Starting Again with Cozy Mysteries
Hello to 2021! Thank goodness.
I had so many plans for this website in 2020. Then COVID-19 happened to the world and I put this blog on hiatus. I actually put reading on the back burner completely last year which looking back, is sad. Reading could’ve helped me a great deal while getting through the chaos of the year.
But, at least reading now has gotten me out of a bad funk. I finally turned back to my love of reading and my love of cozy mystery novels. I didn’t realize just how cathartic books can be. They really can feed the soul.
So, I have a new found dedication to renew this blog. I want to keep finding wonderful cozy mysteries while sharing my finds with the book community, and meeting wonderful readers and authors along the way.
Thank you for stopping by. I wish you health and happiness during these trying times!
Gina
Cozy Mystery Bookstagram!
New Historical Romance Novels for March 2020

Who is ready for the new historical romance releases for March? Of course, me! As always, if I miss a book that you feel should be on this list, please contact me or comment below. Let’s go!
Like Flames in the Night (Cities of Refuge Book #4) by Connilyn Cossette (March 3, 2020)
Strong-willed Tirzah wants to join her people in driving the enemy from the land of Israel and undergoes training for a secret mission inside the stronghold of Shechem. But soon after she has infiltrated the ruthless Aramean commander’s kitchen, she makes a reckless decision that puts her and her allies in grave danger.
Fresh off the battlefield, Liyam returns home to discover his beloved daughter is dead. After his vow to hunt down her killer leads to months of fruitless pursuit, his last hope is in a family connection that comes with strings attached. Strings that force him to pose as a mercenary and rescue an infuriating woman who refuses to leave her mission uncompleted.
When an opportunity to pave a path to a Hebrew victory arises, can Tirzah convince Liyam to fight alongside her in the refuge city of her birth? Or will Liyam’s thirst for vengeance outweigh his duty to his people, his God, and the woman he’s come to love?
Secrets of My Heart (Willamette Brides Book #1) by Tracie Peterson (March 3, 2020)
Portland, Oregon, 1879. Nancy Pritchard finds herself a widow with a world of problems when her deceased husband’s schemes start to come to light. As she searches through the pieces of her loveless marriage, Nancy realizes there is a lot that she didn’t know about this man.
Seth Carpenter is a childhood friend of Nancy’s who has recently returned to Portland. He’s delighted to see her again, and as a lawyer, he is able to help her sort through the legal aspects of her husband’s death. But there’s more to him than meets the eye, and his job will take him into a darker side of Nancy’s life–a side she didn’t even know existed. As they search for the truth behind her husband’s death, their attraction to each other creates complications, and the threat to Nancy increases. Can Seth be honest with her about who he really is and why he’s come to Portland? And can Nancy bear another betrayal?
The Runaway Bride (The Bride Ships Book #2) by Jody Hedlund (March 3, 2020)
Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.
Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.
As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need–a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?
Star of Persia: Esther’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith (March 3, 2020)
In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.
In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes’s wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther’s adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.
With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia.
Selah (The Sugar Baron’s Daughters Book #3) by Lisa T. Bergren (March 3, 2020)
Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1776. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.
Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah’s family’s plantation, the Double T. As Selah’s heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together–despite her guardians’ concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.
As Jedediah’s faith and Selah’s abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.
In Bed with the Earl (Lost Lords of London Book 1) by Christi Caldwell (March 17, 2020)
Christi Caldwell, USA TODAY bestselling author of the Wicked Wallflowers series, combs London’s underground and finds romance and danger for a missing lord and the lady who loves him.
To solve a mystery that’s become the talk of the ton, no clues run too deep for willful reporter Verity Lovelace. Not even in the sewers of London. That’s precisely where she finds happily self-sufficient scavenger Malcom North, lost heir to the Earl of Maxwell. Now that Verity’s made him front-page news, what will he make of her?
Kidnapped as a child, with no memories of his well-heeled past, Malcom prefers the grimy spoils of the culverts to the gilded riches of society. Damn the feisty beauty who exposed the contented tosher to a parade of fortune-hunting matchmakers. How to keep them at bay? Verity must pretend to be his wife. She owes him.
The intimacy of this necessary arrangement—Verity and Malcom thrust together in close quarters—soon sparks an irresistible heat. But when the charade ends, the danger begins. Will love be enough to protect them from a treacherous plot devised to ruin them?
The Earl Not Taken (The Wallflowers of West Lane) by A.S. Fenichel (March 17, 2020)
Left standing on the side while their contemporaries marry into society, four young ladies forge a bond to guard each other from a similar fate . . .
Finishing school failed to make a proper lady of Penelope Arrington. But as a Wallflower of West Lane, Poppy has a far more vital role—she and her three best friends have made a pact to protect each other from the clutches of dangerous, disreputable men. So when one of them is about to be married off to a duke sight unseen, Poppy makes it her mission to divine the prospective husband’s true character. If only she didn’t require the aid of London’s most unsuitable rake.
