#The Janna MacGregor saved this

[mermaidsirennikita]

If you have any I’d love recs for the childhood crush to adult lust trope! It’s so fun.

For sure!

--A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean. All time favorite of mine, perfect book. The hero and heroine used to write letters to each other and they're scattered throughout the novel. He got into gambling and lost his family's estate. When they meet up again, she's a part of his plans to get it back, and he's super cold and starkly different, which shocks her--forced marriage ensues.

--Ever Yours, Annabelle by Elisa Braden. Hero was the best friend of the heroine's older brother; she had a huge crush on him and he doted on her. Then she was indirectly responsible for an accident that changed his life and they separated, meeting years later when he's looking for a wife. She offers to help him find one, even though they're super into each other.

--A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid. Reading this right now and it's very good. Hero was a poor kid, heroine was a noble lady, he saved her when she got lost and they spent a few days snowed in together. Separated by her parents upon discovery, and he's now wealthy and meets her again. He decides to become her forbidden lover~.

--When the Duke Was Wicked by Lorraine Heath. Childhood friends is a bit of a stretch because he's nine years older than her, but their parents are best friends and they grew up knowing each other. She had a childhood infatuation with him and was devastated when he married young. His wife and child end up dying, he becomes a dissolute rake and seducer. Heroine asks him to help her find a loving suitor when she becomes a debutante, he ends up licking rum off her pussy on his floor, you know how it goes. There's a lot of "Oh my Goddddd I have corrupted herrr" in this one, magnified by him having known her dad since he was super young.

--Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas. Heroine is a lady, hero was a lower class growing up in her household. They were best friends and fell in love as young kids, but she got super sick and almost died; she's weak after recovering and he feels that if they get together he'll kill her with his penis (both in a crazy way and in a legit "can she survive pregnancy and birth" kind of way). He rejects her, she goes off to the continent for a couple years to get better, returns healthier, and it's ON. But he's also super self loathing so she's still gotta get her seduction on.

--Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean. Another childhood sweethearts one, they grew up together and fell in love young, and under some crazy circumstances he was basically pushed into... trying to... kill her. Anyway, he thought he was dead for years and is the villain of the previous two books. When he finds out she's alive he goes INSANE trying to find her and it's delicious. She makes him pay.... big time. Book-long grovel!

--A Lady at Midnight by Tessa Dare. These two were childhood friends, but she was super young and doesn't remember at first. But when he sees her again, he recognizes her and becomes her protector. Very sweet/hot.

--Rules for Engaging the Earl by Janna MacGregor. Hero and heroine were sweethearts, he goes off to war, she marries another man. When he returns he has chronic pain and a lot of shame. Her husband dies and she's pregnant; turns out the marriage was bigamous, so she needs to remarry to ensure her child isn't a bastard. Childhood friend steps in.

[marjaystuff]

A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor

A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor is the second book in a new series called the Millionaires of Mayfair.  The series focuses on a family (brother, two sisters) and each novel follows one member to their happily ever after.  This novel focuses on Lady Pippa Ardeerton, the youngest of the sisters.  The Ardeerton children had difficult upbringing, plenty of money, but little to no love, but they had each other. 

Pippa loved designing and sewing beautiful gowns that enhance every type of figure.  She desperately wants to own her own business making gowns.She figured out a business plan.  Her brother does not want her to join a “trade” as he feels that even with a brother who is a duke, she will be shunned.  He wants her to find love and a family.  

Pippa’s new bold plan will allow her to find a husband and purchase her friend’s shop.  She sends out letters to select men to discuss a marriage with each of them, allowing her to marry someone who will let her use her trust to buy the business and run it.  

Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, was one of her brother’s best friends. Accidentally he received a series of letters that were not meant for him and read them.  He immediately decided that he needs to save Pippa from herself and help her find her husband.  

Hugh however finds himself drawn to Pippa in a way that he cannot explain. Pippa finds that she struggles with accepting his help, mostly because it was not helpful. Pippa’s need to produce gowns that are beautiful was an art form her brother couldn’t understand, but will Hugh help or hinder? A Simple Marriage by Janna MacGregor is a good read. 

[mysteriouslytransparentwombat]

Hey, Have you entered this competition to win Join the movement for equality and love with Pride Not Prejudice, and enter to win 3 fantastic books from the anthology by Kathy Lyons yet? If you refer friends you get more chances to win :) https://wn.nr/bKMtUzb

[christinaroseandrews]

The Duke of Greystoke is known far and wide for hosting the best Yuletide house party/grand soiree It’s not just an honor to be invited, but the Revelry (as it is known) has been the cause of not just delicious scandal but also some of the most prestigious wedding matches in the realm. Why, it’s known that the Duke has procured several special licenses for just such an opportunity. 

