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Under the MoonLight Book Blog

The Virgin and the Viscount
by Charis Michaels
Series: The Bachelor Lords of London (#2)
Published by: Avon Impulse
July 5th, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Mass-Market Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 Stars

The Virgin 
     Lady Elisabeth Hamilton-Baythes has a painful secret. At fifteen, she was abducted by highwaymen and sold to a brothel. But two days later, she was rescued by a young lord, a man she’s never forgotten. Now, she’s devoted herself to save other innocents from a similar fate. 
The Viscount 
     Bryson Courtland, Viscount Rainsleigh, never breaks the rules. Well, once, but that was a long time ago. He’s finally escaped his unhappy past to become one of the wealthiest noblemen in Britain. The last thing he needs to complete his ideal life? A perfectly proper wife. 
The Unraveling 
     When Bryson and Elisabeth meet, he sees only a flawless candidate for his future wife. But a distant memory calls to him every time he’s with her. Elisabeth knows she’s not the wife Bryson needs, and he is the only person who has the power to reveal her secret. But neither can resist the devastating pull of attraction, and as the truth comes to light, they must discover that an improper love is the truest of all.


     Lord Rainsleigh and Lady Elizabeth met when they were young and Elizabeth virginity was going to be sold to Brayson's father. Before Bryson and his dad, uncle, and cousin make it to the brothel one of the other whores helps Elizabeth switch rooms. Bryson didn't want to be there and so he escapes and takes Elizabeth with him. Years later they meet again but Rainsleigh doesn't remember her.

     From the very beginning, I was hooked with what was happening with Elizabeth and Brayson. I found it very nerve-wracking and later on exiting both times they "met for the first time".

     I found myself cheering both of these characters on and wanting them to be together. I also got mad at Rainsleigh for his attitude and him wanting to always be in control. I felt so much hurt for the pasts of both Elizabeth and Bryson that I couldn't wait for them to be happy.

     There were some things that annoyed me and some things I could have done without (especially towards the end) but I enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone that like historical romance.
January 19, 2019 No comments

Brave New Earl
by Jane Ashford
Series: The Way to a Lord's Heart (#1)
Published by: Sourcebooks Casablanca
August 7th, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher (via NetGalley)
Rating: 3 Stars

     An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman...
     Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.
     Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin's late Countess, and can't bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.
     Jean's sudden eruption into the Earl's household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home―and his aching heart...


Disclaimer:

This copy was provided by the publisher via Hidden Gems Books for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.

     I was in a reading slump recently and that might be influencing my review but I found the beginning of this book rather on the slow side.

     Lord Furness lost his wife in childbirth and has been mourning since then not caring for the state of his household or that of his son. Miss Saunders hears rumors from a reliable source that he is neglecting his son and she rushes to take the child away from his father and onto the child's grandparents.

     From there is a series of everyday social situations that are charming and cute and you just want to know what is behind the characters motivations.

     The second half of the book (when I got out of my slump) was all that I could have asked for. We get deeper into the lives of Lord Marklin (Lord Furness uncle), Lord Furness, Jean, and even Tom (Lord Furness son's unofficial caretaker).

     I loved Geoffrey, he seemed like a very intelligent child and sometimes you forget that he is only four or five years old. And his antics! I was laughing my ass off.

     I will be trying her next book on this series to see if it was just me or the actual book that was the problem since I am curious about Lord Macklin and all the other lords on that dinner.
September 28, 2018 No comments
Grace's Mail Order Husband
by Kate Whitsby
Series: Texas Prairie Brides (#1)
Published by: Gold Crown Press
November 14th, 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library Loan
Rating: 2 Stars

     Grace Montgomery works as a maid at the Double A Ranch in the far north Texas Panhandle. Her life would be happy if not for Florence Abbot, the daughter of Acton Abbot, the wealthy ranch owner. Does Florence really take a special delight in tormenting Grace, or does it only appear that way? The haughty and spoiled prairie princess drives Grace to distraction with her constant complaints and demands. Grace's only friend is Abigail Doering, who rents a cottage on the ranch and gives piano lessons to the pampered Florence and other students from the nearby town of Borger. 
     Grace's life flies into a whirlwind of chaos, however, when she arranges to marry a mail-order husband. Florence can't stand the idea of Grace getting married when she doesn't even have any prospects. The sons of other wealthy ranchers, whom her father considers worthy matches for her, won't have anything to do with her. They all know her reputation for being demanding and impossible to please. 
     The worst part, though, comes when Florence finds out that Grace's mail-order groom is none other than Bad Bill Bailey, the notorious gunslinger and accused murderer. Did old Mr. Abbot really give him the job of horse breaker on the ranch, to move in and marry Grace? Florence sets her mind to foil their wedding plans, and to see Bill Bailey put away for good. Will Grace find happiness in this tempest of personalities? Is her new husband really a dangerous outlaw, or is Florence mistaken about his past and his future on the ranch? Will Florence destroy Grace's only chance for love, or will Grace prove everyone wrong by claiming her right to happiness?


     I was looking for cowboy reads for a reading challenge and I found this set of books on the digital library (hoopla for those curious people, which I highly recommend) and decided to give it a try. Now mind you I read a lot of "mommy porn" but that doesn't mean I haven't read books that are "clean" romance. I like any kind of read as long as it is well written.

     Problem one with this book is that it had too much going on for such a short story. I would have liked it if the author had taken a little more time on the world building and also if she had built on tension. The characters meet that one day the book starts in, get married and the book ends the next day.

     Problem number two, Florence. She was such a shallow ungrateful lady. She treated Grace like dirt for no apparent reason and then she threw her out of her house without an explanation. 

     Next problem is that the book was so predictable it made it unenjoyable since it was such a short read. Add to that the fact that I didn't like the narrator and you have a bomb of a mess in my book.

     Like I've mentioned I don't mind the "clean" romance books (I read YA books that have no"porn" in them and I've enjoyed them) but this one was a no-go for me.
July 18, 2018 No comments
A Most Scandalous Proposal
by Ashlyn MacNamara
Series: A Most Series (#1)
Published by: Tantor Media Inc.
February 26th, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library Loan
Rating: 4 Stars

     After watching her beloved sister Sophia pine over the ton’s Golden Boy for years, Miss Julia St. Claire has foresworn love and put herself firmly on the shelf. Unfortunately, her social-climbing mother and debt-ridden father have other ideas, and jump at the chance to marry Julia off to the newly-named Earl of Clivesden…the man of Sophia’s dreams.
     Since resigning his Cavalry commission, Benedict Revelstoke has spent his time in London avoiding the marriage mart. But when he discovers that the Earl of Clivesden has set Julia in his sights, Benedict tries to protect his childhood best friend from the man’s advances—only to discover more than friendship driving his desire to defend her. He surprises them both with the force of his feelings, but when she refuses him and her father announces her betrothal, he fears he’s lost her forever—until Julia approaches him with a shocking scheme that will ruin her for all respectable society…
     …and lead them into an exquisite world of forbidden pleasures.


     I liked so many things about this book but since it was an audiobook let me start with that. I loved Veida Dehmlow and how she did the different character voices. I also thought as soon as she started narrating that she had the perfect voice for this type of books. She sounds like she lived in the times the books are set in. I just loved everything about that and I will definitively add her to my very short list of narrators I like.

     Next, I'll mention that I loved the fact that we had the main story of Julia and Benedict and then we get a "short story" integrated into the main tale about Sophia and Highgate. I like this fact because I didn't want Sophia to suffer because of not having the man of her dreams.

     Lastly, I'll talk about Benedict and Julia's story. I find that a book that is friends to lovers has to be well crafted because more often than not the authors start the book with the friendship going strong and as it transitions to something more either the friendship is gone or the friendship is too strong and you can't see the characters as something else but friends. This book didn't have that problem and I was able to see Benedict and Julia's friendship blossom and become something more at the same time the friendship was there on the background although not overwhelming the romance.

