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?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Lady-Sarahs-Sinful-Desires-Thorncliff-ebook/dp/B00N81BCH8

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Lady-Sarahs-Sinful-Desires-Audiobook/B014VE571C

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26029568-lady-sarah-s-sinful-desires

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!

Book & Audio Review: Someone Like Her by Sandra Owens

Someone Like Her by Sandra Owens

Publisher & Release Montlake Romance, January 6, 2015

Time and setting: Present day, Pensacola, Florida

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length:  305 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

Known to the K2 Special Services team as Romeo, ex-Navy SEAL Jake Buchanan may spend his downtime living up to his nickname, but there’s one woman who sets his heart racing like no one else can: Maria Kincaid. Unfortunately, his boss—her brother—has made it crystal clear that she’s off-limits. Jake doesn’t do commitment, while Maria is the type of woman who deserves a promise of forever. Yet Maria finds herself drawn to Jake, the man who stares at her with a desire she wishes he’d act on.

Still haunted by her horrific childhood, Maria goes searching for the father she’s never met—and stumbles into a nightmarish experience. With her life in grave danger, she reaches out to Jake, her brother’s second-in-command. Jake figures he can help Maria without giving in to temptation. But some things are easier said than done.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M4DE55M

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Someone-like-Her-Audiobook/B00T3A74JI

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22877453-someone-like-her

Vikki’s Musings

I am so glad I decided to revisit the K2 Special Forces series by Sandra Owens. They are available through the Kindle-Unlimited program, and the audio version is only $1.99. I just loved Maria and Jake’s story!

This story is fast-paced and pulled me in from the first page and kept my interest through the entire book. I thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits about Pensacola. I actually lived there for seven years, and Ms. Owens descriptions brought back many fond memories for me.

Maria Kincaid is a wonderful heroine. She definitely did not have an easy time growing up with a prostitute for a mother. Thank goodness she had her brother Logan to protect her. She has a lot of misconceptions because of her mother when it comes to sexual matters and no wonder. While she struggles with self-esteem in that area, she excels in matters of business. She is graduating from law school and ready to join her brother at K2. I liked her fearless attitude a lot, and her determination to protect the young girl Ashley.

Jake is your typical bad boy when it comes to women, but underneath, he is a loyal friend and would never intentionally hurt a woman. He was always careful to make sure his women knew the score. With Maria, he realizes something is different. Besides, she’s off limits since his boss is her brother. I would have liked a bit more backstory on why he was such a player.

The chemistry between Maria and Jake threatened to set my ears on fire! They are fantastic together and I really wanted them to have their happy ending. Both of them have been fighting the attraction between them for several years, and when Maria calls him for help, the spark ignites.

I listened to the narrative by Amy McFadden and Mikael Naramore and enjoyed it tremendously. Ms. McFadden reads with just the right amount of emotion without going too far. I also enjoyed Mr. Naramore’s performance in this one more than I did in Lost in Her.

I enjoyed Someone Like Her a great deal. If you are looking for a book with an engaging love story, plenty of action and interesting characters, then you will definitely want to read this book. Happy reading!

Retro Book & Audio Review: In my Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean

In My Wildest Fantasies by Julianne MacLean

Publisher & Release Date: HarperCollins Publishers, October 3, 2009

Time and setting: 1870, England

Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian

Length:  383 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

She was just a girl when the future duke saved her from certain tragedy.

But his search for a suitable bride will end with a swift seduction that makes her every inch a woman.

Four years ago, a mesmerizing stranger pulled Lady Rebecca Newland from her runaway coach, galloping to her rescue in a fog-shrouded forest. Though she was just seventeen, Rebecca felt an irresistible desire for the mysterious man and swore that she would someday be his bride. But now she is betrothed to another man whom she detests - and Devon Sinclair, the future Duke of Pembroke and her hero, lies tantalizingly beyond her reach...

