Month: September 2019

Seduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries & Mary Jo Putney

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

Seduction on a Snowy NightSeduction on a Snowy Night by Madeline Hunter
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Duke Dynasty / Redeemed Rogues

Release Date: September 24, 2019

This is a delightful anthology with a Christmas theme and if you follow these authors you will recognize many of the characters from previous books!!

A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter – 4.5 stars – Adam Prescott, Baron Thornhill is on his way to celebrate Christmas with his cousin Nigel, the Marquess of Haverdale and if all goes according to plan, he may be announcing his betrothal to a wealthy debutante. But all does not go according to plan and when Adam tries to help a young woman he thinks is being assaulted, he finds himself abducted at gunpoint. Caroline “Caro” Dunham is trying to keep what is left of her family and their legacy together, so when she learns that her younger sister Amelia has been compromised and pregnant at the hands of well-known rake, she does what any older sister would do, she abducted the scoundrel and will make him marry her! This was a cute story that was paced nicely, has a little bit of steam and a HEA

A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries – 5 stars – Cassandra “Cass” Isles has been tricked before by fortune hunters and is extremely distrustful of the men on the marriage mart, so much so that she lets everyone believe she is a poor relation. She has also made it her mission to protect her cousin Kitty, who is sweet and kind, but not quite as savvy as Cass. Currently she is attending a ball and is trying to put off one of Kitty’s suitors, Capt. Lionel Malet, Cass is sure he is a fortune hunter and will do her best to keep Kitty away from him. While searching for Kitty, she stumbles upon Col. Lord Heywood Wilde, son of the late Duke of Armitage and younger brother to the new duke – he is also a close friend of Kitty’s brother Douglas. Heywood says he must speak with Kitty on an urgent matter and asks Cass to locate her for him. Heywood is attracted to Cass, but the woman he wants to marry is Kitty – the heiress. This was an excellent story with a lot of depth for a novella. It was also the steamiest of the three offerings. If you have been reading the “Duke Dynasty” series, you will recognize most of the characters and enjoy catching up!

One Wicked Winter Night by Mary Jo Putney – 4 stars – Lady Diana Lawrence is the black sheep of her family, she left England 7 years ago after a doomed love affair and spent years traveling, finally ending up in India. But a letter from her niece Rory has Diana returning to England, she believes that at 30, she is a spinster and the man she loved is probably long ago married with children and she is in no danger of meeting up with him. Anthony Raines, the Duke of Castleton is bullied by his sisters to attend the Masked ball at Vance’s townhouse and is mesmerized by the woman who performed an Indian dance – he approaches her and they share a dance and a kiss, which causes both of them a bit of shock when they realize who it is they are kissing! Anthony wants answers as to why she left him after he proposed and she just wants to forget and carry on with her life. When she tells him to leave her alone and never call again, Anthony is forced to resort to abduction to get the woman he loves to talk to him. This was a great second chance romance, but it did feel a little rushed, had very mild love scenes and the issue keeping them apart was resolved way to easily, but the ending was wonderful.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

The Red Hot Earl by Darcy Burke

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

The Red Hot Earl (Love is All Around #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Love Is All Around #1
Publication Date: 9/24/19
Number of Pages: 133

This was a lovely introduction to the Love Is All Around series. The series is set around three siblings and the local Christmas celebrations. The book didn’t feel too Christmasy, but I believe that is because it took place earlier than the other books – thus the lack of Christmas feel. Maybe we’ll get some decorations in the upcoming books.

This book features Lady Bianca Stafford and Ashton Rutledge, Earl of Buckleigh. Bianca is free-spirited, bright, fun, and she absolutely adores Christmas – particularly the St. Stephen’s Day celebration. Her family has hosted that celebration since the very first Duke – and now, her brother is ending it. He won’t budge and absolutely refuses to have any part in or sponsorship of the celebration. Bianca doesn’t know what to make of her brother, Calder, eighth Duke of Hartwell. He’s certainly not the brother who left them ten years ago and didn’t return until their father died. Now, he’s cold, unfeeling, uncaring, and cruel.

Ash has been persecuted most of his life – especially by three men who are now certainly old enough to know better and now pull the same childish tricks and torments they did while they were at school. The persecution is because of an affliction (sounds like Tourette’s Syndrome). He’s spent years in London figuring out techniques to deal to help alleviate the worst of the symptoms, but when he is stressed they manifest themselves.

Ash and Bianca were childhood friends and each was delighted to see the other at a house party at the home of Lord Thornaby. As they spend time together Bianca admires Ash more and more and it is the same for him. When events occurred and Ash left the party early – and Bianca left shortly after – Bianca knew she had to see him to tell him that she supported him.

It was fun to watch Bianca and Ash get their HEA and it was also good to meet the ‘stars’ of the upcoming books. I have to say, I’m not sure what the author can do to redeem Calder in my eyes. Yes, I understand what his issue is and why he intends to do away with the celebration – but – what I don’t understand is how he can treat his sister so coldly and cruelly – without a blink of remorse and caring.

I also didn’t understand the three villains. These were three men who were in their mid-to-late twenties — certainly old enough to know better than to act like immature schoolboys.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.