Lord Of The Black Isle by Elaine Coffman (Terra's Review)

A Warriors Life...

Laird David Murray would give his life to pull his clan through this time of strife and conflict. With enemies both inside and outside his keep, he has never felt so alone and desperate. Until he meets a beautiful healer with uncanny knowledge from another time...

Meets a Healer's Art...

Elisabeth Douglas was a doctor in her own time. Now she's the only one with the knowledge and skill to help Laird David save the lives of his family...

(Terra's Thoughts)  Another wonderful installment to the Black Douglas series that will surly charm you.  It's nice to have a sweet romance with a bit of sass and humor to make the story so much more enjoyable.

Dr. Elisabeth Douglas has a ghost as a so called friend and guardian which has called her back to the past to make sure that the Douglas family line follows true to it's path to the future.  She's a beauty to be sure and much wanted by more than one man which makes for an enjoyable game of who's got Elisabeth.  She only wants to practice medicine and live the life she's always dreamed of but will the Black Douglas let her do so the easy way or the hard way?

David Murray is the Earl of Kinloss and much to handsome for his own good.  He has a surly nature due to the fact that he doesn't want his position in life and the fact that he could never do anything good enough in the eyes of his father the former Earl of Kinloss.  Tall, dark and handsome is David and I for one would most certainly love a little romp with such a luscious Scotsman.

The story is a continuation of the Black Douglas saga and our author has done a wonderful job at keeping us on our toes in this installment.  Poor Elisabeth is passed around like a bag of hot potatoes never knowing what and where her next stop will be.  A nice action romance packed with plenty of kisses to heat the flames of passion along with hearts longing to embrace each other for eternity.  Will Elisabeth ever survive the string of back luck that plagues her and will David ever find a woman he can fully trust and love for all time?

I should say will the Black Douglass keep up his pranks and sense of humor or will he sway to feel a tug of emotion for a young beautiful woman from his future?  This was a wonderful read to hunger for from beginning to end.  I loved it!

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402259492

ISBN-13: 978-1402259494

Thoroughly Kissed by Kristen Grayson (Terra's Review)

Sleeping Beauty has sworn off kissing...

Emma awakens to an entirely different world than the one she lived in a thousand years ago, and although she's the real Sleeping Beauty, her life is no fairy tale. After parting ways with her supposed Prince Charming, she's determined to be a normal girl—she hides her magic and swears off kissing strange men.

But her gorgeous boss Michael knows there 's something unusual about Emma, and he thinks she's as infuriating as she is beautiful. Now Emma needs to teach Michael a lesson, which means mastering her magic. She knows she's flirting with danger, but after one look at Michael's perfect lips, all she can think is, "What's another thousand years ... ?"

(Terra's Thoughts)  This is a really cute story bringing a fairytale for the past to the future.  A nice twist on Sleeping Beauty that will bring a chuckle to life as you read along.  It's not a action packed story but not a sleeper either.  I think it is just right in between making it a pleasant change.

Emma is in a world so totally different from the one she was born in that it takes her some time to adjust to the unbelievable things she is witnessing.  Men are attracted to her like bees to honey because of her specular beauty and this makes her quite leery because the last time she let a man near her it cost a thousand years sleep.  Now a history professor in a well known collage, she is challenged by the head of the department but what will she do is the question?

Michael is the head of the history department at the local collage and quite the handsome man at that.  A stickler for protocol he decides right off the bat that Emma is not only a fraud but a liar.  No way is he going to deal with her and he needs to protect the collage and it's students from any damage that Emma's history book can bring down around them.

The story plunges us into Emma's unhappy little life due to a coming of age into her magic that she is not ready for nor does she want.  Without the proper training all Hell breaks loose and she must rely on her cat and Michael to get her to her tutor before she can totally screw up the history of civilization as we know it.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (June 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402248547

ISBN-13: 978-1402248542

The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine by Jane Fresina (Terra's Review)

"Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, time-wasters, and gentleman without other attachments need not apply."—Miss Sophie Valentine

A SCANDALOUS LADY

Sophie Valentine knew placing an ad for a husband in the Farmers Gazette would bring her trouble-and she was right. When the darkly handsome, arrogantly charming Lazarus Kane shows up on her doorstep, the nosy residents of Sydney Dovedale are thrown into a gossiping tizzy. After all, it's common knowledge that Sophie is a young lady In Need of Firmer Direction. But even Sophie isn't so scandalous as to marry a complete stranger. .. is she?

