Indiscretion by Jude Morgan

Source: goodreads

Synopsis:

When your father is a man of expensive tastes and schemes but very little money, you soon learn to make do. So when Captain Fortune, a well-meaning but profligate ex-soldier in Regency England, tells his daughter Caroline that they are ruined, she automatically starts seeking employment as a governess. Her father, however, has far grander designs for Miss Fortune.…
Caro is to become the companion of Mrs. Catling, the rich, fierce widow of her father's old colonel. As Mrs. Catling amuses herself by tormenting her relatives and servants, Caro resolves to make the best of the situation, and soon her beauty and intelligence attract the attentions of male admirers.
Surrounded by people with an alarming readiness to reveal each other's confidences, Caroline is exasperated to find herself implicated in their indiscretions. But will Miss Fortune be able to avoid losing her reputation without losing her head? And will she find at least one good man amongst the genteel set who will take her side, and, indeed, her fancy?

 

Ok so this review will be a bit different. I tried to make a note of my thoughts throughout the book. Here goes!

Chapters 1 and 2:
I really like Caroline so far, I've gotten used to the tone and language. The scene has been set, looking forward to what comes next. Can't bring myself to dislike the dad but i'm happy she'll be free of him.

Chapters 3 and 4:
So is this the love interest? Really, his sister is called Georgiana? *sigh* I will forgive that Austen-ism as long as there are no more. Are the Danglers sincere in their friendship? Is Leabrook sincere in his attention? Why is the topic of falling in love mentioned so quickly? (I'm hoping this is not a regency instalove type thing, was hoping for more). So Sophia is neither a hag or an angel. Interesting.

Chapters 5 and 6:
Ah so that's it eh? Sophia is mood swings galore and Leabrook is a douche.

Chapter 7:
Wow, so things are not going at all as I thought they would, which is good because Sophia was becoming increasingly unbearable.

Chapter 8:
Well this is quite an interesting turn of events, and one that I am most amiable to.

Chapter 9:
 I am liking this new direction more and more.

Chapter 10:
Definitely liking Isabella.

Chapters 11 and 12:
Fanny is lovely. I'm really liking how all of these characters are being introduced gradually. To be honest I kind of saw this latest Leabrook drama coming.

Chapter 15:
Is Stephen changing his mind???

Chapter 18:
So the proverbial ish has hit the proverbial fan. Though my heart aches for Caro, I can't help but be happy that everything is finally out. Oh, and how annoying is Matthew?!

Chapter 20:
Definitely not surprised by Fanny. My heart warms anytime Stephen and Caro are in a scene together.

End:
And so it ends. The books as a whole was quite delightful, but I can't help but feel like the ending was rushed.

Notes: 3.75 stars. The squeakiest of Cleans

The Promise and The Vow by D.D. Chant

Source: goodreads

Source: goodreads

Synposis

The Promise: Dear Reader,
I wish to tell you a tale that began with a promise destined to change the lives of many.
When only a child, Lady Adele of Berron lost her family during a dreadful battle and was betrothed to a stranger.
Lord Rafe of Valrek, only a boy himself when the battle of Calis raged, grew to be a feared warrior and trusted advisor to his King. But sadness filled his past and Adele served only to remind him of all he had lost.
However the promise that bound these two together caused great anger to some.
What, Dear Reader, happened in those days of treachery and darkness? Incline your ear that I may whisper the secrets that you so desire to hear......

Lady Quill

The Vow: Dear Reader,

My next story begins with Velrek, where Lord Rafe and Lady Adele's arrival was cause for much celebration and rejoicing.
However Finan of Gournay, Rafe's foster brother and the captain of Valreks army, could not help a lingering feeling of worry.
Were Rafe and Adele truly safe from Lord Kyule's hate?
Adding to Finan's problems was the unsettling presence of Rafe's sister, Lady Esme. Used to keeping his distance from the woman of Valrek, Finan found that he could no longer escape as before.
As danger and treachery enveloped Valrek, Finan and Esme found themselves drawn together to fight the shadowy assailant that threatened the lives of those they loved.
What secrets would they unearth in their search for the enemy that taunted them?
Would they find that their stories were more closely linked than either of them ever knew?
Allow me please to answer these questions...

