I received a free copy of Bound by Night through Pocket Books and Edelweiss, and was thrilled beyond words. I have been wanting a chance to try this author out. My local library has never had any copies of books written by this author, so I haven't been able to ever try her out, until now. I didn't know how much I would enjoy her, but I have been craving for a stimulating vampire romance, and Bound By Night won me over completely. I loved her writing style, very provocative and in depth that stirs the reader up from the beginning.

Nicole has always despised vampires, especially a certain vampire that killed a woman she loved dearly, when she was but a little girl. Now she has to live with a illness, that will kill her one day. Riker, is part of the Moonbound Clan, and still aches for his wife that he lost years ago. Now it is up to him to kidnap Nicole, who is a scientist, and hopes to trade her in for a woman her company are holding hostage. When Nicole finds herself being kidnapped against her will with her worst enemy and greatest fear coming to life, she has no idea if they plan on killing her in the end or not. Despite her fears, she is drawn to Riker, who is irresistible and can't resist his powerful aura that only captivates her more. Despite the misunderstandings, and mistrust between each other, an flaring passion builds between them.

Overall I loved every part of Bound By Night. As this is the first of Larissa Ione's books, I was a little apprehensive, hoping I would love this story just as much as I have heard so many good things about her. I knew I just had to give her a chance. Bound By Night is the first in the series, and is part of her most recent series she has just created. There was a bit of a darker side to this story, which can happen with vampire romances from time to time. But what I found interesting is how this author blended it quite harmoniously with the other aspects of the story, so that there was just a hunt of it, and didn't overtake the story. It is a bit richer that what I am normally used to, not much lightheartedness or fun, but I would say that is one of the many things I enjoyed about Bound By Night. It was unique and original and a very moving emotional roller coaster, thoroughly satisfying till the end. Definitely can't wait to get my hands on more books by this author. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a thrilling paranormal romance!! You are in for a delectable story that will win you over.

Brodie Gunnach, had a horrible childhood, and still suffers from the scars from that time. He is a member of the royal family; he enjoys his seclusion, and escaping his guards. But when he finds his mate, he is elated, until he learns that she is only fourteen years old and he will have to wait ten years before he will be able to claim her. The bond he feels for her is intense, and decides to withdraw from her, but still keeps in contact. Payton, has been in love with Brodie for years, but she senses that he is keeping secrets from her, and when she feels betrayed, she distances herself from him, but when her life is put in danger, she decides she can’t stop what she feels for him anymore, and they start to build a trust together, anxiously waiting for her birthday so that he can claim her. But there are evil forces at work, determined to tear the royal family apart, and will Brodie and Payton overcome the obstacles both from their enemy and the ones that keeping them apart?

Bound by Secrets was given to me by the Author, and I am glad I was given the opportunity to read this. Ever since I discovered this author last year, I have been impressed with this series. With each installment, it wins my heart every time. In the previous books, we see the tension between Brodie and Payton, but not much else, so it was such a joy to be able to read their story. Now what I loved about this book, is that it doesn’t start off from the present day, with only hints of what has happened in the past. The author takes us back to when first they notice each other, and then moves forward and you start to see the development of their relationship, and some of the cliffs they have to climb to start trusting and loving each other. The mate bond is very powerful, but I loved the way that this story weaves in the love story slowly and gently in and merges it in a way that comes out harmonious. I loved the flow of the story. You see the powerful talent of this author in this series, and this installment, is evidence of that.

The characters in the story are disarming in the way that they captivate you from the beginning. This story isn’t like the others, it does have some difference. One is that Brodie and Payton have felt a connection for years, and you see that bond grow. In Bound By Secrets, it cultivates the talents and the cons of the characters and seems to merge them in a way that is astounding. They become real to the author, and as you read this story, you feel a bond to them, and they seem so vivid. The heat in the story is very light, but that is what I love about this author. Is that she can create a sensual story without a ton of bedroom scenes…it is very subtle, but the way she portrays feelings and emotions is stunning.

Overall a love story to capture, draw your attention, make it impossible to put down, and leave you feeling enthralled….a mind gripping tale that holds you from beginning to end!!

Lady Tara, has just lost the love of her life because of foolish actions. Now her sister is married, but she is shocked to discover that her father has already in deep debt because of his gambling, and she will have to pay the price...marriage to Breccan Campbell. However Tara, is not about to marry Breccan, so she runs away as fast as she can. Breccan, knows he isn't the most handsome of men. He is bulky, muscular and large, but desires a beautiful wife so that his children will be attractive. Breccan is ready to settle down and has decided on Tara for a wife. When Breccan hears that she has run away, he chases after her. When he finds her, she is dressed in boy clothing, and full of fire and passion. They come to a agreement, after she gives him two children, she is free to go to London. What begins as a simple agreement turns into a complicated mess, when Tara's heart gets involved. Tara knows what most people think of her, but Breccan makes her see the better side of others, and starts to open her eyes to desire and the power of true love...

