ARC REVIEW Wish Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley

The 12 Duke's of Christmas #3, I knew I'd love Gloria from the previous book, I thought I would like Christopher too but he ended up being a bit of an intellectual snob. He was better by the end of the book but Gloria really had him going there for a while to teach him a lesson. It was a nice heart warming story that introduces a few more of the unique eligible young ladies of Christmas.

Gloria wanted to find love, she was completely smitten the first time she saw Christopher but like everyone else he never saw her. Christopher was looking for a wife someone he could love and take around the world and explore together his first look at Gloria and he was captivated. But first impressions go a long way and Christopher didn't make a good one.

With Christopher's rake of a brother no engaged he finds himself the center of attention for every lady in town but Christopher is looking more than a dalliance. Being set up by the matchmaker seems like a good idea until he realizes the matchmaker is Gloria. Gloria arranges for him to meet some of the young ladies who fit his criteria, but Christopher doesn't connect with any of them but he does Gloria. Christopher wants to give Gloria the world but Gloria is to scared to leave Christmas. Is Christopher enough for Gloria to conquer her fears or are they doomed before they can even start.

Overall, it was an emotional and fun read. I always enjoy reading Erica Ridley.  

ARC REVIEW Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

12 Dukes of Christmas #2, Back in Cressmouth, also known as Christmas, the perpetually snow covered mountain town lives Penelope Mitchell a lady chemist, and natural philosopher. Her latest claim to fame is the perfume that took the ton by storm, Duke. She didn't do it for the money she just wanted to prove to the men of the Natural Philosophers Society that she, a woman, deserved admittance. But as soon as Beau Brummel told the Prince Regent about it every man has gone out and bought a bottle.

Not everyone was happy about it though, Nicholas Pringle the heir presumptive for his cousin Duke Silkridge, thinks the perfume is cheating; it's an unfair advantage to men who don't normally possess that kind of charm. Nick, who was dubbed St. Nick ironically because he is anything but a saint, is shocked and pleased when he finds out the creator of Duke is a woman and decides he can seduce her and get her to stop production of Duke. But Penelope is not what he expected and she seems immune to his charms but for some reason he can't stay away from her.

Penelope had already decided to create Duchess the female equivalent to Duke and give women the same chance. Now she just needs to test it and what better way to test it than on a notorious rake. But the more time Penelope spends with him the more she likes him, he is so much more than the man the world sees he has hidden talents and is a much better man than he lets on. Now she starts feeling guilty and ashamed because she thinks her perfume seduced him but she's also scared that telling him the truth will break her heart.

Overall, I really liked this one. Nick is a rake but as soon as he sets eyes on Penelope that's it for him he has eye for no one else. The people of Cressmouth are wonderfully quirky, and I can't wait for Virginia and Gloria's stories. It's not necessarily a Christmas read, it takes place after, but it could be read as one. This is a delightfully fun read and as always Erica Ridley delivers a great story with wonderful characters.      

ARC REVIEW Once Upon A Duke by Erica Ridley

The 12 Dukes of Christmas #1, A brand new series by Erica Ridley this first story is a fun Regency era retelling of The Christmas Carol. It was a quick and fun read I enjoyed all the little similarities to Christmas Carol, stuff like a pygmy goat named Tiny Tim.

Benjamin Ward the Duke of Silkridge returns to the place he never wanted to come back to his grandfather's home, a small village up in the mountains called Cressmouth or as the local affectionately call it Christmas. His grandfather, Marlowe, was eccentric and much loved by everyone in town but to Benjamin he was cruel and hateful. Five years ago Benjamin's grandfather took something of his and than kicked him out of the town. It no longer mattered that Benjamin fell in love there he only cared about when he could get his family heirloom back.

Noelle Pratchett was abandoned as a baby left on a doorstep. Noelle thankful for the care she received from Mr. Marlowe and the entire town she makes herself indispensable by being at their service making sure the town runs smoothly. She took over for the clerk and now practically runs the town. Now that Mr. Marlowe is dead she was bequeathed enough money that she could do whatever she wanted but she loves her little town and wouldn't dream of leaving Christmas. Noelle never planned to fall in love with Benjamin but then he left without saying goodbye and suddenly every other man paled in comparison to him. Now he's back, an older colder version of himself but hour by hour she sees the man he once was but try as she may not to fall back in love because he still plans on leaving Christmas again never to return she still does. Noelle can only hope his love her her is greater than his hatred for his grandfather.

