Review - - How to Catch a Sinful Marquess

 

How to Catch a Sinful Marquess

by Amy Rose Bennett

The Disreputable Debutantes- Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

A reserved debutante and a former soldier make an unlikely but fated match as they hasten for the Isle of Skye.

Orphaned heiress Olivia de Vere should have the world--or at least the men of the ton--at her feet. But when she's thrown out of a young ladies' academy, Olivia doubts she'll ever find someone who will love her, rather than her bank account. To make matters worse, her dissolute cousin Felix is determined to marry her against her wishes. A virtual prisoner in her guardians' London townhouse, Olivia can’t help but develop a tendre for her neighbor, a handsome Scottish marquess.

Battle-scarred in more ways than one, Hamish MacQueen, Lord Sleat, has braved many dangers in life. But nothing has quite prepared him for the shock of having a young child dumped on his doorstep, with a note claiming she’s his daughter. Just in the nick of time his pretty neighbor appears, offering to act as a nursemaid for the young girl on their journey to his estate in Scotland. He suspects she has her own reasons for wanting to flee the country…
 
The close traveling quarters leads to a fierce attraction between Olivia and Hamish that seems impossible to resist. But when ghosts from the past and monsters from the present threaten to tear them apart, will their unlikely love survive?

PJ's Thoughts:

This is the third book in Bennett's Disreputable Debutantes series and I've enjoyed them all. The four young women who anchor this series, each unique and each from varying backgrounds and social classes, have a strong bond of friendship from school, and the scandal that saw them expelled from that school, that continues to strengthen as they mature and enter this new phase of their lives. I love their open and honest conversations, their support of one another, and their determination to be their best selves, in spite of the obstacles life, and others, have put in their paths.

By the time I reached this third book, Olivia had become the friend I was most invested in and as her journey progressed that only intensified. I loved watching her gradually regain the confidence that had been drummed out of her by her greedy, controlling relatives. After years of being ridiculed for her stutter, and watching her guardians drain the coffers of her inheritance while treating her like a poor relation, it was pure joy to see her begin to come into her own and gain the inner strength and determination to pursue love and happiness, refusing to settle for less than what she deserved. I was cheering her on the entire way.

I enjoyed how Bennett flipped the rescue roles in this book. A strong, confident Marquess, Hamish MacQueen is used to getting his own way, and any woman he wants, but he's also a man of honor. From the beginning, when he believes Olivia really is a poor relation of the family next door, he treats her with care and respect but he is clearly the one in charge of their situation. As their journey continues (did I mention how much I enjoy a road romance?) and desire deepens on both sides, he's the one to set the boundaries. And when they reach his home on Skye, the reasons for those boundaries begin to become clear. Beneath his confident exterior beats the heart of a complex, tortured man who believes with all he is that he is not worthy of love, especially not the love of a woman as special as Olivia. 

As Hamish becomes more determined to set her free, newly-strengthened Olivia becomes more determined to free him from the misconceptions that have barricaded his heart and guide him to the love that will bring both of them the happiness they deserve. The rescue roles have been reversed and I loved every bit of it. 

Bennett has used a blend of tropes (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Marriage of Convenience, Secret Baby, and Road Romance) to weave together an enjoyable, slow-burn romance with likable protagonists, an adorable child, a despicable villain, intriguing secondary characters, and a happy ending for all. Well, all except Olivia's horrid family, though I'm of the opinion that they got off much too easily. Olivia proves she's the best of them but I wanted a bit more payback. 

How to Catch a Sinful Marquess can be read as a standalone but my investment in Olivia was deeper for having read the previous two books first. Next up is the final disreputable debutante, and the acknowledged leader of the group, Charlie (Lady Charlotte) Hastings. I can't wait to discover what Bennett has planned for her.

Have you read any of Amy Rose Bennett's books yet?

Do you enjoy a road romance?

What's your favorite romance trope?

