Title: Out of Her League
Author: Natalie Anderson
Published: May 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Blurb:

Can he convince her to forgive him while avoiding falling in love with her?

Bella Cotton didn’t rescuing. She was fine with being the family disappointment, the knot-like-the others bridesmaid, fine with them all forgetting her birthday… But when the impossibly hot dude at the bar dared her to take him as her fake date to her sister’s wedding the next day? Well yeah, she was tempted to do for more than have him at her side tomorrow – she’d have him every which way tonight!

But next morning he’d gone – had all he wanted and ditched her before the fake date bit!

Now she’s collided with him again in the most humiliating circumstance and it turns out he isn’t an every day klutz like her. He’s some sort of billionaire genius and he wants to ‘rescue’ her all over again?

Tech titan Owen Hughes didn’t mean to hide his identity fro the gorgeous woman he met that night on Waiheke island. He also didn’t mean to leave her so soon. But business always comes first for him. It has to.

Still, letting her down had left him with a bad feeling. Now the sweetheart seems to be in another spot of bother and he’s only too happy to help out. That’s if she’ll let him. And this time he’ll make his position clear: Pleasure? Yes. Permanent? Never.

At least that’s what he thinks…

One click for a badluck butterfingers heroine, comfort food, steamy banter, a hero fighting hard to hide his heart, wine spillage, a car named Bubbles, seriously hot bathroom stuff, a plush soft toy tiger, and an ending that will make your heart soar.

Fans of Jill Shalvis, Lucy Score and Megan Quinn will love this happily ever after from USA Today Bestselling author Natalie Anderson.

Steamy romance that’ll make you smile, and sigh.

My Review:

It’s a truly hot steamy romance that melted me from the beginning. Bella and Owen’s first encounter is in the bar where Bella’s big family stays for her sister’s wedding. She has low self esteem because of her perfect family’s propositions. She thinks that she is a failure in the family but she has a great fondness for being an entertainer as a fairy in children’s party. When Owen sees Bella steps in the bar, he is sexually intrigued and can’t let her go and so they start flirting, bantering and entertaining one another until they have one-night stand.

Despite the no string relation and their strong mutual desire, both misinterpret the next morning situation until Bella decisively takes over her life to be independent and relies on no one. Well I loved how their relation works contrarily, Owen tenderly cares for Bella and is willing to help whatever she needs yet Bella is determined to be independent and will not, let anyone even Owen, help her. After denial and resistance, they succumb finally to their hot-temporary-relation.

It’s a splendidly entertaining romance which has strong sizzling sexual tension from the beginning then I was truly impressed with wonderful and uplifting characters at the end, and indeed with its ending! Thank you, Natalie Anderson, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson writes emotional contemporary romance full of sparkling banter, sizzling heat and uplifting endings – perfect for readers who love to escape with empowered heroines and arrogant alphas who are too sexy for their own good. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Natalie wrangling her four children, three cats, two goldfish and one dog … and snuggled in heap on the sofa with her husband at the end of the day. Follow her at natalie-anderson.com or her Instagram account authornatalieanderson.

 

Title: To Yield To A Highlander
(The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle Book 3)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: May 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Highland

Blurb:

This could be the best mistake of his life…

Laird Duncan Grant doesn’t want his neighboring clans, the MacIntoshes and the MacPhersons, to form an alliance by the planned marriage between their offspring. It would make for a dangerous situation for his clan. Since he is in need of a wife, he decides to seize the bride on her way to the wedding and keep her for himself.

But he takes the wrong lass. 

Lady Elsbeth Johnstone is tired of living in her twin sister’s shadow. She loves her dearly, but it is time for her to have her own life. With no prospects for marriage, she decides a convent in Perth is the place for her.

In the dead of night on her trek to Perth, she is dragged away from her escort by a band of men who think she is someone else. Furious at how life is now out of her control again, she demands Laird Grant bring her to the convent in Perth.

Angry at the mistake he made, he agrees, but he can’t help but wonder if he could tame the spirited lass and convince her to stay.

