The Heiress's Pregnancy Surprise by Donna Alward

A VIP assignment…
an unexpected consequence!

Ex-SAS officer Jacob Wolfe’s latest job, as aristocrat Charlotte Pemberton’s bodyguard, is pushing him to his limits. Never one to step over the line, he’s determined to ignore their intense connection. Until a single dance leads to a forbidden kiss… and Jacob is tempted to break all his rules. But their resulting night together has an unexpected consequence…

Purchase Link

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heiresss-Pregnancy-Surprise-Mills-Empire-ebook/dp/B08DFRT9SJ

US - https://www.amazon.com/Heiresss-Pregnancy-Surprise-Mills-Empire-ebook/dp/B08DFRT9SJ

Review 

Charlotte Pemberton does not want a bodyguard on her first outing representing the family business alone, but her mother insists, and so she is stuck with Jacob Wolfe. Jacob would rather be on holiday than babysit a spoiled heiress, but as he gets to know Charlotte, he quickly realises she is more than he gave her credit for.

This is a story in two parts - the first, a classic girl-meets-bodyguard, and the second - well, take a look at the title. Surprise!

I liked how this book handled consent - both around alcohol and power dynamics, though Jacob does point out he's technically not her employee, he's her mother's. What I really loved, however, was that Charlotte was extremely competent and Jacob is openly impressed by her despite knowing nothing about the fashion industry.

It's light and lovely and has just the right amount of angst and self-reflection. I have no hesitation in giving this five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources, all opinions are my own.

Author Bio 

While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer and Judith McNaught.  Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers.

Donna lives on Canada’s east coast. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict.  You can visit her on the web at www.DonnaAlward.com and join her mailing list at www.DonnaAlward.com/newsletter .

Social Media Links
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonnaAlwardAuthor
Twitter: @DonnaAlward
IG: donnaalward

Dangerous Masquerade by Peta Lee Rose

Orphaned at 16. Married at 17. Widowed at 18. Destitute—or dead—at 19?

To avoid either fate Ria St. James has to thwart her deceased husband’s nephew who intends to marry or murder her—either will do! She must also contend with well-meaning matchmakers and evade the determined pursuit of the Earl of Arden. Though she yearns to succumb to his advances she can’t risk his discovering what she has had to do to foil the nephew. If she fails, she could lose her heart, her life, or both.

The Earl of Arden enjoys the life of a rake and has a particular liking for widows as they understand the rules of engagement. But his seduction of Ria St. James does not go to plan when he becomes captivated by the innocent widow. Then he realizes she has a secret and is in danger. She needs to reveal it so he can protect her. If he fails, he could lose her forever.

Dangerous Masquerade, the first book in the Regency Masquerade series, is a historical romance flavored with suspense, humor and a pinch of paranormal.

Review

Ria and her elderly relatives are in danger of being evicted from their own home if her husband's nephew can prove her marriage of convenience was never consummated (and thus is not legally binding). Ria needs to get rid of her pesky virginity, and fast. Aided by the ghost of her late husband, she sets out to seduce her childhood crush at a masquerade ball.

And that's just the first chapter.

Not only is the nephew tenacious and possibly murderous in his efforts to gain 'his' inheritance, her estate manager is rebelling, and her crush wants to start an affair - even while searching for his mysterious seductress.

This wasn't a bad book but I found it a little hard to follow, especially at the start. There were a lot of characters that popped in and out and some inconsistencies that left me a little unsatisfied. I did like the Aunts and Cousins with their blatant matchmaking. I was also very struck by some of the lovely introspection once everything was out in open. Overall it was a bit of a mixed bag.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
 

Editing Your Novel's Structure by Bethany A Tucker

Before it’s time to check for commas and iron out passive voice, fiction writers need to know that their story is strong. Are your beta readers not finishing? Do they have multiple, conflicting complaints? When you ask them questions about how they experience your story, do they give lukewarm responses? Or have you not even asked anyone to read your story, wondering if it’s ready?

If any of the above is true, you may need to refine the structure of your story. What is structure you ask? Structure is what holds a story together. Does the character arc entrance the reader? Is the world building comprehensive and believable? These questions and more have to be answered by all of us as we turn our drafts into books.

In this concise handbook, complete with checklists for each section, let a veteran writer walk you through the process of self-assessing your novel, from characters to pacing with lots of compassion and a dash of humor. In easy to follow directions and using adaptable strategies, she shows you how to check yourself for plot holes, settle timeline confusion, and snap character arcs into place.

