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/

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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