Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Romantic Fantasy by Kelly Miller, Janet Taylor, Carol S. Bowes KU

Blurb

What will the master of Pemberley do when confronted with the mercurial whims of an all-powerful angel?

Fitzwilliam Darcy’s well-ordered life is about to become a chaotic nightmare. A man of fortune, property, and social prominence, he has everything he could desire. Blissfully married to his wife, Elizabeth, they have a two-year-old son. With so much to live for, Darcy is shaken by a near-fatal riding accident. After a miraculous escape, he is visited by an otherworldly being: an angel of death named Graham. Threatening dire consequences, Graham compels Darcy to guide him on a sojourn in the world of mortals.

Darcy immediately questions the angel’s motives when he demands to be a guest at Pemberley. Can he trust Graham’s assurance that no harm will come to his wife and child? And why does Graham insist on spending time with Elizabeth? How can Darcy possibly protect his family from an angel with power over life and death?

In this romantic fantasy, the beloved couple from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice must contend with both human and unearthly challenges. Are the fates against them? Or will their extraordinary love conquer all?

Review

Attention! If you’re a lover of everything Jane Austin and fantasy, you should most definitely read this story. This isn’t simply a reimagining of the lives of the characters that millions of historical romance readers have fallen in love with. The authors manage to take a classic and make it all their own.

In the beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, the master and mistress of Pemberley. While Fitzwilliam is nearly thrown from his horse, his wife mysteriously faints in the garden. While Elizabeth wakes up from her faint surrounded by servants who are concerned about her, Fitzwilliam isn’t so lucky. An angel named Graham appears to him and announces that he has saved his life. In return, Fitzwilliam has to allow the angel to accompany him for a week. Graham tells Fitzwilliam that he would like to understand humans and why they feel so deeply. The mortal is pressured into helping the angel on his journey.

From the start, Graham is trouble. He clearly covets Elizabeth, and the life that Fitzwilliam has. This isn’t the only conflict in the story. A relative from Fitzwilliam’s past decides to appear without invitation with a beautiful woman in toe. Her goal, is to tempt Fitzwilliam into cheating on Elizabeth. Trust me, between the angel and the vengeful aunt, the couple has a lot of drama to deal with. Don’t worry, Graham does get better in the book. Because of his powers, he does uncover a lot of secrets. But he struggles with his morals and learns a few things about himself.

I’d recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading well written drama filled stories.

Wolves What Follows Fall by R.L. Hemlock KU

Blurb

Orphaned by her father’s death, Victoria finds herself taken in by her estranged uncle, moving her far from the familiarity of England to the quiet countryside

of Norway. This was her father’s childhood home, a home riddled with long forgotten memories and a mysterious history just waiting to be unraveled, but

at what cost?

Upon Victoria’s arrival to Lovik Manor she is faced with the challenge of learning the language. Her world has already been turned upside down, but news

of past and present murders are not far behind. Surrounded by superstition and fables, most people stay out of the Innerdalen woods, but curiosity gets

the better of all of us sooner or later.

Review

This book was awesome because it was a mix of historical romance, fantasy, and mystery. Since there is a surprise at the end, I will try not to include spoilers. The story begins with an English teen named Victoria. She has just lost her father, and an uncle that she has never been acquainted with shows up and brings her back to Norway. Since her uncle doesn’t have any heirs, he names Victoria his heir. Being his heir means that Victoria will one day be a lady, which is a huge adjustment. Victoria is well educated and is used to getting her hands dirty, which I love. She is kind and approachable.

Victoria catches wind of the murders of beautiful young women, that seem to occur in the fall. The bodies of the women are posed, in such a way that suggests that their murders are ritualistic. Of course, one family has been rumored to be the culprits. I won’t spoil any more. Let me just say that a sweet unlikely romance does occur between Victoria and a emotionally damaged guy. But the supernatural aspect is the “are they or aren’t they?” kind of thing.

