Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake

Posted January 14, 2023 by Marsha in Debut Title, Entangled Publishing, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Sexual Content, Standalone / 0 Comments

Miss Julia Beaumont has exactly one night to find herself a husband…

The Weatherford Ball is the last chance Julia Beaumont has to escape the clutches of her horrid stepmother. Any potential husband will do—rich, poor, even a reasonably well-groomed walrus. But all of Julia’s matrimonial chances are completely obliterated…thanks to the actions of an infuriating and utterly rakish duke.

Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, would never risk his cherished bachelorhood by flirting with marriage-starved debutantes. But one look at the luscious and refreshingly clever Julia, and he simply can’t resist a stolen kiss—scandal be damned. Then just as things start getting deliciously interesting, the lady flees…leaving only a slipper behind.

And it must have been one dandy of a kiss. Because now Julia has proposed to him. After all, the lady needs a husband, and this roguish duke will certainly do. It’s simply a matter of making him the perfect scandalous offer…

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Standalone (debut)

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Cat Scratch Murder by Karen McSpade

Posted January 10, 2023 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Cliffhanger Ending (for now), Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Magic in this witch’s family has a name: Trouble

Meet Sidney Grace. Quirky journalist, Hesitant witch, Professional butterfingers.

Her grandmother believes Sidney’s talent for communicating with the dead makes her the most powerful witch in the family, but Sidney just wants to make it through the day without getting fired.

A young writer living in Boston, Sidney is far from the small wacky town of Crystal Beach, Florida, where her spell-happy grandmother retired. She is perfectly happy with her career, her four cats, and the fact that she hasn’t been on a date in… well, years. All is well until her estranged mother informs Sidney that her grandmother has been arrested for murdering a resident at her retirement community.

Sidney road-trips to Florida to discover that her grandmother has no alibi, her grandfather isn’t as dead as she thought he was, and one of her cats can speak. To make matters worse, the handsome Officer Reece is tough on criminals and even tougher on witches. Who cooked up the deadly scone? And why are residents at Shifting Sands suddenly disappearing?

Now, Sidney must embrace her own magical talents to prove her grandmother’s innocence and stop the killer bent on destroying anyone who gets in the way.

The Crystal Beach Magic Mystery (a Paranormal Cozy Mystery) series include — Cat Scratch Murder —♦— Claw of Attraction —♦— Feline Like a Suspect —♦— A Meowing Suspicion —♦— Paws in Space —♦—

Booksprout ARC

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Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz

Posted January 4, 2023 by Marsha in Mystery, Owned, Paranormal Romance, Series, Thriller / 0 Comments

…a night that changed three women forever—but that none of them can remember. 

Seven months ago, Pallas Llewellyn, Talia March, and Amelia Rivers were strangers, until their fateful stay at the Lucent Springs Hotel. An earthquake and a fire partially destroyed the hotel, but the women have no memory of their time there. Now close friends, the three women co-host a podcast called the Lost Night Files, where they investigate cold cases and hope to connect with others who may have had a similar experience to theirs—an experience that has somehow enhanced the psychic abilities already present in each woman.
 
After receiving a tip for their podcast, Pallas travels to the small college town of Carnelian, California, to explore an abandoned asylum. Shaken by the dark energy she feels in the building, she is rushing out when she’s stopped by a dark figure—who turns out to be the women’s mysterious tipster.
 
Ambrose Drake is certain he’s a witness to a murder, but without a body, everyone thinks he’s having delusions caused by extreme sleep deprivation. But Ambrose is positive something terrible happened at the Carnelian Sleep Institute the night he was there. Unable to find proof on his own, he approaches Pallas for help, only for her to realize that Ambrose, too, has a lost night that he can’t remember—one that may be connected to Pallas. Pallas and Ambrose conduct their investigation using the podcast as a cover, and while the townsfolk are eager to share what they know, it turns out there are others who are not so happy about their questions—and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out.

Titles in The Lost Night Files series include — Sleep No More —◊—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

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The Marriage List by Ella Quinn

Posted January 1, 2023 by Marsha in Historical Romance, Kensington Books, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

As part of a large, rambunctious family, Lady Eleanor Carpenter has gained some knowledge of what makes a successful marriage. She’s even compiled a list of essential qualifications for a potential husband. John, the Marquis of Montagu, seems of good character (check), with money enough to support a family (check). But what of the many other requirements on her list?
 
