Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden: Review and Giveaway!!

Publisher's Blurb: 
Penelope Weston does not like Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton. He may be the suave and charming heir to an earl, as well as the most handsome man on earth, but she can’t forget how he abandoned a friend in need-nor how he once courted her sister, Abigail. He’s the last man she would ever marry. If only she didn’t feel so attracted to the arrogant scoundrel…

Once upon a time, Benedict thought he and Penelope got along rather well. But, though he needs a wealthy bride to escape his cruel father’s control, spirited Penelope just doesn’t suit his plans for a model marriage -- until a good deed goes awry, and scandalous rumors link his name to Penelope’s. She might not be the quiet, sensible wife he thought he wanted, but she is beautiful…beguiling…and far more passionate than he ever imagined. Can a marriage begun in scandal become a love match, too?

Penelope is another wonderful historical heroine: intelligent, stubborn, and independent. Though she grew up mingling with the aristocracy her father is in trade, tarnishing her appeal to eligible bachelors even as her fortune draws less savory, less authentic, suitors. She has seen true love and wants nothing less for herself. When circumstances force her into marriage with a man she doesn't like (even if he is oh, so sexy) she doesn't whine or complain. Instead she strives to make it a real marriage. 

I really, truly enjoyed this historical romance. I loved Linden's subtle riff on Fifty Shades of Grey (it seems there's an explicitly written series of pamphlets working the ladies of the ton into quite a heated dither!) and appreciated that it's inclusion adds to the plot but isn't the focus. The character's motivations and backstories were believable, and the skillful writing pulled me into the story. This is the third title in the series but can be read as a standalone. 

Continue following the Tasty Reads Tour to see what other reviewers think of this fantastic novel, and add the entire series to your Goodreads list (which is what I will be doing later today). 

Purchase your copy of Love in the Time of Scandal at your favorite online retailer:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo  

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!

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Linden, Caroline. Love in the Time of Scandal (Scandalous #3). New York: Avon, 2015. 5 Stars.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. The giveaway is national and not managed by Fun-Size Reads, nor does Fun-Size Reads have any influence on choosing the winner.

What a Lady Requires by Ashlyn Macnamara with Interview and Giveaway!

I'm hosting a Tasty Tours blog stop today for this delightful historical romance. 

Miss Emma Jennings, daughter of a prosperous wine merchant, knows that her father plans to wed her off to the nobility as a means to rise above their station. Instead of resenting this, Emma looks forward to the day when she has control of her own household and finances. She has a head for business, and the only way to use it is to be respectably married. Her father’s ultimate choice for her, however, couldn’t be farther from what she wants. Instead of a malleable, easy going noble Emma is to wed Rowan Battencliffe, a sinfully handsome drunkard deeply in debt...but heir to a title. 

I found this historical romance to be a refreshing change. The heroine doesn’t simply accept her fate or whine needlessly about what she is being forced into. Instead she tightens her stays and strides into her new life with plans and machinations. The roles are somewhat reversed, with Emma being the stronger-willed character, but it works. The chemistry hits all the right notes as well, and the plot has several nice twists that kept me intrigued. 

Macnamara, Ashlyn. What a Lady Requires (The Eton Boys Trilogy #3). New York: Loveswept, 2015. 4 stars.

I asked Ashlyn to answer five fun questions and she had great answers. Enjoy this mini-interview and be sure to enter the giveaway that follows it!

1.    What author, novel, or story inspires you to write?

In general, I find lush, beautiful prose an inspiration to emulate (as well as a source of envy), but there’s one book series that started me off. And that book series isn’t even a known for its lush prose, but it is known for its engaging story line and magical world. I was obsessed with these books.

 If it wasn’t for the Harry Potter series, I wouldn’t be published. I wouldn’t even know I could write. I got my start writing fan fiction as a way to fill the time between books. When other readers encouraged me to keep going, I thought maybe I had something there. Eventually, I tried writing my own stories, because I’d been making those up in my head for years.

2    What song makes you dance no matter where you are?

A lot of songs do, and some of them I’m possibly too embarrassed to admit to. (Hanson, I’m looking at you.)  One I will readily admit to is Katrina and the Waves “Walking on Sunshine” in all its upbeat, happy, poppy goodness.

