Audio Book Review: Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas

Audio Book Review: Married by Morning

Written By: Lisa Kleypas
Performed by: Rosalyn Landor
Brilliance Audio Unabridged
9 Hours 52 Minutes
Writing: 5 Heart Review
Audio Performance: 5 Heart Review

He is everything she wants to avoid...

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters – a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges' older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response – and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems...

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine's respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever – unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires...

I'm a big fan of Kleypas. I mean who isn't? But I've always read her contemporaries and had sort of purposefully ignored her historicals. Why? Because I think I could very well find myself reading her entire backlist of books to the exclusion of many other writers. Since I know Kleypas is a big name in romance and doesn't need a review here for people to know she has a book out, I narrowed my reading of her to comtemps because I feel there aren't enough of us singing the praises of the straight-up contemporary and how great they are.

When I received Married by Morning to review I decided to try out a Kleypas historical – and holy crap, what I have been missing! Married by Morning is now seriously in my all-time top books. One reason? LEO! Kleypas might have officially ruined me for all other romance heros. All that come after might see themselves compared to Leo and found lacking. My PERFECT HERO.

I loved almost every single thing about this book – pure perfection for me! Believe it or not, I loved it even more than I have many of her contemporary titles. The ending was slightly off from what I had expected, but not bad or anything that would have ruined the story at all. In fact, I thought there were many parts of the ending that brought the trust and relationship between Cat and Leo full circle.

Now, with all the Leo talk you might think that the heroine Catherine was only so-so or average. She was not at all. In fact, she was an amazingly relatable character that I found loving easy to do. Her quirky nature and imperfect looks – she wears glasses back when I imagine it was not at all fashionable for a women or man – made me root for her to match wits with Leo again and again.

As for the audio book performer Rosalyn Landor? One word: fantastic! Her changes in voice are slight, but you never question who is speaking as she inhabits each character completely. I loved how easily she was able to get across Leo’s cheeky tone when he’s trying to annoy Cat. Rosalyn’s performance really added to my love of both Leo and Catherine.

If you’ve been on the fence about trying audio books, this is one I can 100% say to try. It’s a great one to hear audio books at their best and with a great story to boot.

Again, I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book and now I’m doomed to reading Kleypas’ entire backlist of historicals. I’ve already gotten Love in the Afternoon that I can’t wait to start!

Happy Reading!

Audio Lovin': Audio Book Review of Reckless by Amanda Quick

Audio Lovin: Audio Book Review of Reckless by Amanda Quick
Performed by Anne Flosnik
Briilliance Audio Unabridged Version
11 Hours : 55 Minutes
Story – 3 Heart Review
Narrator – 5 Heart Review

At sixteen Phoebe Layton had imagined that Gabriel Banner was a brave and valiant knight, a noble-hearted hero born to rescue ladies in distress. Which was why, eight years later, when she desperately needed help to carry out a vital quest she could think of no one more suited to the job than Gabriel.

But when she lures her shining knight to a lonely midnight rendezvous, Phoebe finds herself sparring with a dangerously desirable man who is nothing like the hero of her dreams, and when he sweeps her into a torrid – and blatantly unchivalrous – embrace, she can’t help but fear that she’s made a dreadful mistake. It’s a kiss that will seal Phoebe’s fate. For now the exacting Earl of Wylde has a quest of his own: to possess the most intriguing, impulsive, outrageous female he has ever met…even if he has to slay a dragon to do it.

Right off the bat, I knew I was going to have fun with this audio book. The narrator (voice performer?) Anne Flosnik did excellent voices, and the hero and heroine had me wrapped around their little fingers very quickly.

This was audio book that had me literally smiling as I drove down the highway. First off, Anne does a wonderful job with the voices transporting you to the time period. What made me smile was that if ever there was an audio book made for a drinking game this is it and the narrator adds so much fun with her tone!

Just what do I mean? Well, without giving away any spoilers, I can tell you the hero and heroine are on a quest to find a book called the Lady and the Sorcerer. Now – take the word Sorcerer and make it Sore-soar-roar in a sing song voice and you have an instant drinking game! Mrs. Quick includes the title of the book so many times you’ll be drunk before you’re even past the first few chapters. It could have been insanely annoying, but again, the way the narrator says the line cracked me up every time.

My issues with this audio book didn’t involve the great narration. Instead, I was disappointed in the characters as the story moved forward. I adored the heroine Phoebe at the beginning of the story, but found myself falling out of love with her as the story progressed. Why? Because the author created such a smart, intelligent and witty woman in Phoebe and then made her seem to regress in intelligence and become more naïve as the story went on. Phoebe lost the wit and spunk she showed in the first few chapters and this made me lose interest in the story.

There were also a few parts of the story I felt didn’t feel right. Phoebe and Gabriel were smart and yet they only watch the front of a building when trying to catch a thief. Hello – everyone knows thieves don’t go in the front door! It felt like this part of the plot was forced and didn’t go well with what the characters would have thought to have done.

Gabriel was a hero readers will swoon over and Phoebe is great in the beginning. She’s still “her” at the end, but I just felt that the story didn’t hold up the promise of her character that was presented at the beginning. It’s like, LOOK – awesome strong historical female, and then she slowly loses her intelligence. I just shake my head as I write this because Phoebe rocked it at the start of the story.

I did get many chuckles – even beyond the drinking game phrases – and enjoyed listening to this historical romance. I will definitely be listening to more of Amanda Quick’s audio book and cannot say enough about how well Anne Flosnik did with the voices.

