The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George

The Heiress Gets A Duke was my first book by Harper St. George and it certainly won't be my last! I was very impressed by her writing and characters, even when I wanted to yell at them. August and Evan's relationship reminded of Lisa Kleypas' Lillian and Marcus and Julia Quinn's Kate and Anthony. There were definitely similarities between those couples. August is fiercely independent and I loved how Evan was pursuing her instead of trapping her in a marriage that she did not want. It was a refreshing take on this trope! He was definitely the first one to fall in love with her.

"I would have one thing that is mine. I would choose my own wife. I choose you."

August Crenshaw and Evan Sterling were both fantastic characters in their own right. Whereas Evan was bound by duty to do right by his family and household, August was a working woman who thought she knew what she wanted. She simply never counted on falling in love with Evan. Their first meeting might actually be one of my favorites. Our first introduction to these two characters was during a boxing match with an unexpected kiss. They didn't know each other then and yet that one kiss was unforgettable for the both of them.

"He wanted to win her on his own merit. He wanted her to choose him. And, more importantly, he did not want to hurt her."

However, there were also bumps in their relationship. While Evan went out of way to chase August and prove to her that he wanted her, regardless of her money, August always thought the worst of Evan and called him a fortune hunter. What infuriated me was her parents' lack of understand and compassion for their daughters. August and Violet Crenshaw were merely pawns in their drive to further their status in society when their daughters always thought otherwise. Her parents were forcing her to marry Evan, which placed a stained on their relationship. This drama drives most of the story until August and Evan were able to resolve their issues and realize their love for each other.

"I don't need a shield."
"How thoughtless of me." A smile curved his lips, and he pressed a kiss to her mouth. "You need someone to fight beside you."

In the end, I enjoyed this book so much and I absolutely can't wait to read Violet Crenshaw and Christian Halston/Earl of Leigh's story in The Devil and the Heiress. We were able to get a taste of their relationship in this book and it's going to be another winner. I know there will be more books coming for this series including Leigh's brother Jacob Thorne and August's older brother Matthew Crenshaw. I only wish we got an epilogue because I would have loved to read about Evan and August's wedding. I highly recommend this book to those who love reading slow burn romances between an American dollar princess and a charming English Lord.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Hydromancist by Charmaine Pauls

Over the course of the Seven Forbidden Arts series, I have enjoyed each and every single book. They were all unique and special in their own ways and Hydromancist is no different. This is Maya's story and her fated love with Timothy Fardel. I loved this one and Charmaine Pauls' writing is completely magical, romantic, heartbreaking, and full of angst as always. Maya has always been portrayed as this tough woman who would do anything to uphold her devotion and loyalty to her mission and team. Her task brings her to Costa Rica where she meets her target who happens to be Tim.

There were a lot of twists and secrets in this book that really did transform the world for me. I was actually quite shocked by Tim's secret. I had a suspicion but didn't realize it was possible in this world. Smacking my head because of course, it's also a paranormal romance book! In any case, I was completely invested in Maya and Tim's relationship. Not only did they have intense chemistry with each other but they're also each other's perfect match. Tim knew Maya was his since the very beginning, even when she refused to acknowledge her feelings for him.

"I want you to know that you never have to tell me anything. Even if you refuse to tell me who you are forever, this will always be enough."

What I loved most about Tim was his unconditional love for Maya. He wanted her, loved her, and constantly strived to protect her. She was simply his. Tim was also a dirty talker, which made for some seriously sexy and hot moments. Maya's character was a bit more complicated but I loved her all the same. She felt her heart breaking every time she was "betraying" Tim. She was torn between her duty and budding love for Tim. I thought her inner turmoil was very well-written and I could feel her pain and confusion throughout the book. Charmaine Pauls always excels at this!

"She was torn in two. Her heart and mind was splintered, and she had no idea how to pick up the pieces."

In the end, this book was another excellent addition in the Seven Forbidden Arts series and I look forward to reading more from this series. Geomancist is next and even though I don't know these new characters, I'm still excited to see how this battle between Cain Jones versus Godfrey Reid will turn out. I absolutely recommend this series to those who love dark and sexy romance with a dash of angst and paranormal twist added to it.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review* 

Rating: ★★★★★

Prince Charming by K. Webster

In this second installment, Prince Charming immediately picks up where Stroke of Midnight last left off. Ash has been threatened and accosted by the Terror Triplets and Leo Morelli but she is more determined than ever to go to Winston's birthday ball. This book felt slower than the first one but the emotions and feelings I had while reading it are the same. Winston and Ash's relationship is still dirty, sexy, heartbreaking, and even volatile than ever. However, I was frustrated by them both for various reasons. Winston is in denial over the possibility of him being in love with Ash. He continues to make excuses for himself that she is simply "the maid" while Ash is keeping some major secrets from Winston... one that might ruin their relationship forever.

I really enjoyed this book because of how it continues to flesh out Winston and Ash's character as well as expand the cast of characters to other potential stories in the Midnight Dynasty universe. I'm so excited to read Keaton's book next! What a fascinating character. And how can we ever forget about Perry?! I hope he grows up to be one lucky girl's PRINCE CHARMING, albeit a dirty one, just like his brother. Of course, Ash's prince charming will always be Winston.

Ash goes through a lot of physical and emotional turmoil in this book and I'm scared for what will happen to her in the end. Her love for Winston can be a double-edged sword. In addition to being threatened by Leo Morelli, she is keeping it from Winston. At several points in the book, I wanted to yell at her for doing that! He would have absolutely dealt with him. And now, it's possibly too late. This book ends with a cliffhanger that will rock both Winston and Ash's world and change their current relationship forever.

In the end, waiting for Prince Charming was completely worth it and I can't wait to read the conclusion to Ash and Winston's story in The Glass Slipper. Winston is still the same dirty talker and his relationship with Ash is actually quite forbidden because of her young age. However, she knows exactly what she wants and that is Winston. He has shown her another side of herself and they fit each other completely. I highly recommend this series to those who love dark romance with a fairy tale twist.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Release Blitz: Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt

"I'm always in need of a kinky, hot billionaire, and Helen Hardt delivers. I am entranced!" - Laurelin Paige, NYT Bestselling Author

Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt is now live!

She gave him control in the bedroom. But is she losing control of her identity?

Dating Boston's billionaire bachelor has opened up a new world for Skye Manning. Opportunities are suddenly everywhere, her new career is flourishing, and she experiences luxury she's only seen in the pages of magazines. So why does she feel like she's losing herself?

Braden Black never meant to fall for Skye, and he still tries to resist a relationship he knows he's not wired for. But not only has Skye awoken something inside him--he's stirring something dark and forbidden inside his Cinderella. Something even he can't control...

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

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Meet Helen

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt's passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn't stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she's a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family.

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Website: https://www.helenhardt.com

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Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt

Follow Me Under picks up immediately right after the first book. Skye Manning is in love with Braden Black and everything is going well for her... until it's not. I love Helen Hardt's writing and I am still invested in Skye and Braden's story but this felt like a step back from Follow Me Darkly. Skye found sexual freedom in that book but she unintentionally loses herself and her identity while trying to appease Braden's darker nature in this installment. It was frustrating and really sad to watch the story unfold as this young woman who was relatively content with her life begin to doubt herself.

“Deep down, I know the truth. No one cares what Skye Manning thinks. People only care what Braden Black’s girlfriend thinks. I’m losing myself. I’m selling my soul for an influencing career... I’m not sure who I am anymore.”

This idea of trust between Skye and Braden was constantly mentioned time and time again but it felt very one-sided. Braden kept asking Skye to trust him but kept a part of himself from her. She was supposed to give up all of her control not only in the bedroom and outside of it but blindly trust him as well. This did not feel like a mutual trusting relationship to me.

“Are you ready, Skye? To follow me under. To the darkest side of my fantasies?”

Braden continues to be extremely secretive and mysterious. At first, I was attracted to him because of it but it frustrated me over time. I begin to doubt their love as well. The sexual relationship between Braden and Skye is hotter than ever but it loses its magic as Skye begins to question herself and Braden starts to demand absolute control in all aspects of her life.

In the end, even though Follow Me Under was not as compelling to me as the first book, I am still looking forward to reading the conclusion of Skye and Braden's story. The books ends in slight cliffhanger with their relationship in potential turmoil. Skye has becoming accepting of Braden's darker side and his preference for bondage but it comes at a cost. With her losing herself and potentially her best friend Tessa, Skye is about to lose her heart as well. I would recommend this series to those who love Fifty Shades of Gray.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review*

Rating: ★★★☆☆