3/12/16

Can't Wait For: Laura Lee Guhrke's No Mistress of Mine (September 2016)

USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke is back with the latest in her dazzling An American Heiress in London series, in which a reformed rogue finds all his honorable resolutions tested by the only woman who ever broke his heart . . .

After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before.

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys’s sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy them both?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Laura Lee Guhrke is an automatic buy for me.  Her characters are wonderfully flawed, the chemistry is almost always sizzling, and the story is fabulous.  September is gonna rock!  

3/2/16

Book Review: Dukes Are Forever (Secret Life of Scoundrels #1) by Anna Harrington


ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE
Battlefields and barrooms hold much more interest for Edward Westover, Duke of Strathmore, than a little girl's fondness for dolls and lace. When he takes possession of his enemy's estate, everything that villain held dear-including his daughter-belongs to Edward. Hire a governess, arrange a dowry, give a few reassurances, and be off on his way-that's Edward's plan. But he's in for the shock of his life. For his new ward is a beautiful, impetuous, and utterly irresistible woman . . .

. . . AND WAR
Kate Benton is stunned. Who is this arrogant, infuriating man who's invited himself into her home and taken over her life? Her vow: to do everything in her power to convince him to leave her-and Brambly House-alone. Yet as chilly days melt into sultry nights, Kate sees glimpses of kindness underneath Edward's cool façade . . . and a passionate nature that takes her breath away. There's so much she doesn't know about this man. But does she dare trust this devilish duke with her heart?


* * * * * *  REVIEW  * * * * * *

Dukes Are Forever is a nice debut novel from author Anna Harrington.  Kate Benton is a wonderful heroine--independent and strong enough not to let her alpha male hero, Edward Westover run roughshod over her.  Kate wants nothing more than to live on the estate that was left to her by her grandparents, take care of the tenants and seeing to their medical needs.  Too bad her father is a jerk who gambles away his daughter (and her estate) to Edward Westover.  The Duke of Strathmore has no idea that the girl he's won in a poker match is a grown woman of one and twenty years.  Once the initial shock wears off, the two begin falling in love with each other.

Ms. Harrington weaves a wonderful tale, with believable reasons why Edward would want to ruin Katherine's father and why Katherine is reluctant to give up on her delinquent jerk of a father.  Watching this couple come together and overcome the obstacles placed in their way to a happy ending was an enjoyable way to pass the weekend.  Anna Harrington created a delightful world that I can't wait to get back into!

XOXO,

Teresa

Rating:  4 out of 4 stars.  Excellent series starter.  Reccomended to readers who enjoy alpha male heroes, slightly unconventional heroes and historical romance.

Book Facts:
DUKES ARE FOREVER (Secret Life of Scoundrels #1) by Anna Harrington
Forever Romance  |  December 2015
ISBN:  978-1-4555-3403-6
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble
Connect with Anna on  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Up Next in the Secret Life of Scoundrels Series:

Now Available
ALONG CAME A ROGUE (Secret Life of Scoundrels #2)
March 2016

THE WICKEDEST SECRET . . .
Major Nathaniel Grey is free to bed whomever he wants, whenever he chooses, and that's exactly how he likes it. His only loyalties are to country and the two friends he served with-brothers he'd do anything for. So when one of them is gravely injured and asking for his little sister, Grey will move heaven and earth to bring her home. He's greeted not by the gangly girl he remembers, but a stunningly beautiful woman holding a loaded musket. And he's utterly captivated by her . . .

IS A SECRET SEDUCTION
Once upon a time, Emily would have loved nothing more than a stolen hour with her brother's best friend, the dashing officer who captured her heart and soul. But things are different now-and so is she. Gone is the eager young woman who believed in love. In her place is a widow weighed down with secrets who desperately needs to disappear before they're revealed. But Grey's sinfully sexy smile offers protection unlike anything she's ever known, tempting her to risk everything . . . even her heart.
 

Available 04/26/2016
HOW I MARRIED A MARQUESS (Secret Lives of Scoundrels #3)
May 2016

A SHOCKING DECEPTION . . .
Josephine Carlisle, adopted daughter of a baron, is officially on the shelf. But the silly, marriage-minded misses in the ton can have their frilly dresses and their seasons in London, for all she cares. Josie has her freedom and her family . . . until an encounter with a dark, devilishly handsome stranger leaves her utterly breathless at a house party. His wicked charm intrigues her, but that's where it ends. For Josie has a little secret . . .
 
