The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens

 The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens - 368 pages

Aristocratic, elegant, and effortlessly charming, Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is a man destined for power. With his close connections to the influential Cynster family, Michael’s future in Parliament appears assured, except that he lacks the single most important element of success: a wife.

Driven to seek a gently bred young lady, he discovers such a paragon. But there is an obstacle in his path: her beautiful, strong-minded young aunt, Caroline Sutcliffe.

A woman of style and status, Caro will not sacrifice her cherished niece to an unhappy marriage. However, Michael suddenly has his eye on Caro himself. But danger is stalking Caroline Sutcliffe. It will take great courage to protect her—and every ounce of Michael’s seductive charm to convince her that becoming his wife will bring her all that her heart desires…and more.

A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwss

 A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss - 567 pages

The fairest flower in Mawbry is Erienne Fleming, the enchanting, raven-haired daughter of the village mayor. Charming, spirited and exquisitely lovely, she is beset on all sides by suitors, any one of whom would pay a king's fortune for a place in her heart. But Erienne has eyes for only one: the dashing and witty young Yankee, Christopher Seton.

But marriage for love is not to be, for her irresponsible and unscrupulous father, crippled by gambling debts, is intent on auctioning off his beautiful daughter to the highest bidder. And in the end, Erienne is devastated to find it is the strange and secretive Lord Saxton who has purchased her--a mysterious, tragic figure who wears a mask and a cloak at all times to hide disfiguring scars gained in a terrible fire some years back.

But in the passing days, Saxton's true nature is revealed to her. A gentle and adoring soul, he treats his new bride with warmth and abiding tenderness, yet appears to her only by daylight. She, in turn, vows to be a good and loyal wife to him. And then Christopher Seton reenters Erienne's world.

Conflicted by emotions she cannot suppress, Erienne valiantly attempts to remain honorable to her elusive, enigmatic husband but feels herself irresistibly drawn to Seton's passion, his fire, and his secrets. Entangled in intrigues she doesn't yet understand, Erienne Fleming will soon have to make a devastating choice: between love and honor...between her duty and her heart.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen - 444 pages

The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to the inn.

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora's wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them--and her future--in a different light.

With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown - 432 pages

This latest novel from Sandra Brown is filled with murder, intrigue, betrayal and (of course) romance.  If you enjoy reading romantic suspense novels, this one will not disappoint.

The Earl's Complete Surrender by Sophie Barnes

The Earl's Complete Surrender by Sophie Barnes - 366 pages

Despite the diversions offered at Thorncliff Manor, former spy James, the Earl of Woodford, has one purpose in staying there. He must find an encoded book that exposes a conspiracy within the British aristocracy. And he must do so without revealing his purpose to the clever, tempting Chloe Heartly. The lady has a knack for appearing wherever it is least convenient. In the library. In the salon. And, especially, in his arms . . .

Somewhere within Thorncliff's labyrinth of rooms lies the journal Chloe desperately seeks. When she realizes the brooding, handsome earl is hunting the same quarry, Chloe enters into an uneasy partnership. But in the face of public danger and enemies hiding in plain sight, both must decide how much they're willing to risk to solve the mysteries of the heart.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, 406 pages
Book 1 of series

I absolutely love strong heroines and Maas doesn't disappoint with her spunky queen of assassins - Celaena. Trained as an assassin after she was discovered laying between her murdered parents, Celaena's name strikes fear in the hearts off all who hear of her. Betrayed by those she called friend, she was tossed into a death camp/prison until the Prince came to ask for her to be his Champion. In a game of champions, one will rise to be the King's Champion - a wealthy and prestigious paid assassin. When the champions are brutally and ritualistically murdered one by one, Celaena begins to think that leaving the horrible prison might not have been a good idea. As she is pulled through layers of court intrigue, murder, magic, action, and romance, a perfect story is weaved. I enjoyed every last page of this book and look forward to further stories involving Celaena the assassin, Chaol the Captain of the Guard, Dorian the crowned prince and Nehemia royal princess/ bestfriend.