Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Tangling with the London TycoonTangling with the London Tycoon by Suzi Jennings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rosco is a London millionaire that protects his family and reputation. I received a copy of Tangling with the London Tycoon from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Rosco is in the middle of preparing everything for one of his sisters' wedding when the photographer is unable to make it. He needs a photographer ready to go in less than two days and that photographer has to be discreet and professional because one of the bridesmaids is famous and the paparazzi also love to stalk Rosco's family. Kitty wants the job and she is needs this job to get her in the door so that she can sell a photography project she is planning to Rosco's media empire. Kitty is publicity adverse and she has good reason. She comes from a very untraditional family and her mother was someone that drew the paparazzi before her untimely death.

Rosco and Kitty do not hit it off so well in the beginning. He doesn't trust that she didn't bring the paparazzi to his door before the wedding even commences and she things he is uptight. Rosco things Kitty has a good eye her photography but worries she will not do the work to the standard he would like so he decides to trail her every move. This has the undesired affect of showing him just how interested he is in Kitty despite his desire not to be in a relationship. Kitty just wants him to publisher her work and works hard to keep space between them until she realizes they have a lot more in common than she realized, troubled parents. They bond over having a parent who seemed to be have trouble following them and end up in a situation that neither wanted but neither can resist. It is a great story of love happening in weird situations, like while hiding out under a table at a wedding.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Theodora (Lady Archer's Creed #1)Theodora by Christina McKnight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Theodora is a fun, sweet and romatic historical romance which I received a free copy of from Barclay and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Lady Theodora is a cunning, smart and independent girl who went to boarding school with her three roommates and friends. Her story is a first in the Lady Archer's Creed series. Each of them bumps against the norms and treatment of women during their time where it is against the "norm" for women to study anything scholarly. Even most women think that a girl should be trained in the "womanly" arts like needlepoint and music. It is okay to practice archery as long as it is in private surroundings. A woman should never be seen playing at things that are for men in public. This goes against the grain for Theodora and her friends because they can think of no other way to raise the money to help their alma mater that taught them so many of the things they have come to love like science, math and sports. Of course, the men that sent them there are not quite aware of just what they were taught.

Theodora's brother, Cart is her champion. He pushes her to study and practice the things he sees she is just as capable, if not more capable, of excelling at like map topography. She studies with her brother who opens doors for her that most other women do not have opportunities to walk through. Of course, this goes against what her mother plans for her which is to marry her off to someone she feels is worthy of their level in society, or the "ton". I'm wondering if the ton is called that because the obligations it puts upon the members feels like carrying a ton on your shoulders.

Alistair has not inherited his title and is responsible for his 8 siblings, one of which is ready for her introduction to society and happens to be one of Theodora's best mates. Theodora spends a great deal of time bumping heads with Alistair, though he is more progressive in his thoughts for women also. He still works to protect his sisters' and his family's reputation in society. The constant run-ins have led to feelings that each had not planned on and the story shows that this is going to be a great series with a great kick-off story in Theodora.
Friendship…Loyalty…and Honor above all.
Out Jan 17th – Regency Romance, Theodora by Christina McKnight, the first in the Lady Archer’s Creed series.

Follow the blitz and enter to #win a First In Series paperback prize pack including Shunned No More, The Thief Steals Her Earl, and Theodora by Christina McKnight
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Title: Theodora
Series: Lady Archer’s Creed (Book One)
Author: Christina McKnight
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Release Date: January 17, 2017



Friendship…

Lady Theodora Montgomery departed Miss Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality to attend her first London Season—her three dearest friends by her side. With her sharp wit and skill on the archery field, Theo is far more interested in winning a large purse prize than securing a husband. But when she is unmasked on the tourney grounds, her face exposed to all, she fears her identity and days spent gallivanting around London will cause not only her undoing, but the downfall of her friends as well.

