Kisses, She Wrote: A Christmas Romance (The Prince Catchers #1.5) by Katharine Ashe

 

Summary:

 

Christmas in town has never been so steamy . . .

Handsome as sin and scandalously rakish, Cam Westfall, the Earl of Bedwyr, is every young lady's wickedest dream. Shy wallflower Princess Jacqueline of Sensaire knows this better than anyone, because her dreams are full of the breathtaking earl's kisses. And not only her dreams—her diary, too.

But when Cam discovers the maiden's not-so-maidenly diary, will her wildest Christmas wishes be fulfilled in its pages . . . or in his arms?

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 176 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Available Formats: Print/E-book

Publication Date: December 10th 2013 by Avon Impulse

 

I'd been seeing rave reviews for Katharine Ashe for a few years now and I've been meaning to try her ever since and the other day I finally got around to doing so, and now I'm kicking myself because I didn't give her books a go sooner.

This was a sweet little historical romance that had just enough steam to really round out the story. I enjoyed that this was a love story with a Plain Jane princess (Jacqueline) and a dashingly handsome rogue Cam.

I liked that Jacqueline was a princess of a made up country but I also liked that she was aware of being plain, but she didn't let it stop her from writing her deepest desires about Cam into her diary. I also think it gave her a bit of an edge because she wasn't like other heroines that use their looks to get what they want, instead she used her brain. I liked seeing her go from being shy around Cam to being really witty in the end and she had me laughing a couple of times.

Cam was the rogue, but instead of being a real pain in the rear, I found that he was softer, more mellow than the usual historical romance heroes. He wasn't really broody and I thought that he could be very charming, plus I love how he was with Jacqueline.

As a couple, these two fit together very well and I love how their romance came about with Cam reading about her fantasies in her diary. I thought it was funny how our rogue found himself tongue tied over what her majesty thought and I loved their chemistry. I thought that the author using the diary in the story was genius and a unique way in bringing the couple together in time for the holidays even though they had obstacles to over come but I enjoyed that the book let the characters romance evolve over a couple of months and wasn't an insta-love type read.

Since this was my first time reading the author I wasn't sure what to expect, especially since this is book 1.5 in the series, but I really think I did the right thing with trying this one out because I feel like I was able to get a good feel for the author's writing style (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the Prince Catchers series in the near future.

I would recommend Kisses, She Wrote to all fans of Katharine Ashe, historical romance and those who are looking for a light, quit entertaining read about an unlikely couple and their holiday romance. Cam and Jacqueline are sure to make you smile.

Really Enjoyed It!
★ ★ ★  ★  

 

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Barbara's War by Fenella J. Miller

 

Summary:
 

Barbara Sinclair is desperate to escape from her home in Hastings. Her beloved half-brothers, Tom and David, are being sent to boarding school because the town is likely to be a target of the German Luftwaffe when the bombing starts and John Thorogood, a childhood friend, is also leaving to join
the RAF. Caught up by the emotion of the moment Barbara agrees to marry him when the war is
over.
She discovers her paternal grandparents know nothing about her and she is determined to find them.
Dr Edward Sinclair, her grandfather, is delighted to welcome Barbara to her father's ancestral home
but her reception from her grandmother is frosty. Nevertheless, she is enjoying her new life.
Barbara is obliged to return to Hastings and her grandfather accompanies her – this visit changes her life for ever.
Now she not only has John as a dear friend, but also has Simon Farley, the son of a local industrialist and Alex Everton, a handsome Spitfire pilot, taking an interest in her.
Then everything changes. Evil stalks her paradise. Will Simon, Alex or John be the man to save her
life?

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 272 pages (Kindle)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: E-book

Publication Date: October 2nd 2012

While I utterly adore historical fiction I find that my preference for the genre is in those novels set before the 1900s, so when I got the review request for Barbara's War I saw it as a lovely opportunity to read something out of my comfort zone with this being set against the backdrop of World War II.