Lady Quill

Ok I'm going to be really quick here because I have another book downloaded onto my kindle, ready for me to devour. But I wanted to write about this series before getting into another. Ever since reading Scarlet, my appetite for all things historical and medieval has been re-whet and as such it felt right to take a much needed reprieve from contemporary and delve into the historical romance genre.

My thoughts.

I liked it. I really like the series. My feelings are a bit mixed though. The first book starts with a huge misunderstanding-type scenario that induced a major eye roll on my part. But that could just be because I'm so book jaded. But the reason I kept reading was because D.D. Chant made the book SO MUCH MORE than a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications that is the sum of so many romance books. The plot twists in this kept coming and Chant managed to keep me on my toes, which is no small feat I tell you. Just when you thought you knew where things were going, everything was turned on it's head, I loved it. And it wasn't in a "let's chuck every idea at this book to fill a page quota" way. It was just really great, thought out story telling. Also to begin with I sometimes felt a bit overwhelmed with all the characters and names but by the end I was completely used to, and rooting for everybody. I should say that I had to take like three five minute breaks while reading the first book because you really have to pay attention when reading this to appreciate, enjoy and understand everything that is going on.

Now onto the second book. By the end of the first, I was intrigued but not like bowled over. So I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the second book. However over the course of the morning after completing The Promise, I found myself wondering what was going to happen to the characters. When the wondering wouldn't leave I bought the second book and devoured it lol. I loved the second book. It was definitely stronger than the first (which was by no means weak) and was just all round awesome. The plot was awesome. The characters were awesome. I just thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and await  the third book with bated breath!!

So while I loved the second book, I would not have loved it as much if I had not read the first. 

Note: Clean. 3.5 Stars for The Promise and 4 Stars for The Vow

Crossing the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

Source: goodreads

Synopsis: Falling hard never felt so good.

Pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream. They vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team.

The heart doesn’t always listen to reason, though...

The more time Courtney spends with sweet, shy Josh, the harder she falls for him. But they are on opposite sides of the competition, and their futures are headed in opposite directions. Will their friendship blossom into more or are their paths too different to cross?

This was such a satisfying read. You know what, because I've read all of her previous books, Jennifer Comeaux is on my list of go-to authours. That means that when I pick up one of her books, I know I won't be disappointed. That's because she never takes the easy route. And that was even more apparent in Crossing the Ice, I think she outdid herself with this one. There was no unneccessary angst, there was no unneccessary drama, there was no smut to hide the fact that there isn't much of a story. This was awesome. But when I meant that she outdid herself with this one I meant that this is the fourth book of hers that I've read. Usually when you've read so many books from an authour you can kind of anticipate the story. You know their writing habits, and sometimes no matter how much you like the authour it can feel like you're reading the same books but with different character names. 

But with Crossing the Ice, there was none of that, and it was refreshing. I LOVED Josh. Comeaux wrote the shy hero so well. He was shy, sure, but he knew what he wanted and went after it. I LOVED HIM. I loved him and Courtney. I loved their connection. Another thing you can count on with Comeaux is that the relationships in her books actually build and develop.

Oh another thing, I liked how even when there was conflict, we weren't given cookie cutter conflict. And even when I didn't agree with how characters reacted to particular conflicts I completely understood their points of view. There was nothing far fetched with this book, it was just all round awesomeness. An awesome story with awesome characters.

Note: Clean, 4.5 stars

P.S Oh and I love how Em and Sergei are incorporated into the story without it feeling like a rehash of any past Edge books.
PP.S I mentally jumped up and down at the ending!!!!
PPP.S Can you tell how happy I am with this book, it gives me hope for the NA Romance genre

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen

Source: goodreads

Synopsis:

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.

I will never forgive you A.C. Gaughen. I will never forgive you for hooking me on this series and then making me wait until May 2015 until the next installment. That is just cruel.

This book was awesome. Whereas Scarlet (Book 1) was mainly focused on the gang fighting for the people, Lady Thief was more focused on Scarlet fighting to be with Rob. And boy did she have to fight. I really admire her strength. I don't have much to say, I rarely do when it comes to series. Just that I loved it, I wasn't at all disappointed by this installment. I was completely caught up in the story and CANNOT wait for part three.

Note: Clean. 4 stars