Thursday, June 30, 2016

Stolen by the Laird
(Conquered Bride Series Book 4)
By
Eliza Knight
Blog Tour – June 29 to July 9
She was supposed to be his prize... But not all rewards are sweet...
Laird Brody Keith, Marischal of Scotland, has been asked by his future king to travel with William Wallace to Dunnottar Castle, where they will seize the castle back from the English. If he completes his mission, the castle, the land and all it holds, will be his. Brody is more than eager to sink his blade into the hearts of his enemies after the brutal murder of his sister and father. But what he doesn't count on is finding an English lass in need of his protection...
Lady Guinevere has led a less than pleasant life in Scotland over the past year, and now she can either run for her life or accept the proposal of a man who should be her enemy. Survival bids her to acquiesce, but that doesn't mean she has to play nice. Except, she's coming to adore the people whom she's always been told she should hate, and respect the man who risked his life for her.
Joined for a mutual purpose, Brody and Guinevere seem doomed from the start, but as time passes and their true enemies draw closer, they'll form an alliance that not even the devil himself can break.
Brody pushed the door open the remainder of the way and came face to face with four Englishwomen. They huddled by the window, dressed in Sassenach gowns, hair once styled as though they were attending a great feast, jewels at their necks, and tears adorning each face except for one.
“Och, but I’ve died and gone to Hell,” he muttered.
Everyone knew Englishwomen were as shrewish as… well as, an Englishwoman, and as cold as dead fish.
All four stared at him, wide-eyed, mouths hung agape.
Much like fish, he thought.
They were pretty enough, especially the one with the long flowing blonde locks. Though it looked as though her locks had seen better days, perhaps not to have been torn from whatever fancy knot they’d been in.
“Who are ye?” he asked in not too kind a tone. He didn’t want any shrewish behavior, simply facts.
The blonde stepped forward, squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye with her piercing blue—nay more green than blue—eyes. She was the only one who didn’t cry. As though she’d been expecting him. The lass was beautiful, even if she was a harpy. Her bone structure was delicate, but her eyes sharp, and the way she frowned, well, he guessed her tongue to be just as barbed. The gown accentuated the curve of her hips and the swell of marginal breasts—he refused to call them the perfect size, for she was English, and he denied finding anything about her to be flawless.
“Who are you?” she retorted.
Och, a fiery little fish. “I asked ye first.”
“Well”—her gaze roved from the top of his head down to his boot tips and he felt more than a little assessed—“I think it is plain to see I outrank you, savage, so you must answer me first.”
At her bold words the ladies in her presence all paled, one covered her mouth, another pinched her own arms and the third nodded approval.
Brody chuckled, taking a menacing step forward. “Then I suppose we have found ourselves at an impasse, fishy, for I do believe I outrank ye.”
“Fishy? Ye insult me.” She shook her head and regarded him with something akin to disgust. “Impossible.”
Her revulsion almost had him checking himself. How odd, and why should he even wonder at her manners? She was English after all. Every woman he’d ever met up to this point had fallen at his feet. Brody was known for his charismatic tongue, his lovemaking abilities. Well, this fish wouldn’t know those things. And from the looks of her, she’d be too uptight to enjoy the pleasures he could have given her, if he wanted to, which he wouldn’t.
Brody puffed his chest and took several steps forward. “I assure ye, madam, given your current situation, anything is possible.”
Two of her ladies fainted dead away and the third stepped in front of the blonde, only to be shoved behind, a sharp word from the Grande Fishy’s mouth.
Then she turned back to him, pursing her lips as though she were contemplating a truce.
Before she could speak, he cut her off. “I dinna make deals, lass. If ye dinna believe me, then take a look out your window at the kirk yonder.”
“So you intend to kill us then?” Despite the stubborn set to her jaw and shoulders, her lower lip quivered.
Och, but why did that slight tremble have to tug at his heart? “We shall see what comes to pass.”
 Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author of sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your-heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Book Review: Lady Sarah's Desires by Sophie Barnes

Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes



Publisher & Release: Harper-Collins, April 28, 2016

Time and setting: 1820, England

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Length: 389 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 3.75 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire . . .

There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?

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Vikki’s Musings

This is the second book I have read by Sophie Barnes. The reason I decided to purchase Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires was because it was a finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence contest. I must say, I am enjoying the books and the competition must have been fierce. So far I have read four of the entries and all of them have been noteworthy. While this is the least favorite of the ones I have read, I did enjoy this book.

Lady Sarah hangs her head in disgrace. Two years ago, she allowed a rogue to seduce her and she has been paying for her indiscretion ever since. Her parents shun her and have arranged a marriage with the detestable Mr. Denison, a man her father’s age and far beneath her in rank.

