Saturday, December 2, 2017

Rescued By A Duke - a short Christmas story and giveaway



Once again, Ramblings From This Chick has kindly invited me to visit her blog for the yearly Historical Christmas Event. This year, my story features a young woman about to be rescued by a very handsome duke.

Arabella Starling is a practical girl. She sees no point in going ice skating whatsoever. But when her friend convinces her to do it as a favor, she reluctantly agrees – a decision that will not only lead to an accident, severe embarrassment and an inconvenient bout of influenza, but also to an unexpected proposal from the duke she adores.

To read this heart-warming holiday romance and to enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Christmas At Thorncliff Manor, click HERE International participants are welcome but will be awarded with a $10 Amazon gift card instead.

Once you've read my story, check out the others! Anna Harrington posted one yesterday (Once Upon A Frost Fair), which introduces the hero and heroine from her upcoming March release, As The Devil Dares, and there are lots more stories to come - one author and giveaway per day leading up to Christmas! So hop on over and join the fun, post a comment or simply enter the giveaway, and have a lovely holiday season!



Saturday, November 25, 2017

A Duke In Shining Armor by Loretta Chase



This is probably the funniest book I have ever read! The descriptions were marvelous, the dialogue hilarious and the romance one of those that just ends up working against all odds.

Bookish wallflower, Lady Olympia Hightower is supposed to marry a gorgeous duke. To everyone's shock and amazement, he has proposed and she is now decked out in her wedding finery and ready to attend the service. It is the right thing to do in order to ensure her family's financial security. She knows this. And yet instead of going to join her groom, she makes her escape through an open window after getting herself thoroughly foxed.

Hugh Philemon Ancaster, Seventh Duke of Ripley, is one of the three dukes the ton has dubbed 'Their Dis-Graces'. Miraculously, his best friend, who happens to share this moniker, has managed to get himself engaged to a respectable young lady, and has charged Ripley with ensuring that the marriage goes off without a hitch. This of course becomes a bit problematic when the bride enlists Ripley's help in climbing over the garden wall and even more so when he begins to develop feelings for a woman he knows he can never have.

Full of humor from beginning to end, this story is sure to delight. Impossible to put down, Loretta Chase has crafted a tale filled with memorable characters and a romance that is bound to go straight to the reader's heart. 




Tuesday, November 21, 2017

New Release and Giveaway - The Duke Who Came To Town

This opposites attract historical romance novella is on sale today! To celebrate, I am giving away an ebook copy of The Duke Who Came To Town, a Sophie Barnes tote, a Christmas At Thorncliff Manor bookmark, a personalized Christmas card calendar and a Taste Of Home Christmas recipe book. For a chance to win, scroll down and fill out the promosimple form below.



Amazon - B&N - Kobo - iTunes

Friday, November 17, 2017

The Earl Who Loved Her Giveaway

Celebrating The Earl Who Loved Her, I'm giving away an ebook, tote, Christmas recipe book and other goodies. For a chance to win, just click on the link below.




Tuesday, November 7, 2017

How to plot your romance



Now that you have an idea for your story, it's time to turn it into a manuscript. Because guess what: you cannot sell an idea to an editor - unless you're really famous and your book is going to sell millions of copies while you sleep.
Gathering your thoughts into a coherent plot that grabs reader interest and keeps it for 300+ pages, is no simple task, but if you have a pen and some paper handy, it can be accomplished.
Here's how I do it, and I'm not saying this is the best way or the only way. It's just one way - the one I'm going to show you.

First, before I start plotting, I decide how many words I'm going to write in total. My full length novels range from 90,000 to a little under 100,000 words on average. So let's say I'm going to write 94,000 words and I want to do it in two months (eight weeks discounting weekends = 8x5 = 40 days of writing. So, 94,000 divided by 40 = 2,350 words per day. I bet you were wondering when you would get to use those excellent math skills of yours - right :)

Now that I know how much I HAVE to write per day (I usually write more - somewhere closer to 3,000) and how long it will take me to complete my first draft, I start plotting. Generally, my chapters are roughly three thousand words long, so 94,000/3,000 = 31.33... So let's say the book will contain 32 two chapters for the purpose of plotting.