If you enjoy a historical novel with elements of mystery and fantasy, this is the book for you!

Accidentally Yes by S L Walders KU

Blurb

When Cassie inadvertently agrees to a trip away with a family friend, she’s thrown into an adventure she wasn’t seeking.

Cassie has been trying to distance herself from Ronnie, her childhood friend, for years. In a moment of distraction, Cassie agrees to something she wasn’t

listening to, and ends up on a whirlwind adventure with Ronnie in the Australian Outback. Throw in a broken down car, cyclone and a sexy Jackaroo named

Brock, Cassie’s accidental yes turns into the trip of a lifetime.

Review

This book was really enjoyable. I hope that lifetime makes it into a movie someday. So, the book is told in the prospective of Cassie, a woman who is unsure of herself. That’s because her best friend Ronnie spends all of her time cutting Cassie down. In addition to being negative, Ronnie loves being the center of attention and talks a mile a minute. In truth, at times I found myself laughing out loud. Other characters’ reaction to Ronnie was just that amusing.

The two English women find themselves taking a gape year in Australia. While Cassie is hard working, Ronnie is lazy and spends most of her time doing her nails. Cassie’s best friend unfortunately has no common sense, and doesn’t think before she acts. That quality forces Cassie to protect her. Don’t worry, Cassie does meet a hot guy named Brock. He’s supportive and builds Cassie up. He also doesn’t hide his disdain for Ronnie. Cassie and Brock have magical chemistry and Ronny obviously get’s jealous of that fact. But don’t you worry, Brock and Cassie have plenty of alone time. The author does a wonderful time displaying both healthy and unhealthy relationships. And I love when Ronnie’s motives are finally revealed.

If you enjoy a heart felt romance with a kind hearted woman and the supportive guy that loves her, this is the book for you!

Second Chances: A Friends to Lovers Celebrity Romance (Love on Set Book 1) by Alice Reed KU

Blurb

For those who believe lightning can strike twice …

Girl-next-door turned party girl Emelia Young has spent the last five years cultivating an illustrious acting career in LA. But, when fate pulls her back to her hometown of Sydney, she finds the eyes of the world are on her, and this time for all the wrong reasons.

In the midst of a chaotic scandal, Emelia meets the eye of the last person she expected to see: her high school sweetheart, Liam Miller. When the whole world turns dark, Emelia finds light again in the boy she loved all those years ago.

But things have changed. No longer the heart-drawing sixteen-year-old Liam used to know, fame, money and notoriety have changed Emelia, leaving them both unsure of where they stand.

When chance leads them into close proximity, Emelia finds there’s something even more terrifying than having the whole world hate you: developing feelings for someone who she could actually fall for.

Hearts will be set racing in this fast paced second chance romance set on the sunny and romantic Bondi Beach. Do they have it in their hearts to take another shot at love?

Review

What a heartwarming read!

After reading this book my first thought was, “I wish I could date someone like Liam.” This book was different, since the male lead wasn’t some dark character who was rude and aggressive. Liam was all sunshine. I felt like his personality balanced out Emelia, who was more of the insecure reformed mean girl type.

Aside from the author’s impeccable skill with character development, the plot was interesting as well. Liam and Emelia were once lovers when they were teenagers. But then, Emelia broke it off, left Australia, and became a famous actress. Fast forward a few years, Emelia returned to Australia, her mission to confront a passed lover and secure a part in a new series. Then, Liam and Emelia were thrust together by scandal. The scandal was so surprising that I actually shouted, “No way!” while reading. To be honest, it took a bit for me to like Emelia. But by the end, I was rooting for Liam and Emelia to reconnect. Since Liam new the real Emelia, it helped me understand why he loved her.

If you’re looking for a book with love, betrayal, and scheming executives, this is the book for you!

