Title: A Stolen Knight’s Kiss
(Protectors of the Crown miniseries Book 2)
Author: Melissa Oliver
Published: October 2022
Genre: Medieval Romance, Intrigue, Mystery, Enemies-to-Lovers, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

Blurb:
An intense enemies-to-lovers story

Captured by a knight...

Rescued by his kiss!

When orphan Eva loses the father figure who’d protected her on the streets of London, she suspects the Knights Fortitude. But when she steals information from them, she’s caught by brooding knight Nicholas. Learning he might not be the villain after all, she puts her distrust aside to work with him, yet Eva must stay focused – and not get distracted when they share a stolen kiss!

My Review:

I was still blinking that I actually couldn’t believe I finished reading this book, pondering on Goodreads when the third book would be released because this miniseries is too good to skip!

Set in London, King Henry period, the Protectors of the Crown is gathered to safeguard the King and his advisors. It’s the second book from its series telling about Nicholas d’Amberly one of the knights, which is too handsome and irresistible when a stolen pouch makes him inevitably encounter with Eva, a clever thief. I so loved how this story progressed from a mere encounter into a sweet one, albeit a bit adventurous and suspenseful.

Well apparently the pouch isn’t merely a pouch but it consists of priceless and precious ring and crucial missive that Nicholas and his friends have to decipher to figure out a threatening group, The Duo Dracones. Eva needs the pouch to obtain the promised money she was offered from The Duo Dracones so that she could escape London, start an ale business and have a new life, yet it turns out that she has to deal the trade with Nicholas as she cleverly remembers the inscribes within the lost missive and wants to avenge her father-figure notorious thief in London, Simon.

Dang I didn’t think that the desire between these two characters would be that brisk despite the state of affairs, when Nicholas is confronting Eva in her room for the theft, then he catches both Eva’s hands, pushes her on the wall and unwittingly kisses her, my heart was shamelessly beating so fast at that moment. Not only did Eva intrigue Nicholas but also she intrigued me, she is quite interesting as a thief.

Ah this book completely mesmerized me, I never thought a London thief could be so utterly clever, fascinating and innocent and half-naked Nicholas holding an axe and chopping wood could make me drool.  Apart from them, I was helped to wander off the London Bridge and River Thames from Melissa Oliver’s immersive and engaging writing. I just loved her writing and this story! Thank you, Melissa Oliver, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Melissa Oliver is from southwest London, UK, where she writes historical romance novels. She lives with her lovely husband and three daughters, who share her passion for decrepit old castles, grand palaces and all things historical. She won the Joan Hessayon Award for New Writers from Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2020 for her first book, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel for inspiration, paint, and visit museums and art galleries. If you want to find out more, follow Melissa on Twitter https://twitter.com/melissaoauthor

 

Title: Reclaiming His Runaway Cinderella
Author: Annie West
Published: October 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Enemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Reawakening unresolved passion complicates everything in USA TODAY bestselling author Annie West’s 50^th book for Harlequin!

She ran from their wedding...

Now the Italian has found her!

After years of searching, Cesare Brunetti finds his wife, Ida, cleaning homes to make ends meet. The Cinderella heiress fled mere hours after their vows, even though he was the one blackmailed into the convenient union!

Cesare intends to finalize their divorce. Yet he hadn’t counted on discovering Ida’s total innocence in their marriage sham. Or on the attraction that rises swift and hot between them beneath the Tuscan sun... before they say goodbye for good, dare they indulge in the wedding night they never had?

My Review:
This book has the tropes and characters I’m particularly fond of! A convenient marriage that turns out to be inconvenient, a runaway bride, an innocent red-haired heroine, and an Italian hero are my things. Whooopss...

It’s a story of Cinderella heiress, Ida whose grandfather, Calogero, is so ruthless. She agrees to marry Cesare, her grandfather’s enemy to be freed of Calogero while she knows nothing regarding the feud between him and Cesare. Meanwhile Cesare is forced to marry Ida to save his grandfather’s company and the employees, to bring Calogero into justice after his crime and he also was denied access into elite society.

On their wedding night, the scared Ida has to endure Cesare’s vicious remarks that he doesn’t want to sleep with her despite his strong sexual desire towards her. Feeling hurt and unwanted, Ida runs away from him. Ah Ida is so entirely innocent inside and outside, she is too kind, too innocent and too compassionate but those are what I loved from her. On the other hand, Cesare pleads that he won’t be deceived by women and love like his father. To be frank he is the epitome of Italian hero I adored in Harlequin Present. After four years, Cesare tracks down his wife to finalize the divorce and there the inconvenient marriage becomes convenient again.

Well this book completely bewitched me from the beginning. Annie’s vivid and fascinating writing helped me get lost in the characters, the plots, the dresses Ida wears and the beautiful Tuscan countryside. There’s no other word that could utter how much I loved this story, additionally the epilogue warmed my heart. Thank you, Annie West, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed and congratulations on your 50^th book!

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Annie West loves writing passionate, intense love stories. She has devoted her life to and in depth study of tall, dark charismatic heroes who cause the best kind of trouble in the lives of their heroines who are a perfect match for those strong stubborn men is one of her all time favorite things. As a sideline she’s also researched dreamy locations for romance, from vibrant cities to desert encampments and fairytale castles.

Annie won the Romantic Rimes Reviewers’ Choice Award for ‘Protected by the Prince’ and the Australian Romance Writers’ Romantic Book of the Year Award for ‘Damaso Claims His Hair’. Romantic Times said in its review of The Sheikh’s Ransomed Bride ‘This is what a love story could be’.

As well as writing for Harlequin/Mills and Boon, Annie also publishes shorter contemporary romances like her Hot Italian Nights e-novella series.

She lives with her family at beautiful Lake Macquarie on the east coast of Australia, situated neatly between spectacular sandy beaches and gorgeous wine country. She loves reading, good company, good food, long walks and travel.

You can catch Annie’s news at her website www.annie-west.com or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anniewest.author . She loves to hear from readers and you can contact her at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com. To sign up for her email newsletter with behind the scenes information and updates, go to https://madmimi.com/signups/109660/join

 

Title: Tempted by Her Outcast Viking
(Shieldmaiden Sisters Book 2)
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: September 2022
Genre: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Enemies-to-Lovers

Blurb:

A passionate Viking romance

Tempted by the warrior...

But she’ll never wed!

Brynhild had once been close to Erik – until he’d betrayed her, and she’d hoped never to see him again. Now the fiercely independent shieldmaiden needs Erik’s skills to rescue her sister. Striking a truce with the tough, isolated loner, they reach mutually beneficial deal: help her and, in return, she’ll help him in his quest to find a wife – by teaching him how to please a woman in bed!

My Review:

What an immersing book! I enjoyed reading it so much that I didn’t realize its ending. Brynhild and Erik captivated me from the beginning until the last and I couldn’t wait to read the third book!

Brynhild and Erik might be childhood friends but as a thrall, Erik had hideous treatment from his father, Ulf (every time Ulf appeared, I felt like wanting to joggle him because he is really more irritating here). Meanwhile Brynhild always feels that her family is completely reliant on her as Valda, her sister, sailed after the wedding.

What captivated me more were its rich historical details and places, Erik’s mother was Persian and a thrall that is what makes him a thrall and half-Persian too but eventually he purchases and releases himself from his cruel father. Erik and Brynhild have unfinished issues when they were young therefore when they meet again, Erik is craved to apologize but he never expected that he would be tempted by her, she looks more beautiful with her strong tall physique, and long blonde hair. He very much desires her as she is as equal as him. (Well, I did also adore her because she is very kind and compassionate).

When Helga, Brynhild’s fragile sister is kidnapped, both Erik and Brynhild go on a journey to rescue her yet never did they imagine that they will be induced by their desire. I immensely enjoyed their journey because it was so immersing and imaginable, thank you, Lucy Morris, for your engrossing writing.

I never wondered that this book could be, wow, so entirely engrossing. It successfully brought my emotions out from the very first chapter to the last, especially how heart-wrenching Erik’s past was and how distressing Brynhild’s position is despite being strong shieldmaiden. Furthermore Erik’s revelation took me by surprise. The ending, I was so entirely preoccupied by the story that I didn’t realize its ending. I couldn’t believe this book hooked me from the first page to the last! Thank you, Lucy Morris, for this ARC which I voluntary 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: Claimed to Save His Crown
(The Royals of Svardia Book #3)
Author: Pippa Roscoe
Published: August 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern

Blurb:

In this dramatic romance from Pippa Roscoe, will she become a part of his royal world?

From Cinderella in the palace shadows...

To his unexpected queen!

Lady-in-waiting Henna would do anything for the royal family that gave her a home when her own wouldn’t. So after Henna stops a marriage that would protect King Aleksander’s throne but ruin his life, she must face the Ice King’s fury!

Aleks’s coldhearted reputation isn’t a secret. His tough exterior is designed to fiercely guard against the heartbreak that once tore his world apart. But then a transformational kiss with Henna awakens him to a surprising new possibility that could save his crown... And it starts with her!

My Review:

Why did this book have to take me into some emotional turmoil? Indeed, the last series of The Royal of Svardia loaded so much angst and loss between the two characters, Aleks and Henna.

Frankly Henna had captivated me from the first series when she ordered Aleks to fix Freya and Kjell’s dilemma and Aleks acted upon it. Henna is Freya’s best friend and Lady-in-waiting but since Freya has been preoccupied with her happiness with Kjell, she has more works from Aleks which she often refuses. I hadn’t the slightest inkling that the issues Aleks has to deal with would be so complex. He has trust issue because of the heart wrecking experiences when he was so young meanwhile Freya is the real modern Cinderella with cruel sister and unloving mother.

These two broken-hearted characters wouldn’t let them to be selfish. They can’t indulge into their sexual temptation because of the fear however when Aleks has to meet a secret community to save his sister he needs a completely trusted back up and he has no other candidate but Henna.

I couldn’t stop myself from being taken into their journey finding the happiness they deserve, how they ought to sacrifice their feelings for best and it was so awful and sorrowful to have seen them enjoy their temporary temptations but, hey it’s Pippa Roscoe’s book and HEA is always guaranteed. I just loved the stories of Svardia with its unique plots and characters, the heart-warming family ties, and its satisfying and uplifting ending. Thank you, Pippa Roscoe, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

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: How to Woo a Wallflower
(Society’s Most Scandalous Book 1)
Author: Virginia Heath
Published: August 2022
Genre: Regency Romance, Friends-to-Lovers, Mills & Boon Historical, Harlequin Historical

Blurb:

An entertaining, sexy Regency romance

He could have any deb

Except his best friend’s sister...

Jasper, the Earl of Beaufort, hasn’t seen Lady Harriet Fitzroy since her serious riding accident. She has grown into a kind, spirited woman, whose sinful smile plays havoc with his jaded emotions! Hattie’s family disapprove of Jasper’s rakish past, but when she risks her reputation to help him, the least he can do is pull her from the wallflower chairs and out of the shadows...

My Review:

I have always adored Virginia Heath’s books as she presents truly fascinating story all the time, a very kind-hearted, compassionate and thoughtful, albeit limping heroine and an assumed rakish hero.

I was greatly touched by the kindness from both Hattie and Jasper. They are meant to be together. Hattie is a daughter of a respected Duke and Jasper is an heir of a Duke however they have a different path because despite Hattie’s beauty and title, she walks with a limp due to horse riding accident and Jasper is infamous as a scandalous rake due to his club and past. Getting to know both characters, I was convinced that whatever society presumes does not look what it seems to look.

On some occasions, Hattie helps Jasper because she is genuinely kind even if she knows that Jasper might have a daughter, she isn’t prejudiced. I could understand why Jasper is captivated by her, because who isn’t? She helps without seeing whoever it is and puts a blind eye to what society presumes therefore Jasper promises to save her from Earl Boredom during the ball. Well I loved the sound of 1813 Wallflower club they create.

The closer they become, the more Jasper wants Hattie however common decency will not allow him to drag her into a scandalous mess he’s going to deal with, not only because of her brother but also for her own good. This isn’t merely a story of regency period and romance but a compassionate story containing some heart-warming, uplifting and entertaining plots. Thank you, Virginia Heath, for this ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

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.