Title: The Welsh Lord’s Convenient Bride
Author: Lissa Morgan
Published: May 2022
Genre: Medieval Romance, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Arranged Marriage, Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

Enjoy the drama that unfolds in this medieval marriage of convenience…A wedding between enemies

A Marriage to heal their scars 

Wales, 1294. Hiding a disfigurement, Eleanor de Vraille already lacks confidence when she arrives at her future husband’s cheerless Welsh castle. And Rhun ab Owain’s cold welcome does nothing to make her feel at ease. As revolt turns to war between Wales and England, Eleanor’s heart rebels too – is she a fool to hope for affection from this strong-willed nobleman, who is hiding scars of his own? 

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My Review:

What a breathtaking and emotional story! Eleanor and Rhun wholly captivated me with their painful and redeemed states but I loved how they attempt to endure and accept what befall upon them. Lissa Morgan must be a very talented storyteller as I thought that Eleanor and Rhun might be real!

Leaving the responsible and a promise after his death, Rhun’s father insists him on fulfilling the promise to marry an English bride hence their enemy despite Rhun’s resentment towards both himself and his bride’s family. Eleanor doesn’t know that Rhun’s resentment is not merely from the arranged marriage and a war between Welsh and English but there are more unrevealed secrets beneath. From the beginning, I felt so sorry for Eleanor and faintly annoyed by Rhun’s cold and brooding features towards Eleanor but thankfully, Eleanor isn’t the only English in the Castell y Lleuad, she has her loyal and more-than-like-sister maid. 

I didn’t understand why Rhun beats himself up yet by the time I kept turning the pages I couldn’t blame him for it. Meanwhile Eleanor appears less confident because of the hidden something on her body even though she has remarkable beautiful eyes and hair and she is completely innocent. My mind annoyingly let me think that their arranged marriage won’t be working because the more they attempt to endure the marriage the more they think they have to annul it especially when Eleanor’s father demands Rhun to be a traitor but I knew their happily-ever-after would be worth it.

Lissa Morgan’s story telling is absolutely outstanding. I was really taken into the history between Welsh and English, and its war especially when Rhun and Eleanor have to choose which side they will have to opt as their feeling is compellingly and inevitably tangible. Additionally I might have mispronounced Rhun's name over and over! It’s a powerfully evocative, emotionally heart-breaking and uplifting story. It’s the first but won’t be the last Welsh story I’ve ever read. Thank you, Lissa Morgan, for the ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Lissa Morgan hails from Wales but has travelled far and wide over the years, usually in pursuit of the next new job, but always pursuing her passion for the past along the way too. She once worked as tour guide at Hampton Court Palace where she donned her sumptuous Tudor gowns – replicas of course – in Catherine of Aragon’s chambers! Now a part-time web designer, Lissa lives in rugged north-west Wales surrounded by medieval castles that provide the perfect inspiration for her writing. Follow Lissa on her website: https://lissamorgan.com/, facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lissamorganhistoricalromance or Twitter: https://twitter.com/LissaMorganAuth

 

Title: The Viking She Would Have Married

(Shieldmaiden Sisters Book 1)

Author: Lucy Morris

Published: May 2022

Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Second-Chance Love

Blurb:

Passion erupts when these bold, spirited Vikings are reunited!

In close quarters… 

With the Viking she’d loved and lost 

A Shieldmaiden Sisters story – with her family fallen on hard times, Valda’s forced to join the crew on Halfdan Ulfsson’s merchant ship as he sets sail on the treacherous silk route. But this handsome jarl’s son is the man she’d planned to wed, until his bitter betrayal. Knowing she can never trust him, she must focus on saving her sisters…and not the intense connection that still burns between them!

My Review:

Firstly I would like to say that I fell in love with the cover! The model is proportionately representing Halfdan and he kept letting my imagination work with the image of him whilst reading it. Secondly the story and the writing are truly incredible!