     I was also a bit sad that Julia and Sophia's mother was such a vain person although we see throughout the book that she's not a bad person, just a victim of the circumstances of her birth and what the Ton thought was a proper lady and such.

     I will be reading the next installment of this series for sure. 
June 03, 2018 No comments
Mistress of Scandal
by Sara Bennett
Series: Greentree Sisters (#3)
Published by: Avon Books
March 27th, 2007
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 Stars

     Proper, reserved Francesca detests chaotic London and one of its most infamous inhabitants: her birth mother, the notorious courtesan Madame Aphrodite. Lovingly raised by the devoted Lady Greentree, she's content to remain in Yorkshire, far from the scandalous parent whose life and profession shock . . . yet intrigue her. But a dark, dangerous stranger she rescues on the moors is awakening a most improper desire—causing Francesca to question whether she is more her mother's daughter than she ever wished to be.
     When Sebastian Thorne agrees to protect Aphrodite's estranged daughter from a dire threat emerging from her past, the fallen lord is unexpectedly seduced by Francesca's beauty. But a vigilante living on the shadowy edge of society has little hope to own such a prize—and unless he reclaims his abandoned title and lost honor, Sebastian will never get close enough to the bewitching lady to save her life . . . or win her passion.


     I loved this book so much. It is yet again proof of why I love this genre so much. I didn't know it was the third book in a trilogy but that didn't matter. It stands alone by itself although I'll be definitively reading the first two books.

     In this book, we have Miss Francesca Greentree, the youngest daughter of Aphrodite, a courtesan. When she was just but a child, Francesca and her two older sisters were kidnapped and it wasn't until many years later that they found out who their real mother was.

     Then we have Mr. Sebastian Thorn who is running from the past because he didn't like the person he was back then.

     Francesca’s real mother hires Mr. Thorn to figure out or I should say confirm her suspicion as to who kidnaped her daughters. He is warned that he will be in danger if he takes the job and so Sebastian meets Francesca after an attempt to end his life. The closer he gets to uncovering the truth the more danger he is in and by extension Francesca.

     Ms. Bennett had me at the edge of my seat trying to figure out everything and as more and more details came out I just needed to keep reading to confirm I made the right assumptions. The dynamic between Aphrodite and Francesca was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved how this story was presented and it was something a little different since this book makes reference to the fact that gas lighting was starting to make an appearance at the time.

     Like I mentioned I can’t wait to read the first two books on this trilogy and I might have found another to go author for this genre.
May 19, 2018 No comments
Princess in Disguise
by Karen Hawkins
Series: The Duchess Diaries (#1.5)
Published by: Pocket Star
February 25th, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 Stars

     Princess Menshikov of Oxenburg, Alexandra Romanovin, is done being courted by men interested only in her position and wealth. Inspired by tales told by a beloved tutor of the bold and brawny men of Scotland, Alexandra visits that misty land, hoping to find true love. But while traveling without the protection of her royal name, she finds herself accused of thievery by an angry innkeeper. Rescued by the dashing and handsome Earl of Kintore, she thinks she’s found the answer to her prayers—a man worth falling in love with. 
     But Kintore has other ideas. An avowed bachelor who long ago swore off marriage, the earl wants nothing more than a passionate interlude with this beautiful, exotic stranger. But soon Alexandra’s intoxicating beauty and seductive touch leave Kintore wondering if a mere interlude will be enough...


     This was a cute short story.

     What I liked about this story was that Alexandra decided to be brave enough and get a man on her own that didn't want her for her money. She showed a strength of character and didn't let Kintore bully her into giving up on what she wanted.

     Kintore for his part gave it a good fight but in the end, his heart won out and he couldn't resist the call when it came. It was absolutely heartwarming when he burst into the drawing room.

     What I didn't like was the fact that the duchess knew what had happened between them? It was presumptuous of her. I also got mad when the innkeeper accused Alexandra of theft. I know those times were different but really? Even a low-class like her should have noticed the fine linen of her cloth.

     Aside from that, I liked the story a because even if it's part of a series it stands on it's own if you don't mind insta-love.
May 13, 2018 No comments
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