Category: Novella

Mesmerizing the Marquis by Madeline Martin

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

Mesmerizing the Marquis (Enduring Legacy #11)Mesmerizing the Marquis by Madeline Martin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Enduring Legacy #11
Publication Date: 11/6/18

This series is about a family with an extraordinary gift that gets passed down from generation to generation. I have to admit that I have not read any of the other books in the series – mostly because when I look at the reviews, they all say something about ‘needing a box of tissues’ or being heartbreaking. I just haven’t been in the mood to have my heart broken, so I haven’t read the books. But – who can NOT read a Madeline Martin book? Not me – I just had to read it – and I have to say I loved it. Luckily, I didn’t need tissues and my heart is fully intact.

Noah and Helen are two lonely, troubled people who have always wanted love and acceptance from those who are supposed to love and accept them. Isn’t it sad that who are supposed to protect and love us most and the ones who so frequently hurt us the deepest?

Noah Haskett, The Marquis of Hesterton has always been a bit of a recluse, but for the last year, since his brother Rupert died, he hasn’t left home at all. Noah was once a happy child, running and playing with his brother and sister. Then, he contracted an illness that he barely survived, but it left his foot and leg twisted and weak (polio?). He endured a lot of belittling, taunts, and abuse from the boys at his school – but – worst of all – from his father. Noah doesn’t feel any woman can ever love and accept him for himself – flaws and all. He’s a monster.

Miss Helen Craig is outrageously wealthy, firmly committed to not marrying, and hiding her exceptional ability to see both the past and the future. Her mother belittled her and constantly threatened her with bedlam when she was a child – simply because she would tell her mother things that were going to happen. Helen soon came to feel that her ability was a curse and not a gift and she hated it. She certainly had no intention of ever having children and passing that curse along to them.

Helen meets Noah when he saves her from a runaway carriage. She immediately feels the calming effect he has on her and the strong pull. She also sees he is in danger – grave danger. She’s never tried to change the future she has seen before, but she’s going to try this time.

As Helen and Noah draw closer and closer, the threat becomes more and more immediate. More attempts are made and her visions are becoming more and more intense, which means the event is close at hand. What can she do to save Noah? She even tries to read people even though it brings her pain. She thinks if she can read those around him, she can see who means him harm. Then, out of left field comes the totally and completely unexpected villain. You won’t see that one coming!

This novella has a delightful epilogue and I can certainly recommend this wonderful read.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

The Earl’s Wagered Bride by Cerise DeLand

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Earl's Wagered Bride: Christmas Belles, Book 1The Earl’s Wagered Bride: Christmas Belles, Book 1 by Cerise DeLand

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Christmas Belles #1
Publication Date: 10/29/18

This was a nicely written novella featuring three couples and three HEA’s. What more could you ask for? They had all been friends since childhood and they had all been in love about that long as well. The ladies are sisters and the men are returning war heroes. The main featured pair is Griffith Harlinger, the fourth Earl of Marsden and Marjorie Craymore. The secondary couples are Neville Vaughn, Viscount Bromley with Delphine (Del) Craymore and Alastair Demerest, newly ascended to a dukedom, and Belinda (Bee) Craymore.

As the three men head out together to attend Griff’s step-mothers Christmas house party in Brighton, two of them know that the reason they are going is to secure the women they have loved forever. Both of them were severely injured in the war and they value life and want to settle down. Griff knows he is looking forward to seeing Marjorie, she’s been with him in his heart and mind through all of his battles, but he doesn’t know he’s in love with her. Making that discovery is a bit of a shock to his system.

The Craymore sisters are all beautiful, sweet, caring, prideful and they are seeking atonement for their family as well as revenge. Their father, a Viscount gambled away the family fortune and even their dowry’s before he died. Then, their brother George died in the war and a cruel, uncaring relative took over what little remained of the Viscountancy. At that point, their aunt (Griff’s step-mother) took them in. Although she was loving and generous with them, they each felt they were taking charity and it grated on them. Each sister wanted to do her part to either gain revenge (Marjorie) or to atone (Bee) and they went about it in different ways. Marrying was something they never thought to do.

It was lovely to see these three engaging couples find their way to each other and gain their HEA. It was a lovely read.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”