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Sins for All Seasons, Book 3

From the publisher:

The bastard son of a nobleman, Finn Trewlove was a shameful secret raised by a stranger. As Finn came of age, he had secrets, too—the clandestine nights spent with an earl’s daughter. But her promise of forever ended in betrayal.

Driven by a past that haunts her, Lady Lavinia Kent seeks redemption in London’s underworld, engaged in a daring cause inspired by the young man to whom she gave her innocence, and who then proved himself a scoundrel by abandoning her.

When their paths cross again, they can’t deny the yearning and desire that still burns. As they discover the truth behind the deceptions that tore them apart, Finn and Lavinia must fight to reclaim what they’ve lost, no matter how dangerous—because love is worth the risk . . .

I was so proud of myself; I have been reading this series in order.  But this book sort of threw me. It is the third book in the series but it moves back and forth in time for a while, making it sort of a prequel at times and then a sequel. It was an interesting was to create a third book in a series, leaving enough bread crumbs for first time series readers to find their way back to the beginning without feeling lost. Yet this book can stand alone as well, if that makes sense? We’ll just call it good writing because Heath, who has been writing romance for a long while, really knows what she is doing.

The series centers around a family headed by Ettie Trewlove, a baby farmer. Baby farmers were women that took in babies or children that were born on the “wrong side of the blanket.” They were paid to take the illegitimate offspring of wealthy men and women. For Ettie, a poor widow, it was an ideal way to have the family she always wanted. But many baby farmers were just in it for the money. In fact, there were many that abused the children, starved them, worked them to death, or even just outright killed them. It was not a good time to be illegitimate in England.

Fortunately for the family at the center of this series, Ettie was a kind and loving mother. I originally thought that none of the children she took in were related by blood, even as close as they all seem to be. But it turns out that two of them are half brothers, born weeks apart to two different mothers but sired by the same father. Ah, the English aristocracy. So debauched.

Lavinia is an interesting character. You do know, from the beginning, what happens to her and why she has left her Duke at the altar, and why she is set on rescuing children from baby farmers. But as the story moves on, it gets darker and more emotionally gripping.

Aidan is also an intriguing character. You can’t help but root for them to get together, especially as the horrors of their lives apart unfold. This was a really good romance, and the major plot about the baby farmers was eye opening and so disheartening. There has been mention of this sort of thing in other historical romances I’ve read, but this really delves into it. I am assuming that Heath did her homework as it really feels like she did.

Another excellent romance from one of my favorites. Can’t wait for the next book in this series! Oh, and the ending hints at who will be at the center of that one.

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A SCOUNDREL IN HER BED by Lorraine Heath. Sourcebooks Casablanca (July 31, 2018).  ISBN 978-1492663355. 352p.

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The Duke’s Den, Book 1

From the publisher:

In the first novel in Christy Carlyle’s sizzling Duke’s Den series, three men, intent on making a fortune,discover irresistible opportunities . . .

Nicholas Lyon gambled his way into a fortune and ownership of the most opulent, notorious gentlemen’s club in England. But when Nick’s cruel brother dies, he inherits a title he never wanted. The sooner Nick is rid of the estate that has always haunted him, the sooner he can return to the life he’s built in London. But there’s one obstacle—the exquisite Thomasina Thorne.

When the new heir to the Tremayne dukedom suddenly appears in Mina Thorne’s life, she’s flustered. Not only is he breathtakingly handsome, but he’s also determined to take away her home and position as steward of the Enderley estate. If Mina learns what makes the enigmatic duke tick, perhaps she can change his mind—as long as she doesn’t get too close to him.

With each day Nick spends with Mina, his resolve weakens as their colliding wills lead to explosive desire. Could she be the one woman who can help him finally bury the ghosts of his past?