Part 1 - Jot down the key characters. These are:

The hero

The heroine

The villain (if there is one)

Part 2 - Make sure you know who these characters are! Understanding them and giving them depth will go a long way toward getting your reader to care about them as much as you do.

Part 3 - Jot down the key plot elements. These are:

The problem the protagonist faces

The protagonists first attempt at solving this problem

Further complications of the problem

The protagonist's second attempt at solving the problem and additional failure

Worsening of the problem

Dark night of the soul - the part where all hope seems lost

The brilliant moment when the protagonist rallies, overcomes the obstacle and wins

Part 4 - Grab some paper and jot down the numbers 1-32. Next to each of these numbers, write a paragraph outlining each corresponding chapter, distributing the above mentioned elements throughout and adding hooks. This will make you think more clearly about each aspect of your book and whether or not it will make sense or leave you stranded in a corner you can't write your way out of. Remember - and this is based on experience - the more action a chapter outline contains, the easier it will be for you to spend 3,000 + words on it. By that I mean, jotting down - hero meets heroine in the park - doesn't really involve much writing unless they have a specific reason for meeting there, something interesting to discuss that pushes the plot forward and maybe additional information to reveal to the reader.

Overall, this plotting process takes me a few days because there are always problems that have to be muddled through, but if it's done well/thoroughly, it helps me stay on track and avoid having to re-write too much of the book later on.
Any questions? Let me know in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer them in a timely fashion. Thanks and good luck with your plotting!

Release Day Giveaway - win a Georg Jensen advent candle and more



The Governess Who Captured His Heart is on sale today for only $0.99! This is a fun Regency road trip romance featuring a governess and the heir to a dukedom. Both will discovered that neither is what the other expected and that a week long carriage ride can lead to so much more than a mere destination. 


Temptations or Priorities…?

Determined to help her oldest sister make ends meet, Louise Potter accepts a governess position in the northern part of England. If this means accompanying an older gentleman on his travels, then she will. There’s only one problem: Louise is about to discover that her travelling companion is not the elderly man she expected, but rather seduction itself… 

Alistair Langley has no desire to share his carriage with his niece’s newly hired employee. But the matron he expected to find at his door is instead a beautiful young woman, one he knows he can’t travel alone with. After all, he’s going to visit his brother who is pressuring him to marry and produce a Langley heir—or be cut off from inheritance. When he confides in Louise, together they form a plan. But the closer they become, the more temptation beckons… 
Until finally a choice must be made: Love or money? Or is it possible to have both?






To celebrate this new release, I am giving away a grand prize to one lucky winner. You can enter the contest below.


Monday, October 30, 2017

Five easy steps to becoming a published author



If you're reading this post it's most likely because you hope to write a book one day. Maybe you have a story in mind or maybe getting published is item number 3 on your bucket list. That's how it started for me. Writing a book and getting it published was just something I wanted to do at some point. Never in my life did I imagine making a career of it, yet here I am, twenty plus years and a whole different career path later, writing for one of the biggest publishing houses in the world. Is it hard work? You bet. You cannot become an author without putting in the necessary time it takes, which is probably why a lot of people who dream of becoming authors, never do. But if your heart's in it, then the following steps should help you achieve your goal. At least, this is how I went about it, so here goes:

1. You've probably heard this before and it is in fact the most obvious part of becoming an author, and that is sitting down on a chair and actually writing. As Nora Roberts eloquently put it when The New Yorker questioned her about one rule of writing, "Ass in the chair." Do that, because even if you feel as though the words you're putting down are awful, they're better than no words at all :)

2. Set word count goals. I have been doing this since the very first book I wrote - the one that will never see the light of day because of how bad it is. Even if getting published might feel like a distant dream, it will remain so unless you finish a manuscript, which you will do if you decide to write a certain amount of words per day. In the beginning, I wrote about 1000 per day. I now get 3-4K down depending on what other things are happening in my life. We all have family, friends, obligations and possibly a day job or school, but unless you take your writing seriously and give it the time it deserves, no one else will and, more importantly, you probably won't get published.

