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

Reaver by Larissa Ione

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

Larissa Ione is  the number one.

I waited so long to make up my mind to read this book, because I didn't read some of the previous books of Lords of Deliverance, but I was very lucky.

I'm not saying I haven't lost anything, but definitely Reaver for as was written by Ms Ione is a great book to read alone.

In the story there are all references to the events happened in the past between the various characters featured in the book and what a past, I dare say, now I'm just more curious than ever to be able to read the books that I miss in this wonderful series.

What can I say? The plot is engaging, the world created by the author amazing,I love it, it's full of contrasts, the division between good and evil is not always so clear compared to what usually is used to think about angels and demons, the relationships between the various characters are very intricate.

I love also the continuity and connection that Ms Ione has managed to keep her Demonica series and Lords of Deliverance, making always present the protagonists of  the several series, even with brief appearances, which allow us to see them and enjoy their company.

Reaver and Harvester are both amazing and compelling, and their relationship full of love and hate with very deep roots linked to their past.

Not always a idyllic relationships, in which they were also enemies and Harvester has even tortured Reaver, but once he discovered the truth about her, the Angel can not refrain himself from trying to save her from a horrible fate, doing one of the things in which he's the best, going against orders from his superiors.

Reading their story full of passion, irony and sarcasm and adventure makes the pages fly off in a heartbeat and the twists are always around the corner.

Fantastic book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the book.

RATING: 4.5 stars

TITLE: Reaver

AUTHOR: Larissa Ione

PUBLISHER: Grand Central Publishing

Larissa Ione è veramente la numero uno.

Ho aspettato tanto prima di decidermi leggere questo libro, perché  alcuni dei libri precedenti dei Lords of Deliverance non li ho ancora letti,  ma mi è andata di lusso.

Non dico di non aver perso niente, ma sicuramente Reaver per come è stato scritto da Ms Ione è un gran bel libro da leggere anche da solo.

Nella storia sono presenti tutti i riferimenti alle vicende accadute in passato tra i vari personaggi presenti nel libro e che precedenti oserei dire, ora sono solo più curiosa che mai di poter leggere i libri che mi mancano di questa serie meravigliosa.

Che dire? La trama è coinvolgente, il mondo creato dall'autrice unico, affascinante, pieno di contrasti, la divisione tra bene e male  non sempre così netta rispetto a quello che di solito si è abituati a pensare su angeli e demoni, i rapporti tra i vari personaggi sono veramente intricati.

Adoro la continuità  e la connessione che la Ione è riuscita a mantenere tra le sue serie Demonica e Lords of Deliverance, rendendo sempre presenti i protagonisti delle diverse serie, anche con brevi apparizioni, che comunque ci permettono di rivederli e godere della loro compagnia.

Reaver e Harvester sono entrambi meravigliosi, e il loro rapporto d'amore e odio con delle radici ben profonde legate al loro passato.

Rapporti non sempre idilliaci, nel quali sono stati anche nemici e Harvester ha persino torturato Reaver, ma scoperta la verità su di lei, l'angelo non può trattenersi dal tentare di salvarla da un destino orribile, facendo una delle cose che gli riesce meglio, andare contro gli ordini ricevuti dai suoi superiori.

Leggendo la loro storia piena di passione, ironia e sarcasmo e avventura le pagine volano via in un baleno e i colpi di scena sono sempre dietro l'angolo.

Libro fantastico!

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Grand Central Publishing per il libro.

VOTO: 4,5 stelle

TITOLO: Reaver

AUTRICE: Larissa Ione

EDITORE: Grand Central Publishing

A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

This holiday season has bite.

Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.

But fate has other plans for Ben.

Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.

’Tis the season…to be undead.

Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…

Very cute retelling of the Christmas story for excellence by Charles Dickens.

The protagonist of the short novel by Cynthia Eden is a vampire, Ben, who without realizing  is close to a hit the point that threatens to turn him into one of the creatures that he has always hated.

The Christmas holiday season have become for him one of the most troubled moments, when he lost the woman he loved during this time of year in the past.

But he is not aware of many things that pertained to Simone, and during this night he discovers the truth about her and he can decide to change things and choose who he wants to become.

Being a short story the author could not enrich it with more details  about the story on Simon and Ben, but nonetheless it is a very cute and enjoyable tale with a very Christmas climate

Thanks Netgalley and Cynthia Eden for the book

RATING: 3 stars

Rivisitazione molto carina del racconto di Natale per eccellenza di Charles Dickens.

Il protagonista della novella breve di Cynthia Eden è un vampiro, Ben, che senza rendersene conto è vicino a un punto di non ritorno che rischia di trasformarlo in una delle creature che ha sempre odiato.

Le festività natalizie sono diventate per lui uno dei momenti più tormentati, da quando ha perso la donna che amava proprio durante questo periodo dell'anno nel passato.

Ma Ben non è a conoscenza di molte cose che riguardavano Simone, e durante questa notte scoprirà la verità e potrà decidere di cambiare le cose e scegliere chi diventare.

Essendo una storia breve l'autrice non ha potuto arricchire con più particolari la storia su Simone e Ben, ma comunque è un racconto molto carino e piacevole con un clima molto natalizio

Ringrazio Netgalley e Cynthia Eden per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

To Defy a Sheikh by Maisey Yates

The cost of defiance.

Princess Samarah Al-Azem knows you cannot rush revenge. Having bided her time, she's finally ready to bring down Ferran, her kingdom's enemy and the man who took everything from her. In the still of night, she lies in wait in his bedchamber….

It isn't the first time Sheikh Ferran has found himself at the edge of an assassin's blade…but never has it been wielded by such a beautiful assailant. Soon he has her at his mercy—something he's wanted for years!

Now Samarah must decide: imprisonment in a cell…or in diamond shackles as his wife.

This is the best book I've read written by  Ms Maisey Yates, in her stories set in the fascinating world of the sheikhs.

Certainly the one with the most interesting and compelling characters.

Ferran is one of those characters who affect with their charms: beautiful but deadly like a wild and untamed creature, confident and dominant, loyal and courageous.

And then there is Samarah ... a woman who I found amazing, she survived through a terrible childhood: a fairy-tale Princess, who has found herself to live on the streets, in the midst of perils of all sorts and has managed to survive all this thanks her new purpose: revenge against Ferran, the man who deprived her of everything.

She became the perfect killer, invisible to everyone and ready to hit the enemy.

Clever, cunning and beautiful. But strong enough to be able to go further and do not become a slave of the hatred and of the past, and she can see the reality with all its facets and then she decide to move on.

A beautiful book, in which I was involved and passionate during its reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

Rating: 4 stars

TITLE: To Defy a Sheikh

AUTHOR: Maisey Yates

PUBLISHER: Harlequin

Questo è il più bel libro che ho letto scritto da Maisey Yates, nelle sue storie ambientate nell'affascinante mondo degli sceicchi.

Senz'altro quello con i protagonisti più interessanti e convincenti.

Ferran è uno di quei personaggi che colpiscono per il loro fascino: bello, ma letale come una creatura selvaggia e indomabile, sicuro di sé e dominante, leale e coraggioso.

E poi c'è Samarah... una donna che ho trovato spettacolare, ha vissuto un'infanzia terribile: da principessa delle favole, si è ritrovata a vivere per le strade, in mezzo a pericoli di ogni sorta ed è riuscita a sopravvivere a tutto questo ponendosi un obiettivo superiore: la sua vendetta contro Ferran, l'uomo che l'ha privata di tutto.

Si trasforma nella killer perfetta, invisibile agli occhi di tutti e pronta a colpire il suo nemico.

Intelligente, astuta e bellissima. Ma così forte da riuscire ad andare oltre e non diventare schiava dell'odio e del passato, e vedere la realtà con tutte le sue sfaccettature e per poi decidere di andare avanti.

Un bel libro, che mi ha coinvolto e appassionato durante la sua lettura.

Ringrazio Nergalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle

The Heart of a Duke by Samantha Grace, Olivia Kelly, Christi Caldwell,Robin Delany and Aileen Fish

Five friends receive a pendant from a gypsy along with a prophecy that whoever wears the necklace will win the heart of a duke. With varying expectations, each girl accepts her turn with the good luck charm—and a chance at happily ever after—secretly fearing the gypsy’s tale may be nothing more than a plot to sell a worthless piece of jewelry.

Beautiful and original the idea of turning what could be an anthology of five regency short stories, in a story that is written by five different authors, but is connected by one common thread: a magical jewel, heart shaped, that according to a gypsy's prophecy  will bring the love of a Duke and his heart to the woman who wears it.

The authors told the stories of five childhood friends who have made together a vow and that over time they will pass the magical object, one another, when they'll find the true love.

Very nice, romantic and well written. The stories might almost seem written by the same person for the style used and continuity in the story.

Thanks to Netgalley e la Aspendawn Books for the book.

