Book Review: The Arrangement by Sylvia Day, Minerva Spencer, Kristin Vayden

The Arrangement by Sylvia Day, Minerva Spencer, Kristin Vayden

Publisher & Release: Kensington Books, January 28, 2020

Time and setting:  Regency England

Genre: Regency Romance

Length: 336 Pages

Heat Level: 2 Flames

Rating:   Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

A trio of sizzling historical romances that prove passion is timeless . . .
 
Mischief and the Marquess by Sylvia Day
Justin, the Marquess of Fontaine, and Lady Sophie Milton-Riley are completely ill-suited to one another. But they will have to prove it in order to end their mothers’ insistence that they should marry. Yet the more they attempt to demonstrate how wrong their union would be, the more surprisingly, irresistibly right things feel . . .
 
THE DUKE’S TREASURE by Minerva Spencer
Plain, prickly Josephine Loman has loved Beaumont Halliwell, the Fifth Duke of Wroxton, since the first time she saw him. But the most beautiful man she’s ever met had eyes only for Jo’s erstwhile friend, who betrayed Beau’s trust by marrying his brother. Beau hasn’t been home in years, but when his brother dies in an accident, he must marry to save the impoverished dukedom. And Jo is the overlooked heiress who will turn his world upside down . . .
 
THE INCONVENIENT COUNTESS by Kristin Vayden
As the eldest in a poverty-stricken family of daughters, Miss Diana Katherine Lambson’s only option is a marriage of convenience. Her only prospect is a rogue with a miserable reputation. Her only true desire: freedom. And that is exactly what Charles Brook, Earl of Barrington, is willing to offer, in return for the respectability their union will give him. He will even provide Diana with a contract. But does she dare entrust her future to a scoundrel? Does she dare not to?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Arrangement-Sylvia-Day-ebook/dp/B07VFB8S1N

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-arrangement-sylvia-day

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48063510-the-arrangement

Vikki’s Musings

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the chance to read and review The Arrangement by Sylvia Day, Minerva Spencer and Kritin Vayden prior to publication. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Mischief and the Marquess by Sylvia Day

This novella offers aspects of a Sylvia Day romance. Hot love scenes, sure to sizzle are definitely a part of this story. For me though, I would have preferred a bit more emphasis on the emotions of the developing romance. This is a short novella, so there isn’t much character development. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read and is a strong4/5 Gold Crowns.

The Duke’s Treasure by Minerva Spencer

I thoroughly enjoyed the romance between Josephine and Beau. The Duke’s Treasure has an excellent plot and good character development. The writing flows well and the pacing is perfect. The romance, while clearly sexually, the emotional connection between the couple is easily apparent. I will definitely be looking for more from Ms. Spencer. This is a wonder novella and easily earns 5/5 God Crowns!

An Inconvenient Countess by Kristin Vayden

I loved this great story between Diana and Brook. They are perfect for each other, and I wanted the love to grow between them. It does beautifully with plenty of emotions between them the hero’s character arch is amazing for a short novella. I’m glad I had an opportunity to read the love story between Diana and Brook. I will be looking for other books by Ms. Vayden. This heartwarming novella earns 4.5/5 Gold Crowns.

If you enjoy Regency romances with strong characters with interest plots, then you will enjoy this charming collection of stories. I recommend this lovely anthology. Each story is unique in its own way. Happy reading!

Book Review Bachelors of Bond Street by Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen and Minerva spencer

Bachelors of Bond Street by Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, Minerva Spencer

Publisher & Release: Kydala Publishing, October 11, 2019

Time and setting:  Regency, London

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 287 Pages

Heat Level: 1 Flame

Rating:  4.5 Gold Crowns

Book Description: 

An all-new anthology featuring novellas from acclaimed Regency historical authors Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer. Bond Street is famous for its elite clubs, fashionable shops and successful businesses. Now meet the bachelors who've made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Bachelors-Bond-Street-Janna-MacGregor-ebook/dp/B07YJ146FD

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bachelors-of-bond-street-janna-macgregor

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48287057-bachelors-of-bond-street

