#Review ~ The Duke’s Secret Cinderella by Eva Devon ~ @EntangledPub #HistoricalRomance #NeverAWallflower #thedukessecretcinderella

The Duke’s Secret Cinderella

Eva Devon

Entangled – Amara

February 21, 2023

Adult Romance, Retelling

Purchase from Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3ZmSh0Z

About the Book:

Charlotte Browne could just kick herself. What on earth possessed her to tell the Duke of Rockford that she is a lady? But something about the duke's handsomeness and kind intelligence makes Charlotte blurt out the teeniest, tiniest falsehood. Now it's too late to admit she's just plain Charlotte of no particular importance—with cinder-stained hands, a wretched stepfather, and no prospects for marriage...

Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has done what every self-respecting duke must do—avoid marriage at all costs. But the only thing stronger than the duke is his mother. When she lays down the highest ultimatum, he'll need to find a duchess. Immediately. Only, when he calls on a potential bride, he instead finds the pert, fresh-faced Lady Charlotte. Rafe was warned to never mix the business of marriage with pleasure, but when it comes to her...oh, business would be a splendid pleasure.

One passionate, illicit kiss sends Charlotte fleeing, leaving only a delicate blue ribbon behind. For Rafe can never discover her secret, or it will ruin her beloved sister's chance at marriage. But the duke knows that when you've found the one person that ignites you, body and soul, nothing can keep you away.

My Review:

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was a fascinating fairytale retelling. The story has a twist in that their isn't a wicked stepmother. Charlotte has a wicket stepfather. He's actually more than just wicked. He's cruel, heartless, and power- and money-hungry. As such, he's pulled Charlotte out of polite society and banished her to the servant's quarters, all while his children maintain their stations within the ton.

When Charlotte is downtown trying to free one of the servant's from horrific conditions in the debtors' prison, she is accosted by a street person. A handsome gentleman intervenes and even assists Charlotte in securing the release of the servant. Upon the rescue, Charlotte learns she's been aided by none other than the Duke of Rockford. What ensues is a tale of deceit, maltreatment, and unspeakable behavior. This is also a tale, however, of love, chemistry, and revelations. 

The path Charlotte and Rafe travel is a bumpy one. Charlotte tells Rafe a small white lie which, throughout the book, escalates. The lie, and its snowball effect, opens the door for Charlotte's stepfather to twist and misconstrue her tales into something more beneficial to him rather than her or others involved. The ending, while epic, is also sad and maddening. Justice is served but, as in real life, it doesn't take away the pain and loss.

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was fun, eye-opening, and a fantastic retelling. I enjoyed the characters, even the bad ones, because they had a part to play in making this story so good. The twists, turns, and ending were surprising and I didn't see them coming. The author wrote a wonderful historical romance as the Cinderella fairytale re-imagined. I really enjoyed this book.

I was provided a paperback of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ The Witch of Rathborne Castle by Virgina Barlow ~ @Virgini35142126 @pumpupyourbook

Lady Jane Lenwood is surrounded by treason, lies, and a handsome stranger with a secret but she has one of her own, the ability to see the past or future with one touch…

By Virginia Barlow

THE WITCH OF RATHBORNE CASTLE, Paranormal Romance, The Wild Rose Press, 330 pp.

Lady Jane Lenwood is abandoned and alone in an empty castle in the middle of a dark twisted forest. The locals call her a witch because she has the “sight.”

When a wounded stranger is found within the gates, she is warned he carries secrets and their lives will be intertwined.

Lady Jane walks with a limp following a riding accident the night her mother left her. And had given up on having a normal life. She blames her misfortune on the current Duke of Rathborne.

Max Radley is sent by the king to find a traitor. His search leads him to Rathborne Castle and the beautiful woman living there. He must keep his identity a secret in order to find the traitor.

Lies, deception, and a grand scheme to relieve him of his wealth have the real villians framing him for treason.

Only Jane and her supernatural ability can save him, but in order to find the answer she must face her past and the feeling she has for him.

Praise for The Witch of Rathborne Castle:

The Witch of Rathborne Castle is a riveting historical paranormal romance from start to finish. I hadn’t read more than a few pages before I was hooked. The plot unfolds at a nice easy pace with descriptive narration and a heroine to root for. Lady Jane is a mysterious character and her backstory plucked at my heartstrings. Max is a hero on a mission. Can he root out the traitor? The stakes are high for both Jane and Max which added to the anticipation. I did find the obstacles Jane and Max have to face a little over the top. But with each obstacle, they drew closer as a couple. There’s a wonderful gothic vibe to this story. There are quite a few twists I didn’t see coming, especially near the end. I may have gasped a few times. The ending was so unexpected, I got a little emotional. The Witch of Rathborne Castle is an engrossing historical romance with paranormal elements I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Fans of both historical romance and paranormal romance will love The Witch of Rathborne Castle. Reminiscent of classical historicals romance from the ’90s, The Witch of Rathborne Castle will sweep the reader away. Highly recommend! – N.N.Light’s Book Heaven Five Star Review

Alfred placed the candle back on the wall and reached for a clean blanket. He covered the man. “There is something familiar about him. Did you learn anything?”

