Special Feature and Excerpt: The Rakehell of Roth (Everleigh Sisters #2) by Amalie Howard

I have been all about the historical romances lately. Bridgerton inspired me to read more of the historical romance genre. I know that a lot of historical fiction novels have a romantic element, which I how I normally get my romance fix, but there is something unique about actual historical romances.

Typically the historical fiction novels have other plots to focus on and if romance factors in, then so much the better. But the historical romance genre focuses exclusively on the romance and HEA. That’s what I am loving lately about the historical romance genre. We all need a little HEA right now and I have been devouring all the HEA that I can find!

Today I have an excerpt for Amalie Howard’s new historical romance, The Rakehell of Roth. This one is the second installment to her Everleigh Sisters series and it promises to be breathtaking! I can’t wait to read this one in its entirety! Get all the details below and check out this little sneak peak also!

Continue reading “Special Feature and Excerpt: The Rakehell of Roth (Everleigh Sisters #2) by Amalie Howard”

Reading and Ranking the Bridgerton Novels

Like most of the world, the Netflix series Bridgerton, dominated my TV during Christmas Day. I desperately wanted to watch it and asked if my husband wanted to watch with me. He wasn’t sure about it but I told him that he only had to watch one episode and if he didn’t like it then I would just watch it alone on another day. The next thing I know, it was 3 am and we had binged the entire series in one sitting!

My husband loved it as much as I did and truly, it is a remarkable show so if you haven’t watched it yet please do so! That said, when I heard the show was coming out in the spring, I knew that I wanted to try and read the books. I picked up The Duke and I and to be honest I just didn’t love it. It was good but after a while it got cumbersome and irritating, however after watching the show, I was inspired to pick up the books again!

What ensued was a full on book binge of the entire series! I have been documenting my reading of the series on my Instagram page and I had a number of people ask which was my favorite and why so I thought it would be fun to share my ranking of the series in a more comprehensive capacity here on my blog today! So let’s take a look at what I thought of the books from worst to best!

Continue reading “Reading and Ranking the Bridgerton Novels”

Review: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson

The very first novel that I remember loving was The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt. I was eleven or twelve and no doubt missed all the adult nuances of the story, but what I didn’t miss was the Gothic atmosphere of the novel. I went through a lengthy Victoria Holt period in my early teens and then again as an adult. I am always looking for books that capture what I loved about Victoria Holt…..creepy, atmospheric historical fiction with a romantic element.

This book sounded like exactly that—and it was! I have never grown out of my Gothic Lit phase and reading books like this, I am reminded just how much I love Gothic novels with romance. Many authors have tried to strike a similar balance like Victoria Holt, but not many authors have succeeded. I can think of only a few authors who I would consider similar to Victoria Holt but Abigail Wilson is now one such author!

I adored this book even if there were some things that I thought could have been more nuanced or flushed out, over all this novel had me transfixed and in suspense until the very end. I have been looking forward to this one for quite some time and was thrilled with all the atmosphere this one delivered!

Continue reading “Review: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson”

Review: On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn

Well folks here we have it—my final review of the last Bridgerton novel! I can’t believe I have finally reached the end of the series. I am so sad but yet at the same time so satisfied with how the series wrapped up. I was actually glad that we ended the series with Gregory’s story rather than Hyacinth’s, as I felt that Gregory’s story had a bit more action and romance to recommend itself.

Gregory always seemed far removed from the other Bridgerton siblings. Not in the same way that Francesca was but having so many years between him and his other brothers left him adrift in a sea of sisters. It made me wonder if he was going to be more romantic than the others and I was pleasantly surprised that he was.

I tried to savor this one a little more than the other books in the series so it took me a little longer to finish this one than I was expecting, but that was fine by me because I felt like I could slow down and appreciate the romance and the action more than I did in the former books. While this wasn’t my fav of the series, it was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed it!

Continue reading “Review: On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn”

Review: It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn

After coming off of When He Was Wicked, which was my favorite Bridgerton book so far by the way, I was worried that Hyacinth’s story would fall flat. Hyacinth was probably my least favorite sibling in the books as a fringe character. She always came across as young and silly but with a shrewd eye for details. I wouldn’t say that I didn’t like her going into this one, but rather I just didn’t feel like I knew her as well as the other Bridgerton siblings thus far.

However, it was clear from the beginning that Hyacinth’s story would most certainly contain much to love. It was at this book that I decided to buy more of Julia Quinn’s other books for future reading. I love a solid romance with witty dialogue and chemistry between characters that is sexy without being raunchy. A tall order for sure but Quinn consistently delivers charming romances. I describe it as Jane Austen with sex.

I cannot wait to read more of Quinn’s novels when I am done with the Bridgerton series. She has earned a place in my top favorite writers for her charm, wit, and consistent romances. It’s hard to write characters, troupes, heros and heroines that inspire believability and swooning all at the same time but Quinn does it consistently!

Continue reading “Review: It’s In His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn”