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loverofromance
What was most unqiue about this story, is one this was a new author for me. I hadn't read Tina Donahue before and I was very impressed with the world building she has done. I loved the history of Spain we learn, and see the intricate details she puts into this story. Also another aspect was our hero's family. These brothers are a riot....like really, I could never get enough of them!! The only reason I rated this book a four instead of a five, was because toward the end of the book I felt the story dragged a bit, and didn't feel as engaging as the previous parts of it. But I still enjoyed it, would recommend it to romance lovers and plan on reading the second book!!
Summary
Harlow Glass, is a outcast from Strawberry Valley. She is considered to be the most hated and despised of anyone living there. Harlow lives in a tent, looking for scraps of food where she can find them. She breaks into the home of Beck O'ckley and his friends, to take what little food she can, knowing that they won't miss it. Upon entering the kitchen, she spies a beautiful berry pie. She takes it and will defend it with her life. Just as she is about to leave, Beck arrives with his latest "conquest". When he sees her she flees and he chases after her and catches her. Thus begins the dawn of a beautiful friendship and seduction. Beck O'ckley is a bad boy...he loves women, and brings home a different female every night. He loves sex and the female body and isn't ashamed. But upon meeting Harlow...he is fascinated by this secretive woman he wants to know more of. At first when it becomes apparent that Harlow isn't going to be easy to seduce, he has her work for him in payment of trespassing and thievery. Chemistry rises between the two, and as they get closer to each other....so do their emotions. But due to his past, Beck refuses to let love get in the way, but Harlow refuses to accept anything less than full commitment from him or no sex. And here begins the battle of wills and true love.
Plot and Story Line
oh my goodness, I loved this one way more than I was expecting. We get a teaser about Harlow in the first book, but not much all I knew was that she was a bit of a bully in school and likes to play tricks on the other students. She has definitely developed a certain reputation. Harlow was a character of facets but we see how sometimes it can be near impossible to overcome the mistakes of the past. But Harlow tries her hardest to succeed. I grew to really like Harlow and her character cracked me up in every way. She was so different, but was quite charming at times. I loved how honest with herself she is. She knows what she wants and is willing to fight for it. She wants to be in love, get married and have some kids. She wants her own happily ever after and wants to live in Strawberry Valley. The man she wants doesn't do relationships, or commitment or marriage in any sense. Beck hasn't had a easy upringing. He grew up in foster care and everyone he has cared about has left him except his closest friends.
There was so much fun moments that develop between these two and I fell in love with Beck and Harlow together. We see how they work through personal issues to find a common ground. There is some painful heartbreaking moments, as they discover what they have together. Gena Showalter has done wonders with this story, and won my heart little by little. It was also great to see certain friendships develop between Harlow and the other women in the series.
Narration
Savannah Burns is brilliant, and I just loved the way she portrayed this story. She made this come alive with the various array of emotions and moments that make you want more of her. And I loved her voice, it was engaging and likable.
The Cover
What a gorgeous cover, first off I love the pose here. Its sexy and romantic and the colors are so vibrant and cheerful.
Overall View
The Hotter You Burn is a stimulating and emotionally driven romance that will keep you entranced from beginning to end. Full of bad boys and high spirited women....and a rough road to true love!! A SMART AND SEXY ROMANCE!
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Summary
Merry Wilding, is a lady of leisure and espionage. She spends her free time with her aunt, in the countryside of the Colonies in North American. Drawing, painting, spending time in the gardens and when she can sneak out with her brother, drawing images of traitors and British spies in order to aid her brother's cause. She is very proud of being able to contribute someway to fight the English, even if it's just doing some drawings. Merry agrees when her brother comes for a visit, to go to a tavern, posing as a pregnant woman in order to draw certain faces of men that her brother desperately needs. Upon arrival however, their plans go awry. When a band of pirates come into the tavern, she manages to sneak out but is caught by one of them, Devon Crandall. They share a passionate embrace, and then Devon leaves her to her devices and now its been months. Her aunt is determined to go back to her home in London, and Merry can't let her go alone, so she reluctantly agrees to accompany her aunt. However upon boarding, she is taken by ruffians and she is brought into the hands on none other than Devon and his band of pirates or (Privateers for the British she later learns). At first there is much suspicion surrounding Merry. In Devon's mind, she is somehow linked to his enemy. But he can't seem to figure out why or how. She seems to be too innocent to have been his leman or mistress. Merry attempts escape from the dangerous Devon, but she soon craves him, and the family she has gained while aboard their ship. His fellow pirates become close friends, but right when everything seems to be going smoothly for Merry and Devon, a mix of truths and lies come about pertaining to Merry, and Devon will have to decide if his love for her is enough....
