Cynthia Roberts Books on Sale!

Summer Book Sale from June 21 - June 30

all Cynthia Roberts books are discounted to $1.99

Variety of Romance genres.

Cynthia Roberts Books on Amazon

Awaken (REVIEW)

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Awaken

Sleeping Beauty Retold

Author: Demelza Carlton
Category: Fairytale, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Medieval, Historical Romance

Suitable for: 17+

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Format Read for Review: Kindle

Pages: 204

Description: This is a Medieval Romance, a twist on a Fairy-Tale based on Sleeping Beauty. It features royal living, medieval tournaments, magic, conspiracy, and of course passion and romance. The story follows sleeping beauty, Princess Rosamond, who goes from being a carefree young lady to a woman on a mission when a magical curse changes her life and her kingdom forever. Read it to see how she gets her fairy tale Prince and happy ending.

In Short: This book has potential and I think there are many readers who would love it but for me it had some issues. If you like sweet medieval romances and fairy tales retold you should check this series out, as long as you don't mind some plot holes. Overall, I thought it was entertaining and I was completely sucked into the story and the characters until the end.

Pros: This is a cute story and overall the book was fun to read. I really enjoyed the beginning of the story it was action packed and exciting and drew me in right away. I was able to easily devour it in one sitting. There was some good depth to this book and the plot takes some surprising twists and turns. I enjoyed the Princess's powers. The way she could heal people and control plants was very interesting and well implemented. For the most part I actually really liked the protagonist's character. She is a princess and a spoiled one but also a very strong and admirable character. She consistently acts with arrogance and entitlement but she also manages to be a very sympathetic character who can be incredibly caring and she proves she is willing to sacrifice herself for others.    

Cons: There are some grammar and spelling errors that could be corrected with basic copyediting, it wasn't too distracting. There were some holes in this story and in the characters I'll try to describe them without spoilers. For example Rosamond claims she never wants to get married and then suddenly she wants to marry someone, and she's demanding sex and disrobing all willy-nilly. I could not suspend disbelief at the very unlikely sex scene. I didn't really care for the ending. I didn't think the coronations were fair as far as gender equality is concerned. The king received a grand reception and the queen - not so much. But maybe she created that situation for herself. And I didn't understand why the matter that needed to be taken care of as soon as she became queen was OK to put off for a year. I also still have no idea exactly who created the curse, who the target of it was, and why. Missed opportunity for a more powerful story because the ending was just too confusing. I also didn't like that there were so many mentions of how the Princess could barely eat anything. I thought it was borderline glamorizing eating disorders and wasn't a good influence to young ladies.   

Parent's Guide: Sex and innuendo (not very graphic).

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Release Announcement - Native Shifter by Cindy Borgne

Native Shifter

by Cindy Borgne

Description:

Native Shifter is a paranormal romance set during the American Revolution.

Leotie values her freedom and peaceful life with her tribe more than anything. However, the outlanders want more and more of their land. They are given the ultimatum to leave their home or die. Soon the Mahasi are going to war with an unpredictable enemy. Leotie wasn’t born to stay home and string beads. She’s a hunter and a warrior who gets a chance to defend her people, but what she doesn’t know is that a powerful shifter is watching her. He’s about to turn her world upside down.

Keme is a native young man who believes he’s a coward. He’s nothing like his father the great war chief. Everyone knows him as the one who ran from battle. Secretly, he trains to be a healer. He tries to warn his people that going to war with the outlanders will end in many deaths, but only a few will listen. He wants to make Leotie his life-bond, but with his reputation how can he ask her?

Visit the author's website for more information, request a free review e-book, or to join the author's newsletter to be notified of this release. www.cindyborgne.com

Book Spotlight - Conquests (Historical Romance)

 Book Spotlight of Historical Romance:

Conquests

Hearts Rule Kingdoms

by Emily Murdoch

Description from Amazon:

England, 1069.

The nation is still recovering from the Norman invasion three years earlier - and adjusting to life under its sometimes brutal new rulers.

A young girl trembles in the shadows of what was once her home.

Avis is homeless and penniless, and with no family left alive she is forced to become a ward of Richard, the Norman lord who has taken her home.

But when King William decrees that Norman lords must marry Anglo-Saxon women Avis must make a terrible choice.

Either marry the repulsive Richard or take a else chance on another Norman, Melville, a man she has never met.

Soon she realises that survival in a time of turmoil and war depends of putting aide the prejudices of the past

And if she can do so, kingdoms and hearts can still be among her 'Conquests'.

'Conquests' is a brilliantly researched and involving historical drama that is perfect for fans of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory.

About the Author:

Emily Murdoch is a medieval historian and writer. Throughout her career so far she has examined a codex and transcribed medieval sermons at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, designed part of an exhibition for the Yorkshire Museum, worked as a researcher for a BBC documentary presented by Ian Hislop, and worked at Polesden Lacey with the National Trust. She has a degree in History and English, and a Masters in Medieval Studies, both from the University of York. Emily has a medieval series and a Regency novella series published, and is currently working on several new projects.

Links:

You can follow her on twitter and instagram @emilyekmurdoch, find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/theemilyekmurdoch, and read her blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.blogspot.co.uk.

Emily Murdoch on Goodreads

Emily Murdoch on Amazon UK

Emily Murdoch on Amazon US

Free Romance Novels

I discovered an amazing mailing list for Romance Book lovers and just had to share it with you! If you follow this link to Demelza Carlton's official website you can sign up to receive 9 free romance novels in your inbox.

Can't wait? Click the images below to find romance box sets on Amazon.

