Monday, January 31, 2022

Giveaway! The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

 The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood was a 5-star read for me. One of my favorites of 2021, but a have an extra copy so I'm giving one away to one lucky reader! Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win!



 A Paperback Copy of The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. The giveaway is open to US Residents only. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Sunday, January 30, 2022

Harlequin Investigator Blog Tour Review: An Operative's Last Stand by Juno Rushdan

 

An Operative's Last Stand by Juno Rushdan
Publication Date: January 25th 2022 by Harlequin Intrigue
Pages: 256
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
CIA agents Kelly Russell and Hunter Wright shared a steamy night after a long building attraction, but Kelly cut it off and Hunter had no choice but to keep things professional.

When Hunter’s team is sent to Afghanistan on a sanctioned mission things fell apart and it’s made to look like his team, Topaz, went rogue and intended to assassinate another target for money, making them traitors to the country. Kelly is interrogated and tortured to make sure she wasn’t part of the operation and once she’s exonerated, she’s promoted. Hurt and betrayed she’s on the warpath to catch Hunter and his team.

Hunter and his team were set up and there seems to be only one person who could’ve done it: Kelly the woman he fell hard for, only to be rebuffed for her career. Now he and his team are on the run, but they have evidence to prove their innocence.

This was an action-packed story with a lot of hurt on both sides at first and I could totally understand why Hunter and his team would be livid with Kelly. However, as the story went on and all that Kelly went through was revealed I could understand why she was so hellbent to catch them. I really felt for her and was disturbed what she went through. I was happy when they all finally got together to get to the truth.

Of course, both Hunter and Kelly’s feelings of betrayal were strong as they felt passionate for each other, even if Kelly wanted to shut things down thinking they couldn’t work together and carry on with a romantic relationship as well. All that goes out the window when their lives are on the line and it becomes clear that what matters most.

An Operative’s Last Stand was an exciting, fast-paced read full of heated emotions. The was a lot of anger between Kelly and Hunter, understandable when such strong feelings are in play.  I knew that would flip the minute they realized the truth. The passion they once had was never extinguished. These two were crazy for each other and I just wanted Topaz to be cleared so they all could go back to a normal life. This was the fourth book in the series, but I didn’t read the previous and it worked well as a standalone. I really enjoyed this one!

4 Stars




Excerpt:




Book Description:

AN OPERATIVE'S LAST STAND by Juno Rushdan (on-sale Jan.25, Harlequin Intrigue): A kill squad is closing in…now this team leader must risk everything for answers. Barely escaping CIA mercenaries, ex-agent Hunter Wright is after the person he thinks targeted his ops team, Topaz, for treason. Deputy director Kelly Russell is still the one woman he can't resist, but she believes Hunter went rogue. Now she's his only shot at getting the answers they need. Can they trust each other enough to save Topaz—and each other?

About JUNO RUSHDAN: Juno Rushdan draws from real-life inspiration as a former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer to craft sizzling romantic thrillers. However, you won’t find any classified leaks here. Her stories are pure fiction about kick-ass heroes and strong heroines fighting for their lives as well as their happily-ever-after.

About the author:

Juno Rushdan draws from real-life inspiration as a former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer to craft sizzling romantic thrillers. However, you won’t find any classified leaks here. Her stories are pure fiction about kick-ass heroes and strong heroines fighting for their lives as well as their happily-ever-after.

Although Juno is a native New Yorker, wanderlust has taken her across the globe. Fortunately, she is blessed with a husband who shares her passion for travel, movies, and fantastic food. She’s visited more than twenty different countries and has lived in England and Germany. Her favorite destination for relaxation is the Amalfi Coast, Italy for its stunning seascape, cliffside lemon groves, terraced vineyards, amazing pasta, and to-die-for vino.

When she’s not writing, Juno loves spending time with her family. Exercise is not her favorite thing to do, but she squeezes some in since chocolate and red wine aren’t calorie-free.

She currently resides in Virginia with her supportive hubby, two dynamic children, and spoiled rescue dogs. Check her out on Instagram, Facebook or follow her on Twitter or BookBub. She loves to connect with readers!




 



Sunday Post #152

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

I didn't do a Sunday Post last week because I was tired. We had gone up to my daughter's on Wednesday after work and came home Sunday and it was a busy time. I hiked two days, we went to my grandson's football practice, went out to dinner and then had friends over for dinner. So, while I had fun it wore me out. 

This week I've been home. I worked, went to PT two nights after work, and then took my husband to a medical procedure early on Thursday, had my haircut and then last night we went out to dinner with my sister and her hubby. I plan on getting out for a run today and listening to an audiobook while I clean out my closet. We're gearing up to put our house for sale in a couple of months. Reading has been mostly by audio, but I've been loving my books!

Read:
Click on cover for Goodreads link:


Weather Girl-★★★★½
An Operative's Last Stand-★★★★
Hell Bent-★★★★★½
The Nowhere Man-★★★★


Received/Purchased/Library Lend:




Instagram:

I thought this was a fun book stack challenge #matchyourscarf 





How was your week?




Friday, January 28, 2022

Review: Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Publication Date: January 11th 2022 by Berkley & Penguin Audio
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook
Rating: ½
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
Ari Abrams thought it was a dream come true when she was hired as a TV weatherwoman at KSEA to work alongside her idol, Torrance Hale, the famous Seattle weather broadcaster. Ari’s loved the weather even since she can remember but working with Torrance has been less than ideal. Instead of getting the mentoring she wanted, Torrance is too caught up bickering with her ex-husband, Seth Hale, one of the manager’s at KSEA.

However, at Christmas/holiday party, Ari witnesses a moment of longing between Torrance and Seth before it all goes to hell. When their fighting reaches a crescendo, Ari teams up with sportscaster, Russell Barringer to help get Torrance and Seth back together again hoping to eliminate the toxic work environment the Hale’s have created.

Soon Ari and Russell are meeting up, making plans, and getting closer.  Ari’s always found Russell attractive, but she’s surprised how easy it is to confide in him and just be herself. Struggling with depression it’s not something Ari’s had an easy time of in the past.

Ari was such sweet, spunky, and likable character!  Her struggles with depression felt real and honest. Being raised by a mother who didn’t want to acknowledge her own depression, at the detriment of her kids and relationships, made Ari hesitant to open up about her condition. But with Russell Ari didn’t feel like she always had to be the bright and shiny version of herself.

I adored Russell, too! He was a sweetheart, but he had his own issues, as most of us do. I loved that they helped each other overcome some of the self-doubts and insecurities that came with each their histories.

As a side point, I’m a little obsessed with the weather, and like Ari, I’m gleeful when it rains. I find the clouds and rain mesmerizing, so I loved all the weather talk, especially being set in Seattle where it rains a bunch. I guess that comes from living in Southern California where rain is a rarity! I’ve been told I wouldn’t feel the same way if I actually lived in the Pacific Northwest, but I’ll never believe it, lol!

Weather Girl was such a delightful story that filled me with joy! The romance was slow burn and with oodles of chemistry, but it also felt true to life. Neither Ari or Russell was portrayed as perfect, physically, or otherwise and it made their romance more relatable.

This is the second Rachel Lynn Solomon story I’ve read and loved! I look forward to whatever she comes up with next!

 4.5 Stars


Book Description:

A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.

Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer.

In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’ relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell.

Working closely with Russell means allowing him to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies?

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Harlequin Glamorous Tour Review & Excerpt: Rancher's Forgotten Rival by Maisey Yates

 

Rancher's Forgotten Rival by Maisey Yates
Publication Date: January 25th 2022 by Harlequin Desire
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
Chance Carson and Juniper Sohappy are born enemies due to a longtime land dispute between their families. The Carson’s are what the Sohappy’s feel are entitled, so-called cowboy royalty, partly because they won Sohappy land in an infamous bet between their grandfathers. The Sohappy’s are still sore about the deal and this animosity spilled over into Chance and Juniper’s relationship.

When Juniper stumbles upon Chance unconscious and injured on her land she immediately goes to his aid, but when Chance wakes up with amnesia Juniper takes the opportunity get him back a bit by telling him he’s her ranch hand.

This setup wouldn’t have worked for me had the deception gone on for a while, but it was short-lived. Also, it gave Chance and Juniper a chance to spend time together not as lifelong enemies, but just as man and woman, getting to know each other without the past spoiling things. Juniper soon realizes that Chance isn’t the entitled, arrogant man she’s thought him to be, and Chance admires Juniper as the strong, passionate woman she is. They’re able to acknowledge the long-time simmering attraction that had been brewing for years. The spark was finally allowed to ignite and flame, and it was hot!