. . . LEADS TO AN EXQUISITE SEDUCTION
Espionage was Thomas Matteson, Marquess of Chesney's game-until a tragic accident cost him his career. Now to salvage his reputation and return to the life he loves, the marquess must find the criminal who's been robbing London's rich and powerful. He's no fool-he knows Josie, with her wild chestnut hair and rapier-sharp wit, is hiding something and he won't rest until he unravels her mysteries, one by one. But he never expected to be the one under arrest-body and soul . . .

Book Review: ALL CHAINED UP (Devil's Rock #1) by Sophie Jordan

Available 03/29/2016
There are bad boys and then there are the men of Devil's Rock

Some men come with a built-in warning label.  Knox Callaghan is one of them.  Danger radiates from every lean, muscled inch of him, and his deep blue eyes seem to see right through to Briar Davis's most secret fantasies.  But there's one major problem:  Briar is a nurse volunteering at the local prison, and Knox is an inmate who should be off-limits in every way.

Knox feels it too--a shocking animal magnetism that drives him to risk his own life to protect Briar's.  Paroled at last, he tries to resist her.  She's too innocent, too sweet, and she has no idea what Knox is capable of.  But a single touch can lead to a kiss--and a taste...until the only crime is denying what feels so right...






* * * * * *  REVIEW  * * * * * *

All Chained Up is the book version of the tv show PRISON BREAK.  OK, not really, but dang it if Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Callies) didn't breeze through my mind a couple of times while reading this.

I think this book, and the series it belongs to, are fascinating simply for the type of hero that is featured in it:  an inmate.  Let's face it, when you think of a heroic leading man, a felon/inmate is not usually at the top of any reader's list.  They come with a fairly huge strike against them:  they're in prison for committing a crime.  And author Sophie Jordan does not shy away from this flaw, she embraces it and makes it work for Knox.  Knox and his brother North, are in prison for murdering the guy who raped their cousin.  Jordan makes this work for Knox because he doesn't shy away from what he did and he certainly doesn't think he's a hero because of it.  Would he do it again?  Probably, because at his core, Knox is an honorable man defending his family.

Now that the elephant's out of the bag, so to speak, on to the rest of the book.  Briar Davis is a timid nurse when we first meet her.  Jordan portrays her nervous reluctance to accompany her boss to the local prison, Devil's Rock, in an extremely believable way.  Briar wanted to volunteer, but when at the prison realized she bit off a bit more than she could handle.  Briar is not written as a sterotypical prison bunny ("Oh, you're in prison?  OK, let's get it on!"), but as a gentle soul who has an abusive past.  She doesn't understand or necessarily like that she's attracted to prisoner Knox Callaghan.  That changes after Knox rescues/protects her during a "riot" in the medical bay.  His actions get him an early parole.  The story picks up from there and the chemistry between Knox and Briar is scorching! The themes of redemption, personal forgiveness and strength are threaded throughout the story and bring a nice depth to the plots and characters.  Knox is a hero readers will love.

Ms. Jordan lays the groundwork nicely for the rest of the series--the next book in the series features Reid Allister (Knox's "gang" leader in Devil's Rock).  And I'm hoping that Knox's brother North gets his own book.  Kudos to Sophie Jordan for a wonderful story and for not romanticizing felons/inmates.

XOXO,

Teresa

~*~ Avon Romance provided me with an ARC/Galley. ~*~

Rating:  3 out of 4 stars.  Wonderful series starter; Readers who enjoy slightly damaged heroes and heroines will enjoy this, as will readers who look for spicy reads.

Book Facts:
ALL CHAINED UP  (Devil's Rock #1)  by Sophie Jordan
Avon Books  |  April 2016
ISBN:  978-0-06-242368-9
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble 
Connect with Sophie on  Facebook  |  Twitter

Next up in the Devil's Rock Series:
Available 07/26/2016

HELL BREAKS LOOSE (Devil's Rock #2) 
August 2016

Hell hath no hunger like a man let out of a cage . . .
Shy and awkward, First Daughter Grace Reeves has always done what she’s told. Tired of taking orders, she escapes her security detail for a rare moment of peace. Except her worst nightmare comes to life when a ruthless gang of criminals abducts her. Her only choice is to place her trust in Reid Allister, an escaped convict whose piercing gaze awakens something deep inside her. Reid is nothing like her other captors.

