My Duke’s Desire by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book My Duke’s Desire by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Lady Violette knew two things for certain. She must make an advantageous match to save her family and the lord who agreed would be less than desirable. It didn’t matter that she wished to sail off on a great adventure. It wasn’t her choice to make.

His Grace, The Duke of Waverly, had no intention marrying, no matter what his mother expected. That was one of the few advantages of being a duke and he’d sailed back from Barbados to inform her. On his journey home, however, a beautifully proper lady rescues him when his horse is injured. He can’t help but notice that Lady Violette is in need of rescuing herself. Much as she tempts him, he can’t be the man that saves her.

This is the fourth book in the Wicked Lords of London series. I’ve enjoyed all the previous titles so was looking forward to reading this one.

The story starts with Theo, the Duke of Waverly reluctantly arriving back in London from Barbados. He takes a horse for the 2-day ride to his country estate where his mother is waiting to introduce him to a prospective bride, something he does not wish for. But his horse hurts a leg in the rain. Luckily a carriage, bearing Lady Bradford and her daughter Lady Violette Chase, stops to transport him to the next town. Noticing that they appear short of money, he introduces himself as Mr Theodore Riley, hiding the fact that he is a duke. And they share dinner at the inn, where there is a spark of interest between Theo and Violette, before going their separate ways the next day.

However, surprise surprise it is Violette whom his mother has lined up. Before coming face-to-face with the duke, she overhears him tell his family that they are trying to force him into marriage against his wishes. He apologises and Violette admits her family’s need for her to marry someone rich.

Are they right for each other or not? Can they reach an agreement?

My Duke’s Desire is available on Amazon, currently priced at £2.27 in Kindle format. Another nice short romantic story, when you want something light to read. And it is fine as a stand-alone read.

Here are the links to my reviews of the previous titles in The Wicked Lords of London series.
My Duke’s Seduction
My Duke’s Deception
My Earl’s Entrapment

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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.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

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Berkley, A Nose Tail by David Hillman

Although son2 is very advanced with his reading, he also still loves his picture books. So he was pleased when we were offered the chance to review ‘Berkley, A Nose Tail’ by David Hillman for free. You can find out more about the author on his website.

Here is the book blurb.

A little bit about Berkley…
Berkley has a huge nose and is always sticking it where it doesn’t belong, always getting into trouble.
Can Berkley ever find a way to put his super sniffer to good use?
This is a fun and funny story of how being a little bit different can be an asset, not a disadvantage.

This is what son2 had to say about the book.

I liked Berkley (Not Barkley) because at the end Jeremy tells Berkley – Not Barkley – that they can help more often but Berkley, Not Barkley, is too busy smelling stinky socks!

Let me first explain why son2 keeps referring to the dog as being Berkley (Not Barkley). This was due to me saying that Berkley was an excellent name for a dog, due to the fact that dogs bark. However son2 refused to accept my suggested pronounciation and said that would be spelt Barkley.He pronounces Berkley in the way that berk would rhyme with perk and not park.

This book has been both written and beautifully illustrated by David Hillman. The lovely colourful pictures are just great for small children listening to the story being read and with 34 pages, it is also ideal as an early reader too.

Berkley has the biggest nose ever, so he is always chasing after smells and getting into trouble. But then we hear how he puts his nose to good use. And of course he gets a special smelly reward.

Berkley, A Nose Tail is newly published today and is available on Amazon currently at £12.95 in paperback. This is a delightful picture book.

I’d love to hear about your child’s favourite books.

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

Quick Fix by J. Gregory Smith

I have received a free e-copy of the book Quick Fix by J. Gregory Smith to review. You may find out more about the author on his Amazon page.

Here is the book blurb.

Military contractor Kyle Logan’s luck has gone from bad to worse ever since he returned home to Philadelphia following an injury by an IED in Iraq. First, his marriage crumbles, then his career after he’s pushed to the brink and assaults his wife’s lover, who is also her divorce attorney. When Kyle’s shady best friend turns up and offers him a “once in a lifetime” chance to regain his job and his life, all for just a couple night’s work, Kyle figures he’s got nothing to lose. The police, Philly Irish Mob and a couple of drug cartels all think otherwise. Now forced to fight for his life, and those around him, Kyle must turn to allies from his old neighborhood in a desperate effort to stay alive and out of prison. Quick Fix is one man’s fall into a world of unintended consequences that seeks to tread the razor-thin lines between right and wrong, loyalty and treachery.

This story starts in Fishtown, Philadelphia with Kyle being served his divorce papers in the bar. He sees red and punches Fenster, his ex-wife Beth’s lawyer boyfriend, but with an assault charge against him, he then loses his job too.

A week later, Kyle’s shifty best friend Ryan turns up with a proposal to rob three statues from a police station and replace them with fakes. Ryan wants Kyle to be the driver for a $50k cut plus the promise of pulling strings to get the assault charge dropped. Then part two of the plan will be to sell the statues for a cool $2m.

What could go wrong? Plenty! And lots more characters still to be introduced.

However I do find jargon somewhat off-putting. What with IED in the blurb and then KOed and POed in chapter 1, I was in two minds whether I wished to carry on reading. But certainly glad I did.

Quick Fix is available on Amazon, currently priced at £10.57 in paperback and is also available in Kindle format. A great crime read.

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

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Scottish Devil by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book Scottish Devil by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

One family united by loss, driven to find love…

Known as the devil, Stone Sinclair, Earl of Alban, is carved of rock, hard and uncompromising. He bends for no man. A fiery lass with golden hair and a will as strong as his own? Surrender has never sounded sweeter.

Eliza McLaren detests all lairds. They are selfish, self-serving, arrogant men who only care for themselves and build their fortunes on the backs of their people. And Lord Stone Alban is the worst of the lot. When her father attempts to make a match between them, Eliza pledges to never give herself to a man like Stone, no matter how tempting his lips or how strong his arms. He isn’t the only one carved of stone.

After the death of their parents, six siblings unite around their eldest brother, Stone. They consider blood a binding oath and vow to protect one another. They all must face their own demons as they find love and their places in the world.

This is the first story in the Brethren of Stone series of which I have previously read the prequel, The Duke’s Scottish Lass. It is set in the Scottish highlands in 1780.

It starts with Stone Sinclair and his siblings at their parents funeral, who died trying to rescue miners from a collapse at the mine. Stone is now the new lord of Alban. He welcomes the family solicitor Allister McLaren and his daughter Eliza, who have arrived from Perth just too late for the burial, having had their own bereavement. However Eliza has been listening to rumour and thinks of Stone as the devil and tells her father so. She assumes Stone only cares for himself and not his tenants.

Stone of course, has heard all the rumours and feels deeply hurt about being labelled as the devil by the rumour-mongers. Meanwhile Eliza starts to get to know Stone and realises how she was mistaken as she observes him providing financial aid to the widows of the dead miners.

Will Eliza’s words come back to haunt her?

Scottish Devil is available on Amazon, currently priced at £3.08 in Kindle format. Yet again, Tammy has delivered a nice short romantic story, ideal when you want a light read between thrillers.

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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.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

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The Rufford Rose by Margaret Lambert

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Rufford Rose by Margaret Lambert to review.

Here is the book blurb.

When gifted young woodcarver Cuthbert Watts is sent to assist in the building of a new hall in Lancashire in 1530 little does he realise what difficulties lie ahead. The Master builder, Abel, resents his presence, refusing to see his work whilst Abel’s apprentice, Will is a lazy, jealous young man who thwarts Cuthbert at every turn. Supported by his fellow workers Cuthbert perseveres and after saving his life, befriends the young son of the owner, another reason for Abel to hate him. What is the reason behind this animosity? What great secret dominates Abel and Will’s life to the extent that lives are threatened, jealousies grow and violence, arson, kidnap and murder are committed?

Set in the Lancashire countryside in the 16th century this is a story which combines the practical difficulties of building a Tudor Hall with the loves and jealousies of those involved. When will Abel realise the value of Cuthbert’s work, when will Will realise he is not who he believes he is and can Cuthbert win the heart of the girl he loves. Follow Cuthbert through the trials and challenges of his new life and discover whether the hall can finally be completed.

This book is set in Lancashire back in the 1500s. For the first few chapters, the storyline runs in parallel setting the scenes introducing us to the Hesketh family and to Cuthbert, a gifted carpenter. We get to understand why the new Lord Hesketh has commissioned his new home to be built at Rufford. And we follow Cuthbert’s path from Chester, via Whalley Abbey to Rufford.

There at Rufford, the main body of the story takes place, as Rufford Hall is being built. Abel the master builder is resentful of having Cuthbert foisted onto him by Lord Derby. Meanwhile Will, Abel’s lazy apprentice starts by playing petty tricks on Cuthbert, but this spirals out of control. However Cuthbert becomes great friends with everyone else and manages to continue his wood carving. How will it all progress?

I could tell that the author had invested huge effort in the research of Tudor building methods. It was all so detailed and vividly brought the story to life for me. In comparison, I was surprised that we were told Thomas Hesketh had divorced his first wife. I may be wrong but I thought divorce wasn’t invented until Henry VIII wanted a way to get rid of Catherine of Aragon.

Reading about Cuthbert’s time at Whalley Abbey brought back memories from many years ago of visiting the ruins. So of course, I had to look up Rufford and I’ve found that Rufford Old Hall is now in the care of the National Trust. I definitely plan to visit whenever I’m next in that area of the country.

This book is available on Amazon currently priced at £9.99 in paperback and is also available in Kindle format. A fascinating read. Highly recommended.

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

The Duke’s Scottish Lass by Tammy Andresen

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Duke’s Scottish Lass by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Lady Delia Alban absolutely cannot marry the handsome rake, Roderick Maddox, fourth Duke of Manchester, despite her brother Stone’s insistence she do just that. Though he has long reformed his ways, he steals her breath away every time their eyes meet and she simply doesn’t deserve that kind of happiness. Not after the death of her brother, Reginald. She must pay penance, because, if not for her, he would still be alive.

Roderick Maddox, has known for years he would marry Delia. Before Reginald’s death, he made a promise to his friend, not only would he care for Reginald’s sister, but he would reform himself into the type of man Delia deserved. He never expected Delia to ignite such passion or to be so resistant to him. Nor did he realize he held the secret about Reginald’s death that could crush their budding feelings forever.

Six siblings unite after the death of their parents around their eldest brother, Stone. They consider blood to be a binding oath and vow to protect one another. They all must face their own demons as they find love and their places in the world.

This story was formerly published as Taming a Lady Wolf. Delia’s brother’s decided their stories needed to be told as well. This is now the prequel novella to the series, Brethren of Stone.

This book is set in 1795 with a prologue back in 1790 when Roderick, Duke of Manchester catches 13 year old Lady Delia Alban on his ship as she jumps from a crumbling cliff face. However, her brother Reginald, Roderick’s best friend dies that day falling onto the rocks below. Five years later, Roderick returns with the intention of marrying Lady Delia, but she has no intention of marrying someone so handsome. Nor does she know that, he was her rescuer that fateful day, for which she blames herself for Reginald’s death.

But when another suitor, the undesirable Earl of Sunderland turns up, will the tables turn? And was Delia really to blame for Reginald’s death?

The Duke’s Scottish Lass is available on Amazon, currently priced at 99p in Kindle format. This is a nice short romantic story, when you want a light read. I always look forward to reading Tammy’s books interspersed between something heavier.