She arrives at Thorncliff Manor, an exclusive destination for the elite of the ton, where she meets Mr. Denison for the first time so he can pay her court for a fortnight before announcing their engagement.

Christopher, Viscount Spencer, and his family are spending three months at Thorncliff while their home is being renovated. While strolling through the conservatory, he spies a young woman crawling around on the floor, searching for her pet hamster. Their eyes meet and the attraction between them is combustible.

Will Sarah be able to do her duty to protect her sisters from scandal and marry the despicable Mr. Denison, now that she has met the man of her dreams, or will she break down and tell Lord Spencer her secret and pray he will still want her?

 Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires starts out well and pulled me into the story. The couple meet at the end of the second chapter and the chemistry sizzles between them and stays ignited throughout the rest of the book. While the premise of a manor home, which is in essence what today would be a resort, is intriguing, I do not feel it is very realistic for a regency setting. Nonetheless, this is fiction and I could overlook that aspect of the story.

Lady Sarah is the kindest, and one of most considerate heroines I have encountered in quite some time. She is willing to sacrifice her chance of happiness to protect her younger half-sisters from scandal and honor her father’s less than honorable solution to the dilemma of her ruination.

She does suffer from very low self-esteem, but that is expected because in her day nothing could be worse than a young woman who has lost her virtue, even if it was to a manipulative seducer. While she does rehash this a bit much, it was understandable. Unfortunately, this slowed the pacing down in the middle of the story a lot.

I liked Lord Spencer’s character a great deal from the start. He is an honorable man, a good son and a great elder brother. He suffered from betrayal with his first love and is now skeptical of love. I enjoyed his internal conflict over his attraction to Sarah. His willingness to trust her was surprising, but when he learns of Sarah’s disgrace, it was understandable he would not handle it well.

Overall, this is an enjoyable read, once one makes it through the sagging middle. If you are looking for a romance with an unusual twist, then you will enjoy this book. The chemistry and banter between Sarah and Christopher are well worth it. Happy reading!



Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Field Stripped Release Bltiz


Field Stripped Box Set

Authors: Marissa Dobson, Nicole Garcia, Piper Presley, Ellie Keys, Julie Morgan, Alyssa Breck, Lily-Ann Johnson, Natasza Waters, C.J. Pinard, Tamara Hoffa, Shelley Munro, S.E. Babin, Carly Carson, Xandra James, and Calinda B
Genre: Military Contemporary Romance

Amazon USAmazon UK - iBooks Barnes & NobleKobo

Field Stripped Box Set
15 Steamy Military Romances from today's New York Times and Amazon Bestselling authors. GET STRIPPED with stories filled with love, romance, and smokin' hot alpha men sure to get your temperature rising.

Bestselling Author, Marissa Dobson Ace in the Hole: Ace in the Hole-Returning home from a deployment, Navy SEAL Ace Diamond finds the only woman he’s ever loved pregnant and living in his house. Gwyneth didn’t expect reuniting with the man who broke her heart. After all these years, will they give love a second chance?

New York Times Bestselling Author, Nicole Garcia Saving Private Blue: Savannah has endured years of heartache ever since Billy broke up with her and joined the Army. Her only comfort is Travis, Billy's brother. What happens when two brothers love the same woman? Can broken hearts be mended? Will true love prevail above all else?

Amazon Bestselling Author, Piper Presley Thorn of a Soldier: Young and newly married Marisa and Brody Clark will soon be separated when army soldier Brody gets deployed. Will Marisa remain Brody's devoted military wife or will an ex-boyfriend convince her to untie the knot?

Ellie Keys Belinda’s Mission: Belinda Banneker (B.B.'s) world has been rocked in more ways than one and only one person can set it to rights. The only problem is no one knows where this man, well no one, but B.B.

Bestselling Author, Julie Morgan Delta Force: Fighting in the war changed Logan Saunders. Facing the possibility of losing everything, he has to make a choice: In the line of fire, there is fight or flight. This is a fight Logan intends to win.

Award-Winning & Amazon Bestselling Author, Alyssa Breck Locked and Loaded: After society turned its back on him, ex-Army Ranger Hunter McKay finds a family in an outlaw motorcycle club. When Holly Farris' research lands her in a seedy bar, the biker and the journalism student collide. Can an ambitious young reporter win the heart and trust of a jaded former soldier?

Amazon Bestselling Author, Lily-Ann Jonson Blondie's Hero: When Teufel Hundens Bar & Grill needs a new bartender will Retired Marine Jake Peterson be the hero that Blondie needs? Or will hidden truths and her ex's anger have Blondie doubting not only Jake but their budding love as well?

