's inter-coastal waterways, or curled up on the couch with a good book.

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AUTHOR LINKS!

              

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GIVEAWAY!

Fancy the chance to win a signed paperback of Hold Me Today as well as on of 2 x $20 Amazon gift card?

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN


 (3 winners. Open internationally.)


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The Put A Ring On It Series:

  

    

Click to see other books by Maria Luis

Scotland 1747

When Josette needs help finding a trove of gold believed lost in the Highlands, she turns to Will Mackenzie, the most cunning, devious, and clever man she knows. But trusting Will with her secrets is akin to trusting the devil himself.

They’ve worked together in the past, pretending to be man and wife to ferret out information, and the venture did not end well. Will is dangerous, and so is his life, and danger is not what Josette needs.

But she knows the real reason she’s avoided him is because he’s Will Mackenzie, the golden-eyed, unpredictable man with warm hands that bring her to life. Will has more secrets than Josette ever can fathom, and the most dangerous thing of all is that he’s already stolen her heart.

Title: The Devilish Lord Will
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: The Mackenzies Series
Pages: 315
Genre(s): Historical, Georgian, Scotland
Hot Buttons: /

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I very much enjoyed Jennifer Ashley’s Victorian Death Below Stairs Mystery series so I was excited to give this book a go. I’m always a bit anxious when choosing a book set in Scotland or with Scottish characters. Will the author have everyone jigging the eightsome reel and proclaiming ‘och aye the noo’ at passers by?

Luckily - the answer is no. There were some dubious attempts at Scottish brogue (that to my Scottish ears sounded a wee bit more Geordie than ‘Scottish’) but all in all - people spoke like normal folk and in a way that was easy to read and understand! There was some talk of speaking Erse - which I personally have only ever heard in relation to Irish Gaelic - but happy to be corrected. And just to get all the Scottish malarkey out the way in one go - I do wish that ‘plaid’ wasn’t so liberally used as a catch-all term for tartan.

So onto the book proper. I wasn’t disappointed to see a very robust novel in very much the same writing style as Ms Ashley’s previous books. It was interesting, absorbing and contained a lot of detail without every coming across as dreary.

Will Mackenzie is definitely devilish and it’s hard not to love the charming rogue. He and Josette have known each other for a long time and have been on many an adventure together - presumably in the two books that precede this one, and form part of a mini-trilogy inside the larger Mackenzie series. This book does stand alone and while the central cast of characters are relatively small, there are a few introductions and situations that would have made more sense to me had I read The Stolen Mackenzie Bride and Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction before this one.

Back to Will and Josette - I really liked them as a couple and I loved how Will made it his mission to win Josette over. Perhaps since the couple had a previous romantic relationship, there was no need for much build up to the kissing or sex. It was still nicely hot but there wasn’t much tension in the lead up to it.

The action was at a minimum but there was a lot of intrigue and shenanigans. I never got lost in an overly intricate plot, however, which definitely shows the skill of the writer. I want to be entertained, not confused and with this book you can just sit back and enjoy the crazy schemes that Will and Josette get into!

Overall this is an enjoyable book that you will enjoy and root for the characters. There’s hijinks and mystery, romance and a satisfying conclusion and happily ever after. A good read for a jaunt to the Scottish Highlands. 4 stars.

Oh and one more Scottish thing - because I just can't help myself. I actually laughed out loud when the two Campbells in the novel were complaining that the Mackenzies were untrustworthy. It’s been over 300 years since the massacre and my Granny still always told me to be feart of a Campbell!!

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Buy this book now:

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

The Mackenzies Series:

       

Click to see other books by Jennifer Ashley

The list of things I hate is short. Not even my soon-to-be ex-husband is on that list. Nope. I save only the worst of the worst, the crème de la crème, the absolute I cannot even for this list . . .

1. Black coffee
2. Rude people
3. Nathaniel Bradley

Which is why when my father informs me that he’s making Nathaniel Bradley his new business partner, and in turn, my boss, I flip out.

1. He’s an annoying know-it-all.
2. He calls me a spoiled princess every chance he gets.
3. He disapproves of everything I do.

I go into this knowing I’ll hate every second in his presence. Except the longer he’s around, the more I find myself staring at his lips and remembering the one time they were on mine. I randomly find myself looking at his hands and wondering how they’d feel on my skin.

I try to snap out of it, but I guess I’m not as smart as I thought I was. No matter how many times I remind myself of the times I’ve practically thrown myself at him and he’s pushed me away, I keep falling little by little.

I’d always heard that it was a bad idea to mix business with pleasure and if that’s the case, this thing with Nathaniel has demise written all over it.

Title: The Consequence of Falling
Author: Claire Contreras
Series: /
Pages: 273
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: death of parent(s) <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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This is the first Claire Contreras story I’ve read and all in all I enjoyed it and will be looking for more of her books in the future. This is a standalone novel but towards the end some characters started (very briefly) talking about people who I wasn’t aware of - these seem to be the characters from the Heart series which I might go and find out more about. There was also what I’m hoping was a tease for Morgan’s story which sounds delicious and something I hope is coming soon.

We start our story with our heroine, Presley, a bratty fifteen year old meeting our hero, Nathaniel - a mature and experienced man of 18. Their first interaction is antagonistic and contentious and really sets the scene for the rest of their reactions as they fleetingly see each other over the years.

Presley was definitely a brat - spoiled, grumpy and I still absolutely loved her. There was something about her - despite how she acted - that made me want her to get what she wanted and needed.

Nathaniel was maybe less of an ideal main character for me. In the beginning I really liked him and his tattooed forearms. Yum! The way he and Presley played off each other really hit all the buttons. I do so love an enemies to lovers storyline. I could even forgive him for his ill-timed kiss - especially since it was a tummy-jumping, spine-tingling sort of kiss. It was when Presley and Nathaniel started working together that he started to annoy me. Just his little comments about how useless and spoiled Presley was. It would have been fine had she been doing what he accused her of, but she was trying hard with no experience and all he seemed to do was put her down. It felt uncomfortable and I didn’t like him in those moments.

Luckily he redeemed himself and as Presley and Nathaniel started the evolution of their relationship - I started to really love them as a couple. They were hot and I loved them - especially since their speciality banter didn’t leave them as soon as they became lovers.

Towards the end we have a sad and poignant section (and an ill-timed and rather disrespectful tryst) which, while foreshadowed throughout the book, still put the romance on the back burner. But it did still move Presley and Nathaniel’s relationship forward and really pushed them towards their happily ever after.

This story didn’t blow my mind but it really did get and keep my interest. I wanted to read every single word and the pages kept themselves turning consistently. The writing is absorbing and very fresh - you almost forget you’re reading and not actually involved in the story. Ms. Contreras is a great talent and I’m happy to add her to my list of authors I will look out for in the future. 4 well-deserved stars.

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BUY THIS BOOK NOW!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

Claire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author. Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in seven different languages. 



She lives in Miami, Fl with her husband, two adorable boys, three bulldogs, and two stray cats that she refuses to admit are hers (even though they live on her porch, she named them, and continues to feed them). When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book.

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AUTHOR LINKS!

                    

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

Click to see other books by Claire Contreras