An Oath Broken by Diana Cosby (The Oath Trilogy #2)

An arranged marriage to a Scot? Unacceptable!

Lady Sarra Bellacote would sooner marry a dog than a countryman of the bloodthirsty brutes who killed her parents. And yet, despite—or perhaps because of—her valuable holdings, she is being dragged to Scotland to be wed against her will. Making matters worse, the knight hired to do the dragging is dark, wild, irresistible. And he, too, is disgustingly Scottish.

Giric Armstrong, Earl of Terrick, takes no pleasure in escorting a feisty English lass to her nuptial night. But the payment is good, and his tenants need to eat. Yet the trip will not be the simple matter he imagined. For Lady Sarra isn’t the only one determined to see her engagement fail. Men with darker motives want the wedding called off—even if they must kill the bride in the process. 

Now, in close quarters with this beautiful Englishwoman, Terrick must fight his mounting desire, and somehow keep Sarra alive long enough to lose her forever to another man…

I really enjoyed reading "An Oath Broken" by Diana Cosby.

It's the first time I read an historical romance written by this author, and I found it very good.

The plot wasn't very original, but I really liked Giric and Sarra, the protagonists, their interactions and reactions towards each other, during their journey together, while Giric must accompany the woman by her future bridegroom.

Giric is a proud and courageous man, a skilled fighter, but also a careful person, who knows how to "read" people and go beyond their façade. He held back some important truths from Sarra, and sooner or later, as always happens, discovering hidden things  complicate situations, but otherwise I really loved him for how he acted with Sarra and especially I liked their fierce bickering. 

And I liked Sarra too, because despite the difficulties she has encountered as a child, she grew up as a strong woman, she wanted to try to be independent and help people she cares for.

I love how Ms Cosby writes, the plot was compelling and very smooth while I read it, and the historical setting is accurate, without being heavy in reading.

This is the second book in The Oath Trilogy,  you can also read as a book as standalone, but I have already put on my to read list of books, the first one and also the third of this trilogy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books-Lyrical Press for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: An Oath Broken

AUTHOR: Diana Cosby

SERIES: The Oath Trilogy

PUBLISHER: Kensington Books-Lyrical Pressy

Le loro interazioni e reazioni nei confronti uno dell'altra, durante il loro viaggio insieme, mentre Giric deve scortare la donna dal suo futuro sposo.

Giric è un uomo orgoglioso e coraggioso, un'abile combattente, ma anche una persona attenta, che sa "leggere" le persone e andare oltre la loro facciata. Ha tenuto nascoste alcune verità importanti da Sarra, e prima o poi, come sempre accade, le cose si scoprono complicando le situazioni, ma per il resto mi è piaciuto molto per come si è comportato con Sarra e soprattutto ho amato i loro fieri battibecchi. 

E Sarra mi è piaciuta perché nonostante le difficoltà che ha incontrato si da bambina, non si è lasciata andare, ma voluto a provare a essere indipendente e aiutare le persone che hanno trovato in lei un riferimento.

Mi piace come scrive Ms Cosby, la trama era avvincente e molto scorrevole durante la lettura, e l'ambientazione storica accurata, ma senza risultare pesante nel leggerla.

Questo è il secondo libro della Oath Trilogy, si può leggere anche come libro a sé, ma io ho già messo nella mia lista di libri da leggere, il primo libro e anche il terzo.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la  Kensington Books-Lyrical Press per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITLE: An Oath Brocken

AUTHOR: Diana Cosby

SERIES: The Oath Trilogy

PUBLISHER: Kensington Books-Lyrical Press

Warrior of Ice by Michelle Willingham (Warriors of Ireland #1)

Locked in a deadly game!

Physically and emotionally scarred, Lady Taryn knows no man would want her for a wife. Nonetheless, she's determined to free her father from his merciless overlord and enlists powerful warrior Killian MacDubh to help.

He has his own motives for confronting the High King... 

Born a bastard, Killian longs to carve out a place for himself. Unaware of her true beauty, Taryn is an alluring distraction to his plan, but as traitors are revealed and loyalties tested, their forbidden love becomes the only thing worth fighting for!

Amazing historical romance book to read, set in Ireland.

Michelle Willingham has the ability to create woderful characters, so deep in their feelings and emotion, because difficult left a mark in their lives.

In this case both, Taryn and Killian, are a clear example.

Lady Taryn is disfigured, and her physical imperfection has heavily influenced her life, she didn't live a normal life, she was denied the opportunity to spend a happy youth and in some sense even frivolous, with feasts and courtship due her social position, but instead hadn't anything of these things. In all the ways she tried to overcome her loneliness and not to get hit by the wickedness of the people, but for her the first approach to unknown people is always difficult.

All the more she has to be admired for her willingness to leave, to go and pray the High King to spare the life of her father, condemned to be executed in an exemplary manner for  treason.

I found Killian extraordinary, truly one an amazing male protagonist. So proud and stubborn in dealing everyday with people who treat his as a spam, because of he was conceived out of wedlock, a bastard son of the King, and for that everything is precluded to him, a reality brutally slammed on his face since he was a child. Only his absolute love and his protective instinct towards his sister sickness, bind him to that clan of which he can't even be part and he is willing to do everything to proctect his sister, the only one ho showed love for him.

Thanks to his past he is able not to be swayed by appearances when he met Taryn and despite sometimes is rough in his manners, Killian is truly unique with her.

I really loved him and his way with his inseparable cat.

A really nice story to read if you like this genre and first book in the series "Warriors of Ireland"

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Warrior of Ice

AUTHOR: Michelle Willingham 

SERIES: Warriors of Ireland #1

PUBLISHER: Harlequin 

Lachlan's Revenge by R.L. Syme- Highlander Renegades #4

They took his family, they took his freedom... but he's back to reclaim it all...

Lachlan MacLeod survived an English dungeon. He held his own under torture and brutality. He survived the death of his wife and alienation from his family. He managed to take back his ancestral home and restore his son's inheritance. But the English threat has never truly abated. According to his nephew, invasion is immanent. Tired of being subject to the whims of the English, Lachlan will take control of his own destiny. By any means necessary.

Lady Evangeline, daughter of an invading English earl, has been raised to privilege and the expectation of an advantageous foreign marriage. She is as eager to escape her father's control as Lachlan is eager to kidnap her, though the wilds of the Scottish Highlands could be a tad more welcoming.The secret she holds could have deadly consequences--not only for Lachlan, but for his entire clan, not to mention the proud English lady and her companions. But this is one secret she cannot wait to spill...

Lachlan's Revenge is the fourth book in the series The Highlander Renegades by R.L. Syme.

I didn't know about this series, but I could appreciate the story about Lachlan and Elsa even reading it as a book stand alone.

A beautiful story, a historical romance set in Scotland, in the Highlands, where clan and English nobles are always at war to determine who has the power and rights to rule the lands.

Lachlan is desperate to save his clan and his lands, he's gone through hell, lost his beloved ones, he is willing to do everything, even to kidnap and marry the daughter of his great enemy.

Everything seems to happen too easily, and in a heartbeat Lachlan finds himself married to a beautiful unknown woman, who being gagged can't even express her consent. 

The comparison between the two newlyweds is one of the strengths of this book, without even meaning to be it, perhaps is one of the most fun moment, because of the reaction of Elsa.

From here onwards to Lachlan plans are destroyed, twists and betrayals occur in this story that won me over.

The plot is very good and the characters amazing, although I found a bit annoying cailen and Lady Evangeline, while Lachlan is truly extraordinary, as Elsa and her past.

Certainly the other three books of these Highlander Renegades are going into my to-read list.

Thanks Netgalley for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Lachlan's Revenge

AUTHOR: R.L. Syme

SERIES: Highlander Renegades #4

PUBLISHER: Hummingbird Books

Lachlan's Revenge è il quarto libro della serie The Highlander Renegades di R. L. Syme.

Non conoscevo questa serie, ma ho potuto apprezzare il racconto su Lachlan ed Elsa anche leggendolo come libro a sé.

Una bella storia, un historical romance ambientato in Scozia, nelle Highland, dove clan e nobili inglesi sono sempre ai ferri corti per stabilire chi ha il potere e i diritti di governare le terre.

