Anna Wren, a widow, is in search for a job that could help with their financial needs, and miraculously finds a job as a secretary to the Earl of Swartingham. At first Anna is overjoyed but knows that it won't be a easy task to be a secretary to a man who hold a temper. Edward, is shocked when he comes home to see that a woman is his secretary, a woman that stands up to him and isn't afraid of his temper. Edward is physically drawn to Anna but knows that she is a lady and knows that he can never make an advance toward her, but the more time they spend with each other, he starts to realize she is the first woman he is comfortable with, someone to talk with, to walk with and one that see him beneath the scars on his face. But then the unexpected happens, and they will both realize that they will be able to find their ever after if they would fight for it...

The Raven Prince is the first in the Princes Trilogy, and as the first book I have read from this author, I just fell in love....I found myself not wanting this one to ever end. I loved Anna and Edward and even the mutt 'jock' was a hoot throughout the book. I immensely enjoyed the interaction between the characters, especially Anna and Edward. Anna is not afraid of Edward, despite the fact that pretty much everyone else is....and she stands up to him like a spitfire not afraid of a thing, which only increases the heat and passion that builds between them. At first it took me a little bit to get into the books, but once I did I couldn't put it down, I was totally immersed into a unforgettable romance, that had my full attention!!! A Keeper for sure! Looking forward to reading more from Elizabeth Hoyt.
My Favorite Quote
"All this time I've been restraining myself because I thought you were a respectable lady. All this time when you only this," He swooped in then and devoured her mouth, ravishing her softness, making no allowance for her smaller size, her femininity. " This is what you crave. What you traveled all the way to London for," he whispered against her mouth.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Kaleidoscope is the fifth book in the “Colorado Mountain” series that Kristen Ashley has done, which is set in Colorado in rural areas. I am in love with this series so much, I am very impressed with how well this series has developed and within each installment you fall in love with these towns and such a diverse fast of characters that we are introduced to. In Kaleidoscope we have a second chance romance that has a unique twist to the story that I really enjoyed seeing come to fruition.

Kaleidoscope begins with our hero, PI Jacob Decker, who has come back to Gnaw Bone, for a job and realizing he wants to settle back here again especially when he sees a woman he hasn't seen in years, and a woman he has been in love with for many years. But there were other facts involved in their past that kept them from being together. But now his new mission, conflicts with his love interest and a woman he would trust with his life. Because Emme's current boyfriend is suspected of criminal activity and Decker will have to prove that Emme is innocent and bring down the man that she is with because he is certain he is guilty of his crimes. But when he and Emme meet up again, it only confirms his realization that Emme is innocent and her relationship is now at all what it seems. But as Decker and Emme get to know each other again,  they will need to face up to their pasts and the love they have always had for each other.

I fell in love with this book so much and Kaleidoscope was a beautiful romance in only the way that KA can do. I was really curious about this one and I am happy that this was a another winner for me and so happy to finally have had Decker's book because I have been waiting a while for his story and it was everything I could have hoped for. This was a mix of second chance, unrequited love and friends to lovers. Both the hero and heroine grew up together, So I really loved seeing how they reconnect so quickly. Now I do want to point out that there is no CHEATING. Yes the heroine is in a relationship in the beginning of the story, but her heart isn't in the relationship and has felt uneasy with her boyfriend and hasn't given him full comittment yet and isn't even sure she wants to. But nothing happens between Decker and Emme until her current relationship is over and I like how they both respect that and wait for that. We see so much connection that these two have with each other and their romance is so beautifully done. I really loved how they reconnect and the intimacy between them is very detailed and sweeps you off your feet.

Now there is a level of suspense that is included, which is no surprise as we have seen that in previous books, but its not a strong element. It doesn't take over the romance and I really loved seeing how much these two just fit perfectly for each other. Decker is the type of alpha male that I love to read, where he likes control and all that and does have some possessive qualities but only takes control in the relationship when he is worried for Emme's safety but other than that I love how he does respect her opinion even if he doesn't agree with them.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Seduced By A Scot is the most recent installment in the Highland Grooms series and I have the first few books in this series and really enjoyed  the first few books so I was expecting to really love this book as well. I will say that even though it was a likable read at times, I struggled with this one throughout the story. I think it just didn't click right for me and the heroine is one I really struggled with. Nothing specific about her character, but she seemed to be so uneven and it really threw me off at times.

