#kensington-zebra

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Lady Plays with Fire by Susanna Craig

Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #2

Words can be mightier than the sword ~ a playwright and a reviewer of plays using false names use words at first in anger then almost as foreplay as this historical romance sees an earl and a clergyman’s daughter fine their happily ever after.

What I liked: * Julia Addison: lady’s companion, reviewer for Mrs. Goode’s Magazine, dreamed of being on stage as a child, wrote a review that incensed Ransom Blackadder-playwright

* Graham McKay: Earl of Dunstan, aka Blackadder, used his writing skills to return his earldom to prosperity, witty, difficult backstory, intrigued by Julia

* Mrs. Mildred Hayes: Julia’s employer, bright and caring, enjoyed her part in the story

* The attraction between Julia and Graham and how their relationship came about

* The parallels between the play in the story and the lives of the main characters

* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

* That there was no big “break-up” as many romances use

* The communication between Julia and Graham

* Julia’s brother – good older brother that cared for his sister – also that I could see him and Graham becoming like brothers in the future

* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like: * Who and what I was meant not to like

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

In this Bridgerton era You’ve Got Mail, the clever, popular, and deliciously shocking ladies’ periodical Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses only employs women who are equal to the challenge—and for one biting theatre critic, that challenge happens to include romance.  A fast-paced, innovative, sexy historical romance with a modern twist that readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Sarah MacLean, and Julia Quinn will adore. As the daughter of a clergyman, Julia Addison knows she’ll never be able to fulfill her lifelong dream of acting on the stage. But writing forthright reviews of the Season’s most popular plays for Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses, popularly known as Goode’s Guide to Misconduct is surely the next best thing. Even better, she’s got a ticket to Ransom Blackadder’s latest irritating satire about English society. Best of all, she’s sharing a theater box with the gruff but handsome Lord Dunstane, which is enough to make Julia call for an encore . . .   Graham McKay, the Earl of Dunstane, rarely leaves his home in the Scottish Highlands. Why would he? Nothing about London has ever held his interest—until he meets Julia. But when Graham realizes she is the critic who panned his last play—and she discovers he is in fact the man behind Blackadder’s wicked pen—will it bring down the curtain on their romance—not to mention the magazine that published the humiliating review? Or can an unexpected collaboration set the stage for a scandalous love affair?

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig

Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #1

 The odd duck in the Burke family, always overlooked, merely average…or so she thinks...suddenly becomes the focus of rake Miles Viscount Devereaux often referred to as the devil, Devereaux. Daphne Burke has ideas that might make some think she is a bluestocking or radical reformer or just trying to find her position in the world so when an opportunity to write for a magazine appears, she is eager to take it thinking that she can write advice for young women even though she is still a rather naïve young woman herself. And then…the story really begins…

 What I Liked:

* Miles: wealthy, good family, titled, only child, cares about his home and the person who raised him, good friend, perhaps dyslexic, deeper than he appears to be on the surface, I liked him

* Daphne: second to last sister, opinionated, likes animals, believes rakes are despicable and to be avoided but is rather tempted by Miles

* The idea of the Magazine and thinking that more than likely the women involved with it will star in the books of the series – getting to meet them in this book was a taste of what is to come

* Meeting Daphne’s family – I think some of them and Mrs. Goode were in previous books by this author

* Alistair Hawthorne, Earl of Ryland: older brother of seven sisters, responsible for his siblings for 15 years, has severe allergies, good friend, good friend of Miles, hope he has a book of his own

* The way Miles and Daphne’s perceptions about one another and what they wanted in life changed as they grew and matured through the story

* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to

 What I didn’t like:

* That it took awhile for me to warm up to Daphne and actually believe she and Miles would have a good marriage…it did happen though…over the telling of the story.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 3-4 Stars

     BLURB

 In her print debut, award-winning author Susanna Craig launches a new Regency historical romance series, based around the daring ladies’ magazine, Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses, Being a Guide to Improve Conduct and Promote Wisdom among Young Persons of the Fair Sex—also known as Goode’s Guide to Misconduct—and the witty, clever, often rebellious heroines behind it, including a controversial new advice columnist. A modern twist on the genre, will appeal to fans of Ella Quinn, Sabrina Jeffries, and those who love faster-paced, innovative historical romance featuring strong women. Serving as the advice columnist, ‘Miss Busy B.’, for an often-subversive ladies’ magazine is the perfect outlet for Daphne Burke’s outspoken nature. But when she advises a young lady of the ton, to break off her engagement to a notorious rake, the consequences take Daphne beyond the page and into her real life. Miles, Viscount Deveraux, sometimes known as ‘that devil Deveraux’, needs a respectable bride by the end of the Season, and he’s bet a fortune that he can get one. Now, his fiancée has not only changed her mind—but done it publicly, in a letter to London’s most infamous magazine. With the stakes high and time short, it seems reasonable to him that the columnist responsible should come to his rescue and marry him instead. Fortunately for Miles, Daphne is eager to escape the pressures of the London marriage mart. She agrees to a courtship. But at the end of two weeks, she intends to turn him down in a big, splashy, scandal that will ruin her reputation and set her free. There’s just one shocking wrinkle: Who knew being ruined by a rake could be so much fun?

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Strawberry Lane by Jodi Thomas

Someday Valley #1

 Love this author and adored this story. Once I started reading I had to find out what would happen and hated saying goodbye to the characters.

 What I liked:

* Rusty O’Sullivan: handyman, builder, mechanic, difficult childhood, alone and perhaps lonely, a good man, strong, quiet, cares deeply, protective, really like him

* Jackson: lawyer, lost his parents and his big city dreams, caring, kind, good at what he does, eager to read his book and see if he gets the girl I think he will

* Starri: kind, caring, orphaned as an infant, sees more than most, charming, raises strawberries, deserves to find the perfect guy and may have one in mind

* Amber: physician, intern, has big dreams, drawn to someone she meets in this book, really hope that she and Rusty can make it work though so very different

* Zach: Rusty’s half-brother, young, afraid, abused, seeking a safe place to land, really felt for him and liked him

* Emma & Heath: older romantic couple that also get a chance at a happily ever after – loved reading their story

* The small-town setting with so many there to watch out for others: Firemen, Sheriff (from a previous series…great catching up with Pecos), the HS students, etc

* Duck the dog – mighty though small

* The plot, pace, setting, and writing

* Wondering about the other two siblings of Zach and Rusty

* All of it really except…

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like – especially Vern

* Thinking about how difficult Zach and Rusty’s lives were

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review

 5 Stars

     BLURB

 Fans of Robyn Carr and Susan Mallery will adore this heartwarming new book from the beloved New York Times bestselling author. In a small Texas town where most families go back generations, four strangers meet and unite as they bury a father none of them has ever seen and begin slowly to piece together a bond that will not only change them, but the community for the better. Starri Knight is a big believer in fate. How else to explain the compelling connection she feels to the stranger she pulls out of a wrecked car on the very same road where her parents died twenty years earlier? Alongside Auntie Ona-May, the only mother she’s ever known, Starri saves Rusty O’Sullivan’s life—just as Ona-May once did when Starri was an orphaned babe. But convincing Rusty he has something to live for is going to take all of Starri’s faith in miracles . . . Like a wish he hadn’t even known to make, Starri landed in Rusty’s life, filling him with a longing for a family . . . Then Jackson Landry, a new lawyer, turns up to present a surprise that will change the direction of his life: An inheritance from the father Rusty never knew—and the promise of the family he’d never had. It’s a lot for the hard-bitten loner to accept as love rushes into his life . . . A sense of duty has Rusty heading to Honey Creek to deal with his father’s estate—and find his lost siblings. But having family is one thing, learning to love them is another. Good thing new friends are by his side to help him along the way.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Getting Even by Lisa Jackson

 Blast to the past while reading these two vintage stories written in the 1980’s. The author is a favorite and has been for a while so I opted to request a review copy not realizing that the two books were OLD publications being republished together in one book. I skimmed quickly after realizing this and though the stories are still good, they are of the time they were written and a bit over the top, a bit repetitive, a bit predictable, the characters stereotypical with the woman weak and the man strong. So, if you would like to return to an earlier era without cell phones and experience life back then…definitely do so.

 YESTERDAY’S LIES

Trask McFadden is a Senator who once had a relationship with Victoria “Tory” Wilson that went bad when he gave evidence against Tory’s father and took off for Washington D.C. Tory and her brother Keith have always believed their father was innocent, hold a grudge against Trask, and are not happy when he returns five years later. He wants the whole truth related to his brother’s murder and the final word on who was responsible for that murder and horse-insurance related crimes that took place. He also wants Tory back.

 ZACHARY’S LAW

Lauren’s husband kidnapped her son and daughter then disappeared and she has been trying to get them back for over a year. She has tried private investigators, lawyers, done personal research, and finally goes to Zachary Winters for assistance. The two, of course, fall for one another as they work to find out where her husband and children have gone. This is a romance, a woman seeking her children, and a husband who wanted his children badly enough to kidnap them. It made me wonder why parents can’t have co-parenting work more easily.

 Both books are about righting wrongs and finding truth. Both are well written but of the time.

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the copy to read and review – This is my honest review.

 3-4 Stars

    BLURB

 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author—two timeless novels of revenge in one volume, perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose, Freida McFadden, and Lucinda Berry. “Trask McFadden is back.” Those are words that Tory has been waiting to hear, half in dread, half with longing. It’s been five years since Trask landed her father behind bars for horse swindling, using things she’d told him in confidence. Her father died there, but now Trask insists he has information that could help prove who was really responsible for the crime, not to mention his own brother’s death. Trask needs her help. But he won’t get it, not after destroying her family, her ranch, and the love they shared. Lauren Regis’s ex-husband has kidnapped her children. There’s nothing she won’t do to get them back, including hiring Zachary Winters. The unconventional attorney has made a name for himself by locating people—especially those who don’t want to be found. But he’s got a darker reputation too, and there are rumors swirling about the fate of his ex-wife. How much is Lauren willing to trust him—or to lose?

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Three Cowboys and a Baby by Kate Pearce

Three Cowboys #1

 Excellent way to spend this cold Christmas Day in the village. It may not be as cold here as it is in the USA this Holiday or as cold as it was in the story, but it was nippy and this story warmed me in more ways than one.

 What I liked:

* Jen Rossi: mother, midwife, Navy lieutenant intermittently deployed away from home, difficult childhood, peacekeeper, good in a crisis, problem solver, attracted to Noah

* Noah: ex-Marine turned cowboy, planner, caretaker, problem solver, supportive, caring, good with children, drawn to Jen but not always able to share his feelings

* Sky: Jen’s son, under a year old, adorable, linchpin and major player in this story

* Luke: ex-Marine, leader in the military and on the ranch that he owns, boss, son of Sally, calm, supportive, a good man, want to find out who he ends up with

* Max: ex-Marine, good friend, likes to stir the pot, good team member, going through a rough patch with possible PTSD, wonder what his book will be like

* Noah’s sisters…briefly mentioned but wonder if Bailey might end up with Luke or Max

* The setting, plot, pacing, impact of the weather, and the interactions between the characters

* The ending and wondering what will happen in book two

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like – that said…if Dave the doofus hadn’t been who he was and did what he did…there wouldn’t have been this story.

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

 Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

      BLURB

 Inspired by the 1980's classic hit, Three Men and a Baby, New York Times bestselling author Kate Pearce introduces a trio of former Marines-turned cowboys working and living the ranch life. Everybody knows a real cowboy doesn’t back down from a challenge—even when that means midnight tears and diaper changes for an unexpected arrival… When an old military buddy turns up at the ranch he shares with two friends, Noah Harding never imagines the friend will skip out overnight and leave his baby boy behind. Noah will have some choice parenting advice to offer when the baby’s mother turns up, but until then, he’ll do his best to take care of the little one. Yet when a relieved Jen finally tracks down her son, Noah realizes the story is more complicated than he thought. And soon, so are his feelings for Jen . . . Jen Rossi doesn’t expect much from her unreliable ex, but she’s shocked to return from an extended mission and discover he’s abandoned their son with three men she doesn’t know. Not that Noah isn’t doing a good job as fill-in daddy. In fact, there seems to be very little the straight-talking cowboy can’t do. And with a winter storm settling in, and close quarters making it impossible to deny their chemistry, this temporary solution might just become the key to forever . . .