I really enjoyed reading Barbara's War. It gave a wonderfully realistic glimpse into days of time gone by. Life was so much simpler then in that era and while there are certain things that I couldn't do without, the picture that Fenella J. Miller paints was lovely despite the wartime backdrop.

I thought that the characters were very developed. Barbara was a refreshing character. She was a little naïve at times but hey, we all have those moments. I really felt for her in this book because she didn't have a great home life which is where we start off in the book seeing her go from a meek young woman to a more self aware and confident which is what I like to see. Plus it's what needed to happen especially with critical times in the war about to happen.

I liked the other characters in the book at all especially Barbara's grandfather. He added a lot to the story to offset the romance brewing between Barbara and her suitors. Yes, I said suitors 3 of them in fact and no I'm not going to tell you who she ended up with because this story was so wonderful you have to read it yourself.

Overall, I had a great experience with reading my first Fenella J. Miller book. I thought she brought the time period to life and wrote a realistic tale of love, life and personal growth with great characters.

I would recommend Barbara's War to fans of historical fiction with a romantic twist and drama set during World War II. The pacing is good and I think if you have an afternoon to yourself you could delight in reading it curled up with a cup of tea.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Really Enjoyed It!
★ ★ ★ ★

 

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Somewhere to Dream (The MacDonnells #3) by Genevieve Graham

 

Summary:

 

From Genevieve Graham, author of Sound of the Heart, comes the tale of two strangers living with the Cherokee—one with a warrior’s heart; the other with deadly dreams…

The Cherokee call her Shadow Girl. A white woman adopted by Indians, Adelaide is haunted by the dark dreams she hides—of her murdered family, of the men she fears, and most of all, of the ones that foretell the future. After her visions cause her to make a terrible mistake, she renounces her power and buries her dreams deep in her soul.

Until Jesse Black is captured by the tribe. His life is spared because the Cherokee believe his warrior spirit belongs to their fallen brother. Though he hates all Indians, Adelaide illuminates their way of life for him, just as he shines light into her shadowed heart. But when her dreams return, Jesse must help her face them…or die trying…

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 336 pages (Paperback)

Source: NetGalley ARC

Available Formats: Print/E-book

Publication Date: November 5th 2013 by Berkley

 

In 2012 I read and reviewed the author's previous book in this series (Sound of the Heart) and I loved that one so much that when she approached me to review the final book in her trilogy I had to say yes. My only regret is due to personal problems, that it has taken me this long to do so.

 

This book reminded me a lot of my moms old western romances that I used to sneak out of her room to read when I was twelve, but much better written with a proper back story and a plot. Ever since I read Sound of the Heart, I've been recommending Genevieve like crazy and she quickly rose through the ranks to settle in as one of my top 3 favourite historical romance authors and this finale to her MacDonnell trilogy is a great example of why I love her stories so much.

 

In this we meet Adelaide and Maggie and of course Jesse Black along with a myriad of side characters that along with the plot made this a great ending to a series (even though I really wish it wasn't ending and I'm hoping that Genevieve keeps writing!) Adelaide has to be my favourite character out of the whole series. The fact that she was content in being the unobtrusive one of the two sisters really endeared her to me. I liked that she was happier not being the center of attention. That is until she became the center of Jesse Black's attention.

 

Both Adelaide and Jesse have demons in their pasts that keep trying to break down the defensive walls they've built up to protect themselves. However neither counted on the fact that they were exactly the right brand of medicine they needed. As a couple these two really felt real to me and there's nothing that I love more then when the love that the two characters share for each other really comes to life, and Genevieve is wonderfully adept at making her characters and their feelings come through in her writing.

 

There was love, adventure, heartbreak, laughter, sadness, and anger all written into the pages of this book but the way Genevieve wrote the plot really withstood all the different characters, their personalities, motivations and feelings very well and I loved that she took me back in time in the book.

