Title: Three Days to be Ruined
Author: Giovanna Siniscalchi
Published: December 2024
Genre: Historical Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

What happened when a Highlander becomes a winemaker? The grapes don’t just crush... They faint.

An English lady with everything to lose...Beth Croft is all poise and propriety – or so she tells herself. To save her father from financial ruin, she proposes a marriage of convenience to Boyd Sandeman, the ruggedly handsome, infuriating Scotsman and wine tycoon. She expects some challenges, but she didn’t expect Boyd himself – a man with a dry wit, a commanding presence, and a knack for turning her world upside down.

A Scotsman with a taste for revenge...For Boyd, Beth’s offer is a chance to settle an old score with her father, who once humiliated him. He agrees, but only if Beth can prove she’s up to the task. At a festive Christmas house party, Boyd devises three challenges to test her mettle, from blind wine tastings to keeping up with his demanding (and often maddening) expectations. Yet as they spar and spark, Boyd’s own defences begin to falter in surprising ways.

Three trials, one Christmas, and undeniable chemistry...Beth didn’t expect proving herself would mean more late nights than she’s bargained for – or that her heart would be on the line. Can she survive Boyd’s trials, break through his defences, and make it to Christmas morning with her pride – and her heart – intact?

A standalone historical romance with spice, heart, and favourite characters from The Winemakers series, Three Days to be Ruined is the perfect holiday escape. If you’re drawn to heart-stopping romance, rugged heroes, and daring heroines, get your copy today and dive into a journey of love, revenge, and sizzling holiday chemistry!

My Review:

Ah, what a swoon-worthy novella with so much spice and passion, and revenge that turned into perfect love.

On her father’s demand, Beth comes to Boyd to propose a marriage of convenience. For Boyd, her proposal is the perfect timing to ruin and avenge her father after what her father did to him. Beth is unaware of his revenge, thus she keeps putting on a perfect propriety-lady mask to assure him that she can be a perfect wife to a winemaker. Boyd, however, has another demand for Beth to qualify as a winemaker’s wife.

At first, I thought Boyd would be a ruthless businessman, but his hidden desire for Beth makes him want to be close to her with his teasing and slow-burning connection. Beth is truly innocent, her red hair, fair complexion and proper English manner just make Boyd want to tease her over and over. Boyd’s revenge, along with his sweet and compassionate side for Bath, stealing whatever Beth wears, was entertaining. I almost got butterflies in my stomach every time they got close.

Surrounded by caring side characters, Boyd and Beth’s journey was truly romantic. A novella with a swoon-worthy hero for a heroine, a sweet heroine with a spine and a spicy-page turner is perfect for your holiday reading!

Picture and blurb source: goodreads.com

 

Title: Love in Translation
Author: Joss Wood
Published: December 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Opposite-Attract,

Blurb:

This could be their greatest adventure yet...

A stressed-out translator on the brink of a meltdown and a thrill seeker with a serious case of wanderlust find love outside their comfort zones.

Up until a few months ago, Rheo Whitlock had it all. Stability, self-confidence and a safe job as an interpreter for the United Nations... It was the predictable sort of existence she, as a dedicated homebody, had always dreamed of – the security she’d needed thanks to her nomadic van-life upbringing. But ever since an unfortunate “hot mic” moment threw her career into a tailspin, she’s been struggling – really struggling – with fear, anxiety and uncertainty. A calculated escape is in order, and Rheo knows just the place: her grandmother’s secluded hideaway in the breathtaking town of Gilmartin.

Except she won’t be alone, thanks to a random twist of fate...

Fletcher Wright loves for adrenaline, always chasing the next high. So when he learns he’ll have to share his rental accommodations with Rheo – a stranger, basically – he simply chalks it up to another challenge. It doesn’t hurt that there’s an immediate attraction between them, which neither can explain. Before long, they’re not just sharing a house and new experiences – they’re sharing a bed. But when it’s time for Fletcher to move on to the next adventure, he and Rheo will both have to decide – are they ready to take the biggest risk of all?

My Review:

The perfect example of opposites attracting - a talented interpreter and a fearless explorer brought to you by Joss Wood...

On the brink of a career disaster, Rheo, a multilingual translator and interpreter has hidden herself away in the Pink House, a place where she thinks she could maintain her perfect-life back and regain her confidence, yet her life is turned more upside down when an attractive explorer, Fletcher, claims to have rented the house to him through her cousin.

