Another Rogue Bites the Dust

When a Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gideon Hawthorne is the rogue and Messalina Greycourt is his match. Look for a lot of tension, some surprising reveals and how two change their minds and hearts. While Gideon and Messalina find their HEA the real rogue or villain is still out there. They may have gotten away but there are more Greycourt's left to find danger, tension and finally romance.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 330 - Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt, The Mortal Word by Genevieve Cogman

Not the Duke’s Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great start to a new series. There is a 15 year old murder mystery, a secret society of Wise Women, a missing wife, and a blackmailer to be exposed. All leading to a romance between a Freya, the Wise Woman, and Duke of Harlowe, who is part of the murder mystery that points to Freya's brother doing the murder. This kept me on the edge of my seat as some things were solved and some were left hanging.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


The Mortal Word by Genevieve Cogman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Irene is up to her neck in plots. Seems that several different faction want this peace conference to fail while others want to control the process. I loved seeing Vale, Silver, Ky and Irene all work to make sure everything goes correctly and peace is at least a possibility. This is a very complex plot that takes so many twists and turns you could get whiplash reading or listening to it. An unexpected consequence comes when Irene get a new position. A great set up for further aduties that Irene has as a librarian of the Invisible Library.

Susan Duerden does a great job as the voices in The Mortal Word.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 152 - Starship Grifters by Robert Kroese, Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt, Empaths by S. H. Jucha

Starship Grifters by Robert Kroese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this as a audio book however it is one that I might not have liked as well if I was reading it instead of hearing it. The best character in the book was Sasha, the robot. Her lines were priceless as she tried to keep Rex on track. I knew that the scam was probably for real what I did not expect was who and what both Rex and Sasha's part really was. A very fun listen and probably a fun read too.


Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lords of Chaos are still around and have kidnapped Lady Iris Jordan. Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his lifes work stop the Lords and comes to Iris's rescue. Both are really interesting characters. Raphael has so many secrets in his past; most not good. Iris is the light in his world. It was interesting to watch them interact. Iris is very strong and can stand up to Raphael. Raphael thinks that the things done to him in the past mark him as tainted. It is a very long journey in a very short time to their HEA. A nice ending to the series.


Empaths by S. H. Jucha
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Empath revolves around Aurelia Garmenti, a young empath who has been held prisoner her entire life and Captain Jessie Cinders who rescues her when she escapes after causing the death of the person abusing her. As the story progresses the world of Aurelia and Jessie becomes more and more real. This is the first book in the Pyrean Series and all of the action and character development focuses on both back story and world building. It is a rather long book and I felt it could have been edited down some without losing the focus on the important parts of the story. Even so I really liked both the characters, the action and the world that was being built. I will be watching to see how the series develops. Some things are solved but there are many threads left hanging.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #64 - Winter's Child by Margaret Maron, The Cowboys's Christmas Bride by Patricia Johns, Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt

Winter's Child by Margaret Maron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Deborah Knott Mysteries are a new series that I just recently discovered. I have not been able to read them in order but find that I don't mind skipping around. In Winter's Child Deborah has just married Sheriff Deputy Dwight Bryan. I missed the courtship in the earlier books but had no trouble following the story. I have found each book can stand-alone. The mystery here starts when Cal calls Dwight wanting him show up at his school the next day. It turns out Cal's mother did not come home the night before and then someone takes Cal. There are a lot of red herrings along the way. Both Deborah and Dwight start to look for both Cal and his mother. There is the mystery with Cal and a murder at home that has to be solved. Each keeps the plot moving and the story fun to read or in my case listen too.


The Cowboy's Christmas Bride by Patricia Johns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Patricia Johns and I enjoyed it. The characters all interesting and the story line a great set up for two people to change their opinion of the other. Andy Granger did a lot of hiding what he was really like growing up in Hope, Montana. Dakota Mason never liked him but on a cattle drive she begins to realize there more to Andy than she thought. The big problem is something that Andy did in the past that had unexpected consequences. Can the past be overcome and a HEA arrive for the two. This is Harlequin so that is a forgone conclusion. A nice easy read for just before Christmas.


Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have not missed one book in the Maiden Lane series. while I did not warm to or really like the characters in Duke of Sin, the previous book in the series, I loved the characters in Duke of Pleasure. When I read Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle's name I knew he was a bastard but he is an acknowledged one. Alf, on the other hand is just a St. Giles orphan. What makes her special? She is the Ghost of St Giles at night and passes as a young boy in the day time. Her path crosses Hugh's when she saves him form an attack one night. Turns out someone is trying to kill Hugh and he turns to Alf for help. The story turns really interesting when he discovers that Alf is a woman. There is danger, mystery and romance all mixed up in The Duke of Pleasure. In addition there is a hook for the next book in the series. As long as Hoyt keeps writing Maiden Lane story I will keep reading.

