HI Folks!

Well, life sure can throw some curveballs at ya but, I'm still standing.  Fingers crossed, life has settled a bit and I can resume by blog duties.  While I have still been reading, I have not had the time to post on my blog very often, due to those curveballs I mentioned.  However, I am very excited to pick it back up.  I might not post quite as often as I was, especially at first, but I will be posting.  Some books/reviews will be for books that have been out a while.  My NetGalley list has grown a bit over this last year or so, again, due to those curveballs.

Anyway, I appreciate all of your love and support and hope you will continue to follow me and pop in on Cat's Reviews. 

Have an amazing day!
Cat

"Fighting for Devlin" (Jessica Lemmon) ★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Katy Evans, Jessica Lemmon's irresistible Lost Boys series kicks off with the story of a good girl who plays by the rules—and the bad boy who brings out her wild side.

Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers—and they became his family. They're the reason Dev's running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people. . . .

Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again . . . like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena's not about to turn him down . . . or kick him out of bed.

Dev reawakens something primal within her—a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she'd sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.

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CAT'S REVIEW

I was excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley for this book by Jessica Lemmon- I've previously read several of her works and enjoyed them immensely.  So, I'm sad to say I was a bit disappointed with "Fighting for Devlin".  While the main characters - Rena and Devlin, are ok and at times, I really liked them, there were too many times that I didn't like them.  Rena came across very immature and I didn't care for Devlin or the way he acted.  He came across as a jerk for most of the book.  I did grow to like them both but it took quite a long time for that to happen.  The story itself had promise and was a bit different storyline then I usually read -Devlin is a true bad boy, involved in illegal gambling.  Overall, I wasn't overly thrilled or so intrigued by this one that I found I had to work to finish it.  I did and am glad that I found out what happens and grew to enjoy the story a bit more towards the end.  I will continue to be a fan of Ms. Lemmon but will probably just stay away from this series.  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★

REVIEW COPY COURTESY OF

"Some Girls Lie" (Amy Andrews) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Local pub owner Jemima Jane Ericson is living a lie. She’s been in love with her best friend Ethan since forever. But he fell in love with another woman, married her, and despite their tempestuous relationship and decade old divorce, JJ knows Ethan’s heart is still down for the count. And friendship is better than nothing, right?

Single dad and Jumbuck Springs chief of police, Ethan Weston, hits the pub the night his ex-wife remarries and announces she wants custody of their daughter. When he wakes the next morning to find himself in JJ’s bed he’s mortified that they’d crossed a line they should never have crossed. Until JJ’s abusive ex, Shane, shows up at her door and Ethan claims he and JJ are engaged to protect her.

Both are stunned by the unravelling of their normally sane lives but suddenly it makes sense – JJ gets a deterrent and Ethan gets the respectability of a wife for any custody claims. But when JJ’s life is threatened, Ethan is forced to confront feelings that may just run much deeper than convenience…

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Some Girls Lie' by Amy Andrews is a fairly quick read that was sweet and enjoyable.  There's a touch of danger, some heartache, lust and love, and family and friends. Ethan and JJ have been friends forever.  JJ - loved her.  My heart hurt for her and her unrequited feelings towards Ethan but no one could ask for a better friend than JJ.  Ethan, despite not seeing what's right in front of his eyes, is a good guy- sexy and hunky and a really great dad.  Despite not having read the earlier books in this series, I had no trouble following along and am now interested in reading those as well.  The plot was easy to follow and kept the reader interested and invested.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from Ms. Andrews in the future.   (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★★

REVIEW COPY COURTESY OF

"Always For You: Jack" (Alexis Morgan) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Praised by Susan Mallery as a bestselling author whose “heartfelt, touching stories never disappoint,” Alexis Morgan introduces Sergeant Joe's Boys: three brothers living up to a legacy of courageous military service—and pursuing the women who have captured their hearts.

No one understands family loyalty like Jack McShane. He'd do anything to honor his foster father's last wishes, even if it means putting his own plans on hold to manage Joe's construction business. An ex–Special Forces operative, Jack thrives on the thrill of globe-hopping rescues. But now he's needed closer to home. His foster mother has her hands full with a troubled teen, and when Jack meets the hired tutor, he discovers a woman who stirs his protective instincts—and his deepest desires.

Caitlyn Curtis knows that good looks can hide a hot temper. After an abusive marriage crushed her dreams of a happy ending, she swore off men—until one intoxicating dance in Jack's strong arms breaks down every emotional barrier. Tough but tender, he leaves Caitlyn yearning for more of his gentle seduction. Despite the violence he's seen, Jack is a good man. And even though passion can be dangerous, the promise of Jack's kiss tempts her to believe that love is a risk worth taking.

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Always for You: Jack" by Alexis Morgan is a feel good story that envelops love, family and trust.  Jack is trying to do the right thing after the passing of his dad but his plan is to go back to his life once things are settled.  Well, life has a funny way of throwing a wrench in the best of plans.  Along comes Ricky, a homeless teen living on the streets. He's tough and has attitude but Jack recognizes himself in the boy so he tries his darndest to help him.  That's the type of guy Jack is - willing to help out, caring and loving.  He knows family is number one and I loved that about him.  Along comes Caitlyn, Ricky's tutor.  Well, sparks fly between these two!  Caitlyn has some issues coming from a bad marriage, but I really liked her.  She has worked hard to gain control of her life and be independent yet not lose her caring heart.  Ms. Morgan has successfully written a tale that is heartwarming and has touches of heartache too.  I enjoyed this story and look forward to more in this series down the road.  (received copy for honest review)

★★★★

REVIEW COPY COURTESY OF

"Defending Hayden" (L.P. Dover) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

The Carolina Cougars keep fighting for love as the Second Chances series from bestselling author L. P. Dover continues! In Defending Hayden, a damaged football star teams up with the only woman who can take the pain away.

No one's tougher than Carolina Cougars linebacker Derek McLaughlin. But when a fatal car accident claims the life of his girlfriend, Derek finds himself caught in a destructive spiral of drugs, alcohol, and meaningless sex. But not even a string of one-night stands can ease the hurt. Football is all he has left. Then fate leads him back to the scene of the crash, and into the arms of a kind, gorgeous woman who sees past his façade to the man he once was . . . and can be again.

When a chance roadside encounter brings Derek into her life, veterinarian Hayden Hunter isn't fooled by his bad attitude: All bark and no bite, he's hiding a wounded heart beneath that gruff demeanor. And Hayden wants to be the one to kiss it all better. Soon they both find that a dose of passion is potent medicine. But when a hidden enemy lashes out at Hayden, Derek steps up to do what he does best: put his body on the line in the name of love.

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Defending Hayden" by L.P. Dover is a sweet, exciting love story.  Right off the bat, Ms. Dover had my heart breaking for Derek - despite his rough go of it, he's truly a great all around guy - sexy, strong, kind and caring.  Oh, and romantic - the little things he does throughout had me swooning - the winks, the texts.  A real dream!  Hayden - I liked her too.  She's worked hard to be a vet and loves her job.  Her heart is huge and I felt for her as she waded through so much trouble.  The two together were a beautiful pairing.  They worked.  I liked the plot as well - a little bit of danger and mystery always adds to a romance story.  Ms. Dover has written a story that kept me interested and intrigued and rooting for the Hero and heroine throughout.  I have not yet read the previous books in this series but already have downloaded "Catching Summer" and plan to check out the rest as well.  Ms. Dover has found herself a new fan with "Defending Hayden".    (received copy for honest review)

★★★★

REVIEW COPY COURTESY OF

"Mail Order Baron" (Cynthia Woolf) ★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

When her parents died, Molly McGregor did what she needed to survive in New York City all alone. She took a job for a well respected banker, but made a discovery that put her life in danger. Now in 1882 she is fleeing New York for the western frontier, Molly makes the desperate decision to become a mail order bride in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. She doesn't hope for much, just that her new husband will be strong enough to protect her from the danger she fears will follow.

Ben King was too busy making his fortune in silver to worry about a wife or family. Now he's rich, well known, owns half the town of Tombstone, and is utterly alone. When his heart becomes entangled with his best friend's new wife, he decides drastic action is required and contracts a mail order bride. He requests someone plain, someone simple to warm his hearth and home, someone he can be sure won't rouse his passion or complicate his life. He's tired of fancy women chasing him for his money, and even more tired of hoping any woman could be different. He doesn't believe in true love, and doesn't want the complications that would come with it. He doesn't have time for complicated. He has an empire to run.

