Tour Review - - The Heiress Gets a Duke

The Heiress Gets a Duke

by Harper St. George

The Gilded Age Heiresses - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 26, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society--for that you need a marriage of convenience.

American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her peers, it isn't some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her finger--it's Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it's clear that August's outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitable for a respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage.

Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking away from the marriage. He's recently inherited the title only to find his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can't walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn't the heiress he wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.

But August won't go peacefully to her fate. She decides to show Rothschild that she's no typical London wallflower. Little does she realize that every stunt she pulls to make him call off the wedding only makes him like her even more.

PJ's Thoughts:

I've read other historical romances with wealthy American heiresses and debt-ridden, titled Englishmen at their core. Usually, my allegiance goes to one or the other. Not so in this case. In The Heiress Gets a Duke, both August and Evan are likeable, relatable, and sympathetic characters caught in a web not of their making and I was firmly in both of their corners. 

August is more than the blunt-speaking, independent American typically found in these stories. She's an educated, savvy, and well-prepared businesswoman, a shrewd negotiator as comfortable in the boardroom as the men of her family and confident in her position within the family company. Unfortunately, she discovers that the glow of a title is much more attractive to her parents than their daughter's wishes or her business acumen.

Evan was never meant to be duke but after the deaths of his older brother and father, that's exactly where he finds himself. Unfortunately, he's been left with a mountain of debt and hundreds of people depending on him. His secret forays into the world of bare-knuckle boxing have brought in some money but not nearly enough. His path forward, unfortunately, is quite clear. His mother, and August's parents, have their eye on younger sister, Violet for his bride but Evan has only one Crenshaw heiress in his sights. It's August or nothing. Now if he can only convince her they are meant to be. 

I loved these two! Their story is filled with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and refreshingly honest communication...most of the time. It was fun watching them go toe to toe. I also enjoyed watching them slowly open themselves to one another as they each expanded their own emotional horizons. I especially appreciated how Evan liked August not in spite of her honesty, willingness to stand up to him, and refusal to let him get away with anything due to his privilege, but because of it. The more she challenged him, the more certain he became that she was the woman for him. He valued her. And I loved that Evan was much more than the stereotypical English peer, lounging his days away at his club and not taking responsibility for those under his care. He has layers and I am here for them. 

This was my first book by Harper St. George. I enjoyed her writing style, her fresh approach to this trope, and, mostly, her characters. I'm intrigued by August's younger sister, Violet, who I'm certain will turn out to be much more devious and independent-thinking than she appears at first glance. I'm hoping her story will include a certain Earl. And I'm definitely intrigued by August and Violet's older brother. I do hope we'll be seeing more of him as well. 

Blog Blitz Review - - The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman

by Erika Robuck

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

In the depths of war, she would defy the odds to help liberate a nation…a gripping historical novel based on the remarkable true story of World War II heroine Virginia Hall, from the bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl
 
France, March 1944. Virginia Hall wasn't like the other young society women back home in Baltimore—she never wanted the debutante ball or silk gloves. Instead, she traded a safe life for adventure in Europe, and when her beloved second home is thrust into the dark days of war, she leaps in headfirst.

Once she's recruited as an Allied spy, subverting the Nazis becomes her calling. But even the most cunning agent can be bested, and in wartime trusting the wrong person can prove fatal. Virginia is haunted every day by the betrayal that ravaged her first operation, and will do everything in her power to avenge the brave people she lost.

While her future is anything but certain, this time more than ever Virginia knows that failure is not an option. Especially when she discovers what—and whom—she's truly protecting.

PJ's Thoughts:

This is one of the best WWII novels I've read. Most of the book is written in third person, present tense which, I admit, took some getting used to. Once I caught the rhythm of the writing though, the author's use of it made sense. Placing the reader in the present amplified each character's situation, creating a compelling sense of urgency and life-or-death danger. It raised the stakes for the characters, and for me, the reader. I became absorbed into their world, their motivations, their hope and despair. 