Lachlan è disperato, pur di salvare il suo clan e le sue terre, ha già affrontato l'inferno nel passato, perdendo molte delle persone che amava, e ora è disposto a tutto, anche a rapire e sposare la figlia del suo acerrimo nemico inglese.

Tutto sembra avvenire anche troppo facilmente, e in un baleno Lachlan si ritrova sposato a una bellissima donna sconosciuta, che essendo imbavagliata non può nemmeno esprimere il suo consenso. 

Il confronto tra i due neo sposi è uno dei punti di forza di questo libro, senza forse volerlo, anche uno dei più divertenti a causa della reazione di Elsa.

Da qui in poi per Lachlan diventa tutto in salita, colpi di scena e tradimenti si susseguono in questa storia che mi ha conquistato.

Trama ben costruita e bei personaggi, anche se ho trovato un po' irritante sia Cailen che Lady Evangeline, mentre Lachlan è veramente straordinario, così come Elsa e la sua storia.

Sicuramente gli altri tre libri di questi Highlander Renegades finiranno nella mia lista to-read.

Ringrazio Netgalley per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Lachlan's Revenge

AUTRICE: R. L. Some

SERIE: The Highlander Renegades #4

EDITORE: Hummingbird Books

Loving the Earl by Sharon Cullen- Secret & Seduction #2

Having vowed never to wed again, widowed viscountess Claire Hartford is about to do the unthinkable: travel unaccompanied across the continent in search of a lover. Her adventure begins sooner than expected, when she meets a magnificent cloaked stranger on her ship’s gangplank. He is Lord Blythe, a man whispered about in London’s ballrooms and drawing rooms, a scandalous rogue hell-bent on seduction.

Nathan Ferguson curses the day he agreed to look out for his best friend’s wayward sister. The charismatic earl is traveling to Paris to uncover the truth behind his father’s death, but his desire for Claire threatens to be his undoing. From France to Italy, on a journey of passionate discovery and danger, Nathan is honor-bound to protect her—from himself most of all. What can he offer Claire? Only love, as he sets out to prove to the woman of his dreams that she belongs to him—body, heart, and soul.

Loving the Earl is a book that I liked a lot,

Claire is perhaps a bit naive and inexperienced, with regard to aspects of life in the real world, while  she's traveling, but shows courage and stubbornness to follow her dream, her desire for freedom drives her to take the reins of her life and live an adventure that can help her to erase the memories of a terrible past, lived with a husband who abused her both physically and psychologically. Widowed no longer wants to live a life with limitations and restrictions imposed by others.

Nathan is an earl, but his reputation has been irreparably compromised, when in youth he had to save his family's finances with his luck and skills in gambling and playing cards, and he choosed to continued to built his fortune with it.

He promised to Claire's brother to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets safe in France, but he did not reckon with the stubbornness of women and her ability to get into trouble.

I found often funny the dialogues and situations in which are involved the two.

I loved Nathan especially for his ability to "read" Claire, understand that she's hiding something  that hurt her under the appearances and he care so much for her to discover the truth.

A beautiful book, the second in the series Secret & Seduction, but that you can read quietly as one-shot to enjoy the adventure of Nathan and Claire.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept for the book.

RATING: 5 stelle

TITTLE: Loving the Earl

AUTHOR: Sharon Cullen

SERIEs: Secret & Seduction # 2

PUBLISHER: Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept 

Loving the Earl è un libro che mi è piaciuto tantissimo,

Claire è forse un po' ingenua e inesperta, per quanto riguarda gli aspetti della vita del mondo reale mentre viaggia, ma dimostra coraggio e testardaggine per seguire il suo sogno, il suo desiderio di libertà la spinge a affrontare un'avventura che la possa aiutare a cancellare i ricordi di un passato orribile, vissuto insieme a un marito che abusava di lei sia fisicamente che psicologicamente. Rimasta vedova non vuole più vivere una vita con limiti e restrizioni imposte da altri.

Nathan è di origini nobili, ma la sua reputazione è stata irrimediabilmente compromessa da giovane, quando per salvare le finanze della famiglia è riuscito a salvare baracca e burattini grazie alla sua fortuna e abilità nel giocare a carte, e ha continuato la sua fortuna gestendo case da gioco.

Ha promesso al fratello di Claire di tenerla d'occhio e assicurarsi che arrivi sana e salva in Francia, ma non ha fatto i conti con la testardaggine della donna e la sua capacità di mettersi nei guai.

Una storia con una bella trama, raccontata con un ritmo che non lascia spazio alla noia mentre si legge e i dialoghi e le situazioni in cui si ritrovano coinvolti i due sono spesso divertenti.

Di Nathan mi è piaciuto soprattutto la sua capacità di "leggere" Claire, capire che nasconde qualcosa sotto le apparenze e tenga così tanto a lei da insistere per scoprire la verità.

Un bel libro, secondo della serie Secret & Seduction, ma che si può leggere tranquillamente come autoconclusivo per godersi l'avventura di Nathan e Claire.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept  per il libro.

VOTO: 5 stelle

TITOLO: Loving the Earl

AUTRICE: Sharon Cullen

SERIE: Secret & Seduction # 2

EDITORE: Random House Publishing Group- Loveswept 

The Rebel by C.J. Archer

Cole's heart is dark. 

He's a mystery, even to those closest to him in the Assassins Guild. All anyone really knows for sure is that he's ruthless, grim, and cares little for his own life. So when he loses his memory during an attack and thinks himself a naive eighteen year-old again, no one can really believe the transformation. But as his memory returns, so do the nightmares and the dark reality of who he has become. 

Lucy's world is bright. 

When gentle-natured Lucy falls in love with the damaged stranger, she thinks him a smiling, amiable gentleman. But rumors of a murder in the nearby village have her suspecting that her patient may be hiding a terrible secret. 

Can opposites really attract? 

What will happen when Cole regains his memory and his past catches up to him? 

I expected a little bit more from this book and Cole and Lucy's story.

The fact that he was part of the Assassins Guild had made me hope maybe in some more action and adventure perhaps, but so it was.

 Cole's mysterious past, which he keeps hidden even to thohistorical called his friends, is very intriguing and discover what happened to him,thanks to flashbacks that come to mind with nightmares was a nice idea of author and helped keep alive the interest while I was reading it.

Lucy is a very cute character, sometimes funny, but especially courageous and strong-minded, but something didn't impressed me towards them as a couple.

If I have to be honest I was more curious about the other components of the Assassins Guild and I would love to read their stories.

Thanks to Netgalley and C.J.Archer for the book.

RATING: 3 stelle

TITLE: The Rebel

AUTHOR: C.J. Archer

SERIES: Assassins Guild #2

The books in the Assassins Guild series are: 

#1 The Charmer 

#2 The Rebel 

#3 The Saint 

#4 The Sinner

Mi aspettavo qualcosina di più da questo libro e dalla storia di Cole e Lucy.

Il fatto che lui facesse parte dell'Assassins Guild mi aveva fatto sperare forse in un po' più di azione e avventura forse, ma così non è stato.

Il passato misterioso di Cole, che lui tiene nascosto anche a quelli che si reputano suoi amici, è molto intrigante e scoprire cosa gli era successo grazie a dei flashback che gli tornano alla mente grazie a degli incubi è stata una bella idea della autrice e ha aiutato a mantenere vivo l'interesse durante la lettura.

Lucy è un personaggio molto carino, a volte divertente, ma soprattutto coraggiosa e decisa, ma qualcosa non è scattato dentro di me nei loro confronti come coppia.

Se devo essere onesta mi hanno incuriosito più gli altri componenti della Assassins Guild e mi piacerebbe leggere le loro storie.

Ringrazio Netgalley e C.J.Archer per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

TITOLO: The Rebel

AUTRICE: C.J. Archer

SERIE: Assassins Guild #2

A Gentleman 'Til Midnight by Alison DeLaine

The complication they don't want…...

Lady Katherine Kinloch survived captivity once. Now the notorious captain of her own ship, she refuses to let anyone jeopardize her hard-won freedom. But on a voyage to England to fight for her family's endangered estate, Katherine is thrown off course when she unknowingly rescues celebrated naval captain James Warre…, a man who stands for everything she despises.

