Now in My Bookbag: A Measured Risk, by Natasha Blackthorne

This book is an erotic, steamy, historical romance. It contains graphic bondage, dominance, and submission.

This story revolves around two enjoyable characters, Anne and Jon. The prologue describes a terrible carriage wreck during which one of the horses tragically kills her husband. After that, she suffers from PTSD. The love she had for horses turns into terror. She already has low self esteem, and comes across as cold and aloof when around others. Jon sees that she has the potential for more. He feels a need to hold others at arms length. He is a player, and has a reputation as a love them and leave them sort of man. He doesn’t want to become responsible for any sort of attachment to another, but eventually decides that he can use dominance to break down her walls and teach her to trust. Can he make this work even when his own heart is locked away?

I really like this book. The characters feel real, and the plot is enjoyable. Author Natasha Blackthorne does a great job of world-building and character development. 4 stars

Now in My Bookbag: Love is Come, by Heather B. Moore

I am lucky to have received an advance copy of this book, and was asked only for an honest review in return. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I am absolutely captivated by this historical romance from the Power of the Matchmaker Series. Author Heather B. Moore does an impressive job creating a world that is complete with the attitudes and social norms of the time.

Moore also does a fantastic job making me feel Nelle’s story, which is heartrendingly sad, more so because of the treatment she receives from the family on whom she needs to lean. Her only consolations are the time spent with either Mathew or Pearl. She also finds solace in her music. This is totally relatable for almost every reader, even if they are not musicians. Music is universal in its ability to provide a release for what ails the heart.

Pearl’s efforts to unite Nelle with her match are hard fought, giving the story that much more interest. Her existence is of great import to Nelle, and I find that Pearl is written to provide humor and heart to the book. Moore makes me believe that the deep friendship between the two is as important to Pearl as it is to Nelle.

Finally, Moore gives Nelle a huge capacity for love and compassion, which is like a balm to the pettiness and disdain that Nelle must face throughout the story. I believe that she will become one of my favorite heroines from my plethora of books. 5 stars

Now in My Bookbag: The Hunter Bride, by Cynthia Woolf (Hope's Crossing - Book One)

I liked this book so much! I really liked the characters, plot, and setting. This book was very engaging, and a joy to read. I was drawn in immediately. It was such an interesting story line. The relationship between Sam and Jo was communicated wonderfully, and the flow of the book was decidedly well done.

I appreciated Woolf’s attention to the story’s details. Western Romances hadn’t been my genre of choice for a long time. However, I decided that it was going back on my list… especially if it was written by author Cynthia Woolf.

I was very disappointed to find so many grammatical errors throughout the book. I marked more than 30, so this book definitely needed another proofing.

If not for the many grammatical errors in the book, I would have rated this book 5 stars. As it was though, I could only award 4 1/4 stars… which translates to a 4 star rating via amazon and Netgalley.

I was provided a copy of this book, by its publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Now in My Bookbag: Devastation (A Beastly Tale Part 3) By H.J. Haag

Devastation is a phenomenally written conclusion to the Beastly Tale Trilogy. It has intelligence, humor, frustration and acceptance.

Benella is such a wonderful character… endowed with intellect and beauty. It is a pleasure to see the way Haag continues Benella’s development through the completion of the tale. She constantly learns, grows and matures, and she is one of my favorite female characters in a long while.

Haag builds this world with the tools of her imagination. Throughout the trilogy, this world develops more and more definition until it becomes real. The characters, both lovable and unlovable, have clear identities. The settings and storytelling are perfection.

This book, and this series, are extremely well written and should be on everyone’s must-read list. 

5 stars!

Now in My Bookbag: Deceit (A Beastly Tale Part 2) by M.J. Haag

Deceit is a beautifully written, heartwarming, heart breaking read. Haag is a magnificent storyteller. The result of her skill is a magical tale and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Benella’s choices are almost always based in logic. She realizes that to free herself, she must first free The Beast. The Beast’s decisions are purely tied to his emotions. He has, after all, been cursed to live in the body of an animal for fifty years. The beauty of the story lies in the complex relationship between the two.

Deceit is intelligent, enticing and a wonderful treat for the imagination. The cliffhanger is shocking, heartbreaking and well thought out.  It is a 5 star book and a must read.