Susan's Review of A Duke In Time by Janna MacGregor-- The Widows Rule #1

Get ready for lost wills, broody dukes, and scorching hot kissing all over London in A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor.

Katherine Vareck is in for the shock of her life when she learns upon her husband Meri's accidental death that he had married two other women. Her entire business, along with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a royal supplier, is everything she's been working for and now could be destroyed if word leaks about the three wives.

Meri's far more upstanding brother, Christian, Duke of Randford has no earthly clue how to be of assistance. He spent the better part of his adult years avoiding Meri and the rest of his good-for-nothing family, so to be dragged back into the fold is…problematic. Even more so is the intrepid and beautiful Katherine, whom he cannot be falling for because she's Meri's widow. Or can he?

With a textile business to run and a strong friendship forming with Meri's two other wives, Katherine doesn't have time for much else. But there's something about the warm, but compellingly taciturn Christian that draws her to him. When an opportunity to partner in a business venture brings them even closer, they'll have to face their pasts if they want to share each other's hearts and futures.

I adored Janna MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiress series because each of her heroines were intelligent and confident woman and were the perfect match for their complex and captivating heroes. Fans of the Cavensham Heiress novels will be thrilled to read Ms. MacGregor’s new novel A Duke In Time. Business woman Katherine Varek and decorated war hero Christian Varek, the Duke of Randford are featured in this novel and sparks fly during their first conversation!

Katherine Varek owns an exclusive fine linens store and has combined her business expertise with her love of fine linens, lace and delicate embroidery. Katherine is confident that she will win the contract to supply the linens for the Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion. She needs her dowry to be returned so that she can purchase supplies and hire staff when the contract is secured.

Christian Varek is a decorated war hero who has returned home to discover that his younger brother has died leaving three penniless widows. Even though he wants to distance himself from his brother’s scandalous behavior; he agrees to help Katherine sort through Lord Meriwether’s paperwork. Christian’s dream is to create a charity to help former soldiers who need jobs and shelter.

Loved the author’s voice—her descriptive prose shines when Kat, Constance and Beth meet and realize that Lord Meriwether has deceived them. I felt for each one of them as they shared their emotional stories with each other. Loved the imagery and use of color when Kat’s store was described. I could see the linens, lace and embroidery threads in Kat’s shop and I wanted to touch the fabrics. My favorite scene is when Kat and Christian meet in the conservatory—I could smell the sweet scents of the flowers, see the sparks fly between them and feel the couple’s passion.

Lord Meriwether—even though he is deceased—is a central character in this novel. Janna MacGregor has created a complex character who continued to cause chaos and heartbreak long after his death. The author’s choice to leave Meri’s story unresolved appealed to me and added a lot of intrigue and drama to the novel.

If you are looking for a novel that has a bit of intrigue, sizzling romance and fabulous characters—pick up a copy of A Duke In Time—you will enjoy every word!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC gifted by the Author Paperback purchased through Amazon

Susan's Review of Since You've Been Gone By Samantha Chase-Magnolia Sound #8

Emmaline Ryan has always been the smart, shy girl who plays it safe. But all that’s gotten her is a divorce and a mountain of debt to pay off courtesy of her ex-husband. Needless to say, she’s stopped believing in miracles and fairy tales a long time ago. Except now she’s in desperate need of one those miracles if she wants to save her family’s animal rescue. Emmaline knows just where to go for help, but that means putting her faith in the hands of the man who once broke her heart without even realizing it.

Garrett Coleman met the girl of his dreams when he was just eight years old – only, he never told her. But that was years ago. Now, Garrett has become a reluctant social media star – the shirtless #HotDoc and #SexyVet who saves scared and helpless animals. Sure, it’s been great for business, but he’d give anything for people to see the real him, preferably with a shirt on. When a visit home to Magnolia Sound has him running into the shy girl he left behind, he sees his chance at the future he never thought he deserved.

Unfortunately, he’s not the only one back in town, and wooing Emmaline just became a lot more complicated. A lot has changed since he’s been gone and Garrett is going to have to prove that he’s up to the challenge. Emmaline might still be the sweet and quiet girl he left behind, but he’s not sure she willing to wait.

Since You’ve been Gone is the eighth book in Samantha Chase’s Magnolia Sound series. Loved this second chance romance featuring Emma Ryan and Garrett Coleman.

