Category: Novella

The Risk of Rogues by Sabrina Jeffries

On By TracyIn Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Risk of Rogues (The Sinful Suitors, #5.5)The Risk of Rogues by Sabrina Jeffries
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Sinful Suitors, #5.5

Release Date: July 2, 2018

Years ago Lord Hartley Corry fell in love with Miss Anne Barkley, but when their father’s refused to approve a marriage between them, he left to join the army – hoping to make a living to support her. But when he returns to England five years later, Anne has disappeared. He is devastated and returns to India, but he has never forgotten her. When he returns to England again, six years later and takes a position spying for Lord Fulkham, he doesn’t use his connections to find her, because he doesn’t want to learn that she married and will never be his. He makes it clear to family and friends that he is a confirmed bachelor, because if he can’t marry Anne, he won’t marry.

So imagine his surprise when he arrives at his brother’s hunting lodge for a week of manly pursuits and finds not only a house party in full swing but his lost love Anne! But she is no longer Miss Barkley, she is now Lady Anne. He convinces her to meet him alone and is ready to pick up where they left off – but Anne has other ideas.

Anne was heartbroken when Hart left her with no word, he promised to elope with her if her father refused and instead he just up and left. It was probably for the best, her father told her that he was a gambler and a wastrel and the rumors she has heard over the years have only confirmed what her father said. She insists that they don’t know each other and she doesn’t trust him. He asks if he can court her, give them time to reacquaint themselves and see if marry is possible.

Anne is still in love with Hart, but old fears and new secrets keep her from fully committing to him. He is sweet and woos her with gifts and kisses, but she can’t seem to accept him – especially when he is so closemouthed about his prospects. Hart wants to tell her, but he needs her to trust him and commit before he can. When they finally make love and she still refuses to marry, he knows what he has to do to prove that he loves her for her and not for what she brings to a marriage.

This is a very sweet second chance at love story, it is very short, but it is well written, flows without feeling rushed and has wonderful characters, warm love scenes and a very lovely ending. It is part of the Sinful Suitors series, but it can be read as a stand alone title with no issues.

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

The Duke’s Distraction by Maggie Dallen

On By TracyIn Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

A Duke's Distraction (Devilish Lords Book 2)A Duke’s Distraction by Maggie Dallen
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Devilish Lords, #2

Release Date: June 20, 2018

Rhys Galwin, the Duke of Roxborough needs to find a bride, in fact he has a list and Georgette “Georgie” Cleveland is NOT on it!

Georgie has come to stay with her sister and brother-in-law for the season. She has high hopes for finding her own love match this season and may have already found him! Lord Malcolm Reynolds is the man of her dreams, he is handsome, charming and a poet! He hasn’t noticed her yet, but he will.

When Rhys accompanies Georgie and the family to a ball, Georgie spots her rival Mary with Lord Malcolm. She decides that Rhys is the perfect man to make Mary jealous, she commands Rhys to dance with her. Shocked by her forwardness, Rhys complies and is a bit annoyed, this dance will but a kink in his bride hunting! He scoffs when Georgie offers to help him find a bride – she is the LAST person he would ever ask for help, she is frivolous and doesn’t have any clue what is required of a duchess. But despite that, he feels oddly protective of her.

Her dance with Rhys did make Lord Malcolm take notice and he asks her to dance, but instead of feeling elated, she feels unsettled by him and when he asks her to meet him in secret, she is shocked. She wonders what she did to give him the impression that she was that type of girl. Later Rhys overhears Malcolm boasting to his friends that he will seduce Georgie, he intervenes and implies that he is interested in her and is glad that Malcolm isn’t considering her as a wife. He finds Georgie and forbids her to meet Malcolm, she didn’t plan on it and when he goes further and insults her family, she slaps him. They bicker and he kisses her!

Her friend Mary comes to visit and tells her of the gossip – Rhys wants to court her! WHAT?? She needs answers, she finds Rhys and confronts him, he is just about to kiss her again when his mother bursts in, she has heard the rumors and wants to do damage control. Georgie is confused by her feelings and wonders if she should give up on finding a love match.

Rhys tries to apologize about the kiss, but Georgie brushes it off and again offers to help him with his “list”. Georgie makes him laugh and he feels lighter than he has in years. Days later, the duchess tells her that she noticed her connection with Rhys and approves, Georgie pretends to misunderstand and the duchess doesn’t fall for it – she says she won’t tell Rhys of Georgie’s feelings – Georgie is overwhelmed, she isn’t falling in love with him! It was the kiss – yes, she needs to kiss him again! When Rhys happens upon her, she throws herself at him, he kisses her back, but then tells her he can’t marry her – she babbles and runs off.

Later that night, Rhys escapes the bride choosing soirée – he finds Lord Malcolm in his study and sends him away, Nic comes in and offers him some advice. Rhys realizes, that Georgie is the bride he wants and needs, but how can he convince her?? That is when he notices the “list” is missing. But he no longer needs a list – he has made his decision!

This is a delightful story with very likable leads, some heated kisses, wonderful secondary characters, a dash of humor and a very wonderful declaration scene. This is the second book in the series (third if you count the Wicked Earl’s book), but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.