A Chat With…Author Susanna Craig

I am very pleased to be chatting with Best Selling Author and lovely lady Susanna Craig, so sit back and let’s get to know about more about Susanna…

A love affair with historical romances led Susanna Craig to a degree (okay, three degrees) in literature and a career as an English professor. When she’s not teaching or writing academic essays about Jane Austen and her contemporaries, she enjoys putting her fascination with words and knowledge of the period to better use: writing Regency-era romances she hopes readers will find both smart and sexy. She makes her home among the rolling hills of Kentucky horse country, along with her historian husband, their unstoppable little girl, and a genuinely grumpy cat.

Reading Chick: Hi Susanna, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today, Firstly what five word’s would you use to describe yourself?

Susanna: Private (or introverted, reserved…choose your synonym. Not “shy,” though!). Smart. Organized. Determined. Sarcastic (for better or worse).

Reading Chick: If you could live in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Susanna: The temptation is to say Regency England, because I am curious about what life was really like there and then. Experiencing it would be very different from researching and reading about it. But since I’m also a fan of modern technology, hygiene, medicine, and so on, I’m happy to stay in the 21st century.

Reading Chick: I don’t blame you, Who was your childhood hero?

Susanna: You know, I had to write an essay on this in high school, and I couldn’t do it then, either! I don’t know why this topic is such a challenge for me. I certainly admire many people. As a kid, I looked up to my parents a lot, and now that I’m a parent, I appreciate even more the sacrifices they made and the values they tried to instill in me. I was inspired to become a teacher because of some of the excellent teachers I had. I suppose like every girl in the 1970s, I wanted to grow up to be some combination of Dorothy Hammill and Wonder Woman!

Reading Chick: What an interesting take on my question. What is your favourite time of the year?

Susanna: This is surely influenced by the fact that I’m a professor, but autumn is definitely my favorite season. It’s the real start of the “new year” for me, and I love feeling that everything is fresh and anything is possible for me and my students. I enjoy the changing leaves and the cooler weather, too; I’d much rather be wearing a sweater and boots!

Reading Chick: Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Susanna: Probably Tempest from To Tempt an Heiress, because she was a lot of fun to write. She has so much energy and passion—she doesn’t doubt herself, just charges ahead and does what has to be done. But she might be a little exhausting to hang out with! I also have a real soft spot for Edward, the hero of To Seduce a Stranger; he’s the character who holds the Runaway Desires series together in my mind, and he’s kind, honorable, hard-working…basically all the things we need our real-life heroes to be.

Reading Chick: Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Susanna: Mostly, I’m inspired by my reading, especially novels from the period in which my books are set (the later eighteenth century). So far, I’ve managed to sneak in a little Austen reference in each book. But I certainly draw on my own experiences as well; the little girl, Clarissa, in To Kiss a Thief, is modelled after my daughter, and the heroine of my work in progress, The Companion’s Secret, is a novelist. And sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected places. The opening scene of To Kiss a Thief actually was a dream—I jotted down notes as soon as I woke up and then scurried to come up with a story to match.

Reading Chick: What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Susanna: Write a lot. Don’t worry if it’s crap. It’s the only way you’ll get better.
Listen to advice, but trust your gut. It’s your book, after all.
Believe in yourself—if you don’t, no one else will.

Reading Chick: If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, dead or alive)

Susanna: Oooh…so much pressure! Would I have to come up with thought-provoking questions to get the conversation started? Would I have to cook??
I would love to meet Jane Austen…if it could be the sharp-tongued, witty Austen who reveals herself in her letters and books. I suspect she’d be reserved in person, though. I’d probably have to invite her sister Cassandra along too and just eavesdrop on the conversation.
Most of all, I’d like to be able to bring my dad back for a day, so he could meet his granddaughter and I could tell him about these books I wrote.

Reading Chick: Awww! That is so lovely! Thank you Susanna for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Susanna: Chocolate ice cream!

Oh yummy! Thank you Susanna.

Susanna’s new book To Seduce A Stranger is released on 11th April, Susanna loves hearing from her readers so why check out the links below.

Website

Facebook: @susannacraigauthor

Twitter: @SusannaMCraig

Goodreads

Amazon

 After her much older husband dies—leaving her his fortune—Charlotte Blakemore finds herself at the mercy of her stepson, who vows to contest the will and destroy her life. With nowhere to turn and no one to help her, she embarks on an elaborate ruse—only to find herself stranded on the way to London. . .

More than twenty years in the West Indies have hardened Edward Cary, but not enough to abandon a helpless woman at a roadside inn—especially one as disarmingly beautiful as Charlotte. He takes her with him to the Gloucestershire estate he is determined to restore, though he is suspicious of every word that falls from her distractingly lush lips.

As far as Charlotte knows, Edward is nothing more than a steward, and there’s no reason to reveal his noble birth until he can right his father’s wrongs. Acting as husband and wife will keep people in the village from asking questions that neither Charlotte nor Edward are willing to answer. But the game they’re each determined to play has rules that beg to broken, when the passion between them threatens to uncover the truth—for better or worse. . .

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Review ~ To Seduce a Stranger (Runaway Desires Book 3) by Susanna Craig

Desire waylays the plans of a man with a mysterious past and a woman with an uncertain future, in Susanna Craig’s unforgettable series set in Georgian England.

After her much older husband dies—leaving her his fortune—Charlotte Blakemore finds herself at the mercy of her stepson, who vows to contest the will and destroy her life. With nowhere to turn and no one to help her, she embarks on an elaborate ruse—only to find herself stranded on the way to London. . .

More than twenty years in the West Indies have hardened Edward Cary, but not enough to abandon a helpless woman at a roadside inn—especially one as disarmingly beautiful as Charlotte. He takes her with him to the Gloucestershire estate he is determined to restore, though he is suspicious of every word that falls from her distractingly lush lips.

As far as Charlotte knows, Edward is nothing more than a steward, and there’s no reason to reveal his noble birth until he can right his father’s wrongs. Acting as husband and wife will keep people in the village from asking questions that neither Charlotte nor Edward are willing to answer. But the game they’re each determined to play has rules that beg to broken, when the passion between them threatens to uncover the truth—for better or worse. . .

My View

Edward Cary ran away from home at the tender age of nine with the idea that if he left then his dear mother would be protected from his abusive father. He set sail and for the next twenty years he circled the globe until finally he returns to the very place he thought never to see again. Only to find that his leaving g didn’t protect his beloved mother. He returns to his run down ancestral home under the alias of a land steward. He doesn’t want to reveal his true identity until he absolutely as to. At a road side inn, Edward comes across beautiful maid Charlotte. Edward has me stumped been one to be able to not come to the aid of a damsel in distress and he is undoubtedly drawn towards this French lady who is far more than she likes to let people believe. But by wanting to know her secrets could very well expose his own hidden past.

Charlotte Blackmore is stuck between a rock and a hard place, her elderly husband has recently died leaving all of his assets to Charlotte, but that is where her trouble starts, her much older step son is enraged that his father could do such a thing to him that his doddery old dad could give his inheritance to a girl and not just a girl but a gold digging foreigner. So he sets about trying g to contest the will. And Charlotte knows that if her step son ever find out about her deepest secret then she could very well be left with nothing, so she does the only thing g she can. She runs.

“I made a terrible mistake once where you were concerned, Charlotte,” he said as she returned to her seat. Her strength and her bravery awed him. “When I met you here, I assumed you needed to be saved. I swooped in, as if you were a damsel in distress and I fancied myself your knight in shining armor.”

Charlotte, trades places with her maid to try to escape from who ever is following her and just by a stroke of good luck she quite literally bumps into the handsome land steward. Who after rescuing her takes her in under his protection. But yet another problem then arises. How do they explain what their relationship is to others? Simple they play the part of newly weds.

I really like To Seduce a Stranger, the plot is one that has been done many times before, but this is classy! Susanna has taken a well used plot and made it into a new and loving tale of Romance and intrigue. The relationship between Edward and Charlotte sizzles right from their first meeting, he knows that she is hiding something but yet he is drawn to her exotic looks and mysterious air, she is so unlike any other woman that he has met before and as much as he tries to keep his distance, to protect himself, her gaelic charm soon wears him down.

