How to Train Your Knight

How to Train Your Knight
By Stella Marie Alden

SUMMARY:

Year of our Lord, 1276.

In the hours just before dawn, blasphemous curses echo throughout the stone manor. A knife clatters to the floor and a feisty young widow is bound, blindfolded, and led to the marriage alter. The king couldn’t possibly have sanctioned this farce of a marriage, could he? After all, she alone transformed a few mud huts and starving serfs into a flourishing town, never once hesitating to pay generous taxes to his royal kingdom. Abandon her beloved people to be ruled by her new husband, an ignorant Templar knight? Never! the Lady Ann vows.

A murderous witch for a wife? The Beast of Thornhill finds himself in the middle of either a cruel jest or an evil conspiracy. After returning from the Holy wars, he accepts bestowment of a small parcel of land in return for saving King Edward’s life. But the reward comes with a warning regarding the estate’s mistress. Despite his insatiable attraction to the black-haired beauty, he allows her time to warm to him while observing her strange, forward-thinking ways. But when all is on the line, will he stand by her through the inquisition or will they both hang for her secrets? 

REVIEW:
One of the romance stories I have read in a long time!

Received a copy from reading alley for an honest review.

This was a wonderful story!  I could not put it down till it was completed!  The characters were marvelous and their chemistry was strong and had you wanting them together on every page.  It had great historical references and there was also a great deal of hotness!  The plot was interesting and never dragged.  It was interesting to see both the hero and the heroine grow in both character and love.  This book had it all!  I can't say enough good about it!  I want to read more from this author!

The 12 Brides of Christmas

Review copy provided via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review

Summery: The 12 Brides of Christmas

Each story is set in a different place and time, which is all indicated at the beginning of the story. Each story is faith based.  Some Stories start with a bible versus and a few even have a recipe at the end of the story. Each story is heart felt.

Review:

Since this book is made up of 12 different novellas, it makes the review processes a little different. Each novella could have been published separately, but the publishing house choice to put them all in one book, which was very smart in my minds eye.  You feel warm and cozy inside as you read these twelve novellas based in the heart of winter. Each story is complete, which many people who write novellas seem to leave you feeling as the story isn’t complete. Each story is well edited, as well as the characters well developed.

Summary:

Would I recommend this book to others?  Yes

Would I read more stories written by these authors? Yes and have I recognized two of the authors as people I’ve read stories by in the past couple of years and I look forward to reading more for each of them.  

Review copy provided via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review

Summary: The Middle of Somewhere

A troubled, young widow hikes from Yosemite Valley deep into the wilderness on the John Muir Trail to elude her shameful past in this emotionally gripping story from the author of House Broken.

With her thirtieth birthday looming, Liz Kroft is heading for the hills—literally. Her emotional baggage weighs her down more than her backpack, but a three-week trek promises the solitude she craves—at least until her boyfriend, Dante, decides to tag along. His broad moral streak makes the prospect of confessing her sins more difficult, but as much as she fears his judgment, she fears losing him more. Maybe.

They set off together alone under blue skies, but it's not long before storms threaten and two strange brothers appear along the trail. Amid the jagged, towering peaks, Liz must decide whether to admit her mistakes and confront her fears, or face the trail, the brothers and her future alone.

Review:

I got started reading this story, and I didn’t want to put it down.  It’s one of those rare stories where you become the main character and feel each, and every emotion that character feels. Like Liz, I’ve always wanted to hike the JMT and hopefully one day in the future I’ll get that chance.  Sonya painted a picture of the beauty around them; it made you feel like you were right they the emotional rollercoaster Liz goes on you feel each and every emotion as it was your own. I have to say this was the best book I’ve read all year, and I’ve read close to 90 books so far this year.  This was storing telling at its finest.

Liz and Dante as well as everyone else mentioned in the story become so real, and your heart goes out to each of them as the journey takes places.  At the end of the book, there are Discussion questions, which I found intriguing as well as helpful to understand the story.  This story is about life and all the twists and turns it can take for the bad or good of a person. 

I didn’t see any grammatical or punctuation errors, which are so many books being published today have them, and it takes away from the story.  The development of the characters is seamless, and the flow is perfection. The Author did an awesome job developing this story, and the Editors did the quality job they are paid to do, which I’m very thankful for.

Conclusion:

Would I recommend this book to my friends? YES YES YES   As I said earlier in my review this is the best book I’ve read so far this year. This is a full size novel I can’t say if it’s priced correctly since the book hasn’t been published yet. I’m honored to have read it before it’s published date for this review I’m giving it.

Would I read other books written by this Author? Yes I would love to read more of her books and will be checking them out and putting them on my wish list to read when I can.

The Gladiator's Mistress

By Jennifer D. Bokal

The Gladiator's Mistress

By Jennifer D. Bokal

  Summary

Phaedra, a dutiful daughter of Rome’s most influential senator, has no choice but to marry a man chosen by her father. But a chance encounter with handsome gladiator Valens Secundus sends her pulse racing—and, for the first time, makes her wish she could choose her own fate. They make each other a promise: she’ll insist on having the right to select her next husband, and he’ll do everything within his power to win his freedom.

A gladiatorial champion, Valens has fought his way up from poverty to become a star in the arena. The only two things he craves are his freedom and the luscious Phaedra, both seemingly far out of reach. But four years after their fateful meeting, Phaedra returns to Rome and soon becomes a widow, and Valens answers to no one but himself. They’re finally free to explore their fiery passion—while evading a powerful and wealthy new suitor of Phaedra’s—until Valens must return to the arena one last time. And in order for Phaedra to control her own destiny and claim her love, Valens will need to survive the battle of his life. 