Romance Book Review: An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey

Romance Book Review: An Earl to Enchant: The Rogues' Dynasty
By: Amelia Grey
Sourcebooks Casablanca
3 Heart Review

He's Determined Not To Be A Hero...

Lord Morgandale is as notorious as he is dashing, and he's determined no woman will tie him down. But from the moment Arianna Sweet appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist the lure of her fascinating personality, exotic wardrobe, and tempting green eyes...

She Has A Deadly Secret...

Arianna Sweet never imagined the significance of her father's research until after his untimely death. Now she is in possession of his groundbreaking discovery, one that someone would kill for. She can't tell Lord Morgandale her secret, but she knows she needs his help, desperately...

A fan of author Amelia Grey's Rogue's Dynasty series, I was very much looking forward to reading An Earl to Enchant and it proved to be a delightful read.

I found it amazing how much of this story is told with just the hero and heroine and within just a few rooms/settings. It is so focused on the couple and their being alone together, but it never fails to keep the reader engaged and entertained. It takes a very good writer to have so much of the story with just those two characters and very few appearances of others. I was highly impressed with the skill this took and the reader will not miss those extra characters or settings at all. I loved how straight forward this love story was without all the extra noise.

The storyline of the heroine Arianna having spent much of her life in India made this story come alive with something other than just your usual young lady. Arianna's missteps for what is acceptable in English society are expertly layered throughout the story, but they are not overly done or exaggerated as many authors might do. These escapades added just the right hint of exotic fun and all three Rogue brother's viewing Arianna belly dancing through a window was a scene you will chuckle out loud over. 

The part of the story that wasn't as compelling to me was that of finding Arianna's father's murderer. Yes, I know this was the driving motivation behind Arianna's character, but I really skipped right over these sections. I didn't care who had killed her father, or that they were caught, I just wanted more of Morgan fighting to not fall in love, and then fighting not to marry Arianna even though he loved her.     

It was refreshing to have a virgin heroine who was perfectly okay with never marrying and not because she was afraid of men. Instead, Arianna was just happy with life and didn't feel the need for a man to make her existence better. She loved Morgan, but would not have wanted him to marry her if he hadn't loved her. She was a very unassuming heroine and I enjoyed that.

If you haven't read any of the Rogue's Dynasty Series you should really check them out. They are very well-written and lovely books that always satisfy me.

Romance Book Review: A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore – 4 Heart Review

Romance Book Review: A Touch of Scandal
By: Jennifer Haymore
4 Heart Review
Grand Central Publishing
Historical Romance

The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-solider had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he's convinced he's been betrayed.

Kate knows her duty is to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett's powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen – and sizzling -- kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way – the one that can separate Garrett and Kate Forever.

From the opening paragraphs, I immediately knew I was in for a treat with A Touch of Scandal. Who wouldn't be excited about a Historical Romance with this as the second paragraph...?

Taking a deep breath, she forcefully slowed her step, squared her shoulders, and lowered her eyes. She was simply a servant, finished with her duties for the day, ready to take the 3 mile walk home. Not a flustered woman rushing out to a secret secluded spot to watch a strange man – no a god, more like – bathe in the nude.

Loving the role reversal of the heroine watching the hero bathe in the nude and being the first to harbor lust was a pleasant surprise and a fun way to start this book. What follows is a well-plotted and lushly written romance I can honestly highly recommend.

As the reader, I felt equally pulled into the story from both the hero and heroine's perspective and understood their motivations and conflicts. It's not every book that I want to equally follow both the main characters and didn't have any issues with either of them. In fact, I thought Kate and Garrett were pitch perfect and the story made it so you never waivered in believing them to be made for each other.

The one part of the book that I couldn't get behind was the character of Kate's mother. You find out very early in the story that Kate's mother does not show love toward her and that I didn't have an issue with. It worked perfectly with the story. The issue I had was with the character of the mother at the end of the story. I'm very against spoilers of any kind – even small ones – so I won't say much here except that the ending did not match what this reader had hoped would happen with the mother's part of the story.

I wasn't alone in this thinking. A friend who also read the book felt the same way and we spent some time discussing the mother figure. It just didn't seem to fulfill what the reader would have wanted or expected at the end of this story for the mother. It almost felt like this was not the way Jennifer originally intended for the mother, but was somehow changed along the editing process. Now, I don't know that for sure but it felt slightly disjointed to me. It was the only thing I found out of place in the entire book. 

Besides the mother and her part of the ending, this was an absolutely perfect historical romance for me. You'll find no clichéd masque balls or members of the ton. What you will find is a story full of heart, expertly plotted, and with a hero and heroine you'll find equally lovable. 

Blog Tour: A Courtesan's Scandal by Julia London

Julia London's newest romance...A Courtesan's Scandal...

Kate Bergeron is the beautiful and mysterious former mistress of a cloth merchant...and the latest beauty to capture the interest of the Prince of Wales. Mired in a disastrous divorce, the Prince attempts to distract attention from his next amorous pursuit by ordering Grayson Christopher, the eligible Duke of Darlington, to pretend to London society that he is having the affair with Kate.

When Grayson reluctantly agrees to his Prince's demand, he finds the lady no more willing than he is. Kate will grudgingly act the part in public, but her favors are not for sale to any man.

As Grayson and Kate mimic ardor for the world to see, they find what started as a deception becoming all too real. And when passion flames into love, their predicament becomes extreme. For while marriage between a duke and a courtesan could never happen, Kate knows in her heart that she is willing to accept nothing less...

