Title: Second Chance with His Viking Wife
Author: Sarah Rodi
Published: September 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, Enemies-to-Lovers, Second Chance at Love, Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

A high-stakes marriage of convenience in the Viking

Back to claim his crown

...and his wife!

Prince Teon married the Viking chief’s daughter Revna to prevent a war, only to leave immediately to fight another one. Now he’s returned to claim his crown! He’s returned too discover the love of his people have for Revna, and by the intensity of their unexpected connection. Teon tells himself he only needs Revna as an ally, until the passion of their belated wedding night promises they could be so much more...

My Review:

When I got an offer to review Sarah Rodi’s upcoming book, I was assured that it would be promising and indeed it is! After the hustle bustle of the work at school, I took the book and thoroughly enjoyed having it!

To begin with, Prince Teon and Revna were forced to wed by both fathers to prevent further war between heathen and Saxon. On the wedding night, Teon’s hatred towards Revna made him leave her for eight years. He then returns to claim his crown on the day of her father’s burial and discovered the little girl he married to has grown into a brave beautiful woman.

Yet when someone is going to take over the crown and starts the war, Teon and Revna have no alternative but to stay within the keep. Teon is a handsome big grumpy prince with fiery temperament for his Viking wife. On the contrary, Revna is too good to be with Teon but I was unable to deny that they match very well! Revna is brave, resourceful, too forgiving and compassionate. Despite Teon’s unfriendly treatment, she keeps on helping the Saxon people. Well, I loved how Teon can’t resist his growing sexual desire to Revna, and he begins to feel possessive when Revna touches one of his friends to treat the wound. There are lot of things that Teon has to conquer; his crown, his revenge, his anger, and his desire for his wife, and oh! They intimate relation is beyond spicy.

I became rather annoyed about Teon’s temperament, how he could be so cruel for the things Revna is unaware of but everything is worth the wait when mystery after mystery is unveiled. I thoroughly enjoyed and loved this book. It is emotionally powerful, thoroughly riveting with spicy scenes and so uplifting at the end. It is enemies-to-lovers, second chance at love, and marriage of convenience in one! Highly recommended for those who love those tropes! Thank you, Sarah Rodi, for the e-ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

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/

 

Title: The Warrior’s Reluctant Wife

(The Warriors of Wales #1)

Author: Lissa Morgan

Published: August 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Medieval Wales, Medieval Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical

 

Blurb:

An arranged marriage

An unexpected love...?

Recently widowed, Rhianon hopes never to find herself bound to a man again, after being raised by a violent father and married to an unpredictable husband. But to seal a strategic alliance she’s forced to marry Peredur ab Eilyr – a warrior lord with a formidable reputation! Rhianon might be a reluctant wife...but ruling with her new husband is revealing a passionate side to Peredur that Rhianon is anything but reluctant to explore...

My Review:

This wonderful read had completely packed up my summer holidays! Who would have thought that I would be so engrossed by it?

Rhianon knows after being a widow that her father will marry her off again but she has no idea her new husband conceals mystery beneath his icy warrior. From the beginning, I had this thought that Peredur would be cold towards Rhianon but he isn’t. On the contrary, he is so thoughtful, caring and affectionate meanwhile Rhianon is still reluctant to do her duty as a wife after what she experienced. With their unexplored passion and married life, I kept wondering who would be surrendering first.

Moreover the unrevealed mystery of Peredur’s past also kept me wonder what had happened and why he had been called heartless. Turning the pages over pages, I was dumbfounded by Peredur’s revelation, how is that possible? Despite their issue, I was thoroughly blown away by history of Medieval Wales and the morloi. It was so beautifully written and deeply researched. What annoyed me a lot was why I couldn’t pronounce Welsh very well. I wish I had learnt Welsh before reading it!

Arranged marriage trope is my cup of tea and Lissa Morgan cleverly packed it with wonderful history of Medieval Wales. I so look forward to Llywelyn’s story!

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 Loves to Hate
Author: Lucy Morris
Published: July 2023
Genre: Viking, Enemies-to-Lovers, Historical Romance, Mills & Boon Historical, Harlequin Historical

Blurb:

Sparks fly in this Viking enemies-to-lovers story

Her rival

Is her most dangerous temptation!

Astrid Viggosdottir’s father has ordered a competition between her and new arrival Viking Ulrik to prove who is the better boat builder! If she loses, Princess Astrid will be duty-bound to marry a jarl. If Ulrik loses, he will be banished, leaving his motherless daughter homeless. With the stakes so high, Astrid should hate this man, but during the long hot summer, their rivalry turns to a heated passion that neither can ignore!

My Review:

This enemies-to-lovers trope is literally what I expected when these two ship-builders took part in ship-building rivalry. I couldn’t tell how Astrid, a princess, cleverly builds a ship! When Astrid’s father, a king, returns from the raid, he brings a hero Viking whom saved his life, Ulrik. Ulrik needs a stable place for him and his daughter however it doesn’t turn out as he hoped because Astrid doesn’t want any ship-builders replace her thus the king proposes ship-building competition.

Despite her beauty and skill, Astrid is rather spoilt, childish and stubborn. It is so quite opposite from Ulrik with his determined intention for the sake of his daughter. I was so utterly captivated by this hairy massive thick feature. Ulrik is the definition of Viking hero I instantly feel in love with. When they began their ship-buildings, I was surprisingly transfixed by their talents and works with the lively banter in between that kept me turning the pages. Lucy Morris’s wonderful writing helped me build the imaginative figure of both ships. I, too, enjoyed the feast of the festival which Lucy Morris often traditionally associate with the superstition but Astrid and Ulrik’s forbidden desire which couldn’t be held back has drawn me more. The more I read the more I became determined that of all characters within this story, Astrid’s mother eventually won my side!

