Title: Bound to the Warrior Knight
(The King’s Knights Book 4)
Author: Ella Matthews
Published: March 2023
Genre: Medieval Romance, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, A Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

A tense battle of duty and desire in this Medieval romance

Wed to a stranger

Awakened by his touch

As the new wife of stoic knight Benedictus Monceaux, innocent Adela finds herself in a whole new world... their union is one of convenience and power, but her feelings for the warrior unsettle and excite her. Hiding an inner strength, Adela knows she can be strong ally to her husband – but she must walk a fine line between duty and desire, both at court and in the bedchamber...

My Review:

Ah, I’m a sucker for this trope and I instantly and irrevocably fell in love with Benedictus and Adela!

Benedictus and Adela have been engaged since Adela was still a little lass (Yup, Benedictus is much older than Adela) yet never do they meet nor court. To make it clear, Benedictus is from Monceaux, a high status and respected family in England meanwhile Adela is from Valdu family, wealthy but isn’t included in the high status. In a nutshell they are essentially married for political and financial reasons.

Taken into their early marriage, Benedictus has made it clear that he has no time to woo his new wife as he is busy leading the court therefore he only can give Adela the freedom she never gains from her father. Adela might look innocent, meek and weak but I did adore her especially when she has to deal with Benedictus, when everyone in the court indeed fears Benedictus. He is a fearsome and stubborn knight. I could imagine how big, fierce and strong he looks. Clearly Adela and Benedictus is a perfect match from the beginning. Living in the court isn’t easy for Adela, particularly as the wife whose husband has strong power like the king.

I just loved this story, their relation might go slowly but it was so precise, romantic and steamy. I loved when Benedictus couldn’t keep his hands off of Adela and how his feelings grew stronger until the strong wall around him cracked only for Adela. I also adored Adela for being so strong, kind and determined. The political and war issue was meticulously well-written and dramatically intriguing. The last but not the least is the prologue! I was so utterly touched by the heart-warming ending! Thank you, Ella Matthews, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes, she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes, but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else). Follow her at https://www.ellamatthews.co.uk/ or her Twitter at https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor

 

Title: Engaged to London’s Wildest Billionaire
(Behind the Palace Doors... Book 2)
Author: Kali Anthony
Published: March 2023
Genre: Fake-Engagement, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern

Blurb:

This convenient fake relationship romance from Kali Anthony is brimming with drama...and pure inconvenient desire!

In the words of the devil himself:

“Scandal I can do...”

Lance Astill’s debauched reputation is the stuff of tabloid legend. He’s dedicated to rebelling against his strict aristocratic upbringing and has never once shied away from trouble. Until he meets Sara Conrad...

Entertaining thoughts of his attraction to sheltered Sara would be far too reckless. Even for him. Then Sara makes him an impassioned plea to help her escape an arranged wedding, just like the one Lance failed to save his sister from. The playboy’s outlandish solution? Their own headline-making engagement!

My Review:

When I was reading this, I did want to read it in one sitting as the book totally captured me but I also felt like I needed my time to savour it. The thing is Sara’s honest character and the Regency terms had first captured me.

Being born from countess and count in Lauritania, Sara was promised to be married to the King until the King died and she is free from the responsibility. During the funeral rite, she feels someone is staring at her and there, she encounters our modern rake, Lance. I wasn’t able to control my ridiculously exciting expression when Lance keeps chasing after Sara. He is strongly lured by her golden hair and honest expression. Lance seems unable to be away from Sara yet he also can’t let her be with him as scandal will arise. Nevertheless when a dire situation bestows upon Sara, he is fully prepared to help her through fake engagement and bring her to his estate.

From the beginning I felt like being taken into Regency romance period and I did enjoy it so much because the aristocratic title and terms are splendidly laid out within the story.  Kali Anthony has brilliantly wrapped both modern and Regency into a wonderful story. As I turned the pages, I started to understand Sara and Lance’s characters. Sara’s skittish and naive character is often so grief-stricken but on one occasion it also amused me, on the other hand, Lance, despite being a rake as the media claim so, he is so attentive and passionate. Well, as much as I enjoyed the drama and the emotional rollercoaster, I also enjoyed how steamy their relation is, and Lance is a tease!

Kali Anthony did capture me again with her accomplished writing. It just made me want to read the prior and the last series of Behind the Palace Doors! Thank you, Kali Anthony, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Kali Anthony read her first romance novel at fourteen, she realized a few truths: there can never be too many happy endings, and one day she would write them herself. After marrying her own tall, dark and handsome hero in a perfect friends-to-lovers romance, Kali took the plunge and penned her first story. Writing has been a love affair ever since. If she isn’t battling her cat for access to the keyboard, you can find Kali playing dress-up in vintage clothes, gardening, or bushwhacking with her husband and three children in the rain forest of South East Queensland. You might contact her on https://www.kalianthony.com/ or her twitter https://twitter.com/KaliAAnthony