Tag: indie author

Book Review: An Improper Agreement (Improper Agreements #1) by Audra Wells

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 237 pages
Author: Audra Wells
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: October 4th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She refused to meet his eye, but he heard her quiet words, ground out behind clenched teeth. “I accept, Lord Eaton. And I plan to win.”

Clara has been missing from the London marriage mart for six years and is reluctant to return. That feeling only grows when she happens to meet Lord Eaton–a rather arrogant, proud Earl who vexes her from the moment they first meet. Not wanting to allow herself to be put down by a pompous, self-righteous man, she agrees to the silly game he proposes. The first to make the better match by the end of the season…wins.

Wesley had not intended to meet Miss Carrow in the hedge maze in the dark of night–but that is precisely what happened. He can’t help but get a rise out of her when he finds that she is entirely too entertaining to tease. Now, they are stuck in a cut-throat competition to see who can land the better match by the end of the season.

There are no rules in their secret game–a fact that Wesley overlooked when proposing the idea. Now his plan to pursue the daughter of a duke is quickly crumbling before his very eyes…and not just because of Miss Carrow’s meddling. Miss Carrow herself begins to prove to be an unwanted and unplanned distraction.

Will either opponent succeed? Or will they stumble upon something deeper as they spend more and more time in each other’s company?

LOVED THIS.

This is the first book by Audra Wells I have read and it won’t be my last. I thought this was an absolute gem of a read and had such a great time with it. It had this very slight modern tone to it and a bit of a rom-com vibe in the midst of a regency romance and I was all over how well it was written.

Wesley and Clara had my attention from the beginning. I loved the banter and the predicament they put themselves into. There were balls and forced proximity and carriage rides and all the things I love seeing that shows the development in a relationship I crave. Some of those moments in the second half had me SWOONING. And wow do I love a great kissing scene too.

I had a hard time putting this one down and thought it was beautifully paced and had the right level of drama and pull that kept me coming back for more. Can’t wait to read more books in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of past child abuse, loss of a mother, recounted

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ARC Book Review: The Fur Trader’s Lady by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 392 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

To escape her guardian’s plans to marry her, Lady Charlotte Fairfax steals away to Montreal to locate Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes her fiancé a debt for saving his life. Even though European women are forbidden from entering the interior, she is desperate to get to her fiancé deep within the northwestern wilderness.

Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.

With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.

Christy Award winner and bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents a new and thrilling historical adventure series set in the heart of the North American wilderness.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

COVER LOVE.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said that I’m obsessed with this cover, but once again, LOVE IT SO MUCH. And I love Gabrielle Meyer’s books a lot too.

This was a great read about a time period and setting that I knew little about prior. The complicated history and dynamics out on the trail and backwoods was interesting to learn about and sparked talking points and thoughts about the story.

I enjoyed the romance. It’s sweet and heated and alllll of the forced proximity is forever my favorite. I loved Charlotte’s tenacity to see herself to a better future and how tender and protective Reid was about caring for her.

This did start to feel a little long and there were a few plot things that didn’t quite work for me, but I thought it was a good start to a new series and I look forward to more stories and characters.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: attempted sexual assault, murder, gun violence, physical altercations, near death experiences

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Book Review: Love Redesigned (Lakefront Billionaires #1) by Lauren Asher

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 530 pages
Author: Lauren Asher
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Julian
If I ever caught on fire, Dahlia Muñoz would fan the flames with a smile.
So, when she returns to Lake Wisteria, I fully intend to avoid the interior designer.
At least until my meddling mother exploits my savior complex.
The faster I help Dahlia find her creative spark, the sooner she will leave town.
But while I was busy getting rid of Dahlia, I overlooked one potential issue.
What happens if I want her to stay?

Dahlia
People say the devil has many faces, but I know only one.
Julian Lopez—my childhood rival and family frenemy.
I vow to steer clear of him while recovering from my broken engagement, but then the billionaire makes an irresistible offer.
Renovate a historic house together and triple our profits.
Our temporary truce becomes compromised as we face years’ worth of denied attraction and mixed emotions.
Giving into our desire is inevitable…but falling in love?
That isn’t part of the plan.

Love Redesigned is a steamy, small town romance about two family friends-turned-childhood rivals. It is the first book in the standalone Lakefront Billionaires series and has a happy ending.

LACKED PASSION.

I don’t know y’all, this one felt…formulaic? As if a trope was chosen, a scene was written, repeat and smashed together to be called one book. While I totally love some of those tropes and the scenes were pretty good with them, I feel like I never FELT for these two like I wanted to.

There’s some enemies-ish banter and I loved the small home town setting. I liked the cast of characters and goodness, I really did love Julian. For a 500+ page book this was easy to fly through.

I’m also not a fan of any kind of benefits situation. It feels like a device used just to add more spice when the relationship hasn’t been fully built quite yet. Nor do I feel like some aspects were dived deep enough into. Bleh, a mixed bag all around.

While this wasn’t a winner, I’m hopeful for book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), grief and depression depiction

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ARC Book Review: Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch #7) by Misty M. Beller

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Rating: ★★★★
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 210 pages
Author: Misty M. Beller
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him.

Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad’s path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch.

As Christmas approaches, a sleigh ride through a snowy wonderland fans the growing spark between Clara and Miles into a flame, but a broken runner leads Clara to discover the family’s secret. Now she’s faced with an impossible betray the man she’s coming to love or risk the lives of his entire family—and her own uncle.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, forced proximity, a Christmas surprise, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

ENJOYABLE HISTORICAL.

This was my first book by this author and I would read another one! It’s a sweet Christian historical romance with a bit of suspense that keeps you flipping the pages. I loved that it was dual POV and I liked both Clara and Miles a lot. There was an agreeable nature to both of them and the instant attraction worked well overall.

Now this book is only about 200 pages and that’s where I wish it could have been different. The short length didn’t lend itself the necessary depth to the characters or romantic relationship. I would have loved to have seen something more and get an expansion on multiple fronts.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series and didn’t have a problem with understanding the basic character dynamics of the family members. It’s a fast paced read and great if you need a short book for your reading goals.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: mild
  • Content Warnings: murder (off page)

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