By The Sword by Alison Stuart

 Reviewed by Nas

BY THE SWORD by author Alison Stuart is a March 2015 release by Escape Publishing, the digital arm of Harlequin Australia. 

Kate Ashley, a widow is mum to a nine year old son. Jonathan, her late husband’s cousin is a hunted man in exile so the family estate would go to Kate’s son. 

Meeting Jonathan for the first time, Kate feels attracted but they are kept apart. The story is beautifully written and the plot is intricately woven so you feel yourself living in Kate’s shoes. 

BY THE SWORD has vivid description of the era and the war. But the romance between our hero Jon and heroine Kate is of second chances and making new choices. 

Highly recommended for all lovers of historical romance fiction.

Reviewed by Maria

There is no one like author Alison Stuart for bringing alive the atmosphere of England during the civil war years.  Alas, this is a neglected period of history for historical authors who have literally done Regency to death and then some.   I always find myself reading Alison Stuart's books with the greatest of pleasure.  Her writing embodies everything I love about historical fiction - a trip back to a bygone age when life was somewhat slower and less in our control.

Alison Stuart beautifully depicts the dilemma of everyday people caught up in the struggle between the Royalists and the Roundheads, the Catholic people clinging to their old faith and the adherants to the Protestant sect, stepping into the unknown to rediscover their Christianity in a faith unbound by much idolatry and traditions.  All in all, fascinating reading indeed.  The love story between Royalist Jonathan Thornton and Puritan widow Kate Ashley is sensitively shown

I'd advise any reader of good historical fiction to get their hands on this book. Five stars for sure and certain.

5*****

The River of no return by Bee Ridgway

Reviewed by Desere


The year is 1812, Lord Nicolas Falcot is about to die on the battlefield. Then suddenly as the hand of death is about to strike the hand of fate intervenes and Nick finds himself very much alive and well living 200 years in the future.

He soon learns of the secret time traveling organization The Guild responsible for "saving" him, the only rule in exchange for the life saving deal, tell no one. As Nick starts his new life and keeps his secret under wraps his heart constantly reminds him of the one he left behind, Julia.

The arrival of a sealed envelope brings about a whole new game and a whole new set of rules, as Nick and Julia 's lives once again intertwines, but what will happen when the real secrets are revealed.

Those who know me well , know that when it comes to historical reads am not a very big fan, but every now and then I do find one that either the cover or the blurb grabs my attention, as was the case this time around. I took one look at the cover and fell in love with the mystery, and when I read the back it really got me thinking ' Time traveling in 1812? Really? Now that 's something I want to know about!'

What I found was really a truly remarkable read, fascinating characters and exquisite historical detail all wrapped up with a stunning string of secrets. Now normally I would go into vivid detail but with this read I think it essential for all reading fans out there to sit down and really take this all by reading it for themselves, so instead of my normal review lines am going to wrap this up in as a neat as possible.

The characters were all really written well, I particuarly loved the character of Nick, the poor man goes from about to die to living in a whole new world to back to his old life and trapped between saving the new world or sacrifising it all in the name of love. I loved how the author let his uncertainly and fear shine through but no so much so that he appears to be one of those " Too weak to stand " types of hero's , those I really do loath, so nicely done Bee.

The descriptions of both the new and old worlds were simply breathtaking , I was transported back with heart-stopping clarity and brought back again with a bang! The book was so much more than just a series of characters living between the past and now, the secrets are what made this read.

From the how is this possible to the who was that and the why 's it all was brought together with remarkable talent, I look forward to what this author has to offer up next.

And of course my review is vague but as I said you want to , no make that you have to read this, got get a coy now!

4.5 star review
" The here and now is all that matters, right?" 

**Now available at Penguin Books South Africa 

Bellissima by Anya Richards

Reviewed by Desere

Jane Rollins is anything but a plain Jane, but in order to keep her position as housekeeper for a wealthy family she hides her beauty and just goes on working every day, with no problems. That is until the master of dance Sergio Fontini waltzes into her life. 

Sergio sees the real beauty that lies behind the drab clothes and he wants to badly uncover it for all the world to see. The question of course is why would Jane even let him do so, she's been working real hard to keep up the facade in the first place. 

Then there's the matter of life of death, for if Sergio persists and seduces Jane it will put both their livelihoods at risk, and then there will be nothing left for them and one cannot survive on love along, right ? 

