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THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION An American Tempts a Highlander Spy! Johanna Templeton is an American author of Gothic Romance. She's traveled to London to care for her dying sister and her young daughter, Laurel. After her sisters death, her brother-in-law takes her niece to Scotland so they can spend time together. She doesn't believe there's any harm in the trip until she receives a letter of ransom, and her life suddenly becomes one of the perilous adventures from the pages of one of her books. Connor MacMasters is a force to be reckoned; a rough-around-the-edges drool-worthy Highlander and part of a family business—for Queen Victoria. He is on a mission to find and keep the Demon's Heart Ruby away from the clutches of a very evil man and his cohorts. But his mission is made so much more difficult with one very delectable American beauty. She just can't seem to keep away from danger and he can't keep away from her! What's a man to do to save a damsel in distress? Be the hero, of course! The last thing Johanna needs is another man in her life, or does she? Can Connor and Johanna trust each other to save a little girl and a legendary stone? Will they finally admit that they're meant for each other? What a phenomenal and exhilarating story! Connor is everything a hot sexy Highlander spy should be—good looking with raw animal magnetism. Johanna is a strong-willed, sassy heroine who doesn't back down from danger. Lots of heart-stopping action will surely keep you turning the pages. The love story between the hero and heroine is steamy hot, and I loved the witty dialogue between Connor and Johanna, which were definitely a prelude to their sexy love scenes! This story has everything in one awesome package: spies, intrigue, romance, and a hero and heroine who will steal your heart! Tara Kingston is a very talented writer who blends romance with just the right amount of intrigue! Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 4 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Maria Rose Dariotis VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Google Play | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Johanna Templeton is on a life-and-death quest. Swept into an intrigue that rivals the tales she pens, she joins forces with a Highland rogue to find the treasure that will save her kidnapped niece—a prize the Scot seeks for reasons that have nothing to do with ransom. Engaging the Highlander in a sizzling battle of the sexes, Johanna shields her heart. Connor MacMasters, spy for Queen Victoria, is a man on a mission—keep a legendary gemstone from an evil man. Trailing an American novelist who holds the key to the treasure should’ve been simple, but Johanna awakens feelings he’d long thought dead. Torn between duty and desire, he wants her in his bed, but loving her would be a fool’s game. Blasted shame his heart doesn’t agree. Print Length: 358 pages Publisher: Entangled: Select Historical Publication Date: December 12, 2016 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HighlandRomance

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Jo Goodman delivers a dazzling read with IN WANT OF A WIFE, her third Bitter Springs novel. I read this one months ago, but wanted to share my thoughts. Goodman brings her characteristic wit and in-depth research to the story of Jane Middlebourne and Morgan Longstreet. Every book I've read so far by this author has brought to life both a strong hero and heroine. Although Jane's actions that took her to Wyoming weren't those of a smart woman, she's strong, likeable, and has enough grit to help her survive in an unfamiliar place. Morgan is a sweetheart beneath his initial standoffish personality, and it was so easy to fall for him as much as Jane did. The story is filled with secrets that add more depth to an already interesting plot. Personally, I can always do without all the sex scenes in romance books, but boy does the author know how to create a sizzling build-up. I skip the more graphic scenes and still feel the incredibly strong connection between the characters. There's plenty of humor, sarcasm, and snappy dialogue to keep the story moving along. Anyone who loves historical romantic westerns with fascinating characters, strong plots, and wonderful narrative, should give the Bitter Springs series a try. Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : MK VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS SHE HAS NOWHERE LEFT TO TURN Jane Middlebourne needs a way out. In 1891, life in New York is unforgiving for a young woman with no prospects, especially when her family wants nothing to do with her. So when Jane discovers an ad for a mail-order bride needed in Bitter Springs, Wyoming, she responds with a hopeful heart. HE HAS EVERYTHING TO LOSE Rancher Morgan Longstreet is in want of a wife who will be his partner at Morning Star, someone who will work beside him and stand by him. His first impression of the fair and fragile Jane is that she is not that woman. But when she sets out to prove him wrong, the secrets he cannot share put into jeopardy every happiness they hope to find…. Series: Bitter Springs (Book 3) Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Berkley (May 6, 2014) Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalWesternRomance #5Stars #ReviewersTopPick #EditorRecommended

