Blodeuedd's Monday Review: London's Late Night Scandal by Anabelle Bryant

Narrated by: Victoria Aston

Series: Midnight Secrets Series, Book 3

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-29-19

Language: English

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Historical romance

For review

So I do not remember what Matthew did in book 1. I did read my review and it seems he was an asshat, but I still wrote that he needed a HEA. But that is the good thing, when I finally got to his book I had forgotten any bad feelings I might have had for him.

Matthew goes to visit an Earl since that Earl had written a paper and they could not, oh long story. Smart dude wants to talk with another smart dude. Instead he meets Thedosia, the real author.

Theo lives with her grandfather and speaks with animals more than humans. She is really smart in a time when women had no place for that.

Matthew is in constant pain (I have read a lot of books lately with men in constant pain from bullet holes, hmm, strange.)

They flirt. He has has his job in the city, she hates it (for a silly reason in the end) Oh and her granfather has dementia so there is that too.

And that is the drama folks.

And they work it out and live happily ever after. Nice story. I think the "baddie" was in book 1 too but I had forgotten him.

Also, xmas setting!

Narrator

I like her voice for historical romance so she did really well

Chief Officer of the Society for the Intellectually Advanced, Lord Matthew Strathmore, Earl of Whittingham, takes his position very seriously. Not only does it distract him from the painful aftermath of a gunshot wound to the leg, earned most honorably, it is important work. So he feels duty-bound to question esteemed scientist Lord Talbot about a suspect article. Matthew dashes from London to Oxfordshire, despite wretched weather that only exacerbates his injury, reminding him he is far from the dashing gentleman he once was...

Theodosia, Lord Talbot's granddaughter, has inherited his gift for inquiry, enjoying her pursuits safely away from the artifice of London society. But her identity as the true author of Talbot's article is about to be exposed. And if Matthew expects a dour bluestocking, surprises abound. Not only do Theodosia's botanical concoctions soothe his leg, he's clearly attracted by her delicate beauty. But dare she hope for more? It will take an urgent trip to London for both to discover how passion and lasting love can ignite under the cover of darkness...

Book Review: The Red Pearl by Chloe Helton

Author:  Chloe Helton  
Title: The Red Pearl
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Publication Date: March 1st 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Boston, 1779. A nation in revolution. An innkeeper’s wife will change its fate.

There is something peculiar about the group of men who have begun to frequent The Red Pearl. Their clandestine meetings and hushed conversations suggest dark secrets: secrets which Lucy Finch has been forbidden to listen to. However, when a horrific assault makes her ache for revenge, Lucy will risk everything to pass on the explosive information she hears while pouring drinks. What she finds may be the fodder for a historic victory - but it may also lead to her ruin. 




The Revolutionary War will always hold a special place in my heart. I was obsessed with learning everything I could about this time when I was growing up. I still love it, but I have expanded my horizons. When this was offered for me to read, I could not deny it!

The story follows Lucy in Boston. She is the wife of an innkeeper and she gets to hear more than she should from the loosened tongue of the drunk Tories that frequent there. After a terrible event, she decides enough is enough and she will take this information to the side she wants to win. But will it ruin her marriage or end with her killed?

This was short, but packed with a lot of story. Honestly? I wish it had been longer. Maybe with an epilogue of some sorts? Or a book 2? Something. I want more from these characters and their stories. I really want Sam to have a HEA. Perhaps a book with his story? Just want more. 

I felt bad for Lucy. She gave up her first love to have a safe marriage with another man. Dangerous times for sure. Can't blame her at all. Also I wanted to cry because what happened to her was terrible. But it did respark her motivation to see the victory of the Patriots.

I did feel bad for her husband sometimes, but I was mad at him because I get wanting to be neutral and all, but defend your wife darnit! He needed a swift kick in the butt! 

I'm glad the baddie got what he deserved. Huzzah for justice!

What I really loved about this book was how real it felt. Sure we could've seen more heroics and more drama. But Lucy and everyone felt real. Sometimes just sharing a few secrets can have huge impacts. It was nice to see these characters flawed and have to deal with everyday life. It wasn't a love match. But a marriage of convenience and the author did a wonderful job showing the darker truths of the times mixed with the lighter truths. For example, Betty had a love match, but then Lucy didn't. The author knows her stuff. 

In the end, I really did like this story. I honestly wanted more to make it even better. I needed more time with these characters. Overall, though, this was worth the read. If you are looking for a good historical fiction, I for sure recommend this. I'll give this 4 stars. 

20 out of 16/25

Audiobook Review: The Christmas Mail Order Bride by Kit Morgan

Author: Kit Morgan
Narrator:  Michael Rahhal

Title: The Christmas Mail Order Bride
(Holiday Mail Order Brides #1)

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: October 13th 2013 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Sheriff Clayton Riley asked for a pair of boots for Christmas, not a mail order bride! Unfortunately for Clayton, his brother and mother figured a bride would look better on him than a new pair of boots! After all, he'd been sulking around long enough after the death of his wife, and his family decided it was time to take matters into their own hands and see to it Clayton had a very merry Christmas!
Summer James was young, she was beautiful and, an impoverished orphan. Who would want such a woman? Obviously no one. For here she was, eighteen and now of age to set out on her own. But New Orleans was full of men with evil intent for one such as herself, and she saw no other choice but to take the only offer for survival she could find and become a mail order bride. What she didn't count on was becoming Sheriff Clayton Riley's Christmas present!

Mainly picked this up because it helps with my reading challenge. That is why I grabbed book 2 as well. But this did intrigue my interest. 

The story follows Sheriff Clayton and Summer. Clayton is given a mail order bride by his mother and his brother. He never wanted to remarry, but he was so lonely since his wife died a while back so his family took matters into their own hands. Summer grew up as an orphan and now she is looking for her own family and to escape from New Orleans. So why not try the Mail Order Bride program? What did she have to lose?

At first I was annoyed with this especially because he accidentally shot her foot. WHAT? I get accidents and all, but if I was Summer I would've left town the moment I could walk again. I know, I know it wasn't his fault and it was an accident and bad timing...but c'mon man...I would have a hard time wanting to laugh about it later. 

Once I got over that annoyance, I was hooked and I wanted I had a hard time stopping. 

This technically is "Christian Romance" but I think God was mentioned a couple of times? It didn't bug me at all. Super clean romance and it fit. 

Loved Clayton and Summer. Summer was a cry baby, but I get it. She had a rough childhood. 

Clayton's mom was adorable. Wish she could order me for one of her sons. hahaha. 

I had another annoyance with the lame Charlotte and her mom. They were entertaining but they annoyed the hell out of me. BUT at the same time I was highly entertained. Such conflicting emotions. They were horrible, horrible people. Curious to see what bitch-y plans they have for the next book. hahahaha. 

The narrator sounded familiar...can't put my finger on it and I took a quick look at past books of his, but couldn't find something I listened too. But he was good. His female voice made me chuckle at first, but I did get used to it. 

Overall, this was entertaining and cheesy and cute. It was short so you are able to get through it quick. A couple of annoyances, but worth it. I'll give this 3 stars. Onto book 2. 

Xmas season - could've done NON xmas too since it does start off in Thanksgiving ;) But xmas season it is

Book Review: Corporate Christmas by Bernadette Marie

Author:  Bernadette Marie 
Title: Corporate Christmas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: ebook
Publication Date: November 5th 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)



Chloe Richardson had just landed the biggest client of her career. A promotion was in her future, or so she thought until the handsome Jason Mitchell walked into her office with his gorgeous smile and searing blue eyes—and took her job.


Losing her job so close to Christmas, Chloe’s only choice was to go back home to Aubrey Heights, where the Christmas spirit is celebrated in a tourist loving, wonderland. Perhaps she can pull herself together before the new year—before her new career search.


However, Jason follows her to Aubrey Heights—with a mission of his own. First he stole her job—now he wants to steal her heart.


Is the spirit of Christmas alive enough in her to let that happen?




'Tis the season for holiday books!! Couldn't resist this one!


The story follows Chloe who has spent years being groomed for great things by her former boss. Now that he has retired, Chloe is working like a madwoman for the new boss. However, that promotion that she deserved is given to an external hire named Jason. Things happen and now Chloe goes back home to Aubrey Heights for the holidays to get her head straight and find a new path. Jason follows her there to steal her heart. 


As I mentioned, I was intrigued by this book right away. However, I did have my worries about how Jason would steal her job and then her heart. Luckily he wasn't a huge jerk like I thought. It really wasn't his fault he got the job and not her. I was also really worried that HOW he was going to win her heart. She has every right to be upset. 


I liked Chloe and I liked Jason. They were cute and I just wanted them to be happy but I wasn't sure how they were going to get their HEA. 


The town of Aubrey Heights is cute. I wanna go there! So cute and small. 


The beginning was a little slow there for me to really get hooked, but as soon as I was hooked I was hooked. I got this done in a couple of sittings. Short, but good overall. 


In the end, I really did like this. A little slow at the beginning and I was worried about how Chloe was ever going to get with Jason. If you are looking for a quick, cute xmas book this is the one for you. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.