The Convenient Marriage - Georgette Heyer

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure why I haven't got around to reading more of Georgette Heyer's novels, as I thoroughly enjoy them when I do. The Convenient marriage is in many ways, more of a comedy than anything else, but it certainly also has its share of romance and I was left with a contented smile on my face by the end.
The hero and heroine are in many ways a complete mismatch. Horry is headstrong, immature and only 17. The Earl of Rule is quite a bit older and seemingly has no real need or wish for his wife. After Rule's sister suggests that he marries and Horry's family needs one of their daughters to marry well in order to save them from financial ruin, Horry and Rule enter into a marriage of convenience, with Horry promising not to interfere in Rule's life.
I know that many people are put off by the huge age gap. By today's standards, it's pretty big, but this is a story set over 20 years ago and people are a little concerned that someone just out of the schoolroom has made such a great match but don't seem to be too concerned about the age difference. Horry is a little bit young for Rule, but by the end of the book she has grown into her role as wife and they seem quite suited. If you can put aside modern sensibility, then I really don't think that the age difference is a problem.
I loved the humour in this book. Rule has a very dry wit and I found myself chuckling whenever he appeared. He clearly finds himself drawn to Horry's character and finds her frankness and direct approach delightful. I can easily imagine them becoming a close couple that understands each other very well as their relationship progressed.
This was a highly entertaining read, with many of the side characters adding to the humour, Pom and Pel, in particular, are very funny with their continued well-meaning, but ultimately hopeless attempts to help. I loved Horry and Rule and seeing how their marriage becomes more than a convenient one by the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


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Jeopardy in July - Barbara Venkataraman

Jeopardy in July by Barbara Venkataraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is, sadly, the last book (so far) in the Jamie Quinn series. I hope that it is only so far and that another is to follow soon as I've become quite a fan after reading the previous books. I think that I mentioned in previous reviews that each one just seems to get better and better and that was still the case with this one.
I am probably repeating myself here, but much of the joy of this series is the characters who appear in every book, rather than the mystery so much. Jamie herself is fantastic and I love reading about what she gets up to. Then there is the ever-growing cast of supporting characters, from the wonderful Duke, her tame private detective, to Jamie's best frenemy Nick. Each of them adds too much to the books and I'm as keen to find out what is going to happen with Jamie and her boyfriend/fiance-to-be Kip and with Jamie's father.
The mystery this time has to do with the residents of an old people's home (an assisted living facility I think is the current term) a number of whom seem to have got themselves mixed up in art fraud. Jamie, of course, is in the thick of it, even though she doesn't intend to get involved in these things, she seems to have a knack for it.
This was another great instalment in this series and I can't wait to read more if and when they come out.

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The Bayou Bachelors - Geri Krotow

Bayou Vows

The Bayou Bachelors #3

by Geri Krotow

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 1/8/2019

Not even the wildest Bayou Bachelor of all can resist the right woman.

Jeb DeVillier has a lot of explaining to do. True, he did steal millions from the sailboat business he ran with his partner, Brandon, and disappear to South America. But Jeb has a good reason—Brandon’s sister, Jena Boudreaux. A decade ago, she broke his heart when she chose career over their relationship. Still, when he learns she’s being held for ransom by drug dealers, he doesn’t hesitate. He’ll save her life, no matter what the danger.

When Jena called Jeb out of the blue, it was to ask him to give her last words to her family. She knew the risks when she took one final mission for the CIA. Suddenly, Jeb’s riding to the rescue like her own personal Cajun knight. Yet now that they’re both safe in New Orleans, he refuses to give her a second chance.

That’s not good enough for Jena. Because when you find someone crazy enough to risk everything for you, the only sane thing to do is to hang on tight . . .
'

My Review

This third book in the series sees Jena and Jeb's story. They have a past, both when they dated in high school and then again as friends with benefits more recently. They can't seem to stay away from one another, but neither can they seem to commit to one another.

As in the previous books, much of the 'action' has already taken place and the book deals with the aftermath of all that has gone on. Out of this, the two tentatively move towards a romance and ultimately love. 

Of the three couples Jena and Jeb seem to have the most trouble sorting out what they mean to one another and ultimately accepting what they really mean to each other. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of their story before this book starts. Their relationship and how they deal with one another afterwards is interesting though. 

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Bare Devotion

The Bayou Bachelors #2

Sweet and sultry, hot and wild…that’s desire, Louisiana-style. And there’s no one better to explore it with than one of the Bayou Bachelors…

Returning to her flooded New Orleans home to face Henry Boudreaux, the man she jilted at the altar, is the hardest thing attorney Sonja Bosco has ever done—even before she discovers she’s pregnant. Sonja backed out of the marriage for Henry’s sake. He wants to be part of his father’s law firm, and his parents will never approve of an interracial marriage. Better to bruise his heart than ruin his life.