Edward is as reluctant as they come to announce who he is, he is more than happy to go on as he is but he knows that now he is back on English soil he will eventually have to face his demons. Edward is a great character, you know deep down that he is a bit of a recluse but he has that old aristocratic duty running through his veins and he isn’t one to let is responsibilities lapse. He is fiercely protective of those he loves, he is a good, kind and undeniably a hard-working man who on seeing injustice goes above and beyond to correct it.There is some really loving and touching moments between him and Charlotte, I especially like when they paddle in the stream and he tells her to keep still so the minors can nibble her toes – you have to read it!

“And was she . . . amused?”

Charlotte managed a weak smile. “Not enough.”

He wished, suddenly, for some bit of magic that would wash the hurt of a joyless childhood from her eyes.

“If you stand perfectly still, the minnows will nibble at your toes.”

She shot him one wide-eyed glance before inching her dripping skirts high enough that she could see her feet.

“Really? Oh, there’s one. And—oh— another, and . . . Oh!” Her chin lifted as she looked back at him. “It tickles.”

He nodded encouragingly and watched as she wiggled her toes experimentally, trying to coax the tiny fish.

Charlotte is equally fascinating, even though I feel very sorry for her, she is pushed into a marriage with a man old enough to be her grandfather; but who turned out to be a genuinely decent man. Within weeks she is a young widow, threatened by her stepson over her inheritance. She is a sad, lonely young woman who, being half French and not entirely trusted she hasn’t any friends to turn to in her moment of need. Meeting Edward she has finally found the opportunity to be herself – even if she is lying about her identity. She is actually really good for Edward she brings him out of himself and makes him view life without his cynical tinted glasses on, and vise-versa.

They are an adorable couple, at first living under an illusion and then that illusion turns into something else. I love how Edward gets very angry when people shorten their names, how he insists that they use the name they were given, it might seem a bit random, but you have to read it to understand where I am coming from.

To Seduce A Stranger is a delightful read, it is a thoroughly enjoyable story of love, secrets and lies. Characters that are entertaining and highly likable – not to mention devilishly handsome! But apart from that this is a solid Historical Romance, Craig is a confident writer in field, her love for the genre just shines through and she is an author that I am looking forward to reading more of.

This was a complementary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

To Seduce A Stranger is released on 11th April and you can get it on Amazon, to find further information check out Susanna’s Website.

A Chat With…Exclusive Interview with Vanessa Kelly and Giveaway.

I have the great pleasure of chatting with the USA Best Selling Author and all round lovely lady; Vanessa Kelly today. So take a seat and let’s get to know a little a bit about Vanessa…

Vanessa Kelly is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.”  Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance.

Vanessa’s previous series, The Renegade Royals, was a national bestseller. She is currently writing a new spin-off series called The Improper Princesses. My Fair Princess, book 1, was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a BookScan bestseller.

Vanessa spends most of the year in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband.

Reading Chick : Hi Vanessa, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today, Firstly what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Vanessa : Hi, Frankie! Thanks for having me on your blog. Okay, this is a surprisingly tough question, but here goes: wife, stepmother, reader, writer, Anglophile.

Reading Chick : If you could live in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Vanessa : I would choose our current era, because I’m a huge fan of antibiotics and modern hygiene. LOL! But if I could travel back in time without any health or safety consequences (I probably should have included wimp in my five words), I would, of course, love to visit Regency England. I’m also fascinated by imperial Rome and ancient Egypt, so I would probably fire up my good, old-time machine to visit those places, too. The history of those cultures is vibrant and amazing, and I’d really like to get a peek.

Reading Chick : Haha! I love it, Who was your childhood hero?

Vanessa : I loved Peter Pan and also Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Both adventurers who longed to return home.

Reading Chick : Awww! How sweet. What is your favourite time of the year?

Vanessa : I love autumn. The return of crisp, cool weather, and the beautiful colors of the changing season. Plus, that’s when my birthday is. LOL!

Reading Chick : Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Vanessa : I think I have to pick both male and female. My favorite female character is Gillian Dryden, the kickass heroine of MY FAIR PRINCESS. She’s a total sweetheart but she’s also pretty tough—and very funny. My favorite male character is Griffin Steele from CONFESSIONS OF A ROYAL BRIDEGROOM. He’s a classic, sexy bad boy with a heart of gold. By an odd coincidence, Griffin and Gillian are siblings!

