The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I usually don't love "popular" books. But I could NOT PUT THIS DOWN! Yes, some of the plot twists were a little bit of an eye-roll... but the pacing of the book was fantastic. McFadden's writing was amazing! I think one of the twists has been done before but still... really good! I had this book on hold at the library for a long time, I ran to go pick it up that same day. I get home and start reading... I had to see how it unfolded. Yes, the storyline has been done before... I can't remember where I read something similar... but I still really enjoyed this book. I was angry at anyone or thing ( looking at my dogs) that interrupted reading. Loved the writing!

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The Duke Starts a Scandal by Sophie Jordan

 #TheDukeStartsaScandal #NetGalley.

Devoured this book! so good! great storyline, excellent chemistry, enjoyed the characters!, Classic Sophie Jordan.

The Witches of Bone Hill Ava Morgyn

 

Cordelia Bone's meticulously crafted life and career in Dallas are crashing down around her thanks to a philandering husband with criminal debts.

When her older, carefree sister, Eustace—a cannabis grower in Boulder, calls to inform her the great aunt they never met has died and they must travel to a small town in Connecticut to deal with the estate, she sees an opportunity to unload the house and save herself.

But once there, the sisters learn they are getting much more than they bargained for. The Victorian mansion they stand to inherit is bound in a dynasty trust controlled by their late aunt's aging attorney who insists they inhabit the house and retain it but keeps them in the dark about the peculiar rituals of their ancestors. Not to mention a sexy, tattooed groundskeeper with a shrouded past who refuses to leave the carriage house and a crypt full of dead relatives looming at the property line.

As both women grapple with their current predicament, they come face to face with a haunting family secret, the truth of what happened to their mother, and the enemy that's been stalking them from the shadows for generations. In a twisting torrent of terror and blood, the sisters must uncover the power within them to heal their fractured relationship, reverse their mysteriously declining health, and claim the lineage they wanted to escape but now must embrace if they are to survive at Bone Hill.

Instacrush (Rookie Rebels, #2)

Instacrush by Kate Meader
 Four Stars!

finally! diving in
I'm not a fan of inst-lust but this book... tugging at my heartstrings... <3 br="">Theo and Ella... such a beautiful love story!
Love this series so much!

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Instacrush by Kate Meader

Instacrush by Kate Meader


finally! diving in
I'm not a fan of inst-lust but this book... tugging at my heartstrings... <3

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Current read/ listen: Instacrush by Kate Meader

Instacrush by Kate Meader


finally! diving in

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The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath

The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

ok, none stop ruminations and then at the 70% part some twists.
overall, ok. Not my favorite LH.
The ending was great... personally I think that if all the topics spread out at the end were evenly distributed throughout the story it would have been better. But overall, enjoyable.

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The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath

The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath


ok, none stop ruminations and then at the 70% part some twists.
overall, ok. Not my favorite LH.

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Every Duke Has His Day Suzanne Enoch

 

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lorraine Heath is an automatic read for me. She is one of my absolute favorite writers. I’ve read the first book in “The Hellions of Havisham” which I liked. The tension between Lady Julia Kenney and her brother –in-law was very notable in the previous book so I could not wait to see how Heath unraveled the story between Edward and Julia.

The background of this story is very important. First, Edward is a twin. His brother, Albert, the Earl of Greyling is the first born and has everything going for him. He has a beautiful wife, Julia and they are both madly in love. Julia and Edward have not gotten along. Julia thinks Edward is irresponsible, womanizer, drinks too much, gambles all the time-which is all true. Edward has always been in love with Julia and one night she stole a kiss from her, when she thought he was Albert. When Julia becomes pregnant Albert and Edward go on a trip to India to have a last hurrah. An unfortunate event occurs and Albert dies. He makes Edward promise to pass himself off as Albert for fear that Julia would lose their baby. Edward feels guilt ridden for his past and because he suggested the trip so he agrees.

When Edward passing himself off as Albert returns it’s very tense. Julia is pregnant and she notices a difference in “Albert” she attributes it to just mourning and tries to be supportive of her husband. Edward for his part feels very uncomfortable as he tries to portray his brother and mimic his mannerisms but at the same time fights his own feelings as he mourns for his brother and fights his feelings for Julia.

