An Affair with a Spare - Book Review by Voodoo Bride (repost)

 

An Affair with a Spare (The Survivors #3)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This book sounded fun, so even though I haven't read the previous books I decided to give it a try. And luckily as with most Historical Romances it can be read as a standalone.

I really liked Collette and wanted her to succeed. She is surrounded by strangers and on a secret mission, her only ally is more of a jailer than someone she can trust. Rafe seems to be a bit shallow at first, he is so used to women falling at his feet, that he says some really vapid things. When he has to change tactics when Collette doesn't swoon like he expects, he starts to get more likeable and he actually goes through a bit of a change as a person.

Once the two begin to give in to their attraction they will have to decide if they trust each other and will share their secrets. This leads to a more adventurous storyline that had me worry about how things would end for both of them.

All in all this is a very enjoyable and fun read, just like the other books by Galen I've read. I most certainly will read more of her books when I'm in the mood for Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Historical Romance.


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Bachelors of Bond Street - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Bachelors of Bond Street
by Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer

What is it about:
An all-new anthology featuring novellas from acclaimed Regency historical authors Janna MacGregor, Shana Galen, and Minerva Spencer. Bond Street is famous for its elite clubs, fashionable shops and successful businesses. Now meet the bachelors who've made Bond Street their domain. Are these gentlemen as lucky in love as they are in business?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
Love by the Letters
This was a nice story, but as with MacGregor's other story I read it missed real obstacles to the HEA. Still a very enjoyable romance.

How to Brew a Perfect Kiss
Thomas was a secondary character in another book by Galen and I loved him. So seeing him getting his own romance was so good. Raeni is a wonderful heroine, proud, strong and fierce, but willing to accept help when needed. This romance is a delight to read.

Second Chance for Love
I'm normally not a fan of second chance romances, but Minerva Spencer made it work and how!

I loved Oona from the start. She made mistakes in the past and is down on her luck, but she doesn't give up. I wasn't sure at first what to think of Juss, but he goes through a wonderful transformation and I soon was totally hooked on this couple and their sizzling romance. Totally my favorite of the three.

Why should you read it:
It's a delightful Historical Romance Anthology.


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Taken by the Rake - Release Day Review by Voodoo Bride

Taken by the Rake (The Scarlet Chronicles #3)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Sometimes beauty…
Honoria Blake knows she must have had a moment of madness when she accepted a summons by the Scarlet Pimpernel to travel to revolutionary Paris and help his League. She’s an expert forger and glad her services can be of use, but the violence of the Reign of Terror has her longing for her quiet, unobtrusive life in London. Then a bloody man staggers to the door of the house where she’s hiding, claiming he was sent by the Pimpernel. Recently escaped from La Force prison, the former Marquis de Montagne is sinfully handsome and charming. He’s also desperate enough to kidnap Honoria. So much for her return to the quiet life.

Can be a beast…
Laurent is a consummate rake, but even he is captivated by the beautiful Honoria. Laurent cares almost nothing for his own life, but he was always close to the royal family and the little princess was like a sister to him. He will risk everything to save her from a life of imprisonment and possible execution. His plan is risky and surely doomed, but if he can convince Honoria and the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel to help him, it just might succeed. The only question is how far he’s willing to go and whether he’s willing to risk the life of the only woman he’s ever loved to save a doomed princess.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a delicious read.

Laurent is set on saving the French princess, but can't do it alone. When the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel refuses to help and is threatening to send him to England he kidnaps Honoria in an attempt to get them to help him anyway.

I loved Honoria and Laurent together. They're antagonistic a first, but there's a clear attraction. I was eager to see them realize their feelings and act on them. Laurent is stubborn and focused on the princess, so it sure takes him some time to open his eyes, while Honoria slowly learns she might be braver than she ever thought.

Next to their well paced romance there is a very suspenseful action storyline that had me on the edge of my sea. I finished this story in one sitting.

