BOOK REVIEW: To Trust a Rogue by Christi Caldwell

Title: To Trust a Rogue

Author: Christi Caldwell

Series: The Heart of Duke #8

Genre: Historical Romance 

Blurb

A rogue 

Marcus, the Viscount Wessex has carefully crafted the image of rogue and charmer for polite Society. Under that façade, however, dwells a man whose dreams were shattered almost eight years earlier by a young lady who captured his heart, pledged her love, and then left him, with nothing more than a curt note. 

A widow 

Eight years earlier, faced with no other choice, Mrs. Eleanor Collins, fled London and the only man she ever loved, Marcus, Viscount Wessex. She has now returned to serve as a companion for her elderly aunt with a daughter in tow. Even though they’re next door neighbors, there is little reason for her to move in the same circles as Marcus, just in case, she vows to avoid him, for he reminds her of all she lost when she left. 

Reunited 

As their paths continue to cross, Marcus finds his desire for Eleanor just as strong, but he learned long ago she’s not to be trusted. He will offer her a place in his bed, but not anything more. Only, Eleanor has no interest in this new, roguish man. The more time they spend together, the protective wall they’ve constructed to keep the other out, begin to break. With all the betrayals and secrets between them, Marcus has to open his heart again. And Eleanor must decide if it’s ever safe to trust a rogue. 

My Review

5/5 stars

“It is me and you, as it always meant to be and as it has always truly been.”

Christi Caldwell never disappoints. From her renowned wallflowers to her scandalous rogues, I can definitely say now that I will read anything this woman writes. She carries every word with ease and an escalating excitement in every page. 

To Trust a Lord shows another side of Christi Caldwell that I reeeaaallly love. With the succeeding books she’s been releasing, I’ve been continuously supplied with a new “Christi Caldwell” feels that is so different from the last book. She keeps getting better and better with every book. 

This book was a hypnotizing mix of love, betrayal, revenge, hope, and reconciliation. Miss Christi effortlessly tied this complicated storyline with such ease and emotion that it was totally impossible for me to drop it when I started reading it. There was an element of suspense with how details unfolded that kept the whole reading experience more exhilarating. The story was so sweet, heart-quenching, and fun all at the same time. This is definitely the kind of book that soothes every freaking mood I have. I can read this a couple of times and still love every bit of it. Now it’s getting harder to pick a favorite Christi Caldwell book…

BOOK REVIEW: The Heart of a Scoundrel by Christi Caldwell

BLURB

Ruthless, wicked, and dark, the Marquess of Rutland rouses terror in the breast of ladies and nobleman alike. All Edmund wants in life is power. After he was publically humiliated by his one love Lady Margaret, he vowed vengeance, using Margaret’s niece, as his pawn. Except, he’s thwarted by another, more enticing target--Miss Phoebe Barrett.

Miss Phoebe Barrett knows precisely the shame she’s been born to. Because her father is a shocking letch she’s learned to form her own opinions on a person’s worth. After a chance meeting with the Marquess of Rutland, she is captivated by the mysterious man. He, too, is a victim of society’s scorn, but the more encounters she has with Edmund, the more she knows there is powerful depth and emotion to the jaded marquess.

The lady wreaks havoc on Edmund’s plans for revenge and he finds he wants Phoebe, at all costs. As she’s drawn into the darkness of his world, she risks being destroyed by his ruthlessness. And Phoebe who desires love at all costs, has to determine if she can ever truly trust the heart of a scoundrel.

MY REVIEW

5/5 STARS

I. Am. In. Awe. I've craved and raved for Christi Caldwell's genuine, sweet, and light romances but she absolutely shocked me in The Heart of Scoundrel. For the first time, she ventured into a darker character and a sexier plot. This story just totally stole my heart away. 

His kiss and actions were not the ones of a gentleman gently loving a delicate lady, but rather a primitive male who sought to brand a woman forever his.

Edmund, the Marquess of Rutland, knew revenge and control flowed with the black blood in his veins. He will never tolerate any breathing soul who would dare hurt him. Damn, I love Edmund's character. I've always had a weakness for broken heroes but Edmund was more than broken. He was ignited with strong (although wrong) emotions that drove his actions. Strong emotions that could potentially ruin a lady....or love a lady truly if the strength of that emotion was diverted to love. 

“You deserve a gentleman, a lord with pretty words and an honorable soul, and I know there is little use with the heart of a scoundrel, but I’d give it to you, anyway.”