I was hesitant in reading The Bride Says Maybe, after reading the first book ,and I found that Tara was my least favorite character. However after taking a chance, I learned to really love this one, and did I just fly through it like nothing. I almost thought it was a novella, it had seemed so short, but I must have read through it quicker than I realized. The story even though it is set in the Regency Era, it does have a highlander theme to it. Breccan and his family, have a castle of sorts, race horses, and carry on the traditions of the Scots. Many know how much I adore Highlanders, and Breccan was good enough to gobble up, I really loved his character. He has such a tough exterior, that most run away, but inside he is a lamb looking for someone to love him. He was sweet and charming, yet dangerously sexy. I really enjoyed seeing the variations of his character. He definitely had the alpha domineering side down pat, but you see a more in depth character of Breccan, one that endears the reader from the first chapter....I was cheering him on the whole way through!! Tara, wasn't as bad of a character as I envisioned. I did eventually grow to somewhat like her. It did take a while, but you start to see a softer side to her, that you never see in the first book of the series. She definitely has her own issues of course, but in this story the author did a great job in making Tara seem so human and real. She turned out to be a very likable character by the end. The story line was rich and packed with passion and a delicious courtship. The heat level is not too heavy, but I enjoyed have more emphasis on the "falling in love" aspect of the relationship. It definitely made for a quality read!!

Overall a delectable romance that is going to win your heart, from the sexy highlander, sweet animals that make you yearn for a pack of wild dogs, and a love story that is full of wit and charm!! ENCHANTING!!

Lady Aileen has suffered from being married, to a man who was conceited and selfish and a brute. She has no wish to even come close to that type of suffering ever again. Now that her sister is engaged, she is happy for Tara even though Tara can be selfish and full of herself. Then suddenly her sister comes back home saying she has decided not to marry after all. Then her betrothed comes after her, and somehow Tara decides to commit herself back to her fiancee. Aileen knows that Tara is almost acting like a child, but loves her and is willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy. But what surprises her most is the attraction that builds between Aileen and Blake. Blake has worked his whole life building respect from others and refuses to lose everything to a fleeing fiancee, and if her actions are known could ruin him. So he goes after her, even though she is a beauty and would look good on his arm, he doesn't feel anything for her. But when he meets Aileen, for the first time in his life, he sees a woman he could admire and even love. Even though there is a barrier between Blake and Aileen, sometimes love does conquer but only if the two hearts involved are willing to fight for it with everything they have...

The Bride Says No is the first in Maxwell's latest series the "Brides of Wishmore". I was given this ARC in return of a honest review. This is your typical forbidden lovers type of story. The hero is locked into a marriage agreement, one that could cause scandal and ruin if he steps away from it. The heroine is forced to fall in love with a man that will be her sisters husband soon. I have always been a big fan of this author, and I enjoyed the unique style of the plot and the way the story pans out in the end. This is quite a romantic setting. It is set in the countryside of Scotland, in the Regency era. I have read many Scottish romances, and this seemed on the border of a very lightly tinted Scottish romance. There was only a bit of the Scottish Brogue--that makes my body tingle. :) So this seemed more on the regency genre. I did enjoy the first meeting between Blake and Aileen, boy the room sparked I thought a explosion would occur with the heated exchange that begins. Definitely brings a smile to your face when a heroine isn't humble and meek, but is a fighter. Aileen's past divorced marriage, has forced her to look at things in a different light and I would put her in the "Bluestocking" category of heroines. She was a delight though. Blake has a commanding presence, arrogant in his own way, and sexy as sin. *sigh* loved every part of his characters. Now another key player is Tara, I had some serious issues with this gal. She seemed to have this superior attitude toward her sister I disliked and it was very tasteless, I kept thinking she needed a good kick in the rear or be tossed in the lake or something. Even though at the end she somewhat proves herself, it took over 300 pages to do it. However despite my frustrations with that character, I immensely enjoyed the chemistry between Blake and Aileen. At times it was sweet and tender, but then at other times it was hungry and passionate. One of my favorite aspects of this authors writing is how she blends those two aspects into her stories so perfectly. It is never over done. I always end with a satisfied sigh, and this book was no different.

Overall this story seemed to be packed full of everything that makes a winner of a romance. Beautiful setting, magnificent characters, vivid detail, sweet romance, and a HEA!!! You can't get any better than this! LOVED IT!!

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

The Bride Test is the second book from Helen Hoang and we get some fun times from the Diep family. I was given this ARC from the Berkley Publishing Group and I am so glad that I was given this wonderful opportunity because this book I loved even more than the Kiss Quotient, there was something more engaging about this book than even the first one. Helen Hoang has such a beautiful storytelling voice and it really shows in her stories, she is a new author, but she is very brilliant in showing such vibrant emotion to her readers.

The Bride Test begins with our heroine, who lives in Viet Nam she works as a maid at a hotel. She is a single mother to a five year old girl and wishes she could be something more for her daughter. While cleaning the bathrooms, an older woman comes in and stikes a conversation with her and thinks that she would be perfect as a wife for her son, Khai. She wants him married with a family, but he is very stubborn, never dates and stays away from women. But after meeting with My, she knows that she is perfect for her son. At first, My is hesistant but having a chance to live in the States and bring her family will be worth it. She has a daughter to think about so she reluctantly accepts, knowing that she has nothing to lose.