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Stacking The Shelves - December 17th, 2016

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

Purchased:

The Alchemy of Chaos by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Duke of Pleasure  by Elizabeth Hoyt
The Holiday Gift and A Cold Creek Noel by RaeAnne Thayne
The Cowboy's Christmas Bride by Patricia Johns
Cardwell Christmas Crime Scene and Secret of Deadman's Coulee by B.J. Daniels

For Review:

Resisting Miss Merryweather by Emily Larkin
Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh
Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells
Renegade's Pride by B.J. Daniels
The Maverick Cowboy by Kate Pearce

Short and Sweet Book Reviews #30 - The Summer Bride by Anne Gracie, Once Upon a Moonlit Night by Elizabeth Hoyt, An Untimely Frost by Penny Richards

The Summer Bride by Anne Gracie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have followed the Chance Sisters since their first book and have wondered how Gracie was going to give Daisy an HEA like her sisters. Unlike the other three sisters Daisy is not a lady and never will be. What she has always been is a wonderful fashion designer and in The Summer Bride she finally get her dream, her own store. What else she gets is a very handsome man who wants her for his bride. It is great fun to see what happens after that. A really great ending to the Chance Sisters series. It can be read as a stand alone but for maximum enjoy start with book one, The Autumn Bride.


Once Upon a Moonlit Night by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hippolyta Royle has a problem. She has been kidnapped and will be forced into marriage if she does not get away. Enter Matthew Mortimer. When Hippolyta does escape Matthew gives her a ride in his coach helping her get away. From there on it is a fun story full of mixups and finally romance. Hippolyta is very rich and Matthew just became the owner of an estate full of debt. A match made in heaven if only they two can get on the same page. This is a novella with very well developed characters and great action. A must read of Maiden Lane fans and a good place to start if you are new to the series.


An Untimely Frost by Penny Richards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in 1818 An Untimely Frost is the first book in a new series. Richards did a great job of integrating the history of the time with the back story of the main character while keeping the mystery at the heart of the story front and center. I loved the fact that the main character was a very strong woman who could fake it until she make it using her skills as a actress in her new career as a Pinkerton Operative. Look for a character who is mostly in the background and whose backstory is mostly a mystery. That is a set up for the two to work together in future stories. A very good start to a new mystery series set in a interesting and dangerous time.

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Stacking the Shelves June 18, 2016

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

Purchased from Amazon

Draw One in the Dark (Shifter Book 1) by Sarah Hoyt

Honor’s Flight (Fallen Empire, Book 2) by Lindsay Buroker

Warrior Wench (The Asariai Wars Book 1) by Marie Andreas

Starseers  (Fallen Empire Book 3) by Lindsay Buroker

From the Library:

Clawback (An Ali Reynolds Novel) by J.A. Jance

Visitor (A Foreigner Novel) by C.J. Cherryh

Shattered Spear (The Lost Stars) by Jack Campbell

From Netgalley for Review:

Into Dust by B.J.Daniels

An Untimely Frost by Penny Richards

Once Upon a Moonlit Night by Elizabeth Hoyt

Short and Sweet Book Reviews #15 Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt, Colton Cowboy Hideout by Carla Cassidy, Cowboy After Dark by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane #10) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Historical Romance

The Maiden Lane series is filled with great characters and I never miss a book.  The Duke of Sin does have great characters and a lot of tension but I just did not like Valentine Napier.  Bridget was not one of my favorite characters either.  Valentine’s one redeeming feature has been his protection of the sister so I was interested in hearing his story and it did explain his behavior.  Even so by the end of the book I still did not like him.  Fans of the series will want to read Duke of Sin.  While it can stand alone I would not start the series here.  After reading this book I am not sure you would be a fan.

Colton Cowboy Hideout (The Coltons of Texas #7) by Carla Cassidy

Contemporary Western Romance

It was nice to see Josie Colton make another appearance in the Coltons of Texas series.  This time she is trying to find something that her father burried years ago.  What should have been a one day thing turns into days as the owner of Colton Valley Ranch disappears and someone tries to kill Josie.    Josie really has not plan for her life out of hiding until she meets Tanner Grange and his adorable daughters.  I loved both Tanner and Josie.  They are perfect as the two main characters that find a HEA.  A good addition to the series with some great hooks for future stories.

