Happy Release Day for Paula Quinn's The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor - Review and Giveaway

~~SUMMARY~~

A LADY'S MISSION . . .  Known for her beauty and boldness, Abigail MacGregor must preserve her clan's dangerous secret: that her mother is the true heir to the English Crown. If the wrong people find out, it will mean war for her beloved Scotland. To keep peace, she embarks for London, unprepared for the treachery that awaits-especially from her wickedly handsome escort. He is the enemy, but his slow, sensuous kisses entice her beyond reason . . .

 A WARRIOR'S TEMPTATION General Daniel Marlow, loyal knight and the kingdom's most desirable hero, would rather be on the battlefield than transporting a spoiled Highland lass. But Abby MacGregor is unlike any woman he's ever met, in a ballroom or in his bedroom. Captivated by her daring spirit and seduced by her lovely innocence, Daniel must choose between betraying his queen or giving up the woman who would steal his country-and his traitorous heart.

~~EXCERPT~~

“Aye, ye did say that,” she murmured. “Well, since we’re both awake, we might as well spend the night together again.”

The innocence in her voice struck him in the guts. She wanted nothing more from him than someone to be with outside in the night.

He, on the other hand, was not innocent at all. Her choice of words sent a little spark of heat to his groin. The way she turned on the pads of her feet and ended up pressed against his side and tucked neatly under his shoulder tilted him on his axis a little.

“I’m cold,” she whispered, her teeth chattering.

He put up no fight when she lifted his arm around her shoulder, then covered them both with her plaid. The desire to protect her overwhelmed him and sent tremors through his muscles. He knew little of her. Was she an innocent daughter of a Jacobite chief, or part of some secret scheme Anne was devising.

Hell. Anne didn’t devise schemes.

“I wasn’t certain if you were ever going to speak to me again,” he said, when what he should have said was, You should go sleep somewhere, lady, and not on me.

“I was verra’ angry with ye. But I’ve forgiven ye.” He heard the smile in her voice and made a mental note of how well it pleased him that she was no longer angry. He would decide what to do about his unwanted concerns for her tomorrow. Right now, he only wanted to sit with her just like this, with her beneath his arm and pressed snuggly into his side. Warmth swept over him like fine wine until he felt drunk on it.

How was it that she fit so neatly into him, now and earlier when she slept in his lap, like she belonged there, close to him?

Close to his heart.

Hell, it scared him, and after fighting for over a decade, not much scared him anymore.

“D’ye have a wife, General Marlow?” Came her sweet voice against his chest.

“No, lady.”

“Are ye betrothed?”

“I am not.”

“Is there a lass somewhere who has yer heart?”

“No.”

“Well,” she laughed softly, “are all the ladies in England fools?”

“They’re the opposite,” he told her. “They’re wise to set their interests in another direction.”

She shook her head then tilted her face up to his. In the filtered light of the moon, he could make her out enough to fall victim to the alluring curves of her mouth, her soft, sweet breath against his chin. “Nae, they are fools not to try to win yer affections.”

He knew every reason there was to stop what he was thinking, what he was feeling, and what he was about to do. But reason was a puny opponent compared to desire.

Slipping one hand behind her nape and the other to her throat, he tilted her chin another half-inch then covered her mouth with his. The instant after he did it, he regretted it, but then she coiled her arms around his neck and drew him closer, and he couldn’t stop. He never wanted to. She didn’t resist him, in fact, she melted in his arms. She groaned softly when he drew his tongue across the seam of her mouth. She bit his lip and ignited his blood to liquid fire. He swept his tongue in and out of her, holding her close to him while they kissed, wanting nothing more from her than what she gave him now. Making love to her could be dangerous if Charlotte found out. He’d have to make sure she didn’t find out, at least until he had proof of other crimes and could arrest her. If she hurt Abigail before that he’d hang her himself.

He wondered, as he held her in his arms and kissed her long into the night, how he could be so content with one he was supposed to hate. 

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

New York Times bestselling author Paula Quinn lives in New York with her three beautiful children, three over-protective chihuahuas, and a loud umbrella cockatoo. She loves to read romance and science fiction and has been writing since she was eleven. She loves all things medieval, but it is her love for Scotland that pulls at her heartstrings.