Overall, this was a great read. It's a fun historical romantic Christmas comedy. The characters were all delightful and quirky. Erica Ridley's writing is as always fantastic. I can't wait to met the other dukes.   

   

ARC REVIEW Lord of Vice by Erica Ridley

Rogues to Riches #6, "The road to me is paved with gold intentions" That right finally Maxwell Gideon! and the final Grenville sibling Byrony. This can be read as a stand alone but it is a pretty great series. The whole Grenville family is gregarious, Bryony is less so, she forces it, she hates going out in society for the soul purpose of finding a husband especially since her mother has made it her mission that Bryony marry higher than an Earl by the end of the season. Grenville are known for their musical talent Byrony is a wonder on the violin but it grates on her nerves that her mother very openly complains that the violin is her only winning point to attract a man. Byrony is so much more than just a pretty smile and a violinist, she can do math sums in her head she can assess a situation and tell you the best out come, she can look at an investment and know if it will be successful or not which is how she got to be involved in being the investor for The Cloven Hoof and the deed holder for the land and the building.

Maxwell Gideon rose from almost nothing to being the most infamous game hell owner in all of London. The men that once blackballed him from their gentlemen clubs are now blackballed by him. Maxwell has dreamed of this day for forever and the only thing keeping him from finally achieving that dream fully is his investor and their unwillingness to sell Max the deed. Bryony doesn't have all the information she needs to make an informed decision about selling Max the deed, and she needs to decide whether or not she want to keep it and continue getting rent from such a prosperous property or sell it and use the money to do something else and if her mother gets her way she end up married and everything she's worked so hard for goes to her husband that's something Bryony really doesn't want. Max and Bryony met by accident she snuck into The Cloven Hoof when it was supposed to be closed and Max caught her there, not knowing who she was. Even after he kicked her out she kept coming back and proved she was helpful on several occasion. Bryony was just happy that he actually listen to her suggestions. An attachment forms but Bryony feels guilty and blurts out who she really in right before he kisses her for the first time. Max feels betrayed but reluctantly agrees that she can shadow him there at The Clover Hoof for one month then she will make her decision about whether or not to sell; one month to fall in love.

Overall, this was a wonderful end to the series. Max really is a roasted marshmallow all crispy and bitter on the outside but all soft and gooey on the inside. Once he realizes his feeling for Bryony he feels like he's not good enough for her, and that he won't be welcomed in society even after meeting her siblings and their eclectic group Max still feels like he wouldn't belong. Bryony is so giving and so willing to put others before herself. They both were great characters and fit so perfectly together. As always Erica Ridley is a great story teller and a wonderful world builder.            

ARC REVIEW Lord of Secrets by Erica Ridley

Rogues to Riches #5, This one runs parallel with some of the previous books, it can be read as a standalone but I think it would be more enjoyable if you have read the others, especially the ones with the rest of the Grenville Family. Even with the 200+ pages this is a quick read the romance is a little on the slow burner side. Half of what happens are occurrences and scenes from the other books but from Heath and Nora's POV. The other half is Heath trying to find the caricaturist and falling in love with Nora while Nora tries to find a way to tell Heath her secret without him hating her and breaking her heart.

Heath Grenville is a problem solver, he makes scandals go away his newest client has asked him to find the artist doing the caricatures and get him to stop. Elenora Whitfield is a distant cousin to Lady Roundtree, in order to help her aging grandparents and brother save the sheep farm she grew up on she takes a post as a companion to Lady Roundtree. Heath is immediately taken with Nora's beauty, no woman has ever caught his eye the way she has, but as a lady's companion she is completely unsuitable to be his wife, logically he knows this and he tries to move on but his thoughts keep going back to her. For Nora Heath is everything she ever dreamed about and never ever hoped to have, their shared love of art is just one thing she loves about him. The more time they spend with each other and as Heath watches his sisters fall in love the more Heath realizes he should follow his heart. 

Overall, this was a nice read. Nora and Heath are well matched and it was pretty much an easy romance. I especially love how they handle the situation at the end when Heath finds out the truth, very mature.       

      

ARC REVIEW Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley

Rogues to Riches #4, I was looking forward to Hawk's book out of the friends he just seemed the most responsible and since Faith Digby was introduced and it was discovered she knew Hawk and acted like she despised him I knew they would end up together. I love second chance romance I don't think I'll ever get tired of them, but there is a secondary trope that I guess I have gotten sick of and that dragged the book down for me. Through most of the book I didn't like Faith she was very closed minded and kind of a bitch, by the end of the book I liked her a little better. Hawk I didn't like as much as I had hoped, nothing about him really stood out. Simon on the other hand made me love him even more. 

Hawk is finally getting to the point where he can finally start making money and pay off the debts that were left to him by his father and by his guardian. His mother's health is at a decline and he can barely even afford to pay for the doctor. His half brother Simon is also becoming a more stable person in his life. Simon also brings Faith back into Hawk's life. Even after all this time Hawk still loves Faith, he feels guilty for letting his Mother and advisers talk him out of marrying her. Faith isn't going to let Hawk back into her life just because he apologise. Hawk isn't going to give up on her so easily, but winning her over and trying to convince her that she dowry has nothing to do why he wants her and that he never stopped loving her is going to be difficult. Faith has a secret she's been hiding from Hawk and when it comes out both their lives life will forever change.   

Overall, not my favorite, but still a good read. I love Ridley's writing style it is always a quick read that flows easily.

Haven't read the first three books? Get them all in one fell swoop with the Rogues to Riches box set volume one.

Lord of Chance:
Anthony and Charlotte fell victim to the well known in Scotland but apparently not England law that if you announce yourself married boom you are legally married romance troupe. As tired of this troupe that I am this was cute and well executed. This has to be one of the best written books by Erica Ridley I ever read, the ending fell short for me but as a whole this story was really good.

Lord of Pleasure: 

Lord of Pleasure is book two of Erica Ridley's new series Rogues to Riches. This is another great story by Erica Ridley, the characters are likeable and the whole situation is humorous. It's a fantastic Cinderella type story. Camellia is the perfect daughter she does as she's told, she sings when they want her too and what they want her to sing, she's also the sensible one, but her parents go too far when the arrange her marriage to a much older gentleman who doesn't even have the courtesy to actually ask her, then leaves for a month. Lord Wainwright, Michael, is tired of getting his image drawn as a caricature in the paper linking him to all sorts of gossip and rakish behaviour, sometimes it's true but he's tired of being made fun of, as a joke his friends bet him he couldn't stay out of the gossip column for 40 days.

Lord of Night:

A chance meeting on the streets of St. Giles Dahlia is saving a young girl from a man with nefarious purposes and Simon comes to their aid, from that night on Simon life is different. He stops by the school and visits with the girls even helps them learn how to dance and his attraction to Dahlia grows into love. Dahlia loves Simon with all her heart but she has to many secrets from him and as much as it hurts she can not risk her girls or his job for their love. After meeting Dahlia Simon realizes there are more things to life than just being a runner even coming to terms with his half brother and becoming friends with him. Dahlia has changed his outlook on life, but will all that change after he finds out who she really is? My new favorite. I love Simon so much.

ARC REVIEW Lord of Night by Erica Ridley

Lord of  Night is book three if Erica Ridley's Rogues to Riches series. Lord of Night follows Bow Street Runner Inspector Simon Spaulding and Miss Dahlia Grenville. For being 350 pages it was a quick and easy read. The pacing was smooth it seemed like a much shorter read than it actually is, but it was a really good read.

Dahlia and Simon have a slow but sweet courtship but Dahlia feels guilty because she has been hiding the fact that she is a well bred daughter of a Baron. Simon just thinks she is the headmistress of  a school for orphaned and abandoned girls in St. Giles. Dahlia feels even worse after she finds out that Simon is hunting the Thief of Mayfair. Dahlia is that thief, between the lectures from her mother on finding a husband and quitting this silly hobby and her father's indifference on his daughters Dahlia more than once has stolen a little trinket from some of the wealthy snobs whose collection is purely for the idea of having something that other don't and sold it to a pawn shop and then sends a letter to the owner where they can find their missing item. All of it for the care to her students.

A chance meeting on the streets of St. Giles Dahlia is saving a young girl from a man with nefarious purposes and Simon comes to their aid, from that night on Simon life is different. He stops by the school and visits with the girls even helps them learn how to dance and his attraction to Dahlia grows into love. Dahlia loves Simon with all her heart but she has to many secrets from him and as much as it hurts she can not risk her girls or his job for their love. After meeting Dahlia Simon realizes there are more things to life than just being a runner even coming to terms with his half brother and becoming friends with him. Dahlia has changed his outlook on life, but will all that change after he finds out who she really is?

Overall, this was a good read, I enjoyed the characters and the plot and how it played out. I can't wait for the next one.    

ARC REVIEW Lord of Pleasure by Erica Ridley

Lord of Pleasure is book two of Erica Ridley's new series Rogues to Riches. This is another great story by Erica Ridley, the characters are likeable and the whole situation is humorous. It's a fantastic Cinderella type story. Camellia is the perfect daughter she does as she's told, she sings when they want her too and what they want her to sing, she's also the sensible one, but her parents go too far when the arrange her marriage to a much older gentleman who doesn't even have the courtesy to actually ask her, then leaves for a month. Lord Wainwright, Michael, is tired of getting his image drawn as a caricature in the paper linking him to all sorts of gossip and rakish behaviour, sometimes it's true but he's tired of being made fun of, as a joke his friends bet him he couldn't stay out of the gossip column for 40 days.

In an atypical act of rebellion Camellia accepts the invitation meant for her sister to the notorious Lambley's masquerade ball. Once there she is swept off her feet by a masked man who seems to not only listen to her but enjoys talking to her. She has four weeks until her fiance returns and has the banns announced so she decides to enjoy her time with the masked man and returns to the masquerade ball every week.

So far Michael is succeeding in avoiding the gossip rags, he's seen in all the right places and attends his duty in the House of Lords and is terribly bored the only thing keeping his interest is Lady X a wonderful woman whom he has no idea who she really is. The other perplexing thing he comes across is the obvious dislike the Grenville sisters have for him. He has no idea that he made one off hand remark that caused the backing out a charity that was run by one of the sister and out of loyalty all the sister must hate him too. It doesn't take very long before Camellia discovers her masked man is none other than Lord Wainwright. Camellia is despaired that the man she has fallen in love with the same man who is a notorious seducer and who inadvertently hurt her sister. Camellia needs the strength to finally stand up to her parents and shake things up a bit, but can she find the courage Michael knows she has or will it all be for nothing.        

Overall, it is a great Cinderella retold story.

ARC REVIEW Lord of Chance by Erica Ridley

First book of Erica Ridley's Rouges to Riches series. As much as I love Erica Ridley I was almost hesitant to read this book, I blame the blurb it just didn't appeal to me, but being I  love Erica Ridley I picked it up and read it and I'll be damned if it's not one of the best one of hers I've read. Call me slow, I may or may not have known this beforehand and I just forgot, because I do that sometimes, but Anthony Fairfax is none other than the brother to Sarah Fairfax of The Brigadier's Runaway Bride (2015). It started kind of iffy, Anthony and Charlotte fell victim to the well known in Scotland but apparently not England law that if you announce yourself married boom you are legally married romance troupe. As tired of this troupe that I am this was cute and well executed. This has to be one of the best written books by Erica Ridley I ever read, the ending fell short for me but as a whole this story was really good.

 Charlotte is the bastard daughter of a courtesan. She dreamed of a life different than her own, one where people accepted you and invited you places and didn't chant Charlotte the Harlot when they saw you. She also dreamed of having a father who would sweep her away and become a princess. Charlotte above all else wanted her father to love and accept her all she had to go by was what she assumed to be his name and a ruby matched set earrings and necklace. With the name she had she thought him Scottish and after a horrible argument with her mother she left to Scotland and vowed to find him.

Anthony is a well known gambler he started young and helped his family stay in fashion to fit in with the fashionable crowd. It wasn't easy and he was broke more often than he had money but being strapped for cash was never this bad; he owed the accumulative amount of two thousand plus scattered about but his so called friend bought all his vowels and demanded payment or else it was debtor's prison for him. Anthony escaped London to try some smaller venues to try his luck at the gaming table it wasn't until a small town in Scotland did he met up with his Lady Luck.

