How to Court a Rake

 Title: How To Court A Rake

Author: Bronwyn Scott

Paperback 

Pages: 268

Publisher: Harlequin 

ISBN: 9781335540034

Release Date: April

Where To Find It: Wherever books are sold!

Time that the story takes place? Late June 1826

POV? Third Person

What caught your eye? It was written by new my favorite author Bronwyn Scott.

Did you enjoy it? God yes.

Was it predictable? Actually no. 

Was it sexy? Tame? It was sexy alright, but intellectually sexy. Smart sexy.

Did you find it funny? Entertaining? Wildly entertaining.

Would you read it again? You betcha!

Is this part of a series? It is, Wed Within A Year

This is seriously one of the best books I’ve read this year. Which is really saying something as the last “best book I’ve read this year” was from the same author. What can I say, this lady knows how to write. What truly infuriates me is the fact that this book is one of the Harlequin Monthly offerings . . . as in, get it while it’s out because there’s no promise of getting a hard copy once the supply is depleted. This book deserves to be at the counter at every major bookseller with candles and wreaths of gold surrounding it.

All weekend I’ve been telling my husband the blasphemous line, “If Jane Austen were writing today, this is the stuff she’d be writing.” And I don’t care if I’m being overdramatic, this book is pure gold.

Now, even though this is a review, there’s a great deal I’m hesitant to speak of as I don’t want to ruin any surprises. On the other hand, I wish I had the time and space to go chapter by chapter to point out the wonderful details of the glorious book. 

Caine Parkhurst our truly fearless hero, is a spy. He and his three brothers are The Four Horsemen, doing whatever is needed and necessary to protect King and Country, though entirely out of sight. The four brothers are considered rakes and unsuitable for any lady.

Lady Mary Kimber is our leading lady and she’s had the misfortune of having “lost” a couple of dukes as prospective husbands in the last few Seasons. Sadly, the young lady has a very loathsome set of parents. Sorry, but they are. Especially her father, yikes.

As there are already several reviews online detailing the meat of this story and all covering the same bases of what this book is about, I’m going to bypass all the talk of spies and intrigue and having to find a spouse by the end of the year and talk about what really made this book wonderful. At least to me. 

The relationship between Caine and Lady Mary is so pure and natural. From their first meeting at a ball and making obligatory small talk before he asks her for a dance—which turns out to be a disaster when he has to literally leave her on the dancefloor—to their second meeting at yet another ball, where he asks her dance again and this time finishes it.

Not only to do they finish it, but they go for a stroll in the garden and end up sneaking into a room not in use during this party and have a bit of a chat. Chapter Six, I must say that was one of the most delightful chapters in the book. And it I think it’s because at this point, there is no motive. There is no scheme to woo or court Mary, and she has no real romantic interest in him, they are merely friends sharing a quiet moment and a drink together. It was a chapter that really sets the tone for their budding relationship, they are able to simply talk to each other. Not only that, but they also seem to enjoy each other’s company. 

One of the things I love the most about Bronwyn Scott’s writing is the fact that she creates intelligent characters. Her women are smart with more than one interest and are accomplished. Lady Mary is an excellent horsewoman and damn good shot when it comes to archery. The men are equally smart and don’t ply their women with nonsensical sweet nothings, they are protective, sensitive, and have the ability to totally beat your ass if you cross the line.

At one point in the book, Caine and Mary are having a competition in jumping horses over various obstacles. Never once is Caine annoyed or upset that Mary is going to beat him in this friendly competition, he’s actually proud and impressed with her skill. He knows he’s a good rider and clearly doesn’t mind being beaten by a woman.

In so many novels, one struggles to see beyond the lust and haze of romance to understand why and how these two people fell in love. Not here, you can absolutely see why they fell for each other. While of course we could argue that it’s obvious from the start of the novel that these two will end up together, it isn’t obvious to our leads, and that’s the joy of it. Watching Caine come to Lady Mary’s aid on more than one occasion, the inside jokes between them, the athletic relationship between them, and of course the sensual relationship is perfect.