 

Overall, I thought that the trilogy ended on a high note. Many authors I've read have really dropped the ball on the endings to their series but I definitely won't be counting Genevieve in their company and I really do hope that she keeps writing because she has a wonderful knack for it.

 

I would recommend Somewhere to Dream to fans of the previous two books in the series but I do believe that they can be read as standalones, I personally think that you should read the other two books in the series first but that's just my preference.

 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

 

Loved It!
★★★★★

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*[Blog Tour Review & Tour Wide Giveaway] Lady Broke by Rachel Donnelly

 

Summary:

 

East meets west when a high-principled Boston socialite teams up with a revenge driven bounty hunter to catch a gang of outlaws in the wilds of Nevada.

It’s tough being a witness when the last one turned up dead. But Christie Wallace is determined to bring the Everett gang to justice. Unfortunately, the law can’t protect her from pistol-toting outlaws or the intoxicating lure of a dangerous man. But, after escaping the suffocating prospects of an arranged marriage, she has no intention of allowing her heart to rule her head, even when temptation comes in the form of an incorrigible lawman named Nat Randall.

Dead or alive—it made no difference to Nat Randall. He’d tried to bring the Everett gang to trial once before, but the law let him down. It seems frontier justice is all he has left. But he didn’t count on protecting a bewitching Easterner whose courageous spirit challenges him as much as her beauty distracts. It’s not long before he’s torn between pursuing her or the outlaws.

A timeless, rollicking adventure of unlikely lovers, set in the Wild West.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 318 pages (E-book)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: E-book

Publication Date: July 8th 2013 by Crimson Romance

 

Back in the day I used to be big on western historical romances, and when I mean back in the day I mean back in grade 9 and 10. However, it seemed like the genre kind of got phased out by many of my favourite romance publishers so I've read less and less of them over the years but now it seems like they're coming back in style so with me reading Lady Broke I'm hoping to get back into the genre.

 

Lady Broke, I think was a really good way for me to start reading western historical romances again because it had a classic opposites attract story, and one where the characters fought against each other almost as much as they fought for each other. I'm not big on socialite Heroines but I did like Christie even though liking her wasn't my first instinct I warmed up to her considerably.

 

As for Nat, I had to take awhile to warm up to him as well but I ended up liking him a lot especially because of his strength and determination in trying to make his own way because he wanted to make his own way and distance himself from his past and his father. So he turned out to be a rather admirable guy and I liked how he handles Christie and vice versa.

 

Since this was my first time reading a Rachel Donnelly book I found myself loving her writing style and I liked the way she had the who east meets west theme going on with the characters. The was drama, betrayal and a ton of action and chemistry between the characters and I really enjoyed my first foray into the author's address.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed Lady Broke and am looking forward to reading more books Rachel Donnelly in the future. I loved being transported back into the wild west with the characters and the story that she created and am really glad I signed up for this tour.

 

I would recommend this to fans of western historical romances who want a bit more action in their stories as well as those who are fans of the Crimson Romance Historical imprint. This was a really fun, quick read and recommend it to any fan of the genre.

 

 *I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

 

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

 

Really Liked It!
★★★★

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*[Book Spotlight} The Governess Club: Claire & Bonnie by Ellie MacDonald

Summary:

For fans of Christina Dodd and Elizabeth Boyle.

Claire Bannister just wants to be a good teacher so that she and the other ladies of the Governess Club can make enough money to leave their jobs and start their own school in the country. But when the new sinfully handsome and utterly distracting tutor arrives, Claire finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance that could change the course of her future.

Jacob Knightly has a secret. He is actually the notorious Earl of Rimmel. He's just posing as a tutor to escape his reputation in the city. He never expected to fall in love with the kind and beautiful governess. She is the first person to love him for himself and not his title.

But when Jacob's true identity is revealed, Claire realizes she has risked her reputation and her heart on a man she doesn't truly know. Will Jacob be able to convince her that the Wild Earl has been tamed and that she is the true countess of his heart?