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

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~~NANCYK'S REVIEW~~

The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor by Paula Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Scandalous Secret of Abigail is set in the time of the early 1700's Scottish highlands and English court of Queen Anne. I am certainly no expert on early 1700's British history but this novel seems well researched. Yet Ms. Quinn didn't let the history get in the way of a romantic adventure.

Our hero is Queen Anne's top military general and one of her close personal advisors. He is sent to the isle of Skye to bring our heroine to Queen Anne's court. As our heroine is a Jacobite, one of the opposition, her new status as handmaiden is an important peacekeeping effort. As in any good romance, huge political and personal obstacles stand in our couple's way.

I liked that our hero was strong enough to fight for her, both her family to prove he could keep her safe on the long journey to England, but also to fight assassins along the way. But also our heroine is strong in her own right, strong enough to win our hero's heart, mind and honour.

I felt our author did a fine job of making the politics of the time personal and believable.

I liked the fact that our hero had a high powered career in the military, if you will. Our heroine has the potential of an equally high powered career in the family clan back home in the Highlands.

This is a longer format historical romance, third in the MacGregors: Highland Heirs series by Paula Quinn.

I liked this book a lot and I want to go back and read the previous books in this series. I look forward to the next in this series as well. Thanks to the author and Netgalley for a complimentary copy, as well as the excerpt and release week materials.
PAULA'S WEBSITE

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Stay with Me / More of Me ReRelease

Stay with Me / More of Me by Samantha Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a set of previously published books 3 and 4 in the Montgomery Brothers series. These are shorter format contemporary romances. I liked Stay With Me well enough. It completed nicely the previous two romances of hero Mac's brothers. Book 4, More of Me, the hero Ryder is a cousin of the first three brothers. This is a second chance romance, and very nicely done.

I liked More of Me a lot, and it pulled the rating up to a four. Ryder and Casey meet again after twelve years. Their breakup is not detailed, other that we get that they broke up when he went off to college. Casey "needed to know if it was possible or lightning to strike twice..." And I also liked that the wedding of Mac and Gina (from Stay With Me) was featured in More of Me.

I look forward to the next Montgomery Brothers novel. I received an complementary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Dear Greek Billionaire by Marian Tee

Dear Greek Billionaire by Marian Tee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the Chapter headings - "The Art of Turning Down a Greek Billionaire". I loved that the heroine is obnoxious, but we know why and love her anyway. Stavros is quite buttoned-down, but we love him anyway.

I loved this book. I did not give it five stars because it is the first in the Stavros and Willow trilogy, not a stand-alone and that makes me crazy! I am spoiled. I want the whole story.

I did read the prequel, and liked it but it was too short. This was a much better introduction to the Stavros and Willow story.

I can't wait to read the next books in this trilogy. I received a complementary copy from the author in return for an honest review.

Play by Kylie Scott - Stage Dive novel number 2

Play by Kylie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book a lot. Play is book 2 in the Stage Dive series. Mal the hero is the drummer of the rock band Stage Dive, and Anne is the next door neighbor to Ev from book 1. Anne has had a crush forever on Mal, even had a poster on her wall when she was a teenager. She runs into Mal at a party and is starstruck - "crazy eyes" about him, and Mal seems pretty into her. "We were in our own little bubble and nothing and nothing or no one else existed."

Anne's roommate has left her in the lurch and Mal finds out about it. When Mal gets kicked out of his apartment, he of course remembers Anne, her crazy eyes for him, and her roommate issue. He takes it upon himself to move right on in on her. And away they go.

This is a delightful book. I look forward to reading more in Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series. I got this book from my local library - ebook of course.

Happy Release Day One Night With Her Bachelor!!!

One Night with Her Bachelor by Kat Latham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this Bachelor Auction series. I liked this book a lot. Having read the others, I know the heroine's backstory. And have been wondering about her. She is the beneficiary of the charity auction. and her son gifts her with a bachelor.

I liked the fact that she struggled to accept charity. I liked the fact that she had a past with the hero, he had been her brother's best friend. And I loved the ending, just loved it.

This is the sixth book in the Bachelor Auction series, set in fictional Marietta, Montana. It is a short format contemporary romance, just right for a rainy day read.

