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[darlenefblog]

Hot Duke Summer: Regency Historical Romance Anthology

Thank you to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, Inc, and all the authors involved for this advance reader copy of the book. Below is my honest review.

By Scarlett Scott, Alexa Aston, Annabelle Anders, Meara Platt, Kathleen Ayers, Chasity Bowlin, Sara Adrien, Jude Knight Publisher: ‎ Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. Publication date: ‎ August 24, 2024 Print length: ‎ 406 pages Rated a 3 out of 5 stars

An anthology of never-before published novellas. What a cute Summer read; it didn't take long to finish each story which is perfect for Summer when I seem to always be on the go. Taking a bit of time for myself was easier to do with each being a short story. I'm always up for a historical romance involving a hot duke. While each story is a standalone some fit into a series if you're interested in reading more of a particular author.

A few of the stories weren't up to par for me. Vering off the historically correct path a bit is ok, but I prefer not to go so far that it's unbelievable. A couple weren't interesting. I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment or bias you unkindly to a story you might think is grand. I'm going to pick my favorite to give you a taste of the material.

Love is the Duke's Best Remedy by Sara Adrien. A play on Pretty Woman and a bit of Cinderella. I've never read any of this authors work and was pleasantly surprised by how well the plot moved along, the dialog was enjoyable, the characters likeable. Edmund and Lola are our couple with Brewster as the bad guy lawyer. For me using the plot of the movie as the basis for the story worked, with a few changes it fit into Regency England without too much fuss. Edmund can't sleep, Lola grows flowers and herbs to sell at an apothecary, Brewster is a mover-and-shaker lawyer using Edmund as his pawn in deals to make himself rich. One of the tweaks is Lola's job. The Cinderella aspect has a bit of a twist but it also works. There're mean shopkeepers, rubies, opera, and a brown polka-dot dress. I loved it.

[celticbarb]

#BookReview #JustReleased #BookBirthday #Scotland #ScottishHistorical #DragonbladePublishing

Book: The Scottish Bride

Author: Susan King

Series:Highland Secrets, Book #1

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Publisher: Dragonblade

Length: 336 Pages

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

This book is set during Scottish independence in the fourteenth century between the English King Edward I of England and King Robert the Bruce of Scotland. This English King, also known as Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, is slaughtering Scotland from designing horrific cages and demanding Scottish noblewomen live in them under the worst conditions imaginable! Furthermore, having public and horrific executions for some of Scotland's most honorable and bravest heroes that are remembered and honored to this day. Men like William Wallace and the brothers of Robert the Bruce and so much more! This story is surrounded by the words and books of Thomas the Rhymer who is a real person in Scottish history, he was a Scottish Laird with a reputation of prophecy and supernatural abilities. He was also called True Thomas and was born Thomas Learmont in Ercildoune now called Earlston near the Scottish Borders.

Scotland 1306

Thomasina (Tasmin) Keith was forced to marry elder Englishmen Sir John Witton who left her to her own devices. She was surprised that after he died he left her the Dalrinnie castle. Except she knows this English King Edward I will eventually force this Scottish noblewoman to marry another English enemy. Another man she will hate as the Englishmen will detest her equally. Sir William (Liam) Seton has been kept a prisoner and hates the English for so many reasons including murdering his betrothed right before they were to marry. On top of that he has been imprisoned and stripped of his Baron title and stolen his Dalrinnie castle from him several years ago.

Now Longshanks dangles a carrot in front of him saying he might return his Dalrinnie castle to him if he steals Thomas Rhymer’s book of prophecies from this old crone! He thinks Tasmin is an elderly woman thinking it is her grandmother. He also thinks this book will help him destroy Scotland with his dire predictions. Except she is not old at all but the young and beautiful Lady Tasmin Keith-Witton who is also a powerful seer and the great granddaughter of the famous Scottish prophet and Laird Thomas Rhymer.

