When the guarded King of the Underworld collides with a maddeningly reckless lady, the road to ruination becomes impossible not to take.
Lady Frederica Darlington isn’t prim, obedient, or appropriately dispassionate as a proper lady of the aristocracy should be. Nor is she interested in securing a husband, whether rake, rogue, duke, or lord. Freddy wants to live as she pleases in a place she feels she belongs, and for a unconventional lady, the bohemian world of Covent Garden seems the perfect spot. She has a plan to achieve her goal, but when one of her secret missions goes awry and the King of the Underworld rescues her, danger never looked so enticing. And the future she was certain of now feels utterly confusing.
Born and bred on the cutthroat streets of London, Gabriel Beckford has known his share of struggle and loss. He even obtained a few enemies, one of whom is waiting to destroy any lady Gabe falls in love with, so Gabe lives by one simple, necessary rule: never get close. It’s a dictate that’s been easy to abide—until the day Frederica sweeps into his life like a storm. Her passionate nature and impossible impetuousness tempts him beyond reason, and when she declares to make the territory he rules her home, he’ll do everything in his power to stop her and keep her out of his life, head, and heart.
But when a threat to Frederica brings Gabe to her side once more, keeping her at a distance becomes impossible. As Gabe’s enemy closes in, Frederica and Gabe must learn how to trust themselves—and each other—and either submit to the love they thought they never wanted or risk losing the very thing that could save them both.
Uncaged Review: I love this series by this author, but this one doesn’t measure up as well as the others. Freddy is not a very likable character in the beginning, and although she redeems herself later on, it’s hard to completely like her when she starts out a bit selfish. I feel this one was written in a bit of a rush, but it’s still a good addition to the series.
As for Gabe, I felt more connection to him, but it was still not the connection I’ve felt with other heroes in the series. I am intrigued by Frederica’s brother, and looking forward to that book. Reviewed by Cyrene
Lady Philippa Shaw had it all: a husband who was madly in love with her, a sweet baby daughter, and a house in the most exclusive square in London. Until a shocking discovery after her husband’s death revealed her happy life was a lie. Now, his past crimes are returning to haunt her, bringing danger, devastation, and the one man she’s spent the past few years despising.
Roland, the Duke of Northwich, never recovered from losing Pippa to the cunning scoundrel she married instead of him. When he began investigating the murky business dealings of her dead husband, however, he never intended to cause Pippa harm. Their clash is instant, her enmity for him shattering. As the shadowy menace of her husband’s sins emerges, Northwich offers his protection in the only way he knows how.
Pippa has no intention of binding herself to the duke in a marriage of convenience. But after an incident makes the threat to herself and her daughter undeniable, she reluctantly accepts his proposal. She finds herself struggling to reconcile the cold, ruthless man she believed Northwich to be with the caring, considerate man she’s married.
As they work together to discover who is behind the attacks on her, the secrets of the past are unlocked. And the most shocking one of all lies in her new husband’s heart.
Uncaged Review: This is the 6th book in a series, and it reads perfectly fine as a standalone. After losing her husband, Pippa finds out that her marriage was all a ruse, her husband with his bad business dealings and it’s all coming back to haunt Pippa and her daughter. Roland, who was jilted by Pippa years ago, still steps up to the plate and offers his protection.
I have to admit, I love this author’s books, but I did not like the heroine in the first two thirds of the book. She was very immature and undecided, and I didn’t see much growth with her until the last part of the book. So unfortunately, reading most of a book, not really connecting to the heroine, makes it a bit harder to put up there with my favorites. Reviewed by Cyrene
Welcome to Uncaged! Could you tell readers more about Letters from Italy, your new book coming out in February?
Letters From Italy is narrative nonfiction of a love story about my immigrant Italian parents. My mother and father were always storytellers. Framed by letters written from the 1930s to the 1950s, I recount the experiences of my parents who emigrated from southern Italy to New York City. Nicoletta was orphaned at a young age and her position in life changed dramatically. Her family struggled to make ends meet after the war and her dreams of higher educations were dashed.
Orazio Dell’Olio was born into a poor family split between Italy and the United States. Half of his siblings grew up in New York, while he and three of his siblings remained in Italy. His dream of joining his family didn’t come to pass until he was twenty years old. Tales of their childhood in a little town on the Puglian coast beget images of a fishing village, families from different socio-economic classes, and of love born out of chance.
Their romance began in 1950 when my uncle sent a photograph of his new fiancé to his parents in New York City. Orazio spotted an attractive young woman in the photo. What ensued was two years of correspondence. The letters he received from Italy were his life-line. Eventually they led to their first encounter in the town of Bisceglie, Bari. Married nearly sixty years at the time of my father’s death, theirs was a love story like no other I have known.
