Early Review of Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts #1) by Vic James

Title: Gilded Cage (Dark Gifts)
Classification: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Dark Gifts (Book 1)
Format: Hardcover; 368 pages
Publisher: Del Rey (February 14, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0425284158
ISBN-13: 978-0425284155
Author's Website: http://www.vicjames.co.uk/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher for review purposes.

'Do your slavedays too old, you'll never get through them. 

Do your slavedays too young, you'll never get over them.'

The country of Britain is ruled by Equals, and while their name implies fairness and impartiality, their rule is anything but. Equals hold all the power both figuratively and literally. With the power (aka Skill) to do unnatural things, they use it to their full advantage. Those born outside the Skilled families are not deemed full citizens until they've completed 10 years of service during which they are not considered people, and are sometimes treated worse than the animals. The general population, however, knows very little about Equals or what happens in the slavetowns. You see, the worst of what happens in the slavetowns stays in the slave towns. Equals make sure of it.

Abigail 'Abi' Hadley is a clever young girl who believes she has found a way to keep her family together in jobs very similar to those they'd hold in the 'free' world. She thought the deal she had struck was iron clad, but soon finds out when dealing with Equals their word, whether written or spoken, can be broken at a whim. Not only that, she may have unwittingly just landed her family in the middle of what could be the beginning of a revolution...

This was a fun story set in a universe very similar to yet very different from ours. Equals control part, but not all of the world. In Britain, which was founded by Cadmus Parva-Jardine, Equals rule with an iron fist, and all with the Skill are considered the country's Aristocrats.

The Equals reminded me a little of the Graced in Graceling, but so far that seems to be the only similarity between the two stories. Set in what appears to be a more modern time, Abi thinks she's found an easier way for the family to serve out their slavedays. She found that there is a department within the Labor Allocation Bureau called Estates Services where the Equals go for their house-slaves. She arranges to have the family work for the founding family, the Jardines. When they arrive to start their service, however, they find all but the youngest son will be spending their time at Kyneston. While the majority of the family will get an inside view of Equals and their politics, Luke will get an up close and personal view of the horrors that take place in slavetowns. He ends up at the worst of the lot, Millmoor. Something that, according to the rules, should never have happened.

I found the book engaging with characters that were easily sympathized with. The predicament of the Hadleys was awful, and I'm eager to find out what happens next. This one ends in a cliffhanger and I'm very curious to know where the author will take this family and world. I enjoyed seeing the two sides of Britain with its political posturing and poor treatment of its people. While we get a good glimpse into the workings of Britain, I'm sure there's much of it we haven't yet seen.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. The book had a steady pace with nuggets of information nicely strewn throughout. I'm intrigued by the world building, and look forward to getting even deeper into the world. This series is very promising, and I definitely want to read the next book. The novel is a little dark, and I imagine as we explore this world more intimately, it will get even more so. Definitely worth your time. I can't wait for the next installment. On the Lisarenee Romance rating scale, this one scored a SMILE rating--a lady always tries to be polite so a smile should suffice (ie no heat whatsoever).

Early Review of Falling for the Highlander (Highlanders, #4) by Lynsay Sands

Title: Falling for the Highlander
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 31, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062273612
ISBN-13: 978-0062273611
Author's Website: http://www.lynsaysands.net/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

To say Murine Carmichael is not in an ideal position would be an understatement. Most of her family is gone and she is now in the care of her one surviving brother, and he has just made an indecent proposal to a horse breeder. In exchange for one of the man's prize horses, he's offering to look the other way while the man spends a few pleasurable nights with her. No marriage required. If the horse trader had not been a gentleman, she may very well have lost her virtue, but thankfully he was. Now, desperate to get away, she'll attempt to escape to her friends. Hopefully they can help her.

Dougall Buchanan comes from a long line of honorable men. After seeing what Murine's brother tried to do, and then finding her trying to make a desperate escape, he and his brothers can't help but assist her to safety. With a long journey ahead, the most ideal situation would be for her to marry. While both of his brothers acknowledge they wouldn't be opposed to being shackled to the beautiful young lass, there's something about Murine that makes that idea unsettling...