Haunted by an unspeakable past, Devon has no intention of taking a wife, not even the enticing Rebecca. But then his father rules that Devon must wed by Christmas or forfeit his rightful inheritance. Now, with his fortune at stake, Devon sets out to lure Rebecca to his bed... where the most unexpected secrets and lies stand in the way of their scandalous, explosive passion.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W915MG

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/In-My-Wildest-Fantasies-Audiobook/B00ICNOPK8

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1533625.In_My_Wildest_Fantasies

Vikki's Musings

I recently discovered Julianne MacLean’s marvelous books. I actually read/listened to Married by Midnight first, not realizing it was part of this incredible series. Needless to say, once I finished Book 4, I had to go back and read the rest. In my Wildest Fantasies is an absolutely a fabulous book!

Ms. MacLean writes emotionally-charged romances that will wring your heart dry. Her characters are unforgettable and her storyline is intriguing with plenty of plot twists. The development of the romance had me doing a happy dance!

Lady Rebecca Newland is a wonderful heroine, and I fell in love with her from the first page. She exhibits all the characteristics I most love. The anguish she feels brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. What I loved most was her compassionate, giving heart. The patience she shows is astonishing. She is the perfect match for Devon.

Devon Sinclair, Lord Hawthorne is my favorite kind of hero. He is brave, fearless and determined to accomplish his father’s wishes, even though marriage is the last thing he wants. Of course as the heir to a dukedom, he always knew he would have to marry, but he did not want an emotional entanglement. He wanted a business arrangement where his future duchess would fulfill the role in a circumspect manner and not expect professions of love. He gets the exact opposite with Rebecca. She manages to tear down the brick wall surrounding his heart.

The sexual tension between Rebecca and Devon jumps off the page and the love scenes are concentrated more on the emotions of the sexual act, than where part A and part B go. I thoroughly enjoyed them and could live vicariously through the characters, and is that not what we readers want?

The Victorian age is not my first love, but Ms. MacLean was able to paint such a vivid picture of the dress and environment, she quite transported me back in time. Her startling descriptions of the palace gave me a fantastic visual of the magnificent home.

Oh, and I must mention the incredible narrator. Rosalyn Landor is absolutely fantastic. She reads with deep emotion and truly brings the characters to living breathing life. Her ability to give each character their own distinctive voice is amazing. I know whenever she is the narrator I am in for a treat!

If you enjoy a romance in a historical setting with a moving plot and amazing characters, then you will love In my wildest Fantasies as much as I did. I can’t wait to read/listen to the other books in this series. Happy reading!

The Gladiator’s Temptation by Jennifer D. Bokal

Publisher & Release Date: Montlake Romance, February 9, 2016  

Time and setting: 100 B.C. Rome

Genre: Historical Romance/Historical Fiction

Length: 270 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

With her standing in Roman society already on shaky ground, Fortunada must be careful with her reputation. After her faithless husband cast her aside and married another, the devoted mother of two wasn’t eager to let another man fill her bed—until she met Baro, Rome’s reigning gladiatorial champion. It’s in his strong arms that she finds true pleasure and, to her delight, love.

When her champion proposes marriage, pledging to make her family his own, it seems fate has finally smiled on Fortunada. But her fortune takes a turn when her former husband resurfaces, demanding to take their children as is his right.

With Baro having already sacrificed his career for their love, throwing away his title in a bid to break free of his contract, how can she tell him that the price of her sacrifice—her children—is too high? Will love triumph, allowing Fortunada both her champion and her family, or must she walk away from the man who’s given up all for her?

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B016ZNRBXE

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28113479-the-gladiator-s-temptation

Vikki’s Musings

I received an Advance Reader Copy of The Gladiator’s Temptation from the publisher via Net-Galley in exchange for an honest review. The book description sounded interesting, and I looked forward to reading it. I had read The Gladiator’s Mistress and while I enjoyed it, I liked this book a great deal more.

Fortunada is a divorced woman and takes the gladiator champion of Rome as her secret lover. She never expected to fall in love with Baro, but he steals her heart. When he offers marriage and promises to care for her children, she believes her life will, at last, be happy.

Baro is under contract to a Ludo, but he is a free man. He is captivated by Fortunada. When he sees Fortunada taking seeds to prevent pregnancy, he realizes her wants her to be his wife. While he has two years left on his contract, Paullus is a fair man. Surely he will release him if he stays on as an instructor.

When Fortunada’s ex-husbands returns for his children, Fortunada is placed in a terrible position. She must either remarry Albinius to keep her children, or follow her heart. Meanwhile, Baro is faced with losing to an opponent to gain his freedom.

Will Baro and Fortunada find a way to be together that allows her to keep her children, or will she succumb to duty to stay with her little ones?

The historical detail is fantastic, and I truly got the sense of this very long ago time. From the description of the costumes to the vivid description of the gladiator’s arena, I became enmeshed in that part of the story.

Baro is a great hero. He’s brave, determined and loyal. He truly tries to do the right thing, but his lanista refused to listen. He’s very protective of Fortunada, even though she has broken his heart.

Fortunada’s character is more complex. She’s torn between her love for Baro and her duty to her children. That’s a terrible place to be. My heart hurt for the decisions she has to make to be with her children. In her time, she has no rights. She has to be with her children even if it means having to marry her ex-husband.

There is a good bit of suspense in this story, and it had me clinging to the arms of my chair waiting to find out what would happen next. Ms. Bokal paints a great visual picture of the action scenes. I could feel the terror that Baro and Fortunada experienced.

The Gladiator’s Temptation is a great romance. Baro and Fortunada have fantastic chemistry from the first scene to the last. If you are looking for a story set in a period of history that is fascinating, then you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Happy reading!

Book Review: A Knight for Kallen by Lauren Linwood

A Knight for Kallen by Lauren Linwood

Published & Release Date: Soul Mate Publishing, December 2, 2014

Time and setting: 1293, Southern England

Genre: Historical Romance/Medieval

Length: 258 pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

Kallen de Mangeron grew up in a convent, her noble family never knowing of her birth. When a new Mother Superior informs them of her existence, they send trusted knight Griffith Sommersby to escort her home. 

Griffith’s heart broke when he lost his wife and infant son during childbirth, and he’s kept his feelings locked away from the world—until he meets Kallen. He soon learns her dark secret—that she sees auras around people—which allows her insight into their actions and personalities. 

Now Quentin, bastard brother to the king, decides to harness Kallen’s gift in a plot to win the throne. Will Quentin successfully use a kidnapped Kallen as his political pawn, or will Griffith be able to stop him before Kallen changes the course of England’s history? 

Buy Link:

http://smile.amazon.com/Knight-Kallen-Lauren-Linwood-ebook/dp/B015JB79KI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1447253292&sr=1-1&keywords=a+knight+for+kallen

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26682976-a-knight-for-kallen

Vikki's Musings

I have read several books by Lauren Linwood and I have enjoyed all of them, especially her medieval romances. When Ms. Linwood asked me to read and review A Knight for Kallen in exchange for an honest review, I immediately accepted. A Knight for Kallen is a wonderful example of this sub-genre, reminding me why I love them so much.

Kallen de Mangeron is a child of rape and has lived in a nunnery all her life. When a new abbess takes over she contacts Lord Crispin and tells him that his sister lived with the sisters and gave birth to Kallen. When Kallen finds out her history, she is excited by finding out she has a family who wants her.

When Griffith Sommersby arrives to bring her to her family, he never expects to find a woman who can heal his broken heart. As they travel from the nunnery to her family, there are a great many mishaps, bringing Griffith and Kallen together as they vanquish their enemies, intent on kidnapping Kallen.

Is Griffith ready to move past the grief of the loss of his wife and infant son and embrace this beautiful young woman who has shown him how to live again?