He’s tougher, smarter…and one blistering look from him makes her hotter than any man ever has.
Reid spent years plotting escape and revenge . . .years without a woman in his bed. For this hardened felon, Grace Reeves isn’t just out of his league—she’s from another planet, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting her. Escaping Devil’s Rock was tough, but resisting this woman could be the end of him. For a man with nothing to lose, protecting her . . . claiming her as his own, becomes more necessary than his next breath.

Can't Wait For: Jessica Lemmon's Billionaire Bad Boy Series (July 2016 & November 2016)

Available 06/28/2016
An all-new, sexy series about three hotel magnate brothers and the women who take them to their knees.
 
Reese Crane has a problem.  His father has been grooming Reese to take over as the CEO of the infamous Crane Hotel brand when he’s ready to retire and that day has finally come.  Too bad the Board of Directors isn’t on-board.  Reese’s past as a manwhore has been splashed all over the tabloids and gossip columns and the last thing the Board wants is a pleasure-seeking playboy to sully the company name.  But Reese isn’t giving up so easily.  They want a settled man to lead the company?  Then that’s exactly what he’ll give them. 
 
Merina Van Heusen will do anything to keep her parents’ funky and historic boutique hotel in business—even marry cold-as-ice but sexy-as-hell billionaire bachelor Reese Crane to do it.  It’s a simple business contract—six months of “marriage”, absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again.  But nothing is ever that simple. 
 
Now married and appearing together publicly, Merina has no problem putting on a show for the cameras, but what she doesn’t expect is to be as wildly attracted to Reese behind closed doors as he is for her. With sparks flying and tempers flaring, they give into the volatile attraction more than once and Merina finds herself faced with her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband.
 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 
Available 10/25/2016
 A CINDERELLA STORY…
 
Rachel Foster had to find work somewhere after her ex-boyfriend screwed her over at the office. Enter: a position as a bartender at a local pub and an odd job as a dog sitter in Crane Tower, a high end apartment building downtown. Her goal is to gather enough money to finally get out on her own, so when her tall, handsome, and as she learns later—billionaire neighbor comes to her with a proposition, she can’t turn him down.
 
In charge of Guest and Restaurant services, it’s Tag Crane’s job to be the life of the party, but his portion of the company is in serious trouble. When he takes on overhauling the pool bars for Crane hotels, he knows he’s going to need an adviser. Not only is the gorgeous blonde in his building a smart savvy business woman turned bartender, but she’s snared his attention in a way no other woman ever has. One steamy make out session later, and she agrees to come with him to Hawaii. Score. 
 
Rachel used to be intimidated by everything about Tag Crane, until several sultry nights where she learns she’s just as capable of turning him inside out as he is her. But she knows a player is always a player, and soon her luxury lifestyle will turn back into a pumpkin. Since she first met him, she’d promised to tuck the moments with Tag into her heart and move on, but now that she’s fallen for the billionaire prince, is she willing to walk away?
 
* * * * * * 

Reese and Tag sound delicious!  I can't wait to see these two hot billionaires be tamed by Merina and Rachel!  As I've mentioned, Jessica Lemmon is a wonderful author with great plots, delightful supporting characters, and off the charts sexy heroes and heroines!  Both of these books are available for pre-order on Amazon, and I highly recommend adding them to your wish list!  
 

P.S.:  There is a third book in the series, The Bastard Billionaire, but it is not available to pre-order just yet.  Ms. Lemmon's website lists a January 2017 release date for the book.  Yeah, can't wait for that one either! 

Can't Wait For: Jessica Lemmon's Return of the Bad Boy (May 2016)

Available 04/26/2016
He's a mess...

Asher Knight has three constants in his life: music, beautiful women, and a bottle of Jack. He lives for the next gig, the next city, and dreams only of a life spent in front of an arena full of screaming fans. But Asher's nomad ways come to a sudden stop when he learns he's the father of a three-year-old from a past relationship and suddenly this rock star bad boy is forced to put down roots.



Only she can clean up

Gloria Shields is no one's fool. Sure, the sexual chemistry between her and Asher has always been intense, but she'd never risk giving her heart to a man who has a perfect record for breaking them. Except the man desperate to make things right with his newfound son is nothing like the rock god she's guarded her heart against for years. And it isn't long before she starts to wonder if life with this bad boy might be the best thing that's ever happened to her.


* * * *

It is ridiculous how much I want this book in my hot little hands.  Gloria and Asher's love story has been building throughout the first three books in this series and I can't wait to see how they'll get together!  I imagine I'll be calling into work just so I can read it in one fell swoop (OK, maybe not--have to earn book money somehow!). 

Author Jessica Lemmon is a fairly new (to me) discovery and her Second Chance series is a very well written, passionate series.  The second book of the series, Rescuing the Bad Boy, is one of my all-time favorite books.  Seriously, you cannot go wrong with this series.  Just go out and buy or download all the books that are available in the series now.  You'll thank me.  

In My Mailbox: March 2016


Here's what Amazon sent me this month.  All because I told them what I wanted and paid them for it.  Funny how that works.  *wink*


Skinny Dipping With Murder (Otter Lake Mystery #1) by Auralee Wallace
Kernal Of Truth (Popcorn Shop Mystery #1) by Kristi Abbott
And Then There Were Nuns (League Of Literary Ladies #4) by Kylie Logan
Play To Win (Risky Business #3) by Tiffany Snow
Necessary Risk (Bodyguard #1) by Tara Wyatt
Along Came A Rogue (Secret Life Of Scoundrels #2) by Anna Harrington
Kiss Me In Christmas (Christmas, CO #6) by Debbie Mason
See You At Sunset (Seashell Bay #3) by V. K. Sykes
A Covert Affair (Deadly Ops #5) by Katie Reus
Happily Bedded Bliss (Rakes of Cavendish Square #2) by Tracy Anne Warren
Fully Ignited (Boston Fire #3) by Shannon Stacey
An American In Scotland (MacIain #3) by Karen Ranney
The Groom Wore Plaid (Highland Weddings #2) by Gayle Callen
Lady Bridget's Diary (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale

2/15/16

Mystery Series I'm Dying To Start

So, the name of my blog is Mysterious Romance Reviews.  The blog got it's name because I love to read romances and mysteries.  I've noticed that I've seriously neglected the mystery part of this blog.  So, in order to rectify that, I'm starting a new series focused on the mystery series that I'm interested in reading and hopefully reviewing here. 

The first series that I'm really interested in is the Consignment Shop Mystery series by Duffy Brown.  In order the series is:

ICED CHIFFON (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  October 2012

There’s always something to gossip about in Savannah, Georgia, and Reagan Summerside always seems to be in the middle of it. She’s busy enough running her consignment shop, The Prissy Fox, with her vivacious Auntie KiKi, but now the gossip—and the sales—are about to pick up after a gruesome discovery…
 Reagan’s messy divorce has left her with nothing but a run-down Victorian and a bunch of designer clothes. Strapped for cash, Reagan makes use of the two things she has left, turning the first floor of her home into a consignment shop and filling it with the remnants of her rich-wife wardrobe.
Thanks to his cunning lawyer Walker Boone, her ex got everything else, including the Lexus—not to mention a young blond cupcake. When Reagan finds the cupcake dead in the Lexus, she’s determined to beat Boone to finding the murderer. As it turns out, the gossip fiends flooding Reagan’s shop will give her a lot more than just their unwanted clothes—they have information more precious than a vintage Louis Vuitton…

KILLER IN CRINOLINES (#2)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  May 2013

It’s August in Savannah, Georgia—hardly the season for a traditional Southern wedding with hoopskirts and crinolines. One could die from the heat—or from a cake knife in the back...
Reagan Summerside should be devoting all her energy to her consignment shop the Prissy Fox. But when her dear friend Chantilly Parker is arrested for murder, Reagan vows to clear her name. The victim is Simon Ambrose, who’s found lying in his own wedding cake with a knife in his back.

Chantilly has motive (Simon broke her heart to marry wealthy Waynetta Waverly) and opportunity (crashing the wedding in her UPS delivery truck). And she has cake on her face, and the stolen bridesmaid dress the killer wore is in her truck. But Chantilly would never wear crinoline to kill a man!

