Historical Fiction Virtual Fiction Book Tours Book Review: A Rational Attachment

A Rational Attachment by Lauren Gilbert

Publication Date: December 26, 2019

AuthorHouse

Hardcover, Paperback, and eBook

Genre: Historical Fiction


The daughter of a wealthy business man in York, Anne Emmons knows her father wants her to marry well. Anne, however, has always dreamed of marrying for love. Set in the Regency period, Anne’s introduction to London Society is made difficult by her personal ambitions as well as her family’s lack of aristocratic connections. In time, Anne finds her way aided by family and friends and the surprising support of one of the Ton’s leading figures. Will she succeed in finding the love she desires, or will she settle for a marriage transaction?

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Review:  I love regency romance. This was the genre that I started reading when I graduated from middle grade books to adult books. (Yeah I did skip past YA..but the 80s weren't all that full of fabulous YA)

Anne is a daughter of a wealthy man, who unfortunately doesn't have any connections. This is a time when high born ladies don't marry for love. Marriages of Convenience are the norm, but Anne wants to marry for love.

This book really doesn't fit my idea of a romance though. There is no grand passion between Anne and Charles. This book is more a snapshot of regency life for a woman not to of the TON.

Anne is a bluestocking and the daughter of a wealthy man in trade. That sets her up for a lot issues with some members of society. She gets jabs here and there throughout the book, but she always manages to rise above.

That's probably the one flaw I found with this book. Although Anne certainly did have her insecurities, there was no real conflict. It was just a lovely day to day portrait of a young woman in regency England who was obviously ahead of her time in many of her thoughts.

I expected at times to find her debating of who to marry, but that wasn't the case, or her father arranging her to be wed. Again, not forthcoming. There were small dramas, just like most people's lives.

All in all, it was a lovely little read.


Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author
An avid reader, Lauren Gilbert has always dreamed of writing books, and has written all her life. She enjoys non-fiction (especially history) and fiction alike. Favorite authors include James Thomas Flexner, Alison Weir, Diana Gabaldon, Sharon Kay Penman, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and, of course, Jane Austen. Lauren is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and has delivered presentations for chapter meetings, as well as a break-out session at the 2011 JASNA Annual General Meeting. Now semi-retired after a career spanning almost 30 years, HEYERWOOD: A Novel is her first published novel. Another novel, A RATIONAL ATTACHMENT, has just been released and a non-fiction work is in process. Lauren is a contributor to the English Historical Fiction Authors blog, and has several articles in CASTLES, CUSTOMS, AND KINGS True Tales by English Historical Fiction Authors volumes 1 and 2. Lauren Gilbert lives in Florida with her husband.

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Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, February 17
Review at Books and Zebras
Interview at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, February 18
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, February 19
Review at YA, It's Lit

Thursday, February 20
Feature at I'm Into Books
Interview at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Friday, February 21
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Monday, February 24
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away one eBook and one paperback copy of A Rational Attachment! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on February 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

A Rational Attachment

425 Madison Book Review: His Last Ride

Release Tour for HIS LAST RIDE by Marcie Shumway
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Title:His Last Ride
Author: Marcie Shumway
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:
Cody

 She was my childhood friend. The one person outside of my family that I could always count on. Fate drew us apart, but when my life was turned upside down, it brought us back together.

And, much like when we were kids, she made it right again.

Payton had a way of soothing more than just the wounds that were skin deep.

There’s one small problem, I’m not sure that I want to be just her friend anymore.

Payton

He was my childhood friend. The one who always accepted me for me. For years, I didn’t realize my life was missing anything and, then Cody came back into it. Just like when we were kids, he brought all the pieces back together. He made me feel things I didn’t know I could feel. How can I be his friend when I want so much more?

I won’t be his buckle bunny. Adjusting to very different lives, Cody and Payton need to decide if what is between them is worth fighting for. From small towns to the big city, they’re not the same people they once were. Can a childhood friendship become so much more? Only time will tell. After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love!

