The Popstar's Ruby by Ava Sparrow

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This small town romance with a big popstar and a old friend go for a second chance at love. I liked that they dealt with the paparazzi because that is a big thing dating a celebrity. This story takes a chance a big-time Romeo can become a monogamist, but Ruby is where his heart is. Good story and wonderful characters that make you want to laugh and cry. The manager is a great villain thinking he knows better than his popstar's wants and need. I haven't read a good celebrity romance in awhile. I'm glad I read this one.
 

The Broken Viscount’s Virgin: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel (Sinfully Ruined Book 3) by Maybel Bardot

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I liked the plot and the main characters, but the story did not live up to the description. The story became tedious at points and could have been about 10,000 words shorter. Why are the parents who supposedly care about their daughter gonna throw her out of the house into a man's arm that she clearly dislikes, a viscount who thinks he's broken and a fake courtship to get everyone off their backs. Of course, they fall in love, but the only real connection between the two is the banter. I would have enjoyed this story if the parents weren't so selfish and stereotypical, and the Viscount who woe is me, I can't love goes on and on and on.

 

Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi (Scarlett Affairs Book 1) Kindle Edition

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is one of the most intense and dramatic romantic suspense novels I have read in a long time. From the French courts to the out lying countryside, it is rich in intrigue and French culture. The two main characters have a chemistry that inspires poems and odysseys be written about them. Their bravery and courage in the French courts of Napoleon take them far along with a love that will last a life time. 

A Baron's Disguised Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Abigail Agar

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I like love stories where the main characters turn to each other to help solve a riddle. Lavinia may have had common upbringing, but in the end she shows she can be a lady. The Baron at first is so inside himself that he is rude and not understanding or forgiving. Lavinia helps him to come out of himself, by helping him investigate his fears about his sister's death. Love is found in the compassion we show others in helping them to face their fears and grief. It is a very good whodunit with some very strong and unexpected twists, and an excellent love story that shows that sometimes first impressions aren't that impressive.
 

Eye of the Beholder (Nebraska Historical Romances Book 4) by Ruth Ann Nordin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dave Larsen is a man with his heart wide open. He witness Mary being rejected by the man who bought her ticket to Omaha to be his bride. He decides he needs a wife and Mary might just do. This starts as a marriage of convivence but as the two grow closer in relationship. Dave begins to think Mary is beautiful. It's the way she smiles, and her eyes light up when she is happy. Her goodness spreads to everyone she meets, even to the man who rejected her. She is no longer the Mary at the train stations, but his beautiful wife. This story is romantic and different from most mail-order bride stories, because it focuses on the inner relationship of love.
 

The Perfect Mail-Order Bride: A Sweet, Clean Western Romance (Frontier Matches Book 1) by Regina Scott

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love the scene setting in this story. I love Thomas's character, and I even liked Ada, liar that she is. She saw in Thomas all of her dreams come true. He liked her for her and not because she was Melinda's sister. Her ego has taken a beating due to her sister's precariousness and has made her self-conscience of everything her sister was and she was not. Her sister cared not a fig for anyone else but just herself. This made it easy for me to forgive the lie that Ada was living. I love the stories of the building of Seattle in the the late 1800's. Does anyone remember "Here Comes the Brides". This kind of reminds me of that TV series. Like all good stories, someone has something they are hiding. 
 

The Duke's Forbidden Rendezvous: A Historical Regency Romance Novel by Daphne Pierce

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a very romantic and steamy story. It seems everyone is against Eliza and Nathan getting together. I hate when Lords get away with attempted murder, while their cohorts get hanged by the neck. Nobility at least shouldn't get away with attempting to kill one of their own. It's down right sad, and killing above your rank is treason, I believe. So the Lord should have hung. As for Eliza and Ethan, they go on to love one another and that's a good thing. The story had a variety of character that are well developed, but I think more character development should have been spent on our trio of villains. Otherwise, this a good story to read in the dim light right before bed.
 

The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody by Isabella Hargreaves (Author)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is story that is well-written and lots of character depth. The Marquis is obviously not suited for feather-brained or simpering women. He finds Miss Jane Brody stimulating and attractive, even if she doesn't agree with his politics. The banter and dialog between these two is riveting and tension filled. He starts to purposely seek her out and antagonize her, because he is fascinated with the way she thinks and loves that she has her own mind. This story is not romantic but the chemistry is heavy between these two. It's fun to watch how these two come together and even negotiate their marriage contract. Jane is shrewd, but doesn't realize that Jonathan will give her everything. It's a good story but I find Jane falters on some of her ideals, although maybe sometimes compromise can be a good thing.

Married to her Kilted Enemy: Scottish Enemies to Lovers Romance (Temptation in Tartan Book 5) by Shona Thompson

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this story and the relationship between these two is tense whether she hates Odhrán or she loves him. Odhrán loved Maddison from the moment he saw her. He never told her who he was or why he killed his father to save her life. He has to beg the King for her hand in marriage so that he can keep Maddison safe from his cousin. There are several plots that go on throughout the story, but it all comes together in the end. The characters are all well-developed and take on their own personalities. This story is absolutely great from beginning to end.
 

