Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 8

#Excerpt: A MATCH MADE IN IRELAND by E.D. Hackett

A Match Made in Ireland
E.D. Hackett
Publication date: September 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

A semester abroad was exactly what she needed, but falling in love with her roommate was not part of the lesson plan.

When Rory, a driven American seeking a much-needed break from her hectic life, lands in Ireland for a semester abroad, she never imagines sharing her space with Jaime, the charming yet irksome redhead from her flight. A twist of fate entwines their paths, forcing them to live under one roof for four months.

Despite his laid-back demeanor clashing with her meticulous nature, Rory finds herself irresistibly drawn to Jaime’s infectious Irish charm and tight-knit family bonds. As they traverse the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland, Rory relies on Jaime’s wisdom to navigate the challenges of their travels. It doesn’t take long for her to fall for the enchanting Irish experience he offers, which extends far beyond the usual tourist trails.

But as the end of the semester draws near, Rory is faced with a heart-wrenching decision. Will she leave a piece of her heart in Ireland, or was Jaime merely a dream meant to be left behind?

Immerse yourself in E.D. Hackett’s A Match Made in Ireland for a delightful romantic comedy that delves into the magic of Ireland, the beauty of unforeseen bonds, and the transformative power of self-discovery. Buckle up for a journey filled with laughter, tears, and love that you won’t want to miss!

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

It was him. The man from the plane sat on the bed, staring at a drawing pad on his lap. The spiky red hair, the smattering of freckles, and the creased eyes triggered a series of flashbacks that ran through my mind: the lack of spatial awareness, the soda down my leg, and the stolen dinner roll.

I pulled the covers over my head, my heart racing and the pit in my stomach digging into my pelvis like a concrete boulder. I dragged the duvet below my eyes and squinted, trying not to be obvious. Am I dreaming? Ha! Maybe I’m having a nightmare. The same red hair, now tousled from sleep, rested against the wall. I pushed the blanket down to my shoulders and said, “Hello, again.”

He looked up from his drawing pad and tilted his head to the left, tapping his pencil against his scruffy chin. “I remember you. From the plane.”

I tried to smile, but my lips refused to rise. I pushed my body against the back wall and pulled the sheet closer to my armpits. “What are you doing here, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I could ask you the same thing. I live here.”

My eyes bulged and I scrambled to a seated position. “You can’t live here. You’re a guy. This is an apartment with women. Foreign exchange students. A bunch of Americans.” I spoke slowly, as if that would make him understand.

Jaime chuckled and looked down again. “Yes, I am aware, but this is my apartment now. I forgot to renew my housing paperwork last semester, and they gave my room away. This was all that was left. They told me I was living with Rory, Zoey, and Marissa. I take it you’re Rory?”

I nodded.

“I thought you were an Irish lad.”

I swallowed loudly, the saliva crawling down the back of my throat. Reaching across my bed to my nightstand, I downed a bottle of water. Cloudiness from the alcohol still in my system slowed down my brain’s processing ability, and I struggled to understand his words. “You can’t live here,” I said again.

“I wish I didn’t. Living with a bunch of Americans during my last year of college is the last thing I want to do, but it’s that or be homeless so I’ll suck it up.” He returned to his drawing and spoke to his paper. “Nice to meet you, Rory.” His amber eyes looked over, scanning my top half. “Fun time last night?”

My brain beat against my forehead, and I massaged my temples. “Yeah. Sorry if I woke you.”

“No worries. I spent the night with my old flatmates. They live downstairs, and I came up here to crash. I didn’t even hear you come in.”

I grabbed the hooded sweatshirt sitting at the end of my bed, and pulled it over my body. “Are you sure they said there was nowhere else? I mean, I don’t know, Jaime. You’re a guy, a stranger, really, and I have a boyfriend. I don’t think he will be too excited when I tell him my roommate’s an Irish guy.”

His liquid gold eyes looked me up and down. “I asked to be moved and they put me on a waiting list if some other American no-shows, but I want my old flat and my old flatmates. Unless they can squeeze me back in there, I’m staying here. So, there it is. An Irish bloke and an American lass living together. That’ll make a good story for the grandkids. Promise, you won’t even know I’m here.”

Author Bio:

E.D Hackett is a Speech-language pathologist by day and a writer by night. She writes novels that investigate layers of self-expectations, family dynamics, self-love and self-acceptance. She hopes that her novels create a safe and cozy environment for her readers to fall into and explore.

She writes women’s fiction novels with one foot in romance. And every story has a happy ever after.