Amazon Bestselling Author, Natasza Waters Committed to Chase: Combat took Jesse’s leg, but as a retired SEAL he has no regrets. He's got a new mission. Her name’s Charlie and the chase is on.

C.J. Pinard Antihero: He's dealing with a haunted past of crime and war. She's trying to stay clean and walk a straight path. Is the chemistry storming between them enough to keep them together?

Bestselling Author, Tamara Hoffa Healing Love: A sniper’s bullet shattered Army Medic Sandra O’Donnell’s shoulder and her sunny outlook on life. Can fellow soldier, Zach Winters provide the Healing Love she needs to fight the nightmares and dare to care again?

Shelley Munro Innocent Next Door: Special Air Services soldier Nikolai Tarei owes his neighbor and friend a favor, but looking out for his twenty-two year old niece is stretching friendship too far. Summer is young but her sex appeal, sassiness and brazen disregard for safety have Nikolai scrambling to protect both her and his battered heart.

Award-Winning & Amazon Bestselling Author, S.E. Babin Flight Risk: Just when he thought he’d gotten rid of her, Lennox King shows up as a combat photographer embedded with his unit. Brooks is in the hot zone already, but her presence is guaranteed to make it a scorcher.

Carly Carson Taken by the SEAL: Navy SEAL Declan Moynihan has orders to clandestinely shut down a notorious slave brothel in a Middle East war zone. Laila Catami, his accidental captive, is the mysterious woman being brought in to run the brothel.

Xandra James SEALed with a Vegas Kiss: SEALed with a Vegas Kiss- I'm in Vegas to stop a wedding. I've been in love with Molly ever since I could remember but I'm no good for her, so I've stayed away...when I could. But now her brother—and my CO—has found out the groom-to-be is a dick, and I have no intention of ignoring a direct order to take him out of the picture. My mission is to stop the wedding at all costs, but success hinges on whether I can keep my hands

Amazon Bestselling, Calinda B Blurred Lines: A lonely young woman meets a Navy submariner on leave. His heart has been broken; hers has never awakened. Will their lust-filled communion make a difference?

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Monday, June 27, 2016



Charlene will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Congressman’s Wife by Charlene Keel


Publisher & Release: Red Sky Presents, February 8, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  226 Pages

Book Description: 

All Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is a trophy wife, born and bred for the part. She believes she has no choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and restaurant heir who makes her feel loved for herself alone.

The more her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for Kaleb. Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing, the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her husband is wounded by a bullet from a disgruntled lobbyist, Eden must stay by his side. What she learns can set her free, if she has the courage to take a stand.

Buy Link:


Add to Goodreads:


Excerpt:

“Your husband is an inconsiderate ass,” Sybil said over dirty martinis after their drive up the mountain.  “Why do you put up with it?”

“Like I have a choice?”  Eden had just told Sybil about her birthday dinner with the Romano brothers.  “If I left, where would I go?  Mom’s still living in Texas, in a little two-bedroom house, with another woman.  There’s no room for me and the kids.  I guess I could take them to my dad’s—and they can get to know their thirty-year-old step-grandma.”

Sybil laughed.  “It would serve him right if you showed up.”

“Yeah,” Eden agreed.  “But seriously, I can’t do that to the kids.  It would rip their world apart, if I left their father just because I’m . . .” 

She paused, searching for the right word.

“Unhappy?” Sybil supplied.

“Not really,” Eden said.  “It’s just . . . when I’m not angry with Mitchell I’m bored out of my mind.”

“Even with the campaign in full swing?”

“Especially with that,” Eden said.  “It’s nothing I haven’t done before, just on a bigger scale.  I don’t think Mitchell can win and he’s spending so much money.  At this rate, we’ll never get out of debt.”  She blinked back the sudden, hot dart of tears before Sybil could see.  “Still no reason to end a marriage.”

“Maybe when the kids are older.”

Eden finished her martini and signaled the bartender for another.  “In ten more years, Rosie will be sixteen,” she said.  “I’ll be almost forty-five. All the men my age will be looking for a younger woman.”

“So get a younger man.  You need a secret boy toy.  Be a cougar—it’s all the rage.”

A quick image of Kaleb Stavros flashed through Eden’s mind.  “Yeah, right,” she said.

“What about that hot young cook you met at the fundraiser?”

“Chef.”

“Whatever.  Did you call him?”

“No point.  Mitchell and his campaign need my full attention, twenty-four-seven.  Any time I have to myself, I plan to sleep.”

“All the more reason you should have a little som’n-som’n on the side,” Sybil said.

