The Last Good Knight Blog Tour: Review and Q&A

Hi, everyone! I am really excited to be on the The Last Good Knight blog tour today, hosted by The Novel Tease. If you're a reader of this blog you know how much I adore Tiffany Reisz's writing and I am happy to be on the tour for her newest novella in the Original Sinners series. This novella is being released in 5 parts, and the first part is available now. Read on for my review of all 5 parts as well as a Q&A with Tiffany at the end of the post. 

Title: The Last Good Knight (Parts I - V)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Publication May 6, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Adult Romance/Erotica
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

The Last Good Knight is an Original Sinners novella starring Mistress Nora, released in five parts.

The Last Good Knight by Tiffany Reisz is a prequel novella set 3 years before the events of The Siren. The Last Good Knight is a delicious and naughty tale that is just the thing for all of the Sinners fans eagerly awaiting the next novel in Reisz's Original Sinner series, The Saint, due out in June. The story has been serialized into five parts and includes some of your favorite Sinners characters, including Nora, Søren, Kinglsey and new love interest Lance. While the story could probably be read without reading the other books in the series, I would not recommend it. These characters all have a long history with each other and it's best to know that history to get the full effect of the story. Besides, the series is awesome and you won't regret reading it.

I am going to review and rate each part by itself and then give my thoughts on the story as a whole at the end.

Part I: Scars and Stripes - 4 stars

Reisz cuts right to the chase in the first part of The Last Good Knight. When Nora encounters a good looking male sub at the bar of the 8th Circle, she doesn't waste any time getting to submit to her whims. A steamy session follows and Nora finds Lance to be the perfect sub. Though they've just met, she begins to feel that there may be more than just a one night stand between them. They are about to head into another round of fun when their night is interrupted by Søren telling Nora that a female Domme has been attacked and that she needs to go to Kinsley's immediately.

This was a good intro into the story and drops us right back into the world of The Original Sinners. Nora is her usual irreverent self and it's interesting to see what her life was like after leaving Søren and working near him on a regular basis. The two definitely still have amazing chemistry even when they are not together.  Like Nora, I immediately liked Lance and wanted to know more about him.

Part II: Soft Spots - 3 stars

Nora and the employees of The 8th Circle all convene at Kingsley's house and learn the details of Natasha's assault. The news of how badly she was beaten and the fact that the culprit is still on the loose rattles the of The 8th Circle. Though somewhat shaken herself, Nora knows that she needs to put on a brave face for the others and she decides not to alter her schedule. Though he's not happy about it, Søren agrees as long as she has a bodyguard. Kingsley ends up sending Lance to be Nora's bodyguard with the rule that they cannot have sex while he is working for her. This complicates things as all Nora can think about is having sex with Lance.

Lance escorts Nora to her various appointments throughout the day, including one to a kindly old judge who has a foot fetish.  During their drives, Nora takes the opportunity to learn more about Lance. We find out the particulars of his divorce and the circumstances of his child custody case. It's clear that Lance is a honorable and good man and, the more Nora learns about him, the more she wants him. Frustrated, horny and unable to sleep with Lance, Nora turns to the one man she knows how can take care of her needs.


Part III: The Games Destiny Plays - 4 stars

Nora shows up at Søren's house, needing release and knowing that he can give it to her. He wastes no time and what they both need. This is one of my favorite parts just because I love Søren and Nora together. We definitely get to see they dynamic at work here and we can see why they are so good together. Nora is struggling because she still loves Søren but doesn't want to give up her freedom. Her growing feelings for Lance don't help the matter and she even asks Søren for advice.

Lance is, at first, angered by the bruises that he sees on Nora but later understands that her needs are similar to his own and that he cannot judge her for it. Part III ends on a cliffhanger when Kingsley informs Nora that the perpetrator has made another move, this one against Nora.



Part IV: Fit To Be Tied - 4 stars

Part III left us with the knowledge that the attacker had broken into Nora's dungeon. However, Griffin (love Griff!) was there and was able to apprehend him. Without the threat of an attacker on the loose, Lance and Nora no longer have to abide by Kingley's rule not to have sex. So their clothes come off and the cuffs come on. :)

While I really liked the love scene between Lance and Nora, I have to say that I was a little disappointed in this part. The fact that the attacker was detained so easily and with so little fanfare was quite a letdown. I expected more since the attack was the entire premise for the story and I wanted a little more from it. But the love scene is pretty awesome so I can forgive the lame ending to the mystery.




