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Unmasked by the Marquess(Review Post)

Published August 2, 2018 by bookbesties

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Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.

May not be who you think…

Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.

But is who you need…

When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?

OUT NOW!! Get it HERE

This is the second book I have read by this author and I can happily say I am falling in love with her work! I love the fact that her stories are historically accurate and that she isn’t afraid to build romances and characters who stray from the cis/ hetero normal world. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I find it very important that LGBTQ+ characters and romantic story lines show the internal struggles that the characters (as individuals and as couples) face as they grow as people and as romantic entities. This author does an incredible job of including all of it without losing any of the story line or needing to create a different society where all love is accepted.

I absolutely adore Charity and love her unwavering dedication to Louisa and to her most genuine self. I see this character and this book as having the ability to inspire people to stand fast in who they are and that as long as they hold on to their authenticity they too can find their own love and unconditional acceptance. I see this book as a beacon of hope for people who may feel like they have none. I can’t wait to add this book to my collection and I am doubly excited to read my next Cat Sebastian book.

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Danielle

A Duke by Default: Reluctant Royals(Review Post)

Published July 25, 2018 by bookbesties

Award-winning author Alyssa Cole’s Reluctant Royals series continues with a woman on a quest to be the heroine of her own story and the duke in shining armor she rescues along the way…

New York City socialite and perpetual hot mess Portia Hobbs is tired of disappointing her family, friends, and—most importantly—herself. An apprenticeship with a struggling swordmaker in Scotland is a chance to use her expertise and discover what she’s capable of. Turns out she excels at aggravating her gruff silver fox boss…when she’s not having inappropriate fantasies about his sexy Scottish burr.

Tavish McKenzie doesn’t need a rich, spoiled American telling him how to run his armory…even if she is infuriatingly good at it. Tav tries to rebuff his apprentice—and his attraction to her—but when Portia accidentally discovers that he’s the secret son of a duke, rough-around-the-edges Tav becomes her newest makeover project.

Forging metal into weapons and armor is one thing, but when desire burns out of control and the media spotlight gets too hot to bear, can a commoner turned duke and his posh apprentice find lasting love?

OUT JULY 31st!(click on cover for link)

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Ok all my fellow HR nerds, I am giving you fair warning right now. While it does involve a Duke, THIS IS NOT A HISTORICAL ROMANCE BOOK. That being said this book was a fun read! It was a nice break from my typical genre and I really enjoyed it. Getting to know Portia and her view of herself was like getting to see my own internal reflections, which made it really easy to become fully engrossed in this book. Her sassy interactions with Tavish made me wish I had her quick wit. I love how she was able to bloom and grow and find herself through Tavish and the other character’s eyes. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be on the look-out for more.

Danielle

To Love A Duchess

Published July 24, 2018 by bookbesties

From New York Times Bestselling Author Karen Ranney comes the first book in a royally romantic and deeply emotional new series about taking risks and allowing the power to love satisfy the questions of the heart . . .

Undercover as a majordomo, spy Adam Drummond has infiltrated Marsley House with one purpose only—to plunder its mysteries and gather proof that the late Duke of Marsley was an unforgivable traitor to his country. At the same time, Adam is drawn to a more beguiling puzzle: the young and still-grieving duchess—a beauty with impenetrable secrets of her own. For Drummond, uncovering them without exposing his masquerade will require the most challenging and tender moves of his career.

That a servant can arouse such passion in her is too shocking for Suzanne Whitcomb, Duchess of Marsley, to consider. Yet nothing quickens her pulse like Drummond’s touch. It’s been two years since the duke lost his life in a tragic accident—and even longer since she’s been treated like a woman. But when Drummond’s real mission is revealed, and the truth behind Suzanne’s grief comes to light, every secret conspired to tear them apart is nothing compared to the love that can hold them together.

OUT July 31st!!!(Click on cover for link)

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This is the first book by this author and in this series that I have read, and I am intrigued to read more. I love how this book explores the grief and loss of both main characters and how they find solace in one another. I truly love how well the author allows you to see into Suzanne’s mind and emotions, giving her a depth both as a written character and as a Duchess that I don’t see much in Historical Romance characters. I found the rawness and the honesty of her emotions addicting. I did feel like I would have loved a little more of an ending once the characters admitted their love for one another. I felt like the ending was cut short. I want to know things like: How her father responded to the relationship? How did they adjust to their new life together? Do they eventually have children together? Do they actually get their happy ending? I feel like with the ending the way it is I will never know for sure. However I overall thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Danielle

The Protector by HelenKay Dimon(Review Post)

Published July 23, 2018 by bookbesties

Salvation, Pennsylvania. The commune located in the small town was advertised as a modern Utopia: a place to live, share, and learn with other like-minded young people. Cate Pendleton’s sister was one of them. Now she’s dead—and Cate won’t rest until she finds out who killed her. Stonewalled at every turn, she approaches a DC Fixer for help and ends up with Damon Knox, a mysterious man with a secretive past. But Cate soon discovers that she not only needs Damon, she wants him, which isn’t good—for the attraction brewing between them will only lead to complications that can turn into danger . . .

