Sometimes those free books on the Kindle lists pan out… and sometimes… well… Viscount’s Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley was luckily one of the good ones. A novella length Regency romance, this book is listed as Book 0.5 of the series The Dukes of War.

I love the blurb at the beginning of this story:

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is cancelling the fete of the year because he hasn’t the time for silly soirees. He doesn’t need time- he needs her!

The perfect recipe for a light regency novella… a managing female, a man who doesn’t know what hit him but can still turn the tables and Christmas! In search of a husband Lady Amelia is not looking to bag a Viscount… but maybe he will just have to catch her himself?

I am definitely going to have to look into others of the series. Short, sweet with a touch of temptation… there is a rake involved. I would greatly suggest if you enjoy a light regency romance to give this novella a try!

If teacups could talk…

The death of a beloved aunt leads a stumped authoress to inspiration 3 weeks later with the delivery (by a dishy UPS delivery man) of a box from home full of tea cups and saucers. Each one bringing to mind a story shared by her aunt ready and willing to be recorded onto paper. It is here that our stories begin in the novella Tea With Emma (the Teacup Novellas book 1) by Diane Moody.

The first of these stories is centered on a young woman returning from a trip to England with the inspiration to create a Jane Austen tea room in Texas. Her flight home with friend in tow is interrupted by a cranky British man who chastises them for their boisterous speech on the flight home. Maddie and her friend Lanie return to Texas with somewhat disastrous results… including a runaway suitcase and a negligent roommate causing the death of a beloved kitten (Mr. Darcy… so many Jane Austen references).

Tea With Emma brings to light how one’s faith and belief in what’s right and what you are called  to do can change your life. Maddie feels she, like Austen’s Emma is a matchmaker (with the support of God). And like Emma, we see how even the best intentions can cause less than happy results. We see how forgiveness and letting go of a difficult past can alter a person from their very core.

I would suggest Tea with Emma by Diane Moody to anyone who is looking for a light read with a religious context. The characters are engaging and the addition of tea and Jane Austen give this story a lovely flavour. I will definitely be looking for more from this series.

So I read this series out of order… #2 (HERE), then #1 (HERE) and now #3. Of the 3 books by Susan Hatler this is the briefest. My Last Blind Date read almost as a couple chapters interlude in a larger book. So if you are looking for a fully developed and realized story this isn’t really for you. A contemporary romance, this book continues the story of 4 friends hoping to find love and commitment.

Rachel is solidly single and living with her pampered pooch (who was the catalyst to book #1’s love life)… what is a girl to do on Valentine’s Day? Stay home and mope or take… one last blind date? This is the story of Rachel’s choice.

Susan Hatler’s book really could all be combined into one… I think they make a great afternoon read… this one a couple hours really at most. If you are looking for a nice romance, some great friendships and some silly moments these are the books for you!

My Last Blind Date