          



If you missed the Book Tour you can follow this link to find Jerica MacMillan's mailing list for another free romance novel! 

           

Romance Novels currently Free for Amazon Kindle: The Accidental Demon Slayer (Biker Witches Mystery Book 1)
Into the Darkness (Darkness #1)
Playing For Keeps (A Neighbor From Hell Series Book 1)
Broken At Love (Whitman University Book 1)
Summer Chaparral (Las Morenas, Book Two)
Tess and the Highlander: Macpherson Clan




If you are an author and you have a free book you would like me to tell my readers about please let me know!

The Banishment by M.C. Beaton (REVIEW)

The Banishment  

The First Volume of The Daughters of Mannerling

Authors: M.C. Beaton/Marion Chesney

Category: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance

Suitable for: Teens and up

My Rating: 5 Stars

Format Read for Review: Kindle 

Pages: 208

This is the first book of The Daughters of Mannerling series by Marion Chesney. I will be reading and reviewing the entire series. Check back for the rest of the reviews.

Description: Six girls live with their parents in the Mannerling mansion. They were raised to be snobbish and haughtiest. This book is about the eldest sister, Isabella who is having trouble finding a husband. After her family looses their estate they conspire to get it back by having Isabella seduce the right man.

In Short: Reading this book you will find yourself transported to Regency England in a story with so many exciting plot developments. The main character though initially snobby has noticeable potential for growth and you are anxious for her to find true love and have her own happily ever after. Marion Chesney’s books are always full of scheming and subterfuge with characters that will do whatever it takes to get what they want. If you like historical fictions or romances you will love this book.

Pros: I loved this story! The plot took a lot of interesting twists and turns. It was incredibly fast paced and fun to read. I really cheered for the main character who becomes increasingly likable as the book moves along. The love story is very believable and he doesn't love her just for her beauty. This book is very well written and the descriptions truly take you back in time.

Cons: I had no issues with this book. 

10 Shades of Sexy (Short Stories Reviewed)

10 Shades of Sexy

10 Short Stories from a collection of different Romance Novels

Please note the following ratings are for the short stories and not the complete versions of the books. Also these ratings unlike my usual reviews are solely based on my personal feelings and not on their quality. Most of the ones with low ratings are just stories that didn't tickle my fancy and/or I found them boring. The following ratings are out of 5 stars. 

His Forbidden Touch by Shelly Thackeri 
5 Stars 









After the Fire by Kathryn Shay 
2.5 Stars









Heaven’s Fire by Patricia Ryan 
1.5 Stars










Just Perfect by Julie Orton 
3.5 Stars








The Games by Patricia McLinn 
3 Stars










Taken by the Cowboy by Julianne MacLean 
5 Stars









Lips that Touch Mine by Wendy Lindstrom
5 Stars








Justin: Tales of the Shareem by Allyson James 
2.5 Stars










Hidden Crimes by Emma Holly 
2.5 Stars

Trust Me by Lori Devoti

2.5 Stars

The best:  His Forbidden Touch – Though I gave a few of the stories 5 star ratings this one was my favorite. From reading this short I imagine that the full length novel could have a great story with an interesting journey. The characters even in the short version are well developed and seem likable.

2^nd Place: Taken by the Cowboy – I’m a fan of “time-traveling” historical romances (Like Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander books) which makes this short story a close second. Although you don’t get a whole lot of back story in this short I believe that this book could have a really interesting story. I don’t read many westerns but I would definitely be interested in reading the full length version of this novel. I imagine this book would be full of danger, action and adventure.

Last Place: Heaven’s Fire – The reason I didn't like this story is because it is unrealistic and the female lead’s personality changes too drastically in a short amount of time. In the beginning she seems to be near death and completely traumatized after being assaulted and nearly raped. Then after the doctor visits you find realize her injuries are only minor scratches that will not even leave scars. It’s understandable that she is so shaken up but how she’s goes from near catatonia to instantly banging the male lead is unbelievable. 

You can get this collection of short stories for free for kindle on Amazon.com.

Sir Philip's Folly by M.C. Beaton (REVIEW)

Sir Philip's Folly

The Fourth Volume of The Poor Relation

Authors: M.C. Beaton, Marion Chesney

Category: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance

Suitable for: Teens and up

My Rating: 5 Stars

Format Used for Review: Kindle 

Pages: 208

Description: A tale full of scheming, deception, greed and romance. The owners of the Poor Relation hotel conspire to evict a vulgar leech of a guest while also attempting to help a young lady escape her mother’s control and win over the man of her dreams.

You will find yourself transported to London in the early 1800s, engrossed in a story with a lot of twists and turns. Watch as this diverse cast schemes to unmask a gold digger and make a name for their hotel. This book is full of subterfuge and humor.

In Short: This is a thoroughly entertaining book. The characters are all unique and fascinating. The story is fast paced and full of intrigue. The ending is satisfying and leaves no loose ends untied.

Pros: Although this book is the 4^th in the Poor Relation series it stands alone well and doesn't leave you hanging in the end. This book will make sense to you even if you have not read any of the other books in the series. This book has a fun, fast paced story. With no fluff it makes for a quick entertaining read.

Cons: The kindle edition has a lot of typos and possibly no editor. There are a lot of words smashed together and in one part of the book there is a block of text missing. I don’t know if these problems exist in any other versions of the book. The words run together likethis interrupted the flow of reading but because I was so engrossed in the story I didn’t dwell on the typos and just kept reading! This being my only issue with the book and because it is possible that it is a kindle only problem I decided not to knock off any stars. 

Free with Kindle Unlimited.

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