This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

May Contain Few Spoilers

The Scot Beds His Wife is the fifth installment in this wonderful and riveting Victorian Rebels series that this author has brought to us. I would like to point our first and foremost, that this author has a very unique style. A writing style in romance that has died the past few years. Her writing voice is tough, emotional and packed with characters that are flawed, but so very realistic. Each character you can see being real especially in this time period. I feel like the Regency/Victorian era has come across has light and fluffy but I feel that there is another side to this era most authors never talk about. However, Kerrigan Byrne doesn't sugar coat her romances. These stories are filled with men and women that make mistakes, that suffer injustices but somehow turn out to have hearts of gold. In The Scot Beds His Wife we have the story, of Liam's brother Gavin. Liam was our hero in book three "The Highlander". So it was such a delight to finally have Liam's story. I was crossing my fingers that this lovely author would writes his book so I couldn't wait to pick this one up.

This story sets off with our heroine, who lives out in the American West. She has had to make some tough choices in life, and made a easy choice to marry a man more appealing than a old lecher who had multiple wives. Before she knew it, she was robbing trains instead of a quiet life out on the coast like she dreamed and was promised. But when her husband was going to murder an innocent woman, she killed him and made a friend for life. This friend offered her a chance for a fresh start in Scotland. To take her name, and take her property and never allow a Mackenzie to keep it. So she agrees and heads over to Scotland and right on the train station, she falls into the arms of a handsome yet dangerous Scot who makes her feel in ways she never felt with her late husband. But then she learns that he is Gavin, the man who wants the land that she came to claim. But the past will come back to haunt them both, and they may lose each other just when they find a love worth fighting for...

"As much as you'd like to think your hands are clean, we both know they're not. They're stained with a million sins, with a thousand tears, a hundred deceits and maybe a little blood you pretend isn't there. You may ignore it, but I see it. I see who you are. "

"Then why did ye fucking kiss me back?" he snarled

Samantha hid her gasp behind a shrug. "Because maybe I'm a monster too."

She had her own terrible secrets, she could leave him his, safe and somehow comforted with the knowledge that both of their souls were stained with sins.

Maybe they were both beyond forgiveness.

Maybe they deserved each other.

What a action packed and sexy filled romance that this story turned out to be. I instantly fell in love with this book, and I easily read it in one sitting and had more than my share of fun with this one. There are so many things to really love about this one. What was unique was the characters. You would think that they would make a good match at all. Our hero Gavin, is a rake and a scoundrel. He is used to getting what he wants and has the money to do it. Our heroine, is no pansy. She is tough, she prefers riding horses and can rope cattle. She swears on ocassion and has no talents for music or sewing. And she has spunk and isn't afraid of Gavin. She stands up to him constantly and I loved seeing her put him in his place. It was pretty entertaining, seeing these two go at it so much. At first they don't like each other very much, they want the same piece of land. They do have some sizzling chemistry, and boy this author can write some smexy scenes here. But soon this chemistry they have, turns these enemies into lovers. Two people who learn to admire and respect one another.

But ye're the first woman I've ever felt this way about. Ye're the last woman I'll ever want

They have some bumps along the way of course, but boy this author definitely knows how to keep me fascinated, enthralled and spellbound in this powerfully portrayed story that will tie you up in knots and keep you thirsty for more!!

What do you love most about gritty and emotional romances?

Do you admire Kerrigan Byrne's work and why?


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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

In The Warrior Vampire  we have a stunning and vibrant romance that pulls me quickly into the story and I didn't want to let go. I will admit, I wasn't sure if I would be in the mood for this story, but honestly with Kate Baxter at the helm...you never need to be in the mood. You just know that you will enter her world of magic, of vampires, of danger and spirited heroes and heroines and become captivated and thus it was for myself while reading The Warrior Vampire. 

This wonderful story starts out with our heroine, who finds those using magic in a depraved form and binding them. But while out hunting one night, she comes across a man, who sees her across a vampire, and a man who comes at her, claims her as his and passes out. So Naya has no clue what she needs to do with Ronan, only that she feels some sort of connection with him. Naya thought that vampires were extinct, until now. Apparently, in Naya's mind, all the males of her association have gone crazy wanting her as their mate. But Ronan is quite different, even while in chains, he has a tender and protect regard for Naya. As Ronan and Naya join forces, trying to figure out the location of his missing sister, the reason why her clan are so crazy in their intentions...they discover a binding love and become a fighting force their enemies won't see coming.