Our story is set in the Georgian Era in Scotland, in the 1700's and our hero, Nicholas Bain, is a rescuer of situations. He travels all over to deal with scandals and tough to straighten out problems and sorts them out for the upper classes. A upper class family calls him in to their home when a scandal involved their family. Maura Darby, is the ward of the family but when she unwillingly catches the eye of the fiancee of the family's daughter, tensions rise and the situation gets very bad for Maura. Maura is innocent of their machinations against her, but when Nicholas is to take her to her betrothed, she is resistent but she also knows she has little choice. But along their journey, Nicholas and Maura learn to admire each other and desire and more tender emotions build between them. But Nicholas has a life on the road and can't ever give Maura what she deserves. It will take them almost losing their lives to fight for their love and finding their HEA.

This story was a "On The Road" romance and I really liked the development of the plot here. And I really appreciate that this was the time era before the Regency era, it does take place in Scotland, so it was a very refreshing setting for me. I found Maura's situation to be so disheartening and it also focuses on the bad situation that orphans especially female one's had to rely on others to survive. Maura wants more out of life than just marriage to a stranger, or being treated so horribly by her guardians (and let me tell you they use her, demean her so much and are very vindictive) but we a great inner strength in her character and Ilike seeing her fight in those small ways.

The romance that develops between these two is so sweet and endearing, but its more of a slow build. There is some not so fun tension between them in the first half of the story, they really don't like each other much, but they make compromises and there is a change in their relationship when Nicholas helps Maura get her things returned including a priceless necklace that has been in her family for generations that her guardians stole from her. We see a shift in their friendship and this is the beginning of their romance that really hooks in the reader. The pacing of the story is on and off steady, there are moments in the plot where the reader is hooked but other moments that are very slow going and I will admit I almost DNF'd this but I kept with it since I was close to being finished and I haven't ever DNF a Julia London and didn't want to start now. But it was a very close call in this book. But overall I had a fun time with this book here and really enjoy certain aspects of the story. But I didn't love it and really struggled with the pacing at times and yes the heroine rubbed me the wrong way at times. But I did find it interesting, and loved the change of setting and the slow build romance was lovely and sweet.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Once Ghosted Twice Shy is the first novella in the Reluctant Royals series. And its also a F/F romance and this is my FIRST F/F romance and I was pretty anxious but I have no idea why because this book was fantastic, and even though the novella was written so wonderfully, I do wish it had been a full length novel just to get a bit more depth to their relationship. But Alyssa Cole did a fantastic job with this book here and I adored every minute of this book here. I grabbed this book when I saw the Audiobook was available on my library's digital system and first off I was SHOCKED to see this title because they don't have that much in diversity and I live in a very conservative state but I was so happy about this that I listened to it immediately and this was such a fun diversion.

In Once Ghosted Twice Shy, our delightful romance begins with a train ride, where Likotsi is on vacation, when her boss (the Prince---hero in book one) fully supportive of her taking a rest she definitely needs. But Likotsi is shocked when she sees a woman she has never gotten over, a woman that hurt her and broke her heart but one whom she has never forgotten...Fabiola. Fabiola and Likotsi met on a vacation took when her boss was courting his lady. They met from a swiping dating app, and when they both swiped right for each other, they met up for a drink and what was first a casual hookup turned into something deeper very quickly. But Fabiola, had a family incident that took all of her attention and she had to break things off with Likotsi. But now that they have met up again, Fabiola will need to convince Likotsi to take a second chance on them and their love that has never faltered despite the past hurts....

This was truly a beautifully woven romance and I was hooked immediately into their story. One of the best novella's I have ever read, there was such charm and sweet tenderness to their relationship that I immediately gravitated towards. This book was full of depth which really shocked me at the emotional intimacy that we see develop in this story here. You don't always see that in a novella, there isn't many smexy times, which I was glad for because there were some unresolved issues that these two needed to work out including complete and open honesty with each other. I really loved how different Likotsi and Fabi are in their own personalities but when they are together its like they are in harmony. They really balance each other out and I was so thrilled to see Likotsi find her HEA, because she deserved it.

This story is written with the current timeline and with flashbacks every other chapter and I don't always like flashbacks, but this was so well done and I was hooked into their relationship. This is my first F/F romance and boy this one was so so good. I loved the little intricate details we see in their relationship and I need more  F/F lovin' in my life.

