Cover Reveal: Beauty and the Rake by Erica Monroe

So excited to have Erica Monroe on my blog today! She's a wonderful writer and a foodie, like me. 

A Message from Erica: Thanks for sharing in the reveal for my upcoming Rookery Rogues novella, Beauty and the Rake. Set in Whitechapel, London in 1832, Beauty and the Rake slots in-between books 2 and 3 of the series. (Chronologically, the events fall after Book 3.)

Heroine: Abigail Vautille, secondary character from Secrets in Scarlet

Hero: Michael Strickland, secondary character from Secrets in Scarlet

Blurb: Abigail Vautille grew up in the heart of the London rookeries, toiling as a factory worker until one tragic night leaves her disfigured and unable to weave. Faced with starvation or prostitution, she strikes a deal with the man who owns her father’s gambling debts—if he excuses the debt, for one week, she’ll give him her body, but not her heart.

Inspector Michael Strickland of the Metropolitan Police has always led a charmed existence. An unrepentant rake, he buries his problems under a cocksure exterior. Abigail reminds him that everything can change in an instant. As he gets to know her, he begins to see one week with her won’t be enough. He sees the beauty within her, not the beast she believes herself to be.

Yet Abigail’s scars are more than skin deep. With the end of their agreement so close, can Michael convince Abigail she’s exactly what he wants?

Release Info: Beauty and the Rake will be available Winter 2015.

Find this book on Goodreads

Other Rookery Rogue Books Available Now

Secrets in Scarlet, Book 2

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ Google Play ~ AReCafe

A Dangerous Invitation, Book 1

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ Google Play ~ AReCafe

Author Bio: 

Erica Monroe is a USA Today Bestselling Author of emotional, suspenseful romance. Her debut novel, A Dangerous Invitation, was nominated in the published historical category for the prestigious 2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Romantic Suspense. When not writing, she is a chronic TV watcher, sci-fi junkie, lover of pit bulls, and shoe fashionista. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

New Release: Autumn's Kiss by Beth Barany et al. #sweetromance

I am so excited to announce this collection, available today, exclusively on Amazon. Beth Barany has a short story in this collection featuring Rose and Julien and is the continuation of their time-travel love story that began in Touchstone of Love. Congrats Beth! 

Blurb: Ten sweet stories of love. Ten great authors. Ten ways to celebrate Autumn.

Falling in love is timeless. From a sexy medieval stonemason to a small town shopkeeper - Regency England to Napa Vineyards, this selection of Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal and Time-Travel short romance stories is sure to capture your heart.

AUTUMN VOWS. Patricia Kiyono. Contemporary
For 30 years, busy wife and mother Yolanda Murray pushed aside her career for family. With the kids grown now, it’s her turn. But her husband Craig needs surgery, and his worries extend far beyond his health issues. Will this couple survive the changes in the autumn of their lives?

CAROUSEL MAGIC. LaVerne St. George. Contemporary.
For Thomas Martin, feelings don't get in the way of business. As the new owner of an amusement park, he's determined to replace the old carousel with video games. Mayor Ginger Fairchild is equally determined to save the vintage carousel. Can the carousel's magic touch two more hearts?

THE FALL APPLES AND MR. CRAIGSON. Kathy Bosman. Contemporary
Trina knows most men are out for her money, so a fantasy rich husband acts as her shield. She hires attractive Seth Craigson to cut down unwanted trees, certain he won’t discover her secret. As Trina's heart leans toward Seth, he sees past her lie. Does he accept her for herself or see only her wealth?

FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN. Beth Barany. Paranormal/Time Travel
Sexy Medieval stonemason Julien relies on his fiancée Rose to adapt to 21st century life and struggles to find his place in modern times. Holding down two jobs to support her and Julien in expensive San Francisco, software expert Rose has no time for romance. A weekend getaway may provide just the spark these time-crossed lovers need.

