Cover Reveal: THE RIGEL AFFAIR by L.M. Hedrick!

The Rigel Affair

Abandoned by his part-Cherokee Ma, Charlie Kincaid escapes servitude with his uncle. He jumps a boxcar, accompanied by his schoolmate Roxy, who is escaping troubles of her own. Charlie becomes a US Navy Diver.

Mattie Blanc is from a genteel New Zealand family. But when her brother’s friend persuades her to take a ride, it all goes horribly wrong. Desperate, she flees her family’s stifling expectations for a new life in Auckland.

After the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, Charlie sets sail for Auckland aboard the USS Rigel. And there she is, the girl of his dreams. Mattie is everything that Roxy isn’t—sophisticated, tender, and patient. But the war intervenes… Rigel embarks for the Pacific war zones.

Charlie’s letters are sporadic. Mattie is tormented by doubts; did he truly love her, or was it only a dream?

The Rigel Affair produces a rip-roaring wartime romance and chilling danger unknown to most.

Pre-Order Special Offer:

If readers purchase The Rigel Affair prior to the publication date of December 27, 2018, through the BRW Link below, they may use the promo code: PREORDER2018 to receive a 15% discount.

http://www.blackrosewriting.com/historical-fiction/therigelaffair

Or available at full price for pre-order at:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rigel-affair-l-m-hedrick/1129687245

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684331625

Author Bio – Lynette grew up listening to her mother Mattie’s stories about her WW2 love for US Navy Diver Charlie. She used Mattie’s 30 letters from Charlie, and together with her insightful editor/advisor husband, Bud, they completed extensive research to give reality to The Rigel Affair. Lynette has published multiple short stories for NZ magazines. Both Lynette and Bud have completed numerous Creative Writing courses at Auckland University. Lynette is an accomplished expressionist Artist, with works sold internationally.

Social Media Links –

Website:  https://lmhedrick.com/

Website Blog:  https://lmhedrick.com/category/blog/

Twitter page:  https://twitter.com/lmhedrick

Author Blog:  https://lmhedrick.com/category/blog/

Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/lmhedrick/

Instagram Page:  https://www.instagram.com/lmhedrick/

Pinterest Page:  https://www.pinterest.nz/lynette5567/pins/

Google Plus Page:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/101171457191732133324?tab=wX

Sales Blitz: AMELIA GREY's Holiday novellas!

Two heartwarming Christmas novellas
ON SALE at $1.99!

BOOK # 1

Series: The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Book 4
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 13, 2015

Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn't handle--until he's hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who mistakes his intentions. When he gets into a tussle with her--and she can hold her own--Crispin knows he has finally met his match.

Miss Gwen Prim is mortified that she attacked a duke, but even more concerning is the way her resolve melts when she's near him. She's never felt this way about a London gentleman in her life. And with the magic of Christmas in the air, she may end up with a proposal she didn't expect...

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BOOK # 2

Series: The Heirs' Club of Scoundrels Book 5
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: November 29, 2016

The Marquis of Wythebury, is expecting an ordinary Christmastide at Hurst—until he is set upon by a beautiful miss who takes him to task for not allowing his young nephews to play outside. In his mind, a five and seven year old needn’t get chilled in the snow; better to plop them in front of the fire with a book. Few people have ever been brave enough to challenge him over anything, much less the rearing of his wards. The cheeky Miss Prim has no such compunction. No matter how fetching he finds her, he can’t give in to his attraction…for she is the sister of his best friend.

Growing up the middle child of five rambunctious girls, Lillian Prim doesn’t understand why two young boys visiting Hurst don’t know how to play until she meets their dashing guardian. The Marquis of Wythebury is commanding and intensely serious-minded. To her surprise, she’s captivated by him. It’s all she can do not to give into her feminine fantasies about her kissing him. Lillian has no intention of falling in love with the Marquis, but she will create Christmastide mischief and teach the boys and the handsome Marquis how to play.

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About Amelia Grey

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She’s been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.

Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.

She is a two-time winner of the prestigious Booksellers Best Award, and she has also won the Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill awards. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the Maggie Award. Amelia’s books have been published in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and Japan. Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Amelia loves to hear from readers.

Email: ameliagreyauthor@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ameliagrey.com

Newsletter Sign-up: http://madmimi.com/signups/214982/join

Social Media: Facebook

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Contest runs from November 5 - 11, 2018.

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Review: THE WARRIOR'S BRIDE PRIZE by Jenni Fletcher!

The Warrior's Bride Prize

Daughter of a slave…wedded to the warrior!

Livia Valeria is furious when she’s ruthlessly gambled away by her intended bridegroom. Luckily, it’s tall, muscled and darkly handsome Roman centurion Marius Varro who wins her as his bride! Livia must hide her Caledonian roots, but when Marius faces a barbarian rebellion at Hadrian’s Wall she must make a choice: her heritage or the husband she’s falling for…

Review: So Historical Romance can be hit or miss for me, but not only did this one sound great, but it was a time period I don't often see - so of course I had to give it a shot. And I'm so, so glad I did. This was excellently written. This author has a great, engaging writing style.

I didn't want to put it down. I loved the hero and heroine, and I even loved her daughter! And that's saying something considering I don't usually like kids in my romances. There was a list of other books by this author at the end, and I think I'm going to have to check them out, because I loved, loved, loved this one!!

Cover Lovin': Go ahead and kiss already!

Recommendation: Can be read as a stand alone.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars (5/5)!!! I couldn't put this down!

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK https://amzn.to/2NWoZSS

Amazon https://amzn.to/2NWoZSS

iBooks https://apple.co/2udYkZI   

WHSmith http://bit.ly/2Nbne3b

B&N http://bit.ly/2ug1pbF

Author Bio –

Jenni Fletcher was born on the north coast of Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire, where she writes Medieval, Roman and Victorian romance novels.

She studied English at Cambridge University before doing an MA on Women and Literature in English and a PhD on Victorian & Edwardian literature at Hull. After realising that she was better at writing than teaching, she worked in a number of administrative jobs whilst trying to finish her first book, which was rejected. Thinking there must have been some mistake, she then wrote another, which was fortunately accepted by Harlequin Mills & Boon.

Her favourite Jane Austen novel is Persuasion and her favourite Brontë is Anne. If she had to choose a romantic hero it would be John Thornton, but maybe that’s just because she’s Northern.

Social Media Links –

FB https://www.facebook.com/JenniFletcherAuthor/

Twitter @JenniAuthor

Giveaway – Win 1 x Signed US Copy of The Warrior’s Bride Prize (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Promo: WHY THE EARL IS AFTER THE GIRL by Tabetha Waite!

A missing heirloom. A stolen inheritance.
Can love conquer mistrust?

WHY THE EARL IS AFTER THE GIRL
Tabetha Waite

Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Ways of Love, Book 1
Publisher: Etopia Press
Publication Date: July 14, 2016

Add to Goodreads

Sometimes love finds a way…


Miss Athena Hawthorne certainly hadn’t been looking for romance on that rainy day in London when her very existence crumbled before her. When she feels that life couldn’t get any worse, she stumbles into the very man that has the power to turn her unfortunate circumstances around.

When you least expect it...

Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, offers Athena the chance to gain her vengeance by granting her a respectable position as a governess. What she doesn’t know is that he is plotting his own revenge against her. He believes that she is responsible for the theft of a priceless, family heirloom and he is determined to see it restored – no matter the cost.

Purchase Links:

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About Tabetha Waite

Tabetha grew up in a small town with big dreams of seeing her name in print ever since her fourth grade teacher said she liked reading her stories. Starting out putting pen to paper before graduating to an antique typewriter, she used to sit at the kitchen table and invent all manner of stories from fantasy to mystery. It wasn't until Tabetha was in high school did her grandmother mention reading the old Gothics of the sixties, along with the more modern Harlequins.

Once she opened these pages, Tabetha decided that romance was the genre for her. Combining her love of history, she started writing novels set in the American Civil War time period, but after learning of the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen, she fell in love with the beauty of England. "Why the Earl is After the Girl" is her debut novel and a dream come true. She is already busy writing the next book in her "Ways of Love" series, though she always makes time to respond to readers!