This was a really emotional story. Our hero, Nick, has an unsightly scar across his face and how he got it is simply heartbreaking. As is his whole backstory. Mina’s story is much easier, thank goodness. I don’t think I could have handled any more. Interestingly, Mina is the estate steward, a job she trained for all her life and inherited when her father died. The new Duke is not aware of this, however, since Mina’s full name is Thomasina and she signs all her correspondence with her initial, just like her father. So when the Duke arrives, he is not happy that he’s been lied to.

Mina and Nick are an unlikely couple, and it’s just class that separates them. The bigger hurdle is the estate she calls home and he calls hell. They need to overcome many obstacles to reach their happily ever after, and it was not a smooth journey by any means. I was racing through this book but the last part sort of slowed down and meandered a bit, but ultimately it was worth it. No spoilers here – let’s just say there were some unusual plot twists that I really enjoyed.

I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, Anything But a Duke, which comes out April 30. A review should be out sometime that week – stay tuned!

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A DUKE CHANGES EVERYTHING by Christy Carlyle. Avon (November 27, 2018).  ISBN 978-0062853950. 384p.

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The Palace of Rogues, Book 1

From the publisher:

A mistress. A mountain of debt. A mysterious wreck of a building.

Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns the hard way that her husband, “Dear Dull Derring,” is a lot more interesting—and perfidious—dead than alive. It’s a devil of an inheritance, but in the grand ruins of the one building Derring left her, are the seeds of her liberation. And she vows never again to place herself at the mercy of a man.

But battle-hardened Captain Tristan Hardy is nothing if not merciless. When the charismatic naval hero tracks a notorious smuggler to a London boarding house known as the Rogue’s Palace, seducing the beautiful, blue-blooded proprietress to get his man seems like a small sacrifice.

They both believe love is a myth. But a desire beyond reason threatens to destroy the armor around their hearts. Now a shattering decision looms: Will Tristan betray his own code of honor…or choose a love that might be the truest thing he’s ever known?

In a very weird coincidence, I read two books in a row, both romances but one contemporary (Under the Table) and this one, historical, where the hero is named Tristan. This book actually came out at the end of February but somehow it slipped under my radar. I must confess to having a ridiculous number of books on my Kindle, hovering just under 3000. No, that is not a typo. I don’t know how many of those I’ve already read as Amazon has no way of me sorting them that way, but a lot! Figure a book a day for close to 3 or so years that I’ve read mostly on my Kindle so maybe about a third? (Side note to Amazon, you really should let me sort out the books I’ve read, it would be beneficial for me to be able to delete all the books I’ve read before I run out of room!) Lately I have been removing titles from my device when I finish reading them but that’s new. And sometimes I forget. Oh well.

Back to our story. So this Tristan is your basic, run-of-the-mill, tall, strong, gorgeous hero who, as many heroes are, is rather reticent in sharing his thoughts or feelings. So much so that it is a running joke throughout the book that he when he utters more than a word or two, it is commented upon. Cute.

Deirdre definitely falls into the new historical romance class of heroines who are strong, independent, and most unlikely given the time period, career driven. I don’t mind these liberties being taken in sacrifice of historical accuracy. It’s about time women were put in a better place, even if it rarely happened back then; I rather enjoy seeing it happen now.

The boundaries of realism are pushed even further when the wife and mistress of a member of the peerage end up in business and living together. It actually makes sense here so kudos to Long for writing such a believable suspension of disbelief, that is quite the coup. But best of all, it is a really good story with interesting, quirky characters, delicious humor and sizzling sex.

I started this new series with the first book – quite the coup for me, I tend not to do that for some reason – but I really have enjoyed this author’s previous books so when I saw a new one on Edelweiss (one of the homes of advanced digital galleys for reviewers) I grabbed it. I was very glad I did. This was a very enjoyable read and now I can’t wait for the next book in this series – this one ends on quite the cliffhanger! Very well done.

4/19 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER by Julie Anne Long. Avon; Reissue edition (February 26, 2019).  ISBN 978-0062867469. 384p.

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