Loving a Lost Lord by Mary Jo Putney
Publication Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Zebra
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
In the first dazzling series, Mary Jo Putney introduces the Lost Lords—maverick childhood friends with a flair for defying convention. Each is about to discover the woman who is his perfect match—but perfection doesn't come easily, even for the noble Duke of Ashton...

Battered by the sea, Adam remembers nothing of his past, his ducal rank, nor of the shipwreck that almost claimed his life. However, he's delighted to hear that the golden-haired vision tending his wounds is his wife. Mariah's name and face may not be familiar, but her touch, her warmth, feel deliciously right...

When Mariah Clarke prayed for a way to deter a bullying suitor, she didn't imagine she'd find the answer washed ashore on a desolate beach. Convincing Adam that he is her husband is surprisingly easy. Resisting the temptation to act his wife, in every way, will prove anything but. And now a passion begun in fantasy has become dangerously real—and completely irresistible...

Review:
The last thing Mariah wants to do is marry Burke, a gamester, so she lies and tells him she's already married. When she comes across an ill and injured stranger washed up on the shore, Mariah tends to him until he wakes up. But when he opens his eyes, Adam realizes he doesn't remember anything. So Mariah, already caught up in her lie of being married, declares that she's his wife. Adam doesn't have any trouble believing Mariah, and the more days they spend together, the more grateful he is that she's his wife, but as he begins to heal it becomes even harder to keep his hands off of her. Mariah knows she can't let Adam make love to her because then he would find out she lied about being his wife because of her virginity, but the pull between them makes her question whether or not she should give everything up for one night with Adam. But if Adam regains his memory, will he ever be able to forgive her?

I downloaded this novel on my kindle when it was featured as a daily deal for free. I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped, but I also didn't hate it either. It was just an okay read for me, mainly because of the characters and storyline. Mariah was at times unlikable, because of her lies to Adam, and Adam was a little too sweet and forgiving. I also thought the plot came across as unbelievable, and not just because of the memory loss storyline, but because of the ways the characters interacted with each other. An example is when Adam fights with Burke the day after Mariah found him, when he would have been too weak from not eating and being injured to even get out of bed. Another example is that Adam was too forgiving towards Mariah, which didn't come across as something most people would have been in that situation.

Overall, I didn't enjoy Loving a Lost Lord as much as I hoped, but I would recommend picking it up at the library or when it goes on sale if you're interested in reading a historical romance that features memory loss.

Rating: 

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 30, 2016
1.) Mad for the Plaid by Karen Hawkins
Summary (from Amazon):
Nikolai Romanovin, a royal prince of Oxenburg, has travelled to the deepest wilds of Scotland to rescue his grandmother the Grand Duchess, who was abducted while visiting an old friend in the Highlands. Wanting to avoid and international incident, Nik plans to quietly slip into enemy territory disguised as a groom at Castle Cromartie. But his plans go awry when he falls under the cool gray gaze of the laird's daughter.

Pragmatic and clever, Ailsa Mackenzie has been left in charge of the family estate and her unruly grandmother in her father's absence. Something about the new groom catches her eyes, and makes her think he's not who he pretends to be—and even more shockingly, stirs her senses. Is it his obviously educated manners? His arrogant, non-servant-like presence? It's certainly not his towering, powerful form, or slumberous, inviting green eyes!

2.) No Mistress of Mine by Laura Lee Guhrke
Summary (from Amazon):
After spending his youth as one of the wildest rakes in the ton, Lord Denys Somerton has devoted the past six years to putting his past behind him. He is determined to fulfill his duties, find a suitable wife, and start a family, but that plan changes when Lola Valentine—the red-haired temptress from his past—returns to London, sparking the same irresistible desires that almost ruined his life once before. 

Lola is a woman with no romantic illusions. She knew love would never be enough for a British lord and an American girl from the wrong side of the tracks. For Denys's sake, she walked away from him and the glittering life he offered. But when an unexpected inheritance brings her back to London, Lola discovers the passion between them is as hot as ever. Can they vanquish it, or will it burn out of control again and destroy the both?

3.) When We Touch by Heather Graham
Summary (from Amazon):
Queen Victoria's London is a teeming metropolis of pageantry, forbidden desire, and danger—especially in the East End, a hotbed of vice, witchcraft, and murder. What widow Lady Maggie Graham does there more than greases the rumor mill. When she agrees to wed the Viscount Langdon, there are those who would act upon their suspicions...