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION WILD WICKED SCOT is an engaging story for lovers of historical romance. I really enjoy a good Highland-style romance, so I was excited to try out a new one by an author I hadn't read before. Margot Armstrong is young and inexperienced. She has a lot of growing up to do in this story and it's not always easy to like or understand her. But it is easy to sympathize with her considering she was pushed into marriage with a stranger. Arran McKenzie was the more likeable of the two. He is strong and has such a wonderful love and tenderness for her and for his people. The author gave us a wonderful hero but I couldn't get myself to like the heroine until the end of the book. After a rocky first few chapters, the story is well written and driven by a cast of great characters. The political story line added an extra interesting layer of intrigue to the plot. The setting is described in rich detail and many of the experiences felt honest and real. Had Margot been likeable, this could have easily been one of my favorite Highland romances of the year. Star Rating : 3 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Wicked intrigue unfolds as an unlikely marriage leads to a path of risky desire in the lush, green Scottish Highlands. Born into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Three years ago she fled their marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back—except to relive the moments spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's passionate embrace. But as their respective countries' fragile unity threatens to unravel, Margot must return to her husband to uncover his role in the treachery before her family can be accused of it. Red-haired, green-eyed Margot was Arran's beautiful bride. Her loss has haunted him, but her return threatens everything he has gained. As the Highland mists carry whispers of an English plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver her in games of espionage…and seduction. But even as their secrets tangle together, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading them straight into danger. Series: The Highland Grooms (Book 1) Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: HQN Books (December 27, 2016) Setting: 18th Century Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance #HighlandRomance

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION It is the most touching story I have ever read! A Splendid Boy, written by talented storyteller, Melanie Martin, is a captivating and very touching story of two beautiful souls who became heroes at the Battle of the Somme during the First World War. Their love for each other was so powerful that it survived the horrors and atrocities of the war. I'm overwhelmed with emotions, and I even cried during certain passages. A Splendid Boy is a little gem to discover! In the summer of 1914, two young people—Daniel and Emma—fell in love. To save his family from financial problems, Daniel leaves Emma and enlists in the Newfoundland Regiment to be sent to England to battle in war. Discovering he is gone, she enlists in the Voluntary Aid Detachment in hope of finding him alive among the chaos of wartime. In 1916, they meet for a brief moment, never to see each other again! Can their love to be strong enough to give them a second chance, against all odds? As soon as I started to read this touching story, I immediately got pulled into Daniel and Emma's beautiful journey of hope! Ms. Martin's research is well detailed and well written. This author is a very descriptive writer. I really enjoyed this dramatic story! Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 3 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Indigo | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A Royal Newfoundland Regiment Love Story In the summer of 1914, Daniel Beresford’s innocent love affair with the merchant’s daughter is discovered, forcing him to make an impossible decision to save his family from financial ruin. When news of the First World War reaches Middle Tickle, Daniel, who is torn between his love for Emma Tavenor and his responsibility to his family, enlists in the Newfoundland Regiment and departs for training. When Emma learns her father is to blame for Daniel’s unexplained departure, she follows him to England, hoping they’ll be reunited. Yet on the voyage, she discovers the regiment has been called up and is already engaged in battle. She realizes her only hope of finding Daniel is to join the Voluntary Aid Detachment and make her way to the Western Front. In 1916, on the eve of the Battle of the Somme, Emma and Daniel are reunited for a single, impassioned night near Beaumont-Hamel. Can the love they share survive the barriers of class and the horrors of battle? Or are their lives fated to join what would later be called a lost generation? Print Length: 280 pages Publisher: Flanker Press Publication Date: May 27, 2016 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: Paperback | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS NOTE : This review was previously published elsewhere on this site and has been republished for organizational purposes. #AReadersOpinion #5Stars #HistoricalFiction #ReviewersTopPick

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Absolutely spellbinding! Anna Markland did an amazing job with The Taking of Ireland . Written with words that flew off the pages, this fantastic Irish tale really pleased me! It grabbed my attention from the first page until the very end. It felt like a new breath of fresh air . . . This author never disappoints me! If you love a story filled with myths, Irish history, facts and legends, magic and sorcery, this novella will please you. A fascinating Irish tale that will surely captivate your heart! The Taking of Ireland tells the story of Aislinn, a beautiful woman, a prophetess, and a sorceress with special abilities, and Sibràn, a prince from Galicia. Both their worlds will collide with force! Sibràn is on a journey of revenge when he encounters Aislinn. However, when he meets her she is still a slave under the magic and influence of the tyrant king, Moqorr. Aislinn was thought to obey her king, but another man has invaded her life and fascinates her. During their perilous journey of twists and turns, strange and unexpected events occurs around Aislinn and Sibràn. Will the prince discover her secrets? While spending time together and sharing secrets, their new friendship evolves into a beautiful passion of trust. Will they ever get free of the evil Moqorr? Will she finally find freedom and peace in the arms of Sibràn? Will love conquer all? I loved the special ending that was written with words filled with tenderness and care! Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Long ago, in a time of myth, a prince sailed from Galicia to Inisfail seeking revenge for the murder of his uncle by the High King… Sibrán expects to encounter an opposing army but instead is greeted by a beautiful woman who appears to be accompanied only by her faithful wolfhound. Aislinn bids him welcome, but he suspects she is a sorceress sent to kill him by the very king he plans to slay. As they journey to the Fort of Kings, events prove that Aislinn does indeed possess powers beyond those of an ordinary human, yet he cannot deny he is inexorably drawn to her. He believes Destiny has brought him to Inisfail, but can he persuade Aislinn that she too is destined to play a role in the establishment of a new kingdom? Or will she remain forever the slave of the tyrant Moqorr who claims to be King of the Otherworld as well as Inisfail? Perhaps they are all under the evil king’s spell. Genre: Romance - Historical with Paranormal Elements Type: Novella Print Length: 155 pages Publication Date: January 10, 2017 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #MedievalRomance #HistoricalRomance

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION The second addition to the Bitter Springs series by Jo Goodman is just as good as the first. I've grown quite fond of the residents in this small Wyoming town, and Cobb and Tru are two great additions. We meet some old friends and gain a few new ones, none of whom disappoint. Cobb Bridger is a man worth admiring and Richard Mackey is a man worth despising. Tru Morrow has her secrets, but she doesn't allow them to stand in the way of living the life she wants. Goodman has a talent for diving deep into the lives of her characters, and it's not long before you feel as though you've made new friends. Smart and entertaining dialogue packed with wit and drama, pack a punch when combined with a great plot and well-researched story. If you love historical romantic westerns, then I highly recommend giving this author's books a try. Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : MK VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS He was on the hunt for a runaway beauty . . . “Find her” is the only instruction that private detective Cobb Bridger receives from Richard Mackey. The scion of a wealthy Chicago family, Mackey is desperate to know the whereabouts of the woman who disappeared from his employ, taking with her something of great value. Intrigued as much by what Mackey won’t say about the missing item as he is by Mackey’s description of the missing woman, Cobb accepts the assignment. And the one true lie that could destroy them both. Bitter Springs, Wyoming, has a new schoolteacher who may or may not be exactly what she seems. Upon making the acquaintance of Miss Tru Morrow, Cobb begins to question the guilt of this golden-haired lady—and the protective feelings she stirs in him. His investigation hinges on understanding where the truth lies. Can he believe in Tru? Or is she just another treacherous woman out to swindle this hardened detective’s heart? ​​ Publisher: Berkley Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: Mass Market Paperback | Source: Reader's Personal Library VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS NOTE : This review was previously published elsewhere on this site and has been republished for organizational purposes. #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalWesternRomance #5Stars #ReviewersTopPick #EditorRecommended

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION THE REFUGE is a beautifully written novel filled with rich historical details. This is the first book I've read Regan Walker but I plan to read more after enjoying this novel. The rich history of the 11th century is written in a way that it blends and complements instead of overpowering the story. Catrìona and Steinar are enjoyable and well-written characters and a hero and heroine worthy of each other. I wish they had a little more depth but I liked their story and connected with them easily. The author mixes in accurate terminology for the time period and what I didn't know I could figure out because of the way it was seamlessly written. I would recommend THE REFUGE to any reader who loves historical romance and history. There were enough moments of surprise and smiles to keep me reading. I look forward to enjoying more books by this author. Reader's Note : I wouldn't call this an inspirational novel but more a great historical with some inspirational elements. There is some violence in battles but I would definitely feel comfortable recommending this to friends and family who prefer an overall clean book. Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 3 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS For anyone whose faith has ever faltered… Scotland 1072 The Norman Conqueror robbed Steinar of Talisand of his noble father and his lands, forcing him to seek refuge in Scotland while still recovering from a devastating wound. At the royal court, Steinar becomes scribe to the unlettered King of Scots while secretly regaining his skill with a sword. The first time Steinar glimpses the flame-haired maiden, Catrìona of the Vale of Leven, he is drawn to her spirited beauty. She does not fit among the ladies who have come to serve the devout queen. Not pious, not obedient and not given to stitchery, the firebrand flies a falcon! Catrìona has come to Malcolm’s court wounded in spirit from the vicious attack on her home by Northmen who slayed her parents and her people. But that is not all she will suffer. The king has promised her to one of his favored warriors, but she has given her heart to a lowly scribe. When all is lost, what hope is there for love? Can a broken heart be mended? Can a damaged soul be healed? **All profits from sales of The Refuge will go to the Christian Alliance for Orphans ** Print Length: 286 pages Publisher: Regan Walker Publishing (November 22, 2016) Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #MedievalRomance #HistoricalRomance

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Hold on tight because DEADLY ALIBI is going to take you on a ride you won't forget. Author Leigh Russell keeps the reader guessing page after page. Halfway through the story, when you think everything is wrapped up with a pretty bow, there's another twist that throws you off balance. This is the first book I've read by Russell, so I've missed the first eight books in this series. I would like to know more about Geraldine Steel beginnings, but this book read like a stand-alone novel. The author has two story lines happening and I found the murder and mystery much more interesting than the tiring sub-plot that takes place with Geraldine's twin sister. DEADLY ALIBI is a story of mistaken identity, misdirection, and false alibis. I didn't much like the exposition style of writing, especially in the beginning, but the dialogue was snappy and kept the story moving forward. Leigh Russell does know how to keep the heart pumping and the reader wondering what is going to jump out of the shadows next. Content Note : Heavy swearing and disturbing images and situations. Star Rating : 3 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : See note above | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon UK | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A double murder investigation threatens not only Geraldine Steel's career, but her life... 'Unmissable' – Lee Child Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt.... Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine's life turn toxic in more ways than one! For fans of Rachel Abbott, Angela Marsons, Peter James and Robert Bryndza, Deadly Alibi is a gripping murder investigation that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: No Exit Press Release Date: Dec 8, 2016 in the UK | May 25, 2017 in the US Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher via NetGalley. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #MysteryThriller

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Bitter Springs is an interesting little town in Wyoming, but not nearly as interesting as its residents. Kellen Coltrane isn't what you'd expect. Yes, I figured out his real identity early on, but that didn't stop the enjoyment of watching the townsfolk try to figure out Coltrane. Lorraine Berry is a force to be reckoned with, but that doesn't stop her tender side from showing when she's with Kellen. Their chemistry is wonderful, and Goodman knows how to write a great scene that doesn't detract from the story. The townsfolk are just as endearing, especially two little rascals called Rabbit and Finn. Charm, wit, and romance are all wrapped into one great story. The secondary characters in Bitter Springs were a surprise and a delight and I eagerly awaited their interactions with the hero and heroine. Jo Goodman does not disappoint with this sensational, well-researched, highly sensual, and cleverly-written western historical romance. Goodman has fast become one of my favorite authors. Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : MK VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A stunning western historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Jo Goodman. SHE HIRED HIM TO PROTECT HER TOWN As the owner of the Pennyroyal Saloon and Hotel, Lorraine Berry is privy to almost everything that goes on in Bitter Springs, Wyoming—including the bloodshed plaguing its citizens. With all of the good men dying at the hands of a local rancher and his three sons, Raine hires a shootist to be the town’s protector. But her handsome new employee is more than a hired hand; he’s a man who keeps his guns close and his secrets closer. BUT NOTHING COULD PROTECT HER HEART After a chance encounter on a train, Kellen Coltrane travels to the Pennyroyal to carry out a dying man’s last wish. But once he meets the hotel’s fiery-haired proprietor, Coltrane finds himself assuming the role of the shootist’s accomplice and agrees to protect Bitter Springs. And as he learns more about Raine’s own tragedy, Coltrane can’t deny his growing desire for the courageous widow, or the urge to protect her from the threat that draws near… ​ Publisher: Berkley Sensation Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: Mass Market Paperback | Source: Reader's Personal Library VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS NOTE : This review was previously published elsewhere on this site and has been republished for organizational purposes. #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalWesternRomance #5Stars #ReviewersTopPick

A READER'S OPINION PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD by Mary Frances Fisher is an interesting murder mystery that spans a lot of years. Despite the sad events early on in the book, the author quickly pulled me into the story as I read about Ellen O'Malley, an Irish lass who evolves from a frightened young girl to a woman whose secret has tormented her many long years. Ms. Fisher weaves multiple characters and story lines, spanning decades, all to bring us one final, surprising conclusion. The mystery is a slow unfolding of "who done it" and I have to admit I was kept guessing. This historical work of fiction brims with insight into different cultures, places, people, and lifestyles. PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD has intrigue, but it's much more than a murder mystery or a war novel. It's a family saga about self-discovery and coming to terms with the past while looking toward the future. The fact that the characters are based on the author's family made it much more interesting. Mary Frances Fisher is a talented storyteller and there's no doubt she's written a well-researched and compelling book. Note: There are a lot of characters in the book, but the author provides a guide in the beginning. Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BOOK SYNOPSIS From Mary Frances Fisher comes her debut novel, PARADOX FORGED IN BLOOD, a book based on true events and stories passed down from the author's family. A murder on Millionaire's Row. A killer's chilling words, "Shh. I know where you live." A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past. A historical murder mystery, Paradox Forged in Blood is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O'Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions. Paperback: 378 pages Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery

The third dazzling romance in USA Today bestselling author Charis Michaels' Bachelor Lords of London series. Scroll down to read an excerpt, check out the interview, and enter the book giveaway! Beauregard “Beau” Cortland has no use for the whims of society and even less for aristocratic titles. As a younger son, he travels the world in search of adventure with no plans to settle down. Even when the title of Viscount Rainsleigh is suddenly forced upon him, he will not bend to duty or decorum. Not until an alluring young woman appears on the deck of his houseboat, determined to teach him propriety in all things and tempting him with every forbidden touch. Lady Emmaline Crumbley has had a wretched year. Her elderly husband dropped dead without naming her in his will and she’s been relegated to the life of a dowager duchess at the age of 23. She has no wish to instruct a renegade viscount in respectability, but desperate to escape her greedy stepson, Beau’s family makes her an offer she cannot refuse: teach the new lord to behave like a gentleman, and they’ll help her earn the new, self-sufficient life of her dreams. Emmaline agrees, only to discover that instructing the viscount is one thing, but resisting him is quite another. How can she teach manners to the rakish nobleman if he is determined to show her the thrill of scandal instead? AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO ENJOY AN EXCERPT Prologue This is the tale of two brothers. No, allow me to go back. This is the tale of two half brothers, a distinction that does not affect the brothers as much as it creates a place for the story to begin. They were born deep in Wiltshire’s Deverill Valley, less than a mile from the River Wylye, in a crumbling manor house called Rossmore Court. Although the Rainsleigh title was ancient and the family lands entailed, the boys’ parents, Lord Franklin “Frankie” Courtland, the Viscount Rainsleigh, and his lady wife, Este, were not held in high esteem—not by their neighbors in Wiltshire nor by members of London’s haute ton. Instead, they were known mostly for their predilections: recklessness, coarseness, drunkenness, irresponsibility, and deep debt. Their notoriety did not curtail their fun, however, and they carried on exactly as they pleased. In 1779, the viscountess became pregnant, and Lord and Lady Rainsleigh added “woefully unfit parents” to their list of indiscretions. Their firstborn was called Bryson—the future viscount, Lord Rainsleigh’s heir. Young Bryson was somber and curious, stormy and willful, but also inexplicably just and kind. In 1785, Este and Frankie welcomed a second son, favored almost immediately by his mother for his sweet nature and easy manner, his angelic face and smiling blue eyes. The