“I know how he came to be here, but not who he is,” Jane murmured. “It was the strangest thing, Alfred. When I touched him, I saw what happened. It was not a whisper in my mind.” She gazed at the stranger.

He shall be your lover…

She jerked back as if she were burned. “He cannot stay. He is to leave as soon as he can travel.” Jane rose and turned toward the door, easing her twisted leg before her.

“My lady, I thought you were urged to help him. What changed?”

Your lives are twisted together as your bodies shall…

Jane stopped in her tracks. “We have little enough to eat as it is. We do not need another mouth to feed.” She turned to Alfred. It was a feeble excuse, but it was all she had. She would not reveal the reason for her anxiousness.

My Review:

The Witch of Rathborne Castle is a historical, paranormal romance. The book is fantastic written with wonderful characters. The world building is fantastic and I was able to view the entire book in my mind. I was pulled in the by synopsis of the book but I was hooked by page one. The author created a magical, mystical world and I was enthralled as I read along.

The author does a wonderful job threading subplots throughout the book. Her secondary characters are crucial to the story and each person plays their part perfectly. I never felt like any characters, scenes, or discussions were placed as filler. Each character was relevant, each scene necessary, and dialogue was smooth, conversational, and flowed well.

Jane and Max were great characters. I loved their interactions and how their romance was developed. Their's was a slowburn romance that flowed nicely and didn't overshadow or pull the focus away from  Jane's character grew in The Witch of Rathborne Castle and I enjoyed watching her. Max's character was just what Lady Jane needed to break her free from the chains of her past. Lovers of paranormal, historical, and romance novels will enjoy this novel.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Review:

Purchase Your Copy:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rVQAd0

I love being an author. It’s all about where your characters lead you. I start with a general idea. As the story unfolds, I type as fast as I can in hopes I keep up with my characters. They have had me jotting on napkins, making notes while I’m waiting in a line, and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hard part is always the ending. My characters live with me and when I reach the end of the story, it is hard to say goodbye. Sometimes, I let the story sit for a few days to make sure I’m okay with them leaving home to get published. Kind of like when your kids move out. LOL

I enjoy my grandchildren, and the time I share with them. They make me smile with their antics. I like to quilt, crochet, knit and sew. Cooking and baking are occasional itches I scratch. The rest of the time, they are necessary evils. LOL.

My greatest support comes from my husband. He has been my sounding board for all my stories. My daughters are also a great support to me. I couldn’t do it without my family.

Virginia Barlow’s recent release is the paranormal romance, The Witch of Rathborne Castle.

You can visit Virginia’s website at https://www.virginia-barlow.com or connect with her on Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook.

Sponsored By:

Book Review ~ Sir Ralph: Knights Bore Arms Series, Book 1 by Ellen Margret #HistoricalRomance #Romance #EllenMargret

 

Her guardian treated Katherine as a skivvy, although she was a lady of noble birth. In an attempt to be rid of her, he offered Katherine as the prize in a jousting tournament. Ralph intended to win that prize. No other man would have the woman he had always loved.

Sir Ralph, Knights Bore Arms Series, Book 1 by Ellen Margret
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sir Ralph is the first book in the Knights Bore Arms series by Ellen Margret. A novella in length, Sir Ralph is a historical romance full of surprises. Katherine is the orphaned daughter of a Baron. Taken in by Sir Hugh, Katherine has been treated more like a servant and less like a woman of noble birth. In order to rid himself and the household of her presence, Sir Hugh holds a jousting tournament. The winner gets Katherine and the dowry left to her upon her parents’ death. A boy from Katherine’s childhood has taken his spot on the jousting team. The man Ralph has become needs the woman Katherine has become. Their path is paved with horrors, however when someone else decides Katherine and her dowry belongs to them.

I really enjoyed Sir Ralph. Katherine has had a rough life. Losing her parents was bad enough but she was thrust into a household who treated her horribly. She’s verbally abused, assaulted, and lied to and lied about. Her attempt at running away lands her in the lap of knight who intends to rescue her from the impending tournament. Katherine is soon abducted and whisked back to the castle before she can even relax. Katherine and Ralph find themselves in several binds throughout this well-written novella. The book is a quick read, full of action, suspense, and emotional passages. Trigger warning: sexual assault (not rape but other abuses).

