Originally Posted At My Blog: Addicted To Romance

Received a ARC in return of a honest review.
Elena works for a company called S&D, and has worked hard to support herself and not rely on her family. For as long as she can remember she has always felt out of place in her family, and knows that it is up to her to make her own way. So after going to college she has become accomplished. Then she becomes involved in a situation with her brother, who coerces her to take something from her job, and bring it to him. Instead she goes for help to Shane Gallagher. Shane has beeen asked to investigate a mole in S& D, and one of his highest suspects is Elena, but there is something more to Elena than meets the eye. When she comes to him for help, he can't resist helping her, when danger comes to his door, and he has no choice but find out who is after them. As Elena and Shane come closer to figuring out the man behind the mask, they start to fall in love and Shane will have to put his heart on the line and trust Elena in a way he has never trusted anyone before...will Elena and Shane both survive?

Betrayed is the second book in the series, and the frist book I have read from Rebecca York. I was asked to read this in return of a honest review. And I was more than willing, since I adore romantic suspense...and this story definitely fits the bill. Such a intense and wild ride, Betrayed is. I had problem read this one, it was one of the easiest books to read. Engaging and heartwarming, and many emotional moments that just wins your heart. I had such a fun time with this stoyr, and the characters...oh my...I just loved both of them. They were fantastic. The hero is rough around the edges, but has one of the most vulnerable hearts. Shane doesn't trust women, after being betrayed by his ex wife. But then he meets Elena, and with danger at their tails, he suspects her at every turn, but there is something compelling that he can't resist. Elena makes some mistakes, but does it for good reasons, and I just liked her instantly. I felt like I could easily relate with her and she was so easy to love. I love how much she fights for those she loves.

The story is intense, filled with passion and tension, and full of adventure and love. A mesmerizing combination of action and swiftly moving plot. Brilliantly done!!!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Summary

Welcome to Sunshine Creek Vineyard and the infamous Kincade brothers who will do anything to protect their own and their legacy. Jordan Kincade, is a hockey star, playing in the pros for fifteen years and is a star among his team and about to carry them to a big win for the team. But then Jordan gets a horrific call, where his parents have been killed in a crash while on vacation. Jordan returns home immediately, not having been home for a long time. His reunion with his family is bittersweet but the moment he comes home, he realizes what he has been missing, and that his family has always needed him; but especially now more than ever. His youngest sister, stares at him with anger and he doesn't understand why. But he is going to get to the bottom of it, which leads him to one of her teachers...Lucy Diamond. Lucy had a crush on Jordan for a long time. In high school she was stood up by Jordan and was hurt and still hasn't fully forgiven him for that. Now he is back in town asking for her help with his sister. As they start to work together, the chemistry between them builds, but can Lucy have the courage to stand by Jordan whether its in a small town or by his side in the city while he plays pro??

The Hero

Jordan Kincade, has always wanted to leave home ever since he was young. He dreamed about playing hockey and doing it pro and he is dang good at it. His family supported him, knowing it was his dream. But Jordan drifted away from those that loved him most because of his sport. Jordan is a bit clueless to certain matters, unless you give it to him straight. He has a thick head, and you need to really pound at that skull before he gets anything especially when it comes to important matters like family or love. Jordan knows that when he returns home, how things have changed and how much his family really needs him...and always has needed him. It takes a sister who is bitter against him for turn priorities around for him. Jordan was delicious though....he is a fighter. When he believes in something, nothing and no one can stand in his way. He is stubborn ,determined and quite passionate. We see his strong personality traits come through in the story brilliantly.

The Heroine

Lucy Diamond is shy and quiet. She loves the small town life, and has never wanted more than that. She is a teacher and loves helping her students bring out their creative methods in their development. Lucy has had a fascination with reading and the written word. But Lucy is very cautious especially around men. Her experiences with them have not been positive in any way. So she is very hesitent to even help Jordan out at times, because even though she feels for the teenage girl...he is the last man she wants to be around. But she gives in, and is slow to trust. Lucy is kind and compassionate. Being bold and daring is not easy for her, because she finds her ground with Jordan and she comes more into herself. We some growth in her confidence level as the story develops. I really liked Lucy so much, all around a good and gentle woman you want to be friends with.

