Under Your Spell

By Lois Greiman

http://www.loisgreiman.com/

Avon Historical 

ISBN-10: 0061191361

To London society, they were nothing more than a group of will-bread ladies gathering to gossip about the bachelors of the ton. But the women of Lavender house share an uncommon gift that will lead them to days filled with danger-and nights of unquenchable desire.

With her smoldering glances and dazzling beauty, Ella St. James, Countess of Lanshire, could bewitch any man. But she isn’t about to squander her unique attentions on the mundane task of finding a husband. After all, the perfect man is a mere fantasy, and she has more urgent worries. A close friend and fellow Lavender house lady has gone missing, and Ella is determined to find her. But everywhere she turns, she finds only the handsome, alluring, and troublemaking Thomas Donovan. 

Thomas has secrets of his own, secrets that could destroy him, and his attraction to the tantalizing leads her into mortal peril, Thomas cannot help but try to rescue her love her, and devour her… for he has fallen under her spell.

If you appreciate a strong woman with special talents Ella won’t disappoint. Thomas is a tortured man because of his past but Ella is able to see passed that to the man inside. Ella maintains her secrets but Thomas has a way of getting her to open up.

This story had some surprises and wasn’t my usual fair but I liked the characters and the plot line. Interesting read.

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The books we review on this site, unless otherwise noted, are our own personal copies. The Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog members do not accept payment in exchange for a review or mention.

By Lynsay Sands

http://www.lynsaysands.net/index.html

ISBN 978-0-06-134479-4

HarperCollins Historical Romance

Only one man could set her heart ablaze…

Lady Averill Mortagne learned to control her fierce temper as a young girl. But if her father insists on parading her before one more English lord who looks askance at her flame-colored hair, she’ll simply scream! Her only respite is the time she spends with Kade Stewart, the wounded Scot her brother brought home from the Crusades. Who could have imagined a Highland warrior would be the only gentleman around?

Lady Averill helped save his life, and for that Kade is truly grateful. She is also almost unbearably beautiful, but he could never subject such a sweet and gentle lady to the rough life of a Stewart laird’s bride…or could he? When she braves an unexpected danger by his side, Averill will prove to Kade that her heart is as fiery as her hair… and that submitting to their scorching passion would be heaven indeed.

I’m a sucker for a historical set in the highlands of England. The beauty of the area alone is romantic. The Hellion and The Highlander has a nice spin on the right man can see the beauty in the right woman and the right woman can humble the big, strong, can do it all himself man and him like it. The story also has a nice surprise twist that makes for an interesting ending.

Single Dad Seeks A Wife

By Melanie Milburne

http://melaniemilburne.com.au/

Harlequin Medical

ISBN: 13:978-0-373-06787-9

Buy it Here

Brides of Penhally Bay

Bachelor doctors become husbands and fathers—in a place where hearts are made whole

Making the doctor his bride

Penhally Bay is a world away from everything Dr. Eloise Hayden knows. But this forensic specialist has come to Cornwall’s coast to find justice.  Gorgeous police inspector Lachlan D’Ancey partners with Eloise on the case and finds himself mesmerized by this stunning Australian. But he fear that his daughter will become embroiled in the investigation. He can’t stand in the way of justice, but he’s torn between his duty to his career, his duty to his only child and a newfound duty to the woman he’s falling in love with.

Eloise soon realizes that the single dad needs her help—together, they may be able to find an answer. Only then can Lachlan ask Eloise the most important question of all…

Eloise is a give me the facts person that believes science has all the answers.  Lachlan is a student of people’s actions to learn what he needs to know.  Eloise and Lanchlan go about finding who murdered a surfer in different ways but find they complement each other. Will they make their partnership last forever?

This medical is a little different from the typical medicals because the hero and heroine were not both in the medical field. The hero in this one is a policeman. It made for an interesting read.  The mystery was fun and there is a surprise twist to the story that added tension.

