• About
  • Review Ratings
  • Author’s Information
  • Recommended Authors

Whiskey With My Book

~ And a cozy spot to enjoy them both.

Whiskey With My Book

Tag Archives: favorite series

Belles of London by Mimi Matthews – Series (to date) Review

14 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, books, favorite series, horses, Mimi Matthews, romance, series, Victorian

I recently read the first two books in Mimi Matthews’ Belles of London series. I had received an ARC from Netgalley for book 2 and when I saw book 1 on sale, purchase it. I loved both of these, so I have a couple of quick reviews for you today.

Review of The Siren of Sussex

I was drawn to the cover of this book.  And happy to find inside, a story as lovely as the cover.  Evelyn is a skilled and daring equestrienne who intends to use her riding skills and stunning costumes to attract a husband.  Instead, she finds the man she is attracted, her tailor, is all sorts of wrong for her. 

A humble tailor from India, Ahmad should stay away from Evelyn.  He is still trying to make a name for himself in an intolerant society.  Only his skill as a designer and tailor can set him on the road to success.

Evelyn and Ahmad end up in each other’s company so much that they cannot ignore their feelings.  The story is about overcoming racial and class prejudices, jealousy and their personal pragmatism.  I was cheering for this couple to make it and make it big!  One of the best Happily Ever Afters I have read in a long time!

About The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she’s worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she’ll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London’s attention she’ll need a habit-maker who’s not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?

Review of The Belle of Belgrave Square

As with the first book in this series, I love the cover of this book.  But the real hook was the heroine.  I could absolutely relate to Julia as an avid novel reader.  While her home life was less than ideal, Julia was able to escape to books.  I hate to use the term ‘evil’ when describing her parents, but they absolutely failed in the loving, supportive parent category.  Plus, they thought novels were bad for her.  How disturbing is that?  In an era of rampant book censorship, that really resonated.

When she meets Captain Jasper Blunt, his reputation has Julia wary.  Jasper is looking for an heiress to save the estate where he is raising a family.    But Jasper allows a glimpse at his compassionate side, through a mutual admiration of an author.  They form a marriage of convenience.

The couple has many obstacles to overcome: children, parents, meddling friends, and secrets.  It’s the secrets that make the story intriguing and provide a few surprises that will delight the reader.  I enjoyed seeing the couple fall in love and form a family.  One of my favorite chapters was when Julia set her ‘evil’ parents straight. 

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the second in the Belles of London series.  The historical romances set in the Victorian era stand alone, but also, quite nicely, fit together.  

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

*****************************

About The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…

*****************************

Links

Add books in the Belles of London series to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase books in the The Belles of London series:

Wolf in the Shadows (The Legend of All Wolves, #5) by Maria Vale – Review

22 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

5 stars, Book Review, favorite series, Maria Vale, paranormal romance, romance, series, shifters, wolves

Review of Wolf in the Shadows

Let me start by saying that The Legend of All Wolves is my favorite series about shifters.  Maria Vale’s unique take on wolves has enchanted me from the beginning.  The wolves of the Great North Pack are a family that only wants to live life on their own terms.  But the outside world keeps trying to interfere. 

Among the worst meddlers are the shifters.  These are beings that can shift at will, or even not shift at all.  This sets them apart from the wolves of the Pack who are influenced by the moon. 

Wolf in the Shadows storyline overlaps with Season of the Wolf with new viewpoints introduced.  In these stories, shifters have invaded the Pack’s land for nefarious reasons.  The Pack has prevailed so far, but more than one shifter has been captured by the Pack.  Julie is one such shifter and, in this story, she struggles to survive in this new environment.  She is assigned to Arthur, who’s own past is complex and poignant.  As they spend time together, they evolve into strong indivudals doing their best to overcome their pasts.

I am fascinated by the Pack’s dichotomy of sharp intelligence and unworldliness.  Nature governs their existence and they have adapted to make the most of life in their territory.  The outside world constantly challenges.  The Pack does not understand what motivates people in the outside world.  Even worse, the outside world will never understand the Pack.

