by Jasmyn | Nov 12, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
I really enjoyed the concept behind Seductive Secrets and I wanted to fall in love with it so much, but there was just too much I couldn’t connect with. From the characters themselves, to them falling in love, to the grand solving of the mystery – it was never quite right.
To start with, Lady Willow came off as a brat. She couldn’t keep herself away from the men long enough to have a conversation with her family – and she was totally surprised when she found out people thought she was a loose woman. Her attitude towards Sir Conrad tipped her into the “she doesn’t deserve him” category as she degraded and talked down to him every chance she got until *poof* she was suddenly in love.
Sir Conrad started off really well, but after the incident in the cabin – well – he found himself in “he doesn’t deserve her” territory. So now I have heroes who don’t deserve each other and are at the same time undeserving of each other. They both really needed to grow up – which they just started to do by the end of the story.
The missing ruby was a great twist to the story. I had no idea who took it until Willow and Conrad had their own ah-ha! moment. That was an amazing part of the story (but Willow’s prior sleuthing only made her seem more like a spoiled child). However, this wonderful moment was ruined by their plan to return the stone and make everything right again. No one in their right mind would have believed what they presented as the truth – let alone a castle full of knights and nobility.
Not the book for me, unfortunately.
|
Title: Seductive Secrets (Secrets of the Heart #2)
Author: Elizabeth Rose
Genre: Historical Romance, Medieval Romance
|
The Lady:
Lady Willow Douglas holds the power of persuasion and can charm men with her appearance as well as her words. But when her skill doesn’t work on Sir Conrad Lochwood, he becomes a thorn in her side. The autumn festival is about to start, and all the eligible, rich, single noblemen are arriving. She has decided to find a husband, but unfortunately her father has other plans. He’s hired Sir Conrad to keep her away from all the men until his return.
The Guardian:
When a visiting earl’s prize ruby is stolen, Willow steps in without hesitation to use her skills to figure out which of the guests is the thief. But with Sir Conrad constantly looking over her shoulder and dragging her away from everyone, she finds it difficult to accomplish anything. She is a member of the queen’s secret group of strong women and feels the need to find and return the ruby to help the earl out of a terrible predicament that involves the king.
Can a strong woman who is determined to catch a thief accomplish her task before a dashing knight steals her heart away?
|
by Jasmyn | Nov 12, 2019 | Readers, Romance
Guest Post
©2019 Alana Delacroix
Who designed your book covers?
Natasha Snow at
http://natashasnow.com/. It was as if she read my mind because that was almost exactly as I pictured Iliana. I like having covers that feature my female characters.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Cal Olin is an older Gavin Leatherwood, who played Nicholas Scratch in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. And Iliana is Constance Wu, who is an incredible actor.
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
I love hearing what you think! Like it, love it, have questions? I want to know so email me at alana@alanadelacroix.com.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Imagination for Cal. I don’t know any resurrected Eagle Knights. Iliana is mostly imagination but her job as a forensic anthropologist was inspired by a woman I worked with about 20 years ago. She was the coolest, so smart and competent.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I’m a pantser, which means I go in with minimal plotting, so sometimes it seems as if everything hijacks the story. Although I know the ending (it’s romance, so they always get together!), I only know a few stops on the way. If I plot too much I get bored writing. I wear a bracelet that’s a quote from JRR Tolkein: Not all who wander are lost. Although the line refers to Aragorn’s time in the Wild, I like to use it as a reminder to let the story unravel itself.
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Smoky rose.
What did you edit out of this book?
Oh gosh. So much. I have a document called “bits” that contains lines and sections I deleted. It’s 5,000 words. Some of those sections are the journal entries from Iliana’s mother, describing her side of the story. I liked them but took it out because it pulled attention from Cal and Iliana.
|
Title: Immortal Redemption (Immportal Protectors #1)
Author: Alana Delacroix
Genre: Paranormal Romance
|
Cal Olin is a grudging member of the Immorti. A resurrected Aztec warrior, he knows he has much to atone for but doesn’t believe waiting for an enemy who hasn’t appeared in hundreds of years is the best way to do it. He’d prefer to spend his time in his CEO role with Civica, an organization dedicated to righting wrongs.
However, when Cal sees the unconscious body of a woman near a magical portal, he knows the long period of peace has come to an end. He’s shocked to discover the woman is Dr. Iliana Rogers, Civica’s second-in-command. The beautiful, argumentative thorn in his side has managed to open the gate and set off a chain reaction that could end the world. Is she an agent of evil or an unknowing pawn? He has to find out.
Nightmares have taken over Iliana’s dreams and with Cal, she no longer feels alone. But when he breaks into her house and tells her, incredibly, that he’s immortal, she knows she’s been living an illusion. It’s a shock to find out he was telling the truth and that her own mother was an agent of the malevolent Nilohum—and that she herself is fated to end the world.
