REVIEW & RELEASE: The Duke I Once Knew

The Duke I Once Knew

(Unlikely Duchesses #1)

Author: Olivia Drake

Genre: Historical Romance

Pub Date: Dec 31, 2018 

First love is always the sweetest.

For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her aging parents and the children of her siblings. Now, eager to make her own life, she takes a position as governess on the neighboring estate. It shouldn’t matter that her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the infamous rake who once broke her youthful heart. Surely he’s forgotten her, for he hasn’t set foot on his estate for fifteen years. At least, that is, until he arrives unexpectedly.

Max is incensed to meet his sister’s new governess. But why does Abby appear just as displeased to see him when it was she who’d rejected him all those years ago? Why is he so drawn to the independent spinster she has become? And why is there a sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes that suggests they might have a second chance at love?

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MY REVIEW

Exciting and entertaining, this book had my full attention.

Abby is a spinster who has been helping her family since she was old enough to do so. On the verge of thirty, she realizes she wants more out of life. So, she decides to become a governess at the disapproval of her family.

Her charge is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell’s, sister. Max is also her former friend and flame.

She believes she is content with her new lot until, to her dismay, Max returns to Rothwell Court.

Max is entitled and his reputation precedes him. He is known as a libertine and a rake, taking his pleasures where he may. When he must reluctantly detour home, he is not happy to see Abby. She brings back memories of past hurts. She also brings fond memories that are better left in the past.

Will these two be able to let go of past hurt and finally grasp the love that was meant to be theirs?

This is a second chance as well as a friends to lovers romance that I enjoyed.

Abby was meek in the beginning, accepting her lot. However, as the story progressed, she gained strength and started creating the life she wanted. She was, however, frustrating with her prejudices against Max.

Max was a wonderfully caring character if not a little hard headed. He changed ever so slowly, realizing his mistakes and then making amends.

The passion between these two was a slow burn and it suited this story. As a personal preference however, I would’ve enjoyed more intimate scenes with this couple. Not just the carnal but time spent together alone. In my opinion, their scenes with only each other are too few. I also would have loved an epilogue. The end felt a little bit abrupt without it.

I received an ARC via NetGalley of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What do you think?  Do you like historical romance?  Have you read this already?  Let me know!  I love to connect with people and talk books! 

REVIEW: To Dance In The Glen

To Dance In The Glen

The Glen Highland Romance

Author: Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

Genre: Historical Romance

Pub Date: Sept 4, 2018

Synopsis 

-- Expectations -- In 1306, Ewan is a man used to defying expectations. A renowned Scottish highland rake, he enjoys life as the oldest son of the Laird, until he meets a young woman in a secluded glen, where her safety is in question. Meg is a clever and spritely woman who is certain of her place in life until the day the Laird's son help rescue her from some rogue Englishmen. Ewan becomes smitten with Meg, falling in love with a woman below his station. He manages to win her over as she finds herself under Ewan's protection and they begin a passionate love affair. Along the way when Meg is accused of witchcraft and Ewan's past entanglements come back to haunt him, their love overcomes the suspicions and obstacles. Together they upset the status quo and begin a life, one that brings happiness to themselves and those in the clan. However, once they learn of a traitor in their midst, the security of the clan and their family, even themselves, is at risk.

Can they rise above to help each other overcome the challenges in their way?

BONUS: This version contains an excerpt of the second In The Glen Highland Romance series - "The Lady of the Glen"

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MY REVIEW

To Dance In The Glen is a gem. A beautifully told story of love, friendship, devotion and country.

Meg Lachlan is eighteen years old and as innocent as can be. Her family does not have much in the way of money but they are happy. When English deserters approach her one day, her life changes drastically.

Ewan MacLeod is the Laird’s son. He is entitled, wealthy and spoiled. When he makes crude advances to Meg after saving her virtue from Englishmen, she slaps him. Having never been rebuked, Ewan becomes intrigued by Meg.

Meg is saved yet again by Ewan when once more, the same Englishmen confront Meg. To keep her safe, Ewan decides Meg will stay with him. Although Ewan believes this to be his decision, it was actually masterminded by the English.

What plans do the English have for Meg and Ewan and will they succeed?

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple penned a heartwarming story that I fell hard for. It is an epic and sweeping story.

