It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (October 2nd)

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organise yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!"

Monday is here once again!  It was a crazy weekend and felt like it just flew by.  Maybe it did since it included a girl's softball tournament, flag football, a sleepover (not at my house thankfully), a homecoming football game, overtime.....well I think you get the picture.  Sometimes I am more tired from the weekend than I am from the actual week.  Ha!  It's a fresh week though and I'm ready to talk books with all of you.

Last week I managed to finish one book but it was a really good one!  I finished:

You guys!  This series is just SO, SO good!  I feel like other mystery lovers are missing out a bit if they haven't tried this series yet.  I'm certainly going to be pushing both my Mom and sister to pick these books up.  I still need to work on writing up my thoughts on this one which will be difficult as I don't want to spoil anything for others who haven't read the series and might.  There is a lot that carries on from book to book.

I'm now currently reading the following:

Hold Tight is a carryover from last week and is my print read.  Not much new to report other than I'm enjoying already.  Dark Road Home is my new kindle read which I haven't actually started.  I've been focusing more on the Coben book with the limited reading time that I have had.  I'm also still working on Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels on my phone.  I've got plenty of books on the go so now I need to actually make some reading progress with all of these. 

New book acquisitions:

NetGalley continues to tempt me endlessly with books I want to read.  It doesn't matter how far behind I feel with my reading, I can't seem to resist visiting that site and requesting new books.  This is where the first three books pictured above came from.  It took ALL of my self control not to start reading First Degree Mudder instantly as this is the 4th book in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.  I feel like I have been waiting for it for months now.  Last Rituals was purchased by myself for my already overloaded kindle.  I absolutely loved The Silence of the Sea by this author earlier this year (I still need to review) which meant it was a must buy for me.  

That's enough out of me for one Monday.  I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with some good books.

Happy Monday and Happy Reading!

Blogging Fun and Signing Up

It wouldn't be fall if I wasn't signed up to participate in R.I.P. (or Readers Imbibing Peril).  Even though I'm a bit later than usual in signing up, I have been reading for this challenge already.  There is no challenge out there like Carl's Annual R.I.P. event and I look forward to it every year.  As always to participate all you have to do is the following:

"There are only two expectations if you want to participate with us:

1. Have fun reading (and watching*).
2. Share that fun with others."

I always end up adding a ton of books to my TBR list thanks to this challenge.  Usually I would share a pool of possibilities but since I've been a bad blogger lately I'm going to skip that part for the first time in years.  I'm signing up for Peril the First which only requires me to read four books.  It almost feels like cheating when I've already read three books with this event in mind.  I'm counting them too because I can.  Ha!  Here is what I've read so far if you are interested (or looking for book suggestions for yourself:

If you want to sign up then go here.  Basically all of my reading till the end of October will fit in with this challenge because nothing makes me think of fall more than spooky reading.  And look at that beautiful artwork from Abigail Larson!  How could you not want to share that as well??

I'm also planning on participating in Blog Ahead.  This is a blogging event that focuses on schedule posts ahead of time.  This is something that I always want to do but very rarely happens.  I wouldn't have month long gaps in between my posts if I could schedule and plan ahead that far.  For the month of October I'm going to work really hard to creating posts ahead of time with the goal of getting at least a week ahead (if not more).  It is going to be hard but fun and I'm really looking forward to participating.  If you would like to participate yourself, sign up here.  

So I take off a month of blogging and jump back in feet first.  Sounds about right, doesn't it?  LOL!  Are you participating in either of these events?  If you are then let me know so we can cheer each other on!

Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.

The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.

The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past."

My Thoughts:

I requested this book from NetGalley based off of the cover alone because I just thought it was great. Then I read the above description and this book shot to the top of my TBR list that easily. As we are slowly getting closer to fall weather, I am constantly in the mood for dark and creepy thrillers. This book was exactly what I was looking for and is a perfect read for this time of year! It spooked me a few times and I found myself unable to put this book down because of it. It was just the perfect combination of mystery and thriller where as the reader, I couldn't stop reading just so I could see what would happen next. Talk about a page turner! The intensity level was high from the very beginning and didn't let up until the very end. If this was this author's first book ever written (which she is just now publishing), well I just cannot wait to read more by her!

