Book Review! The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale

The Nobleman's Governess Bride (The Glass Slipper Chronicles #1) 
by Deborah Hale 
Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical / Regency Romance)
Date Published: December 29, 2017
Publisher: Self

Jane Eyre meets Prince Charming in two enchanting Regency love stories! Previously published as "Much Ado About Nuptials" and The Baron’s Governess Bride. 

Loyal Rebecca Beaton and gentle Grace Ellerby became lifelong friends while enduring the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessings of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca and Grace encounter two special gentlemen who have suffered their own misfortunes, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides! 

In “The Viscount Meets His Match” Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing. 

In spite of their many differences, Sebastian finds himself drawn to forthright, loyal Rebecca. Yet he fears his admiration for the lady could erode his good judgment and resolve. Rebecca fights her growing attraction to Sebastian, which threatens to divide her loyalties…and perhaps break her heart. If only she can help him believe in true love, there may be hope for more than one happy ending! 

In The Baron’s Governess Bride, Rupert Lord Steadwell is determined to hire the dowdiest, most unmarriageable woman he can find to care for his motherless daughters. The girls were heartbroken when their last governess eloped and Rupert does not want to risk a repetition. In her drab clothes, frumpy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby look like the ideal person for the job. 

Rupert has no idea that clever, caring Miss Ellerby is a beauty in disguise. Alarmed by unwanted advances from men in her previous positions, Grace is desperate to hide her dangerously attractive appearance and her growing feelings for her new employer. But when Lord Steadwell appears in danger of making a loveless marriage and saddling his daughters with a dreaded stepmother, Grace must risk everything to prevent it. Will a midnight kiss at a masked ball lead to scandal and ruin or will two wary hearts find their happily ever after at last? 

The Nobleman's Governess Bride is the first book in The Glass Slipper Chronicles series by Deborah Hale. It's actually two stories in one, which was a nice little surprise. 

The first story, The Viscount Meets His Match, is a novella about Rebecca and Sebastian. Sebastian is as stubborn as they come, and it causes some pretty funny moments. Rebecca gives him a run for his money in the stubborn department. These two begin an unlikely friendship that grows, and it was so fun to watch it grow. 

The next story revolves around one of Rebecca's childhood friends, Grace. Rupert is stubborn like Sebastian, but he also has blinders on when it comes to certain things. These two have a friendship that grows slowly, and it does so in the smallest and most meaningful ways. They were funny and lovely to read about, and I completely fell for Rupert's daughters. 

It seems the series might be moving through this group of governess friends who have known each other since childhood. They are like family even though they don't see each other near enough if at all anymore. I'm looking forward to more in this series. 

The ARC of The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale  was kindly provided to me by I am a Reader for review. The opinions are my own.

I have been telling stories ever since I could talk, writing them down once I learned to hold a pencil. I had my first critique partner in ninth grade. We wrote lots of stories and assured each other how brilliant they were. Our treasured friendship continues to this day. During my highschool years, I dabbled in drama, including historical plays where I got to dress up in elegant gowns from bygone eras. Later I traced my ancestors to their roots in Georgian era Britain. In the process, I uncovered enough fascinating true stories to keep me in fiction plots for years to come!

A special needs teacher by training, I left the classroom to raise my young family, fully expecting to return to work when my children reached school age. In my limited spare time, I wrote my first historical romance then began learning the skills I needed to make it sell. In 1998, my life took an amazing detour when my two youngest sons were diagnosed with autism and I sold my first book. Suddenly my writing hobby became a career that allowed me the flexibility to be at home for my boys, and my former profession became my life.

Since then, I have written more than thirty works of historical romance, inspirational romance. otherworld fantasy and historical fiction. They have been published in every continent except Antarctica, meaning my characters have made friends in places I may never get a chance to visit.

My family and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, a place that blends history, faith, romance and a little magic! When not writing books, I walk the local trail with my husband, practice tai-chi and sing with Celtic Flavor, a group that entertains and raises funds for churches and charities throughout the Maritimes.

To learn more about Deborah Hale and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Teaser Tuesday! Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by The Purple Booker. 

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is from Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Its pointless. Hopeless. Even if she weren't afraid of me, we'll always be enemies at the core. She rules a wicked, selfish city, and my tribe suffers for her peoples comfort. Shes a queen; I'm her prisoner. I resent her and she fears me, and there are times when I fear her, too. I am her monster, and she is mine. But right now none of it matters.

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments.

No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!

Release Day Review! Siren's Song by Juliana Haygert

Siren's Song (Willow Harbor #5) by Juliana Haygert
Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: January 8, 2018
Publisher: Self

Sometimes dreams come true …

When Brooke Ellis receives a letter from her estranged father, her first instinct is to burn it. Instead, curiosity grabs hold. As Brooke comes back to the small beach town of Willow Harbor, she begins the search for her father. What she finds instead is a gift she never knew she had.

Nathan Knight is waist deep in the latest case plaguing the hunters. The forbidden potions smuggling operation has a new king and whoever this person is, he knows how to cover his tracks. Nathan can't afford any distractions, but when he learns the girl he saved five years ago—and has been dreaming about ever since—is back in town he can't help but think it’s not by accident. Brooke doesn't know she's a siren, but Nathan does. He also knows what he’s starting to feel for her goes deeper than the allure of her powers.

When Brooke's quest to find her father lands her in harm's way, Nathan knows he has to save her, even if it means losing himself.

Strange Neighbors. Hidden Desires. Small Town Charm. 

Welcome to Willow Harbor where everyone has a secret. 

What’s yours?

Siren's Song is the fifth book in the Willow Harbor series. This series is written by several different authors. Siren's Song is written by Juliana Haygert, an author who's books I've read and loved before. This book stands alone just fine, but now I want to go back and read the rest. Brooke is a fun character, and her world has just been turned on its head. She had no idea of many things about herself, including what she is and what she can do, so I enjoyed learning all these things right along with her. There was adventure, drama, twists and turns, humor, and romance. All the good stuff. I'd like to learn more about all the things lurking in Willow Harbor. This series excites me. Let's pack a bag guys. Road Trip!

The ARC of Siren's Song by Juliana Haygert was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Have you read these books by Juliana Haygert?

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

To learn more about Juliana Haygert and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.

Book Review! Perfectly Summer by Robin Daniels

Perfectly Summer (Perfect #3) by Robin Daniels
Genre: Young Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: November 28, 2017
Publisher: Bluefields Publishing

Summer vacation is Levi London’s favorite time of the year. Each summer, he and his brothers are shipped off to Florida to stay with their grandparents. For ten weeks everything is perfect. He has freedom, fun, and Summer West—the cute and spunky girl across the street—for whom he’s planned to confess his giant crush. Right before the London boys are scheduled to leave, a scandalous family situation causes their mom to accompany them on vacation. Not only does Levi’s fun quotient promise to take a nose dive, but all the drama has him feeling less than his normal happy self. Summer decides that Levi needs a distraction, in the form of a prank war. But he gets more than he bargains for when his older brother Lucas is both better at pranking and determined to date Summer too. Levi is a peacekeeper, but he isn’t sure he can mediate his family’s struggles or strike the right balance between mischief and romance. Especially when Lucas keeps reminding him that all is fair in love and war.

Perfectly Summer is the third book in the Perfect series by Robin Daniels. This book was pretty fun to read, and a big part of why, has to do with the brothers. They were so much fun. It was easy to get frustrated at Summer sometimes. It felt like she was playing the brothers at times, but I think she was just that unsure of herself and them. This is new territory for her, and she's growing up, and doesn't know what the heck she wants. It's a very confusing time, let alone when your best friends with a guy you're attracted to, but have had a crush on his brother forever, and his other hot brother is right there in the mix too. It gives a girl a lot to think about and fret over. So, I tried to sympathize with the poor thing. Back to the brothers.. They had the whole competitive, sibling rivalry thing going pretty strong, and there was a time or two that I wanted to kick them in the shins, but they were just too much fun. They were guys! I loved their personalities, all the pranks, and just the random guy goofiness. They said some hilarious things to each other. I could easily picture them giving each other grief in and around the house. It was great, and made this a super fun book to read. Andy and Ivy, from Perfectly You, even make a couple appearances!

Perfectly Summer by Robin Daniels was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

“So, your birthday is coming up soon. The big 1-6. We need to do something epic. I’m thinking a huge party…” I trailed off, knowing she’d shoot me down. There’s only one thing she’s ever wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. That was to go on her first date.

Summer’s parents only had one formal rule—that I knew of, at least. No dating until you’re sixteen. I was surprised the first time I heard it, because her parents never seemed to care that I was always in her bedroom. I mean, we didn’t shut the door or do anything dodgy, but still. Hunter broke that rule all the time, but Summer had stayed obedient. She’d yet to go on an official date. I think the reason she didn’t push it the way Hunter did was because she was scared and a little naïve. But, regardless of the reason, the waiting had built up a lot of anticipation for her sixteenth birthday.

