Tag Archives: Georgianna S.

Hollywood Name Game 1 & 2 by Alexa Aston-Reviews & Guest Post

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Hollywood Name Game 1 & 2 by Alexa Aston-Reviews & Guest Post

Hollywood Heartbreaker
Hollywood Name Game #1
by Alexa Aston
Release Date: August 6, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

ebook ONLY 99¢ Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Being late to an interview lands her the biggest job opportunity of her life. He may be rich and successful–but he’s just this side of miserable.

Can a wannabe be The One for the biggest star in Hollywood?

Cassie Carroll came to Hollywood with big dreams that never materialized. Acting isn’t even on the back burner anymore–it’s completely off the stove. Working for a third-rate agent, Cassie hopes to land a new job that will give her credibility, as well as help pay the rent. Late to her interview, she swerves to avoid hitting a dog–and totals the car of Hollywood’s leading action superstar. Surprisingly, she walks away from their encounter with a job–as the sexiest man alive’s personal assistant.

Rhett Corrigan is bored with the movies he makes and the drop-dead gorgeous model he’s dating. He’s afraid that Hollywood has typecast him–and that he’ll never be able to break out of his action mold and try new acting challenges. When Cassie Carroll literally slams into his life, she brings a breath of fresh air and common sense to his world. She pushes him to be a better actor and a better man.

Can these friends become lovers–and can their love survive–in a tabloid-happy town that thrives on rumors and backstabbing?

Hollywood Heartbreaker is the first book in the Hollywood Name Game series. Each book in the series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.

•••••••••

REVIEW: Hollywood Heartbreaker is a contemporary romance and love story. I don’t usually do a lot of contemporary romance, but this one is an exceptionally entertaining novel. It’s a great look into the behind the scenes of the life of a superstar. The good, the bad, and the sad.

I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone so let me just tell you the gist of the setup and all the wonderful things that make this a pleasure to read. I loved the characters and their thoughts and feelings as the story went on. They are well-written with a lot of fun and compassion.
Here’s the basic setup.

Cassie Carroll is struggling to find her way to make a decent living in LA. She came to Hollywood as an aspiring actress, but soon learned she didn’t have the talent for it. She didn’t return to Texas and her estranged mother. Instead she managed to get a job as an assistant to a failing talent agent. She took over the office and learned much, while her boss snorted the profits up his nose. So, she’s out looking for another position at a more successful agency. She has an interview but is having a …. well a rough day! She swerves her car to avoid hitting a fluffy dog and wrecks into a BMW. While she’s still in her car, she’s disoriented and doesn’t notice the danger. A strange but gorgeous man pulls her from her car and carries her away, then the cars explode. She’s been truly rescued by none other than superstar actor Rhett Corrigan.

Rhett Corrigan is a superstar action movie hero. He’s struggling to make his agent see that he wants more, better parts in serious movies. He’s grateful for his success but knows he can expand his skill and do much more. Getting his agent and others to take a chance on that, well that’s another ballgame. As he leaves his agent’s office, he sees his “Beemer” get hit and recognizes the danger the driver does not. He pulls the woman from the car and carries her off to safety as the cars explode. She’s cute, disheveled, lost one shoe, but determined to go ahead for her interview in his agent’s building. He accompanies her to help, but instead offers her the job of his personal assistant. His sister (current assistant) is having cancer treatments and he needs someone to take her place, at least temporarily.

And the game is afoot! They like each other, but the relationship is professional. For Cassie, it’s a dream job. For Rhett, he really needs some help as his household is falling apart. They’re attracted, but it builds even more, slowly.

Okay, that’s the setup. It’s intriguing and a rather good look into the life of a superstar no one actually gets to see. The characters are well done. The conversations are realistic, sometimes quirky and sometimes fun, but always entertaining. The plot is simple but well executed. I found it remarkable entertaining and couldn’t stop reading. Kudos to author Alexa Aston on a successful new series, I can’t wait for more.

____________

Hollywood Flirt
Hollywood Name Game #2
by Alexa Aston
Release Date: August 22, 2020

ebook ONLY 99¢. Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: She’s Hollywood royalty whose trail vanished a dozen years ago.

He doesn’t do relationships and thinks commitment is a four-letter word.

They Google each other . . . and sparks fly . . .

Sydney Revere, the daughter of a famous movie couple, left Hollywood behind over a decade ago. Christened The Wild Child by the media, she reinvents herself as a serious student who becomes an attorney and marries a safe, predictable man. When her husband cheats on her and the law loses its glitter, Sydney returns to Hollywood. Her father hires her to storyboard his upcoming movie, No Regrets—and then stuns Sydney when he offers her the job as his assistant director.