Review - - You Lucky Dog

 

You Lucky Dog

by Julia London   

Publisher: Berkley  

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

Carly Kennedy's life is in a spiral. She is drowning in work, her divorced parents are going through their midlife crises, and somehow Carly's sister convinces her to foster Baxter--a basset hound rescue with a bad case of the blues. When Carly comes home late from work one day to discover that the dog walker has accidentally switched out Baxter for another perkier, friendlier basset hound, she has reached the end of her leash.

When Max Sheffington finds a depressed male basset hound in place of his cheerful Hazel, he is bewildered. But when cute, fiery Carly arrives on his doorstep, he is intrigued. He was expecting the dog walker, not a pretty woman with firm ideas about dog discipline. And Carly was not expecting a handsome, bespectacled man to be feeding her dog mac and cheese. Baxter is besotted with Hazel, and Carly realizes she may have found the key to her puppy’s happiness. For his sake, she starts to spend more time with Hazel and Max, until she begins to understand the appeal of falling for your polar opposite.

PJ's Thoughts:

Any cover with two adorable dogs on it will always draw my interest and Baxter and Hazel more than live up to their cuteness. In fact, they pretty much steal every scene they're in. It's clear the author has a great love for, and experience with, dogs. They're the catalyst that brings Max and Carly together and keeps their relationship moving forward. By the end of the book, I wanted to adopt both of them. Some of the other characters, not so much.

Carly and Max are both likable characters - okay, Carly is pretty annoying at the beginning but she grows into her likability - and though they may seem an unlikely pair at first, London deftly guides them along the path to eventual friendship with the potential for more. It's a sweet, low-key romantic journey, with a happy ending, but, as this is a romantic comedy, not a contemporary romance, it takes a bit of a back seat to everything else going on in their lives, especially Carly's. Both are at turning points in their careers, with Max on a tenure track at the university and Carly trying to salvage her sagging PR business while keeping her dreams of a New York career alive (she has two clients, neither of which is doing anything to help further those goals). A great deal of the story focuses on Carly's clients and career. Then there are the families.

Honestly, I don't blame Carly for wanting to move to New York. With her family, I'd be setting my sights much further. Like, maybe Australia. As for Max's family, I felt London did a credible job of portraying  an adult character with Autism (Max's brother) and both the joys and challenges of living with a person with special needs. I liked Max's father and brother a whole lot more than anyone in Carly's family, especially her mother. Carly's sister may have been annoying but I couldn't find one single redeeming quality in her mother. And I looked really hard.

Overall, I enjoyed Carly's journey and was happy with the decisions she made, as well as how they came about. The author could have taken an easier path with her but it wouldn't have felt as authentic to her character. Because of that, I was confident she would move forward with no regrets and that her relationship with Max would be stronger because of it. I liked Max's nerdy sweetness and how he and Carly balance one another. I liked his relationship with his brother and his determination to support, encourage, and protect those he loves. And I absolutely adored the dogs. 

Winner - - Susanna Craig

 

The randomly chosen winner of one print

Susanna Craig back list book of their choice is:

Laurel

Congratulations!

Please send your full name, mailing address, 

and choice of book to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - Lady Guinevere And The Rogue With A Brogue

 

The randomly chosen winner of an e-copy of

Lady Guinevere And The Rogue With A Brogue

by Julie Johnstone is:

Sandy Pochapin

Congratulations!

Please send your email address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Winner - - Valerie Bowman

 

The randomly chosen winner of an e-copy of

Duke Looks Like a Groomsman by Valerie Bowman is:

Amy H

Congratulations!

Please send your email address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Hidden

 

 

Hidden

by Laura Griffin  

Publisher: Berkley  

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reviewed by Nancy

 

When a woman is found brutally murdered on Austin’s lakeside hike-and-bike trail, investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads turns up on the scene demanding access and answers. She tries to pry information out of the lead detective, Jacob Merritt. But this case is unlike any he’s ever seen, and nothing adds up. With the pressure building, Jacob knows the last thing he needs is a romantic entanglement, but he can’t convince himself to stay away from Bailey.

Bailey has a hunch that the victim wasn’t who she claimed to be and believes this mugging-turned-murder could have been a targeted hit. When she digs deeper, the trail leads her to a high-tech fortress on the outskirts of Austin, where researchers are pushing the boundaries of a cutting-edge technology that could be deadly in the wrong hands.