She lives in New England but in her heart, she feels that she belongs in Ireland. She reads women’s women’s fiction and romantic comedies, prefers books to movies, ice cream to cake, and fall to spring.

Please visit https://www.linktr.ee/edhackett for more information! You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Goodreads.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
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Interview with Eden Monroe, WHO BURIED SARAH

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

My latest book is Who Buried Sarah, a Canadian Historical Mystery and it was a thrill to represent my home province of New Brunswick in this series. Who Buried Sarah is a whodunit set during the roaring twenties amid the backdrop of Prohibition shenanigans which helps set the tone for the story. The 1920’s was also a time of sweeping change with the world in a celebratory mood following not only the conclusion of the Great War, but the end of the H1N1 pandemic. In particular it saw the birth of the modern woman, the flapper, and this hugely influenced my character, Sarah Estey, a beautiful young school teacher and daughter of a local pastor, engaged to marry the wealthy young bachelor, Connor McLagen. Neither set of parents wants the wedding, the McLagens because Sarah is socially beneath them, and Pastor Estey and his wife because they consider the McLagens Prohibition profiteers. Sarah insisted on a flapper-style wedding dress, and indeed Connor financed its original design, but she never got to make that walk down the aisle – disappearing just days before her late June wedding. And then she was found buried in a rose garden – but how did she come to such a gruesome end?

 

Do you have a favourite character?

I would have to say that my favourite character in Who Buried Sarah is Maude Estey, Sarah’s mother. Oddly enough that wasn’t how it started out because I didn’t like her much at the beginning. Maude, like her husband, Reverend Cranston Estey, was narrow-minded, judgmental and controlling. However Maude grew a great deal throughout the telling of the story, the catalyst being her daughter’s disappearance and ultimate death. It was during this time that Maude saw her daughter’s defiance for what it was – healthy independence, and it became for her a polarizing insight. I was not prepared for her personal growth, a determination to free herself from a miserable marriage. That’s not how I thought it would go for Maude. I didn’t think I would end up with the utmost respect for her. I think of her metamorphosis with emotion. 

 

Briefly describe your journey in writing your first or last book. Have you joined any FB author groups to inspire and help you along the way?

No, I’m not much of a joiner because writing has always been an intensely personal experience for me. I’m sure though that those who do take advantage of the many FB opportunities, benefit from those author interactions.

 

My first book, Dare to Inherit, (originally called Inheritance) took many forms in my mind before I climbed into the haymow one summer day and started to put pen to paper. And as much as I consider writing a solo preference, I did have a large audience of barn cats looking on with green-eyed curiosity. After a while most of them abandoned their stare and tucked themselves in for an afternoon nap, always ready to take flight should I made any unwarranted moves toward them. I wrote the entire novel by hand over that summer. Later, I was required to submit a novel as part of the honours phase of my distance-ed studies. That’s when I took Inheritance out of the hatbox and sent it along for grading. It did pretty well and I was encouraged. My instructor said the book would make a great second novel, however it ended up being my first.

 

Are you currently under a traditional contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?

I’m not self-publishing anything at the moment although I have self-published both non-fiction and poetry books in the past and truly enjoyed the experience.  I have been with BWL Publishing Inc. since 2017 and to date I have published fifteen books with them, with more to be released in 2024, etc. Jude Pittman, vice-president and publisher of BWL, is a devoted and tireless worker on behalf of her large family of authors, as well as an accomplished author herself.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

For my first few novels I wrote the entire first draft by hand. Yellow pad and lots of fine point pens. As for the where, besides the haymow, I wrote overlooking a lake in a little think tank built especially for me for that purpose. Now I work almost exclusively on my desktop computer, because it’s just faster. I sometimes listen to music while I write, to help set a particular mood, but I usually prefer silence. I like to write 8,000 words a day for eight or nine days, depending on the length of the manuscript and then I begin my absolute favourite part of the process, editing. I will reread a final manuscript at least a dozen times, sometimes more, and I like to write well in advance of my publication date so it will have time to set on the shelf and percolate before I look at it later with fresh eyes.

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I used to put a great deal of effort and time into creating a detailed outline for a book, only to have my characters take the story in a completely different direction. So now I basically let them go where they want, within the loose parameters of what I have in mind, and it always works. After all I suppose it’s their story, I just try to keep up. Many times I’ve been three or four lines away from the end of a chapter with absolutely no notion of how it will end and then poof, it comes to me and I’m in awe. Working out the final chapters of the book are like putting puzzle pieces together. It’s great fun, and I do my deep thinking about what goes where when I first wake up in the morning, or after I go to bed at night. In the darkness there are no distractions.  

 

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book? Do you try to write every day or carve out certain times during the week?

Marketing for me, and I think for many authors, is not an easy task or should I say a task that does not come easily - and not just because of time constraints. Certainly with the internet now it has likely never been easier to market a book, or offer greater potential. In my opinion marketing requires an author to put on an entirely different hat, unless you’re one of those people who are a lucky blend of introvert and extrovert. I am an introvert by nature and it can be difficult to put myself out there, although you do what has to be done. It’s true when you’re writing a new book, which requires dedicated focus, it’s hard to switch gears and think about another book. So yes it can be a challenge to juggle the two.

 

I am writing every day on one thing or another. When I’m writing a book I have at it until it’s done. I sleep, eat and breathe the story – wear it – and then I’m done and move on to what’s next.

 

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

 

By far the most important piece of advice I would give is hire a good editor. Period. It’ll be the smartest money you’ll ever spend if you believe in the success of your project. You are not the best judge of your own work in that regard, it needs a different pair of eyes – professional, trained eyes who can take what you write and make it better. So many new authors think what they’ve written is almost divinely sent and perfection should not be tampered with. I’ve interviewed hundreds of authors and there were some with self-published books that had obvious potential, had they just had a good editor.

 

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

Well reading of course would be one. I couldn’t stand not having a book to read. I have a passion for nature and spend a lot of time there. I love the first snow of the season so I can see animal tracks – what’s living around me. I love photography, and I have a passion for fabric, colours, and thinking about what to create with it.

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or tea? Talk or text? Day or night?

I’m smiling as I answer this question because maybe I’m learning something about myself. Maybe I’m not good at making decisions because I love both dogs (non-aggressive ones) and cats, with a strong lean towards cats. And when it comes to ice cream I’m a two-scooper so I would get one of each, chocolate and vanilla. On rare three-scoop occasions I’d get mango in the middle. I’ve tried coffee and it’s okay, and I would only drink tea if it’s red – or mint, never black or green. Talk or text? Depends on my mood and whether I have a lot to say. Day or night? I like both although I’m an early bird with occasional night owl leanings. So it’s still dark when I get up at 3:30 or 4:00 a.m. The rooster and I used to be on the same schedule. I like the cool blush of early morning and the dark magic of midnight. However I do not like the afternoon hours between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. I detest that time of day, and on that I’m very decisive.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Eden Monroe writes about real life, real issues and struggles, and triumphing against all odds. A proud east coast Canadian, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, and a good book.

 

https://edenmonroeauthor.com/

 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEdenMonroe/ 

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#Review: THE DUKE GETS DESPERATE by Diana Quincy

 

4 of 5 stars

Anthony Cary, the Duke of Strickland, cannot believe that he lost his beloved ancestral castle to an American factory worker. His step-mother had betrayed him and left the castle to a distant cousin in her will. When Raya Darwish had traveled to England with her aunt to finally meet her cousin, but fate had other ideas in mind. This was the last thing Raya wanted. Who would want a musty old run-down castle? She certainly didn't, but strife within her family back in New York means she has no other income. She has no choice but to move into the castle and face the displeasure of the duke.

This was a different story than the usual glittering ballrooms of London, and I applaud Ms. Quincy for her ingenuity. Both Raya and Anthony are like oil and water and constantly bicker throughout the book, although neither can deny their sexual attraction to one another. I loved how each of them learned something from each other--Anthony, to embrace new ways, and Raya to learn to trust a man's word, especially after being betrayed by her brother.

There is a mystery subplot about what happened to some of the relics that had gone missing from the castle. I had a feeling who the culprit was, and it was revealed in a clever way. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.

#Review: FAIRY MAGIC by Donna Kunkel

 

3 of 5 stars

Tasha Rose is looking forward to finishing high school. With only a few weeks left, she receives a mysterious letter about a magic school in Aspen Glen. This was an intriguing way to set up the story, and I was looking forward to following Tasha in her magical education, especially when "traveling doors" were introduced. Unfortunately, chapter two immediately jumps to five years later, and it wasn't clear how Tasha attended magic school full-time while also apparently graduating as a RN nurse along with her friend Helen. This was the first lost opportunity to connect with Tasha. Both Tasha and Helen still must complete the sixth and final year of their magical training, and that's when they meet Nick Fortnight.