3. Be determined. Decide that this is what you want to do and do it. Sounds simple, right? It actually is. Even if you don't land a contract with a big publisher, there are so many other options today. Just look at how many authors are self-publishing with great success. And remember, the more you write and the more you publish, the greater your chances of one day grabbing the attention of a big deal editor, if that is what you dream of doing.

4. Get used to criticism. I have never been criticized as much by people I don't even know as I have been over the last five years since I published my first book. The moment you put your thoughts out into the world, even if they are in the form of fiction, they will be judged. The important thing, is to avoid getting hurt or offended, but to use this feedback in a positive way. Because maybe there is some truth to what some disappointed reader out there had to say. Maybe your book was filled with anachronisms or other inaccuracies, or maybe the characters lacked depth or your plot was boring. Whatever the case, being made aware of your shortcomings as a writer (even if you choose to disagree) will help improve your future books and ensure that the next reviews you get are better. So don't sweat it and don't worry. Every author I know has received negative reviews. Because guess what? You cannot please everyone. It's literally impossible.

5. Read. Read as much as you can and then read some more. Pay attention to what makes a book memorable. Why are the characters so interesting? Why is it impossible for you to put down? How does that first paragraph grab you and draw you into the story? There's a lot of extra reading on this out there in the cyber universe, but the best books are usually the ones that elicit an emotional reaction in the reader. They have to relate and they have to care until they've read the last page. It isn't easy, but it can be done. As long as you go back to rule number one of this list and sit down and start writing.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Wilde In Love by Eloisa James



What a stellar beginning to a new series! The characters were well written (the hero utterly swoon-worthy) and the plot so intriguing I could not put this book down after picking it up. Fun and incredibly well-written, this story really showcases Eloisa James' skill as an author.

Lord Alaric Wilde returns home after years abroad to discover that he has become the most famous and desirable man in England. Women flock to his side, prints of him have become collectibles and the trendiest play in town is the one depicting his time in Africa. Horrified, Alaric seeks refuge in his father's castle. There he discovers that escaping celebrity is much more difficult than he expected and that the only woman he wants has no interest in him whatsoever.

Willa Ffynche enjoys her books and her privacy. She is an intellectual whose indifference toward Alaric's return could not be made more plain. Since her parents died in a carriage race years earlier, she has determined to steer clear of a reckless lifestyle. Instead she hopes to one day marry a man with whom she can enjoy a quiet and peaceful existence without the sort of adventurous behavior Alaric is so renowned for. But as she gradually gets to know him better, she begins to discover that there might be more to him than she initially thought and that resisting him will not be as easy as she had expected.

Filled with witty dialogue and an wonderful journey toward a well-deserved happily ever after, this book stands out - a definite must-read for any historical romance enthusiast!



Monday, October 9, 2017

On Sale for only $1.99 - A Most Unlikely Duke

Take advantage of this offer while it lasts and save 67%!
Grab the ebook copy of A Most Unlikely Duke on Amazon and B&N for only $1.99 while you can!

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Douglas by Grace Burrowes



This is the first Lonely Lords book I've read and there's no doubt I'm going to grab the rest in this series. Grace Burrowes is an excellent author who stays true to the period in which she writes through wonderful usage of time-appropriate language and dialogue. If you really want to feel as though you've been swept away to the past, then this is the romance author for you!

Douglas Allen, Viscount Amery, has recently suffered the loss of his brothers, both of whom helped squander the rest of the family fortune. Determined to make a go at turning his situation around, he decides to seek advice in property management from a woman who comes highly recommended through a distant relation. But the lady in question is not at all ready to lend her assistance. She is standoffish and would rather show him the door than travel with Douglas to the property he needs help with. Cracking her prickly facade and securing her expertise will require cart-loads of charm, honesty and kindness on his part.

The cruelty Guinevere Hollister suffered years ago at the hands of a man still haunts her. It crushed her sense of self-worth and resulted in her seclusion from society. Since then, she has been taking care of one of her cousin's estates where she lives in blissful privacy with her daughter. The last thing she needs is a viscount intent on spending great lengths of time in her company. She especially has no desire to spirit away with him to some run-down manor where he might presume to take certain liberties. But as he convinces her that she isn't really living, but hiding, and because she owes him a favor, she eventually agrees to put her mistrust aside and accept his proposal.

