Review - - A Waltz on the Wild Side

A Waltz on the Wild Side

by Erica Ridley

The Wild Wynchesters - Book 6

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 26, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Advice columnist Miss Vivian Henry hates how the Wild Wynchesters flaunt so many privileges ordinary people could never emulate. But when her beloved cousin goes missing and the authorities shrug, Viv has no choice but to beg for help from the vigilantes she despises. 
 
Aspiring poet Jacob Wynchester prefers animals to people. He’d rather stay behind the safety of a quill than interact with prickly clients. But when he's appointed lead investigator, Jacob finds he admires Vivian's resourcefulness and intelligence—including the sharp wit he must parry. As they team up to rescue her kidnapped cousin, they discover just how compatible they are.
 
Together, they must not only save the day, but also decide how far they’re willing to go to be who they really are. And determine whether their partnership is a mistake… or the missing piece that completes them.

PJ's Thoughts:

A Waltz on the Wild Side is a solid conclusion to what has been an excellent series. All of the Wynchesters - and their partners - return for this farewell story but it's quiet, gentle Jacob who takes the lead when a young man goes missing and the authorities don't seem to care.

I always enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers story and this one is most definitely that. The Wynchester family is Vivian's absolute last resort when her cousin goes missing. To say she holds them in low regard would be a gross understatement. While her young cousin idolizes these crime-fighting adopted siblings, Vivian is convinced they are too rich, too entitled, and too full of themselves. She has a sharp quill, sharp tongue, and two pets of her own that are enough to scare off every adversary. She will not be easily won over. 

Jacob is a kind soul who is more at home with animals than people, his family being the exception. It was fun to watch him take the lead on a case, especially with the sparks that fly between him and Vivian. These two have more in common than they think. Working together to try to find Vivian's cousin not only deepens feelings but also helps each of them evolve in unexpected ways as they journey toward personal fulfillment and, as a couple, their own happy ending.

As with the earlier books in this series, Ridley brings plenty of adventure, fun, and humor to this one. I enjoy the dynamics among the Wynchester siblings and their chosen partners. There's plenty of teasing but an equal amount of respect and support. And, as always, a few surprises. There are also important social issues addressed in this book, in particular those relating to wealth, race, and gender. I appreciate how Ridley balances the entertainment value of her books with issues important to the time, keeping the characters and their challenges authentic. I'm excited to discover what she plans to bring readers next. 

Review - - Hot Earl Summer

Hot Earl Summer

by Erica Ridley

The Wild Wynchesters - Book 5

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

Bold, curvy Elizabeth Wynchester loves cuddling hedgehogs almost as much as she adores vanquishing villains with the sharp blade concealed inside her cane. Despite others’ opinions about her body and gender, nothing will stop her from seeing justice done. When her next mission drops her at the dastardly Earl of Densmore’s castle, she’s prepared to duel like gentlemen—only to be locked inside! Her trusty sword cannot defeat the castle’s hidden traps… or protect her heart from the devilishly handsome rogue guarding the keep.

When reclusive inventor Stephen Lenox agreed to impersonate his cousin for a few days, he didn’t expect the earl to vanish altogether. Nor could Stephen predict mounting death threats… or the arrival of a beguiling, blade-wielding spinster who declares herself his new bodyguard. As the earl’s enemies lay siege to the castle, Stephen fights his way past Elizabeth’s defenses. She’ll share his bed, but when the adventure concludes, she vows to sever their affair. Unless he can somehow convince a swashbuckling siren to surrender her heart…

PJ's Thoughts:

What a fun book! If you're looking for a story that will have you grinning from beginning to end, the adventures of berserker Beth and nerdy Stephen are what you need. My favorite Wild Wynchesters story so far. And that's saying something. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from Elizabeth in this book. We've always known that she's a bold warrior who leads with her sword but we discover in this story that there's much more to her than her battle skills and bloodthirsty nature. She's actually a very complex woman who lives with chronic pain and the challenges that can bring in both activities and relationships. I loved getting to know her better through her interactions with Stephen, the last man she would have chosen for herself but the very best match possible. I loved these two together. The banter. The battle of wits. The attraction. The care, respect, and admiration that Stephen holds for Elizabeth exactly as she is. 

When a neighbor with delusions of grandeur lays siege to the castle, requiring Elizabeth and Stephen to merge their skill sets, that's when the fun really begins. So many laugh-out-loud moments. So many hilarious scenes and lines of dialogue. Ridley really outdid herself with the humor in this one. But with all the fun and humor of this adventurous romp, there is also a satisfying balance of emotional depth and tender feelings. Along with, of course, the feel-good bonds of chosen family that come with the Wynchester siblings, romantic partners, and unique pets, all dedicated to delivering justice for the underdogs of the time. 