Nick has apparently been working to support his family for the past five years and returns to Aspen Glen to finally receive his high school diploma while training in the magical arts as well. Nick appreciates the help Tasha and Helen offer so he can catch up on his studies, and soon he and Tasha are exchanging longing looks. There are some interesting rules at the school, such as "don't go outside during the full moon," but the author never capitalizes on the reasons why, which is definitely another lost opportunity to inject some additional magical elements into the story. The magical fairies are cute but don't play a very big role in the grand scheme of things.

I never really connected with either Tasha and Nick. There's a lot of telling--Tasha did this, then Nick did this--which makes it hard to connect with their feelings. There was really no drama about their budding love story until the very end. Nick invites Tasha to go to prom with him. In high school, Tasha had a bad experience around prom and is excited to finally enjoy one. Of course, nothing works out as she hopes. The last chapter attempts to pull all the relevant plot lines together, but while it is a creative solution, it is revealed in a humiliating way for Tasha, which I didn't think was entirely necessary.

This was a very short book that could have been a unique story if the author had fleshed out the magical school more instead of teasing us with certain situations that never went anywhere. There were so many lost opportunities that could have elevated the book into a fun and enjoyable read. 

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy provided by N.N. Light Book Heaven, and all opinions are my own.

#Review: EVERY DUKE HAS HIS DAY by Suzanne Enoch

 

4 of 5 stars

Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, is passionate about his science experiments. He has no time for Society as he feels most of his peers are foolish. While watching his aunt's beloved black poodle, Lancelot, there is a mixup in the park with Lady Elizabeth Dockering's black poodle, Galahad. When they finally untangle the dogs, they each go home with the wrong dog. With their mistake uncovered, they agree to swap dogs the next day, but during the night, someone breaks into Elizabeth's house and steals Lancelot. 

This sets up a series of interesting premises for the book. Michael is annoyed he has to take time away from his experiments, but the more time he spends in Elizabeth's company, the more he realizes she's more than just an empty-headed young miss. I really enjoyed the early interactions with these two. Michael is so abrupt and rude, although always with a good point, while Elizabeth teaches him how with a little bit of finesse, he could get the information he needs to rescue the dogs.

It was a little hard to get into the book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I loved how Michael learned to curb his abrasive ways and that Elizabeth learned that she didn't need to hide her intelligence to be accepted by the ton. The addition of Jimmy Bly, the dog napper, and his ladylove Sally was a delightful addition to the story. From the beginning, it's clear who the villain is, and the author doesn't hide this, but it's almost comical all the shenanigans he has to go through to try and win Elizabeth's hand. There are a few instances where the rules of Society are blatantly ignored, and those did drag me out of the story a bit. In the end, Michael and Elizabeth do get their HEA.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.

#Excerpt: FUTILITY OF DEFENSE by Bryan Cole

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bryan Cole will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Paladins are nothing but trouble. When Krell, an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea, hears the call from ReckNor, the capricious god of the seas and skies, the attention of the rich and powerful turn their gaze toward him. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.

When Krell stands against the might of the sea devils and emerges victorious, concern and interest turn to fear—fear of their secrets and plans being revealed and exposed, of the ruin that often follows in a paladin's wake. Now he stands in defense of a pitiful town at the edge of nowhere, even as the sea devil menace grows more dire for each day that passes.

For as deadly as the sea devils are to Krell, his past choices and the consequences of his actions may be deadlier still . . .

Excerpt: 

“Corporal Sabah, calm yourself. There is no honor in striking bound prisoners.” Commander Serkinth sighed, then looked at Mog. “You are Mog?”

Mog looked around in alarm, his eyes fastening on Krell. Krell smiled and nodded.

“I am, my lord,” he said, his voice quiet.

“Commander, Mog. I am no lord. Why did you interfere with these men?”

Mog’s face flushed. “On account of how they wanted to break into my home, my… er, commander. My wife was nursing a little one, and wasn’t no place for armed men to come barging in!”

Commander Serkinth went very still and turned his gaze slowly back to Sabah, who looked suddenly unsure. “By Hieron’s honor, why would you seek to enter this man’s home?”

“Well, commander, we were given orders to learn the lay of the place, and—”

“Enough, Sabah.” Serkinth shook his head and gestured. “Release them.”

“Commander? They interfered with soldiers of Baltorc who—”

“Who were attempting to break into a private dwelling?” shouted Serkinth, his face flushing as he stood. His chair toppled over with a crash, causing the soldiers to flinch. “Is your honor so meaningless that you deliberately shame followers of Hieron through disrespectful, dishonorable conduct in front of followers of ReckNor? In front of their paladin?”

As one, the soldiers all turned and looked at Darvin, their faces paling.

Darvin smiled, his eyes filled with amusement, and gestured toward Krell. Krell struggled to contain the laughter he felt, seeing their horrified expressions.

Krell stepped toward Serkinth. “What happens now?”

About the Author: Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.

Website: https://www.fatpaladin.ca/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Futility-Defense-Paladins-Journey-Bryan-ebook/dp/B0C9XBWJ8H/ref

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Interview with Avery Sterling, PRECIOUS BURDENS

 Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

My latest book, Precious Burdens, is a historical romance. Captain Nye Tarquin is left for dead and seeking revenge. When he captures his enemy’s fiancée, Sarafina di Ramonicci, a troubling question is raised. One that was buried deep within him… is he worthy of happiness and love? Torn between his desire for justice and his heart, he realizes that his decisions could cost him Sarafina, and even his own life. 

 

Precious Burdens is a stand-alone, but has a companion novel

 

Do you have a favorite character?

I’ve created many characters, and I’m still creating more. I can’t say I have a favorite, because I adore them all in different ways, for various reasons. Some make me smile, and some can be troubling. But in the end, I have a deep connection with all of them.

 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? Did the character become the hero/heroine of their own book?

Yes, absolutely! When I first started writing Precious Burdens, a character started out a fraction of the plot. As the story developed, I kept coming back to this character. He became more important as the story unfolded. The main characters relied on him, the heavy moments within the story needed him. Eventually, he helped change the book’s course. When I finished the novel, I decided this character needed—in fact—deserved his own story. I was excited to get started on it right away, and loved writing every moment of it!

 

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?

When I decided to publish, I wanted a smaller press with credibility. I searched for a one with a reputation for maintaining a solid relationship with their authors and being incredibly helpful during the publishing process. I submitted to The Wild Rose Press, and they offered me insight beyond what was expected of them. I signed on, and they’d proved to be incredibly kind, helpful, and patient. I recently contracted another book with them.

 

Do you have an ARC review team? How did you recruit your reviewers? BookFunnel? Readerlinks? Booksprout?

Yes, and I’m currently trying to grow my team. I’ve posted an application on various social media platforms, looking for readers excited about historical romances. Once approved, I use Bookfunnel to share my ARCs.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

My process starts with a spark, an idea, sometimes a scene. The story flows from that. Once I finish the first draft, I start to pick it apart, and build on that foundation. Yes, I’m usually listening to music, it’s my greatest inspiration. 

 

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook ads, amazon ads, newsletters, TikTok] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?

I’ve dabbled in marketing for most platforms. It’s been a learning process that’s everchanging, and each platform has its own approach. I’ve found it’s important to become familiar with them all, in order to extend my reach.

 

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book? Do you try to write everyday or carve out certain times during the week?

It’s tricky, I must remain flexible. I try to write a little and promote each day. Each week, I’ll take a day just for writing. Promoting my current releases are important, but it can be taxing. Immersing myself in a WIP reminds me what I’m passionate about, and I never want to lose sight of that. 

 

Briefly describe your journey in writing your first or latest book. Have you joined any FB author groups to inspire and help you along the way?

I wrote my first book when I was sixteen, and I had no idea what I was doing. I had no expectations, no plan, or even an understanding as to why I wanted to write. I just had strong desire to tell a story. I skipped school one day and went to the local library. I started pulling everything off the shelves dealing with pirates, and the history of New Orleans. Then I went on to learning period clothing and etiquette. I took all my notes, jotted down characters and a plot, and wrote out my first draft.  

 

I’m part of several FB groups, and I can’t stress enough how important it is for an author to be part of a writing community. To have an outlet where one can share experiences, ask questions, etc., is incredibly important. Sometimes, you need the connection, motivation, and understanding. It’s encouraging and a good source of learning.     

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night? 

I adore dogs, but kind of a cat person.

Chocolate!

Coffee—no exceptions

I’m a texter

I prefer daytime

Book Description:

Sarafina di Ramonicci sets sail for America as the promised bride in an arranged political marriage. 

Taken prisoner at sea, she clashes with her captor and demands freedom, only to discover he is planning her future husband’s demise, with her as a pawn in their deadly feud. The challenge of escape tests her loyalty to family, human decency, and love. 

