Natasha’s Review – Page 3

September 8, 2015September 6, 2015

Natasha & Kimberly review She’s Not There by PJ Parrish

TITLE: She’s Not There
CHARACTERS: Amelia, Alex and Buchanan
AUTHOR: P.J. Parrish
PUBLICATION DATE: September 8, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They say it’s better to battle the devil you know. But what if you don’t recognize him before it’s too late?
She knows her name is Amelia, but after waking up in a hospital battered and bruised with just the clothes on her back, it’s all she knows. Unable to piece together her shattered memory, she’s haunted by a vision: menacing faces and voices implying her nightmare is far from over.

Relying only on her wits and her will to live, Amelia becomes a fugitive from a mysterious man, and a life she can’t even remember. But the past she’s fleeing has no intention of letting her go.

NATASHA’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts I really loved this book – I mean, who doesn’t love a good amnesia suspense thriller? Amelia had me hooked in her story from the first few pages. She wakes up in a hospital and has no idea who she is. We spend the book moving forward with Amelia in her quest to find herself in her past and figure out what that means for her future. All of the characters in the story are given adequate page time that really makes you care about them and get their true story. Not only was I interested in Amelia’s story, but also that of her troubled husband Alex and skip tracer, Buchanan. This story was stressful, fast paced and a real page-turner. Though I was getting multiple points of view, I still couldn’t accurately guess what had happened to Amelia and why. All-in-all this was a great suspense thriller and fun read. I’ll definitely read more from this author.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 Hearts What an interesting way to write a story. I really enjoyed the different perspectives of Amelia, her husband and the PI. Amelia’s was best if you ask me but I found them all interesting. I enjoyed the way Amelia follows her instincts so completely. It is almost like she trust her 6th sense more than any other and I found that really cool.

I really found myself liking Amelia. I was really impressed with some of her escapes.

I won’t say that the story doesn’t have a often used plot line. I mean “woman with amnesia” is pretty darn common but the story really is enjoyable so I highly recommend it if you enjoy the genre.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 6, 2015August 2, 2015

Natasha reviews Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

TITLE: Mistress of Pleasure
SERIES #: School of Gallantry #1
CHARACTERS: Maybelle & Rutherford
AUTHOR: Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE: July 3, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon|B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Granddaughter of a renowned courtesan, Maybelle Maitenon has no interest in her grandmother’s school in London where gentlemen receive instruction–in the art of seduction. Her only desire in life is to remain independent and free from men and their overbearing expectations. But when Maybelle lays eyes on the Duke of Rutherford, who is well-known for his gentlemanly ways, she can’t resist. Neither she or the duke are prepared for what their attraction is about to do not only to their sanity but their hearts.
WARNING: This book contains strong language and sexual content that may cause respectable people to swoon.

REVIEW:

Delilah has just re-released Mistress of Pleasure with tons of new content and a beautiful new cover that matches all those in this series. I loved this book the first time I read it, but the second go ‘round was even better. I guess it’s because I had a better grasp at the importance of this book and how everything connected back to this start of the series. The School of Gallantry is one of my favorite series and this book started it all. There are laugh-out-loud moments that I just had to put the book down to enjoy the moment, and truly endearing sweet, romantic moments. The characters come alive and suck you into their world; the plot is well researched and written beautifully. I love this author. I love this series; please give it a go if you haven’t already. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Ever.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Delilah Marvelle Productions in exchange for an honest review . This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 31, 2015July 28, 2015

Natasha reviews The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

TITLE: The Bourbon Kings
SERIES #: The Bourbon Kings #1
CHARACTERS: Lane & Lizzie
AUTHOR: J.R. Ward
PUBLICATION DATE: July 28, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege—and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal….

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.respectable people to swoon.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts As a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately it just wasn’t as addicting as I’d hoped it would be. The characters each have very different personalities, but not much that makes them particularly memorable or likable. I didn’t feel like I got to know many of them very well. While interesting, they didn’t stick out too much to me. The story also moved very slowly, it definitely wasn’t a page turner. More of a casual stroll type of read. Some may definitely enjoy that, it just wasn’t my favorite kind of story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 29, 2015July 28, 2015

Natasha reviews Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

TITLE: Pretty Baby
SERIES #: N/A
CHARACTERS: Heidi, Chris & Willow
AUTHOR: Mary Kubica
PUBLICATION DATE: July 28, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A chance encounter sparks an unrelenting web of lies in this stunning new psychological thriller from national bestselling author Mary Kubica
She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can’t get the girl out of her head…
Heidi Wood has always been a charitable woman: she works for a nonprofit, takes in stray cats. Still, her husband and daughter are horrified when Heidi returns home one day with a young woman named Willow and her four-month-old baby in tow. Disheveled and apparently homeless, this girl could be a criminal—or worse. But despite her family’s objections, Heidi invites Willow and the baby to take refuge in their home.
Heidi spends the next few days helping Willow get back on her feet, but as clues into Willow’s past begin to surface, Heidi is forced to decide how far she’s willing to go to help a stranger. What starts as an act of kindness quickly spirals into a story far more twisted than anyone could have anticipated.

REVIEW: I loved Kubica’s first book, The Good Girl, so I was very excited when I saw her new release! This is definitely a dark story and not for the faint of heart. All of the characters are extremely flawed and their stories are told in pieces – from multiple points of view – throughout the entire book. Unfortunately for me, I felt the story was pretty slow moving. I kept reading because I knew Kubica would throw some type of crazy twist into the story that would throw off the reader. However, I ended up predicting what twists the story would take. Though the read was enjoyable, and Kubica is great at story telling, the story just wasn’t my favorite. That said, I still really like this author and her work so I will keep my eyes open for more stories from her.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 23, 2015July 19, 2015

Natasha reviews The Wrong Man by Kate White

TITLE: The Wrong Man
CHARACTERS: Kit & Matt
AUTHOR: Kate White
PUBLICATION DATE: June 16, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She wanted to be more daring, but one small risk is about to cost her everything—maybe even her life.
Bold and adventurous in her work as owner of one of Manhattan’s boutique interior design firms, Kit Finn couldn’t be tamer in her personal life. While on vacation in the Florida Keys, Kit resolves to do something risky for once. When she literally bumps into a charming stranger at her hotel, she decides to make good on her promise and act on her attraction. But back in New York, when Kit arrives at his luxury apartment ready to pick up where they left off in the Keys, she doesn’t recognize the man standing on the other side of the door. Was this a cruel joke or part of something truly sinister? Kit soon realizes that she’s been thrown into a treacherous plot, which is both deeper and deadlier than she could have ever imagined. Now the only way to protect herself, her business, and the people she loves is to find out the true identity of the man who has turned her life upside down. Adrenaline-charged and filled with harrowing twists at every turn, The Wrong Man will keep readers riveted until the final page.

NATASHA’S REVIEW:

I enjoyed this book so much. It was such a page-turner, I couldn’t put it down. I love a good suspense thriller and this was definitely that! Kit is a strong female lead character who I enjoyed getting to know. She makes one decision that drastically changes the course of her life. At first is happens in small ways that seem embarrassing, but not too big a deal – then the danger sets in! I liked how this book kept me guessing until the end. One big twist was fairly predictable, but not all of the ending was, which was good. I kept second guessing myself and my predictions until the very end. Great characters, great suspense, great read.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 14, 2015July 13, 2015

Natasha reviews Wicked Embers by Keri Arthur

TITLE: Wicked Embers
SERIES #: Souls of Fire #2
CHARACTERS: Emberly, Jackson, Sam & Rory
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: July 7, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Keri Arthur, New York Times bestselling author of Fireborn, presents the thrilling new Souls of Fire Novel featuring Emberly Pearson, a phoenix that can transform into a human—and is haunted by the ability to foresee death….

Crimson Death, the plague like virus spawned from a failed government experiment to isolate the enzymes that make vampires immortal, continues to spread. Emberly and her partner, Jackson Miller, are desperately seeking the stolen research for a cure before the virus becomes a pandemic.

But their mission is jeopardized by another threat uncovered in Emberly’s prophetic dreams. A creature of ash and shadow has been unleashed on a murdering spree. Now Emberly must summon all her gifts and investigative knowledge to put an end to this entity’s brutal rampage—even if it means placing herself in harm’s way….

