Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal and “rising star in the romance genre” (Entertainment Weekly) comes a dazzling new novel about a spontaneous holiday vacation that turns into an unforgettable romance.

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

Malcolm Hudson has worked for the Queen for years and has never given a personal, private tour—until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling.

Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy affair come New Year’s Day. . .or are they?

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


The huge plus: this is a seasoned romance featuring Maddie’s mother (Maddie from book 3). I wasn’t expecting a story about her but I liked that this was the next step in the series. Also any book that features a close mother-daughter bond such as this one is so sweet and comforting. 

The premise is that Maddie is temporarily hired on by a Duchess of England to fill in as her personal stylist for the Christmas season. Maddie is able to make special arrangements to have her mother Vivian join her on the trip so that they won’t be apart for the holidays. How on earth she pulled that off, who knows but that is the sweetest gesture and induces all sorts of warm fuzzies. Even better: they both get to say at Sandringham! I can get behind that. It’s an exciting opportunity and she wants to share this once in a lifetime experience with her mom. 

Except that I didn’t ever feel like Maddie and Vivian were in England or at Sandringham, specifically. The descriptions given of their surroundings were so vague and there weren't enough details to transport me to this exclusive royal abode. It would've been nice to have had more elaboration in order to better appreciate a sense of its long history and the grandeur of what Vivian was witnessing in addition to her "oh wow" responses. There were loads of mentions of scones which, don't get me wrong, I love scones but that's not enough to make me believe I'm in England and staying at a royal residence. I also didn't feel a clear distinction between Vivian and Malcolm's voices, either, and therefore, I didn’t catch on to their chemistry. 

I wanted to love this story but I didn't get swept up in it the way I was hoping I would. Travelling to London, staying at a royal residence...such an incredibly wondrous experience and during the most magical time of the year, too, and it feels like a missed opportunity. When I think about the four books I’ve read in this series, The Wedding Date still stands as the best one for me.

~ Bel

Royal Rogue (Flings With Kings #3) by Jessica Peterson

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Dear Jane,

You’re a princess. I’m a thief. This isn’t a Disney movie. We never had a chance in hell of a happy ending. But I still wish I could have given you one.

When we met, I had you pegged as a snob. All polo and private jets. But you turned out to be the exact opposite. I fell for you the first day we met.

I lied to you about a lot of things. I don’t expect or deserve your forgiveness. You’re too good for me. But I was always honest about my feelings for you.

I hope you’ll find true happiness one day. That’s the only way I’ll ever be happy—knowing you’re okay.

I’m sorry—

Charlie

PS—don’t let your blackjack game go to crap. Practice it every day, all right?

A STANDALONE Royal Romance!



Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review



All right. If you're looking for prim and proper royalty, that's not what you'll find here because Jessica Peterson is all about infusing the romance with a whole lot of sexy.The Flings With Kings series has been fun so far but yowza, Royal Rogue is the hottest by far and I'll say it's my favourite so far, too!

Princess Jane has been divorced for a bit and is tired of the same types of the guys who keep parading in front of her. It's hard to be in the royal fishbowl where everyone sees you and judges you when all she wants to do is be herself. Be real. After her failed marriage, she knows that's what she wants: a guy who is genuine, not one of these cookie cutter types that will say what they think she wants to hear just to get in with her and her family. Along comes Charlie who seems to dispense with some of the typical niceties and for the first time she feels like she's having a honest to god regular conversation. Not to mention the fact that his rugged good looks and cheeky banter are also delightful. Charlie sees the loneliness behind Jane's eyes and can tell that she's tired of the same old gimmicks. In trying a different approach by lacing what he says with some grain of truth, he's breaking every rule he has about interacting with his mark. A mark who happens to have a valuable item in her possession that will fetch a high price and bring him the freedom he desperately wants. For a guy who's streetsmart and experienced, he wasn't banking on falling for his prey.

I totally loved this story! With two characters from such opposite backgrounds and many incorrect assumptions about each other, there's plenty of fire and lust between them. Jane isn't as delicate as she seems and Charlie isn't as heartless as his line of work implies. In fact, Charlie's struggle with his duplicity is what makes their relationship fascinating, not to mention risky, which is not something that we've seen with this series yet. Holy cow, I gobbled this up and to make things even better, Prince John aka Jack has a significant role in this as her loving, protective and suspicious brother. I was so excited to see him since he was a no-show in the last book. But his appearance here provides laughs and a sexy glimpse into his storyline that I cannot wait to read. There are also appearances by characters from the previous books so we get plenty of their craziness as well. 

Jane and Charlie's unlikely coupling and the subsequent issues that arise had me guessing all sorts of scenarios but the eventual ending was not something I saw coming. In Royal Rogue, Peterson increases the fervor to bring a scorching hot romance to make your summer even hotter!

~ Bel

Keeper by Amy Daws Now On Audio!

KEEPER ON AUDIO IS LIVE + A PURSE GIVEAWAY!

You may have heard of the infamous footy-playing Harris Brothers...or you may have heard of the amazing duet-style narrating with Will Watt and Charlotte Cole, well, you're in for a treat! KEEPER on audio has just gone live! 

Footy star, Booker Harris shares a flat with his best friend from childhood. Problem is, she's not a little girl anymore. Read for FREE in KU or download the audiobook now! E-Book ⚽️ Amazon Audiobook ⚽️ Audible

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Or check out all the Harris Brothers with epic duet narrating! Challenge ⚽️ Endurance

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Duet-style is like a movie in your ears! Here's a sample:

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👜PURSE GIVEAWAY👜

In celebration of the release of the Keeper audiobook, my good friends at Jill-E are giving away an awesome Tablet Purse! So you don't have to worry about the battery running out on your phone just as you're getting to the juicy part in the story! 😝😝😝

 

Enter Here ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎

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ABOUT AMY DAWS

Amy Daws is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of the Harris Brothers Series and is most known for her punny, footy-playing, British playboys. The Harris Brothers and her London Lovers Series fuel her passion for all things London. When Amy's not writing, she's watching Gilmore Girls or singing karaoke in the living room with her daughter while Daddy awkward-smiles from a distance.

For more of Amy's work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

CONNECT WITH AMY

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The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

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An unforgettable tale of two friends on their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe who stumble upon a magical artifact that leads them from Paris to Venice in a dangerous manhunt, fighting pirates, highwaymen, and their feelings for each other along the way.

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, romantic, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a sumptuous romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


I'd seen several people commenting about The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. There was something infectious about their enthusiasm for it that made me want to be in on it, too. 

Folks, I started laughing right away. Monty, who's a rake through and through has two things I love in any hero: dry humour and quick wit. He's been kicked out of school because he was caught messing around with another boy in an unbecoming way. Since he's always getting into trouble you deduce rather quickly that he's kind of a hot mess. But a hot mess that you can't help but love and he knows it. All he has to do is employ his looks, charm and those freaking dimples to worm his way out of (or into) a situation. Unfortunately, that charm doesn't work on his stern father who has found him to be so utterly exasperating and embarrassing. He arranges for him to go on a tour of Europe hoping that it will instill some culture and responsibility in him before he fully immerses himself in the family business upon his return home. Joining him on this journey is his best friend and as it turns out, unrequited love, Percy. They've known each other since they were kids and are thick as thieves, except that Percy's the level-headed one while Monty constantly needs to be reigned in. It's a friendship that has provided both of them the stability they need. Going on tour together is their bittersweet last hurrah before becoming serious adults. It's also important to Monty to have these final few months with Percy before they go their separate ways. 