Part V: The Last Good Knight - 4 stars

The threat of the attacker is gone and Nora no longer needs a bodyguard. Her feelings for Lance have grown and she feels like she may want to keep him. Unfortunately her plan to help him get his daughter back might just be the thing that keeps them apart.

The last installment of The Last Good Knight is a bittersweet one Lance must make a difficult choice and choose between two people he loves. I thought that the ending was very fitting and really showed how much Nora and Lance cared about each other. But, as the song says, love isn't always enough and sometimes having one thing means giving up another. This segment was a really emotional one that tied up the story really well.

Overall:
This is a great little novella in The Original Sinners series. Lance and Nora are a great couple and it was really interesting to see a male sub/female Domme relationship. The story also gives us more insight into Nora and Søren's relationship prior to The Siren. While I thought that each part was well paced and started and ended at a good spot in the story, I am still on the fence about serialized stories, especially ones that are as short as this one. Since this is a short story, each part is really short, and I think the serialized format would work better for me with a full length novel. That said, this is still a great, sexy read. I don't recommend reading it without having read at least The Siren. You'll get much more out of it if you have some context of the people and relationships involved.

Overall rating:

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Q&A with Tiffany Reisz

Hi, Tiffany! Thank you so much for coming onto the blog today. We are so excited to have you and to hear more about your new release, The Last Good Knight.

Happy to be here! Spanks for having me!

Can you tell us a little bit about The Last Good Knight? Where in the timeline of the Original Sinners does it fall? 

The Last Good Knight takes place three years before The Siren. Nora has broken up with Søren and is working as a professional Dominatrix for Kingsley. She’s struggling with how much she misses Søren but isn’t ready to give up her freedom yet. She spies a handsome male sub at the club and seduces him. Why? Because she’s Nora.

Serialized stories and novels seem to be gaining popularity with publishers lately. Why do you think this is and why did you think that this story would be best told in that format?  

Originally serials were the main form of popular fiction distribution. Almost all of Charles Dickens’s books were told in serial format in newspapers. I love this old-fashioned format. It’s a fun throwback to the old days. My publisher simply asked me for a linked story about Nora’s life as a Dominatrix and this is what came out of my head.

Was the writing process for a serialized story like The Last Good Knight different than your normal writing process?

Not really. The only thing you have to do with a serial like this is have a strong ending at the finale of each part and make sure there’s some sexual content in all five sections. Fitting in that much sex is the trickiest part.

Tell us a little bit about Lance, the new love interest in The Last Good Knight.

Lance was inspired by a man I met at a book event. He’s the bodyguard and collared submissive of a professional Dominatrix. A lot of people don’t realize how tough and manly male submissives can be. They’re not all sweet little angels like Michael. Some of them can kill you. Lance’s crisis in the book is unfortunately based on true events. A Dominatrix I used to see for pain sessions had to quit her dungeon when she went through a divorce and a custody battle for her child.

Is there anything that Nora won't do? 

Cook. It’s just not her thing.

Thank you, Tiffany. This was so much fun and we wish you the best with The Last Good Knight! 

Thank you and spank you!

Thank you to Tiffany, The Novel Tease and Harlequin MIRA for including us on this tour!

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Visit the author online at tiffanyreisz.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz. 

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Short Story Review: The Duke's Shotgun Wedding by Stacy Reid

Title: The Duke's Shotgun Wedding (A Scandalous Novella)

Author: Stacy Reid
Publication Date: April 14, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher

Victorian Era England...

As far as rash decisions went, it was formidable. But Lady Jocelyn Rathbourne's will remained strong. If the only way to save her family's estate and reputation was by aiming a small pistol at the Duke of Calydon, then so be it.

Lady Jocelyn demands satisfaction--and she will have it at any cost. Even if it means demanding the hand of the intense and foreboding Duke himself. But she's made the first move against a very dangerous opponent. Sebastian Thornton is no stripling to be trifled with. The lady has played her hand; now it's his turn.

Sebastian is in need of a wife, and to find a wife with spirit and fire--even if she means to only marry for his money--would be a great prize indeed. He intends to thoroughly take his pleasure with her, and demand his own satisfaction in return...

Jilted woman holds a peer at gunpoint, secures hand in marriage, title, and huge financial settlement in one go: this is just the kind of ludicrous set-up that makes me want to pick up a novella!

The arrogance with which Sebastian deals with the world, conferred upon him by his station as a duke and judgments about women and marriage that he formed long ago, makes him easy to dislike. Jocelyn, meanwhile, is suspect as well--her intentions to marry into money were clearly borne out of desperation, and she makes no secret of this. Again, the common weakness of novellas like these is that they are utterly predictable. From the moment he accepts her unconventional proposal, it's clear they will end up falling in love.

