Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

Click to purchase

Lady Helen Tiernay has had it with her neighbor, the awful Lord Holden. She has had to bail out some of his tenants, seen others removed from their homes and even disfigured. Thoroughly disgusted, she turns to writing letters of complaint to the King.

Lord Holden has been off fighting wars for the King. But his estate man has also been complaining to the King about the “tyrant of Tiernay.” When Holden arrives home, the King’s emissary pays him a visit. By royal decree, he is to marry Lady Helen, thus ending all the complaint letters and giving the King one less thing to worry about.

Lady Helen is appalled, and Lord Holden incensed – he has no idea who she is and has no desire to marry. But marry they will.

Lady Helen decides to keep from consummating the marriage, thus clearing the path to annulment. She tries various ways to kill Lord Holden’s ardor, from chewing garlic to serving him sour ale and moldy food. But the King’s emissary is not having it and forces them to consummate the marriage.

Eventually, Lady Helen realizes that she is falling in love with the man she thought an ogre, and he has no idea what has been happening on his estate while he’s been off fighting wars. He does know that he has also fallen in love with Lady Helen and is determined to get to the bottom of whatever is bothering her.

This is a very funny book with some great sex scenes, and even some of those often start off sensuously but end up hilarious. Set in England during 1173, I think this is the earliest historical romance I’ve ever read, and that aspect was very interesting. This is a really fun read, and I can definitely see why Lynsay Sands is so popular. I’ll be looking for more from this author.

11/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

BLISS by Lynsay Sands. Avon (July 25, 2017).  ISBN 978-0062019615. 384p.

Kindle

The Four Hundred Series, Book 1

Lady Honora Parker, Nora to her friends and family, has been banished to America from England by her father, the Earl. Nora was caught kissing her boyfriend, an undesirable, penniless artist. But Nora believes herself in love, so she hatches a plan to get herself sent back home. She finds the most notorious bachelor in New York City, Julius Hatcher, and convinces him to pretend to be her fiance for several weeks.

Julius is extremely wealthy and good looking, but is known for his playboy ways. He has his own reasons for agreeing to Nora’s scheme. His father was cheated out of the family money by some high society men, and committed suicide. Julius wants to find those men and ruin them, but needs the entree into society that the earl’s daughter can provide.

Determined to make the gossip sheets, Nora proposes one outrageous scheme after another, but Julius is protecting her reputation, despite herself. He’ll be thrown out of society fast if her reputation takes a tumble, so they are at odds. And fall in love, fighting it the whole way; she because she thinks she’s in love with the artist, and he because he is a resolute bachelor.

This is a cute premise for a romance, and there is a lot of action and fun throughout, not to mention some heat in these pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one night. I’m looking forward to the next book, A Scandalous Deal, but will have to wait until April, 2018!

11/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A DARING ARRANGEMENT by Joanna Shupe. Avon (October 31, 2017).  ISBN 978-0062678898. 384p.

Kindle

Click to purchase

The Wildes of Lindow Castle, Book 1

Lord Alaric Wilde is the second son of the Duke of Lindow, his older brother will inherit the title. Alaric has been wandering the world and writing travel books about his adventures. Much to his surprise, when he returns home for a visit, his ship is met at the docks by a horde of screaming fans – all women. His books are all bestsellers and a play has been written about his adventures. The books may be realistic, but the play is outrageous. No one seems to care about that and it doesn’t seem to stop the celebrity he is forced to endure.

Then he meets Willa Ffynche. Alaric has never thought of marrying, but something about Willa really gets under his skin – maybe because she hasn’t read his books. She is a very private person and has no desire to share the spotlight with the adventurer.

This new series is set in the Georgian period so that’s a little different and I enjoyed it. There are some I liked the humor and the overall sweetness of the romance, but there are also some steamy sex scenes. An excellent start to a terrific new series.

11/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WILDE IN LOVE by Eloisa James.  Avon (October 31, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062697288. 320p.

Kindle

Click to purchase

The Cavensham Heiresses, Book 2

Nicholas St. Mauer is the son of a Duke who has forsaken him. As a student, he covered the gambling debt of a friend and his father never forgave him. Nick is determined to make it on his own, and another friend helps him on his way. Soon he is almost wealthier than his father and that is his goal.

Lady Emma Cavensham is convinced that spinsterhood awaits her. Her best friend Lena made a very poor match, her husband beat her and eventually killed her and the baby she was carrying. Because he was a Lord and well-connected, there were no repercussions to his despicable act, but Emma is determined to see justice meted out.

On an impulse, Lady Emma kisses Nick and he is besotted. But he doesn’t want to get married until his holdings surpass that of his father. Eventually, they become friends, as the headstrong Emma tries to pursue justice for her friend, imperiling her own life and her family’s good name. Nick rescues her more than once, and ultimately they realize they were meant for each other.

With thanks to Eloisa James for recommending this author, a new favorite for sure. This is a terrific read and I’m looking forward to more in this series.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY by Janna MacGregor. St. Martin’s Paperbacks (October 31, 2017). ISBN 978-1250116147.  368p.

Kindle

Click to purchase

True Gentlemen, Book 3

Lady Susannah Haddonfield is quite happy with her life and has no desire to marry. Her younger sister does, however, and the only man who seems to be interested carries around a small dog. He is convinced that Susannah doesn’t like dogs and she is afraid he won’t offer for her sister because of her.

Will Dorning is the second in line for the Earl, the spare, if you will. He has several younger siblings and has taken it upon himself to try and keep them in line. He is a dog trainer of some renowned, and an old family friend of the Haddonfields, so Lady Susannah asks him to help her become, if not a dog lover, at least someone who looks like a dog lover.

Meanwhile, there has been a rash of dognappings in the area of mostly very large dogs, the kinds that are used for bear baiting. Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like, and I’m happy to say not much more in the way of details is given. Will’s brothers want him to find the dogs and collect the rewards, but he doesn’t think it is the right thing to do. While Lady Susannah h

While Lady Susannah and Will are spending time together, they fall in love, but he doesn’t feel he has the prospects to marry her. If he collects the reward monies, he might so she encourages him in that direction. But politics play into it, as well as other machinations, making their happily ever after seem like a long shot.

This is another fun entry into this series, and will especially appeal to dog lovers.

10/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WILL’S TRUE WISH by Grace Burrowes.  Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 2, 2016). ISBN: 978-1492621089. 384p.

Kindle