I was a chapter in when I declared my undying love for this book. Monty won my heart immediately and Percy is so sweet and patient that he deserves a medal. The action takes place almost instantly because Monty can't help but get himself in hot water. This latest debacle though brings tension between him and Percy. Lee effectively shows us Monty's anguish over his love for Percy and him not wanting to ruin what he has with his best friend. I also like how she gradually has Monty opening up about the ugly bits in his life, particularly his hostile relationship with his father which deepens your perspective of him. His character arc and development from one of self-indulgence to maturity is my favourite aspect of this story. Close to that are the various "almost" moments between him and Percy which are written so well, giving you the sense of deep longing, lust and affection. Little things like him touching his ring finger to Percy's lips are so tender and secretive - I felt myself blush at that brief moment of contact. There's also a spectacular scene that takes place at the opera. I mean it, it's a beautiful, hold-your-breath scene! A lovely surprise that comes to light is his sister, Felicity who is forced to accompany them on their tour. Always underestimated or ignored by her family, she's the one who keeps things real. 

Sometimes the characters behaved so convincingly that I forgot that they're just teenagers.Yet they prove their mettle. Lee throws them into various situations from scandalous to perilous, and also introduces other themes relevant to this time period like prejudice, slavery, higher education and sexism, all of which play significant roles in their exploits. It's history come alive as she takes us on a jaunt through 18th century Europe, through the eyes of three different individuals whose personal stories colour their world views. 

I think I've made it clear that I can gush about GGVV all day. There's so much more I want to discuss but that would mean spoilery and I don't want to do that. Just know that an adventure awaits and you don't want to miss it! And you guys, Lee is working on a companion spin-off, The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. I'm ridiculously over the moon about this news!

~ Bel

Valentine (Brotherhood of Fallen Angels #1) by Heather Grothaus

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Introducing the Brotherhood of Fallen Angels—an epic new series set in the medieval Holy Land, where four heroic Crusaders find themselves caught in the crosshairs of revenge, devotion—and love…

He’s a man of passion and principle. But would he kill for his convictions? That’s the question that has Valentine Alesander fighting for his innocence. He’s been accused, along with three other Brothers, of orchestrating the horrific siege at the Christian fortification of Chastellet. Could this fatefully-named Crusader be a lover, a fighter, and a traitor? One woman from his past is about to find out.

Gorgeous, free-spirited Lady Mary Beckham has escaped her guardians in England to travel across the world—and find the notorious Valentine. Years ago, she was promised to him…and now she wants out of their marriage contract. Mary wants to wed another and requires Valentine’s blessing—until she discovers they share a tempestuous attraction. But with a vengeful band of sworn enemies at Valentine’s heels, is desire worth the risk of losing…everything?

I have a deep fondness for history but unfortunately, I don’t get to read too much of it because for me, it requires concentration and taking notes and research. Yes, folks, I am THAT particular when I read a history book. Coming across TheBrotherhood of Fallen Angels series allows me to dip my toes into a time period and region that I have always been fascinated about but without my usual seriousness.

Lady Mary Beckham is all that's left of her parents' legacy and they died during her infancy. She has been lovingly raised by her governess. She passes her days at her estate by dreaming up lives for the passerby outside her window. Now that she has come of age, she is to marry. Months before her nuptials she comes to learn that she has already been betrothed and will need to have that contract voided in order to marry her love. However, the man she was promised to is currently a criminal, evading his family and other parties who have much to gain from his demise. Mary has to go find him, bring him back to England so they can null their marriage contract. This is a risky undertaking on its own being that Mary has never traveled much beyond her village, let alone England.

With a price on his head, Valentine has had little choice but to go into hiding these past years as many believe him responsible for the siege and downfall of Chasellet where many lives were lost. Valentine wants to prove his innocence and bring the real traitors to justice but he has to be cautious. There’s more at stake that just his name. While in hiding, he has befriended a small circle of friends who know his story. Their tight bond is one of the few things in the world, besides his own instincts that he can trust.

I delighted in Mary and Valentine’s chemistry. When they first meet, Valentine is very much the charming, flirty rogue who enjoys a beautiful woman. He’s taken in by Mary's beauty and innocence. After spending time with her, he’s impressed by her courage and sass. Mary is not so easily dazzled by this Crusader’s rugged looks and womanizing ways, though she catches glimpses of the real him. The Valentine that cares about his family and friends, the one who would lay down his life for those he loves. Their high-stakes escapades unite them, forging a deep connection between them. I enjoyed how Grothaus described their sexual tension; how much of it was left to my imagination. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed.