I received a complementary copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Breaking Up With Barrett Goodreads review

Breaking Up with Barrett by Katy Regnery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet romance, this novel is about long time friends who find their way into love. The hero Barrett is the oldest and CEO of the family business. He has five brothers who I expect to get their own happy ever afters. The heroine, Emily, is the gardener and housekeeper's daughter. They have known each other all their lives. I love the way, in spite of the title of the book, that they actually communicate and do not actually break up!

I liked this book quite a bit and expect to read more of this series. This book is the first in the English Brothers series.

This is a "Mid-length Contemporary Romance" that I got free on sale.

View all my reviews

Goodreads review of The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary

The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary by Marian Tee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a likeable read, a contemporary romantic novella. But be prepared to read a just a portion of the story, and not the complete story, yet. This was a fast read. I wonder about these characters and expect to read more about their romance.

Willow is the bad girl, potty mouth editor of romance books, presumably explained in the previous series about Damen and Mairi. Stavros is the good guy ex of Mairi. This encounter seemed inexplicably fast, but these two do have a backstory. This novella is a keeper by virtue of the fact that I will eventually want to read the rest of the story. Not all the novels are published yet, as of this review.

This is the prequel to Stavros and Willow's trilogy, a subset of Marian Tee's Greek Billionaire Romances. This series follows the six book serial of Damen and Mairi. The Greek Billionaire and His Secretary is 92 pages long and does end rather abruptly.

I received a complementary copy from the author in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Goodreads review of Duke of Thorns

Duke of Thorns by Sara Ramsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This historical romance is listed as book 1 in the Heiress Games series. I would strongly recommend reading the Muses of Mayfair series first. Especially the fourth book in that series, The Earl Who Played with Fire. The Duke in the Duke of Thorns is apparently the villain in the previous book!

This book was a bit of a slow starter for me. But once I figured out the back story, I liked it. A reformed bad boy, that I could like. Also a strong-willed American as the heroine, that I could also like. I did feel like the Heiress games premise was not explained well. And the Duke's curse was never explained either. Possibly more back story from the previous series. I will probably go find the previous Muses of Mayfair books, and read them, in order.

I am looking forward to the next book in the Heiress Games series. And I received a complementary review copy from NetGalley.

View all my reviews

Happy Release Day In Bed with the Bachelor

In Bed with the Bachelor by Megan Crane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Love the sexy cover! This is a quirky romance in which the engaged heroine is given a date at the Bachelor Auction. Their date becomes a road trip to the Northwest from Montana. The hero rejects the heroine because she is still engaged. "There was no working it out of his system the old-fashioned way, not with this woman. Not with Michaela. That one taste would never be enough, that it might even make all of this worse."

My expectations were high for this book, as I have loved all previous book in the Bachelor Auction series. I liked that this book did have some continuity with the other books in the series. I was disappointed it took the heroine so long to dump her scummy fiance. One very odd part for me was how the heroine was persuaded into an open relationship with her fiance, of which he took advantage and apparently she didn't. I just didn't like that she was smart and successful, but blindly went along with the scummy fiance in her personal life.

Please note 3 stars means it is a keeper since it is a series I like.

I did receive a complementary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

View all my reviews

What a Bachelor Needs by Kelly Hunter - Happy Release Day!

My Goodreads review in full for What a Bachelor Needs by Kelly Hunter

Excellent book. Excellent series. This is book 4 in the Bachelor Auction series and every one so far has been a five star read! The hero is a world class skier who also works on houses. The heroine is a single mom that is gifted the bachelor from the auction. Ski trip or a week of work on her house? "A Jett Casey who wanted to work on her house was her favorite thing."

And her house has the world's ugliest kitchen - "the honesty kitchen, I'm sure of it. There's nothing anyone can do in this kitchen except retreat inwards and engage in self-reflection" ...
"It was her....because he'd just found his new favorite thing." and it was still only Monday.

By Friday, he admits " his need for speed and her need to consider things thoroughly" and he asks for six months to prove they can make it work. Excellent, what a swoon-worthy man!