The Hero
Devon Crandall, is a privateer but many would assume he is a pirate. Devon however, is the last man on earth you would expect to be a lord of the Ton. He was raised to be a Duke. But he fights for his country, and his half brother Rand Morgan who is the captain for the Black Joke. Devon and Rand, are brothers but were never able to be raised together. But now they work together and fight together. Devon is a hero you crave more of and I can't honestly say I have read a hero like Devon. Devon is very mysterious for a major part of the book and that quality is what makes his character so intriguing. He definitely has some hidden depths that are slowly revealed with each chapter or so. He seems like a dangerous and sexy pirate at the beginning, but by the end....he is the type of man a woman would want to marry. He is honorable and loyal, dedicated and affectionate. He is charming of course, but he also is genuine too.
The Heroine
Merry Wilding, is a heroine I felt like I could be friends with. She is outspoken and independent and very opioniated. She is also a bit dramatic at times, but I believe that is what makes her such a good match for our Devon here. She isn't shy or reserved, although you do think that about her in the beginning. She does portray those qualities in certain moments. But she can also be high strung (probably due to her overactive imagination and being raised by a highly dramatic aunt). What I liked about her, was her spirit. She is a fighter, and even though she is starting to enjoy the friends she is making on the Black Joke, she wants to return home. And keeps trying to escape. It always seemed so funny to me, because the moments she attempts, well they aren't successful and not planned out at ALL!! They are the spur of the moment. But Merry is not a planner really...she tends to convey a more spontaneous nature that I found very contagious.
Plot and Story Line
I had heard about Laura London, a couple writing team years ago but never picked them up. And after reading Windflower, I am wondering how I could be so idiotic as to delay reading this book for so long. I was browsing through audible, when I saw this book pop up. One of the thing I noticed was that it was a longer book (which I go for, its seems worth my credit to get a book that is over 15 hours long). So I immediately started listening to this book and with each hour I grew more and more hooked on this spell binding story that captivated me.
First off, I love love LOVE pirate themed romances. They are so enchanting and full of passion and adventure and its definitely different from the typical regency romances that are so popular. But this story, won me over from the beginning. At first, I had no idea where this author was heading with this story. They really made me curious about the plot line, and it seemed to be very engaging. There were so many wonderful aspects of this story that made this book a spectacular adventure for me.
I want to talk about the secondary characters first. Now there were quite a few that I loved but I want to mention them. The brother, he was fun. He is a patriot and a fighter and loves his sister. He is very protective of her, and even though we only see him in the beginning and the end of the story, we see how devoted he is to family and country. We also see how much Merry adores him and the lengths she goes to protect him. Then we have the Aunt, now she was a riot. I loved her to death probably because she was so outspoken and passionate about her standing on England. She loved everything about England, and I love how she is so accepting of certain people you wouldn't expect. Then we have the crew of the Black Joke. Now they rocked and I am endeared to them forever. We first have Rand Morgan...now at first I didn't know what to make of his character. But I really wish he had a story. Rand is dangerous, a pirate and has a weakness for children. Rand is a bit of a matchmaker for Merry and Devon. But you don't see that at first....it isn't until the end you realize his machinations were for a greater purpose. But he tends to be a bit of a romantic. Then we have Cat or Kat (Not sure how his name is spelled since I was on Audio format). But he is captivated by Merry. He takes care of her needs, protects her and befriends her. But there isn't any desire or anything between them. Its more of a fast friendship that forms. Then we have Raven. Now he is my favorite. The narrator did a great job in his character. He is barely a man, pretty young kid we have here, but experienced. He also forms a strong bond with Merry, but we see the lengths he will go to in order to protect and defend her. He was very amusing and outrageous and extremely fun to know in this story.
