Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 39

Great books from InD'tale Magazine.

Great books from InD'tale Magazine.

RONE AWARDS voting has begun!

THE SCANDALOUS LADY MERCY and THE SEDUCTION OF LADY CHARITY are up for the RONE AWARD! I'd very much appreciate a vote, thanks! http://www.indtale.com/2017-rone-awards-week-two
Amazon: http://lrd.to/9bwVEjmPBk

REVIEW for THE SCANDALOUS LADY MERCY - The Baxendale Sist...

REVIEW for THE SCANDALOUS LADY MERCY - The Baxendale Sisters Book #5 4.5 Stars
REGENCY; It is Lady Mercy’s first season and she is interested in marrying for love, just like all of her sisters. She is quite a unique individual because she also wants to be independent after she is married. She wants to create beauty aids such as facial creams and write a book about her beauty advise. She meets Lord Northcliffe who seems to disparage the idea of a woman writing and experimenting. On top of that, Northcliffe is a known rake. After he rescues Mercy from a terrifying situation at Vauxhall, Northcliffe is forced to ask for her hand. Will it be possible to overcome their difference and find love?There are several plot twists in this charming story, which makes a real page-turner. The characters are plentiful and fresh and Northcliffe is quite noble. The scenery and muddy roads are described in exquisite detail and one feels as though they are there, riding on those roads on a slightly wild steed. The sisterly love is portrayed so beautifully that it almost oozes out of the book. Andersen writes an adventurous regency book that one wishes to keep reading, even when the story is done. This novel is part of a series but is a fantastic standalone work.InD’tale Magazine. AMAZONAMAZON UKAMAZON AUSMASHWORDSBARNES & NOBLElKOBO:IBOOKS:

Review for Contemporary Romantic Suspense novel, TWINED

Nice review for TWINED Being a twin was a blessing growing up, but Angeline fled to Hong Kong after her twin married Angeline's own ex-boyfriend. Now ten years later, Dany needs Angie to return home. A series of accidents and mysterious happenings doesn't make for a happy reunion and Angeline can't wait to escape back to Hong Kong and her job. Australian detective Inspector, Nicklaus Alexander oversees the investigation of Dany's accident but his attraction to Angie is no mystery. Can Nick solve the whodunnit and keep Angie and Dany safe or will the secrets Dany is hiding be the end of them all? The plot which leaves readers dangling until the end is masterfully woven. InD'Tale Magazine. Amazon:

Excerpt: THE SCANDALOUS LADY MERCY - The Baxendale Sisters Series Book #5

AMAZON:BARNES & NOBLElKOBO:IBOOKS: THE SCANDALOUS LADY MERCY - Baxendale Sister Series Book Five. Can be read as a standalone. #1 Regency and Suspense Amazon.Bestseller. Enjoy an excerpt: AT TWO O’CLOCK the next day, Grant was admitted to the Baxendale’s house in Portman Square. During the night, he’d considered his options. Of course, he knew he must do the right thing, although he was confident that Lord Baxendale would refuse his offer. Grant had no estate or property to recommend him, his only income came from his grandmother who bequeathed him money. His father topped it up now and again if he overspent, but he believed young men needed to manage money and respect it. Too many fell afoul of the gambling hells.Grant hoped they might come up with some other way to banish the rumors already doing the rounds, judging by the slaps on his back and the chuckles of his friends when he’d eaten at his favorite pub. He’d refused to discuss it, but that hadn’t tamped down speculation. With Lady Fountain spilling fantastical stories, God only knew what would be said in drawing rooms and balls this evening.The butler showed him into Lord Baxendale’s library where Mercy’s father greeted him with a sober expression. He shook Grant’s hand and indicated a chair with the sweep of his hand. “I’m aware of what took place, Northcliffe. Mercy explained how you came to her aid, for which I express my heartfelt thanks. I am indebted to you. It was foolish of her to wander off alone and, but for you, I hate to think what might have happened to her. An unfortunate business.”“I feel responsible, my lord, because I had undertaken to squire the ladies for the evening. I should never have left them unattended.”“Mercy’s mother regrets her role in this…”“I want to make amends.” Grant sat forward in the tan leather armchair. “I wish to ask for Lady Mercy’s hand. But I must be honest, sir, as things stand right now I have little to offer.”Lord Baxendale bowed his head and thoughtfully steepled his fingers.“And it will be some years, God willing, before I am able to,” Grant added, keen to make his position clear.“Yes, I understand, Northcliffe, however…”Grant’s shoulders tightened. He sat forward on his chair. “Sir?”“I don’t see it as a barrier. You have excellent prospects. And my daughter will have a handsome dowry.”Grant held his breath as his future unraveled before him.“I don’t see why an engagement cannot be announced immediately,” Baxendale continued with a smile. “Unless, you have some objection?”Grant cleared his throat. “No, my lord. I consider myself most fortunate.”“Good, good.” Mercy’s father pulled the bell rope. When a footman appeared, he gave an order for Mercy to come to the library. “A whiskey to celebrate? Or should we wait for champagne at dinner.” Baxendale turned from the drink’s table on which decanters and glasses stood. “I hope you will dine with us?”“I’d be delighted, thank you. Whiskey will do nicely.” He’d be glad of it. His throat was as tight as a drum. How had this happened? He felt as if he’d hurtled over Gaping Gill Falls in a tub. How could he continue his covert investigation while squiring Lady Mercy to every ball, soirée, theatre party, and dance in town? Not to mention that the parson’s mousetrap was looming, and with a lady not of his choosing, who’d exhibited a tendency to behave in a reckless, thoughtless fashion. He had little enough wish to tie the knot with any lady. And even though he had to admit Mercy was one of the loveliest debutantes out this Season, he did not want to be shackled to a silly girl barely out of the schoolroom with foolish ideas about running some kind of business. It was beyond the pale! Not only would he have to give up his freedom, he suspected she would make his life hell.And what did Mercy feel about it? he mused. She’d expressed little gratitude for his assistance at Vauxhall. He allowed the smoky liquor Baxendale gave him to slide down his throat, with the hope it would revive him enough to inject some enthusiasm for his situation.“You wished to see me, Father?”Lady Mercy slipped into the room and her startled deep blue eyes gazed into Grant’s. Her pale gold hair was pulled neatly into a knot and the morning gown she wore of a pink flowered material with an embroidered white muslin collar at the neck, failed to disguise a pleasing figure and soft curves he’d taken note of the first night they’d met. Creases formed on her smooth brow and she licked her full bottom lip.Grant quickly crossed his legs, attempting to ignore a flash of lust, annoyed by the turn his thoughts had taken. The lady was clearly not happy to see him.“How is your ankle today, Lady Mercy?” He hoped she’d forgive him for not rising to greet her.She gazed at him askance. “Very much better thank you, sir. And thank you for coming to my aid last night. It was kind of you to call. But not necessary. I have written to thank you.”“Sit down, my dear,” Lord Baxendale said. “I have very good news. Lord Northcliffe has asked for your hand.”“Oh no!” Looking stricken, Mercy sank onto the cream-and-bronze striped sofa.Her father scowled. “That is not a graceful reply. I would expect better manners from you, daughter.”“But Lord Northcliffe cannot mean it,” Mercy said, her voice choked.Grant felt something from him was required. There was no going back on it now. “But I do mean it, Lady Mercy. I would be greatly honored if you agree to become my wife.”Mercy merely raised her eyebrows and shook her head.“Excellent.” Lord Baxendale stood. “I shall leave you two together for a few minutes to settle things between you.” He strode to the door with surprising confidence. It closed behind him with a final click.A moment’s silence followed.Grant sat on the sofa beside Mercy. He took her hands in his and cleared his throat. “Lady Mercy, will you do me the honor…”She pulled her hands away and jumped up. “You are honor bound to do this because I was compromised. It’s too silly. You do not wish to marry me. I shan’t agree.”Grant glanced up at her suddenly annoyed. Did she find him such a poor prospect? “At this moment, I have less to offer you when compared to your other suitors, but…”She planted her hands on her hips and scowled fiercely. “You think I am mercenary?”“We really don’t know each other that well as yet, do we?” he observed raising a single eyebrow. “But given time I trust we will. I’m afraid your father has decided we will marry. The die is cast.”“Fear not, Lord Northcliffe, I shall find a way out of it.”“Well, until you do, let us proceed with some civility,” Grant said stiffly, rising to gaze down at her. “Will you accept my proposal?” A quick marriage would be ideal after which she could live with his grandfather and he continue with his investigation.She pressed her hands together. “Yes. I suppose we must then, for now.”Hardly an encouraging or flattering reply. Grant forgot for a moment that he had been unfairly ensnared as he gazed down at her. He took her by the shoulders. “I am overcome with joy,” he said impassively and brought his mouth down on hers