Experience has taught Lord Jamie well. He has seen his fair share of women behave inappropriately—enjoying risqué amusements in secret theaters, running about disguised in the seediest parts of the city—and then they call you vile names for coming to their rescue. And no woman is more shameless, more cunning, more intoxicating than Lady Maggie...

4.) My Fair Princess by Vanessa Kelly
Summary (from Amazon):
Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protegee, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast...but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?

5.) If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell
Summary (from Amazon):
After three failed seasons and a disastrous jilting, Lady Dorothea Beaumont has more than enough of her family's scheming. She won't domesticate a duke, entangle an earl, or vie for a viscount. She will quietly exit to her aunt's Irish estate for a life of blissful freedom. Until an arrogant, sinfully handsome duke singles her out for a waltz, making Thea the most popular belle of the season.

Dalton, Duke of Osborne, is far too heartless for debutantes or marriage—he uses dalliances and public spectacle to distract from his real purpose: finding the man who destroyed his family. When his search leads to Ireland, the last thing he needs is the determined, achingly innocent Thea, who arrives in the dead of night demanding he escort her to her aunt. His foolish agreement may prove his undoing. The road to the Emerald Isle is fraught with unforeseen dangers, but the greatest peril of all might just be discovering that he has a heart...and he's losing it to Thea. 

6.) When a Marquis Chooses a Bride by Ella Quinn
Summary (from Amazon):
The Dowager Lady Worthington isn't quite sure what to make of country-girl Dorothea Stern. As the granddaughter of the Duke of Bristol, Dotty is schooled in the ways and means of the nobility. But her sharp wit and outspoken nature has everyone in a tizzy. Especially their cousin, Dominic, the Marquis of Merton. 

Prematurely stuffy, Dom was raised by his cheerless uncle to be wary of a host of things, including innovation, waltzing, and most perilous of all: true love. Still, there's something about Dotty, beyond her beauty, that Dom cannot resist. but the odds are against him if he intends to win her as his bride. Will he choose loyalty to his family—or risk everything for the one woman he believes is his perfect match...

7.) A Scot in the Dark: Scandal & Scoundrel by Sarah MacLean
Summary (from Amazon):
Miss Lillian Hargrove has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn't hesitate...until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

The Duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain—he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem. 




CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 30, 2016
1.) Meant to Be Mine by Lisa Marie Perry
Summary (from Amazon):
Sofia Mercer may have been sick as a teen, but she's no delicate flower. And she's proven it by making it on her own and starting a new life away from the town that turned against her, away from the boy who broke her already fragile heart. But when her aunt Luz dies unexpectedly, leaving Sofia with a mountain of regrets an the keys to a quirky boutique, Sofia has no choice but to return to Cape Cod. Only, this new life in her old town comes with complications.

Burke Wolf was Sofia's first love—a relationship that burned bright and went up in flames. Seeing him again, Sofia can't help but get caught up in that all-too-familiar tornado of passion and pain. He's battled his own demons—that much is clear. But Sofia can't afford to be careless with her heart...and loving Burke again might just break it completely. 

2.) Run to You by Rachel Lacey
Summary (from Amazon):
Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellowjackets and falls not so gracefully into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin...and all the new residents are conspiring against her.




3.) Winner Takes All by Erin Kern
Summary (from Amazon):
Money. Fame. Endorsements. Blake Carpenter had it all—before his professional football career spiraled out of control. Determined to rebuild his life, he takes on coaching the high school team in his Colorado hometown. Despite a few fumbles, Blake knows he can lead these boys to victory. As long as he can keep his eyes on the prize and off the team's distractingly gorgeous physical therapist.

Annabelle Turner knows all about the scandal that cost Blake his NFL career, and she'll be damned if she's going to let his mistakes hurt her team. What she doesn't count on is the intense attraction that turns every heated run-in they have into a wildly erotic competition. Point by point, play by play, kiss by kiss, they try to keep things professional for the good of the team. But when the score is this close—and the passion this fierce—it's anybody's game...

