Jen's Blog

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of this one! Anyone who has checked out my blog so far will notice I have featured Scottish themed romance novels often, and I admit I have a weak spot for them.  I just can't help it, men in kilts, what can I say?  After reading the first book in the series, Wild Wicked Scot , I couldn't wait to read the second book. I wasn't disappointed when I picked up Sinful Scottish Laird.   Although it took me a little longer to fall into this story, when I did I couldn't put it down. Julia London writes a wonderful story that makes any reader (me included) feel like part of the story.  This story features Lady Chatwick, Daisy, and her young son.  They set out to journey to Scotland to escape the many suitors who are after her Daisy's inheritance.  Daisy has to marry within three years of her husband's death or all is lost, and all of England know it. While waiting for the man she thought she would like to marr...

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of this one.   Wild Wicked Scot by Julia London was a great read, and one that I gobbled down in just one day!  There are some books that you just can't put down or read fast enough and this is one of them!  I am beyond excited that this is the first in a new series and I can't wait for book two! Book one features Margot Armstrong, a young and inexperienced English lady and Arran McKenzie, Scottish Clan leader.  The two had an arranged marriage and couldn't be more different in personality. Despite the natural passion that ran between them Margot runs away and returns to England. Three years later she is sent back to Scotland by her father to spy on her husband.  Although, deep down she is convinced that the Arran she was married too couldn't be a traitor she has to find out for sure. In her quest for the truth Margo finds out a lot about Arran, including some things she didn't see as a new bride.  She ...

I liked this one, but it wasn't my favorite.  I gave it a 3/5 stars on Goodreads.  Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. The Trouble with Duke s is the first in a series, and like I mentioned I did like it.  I love series so I will defiantly read the second one.  This book features lovely Megan Windham and the gruff Hamish MacHugh, a brand new Duke. Megan has found herself in a courtship with a vile man and she doesn't know how to get out of it.  Instead of confiding in one of the many protective Windham men she turns to Hamish.  Despite his desire to distance himself from Megan he finds himself drawn to her sunny personality and a love match is born.  Together they find a way out of trouble and end up together. All of my favorite components of a good romance story are present in the book, and I did like the characters.  It's hard for me to put my finger on why I didn't like this book as much as some others, but I think it has a...

I had to give this one a few starts before I was able to finish it.  I didn't love this one...and I was disappointed because Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors.  To me the writing and the voice of the characters was stiff and formal.  I didn't feel like the characters were speaking, I felt like a narrator was speaking.  All of the characters had the same "voice" and I found myself not investing in the characters. The story line wasn't all that original, which doesn't usually matter to me if the characters have a personality.  I just wasn't feeling it for this one.  The main character Anna was orphaned at birth but it turns out she is actually a lady.  She has to adjust to her new life, with the help of the Duke of Netherby and they fall in love in the process.  There is a lot of potential here and I will give the second in the series a read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.  3/5 stars on Goodreads.

Duke of Pleasure is the newest addition to the Maiden Lane Series...and it didn't disappoint.  The new Ghost of St. Giles happens to be the favorite street urchin Alf.  Alf is a woman who dresses as a boy to hide her identity in a dangerous part of London.  While protecting the streets one evening she comes across the Duke of Kyle, who realizes right away that the ghost is a woman.  The Duke has been attacked and calls upon the services of Alf to find out who his enemy is. Alf stays in the Duke's house, and starts to become part of the family.  Hugh's two young sons are still recovering from the loss of their mother and Hugh's absence from the house.  They take to Alf right away, and it turns out that Hugh does as well.  There is a happily ever after in this story, as there always is. Hugh and Alf's story seems a little far-fetched (usually the heroine isn't so different from the hero) but it feels right almost from the first page.  It's a st...