This read was a little different than what I usually read, it was still romance but with the different setting I can't say I was completely comfortable, kind of like when you know everyone knows a secret but you are the last to know. 

I liked the passion and romance that sparkles between Sergio and Jane, and I absolutely adored that Sergio could see the real Jane , it was a really nice and sweet touch especially because I did not really see that coming , it 's something I expect to pop up in contemporary romance reads but in historical I was thinking more they meet , but their love is forbidden and then they find a way kind of element , but the author as I said surprised me and I really liked it. 

I great message about how there is always a way to make things work, it might look bleak but it will work out if you look hard enough there's a way. 

4 star review 

" He sees her, the real her, but will she let him keep her?" 
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Reviewed by Nas

BELLISSIMA by author Anya Richards is a September 2014 release by Samhain Publishing.

It's super hot, historical saga. I loved this author Anya Richards writing. She brought to live the settings of the era so beautifully that I felt I was in that era with the hero and the heroine.

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Haveli by Zeenat Mahal

A charming little romance which is set in the recent past.    Pakistan in the seventies, to be precise.  Chandni has been somewhat over-protected by her maternal grandmother in the crumbling haveli (palace) which is their family’s ancestral home.  They are, as you might have guessed, erstwhile Indo-Pak royalty.  Young, beautiful and extremely well read and educated due to rigorous home tutoring, Chandni longs for the love and affection of the father she has never known.  He seems, her father, to have been something of a heartbreaker, a life destroyer even.  Even before Chandni’s late mother died when she was a baby, pining for the man she had loved and been abandoned by, the same man had already loved and left the mother of Chandni’s elder brother Zafar to a similar fate.  Zafar’s mother had had the wherewithal to deposit her child in the home of her successor before succumbing to her fate.

Chandni’s overpowering grandmother has planned out her life and even chosen her husband, but Chandni, with the candid innocence (or is it ignorance?) that is the characteristic of the young and naive, fails to see that her grandmother works  only out of love and concern for her granddaughter.  The old lady doesn’t do less for Zafar either, although he’s not her grandson.  So when Chandni’s father appears out of the blue, protesting his helplessness in the past and his true love for his daughter, Chandni is thoroughly charmed.  It doesn’t seem to occur strange to her that her father shows absolutely no concern for her brother.  As the reader and other members of Chandni’s circle look on helplessly, Chandni seems to be drawn to her father’s love, affection and approval as a moth is drawn to a flame.  She even mindlessly accepts the rather shallow fiancé her father has produced for her, as a magician produces a rabbit out of a hat.

I enjoyed this unusual story, which kept me guessing right up to the end.  A sweet romance with sparkling dialogue and a gallant hero.  Just my favourite type of read.  I look forward to more from this worthy author.

Published By Indireads

A Kiss of Lies by Bronwen Evans

Bronwen Evans
A Kiss of Lies

Review by TashNz

A Kiss of Lies by Bronwen Evans a January 13 release and is the first of 6 books in Bronwen's new Disgraced Lords series with Random House Love Swept.

I love Historicals because I'm only limited by my imagination and my imagination runs overtime while I'm being swept thru London, Jamaica and Canada in 1815 via Ship or Carriage with Christian, Earl of Markham, his newly acquired ward Lily and Lily's mysterious Governess Mrs Sarah Cooper.  

We meet Christian as he's being forced to wake up from a drunken stupor in the local whore house.  As he comes to he realises he has a sword pointing at his throat and is being accused of the most heinous crime of raping Harriet, a young debutante and daughter of a Duke.  He's thrown on a boat to Canada and four months later we meet Mrs Sarah Cooper, our lovely but mysterious heroine, being interviewed by Christian for the position of Governess for his newly appointed ward Lily.  Sarah is hired to be Lily's Governess and accompany both Christian and Lily back to London.  It's time for Christian to clear his name.

During Sarah's first night with Christian and Lily the household is awoken to screams.  Christian is having nightmares.  He's  disfigured on one side of his face and body from being trapped in a fire.  When he sleeps he remembers it all and regularly has nightmares about it.  Sarah's not frightened of Christians appearance, in fact she used to admire him from afar in another life, one she's removed herself far far away from. Her calming instincts have her going to Christian, wanting to calm him and make it better.  Before she knows what's happening she's stealing secret kisses from Christian.  She thinks he's slept thru it but little does she know Christians awoken and while amazed that he's not having to pay someone to kiss him (because of his scars), he can't believe how much he's enjoying Sarah's kisses and makes it his mission to have more at a later stage.

Christian and Sarah's attraction to each other and growing love for one another is one of the main story lines but not long after the stolen kisses I was swept away on a thoroughly thrilling world-wide adventure.  Nothing is as it seems and there's very many questions to be answered.  Who is the mysterious men hot on Sarah's tail?  What is Sarah running away from?  Who set up Christian and framed him for rape?  Who killed his regular girl?  Can Christian find love after being so horridly disfigured?  Can Sarah find love after suffering all that she has?

I love Historicals.  I love the simplistic thinking of historical characters because they're not burdened with today's technology. They can ride their horses at break neck speed or they can walk thru beautiful gardens, attend balls and be wild and raucous as the time will allow them.  It's thrilling to bend society's rules with the hope of not getting caught!  Long trips at sea prove great settings for close and confined interactions.  Balls are fabulous excuses to dress beyond handsomely.    

A Kiss of Lies doesn't disappoint.  It's filled to the brim with the thrilling mystery and the exciting adventure story line that has things happening left right and centre.  There's loads of fab conversations between the two and Christian doesn't disappoint.  Sarah's story is completed but Christian's is not and because of this I can not wait for Book 2, A Promise of More.

I see from Bronwen's website she's doing a month long blog hop to celebrate the release. Details here.  Find Bronwen: Facebook, Twitter, Blog 

4 Moonlit Stars



Reviewed by Desere

A brilliantly crafted romance set in a world historical fans can only dream of truly experiencing. With this read it is as close as it gets.

Whilst being taken from London to Jamaica and Canada, I was swept away by the authors very vivid descriptions on surroundings that today you can view with the click of a button and not even come close to how stunning it all is or how amazing it was back in 1815.

The romance in this read was blazing hot! The mystery of the thugs on Sarah's trail just made the read even more interesting and action packed.

Loved every minute and I highly recommend this read for all historical fans.

4.5 star review 

" Caution : Stolen Kisses may lead to a web of lies " 

The Lion's Embrace by Marie Laval.

Reviewed by Maria

With her slight build and blonde fragile beauty, Harriet Montague could be the typical Victorian miss.  She isn't, though.  Her scholar father has taught the young lady everything he knows.  She's much more at home on an archaeological dig than she is sipping tea demurely in a London drawing room.  Instead of poring over intricate stitching work or playing the piano, you'll find her poring over ancient inscriptions, probably deciphering them.  She looks like she needs protection, but she can kill a man with a dagger, if need be.  She'll never be a burden to your expedition.  Rather, she'll be an asset.  When Lucas Saintclair, the scion of French colonial settlers, agrees to guide Harriet and her companion Archibald Drake across the Sahara Desert, he thinks that this young woman will be nothing but trouble.  He's right.

But in the vast Sahara, everything takes on a different hue.  In order to fend off unwanted advances, Harriet dresses like a man and claims that the staid Archibald Drake is her fiance.  But nothing can stop the burning attraction between Harriet and Lucas Saintclair.  Soon their passion scorches the desert sands.  Yes, be warned, readers.  The love scenes are what you might call hot and steamy.  In the desert, enemies lurk close by.  From lionesses on the hunt, to veiled Tuareg warriors and even unknown assassins, there's intrigue behind every sand dune and in every underground cave.  This is a story full of romance and intrigue.  I never wanted it to end.

A wonderfully authentic novel which conjures up the Sahara of yore and old London and  will please readers who like longer reads, this novel abounds with intrigue from start to finish.  I loved this historical fiction work from author Marie Laval and eagerly await her next book.

A Rakes Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell

Reviewed by Nas

A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS is a September 2013 release by author Anna Campbell.

The day Richard Harmsworth broke into the vicarage to look for the Harmsworth jewel was the most exciting day of Genevieve Barrett’s life. She felt something while being held in the burglar’s arms. After he locked her in and without taking anything from her home walked away, she was intrigued.

So, when she met Richard in the guise of simple Mr. Evans, she had the niggling feeling she knew him. Of course, she remembered his cologne.  

Richard Harmsworth was just after the Harmsworth jewel that would give him his rightful place in the society. He was a born bastard and had to endure it. But the jewel was bequeathed to Genevieve. And she had no intention of selling or parting with it. How would Richard get it from her? And now there were more people after it.

