M

I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Tea and Biscuits Book Discussions: Favorite Summer Reads

by | Aug 29, 2016 | Tea and Biscuits Discussions | 19 comments

Today as the summer draws to a close, I wanted to share my favorite summer reads. Despite the heat, I was able to pick up some wins when it came to books.

Loves Sweet Revenge by Rosanne Bittner

Love's Sweet RevengeTheir Passion Shaped a Nation

Over the years, Jake and Miranda Harkner have endured all the dangers a wild and brutal West could throw at them. Now, settled on their ranch in the beautiful Colorado hill country, theyโ€™ve finally found peace. But for a man like Jake Harkner, danger is always lurking, and the world may not be ready for an infamous outlaw-turned-lawman-turned-legend to hang up his guns.

Threatened by cruel men in search of revenge, the Harkner clan must be stronger than ever before. Yet nothing can stop the coming storm. With the Old West dying around them and the rules of this new world ever-changing, Jake vows to end the threat to his family no matter what it takesโ€ฆ

Even if it means sacrificing himself so his beloved Miranda may live.

This was such a beautiful story of a continuation of one of my all time favorite couples ever written!!!! Jake and Miranda are one of those couples that just stay with you. In Love’s Sweet Revenge, the third book in their epic love story, we see how they have grown together and the challenges they face that are heartbreaking at times and sweeps you off your feet in others. I love how these two stand by each other no matter what they face. Simply beautifully written and a book every romance lover NEEDS to read. If you have yet to pick up this couple…buy the first book right now and you won’t regret it.

My Review

[divider]

Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

Shadow RiderThe #1 New York Times bestselling โ€œqueen of paranormal romanceโ€* is back with a sexy new series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret…

Whether itโ€™s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When heโ€™s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraroย family businessesโ€”both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family aloneโ€”until nowโ€ฆ

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasnโ€™t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her..

For the past year or so I have become a bit disappointed with this author, who was once my favorites and got me hooked in the PNR genre. This latest book of Feehan’s however blew me away. It reminded me of why I fell in love with her many years ago. It had a fresh feel to it I hadn’t felt while reading her in ages. I loved the worldbuilding in this book, and how unique it felt. The romance was well written and I really liked this pair together. And I loved the feel of family too.

My Review

[divider]

Eidolon by Grace Draven

EidolonIn a bid for more power, the Shadow Queen of Haradis has unleashed a malignant force into the world. Her son Brishen, younger prince of the Kai royal house, suddenly finds himself ruler of a kingdom blighted by a diseased darkness and on the brink of war. His human wife Ildiko must decide if she will give up the man she loves in order to secure his throne.

Three enemy kingdoms must unite to save each other, and a one-eyed, reluctant king must raise an army of the dead to defeat an army of the damned.

A tale of alliance and sacrifice.

Grace Draven does an amazing job with fantasy romance, and I just couldn’t get enough of Eidolon here. This is the second book that continues off from book one. Andย  I really liked seeing how these two are dealing with their happy ever after. They face some dangerous circumstances, and their relationship does change, but I enjoyed seeing how it evolves and grows. Even though we don’t see them “together” as much as the first book, their story is even more powerful and has more emotion that is conveyed. Simply a powerful romance especially if you love fantasy romance.

My Review

[divider]

From Kiss To Queen by Janet Chapman

From Kiss To QueenA new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the Spellbound Falls novels…

Jane Abbott knows that she’s nobody special, so instead of looking for romance she’s hunting partridge in the Maine woods when a plane crashes into a nearby pond. Diving in to save the pilot, Jane instinctively gives him air by way of a lifesaving kiss, and leads him to safety through a barrage of gunfire.

The handsome stranger returns the favor by kidnapping her.

Clearly no ordinary man, and insisting Jane’s life is in danger, Mark spirits his stubborn guardian angel to an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean. Only then does she discover that the mysterious Mark is actually Prince Markov Lakeland.

Soon to be crowned king of the young country of Shelikova, can Mark persuade Jane that she has what it takes to be his queen?

From Kiss To Queen is one of my favorite books since I first discovered this author. Its a royalty romance and I had so much fun with this one. A prince in secret, has come to the states to find a wife. He is being shot at by those that want him off the throne. And our heroine, Jane saves his life and after one kiss in the woods, he knows that she is the one he wants. Jane knows she isn’t “queen” material, but we see how well she fits in the role. The people fall in love with her very quickly and I loved the romance that develops between Markov and Jane. Its sweet and fun and a bit playful. A wonderful romance to relax into it and leave you with a smile on your face.