A Knight for Kallen is a well-written novel. The plot is intriguing from the beginning, pulling me into the story and keeping me enthralled to the end. It’s a book that touches on the loss of faith and finding it again. I loved that aspect of the story a great deal.

Ms. Linwood sets the stage with just the right amount of history interwoven in this immensely enjoyable read, without turning it into a history lesson. Her description of the dress and customs of the day are vivid, and I could see in my mind’s eye the majesty of the castle through Kallen’s character when she arrives and sees one for the first time. I loved the All Hallow’s Eve celebration, a brilliant way to experience what it must have been like in this period of history.

I fell in love with Kallen and Griffith’s characters. I loved Kallen’s innocence and her steadfast belief in God. She leads Griffith back to his faith through her shining example. While this is not a big part of the story, for me it sends a wonderful message. Griffith is everything I want to see in a knight. He is brave, honorable and protective of Kallen, willing to give his life to save her from her evil father.

I am so glad I had the chance to read this emotionally-charged book. If you enjoy medieval romances with a beautiful and moving love story, and filled with adventure and suspense, you will love A Knight for Kallen as much as I did. I highly recommend this incredible book. Give it a chance, you will not regret it. Happy reading!

A Hero Grinch for Christmas by Samanthya Wyatt

Publisher & Release Date: Self-published, December 12, 2015

Time and setting: Present Day, Wyattville, Colorado

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Christmas

Length:   Unknown

Heat Level: 2 Flame

Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Dani will not allow The Grinch to hide from Christ­mas. She will cure Hunter of his nasty mood, even if it kills her. But who will save her from his pas­sion­ate kisses.

War hero, Hunter Gra­ham, has seen enough dev­as­ta­tion to last a life­time. At the end of his lat­est Army term, he accepted his dis­charge papers and never looked back. His uncle’s home is tucked away in the majes­tic moun­tains, a per­fect place for him to hide from Christ­mas and his own mem­o­ries. But he can’t hide from the delec­table Dani. The last thing he needs is a female in his life. But this one has the face of an angel and eyes you can drown in.

Dani Wimer left the Col­orado moun­tains and relo­cated in the bright lights of New York City. Every Decem­ber she returns to the vil­lage of Ever­green. When a hunky mil­i­tary guy enters her aunt’s shoppe, he seems lost and angry. His scowl is intim­i­dat­ing, but that doesn’t bother the spunky girl who cel­e­brates the hol­i­days like it’s Christ­mas every day. She decides to put a smile on his Grinch face and ends up los­ing her heart in a pas­sion­ate whirlwind.

Buy Link:

Coming soon

Add to Goodreads:

Available soon

EXCERPT:

Just like a picture on a Christmas card, the little town of Wyattsville was nestled between two snow-capped mountains. Population 763, a quaint village where his uncle settled after his third marriage failed.

Hunter Armstrong stared out the window while snowflakes grazed the glass, glistening in the nighttime sky. In the distance, every inch of ground was covered with snow. He hadn’t been here in two years, but nothing had changed. The soft glow of lights coming from various windows and storefronts along Main Street reminded him of everything he used to love. Although he should find comfort and joy in the familiar surroundings, instead, he closed his eyes in anguish.

 Wheels squeaked and the engine resounded to a soft hum as the train came to a grinding halt. He regarded the passengers around him and waited as they moved to the aisle, gathered their belongings, and one-by-one, headed for the rear door.

They’d reached the end of the line, Wyattsville, Colorado.

 With a heavy sigh, he grabbed his gear and loped down the two steps of the train. Blinking lights lined the roof of the depot, with silver, red, and gold decorations, and pine branches tangling around the supporting poles. All that was missing was a group of carolers. Even with Christmas around the corner, he’d expected the town to be vacant. Empty. Judging by the number of people gathered, either a celebrity was on the train, or some sort of festivity loomed.