4.) She's Got a Way by Maggie McGinnis
Summary (from Amazon):
Gabriela O'Brien is devoted to the girls at Briarwood Academy—even when their bad behavior earns them an entire summer at a remote campground in Echo Lake, Vermont. When the headmaster assigns Gabi to be their chaperone, how can she refuse? A long, hot summer with neither indoor plumbing nor wireless access might be just what she needs to get her own life in order...right?

Before Briarwood took over Camp Echo, Luke Magellan spent years there helping troubled boys. When four spoiled rich girls and their seemingly uptight den mother show up for the summer, it's hard to hide his amusement as he watches them tackle the great outdoors. But it's even tougher to resist the passion he sees in Gabi—especially when he learns about her past, and sees how much she cares about her students. Is this destined to be just a grownup version of a summer-camp romance—or can they find enough in common to build a love for all seasons?

5.) Homecoming by Shannon Stacey
Summary (from Amazon):
Sam Levitt has returned home to Stewart Mills with one goal: to fill in for Coach McDonnell and lead the high school football team to the championship. He doesn't have time for distractions or commitments—but he's unable to resist falling for the sexy guidance counselor he shared a hot night with months ago.

Jen Cooper knows what she's looking for long-term, and it's not Sam—even though the night they shared was explosive. Now, with Sam back in town and working by her side, picking up where they left off is too great a temptation to resist. But before long their fun fling is looking like a future together. And as the championship approaches, Sam is faced with a big decision that will either break them apart—or help them find their way home. 

6.) Hard to Handle by Raven Scott
Summary (from Amazon):
Samuel Mackenzie has his hands full with Fortis' latest assignment. Their client is a European real estate investor who is trying to close a multi-million dollar acquisition. But a competitor is attempting to block the deal by any means necessary, including threats and vandalism that quickly escalate to life threatening assault. For Samuel it's all in a day's work—except for one unexpected twist...

The mission requires protective detail for the client and his mistress, who is also his personal assistant. But the mistress is Mikayla Stone-Clement—the only woman Samuel has ever loved, and who always seems out of his reach. Yet things aren't what they seam. Because Mikayla has a hidden agenda of her own, one that puts her directly in the crossfire. Now Samuel will have one chance to save her life...and make her his forever. 

7.) An Indecent Proposal by Katee Robert
Summary (from Amazon):
Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi Learned from her Russian mob family—and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognizes the red flag of his family name...yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast—and how hard—she's falling for him. 


8.) Texas Tall by Janet Dailey
Summary (from Amazon):
The born rancher who stole her heart, her ex husband, the tough, tender father of her child...Tori Tyler can't let Will Tyler go to prison for a crime that was a simple accident. But she can't deny that her feelings for the man run much deeper than loyalty, and her desire for his strong, sure embrace has never died. Protecting him is second nature, until an unexpected terror threatens to shatter them both...and Tori needs Will's fierce love more than ever before.

The sassy, sexy wife he never meant to drive away, the gorgeous woman who haunts his memory and his fantasies....Will can accept the blame for the destruction of his marriage, but he can't believe that he and Tori won't have a second chance to make it right. With the ranch in trouble and his freedom on the line, somehow fighting for her is the only thing that matters.

9.) Stealing Taffy by Susan Donovan
Summary (from Amazon):
Ten weeks in a swanky Arizona rehab center and Tanyalee Newberry, aka Taffy, is ready to give up everything that isn't good for her—her forgery habit, taking (i.e., stealing) things that don't belong to her, and, of course, men. But when her flight home gets rerouted, she finds herself in a hotel room with her smoking-hot travel companion. One night together is all it should have been. But passion is oh-so sweet...

Special Agent Dante Cabrera has been duped at his own love-em-and-leave-em game by this so-called Taffy. To forget she ever existed, Dante buries himself in his work...until a case leads him to North Carolina and, impossibly, right back to her. He has no business messing around with this felonious femme fatale, especially one who could be in more danger than she thinks. But Dante also knows there's more to her than great looks and hot nights—a soul-searching woman who wants  to amend her past sins. Is he ready to take their desire to the next level...and steal Taffy's heart?

10.) At Fairfield Orchard by Emma Cane
Summary (from Amazon):
For Amy Fairfield, the family orchard is more than a business. With its blossom-scented air and rows of trees framed by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, it's her heritage and her future. But right now, it's also a headache. Putting a painful breakup behind her, Amy has come home to revitalize Fairfield Orchard. She doesn't have time for the handsome—distracting—professor who wants to dig into her family's history for his research.