The characters are another reason why this book resonated so deeply with me. Rather than focusing primarily on the events of the war (though some are integral to the story and the author's historical research is impeccable), Robuck shines her spotlight on the people. We read a lot about military heroes in many WWII books but most of the secondary characters in this book are untrained, ordinary villagers - husbands, wives, children - from the young (a 10-year-old honored for his bravery with France's Croix de Guerre) to veterans of the Great War in their sunset years to brave pacifists willing to risk their lives, and their families, for the most vulnerable among us. These are the often unheralded heroes of France's battle against the evil of the Nazi regime. Knowing many of the characters in Robuck's book are based on real people who were a part of Virginia Hall's network makes their stories that much more compelling. 

Of course, there's also Virginia's beloved France, a character in itself within this book. Robuck's descriptions bring to life the serenity of a beautiful sunrise over Notre Dame and the uplifting hope to be found in a profusion of flowers on an apartment balcony. But she doesn't ignore the darkness, especially evident in the devastation throughout the formerly bucolic French countryside. The pictures she paints with her words are vivid depictions that unrolled through my mind like a movie, some heart-wrenching, some hopeful, but always eliciting deep emotion.  

And then there's Virginia. What an incredibly courageous woman. A legend in intelligence circles, she's not well known to the general public. I hope this book changes that for she deserves to be appreciated and celebrated for her efforts during WWII and beyond. I am in awe of her and all she accomplished, especially after a devastating injury that would have put most people out of the game forever. Robuck brought her to life not only as a master intelligence agent but as a fully-formed woman with hopes, fears, guilt, anger, and grief, capable not only of great bravery on her own but of inspiring it in others as well. She is a true hero. 

Be sure to read the author's Afterword at the end of the book for more information on her research and updates on Virginia and the other main characters featured in The Invisible Woman. 

 

Review - - Hit Me With Your Best Scot

Hit Me With Your Best Scot

by Suzanne Enoch

The Wild Wicked Highlanders - Book 3

Publisher: St. Martin's

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

The MacTaggert brothers have one task:

Find English brides or lose their land!

Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril, is a big, brawny Highlander who doesn’t like being told what to do—not even by his exasperated English mother who is determined to see her eldest son wedded and bedded. However, when he comes to the rescue of an irresistibly beautiful woman, Coll discovers that he may have found his perfect match…

The challenge isn’t that Persephone Jones is famous, wealthy, independent, and smarter than anyone he knows.The problem is that she isn't interested in marrying any man—especially not a hot-headed Scot—even if he is the only man who seems to understand who she really is even when she’s not sure herself. When Coll learns that Persephone is actually a lady-in-hiding and someone is willing to kill her for what she stands to inherit…Well, Coll has never been one to turn down a fight. When hearts are involved, nothing comes between a Highlander and his lady.

PJ's Thoughts:

You know how sometimes you read a book that hits all of your happy buttons, to the point where it feels like the author wrote the story just for you? That's exactly how I feel about Suzanne Enoch's Hit Me With Your Best Scot. I read an advance copy of the book a few months ago and couldn't put it down. Coll, Persephone, and their journey made me so happy. I smiled, I sighed, I laughed out loud. I cheered so darn hard for these two. Last night, I went back to the beginning of the book, intending to skim key points before writing this review. I wasn't even to the end of the first chapter before I was once again fully immersed in the story. Forget skimming; I savored every delicious word before sighing with delight while turning the final page somewhere around 3:00 AM this morning. So good.

I'll admit I wasn't a big Coll fan in the first two books but his character isn't really fleshed out until he steps into the spotlight in his own story. I love how, with Persephone, he's able to be his true self rather than playing the role that fulfills the perceptions of London society. He's much more intelligent, and complex, than he first appears and Enoch uses skill and subtlety in unveiling those layers to the reader through his interactions with Persephone. He flat-out stole my heart and ended up being my favorite brother.