Use this handbook for quick help and quick self-editing checklists on:

- Characters and Character Arcs.
- Plot.
- Backstory
.
- Point of View.
- A detailed explanation of nearly free self-editing tools and how to apply them to your book to find your own structural problems.
- Beginnings and Ends.
- Editing for sensitive and specialized subject matter.
- Helpful tips on choosing beta readers, when to seek an editor, and a sample questionnaire to give to your first readers. 


Grab your copy of Edit Your Novel’s Structure today! Now is the time to finish that draft and get your story out into the world. 

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Editing-Your-Novels-Structure-Checklists-ebook/dp/B08PSP82ZQ

US - https://www.amazon.com/Editing-Your-Novels-Structure-Checklists-ebook/dp/B08PSP82ZQ

Review

The author describes this book as the guide to editing she wishes she’d had when she started and I have to agree. In a collection of short chapters, she sets out what story aspects to edit (setting, characters, pacing etc) and provides a handy list of thought provoking questions for each. Matter of fact and easy to read, I can easily see this being a useful book to dip into for guidance. It’s no substitute for the hard work of editing but certainly provides a clear guide of how to do it.

If you have written a novel but can’t work out what to do with it, this may be the book for you.

Author Bio

Bethany Tucker is an author and editor located near Seattle, U.S.A. Story has always been a part of her life. With over twenty years of writing and teaching experience, she’s more than ready to take your hand and pull back the curtain on writing craft and mindset. Last year she edited over a million words for aspiring authors. Her YA fantasy series Adelaide is published wide under the pen name Mustang Rabbit and her dark epic fantasy is releasing in 2021 under Ciara Darren. You can find more about her services for authors at TheArtandScienceofWords.com. 

Social Media Links –   theartandscienceofwords.com, mustangrabbit.com

Falling for Salted Caramel by Anya Sharpe

Pregnant and licking her wounds from a messy divorce, Kyli Ryder returns home for the summer to work at her dad's Cape Cod ice cream shop. The small town is a familiar haven as she wraps her brain around a sudden future as a single mom.

From the minute Kyli and Devon Daughtry laid eyes on each other—as she sat on the floor in a puddle of dishwasher water—there was an unexpected spark. Their friendly flirting and teasing over his daily vanilla waffle cone becomes a salted caramel seduction metaphor for Devon's growing attraction.

Hooked by the undeniable connection between them—one which Kyli refuses to admit, and Devon refuses to ignore—she's a package deal he's intent on having in his life. Can Devon sweet talk his way into her heart, ultimately proving it's okay to love again?

 

Review

It seems a bit of a cliche to call this novel sweet, but there's no word more suitable.

Kyli's marriage collapsed right around the time she discovered she was pregnant. Abandoned by her so called friends, she retreats back home to work in her dad's shop, making toasted sandwiches and scooping ice cream. Sparks fly with the hot mechanic across the road, she has a baby on the way. Devon can't possibly want her, can he?

If you're looking for a light and fluffy short romance, this is a good choice. I especially enjoyed the resolution with the ex (given he's the baby daddy). My one quibble is that while there are no sex scenes, there's more lust than UST and it is perhaps a bit more graphic than suitable for a 'sweet' romance. This almost falls in the middle between sweet and steamy; it wouldn't take more than a quick edit to push it firmly over to 'sweet'.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne

He is first and foremost—at everything. A man who's made his own way in the world through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London's most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he's ever met.

IN THIS GAME OF LOVE, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY

Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future—until a secret benefactor from her mother's scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips...Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women...and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?

Review

I very much did not enjoy this book.

The heroine Cecelia is delightful - strong willed, intelligent, and sweet, despite a childhood of abuse. When she inherits a school for women and associated gambling hall, she finds herself in the sights of Lord Ramsey, a misogynistic, self-righteous blockhead who believes the worst of her because she's a woman and women are evil.

In addition to hating women generally, he also hates her because he desires her (Hellfire anyone?), and sets out to destroy her life because he thinks she's into child trafficking. Once it's been proven she's being framed, the ONE apology he ever gives is met with "no it's fine" 😍 because she's always wanted a protector and he somehow fills that role.

There's so much more that annoys me but I simply can't be bothered anymore.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

A princess in disguise is forced to live with a rogue in order to protect her from danger in this fun, sexy regency romance from Kate Bateman.