From what I have read, this is the author’s first foray into writing a romance novel and I am agog. This does not seem like a first attempt which I can only assume will bring great portends for this author’s future works.

This is an absolute must read for all historical romance lovers. It will capture your heart and make this author one you’ll want to look out for!

I received an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

EXCERPT 

On the Eve of Beltane, Meg stayed awake, wrapping flowers and twigs together, waiting until the moon reached its zenith. Then there would be enough dew on the grass to bathe her face. Unaccepted by the Church proper, the old ritual was taught to her by her mother. Like her mother, though she accepted the Church, Meg followed the old religious ways. The ritual of a young girl bathing her face in the early morning dew of Beltane was to ensure youth and fertility.  Elspeth still followed this ritual and taught all her daughters to do the same. As Elspeth had six children, Meg did not question its validity. Taking a candle from the mantle, she walked the darkened passageways to the kitchen, and out to the courtyard of the keep.

Ewan, not yet asleep, heard someone walk past his door. Afraid for Meg, he grabbed his plaid off a nearby chair, and not bothering with a shirt, he wrapped the plaid about him before grabbing his claymore and entering the passageway. As he turned toward Meg’s chambers, he saw the incandescent glow of a single candle at the opposite end of the hall. His hand on the hilt of his sword, he trailed the candlelight.

Meg reached the door of the great hall, and turning, she went to the kitchen and crept out the servant’s door to the side courtyard. If she been at home, her mother and sister would have gone with her near the forest and used the grass there. Here at the keep, following a worn trail to the garden where the grasses and dew were the highest, she reached her hands out, gently pressing the flowers and grass, coaxing the dampness into her hands. She then touched her hands to her face and neck. She spoke to the ancient goddesses, asking them for blessings of fertility and the richness of nature in her life. This year she had an additional request but knew it was inappropriate. How do I ask for the Laird’s son? ‘Tis a petty asking and one that would no’ be answered. She decided to ask instead that the goddesses bless her with a good and decent husband, which seemed a more likely request. The coolness of the dew was invigorating, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the scent of the flowers. She was rubbing the dew on her forearms when a voice startled her from her reverie.

“What are ye doing out here in the wee hours of the morn, fair maiden?” a half-joking, half-worried voice asked.

Meg spun around on her heels and caught sight of Ewan just outside the night-shadow of the castle, watching her intently. Meg was at a loss for words. The sight of him made Meg’s breath catch in her throat. He wore nothing but his kilt and leather footwear and held his giant claymore with one hand. She could see every muscle in his chest and stomach, his arms both strong and thick. To her, he resembled an ancient god, and she thought he looked both wild and beautiful. But more unnerving than his appealing looks was his very presence. Embarrassed at being caught, Meg knew she could not admit to partaking in a pagan ritual. She feared Ewan would run to the priest. But how else could she explain what she was doing?

“Well, I . . .” she started, then decided to take a different approach. “Why did ye follow me? Are ye suddenly my keeper?” Meg demanded.

“Of course, I’m your keeper!” Ewan exclaimed. “What if the English had found a way into the manor and took ye?”

Ewan stopped himself short of yelling. He was much relieved to find her safe and sound, still within the walls of the holding.  He knew what she was doing once she took her hands from the flowers and brought them to her face.

“I apologize to ye then. I did no’ mean to cause ye worry.” She straightened up and started to walk back to the keep, but Ewan caught her by the arm. His closeness made her knees weak and she felt a rush in her up through her belly. If she desired, she could reach out and touch his strong chest and arms, and she then cursed herself for acting like a smitten, empty-headed girl.

“So, shall I expect flowers at my door in the morn as well?” he asked her.

Shocked, Meg looked him in the face, searching to find out if he would take her to the priest. He saw her concern and smiled to disarm her.

“My mother,” he told her, “oft practiced the old ways. With da’s permission, she taught my brother’s and I much as well.” His smile softened with the memory. “Ye are already young and beautiful. Were ye asking for fertility for ye future husband?” he teased.

Relieved, she smirked at his teasing, and at his audacity to mention her fertility. She snatched her arm from his hand and started to dance away from him.

“Ye had best watch where ye step, my Laird to be, for I shall use thistles on your doorstep!” she called back to him.