You can see them finding a solace and peace in each other and I found that to be more romantic than anything else. 

Do yourself a favor and pre-order this book at once. It is delightful. Delightful, charming, romantic, suspenseful, and all at the same time. I was never bored for one minute, and the epilogues! Yes, plural: epilogues! I felt as if I were watching a period drama and all that was needed was a true fade to black with the words “To be continued,” scrolled across the screen.

I thank Madam Scott for sending me this book. I have enjoyed every single book of yours I’ve read thus far and I’m certain I’ll enjoy all the rest. You are a truly gifted author.

No Quitters Here

 Well, unlike some people, I don’t believe in starting resolutions on Day 1, be it the start of the New Year or the beginning of the month. I start when I chose. 

I started in December.

Nothing major, in fact it’s not even really a goal, more of a whim. 

I had watched a video on the ever helpful YouTube on how to make your own journal. Making the cover, creating the signatures, sewing it all together and BING BANG BOOM . . . you have a journal.

Now this journal is not beautiful. No seriously, it’s not even as pretty as some of those junk journals you see being paraded about. This is the most generic thing I could possibly hobble together. 

A page out of a yellow legal pad, a page out of a white project pad, a couple of pieces out of a spiral notebook, and my cover was cut from an oversized manilla folder. Everything I used was found up in my office, collecting dust.

I mean, I wasn’t about to use the good papers for this.

Starting on December 15th, as that’s when I made this thing, I kept my handmade journal on my desk so that I would be prompted to use it. It was already hideous, any attempts of an artistic nature would only improve the look of it.

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d use the blasted thing. However, to my delight, I have faithfully been adding some kind of information to the journal for the last month. Mostly weather and astronomical events, what creatures have visited the backyard, and my new attempt at improving my handwriting with a barely used disposable fountain pen.

Fear not, I won’t bore you with photos of my entries because well . . . they aren’t that interesting. 

But this journaling is my resolution so to speak. A place to collect my feeble attempts to improve my handwriting. A place to notate the various birds and squirrels and one rabbit that come to visit every afternoon. A place to jot down those little happenings one sentence at a time.

So that is my whimsical goal, create a journal roughly every 30 days during the year and see what it all looks like at the end.

Five Month Round Up

 And here I meant to actually keep up with things. *shrugs* Not like anyone noticed, right?

So . . . the last few books I’ve read have been just a mixture of “What in the hell did I just read?” and “Who in the hell enjoys this crap?” Followed closely by, “Why did I keep reading?!” Followed directly with, “What is wrong with me, why did I keep reading?”

I’ve tried to spread my wings a bit in the reading department. Decided to “listen” to a few of the rave reviews on BookBub and Goodreads. Nearly all the books I read or attempted to read in April were in the POV of First Person, which I just loathe. I won’t get into it, but when it comes to romances, it’s just a big turn off for me and I usually don’t make it beyond the first sentence.

However, I told myself that I was trying new things. 

And shockingly, the first book was enjoyable. But it went all downhill from there. Downhill on greased skis with a flamethrower shooting out the back. 

Even though the list was long and varied, these are the three standouts from last month:

Stuck With You by Ali Hazelwood

Passion Flower by Diana Palmer

Searching for Heather by Susan Stoker

Instead of the good, the bad, and the ugly I’m going to say these are the What, the Huh, and the Okay Then.

January Round Up

I read eight books this month. I’ve pledged to read 48 for the year, I figured roughly a book a week, with a couple of weeks off for holidays and such. Anyway, here are the books I read this month in no particular order. (That’s a lie, this is absolutely the order I read them in!)

