Tag: #BlogTour

A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle #BlogTour

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

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Perfect for fans of Lorraine Heath and Tessa Dare. The first book in the new Victorian romance series The Duke’s Den, A DUKE CHANGES EVERYTHING, by Christy Carlyle has the romance and brooding hero that readers will fall in love with.

Out November 27th – A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle
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Title: A Duke Changes Everything
Series: The Duke’s Den #1
Author: Christy Carlyle
Genre: Victorian Romance
Release Date: November 27, 2018
Length: 384 Pages
Format: Digital/Paperback
In the first novel in Christy Carlyle’s sizzling Duke’s Den series, three men, intent on making a fortune, discover irresistible opportunities . . .
Nicholas Lyon gambled his way into a fortune and ownership of the most opulent, notorious gentlemen’s club in England. But when Nick’s cruel brother dies, he inherits a title he never wanted. The sooner Nick is rid of the estate that has always haunted him, the sooner he can return to the life he’s built in London. But there’s one obstacle—the exquisite Thomasina Thorne.
When the new heir to the Tremayne dukedom suddenly appears in Mina Thorne’s life, she’s flustered. Not only is he breathtakingly handsome, but he’s also determined to take away her home and position as steward of the Enderley estate. If Mina learns what makes the enigmatic duke tick, perhaps she can change his mind—as long as she doesn’t get too close to him.
With each day Nick spends with Mina, his resolve weakens as their colliding wills lead to explosive desire. Could she be the one woman who can help him finally bury the ghosts of his past?
Find out more at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

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Excerpt from A Duke Changes Everything:

“Your sleep was troubled?” she asked softly.

“It always is.”

“I heard you call out. I thought you said my name.” Mina swallowed hard after the admission. She’d probably misheard him, but some rationale felt necessary to explain her presence in his room.

“Did I? Perhaps you’re haunting me in my sleep.” He did that thing with his thumb again, a seductive slide against her skin. His touch rippled out to spark goose bumps along her arm and heat between her thighs.
“You don’t remember your dreams?” she asked, her voice trembling like her insides.

“I try not to.”

“What troubles you?”

“Everything.” He let out a low chuckle, like the rusty creak of a door hinge. Lowering his chin, he assessed her. “Especially you.”
“I never intended to.” She pulled her hand from the duke’s, ignoring the shiver that spiked up her spine from the friction of his skin sliding against hers. “I’ll leave you so that you can get back to sleep.”

“Mina, wait.” He reached out, caught the edge of her arm, and a few strands of unpinned hair tangled between his fingers. “There’s something I must say before you go.”

She moved closer. He was utter temptation, all blazing heat and forest scents, and she felt an odd comfort being near him. She knew she should be scandalized. To be alone with him, a duke of the realm. A gambling club owner. Especially while he wore nothing but trousers and a half-buttoned shirt.

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About the Author:

Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there’s nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.
You can also visit her online at the following places: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr | Amazon

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Tracy’s Review:

A Duke Changes Everything (Duke's Den, #1)A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Duke’s Den, #1

Release Date: November 27, 2018

Nicholas Lyon has been called a monster many times but his mismatched eyes and wicked scar on his cheek are not the reason, he is ruthless and some say heartless man who has made a fortune along with his two partners at their gaming hell.

Nick didn’t start out live on the streets of London but that is where he ended up after his father – The Duke of Treymayne – made his life miserable and finally did the unthinkable, forcing his mother to take him and flee. The old Duke was sure that Nick was not his son and did everything short of murdering him as punishment. He and his mother fled to France and lived a much different life from the one he had at Enderly Castle. He never expected to return to Enderly and is given quite a shock when he learns that his brother has passed and he is now the Duke. He plans to liquidate the estate and lease out whatever properties can’t be sold – starting with Enderly Castle.

