Valentines From Bath: A Bluestocking Belles collection by Bluestocking Belles, Jessica Cale, Sherry Ewing, Jude Knight, Amy Quinton, Caroline Warfield

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There are five short stories and each one is well written. They all converge in one way or another in the Assemblies Room for the Valentine's Ball. I liked the Beast Next Door the best. Charis and Eric are delightful and goes to show that it is better to listen then assume. Each story revolves around a couple who ends up at the Valentine's Ball. The second best story is Candles in the Dark about the candle maker and the lady he finds rejected by society. This story shows the under side of the Assemblies Room and the heart of a genuinely kind man. The Earl Takes a Wife was a little awkward for me, but I can see where a memory of a kiss could turn into more. The problem I saw with this story was the total anger Adrian burned with for nine weeks. Supposedly, he loved Celia, but wouldn't even discuss the situation with his sister or Celia. Was he really going to stay mad for the rest of his life? Beauty and the Bounder steps outside the bounds of propriety, and makes for a smile and a head shaking ending. The Umbrella Chronicles is funny and I think I snorted once. My problem with this that the author never does tell us what John is going to do now that he has given up his fellowship for Emma. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Outcast: Books 1 - 6 by Emilia Hartley

I enjoyed each of these stories. The author has a thing for pain filled men and letting the villain get away to come back and play another day. These stories follow from one to the other and the characters are all messed up. Things may not ever be perfect, but at least they will have each other.

Season of Brides: Regency Romance Collection by Joyce Alec

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These four books are each a good standalone and are delightful. Each couple has their own problems and how they deal with them. I enjoyed each set of couples characters and how they dealt with their problems.

Texas Lonely: The Gallaghers of Morning Star Book 2

This is the second book in the story I have listened to and I love each of these brothers. Both of these brothers carry so much pain and Mitch was forced from his home at the age of sixteen. The granddaughter of the man who owned the cabin that Mitch now lives in shows up with her son and is running from something. Mitch takes care of the her and her son and actually opens his heart to these two people. The suspense and the emotions expressed by the reader keep you listening and involved in the story.

Cowboys & Debutantes Historical: The Complete Series (Cowboys & Debutantes: Historical) by Vivi Holt

Della, Hattie and Pearl will delight you, but each book is a standalone and no character appears in the other books except through the mail when the girls write to each other. I'm not sure I would happily forgive my parents for selling me off as an mail order bride without my permission. The parents only got one of the men right and that took some time on Della's part to come to love and accept her groom.The other two don't even marry the man their parents set them up with and we thank the Lord in heaven for Hattie could never live with an outlaw. Pearl falls in love with the brother of the man who sent for her. Unfortunately, I feel the author did the man an extreme injustice when the man clearly had OCD. Pearl wrote him off because he didn't measure up to her expectations and she gave him no chance at all. I think Pearl was the most shallow of all the sisters. Wyatt, the brother, took every advantage to pull Pearl's attention and any affection she might have developed for his brother away, because he really wanted her.

The Secret Plan for a Lady's Liberation by Abigail Agar

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐
I found this story enchanting, but there are moments that are quite unbelievable. How Lord Conrad dealt with things was strange and made for completely awkward moments. Charlotte was so self absorbed with her situation that she couldn't understand that if she gave Lord Conrad her heart to him her parents would probably relent from the forced marriage to Lord Felton. They really only wanted an heir to their title. What I don't understand is why parents have to be written to be the bad guys in these type of novels? I read the extended epilogue for the novel and it's really just your basic happily ever after with everyone getting what they want, except the bad guy, Lord Felton. This is not one of Abigails Agar's best works.

Lady of Fortune by Ellie St. Clair

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is unusual and well written. Julia is an independent woman and knows her own heart. She is adventurous and daring. Her heart belongs to the her former groom and trainer, now a jockey on the Newmarket circuit. This story has a few surprises around a few corners and a Duke that you think is courting her.

Whirlwind with a Wolfe by Emily E. K. Murdoch

This little Regency romance is most seductive that I've seen Emily Murdoch write. Both of these characters grab you and draw you in. This little tale condones kidnapping women, because there is no repercussions for De Wolfe kidnapping their maid by mistake, intending it to be the daughter of the house. This goes to show what the nobility of England can get away with and ruin a woman with reduced circumstances. I liked the interaction of the main characters until the end of the story. It showed that De Wolfe really had no honor and made me dislike him intensely, even after he came to his senses.

Mated to the Bear: A Paranormal Romance (Bear Caves Book 1) by Mia Wolf

Talk about insane and dangerous, Jessica moves in with someone she met online and has only talked to over the phone. What she gets is a whole lot of crazy. All through this story, I just kept shaking my head and thinking she deserves to get mauled by a bear for her stupidity. I liked the characters of this story, but the plot leaves something to be desired. This sleuth is really messed up and how do regular people not know about these house caves?

A Mountain Worth Moving by Amanda Mason

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is emotionally intense and very moving. It shows how God can ease our burdens and move the mountain in front of us. It doesn't happen overnight and requires trust and faith in the Christian believer. This story expresses all of these things and aligns with scripture. It shows how well or badly we deal with things. I believe Jill was the catalyst in this family's life to begin healing. Because of who she was in Christ, each family member received a blessing from Jill to begin their healing. I also think that the relationship between John and Jill needed to be better established before the problems arose, so that the deep love they developed for each other makes the ending more realistic. Although the mountain is still among them, it has been moved to ease the burden and begin the journey towards peace and reconciliation. This story is well worth reading and shows how you can overcome your own mountain.

