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A Most Devilish Rogue by Ashlyn Macnamara

Saturday, August 31, 2013

A Most Devilish Rogue

Ashlyn Macnamara

Historical Romance
Pub date: Aug 27, 2013 (ARC review)

H/h - George Upperton/Isabelle Mears (Marshall)
Setting: London, 1820.

Read in August, 2013.
My rating:

                                        [spoiler alert]

The second installment from Ashlyn Macnamara, A Most Devilish Rogue started out rather slow for me. I was not sure what to think of George or Isabelle or their situation for a long time. It was nice and all but the real depth of the story came a little late. That part of the story was pretty phenomenal; took me not only by surprise but took my breath away as well. Let’s move on to my review, where I’ll try to explain why I felt that way.

George was featured in the first book, A Most Scandalous Proposal. He was introduced as the H, Benedict’s close buddy. George was shown as a jovial, charming man whose love of gambling probably only surpasses his love of loose women. He seemed perfectly happy with how he’s living, attending the gambling tables when the need for money arises and going to his mistress when the need is more intimate. I was rather not interested in him for a while. Then, after sometimes, I realized that George is actually not as happy-go-lucky as he lets on. He has his own troubles that he hides from the world. George’s family, although noble, has fallen on hard times. He has 2 younger sisters to think of, apart from his widowed mother. George is a mere mister but that doesn’t deter his mother from matchmaking. He knows he probably will have to marry soon, and probably an heiress but he’s not going down that path as long as he can avoid it. He also has a very expensive mistress, keeping her is gradually also proving to be catering to an elephant!

To Wed a Wicked Highlander by Victoria Roberts

Thursday, August 29, 2013

To Wed a Wicked Highlander
Bad Boys of the Highlands #3

Victoria Roberts
Medieval Romance
Pub date: Sept 3, 2013 (ARC review)

H/h - Alexander MacDonnell, Laird of the MacDonnell/Lady Sybella MacKenzie
Setting: Glengarry, Scotland, 1606.

Read in Aug, 2013.
My rating:

                                    
                                     [spoiler alert]

I’ve gradually come to appreciate Victoria Robert’s writing, so it was no surprise that I enjoyed book 3 of Bad Boys of the Highlands, To Wed a Wicked Highlander! Love her light, fun writing style with entertaining dialogues and characters. I did have a wee bit trouble about remembering Alexander or Alex because I had just finished, book 2, X Marks the Scot and was hoping for James’s book who was featured in both book 1, Temptation in a Kilt and book 2.

It took me a while to remember that Alex is Rosalia’s (h of book 1) cousin. He helped the H, Ciaran, the MacGregor laird, in rescuing Rosalia from the villain, the Earl of Argyll’s clutches. That one was rather mediocre for me story-wise. It was book 2 that took me by complete surprise! Can’t explain how much I enjoyed that, and by far, my most favorite of the series. This was Ciaran’s younger brother, Declan’s book. The h was Argyll’s younger half-sister, the beautiful healer, Liadain, for whom Declan the rake falls hard. Even when they’re forced to marry because of King James’s machinations, I knew they’d find love as their attraction was very much palpable. James about whom I was talking earlier, is a childhood friend of Rosalia and a thorn on Ciaran’s arse who is jealous of this friendship as James is a charmer.

A Midsummer's Sin by Natasha Blackthorne

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

A Midsummer's Sin (novella)

Natasha Blackthorne
Historical Romance/Erotica (light BDSM)
Published in 2012

H/h - Goodman Thomas Marlowe/Rosalind Abramson
Setting: 1690, New England.

Read in Aug, 2013. 
My rating:

                                           [spoiler alert]

Well, guess what? I LOVED this novella by Natasha Blackthorne titled A Midsummer's Sin! It was lush, sexy with a story that warmed my heart. The best of all was how the author managed to give me a satisfying story within a novella, which doesn’t happen to me often. I also appreciated the author’s flowing writing style a lot.

