Month: May 2020

Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Marry in Scarlet (Marriage of Convenience, #4)Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Marriage of Convenience, #4

Release Date: May 26, 2020

4.5 rounded up.

Lady Salter together with the Duchess of Everingham orchestrated the wedding of the year – maybe even the decade when they paired Lady Salter’s niece, Lady Rose Rutherford and the Duchess’ son Redmond Jasper Hartley “Hart”, the Duke of Everingham– too bad the bride was already married! Unwilling to lose bragging rights to the wedding of the decade – Lady Salter aka Aunt Agatha, offers Lady Georgiana Rutherford to the duke – who firmly refuses.

Lady Georgiana “George” Rutherford was not raised to be a lady, hidden away and kept secret, she didn’t even know she was a “lady” or had a family until her uncle Cal, Earl of Ashendon found her and brought her kicking and screaming into the family. She has participated in several seasons and enjoys London, she has had several offers of marriage, but has turned them all down, she has no desire to marry and her heart’s desire is to retire to the county, raise dogs and horses and live an independent life. So, when she learns that her aunt has offered her up, she is very clear – she will not marry anyone, especially not the cold and arrogant Duke of Everingham. A thought she makes crystal clear to him as well, and she means it – she just wishes his kisses didn’t set her aflame.

Hart has no desire to marry George, but why is she pretending like she doesn’t want to marry him and how did he never notice how attractive she is or how different from all the other ladies of his acquaintance? At first, he tells himself that he is trying to talk to her because he wants to buy her horse, but when he kisses her to supposedly test a theory, he knows – George will be his duchess. The fact that she doesn’t want to marry isn’t a problem – he wants her and he always gets what he wants.

But George is no society miss overly concerned about her reputation and her family stands by her come hell or high water, so for the first time in his life, Hart faces the possibility of not getting his way! But when her aunt and his mother interfere again and use George’s tender heart to get their way – George resigns herself to a loveless marriage – but Hart surprises her and soon they both realize they both want what they never expected, happily ever after.

This was a well written, perfectly paced, fun story with lots of emotion and humor. The story has wonderful characters, warm love scenes, some shocking surprises, an unconventional, stubborn heroine and a hero who wouldn’t want her any other way. Hart and George are perfect for each other and their interactions and reactions were so much fun to read, that you can help but root for them to get their HEA and when they do, SIGH… and if that isn’t enough for you, the epilogue was incredibly sweet and the perfect ending to this series. The book isn’t perfect, George was not the easiest heroine to like at the beginning and there are a couple of title errors, but by the end of the book, I loved George and didn’t really care about a couple of errors. I am happy to recommend this series and this story especially. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title.

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

Nothing Compares To The Duke by Christy Carlyle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Nothing Compares to the Duke (The Duke's Den, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Duke’s Den #3
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 368

Rhys Forester and Arabella Prescott have a history – both a joyous one and a heartbreaking one. They were best friends from the time they were children running their family estates together – getting covered in mud, riding their horses – you name it – they were inseparable. Arabella was the person who knew Rhys better than anyone – knew all of his fears and secrets. Then, Arabella begins to see Rhys in a different light and he thoroughly breaks her heart. He just threw it down and stomped on it. Let’s just say that Arabella hasn’t been particularly forgiving – and I don’t blame her.

Rhys has lead a debauched hedonistic lifestyle for the last five years. He throws wild parties, acts recklessly, and womanizes every night while sleeping his days away. However, he has made his own fortune by investments of many kinds, but particularly as part-owner of the Duke’s Den. Then, his father dies and Rhys becomes the fifth Duke of Claremont – only to learn that the dukedom isn’t as solvent as Rhys had assumed it was. It is devouring all of his funds and he has to figure out what has happened. His father couldn’t have been that much of a profligate – or could he? Rhys heads back to his estate to investigate – but balancing ledgers is not his strong suit and he’s having a very hard time of it.

Arabella has had several very successful seasons and has declined a number of marriage proposals. She has ambitions of her own and they include publishing her own book – and remaining single. She thinks her parents have accepted her wish to become a spinster – until – she discovers that the house party they are planning is strictly to introduce her to several very marriage-minded men. Once she learns the reason for their insistence, she starts looking for ways around them. Who could be better to help her than Rhys? After all, he owes her – big time.

Each has a skill and ability the other needs, so they strike a bargain – they’ll have a fake betrothal to satisfy her parents and she’ll help Rhys with the ledgers and his sister’s debut season. Everybody wins! But, as they spend more and more time together, Rhys begins to realize what a horrible mistake he made years ago. Can he convince Arabella to trust him again? To love him again? Can Arabella learn to forgive Rhys and trust him again?

I really enjoyed this book and truly came to like the main characters. I do have to admit that I didn’t really understand Rhys’s descent into debauchery – I understand that his father wasn’t the best example and they didn’t get along, but I think I just didn’t really get enough information on that to understand it.

I hope you will give this well-written book a try and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading

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