The Midwife’s Marriage Proposal by Sarah Morgan

The Beast and the Bookseller by Eva Devon

Organizing for the Rest of Us by Dana K. White

Once Upon a Winter’s Eve by Tessa Dare

I’d Rather Be Reading by Guinevere de la Mare

When A Scot Ties The Knot by Tessa Dare

Montana Blaze by Lori Wilde and Julie Harrington

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

Oddly the first and last books had a similar theme. The Midwife’s Marriage Proposal and The Governess Game both dealt with women that were orphans. Montana Blaze and The Beast and the Bookseller involved women who worked in bookstores and hoped to take them over in the future.

The standout author for me as you may have already guessed, was Tessa Dare. While I was aware of her, I never gave her much of a chance. So glad I did. When a Scot Ties the Knot may have been my favorite of the month with The Governess Game right behind it.

There are two books on the list that were just awful, I won’t name them, but let’s just say . . . WOW, I can’t believe those got published.

The Beast and the Bookseller

Title: The Beast and the Bookseller

Author: Eva Devon

eBook (though paperback is available)

Pages: 150

Publisher: Entangled

ISBN: 9781649372482

Release Date: 6-5-2023

Book Details: The eBook is published by Entangled, however the paperback is independently published and costs a butt load more money to acquire.

Where To Find It: I got my copy at B&N

Time that the story takes place? Sometime between 1813 and 1817, the book never tells us. Our only clue is that Pride and Prejudice plays heavily in this and considering that Jane Austen signs a copy of the Leading Lady’s book, it has to be before she died. So that’s where I got my timeframe.

POV? Third person

What caught your eye? Well, it has Beast and Bookseller in the title, what more did I need? It was also on sale for a stupidly cheap price, so into the cart it went.

Did you enjoy it? Yes and no. Depending on the chapter I was on, I loved it, other times, I found it tolerable.

Was it predictable? Up to a point. But seeing as this was so vastly different from most books of this time and genre, I wasn’t certain where or how this story was going to play out.

Was it sexy? Tame? Odd sexy. The first time they are together, there’s a mention of Elizabeth (the Leading Lady) still in her stockings and boots, wearing nothing else, just the stockings and boots and things are happening, and her booted feet are mentioned again and I’m all like . . . “Listen, you all gotta take those boots off or someone’s gonna get hurt. That’s all I’m saying.” But they never once mentioned the boots coming off! And they don’t even do it in the bed the first time! They do it in front of a fire, in a room in a coaching inn! Do you have any idea how dirty those places are? I mean, sure, maybe that’s why the boots were left on, but you’re going to put your bare ass on a rug that just anyone has stomped on? I don’t even like sitting on sofas at The Marriott, I’m sure as hell not getting on the floor.

Did you find it funny? Entertaining? Not gut busting funny, but certainly entertaining. Interesting and entertaining. I smiled a couple of times, that’s about it.

Would you read it again? I honestly don’t know. I want to say yes, but it was lacking in something that I can’t put my finger on. There were moments were I really struggled to keep going and only did press on because the NOOK said I only had 30 more pages to go. Sweet hell, those 30 pages just DRAGGED.

Is this part of a series? It is, Once Upon A Wallflower and this is Book One!

*As I wrote this review for a friend, P&P stands for Pride and Prejudice*

Okay, we both love P&P and I’m always super jazzed to see any Austen works put into a novel for reference. However, I feel like this was seriously overdone. Elizabeth, she’s the Leading Lady, I know right? What a coincidence! Anyway, Elizabeth is working at her father’s bookstore, Sharpe and Son. Her father has all but succumbed to his grief in losing his wife roughly a year before, in an attempt to Sharpe his “proper” heir, a son, the wife dies, leaving daughter Elizabeth behind and thus “unworthy” of not only inheriting the business, but actually running it. Even though, that’s all Elizabeth does, she runs that store inside and out and the place is thriving.

There’s a contract or tradition that’s contractually obligated, I don’t know, it’s stupid . . . However, Sharpe and Son are to deliver books to the Duke’s house every week and Papa Sharpe has been so into his drink of late that he’s fallen behind on his duties. Duke boy is pissed and wants his books. He NEEDS his books. (Like, it’s a whole thing about the books, with both of them. We’re talking drug junkie need here, it was almost too much.)

