Title: An Alliance with His Enemy Princess
Author: Lissa Morgan
Published: December 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval Enemies-to-Lovers, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

A high – stakes, Medieval enemies to lovers story.

A royal decree

That will change their lives...

Norman knight Rolant Guyarde has come to conquer a Welsh fort, but when he meets its mistress, he realizes she’s the sword-wielding “soldier” he fought en route! Despite their being enemies, he finds himself intrigued by the brave, beautiful Princess Gwennan. When they’re forced into an uneasy alliance, Rolant helps her petition the king for her parents’ release from prison. But in exchange for their freedom, the king demands a price neither Rolant nor Gwennan expects!

My Review:

What a story! Lissa Morgan did it again, wrapping the real history of Wales within a historical fictional romance.

This pure enemies-to-lovers story took all my emotional states into something I couldn’t imagine. How war not only in the past but also present has suffered so many people and Lissa Morgan wrote so very well in writing the anguish, the loss, the tragedy, the unfinished revenge and the history into a beautiful book.

During the war between the Norman and Welsh, as commander from Norman, Rolant is momentarily startled by his finding that the unconscious Welsh boy is a girl, Gwennan. He isn’t able to leave Gwennan alone in the middle of war therefore he takes her as a page. Despite his strong, muscular well-built appearance, Rolant is so tender and caring on the other hand Gwennan is spirited temperamental princess and fiercely determined to avenge and get her land back from the Norman.

The first few pages did intrigue me, despite its ugliness of war it gave some details how the war between Norman and Welsh, the pain and the interminable hatred were. The more I indulged into it, the more mysteries and pain unravelled. Both Rolant and Gwennan are the victims of the ugliness of the war. They lose their loved ones and if Gwennan wants her land and her parents to be freed, she has to do something.

This story is full of anguish, hatred and revenge yet sweet, the way Rolant cares for Gwennan. I loved how Rolant and Gwennan are trying to understand their situation better and forgive one another to let their life be happy. The epilogue couldn’t be better! Thank you, Lissa Morgan for this 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: A Christmas in Manchester
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: November 2022
Genre: Regency Romance

Blurb:

Miss Evelyn Allen has led a quiet life in Worcestershire all her twenty-one years as the devoted daughter of Pastor Joshua Allen and his wife. She always assumed she’d wed one day since her siblings had all done so, but no man had ever appealed to her in a way that she felt she could look across the breakfast table at him forever.

Until he came into her life...

The Duke of Manchester never expected to be left robbed and bleeding in the road miles from home. He knew his chances of survival were practically nil until an angel driving an old wooden wagon dragged him into her house where she and her mother nursed him back to health.

Even though she knows him for a lord by his manners and clothing, Eve has no idea that the man she is falling in love with is a Duke. A man so far above her she shouldn’t even be speaking with him.

To him, their stations matter not, but can he convince her that she is all he wants for Christmas?

My Review:

I did love the sound of Adam and Eve, and so does Adam, the Duke of Manchester when he knows that the angel saves his life is Eve. Eve is a village lass and a daughter of rector, she loves helping people in need thus when a nobleman, Adam is robbed and shot, she helps him despite her hatred towards noblemen. For me, Eve does look rather elegant driving a wagon.

As Adam is recovering during his stays in Eve’s house, their attraction is undeniable and Adam falls madly in love with Eve. I loved the heroine’s characters. She is compassionate, kind, helpful and clever particularly in chess. She also does all the household chores. At first, I didn’t seem to like the hero, Adam. He looks entirely like a rake but it changed immensely when he will do anything to make Eve his wife despite the status quo and the social stations. Their journey and love in conquering the odds mesmerized me.

Not only is this book about Christmas festivities, it’s also about a fight for the love one. It’s a fast enjoyable reading for holiday, a marvellous story that I felt like being taken into a fairytale throughout reading it. Thank you, Callie Hutton, for this ARC which I voluntarily 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: Carrying Her Boss’s Christmas Baby
(Billion-Dollar Christmas Confession #2)
Author: Natalie Anderson
Published: November 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Unexpected Pregnancy

Blurb:

Her new boss is the man she spent one night with! USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson excites with this pregnancy romance.

“You’re pregnant?”

The proof of their passion!

Ready to experience life after a childhood defined by illness, Violet Summers has left Manhattan behind...to work aboard the world’s most luxurious express train! The one thing she can’t leave behind? Her memories of one particular gorgeous if brooding stranger...

The night they shared is imprinted on Violet’s body and soul. So the arrival of her new boss, Roman Fraser, almost has her dropping an armful of festive decorations. He’s that man she couldn’t forget! Now she must drop the bombshell she’s only just discovered: their sizzling encounter hard world altering consequences!

My Review:

Unexpected pregnancy is one of my most favourite tropes and Natalie Anderson wrote it splendidly!

The grumpy and autocratic hero, Roman Fraser first encounters Violet on Halloween when he is taking half-broken wings outside his office building without any purpose on where he should put them meanwhile Violet thinks that Roman is a handsome-fallen angel when she first has a glimpse of him and knows nothing of him. Violet is a pure naive heroine who just wants to experience life without being monitored by her parents and over-protective brothers after what she had been through. On Thanksgiving, unable to forget and deny his sexual desire towards the petite sweet brunette he meets, he finds himself seeking Violet working in the adjacent shop and they commence attracting one another until they succumb into one-night stand.

