A Vengeful Viscount by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book A Vengeful Viscount by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

“I’ve just made a deal with the devil…”

Nellie was the sort of good that other mothers like to use as an example. Not hers, of course.

But when an illness ravages her lungs and she’s not sure how she’ll ever lead a normal life, or how long she’ll even be alive, she decides it’s time to really live, her mother be damned. Or perhaps, that’s Nellie herself.

Because the moment Viscount Northville, enters her life, tempted doesn’t begin to describe how she feels. He is everything that Nellie is not. Older, mysterious, handsome as sin, and he hides the sorts of secrets that give her the chills.

Which makes him perfect. Why shouldn’t she taste what is deliciously dark and dangerous before she steps into the light?

But the problem with making a deal with the devil is that there is always a price to be paid.

The question is only how much…

This is book 9 in the Lords of Temptation series, but works well as a stand-alone read.

The continuity thread to the series is that Viscount Ran Northville is hot on the trail for capturing the criminal Lord Gyla, a thorn in his side for the last 10 years.

Meanwhile Gyla is pursuing a match with Lady Nellie Highgrove. Nellie has weak lungs and isn’t expected to live many more months and doesn’t wish to marry anyone, let alone the odious Lord Gyla.

When Northville spots Gyla with Nellie at a ball, Gyla immediately vanishes, so the next day Northville calls on Nellie and her mother in the hope of finding a clue to Gyla’s whereabouts.  Nellie seizes this opportunity to make a deal with the handsome Northville. Not only does attraction sizzle, but Northville offers advice for Nellie’s health.

So will Northville’s advice help? And what is the deal they have made? When will Gyla resurface? How dangerous is Gyla?

A Vengeful Viscount is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. Another nice light short romantic story from Tammy Andresen.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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The Viscount to Avoid by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Viscount to Avoid by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

What if this princess didn’t wish to leave her tower?

Fern liked being alone, tucked away from the rest of the world. People had a way of being so…disappointing.

But when a viscount knocks at her door, he makes her an offer she can hardly refuse. Help him gain revenge on her evil stepsister, the very one who chased her into the tower, and he’d give her the means to pursue any future Fern wished.

It was the perfect solution except for one detail. Leaving meant facing the demons of her past. And as attraction crackles between her and her new partner, the Viscount with a vendetta of his own, and a million reasons to double cross her, she has to decide, is the adventure worth the risk?

And what if all her reasons for hiding away from the world turned out to be exactly right?

There was only one way to find out.

This is the fourth title in the “All That Glitters” series, set in the Victorian era. Each book in this series, has been very loosely based on a well-known fairy tale and this time, the connection is to Rapunzel, due to Fern having chosen to live alone in a tower, on the edge of the family estate.

Lady Fern Cartwright is the sister of Ella, the heroine of book 2, The Earl who Escaped.

So the story begins with Fern’s brother-in-law Eric requesting she come back to the main house for a week, whilst they have a visitor staying, Ash, Viscount Cranston. Are Eric or Ella attempting to matchmake them?

Ash is the brother of Emily, the heroine of book 3, The Baron to Break and he has an ulterior motive for his visit. He is hoping to track down Melisandre, Fern and Ella’s nasty step-sister, for revenge.

Could Fern do with revenge on Melisandre too?

With all the links between characters, I do recommend that these books are read in order, although this title also works well as a stand-alone read.

The Viscount to Avoid is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. Plenty of intrigue, danger and attraction in this tale.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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Missing Before Daylight by Carolyn Arnold – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an ebook I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Missing Before Daylight by bestselling author Carolyn Arnold to review. To find out more about the author you may visit her website.

Here is the book blurb.

She wakes surrounded by an inky black darkness and can barely breathe. A sack is covering her head, and her hands are tied behind her back. She desperately tries to struggle free as she hears footsteps walking toward her. She silently starts to cry as a chilling voice whispers “It’s time to pay for what you did…”

When Detective Amanda Steele is called to the murder scene of a young gas station clerk just before dawn, she assumes it must be a robbery gone tragically wrong. But when she discovers nothing has been stolen, she knows the motive must be far more personal.

