THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS
Nottinghamshire Series, #1
Her heart longs for justice, but her body clamors for sin.
Once the darling of high society, Mazie Chetwyn knows firsthand how quickly the rich and powerful turn their backs on the less fortunate. Orphaned, penniless and determined to defy their ruthless whims, she joins forces with a local highwayman who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
Then the pawn broker snitches, and Mazie is captured by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. A man who is far too handsome, far too observant…and surely as corrupt as his father once was.
Sensible, rule-driven Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford, is certain the threat of the gallows will prompt the villagers’ beloved Angel of Kindness to reveal the highwayman’s identity. But his bewitching captive volunteers nothing—except a sultry, bewildering kiss.
And so the games begin. Trent feints, Mazie parries. He threatens, she pretends nonchalance. He cajoles, she rebuffs. Thwarted at every turn, Trent probes deep into her one vulnerability—her past. There he finds the leverage he needs and a searing truth that challenges all he believes about right and wrong.
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THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS
Nottinghamshire Series, #2 (a novella)
Having awaited the return of her husband for half a decade, Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, has no intention of reconciling with her misbehaving marquess. But when he insists he needs an heir-immediately-she must confront her own lingering desires. Can she protect her heart while attempting to win his once again
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Review of THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS:
I wasn't signed up to review for this tour, only to host, but the covers on these books really captured my attention. I happened to have have THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS for the Kindle already, most likely the result of a free day on Amazon. (Maybe this is perma-free? I don't know.)
Anyway, I opened the book up to take a peek and wound up reading the entire story in one sitting. It's a short but satisfying read. I really liked the heroine, Cat, who is intelligent and strong willed in addition to being charitable and compassionate. She has endured the five year absence of her husband, Jamie with remarkable fortitude. Their separation winds up being the product of a misunderstanding and stupid male vanity. Allegedly, he cites needing an heir as the reason for returning to his marital home but it soon becomes clear that he has finally gotten over his wounded pride.
My issue with Regencies is that the heroes are invariably arrogant asses. Jamie, the prodigal husband, starts out no different, but at least he is contrite and apologetic by story's end. I enjoyed the humorous elements of the story involving goats stealing clothing.
The majority of conflict is internal, the product of the five year old fight between the married couple, and revolves around their efforts to forgive one another. There's a bit of external conflict thrown in toward the climax but I'd have liked more consistency throughout. (The fire felt thrown in.) Love scenes are sensuous and heartfelt. The author accomplished a lot in a very short page count. The writing is well above average and I'm confident fans of the genre will adore this novella.
THE ROGUE RETURNS
Nottinghamshire Series, #3
THE ONLY THING LESS TRUSTWORTHY THAN A ROGUE...
Lady Helen Gladstone has siblings to protect and creditors at her door. There's only one way to stave off disaster—to find the fabled fortune that her deceased brother buried years ago. Her experience with her lying father and gambling brother has left her able to spot a scoundrel at ten paces. Unfortunately, the scoundrel she encounters is a lot closer than that...and he's planning to make off with her treasure.
…IS A LADY WITH NOTHING TO LOSE
After years of exile, Roane Grantham is eager to begin a new life without the law on his heels. First, he needs gold—his gold, buried one drunken night long ago. But he doesn't count on a petite, bold-as-brass blonde laying claim to his hoard.
Forming an uneasy alliance, Helen and Roane adventure through the high peaks of England, battling treasure hunters, violent storms, and dangerous terrain. But can they escape the growing passion that lays claim to their hearts?
Author Bio:
Leigh LaValle lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. When she is not writing, mommying, or reading, she is rarely seen cleaning, and more often found hiking or, when she is really lucky, in the white powder of the ski slopes. She is also a devoted yoga practitioner and instructor.
Author Contact:
email: leigh@leighlavalle.com
Giveaway Prizes:
1st place: $50 GC to Bookstore of Choice
2nd place: $25 GC to Bookstore of Choice
3rd place: $10 GC to Bookstore of Choice
Leigh LaValle's THE ROGUE RETURNS Blog Tour 1/13 - 1/26
1/13 - Paranormal Romance Author Honor James (spotlight)
1/14 - C&F (spotlight)
1/15 - Books And Their Seven Deadly Sins (spotlight)
1/15 - Read More Romance (spotlight)
1/15 - Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears (spotlight)
1/16 - Tome Tender (spotlight)
1/17 - Nicky Peacock Author (interview)
1/17 - Monlatable Book Reviews (guest post)
1/17 - Binding Addiction (spotlight)
1/18 - Manga Maniac Café (spotlight)
1/18 - Mythical Books (guest post)
1/19 - For the Love of Bookends (spotlight/review)
1/20 - The Lusty Literate (spotlight)
1/20 Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance (spotlight/review) http://romancingrakes4theluvofromance.blogspot.com
1/21 - darkest cravings (spotlight and interview)
1/21 - Reader Girls (guest post)
1/22 - Author Karen Swart (interview)
1/22 - The Snarkology (spotlight)
1/23 - Book Monster Reviews (guest post)
1/25 - Coffee Talk (review)
1/26 - Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (guest post)
1/26 - RomanceJunkies.com (interview)
1/26 - Eclipse reviews (spotlight)
1/26 - The La La Land of Books (spotlight/review)
Hi Leigh,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your series with my reader's today. Your covers are simply amazing. I enjoyed reading THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS.
I love Regency-era novels and will check out your books!
ReplyDelete