This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Lady Be Bad is the first book in the newest series by Megan Frampton and what a book this one was and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will say that I haven't read this author in a little while, but now picking this one up made me realize how much I love her unconventional themed romances and Lady Be Bad was definitely that.

The story is focused on our heroine more than our hero. Lady Eleanor, is the eldest daughter of Duke of Marymount, and Eleanor is completely bored with her life. With the focus on being the perfect Duke's daughter, more pressure on her to marry who they expect her to, because her sister ran off to Gretna Green to get married. Eleanor is looking for any way to find some true happiness in her life before she has to marry a man she barely knows, a man that has more important matters than getting to know who she is. Lord Alexander, is loyal to his brother. He is the second son and as such has had way more freedom than his older brother. When his brother asks him to take "Eleanor" in hand, convince her of his virtues so she will agree to marry him. Alex is more than willing to do so, he would do anything for his brother. But from the moment of his first meeting in a bookshop with Eleanor, he wanted more than to have her marry his brother, he wants her for himself even though he knows it could never be.

What was quite wonderful about this story was seeing the way these two are completely good for one another. Our heroine is the focus of the story, but I did feel that Alexander is a good match for her. He understands her needs and desires and what she really wants in life. He genuinely wants to know who she is. Eleanor is getting to know herself. She is starting to want more than the dull and dreary life of white gowns, parties and balls, and having tea every morning. She wants adventure, to live life, to explore her boundaries and have passion. Alexander inspires her wants and dreams even. With Eleanor its merely the simple things in life that drives her. She just wants to find contentment and fulfillement in life, and this book focuses on her dreams for that. I admired the way she goes about it. Its not huge and out of this world crazy things she wants. We see how much her character needs to stretch herself a little and be more than what everyone around her expects her to be.

I want to be more than that. I want to find a way to be happy, no matter what circumstances I find myself in. I want to make some sort of difference. I want to---I want to do more than wear white gowns, and curtsey appropriately. I want to find my joy. I have no idea why I come speaking like this to you. Perhaps it was the kiss. Ir how we came to meet, which was the most shocking thing that has ever happened to me. I think that you might be the person who can help guide me. Not least because I am too poorly sighted to find the way myself.

We get some teasers of future books too....especially Alexander's brother---I have a feeling he will have a book sometime soon. *crossing fingers* because even though he isn't a good match for Eleanor, he still is a good man who is determined to save his family's estates because of his father's gambling and risk taking.

The romance that develops between Eleanor is playful, sweet and charming. Its lighthearted and has such a "happy" feeling to their love story. Normally I am not always a fan of the light hearted reads, but I think one...I was really in the mood for one, and two it totally worked for this pair and the story as a whole. The writing did start out a bit slow at first, but it does pick up pretty quickly once you get through a third of the story. I honestly couldn't get enough of this pair, and the way that Eleanor fights for what she wants in the end, was priceless. So many fun moments, a few self discovery build ups and a love story that leaves you with a smile on your face. A happy and joyful romance to life your spirits!!!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Summary

Catrin Price is a Welch widow, and feels the weight of a curse that has killed the men in her family for generations. Her husband died on their wedding day and is still a virgin. She needs to find the Chalice, which will allow her to marry again when its right and not have to worry about losing any chance at happiness and a family to love. Evan may be a scholar, but when one of his closest friends is brutally murdered he must seek out his killer or any information that he can find. Catrin is at the top of his list, he knows that she was one of the last people his friend saw and he must find her. But Catrin is not what he expected, innocent yet full of secrets. Catrin wonders if she can open her heart again even if it means losing another man she loves to the curse...