Each book in this series makes the story deeper, richer, better.  These stories of wolves who take human form are unique within the paranormal genre and I recommend them to anyone that enjoys wolf/shifter fiction.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book.  My review is my honest opinion.

*****************************

About Wolf in the Shadows by Maria Vale

Shifter Julia Martel has been spoiled and pampered by all the alpha males around her whose urge to protect her have left her uninformed and vulnerable. Now the Great North Pack has relegated Julia to the care of the wolf at the very bottom of the Pack hierarchy, Arthur Graysson. Julia wants nothing to do with the Pack, except to escape back to her life of luxury and idleness, but the more time she spends with Arthur, the more she learns about the Pack, the dark secrets Arthur carries with him, and the fierceness within herself that could save them all…

*****************************

Links

Add Wolf in the Shadows to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase books in the The Legend of All Wolves series (Wolf in the Shadows releases July 26):

CabeX (A Project Enterprise Story) by Pauline Baird Jones – Review

07 Tuesday Jun 2022

Posted by WWMB in Book Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

aliens, favorite series, Pauline Baird Jones, robots, scifi, scifi romance, series, space opera

Review of CabeX

CabeX was human, then became robot and is now back to human again.  Savlf was trapped for who knows how long in an evil spider’s web.  Both led lives of isolation from other flesh and blood humans.  These are characters who used to be human who went through physical and emotional trauma are now fully human again.  But they are having a hard time with it. 

So, let’s put them together on a mission to save another ship in another galaxy where they may or may not be able to communicate with home or the other ship.  If that won’t get them to work through becoming human again, I don’t know what will. 

Fans of the Project Enterprise series will appreciate learning more about CabeX and Savlf (Lost Valyr) and their hopefully happy ending.  Who am I kidding?  You know how this goes.  Of course it is going to be happy!  The question is, can they rescue Boomer (Cosmic Boom) and his shipmates while getting to that happy point?

CabeX is an all-alien story.  By alien, I mean non-Earthlings.  With no characters that hail from Earth, there is a noticeable lack of the pop culture references I have come to adore from this series.  Which means there is less humor.  But this void is filled with more intenseness from CabeX and Savlf.  There is nothing like looking at the galaxy through the eyes of aliens to help us appreciate our humanity.

Thanks to the author who provided a copy of her book.  My review is my honest opinion.

************************

About CabeX by Pauline Baird Jones

CabeX transformed into a human to save the galaxy. But when he falls for a woman who could betray him, can he also save his human heart?

Savlf escaped the spider’s web but can she elude a past she doesn’t remember? Can she prove to the CabeX—and herself—that she can be trusted?

While they search the distant part of the Garradian galaxy for a lost ship, they discover their biggest challenge might be navigating their feelings for each other.

If they can survive that long.

Can love—swirling between two people who have no concept of its power—break through minds and take over hearts? Or are they so broken that loving and being loved is beyond their grasp?

************************

Links

Add CabeX to your Goodreads shelf:

Purchase CabeX:

Purchase books in the Project Enterprise series:

************************

 

← Older posts

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 444 other subscribers

Tags

4 stars 5 stars Adventure aliens Art book feature Book Review cats excerpt fantasy giveaway guest post historical humor magic mystery paranormal Pauline Baird Jones reading romance scifi scifi romance series space opera Steampunk

Recent Posts

  • The Unlucky Charms series by T.M. Cromer – Review
  • Catagenesis (Cat Ship, #3) by Jody Wallace – Review
  • Another Year!
  • Fury of Frustration (Dragonfury Scotland, #6) by Coreene Callahan – Review
  • A Love by Design (The Secret Scientists of London, #3) by Elizabeth Everett – Review

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016

Currently Reading

NetGalley Challenge 2016

2016 NetGalley Challenge

Copyright Notice

© This site's content is protected by copyright.

FTC Disclaimer

Some of the books reviewed on Whiskey With My Book are provided by authors, publishers, or other third party promoters. Other than review copies, no compensation is accepted for reviews.

Affiliates

This blog uses affiliate links to direct you to sites where you can make purchases. Use of these links supports this blog and is much appreciated!

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Whiskey With My Book
    • Join 331 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Whiskey With My Book
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...