I admired Jocelyn's willingness to risk gossip (and at worst, jail--what if he had called the magistrate down on her instead?) for her family's benefit, as well as Sebastian's endeavors to knock down the walls inside their marriage--though he at first only does this literally. Based on his own parents' cold and disappointing relationship, he had had the walls between the master bedrooms knocked down so that it was a single, huge room (with a single, huge bed!), but he did this without even the real intention of marrying anyone, let alone this brazen hussy who had walked into his life just a day ago.

However obvious the destination is, the journey towards that happy ending is engaging enough. Their sensual wedding night is followed immediately by conflict. I found myself rooting both for stubborn, straight-shooting Jocelyn, as well as for the wounded and cagey Sebastian. The sultriness of their reconciliation makes up for any lack of surprise as to how their relationship is mended.

This was a well-paced, quick read with interesting and sympathetic characters. Stacy Reid gets the Regency voice down pat on her first try and deftly twines sensuous romance into her work. While I definitely wish for a little more complexity to the plot, that is understandably hampered by the short format she writes in. Still, I'll definitely look for further novellas from this author.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.stacyreid.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @st_reid

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Short Story Review: The Affair by Lily Maxton

Title: The Affair (A Sisters of Scandal Novella)

Author: Lily Maxton
Publication Date: April 14, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Publisher

She was his for one week only...

When a beautiful stranger ducks into his bookshop during a rainstorm, Cale Cameron, well-known rake, is instantly attracted to her.

Elizabeth, Lady Thornhill, is restless and hungers for something she cannot name. Society would never accept a countess and a mere bookseller, so they agree to a one week affair to indulge their desire.

As their passion ignites and their connection grows, Elizabeth threatens the one thing Cale has protected above all else—his heart. Letting her go is the only solution...and the one thing he is not prepared to do.

As an avid romance reader, there is something so satisfying about a novella that gets down to business quickly. The Affair is that kind of story. Lily Maxton quickly sets up the scene: a widowed and impoverished countess with nothing to lose who stumbles into a relationship with a completely inappropriate and rakishly handsome self-made man. Elizabeth struggles to reconcile society's values versus her needs; it's not difficult for the reader to figure out that love and lust will win out in the end (bringing financial security with it). As it is with so many novellas, this predictability is The Affair's greatest weakness.

Thrown into the mix is the new Lord Thornhill, her late husband's cousin, who is kind enough in his way and has made enough of a fortune abroad to restore the estate, but fails to incite the kind of passion that Cale can immediately kindle within Elizabeth. After a second brief and steamy encounter, a gift to make any booklover swoon, and a surprisingly pleasant evening spent in unsuitable company, she cannot resist his offer. Just as soon as she begins the affair, it is over.

The way Maxton builds the emotional stakes and just as swiftly knocks them down again is what kept me riveted and will keep me coming back to this novella. While Elizabeth takes some unusual risks (especially given her station and shaky financial situation) she never fully compromises her own integrity, and comes out stronger for it at the end. Cale is at once smoldering and sympathetic--and does it hurt that he owns a lending library, bookshop, and publishing house? In a longer novel, the new Lord Thornhill might have been a true contender, as there is nothing really despicable about him; in novella format, he clearly has no chance. Only the first of Elizabeth and Cale's encounters is fully described, but it was enough for me--definitely quality versus quantity.

Overall, I enjoyed this debut novella. While it doesn't hold any surprises, it delivers the three H's I usually look for in a romance: Heat, Heartbreak, and a Happy Ending. Maxton also sets up a few side characters that I hope she will explore in future novellas: in particular Elizabeth's bookish sister Olivia and the soon-to-be infamous courtesan Miss Forsythe (who is penning a tell-all for Cale's press). I'll definitely watch out for future releases (she has two more novellas coming out this year).

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.lilymaxton.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @lilymaxton

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Review: Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren

Title: Beautiful Beginning (Beautiful Bastard #3.5)

Author: Christina Lauren
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

Back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands off each other in Beautiful Bastard, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And—of course—a whole lot of name calling.

Chloe and Bennett are finally getting married! Their relationship has seen its ups and downs but the two are finally tying the knot, in true Bennett and Chloe fashion.  Full of all of the humor, snark and super hot sexy times that I've come to expect from Christina Lauren, the final chapter of the Beautiful Bastard series was as good as I'd hoped and I am really sad to see the series end.

Of course there are going to be a few hiccups, but a couple randy aunts and a small flood aren't going to stop these two from getting married, though it just might make them a little insane. Bennett and Chloe have always been one of my favorite couples. They bring love/hate to a totally new level but, underneath it all, there is a really strong bond of love and trust. They know just how to push each other's buttons and neither is easy to be with but they accept and support each other through it all. I love the quieter moments that we see between the two as well. The two still have amazing chemistry and the tension is ratcheted up even more by Bennett's no sex before the wedding rule.

The gang's back together for the wedding and it was really great seeing Max, Sara, Will and Hanna again. Max and Sara are still head over heels for each other and Sara is expecting their first child. Will gets a bit of payback in the form of a practical joke, with some pretty hilarious results. While I was happy to see everyone again, I am glad that the story did not focus too much on the other couples. As much as I love them, this was Chloe and Bennett's story and I didn't want to be distracted from it. That said, I full would fully support a novella for each of the other couples to finish out their stories as well (hint, hint).

If you're a fan of Bennett and Chloe, I think you're going to have fun with this one. I am really hoping that this isn't the end but, even if it is, I am satisfied with Chloe and Bennett's HEA. Very excited to see what Christina Lauren cook up next.

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Visit the authors online at www.christinalaurenbooks.com, Twitter (Christina, Lauren) and Facebook.
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The Devil's Pearl - Short Story Review

The Devil's Pearl (House of Trent #0.5) 
by Jennifer Haymore

Publication date: 07 May 2013 by Forever Yours

ISBN 10/13: 1455548006 | 9781455548002
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, second chances, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis:

Sir Devlin Vaughn will never forget the sweet, sensual pleasures of his beloved “Jewel.” Charmingly naive in the ways of love, she had blossomed under his guidance to become the most skilled lover a man could ever desire. And desire her he did—especially after she disappeared, leaving him alone and longing for her touch. Now, Devlin will do anything to get her back. Even kidnap her…

Julia Beaumont will never forget the man who unlocked her deepest desires and made her crave things no decent woman should. Fearing she would never be more than his mistress, she left, vowing never to see him again—until one reckless night, when a stranger in black appears from the shadows and sweeps her away to his bedroom chamber. Now, she will be his courtesan, his captive, his slave. Can she free herself from Devlin’s thrall, or will their passion be her ultimate undoing?

Review:

The Devil's Pearl is a prequel novella in the new house of Trent series by historical romance writer Jennifer Haymore. While I enjoy Haymore's writing style, this novella didn't do much for me. Neither of the main characters were particularly compelling and the kidnapping element pushed the romance into creepy and not sexy.

Devlin Vaughn is furious for Julie Beaumont. The two start a passionate affair which is cut off when Julie suddenly leaves Devlin in a very public and humiliating manner. A year has passed but Devlin hasn't forgotten Julia and he still wants his revenge. When he finds that she has returned to London, he decides to kidnap her and in the hopes of rekindling the physical passion that they once shared without the emotional attachment.

I feel like this story could have been called "Poor Communication" because that's really the root of Dev and Julia's problems. Both of them failed to communicate their feelings and fears during their brief affair, leading to pain, embarrassment and public ruination. Now I know misunderstandings are quite common in romances and that they are great catalysts for drama and emotion. However, it just didn't seem very believable to me in this case.

I blame Devlin more than Julia for their initial demise though. He was older and much more experienced. We don't learn too much about their initial romance but it sounds like he pursued Julia (not unwillingly) then met with her secretly once a week to continue their affair. He never told her he loved her or talked about the future. His excuse is that he assumed that she knew his feelings were. This seems a little naive on his part. I just can't believe that he wouldn't understand that he was treating Julia like a mistress and not someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I don't really blame Julia for leaving while she could. Sure, she could have handled it better but Dev didn't give her much hope to begin with.

I also did not approve of Devlin's method of revenge on Julia. Kidnapping's not cool, even if you love the person. He fully planned on locking her in a room (which he actually did for a bit) and forcing her to become his courtesan. Julia didn't seem very upset about this, which also bothered me.

There were a few really tender moments between Dev and Julia and I am glad that they sorted everything out in the end. However, the elements of this story never really came together for me and I finished the story feeling pretty ambivalent about the whole thing. There is quite a long excerpt for the first full length book in the series, The Duchess Hunt, at the end of The Devil's Pear which seemed pretty interesting. I still want to give Haymore a chance but I've only read her novellas thus far. I think a full length novel will showcase her talents better.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.jenniferhaymore.com and follow her on Twitter @jenniferhaymore and Facebook.


