Review: The Earl Next Door (The Bachelor Lords of London #1) by Charis Michaels

This is so much more than your typical historical romance read. So much more! This story made me think. As a woman in modern times, I take for granted that women didn't always have a voice. Piety's story shows me the frustrations of living in such a world. A world where a woman can't choose what to do with her own money and needs a man to decide for her. To protect her fortune from her selfish, money hungry mother and vile, abusive step-brothers, she runs from America to England, constantly waiting for them to show up at her doorstep, because sooner or later they will...and do.

Oh her strength and tenacity to accomplish things in a foreign and man's world is empowering. She's a forward thinker. And yes, I know it's fiction, but I couldn't help but feel like this...women like this are who set the precedent for our time. Our voice. Our choice.

For all that Piety has had to endure, she has remained true to who she is. She wins her neighbors over with her caring and unselfish heart. Anyone who bothers to get to know her can't resist her charms. And she IS charming and sincere. One neighbor in particular, Lord Falcondale, learns this valuable lesson.

Trevor, Lord Falcondale, is broody and determined to not have anything to do with Piety. He has plans of his own that don't involve a woman. It doesn't matter how attracted he is to her, he believes he is not fit to be anyone's anything. He has his own ghosts to deal with. He knows his past will catch up with him and is determined to stay ahead and out of reach of it. But, he doesn't run soon enough.

Between both their hunters, this book is full of non-stop action that hooked me and kept me on edge. And of course the romance was a sizzling, slow burn.

What a fantastic debut from Charis Michaels! I am very much looking forward to her next book.

American heiress Piety Grey is on the run. Suddenly in London and facing the renovation of a crumbling townhouse, she’s determined to make a new life for herself—anything is better than returning to New York City where a cruel mother and horrid betrothal await her. The last thing she needs is a dark, tempting earl inciting her at every turn…

Trevor Rheese, the Earl of Falcondale, isn’t interested in being a good neighbor. After fifteen years of familial obligation, he’s finally free. But when the disarmingly beautiful Piety bursts through his wall—and into his life—his newfound freedom is threatened…even as his curiosity is piqued.

Once Piety’s family arrives in London, Falcondale suddenly finds himself in the midst of a mock courtship to protect the seductive woman who’s turned his world upside down. It’s all for show—or at least it should be. But if Falcondale isn’t careful, he may find a very real happily ever after with the woman of his dreams…

Review: Always by Lynsay Sands

Always was a fun, romantic read that left my heart full.

Rosamunde was raised in a convent and prepared to take the veil to become a nun. But her father, King Henry, had a different path in mind for his illegitimate daughter. She was his favorite after all, and he would see that she was well cared for and loved.

Aric, just ending his engagement to a cheating harlot and left with major trust issues, had absolutely no desire to ever marry. King Henry, however, gave him no say in the matter. Aric was always the king’s first choice when thinking of a husband for his daughter. And thanks to Aric’s recent single status, the king gets what he wants.

Of course it isn’t exactly marital bliss for the newly wedded couple. There are plenty of bumps to smooth out. Which is to be expected from two strangers unexpectedly thrown together.

Rosamunde may be the king’s daughter, but she is in no way spoiled. Raised to be fully self-efficient and reliable, she is used to caring and tending to her own matters. Her main responsibility and passion at the convent was working in the stables with the animals. Aric, however, still feeling the effects of his ex-betrothed, lets his jealousy and fears consume him in regards to Rosamunde. He stifles and tries to control her actions, thinking that by limiting her he can prevent her from being unfaithful. Sadly, he misses the point that Rosamunde is nothing like his vile ex or other women from his past. But, he will learn.

There were quite a few times throughout the story that had me shaking with laughter. Obviously, Rosamunde is naïve when it comes to matters of the bedroom, and one really shouldn’t get sex advice from a nun and a bishop. Just…no. I felt for Aric during those times. He actually feared bedding his wife at one point. Then there was her affinity for caring for animals. There’s a scene where she’s nursing a horse back to health that you really need to read for yourself. It was hilarious.

Best of all about this book though was seeing these two people slowly come to trust in each other and love one another–to the point where they’d risk their own lives for the other. Watching Aric come to learn what is was to be truly loved and cared for and feel those things in return is pretty heartwarming. And seeing Rosamunde bloom from a young woman out of her element into a strong, fierce protector and lover is pretty amazing.

This was a 4 star read for me.

 

Blog Blitz & Giveaway: The Rogue Not Taken (Scandal & Scoundrel #1) by Sarah MacLean

News Flash:  Announcing a sublime – and scandalously wonderful – new series from New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author Sarah MacLean!

The author aroused immediate interest when she announced this high-concept affair: “I'm thrilled to announce my next project -- the Scandal & Scoundrel series, which I pitched to my editor as ‘Old School TMZ,’" says MacLean.  “It’s modern celebrity gossip with a pre-Victorian twist. Basically, this is my way of convincing my husband that all those glossy magazines in our house are ‘work necessities.’ 

The first novel in the series, THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN, is a riff on a certain elevator incident made famous at a Met gala several years ago.  But in MacLean’s imagination, the scurrilous turns absolutely sensational, as a ballroom imbroglio sets off a very heated carriage journey along the Great North Road.  It’s a long way from London to Scotland…you would be quite amazed at how much drama can ensue between a seemingly ill-matched duo on such a wild ride! 

