Ruby’s Song by Sawyer Belle

Title: Ruby’s Song
Author: Sawyer Belle
Series: Love in the Sierras – #3
Genre: Historical Romance 
Release date: November 2, 2015
Pages: 271
Synopsis:

Marlena Beauregard abandoned her life in the west to pursue her dream of studying beneath the great Opera Queen. Only that dream becomes a nightmare she can’t escape, and she is forced to take matters into her own hands. When she comes face-to-face with the man who stole her heart as a youth in Virginia City, she is torn between the world she left behind and the future she had planned, knowing that whichever one she chooses, a loved one will be sacrificed.

Dalton Cunningham is known as a ruthless hired gun on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He is fierce, deadly and protective of those he loves. The son of a Madam and raised among brothels, he has no illusions about his place in the world. But when an unexpected voyage lands him in the thick of Boston society and he is bewitched by a beautiful aristocratic songstress, his heart is set, and he will not be denied. Yet his love has put her life in danger.

From the ornate mansions of Boston to the wild, windblown slopes of the Sierras, they must fight to overcome the boundaries of propriety, peril and pride.

Rating: 
Reviewer: Kat

5 stars. No surprise there. I’ve been a fan of this author since the first time I read a book of hers and I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned that before either in my previous reviews or when we featured Sawyer Belle here on KH Book Reviews. The second this book was announced as released, I ran to Amazon and got a copy of it. I knew story of Marlena and Dalton will not be short of epic, but I still wasn’t ready of how this story would turn out.

Once again this author weaved another poignant story of love and passion between two souls, diversed as well with a bit of humor and even suspense.

Marlena and Dalton are two wonderful characters. If you’ve been following the series (which I highly recommend you do if you don’t), you would not have expected them to pair up and surprisingly, by the time I read this book, I couldn’t imagine them being with anyone else. Reading about them while they were in the sidelines in the previous books is what makes them even more endearing, and then when you finally get to this book, they will surely tug on your heartstrings.

Knowing that this book could very well be the last book of the series, I took my time reading it. I savored it. I didn’t want to let go of these characters. I didn’t want to leave behind the town where they captured my heart.

Ruby’s Song is the reason why Historical Romance is my go-to romance genre. Everything I want/need in a Historical Romance novel is here, in this series—in fact, in every book Historical Romance novel this author ever wrote.

I don’t think it’s necessary for me to go into detail about this story. Just read it and you’ll see why I’ve done nothing but gush about this book and this author.

About this author

I’m a Las Vegas native who enjoys the travels and turbulence of a good story. I love history and I love having an intense love to cheer for and that is what I try to offer my readers: an adventure of heart and history.

sawyerbelle.com

  

A Christmas Kiss by Jess Michaels

Title: A Christmas Kiss
Author: Jess Michaels
Series: –
Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical Romance
Release date: September 14, 2015
Pages: 44
Synopsis:

Tricked into spending time alone with the husband who made it clear he doesn’t care about her, the Countess of Blackgrove, Amelia, has no idea how to react.

But Stephen only wants seduction… and love.

Rating: 
Reviewer: Kat

A blazing hot second chances historical romance short story. Amelia and Stephen’s marriage lasted less than 24 hours. After finding out the real reason why Stephen had married her, Amelia ran away from him.

It may be a (very) short story, but it clearly has depth and it was hot too! Jess Michaels’s writing style is exemplary and I was left wanting to more about Amelia and Stephen.

*If you’re wondering why Jess Michaels, a traditionally published author, is featured here on KH Book Reviews, it’s because she is now an indie author.

About this author

Jess Michaels always likes the “good parts” when she reads romance, so it makes sense that she writes erotic books. She is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of over 50 novels and novellas. When not writing, she enjoys being a geek and trying to keep the cats from scratching the furniture. She lives in Tucson with her husband.

authorjessmichaels.com

  

Desert Sunrise by Sawyer Belle

Title: Desert Sunrise
Author: Sawyer Belle
Series: Love in the Sierras – #2
Genre: Western Historical Romance
Release date: April 1, 2015
Pages: 253
Synopsis:

Identity is a fickle thing, ever changing to meet the demands of its owner. Collette Barbier escapes her past, hiding in the shuffle of a busy boomtown. When the young and handsome Val sets his sights on discovery, she vows he’ll get more than he bargained for. Trouble is, so does she when he unwittingly entangles her in a dangerous game of politics.

Valentine Kelly knows Collette is gorgeous, but she is also shrill, shrewish and stubborn with a scolding tongue fierce enough to send the boldest man into a cower. And…she killed his best friend in a shootout. There is absolutely nothing to entice him. Until he realizes she is not who she’s pretending to be. She’s much, much more. He’ll risk everything he’s fought to keep, and he’ll do it for the one thing he never thought he wanted.

Her past is haunting. His present’s a threat. Their future, uncertain. Their love? Forever.

This rowdy sequel to Silver Nights With You continues the story of the Kelly brothers in true, western fashion!

Rating:
Reviewer: Kat

If you’ve read Silver Nights With You, the first installment of Love in the Sierras, you’d know how quickly the sparks flew between Colette and Val. I had some reservations about Colette and for some reason I wasn’t really sure if Val and Colette would be good for each other. How wrong I was when I finally got started on Desert Sunrise. I should not have doubted Sawyer Belle!

Unlike his brother, Morgan, Val’s personality is more on the bubbly side but he is also as handsome and virile. Colette is beautiful with a fiery personality and she is also full of secrets. Val is determined to find out what they were. As he peeled the layers of Colette, he finds himself drawn to her.

I’m absolutely thrilled about this book. As a big fan of historical romance, I dove into this as soon as I can having previously read her books which I all adored. 🙂

The romance was sultry, the action was thrilling, the suspense kept me on my toes, the world-building was breath taking, and the characters were engaging! The plot is consistent and there was a series of twists that kept my attention.

In my previous reviews for Sawyer Belle’s other novels, I said that she is someone to watch out for in historical romance and it looks like I had not spoken too soon. Desert Sunrise proved my claims! I think she amped up her game in this installment of Love in the Sierras series and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series! 😀

Desert Sunrise can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading Silver Nights With You for full enjoyment of it.

This copy was provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

About this author

I’m a Las Vegas native who enjoys the travels and turbulence of a good story. I love history and I love having an intense love to cheer for and that is what I try to offer my readers: an adventure of heart and history.

sawyerbelle.com

  

Silver Nights With You by Sawyer Belle

Title: Silver Nights With You
Author: Sawyer Belle
Series: Love in the Sierras – #1
Genre: Western Historical Romance
Release date: August 30, 2014
Pages: 394
Synopsis:

The town was lawless, the people rough, and nothing west of the Missouri River set the wagon wheels spinning like the glitter of silver and gold. When Lila Cameron stepped off the bullet-riddled stage coach in Gold Hill, NV life never looked so bleak. That is, until her father announced that they would be staying. She took on her new life with pluck, wading through a sea of sin and everything that ever made the west wild, and just when she felt in control, she found herself targeted by three men. One who wanted to wed her. One who wanted to bed her. And one who wanted her dead.

Morgan Kelly wanted a wife and a peaceful life in the shadows of the Sierras. When the young debutante from the east coast swept into his town, he fell instantly. But she made it clear that her affection lie elsewhere and he did his best to let her go. Fate and the devious intentions of other men pushed them together, and there was no going back for either of their hearts. But the way forward was filled with danger.

Against the backdrop of the greatest silver boom in the history of America, Morgan and Lila fight through the perils of early mining, western justice and the fear of hope.

Rating:
Reviewer: Kat

Shortly after her mother’s death, Lila Cameron and her father leaves their safe and cozy town for the wild, wild west. While traveling, they were accosted by robbers, but Lila was no flimsy little miss, she takes her pistol and fires at the robbers. But she couldn’t take them all on her own. Thankfully, a handsome man named David comes to their rescue.

He brings them to the mining town where he stayed and was introduced to the Kellys – Val, and his older brother, the quiet, yet intense Morgan, whom she was immediately drawn to.

All Morgan Kelly wanted was to settle down in a ranch and with a wife. Now that he’d acquired wealth to set aside to buy the ranch he wanted, all he needed was a wife, and he had his eyes on the new-to-town, young and lovely Lila Cameron.

Sawyer Belle does it again! I’ve been dazzled by her other novel, Love of a Lioness, so I looked forward to reading this one. I KNEW that she wouldn’t disappoint. Granted that those two novels are very different from each other. She is a very excellent writer/storyteller and if you’d read any of her books, even just one (like me), you would know what I’m saying. She has a way of writing a story that captures your veritable attention.

In this novel, you can certainly feel the author’s passion for Nevada, from what I understand, is her home city too. It is what stood out most to me and I believe that is what makes her a marvelous writer–passion.

Much to be said for the Lila & Morgan romance. It’s the right amount of romantic, sexy, and angst that made me swoon. The side characters also had a way of burrowing into your heart.

All in all, it’s a very excellent addition to western historical romance titles! And I’m very much looking forward to reading all of this author’s work!

The second book of Love in the Sierras is now live and available on Amazon–Desert Sunrise, featuring Morgan’s brother, Val.

About this author

I’m a Las Vegas native who enjoys the travels and turbulence of a good story. I love history and I love having an intense love to cheer for and that is what I try to offer my readers: an adventure of heart and history.

sawyerbelle.com

  

Love of a Lioness by Sawyer Belle

Title: Love of a Lioness
Author: Sawyer Belle
Series: –
Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: January 18, 2014
Pages: 285
Synopsis:

The Hundred Years’ War has begun…

She roams the English Channel, striking from the shadows like a wraith, and the entire French navy is at risk. The Lioness is thirsty for the blood of her enemy: a traitorous knight responsible for the fall of a noble house in Brittany. As she captains her infamous Black Fleet in pursuit of revenge, a war rages within her own heart, for the piratess is the author of a great deception. She has rallied a king and a strong crew to her cause and captured the loyal heart of a hero. Is vengeance worth losing what she sees in his eyes and what she’s found in his arms?