Welcome Author Lyn Armstrong to The Freaky Friday Halloween Bash!

Welcome to our Freaky Friday Halloween Party! To kick off our celebration with a bang, I'm pleased to introduce guest author Lyn Armstrong to Cheeky Reads. I knew she'd be a perfect guest today because not only does she love Halloween, but she writes kick-ass erotic historicals about witches.

I'll be handing out random treats throughout the day and on Twitter, so be sure to check back often for your chance to win. One lucky reader will win an autographed copy of Lyn's first Celtic Witch story, The Last Celtic Witch! Make sure to leave a comment below to enter to win!

Now, let's welcome Lyn to Cheeky Reads!

You write erotic historicals set in Scotland. Would you tell us a little about The Last Celtic Witch, the first book in the Celtic series? Certainly. The Last Celtic Witch is very near and dear to my heart. This was the first book I had published, and is one of my favorites. Here is the blurb:

Pursued by evil forces for her powers, recluse Adela MacAye foresees her own agonizing death. She must seek the chosen one to produce an heir and pass on her Celtic powers. To fail would be the end of good magick, plunging the world into darkness. Conjuring a fertility spell she is led to a sensual chieftain who is betrothed to the sorceress that hunts her. Time is running out as fate and the future pursue her.

Plagued by enemies and undermined by sabotage, handsome Laird Phillip Roberts must save his clan from a bloody feud with an alliance through marriage … a marriage he does not want. After a night of white-hot sensual delights with the alluring witch, his heart commands he break the pledge of peace. With treachery around every corner, will he be too late to save …

The Last Celtic Witch?

Which actor would you pick to play the sexy hero in the Last Celtic Witch? For The Last Celtic Witch, I visualized Laird Phillip Roberts as Brad Pitt as he looked in the movie “Troy”. I like to cut out pictures of actors and sexy models and stick them on my wall beside my computer. This helps me get into the character’s head, plus when I am describing their looks, I can “flesh” out the details.

What inspired that first Celtic Witch book and the ones that have followed? There are many things that inspired The Last Celtic Witch. I’ve always been a fan of witches and warlocks with powers that help or hinder their lives. I also like to read erotic, edgy books that are epic adventures, which is why I write those types of stories. The dark, gritty side of history inspires me along with people from the past. They lived such harsh and brutal lives. When you add romance, magick, lust, and betrayal, it sends me into another fantasy world where good overcomes evil, and the sex is always amazing. LOL.

How much fun did you have researching Scotland and its legends for this series? Have you had the chance to visit Scotland? I was fortunate to do a six-week historical tour in Scotland. I went inside more castles than I can name, each one leaving me with a part of history. On top of that, I researched Scotland, its Celtic lore and Scottish witches for months. I would say it took me longer to research each book in the Celtic series than it did for me to write them. And I loved every painstaking minute of it. LOL.

There are 5 books in the Celtic series now. Tell us a little about the series as a whole and what kind of heros and heroines our readers can find in your books. Well, every book has received outstanding reviews. I won my first award with Witch Hunter where it received Reviewers Recommend Award at Coffee Times Romance.

The Celtic Series: The Last Celtic Witch - The Celtic Witch and the Sorcerer - Heart of a Warlock - Lady of the Mountain - Witch Hunter

In a superstitious time where witches are prosecuted and magick considered the devil’s work, a Scottish clan filled with secret Celtic powers must fight an evil darkness threatening their chance for love and their very survival.

My heroes and heroines consist of Celtic witches, a sexy warlock, evil sorcerer, Scottish chieftain and a sorceress. I like to put my heroines in very challenging situations where it seems impossible for them to escape. It’s important that my characters grow in some way through the book—to learn something new about themselves. You will fall in love with each character, even the villains and villainess. Oh, everyone LOVES my villainess. She was so much fun to write about. Many say she represents the darker side of me. Which is really scary to think about. LOL.

Now, I said you write Erotic Historicals, but your books are not just hot, they are SPICY! For readers not familiar with erotic romances, would you tell them what the difference is from your average hot romance? I know the first time I saw "erotic" on a book I hesitated, but there really was no worry! There are varying degrees of erotic romance. If you are interested, you can check out the heat ratings at www.ResplendencePublishing.com. They have different gems for their romance novels. For instance, my books are rated “Fire Opal”. This is the hottest rating because I have graphic sex scenes. I also have mild bondage, m/m, f/f, and ménage scenes. However, my stories are set around a romance between a man and woman. Some erotica is based on just the sex, but my stories have a strong plotline with great characterization. The sex scenes move the story along rather than rely on it.

What's been your favorite scene to write so far? Can you give us a little peak? Wow, that’s a hard one. I love all the books and characters; it’s hard to pick just one. But I loved writing this high-tension scene from the Witch Hunter.

Rhiannon spent the eve sitting on cold stones in the king’s dank dungeon, thinking about all things she wished she could change. If she had a chance, she would tell her mother, father and the rest of her family that she loved them. She would apologize to Lachlan for being the cause of his downfall. She never wanted him to be in the middle of the trial, which was why she trapped him in the mountain.

She rubbed her hot hands on her thighs. Since the middle of the eve, her palms constantly burned. There was not much time left before the sun rose and all goodness left her soul. How could she face the look of fear from Lachlan when the hex took effect? If only she were executed yesterday.

A nervous giggle erupted from her mouth. To think she was wishing in her last moments to die earlier.

The door opened, and the repulsive lanky Inquisitor pulled her to her feet. “I can help you escape,” Grigor offered.

Rhiannon stared at him, her heart leaping to throat.

“If you promise to use your powers to my benefit, we can work out an accord.” Grigor cupped her breasts and she shivered.

She spat in his face. “I would rather die.”

He gripped her arm and pulled her up against him, his teeth clenching. “Then I will torch you myself.”

Grigor dragged her along the cavernous hallway. For once, the Inquisitor was silent which terrified her more than his threats.

He placed her in the same cart she took to Tolbooth yesterday. “Where is Lord Lachlan?” she asked.

“You will see him soon enough,” Grigor replied in a scathing tone and sat beside the driver.

Tilting her head up, Rhiannon observed the eve’s fading stars, appreciating the last chance of seeing the sky’s dark beauty. Conflicting emotions tore at her heart. Although she was afraid to burn on the stake, if the dawn came before she died, everyone in Edinburgh was in danger of the evil that simmered beneath.

The cart rumbled out the castle gates and she willed the horse to trot faster.

Perhaps the sorceress would not be up this early.

Rhiannon hopes were dashed when she arrived at the hill outside the castle. Upon a high white horse sat the sorceress in a red gown and hat, her bosom almost spilling out of the exquisite dress. On a black steed next to Torella sat the king, appearing bored and impatient.

As soon as the crowd saw her, they shouted curses. The noise was so loud she wanted to cover her ears, but her bound wrists could not reach far enough. She glared at the hundreds of people who eagerly woke early to witness another witch burning.

The cart halted and Grigor roughly escorted her up the nearest scaffold of four.

Lachlan stood against one of the posts on the platform next to her. His tunic hung open at his sides, his muscled back exposed to the vicious mob.

His head hung low; he appeared defeated.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat.

A heavy-set soldier near Lachlan cracked a whip into the air and the crowd replied in awe, their eyes glistening with blood lust. The man picked up another whip near his feet and held it high for everyone’s pleasure. The claw-like pincers at the end of the whip held bloodstains. Every lash of the cat’s paw would tear Lachlan’s skin like a knife through butter until it reached the bone.

Damn the sorceress for blocking her powers. She could have saved Lachlan from feeling the pain. Allow his soul to escape into a world of bliss.

Grigor bound her to a post, and she peeked below at the pile of dry timber. Her heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. Sweat poured down the sides of her face. Her breathing increased.

“I pray you do not burn too fast, witch,” Grigor taunted and left the scaffold. He snatched a fire sconce from one of the guards and waited nearby, his eyes burning with impatience.

“Rhiannon,” Lachlan called to her above the din and she turned her head. “Try to escape if you can.”

She shook her head. “I cannot.” Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed the acidic taste. Something was happening to her beyond just fear. Her body seemed to blaze from within.

Rhiannon looked at the sorceress, and she held a sinister smile. Torella’s face turned to the east. She was waiting for the sun, for the hex to take place. She whispered into the king’s ear.

King James ordered, “Whip the traitor!”

“Nae,” Rhiannon screamed but it was lost in the mob’s cheers.

The soldier swung his arm to gain momentum then cracked the whip against Lachlan’s back. He squeezed his eyes shut, his body spasm against the pain, but he did not cry out.

Rhiannon struggled against her binds. She had to stop this.

The cat’s claw flicked through the air and tore his skin again. Blood dripped down his legs. The soldier flicked the pieces of flesh from the pincers and whipped him again and again.

“Stop it!” Rhiannon shouted at the sorceress. But she shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the east.

A reddish-orange glow colored the morning sky. The sun would soon appear over the mountains.
"I am a powerful witch!” she shouted as loud as she could.

The crowd hushed down to a whisper, their attention on her.

“If you do not leave this man be, you will all be cursed for the rest of your days,” she warned.

“Nae, Rhiannon,” Lachlan groaned.

The crowd’s faces changed from hatred to panic. They turned to the king.

His Majesty whispered into the sorceress’ ear and she nodded. “Burn the witch!” he ordered.

A mixture of terror and relief filled her being. She did not want to die, but could not allow the hex to darken the world.

Grigor pushed the other guards away and walked forward. Holding the fire sconce in the air, he stared at her with a huge grin on his face. He brought the flame down in an arc, and the timber easily caught fire. The Inquisitor practically danced around her scaffold, adding fire to the pile.

Her steady composure collapsed with the horror of a painful death. The crackling of the flames grew louder, drowning out the noise of the mob. Even Lachlan’s pleas for mercy for her seemed like a whisper.

The spot on her forehead seared the skin, while her insides burned even though the flames had not reached her flesh. She closed her eyes against the sting of smoke, the smell of wood clogging her lungs.

Suddenly, a sense of peace overcame her being. Her limbs instantly cooled and her skin prickled. The beat of her heart and her intake of breath slowed in pace.

She was ready for death.

A piercing light shone from beyond her eyelids and she opened her eyes.

Yellow beams of sunlight shot over the mountain range.

Evil darkness invaded her soul and body.

Tomorrow is Halloween. What's your favorite part of the holiday and do you have anything special you do to celebrate? (I watch The Great Pumpkin every year! This year I'm doing the walk through Cassadaga since I live right down the road). Oh, I love Cassadaga. I will be dressing up as an undead French maid this year and going to a wicked costume party at my friend’s place. I will also draw the winner for my Halloween contest at the stroke of midnight, so that should be fun.

