#DragonbladePublishing

[bucolicbook]

The Baron’s Return (The Rakes of Mayhem, #4) by Anna St. Claire

US pub date - 9/28/24

3.5 stars, 

The synopsis, in part, reads “He crossed an ocean to find her…” which reminded me of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) when Gary Oldman’s main character says “I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you” which is one of my favorite lines of all time. Therefore, I was immediately interested in this. 

With mystery, danger, and action, this closed door romance kept my interest and kept me turning the pages. I adored Sin’s aunt Millie, her three cats, and Simon, Bobby, and their dog. 

I enjoyed this one a lot. 

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[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.

[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…

[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

[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

[bucolicbook]

The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady (The Strongs of Shadowcrest, #7) by Alexa Aston 

US pub date - 10/18/24

The final title in the Strongs of Shadowcrest series, I adored this one. 

Although she’s perfectly content in the countryside with her animals, and helping to run the estate, Effie, the youngest Strong, goes to town with her family in preparation for her first season, which she’s agreed to mostly for the sake of her mother.

A widowered duke, Malcolm is determined to choose his own bride and when he meets his younger sister’s new friend, Effie, he’s taken by her personality, wit, and looks. 

As Malcolm and and his sister, Ada, spend more time with the Strongs, they are both determined to come out from under their mother’s thumb and choose their own future partners. 

Very enjoyable story, easily reads as a stand-alone. 

*A Kindle Unlimited read

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[bucolicbook]

Secrets at Selwyn Castle (Beau Monde Secrets, #1) by Anne Rollins US pub date - 8/30/24

*MFC proclaims herself “a confirmed spinster”

*age gap

*house party 

*cozy mystery 

Series starters are so often hit and miss - the story is building, and it can seem really incomplete - though the characters were likable, much was left for the next book(s); I’m looking forward to reading the next titles in this series. 

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[bucolicbook]

Hot Duke Summer: Regency Historical Romance Anthology by Scarlett Scott, Alexa Aston, Annabelle Anders, Meara Platt, Kathleen Ayers, Chastity Bowlin, Sara Adrien, Jude Knight 

US pub date - 8/24/24

The Duchess Bride - Scarlett Scott 

*character called Buttercup ✔️

*character named Westley ✔️

*masked, yet familiar, man kidnaps MFC to save her from a miserable marriage not to a Prince Humperdinck but to a Humberton  ✔️

Dilemma over a Duke - Alexa Aston 

*MFC decides on a marriage of convenience to a friend ✔️

*childhood friend / crush (her betrothed’s brother, oops) returns from war ✔️

The Duke’s Day Off - Annabelle Anders 

*titled man falls for his mother’s long suffering amanuensis / companion ✔️

*Memento Mori leads to love? ✔️

The Moonstone Mermaid - Meara Platt 

*injured soldier and duke falls for the woman he ‘accidentally’ spies on while she’s swimming ✔️

Say Anything, Duke - Kathleen Ayers

*accident prone MFC ✔️

*MFC’s mother = 🤬🤬🤬✔️

I Know this Much is True - Chastity Bowlin 

*insta insta love ✔️

Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy - Sara Adrien

*My Fair Lady / Pretty Woman vibes ✔️

The Worth of an Earl - Jude Knight 

*reverse Aladdin 

Anthologies are an excellent way to discover new-to-me authors or read shorter offerings from favorites and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read 🙂

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[bucolicbook]

The Baron Takes a Bet (Gambling Peers, #2) by Matilda Madison 

US pub date - 8/22/24

*surprise marriage by proxy 

*close proximity 

*slow burn

*third act issues 

Read this solely for the historical surprise marriage by proxy and wasn’t disappointed. Will read more of this series and the author 🙂

Thank you Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 

[bucolicbook]

Adored by the Archduke (Hawk Castle, #2) by Lily Harlem 

US pub date - 7/25/24

*MMC is the son of the couple from book #1 of the series

*heavy duty “my wife” energy 

*arranged marriage between royals 

*historical fiction based on Philip I and Joanna (of Aragon) of Castile

*he falls immediately. So very immediately. 

*Philip is way too controlling for my tastes

Not overly spicy (honestly, I’m hoping to never again encounter the word “c**ny” as frequently as I did in this one). The story, though well written, felt like it was lacking in a way. I did like it, but not as much as I’d hoped. 

I do look forward to the third title in this series, but this one was not a favorite for me. 

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

[bucolicbook]

Courtship at Shadowcrest: A Regency Duet (The Strongs of Shadowcrest, #5) by Alexa Aston

US pub date - 7/25/24

One houseparty, two twin sisters, one Earl, one Viscount, two stories, two separate journeys to a HEA. 

In lieu of a season, twins Lyric and Allegra Strong agree to a houseparty thrown in their honor, hoping to make new friends and hopefully, a match.

Easy to read, and engaging, I enjoyed both stories. 

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 

[bucolicbook]

All About Genevieve (Misfortune’s Favorites, #3) by Shana Galen

US pub date - 7/18/24

Much more somber than the previous stories, Rory, the MMC, is a widowed father of a grieving young child, having lost his wife and infant son in a carriage accident. The story is well written with sensitivity and empathy for the characters. It could be read as a stand-alone but you’d be missing out on the basis of the plot. 

Genevieve is a great character - she’s wonderful with Rory’s young daughter and when he decides that his daughter needs a supportive, kind, and loving mother figure, he looks no further than her governess. 

In spite of a marriage of convenience, I really liked how this wasn’t an insta-love - there was a nice build-up with character growth and evolution. 

I didn’t love the ending, but I did enjoy the story.

*An issue with this story was referring to Genevieve as “a servant” when, historically, nannies and governesses were considered, and treated, of a better class than servants. 

I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Ms Galen’s work 🙂

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 

[bucolicbook]

The Captain and the Duchess (The Strongs of Shadowcrest, #4) by Alexa Aston

US pub date - 6/12/24

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A fun and quick reading novella, I enjoyed The Captain and Duchess and was able to read as a standalone (I haven’t read most of the titles in this series). 

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Dowager Duchess Dinah was married against her feelings to a man twenty five years her senior. A mother of four by the time she was 21, life seemed miserable for this woman, her daughters, and the two nieces she was raising. Dinah is still a younger woman (35ish) and after years of channeling her love solely to her daughter and nieces, she’s ready to learn about romance and passion. And who better with than a handsome captain who is close friends with her stepson? Bonus points for the two being instantly attracted to one another after an earlier one time meeting. 

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Both MC’s are likeable and I read this happily. 

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Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC 

[bucolicbook]

A Duke Makes a Deal (Gambling Peers, #1) by Matilda Madison

US pub date - 6/11/24

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I have a difficult time resisting the opportunity to read the first title in a historical romance series and I’m so glad that I didn’t resist when it came to this series starter. After beginning, I was so engaged by the story that by the time I put my kindle down, I noticed that there were 28 minutes left in the book. 

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Spice wise - I don’t know that this story knew exactly how it wanted to come across. As a result, the spice is more spoof, imo, but I still liked this. 

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Ms Madison is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading more of her work 🙂

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An enjoyable first title in a new series and I’m already looking forward to reading the next book.

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Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC