The Duke's Defiant Cinderella - Parker J. Cole (HH #1682 - Oct 2022)

An arranged betrothal…
By royal approval!
 
As the servant girl who discovered she was the long-lost daughter of a comte, Lilas Moreau is no stranger to scandal. Now, more famous for her art, she won't have her independence threatened by the return of her betrothed, Bastien, Duc de Languedoc. As a new attraction sizzles between them, Lilas is relieved he wants to end their secret marriage contract. But a summons from the queen means they're forced to continue their charade!
 
I enjoyed this unusual historical romance. It isn't often I find one set in pre-Revolution France, and this is the first I've read that involved people of color. When the story opens, Lilas is a servant in the home of the Duc de Languedoc. She came to them from the orphanage she was left at as a baby. As a mixed-race child, she suffered a lot of bullying at the orphanage and later from the other servants on the estate. Her only friend was Bastien, the duc's son, who was also mixed race. Bastien stands up for her when he can and comforts her when he cannot.
 
In the opening chapter, we discover that eighteen-year-old Lilas is the long-lost daughter of a comte, and she is to take her rightful place in her father's home. At the same time, Bastien is informed by his father that Lilas is his betrothed, an arrangement set up by their fathers before she was born. Bastien has a difficult relationship with his controlling father, and rather than accepting Lilas as his wife, he leaves on a Grand Tour. Lilas feels betrayed as her only friend deserts her in her hour of need.
 
Four years later, Bastien returns to France. His father is dead, and he is the new duc. His first order of business is to convince Lilas to break their betrothal. He wants a wife with an impeccable background, not one who used to be a servant. He feels it is necessary to restore the family's honor after his father was banished for marrying a Maroon for love. He also wants someone he would have no chance of falling in love with, as he remembers his father being a broken man after his wife's death.
 
Lilas, whose arrival in Paris four years ago revived the scandal of her parents' marriage, is now well-versed in society's behavior. However, she is now more famous for her art, even gaining the queen's patronage. She's dismayed by Bastien's return and wants nothing to do with their betrothal. Determined to retain her independence, marriage is the last thing she wants.
 
Unfortunately, their betrothal becomes public knowledge, bringing them to the queen's attention. They are forced to play the part until they can find a way to safely part ways. Neither counted on their sizzling attraction, and each fought hard against it. Several times I wanted to reach into the pages and shake Bastien. I thought his treatment of the woman who was once his best friend was unnecessarily cruel. To repeatedly tell her that she wasn't good enough to be his wife was a terrible thing, especially when he would turn around and be sensitive and supportive.
 
Meanwhile, Lilas is caught in a battle with herself. She is still hurt and angry over how he left her, but she can't deny the feelings he stirs in her. Sometimes she thinks he returns her feelings, but then he'll turn cold again. It doesn't help that her stepmother frequently plays on her fears by suggesting that Bastien has ulterior motives.
 
When circumstances make it advisable for them to marry, Bastien suggests a marriage of convenience. One that will remain unconsummated, allowing them to seek an annulment after a while. But being together all the time strains the control Bastien has worked so hard to cultivate. When that control finally snaps, Bastien must decide whether to admit his feelings or continue to fight them.
 
Since their betrothal became public, Lilas has received several warnings that she is in danger. Bastien's unexpected arrival foiled an attack outside the dressmaker's. Someone slipped a sleeping draught into Lilas's drink on their wedding day, prompting Bastien to take them out of Paris to his family estate. There a collapsed balcony railing shows that danger has followed them. Though the culprit was not a surprise, the motivation was not what I expected. The final confrontation was intense and heartbreaking. It had the benefit of breaking through Bastien's fears and showing him his feelings for Lilas. I loved Bastien's emotional confession. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up, giving a glimpse of their lives a year and a half later. 

 

Beauty - Robin McKinley (Open Road Pub - Nov 2014)

A strange imprisonment
 
Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are the beautiful ones. But what she lacks in looks, she can perhaps make up for in courage.
 
When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty knows she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will. Her father protests that he will not let her go, but she answers, "Cannot a Beast be tamed?"
 