Accidental Valentine by Ellie Danes

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I usually don't read these types of books, but somehow I am on Ellie Danes ARC team. This story is really funny and lighthearted. Who would guess that a romance model and a florist would be alone on Valentine's Day? These are two unlikely people ever to meet, but who am I to nay say Cupid?

The Gazette's Fake Fiancés: A Clean Contemporary Box Set by Emma Evans

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Each of these stories can be read on their own, but together they are a delightful mix of strange bedfellows. The characters are wonderful but strange. There is not a man in the world like John who appears in all the books. He puts the practice of happy wife, happy life to every minute of his day. These stories will make you laugh and remember life doesn't have to be dull.

The Secret Life of the Elusive Governess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Hanna Hamilton

I'm torn between two people who accidentally fall in love and a marriage being torn apart. It is also shows the horrible reality of what could happen in a marriage of convenience. Although, they never actually commit adultery, the duke has it in his heart. I am grateful that the author took the time to give the characters some moral compass. It also shows the horrible crime that was committed against the Duke at the beginning of his marriage. Yes, the governess may have a secret that puts the Duke's children's governess's life on the line, but the secret of his wife and father-in-law's betrayal is worse.

Bears in Blue Shifter Romance Box Set by Mia Taylor

I liked the stories, but they are for me just an afternoon delight. There are a lot mistakes in the third book confusing Rhett for Rand and then the fourth book corrects that mistake. Overall, they are just okay and just stories to pass some time.

The Long Return (Returned Lords of Grosvenor Square, Book 2) by Rose Pearson

I loved this story and I love Arabella. Arabella is an example of a strong woman who know her own mind, even when tragedy strikes and dealing with an overbearing mother. I found Jacob to be weak in character. This story shows that Jacob can only stand up for himself with Arabella at his side. She makes him the man he needs to be, especially with his new role as Duke, heir apparent.

Once a Wallflower Always a Wallflower by Samantha Holt

This story is delightful as the first two books in this series. We find the reason why Minerva is always stuck in books, and why she can't even manage going to a ball. This story is about overcoming fear and finding the courage to live life. Meeting Lachlan when her maid falls sick on the way to complete her grandfather's task brings her into a new world of thought, and changing the way she lives her life.

The Dastardly Duke (Love in Disguise #2) by Eileen Putman

The author tries to keep this story light, but there are many dark aspects to this story. It is also very informative on the horrible procedures used on the deaf to try and cure them. Hannah has lived with her deafness very well for three years, but yearns to hear again. The Duke of Claridge has held the hate and anguish of his past inside him and the fear he was born on the wrong side of the blanket. It's turned him dark and ugly. I love the way the two come together and find the light that is hiding inside themselves. Soon, we find the duke isn't so dastardly.

Must Love Moo (The Alaska Sunrise Romances #6) by Melissa Storm

This is a light story with a lot of humor. Between the cow, the football player and a woman desperate to keep her ranch, this happily ever after will lighten your spirit and make you laugh.

Violca's Dragon (The Dragon Ruby #1) by Leilani Love

I usually don't like stories about witches, but this one was intense. Viola and Chase are very lovable and their chemistry is emotionally intense. The suspense and danger is in the air as you read this story and know at some point it's going to come to a head. The climax is exciting and intense and had me pumping my fist in victory.

Daniel's Christmas: Night Stalkers Audible Audiobook – Unabridged M. L. Buchman (Author), Matthew Lieber Buchman (Narrator)

I received this audiobook free from Author's Direct. This story is big on intrigue, but the relationship between Alice and Daniel is electric from the moment they meet each other. Although they are professional when they work together with this top secret meeting, they are electric when they banter with personal time. The narrator was wonderful with emotion and voices, and even knew when to keep his voice cold and UN-inflected where needed.

A Boss's Proposal: A Clean Fake Proposal Romance Book One (Fake Proposal Series 1) by Layla Holt

This is a charming story about a woman who needs money to get through the summer and a man who needs a fiancee for his parents. Isla is everything that his family loves and Zeke denies his love for Isla. I love the chemistry and friendship that develops between these two. I however found Zeke overly arrogant, and a man who truly did not deserve someone as wonderful as Isla.

The Iron Earl (Valor of Vinehill #1) by K.J. Jackson

Our heroine in this story is a remarkable woman. A woman, who was physically and mentally abused by her stepfather, finds a way to escape her stepfather and the man her stepfather is marrying her to. The strength and will that Evalyn displays has the man who helped her escape falling in love with her and willing to bear his grandfather's wrath to marry her and protect her. This story the growth and maturity of a woman and man as they learn to face adversity and trust each other. This is a story worth reading and kept me enthralled until the last page.

Aaron's Mate (The Quinton Shifters Book 1) by Abigail Raines

There is an intensity between these two characters that the author really built on. It stresses the bond of attraction and mental acuity that they have for each other. I'm not sure I like the shifter rules for the pack, but some of them are typical of other books. I see Aaron growing up and standing up for what he know is right and what is his. His brother, Xander acknowledges the man that Aaron has become at the end of the story.

Wyatt Drake (Aurum Court Dragons Book 2) by Emilia Hartley

I liked these two characters and the humor between them. Kennedy is a loving soul and doesn't understand why she doesn't want to leave the Grove. Wyatt is looking for love, but realizes he's been looking in all the wrong places. This story is full of humor and pain, yet the characters are very strong. I realize the story is building on the first book, but it really doesn't go any farther explaining things than the first one.