Review of The Duke of Daring

Ok, so blogging book reviews is new for me. Consider yourself warned! But I’ve been wanting to start posting book reviews to support writers, primarily independently published authors. So here goes…

First things first. Let’s talk rating systems. I’ll rate books using hearts, from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating. I’ll try to reserve a rating of “5” for books that I consider “un-put-downable”, or the type of book that I just can’t wait to get back to or finish.

Second, the type of books I read for pleasure, or in my “down” time, are typically in the romance genre. I also enjoy reading books in the suspense genre. Romantic suspense? Even better! I do tend to like romances with erotica, or sexy love scenes. Sorry not sorry. My philosophy at this point in my life is, I’m going to do what I enjoy in my leisure time. Life is too short not to do so!

To give you an idea of the types of books I like to read, I’ll share with you some of my favorite authors. Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts are some of the big names you likely recognize. Some others who are not as well known, but spin a wonderfully entertaining tale are Lexi Ryan, Monica Murphy, Lauren Smith, and Darcy Burke. And still others include some of my favorite clients, such as Cameron Hart, Alyssa Milani, Sarah LeeAnn, and Lisa Reisner. Regrettably, I won’t be reviewing any books I have edited. I feel that would be a conflict of interest. But I highly recommend all of the authors I’ve listed here.

One more thing I’d like to disclose – I love to read, but with working a full-time job and running a business on the side, my time is very limited. Therefore, I am an avid audio book listener. I have a thirty-five minute commute to work (one-way), during which I enjoy listening to audio books and podcasts. I also like to listen while doing mundane housework or exercising. Many of the books I review here will be audio books, including my first post.

Now that you know a little more about the types of books I’ll be reviewing here, let’s move on to my very first review!

I recently listened to the audio book The Duke of Daring, by Darcy Burke. I selected this book for two reasons: I had previously read another book by Ms. Burke, and very much enjoyed it. I also purchase most of my audio books from Chirp. Chirp is an online site that offers amazing limited-time deals on select digital audio books. All books you purchase are yours to keep, and there’s no monthly subscription fees or minimum purchases. This particular book was on sale for $0.99. Another reveal about me – I love a good deal (who doesn’t?), and I often buy my books and audio books on sale.

This book is a regency romance, which I do listen to/read, but not quite as often as other romance sub-genres.

The following is the publisher’s description (Darcy Burke Publishing) of the book:

“Miss Lucinda Parnell is out of money. A dismal failure at the Marriage Mart, she’d just as soon leave Society far behind. Desperate to earn funds to retire with her grandmother to the country, Lucy disguises herself as a man to gamble in London’s hells. But the Earl of Dartford, an Untouchable she never imagined speaking to let alone spending time with, is onto her in a trice. When he insists on acting as her protector, Lucy fears her chance to remain an independent woman is destined to go up in flames.

After losing his entire family, Andrew Wentworth, Earl of Dartford built a wall to keep attachments at bay. He believed he could keep Miss Parnell safe without compromising his defenses, but she’s exciting and irresistible. Their deepening relationship makes him even more determined to push her away. Nothing will stop him from trying to avoid reliving the anguish of loss. Love is the one risk he doesn’t have the heart to dare.”

I give The Duke of Daring a solid ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️/5, and here’s why. I love romance books with strong female leads/heroines. In my opinion, it takes a strong man to love and have a lasting relationship with a strong, independent woman. Lucy is definitely a strong heroine. She is also a very relatable character. I think we all can identify with our childhoods shaping who we become as adults, and how it influences our personal relationships, especially with our significant other. And Andrew is just the man to change Lucy’s ideas about marriage. This couple’s adventures and antics kept me entertained, and the romance between the two kept me hooked. I couldn’t wait to find out how they found their HEA.

I highly recommend The Duke of Daring by Darcy Burke, whether you listen to the audio book, or go the “traditional” route and read the book.

I hope you enjoyed my first book review! If so, please comment, I’d love to hear from you!

Review of Can’t Fight This Feeling

First things first, here’s the author’s blurb:

For as long as Kyle Egan can remember, he has wanted only one thing: to run his own boat charter company. Not that he has much to complain about, as the lead charter boat captain at the Indigo Royal Resort in St. Thomas USVI. He gets to spend his days out on the water, never has to wear a tie, and works alongside his best friend, Drea Miller, who happens to be the only other thing he wants.

Drea Miller has been crushing on her best friend Kyle since the moment she saw him five years ago. Unfortunately, she is fully aware that he doesn’t see her as more than a friend— oh, and the niece of his bosses. Working for the family-owned resort with her three annoyingly overprotective uncles has always been what she wanted, but lately she’s started to wonder what else life might hold. If she can’t have the guy she wants, maybe it’s time that she makes another dream a reality.

When an encounter with a guest brings out the truth, Kyle and Drea are left trying to navigate their feelings, but can their new love survive a revelation they never saw coming?

My rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️/5
I enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. Our hero — Kyle — is a sweet guy who’s secretly been in love with his bestie — our heroine, Drea — for years.
Little does he know, Drea has also been crushing on Kyle, too.

Kyle resists acting on his feelings because he works for Drea’s uncles at their tropical resort. And Drea doesn’t think Kyle sees her for anything more than a friend.

Once these two get together, buckle up because there are some steamy, sexy scenes!

Eventually, their secret relationship is revealed along with another bombshell. Will their love survive? Of course, silly, hea’s only in my romance reads!

I was first drawn to this book because it takes place in the Caribbean, and since I can’t travel there right now, I got the next best thing.

@clairehastings_author spins a wonderfully romantic tale, and I look forward to my next read by her!

Review of Love in the Wild

Here’s the author’s blurb:

A sensual, powerful, and thought provoking Tarzan retelling :

Eden Matthews stumbled upon the discovery of a lifetime while photographing wildlife deep in the heart of Africa…

A gorgeous god of a man living in the wilds of the African jungle among a family of gorillas…

When he saves her life she’s compelled to uncover the man’s tragic past and the fate which led him to grow up in the wild.

But Eden soon learns she can take man from the wild, but she can’t take the wild out of the man…

When her savage savior soon shows her just what he wants of her…her sensual surrender, she finds she can’t resist him teaching her how to love…in the wild.

I give this book ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️/5

I selected this book because the idea of an adult version of the Tarzan story appealed to me. But this story is So. Much. More!

Yes, there are sexy love scenes. What I didn’t expect was for this to be such a beautifully crafted tale. The story is so well written. Yes, it is the traditional story of a young, orphaned boy being raised in the jungle by gorillas. And speaking of gorillas — Emma Castle elicited such emotion from me in the way she describes the gorilla families. Such talent!

There is also good against evil and lots of action, too. I’m telling ya’ll, this story has it all! There’s even a magical element.

A thoroughly entertaining read. I have found another go-to author.

If you enjoy well-written adventure romance books, I highly recommend Emma Castle. You can find her on IG as @emmacastlebooks. She also writes under the name Lauren Smith, on IG as @laurensmithbooks. Enjoy!