Rhys Draper, Earl of Marsden, has known the headstrong Poppy since she was a young girl, naïve to the ways of men. To her eternal chagrin—and to his vague amusement—they have been at odds over the memory of their embarrassing first encounter all these years. Now, with his services in need, Rhys sees a chance to finally clear the air between them. Instead, he is surprised by the heat of their feelings. If the two do not tread carefully, they may end up in a most agreeably compromising position.
The Highland Rogue (Lords of the Highlands Book 7) by Amy Jarecki (March 24, 2020)
A courageous Highlander falls for a strong-willed lass on the treacherous high seas in this action-packed Scottish romance.
After a vicious attack on his ship, Sir Kennan Cameron washes ashore on a deserted Scottish island, nearly dead. But he soon finds he’s not as alone as he thought. Kennan knows he can’t stay on the island, but neither can he leave the brave and bonny lass who has nursed him back to health — even if she is from a rival clan.
Abandoned by her family, Divana Campbell is both terrified and relieved when a rugged Highlander drags himself from the surf. Trusting Kennan is her only chance for survival — and by the time they arrive at his castle, she can barely imagine life without him. But as the heir to a powerful chieftain, Kennan could never marry the likes of her.
Together, they’ll brave tempests, pirates, betrayal, and ruin. But soon Kennan must decide what matters most: his thirst for vengeance or the woman who’s won his heart.
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow (March 31, 2020)
(I can’t find any author website or social media for Janice Hadlow or I would link to her here. When I find something I’ll update this page. Or please comment below if you know her website!)
Mary, the bookish ugly duckling of Pride and Prejudice’s five Bennet sisters, emerges from the shadows and transforms into a desired woman with choices of her own.
What if Mary Bennet’s life took a different path from that laid out for her in Pride and Prejudice? What if the frustrated intellectual of the Bennet family, the marginalized middle daughter, the plain girl who takes refuge in her books, eventually found the fulfillment enjoyed by her prettier, more confident sisters? This is the plot of Janice Hadlow’s The Other Bennet Sister, a debut novel with exactly the affection and authority to satisfy Jane Austen fans.
Ultimately, Mary’s journey is like that taken by every Austen heroine. She learns that she can only expect joy when she has accepted who she really is. She must throw off the false expectations and wrong ideas that have combined to obscure her true nature and prevented her from what makes her happy. Only when she undergoes this evolution does she have a chance at finding fulfillment; only then does she have the clarity to recognize her partner when he presents himself—and only at that moment is she genuinely worthy of love.
Mary’s destiny diverges from that of her sisters. It does not involve broad acres or landed gentry. But it does include a man; and, as in all Austen novels, Mary must decide whether he is the truly the one for her. In The Other Bennet Sister, Mary is a fully rounded character—complex, conflicted, and often uncertain; but also vulnerable, supremely sympathetic, and ultimately the protagonist of an uncommonly satisfying debut novel.
The Earl Takes a Fancy: A Sins for All Seasons Novel by Lorraine Heath (March 31, 2020)
She’s looking for a nobleman to wed…
Though born out of wedlock, Fancy Trewloveis determined to fulfill her mother’s wish that she marry into nobility. Fancy’s keen intellect and finishing school manners make her the perfect wife for any gentleman—if he’s willing to overlook her scandalous lineage. But Fancy’s plans are thrown into chaos when an intriguing commoner begins visiting her bookshop—and she finds herself unable to stop thinking about him.
He’s looking to escape his title…
Widowed just a year ago, the reclusive Matthew Sommersby, Earl of Rosemont, has been besieged by women hoping to become his next wife. Desperate for anonymity, he sheds Society life to search for the peace that eludes him. Fancy’s shop is his one refuge, until the night their passion erupts into a kiss that nearly leads to her ruin—and leaves both longing for much more.
Together, they discover an unlikely love…
As Fancy finds herself torn between her family’s expectations and her growing feelings for Matthew, secrets are exposed—secrets that force Fancy to question if she can trust her heart’s desire…
Lord Holt Takes a Bride (The Mating Habits of Scoundrels Book 1) by Vivienne Lorret (March 31, 2020)
Heiress Winnifred Humphries refuses to marry the odious man her parents have chosen. She’ll marry for love or not at all. But how does a woman know a man truly loves her? Needing answers, she sets out to discover the marriage habits of London’s aristocrats. Yet when her friends kidnap a lord for research, Winn knows they’ve gone too far. Now she’s facing a wickedly handsome scoundrel who wants revenge.
Lord Asher Holt has the perfect plan to free himself of his father’s debts. But when a trio of foolish debutantes abducts him, their scheme ruins everything! Fuming and tied to a chair, Holt overhears that one of them is an heiress. Perhaps he isn’t above a little kidnapping either.
Yet, when the heiress runs away from her own wedding and straight into his waiting carriage, Holt finds himself on an adventure he’ll never forget, falling in love with a woman worth more than any treasure. But will Winn ever believe his heart only desires her . . . and not her fortune?
The Most Eligible Lord in London (The Lords of London Book 1) by Ella Quinn (March 31, 2020)
In this captivating new Regency trilogy, bestselling author Ella Quinn picks up where her beloved Worthingtons series left off, as three Lords of London discover true love at last . . .
