Review: The Viscount and the Vixen by Lorraine Heath

Series: Hellions of Havisham Book #3
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 389
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Love begets madness. Viscount Locksley watched it happen to his father after his cherished wife’s death. But when his sire arranges to marry flame-haired fortune hunter Portia Gadstone, Locke is compelled to take drastic measures to stop the stunning beauty from taking advantage of the marquess. A marriage of mutual pleasure could be convenient, indeed... as long as inconvenient feelings don’t interfere.

Desperation forced Portia to agree to marry a madman. The arrangement will offer the protection she needs. Or so she believes until the marquess’s distractingly handsome son peruses the fine print... and takes his father’s place!

Now the sedate—and, more importantly, secure—union Portia planned has been tossed in favor of one simmering with wicked temptation and potential heartbreak. Because as she begins to fall for her devilishly seductive husband, her dark secrets surface and threaten to ruin them both—unless Locke is willing to risk all and open his heart to love.

Review

Seriously, why are Lorraine Heath's books so perfect? She has a truly magical way with words. And I'm always in awe when I finish one of her books.

I was instantly  hooked by the characters and their story. Portia was an intriguing heroine. I don't want to spoil anything, but she's unconventional in the best possible way. And Locke is a truly caring man. His father was a great bonus, too. He is a great father and has so much love in him. There aren't many dad's like that especially especially in a historical.

The romance was executed perfectly. But that's normal for a Lorraine Heath book. It's like a well-choreographed dance. Portia and Locke slowly open their minds and hearts to each other. You can tell how much they value each other as a partner. I'm happy for the opportunity to spend time with all of these characters.

Thanks for reading!
Holly


Review

Seriously, why are Lorraine Heath's books so perfect? She has a truly magical way with words. And I'm always in awe when I finish one of her books.

I was instantly  hooked by the characters and their story. Portia was an intriguing heroine. I don't want to spoil anything, but she's unconventional in the best possible way. And Locke is a truly caring man. His father was a great bonus, too. He is a great father and has so much love in him. There aren't many dad's like that especially especially in a historical.

The romance was executed perfectly. But that's normal for a Lorraine Heath book. It's like a well-choreographed dance. Portia and Locke slowly open their minds and hearts to each other. You can tell how much they value each other as a partner. I'm happy for the opportunity to spend time with all of these characters.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath

Series: Hellions of Havisham Book #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 376
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

One summer night, Edward Alcott gives in to temptation and kisses Lady Julia Kenney in a dark garden. However, the passion she stirs within him is best left in the shadows as she weds his twin, the Earl of Greyling. But when tragedy strikes, to honor the vow he makes to his dying brother, Edward must pretend to be Greyling until the countess delivers her babe.

After her husband returns from a two-month sojourn, Julia finds him changed. Bolder, more daring, and more wicked—even if he does limit their encounters to kisses. With each passing day, she falls more deeply in love.

For Edward the embers of desire sparked on that long-ago night are quickly rekindled. He yearns to be her husband in truth. But if she discovers his ruse, she will despise him—and English law prevents him from marrying his brother’s widow. Yet he must dare to risk everything and reveal his secrets if he is to truly take all.

Review

The whole concept of this book is pretty ridiculous. I kept questioning how this would work out. But of course Ms. Heath did a fantastic job. She's the kind of author who can handle more complex situations like this.

It's no surprise, but I love these characters. Julia is a beautifully complex heroine. She struggles with her grief and conflicting emotions between two bothers. And Edward is one of my favorite heroes ever now. At first he seems like he may be a traditional reformed rake, but he's so much more. He has so much love for the people in his life and htat guides what he does. He is probably the most selfless character I've ever read about.

The romance is quite the roller coaster which is expected based on the premise. And it's nice to read about a couple who really thinks about what it means to be together. So many couples just jump in blind. The ending/resolution was a little rushed, but that doesn't bother me too much.

Then, there's the epilogue. I feel like I'm missing something. But I also feel like the next book might explain away that confusion.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Falling in Bed with the Duke by Lorraine Heath

Series: Hellions of Havisham Book #1

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 372

Rating: 4.5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Historical Romance,

Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

After six unsuccessful Seasons, Miss Minerva Dodger chooses spinsterhood over fortune-hungry suitors. But thanks to the Nightingale Club, she can at least enjoy one night of pleasure. At that notorious establishment, ladies don masks before choosing a lover. The sinfully handsome Duke of Ashebury is more than willing to satisfy the secretive lady's desires—and draws Minerva into an exquisite, increasingly intimate affair.

A man of remarkable talents, Ashe soon deduces that his bedmate is the unconventional Miss Dodger. Intrigued by her wit and daring, he sets out to woo her in earnest. Yet Minerva refuses to trust him. How to court a woman he has already thoroughly seduced? And how to prove that the passion unleashed in darkness is only the beginning of a lifetime's pleasure?

 

Review

I love Lorraine Heath and historical romance. Reading a historical is like going home for me. And it was great to see Minerva’s story and more of Dodger. The sequel bait was pretty heavy in this one.

Minerva is a great independent character. It’s a common one for historicals, but it doesn’t always work. I think she’s great because she’s practical about her situation. And it doesn’t hurt that her family is very supportive of who she is and her decisions. Her decision to seek out the sexual experience she’ll never have is a common trope, but I liked how logically she went into it. And Ms. Heath really worked on that part. The Nightingale Club was well developed as Minerva’s thought processes.

Then there’s Ashe. He has so much of my catnip. He has some psychological issues he’s dealing with. And he reminds me of heroes I used to read about. He does that thing where he clearly cares about Minerva but doesn’t realize what he’s doing. Ms. Heath used his interest in photography very well. It informs the way he views and interacts with the world.

These two had great chemistry. And I liked how Ashe had to court her after seducing her. It was cute to see them both struggling with their mutual attraction. There was a little bit of lying on Ashe’s part which I’m not a huge fan of. And honestly it felt kind of unnecessary to me. Maybe if it had been developed better it would have made more sense.

I’m happy to be back in this world and am excited to read the next book when it comes out next year. It’s probably going to be more of an angsty one.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Top 10 Tuesday: Books I’ve Read So Far (2015)

Top 10 Tuesday was created by the Broke and the Bookish. You can find more information here

 

Like almost any list I do (here or on Youtube) there is no actual order to this. I just don’t like picking favorites. Also I’m putting series on here as one section-otherwise the Addicted Series by Krista and Becca Ritchie would be half the list.

On to the list:

1)      Confess by Colleen Hoover

2)      Trade Me by Courtney Milan

3)      The Addicted Series by Krista and Becca Ritchie

4)      Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

5)      Asking for It by Lilah Pace

6)      For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

7)      Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie

8)      The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath

9)      The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen

10)   Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Thanks for reading!

Review: The Duke and the Lady in Red

Series: Scandalous Gentleman of St. James Book 3

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 367

Rating: 5 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Oh my god. I have not felt that way when it comes to a romance novel in a long time. I was balling my freaking eyes out. It was so bad that I kept having to put it down to try and pull myself together-that failed.

This was definitely my favorite in the series and the characters are fantastic. Rose has so much strength of character, but also this soft vulnerability that she is scared to show. Her relationship with Harry (her brother) is my favorite thing in the book. It is so beautiful and I wish there’s more sibling relationship like this one in romance.

Then, there’s Avendale. I feel like he was the typical brooding guy whose book you’re dying for. And he did deliver…for the most part. As much as I like Rose and Harry I think they took up so much of the story that Avendale didn’t get to completely shine. I feel like he grew, but I didn’t get to see the growth on the page.

The romance had a great tension and affection. And it had this thing going on that was a combination of the romances in the first two books. And I really cheered them on as a couple.

I’m so glad I started reading Lorraine heat even if this book broke my heart.

Thanks for reading!

Once More My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #2

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 373

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

This one was a surprise. I was actually apprehensive because of the plot. Drake could’ve easily been a complete asshole, but Ms. Heath walked that line perfectly.

Actually both of these characters are easy to see as unlikeable and cruel. It wouldn’t surprise me if people had issues with these characters. But I fell in love with them. Drake is definitely a typical moody guy, but has a serious sensitive side. And Ophelia is incredibly sweet and hardworking underneath her cold exterior.

I won’t lie: the manipulative lies of Drake did bother me. I wish the truth came out earlier. There should’ve been more time for them to deal with their issues. Overall, I believe in their attraction and love story.

One final thing may be a spoiler, but this book does have a trigger in it. It isn’t described in graphic detail, but there is sexual abuse in here. I think it’s important to let people know.

Thanks for reading!

~Holly