Montagu, meanwhile, believes the key to a comfortable life lies in marrying someone quiet and docile. Yet the one lady who captivates him could hardly be more different from what he envisioned. Lady Eleanor is as opinionated as she is lovely, determined to improve working conditions for coal miners, even at risk to her own safety.
 
From evenings at Almack’s to carriage rides in Hyde Park, this Season will contain many pleasures—and a few surprises that compel both John and Eleanor to rethink their expectations. For one thing is certain: love will not be defined by any list . . .

Titles in The Worthington Brides series include — The Marriage List —♥— The Husband List —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

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Santa Cruise by Fern Michaels

Posted December 30, 2022 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Kensington Books, NetGalley / 0 Comments

 

At Ridgewood High, Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina formed a deep bond. Now, fifteen years after leaving school behind, they’re back for a reunion, laughing, reminiscing, and chatting about how much has changed—and how much hasn’t.

All four are strong, successful, and somehow, still looking for the right partner. But Frankie has an idea to help solve that: a singles cruise for the holidays.
 
In late December, the four friends gather in Miami, ready to board their state-of-the-art cruise ship. The entertainment options are endless, the food is to die for, and the passenger list includes hundreds of eligible men. The highlight of the week will be a magnificent New Year’s Eve celebration with multiple theme parties, dancing, and fireworks.

The ladies are happy to give Cupid a helping hand here and there, but holidays—like the path of love itself—don’t always go exactly as planned. And over the course of one festive, unforgettable week, all four will set sail on surprising new adventures . . .

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Some Dukes Have All the Luck by Christina Britton

Posted December 8, 2022 by Marsha in Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content / 2 Comments

Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, no more wants to marry than he wants a stick in his eye. As the owner of a gaming hell, he is all too aware the odds of a happy marriage are against him. But raising his three rebellious wards alone is proving more than he can handle. He needs to find someone who stands to benefit from a marriage of convenience as much as he does. Someone logical, clinical, and rational. And in a stroke of luck, he quite literally stumbles over just such a woman.

After years of ridicule for being more interested in bugs than boys, Bronwyn has accepted that she’ll never marry for love. Her parents, however, are threatening to find her a husband. Bronwyn doesn’t need any scientific research to show her Ash has secrets. But his proposal would give her the freedom to continue her entomology research and perhaps finally get published. Just as long as she can keep her mind on her work and off his piercing eyes, broad shoulders, and wicked, wicked tongue.

Titles in the Synneful Spinsters series include — Some Dukes Have All the Luck —♥— What’s A Duke Got To Do with It —♥—

Synneful Spinsters is a spin-off from the Isle of Synne series and those titles include — A Good Duke is Hard to Find—♥—Someday My Duke Will Come—♥—A Duke Worth Fighting For—♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

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The Duke’s Rules Of Engagement by Jennifer Haymore

Posted December 5, 2022 by Marsha in Entangled Publishing, Historical Romance, NetGalley, Regency Romance, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Some matches are made in hell…

Joanna Porter loves being one of London’s hottest up-and-coming matchmakers. But her heavenly vocation is about to turn into a nuptial nightmare—thanks to the Duke of Crestmont. He’s as handsome as he is insufferable and obsessed with all things proper. Matching him would cement Jo’s status as England’s greatest matchmaker. Except, of course, the impossible-to-please duke refuses all of her most eligible ladies…confirming his status as a complete and utter pain in her petticoats.

The Duke of Crestmont can’t believe he needs a matchmaker—let alone this spitfire of a woman whose kissable mouth and dancing, impertinent gray eyes tease him ruthlessly. But the people of his estate are counting on him to find a duchess. A proper lady with a flawless pedigree and immaculate deportment. So why can’t he stop himself from wanting his pert, lively matchmaker…instead of the perfect duchess?

Now the entire ton is watching as this determined, audacious matchmaker takes on the most powerful man in London. And this show might just be the most outrageous one yet…

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

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The Most Wonderful Earl of the Year by Sandra Sookoo

Posted December 5, 2022 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, Regency Romance, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

Love at Christmastide is wonderful… if the couple in question believes in the magic.

Alistair Forsythe, the 12th Earl of Reardon, is the most sought-after man in the ton this Christmastide season. Handsome, of good character, and possessing a large fortune, he finally intends to do his duty to his title after being in India for years. In the market for a wife, he can now easily have his pick of any woman, yet none of them have snared his interest—not since Carole—but she is beyond his reach.

Miss Carole Hazelton doesn’t give two farthings about a man’s position within the ton or his looks. In fact, she’s not thought about the beau monde since that horribly embarrassing day five years ago when Alistair left her standing alone at the altar. Now making her living as a governess, she’s both dismayed and furious to discover the neighbor who’s returned to the townhouse next door is the man who’d jilted her—Alistair.

As that old scandal recirculates, it throws their reputations into question. To repair the damage, the earl and Carole must practice forgiveness. While she’s not quick to forget, he’s not above employing charm and mistletoe to his advantage or drawing on their past romance, but when the feelings they both thought long dead come rushing back, that love just might ruin them both… or provide a second chance they never knew they needed.

Titles in the Headstrong Heroines Standalone Books include — His Pretend Duchess —♥— Visions of Christmastide —♥— The Viscount’s Bluestocking Vixen —♥— A Rogue for Lady Peacock —♥— An Accidental Countess —♥— The Balloonist Wager —♥— She’s Got A Duke to Keep Her Warm —♥— The Most Wonderful Earl of the Year —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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TBR Addition: Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck by Mandy M. Roth

Posted November 12, 2022 by Marsha in Fantasy, Paranormal Women's Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

I love the Grimm Cove series by Mandy M. Roth.  It’s quirky, funny, a touch dangerous, and always a reading experience that I return to as often as possible.  The most recent addition to the series is Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck, and I’m excited to say it’s in my pile of books to be read this coming week.

When Detective Drest Bright meets his newest charge, sparks literally fly. There is no denying the instant attraction he feels for Rachael Frankenstein. But she’s off-limits, and he knows as much. Her family has been a thorn in the side of the Nightshade Fae Hunters for over a hundred years, and they aren’t about to let him run off into the sunset with her without a fight. But if it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’ll get because this lovestruck Fae will do anything he can to be with his mate again.

 

But in the meantime, if you haven’t already gotten started on the Grimm Cove series now is a great time to start – and if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription then it’s even easier to get started. 🙂

Titles in the Grimm Cove series include — Cloudy with a Chance of Witchcraft —♦— Hexing with a Chance of Tornadoes —♦— Spellcasting with a Chance of Spirits —♦— Starry with a Chance of Nightshade —♦— Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck —♦— Wind with a Chance of Wolfsbane —♦—

Find Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck on Amazon for the Kindle with this link.

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Year One by Nora Roberts

Posted November 12, 2022 by Marsha in Fantasy, Owned, Paranormal Romance, Series, Sexual Content, St. Martin's Press, Thriller, Trilogy / 0 Comments

It began on New Year’s Eve.

The sickness came on suddenly and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed—and more than half of the world’s population was decimated.

Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magick rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river—or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.

Titles in the Chronicles of The One trilogy/series include — Year One —◊— Of Blood and Bone —◊— The Rise of Magicks —◊—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

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Christmas at Belhaven Hall by Karla Kratovil

Posted November 1, 2022 by Marsha in Author ARC, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

She wants nothing to do with him or the holiday frivolities…

Lady Olivia Rivenhall has always lived at Belhaven Hall. A year has passed since her husband’s unexpected death, and she’s been living in limbo wondering when she will have to vacate her home and finally decide what to do with the rest of her life. Just as she is beginning to believe that the new earl will never come to take possession of the manor, Maxwell Drake walks back into her life.

After almost dying in a gutter in Venice, Maxwell Drake vows to turn his life around. Learning that he’s inherited his estranged cousin’s title is exactly the fresh start he needs. Max is looking forward to enjoying Christmas in the English countryside at the estate he’s missed, but he’s dreading facing his cousin’s widow, the only woman he’s ever loved.

The attraction is stronger than ever, but so are the wounds. As Christmas magic steals through the ancient halls and secrets beckon to be shared, can these two lonely hearts find a second chance at love?

Titles in The Maidens of Marbury series include — A Perfect Engagement —♥— Saving a Scoundrel —♥— Christmas at Belhaven Hall —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

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