Plot and Story Line

A Better Man is the first in the newest series from this author. Now first off I do want to say why have I  NOT read this author before now??!!! I was nervous, always am when trying out a new author. But really, I should trust this publishing company more, because rarely do they let me down in discovering new authors to enjoy. Candis Terry does such a admiring job in creating this small town culture and building the setting that you almost feel like its so real as you read. I do wish it was...I would move there. LOL 

So the story sets off at the beginning, with an exciting scene of Jordan playing with his team mates. We feel the energy and action while playing a thrilling game and Jordan aids them in the win despite his nature of being in the penalty box ALOT. I found that amusing, because while he is talented, he has a hard time with self control...his temper can get out of wack while playing. (which quite frankly, is typical right?). Then he receives a call from his brother, and his carefree man changes instantly. He comes to terms with certain aspects of himself, and needs to change. He is wanting to make amends. Now this is where I truly fell in love with his character. Because he becomes very honest and wanting to change and be better. The family here are just awesome...man love these brothers. They are just wonderful. Each family member is a bit different, but I love the range of personalities. Should make future books interesting.

The actual romance between Jordan and Lucy is so heartwarming and I loved it. There were some moments I wasn't always able to connect with them, but for the most part its sweet, fun and charming. But I did feel a more curiousness about Jordan and his sister's relationship. Seeing how they would work things out and get to the bottom of some mysteries that crop up.

The Cover

What a perfect cover for spring....I love how sexy yet sweet it is. The backdrop is beautiful. I just want to step right into it.

Overall View

A Better Man is a truly engaging and fun romance. The tone of the story is sweet and lighthearted with a bit of mystery and self-growth thrown in the mix. Truly Charming!!





 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Summary

Bax is not only a bad boy, but is truly bad. He has just spend five years in prison, because of a bad choice he made and was practically set up. Now he is in search for the truth and some answers that he deserves. Bax doesn't apologize for the choices he has had to make for the life he was chosen and born into, a world where he had to learn to survive at a young age. He doesn't have many friends, but there is one man he considers his best friend, who has disappeared. On his search he discovers that Race has a sister, a sister who is too good for this life and most especially way to sweet and innocent for Bax.However, Dovie's life is in danger and with her brother in danger, Bax will protect her, but as they search for her brother, the chemistry between them builds and for the first time in his life, Bax learns what it means to love and to fight for something good instead of something bad...

The Hero

Shane Baxter, was raised into a rough life of tough choices. He became a criminal, a thief, a racer and picked a fight wherever he could. He always knows the ins and outs of being the biggest bad boy alive. All Shane was raised in was the worst of the worst, and had to fight to survive. Bax has so many hard edges, but there is more to him than meets the eye. Baxter is in a tough spot, practically trapped in the circumstances he was raised in and has no clue how to escape the life that has molded him. Bax is such a bad boy, but you see that there is such good in him and at first it comes out in very small ways but through the story we see the true heart of him and loved seeing him change and realize he wasn't what he was born into, that he could be good when he needed to be.

"You made me feel like I was the king in a land of second chances"

The Heroine

Dovie Pryce hasn't had it easy either. She was born into the same life but somehow all the bad that entered her life didn't make her into a criminal and wanting to make bad choices. She still came out as innocent and good hearted and wanting to help others. I loved her sincerity and her heart and devotion to those that she loves. But having been raised in the life she has, she also is understanding of the life and those that live it. I love how she rises above the tough circumstances she grew up with to want to help others and better herself.

"I had been around long enough in the worst parts of town to know the difference between a bad boy and a boy who was just bad"

Plot and Story Line

Better When He's Bad, was a fantastic and emotionally warped romance that suckered me right in. Now I have such a weakness for bad boys, but this story rises to a whole new level in some unique ways. We are introduced to a place, an area that is full of crime but also of some good people stuck in some tough spots. I am so glad that I finally took a chance on this author and really liked the twists and thrills that she brings to us with this book. It is pretty intense in spots and really keep you at the edge here.

“Are you scared of me?” His voice was scratchy.

I met his gaze steadily in the glass. “Terrified.”

His chin dipped in a little nod of acknowledgement. “Do you trust me?”

“No.”

I saw a shadow flit across that midnight gaze. He lifted a knuckle and rubbed at the blood smeared across his face. “You going to bed with me?”

I sucked in a hard breath through my nose. I wanted to look away but he wouldn’t let me.

“Probably.”

Both of our characters are working together. Our hero is the king of Bad Boys, and our heroine has a soft spot for them but still has such a good heart and she gets to Bax. Bax doesn't react to women emotionally until he meets Dovie. I really liked seeing the change in him, and its a slow change and he still remains a bad boy, but he also fights for something more than just existing and surviving. I really found these two so good for each other and really make a great team. There are some wild moments, smexy moments, thrilling moments and tender and poignant moments.

"I think my reward is happiness, and I can't be happy without him, so my reward is living in a place where that happens."

And this book really works your emotions and Crownover wrote such a beautifully dark romance that keep you going and searching for more...

The Cover

oh I really like this cover...the tats here are just beautiful after reading this book, it definitely connects to the story in a real way. So I always love it when cover artist pay attention to certain details.

Overall View

Better When He's Bad is a truly tough and stimulating romance that gives you all the feels and battles that finding love brings to two people....a bad romance to fall head over heels for!!

Click To Buy On Amazon

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This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Between A Highlander and a Hard Place is the next book in the Highland Weddings series. Each book has added some depth of courtly intrigue and we definitely get some delightful and mysteries that come into play into this book. We have an edge of your seat, laugh your booty off fun that will keep you flipping those pages as fast as you can get them read. This might just be my favorite book of the series, it was SUPER DUPER FABULOUS!! Mary Wine has done wonders with this book and it had that old classic Highlander feel that I have missed lately but Mary Wine has revitalized this type of Highlander we see that occurs in this book.

In Between A Highlander and a Hard Place it begins with our heroine who is English. She is living in London, with her uncle. She has been courted by a lord with high hopes of marriage soon and thinking that his affections were genuine. However, her fiancee is not who she believes him to be. He has no plans to marry her, he makes a plan to make sure she is ruined in society's eyes, and will have no choice but to be his mistress or her uncle with be left destitute. But Athena, has no plans to be a mistress for anyone...she wants and knows that she deserves better. So she runs away and her uncle hides her with a good friend of his, who is traveling north to Scotland where she will pose as a boy.

Laird Symon Grant is a widower after his wife dies struggling to give birth. And now he is alone and knows that he will need to marry again, but this time he is determined for it to be his own choice. What Symon didn't plan on is sighting a beautiful lass at a may day dance and a woman who will turn his world upside down. Athena while traveling sees the festivity of the may day dance and she wants to participate and feel like a woman again. So she lets her hair down, and buys a dress and starts participating in some frivolity. Only she never expected to run into Laird Symon who kisses her breathless and she knows the chemistry between them is fiery hot. But she has no place with her life in shambles to even think about entertaining the idea of being with Symon. But Symon has his own plans for Athena and he refuses to let her get away from him ....even if it means a bit of kidnapping to make sure she is safe.

I crave you, Symon. God knows I should not.

What a delightful jewel Between a Highlander and a Hard Place turned out to be. I wish I could give this book the type of review this book deserves. Now I do want to say that this book won't be for everyone, and you just can't take certain things seriously. Like Symon putting Athena over his shoulder at times...I found it hilarious because of the way its written but I know some might take it too seriously. The bantering between these two is such fun times and boy can this boy KISS!! You will just want to swoon alongside the heroine because these two put together some fireworks that are EXPLOSIVE!!

I'm no' interested in fucking ye for the release it grants me. I want more, and I'll no' have ye unless ye swear ye are me wife because ye consider yerself bound to me as surely as I know I am bound to the very bottom of me soul to ye.

I love the way that Mary Wine developed the romance here. Its written in such a way that endears you immediately. Athena has been burned very badly, obviously. So she is wary of Symon, but she soon realizes that he is nothing like her ex fiancee. He does have honor and wants to see her safe even if he wants the time to court her and convince her to marry him. She is endeared to the clan pretty quickly, and many can see the chemistry between the two even if they are a bit resistant to others. But they see the way that Symon and Athena defend and protect each other in the small ways that make the big difference.

