ARC REVIEW Say No To The Duke by Eloisa James

The Wildes of Lidow Castle #4, A fun Historical Romance by Eloisa James. Boadicea "Betsy" Wilde has spent the last few years trying not to give anyone the impression that she takes after her mother, a mother who abandoned her children when she ran off with another man. Betsy's first year at a school taught her the rumors and whispers that were about her mother, her sister, and herself. Betsy was determined that not only was she nothing like her mother but she would prove the other girls wrong at school by getting more offers for marriage then any of them, and she did but she accepted no one.

Lord Jeremy Roden is a hero, but he doesn't feel like one. He charged his men into battle and lost every single one of his men. It was the fault of another cowardly man but Jeremy is blaming himself. To society, because he was the lone survivor, he's the coward but all the important people know the truth and he has the Wildes on his side. He's had a hard time coming home he thinks of himself as a failure. The only bright spot in his self inflicted misery is Betsy. He enjoys arguing with her and refusing to play billiards with her it isn't until the son of a Duke offers for her that Jeremy realizes he doesn't want to lose her.

Betsy decides she wants and adventure before she finally accepts this last marriage proposal but she needs someone's help,  she convinces Jeremy to finally play a game of billiards with her and if she wins he has to escort her, while she's dressed as a man, to some place where only men are allowed to go. After she wins he manages to talk her down from a five day drive to London to go to Whites to go to the nearby town to an auction but only with a chaperone. A whole group ends up going along with Betsy and Jeremy, and surprisingly enough not only does her aunt want to join her in dressing like a man so does her maybe future mother-in-law.

I loved the relationship between Betsy and Jeremy how they started as friends bickering back and forth and Betsy who never realized how much he likes her kept brushing off certain comments that is until he kissed her to prove he desired her. But because her feeling about her mother she never wanted to feel desire like that, that would prove she was just like her mother. Once Jeremy realizes just how deep his own feelings go he keeps asking Betsy to say no to the duke.

Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable read with minimal drama and angst and what little there is is dealt with easily. I loved that Jeremy nicknamed Betsy, Queen Bess, saying it was far more appropriate for her than Betsy. Eloisa James is one of my absolute favorite historical romance writers, her characters are so real and the situations they find themselves in are always wonderful to read she's brilliant at what she does. I really can't wait for more Wildes to find their HEAs.   

BLOG TOUR Born To Be Wilde by Eloisa james

About The Book

Born to Be Wilde

by Eloisa James

Series

The Wildes of Lindow Castle Series

Genre

Adult

Historical Romance

Publisher

Avon Books

Publication Date

July 31, 2018

Purchase Your Copy Today!

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The richest bachelor in England plays matchmaker…for an heiress he wants for himself! 

For beautiful, witty Lavinia Gray, there’s only one thing worse than having to ask the appalling Parth Sterling to marry her: being turned down by him.

Now the richest bachelor in England, Parth is not about to marry a woman as reckless and fashion-obsessed as Lavinia; he’s chosen a far more suitable bride.

But when he learns of Lavinia’s desperate circumstances, he offers to find her a husband. Even better, he’ll find her a prince.

As usual, there’s no problem Parth can’t fix. But the more time he spends with the beguiling Lavinia, the more he finds himself wondering…

Why does the woman who’s completely wrong feel so right in his arms?

Gentlemen didn’t kiss like this. And yet he couldn’t stop . . . 

She tasted better than anything—anyone. She tasted like honey and spice, like brandy and excitement. 

Dimly, he was aware that blood was thundering through his veins . . . from a mere kiss.
The reality of it shocked him back into sense and he pulled back, ending the kiss. Lavinia opened her eyes. Annoyed. She was annoyed. Years of reading her face told him exactly how she was feeling. 

“Kiss me again, Mr. Sterling,” she ordered, her voice husky. For a moment he just felt a flare of anger at that formal address, but she tugged at his hair.

He dove back into the kiss as if it had never ended.

Parth may not be a Wilde by birth but in every other way he is, he's a self made man and one of the richest in the country. Lavinia is beautiful and intelligent and is one of the most sot after heiress in London and Paris. After Lavinia discovers her what her mother has done to prevent the ruination of the family Lavinia asks Parth to marry her, unfortunately after she's given him some nicknames like Perfect Parth and Appalling Parth he wasn't very inclined to marry her. Even after Lavinia broke down and explained why Parth merely agreed to help her find a suitable gentleman. Parth has another woman he has his sights set on to be his wife a widowed contessa from Italy. But after what transpired between Lavinia and Parth he can't seem to get Lavinia off his mind and matchmaking, sheesh, it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be, in his mind not even a Norwegian Prince is good enough for her.