Tasmin at first meets Liam as a harper and later discovers he is a Knight. She had dreamed of him rescuing her before she even met him. Except that truly does happen but she has a hard time trusting men with so many who have betrayed her. One dangerous, cruel and treacherous man Malise Comyn is obsessed with Tasmin knowing how beautiful she is and he also wants Dalrinnie castle and hates Liam Seton for other reasons from their past. He was a cousin to the deceased John Comyn that Robert the Bruce killed. Malise will do anything to capture Tasmin and that includes lying, cheating and harming anyone who gets in his way!

Tasmin is very attracted to Liam but has a hard time believing and trusting this man, but soon breaks down her defenses from loneliness. All she wants is a husband that will love her and treat her as an equal partner and have children with. Will that ever happen? Does Liam want Tasmin for his family's castle, dogs or has he discovered true love for the first time? There are many who want to destroy these star crossed lovers. Will they survive or will Malise Comyn or King Edward I who hates everything Scottish betray and deceive them both? Read and find out.

There is a reason I have been reading Susan King books for three decades, as she knows how to write these swoon worthy heroes and these fun feisty heroines! Plus it is also a story that will knock your socks off! Again I was blown away by another brilliantly superb story that I could not put down!

I also love when real history and fiction are weaved together into an extraordinary story. Just the research alone was pure perfection with enchanting landscapes, breathtaking betrayal and heartwarming passion. This author brings you into her medieval Scottish journey that readers will never want to leave! Another book I highly recommend!

Highland Secrets

Book 1 - The Scottish Bride

Book 2 - The Forest Bride - To be released

Book 3 - The Guardian's Bride - To be released

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

[katherinelbone]

What are you reading? #readersofinstagram #reading #read #readingnook #readeveryday #readerforlife #readersgonnaread #authorkatherinebone #katherinebone #dragonbladepublishing @dragonbladepublishing https://www.instagram.com/p/CeRHQiurnSF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ssshwearereading]

You already know how much I love that #AuthorSwag Look at these wonderful things I've received from the lovely @kathryn_le_veque! Thanks Kathryn! #HeckYeah #Bookmarks #Necklace #KathrynLeVeque #Midevil #Knight #Romance #Epic #Grace #Books #dragonbladepublishing #swoon #signed #Favorite #beautiful #jewelry #Heart #IWin

[bookstagramofmine]

Book Review: Don't Judge a Duke by His Cover by Emily EK Murdoch

Book Review: Don't Judge a Duke by His Cover by Emily EK Murdoch #BookReview #Dragonbladepublishing @NetGalley #RegencyRomance #Romance #EmilyEKMurdoch

Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the chance to read Don’t Judge a Duke by His Cover by Emily EK Murdoch! This isn’t the first book by the author that I’ve read. The last one was The Impoverished Dowry, which was also courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher! The Impoverished Dowry by Emily E. K. Murdoch She’s a prolific writer with close to 90 titles under her belt! Don’t…

[fromjesstoyou]

I never got around to doing a When & Where am I Wednesday this past week sooo here is a video where I discuss what I am currently reading right now! BTW -- In the beginning clip I end up talking about Book 3 BUT I actually meant what I stated about BOOK 4 in my current reads book list. 🥰 Enjoy!! #BookTube Video: https://youtu.be/PK41kv1DSEc . #BlogPost: http://ow.ly/guSL50BppQx . @NetGalley @macmillan.audio @dragonbladepublishing @entangled_publishing @stacy_romanceaddict #fromjesstoyou #fromjesstoyouservices #frommetoyou #BethOLeary #StacyReid #AlexaAston #MiaMoon #BookRecs #TBR #ReadingList #Bookthings #Readinglist #Bookstagram #ReadersofInstagram #ReadersofIG #BookLove #Readers #BookList #Reading #ebooks #bookbuzz #AmReading #BookWorld #BookNerd #BookAddict #BookLovers https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFgDzTDcod/?igshid=uxu4k7ux0jdc

[celticbarb]

#BookReview #ComingSoon #ScottishHistorical #DragonbladePublishing

Book:’’ The Swan Laird ” formerly ‘’The Swan Maiden”

Author: Susan King

Series: Celtic Hearts, Book #3

Release Date: April 26, 2024

Publisher: Dragonblade

Length: 312 Pages

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

This is the third book and the conclusion of the Celtic Hearts series. It is another revised edition originally titled “The Swan Maiden.” The hero is Sir Gawain the Knight, not the goshawk, who was last seen in “The Hawk Laird” but like the previous two books the author has upgraded and rewritten.

