Heir to the Duke (The Duke's Sons #1) by Jane Ashford GIVEAWAY

Title: Heir to the Duke

Author: Jane Ashford

Series: the Duke’s Sons, #1

Pubdate: January 5^th, 2016

ISBN: 9781492621560

Book 1 of The Duke’s Sons series

From bestselling author Jane Ashford comes a brand new series of sparkling Regency Romance

Life is predictable for a Duke’s first son

As eldest son of the Duke of Langford, Nathaniel Gresham sees his arranged marriage to Lady Violet Devere as just another obligation to fulfill—highly suitable, if unexciting. But as Violet sets out to transform herself from dowdy wallflower to dazzling young duchess-to-be, proper Nathaniel sets out to prove he’s a match for his new bride’s vivacity and daring.

Or so he once thought…

Oppressed by her family all her life, Lady Violet can’t wait to enjoy the freedom of being a married woman. But then Violet learns her family’s sordid secret, and she’s faced with an impossible choice—does she tell Nathaniel and risk losing him, or does she hide it and live a lie?

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight led her to study English literature and travel widely in Britain and Europe. Her historical and contemporary romances have been published in Sweden, Italy, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Latvia, Slovenia, and Spain, as well as the U.S. Twenty-six of her new and backlist Regency romances are being published by Sourcebooks. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. She is currently rather nomadic.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/222MBai

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Chapters: http://bit.ly/1IQWkKv

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1I5j2i1

Jane Ashford’s latest release, Heir to the Duke, comes out this January! To celebrate, we invite you to get to know Nathaniel Gresham, the hero of Heir to the Duke and the eldest of the Duke of Langford’s six sons.

Full Name: Nathaniel, Viscount Hightower

Occupation: Helping oversee the extensive Langford ducal estates

Height: 6’ 1”

Hair Color: Dark auburn

Eye Color: Blue

Age:  34

How would you describe yourself?

An odd question. It seems to require either a flippant, superficial response or deep thought and revealing confidences. I don’t believe I care to reply.

If your brothers had to describe you, what would they say?

Responsible, reliable Nathaniel, I imagine. The person they can turn to when they’re in trouble, which they certainly can. And the elder brother who will run any little errand they may conjure up or supply any small item they require. I am in the process of weaning them of the latter opinion.

What is your favorite way to spend your time?

I’m fond of country pursuits. Sailing on the lake at Langford, walking the land, fishing the trout stream.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to newlyweds?

Don’t be limited by expectations. Marriage can be full of marvelous surprises.

If money was no object and you had no commitments for the next two months, what would you do?

Take my wife to Italy. She has expressed interest in seeing that country, and one of my newfound delights is watching her savor novel experiences.

An Excerpt:

Nathaniel Gresham, Viscount Hightower, stirred in his sleep. His hands groped for bedclothes, found nothing. Sensing wrongness, his consciousness rose through layers of befuddlement and wisps of dreams. He opened his eyes to find a gaping maw of three-inch fangs inches from his throat.

“Aah!”

Nathaniel threw up his arms to shield his face and twisted to the side. The convulsive movement brought him right to the edge of a large four-poster bed, and he scrambled to avoid falling three feet to the floor. He twisted in the opposite direction and struck out at the sharp, yellowed teeth. They did not snap shut on his forearm or lunge into his face once more. Indeed, they did not move at all, except sideways under his blow. There was no snarl or slaver, no spark of rage in the shiny eye behind the fangs. Nathaniel shoved them farther away and sat up.

He was stark naked, on a large bed stripped bare of linens, covered only by a moth-eaten gray wolf skin. The wretched thing’s head had been carefully placed on his chest, to ensure the rude awakening. His hips still rested under its hindquarters. Molting fur peppered the bed. The mere sight of the ancient pelt made his skin itch. Revolted, he pushed it all the way off and moved to the foot of the bed, struggling to get his bearings. This wasn’t his bedchamber. The blue-striped wallpaper was alien, the furnishings unfamiliar; the windows with their slant of early morning light were in the wrong place. Then he remembered. He was staying at the Earl of Moreley’s country house, because tomorrow—no, today—he was to marry the earl’s daughter at their local parish church.

Nathaniel glared at the wolf skin, then rubbed his hands over his face. This was what it meant to have five brothers—five younger brothers—on one’s wedding day. Or rather, on one’s wedding eve, a night they’d insisted upon marking with bowls of rack punch. Had it been three? Or had he lost count? No wonder they’d kept filling his glass, if they had this prank planned. Where the devil had they found a wolf skin in a strange house? And hadn’t he told his father, when Robert was born in his sixth year, that four sons were quite enough? Even for a duke, six sons were excessive. At this particular moment, Nathaniel thought that his parents might have been content with just one.

He rose, stretching stiff limbs and marveling that he had only a mild headache. Revenge on his brothers would have to wait for another day. Today, he was getting married. He was doing his duty to his name and his line, pledging himself to a woman who would be an admirable duchess when their turn came—may it be far in the future. The match was eminently suitable. All society acknowledged its rightness. And despite Violet’s irascible grandmother, the occasional bane of his existence, he could have no complaints.

Indeed, why had the word even occurred to him? No one had rushed him into marriage. He had enjoyed a plenitude of seasons in London and a number of agreeable flirtations and liaisons with delightful females. Though they had never spoken of it, he was aware that his parents had given him every opportunity to fall in love. But the passion that had overtaken them in their young days had not befallen him. He wasn’t sure why, but once he’d passed thirty he concluded it never would. He’d had more than enough time to observe that such a bond was rare in the circles of the haut ton.

Nathaniel stretched again, his bare limbs a bit chilly. This marriage was certainly not a penance. He liked Violet very much. They’d been acquainted for years. He did not know whether she’d had other offers, but he supposed that she too had waited for love to find her. They had that in common. They were also well suited by background, had similar tastes, and enjoyed the same even temperament. When he’d decided that the time for marriage had come, he’d simply known that she was the proper candidate. He expected their union to be gracious, harmonious, and ideal for the significant position they would someday be called upon to fulfill. And now it was time to stop wool- gathering, put on his dressing gown, and begin this momentous day.

Nathaniel walked over to the oaken wardrobe on the far wall and opened it.

It was empty. All his clothes had disappeared.

He stared at the bare hooks. This part of the prank would be Sebastian’s doing, he imagined. It had his next younger brother’s touch. Nathaniel met his own gaze in the mirror set into the wardrobe door, and acknowledged the spark of amused annoyance in his eyes. His brothers had a fiendish facility for complicated jests.

The figure in the glass shook its head. All the sons of the Duke of Langford were tall, handsome, broad-shouldered men with auburn hair and blue eyes. Sebastian was the tallest. Robert the wittiest. Randolph was acknowledged as the handsomest, James the most adventurous, and Alan the smartest. But he was the eldest, and the heir.

For as long as he could remember, Nathaniel had felt the weight of his destiny. The others said it was a burden to have everything done ahead of them, but he’d felt the onus of being the pattern, setting up the expectations, being the son visitors scrutinized the most. He would be the next duke; he must show he was worthy. Thus, he kept a tight rein on his wilder impulses. Instead, he was the one who came to the rescue when one of his brothers went too far, kicking up a lark.

And so now, he did not slam the empty wardrobe shut, but simply closed it. He would leave it to his valet to straighten this out. He wanted hot water for washing, and then clothes, and then breakfast. He went to ring for Cates, and discovered that the bell rope had been removed. He could see the wire to which it had been connected, near the ceiling, twelve feet up. It must have taken two or three of his brothers to reach so high.

For a moment he just stood there, staring at it. This final touch would be Robert’s idea, no doubt. He’d always been the most ingenious, the brother who added the crowning climax to a prank. Robert would be the one to set the others guffawing—describing their elder brother slinking through the corridors of the Earl of Moreley’s house wrapped in a wolf skin, like some sort of demented ancient Celt. Even Nathaniel had to smile at the picture. How would Violet’s fierce stickler of a grandmother like that? And all the other near and distant relations visiting for the wedding? He’d barely met most of them. Perhaps he’d twine some ivy from outside the window in his hair and attempt a Gaelic war cry.

Nathaniel laughed. Truth to tell, it was a splendid prank, unfolding like a puzzle box upon its hapless victim. All that remained was for him to wiggle out of the trap so cunningly set.

He eyed the windows and considered pulling down some of his almost-mother-in-law’s elaborate draperies to wrap about himself. But one panel would trail behind him like a coronation robe. The picture was little better than the wolf skin. Perhaps he would just wait until Cates arrived on his own. It couldn’t be too much longer. In fact, judging by the sunlight, his valet ought to have appeared well before now. Where the devil was he?

As if in answer to this thought, there was a knock at the door.

“Nathaniel?” 

The voice was the last he expected. “Violet?”

“Are you all right? James said you needed to speak to me most urgent—” The door opened, and Nathaniel’s promised bride looked around the panels. “Oh!” Her mouth dropped open.

Nathaniel—stark naked, next to a bed sporting only a rumpled wolf skin—braced for a shriek, a shocked retreat, babbled apologies. But Violet just looked at him. Indeed, it seemed as if she couldn’t tear her eyes away. He could almost feel her gaze traveling along his skin, as if it left trails of warmth. He saw something stir in those gray eyes, something he’d never observed before, and his body began to respond to the possibility of much more than he’d expected from his suitable marriage. Respond all too eagerly.

Nathaniel moved over behind the bed. “My brothers’ idea of a joke,” he said with a gesture toward the wolf skin.

Violet blinked. Color flooded her cheeks, and she looked away. “How did they...?” Her voice was rather choked.

“They are endlessly inventive. They stole my clothes as well. Would you have someone send Cates to me? I would ring but”—he pointed to the bell wire—“they were quite thorough.”

Violet glanced at the denuded wire, swallowed, and gave a quick nod. “Of course.” In the next instant, she was gone.

“Well, well,” murmured Nathaniel to the wolf. “That was interesting.”

His days of being capable of interest long past, the wolf made no reply.

Kimberly's Review

Nathaniel Gresham, Viscount Hargrove and future Duke of Langford, has his life planned out carefully. He has selected his bride and is content that she will be a proper duchess. One of five brothers, he has always been the one to take charge and assist his family where needed. Ever the essence of duty, Nathaniel's staid existence is about to change.

Lady Violet has always had to be perfect. Her Grandmama has always chosen her modest clothing, her severe hairstyle, schooled her on her manner and scolded her to no end. The very day she marries Nathaniel, Violet decides to end the dowager's reign over her and the results are staggering. Once the vows are said and the wedding breakfast done, Nathaniel and Violet continue on to their new home where they begin their new life as a married couple. 

The wedding night goes far better than Nathaniel ever hoped for believing that his prim and proper Violet would continue to carry on as she did under her family's thumb. But this is not so and Nathaniel is pleased for the intimacy but confused with Violet's new outlook on life. When the lady's maid who has taken care of Violet all her life attempts to crush Violet's new found freedom, Violet does the unthinkable and gives the angry and disrespectful maid her walking papers. Said maid runs to Nathaniel believing he will side with her, Nathaniel quickly comes to understand what Violet has been up against all her life and allows her the freedom to chose what she wants to do. 

Always on the outside, trying to overthrow her happiness, the dowager clearly shows her disdain for her granddaughter. Nathaniel becomes Violet's hero every time he stands up to Grandmama and she quickly falls hard for her husband who not only is the perfect match for her desire in the bedroom, but becomes her perfect helpmate. When Violet discovers the main reason why the dowager dislikes her so, Violet realizes her future hangs in the balance and if her husband finds out something that has been kept a dirty little secret, all may fall apart. Even though his wife is a conundrum to him, she is fast becoming his reason for breathing and once those vows were said and done, Violet became is in every way and giving her up isn't an option.

Jane Ashford's first book in the DUKE'S SONS series, HEIR TO THE DUKE is a solid read. Nathaniel is a great character whose strength is understated but always there. When he defends his wife from her family's insults, he solidifies his place as alpha male hero. Violet's transformation from mouse to tiger is fabulous and I really enjoyed her journey into awareness. When Violet's own friend uses her as cover in her game at infidelity, Violet finds herself second guessing herself . Trusting Nathaniel to help her through this wrong is one of my favorite parts in the book. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

~KIMBERLY~

Rafflecoptor Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight On E.E. Burke's Victoria: Bride of Kansas (American Mail-Order Bride #34) and Santa's Mail-Order Bride & a Little Giveaway

Almost Happy New Year to all. I hope your holiday season has been filled with happiness and loads of great books. Today I am doing a slightly different today since after reading these wonderful books by the talented E.E. Burke I wanted to spotlight them together since they are so closely connected. I for one believe holiday themed stories can be savored at any time of the year. This year especially since with the insane weather we have been having, it didn't feel like Christmas to me and many of you. Reading Victoria: Bride of Kansas and Santa's Mail Order Bride put me in a happy place and actually opened the door for me to enjoy more holiday themed reads.

Young miss, Victoria Lowell flees Massachusetts after being jilted by her fiance. looking to start fresh and make a new life for herself, the daughter of a wealthy family responds to a mail order bride advertisement and leaves the comforts of home to start off on her adventure into matrimony. Taking that leap, Victoria travels to Kansas where she is expecting the man she fell in love with through letters to meet  her and marry.

In Kansas, general store owner, David O'Brien is having a trying time. His wife having run off with another man leaving him with a young daughter who stopped talking when her mother left as well as a busy store to run has him contemplating his life. He knows he needs a mother for his feisty daughter who is cared for by David's sister Maggie, but he can't seem to get around to the task of advertising for that very need. Unbeknownst to him, Maggie has had the foresight to take matters into her own hands and hope for the best. She has a life she would like to begin, and even though she loves and adores her brother and niece, that life is calling her. Maggie begins the process of seeking a wife for David and that wife to be will be in Kansas at any moment and bringing David up to snuff is not going to be easy. When Maggie finally lets the cat out of the bag, David is understandably angry, but he has a promised bride waiting for him at the train station.

As Victoria awaits on the train platform for her fiance to arrive, the enormity of her circumstances begin to gnaw at her like the Kansas wind that seeks to blow her away. When her betrothed arrives late to meet her, she discovers a marked difference between the man who wrote the letter and the man in front of her, but she isn't a simpering woman, she will go on. David had hopes of coming clean with Victoria and sending her packing back to whence she came, but meeting her in person stirs his spirit and he begins a sort of courtship, mainly as a means of time to figure out these things that were thrown at him so quickly.

Victoria and David's journey to an accord is quite the ride, and throwing in the mighty little daughter, Fannie makes Victoria: Bride of Kansas a wonderful tale and a great setting for things to come. David's reluctance to start over with someone new is gripping and heart-warming. Having been so hurt by the woman he thought he loved, his bruised heart finds it difficult to let Victoria in at first, but this formidable opponent is a welcome surprise. This well-written and touching tale is a winner.

Maggie O'Brien is a woman on a mission and not much can sway this woman from achieving that end, not even her brother's business competitor. Maggie has been a living away from her family as a schoolteacher and having seen some of the atrocities that poverty can do to a child has made her a champion to better these children's lives, even if it's only the the smallest way of making sure they have the very basic needs for the holidays. When Maggie sets out to collect monies and gifts for the unfortunate children being used as slave labor on local farms, she finds that having people open their pockets can be a task. Her brother David has already pledged to help, but he can only do so much.

David's prime competition, a Gordon Sumner has his own worries to deal with, but when Maggie O'Brien comes through his front door, he is in for one big surprise in the form of this woman who makes him think of a better life. When Maggie comes to Gordon with her proposal, he will do anything to keep her company, even if it's to wrangle the town into helping her cause. Gordon has a few secrets, however and these secrets make it almost impossible to pursue Miss O'Brien. But through their project to bring the town together and help the unfortunate children, Gordon becomes more attached to the school teacher than he would have liked. Maggie on the other hand struggles with the fact that her sudden closeness to Gordon is a betrayal to her family. Her feelings for David become deep ones, but her loyalty to the brother who saved her life when they were children is paramount. 

Santa's Mail-Order Bride takes these two wayward souls and places them in a whirlwind. Maggie's loyalty to her brother, while the right thing is most cases, will make or break this young woman's happiness. While Mr. Sumner at first seems the shady character, his progression in this tale makes known his true self and the lengths that he will go for the woman he wants are quite the story.

~KIMBERLY~ 

E.E. Burke at RT's Roundup in Dallas, 2015

I don't usually post an author's bio, because you can go right over to their sites to see that, but I do want to let you know a little about this wonderful lady, who is not only a great author, but a huge advocate for the romance community. With the Get Lost In a Story blog, E.E. Burke brings to light some of the best in Western Romance. She is a tireless cheerleader for all that is romance and I salute her. Having been able to spend some quality time at RT in Dallas allowed me to get to know her and adore her.

GIVEAWAY ALERT

ONE LUCKY PERSON WILL WIN SIGNED PRINT COPIES OF THE TWO BOOKS THAT WERE FEATURED! COMMENT AWAY!

Book Birthday Bliss! Adam (Devils on Horseback: Generations #1) by Beth Williamson

Ok I admit it, when the Devils On Horseback series ended, as with any beloved series conclusion, I felt a pang of sadness. Getting to know each and every one of Beth Williamson's rough and rugged character was an adventure that kept me coming back for more. Well now, Ms. Williamson has brought us DEVILS ON HORSEBACK: GENERATIONS! 

The first book, ADAM, introduces us to the beloved Jake and Gabrielle Sheridan's son, who yearns for a life beyond the family mill he is expected to take over someday. Adam doesn't know the struggles his parents and those before him went through to build a secure home for their children. Adam wants more.

Eve Tate has never had a stable life, she basically has become a gypsy after escaping a unsavory life under the thumb of a disreputable and repugnant person. Now Eve tries to put that past behind her and find a place where she can belong. Stumbling upon Adam Sheridan changes this woman's life forever when she is brought into the Sheridan family fold which includes a multitude of members all seeking to protect their own.

Adam never knew what hit him when he almost hit Eve on the road, but with life's twists and turns and perhaps lessons to spurn a maturity that just lingers below the surface, Adam can transform himself into the man he is supposed to be along with the help of one mysterious woman named Eve.

Do not miss ADAM, by the indomitable Beth Williamson. This venture into new territory is fresh and fast paced while giving us a look into how our original DEVILS are. Ms. Williamson puts her heart into this as she does with everything she writes and with the DEVILS ON HORSEBACK: GENERATIONS series, we get to share in the new adventure.

~KIMBERLY~

BETH WILLIAMSON DEVILS ON HORSEBACK REBOOT

Happiness is one of my favorite series getting a fabulous reboot and new release! Get a look at these sizzling new covers for author, Beth Williamson's DEVILS ON HORSEBACK series. 

If you have never read this exciting series, don't miss out on it now!

Devils on Horseback Book 1   NATE

Amidst the post-war chaos that rains down around them, a controlling man and a desperate woman must choose between life and love.

Nate Marchand grew up as the only son of the town drunk. As a Confederate soldier, he found that order in the chaos was the only thing that kept him sane. Numbers, information, keeping everything in its proper place became second nature. The chaos of the war and its aftermath sent him into a rigid state that he couldn’t seem to overcome.

He and his friends, nicknamed Devils on Horseback, leave behind the aftermath of war to start fresh in the west. Their new business venture flounders and desperation drives them to take whatever work they can.

The Devils are hired to remove the Taggert family from land claimed by Samuel O’Shea, the largest landowner in Grayton, Texas. When he meets Elisa Taggert, his entire world shifts beneath him. Attracted, bewildered, and off-kilter, Nate ignores his conscience in favor of his wallet.

The simple task of removing a woman, a boy, and an old man, along with a small herd of cattle, resembles a Medieval siege. Nate wrestles with what he knows is right with what he must do. Will his love for Elisa overcome his need for survival?

Devils on Horseback Book 2    JAKE

Haunted by war, a thief finds salvation in the arms of an angel.

On the surface, Jake Sheridan is an easygoing man whose problems roll off him like water off a duck’s back. Truth is, Jake holds so many past demons inside him, he daren’t let them out for fear he’ll never get them all back in.

He and the Devils are hired to help rebuild a town ransacked by marauders. Everywhere they turn, they encounter secrets—enough secrets to turn the town to dust if they don’t uncover the truth.