Khai is furious with his mother for forcing him to live with a stranger for a whole summer, to take to weddings and eat breakfast with, he just wants to be left alone to his own devices. But when his mother promises him that this will be the only time she will intervene in his life, he grudginly accepts not expecting to like My but from the first moment he sees her he is stunned by his physical reaction to her. Khai refuses to be in a relationship because he doesn't believe that he can love.  Khai has autism but ever since the death of his best friend, he doesn't realize he feels any emotion. But when he and My meet, the walls around his heart begin to crumble, and as the sexual tension rises between them and Khai will need to reevaluate his belief in not being capable of love when he might lose My forever...

The Bride Test is a brilliant story and I had so many feels during this book. Like in book one, we see that Khai is autistic. Now I am so happy that this author has implemented this type of diversity in these books because I definitely think there needs to be more romances that shows  characters with autism especially since its much more common than most people realize. In The Bride Test, our hero is the one with Autism and its so brilliantly done. I love that we see how his brain works very differently and he processes emotion seperately. We see the relationship he has with his family and how close of a bond he has with his brother Qhuan.

Then we have the romance that develops between Khai and My or (Esme) Esme is keeping a secret from Khai that she has a daughter, she wants his approval because she sees how capable he is and independent and financially stable. She wants him to love her because she is already starting to love him but she also has other reasons to be in the states. She is on the search for her birth father, she begins to want more for herself than just marriage to Khai. She wants to be smart and to go to the University and make a difference in the world and find her true place and to be the best mother she can be. I love how much growth we see in My, see how she goes in the beginning from believing there was no hope to beginning to see her true value. Now for Khai, he wants My sexually, and at first he denies what he is starting to feel for her. He wants her in his bed, but he also misses her presence and craves her smile. It does take both of his brothers to really wake him up in the end and help him realize that he is capable of love, he just doesn't realize he loves My, since he needs to accept his capability of true emotion first.

There were so many feels in this story and I admire Helen Hoang so much in her story. This was the perfect book for Khai and My. I love seeing them connect and has so much character growth and seeing them grow together was beautiful and endearing. We see how much they deserve one another and accept each other fully and their differences. My doesn't know what Autism is in most of the book, but what I adored about her character is how she treats Khai. She views him as a man of worth, trust him completely and never gives up hope that he could come to love her in return. Its so beautiful seeing Khai and My come together in this story and I found The Bride Test an unforgettable story that captivates its readers hearts in such a fundamental way that is like a breath of fresh air!!! A TRUE JEWEL!









 

Augusta, is assigned as a chaperone to her cousin, who has come up to court Ian MacGregor. Ian, as leader of his family and people, is desperate to do anything he can to save them from their financial struggles. He knows that currently they are surviving, but they are in need of more money. He knows that he must court and marry "Eugenia". Even though she is attractive enough, he knows if he marries her, he will be miserable. She is not what he had pictured in a wife, but there is one woman who he could see being perfect for him. But he knows he must think of his family and their future. Augusta, finds herself falling for the man that is meant for her cousin. She knows that Ian's need is great, and that there isn't a way for them to be together. However Ian, knows if there is a way to save his family and be with Augusta, then he must find it.It has been a while since I have read this author, but I decided to start reading her again. Since I have heard many good things about this new book that recently came out, I decided to pick it up from the library. At first I had a little hard time getting into, but after a few chapters I started to get really involved with the story. I really liked seeing how the plot kept giving a twist and a turn, keeping the story alive. I found myself really enjoying Ian and Augusta. I also loved the romance that develops between the two. There was an endearing quality to it, that charmed me from the beginning. There was also a bit of a mystery and suspense element that livened things up in the story and definitely kept things interesting.I really loved how this author weaves such a beautiful and intimate story. A charming tale of romance mixed with danger and intrigue, that will come alive for any reader! A touching story that will warm your heart!

I was given a copy of Happily Ever After by Edelweiss for a review. When I saw the title, I was beyond pleased. I have just really enjoyed reading this series. I hadn't a chance to read the epilogue novella's that have come out for some of the books in the series. For me though, I had such a fun time reading this, and read it in one evening, I liked it so much. I think my favorite novella of them all would have to be from "The Duke and I". I think that novel was my favorite...I just fell in love with Daphne and Simon from the beginning. I really liked seeing more of them, and the rest of the Bridgertons. I really loved seeing a happy ending for Violet Bridgerton (the mother). I think I had always been hoping for a story for her as I read the series and we got to know her better. There was such a fun and playful aspect to these novella's, that keeps you engaged with every short story. I also liked the way this author did each novella, they were at various periods of time in their lives. It definitely kept me on my toes and unable to put it down. Such a delightful end to a fabulous and great series. I would recommend this to any lover of the Bridgerton series. A Perfect Ending!!