Damon has tried to erase the hellish memories and the evil that happened in Salvation ever since he left a long time ago. Still, he can’t turn his back on Cate. As Damon works with Cate to uncover her sister’s killer, he finds himself drawn to her more and more. But how will she feel about him when she learns about his connection to the place?

Joining forces to uncover the truth, they must stay one step ahead of a cunning killer who’s bent on not being exposed.

OUT JULY 31ST(CLICK ON COVER FOR LINK)

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Cate Pendleton is determined to find out the truth about her sister’s accident. In her quest for justice she seeks the help of the Quint Five. There is only one person who can get her into the compound where her sister was murdered. Damon Knox, has been avoiding the Compound where he was raised for more than a year. For him, Salvation is anything but Salvation. They come up with a plan, a fake relationship, to get into the Compound. They go under the premise that Damon is trying to convince Cate that her sisters accident really was an accident and that Sullivan has nothing to hide.

Troubles arise between Cate and Damon when she learns secrets at the school where her sister was murdered. The head of the school is determined to prove that this is a straight-laced school now and welcomes Cate and Damon with open arms. Damon is determined to prove otherwise and unable to keep up the idea that he believes that the school is innocent.

As their investigation progresses, their connection grows. Soon they find themselves forgetting that this is supposed to be a fake relationship. While they get closer to each other, the danger that Cate is in raises. A series of attacks, fires, and kidnapping takes place where eventually, the head of the school has to truly open his eyes to see what is really happening at the school. When Cate is put in even more danger she learns that what happened to her sister and just how far Damon’s feelings for her go.

Okay, this is the second book in the series that I have read and reviewed. After reading the second book, I can tell you the plot of the remaining two books. Both of the books I read followed the same plot. A member of the Quint Five is sent to a location to protect the female from whatever dangers they will encounter and then they fall in love. These are good books if you read them as stand alone. I really enjoyed the first one that I read. I enjoyed this one as well but it is pretty predictable if you have read another part of the series. You don’t know who did what but you do know the path that the story will take it.

stars 4

Tiffani

The Duke Buys a Bride: The Rogue Files(Review Post)

Published July 17, 2018 by bookbesties

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A bride wasn’t in his plans . . .

The last thing Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry, expects to see after sleeping off a night’s drunken shenanigans is a woman being auctioned in the village square. Before he can think about the ramifications, he buys her, thinking he’s winning the girl her freedom. Instead, he discovers he’s bought a wife.

A duke wasn’t in hers . . .

Alyse Bell is almost rid of the shackles that bound her in a name-only marriage, but the day her friend promised to purchase her in a wife auction, he vanishes, leaving her to face a mob of unsavory bachelors intent on owning her body and soul. But the appearance of a wicked, wealthy stranger changes her path forever.

The road to ruin . . .

Marcus doesn’t know what to do with the impertinent chit who clearly isn’t duchess material! Insisting their marriage isn’t legitimate, they leave for his estate in Scotland, hoping to devise a plan to get rid of each other. However, on a journey fraught with misadventure, their attraction grows and Marcus realizes he’ll do anything to keep this fiery woman for his own.

OUT July 24th!(Click on cover for link)

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This is book number 2 for me in this series and by this author. I will admit I was expecting a completely different story based off of the title of this book, but I am not at all unhappy about the story I got. This book has humor and adventure and a strong-willed woman in difficult situations beyond her control, all things that make for a great historical romance novel. I love how in the ending of the book the author hints to a scandal with one of the Duke’s sisters and left me curious and eager for the next book.

Danielle

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score(Review Post)

Published July 10, 2018 by bookbesties

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Once beloved by London’s fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely venturing from the house whose inheritance is a daily reminder of his downfall, he’s captivated by the exceedingly handsome man who seeks to rob him.

Since retiring from the boxing ring, Sam Fox has made his pub, The Bell, into a haven for those in his Free Black community. But when his best friend Kate implores him to find and destroy a scandalously revealing painting of her, he agrees. Sam would do anything to protect those he loves, even if it means stealing from a wealthy gentleman. But when he encounters Hartley, he soon finds himself wanting to steal more than just a painting from the lovely, lonely man—he wants to steal his heart.

This is my second M/M historical romance and the first book I have read by this author. I really liked how the author made sure to be historically accurate with the dangers that homosexual couples faced in 1817 England as well as the societal stigmas faced by black citizens. The fact that this couple is very diverse is something I found very intriguing. Witnessing Hartley find himself and overcome his past was both inspiring and heart -warming. I am very glad that the author did not use Hartley’s troubled history as a means to explain his attraction to men and that in spite of his trauma related quarks he was able to find acceptance and love. I would love to read more of this author’s work and hope I get that opportunity soon as this was such a great read!