Vikki’s Musings

Three romances by three talented authors. All the tales are set on the same street. Each story intertwines in a delightful way, bringing laughter, a few sniffles and even more sighs. This is a unique Regency anthology, since none of the heroes are nobility and neither are the heroines. I thoroughly enjoyed each story. My thoughts on each book are included in my review. I voluntarily agreed to read and review Bachelors of Bond Street. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Love by the Letters

By Janna MacGregor

4 Gold Crowns

Portia Bellingham has given up on a match after three lackluster seasons. She turns her sights on her eighteen-year-old sister’s chance for love and agrees to slip a love letter into Mr. Hugh Merritt’s pocket. Only things don’t go as planned. Instead, she slips the letter into Gabriel St. Aulyn’s coat. Now she has to retrieve it. This set off an intriguing chain of events. Can it lead to love between two book worms?

I enjoyed the characters and loved the scene where Portia returns to the shop. The banter between her a Gabriel is enchanting. I loved it when Gabriel calls Portia on her brazen behavior after she tried to retrieve the letter! That certainly had me in stitches. That is only the first of several enchanting scenes. I became vested in their romance and wanted them to find their happy ending. 

Overall, this is a charming romance, but the romance does become physical incredibly fast. There wasn’t a chance for the sexual tension to build because their love develops so quickly. I did miss that a bit. Afterall, that’s one of the things I love most in historical romance. However, this is a short story, so I didn’t let that keep me from liking this story. 

How to Brew a Perfect Kiss

By Shana Galen

5 Gold Crowns

Thomas Gaines is a self-made man. He escaped slavery in Virginia and now owns several thriving businesses. When he literally runs into his newest employee in the Coffee Shop. His newest worker was the enchantress he’d seen earlier. Unwilling to allow her to leave, he quickly finds something else for her to do. Could it be? Had he found the woman of his dreams?

I thoroughly enjoyed How to Brew a Perfect Kiss from the first page to the last. As with all Ms. Galen’s romances, her characters are daring and lively. The banter is sparkling, and the suspense is thrilling. 

It’s rare to find a romance between two persons of color in a Regency, and that adds greatly to this charming tale. Raeni is an amazing character. Although she has very little, she offers a sliver of bread to her friend’s hungry child. When the church she and her friend have been sleeping in closes its door, she immediately offers her meager earnings to find the three of them a place to stay. I loved her caring ways.  

Of course, Thomas steps in and offers his home to them, which melted my heart. There are many tender moments in this wonderful story. This one had me sighing many times before the end of this remarkable romance. For such a short book, the character development is excellent, and the writing pulled at my heart strings.

The romance between Thomas and Raeni is sweet. I loved them as individual characters and even more as a couple. Thomas is a fantastic hero with all the characteristics I love. He’s a man of integrity and fierce against the men who are after Raeni, yet gentle and loving toward her. This is a splendid romance that touched my soul and my favorite of the three.

A Second Chance for Love

By Minerva Spencer

4.5 Gold Crowns

I do love a good second chance romance, but enemy to friends not as much, but fortunately, Ms. Spencer is excellent at keeping me entertained with brilliant dialogue and enthralling character building.

I enjoyed this tale of woe from the beginning to the end. The characters are easy to love, and the plot is emotionally-charged. I could understand the hero’s feelings of betrayal and his need for revenge. While he starts out with a great deal of angst in his heart, he realizes what he feels for Oona is so much more important.

Oona is protective of her secrets, but her attraction to Justin is as strong now as it was ten years before. When she agrees to his plan to take her to a house party as his mistress, she knows she must be strong and not give into the overwhelming desire she feels for Justin. I could understand why she agreed. The money he offers would keep her and her daughter, Katie for a long time. Seven hundred pounds was a fortune during the Regency. Oona and Katie could be together and never have to live separate again. I loved her fierce determination and her desire to provide for her daughter.

The sexual tension between Oona and Justin is amazing. Even though they had so much to work out, I truly wanted them to find a way past the hurt. Both their backstories were heartbreaking to say the least. This couple deserved to find love again. 

If you enjoy stories with engaging characters and unique plots, then you will love Bachelors of Bond Street as much as I did. I look for forward to reading other romances from these fantastic authors. Happy reading!