Author: Donna Hatch
Title: The Suspect's Daughter
(Rogue Hearts #4)
Genre: Historical Romance & mystery
Pages: ebook
Published: December 15th 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)
Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams of true love reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.
Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone.
Jocelyn will do anything to clear her father’s name, even if that means working with Grant. Time is running out. The future of England hangs in the balance...and so does their love.
Book 4 of the series! And I was super curious about this one because I wanted to understand Grant who is the hermit and detached brother of the group.
The story follows Grant who goes undercover to figure out who plans on murdering the prime minister. The number 1 suspect is Jocelyn's father. All signs point to him, BUT there are doubts. Jocelyn seems perfect for Grant, but Grant has a lot of issues especially with women so he is not at all looking for love.
This took me a long time to really get into the story. I wasn't feeling it at first, but after a certain event and after Grant did something my heart melted to him and the story. He actually reminded me a little bit of my BF.
I liked Jocelyn too even though she seemed soooo perfect to start off with. Once you get to see her more you realize she is good at putting a face of perfection.
The mystery was good! I was unsure about Jocelyn's father. I went back and forth if I thought if he was innocent or not. Yayy for keeping me on my toes! Also, the twist was good and I did NOT expect the event to happen at the end. So good! So good!
Overall, this was a quick one, but a pretty good one. The beginning was a little rough there, but you do get drawn in. It takes a hot minute to warm up to Grant and it fits, to be honest. The mystery was good and the ending was good. I shall stamp this with 4 stars.
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| Book 10 of 16/25 |
Author: Donna Hatch
Title: A Perfect Secret
(Rogue Hearts #3)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: October 21st 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)
Desperate to protect her father from trial and death, Genevieve breaks off her engagement with Christian Amesbury and marries a blackmailer. After a year of marriage, she flees her husband's violent domination only to have fate bring her back to Christian. Just when she thinks she's started a new life of safety and solitude, her husband tracks her down, stalks her, and threatens everyone she loves.
Still brokenhearted over Genevieve's betrayal a year ago, Christian can't believe she's come back into his life--and worse, that she's done it on the anniversary of his brother's death, a death that haunts him. Though tempted to throw her back into the river where he found her, he can't leave her at the mercy of the terrifying man she married.
When her husband torments Genevieve and puts the Amesbury family in danger, Christian will do anything to protect those he loves...anything except give Genevieve another chance to break his heart.
At the end of book 2 I was curious about Christian who is the youngest son of the Amebury family. I wanted to understand him more so I was excited the very next book was about him.
The story follows Genevieve and Christian. The two had been in love, but in order to save her father Genevieve marries another. This breaks Christian's heart of course. A year goes by and Genevieve can no longer handle her husband's violent domination and evil ways, so she escapes. Her escape lands her back to Christian who saves her.
This book made me sad. I felt so bad for Genevieve!! I am so mad at her father!! Yes he had been young and dumb but now he has doomed her. That husband needs to be tossed in jail or tossed on an island and live in misery. Terrible man.
I adored Christian and I think he is one of my favorite brothers. Even though Genevieve broke his heart he still helped her. He has such a good guy who had a rough time at it especially since he has so much guilt over what happened to his brothers years previous.
Christian's sister Rachel is adorable. I would love to be her friend! I hope she gets a story!
In all honesty, I had no real issues with the story. The ending did happen pretty quickly, but I think it worked well though.
This did well as a standalone, so that is a bonus point for sure.
Overall, I really liked this book and the characters. My favorite of the series so far. 5 stars!
Author: Donna Hatch
Title: The Guise of a Gentleman
(Rogue Hearts #2)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: March 2010
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)
Though her heart longs for adventure, Elise strives to be a perfect English lady within the stifling confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared must complete one last assignment for the Secret Service before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared's past...or still love him when the truth is revealed.
Book 2! I've been curious about this one especially since the hero, Jared, is an undercover pirate. I love pirates!
The story follows Elise who is recently a widow who wants adventure, but she is a mother and has responsibility. Jared who an undercover pirate by England. He has one big mission left to do before he can put up his bootstraps.
Ooo the beginning was super slow, but once you get to a certain point it hooks you in like a fish. I finished it in a couple of sittings after I got over the hump of slowness. I had no idea how everything was going to be fixed especially near the near. Ooo Jared. I was so worried.
I liked Jared and I did not fault him for not telling Elise the truth. The truth can get one killed in the spy/undercover world. However, at a certain point, I feel like he could've told her. But better to keep her out of the loop so she doesn't get him killed. I liked Elise too. She was sweet and kind.
Besides the slow beginning, I adored the story. Pirates, romance. All wonderful! I wouldn't want to be a pirate. It is a sad and short life for sure.
The ending was a little unlikely, to be honest, but it fit and I liked it a lot. I was honestly in shock and awe! HOW? WHAT? Oooo those brothers of his.
All-in-all this was an exciting read once you get past the slowness. You do not need to read book 1 to read this. It did well as a standalone. I'll give it 4 stars. Nearly a five.
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| Widow! |
Author: Donna Hatch
Title: The Stranger She Married
(Rogue Hearts #1)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: October 10th 2008
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)
When her parents and only brother die within weeks of each other, Alicia and her younger sister are left in the hands of an uncle who has brought them all to financial and social ruin. Desperate to save her family from debtor's prison, Alicia vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets the dashing Lord Amesbury, and her heart whispers that this is the man she is destined to love, but his tainted past may forever stand in their way. Her choices in potential husbands narrow to either a scarred cripple with the heart of a poet, or a handsome rake with a deadly secret.
Cole Amesbury is tormented by his own ghosts, and believes he is beyond redemption, yet he cannot deny his attraction for the girl whose genuine goodness touches the heart he'd thought long dead. He fears the scars in his soul cut so deeply that he may never be able to offer Alicia a love that is true.
When yet another bizarre mishap threatens her life, Alicia suspects the seemingly unrelated accidents that have plagued her loved ones are actually a killer's attempt to exterminate every member of her family. Despite the threat looming over her, learning to love the stranger she married may pose the greatest danger to her heart
This one really intrigued me from the start and I was so curious how everything would turn out.
The story follows Alicia who is left in the hands of her uncle when her parents died. However, the uncle leads his entire family into financial and social ruin. In order to save the entire family from this, she vows to marry the first wealthy man to propose. She meets Cole and it is love at first sight....until she finds out something terrible from Cole's past so she marries another who is all but a stranger.
I liked Cole and Alicia, but I wanted to kick both of them at times. It was so obvious that these "unrelated" accidents are the work of a killer who wants to punish them. It did add some mystery though and I liked it, but they were all so dense. I guess it is hard to believe that someone wants to kill you and your family.
The man she marries was intriguing and I had my guesses and I was right with my main guess. It was good, but I was shocked still even though I guessed it. If that makes any sense whatsoever.
Ugh I was so annoyed that Alicia forgave Cole so quickly after a big lie. Can't say what...but I was annoyed. Yes, yes, love and all that. I get mad when BF lied about taking his lunch to work the other day after I went through the trouble of making it. I can't believe how mad I would be if he lied about what Cole lied about. Grr! I wanted more anger there.
The ending happened quickly. I wanted more.
Besides for my want of more anger from kind-hearted Alicia, I am torn on the cover. I like it, but don't at the same time. Maybe it is because the lady on the cover doesn't match at all what I feel Alicia looks like. And that face is anti-Alicia. She is so sweet and innocent.
Overall, I did really like this story. I finished it in two sittings! Darn sleep getting in my way. I'll stamp this with 4 overall. If you like historical romances this is a good one.
