Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Desire
Maiden Lane #12

Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical Romance
Published in 2017

H/h - Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore/Lady Iris Jordan
Setting: England, 1742.

Read in February, 2018.

My rating:

                                                              [spoiler alert]

All the good things must come to an end. :( Every year for the past 7yrs. I’ve eagerly waited for a new Maiden Lane book. It’ll be so difficult to not have to wait for another new installment, even if the storyline veered away from the original characters. Even if Ms. Hoyt is writing a new series out later this year; even if I’m really excited about it. Duke of Desire marks the 12th installment, the final one, bidding adieu to our much beloved series. Though I still have 2 short stories to read, this is the last full-length novel.

Before I get into my review, starting with quite a bit of discussion on the backstory and how the characters are connected—because trust me they are connected through each-other and through ongoing events—I need to talk about the following...

I came to learn about Ms. Hoyt’s book when I first discovered Romance as a genre and was binging through the popular authors’ backlists. I don’t exactly remember why I picked up her books  but so glad I did! Ms. Hoyt was still a bit of newbie, with 2 short series under her belt but making quite the splash. The first installment of Maiden Lane, Wicked Intentions, was out and waiting for the second installment. But before I could finish the first two series of hers, second book, Notorious Pleasures was out as well. By then I was SO hooked in her writing style and her stories that I was more in the lines of ‘oh goodie! gimme gimme!’ LOL I promptly began the reading of book 1 of Maiden Lane, which also prompted my love affair with this series.

Promo Spotlight and Giveaway: The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth by Callie Hutton

Today, I'm hosting a promo on Callie Hutton's newest historical romance release, The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth, as a part of the ongoing VBT. Also find an excerpt for your enjoyment. The giveaway includes a $15 Amazon GC, so don't forget to enter via rafflecopter below!!

The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth

Callie Hutton

Published: March 26, 2018 by Entangled Amara

From USA Today Bestselling Author Callie Hutton is a new captivating and suspenseful historical romance...

Recently widowed, Charlotte Pennyworth is relishing her independence and it rankles to have to rely on a man to help her with an increasingly sinister stalker. Former Yardman, Elliot Baker, is reluctant to take on Charlotte’s case but despite himself and his history with another woman, he is drawn to the bright, attractive widow.

Sparks smolder between the PI and his client but neither is looking to form an attachment. Elliot thinks Charlotte is hiding something. Charlotte has no desire to marry again, especially to a private investigator, no matter how handsome, brave and kind he is. The risk to his life and her heart is too great. But more dangerous than a menacing stalker is secrets and when Charlotte’s come to light, even the passion between them might not douse the flames of Elliot’s distrust.

Buy Links:
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The Baronet's Bride by Emily Larkin

The Baronet's Bride (novella)
Midnight Quill #1.5

Emily Larkin
Historical Romance
Published in 2018 [requested review]

H/h - Sir Gareth Locke/Cecily Locke
Setting: Regency.

Read in March, 2018.

My rating:

                                                      [spoiler alert]

The Baronet’s Bride is a novella by Emily Larkin and the final installment of her historical romance series, Midnight Quill. I’ve loved and enjoyed the author’s previous works, and this new installment is no different. It was well-written like them all. In fact, for me, it’s a surprising installment in the series that I didn’t expect to see but was quite delighted when it was released. I’ll try to explain as I go.

Book 1 of Midnight Quill was The Spinster’s Secret. When I read it back in 2013, it wasn’t a series. In fact, the prologue of sort, The Countess’s Groom was published after book 1. But it was written in a way that I was still able to enjoy it, even though I generally like reading my series in order. The connections between both books were nicely done but they were also good standalones on their own. Personally I don’t think you absolutely need to read the prologue before reading book 1, though I’d suggest reading it just for the enjoyment. But The Baronet’s Bride is rather a straight-out extension of The Spinster’s Secret. The h and H of this novella, Gareth and Ceci, were introduced as the secondary couple, and I thought they got their HEA too because they got married within that story. I wanted a bit more of their romance but wasn’t expecting a separate installment. When I think of the publication date of book 1, it obviously was quite a long time coming too.

Release Blitz: I Need by Ella Fox

I'm hosting, today, a promo on Ella Fox's latest contemporary romance release, I Need (Enamorado #3), as a part of the ongoing release tour. Also find an excerpt and some teasers for your enjoyment.

I Need

Ella Fox

(Enamorado #3)

Published: March 18, 2018

She's single and not ready to mingle.
After the end of a months-long relationship with Mr. All Wrong, Emery Bellerose isn’t looking for love. In fact, it’s the farthest thing from her mind.
With the paparazzi camped outside of her house she has no choice but to stay next door with the new neighbors. That's when Emery meets the man who makes her feel things she never knew she could.

He's alone and wants to keep it that way.
Four years ago Spanish heartthrob Rafael Cruz’s life crashed and burned in a way he's never recovered from. With his ability to trust obliterated he vowed to stay single and unattached forever.

But you know what they say about best-laid plans.
What’s supposed to be an uneventful family vacation in Malibu becomes a game changer thanks to Elvis, the meddling peacock no one realizes is playing matchmaker.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Release Blitz and Giveaway: Brett by Melissa Foster

Today, I'm hosting a promo on Melissa Foster's latest erotic romance release, Brett (Bad Boys After Dark #4), as a part of the ongoing release blitz. Also find some teasers for your enjoyment. The giveaway includes 2 e-copies of Bad Boys After Dark: Mick (open Internationally), so don't forget to enter via rafflecopter below!!

 

Brett

Melissa Foster

(Bad Boys After Dark #4)

Published: March 21, 2018

Everything’s naughtier after dark…

Billionaire security expert Brett Bad has had his eye on his brother’s gorgeous legal assistant, Sophie Roberts, for years. He wants nothing more from her than a single night between the sheets to satisfy his desires. But Sophie is a white-picket-fence girl, and she’s turned him down more times than he cares to count.

Sophie is all about forever kisses and happily ever afters. But she can’t deny her attraction to Brett, as enticed by his bad-boy behavior as she is by his devastating looks and his painful past, which she’d like to help heal.

When Sophie’s friend urges her to throw caution to the wind, Sophie leaves the door to her heart ajar—and Brett charges in. But this Bad boy doesn’t know a thing about romance and has no interest in forever, forcing Sophie to make her toughest decision yet—follow her heart or protect it?

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS

Promo Spotlight: Showing Up by Jacquelyn Ayres

Today, I'm hosting a promo on Jacquelyn Ayres's latest contemporary romance release, Showing Up (The GEG #4), as a part of the ongoing VBT. Also find some teasers for your enjoyment.

Showing Up
Jacquelyn Ayres
(The GEG #4)
Published: February 25, 2018 

Julie McEvoy has been mourning the loss of her mother most of her life. Only . . . her mother isn’t dead. She’s not missing. She’s not even far away. She’s just not there the way a mother should be.

Having enough of the passive-aggressive loop their relationship has been on, Julie cuts ties completely with Cynthia. It shouldn’t matter; Cynthia’s never really there for her anyhow. She doesn’t need her mother anymore.

Except—she does.

Cynthia McEvoy has been keeping secrets for over thirty years. She’s not proud of it, but it has helped her to become the strong, independent woman she is today. The same strong woman who is now trying to pick up and glue back the pieces of the relationships she’s either destroyed along the way or never allowed any nourishment for. 

Hopefully, it’s not too late.

Sometimes you have to go back to the beginning to understand how behaviors start, why they continue for so long, and where to begin the healing process.

Buy Link:
UNIVERSAL LINK