Now for our stars of the show....Devon and Merry were such a wonderful pair and they complimented each other quite well. I think what I found most intriguing about them, was seeing their journey. From a bumpy road to smooth sailing when they learn the matter of trust. Now despite appearances....this is a pretty tame story in the physical intimacy department. It shocked me, because I was expecting some bed scenes happening way sooner than they did. But in a way I was so glad to see a couple where they don't immediately jump into bed together once they figure out they have great chemistry.
It’s at your most lunatic moments that I can resist you least
Their relationship is built more on building affection and trust before they can get to the "whipped cream" of the relationship. I like how Devon takes things slow with Merry, even though he realizes how much he loves her early on in the story, he doesn't act on it. The moments between these two are beautifully woven into a captivating story of adventure on the high seas from the shores of the Colonies to the city of London.
The Cover
What a beautiful cover....I love the island like theme to the cover with the sunset beaming between the almost kiss. I love the added accent of a flower in the heroine's hair....and man I love the scuff on our hero.
Overall View
The Windflower is a breathtaking romance that will be heartfelt and utterly captivating from page one!! You won't be able to resist the sensuality, the in depth characters or a memorable romance that will make you crave to be a part of it!! SENSATIONAL
In Kiss Me In Christmas we have a story that bring two old flames back together despite the mistrust and anger that still reside between them. Chloe O Connor, is a esteemed actress and has worked hard building her career. But when her character gets killed off a show, she decides to take a step back and return back home for a time. Easton McBride, after suffering a leg injury that ended his military career settled back in Christmas, a small town in Colorado. He is surprised when Chloe returns, a woman he loved and one who also hurt him the most. Tensions are high between Easton and Chloe. Chloe has a plan....to help get her sister Cat and Easton back together because in her mind Cat's fiancee isn't the right one. Easton's plan...distract Chloe away from her plan to break off things with Cat and Grayson. But plan have a habit of not working out the way you expected.
In Kiss Me In Christmas we have a story that as I started reading it...I was nervous. Chloe is a character that grows on you, she is a bit high maintence, and a bit of a hypocondriac. Which was definitely different to see in a romance like this. But as I chugged along through the story I grew to really love her character and man she ended up being my favorite to be honest. Easton is a great hero, very stubborn and high handed at times but delicious too!! He handles Chloe very well and it seems he is the only one that can keep her calm and relaxed. I didn't care for Chloe's family in this book, and yes she made mistakes in the past but jeez...ten years have gone by. Its obvious through the story that her twin sister is the family favorite (and I hate it when parents favor other children above the rest, drives me nuts since my parents are that way so I really felt a connection to Chloe on that side of things). The romance was heartwarming and sweet. I couldn't help but smile all the way through reading this story. And another aspect I loved was seeing how this author didn't focus the story around sex. Yes y'all heard me the first time!! It was so refreshing to just sit back and relax into a sweet and fun love story...where the emotional intimacy of the relationship was a major factor. But don't worry there was some delicious kisses you can still swoon over!!
Overall a satisfying romance that curled my toes and makes me eager for the next book...crossing my fingers for Jill's story though!!
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"I thought you couldn't carry anything after hauling my fat butt out of the water."
Easton really didn't want to go there right now. Not while he was trying to get an image of Chloe in the shower out of his head. "Your butt isn't fat, but if you don't get it in the cabin right now, you can carry your own bags to your room."
Chloe smoothed her hand over her ass and glanced up at him through her long, spiked lashes. "You really don't think it's too big?"
He bowed his head and groaned.
"Okay, okay, I'm going." She walked in, then came to an abrupt stop in front of him.