All in all a delicious and suspenseful romance. I will most certainly try to get hold of the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a very enjoyable Historical Romance


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To Ruin a Gentleman - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

To Ruin a Gentleman (The Scarlet Chronicles #1)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
The true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel . . .
Angelette, the recently widowed Comtesse d'Avignon, only invited Viscount Daventry to her country house party as a favor to her sister. When the handsome British lord arrives—two days late—he's full of unnerving tales of unrest and violence in Paris. Angelette assumes it's all exaggeration...until her chateau is attacked and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives. But when danger closes in, will the viscount stand at her side or save himself?

Is not the one you've been told.
Hugh Daventry visits France frequently to import wine for the family business. On his way out of the country, he stops at the comtesse's house party out of obligation. But after meeting the raven-haired beauty, he tries to persuade her to leave France with him. When the peasants attack, he realizes he's already too late, and now he must protect Angelette, whose sharp tongue is far from angelic. Too soon the couple is caught up in the rising revolution, dodging bloodthirsty mobs, hiding from soldiers, and embroiled in the attack of the Bastille. Hugh wants nothing but to leave tumultuous France for the calm of England. He knows Angelette is intelligent and resourceful—a survivor. But can Hugh survive without her?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a delicious and suspenseful novella.

Set at the start of the French Revolution this novella shows a bit about the tumult and riots that take the country. Hugh and Angelette have to flee from the angry revolutionaries to stay alive and fall in love in the mean time.

This novella is the start of a series and it manages to deliver both in the whirlwind romance between Hugh and Angelette and in making you eager for more in this series. I couldn't put this book down. I had to see how the two of them would make it out alive and I wanted to see them give in to the attraction that sparked between them from the start.

I liked that Angelette is strong and independent. She might have been surprised by the outbreak of the revolution, but that doesn't mean she will just lay down and surrender. Hugh wants nothing more than to return to his own country, but can he leave Angelette behind?

All in all a satisfying read. I'll be sure to get hold of the next book in this series.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious Historical Romance.


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Unmask Me If You Can - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Unmask Me If You Can (The Survivors #4)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
This masked lord...

Lord Jasper, younger son of a duke, suffered horrible burns fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. He wears a mask to hide his face from the stares and screams and finds comfort in the shadows. Jasper is an exceptional bounty hunter, so when a woman summons him to her deathbed and asks him to find her runaway daughter before she passes away, he doesn't refuse. Jasper is close to his quarry when he's knifed by an assailant. Imagine his surprise when he regains consciousness in the arms of the woman he seeks. Except she's not at all what he expected.

Is not the only one with scars.

On a remote cliff on the sea, Olivia Carlisle calls her five-year-old son in from an approaching storm. But the little boy is more interested in the man he's found on the trail to their hidden cottage. Olivia fears men and wants nothing more than to leave the injured man where she found him. But his knife wound is severe, and with the approaching storm, she knows leaving him will condemn him to death. As Jasper begins to heal, Olivia acknowledges her attraction to him, even though such emotions terrify her almost as much as returning to London. Jasper must convince her that her only chance at safety is to challenge the man who pursues her. They must travel into the lion's den—he to face his vulnerability and she to face her worst fears.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
I always enjoy Shana Galen's Historical Romances, so when I was offered a review copy of this book I jumped on it.

I encountered Jasper in An Affair with a Spare and he was a very intriguing character. So I was happy to discover he is the hero in this book. He is scarred by the war, both physically and mentally, although he isn't really aware of the last. He's become jaded, although he keep to his strong code of honor.

And then there's Olivia. She is scarred mentally as well. She had enough sense to run away from those that would hurt her and her son, but she's so busy with protecting her son from harm, she doesn't really realize how lonely she is.

The first half of the book Jasper and Olivia get to know each other and both have to get over some of their deepest fears. I loved seeing the both of them grow and start to trust each other. Olivia's son was a nice addition. I usually don't care for children in romances, but Richard is a cute and inquisitive kid.

The second half of the book there is more suspense and danger for the three of them. I rooted for Jasper and Olivia to realize what they felt for each other and for them to be able to face their demons and beat them. I couldn't put the book down. I had to see them overcome their problems and find their happy end.

All in all this is a delightful and suspenseful romance and you bet it won't be the last book by Shana Galen I'll read.

