Susan's Review of Third Sons A Charm by Shana Galen

Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke's daughter's bodyguard will be easy―but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion...

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he's offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington's stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father's high-handed ways, and she'll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard―until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan's protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he's always done―fight for what he wants

I am thrilled that Shana Galen has a new series!

Third Sons A Charm is the first book in the Survivor series and it is an excellent read. The series features soldiers from Draven’s dozen, an elite group of military men who fought in the Peninsular War. These men were viewed as expendable as they were second and third sons of the nobility, so they were given the most dangerous assignments.

Ewan Mostyn is known by his friends as The Protector. A man of few words; Ewan is best known for his strength and the risks he took to keep his friends safe. It took me a few pages to understand Ewan and I enjoyed that the true nature of his character is revealed during the course of the story. The author crafts Ewan’s story perfectly by giving clues about his past through conversations with his father, cousin and friends.

Usually, Ms. Galen’s heroines are strong, self-reliant thieves or spies; this novel features a naïve debutante who talks incessantly. I enjoyed reading Lorrie’s story as it was easy to relate to her because Lorrie desires affection. Her parents and brothers do not have time for her and she is enamored by the first person who pays attention to her. Unfortunately, Lorrie tries to elope with the unsuitable Francis Mostyn, Ewan’s cousin.

The Duke of Ridlington hires Ewan to be Lorrie’s bodyguard. Loved the humorous scenes when Lorrie tries to outsmart Ewan. He catches Lorrie as she climbs out her window to meet Francis and the next day he cuts down the tree branch near her window and installs padlocks on the doors in the servant’s hall. Lorrie is not going to escape on his watch! Lorrie discovers that Ewan has several secrets; he is unable to read and his father has lost the family fortune. Ewan suspects that Francis is behind the family’s misfortune and desires Lorrie’s dowry, not her. As their friendship deepens, Lorrie offers to teach him how to read and Ewan realizes that Lorrie is a passionate, intelligent woman.

Ms. Galen is known for her fast- paced suspenseful stories. The last few chapters of the novel were filled with intrigue as there were two storylines with villains that played out during the same time. Ewan needed to call on two of his friends from Draven’s dozen to help him on an important mission. Loved the scenes with Ewan, Jasper and Neil; they worked well as a team and the banter between the three characters was perfect. I loved the characters, their stories and the pace of the novel and highly recommend it.

Congratulations to Shana Galen for a great debut novel! Ms. Galen effortlessly combined romance, suspense and friendship in this novel! Am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an email or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Susan's Review of Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer

The best gift of all is the one you share with someone else. . .

From the moment he strode through the iron gate and into the offices of Two Love Lane on a crisp December day, it was obvious that Deacon Banks was something different. He wasn’t a Charleston native, not with that adorable Yankee accent. And unlike the usual client at the elegant matchmaking agency, he had no interest in finding a woman to marry—just a few no-strings dates while he was in town.

Macy Frost takes her professional services very seriously—how could she not, when she’s rumored to be a direct descendant of Cupid? Tech entrepreneur Deacon says he’s just trying to make his social-climbing aunt happy by being seen out and about with a few prominent beauties, but Macy insists she can make her client fall in love…for real. And Deacon can’t help but think she might be right. As charming as the palmetto trees and magnificent harbor may be, it’s the beautiful, breath-of-fresh-air Macy who’s become Deacon’s favorite part of the scenery. But can the hopelessly romantic Southern belle stop trying to fix him up and just let Cupid do his work on her own heart?

Kieran Kramer is one of my go to authors. I adore her books because she excels at creating slice-of-life novels. Ms Kramer creates characters that resonate with the reader and she crafts emotional, heartfelt storylines which draw the reader into the story. In Christmas at Two Love Lane, Ms. Kramer pairs Deacon Banks, a savvy New York City businessman with Macy Frost, a charming Charleston, South Carolina socialite and matchmaker.

I adored the premise of this holiday themed romance. Deacon is spending the month of December in Charleston visiting with his newly retired aunt. Fran Banks is a famous talk show host who has relocated to Charleston with her houseman George and four corgis. Deacon knows his aunt is a force to be reckoned with but, wants to please her because Fran raised him after his parents died. Fran’s fondest desire? She’d love Deacon to marry, preferably a southern girl, so she can be part of the Charleston society. Deacon’s gift to Fran for Christmas? A series of dates arranged by Macy’s matchmaking business.

Deacon Banks epitomizes my image of a New York business man; he’s determined, resourceful and goes after what he wants. He doesn’t believe in love and doesn’t understand Macy’s calling as a matchmaker. I enjoyed the back and forth banter between Macy and Deacon; their conversations were heartfelt, funny and honest and their chemistry sizzled from the first page of the book. The romance between the couple is well paced. Deacon was attracted to Macy and with each one of his dates it was apparent that he was falling for her. The author does a fabulous job integrating the cast of secondary characters into the story. Loved George’s relationships with Fran and Deacon; their conversations were spot on and added spice to the novel. Deacon makes a strategic error in his pursuit of Macy. Can she forgive him when she uncovers the truth?

Christmas at Two Love Lane is a delightful read! The charming, larger than life characters, the witty dialogue, the southern setting add to this sweet perfectly paced romance. I can’t wait for the next story in the series.

Thank you Kieran from the Rose-Haven corgis for the shout out! You captured the corgi spirit and fondness for snacks perfectly!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by St Martin's Press

: 

When do the holidays official start for you?
Thanksgiving Day, as soon as I turn on the TV to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! Can’t miss the Rockettes segment, ever!

What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?
Inhaling the delicious scent of the Christmas tree, seeing the twinkling lights, hanging out with the family and our friends.
Are there any holiday traditions you do every year without fail?
I always make frosted sugar cookies, and I always try to watch as many Christmas movies as I can. I also try to go to the Holiday Boat Parade in Charleston harbor!

What’s your favorite holiday movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life; I never get tired of it!

Do you have a favorite holiday book?
Definitely How the Grinch Stole Christmas….

What’s your all-time favorite holiday song?
Away in the Manger sung by Julie Andrews–the UK version of the melody

What’s your favorite activity during fall or winter?
baking bread, using my crockpot, reading cozy books, buying myself winter clothes, going to parties, eating holiday cookies

What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received or given?
My favorite gift is having my family all together in one place. Nothing matters more. Sometimes we can’t all be together, so I cherish the Christmases that we can celebrate under one roof.

Do you have any items on your wish list this year?
Yes, having my own little family together again–the last two years some of us have been overseas. But if I have to mention something from the store, I’d love to have some canvases and paint and painting lessons!

Any resolutions or goals for next year?
Yes, to slow down and get centered, to really look around each day and marvel at this beautiful world filled with people who all want to love and be loved. I refuse to let the haters in. Oh, and I have to keep dancing to my Alexa, haha!!

Author Bio:

Kieran Kramer, author of the Impossible Bachelors series, was born in Washington, D.C. to an Air Force pilot father and actress/singer mother. She grew up mainly on Johns Island, a rural sea island near Charleston, South Carolina, where she helped build her family’s log home. Having worked for the CIA and as journalist for The Charlotte Observer, Kieran is now a stay-at-home mom. She once won $34,000 on Wheel of Fortune, and also won on Family Feud. She’s been married to her naval officer husband, Chuck, for twenty-one years, and they have three children.

Buy Link: http://smpromance.com/contemporary/christmas-at-two-love-lane/

Watch Christmas at Two Love Lane video here; https://animoto.com/play/HexKofxdqY0QFECWuXSe8A

Third Sons a Charm by Shana Galen

Third Sons a Charm

by Shana Galen
☆☆☆☆☆

The beginning of a new series for Shana Galen!

The cover starts everything off beautifully.

Not a fluffy romance but a very romantic story all the same.

Leave it to Shana Galen to write a character like

Lady Lorraine. Lorrie knows no bounds. Mischievous and

determined. A teacher down in her soul.

The moment Lorrie meets Ewan Mastyn, she thinks of him

as the Viking. The people that know him best call him

the Protector. He is hired as bodyguard for

Lady Lorraine. She will try his patience and use every

trick in the book to get her way. 

It's a test of wills. Lady Lorraine, her parents

and Ewan all have their own agendas and ideas about

the right thing. Who will win?

Third Sons a Charm is not a soft sort of romantic story.
There is action, mystery and adventure.
The characters are full of personality.
They are not shallow or predictable at all.
In fact the story is full of twists and surprises
at every turn. The tale will not turn you loose.
It's a story full of emotional fireworks.
Not your typical romance. But it will
send your heart to pitter-patter all the same.
It makes me excited to read the next one
in this series.


I got a copy of this story from the author
in exchange for an honest review
Review by Lisa Hutson