viscountess named him Beauregard, known as “Beau.” On the whole, the boys’ childhood was not a happy one. Lord Rainsleigh was rarely at home, and when he was, he was rarely sober. He managed the boys with equal parts mockery and scorn. Lady Rainsleigh, in turn, was chronically unhappy, petulant, and needy, and she suffered an insatiable appetite for strapping young men, with a particular preference for broad-shouldered members of staff. Money was scarce in those years, and schooling was catch-as-catch-can. The brothers relied on each other to get along. Bryson’s hard work and good sense earned them money for new coats and boots each year, for books, and for an old horse that they shared. Beau employed his good looks and charm to earn them credit in the village shops, to convince foremen to hire them young, and to persuade servants and tenants to stay on when there was no money for salaries or repairs. And so it went, each of the boys contributing whatever he could to get by, until the summer of 1807, when the old viscount’s recklessness caught up with him, and he tripped on a root in a riverbed and died. With Frankie’s death, Bryson, the new viscount, set out to right all the wrongs of his father and cancel the family’s debts. He moved to London, where he worked hard, built and sold a boat, and then another, and then another—and then five. And then fifteen. Eventually, he owned a shipyard and became wealthier than his wildest dreams. Beau, on the other hand . . . Well, Beau had no interest in righting wrongs or realizing moneyed dreams—he wasn’t the Rainsleigh heir, thank God. His only wish was to take his handsome face and winning charm and discover the delights of London and the world beyond. For a time, he sailed the world as an officer of the Royal Navy. For another time, he imported exotic birds and fish. He spent more than a year with the East India Company, training native soldiers to protect British trade. His life was adventurous and rambling, sunny if he could manage it, and (perhaps most important) entirely on his own terms. Until, that is, the day the Courtland brothers received, quite unexpectedly, a bit of shocking news that changed both of their lives. The news, which they learned from a stranger, was this: the boys did not share the same father. The horrible old viscount—the man who had beaten them and mocked them, who had driven them into debt and allowed their boyhood home to fall into ruin—was not, in fact, Bryson’s father after all. Bryson’s father was another man—a blacksmith’s son from the local village with whom their mother had had a heated affair. Beau, as it turned out, was the only natural-born son of Franklin Courtland. Beau was the heir. And just like that, Beauregard Courtland became the Viscount Rainsleigh, the conservator and executor of all for which his brother had toiled over a great many years to restore and attain. It made no difference that Beau had no desire to be viscount, that he was repelled by the notion, that the idea of becoming viscount made him a little ill. In protest, Beau threatened to leave the country; he threatened to change his name; he threatened to commit a crime and endure prison to avoid the bloody title—all to no avail. He was the rightful Viscount Rainsleigh, whether he liked it or not. His brother, now simply Mr. Bryson Courtland, shipbuilder and merchant, set out on a new quest: to train, coach, and cajole Beau into becoming the responsible, noble, respected viscount that he himself would never be again. To answer that, Beau seized his own quest: resist. He could not prevent his brother from dropping the bloody title in his lap, but he could refuse to dance to the tune the title played. He would carry on, he vowed, exactly as he had always done—until . . . well . . . “Until” is where this tale begins. But perhaps this is not a tale of two brothers or even the tale of two half brothers. Perhaps it is the story of one brother and how the past he could not change built a future that he, at long last, was willing to claim. CONTINUE READING EXCERPT BOOK GIVEAWAY Avon is hosting a tour-wide giveaway for Three (3) Print Sets of the first two books in The Bachelor Lords of London Series: THE EARL NEXT DOOR and THE VIRGIN AND THE VISCOUNT. Ends 12/23/16. Must be 18 years of age to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Q&A WITH CHARIS MICHAELS Can you tell us a little about your book? Well, this is sort of a reverse My-Fair-Lady story. The heroine is a young dowager duchess who has been trained since girlhood in manners and decorum. Through a series of hopeless circumstances, she is is charged with giving lessons on how to be “proper” to the roguish hero. He, however, has something else in mind for their instruction. The story revolves around the reluctant relationship that develops and their journey to love. Name three things on your desk right now. - My Mrs. Daryl Dixon coffee mug, naturally. - An old Dollywood brochure (I got ‘the call’ at Dollywood!). - The lid to a stationary set that says, “Write a little happiness into the world.” The stationary is long gone, but I keep the lid because I love the design/message so much. What are some books that you enjoyed recently? Another wonderful question! I adore talking books! - The Hating Game by Sally Thorne - Eligible by Curtis Suttenfeld - The Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber - Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Ann Long What do you like to do when you aren't writing? Well, to