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

You Can Hide by Rebecca Zanetti

Laurel Snow #2

  Chillingly creepy and convoluted…could not put this story down!

 What I liked:

* Laurel: brilliant, eidetic memory, eidetic memory, FBI agent, loving daughter, has trouble reading emotions of others, verbally direct, honest, likes things spelled out, concrete thinker, doesn’t experience emotions as others do, from a loving family, in business with her mother

* Huck: ex-military sniper, Captain in Fish & Wildlife, overlaps working with FBI and local police force, lethal abilities, loner, has PTSD, protective, finds Laurel quirky but likes  her straightforward honesty, seems to have a few trust issues, good friend

* Aeneas: Karelian Bear Dog, owned by and works with Huck, bear chaser, works in search and rescue missions, also might act a bit like a support dog

* The slow growth of the relationship that might be developing between Lauren and Huck

* Remembering and revisiting the characters from the previous book…at least the ones I liked

* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

* That the serial killer was not immediately obvious

* The twists, turns, and red herrings

* The hints about the future and problems that might arise from Abigail Cain – Laurel’s half-sister and Rachel Raprenzi – reporter and Huck’s ex-fiancé

* All of it really except…

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Having to wait for the next book to be written so that I can find out what happens next

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington – Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 5 Stars

     BLURB

 Set against the atmospheric backdrop of rural Pacific Northwest, New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti’s thrilling suspense series follows FBI Special Agent Laurel Snow as she strives to navigate her complicated family life when her newly discovered sociopathic half-sister becomes the target of a dangerous killer. The Blacklist meets The Profiler meets Justified in this fast, page-turning thriller that will have readers guessing until the very end! What do you do when a sociopath loves you? Rising star FBI profiler Laurel Snow is about to find out … Calling Laurel Snow’s relationship with her newly discovered half-sister challenging is an understatement. Not only does Laurel suspect Abigail is behind the mysterious disappearance of their father, but her erratic behavior also makes life in Laurel’s small hometown interesting, to say the least. Still, when Abigail claims someone is now out to kill her, Laurel’s instinct to protect her sister goes into overdrive. Then things get even more dicey as dead bodies start turning up in the icy waters of the Sauk River and there’s only one connection among them: Abigail . . . Having Fish and Wildlife Captain Huck Rivers bringing in those bodies with his dive team only complicates matters. Huck is as impulsive and fiery as Laurel is coolly analytical, which makes their alliance risky at best. But standing up to such a demonically brilliant killer is going to take all the help Laurel can get. Because Laurel’s attempt to save her troubled sister’s life might cost her own . . .

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Wishing Quilt

Three quilt-based romance novellas

 Easy to read romances with the theme of quilts in common though the stories are not connected. Quick little romances that included love at first sight, second chance romance, and a bit of a trust issue based romances.  

 THE SECRET WISH BY JODI THOMAS

My favorite of the three stories. Avery is down on her luck with much to overcome as she finally arrives at her great-grandmother’s abandoned quilt shop. With the goal of putting one foot in front of the other after shattered career dreams, she finds a safe haven, a loving man, and a bit of danger in a place that soon feels like home. I really liked Avery and Dan together and wouldn’t mind hearing more about “Cousin Mikey” in a future story.

 WISH UPON A WEDDING BY LORI WILDE

Ellie and holt were one another’s first loves but what didn’t work out thirteen years ago becomes a second chance at getting it right at a quilting bachelorette weekend held for Ellie’s sister. This novella includes family, trust issues to overcome, and a happy ending for more than one couple in the story.

 WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT BY PATIENCE GRIFFIN

Paige comes from a string of women that seem to have a habit of falling for charming conmen rather than salt of the earth types. Paige has at least one such conniving scoundrel in her background so is not as trusting as she once was. I liked thinking about her job as a traveling quilter sharing her knowledge in workshops and seminars and was rooting for her to find her happily ever after.

 The stories ranged from a 3-star to a 5-star rating for me so will round off to 4 stars for the collection. That said, I am sure that what I might have liked best might not be the same for every reader.

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 4-5 Stars

      BLURB

Texas is about to be wrapped up in love and homespun perfection with this new contemporary romance anthology featuring novellas from legendary, bestselling authors Jodi Thomas, Lori Wilde, and Patience Griffin! Three novellas weave tales of women whose quilting craft ultimately leads them down the path to love. THE SECRET WISH * Jodi Thomas The little town of While-a-Way, Texas, may as well be named Last Chance as far as Avery Cleveland is concerned. Running her late great-grandmother’s quilt shop is the only way to build back her life after losing her dancing career. But local sheriff Daniel Solis is stunned by Avery’s beauty and spirit—and hopes to show her how to stitch brand-new dreams together . . . WISH UPON A WEDDING * Lori Wilde Ellie Winter’s sister is holding a quilting bee as her bachelorette party, creating a memory quilt for their grandmother. If only the event weren’t happening at the ranch where Ellie spent childhood summers, now owned by the man she can’t forget. Four days surely isn’t enough time to fall in love again . . . but what about four long, hot, summer nights? WHEN YOU WISH UPON A QUILT * Patience Griffin Paige Holiday’s last visit to the International Quilt Festival in Houston ended in heartbreak. It seems like all the women in her family are unlucky in love. So at this year’s festival, Paige is focused solely on business, until a gorgeous cowboy crosses her path, ready to turn her life—and her luck—around . . .

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Neighbors by Nancy Bush

River Glen #3

 Neighbors can be wonderful or…just the opposite. In The Village, an established housing development, the “old guard” have a creepy association, keep dark secrets, and as so often happens…a secret is not a secret forever once more than one person knows the secret.

 What I liked: * Returning to River Glen to se how characters from past books are doing

* Mac: ex-police, working with Taft in his PI business, trying to ignore her attraction to Taft, hired to keep Daley safe in The Village

* Taft: ex-police, owns his own PI business, has worked with/for some dicey characters, trying to keep Mac safe, has a lot of irons in the fire

* Cooper: detective on the River Glen police force, continuing to follow up on a case that has been “solved”, in a relationship with Jamie, there for Jamie, Jamie’s sister Emma, his daughter and also Jamie’s daughter

* Elena: Cooper’s work partner, strong, dependable, intriguing

* The way the story started

* Following the trail of the cases that Taft and Mac were involved in

* That Emma was well liked and cared for by those in her family and social sphere

* That some of the baddies were found and dealt with

* The writing and plotting was well done

* Knowing that there will be another book in the series

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

 Comments:

* I had trouble connecting with the characters – especially the many in The Village and those that Taft was dealing with. I also had trouble understanding their motives.

* I wished that Taft and Mac had made some headway in their relationship…seems it was on the very back burner and perhaps on ice for this book

* There is great potential for this series

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes, for the most part

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

 3-4 Stars

     BLURB

 If you lived here It’s one of the most exclusive addresses in town—a luxury development with pristine lawns and steep price tags. But there are unforgiving people living in the Villages, who know your secrets and have plenty of their own . . . secrets that no one lives to tell . . . You’d be dead by now. Mackenzie Laughlin has reluctantly moved to the Villages as bodyguard to Daley Carrera, who claims someone is pranking her and her husband. Mac expects a simple case of petty squabbles between new and longtime residents. Instead, she hears rumors of squalid affairs and sinister disappearances that tie in to a missing persons investigation led by her partner, Jesse James Taft. Welcome to the neighborhood . . . Behind every door and every smile, there are grudges that run deep and dangerous. Mac and Taft are being marked as targets, but why? Figuring out who to trust is the key to uncovering a killer who has no qualms about killing again. The neighbors are watching. And if getting into the Villages was difficult, getting out alive may be impossible . . .