Why should you read it:
It's a delightful Historical Romance


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An Affair with a Spare - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

An Affair with a Spare (The Survivors #3)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This book sounded fun, so even though I haven't read the previous books I decided to give it a try. And luckily as with most Historical Romances it can be read as a standalone.

I really liked Collette and wanted her to succeed. She is surrounded by strangers and on a secret mission, her only ally is more of a jailer than someone she can trust. Rafe seems to be a bit shallow at first, he is so used to women falling at his feet, that he says some really vapid things. When he has to change tactics when Collette doesn't swoon like he expects, he starts to get more likeable and he actually goes through a bit of a change as a person.

Once the two begin to give in to their attraction they will have to decide if they trust each other and will share their secrets. This leads to a more adventurous storyline that had me worry about how things would end for both of them.

All in all this is a very enjoyable and fun read, just like the other books by Galen I've read. I most certainly will read more of her books when I'm in the mood for Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun Historical Romance.


Buy from bookdepository

The Making of a Gentleman - Book Review by Voodoo Bride (repost)

The Making of a Gentleman (The Sons of the Revolution #2)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Twelve years in a French prison leave Armand Harcourt a hollow shell. Back in England, his noble family hire Felicity Bennett to teach him manners and speech. Desire shakes both, and heals their past scars in surprising dangerous ways.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really nice Historical Romance.

I liked that the hero wasn't a dashing rogue for once. Armand is emotionally scarred and inexperienced when it comes to women. I especially liked reading how he opens up to Felicity, although I will confess I did wonder at times about the speed of his progress when it came to their relationship. I would have liked his emotional recovery to have been a little harder, and their romance a bit slower.

The suspense story line was a bit much in my opinion. Next to people hunting after Armand, there's also someone making things difficult for Felicity. The Felicity thing could have easily been left out and this would still have been a suspenseful enough read.

But overall I enjoyed this story, and I will most probably try other books by Galen if I run into them.

Why should you read it:
It's a very nice Historical Romance.

Earls Just Want to Have Fun - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

Earls Just Want to Have Fun (Covent Garden Cubs #1)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
His heart may be the last thing she ever steals...

Marlowe is a pickpocket, a housebreaker-and a better actress than any professional on the stage. She runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London's Seven Dials. It's a fierce life, and Marlowe has a hard outer shell. But when she's alone, she allows herself to think of a time before-a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.

Maxwell, Lord Dane, is intrigued when his brother, a hired investigator, ropes him into his investigation of the fiercely beautiful hellion. He teaches her to navigate the social morass of the ton, but Marlowe will not escape so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really fun Historical Romance.

I really like Galen's writing, it's engaging and funny. I was hooked from the start.

Maxwell and Marlowe make a great couple, I loved their interaction. There's instalust between them, but I liked that they didn't act on it right away, but instead were wary of each other. Their relationship developed in a believable pace as did the character growth of both. There was one romance scene that didn't work for me, but luckily there was plenty more to make up for it.

The action story line was cool, but as with any good romance you never fear things will get too desperate. It was there to create the setting for the romance and did its job well.

There were several interesting minor characters and I believe the next book will be about my two favorite minor characters, so you bet I'll get my hands on it eventually.

All in all a delightful Historical Romance.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun, well written Historical Romance

The Making of a Gentleman - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

The Making of a Gentleman (The Sons of the Revolution #2)
by Shana Galen

What is it about:
Twelve years in a French prison leave Armand Harcourt a hollow shell. Back in England, his noble family hire Felicity Bennett to teach him manners and speech. Desire shakes both, and heals their past scars in surprising dangerous ways.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:
This is a really nice Historical Romance.

I liked that the hero wasn't a dashing rogue for once. Armand is emotionally scarred and inexperienced when it comes to women. I especially liked reading how he opens up to Felicity, although I will confess I did wonder at times about the speed of his progress when it came to their relationship. I would have liked his emotional recovery to have been a little harder, and their romance a bit slower.

The suspense story line was a bit much in my opinion. Next to people hunting after Armand, there's also someone making things difficult for Felicity. The Felicity thing could have easily been left out and this would still have been a suspenseful enough read.

But overall I enjoyed this story, and I will most probably try other books by Galen if I run into them.

Why should you read it:
It's a very nice Historical Romance.