Jonathan Gebhart knows he needs the Fairfields' cooperation to make his new book a success. As for Amy—nothing in his years of academia could have prepared him for their sudden and intense attraction. He doesn't want to complicate her life further, especially since she seems uneasy about his poling around in the past and he knows he's not the sort of man built for forever. But some sparks can't help but grow, and Jonathan and Amy may just learn that unexpected love can be the sweetest of all. 

11.) Playing Fast by Melanie Scott
Summary (from Amazon):
When baseball bad-boy Finn Castro raises one eyebrow too many, the Saints send him down to the minors. He'll have to earn back his major-league dreams with the Sarasota Springs Preachers. Finn's certainly never claimed to be a man of the cloth, and cleaning up his act isn't going to be easy with stunning Eva Harlowe at the heart of the team's administration...

Eva knows having a crush on Finn Castro is about as sensible as wishing for an eight day of the week, but seeing the gorgeous muscled player in person melts her resolve. If she's planning to leave baseball at the end of the season, a hot fling could be a fantasy home run. But when no-strings sex begins to feel like a perfect partnership, will Finn and Eva choose the love of the game or real life together?

12.) Dirty Little Lies by Lora Leigh
Summary (from Amazon):
Zack Richards knows he's asking for trouble. Trying to protect a member of the notorious Maddox family could get a man killed—even a battle-scarred, muscle-ripped alpha like Zack. But the woman who has captured his wildest fantasies is nothing like the rest of her power-hungry clan. She's innocent, beautiful and has quickly become the one shining light in his dark, desperate world. The only woman worth fighting for...and dying for...

Her name is Grace Maddox—and everybody knows that she is a marked woman. Targeted for her family's sins and hunted like a wild animal, Grace has no choice but to accept Zack's protection. In his arms, she finally feels safe. In his eyes, she sees an insatiable desire that mirrors her own. But the truth is dangerous—and could end up tearing them apart. Will surrendering to Zack end up being the biggest mistake of Grace's life?

13.) For Better or Worse by Lauren Layne
Summary (from Amazon):
When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she's determined to make it as one of Manhattan's elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza...in five months' time. Heather's days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she's really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor's apartment at night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it's Heather's turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love. 

14.) Sunset in Central Park by Sarah Morgan
Summary (from Amazon):
Love has never been a priority for garden designer Frankie Cole. After witnessing the fallout of her parents' divorce, she's seen the devastation an overload of emotion can cause. The only man she feels comfortable with is her friend Matt—but that's strictly platonic. If only she found it easier to ignore the way he makes her heart race...

Matt Walker has loved Frankie for years but, sensing how fragile she is beneath her feisty exterior, has always played it cool. But then he uncovers new depths to the girl he's known forever and doesn't want to wait a moment longer. He knows Frankie has secrets and has buried them deep, but can Matt persuade her to trust him with her heart and kiss him under the Manhattan sunset?

Thursday - September 1, 2016
15.) Flowers on Main by Sherryl Woods
Summary (from Amazon):
When her last two plays are dismal failures and her relationship with her temperamental mentor falls apart, writer Bree O'Brien abandons Chicago and the regional theater where she hoped to make a name for herself to return home. Opening flowers on Main promises to bring her a new challenge and a new kind of fulfillment.

But not all is peaceful and serene in Chesapeake Shores, with her estranged mother on the scene and her ex-lover on the warpath. Jake Collins has plenty of reasons to want Bree out of his life, but none of those are a match for the one reason he wants her to stay: he's still in love with her.



PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 30, 2016
1.) Frost Line by Linda Howard and Linda Jones
Summary (From Amazon):
Lenna is Strength, a manifestation of the Tarot card, and powerful beyond reckoning. But when she's pulled into the human realm and tasked with protecting a young boy, everything is thrown into chaos. Lenna's not supposed to be here, interacting with mortals. She's definitely not supposed to be drawn to the sexy mercenary sent to retrieve her by any means necessary...

As a Hunter for magical beings, Cain's duty is simple: return this compelling, imposingly attractive woman and secure the long lost Tarot deck that made travel between worlds possible. Instead he's drawn into Lenna's dangerous rescue mission and blindsided by his growing feelings. But there is more than one enemy to contend with. And as the clock runs out, failure means not just the loss of an innocent life and the woman Caine has come to love, but the destruction of Lenna's entire world. 

