THE CAPTAIN’S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS by Erica Ridley

Title:  THE CAPTAIN’S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS

Series:  Dukes of War #2

Author:  Erica Ridley

Publish Date:   03.02.2015

Publisher:  Intrepid Reads

Category /Genre:  Regency Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Intrepid Reads via NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

Date completed: 05.24.15

Description from the publisher:

Captain Xavier Grey's body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn't deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...

Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?

Regency-set Historical Romance Novel

Enjoy the emotional, laugh-out-loud second book in USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley's new Dukes of War regency romance series!

The Dukes of War historical romance books in series order:

·         The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (#0.5)

·         The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (#1)

·         The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (#2)

Join the official readers' group on Facebook! facebook.com/groups/DukesOfWar

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This is the third book in the Dukes of War series.  Each does stand alone, but it is much more enjoyable to read them all and in order due to the familiar faces that pop in.

First, you need to know what a Bluestocking is.   Here is what I found:  A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman, more specifically a member of the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society led by the hostess and critic Elizabeth Montagu (1720–1800), the "Queen of the Blues", and including Elizabeth Vesey (1715–91), Hester Chapone (1727–1801), and the classicist Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806).  Until the late 18th century, the term had referred to learned people of both sexes.  It subsequently was applied primarily to intellectual women, and the French equivalent bas bleu had a similar connotation.  The term later developed negative implications, and in some instances such women were stereotyped as being "frumpy".

Throughout history, educated women have been intimidating to men, the fragile male ego being what it is.  Because of this, Jane Downing does not believe that she will ever be married.  She has made a calculated decision to have one memory to warm her spinster bed for her remaining years.  She has set her sights on Captain Xavier Grey for her plans of seduction, a one-night stand, Regency style. 

I loved this story.  Jane is exactly the kind of friend we all want to have (or be). She says outrageous things, hoping to be noticed, but has discovered that the ton has Janenesia – an inability to remember her beyond the handshake of introduction.   Poor Xavier is so full of self-loathing stemming from the war, that he doesn’t truly appreciate the gift that has come tripping out of the snowstorm to deposit herself on his front doorstep.  But, throughout the book, they are both upstaged by the cat, Egui, a true star.  His name is perfect for him (don’t worry, you’ll find out why I say that) and brings to mind the old idea of whether you own a cat or they own you.

Told with Erica Ridley’s usual style of humor and passion, this is another story that absolutely should not be missed.

Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

The Dukes of War series:

1. The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation
2. The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower
3. The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress
4. The Major’s Faux Fiancée (coming soon)
5. The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride (coming soon)
6. The Duke’s Accidental Wife (coming soon)

Other Books from Erica Ridley:

• Too Wicked to Kiss
• Too Sinful to Deny
• Charmed
• Midwinter Magic
• Let It Snow
• Dark Surrender

AMAZON

WOLVES AT THE DOOR Skye Jones

Title:  WOLVES AT THE DOOR

Series:  Wolves of the Glen #1

Anthology:  Shifters Gone Alpha

Author:  Skye Jones

Publish Date:   05.25.15

Publisher:  Excessica Publishing

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Skye Jones (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: Shifters Gone Alpha

Date completed: 07.06.15

Description from the publisher:

When it comes to love, it doesn't take long for shifters to go alpha. This boxed set of NEW stories from bestselling authors shows how there's nothing a shifter won't do for their mate's pleasure.

Her Alpha Mate by Michele Bardsley
As the Fire Pack alpha’s wife Alice Mason will do anything ensure the future of her wolf pack and the ancient bloodline of her husband. Even if it means she must sacrifice her own life…

The Bear Witch Project by Renee George
Bears and witches are natural enemies, so when bear shifter Ty Wasape meets curvy witch Solange Tremaine at an Osage casino, he is naturally torn between killing her or making her his mate.

Her Destiny by Brandy Walker
Selena has a new job, new home, and new friends; to include a cat she calls Felix. When her life is threatened Felix, aka Malcolm, comes to the rescue bringing her into a world she never knew existed.

KnightForce 1 by Sydney Addae
La Patron’s rebel problem needs correcting before the cops get involved. Asia, Angus and Tyrese, arrive in the Rocky Mountains to prevent more deaths and keep humans unaware Shifters live next door.

Darkness Rising by Lisa Carlisle
Antoine Chevalier is a gargoyle shifter living in Paris. When he's attacked by rogue vampires, he's forced to abandon his identity and must recreate himself in a world now filled with darkness.

Her Dragon’s Soul by Julia Mills
Find mate…check. Bond with mate…check. Exorcise demon taking take over mate hence saving dragon kin and the world…oh crap, not again. Can't a dragon catch a break?

The Gathering: Homecoming by Ellis Leigh
Join the trio from The Gathering as they navigate their new life. Blasius and Dante must make their mate Moira feel welcome, but their mountain girl has trouble finding her footing on marble floors.

Wolves at the Door by Skye Jones
Brooke is studying the wildlife of a remote Scottish area. What she finds shocks her. Sexy alpha, Drew, seduces Brooke. They spend the night together, but Drew wants more. He wants Brooke as his mate.