Plot and Story Line

Windswept is a reissue of a book that Sabrina Jeffries wrote under the name "Deborah Martin". You fall into this story very quickly, which is not a surprise since its one of her older books of course. I did really enjoy the setting and the historical background that we become introduced into. There is a small and tiny mystical element surrounding the Chalice and a curse that was placed on Catrin's family. Basically every woman in her family that marries, the man they marry will die in some way. I really liked this twist in the story but the villain that comes into the story, is not what you expect to see. And yeah he is a pretty psychotic and obsessed element. The romance between Catrin and Evan is quite endearing. I love the way these two connect, from the beginning. Even though they are both keeping secrets from each other, they have such powerful chemistry. I really loved the way these two find so much they both need in each other. Our hero, has struggled with acceptance and being good enough in his life. Our heroine, has lost quite a bit in her young life. I did like how will do anything for a chance for love and to be able to hold onto it. And my favorite side characters were Rhys and Julianna (our couple from book one) and I love their quirkiness and solid support of Evan and Catrin. I also really liked the Welch cultural aspect of the story, since our hero is Welch and boy I liked that. Rough around the edges but soft and sweet on the inside. A sweet and mysterious love story that you fall quickly for.

Life without you is no life at all

The Cover

So pretty and classic...I love the way her dress flows. Quite a beautiful reissued cover. And even though I like the older one too...they are both different.

Overall View

Windswept is a passionate and charming story of Welch culture, a dangerous mysterious element, a bit of magic, and a whole lotta love and passion to get a kick out of!!! TRULY WONDERFUL!

Click To Buy On Amazon

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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Highland Betrayal is book three in this stunning series by Alyson McLayne. I had such a fun time with this book, it's not my favorite of the series so far, but it had some great qualities and it was the perfect escape from reality. I just adore my highland romances, and McLayne has added such flavor to this time era in historical romance. This does feature some unique aspects and we get some superb intrigue and suspense elements that we are coming to adore about this author.

In Highland Betrayal our main players are Laird Callum MacLean and Maggie MacDonnell. Callum and Maggie have been betrothed, an agreement set up between their families. But there has also been a great affection between Callum and Maggie. But then Callum's father died and he suspected that it was murder and not suicide. And he didn't want to risk Maggie when he hadn't yet discovered the culprit behind everything. But in the process of doing so, he hurt Maggie and now Callum will need to prove of his sincerity to her. 

Maggie is in danger, her brother lost his wife and child and is slowly killing himself with drink, her other brother is off fighting battles, and her evil cousin is planning on taking over the clan and wants to have her as his bride even if he has to force her and he is working again Callum and even though she doesn't understand why she hasn't heard from him in years, she still remembers the strong bond they once had. But while out running away and trying to survive on her own, Callum stumbles on Maggie fighting off a pack of wolves, hurt but still spitting fire at him. Callum and Maggie join forces, come to a reconciliation but their road isn't easy and will take hard work and determination and trust...

I found Highland Betrayal to be a great addition to the series and I always get a kick out of these scoundrels that Gregor MacLeod raised and trained and seeing them together is always a hoot. I was very curious about Callum and Maggie's relationship though. We also get hints for future books so I am super stoked. This story was a bit different from the others but quite thrilling at times too.

Now I wasn't really a big fan of Maggie's character...there were many fun qualities to her but I felt that she was a bit too strong for my tastes and too hard on Callum in some ways. She knew the type of man her cousin is, and even when she realizes that Callum tried to contact her but she didn't receive them, I would think that would raise a red flag but it didn't really do that for her. She was pretty high handed at times, I understand why. She has had to be strong and independent but I did feel that she could have been more understanding at times. I felt she was too willful and stubborn for her own good. She really does come on too strong that didn't sit quite right with me at times. Callum is so patient with her though, and just accepts and loves her for who she is even when she drives him crazy at times. Now Callum....I adored him so much. I understand why he kept Maggie in the dark though. I do feel like he could have made a better effort to make sure everything was alright with Maggie but I do think that once he realizes what damage he does, he is full of regret and tries to make up for it.