Ewan chuckled to himself and followed her back inside. It was a while before Meg fell asleep in her bed that night, and again when she dreamed, it was of the young, bare-chested Laird.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple is a writer and a college writing professor. A graduate from University of California, Riverside, with a Master's Degree in English and Literature, she has worked with students of all age levels – from elementary to graduate school – through her college teaching, tutoring, and charter school courses.

She started reading when she was 3 years old, writing when she was 4, and published her first poem at age 16. Her interest in logic and rhetoric began when she was 4 years old, and her mother bought her first logic puzzle book. She then read those puzzle books, Encyclopedia Brown books, and Two-Minute Mysteries regularly.

Michelle has always been an avid reader on all subjects, but has a special love for both horror and romance literature. Her two favorite authors are Stephen King and Diana Gabaldon.

She is currently working on other writing curricula texts and several novels of different genres. Her second romance novel, The Lady of the Glen, is set for release in early 2019.

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REVIEW: The Hellion

The Hellion

Author: Christi Caldwell

Pub Date: April 3, 2018

Genre: Historical romance

Synopsis:

Adair Thorne has just watched his gaming-hell dream disappear into a blaze of fire and ash, and he’s certain that his competitors, the Killorans, are behind it. His fury and passion burn even hotter when he meets Cleopatra Killoran, a tart-mouthed vixen who mocks him at every turn. If she were anyone else but the enemy, she’d ignite a desire in him that would be impossible to control.

No one can make Cleopatra do anything. That said, she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her siblings―even if that means being sponsored by their rivals for a season in order to land a noble husband. But she will not allow her head to be turned by the infuriating and darkly handsome Adair Thorne.

There’s only one thing that threatens the rules of the game: Cleopatra’s secret. It could unravel the families’ tenuous truce and shatter the unpredictably sinful romance mounting between the hellion…and a scoundrel who could pass for the devil himself.

My Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Adair Thorne was orphaned approximately 20 years ago after a fire that consumed his father’s bakery. He now remembers that loss keenly. He is devastated and at a loss. The Hell & Sin was the only thing he ever wanted and strived for. It gave him shelter and stability-things he did not have much of after losing his parents. Adair is also feeling rage, he knows the fire at the Hell & Sin was deliberately set, he even knows by whom-Killoran. Killoran is the owner of a rival Club and someone they owe a debt to. To repay this debt, Adair’s family was to sponsor a Season for one of Killoran’s sisters. The truce is almost voided but since Adair and his brothers have no proof they must follow-through.

Cleopatra is jaded from a life lived on the streets and has a tough outer shell. There is no love loss between her and the nobility. Knowing her brother Killoran wants an “in” to the nobility via marriage to one of his sister’s, Cleo volunteers. She does not like it but will do anything in her power to keep her sisters safe.

When Cleo and Adair first meet, sparks fly! They hate and mistrust each other from the get-go but underneath it all there is attraction on both sides. During her stay at Ryker’s house, Adair is to be Cleo’s guard and jailer. As time goes by, Cleo and Adair come to be tentative friends. He learns that she is smart and resilient while Cleo learns how kind and caring Adair really is.

What can go wrong while harnessing an explosive secret as well as living with and being attracted to the enemy?

This story, told in dual POV, reeled me in from the very beginning. It is written extremely well and the flow is perfect. This book was exciting and engaging. The battle between Adair and Cleo was entertaining.

I loved how Cleopatra, all but five feet tall, got under Adair’s skin so easily. She may have a petite stature, but her presence more than makes up for it. She is strong, fearless, brazen and opinionated. She stands up for her family and would do anything to keep them from harm.

I felt for Adair, he had so much tragedy in his life and had nothing permanent or lasting. The way he slowly wins over Cleo with small steps is beautiful.

There is no insta-love here, these characters have to work for what they want. And what they come to want and need is stability, trust, constancy and love. They find this together against all odds.

The only problem I had was it seemed both Adair and Cleo were classist. Although I understand and agree with their distrust of the Ton, I would have like to see the characters come to terms with this and move on from their hatred and distrust.

Christi definitely won me over with this book. It’s a touching and heartfelt read. I would recommend this to those who love fun and engaging verbal sparring between their main characters as well as a wonderfully written historical romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

REVIEW: No Earls Allowed

No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

⭐⭐⭐

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a lady can do anything a man can do: backwards and in high-heeled dancing slippers.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men.

Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance...

Neil Wraxall is plagued with nightmares as result of his time on the battlefield.  Under his command, several of his friends and his brother lost their lives-all of which he feels tremendous culpability for.  To dull the pain, he always keeps a glass of gin on the bedside and when the terrors of the past become to much, he indulges.

In the warzone, he felt rage and now that the rage is gone, there is a heavy weight on his shoulders.  One his unable to divest himself of. He relives his past constantly and barely sleeps and is almost always alone.  When he wishes company, he goes to the Draven Club.  And although he gets company there, he cannot completely escape his demons as there is a in memoriam to the fallen soldiers that he commanded that hangs directly in view of all who enter.

Neil is used to taking orders and following them.  So, when he receives a summons from his father, he answers.  On this occasion, he is told by his father to retrieve Lady Juliana from the orphanage in Spitalfields and take her home to her father.  His father tells him that it is a trifling request and should not take much time to complete.  When Neill arrives, however, he realizes it is anything but.  Juliana is headstrong an willful and she outright refuses to return home.  However, he is a soldier and he always completes his missions no matter how difficult they may seem.  He knows Lady Juliana will not leave due to the issues surrounding The SunnyBrook home for Boys.  There is no cook, the orphanage is in disrepair, the roof leaks and she has a violent crimelord demanding payment – or else.  He decides to stay despite the impropriety of it all and solve her problems so that she will be more amenable to returning home.

Lady Juliana, daughter of Earl St Maur, lost her sister in childbirth and lost her nephew to his cold-hearted, selfish father.  You can also say that she lost her father for all that his is alive.  Since the death of her mother, her father has been emotionally absent and she spends most of her time at the Sunnybrook Home for Boys. 

One night she is called away from a ball by Robbie, one of the orphans she has charge of and races back to the orphanage to find out that her cook is packing her bags.  She knew this was an eventuality due to the disrepair and the missing staples in the larder disappearing.  Never mind the friendly rats that run amok.

Now, Julia has much responsibility and no where to turn for help.  She uses her pin money to buy food and to do whatever repairs the orphanage requires but it is sadly not enough.  Her father does not like her staying in such a run-down part of the city and wants her to come home.  Julia, who loves her charges, refuses.  She will not loose another child she loves.

Juliana now has greater worries.  Mr Slag, a crimelord, who runs the rookery where the orphanage resides is violent and cruel.  He has set his sights on Juliana and demands payment of a thousand pounds for her protection or she must warm his bed.  She tries to avoid him but due to the time she now spends at the orphanage, its almost unavoidable. .  Juliana refuses to accept but she must make a choice, Mr Slag will not wait forever.

I absolutely loved Neil’s character.  He is known as a hero but refuses to acknowledge it because he believes that he is to blame for the deaths of the men who died under his command.  He is also a tortured as a result of finding his brother’s dead body on the battlefield.  It is an image he cannot forget. Neil is lonely and is verging towards alcoholism to solve his problems.  He is also kind and a caring as well as a virgin!.  I love when he makes the rats a cage for the boys even though he absolutely detests them. 

At the orphanage, he starts off not caring for any of the boys nor Juliana besides getting her home.  Towards the end, he is actively showing them how to cook basic meals and make their beds and a few other things a long the way.

Julia’s character however, I did not like as much.  She seemed to be completely absorbed with the orphanage and had no real care for Neil besides the attraction she feels. But attraction does not equal love. She has a lot of distrust of men, understandably, but I believe it was overblown and that she projected too much on Neil.  He does good deed after good deed and still she mistrusts him.  I have a hard time with that.  I really wanted to love Julia’s character but something about her character rubbed me wrong.  I did love how she cared for the orphans under her care but besides that, I don’t have much to say.

The flow of this book, for me, was really slow in the beginning.  I found myself putting down my kindle many a time to do other things.  However, because I loved Neil's character, the children at the orphanage and Mrs Dunwitty, Juliana’s governess as a child, I forged on. 

