Review: Moontangled - Stephanie Burgis

Take one ambitious politician and one determined magician with wildly different aims for their next meeting.

Add a secret betrothal, a family scandal, and a heaping of dangerous fey magic in an enchanted wood...and watch the sparks fly!

For just one moonlit, memorable night, Thornfell College of Magic has flung open its doors, inviting guests from around the nation to an outdoor ball intended to introduce the first-ever class of women magicians to society...but one magician and one invited guest have far more pressing goals of their own for the night.

Quietly brilliant Juliana Banks is determined to win back the affections of her secret fiancée, rising politician Caroline Fennell, who has become inexplicably distant. If Juliana needs to use magic to get her stubborn fiancée to pay her attention...well, then, as the top student in her class, she is more than ready to take on that challenge!

Unbeknownst to Juliana, though, Caroline plans to nobly sacrifice their betrothal for Juliana's own sake - and no one has ever accused iron-willed Caroline Fennell of being easy to deter from any goal.

Their path to mutual happiness may seem tangled beyond repair...but when they enter the fey-ruled woods that border Thornfell College, these two determined women will find all of their plans upended in a night of unexpected and magical possibilities.

The Harwood Spellbook Series:
Spellswept (Prequel Novella)
Snowspelled
Thornbound
Moontangled (Novella)

Visit Stephanie Burgis' website for more information

Review:
We've met both Juliana and Caroline before so I'd highly recommend reading the previous books in the series before this novella so that you're familiar with their history. Caroline is an aspiring politician with a bright future ahead of her but only if she follows the tradition of marrying a gentleman magician. The slight hitch in that is that she is madly in love with Juliana and the two are secretly engaged. Juliana was one of the first students to join the first magic school for women, the Thornfell College of Magic. Juliana is sure that if she can just pass her exams and officially be recognised as a magician then her marriage to Caroline can go ahead without ruining Caroline's political chances.

A recent scandal has caused Caroline to start pulling away from Juliana though, so just when they're getting close to achieving their dreams it looks like their relationship may be about to fall apart. Juliana is determined to get their relationship back on track but Caroline is trying to protect Juliana's reputation by keeping her distance. One magical night along with one tricky fae and they will either lose each other forever or find their way back to one another.

I'm so happy that Stephanie Burgis decided to give Juliana and Caroline their own story. I've been rooting for the young couple ever since they were first introduced so it was sad to see their respective careers getting in the way of their relationship. Luckily they're both fighters and once they both figure out what is really important nothing is going to change their minds. Juliana and Caroline are a pretty adorable couple but it was also nice to see how supportive Juliana's classmates as well as her teachers are of their relationship.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Thornbound - Stephanie Burgis

Cassandra Harwood scandalized her nation when she became the first woman magician in Angland. Now, she's ready to teach a whole new generation of bright young women at her radical new school, the Thornfell College of Magic…

Until a sinister fey altar is discovered in the school library, the ruling Boudiccate sends a delegation to shut down Thornfell, and Cassandra’s own husband is torn away from her.

As malevolent vines slither in from the forest and ruthless politicians scheme against her, Cassandra must fight the greatest battle of her life to save her love, her school, and the future of the young women of Angland.

The Harwood Spellbook Series:
Spellswept (Prequel Novella)
Snowspelled
Thornbound
Moontangled (Novella)

Visit Stephanie Burgis' website for more information

Review:
Thornbound is the second book in the Harwood Spellbook series by Stephanie Burgis and we get to see Cassandra fulfilling her dreams as she opens the door to her new school for female magicians, the Thornfell College of Magic. Cassandra has had a lot of support from her family and her husband to open the school but it quickly becomes clear that a lot of people in positions of power are not happy with her attempting to change the status quo. It's so engrained in society that women are politicians while men are magicians and people are worried that rocking the boat with this new college will have all kinds of implications for the future.

Cassandra has never been one to back down from a challenge but when the Boudiccate send a team of inspectors who are essentially looking for excuses to shut down the college she knows she's really up against it. Then a sinister fae altar is found in the school library proving that someone has been dabbling in forbidden magic, and Cassandra's husband goes missing she starts to wonder if her own dreams are costing the ones she loves a price that she's not willing to pay.

I'm really enjoying this series and I hope that we're going to see more of Cassandra as well as the staff and students at Thornfell College in the future, I'm sure there are all kinds of adventures they could get up to! I think what I like most about this series is how it turns rules of society as we know them on their head, it's the men who have to watch their reputations as being alone with a woman could ruin their reputations and it its the women who have most of the power. But while it's fun to see that switch up I also like the way Cassandra and her students are challenging societal norms to follow their dreams. We've seen Cassandra and her brother both make choices that are looked down on from some quarters but they never gave up and now they're giving a whole new generation the ability to follow in their footsteps.

This series is brilliantly written with inspiring characters and a fun magical setting. Adding in the tricky Fae only adds to the excitement as you really never know what one of them will try next, especially if they're making dodgy bargains with people.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Spellswept - Stephanie Burgis

In the world of the Harwood Spellbook, 19th-century Angland is ruled by a powerful group of women known as the Boudiccate - but in order to become a member of that elite group, any ambitious young politician must satisfy tradition by taking a gentleman mage for her husband.

Amy Standish is a born politician...but Jonathan Harwood is her greatest temptation. On the night of the Harwoods' Spring Solstice Ball, in an underwater ballroom full of sparkling fey lights and danger, Amy will have to fight the greatest political battle of her life to win a family and a future that she could never have imagined.

It will take an entirely unexpected kind of magic to keep everything from crashing down around her.