Scotland, 1300-1306

Sir Gawain Avenel makes sure no one knows he is really Scottish born and birth name was Gabhan MacDuff, as his Scottish Laird father and Grandfather were killed by the English. They burned down their castle, his mother and he escaped to her homeland in England, changed his name, was not allowed to speak gaelic, and he could no longer wear his plaid either and had to wear English clothes. His mother eventually met his loving step-father Sir Henry Avenel, now Gawain had three step-brothers, eventually his mother and his step-father had two twin daughters. If his Scottish origins were discovered it could easily put his very life in danger and his entire English family would be accused of being traitors! He pledged himself to the Hammer of the Scots, King Edward the I of England and became a Knight especially having a step-father who was so very respected and well connected among the English nobility. The King is now testing Gawain to see if he will be loyal or betray him again!

Although trouble seems to find Gawain where he had spent some time in an English prison for running with rebel Scot’s and helping James Lindsay and his wife. He had a soft spot for the Scots; he had a lot of guilt as it cost his English family some problems and tragedy. He had also saved a young girl who was Juliana Lindsay-from drowning some six years ago while trying to escape the English who were pursuing her. Somehow all the swans in her loch seemed to protect her, he had named her the Swan Maiden and she named him the Swan Laird. She would not see him until six years later under very different circumstances.

Six years later the King wants to humiliate Juliana Lindsay and eat one of her favorite Swans cobs she named Artan! All the men at this feist try to make a fool of her to make her an example to force her to obey King Edward, except it only makes her despise all these Sasseanchs even more with a passion! The cruel sheriff Sir Walter de Soulis had arrested her and her little brothers as rebels from The Abbot who was their Guardian. They had her in a dungeon and now in golden chains and dressed like a swan. It was Gawain who was kind to her and her swan cobb trying to protect her against the men who were unkind and trying to humiliate her!

Gawain is shocked when the King orders him to marry this bonny lass! Juliane is even more beautiful than she was six years ago although she looks at him with such hatred! He would be bringing her back to Scotland to her castle at Elladoune though eventually there will be a garrison something Juliana will loathe and they want her to sign an oath of loyalty to the KIng. Gawain wants a real marriage and Juliana just wants to escape plus they both carry secrets not trusting each other. Will they ever trust each other and be able to escape people that want to hurt them both and discover love? Read and find out.

Susan King has been one of my go-to-authors for close to thirty years! I think I have read every book she has written. She does amazing research on all of her stories that is always so awe-inspiring and impressive. I seem to always learn something new in each of her books. In this book I learned a lot about swans in this book that I did not know and I found so fascinating. I loved the Arthurian names for the swans and our hero Sir Gawain too! I look forward to reading “The Scottish Bride” next coming in June in her new Highland Secrets series!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Celtic Hearts

Book 1 - The Hawk Laird

Book 2 - The Falcon Laird

Book 3 - The Swan Laird

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Laird-Medieval-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CZ7KWHMN

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-swan-laird-susan-king/1145381949?ean=9781963585414

[katherinelbone]

Thank you @dragonbladepublishing for this FABulous surprise! Aren’t they pretty? 🥰 #dragonbladepublishing #dragonblade #books #bookstagram #bookaddict #booknerd #prettylittlelyon #authorkatherinebone #katherinebone #readersofinstagram #readingnook #authorsofinstagram #writerscommunity #writersofinstagram #writerslife https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc5hVsfLnwH/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[katherinelbone]

Peregrine Frost handles his investigations with the precision of a hawk and the icy determination of a polar snap. Get your copy of Pretty Little Lyon today! https://amzn.to/3L4cQrS #prettylittlelyon #authorkatherinebone #katherinebone #historicalromance #regencyromance #dragonbladepublishing #dragonbladepub https://www.instagram.com/p/CcqiwarOoWM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[katherinelbone]