This was the fourth book of the Falling for the Highlander series and while you can read this one as standalone, be forewarned, these reads are highly addictive and you may find yourself reading them all. It's like those potato chips, you can't stop with just one. lol

Dougall is a formidable figure who's just a big teddy bear at heart. He's strong, protective, honorable, loyal, and sexy as all get-out. He's also trying his darnedest to resist the feelings he's starting to have for Murine, and that is what makes this story so fun. He doesn't feel he's ready to settle down, but there's just something about Murine that makes him think maybe...

Murine is strong, determined, and in need of all the help she can get. In the precarious position of being dependent on her no good brother, she has few resources of her own to get her safely to one of her friends. As details are slowly revealed as to what led to her being in her brother's care, something about her predicament doesn't sit right with Dougall. As time goes by, he becomes convinced there's more to the situation than meets the eye, and he'll do what he can to get to the bottom of it.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was a delightfully fun and sexy read with a healthy dose of mystery added into the mix. Dougall was all you'd hope for in a Highland Warrior and then some. This one left me with a cat who swallowed the canary type grin and an appetite for more. Thankfully, this is not the last in the series so there's more to come. *Does a little happy dance* On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Definitely one you'll not want to miss.

Order of the Highlanders series:

Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay #3) by Jill Shalvis

Title: Accidentally on Purpose
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 24, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062448064
ISBN-13: 978-0062448064
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

Due to the fact that I read an ARC, any quotes will need to be checked against the final version as Advance Reader Copies are subject to change. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Archer and Elle have known each other since she was sixteen and he was twenty-two. At the time, Archer sacrificed a promising career in law enforcement in order to help Elle, but he's never regretted doing so. Over the years he's kept tabs on Elle, and given her a helping hand when she needed one. But somewhere along the line the pride and respect he's felt for the now smart, strong, and confident young women has turned into something more. The problem is he just doesn't think it would be right for him to act upon those feeling. He feels he'd be taking advantage of the their relationship.

Long ago, Archer made it clear that nothing could or would ever happen between them. Now older and wiser, Elle has decided to set her sights elsewhere and seek out a meaningful relationship, but her every move seems to be blocked by the annoyingly handsome man. Elle's not the naive little sixteen year old he first met, and lately she thinks she sees cracks in the infuriating man's resolve. Perhaps it's time she ups the ante and live a little dangerously? Maybe it's time to take off the kid gloves and force him to see what he's missing?

This is the third book of the Heartbreaker Bay series. If you haven't read any of the previous books, don't worry, this one can definitely be read as standalone. Archer and Elle were first mentioned in Sweet Little Lies, the first book of the series, but we really didn't get to know them until now. 

This was a funny, heartwarming, sexy romp of a read by Ms. Shalvis that left me wickedly grinning from ear to ear. Archer owns a security firm that is quite successful. He's handsome and when armed for a job he can be down right lethal in the looks department. If this was the 1940's women would probably be fanning themselves and exclaiming, "hubba, hubba" over Archer and his team. Instead, we get descriptions like, "It was a cornucopia of smutty goodness and she couldn't tear her eyes away. In fact, she couldn't speak either mostly because her tongue had hit the floor. Her feet took advantage of her frozen brain, taking her to the interior door, where she wanted to press her face up against the glass." I, for one, am glad we live in 2017. lol

Elle hasn't had it easy. Raised by a grifter she never had a stable home growing up. She's worked had to get where she is, and has come a long way thanks to Archer. His one act of selflessness was a game changer for her. If he hadn't done what he did, her life would have taken a much different and darker path.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was chock-full of steamy goodness with wonderful characters and situations that make one smile. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a  STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Hearbreaker Bay series:

Spiced Apple Winter (Fairfield Orchard #2) by Emma Cane

Title: A Spiced Apple Winter
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Fairfield Orchard
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (December 27, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062411373
ISBN-13: 978-0062411372
Author's Website: http://www.emmacane.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Brianna MacDougall and Tyler Fairfield have know each other for forever and have been friends almost as long, but nothing romantic ever happened between the two. That is until six months ago when they consumed a little too much liquor, let one thing lead to another, and shared one hot, steamy, and passionate night. The next morning was filled with awkwardness and regret as the two vowed  never to mention that night ever again. Lately, however, things seem to be heating up between the two, but Brianna isn't sure if she's imagining it or not. Was that one night the mistake or was agreeing to never discuss it the real mistake? Dare she risk their friendship to find out?

This was the second book in the Fairfield Orchard series and Ms. Cane decided to kick things up a notch in this one. If you haven't read the previous book, "At Fairfield Orchard", don't worry. This one can be read as a standalone and you won't feel like you've missed anything.

Tyler Fairfield is a hometown boy who is an up and coming actor in Hollywood. He spent the last three years as the heartthrob, Dr. Lake, on the soap opera Doctors and Nurses before the show was canceled. Now on sabbatical, he's come home to help run the family orchard after his mother and father retired. Volunteering to help out for the next six months, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. A well needed break from the Hollywood life was just what he needed or so he thinks. While he loved acting, not everything about the Hollywood lifestyle appealed to him.

Brianna McDougall is a small-town girl who manages her family's general store. She loves the town and the people and can't imagine ever leaving. She's kind, loyal, and very different from the types of girls you'd meet in Hollywood. Tyler has always felt an unspoken connection to her, but has tried over the years to avoid taking things farther than friendship. Her father had been like a second father to him growing up, and he'd never want to disrespect him, but six months ago he'd finally given in to his attraction for Bri. While he's agreed to never discussing what happened, he's finding he'd like to pick up where they left off and see where things might go.

I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a sweet and charming romance where two friends have strong feelings for each other, but are afraid of messing up a very special friendship. There are a few minor bumps in the road, but you know exactly where this one is heading. The author slowly builds up anticipation as these two pussy-footed around one another while waiting for the right moment to pounce and reveal their feelings to one another. Such a fun story with some touching and heartfelt moments along the way. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Definitely worth your time to pick this one up. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Order of the Fairfield Orchard series:

How the Duke Was Won (The Disgraceful Dukes, #1) by Lenora Bell

Title: How the Duke Was Won: The Disgraceful Dukes
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Disgraceful Dukes
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (April 26, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062397729
ISBN-13: 978-0062397720
Author's Website: http://lenorabell.com/
Notes:  I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating. Please note that as I read and ARC and quotes are subject to change, they will need to be checked and verified against the final version.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

A Rake in need of a wife who is afraid of falling in love…

"I want to choose my bride. I need a sensible business partner. Someone gracious, genteel, irreproachable...all that I'm damn well not."(...)

“Certain you won’t reconsider?”

“Impossible. You know the score,”

“I know, I know.“ Dalton made a wry face. “Must produce heir. Preserve the Harland legacy. Open your precious manufactory. All that nonsense. Bloody rotten business if you ask me.”

“I don’t like it any more than you. Marriage is the last thing I want. I don’t need more complications.” (...)

"Four ladies. Three days. How bad can it be?"

Dalton sighed."You've no idea. Don't say I didn't warn you..."

A woman desperate to escape her lot in life…

"We need more time," she said. 

“More time? (…) You never learn, do you,” he said. “Life doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s very simple.” He rested his forehead against hers. “I want you, nothing else. You’re all the payment I require. (...) I’m willing to forgive and forget.”

Charlene stilled. He was willing to forgive? She fought a swell of anger that threatened to swamp her control. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been wielding a blazing brand, preparing to mark her with his family crest. Induct her into his private harem. 

And a bargain that could change everything…

“You want me to seduce a duke? While pretending to be your daughter?”

“If you must put it so crudely, then yes. It’s really very simple. Three days of acting for enough coin to achieve your dreams. What is it you want most?”

This was such a fun book that had everything I love in a historical romance. The story is fast paced and addictive. The characters are well written and easy to relate to. The romance was awesome and I absolutely loved it.

Charlene is a strong woman trying to find a way out of her plight. James is the type of hero who is swoonworthy and needs a good woman more than he knows. The villain is vile and in need of a lesson and a swift kick to the arse (and much worse, but being a lady, I won’t go there). The romance *sigh* is all that and then some. The only thing I can fault the author with is that it ended too soon. (Which considering it was 384 pages, says a lot.) Darn it. I wanted more. lol

For years Charlene was kept in the dark about her mother's profession as a madame of an exclusive bawdy house. The business was run out of a secret room on a separate floor of their residence which I presume had its own private street entrance. Charlene had been horrified by the news especially after finding out she was being groomed to follow in her mother's footsteps. She's looking for a way out not only for her, but her younger sister as well. Although she has her reservations, her playing the part of her legitimate half-sister, Lady Dorthea, seems like her best option. She tends to waffle about whether or not she can pull the switch off as her "schooling", if you can call it that, hasn't been tested, but decides to take the plunge.

James was the spare to his father's heir and had been all but disregarded by his father. He'd done all he could to find his own place in the world only to find himself in  the unexpected position of inheriting a dukedom. Now, the last of his line, the pressure for him to produce an heir of his own is weighing heavily on him. The biggest problem being he believes love is "a dangerous word. The precursor to Loss and Loneliness." He's decided his best bet is to marry a woman he doesn't love and he and his friends have narrowed down the playing field to four women of the ton with impeccable pedigrees and spotless reputations.

This story reminded me a bit of  My Fair Lady wrapped around a sliver of Memoirs of a Geisha with a touch of  the biblical story of Jacob and Rachel (That's the story where Leah is substituted for her sister Rachel at the wedding) mixed in. While it seems a little incredulous that Charlene could remain untainted by her mother's profession for so long, especially with a creep like Lord Grant believing he was entitled to her. I don't think I would have liked the story nearly as much if things had gone darker. In my humble opinion, it was a good call by the author to not go that route. I think it had just the right amount of devilry in it without overstepping into the realm of something much more abominable.

Well, if you haven't figured it out yet, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was a delightful read with a fun and slightly suspenseful story line, characters with distinct and strong personalities, and a love story that made me grin from ear to ear and chuckle a great deal. I HIGHLY recommend this one and am doing a little happy dance because I have found a new author to love. On the Lisarenee Romance Scale, this one scored a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of The Disgraceful Dukes series:

Early Review of Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Till Death
Classification: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Format: Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (February 28, 2017)
ISBN-10: 006236278X
ISBN-13: 978-0062362780
Notes:  Any and all quotes need to be checked against the final copy as they are subject to change before publication. I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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When a serial killer makes his presence known he strikes fear into the masses. When he's captured or stopped, everyone breathes a sigh of relief because his or her reign of terror is finally over. For the survivors, however, it never really ends, it just gets easier to persevere on. For the past 10 years that is exactly what Sasha Keeton has been doing. Taking life one day at a time, one step at a time, trying to put the nightmare behind her. Held by a madman the press nicknamed "The Groom", she's finally going home to the very place where her ordeal began. Her dream had once been to take over her family's Inn and she's decided she won't let the madman identified as Vernon Joan take that away from her too. Taking back her life at this point should be easy, but almost from the moment she steps foot back in town, someone seems bent on making her feel unwelcome...

'I hit the cobblestone roundabout and made a beeline for the car I'd Parked outside the carriage house, grateful none of the guests were early risers. Thinking I would  have just enough time to help Mom do the continental breakfast, I stopped in front of my car.

My mouth dropped open. "Oh my God."

I blinked, because I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but my eyesight was just fine. Stomach twisting and turning sour, I took a step toward the car. Glass crunched under my feet.

Glass that belonged on my car and not on the ground. 

Every single window of my car had been shattered. Every one.'

Broken windows, however, are only the beginning, Bigger and much worse things have yet to come...

