Sunday

Review: As You Wish by Eloisa James

This was such a fun read! Two great stories in one package, who wouldn't love that. The two stories were first published as ebooks with their own titles but are connected together through characters from her other books and can or is apart of a series you can say.

First book story is Seduced by A Pirate
This was a short novella connecting with Eloisa's The Ugly Duchess book.
Tells the story of Sir Griffin Barry son of a Viscount returning home after 14 years at sea captaining his own ship called the Flying Poppy, named after his wife, to which he haven't seen since their first meeting at their wedding day night 14 years ago.
Phoebe on the other hand is not ready to receive a husband that ran away on their wedding night, unconsummating their marriage. But most of all how will he think coming home to a house with 3 children!?
This was a great read and was quite enjoyable, since many readers have met him in The Ugly Duchess, being cousin to hero, James Ryburn, another fellow captain who also has return home to England and wife, but that's another story to review another time. The speed on the romance was somewhat a problem because it was less than a day for them to fall in love. Although I loved Jennifer McQuiston's 24 hours romance debut book this one....I'm not sure what to make. They've been married for more than a decade so that might have been something that bothered me with the speed of their relationship, although I did really like their connection and awareness to one another. This was a great read to a character we readers wanted to know more about from another book.


The other story in this book was With This Kiss, originally a 3 serial part book. In this review I'll just summarize all 3 parts together so that it won't be so appalling?
This was the story of the children of James Ryburn and Griffin Barry falling in love. Lady Grace Ryburn, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, has fallen wildly in love with Colin Barry, a dashing young lieutenant serving his country in the Royal Navy and son to Sir Griffin Barry and Lady Phoebe Barry. Grace has been in love with Colin for years, at the age of 12 she new that her feelings and adoration towards Colin wasn't a brotherly-sisterly feeling. Her younger sister Lily on the other hand was the prettier and more outgoing one and Colin seems to like her more. As he went off to sea Grace would write him ever so often detailing the troubles or hilarious occurrences in their families. Although Colin never wrote back more than 3 lines or never at all she would still to write to him.

Colin has always felt uneasy and yet fascinated around Grace as a child even at her young age of 12 and him 16. She was quite, sweet, and proper and most of all nothing like her younger sister Lily, the Horror, everyone called her. Grace understood him and knew how he felt about the Navy and seem to always know too much about him. One evening when he return home after a couple of years at sea he laid eyes on Lily at a ball and was swept away with happiness at seeing her, secretly happy that he didn't see Grace because she knew to much about his battle scared life at sea. That same week Colin asked for Lily's hand in marriage.

Grace was devastated upon hearing the news and was told by her parents to never write to Colin again. She later accepted a gentleman's proposal for marriage and tried to move on with her life.
Upon learning that Grace would never write to him again and of her engagement, Colin was flabbergasted. Her letters were what kept him alive at sea and unharmed for so long.

I'm not going to spoil the ending but if you want to know go pick it up.
The characters were likable. They were understandable on how they play their actions. I can say I disliked Lily because how much she out shined Grace's character and you feel and understand how much Grace loves Colin. But Lily was also s great character that couldn't be left out; she was also likable because of her role in the story.
With This Kiss can basically be seen as one whole novel and it was great to have all the parts in one book together so that the story wasn't lost, or for many readers- lost interest on waiting. I can say I got teary eyed on some parts and that is a good sign of a good book for me.
All in all these two stories were amazing and hope that something like this- having two novellas in one book together happens more often. Especially for those of us who don't have ereaders to read ebook novellas but are dying too.

Review: The Scandolous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare

Miss Eliza Cade is a lady in waiting. And waiting.

Because of a foolish mistake in her youth, she's not allowed "out" in Society until her three older sisters are wed. But while she's trying to be good, she keeps bumping elbows--and, more distressingly, lips-- with notorious rake Harry Wright. Every moment she spends with him, she risks complete ruin.

The sensual passions he stirs in her are so wrong . . . but Eliza just can't resist Mr. Wright.


(Originally Published in the E-Book Anthology Three Weddings and a Murder)
 
Review:
The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright was an amazing book! I love how Ms. Dare structured this story, showing how they first met and jumping a couples of years later to them meeting up again in every chapter. It worked very well for this book since it's a novella.

The hero and heroine were very well liked. I love how Miss Eliza Cade is trying her best not to cause trouble for her parents and sisters, especially when she's a wild child who can't seem to stay out of trouble. But Mr. Wright is putting that to the challenge and she despise him for trying to ruin her at every turn, but he seems to know her so well she can't seem to shake him out of her mind.

Mr. Harry Wright on the other hand is a notorious rake who seems to cause trouble and bring out the worst in Miss Cade. Mr. Wright even enjoys tormenting her at every chance he gets but does he have other motives to want to irritate her?

This story was so much fun to read and its fast pace worked really well with how Ms. Dare structured their story. Although it was a short and fast read I truly felt like I have known these two lovers for quite some time. They were so energetic and animated that you can't help but love them. I did have some moments of dislike towards Mr. Harry Wright because he was always trying to cause trouble for Miss Eliza Cade. I really wanted Miss Cade to be good and stay out of trouble but I really liked her being truthful about herself not being all so proper. I also adore Mr. Wright because he understand who Miss Cade really is and not the all so proper lady that she plays to be and tries to show her that she can't lie to herself about it and to just be herself, which is why I really love him.

This really was a great novella to read and Ms. Dare just keeps getting me to love her characters even more.



April Hops~


Wednesday

www Wednesday

• What are you currently reading?
Not sure what to read yet...Too many books to choose from! Mostly likely this book.


• What did you recently finish reading?
It was amazing~! I couldn't put the book down even though I had school the next morning. *sighs* It was a lovely, romantic fast paced story and so want some more of them~


• What do you think you’ll read next?
Not sure neither! Books for March 26th came in and is frustrated on which books to read! Let alone the books that still need to be read from February 26th batch.

Saturday

Review: Sweet Madness by Heather Snow

In stores April 2, 2013

There’s a fine line between love and insanity. 
AN UNTAMED MIND
Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars. It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.
Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much she is drawn to him.
Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the cost.


Review:
Oh my goodness~! I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for this book to come out. It has been a long and very good wait in deed for such a great book. Although I did occupy my time with other fabulous readings in between the waiting but it has been worth it! I cannot say how much I love this book. I'm also sorry it took me so long to post up a review though. I took me some days to finish~ life got in the way you know. But here we go!

Lady Penelope Bridgeman, widowed Lady Morton, has been caring for ex-soliders in the hospital founded by her cousin Liliana, now the Countess of Stratford and her husband, in curing and easing the ex-soliders' mind back into society and help them fight their traumatic memories of the war to recovery. Now she has been called on to help her cousin by marriage, Gabriel Devereaux, Marquess of Bromwich, fight his madness and take back the reins of the Marquessate. But she cannot help but fight her own demons at the same time.

Gabriel Devereaux, Marquess of Bromwich, is mad. Or so he and others think; that is until his late cousin's wife appeared in is room at Vickering Place, a sanitarium for the higher ranks of society. He has been in love with her ever since their first dance at her wedding to his cousin. She has given him hope once, of one day finding himself a mate and moving forward with his life and away from memories of the Napoleonic war. But now who would have a madman let along one who's broken and scarred. But as he begins to heal can he also find love too?

I loved how Ms. Snow started the book with Lady Penelope's wedding in the prologue. It was such a great moment to see and catch a glimpse of the two characters together before the start of the story and see what  kind of character they possess.  But also to see their personality and see how well they fit together! I love that the story pulled me into the story in the first pages and kept me on edge even onward till the end of the book. Although I did figure out the "mystery" within a couple of chapters it was still a surprise.

I love the Hero and Heroine! They were made for each other long before they even knew it. Even though I was frustrated with Gabriel at times I understood why he felt certain ways and how hard it was for him deal with being mad in the head. How he only wanted to keep Penelope safe and away from him if his madness were to lash out. I also love that during his healing process he managed to help Pen too. No matter what happens I will still love him even if he were truly mad to the bones! Penelope I adored~ She has such a huge heart and for her to go out of her way to help ex-soldiers fight through their trauma just makes her even more of an angel, especially after the death of her husband. I loved her even more while helping Gabriel, she never faulted him or believed him to ever be mad in the head, she has always believed it to have been from battle fatigue, PTSD in our modern day. She was such a fighter that even when he had lost all hopes she fueled it back up and never gave up till, well, till she was dragged out or kicked out. But even so she will find other ways, even resorting to...well, you'll see. :)

Liliana and Stratford also made the story fabulous. It's so great to see them again and know how they're faring. They had a huge part in this story. I'll have to go back and re-read their story~ I so love them!

This was a super fabulous read and I so hope to see more of Ms. Snow's next work.

This ARC was provided by the author Heather Snow.

Kick Butt Hop


Wednesday

www Wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?



 Currently Reading: 
Sweet Madness by Heather Snow. Release date April 2, 2013. I have an ARC that I received from the author for an honest review which will be up sometime this week. Third and final book in her series. This book is really good and now I have to reread the two previous book, again!                                 
Recently Finished Reading:
The Earl in My Bed by Sophie Jordan. A novella and part of her Forgotten Princesses series. It was a great short read although I wanted it to be longer.








Reading Next:  I have to many great books to choose from but these are the ones at the top of the pile.


 

Waiting on Wednesday


Release July 2, 2013

Matson Brentwood has finally met the woman of his dreams. The lovely, red-haired Sophia Hart heats his blood like no other lady. There's just one problem—she is the ward of the man he's sworn to hate.
Newly arrived in London, Miss Sophia Hart is looking for a husband-for herself and for her spinster aunt who has decided she wants a man. When her search lands her in front of Matson Brentwood she wants nothing more than to give in to his maddening charms. But she must deny her love for him and pay her debt to her father for costing him the love of his life. Was their love doomed from the start, or can Sophia and Matson find a way to be together?