Reading Chick : Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Vanessa : Lots of places—books, movies, TV shows, and also from history books. I get a lot of ideas from reading the history and literature of the Regency period.

Reading Chick : What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Vanessa : If you’re really serious about writing: read a lot (including craft books), write a lot, and learn to persevere against all odds.

Reading Chick : Fabulous! If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Vanessa : I would invite Jane Austen, Elizabeth Bennett, and Mary Stewart, to start. I bet they would all get along exceedingly well, too! Three bright, witty women who knew a lot about life and love.

Reading Chick : That sounds like a great dinner party. Thank you, Vanessa for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Vanessa: Chocolate cake. Or chocolate chip pancakes with lots of maple syrup!

Reading Chick : Yummy! Thank you, Vanessa.

If you want to learn more about Vanessa and her work then check out the links below.

Website

Facebook: @vanessakellyauthor

Twitter: @VanessaKellyAut

Goodreads

Amazon

 

 

 

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Giveaway Time!

We have a printed copy of  My Fair Princess, book 1 in The Improper Princesses Series, up for grabs in our giveaway. To be in for a chance to win this amazing prize just leave a comment. That’s it, simple as pie!

The Improper Princesses Book One

Despite being the illegitimate daughter of a prince, Gillian Dryden is happily ignorant of all social graces. After growing up wild in Italy, Gillian has been ordered home to England to find a suitable husband. And Charles Valentine Penley, the excessively proper, distractingly handsome Duke of Leverton, has agreed to help transform her from a willful tomboy to a blushing debutante.

Powerful and sophisticated, Charles can make or break reputations with a well-placed word. But his new protégée, with her habit of hunting bandits and punching earls, is a walking scandal. The ton is aghast . . . but Charles is thoroughly intrigued. Tasked with taking the hoyden in hand, he longs to take her in his arms instead. Can such an outrageous attraction possibly lead to a fairytale ending?

Giveaway Terms
The giveaway closes on 5th April a Midnight; GMT and the winner will be announced soon after. Giveaway is open internationally, so everyone is welcome. The winner’s name will be published in a congratulatory winners post.

Review – I Dared The Duke (The Wayward Wallflowers book 2) by Anna Bennett

DARE TO FALL IN LOVE

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is known throughout the ton for three things: the burn scars on his neck, his ornery disposition, and the trail of broken hearts behind him. None of which would concern Miss Elizabeth Lacey in the least—if she weren’t living under his roof. As his grandmother’s companion, Beth is all too concerned with the moody and compelling duke. Incensed by his plans to banish the sweet dowager duchess to the country, Beth refuses to do his bidding. If Alex wants her help, he’s going to have to take her dare…and grant her three wishes.

Alex adores his grandmother, which is precisely why she must leave. A string of unfortunate incidents has him worried for the safety of everyone around him—including the dowager’s loyal and lovely companion, Beth. But the notorious wallflower isn’t as meek as she appears, and as their battle of wills heats up, so does Alex’s desire. He’s dangerously close to falling in love with her…and revealing secrets he’d rather keep hidden. How can he convince her that his darkest days are behind him—and that, for the first time in forever, his heart is true?

My Review

Alex returns to London to try to persuade his grandmother that she would be better living in the country, he has got an unknown person attempting​ to bump him off, he isn’t going to risk his one last relatives​ life so he has to get his grandmother off to her secluded country home. But there is a flaw in his well made plan, and that is what he finds when he gets home, is not what he expects.

There is a bossy and beautiful young woman working as a companion to his grandmother, Beth is all too known to Alex as years before he cruelly branded her and her sisters “The Wilting Wallflowers” but Beth is far from that. She is bossy, nosey and too intuitive for her own good, she sees past his rakish bravado and sees what’s lurking beneath what he hides from the world and he needs to get rid of her. But as ever, there is a problem –  his grandmother adores Beth and even more irritating is that the only way he is going to be able to get his grandmother out of the city to the safety of the country is to do exactly what the beautiful companion asks.

