My Summer Favorites

As I approach the Labor Day weekend and the unofficial end of summer I realized I had an amazing summer of reading. Take a look below at what were my favorites between Memorial Day (end of May) and Labor Day (beginning of Sept). If you have some time this weekend enjoy one of these books! I know many of them will be on my to read again list. The list is in the order of when I read them this summer. Enjoy!

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare:  This historical romance was hilarious. I had so many laugh out moments that I lost count. The H/h have a charisma that leaves you craving more. I had a great time reading this. I can guarantee there will be moments you will want to share the one-liners you’ll read. It is impossible not to like this book. You will smile a lot while reading it. This is my favorite book by Tessa Dare.

Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan: The emotional hell Rebecca Donovan put me through to read how Emma and Evan make it gave me at least sixteen new strands of gray hair. It was an emotional roller coaster and I loved every minute of it. *For this book you will want to go back and read the first book in the series, Reason to Breath. As cliche as it might sound there were moments I had to stop and catch my breath.

The Letter by Sandra Owens: I read this book in one day. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This book was written in a way that captured my heart and soul. I had never been completely engulfed in a story the way I was when reading The Letter. In my review I stated if you could only read only one historical romance this would be it. Really? Who would limit themselves to one historical romance? It was that powerful.

Desire Wear Diamonds by Renee Bernard: Oh! I have waited for what seems like forever to find out who was the Jackal was that plagued the Jaded. It was an exciting conclusion to a fabulous series. Can I say having all six men in one story was aaaamazing! There is a quite a bit of action with all the usual Renee Bernard flare she puts into her stories. NEWS FLASH- it will be on sale ($0.99) this weekend Aug. 30, Aug. 31 & Sept. 1. So if you are still waiting to pick up you should and read it this weekend! I bet you’ll want to go back and start from beginning with Revenge Wears Rubies, to get the full picture of the Jaded.

Unleashed by Sara Humpreys: Yes! I added a paranormal to my list of favorites this summer. This is uncharted waters for me but I am so happy I stepped outside my reading comfort zone for this. I loved it! It isn’t over the top paranormal. It really is a great romance with really fun characters (and it’s a series!). If you are unsure about paranormal I would start with this book and see where it takes you. I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Untouched by Anna Campbell: Anna Campbell is an author I discovered halfway through the summer and I instantly felt that author/reader connection. I spent a good portion of my summer reading her books. This story was very dark and touching. The H/h have some big issues that need to be overcome and there are moments you are not sure if theses two will survive. I had moments where my heart just ached for these characters. It’s a beautifully written romantic story with twist and turns.

It was an wonderful summer full of reading. Many of the books listed here have full reviews on my blog. If you want more information please check them out.

Happy Reading!

-Romance Reader Girl

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Quotable Thursday

“I don’t know. What do people see when they gaze at the sky? Inspiration? Beauty?” She heard him sigh. “Truth be told, this view always intimidated me. The sky’s so vast. I can’t help but feel it has expectations of me. Ones I’m already failing.” He was silent for a long moment. “It reminds me of your eyes.”

-Tessa Dare, A Week to be Wicked

This is one of my favorite stories! 🙂

Review: Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove #4) by Tessa Dare

Readers, who challenged Tessa Dare to a book off? Because let me tell you, she put pen to paper and brought it! Oh my goodness! She rocked it in Any Duchess Will Do. I am a HUGE fan of the Spindle Cove Series and this one was stellar! This is a book you will want to read this summer. See why in my review below.

Pauline Simms is a serving girl in Spindle Cove. She is all things sassy with a keen mind. She is the daughter of a farmer and older sister to Daniela, a woman who has some challenges. Pauline has big dreams of working hard and opening a lending library in Spindle Cove, getting Daniela and herself out from underneath her bully of a father. When a grumpy duke wonders in and points to Pauline and says, “I pick her” her whole world is turned upside down and the chance of owning her lending library may be more of a reality than realized, but what will she give up to have her wildest dreams come true?

Surly, Griffin Eliot York, 8th duke of Halford has been drugged and taken to Spindle Cove to find a wife. Griff has no need or want for a wife. He wants to live his remaining days alone (he has a painful secret). However, the duchess (his mother) has other plans and wants grandchildren. She demands Griffin to pick any woman and she will train her to be the next duchess of Halford.