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Danielle

Release Blitz: MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published June 26, 2018 by bookbesties

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Moonlight Seduction: A de Vincent Novel, from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout is LIVE!

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The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel . . .

Nicolette Bresson never thought she’d return to the de Vincents’ bayou compound. It’s where her parents work, where Nikki grew up . . . and where she got her heart broken by Gabriel de Vincent himself. Yet here she is, filling in for her sick mother. Avoiding Gabe should be easy, especially when so much of Nikki’s time is spent trying not to be stabbed in the back by the malicious hangers-on who frequent the mansion. But escaping memories of Gabe, much less his smoking-hot presence, is harder than expected—especially since he seems determined to be in Nikki’s space as much as possible.

Gabriel spent years beating himself up over his last encounter with Nikki. He’d wanted her then, but for reasons that were bad for both of them. Things have now changed. Gabe sees more than a girl he’s known forever; he sees a smart, talented, and heartbreakingly beautiful woman . . . one who’s being stalked from the shadows.

Now, Gabe will do anything to keep Nikki safe—and to stop the de Vincent curse from striking again.

Watch the Trailer:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1523992158&f=68tr6CJfhPy1JH2zkvX2HQ&d=0&m=p&r=360p+480p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=autostart

https://video214.com/play/68tr6CJfhPy1JH2zkvX2HQ/s/dark
Trailer by: Jillian Stein

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Available Now!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GiWCeo
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MoonlightSeduction
iBooks: https://apple.co/2p38gCM
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Dn6v7B
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p4hHlm
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FBrHIW

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Start the Series Today!
Moonlight Sins (de Vincent series, book 1)
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2v8VLen
Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/moonlightsins

Nook: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-Nook
iBooks: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-iBooks
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EHHQLQ
Audible: http://amzn.to/2DJB1JZ

About Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Charles Town, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. In early 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of rare genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and death of cells in the retina, eventually resulting in loss of vision, among other complications. Due to this diagnosis, educating people on the varying degrees of blindness has become a passion of hers, right alongside writing, which she plans to do as long as she can.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Tor, HarperCollins Avon and William Morrow, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her Wicked Series has been optioned by PassionFlix. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. Her adult romantic suspense novel TILL DEATH was an Amazon Editor’s Pick and iBook Book of the Month. Her young adult contemporary THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER is a 2017 RITA Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

She is the owner of ApollyCon and The Origin Event, the successful annual events that feature over hundred bestselling authors in Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Fiction, panels, parties, and more. She is also the creator and sole financier of the annual Write Your Way To RT Book Convention, a contest that gives aspiring authors a chance to win a fully paid trip to RT Book Reviews.

JLA- Credit Franggy Yanez Photography

Connect with Jennifer L. Armentrout:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_l_armentrout/
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/1DiIjR

Stay up to date with Jennifer by joining her mailing list today: https://bit.ly/2qBce5m

https://jenniferlarmentrout.com

MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION(REVIEW POST)

Published June 25, 2018 by bookbesties

MoonlightSeduction mm c

Moonlight Seduction: A de Vincent Novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout is LIVE!

The de Vincent brothers are back—and so is the intrigue that surrounds them—in New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout’s sizzling new novel . . .

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2GiWCeo

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/MoonlightSeduction

iBooks: https://apple.co/2p38gCM

Nook: http://bit.ly/2Dn6v7B

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2p4hHlm

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FBrHIW

Start the Series Today!

Moonlight Sins (de Vincent series, book 1)

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2v8VLen

Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/moonlightsins

Nook: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-Nook

iBooks: http://bit.ly/MoonlightSins-iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EHHQLQ

Audible: http://amzn.to/2DJB1JZ

You guys, after reading Lucian’s book, In Moonlight Sins I have waited so long for Gabe’s book and I must say it didn’t disappoint. To say he’s more sexier than Lucian hurts my heart but its true!

Gabe and Nikki semi grew up together and after a summer filled with Nikki flaunting herself at Gabe, one drunken night was all it took to break Nikki’s heart and for Gabe to hate her. Flash forward years later and Nikki is back at the mansion, working in her mother’s place while trying to avoid Gabe at all cost and ignore the evil that is Sabrina and her brother and all the strange things that keep happening to her in that house. That doesn’t stay the case for long as Nikki has run in after run in with Sabrina and her creepy as crap brother Parker and after a fall down some stairs Nikki is super focused on just doing her job and getting out as quickly as possible.

Gabe is finding it hard to keep away form Nikki, after years of thinking he hurt her and being angry at her she’s back and her presence is doing something to him. He tries to be her friend at first but finds he wants more than that. When Gabe catches Parker sniffing around Nik he goes into super protective mood especially when he sees her on date. After that, all bets are off and he knows he should stay away but he can’t and finds little moments to steal to have some super hop sexual encounters, man O man they were hot. Someone has been stalking Nikki and causing little things here and there, and when Gabe finds out, he is determined to save her, and also tell her the one secret he thinks will ruin what they have building.

I loved this story, I obviously hated more of Sabrina and Devlin, that bastard, but I am intrigued about his book. I would have love to seen more of Gabe’s “secret” earlier on aside from the small mention in the beginning but I loved how it all came together and I have a feeling that the hotness factor will be turned up with Dev’s book and as much as I dislike the guy I can’t wait to read it. Well done Jenn, with each book of this series I say “its my fav” so it just keeps getting better and better!

Vonetta

The Highlander’s Promise: Highland Brides (Review Post)

Published June 21, 2018 by bookbesties

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In a spellbinding new Highlands story from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, the laird of the Buchanans finds the one woman who is his equal in passion and courage

Aulay Buchanan has retreated to his clan’s hunting lodge for a few days of relaxation. But the raven-haired beauty he pulls from the ocean puts an end to any chance of rest. Though he christens her Jetta, she knows nothing of her real identity, save that someone is trying to kill her. As she recovers, it will not be easy for Aulay to protect her and keep her honor intact when she mistakenly believes they are man and wife…

Jetta sees beyond Aulay’s scars to the brave, loyal warrior she’s proud to call her own. But as the attempts on her life grow more brazen, Jetta realizes that not all is as she believes. And if Aulay is not her husband, can she trust the desire flaring in his eyes, or his promise to defend her with his life?

This is the second book in this series that I have read. After the issues I had with the verbal dialogue aspects of the first book, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that those issues had been resolved in this book. I had residual attachment to the Buchanan family from the first book and that made me super excited to read this book and dove right in. Sadly,as read this book I became extremely let down. The plot in this book almost mirrored the plot line from the first book exactly. There were slight differences between them but, the key plot points were all the same, and that left me feeling like this book lacked originality. That being said I still hold a soft spot in my heart for the Buchanan’s and am eager to read their next book.

3 and a half

Danielle

Knocked Up by Stacey Lynn(Review Post)

Published June 5, 2018 by bookbesties

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in a baby carriage. Just not necessarily in that order. . . .

Braxton: I should probably be dead or in jail right now. Instead, thanks to some tough love, I worked my ass off and now I own a string of tattoo parlors throughout the Pacific Northwest. And yet the one thing I’ve always wanted—a family—still seems out of reach. When my best friend gets married, I’m just hoping to blow off some steam with the super-hot maid of honor. But after Cara Thompson tracks me down to tell me she’s pregnant, she’s more surprised than I am when I tell her I’m all in.

Cara: For the first time in my life, I’m living for myself—not for my parents and their ridiculous expectations. I gave up on my MBA, dropped out of the Ivy League, and moved to Portland to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. And what’s the first thing I do? Get knocked up. For a tatted-up sex god, Braxton Henley seems way too eager to “be there for me.” Is this guy serious? Maybe. He sure is patient. Because he won’t back down until I admit what I know in my heart: that our one night standmight’ve led me to the one.

Advance praise for Knocked Up

“Stacey Lynn always knows how to perfectly balance sexy and sweet, and has a modern writing style that makes all of her stories feel fresh and fun.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne

“A broody alpha hero with heart . . . I fell madly in love with Braxton from the very first page. Prepare to pull and all-nighter with Knocked Up.”—USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy

“Braxton is your ultimate tattooed father-to-be—sweet and ever so sexy.”—Stina Lindenblatt, author of the Pushing Limits series

The steamy standalone novels in Stacey Lynn’s Crazy Love series can be read together or separately:
FAKE WIFE | KNOCKED UP

And don’t miss her passionate Fireside series:
HIS TO LOVE | HIS TO PROTECT | HIS TO CHERISH | HIS TO SEDUCE

This standalone ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

OUT JUNE 12th!!!(Click on cover for link)

FIRST: Can I say I am in love with Braxton?
This is the first book from this author that I have read and I was glad because it was a hit for me! While accidental pregnancies are more of a other’s on my blog type of book, I thought I’d give this a try and I was VERY glad I did! Braxton is at his best friends wedding where he meets the bride’s best friend, Cara. One night of letting go and the next morning Cara is feeling embarrassed. Welllllll…….what’s a night of recklessness without a small surprise? Yep Cara is preggers! This story follows two people who now are going to raise a baby together and they now need to get to know each other. Braxton is a sexy, tatted and an alpha so what more could you mant? Cara is insecure at times but I loved the relationship that blossomed between these two! This was a win for me all the way!