Born of Fire

Born of Fire By Kella McKinnon
Publication date: January 21, 2021
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance, Time-Travel
Summary:

More than thirteen centuries ago, the Highlands were ruled by a powerful Pictish King whose ferocity in battle was as legendary as his honor and devotion to his people. 

When his trusted advisor had a vision that the Picts could one day disappear from the Earth, King Bridei charged one family with protecting and preserving the language and lore of the Picts through the generations to come.

Born into this ancient family line, Nessa Brodie feels both the weight of her responsibility and the desire to pursue her own dreams, until a series of fateful events lands her in the distant past. 

As she navigates her new world and all of the uncertainty and fear that comes with it, Nessa begins to realize that she is destined to be the completion of a circle begun long before she was born. Torn between the life and love she left behind, and the captivating passion of an untamed warrior-king, Nessa learns that even the path laid out by fate is never easy or straight.

—

EXCERPT:

“Well? Do you want to have her killed tonight with the others?” Namet stood before him, waiting for his answer.

Bridei was eating his dinner. Or at least he was trying to. This was the fourth interruption he’d had to endure since he’d sat down. “No. I need to know who she is first, and who she answers to. There is too much at stake not to know each and every one of my enemies, large or small.” He paused, chewing thoughtfully. “She could be completely innocent, of course.” But maybe that was wishful thinking. The lass’s fathomless green eyes told him nothing except that she was lying.

“Or she could have been sent to seduce you into telling your secrets. Or to poison you.” Namet always argued the other side. It was one of his many roles as chief counselor to the King.

The Taming of a Wicked Rogue (The Lords of Scandal Row, #1)

The Taming of a Wicked Rogue (The Lords of Scandal Row, #1) By Samantha Holt

Publication date: November 10, 2020
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Summary:

Forced to leave friends, family, and a life of privilege and fun, Rebecca Fortescue’s world changed overnight nearly ten years ago. Now, with the tightening of a noose, it’s changed again, but she needs to make amends for what her father did.

Which means returning, secretly, to the place where he did the most damage.

And to the residence of one Lord Leonard Moncrieff—the only man she’s ever loved.

She’s certain she won’t see him again, though. Nicknamed a Lord of Scandal Row, it’s clear to her, he’s no longer the boy she knew, and never returns home. The last thing she needs it to be distracted by a man deemed one of the most attractive men in London.

Unfortunately for Rebecca, Leo has been practically banished from London under the orders of his mother thanks to a scandal that, for once, had nothing to do with him. Now he has to spend his days playing the country gent and trying to avoid the female of the species.

It will be harder than he expected, given a sudden influx of young ladies to the area. He might be a rogue, but he has no desire to upset his delicate mother and will, albeit begrudgingly, play the dutiful son. He can avoid a few pretty faces, surely?

At least, until he discovers the beautiful Rebecca hiding in the stables. She’s in need of help, and he cannot resist, despite the fact she once shattered his young heart. The pull between them is as strong as ever but anything between them is impossible.

Or is it?

—

EXCERPT:

WHY WAS LEO here? Rebecca had followed his pursuits in the newspapers. He never came to Langmere. Ever.

She pushed her back against the wall of the stables. A little brick dust rained down upon her. She wrinkled her nose and held her breath. The lamplight only offered her a hint of his features as he ducked into the building that was shrouded in darkness by the late hour.

He still made her heart skip. Even after all these years. It shouldn’t have surprised her that it did. He always did that to her, and the years had been kind to him, hardening his jaw and filling out his shoulders.

Book Blitz: Married to the Earl (The Wallflower Brides #3)

Married to the Earl (The Wallflower Brides #3) By Samantha Holt
Publication date: February 10, 2020
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance, Romance
Summary:

Going from vivacious society belle to widow wallflower can leave a lady wanting… 

Joanna Lockhart is trapped in a mire of grief and boredom. Still recovering from the sudden death of her husband, the beautiful widow is tired of being treated like a fragile porcelain doll. But when a severe illness nearly claims her life, Joanna finds the perfect outlet for her natural vitality—a charity. 

Unfortunately, her sudden interest in all things philanthropic is marred by the presence of one Ambrose Creassey. For some unknown reason, this handsome cad has decided to cast aside his reputation as a rake, and take up the mantel of charitable patron. 

