Saved by a Seductive Earl: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Emily Honeyfield

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Two cruel families decide their children need to be married. The youngest brother steps in for his brother, because he is in love with someone else. Georgina is cold, selfish and afraid of getting hurt. Miles is kind, generous and self-less. This marriage is doomed, but Miles chooses to love Georgina against all odds, even when Georgian is filled with vitriol. This story is about choosing to love, rather than being miserable. It is well-written, but it's hard to like our heroine. Everyone wants a husband like Miles, despite the conflict.

DECEIVED (The Deception Trilogy, Book One) by Madisyn Carlin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story has the makings of a great story. The introduction of the characters made the story move a little slowly at first, but speeds up as the action starts taking place. The descriptions of the action are well written and left me on the edge of my seat. The mixing of the Genesis story of angels and the New Testament was not lost on me, and the identity of King Eligor. The story is exciting, and leaves you waiting for the next book to continue.

Seducing the Warrior (To Love A Wicked Warrior #1) by Laura Shipley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

In Regency times, being blind or near blind can be a terrifying thing. The damage that Royce sustained makes him think he is less than a man. Lily brightens his life, but he won't make her his wife because of his blinding headaches. As they deal with Lily's issues, he finds that Lily will do anything for him. This story reveals the power of love and how a man will do anything to help free a woman from her self imposed prison, even if he loses his heart in the process. The problem with the story is it spent too much time on their love life, and characters created with no purpose to the story. More development on the plot could have made this story much better.
 

The Recluse of Wolfeton House (Ladies of Devon #4) by Kasey Stockton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a very romantic story, and the characters are well-developed. Hattie is engaging and engages the Duke of Bentley to aspire to come out of his shell. They fall in love over painting and in trying to keep the relationship secret becomes impossible. Love triumphs over every obstacle the Duke has placed in front of him and tries to keep his walls erected. I enjoyed this engaging story and the dialogue between the two main characters. Love can be freeing when we accept it into our lives.
 

The Pride of Lions (Highlands #1) by Marsha Canham

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The writing is exceptional and the emotion displayed between the main characters is powerful. Unfortunately, pride is the one thing that cripples this couple.The author sweeps you across the Highlands during the 1700's and the powerful Hanover Army. It accurately depicts the history during this time period. The one thing that gave the story a four star is the epilogue. It sets up for the second book, and leaves you completely disappointed.
 

Never Kiss Goodbye (Crystal Creek #8) by Laura Haley-McNeil

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an exceptional story about a woman who escapes her abusive husband. The courage and heart she had to defy her husband to save her baby makes her the hero of this story. She meets a man who understands her predicament and helps her to establish herself. The love and emotion that pours out of this story is astounding. It also has an emotional and courageous climax, that will leave you surprised.
 

Her Rock Star's Dark Secret A Maple Creek Brides Sweet Romance, Book 1 By: Cindy Ray Hale Narrated by: Liz Krane

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is engaging and the characters are very personable. Both these characters are broken but they connect on an emotional level that they didn't realize would happen. Lauren and Chase finally accept the love they have for each other, then begin to make things work, instead of just wishing they could work their lives out. This story made me realize that sometimes going one way is so hard to turn from and choose an unknown path, but probably a better and happier one.
 

A Lady's Easter Romance: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Alice Kirks

Rating: ⭐

This story digs deep into the feelings of our characters. There is a lot of toying with each other's emotions, and it creates quite a confusion at times. The dynamic that friends could do the horrible emotion playing to each other is abhorrent though. To allow someone to manipulate them especially when a young man is not sure of becoming earl, is also evil and abhorrent. It all comes ahead with a duel between the Duke and Victor with an evil Uncle out for blood. The biggest problem with this story is there are more words than action. It gets very tedious.
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A Long Journey Full of Peril: A Historical Western Adventure Book by Henry McConley

Rating: ⭐

This story is written with adventure and romance, but the characters, even though they are supposed to be filled with angst and grief, are quite without emotions. Yes, the characters feel stiff and unreal at times. Even the adventures are written the same way. The romance in this story left me cold, and glad when the story was finished.

 

Amid A Raging Storm by Derek Levine

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This story is not one I would typically read. It's about deceit, love, corruption and loyalty. The author writes behind several characters views, so we are seeing the situation from several view points. The story takes a life of it's own through the storm raging around all the characters. This is where the good writing stops. Minor characters are not well developed or glossed over and some of the writing through different characters eyes does not carry the proper emotions or no emotions. The mystery of the murderer is twisted into deceit and cunning, but it seems in the end, God has the final say.

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A Dangerous Curiosity (Holbrook Brothers Shifters #3) by Renee Carr

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is an interesting take on wolf shifters, and it seems I've read the last book in the series first. It's about the youngest brother, his dreams, his ideas. How one wolf bite turns his world upside down and into his brother's' world. There are plenty of explanations and the shifter world quickly comes into view. His new girlfriend Lili has a secret and knows how to handle Brighton when he makes his first shift. The characters are well-developed and the chemistry between each of the characters reflects the relationship between each other. It was a great way to end a series.
 

Cursed Lawyer: A Legal Thriller by Freya Atwood

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I actually loved this story. It was written right out of a Perry Mason novel. Our lawyer is just getting back into the game, while defending the most hated women in Canyonville. The PI detective is bumbling and absolutely funny. Unfortunately, he does nothing to help the case. The other lawyer that is his research assistant is remarkable, yet totally gets who John Crox is. The assistant DA really needs to get a life. Hitting on the defense attorney is illegal during a case, and she definitely does not understand our hero, John Crox. Of course, we get the surprise ending of the real killer.
 

Trusting Her Innocent Heart by Lilah Rivers

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This is an interesting story with a surprise ending. Unfortunately, the story repeats the same pattern of behavior several times. This behavior would never make me trust someone enough to fall in love with them. A bounty hunter has to have the instincts to know what is suspicious behavior and since he kept sensing that from her, how could he ever really be in love with her. Personally, I think Charlie Fount is the worst bounty hunter ever. Catching his bounty was absolutely pure luck.

The Most Unpredicted Match: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Bridget Barton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is just a sad story, what I don't understand is why the author went this route. Throughout this whole story, a wonderful woman gives up her life for her family's honor, and Jonathan's family. Yet, her husband treats her with disrespect and dishonor's her by being seen about town with her sister, and helping her sister out financially. Tabitha is young and her only response is to go numb and stop eating. Her husband is blind to the fact that his wife knows everything, even after she gets sick. Tabitha's sister is the lowest form of life on this planet; one that uses and abuses others for their own personal satisfaction. The writing, characters and story are well written. It's just a very sad story.