Review for Eva Devon's THE DUKE AND THE DRESSMAKER

 

THE DUKE AND THE DRESSMAKER
Historical Romance

 

 AUTHOR:

Eva Devon

RELEASE DATE:
September 4, 2023

PUBLISHER:
Entangled Publishing, LLC

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781649375995

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://evadevonromance.com/

 

 

American ship captain James Blakefield is the new Duke of Ashbridge. He has grand plans for the power his title allows him. However, James finds it difficult to fit in amongst his new English peers. One evening, he rescues a damsel in distress, the woman happens to be his missing ward’s older sister. James wants to help both women, and he offers Lily the perfect solution to all their problems. Will Lily give James reasons to remain in England.

Miss Lily Martin is the eldest daughter of a disowned English noblewoman and a French art tutor. To support herself and her little sister, she works tirelessly at a dress shop. Lily hopes to open her own modiste shop someday. She frets on how to repay her loan from sketchy moneylenders; however, an American comes to her rescue. He is not just any American but a duke who just happens to be her sister’s legal guardian. Can Lily trust James with her and her sister’s welfare?

Lily and James have a lot in common. Both were traumatized by their parents’ past decisions. They made James and Lily hesitant to open their hearts to one another or trust the other. Also, both have a rough time asking and accepting help from others.

James, I noticed, has a hero complex. He wants to help others in need. I like how he selfishly tries to help both Lily and Violet. There were a few things about Lily that annoyed me. Nothing too major, little things that did not sit well with me. I admire everything Lily did for her sister’s sake. Everything she did was for Violet’s welfare.

THE DUKE AND THE DRESSMAKER is book two in Eva Devon’s historical romance series, ONCE UPON A WALLFLOWER. The story can easily stand alone. I have not read the prior book, and I could easily follow the storyline. There is no on-going back plot spilling over into this story. The couple from the prior book do make an appearance close to the end.

Review for Taran Matharu's DRAGON RIDER

 

DRAGON RIDER
High Fantasy

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Taran Matharu

RELEASE DATE:
April 02, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Avon and Harper Voyager

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780063227576

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.authortaranmatharu.com/

 

 

Jai is the third son of the late leader of the Steppefolk. He has lived his entire life as a royal hostage in the Sabine court serving the former emperor. Jai dreams of the day he and his brothers can return to their homeland. However, his life changes significantly with the arrival of the Dansk and their dragons. When insurrection throws the court into chaos, Jai finds an opportunity to escape with a dragon egg. He and his companions, his soul-bonded dragonet and a Dansk handmaiden, must elude the Sabine army. Can Jai learn the magic of the soulbound warriors?

Jai is my favorite type of character in fantasy novels. A novice, one who is slowly learning as they go. I like how Jai experiences small successes and setbacks. He does not get things right away, which makes his character more realistic and relatable. I love Jai and Winter’s bond. Through Winter, Jai is learning more about himself, his strengths, and his weaknesses. Winter gives him the incentive to fight.

DRAGON RIDER is the first book in Taran Matharu’s adult fantasy series, THE SOULBOUND SAGA. I am new to this author. It was the dragon angle that caught my interest. I am a sucker for dragon stories, especially ones in high fantasy genre. This book did not disappoint my fantasy needs. Yes, the story does have an Eragon vibe. (I have not read those books, just watched the movie.)

It does start out slow. That is to be expected. The author does a wonderful job setting up his world, the kingdoms in play, and the Sabine politics and history. The Sabine kind of reminds me of the Romans, especially in their insatiable need to conquer.

The second part of the book delves more into the world’s magic system. The unique intricacies and restrictions of it. And how the soul-bonded animals play into it. I like the variety of creatures/animals people could soul-bond with. There were a couple I had to search up because I was unfamiliar with. I also like how there are some creatures more favored in certain kingdoms than others.

I only have one minor nitpick. I would have liked, especially in the middle, to have Frida’s point of view.

Review: Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St.Aubin's BAZAAR GIRLS

 

BAZAAR GIRLS
Contemporary Romance; Rom Com

 

AUTHOR:
Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin

RELEASE DATE:
August 29, 2023

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0C8C13Y8K

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://kerriganbyrne.com/  and https://www.cynthiastaubin.com/

 

 

Gemini “Gemma” McKendrick juggles a lot of responsibilities. She runs a craft store, along with holding several civic positions. Gemma must prove her business’ success if she wants to keep her store open. When she experiences car trouble, newcomer Gabe Kelly comes to her rescue. The man leaves Gemma flustered and tongue-tied, but she still offers to rent him her basement. Can Gemma save her shop? Or did she take on more than she can handle?