In the aftermath, Chance and Juniper really examine the grudge between their families and realize they don’t have to continue it. They could change and do better. I loved that with a different mindset and determination to mend fences these families could bury a decades long feud and get along.

The gorgeous Oregon countryside is brought to life in vivid detail, and I could totally understand how both Juniper and Chance had such a passion for their land. Oregon is such a beautiful State!

At 224 pages, Rancher’s Forgotten Rival was a fast, fun, sizzling romance, one I breezed through in one day!


 Excerpt:





Book Description:

Will amnesia turn these enemies into lovers? It's a hero in distress, with a more than capable damsel on hand to save to him. Find out more about the book in this book #1 miniseries, Carsons of Lone Rock, by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates. Welcome to Lone Rock, Oregon’s Wild West. Chance Carson is the one man in Lone Rock who gets Juniper all riled up. His family is ranching royalty. He’s arrogant, insufferable and obnoxiously charming—she’ll keep her distance, thanks. But when Juniper finds Chance Carson on her property, injured and without his memory, she saves his life…and sort of lets him believe he’s her ranch hand. Making the entitled rancher work a little is one thing…but actually liking the man is another. Falling for him? No way. And yet the passion between them is as undeniable as it is unexpected. Will it survive the truth?


About the author:
Maisey Yates is a New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romance novels. Whether she's writing strong, hard working cowboys, dissolute princes or multigenerational family stories, she loves getting lost in fictional worlds. An avid knitter with a dangerous yarn addiction and an aversion to housework, Maisey lives with her husband and three kids in rural Oregon. Check out her website, maiseyyates.com or find her on Facebook.

Connect with Maisey Yates:







Thursday, January 20, 2022

Review: Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen

 

Between the Devil and the Duke (A Season for Scandal #3) by Kelly Bowen
Publication Date: January 31st 2017 by Forever
Pages: 353
Audio Book Length: 11 hrs 4 min
Narrator: Ashford McNab
Source: Publisher & library audio lend
Rating: 
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:
Lady Angelique Archer is trying to keep her family together after the death of her parents. Her brother the heir of the Marquess title is no help spending money they don’t have womanizing, drinking, and gambling, and she needs money to keep her younger brothers in school and food in the cupboards. Being a woman limits the ways Angelique can make money, but there’s one thing she’s good at and that’s numbers. She’s been playing cards at Alexander Lavoie’s club, trying to fly under the radar while winning the money to keep them afloat, but she hasn’t escaped Alex’s notice.

Alex is intrigued by the mystery lady playing and winning at his vingt-et-un table. Her skills and beauty capture his attention even though it’s plain she’s trying to blend in. He approaches Lady Angelique with an offer she doesn’t want to take, but her circumstances make it hard to say no. Especially when her brother lands himself in a heap of trouble.

Alexander and Angelique’s romance was filled with chemistry and deliciously seductive. I loved that even though Angelique is having a hard time, she’s not a complete damsel in distress. She’s a smart and capable woman with courage and ingenuity. However, Angelique desperately needed Alex’s help and he’s there for her in every way. Such a gallant man and a force to be reckoned with!

Between the Devil and the Duke was such a lovely surprise by new-to-me-author, Kelly Bowen! I was delighted by her clever, vibrant writing! If you’re a fan of Lisa Kleypas or Tessa Dare, you’ll love Ms. Bowen writing! I plan on catching up with the rest of the series.

I alternated between traditional reading and listening to the audio version. Ashford McNab’s performance was brilliant! I listened at 1.75x normal speed.

5 Stars


Book Description:

Their love was always in the cards.
He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he's more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty—in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he'll have to devise a proposition she can't turn down.

Gossip said he was an assassin.
Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie's club offered a surefire way to make quick money—until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible.


Sunday, January 16, 2022

Review: Last Dance with a Cowboy by Sara Richardson

 

Last Dance with a Cowboy (Silverado Lake #3) by Sara Richardson
Publication Date: December 28th 2021 by Forever
Pages: 347
Source: Publisher
Rating: 
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
August and Leila were the “it couple”, soulmates in high school, but that all changed with August’s dad died and his grief left him spiraling. August was already in college, promised to come back to Leila, but after the funereal he left without a word and shattered her heart. 

August is back working for the company that wants to take over her family’s winery. Leila proposes a fake engagement as the reason for August’s return to keep the winery’s dire financial circumstances from her grandparents.