US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

Aus Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PNMYRJZ

Rose (Suitors of Seattle Book 1) By Kirsten Osbourne PF

Blurb

Rose is the first book in a highly anticipated new series Suitors of Seattle, following the adventures of eight Western daughters ready to benefit from

the matchmaking skills of her new Aunt Harriett, whom readers will recognize from the best selling Brides of Beckham series.

Pampered socialite Rose is used to men falling at her feet. But her match with handsome Dr. Shawn Henry leaves her feeling less than adored. Has Rose fallen

in love with a man who can’t love her back?

Want more matchmaking madness? Check out the Brides of Beckham.

Review

I think I’ve read this book 20 times already! It’s one of those stories that you never get sick of. It’s an interesting spin of the “unrequited love” theme. Rose is not only pampered but a bit self-obsessed. She have had dozens of suitors, who has declared their undying love for her. So naturally, when she meats Doctor Shawn Henry, who’s also a bit full of himself, she is sure that he loves her.

What I find most entertaining about this read is that the author does a fabulous job switching between perspectives. On one hand, you have Rose, misinterpreting the gestures that Doctor Shawn, who acts as if the courting process is tedious. Rose, doesn’t find out that the dentist doesn’t love her until after they make love on their wedding night, which serves as a bucket of ice water dumped onto the character.

What I love about this book is that there is more to Rose. Through out the story, she shows a compassionate, that many are surprised to see. She volunteers in a battered women shelter and helps two of her siblings with their own love stories. She finally gets to know Doctor Shawn, who in turn sees that Rose is truly a gem. She doesn’t have to change as a person, though, I feel like Rose does mature through the book.

If you’re looking for a historical romance that has flawed but lovable characters, this is the book for you!

https://books.apple.com/us/book/rose/id657179651

Loving Eliza (South Dakota Series #1) by Ruth Ann. Nordin PF

Blurb

Eliza left her life of prostitution to become something she could never be back in Omaha: a lady. Her plan is to remain single for the rest of her life,

but when she arrives in South Dakota, she runs into John Evans. And he’s not about to let her remain single if he has anything to do about it.

As soon as John sees Eliza, he falls in love with her. Not only is Eliza the most beautiful young lady he’s ever seen, but she isn’t put off by the fact

that he’s mute. Since his mail-order bride didn’t come, then he sees no reason why he can’t marry Eliza and make a home with her.

Eliza, however, knows very well why they can’t be together. She used to be a prostitute. John is a sweet man who’s never even kissed a woman. He deserves

a virgin who can give him her innocence and a future with children. Eliza can do neither one for him. But while she insists he waits to see if his mail-order

bride is coming after all, she is taken in with his sweetness and charm until she’s torn between doing what is best for him and what her selfish heart

wants.

*This is the first book in the South Dakota Series.

Book 1: Loving Eliza

Book 2: Bid for a Bride

Book 3: Bride of Second Chances

Review

What a read! The book begins with the arrival of Eliza, a former prostitute who is looking for a fresh start. She arrives in town to clean houses for a middle-aged woman, but is intercepted by John, a mute man who mistakes Eliza for his mail order bride. He sticks to Eliza like glue, because he already knows that Eliza’s employer had suffered a deadly fall down the stairs. In a typical historical romance, the heroine would then be forced to marry someone. Nope, Eliza is under the impression that her sorted past makes her unfit to be a bride. So, she agrees to work for John instead of being his bride.

Although the story is romantic, sensitive subjects are touched upon, but are not enacted in scenes. John also deals with a disability that is misunderstood by many. Because he is mute, many of the towns people, including his brother Troy, think that it translates into him being stupid. The fact that Eliza is able to see John for who he really is, makes this story have a special place in my heart. It’s nice that in return, John is able to love Eliza for the wonderful person that she is.

