Winter is here downunder, readers! My absolute favourite time of the year! Time to snuggle by the fire with a hot drink and read. (To our northern hemisphere friends, translate that to a cool drink by the pool...) Naturellement this leads to Our Absolute Winter/(Summer)Essentials: books! Last month I promised you some Historicals, so I am delivering.
What did I love to love this month?
Debut books! Lovely debuts! Two beautiful authors I simply adore. Besides being the nicest people ever, these lovely ladies are all talent, talent, talent.
First is the absolutely fabulous Cassandra Samuels, already known to you marvellous blog devotees. How inspirational are her posts here? Have you read her book A Scandalous Wager? Move over heroes, there's a new boy in town, Oliver - and oh my, just look at those dark eyes. He's returned from war to take up the impoverished earldom, and gains access to the widowed (possibly murderous) Black Raven's house on a wager. Their first meeting is surprisingly comic. Oliver's totally foxed, but conscious enough to be endearing and witty. And he continues so right through the book, while The Black Raven, Lisbeth, is very guarded. Every reader's heart will go out to her. I know mine did. Love, love, love this unexpected couple. And Oliver is... just... yes please thankyouverymuch...
The second debut is the delicious Elyse Huntington. Pssst! I can let the cat out of the bag and let you know Elyse will be doing a guest blog here later this year, so you've got plenty of time between now and then to read her lovely new sparkling My Dark Duke. I love a good duke story. James, said dark Duke, has been in retreat for years, ever since his first wife died in mysterious circumstances. (Another did-he-or-didn't-he? Delicious.) Then he meets Lady Alethea Sinclair, someone who's very determined not to marry, unless it's for love. Two strong but vulnerable people...it makes your romantic heart go ahhh. After you finish reading, pop over to the tender epilogue on Elyse's website - it brought tears to my eyes: More Good Bits.What did I love to laugh at this month?
My TBR, which could possibly reach the moon... Happy dilemma! Here's a brilliant book I plucked off the pile and fell in love with: The Game and the Governess by Kate Noble. Lord Edward Granville (another earl!), swaps places with his old military friend and secretary John Turner for a ridiculous wager (another wager!): that he can 'have' any woman he wants without using his title. Snort. We all know how that's going to turn out. His unlikely quarry is governess Phoebe Baker. Lots of catnip here for any romance reader, miaow. Historicals are simply So! Much! Fun! To! Read!
What did I love to learn this month?
That I adore - and will probably always adore - short category romances. Here's two I loved:
Lily Rose is an idealistic archaeologist in Playing by the Greek's Rules by Sarah Morgan. She's a Pollyanna, sunshine and kittens kind of gal. But definitely not saccharine or overdone, she's really one of the most endearing heroines I've ever read (perhaps alongside Molly, in Molly Cooper's Dream Date by Barbara Hannay). On the rebound, Lily decides to have a relationship with her playboy billionaire boss Nik Zervakis, while developing a 'Kevlar' non-caring shell so people can't hurt her anymore. Yes, well, the Kevlar approach doesn't work, and in the end we all care. Blissful.
Good morning Miranda and thanks to you it is a very good morning. Thank you so much for your lovely review of my debut book A Scandalous Wager. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI have Elyse Huntington's book on my TBR pile and by the sounds of it I should read it sooner rather than later.
I loved playing by the Greek's Rules by Sarah Morgan - it was a totally fun read.
Cassandra, I'm just a little bit sad it took me a few months to read your lovely book! Happily a situation now rectified. For all those who haven't, pop A Scandalous Wager onto your e-readers asap! Such fun! What's next from you Cassandra? Can we ask that?
DeleteI am nearly finished a Rake redeemed story that I hope will be out some time next year.
DeleteOoh. Fantastic! Watch this spot, readers!
DeleteI happen to know that Cassandra's new hero is just as delicious as Oliver.
DeleteOh, this is going to be an agonizing wait.... ! :)
DeleteHow lovely that you mentioned Molly Cooper, Miranda. Thank you!! I'll have to read The Greek's Rules now. I love Sarah Morgan
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thankyou for stopping by! Molly Cooper is one of my favourite heroines, and she lives on my Keeper Shelf. I love your longer books as well, and am really looking forward to your new release The Secret Years in August. You write such wonderful, blissful romance. And yes, I think we all love Sarah Morgan!
DeleteDiddo what she said!
DeleteHas anyone read any other terrific debuts like Cassandra Samuels or Elyse Huntington lately? Or any wonderful other Historicals, or series romances? Do keep us in the loop, I'm agog to hear!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a bit of a Philippa Gregory fest at the moment, Miranda. I've just finished The Other Queen and The White Queen. I'll be getting to Elyse's book after I finish Alli Sinclair's Luna Tango.
DeleteOoo, yes, Alli Sinclair's Luna Tango is to die for!!! Can't wait for the end of the year when she releases Famenco Fire, the next in her Dance Card series!
DeleteIf you love Aruthurian legends, you HAVE to check out Gwendolyn Beynon's Sacrifice. It's the Arthurian legend in Cai's (Arthur's brother) point of view with a dragon twist!
Don't these all sound absolutely *delish*! Alli Sinclair's Luna Tango is on my TBR, and I can't wait to read it. Philippa Gregory is always such a pleaser, Marilyn. Fans simply gobble her up and queue for her next book. And as for Arthurian legends, yes please. With dragons? Yes please. Fabulous recommendations, thanks girls.
DeleteI, too, immersed myself in Cassandra Samuel's 'A Scandalous Wager" and what a pleasurable read! I haven't read your other great-sounding selections, Miranda, but will seek them out. Don't know when I'll read them, though. My TBR pile is floundering from underuse!
ReplyDeleteAgree, agree, agree. And my dear Enisa, I think my TBR could possibly take on yours and win...?! Keep reading anyway, no matter how much 'underuse' it gets. That's exactly how I found Kate Noble's gem The Game and the Governess - from my TBR. Win, win. (Although, I confess, I had been callllllling to me somewhat....)
DeleteCassandra Samuel's A Scandalous Wager is on my keeper shelf! It's so brilliantly written! Who doesn't like a rake reformed story! And then the heroine, Lisbeth! So poignant!! What a truly tragic backstory--you just really want the best for her...and Oliver is it!!
DeleteOh, my! Soooo many good books to choose from...and to snuggle up with!! Thank you Miranda!!
ReplyDeleteMight I also suggest Cathryn Hein's The Falls. Talk about a hero to 'fall' for!
And Nicole Hurley-Moore's McKellan's Run. Such a sweet read!
And Gwendolyn Beynon's take on the Arthurian legend in Sacrifice!
Oh, fantastic. More recommendations. I might die of bliss. Thanks Dee.
DeleteI just bought Nicole Hurley Moore's McKellan's Run. Will rush it to 2nd on my reading list after Alli Sinclair's Luna Tango.
DeleteI'm so thrilled you enjoyed Playing by the Greek's Rules Miranda! Thank you so much. You've made my week.
ReplyDeleteLove Sarah
xx
Sarah, thanks so much for stopping by! I confess that when I read your book time just...vanished. I had to sit and finish it, and I couldn't get up until I read the lovely ending. I loved Lily, and Nik was such an unexpected delight. The scene in the shower when they meet... oh my! I was so excited by the book that I instantly downloaded First Time In Forever, your latest, and can't wait to begin. I really like the idea that it's set on the fabulous sounding Puffin Island. Such fun.
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