be honest, my favorite thing to do when I truly have nothing else to do is go to a discount retailer such as Marshall’s or TJMaxx and simply browse all of the cheap things I did not know I needed until I dug for them at the bottom of the clearance rack. A la Twitter style, please describe your book in 140 characters or less. Bad boy transformed by the love of a good woman. In Regency England. At Christmas. And it’s funny. [grinning face emoji!] What types of scenes are your most favorite to write? Dialogue-heavy scenes when the hero and heroine are in love but at least one of them is fighting it! In the opening of the book, the hero lives on a dilapidated “narrowboat” on a canal in London. I lived in London for a time, just across Regents Park from Camden Lock. Camden was not yet a lock or a canal in 1813, but I was inspired by it and researched until I discovered Paddington Lock had just been formed. And that is where I docked the hero’s boat. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with? Oh, I’ll eventually be back for dear Miss Breedlowe, I promise! Can you tell us about your upcoming book? Oh yes – I’m happy to share that I just signed a contract with Avon-Impulse for my next series: The Brides of Belgravia! This is a trilogy featuring two young men from the Bachelor Lords of London, Jon Stoker, and Joseph Chance--all grown up. (The London neighborhood of Belgravia was developed in 1831). I’m writing Book 1 now, and it’s so much fun. The expected release date is October 2017. Thank you for asking! MEET THE AUTHOR Charis Michaels is thrilled to be making her debut with Avon Impulse. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A & M and managed PR for a trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family’s farm, and entertained children as the “Story Godmother” at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS We've been delighted to share this book and excerpt as part of a blog tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours . #BlogTour #ExcerptPost #HistoricalRomance #RegencyRomance #AuthorInterview

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Nora Roberts knows how to turn up the heat and keep the suspense at full-throttle. This is a longer book, and somewhat reminiscent of her novel, MONTANA SKY in terms of length and plot. What sucked me right in and held me tight from start to finish were Cooper Sullivan and Lillian Chance. Coop is a sexy-as-all-get-out guy with enough baggage to make a woman crazy to love him and crazy not to—he's just wonderful, flaws and all. I'm a sucker for a smart, hard-working man who doesn't take the easy road through life, and loves enough to not give up—this is Coop. Lil is strong despite being wounded by the boy who broke her heart and came back to her as a man. There was plenty of anger, annoyance, and guilt during their years of separation, and plenty more when they found each other again, but it wasn't too much drama. They made it work, respected each other, and found a way back. The suspense level is great! You find out halfway through the book who the bad guy is, but there's still the sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat tension that makes you wonder when he's going to strike next. I'm a long-time fan of Nora's. Some of her books I love, others I just like, but what I've always enjoyed is that I can usually count on her characters to deliver a satisfying story, and BLACK HILLS is no exception. There's way too much swearing and sex for my tastes, but I've learned to skip over that. I also thought the secondary story line could have been skipped altogether and the length would have been perfect. I ignored work for a full day just to finish the book, so Roberts certainly did something right. Note on the wildlife aspect : The animals almost stole the show a time or two, and I found myself rooting for them more often than the people. I like the way Roberts gave them a larger-than-life role in the story, and how they became so integral, that without them, the good guys might not have won in the end. I'm an animal lover, especially wildlife, and it helps if the readers starts this book with the understanding that there's a stark reality to dealing with wildlife. I thought Roberts dealt with the subject quite well. Star Rating : 4 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : MK VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Amazon US | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Cooper Sullivan spent the summers of his youth on his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch, sharing innocent games and stolen kisses with the neighbor girl, Lil Chance. Now, twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills. Coop has left his fast-paced life as an investigator in New York to take care of his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something...or someone...has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into a heartless attack on Lil’s beloved cougar, memories of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe. Lil and Coop know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts has singled them out as prey. Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Jove; Reprint edition (May 25, 2010) Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: Mass Market Paperback | Source: Reviewer's Personal Library VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #ContemporaryRomanticSuspense #ContemporaryRomance #412Stars #ReviewersTopPick