Review

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.  

This book was good. Great with historical information. The author made you enter the time period with great descriptions of the sights, sounds, and clothes which made the book come alive. The downside was that it dragged the pace of the story at times. I wanted the author to get to the point sometimes. The villains were definitely evil and I found myself almost shouting at the book at the unjustness of the situations that the hero and heroine got themselves in. It is a good read and it will be interesting to see where the author takes the series.

Pride of the Clan

By Anna Markland

Summary

Catastrophe changes Margaret Ogilvie’s life when her three older brothers drown. She undertakes a perilous journey across the Scottish Highlands seeking the protection of the man she was betrothed to as a child; a nobleman she hasn’t seen for eight years. Shocked to discover his role in the assassination of a king has implicated her in his plot to take the throne, she finds herself in dire need of a champion. 

Rheade Robertson is duty bound to aid his older brother, the clan chieftain, in his sworn quest to capture the assassins of King James Stewart. Protecting Margaret from persecution will mean defying his brother. Can he bring the murderers to justice and save an innocent woman from the executioner’s axe? Or will family rivalry and a vengeful queen destroy his hopes for a future with the courageous lass he loves?

Review

Good read

Received a copy from Reading Alley for an honest review

I enjoyed the book. The characters were well developed and very likable . The chemistry between the lead was strong. It did seemd rushed at the end. The historical aspect was interesting and intriguing. The authors description of people, places, smells, and clothes had you right there in the heart of the story. The author was very descriptive of the older brother's lack of hygiene had me cringing every time I read his name. The subplot of if his older brother was really his brother was interesting and showed why they all treated each other as they did. I would recommend this story and the next.

Her Stepbrothers' Demands

By Trinity Blacio

Received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review

Description

When her mother agrees to be transformed into a werewolf to join her mate, Jasmine feels abandoned and alone, and does the only thing she can do; she tries to leave.
The fact that the man she had considered her real father’ isn’t human, but an actual werewolf, just proved that there were other beings, not human, in this world. It made her remember that her real father (who had abused her as a child), had given her to the Nightmare Man that one night (a secret she had kept hidden from all, until now).
But now that she learns that in addition to having a werewolf for a mother, she has two were-cowboy stepbrothers (who are too hot to handle), it’s almost too much to take. They were the dark cowboys of her dreams as a teenager….. Can she give in to her were-cowboy stepbrothers’?

Review

This book had such a great start, but then it all went down the drain! There were some grammatical errors and pronouns were mixed up using his instead of hers, making things confusing at times and parts having to be reread to understand. Point of view would also change from paragraph to paragraph making it even more confusing.

Then this nightmare man was a threat and the poof he was gone. no explanation just that they went out and fought. There is no explanation fro anything, just bam and it is solved. There is just a gloss over on every topic: nightmare man brought up- dead; embezzlement accusations- kill the police; dramatic change to werewolf- totally fine in less than 24 hours when the doctor said it would take many days to feel better; upset at mom enough to run away- over it; guys' mother steals grandson- no repercussions almost oh well; and the list goes on.

For an erotic novel, there is very little of it except for the very end and no chemistry at all between them. RD was the dominant and Logan was an afterthought. This was just not a good book and I would not recommend it.

The Alpha's Hunger

Review copy provided via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review


Summary:

Lying on the floor of her cubicle to stave off a migraine while working late, the last thing Ashley Bell expected was to open her eyes and find the company's notoriously hard-assed owner and CEO, Ben Stone, standing over her. The offer of a ride home is a bigger surprise, but the biggest shock of all comes when Ben asks her to work for him as his personal assistant.

Despite some misgivings about his intentions, Ashley accepts the position, but she has barely started the job when a phone call turns her life on its head. Her twin sister has been kidnapped, and the price for her life is Ashley's help in a secret plot to destroy Ben's company. But she soon discovers that Ben has a far more terrifying secret of his own.

From the moment he first crossed paths with Ashley, the beautiful young human from marketing, Ben has been consumed by her. When her life is threatened by his enemies he casts aside caution and fights with the rage of a beast defending his mate. Not sure he can trust her, yet determined to protect her, Ben kidnaps Ashley, planning to keep her under his watch for as long as necessary.

Ashley is none too happy with the situation, but a hard bare-bottom spanking changes her attitude... and leaves her begging for more. Though Ben knows a human girl is no match for the fearsome lusts of an alpha wolf, she ignites in him a hunger he can barely contain. Can he resist the urge to mark her as his own and take her harder than she can imagine?

Review:  Three Star

The development of the characters is flawless. You fall for Stone from the moment he is introduced if you're into the strong I'm in control type guy. Ashley's character is very believable and you feel her pain and frustration of  the events going on around her.

Now here is why it's only a three star and not four or five. In chapter 2 we are introduced to Mark Ruhl and we are told he works for the DEA then in Chapter 10 he is displaying a FBI badge.   In  a story that is about 100 pages long to have an error this major ruins the whole story for me.

Up until this point I would have given this story a four star as it's very rear for me to give a short story a five star review. If you can over look this error then this story is a very well written story.

Conclusion:

This is a short story, so I feel it's way over priced and I'd would never pay that much for a book which cost more than four dollars. To me short stories should never cost more than three dollars.
Will I recommend this to my friends no, because of the major error.