Category: Novella

Kilted Sin by Tammy Andresen

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, NovellaLeave a comment

Kilted Sin (Brethren of Stone Book 3)Kilted Sin by Tammy Andresen

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Brethren of Stone #3
Publication Date: 2/12/19
Number of Pages: 133

This is an enjoyable, quick, one-sitting read. It is certainly the tamest in the series – no pirates, no rogue magistrates, no port blockades, no bad guys at all and it is my least favorite of the series so far. I love the characters, but they had some of the lowest self esteems I’ve read in a while. Each felt inadequate and insecure – she because her husband just abandoned her and took up with another woman and he because he just didn’t feel like he measured up to his older brothers. It was nice to see them find their worth and get their HEA.

Will Sinclair has bought the land adjacent to his brother Blair and he intends to raise barley. He has invested every cent he has in the land and he absolutely must get his crops planted. After a hot day of farming, he decides to stop at the loch and take a swim – only to have his horse, money, and clothing stolen by a beautiful young woman.

Gemma McClaren left her home in the south of Scotland to head to the Highlands where she has an inheritance waiting. She used up all of her money several days ago and hasn’t eaten since – and she’s walked the last fifty miles. When she sees a naked man at the loch, it is an opportunity too good to pass up. She pushes him into the loch, grabs his pants with his money and leaps on his horse.

When Will finds Gemma, sparks fly and he basically blackmails her into becoming the governess/nanny for the two young children that had been dropped off on his doorstep. As Will sees Gemma interact with the children he realizes she isn’t what she appeared to be, and as Gemma sees how Will interacts with others, she realizes that maybe not all men are worthless.

There were several things in the book that I hope were fixed before release day. For instance, Gemma’s eyes were blue in a couple of places and green in another; she was a seamstress in one place and a laundress in another; in one place it appeared that Will was planting and harvesting the same field at the same time and Fiona was four and six years old.

If you like a quick read with a lovely romance, you’ll enjoy this one.

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

Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

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

Kiss of a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #2)Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas, #2

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Penelope Mitchell is Christmas’ resident chemist and newly minted celebrity – she created a cologne for men called “Duke” and it is wildly successful – based on science, Penelope formulated the scent to attract women and by all accounts it works. So well, that she has decided to create a scent for women and will call it “Duchess” – she has a base formula, she just needs to test it.

Mr. Nicholas Pringle, known by all as Saint Nick, is an unrepentant rake. He never spends more than one night with a woman and has no desire to settle down, he doesn’t believe in love and has only agreed to come to Christmas to keep his brother Christopher company. While attending a party at the castle, Chris mentions that the creator of “Duke” is there and immediately Nick wants to confront her. He wants her to stop production of “Duke”, it is unfair to real rakes.

He meets Penelope and offers to buy the formula, she has no intention of selling it to him, but tells him she will think on it and tells him to return the next day. Penelope decides that Nick is the perfect test subject for “Duchess”, she will wear it and see if it works on men as well as “Duke” works on women. A kiss from him should be all the proof she needs, but to make things fair, she will make herself as dowdy as possible.

When he returns, she learns that Nick loves cookies, she feeds him and she is sure the perfume is working, just a kiss is all she needs. When she finally gets that proof, she decides that it is not enough and will need further research to be sure. They spend time together and Nick begins to question himself, he likes Penelope and his relationship with her has taken him to uncharted waters, he wonders if she might be the woman who finally breaks through the wall and meets the real Nick – not sure he is ready for that step, he tries to keep her at arm’s length and fails.

Is it love or is it “Duchess”, Penelope knows she has fallen for him, and he seems to care for her, but is it real or will it end when he learns the truth?

This was a very cute story with two very likable people, lots of cookies, secrets, chemical reactions, warmish love scenes and some corny Christmas references. The book is well written, flows nicely and is extremely entertaining. It is the second book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone and while there are references to Christmas, this is definitely a year-round read.

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