From the back of the book:

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are…nowhere to be found.

Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters…and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch - a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravation men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

A NIGHT TO SURRENDER is the first in a series by Tessa Dare. I’ve really enjoyed her previous books and enjoyed A NIGHT TO SURRENDER too. There is a lot of humor in the story - from the sheep (I loved the little one named Dinner!) to all of the antics of the women and men in Spindle Cove. There is also a lot of emotion. The purpose of Spindle Cove is to help the women who are shy or unhappy lead a fulfilling life. Susanna was perfectly content in her life until Bram showed up. I loved how her world is turned upside down and she had to find out how to lead this new life. Bram never wanted to be an Earl or to be anywhere except on the battle field. His life has also been turned upside down.  Bram and Susanna both have baggage and they need each other in order to overcome and learn from the past. The dialogue is snappy and the plot moves through at a great pace. I loved every minute from start to finish and can’t wait to be in Spindle Cove again.

the book girl gives A NIGHT TO SURRENDER a 5/5

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From the back of the book:

Bestselling author Maya Bank’s beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy - and to surrender their hearts to love.

Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his - until a blue-eyes, raven-haired temptress is thrust into his life. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.

The illegitimate daughter of the kind, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn - and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. but her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as way draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons - and embrace a love that means more than revenge or land.

The first book in a new series by Maya Banks! I was so excited to start reading and once I started I couldn’t put it down. I have a love/hate relationship with Scottish historical romances. I hate when they are bogged down with brogue heavy dialogue. There isn’t any of that in IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER. Mairin is a fantastic character - fierce, protective, and loving. She has every reason to shy away from love, but doesn’t. I loved her relationship with Ewan’s son, Crispin, and Ewan’s brothers. She is contrary and doesn’t fall right into the role Ewan wants her too - she is her own woman and isn’t going to let a man (no matter how sexy) control her. Ewan is to die for. He takes care of his clan and isn’t going to let anything happen to someone in his protection. He changes throughout the book from a man that wants revenge above all other things to a man that understands the importance of love. The romance is spectacular. I can’t wait for the other books in the trilogy.

the book girl gives IN BED WITH A HIGHLANDER a 5/5

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From the back of the book:

ONCE SHE SLIPPED THROUGH HIS FINGERS…

Aidan York has spent ten years mourning the woman he once loved and lost. He’s filled the void in the only way he knows - by distracting himself with wild behavior and scandalous trysts. It’s a hollow existence, but it dulls the pain. Until the day he encounters a ghost: the woman he thought drowned at sea, alive, and as enchanting as ever…

NOW HE’LL KEEP HER IN HIS ARMS…

When Kate Hamilton sees the man she once hoped to spend her life with, she is hit with a storm of memories and longing. But though resisting Aidan’s passion proves impossible, Kate must try not to love him all over again. For her seemingly quiet London life shields a dangerous secret, one that will catch up to her the moment she lets herself fall…

I’m a huge fan of Victoria Dahl (although I enjoy her contemporaries more than the historical romances), so I was excited to read IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU. I enjoyed the book, but didn’t love it as I did the previous book in the series - A LITTLE BIT WILD. I think my problem was Kate. I didn’t understand some of her actions and wondered the reasoning behind things she did. I was frustrated that she wasn’t telling Aidan the truth about her past and present. I adored Aidan and loved his story. The pain he felt after losing Kate and his reactions to the loss endeared him to me (even though he was acting like a man-whore). The chemistry between Aidan and Kate is electric and I enjoyed them as a couple. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU is an romantic read and any fan of the “second chance romance” will enjoy this book.

the book girl gives IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU a 4/5

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About the book:

Follow acclaimed author Ashley March, praised by Booklist for her “elegant writing [and] sizzling sexual chemistry,” into the world of Victorian romance, where Lady Cecily Bishop—promised by her parents to a stranger—must fend off the seductive games and heady caresses of Baron Sedgwick….a task that becomes more difficult with each soul-searing kiss…

ROMANCING LADY CECILY is a short novella that shows a brief glimpse into some of the characters from Ashley March’s other books. I enjoyed reading this novella since I’m a fan of Ashley March’s writing. It is spicier than her full length novels (which I loved) and moves at a dramatic speed. Lady Cecily is betrothed to a mystery man, but she can’t keep her mind off of Baron Sedgwick. The chemistry between the two is off the charts. I loved how the Baron comforts Cecily when she learns of her friends death. I can’t wait to read ROMANCING THE COUNTESS to find out what exactly happened to Cecily’s best friend. If you are a fan of quick but satisfying reads this is a good book to pick up. (And it’s only $2.99!)

the book girl gives ROMANCING LADY CECILY a 4/5

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About the book:

madness \’mad-nes\ n (14c): the quality or state of being mad:

a: rage b: insanity c: extreme folly d: ecstasy, enthusiasm.

And, added in the margins of the dictionary owned by James Tremont, the 9th Duke of Parkerton, one additional definition:

e: the state of finding oneself mistaken for a solicitor by a duke-hunting beauty who needs to be enthusiastically taught the true meaning of love.

Rage, insanity, extreme folly, and ecstasy will most likely be involved.

MAD ABOUT THE DUKE was a very fun book. I loved the connection between Elinor and Parkerton. The whole plot centers around Elinor’s search for a Duke and Parkerton’s mistaken identity.  I love how Elinor falls in love with the man she believes to be a solicitor. She is willing to give up her dreams of marrying a wealthy duke for love. I also really enjoyed how this book has characters popping up from lots of past Elizabeth Boyle books - especially Mad Jack! (He’s one of my favorites.) The romance is sweeping and the characters fantastic. A perfect historical romance!

the book girl gives MAD ABOUT THE DUKE a 5/5

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From the back of the book:

When the Ministry of Marriage arranges a match, all that matters is power, wealth, and prestige. in the business of marriage, there is no room for love. but even the most prudent plans can go awry…

A CONVENIENT MARRIAGE

Jane, Lady Roxdale, has endured one marriage of convenience decreed by the Ministry of Marriage. While she deeply regrets her late husband’s death, she is relieved to be free at last. but when a dissolute rake threatens everything Jane holds dear, she must contemplate marrying a second time…

AN INCONVENIENT PASSION

Disgraced libertine Constantine Black inherits his cousin Roxdale’s land and title - while Roxdale’s prim widow is left all the wealth. Constantine is not a marrying man, but wedding Jane is the only way to save the estate from ruin. Jane resists the smoldering heat between them, desperate not to fall in love with an unrepentant rake. But for the first time ever, Constantine wants more than seduction. He wants all of her - body, heart, and soul…

I really liked this historical romance by debut author, Christina Brooke. I thought it was delightful and can’t wait for more in the series. The Ministry of Marriage is unique. I loved that we got to see the behind the scenes of what it might have been like when powerful families were negotiating who their children should marry to make the match most advantageous. Jane is an interesting heroine. Although she had been married for several years, she acts very much like a virgin around Constantine. Constantine is a very misunderstood character. He has always been the “black sheep” of his family, but isn’t guilty of everything that is laid at his door. I loved his courtship of Jane and how they both consistently claimed to not have feelings for the other (when the definitely did). I enjoyed the authors writing style and felt that the book moved smoothly. I can’t wait to read more in this series and I hope that we get stories for each of Jane’s cousins.

the book girl gives HEIRESS IN LOVE a 4/5

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