I truly loved this story. The characters were compelling and lovable, the comic relief featuring dialogue between Gwen's cousins, thoroughly entertaining. A great read that I would highly recommend!




Enter to win an ARC of Christmas At Thorncliff Manor

WIN an advance reader ebook copy of the book RT Magazine describes as "the perfect complement of adventure and romance."



Saturday, September 9, 2017

Christmas At Thorncliff Manor - The Adventure Continues

Yes, this is really happening! The conclusion to Secrets At Thorncliff Manor is now available for pre-order in ebook format (print coming December 5th). I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting this book so it's great to be able to make this happen. For more info, please visit my website at www.sophiebarnes.com


More than love is in the air …
Join the Heartly family as they return to Thorncliff Manor for the holiday season where four sisters and four very handsome, very eligible bachelors, are about to enjoy a lively Christmastime filled with laughter and love. But aside from the covert matchmaking undertaken by the eccentric hostess, Lady Duncaster, the thrill of adventure is sweeping through the estate. Soon, all the guests will be entangled in a treasure hunt for a lost heirloom and secrets hidden for decades will rise to the surface as matters of the heart are finally revealed.
Will Fiona ever see the Earl of Chadwick as more than a friend? Will Emily find an unlikely love in the Marquess of Montsmouth? Can Laura recognize the man of her dreams in the Duke of Lamont? And is Viscount Belgrave able to open Rachel’s eyes to romance? The magic of Thorncliff is about to offer the last unmarried Heartly sisters a chance at their own happily-ever-afters. So sit back with a warm mug of cocoa and lose yourself in a Regency Christmas Romance…

Pre-Order Today!






Monday, September 4, 2017

Enter to win 3 novellas and a $10 Amazon gift card

A Daring Arrangement by Joanna Shupe



What a fantastic start to a new series!

This is the first Gilded Age romance I've ever read and I have to say, I wish there were more! Especially if they're this well written. A Daring Arrangement starts off with a bang, making the reader eager to know where this thrilling ride of a novel will take them.

Lady Honora Parker (Nora) has been shipped off to New York by her father after deliberately getting caught in a compromising position with the man she wants to marry - a struggling artist named Robert. But when her plan fails to result in the special license she'd hoped for, another plan must be devised. What better way to encourage her father to fetch her home to England and to Robert, than to form an attachment with the most scandalous man in New York?

Enter Julius Hatcher...

Julius is at first amused by the prospect of escorting Nora around Town. Certainly, she's easy on the eyes, but if there's one thing this bachelor investor will never do, it is marry. But when Nora assures him their "engagement" will never lead to that because she in fact hopes to marry someone else, he considers her proposal more seriously. After all, there could be benefits. Her title will certainly grant him access to places he's otherwise been denied, allowing him the chance to pursue a long-sought vengeance. 

The only problem is, that the more these two spend in each other's company, the closer they become and the more difficult it will be to leave emotion out of this daring arrangement.

Spectacularly written with all the glamour and glitz of New York's Gilded Age, this book is one you won't want to miss!




Friday, August 25, 2017

The Honorable Scoundrels - Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Only $0.99 each!

As you may know I've been toying with the idea of self-publishing for a while now and after a lot of hard work, my first self-published series is finally available for pre-order. I'm super excited about these three novellas where the impoverished Potter sisters are about to enjoy a bit of Christmas romance that will lead to some well-deserved happily-ever-afters :) I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them.




Temptations or Priorities…?
Determined to help her oldest sister make ends meet, Louise Potter accepts a governess position in the northern part of England. If this means accompanying an older gentleman on his travels, then she will. There’s only one problem: Louise is about to discover that her travelling companion is not the elderly man she expected, but rather seduction itself…   
Alistair Langley has no desire to share his carriage with his niece’s newly hired employee. But the matron he expected to find at his door is instead a beautiful young woman, one he knows he can’t travel alone with. After all, he’s going to visit his brother who is pressuring him to marry and produce a Langley heir—or be cut off from inheritance.  When he confides in Louise, together they form a plan. But the closer they become, the more temptation beckons…
Until finally a choice must be made: Love or money? Or is it possible to have both?