Dash DeLauria is a rising actor who hasn’t trusted a woman since his mother left. He’s now the guardian of his mentally-challenged brother. Dash is looking to grow professionally and after he wins the lead in No Regrets, he finds he’s lost his heart and soul to Sydney. With both their careers on the upswing, life is sweet.

But Sydney’s ex-husband isn’t finished with her yet. Discovering who she really is—and that she’s wealthy—he tracks her to California, ready to start over with her again.

No matter what it takes . . .

•••••••••

REVIEW: Hollywood Flirt is the second volume of Alexa Aston’s Hollywood Name Game series. This a contemporary romance series that you won’t want to miss. In a place where more people act like they’re made of plastic, author Alexa Aston has created some characters that will win your heart, make you cry with both heartbreak and tears of joy.

This is the story of Sydney Revere and Dash DeLauria. I really can’t give you the total setup, the backstory is super fantastic and crucial to the plot. Let me just say that neither character has had the best of lives, but when these two dynamic people meet…WOW!

This is also a story of growing up and coming into their own, both physically and emotionally. This may be the second book in this series, but I certainly hope there’s a great long line of more. Not only is the plot genius, the conversations are wonderful. The characters both main and secondary are richly developed and thoroughly enjoyable. It’s one of those stories you don’t ever want to get to the end of, but you keep turning pages. Just when you think you’re ready for a HEA, crazy danger comes in…oops, I almost did a spoiler!

Seriously, I really enjoyed these stories and especially Hollywood Flirt. Characters you are familiar with return to make this story realistic and enthralling. I never thought I’d find this much enjoyment from stories of Hollywood. Author Alexa Aston is a remarkable talent. I can’t wait for more!

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Georgianna S

When a Writer Accepts a Challenge:

Writers challenge themselves all the time. They may want to write faster and put out more books than the previous year or push to sell more copies of their newest release than the previous one. Their new goal may be to switch publishing houses to go indie. They might challenge themselves to attend a professional writing conference or set up a book signing event.

My latest challenge? Switching romance sub-genres!

I’ve written sixteen medieval romances for Dragonblade Publishing, including my series The Knights of Honor and The King’s Cousins. Last year, my publisher and mentor, Kathryn Le Veque, wanted me to spread my wings a bit and try and new time in history. I settled upon the Regency era and found it is delightful to write in. I’ve already released three Regency series in 2019 & 2020—The St. Clairs; Soldiers & Soulmates; and The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle. I’ve enjoyed creating the new families and characters within these series.

Then a new itch needed to be scratched. I had an idea for a series set in Hollywood—and thus, Hollywood Name Game was born!

I started writing this series in-between Regency books and found I could write more quickly and feel fresher as a writer by alternating between the two different sub-genres. While I will always write my historicals (I have a medieval trilogy coming out this year and a five-book Regency series releasing in 2021), I think it will be fun and challenging to pursue this new contemporary genre.

Here’s an overview of the series to let you see what it’s about. Three random commenters will receive an ebook copy of Hollywood Heartbreaker, Book 1 in Hollywood Name Game. You have until midnight CST to comment, and I’ll reveal the winners tomorrow on this site.

Meet the men of Hollywood and the women they fall for in Alexa Aston’s new contemporary romance series, Hollywood Name Game—five romances sprinkled with humor and a few laced with a bit of suspense—but all guarantee a satisfactory, happily ever after for these couples.
Anything can happen in Hollywood . .

*Each book in the series is a standalone romance that can be read out of order.

Hollywood Heartbreaker (August 6)
Totaling the car of Hollywood’s leading action star leads Cassie Carroll to the job of a lifetime—and love.

Hollywood Flirt (August 27)
After clashing on set, a Hollywood star and his director find love—until her crazy ex-husband shows up with an agenda.

Hollywood Player (September 17)
Can a reclusive singer-songwriter trust enough to give her heart to a Hollywood superstar who’s known for breaking hearts?

Hollywood Double (October 8)
A stuntman becomes the leading man when the actor he doubles for is murdered—and falls hard and fast for his co-star.

Hollywood Enigma (October 29)
Sparks fly when Hollywood superstar Wynn Gallagher hires attorney Scarlett Corrigan to get him out of his ironclad contract.

Award-winning and internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She’s a binge fiend (The Crown and Ozark are favorites) who enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family.

Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense.

Website: https://alexaaston.com/

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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/alexaaston

 

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A Secret Surrender (The Pretenders #1) by Darcy Burke-Review Tour

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A Secret Surrender (The Pretenders #1) by Darcy Burke-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Apple

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2020.

A survivor of the mean streets of London’s East End, Selina Blackwell has learned to be a chameleon, and in her current iteration as a fortune-teller, she’s able to provide a Season for her sister. Only, Madame Sybila can’t be a chaperone, so Selina takes on another identity as the proper Lady Gresham. But when a Bow Street Runner takes too much of an interest in her business, it seems the crimes of her past will finally come to light.

Determined to prove that Madame Sybila is a fraud bent on fleecing London’s elite, Harry Sheffield enlists the help of the alluring Lady Gresham in exchange for introducing her to Society’s best. With his busy career and aspirations for the future, Harry has no time for marriage, but an affair is just right—until he discovers the lady’s disarming secret. Whatever his feelings for her, he can’t ignore who she is and who she’s been. And when she holds the key to the one case he couldn’t solve, he must choose justice or love.

••••••••

REVIEW:A Secret Surrender is a historical romance novel set in London, 1819. If you are familiar with Darcy Burke’s novels and characters, you will remember some of the characters in this novel from previous novels.

This is the story of Harry Sheffield, second son of the Earl of Aylesbury and now a Bow Street constable, and Selina Blackwell, orphan, thief, and swindler. Such an interesting pairing!

The delicate balance of a cat and mouse game as these two meet and begin to fall madly in love is a genius of plot crafting. I won’t give away details, you really must read this for yourself. You won’t regret a minute it. The pace is quick, the details develop slowly, the romance is heartfelt and steamy. I could not see how the author would resolve the conflicts, but she certainly did.

An interesting time period for women and not at all a safe one. The characters are well crafted and charming, except for the villain, he’s definitely not charming. The heartbreak is painful, as it should be. The HEA is unexpected…I didn’t see it coming.

Kudos to Darcy Burke on this marvelous addition to her work.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

Excerpt: Sneak peek at chapter 1

https://www.darcyburke.com/books/the-pretenders/a-secret-surrender/a-secret-surrender-excerpt/

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page,www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

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To Catch An Earl (Bow Street Bachelors 2)by Kate Bateman-a review

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To Catch An Earl (Bow Street Bachelors 2)by Kate Bateman-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2020

A case of secret identities finds reunited lovers on opposite sides of the law in this fun, flirty Regency romance.

There’s only one case Bow Street agent Alex Harland, Earl of Melton, hasn’t cracked: the identity of the mysterious woman who stole a kiss from him before he left for war. He’s neither forgotten–nor forgiven–her for leaving him wanting. When he starts investigating the Nightjar, an elusive London jewel thief, he keeps running into the alluring Emmy Danvers, who stirs feelings he hasn’t felt in years.

Even though Emmy’s loved Alex for years, she can’t risk revealing her heart, or her identity as the Nightjar. With Alex on her case, Emmy knows that her secrets are in danger of being discovered. Their cat and mouse game heats up with every interaction, but when Emmy’s reputation–and life–is at risk, will Alex realize that some rules are made to be broken for love?

•••••••••

REVIEW: Wow! This is a magnificent story from the prologue to the Epilogue.

Emmy Danvers is the daughter of the infamous jewel thief, the Nightjar. However, it isn’t about stealing jewels to sell. Her father wanted to retrieve the jewels from the French royals to keep them until the Bourbon’s returned to power. She was raised to know the trade and participate.

Alexander Harland was the second son of his family, so he was left free to make his own fortune. Indeed, he did. He spent time fighting Napoleon title and has the scars to prove it. He was given the title of the of Earl of Melton for his aid to the crown. He and two of his friends also owned a gambling hall and it was a popular one.

The two met in 1812 at a masked ball, just before Alex served in the army or had made his own place in the world. It all Emmy’s doing. She wanted to have one night with the handsome and intelligent gentleman. She knew she couldn’t have a future with him and had to keep her identity a secret. She wore a lovely gown, a blue powdered wig and a mask that hid half her face. He would never be able to recognize her, or so she thought. They danced and he led her out on the terrace and into the gardens. They shared magnificent kisses but parted with her still hiding her name and him vowing to find her when he came back from the war.

Chapter one begins four years later, after the war. Alex had been wounded and ended up with a small scar at his temple and partially losing his peripheral vision. He was now the Earl of Melton, part owner of the Tricorn, and worked part time for Bow Street as a detective along with his two friends, who had also been awarded titles. They are pretty much on opposite sides of the law and each is a master of their own side.

Okay, that’s pretty much the setup. I don’t do spoilers, so I’ll simply let you know what I found so exciting and wonderful about this novel.