Oh dear, I so loved this story, the process of the ship-buildings and its intricate are so meticulously researched. The intense rivalry which characters grow at the beginning and finally surrender to their compelling desire at the end despite the status quo is so remarkably moving. The last pages might have made my heart ache but it’s all worth it to the happy ending! Thank you Lucy Morris, for the digital 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. She was delighted to accept a two-book deal with Harlequin after submitting her story to the Warriors Wanted! Submission blitz for Viking, medieval and Highlander romances. Writing for Harlequin Historical is a dream come true for her and she hopes you enjoy her books! Follow her on twitter https://twitter.com/LMorris_Author

Title: Rivals at the Royal Altar
Author: Julieanne Howells
Published: May 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mills & Boon Modern, Harlequin Presents, Enemies-to-Lovers, Marriage-of-Convenience

Blurb:

The queen’s fairy-tale wedding...is with her enemy! Surrender to this emotional royal romance from Julieanne Howells.

Not just a night with her enemy...

A lifetime!

Queen Agnesse was not supposed to become playboy Prince Sebastien’s bride. But, forced to cohost a charity gala, the incendiary, off-limits chemistry they’ve long ignored explodes...and the consequences will be legally binding!

Seb vowed he’d never marry. Not after his own unhappy past. Still, he’ll do anything to protect Agnesse and her hard-won reputation. They have faced heartbreak apart. Now the love developing between them could help them face their biggest trial together...if they can finally believe that love exists.

My Review:

What a compelling enemies-to-lovers trope! I might have rambled a lot about heroes from my prior reviews but I now so adore Agnesse as a strong stubborn heroine!

Agnesse is more likely a mirror image of me I realized it when she has to co-host with her adversary, Seb, a playboy prince (I have a tendency to avoid people I don’t like). Her disgust at him is so obvious and I wondered how she is going to fall for him. Her temper and characters at the beginning are so compelling that I began to like her. Meanwhile despite his reluctance, Seb agrees to replace his cousin to be with Agnesse in the gala for charity.

I couldn’t hide my hilarious interest when both are confronted in the gala and their hate and sexual attraction are mingled. Oh I was super excited to read it and see how they would undergo their undeniable appeal. I knew, beneath their strong and scathing banter, they are actually vulnerable. Seb is an epitome of rake that is what people and press presume, yet he might not what his image reveals, I think he is the most compassionate, tender-hearted and lovable character in this book. On the other hand Agnesse is a beauty but most regards her as an ice queen. No one knows how vulnerable she is. The duty they have to deal with and the consequence of their off-limits sexual desire eventually bring them together.

Ah it is a truly beautiful and compelling book. Their electric sexual tension is so steamy and powerful especially the epilogue. At one time I just wanted to shout to both Seb and Agnesse that they have been in love since their first encounter yet both are too stubborn, nonetheless I loved this story! I even had to re-read some of my bookmarks just to feel how romantic and intimate the moments were. It also features lots of daisies, one of my favourite flowers! I will definitely read Julieanne’s other books. Thank you, Julieanne Howells, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the Author

Julieanne Howells loves the romance of a stormy day, which is just as well because she lives in rainy North East England. On inclement days, if she’s not writing and reading, she has a fondness for cooking. Sometimes her efforts are even edible. She compensates for her lack of domestic skills by being an expert daydreamer, always imagining ways for plucky heroines to upend the world of handsome, provoking heroes. For Julianne, writing for Harlequin is just about the perfect job. Follow her on Twitter https://twitter.com/julieannehowel

 

 

Title: The Marriage That Made Her Queen
(Behind the Palace Doors... Book 1)
Author: Kali Anthony
Published: September 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern, Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

Desire revived...at the royal altar! Get swept into the drama of this marriage-of-convenience romance by Kali Anthony.

“I’m asking you to be my husband.”

Her kingdom depends on it!

After tragedy strikes, queen-to-be Lise is all alone. To claim her crown, she must wed. And the man she must turn to is the self-made billionaire who made Lise believe in love before he shattered her heart – Rafe De Villiers.

For Rafe, Lise’s on-paper proposal should feel like a victory. He’ll finally silence those who only see his humble roots. Yet suddenly, winning back Lise’s trust seems more important. And he’ll have to secure it if passion is going to be part of their future...

My Review:

I was totally tempted to be reading the first book of Behind the Palace Doors after having read the second one, I knew I didn’t read it in order but it’s a standalone and I still found the joy.

After the untimely death of her family, Lise has to step up to be the queen in Lauritanian monarch yet she has to marry beforehand to claim it. The only man her father had approved is Rafe, the billionaire albeit commoner. On their wedding day, Rafe has clearly displayed his strong desire at her but Lise doesn’t see it that way because first she is unprepared to be queen as she has never trained to be one even though Rafe has attempted to assist her, second because she mistrusts him.

I loved how Rafe doesn’t conceal his sexual desire towards Lise from the beginning, his attempt is quite conventional and patient, particularly when his hands message Lise in the most tempting way, I would do anything just to be messaged by him. Further how Lise pictures him every time his muscle bulges against his shirt is quite vivid and enticed me however beneath that strong and confident mask I found another man, the one whom has been prejudiced. Throughout the story both Lise and Rafe have many things to be resolved mostly their internal conscience.

I really enjoyed reading Lise and Rafe’s. Their attempt in striving for their happiness is full of emotional drama but I always remember how romantic it was when Rafe makes wreath from wildflowers and grass, that scene etches within my mind.  The ending and epilogue are truly fascinating. Thank you, Kali Anthony, for providing me the digital copy.

Rate: 4.5 of 5

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