Charlotte and Anthony play a couple hands and he eventually loses everything to her. At the end of the evening in Charlotte's paranoia of someone finding out who she is she proclaims out loud that she and Anthony are married. It isn't until the next morning do they find out that it is legally binding and Anthony also discovers the severity of his debt. The emotional rollercoaster ride that Charlotte and Anthony go through strengthen the feelings and the bond between them. It shows Charlotte that not every who sees her expects her to be her mother and Anthony learn the his life doesn't have to revolve around a table. Not much action takes place it mostly internal conflict between their insecurities. I have to say that is the best part of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Despite the overall conflict being built up so much and then being solved so easily left me wanting more the romance and the character development was fantastic.        

ARC REVIEW Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley

Romancing the Rogue is the second of Erica Ridley's Gothic Historical Romance series. it was originally part of the Vexed Anthology. (I'm sorry but the model on the cover looks like she is about to sneeze.) I enjoyed the story and the characters, it's a quick and easy read. Rebecca has been invisible for the better part of a year. The death of her parents left her at her great grandfather's house his illness left him bedridden and soon the servants even forgot about her their. She took it upon herself to fix the mistakes the steward made in the ledgers and even helped the kitchen staff a time or two, everyone just assumed it was one of the ghosts haunting the castle. Everyone made a big deal about the castle being haunted and barely touched on how it became haunted, I wish Erica Ridley did more with the haunted house for a gothic romance it wasn't very gothic, for the exception of the location of haunted castle that's as gothic as it gets.

Daniel Goodenham came into his viscountcy early in his his life. He strived to make his grandmother proud something his father never seemed to do. But in his drive to be the best Viscount he can be it cost him the only true friend he ever had. Rebecca Bond was younger than him and according to his grandmother to far beneath him to be his Viscountess. Daniel planned to make it up to her the next year after everything was settled but she never came back to London. As the years passed Daniel kept putting off an apology because it would never be enough. On the eve of his birthday Daniel receives a missive telling him that Rebecca's grandfather has died and that he is expected to be there for the reading of the will. Daniel sees this as his chance to get back his best friend and make up for lost time.

Rebecca's invisibility disappeared when her grandfather died and her uncle inherited. With six daughters already he gave Rebecca the ultimatum that she marry before January or he finds a husband for her. Rebecca knew Daniel would show up and was ready with a proposition for him. Out of practice from the ton she asks Daniel's help to find her a husband. Taken back by the idea has Daniel realize Rebecca means everything to him and he must either love her enough to brave his grandmother or love her enough to let her go.

Overall, this was a good story focusing just on the main characters with hardly any secondary characters at all. I almost wish there was more to it.  

ARC REVIEW The Duke's Accidental Wife by Erica Ridley

Ravenwood finally gets his book! The Dukes of War book seven; really seven already, Damn. I loved this series, every book is unique in it's characters and situations and with Ravenwood and his cold outer-shell and the vivacious Katherine you have a delightful story of give and take and finding out that what you need is what you least expect. Erica Ridley has a delightful and easy writing style, I love her attention to detail and she is an excellent storyteller.

Ravenwood gets uncomfortable in social situations his sister has always acted as the go between so he doesn't have to deal with it, but now she is married and he is alone in the house for the exception of the servants. Ravenwood has always done what is best for the Dukedom, his country, his King, and his family name; and as a member of Parliament he does his best to prove he is just a good a Duke as his father before him. When his sister Lady Amelia and his friends talks him into attending an auction be begrudgingly agrees more so because the patroness of the auction is the talked about and vivacious Lady Katherine Ross.

Lady Katherine Ross has vowed never to get married and most of all never have children. She is scared of the child birth, she was raised by her Aunt who attended the midwife and vividly remembers all the times her aunt came home crying because of the loss of the mother or the child and more than often both; it scared Kate. Now as she has grown older and made a place for herself in society she doesn't want to be a mans property she has worked hard to make her own money and her work with artist has made a name for herself. If she can get the elusive Duke of Ravenwood to attend her auction then she can guarantee it's success and the success of her artists. Unfortunately an ill placed bucket of water and the bad timing of one senile aunt, Ravenwood and Kate end up in the middle of a scandal and have to marry.

