Review of Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shocking! That is exactly the word I'd use to describe Val - the Duke of sin. The things that come out of his mouth, wow! They even made me blush lol. Val is our antihero who has done unspeakable sinful things even in front of his housekeeper, Bridget. However, as the reader is starting to wonder if Val can do anything more evil. He reveals glimpses into his childhood that shaped him into the despicable man that he has become. Now I understand him a little better. It's through his past that Bridget who is becoming more than just a housekeeper is starting to fall in love with him.

Bridget has a few secrets of her own that Val could use against her as he blackmails everyone of importance even the King of England! Pinning good vs evil in Bridget and Val. Will good overcome evil? Can Bridget reform the sinful Duke?

I'm rating The Duke of Sin 3.5-4 stars because at first I was downright disgusted with Val and was on the fence about Bridget being a housekeeper. However, the second half of the book was much better and I sympathized with Val a little better. Good read and well written.

I received this eARC from Netgalley for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne

Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just finished another good shifter book, Waking the Bear about...you guessed it a Bear shifter. Griff is like a big muscular teddy bear that would do everything to protect his mate. I like alpha males who protect their woman even when she doesn't think she needs it. He is a park ranger which fits perfectly with his bear abilities.

Amy just left a bad job and an even worse boyfriend in Atlanta for fresh air up north. Sometimes I wish I could take a vacation from life and do that! It's funny how she came up there to the woods to get away from the drama of the big city yet she finds more than her fair share of drama in bear country lol! The war between the bears and mountain lions is just heating up in this story and I can't wait to read more about it. This story is from a bear-friendly perspective but I'd like to read a story about a mountain lion shifter. I think that would be neat.

My favorite part of the book is when Griff shows Amy his bear form and she starts petting him and he lays his head on her lap...oh the feels! It demonstrates her love for him as a human and bear.

I'm rating Waking the Bear a 5 out of 5 stars. After the last 2 shifter books I've read I'm starting to become a shifter fanatic lol! I like thinking about all the animal possibilities. I'd like to see a coyote shifter book. Perhaps I should try my hand at this writing business lol!

I received this eARC from the author free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of MacLean's Passion by Sharon Cullen

MacLean's Passion by Sharon Cullen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love the heroine in this novel! Maggie is fiery, courageous, confident, and proud. Scottish to the core. She makes this novel so good. A true warrior at heart, she doesn't need a man to protect her. Although it was Colin MacLean that came to her rescue. I really like the dynamic between Colin and Maggie. Colin is so unsure of himself. He internally struggles with providing for his family and taking back control of his clan. Maggie is his rock, always reassuring him and with him on every decision. This is what makes MacLean's Passion so real to me.


The one character I don't like at all is Maggie's brother. The fact that he would try to force his little sister to marry her off for his gain disgusts me. But then again he should've known no one can force Maggie to do something she doesn't want to do!


I'm rating MacLean's Passion a 4 out of 5 stars because I got frustrated about how every time Colin and Maggie needed their private moments something or someone would prevent the romance from happening. I find it funny actually! Overall I really enjoyed this novel especially the characters.


I received this eARC from netgalley for free in exchange for my honest review.


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Review of The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm craving a cherry tart or anything with cherry in it after reading The Beautiful Pretender LOL! That's my recommendation to anyone who plans to read The Beautiful Pretender.

Avelina must pretend to be Lady Dorothea and attend a ball where Reinhart must choose a bride. Through her faith in God Avelina was able to pass as a noblewoman, survive almost falling to her death, fending off hungry wolves, and breaking the man she loves out of a dungeon! For a former maidservant she sure shows more grace, compassion, humility, and civility then any of the other noble people she encounters except for Magdalen - her only friend at the castle.

Reinhart is a knight who became a margrave after the death of his older brother which many blame Reinhart for. He has a rough exterior to him that kind-of reminds me of John Wayne. A medieval knightly sort of John Wayne if that makes sense. However there is a kinder and caring side to him that no one sees except Avelina. I like how Avelina can read people for their true nature.

Finding out how the fire started that killed Reinhart's brother and sister-in-law was a surprise. Although the ones behind it weren't a surprise. My favorite part of the book is when Reinhart first meets Lady Dorothea and everyone in the room is surprised by the answers she gives to his questions.