Handsome, rakish, incorrigibly flirtatious—Fredrick, Lord Littleton, is notorious. Lady Adeline Wivenly is resolved to keep him at arm’s length during her first Season—until she overhears another woman’s plot to trick him into marriage. Even a rogue is undeserving of such deception, and Adeline feels obliged to warn him—only to find herself perilously attracted . . .
In the past, Littleton’s charm nearly got him leg-shackled to the wrong woman. Now he’s positive he’s found the right one, for Adeline is everything he wants and needs in a wife. Her sense of justice is so strong she agrees to help him despite her mistrust. But can the ton’s most elusive lord convince the lady he is finally serious about marriage—as long as she will be his bride?
Highland Sword: A Royal Highlander Novel by May McGoldrick (March 31, 2020)
Scottish pride, persuasion, and passion—this is Highland romance at its breathtaking best.
From USA Today bestselling author May McGoldrick comes Highland Sword, the third book in the Royal Highlander series.
A VOW FOR VENGEANCE
Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death—until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.
A PLEA FOR PASSION
Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan—and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?
Which one of these titles are you looking forward to? And as always, if I missed a title, please email me or comment below!

The Viking’s Captive by Ingrid Hahn

THE VIKING’S CAPTIVE BY INGRID HAHN
So better late than never right? I’ve just stumbled across a Viking historical romance that was release a few months ago and I wanted to announce it here. Enjoy!
Publication Date: December 9, 2019
Entangled Publishing, LLC
ebook; 371 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Thorvald Longsword can’t believe all he has to do is kidnap the daughter of his jarl’s enemy to get his land back. Easy. But when he finally snatches the princess up and tosses her over his shoulder, the beautiful spitfire makes him question his determination to get his land back at any cost.
Alodie gladly agrees to impersonate the princess so the bloodthirsty Northmen will take her instead. While Alodie might be ready to die for her people, she wasn’t prepared for how her pulse races for the maddeningly noble captor whom she’d just as soon hate.
But what happens when Thorvald finds out she’s not who she says she is…
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE
About the Author

Ingrid Hahn is a failed administrative assistant with a B.A. in Art History. Her love of reading has turned her mortgage payment into a book storage fee, which makes her the friend who you never want to ask you for help moving. Though originally from Seattle, she now lives in the metropolitan DC area with her ship-nerd husband, small son, and four opinionated cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she loves knitting, theater, nature walks, travel, history, and is a hopelessly devoted fan of Jane Austen.
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Publication Date: February 25, 2020
St. Martin’s Press
eBook & Paperback; 368 Pages
Series: The Cavensham Heiresses, Book #6
Genre: Historical Romance
Her first marriage was an epic fail.
Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.
Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?
Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her…until death do they part?
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND
Praise for the Cavensham Heiresses Series
“Full-bodied romance…with intelligence and heart.”―New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell
“Sparkling…MacGregor brings England’s Regency era to life.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Beautifully defined, exceptionally appealing.” ―Booklist (starred review) on The Bad Luck Bride
About the Author
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
Blog Tour Schedule – See these fabulous tour hosts for information about the giveaway!
Monday, February 24
Review at Rose is Reading
Tuesday, February 25
Review at Robin Loves Reading
Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat
Wednesday, February 26
Review at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
Thursday, February 27
Feature at YA, It’s Lit
Saturday, February 29
Review at Reading is My Remedy
Sunday, March 1
Review at Historical Graffiti
Review at Carole Rae’s Random Ramblings
Monday, March 2
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Tuesday, March 3
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Wednesday, March 4
Review at Bookish Bellee
Friday, March 6
Review at Historical Romance Lover
Monday, March 9
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Tuesday, March 10
Review at The Romance Dish
Excerpt at I’m All About Books
Wednesday, March 11
Review at Bookish Rantings
Thursday, March 12
Review at Jessica Belmont
Friday, March 13
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Monday, March 16
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch
Tuesday, March 17
Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Thursday, March 19
Excerpt at Cover To Cover Cafe
Friday, March 20
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Pencils and Pages
Have you read Wild, Wild Rake? Let me know in the comments below.
Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North

Publication Date: February 10, 2020
Entangled Publishing/Scandalous
Paperback & eBook; 270 Pages
Genre: Historical Romance
The Hancocks and Ashfords have had a long-standing feud between their families long before Miss Jane Hancock couldn’t stand the sight of gentleman farmer Adam Ashford. But after both families fall on hard times and an unscrupulous creditor forces Jane and Adam to sign a devil’s bargain, they’ll finally understand the true meaning of keeping your enemies close at hand.
The terms of this bargain? Locate a lost treasure shrouded in deception and mystery.
The catch? Only one can claim it to win…the loser is left to ruin.
As Jane and Adam embark on a trek throughout England they plan to hate their adversary, no matter how attractive, generous, and kind they are.