Tabetha lives in the Midwest with her husband and two daughters, and when she's not writing, she's working part time at the local community college as a lunch lady.

Official Tabetha Waite website: http://authortabethawaite.wixsite.com/romance

Follow Tabetha Waite on social media:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Linked-In | Pinterest | Manic Readers | The Romance Reviews | Serious Reading

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Join the book tour! Get more tidbits, excerpts and other info by visiting each tour stop in the schedule below.

To check the latest tour schedule, click here.

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Review: MANGA CLASSICS: EMMA by Stacy King & Po Tse

Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Manga Classics, Graphic Novel, Jane Austen, Historical Romance, Not-as-good-as-Johnny-Lee-Miller

Release Date: May 12, 2015

About the Book: Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I love Jane Austen. I really like reading manga. This should be a match made in heaven, but honestly, it felt more run of the mill, very middle of the road. I think Emma has to be my least favorite of Austen's novels. I find Emma herself to be very childish sometimes, which gets on my nerves. And I got the same impression while reading the Manga Classics: Emma. But if you think about it, that is a good thing. Why? Because that means this manga adaptation of a classic, well beloved novel appropriately portrays the spirit of the original.

There are several graphic novel interpretations of Austen's work out there, the styles ranging from overly cartoony to very life-like. Manga Classics: Emma is very much in the manga style - including chibi figures in moments of high emotion. While this is something I have come to understand and even appreciate in manga, a friend of mine read it and felt that it made the classic novel feel immature. I appreciated the art throughout this graphic novel. The characters were consistent, the outfits fitting and looked appropriate for the time period. I just wished Mr. Knightley would have looked a little less like a cheap villain - it was the strange goatee that did him in, I think.

Overall, this was a good adaptation. It's hard to review a graphic novel version of a classic without it becoming a strange compare and contrast, so I have done my best. Manga Classics: Emma has done well taking a book full of complex characters and intertwining story-lines and making it not only understandable, but a fast and fun read.

Cover Lovin': This is certainly a very sweet looking cover. And I'm stuck thinking it both does and does not convey the story very well.

Recommendation: This is one of those niche books. Austen-ites (Jane-ites?) would eat it up - anything for a new Austen fix. But it probably won't appeal to anyone that doesn't already like manga, considering manga is incredibly stylized.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). A good adaptation, but not the best of the Manga Classics by far.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice" by Stacy King

Disclaimer: I received an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Release Date: August 12, 2014

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Classic, Romance, Historical, Adaptations, Pride, Prejudice, Not as cute as Colin Firth or Matthew MacFayden...

About the book: Beloved by millions the world over, Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold, new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.

My Review: I am a huge fan of Pride & Prejudice, so I jumped at the chance to review this manga adaptation. Like the original novel, I eagerly gobbled up this manga version in one sitting. The art was very well done, with each character being appropriately distinctive while still showing familial resemblance, when necessary.

The manga version is very faithful to the original novel, which will please both purists and those looking for an alternative to the classic. Reading this graphic novel was like visiting the original story and characters all over again, just in miniature. Author Stacy King and illustrator  Po Tse do honor to the classic story and really make the characters come alive in this different style.

My only complaint is that the story and Elizabeth's character didn't quite pop as much as I would have preferred. If I were to give this version to a struggling or reluctant reader, I'm not sure this version would inspire as much love as the original novel.

Based on this reading, I would gladly pick up other Manga Classics volumes in the future.

Cover Lovin': The cover is elegant, and yet still eye catching. Overall, a very well done cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Pride and Prejudice. As a librarian, I can see giving this adaptation to a struggling or reluctant reader that thinks classics are stupid.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5). This is a very good interpretation, and it moves very quickly. As an adaptation, it's hard to not compare it to the original - in which case this falls flat, but anything will. The story was faithful to the original, and it was a fun read, but it lacked the punch of the original novel.

REVIEW: "A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man" by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan

Why this book?: I heard some rave reviews, and wanted to see what all the commotion was about!

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Romance (Contemporary and Historical), Steamy (not for readers under 18 years old).

