Eleven Scandals To Start To Win A Duke’s Heart

SHE LIVES FOR PASSION

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips… and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

HE SWEARS BY REPUTATION

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening — risking everything he holds dear — he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

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Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart was a really good read. I enjoy stories where you actually get to “see” the main character or characters change throughout the telling and Sarah MacLean’s Eleven Scandals was one sort of story. Watching ‘His Grace’ stumble into falling in love with Juliana — and then realize that was exactly what had happened — was nothing short of fun. :)

Loved the ending, too. How many men today do you know who would do such a thing? Right. My thoughts exactly, so it’s cool to read about a manly kind of man who WILL do it, no matter what anyone thinks. ;)

This book rates as: RECOMMENDED.

A Tale Of Two Lovers

HE IS NOTORIOUS.

Lord Simon Roxbury is a godsend to gossip columnists everywhere. This notorious rake has recently been caught in an extremely compromising position by none other than The London Weekly’s Lady Of Distinction. Rumor also has it that Lord R received an ultimatum: be wed or be penniless.

SHE IS SCANDALOUS.

As A Lady Of Distinction, Lady Julianna Somerset typically reports on other people’s scandals, but soon she finds herself embroiled in a very public battlewith an irate Lord Roxbury — one that leaves her reputation in tatters and her position at The Weekly on the line.

TOGETHER THEY’RE … RESPECTABLE?

With no other choice available, these two enemies unite in a marriage of convenience to rescue both their reputations and secure his fortune. With their rivals intent on revealing the charade, Lady Julianna and Lord Simon inevitable surrender to temptation. It may just be a love match after all …

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Definitely NOT Another Bridgerton/Lady Whistledown Wannabe Story — I am happy to report, although I also must admit that was my greatest fear when I cracked the cover on A Tale Of Two Lovers.

Simon and Juliana’s love story is a wonderfully fun read filled with verbal spars to whet the wit-petite of any reader who thoroughly enjoys conversational battles as much as I do — when they’re done correctly. Maya Rodale does it right. Watching Lord and Lady Roxbury fall in love was great fun and heartwarmingly entertaining.

My one regret was Lady Somerset’s previous marriage. Though a previous marriage with a now-dead husband makes “this” romance perfectly acceptable, it would have been infinitely better (to me) if Lord Roxbury hadn’t been pitted against a dead husband whose presence really could have been left out of the story entirely – without causing the plot to fail, or even stumble, in my opinion. In any case …

This book is rated: RECOMMENDED

Claimed By The Highlander

This book is on my “to be read” list. Check back for updates.

From the bestselling storyteller Julianne MacLean comes the passionate saga of three Highland warriors sworn to fight for freedom, honor — and the women they love …

NIGHT OF CONQUEST

With his tawny mane, battle-hewn brawn, and ferocious roar, Angus “The Lion” MacDonald is the most fearsome warrior Lady Gwendolen has ever seen — and she is his most glorious conquest. Captured in a surprise attack on her father’s castle, Gwendolen is now forced to share her bed with the man who defeated her clan. But, in spite of Angus’s overpowering charms, she refuses to surrender  her innocence without a fight…

PRISONER OF PASSION

With her stunning beauty, bold defiance, and brazen smile, Gwendolen is the most infuriating woman Angus has ever known — and the most intoxicating. Forcing her to become his bride will unite their two clans. But conquering Gwendolen’s heart will take all his skills as a lover. Night after night, his touch sets her on fire. Kiss after kiss, his hunger fuels her passion. But, as Gwendolen’s body betrays her growing love for Angus, a secret enemy plots to betray them both …

Update coming soon…

A Borrowed Scot

This book is on my “to be read” list. Check back for updates!

WHO IS MONTGOMERY FAIRFAX?

Though she possesses remarkable talents and astonishing insight, Veronica MacLeod knows nothing about the man who appears from nowhere to prevent her from committing the most foolish and desperate act of her life. Recently named Lord Fairfax of Doncaster Hall, the breathtaking, secretive stranger agrees to perform the one act of kindness that can rescue the Scottish beauty from scandal and disgrace — by taking Veronica as his bride.

Journeying with Montgomery Fairfax to his magnificent estate in the Highlands, Veronica knows deep in her heart that this is a man she can truly love — a noble soul, a caring and passionate lover whose touch awakens feelings she’s never before known. Yet there are ghosts in Montgomery’s shuttered past that haunt him still. Unless Veronica can somehow unlock the enigma that is her new husband, their powerful passion could be undone by the sins and sorrows of yesterday.

Update coming soon …

My Irresistible Earl

This book is on my “to be read” list. Check back for updates!

The Inferno Club: In public, this scandalous society of London aristocrats is notorious for pursuing all manner of debauchery. But in private, they are warriors who would do anything to protect king and country…

Once, she had vowerd to marry the Earl of Falconridge. Now, she vows to forget him. after he abandoned her for a life shrouded in secrets, Mara, Lady Pierson, has succeeded in keeping him away, until he appears in London unexpectedly, making her fall in love all over again.

Forced back into Mara’s life by duty, the earl quickly stays for love. He has never forgotten this passionate beauty and never meant to break her heart. But their newfound happiness is endangered — because the Inferno Club demands much of its members, and his vital mission is exposing a deadly plot that could threaten their very lives …

Update coming soon …

Scandal Of The Year

The Crompton sisters have a knack for falling in love with the most unlikely bachelors in Olivia Drake’s “enticing series…that readers will adore” (Romantic Times BOOKreviews).

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE

The youngest of the Crompton heiresses, Blythe yearns to marry into the aristocracy to bolster her family’s place in society. the widowed Duke of Savoy seems to be the perfect choice, yet it’s another man who sets her heart to pounding: the new footman, James. He’s devilishly handsome and far more fascinating than any of her noble suitors. And he alone has the power to stir her romantic dreams.

AN UNDENIABLE PASSION

Little does she know, however, James Ryding is the true heir to the Crompton fortune. He’s posing as a servant in order to find evidence to prove her parents are imposters. By charming Blythe, he hopes to use her to regain his rightful inheritance. But as heat flares between then, he realizes that fulfilling his quest will mean ruining the beautiful, spirited woman who has captured his heart.

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Well, I’ve done a lot of reading today, and Scandal of the Year was almost better than good. Almost, but not quite. Potential was there, yes, but the story didn’t quite pull it off. I wanted my emotions to be tugged. I wanted … well, nevermind what I expected. The story is well-written, and enjoyable. But didn’t quite do what I needed it to do, for me, to raise it above “just good.” That’s why…

This book is rated: AVERAGE

One Night Is Never Enough

From the first glimpse he knew he must have her — even if only for a single night…

Powerful, ruthless, seductive — the lord of London’s underworld — Roman Merrick gets anything he wants…and he burns for Charlotte Chatsworth, a polished jewel in the glittering ton. So he engages her debt-ridden gambler father in a game of chance, wagering ten thousand pounds against one night with the man’s exquisite daughter. And Roman Merrick never loses.

But one night is never enough…

Charlotte is devastated to learn that her reprobate father has lost her in a card game to the most dangerous man she’s ever met. With the threat of ruin behind every corner, Charlotte embarks upon a perilous path with the man she cannot forget. But in truth, it’s Roman who has everything to lose — for a game undertaken for pleasure alone soon has him gambling his heart. And love and passion unleashed could bring his great, dark empire tumbling down …

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Such an engaging tale! I sat down to read One Night Is Never Enough with only mild expectations, and was pleasantly surprised by the depth of story here. Yes, I enjoyed Roman and Charlotte’s story very much — but there are questions yet to be answered, and I’m hoping to find out more in Andreas’s story — coming soon.

What part of the story did I particularly enjoy? The mental exercises between hero and heroine — a lengthy seduction played out through a pleasing series of intrigue and surprise. Fun stuff for me. :)

I liked how Roman did his romancing. But I also enjoyed the verbal spars (which left me wondering and wanting to know more) between Roman and his “brother,” Andreas. Hmmm. I can’t wait to read more.

This book is rated: RECOMMENDED

To Desire A Wicked Duke

Passion ignites in Nicole Jordan’s delectable, dazzling conclusion to The Courtship Wars!

Two years after losing her beloved fiance to war, Tess Blanchard feels ready to chance love again. Thus she’s aghast when a threatening scandal forces her to wed her longtime nemesis, Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham. The impossibly arrogant, irresistibly seductive nobleman is the last man Tess could ever imagine loving. Making matters worse, she discovers secrets in Rotham’s wicked past that send her fleeing London for his remote castle in Cornwall.

Having long desired Tess, Ian is exasperated that the ton thinks he’s driven his reluctant new bride from their marriage bed and follows hard on her heels. Naturally, their spirited rivalry leads to glorious, pleasure-filled nights — complicated by a mysterious ghost who haunts Ian’s castle and Tess’s vexing insistence that he play matchmaker to her friends. But can blazing desire between two warring hearts turn into wedded bliss and timeless love?

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Hmmm. I found during reading this book that, while the story reads at a fast pace, the “story” moved far too slow for my taste. But then, I am a jaded reader. You may find your reaction to be different.

Further, there seems to be too much sex, and not enough story here. Maybe it’s just me, but I kept waiting for the story to build in emotional substance and was left wanting. Still, a quick and somewhat enjoyable read.

This book is rated: AVERAGE