Thomasina “Mina” Thorne is the steward of Enderly, she took over from her father when he passed away two years ago – she has lived on the estate her entire life and wants nothing more than to see it prosper once more. She hopes the new Duke will consider investing in the estate and is devastated when she meets Nick and learns his plan. Mina can’t believe he doesn’t want the castle and sets out to change his mind.

Nick is intrigued by Mina, but nothing could ever make him want to stay at Enderly, not even a stubborn, impulsive, attractive steward. But as he and Mina start to work together and get to know each other – the castle doesn’t seem as daunting as it once did. He starts to feel something for Mina – something he refuses to name – but he doesn’t want to lose her. He really can’t abide living at the castle, so maybe he can get her to come to London.

I thought this was a great book, it did start out a little slow and never really picked up speed until the very end, but it stayed on point and gave the reader a lot of time to get to know both Mina and Nick and to learn their motivations. The chemistry between them is white hot and when they finally come together, it is well worth the wait. I loved watching them both change and grow as the story progressed and enjoyed there interactions which were both amusing and poignant. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially his partners Iverson and Huntley – Huntley’s reaction to marriage was hilarious. I am looking forward to the rest of the series and would happily recommend this book!

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

Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman #BlogTour

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Kiss Me at Christmas cover
Not every leading lady finds love, gets married and sustains a domestic life. What about the ladies who were never swept off their feet? Do they take matters into their own hands? In the delightful addition to Valerie Bowman’s Regency-set Playful Brides series, Regina has written off the prospect of marriage, but she still would very much like a pleasurable distraction in her life. KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS (St. Martin’s Paperbacks, October 30, 2018, $7.99), connects a headstrong spinster and a noble Bow Street Runner tasked with protecting her during Christmas time in London.
Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Caroling and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman… Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s reserved heart?
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Valerie Bowman
VALERIE BOWMAN grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzer, Huckleberry. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. She is the author of the Secret Brides series and the Playful Brides series.

Tracy’s Review:

Kiss Me at Christmas (Playful Brides, #10)Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman

Series: Playful Brides, #10

Release: October 30, 2018

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Regina Haversham is turning 30 and with the prospect of an unwanted marriage looming, she decides that she wants to make her own choice of who she gives her virginity to and she has selected the perfect man for the job, Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf. She met him over the summer when he helped her cousin Mark investigate the murder of their cousin John. They flirted and she has not been able to forget him and has been following his exploits in the Times. Her mind made up, she goes to see him at Bow Street.

Daffin Oakleaf hates Christmas, he keeps busy during the season to ward off the bad memories Christmas brings. He is shocked to learn that Lady Regina is calling on him and agrees to see her. He is floored by her bumbling proposal and refuses. She is horrified, she not only did she embarrass herself, she inadvertently insulted him. Humiliated, she returns home, grateful that their paths will not cross again. But as she leaves her carriage is almost run off the road – this is the second incident and she knows she has to tell Mark and Nicole.

She tells Nicole about her meeting and the incident with the carriage – Nicole hatches a plan. When Mark learns of the threats, he says he will cancel his trip, but Nicole suggests that he hire Daffin to protect them. Mark thinks this is a wonderful idea and rushes out to hire him.

After a briefly awkward reunion, Regina apologizes and Daffin is gracious and perhaps a bit flirty. They talk and start to get to know each other better, some kisses ensue and they grow closer, even while trying to uncover the threat that is clearly against Regina. When Daffin is shot while with Regina, they decide they will return to the country estate with her uncle to wait for Mark’s return,

The more time they spend together, the more they share and the more they realize all they have in common and all that stands between them. Daffin doesn’t tell Regina everything about his past and that past comes back to torment them.

This was a nice story with likable leads, characters from the previous books, secrets, relatives with good intentions, unwanted suitors, kidnapping, steamy love scenes, a baffling mystery and finally a hard won HEA. So why not 5 stars? Well, the threat against Regina was a bit far fetched and ultimately the person responsible gets away with no punishment at all, there were also some title errors and way too many “Merry Christmases” for a book set in England. But this was a really good read and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

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