Category: Novella

His Wicked Embrace by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

His Wicked Embrace (The League of Rogues, #6)His Wicked Embrace by Lauren Smith

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The League of Rogues #6
Publication Date: 3/5/18

Wowzers! What a wickedly delightful novella with betrayal, slavery, romance, love and a wonderfully sweet HEA – as well as a bit of brother-against-brother. Lauren Smith’s writing is, as always wonderful, the story is well plotted, well delivered and filled with memorable characters. I have loved the League of Rogues since the very first book in the series and I think you will as well. Since this is a novella rather than a full-length novel, it isn’t as filled with action and shenanigans as the other novels are, but it is still a wonderful story for Lawrence and Zehra. Don’t you just love that name – Zehra – so exotic and romantic.

Zahra Darzi is the daughter of a Persian Shah and an English noblewoman. Her home was filled with laughter and love. Her parents doted on her and she loved her Persian homeland. Then, her parents were betrayed by someone they considered a friend. Al Zahrani had betrayed her parents to another Shah who wanted to take over her father’s lands and riches and he would get Zehra as his concubine as a reward. While her parents perished, she managed to escape from Al Zahrani only to be captured by slavers and shipped thousands of miles away from her homeland – to England.

Lawrence Russell is the brother of Lucien Russell, Marquess of Rochester who is the hero of His Wicked Seduction (Book 2). Lawrence is helping his younger brother Avery on the night they are to have a slave auction at the White House brothel in Soho. It is his job to enter the establishment and take note of everyone who is participating in the auction while waiting for Avery and his men to enter before the auction starts. The auction starts and Avery and his men aren’t there – what is Russell supposed to do. The most beautiful and exotic creature he has ever seen is up on the auction block and some of the vilest creatures in London are bidding on her and promising her all of the things they plan to do to her.

Will Russell manage to save her before she is auctioned off? Will Avery finally show up? If they rescue her, what will they do with her? Will they send her back to Persia? Oh, my – so many things going on. Will Russell defy the Crown in order to have Zehra? Don’t forget Al Zahrani – remember, he is a bad guy and wants Zehra. You are just going to have to read this wonderful novella to find out all that happens.

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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 of Davenport by Maggie Dallen

On By TracyIn Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews4 Comments

Earl of Davenport (Wicked Earls' Club, #7)Earl of Davenport by Maggie Dallen
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Wicked Earls Club, #7

Release Date: February 20, 2018

For a debut into Historical Romance, this was a very good book, the author clearly took the time to learn the period and with the exception of a couple of very minor mistakes, it was spot on!

Anne Cleveland is in a bind and she is hoping her childhood friend and neighbor, Fredrick Belford, the Earl of Davenport can help her.

Her brother Jed has reduced the family to ruin and if Anne’s plan doesn’t work, they stand to lose everything. She has heard that Davenport is looking for a wife and while she doesn’t consider herself acceptable as she is most likely illegitimate, she believes her sister Claire is the perfect wife for him! Anne fondly remembers Davenport as the boy that always defended her from the unkind remarks made about her birth. She knows the ton calls him the Devil and that he is not a saint, but to her, he is a hero.

She goes to his home with her companion and when he arrives, he acts like he doesn’t know how she is. But once she realizes he is teasing her, she gets down to business. She asks him to marry Claire and save her family. He tells her he will consider it and leaves the room.

There is no way Davenport is going to marry Claire – she is dull and prim and he will crush her within a week, no, he needs a strong woman, someone who can stand up to him, someone a little bit scandalous, someone like… Anne. Once that thought takes root, that is it, Davenport decides that Anne is the woman for him and no other will do.

He visits the next day and asks for her hand, she is shocked, but accepts. He then insists that they marry immediately. He gives her an hour to get ready and then they will head to Scotland.

This was a very sweet story of two people who don’t see their own worth, but see it in each other. Davenport has cultivated a reputation to protect himself and Anne has accepted that she has less worth than others because of her birth. The book was short, but I had no problem believing they were in love, Ms. Dallen gives the reader an established history between them, so it wasn’t hard to believe that they fell in love so quickly. Their road to HEA is not without bumps, but nothing dragged out very long and they were honest and open with each other. There are a couple of passionate kisses and one warmish love scene as well as a very sweet declaration scene.

I would be happy to recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more by this author!

*I am voluntarily reviewing an eARC that was provided to me by the author*