 

Paying The Virgin’s Price

By Christine Merrill

http://christine-merrill.com/

Silk& Scandal Series

Harlequin Historical

ISBN-10: 0263870790

ISBN-13: 978-0263870794

I pledge in Payment the Maidenhead of my daughter….

Chaperon Diana Price knew she was teetering on the edge of ruin. Her father had staked his fortune, and her virginity, at the card table—and lost! To the most notorious gamester in town…

Nathan Wardale had money, plenty of it, but it was a long time since he’d been considered a gentleman. Still, he never intended to purse this debt. Until he met Diana Price in the flesh—and began to wonder just how long his honor would hold out…

I had met these characters in the other books in the series, but I was glad to get to know them better in their own story. Diana knows what she wants when she sees it— and Nathan is it. He is drawn to Diana even though he knows something bad in the past stands between them.   I felt for both these characters as they fought for a future. Nice read.

Heart of Courage

By Kat Martin
http://katbooks.com/  

Heart trilogy
Mira Historical Romance
ISBN: 13:978-0-7783-2609-0

Under the pert pen name “Lady Smart.” Opinionated Lindsey Graham crusades for social change among London’s elite, writing for the ladies’ gazette Heart To Heart. But Lindsey’s greatest campaign begins when her brother Rudy, a notorious rake, is accused of murdering a string of prostitutes.

Her confidence in his innocence is bolstered when an anonymous letter arrives naming Viscount Merrick as the killer. Lindsey launches her own investigation into the gentleman’s questionable pursuits, a risky venture that earn her an unwelcome bodyguard-Thor Draugar.

At first, Lindsey refuses the protection of her employer’s brother-in-law. They are like oil and water, yet she can barely conceal her attraction to the rugged Norseman. But an attempt on her life reveals not only the lengths that someone will go to in order to prevent her interference in the viscount’s sordid affairs, but that she can no longer deny that she desires the warrior by her side…

Lindsey Graham is not your ordinary woman of the time. She is head-strong, fearless and resourceful when protecting someone she loves. Thor Draugar knows he doesn’t share her same social station but he can’t resist her. When Lindsey and Thor are forced together in order to help her brother they find love. But can they find a forever together?

Being of Norwegian descent I found it interesting to have a Scandinavian hero in the Victorian times. You don’t see Scandinavian much outside of Vikings. It put a nice spin on the story. The story had interesting characters and some nice intrigue. The love scenes were plenty hot. Heart of Courage is well worth a read.

The Viscount and the Virgin

By Annie Burrows

http://annie-burrows.co.uk/default.aspx

Harlequin Historical – Silk & Scandal

ISBN: 13:978-0-373-2912-5

“I am not at all the kind of girl a future Earl ought to marry.”

Imogen Hebden knew she was no diamond of the ton. A clumsy, gangling spinster more like! This last-chance Season was sure to be a disaster. What sort of suitor could she hope to catch?

Viscount Mildenhall, son of the Earl of Corfe, the most eligible, most arrogant rake in London, claimed to find her guileless ways irresistible. But even as inexperienced as she was, Imogen could tell he was in an indecent hurry— particularly when it came to producing an heir…

I enjoyed this next addition in the Silk & Scandal series. In fact, this was one of my favorites out of the group so far. Imogen is engaging as a character that knows her mind but that few others understand until Monty comes along. He sees her and appreciates her for who she is.

With twists and turns, and intrigue and romance to boot The Viscount and the Virgin is a satisfying read.

 

The Prodigal’s Return

By Anna DeStefano

http://annawrites.com/

Harlequin Super Romance

ISBN: 13 9780373713585

Does going home mean living with the past-or living down the past?

The death of teenager Bobby Compton shocked the community of Rivermist, Georgia. It also destroyed the lives of Neal Cain and Jennifer Gardner. Neal was sent to prison, and Jennifer’s life spiraled out of control until the birth of her daughter forced her to grow up.