Review: I really love the 425 Madison series. Its introduced me to so many great authors, that I may never have given a chance to otherwise. This book is my introduction to Marcie Shumway.

 His Last Ride is a childhood friends romance. This isn't a trope I usually read, but it worked out really well here. Its a quick, engaging read and the characters are so likable. I felt so bad for Cody as we see his career end at the start of the story. He was a rodeo star and injuries have forced him out of the circuit.

Oddly, I'm becoming a fan of cowboys these days. (Just a random observation) Oh and he's a cowboy from Maine. I love that even more, because most cowboys in romance come from Texas, so yay for something different.

Payton is a vet tech, who knew Cody from her summers at her grandmother's farm in Maine.

Awww

They are both in NYC now and well..things start happening for them. Squee! I really loved this book, with the exception of one part which really really spoiled an otherwise good read.

The death of a puppy. Yeah...Seriously, any book that uses an animal death to move a story along gets a thumbs down from me. That knocked a flower off my review, because I just couldn't wrap my head around the need for that. Also...having sex after the death of said puppy.

GAH! That made me angry. I'm giving it 4 flowers because I loved the characters and they were a sweet couple, truthfully though its more like 3.5, because of the puppy.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: Heart Words

Heart Words: released on January 31, 2020
Buy: mybook.to/HeartWords
Add to Goodreads TBR: http://bit.ly/HeartWords

Synopsis:
She believes being alone is safer.

The last person Rose wants to see is the man who broke her heart.
Unfortunately, his daughter is the newest and most adorable kindergartner in her class, and he is the newest, hottest, and most annoyingly determined cop in town.

He believes she’s his dream come true.

Trevor knows how it looks. He screwed up. He has to make her understand and he’s willing to grovel to make it happen.
Unfortunately, Rose buries feelings like it’s her job, she’s an expert at avoidance, and he is number one on her list of people to hide from.

With the flame that never died still flickering between them and Trevor’s past resurfacing to haunt him, can he win Rose’s heart?

Is it possible to get a second chance when it felt like you never really took the first one?   

Review: This is my first ever book by Nora Everly.

Ahhh so sweet and so sexy too.

Heart Words is a truly a great small town romance with a little bit of spice to get your blood pumping.

To say that I loved Rose and Trevor would be an understatement. Rose was just so relate-able with all her quirks and Trevor, well he was the perfect romance novel hero. He was strong, a good dad, a pinch of alpha that gets him in trouble sometimes and just downright sexy. Oh and his two kids, Maddie and Mikey they really make the story move along with their antics, as well as how they play into the suspense element of this novel.

See if you start out reading it, you'd think you were in for a sweet story of two people that are trying hard to get together. See these two, don't need a meet cute, they had one. They have a history and things got screwed up. So its a bit of a second chance thing but there's a deal with Trevor's ex, erm...wife.. who was all kinds of screwed up..and some of the stuff from her life (she's dead) is coming back to haunt Trevor and his family in a big, bad way.

The suspense part really gives the book some oomph, because sometimes you need more than just romance to make things exciting, and the bad guy here manages to bring relationship woos and some good ole fashioned nastiness into their lives.


This was a super read and I'm so glad to finally read one of Nora's books!

Rating: 5 flowers

Book Review: Enchantment

Author: Charlotte Abel
Title: Enchantment
Publisher: Createspace
Publish Date: August 17, 2011
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The Indie Book Collective & the author
Book Blurb: Channie is a lovable teenage mage that lives a simple but magical life with her clannish community deep in the Ozark Mountains. She’s blessed with the ability to enchant those around her, charming not only her family and friends, but any boy with a pulse that doesn’t know how to shield himself against her magic. When her father’s gambling addiction earns the wrath of a powerful mage, the family is forced to flee for their lives. They escape to the suburbs of Colorado hoping to hide amongst Magically Disabled people (like you and me). Channie’s parents are overwhelmed by the modern world and panic when they catch her flirting with a group of “dirty-minded, non-magical city-boys.” They strip away her power of enchantment and replace it with a chastity curse that automatically zaps any boy foolish, or courageous, enough to pursue her. Josh Abrim -- a BMX racer with a killer smile, Olympic dreams and dangerous secrets of his own -- is exactly that kind of boy. When he and Channie realize their interest in each other is more than just friendship, she turns to dark and forbidden magic, determined to break the curse keeping them apart. Her inexperience makes matters infinitely worse and unleashes a malevolent force with the power to destroy everything they love … including each other.

Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. Not that there is anything wrong with the writing or the story. It just didn't totally click with me. Too make things easier I'm going to tell you what I liked and didn't like about the story

Likes:

1. I loved face that this book was about magic and not in the Harry Potter wizard way...(Not that I have anything against Harry...I love Harry). It was a different twist when it comes to the YA fiction which is flooded with vampires and werewolves at every turn.

2. Power Names: I want a power name!

3. The strange things that have to be done so that Channie and Josh can get close, without Chastity's power causing him pain.

4. Three words: Itches For Bitches. Now there is a useful spell! (You have to read it to understand.)

5. The characters determination. Channie and Josh really wanted to be together. I liked how loyal they were even when they screwed up, and how they really did their best to break the curse.

6. Channie's telling people they can kiss her "Lily white..." Tee hee!

7. The story had a sort of fairy tale appeal. The characters had to overcome so many obstacles to reach their goal.

Dislikes:

1. Way to sexual for my taste in a YA novel. Yeah I know sex happens, but crikey even with a chastity spell these two were really all about sex.

2. I never understood why these two hooked up in the first place.

3. Channie's mom and dad were uber evil. Ok, maybe not evil, but certainly not good parents. You just wanted to take all the kids away from them.

4. How did these kids get away with not going to school or skipping classes without getting in trouble?

5. Channie was a little bit to obnoxious at times.

6. Channie's 16 and Josh is 17 soon to be 18 and erm...they are getting married. OMGWTFBBQ! I know..its fiction.. :)

So I did have my gripes with the story, but I did enjoy it. I felt that the second half moved a little faster. It took me forever to read the first hundred pages but the last 130 zoomed right by. It is part of a series, so I'll be checking out the next book, because I want to know what happens.


Rating: 3 flowers

Book Lovin Bitches Book Tour and Review: Bronwyn's Stand

Author: E. Kelly
Title: Bronwyn's Stand
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Publish Date: Feb 3, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and the author
Book Blurb: Bronwyn Barrister has her life in order. She has loyal friends, a successful business, and a family who loves her beyond measure. She has everything she has ever had the courage to dream for. One man, however, has begun to threaten it all. She sent him to prison for eleven years, but now he's free to exact his revenge upon her. With menacing phone calls and vile threats, he stalks her. He is a monster from her past, the past she tries to hide. When Vincent Lane and his team are hired by Bronwyn's uncle to keep her safe, he finds himself drawn in by her beauty, strength, and wicked intelligence. And when he allows himself to look beyond the surface, he discovers the woman behind the defenses; a woman who strips him bare and makes him want more than he has ever wanted in his life. As the stalking and danger escalates to arson, Vincent is torn between ecstasy and terror. He must find a way to stop this madman before it's too late.

Review: This book had so much potential and yet it fell a bit flat at times. Bronwyn was an abused child and her father was her abuser. She's 26 and her father is still out there. She's a strong and intelligent character but she feels almost too perfect and Vincent falls for her on site and starts trying to make it with her when he should be protecting her.

Its Vincent that I had the hardest time with in this story. At times his feelings for Bronwyn took precedent over his professional duties. In fact in many instances he wasn't very professional at all, and it made him a bit unlikable.

The team he assembled to protect Bronwyn was another story. Each guy had their own quirky nickname, Poet, Hollywood, Preacher...Vincent was Einstein. I really loved them and when Vince was out of the picture, they stole the show.

I wish that the situation with her father would have taken more precedence over the relationship. I really wanted to know what prompted the abuse and why he still wanted to torment his daughter.  The suspenseful part of the story really took a backburner to the romance that was quite a whirlwind.  In a matter of days, Bronwyn and Vincent were in love...and thus engaged. It was almost fairytale like, but with something more sinister than a wicked stepmother hanging over their head.

The ending was a bit of a surprise. I certainly wasn't expecting the twist E. Kelly delivered. This was a good quick read. Perfect for a day at the beach or the park.


Rating: 3 flowers

Author Info:
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Book Review: Soul Stalker (Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tour)

Author: Laura Kreitzer
Title: Soul Stalker (Timeless #2)
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Publish Date: Sept 30, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours & The Author
Book Blurb: Being the Illuminator is not all happiness and light, especially when everyone thinks you are dead. When Gabriella decides to finally let her angels know that she is alive, Joseph and an unexpected friend help her. The Darkness Illuminator is not as in control of her power as she believes, which makes for a very comedic and endearing relationship that blooms between the three. A fender-bender debacle, a run-in with the cops, and a hiccup at the airport seem to all be worth it until Gabriella finds out her plan has backfired.


The three angels are missing, more mysteries pile up, and a new evil is brewing--so terrifying, in fact, that even the Soul Stalker herself is cowering in fear. Our heroine begins a jarring, romance-filled, heart-breaking journey that will lead her back to Italy, and ultimately to the answers she is desperately searching for. What will she do when they aren't the answers she expected? What happens when she unveils a truth, so deeply hidden, that it causes an angelic war?
 
Review: Soul Stalker is the second book by Laura Kreitzer that I've read this year, and I can now safely say she's one of my favorite, author's you probably haven't heard of but should have.

This book is the second in the Timeless series. Book one is Shadow Of The Sun and I highly recommend that you read this one first.  These stories aren't really stand alone books, though you can certainly read Soul Stalker and still enjoy it. Reading the first book, though will make it easier to understand the action in the first few chapters.

It is really hard to say what it is about Laura's books that make you want to read more and more. There are so many reasons, really.  Gabrielle is such a kick ass heroine.  She's the epitome of what a strong female should be in any book.  I also adored Joseph. His banter with Gabrielle really brought lightness to a story that could be heavy.

I loved the humor in this book as well. There were times when I was really laughing out loud, especially at the beginning when they encounter Joseph's ex-girlfriend/stalker, Sara. That was pure brilliance!

But it is the story that Laura weaves that really pulls you in.  Once you read her books, you become addicted and want more.

Rating: 5 stars

Author Sites:

Laura Kreitzer.com

Book Review: His Elle Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours

Author: Jemima Valentino
Title: His Elle
Publish Date: Jan 1, 2011
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Proved By: The Author & Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours
Book Blurb: A creature of beauty and intelligence is a rare breed, especially one who so wantonly offers the submission of her soul to another.
Through a chance meeting at an urgent care clinic, Elle and her Master soon fall unintentionally and desperately in love, embarking on a deeply intense BDSM relationship. Knowing they must soon part, Elle is pushed further than ever before. Through one final limitless display of submission, expertly guided by her Master, can Elle truly release her fears and give him all of her heart?

Review: Jemima's His Elle, is a short erotic novella. It is definitely not for the faint at heart. Elle and her Master are involved in a BDSM relationship that some readers may not be totally comfortable with.  That said, in 76 pages, Jemima wove a story that reminded me of one of my favorite classic erotic novels The Story Of O.

Elle's Master is a doctor, who she first encounters at an Urgent Care Clinic, when she has injured her foot. We later learn that that injuring is a result of a sexual assault.  The doctor/Master seems to fight his attraction for her for a short period of time, but he gives in and the two have been involved for 2 years when the book flashes forward.