There's so much more I could say about this book but all the deliciously delightful bits really deserve to be discovered by each reader as they navigate the journey of a Hot Earl Summer. This one is going straight to my comfort read keeper shelf where I will no doubt revisit it whenever I feel the need for a mood boost. 

For those of you who have not yet discovered Erica Ridley's Wild Wynchesters, Hot Earl Summer is the fifth book in the series. It's fun to catch up with all of the siblings in each book but you can absolutely jump in at any place in the series and not feel lost or confused. Having said that, I enthusiastically recommend all five of the titles for a rollicking good reading time. 

Review & Giveaway - - My Rogue to Ruin

My Rogue to Ruin

by Erica Ridley

The Wild Wynchesters - Book 4

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

The riotous Wynchester family has taken on a new case to expose a forger, but the prime suspect isn't at all what he seems in this captivating Regency romp from a New York Times bestselling author.

Marjorie Wynchester has always let her siblings take the lead when it comes to planning their investigations. But someone in London is trying to pass off counterfeits, and this time she's the only one with the skill needed to find the culprit. Soon, all the evidence leads her straight to Lord Adrian Webb.

Adrian is a roguish scoundrel of the first order, but he never meant to get caught up in a forgery scheme. Especially one that’s snowballed out of control. Now a blackmailer is out to ruin him, and the most alluring woman he's ever met is trying to put him behind bars.
Every time Marjorie thinks she has Adrian figured out, her assumptions turn on their head. He’s a heartless scoundrel. A loyal brother. A smooth liar. A good kisser. Er…wait… Is winning her affections just one more attempt to avoid the law? Or is it possible he’s not such a rogue after all?

PJ's Thoughts:

My Rogue to Ruin is the fourth book in this series but the first I've read. I know! What was I thinking? I knew of the series, had seen it mentioned in various places. I know Erica Ridley is a talented author. I expected good stories once I cleared enough time (there really are not enough reading hours in a day) but nobody told me how much fun I was missing. So I'm telling you. Do not miss this book. Buy it in print, download it to your favorite reading device, check it out from your library, but go get this book, clear your schedule, and lose yourself in a fun, feel-good, Regency romp that will leave you eager to read every single book in the series. 

There's so much to love about this book. Adrian and Marjorie together are simply perfection. I adored them, both individually and as a couple. It was a delight to watch them navigate their circumstances, evolve personally, fall in love, outsmart the villains, and eventually claim their HEA. I pretty much smiled through their entire adventure. The journey is filled with sweetness, spice, suspicion, cheeky humor, danger, and emotional growth. The interactions with the other members of the Wynchester family are pure gold. Honestly, I can't get to their books fast enough. 

If you're in the mood for a fun, feel-good, can't put it down, Regency romp, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley. It has my wholehearted, enthusiastic, grinned until my cheeks hurt, recommendation. 

Have you read Erica Ridley?

Have you read any of the books in the Wild Wynchesters series?

What's the last book that had you smiling from cover to cover?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 10 will receive a print copy of My Rogue to Ruin.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - Mistletoe Christmas

Mistletoe Christmas

An Anthology by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell,

Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Reviewed by PJ 

 

The Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry is famous throughout the British Isles for its plays, dancing, magical grotto… not to mention scandals leading to the marriage licenses he hands out like confetti.

But not everyone welcomes a visit from Cupid.

Lady Cressida, the duke’s daughter, is too busy managing the entertainments—and besides, her own father has called her dowdy. Her cousin, Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, is directing Cinderella and has no interest in marriage. Lady Caroline Whitmore is already (unhappily) married; the fact that she and her estranged husband have to pretend to be together just makes her dread the party all the more.  But not as much as Miss Louisa Harcourt, whose mother bluntly tells her that this is her last chance to escape the horrors of being an old maid.

A house party so large that mothers lose track of their charges leads to a delightful, seductive quartet of stories that you will savor for the Season!

PJ's Thoughts:

This Christmas anthology sparkles with witty dialogue, poignant emotion, steamy interludes, and happy endings. The four stories, featuring characters all in attendance at the Revelry, interweave with one another while each standing on its own. They all pulled me in, kept me entertained, and gave me four happily-ever-after endings brimming with good feelings and holiday cheer. 

"A Mistletoe Kiss" by Eloisa James

The anthology leads off with a strong story about a young woman whose father (the duke) has turned her into little better than a slave to fuel his societal ambitions and the rich, handsome, and charming man next door whose eyes are suddenly opened to her well-hidden value. Their story is filled with witty banter, humor, a truly good hero (so much fun watching him fall hard and have to work hard for his happy ending), and one of my all-time favorite James heroines. I adored Cressie. Watching her blossom, recognize her worth, and claim her happiness was everything I could have wanted. 

"Wishing Under the Mistletoe" by Christi Caldwell

This second-chance romance showcases the depth of Caldwell's writing skills. I love second chances and Isabelle and Cyrus surely deserved one. I respected Isabelle for following her own path and demanding that she be valued, even at the expense of her own happiness. My heart ached for Cyrus and his misplaced priorities. Their second chance brought growth, tenderness, forgiveness, understanding, a reawakening of love, and a truly splendid grand gesture. As usual, with a Christi Caldwell story, there were heartfelt sighs and happy tears.

"Compromise Under the Mistletoe" by Janna MacGregor

Marriage in trouble is the focus of MacGregor's novella and it's a trope she uses a deft hand to explore in this tale of love, yearning, and miscommunication. I enjoyed the layers of emotion in this tale, the individual growth of both Caroline and Stephen, the flickers of desire still simmering between them that were allowed to slowly but surely grow as they worked through the issues separating them, and the developing understanding and compromise that allowed them to once again claim happiness as a couple.

 

"Mischief and Mistletoe" by Erica Ridley

Ridley's writing chops shine in this fourth novella. If I hadn't read her yet, this novella would have had me seeking out her back list immediately. I adored Isabella and Ewan. They were so perfect for one another. I didn't love what Ewan was doing but I understood his reasons...and his ultimate mea culpa and grand gesture were definitely sigh-worthy. Watching Isabella come into her own was an absolute delight. These two took me on a ride filled with sighs, tears, laughter, and happy endings. 

Have you read the Mistletoe Christmas anthology yet?

Have you read all four authors?

Do you have any Christmas novellas or anthologies to recommend?

Mistletoe Christmas

APPLE | AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | GOOGLE PLAY | TARGET | WAL-MART

Eloisa James, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got an MPhil from Oxford, a PhD from Yale, and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. In 2013 she won a Rita Award for Best Romance Novella. She teaches Shakespeare in the English department at Fordham University in New York. She is the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of The Bad Luck Bride. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers.

Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of more than ten series, including Lost Lords of London, Sinful Brides, The Wicked Wallflowers, and Heart of a Duke. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love–ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after. Christi lives in Southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, chasing after her son, and taking care of her twin princesses-in-training. Fans who want to keep up with the latest news and information can sign up for her newsletter at www.ChristiCaldwell.com.

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty historical romance novels. Her popular series include the Dukes of War, Rogues to Riches, and Magic and Mayhem.

Review - - Too Sinful to Deny

Too Sinful to Deny
By Erica Ridley
Publisher: Zebra
Release Date: April 5, 2011

“Dear Mother,” she scratched across the top of a yellow sheet of parchment.

I was wrong. I do hate you more than you hate me.

“Moonseed Manor has proven to be an unacceptable choice for accommodation.”

Not that I expect you care.

“While I have not spoken with Father’s cousin-“

- because she’s most likely DEAD-“

“-I did meet the master of the house-“

-who could snap my neck as easily as a bird’s-

“-and will inform him of my intent to return to London.”

Unless I can manage to escape without him noticing.

It was likely Miss Susan Stanton had pushed her parents too far this time. Determined to escape her controlling, social climbing mother, Susan’s latest adventure not only created yet another scandal but ended with Susan plunging through the ice and sinking into the dark depths of the Thames to face almost certain drowning. Instead, rescued and revived, Susan finds herself banished from her beloved London to a distant relative’s remote manor house in the middle of what appears to be a nest of smugglers on the coast of Cornwall where her arrival is neither anticipated nor welcomed, her relative has mysteriously disappeared, and there isn’t a single eligible, titled bachelor to be found. If that isn’t bad enough, it soon becomes apparent that her near-drowning has left Susan with an unusual, and unwanted, skill - she can see and converse with dead people – and apparently, they all want to talk to her, especially a young smuggler by the name of Timothy Bothwick who needs her help to solve a mystery and bring the people responsible for his murder to justice.