As a ruthless hit man’s mission becomes clear, Bailey and Jacob join together in a desperate search to locate the next target before the clock ticks down in this lethal game of hide-and-seek.

As a longtime fan of Laura Griffin’s Tracers series, I was happy to see that she’s branching out with The Texas Murder Files. The first book, Hidden, follows investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads and Detective Jacob Merritt as they try to solve the murder of a young woman on a popular jogging path. They soon realize this probably isn’t a crime of opportunity but something far more sinister. 

The FBI wants Jacob and his partner off the case. Jacob wants Bailey to back away from it. Both persevere because there’s another woman somewhere who’s connected to the victim, and her life may be in danger. They are determined to find and warn her. For Jacob, there’s also a need to hold accountable the person who murdered a woman in his city. 

Along the way, Bailey stumbles across a new form of technology that has potentially disastrous ramifications for personal privacy. It’s particularly dangerous for anyone who has a good reason to hide. Bailey resolves to find out how it’s connected to the murder and whether it can help locate the woman she believes is the killer’s intended second victim. 

The premise is timely and intriguing, and I liked the ways Bailey and Jacob pursue the case from their different angles. They’re easy to root for, especially when they’re trying to save someone they believe is in danger and doesn’t know it. I particularly enjoyed seeing Bailey pursue leads that didn’t occur to Jacob. 

The supporting characters were also very likable. Bailey has friends at the newspaper and is close to her sister’s family. She also is on not-quite-friends terms with a skip tracer who becomes important later in the book. He doesn’t have many scenes, but his personality comes across immediately. Jacob’s partner is equally determined to see justice delivered for their victim. She and Jacob function well as buddies with no hint of any desire for more on either one of their parts. 

There are also scenes involving the woman Bailey and Jacob are seeking. She’s likable, smart, and brave, and the ultimate solution to her problem felt like a great one. 

Bailey’s source for the tech issue is also likable but not always understandable. He initially refuses to help her beyond a basic level, then agrees to do so, then helps her still more. All that’s fine, but  even after warning her there’s someone at his company, where surveillance is ubiquitous, with an axe to grind over this tech, he takes no precautions. That felt like a stretch. 

Although the romance between Jacob and Bailey was satisfying overall, it didn’t entirely work for me. They’re both dedicated, hot, and likable, but I was never sure what either of them saw in the other. Why this person instead of some other dedicated, hot, likable individual? Jacob knew dating a reporter could be a problem with his fellow cops, Bailey withheld information because of his job, and he wasn’t entirely honest with her because he wanted her to back off of the story. Yet they kept coming back to each other. I would’ve liked more insight as to why. 

Issues like these and some others make the book feel less polished than it might have. It’s just not quite as solid as other books of Griffin’s I’ve read. I did enjoy it, though, and I do recommend it. 

~Nancy

Tour Review - - Here to Stay

 

Here to Stay

by Adriana Herrera  

Publisher: Carina Press 

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

Starting over is more about who you’re with than where you live…

Julia del Mar Ortiz is not having the best year.

She moved to Dallas with her boyfriend, who ended up ditching her and running back to New York after only a few weeks. Left with a massive—by NYC standards, anyway—apartment and a car lease in the scorching Texas heat, Julia is struggling…except that’s not completely true. Running the charitable foundation of one of the most iconic high fashion department stores in the world is serious #lifegoals.

It’s more than enough to make her want to stick it out down South.

The only monkey wrench in Julia’s plans is the blue-eyed, smart-mouthed consultant the store hired to take them public. Fellow New Yorker Rocco Quinn’s first order of business? Putting Julia’s job on the chopping block.

When Julia is tasked with making sure Rocco sees how valuable the programs she runs are, she’s caught between a rock and a very hard set of abs. Because Rocco Quinn is almost impossible to hate—and even harder to resist.

PJ's Thoughts:

I adored this book. It's one of the highlights of my summer reading. Herrera has created a cast of fresh, vibrant, fully-dimensional, authentic characters and given them a story that made me laugh, cry, sigh, and reach for my fan. I do love me some steamy times.

