How to Entice an Earl (Ugly Ducklings #3) by Manda Collins

RATING:

4 Out Of 5

REVIEW:

Lady Madeline Essex is not ready to get married yet, even though her cousins Cecily and Juliet have both found love with their husbands. Before she even the considers the idea of matrimony, she wants to write a novel before she takes that next step. Her novel is at the center of a Gaming Hell, so she decides to go to one to get information for her novel. After brow beating her brother, he takes her to Mrs. Baily’s Gaming Hell, where she runs into her cousin’s husbands friend, Colonel Lord Christian Monteith, the new Earl of Gresham…
Christian has undertaken a mission from his former commanding officer to investigate a gamester for espionage, who happens to be a friend of Maddie’s brother. Christian is informed that they will be attending Mrs. Bailey’s he decides to attend to see what information he can gather. So when Maddie enters Mrs. Bailey’s with her brother he is not surprised since they become acquainted since his friend, Lucas Dalton the Duke of Winterson courtship with her cousin Cecily, but that doesn’t stop him from taking her aside and scolding her for being there…
When a murder takes place and Maddie happens to be the one to find the body and discovers its her brother’s friend. After her brother is found to have left Mrs Baily’s, people are suspicious that he his involved. Maddie decides to find the murderer to clear her brothers name and since Christian was going to look into it since the person he was gathering in tel about turned up murdered decides to help Maddie and protect her from trouble. Now that they are thrown together, they now face this undeniable attraction for each other that can’t be denied. And Maddie wonders if it will turn into a love that her cousins have found with their husbands…
This was a great conclusion to the “Ugly Duckling” trilogy. I really liked Christian’s character. He was honest, protective of those who he considers friends and his family, and patient, though Maddie has a way of running his patience thin. And though he disagrees with Maddie’s ideas and plans, he knows he wouldn’t be able to talk her out of it and decides to make sure he is there to protect her just in case. I like the friendship he has with Winterson and Deveril, and it was fun to see how it developed throughout the trilogy.
I liked Maddie in the first two books. And though I still liked her character, some of the things that she did didn’t seem like it was something she would of done. Like her other cousins, she has a stubborn streak when she decides to do something. But unlike Cecily and Juliet, she didn’t seem really smart on how she went about to do things, which I didn’t really notice when she was mentioned in the other two books. It just didn’t seem like it was natural, but I guess it did have story flow without holding it up or having something added that didn’t make since so in the end it worked out.
I do like how in all the books that the author had all the couples, Winterson and Cecily, Juliet and Deveril, and in the end Maddie and Christian in them which made the story fun when they were in it. I enjoyed how at the end of this book that you even read how Amelia Snow, Cecily’s, Juliet’s, and Maddie’s arch-nemesis turn a new leaf and it makes me wonder if the author has a story planned for her. And in a way I think it would be fun to see how her character grows, from this trilogy and to her own story, and to see the man that would finally sweep her off her feet. I do hope if Ms. Collins does one, that she mentions these guys in it. ;o)

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How to Romance a Rake (Ugly Ducklings #2) by Manda Collins

RATING:

4 Out Of 5

REVIEW:

After receiving a note from her friend and piano mentor, Mrs. Anna Turn, Miss Juliet Shelby, becomes distress at what happened to her friend. When Lord Alec Devenish, the Viscount of Deveril, comes upon her and sees her distress, he offers to help her find her friend. In her desperation, she agrees to allow his assistance, and in the process she tries to hide the feelings she has for him…
Alec is drawn to Juliet in a way he is quite unsure of. He has this urge to keep her protected and when he sees some of her mothers abuse towards her, he wants to keep her safe from her mother. After agreeing to help find Mrs. Turner, him and Juliet looks for clues to find her whereabouts. After both of them a thrown together, they are unable to deny the attraction that is between, though they both have secrets that they want to remain hidden from each other. After Alec discovers the plans her mother has in store for her, he offers to marry her and when she agrees, they find themselves on their way to Gretna Green to keep her safe from her mothers machinations…
This was a fun book to read, though I did enjoy its predecessor, “How To Dance With A Duke” a little better. As I was reading it, it just didn’t seem to have the same feeling to it, but it was still an enjoyable book to read.
Both Alec and Juliet grew up with a very domineering parent, that had some way left their mark on them. I loved reading how they both were able to overcome what they thought were fatal flaws, and they both helped each other to overcome it. I enjoyed how their relationship began as partnership that had developed into feelings for each other.
Though Cecily, Winterson, Maddie, and Montieth were mentioned in their story, they didn’t really have much involvement with Maddie and Deveril like they had in the first book of the series. I did enjoy however, how both Cecily and Maddie insisted on helping the gentleman save Juliet in the end and that the author still shown the girl’s stubborn nature of not leaving it just to the men.
The book was an enjoyable read, which did leave me wanting to read the book for Maddie and Montieth, so I can read what mischief they will all get into next and how this so far fun trilogy comes to an end.

 

How to Deceive a Duke by Lecia Cornwall

RATING:

4 Out Of 5

REVIEW:

Meg Lynton is about to undertake the ultimate deception. When her sister Rose runs away before her arranged marriage to Nicholas Hartley, Duke of Temberlay, better known to all through the scandal sheets as Devil, she takes it upon herself to take her sister’s place to save her family from destitution. So, she dawns a thick veil and steps in, and since the Duke has never met his intended bride she hopes that her deception won’t be figured out until all was said and done. But what is not known to those who know her is that she always was curious who the man is behind the scandalous stories written…
Nicholas never wanted to get married or have the responsibilities of the dukedom. But after Nicholas’ brother dies, he was forced to resign his commission in the army and become the next Duke of Temberlay. With the dukedom’s finances in dire straights he makes a deal with is grandmother, if she gives him the funds to use where it is needed, he will marry the woman of his grandmother’s choosing. When he sees his bride walking down the aisle with a thick veil he fears that she is must be hideous. But when she later removes the veil and he sees her face, he never expected her to be a very beautiful woman…
When I first started reading this book I didn’t know what to expect and I ended up really enjoying this book. When Meg’s deception was brought up, I was worried that it would be dragged out until the middle towards the end until Nicholas found out. I thought Nicholas’ reaction to the deception was genuine, and I enjoyed how they were able to resolve the situation after he dragged her back home. I really liked Meg’s and Nicholas’ relationship. Though they have a rocky start I liked how they decided to get to know each other and spend some time together and get to know each other.
I really liked Meg’s character. She was tough, spirited, and strong willed. It was understandable that it was hard for Meg to figure out her feelings for Nicholas given his reputation. I liked how she was able to discover Nicholas’ true character behind the man mentioned in the scandal sheets. I enjoyed how she was able to gain confidence in herself though she was always let down by her father when he referred to her as his Ugly Duckling out of all his daughters.
I thought Nicholas’ character was a welcome difference in comparison to other heroes of in books that I have read. I liked how he was loyal to his family even though he didn’t have the best relationship with his grandmother. I liked how you found out he is a true hero and that you find out he is nothing like what he is portrayed in the scandal sheets. I enjoyed how he actually mentioned to his last mistress that he is ready to be reformed. I enjoyed reading his character grow along with his relationship with Meg.
I wasn’t sure if Nicholas’ Grandmother would be a likeable character or not. I liked how the author kept me guessing until the last possible moment.
Meg’s family were interesting side characters. And I was happy that Rose wasn’t the main heroine. I think the author did a good job revealing her as a spoiled and having a high opinion of herself in the few scenes she is mentioned. I did enjoy the banter between Meg’s mom, Flora and her godfather and Uncle, Hector. I thought Hector had some funny one liners and enjoyed his scenes.
I didn’t much care for how those that were responsible for Nicholas’ brothers and Meg’s fathers death and financial ruin didn’t really get their full come up pence. I also didn’t like how the truth wasn’t revealed to those that were close to Nicholas that believed he was at fault for his brother’s death. And I think I would have like to have known what Nicholas actually decided to do about his grandmother. Other then that, all in all the book was really enjoyable to read.

Dancing with the Duke (Landing a Lord 0.5) by Suzanna Medeiros

RATING:

4 Out Of 5

REVIEW:

Alex, The Duke of Clarington is in the worst place possible… Almack’s at the beginning of the season, all do to a promise he made with his mother and sister to have one dance with his sister’s best friend, Charlotte, to launch her into society. Its been 7 years since Alex has last seen Charlotte Grant, who was gangly, always blushing around him, and stuttering every time she spoke to him. But when she is announced and walks in with his mother and sister, he doesn’t recognize the women standing there…
Charlotte has always been in love with Alex ever since she met him. Lack the confidence to make it known to him since she was but a teenager. But now that she was older she gains the confidence to finally see if she can get him to look her way, along with his sister’s help…

This was a good start to the “Landing a Lord” series. I always had a weakness’ stories when they new each other since they were younger and when the heroine has been in love with hero ever since. I really liked how after Alex realizes his feelings for Charlotte that he wanted to court her openly in society. And though Charlotte was a little fast in jumping to conclusions about situations that came up during their relationship progress, it added a touch of reality to the relationship when you think that she has been in love with Alex since she was 15 and who wouldn’t have some insecurities when things seem to good to be true.
I was a little disappointed that it was really short and I wished there was a little more to Alex and Charlotte story. I wished the author went into more detail about Alex’s friends and also had them a little bit more involved in the story. As well as Alex’s mother, and though Lucy, Alex’s sister, was a little bit more involved, after all she is Charlotte’s best friend and partner in crime.
For a novella, it was written really well. Though I wish there was more to their story, the author did a good job in having the story flow really well. She didn’t leave you hanging and have some areas dragging. All in all it was a good novella, and it has made me interested in the other books in the series.

‘Twas the Night After Christmas (Hellions of Halstead Hall #6) by Sabrina Jeffries

RATING:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

“Dear Sir,
Forgive me for my impertinence, but I feel I should inform you that your mother is very ill. If you wish to see her before it is too late, you should come at once.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Camilla Stuart”

When Pierce received this letter from his mother’s companion, it chilled him. He didn’t have a good relationship with his mother, ever since he was eight and sent to school. He wasn’t allowed to come home and spend time with his mother or father during the holidays and was always sent to his father’s family. And when he hit the age of majority, there was an incident that had him turn away from both parents and never saw them again. Even after his father’s funeral he never established a relationship with is mother. So after receiving this letter he thought he would do the right thing and say his goodbyes and hear his mother’s explanation…
When Camilla sent the letter to Pierce Waverly the Earl of Devonmont, she wasn’t actually being honest… The countess was in excellent health, other then her being sad and pining for her son who hasn’t even written back to his mother. She wasn’t even sure if her farce would work, but when the Earl shows up, she is really surprised, and scared of her position when the Earl learns she lied. The Earl his ready to leave straight away, but after Camilla makes a bargain with him he decides to stay. After each day he stays Pierce and Camilla get closer and more attracted to each other, but they each have their own secrets and don’t know what to do with their attraction…

Since its that time of year, I have been reading books that has Christmas involved with the story. I enjoyed reading this book and it was different compared to anything I have read. I enjoyed how Pierce’s and Camilla’s relationship grew each day that he decided to stay and how as time went on, he was able to share his secrets with her. It wasn’t one of those, that when they first one or the other or sometimes both had to have the other person, but they actually got to know each other.
Though Pierce and his mother’s relationship was tense, you were able to tell that she was devoted to her son and it made me wonder what happened to make her distance herself from him. It made me look forward to seeing how everything turned out in the end.
Jasper, Camilla’s son, was just adorable. He was obsessed with the “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, but it really came apart of the story in a lot of the activities that the did. And I thought that Ms. Jeffries did a great job integrating both Jasper and the poem in the story.
All in all I thought it was a decent book to read for the holidays since its based on forgiveness and new beginnings.

Christmas Babies (Holiday Babies) by Mona Risk

RATING:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

Madelyn Ramsey just lost out on the new directors position at the Women’s Clinic at St. Lucy’s Hospital to Dr. Nick Preston, job the she was absolutely trying her best to obtain. Though she takes the loss gracefully. After agreeing to join Nick and her other colleagues at the Sea-Waves bar for a celebration of his new position, she heads to a doctor and friend in Miami hoping that her blood results and tests that she had done before didn’t turn out to what she feared. After hearing the results that she has early symptoms of epilepsy. And she is determined to start having a little fun and not just devote herself to her career…
Nick has been trying to go on a date with Madelyn for 5 years now and was excited that she finally agreed to meet him at the Sea-Waves bar for his celebration. After hours pass by he is afraid that she wont show up, until he sees a whole new Madelyn walk threw the door. He can’t help but wonder what brought on this new Madelyn and hopes to get to know her better, without having a committed relationship…

The book was an enjoyable short read. Everything was face paced and I would have been able to read it in one setting if I started reading it earlier in the day. Fortunately the author did a good job of having it flow just right where you at least didn’t feel like you missed anything or having random things added to it. I did enjoy they relationship between Nick and Madelyn and how it seemed to grow with each encounter. I thought her mom was the perfect matchmaker. The twins were just the right addition in getting everything to come together in the end.
It was a good book revolving around the holidays. So I am glad that I came across while its the Christmas season. I recommend this book anyone looking for a short, light, emotional book to read for the holidays.

His Mistletoe Bride (Stantons) by Vanessa Kelly

RATING:

3.5 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

After a long journey to England to finally meet and live with grandfather, Phoebe Linville is sad to learn that her grandfather died a little before the journey started. When Major Lucas Stanton, the new Lord Merritt, delivers the unfortunate news he also gives Phoebe a letter to her from her grandfather she learns that his last denying wish was for Lucas to marry her and her remain in England and away from her miserable life in America. And though she finds Lucas insanely attractive, she doesn’t want to become a burden to him and declines his offer…
Lucas Stanton,the new Earl of Merritt, never met anyone like Phoebe. When her grandfather ask Lucas to make a promise to take her as his wife, he wasn’t really excited about it. Not only did he inherit a home that was crumbling down around him and become Lord of a town that have had it rough, he also made an honor bound promise to the old Earl to marry Phoebe that she in turns declines. But as he gets to know her, he realizes that she his the one he wants to be his wife…

I have read a few books about Vanessa Kelly that I really enjoyed. So when I came across this one and it being Christmas, I thought I would give a try. It turned out to be somewhat difficult for me to get through the book. For the first half of the book it was all about there courtship, which most of the time I don’t mind since I like it when the hero and heroine usually get to know each other. But in this instance it seemed to take for ever for them to get together and get married. The next part was of them trying to return their home, Mistletoe Manor, into it’s original splendor. Then I guess to add a dash of suspense they become aware of a smuggling ring in their town, which everyone that has lived their knew of it and turned a blind eye or was apart of it.
I didn’t much for the heroine, Phoebe. Their were one or two instances that your like “okay she is not too bad”, then she does something that negates it. She seems to always misunderstands the situation and at times seems a bit spoiled when Lucas doesn’t take her side. And at times she acts a bit dense and a lack of trust which turn some situations for the worse.
I did like Lucas. Though he went form being just a soldier to an Earl, you find how difficult it was for him to being just a mere soldier to one with all the responsibilities that come with becoming the new Earl of Merritt. It was interesting to read how his character develops to his new status.
The return of characters from the authors previous books was a nice addition and it was fun to read how they contribute to the story.
All in all, it was interesting to read once so you know Lucas and Phoebe’s story when they are later mentioned in one of Ms. Vanessa Kelly’s later books and see how they grow from this book to when they are later mentioned in another.

How to Dance with a Duke (Ugly Ducklings #1) by Manda Collins

RATING:

4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

RATING: 4.5 Out Of 5 Stars

Miss Cecily Hurston is trying to gain access her father’s club, the Egyptian Club. She is trying to locate he father’s journals of his last expedition, because she believes the hold the answer’s to what happened during that expedition. Not only does her father return very ill, but there our rumors circulating that about a curse circulating him and even more distressing that he may be responsible for the disappearance of his secretary, William Dalton. So, she is desperate to find her father’s coded journals, that only she can decipher. Just as she was leaving mad for being denied she happens to see a very attractive man, that happened to see most if not everything that happened…
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson on a search to find clues about the disappearance of his brother, William Dalton. When he went to the Egyptian Club in hopes of finding some clues her runs into Cecily, not knowing at first that she is the daughter of the man who is said to be responsible for his brother’s disappearance. After clearing the air, they decide to help each other out in finding clues to there questions of, where is the location of her father’s journals and what happened to William Dalton. During the process however, they both seem unable to deny the sparks of attraction between them….

This was a really fun book to read and a great start to the “Ugly Ducklings” series. Lucas and Cecily were fantastic partners. I liked how they new each other strengths and were able to help each other in finding clues to solving their dilemmas.
The side characters were a great addition and makes you look forward to Cecily’s cousins and Lucas’ friends stories which are, Miss Juliet Shelby and Lord Alec Deveril story (How to Romance a Rake) and Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith book (How to Entice an Earl).
I really enjoyed reading this book and was one of those that I could have read without putting down. The story was written really well and kept me interested until the end. They only thing that I didn’t much care for was how long it took for Cecily to get over her past heartbreak and admit that she loved Lucas. So other then that it was an absolutely delightful story.

Mountain Fire by Brenda Margriet

RATING:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

When June Brandt is taking a little time off and goes hiking, she meets Alex Weaver when he drops by the cabin that she is staying at. When Alex informs her that he is there to investigate a the death of a grizzly bear and asks her to show him the location, she goes a long and helps him out. After finding the grizzly’s body and investigating it, they determine its the work of a poacher…
After the investigation and having no leads to follow Alex and June go there separate ways. But Alex can’t keep June out of his mind and he finds ways to get to know her. When another bear is reported being dead, he asks June to come along and help them. Which in turn has them being targeted by the poachers. So now they have to find a way to get the poachers captured… And figure out where the feelings they have developed for each other will led them…

This was an interesting book to read. I like how Alex and June’s relationship develops, and how it wasn’t rushed into it. Though they both have different opinions about love and marriage they were able to overcome it and come to an understanding about their future. I really enjoyed June’s family members and they were fun side characters.
The story plot flowed really well. There wasn’t any added storyline that distracts you from the main story and everything comes together by the end. To me it become a little obvious who the villain was towards the beginning, so I wasn’t kept in suspense on who it could be. So, I did look forward to how the ones responsible got their come-up-ping’s.

Haunted Spouse by Heather MacAllister

RATING:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

Lizzie is an architect that designs her favorite thing, Haunted Houses. Its that time of the year where she is in really high demand, and her entire schedule is filled to the brim. She is really surprised one day when she receives a call from Jared Rutledge, an architect that designs really classy establishments. He is creating a Haunted House to gain funds for a physical therapy center and really needs her help. Though her schedule is really full, she can’t help want to do the job to prove that haunted houses are not “frivolous structures” as he used to call them… Because a few years ago they weren’t only business partners, they were also married…
Jared Rutledge was not happy with the way the Haunted House he designed. It is not turning out they way he wanted it to and he is really in need of help to make it a hit, so he breaks down and decides to call his ex-wife for her help. When they reunite, they are off to a bad start when Jake mentions that Lizzie is wasn’t her talent on haunted houses and that she should design more classic type buildings, but as soon as they call it a truce and start to work together to get the haunted house completed, they soon realize the sparks between them never died…

I never read a book about Halloween that didn’t have the usual vampires, werewolves, etc. involved. When I came across this one at Amazon for a Kindle e-book for free I figured I would give it a try, and I am happy that I did. It was a fun story about two people who were total opposites in many ways, but were able to figure out away to be together. When they reunited and they finally were able to talk to each other and was able to discuss about way their marriage didn’t work out before, they were able to resolve it so that they can have a fresh start.
The story was a little short and I was kind-of hoping that their would be an epilogue that was set a year or two later to show the readers how the relationship progressed, but I guess it didn’t end on a bad note.