With the help of her flamboyant auntie, KiKi, and vexing but attractive attorney Walker Boone, Reagan is determined to save her friend—before she’s forced to turn in her brown uniform for an orange jumpsuit…

PEARLS AND POISON (#3)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  March 2014

It’s election time in Savannah, Georgia, and Judge Guillotine Gloria—aka Reagan Summerside’s mom—is neck and neck in the polls with Kip “Scummy” Seymour.  But the already dirty campaign is about to get downright filthy—with one candidate getting buried six feet under…

With her strong opinions and knack for getting into trouble, Reagan is not an ideal volunteer for her mother’s alderman campaign. Plus, she’d rather be running her consignment shop, the Prissy Fox, and eating doughnuts with her dog, Bruce Willis. But when her mother’s opponent, Kip, is found poisoned and her mother is pegged as a suspect, Reagan nominates herself as lead murder investigator.

Reagan is intent on finding Kip’s killer and clearing her mother’s good name, but she soon finds herself on the bad side of Kip’s enemies-turned-suspects. This time, no amount of costumes and makeup can keep her inconspicuous and out of danger. Because the closer Reagan gets to the truth, the hotter things get…

DEAD MAN WALKER (#3.5)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  E-book Novella  |  February 2015

It’s springtime in Savannah, the azaleas and magnolias are in bloom, and Reagan Summerside’s consignment shop, the Prissy Fox, is bustling with customers out to enjoy the beautiful weather. On a day like today, what could go wrong?

As a mortician beautician and housekeeper, Mercedes is no stranger to corpses or messy bathrooms. But the last thing she expects to find in a client’s bathtub is a dead body! Now she’s a murder suspect and it seems like her life is going down the drain. She turns to local lawyer Walker Boone to get her out of hot water.

But Walker has his own surprising connections to the dead man in the tub, and now he needs Reagan’s help to clear his own name—and keep him alive…

DEMISE IN DENIM (#4)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  April 2015

It’s springtime in Savannah, Georgia, in the newest Consignment Shop Mystery from the national bestselling author of Pearls and Poison. The azaleas and magnolias are in bloom—and Walker Boone is on the run. . .

When Reagan Summerside turned the first floor of her old Victorian home into a consignment shop, she never imagined she’d be harboring a fugitive in her attic. But after a dead man is found in a bathtub and local lawyer Walker Boone is accused of doing the dirty deed, she suddenly has a new houseguest.

Having the lawyer who took her to the cleaners in her divorce settlement—and who has been getting under her skin ever since—in close proximity is enough to drive Reagan to distraction. For the sake of her sanity—and Walker’s freedom—they need to put their heads together to find out who is trying to get the lawyer out of the picture . . .

I'm also interested in Duffy Brown's Cycle Path Mysteries...

GEARED FOR THE GRAVE (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  December 2015

Mackinac Island is a peaceful summer resort town where everyone coasts through the streets on bicycles. But after someone sends a prominent local on her final ride, it’s up to one resourceful visitor to get things running again…

Hoping to shift her chances of a promotion in her favor, Evie Bloomfield heads to Mackinac Island to assist her boss’s father. Rudy Randolph has broken his leg and operating his bike shop, Rudy’s Rides, is too much to handle by himself. But Evie’s good turn only leads to more trouble…

After Evie’s arrival, wealthy resident Bunny Harrington dies in what looks like a freak bike accident. Upon closer inspection, Bunny’s brakes were tampered with, and now the prime suspect in her murder is also Bunny’s number one enemy: Rudy. So if Evie hopes to stay on her boss’s good side, she’ll need to steer Rudy clear of jail. Now she must quickly solve this mystery so she can put the brakes on the real killer’s plan…

BREAKING FOR BODIES (#2)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  April 2016

Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave.

Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.

But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name...

And finally Kelly Lane's Olive Grove Mysteries looks like a cute series!

ONE FOOT IN THE GROVE (#1)
Berkley Prime Crime  |  January 2016

In the sweet Southern town of Abundance, Georgia, home of the Knox family’s olive farm, gossip isn’t the only thing that can kill you...
 
After leaving a man at the altar for the second time in her life, Eva Knox decides to head home to her family’s plantation to regroup and soak in some Southern charm. But hiding from her woes is a slipperier proposition than Eva imagined. For one thing, most people in town still haven’t forgiven her for leaving local boy Buck Tanner at the altar and hightailing it up north eighteen years ago. For another, a death on her family’s farm soon makes her the lead suspect in a murder case—and the sheriff investigating is none other than Eva’s old flame Buck.

With the police putting the squeeze on her, it’s up to Eva and her sisters, Pep and Daphne, to figure out who could have possibly left a dead body in their olive grove. And they’ll have to catch the greasy killer quickly—because it looks like Eva has been picked as the murderer’s next victim...

* * * * * * * *

What are some of the mystery series you are currently reading or want to read?  Let me know in the comments!  

XOXO,

Teresa

Book Review: Lady Bridget's Diary (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale

Available February 23, 2016
Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman:  wealthy, titled, impossibly proper, and horrified that a pack of Americans has inherited one of England's most respected dukedoms.  But his manners, his infamous self-restraint, and his better judgement fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.

Lady Bridget Cavendish has grand--but thwarted--plans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm.  In her diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate into London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her disdain for the Dreadful Lord Darcy, and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.

It was loathing at first sight for Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy.  But their paths keep crossing...and somehow involve kissing.  When Lady Bridget's diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget must decide what matters most of all--a sterling reputation or a perfectly imperfect love.

* * * * *

I am a sucker for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and BRIDGET JONES' DIARY (sweet Lord when is that third movie opening?  I'm not acknowledging the existence of the third book.)  Needless to say, when Avon sent me a galley for LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY, I was probably a little more excited than I should've been!  I may have looked at my dog and told her she was on her own as far as walks were concerned.

You know those authors you hear really good stuff about and always mean to read, but never quite get the chance?  Yeah, Maya Rodale has always been an author I meant to try, but never quite got around to (*hangs head in shame*).  I seriously have most of her books sitting on my to-be-read pile.  Needless to say, that pile will be going down a bit after I finish Ms. Rodale's backlist.

I loved LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY!  Lady Bridget jumps off the page and into your heart.  Sorry for the cliche, but I just adored Bridget from the moment I met her.  Well, to be totally honest, I love all of the Cavendishes, but back to Bridget.  I identified with her struggle to try to fit in, to please people.  I'm guilty of being a people pleaser.  And much like Bridget, I'm learning that who I am is okay.  Not to get too far ahead, but one of the things I loved most about this Lord Darcy was his unwillingness to let Bridget compromise who she was to fit in.  That is a very important message throughout this book.

Ms. Rodale's Lord Darcy is a wonderfully written hero.  He's buttoned up, stiff, very proper with a lot going on under the surface.  When Darcy and Bridget meet, it's easy to be a bit put-off by Darcy.  He's very snobby without knowing Bridget or her family and once he meets her (their meet-cute is seriously cute) he's utterly charmed by her whether he wants to be or not.   The characters are thrown together constantly in very believable situations and it is a pleasure to watch them grow, fight their love, and finally admit their love.  Bridget and Darcy are surrounded by a fabulous supporting cast and are placed in a well-formed world.

Ms. Rodale did a fabulous job with LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY!  I cannot wait for the next book in the Cavendish series, CHASING LADY AMELIA.

XOXO,

Teresa

**Avon Romance provided me with a galley/arc.**

Rating:  4 out of 4 stars.  Excellent series starter; Recommended for readers who enjoy historical romance, comedic reads, and of course, lovers of Jane Austen's works.  

Book Facts:
LADY BRIDGET'S DIARY (Keeping Up With The Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale
Avon Books  |  March 2016
ISBN:  978-0-06-238673-1
Buy It:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Books A Million
Connect with Maya on  Twitter  |  Facebook

Next up in the Keeping Up With The Cavendishes series...

CHASING LADY AMELIA  (Cavendishes #2)
July 2016

Terribly Improper
Lady Amelia is fed up with being a proper lady and wishes to explore London, so one night she escapes…and finds herself in the company of one Alistair Finlay-Jones. He’s been ordered by his uncle to wed one of the American girls. How lucky then, that one of them stumbles right into his arms!


Totally Scandalous
Alistair and Amelia have one perfect day to explore London, from Astley’s Amphitheater to Vauxhall Gardens. Inevitably they end up falling in love and making love. If anyone finds out, she will be ruined, but he will win everything he’s ever wanted.


Very Romantic
When Amelia finds out Alistair has been ordered to marry her, he must woo her and win back the angry American girl. But with the threat of scandals, plural, looming…will he ever catch up to the woman he loves?

Book Review: The Best Medicine (Strictly Business #1) by Elizabeth Hayley

Lauren Hastings is finally ready to enter the real world.  At twenty-six, she's about to get her master's in psychology, and she's well on her way to beginning the career of her dreams--until she suffers public humiliation and has to endure something she thought she'd never have to deal with again:  a part-time job.

A gig at Trinity Hospital isn't exactly Lauren's definition of a good time, but Dr. Scott Jacobs quickly changes her mind.  He's straight-up gorgeous, and he always gets what he wants.  And that includes Lauren.  It's an ideal arrangement for both of them.  No strings.  Just fun--at least at first.

But feelings quickly begin to run deeper than either Lauren or Scott is willing to admit, causing issues neither of them wants to confront.  After all, who wants to risk the perfect relationship on something as terrifying, as messy and as unpredictable as love?


* * * * *

I had been eyeballing THE BEST MEDICINE on the bookshelves at Target since it was published back in June 2015.  The cover is scrumptious, the blurb tempting, but I didn't know if I wanted to commit to a new-to-me author.  So I was browsing Amazon.com and getting sucked into the recommended books list and this title kept coming up along with it's sequel, JUST SAY YES.  The plot for JUST SAY YES is what convinced me to say yes to both of the books in this series.  I got sucked into THE BEST MEDICINE about five minutes after I opened the Amazon box, and didn't put the book down until the next day.

I loved how layered both Lauren and Scott are throughout this novel.  Elizabeth Hayley did a fantastic job setting the scene and developing lead and supporting characters that the reader truly cares about and for.  Lauren struggles with feeling like she disappointed her late brother and Scott struggles with living up to family ideals and a very sad falling out between his mother and his brother, Tim.   The chemistry between Lauren and Scott is immediate and hot.  

I am so glad I finally ordered this book!  Elizabeth Hayley did a great job setting this series up and I can't wait to return to this world and read Tim and Quinn's story (JUST SAY YES) and Cass and Alex's story (THE WEDDING AGREEMENT).

XOXO,

Teresa

Rating:  4 out of 4 Stars!  Excellent debut, reccommended for readers who enjoy a little heat with their story.

Book Facts:
THE BEST MEDICINE (Strictly Business #1) by Elizabeth Hayley
Signet Eclipse  |  June 2015
ISBN:  978-0-451-47552-7
Buy it:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Books A Million
Connect with Elizabeth on Twitter  |  Facebook

Up Next in the Strictly Business Series...

Available now
JUST SAY YES (Strictly Business #2)
December 2015 

Magazine columnist Quinn Sawyer has always attracted sweet, innocent, and safe men. And something tells her it’s because she’s just as harmless. So when she starts craving a guy with an edge, she realizes she may have to get one for herself.

When her boss asks for a unique pitch, Quinn’s quest to live outside her comfort zone prompts her to suggest an idea that will cause her to break her good-girl rules. And who better than Tim Jacobs to help her push her boundaries? For a while now, Quinn’s had a hot crush on the tattooed executive chef with a checkered past. If anybody can bring out her inner rebel, he can.

It’s no surprise that as Tim and Quinn cross each task off the list she’s made for herself, the sparks between them grow more and more intense. Soon there’s no denying the attraction they each feel. But Tim’s troubled past reveals an even tougher edge than Quinn expected—which means for her, falling in love might just be the greatest rebellion of all.

Available May 3, 2016
THE WEDDING ARRANGEMENT (Strictly Business #3)
May 2016

Alex Walker doesn’t need a woman in his life. In fact, he doesn’t have time for one. Between his career in the FBI and the demands of being good father, romance is an unwanted distraction.

Likewise, Cassidy Mullen is fine on her own. The independent career woman has never had a husband in her plans—forget about kids. But when her friend Alex gets into a bind with his ex over their daughter, Cass finds herself suddenly playing the part of Alex’s stable, child-loving fiancée—and liking it a lot more than she’d care to admit.

Soon Alex and Cass can’t deny the real passion growing between them. But as fake affection turns into real love, Cass and Alex will have to make a choice: say “I Do” to their feelings or give up on happily-ever-after for good…
 

2/8/16

Can't Wait For: Julia Quinn's Because Of Miss Bridgerton (April 2016)

Available 03/29/2016

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places...

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...

* * * * * * * *

The Bridgertons are back!  That is reason enough to want this book to come out immediately.  Julia Quinn is one of my all-time favorite authors, so honestly she could announce she was re-writing the phone book and I'd be all over it.  Happy Spring!