The Viscount's Addiction by Scottie Barrett
England's prisons can make a man bitter. Betrayal can make him merciless.
Falsely accused of murder and left to rot in England's infamous prison system, Ryder Braddock, Viscount Blackwood, is finally proven innocent. He returns to his estate a changed, embittered man with a craving for opium and an unwanted wife. Determined to see this complete stranger pay for her trickery--no matter how beautiful she is--he threatens her with arrest... after he enjoys his conjugal rights.
Jessie's husband has come home. Brutalized by her stepfather into marrying the dangerous convict and opium-eater, she soon discovers he is far from the criminal she'd imagined as she helps him through opium withdrawal. And she quickly discovers the only thing truly in danger is her heart.
With Jessie's help, Ryder frees himself from the drug, only to find it replaced with a new compulsion--an insatiable need for his wife.
The book has been previously published but expanded for Samhain.
Warning, this title contains the following: graphic language, explicit sex, light spanking, anal play.
(Information courtesy of Amazon.com - Kindle version)
This description is very good - pretty much tells you the entire story. This was quite an unusual one - you don't usually have an opium eater/drug addict as the hero of the story, but it worked here. Both are tortured souls seeking a happier life. This is by no means a cheerful book, but love triumphs at the end.
My Rating: ****
Breath of Heaven by Cindy Holby
A knight who has known honor but never love; a mysterious huntress with a closely guarded secret; a long-standing feud between rival lords; an arranged marriage with a surprisingly sensual consummation-Cindy Holby puts a fantasy spin on some of the most beloved elements of historical romance.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
I bought this book because the cover caught my eye - it was beautiful, and cover dude is hot. And I do love medieval romances. And this was a good story, was great chemistry between the leads. However, though I love historical romances with paranormal elements, I think the addition of some of those elements near the end of the book just ended up making it silly. But I enjoyed it until then.
My Rating: ****
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.
Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.
Linnet is not just any woman.
She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.
Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.
If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
After getting into this book a bit, the story started to sound familiar. And no, I didn't get a "Beauty and the Beast" feeling. It was "Dr. Gregory House, Historical Edition". Yes, the hero reminded me a lot of the T.V. show "House". And after reading the author's comments at the end of the book, that was what she intended. Fortunately, I am a big House fan. Otherwise, I may have been turned off. I did enjoy the book - the chemistry and dialogue between the leads were charming.
My Rating: ****
Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter, Book 2) by Nalini Singh
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena...
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
Looking for a light-hearted urban fantasy/paranormal romance? This ain't it. However, if you like your stories very dark and sensual, you've come to the right place. First off, I don't recommend reading this 2nd book in the series until you've read the first, but I wouldn't consider this stand alone. And you'd miss so much of the awesome world-building that was in the first one. Elena is now an angel, and she is being trained by Raphael and some of his Seven. There's a mystery going on while Elena is adjusting to her change, together with having to deal with Lijuan, an Ancient who controls the dead. Action packed with some very sensual scenes, this is a series that should not be missed.
My Rating: *****
When Seducing a Duke (Victorian Soap Opera, Book 1) by Kathryn Smith
Enchant. Tempt. Entice. Beguile. Just a few things a woman must do when seducing a duke . . .
Rose Danvers charms her way into the glittering masked ball with only one man on her mind. She would risk certain scandal for a kiss from Greyden Kane, Duke of Ryeton—though she lusts for much, much more . . .
The ravishing woman in burgundy takes Grey's breath away. She reminds him of the sheltered beauty entrusted to his care, the only one who has ever touched his icy heart. But Rose would never allow herself to be so indiscreet, so ruled by passion . . .
Believing their forbidden embrace a terrible mistake, Grey knows he must do the honorable thing and find Rose a husband. But Rose will not be pawned off for propriety's sake. She will not rest until her seduction is complete and she has the duke bedded, wedded, and deeply satisfied. All he has to do is say yes . . .
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
I absolutely love the historical paranormal romance series by Ms. Smith, and I enjoy her regular historical romances just as much. Something about this book just grabbed me; I was seduced by Grey, he of the wickedly scarred face and equally wicked past. Rose is quite an unusual heroine. She knows what she wants, and she doesn't hesitate to go after it. That includes reading dirty magazines. I won't go into the storyline. Suffice it to say it was filled with wonderful characters, an intriguing storyline, sensual love scenes, and emotions that grab you by the throat and don't let you go until long after the story is over.
My Rating: *****
Hunger Untamed (Feral Warriors, Book 5) by Pamela Palmer
They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .
For a thousand years she has haunted him—Ariana, Queen of the linas, a beauty of mist and light. His love, his life mate . . . Kougar believed her lost to him forever, until the truth of her stunning betrayal left him bitter and hungry for revenge. Now she alone holds the power to save two trapped and desperate Feral Warriors.
Ariana, caught in a deadly battle of her own, is neither the soulless creature Kougar believes her to be nor the savior he seeks.
And when darkness threatens to annihilate both races, the greatest danger of all becomes the glorious love Kougar and Ariana once shared. A love that must never rise again. A love that has never died.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
First off, let's discuss the cover. When this series started, I actually hesitated to buy the books because the covers were kinda....well, tacky. Things have definitely changed for the better with the last 2 installments. I think this has got to be my favorite so far. Anyhooooo...
I think Ms. Palmer has now really hit her stride with these stories, also starting with the last book. Though the first were entertaining, I think we're now seeing a higher emotional level between our alpha males and their woman, and the stories flow much more smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed this outing. I've liked Kougar since the beginning, and was looking forward to finding out about his broken mating bond. And what an emotional rollercoaster Kougar and Ariana's story ending up being! I'm really looking foward to the next book...and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be Wulfe's!
My Rating: ****
His Captive Lady (Devil Riders, Book 2) by Anne Gracie
No one can resist the Devil Riders: four war heroes in search of one good woman.
Harry Morant's tough exterior hides a badly scarred heart. The natural son of an earl, high-born ladies have only one use for him—in the bedchamber. Now, after eight years at war, Harry is breeding racehorses and planning a practical, unemotional marriage. But when he buys a new estate, his careful plans are threatened by an unexpected passion for— of all things—an earl's daughter.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
The first book I read of Anne Gracie's was the 4th book in the Devil Riders series (yeah, it figures - number 4), and I absolutely adored it. It stood alone, and I hoped this one did, too. It did, and I'm SO glad I read it! This was a heart-breaking yet ultimately triumphant romance. Something about this story just touched me, and I don't think I could have asked for beter leads than Harry and Nell. I've got to get the other books than I'm missing!
My Rating: *****
To Seduce a Sinner (Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 2) by Elizabeth Hoyt
THE ONE THING HE CANNOT REVEAL ...
For years, Melisande Fleming has loved Lord Vale from afar ... watching him seduce a succession of lovers, and once catching a glimpse of heartbreaking depths beneath his roguish veneer. When he's jilted on his wedding day, she boldly offers to be his.
TO THE ONE WOMAN HE MOST DESIRES ...
Vale gladly weds Melisande, if only to produce an heir. But he's pleasantly surprised: A shy and proper Lady by day, she's a wanton at night, giving him her body --- though not her heart.
IS HIS DEEPEST NEED ...
Determined to learn her secrets, this sinner starts to woo his seductive new wife --- while hiding the nightmares from his soldiering days in the Colonies that still haunt him. Yet when a deadly betrayal from the past threatens to tear them apart, Lord Vale must bare his soul to the woman he married ... or risk losing her forever.
(Information courtesy of Goodreads.com)
After reading the first book in this series, I went out and bought all other available Elizabeth Hoyt novels. It was that good. And thank goodness, after reading the second book, I found that it was no fluke! This was a continuation of the first story, and our hero and heroine appeared in that book. I wasn't sure how I would enjoy Vale's story, as he rather sounded like a nut, and was described as rather comical looking, except for his turquoise eyes. Apparently looks aren't everything, because I just loved him! The chemistry between Vale and Melisande was scorching. The elements dealing with PTSD added great depth to the story. Now to find book number 3 in my TBR files!
My Rating: *****
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