Julia and Rocco are great fun, exchanging snappy banter, and striking sparks off one another, first as workplace adversaries then, eventually, as tentative friends, and finally, in passion. I admired Julia's strength, her kind heart, and the unconditional love and support from her family that have helped shape her. I enjoyed exploring her rich cultural heritage through her interactions with her parents and grandmother. It's such a sharp contrast to Rocco's dysfunctional family experiences and the impact they've had on his priorities, namely, always putting everyone else's needs before his own, even when doing so results in heartbreak for him. 

I enjoyed the growth in both of these characters. Again, it's Julia's family who helps her move past the lingering effects of a past relationship and Julia herself who brings the emotional strength to her relationship with Rocco that helps him evolve. And speaking of Rocco, he brought me to tears more than once. He's so endearing, and so hot. There were many times I just wanted to hug him...then jump him. I enjoyed his relationship with his sister and niece and how protective he is of them but I also enjoyed watching his sister grow to the point where she became the advisor. I don't know if Herrera plans any more books in this world but, if she does, I sure would like to see more of Sofia and Blue.

I'd also love to spend more time with the Gotham Exiles, a group of NYC ex-pats Julia has brought together in Dallas. They're delightfully eclectic and much more than a group of friends. They're found family for both Julia and Rocco and they captured my heart. We should all be so fortunate to have friends like these in our lives.

Here to Stay was my first Adriana Herrera book. I guarantee it won't be the last. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here to Stay

Excerpt

Julia 

I stepped into the elevator and shoved my phone into the pocket of my dress, took a moment to send a prayer to the employee discount that let me buy bomb clothes on a nonprofit worker budget, and did some mental math of what could be going on.

Was the program really in trouble? Could we actually get shut down?

Nope, I would not go there. I would not think about what it would be like to get on a plane back to New York dumped and unemployed. Not happening.

A distraction. That’s what I needed. Just as the door to the elevator was about to close, someone got in. The fact that I was eye level with the base of his throat was a good clue as to who it was, but when he opened his mouth and the now familiar knee-weakening baritone echoed off the walls of the elevator, I got my confirmation.

“Morning, Ms. Ortiz.” That voice could be used for interrogation tactics. Every muscle in my body loosened at the same time whenever I heard it.

I squeaked out a “Morning” and took my time lifting my head all the way up to look at the last person in the world I wanted overhearing my conversation with my mother.

Him.

Rocco Fucking Quinn, otherwise known as the “Team Leader” for the consulting firm looking to bag my job. The guy with the New York City-est name on the planet. I hadn’t exactly gotten personal with Mr. Quinn, but I picked up on that accent the first time we met.

“What’s good?” I really tried to sound polite, but my Queens jumped out in situations like this. I did not gulp, because I could not let this fucker see me sweat. I managed not to cut my eyes at him, but it was a close call.

I took him in, ramrod straight, every hair in its place, not a wrinkle in sight, and decided he could not be the proprietor of the laugh-choke from before. The man seemed to be completely lacking a sense of humor. I knew he must have teeth but I’d never seen them.

Yeah, definitely not him. That fact rallied my spirits a little bit as I stood close enough to pick up on how he smelled. Like the ocean and something woodsy. That was not helpful information.

Without saying another word, I ran my eyes over him. It struck me that he was not wearing something bespoke like pretty much everyone here. Don’t get me wrong, he still looked good enough to eat, but he was clearly on a budget. And at a place where everyone looked like they were heading to a New York Fashion Week photo shoot, it was sort of jarring. Still, the suit fit him well. And there was no question, this guy could wear the fuck out of a suit. I held back a whimper when I envisioned him in a Brioni or a Zegna. They’d have to put out a heat advisory for the building if that ever happened.

“I thought I could detect a familiar accent when I was coming down the hall.” His perfectly blue eyes twinkled at what I was certain was an expression of utter mortification on my face. He sounded pleasant enough, but he was also alluding to the fact that I was yapping on my phone. This wasn’t the first time he tried to be cute. Rocco Quinn seemed to like fucking with me. And it was only a matter of time before he stepped on my last nerve and I reamed him out.

Thankfully, just as I was scrambling to respond to his comment, the elevator got to my floor. I was planning to just leave him hanging and run off, but he was hot on my heels.

Dammit.

“Sounds like your mom misses you.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why did he have to act all fake nice?

I nodded without looking at him. “She does. Listen, Mr. Quinn—”

“You can call me Rocco.”

Nope, that was not happening. I was not letting this sexy bastard talk me into getting all chummy with him. I was already on thin ice as it was. He could keep his pheromones and his slick-as-fuck expressions to his damn self. I came to a dead stop a few feet away from the conference room door where my boss—and whatever shitty news she was about to give me—was waiting.

When I turned around, Rocco was looking down at me with an expectant smile. God he was handsome, that jet-black hair so dark it almost had a tinge of blue and those eyes, piercing. And I guess he had teeth after all, and of course they were perfect. Asshole. I shook my head hard when my traitorous brain started wondering what Pantone color his eyes would be.

Get your head in the game, Julia del Mar.

I straightened my back, determined to fight off the debilitating effects of those gleaming teeth and perfectly pink lips. I had to remember this niceness was probably his way of getting us to let our guard down. He was here to find ways to cut jobs. I was not about to mouth off and get myself fired, but I needed to get some things clear.

“Look.” I was proud of myself for not rolling my neck or pointing at his face. “I know you’re trying to be nice, but you make me nervous.” I pulled on the hem of my blue polka-dot dress and smoothed my yellow cardigan, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

“Why do I make you nervous?”

Uh, maybe because you’re here to close down as much of the foundation as you can.

I refrained from actually saying that because I had not been raised by a Puerto Rican man and Dominican woman just so I could act like I had no home training with the guy who could get me fired. But it was a close call.

“I’m sorry for saying that. You don’t make me nervous.”

Lies.

Rocco Quinn didn’t just make me nervous. He made me want to run my hands all over that big-ass body and moon over his almost but not quite curly hair and blue eyes, in spite of the fact that I knew he was out here gunning for my entire program. And yet, I still wanted to kiss the hell out of him while I climbed him like a sequoia. 

Copyright © 2020 by Adriana Herrera

 

Buy Here to Stay by Adriana Herrera

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780369700926_here-to-stay.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Here-Stay-Adriana-Herrera-ebook/dp/B086R2QY77

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-to-stay-adriana-herrera/1136795733

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/here-to-stay/id1506190677

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Adriana_Herrera_Here_to_Stay?id=_-zaDwAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/here-to-stay-20

 

About Adriana Herrera

Adriana was born and raised in the Caribbean, but for the last fifteen years has let her job (and her spouse) take her all over the world. She loves writing stories about people who look and sound like her people, getting unapologetic happy endings. 

When she’s not dreaming up love stories, planning logistically complex vacations with her family or hunting for discount Broadway tickets, she’s a trauma therapist in New York City, working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

Her Dreamers series has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist and has been featured in The TODAY Show on NBC, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Library Journal and The Washington Post. Her debut, American Dreamer, was selected as one of Booklist’s ‘Best Romance Debuts of 2019’, and one of the ‘Top 10 Romances of 2019’ by Entertainment Weekly. Her third novel, American Love Story, was one of the winners in the first annual Ripped Bodice Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction. Adriana is an outspoken advocate for diversity in romance and has written for Remezcla and Bustle about Own Voices in the genre. She’s one of the co-creators of the Queer Romance PoC Collective. Represented by Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary.

 

Connect with Adriana Herrera

Website: https://adrianaherreraromance.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladrianaherrera

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.adriana.94801

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladriana_herrera/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18639202.Adriana_Herrera

Review, Giveaway, and Q&A - - Who's That Earl

 

 

Who's That Earl

by Susanna Craig 

Love and Let Spy  - Book 1

Publisher: Lyrical Press 

Release Date: August 18, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever?  Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night . . .
 
After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he’s now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?

PJ's Thoughts:

In her 2016 debut, To Kiss a Thief, Susanna Craig captured me with her richly drawn characters, vividly portrayed settings, and captivating storytelling skill. Each subsequent book over the past four years has only solidified her position on my author auto-buy list. 

With Who's That Earl, Craig once again takes readers out of London with a lively story that's sure to entertain. Set in rural Scotland, with characters that leap from the page, she immersed me Dunnock Castle, the small village that surrounds it, and the lives, and loves, of the people who live therein. The story moves at a speedy clip, with witty banter, a delicious push and pull between hero and heroine, and a dangerous mystery to be solved. Craig has a knack for bringing it all to life, making me feel as if I know these characters, am invested in their lives, and have a stake in their happiness. I was right there with Thomas and Jane, cheering them on the entire way, and finishing their story with a happy smile and sigh. 

Who's That Earl launches Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series where military spies meet the women destined to capture their hearts with the assistance of a most unlikely matchmaker. I adored Jane and Thomas's story and am already looking forward to the next match!

~~~~~~~~~~

Q&A with Susanna Craig

Welcome back, Susanna!

Your newest novel, Who’s That Earl, releases today and has also been named an Amazon Best Romance of the Month. Congratulations!

Thanks so much! It’s really an unexpected honor.

Who’s That Earl launches your new Love and Let Spy series. What should readers expect from this new series and from the first book?

My inspirations for this series were my favorite romantic suspense TV series from the 1980s, such as Magnum PI and Remington Steele. You certainly don’t have to know or love those shows, but readers who remember them should be on the lookout for a few winks and nods! TV shows aside, I had a lot of fun both researching and imagining Regency-era spies and secrets, so that each book is full of intrigue, adventure, and, of course, romance. In Who’s That Earl, a Scottish spy unexpectedly inherits a castle in the Highlands and discovers that the reclusive Gothic novelist who’s been living there is a woman from his past he can’t forget.

Who's That Earl has a definite Remington Steele vibe. (I adored that show!)

You have an intriguing gender-flipped “fairy godmother” pulling the strings to nudge our hero in the direction of his true love and an unexpected new life path. What inspired you to create this unorthodox matchmaker?

I thought it would be a lot of fun to have a man in that role for a change, a commanding officer who has the best interests (and love interests) of his soldier-spies at heart. For General Scott, I went back to the 1970s for my inspiration: Charlie of Charlie’s Angels, who calls all the shots from behind the scenes, with a dash of Col. Potter from M*A*S*H mixed in for humor. The character got his first mention in The Duke’s Suspicion, but I didn’t know then that he made a habit of matchmaking!

This is the second time you’ve created a novelist heroine. How easy – or difficult – is it to write a character who shares your own occupation?

I’ll be honest: it’s a little nerve-wracking, because I’m sure I’m revealing some things about my own fears and foibles as a writer, such as my messy writing process (I’m a “pantser,” meaning I don’t usually know where a story is going when I start out, just like Jane in Who’s That Earl). My own feelings are also very much behind what Jane and Cami (in The Companion’s Secret) say about the power of books and the value of reading. I also enjoy getting to try out other author “voices” when I write little snippets from my heroines’ books!

I love that much of this book is set in a small village in Scotland. Will the remaining books in this series also be in Scotland or do we have other settings to look forward to?

The settings are going to be unique to each story. The second book in the series takes place in and around London, and I’m planning for the third to take place at the seaside (only partly because I’m dreaming of a beach vacation!)

In Who’s That Earl, the scent of night-blooming jasmine evokes memories of seven years earlier and a certain English lass from Sussex that your hero, Thomas has never forgotten. Are there any scents that evoke a particular memory for you? What is the scent and where does it take you?

You always have the best questions, PJ! This is probably a little unorthodox, but I grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan, so the smell of milk (fresh, sour, warm, cold) takes me back to very specific moments from my childhood and makes me think of my dad.

Not so unorthodox, Susanna. My grandparents were Michigan farmers and I was with them often in my early years. I spent a lot of time in the barn with my grandpa and share your sensory memories.  

Since I’ve been unable to travel this year, I’ve spent more time at home getting lost in new stories, like yours. What books are on your must-read list this summer?

I’m also an English professor, and this summer I’ve been planning a course in popular romance fiction, so I’ve gotten to revisit a few classic favorites, like Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, as well as some great newer titles like Alyssa Cole’s A Princess in Theory and Sonali Dev’s Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors. Christina Britton’s A Good Duke is Hard to Find and Vanessa Riley’s A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby are at the top of my new-release TBR.

Where can readers interact with you online?

I’d love for readers to say hi on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SusannaCraigauthor) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/SusannaMCraig), and to join me (and 13 other historical romance authors) in the Drawing Room historical romance readers’ Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/TheDrawingRoomHR).

Are you able to tell us anything about what’s coming next?

The next book in the Love and Let Spy series, One Thing Leads to a Lover, is my homage to Scarecrow and Mrs. King, featuring a respectable widowed countess who gets mixed up in espionage. I had so much fun writing it, and really I hope readers will enjoy it! It will be out in April 2021. Right now, I’m working on book three, which is my gender-bent mashup of Remington Steele and Moonlighting, tentatively called Better Off Wed.

I love these titles! 

Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Susanna. Would you like to add anything else or ask my readers a question?

Thanks so much for having me, PJ! I would love to know, if your readers could spend a day in the world of their favorite story (TV, movie, or book), what would it be and why? 

I’ll send an autographed print copy of one of my backlist books, reader’s choice, to a random commenter. Deadline to enter is 11:00 PM, August 19.

(US shipping only; learn more about my books at www.susannacraig.com/books).

 

Review & Giveaway - - Lady Guinevere And The Rogue With A Brogue

  

Lady Guinevere And The Rogue With A Brogue

by Julie Johnstone

Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared Hearts - Book 1

Publisher: Darbyshire Publishing, LLC

Release Date: August 18, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

Five years ago he humiliated her. Five years ago she betrayed him. And when fate forces them together once more, they’ll discover what burns hotter- vengeance or desire.

Lady Guinevere Darlington has spent the last five years trying to forget the beautiful rogue who stole her heart and then crushed it under his shiny black hessian. Humiliated by the blighter with the unforgettable brogue and left to weather the wagging tongues of the ton alone, she started a secret society that delivers justice to ill-intentioned rakes, and she managed to avoid having to wed—until now. But while her time is up, her determination is not. If she must take a husband, she’ll do so on her own terms. She has a plan, and a possible candidate, until the Scot she once loved returns to London and throws her life into salacious turmoil yet again.

Asher Talbot, the newly minted Duke of Carrington, has nearly perfected his ability to repress memories of the stunning, stubborn lass who long ago captivated him with her innocent charm, then slayed him with her duplicity. He channeled his anger into continuing to build the distillery empire he started when he thought he was a by-blow. But now his company is in danger, and he intends to secure his inheritance to save it, even if it requires pursuing the perfidious enchantress he disavowed. True reconciliation is not part of his plot, but hints of the Guinevere he thought he knew leave him questioning everything.

When fate, fortune, and a cunning scheme bring these two together, their mutual attempts to torture each other ignite the dormant desire between them. But secrets surround them, and they’ll have to unravel each one before the love they glimpsed is lost forever.

PJ's Thoughts:

After several years of writing Medieval Scottish romance, Julie Johnstone returns to Regency-era England with this first book in her new series. It's an enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance between a man and a woman who have each spent the past five years believing they were betrayed by the other. In fact, they were both betrayed, by someone still trying to keep them apart. 

Johnstone's storytelling skills shine in this new book that's filled with sharp banter, humor, emotion, and plenty of twists and turns on the path to a happily-ever-after. And, with these two main characters, that path is a rocky one. I can't remember when I've encountered a hero and heroine with quite as much stubborn pride and lack of trust as these two. Though rekindled desire sparks early, forgiveness is slow to follow, and trust even slower. They have a tendency to believe everything they're told by others and nothing they tell each other. Not to mention, jumping to conclusions at every turn. I would have washed my hands of them had it not been for my faith in Johnstone's guiding hand. 

The characters in this book, both main and secondary, are fully developed with complex layers and while supporting characters don't steal the spotlight from the hero and heroine, they contribute significantly to the overall story. I'm especially intrigued by a non-couple I'd love to see featured as a couple in a future story in the series. I'm intrigued by them individually and hoping for a redemption arc followed by an HEA. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you have a favorite historical era?

Have you read Julie Johnstone yet? Do you have a favorite book or series of hers?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 19, will receive an e-copy of Lady Guinevere And The Rogue With A Brogue.

*Must be 18 or older

 

The Footmen's Club - - Q&A and Giveaway with Valerie Bowman

 

I am so excited to welcome Valerie Bowman to the blog today. Valerie's The Footmen's Club trilogy has brought me three highlights of my summer romance reading. These stories, all set at the same house party, are filled with sparkling banter, steamy romance, a bit of danger (in the final book), humor aplenty, and heart-tugging happily ever afters. If you're looking for a historical romance that makes you laugh, sigh, and cheer for characters who deserve to find their happy endings, look no further than The Footman and I, Duke Looks Like a Groomsman, and The Valet Who Loved Me. I hope you love them as much as I have.

 Q&A with Valerie Bowman

Welcome to the blog, Valerie, and congratulations on your new series.

Thanks so much for having me, PJ!

What should readers expect from the books in The Footmen’s Club series?

Fun, fun, fun! I like to call my books Racy Regency Romps and that’s exactly what these are. One country house party and a whole lot of shenanigans.

Your current release, Duke Looks Like a Groomsman, is a second-chance romance. What is it about this trope that inspires you as an author?

Second-chance romance is my favorite trope, actually. I love to read it so I’m always looking for a plot to write it. In this case, the perfect plot fell into my lap. The hero is posing as a groomsman in the stables at his friend’s country house party and the hero’s former flame shows up, recognizes him immediately, and proceeds to give him hell. There’s just something about the shared history between the characters that I love to read about and write about.

In each of the three books, the hero is masquerading as a

servant. If you were to “go undercover” at a Regency house party, what position would you choose, and why?

Ooh, what a fun question! If household dog walker was an option, I would do that. If not, I’d choose lady’s maid. I’m not particularly good with clothes or hair, but I’d be close enough to hear the gossip. Ha!

The last chapter of Duke Looks Like a Groomsman sets up book three, The Valet Who Loved Me, and has me eagerly anticipating its August 25^th release next week. From the scene in question, it appears our hero and heroine are headed to France. Is there a country you haven’t explored as a writer yet where you would like to set a romance?

Italy! It’s such a beautiful country. I have a book that’s ‘under the bed’ as writers say, which just means it needs work. I’d love to pull that out someday, fix it, and publish it. It involves a spy heroine and shenanigans in Italy.

Where’s the best place(s) for readers to interact with you online?

I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ValerieBowmanAuthor 

or you can email me via my website at https://www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com/connect/

Are you able to give us any insight into what you’re planning next?

Sure! I’ve already started writing another book in the Footmen’s Club series. It’s the story of Clayton and Theodora (who are the hosts of the infamous house party). I’m also about to publish my very first contemporary rom com called Hiring Mr. Darcy!

Oh, I'm so glad you're writing Clayton and Theodora's story! And I had no idea you were also writing a contemporary rom com. How exciting! 

Let’s play a quick round of “finish the sentence.”

If I had more time I would…watch TV.

My perfect breakfast would include…coffee with cream and sugar and an English muffin with butter and jam.

The last book that made me laugh was…Wow. I’ve been reading a lot of True Crime and World War II history lately. I just realized neither thing is funny. Thank you for reminding me I need a laugh!

My favorite show to binge watch is…I began bingeing Outlander and have yet to finish. I’d love to get back to it someday.

The characteristic a hero must have to win my heart is…intelligence and humor.

 

Thank you, Valerie! Would you like to add anything or ask my readers a question?

Well, apparently, I need to read something funny so I’m all ears for suggestions. What’s a funny book that you recommend?

 

***Giveaway*** 

One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, August 18, will receive one e-copy of Duke Looks Like a Groomsman. 

Must be 18 or older

US-only.

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.