The bulk of the story takes place on their last night together, though Elle is unaware that it is. Jemima weaves the story of Elle's total submission to her Master superbly.  Elle is not a tame little innocent in the role of submissive.  She really has to control herself, and often she misbehaves and has to be punished.

As the story unfolds we learn more about Elle, her rape and her intense feelings for her Master. We learn very little about him, except that he is married and has a son.  That marriage is what will ultimately pull him away from her.

This isn't a story with a happily ever after in the traditional sense.  Elle has unlocked her collar by the time the final page has turned, but she does trust in her Master's words that he'll come for her.

Readers that like the format of romance, might find this a bit hard to take. The hero and heroine, don't go riding off in the sunset, but Jemima does give them hope that they might one day. It might even be hard to fathom a relationship like this starting as a result of an assualt, but Master seems to be the person to heal Elle.

This story was very intense. It isn't totally in my comfort zone, but I am glad I took the time to read it, and I'll definitely read Jemima's work in the future.

Rating: 5 flowers

Author Info:

Find Jemima at her blog: Jemima Valentino
Buy "His Elle" at Amazon.com: His Elle

Buy it at B&N.com: His Elle, Nookbook

Buy it at Smashwords.com: His Elle by Jemima Valentino

Book Review: The Emperor's Edge Book Lovin Bitches Book Tours

Author: Lindsay Buroker
Title: The Emperor's Edge
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: The author and book lovin' bitches ebook tours
Book Blurb: Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.
Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.

Review: This book is a bit out of my comfort zone but that said it didn't take very long for me to get into the story. The Emperor's Edge is much more then sci-fi, its a great mystery with a bit of humor and some quirky bits too.

What I loved from the start was Amaranthe. She's one of the most kick ass heroines out there. If you are a lover of strong women in stories, this is definitely the book for you. She's smart and she goes after what she wants. After all, she's one of the only female "enforcers."

The story is fast paced and definitely keeps the reader interested from start to finish. I loved that it was a bit of a few different genres. It didn't feel overwhelmingly sci-fi to me. At times, it felt like the story could be happening in the hear and now.

Lindsay is definitely an author I'll be watching for in the future


Rating: 4 Flowers

Author Info:

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~ Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author, although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Review: Untameable Book Lovin' Bitches Etours

Author: Becca Dale
Title: Untamable
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publish Date: Jan 21, 2011
Review Copy Provided By: The author
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Eight years ago Lily Swanson left Havashaw County with a broken heart. Now circumstances have brought her back to the cowboy who still drives her crazy. Seeing him again stirs erotic memories, but the pain of his betrayal refuses to be soothed with a sexy smile.

Lily left him. That inescapable fact drives Thor Hanson to succeed more than any other. Her return to Havashaw triggers anger, lust and regret, but when she reveals the truth behind her leaving, he's determined to rein her in and show her that what they have is more than a memory.


Neither can deny their passion, as untamable as the broncs Thor trains. But will it be enough, and can Thor convince Lily she's right where she belongs?

Review: If you can pull your eyes away from the cover you will find a short, very spicy read by Becca Dale. Lily and Thor have a past. A past that was a good one until Thor had an accident and said something stupid.

Up until it is revealed why Lily ran off on Thor, you could like him. He is exactly how a cowboy should be. He's all manly and a touch bit arrogant.  He risks his life to help a child, while endangering his own by riding a horse that nearly crippled him years back.

Death wish? Possibly.

Lily is a little harder to like. She ran off without a fight when she loved someone and then stayed away for 8 years? I wanted to smack her quite a bit. However, once I found out the backstory on Thor's accident, I wanted to smack him. Rodeo circuit or not his behavior was pretty out of line.

Yet these two manage to fall back into bed together for some pretty steamy....glass of ice water for the reader sex.  Sex is really what pulls them back together yet there is obviously love on both of their parts. I really wished this were longer than it was, because I would have liked to have really known what made Thor and Lily tick.