So join us for this season of love and merriment with the magic of Christmastide.

 As always, I will be reviewing each story individually and since this is a linked anthology I will discuss it as a whole at the end.

Let’s get to the Revelry!

A Mistletoe Kiss Eloisa James

As the youngest of her father’s children, Lady Cressida has long devoted her life to her father, the Duke of Greystoke, and putting on his famous Yuletide Revelry. In fact, it would be more honest to call it Lady Cressida’s Revelry, but with her father dying, Cressida is looking forward to either marrying or retiring to the Scottish Estate in her dowry. But when her father uses the estate to coerce his heir, Viscount Valentine Derham (Val), her dreams are shattered. Worse, he expects her to continue planning the Revelry for her cousin long after he’s gone. What is Cressida to do?

I didn’t love this first entry into the anthology. I found it weak and the romance was far and away the weakest of the lot. Instalove is expected in shorter stories like this, but it felt like this story had the worst case of it. First off, the hero is Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston... the BFF of Val and also a neighbor of the Duke’s. The Duke in this story is a huge bully and very much the antagonist but he’s almost too over the top. But honestly, my biggest complaint is that I just didn’t buy the relationship between the two leads.

Three Stars.

Wishing Under the Mistletoe Christi Caldwell

Granddaughter to the Duke of Greystoke, Isabelle had long ago given up her dream of marriage to a man of common means when he threw himself into his work to the detriment of everything else in his life -- including her.. Now a talented playwright, Isabelle is called upon to stage the pantomimes and plays at what promises to be her grandfather’s final Revelry. She never expects to be paired up with Cyrus, her former fiance and the man who broke her heart. Nor does she expect to discover that she still has feelings for him ten years on.

I liked this story of a second chance class-difference romance initially but then it swerved into two of my least favorite tropes that still make me gnash my teeth. It is made very clear in the beginning who is at fault for the relationship failing -- Cyrus -- and that Isabelle did everything to communicate with him and even talk with him to no avail. It wasn’t Isabelle’s fault. At all. Which is why I absolutely hated that she said that she was at fault for not communicating with Cyrus. It totally belied what we saw in the prologue. There’s also a public proposal which is something I hate with a passion. The story also requires a heapton of suspension of disbelief to expect that the eldest daughter of an Earl and granddaughter of a Duke would be allowed to marry the son of a stablemaster without so much as blink of an eye. Too much, in fact. In addition, Cyrus is the man of business for Val and the Viscount and future duke seems totally okay with his employee marrying his cousin. I really didn’t love this entry. But I liked it up until the very end.

Two stars.

Compromise Under the Mistletoe Janna MacGregor

Niece of the Duke of Greystoke, Caroline Whitmore has been abandoned all her life. First by her mother, then by her father, and finally by her husband. Unable to be ignored by her husband everywhere but in the bedroom, she flees to London and sets herself up as a patroness of the arts. But now, in order to get the remainder of her inheritance, she has to convince her dying uncle by the end of the Revelry that she and her husband, Stephen, have reconciled. The spark of attraction is still there. But is it enough to rekindle the flame of their relationship.

If this sounds familiar, to the second story with a second chance romance caused by the woman leaving a man who abandoned her for his work, then you are not alone. The Duke of Greystoke is once again a bully for this story (in the previous story he was much more sanguine and kind). However unlike the first and second stories in this anthology, I liked this one. The conflict worked and the relationship felt real and the fake/dating becomes real worked. I liked the fact that attraction had never been their problem... communicating and actually having a relationship that was built on more than sex was. The conflicts worked. The story worked.

Five Stars

Mischief & Mistletoe Erica Ridley

On the verge of being put on the shelf, Louisa Harcourt must make an advantageous match by the end of the Revelry. But thanks to the scandal sheets calling her insipid and bland, this is a challenge. Especially since all Louisa wants to do is be a poet. She feels as though she’s found a kindred spirit in fellow poet, Mr. Ewan Reid, a friend of one of the men she’s supposed to be encouraging, Viscount Valentine Derham. Ewan seems to be the man of her dreams, but he’s harboring a terrible a secret. A secret which could shatter her to her very core.

This story has the most tenuous connection to the rest and I felt it would have been better had it been actually a romance between Val and Louisa... not Louisa and Ewan. First off, I really didn’t like the hero... it’s revealed very early on that he’s not actually a poet, but a scandalmonger and the very author of the scandal sheet which torpedoed her chances of a happy marriage. He’s a bully. Worse, he never comes clean to her until she accidentally reads his notebook after they’ve consummated their relationship. To his credit, he hadn’t promised her marriage. But still, he deceived her and was super dishonest with her. Worse still, I hated the ending of this. It felt way too rushed. And one of the main conflicts... their class-difference... was just waved away with flick of a hand. Additionally, we again get a public grovel and proposal... which is one of my most hated things ever.