Don’t miss my next release with @dragonbladepublishing Click on Dragonblade Publishing to learn more. #dragonbladepublishing #authorkatherinebone #katherinebone #historicalromance #thelyonsden #bookrecommendations #booknerd #readersofig https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb5QBhNLMQv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[katherinelbone]

Wowzer!!! Look what came this morning. First ever book birthday flowers from @dragonbladepublishing for the release of The Sea Rover’s Curse! Thank you so much for such a kind and generous gift! ❤️❤️❤️ #dragonbladepublishing #newrelease #katherinebone #thesearoverscurse #bookbirthday #happyday https://www.instagram.com/p/CVN6YzmA-kU/?utm_medium=tumblr

[celticbarb]

#BOOKREVIEW #Dragonbladepublishing #NewBookRelease #TimeTravel #Scotland #romance #MaeveGreysonAuthor

Book: Loving Her Lonely Highlander

Author: Maeve Greyson

Series: (Time to Love a Highlander, Book 6)

Publisher: Dragonblade

Book Length: 247 pages

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blog Rating: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thurso, Scotland Past & Present

2022 present & 1622 four hundred years in the past

Orphan and bookshop owner with self esteem issues is Lona Merriweather.This Scottish beauty is known for kindness, forgiveness and possibly looking the other way when loser boyfriend Patrick she wants to marry might be cheating on her with another. Being an orphan she fears living life alone and feels even being with her loser boyfriend Patrick is better than nothing. She hates when people are cruel or abusive to children, animals and the elderly. Now her current fiancé who all her friends suspect is a cheap bully who is cheating on Lorna! Especially giving her a ring that turns her wee ring finger green, complaining about spending money, and puts her down about everything positive in her life! Even asking her for money to pay for a salad! Yet being an orphan she fears being alone. Lorna is such a generous hearted old soul, this is why this previous aging book store owner left her bookstore to Lorna who saw her caring goodness to others and the less fortunate .

Now Lorna’s boyfriend Patrick decides to take her to Aurora Borealis in the bitter cold which he despises, she thinks maybe he is changing his cruel selfish ways. Well just like a lizard can never change its spots as neither can loser boyfriend Patrick she realized too late! She got the worst news possible and threw the cheap engagement ring in his face and then fell over the cliff accidentally! Lorna thought she was thrown to her death, however she wakes up in seventeenth century Scotland and meets Laird Gunn Sinclair’s prospective bride Lady Murdina Sullivan and her brother Laird Reginald Leckness, Laird of Clan who were smothered with blankets to keep from the cold elements. However the two children, her son Frances and her eleven year old ladies maid had barely any covering and were shivering. So after begging for a ride to get out of the elements Lorna shared her cloak with the children. Of course she at first thinks this is a historical reenactment of some kind, but soon she realizes she had traveled four hundred years into the past!

Chieftain Gunn Sinclair, 6th Earl of Caithness of Thurso castle is the hero of the story. He has loved and lost two women and does not think he would survive losing another wife he gives his heart to. However he knows he needs an heir but this time he has a new set of rules. This time it is more or less a business transaction. He is determined to find out within thirty days if they are compatible or not, if not the contract is null and void and they go their separate ways. Even Gunn’s smart, precocious, nine year old daughter named Bella thinks her Dad is totally bonkers! He is being ridiculous and deserves to be loved as everyone does and as no one can predict the future, Bella is very intelligent beyond her years and her fathers pride and joy who could not be more proud of. Of course she is a wee bit of an eavesdropper too plus doesn't want a cold transaction for her new mama. Especially when she discovers the cruel abusive Lady Murdina Sullivan who is even abusive to her own son Frances and her ladies maid Hester who also both look to be starving with skeleton bodies. Something was definitely wrong and did not make sense with a woman who threatens her son so Lorna will become his nursemaid and also Hesther who was only a child and way too young to be a ladies maid. Plus the way the children attached themselves to her in such a short amount of time where something was definitely wrong!

Furthermore when Gunn meets and instantly becomes attracted to this unusual woman who is Lorna Merriweather with nothing more but the clothes on her back. She is shocked seeing Thurso castle as a full functioning castle, after all this castle is in ruins in her time in 2022! . Gunn is weary the way Lorna is basically forced to become both Frances and Hesther’s nursemaid by Lady Murdina Sullivan . It was obvious both these children were being abused and young Hesther was way too young to be anyone’s ladies maid as she was not more then eleven years old. It was the only reason Lorna agreed as she felt both children needed her protection, as her warriors heart cried out to her .Bella instantly loved Lorna and decided she was to be a matchmaker and this is who she wanted I be her can’t seem mama she only had to convince her papa and Lorna,How hard could that be? Gunn feels Lorna is hiding something and he does not like the way his man in arms is looking at Lorna like she is c delicious to eat! Yes it is pure jealousy and he does not know how to control the intense feelings he has and doesńt know how to control them. Will Lorna find a s) a way back to the 21st century? Can she admit she is falling in love with the gentle, kind caring highlander? Will we find out why Lady Murdina is so cruel to her own son? Will Bella get the mama of her dreams? Will Gunn think Lorna is insane when he hears her time-travel-tale? Read and find out.

Again Maeve Greyson pens another captivating time travel tale that checks all the boxes with a swoon worthy hero of the past, a bonnie woman of the future with a beautiful warrior’s heart. Both of them had been hurt from previous relationships for very different reasons. It is definitely a book readers won’t be able to put down but will absolutely love! Maeve is so talented and another go-to-author of mine that I absolutely always love! Another riveting, awe-inspiring, action packed, page turning, gripping tale that is a definite nail biter! I loved “Loving Her Lonely Highlander” so much and I highly recommend this romantic time-travel adventure. If you love Outlander or time-travel books you definitely don’t want to miss this one, I can’t recommend it enough! Bravo Ms Greyson you penned another exhilarating read that readers will love. You can read any of her books in this series as a stand alone book.

“Time to Love a Highlander” by Maeve Greyson

Book 1 - Loving Her Highland Thief

Book 2 - Taming Her Highland Legend

Book 3 - Winning Her Highland Warrior

Book 4 - Capturing Her Highland Keeper

Book 5 - Saving Her Highland Traitor

Book 6 - Loving Her Lonely Highlander

Book 7 - Delighting Her Highland Devil

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy from Dragonblade publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

Buy Links

https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Lonely-Highlander-Time-Love-ebook/dp/B0BX7H65XS/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loving-her-lonely-highlander-maeve-greyson/1143303003?ean=9781960184665

[darlenefblog]

Review:  Heart Of Ashes

Heart of Ashes, by Paula Quinn, became available at booksellers on 1-14-19. Hearts is book 1 in Ms Quinn's Hearts Of The Highlands series. Dragonblade Publishing kindly made this book available free of charge. In return I read and will give my honest review. Ms Quinn wondered if she should stray from her familiar family of characters, I think the answer is yes. My only con was the heroine was a little too eager to jump into bed with our hero. I just can't see a young lady being so forward, & others letting her ask questions about sex. It stepped over the line for me. I suspended my belief system for much of the plot because I was having fun with the characters. The war for Scottish independence was real & King Robert The Bruce shows up! Cain & Aleysia are both wounded by their horrid childhoods. Cain more so, it's an awful tale & one that could be true. Aleysia less so, but it was bent to fit the story so ok. This is where you begin to let go of preconceived notions. Cain wasn't as hardened as you'd think & when he falls in love he lands with a big thud. Aleysia is hardened more than a gently bred lady should be. She lives in crippling fear & has dealt with it by preparing for war. She's crafty, you'll love her ingenuity. She's a heck of a warrior. The first fight scene is terrific. The supporting cast of characters are interesting and fill in the plot nicely. The villagers have coddled Aleysia & let her run wild, which couldn't happen in real life, but for the story it's perfect. I'm off to look for book 2, the Cain's younger brother. I like this series & Highlanders are hot. #PaulaQuinn #HeartOfAshes #HeartOfTheHighlands #Amazon #DragonbladePublishing #HighlandHeroes