But Molly is a shock to his senses. She doesn't care about his money or his fame. All she wants from him is a safe haven, security, and a new last name. Ben tries to keep his heart out of danger, but danger seems to be Molly's middle name. When a rich and powerful enemy chases his beautiful new bride halfway across the country to extract vengeance, Ben discovers his heart is not nearly as cold as he'd hoped. Their passion fires hot, hot enough to kill...more than hot enough to burn them both.

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Mail Order Baron" by Cynthia Woolf is a historical romance about a mail order bride.  After her arrival, Molly discovers that Ben, her husband, is in love with his friend's wife.  Of course, Molly is in danger and that is the reason for her becoming a mail order bride to begin with.  At times I liked Molly and other times, she annoyed me a bit.  It seemed she expected instant true love.  Ben is likable, even if he is hung up on someone else.  Of course, the danger helps to bring a bit of life to the book.  Unfortunately, while the story held promise, the writing style felt very stiff to me and it was, at times, a bit tough to continue.  I'm glad I did as the story itself isn't terrible.  Overall, not a bad read but not overly exciting or memorable either.  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★

REVIEW COPY COURTESY OF

"Only for Him" (Cristin Harber) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Grayson Ford and Emma Kinglsey--close since they were kids, opposites in every way. He's the stuff high school crushes are made of, Mister Popular, and captain of every team. She's artsy, cute, and not in his league, though fully aware of Summerland's "I Dream of Dating Grayson Ford" support group. 

I can't say no. The girl's had my heart since before I knew it went missing. 

He hides a life of hell. His father hates him, his mother's gone. Emma is his only savior, yet she doesn't know her power over him. She's the only girl he wants, the only one he could ever tell--though he won't. 

I'm stronger, bigger, more of a man than he'll ever be, but because I ruined his life, I've taken his crap, his attacks, the vulgar nature of his existence. 

Until she discovers Gray's embarrassment, his humiliation. Emma fights for him and for a chance. Theirs is a Cinderella story that she believes impossible. But as the layers peel back, it's just a guy who needs a girl in order to keep breathing. 

My mind is already doodling Mrs. Grayson Ford in imaginary notebooks. He has no clue where my head is at... But, given that I didn't see what just happened coming, maybe I have no clue where his head is at either. 

Only for Him. Only series, Volume One. 
All novellas in the series are available now!

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Only for Him" by Cristin Harber.  I loved Gray and Emma!  I loved how they interacted and how they tried to fight the attraction.  I loved Gray - despite his upbringing, he's a good kid.  And Emma is sweet as pie!  My heart wrenched for them both during the story and it also fluttered wildly at the love between these two.  I was a big saddened by the ending (didn't like where Emma was going but somewhat understood) but realized it leads us to the next book in the series.  This is a wonderful prequel to a story - totally caught me - hook, line and sinker!

(received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★★

"Darkness Awakened" (Katie Reus) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Katie Reus, the first story in her Darkness series: Darkness Awakened. 

Years ago he ended things between them to protect her… 

As leader of one of the fiercest werewolf packs in the south, Finn Stavros is in full battle mode 24/7. He has no choice—he’s one of the few beings strong enough to fight the Akkadian demons, whose mysterious escape from hell threatens the entire world. With the battle turning bloodier by the second, Finn is ready for anything…until his vampire long lost love shows up on his doorstep in desperate need of his help, sending his heart into a tailspin. He agrees to help her, unaware that she carries a shocking secret that will turn his life upside down. 

This time, he’s not letting her go… 

Vampire Lyra Marius curses the day she met Finn. The ruthless werewolf promised to love her forever, but he rejected her instead—before she could share her life altering news. Pregnant, kicked out of her coven, and cast aside by the love of her life, Lyra struggled to raise their rare shifter-vampire daughter Vega alone among humans. When the 16-year-old is kidnapped and used to fulfill a frightening prophecy, Lyra swallows her pride and turns to Finn for help. But how long can she fight her feelings for him and keep him from guessing the truth about who Vega really is? As they race against the clock to save their daughter, they must defeat the lethal threat imposed by demons infiltrating the human world and a hell gate that could not only reveal their existence to mankind, but destroy the world in the process. 

Books in Darkness series: 
Darkness Awakened, #1 
Taste of Darkness, #2 
Beyond the Darkness, #3 

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Darkness Awakened" by Katie Reus.  This is a paranormal romance that I found to be well written and full of suspense and love.  I really liked Finn, our Hero.  He's a wolf shifter that is strong and powerful, yet his dedication to his one true love is beyond belief.  Who wouldn't want to be loved by Finn?  Lyra is a strong and powerful vampire that has raised her daughter on her own.  Despite being independent, she, too, needs the strength of her true love to get through a trying time.  The story is filled with suspense - who done it? where is Vega? Will Finn and Lyra get their HEA?  Ms. Reus keeps the reader involved with descriptive scenes and emotional and heart felt dialogue.  I would have liked to have seen a touch more between Finn and Lyra - when secrets are revealed, Finn accepted things a bit too easily for me - I would have thought there would have been a bit more drama in that respect.  But it still worked well.  Overall, I enjoyed this tale by Ms. Reus and look forward to the rest of the series.  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★★

"Her Secret Christmas Hero" (Mallory Kane) ★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Allie McHale is spending this brutal Christmas Eve snowstorm in a barn in Marietta, Montana when suddenly she hears a horrible crash on the freeway near her ranch. She discovers a handsome lone survivor, a prisoner in handcuffs, and despite her apprehension about harboring a criminal, she rescues him anyway. 

Jacob Reeves, on his way to Seattle to testify against his organized crime family, is miraculously saved by the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on, who has every reason not to trust him, but getting through a freezing Christmas Eve forces them to work together to survive. 

During the long night, their chemistry is off the charts and Jake realizes that Allie could be the love of his life. But as soon as the storm is over, he’ll be gone. Is Jake destined to break both of their hearts, or will a Christmas tragedy end in a miracle?

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Her Secret Christmas Hero" by Mallory Kane.  I have been a fan of Ms. Kane's for a while but I have to be honest and say, I was slightly disappointed with this one.  I found it a bit incredible the relationship between the two main characters.  While I sympathized with Allie and even Jacob, the relationship just didn't work for me.  While I do enjoy tales of love at first sight and others about couples that fall in love quickly, for some reason, this one just didn't work for me.  I didn't feel the connection  between the two.  However, the story itself roped me in - bad snowstorm, stranded together, rescues, Christmas - all the makings of a romantic tale.  I liked both characters, even if Jacob had a less than stellar background, they were both good people and lonely too.  I would have liked to have a bit longer story and had them spend more time together before Jacob had to leave.     Not a terrible story, just a bit ok for me.  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY

NETGALLEY

"Must Love Cowboys" (Cheryl Brooks) ★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

Book 2 of Cowboy Heaven

From established author Cheryl Brooks comes the second in a contemporary erotic romance series set at a Wyoming ranch chock full of sexy-as-sin cowboys.

When you find yourself in cowboy heaven, things can get hot as hell...

Shy computer specialist and amateur chef Tina Hayes travels to Circle Bar K ranch to scatter her father’s ashes in the Tetons of Wyoming. Once there, her father’s old army buddy and his cast of cowboy ranch hands persuade her to stay on as the ranch’s cook for a while. It’s not a hard decision, especially when she meets Wyatt McCabe, a man who makes her heart gallop like no one else. But with so many cowboys to choose from, can Wyatt show Tina that he’s the only one for her?

Cowboy Heaven Series:

Cowboy Delight (Novella)

Cowboy Heaven (Book 1)

Must Love Cowboys (Book 2)

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CAT'S REVIEW

"Must Love Cowboys" by Cheryl Brooks.  This story tells the tale of Tina and a bunch of cowboys!  Well,  really just one but there are quite a few in the tale.  Tina journeys to a ranch to deliver items  to her deceased grandfather's friend.  Events lead her to become the temporary cook and she discovers she might have found her niche.  For me, this book moved really slow. Many things were repetitive and I found myself skipping over parts.  Tina was a bit of a mystery to me - the author wrote her to be shy yet I never, ever found her to be so.  It felt as if throughout both the reader and Tina were trying to be convinced of that fact.  Her relationship with Wyatt (and Dean too!) also didn't sit well with me - especially if she was so shy.  I felt the story had promise - it just needed a bit more spunk.  I liked the characters, even Tina, but wanted more from the story.  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY

NETGALLEY

"On His Watch" (Katie Ruggle) ★★★★

BOOK SUMMARY

In the remote Rocky Mountains, lives depend on the Search & Rescue brotherhood. But in a place this far off the map, trust is hard to come by and secrets can be murder...

Ice rescue diver Derek Warner never meant to be a hero. But when two little girls go missing, he's the first in line to bring them home-even if that means scouring the wilderness with the woman he once loved and lost, Artemis Rey.

