A Peculiar Courtship (The Beckett Files #2) by Laura Beers {Review}

A Peculiar Courtship (The Beckett Files #2)
by Laura Beers

Kindle Edition, 284 pages

Published December 1st 2017 by Phase Publishing 

 

 

Lord Jonathon Beckett's mission is simple: retrieve Lady Hannah and place her under the protection of the Crown. But he isn't prepared for the havoc she inflicts on his world, making him question whether his duty as an agent of the Crown should always come before his heart.

Lady Hannah's father has uncovered evidence exposing a French traitor to the Crown. Willing to do anything to silence him, the traitor's primary target has become Lady Hannah. Keeping her safe means locking her away from Society, but she refuses to stand idly by, letting others put their lives on the line to protect her. Instead, she will stop at nothing to learn to defend herself, even at the risk of losing Lord Jonathon's protection, or his affections.

With a sinister scheme in play to collapse the English government from within, Lord Jonathon must protect Lady Hannah from the French spies intending to use her as a pawn in their game of treachery. But can he protect her from herself?

 

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My Review: 4 Stars

 

I really like that this isn't your typical Regency romance. Instead of balls, social engagements, and dressing to impress the Ton, the reader is immersed in the world of spies and danger. Hannah isn't learning needlepoint--she's learning how to use weapons so that she can protect herself. 

 

Lord Jonathon is a dashing man ordered to protect Hannah and he's also the brother of Eliza, the heroine of Book 1, Saving Shadow. I enjoyed watching how his protective nature battled with his heart, resulting in some fun romance. 

 

Once again, as true to this series, this story has a more modern feel to it, in both dialogue and actions, but it is a fun twist on Regency times. As for me, I think I'll stick to the sharp tongues in the ballroom, rather than the sharp daggers of the secret spy world (remember, I'm a chicken).

 

Content: mild language; mild+ romance (talk of affairs/sleeping around, kissing); mild-moderate violence (abuse, fights, think spies)

 

*I received a copy, which had no affect on my thoughts and opinions, which are my own*

 

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Buy Link:

 

The Duke's Marriage Mission by Deborah Hale {Book Spotlight}

The Duke's Marriage Mission

(The Glass Slipper Chronicles #3)

by Deborah Hale

 

Irrepressible Leah Shaw arrives at Renforth Abbey to teach the Duke of Northam’s invalid son for one year, the longest she ever stays in one position. At first His Grace, Hayden Latimer does not want Leah to stay for a single day, let alone a year. He fears she will endanger the boy by allowing him too much freedom. But when Kit grows healthier and happier thanks to Leah’s care, Hayden changes his mind and desperately seeks a way to keep her at Renforth Abbey. Marriage might be a solution, but Leah is not tempted by the duke’s title or fortune. Her hard-won independence means more to her than anything…except perhaps love? Leah fears her heart may be entrapped by her growing feelings for Hayden and Kit. Or will she be free to love at last?

Romance is in the Air $100 Kick Off Giveaway

– Romance is in the Air –

A Month-Long Celebration of Clean Romance

– February 2018 –

Starting February 1st and running through the entire month of February we will be showcasing 14 fabulous authors. There will be 15 different giveaways, free ebooks and lots of great deals on books.

We’re starting off with a $100 Kick-Off Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Code or $100 in Paypal Cash.

Check out this great list of authors we will be spotlighting!

Taylor Dean

Rachelle Christensen

Jennifer Moore

Cindy Roland Anderson

Jennifer Griffith

Julie Coulter Bellon

Liz Isaacson

Taylor Hart

Stacy Claflin

Nichole Van

Jen Johnson

Becky Monson

Donna Weaver

Kimberley Montpetit

Be sure to stop by each week during February to learn about these amazing authors. You definitely don’t want to miss out on all the giveaways! To be sure you never miss a post subscribe to I Am A Reader’s Mailing List.

