Review: Kerrigan Byrne's CRYING WOLFE

 

Rating: 4.5
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

Elijah “Eli” Wolfe is a wealthy American mine-owner. He is often referred to as Midas. Eli ventures to England to search for a particular treasure stolen from him years ago. He pursues a fetching thief straight into the young woman’s bedchambers, where he is discovered by his friend and business partner. Elijah finds himself saddled with an unwanted bride. However, he soon takes a possessive liking to Rosaline Goode and their marriage. Can Rosaline help Elijah maneuver in English society? Will he find the treasure he is seeking? Or will Eli find something more precious than treasure?

Rosaline Goode is the youngest daughter of the late bigamist Baron of Cresthaven. She sneaks into her neighbor’s observatory to use the telescope and to retrieve her wayward kitten. However, Rosaline cannot curb the impulse to filch one of the treasures in the room. She soon finds herself chased by a big and foul-mouthed American. Rosaline must marry Elijah to keep the Goodes name from another scandal. She intends to keep her shameful weakness from her new husband. Can Rosaline control her larcenous impulses? Or will it benefit Elijah in the end?

Elijah is abrasive, foul-mouthed, and dangerous. He is a man not to trifle with. I can see where some would feel put off by his rough demeanor and language. However, it totally works for me! I like how Elijah is not afraid to voice his displeasure and opinions to aristocrats, bureaucrats, and autocrats. He is a staunch advocate that workers receive a decent wage. Eli has experienced their life firsthand, so he understands their situations. What I adore the most about Elijah is his acceptance of Rosaline’s intelligence and interests. He is not intimidated by her intellect, and he enjoyed learning new things from her.

Rosaline is Elijah’s perfect counterpart. She is courteous, soft-spoken, and shy. Usually, I am not a fan of those types of heroines, yet I could not help but instantly like her. She has endured much from her late mother and late uncle’s cruelty. I love Rosaline’s readiness to help Elijah navigate the turbulent waters of English society. She knows he is unfamiliar with their many rules and customs. Plus, Rosaline helps him mend gaffes he unwittingly caused in his ignorance. What I adore the most about Rosaline is her acceptance of her brother’s orientation. She does not share society’s views on it.

CRYING WOLFE is the fifth book in Kerrigan Byrne’s historical romance series, GOODE GIRLS, a spinoff from her popular VICTORIAN REBELS series. I highly recommend reading the previous four books in the series, especially TEMPTING FATE. It introduces the four Goode sisters to their new siblings and their late father’s secret. For an added treat, I suggest reading the entire VICTORIAN REBELS series. Dorian Blackwell, the hero from THE HIGHWAYMAN, the first book in that series, makes a brief appearance. His part in the story made me ridiculously happy!

However, there is one part in the book that just felt odd to me. I will not state what it is and risk a possible spoiler. It did not dampen my enjoyment.

CRYING WOLFE is an exhilarating tale of two opposites learning to open their hearts to each other. I always find myself utterly captivated by Kerrigan Bryne’s books. I simply devour them. And this one is no exception! I cannot wait to see which Goode is next!

Review: Julie Ann Walker's DEAD IN THE WATER

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Dalton “Doc” Simmons co-partners Deep Six Salvage with five of his former Navy Seal brethren. He should be excited about them finding the legendary Santa Cristina’s sunken treasure. However, an incoming hurricane threatens to scatter the hoard from its resting place. Doc has no intention of letting another woman in his heart, yet he cannot ignore Camilla D’ Angelo or her smart mouth. The upcoming storm is not the only danger the two face on the island. Can Doc finally let go of his late wife’s memory? Or will her ghost destroy a possibility with Cami?

Camilla “Cami” D’Angelo is a lawyer who specializes in property disputes. She manages to find a loophole that allows the Deep Six Salvage crew to keep their treasure. Cami refuses to mix business with pleasure; however, Doc tempts her to break that rule. She cannot ignore the sizzling chemistry brewing between them. The hurricane allows them the chance to act on their shared attraction, but gun-toting men destroy their time together. Will Cami confess her true feelings to Doc? Or will he unwittingly break her heart?

Doc is one heck of a puppeteer. That man played with my heartstrings throughout the series. I understand Doc’s reluctance to move on after his wife’s death. That is no easy task to do, especially when the person had been your everything. I like how Doc behaves as a big brother to everyone on the island. He is not only there for his fellow Navy Seal brethren but the women too. I like to think they are the reason Doc continues to forge onward in life. What I adore the most about Doc is his humanity. He may be a warrior, but he hates taking another’s life, even if they threaten his own.

I have liked Cami from the moment she was introduced in the series. She is everything I adore in a heroine. Cami may be independent and sassy, but she also possesses a vulnerable side. I like Cami’s morality. She is a woman with a strong sense of right and wrong despite her father’s background. What I love the most about Cami is her unwillingness to compete with Doc’s first wife. She has no intention of replacing the woman. Cami also understands that Lily’s memory will always live on inside Doc’s mind, and she is fine with that.

DEAD IN THE WATER is the sixth book in Julie Ann Walker’s romantic suspense series, DEEP SIX.  I recommend reading the prior five books to best understand the brotherhood the six men share. It also explains the reason why they fell into treasure hunting. Plus, Doc and Cami’s lively interactions take place in the background of the last few books. I like the secondary romance between the island’s resident hippie and philosopher, John, and Dana Levine.

DEAD IN THE WATER is the dramatic conclusion to a wondrous series. I am sad that there will be no more books. The author does a marvelous job of allowing us readers a glimpse of the former couples’ futures. In my opinion, it was the perfect way to end the series.