This book truly was a whirlwind for me to read and I just couldn't get enough of it. I honestly just wanted more of these two, because they both pack quite a punch together. So what makes Ronan and Naya so great together? Well let me tell you what impressed me most about these two. First their mating bond. When a vampire first exists, their souls are taken away until they find their mate who tethers their soul back to them. We see that Ronan isn't the typical alpha male who just "claims" Naya. He sees her as his salvation, his peace and the reason to fight for what is right. I love how he views her as a partner, he is always insistent on craving a passionate and a woman who fights and stands on her own.

I fucking love a female with a violent streak

Naya has her own self worth, she is strong and a fighter. She doesn't see what is the appeal of being a "mate" until she meets Ronan. She sees the important and strength behind a bond of love and respect and passion. Seeing these two together is unique and simply wonderful.

Overall The Warrior Vampire is a sexy filled romance that is packed with action, magic, a villain you won't suspect and a love story that is vibrant and memorable!!

My soul was returned to me the moment I laid eyes on you. The only thing I know with certainty right now is that you are mine. 

What do you love most about a kick ass couple fighting and falling in love?

Have you read this series yet? What do you love most about it?


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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

In Wild Blue Under we have a story of self discovery and love and taking a leap of faith. Our hero, is a prince and heir to the council of the great city Atlantis in the Mer Kingdom. He lives and breathes the water, the sea is his life. But the gods need him to partake on a task, a task that could save the world. His task is to bring home a young woman who has no idea that she is a mermaid, and to have her embrace her heritage, the only problem is she leaves very far from the sea and Rod will have to get legs for a short time to bring her back to claim her inheritance. When he finds her however, she isn't what he expects. He realizes that his job will be a lot harder than he ever thought it would be, and with a danger seeking them both, Rod soon discovers a love and that he never wants to let Valerie go even if it costs him his life under the sea forever...

Wild Blue Under is a wonderful story that I embraced quite quickly. Its a very fast and quick story that lets you escape reality for a time and boy did I love this book. Its not an epic romance, or one that will knock you socks off. However its a enjoyable and very entertaining story that I couldn't get enough of. What I have admired about this authors work is her humor. Her writing is very engaging and quick witted and you just want more and more of it. And man all the bantering that we see and not JUST among the main characters is quite hilarious. What with our talking seagulls. Normally second characters that you love aren't talking birds that are creative, funny and handles tough situations and an obsession with salty fries!! hehe  I do love a solid mermaid romance, and this book ended in such a wonderful way. Our heroine is very confused through much of the book though, which is understandable. She starts to experience things she never really thought that she would have to or never even imagined were real. Rod is very patient, only giving her small bits of information at a time, knowing she would never believe him if he told her the whole truth of who she really is and her destiny. But seeing these two come together, and become true partners was quite sweet. Rod and Valerie just made me smile and kept me happy. Their relationship is the contented type of romance that you don't always see in this genre. It had a very realistic quality to it which I gravitated towards. Of course we have other elements that made this book seem lighthearted and just plain FUN!!

Wild Blue Under is a story of magic under the sea, a heartwarming and lively story to warm you up and keep you wanting more!!





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Kato is a book that I have been pretty eager to grab up ever since reading the first book "Damian". This series is about five warriors, who united many years previous to fight against a great evil. But then they were all betrayed and were magically turned into stone warriors. In this story our warrior is Kato, who had been cursed by his mothers genes who was a evil witch. He is a honorable fighter, and brother and this is his story.

In this book, however we see a hero just wanting to be free. When his statue is brought into a museum, a young woman is working on a translation. And when she "asks" for help, he is set free only to save her from a demon that she accidently unleashes. This chain of events has Kato and Grace working together, as they try to narrow down the search for demons that have been cropping up accidentally. Kato and Grace are a wonderful couple together and they balance each other out. Kato, is a man of brawn. He is smart but in other ways. However our heroine, Grace is really intelligent. I loved her brain, she is quick witted and thinks on her feet. She did some time with the military, so she knows her way around weapons as well and isn't afraid to defend herself or anyone else she cares about. I loved that she wa a fighter, of course, with D.B. Reynolds, you just can expect her to write this style of heroine as well.