The antics of Parth and Lavinia as the circle each other both having feelings for the other but to scared to admit it was quite amusing. As always Eloisa James' active setting is outstanding, from the scenery of the bog to the streets of London she transports you back in time especially with her descriptions of the dresses and such, it's just wow, it feeds the imagination. I love all the quirky characters, Lady Knowe is probably my favorite. Parth and Lavinia I knew as soon as I read their introduction to each other in Wilde in Love, I knew they were perfect for each other I was right they are and this book was their perfect HEA. 

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of BORN TO BE WILDE by Eloisa James, we’re giving away one hardcover set of THE WILDES OF LINDOW CASTLE series!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a hardcover set of The Wildes of Lindow Castle series by Eloisa James. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 8/10/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About the Author

ELOISA JAMES is a New York Times best-selling author and professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight. Visit her at http://www.eloisajames.com.

Author Links

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

BLOG TOUR Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James

About the Book

Too Wilde to Wed
by Eloisa James

Series
The Wildes of Lindow Castle Series

Genre

Adult

Historical Romance

Publisher

Avon Books

Publication Date

May 29, 2018

Amazon | Avon Romance | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks

No one is more surprised than Lord North when he returns from war to find his ex-fiancee in his ancestral home…working as a governess in a sexy, fiery new Wildes of Lindow Castle romance by New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James…

The handsome, rakish heir to a dukedom, Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde—known to his friends as North—left England two years ago, after being jilted by Miss Diana Belgrave. He returns from war to find that he’s notorious: polite society has ruled him “too wild to wed.”

Diana never meant to tarnish North’s reputation, or his heart, but in her rush to save a helpless child, there was no time to consider the consequences of working as a governess in Lindow Castle. Now everyone has drawn the worst conclusions about the child’s father, and Diana is left with bittersweet regret.

When North makes it clear that he still wants her for his own, scandal or no, Diana has to fight to keep from losing her heart to the man whom she still has no intention of marrying.

Yet North is returning a hardened warrior—and this is one battle he’s determined to win.

He wants Diana, and he’ll risk everything to call her his own.

If you've read the first book you know it left off with a bit of a teaser for this book. If you haven't read it while it has North and Diana in it and shows a little bit about their engagement it's not imperative that you read it to fully enjoy this one, but it's a damn good book you should read it anyways. North and Diana are quite the couple, in the two years North was gone quite a bit changed about him and about Diana but once they are back together not hiding behind the makeup and wigs of high fashion and not pretending to be someone they are not they realize they do make a striking couple. North notices first but Diana has a hard letting go of what happened and believing North could love her for who she is now and not what she was back then. 

Not to sound cliche but this really is a delightfully witty book, but than again that what Eloisa James is best at, and her romance but really that goes without saying. Diana is probably the worst governess ever but she loves her charges and she tries her best. The Wilde family welcomed her with open arms even after she jilted North. In North's absence he became a notorious rogue and seducer of innocents. The same caricatures that depicted  North's brother's adventures around the world as Too Wilde to Love  dubbed North as Too Wilde to Wed. That's fine with North if the ton momma's don't focus on him he only has eyes for Diana. What bugs him is the blown out of proportion events that dubbed him Too Wilde to Wed and how it affected Diana. Even before North finds out the truth about what happened two years ago he knows without a doubt that he still wants Diana and he spend almost the whole book proving to her that they were meant to be together.           

Overall, between the wit and the romance it had me laughing and awwing the whole book. Diana gets a little annoying every now and then but North more than make up for it. The kids are adorable and if you didn't have a thing for peacocks before you might have one after reading this. Once again Eloisa astounds me with amazing writing, fantastic characters, drool worthy heroes, and a beautiful romance. I look forward to the future books with the rest of the Wilde kids.  

She giggled, and her arms wound around his neck. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I am relishing my freedom.”

“I know you don’t love me,” he said, keeping his voice even. “Just so you know, I do love you. I think it is a lifelong condition.”

Her eyes filled with remorse, but he shook his head. “Love should never be regretted. But what might be regretted by you is this evening, Diana. You wish to marry for love. Won’t the man you choose expect you to come to him without knowledge of men?”

Never mind the fact that he had every intention of being the man she chose. Look what happened to Godfrey’s father. What happened to the men in his regiment. Life should never be taken for granted.

