Susan's Review of The Secret of My Seduction by Caroline Linden

The Secret of My Seduction by Caroline Linden
A Scandalous novella
March 21, 2017

Rule #1: Be discreet

No one suspects Bathsheba Crawford of being the anonymous author of a wickedly scandalous series of naughty novels. But she is.

Rule #2: Do not fall in love

When she approaches her publisher, rakish Liam MacGregor, with an indecent proposal, he's shocked. But he accepts.

Rules were made to be broken …

The requirements for their affair are simple: complete secrecy and no romantic attachment. But the more they see each other … the more pleasure they find in each other's arms… the harder it becomes to remember the rules …

Read Chapter 1 at Caroline's Website! 

Susan's Review

Bathsheba Crawford has a dilemma. As the author of the popular Tales of Lady X series, she needs to spice up her stories to hold her reader’s interest. Bathsheba understands that she needs to experience passion in order to describe it. She discusses her idea with her publisher Liam MacGregor and propositions him!

Caroline Linden is a terrific writer! This fast-paced novella is a sexy read with two fabulous characters! Bathsheba is described as plain and is able to capitalize on this feature when she attends social functions. She hears gossip that she is able to incorporate in her stories because no one notices her. I loved watching her gain confidence in herself as she and Liam began their affair! Bathsheba describes Liam as a rake but, there are glimpses of his true character and family relationships during the story. Loved the clever dialogue between the characters as they push each other’s buttons. The couple’s chemistry sizzles! Caroline Linden writes an excellent story-she blends fantastic dialogue, meaningful social commentary and sensual romance in The Secret Of My Seduction.

So what happens when an experiment turns to true passion? Pick up your copy of The Secret Of My Seduction – and find out!

If you enjoy authors Katharine Ashe, Tessa Dare and Lisa Kleypas—you will love this novella! 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

Edited by Brian McGee 

ARC provided by the author. 

About the Author: Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before discovering that writing fiction was far more fun. Since then, the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series three times, which is not related but still worth mentioning. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages, and have won the NEC-RWA Reader's Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA's RITA Award. She live in New England.

Gansett Island Series-- Episode 1 Victoria and Shannon-- Marie Force

Gansett Island Episodes: Season 1, Episode 1

Gansett Island midwife Victoria Stevens loves taking care of people, in her job and in her personal life, especially when it comes to her boyfriend of one year, sexy Irishman Shannon O’Grady. Fueled by combustible chemistry, her relationship with Shannon has been H-O-T from the start. But she’s begun to wonder whether theirs is destined to be a short-term fling or possibly the love of a lifetime. When she goes looking for answers about his past, she learns something she was better off not knowing and isn’t sure what to do with her newfound information. What will happen when Shannon finds out she’s been asking questions about him, and will they be able to overcome the obstacles standing between them and happily ever after? Find out in this first Gansett Island Episode, which also includes the arrival of some long-awaited island babies.

Review

This is the first book in the Gansett Island Episodes by author Marie Force. The well-paced 106- page novella focuses on two secondary characters from the author’s Gansett Island series and takes place over a four-day period.

Victoria’s story appealed to me and drew me into the story immediately. Working as a Nurse Midwife, Victoria witnesses couples becoming families with the birth of their child. She sees how her patients work together and support each other through pregnancy and childbirth. She’s been dating Shannon for a year—and she longs for her happily ever after, too. Victoria asks Seamus, Shannon’s cousin, if he knows why Shannon can’t move forward. Seamus tells Victoria about Shannon’s past and she’s not sure how to approach Shannon with the information.

Victoria walks into a busy morning at the clinic-there are two Island moms in labor! She doesn’t have a minute to think about her problems as these moms are keeping her busy! Victoria doesn’t have a chance to talk to Shannon because of the surprise arrival of Gansett baby three. He finds out by accident and is not pleased. He knows he is stuck in the past but doesn’t know how to move forward. I emphasized with Shannon, his past was tragic, but was surprised that he didn’t relate his story to Victoria.

