To Die in Tuscany follows Rick Montoya on his next "investigation". I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Each of the Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries is set in a different town or city in Italy. This mystery is set in two small towns in the Marche region around Urbino with a particular focus on their art museums, gardens, local politics, and art dealers. If you have a love of Italy, art, and museums then To Die in Tuscany will be a welcome respite from being unable to travel to Italy for the last year or so. One of my favorite things about this series is they do well with depicting Italy, the food, culture, and the people. It is obvious that David P. Wagner has not only experience with so many areas of Italy but also he is well versed in Italian. For those of us studying Italian not just for the language but also to learn the culture of the Italians, this series is wonderful. Obviously, it is a small replacement for not getting my Italian adventure that was previously scheduled one week after the travel ban started, but, I truly look forward to the books in this series.
One of the things that is a bit different about this installment is how the investigation proceeds. Betta who was missed in the previous book is always an interesting character. But, To Die in Tuscany is very much in Betta's world of art theft. This book has a great array of characters who all did a great job of being plausible suspects so the reader spends a great time changing their mind about who committed both crimes that are at issue in this book. We learn about artists and masterpieces we may have not have been introduced to or have heard of because they are not always front-and-center when we visit the museums and galleries across the world. But, Italy is an amazing place of art and I like to refer to it as an open-air museum and art gallery because you turn a corner and see carvings and sculptures in the oddest places. Years ago, I had a theory that Italy discovers so much of its art buried in odd places that they may not have room to display it all so you see it in alcoves and breezeways and many other unexpected places. Some of it obviously pretty ancient. The Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries never disappoints and always has an interesting mystery. The point-of-view changed a bit this time for the mystery but, the travel through Urbino and other towns in this region made a great addition to the Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries. I cannot wait to see which region we visit next with Rick.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
We are excited to share the #CoverReveal for Takeover, by @evelynsolaauthor! Keep reading for more details about this sexy, diverse read plus add it to your Goodreads today!
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TARA
I was supposed to be in charge. That was always my intention.
Until that slick corporate raider, Ethan Bradford, clicked his fancy pen and poof!
Just like that, I was under him, instead of on top.
Rich and powerful men–especially arrogant, handsome ones–are all the same.
I know exactly how to handle him, but when my father pulls rank and orders me to play nice, my plans of putting him in his place vanish.
I know his type. I’ve been around men like him my entire life, but one chance meeting with him and his son, makes me question everything I thought I knew.
ETHAN
When it comes to business, I always come out on top. Not even being a single dad can slow me down. I never let a good investment get away, and that includes Taylor Toys. After all, business is business, right?
How was I supposed to know a friendly meeting would set me on fire? Tara Taylor is a spoiled princess, used to getting everything she wants.
Sure, her good looks and smart mouth turn me on like nothing else. Despite her hostile stares, she triggered feelings I thought were long dead.
She dares to judge me while she stands there in her designer shoes, looking more beautiful than any marketing exec I’ve ever met. Instead of being grateful that I saved her family’s legacy, she blames me for their failure.
What was meant to be a formality turns into a game of wills.
I never lose. Except this time, I find myself wanting her more than I want to win. I find myself wanting her to take over.
#EnemiesToLovers #DiverseRomance #SingleDadRomance #BillionaireRomance #ContemporaryRomance #BWWM #Takeover
The daughter of a duke who is pretty oblivious to her family's reputation who pretty much behaves in direct opposition to what society or "the ton" seems to dictate. Imagine what happens when she has a run-in with a duke who is her total opposite. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Andromeda, her sisters, and her brothers all know how they "should" behave, but each of them has their own quirks that mean they tend to ignore what society dictates, like owning a pleasure den, creating art, and sewing clothes. The other aristocrats have their reasons for expecting this kind of unacceptable behavior from the Barringtons, but, they typically spend little time in London until recently where they are attending all of the same balls and other events as the rest of society. Since Andromeda is outspoken, she of course runs right into the duke of Granby and it is as a reader would expect when two opposing forces crash into each other, a crashing of wills and words. What neither of them recognizes is it is the start of a fierce attraction and it happens pretty much at the wrong time, as everyone in London believes Granby is going to propose to Lady Beatrice, including Lady Beatrice and her family. As they both start to realize their true feelings for each other and everyone appears to be aware of it all of the house parties, balls, and opera visits start to take on a sometimes amusing air, but, always interesting. I will have to take a step back and read the first book in the series as I plan to follow this one now that I have been introduced to The Beautiful Barringtons.
Andromeda is the most frustrating creature Granby has ever encountered. When their insults turn to flirtation and the heated discussions between them lead to passionate kisses, will Andromeda succumb to their mutual attraction? Fans of steamy historical and enemies to lovers romances will devour The Design of Dukes by Kathleen Ayers, the next book in her Beautiful Barringtons Series.
Praise for Kathleen Ayers
"Kathleen Ayers has become a favorite for me. I loved the "Wicked Series" but the "The Theory Of Earls" (don't you just love this title) is my favorite so far." - MiaBurke54, Bookbub Reviewer
"I am absolutely enamored with this book! It has a breathtaking romance, characters with sizzling chemistry, and a dialogue that is so clever and witty..." - Catherine, Goodreads Reviewer
Blurb
Lady Andromeda Barrington is the most unsuitable young lady in London.
At least in the Duke of Granby’s opinion.
Granby doesn’t care for bastard relatives or tainted pedigrees and Andromeda possesses both. Nor does he like opinionated young ladies who enjoy hurling insults in his direction.
Andromeda is, in short, the most annoying creature he’s ever met.
When she arrives, uninvited, to a house party given at his estate, Granby can’t decide whether to kiss Andromeda senseless or send her packing.
Andromeda is the victim of infatuation and bad luck.
The infatuation is that of her sister for the Earl of Blythe, but the misfortune belongs solely to Andromeda after she is forced to attend a house party hosted by the Duke of Granby. She and the duke are previously, unpleasantly, acquainted. The entire party is bound to be awkward, and their mutual dislike difficult to hide. Her only recourse is to avoid the giant block of ice masquerading as a duke. Thankfully, Granby’s estate is enormous.
But instead of mutual hostility upon arriving, Romy is greeted with unexpected attraction. Insults turn into flirtation. Heated discussions become lingering kisses.
Her heart is ruined. Granby may not even have one.
And the duke has already chosen another young lady to be his duchess.
The Design of Dukes is a steamy historical romance with a guaranteed happily ever after and next in the series The Beautiful Barringtons.
“Were you sketching Granby’s backside?” Blythe laughed out from between his gloved fingers, clearly finding the situation amusing. “I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”
Heat stung her cheeks at Blythe’s scandalous statement. “I was absolutely not, my lord.”
“Could you find nothing else more worthy of your talent?” Blythe’s tone turned flirtatious. “Mine, perhaps?” Blythe turned sideways and wiggled his hips.
Blythe was a shameless rogue. Though Romy had to admit upon inspection, Blythe’s backside, like the rest of him, was rather magnificent.
Granby’s eyes fluttered shut, head shaking as if Blythe continuously tried his limited patience, before once again fixing Romy with a frosty glare.
“I was sketching Miss Cummings’s costume,” Romy waved in the direction of the young lady who was now wandering off, oblivious to the fact her gown had been the cause of Romy’s current situation.
“And eavesdropping.” Granby’s snarl met her ears.
“Who knows what else you were sketching,” Blythe said mischievously. “I’d like to take a look.”
She immediately hid her notebook within the folds of her skirts. “I’m not certain,” Romy snapped back, embarrassed to having been caught looking at Granby and having Blythe take notice, “there was anything of merit for me to overhear. If you must know—”
“Oh, I must.” Granby drawled.
“If you must know,” she imitated in a mockery of Granby, “I was struck dumb at the sight of the duke’s coat.”
“My coat?” The dark eyes narrowed blasting her with dislike.
“Yes, Your Grace.” She nodded as if truly at odds with what she was about to relay to him. “I noticed the length is incorrect. Two inches longer would be much more in line with what is deemed fashionable.”
Granby’s massive shoulders stiffened. One gloved hand tugged at his collar though she hadn’t said a word about his cravat. Yet.
“She may have a point, Gran,” Blythe added helpfully looking between his coat and Granby’s. “I think I mentioned—”
“I do not,” Granby interrupted Blythe, all his attention firmly on Romy, “take fashion advice from a woman who has the poor sense to come to a party dressed as a shrub.”
Romy sucked in her breath. Her costume was lovely. She was a dryad. A tree nymph. It was true that very few saw the vision of her costume today, guessing somewhat correctly she was a tree of some sort but she certainly, emphatically, did not look like a shrub. Granby himself was a mountain masquerading as a duke.
“I am a tree nymph, Your Grace.” Romy stated with determination.
“I beg to differ.” The dark eyes ran down her body. “You look like a shrub. All you need is a bit of red and I’d mistake you for a holly.”
To Die in Tuscany by David P. Wagner