The passion they desperately need...…

Haunted by regret for his role in her dark past, James is determined to be more than the cold, calculating officer Katherine expects. Her seduction is his obsession, but his pride hangs in the balance if he gives in to temptation. And hiding beneath the scorching attraction between them lies a secret that could force the two apart for good.

Nice story, compelling and with a beautiful heroine and a nearly worthy male protagonist.

Almost, because I believe that in this book the character of Lady Katherine is really at a higher level in comparison to James.

Why did I love so much Lady Katherine? For her fierce independence and desire for freedom, her strength and her pride. After being kidnapped in her youth and became a slave in a distant country, she could have let go to self-pity and instead she managed to live through this experience and see the positive side of that period of her life and once found the freedom she choose to live a life full of risks, but on her own terms. One of the few women at the helm of her boat, after gaining the respect of her men.

She's so much brave and choose to venture into a completely unknown ground for her and claim her title and her lands for the sake of her daughter.

James is the man that Lady Katherine hates the most in the world, she thinks somehow he's guilty for her captivity in the past and when fate does cross their paths she is determined to retaliate and make him pay. And instead she discovers that perhaps he is the only one with which she will be able to ally in order to be accepted in the salons of the Ton.

She is surprised by him, he doesn't seem to be the ruthless man she always imagined and one more small problem, the two feels for Eschilo other  a deep attraction that can't be denied.

I didn't want to demean James before, is certainly quite a character himself, although he makes a few error in his valutations, but it definitely has his charms: he's sexy, dominant, but adorable and very tender and protective with Katherine's daughter and he helps to create the right contrast that makes it more interesting to their story.

Thanks to Netgalley  and Harlequin for the book.

Rating: 4 stars

TITLE: A Gentleman 'Til Midnight

AUTHOR: Alison DeLaine

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

Bella storia, avvincente e con una splendida eroina e quasi degno protagonista maschile.

Quasi, perché credo che in questo libro il personaggio di Lady Katherine sia veramente a un livello superiore in confronto a James.

Perché mi ha colpito così tanto Lady Katherine? Per le sua fiera indipendenza e il desiderio di libertà, la sua forza e il suo orgoglio. Dopo essere stata rapita in gioventù ed essere divenuta la schiava in un paese lontano, avrebbe potuto lasciarsi andare all'autocommiserazione e invece è riuscita a vivere e vedere il lato positivo di quel periodo della sua vita e una volta ritrovata la libertà ha proseguito scegliere di vivere una vita piena di rischi, ma libera. Una delle poche donne al comando della sua barca, dopo aver conquistato il rispetto dei suoi uomini.

Così coraggiosa da decidere di avventurarsi in un terreno a lei completamente sconosciuto e rivendicare il suo titolo nobiliare e le sue terre per il bene di sua figlia.

James è l'uomo che Lady Katherine odia di più al mondo, lo reputa uno dei responsabili della sua prigionia in passato e quando il destino fa incrociare le loro strade è decisa a vendicarsi e fargliela pagare. E invece scoprirà che forse è l'unico con il quale si potrà alleare per riuscire a farsi accettare nei salotti bene dell'Alta Società.

Lui la sorprende, non sembra essere l'uomo spietato che ha sempre immaginato e altro piccolo problema, i due sono legati da una profonda attrazione che non riescono a contrastare.

Non volevo sminuire James prima, è senz'altro un bel personaggio anche lui, commette qualche errore di valutazione, ma ha decisamente il suo fascino sexy, dominante, ma adorabile e molto tenero e protettivo con la figlia di Katherine  e contribuisce a creare il giusto contrasto che rende più interessante la loro storia.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

RATING: 4 stelle

TITOLO: A Gentleman 'Til Midnight

AUTRICE: Alison DeLaine

EDITORE: Harlequin

Knight in Highland Armor by Amy Jarecki

Grieving from the death of his wife, Lord Colin Campbell listens to the cries of his newborn son whilst penning a missive to the king. With no marriage prospects, Colin petitions his majesty for help in finding a stepmother. Never again will he fall in love—the death of a woman brings more pain than losing a whole contingent of men on the battlefield.

Feisty, quick tongued and smart, Margaret Robinson is delighted when her father receives a messenger from the king…until she discovers what news he brings. In a sennight, she will wed the notorious Black Knight—her life is about to end.

Tension builds during the wedding and deteriorates from there…until an accident draws them together. Just when their love begins to blossom, a dire request arrives from the Pope. Colin must join the Crusades at once.

Their fragile love is forced to withstand the seductions of hell—Margaret tempted by a scoundrel laird—Colin courted by Satan himself. Aye, the war for Christendom could very well ruin their dreams forever.

Knight in Highland Armor was really a nice reading and I think it's a great start to this new  Historical Romance series by Amy Jarecki.

The pair is well-matched, though the beginning of their story is a bit troubled.

Lord Colin Campbell is a brave warrior,  he has just lost his wife who died giving birth to their child. As if that weren't enough the man is summoned to fight another crusade in the Holy Land because of his experience and his value on the battlefield. He's forced to choose in haste a woman who can be a good stepmother for his child during his long absence. Not love or romance, but simple needs and he asks  to his Queen to help him in this choice.

Margaret is certainly not the woman who would have expected, young, beautiful, smart, strong-minded and disinclined to follow his orders, if she thinks it's better behave otherwise. The young woman was accustomed always to express her ideas and to help her father due to his skill and intelligence. She is also brilliant and she always dreamed of great love and what they called the "Black Knight" is certainly not her Prince charming ideal, and at the beginning Lord Colin does everything to confirm this thought of Margaret.

I enjoyed a lot reading their bickering and I enjoyed Margaret's sharp tongue and her spirit. Despite being alone and young, involved in a arranged wedding, she isn't cowed by her husband, and she tries to help him and earn his respect and approval.

Lord Colin could be unforgivable for how he dealt with her form the very start of their wedding,  but thanks to the fact that the author has given us his point of view in this story, we can realize how much he is grieving the loss of his prevoius wife and especially as he feels guilty about his attraction towards Margaret. He is in a difficult position and I liked the space that has been given him to deal with this crisis.

I also enjoyed the historical setting chosen for this story, during the Crusades and how Ms Jarecki has managed to highlight how could be difficult to live a love story in such extreme conditions. No tv or phones with news about the war, letters that could be lost and never received for years. Love stories so difficult to carry out, but for this so intense and full of passion and love.

Beautiful book, recommended for those who loves this genre.

Thanks to Netgalley and Rapture Books for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Highland Knight Armor

AUTHOR: Amy Jarecki

SERIES: Highland Forces #1

PUBLISHER: Rapture Books

Knight in Highland Armor è stata una lettura davvero piacevole e credo un ottimo inizio per questa nuova serie Historical Romance di Amy Jarecki.

La coppia è decisamente ben assortita, anche se l'inizio della loro storia è un po' travagliata.

Lord Colin Campbell è un guerriero valoroso, ha appena perso la moglie che è morta mettendo alla luce il loro bambino. Come se non bastasse l'uomo viene convocato per combattere un'altra crociata in Terra Santa vista la sua esperienza e il suo valore sul campo di battaglia. Si vede costretto a dover scegliere in fretta e furia una donna che possa fare da madre al figlio durante la sua lunga assenza. Non amore e romanticismo, ma semplice necessità e chiede aiuto alla sua Regina per aiutarlo in questa scelta.

Margaret non è senz'altro la donna che si sarebbe aspettato, giovane, bellissima, sveglia e poco incline a seguire i suoi ordini, se pensa sia meglio comportarsi in altro modo. La giovane donna è stata abituata da sempre a esprimere le sue idee e ad aiutare il padre grazie alla sua bravura e intelligenza. È però anche vivace e da sempre sogna il grande amore e quello che tutti chiamano il "Black Knight" non è certo il suo principe azzurro ideale, e Lord Colin sin dall'inizio fa di tutto per confermare questo pensiero di Margaret.

Mi sono divertita molto nel leggere i loro battibecchi e ho apprezzato la lingua tagliente di Margaret e il suo spirito. Nonostante sia sola e giovane, coinvolta in un matrimonio arrangiato, non si lascia intimorire dal marito, e comunque tenta di aiutarlo e guadagnare la sua stima e approvazione.