Around the three-quarter mark, the writing I was expecting from this author came through, the pace picked up and my enjoyment of the book and Juliana skyrocketed. From there on, I did not put the book down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

BOOK TOUR & REVIEW: To Entice An Earl

To Entice an Earl
Author:  Naomi Boom

Genre: Regency Romance

Blurb:

Miss Alexandra Farris lost her heart to her older brother's friend, Lord Maxon Collins, long, long ago. Despite her girlhood attempts to win him, he never noticed her. Now that her first season is underway, she understands why. He prefers willowy blondes, not curvaceous maidens with darker coloring like herself. Rather than wallow in self-pity, she forgets love and focuses on something more attainable—an advantageous match

Lord Collins is plagued by an uncomfortable feeling whenever he goes near Miss Farris. One of annoyance. And yet, he can’t seem to stop thinking of her, touching her, kissing her...He must act in her brother’s stead, which means he has to approve her suitor and ensure her safety. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to find a worthy gentleman.

Wedding her off should be a simple task, but not if he can’t let her go.

Buy Links:  Amazon US  |  B&N

Excerpt

She inhaled and stepped up to him. He was so tall, at least five inches taller than her, yet she would not allow him to intimidate her, not this gentleman she used to pester as a little girl. She peered up at him and planted her fists on her hips. “You cannot possibly imagine I would listen to you, can you?”

His eyes narrowed, and he straightened from his position against the wall which brought him that much closer to her. “I don’t only imagine. I know you will listen to me. You have no other options.”

“Of course I do.”

“No, you do not.”

Their gazes locked, and everything around Alexa faded away, except for the brilliant blue eyes which held her riveted in place. She brought her palm to her

chest to make sure her heart still beat.

It did, just barely.

She finally broke away and whispered, “I have not given him a response yet.”

His responding smile lacked warmth, and he appeared to gloat as he said, “Excellent. I never have liked Lord Edwin and cannot fathom why you do.”

“I happen to be very much in love with him.” She colored. She had just told Lord Collins she loved Lord Edwin. Where was her fan when she needed it most? Next to Miss Cannis where she had forgotten it. And now, she had to endure a most frustrating conversation where she admitted a falsehood. Not a simple falsehood, either. One which competed with the largest untruths of her life.

Her rushed denial teetered on her lips as a stronger gust of wind tore through her hair, causing several more strands to dislodge. She muttered a curse and reached

up to repair the damage the wind had made.

His large, warm hand shot out and stopped her. The humid night air could not compare to the warmth of his hand on hers, nor could it compete with the spasmodic tingles breaking out throughout her body.

The contact was too unexpected.

Too intimate.

Too much.

She darted a hesitant glance his way where he quickly masked a warm look and took a step away from her. “Leave your hair.”

She swayed from the loss of his touch and the lack of warmth in his tone.

“Are you quite all right?” he asked with a sneer, as if to erase all touches of warmth with harshness. It hadn’t worked, though. She knew better.

Whatever strange demon had overtaken him tonight was not normal and was, quite frankly, vexing to deal with. “I see you can choose to employ good manners when you wish.”

His countenance darkened and he lifted a brow. “You evidently are just fine.”

Author

Author Links:

Website  |  Facebook

The Wild Rose Press

Twitter  | Goodreads

Naomi Boom never expected to love writing. Her inspiration struck while searching for the perfect historical romance novel to read. Nothing sounded appealing, so she decided to write her own. That one novel has morphed into a series, and hopefully many, many more.

She resides in her home state of South Dakota with her husband and toddler. Her dream is to someday find an acreage where she can raise chickens and, naturally, continue her writing.

Blog Topic

I see from your site that you are well traveled.  I only wish I have traveled and seen as much.  I noted that the book "Ten Things I love About You" by Julia Quinn seems to have started your path towards writing historical romance.  I am a huge fan of Julia Quinn and was wondering what it was about that specific book that so sparked your love for Regency?  And in turn, what do you believe, in your writing would inspire that same spark in readers like me?

Julia Quinn. She holds a special place in my heart. Before my sister forced me to read Ten Things I Love About You, I read fantasy novels. Before that, science fiction. Before that, westerns. Before that… you get the picture. I have read a wide variety of fiction but somehow, Regency romances stand out. I fell for them, most likely because of all the dashing heroes, actual ladies for heroines, and wit. 

But let’s back-track a moment. In 2011, I had just finished reading Laurell K. Hamilton’s Merry Gentry series when my sister handed me a copy of Ten Things I Love About You. I scoffed. The novel screamed girly and sweet. I was in the military and didn’t really fit that demographic. Turns out, it was definitely girly.