Although I love Lorraine Heath, for me, this story felt very uncomfortable. The funeral scene that they held for “Edward” was so sad and heartbreaking. Edwards own discomfort felt real. These can be seen as attributes for a fantastic writer-which Heath is- but I had to put the book down several times and come back to it. As can be expected Julia immediately wanted to continue their marital relations and Edward has to make the decision, does he make love to his brother’s wife under the guise of Albert or keep putting her off and add a strain to the already strenuous situation. If he tells her the truth he breaks his promise to Albert and risks losing his heir. For me, I would have loved it if Edward just came back as himself and the story unraveled from there. It would have been easier for me to accept. As can be expected the truth does come out and it’s not just a mere confession and it’s not just Julia’s wrath that he has to face.

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Never Trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Never Trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have said it before and I will repeat it a hundred times, Valerie Bowman and her Playful Brides series never disappoints! Since I discovered this series I am always impatiently waiting for the next book in the series. For the record the next one after this one is “The Right Kind of Rogue” #8 which is Meg and Harts’ story. I am restless with anticipation about it! But not to be overshadowed, “Never Trust a Pirate” follows many of the same exciting and addicting elements as “The Irresistible Rogue: # 4 which is Daphne and Captain Rafe Cavendish’s story. In that story we discover that Rafe has a twin brother- Cade. Very unlike his twin brother, Cade is the exact opposite of his very chivalrous and honorable brother.

When we begin the story, we are immediately hooked with the task of trying to discover who is the mysterious Black Fox. Bowman uses this as a thread to the rest of the story. Is Cade the Black Fox? Is he after he Black Fox? Aside from these very interesting questions we also are introduced to a wonderful heroine- Miss Danielle LaCrosse. Danielle is as multi-layered as Cade. She is serving as a lady’s maid to Daphne. But without giving too much away, Danielle is very much more than a lady’s maid. Because of the proximity she shares with Cade both Cade and Danielle can’t help but be drawn not only to each other but also to their deep secrets, and both not only carry them but both are also eager to uncover the others.

Personally, I love how Bowman portrayed Cade. As a reader I was experiencing the same peeling away of layers as the characters did-which I loved. &He was interesting and at the same time a little puzzling because he had so many secrets. I loved how evenly matched Danielle and Cade were. They were both worthy of one another. Aside from the mystery and intrigue, I loved Danielle’s very deep vulnerability and her very sweet and almost fragile desire to communicate and form a bond with those around her. Although I think that this story and “The Irresistible Rogue” are a part of the “Playful Brides” series their distinguishing aspect is all the adventure and mystery that run through them. Bowman is such a great author! She is fun, here characters are so complex and deep that I never want the story to end and yet I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. Finally, I loved the contrast between Cade and Rafe. In this story there weren’t too many differences between the brothers after all. For me, this was another wonderful and gratifying read by Bowman and I remain a big fan!

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Wilde Child by Eloisa James

Wilde Child by Eloisa James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Classic Eloisa James: )
cute chemistry but there is so much angst and back and forth :) not much happens except thoughts and feelings.
Similar to "The Duke Gets Desperate" the theme of goats:)
I liked both the hero and heroine. It was a cute story. The series is very sweet.

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The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved so much. Classic LH . These are the books that i grew up reading and loving. I liked the hero and heroine. Loved the storyline. So many secrets and twists.

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A Negotiated Marriage by Noelle Adams

A Negotiated Marriage by Noelle Adams
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

lots of grunting, bulging and just blah...

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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow... this book made my heart ache...I was anxious the entire time

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Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

this was a fun cute, short story. I really liked the characters, the storyline and the pacing. My only little critique is that the ending was a little drawn out. But this was really enjoyable and fun.

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Hello Beautiful by Ann Naplitano

 

Five stars!

What a gifted writer! The characters are so memorable! Although it's about four sisters, the main focus is on Julia, Sylvie and William. Later Alice becomes a main focus. The last 20 pages was a tear-fest! I really liked it and thought it a memorable story.