Artemis has never stopped wanting Derek. Now, racing to find the girls before it's too late, minutes turn to hours. Night falls. Old flames rekindle. And a danger grows in the darkest wilderness that may be more than even the Search and Rescue brotherhood can hope to face...

On His Watch is the pulse-pounding prequel to the riveting Search & Rescue series by Katie Ruggle.

Search and Rescue:
On His Watch (novella)
Hold Your Breath
Fan the Flames
Gone too Deep
In Safe Hands

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CAT'S REVIEW

"On His Watch" by Katie Ruggle.  This is a fairly quick read that kept me interested throughout.  I liked Derek, although he comes across a bit immature (typical male I guess! ), he is all business when it comes to his job.  Artie comes across tough and doesn't want to be seen as less than that, but underneath she's a caring sweet soul.  I enjoyed seeing them reconnect.  There is a bit of a sense of danger  - I would have liked to have seen that expanded on a bit more - I guess I'll have to read the next book in the series, maybe, to see what happens with that.   Overall, I enjoyed this read, would have liked to have witnessed a bit more of Derek and Artie, both before and after, but it was still good.   (received copy from NetGalley for honest review)

★★★★

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY:

NetGalley

"Tremaine's True Love" (Grace Burrowes) ★★★★ with GIVEAWAY!!

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: Tremaine’s True Love  

Author: Grace Burrowes

Release Date: August 4, 2015 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Historical Romance

BOOK SUMMARY

He's had everything he could ever want...until now 

Wealthy wool magnate Tremaine St. Michael is half French, half Scottish, and all business. He prowls the world in search of more profits, rarely settling in one place for long. When he meets practical, reserved Lady Nita Haddonfield, he sees an opportunity to mix business with pleasure by making the lady his own.

Nita Haddonfield has a meaningful life tending to others, though nobody is dedicated to caring for Nita. She insists the limitations of marriage aren't for her, then Tremaine St. Michael arrives-protective, passionate, and very, very determined to win Nita's heart.

TBR/BUY LINKS

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BARNES & NOBLE

iBOOKS

IndieBound

Message From the Author

 What makes a man a gentleman? 

For a romance writer, this question has to be answered in every book, because implicit in the term “hero” is something of the gentleman. Heroes need not be charming, handsome or wealthy, and they might not even be obviously heroic, at least at the start of the book, but they have to be worthy of our loyalty for the duration of an entire book.  

In the True Gentlemen series, I took three men who’d wandered across my pages in previous stories—Tremaine St. Michael, Daniel Banks, and Willow Dorning—and found them each a happily ever after. Tremaine is a flinty business man, Daniel is poor and pious, Willow finds polite society an enormous trial and would far rather be with his dogs. These fellows were not obvious choices as romance heroes, but they each had something that tempted me to write stories for them. 

When we met Tremaine in an earlier book (Gabriel: Lord of Regrets), Tremaine was convinced that he’d found a good candidate for the position of wife. He offered marriage, listing all the practical advantages to both parties, and he congratulated himself on how much sense his proposed union would make. 

The lady turned him down flat, and as a gentleman is bound to do, he graciously ceded the field. He didn’t like it, he didn’t entirely understand how or what he’d lost, but he wished the happy couple well.

Daniel’s role in David: Lord of Honor was to charge to London with sermons at the ready in an attempt to restore his sister’s honor. The very man Daniel accused of wronging that sister had already set her back on the path to respectability.

Oops. But again, being a gentleman, Daniel wishes the couple every happiness, even if doing so costs him the future he’d envisioned for himself and his loved ones. Like Tremaine, he’s a gracious and even dignified loser.

Willow’s appearance in Worth: Lord of Reckoning is brief, but he too is determined to see a sister rescued from a possibly compromising position, and again, rescue is simply not on the heroine’s agenda. 

In all three cases, the true gentleman acts in the best interests of those he loves and is responsible for, regardless of the inconvenience or cost to himself. Because Tremaine, Daniel, and Willow were honorable, I liked them. I trusted them, I wanted them to have the happiness they clearly already deserved. 

In the Nicholas Haddonfield’s sisters—Nita, Kirsten, and Susannah—I found ladies willing to oblige my ambitions for these men. In each case, our hero has lessons yet to learn, and in each case, his inherent honor wins the day. He might not be handsome, wealthy, or charming in the eyes of the world, but because he’s a true gentleman in the eyes of his lady, he wins her true love.

