Jane Parker-Roth is sure she will never find herself a husband and feels free to find something more exciting to do. When she finds an intruder in host’s home, she can’t help but try and detain him. He turns out to be none other than Edward Smythe, Lord Motton, the one man she has found intriguing. When their argument results in damage to a statue of Pan, they find hidden in his randiness a rather shocking clue. Now Motton is off to try and piece together the rest of the pieces to the interesting puzzle. Jane is not willing to let him explore what the randy statue has to offer alone, and insists on helping. To Motton’s dismay, this determined young lady will not take no for an answer.
The Naked Viscount was such a fun book to read. Thinking back on this memorable story will always bring a smile to your face. The search for clues lead Jane and Motton into some intriguing places which Motton was sure Jane should not be but Jane refused to be excluded. Strange situations lead to strange relationships that develop into so much more. A fun romp, be sure and pick up The Naked Viscount by Sally MacKenzie. Your reading pleasure will increase exponentially.

In her second novel, The Phoenix Charm, Helen Scott Taylor returns to the magical world she created in her debut novel, The Magic Knot, and introduces us to Cordelia. Cordelia is the Pisky wise woman who has been left in charge of the pisky universe by the King and Queen, who had gone on a brief sojourn to the United States. Sensible, practical and down to earth, Cordelia is determined to ensure that nothing goes wrong in the absence of King Niall and Queen Rose.

With a whole kingdom to look after, Cordelia has her hands full with keeping her people safe and free of harm. Yet, Cordelia has got something else on her mind which is keeping her awake at night…

For as far back as she can remember, Cordelia has been drawn and attracted to Michael, the King’s brother. Sexy, charismatic, gorgeous and charming, Michael’s silver tongue, muscular physique and masculinity have seduced and enthralled many, but Cordelia is determined that she will not succumb to his seduction – even though every single fiber in her being is crying out for him! Cordelia is determined to stay as far away from Michael as possible and tries her best to give him a wide berth, but when wicked forces conspire to threaten her universe – and more importantly – the life of one of the King’s sons, Cordelia knows that the only man who can help her out of this quandary is Michael!

Carefree, laidback and irresistible to women everywhere, Michael has spent most of his life enjoying life, but when his brother leaves him in charge of his twin sons, Michael realizes that the time has come for him to be step up to the plate and to start being responsible. Michael is determined that his twin nephews will not come to any harm, but when baby Finian is kidnapped by the King of the underworld, Michael is ready to fight and defeat the evil which is causing such distress to his family.

With Cordelia by his side, Michael sets out to reclaim his nephew. But he soon realizes that even more dangerous than the malevolent forces lurking in the underworld is the love which he feels for Cordelia. But little does Michael realizes that Cordelia has a secret. A secret so dangerous that could threaten everything which Michael holds dear…

It’s impossible to resist the spell which Helen Scott Taylor casts over her readers. No sooner had I read the first page of The Phoenix Charm, that I was utterly seduced by this fast-paced, riveting and enthralling paranormal romance and I found myself turning the pages late into the night just dying to know what happens next.

A wonderfully written tale that will make you laugh and cry and which will keep you on the edge of your seats, The Phoenix Charm is another winner from a writer who is well on her way to superstardom: Helen Scott Taylor!

Miss Ella Finch has not exactly had the easiest of lives. Her parents had died when she was young, leaving her to be raised in an orphanage before she had worked as a governess and companion to the merciless Lady Buckley and her daughters. Lady Buckley had treated Ella no better than a slave, taking particular delight in bullying her and exploiting her, whilst reminding her of her lowly status.

Living in an age where women had few choices and even fewer opportunities for financial independence, Ella knows that she must endure or else risk ending up poor, destitute and alone. Her dream of opening a milliner’s shop with her friend Francine keeps her alive and going amidst all the misery which she has to go through.

Now that her daughters have grown, Lady Buckley has no more use for Ella. But rather than dismissing her, Lady Buckley arranges for her employee to go and work for her friend, Lord Roberts, who desperately needs a governess to tutor his nephew. Ella is worried about her new job. Although, she’s worked for Lady Buckley for years, Ella has only taught girls and she doesn’t think she will be able to discipline and tutor a male charge. Yet, little does Ella realizes that her new job is going to seriously take her out of her comfort zone and into unchartered territory…

Lord Roberts’ nephew is not the child Ella was expecting, but a fully grown man! Leo Roberts has spent most of his life in the jungle, but as he’s next in line to an Earldom, his uncle is anxious for him to learn how to become a gentleman – and he is counting on Ella to turn his nephew from an uncultured and unrefined ruffian into a sophisticated and stylish aristocrat!

Ella’s first instinct is to run as fast as her feet can carry her away from the madness which she has found herself in. Yet, when she meets Leo something about him intrigues her…

Ella and Leo soon find themselves drawn to one another, but before they can look to the future they must first vanquish the demons from their past which are holding them captive…

I found Lori Brighton’s debut, Wild Heart, to be an intriguing and fascinating historical romance full of intrigue, passion and suspense. Wild Heart is a captivating historical romance with a slight paranormal undertone that will draw readers in and keep them engrossed until the very final pages as they get swept up by this mysterious, engaging and highly assured debut novel from a talented new writer.

Wild Heart is a promising debut that effortlessly blends passion, suspense and intrigue and I look forward to more enjoyable tales from the pen of this fabulous new voice in historical romance!