Evan Bothwick, charming rogue and sometime smuggler is looking for his missing brother and has no time for pesky society misses who want nothing more than to leave Bournemouth but, in a town that small, Miss Stanton is hard to avoid. Before long, they’re working together and the simmering sizzle between them is threatening to burst into flame – a flame neither wants for Evan has no desire to tie himself to one woman and Susan can’t imagine tying herself to anyone who doesn’t live in London. Still…a kiss shared only to convince the townspeople that she wasn’t spying on one of their own (She was.  How else was she to get information when nobody in this town would talk to her?) while lurking behind a building has Evan itching for more even as he dreads the probable outcome.

     “I suppose the gentlemanly thing to do would be to offer for you,” he somehow managed to say over the currents swirling in his stomach. The impromptu kiss now seemed a death knell. Marriage. Much as he longed to hold her, to possess her, to pleasure her - he had not envisioned a permanent situation.
     But she was already shaking her head.
    “Thank you for offering, but you needn’t bother. I’ve plans for my future and they don’t involve being trapped in this godforsaken town. I’d rather spend the rest of my life imprisoned in my parents’ townhouse than another minute on this beach. Er, no offense meant.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this adventurous, humorous and sometimes poignant gothic romance. Susan and Evan are poster children for the attraction of opposites. This spunky (good intentioned) busybody and smooth-talking rake could not be more different yet their attraction grows into a true, deep and abiding love as they each also grow as people.  Add in pirates, ghosts, crooked politicians, quirky townspeople and a nasty villain along with mysteries to be solved and you have another winner from Erica Ridley.

While Susan was introduced, and had a significant role, in Ridley's first book, Too Wicked to Kiss, it's not necessary to have read that book before reading Too Sinful to Deny.  However, I believe reading Too Wicked to Kiss first will give you a more complete understanding of Susan's background and a greater appreciation of the person she becomes over the course of Too Sinful to Deny. 

~PJ

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Guest Author - - Erica Ridley

At the age of three, Erica Ridley learned to read and also decided she was going to be a writer. Her writing journey has taken her from stories written in crayon to dramatic sagas filling multiple notebooks to her brand-new debut novel, Too Wicked to Kiss - a Regency historical romance with a touch of paranormal.  Check out PJ's review here.

Erica also has a taste for adventure in her real life. When not reading or writing romances, she can often be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.  Please join us in welcoming Erica to The Romance Dish! 

Is writing romance your primary career?

I should be so lucky! I'm not yet ready to give up my day job. I develop websites, databases, and software... not exactly the same side of the brain as writing romance, although programming applications can involve some pretty creative problem-solving skills. =) It may be hard to believe, but I think the two are good complements, precisely because they are so disparate. When I need a break from the endless lines of code, I can immerse myself in my story. And whenever I write myself into a corner and need time to think, there's always a website waiting to be tweaked!

But... it sounds like you never leave your laptop?

Well, not for long. LOL. Working from home, like all things in life, definitely has its pros and cons. The biggest downside--other than how tempting it is to do just about any chore other than whatever I should be working on--is the fact that I never have vacation days. I can't remember the last time I even went an entire weekend without working on a website, a manuscript, or both. The upside, however, is that this is work that can be done from anywhere in the world--and I adore taking advantage of that perk!

And it's all tax deductible?

Hahahaha! Sadly, no. (But one day, when I rule the world... *g) I have been lucky enough to do hands-on research, inasmuch as anything related to Regency England can be hands-on. I spent a few months in England this past year, and even got to visit the site of the next book! (I took copious photos of the caves used by smugglers... hint, hint!) While in Europe, I also had the chance to visit several period homes (where, unfortunately, copious photography was verboten) as well as various museums containing period costumes and furniture. It was fabulous.

Would you like to have lived in Regency England?

Well, I certainly wouldn't mind visiting Regency England... but I'm not sure I'd like to give up all my modern comforts. Then again, if I could be guaranteed a leg-shackle to a dark, brooding, loyal, fierce, utterly romantic hero like Gavin Lioncroft... Mmmmm. (It's not a sign of mental imbalance to be half in love with the hero of one's own book, is it??)

Where do you live now, and why?

I live in Tampa, FL, for the simple and shameful reason that I am a total cold wuss. Jacket weather is not my friend. As to ski-mask-and-moon-boots weather? And waking up half an hour early to warm up the car, scrap ice off the windshield, and try not to accidentally lock the keys inside? For me, the midwest (where I'm from) is much better suited for family visits over the holidays. Tampa, on the other hand, is almost always fabulous. (Save for this totally bizarre wave of record lows we've been having the past few weeks. Frost should not come this far south! Grrr.) I love the palm trees, the sunny skies, the ability to strap on my roller blades and cruise alongside the river when I'm working out a story problem. Plus, Tampa is a hotbed of fabulous romance writers. I'm extremely blessed!

HIS TOUCH HOLDS HER CAPTIVE...

From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait.

TO HIS EVERY DARK DESIRE...

Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her. But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?

TOO WICKED TO KISS
Zebra Debut
March 2, 2010



Where to find Erica:

Author Website: http://www.ericaridley.com/

Book Bonus Features: http://www.2wicked2kiss.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidleyFans

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley

Breaking News: TOO WICKED TO KISS has been selected as a March book club pick for Barnes and Noble! Erica will be at the book club  forum all month long, so please stop by to say hi or to talk about the book! Here's the link: http://bit.ly/bOPvn4

A question for our audience:  Where do you live now, and why?  Where, and in what time period, would you like to live?  Do you think you'd enjoy life in Regency England?  

Review - - Too Wicked To Kiss

Too Wicked To Kiss
By Erica Ridley
Publisher: Kensington – Zebra Debut
Release Date: March 2, 2010

I cut my romance reading teeth on books by Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart so, as you might imagine, I have a fondness for gothic historicals set in spooky manors rife with scandalous secrets and hidden passageways, murder mysteries and dark, brooding heroes who unintentionally place the heroine in grave danger then rescue her in the nick of time.  There aren’t that many gothics being published these days so it’s a special treat when I find one, especially one as well-written as Erica Ridley’s debut, Too Wicked to Kiss.

Because of the visions she sees whenever she touches another person, and the debilitating headaches they cause, Evangeline Pemberton has led a lonely life of isolation and pain. Abused by her controlling stepfather, the only love and affection she has ever known has been from her beloved mother, a woman who also has visions. When her mother dies, Evangeline escapes to London and throws herself upon the mercy of Lady Stanton, her mother’s childhood friend, only to discover that she may have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Lady Stanton’s daughter, Susan, having been publicly disgraced, is in need of a husband and the Stantons have set their sights on reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, expecting Evangeline to help them trap him into marriage with Susan. True, there’s the nasty business of him reportedly having killed his parents but they’re willing to overlook that detail to secure his riches. Evangeline wants no part of their scheme, especially after her first encounter with the man.

Evangeline swallowed a gasp.

Not because of the obsidian eyes framed by equally black lashes. Nor because of the angry slash of cheekbones, the flash of bared teeth, or the scar just above the edge of his jaw. Those things, though separately terrible, together formed a face of cold, cruel beauty. A face for statues, for frescoes, for-

Another flutter of orange light as he reached the final stair, and Evangeline could no longer breathe.

He was angry. Horribly angry. Livid. Enraged. Furious. His eyes glittered like a wolf’s because he was a wolf, a beautiful powerful violent wolf, prowling toward his unsuspecting prey. His dark hair slid across his face, snapping Evangeline from her trance just as his long, gloveless hand fell atop the countess’s shoulder.

Shunned by the ton and his own family for causing the deaths of his parents, Gavin Lioncroft leads an isolated life at his country home, Blackberry Manor. Haunted by the deaths of his parents and his role in their demise, he’s a tortured, angry man, paying a dreadful price for a youthful mistake. He’s shocked, but hopeful, when his estranged sister arrives on his doorstep with her family but furious when strangers start arriving at his home and he discovers that his sister has arranged a house party without his knowledge. He wants no part of these people, with the possible exception of Miss Pemberton. The attraction between them sizzles and Gavin has no intention of ignoring it.

He had not failed to notice Evangeline’s proximity, if the sudden heat darkening his eyes was any indication. His gaze slid down her body like warm oil over bare skin, gliding past her unruly mane, to the helpless widening of her eyes, to the erratic pulsing in her throat, to the odd constriction in her bodice, to the flowing silk of her borrowed gown, to the tips of her slippered feet.

And then his gaze retraced its path back up, just as slowly.

For all his alpha tendencies, Gavin is surprisingly tender with the reluctant Evangeline but just when she begins to trust him and it seems as if they may have a chance to claim the happiness that has been missing from their lives, someone is murdered and suspicion once again lands directly on Gavin.   

Ms. Ridley has written a deliciously sensual gothic romance with realistic characters that tug at the heartstrings, a murder mystery that kept me guessing, and a tortured hero who is rescued from his emotional prison by an unlikely heroine and who then rescues her in return. The fast-paced story flows smoothly and held my attention throughout. In fact, I stayed up late into the night, eagerly flipping pages until I reached the end.

Erica Ridley is a bright new talent to watch.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

~PJ