As the Earl of Newhaven, Ambrose has enjoyed his life of delicious debauchery. But recently the earl has hungered for more noble pursuits. A charity seems to be the perfect outlet for his newfound desire to be more than just a rake. And of course, he doesn’t mind the aid of a beautiful, well-connected woman like Joanna… Especially when he cannot resist riling her a time or two. 

After all, she does rise so beautifully to the challenge. 

Focusing on their work is harder than either of them thought. There’s no denying the attraction between them, but is Ambrose truly prepared to cast aside his hedonistic history? And even if he does, is Joanna ready for a new love?

—

EXCERPT:

“It is hard to see how this will become a hospital,” she murmured.

“I should imagine you would rather see it as a grand house once more, ready for a ball.”

She glared at him. “Considering we hardly know one another, Lord Newhaven, it is a wonder you can imagine anything that I might think.”

He shrugged. “It is not hard to take a guess.”

“If we wish to take guesses, I would rather expect you would prefer this house to be used for raucous house parties.”

Book Blitz:Married to the Lord (The Wallflower Brides, #2)

Married to the Lord (The Wallflower Brides, #2) By Samantha Holt
Publication date: September 9, 2019
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance
Summary:

Waiting for one’s fiancé to set a date is never fun. Especially when it has now officially been years. Particularly when one is a veritable wallflower with little chance of anything better coming along. 

More so when said fiancé’s brother is paying particular attention to one’s life and causing all sorts of confusing emotions. 

All Miss Augusta Snow wants is for Evan to return home and set the date. If that means trying as hard as she can to break out of her quiet temperament to gain his attention, then she’ll do her best. 

But it seems she’s attracted the wrong brother’s attention… 

The brooding Miles Stanton, Viscount Ashwick has always been quietly fascinating to her. She knows he was a little less than a gentleman in his past but she cannot help be intrigued now that he is showing interest in her wellbeing.
He only intended to protect his brother’s interests… 

Miles always had a soft spot for Gus. However, everyone knew she was meant for his brother and all he wants is for her to be happy—especially with the specters of his past hanging over him and guaranteeing to bring trouble. He has to protect Augusta from doing something silly and somehow persuade Evan to cease being a fool and return home. 

All the while ignoring his feelings for her…
Augusta’s plans to show Evan that she is not just some dull wallflower seemed doomed to fail and now Miles is back in her life and behaving…well…strangely. She cannot help but wonder if she has been hanging her hopes on the wrong brother this whole time.

—

EXCERPT:

They strolled in silence for a while. A gentle breeze brushed the ribbons of her bonnet, sending them curling around her face. She swept them aside with a little annoyed grunt and Miles tucked his hands behind his back to resist the temptation of sorting them out for her.

When they came to where the path branched off and too far away from the party for their time together to be proper, Miles stopped. Augusta looked at him expectantly with dark eyes that made him wonder if she could see inside his soul—see quite how dirty and black it was. Though, she should have figured that out by now. There were few good men who would kiss their brother’s fiancé.

Book Blitz: Ashes of Pride (Scandalous Scions , #10)

Ashes of Pride (Scandalous Scions , #10) By Tracy Cooper-Posey
Publication date: June 27, 2019
Buy Link: Amazon
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance
Summary:

Married in haste, to the wrong man…
Blanche wed Lieutenant Colonel Seymour in search of a hero to replace the French military father she never knew, only to find herself stranded in Northumberland, in a penniless marriage, with no recourse. 

Blanche’s cousin, Neil Williams, now a decorated Major, returns from the colonies to rejoin the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers. Her husband, as Neil’s superior officer, makes Neil’s life intolerable, as well as her own. 

Blanche learns that the truly courageous are defined by their actions and that Seymour is not one of them, for what he does to Neil defies imagination… 

This book is the tenth book in the Scandalous Scions series, bringing together the members of three great families, to love and play under the gaze of the Victorian era’s moralistic, straight-laced society. 

This story is part of the Scandalous Scions series:
0.5 Rose of Ebony
1.0 Soul of Sin
2.0 Valor of Love
3.0 Marriage of Lies
4.0 Mask of Nobility
5.0 Law of Attraction
6.0 Veil of Honor
7.0 Season of Denial
8.0 Rules of Engagement
9.0 Degree of Solitude
10.0 Ashes of Pride
…and more to come!
A Sexy Historical Romance

EXCERPT:

Neil shifted on his chair, sitting back, drawing attention with his movement. Blanche’s gaze swung to him. Her lips parted. Her eyes widened. Joy spread across her face.

