Season for Temptation by Theresa Romain

Sweet and unassuming romance
3 stars

Julia Herington is thrilled when her stepsister, Louisa, becomes engaged to a rich and handsome viscount. James, Viscount Matheson is witty, unconventional and perfect husband material. Julia only wishes she could find a man exactly like him - especially now she can’t have James herself.

James is torn. Louisa is all anyone would want in a wife - poised, elegant and intelligent. However, it’s headstrong, rash and quirky Julia that he can’t get out of his head. Engaged to one sister while in love with the other - what is a viscount to do?


From the start this book sets itself out as light and frothy. Julia is portrayed as a quirky and unconventional heroine while James is an honorable and likeable hero. Neither are offensive in any way but neither do they really stand out from the crowd. Their interactions are sweet but again not particularly memorable or overly romantic.

The same is true of the story. It plods along quite nicely with nothing startling or offensive happening. I couldn’t understand the motivations of the characters for behaving as they did (especially Louisa) and couldn’t help but want things to be wrapped up a little quicker than they ultimately were. As it was, it took almost two thirds of the story before James and Julia even kissed and there wasn’t even any sexual tension to tide things over before it got to that point.

There were an alarming amount of modern language and Americanisms throughout the whole story which is irritating in any period book and pulls you completely out of the story. I also spent an unusual amount of time trying to figure out how the main family were related. It didn’t matter to the story but I just couldn’t understand it all until it was explained about 20 pages from the end.

All in all this was a sweet story that I read through quite happily. I’ll probably not remember about it in a couple of days as, unfortunately, inoffensive and unassuming also means forgettable. 3 stars which is probably quite generous and not really a story I would go out of my way to recommend.

Too Wicked to Wed by Cara Elliott

Readable and pleasant romance
3 stars

Lady Alexa Hendrie has always felt out of place in the ton. She’s outspoken, independent and feels much more at home in the wilds of Yorkshire than in the glittering ballrooms of London society. But when she is forced to London by her reckless brother, she finds herself suddenly in the lair of the notorious Irish Wolfhound - Connor Linsley, Earl of Killingsworth.

A rake of the worst order, most ladies are rightfully fearful of Connor. All, that is, except Lady Alexa. One sinful kiss leads to another and soon the pair are on an adventure full of intrigue, lies and lust. But will one extraordinary lady really be able to tame the Irish Wolfhound and bring her the greatest love she’s ever known?

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This story shot off at a quick pace with the action of Alexa and Connor’s first meeting happening almost instantly and their first kiss not much later than that. That then set the standard for the story as for a long while that was as much as the plot amounted to - meeting and kissing, meeting and kissing, with different settings thrown in each time.

That aside, both Alexa and Connor were likeable enough characters although neither really stood out or really inspired me to care for them individually or as a couple. There were some secondary characters, Gryffin and Cameron - “The Hellhounds” whose books make up the second and third in The Lords of Midnight Trilogy - but they weren’t particularly inspiring either. I had assumed that the other couples mentioned in the book were from previous stories by Elliott but can find no mention of their stories anywhere. This confuses me as it felt like I was expected to know these stories and these characters while reading this book.

Despite what I said earlier regarding the plot, I had absolutely no trouble finishing this book and did so quickly enough. The writing was fine, if a little pretentious and flowery for my tastes on rather too many occasions. There were also Americanisms and incorrect usage of British English which were annoying but luckily didn’t happen too often to actually spoil the book. I didn’t find the love scenes overly sexy or sensual - only a day later I can barely remember them which says something.

Overall, this was a nice story but nothing more than that. It won’t be a story that I will remember but it’s not offensive and it’s worth a read if it’s on your shelf or in your Kindle. 3 stars.

A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

A fun and emotional romance
5 stars

Ten years ago, Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne, was left with nothing to his name except his title. Now a partner in London’s most notorious gaming hell, Michael is a cold and ruthless man who will stop at nothing to get his revenge - even marrying Lady Penelope Marbury - his childhood friend for her dowry.

Penelope was put firmly on the shelf when she was jilted and left for fortune hunters. She is determined to find adventure, passion and love. Luckily for her, Penelope dreams of finding all these things with her new husband, even if he’s no longer the fun loving man she remembers.

Bourne is determined to spare Penelope from the hard and unsavoury man he has become but he has no power to fight against the love that she will offer if he takes the greatest risk of all.

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Sarah MacLean has been an auto buy for me ever since I read the wonderful Nine Rules... This story doesn’t quite reach the same heights but I still loved it and definitely feel it’s deserving of 5 stars.