Now we have another aspect to the story that I really enjoyed....the bigger plot of the book that is outside of the romance. Now the primary focus of the book is the romance, but we also see some other elements that really make this story sparkle and shine. We have some side plot lines that come together. We have the ex fiancee, who is furious that Athena has some lands she didn't know about since she has Stewart blood in her. We have the leery and horrible man who tried to sell Athena into prostitution who was traveling with her and he wants money and is trying to entrap her. We have some plots among the court of King James who is merely a teenager and a Frenchman who tries to manipulate him.

Then we have something happen in the end with Symon's cousin who I have a feeling is going to be the heroine for the next book. Now she and another clan chief have some sizzles between them but its going to be a forbidden romance and I really want this book NOW because the plot in Between a Highlander and a Hard Place doesn't get fully resolved and I need to know what happens with all the other key players apart from our main couple. Gosh darn it Mary Wine....you are pushing my limits of patience hehe (love you though).

Overall I found Between A Highlander and a Hard Place to be a love story of adventure, laughs, steamy kisses and sensual overtones that keep your toes curls and a plot that keeps you on the edge....watch out for a story that will stun and delight you in the small and momentous ways!!







 



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Jack Dodger, a wealthy man who owns a prestigious gentleman's club. Having lived on the streets when he was younger, he craves wealth. So when he hears that the Duke of Lovingdon has died, but his will leaves him all his entailed wealth, if he agrees to be guardian to his son, he agrees but meets resistance with the mother, Olivia. Olivia is furious, after hearing the will and that she has no power, even as the mother of her son, to repute the offer to Jack Dodger. Jack is only doing this for the power and wealth, but despite tension between him and Olivia escalate, he starts to care for this young boy he is responsible for. And he starts to realize that there are a lot more important things besides wealth, but when desire and passion are cultivated between these two, they come to realize that love is the most dangerous weapon of all when it comes to defeating the shield around one's heart.

This is the second in the series, and I just fell in love with Jack Dodgers story. Jack grew up on the streets being a pickpocket and now he is more than ever determined to make as much money as he possibly can. So when he hears that he is supposed to be the guardian to a young impressionable boy. But his mother Olivia matches his strong will, and tension flows between them both. But as time continues there is a desire that rises and unable for either of them to resist. I truly fell in love with this story and the characters as well. Not only Olivia and Jack but the little boy, Henry. From the beginning Jack starts to learn what it means to have a family, and the bond between Jack and Henry become undeniably strong. At first, Jack's goal is to get Olivia married off to someone so he can just enjoy the rewards and not have to bear the responsibilities, but time passes and his relationship with Olivia strengthens to the point where he doesn't know if he can live without her in his life. This is such a heartwarming story, where love can melt the ice of any hardened heart and teach the true value of the healing power of love. This is probably one of my favorite series written by Lorraine Heath, for the plot flows and the characters are engaging, and the passion and love these two feel will brighten up any stormy day. Such a wonderful read!!!

Venetia Campbell goes for a visit to her childhood home in Scotland, but at a ball she meets a stranger at the masque ball, and dances with him who rouses up her senses after sharing a sensual kiss that makes her melt into him. But then when she finds herself kidnapped by Sir Lachlan Ross, whom she knew as a young girl. Now the one who is feared as the Scottish Scourge, she still finds him tempting as chocolate, only much more wicked. Lachlan, knows that despite him knowing Venetia as a youth, he knows he must get back to her father for all that he owes him and his clan, for once a prosperous one, now struggling to survive. So he kidnaps Venetia, even though he wishes he had another choice, but knows that this will be the only way to get what is owed to him and to his people, whom he has the responsibility to. So now despite his plans to use her, a fiery passion is discovered between the two, and a tender love that could heal betrayal and hurt of the past.Beware A Scot's Revenge is the third installment in the School for Heiresses series. I have been able to read this whole series, although not in order, and this being my second time reading Beware A Scot's Revenge, and despite it being a couple years since I have read it, I still found myself mystified by such a magical romance. This is my favorite of the series, and I fell in love with both of these in depth characters that were portrayed so well throughout the story. The plot was enticing and exciting, filled with romance, adventure, intrigue and a powerfully portrayed romantic story. This is definitely a first rate romance that will suck you into the story from the first line! So if you have yet to read this one or any books from this author, I would recommend running to the store right now and treat yourself to a 'romantic treasure'.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lorraine Heath introduces us to a sensual love affair that takes us back in time to the spicy Victorian Era in London, England. A time of growth in the sciences, politics, and human rights. These two people come together and learn to fight with having all of society against them being together...

HOLY SMOKES!!! This book just blew me away here, and I just didn't want to put it away. I have had such admiration for Lorraine Heath, and over the years she has become one of my favorites here. She has such a solid talent in writing historical romances, and I got a kick out of her delving into the Victorian Era. This story introduces the reader to an aspect of Victorian culture that very few know about...baby farmers. This is actually a very heartwrenching aspect of society and one of the "skeletons" on England and I was really happy that Lorraine Heath did such great research here and implemented this aspect into the story.

Our wonderful key players in the story are:

• Mick Trewlove, is a commoner, he was deposited and abandoned by his real parents to be thrown away to a baby farm, but his adopted mother took him in and raised him along with his siblings. Mick has created his own wealth and power but is out for revenge so his father will finally admit that Mick is his son.


• Aslyn Hastings, is part of the Ton, her parents died and she was brought in and became the war of the Duke and Duchess of Hedley. Even though she has always has done what was expected of her, she dreams of adventure and passion.

Beyond Scandal and Desire is such a sensational romance and I totally got a kick out of this book and I honestly didn't want it to end. This story made me realize why I fell in love with Lorraine Heath in the first place and this book was pretty epic in its own way.

This story begins when our hero Mick, is out on his journey for revenge and to be claimed by his real father. So his plan is to make his "brother" lose everything including his almost betrothed. Aslyn has always known that her future is to marry the Duke's son, even though she doesn't love him the way that a woman should love the man she is supposed to marry. When she meets Mick in the gardens, she is intrigued because he stirs desire, passion that she has never felt before.

She could practically see it coming from him in waves that had the power to encompass everything around him--including herself. She wanted to experience that power, be drawn into it, captured by it, seduced within it.

Through a set of events, Mick and Aslyn run into each other and the chemistry between them in obvious even though Aslyn knows she is supposed to marry another man, she honestly doesn't feel like she can. Especially when her betrothed starts to change when his desperation for gambling takes a twist. The man that she really wants is Mick, a man that the Duke and his wife DONT approve of. But Mick is the man that she is beginning to love and wants to fight for them. But she will find out that Mick has a mission, one that could bring downfall to the family that she loves dearly.

Mick couldn't help but wonder if sometimes heartache was needed in order to move forward.

I was really intrigued by the turn of events that bring this couple together. There were such sensuality and endearing romantic qualities that pulled me into this story so completely. I just loved every moment that Mick and Aslyn have together. From the sexy flirting to Mick showing Aslyn another side to him, to a journey of forgiveness and redemption. I really was cheering for these two from the beginning. There was such class to their relationship. I really adored the way that they court and fall in love. There were so many tender moments that made me "sigh" in that sweet romantic way that gives you all the warm fuzzies. This is the epitome of ROMANCE and as I was reading this delightful story, I was reminded of this author, the reason I love romance in fiction and why it does so much for me. This book just made me happy, grinning all the way, and I immersed myself completely in this beautiful story.

I don't care. When I am with you, I feel as though, for the first time in my life, I am real, I am seen. It's difficult to explain, but I want to experience everything with you that a woman can experience.

I really fell in love with the siblings though, and seeing their eccentricities and their bond as a family even if it's not by blood. I love how protective Mick is of them and even though they frustrate him at times, he is all about giving them what they dream and desire. Especially to his sisters, he would do anything for even if it means buying a parasol or helping a sister set up a bar. And I felt that Lorraine Heath did a tremendous job in showing the tragic elements of Baby Farming. It definitely broke my heart seeing it in this story and how society viewed children born "on the other side of the blanket" as it were.

Overall Beyond Scandal and Desire is a stunning beginning to a new series, a story of true heart, hidden secrets and a true love affair that sings to your heart!!! INCREDIBLY HEARTFELT!

If I touch you, Aslyn, I'm not going to stop touching you until I've touched every aspect of you

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