Broken hearted, impoverished and in need of money for her family, Valda attempts to find a merchant’s ship to take her as she resigned herself from being a well-known Shieldmaiden but she doesn’t expect Halfdan, her past lover offers his ship and hand. Meanwhile Halfdan is beyond happy to have finally been reunited with Valda, the only woman whom had caught his heart. Both Valda and Halfdan have been in love since they were young however as they had their misunderstanding and unstable conditions in the past, they stubbornly and unclearly left one another. 

I was totally bereft of words because I felt like being taken into the journeys and adventures which Valda and Halfdan have to deal with. Lucy Morris’ writing is always splendidly immersive and satisfying. Despite her warrior image, Valda has the image of beauty, her long red hair, fair skin, hazel eyes and freckles are the temptation for Halfdan albeit stubborn and fierce. Yet Halfdan is a jovial handsome successful merchant and son of a jarl’s. They understand that they cannot be together as the predicament of Halfdan’s brother is in tatters and he has taken an oath with his ruthless father to save his brother before sailing.

Not only is this Viking story filled with adventurous and immersive story but also it is a deeply researched book which is packed with historical details. It has everything you want in Historical Romance, the steamy and intense relation between Valda and Halfdan who desire to enjoy their temporary romance, the strong family bond and friendship, and the uplifting ending! What enraptured me more was the history of enslavement and the last location of their journey, Lucy Morris has fascinated me again with her book! Thank you, Lucy Morris, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

 

Rate: 5 of 5

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

 

 

Title: The Earl She Should Never Desire
Author: Lara Temple
Published: April 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

Lara Temple offers you a taste of forbidden in this sexy Regency romance.

This very handsome earl… Is the one man she cannot fall for…

War widow Lily Walsh has left her aristocratic family behind, but she can’t deny her younger sister’s request to come to London to meet her fiancé. Though not love match, Lord Sherbourne is kind, amusing and ideal for her sister on paper. But as Lily gets to know him, she’s finding him alarmingly attractive! And the forbidden look in the earl’s eye shows the feeling is mutual…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

My Review:

This forbidden love story made my heart pound from the very first encounter between Lily and Marcus, Lord Sherbourne to the last. Such a beautiful plot!

Lily’s great fondness for her sister makes her agree to visit her in London to accompany and asses Lord Sherbourne herself before they wed. At the first encounter, Lily is uncertain regarding Marcus’ characters because the way her sister outlining him is rather different from her views however their banter seems to strongly allure each other into forbidden desire. When Marcus is determined to choose Annie, Lily’s sister, as his perfect wife to grant his mother wish, he otherwise is unable to let Lily out of his mind and suffers his yearning for Lily.

I kept telling my self, oh please gave Marcus and Lily their happily ever after because every time they suffer from their forbidden desire, I couldn’t imagine what would become of them and that was when Lara Temple blew the peak of the story that made me turn the pages over and over. Thanks Lara Temple and especially Annie!

Marcus and Lily kept entertaining me with their banter and slow-burn sensual Midsummer kisses which Marcus insists as the payment. As their discreet bond rapidly grows, Lily is afraid of something that she cannot give to Marcus because of what she had bore after having married her deceased husband yet he patiently lures her.

I must admit that Lara Temple’s writing has bewitched me. The wordplay, the richly detailed arts, history and quotes, and the electric sexual tension captured all my attention. The expanding characters which were introduced from the beginning and they had clear roles, and gradually narrowed and focused on Marcus and Lily were so appealing, especially Lily’s overdramatic annoying Mother. It is truly wonderful read. Thank you, Lara Temple, for this ARC which I voluntary review.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Lara Temple was three years old when she begged her mother to take dictation of her first adventure story. Since then she has led a double life: by day an investment and high-tech professional who has lived and worked on three continents, but when darkness falls, she loses herself in history and romance – at least on the page. Luckily her husband and two beautiful and very energetic children help weave it all together. You might contact her on Twitter https://twitter.com/laratemple1

Title: To Marry a Highlander
(The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle Book 2)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: April 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance

Blurb:

He didn’t mean for them to get caught…

Conall Sutherland, younger brother and right-hand man to Haydon, the laird of the Sutherland Clan, is happy with his life. Or was until recently. He’d never felt the pull of marriage, since he enjoys the company of the wenches who offer him room in their beds. Lately, however, things just don’t seem right.

Muara MacEwan, Conall’s distant cousin, has always had a fancy for him, but aware of his reputation with the lasses, she never encouraged him, fearing a broken heart. When the two are caught alone, in the dark, in each other’s arms, it doesn’t matter that it was innocent. Her father and brothers give them no choice.

Marriage.

Maura’s hope for wedded bliss wavers when the many lasses at the keep who had spent time in her new husband’s bed begin to harass her and cause her trouble. They try their best to make her miserable, flirting openly with Conall. Can she be certain that her husband has given up his libertine ways? Or is she doomed to spend her life with a man she can never trust? Then things get worse …

My Review:

I was truly enraptured by the second story of The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle that I love everything within it.

Conall is a total rake and a flirt, he is determined not to marry and leave his life however every time he faces Maura, he has strong desire towards her yet he cannot bed her as Maura is an honorable and entirely innocent. When Conall accompanies Maura going home after having attended party in the keep, both are unable to resist their mutual desire and are caught by Maura’s brother in a compromising position.

I felt pity for Maura that she has to deal with all the lasses whom are jealous of her, because Conall declared to all lasses he had bedded that he would never marry yet there is Maura, his legal wife. The story was so much captivating and when I thought it would end smoothly, there is an unexpected blow with a very dramatic twist from the great Miss Callie Hutton that I couldn’t put the book down.

It’s truly compelling story with wonderful characters in which Maura’s trust is tested and how Conall tries to deny his feeling not to fall for Maura but eventually both find their happiness despite the tragedy. The epilogue is marvellously entertaining! Thank you, Callie Hutton, for this ARC which I voluntary review.

Rate: 5 of 5

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/ and Twitter @Calliehutton

 

Title: To Deceive A Highlander
(The Sutherland of Dornoch Castle Book 1)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: February 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Historical Romance, Enemy-to-Lovers, Arranged Marriage

Blurb:

Enemies to Lovers: He married the wrong sister…..or did he?

Laird Haydon Sutherland has made up his mind. ‘Tis time to marry and he has offered marriage to Lady Elsbeth Johnstone, a quiet, demure lass who will never cause him a day of worry. 

Lady Ainslee Johnstone, Elsbeth’s feisty, stubborn twin will not allow the marriage to take place. The arrogant, fierce Sutherland will destroy her sweet sister, so they switch places in the wedding day.

 Let the battles begin…

My Review:

I have always enjoyed Callie Hutton’s books and this latest one includes! 

As I turned the first page and read how the outspoken Ainslee talks back when Ainslee and Elsbeth’s father informs that there will be a marriage alliance between Johnston and Sutherland and the preference will depend on the Sutherland Laird, I knew I would be enjoying it until the last page. Ainslee and Elsbeth, albeit identical twins, has complete opposite personalities. Elsbeth is a quite, sweet and demure lass meanwhile Ainslee is a feisty, outspoken and courageous one. The huge and resolved Haydon notices that he can’t opt for Ainslee as his wife, he reasonably requires an obedient wife who will bow to whatever he says however when he announces that he is going to marry Elsbeth, she dramatically passes out. Wow, incredible! On the wedding day, Haydon has been aware of his switched bride yet as he has compelling attraction towards Ainslee, he lets the wedding rite continue and their whirlwind marriage begins.

It’s a quick most enjoyable read when an inconvenient marriage becomes convenient one. What I love the most from Callie Hutton’s engrossing writing is its slow-burn sexual attraction, how possessive yet teasing Haydon is, the decent tempting foods and the war between British and Highlanders just adds its attractiveness. Thank you, Callie Hutton for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

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/ and Twitter @Calliehutton