Miss Honeyfield and the Dark Duke by Audrey Ashwood

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is about listening to gossip and the dangers that are posed. A naive girl who just wants to write and have some freedom and a duke whose dark past clouds the man that he truly is. I love Minerva; she is refreshing. The Duke, I don't get a good sense of him until the last three quarters of the book. There are so many angles going on, that I can't figure out what the Duke is plotting and it diverted me from the story at times. My final thought on the Duke is after all the subterfuge to get the real murderer of his wife exposed. He suddenly realizes what he has brought Minerva into. You would have thought he would have thought it out much better. The story is pretty good and their is plenty of mystery and action to boot, which makes this a pretty good mystery.

Trevor (Dragon Elements #5) by Sarah J. Stone

Blaine and Lauren are good together, but the story comes together all too well in the end. I really don't like stories about witches because this one is no different. It's does not the extent or limit of her power, and this is really a sticking point with me. The wolf shifter pack showed no sense of pack or even common sense. We all know wolves are cunning and loyal. Really? a bunch of dragons couldn't take out a bunch of wolves. Get real, the only good thing was the the dragons wanted peace.

Jake's Secret by Kyril Ravi

This story is a prequel to Hunting. I wasn't impress with the story or the characters. The initial plot is kind of sketchy. The characters lack definition and the whole family bear thing is rather weak. It's a good thing this is a free story for signing up to her newsletter.

Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures by Jan O'Hara

This story starts with a bang, and the action does get heavy. This plot is insane but it is a lot of fun. Mia attracts the wrong kind of guys, and Jackson although he is good guy. He's the wrong kind of guy for Mia to settle down with. At least while the relationship lasts, the ride will be wild.

Serving Up Suspects (Little Dog Diner Book 2) by Emmie Lyn, Blueberry Bay

This story has some very quirky characters, that's includes are resident catering detective. The police detective is chased by a private eye. Our heroine has her eye of an old beau. The woman sponsoring the quilting auction is an overachiever. Our murder victim is a dishrag. The nosy neighbor is a delightful old woman who watches life from her window due to her inability to walk more than 100 feet without help. Each character has their own quirk and makes the story fun. The murderer, well, I got who it was by all his lies.

Longing For A Liberating Love by Bridget Barton

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot of this story is strange, but for the evil workings of a man such as Alina's husband; this story works. Just when Alina starts to feel free; her husband makes his return. In the end, her husband decides to divorce her and throw her to the street. Her aunt takes her in and they discover the truth. It's enough for Alina to follow her heart. This story will tear at your heart and the show the true trap a regency marriage without love could be for a woman.

Miss June's Judgement (Kari Jacobs Lawyer Sleuth Cozy Mystery #2) by Harper Harris

This is a fun little story that takes a lawyer from the big city and plants her in a small town of Appleton. The story at the beginning is convoluted. How she works her puppy into her story is like caring for a baby. The way the law system works in Appleton has a lot to be desired. The way Judge Houston was acting was a major red flag. This cozy mystery makes you think there are clues, but the ending actually comes out of no where. Also people do not act like that at the ending, but since the story is wacky, obviously the ending can be whacked out too.

Defending Dakota (The Gold Coast Retrievers Book 13) by Elsie Davis

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story did not fail to delight and capture my heart. Halo is a true hero and with her new friend, Colt Jackson. They are able to save Dakota and take down a jewel thief. Love is on the horizon, and Colt's heart takes a direct hit. I enjoyed the story down to the last page.

Wanted by the Alpha (Knotted Omega #0.5) by Laxmi Hariharan (Goodreads Author), Scarlette Brooke

I wasn't impressed and was turned off by this dystopian world. Women are nothing in this world and are treated like sex slaves. I have more pride than reading this, because even the sex scenes have a lot to be desired and this is not a romance but erotica which I detest.

The Curious Story of the Missing Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Book by Abigail Agar

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐
This story has many interesting characters, but the why and how of Madeline's kidnapping is kind of ridiculous. Of course, Madeline would never have met Peter and been rescued, because it seemed that her father and betrothed couldn't cover something two hours away. All bow street runners are complete idiots, because they couldn't scan the countryside. Only a wayward duke's son decides to leave the hunt and go exploring on his own lands. You would think that the Duke upon hearing someone was kidnapped and he knew about would have instigated a search on his estates to help. The author thinks all of England is apathetic. Everyone would have been looking for her in hopes of a reward. Peter was no different, his hope of reward was that Madeline would choose him instead of her betrothed.