Michael is my favourite kind of hero - tortured, full of angst and feels undeserving of, while really in need of, the love of a good woman. I also just adored Penelope. She appeared briefly in Eleven Scandals... but this book starts a new series (the Rules of Scoundrels Quartet) so there’s no need to have read any books to understand and enjoy this one. Penelope was feisty and fun while also being quite vulnerable and naive at times. She was someone that I really rooted for from beginning to end.

The relationship between Michael and Penelope was filled with chemistry and passion. The letters that started off each chapter were a lovely addition and really built on the pair’s past relationship. It was also easy to see the pair growing and falling in love which was a treat to read and kept me turning the pages at all hours.

I’m looking forward to the other stories in the series and would recommend this book to you if you like a fun and interesting romance with great characters and good storytelling. 5 stars.

Lady Sophie's Midnight Seduction by Dorothy McFalls

A quickie erotic encounter
4 stars

Lady Sophie is a self avowed spinster and happy with her lot in life. But ever since her father’s death she has had to deal with his heir - Lord Benton Black who is determined to make her his wife.

Lord Benton-Black confuses and confounds Sophie but when he begins to haunt her dreams she realises she must confront him - and her true feelings.


This was a short story that I counted at around 35 pages long so will only take you about 20 minutes from beginning to end.

Despite its short length I decided I liked the main characters and their relationship with each other. This was an erotic story and while it was steamy - it really didn’t sizzle or heat up the pages overly much.

Having said that, the writing was fun (any book that features the word ‘zounds!’ gets points from me!) and I liked the characters, their interactions and the conclusion.

For a short, historical story that’s not too expensive, you can’t go wrong with this one. 4 stars.

Once Upon A Winter’s Eve by Tessa Dare

A fun and feisty Regency romp
5 stars

Violet Winterbottom is getting over heartbreak at Spindle Cove - a retreat/refuge for women tucked away from the prying eyes of the Ton. She’s quiet, sweet and intelligent - hardly the type to have men falling at her feet.

Until one night during the Spindle Cove Christmas ball when a dashing stranger does just that. He’s dirty, soaked, bleeding and speaking in a language only Violet understands. A sensible girl would stay well clear. But Violet’s not as delicate as she looks and has just one night to find out his secrets that might lead her to the love, and adventure, of a lifetime.

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This novella is a short story that is part of Dare’s Spindle Cove series. This story follows A Night to Surrender and comes before A Week to be Wicked. I’ve not read either and found that this story was an intriguing insight into the series and didn’t need to be read in order to be understood.

The characters in this story were great. Violet was a quiet girl but didn’t fall into the cliche of being shy with it. She was feisty, honest and bold - I really liked her. Equally, the hero was everything I like in a leading man - brooding, mysterious and willing to sacrifice anything for the woman he loves. The pair had great chemistry and I really liked them as a couple.

This is an implausible, fun and feisty romp with characters I really enjoyed and an almost farcical, fast-paced storyline that was a delight from start to finish. It will only take you a little while to read, but the price is right and the story is a great way to spend an hour or so. If you’re a fan of Tessa Dare or just looking for a light and frothy tale to take your mind off things for a while then I would recommend this to you. 5 stars.

Love Letters by Lori Brighton

Two short Regency romances
3 stars

This book contains two short, unconnected stories where love letters play a part in bringing the hero and heroine together.


The Art of Seduction
All Clara Cameron wants to do is escape from the clutches of the horrible man her family are forcing her to wed. To do so she needs money which is how she finds herself agreeing to pose nude for artist, Brendan Evans - the man she once loved. Will Brendan recognise her and will their session lead to a happily ever after?

I liked the premise of this story although I wasn’t completely in love with Brendan. I suppose he wasn’t supposed to be your usual hero but he didn’t really capture me to any great degree. I liked Clara and admired her for trying to get away from her situation in life. The pair had good chemistry although I didn’t feel much spark during the love scenes. I also thought that there was a gaping plot hole when it was discovered that Brendan’s sister had been writing letters to him about Clara. Overall still a likeable and readable story.


Meant for Me
Cynthia Shaw is the poor relation living on the charity of her wicked aunt and cousin. She’s also the person that’s been replying to Gabriel Baston’s letters pretending to be her cousin - and his fiance. When the pair meet there are misunderstandings and mistaken identities - will Gabriel find out who he truly loves before it’s too late?

In this story the heroine was strong despite her difficult position in life and I liked her character and her spirit. Unfortunately the hero was a little bit of an idiot although I suppose I can’t blame him for being confused by all the machinations going on around him - I just wanted him to be a bit more aware! The story was cute but I have read a very similar story before which lessened my enjoyment somewhat.