What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?
The most difficult scenes to write were those where my mother or father left family and friends behind, risking stability in hopes of a better life, a dream of the unknown. Reaching deeply into their struggles and fears, I tried to communicate the intensity of their experiences.
The easiest parts to write were scenes that described their longing for each other, their two-year courtship through expressive love-letters. One of my favorite chapters was when they finally meet. The connection between Nicoletta and Orazio is palpable. There was such adoration and heart-felt emotion in their first encounter.
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below.
Letters from Italy is a story of true love that spans an ocean. Against all odds, an orphaned girl and a young dreamer find solace in a romance sparked by a single photo and years of transatlantic letters. From a tiny Italian town in pre-WWII to New York City in her golden age, hopeful immigrants take a chance at living the American dream. Set on the Puglian coast, a world comes alive with images of a fishing village, families from different socio-economic classes, and a love born out of chance.
When they finally meet, Nicoletta and Orazio know they are destined to be together. Framed by the letters they wrote to each other, Letters from Italy takes us on a passage back through time with a romantic young couple whose devotion to one another prompted a bold journey in a foreign land.
Excerpt
Chapter Eighteen The Encounter
Bisceglie, Province of Bari, Italy 1951
Given their long-anticipated encounter, Orazio and Nicoletta decided that if their feelings were as strong upon meeting as they were in their letters, they would marry; if not, they would part friends. There was a great deal resting on their first meeting. Orazio, though confident in his love for Nicoletta, was extremely anxious. With a chiseled jawline and a thick mane of black hair, Orazio was a handsome man but didn’t realize it. All he could see was a man, short in stature, who had always endured his brother’s jokes. He had worked hard, and his determination had brought some measure of success. He hoped Nicoletta would see how deeply he wanted to take care of her and provide her with the best life he possibly could.
Through their letters, he could tell she was more educated than he, and although Orazio felt intimidated after reading those first letters, he opened his heart to her. In return, Nicoletta expressed her profound desire to be with him. The photo that had brought them together showed her beauty, but those letters from Italy revealed her heart. He was confident that they were meant to be together forever.
The train ride from Paris seemed to take forever, but he was on his way to Bisceglie. Orazio had traveled by ship from New York to France, and he had been on the train for over twenty-one hours. Thankfully, he was finally in the province of Bari. The train had passed Foggia and Barletta over an hour before, and he realized he was almost there. Orazio was getting antsy as the train reduced its speed; he knew Bisceglie was the next station. When the train slowed to a stop, he left Gino sound asleep, grabbed his suitcase, and jumped off. There had been no announcement, but he didn’t think twice about it. Orazio was in Bisceglie at last!
Orazio gathered his luggage alongside the train and looked around. It was a chilly November morning, and the sun had not yet risen. He had been away from Bisceglie for four years and was trying to get his bearings. As the train pulled away, he realized they had not reached the train station. He was at least a mile outside the city center. Olive groves flanked both sides of the street, and there was no one in sight at that hour. What could he do now? How was he going to get to Bisceglie with all his luggage in tow? He gathered all his bags and hobbled down the road toward the city. It was slow going, and his arms ached from the weight of his burden. Piercing the silence, he heard the clip-clop of a horse-drawn cart in the distance. It was carrying milk from the farms and heading into town. He turned and waved as it approached him.
Are you ready to fall in love with some hardcore bikers?
They might be outlaws, but one thing is certain…
Nobody messes with their women or their clubs. Those that stupidly enough dare to do so, will have hell to pay. Game on.
SINNERS MC features six MC Romances full of danger, suspense, passion, and angst by Evan Grace, Ginger Ring, Mandy Michelle, Melinda Valentine, Shanjida Nusrath Ali, and Vanessa Siena.
Uncaged Review: This anthology covers 6 stories by mostly new to me authors, with the exception of Ginger Ring. Each story is easy to read in one sitting, and they range from an almost sweet romance to almost erotic, so there is something for everyone.
A couple stories stood out for me, Born to Hide from Ginger Ring is a story within her Lake Genoa series, and a few characters from her Genoa Mafia Series show up to tie this story up. I really liked Saige and Capone’s story and how it tied into the main series. I really hope that the author has more stories within this world in the future.
Also, Ecstasy was a nice story of friends to lovers and Mayhem MC was a story with some suspense tossed in.