Ah, I couldn’t tell how much I loved this book, when Roman finds out that Violet is pregnant with his baby on the train trip he owns, he is determined to protect her and the baby with their unstoppable banter I enjoyed. On the other hand, Violet feels profoundly irritated because she doesn’t need to be taking care of.

I’ve always been fond of Natalie’s writing. She often writes all my favourite tropes and characters especially this one, it was smartly plotted, began on Halloween, Thanksgiving then it reached the climax on Christmas day. The set on the train trip was an extra gripping plot that caught me over and over. This wonderful and emotional story kept me indulged until the last page. 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 https://www.instagram.com/authornatalieanderson/ or her Instagram account https://natalie-anderson.com/

 

Title: Regency Christmas Parties
Author: Annie Burrows, Lara Temple, Joanna Johnson
Published: November 2022
Genre: Regency Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

Three festive Regency stories in one collection

An invitation to...

Three seasonal Society parties!

In invitation to a Wedding by Annie Burrows, Clara’s immersed in a glamorous aristocratic wedding, but it’s captivating Lieutenant Hugo who sweeps her feet.

In Snowbound with the Earl by Lara Temple, Bella makes an unlikely ally of forbidding Lord Deverill to thwart an elopement – and gets stranded with him for Christmas!

In A Kiss at the Winter Ball by Joanna Johnson, Maria’s rescued from a snowstorm by Viscount Stanford, and receives a life-changing invitation.

My Review:

Delightful Christmas stories from three wonderful Historical romance authors!

The first story is a wonderful one. It’s about a schoolteacher who is invited into a glamorous wedding and Christmas party by her unruly former student. Clara is neither glamour nor rich but she is so compassionate. She had never expected that she would experience a high social party especially being fetched by Hugo, a relative from the groom. Both have completely misread the situation however Hugo always helps Clara when she is in dire need. I did love how the story worked, the instant affections they hold despite the misunderstanding and they gradually realize how wrong they are until they seize their happily-ever-after.

The second story has caught me from the very first banter between Bella and Lord Deverill. They captivated me unexpectedly. It’s enemies-to-lovers stories. Bella and Nicholas are trying to prevent their cousins’ elopement until Nicholas invites Bella to his home to ensure that Bella’s scheme succeeds. Ah poor Bella, after her parents’ demise, she was sent to her aunt and her spoilt cousin and since she never experienced a party like Nicholas holds. The witty banter between these two kept me amused over and over. I did adore Nicholas’s family, especially Emily. I was completely immersed in the family’s festivities!

The third story did intrigue me. It’s about a farmer’s daughter, Maria, who wants to prove that she’s capable of managing her father’s business however when she is leading the turkeys to be sold, she is lost and unexpectedly comes across a Viscount, Alexander. Alexander has an instant attraction when he first saw a red-haired Maria, but he’s going to be engaged. As the snow is getting thicker, Alexander invites Maria to stay until the road is cleared. Days after days, their feeling is growing until unexpected moments appear and it delightfully dragged me into a fairytale!

These three stories completely swept my feet into another time and world. It’s a bundle of moving, splendidly witty and immensely satisfying story. Sweet stories of Christmas festivities that bring you joy! Thank you, Lara Temple, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Annie Burrows has been writing Regency romances for Harlequin since 2007. her books have charmed readers worldwide, having been translated into nineteen different languages, and some have gone on to win the coveted Reviewers' Choice award from CataRomance. For more information, or to contact the author, please visit http://annie-burrows.co.uk/, or you can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnnieBurrowsUK

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

Joanna Johnson lives in a pretty Wiltshire village with her husband and as many books as she can sneak into the house. Being part of the Harlequin Historical family is a dream come true. She has always loved writing, starting at five years old with a series about a cat imaginatively named Cat, and she keeps a notebook in every handbag - just in case. In her spare time, she likes finding new places to have a cream tea, stroking scruffy dogs and trying to remember where she left her glasses.

Title: Never Rescue a Rogue
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: November 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Romance-Comedy, Frenemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Diana Merriwel and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain – not a hidden attraction. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common – the secrets they can’t risk escaping.

When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son’s birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined – and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…

My Review:

I so loved this book! Not only is this so entertaining and hilarious but also suspenseful and adventurous. I had been enjoying Diana and Giles’ relation from the first book so when I excitedly read this, I couldn’t stop it.

Diana’s life has been getting better since her sister married to Hugh, an Earl. She loves her life, her new family and her job as a nitpicking grammarian for a newspaper yet nobody knows that she is truly talented at her work that it can risk her reputation and life. On the other hand Giles always pretends as a rogue because he wants to irritate his father especially after he knew the threatening revelation.

I did immensely enjoy how the story went from the beginning to the last. When Giles’ father dies leaving so many mysteries of his life and the future of Sinclair estate, Giles decisively goes to Shropshire where he grew up and buries his father and invites Hugh’s family to accompany him. When Giles was explaining his family ancient story, I had an inkling that that someone was going to be the villain and it was surprisingly heart-pounding when that someone turned up. As Giles has no other choice but to ask for help from Diana, they begin their investigation and adventure, and I couldn’t put the book down!

Despite it, I had my own favorite character among the characters within, Dalton, as a supportive character, had captured and entertained me from the beginning!

It is thoroughly riveting story, full of lively humor and romance, gorgeously evocative and I loved the compelling family ties among the characters which make the story more fascinating and heart-warming. Miss Virginia Heath’s writing has always enchanted me!

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl, it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated – sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. One day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep. Follow her at https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/ or her facebook page Virginia Heath.