After all, he is in need of a wife. 

My Review:

Elsbeth’s story has surprisingly enticed me! I love how it works. It’s a thoroughly quick engrossing read. Living in Dornoch Castle with her family by marriage and witnessing how besotted the husbands are with their wives make Elsbeth feel utterly miserable. After having careful thought, she decisively intends to go to convent to serve those who are in need despite her beauty and marriage offer from Haydon’s cousin. If she can’t have love in the marriage, she would rather not marry. On her way to the convent, she is mistakenly snatched from her tent and brought to Duncan’s castle.

Elsbeth’s characters have gradually changed, she is still charming, kind, obedient, and another character evolves as she lived in Dornoch, she is braver and has her own wits. I was wholly enamored by her new characters here. Meanwhile Duncan is so protective and charmed by Elsbeth that he wants to make her his wife despite the mistake but he can’t give what Elsbeth’s want in marriage.

I love how Elsbeth is so determined not to allow everyone to dictate her life again and how Duncan is unwittingly besotted with Elsbeth and wants to make her his, additionally Elsbeth’s father! I was wholly led into the wrong assumption regarding her father. It is splendidly enjoyable read and I always love the unexpected twist from Callie Hutton’s book. 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

Title: Stolen from Her Royal Wedding

(The Royals of Svardia Book #2)

Author: Pippa Roscoe

Published: May 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern

 Blurb:

In this emotional royal romance by Pippa Roscoe, first he’ll steal away the bride…then he’ll make her his! 

Returning to the palace unwed…

But not untouched! 

Princess Marit’s elopement isn’t exactly all she’d dreamed, but at least it is on her terms. That is, until Greek billionaire Lykos Livas steals her away in her wedding gown!

Enlisted by the king, Lykos must return Marit to the palace – unwed. Yet hearing about her duty-bound life painfully recalls the memories of his own hard-won freedom. He offers her a week of rebellion traveling around Europe with him. But as the chemistry between them becomes undeniable, so does the deadline for Marit’s royal return!

My Review:

Pippa Roscoe has made my day again with this second book of The Royal of Svardia! And I couldn’t believe Lykos’ story is here as I had been waiting for it. Lykos first appeared in the story of The Greek Secret She Carries but you could read this as standalone.

The first few chapters had made me smile and excitedly laugh and be drawn into how Lykos kidnaps Marit in her wedding dress in Paris, and I couldn’t cease admiring Lykos! He is a swoon-worthy hero with grey eyes and perfect features. Additionally he is hilarious when he has to deal with Marit. When her sister has to step down and release her responsibilities, Marit isn’t properly prepared for it thus she runs and tries to marry her university friend yet her attempt fails as Lykos was assigned by the king, Marit’s brother, to return her unwed.

Unfortunately the king of Svardia asks him to stay with her for the next five days in exchange for the business shares which Lykos urgently requires, it somehow really irritates him to look after what he thinks a spoilt rebellious princess however as they spend time together, his preconceived notions are evidently wrong. Marit’s beauty is naturally appealing and people might assume she is a pampered princess yet she just wants to live like some other normal people and be loved.

I just want to say that I did love this story very much especially it’s Lykos who conveys his feeling first, despite the status quo. Oh my, the title and the cover do match the story at the end! Pippa Roscoe has brilliantly set it. After all it’s massively and emotionally entertaining and a truly wonderful read. The ending is immensely satisfying! Thank you for the book. I received the book through Booksprout and voluntary reviewed it.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Pippa Roscoe lives in Norfolk near her family and makes daily promises to herself that this is the day she’ll leave the computer to take a long walk in the countryside. She can’t remember a time when she wasn’t dreaming about handsome heroes and innocent heroines. Totally her mother’s fault, of course – she gave Pippa her first romance to read at the age of seven! She is inconceivably happy that she gets to share those daydreams with you all. Follow her on Twitter, https://twitter.com/PippaRoscoe

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