But Papa Sharpe is not there, and Elizabeth must deal with the beastly Duke and says she’ll bring him his beloved books every week. Anything to keep the store afloat.

She starts bringing the books, and of course that’s all she wrote.

Well, not really, but honestly, it’s just so damned predictable that it’s not even worth going into it all. It was a pleasant enough read, but at times I really struggled to keep going with it. It was romantic enough, but not enough to go, “OMG that is so romantic! What a catch of a man!” He—the Duke—is only interesting in private. Most of the time he’s a dick to everyone. Even at the end of the book, he’s being an ass to Elizabeth, and one his friend (the dude only has one), and honestly there wasn’t enough conflict to make this story interesting. Don’t even get me started on the whole Duke in love with a Shop Girl scandal, it just didn’t work.

So many parts of this book were underdeveloped while others were harped on too much. 150 pages? While I’d say this should have been expanded to at least 250 or 300 pages, I don’t think more would have been a good thing. 

And there was just too much mention of Elizabeth and Darcy, too much referencing of Austen and her work. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but it was true, it was just too much.

The story ends with Duke boy bringing Elizabeth an autographed copy of P&P, with possibly the stupidest inscription I’ve ever seen. All I could think was, Jane Austen would not have written that! Just, no.

The Duke Gets Even

 Title: The Duke Gets Even

Author: Joanna Shupe

Paperback (also available in eBook and audiobook)

Pages: 384

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN: 9780063045071

Release Date: 1-24-23

Book Details: 4.10x6.50

Where To Find It: I got my copy at Barnes and Noble

Time that the story takes place? Late 1800's

POV? Third Person

What caught your eye? First saw it on NetGalley and then promptly went to pre-order it through B&N.

Did you enjoy it? OH MY GOD YES!

Was it predictable? Not one little bit. Like, not even a bit.

Was it sexy? Tame? Don’t read this on public transport, around your mother, your father, children under the age of twenty, service dogs trained to sense your state of mind, or whilst attempting to cook oatmeal. Yes, it was sexy, is there a word stronger than sexy? This was a reeducation of human sexuality. I’m never going to be the same, how the hell am I just supposed to walk around knowing this book exists?

Did you find it funny? Entertaining? I should really change funny to amusing, because this book certainly was. Funny, amusing, entertaining, delightful, pure joy to read.

Would you read it again? Gentle reader, I will most likely buy every single version available to me. Paperback, hardcover, eBook, if there’s a Manga version I’ll buy it.

Is this part of a series? It is! The Fifth Avenue Rebels. This is the next book after The Bride Goes Rogue.

Okay, full disclosure, I originally got this book through NetGalley back in September of 2022 in exchange for a fair and honest review. The truth is, the minute I requested it on NetGalley, I ordered my copy. So, yes, I did get an advance, but I also bought this baby. 

I don’t even know where to start, gentle reader, this book was so delightfully unexpected that I want to tell you every little detail and at the same time, tell you nothing just so you have the joy in reading this with zero input. 

Eleanor “Nellie” Young is our fearless, and I do mean that, fearless Leading Lady. She is full of life and is set on experiencing every last minute of it. Andrew, The Duke of Lockwood (or is it Duke Lockwood? How do titles work?) is our hero, who is searching for a wealthy heiress to save his crumbling estate back home. He’s also been jilted a few times by this point. “Hey ladies, want to make that man who refuses to commit jealous? Go out with this guy!” I mean not really, but kind of.

Anyway . . . 

This story starts out with Andrew having a midnight swim in the ocean, the poor man has a faulty heart and needs the exercise to keep it strong. In the process, he notices a vision of a woman, naked, swimming in the surf as well. 

As it is dark, the woman confuses Andrew for the man she was planning to meet. She swims up to his back, wraps her arms around him and tells him that she thought he’d never get here. And then the big reveal! It’s not her intended tryst, but Andrew! 

