Series: The Wagers of Sin

Guest Review: When the Marquess was Mine by Caroline Linden

Posted December 31, 2019 by Tracy in Reviews | 2 Comments

Guest Review: When the Marquess was Mine by Caroline LindenReviewer: Tracy
When the Marquess Was Mine by Caroline Linden
Series: The Wagers of Sin #3
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: September 24, 2019
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
Point-of-View: Third
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 400
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

In the game of love…

Georgiana Lucas despises the arrogant and cruel Marquess of Westmorland even before learning that he's won the deed to her friend Kitty's home in a card game. Still, Georgiana assures Kitty the marquess wouldn't possibly come all the way to Derbyshire to throw them out—until he shows up, bloody and unconscious. Fearing that Kitty would rather see him die, Georgiana blurts out that he's her fiancé. She'll nurse the hateful man back to health and make him vow to leave and never return. The man who wakes up, though, is nothing like the heartless rogue Georgiana thought she knew…

You have to risk it all

He wakes up with no memory of being assaulted—or of who he is. The bewitching beauty tending him so devotedly calls him Rob and claims she's his fiancée even as she avoids his touch. Though he can't remember how he won her hand, he's now determined to win her heart. But as his memory returns and the truth is revealed, Rob must decide if the game is up—or if he'll take a chance on a love that defies all odds.

Georgiana Lucas is visiting her friend Kitty and her family when they receive a message from Kitty’s husband.  It just says that by no means are they to let the Marquess of Westmorland into the house.  The family has no idea what’s going on as Kitty’s husband is non-specific as to why.  When Georgiana is out riding with a groom, she sees a man being attacked and insists on scaring off the attackers and helping the man back to Kitty’s house.

When they finally get the man back to the house, some of the mud from the road rubs off and Georgiana sees that it’s the Marquess of Westmorland.  Georgiana knows that Kitty can be vindictive (at least she could be when they were in school together) and since her husband told her not to let Westmorland enter the house, Georgiana knows that Kitty might not help him, even though he’s injured.  Georgiana panics and tells Kitty that the man is her fiancé Robert Sterling.

Georgiana stays with Westmorland day and night while he fights for his life, and the family is touched by how dedicated she is when in fact she’s just scared he’ll wake up and utter his true identity.  Fortunately for Georgiana, Westmorland wakes up and has no idea who he is.  Before Georgiana can tell him the truth, the doctor spouts that he is Robert Sterling and that he’s Georgiana’s fiancé.  Oops.

So begins the romance of Georgiana and Rob. Rob believes that Georgiana is his fiance, so he treats as he would a fiance – with kindness, compliments and love. He’s also amazed that the beautiful woman by his side is his.  I loved watching Georgiana fall in love with Westmorland and learn that he wasn’t the complete ass she believed him to be. He’s actually very sweet and kind and I loved him to pieces! Yes, he liked to gamble and drink, but what young buck of that time didn’t?  Their time spent together was lovely and Linden did a great job with this couple.

When Rob gets some of his memory back, he’s not upset at Georgiana for not telling him the truth – he’s too in love with her by that time.  He’s encouraged by his family to forget her, but he just can’t.  He heads back to London and his friend reminds him how he had agreed to help him catch a smuggler.  This was subtly mentioned at the beginning of the book but not in any detail.  Though there was that mention, it still felt as if this part of the book was tacked on and I didn’t really care for it.

Overall I really enjoyed this book.  When I read a Linden book it reminds me of how much I like her as an author and now I need to go read more of her stories.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Wagers of Sin

four-stars


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What Are You Reading? (+ Caroline Linden Giveaway)

Posted September 14, 2018 by Casee in Features, Giveaways | 19 Comments

WAYR-New

Casee: I am currently reading White Hot by Ilona Andrews. I immediately picked it up after reading Burn for Me because this series is ah-maze-ing. I love it! I’m only sad that it is only three books. I see that there is going to be a continuation with one of Nevada’s sisters, but how can anyone be as great as Nevada? I suppose it might be possible because the whole family is just fantastic. I love the dynamics between them. The series really does revolve around family. They’re always there for each other. Not to mention Mad Rogan. sigh

I’m also listening to Monster in the Closet by Karen Rose. I haven’t read her books for 2-3 years. The sheer number of pages has been daunting to me. I honestly don’t know why I had a problem because she is such a good writer. I’m always sucked in. I was surprised that the audiobook was just as good as reading it. It helps that the narrator is so good.

Holly: I rounded out my Jennifer Ashley re-read with The Seduction of Elliot McBride this week. I remember liking the book the first time I read it, but I absolutely adored it this time around. I don’t know if it was my reading mood or what, but it worked for me on every level. Then I read Touch the Sky by Kari Cole, which I learned after I started is the second book in the series. Oops. Still, the premise is interesting and I wasn’t too lost.

For audiobooks, I listened to Part-Time Lover and The Sexy One by Lauren Blakely. She’s fast becoming a favorite author. I’ve yet to read a book I didn’t really like. These are, for the most part, mature contemporary romances. Not a lot of drama, just two adults falling in love. They’re really working for me right now. I also listened to For the Love of English by A.M. Hargrove, a single dad contemporary romance. I liked the little girl, English, and the romance, but the external plot featuring the bio-mom was dumb. Still, her writing was good so I’d be willing to read more.