Grothaus gave me all my loves in one: adventure, romance and intrigue, against one of the most fascinating historical backdrops. Valentine as the hero is educated, resourceful, shrewd, passionate and strong. He’s a man’s man. Mary is no dainty, helpless thing though. She’s equally smart and resourceful, developing a flare for adventure. I got exactly what I wanted and that was to be whisked away to some other time and place. Now I cannot wait to read, Adrian next. I mean, have you seen these covers?

~ Bel

Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle

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Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school’s staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.

Fellow cast member Stephen Langford has other plans for Miranda. When he stops out of the backstage shadows and asks if she’d like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he’s a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16^th century England – the world Stephen’s really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lose its greatest playwright.

Miranda isn’t convinced she’s the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help. Knowing that it’s her only chance of getting back to the present and her “real” life. What Miranda doesn’t bargain for is finding true love … with no acting required.

Who isn’t familiar with William Shakespeare? We all know that famous writer of epic love stories, comedies and drama. But ever wonder about what a young Will Shakespeare may have been like? Kissing Shakespeare, with its eyebrow-raising title and gorgeous cover, feeds that curiosity by using a little time travel magic and employing the services of a very capable young Shakespearean actress.

Stephen transports Miranda back in time to pose as his sister, Olivia, while they visit with his uncle’s family at Hoghton Tower. This is a very hazardous time in England’s history. Elizabeth I is on the throne and religious discord between the Catholics and Protestants is strife. The Protestants had endured horrific persecution under the reign Elizabeth I’s predecessor, Mary aka Bloody Mary. Now under Elizabeth, the pendulum has swung and it’s dangerous to be Catholic, so much so that they have to practice in secret.

And this is where we come across a young and impressionable Will Shakespeare who also happens to be staying at Houghton Tower. Will is seriously contemplating becoming a Jesuit in this tense political climate. Stephen cautions that this is a momentous decision: if Will chooses the religious life, our cultural landscape will be changed for good.  Miranda’s mission, should she choose to accept it, is to convince Will that his destiny is greater than this one religious cause. And Stephen encourages her to use any means necessary to convince him – yes, he actually expects Miranda to seduce Will.

It’s easy to succumb to this delightful story mainly because Miranda’s adjustment to the 16^th century is not quite as traumatic as you’d think. There are also misteps which make for comical moments e.g. when she has to come up with an explanation to give the maid as to why she has a bra which obviously has not been invented yet. After much goading from Stephen, she takes on her mission with zeal and even proves to be a bit of a sleuth herself.

Deception and intrigue abound in Kissing Shakespeare and the stakes are raised higher when Miranda receives cryptic messages. Someone knows the truth of who she is and this revelation could destroy everything, including her chance to go home. But what’s heartwarming is Miranda as she becomes involved and close to her “pretend” family. In the end, she wants very much to protect them especially when trouble comes knocking.

Truly Kissing Shakespeare is a gorgeous piece of work that just sweeps you away as you go through the pages. Miranda’s interaction with Will are tentative and innocent, much to Stephen’s dismay and as a result, Miranda’s annoyance. Dinner time becomes a moment to non-chalantly spy on their guests to discover their motives. And poor Miranda, her growing conflicting feelings for Will and Stephen only add to her confusion. But what I enjoyed most is that it fed my love of history. By setting the story in this fascinating and troubling time period, Mingle had plenty to work with to give it tension and substance. There’s that extra thrill when a character has to really watch their back and keep all eyes and ears open so that they don’t fall prey to someone else’s schemes.

Do read Kissing Shakespeare. It's a sweet little escape to a time and a place beyond the present. A little adventure wrapped in innocence and suspense unfolding in front of one of the greatest and most beloved figures in history.

~ Bel