Title: The King She Shouldn’t Crave
Author: Lela May Wight
Published: February 2024
Rate: 5 of 5
Genre: Marriage of Convenience, Modern-Monarch, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern

Blurb:

Will the king finally surrender to their tantalizing chemistry? Find out in the latest royalty romance by Lela May Wight!

Their royal marriage:

Separate beds but shared temptation...

Two months have passed since the world watched Natalia La Morte marry King Angelo Dizieno. But Natalia hasn’t seen or heard from him since their startlingly scorching kiss at the altar...

Promoted from spare to heir after tragedy struck, Angelo can’t be distracted from his duty. Being within touching distance of the woman he has always craved – his brother’s intended queen – has him on the precipice of self-destruction. The last thing he needs is for Natalia to recognize their dangerous attraction. If she does, there’s nothing to stop it from becoming all-consuming...

My Review:

Are you a sucker for marriage of convenience? How about a royal marriage? Then this book should be on your TBR!

Diving into the journey of Angelo and Natalia’s royal marriage, I was shaken with a quivering emotion throughout it. Angelo and Natalia are bound by royal marriage to unite two kingdoms. However, despite their strong desire, Angelo can’t indulge in his desire. His fear of loss is too strong, stronger than his desire for Natalia.

Natalia attempts to make their marriage work. She begins reaching for Angelo, but it’s to no avail. But don’t worry, Natalia is determined, brave and stubborn, that is what I loved about her. Natalia has been nothing but honest with Angelo from the beginning but every time Angelo pushes her away, I just wanted to scream that she didn’t deserve it. Surely this book brought my emotions to the surface, but I still loved it. You might find Angelo a bit frustrating with his guilt throughout the story but Natalia is always prepared to counter-argue him until his barriers crumble.

This is the first book of this year that managed to bring out my emotions throughout the story with its powerful inner monologue, its raw emotion and loss. One of the things that I loved about it was the feature of daffodils, which captivated me as they are one of my most favourite flowers. Anyway, for a fan of royal romance and marriage of convenience, this book is absolutely for you. Thank you, Lela May Wight, for providing me with a digital copy to review.

About the Author

Lela May Wight grew up with seven brothers and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She still does, but now she gets to write them, too! She hopes to offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud. Lela May lives in the UK with her two sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction – he buys her more books! Check out what she’s up to at https://lelamaywight.com/.

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Title: Convenient Vows with a Viking
Author: Lucy Morris, Sarah Rodi
Published: January 2024
Rate: 5 of 5
Genre: Marriage-of-Convenience, Viking age, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:

Two spicy Viking romances in one volume!

Two Viking short stories

Two alliances at the altar!

In Her Bought Viking Husband by Lucy Morris, Orla strikes a deal with enslaved Jarl Hakon to protect her land. She’ll buy his freedom if the handsome warrior marries her! in Chosen as the Warrior’s Wife by Sarah Rodi, at the emperor’s bride show, Viking Fiske must choose noblewoman Kassia to save from an unhappy fate. But his new bride holds a secret that threatens their newfound desire...

 

My Review:

Looking for the most anticipated books of 2024? Why not start the new year with these hot stories?

I was so grateful to have had the chance to read these short stories by two of my favourite authors! The stories aren’t related, but each has a possessive Viking hero. I’m a sucker for this type of hero.

The first story is by Lucy Morris tells of Orla, who needs a husband to save her inheritance. When she visits the trading centre, she comes across Hakon, a very big, grumpy Viking Jarl, who is being sold as a slave. Orla impulsively buys him to be her husband and Hakon swears that he will help and protect her, but in return she has to set him free because he has to go back to his land to avenge his enemy. I loved Orla, she is such a kind, cheerful and innocent lady. She understands what it is like to be a slave because she was one. She’s not afraid of the grumpy Hakon. They are a perfect match. What I loved the most was the way Lucy Morris weaves the history of Iceland and enslavement into a beautiful romance.

The second story is from Sarah Rodi tells of a Viking warrior, Fiske, a loyal warrior of an emperor from Constantinople. When Fiske gets the silver he needs to regain his right in Denmark, he is offered to choose a wife instead. Kassia needs to get away from Constantinople, away from both her parents and the emperor. On their journey to Denmark, Fiske and Kassia keep their secrets which are so surprising, full of anguish and uncertainty but Sarah Rodi doesn’t let the steamy scene go.

I couldn’t tell you how much I enjoyed both stories. The history of the Viking Age in Iceland and Denmark were well-researched and drawn despite it being short. Her Bought Viking Husband is entertaining with a compelling plot and characters meanwhile Chosen as the Warrior’s Wife is an emotionally strong yet spicy page turner. I’m just hoping that Lucy Morris will write the stories of the minor characters in them because one of the characters deserves to have one. Thank you, Lucy Morris and Sarah Rodi for the e-arc which I volunteered to review.

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

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/

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Title: Crowned for the King’s Secret
(Behind the Palace Doors... Book 3)
Author: Kali Anthony
Published: November 2023
Rate: 4.5 of 5
Genre: Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Second Chance at Love, Surprise Baby

Blurb:

He’ll secure his throne with the heir he’s only just discovered in this royal secret-child romance by Kali Anthony.

She hid his son...

Can she hide from their desire?

One year ago, her spine-tingling night with exiled king Sandro left Victoria pregnant and alone. Lied to by the palace, she believed he wanted nothing to do with them. So Sandro turning up on her doorstep – ready to claim, his heir and his kingdom – is astounding!

Burned by her past, Victoria has no intention of complying with His Majesty’s command. But she’ll need to keep her wits about her because their insatiable craving once made her abandon all reason. And it’s about to reignite with a vengeance...