Watching the security footage, Amanda is shocked to witness the cold-blooded killer not only shoot the clerk dead but abduct a customer. And her heart stops when she recognizes the customer as her former colleague, Katherine Graves. As Amanda breaks the news to Katherine’s heartbroken Aunt May, she vows to do whatever it takes to bring her niece home alive.

Desperate for a lead, Amanda and her partner, Trent, search Katherine’s home. Soon, they discover that despite no longer being with the police department, Katherine has a long list of very dangerous enemies. Enemies who have been sending her anonymous letters promising revenge.

The more Amanda digs into Katherine’s past, the longer her list of suspects becomes. But when May is sent a ransom demand and a picture of Katherine close to death, Amanda knows time is running out. With only hours left to find Katherine alive, Amanda is prepared to risk everything to keep her promise to May, even her own life…

This is the tenth title in the Detective Amanda Steele series and here are the links to my reviews of the previous titles.
The Little Grave
Stolen Daughters
The Silent Witness
Black Orchid Girls
Her Frozen Cry
Last Seen Alive
Her Final Breath
Taken Girls
Her Last Words

I was pulled into this story immediately in the prologue, when a young girl, Leah working the night shift at the petrol station is shot dead. But it isn’t until Detective Amanda Steele watches the security video footage, that she realises what else we discovered in the prologue. That there was another customer there at the time, who the killer has abducted. And not just any customer, but  Amanda’s former superior officer, Katherine Graves, now retired from the force. This makes it very personal to Amanda. How will she break the news to Katherine’s aunt May, whom she knows well?

Too late for Leah, but can Amanda and partner Trent locate Katherine in time to rescue her before the killer acts again? Where are they both? What motivated the killer’s crimes? How have both the killer’s van and Katherine’s car vanished from the petrol station? Is there an accomplice? Can they track either Katherine’s car or phone?

As they search for clues in her personal and former professional live, it appears Katherine has multiple anonymous dangerous enemies? Why? What is in her past? What are the relevance of the mysterious items they find locked in Katherine’s desk at home?

And then whilst they are interviewing one suspect, May receives a ransom call!

Meanwhile Amanda is juggling her own personal life as the job takes priority right now. But the author cleverly intertwines titbits of that into the tale too.

Missing Before Daylight is available on Amazon. A thrilling compelling read indeed, with plenty of unanticipated twists and turns.

About the Detective Amanda Steele Series
Gritty. Raw. Unapologetic.

Immersive crime fiction for fans who love their mysteries set in a small town and hard-boiled to perfection. From the murder scene to the morgue, interrogation of suspects and following down leads, you’ll feel like you’re part of the investigation. Realistic and complex characters, accurate police procedures and forensics paired with tight, serious writing make these books read more like true crime than fiction. Meet Homicide Detective Amanda Steele with the Prince William County Police Department in Woodbridge, Virginia. She’s smart, motivated, and real. Her tragic past has her claiming to be no one’s mentor, but she’s more hero than she thinks.

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About the author

To keep current on author news, sign up for Carolyn Arnold’s newsletter here.
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

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I’m participating in the blog book tour. Do take time to browse round some of the other posts.

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A Masquerade with a Marquess by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book A Masquerade with a Marquess by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

She might be blind, but even she can SEE that he’s trouble.

The moment Mia’s fingers accidentally brush down Lord Kingsley’s rippling chest during a chance encounter at a masquerade ball, she knows that her life will never be the same. Because the passion that flares between them is hot enough to melt all her hesitation away.

He’s hell bent on revenge.

Until the broken little bird, Mia, lands in his path. But enemies take advantage of distraction and Mia is as stunning as she is passionate making her the worst kind.

And thanks to that one ill-fated evening, she is also now his wife.

And perhaps an agent of his enemy…

Is she part of the plot against him or in grave peril at his side? How far is he willing to go to protect the woman he never wanted but might just be the one person he can’t live without?

