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.