When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

Goodreads Description:

In every life there is a turning point.

A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer — the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . .

My Rating; 3 out of 5

My Review:

I gave this a 3 out of 5 for a few reasons, mainly I HATED the Ending.  I felt left adrift.  One minute the Hero, Michael is sick and then the next Francesca and him are married and there's a random letter from Johns Mother in the epilogue.  What the heck?!  I was also annoyed by the two, Michael and Francesca, denying their feelings because of Francesca's marriage to John and then with in a chapter that's forgotten and they are doing it like rabbits.  Weird.  My least favorite in the series.  I hope Gregory's book is better!

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Goodreads Description:

Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more.

Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn't help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:

This story is a bit different then the rest in the series.  You finally realize why Eloise has those ink stains on her finger.  Eloise runs away in the middle of the night to Sir Phillips.  This story is about what happens when she gets to his home and how their relationship evolves from one of pen pals to something more.  I experienced some strong emotions while reading this and I won't doubt others would too while reading.  Besides the romance between Phillip and Eloise there is the evolution of Phillip as a father and husband.  Another hit by Julia Quinn!

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Goodreads Description:

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph.

But when Colin returns to London from a trip aboard, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington, the girl haunting his dreams!

And when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat, or his promise of a happy ending?

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

As usual, I loved this story.  I am starting to think Julia Quinn can not write a bad story!  This one has been hinted to in the previous stories and is about Penelope and Colin.  It's a pretty standard plot, Colin comes back from being away an suddenly sees Penelope as a woman not as a neighbor and childhood friend.  But there are aspects that make this an original an a great read.  Definitely fits in with the others in the series!  LOVE IT.

Some Like It Wild by Teresa Medeiros

Goodreads Description:

It was to be her greatest masquerade . . .

Pamela Darby needs a man—preferably a Highland brute with more brawn than brains. Determined to save her sister from selling her virtue, the resourceful beauty requires a strapping specimen to pose as a duke's long-lost heir. Pamela plans to collect the generous reward, then send him on his way. Lucky for the brazen beauty, the seductive, silver-eyed highwayman who just held up their carriage could be her man . . .

Connor Kincaid has given up on his dream of restoring his clan's honor. And now this plucky Englishwoman is asking him to take part in a risky charade that could land them both on the gallows. Never a man to resist a challenge or the allure of a beautiful woman, Connor strikes the devil's bargain that could seal both their fates. The highwayman and the hellion journey to London as both enemies and allies—a woman who has everything to gain and a man who has nothing to lose . . . but his heart.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

I enjoyed this story, but not nearly as much as I did the first.  I loved the twist at the end but I have to say the scene was a little off.  I guess I thought it all happened too fast and there duke seemed to me to be too trusting in it.  (Don't want to say too much so as to not spoil it)  I did enjoy the romance, and the first love scene was wonderfully written with a great setting.  The epilogue was disappointing and I hope there will be a 3rd to continue the story!

Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Goodreads Description:

Dear Reader,
Life is great for me. I have my chicory coffee, my warm beignets, and my best friend on the cell phone. Once the sun goes down, I am the baddest thing prowling the night: I command the elements, and I know no fear. For centuries, I've protected the innocent and watched over the mankind, making sure they are safe in a world where nothing is ever certain. All I want in return is a hot babe in a red dress, who wants nothing more from me then one night.
Instead, I get a runaway Mardi Gras float that tries to turn me into roadkill and a beautiful woman who saves my life but can't remember where she put my pants. Flamboyant and extravagant, Sunshine Runningwolf should be the perfect woman for me. She wants nothing past tonight, no ties, no long-term commitments.
But every time I look at her, I start yearning for dreams that I buried centuries ago. With her unconventional ways and ability to baffle me, Sunshine is the one person I find myself needing. But for me to love her would mean her death. I am cursed never to know peace or happiness-not so long as my enemy waits in the night to destroy us both.
--Talon of the Morrigantes

My Rating: 3 out of 5

My Review:

I enjoyed the read, and liked seeing the story continue from the first in the series.  I didn't love it however.  I don't know if it was just my mood or what but I didn't feel as connected to the story as I did the first one.  I did however love how the story evolved and I can't wait to read the third book in the series to see how it moves forward.  So it gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley

Goodreads Description:

Prudence Youlgrave is out to marry above her station and secure a happy life. Catesby Burgoyne is out to continue his noble family's good name. When fate pushes them together, they are married-but this inconvenient marriage of convenience quickly turns into something much more...

My Rating: 2 out of 5

My Review:

This book was a decent read but nothing fantastic.  I enjoyed the plot and I really enjoyed the interactions between the hero and heroine.  I also liked the hero and heroine's character and personalities.  However things seemed too easy, there wasn't any real conflict between the two, even at hard times they seemed to be always smiling or making the best of things. That annoyed me for some reason. Also there was not one romantic scene in this book, or should I say bedroom scene.  I was actually very disappointed at the end.  I wanted there to be an epilogue or perhaps them finally having a full physical interaction.  I felt the bad guy and evil deeds were sort of an after thought to carry the story since there weren't any bedroom scenes.  I don't really think I could recommend this. All in all very disappointed, I had higher hopes.

Shelena Shorts new book The Iron Quill Released today!

Hello Everyone.  I want to share a great series that I discovered while attending a local book fair, in Collingswood NJ.  I met the author and was quite taken with the stories idea.  The third book in the series is being release today.

The First in the series is:

The Pace  The Pace at Amazon

Description from Goodreads:

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time.
Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

The Second book in the series:

The Broken Lake The Broken Lake at Amazon

Description from Goodreads:

In the aftermath of Sophie's ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future.

But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes' unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened.

Continuously intriguing, The Broken Lake takes readers to a place where eternal bonds confront a division that is sure to leave everyone wondering whom they can trust

And the third book RELEASED TODAY:

The Iron Quill The Iron Quill at Amazon

Goodreads Description:

With Weston's self-imposed forty-eight hour deadline having already lapsed, Sophie's patience is pushed to the max- especially with her realization that his concern is not for his own well-being, but for hers.

Just when they embrace a reconnection, she'll learn that her greatest threat is not necessarily something that might happen in the future, but something that's happening...right now. And this time, Sophie and Wes will need the help of more than one person to fix it -even if it means giving up his secret.

With time forever moving, and the dark cloud at its lowest, the third book in the Pace Series stays true to its signature grace and determination as Sophie and Weston take the biggest detour so far