You're running a special Halloween contest for readers. Tell us about it and how readers can enter! In light of my favorite spooky holiday and that I write erotic tales about sexy warlocks and Celtic witches, I am having a wicked Halloween contest.

For a chance to win a Celtic T-shirt with "Find Your Inner Witch" logo, an autographed book from the Celtic series (your choice), a unique Celtic calculator, Celtic series CD, a witch's broom pen and many other goodies visit my website www.LynArmstrong.com

Good luck!

I always ask authors for their book recommendations because they always know the best debut authors or new books! What new book or author should readers check out? Any good Halloween reads? I’m a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon. She is not a new author, but for Halloween, you can’t go past her Dark Hunter series with sexy vampires and werewolves. Yummy!

What's up next for you? After the Celtic series I wanted to challenge myself with a different historical era. I’ve written an erotic Regency set in France before the revolution, called the “French Rose”. I am also editing another erotic Regency that is set in Kent in the early 1800’s about a sex society for the aristocrats, called “Tutoring Miss Molly”.

However, my next project will be a historical romance with a ménage theme set in France about a Queen who seduces the King’s guards.

The list goes on, but I’m constantly writing because my fans are always thirsty for more. LOL.

Thank you, Sabrina for having me on your blog. I wish you all an awesome Halloween. May you have a magical night.

Haunts and kisses

Lyn Armstrong

You can find the Celtic series in ebooks at http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/ or in print at http://www.amazon.com/.

For more information visit: http://www.lynarmstrong.com/


Thank you Lyn! For a chance to win a copy of the Last Celtic Witch, leave a comment telling us your favorite part of Halloween, your favorite witch story, or ask Lyn a question about her series. This contest is open to the U.S. only, but we will do a giveaway for International readers later today!

Book Review: The Tudor Rose by Margaret Campbell Barnes

Book Review: The Tudor Rose - A Novel of Elizabeth of York
By: Margaret Campbell Barnes
Sourcebooks Landmark
4 Heart Review
Disclosure: Book provided by publisher

One woman holds the key to England's most glorious empire.

Elizabeth of York, the only living descendant of Edward IV, possesses the most precious thing in all of England – a legitimate claim to the crown. Two princes meet to determine a country's destiny: whoever wins will take Britain's most rightful heir as his bride and her kingdom for his own. On one side is her uncle Richard, the last Plantagenet King, whom she fears to be the murderer of her two brothers, the would-be kings. On the other is Henry Tudor, the exiled king. Can he save her from a horrifying marriage to a cutthroat solider?

Thrust into the intrigue and drama of the War of the Roses, Elizabeth has a dynasty within her grasp – if she can find the strength to unite a country torn apart by a thirst for power.

I love well-written historical fiction and am addicted to those that include part of King Henry VIII's story. That made The Tudor Rose an ideal book for me to read and see what I thought of author Margaret Campbell Barnes, whom I had not read before.

I was very pleased with her writing and with the story told in The Tudor Rose. Margaret's writing style is engaging and she perfectly handled the passing of time and historical moments without bogging the story down in them. You get just the right amount of background of historical events, but the focus is kept on Elizabeth - whose story this really is.

Although this is a work of fiction, it is so believable you might be tempted to regard it as pure historical fact. You will be absorbed in every twist and turn as you follow Elizabeth's constant quest for the truth about her brother's deaths, her husband's love and her place in ruling England.

I read this book from cover to cover in one night because I didn't want to leave Elizabeth alone. I felt like I was there with her for every step of her life and wishing for her to have more. Margaret paints Elizabeth as a not just a Queen, but as a woman who longs for love and family but upholds her duty to England above all.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, I can highly recommend The Tudor Rose and Margaret Campbell Barnes for your next read. Margaret is an expert storyteller and weaves an amazing tale of English history told through the incredible life of Elizabeth of York.

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Loving Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan

Book Review: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley

By: Sharon Lathan
Sourcebooks Casablanca
3 Heart Review
Disclosure: Book Provided By Sourcebooks

Darcy Is Head Over Heels In Love

Six months into his marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy is still awestruck by his beautiful wide and their unparalleled love and passion. For Darcy, each day offers more opportunities to surprise and delight his beloved bride.

Lizzy Is Ready For Anything

Elizabeth has quickly adapted to being the Mistress of Pemberley, charming everyone she meets and handling her duties with grace and poise. Just when it seems life can't get any better, Elizabeth gets the most wonderful news.

Together They Embark On The Journey Of A Lifetime

The lovers leave the serenity of Pemberley, traveling through the sumptuous landscape of Regency England, experiencing the lavish sights, sounds, and tastes around them. With each new day come new discoveries as they become further entwined, body and soul, and a most sacred bond grows ever deeper.

This sequel to Pride & Prejudice was fun and enjoyable read. One thing to be prepared for? The sex. This is Jane Austen sexed up and going places you might not have expected.

Personally, I liked the idea of sexing Jane Austen's world up a little. The writing is very true to Jane's style, with something extra thrown in that makes the story appeal to a more modern women while still being historically accurate.

If you've been reading light and breezy contemporaries or funny paranormals, it might take you some time to get into this book. Again, Mrs. Lathan does a great deal of justice to the language and writing style of Austen, but that does mean that Loving Mr. Darcy isn't the lightest of reads.

What I enjoyed most about the book was that takes you back to the original story by having Darcy and Elizabeth reveal their thoughts and feelings about scenes that happened in Pride & Prejudice. It's an interesting inside look at the original and I think much of what Loving Mr. Darcy presents could be accurate!