Beth knows the Duke’s famous reputation of being a bit of a Lothario, a charming experienced and down right; too handsome or his own good rogue. So when the scarred, handsome Duke returns home unexpectedly​ she knows something isn’t quite right. He never visits his grandmother, he doesn’t give a stuff about her, all Alexander Savage is bothered about is his own pleasures, so when he tells her that she is fired and his grandmother is going to the country, Beth sees red and tells the Duke a few home truths and extracts a bargain with him.

As passion starts to blossom between Beth and Alex they both realise they are getting in over their heads. Beth soon finds out about the attempt on Alex’s life, and how much danger both herself and his grandmother are in, and as they try to figure who is behind this plot they grow closer and closer, until they both see the other in very different lights. He no longer see’s a nosey wallflower and she sees past the roguish mask. Can they foil the plot on Alex’s life and start something new of their own?

“… I shall retire. Good night, your grace— er, Alex.”
“Good night, Beth.” Halfway to the door, she hesitated .
“Will you be able to manage the staircase?” Ah, hell no. It might as well have been Mount Olympus. “I’m going to sleep here.” He pointed at the ancient leather chair.
Frowning, she said, “Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in your bed?” He shot her a wicked smile. “Are you propositioning me, Miss Lacey?…”

Alex is a torture soul after losing his parents in the fire that nearly took his own life and which scarred him, he is guilt ridden about the events​ and he is highly self-conscious about his burns and his looks. He has built up his defenses to protect himself from getting hurt and apart of that is the scandalous reputation that is branded about that he is a sex mad, rogue. When in actuality that is as far from the truth as you can get. Even as he starts giving in to temptation with Beth he is still so reluctant to let her in. But when he does it is quite special.

He isn’t the callous and rakish man who society thinks him to be, he is such a charming and fascinating character, he is proud and protective especially to those around him, he may think he is a monster because of the burn scars but I can tell you now that this man could charm the birds from the trees with just the smallest smile. He is a fit and athletic man in his prime who unfortunately has a self destruct button. But like all flawed heroes I love him.

“There are all sorts of moans, Miss Lacey. Moans of pain … moans of pleasure. They sound remarkably similar.” Her eyes went wide.
“I do not pretend to be a connoisseur of moans, your grace, but I shall take your word for it.”
“It’s Alex. And maybe you shouldn’t.”
“I beg your pardon?” She tossed her head, tousling her wavy tresses and exposing the delicate column of her neck. “You shouldn’t take my word for anything. A moan of pleasure is something you should experience for yourself…..”

Beth is a real smart arse, she is bolshy and independent and she knows her own mind and what’s more she isn’t afraid of telling a few home truths especially where the Duke’s concerned. She knows what is said about Alex but more importantly she has a grudge against the charming Duke after he nicknamed her and her sisters “The Wilting Wallflowers” after that, off course the whole of society started calling it her, which resulted in Beth having a horrific first few seasons being bullied and tormented. But surprisingly Beth isn’t sour, she has tried to put the past behind her. That is untill the man himself turns up. She is at first highly suspicious and knows that his lordship is up to something  but on learning the truth of why he is demanding that they all set out to the country, because someone is trying to harm Alex she knows that she would go above and beyond to help him.

She starts seeing him in a completely different light and is drawn to him. He tantalizes her not with his rakish ways but by being himself. The honest, open and vulnerable Duke of Blackmore is far, far more seductive then the rake ever could be.

This is the first Anne Bennet book I have read and I am very impressed by it, I am really looking forward to reading more of her work. I thoroughly enjoyed I Dared The Duke, the story flows effortlessly, I was gripped by the twists and turns of the assassination plot against Alex and the seductively charming romance between out two leads. It is a strong and highly Enjoyable, a smart and tantalising read and one that I highly recommend. Even though this is book two of The Wayward Wallflowers Series, a series that I hadn’t read before, I read it very much as a standalone.

This was an ARC version from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I Dared The Duke is released on 4th April and you can purchase it at Amazon for more information check out Anna Bennett’s Website.

Elizabeth Hoyt Giveaway Winner Announced

The winner of a copy of Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt is…

Congratulations Sharlene, we will be in contact with you very soon.