Lord Colin all'inizio sarebbe imperdonabile, ma grazie al fatto che l'autrice ci ha fornito anche il suo punto di vista in questa storia, ci si può rendere conto quanto stia soffrendo per la perdita della moglie e soprattutto come si senta in colpa per l'attrazione che prova verso Margaret. È in una posizione difficile e mi è piaciuto lo spazio che gli è stato dato per affrontare questo suo momento di crisi.

Mi è piaciuto anche l'ambientazione storica scelta per questa storia, durante le Crociate e come Ms Jarecki abbia saputo mettere in evidenza quanto potesse essere difficile vivere una storia d'amore a distanza in condizioni così estreme. Niente telefoni o tv con notizie sulla guerra, lettere che potevano andar perse e mai ricevute per anni. Storie d'amore difficili da portare avanti, ma per questo intense e piene di passione e amore.

Bel libro, consigliato a chi ama questo genere.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Rapture Books per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Knight in Highland Armor

AUTRICE: Amy Jarecki

SERIES: Highland Force #1

EDITORE: Rapture Books

Anteprima: The Soldier's Dark Secret by Marguerite Kaye

The truth behind the hero 

Officer Jack Trestain may have been one of Wellington's most valued code-breakers, but since Waterloo, he's hung up his uniform. If only he could just as easily put aside the tortured memories he carries deep within… Perhaps enchanting French artist Celeste Marmion might be the distraction he so desperately craves? 

Except Celeste harbors secrets of her own, and questions that she needs Jack's help to solve! With Celeste's every touch an exquisite temptation, how close can Jack get without revealing his darkest secret of all? 

The Soldier's Dark Secret is a really nice book, perhaps the best of those I've read of Marguerite Kaye or maybe one with the characters that impressed me the most.

Two excellent characters and an intriguing plot, full of mistery about Celeste's mother past, keeping the reader engaged in the storyline. I have to say that I love a lot too as Ms Kaye reconstructs historical scenarios in which puts her love stories, analyzing with a critical eye, creating characters that are war heroes, but they pay the price of their choices, sometimes horrible choices, of whom they were witnesses or architects during the war, and they were profoundly changed by them. I find this thing always makes them look very realistic.

I loved Jack e Celeste from the very beginning, their being so direct with one another and out of the schemes for that time.

Celeste is an artist, an independent and intelligent young woman, her childhood is marked by a cold and distant relationship with her mother, for which she will suffer a great deal, but at the same time she will not indulge in self-pity, learning to go forward on her way, she's so brave. She is not impressed by Jack, from his mood swings or his outbursts sometimes very sharp and she doesn't hide the deep emotions that he manages to unleash inside of her. Maybe being a painter and French helps her to dare more, without having to necessarily worry about being judged according to the rules of English high society families.

Jack, as mentioned before, is a man tormented by his inner demons, he fights a battle against himself, to overcome this terrible moment that seems to put a strain on his right mind. I really liked how he attempts to come to terms with his problems and at the same time being so perceptive and considerate towards Celeste.

Their relationship is full of passion, they don't understand the reason for the intensity of this attraction, but  they both don't hide their reactions and thanks to this sincerity they can go beyond the façade which  they reserve to the rest of the world.

Their story is undoubtedly made more charming by the mysteries surrounding the life of the mother of Celeste and the terrible secret that Jack try to hide from everyone, bringing the weight of it on his shoulder.

I think the book is amazing , beautiful love scenes and dialogues, well written love scenes, passionate and never vulgar. In short, I liked it a lot!

Thank to Netgalley and Harlequin for the kind preview.

RATING: 5 stars

TITLE: The Soldier's Dark Secrets

AUTHOR: Marguerite Kaye

SERIES: Comrade in Arms # 1

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

 PUBLICATION DATE: February 15, 2015

The Soldier's Dark Secret è davvero un bel libro, forse il migliore tra quelli che ho letto di Marguerite Kaye o forse quello con i protagonisti che mi hanno colpito di più.

Due ottimi personaggi e una trama intrigante, che si rivela un poco alla volta, mantenendo il lettore coinvolto nella lettura. Devo dire che amo molto anche come la scrittrice ricostruisce gli scenari storici nei quali inserisce le sue storie d'amore, analizzandole con occhio critico, creando dei personaggi che sono sì degli eroi di guerra, che però pagano il prezzo delle scelte, a volte atroci, delle quali sono stati testimoni o artefici durante la guerra, rimanendone profondamente cambiati. Trovo che questo aspetto li renda sempre molto realistici.

Jack e Celeste mi sono piaciuti da subito, il loro essere così diretti l'uno con l'altro e anticonformisti per l'epoca.

Celeste è una artista, una giovane donna indipendente e intelligente, la sua infanzia è segnata da un rapporto freddo e distante con la madre, cosa che la farà soffrire in modo enorme, ma al tempo stesso la spingerà a non indulgere nell'autocommiserazione, imparando ad andare a avanti per la sua strada in modo coraggioso. Non si lascia impressionare da Jack, da i suoi sbalzi di umore o dalle sue uscite a volte taglienti e non nasconde le profonde emozioni che lui riesce a scatenare dentro di lei. Forse l'essere una pittrice e per di più  francese la aiuta a poter osare di più, senza doversi per forza preoccupare di essere giudicata secondo le regole delle famiglie dell'alta società inglese.

Jack, come già detto prima, è un uomo tormentato dai suoi demoni interiori, combatte una battaglia contro se stesso, per superare questo momento terribile che sembra mettere a dura prova la sua ragione. Mi è piaciuto molto per come tenta di affrontare i suoi problemi e al tempo stesso sia così percettivo e attento nei confronti di Celeste.

Il loro rapporto è pieno di passione, non comprendono il motivo dell'intensità di questa attrazione, ma entrambi non nascondono le loro reazioni e grazie a questa sincerità riescono ad andare oltre la facciata che riservano al resto del mondo.

La loro storia è senz'altro resa più affascinante dai misteri che avvolgono la vita della madre di Celeste e dal terribile segreto che Jack tenta di nascondere a tutti, portandone il peso come un macigno.

Trovo che il libro sia scritto in modo splendido, bei dialoghi, scene d'amore ben scritte, passionali e mai volgari. Insomma mi è piaciuto un sacco!

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per la gentile anteprima.

VOTO: 5 stelle

TITOLO: The Soldier's Dark Secrets

AUTHOR: Marguerite Kaye

SERIES: Comrade in Arms #1

EDITORE: Harlequin 

DATA PREVISTA DI PUBBLICAZIONE:15 febbraio 2015

Chieftain by Command by Frances Housden

Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King. He is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn. And an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.

Gavyn needs wealth to meet his king’s demands, and he knows of only one way to get it - with his sword. Leaving his prickly bride behind in the hands of trusted advisors, he makes his way to the battlegrounds of France and the money that can be made there.

Two years married and Kathryn is still a virgin. A resentful virgin, certain that, like her father before her, she is perfectly capable of leading the Comlyn clan. In her usurper husband’s absence, she meets the clan’s needs, advising and ruling as well as any man.

But she is an intelligent woman, and she knows the only respect and power she will ever hold will be through her husband. And to wield it, she needs to make him love her. An easy task to set, but impossible to complete, when said husband has been gone for two years, and there is no word of his return. But Kathryn is undeterred. After all, a faint heart never won a Chieftain.

My attention was captured by the cover of the book and reading the synopsis I thought was a new book about Highlanders and it's One of my favorite genre, but I wasn't impressed during its reading.

I didn't fall in love with the two protagonists and I didn't feel myself particularly involved from the love-story between them.

The plot was interesting, full of background and plots and  it has been given ample space to the minor characters. Let's say I found myself follow with more pleasure their stories than  reading about Gavyn and Kathryn.

Too bad, because it had large potential according to me, but maybe  it was me to fail to appreciate it fully.

Thanks to Netgalley and Escape Publishing for the book.

RATING: 2.5 stars

La mia attenzione è stata sicuramente catturata dalla copertina del libro e leggendo la sinossi ho pensato fosse uno dei miei libri sugli Highlander da non perdere e invece la scintilla per questa storia non è scoccata.