Now, eight years later, Neal has come home to help his ailing father. Jennifer, a single mother, is also back, trying to make a go of things. Neal and Jennifer were in love when they were teenagers, and those feelings haven’t gone away. But they’re different people, shaped by everything that’s happened. They can’t change the past. Can they still have a future?

This is an emotion filled book. Despite the mistakes and decisions of the characters you still like them. Warning: Have a hanky nearby.

The Secret Wedding

Jo Beverley

Signet Historical Romance

ISBN: 978-0—451-22651-8

www.jobev.com

At the age of seventeen, Christian Hill impulsively defends young Dorcas Froggatt’s honor—and finds himself forced into marriage. That doesn’t stop him from pursing his military career abroad, where he swiftly puts his young bride out of his mind—until the past comes back to haunt him.

Not long after her traumatic marriage, Dorcas hears that her new husband, Hill, has died in battle. She’ shocked to discover that he’s not only still alive, but searching for her. She’s determined not to sacrifice her independence, not expecting the true danger she’ll soon face and , even less, the true love she’ll discover with the man who rescued her all those years ago. 

The Secret Wedding remained me in a number of ways of the play The Importance of being Earnest. The play on names and the confusion caused by the change in names is just as intriguing. It made for an interesting spin to a story. I couldn’t help but like Christian and his honorable values, even though I sometime thought they were over the top, but expected for the time. Dorcas is strong-willed and understands her responsibility to her family. Admirable qualities.

 

Lover by Deception

By Penny Jordan

Harlequin Presents

ISBN: 0-373-12068-0

They wanted to get even, instead they got…married!

When Anna woke up in hospital, the first person she saw was Ward Hunter. The chemistry between them was so intense, Anna was convinced he must be her lover!

Ward found Anna’s sensuality hard to resist—but was she the woman who had defrauded his brother? Ward fell for Anna anyway, through when she regained her memory would she feel betrayed…that Ward had become her lover by deception?

With a case of amnesia, Anna doesn’t know that the man in front of her is the angry brother of someone else who had also been caught in the money scam. All she knows is that she feels an attraction to the large handsome guy. When Ward takes Anna home and cares for her, Anna is sure that he is the one for her, but she doesn’t know Ward is hiding a secret. 

Ward realizes that what he is doing lacks moral fiber but he can’t help himself. Anna does something to him. As the days go by he forgets his anger, and finds himself in love. The problem is that when Anna remembers will she still feel the same about him. If she doesn’t, how will he live without her?

Interesting turn of a story. At first you think how can the hero do this, but by the end of the book you are cheering the hero on. Nice bit of writing if you can sway emotions one way and then the other. 

The Smuggler and the Society Bride

By Julia Justiss

www.juliajustiss.com

Harlequin

Silk and Scandal Series

ISBN: 13:978-0-373-29604-0

Lady Honoria  Carlow, leading  Diamond of the Ton, is in disgrace. Her spirited nature has led her too far this time and she is, in reputation at least, ruined.

Indifferent to polite London society, Captain Gabriel Hawksworth is a gentleman in bandit’s clothing. On the storm-tossed coast of Cornwall, this smuggler is reckless, sexy and sinfully tempting…

Gabriel is luring Honoria right back to what she’s escaping — trouble! Only this time her impropriety won’t be quite so innocent…

The last thing Honoria Carlow expects to find while hiding out at her aunt’s house is love. Calling herself Marie Foxe, Honoria meets Captain Gabe Hawksworth. He is only there for a few months to help out his army buddy who is a free trader. He thinks that Marie would be a nice distraction between smuggling trips.

Honoria and Gabe become involved in avillage child’s life, that brings them closer together. Honoria confides in Gabe about her story of disgrace. He goes to London to find out what really happen and to right the wrong. Will Honoria’s knight save her reputation and offer her a life that includes him that she so desperately desires?  

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