Amazon |  B&N | Kobo | iTunes



A chance meeting…
Eve Potter can hardly wait to arrive at Amberly Hall for the Christmas season! The hope is that she will make a match with an eligible gentleman. But as fate would have it, she misses the coach that is sent to collect her from her point of arrival, and starts out on foot…only to go in the wrong direction. Nearly frozen, she arrives at BlackHall, where she is invited inside and introduced to the master of the house, the Earl of Ravenworth. Eve is smitten, for he is beyond handsome, which makes him a temptation she must avoid. But can she…?
Bryce Harlowe lives as a recluse, shuned by Society and even his own family after being accused of a scandelous transgression. The young woman at his door cannot stay at Blackhall less her reputation be ruined. And yet, when the pesky winter climate leaves them snowed in together at Blackhall, Bryce and Eve grow closer, each discovering a mutual respect and longing for the other. Until Bryce’s past is revealed, threatening to rip apart their newfound love…

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She doesn’t want to be a kept woman…
Josephine Potter knows she must retain her employment to provide for her younger sisters and to maintain the house.  While a young woman working as an accountant – at a hotel no less – could be frowned upon by some, it’s still a respectable way to earn a living. No matter what a certain duke might think. Besides, Josephine has a few rules she lives by: Don’t rely on others, don’t accept money from someone you don’t know, and never allow a man to control your life. But when she is fired from her job, Josephine may have to bend a few rules…
Devon, the Duke of Snowdon, has never met a more bull-headed woman than Josephine Potter! The Potter sisters are granddaughters of a Viscount and should not have to work for a living. So despite Josephine’s arguments, Devon insists she end her employee status immediately and accept a stipend for her and her sisters. When she is then fired, she accuses him of meddling in her life…and things are about to heat up despite the cold winter weather. As they work together to figure out why Devon’s hotel is losing money, a mutual attraction that won’t be denied, grows between them.
But when rumors of impropriety abound, can Josephine’s reputation be saved…or will her life be destroyed by scandal?

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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Bliss by Lynsay Sands




This book was originally released in 2001 but this is the first time I've read it and I have to say that although I'm not a big fan of medieval romance, this one was such fun!

Lady Helen Tiernay and Lord Holden have never met and yet the pair can't stand each other. Helen knows Holden is a cruel and unforgiving beast of a man while he knows she's an impossible shrew. So when the king decides to put an end to their constant complaints about each other by demanding they marry, trouble ensues...

How creative can one woman be when trying to make her intended break off an engagement? The answer is very! From foul breath to lice infested bedding, Helen embarks on an all out attack. The fact that the man she's attacking is far more handsome and likable in person than she'd expected will not dissuade her. After all, she knows how he mistreats his people. Or does she?

Meanwhile, Holden is doing his best to stomach the drink and food he's being served while visiting Helen's home, not to mention the stench attached to his beautiful bride to be. Until he finds out that it's all a deliberate ploy to frighten him off and he decides to respond in kind.

If you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend that you do. There were several hilarious moments leading up to the tender ones that eventually lead to love between perfectly matched couple.




Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Cover of the month contest

If you love the cover for A Most Unlikely Duke, here's your chance to help it win the cover contest on allauthor.com All votes are hugely appreciated! Thank you so much for your help!!! AllAuthor

Cover of the Month

A Most Unlikely Duke: Diamonds in the Rough

My book has been nominated for Book Cover of the Month on AllAuthor.com. It would be greatly appreciated if you could take a moment to vote.

Vote Now »
Thank you for your support,
Sophie Barnes

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

The Scandal Of It All by Sophie Jordan




A passionate story of newfound desire

Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, has dedicated her life to raising and caring for her daughter and step-children. It is a duty she takes most seriously, especially since they are all that give her life meaning. A widow, she has convinced the world that her husband was a wonderful man, but the truth isn't nearly as dazzling as she likes to present it. Now, after a close friend's death and seeking to remind herself of the youth she squandered on an unappreciative man, Graciela visits a scandalous club - an outing that leads her directly into the arms of her stepson's best friend, Lord Strickland.

