What's better than ONE post featuring new releases coming soon to a bookstore shelf near you? Why, TWO of course! WHAT'S THE BUZZ is back for round two today with a special HISTORICAL ROMANCE EDITION. That's right! Where are my HR fans at? Let's see those hands in the air...or you may raise your hand all dainty like, though the female leads in today's featured titles would DEFINITELY choose the former! Speaking of those titles...both release TOMORROW, both are the third book in a series (with yellow covers!) though reading them standalone would work as well (but really, WHY! Read them all!), both are by author's that write feisty, strong willed, independent female leads that still desire love despite all protests to the contrary...and I was honored to be a part of the advanced reading team for each author. (THANK YOU!) So, let's get between the epages, shall we?
The Merriwell Sisters, Book 3
by
Virginia Heath
9781250787804
St. Martin's Press
About the book...
Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.
For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…
While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?
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If you ask me to name one of my go to authors, one of my auto buy picks, Virginia Heath is right there at the top of my list. There's not a work she's written that I've read thus far which I haven't fallen completely in love with it! My first exposure to her work was her Warriner's series and while we've come a long way from a flash of an ankle being a scandalous moment, the stories never fail to enchant, the characters never miss leaving an impression, and I've never turned the final page without a smile on my face.
Venus and Galahad were a story waiting to happen...or a volcanic eruption of passion waiting to come forth, but, in any case, it was a welcome event! We followed the paths to love for her sisters, and now it was the youngest's turn. Though saddled with a beautiful name that caused her nothing but torment from the male species, she was a lady not to be toyed with. She learned from her mistakes, and chose to take her love life by the reigns to guide it where she wanted it to be. Ah, if only matters of the heart were that simple...but then the story wouldn't be as delicious, the banter so hard hitting, the distractions so tantalizing, and the build up so filled with anticipation!
I loved how much Venus was truly herself. She knew who she was, what she wanted, what she hadn't gotten in the past, and the way to procure it in the future (well, sort of). When Galahad stepped in as an obstacle not to be simply gotten around, her heart took a misstep, but she wouldn't let it sway her mission. It wasn't selfish, in fact she was fighting for those less fortunate in need of education, a roof over their heads, and a chance at a successful future, but it was narrow sighted, and though stubborn, even she couldn't deny the truth once all the masks of the "gallant knight" were seen through. I adored Galahad for everything he was, everything he made it through, and the golden heart that shined in every dark moment despite his best efforts to hide it from the world. It wasn't selfish either, he'd been hurt BIG TIME by those that should have been his protectors, but he found his way, and eventually his heart had its say.
A FABULOUS READ once again from an author who knows her craft, and shares it with the world! I can't say enough about this release, or those prior, except that if you've yet to read her work, and are a fan of Historical Romance, you don't know what you're missing!
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Dukes and Secrets, Book 3
by
About the book...
Overprotective rake. Daring bluestocking. A marriage of convenience between opposites…who fall head over heels.
Marriage? “No thank you, sir!” has always been Lady Calliope Seaton’s answer. But she needs access to naval documents to rescue her brother Spencer. And she’ll do anything to get them—even wed disreputable navy officer Nathaniel Fitzgerald, the Duke of Kelford.
Nathaniel has been obsessed with the daring bluestocking since she broke into his office. And to claim his inheritance, he needs a wife and an heir. So he proposes a marriage of convenience.
Moving into Nathaniel’s decaying Mayfair mansion and taking on his three untutored sisters would challenge even the bravest new bride. But it’s not long before Calliope is fixing up his home, winning over his sisters and claiming his heart.
Falling hard for his adventurous wife ignites Nathaniel’s fierce protective instincts. Especially when he learns there may be a baby on the way—and a threatening stranger sends knife-wielding attackers.
Calliope will never allow herself to be caged, and trying to keep her safe is turning Nathaniel into a tyrant he loathes. Will their differences destroy them, or can love win over fear?
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My love for this series has grown with each installment, and this one continued the trend! We're still on the hunt to discover what happened to the missing member of the Seaton house, Spencer, but they are getting closer and closer to the truth...some might say DANGEROUSLY close...and the dogged tracking of the events that transpired are putting our new leads in the cross hairs of some dangerous foes. Grant it, this is definitely a story line that pulls us forward, it's not the only one. There are matters of the heart to contend with too!
Calliope was a force to be reckoned with; no apologies or excuses. It mattered not to her the danger she might be in. It mattered not that the things she did were not the things done by ladies of her status, or women in her time at all. It mattered not if a man found her becoming or likable otherwise because she was fine being a bluestocking that followed her own mind, morals, and heart. Would she have liked a companion to walk with in life? Sure...but she wasn't willing to squeeze herself into the ton's box to make it fit. SO MUCH RESPECT FOR HER...and the love she eventually finds is just as dazzling as the woman deserving of it. OH, and the whole showdown with a shadow of her past was SO worth it! (He really deserved far, far worse...)
Nathaniel was the man for her, whether either knew it from the start! He carried a title, but no fortune, as it was locked up tight thanks to his deceased father...however, what first looks like a strike of vengeance from beyond the grave might actually turn out to be a stroke of genius to uncover a heart hurting for so long, and expose it to the love it truly deserves. Anywho, let we wax less sentimental because Nathaniel is definitely ALL man, doing manly things, and making sure his sisters and limited staff are taken care of until the will and pending fortune can be sorted. He's rather remarkable, if I do say so myself, and while I can't say I didn't want to box him about the ears a time or two with his stubborn ways, and flare ups of small mindedness, it all stemmed from experience without guidance, so it was understandable, and he eventually comes round.
All in all, so many reasons to celebrate this release and the characters within, if I keep listing them, we'll be here all day! Do yourself the favor and catch this release as well as the previous two! Recommended for adult readers as there are a few scenes not intended for younger eyes, but a definite MUST for fans of the genre!
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Special thanks to the authors (and their publicists!) listed above for the chance to read and share these amazing works (as well as the copies for review!). (THANK YOU!) For more information on any of the books featured, feel free to click through the links provided. Both are set to celebrate their book birthdays TOMORROW (November 7th, 2023), so be sure you don't miss out on all the bookish love!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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