I love these short sweet contemporary romances from Tule! Just yay!
I did get a complementary copy from NetGalley for an honest review. I would buy this entire series, absolutely.

Happy Release Day, Rock Hard by Nalini Singh

Rock Hard is the third story in Nalini Singh's Rock Kiss series, novel number 2. 

The hero is a retired rugby star, now a star in the business world. "Too big and muscled and dangerous, but gorgeous. Like a tiger was gorgeous. Right before he ate you." He is crazy about the heroine, right from the first. "Smart women were his catnip." The heroine is the best friend of the heroine in Rock Addiction. She calls herself Charlie-mouse and him T-Rex. She has serious issues, from an abusive former relationship. Charlie Mouse does fall in love with T-Rex, almost in spite of herself. Molly, Charlotte's best friend, the heroine from Rock Addiction, appears only in random phone calls. 

This longer contemporary romance is a keeper because it does involve the seriously sexy rock star world Ms Singh created in the first two stories, Rock Addiction and Rock Courtship. I gave this story 4 stars instead of 5 because I love the first novel, Rock Addiction, better. I wish this book had more continuity with the previous Rock Kiss books, with the sexy band members. I know, it didn't quite work with this story but I missed it. 

I am looking forward to more books in this series.

I did get a complimentary copy from NetGalley and I am working on getting my book blog up and running properly.

NancyK's Goodreads review "The Earl's Defiant Wallflower" by Erica Ridley

This is a sweet Regency romance, the first novel in Erica Ridley's Dukes of War series. I actually read this after I read the second novel in the series. I would recommend reading them in order, just for the enjoyment of the recurring characters, the hilarious introduction to the hero of the second book.
I love the fact that the hero likes the heroine, in spite of all his better judgement. "He'd swept the incomparable wallflower into a waltz before all and sundry, and he didn't even know her name. His shoulders tensed. He certainly putt the err in knight errant."
I love that the hero persisted in helping others: "rescuer of people who wished he'd leave them alone."
And I loved the fact that the hero saw the heroine as "delighting in acting the role of termagent" and he "was appalled to find it a bit ... refreshing." The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars was that I liked the second book better! I told you I should read them in order!
I did get a complimentary copy from NetGalley and I am working on getting my book blog up and running properly.
Goodreads.com Review List View all my reviews at Goodreads.

February Find of the Month - The Hooker and the Hermit

The Hooker and the Hermit by L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid

This is the book that made me write my first review. I always hated book reports. They were too much work. I have always kept track with stars. Been doing that for years on Goodreads and librarything.

Then I ran across this book. It had no reviews.  Why didn't it have any reviews? This wonderful book needs reviews, So here is what I wrote:

I absolutely loved this book.
Loved the play on words title. I admit - made me look.
Loved the meet- cute.
Loved the opposing points-of-view from both hero and heroine.
Loved the suspense. The authors successfully kept me wondering - will they get their happy ever after?!? This book is so wonderful I decided I had to leave a review, so others can find it and read it too!

I did buy this before I decided to review it.

NancyK's Top 10 Romance Novels

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


2. Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens

I just reread this fine historical romance recently and it still just as compelling as the first time. I willingly suspend belief, in terms of the mystery that brings the hero and heroine together. This story starts the wonderful Cynster series. I may have to reread the rest of the series, possibly in order. What got me started was the list of Romance Books Everyone Should Read, on Goodreads. Devil's Bride is my number 2 on my top ten list, behind Pride and Prejudice, only because it is referred to so often that many references in romance novels would be lost if the reader had not read it. That said, Devil's Bride is a MUCH more enjoyable read, and yes, the love scenes are HOT! Thank you Stephanie Laurens, for the Cynster series, and Devil's Bride in particular.

3. His Serene Miss Smith by Essie Summers

This is vintage Harlequin romance at its best.  I adore Essie Summers, and have all of her books in one format or another. His Serene Miss Smith is my favorite of the Essie Summers' books. The heroine is sweet but not sugary. Most Essie Summers books are heavily involved with family and this is no exception. I love that kids are an integral part of the story, her sister, his niece. That they meet in the workplace, but home and family are a huge influence and factor in the story. The hero is a genuinely nice guy. Asking me to pick my favorite romance novel is like asking which of my children I love best. And this novel is one of my best-loved.

