Whenever an author does a series of rivaling families or feuding neighbors, I always enjoy them because a reader knows that the rivals will fall in love and the generational angst will be lifted a bit - until next time.

A Wicked Game is the third book in The Ruthless Rivals, and the whole series has been delightful. A female cartographer, Harriet Montgromey, accidentally causes Captian Morgan Davies to suffer slightly at the inaccurate map, which he shouldn't have had. Mystery. Rivals. Fated Mates.

I am always down for a mystery in my historical romance. Not many authors can do it well, but Kate Bateman can. I recommend the series and this book.

I received an ARC from St. Martin's Paperbacks & NetGalley for my honest review.

A compact and concise history of how the United States impact on what led to Russia invading Ukraine. Decisions made decades ago, impacted the decision of Putin invading Ukraine. We will probably never really know why Putin did what he did, but the United States did not help in the findings along with NATO that caused this War in Ukraine.

I received an ARC from Siland Press & NetGalley for my honest review.

This marriage of convenience between a female blacksmith, Gwen Cully, and the outed-not-the-Duke scoundrel about to run out of town, Kellan Fox. Will they start liking and perhaps fall in love? Overall, it was a good story, but I couldn't believe the love story. It felt too forced, and there wasn't a spark on the page.

I received an ARC from Avon & NetGalley for my honest review.

I tend to give leeway when using Shakespeare's plots in romance novels. Either they are going to be alright or not Shakespearian at all. Dating Dr. Dil does alright with Taming of the Shrew meets Much Ado About Nothing in modern times.

It is what you expect; both don't like each other, but a media meltdown forces them to spend time together, and Aunties realize they are a perfect fit.

I received an ARC from Avon & NetGalley for my honest review.

Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch was far away until he was told he was now the next Duke of Carlyle. He comes to town and dances with his Best Friend’s Sister, Ilsa Ramsay. One impulsive kiss leads to another, and then there is a scandal that Ilsa gets involved in, and Andrew St. James can’t stop himself from getting involved and helping her regardless of his new title.

I received an ARC from Avon & NetGalley for my honest review.

A Scot Is Not Enough is the second book in the series A Scottish Treasures, about a group of Scottish women (mostly) trying to regain relics that the English have taken back to Scotland. The series has both romances and mysteries, which is always an extra step I like in a series. Not all authors can pull it off, but Gina Conkle does.

Cecelia MacDonald is trying to find and steal the sgian duhb, the ceremonial dagger taken from her clan by British soldiers during the Uprising of 1745. Alexander Sloane is very close to achieving the government post he has been working hard to get but has to find this Scottish group causing problems in London. Both meet, spar, cat and mouse games until they need to work together against a common enemy.

It was a quick read. I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from Avon & NetGalley for my honest review.

It’s the first book in the series that I have read and the most recent. It’s a solid story of a found family. I found it confusing to have so many characters and honestly couldn’t tell them apart. The Mystery was standard, and the plot didn’t change or surprise. It was a quick read, and I read it in one go. It felt too much and yet not enough at the same time.

I received an ARC from Forever & NetGalley for my honest review.

According to NetGalley, the genre of this book is Women's Fiction, and I have to agree. This book is more Comedy with Romantic bits than a Regency Romance that Suzanne Enoch is known for in the past (I miss those). There wasn't "I love you" until 98%, and a declaration that the main characters are "friends" came around 48%. There wasn't any discussion about romance other than that the main characters began to tolerate each other, which means love. Also, the dog-napping plot line that is zany took the story over and preceded any romance that appears to have happened. The story was outlandished. If one follows the two rules of Romance, that the main characters' Romance is the plot line, this doesn't have it—second, the HEA - We got "I love you," but nothing else.

I received an ARC from St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for my honest review.