Overall I found Once Ghosted Twice Shy to be a engaging, humor filled romance that speaks to the heart and is a story to stay with you for a very long while. I highly recommend this story to anyone that loves a well written second chance romance!! BRILLIANTLY DONE!!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

I was in the mood for a Irish themed romance and I discovered this book through the Audible Romance Package and after listening to this quickie read (5 hours of listening) so its not too long of a story, but it was a charming fun drama llama romance that is pretty delightful. It was a great diversion.

 

Our story begins with our heroine, who has recently lost her sister to a disease so she made a promise to fulfill the list her sister had, a bucket list of sorts and so she goes to Ireland to start that list and she ends up in a car wreck, and the other car involved is a sexy Irish man that captivates her attention. Cillian is a lead singer to a Irish band “Wild Irish” and when he sees his brother in bed with his girl, he leaves the band for a while because he can’t be singing in the same band as the brother who betrayed him the most. But when he takes in Delaney there is an instant spark between them and even though Delane isn’t one to do casual flings, she can’t resist the connection that she feels with Cillian. But will Delaney and Cililan find their happy ever after despite the conflicts?

 

I really had a fun time with this book, it was very entertaining and even though I did find myself a bit frustrated with how these two just would never really communicate towards the end, much drama could have been avoided if these two just talked openly and honestly, but there were many things they had to deal with internally before they could really fight and make their relationship work for them. But I did enjoy the Ireland setting and I had a fun time with both of these characters that really won my heart despite their lack of communication skills. There were some unique fun plot twists and I am excited to read more of the band members because they were yummy!!

 

Overall I found this to be a fun, quick soul palette cleanser of a read especially after my previous read book was a struggle and I just wanted to step away from books for a while, but this story got me back in, so good job with this new to me author that I really enjoyed!!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

I have been such a fan of this fun series that Maeve Greyson has written here. Maeve Greyson has such a sharp wit to her books and I am always finding myself so entertained by her books here. For those new to the series, this series focuses on one family, who lived in the highlands but then to protect a sacred stone of the goddess they are brought forward in time. And Katie’s Highlander is Ramsay’s book here.

Our story begins when Ramsay has lost faith will ever finding someone to love or to marry or have a family like his brothers. Then he comes across a young woman in a car crash and when he rescues her and takes her back to the “keep” which is his family’s home in North Carolina where they have settled in modern times, he is captivated by this feisty woman. There is such strong chemistry but Katie has her own plans for the future. But as a scientist of history, she appreciates how Ramsay and his family are with their history and traditions. But Katie’s life is turned into something of a drea when she and Ramsay find themselves back in the highlands, hundreds of years before she was born and she is having to work with Ramsay to find a way back home. But Ramsay is at home in the highlands, but its not her time, and Katie will have to make a choice whether or not to return to the future alone or make a life with Ramsay in the past…

I really had such a fun time with this book and loved the time travel from modern era to the past that this author implements. I just love this family and how they look at life. They definitely have a unique perspective on what is really important considering they grew up in the highlands but then came forward in time. Ramsay unlike his brothers, craves the time he was born into. He has never felt fully at ease in the modern century and we see how much he comes fully into himself when they travel back in time. How much more self assured and confident he is in leading the clans. But there is one problem...our heroine wants to go back home.

Now for Katie, I did struggle with her at times. She is very strong willed, independent and headstrong and that gets her into trouble. And its these qualities that get her thrown back in time although she doesn’t really think that way. She does take everything in stride though, and doesn’t get too panicky and so I did admire her strength throughout this story and seeing how she faces up to everything. I did find that she could be a bit annoying at times, there were aspects of her character that I really found frustrating. We do how she realizes that love is more important that superficial things like coffee and working plumbing. Ramsay has been in love with her almost instantly from meeting her, but Katie takes quite a bit longer to realize the depth of feelings that she has for him. But Ramsay, he is so patient and understanding and respectful of whatever choice she is willing to make even if it means him being alone the rest of his life.

What matters in life is making memories with someone you love. Memories that no one -not time, the gods, angels, or demons can ever take away.

The romance is two sided, we see the perspective of both Ramsay and Katie and they both fall in love with each other at different times so this story does introduce the “unrequited love” trope but I did love seeinig Katie come into her own strength as she is faced with a challenge she never imagined possible and how she comes to realize that being with Ramsay, the man she loves is worth the sacrifice. I found Katie’s Highlander to be a heartwarming and laugh out loud tale that was very amusing and will keep you smiling for days!!