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 192 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

Publication Date: September 3rd 2013 by Avon Impulse

 

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Summary:

Miss Bonnie Hodges, governess to the Darrow family, is desperately trying to hold it together. Tragedy has struck, and she is the sole person left to be strong for the two little boys in her care. When the new guardian arrives, she hopes that things will get better. She wasn't expecting her new employer to be the most frustrating, overbearing, and…handsome man she's ever seen.

Sir Stephen Montgomery is utterly distracted. He should be trying to figure out how his two best friends were killed in a suspicious accident and why the new young viscount seems destined to be the next victim. But he can't concentrate on anything but his growing infatuation with the beautiful, mysterious, and utterly captivating governess.

Together they're doing their best to save the two boys, but will Stephen's feelings for Bonnie get in the way of their search for a killer?

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 192 pages (Mass Market Paperback)

Publication Date: September 17th 2013 by Avon Impulse

 

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Author Bio:

 

Ellie Macdonald has held several jobs beginning with the letter t: taxi-driver, telemarketer and most recently, teacher. She is thankful her interests have shifted to writing instead of taxidermy or tornado chasing. Having travelled to five different continents, she has swum with elephants, scuba dived coral mazes, visited a leper colony and climbed waterfalls and windmills, but her favorite place remains Regency England. She currently lives in Ontario, Canada. The Governess Club series is her first published work.

 

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To All the Rakes I've Loved Before (Honeycote #1.5) by Anne Barton

Summary:

After being jilted by her former beau, Miss Amelia Wimple retreated to her Mayfair town house and her ever-growing collection of gossips rags. Now, almost two years later, not even her beloved cousins, Rose and Olivia Sherbourne, can persuade her to give love another chance. But an unexpected midnight caller may open her heart once more.

Lord Stephen Brookes is the prince o...more After being jilted by her former beau, Miss Amelia Wimple retreated to her Mayfair town house and her ever-growing collection of gossips rags. Now, almost two years later, not even her beloved cousins, Rose and Olivia Sherbourne, can persuade her to give love another chance. But an unexpected midnight caller may open her heart once more.

Lord Stephen Brookes is the prince of pleasure, the duke of decadence-and it seems his exploits have finally caught up with him. When Stephen comes to Amelia seeking refuge, she can’t deny him . . . or the intense desire he sparks. As he attempts to heal her broken heart, they indulge in a private passion unlike anything either has experienced. Stephen knows sweet, sensual Amelia is meant to be his one and only. Now, he will do whatever it takes to convince her that a rake really can change his ways.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 100 pages (E-book)
Source: NetGalley.com
Available Formats: E-book
Publication Date: September 3rd 2013 by Forever Yours

Last night I curled up with my Kindle for the first time in months (I've been reading my e-books on Mr. Turning the Pages' iPad) and this was the one I ended up reading. I've been reading quite a bit of romance lately in particular the historical romance genre and I wanted something quick, fun, and new to read so this totally fit the bill.

I had never heard of the author before so I think To All the Rakes I've Loved Before was an excellent introduction to Anne  Barton's writing style and I've got to say that as someone who is not a fan of novella's I really enjoyed this one.

Amelia and Stephen were a great couple and I absolutely adored their pairing. The chemistry between the two was immediately apparent even though they both kind of didn't expect it there were at least some feelings there already. I loved the friendly banter between the two and wouldn't hesitate to call them one of the cutest couples I've read about this year. I really liked how the relationship between them developed even though there was a major case of insta-love in this one it didn't bring the story crashing down like it tends to. Instead I felt that their feelings were genuine and the passion that Stephen had for Amelia was admirable, she totally had him wrapped around her little finger.