Review: Amalie Howard's ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Lord Lysander “Stone” Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, wants nothing more than to increase the ducal coffers. When Stone gets lost in the seedier part of town, a young woman comes to his rescue. He believes Geneviève Valery can help him with his current problems. Stone offers her a small fortune if she will pose as his fake fiancée for the remainder of the season. However, he cannot seem to ignore the attraction between them. Can Stone let Geneviève go once their business deal is over? What lengths will he go to keep her permanently?

Geneviève “Nève” Valery is a down-on-her-luck ballerina. After being blacklisted in France, she travels to England in hopes of finding new prospects. Nève encounters a lost duke instead, and she impulsively saves him from some cutpurses. With no other job opportunities, she reluctantly agrees to Stone’s unorthodox business proposition. Nève never imagined she would fall in love with the stone-faced duke or find friends among the peerage. Will loving Stone bring Nève heartbreak? Can she thaw his icy heart?

It took me a while to cozy up to Stone, only because I am unfamiliar with neurodivergence. The author does a brilliant job of showing the difference in a neurodivergent person’s mental and behavioral processes, without telling readers outright that he suffers from a disorder. I like it when authors break away from the usual norm with their heroes (and their heroines). What I adore the most about Stone is his view on women’s capabilities. He does not share society’s bias thoughts and opinions of a woman’s place. Stone believes a woman can become whoever or whatever they want. Their gender should not define nor suppress them.

Nève proves to be the perfect counterbalance to Stone. Her passionate and hot-tempered demeanor balances out Stone’s cold and detached personality. I admire Nève’s refusal to fall into the trap most actresses and dancers do. She is steadfast in her decision not to become some nobleman’s trophy or mistress. Instead, Nève wants to succeed because of her skill and ability. What I like the most about Nève is her acceptance of Stone’s idiosyncrasies. She never once belittled him over his differences, but she tried to understand him better.

ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS is the first book in Amalie Howard’s historical romance series, TAMING OF THE DUKES. This author is still relatively new-to-me. I enjoyed her novella in the anthology BIG DUKE ENERGY, so I decided to give one of her full-length novels a try. And it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the side characters and their interaction with Stone and Neve. I did get the impression that Laila and her dandified Marquess have a story.

ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS is a cute and entertaining tale of two opposites discovering love. I cannot wait to see which members of the Queens Club, aka Hellfire Kitties, is next. Secretly, I hope it is Lushing and Briar!

Review: Jill Shalvis' THE FRIENDSHIP PACT

 Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Tae Holmes is the daughter of a teenage mother. She owns and operates a small yet successful event-planning company. Tae organizes a fundraiser for her first big client.  After the event, she mistakenly gets into the wrong car and comes face-to-face with a person from her angsty teenage past. Tae knows that Riggs Copeland cannot give her the stability she needs. She just wants to find out the truth about her birthfather. However, the truth could destroy not only Tae’s relationship with her mother but with Riggs too. Can Tae withstand the truth’s repercussions? Will she find her father?

Riggs Copeland is an equal partner in an adventure company that caters to people with disabilities, troubled teens, and wounded warriors. He is freshly out of the military. At his brother’s insistence, Riggs reluctantly returns home only for the summer. He runs into a girl from his troubled high school days. Riggs has no intentions of staying, but he cannot ignore the chemistry he shares with Tae. He even offers to help track down her father; however, his good intentions do not go as planned. Can Tae give Riggs a reason to stay? Or will he let his irrational fear destroy a good thing?

There were moments in the story where Tae got on my nerves. I understand her reasons for being standoffish, closed off, and distrustful. Her teenage years have not been kind nor easy thanks to bullying and financial insecurity. I like the bond Tae shares with her mother. She could have resented her mother. Instead, Tae tried to look out for her and protected her from unsavory men. What I admire the most about Tae is how she knew exactly what she needed in a relationship. She refused to settle with just any many who showed interest. Tae did not want to follow in her mother’s footsteps and repeat her mistakes.

I could never resist the tortured hero types. They have always been my weakness. So, it is no surprise that Riggs won my heart. He is a man of few words with both abandonment and trust issues. I like how Riggs recognized a fellow kindred spirit in Tae. Their circumstances may have been different, but he knew how to hide his homelife from public notice. What I admire the most about Riggs is his need to protect Tae. He tried to maintain an emotional distance, so he could spare her from heartache when he left.

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT is the second book in Jill Shalvis’ contemporary romance/women’s fiction series, SUNRISE COVE. This story can easily standalone. There is no on-going plot or reoccurring characters. The only similarity is the setting: Sunrise Cove in Tahoe, California. This book does touch on quite a range of touchy subjects, such as teenage motherhood, abusive parents, disabilities, and bullying. However, the author writes it in such a thought-provoking way intwined with her trademark humorous wit.

THE FRIENDSHIP PACT is an inspiring tale of two troubled souls reconnecting and overcoming their deep-seated emotional issues to be together. The author proves she can write more than just light-hearted, sweet stories, but ones with an emotional punch as well. I cannot wait to see what’s next in this series.

Review: Kaoruko Miyama's TOMORROW, MAKE ME YOURS

 

Yuki is quiet and shy. When classes get switched, he hopes to find at least one friend. Hayato is outgoing and friendly. Everyone flocks around him. Yuki cannot hide his surprise when Hayato starts talking to them. The two boys form an easygoing friendship, until a female classmate shows interest in Hayato. Then Yuki realizes the feelings he has for Hayato – who, surprise, surprise, shares the same feelings.

TOMORROW, MAKE ME YOURS is a really sweet and wholesome BL. I like the pacing of Yuki and Hayato’s relationship. The two let a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding crop up between them. However, they soon situate things and air out what is bothering them.

I will definitely be adding this title to my manga collection once it is released.