Book Review: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Title: An Affair with a Spare

Series: The Survivors #3

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 416

Published: July 3, 2018

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

He's turned seduction into an art form...

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

Review:

Pushing through the series!

Here we have Rafe and Collette. Rafe is the fifth son of an earl and he uses his charms to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the test to capture an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem seems to be that she is immune to his charms. Collette has never met a man as attractive as Rafe, but her father's life is at stake. When Rafe offers friendship and support, Collette finds herself tempted to take his help and maybe more. 

Spies. Love. Usually up my alley! However....I was bored. So utterly bored. I found myself starting to skim just so I could be done. I wanted to give up, but I really like this author and this series so far. *cough* I also wanted credit for my library reading challenge *cough* I kept plugging along. 

Took me forever, but I finished it. Maybe it was Rafe...maybe it was Collette....maybe I just didn't care about either. I liked Rafe's little cameos in the past books, but here? Meh. 

Could I tell you what happened? Eh. Somewhat. My mind kept drifting.

The ending was okay and I am curious still about the next book. 

Maybe I need to try this again one day in audio format? 

Eh. 

I'll give this 2 stars, because I didn't hate it. I was just....bored. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Eh

Challenge(s):

- Library Love #23

Book Review: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Title: No Earls Allowed

Series: The Survivors #2

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 386

Published: March 6, 2018

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

It is a truth universally acknowledged

that a lady can do anything a man can do:

backwards and in high-heeled dancing slippers.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men.

Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance...

Review:

Book 2!! Been excited to read more of this series. Especially Neil's story. 

Here we follow Neil and Juliana. Juliana is the daughter of an Earl and she needs all the help she can get when she is put in charge of a ramshackle orphanage. London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her and her father wants to marry her off in a hurry. Enter in Neil. He is the bastard son of a Marquess and a war hero. He is sent in to assist Juliana with repairs and keeping the orphans safe. Once that is all done he is instructed to bring her home. Little does he know she is as stubborn as he is. 

This was adorable. The orphans are cute and I want to hug them all...even Billy who is struggling. 

Juliana was a bit too stubborn at times. Girl....accept the help rebuilding stuff and protection! There is literally a slumlord trying to take the boys AND you. Please shut up and accept the help!!! Loved her, but dang I wanted to shake her.  

However, Neil and Juliana find compromises and feelings so their silly fights stop and they can actually be productive. 

I did love the fact that Neil and Juliana are both virgins. Yes, I love a good rake buuuut it is sweet to see the occasional leading male be a virgin too. It is a rare gem. I loved the one scene when they are both learning together. Such a sweet scene. 

Ugh the baddie. Hated him. Terrible man. 

I loved Juliana's father. Yes, he is stubborn (huh must run in the family) but he really does love his girls.

My biggest issue was with the fact that Julia is still accepted by the ton even though she (a single lady) is alone and running an orphanage. Maybe if she was married or a super spinster? I don't buy it and it bugged me. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy this even with the one plot hole that bugged me. I loved our characters even though Julia was overly stubborn. It was all very sweet and fun. I'll give this 3 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Delightful

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #17

Audiobook Review: Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen

Author: Shana Galen

Narrator: Victoria Aston
Title: Third Son's a Charm

Series: The Survivors #1

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: November 7, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Xmas gift)

Summary: 

Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke's daughter's bodyguard will be easy―but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion...

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he's offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington's stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father's high-handed ways, and she'll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard―until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan's protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he's always done―fight for what he wants.

Review:

Eeek been meaning this for a while. I was given this for Xmas a couple years back. It's about damn time!

Here we follow Ewan and Lorraine. Ewan is asked to be a bodyguard to the duke's daughter. Keep her from eloping and protect her from money-chasing men. Easy enough...he fought in a specialized section of the army during wartime. However, it looks like Lorraine will be his biggest challenge. She is determined to convince her suitor to run away with her. She loves him and wants to finally be married, however, her parents won't let that happen. And now she has to deal with this stoic brute who is supposed to be her babysitter.

This was simply and utterly........adorable. I loved Lorraine and I am in love with....I MEAN....I love Ewan. They were so different but oh so similar. I simply loved watching them be enemies (of sorts) and then fall madly in love. 

OoooOOoooooOOO Ewan's cousin and father are aholes and they deserve all the bad karma they can get....especially in the end. >_> Ooof. But they were good baddies for our lovely couple to overcome. 

OOOH! I was especially in love with the little second chances love story between Lorraine's parents. I wouldn't mind a short story or something seeing them fall in love and then out of love and then back in love. TBF they always loved each other but they hurt each other so much it took years to really "find" each other again. It was a very sweet addition that added a little extra spice to our story. 

The narrator was great. Loved all her voices. I hope she does more of the series. I def want to read book 2. 