He bumped into her. "What now?" he muttered, dropping the bags to rub his leg.
Her gaze flitted around the cabin. "Your place is, um, very cozy." She gave him a concerned look. "Is everything okay with you?"
Cozy? He held back a grin. The cabin was about six hundred square feet and barely habitable, but it worked for him. Last week, he'd approved the final plans for the home he was building a couple hundred yards from the cabin. He was breaking ground in ten days and hoped to move in by the end of summer. Not that he'd share the news with Chloe.
"Leg's a little sore, but yeah, I'm good."
She nibbled on her bottom lip. "No, that's not what I meant." She gestured to the beat-up brown couch and the battered stove and refrigerator. "Are you having financial problems?"
Considering what he had planned for her, it was best that she thought he was. "Medical expenses tapped me out, but I live off the land, so it's all good." He picked up her bags and walked past her. "You can take the bed." A brown curtain separated the bedroom from the living space.
She followed him. "That's very nice of . . . That's not a bed; it's a mattress on the floor." She patted the wall. "Where's the light switch?"
"There isn't one." He struggled to keep the amusement from his voice. He should have hidden a camera to film her reaction. Especially when he responded to the next question he had no doubt she'd ask.
She looked around the room, then leaned back to search the outer area. "Where's the loo?"
"Loo? Don't think I have one of those," he said. Her fake British accent ticked him off.
She sighed. "A bathroom, Easton. And of course you have one. I just want to know where it is."
"Oh, sorry, I don't speak Brit. But yeah, I do. Out the door to your right and back about ten yards."
"The front door is the . . . " Her gaze jerked to his.
He grinned. "Yeah, we call it an outhouse here in the good old U. S of A."
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Summary
Brodick McJames, is in need of a wife to secure his lands and even though he is Scot...he will need an English wife to do so. So he connects with his English neighbor and to get married by proxy to his daughter Mary. Anne Cooper, is the illegitimate daughter of Earl of Warwickshire. Her mother has been his leman for many years. Anne has had to live under the abuse of her father's wife for many years. But when her step sister Mary, is called upon to enter into this marriage, a scheme rises up from Mary's mother. Lady Phillipa, refuses to have her daughter be married to a Scot, or suffer the pain and death of the childbed. She despises Anne, and blackmails her into going into Mary's stead as the wife of McJames. At first Anne wants to refuse, but with her mother and sister and brother's lives on the line, she will do anything to keep them from harm and abuse. So she goes, knowing that this evil scheme she wants no part of but sees no other choice. Her plan is to reach her father somehow and inform him of what is going on because she knows he would protect her from this if he knew about it. But then she meets her fake "husband" Brodick McJames, and soon they discover a hidden passion and a deep love for each other. She forgets about what she will be forced to do to Brodick, and enjoys what time they have together. Will Anne have the courage to tell Brodick the truth....or will she have to sacrifice her love for him to save their son and secure his future?
Plot and Story Line
Wow what a ride that Mary Wine has given us with In Bed With A Stranger Its apparent I haven't read this author enough, and my goodness...do I need to change that. I was amazed by how swept away I was by this sweet love story. I was a bit apprehensive upon reading the blurb, But I knew that with Mary Wine as the author I was going to enjoy listening to this book and dang I DID!! This is a story that can be overwhelming at times. We see the beginnings of Lady Phillipa and how truly evil she can be. We also see how horrid she and her daughter Mary treat Anne and the rest of her family. My heart ached for them to be honest, because with the father away so much at court....they are left to Phillipa's machinations. And boy can she be cruel to any servant.
What I loved most was our heroine...she has such courage and I loved her strength. From the beginning I knew I liked her. Our hero is pretty wonderful....definitely "book boyfriend" material. What I really liked about Brodick is how he treats Anne from the beginning. He is a bit of a rogue at times, but he is sweet and tender in the most intimate moments between them. I truly liked how true he is to Anne and never loses faith in her. He is very protective, he is a leader for his people and we see his true colors from the start and I couldn't stop admiring him as the hero for the story. We see the guilt and turmoil that our heroine suffers. I was curious to see how it ended...and boy did it end in such a great way. I was totally happy with the outcome especially with how Phillipa and Mary get their just deserts for sure in this one. Overall this was a fantastic read and highly recommend to any historical romance lover out there.