It’s time to find out…

This is book 8 in the Lords of Temptation series, but works well as a stand-alone read.

The story starts with Cade Kingsley being in a bit of bother, as his dubious-behaving uncle the Marquess of Kingsley has disappeared entirely. Is the Marquess dead or alive? Cade is heir to the title and has an investigator on the case. What can he find out without revealing his uncle’s shady dealings?

Cade has made his first visit to his Cumberland home and is organising a masked ball there to bait the Duke of Upton. Can he find any info from the Duke?

Meanwhile, Mia, daughter of Baron Blackstone hopes to meet the artistic Duchess of Upton at the ball. Mia is almost totally blind, but she sculpts.

But Cade and Mia’s paths cross by chance and circumstances force them into marriage. Who is on whose side?

I’ve read a lot of books from this author, but this is the first time, I recall her incorporating diversity into one of her stories. Historical romance is not a genre particularly renowned for being inclusive, so I felt this a refreshing read.

However it does need a bit more proof-reading as a minor character, the housekeeper is sometimes called Mrs Grafton and sometimes Mrs Reeves, the latter I believe being muddled with the butler Greeves.

A Masquerade with a Marquess is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. A nice light short romantic story from Tammy Andresen.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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Duties and Dreams by John A Heldt – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free copy of Duties and Dreams by John A Heldt. And to find out more about the author you may visit his website.

Here is the book blurb.

From the author of THE FOUNTAIN and ANNIE’S APPLE comes a story that spans decades of conflict and change.

As World War I rages in Europe, the Carpenters and the Lees make a home in Southern California. Bill and Cassie add to their family. Andy and Annie start one of their own. Paul, a bachelor, enters the world of business. All find peace in a turbulent time. Then draft notices arrive, illness strikes a child, and life for two intertwined families takes a troubling turn.

Thirty years later, Emilie Perot, a beautiful resistance fighter, and Steve and Shannon Taylor, an American couple with ties to Paul Carpenter, conspire to escape Nazi occupation. Each seeks freedom and a new life in France’s Vosges Mountains, home of a legendary fountain of youth that can restore health and send visitors through time.

As events unfold in the different eras, the participants march on. All are unaware of the forces that seem determined to throw them together.

In DUTIES AND DREAMS, the epic conclusion of the Second Chance trilogy, several young adults find love, heartbreak, and redemption in a world of war, pandemics, and social unrest.

This is third and final title in the Second Chance series. It is fine as a stand-alone read but far better in my opinion to read the whole series.

The story has two main threads to it, set in different eras and different locations, so I’m particularly glad that the author always includes the date and location at the beginning of the chapters.

So the story begins in California in March 1918, where for those who have read the earlier titles, we quickly get introduced to new young additions to the Carpenter and Lee families. Also having both previously left the military, Paul and Andy are drafted back into active service. Should they see what World War I has to throw at them or take their chances on the potential good/bad odds of time travel? And of course, not all the family are aware that they have time travellers in their midst.

Meanwhile we skip to the other thread set in France in April 1944 where we meet Shannon and Steve Taylor and Emilie Perot, who are planning to time travel together in a couple of months time. One new character and two familiar names from the previous book, but also facing wartime issues, this time during World War II. How will their plans pan out?

And why are there two threads? What could be the links?

Besides wartime dangers, we see health issues to contend with, other surprise characters and disappearances.

This is a fabulous story complete with twists, bringing a great series to its conclusion.

Once again the author is painstaking with his research for incorporating fact into the fiction.

Duties and Dreams is available on Amazon, in Kindle format and paperback. A fantastic time travel tale, which I highly recommend. Now to wait and see what this brilliant author’s next writing project might be.