I liked that Amelia wasn't your typical historical romance heroine. Yes she was a little naive, but she was also a little more cynical than most of the heroines in the genre after she got jilted and Stephen was the typical rake but I actually found that I liked him right away especially the way he was willing to work to change Amelia's mind about him and the prospect of marriage. I thought he was really charming and sweet.

Overall, I think that To All The Rakes I've Loved Before was a good little novella to read while I was in between books. I liked the way Anne Barton set their romance up and she really surprised me since I don't really enjoy novellas. For once the insta-love in a story didn't bother me and I think she handled it really well. There was plenty of laughs in this sweet little novella but there were a couple really steamy parts mixed in as well to counter the sweetness. I am definitely looking forward to reading the first book in this series as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

I would recommend this novella to fans of Anne Barton and those who haven't read her yet. This novella is the perfect thing to pick up in between books if you're a historical romance fan who likes some giggles with her love stories. The novella can be read as a standalone and you'll have no problem following the story if you haven't read the first book in the Honeycote series.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

Really Liked It!
★★★★

 

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X Marks the Scot (Bad Boys of the Highlands #2) by Victoria Roberts

Summary:

He was a Highland rogue—
wicked with a bow and just as wicked with the ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and willing woman…until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection.

She never asked for a bodyguard…

Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows ever sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 352 pages (Mass Market Paperback)
Source: Toronto Public Library
Available Formats: Print/E-book
Publication Date: February 5th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

X Marks the Scot is the second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series by Victoria Roberts and I was so glad to finally knock this one off my mountainous TBR pile, and frankly I really wanted to see how the author's second historical romance would compare with the first book in the series which I absolutely loved.

The events in X Marks the Scot take place perhaps a couple months after Temptation in a Kilt left off and this book centers around the youngest MacGregor brother Declan and the half sister of the bloody Campbell, Liadain whom we met in the first book and their rocky road of romance.

Declan, is pretty much like Charlie Harper from Two and a Half Men. He's a drunken whore monger who has no problem going to bed, the stables or hiding behind some bushes with a different woman every night, and he's convinced that he's perfectly content living this way. The only things standing in his way are his older brothers Ciaran and Aiden as well as Liadain whom the king has just ordered him to wed.

Liadain, is a healer and she wants nothing more than to live on her own independently just as she has for most of her life when she played second fiddle to her brother and father. When we were first introduced to Liadain in Temptation in a Kilt I was instantly curious about her. She displayed a lot of courage in the first book and so I was glad that she was our heroine in this one. Laidain is definitely not a push over and she's a true Scottish woman with the fiery temper and headstrong attitude that I love seeing my heroines have. She also inherited the sharp Scottish tongue and wit and she wasn't shy on letting loose on Declan when he ticked her off which happened more often than not.

I also enjoyed seeing the couple Ciaran and Rosalie from the first book making an appearance in X Marks a Scot. Before I read this one I was hoping that we would see them again because I loved seeing where the two of them were at in terms of the relationship in this one and I hope to see more of them in the final book in the trilogy when it gets published.

The story line in this one was a bit more complicated as Declan seems to manage to cast himself into a plot that he's completely unaware of that implicates him in a political aspect him until the last 15% of the book and while I liked the drama that this added to the story I wish that it had been brought about in a bit of a different way. I did however like that this book didn't center around two characters who immediately fell in love with each other. Oh no, Declan and Liadain fought tooth and nail against their feelings for each other which just made things even more apparent to me as a reader and to the other characters in the book as well.

Overall, I thought that the pairing of Declan and Liadain was great. The chemistry from these two was just great and while there were a couple of love scenes in this one where as the first book in the trilogy had none, I would have liked to see a little more passion on behalf of the two of them but that is of course my preference. The writing was just as good as the first book except for the political part in the book that I felt could have been flushed out a little bit more. However, the book was well paced other than that and I am anxiously awaiting the third and final book in this trilogy and will be sad to see these characters go.