Henry can’t forgive Sonja, and doubts that he can trust her again. But learning that they’re going to be parents means there’s no avoiding each other. Springtime on the bayou is already steamy enough…now they’re living in the same small space while their damaged house is repaired. And with each passing day they’re getting a little more honest. A lot more real. And realizing that nothing—not even New Orleans at Mardi Gras—glows brighter than the desire they’re trying to deny…

My Review

This is the second book in the Bayou Bachelors series. In the first book, we saw Sonja and Henry fail to get married and this story deals with the aftermath of her leaving him at the altar.

It seems that in both this book and the previous one, a lot of the 'action' has already happened or is 'off-screen' and then what we do see can be a little bit repetitive. 

I liked the way that Henry and Sonja learned more about each other and the reason that things had failed. I also liked the way that the approached the way that they would parent their unborn child. Of course, I was willing them to get together again.

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Fully Dressed

The Bayou Bachelors #1

There’s nowhere hotter than the South, especially with three men who know how to make the good times roll. But one of the Bayou Bachelors is about to meet his match…

New York City stylist Poppy Kaminsky knows that image is everything, which is why she’s so devastated when hers is trashed on social media—after a very public meltdown over her cheating fiancé. Her best friend’s New Orleans society wedding gives her the chance hide out and lick her wounds...

Brandon Boudreaux is in no mood to party. His multi-million dollar sailboat business is in danger of sinking thanks to his partner’s sudden disappearance—with the company’s funds. And when he rolls up to his estranged brother’s pre-wedding bash in an airboat, a cold-as-ice friend of the bride looks at him like he’s so much swamp trash.

The last person Poppy should get involved with is the bad boy of the Boudreaux family. But they have more in common than she could ever imagine—and the steamy, sultry New Orleans nights are about to show her how fun letting loose can be…

“New Orleans serves as a strong supporting character in Fully Dressed as Krotow gives an inside view on the sights, sounds, and tastes of the bayou.” —RT Book Reviews

My Review

This first book is about Poppy and Brandon. Poppy has recently lost everything, her fiance, her cool (flipping out about the break up very publically and then having everything splashed all over social and not so social media) and her business. Brandon (who for reasons that are never explained, is also known as Gus) has had a similar loss. His best friend and business partner Jeb has scarpered, taking all of the businesses money and now he faces losing everything too.

I think that the three books could probably be read as stand-alone stories, but there is clearly a lot of cross over. Or I assume that to be the case, this being the first book, I'm not sure how things will play out in the other two. The main romance story is contained well within this first book, but there are a lot of questions left about other events, which I assume are to be the main storylines in the next two instalments. I did find the timeline a little confusing throughout the book, things seemed to move along at what seemed an odd rate whenever the passage of time was mentioned.

As for the romance itself, I liked it. Poppy and Brandon work well together and I particularly liked Brandon as a character. Poppy was a little less likeable, but she grew on me as the story progressed. Overall, their romance worked and was satisfying.

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Geri Krotow is the award winning author of more than thirteen contemporary and romantic suspense novels (with a couple of WWII subplots thrown in!). While still unpublished Geri received the Daphne du Maurier Award for Romantic Suspense in Category Romance Fiction. Her 2007 Harlequin Everlasting debut A Rendezvous to Remember earned several awards, including the Yellow Rose of Texas Award for Excellence.

Prior to writing, Geri served for nine years as a Naval Intelligence Officer. Geri served as the Aviation/Anti-Submarine Warfare Intelligence officer for a P-3C squadron during which time she deployed to South America, Europe, and Greenland. She was the first female Intel officer on the East Coast to earn Naval Aviation Observer Wings. Geri also did a tour in the war on drugs, working with several different government and law enforcement agencies. Geri is grateful to be settled in south central Pennsylvania with her husband.

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Brothers in Arms - Penny Dee

Brothers in Arms by Penny Dee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was keen to read this as soon as I could, after reading book one in the Kings of Mayhem MC series; Kings of Mayhem. While the first book focused on romance and Indy and Cade, who had broken up 12 years previously but never got over one another. This book had more of a thriller element to it.
It picks up straight after the last book finished and moved at a pretty rapid rate from then on. There is still a little bit of romance, again focused on Cade and Indy who quickly move from just being back together to becoming an established long term couple. The thrust of this book though is who has it in for the Kings of Mayhem. Is it a rival gang, or is there something else going on here? With more and more of the gang members being targetted, it becomes clear that no one is safe until they get to the bottom of what's been going on and who has a problem with them.
Cade is struggling with the loss of his cousin, who in every other way, was like a brother to him. Indy, although suffering from the loss herself tries desperately to ease his pain. If anything it helps to strengthen their relationship, in spite of Cade's bull-headed stupidity that he knows best.
There's a lot to go through here, with abuse, rape and murder all touched on in one way or another. If you are looking for a sweet gentle romance, then this just isn't it. As mentioned before, in many ways, this novel belongs more in the thriller category. Either way, it was a great read and one that I couldn't put down.
I don't know where book three in this series will take us? Back to a romance, a thrilling crime novel or something different. I can see that these books wouldn't be for everyone, but I am really enjoying them and can't wait to find out what will be next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Engaged in Danger - Barbara Venkataraman