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Ten Reasons To Stay - Short Story Review

Ten Reasons To Stay (School for Heiresses) 
by Sabrina Jeffries

Publication date: 06 May 2013 by Pocket Star

ISBN 10/13: 1476731616 | 9781476731612
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, short story
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis:

In "Ten Reasons to Stay," previously published in the anthology The School for Heiresses, lessons go far beyond etiquette and needlepoint. Eliza Crenshawe’s lesson is to look before she leaps. But when she discovers that her new guardian plans to marry her off without so much as a Season, she forgets all that. She flees—on a horse she unwittingly steals (oops!)—from Colin Hunt, a newly minted earl who wants nothing more than for her to go home…or stay forever.

Review:

I have only recently come around to the wonderful writing of Sabrina Jeffries. While I have only read a couple of her books, she is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors. Therefore I was quite excited to pick up this novella by Jeffries that was originally published in the School for Heiresses anthology. Novellas can be hit or miss for me since, because of the length, the usually end up just not having enough depth to be a truly compelling read. While I thought it was a little implausible for the two main characters of this story to fall in love so quickly, I did enjoy their story and found it to be extremely sweet and sexy.

Eliza Crenshawe is a headstrong young woman who flees her home after learning that her guardian plans to marry her off to an aging friend despite her protests. In order to make her way to friends who may be able to help her, Eliza attempts to "borrows" a horse from a local estate. Unfortunately she is caught by Colin Hunt, the new Earl of Monteith, who decides to hold Eliza until he can figure out who she is and why she was stealing his horse.

This story didn't have a lot of emotional angst, but it was a really cute, quick read. Eliza is a such a fun character. She's a total spitfire and I loved that she wasn't cowed by her uncle or by Colin. She's very forthright and passionate and, like Colin, I could not help but fall for her. Colin was a wonderful protagonist as well. I liked that he had an unusual background and had lived in India for a long time. The circumstances of his previous marriage were very tragic and gave his character more depth. I also found him to be very honorable and he and Eliza had instant chemistry.

While I really liked these characters, I did think that their whirlwind romance happened a little too quickly to be entirely plausible. It definitely fit within the structure of the story (Eliza really could not have been missing for more than a day or two before her reputation was really ruined) but I did wish that we had had a little more time for Colin and Eliza to fall in love. I also thought the resolution with Eliza's uncle wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly but it didn't detract very much from the overall story.

I have not read any of the School for Heiresses novels and I don't think you need to in order to read Ten Reasons To Stay. This worked for me as a standalone. It does, however, pique my interest in the series and I will definitely be going back and reading them. If you are in the mood for a quick read, I would definitely recommend this. Ten Reason To Stay is a very sweet read that will entertain and leave you wanting more.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.sabrinajeffries.com and follow her on Twitter @SabrinaJeffries and Facebook.


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Try Me - Short Story Review

Try Me (Take a Chance #1)
by Diane Alberts

Publication date: 24 May 2012 by Entangled Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1622669282 | 9781622669288
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, second chances, military, ever after
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

What happens in Vegas...can lead to romance.

It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.

Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend's sister...and the girl he'd loved since childhood.

The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn't seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he's always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances...or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

Review:

Novellas can be tricky.  How do you develop a believable story in such few pages?  TRY ME by Diane Alberts is one of the first novellas that I enjoyed.  I picked it up to read one day when I was looking for something short and liked the description and the fact that it was definitely going to be a HEA story. Alberts doesn’t disappoint with this one.

Though some of the story felt a bit rushed, which I can understand given the length of the book (only 7 chapters and an epilogue), it helped to make it more believable that both Jeremy and Erica had a previous history rather than having just met up and gotten together.  No insta-love here which helps make the story line more believable.  Jeremy and Erica both have insecurities and issues that at times feel insurmountable to them.  I think it is easy for readers to think "Oh, that isn't such a big deal."; however, the issues were real to Jeremy & Erica and a stumbling block to their being able to move forward.

Some of my favorite things about this book -

Hot cover! - Seriously, I can stare at those abs for a very long time.

One very sexy, desirable man! - Sergeant Jeremy Addison was tough, with a fun sense of humor and a good character down deep.  He also has felt the same way about Erica for seven years.  You have to admire a man who knows what he wants and when he has a second chance he goes for it.  

