26 April 2013

Book Review: What The Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries



Title: What the Duke Desires
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Series: The Duke's Men #1
Source: Edelweiss
EDP: June 18, 2013, Pocket Books
Amazon  |  Goodreads
Rating: ✩ 


Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, accepted long ago that his kidnapped brother was dead. When a cryptic note from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claims otherwise, Max seeks out Tristan’s sister, Lisette—and is infuriated to learn that Tristan has also mysteriously vanished. Have the siblings perpetrated an elaborate hoax? Or is the fiercely protective beauty as innocent as she claims them to be?

Fearful that the powerful Duke will destroy Tristan’s career in his zeal for the truth, the clever Lisette convinces Max to accompany her to Paris in a joint search for their loved ones. But their journey takes a seductive twist when they pose as an ordinary husband and wife—not an English Duke with a tarnished family name and the illegitimate daughter of a viscount—and discover an exhilarating passion free from the damning secrets of the past. With the line between danger and desire enticingly blurred, they discover that some mysteries, like those of the heart, are answered tenfold in the bliss of a true and trusting love.




Sabrina Jeffries had me reading till the wee hours of the morning. The Duke's Men is another series to truly watch out for.

What The Duke Desires revolves around the search of the brothers of the main characters. Travelling from London to the streets of Paris, Max and Lisette searched to get into the bottom of the mysterious note received by the Duke of Lyons.

The lofty, imperious Duke of Lyons will never, ever marry especially the woman who will catch his heart. Oh he will marry, but it will only be to a lady who will agree to a practical marriage and can give him an heir. After receiving a note telling him that Tristan found his long-lost brother after being kidnapped for several years, he immediately went to Manton's Investigations and demanded that they produce Mr. Bonnaud or he will call the authorities.

Lisette grown up wanting to be independent and would never want to be in a mercy of a man. She had seen how her mother had suffered after their father suddenly died and left them with nothing. They have lived in poverty and her mother was forced to go back on stage. Marriage was also far from her mind since her birth would make it almost impossible for her to find a suitable husband. She was resigned to her ambition of becoming a lady agent. But first, she had to convince her brothers to allow her. But when an arrogant duke suddenly barge into her brother's office - she saw a chance.

I like their characters as individuals and I adore them even more when they are together. They prove to be an entertaining couple. Lisette is not afraid of the duke and doesn't really care about his position in the society. As for Max, he had never found anyone as refreshing as Lisette - she was unlike any other woman he encountered. She was not afraid to speak her mind. However, both of them should be careful not to fall in love with each other. Lisette knew Max would never marry her because of the difference of their station and Max has his own dark secrets he's not yet ready to divulge.

Can they stop themselves from falling in love when they could hardly keep their hands off each other? Can the lofty duke fell in love with the bastard daughter of a viscount?

Sabrina Jeffries will once again awe you and make you fall in love in this first book of her brand new series. Just like the Hellions of Halstead Hall (by the way, some characters were mentioned in this book as well!!), I think the Duke's Men will be on my list of my favorite Regency Series. Looking forward in reading the rest of the books!!

“Has it ever occurred to you that married couples endure watching their spouses grow old and feeble and senile all the time? That it's part of marriage? A hard part, to be sure, but not so hard that one just gives up on the institution altogether.”


Sabrina Jeffries

Raised amidst the rubber plantations in Thailand with missionary parents, Sabrina Jeffries likes to say she rode to her bestselling success on the back of an elephant. In truth, Jeffries has earned numerous placements on the New York Times and USA Today lists with Regency historicals that readers savor for her trademark sexy blend of witty dialogue and enterprising characters. It’s no accident she has been dubbed “The Queen of the Sexy Regency Romance.”

About that plantation business—living in the boonies of Thailand afforded Sabrina endless hours to read Jane Austen novels and other classics voraciously. Not surprisingly, back in the States, she went on to earn a doctorate in English literature from Tulane University—and a craving for Cajun food.

While Sabrina is at ease with refined academia types, she enjoys using her literary skills to pen novels of romantic fiction. She sold her first book in 1991 and has 35 published novels to her credit. Whenever she struggles with a plot point, she shuts off the computer and tackles a jigsaw puzzle, and before long, bingo! Problem solved. Another stress-reliever for the inventive author: creating her popular Will and Jane’s Excellent Adventure comics. Displaying Sabrina’s fine-tuned sense of humor, the comics feature a William Shakespeare caricature figure and a Jane Austen action figure.