Griff strikes a deal with Pauline, if she goes along with plan for the duchess to put her in ‘duchess training’ and utterly fails, she will earn 1000 pounds. That is enough money to start her lending library and take care of Daniela. It’s an easy offer, essentially be yourself for a week, get some new gowns, eat fine food and at the end go home with 1000 pounds. How hard could it be? Add in a handsome duke hiding behind an emotional wall and a duchess that is hiding behind a hardshell, what could go wrong? Can both Pauline and Griff part ways after a week discovering that fate intervenes at the most inopportune of times?

One word for Any Duchess Will Do…S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R! This story is Tessa Dares best to date. I was laughing out loud within the first few pages and kept laughing throughout the story.

“A duchess might contemplate all manner of cutting remarks and frustrated oaths. But even in the face of extreme annoyance, she stifles such ejaculations.” “My,” Miss Simms said, wide-eyed. “I do hope dukes aren’t held to the same standard. Can’t be healthy for a man, always stifling his ejaculations.” -Pg 59 Any Duchess Will Do

Pauline’s fiery personality and Griff’s sarcastic point of view leaves them both perfectly match for awesome word duals. With the fire between them there is great passion and wonderful sweet tender moments. Oh and duchess is fabulous. This book is really about being true to yourself and own who you are. There will always be people out there that do not understand you or want and that’s ok, as long as you are happy with yourself, there is no reason to change for anyone. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this book, it is just that great. The Spindle Cove series is wonderful and this book just makes it irresistible. I would highly recommend this series and book. 

A Week to be Wicked was previously my favorite of this series, but it now comes in at a close second to Any Duchess Will Do.

Spindle Cove Series:

You can purchase Tessa Dare’s book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Reach out to Tessa via her website or Facebook.

-Romance Reader Girl

Review: Beauty and the Blacksmith (Spindle Cove 3.5) by Tessa Dare

Beauty and the Blacksmith is the latest story in the Spindle Cove Series, by Tess Dare. Many of the Spindle Cove followers, myself included asked, “Where is Diana Highwood’s story?” When I saw it come out as a novella I was a little disappointed; thinking Ms. Dare, Diana only get’s a novella? How can that be? Well, readers, Tessa Dare delivers with her usual charm that keeps us coming back for more.

Diana Highwood is the meek beauty of three sisters that reside in Spindle Cove. She is in Spindle Cove due to her fragile state (asthma). However, she has outgrown this illness, but no one knows. Diana’s mother, Mrs. Highwood expects her to marry well within the nobility, because of that beauty and meek personality.

Aaron Dawes is the handsome brawny blacksmith of Spindle Cove. If there is something broken, Mr. Dawes can repair it. He is not only busy repairing the broken items of Spindle Cove, but he is also the go-to-man when someone is in trouble. In his spare time he makes enchanting pieces of jewelry to sell.

For two years, both Aaron and Diana have been infatuated with one another from a far. They both watch one another and find ways to be in each other’s presence without it being obvious. Diana finds ways (even if that means breaking a clasps or two) to be in Aaron’s shop. One day Aaron questions why she is there so often and the truth is comes out…(from both). From that moment on we watch the story unfold, breathlessly turning each page to see if the beautiful Diana and brawny blacksmith Aaron will find their happily ever after.  Not only is this a story about finding happiness, there is a mystery that needs to be solved too!

This novella packs a powerful punch. The flow is steady and I don’t feel anything was rushed or missing when I finished. I really enjoyed watching Diana come out of her shell and find herself. She is surprisingly funny and has awesome one-liners. Aaron is a genuine man that wants to do right by all women. He is friendly, helpful and is all around wonderful man.  Of course, he is good with his hands, and that cannot be a bad thing! Also, we have all the wonderful Spindle Cove family in this novella.

When I read any story; I find myself always loving the secondary characters as much as the H/h. This story was no different. Charlotte (Diana’s youngest sister) was a scene stealer with her spunky personality. Oh…and a new character is introduced, Mr. Evermore and he is a bit unique and that’s all I will say. 🙂

You will not be disappointed when reading this novella. All of the great Tessa Dare charm is there. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud and saying “This cannot be happening.”

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series Any Duchess Will Do, coming out May 28th.

You can find Beauty and the Blacksmith and other books by Tessa Dare on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Reach out to Tess Dare via her website or Facebook.

Happy Reading,

-Romance Reader Girl