Cowboy After Dark (Thunder Mountain Brotherhood) by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Contemporary Western Romance

We have a new graduate from Thunder Mountain and of course when he comes back to visit he meets woman who is perfect for him.  Liam and Hope strike sparks immediately but all is not well between them.  She does not want anything but a one week fling.  Getting her to change her mind is a huge job.  This series has a lot of sex and sometimes not that much character interaction outside the bedroom.  I like the fact that the two main characters had more interaction that did not involve sex.  A fun story with two interesting main characters and a nice visit with characters from the previous books.

Darling Beast (Maiden Lane # 7) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Historical Romance

What Goodreads Says:

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .

Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown's soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he's quickly driven to distraction . . .

A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .

London's premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she's forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren't the only inhabitants—a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there's more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES

Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he's forced to make a choice: his love for Lily . . . or the explosive truth that will set him free.

I always look forward to the latest Maiden Lane book.  Darling Beast is one I had to work to pre-order as Amazon is still feuding with Hachette and id not allow pre-order.  Instead I went to Barnes and Nobel so I would have Darling Beast on the day it came out.

I loved both of the main characters.  Lily Stump is an actress who puts her son Indigo above everything else.  The scenes with Indigo and Apollo are priceless.  I could just picture the small boy talking non-stop and the large man who is mute enjoying the company.

Of course there are secrets on both sides and a mystery to be solved.  Look for surprises, romances and of course a great HEA for Apollo and Lily.

Grand Central Publishing released Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt in 2014.

Stacking the Shelves - October 18, 2014

Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their 

shelves.

For Review:

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley

Death Defying by Nina Croft

From the Library: 

Festive in Death by J.D.Robb

Complete Guide to Natural Home Remedies by Joe and Terry Graedon

Hellhole Inferno by Brian Herbert and Kevin J.Anderson

Purchased:

Reckoning by S.J. Harper

Daring by Elliott James

Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Musing Monday's October 13, 2014

TC is in the sun musing about the chipmunk she sees out the window.
Hopefully that is all she does.  So far this month she has presented me
 with two chipmunks - one alive and one dead but both in my bedroom.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week.…Musing Mondays is sponsored by Should Be Reading.

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to talk.

Amazon and Hachette Group are still feuding.  Yesterday I ran into the feud

again when I tried to pre-order Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt.  I have followed the Maiden Lane series for the beginning and was looking forward to reading Darling Beast (Book 7 in the series) as soon as it came out.  Well I am going to read it and I did pre-order but not from Amazon.  Because of the feud it was only available as an audio books at $23.62.  

So what did I do? I went over to Barnes and Noble and pre-0rdered the eBook for 4.79.  Big different.  I know that pre-orders are very important to publishers so I wonder how this is playing out for the authors and the publishers.  Looks to me like they are losing sales.  It also looks like Amazon has a to much power in how they agree on a contract to sell a publishers books.  I was surprised to see this was still going on.  It seems that I heard about it several months ago so the bottom line must be suffering for both Amazon and Hachette but more for Hachette and its authors.  

I wanted to read Darling Beast so went someplace else to buy.  Some people might just go to another book on Amazon.

If you like historical romance the Maiden Lane seres is a great one to follow and from the pre-release reviews Darling Beast is another great story in the series.

Stacking the Shelves, October 19, 2013

Some of the Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

I got several books this week.  Barnes and Noble had a 20% off coupon so I used it for two books (coupon only worked for one but they were counting on me buying more than one).  I visited the library and got one book and two audio books, and a pre-order from Amazon arrived.  I visited Sam's and found one more and then I won another.  Much larger haul this week.

Amazon:

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

Barnes and Noble:

Cursed by S. J. Harper
Celtic Moon by Jan DeLima

Sam's Club:

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown

Library:

Blue Skies by Robyn Carr (audio book)
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay (audio book)
Shattered Pillars by Elizabeth Bear

Won:

Heavy Metal Heart by Nico Rosso


I usually buy Baen's monthly bundle.  These are the books that Baen releases that month.  When I do I can give that bundle free to someone who as never purchased from Baen.

Here is the December Bundle:

Mars, Inc. Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Ben Bova

1920: America's Great War Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Robert Conroy

Man-Kzin Wars XIV Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) created by Larry Niven

Dragon's Teeth Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Mercedes Lackey

Tiger by the Tail Complete by John Ringo and Ryan Sear

Night and Demons Complete by David Drake Here is the January Bundle: Revolution: Book Three of the Secret World Chronicles Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, and Veronica Giguere 1636: Seas of Fortune Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Iver Cooper The Forever Engine Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Frank Chadwick A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 2 Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller A Rising Thunder Complete by David Weber Sunset of the Gods Complete by Steve White The Iron Breed Complete by Andre Norton If you have never purchased from Baen, are a Science Fiction fan, and would like the receive one of these be the first to leave your email in the comments telling which bundle you want.  Be sure to tell me which month you want (you can only get one). Baen will send you an email with a link to receive the books.

Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt

Historical Fiction

Elizabeth Hoyt has done it again.  Another great Maiden Lane story with another Ghost of St. Giles. 

Godric St. John has been a ghost of a man since his wife took years to die.  He is also one of the Ghosts of St. Giles. Two years ago he was blackmailed into marring Lady Margaret Reading.  She was pregnant with another man's child (a man who had just been murdered) at the time but miscarried shortly after.  She has been living the the country and Godric in the city but as the book starts that is changing.  Margaret has come to town with two goals.  Get pregnant and find her lovers murderer. 

Margaret or Megs as she prefers and Godric are both wonderful characters.  Both have lost people they love and both think they cannot love again.  It is really fun to see how they both begin to live and love again. 

Margaret also wants to find the person who killed her first love.  That brings the story of the Ghost and a reappearance of the lassie snatchers from the last book into the story.  The Ghost is in danger again.  He wants to keep his identity from Margaret but things happen that make it harder and harder to do. 

There is a set up for the next book woven into the story.  The characters for this story appear but really do not play a part in Lord of Darkness.  They did not add to this story.  They only appeared as a set up for the third Ghost of St Giles book.

Grand Central Publishing released Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt in 2013.

     

Thief of Shadows (Maiden Lane # 4) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Historical Romance

Thief of Shadows is a very good addition to the Maiden Lane series.  Here is what Goodreads says about the book:

A MASKED MAN . . .
Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .
Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY
During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

Characters:  Winter Makepeace is a new virgin hero.  His life is devoted to the foundling home and his nighttime identity as the Ghost of St. Giles.  He does not have time for a wife or a family so he has decided to live a celibate life.  Lady Isabel Beckinhall has a face she shows to society.  Winter is the only one who realizes that she had a very different private face.  Elizabeth Hoyt loves to write two main characters from different parts of society, characters who should not even mix but who are drawn together.  Winter and Isabel meet those criteria.  They should be oil and water but are not.  Both Winter and Isabel are full developed characters.  There are secondary characters but not much time is spent on their development.

Plot:  The book starts with danger and that danger continues to run throughout the story.  There is a villain.  Hoyt put in several red herrings before the real villain is unmasked.  She also set the scene for the next book.

Backstory:  This is book four.  Many of the characters for the first three books are present and there are hints about what happened in the previous books.  Those hints do not interfere with the story.  Thief of Shadows will stand-alone.   I just think it is more fun if you have read the previous books.

Writing:  The writing is very smooth.  The story moves at a steady pace with scenes and sequels that allow the reader and the characters to rest between the action.  It also gives the reader time to set to know more about the  main characters.

Tension:  Tension makes or breaks a story like this and tension makes Thief of Shadows.  There is more that one type of external tension and each of the main characters have secrets that generate a lot of internal tension.  Both together add up to a great story.

Pick this one up if you want a good historical romance.  If you have not read the rest of the series you need to pick up Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane #l), Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2), and Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane, #3).

Grand Central Publishing published Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt in 2012.

I received a eARC of Thief of Shadows from NetGalley.  Thief of Shadows is scheduled for release on June 26, 2012.

Waiting on Wednesday May 30, 2012

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I have been following the Maiden Lane series since it started.  Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt is due out June 26.  I am anxious to see how she handles Winter Makepeace's story.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I did a pre-order and Scandalous Desires has been released but I am still waiting for Amazon to ship so it is my Waiting on Wednesday selection.  I hope I don't have long to wait.

Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lies in a woman's heart?

Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely, and kind--and nine months ago she made a horrible mistake. She went to a river pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain that cost her her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that she hides in the foundling home she helps run with her brother. Except now that same river pirate is back...and he's asking for her help.

"Charming" Mickey O'Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he clawed his way up through London's criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotions like compassion and love, and he sees people as pawns to be manipulated. And yet he's never been able to forget the naive captain's wife who came to him for help and spent one memorable night in his bed...talking.

When his bastard baby girl was dumped in his lap--her mother having died--Mickey couldn't resist the Machiavellian urge to leave the baby on Silence's doorstep. The baby would be hidden from his enemies and he'd also bind Silence to him by her love for his daughter.