Susan's review of The Claiming of the Shrew by Shana Galen

What happens when a marriage of convenience isn't so convenient?

Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Draven has retired from the army and spends most of his days either consulting for the Foreign Office or whiling away the hours at his club with his former comrades-in-arms. He rarely thinks about the fiery Portuguese woman he saved from an abusive marriage by wedding her himself. It was supposed to be a marriage in name only, but even five years later and a world away, he can't seem to forget her.

Catarina Neves never forgot what it felt like to be scared, desperate, and subject to the whims of her cruel father. Thanks to a marriage of convenience and her incredible skill as a lacemaker, she's become an independent and wealthy woman. But when she's once again thrust into a dangerous situation, she finds herself in London and knocking on the door of the husband she hasn't seen since those war-torn years in Portugal. Catarina tells Benedict she wants an annulment, but when he argues against it, can she trust him enough to ask for what she really needs?

“What I want-no, no-what I need,” she said coolly, is a husband.”

After reading this sentence, I knew I was going to adore Benedict Draven and Caterina Neves story. While serving in the army in Portugal, Draven marries Caterina to save her from an arranged marriage. After the service, they share a passionate kiss and Draven leaves Caterina at her aunt’s home and rejoins his men.

Draven is surprised when Caterina appears in London and requests an annulment. Shana Galen writes strong heroines—and the passionate, talented Caterina is one of her best. In five years, Caterina has become a successful business woman. Caterina lace with its intricate patterns and soft thread is famous throughout Europe. Draven senses that Catarina isn’t telling him why she wants the annulment and he avoids giving her an answer. I loved how this couple fell in love. The sparks between Draven and Caterina were even stronger now than when they first met. Loved that the author paired an older hero with a younger heroine. Draven referred to himself as older and Caterina countered back each time by telling him he was strong and virile. Pairing the strong willed, independent Caterina with the honorable, calm Lt. Colonel Draven worked. Their journey from friends to lovers was perfectly written and lovely to read.

Enjoyed that several of Draven’s dozen appeared in the novel and loved Ines and Tigrino. There was conflict, a villain and danger—just enough to make the story interesting. Loved that the author focused on the romance in this story. Both Caterina and Draven deserved their HEA-and it was so enjoyable to read their journey.

Kudos to Shana Galen for writing a fabulous story for Draven! The Claiming of the Shrew is the perfect weekend read—once you read the first page you will be captivated by Ms. Galen’s characters and the their story. Am looking forward to the next book in this series!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author

Shana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." 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.

Want to know more? Visit Shana's website and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release .

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

The Other Miss Bridgerton

by Julia Quinn

☆☆☆☆☆

I have read so many Julia Quinn books.
I am never disappointed. I don't know how she
does it. Her characters are always full and
dimensional. Great personality. The story line
is always interesting and flows. The timing
is perfection. Many authors cannot manage
it all. But she does. Every time.

Poppy Bridgerton is full of life. She was certainly
not meant to be held up by a chaperone. Poppy needs
to explore her surroundings on her own.

Andrew Rokesby finds himself with the company of
a young lady, on his ship. He cannot let her off the ship.
Nor can he let her know who he is.

The Other Miss Bridgerton is a rocking, fun filled,
romantic story. With twists and turns. Full of 
fantastic dialogue. How can it all work out? 

Review by Lisa Hutson 



Susan's Review of Tangled Up In You by Samantha Chase

They'll change each other's fate...

One fateful night Bobby Hannigan sustains a gunshot wound that could end his career as a police officer. If that's taken from him, he doesn't know what he'll do. The only ray of hope is Teagan Shaughnessy—a kindhearted single mom who understands his struggles...
Teagan and her young son have just moved back to the Carolina coast to be near family. When she meets Bobby, the timing feels wrong, but everything else feels oh-so-right. Bobby and Teagan each had plans for their own futures. But they're finding that those plans are meaningless if they can't be together...



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Samantha Chase’s Tangled Up In You is an honest and heartbreaking story of one man’s struggle to accept that an injury may prevent him from returning to a job that he loves. I loved Bobby Hannigan’s relationship with Quinn Shaughnessy in the earlier books in this series, especially when Quinn started to date his sister Anna. Their give and take relationship is tested as Quinn is tasked with telling Bobby about the extent of his injuries. Ms Chase kept the characters true to themselves in this poignant, important conversation. These paragraphs are perfectly written-honest, heartbreaking and emotional. Most importantly, they set the tone for the story.

Teagan Shaughnessy and her five year old son Lucas have moved from Colorado to North Carolina for a fresh start. Her parents have relocated with them and Teagan has found her dream job as an elementary school guidance counselor. Lucas’ father died before he was born. Teagan is a strong self-sufficient single mom who earned both her undergrad and graduate degrees while caring for her son. Lucas is Teagan’s world until Bobby shows up at a family barbeque.

Samantha Chase writing style has evolved in this series-she excels in writing small town stories filled with relatable characters. In Tangled Up In You, she digs into the emotional after effects of a life threatening injury and the unexpected, tragic loss of a loved one. Being a cop defined Bobby Hannigan. Teagan’s life was turned upside down when Logan, her fiancé was killed in Afghanistan. She has concentrated on her studies and her son comes first.

I loved how Bobby and Teagan’s story unfolded during this book. Teagan tells Bobby that they can only be friends but, that quickly changes. Their chemistry sizzled and their sensuous love scenes were perfectly written for this couple. Loved how the relationship between Bobby and Lucas developed—lots of humor when Bobby teaches Lucas how to play ball.

The conflict between these two strong willed characters kept me reading—Bobby is all about being a cop and Teagan is afraid that one day he will not come home. Samantha Chase has written a book centered on family; what it means to be part of a family, how to accept unconditional love and most of all to have faith in each other.

Ms. Chase’s descriptive voice kept me reading – as I wasn’t sure how the story would play out. I enjoyed this fabulous story—it has all the feels—and – yes, she made me cry—again!

Reviwed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by publisher




The Shaughnessy Brothers series:

Made for Us (Book 1)

Love Walks In (Book 2)

Always My Girl (Book 3)

This Is Our Song (Book 4)

A Sky Full of Stars (Book 5)

Holiday Spice (Book 6)