A wedding was the last thing Kate wanted, she convinced herself that everything she now owned was Ravenwood's, and technically she's right but Ravenwood doesn't want her stuff. The chemistry is there but once Ravenwood discovers she doesn't want to have children puts another wedge between them. Slowly they learn about each other, Kate learns what a romantic her husband is and Ravenwood discovers how hard a worker she is and how much she wants to be a good wife for him. He takes an interest in her work with the artist and supports her. Kate realizes she loves Ravenwood when she realizes she is willing to face her fear and give him the child he wants.

Overall, I love how they work to better their relationship, they worked at trying to make the marriage they were forced into work and it was easy for it to become a love match and not just a convenience.        

Three Book ARC REVIEW A Rogue, a Rake, and a Pirate; Oh My!

I have here three fantastic historical romance novels...

One Rogue at a Time

by Jade Lee

I enjoyed this one, it is book two in Jade Lee's Rakes and Rogues series, it didn't quite enjoy it as much as 50 Ways to Ruin a Rake, but it had a very worthwhile and lovely ending. Two people who are opportunistic but with all the best intentions find love. It is a funny romance, and a very engaging storyline.

Bramwell Wesley Hallowsby is a bastard, it's not something he is proud of but he isn't going to shy away from the label. He tries hard to prove he's is just as worthy of the title that was denied him then the sailor who did inherit his father's title. Bram has a white knight complex he is the one people go to when they need help, half the time it leads him to trouble and at the beginning he did get badly burned by a woman asking for help and that jaded him to woman who manipulate to get what they want. Like the current situation he finds himself in, making sure an old friend and his wife swindled a bunch of money from some very powerful people are running to Scotland and paying Bram to see that they get there safely, only to abandon him in a tiny village with a broken down carriage.

Maybelle "Bluebell" Ballenger knows she is made for better things than the tiny village and selling possets. On her Mother's deathbed she finally told Bluebell the truth about her heritage, Bluebell is the granddaughter of an earl. She grew up with the whispers of being a bastard, and she worked hard to prove her worth in the tiny village but now that she know the truth she has been saving up her money to go to London and demand her birthright from her father. Bram is her ticket to London. 

Bram is automatically suspicious of the young woman who is cunning and smart enough to sell her possets at the highest price as she can get. She also manipulates him into teaching her how to be a proper lady. Bram is aware of her manipulations as much as it angers him it does nothing to dampen his desire for her and manipulates her right back. Together they travel to Oxfordshire and get the proof needed for Bluebell's legitimacy. Once in London Bram introduces her to his half sister who accepts the challenge of turning her into a lady and handle the introduction to her Grandparents. But once accepted by the family Bluebell must face the ton and with that the fact that she can no longer be friends with Bram, no matter that she loves him and will not give him up. It's harder for Bram to accept the fact that he loves Bluebell knowing that she is destined to marry better than him. 

Like a bad penny, the trouble causing comic relief couple keeps coming back making Brams life hell. 

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with a sweet ending.

   

How to Rescue a Rake 

by Jayne Fresina

Book Club Belles Society book three. Finally the book for Diana and Nate. I love this series and I have been waiting for Diana and Nate to finally get their HEA. It's not imperative to read the previous two books but they are very good books I recommend you read, even if you read them after this one. 

Nathaniel Sherringham has always loved Diana Makepeace. But Diana's mother was bound to make her daughter a more advantageous marriage then she herself had. Diana wanting to please her mother agreed to marry a man she felt nothing for. She was content with her decision until Nate had to go and propose marriage and kiss her. Diana's perception changed after that. Even with the scathing remarks and insults she told Nate, she always thought about him after that, and whether she would admit it or not was the main reason she broke off her engagement.

Three years later and Nate is a changed man. No longer the rake and the gambler, but a businessman. Nate has come back to the town he calls home; over all the other towns he has lived in, this town where his sister is now happily married and where Diana is of course he thinks by now she is married by now. He is shocked to discover the vibrant young miss who won his heart and broke it is still single and has lost the sparkle in her eyes. Everyone thinks that she is still grieving the loss of her fiance. 