There was so much to love about Kato. Now I will admit that these books aren't my favorite from this author, I do think her vampire series is the best. However there is something unique about this series. These warriors are so sexy and strong, but also make great lovers and partners for their women they fall for. I really admired Kato so much. He has been mocked all of his life about his mother's evil deeds and the fact that he isn't the most intellectual man on the block. But he is courageous and kind too. And there is also a strong bond between Kato and his brothers. Just to see him reunited with Damien and Nick again, just about brought a tear to my eye. Honestly, these sweet moments really balanced out the suspenseful elements that are a strong focus in this story. The romance that builds between Kato and Grace is fully loaded. They make a great fighting team of course, and their minds just work so well together. But there is also a sizzling bond between them that builds in this book, a bond that is both fierce and passionate and sweet and loving too. I just couldn't get enough and boy I just can't wait for Nick's story. He is such a great leader and friend and we see so many good things about him even if he likes to be in control of every situation.

Overall Kato is a story that brings more to this world, a book of danger and intrigue, of evil demons and tricks, of good overcoming evil and a passionate love story that leaves the reader breathless!!





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For years I have really been curious about this author, her books just pop up everywhere and even though I struggle with over hyped books and authors, I decided that this was an author I really needed to try and so when I saw the first three books available at my local library, I grabbed them up and quite frankly I LOVED them. I read all three in 2 days. I was really really nervous with the blurb comparing them to Fifty Shades however, these books had a completely different feel to them and didn’t resemble anything like Fifty Shades *sigh in relief*. Even though there are complex characters involved, its nothing like what you see in Fifty Shades which for the most part aren’t really romance in my opinion…but these books really worked for me in the romance department. Also as a side note, the writing in this book is spectacular which really makes a difference from Fifty Shades. There was something about this couple that just sang to me so I want to share my thoughts on each book.
I don’t want an icon. Not on my wall, not in my bed. I want the woman, Nikki. I want you

In the first book we have the beginnings of Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild’s love story. Damien and Nikki have known each other for six years, back in Texas. but its been six years later. Both Damien and Nikki are unattached and focused on their own lives. They meet up at a art gala. Nikki has always been drawn to Damien, in a way that she doesn’t understand. Nikki hasn’t had the best luck in relationships or men or even sex. Nikki has moved from Dallas to Los Angeles, in an effort to make a fresh start and get away from her crazy mother who forced her into beauty pageants all of her life. Nikki isn’t a on the spot likable heroine, she is one that grows on you. She doesn’t have a personality that is bad or anything. But she has alot of pain and struggles, and she hides it behind a fake facade that she shows to the public. She never lets many know the real Nikki. I found this to be really intriguing because I wanted to know who the real Nikki really was. These books are written in 1st POV, so we get to see the inner Nikki. The more I read though, the more I was drawn to Nikki. She became such a likable character that has a past, she has flaws, she makes mistakes, but she is also a good person who is kind and loyal and devoted to those she loves the most. Then we have Damien Stark. The hero is full of mysteries for sure. We don’t really see the full side of him in this book, we only get hints and delights of who he really is. But he isn’t super dark or crazy either. Even though he is drawn to Nikki, and desires her, I didn’t feel like it was too obsessive or crazy. He is a alpha male, has plenty of money, and is domineering at times but I love that Damien and Nikki laugh and tease each other from the very beginning. There is a powerful chemistry of course, but honestly, we see various sides to their relationship that makes it feel very personal and real to the reader. What I felt so drawn to is how these two accept each other, all their faults and mysteries and are very supportive of each other. And we some small hints of a mystery/suspenseful type of plot too. In the first book we don’t know if its the author leading up to more in the plot or just a weird entry in the story, but it leaves you very intrigued.
Maybe this man does have secrets and skeletons. But right now, I’m seeing his heart. And I like what I see.

The story does leave you with a few teasers at the end, but we are left with a Happy For Now type of ending. So not a final ending, but a happy one that makes you want to go to book 2.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

In No Mistress Of Mine we have a marvelous romance that I instantly fell in love with. Lately this author has been a hit or miss with me, but this book worked for me in every way. Our two main characters are Lord Denys and Lola Valentine. Both Denys and Lola love each other but their stations in society are very different. Denys knows he loves Lola and is willing to marry her. However Lola is a dancer and actress in the making. Lola knows that marrying Denys would damage Denys especially in his relationship with his famil. So she makes him think the worst and moves to America. Now its been years later, and Denys has changed. He is more responsible, taking over more financial leadership in the family and is starting to court the woman his family wants him to marry. But when he hears news that his American Business partner has died, he is shocked when Lola appears as his new business partner. Denys is still feeling hurt and angry from how Lola betrayed him. Lola trained in America with her benefactor, to become an actress which has always been her dream. And she wants to make everyone in London see her true talent. But as Denys and Lola start to work into a partnership, Denys uncovers hidden truths about the past and won't let Lola go a second time.....but Lola will have to decide if the love they have is worth fighting for....

