The Bride Wore Scarlet by Liz Carlyle

Goodreads Description:

Passion and secrets simmer behind the elegant faÇade of Victorian London in another deliciously intriguing novel featuring the mysterious men of the St. James Society.

AnaÏs de Rohan has faced danger in her past, but never anything so great as posing as the new bride to one of the St. James Society's most magnetic—and ruthless—leaders. But Lord Bessett's bold challenge to prove herself worthy of joining his secret all-male society is impossible to resist. So she daringly agrees to travel with the enigmatic nobleman on a dangerous mission to save one of their own—a little girl with a frightening gift.

Soon intrigue swirls about them, drawing them ever closer. And AnaÏs quickly realizes that the intimacy of sharing Lord Bessett's bedroom is proving a temptation impossible to resist. As for Bessett himself—well, he might be a soldier sworn to the Society, but he certainly isn't anyone's saint. . . .

My Rating:  4 out of 5

My Review:


The only reason this didn't get a 5 out of 5 is because it wasn't edited well.  There were very obvious errors that should have been caught and weren't.  And after the 10th error I found I stopped counting.

I didn't read the first in the series, but this book stood alone very nicely and I wasn't confused about any past references. However I did enjoy the story and the romance was very HOT.  Anais and Geoff had a very strong attraction to each other from the beginning and when they finally fall into each others arms it almost made the pages come on fire!

The mystery and action was also great.  And I enjoyed seeing a woman hold her own with weapons for once in a Historical Romance.

This book was definitely original and entertaining.

The Wedding Bargain by Victoria Alexander

Goodreads Description:

London's most scandalous beauty, Pandora Effington, intends to marry a hero—not one of those boring, run-of-the-mill bachelor lords who leave her cold. No, the husband she desires must be someone special, someone whose touch sends delicious shivers down her spine, and who will do absolutely everything in his power to win her love. Someone like . . .Maximillian Wells.

The dashing Earl of Trent cannot believe his ears . . . or his eyes. Here before him stands beautiful Pandora Effington, and the fiery, unattainable heiress is making him a most tantalizing offer. Maximillian can have the lady's hand in marriage . . . if he agrees to play a game of her devising—one involving great risk, ingenuity, passion, and determination.

It is a game he has no intention of losing . . .

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:


I have to say this was one amazing book.  It was well rounded having nothing missing, in my opinion.  The game Pandora and Max play is fun and romantic and I love how Max figures out a way to achieve the 12 tests.  He certainly is a hero and a perfectly written one at that.  Pandora is an independent female in the early 1800's and I love how she doesn't bend to societies demands but in the end realizes it's what she wants.  I loved the side characters as well, especially Pandora's family.  They seem like a fun lot and I hope to see more of them in the other books in the series.  And of course there are the two best friends and I seriously can't wait to read how that plays out!  DEFINITELY RECOMMEND!

Victoria Alexander is one of my must read authors now!

Ransom by Julie Garwood

Goodreads Description:

Overflowing with all of the majesty and intrigue of medieval glory days, this magnificent New York Times bestseller is a page-turner of passion and loyalty, justice and honor. Beloved storyteller Julie Garwood steps back to the silver-shrouded Highlands of her classic tale The Secret -- and hails the return of two unforgettable warriors: Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan.

In the dark days after the death of Richard the Lionhearted, lives and lands would fall into upheaval at the hands of a power-hungry British ruler and his violent minions. One victim of the scourge is innocent Gillian, who is a mere child when the cruel and ambitious Baron Alford slaughters her father and tears her family apart. Alford, determined to recover a jeweled box for the despotic King John, is furious when the precious treasure slips through his fingers -- only to be lost for more than a decade.

Now a beautiful young woman, Gillian finds the key to resolving her past in handsome Scottish chieftains Ramsey Sinclair and Brodick Buchanan. With the cunning and courage of the daring Scotsmen, and with the friendship of a new ally, Bridgid KirkConnell, Gillian at last fights the unscrupulous Baron Alford, laying claim to her home, her family, and her father's reputation. But in the presence of the mighty warrors, Gillian and Bridgid discover that desire can be a weapon of conquest...betrayal can slay trust in a heartbeat...and the greatest risk of all is surrender -- to the deep emotions of unexpected love.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

Julie Garwood is quickly becoming a no fail author for me.  If I need a book I know will be good, she's one I'll pick.  This book was long but not in a bad way.  It was thorough and detailed with out being boringly so.  The relationship between Gillian and Brodick was entertaining to read and I loved how Gillian wasn't some dumb heroin with out a brain in her head.  I didn't like how the ending seemed to just stop but I could have just been so into the book I didn't want it to end and was upset that it did.  I enjoyed the extra romance in the book as well but considering its over 500 pages I think you deserve two romances in the story!  Worth the read and a great second book in the series!