In The Princess and the Rogue, Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, doesn’t believe in love—until a passionate kiss with a beautiful stranger in a brothel forces him to reconsider. When the mysterious woman is linked to an intrigue involving a missing Russian princess, however, Seb realizes her air of innocence was too good to be true.

Princess Anastasia Denisova has been hiding in London as plain ‘Anna Brown’. With a dangerous traitor hot on her trail, her best option is to accept Wolff’s offer of protection—and accommodation—at his gambling hell. But living in such close quarters, and aiding Wolff in his Bow Street cases, fans the flames of their mutual attraction. If Anya’s true identity is revealed, does their romance stand a chance? Could a princess ever marry a rogue?

Review

Third and last in the Bow Street Bachelors, Sebastien Wolff enjoys his life of rakery and freedom, right until he meets a beauty at a brothel who kisses him once then turns him down. For her part, Anya has been hiding under an assumed name but her pursuer is closing in. Sebastien offers both protection and temptation, but do they have a future once her true identity is revealed?

I've enjoyed the two previous Bow Street Bachelor books (not necessary reading for this) but neither of them quite hit the spot. This one hits it dead centre. Royalty in disguise? Rake with FEELINGS (but he hates it)? Matchmaking friends with a light touch but much teasing? Banter and an emotional connection along with a physical attraction? LOVE

The story draws from the tale of Snegurka (the Snow Maiden) sprinkled with Anastasia (the most Disney princess tale not produced by Disney), but it's also a typical Regency Romance fantasy with a ball and the ton. I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it if any of the above sound like your cup of tea, though I do note it's a tad pricey for its genre.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

The Viscount's Convenient Bride by Josie Bonham

Luke, Viscount Enstone’s, resolve to avoid a love match is tested to its limit when he accepts responsibility for the Davenport family.

Luke has found it hard to sort out his late father’s affairs. A dishonest secretary and ailing land agent have left the family estates in disorder. With new people in place, he sets off to one of his smaller properties to discover the extent of an obligation that seems out of keeping with the cold-hearted father he remembers. Who is the young woman living at Shepley Hall and what was her connection to his father?

Miss Kitty Davenport has waited for a long time to find out if the new Viscount Enstone will continue the support his father gave to her family and her patience is wearing thin. Will he carry on paying for her young brother’s education and even assist him in finding a career? For herself, all she needs is help to find a suitable position as a companion and to escape from the unwanted attentions of a persistent suitor.

Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viscounts-Convenient-Bride-Reluctant-Brides-ebook/dp/B08MHH4M8Z
US - https://www.amazon.com/Viscounts-Convenient-Bride-Reluctant-Brides-ebook/dp/B08MHH4M8Z

Review

Impoverished and orphaned, Kitty's life and her brother's education are dependent on the late Lord Entstone's heir, a man who she has never met. Though first impressions are less than ideal, she quickly finds herself falling for Luke - but he has vowed to never to give his heart away. Will a proposed marriage of convenience lead to love or only more heartbreak?

This is a charming and enjoyable Regency romance between two lonely people. Kitty and Luke are both sensible and interesting, though Luke tends towards maudlin introspection and Kitty towards self-doubt. Despite Kitty's misgivings, Luke's sister and aunt are nothing but welcoming and supportive, and Luke has a support structure of his own even if it was at times too large for me to follow.

There are a few things that drew me back from loving this - the climax of the plot doesn't coincide with the emotional climax, so it feels like the book should end earlier than it does, and the mystery about Sir Sewell and Davenport Court fades away and could well have been cut without affecting the main plot at all.

The romance was engaging, the dresses were sumptuous, and the supporting cast convincing. Overall, a solid historical romance for anyone in the mood.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own

Author Bio

Josie lives in the English midlands, surrounded by towns full of history such as Evesham, Stratford-Upon- Avon, Warwick and Worcester. Which is perhaps why her favourite reads are historical. Out of all the periods to choose from the Regency Era stirs her imagination the most. The true Regency lasted from 1811 until 1820 but dates as wide as 1789 to 1837 have been included in the extended Regency period. For Josie the true flavour of this period emerges after the iniquitous hair powder tax of 1795, unsurprisingly, scuppered the fashion for hair powder almost overnight.
Josie has always dabbled in stories but it took the combined efforts of her sister and eldest niece to set her on the path to writing novels. Her Regency romances, with a dash of adventure and intrigue, are the result.
There is more information on her website at www.josiebonhamauthor.com

Social Media Links
Twitter @BonhamJosie
Facebook  www.facebook.com/josiebonhamauthor/?view_public_for=105783611121433