From The Reviewer's Desk - How To School Your Scoundrel

From The Reviewer's Desk of Susan Gorman

I enjoyed this book very much. I was in the mood for a bit of fun and espionage! 

How To School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray

The relationship between Somerton and Princess Luisa drew me into the story and kept me reading. I was intrigued by their relationship and surprised that this unlikely couple was at the heart of the novel. Somerton is an edgy man with trust issues. He is paired with the loyal, practical Princess Luisa who has known only kindness in her life. After several close calls with death, it became clear that Olympia made a wise choice placing Luisa in the home of the master spy after the political coup de'etat.

I enjoyed all of the scenes with the Duke of Olympia. What a cagey and humorous character! His plans and schemes drove the storyline forward. There is just the right amount of subterfuge , adventure and romance in the novel and Olympia is at the heart of it all! Just when I thought I knew what Olympia was planning, our hero and heroine were presented by an unexpected obstacle that they needed to overcome. Nothing went smoothly for them.

Juliana Gray has written a fast-paced adventure about a Princess in hiding which takes place in Germany, England and Italy. I loved the descriptive tone, the attention to details, the espionage , the romance and ALL of the characters. I was invested in the characters and their story. I read the last four chapters in one sitting to finish the book. I will mention that Ms. Gray added a special character in the novel, Luisa's corgi, Quincy. I own several corgis and the author was spot on with her description of the inquisitive nature of the breed ,their loyalty and humor. This is the first novel by Juliana Gray that I have read . How To School Your Scoundrel is the final book in the series. It can be read as a stand alone novel I plan to purchase the other two books in the series. 

Rose-Haven's Two Sweet "Beanie" photo by Susan M. Gorman

Please read my full lenth review on Fresh Fiction

From The Reviewers Desk - In Bed With A Rogue

The Reviewer's Desk of Susan Gorman

In the past few weeks, I have read several excellent novels and posted my reviews on the Lady Celeste blog and on Fresh Fiction. 

                                               

   

September is a great time to grab a book and read. The weather is cooler, summer vacation is over and everyone is back to school and college.

This week I would like to feature three books from authors Samantha Grace, Juliana Gray and Erin Knightley that I was excited to read and review. Both Juliana Gray and Samantha Grace are new -to -me authors. Erin Knightley writes from the heart and her characters are fabulous. I really enjoyed reading their books and I hope you do as well!

Today's featured book review is:  In Bed With A Rogue by author Samantha Grace

Ms. Grace creates a fabulous hero in Sebastian Thorne. Sebastian tugged at my heart from the very beginning of this story. The novel begins with our hero drinking at a bar in a seedy part of town. Sebastian is drinking quite a bit because he was jilted by his fiancé . He is tired of the gossip and being featured daily in the Society pages of the paper. He is attacked outside the bar and the thieves steal his money and his boots! His boots--how embarrassing! Before Sebastian passes out from too much drinking and a beating, he thinks he sees an angel.

Lady Helena Prestwick is searching for her sisters. She believes one sister may be working in the Whitechapel section of London. Helena is the angel who finds the injured Sebastian and returns him to his home. A few evenings later, Sebastian and Helena meet at a society event and they are attracted to each other. Sebastian loves his family and is very loyal and he desires to see his sister who was left at the alter settled. He makes a bargain with Helena which benefits both of them .

Ms. Grace 's subtle commentary on the social classes reminds the reader that there is an underlying meaning to the novel. The differences between the aristocracy and the working class are brought to light as Helena's own story is revealed and as she and Sebastian search for her sisters. Sebastian is falling for Helena. But, Helena enjoys her status as a widow and the freedom it provides her. Although, she is falling in love with the captivating Sebastian, Helena says she's not ready to commit to marriage. The search for Helena's sisters takes the couple from the seedy sections of London to ballrooms and soirées and to the countryside. Will Sebastian figure out where the sisters are living and who is threatening Helena? Will Helena admit her feelings for Sebastian?

My complete review is on FreshFiction.com

Back to You - Review

Back To You

by Jessica Scott

Paperback version
Reviewed by Lisa Hutson
 

The order this series was published in has

been more than a little hard to follow. It does

matter in some of the storylines. Though I have

 read the ones I have out of order.
And still enjoyed every story.

This one is the story of Trent & Laura. They have

been important parts since the beginning. But I believe you
could read this story and understand just fine.

Trent and Laura are trying to make it through
as a family. Sometimes, love isn't all it takes.
When you have to be stubborn and determined.
 There are times you need help from your friends.

 And maybe even a hamster or two.

Jessica writes stories that I don't believe anyone else can.

I think she has experience that no other romance writer has.
 Her stories are not political. They are romantic love

stories about people living a life in and around the military.

So her characters have challenges, kind of the same and

kind of different, from any other romantic story.

Substance abuse, loss of limb, cancer,

 mental health issues, adultery....
All the sorts of challenges in every romance novel.

But different.

The characters are so human. Each different.
After a while, you will know who is
speaking just by the dialogue.
There is laughter, sadness, fear and love. There are

friends, family and chains of command.
I cannot recommend this series and this author

enough. I have only a small number of

auto buys. Jessica Scott is one of them.

This story has been available for some time in the

kindle version. Only recently available in the

paperback version.

This may be a starting point for information and
where to go for help with PTSD.
http://www.ptsdinfo.org/

This is a place to begin if you are looking
for information about breast cancer.
http://www.breastcancer.org/