Despite their opposite characters, Rheo and Fletcher cannot hide their instant attraction. Rheo is a consummate idealist and perfectionist. Her upbringing, shaped by her parents’ van life and her grandmother, who is her perfect role model, clashes with Fletcher’s adventurous spirit. His purpose in life is dedicated to explore the unexplored area, a life that Rheo hates because of her family.

I loved the way the attraction instantly sparked during their first encounter, and their decision to have an affair added a fun, spicy twist to the story. From hot and spicy moments to entertaining and unexpected situations, this book keeps you hooked.

It’s thanks to Joss Wood for letting me read it. Slow burn that becomes hot and spicy, loads of passion, the plot that flows until I didn’t realize it was over. Joss Wood’s writing kept me hooked from the beginning. If you want a relaxing read with a spicy scene, a pleasing plot and a resolved and happy ever after ending, this is absolutely for you.

Picture and blurb source: goodreads.com

 

Title: Italian Wife Wanted
Author: Lela May Wight
Published: December 2024
Genre: Marriage of Convenience, Amnesia, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills and Boon Modern

Blurb:

A Marriage of convenience, amnesia, second chance, billionaire romance from Lela May Wight.

Her forgotten husband returns...for his runaway bride!

Waitress Emma’s purely-for-passion marriage to Dante Capetta had no place for love. She’d seen how chasing it destroyed her mother. So, when Emma realised she wanted more than mutually assured desire, she left. Only an accident leaves her unable to remember that...

Now he’s found her, cynical CEO Dante plans to remind Emma just how perfectly their arrangement serves them both by whisking her to Japan. But if their unparalleled chemistry wasn’t enough to make her stay before, how many of his walls must he tear down to win his wife?

My Review:

The past that haunts both Dante and Emma, the endless desire they crave one another, and a marriage ...

Oh my, Lela May Wight has done it again! An emotionally gripping story that took me on another emotional rollercoaster through Emma and Dante...

To avoid what her mother underwent, Emma walks out on her marriage to Dante, a billionaire who owns vast travel company. But when she suffers from amnesia, she is astonished to find herself with a husband. A husband she doesn’t remember at all, with his strong convictions and a hunger for her.

Given the chance to be with his wife again, Dante sweeps Emma away to Japan to seduce her and make her crave for him. This second-chance twist has peeled the layers Dante puts during their marriage, even his past, his affection and his heart.

With the new Emma, who Dante doesn’t know and neither does Emma, they begin to open up themselves and it leads them to the pain, the pain that they both suffer all their lives. Oh, I almost could feel the pain and I ached for them. Yet longing for one another outweighs and conquers the traumatic outcome of their past. I loved the way Lela made Dante hungry for Emma more and more until he couldn’t stand it and surrendered.

Once again Lela May Wight has blown me away with her achingly beautiful romantic story, a story of two scarred creatures that crave for one another but are afraid of their feelings. I loved loved it. The epilogue was everything I had hoped for!

About the Author

Lela May Wight grew up with seven brothers and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She still does, but now she gets to write them, too! She hopes to offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud. Lela May lives in the UK with her two sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction – he buys her more books! Check out what she’s up to at https://lelamaywight.com/.

Picture and blurb source: goodreads.com

Title: Wedding Night with Her Viking Enemy
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: December 2024
Genre: Enemies-to-Lovers, Historical Romance, Viking age, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

Wedded and bedded by her Viking enemy!

Her vows with the Viking?

To have and to hate!

The idea of Sigrid joining hands with Viking Grimr Eriksson is laughable – they’re sworn enemies after all! – until her half-brother’s treachery reignites the feud between their rival families. Now Sigrid must silence the war drums by wedding the new Eriksson jarl.

Yet even resourceful Sigrid’s diplomacy is tested by a husband whose stubbornness infuriates her even if his battle-honed body entices... There seems to be no getting past the distrustful warrior’s defences, but when the king demands they produce an heir, can they put aside their loathing and give in to their longing?

 My Review:

Who wouldn’t enjoy a captivating adventure on a ship with a big grumpy Viking and his sworn nemesis in this enemies-to-lovers trope?

I’ve always looked forward to reading this story, so when Lucy Morris sent it out as an e-arc, I couldn’t wait to grab it and read it in one sitting!

