Review of It Takes Two to Tangle

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE may be purchased here.

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE
Theresa Romain

Henry Middlebrook has returned to London after fighting Napoleon and losing the use of his right arm. Henry's brother and sister-in-law are worried about him and decide to help him find a wife.  Caroline, the widowed Countess of Stratton, a favorite of the ton, seems a likely candidate.  When Henry meets Caroline, he decides to try and woo her, but she is surrounded by admirers.  Because of this, Henry seeks help from Caroline's companion, Francis Whittier.

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE is an enjoyable Regency romance with complex characters, but something of a lull in pacing during the middle of the book.  Henry has to adapt to his new reality and try to fit back into society after the horrors of war.  Although, at first, Henry sets his sights on Caroline, he soon finds himself drawn to Francis.  Francis is an intelligent woman with lots of spunk, and she is just the remedy, that Henry needs to overcome some of his obstacles.

All in all, IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE is an entertaining book with a lovely couple, which I recommend.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.

Review of How to Date a Dragon

HOW TO DATE A DRAGON may be purchased here.

HOW TO DATE A DRAGON
Ashlyn Chase

When Bliss Russo's apartment catches fire, she is rescued by hunky fireman and dragon shifter, Drake Cameron.  Drake is the last of his clan, and he is searching for another dragon shifter, so he can have children.  Unfortunately, Drake can't get Bliss out of his head, and to be with her, he will have to let his dream of children go.

HOW TO DATE A DRAGON is an amusing paranormal romance, filled with quirky characters.  Bliss is a determined, focused heroine, who doesn't back down from anything or anyone.  Bliss makes a great match for a dragon shifter, who has a rather complicated life.  Drake is something of a laid back hero, who is charming and protective.  The secondary characters are entertaining, especially Mother Nature.

All in all, HOW TO DATE A DRAGON is an nice read with some humorous scenes.  I recommend this book for someone looking for an, amusing, quick read.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.

Review of Gabriel

GABRIEL may be purchased here.

GABRIEL

Grace Burrowes

Gabriel Wendover returns to his home after a two year absence, during which he was declared dead and his title and holdings reverted to his brother.  Since Gabriel's brother, the new Marquess of Hesketh, has fought many duels and appears to be something of a reprobate, Gabriel decides that he most come out of hiding to set the Marquessate to rights.  Gabriel will, also, need to discover, who has been trying to kill him before he settles down to his rightful position.  Meanwhile, Polonaise "Polly" Hunt, the former cook at Gabriel's last position as a land manager at a crumbling estate, has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Gabriel's brother and sister-in-law.  While Gabriel was in hiding, he pretended to be an untitled man and grew close to Polly.  Thinking he has left Polly behind and out of danger, Gabriel is surprised to find Polly in his house.

I have really been enjoying the Lonely Lords series, and GABRIEL doesn't disappoint.  I became very invested in all the characters lives and enjoyed the primary romance, as well as, a great secondary romance.  Gabriel is a great hero, who has something of a disability with a bad back, but he doesn't let that stop him and soldiers on in trying to help his family and his love, Polly.  Polly has secrets, which she thinks will keep her from ever becoming a marchioness, and she is willing to sacrifice for those she loves.  The mystery of who is trying to kill Gabriel is resolved in an unexpected way, and I will be looking forward to the next book in this series.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.

Review of My Own Mr. Darcy

MY OWN MR. DARCY may be purchased here.

MY OWN MR. DARCY

Karey White

After Elizabeth Barrett watches the PRIDE AND PREJUDICE movie starring Matthew Macfadyen, she falls for Mr. Darcy and decides not to settle for anything less than her own Mr. Darcy.  As a consequence of this, Elizabeth hasn't gone out on a date with anyone more than once or twice.  Then her roommate gets her to agree to go on ten dates with the next man, who asks her out.  The next man, who asks her out is Chad, a nice science teacher and swim coach.  Later, Elizabeth meets Matt Dawson, who looks like Mr. Darcy and seems to act like Mr. Darcy.  

Since PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is my favorite book, I enjoy reading sequels, reimaginings, and everything else dealing with it.  MY OWN MR. DARCY is a delightful read with a quirky, determined heroine, with whom I can identify with.  What lover of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE hasn't wished for her own Mr. Darcy?   Chad is a great guy, who is very kind and resilient.  While Matt has some similarities to Mr. Darcy, he, also, has some negative character traits.  Even so, I felt a little sorry for Matt, in the end.  This book reminded me of the Garth Brooks' song "Unanswered Prayers".

All in all, MY OWN MR. DARCY is an enjoyable read, which I recommend.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review. 

Review of Love on a Midsummer Night

LOVE ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT may be purchased here.

LOVE ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT

Christy English

Arabella Darlington, the widowed Duchess of Hawthorn, finds herself in a bad situation, when her dead husband's nephew, the new Duke of Hawthorn, tries to force her to marry him, so that he can have her dower portion and use her for his lecherous intentions.  Horrified, Arabella flees to seek aid from the only man that she has ever loved, Raymond Olivier, the Earl of Pembroke.  The couple flee to the country to escape the powerful new Duke of Hawthorn and his nefarious intentions.

LOVE ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT has a heroine, whom I didn't much care for, but it has a wonderful hero.  Arabella has known only abuse from men, except for her one true love, Raymond.  While I can understand her reticence to marry again, considering the time period, she needs someone's protection from the Duke of Hawthorn.  Her schemes to escape the Duke seem rather ill thought out, because such a powerful man would probably find her.  Raymond, on the other hand, is stalwart and determined to protect Arabella, even when he thinks she has betrayed him.  Raymond is steadfast in his desire to marry and protect her and will do most anything to that end.

All in all, LOVE ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT is a nice Regency romance with a sigh-worthy hero but a heroine, who struck me as a little tedious.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.

Review of What the Bride Wore

WHAT THE BRIDE WORE may be purchased here.

WHAT THE BRIDE WORE

Jade Lee

Grant Benton, the Earl of Crowle, has been working in trade, in order to restore the lands, which his father lost.  Because he is responsible for some of the problems his family faces, Grant has no contact with his family, while he works to restore the family fortunes.  Grant calls himself Mr. Grant and takes on the persona of a tradesman.  Grant meets Lady Irene Knopp, buyer for a dress shop, when he makes the last transaction for his needed money.  Unfortunately, Grant learns, because of the many improvements that have been made to the land, he can't afford it.  Disappointed, Grant decides to return to his aristocratic life and he meets Irene, whom he can't stop thinking about.  When Grant and Irene are attacked, Grant makes it his purpose to investigate the attack and protect Irene.

WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a very entertaining historical romance with wonderfully eccentric characters and a nice mystery.  Ms. Lee has a way with words, and I found myself enthralled from the very beginning.  Grant is not the ordinary hero, but this reader couldn't help rooting for him.  Grant has been fighting the voice in his head, which he calls his "madness" for a very long time and has worked himself to the bone for five long years, only to have the rug pulled out from under him.  Luckily, Grant finds a new purpose in helping Irene, which helps keep him from his former dissolute ways.  Grant isn't a perfect hero, but his foibles make him all the more lovable.  Irene is a widow, who fell into a decline when her husband died.  It is only after she is offered the position as purchaser, that she snaps out of her stupor.  Irene is hesitant about giving her heart, and she refuses to stop working, because it gives her a sense of purpose.  Irene doubts, that Grant and she can be married, because of societal expectations.  There are some great secondary characters, as well.  I particularly liked Mr. Morrison, a Bow Street Runner, who is a brilliant detective, but whose social graces could use some work.  

All in all, WHAT THE BRIDE WORE is a keeper for me, which I highly recommend.  I will be reading Ms. Lee's backlist and looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.