Non sono entrata in sintonia con i due protagonisti e non mi sono sentita particolarmente coinvolta dalla parte romance del libro che li riguardava.

La trama era comunque interessante, piena di retroscena e complotti e ai personaggi secondari è stato dato ampio spazio. Diciamo che quasi mi sono ritrovata a seguire con più piacere le loro storie che a leggere di Gavyn e Kathryn.

Peccato, perché aveva delle grosse potenzialità secondo me, ma forse sono stata io a non riuscire ad apprezzarlo appieno.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Escape Publishing per il libro.

VOTO : 2.5 stelle

Return of the Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki

An untimely tempest transports two miserable and lost souls to England’s Abbey Wood where they stumble across each other’s paths. Lady Jane, a battered woman and accused murderess—Laird Alexander, fleeing his keep after blaming himself for the accidental death of his wife.

Both souls must heal their wounds. Both souls have reason to keep their identities hidden. This misshapen pair discovers each needs the other—though neither is willing to admit dependence.

Alexander must return to his kin and resume his laird’s mantle. Lady Jane must clear her name and find forgiveness. But before healing can begin, it is essential they learn to trust…and love.

The story is somewhat different from the other books I have read so far about the Highlanders.

Both protagonists are going through a difficult period in their lives.

Alexander flees from his clan, he needs space and time to deal with his feelings of guilt related to the death of his wife. He needs to reorder his thoughts, but his journey begins right in the wrong way and after facing on his boat  a storm , he lands on British territory where certainly doesn't give him a warm welcome, indeed he is assaulted, robbed and left inconscious to sure death.

Lady Jane is a woman escaped to a life marked by constant abuse and ill-treatment by her husband. She is so happy and thankful to have survived her marriagce is content to live her life in a little home, in very poor condition, with the help of an old servant who provides her the bare minimum to survive. I felt so musc tenderness foe her, usually I love female figures with another kind of characteristics, but Jane has really impressed me for her simplicity, her generosity in helping Alexander when he finds himself badly wounded. Despite everything she has passed because of her husband, she didn't change herself.

Alexander perceives that Lady Jane hides secrets and that her standard of living and her origins are quite different from what  appearances show, but ne wants tandamento something for her in exchange for her help and he can take time to decide his future.

He's man of honor, that in addition to a strong attraction for the woman, he feels the need to protect her.

Great story, well written, full of sweetness, passion and sometimes a little bit of humor.

Fourth book of the series Highland Force by Amy Jarecki.

Thanks to Netgalley and Rapture Books for the book.

RATING: 3.5 stars

TITLE: Return of the Highland Laird

AUTHOR: Amy Jarecki

SERIES: Highland Force SERIES # 4

PUBLISHER: Rapture Books

Racconto un po' diverso dagli altri libri che ho finora letto e che hanno per protagonisti gli Highlanders.

Entrambi i protagonisti stanno attraversando un periodo difficile nella loro vita.

Alexander fugge dal suo clan, ha bisogno di spazio e tempo per affrontare i suoi sensi di colpa legati alla morte della moglie. Io la vedo un po' come una pausa di riflessione della quale ha bisogno per riordinare i suoi pensieri, ma il suo viaggio inizia subito nel modo più sbagliato e dopo aver affrontato sulla sua imbarcazione una tempesta in mare, approda su territorio inglese dove certo non gli danno un caloroso benvenuto, anzi viene assalito, derubato e ridotto in fin di vita.

Lady Jane è una donna sfuggita a una vita costellata dai continui abusi e maltrattamenti da parte del marito. È così felice e riconoscente di essere sopravvissuta al suo matrimonio che si accontenta di vivere la sua vita in una abitazione di fortuna, in pessime condizioni, e accentando l'aiuto di un suo vecchio servitore che le fornisce il minimo indispensabile per sopravvivere. Il suo è un personaggio che mi ha fatto molta tenerezza, di solito amo figure femminili con un altro genere di caratteristiche, ma Jane mi ha veramente colpito per la sua semplicità, la sua generosità nell'aiutare Alexander quando lo ritrova gravemente ferito. Nonostante tutto quello che ha passato a causa del marito non si è lasciata prendere dal cinismo.

Alexander percepisce che Lady Jane nasconde dei segreti e che il suo tenore di vita e le sue origini sono ben diverse da quello che mostrano le apparenze, ma in cambio dell'aiuto ricevuto e per prendere tempo per decidere il suo futuro decide di aiutarla.

Un uomo d'onore, che oltre a una forte attrazione per la donna, sente il sé il bisogno di proteggerla.

Bella storia, ben scritta, ricca di dolcezza, passione e a volte anche un pizzico di umorismo.

Quarto libro della serie Highland Force di Amy Jarecki.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Rapture Books per il libro.

VOTO: 3.5 stelle

TITOLO: Return of the Highland Laird

AUTRICE: Amy Jarecki

SERIE: Highland Force #4

EDITORE: Rapture Books

Crimson Heart by Heather McCollum

Elena ha trascorso la sua intera vita tenendo nascosto il vero nome della sua famiglia, vivendo al limite tra l'essere una nobildonna e parte della servitù in una famiglia di fede protestante. Tenere il segreto sulle sue origine è stato per anni un successo, ma ora con una nuova agguerrita regina cattolica sul trono, i protettori protestanti di Elena vengono presi di mira. E quando Mary la sanguinaria, scopre la reale identità di Elena,la ragazza si vede costretta a scappare in Scozia per difendere non solo la sua libertà, ma la sua stessa vita.

Searc Munro, il guerriero delle Highland, ha anche lui un segreto. In una famiglia di guaritori come la sua, la magia oscura che possiede, che può uccidere, deve essere tenuta nascosta. Ma quando la vita del padre viene minacciata, Searc lascia libero il suo potere letale per salvarlo. Afflitto dagli sguardi pieni di sospetto e dai mormorii nel suo clan, decide di andarsene via da solo, trovandosi invece poi costretto un'altra volta a usare la sua magia per salvare una bellissima ragazza aggredita nella foresta.

Compagni d'esilio Elena e Searc si dirigono verso Edinburgo per trovare rifugio. Invece una serie di omicidi rituali che affliggono la città e un traditore che tenta di assassinare la reggente di Scozia, fanno ricadere i sospetti  su Searc. Quando le voci dell'esistenza di un altro erede al trono britannico raggiungono il Paese, i due devono trovare il modo di fidarsi uno dell'altra, nonostante i loro segreti, prima che sia troppo tardi.

Altro libro che va ad aggiungersi alle mie letture historical romance che hanno per protagonisti gli Highlander.

Crimson Heart è stata un libro molto gradevole da leggere, scritto bene, con una buona trama e dei personaggi interessanti.

La magia del cui potere Searc è dotato sin dalla nascita, o più una maledizione, visto come viene vissuta dall'uomo, aggiunge qualcosa di diverso a questa storia; è un  personaggio intenso, un po' cupo, ma coraggioso, leale, testardo e un uomo d'onore.

Mi è piaciuto da subito, nonostante sia un uomo che porta un po' con difficoltà il peso del suo potere, si isola dagli altri, fugge dai suoi cari per la paura di vedere nei loro occhi lo sguardo di persone impaurite o  disprezzo per quello che lui è. Ma nei momenti che ontano tutto questo viene messo da parte e il guerriero che è in lui prende il posto dell'uomo tormentato da mille dubbi e sensi di colpa.

Elena è anche lei una donna molto singolare, nasconde la sua vera identità perché vuole vivere una vita libera e lontana da intrighi e complotti legati al suo sangue reale. Preferisce  piuttosto lavorare presso qualche famiglia che rivendicare il suo titolo, ma la scelta non entusiasma altre persone che invece la vorrebbero usare. Coraggiosa, anche se a volte a causa della sua ingenuità le cose le sfuggono un po' di mano, intelligente e non si lascia spaventare da Searc e la sua magia, una volta che lo incontra, nonostante tutte le superstizioni dell'epoca.

Il loro viaggio per Edinburgo diventa una vera e propria avventura, nella quale l'attrazione che provano uno verso l'altro avrà la una importanza.

Loro sono una bella coppia, ma anche i personaggi secondari mi sono piaciuti: i genitori di Searc, i Munro, a loro volta una bellissima coppia nella quale amore, complicità e ironia sono evidenti e Mary, la regina, è una donna notevole, divertente ma pericolosamente letale.