SEEKS HANDSOME STRANGER

Lazarus Kane has been searching for Sophie half of his life. She may not remember him, but he could never forget her. But the past is a dangerous thing, and it's best if his remains secret if he wants to tempt Sophie with ...

(Terra's Thoughts)  Be careful what you wish for as it just may come true especially when you advertise for it.  This story is quite cute.  It's a bit slower romance than some but if you like the story of a young lady who just can't seem to do anything right but embarrass her family and cause scandal without batting her pretty little eyelashes then this is for you.

Sophie Valentine is rebellious, speaks her mind without thinking of the consequences and just seems to be in the right place at the wrong time no matter what.  Now that her long ago scandal has been all but forgotten brings about another made from a rash decision in anger that may just bite her in the behind.  Who would of thought one person could have so much bad luck?

Lazarus Kane is tall, dark and handsome and comes to town with hopes of answering an inquiry about a woman looking for a husband.  He lands in a very small town with an overly large population of gossip mongers that are drooling at the mouth for even a tidbit to fuel the fire so to speak.  Will he be able to handle the gossip mongers along with one very stubborn, opinionated woman and her surly brother and self possessed sister-in-law?

A cute romance but not too much action.  Lots of ole fashioned country traditions and and one tempting woman from the past make this a story worth reading.  It's just a cute laid back tale that is sure to please a true romance seeker.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402265972

ISBN-13: 978-1402265976

Lyon's Bride by Cathy Maxwell (Terra's Review)

"When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above..."

They call him Lord Lyon, proud, determined— and cursed. He is in need of a bride, but if he falls in love, he dies. His fervent hope is that by marrying— and having a son—without love, perhaps he can break the curse's chains forever.

Enter beautiful Thea Martin—a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were inseparable, until he disappeared from her life without a word. Now she is charged with finding Lyon's bride—a woman he cannot love for a man Thea could love too well.

(Terra's Thoughts)  I found Lyon's Bride to be utterly charming and just a good ole fashion romance.  This is the first of Cathy Maxwell's books that I've had the pleasure of reading and I can say it will not be the last.  Actually can't wait for the next one.

Thea Martin bless her heart is set on a life of spinster hood while taking up the pass time of being a expert match maker.  She's a beauty and quite smart but after a horrendous marriage that was loveless she is bound and determined to stay quite single now in her widowhood.

Lord Lyon is cursed from generations back.  If he should fall in love he will most surly die so when faced with that prospect but knowing his duty is to provide an heir he seeks out a the best match maker in all of London. 

A story of two friends from their teenage years separated because of an ancient family curse causes a lot of mistrust and hurt feelings to reappear from the grave so to speak.  The eyes of the innocent see quite differently than the eyes of their elders and torn apart they are.

Years have passed and the two meet up again in hopes that Thea Martin can find Lord Lyon a spouse and mother of his children but with unusual requests that must be met first.  Thea is almost reluctant but poverty pushes her forward.  Can she find a suitable bride for Lord Lyon that will meet his requirements and not kill him in the process?  Read on to find out.

As I said this is my first book read by Cathy Maxwell and won't be my last.  Ms. Maxwell's writing is as smooth and delicious and newly made chocolate.  I love an author who can deliver a true romance without all the slam, bam, thank you mam.  It takes such artist to be able to capture the mind and keep it entertained without the occasional yawn.  Kudos to you Cathy Maxwell.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Avon; Original edition (April 24, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0062070223

ISBN-13: 978-0062070227

Lady Amelia's Mess and a Half by Samantha Grace (Terra's Review)

JAKE BROKE HER HEART BY LEAVING HER AFTER SHARING A PASSIONATE KISS.

LADY AMELIA BROKE HIS BY MARRYING HIS BEST FRIEND.

When she returns to town a widow—pursued by an infamous rake, Jake's debauched brother, and just maybe by himself—Lady Amelia will have a mess and a half on her hands.