I love this book.  It is one of my favorites, and I try to reread it every couple of years.  When his business went under, Beauty's father moved his family to the north with his future son-in-law.  The area they moved to is on the edge of a haunted forest.  When Beauty's father must return to the city, he gets lost on the way home and ends up in the forest, which leads him to an enchanted castle.  When he takes a rose to give Beauty, a Beast tells him he must bring one of his daughters to the castle to live with him.  Beauty volunteers to go.  She is afraid at first because the Beast is large, and the castle appears deserted.   She does get the feeling that she is not truly alone.  She finds that the time she spends with the Beast shows her that he is not the terrifying monster she thought he was.  Beauty discovers they have a lot in common and enjoys spending time with him.  After a while, she starts hearing the voices of the enchanted beings in the castle.  When Beauty learns the fate of her sister's fiancé, she asks the Beast to let her go home and tell the news.  He tells her she has a week, but if she is gone longer than that, he will die.
 
I liked how Beauty's family was such a loving family, not the poor little girl abused type of family.   I loved Beauty and her independence.  She seemed very adaptable and handled her time at the castle very well.  I also loved the way that she was able to look past the surface of the Beast and see who he was.  I loved the enchantments in the castle and how real all of it felt. The library was incredibly awesome.  There were some entertaining parts, like the argument between Beauty and the "breezes" over the silver dress was great. The ending was a perfect fairytale. 

A Nun for the Viking Warrior - Lucy Morris (HH #1616 - Nov2021)

Forced to wed the warrior...
Falling for the man…
 
Noblewoman Amée Évreux had pledged her life to God, until her father promised her in marriage to thundering Norseman Jorund Jötunnson. After escaping her overbearing father, Amée vows never to fall under another man's thumb, but her resistance to being Jorund's wife turns to desire as she gets to know her intriguing new husband. For beneath his fierce exterior she's glimpsed an unexpectedly pure heart. If only she can penetrate the fortress that surrounds it…
 
I enjoyed this slightly different take on the classic Viking romance. Amée entered the nunnery believing that she would finally escape her father and gain some peace. After witnessing and experiencing her father's abuse of her mother and her, Amée swore she would never again put herself under a man's thumb. But as the book opens, a group of Vikings batter down the door of the nunnery, its leader there to claim Amée's hand in marriage. Amée is furious, frightened, and unwillingly fascinated.
 
Jorund was awarded the lands of Évreux by his friend and overlord Rollo, aka Count Robert, while the count's wife arranged the marriage to bridge the divide between conquered and conqueror. Jorund looks forward to settling down with a wife, children, and the prospect of peace.
 
I liked Amée and Jorund. She may be tiny, but she can be fierce when defending her people. She has a fighting spirit and refuses to give up hope of finding a purpose in her life. Jorund was a surprise. He is large and intimidating but has a kind and honorable heart. Rather than rule by fear, he leads with insight and perception.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Amée and Jorund. He is willing to give Amée time to get to know him and lets her know it is up to her when to move forward. Amée initially intends to find a way to return to the nunnery and keeps Jorund at a distance. But the more time they spend together, the more they like each other. But each has baggage from their pasts that make it difficult to open up completely to each other. Jorund's early life as a Viking warrior has left him feeling unworthy of her and unwilling to tell her why. Amée's experiences with her father make it challenging to trust Jorund, and her misinterpretation of his relationship with the female warrior Valda compounds the distrust.
 
I loved Jorund's patience and protectiveness as he kept a tight rein on his feelings. It is easy to see how much he wants Amée to be part of the life he dreams of. Amée's feelings for Jorund grew stronger despite her misperceptions, and I liked how she went after what she wanted. A visit by Count Robert and Gisela helps Amée along with that goal. Matters become complicated when Amée's father shows up for an unexpected visit. I ached for Amée as she endured her father's attitude and cheered when she realized she no longer had to accept it. Jorund's protectiveness and suspicions are aroused when Amée is attacked while they are riding. I loved the scene where he confronts the person behind it. The icing on the cake is when he discovers what haunts her and takes steps to end it. I also loved seeing him tell her about his past and how she showed him how it brings out the good in him. The epilogue was terrific.
 
One of the things I liked about this book was how skillfully the author wove in information about the cultural differences between the characters and the history of the conflict that brought them to that point. I loved the slow building of trust between the Vikings and the town's people. It felt realistic in tone and detail. The descriptions of the land and buildings were vivid enough for me to visualize them easily.
 
This was my first book by this author, but it won't be the last.

Mistletoe Kiss with the Millionaire - Donna Alward (HR #4781 - Nov 2021)

Series: Heirs to an Empire (Book 4)

A fake engagement…
…might lead to a festive I do?
 
Tycoon Christophe and gemologist Sophie have always been attracted to one another. Yet they've never gone beyond friendship -- Sophie wants happy-ever-after, and he avoids it at all costs. But when Sophie finds herself in need of a fake fiancé, Christophe steps in. It's meant to be an act, but they can't escape their chemistry and now they're wondering… Could real love be waiting underneath the mistletoe?
 
Terrific friends to lovers story. Christophe and Sophie have been friends for several years. Christophe is a member of the Pemberton family, whose multinational company Aurora sells some of its jewelry through Sophie's family jewelry business. Sophie is a gemologist for the family business and is expected to take over running the business eventually. She has also begun branching out into designing jewelry. As the story opens, Sophie and Christophe encounter each other at an Aurora event. The depth of their friendship is easy to see from the get-go, as their ease in each other's company gives them both a chance to relax and enjoy catching up.
 
But Sophie is hiding a couple of secrets. One is that she is pregnant. She broke up with the baby's father before knowing she was pregnant because she knew she didn't love him enough for marriage. She wants the same kind of love her parents have, and she won't have that with Eric. The other secret is the crush she has on Christophe. He's handsome and charming and always fun to be around. But she also knows it won't go anywhere. Christophe has always seen Sophie as a good friend, but lately, there's been a little more. However, Christophe refuses to risk their friendship. On this night, I loved how Christophe could tell something was off with Sophie and immediately stepped in to take care of her. It was sweet to see how she trusted him to share her troubles. And when the stress gets to her, Christophe whisks her away to his flat in Paris, allowing her to rest and think about her future away from outside pressure.
 
I loved Sophie's time in Paris. Christophe, who leads the jewelry arm of Aurora, fully supports Sophie's jewelry design dreams and introduces her to someone who can help. He's there for her as she deals with Eric's refusal to accept her decision not to marry him and comes up with an unexpected solution. He suggests a fake engagement, saving her from Eric's and her parents' pressuring while she makes up her mind what she's going to do. Sophie is stunned by the offer and more than a little bit wary. Though they promise each other that it's playacting only, Sophie suspects that it won't be that easy.
 
I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Because they are friends and know each other so well, it is easy to convince others of their supposed love. The more time they spend together, the more it feels like they belong, but she also feels guilty for deceiving their families. It doesn't take long for Sophie to realize she's in love with Christophe but telling him so is sure to drive him away. As for Christophe, his growing feelings for her scare the hell out of him. I ached for him because he believes that he isn't good enough for Sophie, despite the many times she has fussed at him for his lack of belief in himself. Matters become even more complicated when they give in to the attraction that burns between them. Though they pretend it hasn't changed anything, there's no way to go back.
 
I cried for Sophie when she got the reaction she expected after confessing her feelings to Christophe. Because she had begun to hope he felt the same way, his retreat hurt even more. I felt terrible for Christophe because he knew he hurt her but refused to believe it could work out. I loved the scene between Christophe and Aurora. She has always been like a mother to him, and her insight and advice were precisely what he needed. I loved Christophe's big moment at the end, which was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was terrific.
 
Another nice thing about this book was the portrayal of Sophie's ex, Eric. Unlike so many "baby daddies" in books, he is not a jerk. He accepts responsibility for the baby and wants to be involved. He's a little too persistent in his attempts to get Sophie to marry him, but his motives are good. Once he accepted that Sophie would not marry him, their relationship improved a lot. 

