Of Love and Vengeance by Louise Lyndon

Of Love and Vengeance
By: Louise Lyndon
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: October 1, 2015
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: December 29, 2015

 

Forced to marry Lord Aymon to ensure her young nephew’s survival, English Lady Laila vows undying hatred for the Norman she holds responsible for the deaths of so many innocents. Discovering Aymon has committed an act of treason gives her the chance to seek vengeance he deserves. But can Laila let Aymon die at the hands of the king once she learns the truth?

A hardened Norman warrior, Lord Aymon has lived through atrocities no man ever should. With the invasion of England over, all he wants is a quiet life and a wife who will give him heirs and obey his every command. Instead, he finds himself wed to feisty and outspoken Laila. But when she learns the truth of his treasonous act, can Aymon count on her to keep his secret?

Laila must raise and protect her orphaned infant nephew, but a new lord is coming and their future is uncertain.

Lord Aymon is a Norman and Laila has not had any good dealings with them and they are looking any better. He decrees that they must wed, but Laila is able to gets him to agree to certain terms to the marriage.

As their life together begins, forces and people come to conspire against them and Lord Aymon is in the center of the turmoil and is arrested for treason. Can the two of them get through this and be there for each other? Will Laila stand by her husband and show him that he is worth becoming the man he always wanted to be? Last but not least can they be the Lord and Lady that their people need? Can they make their home Tynte safe and prosperous and ensure that everyone’s future is bright?

To do that they have to find the love that they never believed was possible…together.

At first I was not sure about this book, but the more I read the more I loved it. I love how Laila and Lord Aymon came together in spite of their really big differences and prejudices. They learned about each by talking and stood together to become a family and find that love that was meant to be for them. This is a great read and a really good historical novel. Worth the read.

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Stirring Up The Viscount by Marin McGinnes

Stirring Up The Viscount
By: Marin McGinnes
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: January 30, 2015
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: October 20, 2015

 

Seeking to escape an abusive husband, Theodora Ravensdale answers an ad in The Times for a job as cook in a country home. A fortuitous house fire enables her to fake her own death and flee to northern England and live under an assumed name. But Theodora’s refuge is not all she would wish, when she stirs emotions in the heir to the estate, Jonathan Tenwick, and in herself.

Meanwhile, as the connection between Theodora and Jonathan grows, her husband learns she did not perish in the fire, and searches for her. Fearing he is close to finding her, Theodora must flee again to protect the family and the viscount for whom she cares deeply. In the final confrontation with her husband, Theodora learns she is stronger than she ever knew, and love is worth fighting for.

Theodora Ravensdale's time for freedom has come.  She finally has a chance to escape her abusive husband when their house catches fire. Running away, she finds work, in the country, as a cook at Jonathan Tenwick’s house. 

While working and living close together, the two of them discover that they have a spark of attraction for each other. As time goes on, it grows and blossoms into more. 

I loved this book. Theodora is a strong woman who took a chance to leave her abusive husband. To find some peace. Little did she know that she would find Jonathan, the love of her life. Jonathan was settled in his life with his family until Theodora comes into his life. 

Theodora never believed that a man could love her for herself and Jonathan never believed that he would find a love of his own. In spite of what they have both gone through they find a way to be together and find that love that they were both meant to have.

Neither Theodora or Jonathan believed that they would find a love that was meant to last a life time. I liked how they fought what they were feeling and didn't succumb right away.  But best of all in the end they would have their happy ever after. I would recommend this book.

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A Cowboy’s Fate by Gini Rifkin

A Cowboy’s Fate
By: Gini Rifkin
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Published: May 28, 2014
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novella
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: August 28, 2015

 

Kicked out of England for offending the Royal Family, Britania Rule heads for Leadville, in the Colorado backcountry. Passing herself off as a highborn lady, she pursues her dream of opening a parlor of spiritual enlightenment.

Cody James, her guide, thinks he must be half-crazy to hire-out to a female. But his luck at the gaming tables has run dry, and she’s his meal-ticket out of town. Betrayed by the only woman he ever loved, and shot and left for dead by a man he once called friend, Cody declares himself a loner.

Traveling side by side, they deny their desire for one another, but the Tarot cards say otherwise. Their hot night of passion confirms the prediction. Will love be waiting at the end of the trail? Or could Cody’s past destroy their future?

Forced to leave England, Britania Rule chose to come to The Colonies. She was looking for someone to take her to Leadville. Cody James was wanting to get a fresh start in Leadville, so he answered Britania’s ad. He thought she was very fancy. She thought he was infuriating. They start out, Britania is definitely not used to camping out in the on frontier. They share food, fire and sleep near each other. They get closer as they get closer to Leadville.

Britiana discovers that Cody is the man that will take care of her. They learn to respect each other and realized they that really do care about each other.  Along the way, they have several adventures that bring them even closer together. In spite of their differences and trials they had getting to Leadville, Cody and Britania found their love through their travels.

I really liked this book from the start. I love the characters. Britania Rule is not a woman afraid to take on a challenge. Cody James is a man for hire and does not really have a home or a family. It is not until he meets Britiania that he finds that maybe he can have that and more. Cody never expected to fall for a woman like Britania. In spite of their differences they found their love. I believe that they will have a very happy life together. I would recommend this book.

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The Duplicitous Debutante by Becky Lower

The Duplicitous Debutante
By: Becky Lower
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Published: September 1, 2014
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Laura
Date: August 21, 2015

 

In 1859, ladies of New York society are expected to do three things well: find a husband, organize a household, and have children. But despite her mother’s best intentions, making her debut is the last thing on Rosemary Fitzpatrick’s mind.

Writing the popular Harry Hawk dime novels as F.P. Elliott, she’s too busy hiding her female identity from her new publisher, Henry Cooper. To protect her clandestine career, she ends up posing as the enigmatic author's secretary.

Henry is not the typical Boston Brahmin, nor the typical publisher, and Rosemary entrances him from the moment they meet. As they work together and grow closer, he wonders how his traditional-minded father will react when he brings her into the family, because Henry firmly intends to marry the working-class woman.

But when her deception begins to unravel at the cotillion ball, will Henry be able to forgive her or has deceit cost her the man she loves?

The Duplicitous Debutante by Becky Lower is the sixth installment in the Cotillion Ball series. 

This particular installment features Rosemary Fitzpatrick, author of the Harry Hawk dime novels and the new owner of her publishing company, Henry Cooper. Being 1859, Rosemary writes under the pen name of F. P. Elliott, and it is generally assumed she is actually he. 

Henry starts the conflict off by letting his current stable of authors know he expects to meet them in person prior to renewing their contracts. I honestly believe the contracts referenced here are more akin to the author contracts of today than the three styles available in the 1850's, but I readily admit I could be wrong. And with this one action, the Big Lie starts with Rosemary trying to conceal her true identity while still getting that contract renewed. 

I have to be honest here. I had a hard time finishing this novel because Rosemary is not likable at all. Not to me, at least – and I fully understand that I might be in the minority here. It isn't just that she tries so hard to keep her identity secret – that could be brushed aside considering the background of 1859 New York City, but something deeper that just really irked me. 

As an aspiring author myself, I desperately tried to relate to Rosemary, to find even a smidgen of redemption worthy behavior in her. I could not. I also feel like the author could have done better research when it comes to several terms used, although it appears she did some research into the world of Dime Novels. I will add that I am one of those annoying people who has a thing for etymology and word usage. 

Let me state that the sparks between these two was good – believable, even. It was, in fact, a redeeming feature of this read. I think this could be a lighthearted read for many, many other people. Just not me.

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The Other Duke by Jess Michaels

The Other Duke
By: Jess Michaels
Publisher: The Passionate Pen
Published: January 13, 2015
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Sensual
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: August 21, 2015

 

For years Serafina McPhee has been engaged to marry the heir to the Duke of Hartholm and for almost as long, she has been struggling to find a way out of that engagement. When he suddenly dies, she does not mourn but thrills at the idea that she will be free. Unfortunately, best laid plans go awry when the next in line for the title, her intended’s cousin, Raphael “Rafe” Flynn is forced to take over the engagement. But Serafina knows Rafe’s reputation as a libertine and wants nothing to do with him, either, even if he is devastatingly handsome. 

She proposes an arrangement: she will agree to the marriage and provide Rafe with his heir and spare. Once she has done her duty, he will let her go. Rafe is intrigued both by her beauty and by her utter disgust with the idea of being his bride. Women normally fall at his feet, not cringe away from him. However, since their arranged marriage is not something he can escape, he agrees to her terms.

But when he finds out on their wedding night the truth about her torture at the hands of his predecessor, he finds himself driven not just to fulfill his bargain with his new bride, but to introduce her to desire. While they move closer together, surrendering to wicked pleasures, dangerous emotions may violate every agreement they’ve made.

Serafina McPhee learns that her betrothed is dead and she is now going to marry the new duke. Mean while Raphael Flynn finds out that his is to inherited his cousin’s title and estate. He also learns that he is to marry Serafina.

Rafe and Serafina meet and agree to marry on their own terms. They go on outings and learn about each other. This is when odd things begin to happen to Rafe and Rafe.  Rafe takes steps to protect Serafina and his property.

As time goes on Rafe begins to not only like but love Serafina. He has to find a way to make Serafina fall in love with him. She is not certain after her experience with Cyril.

Rafe and Serafina are two lost souls who found each other in strange situation. They love each other that is all that matters.

I loved this book. I got caught up in it from the very beginning. I wanted Rafe to fall into love with Serafina. Serafina slowly fall for Rafe in spite of what others say about him. They come together to create a live for themselves that they thought they would never have. I will recommend this book.

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Blinded by Grace by Becky Lower

Blinded by Grace
By: Becky Lower
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Published: March 3, 2014
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: ReadingPatti
Date: August 16, 2015

 

In 1858 New York City, Halwyn Fitzpatrick thinks he's off the hook for attendance at the annual Cotillion Ball. He has no sister to shepherd down the grand staircase this year and no real desire to go through the rituals of courtship and betrothal himself. Besides, he’ll know the right girl when he sees her, especially now that he has new spectacles. But his mother has other plans for him. At twenty-seven years of age, her son is in dire need of a wife.

Grace Wagner needs a husband by July in order to inherit the trust her father has left for her. Her stepfather, though, has plans for the money that don’t include Grace, and the last thing he wants is for her to find a husband before she turns twenty-one, thereby fulfilling the terms of the trust. She's been in love with Halwyn since she was thirteen, but he hasn't noticed her at any of the balls they've been at over the years. With the aid of his new glasses, he spies Grace from across the room and they share a dance. Grace decides to present him with a business proposition that will satisfy them both. But can a clueless knight in shining armor and a desperate damsel in distress find a way to turn this marriage of convenience into something more?

Grace Wagner meets Halwyn Fitzpartick once again at a ball. She remembers him from the first time they met when she was 13. That was when Grace fell in love with him. Hoping to help her, Halwyn dances twice with her that night, Later that night, Halwyn feels good for having helped Grace by making her happy.

Grace is troubled by her step father management of her trust. She must marry by July or lose it all. Grace comes up with a plan. Grace goes to see Halwyn at the bank and tells him what is going on. They agree to court each other then marry for a year.

Simon will do anything to stop the wedding and he makes it very difficult for these two.  There is non stop hurdles and it makes for very interesting reading. 

I love this book from the very beginning. I liked how they came together and they knew each other. Inspite of all the obstacles that Simon put in their way, Halwyn and Grace found each other and found their love. I would recommend this book. It is a really good historical romance.

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