Here are my reviews of books 1 and 2 in this series.
The Fountain
Annie’s Apple

And you may also be interested to see my reviews of some of John Heldt’s other titles.
Firstly all of The Carson Chronicles series.
River Rising
The Memory Tree
Indian Paintbrush
Caitlin’s Song
Camp Lake

Then all of the Time Box series.
The Lane Betrayal
The Fair
Sea Spray
The Refuge
Crown City

Plus some of his earlier titles.
The Mine
Indiana Belle
Hannah’s Moon

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A Deal with a Duke by Tammy Andresen – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book A Deal with a Duke by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

He’s a surly duke.
She’s a sensitive artist.

The two should never mix except he’s also…her brother’s best friend.

Which is the ONLY reason the Duke of Upton agrees to take Anna Smith away from London to protect the fragile beauty. If she had any idea the darkness he holds in his cold black heart, she’d surely run screaming from his country estate.

And that can’t happen because he’s not the biggest bad in the North of England. When the very villain who forced her to flee London finds her, Rath, beast of a man that he is, is the only one who can protect her.

To truly keep her safe, he has to keep her close. And soon it’s not fear that has her trembling in his arms, and his need to protect her has nothing to do with duty.

But his past is as much a danger as hers and soon he realizes that she isn’t just his
greatest temptation and his most important job.

She’s also….

His one weakness.

This is the seventh title in the Lords of Temptation series, but works well as a stand-alone read.

For those who have been following my reviews of titles in this series, you may recall that most of them feature one of the Smith family siblings as a main protagonist. This is no exception, starring 19 year old Anna Smith, the last unwed sibling, along with her brother’s best friend, Rath, the Duke of Upton.

Her eldest brother Ace, has requested that Rath escort Anna out of London, where she may be in danger of abduction from the gang who have been terrorising the family, to his country estate in Cumberland.

Anna hates the idea, as she wants to remain in London plus Rath, even though handsome, looks and sounds so scary. And Rath is none too pleased either about being lined up for “babysitting” duties. Her sister Mira and husband Boxby will accompany them.

No sooner is she in Rath’s carriage, than she tells him  in no uncertain terms, how much she hates him, and settles down to drawing to pass the time.

So many arguments. This is going to be a difficult journey. And are they heading to safety or jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

A Deal with a Duke is available on Amazon in both Kindle format and paperback. A delightful short romantic story from Tammy Andresen.

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About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.

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The Sisters by Ruth O’Neill – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an ebook I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Sisters by Ruth O’Neill to review. You may find out more about the author on her website.

Here is the book blurb.

In a web of deceit, escape is just the beginning.

Ava Cressman’s life takes a twisted turn after her divorce from Spencer. Seeking comfort, she falls into the arms of a mysterious man named Joel Carney, a former college acquaintance. However, when Joel meets Ava’s sister, Tanya, an unsettling connection sparks between them.
Tanya, seemingly innocent, invites Ava and her twin sister, Belle, on a secluded trip to a remote lodge. From the moment they arrive, an ominous atmosphere hangs in the air, hinting at a hidden darkness beneath the surface.
As shocking truths emerge, will Ava find a way to expose the tangled labyrinth of secrets before it’s too late?
The Sisters is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of manipulation, betrayal, and the darkest corners of the human mind. As Ava fights for her freedom and tries to untangle the lies, she also must face her own demons and find the strength to outsmart those who want to control her life.

The story starts with chapter 25, so we know we are going to revisit that scene in due course, which is a brief flashback 23 years to 2000 when Ava, the main character is scared alone in a forest.

In chapter 1 we are introduced to Ava and her older sister Tanya. Ava has another sister, Belle, her twin, but even though they are very close twins, Belle has a much smaller role in the story, whereas the interactions between Ava and Tanya are much more central. They all live in Bath, where Ava works as an estate agent.

So right at the beginning of the tale, Tanya announces that she has organised a 2 week holiday for the three of them in a remote lodge in Cumbria. Ava is reluctant but agrees. She is trying to move forward having just divorced Spencer, her ex-husband of 14 years, although they remain friends. But she does wish that Tanya wouldn’t interfere so much, like setting up a Facebook account for Ava. However Ava soon gets into the swing of Facebook and hooks up with an old college friend Joel via there.