My Review:

I was over the moon when the author sent me the e-arc for the final instalment of Behind the Palace Doors. It’s a story about Victoria, Lance’s sister, but it is a standalone.

I still recall Victoria from the second book, but her characters seems to have changed here. She becomes a strong, loving and protective mother to little Nicolai. Both Sandro and Victoria agree to a one-night stand that ends in an unexpected pregnancy. The beginning begins with little Nicolai’s lines. He may have me wrapped around his little finger. I loved reading his lines. I love a story where a child is involved even if he is a minor character.

Victoria has been trying to tell Sandro about the baby in the palace, but there are a lot of misunderstandings from the start, so she is accused of being a schemer. When Sandro confronts her, he may literally kidnap her and his son to Santa Fiorina to protect them from threats.

I liked Victoria’s character. After what she has been through, she learns not to let herself be dictated again, whereas Sandro is determined and cautious. He is still haunted by his horrendous pasts. Uncertainty and wariness hover over them, which made me instantly read it in one sitting to find out their happily ever after.

The book is packed with emotion, drama and a little suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you, Kali, Anthony for the e-arc which I volunteered to review. This final instalment of Behind the Palace Doors made my day.

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
 

 

Title: Snowed in with the Viking
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: December 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Viking Period, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Forced-Proximity, Opposite-Attract

Blurb:

An intense forced-proximity story – with an enigmatic Viking stranger...

Stranded in the Arctic

With a lone-wolf Viking!

Lost in the remote wilderness in snowstorm, Embla is rescued by local “Wildman” Runar and taken to his cabin – with just one bed! But as he warms her icy body with his, passion inflames them both... She’s been warned against this man her entire life – but as she realizes she could be stranded with him for weeks, it seems her only option is to trust him...and their intense attraction!

My Review:

What is the cosiest read you have had this year? I would shout from the rooftops that this is the cosiest book I have ever read for this year.

Set in Norway during the Viking age, I was lost into how freezing and thick the snow must be as Embla sets out to rescue three lost children she has been looking after. However fate brings her into a cave where Runar, the notorious Wildman, also stays. Runar is a big hairy man with a tender and the kindest heart albeit reclusive. Embla is soft, too kind and always thinks of others before herself. I think he falls in love with Embla at first sight, although he doesn’t admit it at the beginning.

To survive from the avalanche, Embla is rescued to Runar’s cabin where they are stranded until Embla is able to return to her tribe. Embla knows that Runar often trades to Gudvangen, where her tribe lives, but he is forbidden to enter the tribe because of his past sin. Oh my, I loved it so much when both Runar and Embla do their chores during the winter. Everything is so immersive and well-written! Not only did I love the food they served, the detailed garments and the cabin, but also their undeniable chemistry and devotion. Both Runar and Embla are confused by their own feelings. When the time comes for Embla to return to her tribe, she finds herself under the protection of the Jarl and his wife. After the dramatic situation, Runar is determined to stay outside the area and wait for Embla no matter what. Ah he is sweet and is devoted to Embla.

I couldn’t put the book down as I was thoroughly captivated by the story, the wonderful characters, the immersive setting, the cultures and the wonderful history of the Norse and Sami. The Sami and Norse culture are beautifully written and illustrated. Lucy Morris’s excellent writing kept me snuggled up in bed with a cup of tea. That is how I would recommend you to read it. The ending and epilogue are so uplifting that I couldn’t resist reading it again! Thank you, Lucy Morris for the e-arc which I volunteered to review.

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: A Wedding to Stop a Scandal
(A Very Village Scandal Book #3)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: December 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Regence Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Marriage-of-Convenience

Blurb:

A charming Regency romance with a touch of humor and sparkle

Caught unchaperoned in a blizzard

Forced into a convenient marriage!

The last words Rose Healy to say again were “I do.” Not after being jilted by her former betrothed. Until she finds herself in a seemingly compromising situation with Dr. Sam Able, the handsome widower caring for her aunt. Now a wedding is the only way to avoid a scandal! Rose vowed never trust a man again – can she vow to spend the rest of her life with Sam?

My Review:

Would you rather live in the centre of London ton where there’s a scandal, or in a village where there’s still a scandal?

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I think life in the Whittleston-on-the-Water was much more entertaining than in my current area.

Rose and Sam have always enjoyed each other’s company but that’s about it. When a nasty fall befalls upon Rose’s aunt, she instinctively attempts to save her but it may turn to no avail as she and her aunt get injured. Calling the most Able Doctor, I found Sam charming, caring and attractive because he is a man of science. I thought Rose and Sam were permanent residents of the village but apparently their past makes them hide there.

The chemistry between Rose and Sam is palpable from the beginning, but both deny their feelings and swear off love because of their too painful pasts. To fool the villagers in a bet, they agree to become partners in crime, yet it backfires as they find themselves in a compromising situation. When Rose’s past and current scandal are in tatters, there’s really no alternative but to marry and they both agree to live without loving one another. Despite the emotional roller-coaster, I found the sarcasm more than entertaining. I have always admired Virginia Heath’s excellent writing and her choice of words.

To be frank, I couldn’t stop feeling sympathetic for Rose every time I read how Rose thinks and feels about herself. It’s so emotionally distracting. She doesn’t deserve it and I couldn’t wait to see Sam in distraught when she leaves him. Thus I kept on turning the pages to see him chase after Rose. I loved how the people in the village care for one another, it’s so heart-warming and wonderfully drawn, particularly the meddling old lady, Mrs Fitzherbert. She is my most favourite character!

The last instalment of A Very Village Scandal is absolutely wonderful with lively humor and tender-hearted villagers. The epilogue almost fooled me but it’s worth it! Thank you, Virginia Heath for the e-arc, which I volunteered to review.

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.