This entire scene is so beautifully written that it’s just breathtaking. We already see the connection between them. The heat, the attraction, even the intellectual connection. He invites Nellie back to his room, which she refuses.

The first three chapters of the book take place immediately following the midnight encounter at a house party where Andrew is fixing to propose to his latest heiress selection, with chapter four picking up four months later. That’s my way of not telling you what happened. Trust me it’s all wonderful, but what a set up!

Andrew is yet again looking for his heiress, with several women making the cut. During a dinner party the two meet up again, where not only do they admit slyly to the other that they recognized each other at the French Ball (The Bride Goes Rogue) but also discuss his search for an innocent scandal free bride. Their banter back and forth is delightful, you can see how well they already know each other just from the little time they’ve already spent together. 

Now clearly, all of Andrew’s potential candidates for a bride don’t always work out. As sweet and charming as most of the women are, they are much to . . . well, innocent. They’re boring. Sure, they’re wealthy and will save his family estate from being sold and provide heirs for the future, but the reality is, he doesn’t want them. He wants Nellie. 

Nellie however isn’t exactly marriage material. She likes men and isn’t afraid to admit that she’s out to sample as many as she can before she dies. Now, I don’t want you to get the impression that she’s out there just sleeping with every Joe on the street, she’s just not afraid of sex. She’s not afraid of enjoying sex or admitting that she likes it. And because of this, there are a lot of wild rumors circulating about her. Some are true, some are not, and we as the reader are never told what is fact or fiction, nor does Andrew ever ask for confirmation. He never onces brings up her sexual past, which I actually found refreshing. Finally a hero that isn’t obsessed with being “the first”. 

At one point in the story, Nellie reflects about her own debut into society and how she was courted by a suitor. While it is never stated outright, the writing suggests that Nellie became pregnant during the relationship and reads as though she had an abortion. The entire scene is written so delicately and with such care that you could probably draw several conclusions of the outcome. Abortion? Miscarriage? None of this is spoken aloud, again, she’s just thinking about all the new batch of young women that are introduced into society every year and what had happened to her and how she bore it all alone and in silence.

One also gets the idea that because of that relationship, Nellie is reluctant to brave another adventure into love. Again, while she loves men and enjoying them, she’s keeping them at just enough distance to protect herself.

However, Nellie is a very warm and compassionate person. She loves her friends, adores her father, has close ties with her mother’s people (an Irish gang called the Saints) and goes to visit them in Hell’s Kitchen at least once a month. She’s an avid gardener, she knows how to fence (seen more in The Bride Goes Rogue), and is a lovely singer, as is demonstrated at one point in the story.

Nellie is at her friend’s supper club, loitering in the back when she sees that Andrew is there with a young woman and her parents. Everyone at the table looks bored, especially Andrew, and knowing that the young woman plays the piano, sends a friend to fetch Andrew’s date. Moments later, the owner of the supper club comes out on stage and tells everyone that while they will still have their scheduled performance tonight, they have a special treat for everyone. And out comes Nellie with Andrew’s date. 

Putting Andrew’s date at the piano, front and center on the stage, Nellie stands behind—out of the limelight—and sings while the other woman plays the piano. While the parents are mortified, Andrew is charmed. He realizes that Nellie has done this not only for him, but for his date as well, giving her a chance to shine and show off her talents. Trying to make her look more appealing to Andrew.

While he appreciates the effort, the fact remains, he still longs for Nellie. These little touches are peppered throughout the book. The little things, the little gestures, all that show us how these two have fallen for each other long before they admit it to themselves.

The other big aspect of Nellie’s life is educating women on reproductive health. This is her cause, her crusade, and she does it with absolute joy and love. She risks jail to actually purchase birth control products from a midwife and sits down with each woman (she’s buying products for women who work in a kitchen) and encourages them to ask questions while assuring them that nothing is out of bounds. She’s there to help.