My Review

[divider]

A Promise Of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise Of FireCatalia “Cat” Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choiceโ€ฆ

Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to coax herโ€ฆeven if that means falling in love with her.

I truly had a blast with this first book in a exciting new series by Bouchet. Our heroine is the center figure of the story, but what I loved with how this author wrote this one is that Cat didn’t overshadow the other characters or the world building aspects of the story. It actually felt well balanced. I really like the romance between Griffin and Cat. I loved seeing the way these two work things out and what strong characters develop that you just fall in love.

My Review

[divider]

The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne,

The HighlanderCan the fiercest master of battle conquer a womanโ€™s heart?

They call him the Demon Highlander. The fearsome Lieutenant Colonel Liam MacKenzie is known for his superhuman strength, towering presence, and fiery passion in the heat of battle. As Laird to the MacKenzie clan, the undefeated Marquess has vanquished his foes with all rage and wrath of his barbaric Highland ancestors. But when an English governess arrives to care for his children, the master of war finds himself up against his greatest opponent… in the game of love.

Defying all expectations, Miss Philomena is no plain-faced spinster but a ravishing beauty with voluptuous curves and haughty full lips that rattle the Laird to his core. Unintimidated by her masterโ€™s raw masculinity and savage ways, the headstrong lass manages to tame not only his wild children but the beast in his soul. With each passing day, Liam grows fonder of Miss Menaโ€”and more suspicious. What secret is she hiding behind those emerald eyes? What darkness brought her to his keep? And how can he conquer this magnificent womanโ€™s heart… without surrendering his own?

Kerrigan Byrne did a superb job with her latest release!!! I love her style of writing and is so refreshing for a historical romance. She deals with more darker themes and tackles tough issues. What I love about her books is that they aren’t light and fluffy. Her writing is so compelling and engaging, and the way she writes her characters is so different from anyone else. You can’t help but fall in love with these flawed characters that you just connect with so easily.

My Review

[divider]

Captured By A Laird By Margaret Mallory

Captured By A LairdTHE DOUGLAS LEGACY
The Douglas sisters, beauties all, are valuable pawns in their family’s bitter struggle to control the Scottish Crown. But when powerful enemies threaten, each Douglas lass will find she must face them alone.

CAPTURED BY A LAIRD
Haunted by his father’s violent death, David Hume, the new laird of Wedderburn, sets out to make his name so feared that no one will dare harm his family again. The treacherous ally who played on his father’s weakness is dead and beyond David’s vengeance, but his castle and young widow are ripe for the taking. The moment David lays eyes on the dark-haired beauty defending her wee daughters, however, he knows this frail-looking lass is the one person who could bring him to his knees.

Wed at thirteen to a man who tried daily to break her spirit, Lady Alison Douglas is looking forward to a long widowhood. But when the fearsome warrior known as the Beast of Wedderburn storms her gates, she finds herself, once again, forced to wed a stranger. Alison is only a pawn to serve his vengeance, so why does this dark warrior arouse such fiery passion and an unwelcome longing in her heart?

With death and danger looming, these two wounded souls must learn to trust each other…for only love can save them.

I truly have such a special fondness for Mallory, and she writes the best medieval and highlander themed romance. Captured By A Laird is the first book of her most recent series. And I truly had a blast with this one. I couldn’t put this book down, not once. Margaret Mallory has a wonderful way of writing that pulls that reader completely into her stories.

My Review

[divider]

Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

Wild EmbraceThe โ€œalpha author of paranormal romanceโ€* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible…

Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her lifeโ€™s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander…

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustrationโ€”until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play…

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, heโ€™s the most fascinating man sheโ€™s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of himโ€ฆ

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnetโ€™s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…

Wild Embrace is the latest anthology by Nalini Singh and she did a superb job with these short stories that are snippets of this psy changeling world that I have fallen in love with. I truly adored each of these books and the dynamics that we see here. My favorite one was Partners in Persuasion, there is just something so unique and endearing about the dominant and submissive couples that she writes. The balance that the couple has to find together, because their animal’s personalities can get in the way of them mating, the dynamics are complex, and they can’t rush their relationship. I loved Dezi and Felix and I have already re read their story I loved it so much. I liked that Dezi was a dominant in the relationship. She is strong and a fighter but she is drawn to the gentle and strong courage that Felix is. All the others were quite fun, playful, imaginative and so well written.