I have to say I was pretty ticked at August. I know losing a parent is so very hard, but come on, if you’re basically soulmates, you leave and never say anything? Seeing Leila again, August finally realizes all the heartache he heaped on her and his family. He’d never properly faced his grief or the hurt his actions caused, but being forced to come back gave him the opportunity to make amends. Realizing exactly what he lost made August determined to do anything to keep her from losing the vineyard, anything to make her happy.

Even after fifteen years apart, the emotions between August and Leila are high and their connection is palpable. I felt Leila’s pain and thought she was completely justified keeping him at arm’s length at first. Working closely together while faking their engagement made it impossible to resist each other, though, and I loved seeing them overcome all the hurt and embrace their second chance for love! 

4 Stars


Book Description:

Can this wandering cowboy convince his first love that he deserves a second chance in a charming contemporary romance for fans of New York Times bestselling authors Jennifer Ryan and Maisey Yates—with a bonus novella by Carolyn Brown!

Leila Valentino will do anything to keep her grandparents’ Colorado winery afloat. Even partner with August Harding, the first—and last—man to break her heart. Fifteen years ago, August left Silverado Lake, and Leila, far behind. Now the cowboy’s back with an offer that could save her family’s business. But to keep her grandparents from worrying over the vineyard’s finances, Leila insists August give a different reason for his return: her.

August Harding is one step away from a huge promotion. All he has to do is ensure that his company acquires Valentino Bellas Vineyards. And if pretending he and Leila are back together is the cost . . . well, he can’t say no. Leila has never forgiven him for the way he ended things, but the longer they pretend to be a couple, the more he begins to wonder if a second chance isn’t impossible after all. But can he convince Leila that this time he’s not walking away?

Includes the bonus novella Sunrise Ranch by Carolyn Brown!

Sunday Post #151

 

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated reviewer book blog, and is a post to recap my bookish and non-bookish things from the last week.

This last week at work was a nightmare. The Omicron surge has officially hit Southern California and we are swamped at the hospital. I was overtime everyday except Thursday. I was so happy to have Friday off! I'm only working three days this coming week and traveling up to my daughter's house on Wednesday. I'm glad to get away. 

I haven't left my house excerpt for a Physical Therapy appointment yesterday (Saturday) which is (courtesy of work, too) and a two mile walk on Friday. I feel like the appointments are helping my shoulder, which is good news.  I hope to get out for another walk today and finish my book.  

I was super excited to see the Camellia planted a year ago is thriving and is full of blooms. I'll be snipping them for the house frequently! 

Debutante Camellia


Read:
Click on cover for Goodreads link

I had a good reading week and enjoyed all three of these books. Mercy wrapped up the mystery of Atlee Pine's twin sister and I was happy about how it all turned out. I'm not sure if we'll get more Atlee Pine mysteries in the future. I hope so! A Flicker in the Dark was an excellent audio book, and The Siren of Sussex was a such a lovely historical romance!


Received/Purchased/Audiobook:


I had decided to skip Lightning in a Mirror but a forgot I ordered a physical copy! The No-Show has an interesting premise. I wonder if I'll like Joseph or want to strangle him?

Instagram:

Love this cover! 




How was your week?




Friday, January 14, 2022

Review: Mercy by David Baldacci

 

Mercy (Atlee Pine #4) by David Baldacci
Publication Date: November 16th 2021 by Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 432
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s twin sister was abducted when they were six years old, and Altee has never stopped searching for her.  Since the last book Atlee has been on leave from the Bureau, with their blessing and resources, to follow up on the crucial leads she’s found. With the help of her trusty assistant Carol Blum, they’re finally getting somewhere!

I read the book in one 24-hour period because I had to know how it all turned out! It was a harrowing journey at times, and painful to read in spots as what happened to Mercy is recounted.  The story was action packed and boy were there some tough situations, but just when I thought Atlee was backed into a corner she couldn’t get out of, she came out fighting!

Mercy is the fourth book in the Atlee Pine series and I’m so happy to finally have all the answers and closure! It was a satisfying conclusion to a thrilling series. Total recommend!

4 Stars


Book Description:

FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister Mercy reaches a boiling point in this breakneck thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci. 
 
For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.
 
Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago. 
 
Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Audio Review: A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

 

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
Publication Date: January 11th 2022 by Macmillan Audio
Pages: 368
Audio Book Length: 11 hrs 1 min
Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Source: Publisher
Rating: 
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:
At twelve, Chloe Davis’ world came crashing down when she found out her father, who had always been loving, kind and gentle, was a serial killer. Now twenty years later, Chloe’s built a life she can be proud of as a psychologist, she helps people cope and deal with trauma, and she’s preparing to marry a wonderful man. That is until girls start disappearing again, and the circumstances are eerily similar to her father’s case.

As we get into the story it sounds like Chloe has come out of a tragedy and is thriving, but it becomes apparent that she’s still kind of a mess. Relying on prescription meds (just a little) and alcohol to taper off her daily anxiety, she’s a bit of an unreliable narrator at times.  I will confess, I usually find an unreliable narrator annoying, but Chloe wasn’t completely checked out for the most part, and she was easy to like.

I really enjoyed this twisty mystery! There were a few suspicious characters, clues surface casting each in a shadow of doubt, until all is revealed at the end. It wasn’t hard to guess at the murderer, but I wasn’t sure and it’s fun to feel like your suspicions are confirmed. If I have any complaint, it would be that the writing was a little overly descriptive at times and some of the flashback storytelling was a little too circuitous when I just wanted to get to the point. Still, I thought A Flicker in the Dark was a thrilling debut!  A story I wanted to read straight through with no interruptions so I could find out what really happened in past and see how it all worked out for Chloe in the end.

A Flicker in the Dark was my Book of the Month choice for December, so I was thrilled to see an audio copy come up for review. Karissa Vicker was an excellent performer! She brought the story to life and infused it with an urgency that kept me on the edge of my seat! I listened at 1.5x-1.75x. 

4 Stars



Book Description:

From debut author Stacy Willingham comes a masterfully done, lyrical thriller, certain to be the launch of an amazing career. A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last page.

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, Chloe’s father had been arrested as a serial killer and promptly put in prison. Chloe and the rest of her family were left to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath.

Now 20 years later, Chloe is a psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. She finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to get. Sometimes, though, she feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. And then a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, and that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, and seeing parallels that aren't really there, or for the second time in her life, is she about to unmask a killer?

In a debut novel that has already been optioned for a limited series by actress Emma Stone and sold to a dozen countries around the world, Stacy Willingham has created an unforgettable character in a spellbinding thriller that will appeal equally to fans of Gillian Flynn and Karin Slaughter.

Monday, January 10, 2022

Review: The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

 

The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews
Publication Date: January 11th 2022 by Berkley
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
Evelyn Maltravers is in London for the season, determined to make an advantageous match. Her family’s future depends on it. Evie means to make a grand debut, but not much sets her apart except her riding. Evie just needs a set of riding habits that equal her skill and her gorgeous horse to make an impression. So, she sets off to find the designer of the splendid riding habits worn by the notorious courtesans, known as the Pretty Horsebreakers. His designs transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

Ahmad Malik is trying to make a name for himself in women’s fashion, but being half Indian, half English has made this a struggle. Ahmad has a singular talent; he just needs the right person to showcase his creations. Evelyn Maltravers doesn’t seem like someone who would capture much attention with her countrified day dress and spectacles, but upon closer inspection Ahmad finds himself enchanted by Evie, and he knows she’s the one.

There’s an instant spark of attraction between Evie and Ahmad’s at their first meeting and it’s fanned at every fitting with every touch igniting heat between them. It was a slow burn but oh-so-swoony! But it’s not just the physical attraction that draws. Evie is like no other Englishwoman and treats Ahmad like an equal, and Ahmad sees Evie’s true beauty within and out. There are obstacles to their romance with the differences in class and race, and I wondered how it would all work out. However, once Evie and Ahmad realized that no other would do, it all came together brilliantly. Not without some bumps, but nothing that felt insurmountable.

I’ve read a couple of Mimi Matthews’ romances in the past and absolutely loved them, so I was so excited to read The Siren of Sussex, which did not disappoint! She brings the past to life with her beautiful writing and rich characterization. I rooted for Evie and Ahmad’s HEA from the beginning!

I’m thrilled to see the next story, The Belle of Bellgrave Square, will be focused on Julia Wychwood and Captain Blunt after all their interactions!

5 Stars


Book Description:

Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she’s worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she’ll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London’s attention she’ll need a habit-maker who’s not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?