The Harwood Spellbook Series:
Spellswept (Prequel Novella)
Snowspelled
Thornbound
Moontangled (Novella)

Visit Stephanie Burgis' website for more information

Review:
Amy is an orphan but she managed to earn a job as personal assistant to Miranda Harwood, a respected member of the Angland parliament. As she's a natural politician it is expected that Amy will follow in her mentor's footsteps and join the Boudiccate but to do that first she must marry a respected magician. Tonight at the Harwood's Spring Solstice Ball she is expected to announce her engagement but really her heart is set on the one man she can never have, Miranda's son Jonathan. It would be a respectable match if only Jonathan hadn't refused to train as a magician, instead preferring to focus his studies on history. Now Amy needs to decide whether to follow her head or her heart, or perhaps she can figure out a way to get everything she's ever wanted.

Although Spellswept is technically a prequel to the Harwood Spellbook series I actually read it after reading the first book, Snowspelled, and I think I enjoyed it all the more because I was already familiar with the characters involved. It was lovely to see the beginning of Amy and Jonathan's relationship first hand and I also really enjoyed getting to meet a teenage version of Cassandra. I love the sibling relationship between Jonathan and Cassandra, he is so protective of his sister and a lot of the life choices he's made become much clearer when Amy discovers a huge secret that Cassandra has been keeping.

Stephanie Burgis has created a really fun world for her historical fantasy series, one where the sensible women are in charge of the government while the more whimsical and emotional men are free to pursue careers as magicians. The gender lines are firmly drawn but the complete opposite to what we're used to and it's really refreshing to see such a different take on society.

Source: Purchased

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Review: The Marquis and I - Ella Quinn

Trouble is no match for a lady of the extended Worthington family--except when it comes in the form of a most irresistible gentleman . . .

Lady Charlotte Carpenter's brother-in-law has put an infamous brothel owner out of business--yet it is Charlotte who suffers the consequences. Abducted by thugs and held at an inn, she is plotting her escape when she's suddenly rescued by a dashing gentleman. Only afterward does she realize she's seen him before--with two courtesans! Unwilling to tarry with such a man, Charlotte makes her second escape. But it is too late to repair her reputation . . .

A known gossip has spied Charlotte's movements, and his report is speeding through the rumor mill. Soon, everyone knows that Charlotte spent the night with Constantine, Marquis of Kenilworth. And everyone agrees the only answer is marriage--including Constantine himself, his overjoyed mother--and his mistress! But Charlotte's abductors aren't finished with her yet. Now Constantine will do anything to protect the spirited woman he loves and win her heart . . .

The Worthingtons Series:
Three Weeks to Wed
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
The Second Time Around (Novella)
It Started with a Kiss
The Marquis and I
You Never Forget Your First Earl
I'll Always Love You (Novella)
Believe in Me

Visit Ella Quinn's website for more information

Review:
When Lady Charlotte's brother-in-law put a dangerous brothel owner out of business nobody expected that she would be the one to pay the consequences. However, when she is abducted from outside her home by two thugs that is exactly what happens. Luckily Charlotte is always calm in a crisis and she is carefully plotting her own escape when a family friend steps in and offers her assistance. Constantine, Marquess of Kenilworth, is a known playboy who has no intention of settling down any time soon no matter how much his mother wants him to. But when a known gossip catches him and Lady Charlotte spending a night together after her rescue her reputation is ruined, no matter how innocent it was. Constantine finds himself drawn to Charlotte's intelligence and her feisty nature and for the first time he starts to wonder if getting married might not be so bad after all.

To be honest it's taken me so long to get around to writing my review for this book that I can't really go into as much depth as I usually would. I do remember really liking Charlotte's character and her determination to marry for love rather than getting stuck with someone just because they're caught in what looks to be a compromising position. I also liked that Charlotte was smart enough to plot her own rescue and that she didn't really need a knight in shining armour to come looking for even though an ally ended up being very welcome in the long run. Constantine was a bit more problematic in the way he treated women in his life but he actually listened to Charlotte's point of view and once he realised the harm he had caused he tried his best to set things right which made it much easier to like him.

I've been really enjoying this series so I'm looking forward to picking up You Never Forget Your First Earl when I'm next in the mood for a historical romance.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Snowspelled - Stephanie Burgis

In nineteenth-century Angland, magic is reserved for gentlemen while ladies attend to the more practical business of politics. But Cassandra Harwood has never followed the rules...

Four months ago, Cassandra Harwood was the first woman magician in Angland, and she was betrothed to the brilliant, intense love of her life.

Now Cassandra is trapped in a snowbound house party deep in the elven dales, surrounded by bickering gentleman magicians, manipulative lady politicians, her own interfering family members, and, worst of all, her infuriatingly stubborn ex-fiancé, who refuses to understand that she’s given him up for his own good.

But the greatest danger of all lies outside the manor in the falling snow, where a powerful and malevolent elf-lord lurks...and Cassandra lost all of her own magic four months ago.

To save herself, Cassandra will have to discover exactly what inner powers she still possesses – and risk everything to win a new kind of happiness.

A witty and sparkling romantic fantasy novella that opens a brand-new series for adults from the author of Kat, Incorrigible, Masks and Shadows and Congress of Secrets.

The Harwood Spellbook Series:
Spellswept (Prequel Novella)
Snowspelled
Thornbound
Moontangled (Novella)

Visit Stephanie Burgis' website for more information

Review:
Snowspelled is a novella set in 19th Century Angland, a kind of alternate history of our own world but with added fae and magic. Also this is very much a matriarchal society so if you've been looking for a feminist historical romance this will hit the spot perfectly!

It was a truth universally acknowledged that women were the more pragmatic sex; that was why we were expected to run the government, while the men attended to the more mystical and imaginative realm of magic.