Hotties of the Week…Luck of the Irish

I know I have done a “Irish, Hotties of the Week” before but I am shamelessly posting another, after all who doesn’t like to “admire” an Irish Rogue? So here you are ladies, feast your eyes on these lovelies….

Colin O’Donoghue

Aiden Turner

Eoin Macken

Michael Fassbender

Jamie Dornan

Colin Farrell

Johnathan Rhys Myers

Review ~ A Warriner To Protect Her (The Wild Warriners book 1) by Virginia Heath

Thanks to his troublesome ancestors, nobody trusted a Warriner. Which meant Jack was saddled with a crumbling estate and on the verge of bankruptcy, forced to work the land himself with the help of his three younger brothers. The very last thing he needed was the added burden of having to hide and protect the terrified woman he found bound and gagged in the woods.

Letty Dunston is the feted, beautiful and incredibly wealthy ‘Tea Heiress’ who doesn’t particularly care for Jack Warriner’s dictatorial manner or his belief that she is nothing more than a delicate, pampered princess. Most men of her acquaintance jostled for her attention. But Jack isn’t anything like most men, which was just as well as Letty is nothing like most delicate, pampered princesses either…  

Brief Preview

Heiress Letty is drugged, bound and kidnapped, stuffed into a carriage with the evil earl her uncle has sold her too and heading north to Gretna Green. She escape their clutches. And is blindly rushing through the wilderness, when; just as her energy is about spent she is found by a huge, devilishly handsome man who promises to protect her…

Jack; head of the Wicked and untrustworthy Warriner clan can’t believe his eyes when a bound and gaged woman comes rushing out of the bushes at him, he foes the only thing he can do, the only thing his gentlemanly honour will allow him to do. He picks her up and takes her home, like a sparrow with a broken wing. But she is do much more than just a sparrow she is and exotic and enticing bird of paradise.

But this bird of paradise had a secret, she has just brought do much unwanted attention and trouble to his front door…In more ways than one! And as Letty integrates herself into his and his brother’s lives he knows he is done for. will her kidnappers get her back or will the fiercely protective and dangerously handsome jack keep his order to keep her safe?

My view

First off, wow! What an opening scene, from that first page onwards I was hooked. From that first scene you get a real feel of the entire book. This is entertaining, highly sensual, funny and exhilarating.

Letty is a millionaire tea heiress who once she turns twenty-one she can finally have full control of her inheritance and control of her life, with no family left except her nasty self-centred uncle she is counting down the days until she is free. But her uncle had other plans, he wants her money and the only way he can get his hands on it is to marry her off to an acquaintance then between them split the money. They kidnap her and head north, but on route, cunning Letty manages to escape their clutches and gets herself rescued by a knight in shining armour, on his valiant steed. What girl doesn’t want that?

Jack Warriner has enough on his plate already without taking in wraith’s and strays from the road side, especially when said wraith are going to be trouble but being a gentleman, he can’t see a young woman out in the cold and in need ,without stepping in. Jack soon discovers that there is more to Letty then meets the eye, and even though he is highly suspicious of her and doesn’t approve of her he can’t stop himself from having lusty and very inappropriate thoughts about her at every opportunity.

Something primal and male and territorial. It made him want to slay dragons for her—a ridiculous notion which suddenly came out of nowhere and blindsided him.

She could be lying through her pretty teeth, yet that made no difference to his urgent need to be her knight in shining armour. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like him to be so fanciful. Jack did not usually have those sorts of feelings for women.

He liked them well enough…but always in a pragmatic and sensible way. He had never been a romantic man—although a part of him was certainly feeling that way if he was thinking of himself as her knight and conjuring imaginary dragons in his obviously addled mind

Jack is a classic HR hero; masculinity personified. Tempting and tantalising, Proud and immensely stubborn. But the real thing that I like about Jack is that he is very real, he is hard-working, reliable and the most decent man there is. He is trying to repair his tarnished family name, trying to rebuilt his broken manor and trying to do his best for his brothers and then along comes beautiful Letty to add to his never-ending list of problems. Bless him! Poor Jack has the with the weight of the world on those broad shoulders. On first sight he see her as a beautiful, defenceless spoilt brat who doesn’t know the meaning of hard work, a selfish irritating do-gooder; who not only has brought a heap of trouble on his head, but she is insulting towards him and his home. Even after he takes her in to keep her safe. But he soon realises that this heiress may not be all that he thought her to be, as she begins putting his run down manor back to rights. He see’s her kindness and her strength and he is hugely susceptible to those dazzling green eyes. Even though he still, at times thinks of her as a pain in the arse.

My word! the brothers are just delicious! Surly and proud Jack. Gruff, wounded war hero; Jamie (who I have to say, I adore) sturdy and intelligent; Doctor Joe and rakishly charming; Jacob. These four are a group not be trifled with, and what ever you preference there is a brother for every one. Like me, I can guarantee that you will fall in love with at least one. The relationship between them is so beautifully written, they just gel together. They are super loyal and protective of one another. It is a joy getting to know them as brother’s and as individuals, getting to know each brother’s characteristics.

But we cannot forget Letty she isn’t your run of the mill heiress. When we first meet dear Letty she is a s scared, lonely and exceedingly sad young woman who yearns for what he Warriner’s have, the loyalty and friendship. She hasn’t a real friend who even bothers about her disappearance. She may at times come across as a spoilt pampered little girl but in actuality she is an astonishingly smart, hard-working and brave young woman who knows exactly what she wants and tries her damnedest to get it. Letty wants people to see past the fact that she is a multi millionaire heiress and social butterfly. She knows that most people in society only see what they want to see, so she acts the manipulative heiress. The minute she meets Jack, she knows he is different. It should have been the worst moment of her life being kidnapped but she definitely got the lucky roll of the dice when Jack rescued her. My, how this girl has landed on her feet! Yes! she may be one of the wealthiest women in England but really what did all that money bring her? Just a lot of grief, but yet the lovely Jack is priceless.

For a start, she could not tear her eyes away from his powerful back as he grappled with the animal. How could she when those muscles moved intriguingly under his smooth skin? It took a tremendous amount of fortitude to force them elsewhere and even then they kept drifting back guiltily until she realised he could not see her eager staring with his back to her.

After that, she allowed herself to ogle him shamelessly.

His back, his broad shoulders, the muscles in his arms and his delightfully firm bottom were all studied far more than was really necessary because, it went without saying, they would be seared on her memory for ever…

Now I do really like Heath, I have been a very fond and open supporter of her work from day one, and I said from the beginning that she would go very far in Historical Romance and I can say with hand on heart that this is flawless. This is by far the best of her work yet, and if A Warriner To Protect Her is just the start of this wonderful new series than we are in for a stonking good romp.

Her writing was fabulous from book one, but now you can feel that she is well and truly in her groove, just by the first page alone you can see how Ms Heath has gained confidence in writing this genre, she is stepping out of the comfort zone of a romance writer and into to something exciting and thrilling. If there is one thing that I love, that is a thrilling edge of your seat Historical Romance where the characters personal lives are entwined with something else, something darker. This oozes sophistication and is a confident and articulated book that lacks nothing. I do think that Heath has out done herself with this one and I very much looking forward to the next instalment.

This is just fabulous! It is thoroughly enjoyable and I think it is singularly the best book I have read this year. Ms Heath better pull her socks up because this is going to take some beating, I am fairly certain that she I’ll do it. Especially when we get to Jamie’s story, I was warned I would love him and I am very much looking forward to his outing. He reminds me of Gaelen Foley’s; Damien knight. Anyone who knows me will know how high a praise that is.

I cannot say enough good thing’s about it. The story is fast paced and keeps you gripped from that first page, it keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat as you read wondering where earth this is going to take you next. It really does have all the ingredients for a classic a love story with fabulously complicated characters which is all wrapped up with that wonderful Heath wit that we have come to know and love. I can see this being read and loved for years to come. I must warn you though you will never look at a sheep farmer in the same way again ..😉

What a fabulous addition the heath’s growing CV, Roll on book two of the Wild and Wicked Warriners.

This was a ARC version via the author in return of a honest review.

A Warriner To Protect Her is released on 30th April and can be purchased at AMAZON For further information check out Virginia’s WEBSITE.