How to Deceive a Duke by Lecia Cornwall

I have to admit that I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book or not. The idea that one bride can be substituted for another kind of left a funny taste in my mouth but I have to admit that this one actually made it seem real.

Meg has been the strong sister in the family since her father's death and has kept the family out of debtors prison. When the Duchess of Temberlay, asks her sister, Rose to marry her grandson Nicholas, the current Duke, she sees this as the answer to her prayers. Rose is not thrilled at the prospect of marrying the Devil Duke and elopes prior to the wedding. This puts Meg in the awkward position of marrying in her sister's place. Since the groom had never met the bride or even knew her name, this worked at first. Turns out this was in the Duchess's plans and Meg's name was included in all the marital documents.

Lies and distrust do not a marriage make and Nicholas and Meg share a lot of lies between them. When Nicholas leaves to return to war they both realize theirs is a love for the ages.

This is a really good story and I recommend it to all.


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Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James

I really enjoyed Phoebe and Griffin's story. There is just something about a pirate that says yummy. This is a novella that flows with or without the addition of The Ugly Duchess.

Griffin was 17 when he married the lovely and older Phoebe and with having some, let's say difficulty, on his wedding night he jumped through the window and went to get drunk. He was pressed to join a ship and woke up in the middle of the ocean. He proceeded to begin the life of a pirate later to become a privateer. Fast forward 14 years and he has now been injured and realizes that he wants to go home to the wife he left behind.

When he left his wife, she was a virgin, when he comes home it is to find three children waiting for him. Griffin takes things in stride and realizes that he made a mistake leaving his wife unsatisfied all those years ago and vows to fix that as soon as possible.

An Eloisa James novel is always a good choice to read and this is no exception. The taming of a rake or in this instance, a pirate, is always a great story.

Devil's Details by Regan Taylor

I was given this book by the author to review and I must say that I enjoyed it. The story begins with Courtney a newly contracted author who meets the devilishly delicious Luke Devlin. Luke is new to town and Courtney befriends him. Passion develops quickly between the two with a touch of sulfur thrown in. What Courtney doesn't know is that Luke is actually Lucifer and the fun is just beginning! The concept of Luke's story is a unique one and I would love to read more about these two characters!

10 Nights by Michelle Hughes and Karl Jones

I really enjoyed this book. I have been so excited and I can say that 10 Nights did not disappoint. Leah is a 24 year old who is struggling to find her place in the world. Her best friend takes her to a party and introduces her to a world that she had never experienced before. I have read a lot of erotica, BDSM and other books of this nature. I have to say that Ms. Hughes has done an amazing job of making it real. There are a lot of books out there that try to be erotic but are just vanilla with a touch of swirl and there are book that are just too raunchy to be read. This is the perfect balance. It made me want to go out and try a lifestyle party of my own! Rhett's character was a true Dom which means he lived the lifestyle, he didn't just play in it. It was interesting to see how his character developed to fit the way Leah was developing as a sub. I can't wait to see what comes next!

P.S.  If you liked 50 shades of Grey, then you need to read this book.  I believe that it is better written and the characters are more real.  Enjoy!

10 Nights (Forbidden Desires Series)

What He Wants by Tawny Taylor

I have read a few of Ms. Taylor's books and for the most part I enjoy them. This one left a lot to be desired. I was expecting a little more intense scenes between Shane and Bristol but they were lukewarm at best. I personally am not fond of the whole "Uncle" Shane part, even if there is no real relation. The scene in the parking lot was the most exciting part of the book and even that was a little vanilla in the realm of BDSM. Fingers crossed that the next one is more exciting.

The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

What an amazing book! I am never disappointed when I pick up one of Eloisa's books. Theo is one of those characters that you can not help but to relate to. How many times have we looked out ourselves and made comparisons to the Ugly Duckling? Most romance novels have the perfect English rose type girl and I love how she has stepped out of that mold and made someone realistic. James is a man that sees beyond what lies on the surface and appreciates Theo for the beauty that she holds within. Even though their marriage does not start out as it should and a lot of conflict, hurt and pain follows, love will rule out in the end. I love these two amazing people and hope that she includes them in stories to come!

Tempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren

The Byrons are my kind of family! Lord Cade Byron is hibernating on his country estate licking wounds that were brought on by torture and betrayal. Miss Meg Amberley takes refuge at his estate during a snowstorm. When she is discovered by a neighbor Lord Cade declares she is his fiancee and tells her he will take her to London for a season. He proceeds to take her to his family and they warmly embrace her as the newest Byron. Meg tries to use the season to discover love but finds it in her fiancee, Lord Cade. They become lovers and Lord Cade makes a connection between a would be suitor of Meg's and the English traitor that tortured him. Mayhem ensues since this particular lady doesn't know when she should ask for help. Love will win out in the end though.

All in all a great story and I am interested in more of the Byrons.

Undercover Submissive by Michelle Hughes

As a fan of Tears of Crimson and 10 nights I decided I wanted to read more by Michelle Hughes. This book had a great plot line. I love the fact that there was an actual story not just sex scenes.

Cayce and Cait are twin sisters who are abused by their stepfather. As happens a lot with abuse victims one sister went into a protective shell thinking she is worthless, and the other went searching for love and acceptance in the bed of every man she could find. When Cait goes missing, the police chalk it up to another stripper case and don't really bother to look. Cayce knows that this is different and her sister would have said something first. Searching through her sister's things, Cayce discovers a journal filled with BDSM and a business card to billionaire Dylan St. Clair.

This leads Cayce to discover the power she holds and to release the pain she has felt since the abuse. Along the way a good story unfolds while searching for Cait and love blooms.

My only complaint would be the fact that the writing needs to be redone for spelling and grammar issues. They were a little distracting to me simply because they catch my eye when I am reading. Thanks, Michelle for another good story.

Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

This is the second in the Lost Lords trilogy and I have to admit that it was a good book. Lady Anne Hayworth hires the infamous Crimson Jack, aka Lord Tristan Easton to carry her on a ship to say goodbye to her fiancee. Love and romance blossom on the trip but Lord Tristan has no desire to take up his place in society where he feels unwelcome.

As much as I enjoyed the book I do have to wonder at the fact that she was able to sneak out as much as she did and to head off to ports unknown with no one the wiser. Her father and brothers had to know where she was going since she had been in mourning for two years. I am surprised they didn't try to intercept on the way home or had someone on the docks looking for her.

I am anxious to see how this story wraps up with Rafe and to see if we can get some brotherly bonding.

The Lady is a Vamp by Lynsay Sands (@LynsaySands, @avonbooks)

I have yet to find a book that I didn't like by Lynsay Sands and The Lady is a Vamp did not disappoint. I have been looking forward to Jeanne Louise's story for awhile now and I was unsure of how it would play out with Paul. I have to admit I fell in love with Livy. With a recent cancer diagnosis in my own family, this hit hard and left me amazed by the strength in this little girl. All of the Argeneau stories are amazingly well written, but this one carried a depth to it that really touched me. I laughed over the antics of the characters and I cried over the heartfelt agony that Bricker, Jeanne Louise, and Paul were all feeling. It is a wonderful story that stands true to the heart of the incredible vampire story that Lynsay has created.

Last couple of months

So, I have been a complete slacker for the last couple of months and have not updated my blog the way I should be. :-)  I have every intention of getting back on track (hopefully) after the New Year!

Scoundrel in My Dreams by Celeste Bradley

I am a huge fan of Ms. Bradley's and I can say that this book brings it!  I have not read a series from her that I didn't really enjoy.  This book is part of the Runaway Brides series and it is the story of Jack and Laurel.  What do you do if the greatest night of your life was not with the person you thought it was?  What if you came home from being gone for several years and discovered that the consequence of that night was an incrediblely beautiful little girl named Melody?  When you discover that the one you spent that night with is really her younger sister do you hold her hostage until she falls in love you?  Join the romance of Jack and Laurel and discover for yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/Scoundrel-My-Dreams-Runaway-Brides/dp/0312943105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318299561&sr=8-1

Romancing the Countess by Ashley March

What an amazing book!  I was spellbound from the beginning to the end with the story of Leah and Sebastian.  I loved how he tried so hard not to like her and ended up becoming mesmerized by her smile.  Leah feels so unworthy after her first husband has an affair with Sebastian's wife but he shows her that the maybe bad things happen for a reason.  Totally worth several reads!