Ah, Sigrid and Grimr’s story begins with an unexpected plot twist. The family feud between Erikssons and Siguardssons has deteriorated, particularly when Sigrid’s half-brother became the leader. The king has arranged a marriage alliance between these two families yet, everything turned ugly and that is how the story becomes more and more gripping.

As Sigrid has no alternative but save both Erikssons brothers and her sister, she has tried her best, yet Grimr’s bed-tempered and accusation brought them on the Viking voyage to Iceland. Oh I loved this part so much, as I felt like I was on the ship, enjoying their journey with the storm and the intricacies of the sea. It took my imagination into a higher level!

Despite their attempt to diminish the King’s wrath after what has happened and to save Sigrid’s sister, they are united in marriage. Sigrid and Grimr keep on bickering and arguing but the King’s order must be carried out or Sigrid will never see her sister.

Grimr is absolutely grumpy, bad-tempered and annoying, and no one can match him except Sigrid, and he always annoys and brings out all bad emotions in her, but behind his attitude, he is so caring and attentive. Their hidden compassion, which makes their marriage journey become more engaging and burning.

I can’t say more than that I loved it very much. It is a perfect enemies-to-lovers trope with captivating adventure and folklore, compelling characters and a gripping plot.

About the author

Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. She is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and is delighted to begin her publishing journey with Harlequin Historical in 2021 with her first release ‘The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance’.

She adores writing strong, passionate women and the brave honourable men who fall in love with them. Weaving her fascination with the dark age of medieval Europe with her compulsion to give her characters a happily ever after. But only after they’ve had an adventure along the way. Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author

Picture and blurb source: goodreads.com

Title: How the Wallflower Wins a Duke
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: July 2024
Rate: 5 of 5
Genre: Fake-Dating, Regency Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

Be tantalized by this spicy Regency romance

Maria Fletcher’s Rules:

Rule 1: Send life composing music in peace. Do not worry about finding a husband.

Rule 2: If must marry about finding a husband, marry for love only or commit to becoming a spinster.

Rule 3: Resist urge to spend time with the sinfully sexy Duke of Framlingham, who clearly does not believe in love.

Rule 4: Never ever say yes to said duke’s wicked plan for us to silence society’s expectations with a fake engagement...

But what happens when this wallflower breaks every single rule?

My Review:

When Pride and Prejudice collided with The Bridgeton ...

Oh dear, I had to fan myself when Lucy Morris announced that she was writing an alternative character to Mary Bennet in her next book! I was so excited as I have such a fondness for Mary.

After the humiliation she suffered some time ago, Marina is committed to devoting her life for music and being a spinster. Not only does she play the instruments, but she also composes her own music. Meanwhile, as the daughter of loving and compassionate parents, she is determined to marry only for love, even though she doesn’t come from a noble family.

After his father and step-brother’s demise, Brook must accept his role as a spare heir to become the new Duke of Framlingham. He also has to deal with the mess left behind by his mother. However his attractiveness has left society in awe, encouraging prospective mothers and their daughters to be part of the duke’s family.

To gain freedom from the nagging society, Brook needs to find a fake fiancée. When he meets Marina and her family, his determination to make her one leads them into a fake courtship. The story isn’t only about how Regency romance works, but the book also has a strong content of architecture and music that can live up to your imagination.

Lucy Morris is one of my favourite authors. Her writing in the Viking era was absolutely captivating and this Regency is no different! I loved how Lucy was able to recreate the character of Mary Bennet in Marina Fletcher. Her creation of the Duke also brought the fun and excitement to the story. The annoying nemesis irked me at times, but I found their ridiculousness strangely amusing. I also loved the Fletcher’s family bond and Brooks’s mother.

All in all, it is a fun read with lively and lovable characters wrapped in Regency romance. Lucy Morris’s writing is beyond exceptional, bringing each period to life with such vivid detail and intriguing cast of characters.

About the author

Lucy Morris lives in Essex, UK, with her husband, two young children and two cats. She has a massively sweet tooth and loves gin, bubbly and Irn-Bru. She is a member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and is delighted to begin her publishing journey with Harlequin Historical in 2021 with her first release ‘The Viking Chief’s Marriage Alliance’.

She adores writing strong, passionate women and the brave honourable men who fall in love with them. Weaving her fascination with the dark age of medieval Europe with her compulsion to give her characters a happily ever after. But only after they’ve had an adventure along the way. Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author
 

Picture and blurb source: goodreads.com