Caffeine addict, Third Culture Kid, chocoholic, and popular novelist with more than six million books in print, Jeffries defies labels. Her biting humor and simultaneous warmth endear her to her 10,000 Facebook fans, Pinterest followers and loyal Goddess blog readers. At home in front of a crowd—any crowd (no really, just hand over the microphone and get ready for some fun)—Jeffries is a sought-after speaker, as evidenced by her 2010 gig as emcee for the National Romance Writers of America’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony.

While Sabrina treks through remote locales in the name of research and rubs elbows in the big cities with other industry professionals, she says her favorite destination is home. She lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her two best guys—husband, Rene, and adult son, Nick, who has inspired her to actively champion the cause of autistic children.

Website     |     Twitter     |     Facebook     |     Goodreads

Thank you Pocket Books through Edelweiss for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

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24 April 2013

Book Review: Touch Me by Olivia Cunning



Title: Touch Me
Author: Olivia Cunning
Series: One Night with Sole Regret #4
Published Date: April 18, 2013, Amazon
Amazon|Goodreads
 Rating: 


He went there looking for a sure bet…
Sole Regret’s bassist, Owen Mitchell, is convinced that romance is for chumps. He’s only looking for a good time, and when he spots an attractive, older woman emitting men-suck vibes at a brand new sex club, he’s sure he’s found it.

She went there hoping to get over her ex-husband…
Successful business woman, Caitlyn Hanson, is still infuriated and hurt over her ex-husband’s affair with a much younger woman. She’s only looking to scrub his claim from her body by offering it to the first attractive man who shows her interest, and the young, hot stud, who just sat down at her table, will do quite nicely.

They never meant to get personal…
Caitlyn knows she’s not supposed to get attached to Owen just because he gives her body pleasure unlike any she’s ever known, but it’s her first one-night-stand and she can’t seem to keep her heart out of the equation. For once, Owen finds himself in the same conundrum. He likes Caitlyn too much to keep his heart at a safe distance, but will a mistake from Owen’s past drive her away forever?




Just like any book coming from this series, one night is never enough when it comes to Sole Regret. How can  it be possible??

Owen, among all the member of Sole Regret, I adore him the most because he seemed to be the lesser evil. Her loved his family and appreciate the crew who makes up their tour. He's also a loyal friends especially to Kellan. But for a guy who receives his own share of the females in the world, he has some self confidence issues. 
I thought you were hot before, but now I'd have to say that you're on fire. Molten. Nuclear.
Here comes Caitlyn. The ink on her divorce papers wasn't dried up yet but she decided to go to a sex club. She was seeking 'revenge sex' for her ex-husband's infidelity. He had been cheating on her with someone so much younger. Totally a blow to her ego. At the invitation of her friend, she decided to come and at first, want to just have sex with everyone (if she get's THAT lucky). But one look at Owen and she knew that he will suffice. 


But unlike Caitlyn, Owen has more issues to solve which involves his friend, Kellan who seemed to be more recluse and an inactive sex life since the latter's girlfriend past away.

When two unlikely people who doesn't seem to believe in themselves meet in the most unexpected places and suddenly compliment each other - it's fate.

TOUCH ME... It's hot, steamy, sexy and just wow.


I love it especially the twist in the ending. I was taken aback, almost sorry that I haven't read Share Me prior to reading this one. But nevertheless, just like the rest of Olivia Cunning's book, I thoroughly enjoyed, savored and drooled after reading this and wished I had more nights with this Sole Regret.


Train wrecks waiting to happen were mesmerizing. 
What's truly sexy about a woman isn't what she wears. It isn't how much time and attention she spends on her hair. It's no that her bra matches her panties. It's the way she thinks, moves, speaks. That's what's sexy about a woman.
Guys like you don't usually talk to girls like me. Girls like me don't get invited to prom. Guys don't make fools of themselves for girls like me. Girls like me are ignored. Invisible. But I'm not a girl anymore. I'm a woman. Thanks for reminding me.

Olivia Cunning
Combining her love for romantic fiction and rock ‘n roll, Olivia Cunning writes erotic romance centered around rock musicians. Raised on hard rock music from the cradle, she attended her first Styx concert at age six and fell instantly in love with live music. She's been known to travel over a thousand miles just to see a favorite band in concert. As a teen, she discovered her second love, romantic fiction -- first, voraciously reading steamy romance novels and then penning her own. Growing up as the daughter of a career soldier, she's lived all over the country and overseas. She recently moved to Galveston, Texas.



