Historical Romance Review ~ The Guardian ~ Margaret Mallory

The Guardian by Margaret Mallory
Return of the Highlanders #1
Release Date: May 1, 2011
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on nook
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: Historical Romance Challenge 2015
Goodreads

Synopsis
Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

After years of fighting abroad. Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past...and claim the bride he's long resisted.

As a young lass, Sileas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sileas has grown from awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sileas--and he won't take no for an answer.

Oh, but Highlanders are a bloodthirsty bunch!

The introduction to Ian, Connor, Duncan, Alex, and Sileas was cleverly done. Seeing how close they were as children solidified their bond and my connection to them as adults. And knowing their futures as told to them by the village seer grew my anticipation for the story.

Ian and Sileas were forced to marry for several reasons. Ian, no wanting to have his bride forced upon him, leaves the day after the wedding and doesn't return for five long years. Five years in which Sileas has to endure the gossip and taunting from their clan over the fact that Ian didn't want to be with his wife. Now Ian and his cousins have returned to see to it the rightful heir to the Chieftanship takes his place.

The Guardian was an exciting read with much intrigue. There are some wily Highlanders who would stop at nothing to get what they want. Ian and his cousins face danger from all directions. And while trying to do right by his clan, Ian finds himself wanting to do right by his wife.

Mallory did well in creating fascinating characters. Sileas was fiery-tempered, head-strong, and brave - just as a Highlander woman should be. Ian, while pig-headed at times, was a good man and a courageous warrior. I'm eager to get Connor's, Duncan's, and Alex's stories as well, as they all have very distinct personalities.

I wouldn't have wanted to live during this tumultuous time in history though. It was very bloody and I'm certain you could never quite be sure whom to trust. Mallory does inject humor into the story. And it was welcome. With a well-constructed historical setting and robust characters, I look forward to continuing this series.

Historical Romance Review ~ The Raven Prince ~ Elizabeth Hoyt

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Princes Trilogy #1
Release Date: November 1,2006
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on nook
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: Historical Romance Challenge 2015
Goodreads

Synopsis
There comes a time in a lady's life...

Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

When she must do the unthinkable...

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

And find employment.

When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red--and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.

The Raven Prince was a delight! With its unconventional MCs and a finely crafted story wrapped around them, I was left feeling warm and happy at the end.

Anna, a widow and a respectable lady, has decided that she's tired of doing as society deems she should. Why should a lady not work as a secretary for an earl? Indeed, why shouldn't women be allowed to follow on all their desires?

Edward, Earl of Swartingham, has decided it's time he settle, once again, and try for an heir. Just as he's working out the details for a suitable fiancee, Anna comes storming into his life.

Oh, how I adored the repartee between Anna and Edward. They clearly enjoyed riling once another and their chemistry was palpable. All the circumstances swirling around them kept me on edge but I was thrilled with where it lead them. The things Anna did - bucking society's mores in the process - were so daring. That she let down her guard after what she'd suffered in her marriage made her giving Edward any trust a gift. Maybe Edward seemingly gave up far less but I felt as though his opening his heart was a major feat.

The secondary characters were a hoot as well. Mother Wren and her gentle meddling made me smile. And Iddesleigh and Davis made me laugh out loud in their brazen teasing of Edward. I came to cringe any time Felicity Clearwater made an appearance - she was such a...well, I don't know a nice word for her so I'll go with slut. At any rate, I'd be happy to see any of these characters again - even Felicity as long as she's getting her due. ;)

Hoyt's clever story and excellent pacing had me picking up my nook any chance I had. I look forward to reading more from her!

2015 Challenges Wrapup ~ #2015HW, #ShelfLove, Mythology Reading Challenge, LGBT Reading Challenge, 2015 New Release Reading Challenge, Historical Romance Reading Challenge, Erotic Romance Reading Challenge, New-to-You Reading Challenge

I can't believe 2015 is over! I had so much fun with all my challenges this year and I was completely amazed with some of the books I'd been hoarding. And I'm looking forward to all the treasures I'll find in 2016! 

Here's my final 2015 update:

This challenge is hosted by Berls @Fantasy is More Fun and Michelle @Because Reading.

*FAILED* I didn't get any more of the books on my Reading Assignment list read but I really enjoyed this challenge so much and I'm excited because Berls and Michelle are doing it again next year! Woohoo!

 

This challenge is hosted by Chapter Break and Second Run Reviews.

I didn't read as much in December since I was working. Even though I continued to work on series catch-up this month, I only managed to read 4 books that I already owned. But this brings my total to 85 books total for the year! Not bad! You can click here to check out the books and their reviews on Goodreads or click on the book images below. 

This challenge is hosted by Niji Feels. My goal is to reach Genre Hopper status, 3-10 LGBT books in any genre.

I've reached my goal of reading 3-10 books LGBT books in any genre. Yay! I did read 1 more book towards this challenge, bringing my total to 8 AND I finished Ella Frank's Temptation series. :D

 

This challenge is being hosted by Lili Lost in a Book.

I have finished this challenge since I challenged myself achieve God level or 6-10 books and I added another book to this list in October. So I've read 7 total. (I'm actually wondering if Patricia Briggs' books would fit this challenge?)  Here are the books I read:

Lexxie @Unconventional Book Views and Stormi @Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! are co-hosting this year-long challenge to read books being released in 2015. Originally, I challenged myself to reach New Release Newbie status - or 1-15 books. Since I met that goal, I decided to aim higher. ;) I set a new goal of New Release Pro - or 16-30 books. And I've now met that goal as well! Goodness! I really didn't think I'd read that many new releases this year. So, keeping in mind we're ~6 months into the year, I've set a new goal of New Release Enthusiast - or 45+ books. In December, I added FIVE more New Releases to my list. Woohoo! ;) That brings my total to 57 New Releases - which means I have kicked this challenge's butt! ;) 

I am officially a New Release Enthusiast!!!

Guess what?!? I joined a few more challenges! Yep. In October. Anna @Herding Cats & Burning Soup is hosting these challenges and she made it sooo easy to join, I couldn't resist. The rules are easy-peasy and any books I've read earlier this year were retroactive, so... See, it was too easy *not* to join. For full details on any of these challenges, just click the banner.

This challenge is so easy since any historical romances over 80 pages counts, anything set prior to 1920 counts, fusion reads count, 

and cross-overs from other challenges count. Since I'd already read quite a few HRs, I'm aiming for Level 3 which is 3-24 books. I ended up reading or listening to 12. 

Again, this challenge was so easy to join considering any erotic romance over 80 pages counts, fusion reads count, and cross-overs from other challenges count. Since I'd already read a few erotic romances, I shot for Level 2 which is 2-12 books. I made it to 10 and that's where I end the year. :)

So super easy to join...Any "new to you" book, 

meaning a debut author, a brand new author to you, an old favorite's new book, a new series, or a new to you genre. I've read so many new-to-me authors this year...so my goal is Level 5 which is 5-100 books. I'm ending the year having read 56 books that count towards this challenge. ;D  

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In December, I read 12 books. But I read a total of 167 books in 2015, so I'm happy. And I got so many books off my TBR shelves - that's a good feeling!  ;)

How did y'all end up doing with your challenges?