All-in-all, I highly enjoyed this. I loved the story...the characters...and the narrator. Simply delightful. 5 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):

- #48 for Audiobook challenge

- #8 TBR Pile Reading

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: I Want You to Want Me by Shana Galen

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors Book 12

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Release date: 02-28-23

Historical romance /to review

Book 12 in the Survivors series and now all survivors are counted for, and have found love. It makes me wonder how many Galen books I have read. Quite a few

Nicholas came home after his horse crushed his leg. He become sort of a recluse and now his mother wants him to marry. He would rather be out in the stable lamenting his loss.

Amelia has spent her whole life caring for other people, and sure maybe she took a bit of a walk on the wild site the last year, but who could blame her. 

Things happen, and that leads to them marrying in haste. She fancies him, he pulls away. Why would she ever care for someone like him.

Old friends, and them finally getting their feelings straight.

Sweet, hopeful, and fun to meet all those that have come before. Oh and I hope that his sister gets a book

Good narration. I am quite used to this narrator by now and it works well

Nicholas St. Clare, youngest son of the Marquess of Averstow, was an avid horseman until his legs were crushed on the battlefield. Ashamed of his injury, he's become a virtual recluse on his country estate until his mother, the dowager marchioness, insists he marry. He hates his weakness and doesn't believe anyone can see past it.

Amelia Blackstock has always followed her family motto: A Blackstock doesn't run from trouble. It runs from us. Unfortunately, trouble caught up with her, and when the world finds out, she'll be ruined. When Lord Nicholas stumbles upon her sobbing, he tries to comfort her. His kindness backfires when they are discovered alone together, and Amelia faces even more scandal. Nicholas offers to marry her, but only if she'll agree to a separate bed chambers.

Amelia concedes to a platonic marriage, but as her feelings for Lord Nicholas grow, she wants more. Nicholas is drawn to Amelia as well, but he fears risking it all by revealing the ugly truth of his injury. Nicholas is the last of the Survivors. Will he be the only one without a happily ever after?

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: From Rags to Kisses by Shana Galen

The Survivors Series, Book 11

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors, Book 11

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Release date: 02-07-23

Historical romance /to review

Jenny was a street urchin who meets a boy and decides to help him. She and Aidan becomes best friends and steals, and survives together. 

But then thing changed, his family reached out and he left her there. I get why she was mad, but I also do not get it. Because he wanted to see that she was safe, but she decided no, so can´t really blame him then!

Fast forward many many years. Aidan was sent to war, he came home and got rich. And Jenny found a viscount and got engaged. I did wonder about that, a lot! Like how does a poor nobody get a viscount!? But you have to read and find out.

Of course Aidan and Jenny are meant to be. They meet again. They resist the urge to fall madly in love again. But true love always win.

And do not worry about the Viscount. No funny business going on.

I have read 11 of these now! Almost out of survivors now.

Good narration.. She is always a joy listening to

When young Jenny Tate stumbles over the beaten body of a boy in the streets of the London slums, her only intention is to rifle through his pockets. But the bruised lad charms her into helping him, and the next thing she knows, Aidan Sterling and she are fast friends, navigating life on the streets. Jenny has learned never to trust or love anyone, but they learn to rely on other. And then Aidan betrays her in the worst way possible.

Aidan Sterling is one of the richest men in England. He has everything he wants and no one to share it with. After risking his life in the army, he returned to England and made a fortune. Now he keeps his loneliness at bay by focusing on what he's good at-making money. And then Jenny Tate steps unexpectedly back into his life. He's never forgotten her and never stopped loving her. Jenny hasn't forgotten him either, and she hasn't forgiven him. She's betrothed to a viscount and has a new life and wants nothing to do with Aidan. But the discovery of an ancient trunk, a hunt for a street urchin, and the interference of homing pigeons might just be enough to bring these two back together.

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Sweet Rogue of Mine

The Survivors, Book 9

By: Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors , Book 9

Length: 9 hrs

Release date: 12-20-22

Historical romance / to review

This was grumpy meets sunshine. Pru was fun and Nash was filled with despair. Ok that sounds sad, but he came back from the war having lost his sight. He was a sharp shooter, and now he just feels lost and useless. He drinks too much and has turned his back on everyone. Pru has been left with the village priest since her parents are missionaries.

They meet in an amusing way. She can't stop thinking about him. People warn him, but she does not listen.

He can´t stop thinking either, but he knows his ptsd might him do things so he wants nothing to do with her.

There is the danger of what his family wants to do with him. All while they fall in love.

They truly belonged together. But they have some drama to get over first.

Great narration. I have listened to a lot of these now. It is a fun series

When a stray pistol ball from the battlefield took Nash’s sight, it also took his entire identity. He’s retreated to his father’s county home to lick his wounds, but his drinking and isolation have only made things worse. When Nash’s father, a powerful earl, threatens to send Nash to an asylum, his former brothers-in-arms call in one of their own to set Nash back on the right course. Nash fears he’s fallen too far and perhaps ending it all is the best solution. Until he encounters a woman in the garden signing a bawdy tune at the top of her lungs.

Prudence Howard has traveled the world with her missionary parents. But after the scandal she caused in Cairo, they’ve foisted her on a vicar in the small town of Milcroft and sailed to the Far East to evangelize without her. Pru doesn’t mean to cause trouble; it’s just that being good is so very hard. When she meets Nash Pope, she’s instantly intrigued. He might be hot-tempered, but he’s handsome and unusual and arouses her interest and passion like no one she’s ever met. He might not know he needs or even wants her help, but Pru has a plan to save him.

Nash is bewildered by the unconventional woman who keeps turning up on his doorstep. She tries to teach him night writing, claims a feral peacock is a momentous sign, and makes his toes curl when she kisses him. She refuses to give up on him. But though Nash finds it easy to believe in Pru, can he ever trust himself again? 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: A Duke a Dozen by Shana Galen

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Survivors (Shana Galen), Book 6

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Release date: 10-20-20

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Historical romance /To review

I like this series. The survivors of a doomed troop from the war. This time we did not have time to hang out or meet the rest of the gang. This was Finn's book. Oh and his older lady, wink wink.

Finn comes to Annabell thinking she had slept with his brother, cos she is the Wanton Widow after all. Of course that is just the Ton gossiping cos a widow liked to have fun once! Anyway, his brother is dead and he has questions. Which leads to him helping her out. Roadtrip!

She is almost 15 years older. She has issues with men after her horrible marriage.

He is a young Duke who needs an heir, and a spare.

They become friendly, they want to become more, there can never be a happy ending, or?

I was all for a widow of 45 finding love again. You go girl! And getting a young Duke on top of that.

I enjoyed it. There was also a little romantic sidestory too about someone close to them, no spoilers. 

I have listened to Ashton many times and she is always good. She does historical romance well. Voices, tone, everything. She takes you back.

They call him the Doomed Duke.

Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four—count them—four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. The beautiful widow isn’t at all what Phin expected. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with another request, he can’t deny it. A few days in the country with Lady Longstowe reveal two truths to the new duke. One, he cares for the countess much more than any other woman he’s ever known. Two, Phin either has very bad luck or someone is trying to kill him.

They call her the Wanton Widow.

Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Not even a handsome duke like Mayne, who is far too young for her anyway. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that she needs a man with power and status. She needs the Duke of Mayne. When the two are thrust together, Annabel struggles to fight her attraction to the charming Phin. She’s losing the battle. But can she ever trust another man, especially with the one part of herself she’s never given away—her heart? 

Blodeuedd's Monday: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

Audio CD, 10 h Narrator: Victoria Aston

Published August 7th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published July 3rd 2018)

The Survivors #3

Historical romance

For review

My thoughts:

Rafe is and both is not a total playboy. I men yes he loves women, but women really love him. And he can not say no! So it has come to that point where he is all, omg can't they just find someone else to hunt! Seriously man, learn to say no! ;) But he is also the kind of hero you just have to love, he really is the most charming man in London.

While Colette took some getting used to, because she is a spy for the French. It is a bit hard to like her then. But she is a  really good person. She loves her dad and would do anything for him. She is also a really crappy spy. Not to mention she is shy. It was all very amusing.

And it was interesting to see how the well known bachelor would fall and fight against it. Not to mention how they would deal with this whole mess! She is still a spy. Her dad is still an assassin. But, without saying too much, I enjoyed how it was dealt with.

It was also great seeing the men from book 1 and 2. I really like this group of survivors. And I can not wait to get their books (omg the blurb for the next one is not up and I am all eeeeek!).

Conclusion:
A fun book with some suspense, passion and friendship.

Cover

Is that like the Thames? Not really fitting, even if pretty

Narration

I enjoy Victoria Aston's voice and she fits historical romance so well! All her voices work,

Blurb:

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery. Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined . . . 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off. Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men. Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance . . . 

Audio CD, 10 h
Published March 6th 2018 by Tantor Audio
The Survivors #2
Historical romance
For review

My thoughts

These poor war heroes. They certainly do not seem themselves as heroes, and the turn has come to Neil. The man who gave the orders and now he blames himself for the death of his men. Drinking himself to death and having nightmares. Luckily his dad sends him on a new mission (oh and yes he is a bastard so he has issues with that too.)

Juliana was, oh well, yes girl power and all that, but omg woman, you are taking over an orphanage in the slums, please have some backup! I would be scared. While she was all, I can do that! Kudos for that, but scary! And yes there is this guy after her too. But then again, she cares not for reputation or anything else. All she wants to do is take care of these orphans and try and get some order. I did like her, even if I did want her to take Neil's help and not be so stubborn ;)

Oh and why are there always boys? I never come across any orphanages with girls. But the boys were fun and I liked how the interacted with Neil.

The house is falling apart. The boys are running wild. There is no one except for Julia there. There is a creepy crimelord around. Neil has his hands full. And they also have time to fall in love (and they are both virgins ;) I just had to add that.)

Conclusion:
Sweet with danger and rats!

Victoria Aston

I like her voices for everyone. She works excellent for historical romance and it's fun listening to.

I am there in the moment and it sure makes for fun audio. Romance was made for it.

sample

Cover thoughts.

Makes no sense. A country estate? A ball gown? Sure she attends like 3 functions but most of the book takes place in the orphanage