Confessions of Alluring Lords: A Historical Regency Romance Collection by Lucy Langton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Captivated by a Rakish Duke - Rating ⭐⭐⭐

When two firebrands meet, it's bound that things will explode. Unfortunately, in the middle of a ball is not the right place. There's a lot of emotions to overcome for them to make their marriage work, and a man with a lot of past to appear in his future. The story is well written. It's the characters that gave me pause. Two very immature people trying to make a go of what society has forced on them. Personally, it's a recipe for disaster.

Enthralled by a Lustful Viscount - Rating ⭐⭐⭐

The author did not exaggerate when she said Hannah was naive. The worse part is after being warned about the Viscount, she runs head long into the Viscount's arms. The only saving grace in this story is Grace, the Viscount's sister. Still the ending is very exaggerated and has it's own twisted surprise. Some of the action felt forced, which is rare for this author, but it didn't feel natural with these characters.

An Earl's Flaming Journal - Rating ⭐⭐⭐

The author really missed the boat on this story. This story could have been a wonderful romantic comedy centered around that erotic journal. It ended up being more of a drama with a bunch of stupid middle class people trying to force their daughter out of their house. Jemina's family was disgusting and nonredeemable in the story. If it hadn't been for the Earl's redeemable behavior this story would have been a total disaster.

Between an Oath and a Promise by Leslie Hales

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this story. Morgan and Logan clicked and both were open to what was happening between them. How they dealt with their problems and issues was a bit messy until they became open and honest with each other. Cody’s father was an issue I didn’t think well of and we never really got back to the issue of why he wanted back in their lives. The story is well worth reading and you are left with a sense of happiness.

 

Falling for a Fiery Lady by Meghan Sloan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I wish this was as passionate as the description of the book. The chemistry between Isabel and Richard, was about as passionate as her relationship with the Duke. The story was well written, although I wouldn't describe Isabelle fiery, more like distracted. The relationship started as friendship and grew into one of attraction. The Duke didn't stand a chance when friendship turns to love. It's why the Duke got ugly which is understandable in the situation that Richard and Isabelle put the Duke in. I wish the author spent more time on Richard and Isabelle's relationship before she got sent off to London, and would have packed more punch when she did.
 

Two Souls Bound Together: An Inspirational Historical Romance Book by Grace Clemens

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
 This story is well written and identifies the problem of misdiagnoses. Someone should have figured out that Emily wasn't getting worse. Consumption and Tuberculosis cause the lungs to continue to weaken, while asthma attacks the bronchial tubes and compresses the lungs. They didn't have medicine for asthma back then, but reduced the episodes by finding out what triggers the attacks. I love the chemistry between William and Ericka. I think the worst part of this story is the way Ericka treated William and her parents. I would never leave my parents without telling them. Holding back medical news from William could have made their situation worse. The climax to this story comes very fast and as well as the epilogue. It felt rushed from the rest of the story.

The Indian Warrior's Deaf Bride: Inspirational Western Bride Romance (Daisy Creek Brides Book 13) by Amelia Rose

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is very well written, and sign language is easy to learn, especially when you are deaf and it is an important method of communication for the deaf. I'm not sure about all the white people in town approving of her marriage to the Lakota, but for someone in her condition in this time period; a culture that has sign language as part of their language is perfect Jennifer. As for mixing the cultures, that has been going on as long as races have been mixing.

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Unexpected Love For The Unwelcome Widow: A Clean Western Historical Romance Novel by Ember Pierce

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is about injustice, betrayal and getting your just desserts. Delilah lies her way back to California so she can be with the man her father prevented her from after her husband is reported dead. Of course, she is pregnant with her husband's baby and hopes John will accept it. The story is well written and mostly thought out. The ending is very unexpected and justly deserved. Some scenes are stilted, but smooth their way out as read further into the story. For me the best part of this story is the ending.

A Bridge Between Hearts (A Kauri Bay Romance Book 1) by Casey Swan

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This is a new author to me and this review was requested by the author himself. Yes, Casey Swan is a male romance author. The plot unfolded in this story is very good, and the character development of Kauri Bay is excellent. Each character was developed with personality and background making them realistic in a small town on the bay of New Zealand. The fact that the town gets together to insure businesses are started in Kauri Bay is generous and also smart. The drawback to the story is the dialog the main characters Adam and Polly. It felt very stiff and Polly's responses to Adam very confusing. Why would a man pursue a woman so cold to him? The only time she seemed to be warm  him was when he stole kisses. Attraction is one thing, but mental barriers are not so simple to break down. Also the fact that she never consulted a doctor on whether she had this genetic disease is beyond reason in this day and age. It's men who do stupid things like that not women, because a man's ego prevents him from wanting to know. Adam was only sensible, because he is a veterinarian and understands cause and effect as a doctor. Polly just assuming she had the genetic disease and could never marry shows an unreasonable mind. He made Polly into someone with no sense and Adam with all the sensibility. This is typically a man's attitude toward women.