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Emberly is a strong female character lead – I enjoy her a lot. This book was another interesting installment in this new series and offered answers to lingering questions. I’m curious how the story line will continue from here, it’s going to be very exciting. There are lots of characters in this series, and sometimes they get mingled together, but they’re all intriguing and you want to see more of them. Emberly reminds me a lot of Keri’s heroine Riley Jensen – which is a big compliment, since I loved that series. I’ll keep following the series, I want to see what’s in store for these characters. It seems Emberly is destined for an eternity of heartbreak and my fingers are crossed she’ll find her happy lifetime! Keri Arthur writes very creative stories with characters you fall in love with, even if sometimes the complexity gets a little deep.

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Penguin Group Berkley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

July 1, 2015June 28, 2015

Natasha reviews Minutes To Kill by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: Minutes to Kill
SERIES #: Scarlet Falls #2
CHARACTERS: Hannah Barrett & Brody McNamara
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: June 30, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

REVIEW: This is the second book in Leigh’s Scarlett Falls series. They are great mystery romance novels with intriguing and well-written characters. I have to say, Hannah Barrett was a bit of fresh air for me as a heroine. I really liked her character in the first book Hour of Need and was very excited to see more of her in the follow-up. She is an incredibly strong and self-sufficient character who makes intelligent decisions in times of distress. There was one point in the story where I was so sure I was about to smack my head and say NOOOOO!!! – Thankfully Hannah did not make me do that and I respected the strength of the character even more. Brody and Hannah have great interaction and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the two of them together. This was another strong addition to this series. It has it all, characters we love and care about; great story telling and great plots. I’m excited for the next book in the series; I’m hoping we will finally see more of Mac!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015

Natasha reviews Spiraled by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: Spiraled
SERIES #: Callahan & McLane #3
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Eva McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: June 2, 2015
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FBI Special Agent Ava McLane solves crimes; she doesn’t witness them. When she’s trapped in a mall without her weapon as a shooter picks off victims, she hides with a wounded teen and prays for her survival.

But that’s only the beginning…

An epidemic of mass shootings has swept across Oregon. The young shooters terrify the public, committing random murders before taking their own lives. The task force assembled to solve the case—which includes Ava’s boyfriend, detective Mason Callahan—remains stumped. And on top of this chaos, Ava’s troubled twin sister reappears, throwing Ava’s already-tumultuous life into a tailspin.

An old-fashioned cop with a strong sense of duty, Mason struggles to find the cause of the shootings as workaholic Ava spins ever closer to breaking down. But can one detective save the lives of countless innocents—and prevent the woman he loves from going over the edge?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I love everything by Kendra Elliot and this book was no exception. I have followed Mason and Eva’s story from the beginning, and let me just say, it never disappoints. There are so many ups and downs in the lives of these two characters. They are so well written. I feel connected to them, they are very much realistic and strong personalities. I will say though, that Eva has to have to the worst luck in the world. She constantly is finding herself in terrible situations. I’m really not sure how much more she or my poor emotional state, can take! I think it’s time for Mason to have a little drama! Anywho, the premise for this book was super interesting. I had the basic plot twist figured out early on, but there were other aspects that I didn’t see coming that were very interesting! I couldn’t put the book down, which is typical of any Kendra book. Oh, and the last scene of the book (which I finished 5 minutes ago) yeah, totally balled my eyes out. I love these characters. I hope this author continues this series for a while; I love all of the stories and supporting characters. It is a refreshing series that I always look forward to.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 22, 2015May 20, 2015

Natasha reviews Lost In Magic by Elianne Adams

TITLE: Lost in Magic
SERIES #: Return to Avalore #4
CHARACTERS: Aiken, Mary, & Rogan
AUTHOR: Elianne Adams
PUBLICATION DATE: May 19, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N coming soon

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From the moment she set eyes on Aiken Mayfield, Mari was certain of one thing—he was her predestined mate. On a quest to find the answers to why the people of Avalore can no longer shift, Mari unwittingly unleashes powers within her she never knew she had. But without proper training, that very power drains her energy, threatening to kill her.

Willing to do anything to save Mari, Aiken embarks on a journey with her to find a lost the lost settlement of mages beyond their borders. They hold the answers to restore her to full health, but when the solution puts her in the arms of another man, can Aiken do what’s right and step aside?

A hunter for their people, Rogan, a jaguar shifter, never imagined finding his mate, much less have it be an Avalorian female, but mates are rare, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep her.

REVIEW:

Elianne Adams does it again!! As always with her books, once I started reading this story I couldn’t put my Kindle down. I mean – even my kids were getting on my nerves with the interruptions! Don’t they understand mommy is reading important stuff! Sheesh – anyway, back to the book. First let me say, that in general I hate love triangle books. They give me anxiety, I get overly attached to all the characters, jealousy stresses me out and someone is always getting hurt or let down. I hate them, mostly because of how I don’t like to deal with stressful situations – and I try to avoid books with these scenarios because of that internal flaw.

Now, that said – of course Elianne would be the author who makes all of this ok for me. I’m not kidding, for a good chunk of this book I was having intense stress and heart burn, I didn’t know if I could handle the drama! However, because I know my author never lets me down I continued on. Thank goodness I did. Elianne made this story so amazingly beautiful and worth the stress and heartache. The characters are so real, so honest and intense. I loved them all – not all the time – but by the end they all had a place in my heart. There was one scene, toward the end of the book where I just started crying. The ugly cries too. If you’ve read the book, you’ll probably know what I’m referencing. It just touched all my feels, I couldn’t take it! Gosh I love this series, I love this author, and I will read everything she writes. I love these stories and characters – I highly recommend these books!

Disclaimer:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 20, 2015May 18, 2015

Natasha and Kimberly review Witches Be Burned by Stacey Kennedy

TITLE: Witches Be Burned
SERIES #: Magic & Mayhem #2
CHARACTERS: Nexi & Kyden
AUTHOR: Stacey Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: May 19, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Stacey Kennedy’s steamy paranormal romance novel, a rookie guardian sworn to combat the undead risks life and love in a world of violence, witchcraft, and seduction.

Nexi Jones has lost her family, she’s been stripped of her guardian duties, and she’s still learning the ins and outs of white magic. At least she has Kyden, the smoldering hot elite guardian who’s been there for her every step of the way. But just as Nexi completes her training, tragedy strikes the Otherworld when a fellow guardian is murdered by a group of rogue vampires. Ready or not, she and Kyden trek into the Earthworld to hunt down a killer—and Nexi alone will be put to the ultimate test.

Although Kyden knows that Nexi must fight her own battles, his guardian instincts are raging as he struggles to keep her close. The ruthlessness of these vampires is like nothing he’s ever seen. And at their helm is the Black Witch Astoria, a demon with one burning desire: to shed Nexi’s blood in the name of vengeance. What troubles Kyden even more, though, is the warlock who covets Nexi’s heart. Let the devil do his worst . . . all Kyden can do is love and protect Nexi until his last breath.

NATASHA’S REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I accidentally started reading this book before realizing it was book 2 in the series. However, the author planned for idiots like me and offered a GREAT prologue that gave you a nice understanding of how things went down in the first book Werewolves Be Damned. I gotta say, I fell in love with Nexi and Kyden right away. I was a huge fan of the Cat & Bones series that recently ended. I think Stacey Kennedy wrote this series at the perfect time for those of us who were desperately searching for another kick ass couple who constantly kept each other on their toes and had each other’s back. Not to mention, this series has an awesome cast of supporting characters that I’m hoping could turn into novellas or spin-off series. All in all this is a strong fantasy novel with so many different levels of complexity. This author has created a self-sustaining world that can hold whatever her mind imagines. I love the series and am looking forward to much more from Kennedy.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts OK I gave this 3 stars (right down the middle) because it was a DNF for me but by no fault of the book. I picked up the book because I like Stacey Kennedy and didn’t realize this was a second in the series. So I started to read it and realized I was missing a VERY big part of the story. This is an ongoing story and since I have not read book 1 I just couldn’t understand what was going on. Luckily I was not too far into it before I realized and went to GoodReads to look at the first in the series. When I saw that they were the same characters I just stopped right then and there. I intend to pick up the first and read it but I have no many books in my TBR pile that I just can’t pick it up right now. When I do read it I will add more about the story to this review.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

April 15, 2015April 12, 2015

Natasha reviews According to Hoyle by Abigail Roux

TITLE: According to Hoyle
CHARACTERS: Flynn, Wash, Rose & Cage
AUTHOR: Abigail Roux
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/29/14
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
By the close of 1882, the inhabitants of the American West had earned their reputation as untamed and dangerous. The line between heroes and villains is narrow and indistinct. The concept that a man may only kill if backed into a corner is antiquated. Lives are worth less than horses. Treasures are worth killing for. And the law is written in the blood of those who came before. The only men staving off total chaos are the few who take the letter of the law at its word and risk their lives to uphold it. But in the West, the rules aren’t always played according to Hoyle.
U.S. Marshals Eli Flynn and William Henry Washington are escorting two prisoners to New Orleans for trial when they discover there’s more to the infamous shootist Dusty Rose and the enigmatic man known only as Cage than merely being outlaws. When forces beyond the marshals’ control converge on the paddlewheeler they have hired to take them downriver, they must choose between two dangers: playing by the rules at any cost or trusting the very men they are meant to bring to justice.

REVIEW:
I did not anticipate liking this book at all, I do not like Westerns. However, I’m a huge fan of Abigail Roux’s Cut & Run series so figured I’d give this one a try. I actually loved this book. As always Roux’s characters have extremely strong and likable personalities. You’re instantly connected to each character to the point that you forget you’re reading a book. It is a m/m story, but nothing too bad that would make you blush. The relationships were organic and real and I was completely engrossed. There was a pivotal scene in the book that I personally felt went on way too long. I got kinda bored with that part of the story, but I understand her reasoning for it. The characters kept it alive for me at that time, but I was ready for a change of scenery by the end. As far as I can tell there is no plan for a sequel to this book, however I would definitely read one. I’m still interested in these characters and would love to see more of them.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Riptide Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

April 10, 2015April 9, 2015

Natasha reviews The Duke of Andelot by Delilah Marvelle

TITLE: The Duke of Andelot
SERIES #: The School of Gallantry #7
CHARACTERS: Thérèse Angelique Bouchard & Gérard Antoine Tolbert
AUTHOR: Delilah Marvelle
PUBLICATION DATE: April 10, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
For fans of Tom Jones and The Scarlet Pimpernel comes a twisted, sexy tale that takes the French Revolution to smoldering new heights.

Long before becoming the flamboyant courtesan known to men as Madame de Maitenon, Thérèse Angelique Bouchard, dreamed of becoming an actress capable of commanding not only the stage but all of Paris. Until she meets an extraordinary aristocratic gentleman who sweeps her into his arms and the danger of his life, while offering her the sort of wealth she never imagined. What starts off as a seductive alliance, ends in her giving him the one thing she, as a mere bourgeoisie, cannot afford to give: her love.

After the murder of his older brothers, Gérard Antoine Tolbert, becomes the last heir to the powerful dukedom of Andelot, leaving him to fight for not only his life, but the allegiance he holds for the crown. During the final rise of the French Revolution that whispers of the violent change about to shake the entire country, Gérard meets an aspiring actress who entices him into wanting more out of not only himself but life. In trying to protect her from their overly passionate alliance and those that want him dead, he must decide what matters most: his life or his heart.

WARNING: This book contains strong language and sexual content which may cause respectable people to swoon.

REVIEW: Finishing this book was wonderful, yet sad. I was ecstatic when Delilah announced she was continuing with this series and have enthusiastically awaited each new release. The series has been a phenomenal journey, spanning so many amazing characters and stories. It is with extreme excitement that I began this story, knowing it centered on the sun of this wonderful universe Delilah created – Madame Maitenon! Her story is full of comedy, tragedy and plain ‘ol scandal! I have loved Therese ever since we were first introduced to her in Mistress of Pleasure. She is such a daring, strong character that you can’t help but admire her courage and strength. This story begins over thirty years prior to where the entire series ended up. We get to see Therese as a young girl, getting into all kinds of craziness through her association with a dashing Duke – Gerard Tolbert. Slight spoiler alert – Therese and Gerard meet in the forest. I swear I could have lived this entire story in that forest. Seeing these two characters interact literally exploded the pages of my book. I was so deeply invested in their story I couldn’t put it down. They are extremely funny together, sinfully explicit and wonderfully flawed. So much heartache between these two – so much love. It is a gripping tale that completes the stories of two of our favorite characters in this series. I am very sad that this is the end of The School of Gallantry, but thank goodness for the amazing tales.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book courtesy of Delilah Marvelle Productions, LLC in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.