Of Daggers and Deception (Duchy of Athens #2) by A.L. Sowards + Win This Book!

 

After years as a soldier and mercenary, Rasheed has retired from battle to run the bathhouse in Thebes with his friends Gillen and Eudocia. The simple life suits them, so when Venetian strangers come to town looking to hire the renowned crew, their answer is no. But when one of his friends is abducted, Rasheed is left with no choice but to take up his weapons and join forces with the Venetians, including the beautiful and clever Cecilia, whose betrothed has also been seized by the unknown foe.

As the reluctant allies face ambushes and the looming threat of capture, Rasheed and Cecilia forge a surprising connection. But as the party races to rescue their friends, Rasheed discovers that nothing is as it seems. As his trust in Cecilia begins to waver, he realizes that in the end, they will both be forced to make a choice between love and duty.

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I just went on the best adventure!  I loved the pacing of this story, I loved the characters and I loved the storyline.  

We know Gil, Eudocia and Rasheed, as well as some secondary characters, from the first book in this series.  (which I also loved)  Rasheed is the star of this show but I love that the other characters don't go away.  They are very much a part of this whole story.  It creates a feeling of family and purpose.  The connections between these main characters are deep and unshakable.  It feels really good as a reader.

There is mystery and intrigue, deceit and danger.  I was fully invested in all ways the whole way through.  Ugh, so invested.  As the danger and intensity ramped up, so did my reading speed.  I had to purposely slow down my reading and my heart.  I love when that happens.

The author did some setting up at the end of her book for another, at least I hope she did!  It makes me VERY excited!!  This author is one of my favorites.  I love her writing and I especially love her writing in this genre and time period.  There aren't a lot of others doing it right now and it's filling a void for me.

Content:  violence, some described.  Peril.  Kissing.  

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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An Accidental Romance (The Jennings Family Series) by Karen Tuft + Enter To Win A Copy of This Book

 

Rebecca Jennings’s first London Season has been absolutely ruined, and one person alone is responsible: Mr. Ben Fortescue. If her new neighbor hadn’t startled her, she would never have broken her ankle, leaving her bored and frustrated at home in the country while her sister enjoys the London Season alone. Although, it was rather gallant of him to carry her home.

For his part, Ben feels terrible about the role he played in Miss Rebecca Jennings’s accident. In the days that follow their first disastrous meeting, he finds himself inexorably drawn to the surprising young woman—first out of guilt and then out of a stirring affection. But Ben hides a secret: he has not been completely forthright about his identity or about the dark secrets of his past that would make it impossible for romance to blossom with Miss Jennings. Despite his love for her, he knows he must let her go. With her ankle finally healed but her heart now broken, Rebecca is left with little choice but to throw herself into the Season. With eligible men circling this late addition to the Marriage Mart, it seems that Rebecca will have no shortage of suitors. If only her heart were free to give.

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Well, we're back with the Jennings family and this time Rebecca is in the spotlight.  She's the younger sister who has missed her London season for a few years now.  I love the play on the title here with a literal accident bringing about an unanticipated romance.

This story is slow and gentle.  There isn't anything here that will get your heart pounding in excitement but there are plenty of heartfelt moments as Rebecca and Ben develop a friendship and rapport.  I liked the layers to Ben and how he really wanted to do the right things.  He was easy to like and I was rooting for his healing and success all along.  Rebecca is a bit ornery and sometimes mean.  I didn't always like her attitude but as she got nicer, I enjoyed her more.  Disappointment and hurt have a way of making the best of us ornery, I guess.  All's well that ends well and this one definitely ended well.

It was good to see characters from previous books which added to the feeling of family and love.  The Jennings family is full of personality.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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Take My Heart by Kaylee Baldwin

 

I will NOT fall for my best friend this Christmas (no matter how good he looks in a tux).

Cardiologist Holly Whitacre wishes she could bypass the entire Christmas season and its painful memories. But when Holly learns that the free clinic has lost official funding, she's determined to think creatively, even if it means turning to the Scroogiest doctor on staff, Jack Shay.

The last thing Jack wants is to let Holly play online matchmaker for him as a fundraiser. Have the woman he's been in love with since medical school set him up with someone else? Hard pass.

Except, he never has been able to tell her no.

When Holly's fundraising and matchmaking plans go awry, she scrambles to fix it before she loses everything, but it seems her heart has plans of its own.

Take My Heart is a heartwarming, swoony, holiday romance.
**Previously titled One Great Christmas Love Story**

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This book isn't new, just for the record.  It's a re-release under a new title and cover but I hadn't read it before so it's new to me and I have to say, I loved it.

I loved the whole connection of Holly being a cardiologist, running a Vlog about great love stories and dealing with her own broken heart.  She believes there is only one great love for everyone and she already had hers.  Hard pill to swallow for Jack, who is her best friend but wants to be more.  It was fun to get Jack's perspective- his devotion, his frustration, his love and he patiently waits for Holly to get a clue.  It was a good set up and I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end.  It made MY heart happy.

This book is just $.99 right now, and is also on KU if you have that.  It's set around Christmas so perfect for this month!  Happy reading!

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.