Persephone is not your usual regency heroine. I adored her intelligence, her confidence, her kindness, and her determination to chart her own course. I loved her fierce protection of Coll, as important as his own of her. I enjoyed that Enoch tempered her independence and strength with vulnerability and tenderness, and that Coll appreciated and respected both. I thoroughly enjoyed her sexual agency, the sensual chemistry she shares with Coll, and the unexpected depth of joy they discover together. 

There's a strong family dynamic at the core of the books in this trilogy that deepened my investment in all of the couples. Enoch is so good at creating realistic relationships between siblings and this one is spot on with snappy dialogue among the three brothers that is a highlight of all three books. I love that they fight, and tease, but always have one another's backs, without question. I enjoyed them immensely. 

While Hit Me With Your Best Scot is the third book in the series, it can absolutely be read on its own. However, as all of the siblings weave in and out of each other's books and their fractured relationship with their mother evolves throughout the series, I do think your enjoyment of the characters, and their stories, will be richer if the books are read in order. 

Review - - Sweet Rogue of Mine

Sweet Rogue of Mine

by Shana Galen

The Survivors - Book 9

Publisher: Shana Galen

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

A sharpshooter who’s lost his sight…

When a stray pistol ball from the battlefield took Nash’s sight, it also took his entire identity. He’s retreated to his father’s county home to lick his wounds, but his drinking and isolation have only made things worse. When Nash’s father, a powerful earl, threatens to send Nash to an asylum, his former brothers-in-arms call in one of their own to set Nash back on the right course. Nash fears he’s fallen too far and perhaps ending it all is the best solution. Until he encounters a woman in the garden signing a bawdy tune at the top of her lungs.

An outcast who sees too much…

Prudence Howard has traveled the world with her missionary parents. But after the scandal she caused in Cairo, they’ve foisted her on a vicar in the small town of Milcroft and sailed to the Far East to evangelize without her. Pru doesn’t mean to cause trouble; it’s just that being good is so very hard. When she meets Nash Pope, she’s instantly intrigued. He might be hot-tempered, but he’s handsome and unusual and arouses her interest and passion like no one she’s ever met. He might not know he needs or even wants her help, but Pru has a plan to save him.

Together they glimpse a brighter future.

Nash is bewildered by the unconventional woman who keeps turning up on his doorstep. She tries to teach him night writing, claims a feral peacock is a momentous sign, and makes his toes curl when she kisses him. She refuses to give up on him. But though Nash finds it easy to believe in Pru, can he ever trust himself again?

PJ's Thoughts:

Not only is Sweet Rogue of Mine my favorite book of this series, I also think it's one of the best books Shana Galen has written. Galen does not shy away from the deeply emotional trauma of Nash's depression and PTSD from his years in the war, the resulting injuries, and the haunting memories of what happened on the battlefields. His destructive behavior and thoughts of worthlessness are on full display when he's at his lowest. But then a ray of sunshine, singing bawdy songs, unexpectedly drops into his life and slowly, reluctantly, hopefully, Nash's life begins to change. I was intrigued by Nash when he first appeared on the pages of The Highlander's Excellent Adventure (book 8) and was hopeful that Galen would explore his story in a book of his own. I'm so glad she did. I ached for what he had been through and his continuing struggles, especially those connected with his father. I liked that Galen didn't minimize the challenges facing him, didn't offer easy fixes, and that she surrounded him with individuals who had his best interests at heart, like his friend and fellow survivor, Rowden Payne (hoping we'll see more of him in a future book). Then there's Nash's slowly deepening relationship with Pru. It was everything I could have wanted. It's been a while since I've been as deeply invested in a character as I was with Nash.

It could only have been Pru. Oh, how I adored this character. She brought the light to Nash's darkness, the hope to his despair. I loved everything about her, from her bawdy songs to her "oddness" to her staunch advocacy for what Nash needed and deserved in life. I also appreciated that Galen gave her depth and layers. She had an intriguing storyline of her own. I especially enjoyed her relationship with a local dowager and the strength and confidence she gained from it. It was so enjoyable watching her come into her own, using that confidence not only to help Nash but to fight for the happiness for which her heart yearned. Every time she came to Nash's defense, every idea she brought to fruition to help him find his best life and re-open his heart made me love her even more. 

One of the aspects of this story that I most enjoyed was how Nash and Pru each saw themselves as opposed to how each viewed the other. Though Nash was the handsome and dashing son of an earl, his injury had changed his perception of himself to lesser than, whereas Pru had a pragmatically clear view of herself. As the daughter of a missionary, she had no social standing, and a glimpse into a mirror was all that was needed to confirm the opinion of many that she possessed no outer beauty in either body or face. None of those facts were discarded by Galen. Instead, she crafted a story wherein the characters were forced to look deeper, past outer facades, in Nash's case one he was unable to see, for inner strength and beauty not always noticeable at first glance. It's a critical part of the journey they must travel to discover not only the beauty and strength of the other but, more importantly, that residing within themselves. 

If you enjoy character-driven, historical romance with deep emotion, well-placed humor, sensual chemistry, interesting historical details, and a hero and heroine who will capture your heart, look no further than Shana Galen's Sweet Rogue of Mine. It is the first book this year to land on my Best of 2021 watch list. 

Although this book can be read as a standalone, for a more complete understanding of Nash, and the challenges he faces, I encourage you to first read book eight, The Highlander's Excellent Adventure. 

Winner - - Coming Attractions

 

The randomly chosen winner of a

box of books and swag from PJ is:

Virginia C

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Review - - Happy Singles Day

Happy Singles Day

by Ann Marie Walker

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: January 19, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Single and proud of it! Oh, oops...

As a Certified Professional Organizer, everything in Paige Parker's world is as it should be. Perfect apartment, perfect office, perfect life. And now, the perfect vacation planned to honor Singles Day. After all, what's better than celebrating her pride in being single? Because who needs a man anyway? They have zero taste in quality television, leave the toilet seat up, and sleep with your best friend. No thanks. Her life is fine just the way it is.

As the owner of a now-dormant bed & breakfast, Lucas Croft's life is simple and quiet. It's only him and his five-year-old daughter, which is just the way he likes it. Because who needs a woman anyway? They nag you to clean up your stuff, want the toilet seat put down, and expect the dishes to be done the same day the meal is cooked. No thanks. His life is fine just the way it is.

But when Paige books a room that Lucas' well-intentioned sister listed without his knowledge, their two worlds collide. If they can survive the week together, they just might discover exactly what they've both been missing.

PJ's Thoughts:

Calling Hallmark! This book needs to be made into a movie...now. It has everything I could ask for in a sweet, charming, funny, and emotionally heart-tugging story. I adored it.

Walker's characters are fully formed and true to life. She depicts them so clearly that I had no trouble visualizing them as real people. My heart ached for Lucas as he navigated (not that successfully) the murky waters of moving forward with his life following his wife's death. Paige, on the other hand, thinks she knows exactly where she's going but when she's finally forced to slow down it gradually becomes apparent that there are layers to her that need to be unpacked, considered, and brought back into the light. Watching these two do exactly that - together - made me so happy. Then there's Lucas's almost five year old daughter, who stole every single scene she was in. I loved the bond between father and daughter but it was the relationship she formed with Paige (who didn't think she even liked kids) that really grabbed my heart. Oh, and the puppies! Who could resist a litter of tiny puppies in danger? Certainly not Paige...and not me either. (Don't worry...no puppies were harmed in the writing of this book)

About two-thirds through the book, I still had no idea how Walker was going to bring these two individuals with very different lives together. She does so in a way that showcases compromise, respect, and love with an ending that I was 100% behind. 

I don't know if Walker plans to return to Aurelia Island for any future stories (Lucas's sister, Sophie?) but if she does, I'll definitely be buying them. 

Review - - Back in the Texan's Bed

Back in the Texan's Bed

by Naima Simone

Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent - Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Release Date: February 1, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Will they ever learn…

that giving in to desire is playing with fire?After discovering he has a secret son, oil heir Ross Edmond isn’t letting Charlotte Jarrett walk away again. He proposes they move in together—to share their son…and a bed. But Charlotte has secrets, and Ross doesn’t know the real reason his family’s former chef left town three years ago—and they still have a powerful enemy who could bring them both down…

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

Visit Royal, Texas, and find out if the Edmond family is all that they seem in Texas Cattleman’s Club: Heir Apparent.

PJ's Thoughts:

Naima Simone sets the pages on fire with a sexy, sassy, and emotionally-charged, second-chance romance...with a secret baby! Back in the Texan's Bed has everything that makes a book a page turner for me: betrayal, a strong, independent heroine, an emotionally-scarred hero, and a second chance to make things right. 

I'm not always a fan of secret baby stories but Simone has approached the trope in such a way that I didn't find fault with either of the main characters. Instead, the reveal of the secret unites them against a common foe and solidified my investment in them as a couple. But the road ahead for our reunited couple is anything but smooth. That foe - and Ross's issues - will make sure of it.

I really pulled for Charlotte and Ross, even though it took me some time to warm up to him. Of the two, he has the greater growth arc but those necessary changes made me love him even more by the end and deemed him worthy of Charlotte's love and trust. There's a dysfunctional family at the core of his issues and a secondary cast I hope we'll be seeing more of in this series. There are characters due a happy ending and one who I sincerely hope faces the reckoning they deserve. 

If you enjoy deeply emotional stories with great dialogue, complex characters, plenty of sizzle, and hard-earned happy endings, give this one a try. I highly recommend it. 

 

Coming Attractions

 

Well, that month sure went fast! Welcome to February, fellow readers. I have lots of books to share with you this month, a few excerpts, a Q&A, and maybe some surprises. Let's warm up this cold month with romance! 

A tour review and giveaway of Virginia Heath's The Viscount's Unconventional Lady launch this month on Monday, February 1. Don't miss this Harlequin Historical that kicks off Heath's The Talk of the Beau Monde series, featuring three unconventional sisters. 

Stop by to read what I have to say about Back in the Texan's Bed by Naima Simone on Wednesday, February 3. This sizzler launches Harlequin Desire's Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series. 

I'm sharing my thoughts about Shana Galen's Sweet Rogue of Mine on Friday, February 5. This ninth Survivors book is my favorite of what has been a wonderful historical romance series. 

Suzanne Enoch wraps up her Wild Wicked Highlanders with Hit Me With Your Best Scot. Stop by Monday, February 8 to read my thoughts about this wild and wickedly wonderful historical romance. 

On Tuesday, February 9, I'll be sharing my thoughts about The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck, a WWII historical fiction novel based on the real life of a Baltimore debutante turned Allied spy. I can't wait to dive into this one. 

Wednesday, February 10 brings my tour review of The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George. I'm looking forward to reading this Gilded Age romance that launches St. George's new series. 

The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard was one of my favorite books of 2019. I can't wait to share an excerpt of the upcoming second book in the series, The Rakehell of Roth, on Thursday, February 11.  

Beverly Jenkins is one of my all-time favorite authors. Be sure to stop by on Friday, February 12 to read what I have to say about Wild Rain, the second book in Jenkins' Women Who Dare, historical romance series. 

Anna Sugden joins us on Monday, February 22 for a Q&A and excerpt from her upcoming hockey-themed contemporary romance, Hot on the Ice. I'm so excited she's back with a brand new series featuring a new (fictional) NHL team. 

On Tuesday, February 23, I'll be sharing my review of The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard. We've been blessed with some gorgeous covers this month!

If you enjoy romantic comedy with quirky characters and a satisfying depth of emotion, stop by Wednesday, February 24 for my review of Dream a Little Dream, the third book in Melinda Curtis's Sunshine Valley series. Forever has generously offered a series giveaway with this one!

I'm reading up a storm so there's a good chance I'll be adding more specials to the February menu. Click the link in the right sidebar for updates throughout the month. 

Tell me about the books you're reading or the books you're anticipating reading this month. 

I have a box of books and swag for one randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 3.

*Must be 18

*U.S. only