The writing is extremely well done. The conversations are thoroughly enticing. The cat and mouse games played by the main characters as well as their own thoughts are entertaining as well as insightful. I found it fast paced and sexy as they get. By all means, grab a copy for yourself and settle in for a great time and swoon worthy romance.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgie

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Secrets Hidden in The Glass/Aftermath of Secrets by Cate Beauman

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Secrets Hidden in The Glass/Aftermath of Secrets (Carter Island 1-2 ) by Cate Beauman-Reviews, Excerpt & Giveaway

SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS
Carter Island #1
by Cate Beauman
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play/ Apple/

Goodreads: http://tiny.cc/SHIG_Goodreads

Release Date: October 12, 2017

The secrets of the past are always closer than we think…

Stained glass artist Callie Davis is in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she’s fleeing the pressures of her career and is taking refuge on Massachusetts’ tiny Carter Island. Callie yearns for long, lazy days and pretty walks on the beach—blessed solitude and an escape from the complications of her life. Then she bumps into gorgeous Nate Carter and everything changes.

Sheriff Nathan Carter couldn’t be happier now that the height of the summer season has finally come and gone. After four endless months, tourists have packed their bags and headed for the mainland. The quiet days of autumn are about to befall the town—the way Nate and his fellow Sandersonians like it best.

But nothing ends up quite the way Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blonde with the big blue eyes. Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that could cost them both their lives if they continue digging into the past and cross a killer’s path.

•••••••••

REVIEW: Secrets Hidden in the Glass is a contemporary romance/murder mystery. It’s book one of the Carter Island Series. WOW! Where to begin? I’ve just finished reading this fantastic novel and I’m reeling. I don’t do spoilers, and no one would want this one spoiled, ever! So, let me set you up with the basics and then tell you what I found so enthralling.

The story starts with a bang of mystery and just keeps coming. Callie is found in a Hartford, Connecticut diner on July 5th, 1995. It seems she was dropped off by her mother and abandoned. She doesn’t remember her mother’s name (mommy) or her last name. She’s only four, that much she knows.

Chapter Two goes forward to September of 2017. Callie is grown up and is an internationally famous artist. Her chosen medium is stained glass and her works command a huge price, the demand is constant and she’s incredibly stressed. She’s decided to take a vacation, something she’s never done since college. She’s taking a ferry to Carter Island, Massachusetts. She’s rented a cottage and arrives to find a man in the kitchen, fixing the pipes under the sink. When he sticks his head out from the cabinet, the sparks fly, and the story truly begins.

Nate Carter is handsome, well built, and the sheriff of Carter Island. Oh yes, he’s also her landlord. Nate has lived on Carter Island most his life. He’s five years divorced from his childhood sweetheart and is instantly smitten with Callie. However, he’s perceptive and sees that she’s shy and needs to unstress. He gives her both space and time as he charms his way into getting to know the lovely Callie.

Okay, that’s an extremely basic setup. There’s much more to the first two chapters, but you need to read them yourself to get the feel of this magnificent story. Let me tell you the stuff that enthralled me.

Author Cate Beauman has done a marvelous job plotting the story and bringing it all along naturally as she spins a huge web of romance, intrigue, and danger. She develops the characters and plot deftly building their robust personalities without large dumps of information. You feel like you’re actually on the island and like you know these people and their community. The love scenes are swoon-worthy and add so much to the building relationship. You get thoroughly mired into the building mystery of Callie’s biological mother and her disappearance. Did she abandon her daughter?

This is a marvelous story and I’m ready for the next one. If you love romance and a good who done it, do yourself a huge favor and grab a copy of this one. It’s both romantic and thrilling at the same time. I’m on to the next in this series and I can’t wait for more. Write Cate Beauman, write, write, write! I need more!

____________

AFTERMATH OF SECRETS
Carter Island #2
by Cate Beauman
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

Goodreads: http://tiny.cc/AOS_Goodreads

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple /

Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelor has it all: good looks, a great career, and plenty of wealth and prestige. But Bradley Sanderson’s charmed life quickly falls apart when scandal rocks his famous family. Arrests have been made; the media circus has begun, and Brad’s been tasked with the daunting chore of restoring the Sandersons’ good name. Moving back to Carter Island and picking up the pieces hasn’t been easy, especially when the one person he needs the most won’t give him the time of day.

Bakery owner and island resident Molly Carter is loyal to her core, but that doesn’t mean Brad’s homecoming hasn’t left her torn. Brad’s darkest days aren’t lost on Molly, but reaching out to her lifelong friend isn’t so simple when she’s forced to guard her heart. Everything changed when she woke up alone after their sexy summer night.