The first half of the story  continues slowly mainly detailing Ava and Joel’s relationship, plus scenes with Tanya. Can she trust Tanya around Joel? And as we build up to the point 6 months or so later, when the sisters are about to head off the holiday, Joel asks Ava if he can come too. What should she say?

After a fun day travelling, the book takes on a different twist as the sisters arrive in Cumbria. After the slow lovey-dovey start to the tale, things get much darker as the psychological thriller takes centre stage. We are introduced to more characters. Who can be trusted? Who is brain-washed? Who is manipulating who?

At this point, I couldn’t put the book down. From a slow start, the pace was now intense. What would happen next? I certainly didn’t see the ending coming.

The Sisters is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats. A chilling dark must-read.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. You may see my review of her earlier title Circle of Betrayal here.

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Petteril’s Ladybird by Mary Lancaster – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of the book Petteril’s Ladybird by Mary Lancaster to review. You may find out more about the author on her website.

Here is the book blurb.

An earl’s son, shot in the home of his mistress…

Lord Petteril, with his redoubtable assistant April, is called back to London to help prove the innocence of his friend, Percy Austen, who is suspected of murder.

Percy was once the lover of the victim’s mistress, and his pistol was found at the scene of the crime. However, there is an embarrassment of other suspects, all of whom seem to have a tangled relationship to each other as well as to the dead man. And more than one is connected to April’s past.

As Petteril and April investigate among the aristocracy of Mayfair and the villains of St. Giles, their relationship reaches an unexpected crisis of its own. Is their friendship strong enough to withstand honour as well as convention? Or will this mystery part them for good?

This is the third title in the Lord Petteril Mysteries series.

The story starts with Lord Petteril and his assistant April returning to London to investigate the murder of Barret Bootle. Petteril’s friend Percy Austen who has no alibi, has been accused of the crime. His pistol was found at the scene which occurred in Mrs Eastleigh’s house.

Mrs Eastleigh was the victim’s mistress, but prior to that was Percy’s mistress. April gets a surprise when she meets Mrs Eastleigh and recognises her as an old friend from her past in St Giles.

Petteril and April discover a number of potential suspects but they all seem to have alibis. Who is the murderer?

Meanwhile the relationship between Petteril and April is gradually changing too.

The story worked fine as a stand-alone read but I definitely recommend reading all the titles in order. And I do hope there will be another title in this series.

Petteril’s Ladybird is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle format.  A great whodunnit.

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About the author

Mary Lancaster lives in Scotland with her husband, three mostly grown-up kids and a small, crazy dog.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.

Her most recent books are light, fun Regency romances written for Dragonblade Publishing: The Imperial Season series set at the Congress of Vienna; and the popular Blackhaven Brides series, which is set in a fashionable English spa town frequented by the great and the bad of Regency society.

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A Hero Returns by Nikk’s Micheal – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free advance e-copy of A Hero Returns by Nikk’s Micheal to review. You may find out more about the author on her website.

Here is the book blurb.

In the smoldering ruins of war, a forbidden love rises from the ashes

London, 1942: As the German bombs rain down, nurse Elizabeth Bradford does her duties tending the wounded at St. Thomas Hospital. But among the chaotic sea of injured soldiers, one man stands out – an enigmatic American, Captain Jack Sawyer. Though from different worlds, Elizabeth finds herself drawn to Jack’s quiet strength and sense of honor.

Jack harbors secrets of his own. As a special operative for the OSS, his mission in London is shrouded in mystery. Elizabeth alone seems to see beyond his stoic facade to the tortured soul within. As the threat of invasion looms, a reckless love affair begins between these unlikely allies, one that could end them both if discovered.

But when Jack vanishes without a trace, pulled back into the shadowy underground war, Elizabeth will stop at nothing to find him. Her search takes her deep into a shadow world of spies, secrets and betrayal that even Jack doesn’t fully understand. What dark secrets is he hiding, and what new dangers could destroy their forbidden love?