A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS is a sensational romance, which is filled with mystery and danger as well as intrigue. The dialogue is fast and witty. This is another fabulous mesmerizing romance from the brilliant regency romance author Anna Campbell.

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Days Of Rakes And Roses

Reviewed by Nas

Days of Rakes and Roses

DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES by author Anna Campbell is July 2013 release.

Lady Lydia Rothemere doesn't want anymore scandal. She had to ignore Simon Metcalf and go ahead with her planned wedding with another man.

But she couldn't really forget that one passionate kiss she shared with Simon when she was seventeen, could she? Now he was here again, ten years later and asking her not to marry a man who left her cold. Could she put her trust in Simon again?

After all Simon had left her and gone. Left her to face all the scandal alone. Now her father was no more. And her brother had called Simon to try to persuade Lydia to call off her wedding, would she do it? Then her fiancé catches her in a clinch with Simon. He challenges him to a duel to avenge his honour. What would happen now?

DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES is a beguiling romance that tugged at my heartstrings and kept me enthralled from the beginning to end. Author Anna Campbell takes you on a thrilling journey with Ladies and Rakes and romances. It is written with warmth, compassion and charm. It is another sensational story from the superb pen of Anna Campbell.

Probilited Passion by Rae Summers

This charming novella from historical romance author Rae Summers will transport you right back to the 1920's.  That was a heady, fascinating time. The entire western world had found its feet again after having been brought to its knees by the Great War. People were leaving the past in the past, celebrating life and bean.  While in the USA, prohibition on the consumption of alcoholic beverages was enforced  because of the strong Protestant ethic, the drinking went on surreptitiously in the speakeasies and dance clubs, where jazz flourished and the social barriers of the past were breaking down.  For those who could afford it, life was a party - until the Crash of 1929 brought it all tumbling down and the following decade ushered in the most destructive war in history.

The plot revolves around Jenny March, a young widow from London, who sails to New York in search for a new life, away from the old world restrictions of London in which a young and spirited widow could surely suffocate.  On the ship, she encounters the Irish American Tom Gallagher, who is returning from his honeymoon trip, which has been a revelation.  He's discovered that he's been trapped into a marriage of convenience to give his wife's secret life a respectable cover.  Being a Catholic, divorce is not an option for Tom. Tom runs a speakeasy - a dance club.  He and Jenny are not from the same social backgrounds.  Yet they're drawn to each other.

The novel is what could, I suppose.be called a sweet romance.  There are no scenes of unlacing corsets or shenanigans in the ship's boiler room as such, yet the novel is frank about the sexual attraction between the two main characters.  The story sizzles.  Moreover, Jenny is no unawakened virgin.  We are given to understand that she enjoyed a healthy sexual relationship with her late husband, although she's almost embarrassed to speak of it.

I found this novel to be beautifully evocative of early 20th century New York and the jazz age - an age, I must confess, in which I had little interest, until I started reading this fascinating little gem of a novella. I would recommend this to students of this period of history, to readers of romance, readers of historical fiction and most importantly, readers of good writing.

Get it here:  Amazon     Amazon UK

5/5

Lonesome Ranger by Sally Quilford

Grab your e reader and a cup of tea, put your feet up and let Sally Quilford whisk you back to the days of the old West.  To the town of Ocasa to be precise, where the sun beats down relentlessly, the nearby orange groves abound with fruit and where the neighbours gossip about each other incessantly.  Feel the trepidation of demure Victorian miss Connie Ruddick, arriving fresh from an English village at this far away place and feel her curiosity as she gets to grips with the various cultural differences - the gentlemanly English reverend for example and his Catholic wife of Hispanic origin on one hand  The bunch of bandits living in the hills and bombing the local roalroad on the  other.  Feel her dilemma as a case of mistaken identity leaves her feeling like a fraud.  And feel her confusion as the local rancher, the aloof Nate Truman finds a place in her heart.

A wonderfully comforting and romantic read, which brought me back to the Sunday afternoons of my childhood, watching romantic westerns starring the likes of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.  Sally's an able storyteller who always delivers a feelgood read. So make sure you pick this one up!  And no excuses that you're not into westerns either!  If you're not, it's high time you discovered this wonderfully  unique genre in films and literature!