Emma and Garrett approach situations differently. Emma is a problem solver; she’s survived a messy divorce, she’s figured out how to pay down her ex-husband’s credit card debt and she enjoys her family and career as a speech therapist. She has one problem that she can’t solve—continued funding for her family’s animal shelter.

Emma comments on an Instagram video featuring her childhood friend veterinarian Garrett Coleman. The video has gone viral as it features a shirtless Garrett working at an animal shelter. Garrett reads the comment and stresses out—should he comment back? Call her? He’s had feelings for Emma since high school and has never acted on it. I loved that Garrett had a hard time making decisions—he is overly cautious and over thinks everything. Every. Single. Thing. Even though, he’s a media sensation with the hashtag #sexyvet; he lacks self-confidence.

Loved the relationship between Garrett and his brother Austin. Samantha Chase excels at creating “brother banter” and the conversations between Garrett and Austin add a lot of laughter and insight to the story. The brothers understand each other and challenge each other. The secondary characters of Austin, Mia, Ryder, Grace and Dominic add humor and drama to the novel and are significant to the plot.

Samantha Chase adds an additional layer to the story line when a character returns to Magnolia Sound, stirs up trouble and disappears without a trace. This plot choice added a lot of intrigue to the story and provides an additional story ARC for several characters in future books. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!!!

Samantha Chase has created a wonderful second chance story for two star crossed lovers. Emma and Garrett’s past drew me into the story. Garrett’s indecision concerning his feelings towards Emma have haunted him for years. Emma wondered if they could have been more than friends, too. These feelings make this novel relatable. Who hasn’t wondered what could have been…..

I highly recommend Since You’ve been Gone! Emma and Garrett’s path to their HEA will pull at your heartstrings and make you believe in second chances. Settle in with a glass of wine and enjoy every word of this fabulous novel!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

Book purchased through Amazon

Susan's Review of Her Royal Payne by Shana Galen--Survivors Series -- 10

He’s a pain...literally.

Rowden Payne, known as The Royal Payne, makes his living in the high stakes world of bareknuckle boxing. The disavowed son of a duke likes the focus boxing requires. It keeps his mind off the tragedies in his past. But just as he’s poised to knock out his biggest rival, he’s mesmerized by a pair of exotic hazel eyes in the crowd. He finds himself flat on his back and short fifty pounds.

She’s a prude with a problem.

Modesty Brown’s father has vanished. Modesty’s only way of finding her is by asking the only man she knows of that class—Rowden Payne. Unfortunately, she’s the one responsible for the Royal Payne losing his crucial fight.

Sometimes the hardest hit is the one to the heart.

Rowden doesn’t want to care for anyone or anything, but if he can just help Modesty find her father, he can be rid of her. Soon the revelation of her father’s secrets and lies puts Modesty, Rowden, and their friends in danger.....

Danger . . .
Adventure . . .
Heartwarming Romances....

Shana Galen combines these story elements perfectly in the latest installment of The Survivor series-Her Royal Payne.

I enjoyed this well-paced, character driven novel. Shana Galen’s descriptive prose transports the reader into the boxing ring with Rowden. I could imagine Rowden dodging punches, evading his opponent and could sense the excitement of the crowd. I loved Rowden – his caring and protective nature appealed to me. The attraction between Rowden and Modesty is apparent from their first meeting and I loved how their feelings deepened. Modesty reaches out to Rowden for help after her Father disappears. Rowden arranges for Modesty to stay with Ewan Mostyn and Lady Lorraine and it was great fun to visit with one of my favorite couples!

Rowden’s manager Chibale Okoro is featured in this novel. Loved the relationship between Rowden and his boxing manager. Rowden trusted Chibale and took his advice on improving his boxing skills without hesitation. The author showed that even though Chibale was confident in giving orders to Rowden, he was hesitant in pursuing his relationship with modiste Therese Renauld. I rooted for this romance and enjoyed every word of their story.

Her Royal Payne has the perfect amount of passion, intrigue and danger. Shana Galen blends two romances with the excitement and danger of the boxing world. I enjoyed reading this novel because the author gave each couple time for their relationship to evolve. Rowden’s soft spot for Trogdon, Modesty’s desire to find her father, Chibale’s love for his family and Therese’s colorful bird Bluette enabled me to relate to each of the main characters. Loved the elements of danger that was threaded throughout the storyline.

I loved the characters and their stories in this fast paced novel and highly reccomend it.

Reviewed by

Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author