About the book: Regency London’s most celebrated courtesan, The Blackbird, was a woman before her time—uninhibited, financially independent, and free to live by her own rules. Schooled in the sensual arts by the one man she loved the most, she recorded every wicked detail in her diaries…

When Boston museum curator Piper Chase-Pierpont unearths The Blackbird’s steamy memoirs, she’s aroused and challenged by what she finds. Could the courtesan’s diaries  be used as a modern girl’s guide to finding love and empowerment? One curious curator—and one very lucky man—are about to find out…

Review: This is an example of a well done story featuring characters in booth the past and the present. Other books have attempted it, but this is the best one I've seen/read so far.

"A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man" has a cast of truly excellent characters. I actually love all of the main characters. I was originally worried I wouldn't connect with everyone, afraid the characters in one time period would outshine the others and I would be bored with half the story, but there was an amazing balance. And all the main characters were appropriately fleshed out - which is a truly great thing to see. Some novels with more than one or two main characters seem to be lacking in the character development/realness.

It's not often I want to cry at the end of a book (especially when the book has a happy ending!) but I wanted to for this one! This is one of those books I want to immediate thrust into other people's hands and make them read it. In fact, I did. I gave this book to my mother to read, with the caveat that we not discuss the steamy scenes.. well, other than saying they were quite dishy.

And speaking of steamy scenes, this book is choc full of them! I didn't feel that the scenes were over the top, after all.. she's going through training to be a Courtesan. This was not smut for smut's sake, it was erotic, beautiful, and enough to make me want to fan myself. That said, if sex scenes aren't your thing, this book may not be for you. If you don't mind scenes that will fog up your mirror, go get your copy ASAP!

Cover Lovin': Not the best cover in the world, but it does alright, I'd say.

Recommendation: Excellent novel, for fans of both (or either) Contemporary and Historical Romance. Due to some of the more graphic love scenes, not suggested for readers under 18.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). This is one of those books I immediately started passing out to people, telling them they just HAD to read it because it was something I wanted to discuss. Excellent!

Have you read "A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man?" by Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan? If so, share your thoughts in the comments! If not, CLICK HERE to get your copy from Amazon.com today!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

Just actin' like we're animals - REVIEW of "Wild Heart" by Lori Brighton

Why this book?: Lori Brighton is an awesome author, no matter what she writes.

Disclaimer: I was given my copy of "Wild Heart" by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Type: Historical Romance, Dark pasts, Murders, Interesting abilities, Governesses, Panthers, Tall Dark and Handsome.

About the book: WANTON. Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined--and completely untamed. . .until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo's mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing... WILLING. What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo's reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of. . .and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul...
Review: It has been a long time since I read a book where the hero got on my nerves for the longest time, and then surprised my in the end by being someone I enjoy. Leo, with his glaring ways (I honestly felt like he glared at me through the first third of the book), made me a little uncomfortable - he was indeed quite "wild." But as both the reader and Ella learned more about him - what he enjoyed doing, and the fact that he is not as wild as he seemed, just had an agenda - the more he started growing on me. And as I said, by the end he was someone I enjoyed, even liked. Ella was adorable and selfless, a freespirit in a time when women were expected to adhere to so many rules. Though there was a time or two I thought she might be a little too free, but I'll admit it, I liked it.

The storyline starts off a little slow, as the characters and history needs some lead-in. Leo has a dark past, and it haunts him to this day, so he returns home to find the people that killed his parents. However, this is not proving to be an easy task. Ella ends up joining him on the search, and several plot-lines and histories diverge into something so complex and fascinating, you'll be grateful for the gentle lead in. A good read that will keep you entertained for hours, fans of Historical Romance should definitely check out "Wild Heart" by Lori Brighton!

Cover Loving: I like it - I think they look suitably enough like Leo and Ella.
Recommendation: Fans of Historical Romance will enjoy "Wild Heart" by Lori Brighton. Plenty of action, and quite the steamy hero.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5). Enjoyable read, I liked the characters, and the story was fascinating.

Have you read "Wild Heart" by Lori Brighton? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! Did you enjoy the book? Do you like Leo's dark and haunting past?
Want to read this book? Pick up your copy at Amazon.com via the link at the left!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~

I'll Have What She's Having - Review of "When Harry Met Molly" by Kieran Kramer

 Haha, see what I did with the title of this review? Yeah yeah, I'm so clever. =)

Disclaimer: This book is on loan from my local library. I was not given this book in exchange for a review.

Type: Historical Romance, Series, Romance, Clever women, Impossible Bachelors, Funny contests.

Why this book?: Well, after seeing the summary on the back of the book, how could I pass it up?

Cover Lovin': Not the best I've ever seen, surely. But I like it. Simple, and elegant.About the book: Harry and Molly have quite the past. The Christmas Incident was years ago, but it has affected both their lives to this day. When they meet again in a rather seedy pub, Harry's mistress takes off with Molly's fiance, leaving her without a ride, and him without some to help him compete in this year's Impossible Bachelor's Mistress games. Harry convinces Molly to be his pretend mistress for the next week, promising to help find her a more than suitable husband if she wins the festivities. Molly quickly learns that being a pretend mistress is not the easiest thing for a proper lady. This week is going to be a lot harder than both of them thought...

My Review: Occasionally you find a Historical, Romance or otherwise, that requires a fair amount of imagination. This might just be one of these books - it's hard to believe that these sort of circumstances would actually happen, and that there would be no huge blow-out scandal resulting from it. And surely, no eligable titled bachelor would be able to go a year without receiving some sort of marriage proposition - Prince Regent's orders or no. And the ending did have some sappy moments. There were some sappy, pour your heart out moments by characters you would expect to act otherwise. But, it all leads up to that beautiful Happy Ever After feeling that I so love in my romances.

I'm a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers scenario in romance, and this is a great example. Harry and Molly weren't really enemies. They shared a scandal some years ago, blamed each other, and spent any time they had seen each other after that playing pranks on one another. The banter between the two was amusing and felt spot-on. And the easy going friendship that begins to develop is heartwarming, and charming. Harry and Molly seem young and fresh, not afraid to tease each other and joke, even in some serious situations, and I loved watching them interact with each other as well as with all the equally fascinating and loveable side characters.

Recommendation: Definitely. Fans of Historical Romance, and just good characters in general will enjoy "When Harry Met Molly" by Kieran Kramer.

Final Rating: FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE (4.5/5)

Have you read "When Harry Met Molly" by Kieran Kramer? Or any of her other books? Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Want to get a copy? Buy it from Amazon.com via the link at the left!

Happy Reading! And please, bear with me as I continue to play around with my review system. It's a new year, and I want to try some new ways to spice it up. Feel free to leave any comments or suggestions!

~!~ Amanda, aka Morning Glow ~!~ 

Review of "One Enchanted Evening" by Lynn Kurland

Holy cow, I was told I'd be getting this book to review back in May.. I received it earlier this month (November).

Disclaimer: I was sent this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. No funny business here.

Type: Historical Romance, Time Travel Romance, Faeries, "Paranormal Oddities," Castles then and now, This entire family is cool, I hate Cinderella, Total Fashion Domination

Why this book: Ever since I read "Outlander" I've been a little obsessed with Time travel romance.. so when I saw this book as something to request to review, I was like "YES!" - I was told to expect a copy.. I had just about given up hope when it showed up out of the blue.

About the book: Persephone, aka Pippa, is on her way to England to begin her total Fashion World Domination plan. A wealthy Englishman is interested in helping her with her design business, and her sister Tess has set up a meeting for the two. But like always, Pippa's oldest sister Cindi comes in to ruin the day, trying to keep Pippa from reaching her dream with a series of "mishaps" - one of which is "accidentally" shoving Pippa... right through a gate in time, and back to the 1200s. Lucky for her, the owner of the ramshackle castle, Montgomery, is there to catch her as she falls. Filled with evil sisters, amusing banter, battles between Montgomery and the castle's former owners, and a love that literally spans the ages, "One Enchanted Evening" is not a book you want to miss!