Colin is seven years younger than Graciela, but that has not prevented him from secretly wanting her since the first time he saw her. Over the years, he's tried to ignore his desire. After all, nothing could be more wrong than wanting not only a married woman, but his best friend's step-mother to boot. But when a chance encounter with her makes him her rescuer, the kiss that follows reminds him of the illicit yearnings he's tried so hard to bury. Shockingly, it also reveals that she might not be as immune to him as he would have thought, but rather ready to welcome an affair, if he can only convince her that risking scandal would be worth every delicious second.

Sophie Jordan's books are marvelous and The Scandal Of It All is no exception. It's the story of a woman's struggle to maintain her reputation and preserve her family's good opinion of her while she also longs to welcome the passion she's otherwise been denied. A wonderful story I'd definitely recommend.

Lady Be Bad by Megan Frampton



An entertaining story about self-discovery and daring to live life to the fullest.

Lady Eleanor's marital fate is sealed. She will wed Lord Carson, a perfectly amicable gentleman with whom she can expect a comfortable life. The union will save her family's reputation while giving Lord Carson the fortune he needs. It's the perfect marriage of convenience, crafted by the parents. Until Lady Eleanor stumbles into a devil-may-care scoundrel during a visit to a book shop, responding to him and the wicked book he's buying, in a way she's never responded to any man before. Which leads to a tricky situation when she discovers that the man in question is in fact her intended's brother.

Lord Alexander Raybourn loves his brother and wants nothing more than to see him happy. A disappointment to their father, Alexander knows no one expects much of him, least of all after he gambled away a large chunk of the family fortune in an effort to fix his father's poor business decisions. So when his very busy brother tasks him with spending more time with Lady Eleanor in his stead, he agrees, even though he knows it's a terrible idea. Because there can be no denying his attraction toward her - an attraction that only grows by leaps and bounds when he also agrees to help her live a little before facing the dutiful state of matrimony looming before her. 

This was a lovely story of two people torn between doing the 'right thing' and their own happiness. It's about taking a leap of faith, of risking it all for love and a chance at a better future than anyone could have predicted. Megan Frampton's writing is wonderfully witty and this new book in The Duke's Daughters series is definitely worth picking up.



Monday, July 3, 2017

Video reading of A Most Unlikely Duke

Want to get a feel for how the characters from A Most Unlikely Duke sound in my head? Here's me reading an excerpt from chapter two.





He never thought he'd become a duke, or that the secrets of his past would cost him his greatest love...

Raphe Matthews hasn’t stepped foot in polite circles since a tragedy left his once-noble family impoverished and in debt. The bare-knuckle boxer has spent the last fifteen years eking out an existence for himself and his two sisters. But when a stunning reversal of fortune lands Raphe the title of Duke of Huntley, he’s determined to make a go of becoming a proper lord, but he’ll need a little help, and his captivating neighbor might be just the woman for the job…

After her sister’s scandalous match, Lady Gabriella knows the ton’s eyes are on her. Agreeing to tutor the brutish new duke can only lead to ruin. Although she tries to control her irresistible attraction to Raphe, every day she spends with him only deepens her realization that this may be the one man she cannot do without. And as scandal threatens to envelop them both, she must decide if she can risk everything for love with a most unlikely duke.












Monday, June 26, 2017

A Most Unlikely Duke - Giveaways

There are three major giveaways happening online right now for A Most Unlikely Duke which releases tomorrow. Check them out for a chance to win print copies of this fresh spin on Pygmalion.

1.

Tasty Tours - 50+ bloggers are participating in this. Visit them for excerpts, reviews, interviews and to enter for a chance to win the print copy Avon Romance is giving away.
You can find the tour schedule and links HERE

2.

Come hang out with me on Facebook tomorrow, June 27th. There will be fun posts for you to participate in and 10 prizes up for grabs. The party will run from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm and is open internationally. Click HERE to join.

3. 