With Phoebe's scandalous family background that placed her in the least marriageable women in the ton,  all she hoped for in life was a man who would love her truly and travel with her. I loved Phoebe's uniqueness. Her quick wit and desire for knowledge was quite a great source of entertainment. She had the mind of an explorer. She has a capability to see more than just the surface, love more than just the surface. 

With her effervescent spirit, she was spring to his dark winter.

I was completely drawn to this story! Once I started it, I was stuck and couldn't put it down. I've read a almost all of Christi Caldwell's book and yet this one stands out among others. There was a new Christi Caldwell here, a daring, angsty, and  sexy Christi Caldwell. And I looooved it so much! She maintained the easy-flowing vibe that she is known for but this time, she added fire and made the story burn.

ARC REVIEW: Some Like it Scot by Suzanne Enoch

TITLE: Some Like It Scot

AUTHOR: Suzanne Enoch

SERIES: Scandalous Highlanders #4

RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2015

SYNOPSIS

Munro MacLawry has always lived up to his nickname "Bear." Strong and brawny, he's known in his clan to be fiercely protective. Sadly for him, each of his siblings becomes "less highlander" as they get married, and Bear is left rowdy and alone with no one to protect. That is, until a routine hunt leads to the most alluring of creatures…

Catriona MacColl doesn't care to amuse the brash, strong, and sexy highlander she stumbles upon in the woods. She's too busy hiding with her sister from marriage into English society. Already well-equipped with a bull's-eye shot, she doesn't need a protector, no matter how badly her body burns for him. But as Cat's boyish nature gives way to her more feminine desires, she'll have to stop fighting the tide and listen to her heart… 

MY REVIEW

4.5/5 STARS

*An e-ARC was given by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* 

I'm addicted to the MacLawrys! Suzanne Enoch has unleashed her magic again with the story of the last unmarried MacLawry. I enjoyed every bit of this story. The adventures, the heat, the suspense, and the romance were all tied into one marvelous jampacked book that I really loved. 

“I’d tell ye to stop driving me mad, wildcat, but ye do that just by breathing.” 

Catriona MacColl and her sister Elizabeth needed to escape their ill fates. Finding themselves in the middle of the MacLawry territory, a rival to their clan Macdonald, Cat would do and risk anything to keep her sister safe. Cat is probably one of my most favorite Highland heroine ever. She was extraordinary and independent. The rush of her courage and the sharpness of her tongue has been a constant source of interest throughout the whole book. Cat is the opposite of most heroines, most of her qualities fitting a hero that an heiress, but Miss Suzanne Enoch built her character with marvelous skill that Cat was just total badass but still very female altogether. 

“I’ll release ye, Catriona,” he rumbled, something sharp and compelling at the edge of his words, “but I willnae let ye go. Nae just yet.” 

Munro MacLawry, Bear to most people, fought with fists and not much with his wits. But with meeting a Highland Cat that inflicted desire, love, lust, and passion in his veins, Bear adds another weapon of choice. This time he will fight with his heart.
Bear was a constant source of feels throughout the book. His patience, strength, determination, and heart were a spellbinding mix of unending entertainment and action. I think he just became my favourite MacLawry! 

“That I will love ye from my first breath in the morning to my last breath at night, and all through my dreams.” 

Suzanne Enoch continues to prove that she possesses one of the most captivating prose in this genre. Her spell-binding words paired with her extraordinary plots and fun characters have kept me up for hours, battling whether to want the story to finish or to wish it never ends. Some Like It Scot had everything I wanted from a book and more! Its unique plot has kept my interest up from the first page to the last and still had me wanting more! It was fast-paced, gripping, entertaining, hot, and all-out marvelous. 

NEW RELEASE & REVIEW: Captivated by a Lady's Charm by Christi Caldwell

TITLE: Captivated by a Lady's Charm

AUTHOR: Christi Caldwell

SERIES: Lords of Honor #2

RELEASE DATE: September 12, 2015

AMAZON • NOOK • iBOOKS • KOBO

 

MY REVIEW
4.5/5 STARS

Another gem from Miss Christi Caldwell! She really lives up to my expectation each time I pick up one of her new books. Captivated by a Lady's Heart was like a waltz; slow, intimate, and warm with unexpected turns of emotions and events. Although her familiar, sweet, and ever-loved characters continue to enchants, Miss Caldwell gets better and better!

This woman fit not at all into the plans forced upon him as marquess and yet she drew him like a Siren hopelessly battering him at sea.

Lady Prudence Tidemore has already accustomed herself into tapping her foot into the music of the waltz, content by just imagining herself dancing. Tainted by the scandalous acts of love her brother and sisters have gone through, she found herself in a doubtful situation of gaining a husband. Pru was a refreshing character. She might be shackled by the scandals of her siblings but she was a free soul. I admired her quick wit and free mind, honesty, and passion.

At best he was a rogue. At worst he was a coward.

Marquess of St. Cyr, the title Christian Villiers have recently filled in, brought less than the grandness of its title. It brought an insurmountable amount of debt and the fastest and only solution he had was to marry a lady with a fat dowry. Christian was a great mix of bravery and fear. His firm and devoted hold on making sure his family was in a good state was admirable, but I revelled on the time when he would slip into the sweet and caring man than he really was. I love the contrast of his confidence and brokenness. Although his strength as a hero wasn’t dependent on his title and power, Christian still possessed the endearing strength of valour and devotion.

“I was not supposed to care. I did not want to find a woman who cared for me and respected me, but you were always there and I always wanted you to be there.”

The book was continuously delightful. There wasn't a part of it that bore me. The plot was generally light and easy-going but there were certain sparks and steamy scenes that escalated the story from light to gripping. The characters were consistently interesting and their chemistry was beautifully established! I just really couldn’t put it down the moment I read it. I can’t wait for what’s next of Christi Caldwell's books!  

BOOK REVIEW: Loved by a Duke by Christi Caldwell

 TITLE: Loved by a Duke

AUTHOR: Christi Caldwell

SERIES: The Heart of a Duke #4

RELEASE DATE: April 27, 2015

For ten years, Lady Daisy Meadows has been in love with Auric, the Duke of Crawford. Ever since his gallant rescue years earlier, Daisy knew she was destined to be his Duchess. Unfortunately, Auric sees her as his best friend's sister and nothing more. But perhaps, if she can manage to find the fabled heart of a duke pendant, she will win over the heart of her duke.

Auric, the Duke of Crawford enjoys Daisy's company. The last thing he is interested in however, is pursuing a romance with a woman he’s known since she was in leading strings. This season, Daisy is turning up in the oddest places and he cannot help but notice that she is no longer a girl. But Auric wouldn’t do something as foolhardy as to fall in love with Daisy. He couldn’t. Not with the guilt he carries over his past sins... Not when he has no right to her heart...But perhaps, just perhaps, she can forgive the past and trust that he’d forever cherish her heart—but will she let him?

 

 

I’ve been a constant follower of Christi Caldwell since I started reading her books and she has kept my interest without fail. Loved by a Duke was a tantalizing tale of love, friendship, and loyalty. It’s definitely one of Christi Caldwell’s best!

“Lady Daisy Meadows.” The lady who refused to stay buried in the proper chambers of his mind.

Lady Daisy Meadows was invisible. She was used to being out of the ton’s sights. She didn’t care much, though. She only wanted to capture one person’s attention anyway. I can’t put into words how much I loved Daisy’s character! One would expect she’d be drunk on her own insecurities and would be playing the traditional damsel in distress role. But Daisy possessed an infectious sense of positivity and vigour that made her unique. Christi Caldwell did a magnificent job in balancing her vulnerabilities and highlighting her strengths.

She’d merely thought his feelings were those reserved for a younger sister. Where she had loved him with a woman’s heart.

Auric, the 8th Duke of Crawford is in search for his duchess. After losing his battle to win Lady Anne’s heart, Auric had to find another woman worthy of his family name. Little did he know that he already had her for more than a decade... There were a number of times in the book when I wanted to hit Auric hard in the head. He was stubborn but I guess it was part of his unique charm and I won’t fall in love with him this much if it wasn’t for his dukish ways. If Daisy was a contrast of vulnerability and strength, Auric was a perfect mix of power and passion. Man, that duke could charm!

She’d tasted of springtime and life and innocence and he’d wanted to drown himself in the sweetness of her.

There was something really special with Auric and Daisy’s relationship. Although half of the time, Daisy was mooning over Auric and Auric was doing everything to fight what he felt for Daisy, there was an unspoken attraction between them that pulled me from page to page. The way they knew each other, the way they reminisced their childhood together, and that fondness that prompted that fiery passion between them.

I must say that Christi Caldwell stepped up on this one! There was more heat and more pull, the story progressed wonderfully, each scene more felt and engaging. Versed with Christi Caldwell’s engaging prose and characters that will keep readers wanting, Loved by a Duke is a sweet and emotionally-stirring story that appeals to every lover of happily-ever-afters!