This is my first book by Lynn Kurland. But if this book is anything to go by, I will be needing to read the rest of this series, featuring more of Montgomery's amazing family. I should mention there there are indeed other books, and for the most part, "One Enchanted Evening" seems to be able to stand alone. Near the end, when Montgomery meets more of his family in both time zones, things can definitely get a little confusing. In the beginning, I found this book to be a little dry, but once Pippa lands in England, it's one thrill ride after the next. And beware, it's addicting.

Pippa and Montgomery are amazing characters. Pippa is resiliant, bright, and willing to work hard for her family and for her dreams. She's an excellent seamstress, and she has worked and planned for years to finally get the chance that Stephen, the Englishman, is offering her. Unfortunately, things get a little sidetracked when she gets thrown back into the past. Even more unfortunately, Cindi falls back in time too. While Pippa is such a shining character, Cindi is the evil wench. Cindi is the character readers will love to hate, and eagerly want to throttle. You have to hand it to the author, she wrote an excellent evil character, even if said character can get on your nerves. Montgomery had moments of modern-ness to him, but that can be explained by the odd-ness of his family and their history (and future). Montgomery was by far my favorite - witty, wise, and brave. Despite the turmoil occuring in his own home, he put Pippa, and even Cindi's life above his own.

As mentioned, the ending can get a little confusing, once different relations start showing up - it's just too many people at once. But don't let that stop you, the ending is worth it. I hope to see this series continued, and Pippa's sisters, or at least the good ones - Peaches and Tess, get their own happily ever afters. I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of historical romance, and definitely time travel romance. I would probably recommend the whole series, despite not reading it - though now it's all added to my Wish list. Lynn Kurland knows how to weave a fantastic tale of adventure in both the past and present, and I cannot wait to see more from her.

I'm going to give "One Enchanted Evening" by Lynn Kurland a FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE (4.5/5). Loved it, can't wait to read more, and I want a Montgomery of my very own.. actually, if I could get a time gate of my own, that would be great. And a castle. This would be a perfect 5 out of 5 except for the confusion at the end, which would probably be avoided by reading the rest of the series first. But as I said, this can, and does pretty well, stand alone.

Have you read this or any other book by Lynn Kurland? Share your thoughts in the comments! Want to pick up a copy? Find it at Amazon.com via the link on the left.

Up next: Whatcha Got Wednesday, then a break for the Thanksgiving Holidays!
Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow ~!~

Review of "The Year of Living Scandalously" by Julia London

 "The Year of Living Scandalously" is Book 1 in the "Secrets of Hadley Green" series - look for Lily and Tobin's story coming soon (not sure if there's a date yet).

Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me, the reviewer. I am reviewing it because I wanted to, not in exchange for anything.

Type: Historical Romance, Mistaken Identities, Awesome Names Like Declan, Haunting Pasts, Going to Jail (Or Not?)

Why this book: I heard some good things about it, and thought I'd maybe get it if I saw it around. Then the author posted on FB about five things Declan would never say, then five things Kiera would never say. And I was so amused that I just had to get it.
About the book: Declan O'Connor just bought himself a fine horse and was about to pay up when he was summoned to see the Countess of Ashwood, the horse's previous owner. Assuming the summons was for a quick trist, Declan was shocked to see not the new Countess, but Kiera Hannigan, his neighbor from back home, masquerading as the new royalty. Kiera didn't mean to impersonate her cousin, but the two look so similar, she was quickly mistaken for Lily. There were matters that required immediate attention, and Kiera had to act in her cousin's best interest. But as this farce gets more daunting and difficult, Kiera begs to coerce Declan into helping her maintain Ashwood for her cousin. As much as Declan hates the idea of deceiving people, and his bad past with Kiera tells him he should leave, he just can't make himself go.

After reading the Prologue, I thought this was going to be a different story, or turn out differently. And while the events of the prologue do pop up as a secondary plot later in the book, it focuses more on characters that will be featured in (hopefully) the next book by this author. I enjoyed this book, but I'm definitely, totally looking forward to Lily's story.

Some of this book seemed a little too far fetched. I firmly believe in artistic license, especially with historical romance, but it was hard for me to believe Kiera could get away with not only the mistaken identity, but some of her little plots as well. And Declan and Kiera's past just seemed off. It was there, Declan seemed haunted by it, but at the same time, it didn't feel real enough for me to understand why it bothered them so much. The death in their past came up in what felt like random moments - I wasn't sure it always jived in that part of the story.

I thought the ending was alright, but a bit of a let down. After all the angsting over what will happen to Kiera since she impersonated her cousin, after the reaction of the people she had ruled over while pretending to be the countess, the rest of it just sort of fell flat. Maybe Kiera and Declan will have to deal with those repurcussions in Lily and Tobin's book? As much as I wanted the characters to have a happy ending, it just felt a little too easy when it happened.

But one thing I did like - Declan. Declan, first off, has quite the awesome name. Secondly, he's the type of hero that bargains for kisses. Let's be honest, most of Historical Romance readers go for this type of hero - the type that wants to stay away, but just keeps getting sucked back in, and falling for the heroine even though he's fighting hard not to. Despite the issue of his and Kiera's past (the unrealness of their shared traumatic moment), Declan was the real one in all of this - he made rational and believable decisions, and he fought hard against Kiera's impersonation of her cousin.

All in all, if you're a fan of Historical Romance, this book is probably a good read. I enjoyed it enough while I was reading it to keep going, because I wanted to see how it would end. And despite my mediocre feelings on this particular book, I will definitely be picking up the next one - Lily and Tobin's story. Now those two definitely have a past I can get into, and even the glimpses we have of the two in "The Year of Living Scandalously" have depth and the basic "realness" to them.  So I'm giving "The Year of Living Scandalously" by Julia London a THREE out of FIVE (3/5).

Have you read it? Share your thoughts in the comments. Want to read it, buy it from Amazon.com via the link on the left. =)

Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow ~!~

Review of "Trial By Desire" by Courtney Milan

 I'm back from vacation! Back, and with a host of reviews to share. So let's get right down to it!

Disclaimer: I won this book in a contest. I was not given this book in exchange for a review, positive or negative. But I am an Amazon Affiliate.

Type: Historical romance, Strong women, Tortured men, Trust, Misunderstandings, Reunion

Why this book?: When I first started seeing reviews of this book, I desperately wanted to read it. It just sounded so good! I love reunion stories - where couples were together in the past, but something pulls them apart, and they reunite down the road. Lucky me, I won this book in a contest, and the author signed it for me.

About the book: Lady Kate Carhart has been alone for the past three years. But Kate refused to pine her life away, waiting for her husband to return from China. Instead, she came up with something that kept her more than busy - saving women from their abusive husbands. Up until now they were all women Kate knew only by aquaintence, but this last case was her only friend Louisa. In fact, it is after securing Louisa away in a small cottage that Kate happens gets in the middle of a terrible accident, a horse goes wild after being startled and Kate is almost trampled. She's saved by a kind gentleman who gets her out of harms way and frees the horse from the buggy, and it's only later that Kate finds out the man is none other than her wayward husband. Ned expected things to be different when he came home- he thought he could pick up where he left off, just slightly more in control, but Kate still leaves him feeling powerless. And after a walk down to a cottage that should be abandoned yet now hides Lady Louisa, Ned knows there is way more to his wife than he and everyone else thought. So Ned comes up with a plan to seduce his own wife, learn her secrets, and hopefully earn the right to her heart.

I really enjoyed this book, both of these characters are strong and real - if these two fictional beings were real people I would love to be friends with them. Ned has a great sense of humor, witty little comebacks and such that had me giggling every few pages. And Kate has had to withstand so much in her time alone, and while she has her own set of failings and weaknesses, she is a driven woman who will risk herself to help others. And the villain of this story - Harcroft, is so deliciously evil. He's the type of smarmy, demented man that any reader will love to hate, and the ending is all the more sweet because he's so dark and awful. The characters were what really made the story for me, and while the plot is almost as good, the characters were what really stood out to me as a reader.

And speaking of plot, I knew I would probably like it since I'm such a fan of reunion stories, but this one surpassed by expectations because of the intensity of what these two great characters have to go through to get their happy ending. There are many obstacles in the pair's way, Harcroft and Lady Louisa, the couple's past, and even Ned's mental health, and it was a delight to be caught up in Ned and Kate's story. This is one of those books you just can't put down, because you need to know the characters are alright, that they get some sort of happy ending, that the bad guy doesn't win in the end.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I know she has another book, "Proof By Seduction." I'll definitely be checking that one out as soon as possible. And be on the lookout for "Unveiled," coming out January of 2011. Trust me, this is definitely one of those authors to watch, especially if you're a lover of Historical romance.
I'm going to give "Trail by Desire" a FIVE out of FIVE (5/5). It has a good, complex plot, it had characters I fell in love with almost instantly, I'll recommend it to any lover of Historical romance (or romance in general!), I'm so going to pick up anything and everything else by this author, and it was just a danged good book. So be sure to pick up your own copy of "Trial By Desire" asap!

Have you read it? Share your thoughts in the comments! Want to read it? Pick a copy up at Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow

Review of "Sinful Surrender" by Beverley Kendall

 And don't forget to enter my contest for an ebook by HP Mallory! Enter here.

After reading a blurb about this book, I so couldn't pass up the chance to read it. A girl who's in love with her older brother's best friend? I'm so there.

Disclaimer: This book is on loan from my local library system. I was not given this book, nor any monetary incentive, in exchange for a review.

Type: Historical Romance, London, Aggravating men who don't know what they want, Strong women who do

From the back of the book: "  Millicent 'Missy' Armstrong is entering her third London Season, but not for lack of suitors. Since her debut three years ago, Missy has received twenty marriage proposals. But she is interested in only one man - her brother's best friend, James Rutherford. As a child, Missy looked up to James. As a grown up, her admiration has blossomed into the longings of a beautiful, sensuous woman - and she won't rest until James admits his love - and desire - for her...James Rutherford rues the day he let his physical weaknesses get the better of him by kissing Missy. His best friend has made it clear that Missy is off limits, and though he's avoided her for three years, he hasn't forgotten the feel of her soft lips pressed against his--and it seems neither has she. For no matter how much James tries to discourage Missy, he keeps winding up in her arms, sharing heated caresses that promise the most delirious pleasure.   "

This is another one of those books I just inhaled in one sitting. Mind you, I promptly fell asleep afterwards due to over-reading. But all the same, it wasn't something I wanted to put down. Put down, no... throw across the room? Maybe. Missy and James frustrated me... SOOO much. Missy wasn't really frustrating until the end, but James.. I wanted to shake some sense into that man. So much denial in such a nice tight package, it was amazing. But it wasn't just the denial that got me. It was his wishy washy nature. He would basically hide from Missy, then when they met up again, he'd give in to his desires and make out with her (or more, *gasp!* ), and then promptly yell at her and leave. I probably would have enjoyed him more as a hero if he would have at least been nicer to her sometimes. We learn he was around when Missy was younger, and had been incredibly sweet and friendly with her in years past, but all I saw of him as an adult was a big fat meanie jerk.

On the flipside, I did enjoy Missy's character for most of the book. She was driven, knew exactly what she wanted, and she had a basic plan of how to get it. Mind you, I think she might have taken it a bit too far now and again, got wrapped up in things she probably shouldn't.. she had a goal and would do anything to achieve it. And then we get to the end of the book.. in which point I switch from liking Missy more to liking James more. James went from being a jerk to finally realizing what he wants, and Missy falls into stubborn-jerk mode. I'll admit to being nervous about the end. I mean, I'll say so much as it all works out (would you doubt that anyways, in a romance?), but it was suddenly near the end of the book, and there wasn't much space left to wrap it up. I was almost amazed so much happened in such a short amount of time.

Frankly, I don't know how I feel about this book - this has been happening a lot lately, actually. I mean, I was wrapped up in the story enough to keep reading, but I so wanted to strangle... almost everyone involved. I didn't hate it, and I certainly didn't think it was a bad book. It just didn't jive with me, I suppose. And for that reason, I'm going to give "Sinful Surrender" by Beverley Kendall a THREE out of FIVE (3/5). But what do you guys think? Tell me your thoughts in the comments. Want to give this book a shot? Find it at Amazon.com!

Until next time, Happy Reading!
~!~ Morning Glow