Neil felt a jolt at the pure pleasure in her eyes. Why could she possibly be so glad to see him? Of the five, Neil knew Blanche the least. Her company had always irritated him, for she ran hot and cold in fits and starts, which made her uncomfortable and unpredictable. She was not like Alice, who could be counted upon to be sunny and happy, no matter what.

Yet Blanche was tugging at her husband’s sleeve now with firm insistence. She murmured in his ear.
“Williams, you know Mrs. Seymour?” Edmund Hunter asked.

Promotional Event: The Whitechapel Virgin

The Whitechapel Virgin by Carla Acheson
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: February 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

When innocent Catherine Bell stumbles into the seedy world of Madame Davenport’s brothel lodging-house, she meets lothario Edward Cross, who feels his ambitious diary of the Whitechapel area’s prostitutes will benefit favourably with her entry.

Catherine soon begins to experience animosity from the other women there, as well as mounting fears over Cross’s brutal and strange sexual manner. 

With nowhere to turn things worsen when prostitutes in the area begin to disappear one by one, only to be found murdered by a ruthless and bloody man.

Soon every woman in Whitechapel is terrified and asking, who is Jack the Ripper?

♥ ♥ ♥
Excerpt:
"Annie leaned down and for a few moments did nothing as she watched the orphan girl's shoulders heave as she sobbed. Surprised, she felt a sudden developing pity for the wretch, and laid one hand on the girls shoulder, a gesture which moments before had been unthinkable.

Promotional Event: True Love West (A Mail Order Romance #5)

True Love West (A Mail Order Romance #5) by Claire Charlins
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: November 14, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Sarah Crepley is used to a simple life at home with her emotionally distant parents and her sister, Rose. When Rose faces a tragic situation, it becomes blatantly obvious that Sarah has a much different relationship with her parents than Rose does. 

Tired of feeling invisible to those around her, Sarah heeds the advice of her sister and looks down a different path for her life... becoming a mail order bride.

Charlie Huntereen never intended to become a man who lies, but after receiving no written responses from the truth, he decides to leave out the fact that he does indeed have a daughter. He has faith that the right woman will understand why he did what he had to do. When he receives Sarah's letter and discovers that she understands his loneliness, he can't fathom writing back to her with the truth...

Will Sarah stay in Kansas to fulfill her commitment to a man who lied to her? Or will she board a train and face a life of loneliness? True Love West is a novel that yanks at the heartstrings, and makes you question whether you could trust your heart once it has already been broken.

♥ ♥ ♥

Chapter 1 Excerpt:

Much like many of the small towns in Massachusetts, the town of Johnsten had many of its people either to the grave or to the mills. A handful of people traveled west seeing opportunity for financial gain and enough land to keep a man busy until the day he died.

Those who remained in Johnsten were hard working people that spent all their time working and wondering what the next step in their lives would be. Near the southern part of the town was the where Sarah Crepley and her family lived in a modest sized house that have them warmth to survive he harsh North East winters. Sarah lived in the house with her sister, Rose, and her parents, Albert and Ester. Of course, the house wasn't hers. but Sarah had only lived in one house her entire life and it was that house.

Blog Tour: A Friendship's Love (Settler #1) - Playlist

A Friendship's Love (Settler #1) by Melanie Corona
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 19, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Filled with the dreams of youth, and surrounded by the love of her family and friends, Payton Martin’s world was simple. When someone closest to her is cruelly betrayed and unjustly sent away, life afterwards proves never to be the same for everyone involved, beginning a series of events beyond her control.

Somehow, through the years that follow, Payton manages to deal with the heartache of loss and rejection, all while balancing her new situation, and becoming her own woman.

Finally settled into a life that she could only once imagine, Payton is content; especially when the promise of love is presented by someone she admires and trusts. Nothing ever goes to plan, though. Once again she is faced with surviving circumstances, and choices others make on her behalf. This time, they ultimately take her across the ocean, to settle in a harsh new land.

♥ ♥ ♥



A Friendship's Love Playlist

The Power of Love – Gabrielle Aplin
Alive – Gabrielle Aplin
Gloriana – Turn My World Around
Breath – Taylor Swift

Promotional Event: Devil's Bitch

Devil's Bitch by Delena Silverfox
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance, Erotica
Release Date: July 24, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ Smashwords

Book Description:

Norelia, Imperial heir and zealous second-in-command of the Endless Army, is cornered by a wager against her father, the Emperor. The stakes? To marry the winner of the next Summer Games in order to ensure the continuation of the Imperial line.

Confident she will win the Games and the wager, she is devastated when a mysterious contender named Reoth defeats her and claims not only the title of Champion, but claims Norelia as well.

A misplaced note reveals Reoth and her father placed wagers on Reoth's ability to "tame" her, proving it was all a game after all. When her father is killed in a surprise invasion, the Empire stands on the brink of war and Norelia is thrust into the center of it with Reoth, a man she'd sooner kill than trust. As Reoth admits knowledge regarding who is behind this invasion, Norelia must determine where his true allegiance lies before the Empire, and her heart, are destroyed forever.

♥ ♥ ♥
Excerpt:

She was pouring herself a cup of water when she made out the hurried staccato of studded leather sandals echo in the outer corridor. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and gooseflesh raced down her arms. Something in the quality of those footfalls let her know the news was dire.

Still holding the cup and pitcher, she came around the dais and saw a warrior wearing the crest of a Strike Captain looking with dismay at the empty hall.

“You there, girl!” His voice seemed to slap the walls. “Go fetch a runner to find the Dominion Commander and have her meet me here. Tell her Strike Captain Winjaro has come with dire news.”

Review: Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid

Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid by Maureen Driscoll
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: May 17th 2011
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Caught behind enemy lines at the Battle of Waterloo, nurse Jane Wetherby is forced to seek shelter with British operative Lord Edward Kellington. After a night of passion, the two are separated. With nothing but the alias Jane used to protect her family, Lord Edward is unable to find the woman he cannot forget. Seven years later, Jane courts scandal by serving as the unofficial surgeon in the village of Marston Vale. When Edward arrives to formalize his betrothal to a viscount's daughter in accordance with his late father's wishes, Jane has no choice but to watch the match proceed. When a threat from the past emerges, Jane must join forces with Edward to safeguard her loved ones. But at what risk to her heart?

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In the interest of full disclosure, the author sent me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In all truthfulness, I have little interest in historical romance books, but the author did tell me in advance that the book was heavier on the romance side of things than the historical, and she wasn’t fibbing. I liked this book a great deal more than I thought I would! It was a bit predictable at times, but still enjoyable. The characters were interesting and believable, and the pacing was dead on for me. When things started to seem like they were moving too slowly, something would happen that brought it back up to a quicker pace.

Review: The Mine (Northwest Passage)

The Mine (Northwest Passage) by John Heldt
Age Group: Everyone
Genre: New Adult: Romance/Science-fiction
Release Date: February 12, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

In 2000, Joel Smith is a cocky, adventurous young man who sees the world as his playground. But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can't use, money he can't spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of Whirlaway, swing dancing, and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.

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In the interest in full disclosure, the author sent me a copy of this book so I could read and review. While I liked this book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I enjoyed The Journey. The two books share the basic idea of exploring what would happen if one was able to go back in time.

Promotional Event: A Practical Arrangement

Full Moon Bites Promotional Event

A Practical Arrangement by Nadja Notariani
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: September 6, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Miss Evangeline Grey, intelligent and sensible, has no desire to marry, her reluctance born from the dire warnings of her overly emotional mother. Her father has other ideas, however, and decrees that unless she weds by the spring, he will choose a husband for her.

Prim and proper Evangeline accepts her father's issue with little more than mild alarm. Knowing herself plain of face and sharp of tongue, she believes herself capable of warding off any perspective suitor. Her plan goes awry when the scandalous seducer, Mr. Thomas Masterson, visits her family's home, for Thomas has learned that he must procure a wife to receive his full inheritance.

When he discovers Evangeline's predicament matches his own, Thomas determines to orchestrate a practical arrangement. A war of wit and word results, and Thomas finds himself ever more beguiled by the soft heart he discovers under Miss Grey's stern, inhibited exterior. Patiently, he endeavors to gain her respect and awaken her passions. As tenuous trust blooms between the rake and the reluctant, unfortunate events – and Thomas' past reputation – threaten to destroy the peace and happiness he has found within the bonds of his Practical Arrangement.

♥ ♥ ♥

Excerpt:

Evangeline felt sorry for Melody in a small way, her mother as well. They had no defense, no antidote to counter the forceful emotions stirred in them. She counted herself lucky to have been spared their burden.

In good time Melody and their mother returned, tea arriving directly afterward, and while glad to see them she couldn't deny sorrow over her lost solitude.