Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love #1) by Callie Hutton

Title: Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love #1)
Author: Callie Hutton
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 214, Kindle Edition
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Release Date: October 17th 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Vashti

Richard, Marquess of Devon is satisfied with his ton marriage. His wife of five months, Lady Eugenia Devon, thought she was, too, until she found the book. Their marriage is one of respect and affection, with no messy entanglements such as love. Devon’s upbringing impressed upon him that gentlemen slake their baser needs on a mistress, not their gently bred wives. However, once married, he was no longer comfortable bedding a woman other Eugenia. When
she stumbles onto a naughty book, she begins a campaign to change the rules.

Lady Eugenia wants her very proper husband to fall in love with her. But her much changed and undeniably wicked behavior might inadvertently drive her confused husband to ponder the unthinkable—his perfect Lady has taken a lover. But the only man Eugenia only wants is her husband. The book can bring sizzling desire to the marriage or it might cause an explosion.

I  enjoyed reading "Seducing the Marquess".  It was a light, easy, and funny read. Devon and Eugenia were such a sweet couple. No over the top drama, or gut-wrenching situations, just a fun read.

The seduction in thus case, however, comes after the marriage, not before, and unlike the description says, Eugenia's behavior is not really wicked, it is just out of the norm for her.

Devon goals upon seeking a wife were simple. He could count on her to always do the right thing, could handle every issue that came up in his household without troubling him, and was both gracious and beautiful. No hint of scandal has ever been, nor would ever become, associated with her name.  Devon had wanted Eugenia since he first laid eyes on her, even though she had been dubbed by the ton "The Ice Queen".  However, after 5 months of marriage where everything had been perfect, he was now experiencing a sense of restlessness, wishing they had more to say to each other.

Eugenia, heaven forbid, actually fell in love with Devon even before they were wed. Not good "ton" of course, but after 5 months of marriage, she wants a husband who will love her. She doesn't want a traditional "Society" marriage. She wants a marriage of mutual love, and wants Devon out of the bed of his mistress and in hers every night. And now that his mistress, Margaret, was killed in a carriage accident, Eugenia was ready to make sure he never went to another mistress again. And so the story goes.

Both Devin and Eugenia are brought up by very strict, opinionated  parents. Devon's father heartily drilled into him over and over since his youth, "That a wife is a special person with tender sensibilities. You must not upset her by treating her like a light skirt. Protect your wife, show her the proper respect and slake your lust on a mistress" and so Devon only visits his wife's bed 3 times a week, just in an attempt to get her pregnant, and always in the dark, devoid of desire and passion.

Eugenia on the other hand, was taught by her mother that on your wedding night to  lie still, think of redecorating, or new gowns, and soon it will be all over. Your husband will be pleased and you have done your duty. A lady never shows emotion.

Now Eugenia armed with the book she accidentally fell upon in the library, "Secrets of the Bedchamber" feels she now has a plan and holds in her hand a book that would show her the mysteries of desire and passion that she always assumed kept her husband visiting his mistress.

The story that follows is one that is filled with mass confusion, primarily on the part of Devon, and misunderstanding on the part of Eugenia. There are several funny scenes and the dialogue between Devon and Eugenia is really sweet. Both are completely misguided in their opinions of one another, but I love the interaction and play between them. This book could make a great romantic comedy.  However...There was a lot of unnecessary repetition, that got boring pretty quick.  Reading about Devon's upbringing and his father's beliefs on how a husband is to treat his wife was fine the first 2 times. 15 is really Overkill! I felt like maybe the author was just trying to fill up the pages by adding more words.  Devon's misunderstanding and how he treats his wife, in my opinion. was a little mean at times, and I really can not fathom any man walking out on a half naked, in your lap, ready, and more than willing women! Especially after he himself is all fired up and ready to go.  I'm sorry I just don't know any man that has that kind of strength against his own wife!

Overall I enjoyed the story. Unlike the cover, and even the title would suggest, there is not a lot of heavy bedroom romps that you see in this novel.  It really is a sweet novel, about two people who genuinely love each other but have just been brought up under such rules and strictures of the day that they are both  having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that neither of them no longer want to conform to society. They want to have their own happily ever after, on their own terms in their marriage. Don't miss this one. This is a sweet, but not sappy, quick read, one that I think most will enjoy.

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The Seventh Son (Norman Conquest #4) by Ashley York

Title: The Seventh Son (Norman Conquest #4)

Author: Ashley York                            
Genre: Medieval Romance
Length: 324 Pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: March 30, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti                                                                                        

Drogheda, Ireland 1075

The sixth son bears a curse as certain as the seventh son bears a blessing. When Tadhg MacNaughton’s betrothed is ripped from his arms and married to another, he believes the legend is true.

Tisa O'Brien's life slams into a downward spiral at the news she is no longer betrothed to the love of her life but to the tanist of a warring, prideful clan with dangerous political aspirations, the Meic Lochlainn. She faces her destiny with all the strength and dignity of her Irish heritage despite dealing with a husband who resents her and meets his needs in the arms of others, fighting off the lustful advances of her father-in-law, Aodh, and longing for the husband of her heart.

Tadhg MacNaughton makes a deal with the devil to ensure the survival of his clan as he is commanded to fight for Aodh who envisions himself the new High King of Eire. Up close and personal, Tadhg must witness his true love's marriage and remain silent even as it rips him apart. When a sinister plot to overthrow King William of England led by the exiled Leofrid Godwin and Clan Meic Lochlainn comes to light, Tadhg is faced with saving his clan or endangering his sister and her Norman husband.

An Irish beauty and a warrior betrayed, doomed in love from the start or does fate have something else in store for them?

The Seventh Son is the final book in the Norman Conquest series.

This is the story of Tadgh and Tisa, and whether they will get their happy ever after or not.  However, given that  this is the last book in the series, we see all the main characters from the first three books brought back and questions answered. Including the question of  Sir. John's paternity.

This could be a stand alone read but I think there are too many story lines going on, and the reader may have a hard time understanding all that is happening and why.

