MY TBR PILE CHALLENGE – UPDATE

I’m very pleased with my progress this month. I not only read my selected books but three additional books as well.

These are the books I’m planning to read in June.

(Jaded Gentlemen, #4)

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)

Cover Blurb

After the darkness of a dungeon in India, artist Josiah Hastings dreamt of returning to a world lush with color—only to discover that years of imprisonment left his eyesight weak and failing. So when the fiery beauty of Miss Eleanor Beckett appears in his vision amidst the bleak grays of a London winter, he knows he’s found his muse and one last chance at a masterpiece.

Once a spoiled and exultant girl, Eleanor is struggling to survive in a city where men prey upon her. Saving her from assault and ruin, Josiah will pay her a fortune to sit for a painting. To restore her life, Eleanor must risk her reputation modeling for an artist without a chaperone—and try not to lose her heart to a man with dark secrets and unseen enemies…

 

(Dangerous Rogues, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)

Cover Blurb 

In this dazzling Dangerous Rogues novel, a daring and dangerously handsome duke will do anything for the woman he loves—even if it sparks a scandal.

FRIENDS AND LOVERS…

As a wealthy young widow, Lady Jessica Heyer must endure the closest of scrutiny and most wicked of rumors from society gossips. Their whispers would be utterly unbearable if it weren’t for her oldest friend, the Duke of Alsborough. Jessica knows she can always count on Hayden. What she never could have expected, however, is that he is deeply, madly in love with her…

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

For years, Hayden has kept his longing for his beautiful friend Jessica a secret. But now that she’s finally free to remarry, will she be willing to take their relationship to a more intimate level? He’ll get his answer soon—at a glittering masquerade, where identities are hidden, hearts are open, and true love is unmasked…in a single, shameless act of passion.

(The Westruthers #2)

Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)

Cover Blurb

Passion to last a lifetime…

The Sweetest Scandal

Beautiful, exuberant, and stubborn Georgiana Black has more spirit than sense—which she learns when an ultimatum to the Earl of Beckenham ends their engagement. Six years later, Georgie is less concerned with impending spinsterhood than with making sure her young sister doesn’t make the same mistakes she did. But soon Georgie stumbles into a scandalous encounter with none other than her former fiancé. Beckenham is still breathtakingly desirable.

The Truest Temptation

Beckenham’s brief engagement to Georgie taught him one thing: when it comes to a wife, he wants a woman who will do her duty and cause no trouble. When the fiery Georgie falls unexpectedly into his arms, Beckenham remembers just how lushly delectable she is. Suddenly, the idea of actually marrying Georgie is irresistible. In a battle of wills, can passion conquer pride?

 

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REVIEW: ECSTASY WEARS EMERALDS BY RENEE BERNARD

(Jaded Gentlemen, #3)

Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)

Cover Blurb

Like all the Jaded Gentlemen, Dr. Rowan West may have his secrets, but he’s done his best to forgive the ghosts of his past and move on with his life. Until the beautiful Miss Gayle Renshaw appears on his doorstep, jeopardizing his medical practice, his reputation, and, worst of all, his heart.

In her desperation to become a doctor, Gayle uses what she knows of Rowan’s fiancée’s mysterious death to blackmail him into taking her on as an apprentice. With his back against the wall, Rowan agrees, but quickly discovers that Gayle isn’t as heartless as she seems. Captivated by his tenacious and brilliant new student, Rowan finds himself surrendering to temptation, just as the enemies of the Jaded start to encroach. Now, with both their lives threatened, Rowan may be forced to give up the woman he loves to save her life…

♥♥♥♥♥♥

This is the third book in the brilliant Jaded Gentlemen series. Once again, Ms Bernard pens an enthralling, original and passionate love story and the world of Victorian medicine forms a fascinating and refreshingly different setting.

Rowan, with his inherent kindness and compassion, makes a great hero. He has an enquiring mind and, is willing to embrace new ideas in medicine whilst others are firmly entrenched in traditional thinking. He truly cares about his patients and treats them all with respect regardless of their social status. He even treats his staff more like family than employees.

“I strive for balance in my profession. And while some may see the populace as fodder for their laboratories, I refuse to ignore a person’s humanity so that I can feel secure and important.”

Gayle is an unconventional heroine. Although her desire to become a doctor flies in the face of Victorian convention, she is fiercely determined to succeed. Even when Rowan attempts to work her so hard that she would ‘quit after a fortnight of training and limp from the house with her baggage’, although exhausted, she refuses to be beaten and I couldn’t help but admire her resilience.

He’d pushed her harder than any apprentice had ever been pressed, and she’d simply borne it with a grace that often left him speechless.

I love how their romance grows through their love of medicine. It allows each of them to recognise their misconceptions about each other. At first, Rowan sees Gayle as nothing more than ‘a vicious little thing’ willing to destroy his reputation to achieve her aims but, as he comes to understand her, everything changes.

And there he was- inspired by her intense hope and wishing he could shield her from the worst to come and give her whatever she needed to make her dreams come true.

Gayle believes Rowan to be the ‘vile man’ who was responsible for her cousin Charlotte’s death and has no qualms about using a little blackmail to persuade him to take her on as his apprentice. As she watches him with his patients and his staff, she comes to see a very different man.

But the more I know of him, the more I wish to be near him. The way he respects his household staff and the way he spoke to his patients today – my father always said it was how a gentleman treats the common man that betrays the most about his character.

Some of the other Jaded Gentlemen make a welcome appearance and I loved the witty banter between Ashe and Michael. No wonder Gayle is charmed by them! The suspense sub-plot adds substance without overshadowing the romance and, although I didn’t find it difficult to guess the identity of the villain in this particular story, there is still the continuing mystery of who is ultimately threatening the Jaded.

Ms Bernard’s has such a beautiful writing style. It is romantic, sensual and emotional with lovely touches of humour. Here are some of my favourite moments.

He watched her ascend the stairs, as graceful as a duchess despite the awkward load she carried, and marvelled that anyone could be that beautiful and still make a man dedicated to healing consider poisoning her poached eggs in the morning.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

And there it was – that bright, fierce light in her eyes that made him want to kiss her senseless or just laugh and waltz her around the room. Her dreams were spinning out in her head, and he could almost see them, they were vibrant and powerful.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

She was pure innocence and pure passion – the duality of perception and reality collided and a new lesson was initiated, but Rowan knew that he was likely the student.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

“Just one last check for any glass slivers that may have strayed to your stockings.”
  “Oh!” His touch was efficient and feather soft, but the miasma of fire and delight that spread up her limbs to form a molten pool between her hips was intoxicating. Her knees turned to rubber, and she bit the inside of her cheek to stare at the ceiling as a thousand wicked thoughts nearly overcame her. The slay of warm fingers were telegraphing electric sweet storms all over her body, and she wasn’t sure she could survive another pass of his hands without betraying herself with a moan or a sigh.

ECSTASY WEARS EMERALDS is another wonderful addition to what is becoming a highly addictive series.

REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT

Read March 2014

The JADED GENTLEMEN series (click the cover for more details):

     

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REVIEW OF SEDUCTION WEARS SAPPHIRES BY RENEE BERNARD

(Jaded Gentlemen #2)

Genre: Victorian Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

Ashe Blackwell has enjoyed the life of an unrepentant rakehell ever since his return from India. But when his beloved grandfather challenges him to reform for a single social Season in London–or forfeit his inheritance–Ashe agrees to the wager

Fearless when it comes to a dare, Ashe fails to anticipate the ace up his grandfather’s sleeve. He will be assigned an unconventional chaperone–Miss Caroline Townsend, a young independent, well-educated American woman with beautiful eyes and no patience for rogues.

The sparks fly from their first meeting as the pair squares off in a duel of wills. When passion and desire are added to the mix, they both battle to keep control as a dangerous seduction begins to unravel their lives and threaten their futures…

★✩★✩★✩★

Entertaining, romantic, sexy and funny!

I just loved this second book in the Jaded Gentlemen series. Ms Bernard delights with a winning combination of unforgettable characters, lively plot, sparkling dialogue and some sizzling hot love scenes.

I love Ashe… such a complex, appealing, sexy rogue. His time in India left him a changed man… not only haunted by his experiences as a prisoner but also by memories of a love affair that ended tragically. Drowning in a hedonistic lifestyle seems the perfect way of forgetting the pain of a broken heart. But despite appearances, his sense of family loyalty and duty is still strong and when his grandfather summons him, he does not hesitate. He finds himself with no choice but to accept his grandfather’s wager. The possibility of his odious second cousin, Winston Yardley getting his hands on the family fortunes, land and holdings is too abhorrent to contemplate. Anyway, how difficult can it be to maintain a few weeks of impeccable behaviour? But his wily grandfather has an ace up his sleeve…a chaperone. Not just any chaperone but a plain little terrier of a woman with mesmerizing eyes.

I love Caroline. She is the perfect heroine for Ashe. No pasty-faced debutante but an independent, outspoken, tenacious and stubborn American. I admire not only her resolve to make something of her life other than being a charitable case for her relatives but also her spirit and courage in travelling alone to England. She’s needs the monies offered by Ashe’s grandfather but not for any avaricious reason. She valued her own education and wants to build a university so that other women can also obtain the same education. So how difficult can it be to chaperone Mr Blackwell’s grandson for a few weeks? Maybe more difficult than she thinks when her charge is a rude, smug, boorish, ruggedly handsome, imposing rogue.

Their initial hostile clashes are so entertaining and I love how Caroline refuses to be intimidated by Ashe’s acerbic remarks and gives as good as she gets.

…I don’t need you to keep me from disgrace. Rogue or no. I’m capable of holding my own without some drab tight-lipped American nipping at my heels. Frankly, I would rather haul a tiger around on a bridle than cart you through a Season.”
Hands fisted at her hips, she faced him squarely. “I’m glad we have an understanding then, Mr. Blackwell. Especially since I am the one with the unhappy task of holding your bridle, which from here makes you look less like a tiger and more and more like an ass!”

Ashe expects Caroline to fall flat on her face when she first goes into society but she charms the formidable Lady Fitzgerald and has the old misogynist Colonel Stevenson positively eating out of her hand. I love how Ashe has a fit of the sulks!

The tension between these two is simply delicious! I absolutely love the highly charged scenes where the sleepwalking Caroline wanders into Ashe’s bedroom and he definitely sees his prim and proper chaperone in a whole new light! His struggles to keep from ravishing Caroline, who is blissfully unaware of the situation, are so funny. Another favourite is where Ashe arrives at the modiste as Caroline is being fitted for a new wardrobe. I just love his suggestive comments about the riding habit! Oh and when these two finally get together, expect some love scenes that really sizzle! I love how Ashe shows he has changed by deeds rather than words and proves himself worthy of Caroline’s love.

I really like Ashe’s grandfather. He is a wily old curmudgeon who is not above using a little deception to get what he wants. But his heart is in the right place and he genuinely loves Ashe.

The conniving Winston Yardley is a suitably menacing villain. It was great to see all his scheming thwarted by Caroline’s quick thinking.

SEDUCTION WEARS SAPPHIRES is an immensely entertaining romance and now I’m looking forward to reading ECSTASY WEARS EMERALDS, the next book in the series.

REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 stars

SENSUALITY RATING: HOT!

Read August 2013

The JADED GENTLEMEN series (click the cover for more details):

     

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NEW BOOKS ADDED TO MY BOOKSHELVES

Ella Quinn kindly sent me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

(The Marriage Game #3)

Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

LADY SERENA WEIR has achieved the impossible. At the spinsterish age of twenty-six, she is the most sought after lady on the Marriage Mart. Serena is determined to find not only a husband, but love.

ROBERT, VISCOUNT BEAUMONT, London’s most hardened rake, was betrayed by a woman once and now wants a wife he can rule with an iron hand. Love has no place in his life or in his heart, or so he thinks.

When Robert decides the only way to marry Serena is to compromise her and smugly declare their betrothal, Serena takes off to Paris until Robert can mend his ways. Can love settle the differences between these two strong-willed characters? Or will both live in the shadows of ruin?

Note: The expected date of publication is 14 January 2014 but it is available to pre-order from Amazon US, Amazon UK and Kensington Books. 

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

I had an unexpected windfall this month and so I decided to buy the remaining books to complete Renee Bernard’s Jaded Gentleman series and Maureen Driscoll’s Kellington series.

(Jaded Gentlemen #5)

Genre: Victorian Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

Darius Thorne has learned to use his wit and intelligence to strategize a better life for himself. He is the White Knight amidst the small secret circle of Gentlemen known only as the Jaded. The handsome scholar shields his heart by keeping a studied distance from the world…until he rescues a beautiful woman who literally falls into his hands.

Isabel Netherton isn’t merely a damsel in distress. A high born lady of quality unwilling to be a pawn, she is defiantly escaping an abusive husband. But under Darius’ protection she discovers an unexpected champion—a man who teaches her the power of true desire and what it means to be treated like a queen.