Wednesday - August 31, 2016
2.) Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian
Summary (from Amazon):
An immortal warrior must decide between loyalty to his people and desire for a beautiful Breed female determined to bring a powerful enemy to justice at any cost, in this new novel in the Midnight Breed vampire romance series. 










What books are you planning on buying? What ones sound the most interesting? And what is your favorite genre?

One Reckles Summer by Toni Blake
Publication Date: May 21, 2009
Publisher: Harper Collins
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
It's tough to play it cool on a sultry summer night...

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver's been the good girl all her life, and it's gotten her nowhere. Now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she's decided it's time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she's headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny's #1 hell raiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake) and he's landed in hot water more times than he can count. He's exactly the kind of guy Jenny's always kept her distance from...but soon the good girl and the bad boy are caught in a raw heat that's out of control. Too bad Mick's got a secret that threatens to tear them apart and ruin Jenny's perfectly, passionately reckless summer...

Review:
After Jenny discovers her husband making out with her teaching assistant, Jenny divorces him and moves back to Destiny, where she grew up, for the summer. On Jenny's first night back she rows across the lake so she can more easily see the sky with her telescope, but is surprisingly stopped by Mick Brody, who tells her to get off of his land. Mick Brody was always known as the bad boy when she was younger and although they never said more than a few words to each other, she secretly had a crush on him in high school. So it's more than surprising to see Mick again, especially because everyone knows the Brody family left. Or did they? Mick threatens Jenny so she won't tell anyone, especially her policeman father. But before either of them know, they're having sex—on the ground, in the woods, and one time isn't enough. Mick can't keep his hands off of Jenny, even though he knows she's off limits. And there's something exhilarating about having a secret affair with a bad boy. But will Mick's secret come between them, and can they make a relationship work even though they live completely different lives?

This is one of the first romance novels that I've ever read, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. But putting those feelings aside, this is also one of the best romance novels that I've ever read because of the relatable characters and great writing. I've always been a fan of the good girl/bad boy relationship, so I enjoyed the fact that Jenny was the typical popular girl, except that she was also smart and down to earth, while Mick was the typical bad boy, that had broken the law in the past, and who reformed his life to better himself. Toni Blake did a great job of balancing the plot and the sex scenes, so it never felt like an erotica, and you can also feel the chemistry between Jenny and Mick from the first page, which is important in a romance. The story overall is also well written and the plot kept me interested .

Overall, I would definitely recommend One Reckless Summer to anyone looking for a great contemporary romance that features a good girl/bad boy romance.

Rating: 

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan
Publication Date: April 21, 2012
Publisher: Self Published
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Hugo Marshall earned the nickname "the Wolf of Clermont" for his ruthless ambition--a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner's son to the right hand man of a duke. When he's ordered to get rid of a pestering governess by fair means or foul, it's just another day at work.

But after everything Miss Serena Barton has been through at the hands of his employer, she is determined to make him pay. She won't let anyone stop her--not even the man that all of London fears. They might call Hugo Marshall the Wolf of Clermont, but even wolves can be brought to heel...

Review:
After the Duke of Clermont wrongs Serena, while she was working in his household, she goes to him for payment. But the Duke refuses her request, so Serena decides to sit outside his residence every day, all day, until he gives her what she wants. The Duke instructs Hugo to get rid of Serena before his wife finds out, and Hugo, who has to fulfill the request in order to get his money so he can start his own empire, obeys. But even after filling her bench with other people so she has to stand all day, and threatening to throw Serena and her sister out of their apartments, Serena refuses to give in for the little sum Hugo tries to persuade her to take. And after a few days of being in each others company, stubbornness turns into something more and they can't help but wonder if giving in will get them what they truly desire. 

I've read and enjoyed novels by Courtney Milan before, and The Governess Affair was no different. I was pleasantly surprised by both Serena and Hugo, because Serena was stubborn but in a way that I couldn't help but admire and Hugo was a good man behind his gruffness and ambition. Their characters also came across as real and believable, which was one of the things that really stood out to me. This is a novella, since it's only 98 pages, but not once did I think the story progressed too fast. Courtney Milan did a great job with developing the characters in such a short time, and I almost wished the story was longer because I enjoyed the characters so much. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan to anyone looking for a well-written historical romance novella. 

Rating: 

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Monday - August 22, 2016
1.) When a Lady Deceives by Tara Kingston
Summary (from Amazon):
London, 1890. In Victorian London, reporter Jennie Quinn employs deception as a weapon. Going undercover to seek justice for a murdered informant, she's drawn into a powerful criminal's seductive game of cat and mouse. Enigmatic former lawman Matthew Colton is as dangerous as he is clever, but the passion in his kiss is too tempting to resist. She aches to trust him, but she will not abandon her quest for the truth.



2.) Highland Deception by Lori Ann Bailey

Summary (from Amazon):
Lachlan Cameron is honor bound to see a wounded lass to safety, although he has well learned women are deceivers, and this lovely maid harbors a wealth of secrets. But Maggie's free spirit and charms enthrall him while he works to discover if she is innocent...or a spy scheming with his enemies to destroy his clan.

Maggie Murray fled her home to avoid a political marriage to an abusive man. Salvation comes when the Cameron laird, unaware other identity, protects her as she escapes. His kindness slowly warms her, and she's tempted to confess her real name. But his strong sense of honor would force him to return her to her father...and torment at the hands of her scorned betrothed. 

3.) The Earl's Return by Callie Hutton
Summary (from Amazon):
Four years ago, Darius, the Earl of Redgrave fled London two weeks before his wedding to Lady Mary's sister and married another woman. Now a widower, he has returned to seek a new wife.

At first, Lady Mary doesn't recognize the handsome lord as the cad who ran out on her sister. After giving him the cut direct in a London ballroom, she finds herself running into him everywhere she goes, and fighting a forbidden attraction. Not only has Mary sworn off men, Redgrave is so very wrong for her. Passion between two people who can never be together is a dangerous game.

Tuesday - August 23, 2016
4.) Highland Temptation by Jennifer Haymore
Summary (from Amazon):
When Lady Emilia Buchanan discovers that her despicable father has been scheming against the crown, she turns to the Highland Knights for protection—and retribution. Spirited away to a safe house on the outskirts of London, Emilia is surprised to find herself sharing close quarters with a soft-spoken, musclebound Highlander. Before long, curiosity gives way to an alarming attraction. Emilia has learned firsthand from her father that men are not to be trusted. She just never met one so honorable and loyal, so powerful and, yes, tempting. 


5.) The Double Wager by Mary Balogh
Summary (from Amazon):
Henrietta Tallan has always preferred the company of her brother and his rough-and-tumble friends to that of other ladies. She rebels at the prospect of making her debut into London society and the great marriage mart. However, when her brother's friends challenge her to entice the toplofty, unattainable Duke of Eversleigh into offering her marriage within six weeks, she recklessly accepts and wagers her beloved horse. 

The Duke of Eversleigh, who has always adamantly proclaimed his determination never to marry, is beginning to feel the pull of duty and the need to produce an heir. His friends do not believe he will in so easily, however, and wager with him that he will not make a marriage offer within a month.


CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 23, 2016
1.) Furious Rush by S.C. Stephens
Summary (from Amazon):
Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father's talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team's newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie's skin. His insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who was handed her career fuels her desire to win, and must to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she's racing against Hayden. 


2.) With Every Breath by Maya Banks
Summary (from Amazon):
Eliza Cummings fought free of a monster who terrorized her when she was an innocent teenager and helped put him away for good. She took a job with Devereaux Security Services and devoted every hour to taking down the very thing she'd nearly become. No one, not even those closest to her, know her darkest, shameful secrets. But now the killer has been set free on a legal loophole and it's only a matter of time before he comes for her. Eliza's only choice is to run and lead the monster away from the people she loves.

Wade sterling has always lived by his own rules, a law unto himself who answers to no one. He's never professed to be a good man, and he's definitely not hero material. Wade never allows anyone close enough to see the man behind the impenetrable mask—but one woman threatens his carefully leashed control. He took a bullet for her and the result was more than a piece of metal entrenched in his skin. She was under his skin and nothing he did rid himself of the woman with the courage of a warrior and who thinks nothing of putting her life before others. 

3.) Nailed by Opal Carew
Summary (from Amazon):
When River set up a fundraiser to kick start her nail polish business, she never expected someone to pay five thousand dollars just to have dinner with her. But when she meets her mysterious benefactor, he turns out to be billionaire Kane Winters—the one man from her past who she never wanted to see again.

Kane is determined to right the wrong that happened to River in college—because of him. She's been an obsession he can't escape...and Kane wants River more than he's ever wanted anything. So he offers her a deal she can't refuse: marry him and her business will be a success. But River's knight in shining armor isn't looking for a platonic business deal. He wants their marriage to be real...in every way.

4.) First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 
Summary (from Amazon):
Piper Dove is a woman with a dream—to become the best detective in the city of Chicago. First job? Trail former Chicago Stars quarterback, Cooper Graham. Problem? Graham's spotted her, and he's not happy.

Piper soon finds herself working for Graham himself, although not as the bodyguard he refuses to admit he so desperately needs. Instead, he's hired her to keep an eye on the employees at his exclusive new nightclub. But Coop's life might be in danger, and Piper's determined to protect him, whether he wants it or not. If only she weren't also dealing with a bevy of Middle Eastern princesses, a Pakistani servant girl yearning for freedom, a teenager who just wants to fit in, and an elderly neighbor demanding Piper find her very dead husband.


PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 23, 2016
1.) Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh
Summary (from Amazon):
The "alpha author of paranormal romance" presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible...

Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life's work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander....

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play...

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he's the most fascinating man she's even met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bit out of him...

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet's heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries...



What books are you planning on buying? What ones sound the most interesting? And what is your favorite genre to read?

Submitting to the Marquess by Em Brown
Publication Date: August 16, 2016
Publisher: Self Published
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Would you spend one night at the Chateau Debauchery to indulge in wicked pleasures of the flesh?

Mildred Abbott is a proper Regency miss, but she cannot deny the dark desires that torment her body in the quiet of the night. Engaged to an uninspiring sycophant, she asks her influential cousin to interfere and break her engagement. When her appeals to him fail, she decides to take a singular opportunity—a visit to the Chateau Debauchery—to indulge her most wanton cravings before she submits herself to a life of wedded dullness.

The Marquess of Alistair concerns himself with no one, but to appease his aunt on her birthday, he agrees to select one person whose interests he will look after. It was not his intention to choose his plain and simple cousin, Mildred, but when she unexpectedly shows up at the Chateau Debauchery, his hand is forced. Knowing his aunt to be partial to Miss Abbott, he grudgingly decides to act the part of a gentleman to preserve her honor by removing her from the Chateau.

But Mildred refuses to go until she has had her night of wicked debauchery.

Review:
Although Alistair is hard and selfish, to appease his family he bestows a dowry on his cousin by marriage, Mildred. Mildred is tired of her parents pushing her to marry, and because of their pushing she agrees to marry dull George Haversham, but she instantly regrets it. She begs Alistair to take away the dowry in the hope that George will no longer want to marry her, but Alistair refuses. Resigned to marry, Mildred with the help of her aunt, decides to spend one night at the Chateau Debauchery, a place where men and women act out their deepest desires. But seeing Alistair there is awful, because not only does he find out about her sexual desires and lack of innocence but he also prevents her from going off with the man of her choosing. The thought of his cousin by marriage Mildred having desires is something Alistair's surprised by, but in no way will he let her go off with a stranger to fulfill those desires, so he takes matters into his own hands.

I've read and loved Em Brown's books before, especially Submitting to His Lordship and Punishing Miss Primrose, and Submitting to the Marquess was no different. Submitting to the Marquess is a historical romance with heavy erotic and BDSM elements. But even though most of the story is comprised of sex, Em Brown is able to weave a story that is interesting and kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed both Mildred's and Alistair's characters—Mildred is strong enough to know what she wants and isn't the typical innocent heroine that we often see in historical romances, and Alistair is the typical rogue that only focuses on his own pleasure. The cousin storyline was a little worrying to me at first, but it turned out to be something I wasn't bothered by because Mildred and Alistair are only cousins by marriage. But still, at times I felt a little awkward by their positions as family, even if they weren't blood related, so if that idea grosses you out at all, I would stay away from this one.

Also, please note that this is the first book in a series and the sequel will be coming out in November 2016.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a historical erotica with BDSM elements.

Rating:  

Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Pocket Books
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the third romance in the Love Under the Big Sky series, featuring a veteran struggling with PTSD and the one woman who can help him recover—and learn to love again.

Jillian thought she was a city girl through and through; the fast cars, high fashion, and glamour—she loves it all. But when her ex tells her he's having a baby with his new wife (after Jillian struggled for years to get pregnant), she hightails it back to Montana to cry on the shoulder of her best friend, Cara.

But in truth, Jillian would rather be comforted by someone else...specifically Zack, Cara's broth-in-law. Zack is a veteran of the Iraq War who came back to the family ranch to raise his preteen son after the boy's mother took off. He's struggling to re-establish a relationship with his son, and warding off the demons of PTSD, which still haunt him. The last thing he needs is bold, brassy Jillian...but why can't he keep his hands off her?

Review:
While Jillian takes a trip to Montana to visit her best friend, she ends up having a one night stand with Zack. She's hurt, though, when she wakes up the next morning and discovers Zack left without saying goodbye. So, she puts aside her feelings and flies back home. Months later, Jillian moves to Montana after news that her ex husband's wife is pregnant, something Jillian had been trying to achieve with her ex-husband for years. But while she's in Montana, she sees Zack again, and all the feelings come flooding back. But Zack has his own problems such as trying to take care of his teenage son after his ex-wife abandoned him, and trying to work through his PTSD after the war he fought in. But there's something about Jillian that helps soothe him and he can't seem to keep his hands off of her. Will a one night stand turn into something more?

This is the third book in a series, so while it isn't necessary to read the ones before this, it may help you better understand Jillian and Zack's relationship, because the one night stand happens in the first book, Loving Cara. I really liked Jillian's character—she was quirky, fun and great around Zack's son, and I also liked Zack as a character because while he was often brooding, he was also kind and loving when it came to Jillian. There's a big misunderstanding between Jillian and Zack in the novel, which turns into a big fight, that I didn't think was necessary and it came across as unrealistic, which is one of the things I disliked about it. But the than that, I really enjoyed this one and am definitely going to read more novels by Kristen Proby.

Overall, I recommend Falling for Jillian by Kristen Proby for anyone looking for a sweet contemporary romance.

Rating:

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) Forbidden Legacy by Diana Cosby
Summary (from Amazon):
When the English murder Lady Katherine Galbraith's family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she's determined to keep. After Katherine's daring escape, she's stunned when Scotland's king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephen MacQuistan...as the knight's wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephen may earn her trust, but he'll never win her love.




2.) The Widow's Auction: A Novella by Sabrina Jeffries
Summary (from Amazon):
The Isobel Lumberton, the widowed Lady Kingsley, is confounded by her dealings with the obstinate Justin Antony, Lord Warbrooke, his commanding presence sparks something deep within her. But such romantic thoughts are for naught. For Justin's political aspirations always come first. And Isobel's own secret past could damage both of them permanently.







CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) Hero of Mine by Codi Gary
Summary (from Amazon):
Danielle Hill used to live on the wild side, until a surprise pregnancy forced her to get her act together. Now her whole life revolves around her young son, and she will do anything to keep Noah's heart protected, even if it means avoiding the Marine who makes her want to be oh so bad...

Tyler Best loves his family, his friends, and his life, and he plans on living it to the fullest after nearly losing it. But Tyler didn't bank on running into a beautiful blond with blazing green eyes and a temper to match his. Tyler always thought he wasn't ready to settle down, but Dani and Noah make him rethink his playboy ways...

2.) Ravage by Tillie Cole
Summary (from Amazon):
Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.

As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy. Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.

Friday - August 19, 2016
3.) The Honey Trap by Mary Jayne Baker
Summary (from Amazon):
Journalist Angel Blackthorne is looking for her next big scoop. When her sleazy editor asks her to use her charms on super successful—and married—film director Sebastian Winchester for a juicy expose. Angel thinks what the hell? There's a staff job on the horizon, and, let's be honest, no one can make a cheater cheat if they don't want to, right?







PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - August 16, 2016
1.) The Sight by Chloe Neill
Summary (from Amazon):
Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire's secret is discovered she'll be locked into the walled district of Devil's Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city. 

Bounty Hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire's secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil's Isle's towering walls—to defeat the growing threat before magic corrupts them both...


What books are you planning on buying? Which one sounds the most interesting? And what is your favorite genre to read?