Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Rating: 5 ♥
Synopsis: Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trop aboard he discovers notyhing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?

Review: I have been looking forward to Penelope's story -- if anyone deserved a happy ending it's her. She's been largely over looked and unnoticed in all of the previous books, and you really feel for her and want someone to see her and love her. This was a very satisfying story. And bonus -- we find out the identity of Lady Whistledown!!!! It was who I suspected, though Julia Quinn did a good job of making me question my guess before the Great Reveal. Just a lovely story worthy of the Bridgerton series.

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis: Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Review: Wow!!!!! I simply adored this book!!! I enjoyed how it started out with the Cinderella-like story line, but then about a hundred pages in it veered off in a new direction. I found the whole book honestly delightful. I was either giggling or getting teary through most of the book. It seems like with each Bridgerton book I become more and more enamored with this family. I confess I am a sucker for anything with a fairy tale twist, but not all authors pull it off -- this was just utter perfection.

One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis:
It's tough to play it cool on a sultry summer night . . .

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver's been the good girl all her life, and it's gotten her nowhere. Now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she's decided it's time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she's headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny's #1 hellraiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake), and he's landed in hot water more times than he can count. He's exactly the kind of guy Jenny's always kept her distance from . . . but soon the good girl and the bad boy are caught in a raw heat that's out of control. Too bad Mick's got a secret that threatens to tear them apart and ruin Jenny's perfectly, passionately reckless summer . . .

Review: I do love a bad boy.... in my books that is. And I love finding new-to-me authors!! This book was just great. Easy to sit and read for hours on end, humorous, emotional, and very sexy!!! Loved it. Can't wait to read more from this author!

The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

Rating: 4 ♥

Synopsis: In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy of vampire slaying, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.

Review: How fascinating!! Buffy the Vampire slayer meets Regency England. In a way it also reminded me of KMM's Fever series, the way it leaves you wondering who the hero will wind up being when the series concludes. This book was refreshingly original -- at least it's not quite like anything I have read to date. I liked Victoria -- I felt for her and the choices she had to make, and the consequences for some of her choices were harsh in this book. I liked how it wasn't terribly heavy, but nor was it too light and silly like some paranormal authors tend toward. I will definitely be reading more of this series....

Heart of Gold by Jessica Bird

Rating: 3 ♥

She has a chance to find something more precious than gold, if she’s brave enough to trust her heart. . . .

Synopsis: Her intense passion for unlocking the secrets of the past is what made Carter Wessex an archeologist. Now she’s been given a chance to dig on Farrell Mountain where a doomed party of minutemen lost their lives—as well as the gold they were carrying during the Revolutionary War. Carter refuses to let the mountain’s owner, Nick Farrell, rattle her, even though she’s all too aware of his sexy yet sardonic presence. Her work on the mountain could be the most significant find of her career . . . if she can pull herself away from the smoldering attraction that is undeniably growing between them.

Beneath the steely façade Nick Farrell wears like a well-cut suit, he is a man of hidden tenderness. From his first meeting with Carter, there’s an immediate flare—hotter than he has ever experienced before. But no one is more surprised than Nick when his desire for her deepens into something enduring. Now Nick must find a way to convince Carter that the real treasure to be found on Farrell Mountain is a true and lasting love. . . .

Review: I really had to push through this one -- not very interesting at all. How disappointing! This author is otherwise known as J.R. Ward, and I love the books she publishes under that name, but it was almost like a whole different author with this one! I have seen rave reviews for this book, which perplexes me... I guess I will stick with her paranormals.

My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

Rating: 5 ♥ ♥

Dear Mr. Thorne,

I give you fair warning. I intend to do whatever I must to abide by your late uncle's will and win Mill House. Though I know he never expected me to succeed, and for whatever reasons is using me to shame you, I accept his challenge. For the next five years, I will profitably manage this estate. I will deliver to you an allowance and I will prove that women are just as capable as men. And at the end, I shall accept Mill House as my reward.

Sincerely,
Lillian Bede

My Dear Miss Bede,

Forgive me if I fail to shudder. Pray, do whatever you bloody well want, can, or must. I shall look forward to making your acquaintance in my lawyer's office five years hence, when I take possession of Mill House.

Avery Thorne

Review: What a wonderful book!! This took me by surprise -- I didn't know how I would like a beta hero, but frankly, I adored him. It was a refreshing change from conniving, harsh, rake types I normally read about. Surprisingly, despite the fact that there are NO villains or bad people in the entire book, it still managed to stay interesting and fresh. I thought every interaction between Avery and Lily was sweet and endearing and very romantic. This is very much a romantics book. I would have liked more letter interaction I think -- that is my only complaint. Or rather, I would have liked to have seen more of the letters. This is one of those books that made me feel a broad range of emotion. I was laughing, I was crying.... I totally cried when I read the letter Avery wrote after his friend died. I just cannot say enough good stuff about this book, I highly recommend it.