on Paper/eBook
A Little More Scandal by Carrie Lofty - B+ This recently released novella is a prequel of sorts to Flawless and the just now released Starlight and features the patriarch of the Christie family. I've heard good things about Ms. Lofty's books but had never read one before. A 99c novella is a good way to test the waters with a new author. I do think it is hard to write a complete story in such a short word count so I was especially pleased with my reading experience. William Christie is a self made made, a large, arrogant, boorish Scot who is tolerated in Society because of his wealth and a previous advantageous marriage (he is now a widower). Catrin Jones is a Welsh nurse who, on returning from the Crimea, was the only survivor of a shipwreck. She realises she will have notoriety for a short time and wishes to use that time to find a suitable husband. William wants shares in a newspaper and his part of the bargain is her story (which she has been notoriously closed mouth about). Both have mercenary goals but both are deeply attracted. I enjoyed the banter and the curious honesty between them. It definitely made me want to read both Flawless and Starlight - and there are lengthy excerpts from both in the back. Well played Ms. Lofty.
Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood - See my full review here.
Seven Day Loan by Tiffany Reisz - C-/D+ I found this hard to grade because although the story was written well, ultimately I found parts of the story distateful. Also, it's not so much romance as erotica. I think I may have missed something. Maybe it is something to do with The Siren (which I haven't read yet)? I definitely got the sense that this was related to another book. I think I would have had a better connection if I had understood the context more clearly but as it was, it felt a bit like a mid book excerpt rather than a complete story. There was something a bit unsavory and unsettling about Eleanor's background and primary relationship. Daniel seemed nice enough but I wasn't 100% sure about Eleanor's ability to give consent.
