A Little Thing Called Love: Review and Giveaway!

Bookish, beautiful Jennifer Tarleton wants to marry for love. Her father's gambling debts, however, ensure she must marry for money, and her father is planning to wed her to the highest bidder. His list of prospects does not include upstart Irishman Fyclan Morris, who happens to be Jennifer's perfect match. He is also the man who ruined her father. Duty says Jennifer should put her family before her heart, but society's rules mean very little to the headstrong young lady. Fyclan represents daring, and adventure, and he's stolen her heart. Surely that is more important than duty?

This novella was a quick, enjoyable read and sets readers up for The Match of the Century, Maxwell's upcoming historical romance (publication date November 2015). The shorter format gives readers instant gratification, while the writing and storyline leave us wanting more. I highly recommend A Little Thing Called Love to anyone wanting a short, delicious, read.

Follow this Tasty Tour for more reviews, then purchase your copy of this prequel at  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below - you could win your own digital copy of A Little Thing Called Love! 

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About the Author
New York Times Bestselling Author, Cathy Maxwell, spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, “Why do people fall in love?” It remains for her the great mystery of life and the secret to happiness. She lives in beautiful Virginia with children, horses, dogs, and cats. 

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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. 

Guest Post: Stephanie's review of Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan

Confession: I once wrote the prologue to Rebecca in its entirety all over the cover of my chemistry notebook—I’d read it that many times (and let’s be honest, Daphne DuMaurier will always be more interesting than balancing chemical equations.) Much like the beloved DuMaurier and Brontë novels that dominated my teenage years, Fiercombe Manor pretty much checked all my time-trusted boxes: crumbling English manor, family secrets, madness, tragedy, ghosts, brooding heroes, shy but determined heroines, and (an admittedly more recent trope) a time-slip dual-narrative. I am a sucker for it all. That being said, on to the summary:

In the summer of 1933, Alice Eveleigh finds herself whisked off to the Gloucester countryside in shame. Pregnant but unmarried, she flees London at the behest of her parents with a false story of a dead husband so she may have the baby in secret under the care of her mother’s childhood friend, the housekeeper of secluded Fiercombe Manor. Upon arrival, Alice discovers a nearly abandoned valley where the two remaining servants treat her with care and friendliness in one moment, and unsettling anxiety and tightlipped secrecy in another. In alternating chapters, we are also presented with the story of Lady Elizabeth Stanton, the former mistress of Fiercombe Manor and the now demolished Stanton House. As Alice reads Elizabeth’s diary and picks up on hints of unspeakable past tragedies, the reader joins Alice on her quest to discover what really happened to her predecessor. The arrival of Tom, heir to the estate and nephew of Elizabeth, complicates matters as Alice struggles with both her growing feelings for him and the strange connection she feels with the dead Elizabeth, whose diary is filled with fears regarding her final pregnancy and her increasingly distant husband. What led her and her daughter to disappear without a trace while her husband fled to London and drank himself to death? What will become of Alice after the birth of her baby in a world where single motherhood is nearly impossible?

While I may be giving you the impression that this is some sweeping gothic romance, it absolutely is not: One of the most beautiful things about this book was how understated it was. What could have been a straightforward mad-wife-in-the-attic-type gothic tale was instead a rich story of human frailty and how tragedy and misunderstanding can ignite further suffering and despair.  It was haunting, moving, and thought provoking, with enough suspense to keep the pages turning [even though you were supposed to be somewhere five minutes ago]. It was one of those books that enveloped me and remained in my thoughts days later as I pondered society’s catastrophic failure to understand mental health as well as the question of what constitutes madness or sanity.  My only real complaint with this book was the ending: while satisfying, it was just too abrupt. For most of the novel, the pace was comfortable and rich in mood and characterization, but in the end, everything resolved itself in a couple of pages that were far too matter-a-fact and I found myself wanting more.

Riordan, Kate. Fiercombe Manor. New York: Harper Collins, 2015. 4.5 gloriously sweeping stars. (Originally published in the UK as The Girl in the Photograph by Penguin UK, 2015)

About Stephanie: Stephanie shares her life with her dog, her husband, and historical romances. She lives, reads, and (occasionally) blogs from the South. 

When one series ends, another begins…

Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series has a special place in my heart. It introduced me to paranormal/steampunk crossovers, and all five books are well-written with a balance of humor, adventure and a bit of romance. I was sorry when the series ended, though by that point the author had already started a prequel series for teens, which I also enjoyed. I couldn’t wait to see what she came up with next. 

What was next was Prudence, first book in the Custard Protocol series and a continuation of the Parasol Protectorate, though with a gap of around twenty years. If you have not read the Parasol Protectorate books, or are in the middle of the series, be warned that this review may have some spoilers.

Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is twenty-one, and a darling of society, but she’s bored and apt to find herself in embarrassing escapades. When her adopted father sends her to India to look into his top-secret tea dealings she’s thrilled to finally have a true adventure. But soon heretofore unknown native shifters pull Rue into their politics, and Rue’s diplomacy skills and quick mind are the only things that can stop a declaration of war on England.

My high hopes for this novel were sadly unrealized. While I loved the idea of all the children from the previous books having their own adventures, mostly this book was about clothing. I got the distinct impression that the author had done a ton of research into the clothing and dress of the time period and was determined that absolutely all of it would be used in one novel. I put the book down several times because I was so tired of reading about what everyone was wearing. I persevered out of some crazy sense of loyalty to the previous books, and was finally rewarded about 3/4 of the way through. At that point the plot kicked in, Rue proved that she did have a quick mind and the plot wrested control away from the excruciating historical detail. 

Imprudence, book two in the series, is due out sometime next year and I will definitely pick it up. Despite my disappointment in this first installment the novel was well-written, and the groundwork has been set for what could be a very enjoyable book two. Everyone has a bad day, right?

Carriger, Gail. Prudence. New York: Orbit, 2015. 3.5 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. 

Debutante seeks husband ASAP

Rosalie Hughes dreads the idea of begging her stepbrother, the Duke of Banbury, for assistance. But what else is she to do? She finished school two years ago. It was only due to the kindness of the headmistress that she was able to continue living there, especially since her mother, Melisande, stopped sending school fees years ago. In fact, Rosalie has no idea where her mother is. Which explains why she is standing in the rain at the Duke’s doorstep, waiting to see a man she hasn't set eyes on since she was ten and he was fifteen. Wondering if he’s still as handsome, and if he will remember the little girl who tagged along behind him like a puppy. Wondering if he’ll help her.

Declan, Duke of Banbury, is a rake. Filling his nights with willing women and wild nights, he avoids any responsibility. He doesn’t even intend to marry and produce an heir, leaving that duty, and the title, to his cousin's line instead. It might be different if his father hadn't kicked him out when he was only fifteen, choosing his young bride, Melisande, over this own son. Melisande. Could there be a more despicable creature? It’s worth paying the woman a monthly widow’s allowance to keep her dalliances and scandals as far from him as possible.

When Declan arrives home accompanied by his friends and three ladies of questionable repute he is shocked to find Rosalie curled up on his sofa. Upon hearing her situation, he reluctantly agrees to house Rosalie (with his aunt and female cousin to chaperone) and set her up with a substantial dowry. She will have a Season, hopefully catch a husband, and be out of his life again in a matter of weeks. Though somehow, as the days go by, that idea seems less and less appealing.

Rosalie pours her energy into finding a husband, as it’s too difficult to stay under the same roof as Declan. Each time he looks at her she sees the hatred in his eyes and knows that he wants her out from under his roof. The boy she doted on is long gone. Why, then, does she still care for him?

This first book in Jordan’s new series does a fantastic job of introducing all of the characters, not just the hero and heroine.  There is wit and humor, as well as deep emotion, in this novel, lending credence to character’s motives and actions. The historical setting is well done, transporting the reader into another time, where a woman's future depended on following societal expectations and behaviors. Overall this novel is extremely readable, and I am looking forward to the next title in the series. 

Jordan, Sophie. A Good Debutante’s Guide to Ruin (The Debutante Files #1). New York: Avon Books, 2014. 4 stars.

Disclaimer:  As an Avon Addict I received this book free from the publisher  in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in the review are mine alone.