Diana has almost given up hope of ever getting married. But a trip to visit a cousin in Bath to help rejuvenate her health has given her hope for more. Unknowingly Nate makes a trip to Bath as well and their paths cross. Diana is open to having a lover but Nate is out to prove she is worth so much more than just a lover. 

Overall, This was a great read. I found myself giggling at the end because there are more to come and I really am looking forward to reading about the outgoing cousins of Diana.

The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway

by Erica Ridley

The Dukes of War continues with the delightful story of  Clara Halton and Captain Gregory Steele aka Blackheart. This story runs parallel with book two The Earl's Defiant Wallflower and book three The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress. I'm so happy that Clara got her HEA, her daughter Grace found hers and now that Grace has her own life to live Clara deserves one of her own. I love Erica Ridley's writing, it's always such a pleasure to get one of her ARCs especially this series. 

Captain Blackheart was paid by an earl to bring to London his soon-to-be-wife's mother, Blackheart expecting a old woman accepted the job gladly; but when he got to America and the small town outside of Philadelphia where she was residing her finds a beautiful woman who thinks she is dying of consumption. Clara sent her daughter to London to claim her inheritance; Clara married beneath her station and her mother had a fit and disinherited her. Clara believing she has consumption didn't tell her daughter because she knew Grace wouldn't leave if she knew. It took some convincing on Blackheart's part to get her to leave, but as soon as Clara was on the open seas she got better. Clara also discovered she loved being on The Dark Crystal, she enjoyed being razzed by the sailors, the fresh open air and mostly she loved sleeping in Blackheart's arms each night. 

Once in London, Clara was delivered safely to her family and the past forgiven should have been happy with her daughter, but she doesn't want to be one of those mothers who spends all her time with her daughter, she wanted a life of her own. She sees her chance when she sees The Dark Crystal docked in port. Clara takes a risk and stows away. Blackheart thought he left Clara behind, thinking he could never have her as much as he has fallen in love with her she would have no place in his life. But here she is a stowaway, and now that she is no longer the cargo there is nothing stopping him from seducing her. Blackheart is worried about Clara's safety, he is going after his nemesis, The Crimson Corsair. Clara however proves she isn't just safe but helpful too.

Overall this was a great addition to the Dukes of War series and I  look forward to the next one.     

    

   

ARC REVIEW The Brigadier's Runaway Bride by Erica Ridley

The Dukes of War book 5, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride was one that I was looking forward to. I have read all the other books in the series and throughout the books I had been hoping that the death of Brigadier General Edmund Blackpool had been greatly exaggerated. I was happy when I found out I was right. I love stories like this two people so in love but have grown and are different from the young person they once were but still stick it out and deal with it and figure out no matter what they will always love each other.

Edmund Blackpool was left for dead on the Waterloo battlefield. He woke up in a Polish convent and his only thought was getting back to Sarah. Eight months ago Sarah was able to sneak away and visit Edmund before he went of to battle in Waterloo. Confessions of love were spoken and an unofficial engagement happened. Edmund has traveled all the way back only to find the one woman he has ever loved standing up about to marry another man, and very pregnant.

Sarah Fairfax thought her love was dead and then she found out she was pregnant with his child. Raised with an unsteady flux of money she was determined not to have that for her baby and even though it felt like a betrayal she agreed to Ravenwoods proposal. When during the ceremony Edmund shows up and claims his bride. Sarah is relieved and scared at the same time. She is relieved that Edmund is alive and still wants to marry her, but she is scared that he is only marrying her because she is pregnant and everything afterward. Edmund feels betrayed, by his friends for not coming back for him and because Sarah didn't wait. He doesn't blame the he understands it but it still hurts. He is now afraid of not being a good father and a good husband, he is scared that Sarah no longer loves the man he has become. Sarah and Edmund have a hard time being parents not knowing what they are doing. Love conquers all, especially when there is trust and communication to go with it.

Overall, it was short, and kinda sweet. A little rushed but enjoyable none the less. I really look forward to Ravenwoods story I think he really needs his HEA.

ARC REVIEW The Major's Faux Fiancee by Erica Ridley

Book four of The Dukes of War series by Erica Ridley the series continues to entertain me. While this one doesn't have some of the comedy that readers of Erica Ridley are use to it doesn't take away from the story because the two characters are very serious there are however two other very amusing characters to lighten the mood. Bartholomew and Daphne are aggravating at times, but in the best way. They both have issues they need to figure out and that often gets in the way of seeing things that are obvious to everyone else.

Major Bartholomew Blackpool lost more then his leg in war he lost his twin brother as well. Now the rake and dandy that he use to be is no more and he has isolated himself in his house afraid of the humiliation he feels when people hear the creaking of this elaborate prosthetic and of the pitying looks everyone will give him. He even avoids his family his mother's grief so strong for one of her sons has her wanting to comfort and coddle Bartholomew and his father clearly blames him for the death of the other. Daphne Vaughan is mourning the death of her father and now her Guardian a cousin to her father is forcing her to marry. The problem with that is she is so involved with her charity work and the right of the lower class workers she know that if she marries her husband will forbid her to work her projects deeming them unladylike. Her only hope is her old friend Bartholomew to act as her fiancee until she comes to maturity and she can access her inheritance.

Bartholomew does not hesitate when he receives this request from Daphne and it only takes short time in her presence before he realizes he really wants to marry her. He never thought she would want him back in return because he is not a whole man. Daphne asked Bartholomew because he was a rake but after the war she sees a different man, an man who is willing to help her with her projects not hinder her. She is determined not to ruin his good name by crying off the engagement and Bartholomew will not ruin her reputation by crying off the wedding.

Overall this was another great novella in the series. and series returns again with the next novella The Brigadiers Runaway Bride and a reappearance of a dead man.  

REVIEW The Earl's Defiant Wallflower by Erica Ridley

Book One in Erica Ridley's Dukes of War series, The Earl's Defiant Wallflower is set in the Regency Era after the war. As the series name implies it is about four friends who went to war and only three came back alive and the three all ended up with Titles on their return. Erica Ridley is a great storyteller she weaves a funny and seductive tale. My only complaint would be that the ending ended quickly and all tied up in a bow, but than again Romance novels are allowed to do that it's part of the fantasy.

Oliver York returns from war a changed man he also comes back to find his father dead and the finances non-existent, with nothing else to do but care for his only remaining friend who is in a catatonic-like state he must find a wife with a large enough dowry to take care of his land and tenants. Miss Grace Halton only came to England to find a husband because her mother wished it, but when Grace left her mother was very ill and when she got to London and her Grandparents saw how much she looked like her mother they became mean and started treating her like she was going to be just like her mother. Oliver and Grace stick up a friendship but know there can be nothing else between them, both needing to marry well. But one kiss and an ill timed entrance sees them married.

The story also introduces characters for the upcoming stories and reintroduces Ravenwood , whom we meet in the prequel. For a full length story it is short but very full and it really sinks it's teeth into you and reveals just enough about the other Dukes to leave you curious and anxious for the next story.

REVIEW The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley

This is the prequel novella to Erika Ridley's newest series The Dukes of War. If the rest of the series is as entertaining as this one it is going to be a great series. Amelia is a great character especially when she refers to Debrett's Peerage as a catalog when her brother catches her looking for a husband. It's a great and fast and fun read.

As domineering, bossy, and head strong woman Lady Amelia Pembroke is, you really can't help but like her. She makes it her duty to know everything that's going on in her brothers household and knows exactly how to do just about everything she even plans back-up, back-up plans. She has run her brother's household with ease and grace treats the staff with kindness and respect. She knows he needs to marry and she wants to be out of the house and married before he marries and she has to give up the household duties to his wife. She has a set list of requirements and a list of eligible bachelors. All she needs is the Annual Sheffield Christmas Ball. The 75th Annual Sheffield Ball however has been canceled, but Amelia has plans and they will not be deterred. She basically ambushes Lord Benedict Sheffield and maneuvers him into letting her throw the party last minute. Amelia's gentle maneuverings to make sure she gets her way are brilliant.

Benedict St. John, Viscount Sheffield, has a strict schedule from 8 am to 8 pm is all business; after that he well he knows how to have a good time. When Lady Amelia approaches him about his families annual ball he is at first hesitant wanting just a relaxing holiday instead. But their is something about Amelia that appeals to him, with her no-nonsense straight to the point maneuverings he fantasizes about showing her how to have a good time and before he knows it he's in love.