The plot of the story was pretty steady and I liked seeing the way events unravel in this book and even though some factors didn't quite make that much sense especially when his fathers murderer is revealed it felt a bit off for me and just certain factors didn't quite make sense and I think there could have been more focus on certain relationships of the clan members so that the reader isn't so confused. However, I really liked the mystery even if it was a bit predictable at times. I really enjoyed the commadarie between the men that we see here and I enjoyed the bantering and playful nature between these men that are like brothers.

The romance between Callum and Maggie is full of battles and boy these two could just break your heart and your will of patience. I really liked them together though, Callum appreciated Maggie and her talents and you just have to respect that. I had my issues with Maggie, but Callum never gives up on proving himself to her. I love how he treats her with respect and admiration and passion. And the sexy moments were sensual and adventurous but not too heavy either, the focus is the relationship and the intimacy as they get to know each other again.







 



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Isabella six years ago, shocked everyone including her own family, when she married Mac Mackenzie, and since then their marriage has been stormy to say the least. Despite the fact that they both love each other, they each hurt each other, and its a never ending cycle. Now after having been separated for three years, Mac enters back into Isabella's life, much to her dismay. She wonders what game he is playing at, but the more he appears in her life, the more she becomes convinced that he is sincere in wanting her wholly into her life. However she remembers the pain they have both suffered in the past, and her fears holds her back from embracing their marriage as it was in the beginning. But with all the turbulent storms that are rising between them, there is also a danger that could threaten both of them.Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage is the second installment in the Highland Pleasures series. After reading the first one The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, it was a delight to finally read Isabella and Mac's story. I found both of these characters a delight, and loved seeing both sides to their story. Both Isabella and Mac have suffered pain and loss, and having caused pain to one another, but they are also very deep and were brought out vividly throughout the story, that I felt I got to know them both as separate individuals, which was a treat. I have adored reading this story, as much as I adored the first one in the series. There was the perfect mixture of passion, intrigue, danger, and love that brought out a delectable story that had me until the very last page. Truly a romance that was heartfelt throughout the whole by this reader!!!

My Favorite Quote:
"It is a game, my love," He held her gaze " It is the most serious game I have ever engaged in. And I intend to win it. I will have you back Isabella--in my life, in my house, and in my bed,"

Nick Gentry, most current mission is to find a missing lady, the man whom she is betrothed to is desperate to find her. But when Nick finally finds her (which wasn't that difficult ) but then he meets her and only desires to keep her for himself. Knowing that she is in desperate circumstances, he offers her a solution, to marry him and have protection from her fiancee whom she would rather die than be married to. So even though its not a ideal situation for Charlotte, she agrees knowing that both her and her family would be taken care of, is she agrees to marry Nick, and she would have protection from the one she despises and fears the most. The passion is awakened in Charlotte, a desire that she didn't know she had in her, and every fiber in her comes alive with his sensual touch. And knows that her heart is at risk, for she could very well fall in love with this sensual yet secretive man...Worth Any Price is the third and final installment in the Bow Street Runners series that Lisa Kleypas has created. Worth Any Price is Nick Gentry story, and after seeing him previously, I have definitely been looking forward to reading his story. Nick is a special hero, and one that is close to my heart, and one of my favorite characters that this author has created. He is a haunted and dangerous man, but there is a appeal about him, where you just want to comfort the man, for he has gone through many hardships throughout his life. Worth Any Price is a charming story about two people who deserve love and happiness having never been able to find it for themselves, but together will find the most exquisite pleasure and joy. From the first page I was drawn into the story and could hardly put it down and is captivating to the bone......I LOVED it!!!

My Favorite Quote
"You'll find life far more enjoyable as my wife," Gentry Continued " You won't be anyone's servant. You can do as you please within reasonable limits. And you won't have to fear Lord Radnor any longer. "
"All for the price of sleeping with you," She muttered. He smiled, all velvety arrogance, as he replied, "You may come to enjoy that part of it most of all."