A HARVEST OF HOPE. Debby Lee. Historical
After putting away a crooked bootlegger, Meggie and Luke Preston set out for California, hoping for a second chance at life. When their past catches up with them, Meggie must find the courage to face the issues that have driven a wedge into her marriage... or she may lose everything.

THE LONELY SHOPKEEPER. Cindy Flores Martinez. Contemporary
Lately, Judy has been too busy for love. Running a small business in her hometown occupies all of her time. When she meets Graham, a visitor from Scotland, it's chemistry at first sight--and impossible. He's not here to stay. She's not willing to move. What will happen when they fall in love?

RUNAWAY LOVE. Nicole Zoltack. Historical
After harvesting his crops, the last thing Corin Jannings expects is rescuing a woman tossed from a runaway horse. A woman who can't remember who she is. She's highborn, obviously, so it's only a matter of time before someone comes for her. And since she's a lady, Corin cannot dare risk falling for her.

SOFT BURGUNDY NIGHTS. Ruth Roberts. Contemporary
For the first time since she was abandoned, Jessica Rayne has a real home and her dream job as manager of Marchetti Vineyard. After ten years, Rafaele Marchetti has returned from New York, still bitter over his father's mistakes. Rafaele may take away everything Jessica's worked for… or make her dreams of love come true.

VIKING FOR HIRE. Jo Grafford. Historical
Branwyn O’Tyre is convinced her estranged brother plans to arrest her for witchcraft, so she drinks a protection potion before he arrives. A Viking sea captain, living under a curse, witnesses her magic and offers her an escape if only she will help him. The hitch? If she fails, Branwyn's heart will be his forever.

THE WITCHING WELL. Kristy Tate. Time Travel
Celia Quinn holds Jason West responsible for the demise of her grandmother's dress shop, so when she takes a sip of water from the witching well and is transported back to Regency England, Jason West is the last person she wants to see--or kiss.

Get your copy today on Amazon! 

Reading List: December 2012

My wrap up for the year post will be coming by the end of the week. In the mean time here's my list of reads for the month of December. I didn't get nearly as much read as I wanted to.

1. What an Earl Wants by Kasey Michaels*
2. Forever a Lord by Delilah Marvelle*
3. The Other Side of Us by Sarah Mayberry***
4. Death by Chocolate by Julie Lindsey **
5. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
6. Fallen by Celeste Bradley***
7. Romancing the Holidays by Jaci Burton, et al.***
8. The Lady Most Willing by Connie Brockway, Eliosa James, and Julia Quinn***
9. A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan
10. Deck the Halls with Love by Lorraine Heath
11. Death's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden***

In the new year it's more indies, more romance, and more happy reading times. I don't have any definitive plans besides a wedding in August, and hopefully a finished book at some point. In the meantime, my new year's resolution of posting regularly... well, I won't hold  myself to any promises. My plan to continue to review as I can is still in affect, though I plan on backing off a little bit to focus on the gazillion other things I have going on.

*Review coming soon or available on this blog
**Review available on IndieBooksRUs
***Review available or coming soon on TheSeason

Reading List: Oct. & Nov. 2012

It's been while... *breakout in song* I should be a karoke singer, but until I launch my chops on the stage I should probably give loyal fans my reading list. It's all in my head. Secretly I think thousands of people read these posts and then go out and buy the books I'm reading just cause.

October
1. Too Dangerous to Desire by Cara Elliott***
2. Wicked Nights with a Proper Lady by Tiffany Clare***
3. The Importance of Being Wicked by Miranda Neville***
4. Secrets of a Wedding Night by Valerie Bowman***
5. Exposed To You by Beth Kery***
6. Rogue Rider by Larissa Ione***
7. How to Deceive a Duke by Lecia Cornwall***
8. Waltz with a Stranger by Pamela Sherwood***
9. His Mistletoe Bride by Vanessa Kelly***

November
1. Anything He Wants by Sara Fawkes***
2. Flat Spin Spin by David Freed **
3. Teach Me by Amy Lynn Steele***
4. Obsession Wears Opals by Renee Bernard***
5. The Prince by Tiffany Reisz*
6. Touch of Steel by Kate Cross***
7. The Trouble with Being Wicked by Emma Locke***
8. Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas

*Review on my blog
**Review on IndieBooksRUs
***Review available or coming soon to TheSeason

Review: Temptation & Twilight by Charlotte Featherstone

Review: Temptation and Twilight by Charlotte Featherstone

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

For back cover blurb or more information about the author visit Charlotte Featherstone's website here.

Three words that describe this book: anxious, agony, and sensual

Featherstone is a master of sensual description and emotion. In the final book of The Guardians trilogy she once again shows us how she can squeeze every ounce of feeling from the encounters between two people. For Elizabeth York and Iain Sinclair there's plenty of feeling, secrets, and dwelling emotions between once lovers.

Elizabeth is essentially the character we know and love. Mentioned in previous Guardian books, Elizabeth is blind. Featherstone has created a wonderful, strong woman that manages to operate without her sight, which makes the sensuality of the story ten times better. Add in a secondary man in the competition ring and things are downright hawt! Yes, you heard right, there's competition for Elizabeth's hand. Dedicated readers to the series will remember the man Elizabeth was introduced to at the party during Pride and Passion. Oh, and just to confirm this storyline is parallel with Pride and Passion, with the timing of the two being one and the same. There's a few dark moments in this story along with a dark recollections of what happened after Elizabeth and Iain connected the first time.

Now to the subject of Iain. This is was a man that I was extremely attracted to visually, but I found him a bit more sensual then emotional for most of the book. He's Scottish and extremely possessive, which seems to be the main focus of his attentions toward Elizabeth. Along with a deep desire for forgiveness and a need to repent for his previous sins against her, though he's not aware of all of them. Every time he took a step towards an emotional element he'd counteract it by sexually approaching Elizabeth. Halfway through the book it got a bit annoying and I really wanted Iain to grow a bit more. He finally grew, but just a bit slower then I would have enjoyed.

Overall, Temptation and Twilight is a decent book and wraps up the tale of the Guardians for those who've read previous books in the series. By now we know the face of the true villain, but seeing his ultimate defeat at the hands of this group of heroes and heroines is still enjoyable. Iain wasn't nearly as much fun in person as I expected, but Elizabeth exceeded all of my previous expectations.

Review: Too Tempting To Resist by Cara Elliott

Review: Too Tempting to Resist by Cara Elliott

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date: May 1st, 2012

For more info and back cover blurb visit Cara's website here.

A flourishing romance, a sensuous coupling, and the language of flowers...

Elliott easily makes horticulture the sexiest thing ever in this story of an unlikely pair drawn together by chance, and a love of nature transcending beyond simplistic view. In one corner there's the sister of a lord, a widow, bent on keeping her freedom to live without a husband, and determined to save her brother from ruin.

Lady Eliza Brentford is finally free.. of marriage. She would prefer to keep things that way if her brother would just quit attempting to live the frivolous life. Eliza is a delight! She's a painter, a lover of flowers, and one who speaks there language. I have a lot of respect for a woman who protects family and endears people to her by providing care and intelligence. Unfortunately, for Eliza her brother doesn't think of her as a benefit, but as a hindrance. Another part of Eliza is she's closed off to sexual aspects. She's never really experienced anything along the lines of desire or passion. Meeting Gryffin, Marquess of Haddan will change that.

Gryffin is a man of interesting tastes, typically known for his debauchery and insane pursuits. Yet lately the pursuit has lost it's luster. I found a man searching for something meaningful a wonderful storyline for the rakehell. He's looking for more and his travels lead him to Eliza. The air sizzles, the common interests delight, and before you know Gryffin is looking for any reason whatsoever to be near her. Gryffin is one of those heros that's enchanted with the unfamiliar, and in this case the unfamiliar is a female creature he can't seem to shake. I liked this hero as much as I liked the heroine. The setting, the subplots, and the character development was extremely enjoyable.

My only caveat was the fact that Gryffin and Eliza spent a lot of time building false tension and conflict. You could have developed plenty of different scenerios to excite the reader without a misunderstanding between Gryffin and Eliza occurring. For me the 'misunderstanding' line is the most overused in the business and I prefer plain speaking. Honesty and trust build relationships.

Overall, this is a good story about two people who should have been together all along, but just weren't ready to be. It's a great mid-way point for Elliot's Lords of Midnight trilogy, and I can't wait for the final installment and hellhound Cameron's tale. If you enjoy Stephanie Laurens you'll like this book.

Review: Scotsmen Prefer Blondes by Sara Ramsey

Review: Scotsmen Prefer Blondes by Sara Ramsey

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For more the back cover blurb or more info on this author visit Sara Ramsey's website here.
A second dose of heart stopping romance and how a woman can release the animal in any man.

Amelia Staunton is on a mission to help her friend wed, and wed well. That means a trip to a castle in Scotland. Amelia hopes to stand by her friends side and get some inspiration for her latest story. Instead she finds herself attracted to the very man her friend would marry Malcolm MacCabe.

Determined to be the Laird his people need, and keep the tenants in Scotland MacCabe needs a respectable wife who can give him an 'in' to the hearts and minds of the English Lords. Amelia is no such woman, but MacCabe can't help the attraction to her defiant and fiery nature nor the desire such actions spark. Soon the two are caught in situation warranting the unthinkable marriage between the two with no escape. Can the desire and love growing between them survive all?

Amelia, a writer and a woman with a sharp tongue. I loved her! She's very stubborn, but when it comes to caring about someone she has a heart of gold. This character has a beautiful way with insults too, and knows just when those barbs are gonna hurt the worst. There are many moments where Amelia has a problem with keeping her mouth shut, but surprisingly this part of her character didn't ruin the story it enhanced the conflict because I didn't really know what she was gonna say next. A woman who speaks her mind isn't always a bad thing. ;)

MacCabe is the domineering male, who's not always the brightest when it comes to judging people. Amelia's mouth and tendency to let whatever fly out of it is more of a turn on for him; rather than a turn off. Now, readers of the blog will know I'm a sucker for alpha's. MacCabe is pretty close, but not quite there. Regardless I liked him and his ignorance when it came to not figuring out Amelia's writing secret sooner.

Ramsey definitely has a theme with her Muses of Mayfair series. The ladies have secrets and the men getting entangled with them either have to step up to protect the ladies or abandon them... if you want to know what happens then you'll just have to buy the books. Let's just say regardless of MacCabe's decision there's plenty of hoops to jump through and a historical good time. I'm definitely primed to get my greasy paws on the last of this trilogy.

Review: Once Upon a Wicked Night by Jennifer Haymore

Review: Once Upon a Wicked Night by Jennifer Haymore

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Release Date: February 1st, 2012

For backcover blurb and more info on Jennifer Haymore visit her website here.

Not a novella, and left a little bit of wanting.

For those looking for the reasons behind Haymore's Donovan sisters seeking to erase scandal and prevent scandal then this little novella is definitely worth a peek. I've never read a single novel by Haymore and this novella was my first jump into her writing. For those who've read the first book in the Donovan series reading this piece will not affect anything. For those who haven't read a thing... stop here.

Let me first say that this really wasn't a novella, it felt more like an epilogue and a prologue/ segway between books 1 and 2 of this series. I enjoyed the writing style, and will admit to finding a fondness with Haymore's ways of depicting villians. What I did not enjoy was being teased relentlessly and then unable to buy the next book in the series. Improper advertising is what this is.

Now, Haymore does provide plenty of set up, and if you've already read the 2nd book in the Donovan series Once Upon a Wicked Night may be worth the read if you want stage center for what went down between Olivia and the horrendous Marquis of Fenwicke prior to book 2. Die hards for this series may be interested as well.

I'll admit this is also a great sampler of Haymore's storytelling abilities, and she does a good job of creating tension and emotional attachment. For those reasons I give this 3 stars and plan on reading another novel to learn more.