Engaged in Danger by Barbara Venkataraman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series just gets better and better. I'm not sure if it's because I've got to know the characters more, or that the storylines are improving, I suspect that it's a combination of both. Either way, what was a very good series has developed into a very very good series.
This time, like in previous books, there's as much going on in the back story, in terms of Jamie's life and loves as there is in the main story of the book itself. This time there's even more of a mystery, with two elements for Jamie to look into.
There is a murder to solve, but that doesn't seem to happen until at least halfway through the book. It doesn't really matter though, as there's plenty to keep you guessing before that. I was so involved in all that was happening that I couldn't put it down.
I'm loving this series, that is on the cosy side of mysteries, but still with plenty of intregue and interesting storylines. Just what I was in the mood for. I can't wait to read the next Jamie Quinn mystery.


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Sour Puss - Merricat Mulwray

Sourpuss
Merricat Mulwray
Publication date: January 20th 2019
Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, New Adult

Sourpuss is a blistering satire of the depraved and entitled culture that pervades college campuses.

Mallory Wahl loathes the campus party scene . . .

She’s sprinting through her senior year obsessed with winning a spot on the US Olympic track team. But she runs straight into a hurdle in the form of fraternity president Graham Patterson, an intern assigned to help her recover from an injury – one she blames on him.

Once Graham’s therapies begin to work, Mallory pretends to fall in love but traps herself in her own scheme and tailspins deep into his debauched world. When a scandal erupts which threatens to shatter her Olympic dreams once and for all, Mallory must finally face the dark truth she’s been running from since freshman year.

In the style of a ’90s dark comedy flick, Merricat Mulwray’s debut brings an insightful and humorous perspective to the reckless behavior college students perpetually get away with. Mallory, herself a flawed heroine, is backed by a self-serving cast of athletes, party girls, townies, and fraternity brothers so hilariously dark that the book will leave you wondering if anyone ever gets what they deserve.

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My Review

I have to admit that I swung back and forth with this one. Initially, I wasn't sure about it at all and didn't know if I was going to even be able to finish it. This is a very dark story about American College life. It's not something that I know a great deal about, as it seems very different to the British University that I attended.

The characters in this book are not particularly likeable, which is one of the things that makes it a complex read and hard to identify with. But, this is a satirical book. I think if you go on with that in mind, rather than expecting an obvious dark comedy, you might get much more out of it. I think that's where I struggled to begin with, the description had me expecting a light, humorous read, but Sourpuss is certainly not that.

Rape culture, fraternities and sportsmanship all find themselves in the spotlight and under fire in this book. No punches are pulled, each is attacked by being pushed to the extreme. As I got further into this book and understood what it was trying to do, I enjoyed it more.

This isn't a perfect book. There are things that I think could have been improved, but if you approach this as a damning satire, rather than expecting a light comedy, then you might just find that it's quite an interesting read, just like I did. 

Author Bio:

Merricat Mulwray is the collaboration of two sisters. They live in Los Angeles where they hatch plans and develop schemes, sometimes these turn into novels.

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A Song for the Stars - Ilima Todd

A Song for the Stars by Ilima Todd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I suppose that's obvious from the five-star review, I don't tend to give out many of those, but this story and the way that it was told earned it. I was captivated from the moment that I first started reading to the last sentence.
This is a love story. A romantic love story, where two people grow to love one another as they learn more about each other, but also a love story about the place that it is set. I have never been to Hawaii, but it was portrayed so clearly, that I could picture it clearly. I do have some experience in the Pacific, currently living in New Zealand and having visited a number of other Polynesian islands. Even for someone who knows little of the culture, it's so clearly explained through the eyes of Maile, who has never known anything different and John, who is a visitor to the shores.
I'm not sure if this is a more of a romance or more of a story about two different cultures meeting and learning about one another for the first time. Either way, both parts of the story weave together to create an overall fascinating and satisfying read. Maile and John learn that they have as much in common as they have differences and as they discover more about one another, they fall in love.
This was the kind of book that gripped me from the start, pulled me willingly along on the journey and then left with me with a contented sigh at the end. In many ways, it was perhaps inevitable that I would love this book. Historical fiction has long been a soft spot, combined with the Polynesian setting and a romance, what wasn't to love. What really brought this story to surpass all of this was the wonderful way in which it was told. I fear the only downside is that I may now be left suffering from a 'book hangover' for a while, where nothing else quite measures up and I feel the loss of the joy in its pages. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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