Overall, this is a nice anthology that may introduce you to new authors, and if you like the motor cross worlds, this is a good choice for some easy reads. Reviewed by Cyrene
Samuel “Sam” Singleton has set aside his unsavory past, as a riverboat gambler and sometimes hired gun, to take on employment as security for Knight Gleason’s Gambling Galleria in Little Creede. Sam and Knight go back a ways, and Sam figures he owes Knight for some valuable mentorship. Then he meets a stowaway thief in the Galleria kitchen, and it changes the direction of his life.
IZZY . . .
Isadora “Izzy” McDougall is on the run from a dangerous family situation. On the road for days, hungry and exhausted, she takes shelter in a desperate bid to find food. Instead, Sam finds her.
SAFER, TOGETHER . . .
Sam’s never been the nurturing type, but Izzy’s sweetness and innocent bravery touches his heart. He finds himself willing to protect her from her scheming family at any cost, even if it means tying himself down with a wife.
BONUS CONTENT: (available in e-book and print only)
CHRISTMAS IN SILVER COUNTRY (Robert and Maggie’s Story)
Robert Blackwood comes to Magnolia Sanders’ rescue when she’s lost in a snowstorm. Taking shelter in an abandoned cabin, he fights his rising desire for the innocent beauty, while trying to keep them alive.
Uncaged Review: It’s always a treat to read a book from these authors, together they write a seamless story, and the reader can never see where one author leaves off and the other begins. The Brides of Little Creede is a great series, each one is original and true page turners.
In this book, we get Izzy and Sam’s story. Izzy runs away from an abusive family, a family aiming to marry her off to an old abusive man, for money. She makes it to Little Creede where Sam finds her and takes her under his protection. Danger mounts for Izzy and Sam when Izzy’s brother, father and the dangerous man they want to marry her off to, comes looking for her.
This book has almost everything you’d want in a historical romance. Danger, even a bit of a thriller vibe, and the dashing hero and a woman who grows into her own throughout the story.
A bonus, the ebook version of this story has a bonus short story about Robert and Maggie, and how they are trapped in a cabin during a snow storm. Reviewed by Cyrene
Welcome to Uncaged! You just released, Indebted to the Bratva Boss in October and this is part of the Kotov Bratva series. Can you tell readers more about the series and the book?
Indebted to the Bratva Boss is an enemies-to-lovers mafia romance book between a naive bookshop owner and a Bratva boss. When Marina is saddled with her father’s massive debt, she can only turn to one dangerous man for help—her ex-boyfriend Pavel. Trusting a criminal is risky but Marina has no other choice.
The first two books in the series features two Bratva brothers who find the love of their lives in unlikely situations and places. Viktor and Pavel know they’re not good men. They don’t believe in love but the strong women they’re about to meet will soon change their minds.
What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?
Fight scenes are usually difficult for me because they take require more planning, but nonetheless they’re fun and interesting to write. Date scenes are usually easy for me to write. I enjoy writing scenes where my characters have just met and are trying to get to know each other better.
Read the rest of this interview in the January/February Issue of Uncaged Book Reviews – linked below.
Winter Sloane is the alter ego of a single mother who loves reading and writing romances in her free time. She likes writing about possessive bad boys and the women who love them.
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Katya: Some people call me an ice princess. There’s a reason for that. I survived the massacre of my entire family. When the Kotov Bratva took me in, I swore I’d do anything for my daughter and my new family. Aleksander is off-limits. He’s also relentless, persuasive, and addictive. I lean into his touches and kisses even though I should be staying away. I’m a survivor. I don’t just open up my heart to anyone but with Aleksander it’s easy. If being with him is so wrong, then why does it feel so right? Aleksander: I know Katya Kotov inside and out. Under all that ice, lies a passionate and fiery woman I can’t wait to own and possess. I waited, hoping she’d find a better man, a decent man to settle with. But I’m not that generous. I’m a selfish and possessive bastard. Katya’s mine to tame and I’d kill anyone that gets in the way.
Excerpt
“Why don’t you make yourself more comfortable and sit next to me?” he asked.
“I’m fine here,” she said, returning to the armchair.
“Why, scared I’ll bite?” Aleks teased.
“Maybe you should avoid flirting with me when you’re injured,” she suggested.
Aleks considered her words for a few moments. There and then, he came to a decision. They’d been dancing around each other for years. It was about time he changed that.
Aleks didn’t pursue Katya not because he was worried about what Viktor and Pavel would do if they found out he wanted her for his own. She wasn’t a fling either. He wanted to own her, body, heart, and soul.
If Katya found a normal, decent man who’d be able to take care of her and Anya, Aleks thought he’d be able to live with that. He was wrong. Aleks would kill any man who so much as looked at Katya wrong.