This is a powerfully and emotionally charged romance that had me on the edge from beginning to end here. I simply fell in love with this couple and their dilemma. Because this is quite a challenge that they overcome. Now I did like how this author put on a more realistic role of society and how families view marrying "outside" of your station that you were born into. My heart did go out with Lola, seeing the circumstances she was dealt with when she was young and seeing how much she grows over the years and goes after her own dreams. The biggest problem in their conflict here is Denys' family. Denys is close to his family and loves them dearly. And Lola knows this, and so she doesn't want to just jump into a relationship with Denys a second time and have to be forced to leave him again. However Denys also has powerful and influential friends who will support his relationship with Lola no matter what. I did enjoy the aspect of seeing Denys and Lola overcome the challenges that they are faced with and seeing how love can conquer. It was heartbreaking at times though, because I just wanted these two to WIN and boy what a gratifying ending we have here.

Overall No Mistress Of Mine was a heart wrenching romance that drives home the need for a happy ending and fighting for what you want!! FULLY GRATIFYING READ





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

The Scotsman Who Saved Me is a story I was a bit nervous about, and I have no clue why because it was really great!! Hannah Howell has always written highlander themed romances so I must not have read the blurb enough before reading this book because I shocked to discover that a highlander romance with a passel of western fun was thrown into the mix. Now this series I can tell will be really fun. Its based on seven brothers, who are all Scots and had to leave Scotland when their parents were killed. They settle in Arkansas and man that was really different. The story, however, starts off pretty intense and dramatic and man I was bawling in the first chapter. So basically what happens is that the brothers with our lead hero Iain, discover a cabin that has been attacked. With a man and a woman being tortured and killed, but signs that there was a child that is missing. So they go in search of the child, and find him with an injured young woman who has been shot and very protective of her three-year-old nephew. They take her to their place to protect her and the child. Emily is in a dangerous situation. Her parents were murdered by a cousin and she and her sister with her sister's husband went to America to find refuge and safety knowing that they would be next.  Now it's up to her to protect the living heir to a Dukedom, and she refuses to let her three-year-old nephew be murdered because of the greed of one man especially when his parents sacrificed their lives for them.

This was a wonderful and thrilling story and I just couldn't get enough of this book. Now it's not one of those books that will keep you up all night, but I was always going back to this book because I was enthralled by the developments of the plot. We also see the differences in views from a Scots perspective and an English perspective. Both Emily and Iain are on opposite sides of the fence. But we also see how much they have in common. How devoted they are to the ones they love and how hard they are willing to work. For being raised an English Lady, Emily adapts to life in America very well actually. And the relationship between the brothers was simply awesome!! I mean they were a riot and so entertaining. They love to tease each other horrible especially when the lead brother is trying to court his woman...yeah they are pretty horrible in their teasing of him, but I just had a blast seeing their closeness and brotherhood.

"So how do you mean to woo her?" Asked Nigel

"Why do ye need to ken the how of it? " Iain asked.

"One of us could, weel, lend a hand now and then."

"Tell tales of your great bravery or extraordinary resourcefulness," drawled Matthew

Robbie choked on a laugh then struggled to look innocent when Iain looked at him. "I think we could come up with a few things."

"Please, and I mean this most sincerely, dinnae try to help me."

How they don't even think twice about protecting a lone woman a child from danger even at the cost of their own lives. (no worries....no one but villains are killed in this book). The romance that develops between Emily and Iain was very charming. Its a slow built up of course. They do have some powerful chemistry from the beginning. But the emotional side to their relationship builds more slowly which I really liked how Howell handled it and seeing the way Iain goes about courting Emily, and Emily doesn't even realize it most of the time LOL. Which in some ways I didn't fully understand how she couldn't see the depth of feeling Iain had for her especially with how they shared their nights together. But we see how distracted she really is, especially in trying to keep calm when her enemies are trying to kill her. Now the villain of the story is really CRAZY. I mean he is really mentally insane, which makes him pretty dangerous.

Overall The Scotsman Who Saved Me was an exciting beginning to a new series that just gets me so excited and book two comes out in December!! :) A thrilling and sensual tale to curl your toes and crave more love in the hills of Arkansas!! BREATHTAKING

 



 

Books N Tunes Reading Challenge Pick: I had this song just humming in my head while reading this book because I just loved the brothers and Emily's relationship with them. Gotta love this movie though.

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