One not so annoying female! - Erica has also had feelings about Jeremy over the past seven years, but some things have happened that make her feel like no man is ever going to love her, including Jeremy.

And a really sweet romance to boot!  - Though the steamy parts aren't overly descriptive, they are certainly hot and sweet.  The epilogue at the end also makes you want to say "awwww".

TRY ME was the first story by Diane Alberts that I read which only made me want to read more of her stories. It is also says it is the first story in her Take a Chance series and I am holding her to more books.

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Visit the author online at www.dianealberts.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @dianealberts

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Frosted - Short Story Review

Frosted by Wendy Sparrow

Publication date: January 2013 by Entangled Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1622668601 | 97816226688601
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Category:  Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Romance, fantasy, ever after, contemporary
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Seven years ago, Kate Finley fell through the ice into the Winter World and straight into the heart of its king, Jack Frost. Then cold feet set in and Kate ran from the one man who made her feel complete.

Jack let his queen go back to the mortal world to say goodbye but she escaped out of his reach to sunny Florida. Now time is short, and he must convince his runaway bride to give him a second chance to melt her heart.
Review:

Recently, I was on a hunt for novellas that were happy ever after stories. I like something short for when I don't have a lot of time or to squeeze between longer reads. As I was perusing Entangled Publisher's website, I noticed this one by Wendy Sparrow. I have followed Sparrow on Twitter for awhile and was curious to read her book.

In Frosted, Sparrow has created two characters who are both flawed and in many ways, relationally challenged. Kate Finley is a young mortal woman from a broken family. Both of her parents had no idea how to be married and as a result, Kate suffers from fear of repeating their patterns. Jack Frost isn't exactly what we have seen before. He has lived essentially alone in the Winter World for 200 years. He is impulsive and not really very good about communicating but better at showing or doing. There is a prediction that Kate will enter his world to be his queen. He is excited about this but has no idea how to really court her or be in a relationship with this mortal. Kate is fascinated and overwhelmed by her arrival in Jack's world. She does not fully understand the meaning of everything and beings to feel trapped at the prospective of a forever relationship with Jack.

After the introduction to Jack & Kate, the story picks up seven years later. Jack and Kate have essentially been estranged for all those year except for during the evening/in her dreams. Much of the story deals with how Jack has been trying to win Kate back and how Kate has misunderstood much of his attempts. When Kate realizes that there may be serious consequences to her choice, and Jack begins to communicate more, the two have some significant decisions before they can reach their happy ever after.

This story was part second chance and part HEA. Readers will find themselves experiencing the same emotions that Jack and Kate struggle with through the story. Jack's attempts to court Kate are charming. Kate's struggle to recognize that her parents' relationship is not necessarily the one she is destined to have with Jack was frustrating at times though understandable. Though the romantic scenes are not very explicit, there is still a steamy element to their relationship. And the end was very sweet and charming.

I definitely enjoyed this short story and read it in one sitting. I am looking forward to further stories from Sparrow.

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Visit the author online at www.wendysparrow.com and follow her on Twitter @wendysparrow


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How To Misbehave - Advance Review

How To Misbehave (Camelot #1) by Ruthie Knox

Publication date: 28 Jan 2013
by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House

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Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Contemporary, romance, short story, bad boy
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from author via Netgalley

Synopsis:

What woman can resist a hot man in a hard hat? Beloved author Ruthie Knox kicks off her new Camelot series with this deliciously sexy original novella, in which a good girl learns how to misbehave . . . with all her heart.

As program director for the Camelot Community Center, Amber Clark knows how to keep her cool. That is, until a sudden tornado warning forces her to take shelter in a darkened basement with a hunk of man whose sex appeal green lights her every fantasy. With a voice that would melt chocolate, he asks her if she is okay. Now she’s hot all over and wondering: How does a girl make a move?

Building contractor Tony Mazzara was just looking to escape nature’s fury. Instead, he finds himself all tangled up with lovely Amber. Sweet and sexy, she’s ready to unleash her wild side. Their mutual desire reaches a fever pitch and creates a storm of its own—unexpected, powerful, and unforgettable. But is it bigger than Tony can handle? Can he let go of painful memories and let the force of this remarkable woman show him a future he never dreamed existed?

Review:

I became a fan of Ruthie Knox’s work after reading her swoon worthy romance About Last Night and was super excited to hear that she had a new series coming out. How To Misbehave is a short story prequel to her upcoming Camelot series and is a deliciously fun read that leaves you wanting more.

Amber Clark seems like your typical “good girl.” She does what’s expected of her and isn’t very adventurous. But Amber’s tired of being a good girl and super sexy contractor Tony Mazzaro is just the bad boy to bring out her wild side.

I enjoyed this fun short story and really liked both Amber and Tony. Amber is someone I can relate to. She hasn’t led the most exciting life but she’s not a boring person. She’s kind and funny and brings out Tony’s softer side. Tony is confident and sexy but hides a heartbreaking secret. He’s very closed off emotionally and it takes Amber’s sweetness and honesty to bring him out of his shell. I really felt like there was an emotional connection between the two.

I did wish that the story was a little bit longer. Amber and Nick are great characters and it would have been nice to spend a little more time getting to know them and developing their relationship. I was also a bit confused as to why this story was set in 1999 since I thought it was supposed to be a current contemp setting. I found out later that the next book in the series is set in present time and this story is supposed to take place years before. Mystery solved!

All in all How To Misbehave was a very entertaining and satisfying introduction to what promises to be a great new romance serie. It has all of the witty dialogue, great sexual chemistry, and fun smexy times that I look forward to in a Ruthie Knox novel. I am really looking forward to reading the full length book in the series, Along Came Trouble, which will be released in March 2013.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.ruthieknox.com and follow her on Twitter @ruthieknox

Short Story Review: Forever Mine

Forever Mine (The Rumor #0.5) by Delilah Marvelle

Publication date: 01 December 2011 by Harlequin

ISBN 13: 9781426834110
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Category: Adult Historical Romance novella
Keywords: Historical, romance, novella, short story, missing persons, prequel
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis:

London, 1802

Lady Augustine Jane Ascott longs for a man who will do more than offer his hand in marriage. She wants a husband she can trust, someone who will shield her from the darkness of the world. Her heart was broken when her little brother was kidnapped years earlier, and she still carries the pain of his loss.

When the handsome Duke of Wentworth makes his feelings for her known, Augustine's past demons warn her away. Besides, every woman in London knows he's devoted to the memory of his late wife. But is it possible he cares for her after all and that their love can bring them the peace they both crave?

Review:

This is my first read by Delilah Marvelle. I thought it would be a good primer for the first full length book in the series, which I recently purchased. Unfortunately this novella was just OK for me. It did not feel like this novella had a complete beginning, middle, or end. Rather, if feels like we’re dropped right into the middle of things with no back story to make sense of it all. There is little romance in the story. By the time the novella starts, Wentworth is already in love with Augustina and is looking to propose marriage. The hows and whys of it are never explained and I never really understood why he was in love with her. Later on, Augustine admits to herself that she is also in love with Wentworth but again, it seems to happen very suddenly and without any reason. I wish I could say that the sexy times made up for the lack of romance but there wasn’t a lot of that either. The love scene seemed more rushed than anything.

Even the ending is somewhat unsatisfactory and the fate of Augustine’s brother remains a mystery. While I think the story had potential, it just wasn’t developed enough. I didn’t feel an emotional connection with the characters and was never fully invested in their fate. I am still going to read the first book in the series (because I have it) and I hope that the format of a full length novel will eliminate some of the problems I had with this short story.

 

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Visit the author online at www.delilahmarvelle.com and follow her on Twitter @DelilahMarvelle

Sapphire - Review

Sapphire by Jeffe Kennedy

Publication date: 24 October 2011 by Carina Press

ISBN 10/13: 1426892497 | 9781426892493
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Category: Adult Romance/Erotica
Keywords: Romance, BDSM, erotica
Format: eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis:

A successful executive, M. Taylor Hamilton is on track with her ten-year plan. Too bad her personal life consists of hitting the gym and grocery shopping. Enter the seductive Adam Kirliss. They may have a working relationship, but everything changes at an office party when he handcuffs her to the rail of a yacht.

Taylor writes off the adventure as too much champagne, but when Adam challenges her to a date, she agrees to meet up with him. And follow his rules. They share a night of exquisite intimacy, brimming with both pain and pleasure. But afterward, fearful of losing her heart, Taylor pulls back emotionally.

Adam is determined to prove that she longs for the loss of control he can give her--and the passionate release it provides. How can he make her see that he wants her, and not just her body?

Review:

Let me start off this review by saying that I am not that familiar with BDSM. I don't read too many books about it and know very little about the lifestyle itself. I can't really comment as to the authenticity of the BDSM relationship and can only share my opinion of the char
acters and story and what I personally felt about it.

The book jumps right into things when Taylor Hamilton, buttoned up businesswoman, finds herself handcuffed to a yacht railing by her colleague Adam Kirliss. Adam's had his eye on Taylor and he's ready to make his move (he really is ready because her brings handcuffs onto the yacht). Adam thinks Taylor needs to loosen up and he's just the right Dominant to do it. After bringing her to a quick orgasm, Adam promises Taylor much more if she'll agree to see him again. Taylor can't resist and the next day she shows up at Adam's house for a weekend of sexual experimentation and maybe something more.

This was definitely a steamy read. If you like your love scenes pretty tame then this isn't the book for you. Taylor and Adam were both likable characters. Taylor is very buttoned up and rigid and it's interesting to watch her evolve and realize that she doesn't always need to be in control. Adam's sexual dominance allows her break down some of her walls. While I definitely felt like they had a sexual connection, the emotional connection was less developed and I wish the book had been a little bit longer so we could have explored that part of the relationship a little more.

Adam was still a bit of a mystery at the end of the book. I wanted to know more about him and his motivations and I am not sure I really got that. And the scene at the end with Taylor seemed a little implausible to me. Again, I don't know much about BDSM, but it seems like Taylor got Adam to give up control pretty quickly when their roles were reversed. To me, it seemed like it would have taken them much longer to get to that point.

Overall I enjoyed this brief, sexy look into the BDSM lifestyle. The writing was good, though I would have liked more time for further character development, especially with Adam. I think readers interested in BDSM romances would enjoy getting their feet wet with this novella.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at jeffekennedy.com and follow her on Twitter @jeffekennedy

The Governess Affair - Review & Giveaway

The Governess Affair (Brothers Sinister #0.5) 
by Courtney Milan

Publication date: 21 April 2012
Length: 110 pages

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google | Smashwords

Category: Adult Historial Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, ruined woman
Format: eBook
Source: Purchase

From Goodreads:

She will not give up…

Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

He cannot give in…

Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love.

Thuy's Review:

Oh, Courtney Milan. I really hope you never stop writing because I pretty much love everything you put out. Milan’s recently released The Governess Affair is a short novella that kicks off the start of a new series coming out this summer. While short in length, The Governess Affair manages to have the emotional depth and punch of a full length novel.

The story starts off by introducing us to Serena Barton, said governess of the title, who comes to town demanding recompense from the Duke of Clermont for as yet unknown damages. The Duke, a selfish and cowardly man, instructs his right hand man Hugo Marshall to get rid of her. Nicknamed the Wolf of Clermont, Hugo is a brilliant and ruthless man who always gets what he wants. What he doesn’t bargain for is being attracted to the stubborn governess. The Duke’s questionable and less than honorable actions make his job even harder as his admiration for Serena grows.

As usual, I fell in love with the characters that Milan created. Hugo, despite his ruthless reputation, has more honor than he realizes. I loved the small, kind things he did for Serena like bringing her tea in the rain. And Serena, finding herself in an extremely difficult position, doesn’t give up or run away. Instead, she is determined and fearless in her quest to secure her future. The pair have fantastic chemistry and I had fun watching them trade playful barbs while fighting their growing attraction to each other. There’s one major love scene in the book that is sensual and sweet and will have you looking at hairpins in a totally new way. I also really enjoyed the clever notes that Serena and Hugo traded throughout the book.

Milan isn’t one for easy answers or happy endings not earned and there is always a bittersweet quality to her stories. But it just makes it better when the characters do finally find their way because it truly feels like they belong together. Milan injected just enough angst into Serena and Hugo’s story to have me worried for a bit. But happily, it doesn’t last too long and the ending left me sighing and happy. While some novellas often feel incomplete, the pacing and development in The Governess Affair are anything but. While I do wish it was longer (just to have more of Hugo and Serena) it is a satisfying and complete story on its own. The last part of the book sets up background for the rest of the Sinister Brothers series and only made me want to know more.

Another great read by Courtney Milan, one that you will not want to miss. I can’t wait for summer to come and the next book in the series, The Duchess War, to come out. The novella is currently only $0.99 in ebook format so you really have nothing to lose. Go ahead, get it, and thank me later. :)

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Hi, everyone! We hope you are as excited about The Governess Affair and Courtney's new series as we are. And just because we love you, we are doing a quick giveaway. 2 lucky winners will win an ebook of The Governess Affair. This giveaway is international. As long as you have an email address that can accept ebooks, you're good. This giveaway ends at the end of the day on SUNDAY so hurry and enter! Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Visit the author online at www.courtneymilan.com and follow her on Twitter @courtneymilan