One of the things that I liked most about this book was the main character Iris Ballard. I love a book with a strong female lead and she was one of those characters I enjoy the most. She isn't perfect and is in fact really struggling when the book begins. I don't want to share why though as it is an important part of this book in the sense that it really shapes Iris and the woman that she has become. I loved her character and am really hoping that we get to see more of her in future books. I can definitely see this being a series and I would be first in line to get my hands on book two- this book was just that good. I've forgotten how hard it is to share my thoughts on a book like this without giving anything away. Suffice it to say that if you are looking for an intense, heart-pounding read then look no further. This was just as good as I had hoped it would be when I first heard about it (if not better).

Final thoughts: I need more of Iris Ballard in my life! Please, please, please tell me that this is going to be a series because I really want it to be. I feel like I didn't say much about this book but I didn't want to spoil any of it. I'm going to be recommending this one to everyone I know because I enjoyed it that much. I'm also planning on checking into some of Jennifer Harlow's other books to see what else she has written. This book was very good, dark and thrilling, and I want more. Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: A thriller that shouldn't be missed!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Just a side note but if you enjoyed The Body Reader by Anne Frasier then I really think that you will enjoy this book as well. Or if you enjoy this one try The Body Reader as it features another strong female lead and is quite thrilling as well!

The Sunday Post # 24 (Missing Blogger Edition)

"The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Wow!  It has been awhile since my last post a little over a month ago.  And even before that last post my blogging has been sporadic at best.  What happened you may ask?  Summer happened to start.  I went from posting on a pretty regular basis to almost nothing at all.  With three kids all in sports, life just got hectic and blogging had to move down the list a bit.  Not that I haven't been reading blogs (I have) but I haven't been commenting like I usually do are any of that fun stuff.  Today though that is going to change.  We are actually home on this beautiful Sunday enjoying a relaxing weekend.  I'm ready to blog and chat with you all about books once again.  That isn't to say that life has slowed down as in fact it hasn't.  But I'm going to work a bit harder to try and fit blogging in on my down times.  That is the plan at least!

So what have I been up to lately?  The usual fun stuff like work (actually lots of work as we have been on mandatory overtime for months now).  The kids are back in school which means lots of homework help and everything that goes along with that.  My oldest is in eighth grade this year which makes me sad to think about.  Next year will be that first year in high school and I'm not sure I'm ready.  Ha!  He is also playing football which keeps us busy but is so much fun to watch.  My daughter is in third grade this year.  She has also started playing travel softball.  Coming from just playing little league to moving into a girl's traveling softball team has been an experience.  She is loving it so far though so all of the time commitment is completely worth it.  The youngest is in first grade which just seems too crazy.  He is the baby and I can't get over how fast he is growing.  He is playing his first year of flag football which is such fun to watch.  Quite a difference from watching serious football games to flag where half of the kids don't even know where the ball is.  But such a joy to watch as he just begins to learn this game that his brother already loves.  In between all of the practices and games I just try to fit everything else in.  It is crazy pants some nights and the rare night where we don't have anything going on is treasured.  It is worth it though just for my kids and my husband and I don't complain too much!  LOL!

I have been reading though if you can believe that.  I've taken to reading on my phone during practices, at nights right before bed if I haven't fallen asleep first, or wherever else I might fit it in.  My reading pace has gone down drastically but that is okay.  I'm just chugging along reading as much as I can when I can.  What have I finished lately??  I can't even remember the books that I last shared with you so I'm going to start fresh with the last two books I've finished.  They are:

The Kill Box by Nichole Christoff- I picked this one up after being approved for the 4th book in this series on NetGalley and realizing that I had never read this one which is book number three.  I've enjoyed each of the books in this series and I think that this was my favorite yet.  I'm going to try and write up a review for this one later today.

Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow- I've been in the mood for dark and thrilling reads thanks to Carl's RIP Challenge (which I haven't yet officially signed up for but of course I am participating in).  This was a perfect read for this challenge.  Dark, creepy - in the afterwords of this book the author says that this was her first book that she had ever written which is just now being published.  Say what??  This was so good and I am just hoping that she will write more books in this series.  I should try to write up my thoughts on this one today as well.

I'm now currently reading the following books:

I don't usually have three books on the go at once but I currently do.  Hold Tight by Harlan Coben is my print read.  Coben is one of those writers whose books I find myself unable to put down so I'm really looking forward to this one although I've just barely begun it.  The House at Seas End by Elly Griffiths is book three in one of my favorite mystery series.  This is my current kindle read and I'm already sucked into it.  Mystery fans really need to check this series out if they haven't had the chance yet.  Finally, on my phone I am currently reading Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels.  Usually I read the same book on both my kindle and phone but for whatever reason I was having issues opening the Griffiths book on my phone.  I decided to download this book onto my phone instead as this was a book that I was reading (and enjoying) but then for whatever reason it got set aside and never finished.  It has been so long that I'm going to have to go back and start at the beginning but I'm looking forward to finally reading and finishing it.

Plans for today are just to enjoy this quiet Sunday.  I'm working on laundry and my house is relatively clean thanks to a marathon cleaning session yesterday.  I'm going to try and write up a review or two- maybe reply to some comments, and other fun stuff like that.  I'm going to watch a ridiculous amount of football and enjoy every minute of it.  I'm just going to enjoy being at home with the family.  I'm off to enjoy some yummy snacks but here is to getting back to blogging and talking books!!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

The Body Reader by Anne Frasier (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"For three years, Detective Jude Fontaine was kept from the outside world. Held in an underground cell, her only contact was with her sadistic captor, and reading his face was her entire existence. Learning his every line, every movement, and every flicker of thought is what kept her alive.

After her experience with isolation and torture, she is left with a fierce desire for justice—and a heightened ability to interpret the body language of both the living and the dead. Despite colleagues’ doubts about her mental state, she resumes her role at Homicide. Her new partner, Detective Uriah Ashby, doesn’t trust her sanity, and he has a story of his own he’d rather keep hidden. But a killer is on the loose, murdering young women, so the detectives have no choice: they must work together to catch the madman before he strikes again. And no one knows madmen like Jude Fontaine."

This book would be the perfect start to a new mystery series!  Please, please, please let there be more books featuring Jude Fontaine because I want more.  I've read a ton of thrillers and mysteries already this year and this may be one of the most intense ones so far!  Every time I say that I fly through the pages of a book from beginning to end it is the mark of a good read.  I just could not stop reading this one.  It's funny because sometimes I feel like I say that a lot...the "I couldn't put this book down" or "I couldn't read it fast enough" spiel (which is true at the time) and then a book like this comes along which makes those two sentences feel like not enough.  The intensity of this book at times took my breath away.  It was heart pounding and there were times that I had to set the book down just so that I could calm myself down.  I was that into this book and to be honest if life had let me this is one of those rare books that I could have just sat down and read in one sitting.

One of the things that made this book stand out for me was Jude Fontaine.  Her character has gone through the unimaginable and is now trying to figure out how to live afterwards.  Everything that she has gone through in the past three years is still affecting her and then to have to deal with her first murder investigation since returning to the police force.  It isn't a good combination and I loved that her mental stability almost added another layer of intensity to the story.  I could never guess how she was going to act or what she was going to do.  I just loved her character and wanted to see her solve this case and prove everyone wrong.  I'm telling you again that this could be the start of a really great mystery series just based off of the characters alone.  Add in a dark, twisted story line and you have a real winner!

Overall, I was completely stunned by just how good this book was.  It wasn't perfect (I found the ending a bit predictable if I'm being honest) but it sure was close!  I picked this book up based off of another's bloggers recommendation and I am so glad that I listened.  Isn't that just the best part of the reading world? I so do love when that happens! I already had it on my to be read list but moved it up to the top, and I'm so glad that I did.  I think that fans of thrillers and mysteries should definitely check this book out.  It won't be for everyone as it is very dark and there are many triggers that might turn some readers off.  But I'm here to say that I loved every minute of it!