However, the law of the land supports her husband’s cruel claim. It will take all of Darius’ wit to keep one step ahead of their enemies and protect Isabel. In a deadly game of chess, Darius must defeat the Black Knight and sacrifice himself for his Ivory Queen or forfeit all.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

(Jaded Gentlemen #6)

Genre: Victorian Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

The shy soldier and self-appointed guardian of the Jaded, Michael Rutherford is faced with the ultimate test of his loyalty and honor when he meets the woman who is at once his perfect match and the worst choice he could ever make. The final battle with the Jaded’s greatest enemy will force him to choose between the brotherhood he has vowed to protect and shielding the innocent lady he comes to love. For Michael, it is a dance with the devil for a chance to taste the kisses of an angel.

Grace Porter is no ordinary wallflower or shy spinster hiding in the shadows of her brother’s London home. She is a quiet rebel with secrets of her own and a woman who dreams of an independent life, free to pursue her dreams as a writer. Her imagination holds the key to her survival, but it fuels her retreat from the colorless world around her. Until Michael Rutherford’s arrival upturns her every fantasy and threatens her sanctuary with his lies. His embrace is intoxicating to her senses, but Grace isn’t the kind of woman to lose her head—or her heart.

It’s a knuckle-biting race to the finish for fans of the Jaded as fan favorite Michael Rutherford discovers the identity of the Jackal, and Michael learns that sometimes the price to pay for justice is the sacrifice of hope and happiness. He will risk everything as the Jaded call him out as a traitor and nothing is what it seems.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

(Kellington #3)

Genre: Regency Erotic Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

Maureen Driscoll’s Kellington novels continue with Arthur’s story, the third book in her Regency romance series.

When Arthur Kellington was fifteen, a Romany fortune teller predicted that his true love would be killed. Since then, he’s resolved to never fall in love. He has no trouble keeping his resolution until he meets Vanessa Gans, an agent with the Home Office who is on the trail of two hardened criminals. As he finds himself falling for her, he must keep his distance emotionally as the only way to protect them both.

Despite her illegitimate birth, Vanessa Gans has worked her way up to being one of the Crown’s finest agents. She’s reluctant to accept Arthur’s help initially because she doesn’t want to place him in danger. Then she realizes her heart is truly at risk because there can be no honorable future between them.

NEVER WAGER AGAINST LOVE is a romantic tale of bravery, sacrifice and love. It contains explicit language.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

(Kellington #4)

Genre: Regency Erotic Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

Another Kellington brother finds love in the fourth book of Maureen Driscoll’s critically-acclaimed Regency romance series.

When Hal Kellington sees a respectable reform worker with the stockings of a courtesan, he’s intrigued. When his friend wagers he cannot kiss the chit, he’s challenged. And when he gets to know the spirited American, he realizes the stakes are higher than he could possibly imagine.Since arriving in England to live with her uncle and aunt, Melanie Sutton has been working to help London prostitutes start new lives in America. When they begin disappearing, she accepts the help of a notorious rake to track them down. But she soon discovers that resisting temptation is much easier preached than practiced.

NEVER RUN FROM LOVE contains explicit language and adult situations.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

(Kellington #5)

Genre: Regency Erotic Historical Romance

Official Blurb 

William (Liam) Kellington, the Duke of Lynwood, loves Rosalind Carson, the sister of an impoverished viscount. But while Lynwood was still coming to terms with his feelings — dukes can be particularly dim-witted when it comes to love — Rosalind’s brother sold her into a lucrative betrothal to another nobleman. Liam vows to save Rosalind from a marriage she does not want, while also convincing her to become the Duchess of Lynwood.

The lady, however, is not one to wait to be rescued.

Rosalind has been in love with William Kellington much of her life. And it has been a rather one-sided romance. When her brother promises her to a man five decades her senior, Rosalind must find a way to live the life she wants and not the one that has been forced upon her.

NEVER DENY YOUR HEART is the fifth book in the Kellington romance series and contains explicit language and adult situations.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

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NEW REVIEW OF REVENGE WEARS RUBIES BY RENEE BERNARD

(Jaded Gentlemen #1)

Genre: Historical Erotic Romance

Official Blurb 

First in a sexy new series of erotic passion set in Victorian London

Vengeance doesn’t always turn out the way you planned.

Galen Hawke desires nothing but revenge against the woman who betrayed his dearly departed friend. Instead of mourning the loss of her fiancé, Miss Haley Moreland is merrily celebrating her upcoming nuptials to another man. Now, Galen has one mission: to seduce Miss Moreland and enslave her heart. And when she is completely his, he will destroy her.

With her family on the brink of financial ruin, Haley knows she should be grateful for her providential betrothal. But then she meets the dangerously handsome Galen, whose wicked touch makes her long to abandon all logic. If Galen’s promises are sincere, the match to a family of noble blood and strong financial accounts could be the remedy her family desperately needs. And if he isn’t sincere, one last chance to taste the passion he ignites before settling into a life of convention is equally alluring.

★✩★✩★✩★✩★

*In the interests of full disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the author as a gift with no strings attached. It is my personal choice to write this review and these are my honest thoughts about the book.* 

REVENGE WEARS RUBIES is my first book by Renee Bernard and it certainly won’t be my last. Romantic, witty and lusciously sensual, it is definitely an engaging and entertaining read!

I’m always a bit wary of the revenge trope in romances. Often the reason for seeking the revenge is flawed and the hero acts like an all-round ass and ends up being a totally unsympathetic character. I think Ms Bernard hits just the right balance in this book. In flashbacks, she establishes the close bond existing between Galen and John Everly and I could accept why Galen would want to seek revenge on a woman who appears so cruel and heartless. Galen has been in a deep depression and plagued by nightmares since his return to England but his plan to seduce and ruin Haley gives him a renewed purpose in life.

Months of lethargy vanished, and Galen felt a new power and force of will take shape inside of him. All his instincts to be cautious vanished in the space of a single breath.

I enjoyed watching Galen’s vengeful plan start to unravel as he gradually develops genuine feelings for Haley. The seducer becomes the seduced.

Galen wrestled with an increasing attachment to her, a desire to keep her close and linger in her presence. The more he experienced her, the more beautiful and enticing she was growing, and the puzzle of it was as intoxicating as the woman.

Charming, charismatic and seductive, I couldn’t help but like Galen. His honesty and sincerity when Haley discovers the truth really touched me. He does not give up easily which is just as well under the circumstances. I won’t say anymore for fear of spoilers, other than his timing is spot on!

Wishing for the moon doesn’t bring it any closer, but God help me, why do I keep looking at it?

I like Haley very much. Her life has not been a bed of roses. The family estate is in financial difficulties and her father drinks excessively. She knows her marriage options are limited without a dowry and she’s prepared to marry the wealthy Mr Trumble to save herself and her father from penury. I admire how she economizes by making her own dresses and how ironic it is that ladies of the ton are eager to know who her dressmaker is!

I can understand her attraction to Galen. He’s everything Mr Trumble isn’t; handsome, flirtatious and exciting – the fulfilment of her dreams. She’s no shrinking violet and I like how she’s not afraid to explore her newfound sensuality.

If variety is the spice of life then Ms Bernard certainly spiced up my life with a variety of steamy love scenes filled with eroticism and sensuality.

…every inch of her passionate nature unfurled like a flower in the sun, and she surrendered to each impulse that brought her closer to the heat and fire she craved.

He wanted her in a thousand ways, and the erotic tangle of it unfolded in a sweet cascade of images that taunted him…

I really enjoyed Galen’s seduction with his provocative words and suggestive banter.

Galen lifted himself off the bed and burrowed under the light covers to position himself at her feet.
“G-Galen? What are you doing? “she asked warily.
“Conducting a survey of the landscape,” he answered, his voice muffled by the sheets.

The interesting cast of secondary characters includes Haley’s Aunt Alice (a favourite of mine with her ribald tales), Haley’s fiancé, Mr Trumble (I prefer to call him Mr Bumble) and Rand Bascombe (a nasty piece of work indeed).

We also meet the fellow members of ‘The Jaded’ all bound together by their experiences as captives in India with their own stories to tell.

There was just enough intrigue to capture my interest and no doubt all the questions I have regarding The Jaded…

– why was each of them taken captive?
– who now wants them dead?
– where is the stolen treasure?

will all be answered in the course of the series

Emotional and sinfully passionate with just the right amount of background intrigue, this is a great start to The Jaded series. 

VERDICT: COMPELLING. A GOOD PAGE TURNER

RATING: 4.5/5  Stars

SENSUALITY RATING:  SIZZLING

Read May 2013

The Jaded series to date (click on cover for more details)

    

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