What a busy month!  I feel like I have hardly had time to read at all! However, I did finish The Danger of Desire by Sabrina Jeffries, the latest in her Sinful Suitors Series and I wasn't disappointed! Miss Delia Trevor is trying to solve the mystery of her brother's death in this book.  He was cheated at cards and lost everything, so Delia disguises herself as a young man gambling his way across London. In her investigating she meets Warren, the Marquess of Knightford. He instantly recognizes her as the young lady he had met earlier. She intrigues him and he decides to figure out her secrets while keeping his own. Ultimately the two discover each others secrets and there is a happily ever after but they have to learn to trust each other and themselves before they get there! Rated 4/5 on Goodreads, thanks Netgalley for the sneak peek of this one!  This one was a satisfying read (although it started out a bit slowly) and had everything I love in a regency romance...

I am always searching for new authors, and always super happy when I find one!  Diary of an Accidental Wallflower by Jennifer McQuiston is the first one in her Seduction Diaries series.  This book featured a fresh twist on an old idea, and that is always refreshing.  Miss Clare Westmore is searching for a titled husband suited to her station in life when she injures herself and meets Dr. Daniel Merial.  Although the spark between the pair flairs instantly there are many obstacles that the pair need to overcome, including the mystery behind Clare’s past.  Although we have all read the story of the poor governess who marries into money, this story is sort of the opposite and I feel, very well done.  Thankfully the characters figure out early in the story that they want to be together and they figure out a way to make it happen.  I will look forward to the second story in the series.     Rated 4/5 stars on Goodreads

I have not been posting a lot!  The back to school season has been rough with updating schedules, sporting and school events, working full time and adding a dog to our family!  I have been reading and listening to books though!  Here are a few I loved the last few weeks! Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis: I finally got around to reading the first in the new Heartbreaker Bay series!  I read and reviewed the second one recently.  Click  HERE  for that post!  This one was just as fun as the first one.  I loved Pru and Finn's story.  I am really looking forward to the next ones in this series. Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbinson: I liked this one a lot more than the last one I read by her.  This story featured former best friends who have known each other since high school, Allie and Oliva.  Also, in the mix was their friend Noah who found himself in the middle of the two when they had a falling out.  Relationships ne...

First, thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the ARC of this book! Mad for the Plaid is the third book in the Oxenburg series by Karen Hawkins, this one featuring Nikolai Romanovin and Mairi MacKenzie.  Nikolai and Mairi make great characters, both strong, bold, fearless and very likable.  They are also great as a couple. Nikolai makes the journey to Scotland to help rescue his kidnapped grandmother, who had been staying at Mairi's house.  Together they travel through the Scottish countryside for the rescue, escaping danger along the way. I liked this one, as I do all of Karen Hawkins books.  However, this one fell just a little flat for me.  It felt a bit rushed and a little bit like other stories I have read before.  The highlight for me was the beginning of the book when Nikolai and Mairi are getting to know each other though letters.  Overall a good read, and a nice addition to the series.  Rated 3/5 on Goodreads.

Olivia Drake is a new author to me and I can't wait to read the first four books of the series! His Wicked Wish is the fifth book of the series, but could stand alone. I didn't feel lost at all even though I didn't read the first four. I loved this book! It has all the elements of a truly good romance novel including a wonderful happy ending. It has drama and intrigue and the characters are lovable and real. Nathan and Maddy are great together and when they overcome their obstacles and realize what they have together it's a very satisfying feeling. Highly recommended. Thanks to Edelweiss and the editors for making this book available to me. Rated 4/5 stars on Goodreads.  

Many thanks to the editors for the advanced copy!  Marrying Winterborne gives the reader all of the delights of a historical romance, but in a new and refreshing story line.  Rhys Winterborne and Lady Helen Ravenel are newly engaged at the beginning of the book, although the engagement itself does not go off without its own drama.  Rhys and Helen have to negotiate the act of getting to know one another and far more importantly get over their personal fears and learn to trust each other.  Lady Helen starts out very shy but as her relationship with Rhys grows she becomes more and more outspoken.  Rhys has always guarded his reputation no matter the consequences.  When shocking secrets come to light he has to choose between happier ever after or his reputation.  I loved this book and the couple together was wonderful and perfect, they were truly made for each other.  Lisa Kleypas tells a wonderful story and I am always left satisfied w...