Bottom Line:  Heart pounding and intense....enough said!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

The Buried Book by D.M. Pulley (Spotlight and Giveaway)

Summary from Goodreads:

"When Althea Leary abandons her nine-year-old son, Jasper, he’s left on his uncle’s farm with nothing but a change of clothes and a Bible.

It’s 1952, and Jasper isn’t allowed to ask questions or make a fuss. He’s lucky to even have a home and must keep his mouth shut and his ears open to stay in his uncle’s good graces. No one knows where his mother went or whether she’s coming back. Desperate to see her again, he must take matters into his own hands. From the farm, he embarks on a treacherous search that will take him to the squalid hideaways of Detroit and back again, through tawdry taverns, peep shows, and gambling houses.

As he’s drawn deeper into an adult world of corruption, scandal, and murder, Jasper uncovers the shocking past still chasing his mother—and now it’s chasing him too."

D. M. Pulley’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, August 22nd: Patricia’s Wisdom

Tuesday, August 23rd: Booked on a Feeling

Wednesday, August 24th: Wordsmithonia

Thursday, August 25th: FictionZeal

Thursday, August 25th: Write Read Life

Friday, August 26th: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

Monday, August 29th: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Tuesday, August 30th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, August 31st: Dwell in Possibility

Thursday, September 1st: A Bookaholic Swede

Tuesday, September 6th: Kahakai Kitchen

Wednesday, September 7th: Brooke Blogs

Thursday, September 8th: Readaholic Zone

Monday, September 12th: Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, September 14th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Thursday, September 15th: A Book A Week

I'm thrilled to be able to host a giveaway for this book although it is open to only US/Canada residents.  All that you have to do is enter is leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner before the tour ends.  

The Drafter by Kim Harrison (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Detroit 2030. Double-crossed by the person she loved and betrayed by the covert government organization that trained her to use her body as a weapon, Peri Reed is a renegade on the run.

Don’t forgive and never forget has always been Peri’s creed. But her day job makes it difficult: she is a drafter, possessed of a rare, invaluable skill for altering time, yet destined to forget both the history she changed and the history she rewrote.

When Peri discovers her name on a list of corrupt operatives, she realizes that her own life has been manipulated by the agency. She joins forces with a mysterious rogue soldier in a deadly race to piece together the truth about her final task, unable to trust even herself."

My Thoughts:

The Drafter is one of the most original  science fiction/urban fantasy series that I've read in a long time.  I loved the world that Harrison created with this book and am very eager for more.  I always talk about those books that you can just sink down into and that is exactly what I found myself doing with this book.  It wasn't one of those books that I could set down so instead I found myself reading and saying "one more chapter" for long stretches at a time.  I really liked the fact that this book is so completely different from any other book that I've read.  The idea of being able to alter time but then to just forget what they have altered while also losing stretches of time was so unique to any other books that I've read.  The author used this to add such a thrilling layer of intensity to the book and it was just one of the reasons that I couldn't set this book down.

I'm trying very hard not to give too much away here but warning now for a slight spoiler.  One of the things that I loved most about this book is that the author wasn't afraid to make difficult choices in regards to her characters and the overall plot.  There were times that I was so frustrated but just made me want to keep reading even more.  It felt like a must to see how this would all play out and end.  Would Peri be able to figure everything out in time?  That was the question and it is what kept me reading late into the night.  I loved both her character and also Silas' character as well.  I liked that there is a hint of something more there and am hoping that we get to see more of it in future books.  I really don't think that we have learned fully all about Peri's abilities and that is also something that I'm hoping the author will explore more.  Excellent secondary characters also helped to make this book stand out for me.  The ending of this book left me unready to see it end.  I am absolutely pining for the second book at this point.  I'm also kicking myself a bit for waiting so long to read this one.  I loved the way the author ended this book and won't say more than that (other than it fit perfectly with the book in my opinion).

Final thoughts can be summed up as "Read it!"  A page turning read would be the perfect way to describe this book as well.  Obviously I don't have anything but good things to say about it.  I would love to find more books like this so I'm thinking that I need to stick my toes more in the science fiction genre.  I'm also planning on reading this author's Rachel Morgan series while I wait for book two to release in this one.  It is another series that I've always meant to read and put off but no longer.  If that series is half as good as this book was, then I'm in for a real treat!

Bottom Line:  A thrilling and great beginning to this new series!  I need more!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for the publisher.

A Dark and Stormy Murder by Julia Buckley (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Camilla Graham’s bestselling suspense novels inspired Lena London to become a writer, so when she lands a job as Camilla’s new assistant, she can’t believe her luck. Not only will she help her idol craft an enchanting new mystery, she’ll get to live rent-free in Camilla’s gorgeous Victorian home in the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana.
 
But Lena’s fortune soon changes for the worse. First, she lands in the center of small town gossip for befriending the local recluse. Then, she stumbles across one thing that a Camilla Graham novel is never without—a dead body, found on her new boss’s lakefront property.
 
Now Lena must take a page out of one of Camilla’s books to hunt down clues in a real crime that seems to be connected to the novelist’s mysterious estate—before the killer writes them both out of the story for good..."

My Thoughts:

A Dark and Stormy Murder is easily one of the best beginnings to a cozy mystery series that I've read in a long time.  It was pretty much a given that I would adore this one after I realized that it paid homage to older gothic romances.  Barbara Michaels anyone??  I have a special place in my heart for her books and for many other authors like her so I was just thrilled to find this book.  I loved how the author made this book almost feel like one of those books with the large, rambling house and the mysterious but handsome neighbor.  Plus the author included at the beginning of each chapter a part of the book that Camilla was currently working on (which of course is a gothic romance).  I'm grinning even now just thinking about how perfectly this book was set up.  Then you factor in that there is a mystery as well and you probably can already see why I loved this book so much!

I also really enjoyed the characters in this book.  Lena is an aspiring author herself but it was her love of Camilla's books that really helped me to connect with her.  It was all so bookish and perfect and I loved every minute of it.  I loved the parts of the book where Lena and Camilla were working together on Camilla's current work in progress.  I liked that we were given a chance to see the writing process but through this book as well.  I also enjoyed the mystery which was just suspenseful enough to help me want to read this book even faster.  I tried to go slowly with this one since I was enjoying it so much but I also didn't want to stop reading.  I found myself finishing it way too quickly for my taste but also very excited for the next book.  I feel like I desperately need the next book because I loved this one so much.  I really liked how the author ended this one because there was a complete ending but she also set up book two perfectly.  And left me wishing that I had book two in my hands right now!

Overall, it should be easy to tell that I just loved this one.  I am really excited about it and am already thinking of some of my blogging friends that I want to recommend this one to.  If you love Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, or Phyllis Whitney then give this book a try.  I'm betting that you will enjoy it as much as I did.  I am just pumped about this series, and since I have a wait until book two, I've decided to try this authors other books in the meantime.  I've got a list of favorite cozy mystery authors and Julia Buckley is going on this list.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  I adored this book from beginning to end!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Caught Bread Handed by Ellie Alexander (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the oven is heating up as high as the body count…

Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary…especially when murder is thrown into the mix.

When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town, and tracking down the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading—with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent—for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start…and risk getting burned?"

My Thoughts:

This is seriously one of my very favorite cozy mystery series, and I've been waiting impatiently to read this book for a very long time.  Even when I got an early copy I forced myself to wait until closer to the release date because I knew that I would be left wishing for the next book after I finished.  Which is exactly what happened and now I'm going to have to try (try being the key word here) and patiently wait for book five.  I love many things about this series but one of my very favorite things about it is all of the characters.  This series features such a great cast of characters, and I love that we as the readers are getting to know them more and more as we get further in.  I'm not even sure if I read these books for the mystery so much as I read it for the characters.  The author has just brought these characters to life for me.  It almost makes me feel like I could go visit this perfect little town myself.