Domlen’s Way by Solease M Barner
Domlen's handsome, sexy, smart and a Dominate. He will ensure you are satiated, satisfied, sore and pleased. You will only have to submit to Domlen's Way to get the attention of this dragon-shifter.

Rescued? By the Wolf by Cristina Rayne
When Rogue lion shifter, Tori, jumps into the truck of an annoyingly hot wolf shifter she mistakes for human, lifelong hostilities and self-restraint are tested as they flee from the lions in pursuit.

Spring Mates by Lynn Tyler
Mating season. The time when a young man’s heart turns to creating a permanent bond with the one he loves. At least, in theory.

Breaking the Storm by Sedona Venez
One curvy fae witch. One smoking hot ‘Rock Star’ wolf shifter--and a curse that threatens their burning love.

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Wolves at the Door by Skye Jones
I was told this may be the first of a new series (according to a message I received).  I hope it is.  If created, the series will need to be read in order.

A new twist on the Little Red Riding Hood story.  A modern Red is a scientist posted to a remote cabin in Scotland.  Little does she know that the Big Bad Wolf is not extinct from these hills!  I love how the story developed into a case of “it takes one to know one.”

This is the first story I have read from Skye Jones.  I hope it will not be my last

Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Other Books from Skye Jones:

Wild Hunters Series:

1.      Claimed by Love

2.      Claimed by Desire

AMAZON-US

SINFUL DEEDS by Samantha Holt

Title:  SINFUL DEEDS

Series:  Cynfell Brothers #2

Author:  Samantha Holt

Publish Date:   05.01.15

Publisher:  Samantha Holt

Category /Genre:  Historical Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Received from:  Samantha Holt (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: Sinful Deeds

Date completed: 05.23.15

Description from the publisher:

Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride. The Cynfell Brothers are the very embodiment of a sinful existence. But could the right woman change that?

                   

      Envy

Being the mistress of one of the most notorious rakes in London was never going to be easy, but Josephine believed she was strong enough. After all, she loved Dante Cynfell to distraction. He provided her with a comfortable home and all the art supplies she could ever need. After a short marriage that left her near destitute, the widow couldn’t help but fall into his arms...and his bed.

But after four years of tolerating his drunken behaviour and late night calls, Josephine has had enough. Her paintings have caught the eye of a great patron of the arts. With promises of fame and fortune ringing in her ears, she realises being a mistress simply will not satisfy her anymore. She wants true love, marriage, and respectability.

When Josephine ends their arrangement, Dante is shocked. She had a comfortable home, his adoration...hell, even his faithfulness. What more could a beautiful woman want?

Marriage? Well, that’s one thing Dante Cynfell doesn’t plan to offer any woman—not even Josephine. He’s witnessed too many miserable marriages. Why put the person you care about through such misery?

Positive he can win her back, he sets out to remind her how good they are together. One thing is for sure, Dante will not give her up easily—especially to another man. Josephine is about to learn that an envious Cynfell man is not to be trifled with.

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This is the second book in the Cynfell Brothers series.  Though each does stand alone, I would recommend reading in the order of publication.  You can expect updates on the previous couples.

Dante Cynfell is the second son in this family.  I am reminded that the traditional aristocracy procreated with the motto of “an heir and a spare.”  Meaning that each family wanted there to be two boys born, because of the high infant mortality rates of the times.

Born as “the spare,” Dante lacks the seriousness of his brother.  He lives a life of privilege with no responsibility.  He doesn’t see his responsibility even for his mistress.  When Josephine, Jo-Jo, tells him that she wants more or freedom, he really doesn’t understand what more a woman could want.

I loved the banter between these two.  I also loved the growth they each experienced.  It’s obvious from page one that they love each other, but they are both strong enough to ask for what they want and fight for what they need.   I thought this was a great story and extremely well written.  This was not the usual boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy fights for girl.  Instead we start at boy loses girl and they both make the fight worthwhile.  I cheered when he inevitably re-won the heart of the girl without making her lose herself in the process.

As stated in the previous review, the chores are often ignored when a truly good read is available – still guilty.  I began this one as soon as I finished Sinful Confessions and now I’m done.  I guess it’s time to get back to work… but rest assured, I have one eye on my kindle account to see when the next book in this series will be released.

Grammar/editing:  ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

The Cynfell Brothers series:

1. Sinful Confessions
2. Sinful Deeds
3. Sinful Liaisons
4. (coming soon)

Books from Samantha Holt:

·         The Crimson Castle

·         A Summer Siege

·         The Sexy Bartender’s Virtual Seduction

·         Buckle Down

·         Eden’s Fire

·         Not Another Soldier

·         Her Dream Cowboy

·         Hunting His Highland Lass

·         Alrek

·         Too Much to Lose

·         Tempting His Mistress

·         Once Upon a Rake

·         Christmas Seduction

·         Kissed at Midnight

·         The Warrior’s Reward

Highland Fae Chronicles:

1.      To Steal a Highlander’s Heart

2.      To Dream of a Highlander

3.      To Avenge Her Highland Warrior

The One Knight Collection:

1.      One Knight

2.      Black Knight

3.      White Knight

4.      Highland Knight

Borderland Legacy:

1.      Borderland Bride

2.      Borderland Beauty

3.      Borderland Betrayal

AMAZON-US

AMAZON-UK