If you are a Jane Austen fan and don't mind a little more heat to the story, I think you'll really enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy. If you're more the movie version fan of Austen, meaning not overly thrilled with the writing style, then you might find Loving Mr. Darcy a little hard to get caught up in. Once you reacquaint yourself with the characters and language, the reading flow does speed up.

I would have liked the story to have included more about Georgiana as I think seeing Mr. Darcy handle Georgiana's courtship will allow for some great moments.

So, if you enjoyed the book version of Pride & Prejudice, you'll enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy as long as you don't mind a little steamy romance!

Buy At Amazon
Link provided for convenience, does not constitute an endorsement.

A Highlander's Temptation Winners!

Using Random Number Picker, the following 5 lucky readers are winning a copy of A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder!


Random Winning Comments Are:

#4 - Gina

#8 - Jeanette8042

#10 - DYockman

#19 - Martha E

#20 - HaleyKnitz


Congrats Ladies! Please email me your snail mail address to cheekyreads @ gmail.com (no spaces) and I'll send your info over to the publisher who will be shipping the books directly to you. Happy Reading!

Enchanted Realms - Welcome Guest Author Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Enter To Win!

I bet you’re thinking this is about Celtic legend and myth? After all, I’m here because of my latest Scottish medieval romance, A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009. Anyone familiar with my books knows that I enjoy weaving enchantment into them. There’s even a meddlesome crone, Devorgilla, who is a recurring character and always has a spell or charm at the ready. She even has a little red fox named Somerled who assists her in all things magical.

Scotland, too, can be called enchanting. I’ll not argue that.

With its Hebridean setting, A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009) has one of the most spectacular backdrops I’ve ever written. The hero’s windswept home, MacConacher’s Isle, is definitely an enchanted place.

So you aren’t far from the truth if you guessed that a guest blog titled “Enchanted Realms” would be about something mystical.

It is, actually.

Although, the enchanted realm I mean is a writer’s office. But that, too, isn’t quite the right description because not all of us write in a real, stone-and-mortar work environment. I do. And I love my office dearly. But some of us create in a corner of some other room, space constraints and personal circumstances depending. Some write on laptops while sitting on the sofa. Or in a garden or – gads! – ensconced in a crowded café. I even have a friend who used to slip away to her car on her lunch breaks, working there.

With so many books on the shelves – and more appearing every month – you can be guaranteed that there are writers writing somewhere, every day.

Here’s a look at my office.

And here’s a look at why I write all my books perched on the edge of my chair. Needless to say, my little dog shares my chair always. Sometimes, when he falls asleep, he nudges me until I really am sitting on only about an inch and half of space.



No matter. Dog lovers will understand why I don’t have the heart to disturb him. What counts is that this is my writing place. It’s impossible to work without one.

And wherever that somewhere might be, I think it’s a safe bet to say that to the individual writer, that somewhere is an enchanted place. It has to be. Because if it isn’t the writer won’t be able to slip away from the real world and disappear into the story.

Every writer needs an enchanted realm.

Wherever we craft our stories, we have to be able to walk through a magical door and immerse ourselves in the world of our work-in-progress. So I want to talk about how we get that door to glide open and then fall quietly shut behind us, locking us inside our special writing zone.

I do it with rituals.

One or two little things that help me banish everything but The Book from my mind. These signals alert my subconscious that I’ve stepped through the magical door and am now in my enchanted realm, ready to work.

Candles and scented oils (I love reed diffusers) are high on my list of writing rituals. As I do my best work after midnight, the candle glow adds much-appreciated atmosphere. The reed diffusers give off a subtle fragrance that makes my work area seem extra-special.

I also enjoy listening to music (no lyrics, please) to help set the mood. Classical music is my favorite choice, with Mendelssohn’s incredible overture, The Hebrides, having accompanied me through the writing of so many books. Celtic music (again, without words) is also inspiring. And I also love the evocative, transporting melodies of many New Age-y instrumentals.

The rest of the world needs to be absolutely quiet and still. I would call myself a mild-mannered person, but if the local landscape crews dare waltz by anywhere near my office windows when I’m trying to work, I have moments when I can easily imagine someone exploding into a mindless, red murderous haze of fury.

These leaf-blowing brigades can transform me into a fire-breathing she-dragon in quick time. Even my best, most soothing writerly rituals can’t compete with a leaf blower.

So when these fiends appear – which so often happens to be just then when I am busiest and really, really, really need to concentrate – I abandon my office and either take my dog for a walk or ride my bicycle.

Here’s a favorite bit of my dog-walking-and-cycle route.


Getting out and about banishes my leaf-blower-induced temper and also clears my mind. Some of my best writing ideas come to me when I am walking my dog or cycling. The physical exercise does me good, too. But that – writers and fitness - is a topic for a different blog.This one is about writers and the rituals we use to find our way into the writing zone.

One other thing I often do to jumpstart a work session is consult a sweet little tome called Juwelen der Weisheit. That’s german for “Jewels of Wisdom.” It’s a tiny book that fits easily into the palm of my hand. The book is filled with inspirational quotes and was a gift from a very dear friend who lives in Munich. I keep the book on my desk. Sometimes I’ll just hold it, close my eyes, and then open the book and read the saying that my ‘heart’ has chosen. It’s amazing how often the quote will be exactly what I needed to hear.

A while ago, I was feeling discouraged and opened the book to this quote: “If we think of failure, it will come to us. If we’re undecided, we’ll not move forward. We must simply choose our path and follow it.” That’s a rough translation from the German, but you can see how well the saying applied to a time when I was stumbling.