Secrets In Time by Alison Stuart

Reviewed by Maria

Dr. Jessica Shepherd can hardly believe her eyes when a cavalier from seventeenth century England tumbles into her garden.  To make thing supremely complicated, he's war wounded - from the English Civil War in the seventeenth century.  Well, musket ball wounds aren't common in the modern age.  Jessica does her best, however.  I mean, you can't exactly turn up at the local hospital with mortal wounds and expect to get away without a few questions.

This is a charming timeslip story - an historical fantasy in which people fall in love with each other across the centuries.  Nathaniel Preston certainly has all the positive attributes one expects of an alpha male - the excellent physique, the bravery, the charm.  Enough to put a girl in quite a nostalgic mood - as in gone are the days when men were men etc.  That Jessica's quite a lucky girl.

However, as the story unfolds, it transpires that Nat didn't reach the modern era all by himself.  Moreover, he came to the twentieth century with a mission.

The twentieth century?  Yes, the story is set in 1995, which wasn't really that long ago.  So Nat has to get to grips with cars, bicycles and television.  It would have been something amazing to see him grapple with the netbook and the smartphone.  This love story is something that gripped me from start to finish.  You  keep on wondering will things work out, will the couple ever be able to legitimately bring their two worlds together.

All in all, a piece of innovative romantic fiction which will probably please readers of fantasy romance, historical romance, contemporary romance and even medical romance.  Highly recommended.

Escape by Maria Mckenzie

 Reviewed by Desere

When you first start to read this book you think OK he loves her and will do anything to free her and be with her for the rest of his life kind of romance book.

That unfortunately is not really the case,the author had a good plot and strong characters. The book interested me enough and overall really had a few pages here and there that were very well written,

Having not read anything by this author before I went in open mined but came up short in the end. The author somewhat ventures of the original path of what she starts out with.

It was a little like one minute I am reading about these two characters in this setting and these circumstances and the next it was ,wait did I just pick up the wrong book .

I do see definite potential for the author to be one of the brilliant authors of our time but I think she needs to consider adding in a little more passion into her work as in the end it felt like I was reading a drama and not a romance.

3/5 stars


Reviewed by Maria

Escape is a romance novel, but it's no escapist fairy tale.  The obstacles that Daniel and Lori have to face to be together are daunting to say the least.  Lori's a slave and Daniel's a free man with abolitionist leanings.  Their fight to be together makes compelling reading although some of the obstacles they face are quite horrifying.  Yet the book is a joy to read.  What warms the heart is Daniel and Lori's simple love for each other and their strong trust in God.  It literally shines through  Maria's writing.  It's not a fairy tale read, yet it manages to be realistic and hopeful at the same time.

What's horrifying for me to read as a Christian is how many so-called Christian people used the Bible to justify slavery and the abuse of people of African-American origin.  It is good to know that there were Christians then who truly believed that there is no discrimination in God's eyes.

Well researched historical novels like this are truly educational; they can teach us much about the mistakes of the past.  Even in the world today there are people who dare not fall in love with each other for fear of dreadful and horrible retribution.

A very simple, compelling and historically authentic read.

I must add that this book is a romantic story, but it is also part of a bigger, wider, family saga spanning several generations.  If you walk into this expecting a category romance with the de rigeur happy ending, you will be disappointed.  It is actually part of a trilogy THE UNCHAINED TRILOGY.  The story goes beyond the happy ending and we see our main characters dealing with the reality of an inter-racial marriage and the harsh realities of raising mixed race children in a society where the laws may have been changed to suit the times, but where people find it difficult to let go of their prejudices and narrow minded tendencies.  Like I said earlier, it is an enjoyable read but not escapist fiction.  Yet the author manages to give us a slice of grim life without destroying our sense of hope.  There were no hot love scenes although we knew our characters were having a sexual relationship.  But the truth is, such scenes were unnecessary.  We don't see our friends and neighbours in their bedrooms, nor would we want to.  As I said, it's not a category romance.  But it's still romantic and beautiful.  

As a person who is in an inter-racial marriage, I devoured this and just marvelled at how people in another time and place had to go through so much just to be with the person they love.

I look forward to reading the next parts of the TRILOGY.

Lady Rascal by Christina Hollis

Reviewed by Nas

Lady Rascal: Regency Romance

LADY RASCAL by USA Bestselling Author Christina Hollis is October 2012 release.