A Proposal in Provence - Donna Alward (HR #4792 - Feb 2022)

Series: Heirs to an Empire (Book 5)

An escape from scandal…
…rescued by the tycoon!
 
PR assistant Anemone Jones loves working in Paris for the glamorous Pemberton family…until she discovers she is in fact their half-sibling! When the scandal hits the tabloids, it's her gorgeous boss, Phillippe Leroux, who sweeps her off to his idyllic home in Grasse. Phillippe's proposal in Provence gives Annie breathing space to process her new life -- and even find a place in his…
 
Terrific story. Anemone (Annie) Jones was raised by a single mother. She never knew her father or who he was until after her mother's death. Annie would love to get to know her half-siblings but is wary of her reception. She takes a job at Aurora, the family company, without letting anyone know of her connection.
 
As the story opens, Stephen Pemberton discovers that his father had been making unknown payments to someone up until his death. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he sets his investigators on the problem and is horrified by what he finds out. The father they all admired had had an affair that produced another child. The next step was to locate that child.
 
Meanwhile, Annie works in the PR department at Aurora's Paris office. She is assigned to help Phillippe Leroux plan the launch of the newest Aurora fragrance. Her organizational skills are stellar, and she has become indispensable to Phillippe. Annie has quite a crush on Phillippe, handsome, kind, and an excellent boss. Annie doesn't know it, but Phillippe is just as drawn to her. Two things are holding him back. First, he is her boss. Second, he is divorced, and his first wife's actions left him determined to avoid romantic entanglements.
 
When Annie receives a summons to report to a meeting with the head boss, she has no idea what's in store for her. Confronted by the united front of her half-siblings, they accuse her of wanting to blackmail them for money, create a scandal, etc. Horrified and devastated by the accusations and the coldness of her so-called family, Annie is furious when Stephen attempts to buy her off.
 
I ached for Annie, who just wanted some family, and instead, they accused her of horrible intentions. I loved how Phillippe stood up for her and protected her. Though he tries to deny his feelings for her, it's easy to see that Annie has found her way into his heart. I loved watching the attraction between them build until it became too much to resist. Phillippe's pride in her accomplishments was one motivation in his insistence that she attend the launch gala, and I loved the steps he took to make it possible. I also liked the little bit of "rub their faces in it" attitude he had, knowing that the Pembertons wouldn't exactly be happy that she was there.
 
When disaster struck in the form of a tabloid story about Annie, Phillippe was the one who rode to the rescue. I loved seeing him take her to the place where he's happiest and where he can let go and be himself. I loved seeing Phillippe open up about his past and trust Annie with the pain and guilt he still feels. There were plenty of sweet scenes of them together, like picking roses for perfume, and a couple of steamy ones, such as their trip to Cannes. The tension returned when Annie received a call asking her to visit the Pemberton chateau. Once again, Phillippe was ready to stand by her side in support but stood back when Annie wanted to do it on her own. I loved the boost in confidence that he gave her.
 
I was happy to see that the Pemberton family redeemed themselves, but it complicated matters for Phillippe. I ached for him and his fear of history repeating itself and wanted to shake Annie for being a bit insensitive in her excitement. Fortunately, their separation didn't last long. I loved the depth of emotion expressed as Annie and Phillippe finally shared their feelings. The ending was great. I loved seeing their decisions about their future and loved Phillippe's big moment.

Code Name: Virgo - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Publishing - Jan 2022)

Series: Zodiac Tactica;: Rescue Unit (Book 2)

My code name is Virgo. The stars say I’m practical, honest, stubborn as hell.
 
Guilty as charged.
 
Zodiac Tactical is the company that gave me a second chance. We guard, protect, rescue...eliminate the threat when nobody else can. And as a former SEAL, I’m good at those things. Good with weapons, good with missions.
 
But with people...not so good.
 
So when a gruesome enemy takes Bronwyn Rourke, one of Zodiac’s newest young recruits—with blue eyes that take up nearly her whole damn face—I shouldn’t take it personally. Shouldn’t allow her to consume my every thought and become my only mission.
 