“Oh, come on—you know that’s not me.  I may flirt a little here and there, but when it’s time to deliver—I don’t.”

“Well, that’s depressing.”

“Mitchell’s my husband.  I took vows, you know.  For better or worse—”

“Blah, blah, blah,” Sybil interrupted.  “So let’s just forget him, at least for the weekend.  Tonight—starting in twenty minutes—full spa treatment followed by hot chocolate in front of the fire.  Tomorrow we’ll get your silly antiquing done in the morning and your blasted autumn leaves out of the way in the afternoon, and then little Sybil’s going on the prowl.  You can come along and watch.”

Author Bio & Links:


Charlene Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days of our Lives.  Her Dell book, Rituals, was the basis for the first made-for-syndication soap opera.  Recently she co-authored The Tracks, a YA supernatural trilogy.  Shadow Train, the final installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award.  Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for a few international magazines.  In her spare time she ghostwrites books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls, spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

For more information:

Website: CharleneKeel.net -   http://www.charlenekeel.net/

Follow Charlene on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharleneKeel

Charlene Keel on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/charlene.keel.1


a Rafflecopter giveaway


The Congressman’s Wife by Charlene Keel


Publisher & Release: Red Sky Presents, February 8, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  226 Pages

Book Description: 

All Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is a trophy wife, born and bred for the part. She believes she has no choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and restaurant heir who makes her feel loved for herself alone.

The more her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for Kaleb. Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing, the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her husband is wounded by a bullet from a disgruntled lobbyist, Eden must stay by his side. What she learns can set her free, if she has the courage to take a stand.

Buy Link:


Add to Goodreads:


Excerpt:

“Your husband is an inconsiderate ass,” Sybil said over dirty martinis after their drive up the mountain.  “Why do you put up with it?”

“Like I have a choice?”  Eden had just told Sybil about her birthday dinner with the Romano brothers.  “If I left, where would I go?  Mom’s still living in Texas, in a little two-bedroom house, with another woman.  There’s no room for me and the kids.  I guess I could take them to my dad’s—and they can get to know their thirty-year-old step-grandma.”

Sybil laughed.  “It would serve him right if you showed up.”

“Yeah,” Eden agreed.  “But seriously, I can’t do that to the kids.  It would rip their world apart, if I left their father just because I’m . . .” 

She paused, searching for the right word.

“Unhappy?” Sybil supplied.

“Not really,” Eden said.  “It’s just . . . when I’m not angry with Mitchell I’m bored out of my mind.”

“Even with the campaign in full swing?”

“Especially with that,” Eden said.  “It’s nothing I haven’t done before, just on a bigger scale.  I don’t think Mitchell can win and he’s spending so much money.  At this rate, we’ll never get out of debt.”  She blinked back the sudden, hot dart of tears before Sybil could see.  “Still no reason to end a marriage.”

“Maybe when the kids are older.”

Eden finished her martini and signaled the bartender for another.  “In ten more years, Rosie will be sixteen,” she said.  “I’ll be almost forty-five. All the men my age will be looking for a younger woman.”

“So get a younger man.  You need a secret boy toy.  Be a cougar—it’s all the rage.”

A quick image of Kaleb Stavros flashed through Eden’s mind.  “Yeah, right,” she said.

“What about that hot young cook you met at the fundraiser?”

“Chef.”

“Whatever.  Did you call him?”

“No point.  Mitchell and his campaign need my full attention, twenty-four-seven.  Any time I have to myself, I plan to sleep.”

“All the more reason you should have a little som’n-som’n on the side,” Sybil said.

“Oh, come on—you know that’s not me.  I may flirt a little here and there, but when it’s time to deliver—I don’t.”

“Well, that’s depressing.”

“Mitchell’s my husband.  I took vows, you know.  For better or worse—”

“Blah, blah, blah,” Sybil interrupted.  “So let’s just forget him, at least for the weekend.  Tonight—starting in twenty minutes—full spa treatment followed by hot chocolate in front of the fire.  Tomorrow we’ll get your silly antiquing done in the morning and your blasted autumn leaves out of the way in the afternoon, and then little Sybil’s going on the prowl.  You can come along and watch.”

Author Bio & Links:


Charlene Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days of our Lives.  Her Dell book, Rituals, was the basis for the first made-for-syndication soap opera.  Recently she co-authored The Tracks, a YA supernatural trilogy.  Shadow Train, the final installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award.  Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for a few international magazines.  In her spare time she ghostwrites books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls, spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

For more information:

Website: CharleneKeel.net -   http://www.charlenekeel.net/

Follow Charlene on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharleneKeel

Charlene Keel on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/charlene.keel.1


a Rafflecopter giveaway