I starting sorting through my enormous TBR pile and pulled some books out. I started Take My Breath Away and Light My Fire by Christie Ridgway (Currently FREE for Kindle). I’m getting ready to start Feral Magic by Robin D. Owens in audio.

Rowena: This week was a pretty great reading week for me. I read a good stack of books and I’m looking forward to reading some more great books this coming week. I finished For the Dukes Eyes Only by Lenora Bell and that was a fabulous read. Both Daniel and India were a great couple and I enjoyed their bickering journey to true love. I really like Lenora Bell’s writing style. After that, I listened to Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan and though it was a good story and the narrator was great, I didn’t fully connect with Izzy and the rest of the cast. First, there were too many POV’s for me to keep up with and second, I kept waiting for something to happen but nothing substantial really does. Izzy opens up a bakery and she runs it while falling in love with the guy from the bank that gave her a business loan. Big whoop.

After that, I devoured Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan for a buddy review that I’m doing with Ames, which I found out isn’t until next month so I’m really early with that. Haha. This book was so stinkin’ good but it wasn’t an easy story to read. I had hella anxiety while reading it but never have I ever rooted for someone to get their happiest of ever afters as I have for Iris DuPree. August West and Iris DuPree were everything. After that, I read the next book in the Hoops series, Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan and enjoyed that one as well. Not as much as Long Shot, but still I enjoyed Jared and Banner’s story.

Now, I’m listening to Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks because I am excited to continue the MacCabe Trilogy with Alaric’s story. After that, I will be reading The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan for my book club next week. Gotta get prepared for that. I hope it’s good.

Giveaway Alert

We are very fortunate here at Book Binge. We have loads and loads of books to read and we want to share the wealth so each week, we’ll be tacking on a Freebie Friday giveaway to our What Are You Reading posts. This week, we’re giving away…

What Are You Reading? (+ Caroline Linden Giveaway)My Once and Future Duke (The Wagers of Sin, #1) by Caroline Linden
Series: The Wagers of Sin #1
Also in this series: When the Marquess Was Mine
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Format: Print
Source: Publisher
Point-of-View: Third
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
Series Rating: four-stars


What happens at the infamous Vega Club . . .

Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can’t afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that’s too extravagant to refuse, she can’t resist. If she wins, she’ll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.


Stays at the Vega Club . . .

Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he’s at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it’s a lie. He can’t keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. If he wins, he wants her—for a week.


Until now.

A week with Jack could ruin what’s left of Sophie’s reputation. It might even cost her her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off . . .

What Are You Reading: My Once and Future Duke

What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!


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What Are You Reading? (+ Historical Giveaway)

Posted March 16, 2018 by Casee in Features, Giveaways | 12 Comments

WAYR-New

Casee: I am reading Covert Game by Christine Feehan. I love the GhostWalker series. It is so intense. I didn’t give up on Storm Gathering by Rebecca Zanetii, but I did put it aside. As much as I dislike doing that I think that it was the best move for me. I immediately got into Covert Game so I think it was the right choice.

Holly: I’m not reading anything right now. I’m in a weird reading funk, plus I’ve been suffering from almost constant migraines. I ended up DNFing Ocean Light. Not because of the book, but because I couldn’t focus on it. I listened to Complicated by Kristen Ashley on audio and finished Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews, but that’s it. Hopefully this weekend I’ll be able to focus more.

Rowena: The week started and I was still in a slight book hangover from Wildfire by Ilona Andrews. I was sad that I was done with all of the books in this series (I’m crossing my fingers that we’ll get more eventually) and wasn’t ready to move on. By Tuesday, I buckled down and made myself move on.

I finished Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas and really enjoyed it. Holy cow, Ethan Ransom is all that and then some. I really enjoyed both him and then Garrett. They were great together and I was super happy with their story. After that, I jumped back into a new Ilona Andrews world with On the Edge. That was another fantastic book by Andrews and I’m super excited to continue. After On the Edge, I read On Hart’s Boardwalk by Samantha Young and that was another short but sweet peek into life after 10 years of marriage between a hero and heroine from previous books. Nate still got it, baby! 🙂

Now, I’m diving back into Ilona Andrews backlist by starting Bayou Moon. I haven’t gotten very far in the book but it’s already good. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get back to it. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Giveaway Alert

We are very fortunate here at Book Binge. We have loads and loads of books to read and we want to share the wealth so each week, we’ll be tacking on a Freebie Friday giveaway to our What Are You Reading posts. This week, we’re giving away…

What Are You Reading? (+ Historical Giveaway)My Once and Future Duke by Caroline Linden
Series: The Wagers of Sin #1
Also in this series: When the Marquess Was Mine
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
Series Rating: four-stars

What happens at the infamous Vega Club . . .

Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can’t afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that’s too extravagant to refuse, she can’t resist. If she wins, she’ll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.

Stays at the Vega Club . . .

Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he’s at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it’s a lie. He can’t keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. If he wins, he wants her—for a week.

Until now.

A week with Jack could ruin what’s left of Sophie’s reputation. It might even cost her her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off . . .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!


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