You're the Rogue That I Want (Rogues of Redmere #1) by Samantha Holt

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is a lot of fun. What appears to be a cursed stone is actually a matchmaking stone. It's this stone that causes them to spend so much time getting to know one another. What's impressive is Hannah, a young woman who doesn't care about the bounds of society, but about preserving history. She demands to get her way, and it seems as Red work his way into her heart, she has worked her way into his. It's the ending that surprises me, because even in today's society, this is not even done.

Saving the Sheriff (Hills of Texas #1) by Kadie Scott

Holly loved her friend Georgia, but the secrets she knew could tear Cash's family apart. This story is heart wrenching at points, but it shows how deceit and lies can almost destroy our lives if we allow it to. Cash and Holly have to overcome the lies that Georgia wove into each of their lives. Happiness has a price, and love can overcome every lie. I enjoyed this story and the journey to the truth.

Rancher's Bride: Frontier Brides (Glory, Montana #8) by Linda Ford

This story is about two very hurt people who come together to help two very hurt children. Tilly was scarred in a fire and forced to go back to Glory, Montana to her family, but Tilly can't bear the stares and whispering of the town people. Lance's step children hate and he can't run his ranch and keep up with his step children who defy him at every turn. Together Lance and Tilly find a way to heal his step children, Tilly and himself. This is a loving tale and well written. They have many adventures together to bring them to a place of healing, but in the end, it is all worth it. I loved these characters and they are brought to life with all their misadventures.

Bruins Peak Bears (Complete Series) by Sarah J. Stone

I like this series, although it was a little time consuming. Each story has its own unique characters and each story continues the saga. All of the stories have the exact same plot and outcome, so you would do better not to read them all at one time. Each story is enjoyable, but boredom becomes a problem with the binge reading. So I recommend you read them separately and read another book between stories to thoroughly enjoy all the stories.

Her Second Chance Fake Marriage Surgeon (Baton Rouge Second Chance Romance) by Hanna Hart

This story seems like a story of desperation. In fact, Liam seems like he would do anything to help his friend Gemma. He doesn't recognize that he loves her until after they are married and the extremes in medicine he willing to go through with her. Gemma is the one who seems to keep a level head in all of this. Interesting, is everything they do for each other is actually in the name of love. They both do not understand it or why. I enjoyed the story, but the epilogue seem overextended.

Pink Diamonds & Murder (Val Masters, Wedding Planner #3) by Harper Harris

Sometimes, I just love to sit back and read a cozy mystery and enjoy it for it's quirky characters. This one is a hit because everyone is a quirky character. Although, I had the attempted murderer pegged from the middle of the story. It was exciting right through the ending.

Finding Love Under the Western Sun: A Historical Western Romance Book by Etta Foster

Sometimes, I find a character with a serious flaw, and that character is our heroine, Emma. She has a serious problem if she is hiding her writing from a man that she wants a relationship with. It's like hiding and eating food where no one can see you, or going out of your way to hide smoking. It's a serious obsession and can affect your health. Emma stays up all hours and gets very little sleep which affects her health and mindset. When Logan finally finds out what she is doing; he helps her and makes sure she is getting enough rest. It's understandable why our hero is standoffish because no matter how much he loves Emma; he feels she is hiding something. This story stresses the need to be open and honest in a relationship no matter how that relationship has come about. I enjoyed this story and how these two worked through Emma's obsession.

At the Mercy of the Marquis by Fanny Finch

This is a free book if you sign up for Fanny Finch's newsletter.

This story is well written, but I found our hero arrogant and spoiled. He is smitten with one of the woman who come to his mother's school who has fallen on hard times. Leah seems well balanced and a nurturer as she helps the other three women who attended the school with her. She falls under the Marquis charms, but still hold herself to the highest principle of a lady becoming a governess. I'm not sure about how this relationship work even in marriage, because of the immaturity of the Marquis, but it a delightful tale of a romance in a school.

Playing Herd to Get (The Bride Herder #7) by Natalie Dean

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is well written and a little different as the female is the aggressor in this story. Harley is sure he want to stay single, all he needs is his ranch, right? Adeline was set up by the matchmaker for Harley, but he denies he didn't set himself up with the matchmaker. The reaction these two have when they are together is a definitely a match. Adeline is definitely a feminist of her time, and Harley has no idea what he wants. I like Adeline she knows what she wants and she deals with the problems that life deals her. Harley has made a prosperous ranch, but doesn't realize how lonely he actually is until he starts dealing with Adeline. Some points in this story are sort of sad, but there is also some very witty banter and stupid behavior on Harley's part. It's a story to just sit back and enjoy.