Sometimes, plans change…
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | KOBO
About the Author
After self-publishing science fiction novels over a period of years, I made the truly odd move into historical romance. Although romance is a strong thread in nearly all my works, I came to straight-up, nothing-but-romance only after turning fifty. Since then, I am plagued by the question, “What took me so long?” My awakening began rather innocuously when I casually watched the 2015 version of Poldark. Before I knew, I was falling headlong into the abyss of historical romance and read fifteen such novels over a three-month span. However, no number could sufficiently scratch my itch for more, so I did what any writer would do and began constructing stories of my own. In April of 2019, I received my first contract with Entangled Publishing.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, February 10
Review at Historical Romance Lover
Tuesday, February 11
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Wednesday, February 12
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Saturday, February 15
Review at Historical Graffiti
Sunday, February 16
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Tuesday, February 18
Interview at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, February 19
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Saturday, February 22
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch
Monday, February 24
Review at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, February 25
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Have you read Fair Weather Enemies? Comment below!
New Historical Romance Novels for February 2020

Are you ready for the list of new historical romance for February, 2020? I know I am. If you notice that I’m missing a book, please contact me!
Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar (Feb 4, 2020)
A woman with a devastating secret. A man bent on proving his worth. A chance encounter that catapults them into the heart of history.
When the daughter of a prominent Roman general meets a disinherited Jewish immigrant, neither one can dream of God’s plan to transform them into the most influential couple of the early church. Nor can they anticipate the mountains that will threaten to bury them. Their courtship unwittingly shadowed by murder and betrayal, Priscilla and Aquila slowly work to build a community of believers, while their lives grow increasingly complicated thanks to a shaggy dog, a mysterious runaway, and a ruthless foe desperate for love. But when they’re banished from their home by a capricious emperor, they must join forces with an unusual rabbi named Paul and fight to turn treachery into redemption.
With impeccable research and vivid detail, Daughter of Rome is both an emotive love story and an immersive journey through first-century Rome and Corinth, reminding readers once again why Debbie Macomber has said that “no one brings the Bible to life like Tessa Afshar.”
The Chief: A Medieval Friends to Lovers Romance (Order of the Broken Blade Book 5) by Cecilia Mecca (Feb 4, 2020)
lady’s maid and a future chief. Can St. Valentine’s Day magic bring them together?
Rory Kennaugh is perfectly happy to remain his brother’s second indefinitely. Or so he tells himself. Their father served as both clan chief and earl, after all, and despite Terric’s long residence in England, there’s no reason to believe his brother will relinquish the title. But his perception of himself and his future in the clan is transformed by a surprising revelation on Saint Valentine’s Feast Day.
Cristane has ascended to one of the highest position possible for a servant: lady’s maid. Only her lady Cait, now the countess of Licheford, has not yet sent for her, and her foolish heart has attached itself to Cait’s brother. She knows perfectly well Rory can never return her love, which is why she keeps her feelings to herself—until the Valentine’s feast, when the traditional games reveal her mortifying secret to the object of her affection.
The revelation about Cristane’s feelings changes Rory, unlocking his heart, and a new challenge to the clan gives him the chance to prove his mettle. But can a future chief dare to love a lady’s maid?
WARNING: Rory and Cristane’s love story will melt your heart. If you have a weakness for friends to lovers and “wrong side of the tracks” romance, proceed with caution.
The Warrior (Highland Heroes Book 2) by Maeve Greyson (Feb 10, 2020)
The seer predicted a union of necessity. A marriage foreseen to save a man’s life and heal a woman’s soul.
Grab Book 2 in the new popular highland series Highland Heroes. Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Death by boredom is the only fate Duncan MacCoinnich fears. Years as a mercenary fed him the adventure he needed, but now the dull routines of his brother’s keep are starving him for excitement. So, he offers his services to the ruthless smuggling lord, the MacDonald of Skye and all is set–until the woman screams.
Independence and adventure are all Tilda Mackenzie wants, a tall order for the only child of the chieftain of Clan Mackenzie. Her duty is to marry and secure an alliance. But she’d rather work at her father’s side, helping him build their smuggling empire and outmaneuver the bloody MacDonalds. She’s fearless and canny and takes pride in bending her will to no man–until the day the soldiers decide she needs humbling.
Tilda’s rescue has Duncan headed for the gallows even though she claims him to be her husband to refute the accusations. Both of them wished for adventure. But adventures can weary a soul especially when deadly enemies appear in unexpected places. That’s when wishes change to prayers for nothing more than the safety and love found in each other’s arms.
Take care with what ye wish. And word such wishes wisely. For when ye receive what ye want, ye might discover it a curse instead.
Adventure, treachery, and romance abound in this second book of the Highland Heroes Series from bestselling author Maeve Greyson.
Highland Heroes
Book 1 – The Guardian
Book 2 – The Warrior
Book 3 – The Judge
Book 4 – The Dreamer
Book 5 – The Bard
Book 6 – The Ghost
Duchess of His Heart (Seductive Scoundrels Book 6) by Collette Cameron (Feb 11, 2020)
He once loved her beyond all reason. Dare he risk heartbreak again?
Leaving her first love behind was the hardest thing Regine, Duchess of Heartwaite, had ever done. Her marriage of convenience to another man saved her family, even as it laid waste to her heart. That was years ago, however. Now widowed, she’s ready to begin her life anew. But all it takes is one glimpse of her former sweetheart to realize the feelings she buried so long ago are still there, stronger than ever. Unfortunately, his feelings for her are decidedly colder…
Solicitor James Brentwood has only one mistress these days—his work. Being jilted by his betrothed taught him love simply wasn’t worth the cost. But Regine is back in England now, more beautiful and alluring than ever. And it’s not long before he begins to feel things he has no business feeling. Especially not for her. Not again.
But when a nemesis intent on destroying Regine emerges, it’s James who must come to her rescue. Can they overcome their differences and painful past to claim their happily ever after? Or will their second chance at love end as disastrously as their first?
Lion Heart (Hearts of the Highlands Book 4) by Paula Quinn (Feb 13, 2020)
Tears are water for her roots and will make her stronger, not weaker.
Book 4 in the Hearts of the Highlands series is now available! Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Elias MacPherson, a warrior suffering the consequences of war falls in love with the compassionate heart and warm smiles of a lass who is a healing balm for his troubled soul. But she is a lass he can never have.
Lily Bennett is a forbidden woman who will not budge in her loyalty, though her heart is being swept away by the handsome Highlander who has come to save her world and make her laugh again.
The Black Death, a force like nothing the earth has ever known, will bring them together and make them face their greatest fears.
Will they find themselves in the light that the other shines in the darkness? Or will an enemy, even more resilient than the plague, destroy them both?
Hearts of the Highlands Series
Heart of Ashes
Heart of Shadows
Heart of Stone
Lion Heart
A Spinster at the Highland Court: A Second Chance Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 1) by Celeste Barclay (Feb 14, 2020)
A spinster lady in waiting…
After four broken betrothals, Elizabeth Fraser believes her father’s political ambitions will keep her from ever finding a husband. Content to be considered on the shelf, Elizabeth would rather be left in peace as one of the queen’s ladies in waiting than engage in flirtations that lead nowhere. She never expected one chance encounter months ago would alter the future she had accepted.
Will Elizabeth give Edward a second chance to prove he wants more than a dalliance?
A warrior wanting to return home…
Edward Bruce, the adopted younger brother of King Robert the Bruce, is tired of fighting the English in Ireland. Loyal to his brother but homesick, Edward returns to Robert’s Scottish court in hopes of settling down once more in the Highlands. Edward recognizes the beguiling Lady Elizabeth from a brief meeting that involved one dance and a rushed conversation on the terrace. He still can’t believe the rumor she started to protect her friends. Drawn to her dry whit and independent nature, Edward realizes that his new home will require one particular lady of the keep.
Can Edward prove to his Highland lady that his intentions are sincere before time runs out?
A hidden threat…
When Elizabeth and Edward realize their lives are in danger, they must rely on the Sinclair brothers and their wives to help them investigate who might want them dead. Courtly intrigue follows them as their new love blooms and a home in the Highlands calls to them.
Welcome to Robert the Bruce’s Highland Court, where the ladies in waiting are a mixture of fire and ice. The Highland Ladies, spin off series from Celeste Barclay’s The Clan Sinclair series, returns to the Medieval royal court for love and intrigue. A Spinster at the Highland Court is the much requested and highly anticipated story of Elizabeth Fraser who appeared in both His Highland Pledge and His Highland Surprise. She finally has her own steamy love story and HEA. This a full length novel. The novella previously appeared in the Once Upon a Christmas Wedding anthology.
Chasing Cassandra: The Ravenels by Lisa Kleypas (Feb 18, 2020)
Everything has a price . . .
Railway magnate Tom Severin is wealthy and powerful enough to satisfy any desire as soon as it arises. Anything—or anyone—is his for the asking. It should be simple to find the perfect wife—and from his first glimpse of Lady Cassandra Ravenel, he’s determined to have her. But the beautiful and quick-witted Cassandra is equally determined to marry for love—the one thing he can’t give.
Everything except her . . .
Severin is the most compelling and attractive man Cassandra has ever met, even if his heart is frozen. But she has no interest in living in the fast-paced world of a ruthless man who always plays to win.
When a newfound enemy nearly destroys Cassandra’s reputation, Severin seizes the opportunity he’s been waiting for. As always, he gets what he wants—or does he? There’s one lesson Tom Severin has yet to learn from his new bride:
Never underestimate a Ravenel.
The chase for Cassandra’s hand may be over. But the chase for her heart has only just begun . . .
Romancing the Rake (Brotherhood of the Black Tartan Book 2) by Nichole Van (Feb 18, 2020)
Lady Sophronia Sorrow considers herself an unlikely heroine. Why, just her name alone proves this. Sophronia Sorrow sounds like a girl from a gothic penny novel—the foolish miss who falls prey to a rake and becomes an object lesson for the true heroine to avoid. No, despite her mawkish name, Sophie refuses to spend her life invisible and unwanted, relegated to the margin of the text. Despite her eccentric, bluestocking ways, there must be a place where she is wanted. If only she could uncover the identity of her natural father, perhaps she would belong there?