I'm rating The Beautiful Pretender a 5 out of 5 stars because I liked the intrigue, mystery, and of course the romance! Very well written, complex and well developed characters make this a 5 star in my books ;)

I received this ebook from BookLook Bloggers for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Sometimes when reading a description of a book outside of my usual genres I become interested and give it a read. I like to think I'm open minded and will try out a fantasy based novel or other if the description sounds pretty good. Unfortunately the fantasy genre is just not for me after all but I really wanted to like it. Most of the reviews for The Library at Mount Char give a high rating. I got a little over 50 pages into it and gave up.

I'm rating The Library at Mount Char a 1 out of 5 stars because I just couldn't get into it and everything - the plot and characters were confusing. This is my first fantasy book to read and it's just not for me.

I received this ARC from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlu

A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Daring Sacrifice had me on an emotional rollercoaster especially at the end. The heroine, Juliana is like Robin Hood and Merida from Brave put together. Collin is an old acquaintance of Juliana's past who now has taken in interest in her.
To me he seems bored with the nobility and that's what first draws him to Juliana. I enjoy his curiosity in her and how open minded he is to seeing how the peasants live.

The names of some of the characters took me by surprise at first, like Bulldog and Thatch. I had to reread the first chapter or 2 thinking they might have been dogs and not people lol! Although Bulldog comes across as a crotchety old man who hates anyone of nobility. He really is a caring father figure to Juliana. I like him the best.

I'm rating A Daring Sacrifice 5 out of 5 stars because I loved how it kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. I almost rated it 4 stars when I found out what almost happened to Bulldog but the ending changed it back to 5 stars for me :)

I received this ebook from Book Look Bloggers fir free in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of Yours Truly by Krista Lakes

Yours Truly by Krista Lakes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book to read this summer is Yours Truly by Krista Lakes. It's a contemporary romance with just the right amount of light hearted humor and romance that make this a good beach read. There's one major part in the book that reminds me of an episode of I Love Lucy but I can't say which episode because it'll give away the big surprise!

AJ is the ultimate fantasy man. He's a billionaire CEO and knows it
He has a true heart and doesn't go around breaking hearts like a playboy would. Somehow I can only imagine him existing in a romance novel - he is just that perfect lol! Nor can I see a man like him in his position falling for the shy good girl which makes him even more attractive.

Kat is how I see myself as, a goody-two-shoes, always playing it safe, never drinks or lets her hair down. I can relate to that Kat - the boring one lol. However at her friend's wedding she decides to be different and let the "fun side" out to play. In a way I enjoyed the adventures and fun she had the first time she met AJ. I was just scared that AJ would fall in love with the "fun Kat" and not the real Kat.

I'm rating Yours Truly a 5 out of 5 stars because it was a good, quick, fun contemporary read perfect for this summer. It isn't too short or too long just right and has a sweet ending.

I received this eARC from the author for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud

A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a sweet romance story in the second book in the Hunt club series by Pamela Labud. This story is about Caro's sister, Beatrice and Michael, Beatrice's brother-in-law's best friend. Being pursued by an unwanted suiter, Beatrice goes on the run and into hiding in hopes of escaping to America. She has plans to become a governess but Michael, her protector has better ideas for the both of them

I enjoyed the adventures Bea and Michael had when running from Mr. Bainbridge. The fight and the ensuing court trial towards the end had me getting anxious. In a weird sense I was hoping they hadn't killed off the bad guy because I actually would've liked to have seen Mr. Bainbridge and Connie (Michael's ex-lover) get together lol! To me they both deserve each other.

I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I'm hoping we as the readers get to hear what happens next with Beatrice, Michael and an estranged relative from his past in the next book of the Hunt club series.

I'm rating A Most Delicate Pursuit by Pamela Labud a 5 out of 5 stars. Another thoroughly enjoyable regency romance from one of newest favorite authors!

I received this eARC from the publishers via Netgalley free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis

Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm going to be honest and say that Awakened by the Wolf is the first shifter book I've read in a long time and I must say it has renewed my interest in shifters! Wahyas (wah-hi-yas) are a wolf-human hybrid who mate-bond with someone and nothing can break the love bond. I love the whole story about them and their history. I'd like to see this book as part of a Wahyan series *hint hint.* ;) Awakened by the Wolf has definitely sparked my interest in shifter books. I'm ready to read another one now lol. Are there any you would recommend?

My favorite person is Brice because I like how protective and loyal he is to Cassie. Also I like the fact that he is never overbearing or demanding. After Cassie had a car accident it warmed my heart that he gave her the space she needed to recover and continue achieving the independence she sought while still supporting her in any way she needed him. I see why women would fight each other over him. He's a keeper in my books ;)

I'm rating Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis a 4 out of 5 stars because I wish Brice's grandmother had survived her heart attack so she could've helped provide emotional support to both Cassie and Brice. I felt Cassie needed someone like a female friend much like she had in his grandmother to assure her when Cassie is confused or uneasy. His grandmother seemed like the only person in Cassie's life she could depend on besides Brice of course.

I received this ebook from Anna at Herding Cats and Burning Soup (http://www.herdingcats-burningsoup.co...) free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of Along Came a Rogue by Anna Harrington

Along Came a Rogue by Anna Harrington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the second book in the Secret Life of Scoundrels series by Anna Harrington we read about Nathaniel Grey's romance with Emily who is his best friend's little sister. I couldn't keep my excitement in when her brother Timothy deciphered what was going on between them. I absolutely loved the way he reacted too. It made me wish I had an older brother lol! I think that is what strikes me the most in this story is the relationships between Emily, Timothy, and Nathaniel because if it wasn't for Nathaniel finding Emily and bringing her to her wounded brother then they may have never reunited. If it wasn't for Timothy requesting his friend Nathaniel to find her than she and Nathaniel wouldn't have fallen in love.

I really enjoy romances like these where the guy falls for the girl he has known all his life and never notices her until she grows up and becomes a woman. I'm rating Along Came a Rogue 5 out of 5 stars because I couldn't seem to put the book down and I couldn't help but fall in love with Nathaniel. I love the fact that he had to fight to convince Emily to marry him and not the other way around. Finding out who his real family is in the end is the cherry on top.

After reading the 3 books in the Scoundrels series. I have to say that Along Came a Rogue is my favorite book in the series.

I received this ebook free of charge via Netgalley from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had a really hard time getting through An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller, an amish fiction. This is the first book I've read from this author. Although the writing was good I didn't like the main female - Joanna. She seemed broken, negative, and apathetic through the entire book. I understand her accident which resulted in losing both her parents would send anyone through a depression. However I just wanted her to find her happiness in Andrew. Perhaps it is because I'm a romantic at heart I just wanted Joanna and Andrew to find their way to each other's arms much sooner than they did.

The last third of the book was the best part and I am so so happy Andrew and Joanna were able to finally have a happily ever after I just wanted it to happen so much sooner! The middle part of the book just seemed drawn out and frustrating especially the day of the wedding. I was afraid the book was going to end without them ever getting back together. The reader can see how much they truly love each other. You wouldn't believe how close I came to quitting half way into it.

I'm rating An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller a 3 out of 5 stars because it was emotionally engaging and I cheered for Joanna and Andrew's reunion after the disastrous wedding.

I received an ARC of this book from BookLook Bloggers free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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Review of Dukes are Forever by Anna Harrington

Dukes Are Forever by Anna Harrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Edward Westover is seeking vengeance for the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law who were killed in a carriage accident by a deadbeat gambler. Upon gaining his revenge he now finds out he is the guardian of an attractive ward, Kate.

Little did he know she is a young woman responsible for running her estate and taking care of the sick in her village. I like how he thought Kate was this young little girl. He even brought her a dolly when he came to meet her lol. She defies Edward every chance she gets and rightfully so I might add. The way he just comes barging into her life and expecting Kate to obey his commands. He'd be kicked out my door and down the street if it was me no matter how attractive he is! In this novel I thought Kate was a strong female and if you've read my other reviews I love books with a mental and emotionally strong female lead.

I didn't feel as nicely for Edward throughout most of the book even though I felt Kate made up for that after she melted his heart of stone. I understand he has trust issues because of his past. I just wish he hadn't punished Kate so harshly when he found her letter. Also, he continued to distance himself when she showed up on his doorstep worried sick after his duel.

This story to me is like a beauty and the beast story and that's what I like about it. I mean to fall in love and marry your enemy's daughter just tells of how much Edward's heart has opened to love again. For these reasons I am rating Dukes are Forever a 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this Ebook on Netgalley from the publishers free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

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