Two stars.

Over all, I feel like this linked anthology collection was uneven. First off, the Duke... who appeared in each story varied wildly from story to story. He was a bully and horrid in James and MacGregor’s entries. Kindly but stern in Caldwell’s. And downright nice in Ridley’s (giving his blessing for the heroine to marry his heir). It felt like inconsistent characterization. Additionally, all three of the heroes are good friends of Val, the Duke’s heir. Yet none of them are mentioned in any of the other stories.  Even events, locations, and characters appeared and disappeared as needed. It didn’t feel cohesive. Like there needed to be better communication between the authors or an overarching editor whose job was to make sure continuity existed. It is possible.

Additionally, I felt like the stories needed to be shifted around so that the two second chance romances weren’t right by each other. Additionally, only one story should have had a distant epilogue... since the two that did contradicted each other.

Honestly, I didn’t love this anthology.  Two entries featured tropes I hate... which is a personal thing. But it also needed a better continuity editor, which is a less personal thing.

Averaging everything together this anthology gets... 2.5 stars. Which in the spirit of the season I’ll round up to:

Three Stars

If this is your jam, you can get it here.

If you like these kind of honest reviews, please consider supporting us here!

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley

[pollyssecretlibrary]

“A Duke in Time”, by Janna MacGregor

I read this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

RELEASE DATE - JUNE 29th

This is the first book of a new series by Janna MacGregor set in Regency era London (around 1815). The trilogy tells in each book the story of one of the three wives of Lord Meriwether. The “Widow Rules” series begins with the very impressively self-made woman that is Katherine Vareck, the first to marry the trigamist. (Don’t worry, the trigamist is not the hero)

I gave this book 5 out of 5 starts. It was brilliant, cute, hot, and heartwarming.

Lord Meriwether was the second son of the late duke of Ranford. That duke and his second wife, former mistress, were a couple that led a life of debauchery and orgy. Despite his eldest half-brother’s efforts that boy followed in his parents’ steps and before dying in a horse race incident, he had married three ladies, the first of them being Katherine. I won’t go into much detail about the other two because they’ll get their own stories told, but let’s say that on the hearing of the will of the man the three widows, now robbed of their dowries, decide to unite forces to deal with the situation. None of them need the scandal to be talked about amongst society. I was pleasantly surprised that they formed this amazing bond between them instead of fighting or speaking ill of each other. There’s never women-shaming, slut-shaming or rivalry in this book.

Katherine is the first to wake up from her dreams. She was left behind by the trigamist mere six hours after the wedding which was celebrated the year before. She takes the new situation by the reins and invites the two fellow widows to live with her for as long as they need or want. Katherine owns her own successful beddings and linen business so, for the time being, she can stand in as the elder sister in the trio. For that is what they become; sisters. They hold on to one another in the most beautiful of sororities. There is a lot of that in this book. So Katherine is the one to go to the new duke of Ranford, Christian Vareck, for help.

Christian is a dark and broody war hero who deep at heart is a good man. At first, he washes his hands off anything that has anything to do with his half-brother or his family. But soon he feels attracted to this strong and willing lady that is Katherine so they become fast friends and confidants. The both of them have a lot of family secrets to deal with but together they form an attachment in more than one way. Because they help each other in their endeavors.

War and abandonment are very important subjects in this book, there’s a lot of talk about men who return from the wars with Napoleon with nothing but the rags they wear. Christian feels responsible for them and asks Katherine to help him help them. These men taught Christian how to be a good man, if it weren’t for them he would have turned out like his father; a dissipated man with no care for anything or anyone besides himself. Katherine has the experience employing women and single mothers so it was only natural that he’d seek her help.

So with all these ties and many more they slowly but surely develop sweet and hot feelings for each other. It all happens in such a natural way that that made me give it a full 5 stars. Also there’s a lot of consent-talk: “would you like this?”, “would you like that?”. And more than once she is the one who takes the lead. But that was just the last hit that convinced me. It’s everything else that made me give it the most of the score. The amount of sorority was incredible, the absurd moments with the surprising temperamental creatures Lord Meriwether left behind added so much fun to the story, the friendship and comraderies between women and between men; the fact that Christian talks his heart out to his friends, the feeling of having a family where one least expect it. But above all, the characters, I loved all of them save for one evil guy that made it all more complicated. But that was necessary, because Katherine needed to own her past and deal with it herself.

It was perfect, they were perfect. I loved this book to a fault. It made me smile from the beginning to the end.

The next book will be the story of the second wife, Constance, who is pregnant in this book. And her suitor is already spoken of in this book. He’s a friend of Christian’s from war, that’s all I can tell you.