They took her because they thought she was alone. Easy prey. That no one would fight for her.
 
They were wrong.
 
My code name is Virgo. And I will grind my enemy to dust to bring her home.
 
Yet another of the author's books that had me pulling an all-nighter. I really must learn to start these books earlier in the day. I know this, but somehow it doesn't stop me from reading as soon as possible. This is the second book in the Zodiac Tactical series, and much of it takes place concurrently with Code Name: Aries but from a different perspective. There are some overlapping scenes, but not many, and those don't feel repetitive.
 
The story starts with Sarge's first encounter with Bronwyn. He's a SEAL whose team just finished a mission and is on leave in Prague (terrific city - the descriptions took me back to my visits there). He spots Bronwyn, a talented pickpocket, as she works the square. He doesn't interfere until later when he rescues her from a disturbing situation. I loved Sarge's protectiveness and honorable nature, something Bronwyn had no experience with. The scene in his hotel room was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I loved the connection between them and how important that connection became. I ached for Bronwyn when something she said after leaving caused him harm and for Sarge, who believed she'd betrayed him. Despite the circumstances, neither one forgot the other.
 
Five years later (current day), Sarge is back in Prague and looking for Bronwyn. Nothing much has changed, but now Sarge works for Zodiac Tactical. This time when he encounters Bronwyn, he offers her the means to escape her current situation by recruiting her for Zodiac. When she shows up at their Paris location, he keeps a watchful but distant eye on her. When we see Bronwyn again, she is in the middle of a mission. I loved seeing her pride in her work, and how she overcame the temptation she felt at a crucial moment. Everything looks good as Bronwyn successfully completes her mission. But things go downhill fast when she arrives back at her hotel room and is drugged and taken.
 
When Sarge finds out that Bronwyn is missing, his protectiveness goes into overdrive. Hw leaves no stone unturned in his search for her. Even when others believe she left on her own, he doesn't give up. And when video shows up of Bronwyn participating in robberies and other illegal behavior, Sarge is the only one who believes that something is wrong. I loved his determination to find her and his confidence in her when he does. In the segments done from Bronwyn's point of view, we witness the devastating torture she experiences at the hands of Mosaic and the excruciatingly painful methods of mind control they use. I couldn't help but be amazed at her strength of will as she fought against the darkness. I loved how her connection with Sarge gave her the strength to endure and survive. Her mental conversations with him were often the only thing that kept her from going over the edge.
 
I ached for Sarge on those occasions he caught up with Bronwyn. He worked so hard to stop her without hurting her, but because of the brainwashing, Bronwyn didn't hold back, though she could never bring herself to kill him. The parallels and overlaps with Ian and Wavy's story helped build my anticipation for some of the things I knew were coming. I loved it when Sarge whisked Bronwyn away to the ranch to heal and recover. His patience and care were terrific. I hurt for Bronwyn, who believed that she was broken, no matter how often Sarge tried to tell her how amazing she was. The back and forth as various groups fought for possession of Bronwyn made me ache for everything she experienced.
 
I loved how Bronwyn's time with Jenna while Sarge was away allowed Bronwyn to push her brain for memories that Sarge held her back from. Bronwyn's determination to unlock the secrets shows how strong she is. Her horror at what she learned was tempered by knowing that she has information vital to stopping Mosaic.  I loved her plan, and though Sarge hated it, he had to admit it could work. I was glued to the pages (and wide awake at 5 am!) as they carried it out. Of course, there's frequently a monkey wrench thrown into the works during the process, and this was no exception. I loved watching Bronwyn face off against the one responsible for her troubles. Justice was served in the end.
 
During their time on the ranch, Bronwyn and Sarge had the chance to get to know each other. Because of their age difference, Sarge was cautious about how he treated her. It took a while for him to admit his feelings for her, though Bronwyn knew hers. I could feel her frustration at times as he kept that bit of distance between them. I loved when she finally broke through his control, and they experienced what was meant to be. The epilogue was fantastic.
 
I can't wait for the next Zodiac book, as well as the Resting Warrior Ranch series.