My Viscount's Enduring Love by Kristina Earl

Rating: ⭐⭐

This story initially captivated me with the intriguing premise of Edgar, seeking a unconventional partner, encountering the brilliant and unconventional Lucy Belgrave. Their idyllic retreat to Aunt Margaret's country estate, where they collaborate in the laboratory, fostered a genuine connection. However, the novel's potential was squandered by a repetitive narrative. Lucy, a victim of her condescending parents' attempts to marry her off, and her controlling fiancé, grapples with societal expectations. Edgar, determined to win her back, embarks on a predictable campaign to showcase her scientific brilliance. Unfortunately, this strategy dominates the latter portion of the book, becoming tedious and repetitive. Ultimately, Edgar's actions create a scandal he wanted to avoid, undermining his efforts and leaving this reader thinking he should have done all of this in the first place.

Lead Me Into Temptation (Gold Dust Brides Book 1) by Devon McKay

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Although, this mail order bride story has a unique plot twist. These two have no respect for or are willing to honor the agreement to the mail order bride contract. In fact, the author completely ignores that fact all through the story as these two wander far from home and to a wild west mining town nicknamed"Hangtown". There are no repercussions for their behavior from the wronged party. In fact, both Garrett and Violet irritated me throughout the whole story. These two deserve each other for the selfish creatures that they are. All Garrett cares about is what he can get for himself and Violet's attitude is to find her father regardless of who she swindles or hurts. In fact, Garrett should have tied her up when he found her the first time and dropped her off at his father's ranch. Instead, well, you'll have to read the book.
 

An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl (Marriage Mart Scandals Book 2) by Amanda Stones

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Despite the arranged nature of their marriage, Emmeline yearns for a genuine connection with Andrew, a marriage built on shared interests and perhaps even love. While initially aloof, Andrew displays unexpected moments of kindness and concern, leaving Emmeline both intrigued and confused. A palpable sense of unease pervades the estate, a 'darkness' that intensifies with the arrival of his unsettling cousins. As Andrew's mother falls ill and Emmeline stumbles upon clues to a hidden treasure, they are drawn into a shared investigation. The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists, kept me captivated.The mystery deepened far beyond what I initially anticipated. The true villain and their connection to Andrew's past were a shocking revelation. This is a riveting read for anyone who enjoys a blend of historical romance and thrilling mystery.

Christmas Cold Case: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novella (A Twin Oaks Christmas) by Sarah Hamaker

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Noelle's return to Twin Oaks to investigate her parents' unsolved murder begins with a sense of quiet determination. However, her pursuit of justice quickly escalates into a dangerous game. As she delves deeper, facing vandalism and even an attempted hit-and-run, the attorney managing her parents' property becomes her unlikely protector. A budding romance with David further complicates her investigation as they work together to uncover the truth behind her parents' deaths. While the eventual revelation of the killer's motive might seem a bit outlandish, it underscores the chilling reality that even the most seemingly stable families can harbor dark secrets. Despite this, the story delivers a satisfying conclusion and proves to be an engaging read.

A Wicked Earl’s Secret Baby (Lustful Lords and Ladies) by Emily Honeyfield

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This story with the plot alone is scandalous. Dorian is sent away by his father with his sister's manipulations. Claire is left pregnant and marries the Vicar to avoid a scandal. Six years later, Dorian returns home when his father passes away. Claire's husband is dead and Dorian wants the truth of why she married the Vicar. As far as I was concerned Dorian was too lenient on his sister and with her power plays should have sent her to Bedlam. The woman had to be insane if she thought she could run the earldom, or manipulate a brother who hates the way she treats him. After learning what she did to Claire should have sealed the deal. The characters are confused by what time has done to them, but I found Dorian to be weak in character. He continues to allow his sister to run amok when he returns home, and yell and manipulate him. Like allowing a ball two weeks after they buried their father, this is in such bad taste and scandalous. Although, the author totally ignores this fact of how society would react to this impropriety. I was left with such anger that the fact these two reunited after all of this was overshadowed by the villainous and evil sister. In fact, the way this story was written, it didn't matter if these two reunited only that the sister was stopped.

 

The Penitent Duke (The Untamed Nobles 1) by Sally Forbes

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is extremely distressing at times. A man wallowing in regret, self-pity and grief is someone very hard to live beside. There is a darkness and bitterness that takes on a life of its own inside a person. The author hits the nail on the head when she knows that only love can break the hold of bitterness and regret on one's soul. Rosalind's caution and gentleness, evened out by her self assurance makes her a woman to contend and win. Luther is very cruel at times and Rosalind responds with truth and at times righteous anger. The problem with this story is that Luther grew up in the ton and he loved and lost. He acts like a total behemoth, a man without breeding. This is not behavior a man of breeding would take on. He would be aloof and unreachable, He would give the cut direct and dismiss, but the rudeness and callousness of street urchin or a dock worker, no. Otherwise, the story is well written and all of the characters are well developed. 

 

Her Guarded Duke (Dukes of Distinction Book 1) by Julia Thorne

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An excellent story of someone who has guarded his life from people who would scorn him. He knows he needs a wife to continue the title, so he lets his aunt bring Henrietta to tea. Henrietta wears a mask in society, because her family is always in her business. She finds she can be herself around the Duke, because they both have a love of botany. It doesn't matter what one looks likes, it's the beauty and connection you find together. I loved this story about a gentle beast and a clever spinster.

 

A Mansion's Secrets: A Mystery Novella by H. E. Harper

Rating: 

I just had to rate this one five stars, because of the pace of this novella. Sixty-five pages of non-stop action. It seemed every time they turned around another secret was being dug up. Until the deadliest one of all is dug up. I enjoyed joining Kathy, Dean & Sam as they start the renovations on Kathy's aunt's house and dig up some very deadly secrets.

An Arranged Marriage with a Beast (Marriage Mart Scandals Book 1) by Amanda Stones

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Through pain and anger, a man justifies his behavior by being cruel and rude to those around him. His only course for marriage is to arrange one for himself. Trent is beastly and will not give up his past. Arabella is a ligh in the darkness. I loved that Arabella stood up for herself, yet tried to make an unpleasant situation into a life that she could live contently in. It's not an easy task when your husband is known as "Beast". I loved Arabella, but began to like Trent when he started letting Arabella into his life. The story is heartaching in places, but love restores the darkness. 

 

Finding Miss Giles (Hearts of the Hall Book 1) by Philippa Jane Keyworth

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I liked this story, but it took a few chapters to really engage with the story. Once engaged the malice of the few who think they can gain by destroying the life of a human being is terrible.I think the problem was solved rather naivily by the author. It's good that Miss Giles gets the man, but how would their marriage work out in society? None of those questions are really answered, because it is all neatly packaged up.

 

Fairy Tale Christmas: Water of Life by Nancy J. Farrier

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is a fairy tale based on a kingdom that worships a God close to our Christian God. This world is filled with all things magical, but Yatheth is in control. The third princess, Iyana, is all things kind and is faithful to Yatheth teachings. This story has all the excitement of a great quest and the resulting sacrifices of love. It is enjoyable and each page is worth turning to find out what is going to happen and how Princess Iyana is going to save her father and her one true love.

The Poet and the Earl Next Door: An Age Gap Friends to Lovers Secret Identity Clean Regency Romance by Kristina Earl

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐

This delightful tale of a spinster with a secret life and an Earl who moves next door is engaging and warmth filled. Lord Wedmore is an eccentric Earl who loves reading and poetry. It is Eleanor who introduces him to the poet, Edwin Hart works. Edwin Hart is Eleanor secret pen name. Eleanor's heart is confused, because the Earl is in love with Eleanor, but wants to meet Edwin and takes up a correspondence with the man, I.E. Eleanor. Eleanor is delightful in her confusion and makes many mistakes, that someone as intelligent as Alexander should have picked up on it a lot sooner. However, despite this deficit in Alexander's brain, both characters are warm, loving and engaging, nor do they engage in idle conversation. Beware reader! You might learn something.

 

A Colorful Life Kindle Edition by Melissa Storm

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is told from multiple perspectives, but primarily focuses on Daly, the stifled artist. We rarely see the story through the eyes of the mother or Hannah, the pregnant single mother. The narrative follows Daly's journey from a life of monotony to a colorful existence filled with love and passion. She finds joy in her relationship with her Indian boyfriend in New Delhi and through her connection with Laine and Hannah's newfound happiness. Hannah's character serves as a catalyst, demonstrating to both Daly and Laine the transformative power of faith. While the story has some instances of run-on sentences, and the frequent shifts in perspective can occasionally disrupt the flow, the overall message of hope and redemption is compelling.