As Iliana searches for the truth, Cal struggles with a terrible choice: does he help the woman he loves, or does he stop the end of the world and risk Iliana’s love…and life?
|
About Alana Delacroix
Alana Delacroix is a paranormal romance writer based in Toronto, Canada. Her Masked Arcana trilogy is available through Kensington’s Lyrical Press, and her Immortal Protector series launches Fall 2019. She is an introvert’s introvert who loves true crime, war, and horror podcasts and is very paranoid. Alana is also addicted to advice columns.
Connect with Alana Delacroix online:
Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card!
by Jasmyn | Nov 11, 2019 | Readers, Romance
Title: A Whole New Duke
Author: Samantha Holt
Genre: Historical Romance
The Dark Duke they call him.
And he certainly matches up to his name. From his looks to his constantly furrowed brow, Miss Beatrice Edgerton is under no illusions as to the status of their arranged marriage.
It will be very much one of convenience. With him conveniently providing the title her family so desperately wants and her family bringing in plenty of money for his dilapidated home. She is simply grateful he is younger than her first husband.
Lord Morton, Duke of Hartwich, is only a little perturbed by the vibrant Beatrice. After all, he sets her straight from the very first day of their marriage—this is one of mutual benefit. In one way only. She can expect no affection or romance from him.
Because, frankly, he is incapable of such things. Being a one-legged duke with a slightly dark past brings enough challenges without him having to worry about a wife too. His days of concern for anyone are long gone.
Unfortunately, It is not only the duke’s dark demeanor she has to deal with. Someone is trying to cause trouble for them but they cannot fathom who or why.
Grace is determined to make the best of the situation, even whilst spending Christmas with the duke alone in the eerie Hartwich Hall. Why, perhaps she might even be able to change the duke’s mind about their relationship.
Especially after they share a fiery kiss…or three…
Excerpt from A Whole New Duke
© 2019 Samantha Holt
“I’m very tired,” she said through a yawn.
“You need to stay awake, Bea. You may have a concussion.”
“Concussion?” Her words sounded slurred to her but she was not certain they actually were.
“When one is struck on the head, it can make one feel a little strange. I have suffered it myself falling from horses.”
“Oh.” She put an arm over her face to block out the unwelcome light but Adam pulled her arm away from her face and she scowled at him.
“You need to stay awake, Bea. Just until we can be certain you are feeling better.”
“I would rather sleep,” she muttered.
“Mrs. Howard, will you get some ice and tea, please?”
Bea didn’t see the housekeeper leave but she heard her footsteps scurrying off. Adam cupped her cheek and she sank gratefully into the comforting warmth of his touch. “You are quite handsome,” she said softly.
“And you are still charming somehow.”
“I like it when you touch me.”
A smile grazed his lips. “I like touching you.”
“See? That was not so hard to admit was it?”
“Especially because you will likely not remember a thing of what you said tonight.”
“I know exactly what I am saying,” she declared, although the words did seem strange and still incoherent. She yawned and closed her eyes.
“Tell me of this intruder.”
Opening her eyes, she frowned. “It was dark but he was tall.”
“Taller than me.”
“Yes. No…Perhaps.” She let her eyelids flutter shut and found the darkness behind them quite pleasant.
“Anything else you can recall?” she heard him say but it was too hard to respond. Her jaw felt heavy and her tongue thick. “Bea?” A hand tapped her cheek and she ripped her eyes open.
“Stop,” she protested.
“You need to tell me all, Bea.”
“He seemed skinny but strong. He pushed me hard.” She forced her attention to his concerned features. “Adam, will you let me sleep with you tonight? I do not want to be alone.”
His lips tilted. “You will not be alone. I promise.”
“Good.”
About Samantha Holt
SA Today Bestselling author Samantha Holt lives in a small village in England with her twin girls and a dachshund called Duke. If you’re not sure where to start why not try…
▶ Amelia and the Viscount (Bluestocking Brides #1) for a fun, slightly hot shorter length read. Meet the Chadwick sisters and follow their adventures in each of their standalone stories.
▶ You’re the Rogue That I Want (Rogues of Redmere #1) is a longer read with heat, witty dialogue, a feisty heroine and adventure. All books in the series are standalone.
▶ Sinful Confessions is the first in the Cynfell Brothers Series. These are all novella length and standalone–ideal for a quick dip into the world of the sexy Cynfell brothers.
▶ Wake Me With a Kiss is a sweet, fairytale romance. Twists on Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella are also available if you love a clean, fun read.
▶ To Steal a Highlander’s Heart is a full length dive into the world of sexy highlanders. For those who love braw Scots, some steamy scenes, and medieval romance, this series is a perfect escape.
Enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card
