Tag: Jess Michaels

Stealing The Duke by Jess Michaels

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Stealing the DukeStealing the Duke by Jess Michaels

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Scandal Sheet #2
Publication Date: 3/5/19
# of Pages: 108

Marianne is in a dire situation and she has absolutely no idea how to rescue herself much less her sweet ten-year-old sister, Juliet. Their father, the Earl of Martingale has just died and left them destitute and scandal-ridden. Well, there wasn’t really a scandal until Marianne found a stash of things her father had stolen (kleptomania) and Marianne called the watch to have the items returned to their owners. She requested that it be handled discretely – it wasn’t – now the scandal is running rampant throughout the ton. To top it off, the cousin who inherited her father’s earldom has given them one month to be out of their home. Now, she has found yet one more stolen item that has to be returned. She can’t call the watch to return it, that would just add fuel to the scandal. No, she must return it herself. She’s sure the owner of the item isn’t in town, so it should be an easy enough matter to sneak into the townhouse and leave the item to be found by the owner.

Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, considers himself a monster. He’s scarred both inside and out. He’s lived isolated for the last five years – completely shut off from society. When he apprehends what he thinks is a thief stealing into his study, he is ready to fully punish them. Then, he realizes it is a female – and a lovely one at that. He allows her to explain why she’s there and what her circumstances are, he makes her an offer she can hardly refuse. Well – she could refuse, but then what would she and Juliet do?

I really liked Marianne. She made the best of the hand she was dealt and remained cheerful and caring. Alexander – well – it wasn’t that I disliked him, I just didn’t understand him. To me, his big secret was no big deal – at least not enough to cause him to act as he did.

This short novella is well written and the characters are both likable and I think you’ll like it.

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

The Return of Lady Jane by Jess Michaels

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

The Return of Lady Jane (The Scandal Sheet, #1)The Return of Lady Jane by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Scandal Sheet, #1

Release Date: January 8, 2019

On their wedding day, Colin, Viscount Wharton witnesses his new wife Jane betraying him with another man. On the advice of his cousin and best friend, he banishes Jane to the country.

Jane has no idea why Colin sent her away, nor has he replied to any of her letters. She has stayed in the country and made a life for herself, but when her beloved sister gives birth, nothing will keep her from returning to London. She doesn’t plan on seeing Colin during her visit, but that plan is shot when the “Scandal Sheet” reports that she is in town and ponders the reason she was exiled.

Colin learns that Jane is in town and immediately goes to see her, instead of sending her back to the country as he planned, he ends up insisting that she lives at his house while she is in town and act his wife in public. She agrees and learns that Colin might hate her, but he still desires her.

They are electric together and Jane has hope that they will finally put the past behind them and move on, but Colin struggles with his feelings, he desires her, but she betrayed him, how can he trust her? When the truth of the betrayal is revealed in a shocking twist, Jane is devastated and returns to the country. Is it too late for these two? Can love heal the wound between them or is the cut too deep?

This was a well written, nicely paced, fully fleshed out novella, it never felt rushed or incomplete, the author gives enough backstory to support the current plot and doesn’t rush the ending. The chemistry and emotion between Jane and Colin is obvious, the love scenes are smoking hot and the ending was heartwarming. I thought the title was a bit misleading, she is not, nor was she ever, Lady Jane, but formal address is a personal peeve of mine and that little error in no way diminishes the actual story. There are a couple of inconsistencies, but they will probably be corrected prior to publication, but even if they are not, they are minor and don’t really impact the story. And in the end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it.

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