(Terra's Thoughts)  Oh this was just a delightful real old fashioned romance.  Full of emotion, deceit, trust issues and so much more that will make you revel in a don't put it down story.

Lady Amelia has just returned to London after a proper grieving time resulting from her husband's untimely demise.  Still young and very much beautiful she attracts the eyes of all the available bachelor's especially one in particular whom has been smitten with our delightful Lady most of her life.

Jake Hillary is still so besotted with Lady Amelia even after her jilting him for his best friend.  Now his family has it in their minds that it is time that Jake take a stand for what he truly wants of forever hold his piece.  Can Jake get up the courage to finally tell Amelia his true feelings?  Will he be able to forgive her for marrying his best friend when it was he who should have held her heart?

This story is just delightful with a bit of scandal, lots of misinterpretations, lust flying around our characters as if it has a solid body of it's own.  I really loved the coming alive of our characters in so many different ways.  This story is just so rich in inspiration and dreams come true that you will probably need a few hankies along the way and don't worry about how loud you chuckle at a few instances.  This is not one to be missed for a true romance lover.

Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402258348

ISBN-13: 978-1402258343

A Gentleman Says "I Do" by Amelia Grey (Terra's Review)

Her Writing Talent is Causing All Kinds of Trouble...

The daughter of a famous writer, Catalina Crisp has helped her father publish a parody that makes Iverson Brentwood's whole family the talk of the town, and not in a good way.

Because He's the Reality Behind the Story...

Furious and threatening, Iverson storms into Catalina's house, demanding satisfaction, but the infamous rake has finally met his match. With her cool demeanor and intense intelligence, Catalina heats his blood like no other woman in his notorious history...

(Terra's Thoughts)  This was a cute story of what can happen when someone gets a little too close to home with a tale written for the gossip rags.  Though a bit slow in some spots it does hold it's own and is an enjoyable read none the less.

Catalina Crisp is the daughter of a famous poet and has need to finish her father's works more and more often now because her father just up and takes a walk that can last for days on end if not weeks.  Catalina needs to pay the household bills and half a piece of a tale isn't going to bring them the money they so desperately need to keep afloat.

With Catalina's father off on a walk about she is visited by a man of nobility that has had enough of the gossip rags and wants the current story done and over with since it comes too close to his own family tale.  Unfortunately for Brentwood he is about to have a very long wait and a lesson in leading a more refined life than that of a rake.

I liked this story but think the heroine could have used a bit more meddle.  She was just a wee bit too passive for this story line. 

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (May 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402239769

ISBN-13: 978-1402239762

Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal by Grace Burrowes (Terra's Review)

Lady Maggie Windham Has Secrets

And she's been perfectly capable of keeping them...until now. When she's threatened with exposure, she turns to investigator Benjamin Hazlit to keep catastrophe at bay. But Maggie herself intrigues Benjamin more than the riddle she's set him to solve. As he uncovers more and more of her past, Maggie struggles to keep him at a distance, until they both begin to discover the truth in their hearts...

(Terra's Thoughts)  The Windham family that Grace Burrowes has developed with us along a wonderful series is one you won't soon forget.  You develop a personal attachment to each and every character from the very first line of the story.  This is one family I hope just keeps on going and going for a long while to come.

Lady Maggie Windham is the bastard daughter of the Duke of Windham but she is still treated as preciously as each and every one of his other children.  She is the rock pillar of the older siblings and just keeps on giving and giving with no expectations of anything in return.  She truly has all she needs....Love of a Family.

Our dear Maggie has a deep secret though that has been plaguing her for some years and it's presence in her life is becoming more taxing than any one person should have to contend with.  Maggie's desperation after a precious article becomes lost has her hiring the services of the best investigator in London....Mr. Benjamin Hazlit.

There is a slight problem here that Maggie doesn't foresee at the moment and that is 1., will she be able to keep her secret even from London's best investigator and 2., will she be able to shield her heart from a man whose best intentions can't keep him from secreting out even the most hidden of secrets?

I love this story along with each and everyone of Grace Burrowes stories to date.  It's like I just can't help myself especially when it comes to an author that graces us with story lines that are near and dear to our hearts as well as a style of writing that is sheer art within itself.  Thank you Grace Burrowes!!

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (May 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402263775

ISBN-13: 978-1402263774