In this world the women are the politicians, they make the rules and govern society while the men engage in more frivolous pursuits like magic. Cassandra Harwood's mother was a respected politician and Cassandra was expected to follow in her footsteps but she was always more interested in magic. It took hard work but she finally achieved her lifetime dream of becoming the world's first female magician, she had everything she wanted in her career and was engaged to the love of her life, fellow magician Wrexham, but when a spell went horribly wrong her world came crashing down around her. Now unable to use magic Cassandra has lost her purpose in life and she broke off her engagement because she didn't want to bring Wrexham down with her.

Several months later Cassandra finds herself trapped at a house party and completely out of her comfort zone surrounded by lady politicians, who should be her peers but aren't, and male magicians, who used to be her colleagues. To make matters worse Wrexham is stubbornly following her around trying to convince her to change her mind about their relationship and she also seems to have caused a bit of bother with the local elves that could cause a political nightmare.

Snowspelled was an utterly charming story by Stephanie Burgis, the world building was fabulous, full of diverse characters and feminist themes, the characters were fun to spend time with, there was a good amount of action and the romance was incredibly sweet. I was amazed how much the author managed to pack into a relatively small number of pages and I'm already looking forward to continuing the series.

Source: Won in a giveaway from the author

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Review: It Started with a Kiss - Ella Quinn

What is a young Worthington woman to do when the man of her dreams is not who she thinks he is?

This season, all eyes are on the Earl of Worthington s spirited, beautiful sister, Lady Louisa Vivers. Many gentlemen are vying for her attention in and around the ton. Yet, Louisa longs for someone who can take her beyond the ballroom a man who is worldly, adventurous, and passionate. She won t settle for just any suitor. She wants her true soul mate and she ll know him when she sees him.

Is Gideon, the Duke of Rothwell, him? The moment he and Louisa meet, they share a powerful attraction. Rides at sunrise and waltzes at dusk follow. Finally, Gideon can no longer resist the urge to embrace her, and Louisa is sure he will ask for her hand. But Gideon believes he is in no position to marry. The Rothwell estate has gone bankrupt, a scandal simmers in its wake, and he has nothing left to offer. Now, he must decide if he will let pride stand in the way of true love or if he will risk everything, and let the lady decide for herself...

The Worthingtons Series:
Three Weeks to Wed
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
The Second Time Around (Novella)
It Started with a Kiss
The Marquis and I
You Never Forget Your First Earl
I'll Always Love You (Novella)
Believe in Me

Visit Ella Quinn's website for more information

Review:
It Started with a Kiss is the third book in Ella Quinn's Worthingtons series and this time it is Matt's oldest sister, Louisa, who gets her happily ever after. It may be Louisa's first season but she's had plenty of interested suitors, it's just that none of them caught her attention until she met Gideon, the Duke of Rothwell. Gideon only recently returned home after years spent living overseas, while he was gone his father managed to run their estate into the ground and now it's up to Gideon to sort things out, something that is far more complicated than he could have realised. The last thing he is looking for is a wife but meeting Louisa makes him wish his circumstances were different.

Poor Gideon has really been left a mess to deal with by his late father but as we learned more about the circumstances it was hard not to feel sorry for the old man no matter how much trouble he had caused. Gideon blames himself for being out of the country when his family needed him and now he's determined to set things right and recoup as much of his farther's losses as possible. Although he knows he's not the best marriage prospect at the moment he finds Louisa impossible to resist. People could think he's only interested in her for her money but he goes to great lengths to protect her interests and make sure he is able to sort out his financial issues on his own which just made me like him even more. They were really cute together, Louisa knows exactly what she wants and there is nothing that will stop her from claiming her man now that she's finally found him.

This was another great instalment to the Worthingtons series, these books are all light and really fun to read with sweet romances and just a hint of danger from outside sources. The couples all tend to fall for each other pretty quickly but for some reason that never bothers me and I always enjoy watching their courtships. Of course it's always nice to spend time with the rest of the family too and catch up with previous couples from the series. I also love the friendship between Louisa and Charlotte so I'm glad her book is up next.

Source: Purchased

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Review: The Second Time Around - Ella Quinn

Can a beautiful Worthington widow find love again? Depends on who’s asking . . .

Before he died, Patience was the Earl of Worthington’s second wife. So why shouldn’t Patience be allowed a second chance at marriage, too? Of course, finding a new husband was not something the mother of four had ever planned on. But a surprise encounter with her first love has suddenly made the impossible seem possible all over again . . .

It seems like a lifetime ago that Richard, Viscount Wolverton, was halfway around the world, looking for adventure . . . while Patience, at her coming-out, was left with no choice but to take old Worthington’s hand. Richard never forgot the woman whose heart he yearned for—and now that he’s back, he’s not going to let her slip away again . . .

The Worthingtons Series:
Three Weeks to Wed
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
The Second Time Around (Novella)
It Started with a Kiss
The Marquis and I
You Never Forget Your First Earl
I'll Always Love You (Novella)
Believe in Me

Visit Ella Quinn's website for more information

Review:
Patience Worthington is Matt's stepmother, and the mother of the four younger sisters he's had custody of ever since his father died. Her marriage wasn't exactly a love match but it gave Patience her daughters and that's something she'll always be grateful for. When her old childhood sweetheart comes back to London he is determined to win back the only woman he ever loved, it was his fault she ended up in a loveless marriage and all he wants is to finally be able to claim her for himself. It's not quite that simple though, if Patience marries again she could lose her children, especially since the girls have become so close to Grace's siblings and the two families are living together so happily.

I really enjoyed this story, Patience was married young and although she has four daughters she's really not much older than her stepson Matt so she's far too young to be on her own forevermore. Richard missed his first chance with her because he was stupidly away travelling when she came out to society and he didn't return in time to stop her marriage to the old Duke. He never stopped loving her though so now that she's available again he will do whatever it takes to win her heart. Luckily Patience's children are on his side, they want their mother to be happy and along with the rest of their family they're willing to do a little plotting to help Richard win her hand.