“Whoever marries me will already know that I jilted a ravishing future duke,” she said firmly, and then, with a twinkle, “You can take ‘ravishing’ in two ways.”

Who would have guessed that his melancholy fiancée could have such a naughty grin?

“My husband will love me enough not to care,” Diana said, her eyes shining with faith.

Everything in North chilled at the idea of Diana being loved by another man. Loving another man.

He cleared his throat, because he had the feeling she wouldn’t approve of her romantic ambitions making him homicidal.

“Miss Belgrave, are you giving me permission to ravish you?”

She dimpled at him. “Yes! I requested just that, Lord Roland.”

A gentleman wouldn’t agree. But that perfect gentleman likely wasn’t as focused on winning as North was. Sometimes winning involved breaking some rules. Taking risks. Thinking creatively.

Diana kept stealing glances at his lips.

“A gentleman never refuses a lady,” he said, making up his mind. He rose onto his knees, pulled off his shirt, and threw it over the side of the bed.

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of TOO WILDE TO WED by Eloisa James, we’re giving away one hardcover copy of WILDE IN LOVE and a peacock keychain!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a hardcover copy of WILDE IN LOVE by Eloisa James and a peacock keychain. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 6/10/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About the Author

ELOISA JAMES is a New York Times best-selling author and professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight. Visit her at http://www.eloisajames.com.

Author Links

    

This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

ARC REVIEW Wilde in Love by Eloisa james

Wilde in Love the first in a new series by the very talented Eloisa James. The Wilde’s of Lindlow Castle is a large family so hopefully it’s going to be a semi long series. It takes place during the Georgian era so we get the magnificent details of the wigs and the powder and the fancy dress topped off with EJ’s trademark wit and charm, her romance always contains that kind of wit for me that really just complements the active setting.

Willa Ffynche is a little hard to like at first because she is kind of prejudice against Alaric at first and it seems unjustified she’s never met him and never read any of his books she’s only going on assumptions to what his character is really like and it’s not flattering. Alaric Wilde left his home in pursuit of adventure he wrote books about his adventures and now years later he is finally returning home only to find himself the object of desire for many of the young ladies in London. Not only did his books make him famous but a silly play written about him made him a celebrity, even if the whole thing was poppycock. What infuriates Alaric the most is that they actually think the portrayal of him in the play is correct, it couldn’t be further from the truth. His whole family thinks it’s amusing and keep poking fun at him with it.

Willa and Alaric start off kind of rocky, she was all prepared to dislike him but instead she not only found him more attractive than the engravings sold of him. Alaric is amused by Willa for her obvious dislike of him and the fact she’s never read his book when it seems like the rest of the female population has, and she’s the prettiest woman he’s ever met. He’s determined to win her over as soon as she stops trying to talk herself out of falling in love with him. But when the delusional writer of the play shows up Willa agrees to pretend to be engaged to Alaric until they can figure out what they can do with the girl.

Overall, this was a great read. The puns and the bad jokes not the mention the absolutely adorable baby skunk and the ill-tempered cat. And I loved the tease for the next book at the end.      

ARC REVIEW Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James

Seven Minutes in Heaven is book three in the Desperate Duchesses by the Numbers and book 9 in original series Desperate Duchesses. Don't let that deter you from reading it it is just fine read as a standalone. The characters in this book are the children of the original cast of characters in the earlier series.  

I always get a feeling after reading an Eloisa James book; it's a feeling of immense satisfaction. I always just have to sit back and let the book soak in, let the words just permeate inside my mind. This book is no exception to the brilliant writing of Eloisa James, definitely one of my favorites.

Eugenia Snowe is a woman who knows her mind and despite it all she married for love and prefered to be referred to as her husband's wife, Mrs. Snowe, rather than her title, Lady Eugenia. Eugenia didn't want to be a useless Lady who wasted her time and widowhood doing nothing. She saw a need and so she started the best governess agency in all of England. Eugenia has remained devoted to her husband even now years after his death, until a stubborn and obstinate man walks into her office and demands that she handle this siblings herself. Edward Reeve is a bastard, he was raised by his father and treated like a true son by his step mother. Ward however needs to marry above his station, not for his own purposes but for that of his siblings. His mother died and left her two young children alone, their father's wishes were that Ward take over guardianship of his brother and sister if anything happened to their mother. But Ward's grandmother doesn't think he's good enough to raise the children and thinks he's a bad influence. Ward is determined to keep his siblings so he needs a governess with a strong enough resolve so that the unique nature of the children's personality won't be to shocking. None of the governesses that Eugenia has sent have had the fortitude to handle the kids and Ward is determined to have Eugenia do it herself.

