A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid (TLC Book Tours)

 Mina Crawford is in a sad situation.  She was “ruined” years before when she ran off with a man she loved to get married, only to be abandoned.  She now lives with her brother on a crumbling estate, and they are on the edge of ruin.  After her brother accuses Simon Laoughton, the Earl of Creswick, of cheating at cards, they are set to duel.  Mina is the better swordsman and disguises herself as her twin brother to take on the earl.  After defeating him, he offers her a job as a female secretary at his estate as he admires her bravery and sharp mind.  Women do not work in such capacity, and this is a scandalous situation.  As the two work together, sparks fly.  Will they be able to get over the scandal of the past?  Will Simon be able to pass the much-needed reform bill?

I enjoyed A Matter of Temptation.  Stacy Reid has written interesting, unique characters.  I loved their banter and romance.  They definitely had chemistry.  I also enjoyed the setting and the struggle to push the reform bill through.  It was very interesting.  I would call this romance novel a medium level of spice. 

Although the front blurb talks about this being a Regency romance, it’s a Victorian romance.  There are trains and the authors discussed include the Bronte sisters.  This didn’t detract at all from my enjoyment of the novel, but I just wanted to point it out!

A bonus story, The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding is included and also enjoyable.

Favorite Quote:

“Then I shall fight to well to reclaim your good opinion, my lord.  Rumor mentioned that once it is lost, it is never to be regained.” – I loved the shades of Pride and Prejudice.

Overall, A Matter of Temptation is a delectable new romance.  It’s a perfect summer read.

Book Source:  A Review Copy from Entangled Publishing for being a part of the TLC Book Tour.  Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

 

A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid (TLC Book Tour)

 

As a child, Lady Ophelia Darby was involved in a terrible carriage accident that washed her downstream.  Luckily a young peasant boy jumped into the river to save her.  They stayed together in a cabin in the woods for days until they were rescued.  They promise to wed each other someday.  But how can a peasant boy marry the daughter of a Marquess?

Now an adult, Lady Ophelia moves through her regular society events during the day but sings as Lady Starlight in the shadowy underworld at night.  She wants to find the answer to her father’s dark secret, and also to discover more about the mysterious Devlin Byrne, master of the underworld.  When she discovers that Devlin was the young boy who saved her, she is intrigued.  As the two get to know each other, how can they move forward into the future with such different pasts?

I was engaged by story immediately.  I loved how it started as a childhood love.  I loved a story of two star crossed lovers from different backgrounds trying to figure out how to make it work.  I also loved the mysteries in the romance that had to be solved.  I loved how Lady Ophelia was an independent woman who wanted to marry for love, and I loved how Devlin supported her.  I just loved a lot about this romance novel.  There were a couple of steamy scenes in the novel, but it didn’t go overboard.

This was the third book in the Sinful Wallflowers series, but it read well as a stand-alone.  I want to check out the rest of the series now!

Favorite Quotes:

“We all have a bit of madness in our hearts; we’ve just learned to hide it.  I admit I might sparkle a little brighter because, according to my father, I have been overindulged.”

“He made her feel safe. . . cherished, and Ophelia inexplicably knew he would stand before any storm that came her way.  His loyalty was unswerving, and she felt undeserving.”

Overall, A Scoundrel of Her Own was a delightful Regency romance novel.

Book Source:  Review Copy from Entangled Publishing for being a part of the TLC Book Tour.  Thank-you.  I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.