RATING: 3stars

TITLE: The Heart of a Duke

AUTHORS: Samantha Grace, Olivia Kelly, Christi Caldwell,Robin Delany and Aileen Fish

PUBLISHER: Aspendawn Books

Bella e originale l'idea di trasformare quella che poteva essere un'antologia di cinque racconti regency, in una storia che è scritta da cinque autrici diverse, ma è collegata da un unico filo conduttore: un gioiello magico a forma di cuore che secondo una profezia gitana porterà l'amore di un Duca e il suo cuore a la donna che lo indosserà.

Da qui vengono raccontate le storie di cinque amiche d'infanzia che hanno fatto un patto e che nel tempo si passeranno l'oggetto magico, nel momento in cui chi lo avrà in suo possesso troverà il vero amore.

Molto carino, romantico e ben scritto. I racconti potrebbero quasi sembrare scritti dalla stessa persona per lo stile usato e la continuità nella storia.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Aspendawn Books per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

Beyond the Velvet Rope by Tiffany Ashley

Welcome to Club Babylon: where the A-list VIPs come to play

Scoring a gig at Miami’s Club Babylon is a fantasy come true for New York promoter Thandie Shaw. The hottest club on the strip is a magnet for major South Beach movers and shakers. And Thandie’s about to meet the biggest player of them all.

Babylon owner Elliot Richards is macho, arrogant, sexist—everything Thandie doesn’t want in a boss or lover. Elliot is also the most erotic man who’s ever wanted to take her to bed. But Thandie’s no fool. Even as he tries to seduce her into a world of intense and shocking passion, she knows it’s too good to last…especially after she uncovers Elliot’s explosive secrets.

Thandie’s going down a dangerous road, and she’s risking a lot more than her career. Torn between doubt and desire, will she have to pay the ultimate price?

Darkly sensual and deeply moving, Beyond the Velvet Rope takes you into a world of uncontrollable desire and unexpected consequences.

I have to confess that my mind is a littore twisted, just seeing the word "rope" in the title and I immediately thought it was a book of erotic BDSM, I was wrong.

Not that the book is lacking of eroticism and sex scenes with  contents very hot and for adults.

Beyond the Velvet Rope speaks of a world of elite, the Miami that often appears in the TV series, VIP parties, a city full of beautiful half-naked bodies of women covered by a few inches of fabric, limousine, money, champagne and exclusive clubs that have people that counts.

It would be a lie to say that this city full of excess is not attractive in my eyes.

The male protagonist Elliott is one of the most arrogant and sexist men that I have ever read, often irritating to self-confidence and his being so dominant. In the reality probably if I met this kind of type of man I'll shoot him on sight, but in the books are my favorite characters.

Thandie the female protagonist, despite being a career woman, aware of her beauty and accustomed to using it in her work, cunning and smart in handling Vip and unwanted avanches, but eventually she can't resist Elliott.

Their passion is burning and intense, but their personalities are always in continual conflict, making their story very compelling, as well as plot twists that are discovered

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

Rating: 4 stars

TITLE: Beyond the Velvet Rope

AUTHOR: Tiffany Ashley

EDITOR: Harlequin

Oramai ho una mente deviata, appena visto la parola rope nel titolo ho pensato subito che fosse un libro erotico con contenuti BDSM, sbagliando in pieno.

Non che pecchi di erotismo o di scene di sesso dai contenuti decisamente hot e per adulti.

Beyond the Velvet Rope parla di un mondo assolutamente d'elite, la Miami che  ci viene mostrata nei telefilm, città di feste VIP, corpi bellissimi seminudi di donne ricoperti da pochi centimetri di tessuto, limousine, soldi, champagne e locali esclusivi che intrattengono la gente che conta.

Direi che sarebbe una bugia dire che questa città piena di eccessi non risulta affascinante ai miei occhi.

Il protagonista maschile Elliott è uno degli uomini più arroganti e maschilisti di cui abbia mai letto, spesso irritante per la sua sicurezza e il suo essere così dominante. nella realtà probabilmente gli sparerei a vista, ma nei libri sono i miei personaggi preferiti.

Thandie la protagonista femminile, nonostante sia una donna in carriera, consapevole della sua bellezza e abituata a usarla nel suo lavoro, scaltra e d'esperienza nel gestire Vip e avanche indesiderate, ma alla fine comunque non sa resistere a Elliott.

La loro passione è bruciante e intensa, ma le loro personalità sono sempre in perenne conflitto, rendendo la loro storia molto avvincente, così come i colpi di scena che si sono scoperti man mano hanno saputo creare un certo effetto.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Harlequin per il libro.

VOTO: 4 stelle