Only one person in town isn’t glad to see them: Gabrielle Rinaldi, the miller’s daughter. A strong and independent woman who is used to being disrespected for speaking her mind, she makes no secret that she doesn’t believe hired guns are the answer to the town’s woes. Yet she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic and charming Jake.

In spite of himself, Jake falls hard and fast for Gabby. But she’s wary of handing her heart to a man who lives by his guns.

When tragedy strikes, Jake and Gabby must fight to find a way to save the town—and their hearts.

Devils on Horseback Book 3    ZEKE

A cool man, a fiery woman, a love destined to ignite.

Intense, reserved and known for his strategic thinking, Zeke Blackwood has struggled to find his place in the post-war world. After the violent death of the first woman to capture his heart, Zeke retreats into a whisky bottle—until he’s handed the position of town sheriff.

Zeke sobers up and tries his damnedest to be the best lawman he can be. He hadn’t counted on the tempting new saloon girl to jeopardize his cold, unhappy existence.

Naomi Tucker is a survivor, a woman who made it through the war on her own wit and strength. She hoped moving to Tanger, Texas would bring her the peace and stability she yearns to find. Instead she runs head-on into a cool-eyed sheriff who welcomes her to his bed, only to push her away.

The wildness of the West is far from tamed. It threatens the town’s efforts to rebuild, Zeke’s bond with the Devils—and his fragile relationship with Naomi. As Zeke’s hold on sobriety slips, he and Naomi must choose between settling for half a life apart, or embracing all they could be. Together.

Devils on Horseback Book 4     LEE

When anger and tenacity collide, sparks are inevitable.

The Civil War took more than Lee Blackwood’s arm. It took his confidence, his pride…and hope that any woman will see him as more than half a man. His friendships helped keep the demons at bay—until now. As each Devil has found happiness, Lee is left alone to cope with the darkness that claws at his soul.

Genevieve Blanchard has only one thing going for her: her no-good late husband’s run-down farm. That, and a fancy name no one can spell might get her a cup full of dirt in Tanger. Room, board and seamstress skills aren’t much, but it’s all she can offer any man willing to help her bring in her wheat crop.

Reluctantly Lee takes on the job, enduring the widow’s smart-mouthed daughter and his growing attraction to a woman who stubbornly refuses to see him as anything less than whole. Slowly, his bitterness begins to fade under the light of their blooming love.

Then the truth of her past threatens to rip away everything: her farm, her child—and the man she loves. But this time, there’s a line of Devils between her and looming disaster.

Devils on Horseback Book 5     GIDEON

Handing over the reins is hard. Handing over his heart…damn near impossible.

Gideon Blackwood is on the run—from Tanger’s meddling matchmakers. With no intention of following the rest of the Devils down the aisle, he heads for the hills to reassess a life spent leading and caring for others…and runs smack into the business end of a shotgun. At the trigger: a curmudgeonly woman with a broken axle and a load of responsibility.

In Chloe Ruskin’s experience, men take what they want and leave a mess of trouble behind. The safety of two orphans and her granny is at stake, and the last thing she needs is Gideon’s “help”. This time, though, she has no choice but to allow the big cowboy to fix her wagon.

As they work into the night, grudging admiration grows into attraction—and desire. Gideon finds he can’t dig his boot heels in hard enough to avoid falling for the opinionated little female.

When Chloe’s family disappears, her suspicion threatens to destroy any spark of love before it catches fire. Gideon finds himself making promises his pride won’t let him break—even if it costs him the love of the woman who owns the missing half of his soul.

COVER REVEAL BLISS ~ TO TRUST A ROGUE By CHRISTI CALDWELL~

I am so excited about Christi Caldwell's cover reveal for her January 12th title!

And without further delay, here you go! 

Coming January 12th, 2016!

A rogue:

Marcus, the Viscount Wessex has carefully crafted the image of rogue and charmer for polite Society. Under that façade, however, dwells a man who had his heart shattered eight years earlier when a young lady captured his heart, pledged her love, and then left him, with nothing more than a curt note.

A widow:

Years earlier, faced with no other choice, Mrs. Eleanor Collins, fled London and the only man she ever loved, Marcus, Viscount Wessex. A poor merchant’s daughter she has now returned to serve as a companion for her recently widowed, elderly aunt. There is little reason for her to move in the same circles as Marcus, which is good for when they’re together, she is reminded of all she lost, when she left him.

Reunited:

The connection between Eleanor and Marcus’ family makes it impossible for them to avoid one another. As their paths continue to cross, Marcus finds his desire for Eleanor just as strong, but he learned long ago she’s not to be trusted. He will offer her a place in his bed, but never be anything more. Only, Eleanor has no interest in this new, roguish Marcus. The more they are thrown together, the protective walls they've built to keep the other out, begin to break.  Except, with all the betrayals and secrets between them, Marcus has to open his heart again. And Eleanor must decide if it’s ever safe to trust a rogue!