A Midsummer's Sin has a very erotic yet different and beautiful storyline with an appropriate setting. It’s a story of two seemingly mismatched souls healing each-other and becoming one.

The Birthday Present by Alison Richardson

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Birthday Present (novella)
The Countess Trilogy #3

Alison Richardson
Historical Romance/Erotica
Published in 2009

H/h - Countess Anna von Esslin/James McKirnan
Setting: Late 1700s, Munich, Germany.

Read in August, 2013.
My rating:

                                             [spoiler alert]

The third and final installment in The Countess Trilogy, The Birthday Present by Alison Richardson was almost good... I was enjoying it a lot, until I reached the end. I would’ve rated it higher because I enjoyed the dialogue and everything else. But, I felt a bit cheated out of the HEA I was so hoping for.

Before I get into the review of book 3, a little recap of what went on earlier. Keep in mind that this is not a standalone novella. My recommendation is to read this series back to back, or at the least, to read book 1 and 2 before this one.

Guest Post and Giveaway: Judging a Book by Its Cover by Kristine Mason, Author of Shadow of Perception

Friday, August 23, 2013

Today, Shadow of Perception by Kristine Mason, a Romantic Suspense and book 2 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy is being featured on my blog as a part of the VBT. Following is a Guest Post by the author that I hope you enjoy. Alongside this post, you'll find the book and author links, an excerpt from Shadow of Perception and other related information.

Kristine Mason will be awarding $5 Amazon gift cards to six randomly drawn commenters during the tour. 
There'll also be awards of ten print books to ten other randomly drawn commenters during the tour; five copies of Pick Me, a contemporary romance and five copies of Shadow of Danger, book 1 of the CORE Shadow Trilogy
Print copies apply to US ONLY.

 
Judging a Book by Its Cover

When I began working with my cover artist for the CORE Shadow Trilogy, I wasn’t sure what route to go…straight suspense, sexy, or a combination of both. The cover artist sent me a few suggestions, and while they weren’t bad, they didn’t fit the books. So, one Sunday morning I spent a couple of hours going through photos. When I found these really cool shadowy pictures, I knew I had to pass them along to my gal and see if she could do something with them. Boy, did she ever. The first book, Shadow of Danger, has a definite suspense vibe. The second book, Shadow of Perception, is a great blend of romance and suspense. The third book in the series? Well, I just couldn’t resist. I loved the photo I’d found and loved what my cover artist was able to do with it. This cover has a bit of creepy, suspenseful vibe, minus the romance. But, it works with the series (you can see it here: http://www.kristinemason.net).

The whole clichéd “don’t judge a book by its cover” is—in my humble opinion—bogus. When you open up your Kindle, iPad, Nook or whatever ereader you’re using, what’s the first thing you see? The cover. If it grabs you, you’ll read through the book summary/blurb, then maybe be enticed enough to either buy the book or at least read the sample. I’m curious to know…how many of you judge a book by its cover?
 
Shadow of Perception
CORE Shadow Trilogy #2
 
 

What happens when negligent plastic surgeons receive a taste of their own medicine…?

Chicago investigative reporter, Eden Risk, receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD…or someone else dies. No Police. After Eden watches the DVD, a gruesome, horrifying surgery, she turns to the private criminal investigation agency, CORE, for help. Only she hadn’t expected that help to come with a catch. Her former lover, Hudson Patterson, has been assigned to the case.

Hudson would rather have another CORE agent handle the investigation. Two years ago, he’d screwed things up with Eden…bad. And as more DVDs arrive, Eden and Hudson find themselves not only knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past, and the love they’d tried to deny. 

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Punya
I love to read in my spare time and do reviews the books I read. My blog Punya Reviews just turned 6 in 2017 and still going strong. I love music and traveling. Sometimes, I wish I could live inside a book, having my own HEA. :)
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