How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Goodreads Description:

Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

My Rating: 41/2 out of 5

My Review:

I would have given this a 4 1/2 out of 5 if I could.  I really loved how this book brought out a ton of different emotions.  I thought it was a quick read that was well written and flowed perfectly.  I never saw the ending coming and I love when that happens.  Mo's description of her parents and her past is so hilarious and I can't imagine anyone ever living like that but I know people who almost that intense.  Cooper is the typical broody hot hero and I love a conflicted hero.  I don't think his reasons for leaving his pack are good enough in my opinion.  I'm sure the author could of come up with something a little more serious.  But that may just be my blood thirst coming out!  I sat and read this in once sitting and the pages just flew!  Highly recommend!

An O'Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Goodreads Description:

Dating Matthew O’Brien-a playboy and a younger man-cost Laila Riley her career and her parents’ respect. A high price, even for love-and when Laila decides it was just a fling, she breaks it off, despite Matthew’s objections.

It’s a great time to get away from it all, but Laila has reservations about joining the O’Briens for a Dublin holiday. Matthew’s bound to be there, and she’s far from immune. What if she can’t resist temptation?

Meanwhile, the O’Briens are in an uproar over matriarch Nell’s unexpected romance with an old flame. Will she follow her heart despite the risks? And will Laila discover that some risks are actually once-in-a-lifetime opportunities?

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

I haven't read the others in the series, however this book could completely stand on its own. I wasn't lost or confused by the other characters and they way their back stories were mentioned flowed well and wasn't confusing or too intense. I loved Laila and Matthews story and their interactions together. Laila has family issues, particularly with her father who wanted his son to take over the family business but is left with the daughter with the brains for numbers. He doesn't hide his disappointment of her and Laila's story is much about taking control of her life as it is her romance with Matthew. I enjoyed seeing her grow. Her issues and irrational reactions seemed very realistic and I felt for her. The epilogue had me crying happy tears and I love when a book brings out strong emotions. I think I related personally with this book on a few levels and it made it an even better read for me. Highly recommend and I will definitely be picking up books 1 through 7 in the series to see the detailed stories of the other family members!

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

Goodreads Description:

The people of Cedar Cove know how to celebrate Christmas. Like Grace and Olivia and everyone else, Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. Her small Christmas tree farm is prospering, her daughters and her dogs are happy and well, and her new relationship with local vet Ted Reynolds is showing plenty of romantic promise.

But…someone recently left a basket filled with puppies on her doorstep, puppies she’s determined to place in good homes. That’s complication #1. And #2 is that her daughters Bailey and Sophie have invited their dad, Beth’s long-divorced husband, Kent, to Cedar Cove for Christmas. The girls have visions of a mom-and-dad reunion dancing in their heads.

As always in life-and in Cedar Cove-there are surprises, too. More than one family’s going to have a puppy under the tree. More than one scheme will go awry. And more than one romance will have a happy ending!

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Review:

I have not read the others in the series and for that reason I thought the constant introduction to new individuals and the brief memories of their own issues was confusing when mixed with the story of Beth and her Ex husband and daughters. It barely holds as a stand alone and if you are like me and haven't read the others in the series, you will be confused trying to categorize all the town residents with their significant others and family and how they got together. While reading, I wished they'd just stop the trips down memory lane for all the residents and just tell the story of Beth and her family. It would of made it a LOT shorter but a LOT less confusing as well! I also think however that if you'd read the other stories in this series, you wouldn't mind the recap and the story would flow very well.

Always a Princess by Alice Gaines

Goodreads Description:

Eve Stanhope masquerades as a foreign princess at ton parties, stealing jewels from the nobility she despises and returning to her London slum at the end of the night. She's carefully plotting revenge on her former employer—a society cad who's ruined her reputation. Now it's her turn to ruin him. What she doesn't expect is to encounter the criminally handsome Orchid Thief on one of her heists…

Philip Rosemont, Viscount Wesley, is also in disguise. Bored and stifled by society, he steals jewels for fun and leaves orchids as his calling cards. He knows the woman he's cornered at the ball is no aristocrat, much less the Princess of Valdastock. But something tells him she's not exactly common, either. Now he must uncover her motives while he enjoys her illicit kisses. Can these two become partners in crime even as they give in to their mutual seduction?

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Review:

This was an ok book but not one of my favorites. I felt wanting in certain parts. I enjoyed the ending but it seemed far fetched. I would have liked a twist where Eve's background was concerned. Maybe something that would of made the ending more possible, say a aristocratic father?! I liked how Philip dealt with the Constable in the end as well. The Dr. who studies skulls was just out there and, I felt, completely unnecessary. It was a quick read more fluff then anything else. Good to take you mind off of life and entertain you.