View all my reviews

Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16190038-sir-ralph-knights-bore-arms-series-book-1

Review: The Heart of Doctor Steele by Colette Dixon @CDixonBooks #Historical #Romance

Are the rumors about him true? 

She intends to find out.

About the Book:

The mysterious Dr. Steele has taken up residence next door, and scandalous rumors about him are spreading through Margaret Landeau’s small Massachusetts town. Rumors of women he’s ill-used and exploited for his experimental surgeries. Never one to believe gossip, Margaret arms herself with a basket of baked goods and ventures to discover the truth from the man himself.

John Steele has lost everything. His parents, his aunt, too many women he intended to save, and his good name. All he has left is his aunt’s home in a far-flung village and a library he’s stocked with whiskey. He has nothing to offer anyone. Especially not the bold woman next door whose passion for healing reminds him of the man he once was.

But when a dangerously ill girl arrives on his doorstep, pleading for help, Margaret is thrust into his world. She will learn who the real Dr. John Steele truly is, and soon, not even his dark past can stop her from fighting for the brilliant doctor she now loves. But he must deny his crushing desire for her—loving a man like him can only cast a shadow over her own bright future.

Book Details:

Publisher : Crimson Fox Publishing (October 6, 2020)
ASIN : B08DTJ6VDW
Publication Date : October 6, 2020
Print Length : 325 page

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/30Cui23

My Review:

I was enchanted by The Heart of Doctor Steele by Colette Dixon. The author breathed new life into historical romance with subject matters that women are still having to fight with men about today - the right to treatment for our own bodies and the right to be equal (attending medical school in Margaret's day and equal pay in modern day, for example). I found myself completely absorbed in the tale of Dr. John Steele, disgraced doctor of female ailments. His desire to help those of the fairer sex is noble but, at the point in history, not widely approved. Being run out of town after the spread of lies and the threat of a lawsuit, Dr. Steele finds himself holed up in his late aunt's home in a small town in Massachusetts. 

Margaret Landeau is curious about their new, reclusive neighbor. Unflattering rumors about him have being to circulate but Margaret being of sound mind and not prone to the beliefs of idle gossip, refuses to believe the stories. She's intent on being neighborly and finding out the truth about Dr. Steele. Let's just say his first impression was less than stellar. Yet, Margaret feels drawn to him and is eager to know more. As her unwavering confidence in Dr. Steele, as not only a capable surgeon but also a gentleman, continues to grow, feelings develop between them. When his past drops onto his porch like a rock rolling down a mountain, John and Margaret will be tested in ways they never expected.

This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down. The author created and developed wonderful and likable characters. The subject matter was timeless, pertaining to history and current events. The research done and incorporated into this book by Colette Dixon was on point. I loved the additional historical detail the author provides at the end of the book. The world building was flawless and showed me a small town in the early 1800's where I could see everything from the homes to the church, and feel the tension between John and Margaret  and the stress during surgeries that, at the time, included surgeries without anesthesia. This is a must read!

I was provided an ebook of The Heart of Doctor Steele to review and my thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:

Book Review: Gone With the Rogue (First Comes Love, Book #2) by Amelia Grey #Historical #Romance

Book Details:

Print Length: 290 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1250218780
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B07YRL2N1G

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love?

The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life―but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back in London, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.

Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand―how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?

My Review:

Julia Fairbright lost her husband with the sinking of the Salty Dove. She has made a respectable life for her and her son, despite the tight leash her father-in-law holds. Then Garrett Stockton, one of the ton's handsomest rogues sails back on land after time away at sea, enters Julia's life. The two collide, all fun and flirty at first, then explode into forbidden passion. Julia knows to hide her scandalous relationship, should her father-in-law find out, his brand of discipline would leave Julia broken.

Julia enlists Garrett's assistance in trying to find proof her father-in-law isn't the upstanding man the ton considers him to be so she can get out from under his thumb. She knows he has secret enterprises all around London, ones that would crush him if his involvement was discovered. Julia also knows that, as a man and a successful business man at that, he will be able to move in circles she's not allowed to travel.

Amid the investigations, their romance blossoms but Julia knows it can go no further, especially since Garrett is a man of the sea and not one to settle down. Except, Garrett's heart has other plans. When Julia refuses to marry Garrett, all bets are off. Garrett must convince Julia his heart is pure and belongs to her completely. Julia and Garrett's characters and the story were well-developed.

I enjoyed Gone with the Rogue. The story was fun, engaging, and the antics between Julia and Garrett were entertaining. I have yet to read a poor historical romance from Amelia Grey. The author’s books are fantastic, flow well, and have likable characters. 

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating: