Promised by Leah Garriott

Promised by Leah Garriott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and Promised has a gorgeous cover. Lucky, the inside is just as pretty. This is Ms. Garriott's debut novel and I'm impressed! I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.

I enjoyed the story of Margaret and Gregory, and all they went through to gain their happily ever after. This has a fun storyline, unique and filled with likable characters. This is one of those books where I don't want to give away too much in my review. I will say, it kept me turning the pages eager to find out what would happen next and thought it was a captivating and charming story. Would recommend to any romance fan.

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None



*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Synopsis:

Margaret Brinton keeps her promises, and the one she is most determined to keep is the promise to protect her heart.

Warwickshire, England, 1812

Fooled by love once before, Margaret vows never to be played the fool again. To keep her vow, she attends a notorious matchmaking party intent on securing the perfect marital match: a union of convenience to someone who could never affect her heart. She discovers a man who exceeds all her hopes in the handsome and obliging rake Mr. Northam.

There’s only one problem. His meddling cousin, Lord Williams, won’t leave Margaret alone. Condescending and high-handed, Lord Williams lectures and insults her. When she refuses to give heed to his counsel, he single-handedly ruins Margaret’s chances for making a good match—to his cousin or anyone else. With no reason to remain at the party, Margaret returns home to discover her father has promised her hand in marriage—to Lord Williams.

Under no condition will Margaret consent to marrying such an odious man. Yet as Lord Williams inserts himself into her everyday life, interrupting her family games and following her on morning walks, winning the good opinion of her siblings and proving himself intelligent and even kind, Margaret is forced to realize that Lord Williams is exactly the type of man she’d hoped to marry before she’d learned how much love hurt. When paths diverge and her time with Lord Williams ends, Margaret is faced with her ultimate choice: keep the promises that protect her or break free of them for one more chance at love. Either way, she fears her heart will lose.

My Review:

I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and Promised has a gorgeous cover. Lucky, the inside is just as pretty. This is Ms. Garriott's debut novel and I'm impressed! I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.

I enjoyed the story of Margaret and Gregory, and all they went through to gain their happily ever after. This has a fun storyline, unique and filled with likable characters. This is one of those books where I don't want to give away too much in my review. I will say, it kept me turning the pages eager to find out what would happen next. Would recommend to any romance fan. 

About the Author:

Though she earned degrees in math and statistics, Leah Garriott lives for a good love story. She has resided in Hawaii and Italy, has walked the countryside of England, and owns every mainstream movie version of Pride and Prejudice. She’s currently living her own happily ever after in Utah with her husband and three kids. Leah is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret. 

Visit the author at www.LeahGarriott.com

“Garriott’s impressive debut distinguishes itself with its expertly evoked Regency setting, a cast of realistically flawed yet eminently relatable characters, and a sweetly satisfying love story. Teen fans of Austen-era love stories will fall hard for this impeccably crafted romance.”

-Booklist

“Promising Regency-set debut. Vivid period details and the hero’s grand romantic efforts will please fans of historical romance.”

-Publishers Weekly

Lord Heartless by Barbara Metzger

Lord Heartless by Barbara Metzger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5

"One of those very rare authors with a fine talent for zany humor and touching emotion."
-Romantic Times

This was quite the story! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fun characters, witty writing, sweet romance and overall charming tale. I really enjoy some of these "old" regencies, they're totally different than a lot of the ones coming out today. Lord Heartleigh stumbles home from a night of debauchery to discover a baby left on his doorstep! Needless to say, his whole life is turned upside down. It's hilarious, and cringeworthy, as he and his trusty valet try to figure out what to do with a baby. They finally decide to ask the housekeeper, Mrs. Cariss Kane, across the way to help them. She reluctantly agrees, and a very fun adventure unfolds. Mrs. Kane isn't as uptight as Heartleigh first assumes and has secrets of her own.

Carissa and Heartleigh have a great relationship, I loved watching it bloom. I loved the subtle ways we see Heartleigh fall in love with Carissa and her daughter, Pippa. Heartleigh turns out to be a pretty charming hero, and despite his rakish ways, you can't help rooting for him and Carissa to end up together.

Ms. Metzger is a hit or miss for me, some of her books I've really enjoyed, while others not at all. I did enjoy this one. Even though this was published in 1998, I think contemporary readers would enjoy it as well. A bit reminiscent of Heyer, but I think more easily readable. Would recommend to any Regency fan looking for a lighthearted, witty romp with a different storyline than your typical regency romance.

ContentPG13-mild
Romance: Pretty clean. Just kisses, closed door intimacy (view spoiler)[No on-page sex scenes. One scene where she goes to his room to sleep with him, he turns her down, but makes an innuendo comment that he is "interested." At the end, they consummate their relationship a day or so before marriage. Closed door. (hide spoiler)]He is also a rake, so mentions of mistresses in the past.
Language: Very mild (a couple D, I think that's it)
Violence: Mild. Talk of a servant being raped, resulting in a pregnancy. A mild fight scene. Kidnapping. The whole book is done in a very lighthearted tone.

Source: Amazon Kindle

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Fall from Trace by Rebecca Connolly

Fall from Trace by Rebecca Connolly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't usually pre-order books, but when I saw Fall from Trace was up for sale, I couldn't resist. And that cover...spot on! I than anxiously waited for it to be released so I could finally learn Trace's story. Alex Sommerville has long been thought dead, his closest friends and love of his life have spent the last five years mourning his passing. But, he wasn't really dead, at least not physically.

This is not a standalone story, you could probably read it as one, but it is much better if you've read the other books in the series. It really makes the story a lot richer if you do.

This was a great story, very well written. Alex has had a very rough five years, to put it mildly. So, it's not a happy lighthearted story, but rather one of finding himself, healing and overcoming a lot to return to himself and of course the power of love. Poppy and Alex were childhood friends, turned sweethearts. They have a phenomenal connection to each other, understand each other. Their scenes together are probably my favorite. Alex went through a lot in captivity, the author doesn't gloss over it or make him heal too quickly. I appreciate that there are no gory details, but you also are given enough information to know he went through hell. But, we also get to see him heal.

The story is well rounded, I thought it was well paced, kept me glued to the pages. I liked that we were reunited with past characters. I appreciate that they didn't steal the show, which can happen in series like this. It was still very much Alex and Poppy's story, but also nice to have them woven in. (view spoiler)[I did wonder about Alex living with Poppy, alone, while he recovered. Of course the town is going to gossip. I also wondered when he regained his title and eventually marries Poppy, how did the town react to all that? (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Its been a really fun series to read and get into.

Content:
Romance: Clean
Language: Very mild
Violence: Moderate: nothing on page, but memories of torture & abuse, ptsd

Source: Amazon Kindle

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