4.  Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

Loretta Chase has a fantastic way with words, I giggle all the way through this historical romance. Her description of the hero, his manner of dress and droll comments, - I love it. The scene at the end where the hero and heroine marry, and the captain in the audience is sitting with the heroine's governess:

" Captain Hughes smiled. He had no idea what the difficulty had been, but he could guess how the bridegroom had sorted it out.
"What are you smirking at?" Mrs. Entwhistle whispered.
"I am not smirking," he whispered back. "I am smiling benignly upon the happy couple."
"You are smirking. I can guess why. It is bad of you to notice."
"You were her governess," he said. "I must wonder what you taught her."
To his delight, the widow's cheeks turned pink. "Lionel, you are incorrigible," she said.
Lionel. Oho. Perhaps not so many years after all."

I love it. And it is the first in the Carsington brothers series. Yay!

5. Night Watch by Suzanne Brockmann

This is a fun contemporary Harlequin romance to read. Wes is kinda the bad  guy in a few of the previous Tall, Dark & Dangerous series novels. But Suzanne does a fine job explaining his backstory and turning him into the hero. And I love a story where their first date they both insist they are not interested in a relationship, for perfectly valid reasons, I might add. The scene where Wes fights the stalker in the pool, and the cleanup scene after - HOT! And I love the (almost) final scene, sitting on the stairs talking. Oh, heck, I love the whole book. A few of the other Tall, Dark & Dangerous series novels would make my top 25 but this is my favorite, by far.

6.  Royally Bedded, Regally Wedded by Julia James

This is number 6 on my personal list. Why? A secret baby, a prince and a plain Jane, an arranged marriage, THEN a makeover into a princess. My favorite Harlequin Presents. Fun, fun fun.

7. A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens

The second Stephanie Laurens historical romance in my top 10. The heroine is a strong woman, who has been the support of her family, privately, for many years. She has given up a lot for her family and meets the hero in that guise. She knows what she wants, and goes after him. The hero is equally strong, and as I have mentioned before in a review, I love a story when they first meet they both insist they are not interested in a relationship, for perfectly valid reasons, I might add. I love the family in this story, yes one of the Cynsters series, and I love the hero's pursuit of the heroine through the Haut Ton, no less.

8. London's Perfect Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch

Excellent historical romance. Something about the heroine kidnapping the hero, a lovely bad boy, rake, scoundrel, and playboy, to save her orphanage no less. Suzanne does a fine job turning this bad guy into her hero. And this is the middle of an excellent series - Lessons in Love. But this is my favorite . The heroine does something bad for the right reasons, and the hero is just a flat out bad guy, that she persuades to reform. Just lovely!

9. The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham

Hero gets amnesia and doesn't remember his marriage of convenience. Typical Harlequin Presents story - but wait. When the hero wrecked his car he had the heroine's photo in his hand. OK not so typical. She is goth, he is a banker. He is a playboy, she is not typical playboy girlfriend (or mistress or wife for that matter). This is one of my faves, as they go back and forth. Interesting how opposites attract. Interesting how each of their ideal marriages ends up being the same, marriage that is.

10. The Real Rio D'Aquila by Sandra Marton

Harlequin Presents, also Mills and Boon Modern (I like their covers better, so sometimes pick their editions). Heroine mistakes hero for the caretaker instead of the tycoon. But this is not full of angst and drama. Sandra Marton does a fine job of these two falling in love, they speak the same language, like the same things, it makes sense. And when she finds out who he is, her family rides to the rescue, again, given what they knew, perfectly reasonable. When the hero comes apologize, (grovel, yay) he has to run the gauntlet of the heroine's brothers and brother in law. When he asks if they have ever done anything similar, their reactions are priceless! Just a really nice feel-good romance.

Overview of Stars

For future reference - I am going to post my February Reviews, both Goodreads and NetGalley. They are basically the same.

My rating system for stars is:

5 stars - definitely a keeper.

4 stars - probably a keeper

3 stars - only a keeper if it is in a series that I like or am in the process of reading.

2 stars - probable not a keeper.

1 star - not a keeper at all.

0 stars - did not finish.