I would recommend X Marks the Scot to all fans of historical romances especially to those who love their historicals with some kilted rogues, lots of action and a whole lot of chemistry between the characters and a heroine who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Plus if you're in a mood for a book that'll offer you some giggles I really think this one should be read. I do suggest reading the first book in the trilogy first since events in that particular book lead us on the beginnings of the love story in this one.

 

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

 

Really Liked It!
★★★★

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Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure (Summersby #1) by Sophie Barnes

Summary:

It's going to be a wild ride…

Lady Alexandra Summersby is not your average society miss. Not only is she more likely to climb a tree than she is to wear a dress, but she has also sworn off marriage. Alex loves taking chances, which is how she finds herself embroiled in a secret mission as she races across the country with the Earl of Trenton. But Alexandra is about to discover that the real danger lies not in duels, but in her completely unexpected reaction to Lord Trenton's company.

Michael Ashford, Earl of Trenton, is a man of duty. Honorable, charming, and a hit with the ladies, he's never had trouble staying focused—until now. Lady Alexandra is like no other woman he's ever met, and suddenly the prospect of marriage seems far more appealing. Now, to convince Alexandra that a life together could be an adventure like no other…
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 368 pages (E-book)
Source: Toronto Public Library
Available Formats: Print/E-book
Publication Date: May 22nd 2012 by Avon Impulse

Last week I happened to come across a review for another book by Sophie Barnes that really made me want to check out her books. I hadn't picked up an Avon historical romance in years before the other day when I borrowed it through my library's e-book selection and from the first page I was hooked. I started it one day and by the next I was done, I enjoyed it that much.

Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure was just that. I thought it was a refreshing historical romance with a tom boy heroine with and adventurous twist. I always love reading historical romances that have an adventure in them and the tom boy theme is definitely one of my favourites to see represented in the genre so I really enjoyed reading Alexandra's story. I can so see myself as her. She's the best swordswoman in the empire and she's no doubt one of the best people to hold a sword period, plus her knife skills are amazing. I really admired Alexandra's character. She was completely closed off to the possibility of love that I couldn't help but be reminded of a younger more cynical me. Her attitude towards men and the world was just brilliant and I loved that she could totally kick some ass.

As for Alexandra's paramour Michael Ashford he certainly had his hands full when it came to his lady love. I mean honestly and can't be easy to woo a woman who can kick your ass and whose brother you're currently trying to ferret out of hiding because you think he's committed treason and joined forces with the French. Plus, Alexandra was completely unaware of herself as a woman that he had a tough time convincing her that she was attractive.

As a couple I really liked Alexandra and Michael. They were both stubborn, strong, opinionated and as a couple their chemistry was bang on. Michael truly adored Alexandra and even though they fought like cats and dogs throughout the novel the passion for each other was clearly there.

As for the political back story of the novel I wish it had been flushed out a little more than it was. I know that this is first, and foremost a historical romance but the author took such care to create the political espionage theme I felt like it needed to be a little more detailed and kept as part of the story a bit longer than it was.

The banter between all the characters be they Alexandra, Michael, her brothers Ryan and William was hilarious and I got a lot of laughs out of this book and I was grateful that the author had a sense of humour because it added a lot of lightness to the story.

Overall, I thought that Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure was a great introduction to the Summersby series and I'm glad that I gave Sophie Barnes a try. She offers a nice unique take on the genre and her writing was damn near perfect except for the ending which I found was a wee bit rushed for my tastes. I like how she made the characters work for each other, there was no insta-love in this historical romance even though the chemistry between the main characters was apparent from the moment they locked eyes on each other. I'm really looking forward to continuing the Summersby series and seeing the romances that feature her older brothers unfold as well as trying her other books out as well.

I would recommend Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure to historical romance fans who are looking for something a little different. If you enjoy historical romance novels that have lots of chemistry between the characters is intense, and if you want a heroine that's a tom boy who doesn't let any man walk all over her.

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

 

Really Liked It!
★★★★

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