Retro reads is a bi monthly, maybe monthly, a pretty much whenever I feel like it, post where I and May (sometimes together, sometimes separately) discuss an old favorite book. This month's Retro Read is The Charm School by Susan Wiggs. I adore Susan Wiggs historicals and contemporaries. Always sweet, often humorous stories with an undercurrent of angst that tell a story of finding love under the most unusual of circumstances. The Charm School, the first book in the Calhoun Chronicles, is an Continue Reading
Review: How To Lose A Bride In One Night by Sophie Jordan
How To Lose A Bride In One Night (Forgotten Princesses #3) by Sophie Jordan Historical Romance July 30, 2013 Avon Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “Life had not shown her a string of honorable men.” When Annalise Hadley marries the man of her dreams, she never imagines he would attempt to kill her on their honeymoon. Tossed overboard and left for dead, Annalise manages to make it to shore before collapsing. Rescue comes in the form of a recluse hero whose secrets bind him tightly to Continue Reading
Review: The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan
The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan (Brothers Sinister #2) Historical Romance July 15, 2013 Self Published Reviewed by May “What ungodly color are you wearing?” “Green,” she said. “Serpent-belly green. Or perhaps it’s the green of a cloud of poisonous chlorine gas.” “And yet nobody is shrieking and averting their eyes.” He gave her a smile. “Nice trick. How do you manage it?” She gave him a brilliant smile, one that he’d missed. “Simple,” she said, adjusting the diamonds at her Continue Reading
Review: The Gentleman’s Keeper by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon
The Gentleman’s Keeper by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon Historical Romance Contemporary/MM July 9, 2013 Samhain Publishing Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “No pretend son of his was going to go through life unwanted or unloved.“ Everett Gerard left home as a young man and never returned. He has spent many years traveling, burying himself in a haze of alcohol and sex. When he finally rouses himself to read the many letters his bailiff has been sending to him for months; telling him of a Continue Reading
Review: In the Arms of the Heiress by Maggie Robinson
In the Arms of the Heiress by Maggie Robinson (Ladies Unlaced #1) July 2, 2013 Historical Romance Berkley Reviewed by Mandi Favorite Quote: ”What will happen if they discover we’re not really man and wife? This scheme might be considered proof of your insanity.” Louisa’s brown eyes widened. “Do you think I should be institutionalized?” “I wouldn’t wish that on the other patients.” This book made me smile a lot. The fake husband trope doesn’t always work for me, but Maggie Continue Reading
Review: Taken by the Duke by Jess Michaels
Taken by the Duke by Jess Michaels (The Pleasure Wars #1) July 2, 2013 Erotic Historical Samhain Reviewed by Mandi This book has a great beginning. In the prologue we discover the consequence and the devastation that two very old feuding families can sustain. It’s House Rothcastle vs. House Windbury, and it’s not pretty. The two families have hated each other for years, and it comes to a crashing climax when Matilda of the Rothcastle family tries to run away with her lover of the Continue Reading
Review: The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore
The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent #1) by Jennifer Haymore Historical Romance June 25, 2013 Forever Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “My reputation has no importance when it comes to you...” Sarah Osborne is the daughter of the Hawkins family gardener. Having been raised and educated with the Hawkins children, she straddles a very fine line in the family. Not their equal as head chambermaid, but held in higher regards than the average servant. She has loved Simon since she was a child. He Continue Reading
Review: The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens
The Taming Of Ryder Cavanaugh (The Cynster Sisters Duos #2) by Stephanie Laurens Historical Romance June 25, 2013 Avon Reviewed by Tori Favorite Quote: “If you think I’m going to be the first female in my family to go to the altar a virgin, you’re mistaken.” The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh is a romance story in the truest form and provides us with a wrap up to the original Cynster series. We witness the last Cynster (of age) to marry-Miss Mary Cynster. I have been a huge fan of this Continue Reading
Smex Scene Sunday–The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh
Hero: Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne. Has never met a woman who wouldn't happily fall at his feet--or into his bed...until Lady Mary Cynster. Heroine: Lady Mary Cynster has been waiting years for this opportunity. She knows exactly who she wants --and it's not someone as wild, unmanageable, and sinfully seductive as Ryder Cavanaugh. Passion erupted. Held back for so long, it raged unrelenting, unforgiving. It whipped them along, harder and faster, whirling Continue Reading
Review: What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (The Duke's Men #1) Historical Romance June 18, 2013 Pocket Reviewed by May From the author’s website: Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, accepted long ago that his kidnapped brother was dead. When a cryptic note from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claims otherwise, Max seeks out Tristan’s sister, Lisette—and is infuriated to learn that Tristan has also mysteriously vanished. Have the siblings perpetrated an elaborate hoax? Or is the fiercely Continue Reading