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Overall these were a readable and likeable set of stories. There were a couple of glaring typographical errors which always irritate and annoy me but the writing was still good and the stories were finished quickly. I debated between 3 and 4 stars for these stories but, despite having enjoyed them, there just wasn’t enough spark for me to give them higher than 3 stars, I’m afraid. Having said that, this book is currently (at the time of writing) free from the Kindle store and you certainly can’t go wrong with that!

The Headmaster's Confession by Laurel Bennett

A short, fun and sexy story
4 stars

The headmaster of an all girl’s school in Regency England is tested to his limits when the lovely, wayward Miss Winters breaks the rules and is sent to his office for her punishment.


This is a very short and sexy, erotic tale and the first that I have read by Laurel Bennett. It’s the same story as The Headmaster’s Fall but this time seen through the eyes of the headmaster rather than Miss Winters.

At only 17 pages long the book is more of an encounter rather than a full story. Having said that, the writing was very good, the situations hot and I enjoyed it very much. The twist at the end is both welcome and handled well; it made me like the story much more.

Overall, if you’re looking for a hot, 10 minute read then I would recommend this to you. 4 stars.

A Lady Never Surrenders by Sabrina Jeffries

Last but not least
5 stars

Celia Sharpe is the last unmarried Sharpe grandchild and has only 2 months to find a husband or her Gran plans to cut all of them off. Setting her sights on three eligible bachelors she plans to get a proposal, show that she can get married, cry off and still get the inheritance for her siblings.

Bow Street Runner, Jackson Pinter, has been hired to investigate Celia’s three suitors. But with Celia bedevilling Jackson both day and night, the last thing he wants to do is help her find a husband. But with danger lurking and passions stirring it doesn’t take long to realise that’s because he wants her for himself.

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This is the final book in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series following The Truth About Lord Stoneville, A Hellion in her Bed, How to Woo a Reluctant Lady and To Wed A Wild Lord. It’s probably not essential that you read the books in order but I would strongly suggest that you do simply to get the back story and to get to know the characters.

I’ve been looking forward to Celia and Pinter’s story since the first book as I do love a couple that start off with an antagonistic relationship that turns to love. The book didn’t disappoint and the pair still had that passion and spark with each other even once the relationship progressed.

We really got to know Jackson and I felt both his desire for Celia and his anxiety over the barriers to their happily ever after. Celia, too, was a fine character that I liked and rooted for. She was impulsive, feisty but still had sense and intelligence.

I liked the fact that the other characters from the previous books appeared although I would have liked a bit more interactions between the couples. Gran was also on fine form with her meddling although if I’m honest she really irritated me with her unwillingness to unbend when Celia was so obviously unhappy.

As the last book in the series we finally find out the answer to the mystery of the parents’ death. This could easily have overwhelmed the romance but I’m happy to say that it sat alongside it nicely. I was slightly underwhelmed by the solving of the mystery but that’s probably just because it’s been built up over the course of five books. It couldn’t have gone any other way and I was still satisfied.

Despite the couple of niggles I’m still giving this book 5 stars as the writing is superb, the characters come to life and it’s a fantastic end to a series that I have really enjoyed. I’m glad to see that some of the secondary characters are to get their own stories so although the series ends, hopefully the characters that I’ve grown to love will appear again.

Virgin Unwrapped by Christine Merrill

A fair, quick romance
3 stars

Even the thought of Robert Breton sets Anne Clairemount’s heart racing and fills her with a scandalous heat. But he is the business partner of her fiancé and her family’s future happiness depends on her going through with the marriage even if her betrothed is cold and unfeeling.

Then Robert gives her a heartfelt kiss under the mistletoe and Anne is thrown into turmoil. Should she go through with the wedding to please her parents or grab hold of what is sure to be the love of a lifetime?


This short and sweet romance is the sequel to Christine Merrill’s A Regency Christmas Carol. I’ve never read the first book and this one still made perfect sense so I don’t suppose you need to read them in order.

Having said that, it is obvious that Anne and Robert’s story had to fit around things that occurred in the other story – things that didn’t really make sense if you hadn’t read it beforehand. I also get the impression that these two characters, or at the very least Anne, weren’t painted in a flattering light in the first book which meant that some character traits were attempted to be explained away in this one. It made for some disjointed reading at times.

I also wasn’t overly fond of Robert if I’m honest. He was a little bit harsh and unfeeling of Anne and even towards the very end he expected the worst of her. I also felt that he took advantage of Anne’s innocence which made the sex scenes a little flat for me.

This was a short story that was a quick and ultimately satisfying read. I didn’t feel much emotional attachment to the characters but the story is worth a read at the price. 3 stars.