Blue Moon Saloon: Three-Book Collection, Volume One By: Anna Lowe Narrated by: Kelsey Osborne

All three books are about couples that live at the Blue Moon Saloon. Each story speaks about the obstacle that prevents the couples from their calling as mates. Each story is action-packed and heart-wrenching. The Narrator is good at separating the characters and draws you into the story. Each woman is unique in her situation and personality, and the two brothers are typical hero types. Our third male has a cowboy attitude with veteran PTSD, but finds peace in the arms of his mate. I enjoyed each story and felt the tensity of the action.

A Christmas Creek Romance By: Rachelle Ayala Narrated by: Trei Taylor

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is good and sometimes a little confusing until Ebony sorts out what's going on and how she and Blaze can really have a Merry Christmas. It's about opening our hearts to love and chance. It's about letting go for a moment, when something magical could happen.

Daley Buzz Cozy Mystery Series By: Meredith Potts Narrated by: Lisa Beacom

Sabrina Daley runs a coffee shop with her mom and grandmother. On the side, she solves murders with her detective boyfriend David. These 8 books run through her relationship with David til he asks her to marry him. Each mystery is fun, and unlike a lot of Cozy Mysteries, Sabrina is not relationship challenged. Each of Sabrina's mysteries, I got to know more about Sabrina, and she always was careful and didn't do foolish things. Sabrina is a woman that I loved getting to know. The narrator does an excellent job with the voices and makes it easy to get into the story.

The Baron and The Enchantress (An Enchantress Novel Book 3) Paullett Golden

I love the chemistry between these two people, but Lilith unwillingness to change destroys the relationship between Walter and herself. Fortunately, Lilith will be forced to change her life, and she does it with the help of her brother. After Lilith leaves Walter, he changes and follows his dream of opening an orphanage and hospital. His relationship with Lilith changed him and made him want to be a responsible Baron. This story is about courage and grabbing on to your dream and reaching for the impossible. I loved the characters and the beautiful settings. The story writes itself as the characters act and make decisions according to life's bends and twists.

Extraordinary Tales of Regency Love: A Clean & Sweet Regency Historical Romance Collection by Fanny Finch

One of these stories I reviewed before so I'd just copied my review over. The funny thing is that they are listed from least liked to best.

The Duke's Cautious Governess

I really had to dredge through this story. The heroine is so into self pity that I had to stop and gag a few times, because any one that thinks they are that worthless because of their mother ought to be slapped in the head every time she uttered lowly, tarnished and worthless. The whole story drones on this way and it is very tedious. I am only reviewing this ARC because I usually like Fanny Finch's work. She should have kept this one in her head.

A Lady's Choice

I did not read this one before. I like Emma and her wanting to make her own choices for her husband is understandable. The Duke of Lox is a compelling man and I understand Emma's attraction to him. Emma overhears rumors about the Duke and instead of asking him about his intentions, she assumes things that aren't true. Of course with every Fanny Finch story, a disaster waits in the background for everything to come crashing down. I enjoyed this story.

An Earl for Her Hopeless Heart

This story set an anticipation of what is going to happen and who is going to win. Anticipation is the emotional setting for the plot and story. Will family or love will out just because a lady is trying to survive in a world of sharks. I like this story the best of all.

The Secret Pleasures of an Earl (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) by Deborah Wilson

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot on this story is quite twisted. Pia asks the new Earl Sirius Hayes to help her as she was once engaged to him. What she doesn't know is that Sirius Hayes is the boy she fell in love with and not the Sirius Hayes she used to know. Just when you think you know one thing the author twists the story so a new interesting tidbit is introduced. The story is compelling and the characters are wonderful. This series of books has never failed to astound or hold my attention.

The Viscount’s Promise (Weddings and Scandals) Joyce Alec

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I enjoyed this story very much. The characters are lovable and caring. Those helping Juliana with her coming out after her brother's suicide in the courtroom seem willing to help her. Lord Sharpe who made a promise to her brother before he died, follows through a year later. There is one big mystery to solve and many twists and turns, making this story well written.

The Softest Breath (Echoes of the Heart) by Naomi Musch

This story takes you back to the 1920's during prohibition when speakeasies were the way to get your liquor. Jess befriends Gwen and helps her get a job in a department store. Gwen growing up on the street attached herself to one Hugh Phelps who treats her like his daughter, but abuses her financially, and sometimes physically. She escapes and meets up with Jess. This story is very action-packed and mistrust is the theme of the plot. Learning to love and acting in love are so difficult, but the choices made are exactly that. I love how the relationship was initially built, and how Jess and Gwen made hard choices, but stuck by them to the end. This is not my favorite time era, but the story is well written.