Gabriel “Gabe” Kelly is from a low-level, Boston-based crime family. He cut ties with his family and moves to Townsend Harbor, Washington to start a new, respectable life. Gabe purchases the town’s only mechanic shop. He answers a distress call for a mechanic and finds out it is Gemma. The woman is too good for him, but that does not stop Gabe from accepting her rent offer. Can Gabe outrun his dark past? Or will it destroy any possibility of a new start?

I have always had a thing for the snarky bad-boy types. Gabe is all that and more! He instantly became a fast favorite (and not because he shares my youngest’ name and nickname). I wanted Gabe and Gemma to be a couple since his appearance in BREWBIES, book two. They did not really interact, but they noticed one another. What I adore the most about Gabe is his acceptance of Gemma’s neurodivergent tendencies. He never treated her like her family and others had. Instead, he was patient with her and helped her whenever she got too overwhelmed.

Gemma is considered the “imperfect” twin. She constantly lives beneath her perfect sister’s shadow. Instead of resenting her sister, Gemma still loves and cares for Lyra. I like the fact that Gemma is aware of her handicaps. She does not use it as a crutch, but she tries the best of her abilities. Sometimes things do not turn out as Gemma hopes. It disappointed me that Gemma’s parents, and Lyra, never tried to learn about her limitations. Why I believe Gabe is Gemma’s perfect balance. He prefers her chaotic imperfectness and creativeness.

BAZAAR GIRLS is the third book in Kerrigan Byrne and Cynthia St. Aubin’s romantic-comedy series, TOWNSEND HARBOR. Even though this story can standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. The prior books set up Townsend Harbor, shows Gemma’s friendship with Cady, and Gabe and Gemma’s first meeting. It feels like each installment gets better and better.

I like how each book the authors touch on real life problems that people face. In the first book, Fox suffers from PTSD and Cady from ankylosing spondylitis. Darby, in the second book, is a breast cancer survivor. And this last book is no different.

Myrtle and Vee are still hilarious! I love how the two women look after Cady, Gemma, Darby, and their men in an almost motherly compacity. Their antics are still outrageous and naughty! I cannot wait to see their escapades in the next book!

Review: Donna Grant's IGNITE THE MAGIC

 

IGNITE THE MAGIC
Fantasy-Paranormal Romance

 

  AUTHOR:

Donna Grant

RELEASE DATE:
August 15, 2023

PUBLISHER:
DL Grant, LLC  

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0BXJSSQVR

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://donnagrant.com/

 

 

Lennox is the Dragon King of the Silver and the King of the Dragon Kings, the latter a duty he never wanted. He encounters a strange yet beautiful being who changes his life forever. Lennox knows a relationship between them is taboo, but he cannot ignore the fact that Ailis is his mate. He worries about how his brethren will react to her. Can Lennox find a way for the dragons to accept Ailis? Or will he be forced to give her up?

Ailis is a Dark Fae, who never really felt as if she belonged to her realm. She takes a gamble and opens a doorway to a new world. As she explores this unfamiliar place, Ailis comes face-to-face with a dragon. They agree to teach the other about their people and their way. However, she never expected passion to blaze between them. Will Ailis’ presence herald a change for the dragons? Or will she cause a cataclysmic divide?

I like how well Lennox and Ailis complimented each other. They showed what a united team could do when they worked together, despite being from two different races. Ailis willingly helped Lennox find solutions to the problems that arose from his people. She wanted to keep him and the dragons from following in her people’s disastrous footsteps. I admire Ailis for not wanting to stand between Lennox and his duty to his dragons. She encouraged him to think of them first before herself. I love how easily Lennox listened to Ailis’ counsel. He weighed what she told him carefully; he never once shut her out.

IGNITE THE MAGIC is a prequel novel to Donna Grant’s popular and long-running series, DARK KINGS. This is the story about Melisse’ parents – the half fae, half dragon we met in the series. The first half of the book explains the catalyst behind Ailis’ reasons for coming to earth. The story also shows the Dragon Kings (two for now) first transformation into human form, and how they learn to navigate this new ability and form. A lot is still unknown to them.