The complications keep coming when Brad’s long-lost brother shows up in town, bringing the remnants of his checkered past with him. Forgiveness and redemption are possible for all, until new secrets come to light that may have dire consequences.

••••••••

REVIEW:Aftermath of Secrets is the second novel in the Carter Island Series. Usually, the second book in a series is good, but not exactly as good as the first. Not so with this series! I loved the first novel and I’ve swooned and cried over the second.

If you’ve read the first novel, you’ll love this story. It’s the story of Molly and Brad. They’ve known each other all their lives, but the road to finding love and peace is as turbulent as the ferry ride on a bad weather day! However, it’s so worth the effort.

Author Cate Beauman has a remarkably successful series on her hands with the first two of this series.

Molly Carter has lived on Carter Island all her life, except culinary school. It’s her home. She owns and operates the Carter Island Deli and Bakery. Her business is booming because she bakes the most delectable food and desserts. She’s been attracted to Brad most of her life, but she’s disappointed in him and herself for having one night of hot sweaty sex, and she thinks spoiled their relationship.

Brad has the weight of the world on his shoulders right now. He’s trying to do his best for his family in the aftermath of the last month. (I’m not telling what happened, I don’t want to spoil the first novel for anyone who hasn’t read it yet…what’s keeping you?) He has no one. He thinks Molly isn’t speaking to him and he misses her so much. He’s not sure how to fix this, but he wants to.

Okay, that’s the basic setup. I won’t spoil either of the novels by saying too much about the storyline. Let me tell you what I love about this series.

Author Cate Beauman has created a rich and fully developed community. Her characters are complex and yet distinct in their personalities. The conversations are realistic and intriguing. Storylines range from mysterious and dangerous to agonizingly personal. So far, all the novels are incredibly sexy and loving. Makes you want to take a vacation there or better yet, move there.

The best advice I can offer is grab your favorite beverage (wine for me) and a box of tissues. Settle in for a wonderful read. I simply hate to have to wait for the next novel in this exceptional new series, but I will. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.

Copies supplied for review

Reviews by Georgianna S

“What do you think it’s been, five or six years since you’ve been home for more than a week in a row?”

Brad nodded slowly. “Yeah, something like that.”

“It’s like the good old days.”

He shrugged, pushing off the wall, moving her way. “Sort of.”

Molly winced, foolishly forgetting that life for Brad was currently unrecognizable. “I guess that was pretty dumb of me to say.”

“No, I just meant Nate isn’t here hanging out in his boxers, and I haven’t done this yet.”

She frowned. “What?”

“Dunked you,” he said as he pressed his hand on top of her head and sent her under.

She sank beneath the watery depths, slapping at his hand and arm as he kept her submerged for a good three or four seconds. She came up sputtering and glaring. “You idiot.” She coughed again. “Are you trying to drown me?”

He dismissed her with a chuckle and flippant raise of his brow. “So dramatic. We had about three minutes before we needed to start worrying about brain damage.”

Her eyes narrowed again. “Oh, you’re dead,” she said, gritting her teeth, charging after him.

He laughed, swimming away.

But they were well-matched, both of them excellent swimmers. All the Sanderson and Carter kids had had numerous lessons in their younger days due to their proximity to the Atlantic.

She hooked her arm around his neck, maneuvered her way onto his back, and sent them both underwater, her legs locking around his waist to keep her leverage. But his sheer size and strength were her disadvantage.

Then they both surfaced for air, Brad laughing before she brought him under again. Within seconds, he had their positions reversed, and he held her against him, one arm wrapped around the front of her waist, the other around her shoulders as they came up for another draw of air.

His breath puffed against her neck in hot torrents as their legs brushed with their kicks to stay afloat, while he let her waist go and used his arm to tread water. “Molls, this is quite a predicament.”

He wasn’t kidding. She was pinned beneath his strong arm, and her back was pressed against his solid chest, with no choice but to grip his muscular forearm caging her in place. “Fine. You win.” She just needed him to let her go.

“That’s it? Since when do you give up so easy?”

Since he’d kissed her brainless and taken her to bed. “Since I realized it’s time to get home and get changed for your party at Nate and Callie’s.” She tried to move away from him.

He switched arms, now holding her around the waist, and began keeping their heads above water with his opposite arm. “No problem. Just say, Brad, you’re the best Scrabble player I know. I bow to you, you genius.”

She huffed out a laugh, raising her arm to the surface to help keep their chins from bobbing under. “I won. Three years in a row now.”

“Just luck.” He held her tighter, whispering next to her ear, his voice full of teasing. “You’re the best, Brad. That’s all I need to hear.”

“Broody Brad,” she murmured, knowing he hated it when she called him that—a slight from their childhood.

“What was that?” he asked, drilling his fingers into her side, tickling her.

She scream-laughed. “Damn it, Brad.” She fought him enough to turn and immediately realized her huge mistake as he held her chest to chest, and they stared into each other’s eyes.

He grinned. “This is certainly a situation.”

A droplet trailed down his face to land on his firm bottom lip, and his eyelashes were webbed together, making him even more irresistible than he already was. Her heart pounded, her pulse thundering in her throat, and she glared at him, needing to be free of him, well aware he was enjoying this far too much.

There was an undeniable attraction between them. All she had to do was press her mouth to his, and they would have a repeat of August. But they weren’t going there again. She wasn’t risking their friendship a second time.
 

Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.

Cate’s novels have been named Readers’ Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers’ Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers’ Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers’ Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers’ Crown Award.

Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.

Subscribe to Cate’s monthly newsletter and receive eBook copies of Morgan’s Hunter and Falling For Sarah for FREE! Subscribe here: http://www.catebeauman.com/getmyfreeb…

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A Duke Will Never Do by Darcy Burke-a review

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A Duke Will Never Do (The Spitfire Society #3) by Darcy Burke-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2020

The Spitfire Society… Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one.

After failing on the Marriage Mart, Jane Pemberton has two choices: submit to her parents’ edict to marry their boring neighbor or become a self-declared spinster and take up residence in the official headquarters of the Spitfire Society. It’s really no choice at all, and Jane is eager to embrace her newfound independence. She soon finds an unconscious viscount on her doorstep and nurses him back to health. When he offers to compensate her, she requests payment in the form of private instruction of a scandalous and intimate kind.

Having spiraled into a self-destructive abyss following the murder of his parents, Anthony, Viscount Colton, physically recovers under the care of an alluring spitfire. But it is her charm and flirtatiousness that soothes his soul and arouses his desire—until an extortion scheme forces him to face the sins of his past. Now, to save the woman who’s given him everything he lost and more, he’ll have to pay the ultimate price: his heart.

••••••

REVIEW: Author Darcy Burke has blessed us with another lovely Spitfire Society story. A Duke Will Never Do, is the story of Jane Pemberton and Lord Anthony Colton. It is book three of the series.

If you have never picked up a “Spitfire Society Novel”, and have a love of historical romance, I urge you to do so. Each is written as a standalone, however, it makes sense to begin with novel one. This is a three-book series. If you search Spitfire Society in Amazon, you will easily get the reading order. These are stories of good friends whose lives intersect each other. You learn about each character in previous novels but get the in-depth focus of their lives and problems in their own story. It makes each novel like going home to a group of close friends.

I don’t do spoilers but let me give you the beginning gist of the story and what I like so much about it.

Anthony’s back story is that he was a reckless youth. He had many gambling debts that his father refused to pay off. So, he was led to a crime boss, the Vicar, by a supposed friend. That led to not being able to pay the Vicar. He was supposed to be going to their country property, but he didn’t go. His father and mother made the trip instead and were killed by a highway man. Then he learns that it was the Vicar’s man…he was to have been the target. His guilt eats away at him, he believes he’s responsible for his parent’s death. Drinking is his way of numbing the guilt, causing his reputation to suffer.

Jane’s parents are extremely disappointed in her failing to secure a marriage. They are pushing her beyond reason to marry a neighbor she finds boring and unacceptable. Her friend Phoebe has married a duke and has moved out of her house. When Jane let her know she is declaring her spinsterhood and needs to move out of her parent’s home, Phoebe lends Jane her house. She gives Jane a stipend to care for the staff and keep the house repaired, even a small stipend for Jane’s own income. A very generous gift for the times, but she knows Jane will take good care of her staff and home. However, Jane’s parents will no longer see her, nor will they let her come to her sister’s wedding. One morning, Jane finds a man on her doorstep, beaten and injured. It turns out to be Lord Anthony Colton. She has the butler take him to an upstairs room and decides to care for him there, discretely.

That’s pretty much the setup. How they care for each other, how they heal each other and hurt each other simultaneously is the very heart and soul of this intriguing story. What I love is the way they interact for the period. It’s very eye-opening about the brutality of the times and yet heartwarming in how love can overcome so much. I love the idea of spirited and independent women forming a group, even those who are not in Jane’s circumstances. The writing is professionally done, and the conversations and characters are remarkable. I’m a huge fan of Darcy Burke’s work and this is the last of the series. I personally cannot wait to see where she goes next.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Never Have I Ever
A Duke is Never Enough

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna S

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Scandalous Scot by Cecelia Mecca & Julie Johnstone-a review

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Scandalous Scot (Highlanders Through Time #4) by Cecelia Mecca & Julie Johnstone-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 19, 2020

Hᴇ sᴛᴏʟᴇ ᴀ ᴋɪss, ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀ ᴡɪꜰᴇ.

Ian McCaim is used to following in his brother’s footsteps—even if it takes him to medieval Scotland. When he finally completes the time travel ritual, the magic lands him next to Hightower Castle and his big brother, Greyson, is there to greet him. As soon as the rest of the family returns to Hightower, the McCaims can finally go home, but in the meantime, Greyson has a task for Ian: charm the man whose son is fated to play a pivotal role in the Scottish War of Independence. An easy task—or at least it would be if Ian were capable of behaving himself.

After a lifetime of having endured stares, Màiri Kelbrue is used to being looked at—the strange mark on her cheek ensures it. So when the handsome man she encounters near her father’s loch gawks at her, she assumes the worst. Until he kisses her. The passion she feels for the stranger stuns her—she’d thought to marry her childhood friend, but never once did he make her feel like this. And then the unimaginable happens—when the stranger escorts her home, he tells her very religious father exactly what happened between them.

Within a sennight, Ian and Màiri are rushed to the altar. Ian plans to return to the future sooner rather than later, but the bride he didn’t ask for soon becomes the only thing he wants. What will he do when it’s time to go home?

•••••••

REVIEW: Scandalous Scot by Cecelia Mecca and Julie Johnstone is the fourth and final novel in the Highlanders Through Time series. This is the story of Ian McCaim and Lady Mairi, daughter of Alexander Kelbrue, laird of Clan Kelbrue.

This is the fourth and final novel of this fabulous time traveling series, and it’s a very professionally written and plotted work. The characters are each different, even though brothers, each McCaim brother has their own personality and issues. The love interests have all been special and perfectly suited to each brother. This novel is as well.

Ian is the baby brother and has never felt he quite new his place. He works for his father and brother’s company as the head of PR. He’s well gifted with being able to deal with people to be sure, but it’s just not what he wants. However, he has been unable to express that to his family.

Ian does the chant, which works. The cross goes with him because he’s the only one left holding it. He wakes up in Scotland, laying in knee deep snow. As he feels better, he stands and walks up a hill to see a large three towered castle not far away. He tells the guards he’s lost. When two men come out toward him, he’s gobsmacked to see his brother Greyson in clothing of the period carrying a weapon. Surprises just kept coming as he learns that all his brothers have found wives.

A week later, after being introduced to the clan and informed of a few things, Ian was traveling with Grey and his Uncle Ross to a neighboring clan to help convince them to support Robert the Bruce, while they also waited for the rest of the family to come to Hightower. He got himself a little away from the others by wandering around. He came upon a young woman who he thought looked hurt. As he got closer, he saw past her hooded coat and thought she was perfection. He was immediately drawn to her. He introduced himself as Ian MacKinnish (the identity they are using) and asked if she was okay. Mairi was also drawn to the handsome man she’d never seen and fought herself not to reach out to touch him. She told him she was hurt but was now better. He reached out and touched her cheek and things progressed quickly from there.

Okay, that’s the setup. I won’t spoil this marvelous read for you. Just know that Ian is a bit impetuous and the story takes off from there. There are also a lot more details than I’ve given you, but you really need to read this for yourself to understand.

This series has been a delight to read. It’s so well done and has had so much danger, unusual things happening. It’s been a real treat to take the time traveling ride with these guys. Authors Julie Johnston and Cecelia Mecca have done a wonderous job writing these novels. If you haven’t started this series, don’t wait longer…it’s all ready for you!

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

Sinful Scot
Sexy Scot
Seductive Scot

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly by Cerise DeLand-a review

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Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly by Cerise DeLand-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 27, 2020

Can you fall in love at first sight…twice…with the same man?

Lady Fiona Chastain hurries to her Aunt’s and Uncle’s May Day Frolic to brighten her dull existence…and accept her dwindling marriage prospects. When her coach breaks down, and the man who rescues her is the very one she’s yearned for these past six years, she’s angry with him for his dismissal of her. Still, she falls for his easy charm.

Then she learns his name, and she’s appalled that his family is among her father’s enemies. Dashing, tender Rory Fletcher, the earl of Charlton, is the one man she must never love!

But her heart is committed.

So is his!

Can their love conquer old hatreds?

Or are some family feuds too bitter to resolve?

•••••••••

REVIEW:Lady Fiona’s Tall, Dark Folly is a historical romance set in 1816 in Bath, England.