Review: Aurora's Pride by AnneMarie Brear

***** 5 Stars for me! This story wouldn't let me go!

Amazon:
1898 Yorkshire--Aurora Pettigrew has it all, a loving family, a nice home, a comfortable life. She's waiting for the right man to offer her marriage, and the man for her is Reid Sinclair, heir to the Sinclair fortune and the love of her life. But, Reid's mother, Julia, is against the match and her ruthlessness unearths a family secret that will tear Aurora's world apart.Unwilling to bring shame on her family and needing answers to the allegations brought to light by Reid's mother, Aurora begins a long journey away from home. She leaves behind all that is familiar and safe to enter a world of mean streets and poor working class. Living in the tenements of York, surrounded by people of a class she'd never mixed with before, Aurora struggles to come to terms with the way her life has changed. By chance, she reconnects with a man from her past and before he leaves with the army to war in South Africa, he offers her security through marriage. Aurora knows she should be happy, but the memory of her love for Reid threatens her future. When tragedy strikes, can Aurora find the strength to accept her life and forget the past?

My Review: Brear paints a gritty, but vivid picture of Victorian Yorkshire which held my interest until the end with wonderfully detailed and authentic descriptions of the poorest parts of Yorkshire and the characters who inhabit them. They all seem very real and leap off the page. The protagonist is a young, well born woman, Aurora Pettigrew who is forced to abandon her wealthy family, and becomes determined to find her birth mother. Discovering her is quite a shock. Aurora finds she must develop new skills to survive in the slums. Strong and determined she is constantly tested in a sometimes violent world. I stayed up late finishing this novel. Brear's stories are so unpredictable I couldn't guess the ending. There's a tender love scene, a handsome hero and the minor characters too are exceedingly well drawn. Made me a bit teary at one point, but the ending is heart warming.

Giveaway from BookSweeps! Women Sleuth Mysteries! Win 45 Books and a Kindle Fire!

I'd like to win this one myself! Have you seen this awesome giveaway from BookSweeps? You can win my book An Improper Earl, plus books from authors like Denise Grover Swank and P.B. Ryan, and a Kindle Fire. This giveaway ends soon, so make sure you hurry and enter! Good luck!
Join the fun here! bit.ly/women-sleuth-myst
When you’re done, tell me which books you’re most excited to win!

Valentine's Day Book Giveaway! 45 Regency romances plus a Kindle Fire!

Valentine's Day Book Giveaway!

FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME! A DANGEROUS DECEPTION Book One The Spies of Mayfair

Amazon:

London, 1816. A handsome baron. A faux betrothal. And Horatia's plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn.

Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance, abandoned over thirty years ago when his father fled to France after killing a man in a duel. He is set upon by footpads in London, and on his way to his country estate, robbers attack him again. Guy escapes only to knock himself out on a tree branch.

Aspiring poet, Horatia Cavendish has taken to riding her father's stallion, "The General," around the countryside of Digswell dressed as a groom. When she discovers Guy lying unconscious on the road, the two are forced to take shelter for the night in a hunting lodge.

Someone wants Guy dead. Is it his relative, Eustace Fennimore? He has been ensconced in Rosecroft Hall during the family's exile and will become the heir should Guy die. Guy proposes a faux betrothal to give him more time to discover the truth.

Horatia is determined to keep alive her handsome fiance, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him.
Find Book Two and Book Three on Amazon.

Breathless In the Bush: Favourite Aussie Romance Reads of 2016

Breathless In the Bush: Favourite Aussie Romance Reads of 2016: By the Breathless Bloggers So great to have our favourite reads get the thumbs up from Keith Urban (courtesy of giphy.com)! It has...