3.    What movie do you watch over and over and over again?

Despite me writing Regency (although, who knows, I may branch out), I am first and foremost a lover of fantasy. I used to read The Lord of the Rings every year. Now I just watch the movies, because as long as they are, it’s faster than rereading. And I love the visual interpretation Peter Jackson gave the books.

4.    What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show? 

I don’t watch a lot of TV, which means I’ve missed some great series. Thankfully, I have friends to tell me about them. Last year, for example, I spent the month of February glomming the old BBC Robin Hood series, and it wasn’t even for Robin. No, Richard Armitage completely stole that show with his incarnation of Guy of Gisborne. I had an excuse, though. Somehow the hero of What a Lady Demands bears a strong resemblance to Richard Armitage, and he broods like Guy. Oh, how he broods.

5.  What has been the most helpful advice you’ve gotten, and who was it from?

One of my very good friends has read a lot of my work, going back to before I was even published. Now Marian will tell you she’s no writer. She may not think so, but one thing she is, is a storyteller.  Several years ago, she read a version of a story I wrote, and told me, “This is good. Now make it worse.” I think that’s some of the most helpful writing advice I’ve ever received. It’s a good reminder that we can’t be too nice to our characters. The moment you make things worse for them, you up the tension and conflict. Marian may tell you she’s not a writer, but she has wonderful instincts. Whenever I get stuck, I think of her advice and ask myself how I can make it worse.

As part of the Tasty Tours Blog Stop Tour the publisher is doing a fun giveaway:
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Buy your copy of What a Lady Requires at Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo, and follow the author on Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads.

Continue following the Tasty Reads Blog Stop Tour of What a Lady Requires on all of it's fun stops! 

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on the Tasty Book Tours blog stop. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone. 

A new look at espionage in The Loving Daylights AND a Giveaway!

Today I'm hosting a Tasty Book Tours blog stop for a novel that I truly enjoyed: Lynsay Sands' The Loving Daylights. This reprint, first published as a standalone title in 2003, has been brought back with an updated cover. 

I grew up on James Bond movies and books and loved the adventures of the amorous, alcoholic spy with his over-the-top gadgets and witty repartee in tight situations. As I got older I began to read strong female characters as well, though mostly in fantasy stories. A few years ago I discovered J.D. Robb's Lt. Dallas, and then Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. came out, and pulled all of the things I loved into one package. I was primed and ready for a book like The Loving Daylights.

The Loving Daylights is the comedy version of James Bond. Shy Jane Spyrus is Q, working for B.L.I.S.S. as an inventor of gadgets for agents to use in the field. She can build anything B.L.I.S.S. needs in the international organization’s fight against crime. Some of her gadgets, however, are a little too . . . well, innovative. Like her shrink-wrap prophylactic constraints, or the mini-rocket launcher disguised as a...well, you can use your imagination. 

When Jane's neighbor is kidnapped she has to team up with Able Andretti and her grandmother (a former B.L.I.S.S. agent) and go undercover to rescue her and stop an evil plot. Abel didn't count on this whole spy operation when he stopped by his sister's apartment and discovered that she was missing, but he'll do anything it takes to save her. If that includes showing Jane how to love the daylights out of something without batteries, all the better.

The Loving Daylights is a character based novel, with a plot that gives these characters a lot of comedic opportunities. Jane is adorkable; a nerd who likes her comfort zone and adapts to her new assignment with quite a few hiccups. Her wheelchair-bound grandmother adds even more humor with her matchmaking and spy advice - which are often the same. Abel is sexy as hell...and just as confused. The villains add a purpose and motivation for the characters (and their evil scheme is truly horrendous). The focus of this novel is on the comedy, and is a light and easy read. Perfect for times when you need brain candy, but not something that will stay with you. I'm giving this one a medium-high score, because I did enjoy it, just not as much as other novels I've read lately.

As part of the Tasty Book Tours blog tour, the publisher is giving away three copies of The Loving Daylights. Enter to win your copy of here:

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or, if you can't wait, you can buy a copy on Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo 

Lynsay Sands is an incredibly prolific author. Her bestselling Argeneau series of vampire novels are next on my list (I love a good vampire romance!). Check out all of her novels, and her bio, at www.lynsaysands.net. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

Sands, Lynsay. The Loving Daylights. New York: HarperCollins, 2012. 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: I read an audiobook version of this novel downloaded from my local public library. It is NSFW, and not just because you'll be laughing out loud. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone.