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The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
A duke with a broken heart discovers he has one last chance to win back the woman he loves on Christmas Eve…

Nathan Powell, the Duke of Hastings broke the heart of the only woman he ever loved when he ended their engagement in order to save her family. He demanded one promise of her…that she marry another man and live a happy life. Now he’s desperate to avoid marriage to someone else at all costs. When his younger brother tricks him into attending a Christmas Ball, he discovers his beloved Thea will be there.

Thea Swann has plenty of problems, with six unmarried younger sisters to keep in line, she doesn’t worry that she’ll run into the reclusive duke that stole her heart eight years ago. But when she comes face to face with Nathan, and he begs her for just one dance…she wonders, will he steal one last dance, one last kiss before walking away forever and taking her broken heart with him?

 

 

Review:

The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith is a lovely novella for Christmas! What a perfect love story for the Christmas season.

Nathan Powell, Duke of Hastings was in love eight years ago. However, he wasn’t quite the Duke then. His father said no when he told him he wanted to marry Theodosia Swann. His father threatened to ruin Mr. Swann and his family if he wasn’t obeyed. So, Nathan had to break his own heart as well as that of the only love he’d known.

Eight years later, he planned to attend a ball at the home of an old friend. He didn’t do social things much, but it was almost Christmas and he couldn’t turn down the invitation. He’d make Thea promise him years ago that she’d forget him and find love again, living a happy life he couldn’t give her. He assumed she’d kept her promise, and she was too lovely not to, or so he thought.

When the inevitable happened and they met again, it was as if time had stood still. He loved her so much and couldn’t help himself.

Pick up a copy of this lovely read and enjoy yourself immensely. What a wonderful story to cuddle up with for an evening. Author Lauren Smith has done it again, just in time for the holidays.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

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Never Tempt a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Never Tempt a Scot by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Scottish rogue Brodie Kincade has never met a woman he couldn’t seduce, but he’s about to meet his match in sweet-tempered but often overlooked Lydia Hunt, a young Englishwoman he mistakes for her scheming sister who hopes to snatch him up for a husband.

Quiet, sweet-tempered Lydia Hunt knows she’s not her father’s favorite daughter. That honor belongs to her prettier younger sister, Portia, who has a talent for getting into trouble. When Lydia discovers that her father and sister have had a very angry Scottish rogue kidnapped in order to convince him to marry Portia, Lydia knows she must help the man escape. Yet she never imagined that the devastatingly handsome Scotsman would mistake her for Portia and abduct her as revenge and flee to Scotland.

Brodie Kincade is a heartbreaker who has vowed never to marry after a traumatic childhood that left him afraid of becoming like his father. When he’s kidnapped by a pretty young Englishwoman with marriage on her mind, he turns the tables on his captor and absconds with her to Scotland, planning to ruin her reputation as revenge. But the beautiful, thoughtful, and irresistible lass he finds in his company seems very different from the brassy girl who kidnapped him. Soon, he’s risking his heart as he begins to wonder if he’s kidnapped the wrong woman . . .

 

 

 

Review:

Never Tempt a Scot is the latest in the series The League of Rogues by author extraordinaire, Lauren Smith. This is the story of highlander Brodie Kincade and Ms. Lydia Hunt. It’s a well-paced adventurous story involving kidnapping, elopements, double romance, and much more.

I count Lauren Smith among my favorite authors. Her series The League of Rogues is also a favorite on my reading lists. Her ability to spin a wonderful story with twists and turns is second to none. This lovely healing story is not an exception to that ability.

Brodie Kincade is one of the Kincade brothers from a previous episode. Their father was a brutal man who beat his children and said awful things to his wife. The wife died and the children were left to be raised by their brutal father. Most of the children have scars both physical and mental. He has three brothers I believe, and a sister. His oldest brother inherited the family title when their father passed away. However, all but Brodie and Aiden have married successfully and have loving relationships. Brodie fears he’s more like his father than the others and that he can never marry and subject a woman to that life. He just doesn’t trust himself.

Lydia Hunt is the older sister of Portia Hunt. Lydia notices Brodie at a ball, as well as her sister, and thinks he’s wildly handsome. Portia is young, totally reckless, and impatient. She incredibly spoiled by their widower father. Portia connives to have her father kidnap Brodie Kincade by telling him she’s with child (a lie) and that she’s in love with Brodie. In truth, she’s only briefly spoken to him, but being the spoiled child, she thinks every man is in love with her. The father and Portia hire men to drug and abduct Brodie and store him in a bedroom of their house. When Portia and the father are out at dinner, Lydia finds out what they’ve done and goes up to cut Brodie loose. He, mistakes her for Portia and kidnaps her at knifepoint and takes her away for revenge. She tries to tell him she’s not Portia, but he was too drunk and then drugged to remember clearly.