Set against the epic canvas of World War II, Jack and Elizabeth’s passionate story will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Rich with historical detail, intrigue, adventure, warming, cold, heart and an epic love you won’t soon forget, this is one book you don’t want to miss. Get swept away to wartime London today in this thrilling new romance.

The story begins by introducing us to Elizabeth, a nurse in wartime London and Jack, an army captain. Their paths first cross when Jack escorts some civilians to the bombed hospital where Elizabeth still cares for patients. And again with Jack as a patient due to shrapnel in his leg. There is a bond between them which continues on Jack’s next leave and beyond.

We focus on their relationship both when they are together and apart, as they write letters.

However whilst reading it, I did feel confused as to what era the book was set in, since I hadn’t seen the blurb at that point. On the one hand with bombs and sirens, it seemed as if it were the first world war, but the cover image looks more 19th century, plus there are references to carriages which I would have thought, would have started to be superceded by motorised vehicles in the military during the first world war.

It wasn’t until I received the blurb afterwards, that I discovered it was actually set during the second world war. And the blurb introduces other elements that I hadn’t picked up on whilst I was reading. Firstly I didn’t realise Jack was American and secondly Elizabeth’s search deep into a shadow world of spies, secrets and betrayal didn’t come across to me.

Also I feel that the story timeline needs some more proof-reading, For instance in chapter two, Jack leads the civilians to the hospital “he had passed earlier”, a few pages before he first sees the hospital. This is just one of several instances that I got confused over the timing, again during whether they were together or writing letters.

Another confusion for me was Jack’s rank. Sometimes he was referred to as Captain, but at other points he reported to a Captain.

A Hero Returns is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. A sweet tale, although the ending did feel rather abrupt.

The author has advised me that proof-reading and updates have been done subsequent to the advance copy I read prior to publication, so hopefully the points that confused me will now be clearer.

I’ve also recently read a couple of other titles by Nikk’s Micheal, so I’ll share a few thoughts on those with you too. These are both from The Love Chronicles series.

Love in the Air (Book 2 of The Love Chronicles)

Eternity is nothing without Love…
Meet Ray Morales, the billionaire who solely devotes his time and energy to work. He lives by the motto that time is money after all.
The two-day flight delay was supposed to be a nightmare for billionaire CEO, Ray Morales, But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise when he met the voluptuous and vibrant flight attendant, Rachel Hodges. Their chance encounter quickly turned into a passionate affair as they explored the depths of each other’s desires. But with their vastly different worlds and obligations, can their love survive outside of the airplane cabin? As they navigate the turbulent skies of family, career, and personal demons, one thing is for sure: Eternity is nothing without Love. Get ready to soar to new heights with this

Love in the City (Book 5 of The Love Chronicles)

Incredible passionate

In “The Play Boy’s Romance,” readers are transported into the life of Freddie Cobbett, a charming and handsome playboy who has never had trouble attracting women. He lives in a luxurious apartment in the heart of New York City, surrounded by all the trappings of success. However, despite his seemingly perfect life, Freddie Cobbett feels unfulfilled and yearns for something more.

Meet Felicia Daniel, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who works in the same building as Freddie Cobbett. Despite their vastly different lifestyles and personalities.

When playboy Freddie Cobbett meets the beautiful and intelligent Felicia, he is determined to prove that his charms go beyond the superficial. Set in the glamorous city of New York, “The Play Boy’s Romance” is a heart-warming and humorous tale of love and redemption that will have readers laughing, and rooting for Freddie and Felicia’s success. Will Freddie be able to overcome the obstacles in their path and prove to Felicia that he is capable of true love? Read this romantic comedy to find out!

I enjoyed both of these tales. The portrayals incorporating jealousies and back-stabbing along with the main romance are great.

Love in the Air. I did find the chapters with Jack seemed disjointed from the rest of the book. Also I found the flow of the story a bit confusing as regards Daniel when Alice discovers his plot and then subsequently he seemed to be all Mr nice guy at the wedding. It just felt a bit back to front in order.

Love in the City. Again I had a little bit of difficulty with the story flow line like exchanging phone numbers seemed a little late. Also some of the words run together at start of chapters, so needs some proofing in that regard.

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Under the Harvest Moon anthology – book review

Disclosure.  This post is a review of an e-book I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.

I have received a free e-copy of Under the Harvest Moon to review.

Here is the book blurb.

As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.

But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.

With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.

Nine award winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.

Moonlight Wishes and Midnight Kisses by Collette Cameron
A scarred veteran with no future, Courtland Marlow-Westbrook wants to be left alone. Scottish heiress Avery Levingtone never stopped loving him and is determined to win his love again. Will these former sweethearts find happiness together, or will the wounds of the past keep them apart?

The Morning Light by Caroline Warfield
Adam Wagner is meant to save lives, not take them. He is haunted by Waterloo. The horror of it keeps him from those he loves. Meg Barlow doesn’t understand how Adam could turn his back on her so thoroughly, but she isn’t about to let him get away with it.

A Harvest Blessing by Rue Allen
All the battles are over, or are they? When Captain Thom Owen is forced into a false engagement, he must escort his pseudo-fiancée home to meet his father. Can an English vicar’s son and a French Comte’s daughter find love despite their differences?

Coming Home by Mary Lancaster
Old memories, new love
Home from Waterloo, Captain David Buckley contemplates settling down near his home town of Reabridge—only it is full of painful memories. The mysterious Lady Lorna falls literally into his arms, and he begin to understand the true meaning of love and home.

Under the Champagne Moon by Alina K Field
Fleur Hardouin’s heart longs for Captain Gareth Ardleigh, but she needs an advantageous marriage.
Gareth has promised to find Fleur—on behalf of another man.
Now he must choose between honoring a promise and trying to win the hand of the woman he loves.

A Quiet Heart by Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Widowed at Waterloo, where she also nursed the wounded, Veronica Petersham promised a dying man to bring his effects to a family in Reabridge. She falls ill just short of her goal, in the milking shed of kind and stoic Martin Bromelton.
Perhaps there is hope for the future after all and the opportunity to find love once more.

A Love Beyond Time by Sherry Ewing
Eight years ago, Hannah Pownall had her heart broken by a young lord.
Captain Brandon Worthington returns to the town of Reabridge to recover from the war and finds the girl he once loved still unwed. Can love at first sight be reborn after heartbreak, proving a second chance is all you need?

The Widow’s Harvest Hope by Cerise DeLand
The new Earl Barlow returns home from Waterloo, intending to live by his own rules. The woman he loved and lost years ago visits for the Harvest festival—and he plans to offer Vicky Wright what they both want. Can a lady who has lived by the rules throw them all away to seize her last chance for happiness?

Love In Its Season by Jude Knight
The Battle of Waterloo lost Jack Wrath the use of one arm and ended his career in the cavalry. He has no place to go and nothing to offer. Gwen Hughes has a business to run and no time for romance. Under the harvest moon, two people who believe romance has passed them finally reach their season for love.

This book contains nine stories by nine authors, of whom Mary Lancaster is the only one I have previously read any other titles. This group of authors are known as the Bluestocking Belles and have collaborated together on other collections too.

All the stories are set around harvest time in the village of Reabridge, Cheshire in 1815 and the storylines are interlinked with the characters appearing in multiple tales. However each author has been assigned a different pair of main protagonists.

I take my hat off to whoever coordinated this collection as it works perfectly, and the different writing styles all complement each other. The running theme throughout is to feature characters who have returned from the battle of Waterloo.

It also incorporates an air of mystery regarding the parentage of an orphaned toddler. Will they find out who were Sam’s parents, in order to identify other relatives?

There was one author whose style didn’t really work for me, but this didn’t put me off as I was hooked into the book by then, raring to read each tale.

Under the Harvest Moon is available on Amazon. This is a brilliant collection of interlinked romantic reads. And it is a great way of introducing you to new authors.

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