I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them!

EXCERPT

Wealthy businessman Tremaine St. Michael has concluded that marriage to Lady Nita Haddonfield would be a prudent merger of complimentary interests for the mutual benefit and enjoyment of both parties… or some such blather.

Tremaine rapped on Lady Nita’s door, quietly, despite a light shining from beneath it. Somebody murmured something which he took for permission to enter.

“Mr. St. Michael?” 

Tremaine stepped into her ladyship’s room, closed the door behind him and locked it, which brought the total of his impossibly forward behaviors to several thousand.

“Your ladyship expected a sister, or a maid with a pail of coal?”

 “I wasn’t expecting you.” Lady Nita sat near the hearth in a blue velvet dressing gown. The wool stockings on her feet were thick enough to make a drover covetous. “Are you unwell, Mr. St. Michael?”

“You are not pleased to see me.” Did she think illness the only reason somebody would seek her out?

She set aside some pamphlet, a medical treatise, no doubt. No vapid novels for Lady Nita.

“I was not expecting you, sir.”

“You were not expecting me to discuss marriage with you earlier. I wasn’t expecting the topic to come up in a casual fashion either. May I sit?”

She waved an elegant hand at the other chair flanking the hearth. Tremaine settled in, trying to gather his thoughts while the firelight turned Lady Nita’s braid into a rope of burnished gold.

“You are pretty.” Brilliant place to start. The words had come out, heavily burred, something of an ongoing revelation.

“I am tall and blond,” she retorted, twitching the folds her of her robe. “I have the usual assortment of parts. What did you come here to discuss?”

 Lady Nita was right, in a sense. Her beauty was not of the ballroom variety, but rather, an illumination of her features by characteristics unseen. She fretted over new babies, cut up potatoes like any crofter’s wife, and worried for her sisters. These attributes interested Tremaine. Her madonna-with-a-secret smile, keen intellect, and longing for laughter attracted him.

Even her medical pre-occupation, in its place, had some utility as well.

“Will you marry me, my lady?” 

More brilliance. Where had his wits gone? George Haddonfield had graciously pointed out that Nita needed repose and laughter, and Tremaine was offering her the hand of the most restless and un-silly man in the realm.

The lady somehow contained her incredulity, staring at her hands. “You want to discuss marriage?”

“I believe I did just open that topic. Allow me to elaborate on my thesis: Lady Bernita Haddonfield, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I think we would suit, and I can promise you would know no want in my care.”

A proper swain would have been on his damn bended knee, the lady’s hand in his. Lady Nita would probably laugh herself to tears if Tremaine attempted that nonsense. Lady Nita picked up her pamphlet, which Tremaine could now see was written in German. 

 “Why, Mr. St. Michael?” 

“I beg your pardon?” Tremaine was about to pitch the damned pamphlet in the fire, until he recalled that Nita Haddonfield excelled at obscuring her stronger emotions.

“Why should you marry me, Tremaine St. Michael? Why should I marry you? I’ve had other offers, you’ve made other offers. You haven’t known me long enough to form an opinion of my character beyond the superficial.” 

This ability to take a situation apart, into causes, effects, symptoms, and prognosis was part of the reason she was successful as a healer. Tremaine applied the same tendencies to commercial situations, so he didn’t dismiss her questions as coyness or manipulation. 

She wasn’t rejecting him either. She most assuredly was not rejecting him.

CAT'S REVIEW

"Tremaine's True Love" by Grace Burrowes. In this tale, we meet Tremaine and Nita - two independent individuals that are not looking for love but love always has a way of sneaking up on us.  I liked Nita - she is a caring, kind, considerate and hard working person.  She takes care of the poor that need medical care - very admirable, especially for a woman of her time.  Tremaine is a businessman that arrives to do business with Nita's brother.  He is aware of her need to take care of others and respects that.   I liked both characters - their relationship develops gradually and, to be honest it was almost a bit too slow.  The secondary characters were quite fun to meet as well.  I have read several of Ms. Burrowes works and this one did drag a bit for me but it was still an enjoyable read overall and I would recommend this to any historical romance fans out there!  (received copy from NetGalley for honest review).

★★★★

AUTHOR INFO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes' bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish and Lady Eve's Indiscretion. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into short stories and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland.

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