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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.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

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Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone by Kate Wiseman – book review and giveaway

Regular followers of my blog may remember that son1 recently reviewed Gangster School and loved it. I have now received a free copy of the second book Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone by Kate Wiseman for him to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Trouble is brewing at Blaggard’s School for Tomorrow’s Tyrants. Sir Byron’s Brain, a priceless legendary diamond, has gone missing. If it leaves the school grounds, Blaggard’s will be destroyed forever and the head teacher obliterated! Could the evil Brotherhood of Brimstone – an ancient secret society – have anything to do with it? Best friends Milly and Charlie embark on an adventure to find out. They discover a web of evil plots involving Gruffles, Charlie’s stinky dog, and Wolfie, the robot dog turned invisible superhero. On top of this, Blaggard’s is expecting a school inspection from the mysterious Dr X – Chief Inspector of Criminal Schools. He could turn up at any time, and no one knows what he looks like. Time is running out for Milly and Charlie. Will Dr X appear? And can our heroes defeat the evil Brotherhood, rescue their canine companions and save the day? The rollicking second instalment in Kate Wiseman’s Gangster School series.

This is what son1 had to say about the book.

I thought Gangster School: Brotherhood of Brimstone was good because it was exciting and adventurous. I rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A bit of background for those of you who haven’t seen our previous review of book 1. This series is set in Blaggards, a boarding school for children of criminals, where the uniform is a mask and stripy top. The teachers are master criminals, lessons are in subjects like fabrication and thievery and the houses are named after famous criminals.

Am I allowed to admit that I too was really looking forward to reading this children’s book. I’m hooked on this series just like I was with Harry Potter. It is set only 2 months after book 1, so allowing plenty of scope for future titles.

Book 2 starts with our heroes Millie and Charlie breaking into the headmistress’s safe to check that Sir Byron’s brain has really vanished. It must be still somewhere within Blaggards, as there is a curse that the school will immediately collapse and the head teacher die, if the brain leaves Blaggards. Can they come up with a plan to find the brain, a priceless diamond.

Meanwhile the school is getting geared up for Founders Day and awaiting a surprise visit from Doctor X, the mysterious Chief Inspector of Criminal Schools. Also there is a new teacher of Criminal Disguise and Deception.

Who has the brain? Where is it hidden? What will ensue?

Gangster School – The Brotherhood of Brimstone, newly published today, is available on Amazon, currently priced at £6.99 in paperback. Another fantastic children’s book, which certainly was up to expectation. Son1 may have said 4*, but definitely 5* in my opinion.

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of this book to 1 lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

The Colonel and the Bee by Patrick Canning

I have received a free e-copy of the book The Colonel and the Bee by Patrick Canning to review. For more information on the author, you may see his website.

Here is the book blurb.

A peculiar explorer and downtrodden acrobat span the globe on a building-sized hot air balloon, in search of a precious artifact and the murderous treasure hunter who seeks it.

Beatrix, a spirited but abused acrobat in a traveling circus, seeks more than her prison-like employment offers. More than anything, she wants to know her place in the world of the halcyon 19th century, a time when the last dark corners of the map were being sketched out and travel still possessed a kind of magic.

One night in Switzerland, the mysterious Colonel James Bacchus attends Beatrix’s show. This larger-than-life English gentleman, reputed to have a voracious appetite for female conquests, is most notable for traveling the world in a four-story hot air balloon called The Ox.

Beatrix flees that night to join the Colonel, and the two of them make a narrow escape—Beatrix from her abusive ringleader, the Colonel from a freshly-made cuckold. Beatrix, feeling the Colonel may have the answers to her problems, pledges to help him catch the criminal he seeks in exchange for passage on his magnificent balloon.

The criminal seeks a precious figurine, The Blue Star Sphinx, but he’s not alone. The Sphinx’s immense value has also drawn the attention of the world’s most deadly treasure hunters. A murder in Antwerp begins a path of mystery that leads all the way to the most isolated island on Earth.

What dangers await the Colonel and the acrobat?

Well this is certainly a unique storyline like no other. The book starts in 19th century Switzerland where “The Amazing Beatrix” is an acrobat in Ziro’s touring circus. After the performance in the Big Top, Ziro takes her to perform at a private dinner at Chartish Manor. Here she meets the Colonel James Bacchus, a jolly character with flowers in his hat, who travels the world in a multi-storey hot air balloon. My mind boggled at how many rooms were under this colossal balloon.

Beatrix makes up her mind to escape the circus from Ziro’s whippings and flees with the Colonel in his balloon, who is also running from an enraged Lord Chartish, having just slept with his wife. But he only permits her to stay one night, as he is on a mission to find a dangerous criminal. Bee persuades him that she can help.

From Switzerland, they follow a lead to Antwerp, where they meet the Colonel’s friends, Thelma and George, but too late. They find a murdered man and a clue. The trail leads through Spain, Gibraltar, Britain, Africa and on and on, meeting friends, foes and treasure hunters along the way. What will the outcome be?

I salute this author for his inspired creativity with this storyline. So far-fetched that this book stands in a genre of its own. I wasn’t sure what to think when I first read the blurb, but I definitely liked it.

The Colonel and the Bee is available on Amazon, currently priced at £12.95 in paperback or £3.99 in Kindle format. A fantastical adventure.

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

Initiated to Kill by Sharlene Almond – Book review and giveaway

I have received a free e-copy of the book Initiated to Kill by Sharlene Almond to review. For more information on the author, you may see her website.

Here is the book blurb.

Two men from two different generations, both initiated into a powerful organization that throughout history has sought control and uses their power for destruction. They leave behind a wake of murder, manipulation and ancient secrets. The first man wreaks havoc in and around the Whitechapel district of London, England in the 19th century. While the other stalks his victims in the cosmopolitan city of Seville, Spain in the 21st century; knowing that only he could uncover the true motives of one of the world’s most infamous serial killers—Jack the Ripper.

Most of the story takes place in Seville in 2010 but it also includes flashbacks to Annabella’s childhood and to earlier incidents featuring the bad guys. Plus the tale of Jack the Ripper is another main element and Freemasonary plays a part too.

Annabella is deaf due to a childhood injury, but she is able to read body and facial expressions. Her flatmate Celestina is the first girl to disappear, which she reports to the police.

Meanwhile the police start receiving anonymous gruesome packages. Detective Valero is called back in from sabbatical leave to work on the case with Detective Rivero. As more girls disappear, the link appears to be that they all attend Seville University. The detectives call upon Annabella’s skills in reading people and hide her behind the glass when interviewing their first suspect.

Lots of twists to come in this story.

Although I’m a huge thriller fan, I did find this one rather too graphic, in its descriptions of dismembering victims’ organs.

After finishing reading the book, I did feel compelled to look up the tale of Jack The Ripper and I saw that the name mentioned in this story was one of the possible suspects for the unidentified serial killer.

Initiated To Kill is available on Amazon, currently priced at £11.18 in paperback or £2.99 in Kindle format. A thrilling mysterious read with an interesting weaving of the storylines.

This book is recommended for adult readers only, due to its graphic content.

Plus I’m hosting a rafflecopter competition to giveaway a paperback copy of this book to 1 lucky winner, who may choose whether they wish for their prize to be signed by the author or not.

a Rafflecopter giveaway – Please click on the link to enter.

And you may see my other giveaways here.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

My Earl’s Entrapment by Tammy Andersen

I have received a free e-copy of the book My Earl’s Entrapment by Tammy Andresen to review.

Here is the book blurb.

Lord William Addington has been forced into retirement as one of the Prince Regent’s domestic spies. But he still has one case to solve while attending a house party when an adorably feisty lady enters his room in the middle of the night. He now has another delicious mystery on his hands. Why is Lady Roselyn Pennington snooping about?

This is the third book in the Wicked Lords of London series. You may see my reviews of the first two titles here and here.

The book begins when ex-spy for the Prince Regent, Lord William Addington is disturbed in his room, by someone picking the lock. He is sitting in a dark corner, so remains hidden and observes a young lady enter and start searching amongst his possessions. When he speaks, she is startled and drops the candle, setting her skirt alight. Lord William is quick to put out the fire before asking what she was doing.

Lady Rose wasn’t about to admit that she believed him a thief and that she was searching for her mother’s jewels, so she makes up an excuse. But Will is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, plus there is definitely an attraction between them.

My Earl’s Entrapment is available on Amazon, currently priced at £2.14 in Kindle format. This is a nice short romantic story, when you want something light to read.

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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.

Visit Yet Another Blogging Mummy on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

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

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