There really is not  much interaction between Tadgh and Tisa until midway near the end of the book. To me, this story seemed to revolve more around Tisa, her queen of a husband Darragh, and Tisa's struggle for survival in an unfamiliar, totally foreign, and many times hostile situation.   Tisa and Darragh are both forced into this marriage by their fathers.  A marriage that neither of them wants.  Tisa was really blindsided by her father, Roland, and not only because he ends her engagement to the love of her life.  It was very cruel, no matter his reasons, and Roland never redeemed himself in my eyes.

Sometimes a character can rub you the wrong way in the beginning of a story and then totally redeem themselves, but Darragh is not that character!  I think Darragh was very much bipolar because he seemed cruel, hard, and extremely self-centered, but after the marriage sometimes he's kind and warm, wanting to protect and help Tisa.  Then BAM, in the blink of an eye, or in the wink of a guy, he flips and is all about himself and what he wants.  Leaving Tisa to fend for herself on more than one occasion.  It actually got really old, very fast, hearing him drool on and on about how he doesn't sleep alone, or seeing him fawning over his preferred bed partners. The fact that he is so disrespectful to his wife in their home and then at one point he has the nerve to question her as to whether she's cuckolding him, was one of many reasons why I totally disliked Darragh.  He keeps saying he wants to protect her and he sees how she is truly protecting him from his father Aodh, yet he does not reciprocate.  Every time I started to warm up to him, the bipolar switch came on and he would do something that just disgusted me.

When Tisa and Tadgh finally get together and interact it is literally so heart-wrenching I was tempted to go to the end of the book to find out what happened but that's not my style.  I will never go to the end of the book because I thoroughly enjoy the "read" when a book captures my attention.  I really was tempted though, because Tisa seemed like she just couldn't catch a break, and I was desperate to find out how it all ends.

There is an extreme amount of confusion that leads to heartache for most of the characters in this story, which all started off in book 2 with Padraig, Tadgh's father.

This book is a journey, to say the least.  Not just the struggles of Tisa and Tadgh, but some of the very evil characters that are introduced in this book  are literally cringe-worthy, and you actually want them to die.  Tisa's father-in-law or more accurate, her Creep-in-law, was the worst in the series and I didn't think anybody could stoop lower than that swine Ivan from books 1, 2 and 3.  Garrett is another vile creature but Malcolm, who was assigned as a sort of bodyguard, seemed at first an iffy guy, but he actually turned out to be one of the best men in the book.

There were a few bits I found hard to believe such as Aodh having tears of grief.  Simply because he was so vile and disrespectful to Tisa and Darragh.  Also his vain ambitions led him to badly mistreat his first wife and granddaughter.  Just hard to believe this first rate A-hole even had tears in is body.  I'm sure they were as black as his soul!  I won't go into much more detail but I seriously question the naming of Tisa's first born.  Hard to believe that no matter Tisa's thinking,  how could her husband approve of his 1st born son being given a name other than his.

This was not my favorite book of the series, which is ironic because this book is the one I had the most anticipation to read.   The cover was actually my favorite out of all four books.  By no means is this a bad book,  I simply liked books 2 and 3 more.  There were just so many different stories and points of view going on that from chapter 1 to the next it was jumping back and forth and just a little hard to follow in the beginning.  Along with a few typos, but not enough to distract from reading.  Lovers of this series will certainly love this book.

I recommend to anyone who is into medieval romance novels,  Irish medieval history, which I thoroughly enjoy,  men with a twitch in the wrist, or just heartfelt struggles and wondering if your hero and heroine are ever going to find their way through to a happily-ever-after, then this book is for you.

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The Norman Conquest

The Saxon Bride #1

The Gentle Knight #2
The Irish Warrior #3

Review: Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

Title: Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After #2)

Author: Tessa Dare
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 384 printed pages
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Source: Purchase
Rating: 3 1/2
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Vashti

Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and . . . and . . . ?

After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.

Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.

So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet?
● He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.

● He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.

● He doesn't kiss her.

● If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.

● When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.

● And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

I think the opening scene pretty much set up the tone of this book as classic Tessa Dare. She is very good at "dare" I say, romantic comedy, but in a historical setting so to speak. Even though I must use the term Historical as say, more of and idea, than actuality within the premise of this book.

The opening scene has us seeing Clio as she walks in on Rafe, thinking he's ready to give up and hang himself when in fact, he's only setting up his boxing punching bag for training. The shenanigans don't stop there, they pretty much continue throughout the book, including a scene involving the dog, a ruby ring, and Rafe's trainer, Bruiser. Yeah it was really gross.

Miss Clio Whitmore, AKA Miss "Waitmore" as she has been dubbed, and Rafe have have been friends since childhood, in their youth Rafe always teased her and pulled mischievous tricks on her. Now he is wanting to "play" with Clio in a different manner all together.  Yet he is at odds because she is his brother's fiance. Rafe pretty much spends the entire book trying to convince Clio that she does in fact want to be married to Piers, and fighting the attraction that he has carried for her since his youth and yes the love he has for her.

Clio and Rafe had really good chemistry together, but Clio herself did not have much of a backbone. I blame that on her overly critical mother and her less than supportive family. Cleo's older sister Daphne is a witch, with a Capital B, a social climber and more than a bit annoying.  Daphne's soft in the middle husband Teddy is no better, with their crude remarks constantly about Clio's weight.  Her younger sister Phoebe was a nice break to watch although she was a bit quirky, with a touch of "Rain Man" about her, but I look forward to reading her story.

Recommended for fans of Tessa Dare, and anyone wanting a nice Romance, with a little bit of comedic flair thrown in, plenty of sexual heat that does not go unanswered, and if Historical accuracy is of no concern, well this book is for you.

I did enjoy the book, I enjoyed the progression of the relationship between Rafe and Clio very much. It was a quick read and certainly not one that's going to have your heart tugging and pulling at strings just to see the H/H get together, but it was pleasant. Even though the historical accuracy was really a joke, which usually does drive me insane, for some reason didn't really bother me that much.  A nice afternoon read overall.

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The Irish Warrior by Ashley York

Title: The Irish Warrior (The Norman Conquest #2.5)

Author: Ashley York
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval
Length:186 printed pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: September 30,2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3 ½
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti  

Outcast and alone, Thomasina MacDonell is hell bent on finding her brother, the only person who can thwart their father's latest scheme to offer her as payment for his gambling debts. Disguised as a lad, she defiantly sets off on foot to locate him—never expecting to find a handsome, Irish warrior riding her beloved horse. The warrior's offer of help and unsolicited advice on how to be manlier sparks an intimate desire to reveal her more feminine side.

Rejected by the love of his life, Sean O'Cisoghe wants simply to return home and heal his broken heart. When a young "lad" steals the horse out from under him, he discerns the spirited woman may be in way over her head against her ruthless father. Finding her brother while keeping her would-be betrothed at bay, Sean must confront the fact that Thomasina has stolen his heart. Will Norman soldiers out for his blood and shifting clan alliances cut short their growing passion?                   

This is my third book by Ashley York, and third in her Norman Conquest Series. However The Irish Warrior is completely fine as a standalone read.

But like many others I suffer from that crippling disease  MRBI. So if you too must read books in order than "The Irish Knight" is all the more enjoyable.

Sean O'Cisoghe is an Irish Warrior that we are first introduced to in "The Gentle Knight".  Feeling dejected, bitter and broken hearted he is trying to make his way back home to Eire, when he crosses paths with Tommy aka Thomasina.

Tommy aka Thomasina came across as childish to me at first,  but I guess you can't blame her given the fact she is in disguise as a young lad.  There  is one scene in the Tavern Inn that completely displays not only her childish behavior but says maybe she is a bit off in the head. Thomasina does something so ridiculous that  I'm like What??  Has her dilemma completely robbed her of all sanity?  Read the book to find out what I'm talking about.  I guess this is just another classic case of silly girls doing really stupid things.  She put not only herself in extreme danger but Sean as well.  Enough of my rant over the tavern scene. Yeah it really did annoy me.   Thomasina  does redeem herself and by the end of the book I'm actually pulling for her and feel really sorry for her.  When we meet her scumbag of a dad, who was just an A-1 first-class crap hole, we see why the girl was so screwed up.

I liked  Sean very much.  He was a strong, no-nonsense warrior, even though he was nursing some wounds to his heart and pride. He saw straight through Thomasina's  disguise and trickery, and he didn't let her get away with it.  By the end of the book Sean got a little mushy with his feelings when he began to acknowledge them for what they really were, but he was still first and foremost a warrior till the end.

This was a fast-paced, quick read with plenty of action.   I don't know if Ashley York writes scenes with humor in mind but I find that certain scenes in all of her books quite literally crack me up.  The Irish Warrior is no exception,  the scenes between Sean and Tommy the "lad" are simply hilarious.

We do see previous characters from The Gentle Knight, some a pleasant surprise, such as the three Scottish Highlanders, others not so much.  Ivan the Lecher is back and he finally gets his just reward.

Miss York's knowledge of medieval history, as I've said before, is fantastic. The historical knowledge she adds to her novels is an underlying element that is not in your face but adds sense of realism.  I asked Mrs. York about the differences in Accents in this novel in particular, and she explained that in order to be  true to the period  Sean's accent  was not more distinctly Irish as we recognize it now. That's another great thing about reading her books, you may learn something about medieval history that perhaps you didn't know before, which is always a bonus (IMO).  I recommend The Irish Warrior to anyone who is a lover of medieval history, filled with action and one sexy hero.

Check out Ashley Yorks website for some truly beautiful scenery that will transport you to another time.

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The Norman Conquest

The Saxon Bride #1

The Gentle Knight #2

Review The Gentle Knight(The Norman Conquest #2) by Ashley York

Title: The Gentile Knight (The Norman Conquest #2)
Author: Ashley York 
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval 
Length: 246 printed pages
Publisher: Indie 
Release Date: March 21, 2015 
Source: Review Request 
Rating: 3 ½ 
Heat Rating: 3 
Reviewed by: Vashti

Brighit MacNaughton is an obedient daughter following her father's death bed decree that she take her vows and become the virginal bride of Christ. The hired men seeing her to the Priory at Tanshelf are more interested in the building resentment against the English king than her safety. But when the handsome Norman knight offers his protection against the lecherous mercenaries, he sparks her passion with his gentle touch and smoldering looks of desire, reminding her of dreams best forgotten. Can one night with him quench the intense need in her or will it cause the fire to burn out of control?

Peter of Normandy is a trusted knight of King William, sent north to subdue the unrest and rumblings of revolt at York. Giving aid to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he is quickly overcome with the need to possess her. With a body meant for a man's pleasure and an unrelenting stubbornness to follow her father's wishes, he struggles against giving her what she wants if it can only be for one night. Will one night of passion prove to be enough or will it unleash an insatiable need that makes him never want to let her go? 

Ashley York has managed to bring forth another tale rife with danger, intrigues, false assumptions, heartache, love yearned for and love fulfilled.

The story initially had a slow start for me, and it took me a few chapters before I could really get connected with the many new and returning characters as well as the twists and turns of the plot. However, the story does pick up when Peter and Brighit meet.

While this can certainly be read as a stand-alone novel, I advise reading book one, in which we are first introduced to Peter.  Other characters are also brought into this book and knowing the history and background will certainly help the reader understand the character connections and relationships in this book.

I was quite excited to read Peter's story.  He ended up being my favorite character by the end of "the Saxon Bride" and he is still my favorite character at the end of "The Gentile Knight"

This "Gentle Knight" can certainly hold his own.  Peter is a seasoned warrior, loyal, a protector, and above all a manly man! Which we certainly love.  Yet Peter hasn't had a lot of happiness in his own life.  He's been living with rejection, hurt and guilt over situations that he had no control over and couldn't have changed the outcome if he wanted to. Yet he believes he is cursed because of the mistreatment and abuse he has suffered at the hands of his father.

Brighit is obedient to a fault and it was frustrating at times to listen to her rationale, justifying her determination to keep her father's death bed decree that she become a nun.  Although I don't know what kind of nun she would have been.  She had quite the vivid imagination for one to be so innocent (apparently she'd been watching the sheep mating back on the farm in Eire)

Brighit's early interactions with Peter had me cringing and  saying WTFudge was she thinking?  I really do hate to give away spoilers, but Brighit's hand collides with Peter's face in what we would call a slap.  Yes, she smacked the crap out of Peter's face, I won't say why, but then she attempts to do it a second time.  Really Brig? Yet she is too afraid to stand up for herself against that jerk Ivan, she's like one of the sheep being led to the slaughter, just as dumb and quiet as you please. Not very realistic that she finally gets the nerve to stand up to this Giant Warrior but she doesn't open her mouth when little bald Ivan is grabbing her ass every chance he gets.

Aside from Brighit's temporary insanity, I like the interaction and relationship of our H and H.  Peter is proud to claim what he wants and what is his!

Mort is another character that we first meet in "The Saxon Bride ". We see a lot more of his real character and nature.  He is almost a completely different person altogether than from book one of the series. While he is still somewhat of a pansy and kind of foppish, we get to know that he too is a skilled  knight who can hold his own. He even has a wife he adores and kids, who knew. I like the scenes that Mort was in.  He was quite funny and made me laugh, but we see that he is also a caring and attentive man.

Some things that I wasn't overly fond of about the book was the ending, it ended rather abruptly, and I felt like I was left hanging.  Secondly, the question is never answered or even a reference made to whether or not Brighit was molested while she slept by Ivan and the mercenaries?  The idea and suggestion were so strongly implicated that this deserved to be cleared up.

In summary, I loved Peter, and I simply do not know how Mrs. York is going to top him but I look forward to finding out in the 3rd installment "The Irish Warrior"

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The Norman Conquest

The Saxon Bride #1

Review: After the Fall by Carissa Lusk

Title: After the Fall
Author: Carissa Lusk
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: BookBaby
Release Date: July 8, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Vashti

Amity cries out into the darkness that surrounds her, hoping for a solitary voice to provide direction; she hears two.

Amity knows she loves Alexander, yet the loneliness brought on by the miles that separate them can only be curbed by the cryptic affection of Marcus Riley. She can’t understand the strange familiarity she finds in the wild blue of Marcus’s eyes, but she will soon learn his secret.

Plagued with dreams and memories of lives beyond her own, a tragic fate will emerge from the ashes of a love scorned. Eventually, she will discover the dark truth that will leave her running for her life, and she will learn who sacrificed everything to save it.

New author, Carissa Lusk, has written an outstanding debut NA Paranormal novel.  I was hesitant at first to review this book because I'm not a big fan of YA so I was thinking how is New Adult any different? Is this going to be along the lines of Twilight? But then I remembered I freakin' loved Twilight.  I actually read the entire series in one week. So here we go!

Amity Day is a college student who meets the love of her life, Alex, at her high school senior prom. There is an immediate magnetic pull and a very believable intense love bond after the first date. Forward several years later, Alex and Amity are separated by 400 miles while she's in her junior year of college and Alex is in law school. Amity is not very sociable, she excludes herself from extra curricular activities (even though she is a sorority sister). She is consumed by an emptiness since Alex is no longer around and it's almost like she can't operate or breathe, and only lives for her nightly calls from Alex.  What's a girl to do, how is she to combat the loneliness?

In walks Marcus Riley and he's here to save the girl, and get this love triangle train moving.

Amity finds herself in a sweet little situation that I think many women would die for. She's got two gorgeous men vying for her affection, both of them like loyal lapdogs without ever giving other women so much as a Wham Bam Thank You Mam!

Miss Lusk does a good job of setting up the scene and she gives a short description of each character as they are introduced.  The paranormal aspect is hinted at early on in the book but  it really isn't in the forefront until the middle and the ending of the book. What was really cleverly done were the literary clues scattered throughout the book. References were given to "A Pair of Blue Eyes" by Thomas Hardy, which if you've read more than one book by Thomas Hardy you know what usually happens to his heroines, Othello, Romeo  & Juliette, Somewhere I Never Traveled, "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dali(which is actually a painting). These scattered references were like finding clues to solve a murder mystery.  I found myself wondering if the author was a literary major. You gain insight into the characters based on the literary references, but they by no means give away the outcome of the book.

My favorite character was Marcus, once he entered the picture I honestly could not put the book down. I read till 3:00 am.  I simply had to finish this story I was that drawn in. Marcus is extremely quick-witted and most of the funny dialogue in the book, and there was quite a bit, was between Marcus and Amity.  They joked around, teased and laughed a lot.  There was an ease and flow in their conversation. There is also a really strong, intense, enigmatic chemistry, and romanticism between the two of them that Amity can't explain nor dismiss. And unlike Alex,  Marcus is not afraid to act on his passions. The book is written in 1st person, which I don't mind at all, but I would have loved to get in Marcus's head and understand where he was coming from and what motivated his actions at times.

Miss Lusk has done a brilliant job of creating genuine feelings between each character, yet it seemed at times that Amity's feelings were based on whoever she was with at the moment.

Throughout the entire book, I kept wondering how is the paranormal tied in? I won't say how; you'll have to read the book yourself.  This was a paranormal genre that I have never read before but it was quite interesting and I am looking forward to the coming prequel.

Miss Lusk has quite brilliantly created a story in which you genuinely feel the heartache and joys with each character. You find yourself pulling for one or rooting for the other. Some of the romantic build-up and  tension was so intense that I felt it in my gut, but I will forewarn you that's where it stops! This is COMPLETELY  PG without the 13.  So if you're looking for anything beyond that, you will be sorely disappointed. However, the emotions of the characters and mystery were enough to keep you interested and reading to see where all of this was going to culminate. This was quite a nice break from the many Historical Romance, Highlander or Vampire books that I usually review.

I highly recommend this book to readers of any genre of Paranormal,  Romance, NA,  Love Triangles and just a  Clean Romantic Read.

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Cover Reveal Sin by Torrie Robles

Sin by Torrie Robles

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 17th, 2016

Cover Models: Johnny Kane

Photographer: Eric Battershell

Cover Design: Torrie Robles

Sin

A middle child born into Devil’s Fury MC. Sin never felt that he fit into the club. He didn’t see his life as anything other than the son of the president. Wanting a life away from the MC, he joined the military after high school, becoming nothing more than a grunt in the Marines. Military life was hard, and war was something he didn’t expect. People called him a hero for defending his country, but he felt more like a coward. A hero wouldn’t have shrapnel scars on their back, proving they were running away from
the fight instead of facing it.

Savannah
She was raised by her working class family in the midst of oil country, Texas. Catching the eye of an older man, the son of oil royalty, she thought she found love. But she was wrong. He wanted her on his arm, to make him look good, just as a woman should. Savannah wanted to be heard, her opinion to matter. She wanted to be valued. The first strike of his hand across her face should have been evidence enough that her life wasn’t turning out as she had hoped. Getting smacked around became the norm. Fearing him became her life.

Sin & Savannah
Two people broken.
Two people living a life they didn’t want.
Two people thrown together
To keep each other safe;
One from their past, and one from their own misery.
Can he rectify a past tragedy?
Can she be his salvation?

Torrie Robles was born and raised in the Central Valley of California.  She currently lives a short distance from her hometown of Clovis.  She is married and has three children, two boys and one girl.  She has her Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration.

Writing has always been a passion of Torrie's.  She published her first book, Accidentally Perfect in 2015.  She writes contemporary romance and plans to branch out as her career takes off.  She is currently working on several different manuscripts. She hopes to have them all finished and published over the next couple of years.   

When she isn't working a full-time job, writing, raising her children, or just taking care of life Torrie's biggest hobby is getting lost in books. Her passion for reading and the authors she looks up to has allowed her to make her dreams come true.  Her fellow authors have truly been her inspiration.   

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Review: Only Beloved by Mary Balogh

Title: Only Beloved (The Survivors' Club #7)

Author: Mary Balogh
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 381  Pages Paperback
Publisher: Signet
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Source: Purchase
Rating: 3 ½
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti

From the legendary New York Times bestselling author of Only a Kiss and Only a Promise comes the final book in the rapturous Survivor’s Club series—as the future of one man lies within the heart of a lost but never-forgotten love...                                                        

For the first time since the death of his wife, the Duke of Stanbrook is considering remarrying and finally embracing happiness for himself. With that thought comes the treasured image of a woman he met briefly a year ago and never saw again.

Dora Debbins relinquished all hope to marry when a family scandal left her in charge of her younger sister. Earning a modest living as a music teacher, she’s left with only an unfulfilled dream. Then one afternoon, an unexpected visitor makes it come true.

For both George and Dora that brief first encounter was as fleeting as it was unforgettable. Now is the time for a second chance. And while even true love comes with a risk, who are two dreamers to argue with destiny?

Only Beloved, the seventh and final book in Mary Balogh’s Survivors series about a group of people – six men and one woman – who have all suffered injuries and trauma, both physical and mental, directly and indirectly as a result of the Napoleonic Wars.

In true classic Mary Balogh form, she brings to conclusion another wonderful, complex, emotional and even sometimes sad series ending.  Yet she manages to wrap everything up quite elegantly and leaves no question unanswered and no mystery left unsolved.  Each and every Survivor has their HEA and the wounds have begun to heal.  I started this book knowing I would be asking myself the question, "What do I do now that the series is over"?

I have been in anticipating  George's story since he was first introduced in  book one of the series "The Proposal". I was glad Mrs. Balogh saved his HEA as the conclusion to this series.

Having read the entire series I must say I  really thought that George and Imogen, from book six  "Only a Kiss" would end up together, but I also didn't want them to because that would have been the story of two of the Survivors and no 7th book. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye!

At 48 years of age, George Crabbe, The Duke of Stanbrook, has seen all of his fellow Survivors happily married and continuing their lives with their growing families.  He finally feels that maybe he too can find some comfort in his middle age years.  Not looking for any youthful passions, he wants someone that he can spend his days with, to fill the loneliness that he has experienced. He has been a widower for 12 years and, as we come to find out in the book, a "pretty" wife does not equal a happy life, in regards to his first wife and marriage.

Dora Debbins, we first meet in "Only Enchanting" is a music teacher and older sister to Agnes, who is married to George's fellow Survivor Flavian Arnott, Viscount  Ponsonby. Dora has convinced herself that she is content with the life she has built for herself, independence, a little cottage, her modest savings, and is at peace with the fact that she will never have her happily ever after marriage or children of her own.  It is no wonder that Dora is left a bit speechless and stunned when the Duke of Stanbrook, George, therefore shows up at her door one afternoon, bungling a proposal by asking out of the blue "If she would do him the great honor of marrying him".

Only Beloved is not a  rushed love story, and at times moves a bit slow, but it is a heartfelt romance that develops between two people who realize they have both been lonely and agree to marry on the basis of mutual friendship, respect, and intimacy. They both soon discover however, that romance, passion, and  genuine love is no respecter of age.

George has been carrying very deep wounds, hurts, and deception for the past 20 or so years, that he has never shared with anyone and has no intention of sharing with Dora.   As a result of his life experiences he has the uncanny ability to care for, listen, love and soothe others as no one has ever done for him.   Dora brings to George a peace and tranquility that he didn't even realize his soul craved, and even begins to heal the old wounds.  Even though he has several properties and houses, George has finally has found his home with Dora.

As George soon discovers though, secrets harbored  always have a way of coming to light.  As we near the end of the book the mystery of those secrets is finally revealed, which I have to say I had already figured out, having read so many other of Mary Balogh's books, she does not shy away from taboo subjects.

As is always nice to read in an epilogue, we see a recap of all the Survivors introduced in previous books and it was very sweet to see how all the Survivors were now budding and thriving with their spouses and children, despite their previous wounds and emotional scars.  Perhaps a sneak peek of my favorite scene from the Epilogue sums it up best, as George states to the survivors as they walk the portrait gallery of his home:

“Something has occurred to me,” he said. “We have not had any of our late-night sessions this year, the seven of us. Other years we have scarcely missed a night, though we did miss several last year, I seem to recall.”

Those informal meetings, from which the spouses had always absented themselves though they had never been asked to, had characterized their reunions. It was during the late evenings, George had explained to Dora, that they discussed their progress—physical, mental, and emotional—their setbacks, their triumphs, all that was deep inside themselves and needed to be shared. It was really quite startling to realize that they had not met privately even once yet this year. She had not even noticed until now.

“Has anyone missed our meetings?” George asked.

“Perhaps,” Hugo said, “we do not need them any longer.”

“I believe you are right, Hugo,” Imogen said. “Perhaps all we need now when we are together is to celebrate friendship and love.”

“And life,” Ralph added.

“And memories.” George’s arm tightened about Dora’s waist. “We must never forget any of the people and events and emotions that have made us who we are today. Not that it is likely we ever will.”

I have to say, with the exception of The Huxtable Quintet, this was probably my favorite series by Mary Balogh thus far.   The characters, to some extent, in each story have more depth and more real problems (PTSD, blindness) that someone in the 21st century can relate to.  As opposed to someone who may be forced to marry in order to keep their estate or heaven forbid, they have to marry because they have compromised a women by dancing two sets with her back to back (exaggeration of course)

This could have been a stand alone book, but I would advise against it because the readers will be left questioning some of the character development as well as not having a true sense of relationship as the other survivors are brought into this story.

I will miss all of the Survivors very much, but I look forward to the new series.  An eight-part series, based on  the Westcott family

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Review: The Baron's Quest (Barons of the Cinque Ports #1) by Elizabeth Rose

Title: The Baron's Quest (Barons of the Cinque Ports #1)
Author: Elizabeth Rose
Genre: Medieval romance
Length: 256 paperback
Publisher: Create Space Independent Publishing
Release Date: August 9, 2015
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti                                                                                           

Nicholas Vaughn is Lord of New Romney and also a Baron of the Cinque Ports. He directs a fleet of ships that service the king 15 days a year in exchange for special privileges.

When Muriel Draper causes havoc on his wharf, he realizes she is a spinster—a woman who spins wool for a living—from the town. Her late father has angered the Clothmaker's Guild and now Muriel and her brother have been excommunicated from the guild and also left with a debt to the baron that he insists Muriel repays.

She can either give the baron her deceased mother's wedding ring—the only memory of her parents she has left—or she can live with him at his manor house and be his Personal Clothier to pay back the debt.

Can a merchant's daughter and a Baron of the Cinque Ports find a safe harbor with the passion for each other that burns between them, or will title and status sink that ship before it's even sailed? 

England 1285
Muriel Draper is left alone to raise her younger brother after the murder of their father. She is broke and destitute and cannot pay her rent.  Her father was a member of the merchant Guild but since he died owing them money, they have come and taken everything of value from her and banned her from the guild.

Nicholas of Vaughn, Lord of New Romney, and also Baron of the Cinque ports, happens to also be Muriel's landlord and she is late in paying rent.

Nicholas makes Muriel an offer to pay off the debt that she owes, which she reluctantly accepts. The story revolves around Nicholas and Muriel's budding relationship and feelings for one another as well the "mystery" surrounding the death of her father.  As to the mystery itself, well there was no clenching of the stomach, biting nails, or skipping a few pages ahead to find out "who did it". My dog solved the mystery before I could take my next sip of tea!  Now as to the love story (love being very loosely used here), I was almost halfway through the kindle edition, with only a kiss here and there, no declarations of any kind even mentioned yet.

Muriel is a merchant's daughter, having no dowry, with the exception of her mother's ruby ring, which she understandably can not part with. Nicholas is a baron, who's father and brother expect him to marry according to his station.  At one point Muriel is told by her best friend that it is an "honor" just to have the Baron consider her as a mistress (the medieval thinking never ceases to amaze me).

Nicholas is at war with his feelings; he wants Muriel and feels she is a true lady, yet he is embarrassed to acknowledge his feelings. He seems at times a bit shallow.  He has to have the finest clothes and materials and he is shamed by the fact he does not have a "real" castle like his friends do.

Muriel is desperate to provide for her and her brother, which I understand. However, once she had secured a position within Nicholas' household she still does foolish, impetuous, childish things. Muriel not only endangers herself, but those that she claims to care about, putting them in jeopardy with her foolish behavior, and it is those friends that have to suffer the consequences of her actions.

I did not warm up to Muriel's character, and I could never completely fall for a "hero"  who is embarrassed to publicly admit his feelings for me.  I want an alpha male in every sense of the word!

One redeeming quality of this book was that I learned something that I did not know before.  I enjoyed learning the history of the Cinque ports much more than the actual story.  I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn about medieval history, but if you're looking for a good passionate romantic story with lots of chemistry. continue looking.

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Review: The Saxon Bride (The Norman Conquest #1) by: Ashley York

Title: The Saxon Bride (The Norman Conquest #1)

Author: Ashley York
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval
Length: 222 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Source: Review Request
Rating: 3 ½
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti

In war torn England the battle lines between Saxon and Norman are clearly drawn. Rowena Godwinson, the sole remaining member of the defeated royal family, stands proudly against the Normans that would trample them underfoot. Her nobility and grace, however, make her an ideal pawn in King William's play for power with the Saxon people. When he decrees she marry a powerful Norman knight, her subjugation appears to be complete. Can she hold firm to her Saxon heritage and refuse to give in to his tempting advances?

John of Normandy is rewarded for his service and loyalty with land, titles, and a Saxon beauty for a bride. John balks at the marriage, driven by the secret guilt of knowing Rowena's father died by his sword. As their people look to them for guidance and peace, can John and Rowena find a love that unites all of England?

As a lover of medieval history this book quickly caught my attention.

The year is 1071 Essex England just five years after the Norman defeat of the Saxon King at the Battle of Hastings.  Two  unlikely people are brought together against their own will to unite the Norman and Saxon people.  Rowena Godwinson, daughter of the late Earl of Essex, and John of Normandy, a powerful and trusted Knight to the Norman King William are ordered to marry.  The King has given John a time frame in which to bring the Saxon's under subjugation.

John had no desire for power and never wanted to marry because of his questionable heritage.  Rowena certainly never dreamed of marrying a Norman Knight responsible for the downfall of her family.  Somehow these two will have to to have to come together and build a life beyond deception, distrust, prejudices, and misplaced assumptions.

One thing that I dislike about the Medieval era, is how young the brid's actually were, but Mrs. York brings the story together after Rowena has matured and weaves her magic and brings medieval history into romance fiction book.

Rowena knows her duty, and is determined to do her duty to God, country and husband.  Her loyal friend Arthur is always waiting in the wings to capture her should she fall. I had a love-hate relationship with Arthur in the beginning and I genuinely felt sorry for the loss to him and his family. That had to be particularly hard to come to terms with and not seek revenge, especially given the time period.  However, Arthur's actions towards the end are unforgivable (you'll have to read the book to find out what those actions are).   

Rowena's handmaiden Joan was another early on love/hate relationship for me. She seemed to care about Rowena and have her best interest at heart in the beginning, but  as the story progressed, she almost seemed like a modern-day woman, in that she spoke very freely with Rowena, her mistress and Lady of the Manor.  Joan caused Rowena undue distress and confusion in her marriage.  She was constantly meddling, and making Rowena feel belittled by her man and I was glad to see her finally put in her place! Even more so than Arthur I think.  I also was never sure about her age as the only real description given is of her blond hair.

John is handsome (the face of an angel to be exact), kind and loyal to the King.  The Big fault I found with Him was that I could not understand his reasoning for not consummating his marriage.  I get that he wanted Rowena to be willing, well several times she was more than willing, and he walked away?? I just couldn't wrap my head around that one.  I found myself asking did he prefer a "Rowen" instead of "Rowena"?  Just sayin...   Not to worry, he wants Rowena, which is made comically evident in the Siren bathing scene (again, you have to read the book, I wont give away any spoilers)  But...., and theirs always a but, I don't know any man, well maybe a eunuch, that walks away from a naked, willing, and beautiful women (maybe I did give away something here).   Heck,  for that matter I don't know any man that would walk away from a naked, willing women, even if she had the face of a dog and smelled like an ass.  Aside from this flaw, which he does rectify satisfactorily, John is a decent man.

Sir John's right-hand man and fellow Knight Peter was someone I didn't like at first, but he genuinely grew on me and ended up being one of my favorite characters.  He is a warrior, loyal and lover of the ladies.  I can't wait to read his HEA.

There are a few other shady characters thrown in the story.  This was a time of power and political upheaval after all,  so sometimes underhanded alliances and fealty was a matter of survival.  I didn't see the purpose of  Mort of Bedgrove's character to the story.  I know what he was, but in my opinion, he really added nothing to the story.   I would have also liked an epilogue.  I was left wondering about John's lineage as it is hinted that The King knows more than he has revealed to John concerning his lineage and that possibly he may be of noble blood.  Maybe that will be cleared up in future books.  I also would like to have learned if  John and Rowena got another "blessing".  Read the book to see what the blessing was!

Overall I highly recommend this to lovers of medieval romance. It was engaging, sometimes very sad and at times quite humorous ie: 

1. John needing a bath so his B.O. isn't offensive
2. John thinking that "common sense seemed a foreign concept to both father and daughter, 
3. Morts offer of fulfilling any service John may need,

as well as a few other comical scenes, which may not have been intended that way but the delivery was just down right funny to me. Mrs. York has done a wonderful job of marrying history, intrigue, and romance weaving it all together into a beautiful story. I EAGERLY, look forward to the next book in the series!!! 

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Review: Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands, #1) by Victoria Roberts

Title: Temptation in a Kilt (Bad Boys of the Highlands #1)

Author: Victoria Roberts
Genre: Historica; Romance
Length: 323 pages
Publisher: Sourcebook Casablanca
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Vashti

She's On Her Way to Safety

It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...

He Redefines Dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield.

 This book was an OK read. However given the title of the series "Bad Boys of the Highlands", I was ready for some Hard Core, Hunky Highland Hotties. After reading the book, I think the series could have been titled "Kittens in Mittens". Ciaran was likable to a point, but when it came to this silly oath that he made to his father it was just ridiculous. I can't see any man denying himself a woman he so "strongly desires" as the book suggest his feelings towards Rosalia are.  There is really nothing standing between Ciaran and Rosalia, except this promise that he made to his father to see his younger brother set straight in life.  That is not a valid reason for Ciaran to deny himself the woman he most desires.  Especially when the feeling is mutual. I can only give this book 3 stars and that was being generous because I simply love reading about Highlanders, but this bad boy was more like pecking mother hen!

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Review: Dangerous Kisses(Guild of Hybrids) by Alice Lake

Title: Dangerous Kisses (Guild of Hybrids #1)

Author: Alice Lake
Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian
Length: 235 pages
Publisher: Amazon
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Vashti

Miss Lavinia Halls is a member of the Guild of Hybrids, a secret society dedicated to helping women in need. When faced with a terrified new client, Lavinia declares that her client’s fiancé must pay for his sins. The fact that she can’t take her eyes off the man’s kissable lips only spurs her resolve to bring her assignment to a quick conclusion.

Eric Yorke, Viscount Mathieson, wishes nothing more than to distance himself from his treacherous fiancée, but in his quest to do so, he finds himself trapped in the clutches of the unconventional Miss Halls. The delectable yet annoyingly persistent woman seems intent on ruining his life no matter how much he tries to thwart her attempts.

Her efforts to seek and destroy meet their match in his determination to foil her plans, until their struggles collide in a scandal of enormous proportions. Fated together, they must overcome ruin, danger and heartbreak. Will they be able to survive their past or is their future together doomed?

The first book in the Guild of Hybrids series:

I had high hopes for the premise of this book and began reading with great expectation. I am a lover of historical romance with Victorian being one of my favorite periods to read about.  Well into the fourth chapter however, I found the story moving a bit slow, with a lot of the same thoughts being reiterated over, and over.  I found myself frustrated, a bit confused and really hoping that this book would pick up. 

Miss Lavinia Halls,along with her Aunt Cynthia, and Sister Larissa, is a member of a secret society of women called "The Guild of Hybrids", who's mission is to help other women in need. By their motto they don't discriminate and help every women when faced with despair. "Payment is requested beforehand" of course. The Society is not a charity after all.

Lavinia was hired by Lady Clara Stratton to destroy her fiance, Eric Yorke, Viscount Mathieson's reputation. According to Lady Clara she caught Eric trying to compromise her friend, and in an attempt to silence her, he mistreated her. Lavinia takes the assignment and sets on a mission to ruin Eric. 

 The first problem I have is that for Lavinia to not only be a top member of the Guild and a teacher of new members, She didn't verify that the information was true about Eric, before she set out on her mission to destroy him. 

Secondly, her idea's of ruination were a bit ridiculous to me.  I honestly do not see how any of her ideas would ruin him to the point of a justifiable end of his engagement.  He was a Viscount, wealthy and attractive after all.

I liked Eric. He seemed like a real caring gentleman, who unfortunately has the wool pulled over him by two scheming women. 

I did enjoy Eric turning the cards on Lavinia at most of her attempts to humiliate him, and while there was an attraction between them, I felt no real chemistry between them! Eric an Lavinia seemed to have more conversations in their own minds than with each other.

And if Lavinia, stuck out, lifted or raised her chin one more time I was going to scream!!  And then she squared her shoulders and raised that chin in defiance again. AAAARRRGGGHHH!!! 11x in one book. 

  

Lavinia was stubborn and extremely selfish! We read REPEATEDLY, REPEATEDLY, REPEATEDLY, and again I say REPEATEDLY (yeah, repetition is annoying isn't it) through out the book how "The Guild is her utmost priority, and must be protected". Yet Lavinia runs away after the scandal erupts that she has created, and leaves her aunt and sister to deal with her mess.  Even though it is within her power to put a stop to the scandal immediately. She does not and instead continues in her own selfish, reckless behavior. 

and continues to deceive Eric, even after she finds out he was a victim.  Not the actions of a strong empowered woman.

 I did like Lavinia standing up to Lady Clara who is nothing more than a lying Thot!

The book took me longer to read than normal because of the repetition.  By page 147 Lavinia is still having rants with herself about her failure, how she didn't deserve the honor of being a member of the Guild. 

The suspense finally picks up at the end of the book, and I  found myself engaged to see if the "villain", not to give away any spoilers, was truly working for Clara or if she was in on a scheme derived by Cynthia and Larissa to help Erica an Lavinia finally realize and admit their true feelings for one another.  You will have to read the book if you want to find the answer.

One thing I really wanted to know, was what happened to that thot, Clara(I left off the Lady on purpose)after her true nature was revealed. I would have loved to see her get her just deserts!!  We instead are left to wonder what her outcome was.

Would I read book 2?  Yes, because I think Miss Lake does have talent, and Larissa was more real to me than Lavinia.  I would hope Larissa's story moves along with less repetition.

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Meet New Reviewer - Vashti

Classy Bits About Me 

When did I start reviewing books? 

2011 on Goodreads 

When did I fall in love with books? 

I've always loved to read stories as a kid, especially fairytales, but it wasn't until I read my 1st full length novel in 7th grade that I truly became a book addict!  

What are my favorite classics? 

Pride and Prejudice  by Jane Austen 

Who are my Favorite Classic and Contemporary Authors? 

Classic is Jane Austen, and contemporary I have a few but I will try to narrow it down to my top three: Karen Marie Moning, Lisa Kleypas and Jeanine Frost 

Which do I prefer: E-books, Paper, Hardcover, or Audio? 

Definitely E-Books, paperback is sooo 2005.(haha)  I'm not one of those people who say there is nothing like the feel of a real book.  I travel a lot and I'm always on the go, so taking a ton of books along to add to my already overweight baggage just does not appeal to me.  E-Readers are much more convenient, and the supply is endless and on demand.   If  I am traveling by car, then an Audio book is just the thing.   It keeps me entertained and takes the tedium out of traveling for consecutive hours, especially when stuck in a traffic jam on the highway.  However, my OCD compels me to not only have a hardback copy, but every format available of my all time favorites and classics, such as Pride and Prejudice, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit and several others.  

Favorite Genre? 

Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance (love Vampires and time travel) Medieval History and I do love a good Biography.  Houdini!!!: The Career of Ehrich Weiss by Kenneth Silverman was extremely fascinating. 

Do I ever re-read books because they were "That Good"? 

Definite YES.  I read Jane Austen P&P once a year.  I also have re-read  more than once, Karen Marie Moning's  Highlander and Fever series along with Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress and Night Prince series 

Who is my favorite Hero and Heroine? 

Jamie Fraser of The Outlander Series Why? Because he loves Claire almost to a fault!!!   He always puts her well being and safety above his own!  

Heroine is a toss up between Elizabeth Bennet and MacKayla Lane.  Very different genres I know, but I love the strong spirit, pride and determination of both women. 

Best Alpha Male? 

Hands down Jericho Barrons of the Fever Series 

Biggest Pet Peeve in books? 

Stupid  Women!!!  Always whining about being treated as an equal, putting themselves in danger, and always pushing away the man they really want to be with because of society rules or some other ridiculous notion 

 Audio Books: Horrible accents and mixing accents between different characters 

Audio Books: When the CD ends and the listener is not informed this is the end of ie. disk 1, please insert disk 2, instead the disk just loops back to the beginning of the disk.  Not a catastrophic problem I know, but this is this biggest issue that I receive feedback about  from other audio book listeners 

What is my favorite series? 

Classics: Lord of the Rings 

Contemporary: I have a few: Highlander & Fever Series by Karen Moning, Night Huntress, by Jeaniene Frost, The Survivors' Club  by Mary Balogh and last but not least  The Hathaways by Lisa Kleypas 

What era would I like to travel back in time to? 

Probably the Renaissance or maybe Victorian England. 

Which Supernatural talent would I like to have? 

Definitely to be a Vampire, with the ability to see my reflection however! 

Trashy Bits About Me 

Guilty Crush I would LOOOVE to Meet:  

1. Barrons (The Fever Series) KMM 

2. Drustan MacKeltar(Kiss of the Highlander)KMM 

3. Daegus MacKeltar (The Dark Highlander) KMM 

4. Aragorn  (Lord of the Rings Trilogy) 

5. Rhett Butler (as in Clark Gable)haha 

6. Vlad Tepes aka Dracula (Night Prince Series) 

Guilty pleasure: 

A good book, glass of wine or cup of tea(depending on the time of day) comfy off the shoulder t-shirt, Mozart playing in the background and my relaxing couch! 

Guilty Book Read: 

50 Shades I hate to admit.  I really loved this book.  Sure  Christian Grey was a bit of a "freak" but I enjoyed how he evolved and healed from this abused and stand-offish character, to become a very loving and emotionally involved Man!  Plus it is sexy as all get out, IMO when a man loves a woman as much as he loved Ana!