I enjoyed that the author wove in a total of three couples and their stories into this novella. It was great fun catching up with the characters and Victoria’s experience with one couple moved me to tears. I loved the couple’s book and was thrilled that they got their HEA! Several other much loved characters provided support to Victoria and Shannon and added to the fast- paced storyline. I enjoyed this short story and my ferry ride over to Gansett Island. Victoria and Shannon’s story is a poignant story about friendship, community, faith and love. The ending of this book was beautifully written and perfect for Victoria and Shannon.

Looking forward to the next full length Gansett novel and Episode 2!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
ARC provided by publisher
Photo of Celeste by Susan Gorman

About the Gansett Island Episodes . . .

From Marie:

My fictional island has become such a huge part of my life—and yours—over these last six years, and I’ve created so many characters who speak to me between books and during the writing of new ones. I can’t possibly give them all a new story in every book, but I still have so much to say about them. With that in mind, I’ll be launching a new “Gansett Island Episodes” series in 2017, featuring shorter stories about past characters who readers love and want more of. Mixed in with these episodes will be at least one full-length book a year. So we’ll have plenty more from our favorite island, with new stories for past characters as well as all-new stories, too. I’m looking forward to this new adventure and hope you’ll take the ferry to Gansett for the new episodes!

Read an excerpt!

Susan's review of Someone to Love by Donna Alward

Someone to Love is the second book in Donna Alward’s Darling Vermont series. It’s a thoughtful, character- driven novel which touches upon the importance of family, the grieving process and the ability to make hard decisions. The novel features Café owner Willow Dunaway and widowed firefighter Ethan Gallagher. Their unlikely opposites attract love story drew me into this fabulously written novel.

His wife had died. That gave a man an excuse to be grouchy, didn’t it? And Hannah knew him better than anyone, probably. Her face had softened, talking about him and how he loved his kids.
Willow’s heart ached for him. He had to be hurting so much. She knew what it was like to feel you’d lost everything.
On Sunday, she decided, she would be the epitome of kindness and tolerance. No matter how condescending he was. In her experience, a good dose of kindness went a long way.

Ethan and his late wife, Lisa, promised to love each other forever. They had a wonderful, simple plan; get married, buy a house and have children. The Gallagher’s picture perfect life ended when Lisa died of cancer leaving Ethan with two young sons to raise. The demands of raising two small children alone and working fulltime as a firefighter have brought Ethan to the breaking point. He is ill-tempered and rude to Willow when they sit next to each other at a Gallagher family dinner.

In contrast, Willow has chosen a peaceful existence; she meditates and practices yoga. She owns the Purple Pig café which provides healthy meals and treats to the community. She has reconnected with several friends; Laurel Gallagher, who is married to Ethan’s brother and his sister, real estate agent Hannah Gallagher. Willow’s mother made several decisions on Willow’s behalf when she was a teenager. These actions had long lasting emotional and physical effects for Willow.

Hannah asks Willow to watch Ethan’s sons for her so she can show a property to some clients. Ethan meets them and is furious. The couple finds common ground when the town’s food pantry is relocated in the storefront next to Willow’s café. Ethan and Willow try to fight their attraction but the physical pull is undeniable and a passionate relationship ensues. The author’s descriptive writing style shines in the novel. She does a fabulous job bringing Ethan’s children Ronan and Connor into the storyline. The two boys warm up to Willow immediately and I could hear Ronan say ‘Wil-low” and imagine Connor running after a soccer ball. Willow makes a choice which effects Ethan and the choice leads to a huge falling out between the couple.

The last few chapters were fast paced, exquisitely written— and kept me reading past my bedtime. I enjoyed how the author let Willow’s personal story unfold during the course of the novel and contrasted it with Ethan’s publically visual situation. I felt for Willow and came to understand Ethan as I read each page. The author stayed true to her characters Willow’s choice was heartfelt. Ethan’s reaction was pure Ethan; a boatload of angry words, finger pointing and denial. I preferred the open- ended conclusion to the novel as opposed to the traditional happily ever after ending that one might have expected. It was perfect!

Someone to Love is the best book that I have read in years!
Am so looking forward to the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Edited by Brian McGee
ARC provided by the publisher