God, he hated this. Hated waking up every morning to bright and cheerful people, even worse now that the holidays had arrived. A cluster of people were vying for someone’s attention. Whoever stood in the center of the crowd must be important and well loved. The hugs and tears made Hunter’s own circumstances more real. No one was there to meet him.

He shook off his unease, and put one booted foot in front of the other, determined to forget the party. The circle of people opened as he walked by, revealing a man in uniform.

A hero’s welcome home.

Pain filled memories flashed through Hunter’s mind. Recollections of buddies he’d lost in combat.

He studied each person, wondering which were relatives—friends—maybe a lover. Hunter’s comrades had not been so lucky.

He hefted the duffel bag higher onto his shoulder and plowed forward, making his way through the crowd. As he stepped off the platform, he spotted several teams of horses hitched to sleighs. He guessed it was a special treat to celebrate the soldier’s return.

With one last glance, he turned the corner and headed toward the center of the village. His hide-away for the next . . . however long, he hadn’t decided yet. There wasn’t any place else he wanted to go. In the mountains he could lose himself; no one knew he was here and he preferred it that way. He sure as hell didn’t want to celebrate Christmas.

Once people discovered his whereabouts, there’d be questions. Especially from the lady he suspected had been his uncle’s sweetheart. Had Denny lived, maybe his fourth wife. He remembered the happy glint in his uncle’s eyes the last time they’d seen each other, which suggested maybe the couple shared more than a friendship. After three failed marriages, the man had sworn off women. But Hunter knew better.

For a moment, a smile tried to form on his face, but misery overrode the effort. He just couldn’t be happy; he’d failed his uncle.

His eyes grew misty. He should have come sooner. Of course, he hadn’t had much of a choice. If the military wanted a GI to have a life outside the Army, they would have issued one. He was a Ranger. Dedicated to his profession.

Well, no more. He’d burned that bridge. All he had was time now. A little late, but he’d made a vow, and he intended to fulfill it.

Vikki’s Musings

Don’t you just love Christmas tales? I certainly do. When I had the chance to read A Hero Grinch for Christmas in exchange for an honest review, I eagerly accepted. This is not your typical heart-warming story that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling. This book is an emotionally-charged read of pain and growth for a veteran.

Hunter, a decorated war hero, returns to Wyattville, too late to see his uncle, Denny. He had been on a mission when he died. Now, he has inherited his uncle’s home. The last thing he wants is to be reminded of the holidays. He wants to be left alone.

Dani Wimer loves the holidays and returns each year to Wyattville to spend the season with her aunt, Fay. When she meets Hunter, she can feel his pain and decides to drive to his house and deliver some Christmas cheer and food since he lives alone.

When Dani’s car slides into a ditch close to Hunter’s home, she becomes stranded with Hunter. She is determined to bring some Christmas spirit to her hero Grinch whether he wants it or not. Can she break through his barrier, or will Hunter’s grinch side win?

A Hero Grinch for Christmas is a well-written Christmas story. The pacing is steady except in the middle where it drags a bit. This book is centered entirely on Hunter and Dani with a few very brief cameos of a few secondary characters. I think that is why the pacing slowed at times. I think it is very hard to keep a story going when all the interaction is between the hero and heroine.

Dani is a light-hearted woman, determined, feisty and loyal to those she loves. Her empathy for Hunter is touching. I enjoyed her character a great deal. I am not sure I would have tried so hard to bring Hunter out of his depressed state of mind. She does not give up, no matter how surly and unpleasant he is.

Hunter’s character is quite complex. He’s a tortured soul fighting the demons of war. Normally I quickly bond to a troubled hero, but he is so hardened and nasty at times to Dani, I didn’t truly begin to like his character until close to the end of the book.

If you enjoy a story filled with plenty of emotion, a story of love and redemption, and one completely centered on the hero and heroine, then you will love A Hero Grinch for Christmas. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. Dani’s wonderful character makes it all worthwhile. Happy reading!