Title: Peers and Parasols
(Lords and Ladies St. James #6)
Author: Rachel Ann Smith, Anna St. Claire, Aubrey Wynne,
Lauren Smith, Catherine Stein, Lara Temple
Published: March 2024
Rate: 5 of 5
Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, Adventure,
Regency Romance, Suspense, Forced-Proximity

Blurb:

A collection of five exclusive novellas by your favourite historical romance authors all featuring Peers and Parasols.

They say...

Parasols are to protect one from the sun

But for five Peers...

Grab your copy of Peers and Parasols today and fall into the fantastic titles below:

Book 6 – Peers and Parasols

Kissed by a Scoundrel by USA Today Bestselling Author, Anna St. Claire

Poisons, Potions, and Parasols by USA Today Bestselling Author, Aubry Wynne

Her Fair Lady by Catherine Stein

Swindled by a Spinster by Rachel Ann Smith

The Seduction of Miss Standish by Lara Temple

My Review:

Who could turn down five novellas by five wonderful authors? A mystery, an adventure, a parasol in a romance? Very interesting! And who would believe that I read all these novellas in one sitting?

I’m a huge fan of Lara Temple’s books but after reading all the stories, four other amazing authors have been added to the list! From the very first story, you will be hooked with the story of Belle and Max by Lara Temple. This enemies turns lovers is so wonderful that I thought it was too short and needed more. Belle’s sharp wit kept me amused. Max may be annoyed by Belle’s interference in his plan, but their banter and strong attraction made the reading more enjoyable and engaging. Especially when it comes to the parasol, who would have thought it could deceive you?

The second story is about Torrance and Phoebe by Rachel Ann Smith. Torrance is an agent of the Home Office and Phoebe is his informant. This intriguing mystery and love intertwine in a steamy and sweet story!

The third story is Sebastian and Kathie by Anna St. Claire. The story begins with a tragic incident that brings Sebastian and Kathie. The plot is full of mystery and suspense that is mixed with the romantic journey of Sebastian and Kathie with a charming and wonderful ending.

The fourth story is about Helena and Amabel by Catherine Stein. They meet through a mystery, a game of lies and flirtation and it was wonderful.

And the final story is by Aubry Wynne where several mysteries come together. I thoroughly enjoyed Genie and Clayton as the fate and a parasol bring them together.

I really couldn’t put the book down. I need a longer story from each of them! All the stories are wonderful with the author’s special writing and engrossing plot. The adventure, the parasol, the mystery, the suspense, the smitten heroes and their romantic and steamy affair make it a wonderful collection. I hope I can get more stories for the side characters as they are so compelling. Thank you very much, Lara Temple, for the digital copy which I was happy to review.

About the author

Lara Temple is an award-winning author of sensual and emotional historical romance. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog, and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.

Discover more about Lara and her books –

Website: https://www.laratemple.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaraTempleAuthor

Rachel Ann Smith writes steamy historical romance with a twist. Her debut series, Agents of the Home Office, features female protagonists that defy convention. When Rachel isn’t writing she loves to read and spend time with the family. You will often find her with her eReader, by the pool during the summer, or on the side-lines of the soccer field in the spring and fall or curled up on the couch during the winter months. She currently lives in Texas with her extremely understanding husband and their two very supportive children. Rachel Ann also writes contemporary romance under Rachel A. Smith. You can sign-up for her newsletter here: https://www.rachelannsmith.com/

Catherine Stein

Award-winning author Catherine Stein (she/her) believes that everyone deserves love and that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance full of action, adventure, history, magic, and fantastic technologies.

Catherine lives in Michigan with her friends-to-lovers romance hero and their three nerdlings. She loves steampunk and Oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in Renaissance Festival clothing, drinking copious amounts of tea. You can find more information about Catherine and all her books at her website: https://www.catsteinbooks.com/

Aubrey Wynne

USA Today Bestselling author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule, and barn cats. Obsessions include wine, history, travel, trail riding, and all things Christmas. Her Chicago Christmas series has received multiple awards and was twice nominated as a Rone finalist by InD’tale Magazine. Aubrey’s first love is medieval romance but after dipping her toe in the Regency period in 2018 with the Wicked Earls’ Club, she was smitten. This inspired her spin-off series Once Upon a Widow and the Scottish Regency series A MacNaughton Castle Romance with Dragonblade Novels. In 2024, Aubrey will launch Paddy’s Peeler, a Regency detective series.

Stay in touch with Aubrey:

Website: https://aubreywynne.com/

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1680621500i/124950107.jpg

 

Title: The Viking and the Runaway Empress
Author: Sarah Rodi
Published: February 2024
Rate: 5 of 5
Genre: Viking age, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Forced-Proximity

Blurb:

Journey to Constantinople with this Viking Romance!

Bound by duty

Tempted by desire

Guard to the Byzantine emperor, Viking warrior Destin is tasked with delivering his sovereign’s runaway bride-to-be to Constantinople. Abandoned at birth, Destin has spent years making something of himself, and with this final task comes the promise of land and riches. Only, the fiercely beautiful Livia refuses to be wed! Destin must return her unharmed – and untouched – but the closer they grow on their journey, the harder it becomes for him to hand her over...

My Review:

Forbidden love between a Viking warrior and an empress? I’m in!

The adventures begin when Destin is ordered to escort Livia, a Roman empress, to Constantinople to marry prince Alexios. Yet at the hideout where Livia is staying, she is attacked by her own uncle. Destin has no alternative but to escort Livia himself.

Oh my, Destin is really admirable, he may be quite intimidating but he is really protective and caring. I loved how different Destin is from other characters I have read, Destin has proven that despite his disability, he is worth loving!

Meanwhile Livia isn’t a meek and weak empress. She is strong, fierce and courageous. Livia never hides her attraction towards Destin but Destin keeps on pushing her but don’t worry, Livia’s determination is breaking down the wall around Destin.

I was over the moon when Sarah Rodi sent me a digital copy of her latest book because I have always loved her writing, so captivating and engaging. In this book, she has written a wonderful one-armed Viking warrior, Destin, and I couldn’t help but love him. The Italian setting and action is well-drawn and well-researched especially when Destin and Livia set off on their journey. I loved everything about this book, the adventure, the action, the history, the characters and the ending! Thank you, Sarah Rodi, for the digital copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

About the Author

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her granddad, or devouring love stories from local library. Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Barkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over twenty years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Harlequin Historical. Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy-ever-after. You can contact her via https://twitter.com/sarahrodiedits or visit her website at https://www.sarahrodi.com/ .

Image: Source : Sarah Rodi

 

Title: Never Fall for a Highlander
(The Mackays of Dun Ugadale Book 1)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: March 2024
Rate: 4.5 of 5
Genre: Historical Romance, Highland Romance

Blurb:

Laird Robin Mackay has been pushed for some time by the Clan Council to choose a wife from one of the clans with daughters and widowed sisters. He doesn’t feel ready, but when Helena Ross arrives from the Sutherland clan to help her sister, Jena who is about to give birth to her first bairn, she catches Robin’s attention. Then he is injured in battle and Helena must spend hours with him, helping him heal.

He must marry for coin and alliances; she must return to Dornoch to take her aunt’s place as the clan healer so the woman who raised her can ease back from her duties.

With those responsibilities, there can be nothing between them. But the attraction is so strong, can they deny their duties to have each other?

My Review:

Need a quick read? I think you should add this into your TBR!

When I read the last instalment of The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle, I thought the series was ending but Callie Hutton had another story, Helena, a healer from The Sutherlands. Helena is a talented, compassionate and kind healer. She comes to the Mackay clan to help her sister give birth. From the first time Robin sees Helena, he feels a strong attraction towards her, however the Mackay council is against the match yet he continues to pursue and seduce her until the time comes when he must choose between Helena and the future of his clan.

I enjoyed the book as it is an easy read with a good storyline. The character development may not be as engaging as the other series but the plot kept me entertained. I hope the story of Robin’s brother will be as entertaining as this one. Thank you, Callie Hutton for the digital copy which I volunteered to review.

About the author

My historical romances are full of heat, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A study in Murder released this year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been very good. The second book in that series, The Sign of Death, will release in April of 2021.

Although those books are not strictly romance, the main characters, William, Lord Wethington, and Lady Amy Lovell have formed a friendship while solving a murder mystery. Who knows where that will take them?

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers.

Please consider signing up for my newsletter to keep up to date on new releases, sales, and special offers. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! (This text refers to the Amazon edition). Follow her on http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706719226i/206342901.jpg