This was a very suspenseful roller coaster thriller of a ride with a gernerous slice of romance to go with it. This one had me scratching my head as to who was causing all the chaos, although it was pretty clear from the first page that the person had ties to the original killer. The big question was who, and how entangled were they in everything that happened ten years ago. A trail of breadcrumbs exists, but the path to the killer wasn't obvious to me until the big reveal. Then of course I did a huge head smack. lol

Cole, Sasha's love interest, was a bit too much of an eager beaver for my tastes. His seeking her out and wanting to date her so soon after finding out she was home, didn't sit well with me. The two had been dating when she was abducted all those years ago, and he's never gotten over her or what happened. Luckily, I soon got over my discomfort with him as I quickly ruled him out as being the bad guy. When bad things start happening, he's right there to help her in a way he couldn't years ago. You see Cole now works for the FBI and he uses his connections to make sure nothing that happens to Sasha is dismissed as being insignificant.

Sasha is a strong woman who is ready to conquer her fears. Unfortunately someone is not going to make that easy for her. She has supportive friends and her mom to help her face the past, but when things turn deadly, I'm not sure how Sasha managed to keep her cool or her head. If it was me, I'd have turned tail and run--fast.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 roses out of 5 roses. There was plenty of suspense. drama, romance, and mystery. I enjoyed all the red herrings, twists and turns in this fast-paced novel. It was one of those books that you pick up and don't want to put down until you finish. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. This one is definitely a nail bitter with some disturbing violence geared towards women. I definitely recommend this one.

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bedmates (American Royalty #1) by Nichole Chase

Title: Bedmates: An American Royalty Novel
Classification: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: American Royalty
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (October 4, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062405195
ISBN-13: 978-0062405197
Author's Website: http://www.nicholechase.com/
Notes: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Maddie McGuire is America's First Daughter. No longer a child but still living at home, she's just gotten herself in trouble and proven she still has a lot of growing up to do. Actions have consequences and while her father has managed to keep her from doing time for her crime, she's not getting off scot-free. She'll be spending the next several months working with the Vice President's son, Jake, promoting and working for the RCVA--Returning Combat Veteran Affairs program.

Jake Simmons is the vice president's son and he has a soft spot for the RCVA. Being an injured veteran himself, he knows how the homes they build can help injured veterans and their families in a big way. As he and Maddie begin work on their first house they become close as they put their differences aside. As Jake's mother notices the change in their relationship she reminds him that Maddie is off limits. That's one of the many rules she's laid out for her son over the years. The problem is Jake isn't a little boy anymore and this may be one rule he'll just have to break...  

When I realized this was a romance about a fictitious president's daughter I had some reservations about reading it. I wasn't sure I'd be pulled into the story, and it took a while for me to warm to the idea. Thankfully, after reading a handful of chapters which toggled between Jake and Maddie's viewpoints, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enchanted with this pair. Both were thrust at an early age into the political arena with every move, decision, and  mistake scrutinized by the world. Every choice, good or bad, reflecting poorly or favorably not only upon themselves, but upon their parents as well. Not many could understand or handle the pressure these two have been under, and that is partly what brings them together.

Maddie wears her heart on her sleeve, but is no wilting flower. When push comes to shove, she'll shove right back and give as good as she gets. In a world where everything comes with strings attached, she's managed to keep herself from being caught up in them. She just needs to learn to think before she acts on things she's passionate about.

There is no doubt Jake's mom is grooming him to be a political powerhouse. Already at ease at any   social function he's used to being in the world spotlight. Over the years he's learned to maneuver through the political landscape and verbal landmines with ease. Handsome, young, and charismatic, he has no problem using those traits to his advantage. While he's used to living in a world where everyone wants something from him, his mother included, he's a little tired of it all. Maddie is one of the few people he's found who is genuine and he can be himself around.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a cute story that also brought to light the fact there are many unsung heroes out there in need of help. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reference to the RCVA other than a store that had nothing to do with Returning Combat Veterans. I wish the author had used this book as a springboard to drum up support for a real program, but apparently she didn't. The relationship between Maddie and Jake was sweet, but got a bit complicated as Jake worked through some emotional issues that dealt with survivor's remorse and the death of a close friend. While by no means a lighthearted read, it did have its moments and I enjoyed the story. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.