Lady Sophie’s Society Splash

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn’t saving her from ruin . . . it’s filled with it.

Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment!
Kingscote, “King,” the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he’s more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?
He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .

Sophie would want love. She’d want it pure and unfettered, given freely, along with all its trappings. She’d want the marriage and children and happiness and promise that came with it.

King could see it, the life she wanted. The line of little girls, blue-eyed and brown-haired, in love with books and strawberry tarts. For a moment, he imagined them smiling at him the way their mother did, filled with happiness and hope.

For a moment, he let himself believe he might be able to give it to her.

But she would want love, and he would never be able to give it.

He didn’t have it to give anymore. And those children, they would never be his.

He set her down on the edge of the fountain, coming to his knees, as though she was Ariadne and he the Minotaur, worshipping at her feet, adoring her even as he knew she could not survive in the labyrinth, and he could not survive beyond it.

“Tell me about last night,” he said softly, looking up at her, his hands at the hem of her skirts.

“What—” She caught her breath as his fingers explored the skin of her ankles. “What about it?”

“I hated it,” he said. “I hated stopping.”

She pressed her lips into a thin, straight line. “I hated that you stopped.”

His hands were beneath her skirts, pushing them back, farther and farther, up and over her knees. He pressed his lips to the inside of her knee, swirling his tongue there, loving the little gasp of surprised pleasure that came at the touch.

“I hate that I will have to stop today, as well."

 

Pre-Order

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(Anyone who orders a signed, print copy from WORD Bookstores will get a gorgeous printed copy of this map!)

(Beautifully designed Map of the Great High Road designed by Amy Solomon)

Great North Road Map Reveal: Destinations and author annotations:

Stop #1:  "Sophie Stows Away" (English Country Estate near London)

Author Commentary:
There are moments in life when you know that you just can't go on without a change. Lady Sophie Talbot, the youngest of the infamous Talbot Sisters (darlings of the gossip rags and nicknamed the Dangerous Daughters) knows this is the case when she lands her odious, philandering brother in law backside-first in a fish pond at a major event of the London Season. And so, Sophie does what's necessary. “I simply need conveyance home,” she requests of Kingscote, Marquess of Eversley, notorious rake and her only chance of escape. Sophie's desperate, and in possession of the Marquess's boot, so she thinks she has a leg up, so to speak. King has other ideas.

Stop #2:  “The Carriage”

Author Commentary:

Lady Sophie Talbot, youngest and least interesting of the scandalous Talbot sisters (think 19th Century Kardashians) isn't so uninteresting once she's decided to stow away atop a carriage belonging to the Marquess of Eversley -- notorious rogue and her recent nemesis. Indeed, she cannot wait for the horrible man to discover that she's disguised herself as an outrider and stolen conveyance home to central London. There's just one problem...

Stop #3: “The Fox and the Falcon Posting Inn”

Author Commentary:

By the time Lady Sophie Talbot finds herself outside the Fox & Falcon Posting Inn, miles from her home in London, she's realized she's made a huge mistake. She only ever intended to hitch a ride home to Mayfair--and simultaneously stick it to the arrogant, handsome, horrible Marquess of Eversley, who happens to be minus a boot, thanks to Sophie. Suffice to say, things got out of hand. And now, dressed as a male servant in the drive of a roadside inn, things are about to get much much worse.

Stop #4: “Beware Highwaymen!”

Author Commentary:

Suffice to say, being on the road with an arrogant aristocrat is no fun at all, so Lady Sophie Talbot does what any self-respecting woman would do, she "borrows" his money, and gets herself on the next mail coach north. All seems fine -- until Highwaymen arrive, and that arrogant aristocrat arrives just in time to see her entire plan go pear-shaped.

Stop #5: “The Warbling Wren”

Author Commentary:

Being shot on the Great North Road isn't exactly a thing people expect to happen, and Lady Sophie Talbot finds herself in the rooms above The Warbling Wren pub, under the welcome care of a rather mad doctor and the watchful eye of the rather infuriating (and infuriatingly handsome) Kingscote, Marquess of Eversley. There are worse things, she supposes. Or are there? Not for King.

Stop #6: “Mossband”

Author Commentary:

Lady Sophie Talbot, youngest and least interesting of the infamous Talbot sisters, has decided that her best bet to escape London and the aristocratic life for which she'd never been intended is to take herself home -- to the small village on the Scottish border where she spent the first ten years of her life. And perhaps, after a disastrous journey north, something would go right, and her childhood friend Robbie, now the village baker, would make good on their silly youthful promises and marry her. Of course, Sophie isn't alone. She's saddled with the horrible, handsome Marquess of Eversley. Who has done everything to ruin her plans. Until now.

Stop #7: “Lyne Castle”

Author Commentary:

The Country seat of the Dukes of Lyne, Lyne Castle is the childhood home of Kingscote, Marquess of Eversley, who left home at eighteen after a terrible tragedy and never returned. Summoned home by his ailing father, King finally returns--with the unexpected addition of Lady Sophie Talbot, irritating and somehow irresistible. The estate boasts one of the most complicated labyrinths in Britain...where King and Sophie find solace, and heartbreak, and each other.

 

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