Una storia nella quale ho trovato diverse componenti interessanti: intrighi, segreti, un mistero legato alla morte orribile di diverse ragazze innocenti, passione, amore e magia.

Insomma un bel po' di cose direi.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Entangled Publishing LLC per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

TITOLO: Crimson Heart

AUTRICE: Heather McCollum

EDITORE: Entangled Publishing LLC

Elena has spent her entire life hiding her family name while walking the thin line between lady and servant in a Protestant household. Keeping the secret of her lineage has been a success for years, but now, with a new, fiercely Catholic queen on the throne, Elena's Protestant caretaker is being targeted. And when Bloody Mary discovers Elena's true identity, she must not only flee to Scotland for her freedom, but also for her life.

Highland warrior, Searc Munro, has secrets of his own. In a family of healers, his own dark, killing magic must never be known. But when his father's life is threatened, Searc unleashes his lethal power to save him. With his clan's suspicious glances and whispers plaguing him, he sets off alone, only to find another use for his magic in saving a beautiful lass being attacked in the forest.

Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc head toward Edinburg to find refuge. Yet, with a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland's regent, suspicion turns to Searc. As word of another British heir reaches the country, the two must find a way to trust each other, despite their secrets, before it's too late.

Another book that I can add to my reading historical romance about the Highlanders.

Crimson Heart was a very enjoyable book to read, well written, with a good plot and interesting characters.

The magic and the power that Searc has since his birth, or a curse, as is experienced by the man, adds something different to this story; he's intense as fictional character, a littore dark, but brave, loyal, stubborn and a man of honor.

I liked him immediately, although he's a man carrying the weight of his power, isolates from the others, he escapes from his loved ones for fear to see in their eyes a look full of fear for what he is; But when the times get tough, he puts aside everything and the Warrior in him takes the place of a man tormented by a thousand doubts and feelings of guilt.

Elena is also a very unique woman, she's hiding her true identity because she wants to live a free life and away from intrigues and conspiracies related to her actual bloodline. She prefers rather to work for some family beside that claim her title, but this choice is not enthused that other people would like to use her. Courageous, even if sometimes due to her naivety things escape a little from her hand, intelligent and she's not scared from Search and his magic, despite all the superstitions of the time.

Their trip to Edinburgh becomes a real adventure, in which the attraction they feel for one another will have its importance.

They are a lovely couple, but I liked also the minor characters: Searc's parents, the Munro, a beautiful couple their love, complicity and irony are obvious and Mary, the Queen, is a remarkable woman, funny but dangerously fatal.

A story in which I found several interesting components: intrigue, secrets, a mystery tied to the horrible death of several innocent girls, passion, love and magic.

In short, a lot of things I would say.

Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the book.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Crimson Heart

AUTHOR: Heather McCollum

PUBLISHER: Entangled Publishing LLC

Anteprima: Claimed by the Laird by Nicola Cornick

He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…

An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.

Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…

The stories and female protagonists are always intriguing in this series by Nicola Cornick: Scottish Brides, in which Claimed by the Laird is the third book.

Lady Christina should be only a lonely woman no more young, according to the custom of the time,  the classic spinster, dedicated in caring for the needs of her family, after the death of her mother. The good and dear Christina, which doesn't strike at first sight because of her beauty and on which all count for her reliability. Few know actually about her secret life, perhaps from this point of view,  the members of her clan know more about her, and also who live in the village or her servants, they all know that the woman is the head of a gang of smugglers of whisky, while her family members are unaware of everything.

It isn't boredom or the need for adventure that has pushed her to make this choice, but the desperate need for money of ordinary people and the habit of these smugglers to use excessively violent methods, while thanks to her presence they manage to remain within acceptable limits.

Lucas could be a Prince, he's anglo-russian, he could be, because he is an illegitimate child, his childhood was anything but happy because of prejudice of aristocrats and now he refuses to be a part of that world, he's grown up and his title and his money would be very welcome. He also has his secrets when he met  Lady Christina in disguise, to be taken as part of the service staff, and carry out his mission.

Lucas with his character is definitely notoghe best choice for the part, too accustomed tgene respected and he always likes to have the last word and Lady Christina isn't so  weak and conciliatory as everyone seems to think.

Lucas discovers Lady Christina's secret and this complicates their relationships.  Both if them feel a deep attraction for each other, but they fight against it for different reasons. She could be the instigator of the murder of Lucas' brother,  while he  younger than Lady Christina , more beautiful and without money. An affair with her employee would give rise to a scandal, that the woman can't afford , she must avoid attentions, which she has managed to do in all these years.

The exchanges of banter between Lucas and Christina are fun, thanks to the man irreverence and ability to cause reactions in Christina, which almost always go beyond ladylike and compassate responses. Lucas is very good at "reading" people and interpreting their reactions and he needs to understand who is really Lady Christina: is she the woman who cares about everything and everyone, with a deep sense of Justice or is she a cold and ruthless person who hides behind a facade?

A nice story with two protagonists unique and an excellent plot, written very well in its romance, very passionate, and enriched by the mystery linked to death of Lucas's brother.  There are both the point of views of the two protagonists, and these is great for these characters so complex, it helps to understand better their behavior and reactions and empathize with them.

I loved both of them, Christina and Lucas, they're perfect for each other, very different, but together they're a lovely couple.

 Scottish Bride became one of my favourite historical romance series, along with its author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the kind preview.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Claimed by the Laird

AUTHOR: Nicola Cornick

SERIES: Scottish Brides #3

PULISHER: Harlequin

PUBLICATION DATE: July 2014, 29

Anteprima Bride of a Scottish Warrior by Adrienne Basso

Stupendo libro historical romance, la recensione in italiano la potete trovare pubblicata su Romanticamente Fantasy sito a questo link:

http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/anteprima-per-gli-inediti-in-italia-recensione-bride-of-scottish-warrior-adrienne-basso/

A union born of duty...
Newly knighted Sir Ewan Gilroy needs a dowry and a wife, in that order. Though the widowed Lady Grace plans to enter a convent, squandering so much lush beauty - and such a fortune - would surely be its own sin. Grace will not be easily wooed, despite her family's urging and Ewan's famed charm. She challenges him as no woman ever dared, proving his equal in spirit and in passions...
Forged by desire...
To atone for her past, Grace vows to never remarry - least of all a brash and reckless warrior. Yet whether defending her honor or stoking desires she hardly knew she possessed, Ewan is a man beyond compare. And as their fragile trust is threatened by treachery, Grace must decide whether to reach for the happiness within her grasp - and fight for the love of her bold Highlander...


Each book historical romance that in its title that contains the words "Scottish" or "Highlander" I cannot help myself but it end up in my e-reader.
Not always are good readings, but in this case the very American Ms Adrienne Basso was a wonderful surprise.
Bride of a Scottish Warrior is a one-shot book, very well written: a nice plot, with two excellent characters, Ewan and Grace, in which I could not find a flaw, while lately I've read about male characters somewhat disappointing in some ways.
Ewan is an amazing man: a warrior who does not belong to any clan, he is an illegitimate child, one of the most serious faults for that time and it is something that has affected and heavily influence his and his mother's life. However, this has never stopped him to build a better future for himself. He has been able to make a difference and win the respect of all who knew him, thanks to his valour and commitment as a fighter, alongside Robert Bruce, for the conquest of the Crown of Scotland. The new King to repay his formidable warrior  grant him one of the most valuable things for a man in a position like Ewan: to become the owner of a land in the Highlands, where to build his home and be the laird of the people who live there.  Upon his arrival Ewan remains impressed by the wild beauty of the Valley, but soon he realizes that the war left the people very poor : there are only women, children and the elderly and the work to be done is much, but Ewan did not hurry, decide with calm to win the trust of the people, without forcing their hand and to revive the fortunes of this place he decides to find a wife who will bring a rich dowry.
Due his origin is nearly hopeless task, but thanks to the respect and friendship of a former comrade in arms he finds the ideal candidate, the sister of the man himself.
However, two problems arise: Lady Grace, widowed recently, has already received a promise from his brother that she will not be forced into a new marriage and she wants to retire to a convent. Ewan, after they met, he realizes he can't and doesn't want to settle for any other lady than Grace to become his wife.
In fact the woman is far from immune to the appeal of Ewan and his attempts to court her, but she hides a secret in her past that makes her to deny what she feels for him, and she prefers to seek shelter, instead, in a place where she believes she can find peace with herself.
Ewan and Grace play roles of equal importance in the story in the book and the author has carefully studied the various aspects of their characters, creating a beautiful couple.
I appreciated the fact that the reason for which Grace builds barricades on barricades to prevent Ewan to conquer, is then revealed to him with the utmost frankness and sincerity from the same woman. No cheats or tricks in this important book node. So as I really enjoyed the change of Grace once the problem has come into the light of the sun. No more secrets and impediments between the two of them, the woman follows her heart and her passion for Ewan, pointing her feet when she needs  to get his attention.
Important in story is the figure of Ewan's mother, a woman whose life was not easy, and that the pain and experience have made  a little tough. Her relationship with Grace is not a bed of roses at the beginning, and Ms. Basso has not succumbed to an easy peace between the two of them even when she could do it, making their relationship in many ways realistic.
A beautiful story full of irony, love, passion and plot twists that make it not so obvious that there is a happy ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the kind preview.