Gabriella (Hiatt Regency Classics Book 1) by Brenda Hiatt (Author)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is slow paced as events comes together to bring the Duke of Ravenham and Gabriella together. The story actually starts to unfold as the relationship between the Duke and Gabriella starts to be more than just him escorting her to balls. Her sister is a temperamental virago and the Duke tries as much to avoid her sister and still honor his lost wager. The problem with the story is that although they get along and the author hints of some romance. There is really nothing there until scandal hits and the Duke wants to protect her and realizes he is in love. This is when the story actually gets romantic. The story is well written and just sweet.
 

A Duchess for the Beast: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (The Spinsters Club Book 4) by Tiffany Baton

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is just a fun story, even if the plot of the Miranda's cousin is totally horrid. It's a marriage of convenience because the Duke needs a wife to traverse society, while Miranda is being sold down the river for her cousin's debts. Miranda the founder of the Spinster Club only agrees to wed the Duke to save her father's home. The dialog between these two is very witty, and Miranda gets tired of his retreating back, even if it is a very nice back. All the characters are engaging and well developed. There are surprising developments and a monster mother-in-law to join in the fun. Besides, the Duke doesn't stand a chance of keeping this a marriage of convenience with a woman like Miranda.
 

A Most Unsuitable Earl (Marriage by Scandal Book 2) by Ruth Ann Nordin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is amiable, and funny. Everything that happens to Lord Edon he deserves for trying to lie to society and avoid marriage. It's a shame he couldn't figure out how to avoid his own mother. His mother is shameless and does everything to get hem married to a respectable lady. Unfortunately, Catherine is marked due to Ethan's lie to avoid dancing with a matchmaking momma's daughter.  This is where all the mayhem begins and soon Ethan has his hands full with a new bride. I enjoyed this romp and that's exactly what it is! It's filled with fun with a on the shelf wallflower, a Duke-in-law, a shameless mother and more surprises and twists and turns that has Lord Edon's head spinning at the end of it all.
 

A Silent Bond Between Them: A Historical Western Romance Novel by Elaine Shields

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this story about a girl made mute by fear. The love our hero feels for Diana is inspired by his admiration for a woman who invented her own sign language and knows what she wants. Diana starts to love the first man who shows an interest in learning her language and respecting her as a woman with a bright mind. Jackson has secrets and they are going to interfere with the new life that he is building for himself. You'll love this story because it has action and adventure and true love. Part of the climax is a little stilted, but unburies itself by the ending. 
 

Welcome to Serenity Springs: A Small Town, Age Gap, Vacation Romance Bertie Stein

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really like this sweet story about meeting someone and wanting to help them. Love sneaks up on these two, even though Jack is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife and son. These two heal each other and Jack learns that life can move on. Emma is a good teacher and just engages him to do more than keep to himself. The age gap thing is only addressed by Emma's parents and we never really know how many years are between them. It doesn't matter, because these two know what they want and are willing to sacrifice for it. The Emma's parents are a little over top in their protection of Emma, but the parents wanting to drop everything and move to Serenity was just unbelievable. Still the story is thoroughly enjoyable and a great read.
 

Midnight Marriage: A Georgian Historical Romance (Roxton Family Saga Book 1) by Lucinda Brant

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is excellent and romantic. It is full of action-packed deviltry, duels, passion and romance. The characters fall in love and the wife doesn't realized she is already married to the man. They drugged her with laudanum so she would not protest. She was 12 years old at the time. The Marquis falls in love with the woman after he is ambushed and she helps get him medical aid after bandaging him up. There is so much going on and so much deception that it gets hard to keep track, but the story kept me turning the pages. This story made the passion hot without the graphics. I remember reading these kinds of stories when I was young and enjoyed them tremendously. I still do.
 

My Unreasonable Boss by Evangeline Kelly

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This starts out a a rom-com when nothing Alayna does goes right. It goes to show that 1st day impressions are usually the wrong ones. The hard working ones are the ones that dig in and try to make a difference. Everyone else schmoozes the boss, because they lack the character and confidence to pull off the work. Jasper plays right into this scenario, and takes all of his not feeling up to the job on Alayna, who wore casual clothes because she was supposed to work from home that day. Of course, this all goes to HR, because nothing ever stays quiet in the workplace. When sent to a seminar to learn how to get along with each other, they find they have more in common, not only in work ethics, but in faith-based values. Every step of the way, these two decide to take the high road. It was hard not to like these two, even though both made some stupid and judgmental moves. I'm glad that once Jasper was reminded of his values, he stepped up and took responsibility. This is a great Christian read and lets us get a grip on how we should really be acting in the workplace.
 

A Stolen Heart in Dallas: An Inspirational Romance Novel by Lilah Rivers

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a faith-based story and an inspiration to seeking vengeance. The way to peace is through faith, not taking our own form of revenge. Love grows between these two and Jesse easily sees the folly of the path he has taken. My problem with the story is Martha's faith-based values. Would she think of aligning herself with someone whose values were not he same? It doesn't take away from this well-written story, but it reflects a fault in Martha's faith-based values. Maybe, it just makes her more human. Or perhaps? God uses this fault in Martha to bring Jesse back into the fold.