I don’t know how long it took Joanna Shupe to write this book or exactly when she wrote it, but it reads like a love letter to female reproductive rights. The way Nellie speaks so passionately about helping women, educating them in secret on how to use birth control and just how human bodies work and how sex works, is so endearing. Nellie truly loves women, she wants them to have the same rights and privileges of men, which includes being able to enjoy sex without worrying about conceiving a child. The author notes at the back are shocking to read, just when you think we’ve come so far in some areas, you see that not much has changed.

Looking at my page count on my word processor, I see I’ve reached a rather high word count. And I’ve barely scratched the surface of how wonderful this book is. It is a truly passionate tale of love and there wasn’t a moment where I wanted to put the book down. I am a solid fan of Joanna Shupe and I suspect by the time this book is released I will have read a few more and hopefully have collected all the rest.

Do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK! Your brain will thank you for it. 

And possibly a few other organs as well.

Lore Olympus

  Title: Lore Olympus

Author: Rachel Smythe

Paperback (Hardcover also available)

Pages: 384

Publisher: Random House Worlds

ISBN: 9780593356074

Release Date: 11-02-21

Book Details: This book measures 7x9 and is a bit on the heavy side. Most of the time I read this with the book in my lap. I wasn’t able to find an eBook version of this, but if there is one, please let me know.

Where To Find It: Looks like just about everywhere. I got my copy from Hamilton.

Time that the story takes place? Current day, they have cellphones and stuff.

POV? Third person.

What caught your eye? Right off the bat was the cover, I saw it on Pinterest a while back and was just struck by it. Seeing it in real life did not disappoint. And also, this is a Hades and Persephone tale—with all the other gods and goddess thrown in, of course I was going to buy it. Mythology is right up there with Vampires for me. 

Did you enjoy it? I really did.

Was it predictable? Not one bit. I was in for the ride and loved every minute.

Was it sexy? Tame? That’s kind of hard to say. It wasn’t a case of, “Oh my stars! That’s too sexy!! I’m blinded by the sexy!” There are sensual bits in this, romantic moments, sweet moments. Certainly not tame, but there was nothing that I would be ashamed of if I was reading this out in public.

Did you find it funny? Entertaining? Funny, cute, adorable, and 100% entertaining.

Would you read it again? You betcha.

Is this part of a series? It is. 

Now obviously I’m late to the party here, those that are familiar with Webtoons, have known about this amazing series for a bit now. It’s impossible to keep up with every wonderful piece of literature out there, thus my review and discovery of this is coming a bit late in the game.

The very first thing I want to tell you, if you’re not already aware, this is a graphic novel—as in comic book or Manga—so if you were looking for something with more words than pictures . . . this one might not be for you.

The story is simple, more or less, this is Hades and Persephone meeting. Just the time and place and circumstances have changed. If you enjoyed Touch of Malice, you will almost certainly enjoy this. In fact, I hate to say this, I actually preferred this version. Also, if you’ve read both, you will certainly see some similarities. 

The art is what really sets this version apart from everything else. It’s just beautiful. Rachel Smythe has done an amazing job of using color to convey the emotional state of the characters and the simple yet complicated way of showing the character’s facial expressions—I truly cannot describe what this is, but it works. Persephone is pink while Hades is a cool blue, in fact every major player gets their own color theme, and the compositions are always lovely.

Let me say again: THE ART IS AMAZING!

The dialogue is quirky, snappy, fast, and edgy at times. I just really love that this is an updated story of the gods. If the gods moved among us, this would certainly be them.

I also want to convey, that this isn’t just a Hades and Persephone story, there are also glimpses of Eros and Psyche—which OMG I can’t wait to see the next volumes, does she do more of those two as well?! Just from where I’m sitting with my one volume, this is leaning towards the Hades and Persephone storyline.

There is a content warning at the beginning of the book and while I certainly appreciated it, I’m not entirely sure it was needed, I was expecting something much worse than what was presented . . . but again, there are others that want to be aware of particular content and I’m all for it. A bit of a heads up of what to expect is always nice. I’m staring at a book right now that I really wish there would have had a bright red warning before I’d cracked that sucker open . . .