For Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell and only son of a powerful earl, life has been a lark…until he discovers a terrible family secret that could ruin him. Determined to make a name for himself free of scandal’s shadow, he runs for Parliament. However, he encounters Charlotte, the mysterious woman who disappeared after their one night together, and he finds it impossible to stay away, despite her working class status and Jewish faith that threaten to destroy his chance for success.

Widowed, penniless, and desperate, Charlotte Taylor secures a teaching position at a foundling home and relaxes into a predictable existence. That is, until Finlay, the man she shared one romantic night with, reappears, a specter from her past. He ignites her passion, even while he threatens the precarious foundation on which she’s rebuilt her life. But when those from her past return to endanger her hard-earned security, she’ll have to reveal his secret or go to prison.

Each book in the Once Upon A Scandal series is STANDALONE:
* To Love a Scandalous Duke
* To Resist a Scandalous Rogue

OUT NOW

This is my first time reading this author and while this is book two in a series I didn’t know it until I sat down to write this review. To me that speaks volumes about both the superior writing ability of the author as much as my enjoyment of the book, and please know I REALLY enjoyed this book. I love this book for its historical accuracy even as it shines a light on prejudices of the era. It is so refreshing to me when an author isn’t afraid to show the darker side or history. I love how the leading characters overcome their societal differences and find passion in one another.
Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell is in line to inherit a prominent Earldom as long as his family’s darkest secret stays a secret. After a renewed acquaintance with a woman he shared a single unforgettable night of passion turns sour will his entire future be lost?
Charlotte Taylor has found a perfect job, and with her fond memories of a night of unbridled passion and freedom, she is ready to start her new life. All until that perfect new job causes her become reacquainted with the man she shared that night with. When her past catches up to her will she betray the man she loves to protect herself or will she sacrifice her life to protect his future?
This was a book I couldn’t put down and I can’t wait to get my hands on its predecessor.

Danielle

New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James returns with the fourth novel in her breathtaking Wildes of Lindow Castle series.

One little wager will determine their fate—a daring escape or falling into temptation with a rakish lord.

Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed—but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure.

No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan—But Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches.

If he wins…she is his, for one wild night.

But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough?

Another wonderful book by Eloisa James!   The Wildes of Lindow Castle has been such a fun series to read thus far, so of course I was excited to get my hands of this next book.   This family is so fun and their romances are so fun to watch unfold I couldn’t wait to see how Betsy’s story would unfold.  I always love a story where one of the leading characters is not who they present to the world and how finding love in the right person can make them show their true colors.  That is exactly what happens in this book and I found it to be a very good read because of it.

Lady Boadicea “Betsy” Wilde has refused multiple proposals including the most recent proposal made by Viscount Greywick, sadly the proposal and the refusal has been witnessed by Lord Jeremy Roden – a military friend of one of her brothers- who makes it his mission to champion the match between the two and encourage the Viscount not to give up his pursuit of her hand in marriage.

Lord Jeremy Roden has no interest in getting married anytime soon.  But that doesn’t mean he can’t help his old school friend as he tries to woo Betsy and convince her to marry him, right? Too bad his efforts to help his friend change his views on marriage, love, and most of all Betsy.

I really enjoyed this book and hope you do too.  I cant wait to see where the next Wilde tale will take us.

Danielle

Unable to read or write, an earl discovers love in the last place he expects to find it—within the embrace of a brilliant woman—in this sexy, irresistible novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans.

What’s an earl to do?
The Earl of Argyle has died suddenly, leaving his brother Guy Neville at a complete loss. The dull-witted second son, as his father used to call him, Guy is now responsible for the estate and his brother’s seat in the House of Lords. Shamed by an inability to read or write, his distress is multiplied by an inquiry from a dyed-in-the-wool bluestocking who wishes to use the Argyle library and study a rare plant on the estate. Guy’s first instinct is to decline her request—until he catches a glimpse of Miss Abigail Pinehurst.

How’s a girl to behave?
Abigail cares for only one thing: plants. She is unconcerned about how she looks, what she wears, or the impression she makes on men. An orphan who turned to books for solace in a miserly, cruel institution, she now makes her living illustrating the greenery she adores. Lord Argyle, in fact, with his uncanny memory and chiseled features, is the first man to capture her attention—a ridiculous distraction since he is so far above her station. But her unreasonable heart has a mind of its own.

Look for the enchanting Disgraced Lords series from Bronwen Evans:
A KISS OF LIES | A PROMISE OF MORE | A TOUCH OF PASSION | A WHISPER OF DESIRE | A TASTE OF SEDUCTION | A NIGHT OF FOREVER

And don’t miss her novels in the Imperfect Lords series:
ADDICTED TO THE DUKE | DRAWN TO THE MARQUESS | ATTRACTED TO THE EARL

Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

This is the first book by Bronwen Evans that I have read and I am glad to say I look forward to reading more of her work.    I really enjoyed this book!  I love how both leading characters have their weaknesses and how they accept one another fully in spite of those weaknesses.  I love how both characters are given the chance to grow and find their own self value and their places in the world through the relationships they hold dear.

     Abigail Pinehurst is the very talented artist who has been commissioned by Lady Calthorpe to paint the elusive and rare Ghost Orchid that can only be found in the forest of the Argyle Estate.  On her way to Argyle House, Patrick Neville uses her darkest secret to blackmail her into digging around and uncovering what he hopes will be evidence that his cousin, Guy Neville, the new Earl of Argyle is unfit to run the estate.

     Guy Neville, Earl of Argyle never wanted his title for many reasons the biggest being a disability that nearly cost him his life, but now that it’shis he will do what he must to keep it out of the hands of his greedy cousin, Patrick Neville.   Will the unexpected and coincidental arrival of a beautiful artist prove to be a spy sent to find out his secrets or the woman of his dreams?

I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to find out what all of you think.

Danielle

The first novel in USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins’ compelling new series follows a Northern woman south in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War.

Valinda Lacey’s mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life—and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq.

As an architect from an old New Orleans family, Drake has a deeply personal interest in rebuilding the city. Raised by strong women, he recognizes Valinda’s determination. And he can’t stop admiring—or wanting—her. But when Valinda’s father demands she return home to marry a man she doesn’t love, her daring rebellion draws Drake into an irresistible intrigue.

As you all know I really enjoy when an author does their research and isn’t afraid to maintain historical accuracy no matter how harsh it might be.  I know that I can count on Beverly Jenkins to do just that in her books.  This book was a joy to read!  New Orleans and the Mississippi River Basin has a special place I my heart so that made this story even more endearing for me.  I loved reading about this strong, independent, EDUCATED, black woman and getting a glimpse into her world.

Valinda Lacy is a Northern born, black, teacher who has come to New Orleans to teach former slaves to read and write.  While in New Orleans her strong will and determination for success are put to the test by white supremacists, rogue soldiers, and the stubborn employers of her students.  But rather than give up in the face of adversity she finds help from a handsome stranger and his family.

Drake LeVaq is a New Orleans native, former captain with the Louisiana Native Guard, and a volunteer for the city’s Freedmen’s Bureau.  He lives a fairly quiet life surrounded by his family.  It is a chance meeting where he saves a beautiful, young teacher from a couple of rogue soldiers that makes his whole world change.

This book was both interesting and sweet with equal parts history and romance to make it a truly fulfilling read.

Danielle

The second scintillating novel in Christy Carlyle’s The Duke’s Den series.

“I absolutely adore Christy Carlyle!”–Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author

Self-made man Aidan Iverson has seen more closed doors in his thirty years than he’s ever cared to count. As a member of the elite Duke’s Den, he has all the money he could possibly need but the one thing he can’t purchase is true power. If roguish Aidan can’t buy his way into society’s hallowed halls, he’ll resort to a more extreme measure: marriage.

Brought up to be a proper lady, the only thing Diana Ashby desires is to be left alone to the creation of her own devices. But when her dreams are crushed, she must find another way to secure the future of her invention. Knowing his desire to enter her world, Diana strikes a deal to arrange his marriage to the perfect lady—as long as that lady isn’t her. She doesn’t need any distractions from her work, particularly of the sinfully handsome variety.

As Diana and Aidan set out to find him an aristocratic match, neither are prepared for the passion that ignites between them or the love they can’t ignore.

In the Duke’s Den, can happiness ever be a winning prospect?

OUT NOW!!!

Book two in the Duke’s Den series was just as amazing as book one.  To say I loved it is an understatement.  As much as I love strong, pioneering women I love the men who are secure in their masculinity enough to love and support those women.  This book has both!

   Diana Ashby is a second generation inventor who is determined to get funding for her latest invention, doing something her father was never able to achieve.  Who knew a chance meeting and an impulsive kiss with an injured stranger in the Belgravia mews would come back to haunt her in her pursuit of her dreams.

   Aiden Iverson has a reputation for making sound investments in large scale industrial enterprise and inventions.  So much so that he and his business partners have taken to meeting with inventors in their gentleman’s gaming club.  Never did he think he would run across the woman who is never far from his thoughts after she saved his life when he was attacked in Belgravia again.  Much less did he expect her to be one of the inventors he was to interview and potentially invest his money with.

   I love how even though this is a historical romance novel, the socially awkward and brainy woman gets a happy ending.  And how the orphan boy who fought to make a name for himself finds his place in the world as a man in love.  This is another great success of a story for Christy Carlyle and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Danielle