Beguiled by the Highlander

 Beguiled by the Highlander

Daughters of the Isle #1

Christina Phillips

Reviewed by Helen

I loved this one so much, I do love a good Scottish historical and Christina Phillips did not disappoint, my trip back in time to The Isle of Sgur and the woman who run the Isle they are decedents of a Pict Queen, proud and strong, Isolde is the eldest of three daughters and this is her story come along and meet her and these fabulous woman.

Isolde knows that she is destined to stay on the Isle forever, proud of her heritage and bound by the prophecy of these long ago woman this is where her life is but ten years ago her beloved grandmother promised her to, the Campbell Clan namely Willian Campbell and Isolde is determined not to marry him.

Then a stranger washes up on their beach a handsome man who has no memory of who he is and Isolde feels the spark instantly could he be the man who will win her heart and stay on her Isle?
Although he has no memory he knows that he will go to any lengths to win this woman’s heart it feels like they are destined to be together, she is strong and independent and knows how to handle a claymore but he must first find out who he is and if he has anything to offer her.

When his memory returns the truth just may well tear them apart especially when he remembers what happened on the ship, but one thing is for certain he wants Isolde and Isolde cannot fight her grandmother but will they be safe?

Christina Phillips has written a beautiful romance filled with so many emotions, it is sensual and there is danger for both of them will they find that love and happiness, I do highly recommend this one it was hard to put down, a fabulous read and I can’t wait to read more in this series.

My thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing Inc. for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

June 3, 2025 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc

The Reluctant Countess

 The Reluctant Countess

Little Foxbury #1

Elizabeth Leydin

Reviewed by Helen

I loved this one so much I think it might be my favourite Elizabeth Leydin so far, it is moving, filled with emotions, fabulous characters and a wonderful setting, come along for a visit to Little Foxbury.

Diana Tilney is a strong independent woman living in a man’s world and marriage is something that Diana is not going into and has made it clear to most people, but when her sister and her husband are lost in a boating accident and leave their two daughters, Vicky and Dora in the care of Diana and Ned Faulkes the new Earl, there are a few matters that need to be settled.

Ned never expected to be the Earl he was happy with his life, a widow who is determined to not marry again but now there is the welfare of his nieces that needs to be taken care of and he wants them back in the family home, Swanstead but he has to convince their Aunt Diana that it is the right thing to do.

They decide on a marriage of convenience for the children’s sake, Diana has strict rules as she will not be controlled by a man and Ned doesn’t want an heir after his first wife died in childbirth but can they control the feeling sand chemistry that is growing within both of them the more they get to know each other?

MS Leydin has a beautiful voice for writing regency’s she takes me back to that time and makes me feel like I am sitting in a drawing room with the characters in her story and this is one that I highly recommend, a short quick read that ticks all of the boxes for a fabulous regency romance, I am looking forward to more in this series.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

May 15, 2025 by Improbable Fictions

An Earl of Bluebells

 An Earl of Bluebells

An English Garden #2

Steffy Smith

Reviewed by Helen

This series is about four Rakes and the four women who will tame them, I thoroughly enjoyed book one and this one is a steamy, sensual read as Lucas Belmont, the Earl of Chester and Lady Emma Finley find their HEA.

Lady Emma is no meek and mild lady, she knows what she wants and is not afraid to let people know either, she wants to start an orphanage and will go all out to do it, then there is Lucas the man she wants in her life she has felt this way about him for some time now, will she be able to get him?

Lucas and his friends lead a life of Rakes but he wants Lady Emma, will he be able to win her over, she is strong willed and determined and that is one of the things he loves about her, but will he be able to be his true self with her?

This is a steamy romance as they marry and find the love that has been there for some time, being themselves is best honesty and love will win through. This is a quick read and one I recommend to any historical romance reader.

My thanks to the author and Booksprout for my digital copy to read and review.

4 stars

May 1, 2025 by Steffy Smith Books

The Mademoiselle Alliance

 The Mademoiselle Alliance

Natasha Lester

Reviewed by Helen

Natasha Lester has done it again with her new book, taken a true story and turned it into an excellent story that shows the strength and courage of the resistance group, Alliance who worked throughout World War 2 with the backing of the British MI6 team to help bring down the Nazis and it was run by Marie-Madeline, a young mother and adventurer who never gave up.

Marie-Madeline was born in France, spent her younger years in Shanghai and at eighteen married and moved to Morocco, helping her husband with intelligence work, here her true adventurous self-came out learning to fly, driving rally cars, then giving birth to her son Christian but the marriage was not always a happy one and when she became pregnant for the second time with her daughter Beatrice she returns to France and here she stays with her two children.

1938 and Europe is on the verge of war, meeting a man named Navarre, who recruits her to help with the resistance group Alliance this turns her life upside down but she loves France, her children and her family and is determined to do what she can to save them all, but her real identity and gender is not known to many people. She also meets a man and at first meeting the chemistry is there, Leon Faye hero from the Great War will also become the man she loves.

Alliance is one of the biggest resistance groups there was during WW11 having sectors in every part of France, but there was danger every day, with the Gestapo moving in there are also traitors who cause death and trouble, will Marie-Madeline survive till the end and how many of the other Alliance members will?

This story is absolutely brilliant so many emotions as MS Lester brings to life the true story of Marie-Madeline Fourcade and showed what a truly amazing woman she was, this story is an heroic story of love, tragedy, heartbreak but above all else such courage and strength as we get to know and love the characters in this story and yes there were many tears from me.