It was really nice to see these two get a second chance at love, it would have been great to have had some flashbacks into their childhood together but for a novella we still had plenty of time to get invested in their relationship. It's always fun to spend time with the Worthington brood too and this was a great lighthearted read that I'm happy to recommend.

Source: Purchased

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Review: When a Marquis Chooses a Bride - Ella Quinn

Thanks to their large extended family and unconventional courtship, the Worthingtons have seen their share of scandal and excitement. But nothing has prepared them for this...

The Dowager Lady Worthington isn t quite sure what to make of country-girl Dorothea Stern. As the granddaughter of the Duke of Bristol, Dotty is schooled in the ways and means of the nobility. But her sharp wit and outspoken nature has everyone in a tizzy. Especially their cousin, Dominic, the Marquis of Merton.

Prematurely stuffy, Dom was raised by his cheerless uncle to be wary of a host of things, including innovation, waltzing, and most perilous of all: true love. Still, there s something about Dotty, beyond her beauty, that Dom cannot resist. But the odds are against him if he intends to win her as his bride. Will he choose loyalty to his family or risk everything for the one woman he believes is his perfect match...

The Worthingtons Series:
Three Weeks to Wed
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
The Second Time Around (Novella)
It Started with a Kiss
The Marquis and I
You Never Forget Your First Earl
I'll Always Love You (Novella)
Believe in Me

Visit Ella Quinn's website for more information

Review:
This is the second book in the Worthingtons series and I have to admit I wasn't too sure I'd like it when I found out that Marcus's stuffy and pompous cousin Dom was going to be the hero. I wasn't at all likeable in the first book so I was a bit wary going in but happily he's a totally different man once you get to know him and the reasons for his past behaviour soon becomes clear. After the death of his father Dom was raised by his uncle who quite frankly was a terrible person who was far more interested in the family wealth and status than anything else. His constant digs and browbeating really wore Dom down and turned him into the man we met in the first book.

When Dom meets Dotty, the young friend of his cousin who is staying with the Worthingtons for the season so she can come out alongside Charlotte and Louisa, his world is turned upside down. Dotty is softhearted and has a habit of collecting strays both of the animal and human variety. She always sees the good in people and does her best to make the world a nicer place. Although she can be a little naive she's just so sweet and everything about her challenges Dom and his narrow view of the world. This is definitely a case of her helping him to be a better man and I enjoyed seeing the changes in him as he let go of the stuffy exterior he has spent years hiding behind.

I enjoyed the romance but I also enjoyed the suspense side of the story. Dotty's habit of trying to save people put her in danger a couple of times but she was able to change so many lives for the better because of her caring nature. This series has been really fun to read so far, it was great to catch up with Grace and Matt and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing both Charlotte and Louisa find their matches too.

Source: Purchased

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Review: The Match of the Century - Cathy Maxwell

In New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell's glittering new series, wedding bells are ringing… until the return of a rake throws a bride's plans— and heart—into a tailspin

Every debutante aspires to snag a duke. Elin Morris just happens to have had one reserved since birth. But postponements of her marriage to London's most powerful peer give Elin time to wonder how she will marry Gavin Baynton when she cannot forget his brother, Benedict.

Already exasperated at being yanked from the military to meet "family obligations," now Ben must suffer watching his arrogant sibling squire the only woman he has ever loved. Joining the army saved Ben from sinking into bitterness, but seeing Elin again takes him back to the day they surrendered to their intoxicating desire.

As the wedding draws near, Elin tries to push Ben far from her thoughts. When danger brings them together, there is no denying their feelings. But can Elin choose love over duty...?

Marrying the Duke Series:
A Little Thing Called Love (Novella)
The Match of the Century
The Fairest of Them All
A Date at the Altar

Visit Cathy Maxwell's website for more information

Review:
Most young ladies would be thrilled to be engaged to a Duke and Elin has had her entire life to prepare for it since her parents arranged the match when she was just a baby. Her parents are thrilled that their grandson will be a Duke but Elin is a little more hesitant, it's not that she doesn't like Gavin, it's more the fact that she's in love with his younger brother Benedict. Elin and Ben grew close as children and fell in love as teens, Elin was convinced that they would defy their family's expectations and marry each other but then suddenly one day Ben left to join the army without a word. She was heartbroken when he left and resigned herself to marrying Gavin but then just when the official announcement is due to be made Ben returns home and all of Elin's old feelings come rushing back.

The Match of the Century was a fast and fun read that I devoured in a couple of hours. Elin and Ben had a complicated history, mainly due to the fact that Elin thought he abandoned her while Ben thought Elin had betrayed him, so their romance isn't an easy one. Ben resents the fact that his older brother seems to get everything, Gavin was their father's golden child while Ben was just the spare, Gavin has the title, the wealth and most importantly he's due to marry the only girl Ben ever loved. It's put a huge wedge between them, especially when Gavin forces Ben to return home from the army so that he can learn how to run the family estate just in case anything happens to his brother.

Elin desperately wants to please her parents, her father is a made man who is obsessed with the idea of having a Duke for a grandson and cementing the family's place in society so he would be horrified if Elin didn't go through with the wedding. But she doesn't love Gavin and suspects that he doesn't love her either, her parents had a love match and she's always dreamed of having a relationship like theirs but she doesn't know how to make it happen.

This book has a heartwarming romance alongside a little action and danger which kept me on my toes waiting to see what would happen next. I thought that Elin and Ben were a really cute couple but I have to admit I did feel a little sorry for Gavin who desperately wants a family of his own. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series so I can see him get his own HEA.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Three Weeks to Wed - Ella Quinn

In the first book of her dazzling new series, bestselling author Ella Quinn introduces the soon-to-be Earl and Countess of Worthington--lovers who have more in common than they yet know. The future promises to be far from boring…

Lady Grace Carpenter is ready to seize the day--or rather, the night--with the most compelling man she's ever known. Marriage would mean losing guardianship of her beloved siblings, and surely no sane gentleman will take on seven children not his own. But if she can have one anonymous tryst with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, Grace will be content to live out the rest of her life as a spinster.

Matt had almost given up hope of finding a wife who could engage his mind as well as his body. And now this sensual, intelligent woman is offering herself to him. What could be more perfect? Except that after one wanton night, the mysterious Grace refuses to have anything to do with him. Amid the distractions of the Season he must convince her, one delicious encounter at a time, that no obstacle--or family--is too much for a man who's discovered his heart's desire…

The Worthingtons Series:
Three Weeks to Wed
When a Marquis Chooses a Bride
The Second Time Around (Novella)
It Started with a Kiss
The Marquis and I
You Never Forget Your First Earl
I'll Always Love You (Novella)
Believe in Me

Visit Ella Quinn's website for more information

Review:
When Lady Grace Carpenter's parents died she fought hard to gain custody of her seven younger siblings until one of her brothers was old enough to take control of their family estate. No other family members were willing to take all of the children on so it was the only way to keep them all together and Grace felt it was her duty to protect them all. She knew that she was giving up the chance of having a family of her own as it would be very unlikely she'd be able to find a man willing to take on her and seven children. When she is caught in a storm and forced to spend a night in an inn with her teenage crush she decides that even if she can never marry she can at least have one night of passion to remember for the rest of her life.

Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, has decided it is time to settle down. His friends have all started to marry and seeing them start families of their own has made him consider his own future. After one unforgettable night with Grace he decides he's found the perfect woman for him but unfortunately Grace did a disappearing act before he even woke up. Now the search is on and he's not going to give up his quest easily, no matter how stubborn Grace is or how much extra responsibility her siblings will be.

Three Weeks to Wed was my first book by Ella Quinn but it was such a fun read that it definitely won't be my last. I don't tend to read a lot of historical romance but sometimes I'm just in the mood for something warm and light hearted and this series hits that spot perfectly. I thought Grace was a great character, she has worked so hard to protect her siblings and she put her own life on hold to do it without ever begrudging them for it. She loves them all dearly and wants to honour her parents too. I loved the relationship between all the brothers and sisters and that they loved her as much as she loved them, they want the best for her too and when they realise Matt is courting her they decide to do whatever it takes to bring the couple together.

Matt already has four younger siblings of his own that he's responsible for so he's quite shocked when he realises marrying Grace would bring the brood up to eleven. I liked that he took time to think about the affect that would have on all of their lives before continuing to pursue Grace, but equally that it didn't take him too long to decide that she was worth it. Matt and Grace made a really cute couple and they had an intense connection that they both struggled to resist but they also had a lot of shared values and family was important to them. It was fun seeing Matt learn to deal with all of the children but I also really liked seeing the siblings from both families decide to help Matt and Grace blend their two families together.

This was a sweet romance with lots of humour and just a tiny amount of suspense. I liked the fact that it was relatively drama free and that there were no big misunderstandings or stupid arguments. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Source: Purchased

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Review: Virgins - Diana Gabaldon

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE JAMIE MET CLAIRE IN THIS BRILLIANT NEW OUTLANDER SHORT STORY.

1740: Young Jamie Fraser has left Scotland and, with his best friend Ian Murray, is running with a band of mercenaries in France.

Both men have good reason not to go back to their homeland: both are nursing wounds, and despite their best efforts to remedy the situation, both are still virgins.

So when a Jewish doctor hires them to escort his granddaughter to Paris, they readily agree. Both men are instantly drawn to the beautiful young lady.

What neither know is that their lives and their friendships are about to become infinitely more complicated - and a lot more dangerous ...

Outlander Series:
Virgins (Prequel Novella)
Outlander (Originally published in the UK as Cross Stitch)
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
Written in my Own Heart's Blood
Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone (Release date to be confirmed)

Visit Diana Gabaldon's website for more information

Review:
Virgins is only a short novella so I'm going to keep my review pretty short too. Set before Jamie and Claire meet this story sees Jamie travel to France to meet up with his best friend Ian. Jamie is recovering from serious injuries and can't return home for his own safety so he joins the mercenary band that Ian has been working alongside.

I don't really want to say much more than that so you'll just have to read the story for yourself if you're interested. I did really like the friendship between Jamie and Ian so it was nice to see how supportive the two are of each other but I wasn't particularly interested in the story and didn't really think it added much to the series as a whole.

I've only read the first book in the series but I'm already leery of the amount of attempted rapes (& actual rapes!) that have already occurred and friends have warned me it only gets worse as the series continues so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that there was a rape scene and at least one attempted rape in a story that's less than 100 pages long. I get that rape would have been a huge threat to women back then (it still is now after all!) but I honestly think there is too much of it included in this series and I would enjoy the books so so much more if that was dialled back a bit. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to see how I get on with the second full length book, Dragonfly in Amber, which I'm hoping to read sometime soon.

Source: Purchased

Other reviews of this book:
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Hardback / Kindle:

Review: In Bed With the Devil - Lorraine Heath

They call him the Devil Earl—a scoundrel and accused murderer who grew up on the violent London streets. A proper young lady risks more than her reputation when consorting with the roguishly handsome Lucian Langdon, but Lady Catherine Mabry believes she has no choice. To protect those she loves, she would do anything—even strike a bargain with the devil himself.