Narration
I adored this narrator...when I first heard the sample I was a bit nervous, not sure if I would like his voice. But man...he handled this story so well. The accents, inflections, the emotions conveyed....perfectly portrayed and well done!! This won't be my last book listening to him that is for sure.
The Cover
What a yummy cover...I love the colors that we see here. I love the gold and dark background...adds a bit of mystery to it but is also very sensual.
Overall View
In Bed With A Stranger is a beautifully woven romance that gives us a realistic conflict, some evil villains, a true prince at heart and a romance that carries you away!! SIMPLY ENDEARING!!
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The Kingdom of Dreams is the first book of the Westmoreland Saga. I read this book many years ago, and I had this on my list to re read, and since my library didn't have it any longer, I decided I would need to buy it and well worth it in the end!! I loved everything about this book. At first it started out a bit slow, and I was a bit worried that I wouldn't love it as much as I did when I read it the first time. But wow, suddenly I was drawn in so completely I couldn't put it down and I realized what a fabulous couple these two are. Jennifer and Royce are enemies of a sort. Royce is English and Jennifer is a Scot. Jennifer for the past two years has been stuck in a convent as punishment for something she did not do, but cruel machinations from her step brother. Then she finds herself kidnapped along with her sister by Royce and his men. But through the course of events, they end up falling in love.
Oh Man there is so much love that I have for this story, and honestly I can't even begin to express how much I adored these two and what conflict that drives them together...drives them apart and then together again. There are a few misunderstandings that happen between them. And some granted...I can understand why it would cause mistrust. But what was most compelling about this couple, is seeing the way they work through things. It isn't always easy for them, but they don't block out their true feelings for each other. And the emotion that is portrayed is very compelling. From beginning to end I wanted more of these two. I wanted to see what drives them to be together despite what tends to tear them apart on occasion. Kingdom of Dreams is a story that draws two people together, that build a kingdom of their own...a Kingdom of Dreams---full of life, love and laughter.
A Compelling and Riveting romance to keep you on your toes and make every nerve ending come alive!! If you have yet to read this book....grab it up NOW and you won't regret it. A TRUE GEM OF A ROMANCE!!
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The Rogue is the first installment in a exciting new series by Katharine Ashe. This was a quite enjoyable read, We are taken first to when the pair first meet six years previous. There is some question as to what really drives them apart however that I felt wasn't ever truly revealed. So I would have preferred to have seen that instead of references to it. But then we see them meet up again six years later. Tension is a bit high between them, considering how much they have cared for each other. What was really fun about these two is how much alike that they are. Both stubborn and prideful, fighters in their own ways. So you can imagine the explosive chemistry these two would have especially since they have serious history with each other. There are some misunderstandings of course, but when it comes down to it...they stick together.
What I really liked about this story was seeing how they reconnect with each other, learn about healing and forgiveness and make a future together. This author has a fun writing style, and I loved the way she developed the plot in this story. The characters are both so likable in many ways. I honestly am not sure which one I loved more our hero or the heroine. Both have a certain spirited nature and have witty personalities and their bantering seemed to be very engaging. Loved the flow of the romance here and I am eager to see more of what Ashe has in store with this series.
Of the dozen men in the room, he was the only man she should not be staring at. He was not a lord. Not an heir to a fortune. Not a scion of impressive lineage or a favorite of the prince. He wasn’t even really a gentleman.
Yet she could not look away.
It shouldn’t have mattered; a hidden niche was an excellent place from which a young lady could spy on a risqué party. Until someone else discovered it.
Unless that someone else were the right someone else.
For four nights now no one had noticed her peeking from a door that could barely be called a door in the corner of the ballroom. These passages had been fashioned in an earlier era of rebellion, and everybody had long since forgotten them.
Except her.
And now him.