“You know me better than that by now.” Summer smiled. “I don’t want a party.”

I winked at her. “I know you don’t. The real question is, who do you want to take you on your very first date?” I tried to play it off like I didn’t care, but I already knew the answer. “Let me guess, you want me to pull some strings so my dopey older brother will ask you out?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, that’s never going to happen.” She waved me off, then got quiet, like she was nervous. Summer looked down at the stuffed animal she was holding. “Actually, I was hoping you’d take me on my first date.”

“Me?” I was beyond surprised.

Summer grinned and said, “Yes, you. Who else would I want to take me?”

Something exploded in my chest, and my body got warm and tingly. I’d been out on plenty of dates, kissed my share of girls, too. But the thought of doing either of those things with Summer made my emotions do a happy dance. She wanted me to take her on her first date. Maybe by default because she didn’t think Lucas was an option, but I’d take it. This would be the perfect opportunity to show her why Lucas sucked and I should be the man of her dreams.

 “I’d be honored,” I replied coolly, trying to hide how giddy I was. I didn’t want to look like a desperate chump. “Do you have anything specific that you want to do?”

“Nope. I trust you to make it amazing and unforgettable.”

“Geez, no pressure or anything.”

Summer laughed. “Of course not. No pressure at all. I’ve only got a full page reserved for the event in my scrapbook.”

“Do you really?”

“What do you think?” she countered, but I couldn’t tell if she was being serious or not. Forget one page. Honestly, I could see her making a whole “first date scrapbook”.

“I’m invoking my right to plead the Fifth Amendment on this matter.”

“I think you’re smarter than Lucas gives you credit for,” she replied.

Check out my review of other books in this series!

Robin Daniels is a wife, mother of five and avid consumer of books. She loves reading SO much that she was actually grounded from it as a twelve year old. No Joking! Her mom caught her reading when she was supposed to be cleaning, which was a common occurrence. At that point mom took the books and instructed her to go watch TV or play outside like a normal kid.

Robin is a sucker for home design shows and magazines, watches way too much Netflix and has a very codependent relationship with with a certain diet soda who’s brand shall not be named. (Though anyone with a similar problem could probably guess which one.)

To learn more about Robin Daniels and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Instagram, & Facebook.

Top 10 Week! Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2018

Legendary by Stephanie Garber 

Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy/Romance)
Date Published: May 29, 2018
Publisher: Flatiron Books

Pre-Order Here!

Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval, following Scarlett’s younger sister, Tella, on a journey to the empire’s capital to fulfill a mysterious bargain.
Check out my review of the previous book!

The Defiant by Lesley Livingston

Genre: Young Adult (Historical Fiction)
Date Published: January 23, 2018
Publisher: Razorbill

Pre-Order Here!

The darling of the Roman Empire is in for the fight of her life.

Be brave, gladiatrix… And be wary. Once you win Caesar’s love, you’ll earn his enemies’ hate.

Fallon was warned.

Now she is about to pay the price for winning the love of the Roman people as Caesar’s victorious gladiatrix.

In this highly anticipated sequel to THE VALIANT, Fallon and her warrior sisters find themselves thrust into a vicious conflict with a rival gladiator academy, one that will threaten not only Fallon’s heart – and her love for Roman soldier Cai – but the very heart of the ancient Roman Empire.

When dark treachery and vicious power struggles threaten her hard-won freedom, the only thing that might help the girl known as Victrix save herself and her sisters is a tribe of long-forgotten mythic Amazon warriors.

The only trouble is, they might just kill her themselves first.
Check out my review of the previous book!

Seized by Love at Seaside by Addison Cole

Genre: Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: February 7, 2018
Publisher: World Literary Press

Pre-Order Here!

Lizzie Barber runs a successful flower shop by day and secretly hosts the Naked Baker webcast at night to help pay for her younger sister’s education. To keep friends and family from finding out about her sexy secret, she’s put her social life on hold until her sister’s education is paid off and she can stop filming the webcast.

Blue Ryder fell hard for Lizzie when he met her a year ago, and he hasn’t been able to get her off his mind since. Everything about the feisty little brunette, cuts straight to his heart. Though Lizzie has turned down every invitation he’s extended—Blue is not about to give up trying.

Renovating Lizzie’s kitchen brings Blue further into Lizzie’s life, and the oven is not the only thing heating up. One night and one powerful kiss changes everything. But when Lizzie’s secret is revealed and the safe bubble she’s hidden in shatters, true love may not be enough to put the pieces back together. Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Breaking Down by Juliana Haygert

Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: TBA
Publisher: Self

Gabi was born to play polo, but her career opportunities are far from abundant. She’d have her best shot at her goal if she could move from Brazil to the U.S., where many of her family and friends already live. However, the U.S. government doesn’t exactly issue work visas without a sponsor. And there aren’t many women’s polo teams in the U.S. that are hiring.

Tyler already gave up his dreams. Because of an inherited debt, he’ll probably finish paying it off when he’s dead. Tyler had to drop out of vet school and work, work, work. He desperately needs money, but his options are limited.

Until Tyler meets Gabi, and she proposes a deal with the potential to change everything.

She will pay him to marry her. He’ll get the money to pay off his debts, and Gabi will get a green card and the freedom to follow her passion. A fake, temporary marriage to a beautiful, hot girl doesn’t sound like a bad deal.

As their fake marriage starts to turn into a real one, a twist of fate threatens to tear them apart, and a choice needs to be made.

Their dreams or themselves. Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance/Dystopian)
Date Published: March 6, 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins

Pre-Order Here!

Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?

Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Losing the Field by Abbi Glines

Genre: Young/New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: August 21, 2018
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pre-Order Here!

Losing his dream, his ultimate plan, and his future- Nash Lee never expected to be facing a life without football. One wrong move and it had all changed. Going back to school for his senior year no longer appealed to him. He’d rather not leave his house. Walking back into Lawton High School, seeing pity in everyone’s eyes was just another reality in his nightmare.

Revenge wasn’t a pretty thing. Tallulah Liddell had found it was rather controlling. The way you looked at life changed completely when you clung to the ugly notion. But she’d done it anyway. From the last day of her junior year when Ryker Lee had made a fat joke about her and Nash laughed with him, she’d been driven by pain. It wasn’t like no one had made fun of her weight before. She was used to that. What had hurt so deeply was Nash’s laughter. He’d always been the one person to notice her, include her, not treat her differently. But that one moment had changed it all. From the time she walked out of the school building to the moment she returned for her senior year Tallulah had been determined to lose weight and finally be the size her peers considered acceptable.

What she wasn’t expecting on her return was to find a broken Nash Lee who no longer smiled, rarely spoke, and didn’t care about anything or anyone around him. He was just existing. But the pain in his eyes she understood all too well. He was alone. He no longer fit into the perfect package.

Check out my review of the first book in this series!

My Sister's Intended by Rachael Anderson

Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical/Regency)
Date Published: March 2018
Publisher: HEA Publishing

For as long as Prudence can remember, it has been understood that her sister will one day wed the eldest son of their nearest neighbor. Such an alliance will benefit both families and bring a great deal of joy to all parents involved.

Unfortunately, Prudence has never been able to feel as joyful. She believes her sister is mad to consider marrying a man she hardly knows, even if he will one day make her a countess. Titles and wealth shouldn't factor into matters of the heart, and as an aspiring romance novelist, Prudence cannot fathom how anyone could even think of settling for less than love. She certainly wouldn’t, and she doesn't want her sister to either.

Unable to stand by and do nothing, Prudence sets out to help the awkward couple discover the best in each other with the hope that they will eventually find love. What she neglected to foresee, however, was the possibility that she might fall in love with Lord Knave herself.

Check out my review of another book by this author!

Like Never and Always by Ann Aguirre

Genre: Adult Fiction
Date Published: July 17, 2018
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pre-Order Here!

On a hot summer night, a screech of brakes and shattering glass changes two lives forever.

Liv wakes in the hospital, confused when they call her Morgan. She assumes it’s a case of mistaken identity, yet when the bandages come off, it’s not her face in the mirror anymore. It’s her best friend Morgan’s.

Morgan always seemed to have the perfect life, yet Liv must navigate endlessly disturbing secrets of the criminal and murderous variety—and a romance that feels like a betrayal. Torn between the boy she loved as Liv and the boy she’s grown to love as Morgan, Liv still has to survive Morgan’s last request.
Check out my review of another book by this author!

Tempt by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: TBA
Publisher: Self

TBA

Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Missed Connections #4 by Jeffe Kennedy

Genre: Adult Fiction (Contemporary Romance)
Date Published: May 2018
Publisher: TBA

TBA

Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Getting Burned by Chris Cannon

Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: TBA
Publisher: TBA

TBA

Check out my review of the first book in this series!

Top Ten Week!!!

My Favorite Books of 2017

My Favorite Quotes of 2017

My Favorite Book Covers of 2017

My Favorite Book Boyfriends of 2017

Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2018