The Christmas Wager (A Happy Christmas #1) by Delilah Marvelle

Sixteen years of her life was spent in an orphanage, left there by her unmarried mother, shortly after she was born. When her uncle, the wealthy Mr. Barrington finally discovers Felicity's whereabouts, he wastes no time in sending for her. Leaving her best friend, the gypsy Marigold behind is a difficult thing for Marigold has told Felicity a tale of wonder including a key,a ruby ring, ghosts and a duke, and how she is destined for a great future if she chooses the right ruby ring.

Barrington's neighbor, the nouveau riche Redstone family, have moved from America to England where the elder Barrington can conduct his business. The heir, Maxwell Redstone has a zest for life like no other young man can equal. He lives his life to the fullest knowing that one day he must settle down and do right by his family. Not quite in a rush to settle down, but still yearning to find the one young lady who could care less about the money and more about the man, Maxwell awaits for his future as well.

One the evening of a rowdy Barrington fete, the young Felicity ventures out of her new home into the snow, drawn out by the ghost of her mother, she follows her to the neighbors, where she reluctantly meets the Barrington heir as he sits out an open window with a bottle of gin, contemplating life. Max becomes enamored immediately by the young lady who at first opens up to his charm but soon finds him to be a typically disappointing man. Over the next few years, these two constantly spar, even while Max attempts to woo Felicity. Then one day, Max leaves England and heads for an adventure which has him away for years.

Now Max has finally returned from his travels only to find Felicity almost engaged to a duke. What can be done to open up her eyes and see the treasure that has been in front of her for years? Well you must read Delilah Marvelle's THE CHRISTMAS WAGER to find out!

Well done Ms. Marvelle. THE CHRISTMAS WAGER is something totally different and completely enchanting. From the minute Max is introduced, he had me in his corner. Understandably, Felicity at sixteen, and just having acquired a new home and her family, is in no place to choose her future so quickly. Maturity is most definitely a theme and what must be obtained by both Max and Felicity and that quest makes this story so enchanting. 

~KIMBERLY~ 

Lucky Shot (The Montana Hamiltons #3) by B.J. Daniels

After reading LUCKY SHOT by B.J. Daniels, I find that I am consistently in awe of this woman and the things going on in her mind.

Crack reporter, Max Malone is in it for the story, pure and simple. When he grabs a photo of presidential candidate Buckmaster Hamilton with the former wife who has come back from the dead after twenty two years, he knows he has the money shot. After some in depth research, he also finds a photograph which possibly links Sarah Hamilton to a militant group  Max seeks out Hamilton's photographer daughter Kat to confirm or deny the identity in the photo and from there, things go haywire.

It it fact or not that Sarah Hamilton has lost all memory of the passed twenty two years? Buckmaster Hamilton's campaign to the White House may just have gone completely awry in light of the all goings on with the Hamilton clan. Holding this family together is quite the job for Buckmaster and his six daughters, especially when his current wife attempts to delve deep into first wife Sarah's background and puts all in danger.

Murder, mystery and mayhem alight LUCKY SHOT by the indomitable B.J. Daniels. There isn't one minute of this book that does not engage the reader's full attention. While LUCKY SHOT can be read as a stand alone, I strongly suggest the reader start at WILD HORSES and slide into LONE RIDER with stealth. These books, along with LUCKY SHOT will make you a B.J. Daniels fan if you have never read her before and you will come back time and time again for more.

~KIMBERLY~

GUEST REVIEWER, SLICK READS ~ MONEY SHOT (SELECTED SINNERS MC) BY SCOTT HILDRETH

I've put off reading Scott Hildreth for awhile, several of my friends and fellow reviewers fell in love with his writing, but I'm not a big fan of MC romances.  I bought his books, they were stored in my Kindle but I just couldn't bring myself to read them.  When Money Shot released a couple of weeks ago and Scott so passionately posted that he thought this was his best book ever (and I had heard nothing but glowing things about his other work), when friends and other readers kept posting about how much they loved this book I knew it was time for me to step up to the plate and read his work.  I did something I rarely do and I started with Money Shot because of what he and others had said about it and I'm really glad I did. After reading it, I'm sure his other work is probably fantastic as well but Money Shot for me was an awesome romance. The strong characters, a love that develops over time through friendship and understanding, great dialog, steamy and raunchy sex scenes and two people who needed each other more than either of them realized made this a book impossible to put down and made me jump on the "I LOVE Scott Hildreth" bandwagon.

Sienna and Vince meet in a unique way and while Sienna is immediately attracted, Vince following a very nasty divorce doesn't trust women and has decided he really doesn't need them in his life.  Vince is a loner and while he is part of the Selected Sinners MC he pretty much keeps to himself with the exception on mandatory club meetings and runs.  Vince is kind of a renaissance man in that he believes in keeping promises, honesty is paramount to him and he loves to read all kinds of books.  Despite his job as a strong arm that does collections, he really has a gentle soul and it is so apparent when he has Sunday dinners with his mother.  I loved Sienna; she's had a lot happen in her life, things that might have broken weaker people but she's made the best of it and has remained optimistic.  Despite her questionable taste in men, she enjoys her life and loves her work as a book reviewer.  I love that she is unapologetic about her sexuality and that she speaks her mind always.  When Vince walks into her life she wonders if he will be the one for her; the one she's read about and dreamed about.

I appreciated the friendship these two had before they moved into a physical relationship.  They learned so much about one another and had a strong foundation on which to build.  Most of all I loved that they celebrated the uniqueness of each other fully.  That's not to say they didn't have some issues, especially one big one due to a pig headed man, but even when they had issues they were never far from each other's mind.

While we see a few members of the MC in this book, they are background with the exception of one who is like a father figure to Vince and another who helped him see the light and was kind of a guardian angel to both Vince and Sienna.  Never in this book was the romance on the back burner; their friendship, courtship and their relationship was front and center the whole time and for that I thank this author immensely.

From the minute I started this book until the minute I finished I was totally immersed in author Scott Hildreth's world largely due to his writing style and compelling characters.  I loved this book and while I am sorry it took me so long to finally give in and read one of his works, I really don't think I could have started with a better book; it was simply a fantastic and beautifully told romance.

~SLICK READS~ 

Reckless in Pink (The Emperors of London #4) by Lynne Connolly

On any given day, Claudia Shaw is causing her family strife with her reckless behavior. Her unconventional familial upbringing is at the heart of this beautiful young woman's actions. When Claudia inherits a brothel from a relative and against the better judgement, heads over to the establishment to discover its secrets, she is saved from possible ruin by a handsome stranger.

Dominic has done his time for the crown and wants out, but when he is given the task of finding the Young Pretender and gaining intelligence on the man who is a complication to the crown itself, he begrudgingly accepts the task. When Dominic appears at one of the Young Pretender's regular haunts, Dominic is outraged to find Claudia Shaw, the beauty he met on a London street, at the brothel. He extricates the nuisance from the brothel and delivers her to safety, but quickly the pair becomes embroiled in such danger and intrigue, that the whole of England go to war.

Dominic cannot deny the desires he has for Claudia and the more he becomes involved, the more his reserve faulters. Claudia is quite the troublesome minx. She is too smart for her own good and she's been indulged by her large and lively family. These indulgences only make it easier for her to fall into one predicament after another and Dominic will do what he must to steer her clear of a danger she may never recover from.

RECKLESS IN PINK by Lynne Connolly is the fourth tale in the Emperors of London series and it is a great one at that. Ms Connolly's depiction of this unstable time in Europe is intriging and well done. As a lover of history as well as romance, this combination of the two is heady and and compelling. This wonderfully written story can be read as a stand alone but with so many captivating characters who appear in each other's books, the reader would get so much more from reading the entire series.

~KIMBERLY~

Book Obsessed Chicks Spotlight on ~ VANESSA VALE~

The lure of the big city has called to tempestuous Dahlia Lenox, her entire life. Dahlia is tired of ranch life and all the rules and restrictions placed on women by polite society. She can't resist breaking the rules, and is very, very good at it. The poker table is her domain, the one place she yields to no one's rules but her own. She's staring down the biggest win in her life, a prize that will free her from small town life forever and she can't wait to claim her bittersweet victory. But nothing is perfect, and leaving town means leaving the only man who ever made her ache to be his, Garrison Lee. He wants everything she can't give him, including an obedient wife who surrenders to him in bed. Surrender is not in her nature, and as much as it hurts, she will keep all of her secrets and leave the arrogant and sexy Garrison behind.

Garrison Lee is tired of waiting. He's been patient. He's been courteous. He's been a damn gentleman and all that's gotten him is a polite brush off from Dahlia each of the three times he proposed. When Dahlia risks everything to escape him forever, Garrison is forced to raise the stakes in a single hand of poker...winner take all.

Dahlia is about to discover that Garrison won't take no for an answer, that her restlessness can be tamed by a man with a firm hand, and that he knows exactly how to channel her wild side into more carnal pursuits. But Dahlia is nothing if not stubborn. Garrison's seduction is relentless, his hand firm as he tries to convince his passionate new bride that everything she ever wanted is right in front of her...before he loses her forever.

Book 3 in the Wildflowers of Montana Series continues with the tempestuous Dahlia and the man who will tame her. 

QUICKFIRE WITH VANESSA VALE

1. Morning, noon or night?

 Anytime!

2. How do you like your steak?

 Medium. Peppercorns would be nice.

3. Last film that you saw? 

Kingsman. It was horrendous.

4.TV Show?

 Sherlock Holmes on PBS

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

 Kauai or London

6. What was breakfast today?

 Toast with raspberry jam

7. Favorite cuisine?

 I love, love, love Indian.

8. What kind of car do you drive?

 Audi (I live in the Wild West where 4WD is actually needed)

9.  Favorite clothing accessory?

 Fun, crazy shoees

10. Weapon of choice? 

I'm a black belt in karate, so I will say my hands!

11. Gemstone?

 Opal

12. Sport?

 Martial arts

13. Nickname?

 None

14. Pets?

 My son has Nibbles, the hamster.

15. Alcoholic beverage?

 Don't drink unless I'm in Mexico on the beach and someone hands me a daquiri

16. Color?

 Orange

17. Pet peeve?

 I'm a total control freak so I have many.

18. Flower?

 Daffodil

19. The one thing you can’t live without?

 Besides the usual world peace and health, the shallow answer is hair product.

20. Last words?

 Thanks for having me today! I'm excited about Dahlia, Book 3 in my Wildflowers series. Who doesn't love a cowboy?

ABOUT VANESSA VALE:

Who doesn't love the romance of the old West? Vanessa Vale takes the sensual appeal of rugged cowboys a step further with her bestselling books set in the Montana Territory. They're deliciously naughty reads that sometimes push the boundaries of fantasy. It's pure escapism with quite a few very hot, very alpha cowboys. When she's not writing, Vanessa savors the insanity of raising two boys, is figuring out how many meals she can make with a pressure cooker, and teaches a pretty mean karate class. She considers herself to be remarkably normal, exceedingly introverted and fairly vanilla, which does not explain her steamy stories and her fascination with cowboys, preferably more than one at a time. If that weren't enough, she also writes under the pen names Jennifer Zane and Vanessa Dare. She lives in the Wild Wild West where there's an endless source of 'research' material.

Links:

Web: http://www.vanessavaleauthor.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vanessavaleauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/iamvanessavale

RELEASE DAY BLISS WITH STACEY AGDERN

This December, take a break from dreidel spinning, gelt winning, and latke eating to experience the joy of Chanukah. When you fall in love during the Festival of Lights, the world burns a whole lot brighter.

It’s definitely not love at first sight for Amanda and her cute but mysterious new neighbor, Ben. Can a Chanukah miracle show them that getting off on the wrong foot doesn’t mean they can’t walk the same road?

Lawyers in love, Shari Cohen and Evan Sonntag are happy together. But in a moment of doubt, he pushes her away—then soon realizes he made a huge mistake. To win her back, it might take something like a Chanukah miracle.

When impulsive interior designer Molly Baker-Stein barges into Jon Adelman's apartment and his life intent on planning the best Chanukah party their building has ever seen, neither expects that together they just might discover a Home for Chanukah.

All Tamar expected from her Israel vacation was time to hang out with one of her besties and to act like a tourist, cheesy t-shirt and all, in her two favorite cities. She definitely was not expecting to fall for Avi, a handsome soldier who’s more than she ever dreamed

A SPECIAL POST FROM AUTHOR, STACEY AGDERN

‘A Home for Hanukkah Playlist’

By Stacey Agdern

Friends have always joked that my playlist is my outline.  And when I think about it, I realize that a simple joke is actually truth.  I say that all I need to start, is an idea of where I’m headed and who my characters are.  But that’s not true.  I also need at least the beginnings of my playlist.

The playlist for ‘A Home For Hanukkah’, a story that comes out today  as part of the Burning Bright anthology, was pretty important.  Especially considering the hero works in the music industry, and music isn’t just his job, but part of who he is as a person.  Music always plays around him, and he’s very particular about what music he plays.  This is something the heroine notices not very long after she’s gotten into his car for the first time.  The car itself is horrible, but the stereo system is top notch.

You’d think that this playlist would be all Chanukah music, all the time.  And you’d be wrong.  Mostly because even though I love Chanukah music, the most prominent Chanukah song that appears in the story doesn’t even exist… except in my own head.  ‘Modern Day Maccabees’ is loud, raucous and insane, full of pride and guitars.  And no, I won’t ever sing it.

So what’s on the playlist that I actually listened to while writing ‘A Home for Hanukkah?’  I’ll break it down for you by genre.

1.Contemporary Jewish Music –Artists like Gad Elbaz, Stacy Beyer, Rick Recht  and the Maccabeats are all Jewish artists.  But each of them bring something different to the table.  Elbaz fuses Hebrew lyrics with pop (Chelek Mimeni) and reggaeton (Halayla zeh Hazman).  He also does an amazing version of a song that Marc Antony is popularizing at the moment ( Hashem Melech).   Stacy Beyer infuses Hebrew and Jewish tradition with Bluegrass (yes !!! ) (Hodu L’Adonai).  Rick Recht mixes jewish tradition (and sometimes Hebrew) with rock, ( Hallelujah).  The maccabeats (shine) are a modern orthodox acapella group.

2. Pop: Daughtry (Home), One Republic (Apologize), and Jann Arden (The Sound of) are amazing voices that cross boundaries.

But the biggest part of my playlist?  The genre whose artists inspire more scenes in the story than any other?  Number three, (though number one in my heart …)?

Country.  Yep.

Dierks Bentley(Damn These Dreams), Luke Bryan (Apologize), Cam(Burning house), Eric Church (Raise ‘Em Up), Brett Eldredge (Beat of the Music), Maddie and Tae (fly), Kip Moore (Hey Pretty Girl), Michael Ray(Kiss you in the Morning), Blake Shelton (Doin’ What She Likes), Canaan Smith (Love you like that ), Keith Urban (John Cougar…, Tonight I want to Cry),  Eli Young Band (Even if it Breaks Your Heart).

Country. Country. Country.  In it’s wide and varied forms, from silly to emotional, from traditional to contemporary, from flirty to graceful, country music captures so many different moods and moments.  It’s probably why the genre is one of my favorites.

All of these wide and varied voices, plus a Dave Barnes track (God Gave me You) and a classical piece by the Portland Cello Project (Shalom Chaverim) round out the playlist for this short story.

May you listen to beautiful music and have amazing moments this December.

Enjoy,

Stacey