I wanna lock you there,” I whispered, scared to death but sharing it all, hiding nothing, giving him everything, fighting the hitch in my voice that my tears were threatening. “Lock you up tight inside me, babe, and never let you out.

“I remember everything about you and I remember all the reasons why I loved you. Never could forget even when I tried.” I sucked in breath, unprepared for this stealth attack, while he went on. “Who knows, baby? We had all that time together, I coulda got used to it, learned to take it for granted.” His arms gave me a squeeze. “Now, that’ll never happen.”

Since I was three, there’s never been a day when I wasn’t in love with you.

Devlin Ryland has recently returned from war and he is claimed to be a war hero from his action at Waterloo. However Devlin is tormented by what he had to do being a military man, and having spent ten years in the Military. He then heads to the countryside estate of his friend, Miles and Carney. Where he comes to face to face with Mile's younger sister, Lady Blythe Christian. Devlin is immediately drawn to the beautiful Blythe, who sets his paces racing. Lady Blythe however doesn't feel the same. Devlin saved her ex fiancee and which then led to Blythe being jilted, heartbroken, and scandalized. Blythe doesn't want to feel anything for this handsome war hero Devlin, however her heart and body has different ideas than her logic dictates. At the same time, Blythe is also faced with her ex fiancee whom she at one time had loved and she had thought he loved her. But he fell in love with his wife, and so Blythe against her better judgment becoming friends with his wife Tessa. Will wonders ever cease? Well will these two destined lovers find a happiness that they both deserve?


I truly loved this one, this is the second one in the Ryland Brother series that I have read. I really was endeared by Devlin and Blythe's story. Devlin is a very tormented man that needs more than anything a woman that loves him. He has nightmares and his closest companion that keeps him safe is his rifle. This experience he starts having with Blythe is utterly new to him, he finds himself falling for her without even fully realizing it. Blythe has been hurt in the past, and endeavors to guard her heart to make sure that doesn't happen again. Blythe finds her hearts barriers down with each moment that she spends with Devlins. As their relationship grows so does their sensual desire for one another. It becomes a whirlwind of desire, love and learning to trust one's heart. I have to say I have very few complaints with this one, It was a romantic read, that had my head spinning, the characters were well portrayed as well as the surroundings of the book. It really drew me in, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen between Blythe and Devlin and it was a great adventure to see their relationship progress into something real.

When I started to read For The Earl's Pleasure, I expected it to be more like the previous book that I had read....boy was I wrong, I definitely was in for a surprise. It starts out with Valerian and Abigail getting into quite a few intense verbal sparring matches, that I definitely found amusing. But then one eveing Valerian gets attacks and starts to appear to Abigail as a ghost. So at first I was a bit confused, because I honestly didn't expect any paranormal aspect to this book. But I found it to be a exciting element that was added to the book. I really liked seeing these two overcome their differences and finally be honest with each other. I really liked the dangerous element that was added to it, and I just loved how this is was a paranormal Historical Romance....doesn't happen very often, in fact its rare, and I thought Mallory did very well it putting it together in a way that draws the reader in completely and I found myself completely enthralled by the story, the characters, the suspenseful plot, and the sizzling chemistry that just about explodes. I will admit though I had a hard time getting into it with the first chapter or two, but I am surely relieved I stuck with it, because I would have missed out on a fabulously written story. So if you want a sizzling romance that will continually delight and surprise you, then this one is for you!!! You won't regret it!! :)

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.

*May Contain Spolers*

For The Duke's Eyes Only is the second book in the latest series by Lenora Bell. Here we have a story that features a second chance romance, some adventure, secrets and danger and some laughs. I will admit that I was a bit nervous in reading this book here. I really wanted to like this a ton, and I will admit I did get a kick out of this story in many ways. But unfortunately it wasn't a five star read like I was hoping for....but does that mean it was a bad book? HELL NO...it was REALLY good, just a couple things that brought the rating down a notch.

Our story begins with our heroine, India Rochester, digging in the ground with her friend Daniel, who is also her betrothed. They are the best of friends, looking for treasures, plans on having adventures around the world together and finding lost treasure and artifacts of all kinds. But then Daniel receives word that his father has been killed and a traitor to the country and must go to a special school in Scotland. At first Daniel and India write to each other for a while but then Daniel betrays India in the worst of ways, closing off her heart to him completely and now its been fifteen years since they were children playing and running free.

Lady India, is a Archaeologist and very passionate about her career. She has traveled all over on her digs and adventures and is planning a big one set for Egypt. And she is more than ready. But while in London, she poses as a man and infiltrates a male secret society for ancient artificats since women are forbidden to be part of it. And while out exploring, she stumbles across what is supposed to be the Rosetta Stone...only she knows that its a fake and Daniel of all people find her and now his boss wants her to accompany him on a mission to France to find the real one which has been stolen.

Daniel has been working as a spy for many years, ever since his father's death and being claimed a traitor, he knew his father was set up and wanted to clear his name. So he went through a brutal training when he was young, which forced him to give up everything and everyone he ever cared about including Indy. He has never stopped loving her, but he has to keep an emotional distance, because working as a spy....emotion can be the death of you. But he can't tell what he does for a living, but he has to keep Indy out of danger and tries to but he also understands her more than anyone else does. He understands her passion and zest. Will they find the theif of the stone....and will they find their happy ever after despite the past mistakes made?

He knew how to make her laugh. He knew how to wound her. He was her one and only weakness. He always had been.

I simply adored this book quite a bit, it was a delight in many ways. The first beginning scene, you truly feel the connection that Indy and Daniel have with each other even as children. They both have the same passion for knowledge and ancient artifacts and have their own dreams of their version of their future. But the life gets in the ways and they become enemies over the years. And now they will have to work together to solve a great mystery and bring a criminal to justice and hopefully prevent a war between England and France.

I love you because...I always have. And I always will.

The bantering between the couple was simply fantastic, and I had a blast with these two. They were so entertaining and I loved how quick-witted they both are and they really understand each other in certain ways that even they don't even fully realize. Daniel wants to protect Indy because he knows the dangers of this type of work....he almost died a year before from this work and is just trying to prove himself to his boss so he can be out in the field again. But Indy is determined to get this mission done, even though she doesn't know everything that is really going on. She is kept in the dark at times so I understood why she could be a bit ....DRAMATIC....alright they are both dramatic in different ways. I expected this since we do see some dramatics in the first book "What A Difference A Duke Makes" --book one of the School For Dukes series. I did feel that Indy could be a bit naive at times and just wanted to go head first into this mission without thinking things through. But she has such a interesting personality that fascinates the reader that surprisingly this element didn't bother me so BRAVO to Lenora Bell to creating a heroine that I normally don't care for and found myself wanting to be friends with this independent lady who is unconventional and true to herself.

I had no problems with the hero, I could see things from his point of view and why he acts the way he does. We don't see what he goes through in his brutal training that he received, but I can just imagine how bad it must have been. And we also see what a close bond he has with his CO...who lost his family because of the job so we see that he doesn't want to lose Indy because of his choice to clear his father's name and do something bigger than himself...to make a difference and make the world a bit safer. He sacrfices quite a bit and I know that he may seem overbearing at times, but you also see that he does it out of concern for Indy. He has seen quite a bit evil in the world so I can see why the fear does get to him at times.

The flow of the story was a bit slow at times especially in the middle, but I can guarantee that the beginning and ending are very fast paced but at times the pace slows and so I had to keep with it at times. I am not sure if it was due to a bit of frustration with some of antics by Indy or if the plot just slows a bit. I also found that there are some unresolved issues in this book like for example

Spoiler

Daniel never finds the information he needs to clear his fathers name and I was really hoping that would happen in this book so maybe it will happen in a future book but this was quite a let down

Overall I found For The Duke's Eyes Only to be a laugh out loud, curl your toes and excite your senses love tale....it has adventure, wit, intrigue and some smexy times to sigh over....PURE DELIGHT!!







 

For the Love of Magic is the fifth in Chapman's most recent series, and is tied with Mac's story. For the love of magic, is about Mac and Carolina's parents, Titus and Rana. When I first started reading this series, I fell in love with this family from the beginning, especially Titus and Rana. Such a unique couple. Having been married for forty years, their marriage has had their ups and downs, but their love has never faltered. Until one day Rana tells Titus she needs some space and buys herself a shack of a cabin. Titus has no idea what to think of his wife, in his mind he thought they were doing great, and with all of his power and ability never saw this coming. So not having a clue as to what is wrong, is determined to make things right, so he begins to court her. Rana has her own personal reasons for leaving Titus but her love for him has never faltered. Admidst the turmoil of their courting a new danger of demons that are after Titus may threaten everything they have built.

I found this story to be charming and witty and wickedly fun. Not too much sensuality in this story, but I found that to be a plus in this story. I felt like it was a sweet and story about a couple that have been married and in love for quite some time, and the reader gets a chance to see more of this couple than you have in the previous books. I really enjoyed getting to see how these two met, and seeing a bit of their past. It was also fun to see some Mackeages and of course Mac, Caroline (Jane), and Nicholas. I found that I was a bit confused on a couple of things, but after reading it all I think it was meant to be that way, keep you on your toes. Definitely has the same zest and passion and witty repatoire that you come to love with this author. In love with every moment, and could hardly put it down.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Summary

Rhine Fontaine left the south to find success and fulfill his dreams and had to pass for white which he was able to do because of his mixed heritage. And with Rhine choosing a bride of the best connections, he doesn't believe that he is missing out on anything. Until he meets beautiful and passionate Eddy Carmichael.  A woman he discovered abandoned in the desert heat, and saved her life. Rhine is intrigued by Eddy and he finds himself torn between the attraction he feels for Eddy and his responsibilities. But Rhine also is forced to face what he can truly live with and if keeping himself as "white" is the best thing for him when he is denying a part of himself. Eddy wants a better life, to have her own place of work, to be independent. She barely makes it from Colorado to Arizona alive, and even though its not her desired destination she can't find it in herself to leave quite yet. She also discovers a man tempts her but he is also a man that could break her heart if she lets him get too close...

The Hero

Rhine Fontaine grew up as a slave. His father was white and the master of the plantation and his mother was one of his fathers slaves. He is the descendant of a great african queen. But as soon as he could, he left the south as a free man and even though he is still searching for his sister Sable, he wants to make his own way and life. Rhine hides his true self from many in the world, no one knows that he is really black and was once a slave. It has allowed him many opportunities but it has also taken something away from him. Rhine is our hero of the story and there is much to love and admire about him. He takes what he can and makes his own way in life. I loved his determination and his drive. There is quite a many facets to his character, and you see more hidden depths to him in each page. I loved discovering more about him and the way he grows in different ways.

The Heroine

Eddy Carmichael is a talented cook, and even though she lost her parents at a young age. She has a sister who sells her body for money and has two girls that Eddy adores but she knows that she needs to take the chance to start her own restaurant in California. Eddy is our heroine and she is such a great match for our hero Rhine. She is opinionated, strong willed and has her own dreams she is determined to make come true. Eddy is smart and sassy and she is very well rounded. You can easily get behind her. I was really impressed in the way that she handled Rhine and even some of the other men she associates with. She keeps them on their toes and you have to admire that.

Plot and Story Line

Forbidden is a first book of a new series by Beverly Jenkins, and to be honest I am an idiot in waiting so long to read this one. I have no idea why I waited but I finally got my hands on this one and I am so glad that I was able to and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. As typical with any Beverly Jenkins romance, I was hooked from the start. We set off at the beginning of Rhine's journey. Before he makes his trek west, while he looks for his sister which he has no luck there. Even from the beginning here, we see his drive and determination to make a better life for himself. Then we skip ahead some years where Rhine has been posing as a white man. It allows him quite a bit of freedom and great opportunities. Then we learn more about our heroine. I love how wise Eddy is in so many little ways. She is talented, and smart but she is also kind hearted. We see how close she is to her nieces that she is forced to leave behind. Then we see how she gets taken advantage of with her money stolen, and almost raped and left in the desert to die. She is rescued by Rhine and his business part and friend Jim. Rhine and Eddy become quite close as she starts to recover from almost dying. Even though Rhine is engaged, we see from the beginning that its purely a marriage of convenience and his fiancee is a bit cookoo. I didn't like her at all so I couldn't understand why Rhine could engage himself to such a woman. What I liked about this book was the romance and how real these characters felt. Each characters that comes into play just wraps their way around you like a warm blanket. The actual romance between Rhine and Eddy was full of struggles and also personal growths that bring them closer in the end. The banter between these two is prime and golden and you just can't get enough of it. Their interactions were quite charming. The chemistry is a mixture of innocence and yet sensually explicit. Only Beverly Jenkins can pack a punch like this one and make you fall in love along the way. I can't wait for book two.

The Cover

What a gorgeous cover, I just love the PINK!!! And the pose between them is such a "teasing yet one full of longing" and portrays their story so wel.

Overall View

Forbidden is a fantastically written romance that takes you to the old west, a journey of self discovery, sizzling chemistry, packed with history, a diverse and a breathtaking love story!!!

Click To Buy On Amazon

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Amber is known as the "Forbidden". Amber is one of the 'Learned", and there is a prophecy that if Amber ever gives the three parts of her self; Body, Heart and soul, then death will be in her future. Amber has always been well protected, and if she ever touches another, it gives her pain, as she can sense emotions by touch. Then one day, a man who has lost all of his memory, a wounded warrior, enters her life, and as she brings him back to health, an unbreakable bond forms between Duncan and Amber. From their first meeting, a desire builds between the couple. Amber knows her future, and as Duncan's memories start to slowly surface, she knows that soon the love he has for her will fade and turn into anger, but will her love be strong enough to survive what has been foretold?

Forbidden is the second book in the Medieval trilogy, and the last book that I needed to read to complete the series. Since I had read the last book first, I had been waiting for Duncan and Ambers story for a while, and I was thrilled to finally be able to read it, and learn more about this couple. Forbidden is quite a intense ride of a romance. It is set in the medieval time period, and Forbidden has quite a bit of a fantasy/paranormal element that is thrown into the mix. The heroine has the ability to feel the emotions of anyone she touches, and the majority of the time, she feels intense pain. She has always known of her future, and has been labeled as the "Forbidden", so that all would know that she couldn't be touched. But when she meets Duncan, who is injured with no memory, his touch calms and soothes her, makes her feel pleasure, and for the first time in her life she feels no pain. You see the bond that develops between Duncan and Amber, and its very emotional and romantic at times.

The characters are quite good together. Duncan is a skilled and powerful warrior, and the enemy to Amber and her people. Then he is found in a sacred place, where he is practically nude, with no memory of who he is. Even without his memory, the reader sees the evidence of his strength and even possessiveness and signs of the "Alpha Male" is very present, although not as strong as you would expect. Amber is quite strong heroine, way more strong than you expect her to be from the beginning. She has the type of personality as a "fighter", it may not be with weapons, but she fights with everything she has at her disposal and never gives up on Duncan, even at times when he almost betrays the love they share. Duncan and Amber are quite explosive together. The secondary characters were fun as well, and I enjoyed seeing Dominic and Meg and some other side characters involved in the story as well. They added a unique characteristic to the story.

Overall a powerfully written medieval romance that pulled at my heartstrings from the beginning. I was cheering all the way for this couple, there was such a endearing quality to Duncan and Amber. A beyond memorable story that is packed full of intrigue, passion and intensity. OUTSTANDING!