[of-quills-and-scrolls]

Book Title: Rogue Most Wanted

Author: Janna MacGregor

Pub Date: 6/25/19

***ARC  was provided to me by Net Galley and the Publisher for a fair and honest review***

Overall rating: 3.5/5 Regency Romance with a bit of scandal and courtroom drama.

Heroine (Lady Theodora Worth): 4/5 Thea has taken care of the estates and her grandfather for seven long years, missing out on her Season in London. Her title is being challenged she will need the help of some friends to keep it.

Hero (Lord William Cavensham): 3.5/5 Will does not believe in love after his heart is broken at 19. Now at 29 the second son of the Cavensham family finds himself trying to deny himself of a love match.

Plot: 3/5 Thea’s title is being challenged by a distant cousin and she is willing to try anything to keep her home and tenants safe. Including marrying but not Will. He is the serious great nephew of her neighbor and both decide quickly they will not suit but he agrees to help her. Together they wil try to save Thea’s title but can they keep their hands off each other along the way?

Personal Review: Thea is a far better person than most people; she sacrifices a huge part of her life to care for her grandfather with dementia. His own heir doesn’t even bother to check in on him. She truly cares for her tenants and employees and was even willing to sacrifice her own happiness to protect them. She's a stand up character with a moral backbone that could only rival Ned Stark’s.

The first half of the book was definitely my favorite. Thea getting to know Will and truly become friends was cute. Thea learning what it means to be apart of Society was fun as she grew up mostly isolated from the world.

I wish there was a bit more banter between Will and Thea in lou of the back and forth admiration for the other.

If the court case was going to be the frame story, there should have been more time in court. Ferr-Colby was a bit too much of an idle threat, he didn’t really appear enough in the story to produce real tension. This made him feel like a throw away character rather than the main antagonist.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Cavensham Heiresses #6

What if your parents decided you should marry someone you did not want and that did not want  you?

What if your husband openly and truly loved another woman but had to beget an heir?

What if you were verbally abused and sent away to live alone?

What if…

Well, Avalon was married off to a marquess and though she had position and access to money she was never happy as Richard’s wife. Ten years after she was widowed, with her young son beside her, she had made a good life in Thistledown. She had respect, loved the villagers and was loved in return, had a purpose, was solvent and perhaps a wee b it lonely.

Devan Farris is a Man of God with a wicked reputation. He is gorgeous, kind, likes to tease, smiles readily and loves to stir the woman he calls “Lady Warlock” up. His life’s path was determined by his eldest brother and though not the course he had hoped to follow he did make the best of it. When he ended up in Thistledown to spy on Avalon and Tutor her son Thane, well, sparks did begin to fly.

What I liked:

* Avalon: she had grit, vision, determination and managed to make the best of a bad situation.

* Devan: friendly, likable and a whole lot more than surface charm.

* Thane: a son who knew what was best for his mother and went about acquiring it

* Mary Bolen: a strong woman that loved deeply and did what s he had to to make a living

* The possibilities for stories about Henri (ladly’s maid), Devan’s three brothers,

* Sophie (Avalon’s sister) finding Marcus

* The tying up of Penelope’s story

* Side stories about the women who benefited from Avalon’s organization

* Pretty much all of it except…

What I did not like:

* Richard, Marquess of Warwyk – understood him but did not like the way he treated Avalon

* Penelope – though I finally understood her a little bit better after a few things were made known

* Renford – you will understand when you read the book

* Avalon’s parents – ewww

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

Wild, Wild Rake, the next sweeping, emotional, witty, and sharp romance in the Cavensham Heiresses series from beloved author Janna MacGregor.

Her first marriage was an epic fail.

Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry—that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris—charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian—is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation—even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside—a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

EXCERPT

Excerpt from Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Avalon read the first line in the letter from her son’s guardian, Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton. By all appearances the words resembled something innocuous, purely designed to lull a person into thinking it contained real concern with a touch of whimsical affection.

My dearest lady, I do hope this finds you and your intrepid son well.

“Avalon, did you hear the news?” Seventeen, on the cusp of eighteen years of age, Avalon’s sister, Lady Sophia Cavensham, looked up from her embroidery and smiled. Her gaze darted to her friend Miss Penelope Rowley, the one and only niece of the wealthiest gentry landowner in the shire. Though she was two years older than Sophia, Penelope had become somewhat of a fixture at Warwyk Hall over the last six months since she’d moved to her aunt and uncle’s home. The two women were inseparable.

Penelope let out a dramatic sigh then collapsed in a swoon across the pink-and-gold brocade sofa. In the process, she kneed the table, upsetting the delicate pink china cup and saucer. “Oww.”

Avalon tried to ignore their chatter. The Earl of Larkton’s correspondence had increased in frequency over the last several months. The weekly letters were turning into biweekly posts. Each one wanted more and more control over the Warwyk estate and more decision-making control over her ten-year-old son, Thane Pearce, the Marquess of Warwyk. She doubled her concentration on the letter as she read the entire first paragraph.

The purpose of my correspondence is to inform you that I’ve appointed a new vicar for the village of Thistledown. The man comes with impeccable standing and experience. In addition, his educational training is second to none. He’s a protégé of Lord Bishop Marlowe.

“He’s extraordinary.” Sophia’s dreamlike whisper floated through the air like a dandelion seed.

“He’s . . . simply exquisite.” Penelope’s voice joined Sophia’s in a chorus of dazzled fascination.

My dear Marchioness, it’s my pleasure to announce that my brother—

Avalon swallowed the sudden onrush of bile that marched up her throat. It couldn’t be. Fate was not that hateful.

“Mr. Devan—” Sophia sighed.

“Farris.” Penelope finished the sentence and slowly drew her hand against her forehead as if saying his name caused her to faint.

“No. Not him.” Avalon murmured the words aloud. The sanctimonious prig had arrived to make her life a living hell. Avalon grimaced to keep from casting her accounts. Now she was just exaggerating like the girls. She wasn’t really physically sick, but the news could make a person ill. “When did he arrive in the village?”

Clueless as to how the news affected her older sister, Sophia scooted to the edge of the crimson-and-white striped club chair that sat adjacent to Avalon’s matching one. “Two days ago. Penelope and I just happened to be walking in front of the vicarage when we saw the Earl of Larkton’s coach arrive. The new vicar followed behind on horseback.”

Penelope nodded vigorously as if Sophia’s story needed affirmation.

Avalon wanted to roll her eyes. The two women “never just happen” to do anything. They orchestrated and connived everything from shopping to men. God save anyone who crossed their paths. If one of the girls took a shine to any of the ton’s marriageable men, then London’s finest would soon understand what it meant to be hunted.

As the girls continued their chatter, Avalon devoted her full attention to the rest of the letter. Better to finish the horrid task, then take a long walk through her gardens. Though it was January and bitterly cold outside, a brisk hour of exercise would help Avalon clear some of her unease at the news that Mr. Devan Farris had invaded her village.

I’ve considered your request that the young marquess continue his studies at home, but at the age of ten, his interests would best be served by attending Eton sooner rather than later. That’s where boys turn into men. Your suggestion that he attend Harrow won’t do. His father had insisted that I promise he attend Eton. However, since his Latin skills are somewhat lacking, I’ve decided to hire my brother, Mr. Farris, to tutor him in the subject.

Her blood simmered at the words. The earl’s declaration was nothing more than gilding the lily. Everyone within fifty miles of London knew that Devan Farris sought to marry an heiress. Until he found one, the fortune-hunting vicar thought to use her son’s marquisate to pay double for his services. Since her son’s estate paid for the vicar’s wages, Mr. Farris would receive another wage from the coffers for tutoring lessons.

But what really brought her blood to boil was that the smug vicar would be nosing into her business, and that wouldn’t do at all. She and only she ruled the parish with a fair and impartial hand. No one, including Devan Farris, would upset her world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of the Cavensham Heiresses series, which begins with The Bad Luck Bride. Janna credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.

Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250296016

Author website: https://www.jannamacgregor.com/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/JannaMacGregor

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JannaMacGregor/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannamacgregor/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15613220.Janna_MacGregor

SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

[the-book-queen]

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$1.99 ✦ Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor

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[rendezvouswitharomance]

New Release! The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor

New Release! The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor

The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3) by Janna MacGregor

Book Review Here.

Synopsis: Family secrets, mistaken identities…love and money make people do crazy things in The Luck of the Bride, the third Cavensham Heiresses novel.

March Lawson has never had much luck, and in a desperate move to save her family, she’s been posing as the Marquess of McCalpin. But when she’s summoned to a…

[bookwhit]

The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor

The Luck of the Bride by Janna MacGregor

Title: The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3)

Author: Janna MacGregor

Published: May 1st 2018 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Genre: Historical Romance, Adult

Star Rating: 4            Content Rating: 6

Synopsis:

March Lawson has never had much luck, and in a desperate move to save her family, she’s been posing as the Marquess of McCalpin. But when she’s summoned to a meeting with the…

[mermaidsirennikita]

hey! First of all I want to say that I love your blog and your reviews.

Now, do you have any recommendations on historical novels with roadtrip like "The Rogue Not Taken" by Sarah MacLean or the first half of "Devil in Winter" by Lisa Kleypas?

Thanks! And yes, I do.

A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare is a classic historical roadtrip romance with a rake hero and a nerdy heroine on the way to her nerd conference together. It's quite hilarious and very hot.