But one thing Sophie knows for sure—unlike that foolhardy miss in a novel, she will not succumb to a rake. No matter how thoroughly the rakish Lord Rafe Gilbert may tempt her.
Lord Rafe Gilbert longs for freedom—freedom from his controlling father, freedom to live his life as he chooses. He knows playing the rake keeps his autocratic father in check, but Rafe longs to determine his own destiny. Case in point, he fell in love with Lady Sophie years ago, but his father’s threats and his mother’s health prevent him from pursuing Lady Sophie in earnest. So when Fate thrusts Sophie into his path, Rafe knows he must turn her away and distance himself. But doing the right thing has never been so impossibly difficult.
Sophie and Rafe soon find themselves on a journey together from London to a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, can two kindred souls heal from past hurts and seize a second chance to write a love story of their own?
A Woman of True Honor (True Gentlemen Book 8) by Grace Burrowes (Feb 18, 2020)
Valerian Dorning is handsome, charming, and absolutely pockets to let. He’s hopelessly attracted to heiress Emily Pepper, but as he puts it to Emily, an honorable man must bring independent means to his marriage.
Emily has been chased by enough fortune hunters to know that the forthright fellow who balks at taking advantage of her wealth is exactly the man she needs, but she’s hiding secrets that Valerian must never learn. He needs a fortune, she needs a miracle. How can true love prevail?
Highland Steel (The Highland Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Rose (Feb 19, 2020)
She needs him to escort her to the Highlands.
But where she wants him to take her is to enemy territory. It’s a dangerous game she plays!
The Sassenach:
Englishwoman Lady Rhoswen Asquith accompanies her father and siblings on a journey to the Highlands, setting out on a very dangerous but important mission. The plan is to save her baby nephew from her late sister’s murderous Highland husband. But then her traveling party is attacked, her escorts killed by bandits, and her father left for dead. With the only item they had to barter for her nephew’s return now stolen, she and her younger siblings are left without an escort and stranded on the wrong side of the border.
The Highlander:
Logan MacKeefe travels with his pet wolf at his side, and his sword in his grasp. But today he’s been thrown out of the Horn and Hoof Tavern in Glasgow because his wolf has stolen a chicken right out of old Callum MacKeefe’s soup pot. Wanting a few minutes of peace and quiet, he bathes in the loch and suns himself on a rock to dry. But it isn’t long before he is disturbed, as a bonnie lassie atop a horse comes crashing through the thicket, right toward him.
She’s a Sassenach who begs him to help her dying father. Never able to turn away a bonnie lassie in distress, Logan agrees. But when her father dies, Logan finds himself in the middle of a harrowing situation. He’s agreed to be protector and escort, but where she wants him to take her is right to his enemy’s door.
Will honor and love win over revenge and guilt, as two people who should never be together find comfort and solace in each other’s embrace? How far are they both willing to go for love?
The Scot’s Betrayal (Highland Swords Book 1) by Keira Montclair (Feb 20, 2020)
A warrior with a wounded heart.
A lass in desperate need.
Will destiny be on their side in Scotland’s War of Independence?
Destiny sent the famous warrior Alexander Grant three grandsons on the same day, at the same time. Or so the story goes. Alasdair Grant, one of the three, struggles to believe he has any special purpose. The future has never seemed bleaker for Scotland—or for Alasdair’s own family. And yet, he cannot help but wonder if fate has reached for him at last when his grandsire sends him to MacLintock Castle to help Emmalin MacLintock, the very lass who has possessed his thoughts.
Emmalin would have been laird of her castle had she not been forced to marry a controlling English baron. Her heart longs for a different life, a life in which she leads her people and a handsome, strong Highlander stands by her side. A Highlander like Alasdair Grant. When the baron dies unexpectedly, Emmalin is relieved, but that feeling quickly fades when an English garrison shows up to storm her castle. Worse, there’s evidence someone in her life might be in league with them.
Alasdair and one of his cousins arrive in Emmalin’s hour of need, giving Emmalin a glimpse of what life might be like with him by her side. If Alasdair can open his wounded heart to Emmalin, it will bring him one step closer to his destiny, but he’ll need to have faith in himself—and in Scotland—to do so.
The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries (Feb 25, 2020)
New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries features an irresistible family in a series to savor, as the grown children of a thrice-married dowager duchess piece together the stories of their fathers–while pursuing passions of their own . . .
Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore . . .
With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her—or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist.
Wild, Wild Rake: The Cavensham Heiresses by Janna MacGregor (Feb 25, 2020)
Wild, Wild Rake, the next sweeping, emotional, witty, and sharp romance in the Cavensham Heiresses series from beloved author Janna MacGregor.
Her first marriage was an epic fail.
Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry—that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.
Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?
Devan Farris—charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian—is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation—even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside—a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?
His Secret Mistress: A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women Novel by Cathy Maxwell (Feb 25, 2020)
At the Logical Men’s Society—an exclusive bachelor’s club—brandy flows like water, bawdy stories abound, and a gentleman tempted to marry is always persuaded to reconsider . . .
Brandon Balfour made the mistake of trusting his heart to the exquisite, strong-willed actress, Kate Addison, with whom he shared one intimate night before fate intervened. Now a decade later, Brandon is a leading member of the Logical Men’s Society—for no woman since Kate has managed to captivate him.
To Kate, the memory of that night still burns strongly, because it was followed by a stunning betrayal. A chance encounter may have brought Brandon back into her life, but that doesn’t mean Kate will ever forgive him. She’s vowed to make him pay—even as she realizes the promises of the young love they once shared are still etched upon her heart . . .
Loving her exiled him.
Trusting him ruined her.
And now, a clash of passions threatens everything each of them ever desired.
Engaged to the Earl: The Penhallow Dynasty by Lisa Berne (Feb 25, 2020)
A spirited debutante–a brash adventurer–the perfect fiancé–and good intentions gone terribly, deliciously bad. The Penhallow Dynasty continues in this sparkling Regency romp!
Christopher Beck came striding into a glamorous London drawing-room and can’t believe his eyes. The last time he’d seen Gwendolyn Penhallow, she was a dreamy, strong-willed girl with a wild imagination, and now she’s a beautiful and beguiling young lady . . . who’s engaged to Society’s darling the Earl of Westenbury. Christopher had fled England to seek adventure elsewhere. Has he found it here too — the most delightful adventure of his life?
Gwendolyn is sure she’s betrothed to the most wonderful man in the world. But then, shockingly, Christopher Beck shows up. Nobody has heard from him in years — and not only he is very much alive, he’s also sinfully attractive, blithely unconventional, and disturbingly fun to be with. Which wouldn’t be a problem, except for the fact that she’s, well, promised to another. And just what on earth is she going to do about it?
An Inconvenient Duke (Lords of the Armory Book 1) by Anna Harrington (Feb 25, 2020)
All’s fair in war…and in love…
Marcus Braddock, former general and newly appointed Duke of Hampton, is back from war. Now, not only is he surrounded by the utterly unbearable ton, he’s mourning the death of his beloved sister, Elise. Marcus believes his sister’s death wasn’t an accident, and he’s determined to learn the truth—starting with Danielle Williams, his sister’s beautiful best friend.
Danielle is keeping deadly secrets of her own. She has dedicated her life to a charity that helps abused women—the same charity Elise was working for the night she died. When Danielle’s work puts her life in danger, Marcus comes to her rescue. But Danielle may not be the one in need of rescuing.
Every Bit a Rogue (The Ellinghams) by Adrienne Basso (Feb 25, 2020)
When a young lady sacrifices her reputation to save a viscount, it’s the beginning of an extraordinary adventure in Adrienne Basso’s captivating Regency tale . . .
Jon Burwell, Viscount Kendall, knows what the gossips say about him. They claim he’s been a dejected, half-mad recluse ever since he was jilted at the altar. The simple truth is that Jon has thrown all the passion he once had for his fiancée into his latest mechanical invention. But his single-minded existence has lately been shattered by repeated encounters with Miss Emma Ellingham, his neighbor’s intriguing sister-in-law . . .
Painting and sketching have been Emma’s consolation since her own secret heartbreak. When she stumbles upon the viscount’s workshop, his machine revives her artistic imagination. The gentleman himself is even more fascinating—and deeply seductive. When Jon is accused of a crime, Emma risks her good name for his sake. But though the threat of scandal compels them to wed, only courage can overcome their pasts, and allow desire to transform into love.
The Pursuit (Sherring Cross Book 3) by Johanna Lindsey Feb 25, 2020)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey’s wonderfully delightful sequel to Say You Love Me.
What was to be a grand adventure for Melissa MacGregor—an escape from the wilds of her Scottish home into the whirl of the London social scene—seems to pale before the promise in the passionate gaze of Lincoln Ross Burnett. Though they exchange but a few words before parting after a chance encounter on her grandfather’s lands, Melissa instantly knows this bold stranger is her destiny, while Lincoln realizes his heart has been claimed forever and he will never be complete until Melissa MacGregor is his bride.
But there are serious obstacles impeding the well-smitten Viscount Cambury’s pursuit of glorious romance: sixteen of them—all big and brawny, six named Ian and all named MacFearson. The bane of Lincoln’s youth, Melissa’s stifling, disapproving uncles are now determined to rob him of his newfound happiness. Yet he is equally resolved to confront the peril—and to pursue his exquisite obsession all the way to London…and to the ends of the earth, if necessary.
A Duke is Never Enough (The Spitfire Society Book 2) by Darcy Burke (Feb 25, 2020)
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Untouchables series comes your next Regency obsession: The Spitfire Society… Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one.
Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is gracing the gossip pages for a new reason: the rumors he may have murdered his swindling cousin. His quest for answers regarding his cousin’s death leads him to an incomparable self-declared spinster, and he is—for the first time—beguiled beyond reason. Neither is what the other wants, and yet their intense mutual infatuation is inescapable.
After abandoning her philandering betrothed at the altar, Phoebe Lennox fled from London only to return an heiress who refuses to follow the ton’s rules. She won’t risk a relationship of any kind—until she meets the scandalous Marquess of Ripley. Swept into his seductive embrace, her resolve falters in the face of a pleasure she never anticipated. But when the truth about Marcus and the murder come to light, Phoebe could lose everything she holds dear, including a love for all time.