Madeleine was out on the town looting for food with her comrades during the1789 riot in Paris when she espies a gown shop untouched by the riots. She broke in and started trying on beautiful clothes and shoes. Then all of a sudden she is `rescued' by an Englishman, who mistook her to be a Lady trapped by the mob.
He puts her in his carriage and drove off. And Madeleine believed she was being kidnapped. Then she found out he was Philip Adamson and he was on vacation in Paris. But after the riot he urged his mother to go back to England. Then he offers Madeleine a job as his mother's companion.

Would Madeleine keep up the pretence of being a lady? How long her deceit would remain uncovered? What would happen when she is exposed?

Living at Philip's English estate she found out he had secrets. She tried to help and later Philip is thrown into prison. What would happen to Madeleine and his mother now?

LADY RASCAL is an engrossing regency historical romance which would keep a reader engaged. Author Christina Hollis imbued her narrative with evocative period and atmospheric detail.

 Return to Romance Book Haven

Reviewed by Desere

Having only read modern romances by Christina Hollis (they are simply to die for) and not knowing what to expect when a favourite author crosses over to a new genre,I was very pleasantly surprised after reading Lady Rascal.

The author certainly proved she can write romance no matter which time period. The backdrop was so vividly depicted it was as if I could touch the stunning detail in which the author conveyed her story to me as reader.

The twist of Madeleine not being a real lady and really a "rascal" was stunning ,
I for one would be truly uncomfortable ,pretending to be a lady but to keep up the appearance for so long is art!

I loved the characters as each was unique in their own right. I have found that some historcal's can seem to drag on and on,but the author kept me on the edge of my seat and I simply could not stop reading till the very end.

Well done Christina 

5/5 star review 

Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed by Anna Campbell

Reviewed by Nas

SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED by author Anna Campbell is a September 2012 historical romance release.

Sidonie Forsythe reluctantly came to the notorious rogue’s den to submit her virtue for seven nights in exchange for her sister’s gambling debt. Expecting an amoral monster she faces a hot, sexy man who attracts her. Now she is desperate to lose her virtue to him!

Jonas Merrick is well aware of his reputation and his scarred face. He is hardened against the pity people feel for him, yet he is moved by innocent Sidonie’s curiosity and tenderness. He is determined that beautiful Sidonie shall come to him by her own free will. So starts Sidonie’s scorching seduction!

SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUES’S BED is a witty, charming, and wonderfully uplifting historical romance story by the dazzling voice of multi-award winning author Anna Campbell.

A tender, poignant and emotional tale about trust, healing from the past and taking a chance on love, this historical romance will have you turning pages late into the night. Author Anna Campbell keeps you captivated with this tale of intrigue, mystery, suspense and romance with a delightful resolution and happy ever after.

My rating 4.5 out of 5 stars!

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Lord Atwood's Lovers by Eva Clancy

Reviewed by Nas

LORD ATWOOD’S LOVERS by author Eva Clancy is from Harlequin Spice Briefs line releasing June 2012.

Lord Charles and Lady Atwood have the perfect marriage. They are in love and their nights and days are filled with fiery passion.

Yet when Charles ex- lover, Alexander Lambert returns to town, Charles has some different cravings. And Imogen also feels sexual awareness and attraction for Alex. What will happen now? Will Charles allow his desire free reign? And will Imogen consider that maybe they need Alex to make them complete?

LORD ATWOOD’S LOVERS is a steamy, sexy romance. It is a tale of pleasure, prejudice and passion, if you like historical romance; you will certainly love Eva Clancy’s LORD ATWOOD’S LOVERS.

Amazon

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Far Horizons by Kate Hewitt

Reviewed by Nas

Far Horizons (The Emigrants Trilogy)

FAR HORIZONS is book one of the migrant trilogy by author Kate Hewitt.

It is based in the year 1819, when Scots started migrating to `the new world' Canada.

On the eve of travelling to Canada, Allan MacDougall asks Harriet Campbell to wait for him as he loved her. They have been childhood friends. When Harriet knew that Allan and his family
were about to migrate, she kept waiting for him to speak. But he went to her
father. Harriet's father told Allan that he needed to be his own man with
property to his name before he will let his daughter marry him. And he forbade
him to speak to her about it. Yet Allan couldn't really not say anything before
going away so he talked to her. After getting Harriet's promise that she'll wait
for him, Allan is happy yet his own father considered this dishonorable and made
him return her letters and let her free.

The life is hard in the new landfor the migrant community. It's cold and harsh forbidding land and entails muchhard work to start a new life. But Allan held on by Harriet's love and works
hard to build and plough the land and make his father's landholding a prosperous place.

While back in Scotland, Harriet and her family had fallen on hard
times. Her father has taken to bed and they had had a bad year with their
produce. Their land and farm was in debt. Harriet held together her family by
sheer determination and hard work. But when her fifteen year old brother Ian,
forces her that he wanted to be the man of the house and do the deal by himself
of selling some land, she relents. Ian unsuspectingly gets into the clutches of
an unscrupulous man, who makes Ian sign over the whole land and their family
home as well. When a relative of this unscrupulous man offers marriage to
Harriet to save her family being thrown out on the streets, after much soul
searching she decides to take on the offer. As after all it had been nearly two
years now without a letter from Allan. But she finds a secret about this man
which makes it hard for her to marry him now. What is this secret? Will Harriet
marry him? What about Allan who had remained steadfast in his affections for
Harriet and was waiting for her?

FAR HORIZONS is an engrossing and enthralling story which would keep a reader riveted throughout. At times it is heartbreakingly emotional and will touch you and make your nerves raw. When Harriet does reach Canada only to find out Allan is dead is written very
sensitively. Then when they do get together at the end leaves you feeling
emotionally satisfied. Throughout the story Harriet's determination and courage
will amaze you. Kate Hewitt imbues her narrative with evocative period and
atmospheric detail. This historical romance is another breathtaking example of
author Kate Hewitt's outstanding storytelling prowess.

4.5 out of 5 Stars!

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Midnight's Wild Passion by Anna Campbell

Review coming soon from Nas!
Meanwhile another reader's views on Anna Campbell's MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION!

Review by Riya

From the first few pages, I was hooked. I fell in love with the unique story of Nicolas and Antonia. Not only was this my first author signed book, it was also the first historical for me to read.

Each scene sent me into a realm of imagination where there were chaperones, debutants and halls filled with ballroom dancing. I pictured Antonia as Keira Knightly with her beautifully decorated flowing gown and Nicolas to be Hugh Jackman with the gentleman attire. It was a marvel to watch how these two characters met and how their inner feelings stirred at the sight of one another.

Author Anna Campbell has done a splendid job of crafting Nicolas Challoner’s character in shades of grey. It was interesting to see how a man whose priority in life was to take revenge by ruining an innocent debutant evolved into a person who would do anything for the woman he fell unconditionally in love with.

Antonia Hilliard, a fierce chaperone, seemed to come alive as soon as Nicolas walked into her life. Her heart began to desire something which she had thought was buried too deep to be brought back. Although Antonia was mildly aware of Nicolas’s evil intentions towards her cousin, Cassie, she couldn’t stop the inevitable, that is, fall in love with the rake.

The passion amid them sizzled, and the love which grew between them had melted both of their hearts. No one would have imaged a dragon of a chaperone to fall in love with London’s notorious rake. Even Nicolas couldn’t stop the way Antonia made him feel. 

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My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell

Review by Nas

My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell is a sexy intelligent compulsive read with magnetic three dimensional characters, lush erotic love scenes and has every thing a romance reader wants. The heroine sets out with a special aim and I was eager to find out if she reaches her goal. The strong story line has you rooting from the moment you read the first sentence. It was a very sensual, hot and sexy yet innocent read.

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To Marry A Matchmaker by Michelle Styles

Reviewed by Nas


TO MARRY A MATCHMAKER by HM&B Historical author Michelle Styles is a fabulous story of a widow who doesn't want to remarry and a hard working self-made man, who is not titled and couldn't care less about the aristocracy.

Lady Henrietta Thorndike, a widow for ten years, keeps herself busy by matchmaking people and getting them to marry. She also organizes the village social life.

Robert Montemorcy feels she is meddling in people's lives. Yet he enjoys battling with her verbally. He feels the sparks fly each time they meet. Enforced by circumstance to live under the same roof, both realize their attraction to each other.

But Henri is not ready to remarry, is she?
Henri's story is told with such sensitivity and tenderness that we feel we know her. She is hiding her grief and guilt over her husband's death.

To Marry a Matchmaker is a well-woven historical tale which has engaging characters and is filled with good dialogue and delightful resolution. The hero appears uncompromising and domineering on the outside but is really intensely emotional and tender on the inside.
Henri is a fantastic heroine whose superficial exterior belies a generous spirit and a very big heart. Robert and Henri catches your attention and your heart.