Waiting for A Scot Like You by Eva Leigh has a widowed mid-forties heroine on her way to an orgy, escorted by a younger Scottish soldier who acts as her bodyguard but then starts doing a lot more than guarding her body.

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt is another one with a side of bodyguard. The heroine (who is blind, by the way) has a villain trying to kidnap her, and her bodyguard sweeps her away to keep her safe. Includes one of my favorite "man is consumed with guilt after Doing Stuff and Thangs" moments.

Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean, of course! Duke and lady thief who's known for helping women break unwanted matches team up to pursue his brother as he's on his way to an unwise marriage--they've gotta stop that wedding!!!

Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall. Local uptight duke botches his proposal to the woman he's always assumed he would marry so badly that she runs off, and her twin brother goes with the duke to find her. Along the way, many very fucking funny things happen. Also, gay sex. Has. THE BEST. Duel. Ever.

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin. Emperor's daughter is on her way to get married to a warlord she hates, when she's attacked by Mysterious People. Ends up traveling with a mercenary, while also trying to avoid the wedding (and falling in love with said mercenary, especially when he like, blindfolds her in a swordfighting scene because that's hot).

How to Best a Marquess by Janna MacGregor, out today! A woman whose dead husband turned out to be married to two other ladies at the same time finds out she might be able to reclaim her dowry and enlists a former flame to go on a roadtrip with her to get it. Tension and lots of "kissing as friends but with tongue oops here go my clothes" ensues.

Never Cross A Highlander by Lisa Rayne. Scottish warrior guy thinks he's liberating an enslaved woman, but he kind of did a misread and accidentally kidnapped her instead. So now he's gotta accompany her home without revealing his true identity, and also while wanting to sex her up a lot.

The Hunter by Monica McCarty. Tracker guy must rescue a secret courier for Robert the Bruce and escort her out of danger, but what happens when that secret courier is a hot lady? And also a nun? (She's not really a nun but he has some hilarious damage about it for a while.) Also, what happens when she super wants to do him?

The Boxing Baroness by Minerva Spencer. Lady boxer who was done wrong by an asshole is approached by a duke who's like "hey, I need information about that asshole", and he kind of blackmails her into working with him? They end up going on a continental journey to rescue his brother. Also she's in a circus.

The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long. Local rake is about to be hanged for a murder he didn't commit, when he's saved at the last minute by a lady mercenary who doesn't even know who hired her, she just wants the cash. But then someone attempts to kill HER, and they end up on a roadtrip evading the law and trying to clear the hero's name/find out who's trying to have them both killed.

[marjaystuff]

The # 500 badge

When I started my blog I had 50 hits a month, mostly from family. Now I average over 1000 hits a month, definitely not mostly from family. Between Pinterest and Tumblr, I have another 100 followers.  Thank-you to my partner-in-books Elise Cooper with her great interviews, Net Galley for all the ARC books and for the support from my book family and friends.  I also am lucky enough to count some authors as a huge support by allowing me to read their ARC novels.  

Each year I save thousands of dollars by borrowing books from the library when possible as opposed to buying them.  Bow’s Baker Free Library has been a wonderful resource for me and I am ever so grateful that I am allowed (I pay now, unlike when I worked in Bow) to use the library.

I have been a member of Net Galley since 2012.  This week, I finally received a new badge for 500 reviews.  It doesn’t seem possible but I have reviewed 510 books for Net Galley and maintained a feedback ratio of over 90%.  Even more important, I have three publishers that send me books, if I ask for them.  YUP a guaranteed acceptance. I am auto approved… (giggling to myself)  

Why am I telling you all this?  It is because I am so very grateful.  While I still have more to accomplish,  I have been loving this particular ride in my life.  I am able to read, write and talk about books.  Now I just need time to put my toes in sand while I read - vacation is soon.

Books read this week

Nothing to Hide (Lucy Kincaid #14) by Alison Brennan

One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley

Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor

Project Duchess by Sabrina James

Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale

[celticmaggie]

822 The Bride Who Got Lucky by Janna MacGregor

I have just found another new author in Janna. She has given us a serious story line and people. It is a way to show us from that era. Nicholas is an Earl and his father has shunned him. He will make more money than his father. Now Emma is grieving that her best friend has died but Emma knows her husband murdered her. She is angry that no one will help her to prove it. Emma goes alone to prove it. Nick is her friend and is solitary. He saves her. But is caught and they have to marry. Emma is stick-to-it kind of person. She is  a bank for women. Nick will help her but not for people who didn't help when he was young. Now his father wants to see him. I liked this book. But there is one spot that almost made me stop reading but I kept on reading and was glad I did! There are lots of spoilers in this story. Please don't let this book get away! Enjoy reading this book!