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One Night With Sole Regret Series

Share Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #0.5) Try Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #1) Tempt Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #2) Take Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #3) Touch Me (One Night with Sole Regret, #4)



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18 April 2013

Book Review: No Way Back by Chloe Adams



Title: No Way Back
Author: Chloe Adams
Series: Mia's Way #1
Date Published: October 27, 2012
Amazon|Goodreads
Rating: 

Sometimes bad things happen to beautiful people.

The wealthy daughter of a high-ranking politician, seventeen year old Mia Abbott-Renou has everything: designer clothes, wealth, spring breaks in Monte Carlo. She lives blissfully unaware of her family’s secrets, until the night she is raped by the son of her father’s greatest political ally.

Her father forbids her from going to the police and threatens to throw her out if she does. It’s a critical election year, one that his party might lose, if the public sours on his doting father image when they realize his daughter is an underage lush and party girl. He can’t risk splintering the party in a nasty court battle that’s certain to draw way too much press, even if that means sacrificing his daughter.

Mia’s world is shattered twice, once by the men who hurt her, and once by the betrayal of her family. She does what her father says. But the rapists strike again and beat their next victim near death.

With the help of her best friend and a couple of unlikely allies, Mia must decide: does she risk losing everything to do what’s right? Or does she turn her back on the truth and preserve the family name?

What’s privileged girl to do, when her perfect little world isn't so perfect anymore?

15 April 2013

Book Review: A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant




Title: A Woman Entangled
Author: Cecilia Grant
Series: Blackshear Family #3
Publisher: Bantam, June 25, 2013
Source: Netgalley
Rating: ✩ (3.5 Stars)
Amazon|Goodreads


An ambitious beauty seeking a spot among the elite is thwarted by a most disruptive gentleman in Cecilia Grant’s witty, elegant, and exquisitely sensual novel.

Kate Westbrook has dreams far bigger than romance. Love won’t get her into London’s most consequential parties, nor prevent her sisters from being snubbed and looked down upon—all because their besotted father unadvisedly married an actress. But a noble husband for Kate would deliver a future most suited to the granddaughter of an earl. Armed with ingenuity, breathtaking beauty, and the help of an idle aunt with connections, Kate is poised to make her dreams come true. Unfortunately, a familiar face—albeit a maddeningly handsome one—appears bent on upsetting her scheme.

Implored by Kate’s worried father to fend off the rogues eager to exploit his daughter’s charms, Nick Blackshear has set aside the torch he’s carried for Kate in order to do right by his friend. Anyway, she made quite clear that his feelings were not returned—though policing her won’t abate Nick’s desire. Reckless passion leads to love’s awakening, but time is running out. Kate must see for herself that the charms of high society are nothing compared to the infinite sweet pleasures demanded by the heart.

11 April 2013

Book Review: Light in the Shadows by A. Meredith Walters




Title: Light in the Shadows
Author: A. Meredith Walters
Series: Find You In The Dark #2
Published Date: March 26, 2013
Amazon|Goodreads
Review: 


How do you keep going when you feel like your life is over?

Maggie never thought she’d see Clay again. So, she attempts to put her life back together after her heart has been shattered to pieces. Moving on and moving forward, just as Clay wanted her to.

Clay never stopped thinking of Maggie. Even after ripping their lives apart and leaving her behind to get the help he so desperately needed. He is healing...slowly. But his heart still belongs to the girl who tried to save him.

When a sudden tragedy brings Maggie and Clay face to face again, nothing is the same. Yet some things never change. Can the darkness that threatened to consume them be transformed into something else and finally give them what they always wanted? And can two people who fought so hard to be together, finally find their happiness? Or will their demons and fear drive them apart for good?

The thing about love, is even when it destroys you, it has a way of mending what is broken. And in the shadows, you can still see the light.

07 April 2013

Book Review: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn





Title: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: HaperCollins, April 2, 2013
Amazon|Goodreads
Review: 

For the first time in print, New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents a collection of "second epilogues" to her Bridgerton series, previously published as e-originals, plus a new bonus Bridgerton novella: Violet in Bloom," a short story in which we finally meet Edmund Bridgerton.


05 April 2013

Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith





Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publisher: April 2, 2013 by Poppy
Amazon|Goodreads
Review: 

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?