His Royal Christmas Revenge by Clare Connelly

 

His Royal Christmas Revenge is written by Clare Connelly and published by Mills and Boon Modern. This novel is part of their Christmas themed offerings. The heroine is Queen Astrid Thera of Norvenheim. She became Queen when she was still a teenager after surviving a car crash where her parents and older brother sadly died. The heroine is The hero, Javier Diamandi, sent away from the island as a child by his stepmother after both his parents died. They meet at the Starlight ball. Astrid is looking for a spouse who she can have children with. She considers Otto, Javier’s half brother but at the ball she is drawn to Javier. She decides this will be her time with no advisors telling her who is appropriate and they plunge into affair. Their affair appears doomed to failure due to their issues going back to childhood and Astrid’s determination to put her country first. Will they be able to overcome these insurmountable problems and have their HEA? 

This is the first book written by Clare that I haven’t enjoyed and that I struggled finish as it dragged. It lacked Christmas cheer. The front cover didn’t scream holiday season to the prospective reader, it was too dark and gothic. The characters didn’t gel or complement each other and the link to the holiday season was tenuous at best! There was something “off” about the whole novel as though the author hadn’t really enjoyed writing it or enjoyed developing the characters. In someways the story, even though it is fictional and set in yet another fictitious tiny monarchy, is relevant as most of the European Royal houses’  next monarch will be female, I wonder how they will choose their spouse? Anyway not her best work. I won’t be rereading it. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

The Billionaire in Disguise by Soraya Lane

 

Summary

The Billionaire in Disguise is a heart warming, gentle romance published by Mills and Boon. Nathan Bell is a billionaire who left London for New Zealand after suffering a heart attack in his early 30s due to his stressful career. He is currently renting a cottage on Jessica’s grandfather’s farm. Jessica Falls, a professional horse jumper is recovering after seriously injuring her back whilst competing. She returned to NZ to sort out her grandfathers estate and her life. 

Review 

The book follows the pair trying to sort their lives out whilst having a no strings romance. Quite an emotional yet gentle read as they both work towards their futures but will this push them apart.

I normally can read Soraya Lane’s book in one sitting but this one dragged. I found the storyline to be dragged out. The premise for the book is great and it is beautifully written, I just couldn’t get in to it. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley #gifted

Book Review: Italian Devil’s Baby by Heidi Rice

Introduction 

There appears to be a new genre in the world of romance - dark, spicy mafia themed novels. Lucy Munroe was the first author I noticed that had started to write self published mafia romance novels whilst also showcasing other authors who write in this genre. Heidi Rice is the first author to bring this type of storyline to Mills and Boon Modern and I was interested to see how it fitted in to or broadened the Modern plot types. 

Summary 

Italian Devil’s Baby, the first in the Captive Mafia Seductions is written by Heidi Rice. It is a dark mafia/ secret pregnancy romance.  Vittorio Rocco, is head of the Rocco family, a mafia boss who is feared in Southern Italy. Mia Taylor is a teaching assistant from London who has maxed out her credit cards to take her little sister, Evie on a once in a lifetime trip to Italy. Vito first sees Mia dancing with friends on his on his yacht.  She agrees to meet him and their one night stand goes from there. He whisks her off to his apartment, they have a great night but unfortunately a rival gang led by his half brother Dante break in and shoot Vito. 

Mia is hurriedly removed from the scene and taken back to London to the flat she shared with Evie. She discovers she is pregnant but doesn’t tell Vito as she has now realised he is very much tied up with the mafia! 

Vito comes to find Mia, realises she is pregnant and whisks her back to Italy to his private island that is like a fortress. The chemistry between them is still there but will their relationship withstand the violence, loss of freedom for Mia and the total change to her life?

Review

I enjoyed this novel. It is well paced and doesn’t drag the plot line out. The characters aren’t over the top stereotypes but have character flaws that are relatable to the reader. It is a very sexually charged novel, violent in places, a step up from the traditional M&B Modern. I am looking forward to reading Dante and Evies’ story which is out in October. 

I love Mills & Boon UK and I think you will too! Click my personal referral link to get a discount on your first purchase http://rwrd.io/f4yjeqp?c 

I received this book via Heidi Rice in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #gifted