Read the rest of this excerpt in the January/February Issue of Uncaged Book Reviews – linked below.
Men who live in Orchard Grove have become the target of a vicious serial killer. Antonia Delgado is determined to bring the killer to justice before she claims her next victim. A new truth is revealed when the notes become more personal.
Now Toni must delve into a past she hoped to never face again. Secrets that have haunted her will come to light. No part of her past will be left untouched. Whoever the killer is has a personal, intimate knowledge of Toni.
Uncaged Review: There is a serial killer on the loose and the killer is targeting men who have daughters. The book opens with a grizzly scene of a man being tortured by the killer and then the book speeds onward. Toni and Rob are the detectives that are working the case and every single clue is pointing toward a woman being the killer. One of the problems is that Toni is an alcoholic and has blackouts, and the clues that have been gathered at each scene make it look suspiciously like Toni is the killer. Is she killing during her blackouts?
This is a book that will keep you guessing and never slows the pace. As you learn more and more, you will change your mind several times during the book to whom the killer is, and may stump you until the end. There was a couple of things that I had a hard time believing, but all in all, this is a good crime thriller that was a quick read. Reviewed by Cyrene
As the Chicagoland Vampires series continues, Merit and Ethan find themselves in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, where winning may require the ultimate sacrifice…
A vampire’s grudges don’t stay dead long…
Merit is one of Chicago’s most skilled vampire warriors; these days, she doesn’t scare easily. But she and Master vampire Ethan have made a new and powerful enemy, and he won’t give up until he owns the Windy City.
With his last plan thwarted, he’s more determined than ever to watch Cadogan burn. Ethan has put the House’s vampires on high alert, but their enemy will stop at nothing, including pitting supernatural against supernatural…
In this deadly game of cat-and-mouse, the stakes are life or death—and winning might mean sacrificing everything…
Uncaged Review: This is the twelfth book in this series and it still is going strong. There has been quite a lapse in time since I read in the series, but it was simple to pick it back up. In this outing, there is a business man trying to take over the city and using a sorceress and a rogue vampire to help with a magical spell that will take over the supernatural community. Ethan and Merit and even the other Houses, the Pack and the independent vampire community will need to work together to save the city.
This book is full of action and suspense, but there is still some wonderful Ethan and Merit time. Even though I guessed a couple of the things that happened, it was still great fun getting there. One more book to go in this series before the spin off, and it’s been a series very worth reading. Reviewed by Cyrene
The Marquess of Haven has finally decided to do his duty and settle upon a bride, preferably before the new year begins. What better place to find her than a country house party? There’s just one problem. The beautiful widow who once owned his heart is also in attendance.
Surely there’s no harm in indulging in one night of passion with her, just to get her out of his mind. But Haven is about to discover old habits are hard to break, especially when the consequences last forever…
This has been a great series for me, I have enjoyed all the Winter sisters, and even though this is a shorter book, it’s still a nice addition to the series. Hannah, having been married off by her father to an abusive man, is now a widow. Haven was the man she should have been with, if not for her father. When the two meet back up, the sparks are still there.
The reunion was beautifully written and it was nice to read a book where it wasn’t a young debutante as the heroine for a change.
Wrapped in the most handsome package. The Viscount of Dashlane is the picture of masculine beauty with his flashing blue eyes and his ready smile. And every word he utters is perfectly timed to make a woman fall in love. There’s only one problem. He’s used his charm on one too many Moorish sisters and Cordelia Moorish isn’t fooled at all. In fact, it’s time this rake learned a lesson…
She’s a bluestocking and a wallflower…
Lord Christopher Dashlane can’t believe he’s been stuck in a wholesome village in nowhere England for nearly a week. And worse still, the Honorable Thomas Moorish seems set on matching him with one of his ridiculously beautiful daughters. Another man might be glad but not Jake. He’ll be tied to no woman’s apron. That is until Cordelia Moorish falls into his lap. Quite literally. She smiles and blushes and then, just when he thinks he might steal a kiss, she slaps him dead in his face. So that’s how it’s going to be? If it’s a game of matching wits, and seduction is the prize, he’s in.
But what he fails to consider are the stakes. Marriage? Love? Quite possibly, it’s both.
This author has quickly become one of my favorite Historical Romance authors. I can’t remember ever reading even a so-so book from her. Being as prolific of an author as she is, I’ve still not found a book she’s repeated herself in.
In this book, Lord Christopher has never had a problem attracting the ladies. Until Cordelia. When he finds he doesn’t charm her as quickly as usual, he’s dead set on winning her affections. But will they end up falling in love? This is a fun read, and I was glued to the pages. Highly recommended.