Lucian desires respectability and a wife above all else, but the woman of his choosing lacks the social graces to be accepted by the aristocracy. Catherine can help Lucian gain everything he wants. But what she asks for in exchange will put their very lives in jeopardy. When danger closes in, Catherine discovers a man of immense passion and he discovers a woman of immeasurable courage. As secrets from his dark past are revealed, Lucian begins to question everything he knows to be true, including the yearnings of his own heart.

Scoundrels of St. James Series:
In Bed with the Devil
Between the Devil and Desire
Surrender to the Devil
Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel
The Last Wicked Scoundrel

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series:
(Features children of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
When the Duke Was Wicked
Once More, My Darling Rogue
The Duke and the Lady in Red
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (Novella) (Guest review from Aly)

The Hellions of Havisham Series:
(Some crossover of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
Falling into Bed with a Duke
The Earl Takes All
The Viscount and the Vixen
When the Marquess Falls (Novella)

Visit Lorraine Heath's website for more information

Review:
I'm hardly ever in the mood for historical romances but my friend Aly has been trying to get me to read Lorraine Heath's books for years now and I finally got around to picking up the first book in her Scoundrels of St. James series, In Bed With the Devil. The nagging paid off Aly because I really enjoyed this one! Anyway, on to the actual review:

Our hero Lucian has a bad reputation, so bad that he's actually known as the Devil Earl and even dancing with him could be enough to ruin a young lady's reputation. Growing up on the streets as an orphan he was raised out of poverty by the man who believed he was his long lost grandson, Lucian isn't convinced the old man was correct but what young boy would pass up the chance to get off the streets and into a proper home? In spite of being accepted into the old Earl's life as his heir Lucian didn't leave his street days completely behind him and he still has a lot of contact with his old gang even now, hence the reputation. That and the fact that people think he's a murderer.

Catherine on the other hand is a well bred young lady with a spotless reputation. She desperately needs help to rescue her best friend from an abusive husband though and who better to turn to than someone who has already committed one murder, surely he would be willing to kill again? Catherine is willing to take any risk to save her friend but she's surprised when the only thing Lucian wants is for her to teach one of his childhood friends how to act like a lady. It seems like she'll be getting off pretty lightly considering the task she's set for him but things get much more complicated when her heart gets involved.

If you think some of that sounds familiar then I'll tell you that yes, there are hints of Oliver Twist in here, that story was definitely used as a starting point but then Lorraine Heath has taken that as a starting point and created her own story from there so it's not a complete retelling. I liked both of the main characters and thought they were a good match but I did have a couple of issues that stopped this from being a 5 star read. It was great that Catherine was willing to do whatever it took to protect her friend but there were times when I felt she was a little too judgemental about it, I've seen first hand how hard it is for someone to escape from an abusive relationship and it would have been even harder in Victorian times when women were considered property.

With Lucian my issue was that he was planning to marry someone else for much of the book, he wasn't technically cheating because he wasn't in a relationship with the other woman but he loved her and planned to marry her. In fact, it took the other woman telling him that he'd fallen in love with Catherine before he even figured it out, I would have liked it more if he'd realised that for himself and told the other woman he could no longer offer her marriage.

The last couple of paragraphs have been a little bit negative but overall I still really enjoyed the story and I'm definitely planning on reading the rest of the series. I've already said I don't tend to read historical romance a lot (my go to has always been paranormal romance, fantasy & sci-fi) so I won't be devouring this series over a short period of time but I'll definitely come back to it when the mood strikes me again (or when Aly's nagging becomes unbearable LOL).

Source: Purchased

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Review: Outlander - Diana Gabaldon

THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE BESTSELLING OUTLANDER SERIES. As seen on Amazon Prime TV.

What if your future was the past?

1946, and Claire Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. It’s a second honeymoon, a chance to learn how war has changed them and to re-establish their loving marriage.

But one afternoon, Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and vanishes into 1743, where the first person she meets is a British army officer - her husband’s six-times great-grandfather.

Unfortunately, Black Jack Randall is not the man his descendant is, and while trying to escape him, Claire falls into the hands of a gang of Scottish outlaws, and finds herself a Sassenach - an outlander - in danger from both Jacobites and Redcoats.

Marooned amid danger, passion and violence, her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.

(Previously published as Cross Stitch)

Outlander Series:
Virgins (Prequel Novella)
Outlander (Originally published in the UK as Cross Stitch)
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
Written in my Own Heart's Blood
Go Tell the Bees that I am Gone (Release date to be confirmed)

Visit Diana Gabaldon's website for more information

Review:
I wasn't too sure what to expect from this book going in, it's definitely a polarising story amongst my friends who all seem to either love or hate it so I was a little nervous before I started reading. I've been curious about the TV show for ages though and several friends have raved about the show and begged me to watch it so I decided it was about time I gave the book a try (I can't possibly watch the show without reading the book first!). Anyway, I'm very happy that I fell into the "love it" camp, I can totally understand why some of my friends didn't enjoy it - there were some disturbing things about Claire and Jamie's relationship (particularly in the beginning) and there were a lot of references to rape and an actual rape towards the end of the book (although it was surprisingly a male character who was the victim which I wasn't expecting) - but in spite of the issues I was totally immersed in this world and couldn't put it down.

Outlander is one of those books that pulled me in from pretty much the first page and didn't let me go until the end. Considering it's quite a long book (865 pages for my copy) I finished it in just three days which should tell you something about how much I enjoyed it! I loved meeting these characters, I loved taking a trip back in time and most of all I fell hard for Jamie even though I wanted to slap him a couple of times! There are already thousands of reviews for this book out there so there's probably nothing I can say that hasn't been said hundreds of times before so I'm just tell you that I'm now even more excited about watching the TV series and I can't wait to dive into the next book. I don't think it hurt at all that I had such a clear picture of Jamie before I started reading!

