Rating: 4.5
THE EARL ON THE TRAIN by
Kerrigan Byrne
Sebastian Moncrieff is a former pirate,
one who has indulged in nearly every sin available. Among his peers, he is
known as The Erstwhile Earl. Veronica Latimer is a dowager countess, who now
designs and makes garments for the wealthy. She has never really forgotten
Sebastian, nor the erotic scene she witnessed on his ship. Neither expected
their paths to cross again, especially on a luxury train heading to another
country. Veronica makes Sebastian long for forbidden things. Will Sebastian give
up his dastardly ways for Veronica? And can she trust him with her body and her
heart?
The man practically oozes sex appeal and
danger. What I adore the most about Sebastian is his rage against Veronica’s
late husband. He wants nothing more than to erase the monster’s abusive ways
from her mind permanently. Veronica is a remarkable woman. She has survived an
abusive relationship. Instead of hiding away, Veronica tries to help other
women in a similar position. I admire that about her!
THE EARL ON THE TRAIN is book eight in
Kerrigan Byrne’s historical romance series, VICTORIAN REBELS. I have been
wanting, and waiting, for this couple’s story since, THE DUKE WITH THE DRAGON
TATTOO, book six in the series. I highly suggest reading that story before delving
into this one.
This novella alone, I would gladly give
five stars! Kerrigan Byrne always blows me away with her stories. She is the
main reason I picked up this anthology.
LOVED AND
FOUND by Christi Caldwell
Former Lieutenant Thaddeus Phippen is
the son of a bricklayer. Free from the war, he now works for his older brother.
Lady Edith “Edie” Peregrine is the daughter of a duke and a widowed
Marchioness. She has survived a cold and loveless marriage. Neither one has
forgotten about their forbidden love when they were younger. A snowstorm forces
Edie and Thaddeus to reconnect. However, the past continues to loom over them. Will
Thaddeus and Edie reconcile their differences? Or will their shared past keep
them separated forever?
It took me a while to warm up to
Thaddeus. I understand why he felt so disillusioned and bitter towards Edie. However,
I feel that Thaddeus should have anticipated some trouble from her parents
because of their social differences. What I like the most about Thaddeus is
despite his feelings towards Edie, he refused to leave her injured and
susceptible to the elements.
I could not help but like Edie! Even at
a young and impressionable age, she did not care about class distinction. Edie
befriended a commoner despite her parents’ approval. What I admire the most
about Edie is the sacrifice she made for Thaddeus’ family. She gave up her own
happiness to make certain his family prospered.
I am only familiar with Christi
Caldwell’s ALL THE DUKE’S SINS series. After some sleuthing, I discovered LOVED AND
FOUND goes with HIS DUCHESS FOR A DAY, book four in the author’s HEART OF
SCANDAL series. I could not shake this suspicion that Edie’s brother, Crispin,
had a story.
THE WOLF OF
WESTMORE by Amalie Howard
Wulfric Bane, the Duke of Westmore,
co-owns a pleasure club that is open to all who will abide by their rules. His
peers know him as the Wolf of Westmore. Lady Jocelyn Capehart is the youngest
daughter of a cruel and heartless duke. She wants to experience one pleasurable
night on her terms before being forced into a marriage to an old lecher. The
Banes and the Capeharts have been age-long rivals. Can Jocelyn find a way to
escape her dour future? Will Wulfric choose revenge over a future with Jocelyn?
I admire Jocelyn’s fortitude. She knew
what her father had planned for her, so she risked severe reprimand by sneaking
out for a small taste of adventure. I like Wulfric’s sense of honor. He may
want revenge on the Capehart family, especially the patriarch; however, he
refused to ruin an innocent girl to achieve it. What I like the most about
Jocelyn and Wulfric is their common ground. They may have been born natural
enemies, but they were both close to one particular person.
THE WOLF OF WESTMORE is book 2.5 in Amalie
Howard’s EVERLEIGH SISTER series. I am new to this author’s works. However, I
want to check out the previous two books in this series. Roth and Beswick
entertained me. Plus, I would like to learn about the women that tamed them!
PUT UP YOUR
DUKES by Janna MacGregor
Martin “Duke” Richmond is the editor and
owner of a popular gossip pamphlet. He is not above embellishing a story to
sell more papers. Amelia Richmond spends most of her time volunteering at a foundling
house. She cannot abide the trash that her husband publishes. Martin and Amelia
have been estranged for five years; however, the two meet every Wednesday for
coital relations. Will Martin let The Midnight Cryer destroy his
marriage? Can Amelia convince her husband to choose her over his job?
Martin annoyed me. I understand his
resentment towards the nobility; however, he took his vengeance too far for my
tastes. He did not seem to care that he alienated Amelia from her friends
because of his paper. Amelia is a saint! She handled the trouble her husband
generated with aplomb. What I adore the most about Amelia is her dedication to
the foundling house. When people came to buy her help, she nudged them to
donate there instead.
PUT UP YOUR DUKES is a part of Janna
MacGregor’s historical romance series, CAVENSHAM HEIRESSES. The hero from book
four, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE, makes appearances in this story. Sadly,
I am only familiar with Janna MacGregor’s WIDOW RULES series.
DUKE OF EVERY
SIN by Stacy Reid
Ethan Benedict, the Duke of Bainbridge,
has been riddled by guilt and regret over his friend’s death. He discovers an
abandoned baby on his doorstep. Lady Verity Stanton is the disgraced daughter
of an earl. She tries to steal her nephew from the Devil Duke, only to be
caught. Ethan sees the baby and Verity as his chance for atonement. Verity
agrees to marry the duke to stay in her nephew’s life. Can Verity help Ethan
forgive himself for his part in his friend’s death? Or will his secrets destroy
their marriage?
My heart went out to Ethan. He is a man
consumed by grief, guilt, and remorse. What I adore the most about Ethan is how
he helped Verity get retribution. He made sure all the shallow people who shunned
her saw her rise in status. Verity is such an inspirational woman. I love how
she did not abandon her sister. Instead, Verity willingly followed her into
disgrace. She also refused to give up on her nephew.
I am new to Stacy Reid’s works, so I do
not know what series/book DUKE OF EVERY SIN belongs to/connects with. The story
could easily stand alone. The other novellas I could easily determine where
they belonged, after some careful looking around.
BIG
DUKE ENERGY is book one in the SEASONS OF SIN anthology collection. Each story
can easily stand alone. I love how anthologies allow me to try out new authors.
BIG DUKE ENERGY is no exception. I really enjoyed Amalie Howard and Stacy
Reid’s writing style.
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