And I loved it.

Ten Things I Love About You fascinated me. Sebastian Grey, the Hero, was a rake, which made little sense to me since I was unfamiliar with the term. Then, there was the whole idea that Miss Annabel Winslow, the heroine, couldn’t be alone with a gentleman unless she wished to face ruination. Again, didn’t get it. But what I did get was Julia Quinn’s superb writing, the humor she instills in even the most common of scenes, and the witty repertoire between characters.

I don’t want to go into the specifics of Ten Things I Love About You too much, but I will tell say I re-read the novel before writing this post. I still love it. I can see why I fell for Regency romances. The stories are like fairy tales. Most of the time, the heroes are heroic and the heroines are worth saving.

This post seems to keep growing, so pardon me if I am writing too much. But, I have another part of the question to answer so I will try to keep it brief.

Would To Entice an Earl spark a love for Regency? Too many factors exist to say for certain, but what I can say is To Entice an Earl is emotionally gripping; every time I read it I get hooked, and I’ve read it countless times. The hero and heroine engage in some delightful dialogue, and I simply love the ending; it feels like one of those blissfully happy endings that leave me almost giddy. But everything I say is extremely biased, so there is only one way to find out. Give it a try and read it.

My  Review ⭐⭐⭐(3.5  Stars)

Alexa Farris has known Lord Collins since she was five years old and has been in love with him since she was fourteen.    She waited for him to notice her, but he never did.  He treated her only with sisterly affection.  Now although she still harbours an unrequited love for Maxon, Lord Collins, she awaits the proposal of another man, Lord Edwin.  Edwin demands perfection of himself and everything and everyone around him.  Alexa is no exception.  He criticizes her hair and gives her cream for her freckles!  Since Alexa cannot marry for love, she believes that Lord Edwin is as good as anyone else to marry.  After all, he has a good pedigree and good looks!

As their courtship continues, Lord Maxon returns from London where he went to mend his broken heart.  He is no longer the carefree man she knew.  He is hardened and bitter after having his heart broken by the woman he loved. He now lets Alexa know that although she got approval from her brother to marry Lord Edwin, his approval means naught because Gavin has left him in charge of her care.  He does not like Lord Edwin Rudgers and tells her so.

From this disagreement, Alexa sets out to prove she loves Lord Edwin (even though she doesn’t) so that she may spend more time with Maxon.  Lord Maxon on the other hand sets out to try and separate the couple.  He believes his motives stem from the fact that Alexa deserves better than Lord Edwin.  However, unbeknownst to him at this time, he wants Alexa.

The more time they spend together, the more Maxon starts to notice her.  Her curves, her smile and he wonders why he has never seen her in that light before.  Will Alexa take her ruse to far and marry Lord Edwin just to spite Maxon?

This is a sweet read.  I enjoyed reading this book despite my preference for angst and love scenes.  There are many misunderstandings and untold feelings that are the cause of the strife.  Both characters fear rejection.  Alexa, because she does not believe Maxon likes her type and Maxon, because he has had his heart broken before.

The dialogue between the two main characters was enjoyable.  They tease each other unmercifully and try to one up each other.  The romance is a bit slow to build up, for me but I found it realistic and refreshing.  Maxon does not just suddenly love her after being gone and not noticing her.  It is a gradual build up with time spent together.

Alexa is a strong character and really knows what she wants.  It’s if she will be ever able to attain it that is the problem.  She is ready to accept a man she does not love until she realizes his true colors.  Alexa also brings a lightness to Lord Collins that he has not felt in years.  She changes him just by being herself.

Lord Maxon Collins comes off as hardened and bitter but, he truly likes Alexa and wants what’s best for her.  He tries underhanded but somewhat honest things to try and bring Alexa to her senses.  Once he realizes what Alexa means to him, he is upfront and honest.

I find the story line was ended a little too abruptly between Lord Edwin Rudgers and Alexa.  We hear nothing more of him despite his absolute want to marry her throughout the book.

Overall an enjoyable read.

Please note that although I gave this book 3.5 Stars, this has more to do with my preference for angst and sensuality.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a clean well-written historical romance.

Giveaway!
Naomi Boom will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.  I encourage all of you to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment and interact, the better your chances of winning.   You will also find more reviews, teasers, spotlights and excerpts.  The tour dates can be found here.

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