Sunday

Sneak Peek Sunday

Sweet Madness, (Veiled Seduction #3)
Coming April 2, 2013

Exceprt:

Ah, Christ. Gabriel scrubbed his hands over his face, wishing he could hide behind his palms forever. Or at least until she gave up and went home.

But he couldn’t. He dropped his hands and strove for a calming breath. But it quickly turned into a snort of grim amusement. After years of imagining it, he’d finally had Penelope in his arms—with one of them in the buff, no less—and he couldn’t even remember it. That might be the cruelest part of all of this.

The irreverent thought brought huffs of laughter. Not the joyful kind, but the near silent kind that takes over when one is faced with a situation where one must either laugh or cry.

Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday~

Recently I ordered and pre-order multiple books which will arrive next week. I cannot wait for them! Much to my disappointment in my wallet and on my bookshelf but I couldn't help it. I still have a bunch of books pile upon my drawer that haven't been read yet, and sadly these coming books will soon join them. Hopefully this week and weekend I'll have time to do some reading and move them to the read pile.


Monday

Review: Surprising Lord Jack by Sally MacKenzie

Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…

Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!



Review~ 

This was my first book from Sally MacKenzie and I would say it was a good first read. From the blurb I found it very intriguing and I love it when the heroines masquerades in breeches and cravats. From the first couple of pages I was already hook and excited about how the story was going to develop and it was also already picking up pace.
The characters were well developed and were very likable but then I just couldn't stand them towards the end. Mostly the heroine, Miss Frances Hadley. She was bold, headstrong, and judgmental. I liked her at first but then she kept on degrading and disregarding Jack Valentine's character. It was a never ending repetition of her thoughts of him being a Rake and a not good for anything because of all the gossip of him in the gossip columns. And then towards the end her ill thoughts of him just magically disappeared. Argh I really didn't like Miss Hadley that much anymore, how could she just automatically say loved him after all that snickering? She was an interesting character though.
Jack Valentine on the other hand I adore~ He is everything you would want in a man. For me that is. He did everything he can to help and be as patient as he could with Miss Hadley even though he knew she disliked him. He was not a Rake but was just playing the part being the thrid son of a Duke and all, he has to keep up on image right? Oh and he helped those in need, mostly fallen women and abandon children. Who wouldn't love him!
At the end of the story though, I felt like everything was rushed for them to be together and be in love. It was a clif hanger! It didn't end the way I wanted it to. We'll have to see how their relationship progress in the next book with eldest brother and heir Ash's story. I'm kind of afraid to read her first book in the series for Ned's story because of how he's portrayed in this book but all in all it was a great first read from Ms. MacKenzie.  

Saturday

Review: What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston

Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it’s easy to understand why she panics and flees. 
Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable. But is it enough?


This is Jennifer's debut book and it was excellent~! I really enjoyed how the story took place within a 24 hours basis. Which is very different from many of the other romance books I've read. I understand why some readers didn't like it so much but as for me, I didn't have any problems with it. I loved it~

I loved our heroes Lady Georgette Thorold and Lord James MacKenzie! They encounter some very funny situations and made me laugh at every turn while they were on the hunt for each other, and for their lost memories of the past night. The villagers of the little town of Moraig were also a part of what made this book great. They add for a very entertaining and hilarious village and makes me want to be apart of it. 

Did I mention that James has a beard? Well yes, he does. He sports a very robust beard that, apparently every Scotsman wore which I keep forgetting and always comes to a surprise to me when ever it is mention. So every time I felt frustrated at him I wanted to shave it off.

There was rarely any problems for me in her debut book, although throughout the whole story the two characters don't meet until the middle of the book. Maybe 1/3 into the book, I don't remember but yeah, it's not for awhile. They also didn't admit that they liked each other till way past the half point, although there was an attraction lingering in the mist. There also wasn't any love scenes till the very end of the book if anyone was wondering. This didn't bother me but it made me want more and felt like the ending was rushed and could have been better.

I think this being Jennifer's debut book it was great. She has a great talent in telling their story and its fast pace made it impossible for me to even put the book down to eat! I can't wait to read more from her.

Tuesday

~Teaser Tuesday~


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston

Georgette realized then the maid had misunderstood her. She didn't want a physical description of the man. She had enough of that from her morning's experience. She new the man was sinfully attractive, had felt that quickening response in her own body as those green eyes had swept her appreciatively. She did not need to hear from Elsie the man had a way of making woman act like love-struck adolescents.
No, she wanted to know what made James MacKenzie's heart race and palms sweat, not the color of his eyes. 
 ~

I have another teaser excerpt over at my other blog if you wanted to check it out too. :)

Sunday

Wildish celebration


Click on the picture
 and it'll take you to the site for your chance to win a copy~
Read the quotes there too and vote for your favorite <3