A quality of familiarity braided with danger commanded the breadth of his shoulders and the candlelight in his eyes as he watched her. Yet she did not duck back into the dark passage and escape. She had no fear that he would know her. Like the women who had actually been invited to the party, her mask hid the upper half of her face. Anyway, she knew no one in society. Her father had not yet taken her to London, only deposited her here at Fellsbourne, where he imagined her safe in the company of his dear friend’s family. Where she had always in fact been safe. Teased, taunted, treated like an annoying younger sister, and very carelessly acknowledged. But safe.
Until now.
Not removing his eyes from her, the stranger unfolded himself from the chair with predatorial grace. He moved like a hunter, lean and powerful and aware. Not entirely human. Even at rest he had watched the others, disinterested in the amorous flirtations of the other men and the women here to entertain them, yet keen-eyed. Like an elven prince studying mortal beings, he observed.
For four nights she had wondered, if she were one of those women would he be interested in her? Would he seek her attention? Would he touch her as the other men touched those women—as she longed to be touched—held—told she was special—good—beautiful?
She was wicked to her marrow.
Wicked to want a stranger’s notice. Wicked to relish the thrill in her belly as he walked
straight
toward
her.
Under normal circumstances her tongue was lithe enough. But normal circumstances had never in her wildest misbehaviors included a man with eyes like his—green, clear and shining, moonlight cast upon the waters of a forest spring. Perhaps he was not entirely human. This wasn’t Scotland. But England had its fair share of mystical beings too.
When he stood within no more than two wicked feet of her, her tongue failed.
“You were staring at me,” he said in a voice like fire-heated brandy—rich, deep.
“You were staring at me.” The low timbre of her own words startled her.
“One of us must have begun it.”
“Perhaps it was spontaneously mutual. Or it was coincidence, and both of us imagined the other began it.”
“How mortifying for us both then.” The slightest smile appeared at the corner of his mouth that was beautiful. Beautiful. She had never thought about men’s mouths before. She had never even noticed them. Now she noticed, and it did hot things to her insides.
“Or fortunate,” she ventured. She was grinning, showing her big teeth. But she couldn’t care. A young man was smiling at her, a young man with sun-darkened skin and whiskers cut square and scant about his mouth, like a pirate too busy marauding to shave for a day or two. Not very mystical, true. His hair was the color of ancient gilt, curving about his collar and swept dashingly back from his brow. A military saber hung along his thigh, long and encased in dark leather. Its hilt glittered.
He was staring at her lips, and so she stared at his. Giddy trills climbed up her middle.
Kisses.
His lips made her think of kisses. Want kisses. Kisses on her mouth. Kisses on her neck like those that the loose women got from the other men. Kisses wherever he would give them to her.
Wicked wicked wicked.
“Dance with me,” he said.
She darted a glance into the ballroom. All of the women wore costumes, scanty, sheer, slipping from shoulders beneath gentlemen’s bold fingertips. Jack was throwing a masquerade for his friends and these women. Women she should not envy.
She should not be here. She should be at the dower house a quarter mile distant, where Eliza had drunk whiskey with dinner and now snored comfortably by the parlor fireplace.
“I cannot dance tonight,” she said with more regret than she remembered ever saying anything.
“Cannot? Or will not with me?” His tongue shaped words decadently, as though the syllables were born to kiss his lips and taunt her with what she could not have.
“If I could, I would only with you.”
He seemed to study her face: her too-big eyes, her too-small nose, the mouth that was too wide, brow that was too spotted, and cheeks that were too round. She knew her flaws, and yet he seemed to like studying them.
“What is your name?”
“I haven’t one.” Not that she could tell a stranger with elven eyes and pirate whiskers.
He smiled, and it was such a simple unveiling of pleasure that her heart thumped against a couple of her ribs.
“I will call you Beauty,” he said, then his brow creased. “But you have heard that before.”
“Then I suppose I must call you Beast,” she replied. She liked the tingling tension in her belly that he had deposited there with only his smile.
“For what I’m thinking now, you should,” he said . . .
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