For her second Regency novel, Vanessa Kelly often delves into a world outside of ballrooms and daily visits with dramatic results. SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL gives a vivid look into different social classes, where realistic details bring this story to life in an entertaining way.

Although Simon St. James is the fifth Earl of Trask, he is also a shrewd businessman. His latest venture needs a steady supply of coal and the neighboring Stanton land could help further his undertaking in wool production. One way to have access to this natural resource is to marry Sophie Stanton, whom he watched over as a girl and now sees as a woman who continuously gets into mishaps which could turn scandalous. She on the other hand, has been attracted to Simon from the time he first rescued her from a dire situation, so he feels they could have a satisfactory marriage.

When Simon looks at Sophie, he sees a woman who can sometimes be exasperating as she is willful and occasionally acts without thinking how her actions could cause gossip. However, he is also beginning to become conscious of her in a sexual way, and he hopes she will agree to his upcoming proposal. As Simon becomes more attentive to Sophie and is not reprimanding her as much, she is delighted to be receiving his kisses but cannot help but remain suspicious of his sudden turnaround in attitude.

Vanessa Kelly writes original Regency stories brimming with distinctive dialogue. There are numerous exchanges between the appealing characters where words or phrases associated with this time period will make you smile when these unique expressions are used. Ms. Kelly knows exactly how to construct a scene which leaves the reader feeling as though they are part of the action, as both conversations and responses are convincingly thorough while colorful images let you see the surroundings. Whether the moment is conveying a light-hearted discussion or describing an incident where uncertainty ups the anticipation, each occurrence will draw you more into the lives to those concerned. From the instant Simon and Sophie are met and especially when their individual objectives are revealed, their diverse lives are clearly shown. These differences lead to quite a few verbal clashes, and they are backed by strongly held beliefs. Though Sophie sometimes seems a little too impulsive and Simon much too gruff, I had to remember she has led a rather sheltered life and he is used to dealing with others in a business-like manner. Also, helping someone else is more important to her than a spotless reputation, while he never speaks of his inner feelings. This does cause them to not trust the other sometimes, and these scenes are filled with earnestly disclosed emotions. As these two discover what is truly important in their lives, problems faced by other classes in their society are stirringly explained. There is just enough intrigue to keep you riveted as you want to see how an emotive scenario will play out. The passionate longing between Simon and Sophie starts out on different levels, as she has always worn her heart on her sleeve while he is totally surprised when he realizes she is a desirable woman and not just a good friend. When they are ready to act on their yearnings, the encounter is exceedingly fervent with steamy enthusiasm. I hope Vanessa Kelly has many more Regency stories to tell, as the creativity of this talented author is rewarding. SEX AND THE SINGLE EARL is as imaginative historical romance filled with a delightful cast of characters.

The cleverly original debut story by Debbie Mazzuca brings the late sixteenth century to life in this creative time-travel novel with a colorful Scottish locale. LORD OF THE ISLES is extraordinarily rewarding with the myriad of realistic characters and an imaginative plot.

When Dr. Ailenna “Ali” Graham goes to the wrong location for her photo shoot in Scotland, she hopes the rest of her time goes more smoothly. However, before she can travel to the appointed site, she awakens from a nap to find herself in bed with a most brawny man speaking with a fascinating Scottish burr. Totally confused, Ali’s frustration with the situation quickly changes to determination when she realizes the man is seriously injured. By using her present-day knowledge, she saves the intriguing man from what would have surely been a fatal wound.

After the death of his wife, Laird Rory MacLeod sacrifices his own happiness by devoting his life to keeping his clan safe. When a woman with perplexing ways helps him pull through after being hurt in a battle, she grabs his attention but knows he will never fall in love again. As the two get to know each other better, convictions may be admired yet they do not always agree on how to carry out these beliefs. It may have been the magic of fairies which transported Ali to Scotland in the sixteenth century, but it will take Rory’s love to keep her safe from the harsh realities of this fascinating time period.

Debbie Mazzuca masterfully constructs a credible setting where every compelling scenario holds the reader spellbound. This book has everything you could want in a time-travel love story, as the romance is delightful and the premise is extremely creative. From the very first moment the heroine arrives in the past and meets the hero, you will become emotionally involved in the lives of these two likable individuals and come to deeply care about their welfare. Rory and Ali are an exceptional couple where conflicting concerns are frequently amusing yet also palpably heart wrenching at times. Their conversations are particularly convincing, whether they are bantering in a teasing manner or verbally depicting inner anguish. Debbie Mazzuca has created a hero and heroine I will long remember, as I felt their every emotion with much depth and was repeatedly affected on some level. When it comes to expressing their genuine feelings for each other, these two heat up the scene with fiery passions overflowing with so much sincerity. There are a many appealing secondary characters plus several who are detestable, and each one plays their role with believability and distinction as their personalities always remain consistent, thus making the whole story even more enjoyable. Life in Scotland during the late 1500’s is portrayed with much realism, as surroundings are detailed and what might have to be endured is imaginably shown. The dialogue is totally engrossing, as I could just hear the Scottish brogue when various characters spoke and their comments often made me smile. There are several upcoming books from Ms. Mazzuca, and I am very eager to see what happens next. LORD OF THE ISLES is an enchanting combination of magic, passion and destiny.