Giveaway Details

$100 in Paypal Cash or a $100 Amazon.com eGift Card

Ends 2/28/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via PayPal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Not An Ordinary Baronet by G.G. Vandagriff {Blog Tour Review + Giveaway}

Not An Ordinary Baronet by G.G. Vandagriff

Kindle Edition, 183 pages

Published January 9th 2018 

#1 Bestselling Author in Regency Romance!

One morning, along the wild Dorset coast, Sir Bertie is bewitched by Lady Catherine Redmayne. Smugglers intervene, and soon her life is in danger. Of course, Bertie feels compelled to protect her, but initially, Catherine believes him to be the menace. It doesn’t help that she is heartbroken and the subject of a scandal.

First, Bertie must convince Catherine of his innocence, then uncover the real threat. Will she yield her injured heart to him? Several forces are at work to separate them, and, after all, he is only an ordinary baronet and she is a marquess’s daughter. 

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My Review: 4 Stars

Poor Catherine. She's the victim of a rather tragic heartbreak and finds herself in a dangerous situation, with Sir Bertie to the rescue. In a series of mysteries, mistaken ideas, and a swirl of menace, this charming story reveals true intents of the heart. This is a fun Regency romance.

The smugglers and the threat associated with them really added a fun dimension to the story. I'm a chicken, but Catherine didn't seem to realize how serious the danger really was, which made for some entertaining situations and discussions. I love Bertie, even though he made me want to scream a few times. He's frustratingly lovable.

The conclusion was very satisfying and the cast of characters enjoyable. Be sure to pick this one up if you like this type of book.

Content: mild romance

*I was provided a copy from the tour host, which had no influence on my opinions*

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Buy Link: 

 

About the Author:

 

G.G. Vandagriff is an Amazon #1 best selling author of Regency romance. Although she has written over a dozen Regencies, she has written in other genres as well. The Last Waltz, the first novel in her 20th Century Historical Romance Series won the Whitney Award for Best Historical Novel in 2009. There are now two more books in that series—Exile and Defiance.
Her Regencies have been lauded by critics and compared to the witty novels of Georgette Heyer. She has also written a lively genealogical mystery series featuring Briggie and Alex, two whacky widows, as sleuths. Other genres she writes in include Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, and Suspense.
GG graduated from Stanford and received her master’s degree from George Washington University. She worked as an associate editor at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, an assistant treasurer in the Harvard Treasurer’s office, a bond analyst at Fidelity Investments, and an international banker for Continental Illinois National Bank (later acquired by Bank of America).
She and her husband David are the parents of three children and seven grandchildren, her greatest joys in life. Her favorite novel? Jane Eyre. She also loves Florence, Sundance Resort, Cubs baseball, hot chocolate, lilacs, and dachshunds. 
 

G.G. website: http://www.ggvandagriff.com/

G.G. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/568772.G_G_Vandagriff

G.G. Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggvandagriff

G.G. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/G.-G.-Vandagriff/e/B001JP3P34/

Buy link: http://a.co/iUPvYlz

Giveaway:

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Tour schedule:

January 22 - Wishful Endings / Min Reads and Reviews

January 23 - Heidi Reads

January 24 - Katie’s Clean Book Collection / My Book a Day

January 25 - Peggy Urry / Singing Librarian Books

January 26 - Among the Reads

The Eternity Elixir (Potion Masters #1) by Frank L. Cole {Review}

The Eternity Elixir (Potion Masters #1) 
by Frank L. Cole

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: January 2nd 2018 by Shadow Mountain 

Twelve-year-old Gordy Stitser is one of the few people who knows the truth about the secret society of potion masters, because not only is Gordy’s mom on the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide (B.R.E.W.), but she has also been training Gordy in the art of potion-making.

Gordy is a natural, and every day he sneaks down to the basement lab to invent new potions using exotic ingredients like fire ant eggs, porcupine quills, and Bosnian tickling juice.

One afternoon, Gordy receives a mysterious package containing an extremely rare potion known as “The Eternity Elixir.” In the right hands, the Elixir continues to protect society. But in the wrong hands, it could destroy the world as we know it.