Becca wrapped things up nicely for the pair, giving them the happily ever after, you know they are going to get, but you did feel like there should be more.

Rating: 3 flowers

Author Info:
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~  Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author, although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Book Lovin Bitches Book Tour & Review: Venice Vampyr

Author: Tina Folsom
Title: Venice Vampyr
Publish Date: Dec 12, 2010
Buy: Amazon
Copy Provided By: Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and the author
Book Blurb: Venice, early 1800s
Isabella Tenderini, a wealthy merchant's widow rescues a stranger from drowning in one of Venice's canals. And how does the man repay her selfless act? By kissing her - her, a respectable woman.

Not only is Raphael di Santori grateful for his life being saved, he would also like to thank his rescuer very intimately - more intimately than decorum allows. But then, Raphael has never been one to play by the rules - as a vampire he doesn't have to.


Review:  Tina Folsom is truly a master when it comes to erotic fiction, with a paranormal twist, of course. Anyone who has read her Scanguard Vampire series knows that she writes a great sexy vampire story.

Venice Vampyr is all that, and a historical story as well. It is also smoking hot. It is so hot, that a cold shower is recommended after the last page is turned. Isabella rescued Raphael from drowning, because that was the fate her first husband suffered. She takes him into her home to nurse him back to health, however she finds herself attracted to him from the very start.

Its this attraction that gets her in trouble with her late husband's cousin and results in her quicky marriage to Raphael. Raphael then discovers that Massimo is more than just a hateful cousin out to ruin, Isabella to get to her fortune, he's a vampire slayer! (of the sort) Isabella, doesn't know that her new husband is a vampire, but not to worry, she'll find out!

It is hard for an author to really develop characters in about 130 pages, but Tina has done it.  You learn a lot about Isabella, probably more so than Raphael.  You even get a good backstory on her first husband. That ties in with "The Guardians."  She's a very strong character that follows her heart, even when her head might be saying something different.

My only gripe is that this was a novella. I would have loved a full story about Isabella and Raphael. I definitely would have liked to have learned more about his past and a bit more about "The Guardians."  It would have been a little something to fill the pages between the sex scenes, and this story was full of those.

I highly recommend this story if you are a fan of erotic fiction and if you like vampires, it is definite must read. Also, check out the sequel Venice Vampyr: Final Affair


Rating: 4 flowers

Author Info:

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~  Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author, although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Novella Review: The Lion Of Kent

Author: Aleksandr Voinov & Kate Cotoner
Title: The Lion Of Kent
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Aug 30, 2010
Review Copy Received By: Carina Press & NetGalley
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Squire William Raven has only one goal—to finally receive his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns from a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.
After Sir Robert's return, noble guests arrive from France, bringing intrigue to the castle. William is oblivious to the politics, as he's distracted by nightly visits from a faceless lover—a man who pleasures him in the dark and then leaves—a man he soon discovers is none other than his master, Sir Robert.

But William can't ignore the scheming around him when he overhears a plot to murder Robert. He becomes intent on saving his lord and lover from those who would see him killed...

Review: This is a really short gay historical romance. Some might try to lump this in as erotica, but it really isn't. There isn't enough sex for it to be considered that. Mind you there's a bit of sex and in a story that's only a little over 80 pages, some might consider it more erotic, but when you compare it to some of the novellas put out by mass market romance it is pretty tame.

I found out after having read the novella that it is a a prequel to Aleksandr Voinov's story Deliverance from the anthology Forbidden Love. Once you read The Lion Of Kent, you'll be wanting to read the rest of William's story.

The two writers really pulled off the relationship between Robert and William well, especially as this was definitely a time when homosexuality was not as "out" as it is now. Both men are strong characters that are easy to like. A bonus is that the story is historically accurate.

It isn't easy to create characters that will draw a reader in, in only 80ish pages, but Aleksandr and Kate have done just that with The Lion Of Kent, plus they've left me wanting more

Rating: 5 flowers