Lady Fiona Chastain, while not a completely typical woman of the period, is certainly one you can understand. Her father was an awful brute but has died. Her mother has become demented and needs to sometimes be restrained in a special “soft” room. She has complained to not one of her friends, she simply doesn’t want anyone, save the servants, to know. She also hides a small secret. She really can’t see much without her glasses. This led to a huge misunderstanding and the main plot of the story. However, I won’t spoil this for you…read this for yourself.

Rory is the earl of Charlton. Once a soldier he was not supposed to inherit. However, his older brother died and now he was the earl. He’s kind and caring, handsome.
I won’t do spoilers, so let me explain what I found so entertaining and fun about this novel. Author Cerise Deland has done a marvelous job of building her characters. Fiona has been through much, but she’s still a lovely and kind person. She takes good care of her demented mother, even though it embarrasses her. Her vision problems give us much entertainment as you will find out, as do her penchant for cards.

There’s a little family drama here and there as in most stories but these are well and interestingly handled. Romance between the two main characters sizzles from beginning to end. Can love bloom under such circumstances, awwww…that’s the real question! Grab a copy of this clever story and see for yourself. I found it entertaining and enlightening. A great read for days such as we have now.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Never Dance with a Duke by Collette Cameron-a review

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Never Dance with a Duke by Collette Cameron-a review

 Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5, 2020

The cost of trust is more than she’s willing to pay. But he’ll do everything he can to change her mind…

A scandal ruined her future…
Nicolette Twistleton delights in thumbing her nose at Society. After all, becoming the Spiteful Spinster was what helped her through being jilted by her betrothed. Putting her faith in another man? Impossible. But there’s something about the entirely too handsome and charming Mathias Pembroke that makes her wish she was the kind of woman who could learn to trust again.

A secret can destroy his…
Mathias, Duke of Westfall, wants nothing to do with his inherited title and all the public scrutiny it brings. He has dark secrets to protect, and can’t afford to be distracted by the trappings of Society. What he apparently can be distracted by, however, is the lovely Nicolette. He understands her pain and knows he could help her heal…if only she were willing to open her heart to him.

Can love save them both?
When ghosts from the past emerge and threaten the fragile bonds they’ve begun to build, Nicolette and Mathias find themselves caught between their feelings for each other and devastating scandal. Will love be enough to protect them—or was their happily ever after doomed from the very start?

•••••••

REVIEW: Never Dance with a Duke is a wonderfully written historical romance novel with the emphasis on romance. This is a lovely and delightfully romantic read from beginning to end. This is the story of Nicolette Twistleton and Mathias Pembroke, Duke of Westfall.

Nicolette Twistleton is the sister of Ansley Twistleton, Earl of Scarborough (a title inherited from an uncle). She lives with her mother and brother and was betrothed to Alfonse Bremerton, the Duke of Kilbourne. However, four hours before the wedding he’d sent a small note stating that he could not marry her. He instead eloped to Gretna Green with Maribelle Grosenick, a vulgarly rich American heiress. She puts up walls around her heart and refuses the advances of every man that seriously approaches. She’s decided not to marry at all, but puts on a front of happiness for everyone to see.

Mathias Pembroke, Duke of Westfall inherited his title on the death of his father. His mother and father had a very loving marriage. His sister is recently widowed from a very loving marriage and returned to her family with her two sons. His good friends, also Dukes, are also the friends of Nicolette Twistleton. He has been waiting two years for her heart to heal from being jilted and notice him. He waits patiently in the background, being close and watching how she handles herself. He understands how she keeps her walls up around men. He was jilted as well, years before.

I don’t do spoilers, so just let me set the scene and then tell you why I enjoyed this extremely romantic tale.

Mathias is babysitting a friends large Newfoundland dog. The dog breaks away from the footman walking him and bounds across the park.

Nicolette is walking her little pug puppy through the park in the early morning, when a huge shaggy dog runs up to them. She pulls her puppy into her arms, but the big dog still wants to sniff and play with the puppy. In the process he knocks them both to the ground, twisting her ankle and bruising her arm. Mathias comes to the rescue. He has the footman take the dog back under control and gives the puppy to Nicolette’s maid to take home. He lifts her into his arms (and sparks do fly) and takes her home in his carriage. And the game is afoot!

If you love quick witty dialog, romantic touches, this will thrill you. Mathias is a dream of a man! Nicolette is fighting it, but not all that hard. She is well and truly caught. Mathias has his dream within reach. He’s been patient, seeing the beauty and spirit of the lovely lass. The path to true love is never quite straight, but so worth the trip!

I found the novel refreshingly romantic, heartwarming and exciting. Kudos to author Collette Cameron. A lovely story and warm loving characters. Love the evil ones too!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S

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