Now, sinister potion masters are on the hunt to steal the Eternity Elixir. It’s up to Gordy, his parents, and his best friends, Max and Adeline, to prevent an all-out potion war.

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My Review: 4 Stars

Cole has a great way of bringing a normal human being into a magical world and making it seem completely normal. Gordy is from a family of potion elixirists and has a natural talent for it. Although he's young, he's completely capable of fighting villains and doing what he can to protect his family and this secret world.

When an eternity elixir falls into his hands, he and his father and two best friends fight long and hard and at times, Gordy doesn't even know what or who he is going up against. There are still some mysteries left open and I'm curious to continue on with the series to discover the secrets along the way.

There are many fascinating and intriguing characters within these pages and it's not always apparent who is good and who isn't, but it's sure a fun adventure discovering this magical world and what role each character plays. It's a fun and entertaining story.

Content: mild violence

*I received a copy and voluntarily read and reviewed this book, which had no influence on my thoughts and opinions*

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 Buy Links:

 

 

The Trustworthy Groom (Texas Titans Romances) by Cami Checketts {Spotlight}

 

 

The Trustworthy Groom by Cami Checketts 

Hailey Knight has two choices: fall prey to a predator who is out to own her and destroy her football team, or marry a man she’s just met. True, her fake husband can make her quiver with a touch, gets her jokes, and is patience personified, but she knows better than anyone how quickly charm can turn ugly. Brady Giles has dealt with a sweetheart stalker for two years and has no hope of shaking the annoyance. He steps in to rescue the beautiful and feisty Hailey Knight from a leering idiot and somehow ends up engaged to her. The marriage is supposed to help them both out of sticky situations, but instead turns into a media hailstorm with lies and attacks coming from all sides. When Hailey falls in love with her fake husband and danger lurks around every corner, she knows it’s time to run, but Brady has never given up on an impossible battle. 

 

Excerpt

Hailey’s brain scrambled for an out, any out. She put on a fake smile and said, “You don’t know how much I wish I could have dinner with you tonight, but you must not have heard … I’m recently engaged.” She kept a straight face when she wanted to gasp in shock. Where had that come from, and who was she going to claim she was engaged to?

William released her hair and actually took a step back, the scowl on his face ruining all his supposed good looks. “You are?” His eyes strayed to her left hand. She clasped it with her right to hide her naked finger. “To whom?”

A dark-haired man appeared at her table. Hailey dealt with burly football players every day of her life, but this guy’s shape still gave her pause. He was probably around six three and two hundred and fifty pounds. Every inch was muscle, not bodybuilder muscle but lean and functional and covered by smooth, tanned skin. He definitely had some Italian heritage in him as dark and good-looking as he was. Hailey had a strict policy of not checking out her own team’s football players, but she knew every single one of them. This guy wasn’t on her roster.

“Excuse me.” The man’s deep voice washed over her as his dark eyes looked at her with concern then flashed to William with annoyance. “Do you need some help?”

Yes, yes she did. Hailey grasped his arm and cuddled into his side, wrapping her other arm around his waist. “Thank you for coming to check on me, sweetheart.” His body tightened at the way she was trying to manhandle him, impossible to really do as she was almost a foot shorter and less than half his bodyweight, but she needed help, and she needed it now. The solution was so clear. William would back off if she were engaged. He would have to. Then there would be no repercussions on her football team and no coercion to date, and especially not to stay the night with, the slime ball VP.

“Um, sure … anything for you, honey.” The man wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and Hailey had never felt so safe as he gently pulled her close. Safety and reassurance were amazing and unexpected feelings to have at the moment, especially after the fear of William clogging her throat mere seconds ago and the fact that she naturally shied away from well-built men. The emotion of it all made her weak, and she found herself leaning against his muscular chest.

The dark-haired guy glanced down at her and winked. Ooh, he was quick too. She ticked off his positive qualities in her mind—not one of her football brothers, handsome with strong facial features, brown eyes framed with dark lashes, and smart. She might even give this guy a date to prove they were engaged.

“This is my fiancé,” she said to William, inclining her chin with pride.

The man kind of started, but he stayed close to her side as he released her from his hold and stuck his hand out to William. “Brady Giles. Pleasure to meet you …”

Brady Giles? Oh, crap, he was one of her players! He’d recently transferred from New England. He was one of the top cornerbacks in the nation, and they were extremely blessed to get him, but the Brady Giles she’d seen from the sidelines had long, dark wavy hair and a full beard. This guy with the cropped hair and clean shaven model-gorgeous face was a Brady Giles she’d never expected—sharp and way too appealing. What had she done?

 

   

$50 Release Day Giveaway
Ends 1/29/18
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His One and Only Bride by Tara Randel {Blog Tour Spotlight + Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

His One and Only Bride

(The Business of Weddings #5)
Tara Randel

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

January 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming

He never thought he’d see her again!

After being reported missing, presumed dead, globe-hopping photojournalist Mitch Simmons never thought he’d see his estranged wife, Zoe, again. Yet here he is back in their coastal Florida town, where Zoe is mayor. Turns out she isn’t the only one he left behind.

Discovering he has a baby son awakens thrilling new emotions in Mitch. And there are his still-powerful feelings for the high school sweetheart he vowed to love and honor forever. Thankfully, they’ll have the chance to find the love that was always there…

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

Excerpt 

 

Mitch expected his wife’s surprise. After all, to her, he’d risen from the dead.
His hand gripped the cane that had become his lifeline. He wanted to heave it over the railing,
but that meant lifting an arm that still needed rehab to function properly. Instead of cataloguing
his injuries, he focused on his shell-shocked wife.
“I don’t understand. We were told…I thought you were…”
“Dead?”
She reached out to place her palms on the deck railing.
“The report was mistaken.”
“But…How…Why?”
“I was injured in a truck accident while leaving a refugee camp.”
She visibly pulled herself together. Took a step toward him, faltered and stopped. “Pretty soon
I’m going to have a ton of questions, but right now…I don’t know what to say.”
“How about ‘welcome home’?”
He watched her struggle with this major surprise. “When did you get here?”
“About fifteen minutes ago.”
“How?” Her gaze took in his appearance and he knew what she saw. A guy who’d lost weight,
whose complexion had turned pasty after weeks in the hospital. Not the image of the healthy
husband who’d walked out of her life nearly two years ago.
“Wyatt. I called him to tell him I was heading home. He picked me up at the airport.”
A flush of red crept up her neck. “You didn’t think to call your wife?”
“I did, but considering how we ended our last conversation, I thought it would be better if I
talked to you in person.”
She ran a hand through her shoulder-length black hair. What had happened to the long straight
strands that had reached to her mid-back? In the hospital, he’d dreamed of running his fingers
through it. Had dreamed of her easy smile, which was nowhere to be found right now. Had he
expected her to jump into his arms when she saw him again despite the circumstances? Expect
that old feelings would rush over her again? Disappointment swamped him. She looked like the
same Zoe, yet there was something different about her. He couldn’t put his finger on it.
“I’m sorry, you didn’t want to call me? Despite everything, didn’t you think I’d have wanted
to know you were at least okay?”

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter

Tour Schedule

January 22nd:

Launch
underneath the covers
It's All About the Romance
Becky on Books
Katie's Clean Book Collection
January 23rd:
Rockin' Book Reviews
Book Lover in Florida
A Baker's Perspective
Heidi Reads...
January 24th:
Locks, Hooks and Books
Bookworm Lisa
Hearts & Scribbles
Remembrancy
January 25th:
Jorie Loves A Story
I Am A Reader
Reading Is My SuperPower
Nicole's Book Musings
Two Girls and a Book
January 26th:
Thoughts of a Blonde
The Bookworm Chronicles
Inside The Mind of Mind of an Avid Reader
Paulette's Papers
January 27th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- US PRIZE PACK: Signed copies of Rival Hearts, The Bridal Bouquet and The Wedding March, a Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag, a 2018 appointment planner and a $25 Amazon gift card

- US residents only

- Ends January 31st

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