[theboxreviewers]

Fresh Fiction Not to Miss Box Review + Coupon – May 2017 http://ift.tt/2oJmpXz

When you sign up for Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, every month you will receive a box full of new print books, eBooks, and a Fresh Fiction keepsake. Fresh Fiction focuses on genre fiction, romance in particular. There will be the occasional mystery, erotica, and paranormal as well.

Plan Options:

Month to Month ($25.95/month+FREE shipping in the US – Discount worldwide shipping is available)

3 Month Pre-Pay ($74.85/3 Months+FREE shipping the US – Discount worldwide shipping is available)

Use Code “TBR3” to Receive $3 off of your First Box!

Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss shows up in this adorable pink box!  I adore the color.  It represents the contents of the box perfectly!

Upon opening the box, you are greeted with a card from Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss.

The card features a story involving the box's mascot, Vixen, and more information on the story can be found by going to the box's website!  Also included is a collectible pin with the story's artwork on it.  Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss is including a story like this in every box until June, 2017.

The card is designed like a postcard, and it is quite cute!  I think that adding a one of a kind story in each box allows subscribers to be more interactive.  I also love how this box made their mascot a true character, and it is such a cute cartoon!

This adorable tea bag was also included in the box. I love Earl Grey tea, and I will enjoy this cup while I read my new books!

The next item I pulled out of the box was this thick envelope!

Upon pulling out the contents, I was excited to see that this is a book club party kit!

The kit corresponds with The Promise Girls by Marie Bostwick.  Even though this novel is not included in the box, the recipes included can be enjoyed at any book gathering!  I love how interactive this advertisement is, and it gives me an excuse to throw a fun book party!  (Even though you never need an excuse to throw a book party )

The first novel included in the box is The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor!  This is a cute romance novel, I love the cover!  Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss has their own book directory website, and you can view this book by clicking on the title!

“No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse…especially once she realizes that Lord Pembrooke makes her want to believe she’s not a bad luck bride anymore…

Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper. The beguiling lady has no business laying claim to his heart. But as a mission of revenge turns into fiery passion, Alexander wants nothing more than to break Claire’s curse…and lead them both to their hearts’ desire.”

The book also comes with an author letter!  I love receiving author letters in book boxes.  This letter helped me connect to the author, and I can't wait to read the book!

The next book is Lost Rider by Harper Sloan!  This has to be my favorite pick of the box because I am sucker for cowboy/Western romances.  I also like how this book is very different from the first pick to give me some variety!

“In LOST RIDER, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!”

To Marry A Prince by A.C. Arthur is the next book in the box!  I love royal romances, and this one looks delightful!  I am loving how each book seems to be in a different section of romance.  This creates such a great variety for subscribers to try new subgenres!

“Crown prince Kristian DeSaunters has been groomed since birth to take his place as leader of his tropical kingdom—with the proper princess by his side. Never one to lose his control, he's stunned by his attraction to the free-spirited American stylist who arrives at the palace in his father's fiancée's entourage. Soon Kris and Landry Norris are sharing an instant sultry attraction that shows no signs of slowing down.

Landry couldn't turn down the opportunity of a lifetime to dress the princess-to-be on a private Caribbean island. Falling for Kris is definitely not part of her plan, but the independent LA beauty soon finds herself yearning for a fairy-tale ending of her own. Until someone sets out to sabotage the upcoming nuptials—and Landry becomes the prime suspect. Will Kris and Landry be able to stop a hidden enemy bent on destroying the DeSaunters reign—and save the possibility of a future together?”

This next novel is not a romance, but a suspense novel!  Suspense is one of my favorite genres, so this book looks extremely enticing.  The book is called Pursued by Lisa Harris.

“Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine–up until the crash landing at the airport. When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing–and no one will admit she was ever there. Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial. When she flees from the crash, is she running from trouble or straight into it? Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave readers stunned.”

The last print book included is Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  This looks like such a cute, feel-good novel, and I am excited to read it this summer!  It is a southern fiction novel, and I love reading these books since I have not actually visited or lived in the south.  These books help me to travel to another place!

“From the next “major voice in Southern fiction” (New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand) comes the first in an all-new series chronicling the journeys of three sisters and their mother—and a secret from their past that has the potential to tear them apart and reshape their very definition of what it means to be a family.

Caroline Murphy swore she’d never set foot back in the small Southern town of Peachtree Bluff; she was a New York girl born and bred and the worst day of her life was when, in the wake of her father’s death, her mother selfishly forced her to move—during her senior year of high school, no less—back to that hick-infested rat trap where she'd spent her childhood summers. But now that her marriage to a New York high society heir has fallen apart in a very public, very embarrassing fashion, a pregnant Caroline decides to escape the gossipmongers with her nine-year-old daughter and head home to her mother, Ansley.

