Review of Lilian and the Irresistible Duke

Lilian and the Irresistible Duke

(Secrets of a Victorian Household #4)
by Virginia Heath

A reunion in Rome…

Sparks an affair to remember!

Part of Secrets of a Victorian Household. Responsible widow Lilian Fairclough is persuaded to travel to Rome for a hard-earned break and to let down her hair! She’s surprised to be reunited with passionate, cynical Italian duke Pietro Venturi. He reawakens her sensual side and intrigues her with glimpses of pain beneath his rakish surface. Enticed into a secret and temporary affair, what will happen once she returns home?

Virginia Heath is by far one of my favorite authors. I'm always thrilled to read something new from her and Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is a lovely addition to her wonderful collection of stories.

Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is a steamy romance featuring a mature hero and heroine. Keep a fan ready because this one is hot. Italy, art, romance and an attraction between two people that burns right off the page make this the perfect winter read.

Lilian Fairclough is a widow with adult children, who has lost a bit of herself in raising a family and in her work at her deceased husbands charitable foundation. She loves her family and the foundation, but her children have taken over all the administrative roles at the foundation and she is at loose ends. Her family decide she needs a trip to Italy to indulge in her love of art and to take a vacation. She accompanies her husband's cousin Alexandra to Italy where they will be staying with Alexandra's friend for six weeks. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful adventure? I was drawn into Lilian's life and wanted her to have the best time in Italy. Virginia Heath does not disappoint, as she gives Lilian and the reader a wonderful art tour of Italy and as the icing on the cake, Pietro Venturi.

Pietro Venturi is the brother of Alexandra's friend and an Italian art dealer. He is a mature hero, handsome, sexy and flawed. The perfect, what happens in Rome stays in Rome fling. Yet there is more to Pietro than meets the eye. Pietro is the very person that Lilian need in her life and he needs Lilian more than he knows.

Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is such a wonderful read and it was nice to have a romance where the couple is mature and sexy at the same time. I also enjoyed that the book was set in Italy and its location was a lovely way to warm up a cold winters day.

I can't wait to see what Virginia Heath comes up with next.

Review by Kixcatmom / G Cochrane

ARC provided by publisher

#readromance 

Susan's Review of Janna Macgregor's Wild, Wild Rake

Her first marriage was an epic failure.

Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

Devan Farris and Avalon Cavensham are not on good terms. Devan has not forgiven Avalon for jilting his best friend and has given her the sobriquet of Lady Warlock. Avalon believes the gossip in the Midnight Cryer that Devan has earned his reputation as the Naughty Vicar. I wondered how Janna MacGregor was going to craft a love story for two people who disliked each other so much.

Janna MacGregor make a great choice by setting the novel ten years after Avalon married Richard, the Duke of Warwyk. Now widowed, Avalon has moved to the family estate in Thistledown to raise her son and sister. She is loved and respected by her neighbors. Avalon has a passion—she’s devoted to helping women who want to better themselves. Gavin Farris is the guardian of Avalon’s son. He is convinced that Lady Warwyk is using funds from the estate to purchase the buildings and equipment to fund the homes she is building. He decides to send his brother Devan to spy on Avalon.

Loved reading the scenes which depicted Avalon is fighting her attraction to Devan. His presence unsettles her! Avalon ogles Devan during their first meeting and she is horrified when he tells her he has a collection of Midnight Cryers that feature his bad boy reputation!

I adored Devan. He enjoys being a vicar-he cares for his parishioners and community. He’s a handsome man, a consummate flirt and a romantic. Devan accepts the position and agrees to tutor Thane-Avalon’s son. This choice puts him in close contact with Avalon—and both of them realize that they misjudged the other. Loved the chemistry between Avalon and Devan. Sparks flew each time they were in the same room or shared a conversation. The romance was a slow, sensuous burn and it gave the readers a chance to understand that Devan was devoted to Avalon. Both of them needed to trust each other and believe the best of each other.

Janna MacGregor’s primary and secondary characters are well developed in the Wild. Wild Rake. I enjoyed reading about the real Devan Farris-not the person depicted in the Midnight Cryer. Avalon’s story was heartbreaking, I admired her courage to put the past behind her and create a new life for her family. The descriptive writing style and the dialogue is outstanding—the witty, teasing banter between the couple is laugh out loud funny! The plot is well developed and contains several plot twists.

Wild, Wild Rake has all the feels- a heartwarming, emotional; story between an unlikely pair, great supporting characters and a sensuous, complicated romance. I loved that Lady Warlock cast her spell on Devan—it provided the perfect ending to the series!

Susan's Review of Tucker by Emily March

Hope springs eternal in this enchanting Texas town.

Meet Gillian Thacker. Her business: Bliss Bridal Salon. Her passion: Weddings. Her own wedding: It’s complicated. Life isn’t turning out like she’d planned. The last thing she wants is for a real-life hero to ride to her rescue but when an unexpected event puts her entire future in Redemption, Texas, at risk. So what’s a broken-hearted bridal expert to do? Maybe a new set of survival skills is exactly what she needs…

Tucker McBride has been proud to call himself a U.S. Army Ranger. But now that his days of service are over, he’s decided to put his expertise to use by founding a wilderness skills training school. He sets up shop in Redemption, next to Bliss Bridal, and so begins life: Part Two. Marriage has been pretty low on his agenda, but as soon as he meets Gillian, Tucker can’t help but contemplate the ultimate challenge: Convincing the reluctant bride to take his hand and leap into the adventure of a lifetime. . .until death do they part



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Gillian Thacker has hit a major speed bump. Things haven’t been quite right between Gillian and her fiancé, Jeremy. Imagine her surprise when she discovers he has outmaneuvered her on a business deal and is having a baby with her sorority sister?

Former U.S. Army Ranger Tucker McBride is newly retired from the military. He’s travelling to Redemption, Texas to set up a wilderness survival school with his cousins Jackson and Boone McBride. Sparks fly when Tucker and Gillian meet - he doesn’t act on his feelings because she’s engaged.

Emily March creates wonderful characters in the Eternity Springs series. Tucker is no exception. He’s charming, honest, loving and has a good heart. I loved that Tucker used strategies from his military training to pursue Gillian. Loved that he knew Gillian needed to get over the broken engagement—but, put his plan into action anyway!!

Loved the scene when Tucker uses his field glasses to spy on Gillian. Tucker believes that Gillian needs cheering up. He talks to her mother about cross promoting the display windows of her bridal shop with his wilderness skills store—think camouflage wedding dress, garter belt and hiking boots. Tucker is so pleased with his mission as he annoyed Gillian!

The chemistry between Tucker and Gillian was amazing and drew me into the story immediately. It was great fun to read how they were going act on their attraction. Loved, loved the humor in this romance! The conversations between Gillian and Tucker were awesome! Loved the back and for the banter and Tucker’s flirting. The epilogue was fabulous-Emily March gives Gillian her heart’s desire!

Emily March’s newest Eternity Springs novel is filled with passion, laughter and love! If you enjoy novels by Robyn Carr, Samantha Chase and Kristan Higgins—you will adore Tucker.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC from publisher