I don’t know if my German girlfriend cast a spell over this little tome or if the magic comes from the book or maybe even someplace deep inside myself. Whatever it is, I often find the exact motivation I need in the book’s pages.

If I don’t feel like working, I grab the book. Without fail, I open it to a saying that gets me going.

If something blindsides me and I pick up that book – lo! – I only have to peek inside to find just the words I needed to feel better again.

To me, this little book is magic. It’s definitely become one of my writing rituals.
You’ll see my characters using rituals of their own in A Highlander’s Temptation . I don’t like to give spoilers, so I won’t mention them specifically. But you can bet that you’ll see Arabella MacKenzie, the heroine, trying out a special ritual or two. And you’ll definitely catch her hero, Darroc MacConacher, busy at a very poignant daily habit of his own.

Devorgilla, the recurring crone mentioned above, is always good for a ritual. As a spell-caster extraordinaire, she’s a real master at such things. She has her hands full in A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009), but she’s indomitable and never tires of working her special magic. You might even catch Arabella’s mother, Linnet, going about her own unique daily rituals when you accompany her into her beloved herbarium and see her at work there. That scene, which includes Arabella’s father, Duncan MacKenzie, hero of my first book, Devil In A Kilt (GCP, July 2001), was lots of fun to write and is also an example of how a few very simple things can help us start our days in a good way.

I don’t know about you, but I love anything that helps me keep life positive.

It’s so important for writers to protect our work.

I mean, of course, keeping our heads clear and untroubled and being able to find our way into the writing zone again and again and again until the deadline is met and the book is finished and on its way to our editors.

Writing rituals help us do that. I know my own work for me.

So what about you? Do you have any special tricks that help you ready yourself for your work day? If you do, I’d love to hear them.

If anyone knows of a ‘ritual’ powerful enough to block the noise of leaf blowers, you’re my hero. But somehow, I doubt even old Devorgilla could win against the noise caused by landscaping crews.

So forget that and just tell me: how do you get to your enchanted realm?

Meet the real Somerled (Devorgilla’s little red fox), read an excerpt, and see setting photos of A Highlander’s Temptation (GCP, Oct. 2009) at my website: http://www.welfonder.com/

Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win 1 of 5 copies of a Highlander's Temptation! I'll pick 5 winners randomly and announce them on Thursday Oct. 8th. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

Beauty Tempts The Beast Winner...

The winner of an eBook copy of Beauty Tempts the Beast by Leslie Dicken as chosen by Random.org is...

Comment # 12 - jeanette8042

Congrats and a huge thank you to our special guest Leslie Dicken for her great interview yesterday.

If you didn't win, and want to get your own copy of Beauty Tempts the Beast, you can find it here.

Jeanette - Email me at cheekyreads @ gmail.com (no spaces) so I can send your contact email over to Leslie for your book.

10 Questions with Leslie Dicken, Author of Beauty Tempts the Beast & A Giveaway!

Today Cheeky Reads welcomes Leslie Dicken, the author of Beauty Tempts the Beast!

I read Beauty Tempts the Beast in one sitting and really loved it. In fact, when I went to draft the questions for this interview I found myself completely re-reading the story - less than a month later! If you are a historical romance fan I cannot recommend this book enough. On the Cheeky Reads scale I give it a 4 Heart Review - It really is a fantastic read!

Welcome Leslie!

Let's start by having you tell us a little about Beauty Tempts the Beast. I've always loved the gothic novels, especially when there was romance involved. Wuthering Heights had a huge impact on me with regards to setting, dark heroes, and thwarted love. Beauty Tempts the Beast is about a man who has hidden himself from the world. He not only wants to keep his son hidden, but also is afraid he truly is the monster he is rumored to be. The heroine is running from true evil and believes marrying a man who keeps himself isolated is the perfect answer. But what they both learn is that just living is not the same as being alive.

You have created a story chock-full of awesomeness! There's Ashworth's scar and mysterious past, Vivian's flight from an abusive man, a secret child, blackmail, and a mysterious monster to name just a few of the twists and turns in this story. How did you keep it all straight while writing? Ha. I'd love to say I had notebooks filled with scribbling of every twist and turn. But the truth is, I just wrote. I'd go back and reread and reread and reread to make sure I was following through on subplots and characters. And it always helps to have an extra pair of eyes (or several) read it before it gets published!

A sucker for the disfigured hero with a dark past, I was instantly drawn to Ashworth. What inspired you to create him and what three words would you use to describe him? He was created (and the book itself) when I issued a writing challenge to an online loop. I said to use the words "I do not take kindly to strangers" in a scene. Thus, my first scene was written and Ashworth came to life. What would make a man say something like that? He is: tortured, protective, and sexy. ;-)

For all my talk of Ashworth, Vivian is no shrinking violet! Describe your heroine in three words. She is: passionate, determined, and kind.

Silverstone Manor itself becomes a character in this story. Is there a particular place you based it on? No, other than various images of windswept moors and hilltop manors. But, as I've said, I love gothics and the fact that the setting becomes a character. All of this story came so easy to me...as if it was meant to be written!

What was your favorite scene to write? Wow, that's a hard one. I think it's the bathtub scene in the beginning of the book. It was such a turning point for both of them.

What do you love most about writing historical romances? I love that the characters are more limited by custom, morals, and values. Their motivation step outside these confines must be very strong, which can make for powerful characters. Of course, I love the dresses and balls and carriage rides too.

How would you describe your writing process? I used to be much more disciplined about it. When writing Beauty Tempts the Beast, I wrote almost every night from 8:30 to 11:00. Now that kids are older and stay up later, I try to squeeze in writing before 11:00 or during lunch breaks or on weekends.

I am mostly a pantser, but I can't go solely on my Muse. So I do brief plotting and character development and research before writing, then just dive in. After the initial flush of getting down what's in my head, I stop and regroup and replot again. If I'm lucky, the book will actually get finished. ;-)

What are you currently reading and are there any books you would recommend? Authors always have the best recommendations! I'm reading the new series by Tessa Dare. I've only read the first book so far, Goddess of the Hunt, and so loved it. She has such great talent. I'm also excited for Courtney Milan's debut book. Some of my other historical favorite authors are Jennifer St. Giles, Sally MacKenzie, and Eve Silver. There are many, many more, but can't name them all!

What are you working on now? Please let us know any news or cool stuff you have coming up! I'm working on a Victorian steampunk murder-mystery (think Jack the Ripper but with cool flying machines). My hero is a mysterious inventor who disappears each night until dawn and my heroine becomes an amateur sleuth to find her cousin's killer.

Thanks Leslie! You can find out more about Leslie at her website, or purchase Beauty Tempts the Beast by clicking here.

Leslie has graciously offered to giveaway a copy of Beauty Tempts the Beast to a lucky reader! Leave a comment here telling us if you love a tormented hero, or with a question for Leslie, and you'll be entered to win an eBook copy of Beauty Tempts the Beast! I'll announce the winner tomorrow - Oct. 1st.

Book Review: The Conqueror By Kris Kennedy

The Conqueror
By Kris Kennedy
Kensington
4 Heart Review

England, 1152. The country is wracked by bloody civil war. Griffyn Sauvage is a valiant knight with a strict moral code of honor. But when his family's estate and vast treasures are seized, he becomes hardened by the betrayal. Now he will go to any lengths for vengence – even if it means forming a union with his most despised enemy by marrying his daughter, Lady Guinevere de l'Ami. Then, Griffyn lays eyes on Gwyn and is completely disarmed...

As war strikes, Gywn is left alone to fight her enemies who want control of her ancestral lands. When Griffyn comes to her rescue, she is grateful that the mysterious, brave knight has risked his life to protect hers. With each passing day, she finds herself drawn to him even as she senses he's hiding a dark secret from her. And when another dangerous adversary closes in on both of them, Griffyn and Gwyn's trust in each other will be put to the ultimate test...

Having not read many (hmm...maybe even ANY!) medieval romances before, I wasn't sure what to expect of this historical romance. I shouldn't have been worried since the story was very creative and it was a nice change not to have all the action taking place at a masquerade ball.

First off let me say the $3.99 price tag alone makes this book a no-brainer to add to your to-buy list! You won't be disappointed in the story either. I liked the combination of war story, revenge plot, romanace and even a treasure hunt! They all came together to make an interesting storyline in a well-written book.

Kris did a good job of side-stepping some story traps she could easily have fallen into. Early on, it looked like the only thing that was going to keep Griffyn and Gwyn apart was a good sit-down discussion, but Kris quickly put my worries to rest with new conflicts and plot twists.

The build up for the treasure hunt also had me slightly concerned, as I thought it would be hard to come up with an ending the book deserved. Never fear though, Kris had it all figured out and the ending was inventive.

Check out Kris's website at http://www.kriskennedy.net/.

CHEEKY REVIEW: Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan

Vexing the Viscount
By Emily Bryan
Leisure Historical Romance
Dorchester Publishing
5 Heart Review

Sign me up for everything Emily Bryan ever writes! With this post, Cheeky Reads officially awards it's very first 5 Heart Review to Vexing the Viscount by the very talented Mrs. Emily Bryan!

Read the back cover copy:

As children they'd sparred with play swords. She's scarred his chin, and he broke her heart. Now, more than a decade later, the true battle was only beginning...

Daisy Drake needed Lucian Beaumont, Viscount Rutland. Tired of being labeled “on the shelf,” she craved adventure. And Lucian held all the clues to a long-buried Roman treasure. Surely, her desire to join his search had nothing to do with his dark curls and seductive Italian accent. Too bad Lucian wanted no help from her – until she donned the disguise of an infamous French courtesan and promised to teach him all she knew about the pleasures of the bedchamber. Of course, she only knew what had been written in naughty books. But Daisy had always been a quick learner. And night by naked night, they'd discover treasure neither expected to find.

From the very first page Mrs. Bryan grabbed my imagination and took it on a sassy, seductive ride. Daisy is everything I love in a historical heroine – smart, adventurous, quick-witted and most of all, she goes after what she wants!

Our hero Lucian will steal your heart with his underdog status, inexperience and endearing personality. His interactions with Daisy/Blanche will make you giggle out loud while you root for him to keep her on her toes.

This book started off with a perfect first meeting between the two and then never lets up. The pacing was excellent and the sparring between Daisy and Lucian is delightful. The story never dragged, and the ending left me with the perfect combination of feelings - amused, satisfied, light-hearted and happy.

I'll be purchasing Mrs. Bryan's entire backlist and will be the first in line for any new releases! Check out Emily's Blog, website and the supercool additional blog she writes at the Chantelaines.

Do you enjoy Historical Romances? You already know I love my heroines cheeky, but what about you? What kind of heroine do you love to read about?