Romance

All posts tagged Romance

Highland Solution by Ceci Giltenan (Review Post)

Published July 23, 2019 by bookbesties

Laird Niall MacIan needs Lady Katherine Ruthven’s dowry to relieve his clan’s crushing debt but he has no intention of giving her his heart in the bargain.
Niall MacIan, a Highland laird, desperately needs funds to save his impoverished clan. Lady Katherine Ruthven, a lowland heiress, is rumored to be “unmarriageable” and her uncle hopes to be granted her title and lands when the king sends her to a convent. King David II anxious to strengthen his alliances sees a solution that will give Ruthven the title he wants, and MacIan the money he needs. Laird MacIan will receive Lady Katherine’s hand along with her substantial dowry and her uncle will receive her lands and title.
Lady Katherine must forfeit everything in exchange for a husband who does not want to be married and believes all women to be self-centered and deceitful. Can the lovely and gentle Katherine mend his heart and build a life with him or will he allow the treachery of others to destroy them?
Highland Solution is a romance about a married couple and thus contains several mildly explicit love scenes, as one might expect to occur in married life. If you want more steam than that, you might be disappointed. If you prefer to stay out of the bedroom this title is available in an Inspirational version.

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Check out whole series HERE

WARNING: This book is a run read Alert!!!

This is another new author I discovered while researching the attending authors of the Space Coast Book Lovers event your Book Besties attended. As you all know I get quite a bit of Highland romance books to read and review and no matter how many I read I always start them with a little apprehension as to how thickly accented they will be written and if the author is going to be able to give the story its own originality.

This book was beyond expectations! There was the perfect amount of brogue used to enhance spoken dialogues without overdoing it and making it slow to read. As for the story’s own originality; the characters, and how their personal back stories affect their romance is both unique and refreshing. We don’t often see a historical romance, high born, heroine who comes from a place of physical abuse nor an author confident enough in that character to write about the mental and physical effects of that abuse. As a survivor of abuse this heroine not only speaks to my own life’s journey but the fortitude of Katherine’s character and the strength of her love for her fellow man/ woman is deeply inspiring. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book and I loved it from start to finish.

Lady Katherine Ruthven has dedicated herself to tirelessly protect her people from her cruel uncle at all costs. Sadly when her uncle buys favor with King David II her only options are to marry a stranger or join a convent, neither of which will protect her people, so she chooses to keep some of her freedom and marries the dark, and brooding Highlander. Will her choice to marry this stranger lead to a happy ending or will she face a life of continued abuse at the hands of her new family?

Niall MacIan, Laird of Clan MacIan is desperate for money when he meets with King David II to ask for a loan. Due to high debts of his own the king has no money to lend but he does offer another way for the Laird to get the money he needs, all he has to do is marry the very wealthy Lady Kathrine Ruthven and turn over her title and lands to her uncle. Will his new wife be just as conniving and manipulative as every other woman he has ever met or will she be as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside?

I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to get my hands on the next in the series.

Danielle

One Fine Duke (Review Post)

Published July 23, 2019 by bookbesties

USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell returns with her third book in the sexy School for Dukes series.

Ready.
Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny’s dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There’s only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe’s brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.
Aim.
This was supposed to be simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. Love match? Not a chance. But when Drew meets Mina, she complicates everything. How can a lady armed with such beauty and brains fall for his irresponsible degenerate of a brother? Drew vows to save her from heartbreak and ruin, no matter the cost.
Desire!
But Mina is no damsel in distress. She’s daring, intuitive, passionate…and halfway to melting Drew’s cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?

OUT NOW

Another wonderful book by the amazing Lenora Bell, I couldn’t put down! I adored how this hero is bewitched by the fact that this heroine treats him rudely and doesn’t simper at him like all the other debutantes. Add to that romance danger, suspense, and spies it’s no wonder this book was such a fun read. I can’t wait to read where the next adventure takes us!

Miss Wilhelmina Penny, niece or Sir Malcolm Penny has plans, BIG plans. She is determined to follow in the footsteps of her diseased parents. Marrying London’s most notorious rake, Lord Rafe Bentley and joining him as a member of her uncle’s network of spies is her goal. Much to her dismay her uncle has decided that he wants her to marry a Duke, and not just any Duke, the Duke of Thorndon, Lord Rafe’s older brother. Will her uncle’s plans for her ruin her chance at the life she has planned for herself, or will all her dreams come true?

Andrew Bentley, Duke of Thorndon, used to be a notorious rake. But since he removed himself to the country and has become somewhat of a recluse those days are well behind him. When he is forced to return to London to protect his sister and clean up whatever new mess his brother has made he decides he should do his duty and find a wife. His first ball back and he is completely bored until he meets the one debutant who isn’t wowed by his title and seems to be put off by his mere presence. When her plans to marry his disaster of a brother force them to work together he finds himself completely enchanted. Will he pull out his arsenal of rakish ways to seduce her and win her affections, or will his past get the better of him and force him to push her away?

I really, really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait for the next one!

Danielle

Operation Bailey Wedding(Review Post)

Published July 23, 2019 by bookbesties
No one could have guessed a
marriage could sprout from a one-night stand, but Holly Radcliffe and Austin
Bailey appear to be written in the stars. From the backseat of Austin’s Jeep to
the altar they come. The town of Lake Starlight along with the Bailey’s are
prepping for the event of the year, but as usual things never go smoothly with
these nine siblings and let’s not forget Grandma Dori!
This is a novella in the Bailey series!

If you have been reading the Bailey series then you will enjoy this Novella of Austin and Holly’s upcoming nuptials. The book starts several days before the big day and I love how each chapter is from the different siblings.

If you have been reading the Bailey series then you will enjoy this Novella of Austin and Holly’s upcoming nuptials. The book starts several days before the big day and I love how each chapter is from the different siblings.

To see each of their POV I think was a great idea. This book just makes you fall even more for this great big family. I have always loved The Baileys they are so relatable, warming and inviting.

To see each of their POV I think was a great idea. This book just makes you fall even more for this great big family. I have always loved The Baileys they are so relatable, warming and inviting.

You get a little more glimpse of Sedona and Phoenix and of course you can’t forget about Grandma Dori who is still up to her shenanigans! I love the writing style of their books because they flow so easily and always makes me excited for the next book. Soooooo…. you will definitely want to read all pages till the end because the sneak preview well….😁😁😁 Thanks for another 20 star read!

Damaris

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON | AMAZON AU | AMAZON UK
| AMAZON CA | APPLE | B&N | KOBO
Piper
Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author,
we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one.
Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have “Heartwarming Humor
With a Side of Sizzle” (okay…you caught us, that’s our tagline). A
little about us… We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We’re
both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We’re both chauffeurs to our
kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh,
and we hope you do, too.
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DIRTY FLIRTY ENEMY(REVIEW POST)

Published July 16, 2019 by bookbesties

 

He’s the arrogant Manhattan
realtor with billboards advertising his six-pack more than his expertise in
negotiations.I’m the competing broker who stupidly moved across the hall
from his office.

From day one, I’ve been his sworn enemy. Okay, so I might
have accidentally stolen one of his clients. Well, is it stealing if the client
comes to me?

Even our vicious banter and loathing gazes can’t hide the
chemistry between us. Who can blame me? He has enough charisma to make every
hot-blooded woman in the city melt with a single word.

Just when I think a mutual respect could be born between us,
the biggest developer in the city offers us an opportunity that pits us against
each other.

Time to forget Carmelo Mancini’s dreamy eyes and tight abs.

Game on.

Just seeing that the author is Piper Rayne would be enough to one click and buy, but for everyone else I guess we will talk about the book a little.

Once again we see the second Mancini brother in this series and he is sex on a stick and charm that drips off the pages.

Carmelo Mancini is this hotshot sexy realtor broker and his enemy is Bella the FSBO(for sale by owner) broker who seems to be giving our boy Carm a hassle and she just moved her office right next to his……cue sexual tension and rivalry.  They both are put on with the same client to try and sells a condo on the floor they were given. With just a little competition,  sexual tension, and alpha male, what could happen?

 The banter between these two is exhilarating and sweet. Bella is not a pushover but is a great strong character. I can’t say enough how personable and relatable these characters are. They are very homey and warming. This is an excellent read. The last of the Mancini brothers has been quite mysterious so I cant wait to see what’s in store. Thanks for another great read!!

AVAILABLE TODAY
AMAZON  |  AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA | 
AMAZON AU | APPLE BOOKS | B&N | KOBO
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Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author, we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have “Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle” (okay…you caught us, that’s our tagline). A little about us… We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We’re both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We’re both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

DAMARIS

30483411-0-Edelweiss-Reviewer-B

 

 

How To Forgive a Highlander(Review Post)

Published July 9, 2019 by bookbesties

William MacGregor will lie, spy, and happily die to protect his clan from their greatest enemy. But when he kidnaps the wrong woman, he triggers the very events he’d been working so hard to prevent. And puts everyone in danger.

Rose Thatcher will do anything to protect her lady and return them both safely to English soil. But the damn Highlander who snatched her off the docks has done nothing but get in her way. She’d love to ditch the bastard, but if they want to save their respective loved ones, they are going to have to stay together.

Somewhere along the grueling journey to Scotland, their constant bickering turns into something more. Something worth fighting for. But how can an English lady’s maid, who longs for the safe, comfortable life she had in London, find love with a Highlander who can’t wait to wipe England’s dust off his feet? If they can’t defeat the enemy they accidentally led home, they might not live long enough to find out.

Each book in the MacGregor Lairds series is STANDALONE:
* How to Lose a Highlander
* How to Ensnare a Highlander
* How to Blackmail a Highlander
* How to Forgive a Highlander

Out NOW

This is the first book I have read by this author and it is a 100% run read. From page one this book is full of adventure. From mistaken identity and kidnapping to a hostage turned spy and enemies turned to lovers this book surely kept my heart racing from start to finish. This book was fast paced, and I loved being swept along in the whirlwind of it! Most H.R. books are about highborn society characters (or at least one of the main characters is) but neither hero nor heroine in this love story is, and honestly, I feel like it gave the author so much freedom to build their adventure. This book was so exciting and the romantic ending was so perfect I really enjoyed this book.

Rose Thatcher was filled with worry for her mistress as she boarded a boat to run away to the Highlands of Scotland (somewhere she NEVER wanted to go), but her mistress was determined and had a plan. A plan that didn’t involve Rose being kidnapped, in a case of mistaken identity, that very morning, right there on the docks, by a member of the same clan her Lady was running away too. When her kidnapper discovers his error will he release her to carry out her mistress’s plans, or will it be too late for her to escape? Will she be able to forgive him or will they be enemies for the rest of their lives?

William MacGregor has worked very hard to protect his clan from Ramsey their bloodthirsty enemy, to the point where he risked being discovered as a spy in Ramsey’s ranks just to see his cousin safely aboard a boat that will take him home to the highlands. He wasn’t about to let some female, possibly a spy sent by Ramsey to ruin all his hard work. He just wanted to talk to her and make sure she wasn’t dangerous. He soon discovers that she is dangerous, not to his clan but to his heart.

I loved the adventure of this book so much!

Danielle

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh(Review Post)

Published July 2, 2019 by bookbesties

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Abigail Westcott’s dreams for her future were lost when her father died and she discovered her parents were not legally married. But now, six years later, she enjoys the independence a life without expectation provides a wealthy single woman. Indeed, she’s grown confident enough to scold the careless servant chopping wood outside without his shirt on in the proximity of ladies.

But the man is not a servant. He is Gilbert Bennington, the lieutenant colonel and superior officer who has escorted her wounded brother, Harry, home from the wars with Napoleon. Gil has come to help his friend and junior officer recover, and he doesn’t take lightly to being condescended to–secretly because of his own humble beginnings.

If at first Gil and Abigail seem to embody what the other most despises, each will soon discover how wrong first impressions can be. For behind the appearances of the once-grand lady and the once-humble man are two people who share an understanding of what true honor means, and how only with it can one find love.

OUT NOW!!!

Heyyyyy Westcott family addicts!!!!

I was so anxiously waiting to get my hands on this next book that I literally stopped reading everything else to start this book.  Mary Balough has delivered another beautiful leading lady who finds her perfect match in the most unlikely place.   I was sure the this story was going to be about Jessica or any of the other Westcotts but was very pleasantly surprised when I discovered it was Abby who finds love in this book.  I loved this story as much as I did the others and truly cannot wait for the next one.

      Abigail Westcott is ready to live a peaceful life as a spinster, after the discovery of her illegitimate birth she has no desire to return to society in spite of her familytrying to encourage her. When her brother returns home from war in ill health she seizes it asthe perfect opportunity to return to her childhood home in the country, get away from it all, and live the life she chooses.  Well she will just as soon as her brother’s friend and escort returns to London.

     Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Bennington is relieved to be back home in England after so many years away at war.  Before he can return to his own life he must see his friend Henry Westcott on the road to recovery by escorting him home and remaining there until his health improves.  Little did he know that while there he would meet the one woman who can solve all his problems and break down the walls he built around his heart.

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DANIELLE

30483411-0-Edelweiss-Reviewer-B

OPERATION Bailey Wedding(Cover Reveal)

Published July 1, 2019 by bookbesties

 

No one could have guessed a
marriage could sprout from a one-night stand, but Holly Radcliffe and Austin
Bailey appear to be written in the stars. From the backseat of Austin’s Jeep to
the altar they come. The town of Lake Starlight along with the Bailey’s are
prepping for the event of the year, but as usual things never go smoothly with
these nine siblings and let’s not forget Grandma Dori! This is a novella in the Bailey series!

 
 
 
 
 
PRE-ORDER NOW
 
AMAZON | AMAZON AU | AMAZON UK 
| AMAZON CA | APPLE | B&N | KOBO
 
Piper
Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author,
we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one.
Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have “Heartwarming Humor
With a Side of Sizzle” (okay…you caught us, that’s our tagline). A
little about us… We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We’re
both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We’re both chauffeurs to our
kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh,
and we hope you do, too.
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Join our newsletter and get 2 FREE BOOKS!

 

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A Destitute Duke By Patricia Knight(Review Post)

Published June 28, 2019 by bookbesties

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Captain Duncan Worthington Everleigh had committed his life to king and country. When he returns to London, a startling revelation about the legitimacy of his brother the Duke of Chelsony alters his future. However, no new discovery could be more life-changing than what he grows to feel for Lady Florence Lloyd-Smith. Duncan finds in Florence a woman he can love with unchecked passion. To protect her, no sacrifice is too great, even if his actions could cost him her love.

Too headstrong, independent, and beautiful for her own good, the widowed Lady Lloyd-Smith isn’t the carefree lady of leisure she pretends to be. She has pulled herself from bitter poverty and through careful investment has amassed a substantial fortune. She has little time for men who treat all women as bubble-headed nodcocks or consider her tarnished because she “stinks of trade”. She has little need for men at all, until she meets Captain Everleigh. Florence finds in Duncan a man who promises love, honor, and protection—even if it’s from himself. Yet the violence of her love for him leaves her trembling, and Lady Lloyd-Smith isn’t a woman to give up easily.

Duncan finds in Florence a woman he can love with unchecked passion. Florence finds in Duncan a man who will love, honor, and protect her—even if it’s from himself.

This is book number 2 in the Heirs & Spares series, and it was just as good as book one!  This book has it all; war heroes, independent ladies, betrayal, theft, passion, and romance.  Lady Florence is everything I love in a leading lady, she is independent, business savvy, intelligent, incredibly fashionable, and an absolute socialite.  I loved getting to know her better in this book and seeing her find her happy ending.

Captain Duncan Worthington Everleigh is a decorated war spy who is returning to England to visit his favorite half-brother and report the findings of his latest mission to the war office.  He is happy with his life in the military and has no plans of settling down, that is until he meets Lady Florence Lloyd-Smith, a friend of his new sister in-law.

      Lady Florence Lloyd-Smith can have any number of gentlemen as suitors but she isn’t interested in being married again, especially now that she has her business investments and her own financial independence.  Will a chance meeting with her best friend’s brother in-law and his offer to financially back her business change her mind, or will it lead to heart break?

    This book was a thrilling read that pulled at my heart strings from start to finish.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

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Danielle

 

 

The Laird’s Promise by Cassidy K. O’Connor(Review Post)

Published June 28, 2019 by bookbesties

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The Ferguson clan had always governed their land differently than most. Lady Margaret Ferguson’s twin brother, Gavin, lay on his deathbed, a plan of deception was set in motion. Appointing Margaret as the new Laird upon her brother’s death wasn’t a stretch, and her people willingly accepted her. Disguised as her brother, her clan is committed to keeping Margaret’s identity hidden from outsiders.
…None of them accounted for invites to the Kings court…
Sir Keelan MacDougall is directed to ensure the Ferguson clan’s loyalty to the King during wartime. Keelan meets both Laird Gavin and his sister, Margaret, and the resemblance is uncanny. Exhausted after days of switching back and forth between her two personas’, Margaret is torn between wanting Keelan to leave and begging him to stay…

Will the family secret damage the Clan’s future?

Will falling for Keelan expose her deception?

This is another author I discovered because will be an attending author at the Space Coast Book Lovers book signing event that your Book Besties will be attending.  I really enjoyed this Highlands romance with its strong heroine and loyal hero.  This was a fun story that kept me on my toes from the get go.  I am so happy I got to know these characters and see where their adventure would lead them.

Upon the death of her twin brother, Lady Margaret Ferguson secretly takes over the role of Laird of Clan Ferguson.  In order to maintain her ruse she stays far away from court functions and that makes the King question the loyalty of her clan.  Sir Keelan MacDougall has been sent to the Highlands by the king to insure the loyalty of his subjects.  Upon arrival he gets to know the Laird and “his” sister but never at the same time.  Will he figure out the deception and tell the King or will he become Lair Ferguson’s biggest champion?

I really hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

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Danielle

30483411-0-Edelweiss-Reviewer-B