Source: Purchased

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Guest Review: Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses - Lorraine Heath

Today I have a guest review from the awesome Aly from Aly's Miscellany, I've been online friends with Aly since we met on Goodreads about 6 years ago (you can go and stalk her fab reviews here) and we finally got to meet in person for the first time a few months ago. Thanks so much for writing this guest review Aly!

Lord Andrew Mabry, the second son of the Duke of Greystone, has no desire to marry. As the spare, he has no obligation to provide an heir and he rather enjoys spending his days and nights in play with the demimonde. But more and more of late, he finds himself wanting to play naughty games with the American heiress, Gina Hammersley.

After her scandalous older sister marries a marquess, Gina Hammersley suddenly finds herself the darling of London with beaux a plenty calling on her, sending flowers, and filling her dance cards. Unfortunately, the one she desires most is the one who has no wish to be caught in the marriage trap: Lord Andrew Mabry.

But when they are discovered in a compromising situation, this unlikely pair must decide whether to face scandal or discover if the passion they’ve always felt is strong enough to lead them into love.

Scoundrels of St. James Series:
In Bed with the Devil
Between the Devil and Desire
Surrender to the Devil
Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel
The Last Wicked Scoundrel

Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series:
(Features children of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
When the Duke Was Wicked
Once More, My Darling Rogue
The Duke and the Lady in Red
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (Novella)

The Hellions of Havisham Series:
(Some crossover of characters from the Scoundrels of St. James series)
Falling into Bed with a Duke
The Earl Takes All
The Viscount and the Vixen
When the Marquess Falls (Novella)

Visit Lorraine Heath's website for more information

Aly's Review:
This novella is the story of Lord Andrew Mabry, the brother of Lady Grace(When the Duke Was Wicked) and Alistair, Marquess of Rexton(An Affair with a Notorious Heiress) and the son of Frannie Darling and Sterling Mabry, the eighth Duke of Greystone(Surrender to the Devil), and Gina Hammersley, the sister of Tillie, Lady Landsdowne(When the Duke Was Wicked). It starts with the wedding of Rex and Tillie where the hero and heroine serve as best man and maid of honor.

Gina is an American who fell in love with Englend when she moved here for her sister's debut. She was only 11 when that happened and, being an heiress, her dream was to marry a Peer of the Realm. Her sister's scandal influenced her debut, she wasn't as sought after because of her, even though her dowry was vast. Everything started to change when her sister met Rexton. Gina started having the debut she envisioned as a child and she met Rexton's brother, Andrew. She was intrigued with him from the start, even though he wasn't an Earl, Marquess or Duke.

After her sister married, she moved with the Duke and Duchess of Greystone and started spending even more time with Andrew. They could talk about everything, they had fun together and, most importantly, they understood each other. Gina shared her wish for adventures so, Andrew thought it was a great idea to take her to a brothel(kid you not!), to teach her to play cards and many other "unfeminine" activities.

I loved how they interacted with each other. Andrew never lied to her or treated her like a 2nd class citizen because she was a woman. He had a bit of an inferiority complex thanks to a woman who only thought he was good for sex because he wasn't on the way of inheriting a title. That colored his view and he kept expecting Gina to treat him differently because of it. It never happened.

This was lovely novella, I enjoyed catching up with favorite characters and seeing Gina and Andrew get their HEA.

Favorite Quote:
(After Andrew took Gina to the brothel)

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak with a woman of experience about what transpires between a man and woman. Tillie and I have never spoken of the details. Like you, I don't want to make a fool of myself the first time." 

"You could have asked me." 

"That would have been highly inappropriate." 

"Yet going to a brothel with me wasn't?" 

Her face warmed. She didn't think she could have gone with anyone else. She'd spoken true. She did trust him. And not only because he was Rex's brother, but because she sensed he would protect her at all costs. And he'd always shown her kindness. While his attention had seemed brotherly on the surface, she'd often felt an undercurrent of desire simmering through him. Or perhaps it was only wishful thinking on her part. He'd never done anything untoward. More's the pity.

Source: Aly's copy

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Review: Chester 5000-XYV: Isabelle and George - Jess Fink

1889: an age of industrial revolution and sexual frustration. Isabelle is a lonely orphan, reprimanded at every turn by her strict matron. George is an inventor on the cusp of a brilliant discovery. Together they find love, but in an age of violent mechanization and military secrets, can their passion survive?

After the smash success of CHESTER 5000’s first volume (the tale of a Victorian woman and her robot lover), beloved webcartoonist Jess Fink returns with another triumphant story of boundary-breaking love, sex, and technology. Discover the origins of your favorite characters along with all-new thrills. All the drama and adventure of the silent film era is here, enlivened with modern whimsy and erotic charm.

Chester 5000 Series:
Chester 5000-XYV
Chester 5000-XYV: Isabelle and George

Visit Jess Fink's website for more information

Review:
If you enjoyed the first book in this series then you're bound to love this one just as much if not more. Once again you can read it completely for free on Jess Fink's website but there is also a print edition releasing on the 14th of February. This story actually starts before the first book begins but I would definitely recommend reading them in order because it spans a much larger length of time and continues beyond the end of Chester 5000-XYV.

We already met Isabelle in the first book but this story allows us to get to know her and her husband George much better from how they met and married through to when Isabelle was introduced in the first book. I have to say I like George a LOT more than I liked Robert but we actually get the chance to see more of Robert here too and he wasn't as bad as I initially thought he was. We get to see just why he became so work obsessed and started neglecting Priscilla and that made him an easier character to like.

As with the first book Chester 5000-YXV: Isabelle and George is written completely without dialogue so it's impressive how well you are able to connect with all of the characters and understand what motivates them without them ever speaking. The artwork was just as impressive and I think this had more of an actual story than the first book. That's not to say there isn't sex in here (in fact I think it's a little more risqué this time around!) but there were other things going on too which is probably what held my interest enough to read both books in one sitting. I hope that this isn't the last we've seen of these characters, the web comic hasn't been updated in a year but the book is only just being released in print so perhaps there is still more to come.

Source: Read for free online at Jess Fink's website

Other Reviews:
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Hardback:

Review: Chester 5000-XYV - Jess Fink

1885: an age of industrial revolution and sexual frustration. Pricilla is a woman with needs, and her inventor husband Robert is a little too busy with his experiments to keep her fully satisfied. Science to the rescue! With a few gears and springs, the proper appendages, a little lubrication, and a lot of love, Chester 5000 is born! He's the perfect tool for the job... but what if Chester is more than just a machine? What are the consequences of trying to engineer love?

A vintage delight for adult readers of all stripes, Jess Fink’s Top Shelf debut reads like a whimsical love-child of steampunk, silent film and erotic comics.

CHESTER 5000: Because sometimes love comes with detachable body parts.

Chester 5000 Series:
Chester 5000-XYV
Chester 5000-XYV: Isabelle and George

Visit Jess Fink's website for more information

Review:
Chester 5000-XYV is an erotic graphic novel that can be read online for free on Jess Fink's website here but is also available as an ebook or in print from Top Shelf Comix if you want to support the artist. I'm still fairly new to graphic novels in general and definitely ones of the erotic variety but I somehow stumbled across the website and ended up devouring this book (and the sequel!) in less than an hour.

This is the story of Priscilla, her inventor husband Robert, and Chester, the sexbot he builds to cater to her needs when he is busy working. Priscilla is fed up with being neglected by her husband and with the loyal sexbot doting on her both in and out of the bedroom she soon finds herself falling in love with Chester. Robert wasn't anticipating this turn of events and he's not exactly happy about it either but you'll have to read the comic for yourself to find out what he does about it.

I absolutely love the artwork in both of these stories, Jess Fink cleverly uses different perspectives and styles to make each page unique. They're the kind of drawings you appreciate more the longer you look at them as you notice the clever little details like the way she'll blend Pricilla's hair into the curling pattern at the boarder or how she uses a fisheye lens to draw attention to certain details. There is no dialogue, in fact the only words are a few sound effects along the way so reading this is a lot like watching an old silent movie and that fits in with the feel of the Victorian Steampunk nature of the story perfectly. The romance is surprisingly sweet considering it's between a human and a robot as well as being incredibly erotic.

Source: Read for free online at Jess Fink's website

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Review: In A House Made of Bones and Teeth - Alyxandra Harvey

1815
London is under magical attack.
Can Emma, Gretchen, Penelope find their way back to each other in order to defeat the Seven Sisters once and for all?

The third and final installment of The Lovegrove Legacy. Novella length.

Only Available on Smashwords

The Lovegrove Legacy:
A Breath of Frost
Whisper the Dead
In A House Made of Bones and Teeth (Novella)

Visit Alyxandra Harvey's website for more information

Review:
I was really disappointed that the publisher dropped the Lovegrove Legacy series before it was finished, especially after the cliffhanger ending of Whisper the Dead, so I really appreciate that Alyxandra Harvey self published this novella to wrap things up.

Of course if I'd had a choice in the matter I'd have preferred a full length novel so we could get to know Penelope better, her story wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been because of the length of this story and that is a little disappointing. However, I'd rather have a short novella that ties up all the outstanding plot threads and leads us away from that horrendous cliff we've been clinging to for 2 years now than nothing at all.

In A House Made of Bones and Teeth we get to see the Emma, Gretchen and Penelope fighting to hold back the Greymalkin sisters and stop them taking over the world, we get answers to all of our questions and we also get a very brief epilogue to show how each girl's story ends. This isn't a perfect ending to the series but it's infinitely better than no ending at all and I still really enjoyed the series overall. The novella is currently only being sold through Smashwords but it's only $1 so if you've read the first two books then I'm sure you'll want to know how the series it ends and you're not going to have to pay through the teeth for the conclusion.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
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Review: The Kissing Bough - Madelynne Ellis

Viola Marsh has been forced to live an austere life, locked away under the watchful eye of her spinster aunt. Only on Christmas Eve is she allowed her freedom, to take part in the tradition of wassailing.

Cousins, Percy Gilling and Lord William Ricborough share a close and special relationship, and they require a very particular woman to satisfy their needs. What they’re not expecting is to find her poised beneath the mistletoe on a wintery hilltop.

Forbidden Lovers Series:
The Kissing Bough
Pure Folly

Visit Madelynne Ellis' website for more information

Review:
Viola's first (and only) season ended in disaster when she was caught in a closet with two partially dressed men. Not even her family believe her protests that she was completely innocent and had just stumbled into the wrong place at the wrong time. Now she has spent the last three years in disgrace hidden away from the world in the care of her spinster aunt. The only time she is allowed to mix with society is for the family's Christmas Eve Ball and every year she dreams of finding a man who will finally share her first kiss.

William and Percy are lovers who long to find a woman who will accept their relationship and be willing to join them. William must marry and produce an heir but he refuses to give up Percy as part of the bargain. When they hear of the scandal surrounding Viola they think they have found their ideal match, a woman who is open to sharing herself with two men. Viola is shocked by their offer but also intrigued. This could be her only chance at marriage but can she willingly accept two men into her bed and will they still want her when they realise that she isn't as experienced as they assume?

At 90 pages The Kissing Bough is a fairly short story but Madelynne Ellis did a great job of introducing her characters and making it easy to root for them. I loved all three characters and thought there was a great balance between sweet, emotional scenes and hot spicy ones. The Regency setting was great and I enjoyed the glimpse into Christmas traditions of the time. This really was a perfect holiday read and I'm now looking forward to picking up more books from this author.

Source: Purchased

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