Sinful Scot (Highlanders Through Time Book 1) by Julie Johnstone (Feb 28, 2020)
In a time he doesn’t belong, in an alliance she shouldn’t have made, they’ll fall dangerously, hopelessly in love.
New Orleans, 2020. Billionaire Rhys McCaim doesn’t believe for one second that his missing mother is a time traveler. Still, his father insists that she didn’t leave them willingly but was pulled through time to her true home in medieval Scotland. But when he and his three brothers test out an ancient time-traveling spell to appease their dying father and Rhys is catapulted to thirteenth-century Scotland, he can’t exactly deny it anymore. Suddenly he’s a Highlander in a land on the verge of war. He needs to get back to his time before all hell breaks loose, but first he must find his mother. Luckily, fate drops the perfect guide in his path. She’s brilliant, beautiful and bold, and he’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been drawn to anyone or anything before. But he can’t afford to be distracted from his mission or lower his carefully constructed guard.
Scotland, 1286. Maggie Irvine is betrothed to a vicious man who cares only of wealth and power. Marrying him will restore her family’s reputation, however, saving her siblings from lives of misery. She has resigned herself to her fate, but when a mysterious, handsome stranger magically appears before her out of thin air, her plan—and the stranger’s life—are in jeopardy. And the only way to save him is to risk everything. As she comes to learn the shocking truth of what he hides, Maggie discovers what happens when duty collides with desire and long-abandoned dreams rise to the surface.
Bound by secrets and lies, Maggie and Rhys are entangled in the brewing battle for the Scottish throne. With his knowledge of the future, Rhys possesses the powerful ability to alter history. Yet, to do so successfully, he must let Maggie past the defenses he’s spent a lifetime building. Now, an alliance that began in desperation becomes a need that will leave them both torn between what they should do and what love demands.
If you love sexy bad boy heroes with hearts of gold, heroines with the courage to fight for what they want, and love stories that encompass all time, then you’ll love this sweeping romance series.
Have you read any of these historical romance novels? Planning to? Comment below!

Focusing on New Historical Romance Novels
I know its been a while since I’ve posted. There were many reasons for that, but I’m back now with a very new focus. My favorite fiction genre is historical romance and I’ve decided to shift my efforts to just posting about newly released historical romance novels, audiobooks, and ebooks.
So welcome! I’m excited to share with you my love of knights!
The Winter Companion by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: February 11, 2020
Perfectly Proper Press
Series: Parish Orphans of Devon, Book Four
Genre: Historical Romance
A winter reunion for the orphans brings romance for Neville Cross in Book 4 of Mimi Matthews’ USA Today bestselling Parish Orphans of Devon series.
She Needed to be Seen…
As a lady’s companion, Clara Hartwright never receives much attention from anyone. And that’s precisely how she likes it. With a stormy past, and an unconventional plan for her future, it’s far safer to remain invisible. But when her new employer is invited to a month-long holiday at a remote coastal abbey, Clara discovers that she may not be as invisible as she’d hoped. At least, not as far as one gentleman is concerned.
He Wanted to be Heard…
Neville Cross has always been more comfortable with animals than people. An accident in his youth has left him with a brain injury that affects his speech. Forming the words to speak to his childhood friends is difficult enough. Finding the right things to say to a lovely young lady’s companion seems downright impossible. But Miss Hartwright is no ordinary companion. In fact, there may not be anything ordinary about her at all.
During a bleak Devon winter, two sensitive souls forge an unexpected friendship. But when Clara needs him most, will Neville find the courage to face his fears? Or is saying goodbye to her the most heroic thing he can do?
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND
Praise for the Parish Orphans of Devon series
“For this impressive Victorian romance, Matthews crafts a tale that sparkles with chemistry and impresses with strong character development… an excellent series launch that will appeal to fans of Loretta Chase and Stephanie Laurens.” -Publishers Weekly (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“Matthews has a knack for creating slow-building chemistry and an intriguing plot with a social history twist.” -Library Journal (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“As always, Matthews’ attention to historical accuracy is impeccable.” -Kirkus Reviews (A Modest Independence)
“Mimi Matthews is an exceptional story-teller.” -Passages to the Past (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“Matthews is a bright, shining star in historical romance…” -Austenprose (A Modest Independence)
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.
For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, February 11
Review at Bookish Rantings
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Wednesday, February 12
Review at Rose is Reading
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Review & Interview at The Green Mockingbird
Thursday, February 13
Review at Heidi Reads
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at Lost in a Book Reviewer
Friday, February 14
Review at Bookish Bellee
Review at Historical Graffiti
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Feature at View from the Birdhouse
Saturday, February 15
Feature at YA, It’s Lit
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Interview at Donna’s Book Blog
Sunday, February 16
Review at Passages to the Past
Review at Journey in Bookland
Monday, February 17
Review at Robin Loves Reading
Tuesday, February 18
Review at The Lit Bitch