My Review

[divider]

Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine

Highland HellcatHe wants a wife he can control…

Connor Lindsey is a Highland laird, but his clan’s loyalty is hard won and he takes nothing for granted. He’ll do whatever it takes to find a virtuous wife, even if he has to kidnap her…

She has a spirit that can’t be tamed…

Brina Chattan has always defied convention. She sees no reason to be docile now that she’s been captured by a powerful laird and taken to his storm-tossed castle in the Highlands, far from her home.

When a rival laird’s interference nearly tears them apart, Connor discovers that a woman with a wild streak suits him much better than he’d ever imagined..

Highland Hellcat was an amazing book and I couldn’t get enough of it!!! I had owned this one for a while, but for some reason I wasn’t ready to read it. I was nervous because I was hoping it wasn’t too angsty and boy I was so wrong…I fell in love with it within the first page. I should never doubt Mary Wine and her talent in storytelling.

 

You May Also Like…

Best Winter Reads of 2023-2024

Best Winter Reads of 2023-2024

Welcome to another Tea and Biscuits, so today I wanted to share with you all the amazing books that I was able to read this past winter. This post is a bit behind haha so I do apologize on the delay of it. But eager to share the best works that I indulged in with this...

2024 Anticipated Spring Releases

2024 Anticipated Spring Releases

Welcome to another Tea and Biscuits Book Discussion. So for today I wanted to share some upcoming releases for springtime to look forward to. I am very excited for so many and we have some delightful releases coming out. what are some spring releases that are on the...

19 Comments

  1. Joyousreads

    Great discussion piece. I’ve not read all of these books but thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Thanks hun. Hope you get a chance to try some of these out.

      Reply
  2. Rowena

    That’s a great batch of books. Some of them are on my TBR list and I’m pretty anxious to get to them. Shadow Rider being one of them.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh I think you would really love Shadow Rider!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Feehan did a superb job with that one.

      Reply
  3. Blodeuedd

    Sigh summer, why did you have to go

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh I know, I am not ready for fall yet!!!

      Reply
  4. Eva

    I haven’t read any of these although I’ve seen amazing reviews of A Promise of Fire! All of these sound so good!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Oh you would love A Promise of Fire…so amazing.

      Reply
  5. LilyElement

    YES to Feehan, still need to get to all those other books on your list lol!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Feehan’s book was so fabulous right? You definitely need to pick up the others too.

      Reply
  6. Christy LoveOfBooks

    You had some great reads this summer! And TOTALLY agree about A Promise of Fire. So good.

    Reply
  7. kimbacaffeinate

    I have the next Psy-changeling book lined up to read and I have A Promise Of Fire By Amanda Bouchet on audio…you have me excited.

    Reply
  8. Karen

    I’ve been on a YA contemp kick this summer. They’ve all been lighter but still poignant and got me through a rough reading time where I really couldn’t concentrate much.

    Karen @For What It’s Worth

    Reply
  9. Sophia Rose

    Three of those were great reads for me, too- Bittner, Feehan, and Bouchet. I really want to read one of Grace Draven’s fantasy series and I’ve got Wild Embrace coming up at some point.

    Great choices to beat the heat!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer_FairyTales

    I loved A Promise of Fire and The Highlander too! I still need to read Eidolon…I adored Radiance and am worried my expectations for the sequel are too high. Definitely can’t wait for Wild Embrace to come in at my library. I need more Psy-Changeling stories in my life. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. Kristin @ Addicted to HEA

    Okay, I’m already adding 2 of these books and one I have already and still need to read so I had to start skimming b/c, Girl, you have way too many great recommendations!!!! I added Shadow Rider and From Kiss to Queen – two new-to-me authors that hopefully I’ll get to. Thank you!!!

    Reply
  12. Bookworm Brandee

    I love that you add so many HR books to my tbr, Renee. You read some good books this summer! I hope your streak of good books continues into the fall. Thanks for sharing your favs! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  13. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Bittners is on my list. I really enjoyed the last one. SO glad to see this one was amazing too!

    Reply
  14. Cyn @ Bookmunchies

    Oh I was a big fan The Highlander! Definitely tough issues but I loved the characters so much! Can’t wait to see more from Kerrigan Byrne!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lover Of RomanceCancel reply