Queen Takes Hook by Kirsten S. Blacketer

Queen Takes Hook (Pirates and Persuasion Book 1)Queen Takes Hook by Kirsten S. Blacketer

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates and Persuasion, #1

Release Date: April 23, 2024

When Princess Celeste of Nevarro learns of her father’s death, she is heartbroken and a bit suspicious of her Uncle’s story. She tries to ignore her instincts and be supportive of her sister Caroline, who will now be Queen. But when she overhears her Uncle plotting to kill her and her sister, she knows she can’t fight him alone and only knows of one man who can help her. The notorious Captain James Hook, a pirate with no allegiances and even fewer morals. She strikes a deal with Hook – but is certain she can’t trust him and has another plan just in case. The problem is, she never anticipated being attracted to the scoundrel or falling in love.

Captain James Hook’s luck seems to have deserted him, he lost his ship the Jolly Roger, ticked off his father Admiral Tiberius Hook, and lost his hand to a crocodile. He is drowning his sorrows in a tavern in Port Royale when the last person he ever expected to see approaches him and requests his help offering a treasure that would set any pirate’s heart aflutter. Princess Celeste is not what he expected, not only is she beautiful, but she is clever and devious to boot! With a bounty on her head and his father demanding he turn her in, James will have to play this just right to get the treasure really he wants.

I absolutely loved this book; it is a fun and sexy read with a twist that turns the villainous Captain Hook into a dark anti-hero. The book is non-stop action from the first page and delighted this reader with steamy love scenes, witty banter, a heroine who can save herself, betrayal, treason, shocking revelations, more betrayal, hard choices and finally a well-deserved HEA complete with the promise of more adventures to come! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an anti-hero or storybook retellings or steamy romances –read it, you won’t be disappointed!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Blog Tour for A Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard

A Duke of One’s Own

Summer, 1816. A notorious rebel is about to meet her match…

Lady Georgiana Pendlebury is no stranger to breaking the rules of polite society. But when a so-called ‘friend’ invites her to a clandestine party, Georgiana is shocked to discover the event is more scandalous than even she could have imagined. So when a mysterious stranger offers help, she accepts, not realizing their encounter will turn her life upside down.

Later that summer, Georgiana is invited to attend a house party at an infamous castle in Yorkshire. The gathering is a loosely veiled effort to arrange a marriage for the Duke of Northriding, who desperately needs an heir. Duke Gabriel Mauleverer has a terrible reputation as a rake, and Georgiana is happy to be a guest purely for the entertainment, but upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Duke is none other than the stranger who rescued her weeks earlier.

As the other ladies vie for the Duke’s attention, Georgiana is desperate to avoid their shocking secret getting out. But she finds herself caught, unable to avoid Gabriel’s gaze. Are they a threat to each other? Or could they be the answer to each other’s greatest desires?

Purchase Link

Author Bio:

Emma Orchard is the author of several well-reviewed regency romance novels published by Allison & Busby. In her other life she is a literary agent. Her first book with Boldwood is a raunchy romp set in Regency London.

Social Media Links:

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Tracy’s Review:

A Duke of One's OwnA Duke of One’s Own by Emma Orchard

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 22, 2024

Lady Georgiana “Georgie” Pendlebury seems to have knack for making bad decisions and finding trouble and her current dilemma is a prime example of that! Weeks ago, she found herself abandoned at a very risqué masquerade party and one bad decision led to another which ended in a very intimate encounter with a stranger and a night she will never forget. And now that decision has come back to bite her, when she finds herself at a house party to find a bride for the infamous Silver Duke – who just happens to be her mystery lover! Awkward! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV) the duke remembers her and soon decides that Georgie is the perfect bride! Passion won’t be a problem, but Georgie wants more and is sure that a match between them will only end in heartache.

Gabriel Mauleverer, the Duke of Northriding AKA the Silver Duke (thanks to his unusual eyes and the silver streaks in his ebony hair), is a well-known rake and content bachelor, but since the death of his younger brother and his cousin, he is without an heir and needs to find a bride. He lets his sister plan a house party with prospective brides and never imagines that his mysterious lady would be a guest – too bad she isn’t there as bride. He knows she doesn’t believe that they could be happy, but when they are caught in a compromising position, they are left with no choice but to wed. Now he just needs to convince her that they are perfect for each other.

This new to me author came through with a cute story with very likable characters. The story has secrets, witty banter, a very diverse cast of secondary characters, steamy love scenes, blackmail, realizations, life or death moments, and finally a soulmate type of love leading to HEA, complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this story, but it wasn’t perfect, there were some dangling plot points, and some very anticlimactic moments. Overall, I liked the book and would happily recommend the title to readers who like steamy historical romances with feisty heroines and heroes who fall fast and hard.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*