There are twists, turns, and moments that made me laugh out loud. I’d recommend this read to anyone looking for a story that has love, spice, and interesting side characters.

https://books.apple.com/us/book/loving-eliza/id380446423

A Chance for Charity (The Immortal ones #1) By S.L. Baum PF

Blurb

A new family has just arrived in the isolated mountain town of Telluride, Colorado. Welcome the Johnstons – Jason (a doctor), Rachel (a designer), and their niece Emily (a current High School Senior).

Emily has lived the life of a quiet loner in the past, trying to go unnoticed. But with Telluride being such a small and welcoming town, she finds a group of friends at school almost immediately. When Emily meets Link (another new transplant in town) her world turns upside down. She doesn’t understand why she feels a magnetic pull toward him, or why she unknowingly lets her guard down around him. Link is just as confused by his own need to be with her.

Emily knows she is playing with fire. She should be doing whatever she can to keep herself isolated, to keep Link from getting too close. Danger has a way of finding Emily’s family – that is what keeps them on the move. They arrive in a new town every few years – it is safer that way.

Because… Emily isn’t really Emily… her real name is Charity – and Charity has an even bigger secret. Charity and her family are not like other people, they have “skills” that mere mortals cannot begin to comprehend.

Before long, Charity is struggling with the reality that her two lives are coming closer to each other with each passing day. Soon Link will find himself wrapped in a supernatural world that he never knew existed – and discover that mortals are not the only beings that walk this earth.

Review

What a refreshing book! Anyone that knows me, won’t find this surprising, but I’m all about the sweet paranormal romances. In fact, I can get lost in those feel good novels for hours. This read was no different.

So, the novel begins with Emily, whose real name is, Charity. And, yes, she’s the one that is a part of the supernatural world. She has decided to stick with her friends, who pose as her aunt and uncle. They travel every few years in order to stay undetected by hunters, and suspicious humans. Of course, she meets Link, who is completely human and unaware of the supernatural. Link is in his early twenties, and Charity is posing as a 17-year-old, don’t worry she’s actually much older. In fact, Charity has a heart-breaking past and by the end of the novel, an unknown aspect of her history will be revealed.

Charity is transformed by the relationships she makes, both romantic and platonic. I have to mention that Charity and Link’s chemistry is lovely, beautiful and makes me nostalgic. I don’t want to give away too much, but I will mention some cool aspects of this book. The author incorporates witches, vampires, and shifters. Meanwhile, she also created a race of beings that have something in common with vampires. I also love how the author brought Telluride to life. She wrote in such a way that I felt like I was on the slopes with the lovebirds.

This book will appeal to anyone that enjoys a feel-good novel that has magic, hilarious side characters, love and awesome dialogue.

https://books.apple.com/us/book/a-chance-for-charity-the-immortal-ones/id443234490 https://www.amazon.com/Chance-Charity-Immortal-Ones-Book-ebook/dp/B003PPCTS8

Because of Hattie: A grippingly seductive story of love, lust and loss, with heartbreak and betrayal that will change the course of a young woman’s lifeForever. By Roxanna C. Revell KU

Blurb

Ava Swan’s life had always been simple – until she fell in love. Big love. Epic love. Epic sex… Love; a common, yet utterly complicated emotion that

brought her a happiness that she never thought possible – until it ripped her world apart.

Turning to the sanctuary of her parents at their home in the idyllic village of Clovelly; Ava starts to put the pieces of her life back together. Her life,

and that of the baby that she keeps hidden from her past.

New love arrives and Ava believes that she has truly moved on. Only, the past always has a way of catching up with you.

When Mark returns to Ava’s life, so to do the feelings that she buried deep inside, and when the new love she found, and the new life she created, is revealed

to have been built on lies; danger follows, along with a whole new level of pain and despair.

It’s enough to break you, but sometimes it can make you – and all of this, because of Hattie.

Review

This novel may be fiction, but it reads like a captivating memoir that is jammed packed with emotions. I know you’re thinking, who is Haddie? Simply put, she is a toxic best friend in sheep’s clothing. She is the kind of person that sneakily sucks the joy out of her friends lives. Ava is kind but too loyal in the beginning. She is sent running from the love of her life because Haddie and her accomplices manage to take everything from her. She has her baby Jacob in secret, and builds a relationship with someone else. I won’t tell you the outcome, but I’ll just say that the author has a talent for character development. Ava starts of as a kind person with little backbone and turns into a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself. Though, most of the story is told from Ava’s point of view, the author does include the point of view of a few of the supporting characters. I promise, there is steam, passion, heart break, loss, friendship, supportive family, and so much more in this novel. If you enjoy a romance that is filled with drama, love, and the highs and lows of a mother trying to put her heart back together, this is the book for you!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088ZWQ8PZ?ref_=d6k_applink_bb_marketplace

Korrigan (Secrets Of The Fae #1) By Rebecca F. Kenney KU

Blurb

A girl at night, a caged monster during the day. Aislinn has lived in darkness as long as she can remember. She is Korrigan— and only by Life-Stealing can she keep her human shape from dawn to dusk. When she finally steps into the sunlight, the first person she sees is Zane. He’s everything she wants— handsome, sweet, and normal.
But an encounter with the Far Darrig, the malevolent trickster of Old Irish myth, changes Aislinn’s future. He opens a new realm of possibilities that are anything but normal— and with them, brings dreams and desires as dangerous as he is.
Above all, Aislinn craves choice— the right to decide her own path. But what if gaining power for herself means giving up something much more precious?

Review

Wow! I finished this book in one day. I am hooked and can’t wait to read the next book in this series. So this young adult book focuses on Aislinn, who is a 17-year-old girl who lives with five shady, uncaring guardians. All of the Korrigan are cursed, forced to pay a price, in order to go out in the day. I won’t spoil that part, since that will ruin some of the book. But let me just say, the curse on the Korrigan is truly horrible. So, once Aislinn is able to walk around in the day, she meets Zane, a handsome guy who is sweet, kind, and good. Of course her guardians aren’t thrilled with her making friends with humans. In fact, most of the women that Aislinn lives with, treats her like she is a bother. She is often times controlled and ridiculed. Aislinn also has nasty nightmares and is being harassed by the fae. When you find out the real reason why Aislinn and her guardians were cursed, you’ll be shocked. There is sort of a confusing love triangle that goes on. I like how it’s resolved in the first book. Aislinn also has to decide if she will walk down the path of good or evil. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys an all-consuming paranormal romance about the fae.

Gnotret (The Accidental Heroes Chronicles #1) by S.E. Cyborski

Blurb

While he doesn’t like the sound of the experimental drug trial his girlfriend Amy Veksler found a flyer for on campus, George Ormond still lets himself be persuaded to join it. He, Amy, and three other students go to a warehouse where Doctor Adam Carnesby, the biology professor who’s running the study, has everything set up for the month long trial. Everything seems to be going well even though all five of the students become sick for a week after their first injections. At the start of the second week, they all recover, feeling better than ever. Then, they start to discover that there were more side effects to the drug than just a cold.

Review

Attention to all of the super hero lovers in the world, this is the read for you! During this pandemic, I’ve tried to find books that can bring me to another location. This author does a great job of making the reader feel like the characters are all real people. Everyone has their clear traits, and friendships have been made. George is what a guy would call “whipped.” But I feel that he would do anything to keep his hot girlfriend. Amy is outgoing, but through no fault of her own, becomes annoying after the trials begin. Then, we have my favorite character, Billy, who is smart, quiet, and powerful in his own way. Sandra is ambitious, while Michael is the party boy. The plot is that kind of plot that is safe enough that you don’t need tissues, but unpredictable in the way that digging into a box of chocolates is. I did not see the end coming. I mean, I thought that this would be like most super hero books. But guys be warned, this book doesn’t follow all of the same plot lines as every other book. I think anyone looking for a fast pace read will enjoy it.