Okay, that’s the basic setup. I won’t do any further spoilers. This is just too wonderful of an adventure and romance. You really must read this for yourself. The conversations are wonderful, the suspense and surprises are aplenty. There’s so much more to this story, but it’s something you will enjoy reading more than being told about it. There are more tales in this one than the two people falling in love….just read it.

Author Lauren Smith is a master at weaving wonderful stories and this one full of twists and turns. Grab a copy, but don’t forget the tissues!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for Review

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Seducing an Heiress on a Train by Lauren Smith – a Review

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Seducing an Heiress on a Train by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
Seducing an heiress has never been easier…

Roguish Oliver, Viscount Conway, desperately needs money to save his family’s estate from debt collectors, and he knows just what to do – marry an heiress. When he sets foot on a train leaving Southampton, he bumps into Rayne, the most bewitching woman he’s ever met, and as luck would have it, she’s an American heiress. The woman swears she won’t marry, especially a fortune hunter. Oliver must win her for his bride at any cost, even if it means compromising the lady on a train and stealing her heart.

Avoiding fortune hunters has never been harder…

Rayne Egerton is happy to escape the New York ballrooms to travel with her father through England while he tends to business. What should have been an enjoyable Christmas vacation turns upside down with a moment of unexpected passion when a stranger in the cabin next to her steals a scorching kiss. The mysterious Lord Conway is everything that Rayne desires and fears in a man with his sinfully good looks, wicked smile and devastating kiss. As heiress to her father’s fortune, she isn’t going to give up her freedom for any man unless he can love her without her money. As the train rolls through snowy English countryside, she starts to wonder if Oliver may be the Christmas gift she’d been secretly hoping for.

 

 

Review:

Just in time for Christmas! Seducing an Heiress on a Train is a heartwarming Victorian Christmas story about finding real love in the midst of disaster. Lauren Smith, author of this marvelous tale has given everyone a real gift.

Now you all know I don’t do spoilers, and this is a quick novel, so I’ll give you the set up and let you know what I found so wonderful.

This is the story of Viscount Oliver Conway and an American heiress Rayne Egerton. It’s set in London 1888.

Viscount Conway (Oliver) has been trying to save his family from financial ruin after his father’s death. His father’s investments went bankrupt, leaving them owing a small fortune to pay off the debts and save their estate. There is no way for Oliver to find the funds to do that except for marrying an heiress, something he’s loathe to do. He wants a love match and a family like the one his mother and father had before things went wrong. However, to save his family, Oliver has set his mind to swallow his pride and do just that. They have a neighbor, Adelaide Berwick, daughter of Lord Berwick, and she’s always wanted to marry Oliver. Her dowry would definitely save their estate. However, she’s been a spoiled and cruel brat the whole time they’ve known her, and no one wants to have her around.

Rayne Egerton is an American and her father is in the oil and steel business. He has an enormous amount of money and would love to make a good match for his daughter. However, he also knows his daughter hates anything to do with fortune hunters. She wants to be loved for who she is rather than her father’s money.

They meet by accident at Mrs. Poole’s ball. Oliver went to the library to dodge Miss Berwick and having to propose for just a little while. Rayne was there to cool off after having had an argument earlier with Miss Berwick. Both are looking for solace and a quiet place to get their bearings. They both sneak into the library for a bit of respite at exactly the same time. Sharing the room to hide they talk and grow entranced with each other. Neither knows the other’s name or circumstances. They are so entangled already, and neither has a clue.

Later that night, Oliver’s sister told him about Rayne Egerton, the American heiress and about meeting her. She told him Rayne’s plans to visit Lord Fraser’s house in Scotland, the same party they were headed for in a few days. Oliver arranges to change his ticket and be on the train with Rayne. And the game is afoot!

This is a wonderful and light story that would make an excellent gift for those friends who love Victorian romance. Of course, it’s also a great gift for yourself to keep your heart fluttering!

The characters are well crafted, and you learn to love them all. The way it all works out is endearing and delightful. It’s an uplifting story and just in time for the holidays! Congratulations to author Lauren Smith for another magnificent story to fall in love with.

Reviewed by Georgianna  

Copy supplied for review

 

 

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The Smuggler’s Escape by Barbara Monajem – a Review

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The Smuggler’s Escape by Barbara Monajem – a Review

 

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Description:
After escaping the guillotine in her native France, aristocrat Noelle de Vallon takes refuge with her aunt in Sussex. Feisty, resourceful, and determined to make her own way, she takes over the local smuggling operations, doubling their profits. But when their plans are betrayed, a man from her past steps out of the shadows to save her. Too bad he’s the last man on earth she ever wanted to see again.

Years ago, Richard, Lord Boltwood’s, plan to marry Noelle was foiled when his ruthless father shipped him to the Continent to work in espionage. But with the old man at death’s door, Richard returns to England with one final mission: to catch a spy. And Noelle is the prime suspect.

Noelle is determined to finish the smuggling run and escape back to France. She needs Richard’s help to do it, but how can she ever trust the man who abandoned her? And how can Richard catch the real culprit while protecting the woman who stole his heart and won’t forgive him for breaking hers?

 

Review:

*Rubs hands together and smiles* Alrighty, well this was a first time read for this author, Barbara Monajem and she sure didn’t disappoint. Spies, action, love and a good funny thrown in for good humor, this book is sure to excite just about any reader.

Noelle is a fiery, passionate and self-determined woman that tugs at the heart strings, and Richard, well he’s hard to not love on sight. Two polar opposite people come together to find so much more than what they were looking for. Noelle a spy, and Richard a government official, two people that seems to be the worst of enemies but turn into something more.

Now, I will be honest, at the end of this book, I was almost happy for it to be over, the story is great, and the characters even more so, but the story itself seems to drag on when it does not need to. Not to say that the book was bad, because it was not, I found myself caught up in the funny moments, and the interesting characters, but sometimes, less is more.

I very much enjoyed the action, suspense, humor and romance of this author, she will be one I look forward to reading again for sure! 

Reviewed by Sarah

Copy supplied for review

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Highland Salvation by Lori Ann Bailey – a Review

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Highland Salvation by Lori Ann Bailey – a Review

 

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Description:
Finlay Cameron, the bastard son of an English earl and a Scottish mother, weds stunning, outgoing Blair Macnab to ensure her clan’s loyalty to King Charles. She’s everything he’s ever wanted in a wife, but he suspects she may be plotting his murder.

Always considered to be nothing more than a pretty face, Blair Macnab yearns to prove her worth. She refuses to be used as a pawn for political gain, but when confronted by a blackmailer, her only option is to marry the brawny Finlay Cameron.

In Finlay’s arms, she feels safe for the first time ever. Until she learns that her blackmailer is hot on her trail and her secrets could soon be exposed…

Each book in the Highland Pride series is STANDALONE:
* Highland Deception
* Highland Redemption
* Highland Temptation
* Highland Salvation

 

 

Review:

Can genuine happiness be achieved even though you may have fibbed to get there in the first place? Surprisingly, BOTH of our heroes aren’t being 100% forthcoming, so let’s call it a draw, shall we? Highland Salvation by Lori-Ann Bailey is book 4 in her Highland Pride series. I’m not usually one to go out of order, but Finlay and Blair were strong characters and the book was easy enough to follow. The secondary cast was full of charming characters — do read from the very beginning for optimum joy!

 England and Scotland are in political and religious turmoil, feuding over the rule of King Charles. Finlay Cameron and Blair McNab are devout subjects, but Blair’s father’s loyalty is rumored to “bend with the favorable winds”. When Blair and Finlay wed hastily, their nuptials are naturally met with trepidation.

   “…it was the prudent decision for his clan, country, and king. She was a Royalist, and it would be a good match for the Camerons and King Charles if their union could keep the McNabs from joining the Covenanters.”

Not exactly swoon-worthy, but let’s put a pin on that for now. Aside from the sudden marriage, trouble abounds. A blackmailer is in pursuit of Blair, but she’s hesitant to lean on her new husband out of paranoia, or the very real fear of being sent away. En route to England (the king must be apprised of escalating threats), events meant to impede their purpose intensify, casting a suspicious light on Blair. She IS the only newcomer. So much for the honeymoon phase! ;D

Unconventional as it might have been, Finlay was determined to court Blair, inspired to make her a satisfied partner. Not to shame Finlay, but his desire to win over Blair was just precious. As a warrior, he’s not supposed to wonder (fret!) if a woman is interested, but this lass was special and Finlay’s anxiety to please her was a palpable, endearing sentiment. Finlay is pure of heart and Blair appreciated that from early on, but she couldn’t burden him with her secret so soon. So yes, they were both uneasy; is he enough for Blair, is her past going to ruin their future? Hardly uncommon for such an auspicious beginning, lol, but instead of allaying their fears or concerns with each other, aka good ‘ol communication, assumptions began to undermine/negate the progress they were making. Trust is earned, a back-and-forth is expected, but niggling doubts resurfacing at 86% into the book and they’re not on the same page yet?!

You know how you have to accept premises/plots, and just “go with it”, otherwise you can’t enjoy it? ME. Honest communication wasn’t just elusive, we’re talking elephant-in-the-room kind of oversight. Our H/H were intimate several times, no complaints here, but they never discussed a serious issue that hounded them both — that we the readers knew! It started to wear on me, to be honest, because they were face-palm moments; moments too incredulous not to discuss.

I like how Highland Salvation played out, a wee too rushed at the end, but I cried out for heart-to-hearts — speak your truths! Blair and Finlay may have settled for each other initially, one out of protection and the other to flee a blackmailer, but they defied the odds and became each other’s saving grace.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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