RATING: 5 stars

TITLE: Bride of a Scottish Warrior
AUTHOR: Adrienne Basso
PUBLISHER: Kensington Books
PUBLICATION DATE: July 2014, 1

Anteprima: A Sword Upon the Rose by Brenda Joyce

Anteprima per le uscite in lingua originale e inedito in Italia.

Recensione in italiano completa pubblicata su Romanticamente Fantasy Sito a questo link:

http://www.romanticamentefantasy.it/anteprima-per-uscite-in-lingua-originale-inedite-in-italia-sword-upon-the-rose-brenda-joyce/

A Sword Upon The Rose of Brenda Joyce, is a historical romance that will be published by Harlequin the June 24, 2014.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for the kindly preview.

A bastard daughter, Alana was cast away at birth and forgotten by her mighty Comyn family. Raised in solitude by her grandmother, she has remained at a safe distance from the war raging through Scotland. But when a battle comes close to home and she finds herself compelled to save an enemy warrior from death, her own life is thrown into danger.

Iain of Islay's allegiance is to the formidable Robert Bruce. His beautiful rescuer captures both his attention and his desire, but Alana must keep her identity a secret even as she is swept up into a wild and forbidden affair. But as Bruce's army begins the final destruction of the earldom, Alana must decide between the family whose acceptance she's always sought, or the man she so wrongly loves.

A Sword Upon the Rose is a beautiful historical romance novel, well written, set in a Scotland divided by war between the Comyn and people faithful to Robert the Bruce, who claims for himself the title of King of Scotland.

Alana and Iain are deployed on two opposing sides. He is one of the best men in the service of Robert Bruce, a true Warrior, in certain circumstances, even ruthless, because this is what he must be.  Destroying entire cities, sowing fear and terror in ordinary people, to make sure that in the future they think twice before taking sides in favor of the British, for him everything can be done in favor of the cause of Robert the Bruce and his loyalty has never a hesitation even in front of his attraction to Alana.

The girl instead is full of doubts and uncertainty after her encounter with Iain. Her life was really very difficult, both because of the fact of being an illegitimate daughter, and for some qualities that make her special and leave her lonely. The only person who showed affection  for her and was nearby was her grandmother. She is a Comyn, Robert Bruce's enemy and the feelings she feels for Iain put her a very difficult position. The duty to be loyal towards her family collide with her feelings for Iain.

she hides her true identity and this choice start the ups and downs of her relationship with Iain.

I can't claim them "perfect couple romance of the year". They make many mistakes, always arrive at the edge of a breakdown that seems inevitable, but in one way or another they always forgive  the other and this is their strength and the beauty of their story in the book.

There were moments in which I found very wrong Iain and his behavior with Alana, but it must be said that she sometimes it seems she is searching for trouble... The first lie told by Alana once discovered makes Iain very angry, she has the opportunity to tell him the other things that she hides, and instead she continues to omit or lie, for fear of losing  him and I have to say: "stubborn as a mule!"

What I appreciated Alana is that despite all of her uncertainties, she takes brave and dangerous choices, which do not leave for her never the chance to avoid the consequences, but to save Iain's life she's ready to do anything.

When it comes to obey his orders our dear Alana make the opposite and her stubbornness to follow her heart, to save her sisters, endangering herself and her relationship with Iain, has made me love her even more.

A passionate and compelling story.

The book actually is the 2nd book in the Scottish Medieval series by Brenda Joyce, but the great thing about these stories is that they can be read easily even as separate stories.

Not to be missed for those who love historical romance books

RATING: 4 STARS

Exclave - a BDSM erotic romance bundle by Emily Ryan- Davis

Exclave è una raccolta di due racconti BDSM dell'autrice Emily Ryan-Davis.

CLAIMING LAUREN

Una notte sarebbe dovuta essere abbastanza...

La ventisettenne Lauren Brant è la moglie perfetta per una vita mondana nell'alta società. Organizza e ospita cene per i colleghi del marito. Partecipa a eventidi beneficenza. Si comporta sempre in modo appropriato... a eccezione del suo intenso bisogno di sottomettersi a un uomo che conosce solo con il nome di Master.

Incapace di non cedere al suo forte desiderio, organizza un incontro con Master. Niente nomi, niente facce, null'altro che sottomissione e sensazioni. Eccetto che non è abbastanza. Prima ancora che la notte sia giunta al termine, Lauren sente di aver bisogno di più.

Ma "di più" non è parte dell'accordo, ed è costretta a tornare alla sua vita perfetta, dove scopre che il marito è tornato a casa, mentre di solito vivono vite separate.

Dopo cinque anni durante i quali è stata invisibile agli occhi di Jacob Brant, Lauren non sa che cosa fare con lui. Lui, invece, sembra saper perfettamente cosa deve fare con lei...

Tra i due racconti di Exclave questo è stato quello che ho preferito.

La frustrazione nel vivere la sua vita sposata praticamente con uno sconosciuto è palpabile. Soldi, prestigio e una vita in apparenza perfetta non le bastano più e decide di vivere nella realtà quella che è una sua fantasia, ma anche un profondo bisogno.

Il racconto è puro erotismo. Sia l'occasione, ma anche la modalità con il quale avviene l'incontro tra Master e Lauren. Le dinamiche BDSM direi di un livello abbastanza intenso, e ben scritto, con la giusta dose di mistero, che aumenta il fascino del proibito.

Mi è piaciuto molto e preferisco lasciarvi scoprire da soli la piccola sorpresa contenuta nella storia, anche se leggendo il racconto, tra le righe, qualcosa si può intuire.

DOMINATING AMY

Finché morte non ci separi avrebbe dovuto abbastanza...

Mac Corcoran ha impiegato molto tempo per cancellare lo spettro del matrimonio dei suoi genitori pieno di abusi e violenza. Ha faticato molto per tenere a bada i suoi desideri più oscuri e incanalare le sue energie per costruire un solido rapporto basato su parità e rispetto.

Però ci vogliono due persone per far funzionare un matrimonio, e quando Amy Corcoran raggiunge un punto di rottura a causa del suo bisogno di sottomissione, la donna si trova davanti a solo due possibilità: lasciare l'uomo che ama, oppure obbligare il marito ad accettare la donna che è adesso. Anche se questa donna non è la stessa che ha sposato dieci anni prima.

Non è più il momento di scappare, potrà Mac superare le sue paure e diventare l'uomo Dominante del quale Amy ha bisogno, oppure la paura di ripetere il passato gli costerà l'unica donna che ha mai amato?    

Quello che ho apprezzato in questo racconto è il fatto che Amy continui ad amare il marito e voglia trovare in lui il partner per affrontare il suo bisogno di sottomissione. Sicuramente gli forza un po' la mano, ma di fronte alla possibilità di perderla per sempre, è costretta a ricorrere a scelta un po' estrema. D'altra parte nel racconto si nota comunque una certa tendenza alla dominanza da parte di Mac. Devono trovare un equilibrio per far funzionare la loro coppia, soddisfa do le esigenze di entrambi.