Friday, June 23, 2017

Love With A Scottish Outlaw by Gayle Callen



I don't read many highland novels so it's refreshing to do so from time to time, especially when the story is written by an author like Gayle Callen. She paints a vivid picture of setting, characters and the rough life people endured in 18th Century Scotland. I loved the earthiness of the story, devoid of lavish balls and expensive embellishments. This was real, the love that develops a struggle between trust and forgiveness.  

When Duncan Carlyle finds Catriona Duff wandering along a dirt road, he recognizes her as the daughter of his enemy. To his surprise, she claims to have no memory of who she is or anything else relating to her past. Taking her with him, Duncan uses this opportunity to seek revenge on her father. He wants the cruel laird involved in kidnapping children to know what it feels like to have his own daughter taken. But the situation is not as simple as Duncan believes - least of all when his attraction for Catriona begins to grow and he realizes how deeply he cares for her. Because he knows she will eventually discover his deception and that there bond will be broken the moment she does.

Catriona Duff quickly adjusts to her new situation, offering to help the women of Duncan's clan with the daily chores to show her appreciation for all they have done for her. And the more she gets to know Duncan himself, the more she starts wanting a life entirely different from the one she's left behind. He is her rescuer - or so she believes - a man who saves helpless children. How can she not love this brave man who's been nothing but kind toward her? The question is whether she will continue to love him  or not when she finds out how much he has lied.

A wonderful story, beautifully written and hard to put down once you get started.



Friday, June 16, 2017

The Day Of The Duchess by Sarah MacLean



An achingly beautiful story of heartache and sorrow and a love strong enough to overcome both.

When Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London after years in exile, it is to demand a divorce from her philandering husband, Malcolm Bevingstoke. She wants her freedom from him and from their destructive relationship so she can build a new life for herself - a life that cannot be hers as long as she is married. But conquering her emotions is harder than she imagined - most of all when she has to face the handsome duke. Because even though so much has changed between them, everything is still the same. There is no denying the attraction she feels for him when he is near or the love still trapped inside her heart.

The last place Malcolm expects to see Seraphina again after searching for her for years, is on the floor of parliament. But there she is, publicly demanding her freedom from him. Except in spite of her conviction that he wants nothing to do with her, Malcolm has never stopped loving her. He knows he made mistakes and that he hurt her, but letting her go is the last thing he's prepared to do. So he invites her to stay at his country estate. She believes she's there to help him find a new wife. But Malcolm has other plans. He intends to win her back by showing her how wrong she is to think he never cared.

What an incredible romance! Sarah MacLean delivers one of the greatest love stories ever written. The Day of the Duchess is wrought with pain and suffering until hope begins to bloom, carving a new path toward the future. A highly recommendable read for anyone looking to see how an unlikable man can become the most swoon-worthy hero. Brilliantly done!




Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Girl With The Make-believe Husband by Julia Quinn



A charming tale of good intentions gone awry and a love strong enough to span the Atlantic.

When word arrives that her brother, Thomas, has been injured in the Colonies, recently orphaned Cecilia Harcourt travels to Manhattan Island with the intention of nursing him back to health. But as it turns out, Thomas is missing in action, and the only person who might be able to help Cecilia, is his friend, Edward Rokesby. The only problem with this is that (a) nobody will let her see him because (b) he's unconscious, prompting her to (c) tell the doctor and his commanding officer that she is his wife.

When Edward finally wakes up in hospital, Cecilia's presence makes his amnesia a little more bearable. He already feels as though he knows her from all of the letters she's been sending her brother, some of which have included little notes for him. What he did not know, however, is that he and Cecilia - according to her - were married by proxy. Parts of her story don't quite add up, but on the other hand, why would she lie? 
As the days go by and they move in together, Edward becomes increasingly pleased with how things have turned out, while Cecilia grows increasingly concerned about how he'll react when the truth eventually comes to light.

This story has all the humor and wit that makes Julia Quinn's novels so entertaining and unforgettable. It is definitely on par with other Bridgerton favorites like, Romancing Mister Bridgerton and On The Way To The Wedding. Historical romance lovers will fall in love with this wonderfully romantic treat - a story that I would highly recommend diving into.