Blog Tour: His Unlikely Duchess by Amanda McCabe

Money can buy her marriage

But will it lead to love?

Miss Lily Wilkins hopes her American money will compensate for her lack of etiquette, as she needs a prestigious marriage to save her sisters’ prospects. Raised to believe wealth was her greatest attribute, she’s stunned when her unconventional ways catch the eye of the notorious Duke of Lennox. He’s far from the safe, sensible match she’d planned on—but Lily might just discover he’s the one she needs!

Purchase Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlikely-Duchess-Historical-Dollar-Duchesses-ebook/dp/B08Q7MS4H4/
US - https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Duchess-Dollar-Duchesses-Book-ebook/dp/B089YTPXSW/

Review

Lily Wilkins knows that when the proper English debutantes look at her, they laugh behind their fans at the daughter of 'Old King Coal'. She's rich, untitled, and utterly unsuited to join their ranks. Aiden, the new Duke of Lennox, never expected to be responsible for the crumbling manor and rising costs of the Lennox estate. He's utterly unprepared to be a Duke and even less prepared to be a husband, but when circumstances put Lily and Aiden together, they might just find they are exactly what the other needs!

In fact, they are definitely what the other needs. She is an heiress with a matchmaking mama, he's a penniless duke with a spendthrift mama. They like each other from the get-go, so I'm not entirely sure why it takes them so long to get together! There's a lot of introspection that doesn't really go anywhere as Lily has no idea what she wants and Aiden doesn't think he'd be a good husband for Lily but never goes into detail.

The period and setting, especially the dresses, are sumptous, and the side characters, particularly Lily's sisters, are awesome. If you're looking for a slow burn romance with minimal conflict, this may well suit you. I found it a little too slow for my tastes and it bugged me when characters called the Duke 'Duke' as if it was his first name or in any way appropriate but I'm sure other people would not mind that at all.

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

Author Bio 

Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)

She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion.  She lives in Santa Fe with a Poodle, a cat, a wonderful husband, and a very and far too many books and royal memorabilia collections.

When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.

Social Media Links
http://ammandamccabe.com
https://www.facebook.com/amandamccabebooks/
https://www.instagram.com/amandamccabeauthor/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/amandamccabe/_saved/
https://twitter.com/AmandaMcCabe01

Blog Tour: One Summer in Monte Carlo by Jennifer Bohnet

Monte Carlo means different things to different people; a billionaires playground, overflowing with glitz and glamour but also where dangerous secrets hide.

For Nanette Weston, and her then fiancé, F1 racing driver Zac Ewart, their dream life came to an abrupt halt 3 years ago following a car accident which Zac walked away from, but left Nanette being airlifted back to the UK, never to return and never to see her fiancé again.

Monte Carlo was a place she wanted to forget, not revisit. But when her friend and employer, Vanessa asks Nanette to look after her children in the Principality for a few months, Nanette knew she had no choice but to return.

As the F1 circus once again comes to town, with Zac in pole position, mistakes of the past, leave legacies for the future...

This book was previously published as Follow Your Star by Jennifer Bohnet.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3cqDnQh

Review

Three years ago, Nanette lived in the Principality of Monaco, loving her life and engaged to a rising star of Formula One. After a devastating car crash destroyed Nanette's relationship, her reputation, and her memories of the night in question, an obligation to a friend has her returning to Monaco for the summer. As the crowds (and her ex) gather for the Monaco Grand Prix, it seems everyone has secrets. Maybe Nanette should've stayed in England...

This is a lovely story about forgiveness and redemption, but also about setting boundaries and learning to let go and move on. It is not, despite the blurb, a second chance romance. It's women's fiction with a thriller undercurrent and romantic elements. There's also a secondary plotline following Nanette's friend Jessica through the Amazon which provided an interesting contrast to the glitz of Monaco, and we also get comedic glimpses of Nanette's sister Patsy as she deals with an overbearing MIL back in England.

The three stories weave in and out of each other in an absorbing escapist read. There's an awful lot going on (and quite a few characters to keep track of) but it's quite enjoyable to sit back and go with the flow. My one quibble was around logistics, in particular a funeral that only had nine attendees, which made no sense given the context. At all.

Overall, it's a lovely read set against the beautiful backdrop of Monte Carlo - and can't we all do with a little escape right now?

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

Author Bio

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 14 women's fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.

Social Media Links
http://www.jenniferbohnet.com/
http://facebook.com/Jennifer-Bohnet-170217789709356
http://twitter.com/jenniewriter
http://instagram.com/jenniebohnet
Newsletter sign up link: http://bit.ly/JenniferBohnetNewsletter
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-bohnet

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