Although I fully admit that I love the characters the most about these books there are other elements that I love as well.  Namely all of the delicious food descriptions that the author shares throughout the story.  My family knows by now that my cooking skills are iffy at best but it doesn't stop me from wishing that I could cook like Jules.  These books make me seriously hungry and I'm always tempted to try some of the recipes that are included at the end.  The mystery story line in this book was done quite well also although to be honest that was the part I cared about the least.  I was more worried about what was going to happen with Jules especially with her estranged husband Carlos leaving to go back to the ship he works on.  I'm not a huge fan of his (I like Thomas her old boyfriend more) but I knew that this book might change things with their relationship which left me eager to see what was going to happen.  Slight spoiler here but nothing was fully resolved which is why I am really anxious to read the next book in this series.  I love how there aren't easy answers given in terms to her relationship with Carlos.  It just feels more like real life and I appreciate that.  The ending of this book wrapped everything up quite nicely and left me satisfied.  I'm always left wishing for more after these books but isn't that what always happens with a series that you love?

Overall, I loved this book just as I have loved every book in this series.  I really can't recommend them enough but especially to cozy mystery fans.  This is a series that should be read in order just so that you can get the full feel for all of these characters.  Each book could be read alone but I really think the overall experience would be improved if you read them in order.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  I can't say enough good things about this series or this book!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley as part of a CBB book tour.

 

A Reckless Promise by Kasey Michaels (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"It's the kind of vow often made on the battlefield. Darby Travers, Viscount Nailbourne, never imagines he'll have to honor it. Yet here she is on his doorstep—his late comrade's young daughter, and Darby's new ward. Worse, she comes with the most overprotective, mistrustful, bothersome chaperone—the child's aunt, Sadie Grace Boxer. Darby is quite sure that behind her lovely facade, the woman is guarding a secret.

Sadie Grace faced many trials working in her brother's surgery, but none prepared her for the world she's thrust into with his passing. Navigating the ton, with its endless ball gowns and parade of parties, is difficult enough, but hiding the truth about her niece while the sophisticated viscount watches her every move proves nearly impossible—particularly when his searing gaze tempts her to bare all. But when her family's past catches up with her, she'll have to trust in Darby…no matter the cost to her heart."

My Thoughts:

This author is fast becoming one of my go to authors when it comes to an enjoyable and fun historical romance.  Earlier this year I read and adored A Scandalous Proposal so I couldn't turn down the opportunity to read another book in this series.  This book was just as great as the previous book and also just a plain good read!  There is just something about the way this author writes that makes me smile and enjoy my reading experience.  I found myself easily swept away by this book and I finished it in a matter of days.  Isn't it funny how there are just some authors that can do that with a book?  Where you find yourself reading as much as possible without concern for everything else that you "should" be doing?  My house definitely wasn't clean after finishing this book but it was completely worth it!  It is a shame that I just started reading this author earlier this year but at least I more books to look forward to.

One of the best things about this series in my opinion is the cast of supporting characters.  Don't get me wrong, I loved Sadie Grace and Darby but I also loved so many of the other characters as well.  Clarice and Rigby in particular are favorites of mine and I'm wondering if they were featured in the first book?  I'm not sure but I will definitely be finding out.  This wasn't your typical romance as it took awhile for the characters to figure out their full feelings towards one another.  I love romances where this happens.  There might be attraction or friendship but the actually falling in love with one another takes time.  I adored that we got to see characters from the previous book in this one as well.  I really adored the way that the author took multiple story lines in this book and we got to see each play out by the end.  I found myself most intrigued by the trouble that Clarice found herself in.  There were some tense moments where I wasn't sure how everything was going to work out or even if it would.  I also really was looking forward to Darby and Sadie's happy ever after.  They just fit together so perfectly so it was something that I couldn't help but love.

Overall, this book solidified my love for this author's books.  At this point my plan is to read anything and everything that this author has written starting with An Improper Arrangement which is the first book in this series.  I believe that I already have that one on my kindle so I won't be waiting long to read it!  Fans of historical romance should really check this book out.  I don't think that you need to read the books in order (I certainly didn't) but it might help when it comes to knowing the full stories of each of the characters.  With such a fun writing style and a story line that sweeps you away, why wouldn't you want to?

Bottom Line:  A new must read author for me in the historical romance genre!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley as part of a TLC book tour.