Captain Nye Tarquin is a dangerous man. Left to die on the streets of New Orleans, he swears retribution on the man responsible. When he makes Sarafina part of his plan, he isn’t prepared for the fiery vixen aboard his ship, nor his desire to claim her as his own. When passion overtakes honor, he’s torn between his heart and his need for justice. 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Precious-Burdens-Avery-Sterling-ebook/dp/B0C8VHNH3V

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/precious-burdens-avery-sterling/1143685468?ean=2940160809335

#NEW Regency Romance: WOLF IN DUKE'S CLOTHING by Debra Elizabeth

 

Blurb:

A long-lost duke. A penniless Earl’s daughter. And a threat that could tear them apart forever.

 

When Major Wolfgang Stillman receives a letter informing him that he is the long-lost heir to the Duke of Wiltshire title, he is thrown into a world of high-society etiquette and expectations - a world he knows nothing about. Unaccustomed to the rules of Polite Society, Wolf must struggle to fit in while also trying to win the affection of Lady Mercy Davies. 

 

Lady Mercy never expected to have a Season after the death of her beloved father. But, through the generosity of her grandmother, her dream of a Season finally comes true. During her first ball, she meets the Duke of Wiltshire, who sets her heart aflame with his masculine beauty. 

 

But Wiltshire is not the only one who desires Mercy. When she goes missing during a shopping trip, Wolf must race against all odds to save the woman he loves more than life itself. Will he be able to find his beloved before he loses her forever? 

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Dukes-Clothing-Unlikely-Lords-ebook/dp/B0CFR6DHGK

#Review: HOW I DANCED WITH THE DUKE by Eva Devon

 

5 of 5 stars

Griffin, the Duke of Wildwood, is hosting a house party. The guests include 4 of his friends--all dukes--with revenge on their minds. Of course, in the game of revenge, something always goes amiss, and for Griffin, it comes in the way of a lovely young woman Lady Virginia whose honest and forthcoming personality speaks to Griffin's soul like no other had been able to do.

I loved Griffin's and Virginia's interactions. Their conversations were such a revelation for each of them. Sometimes, love strikes at the oddest times, and these two must decide if it is love they feel or is Virginia a pawn in the revenge game?

The author does a great job of teasing out the details of Griffin's pain and suffering, and at every turn, Virginia offers him comfort. Their HEA was well deserved. I can't wait to read what had the other dukes on this path of revenge.

#Review: ALWAYS IVETTE by Sydney Winward

 

3.5 of 5 stars

I've read other stories from Ms. Winward and thoroughly enjoyed them, and was looking forward to reading this one. It's a loose retelling of the fairytale 'Cinderella,' although without the evil stepmother or stepsisters. Miss Ivette Danvers finds herself in charge of her four younger sisters when her father takes off with the loan money, leaving them struggling to get through each day. Ivette does the best she can, but repayment of the loans is coming due, and soon they'll be evicted from their small farm. I liked Ivette's conviction to take care of their little family, but she can only do so much, and she tries hard not to let despair overwhelm her. It's a lot of responsibility on her young shoulders, but her sweet and generous spirit endears her to everyone she knows.

Lord Barnaby Mavis is on a quest to find the Danvers' farm. It isn't clear if he's the villain, going to collect the money owed on the loan or forgive it. When he's caught in a ferocious storm and thrown from his horse, he crashes through a fence and down a cliff, coming to rest in the field of the Danvers' farm. I wished the author had explained a bit more of Barnaby's mission through his internal dialogue before his fall and subsequent amnesia. It would have given me a different perspective of his character. The author does a great job of describing the effects of panic attacks that made Barnaby more relatable.

I also would have liked a bit more world-building in the story because while it was clear Barnaby was from another kingdom, it was never explained where Ivette and her family lived. Also, there was one subplot of the story that made no sense to me, that of Barnaby's friend stealing sheep from the Danvers' farm. What did that have to do with the story? It only added more despair for Ivette to lose any of her wool-producing sheep.

Once Ms. Winward returned to the basics of the fairytale plot of  'Cinderella,' I really loved the part that Barnaby's mother played in the story organizing the ball for all the fair maidens, both noble and commoner. Once again, Ivette shows her indomitable spirit, trying to make her dreams come true with the man she loves. The only real obstacle she faces is figuring out exactly where to look for Barnaby, but it seems Barnaby's mother had a way to resolve that issue as well.

The story is a quick read (less than 200 pages), although, with a bit more expansion of the story, I think it could have been a much more enjoyable read. I enjoy Ms. Winwood's writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy provided by N.N. Light Book Heaven, and all opinions are my own.