Idea carina, mi è piaciuto il racconto.

Ringrazio Netgalley ed Emily Ryan-Davis per il libro.

VOTO : 3 stelline.

TITOLO: Excave- a BDSM erotic romance bundle

AUTRICE: Emily Ryan-Davis

SERIE: Exclave # 1& 2

Exclave is a bundle that contains two BDSM novellas by Emily Ryan-Davis.

CLAIMING LAUREN.

 One night should have been enough...

Twenty-seven-year-old Lauren Brant is the perfect society wife. She hosts dinners for her husband’s colleagues. She attends charity functions. She’s entirely appropriate…except for her clawing need to submit to a man she knows only as Master.

Unable to deny her cravings, she arranges to meet Master. No names, no faces, nothing but submission and sensation. Except it isn’t enough. Even before the night ends, Lauren needs more.

But “more” isn’t part of the arrangement and she returns to her polished life only to discover her estranged husband has come home. After five years of being invisible to Jacob Brant, Lauren doesn’t know what to do with him. He, however, knows exactly what to do with her…

Between the two stories of this Exclave bundle, this is my favourite.

Lauren's frustration in living her married life with practically a stranger is palpable. Money, prestige and a seemingly perfect life are not enough for her and she decides to live in the reality her fantasies, but also her deep need.

The story is pure eroticism. The opportunity, but also the manner in which the meeting takes place between Master and Lauren are very steamy. I'd say the BDSM dynamics have a very intense level and also well written, with the right dose of mystery, which increases the allure of the forbidden.

I really liked this novel and I prefer to let you discover on your own the little surprise in the story, although reading it, between the lines, you can guess something.

 DOMINATING AMY

Till-death-do-us-part should have been enough…

Mac Corcoran spent a long time running from the specter of his parents’ abusive marriage. He’s worked hard to suppress his dark urges and channeled his energy into building his own relationship upon a bedrock of respect and equality.

It takes two people to make a marriage work, however, and when Amy Corcoran’s submissive needs hit a breaking point, her only options are to walk away from the man she loves or force him to acknowledge her as the woman she is now. Even if that woman isn’t the same one he married ten years earlier.

With no more time for running, can Mac overcome his fear and be the Dominant man Amy needs him to be or will fear of repeating the past cost him the only woman he’s ever loved?

What I appreciate in this story is the fact that Amy continues to love her husband and wants to find in him a partner to satisfy her need for submission. Surely she chooses to shock a little bit her husband, but she faces the possibility of losing him forever, so she is forced to come to terms with an extreme choice. On the other hand in the story Mac has a certain tendency to be a kind of Dominating guyby. They have to find a balance to make the things right as a couple.

Nice idea , I liked the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Emily Ryan-Davis for the books.

RATING: 3 STARS

TITLE: Excave- a BDSM erotic romance bundle

AUTHOR: Emily Ryan-Davis

SERIES: Exclave # 1 & 2

Dark Surrender by Erica Ridley

Questo libro mi ha riportata un po' indietro nel tempo, in un periodo nel quale ero un po' fissata con il genere gotico.

Violet Whitechapel ha commesso un crimine terribile per salvare una ragazzina.
Per sfuggire al cappio del boia, trova rifugio in un'abbazia in rovina che nasconde segreti più oscuri dei suoi. Quando il proprietario le offre un posto di lavoro temporaneo, la donna non può dire di no. Non appena Violet comincia a vedere l'uomo sotto una luce diversa, il suo passato viene scoperto, mettendoli tutti in pericolo.
Alistair Waldergrave tiene la figlia imprigionata nel punto più nascosto e inaccessibile della sua abbazia. Mentre è alla ricerca di una cura per una malattia che le persone del villaggio credono essere legata a qualcosa di demoniaco, la sua nuova governante riesce a portare con la sua presenza la luce di cui avevano bisogno nelle loro vite. Ma come può sopravvivere la passione che nasce tra di loro, alla oscurità che li minaccia al di fuori dei muri dell'abbazia?

Ho sempre amato queste ambientazioni cupe, ricche di mistero e segreti.
Dark Surrender non ha niente di paranormal in sé, anche se alcuni particolari dei suoi personaggi potrebbero farlo credere, anzi... in alcuni momenti le descrizioni di alcune realtà dell'epoca sono fin troppo realistiche, come per esempio la vita tutt'altro che rosea dei bambini orfani, cresciuti per le strade di Londra, e gli abusi dei quali erano vittime.
L'inizio del libro è molto tosto.
Ho amato i personaggi di questo libro.
Violet, come ama definirsi lei è una sopravvissuta agli orrori della sua infanzia, ed è disposta veramente a tutto per evitare che altri bambini debbano affrontare una vita simile alla sua. Una donna eccezionale, sensibile e piena di talento e grazie alla sua esperienza riesce a "leggere" le emozioni di Lily, capire quello di cui ha bisogna questa bambina, condannata Sin dalla nascita a vivere segregata a causa della sua rara malattia.
Alistair il padre di Lily è veramente eccezionale, si dedica anima e corpo a proteggere la figlia e tentare di trovare una cura per lei, pur ricevendo in cambio da Lily la più completa indifferenza, se non i suoi scoppi di ira e parole capaci di ferire nel profondo.
Violet riesce a dare a queste due persone la possibilità di trovare un punto di incontro per farle avvicinare e tentare di recuperare un rapporto che sembra oramai essere compromesso del tutto.
Alistar tenta di ignorare la profonda attrazione che prova per Violet e la mette su un piedistallo dal quale la donna prima o poi è destinata a cadere.
Il passato di Violet una volta venuto a galla potrebbe causare il suo allontanamento da Lily e Alistair, ma la donna non è l'unica a nascondere segreti e prima o poi i nodi vengono al pettine.
È una bella storia, veramente ben scritta.
Ringrazio Netgalley e la Intrepid Reads per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelline e 1/2

TITOLO: Dark Surrender
AUTRICE: Erica Ridley
EDITORE: Intrepid Reads
DATA PUBBLICAZIONE: 4 marzo 2014
LINGUA: inglese


This book took me a little bit back in time, in a period in which I was a little fixated with the Gothic genre.

Violet Whitechapel committed an unspeakable crime to save a child. To escape the hangman’s noose, she takes refuge in a crumbling abbey with secrets darker than her own. When its master offers her a temporary post, Violet cannot say no. Just as she begins to see him in a new light, her past catches up to her and endangers them all.
Alistair Waldegrave keeps his daughter imprisoned in the black heart of his Gothic abbey. As he searches for a cure to the disease the villagers call demonic, his new governess brings much needed light into their lives. But how can the passion between them survive the darkness encroaching from outside their sheltered walls?


I always loved these dark settings, full of mystery and secrets.
Dark Surrender doesn't have anything paranormal in itself, although some details of its characters could make it to believe, even ... in a few moments the descriptions of certain contemporary realities are all too realistic, such as the less-than-rosy life of orphaned children, grew up on the streets of London, and abuses of which they were victims.
The beginning of the book is very tough.
I loved all the characters in this book.
Violet, as she likes to call herself is a survived the horrors of her childhood, and she is really willing to do anything to prevent other children from face a life similar to her. An exceptional woman, sensitive and full of talent and thanks to her experience is able to "read" the emotions of Lily, she understands what this child feels about her condemnation  from birth to live segregated due her rare disease.
Alistair, Lily's father is truly amazing,  so devoted body and soul to protect his daughter and try to find a cure for her, while receiving in return from Lily the most complete indifference, if not her outbursts of anger, and words that can truly hurt deeply.
Violet manages to give these people a chance to find a meeting point to make them move and try to built a relationship that seems to be compromised at all.
Alistair tries to ignore the deep attraction he feels for Violet and puts her on a pedestal from which the woman sooner or later is bound to fall.
Violet's past once came to the surface could lead her away from Lily and Alistair, but the woman is not the only one hiding secrets and sooner or later the nodes come home to roost.
It's a nice story, really well written and I loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Intrepid Reads for the book.



RATING: 3 stars 1/2

TITLE: Dark Surrender
AUTHOR: Erica Ridley
PUBLISHER: Intrepid Reads
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2014, 2
LANGUAGE: English