The moment she awoke under his protection he felt drawn to her in a way he could not trust or resist. She was deadly and dangerously beautiful, but she needed his sword. She lured him to the sea like a siren, and he vowed to protect her at all costs. When the truth comes to light in a sea of blood and lust, he is pinned between his love and his king. The knight’s vow is put to the test, and he must make a sacrifice. He must decide whether his honor and courage can withstand all that is required to claim the Love of a Lioness.

From the court of England’s king to the forests of France, they craft a danger greater than they could have known and bury their brothers where legends are made.

Rating:
Reviewer: Kat

Set in the 1300s, young Isabeau de Ardres is driven by revenge to find the man who betrayed her father and his men that ended in their execution by the hand of King Philip of France. During the ambush, she finds herself in the arms of the knight, Guy Dampierre, on the way to England and there she was presented to the King Edward of England.

Mistaken for Lord Clisson’s Joan, she assumes the facade and asks a favor from King Edward which he approved – 2 ships painted black and a crew of a hundred men dressed also in black. While training the men for her crew, Guy and Isabeau starts an affair. When the ships and the men were ready to sail, Guy decides to go with them to the seas much to Isabeau’s surprise–and delight (wink). Soon, they sail the seas as pirates for the very purpose of hunting Antoine Beauchart.

I have to be honest that I totally didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did. As soon as I started, I literally couldn’t stop reading. I went on for about four and a half hours straight until I reached the very last page, yet even then I wanted more. I’m regretting that I didn’t read this as soon as I got it during a freebie promo.

The author weaved such wonderful characters, no lie! Each one of them were well drawn, but of course, most especially Isabeau and Guy. They are both strong individuals that complimented each other perfectly and I loved them together so much that I want to start their own fandom.

Most historical romance novels have a certain theme to the main characters’ love story, but that isn’t the case here. This is a very refreshing twist to historical romance, not only features romance, but action and adventure, as well!

Sawyer Belle is someone to watch out for historical romance fans out there. I guarantee that this novel is an absolute gem and you simply must read it!

About this author

I’m a Las Vegas native who enjoys the travels and turbulence of a good story. I love history and I love having an intense love to cheer for and that is what I try to offer my readers: an adventure of heart and history.

sawyerbelle.com

  

Objects of His Obsession by Jae T. Jaggart

Title: Objects of His Obsession
Author: Jae T. Jaggart
Series: –
Genre: M/M Historical Romance
Release date: March 7, 2014
Pages: 195
Synopsis:

London, 1898

Lord Benedict Yeats has two obsessions.

One of which has a definite pulse – the seductive and beautiful Evander St John, Duke of Casterwell. A man he has a certain history with.

A man who tells Benedict that he has spent too long amongst sand and dead things. He might not be wrong. Casterwell’s world is one of sexual sophistication and games that Benedict cannot hope to match.

But when Benedict returns from working on a famous dig in Cairo, Casterwell invites him to a country house party that will change his life. An Egyptologist of growing renown, Benedict will also catalogue the famous Casterwell collection of antiquities.

And almost certainly, will become one of Casterwell’s string of lovers. But will he be the one to break through that glittering façade? Or will the scars of Casterwell’s dark, bloody past and his complex and fiercely deceptive private life tear them apart?

Warning: Contains two men wildly obsessed, a lust too long denied, hot m/m sex between a naive Egyptologist and one very determined duke, and absolutely no cursed tombs. Approx. 56000 words.

Rating:
Reviewer: Rachel

Jae T. Jaggart is gifted in the art of storytelling. Rarely have I come across a book in which the act of reading it felt so personal, as if I were in the same room as the author, a parlor perhaps, comfortably furnished with softly-worn leather armchairs, a crackling fire for warmth allowing just enough light in the darkness as she spins her tale. Objects of His Obsession is such a book.

With rich prose and a distinct writing style, this is not a quick read. It’s meant to be enjoyed, savored. Highly descriptive sentence structures meander along at a leisurely pace, not unlike the great Nile River herself. The use of this particular voice wouldn’t work to the same effect in a contemporary romance, but it’s a perfect match for Benedict and Evander’s Victorian love story. The two share a romance, often erotic, yet at times quite sweet, during a time when the discovery of one’s homosexuality would mean a ruined reputation and a very real risk to their safety. Impressive characterization endeared me to not only the main couple, but a secondary duo as well.

By the time I reached the last chapters I was desperate for some semblance of a happy ending, be it thoroughly resolved or even bittersweet for the Duke of Casterwell and his mad Egyptologist.

I was not disappointed.

About this author
I’ve been an artist, a web designer, and a really unreliable cook. I love to write wicked hot erotic romance with fiercely passionate, alpha characters, and love tatts, film and fast cars. And judging by that last trio, I’m also extremely shallow!

I am a huge fan of authors who write those magic books you just can’t put down, brilliant comedians (hello Eddie Izzard and Russell Brand!) and spoilers. Spoiler alert, bah humbug!