Ansley has always put her three daughters first, especially when she found out that her late husband, despite what he had always promised, left her with next to nothing. Now the proud owner of a charming waterfront design business and finally standing on her own two feet, Ansley welcomes Caroline and her brood back with open arms. But when her second daughter Sloane, whose military husband is overseas, and youngest daughter and successful actress Emerson join the fray, Ansley begins to feel like the piece of herself she had finally found might be slipping from her grasp. Even more discomfiting, when someone from her past reappears in Ansley's life, the secret she’s harbored from her daughters their entire lives might finally be forced into the open.

Exploring the powerful bonds between sisters and mothers and daughters, this engaging novel is filled with Southern charm, emotional drama, and plenty of heart.”

Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss also includes ebooks each month, and this month they sent Lake of Destiny by Martina Boone, The Best Part of Me by Jamie Hollins, and Prince of Solana by Susan Sheehey.  I love having books on my kindle so I can take them with me on trips.  These will be great additions to my collection!  All of these ebooks come with download codes, and the subscriber just has to follow the download instructions to obtain them.

The box also included a free bookmark to use as you read along!

Final Thought: I thought that this box was well curated, and the value of the book choices is well worth the asking price!  I also like how each subscriber gets a different selection of books, so not all boxes are the same.  Most of the books are also new releases within the past month, so there is a big possibility that you won't own any of the books sent.  This box is perfect for romance or women's fiction lovers, and it will give you enough books to last the whole month – and possibly much more!

Use Code “TBR3” to Receive $3 off of your First Box!

The post Fresh Fiction Not to Miss Box Review + Coupon – May 2017 appeared first on The Box Reviewers.

[mermaidsirennikita]

I just binged Wallflowers and loved aaaaall of them so much! I know I have seen rec posts of yours before with books similar to Autumn and Winter, but I was wondering if you have any for similar premises to Spring? Particularly a hero that has been ~pining real hard? I know it’s not your fav in the series but the Daisy/Matthew dynamic was really cute and I need more cute in my life rn!

Sure!

Rules for Engaging the Earl by Janna MacGregor--This one is a bit angstier, but the pining is there hardcore from the hero. They were childhood friends, and they marry because she's now a widow with a baby and her husband turned out to be a bigamist so the legitimacy of her marriage kind of in question. It's a marriage of convenience and he has a lot of shame surrounding issues in his past, so she kind of has to take the initiative in making it into a relationship.

The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe--This is another childhood friends to lovers situation, if less angsty. The heroine has no idea that the hero's been pining for her for years, and he basically attempts to fuck up her attempts at getting engaged to a duke so that he can seduce her lol.

The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham--Hardcore pining hero. He's her brother's best friend and she's always scorned him for being uptight and snobby; but there's a lot more to him than what meets the eye. Sexually speaking, lol. She ruins his reputation by spreading a false rumor about him, and in order to save it she proposes a fake, temporary engagement. And she learns a lot. There's some angst and it's a very, very hot read, but I also found it quite cute. @hptriviachamp mentioned this book recently, and she kind of sums it up. It's surprisingly sweet when he coaches her through her first blowjob behind a curtain at their engagement party, lmao.

The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heath--I recently re-read parts of this after reading the preceding book, and oof, it's good. I don't think the hero necessarily realizes that he's pining, and I wouldn't compare him to Matthew Swift in a lot of ways... But it's boss/secretary, so idk, for all that it had the standard Lorraine Heath dramatics, there's also that kind of cute "he relies on her for everything without even realizing that he also emotionally relies on her" shit. Which I ate up. It's like she's so ingrained in his life that he doesn't realize that he's been secretly in love with her since day one until he might lose her!!!

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas--This is a bit more enemies to lovers, but if you read the whole series you have this setup of the hero being very obviously into the heroine, who is the governess of his sisters, for quite a while. And they bicker a lot before she realizes that he's actually super in love with her.

[marjaystuff]

Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor

Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor is the fifth book in the Cavensham Heiress Series.  In each book we find interesting female leads with sometimes rather bold ideas for the times and the men who fall totally in love with the women despite their efforts.  In this particular novel, Lady Theodora Worth needs to marry but after being raised away from the ton and appropriate society’s activities she is unprepared. Her nearest neighbor would love to help her prepare to enter society as a lady to help her marry, but she would prefer her to marry Lord William Cavensham (the nearest neighbor’s nephew and heir).   What a tangled web that turns out to be…

Lady Theodora Worth wants to be married, but also wants to make sure she does not lose her home.  She needs help to save her property and a husband.  Lord William Cavensham does not want to love anyone!  He learned his lesson years ago and will not be drawn into that again.  The story is a lark to read.  I love how both agree that they shouldn’t wed, but they can’t stay away from each other.  Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor was a fun romantic read!