I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a fabulous historical fiction, you will not be disappointed, and I loved it.

5 stars

March 26, 2025 by Hachette Australia

Marie's Merry Gentleman

 Marie's Merry Gentleman

The Bookshop Belles #2

Catherine Bilson & Ebony Oaten

Reviewed by Helen

We start back in Baxter’s Fine Books in Hatfield with three sisters left running the shop now that Estelle is happily married to Felix and Marie as left in charge of the accounts when a series of letters arrives from The Earl of Renwick from Cumbria, demanding that they personally deliver the books he wishes to purchase they are now calling him the Earl of Demanding but they are left no choice because the money is needed and it is decided that Marie will make the long journey.

It is coming up to Christmas time and the weather is cold and raining and it is a very long trip for Marie, who prefers quiet but finally she arrives at what first looks like a crumbling castle, set high in the Pennines Mountains, she is soaked through from sleet and very tired and just wants to deliver the books and turn around and start the long trip home and then she meets the Earl of Renwick, Sebastian and he is nothing like she expected he is young and handsome and not old and cantankerous and he is not very overly friendly.

But when Marie sprains her ankle and is forced to stay at Alston Castle for Christmas she must make the best of the situation, she meets Renwick’s eleven year old twin boys George and Richard and is soon helping out with their French lessons and getting to know them and also getting to know The Earl himself and is not thinking of him as the Earl of Demanding anymore.

As the weeks go by Marie and Sebastian open up to each other and soon it appears that their hearts are as well but Sebastian has locked his heart up after everything that happened with his wife is there a chance that he could find love again and if so Marie would be the one who is that person and Marie she never dreamed that a trip she didn’t want to take would find her love, but of course love doesn’t always run smoothly and it is a long way between Cumbria and Hatfield will they find the love and happiness they both deserve?

I loved this one from start to finish, fabulous characters a beautiful romance, and there are lots of smiles and fun along the way, I would highly recommend this one and book three falls onto my kindle today yay, one not to be missed, make sure you read Estelle’s story first.

5 stars

April 1, 2025 by Shenanigans Press

The Whisperer's War

 The Whisperer's War

Jackie French

Reviewed by Helen

Jackie French knows how to tell a story that has fabulous characters, and this one is no different, this story is set around World War 2 set mainly in England we get to meet Lady Deanna Calverton just before the war starts, she is caring for her dying grandfather The Duke in crumbling Calverton Castle, he knows that he will not be here for her and sets a few things in place to make sure she comes through the war and the first thing is the job she is going to do, spend her days digging on her farm and weekends spending time in lavish drawing rooms listening to the talk and gathering information to past on to people who need to know, come along for a story that had me turning the pages.

Lady Dee is well liked in the village and does all she can to help them all and that even means taking on three sisters, evacuees from the city who turn out to be orphans and they are keeping tight on their background but Lady Dee soon loves them like she would her own children and then with and aerodrome next door for training pilots she soon meets Australian Flight Lieutenant Sam Murray and soon she has lost her heart to him but he also has secrets and keeps himself at arm’s length, then when he is injured he is sent back to Australia yes they write letters but Dee wants more will she get it?

This story is fascinating with fact run through the story on the royalty of Britain, people impersonating Dukes and hidden caves that will hold secrets forever, the eagles that fly high in the skies and the animals that roam the land and Dusty the dog, but it is a story of survival the strength and courage that World War Two bought out in people and with Dee her never give up attitude about what she wants in life and her new daughters Magda, Rose and the Amazing Anna you will love them all I am sure and their trip to Australia to find Sam the man they all love even if she now knows his secret she will never let that stop her.

I also love the recipes that are at the start of every chapter, this is a story that I would highly recommend, I could barely put it down once I started it, a must read.

My thanks to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

March 1, 2025 by HQ Fiction

Estelle's Ardent Admirer

 Estelle's Ardent Admirer

The Bookshop Belle's #1

Catherine Bilson & Ebony Oaten

Reviewed by Helen

This is a wonderful start to a new series and I loved it from start to finish, set in Regency England in the bustling town of Hatfield, Estelle Baxter has been left in charge of the Baxter’s Fine Books and her three sisters while their father, Matthew is travelling France finding rare books.

Estelle is doing her best to keep the bookstore afloat there are debts piling up but Estelle is keeping herself focused and keeping it going she also has to contend with a not so nice cousin along the way, the last thing on her mind is marriage but when a very handsome gentleman arrives, Estelle for the first time ever notices but she soon sends him on his way.

Felix Yates grandson of the local Baron, Lord Ferndale has returned from his world tour at the request of his grandfather it is a long time since he has been to Hatfield and while wandering the town pops into the bookstore, knowing how much he and his grandfather loves books and he comes across the beautiful Miss Baxter and soon she has him intrigued with her strength and wit.

It is not long before Estelle and Felix are spending more time together aided by Lord Ferndale and with worry about their father in France and Cousin Joshua threatening to take over the bookstore Felix is stepping up to do what he can but Estelle is one very determined and independent woman, is there a chance that they can find love and happiness?

Decisions must be made will Estelle make the right one? Will Felix be able to convince Estelle that they are a perfect match?

This is a fun, witty, romantic and fabulous story one that I highly recommend, the characters are the best and that included Crafty the cat, you must come along and meet them all, I loved Felix so much what a hero and Estelle she is so wonderful, this is an awesome story and I cannot wait for book two, bring on Maria’s story.

My thanks to the authors for my ARC from Booksprout.

5 stars

March 25, 2025 by Shenanigans Press