Here is where is gets interesting, Ward has no idea that Eugenia is a lady, he assumes that she was a vicor's daughter who became a governess and later became the proprietress of Snowe's Governesses. Ward has an instant fascination with Eugenia, and very inappropriately flirts with her and wants her, one more reason he wants her at his house instead of a governess. Can I say I love it when the two main characters exchange letters in books, especially when they are as humorous as the ones these two share. The two kids are so funny, they almost steal the spotlight away from Ward and Eugenia. Ward finally succeeds in seducing Eugenia and their feelings start to go deeper than just a brief affair. But when matters with Wards grandmother get worse it becomes obvious to Eugenia that Ward has no idea who or what she really is and leaves heart broken. Now Ward not only has to win the case against him Grandmother but win over Eugenia and convinced her he loves her for exactly who she is at the same time.

Overall, it really is a wonderful Historical Romance with all the right amounts of humor, angst, and romance.          

TASTY TOUR My American Duchess by Eloisa James

My American Duchess

By: Eloisa James

Releasing January 26, 2016
Avon

Blurb

The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. The last woman he would ever consider marrying is the adventuresome Merry Pelford— an American heiress who has infamously jilted two fiancés.

But after one provocative encounter with the captivating Merry, Trent desires her more than any woman he has ever met. He is determined to have her as his wife, no matter what it takes. And Trent is a man who always gets what he wants.

The problem is, Merry is already betrothed, and the former runaway bride has vowed to make it all the way to the altar. As honor clashes with irresistible passion, Trent realizes the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined. In his battle to save Merry and win her heart, one thing becomes clear:

All is fair in love and war.

I love Eloisa James! She is a master. Even when I don't like the story I have to like the book because it is well written and beautiful. This book I loved! I love the concept of Americans dealing with the stuffy British Ton, especially just twenty-five our so years after the War of Independence. I can see how this book screamed at Eloisa James to be more than just a novella. The full length novel is a wonderful and emotional story.

Merry is quick to love, and Trent is determined to marry Merry. But therein lies the problem, Merry has jilted two fiancees already and unless she wants to be an old maid she must marry soon, she has vowed her next engagement will be her last. But the more time she spends with her fiance the less she likes him and the more she falls in love with Trent. They meet quite accidentally not knowing who they were never properly introducing themselves, but one unconventional conversation and that's all it took. Trent was convinced he would marry her, even after he found out she was already engaged and tried to tell himself any American would do, his mind and libido kept going back to Merry. Even Merry was trying to take her mind off of Trent, spending more time with her fiance and making herself love him, but then there was George. Of course the adorable bull dog puppy was only the beginning it got so bad that Merry finally coincided she could not marry the man. She would go home and plan her gardens and die an old maid. But Trent had other ideas.

It really was an adorable book. Trent and Merry were very well written. And as always with Eloisa James books I laughed, I cried and I felt completely satisfied at the end of the book.

Link to Follow Tour:  

http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/my-american-duchess-desperate-duchesses.html

Goodreads Link: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23587137-my-american-duchess 

English ladies never spoke to strangers, so he probably expected her to cower like a chambermaid. In that case, she would disappoint him. No American flinched before an Englishman, noble or otherwise. 

Head high, she met his eyes straight on, and sure enough, a distinct flash of surprise crossed his face. “Please forgive me for disturbing you, sir,” she said, curtsying. “I mistook you for one of my countrymen.” 

She could scarcely believe she’d felt pity for the man, because now she had the impression that she was sharing a small space with a large predator. She fell back a step with the aim of returning the ballroom, but he moved forward and blocked her flight. 

“There are a great many Americans in London this season, are there not?” he asked. 

Goodness sakes, the man was ferocious looking. It was difficult to imagine who would have had the nerve to affront him; in comparison, her combative former fiancé Bertie Pike was as placid as a cow. 

He had made her so rattled that she spoke before she thought. “According to The Times, there are at least three times as many Americans in London as there were a decade ago.”

Her former governess, Miss Fairfax, had always said that no man wished to be thought ignorant, but Merry was certain that this man wouldn’t give a damn—because he was absolutely confident about what he did know. 

Sure enough, he merely cocked an eyebrow and asked, “Did The Times offer an explanation for the swell in your numbers?” 

“It did not. But did you know that Americans often study in your Inns of Court? Five men who signed our Declaration of Independence were educated at the Middle Temple.” 

She nearly clapped a hand over her mouth. She had gone from inappropriate to objectionable; American independence was hardly a subject about which English aristocrats were enthusiastic. 

She dropped a hasty curtsy. “If you’ll excuse me, sir, I shall go fetch my next dance partner.” 

Laughter gleamed in his dark eyes. “If I might offer you some advice, no English gentleman wishes to be ‘fetched.’” 

His evident amusement eased her nervousness. “My experience of London is not great, yet I have already discovered that there are any number of English gentlemen eager to be ‘fetched,’” she said, giving him a wide smile before she remembered that young ladies weren’t supposed to do more than demurely curl their lips. 

“I surmise that you are referring to gentlemen who seek to enrich themselves by marrying a woman in possession of a fortune. Are there no adventurers of that kind in America?” 

His tone made it clear that he was not a fortune-hunter. Merry had grown tired of gentlemen subtly informing her that they were willing to overlook her “unfortunate” nationality. 

“Certainly there are,” she said. “But at home they aren’t so condescending. Here they act as if they’re doing one a favor, whereas to my mind the truth is quite the reverse.”  

 “You make a good point,” he conceded. 

“Though I’m not being entirely fair. English gentlemen have titles for sale, and even my cousins—who are Cabots and quite powerful in their own right—don’t have anything attached to their name that directs people to bow and scrape before them.” 

“I gather you are not inclined to bow and scrape before a titled gentleman?” 

He didn’t seem in the least critical, which was a relief. “I am not. I prefer to judge a man on his accomplishments and character. If you have a title yourself, sir, I apologize for being so direct.” 

He smiled, which she took to mean that he was untitled. “Have you met many peers…any dukes, for example?” 

“I have met the Duke of Villiers, and just last evening, the Prince of Wales.” Merry lowered her voice to a whisper. “To be frank, each seemed to feel that his titles made him as special as a five-legged calf. Though, to be fair, the duke might expect reverence on the basis of his coat alone.” 

His bark of laughter appeared to surprise him as much as it did her. “Now if you will excuse me, sir, I must return to the ballroom.” Merry was fairly certain that Cedric had no concerns about her faithfulness, but there was no reason to cause a scandal by being caught in a tête-à-tête.

Buy Links:  

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Author Info

A New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James is a professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but who can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. (Her husband is an honest to goodness Italian knight!) Eloisa’s website offers short stories, extra chapters, and even a guide to shopping in Florence. Visit her at www.eloisajames.com.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James

I read this as an ARC but loved it and Pre-Ordered it when I finished it.

The Desperate Duchesses book eight, Four Nights with the Duke by Eloisa James. I love Eloisa James; she is an eloquent and beautiful writer who tells an intelligent and witty story all the while steaming up your glasses. It was a fun read without anything overly dramatic and devastating happening to the H/h.

Mia is a great curvy heroine, she is a published author with a devoted following the only problem is that she must marry in order to keep her nephew, Charles, out of the wicked clutches of Charles’ uncle from his Mother’s side of the family. She had a fiancé but he jilted her and now she chooses to do something drastic. Vander has always said he would marry for love because of his childhood experience with his parents; that is until Mia appears back in his life. Mia’s father and Vander’s mother had an illicit affair in plain view of everyone. Vander hated his mother and Mia’s father for it. Mia accepted it because she knew they were in love. Mia in her youth was in love with Vander but one poorly written poem that fell in to the hands of Vander and Mia was embarrassed and vowed never to love Vander again; that all changes when Mia blackmails him into marriage.

Mia wrote it all out what she expects of Vander and why she is doing what she is, but Vander still assuming she is in love with him and is blackmailing him because that’s the only way she can get him to marry him writes out stipulations of his own, without reading hers, only giving her four nights a year in his bed. Vander is shocked to find out that she only wanted to be married to him for six months and then get it annulled. Vander disagrees simply stating marriage is forever, he quickly takes his new charge and treats the boy with the clubbed foot like a normal little boy. Vander also takes the news that Mia is a famous author like it’s no big deal. He also deals with the wicked Uncle who just wanted Charlie for his inheritance. Vander also decides that he will make Mia fall in love with him even though Mia is determined not to.




I loved this book, Vander and Mia are great characters and I love the added in notations from Mia on her WIP it almost coincides perfectly with her and Vander’s story. It can be read as a standalone but is a much better experience if you have read the whole series, or at least the last book Three Weeks with Lady X.