 

http://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Countess-Signet-Eclipse-Ashley/dp/0451234510

The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels

This is the first book in a new series by Kasey Michaels.  It is about three bastard brothers who are the sons of a marquess and an actress.  They are beloved by their father, wealthy and sexy but to the ton that makes no difference.  A wealthy bastard is still a bastard.  Oliver "Beau" Blackthorn was leading a charmed life until the day a beautiful woman destroyed his innocence and his hopes for the future.  Now he is slowly getting his revenge on the ones who thought that he was nothing, until the day a familiar face shows up at his door.   Lady Chelsea Mills–Beckman knows the truth behind the changes in Beau and has devised a way for him to get his revenge and help her at the same time.  I think this is a great story.  I read a lot of books based on titles and it was nice to see one that wasn't but still has the power to draw you in and keep you there.  I can not wait to find out what Ms. Michaels has in store for Jack and Puck!

http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Rake-Hqn-Kasey-Michaels/dp/0373775911/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314216745&sr=1-1

Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right By Kieran Kramer

I was not familiar with Kieran Kramer when I first read this book but you can guarantee that she is on my must read list now!  This is a great book and I have actually read it twice now.  To be or not to be...a Spinster.  That is the question and Lady Poppy Barnes-Smith most definitely has an answer for.  She is and will always be a Spinster, unless true love comes her way.  She has turned down over a dozen proposals all with the guise of a suitor that is on the verge of proposing, a fictitious peer named the Duke of Drummond.  Unbeknownst to Poppy the Duke of Drummond is a real man who also happens to be a spy.  The chance to use Poppy and a betrothal to further his agenda is a chance Nicholas Staunton, Duke of Drummond can not pass up.  Can Nicholas convince Poppy that being a Wife is better than being a Spinster?

http://www.amazon.com/Dukes-Princes-Right-Impossible-Bachelors/dp/031237402X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314215052&sr=1-1

My Irrestistable Earl by Gaelen Foley

This was an incredible book!  This is the story of Jordan, Earl of Falconridge and Mara, Lady Pierson.  Jordan is a member of the notorious Inferno Club which is a group of wealthy, scandalous men who just happen to work as spies for the Crown.  Years ago, Jordan and Mara had met and the potential for love was there.  However, duty called and the two were torn apart by failed communication and honor.  Fast forward twelve years later and Mara is now a widow with a son and Jordan is back in England.  Can these two lovers find their way back to each others arms?  Check out this dynamic story and you will not be disappointed.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Irresistible-Earl-Gaelen-Foley/dp/0061733962

Catching up...

So, I know it has been awhile since I have posted any books.  That doesn't mean I have stopped reading!  My summer has been so packed.  My family and I went on vacation to Mt. Rushmore and had a blast!  My husband, William, and I are both college students so we were finishing up summer classes.  Add to that two wild and crazy boys and two jobs, I am surprised I know what a book is!  I will be adding more to my blog as I go along but this is a small beginning and I hope it will continue to expand.  Thanks!

If he's Dangerous by Hannah Howell

This book fits my requirements for a fabulous read!  It is a great mixture of paranormal and historical romance.  Lorelei Sundun is not your ordinary highborn lady.  She sees naked men in her father's rose garden, but this is no ordinary man.  Sir Argus Wherlocke is a member of the Wherlocke clan, and it is rumored that they have special "gifts".  Lorelei mounts a rescue when she realizes the Argus is being held captive by a madman bent on stealing Argus's special talents.   Can Argus keep from falling in love with the lovely lady or is he destined for another fate all together?  Check out this amazing story and the rest of Ms. Howell's books in the Wherlocke & Vaughn saga.

http://www.amazon.com/If-Hes-Dangerous-Hannah-Howell/dp/1420118781

Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke

What an amazingly powerful book!  This is the story of Lady Julia Yardley, a scandalous divorcee who is constantly shocking the ton.  Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen, has know this lovely lady for thirteen years, and disapproves of nearly everything she does.  He still blames himself for his role in her divorce.  Adultery is never the thing.  How far is Lady Julia willing to go to tease and torment this serious and responsible Duke into having some fun.  Aidan and Julia's story shows you that the face you see may just be a facade.  Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/Scandal-Year-Abandoned-at-Altar/dp/006196316X

 

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

What can I say about this book!  I have been looking foward to Lady Julianne's story for awhile now.

This is the story of Lady Julianne who has been in love with Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield for years.  Hawk looks at Julianne and sees his Julie-girl, the younger sister of his best friend.  Julianne is tired of being dismissed and sets out to when the heart of Hawk.  When she feels like she has failed she takes the advise of her sponsor and sets out to write a book to teach young ladies how to snag a husband.

Please make an effort to read this amazing story!  Ms Dreiling has once again captured my imagination and produced an incredible sequel!

http://www.amazon.com/How-Seduce-Scoundrel-Vicky-Dreiling/dp/0446565385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310660020&sr=1-1