Loyalty…

Mr. Alistair Price, heir to the elderly Viscount Melton, arrived in London with his eight younger siblings in tow. He is charged with keeping his family name above reproach until the Season starts and his sister, Miss Adeline Price, is presented to society—though that proves far more difficult than Alistair ever expected when he discovers his rebellious sister climbing down the side of their townhouse and scurrying off to Whitechapel for an archery tournament. His focus remains on saving his family from the certain ruin and disgrace Adeline’s actions invites—until Alistair catches sight of another female archer, her arrow connecting with far more than the center of her target.

And honor above all…

With Theodora’s future—and that of her friends—in jeopardy, will she agree to a marriage devoid of affection, or risk everything for the man who won her heart?

Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Author Bio:
Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

You can visit her online at the following places: Website Facebook | Twitter Goodreads | Amazon


Follow the blitz and enter to #win a First In Series paperback prize pack including Shunned No More, The Thief Steals Her Earl, and Theodora by Christina McKnight
           


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Friday, January 6, 2017

The RivermanThe Riverman by Alex Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Riverman was a very detailed mystery/thriller. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review from the publisher (Frontlist/Harper Collins) via Edelweiss. As soon as I read the description I knew it would be a book that I enjoy spending time reading. I was worried that I did not know it was the fourth book in a series but, I jumped right in and still found the characters engaging. A reader cannot help but love a good mystery that starts with a body in the first pages. You are hooked because now you must find out who the person was and why did they end up in the river Clyde in Glasgow. It sounds rough going in the parts where more than one body was dropped. The Clyde was described and felt like another character in the book and was intricately woven into the story of the man whose job it was to rescue those that he could from the Clyde, or retrieve their bodies. A job that seemed to be passed down through his family.

The Riverman was the story of greed, murder, adultery and never too far from these was jealousy. A very prestigious accounting firm in Glasgow with branches all over the world, that Duncan Forbes' family helped start, has been dragged into a world of trouble. Duncan does what he should and reports it to the managing partner. Unfortunately, this sets off a series of events that will likely tear the firm apart and ruin many families. Another big part of the story is the backdrop of the families of the men who work in the firm that are affected by what transpires, specifically two of the wives that have their lives irrevocably changed. At times, you wonder how people can turn into such monsters. Money is great but, the things that some of the individuals in the book were willing to do to maintain the status quo is just unreal, mainly because it happens in the real world. Alex Gray has a great new book in this series which means I must take a step back and start at the beginning.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Lost GirlsLost Girls by Merrie Destefano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just wow! I was really excited about this book after reading the blurb. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Entangled Publishing. I started the first chapter and was really excited. As I moved forward I started to get worried that this plot was not for me at all. It is a story where several girls, including Rachel, have disappeared with one exception Rachel was found alive. Several of the girls have not been seen again. To make matters worse Rachel cannot remember the last year of her life. I always have a hard time reading anything where someone, especially children are the targets of criminals. There is way too much of that in real life. Most teens out there would disagree with me when I refer to them as children, however, I refer to the young ladies in this book as children because adults are still responsible for them and their behavior. I am more shocked than anyone that I could not put this book down despite having to get up to leave for work at 4:30 am I kept reading and kept reading. I was invested. I had to know that the bad guys, and there were a ton of them in this book get what was coming to them.

I have read Merrie Destefano's work in the past and I have always been a fan. It has been a few years, but, I recall that she has a way of drawing the reader in and making them uncomfortable. Lost Girls does that. It draws the reader in and makes the reader angry at those that target kids. Now, to be fair the teenagers in this story have done a fair amount of victimizing themselves, however, they needed an outlet. Despite the dangers, it seemed safe when they were in control, however, there is always someone that is stronger than we are and there is always someone watching and wondering how they can take advantage of or make money from a situation. Lost Girls epitomized that scenario and despite that I found this book one of those on the edge of your seat books where you have to keep going just so you know what happens to Rachel. I have to admit that I loved that she turned to her dad when most kids would have tried to be tough and think they could handle it on their own or worry about getting in trouble. Rachel was smart, tough and despite making some pretty crazy choices she tried to do what was right and she reached out for help. There are some sad moments in Lost Girls but, there was a great mystery and most certainly some great action scenes.

The Road to Murder by Camilla Trinchieri My rating: 5 of 5 stars Nico Doyle returns in the fourth book in the Tuscan Mystery series, The ...