Leigh LaValleBesprekingen

Kinda too short to really be on the angst shelf, but the story centers arund an estranged couple, so it's the core of the theme. I'd say there was a Big Misunderstanding, but there was no misunderstanding, the husband just threw a temper tantrum about his wife being caught with a dude while doing nothing wrong! I just couldn't like him for abandoning her and never writing and being a general asshat when he KNEW she didn't cheat on him. Definitely not nearly enough groveling!

Kinda too short to really be on the angst shelf, but the story centers arund an estranged couple, so it's the core of the theme. I'd say there was a Big Misunderstanding, but there was no misunderstanding, the husband just threw a temper tantrum about his wife being caught with a dude while doing nothing wrong! I just couldn't like him for abandoning her and never writing and being a general asshat when he KNEW she didn't cheat on him. Definitely not nearly enough groveling!

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author. (netgalley) I found this story ok, I didn't really agree with tall the five stars but to each his own. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone. We also have an opposites attract situation or/and an enemies to lovers story. We have Ford who is a workaholic and trying to save his families empire and the last thing he needs his his attraction to Crystal a yoga hippie. Ford's sister is marrying Crystal's cousin Josh, and they are both asked to come early to deal with their crazy families. Josh's are uptight and Crystal's are a little crazy and hippies. While they both leave to deal with the families their is a storm and they can't fly out so they have to make a trip by car and every obstacle imaginable has come upon them but while they are doing that their chemistry is stronger than ever so they succumb to it and have a fling, only to happen while they are on this trip and then they will go back to normal, but you and I know that will not be the case.

Full review appeared on Reader's Edyn on 10/26/17

Hannah Roberts is one hot mess. She tends to get way too attached to guys way too soon and then they find out. Like the time she put money down on a wedding dress after just a couple of dates … yeah. So when a sexy ‘mountain man’ appears out of nowhere on a trail and rescues her, it’s no surprise when she continue to fantasize about him. Fantasy is all it will be though because she doesn’t know how to find him again and she shouldn’t anyway. She’s just starting to crawl back from losing everything and she won’t go there again. When she unexpectedly runs in to him, she’s decided to stay away from him. Bad news is all she can get up to with a guy around and that’s what he is. He even steals her news story as soon as they meet – meet for the second time, that is. But Jake has demons of his own and Hannah’s secret recipe of crazy and sexy is exactly the right combination for him.

Jake Marshall accidentally scares Hannah when he finds her injured on a trail. He immediately likes her, but he’s a one-night kind of guy. No future with him as damaged as he is anyway. He came back home a hero, but he doesn’t feel anything like it. Plagued by constant pain following several surgeries to repair his leg from an IED attack, he’s learned to push through it all and throw up his brilliant smile to the world. Walking in to Hannah’s yoga studio and having her temp him to distraction was not part of the plan. She keeps refusing him, but he’s going to make her say yes to a date – and more. Except when she finally relents and things progress – despite their temporary time frame – temporary might not be enough for her. Good luck convincing Jake of that.

This book was a pretty good read. I haven’t read Ms. LaValle before, but I was intrigued by the blurb of this book. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and that each was flawed in their own ways. I wouldn’t say they exactly complimented each other with those flaws, but nether minded the other’s issues and in some instances viewed them as cute or quirky, furthering their attraction. Hannah has a stubborn streak and it ended up being a huge asset both in charming Jake further and pulling him out of his own misery. And while Hannah may seem like a nut to some with her odd --- almost obsessive … stalker in some cases ---- behaviors, Jake just fell for her even harder. Ironically, in the end, their own problems are what help them find themselves and each other.

The secondary characters really didn’t connect in any way until later in the book. Hannah seems like more of a cast out than a business partner initially – and it ultimately ends up being her own fault for not being included. Once she starts to connect with her friends, then the reader does as well. And the situation was almost the same with Jake’s partner/cousin. I kind of didn’t care for him, but once he was explained a bit more, he was an OK guy. I can’t say that I have ever experienced such a 180 with secondary character like that before.

I don’t know crap about Yoga, so please don’t ask me about any of those accuracies. However, the tie between Jake’s injury/recovery and Hannah’s Yoga sessions were a nice way to bring them closer. This book is part of a series entitled Yoga in the City, which I assume involves the other 3 of Hannah’s friends. Having finally found a connection with them, I would likely read the rest of the series. Overall, you can’t help but root for Jake and Hannah. Poor Jake is so lost in his grief and guilt that he almost doesn’t realize what he is doing by taking so many risks, even though he does. Like, he gets why he does it, but he loses sight of what it is and what it could cost him. And Hannah in all her over-the-top, Yoga pants, green smoothie hating, soda pop loving, junk food addict – God love her, you can’t stop yourself from liking her. This is almost a second-chance love story with possibly one of the most opposite couples I have read about – but it is a love story above all. And if love can’t conquer all, then what can? If Hannah and Jake with an HEA sounds like your kind of read, then don’t hesitate. Get your own copy. You won’t regret it. If that isn’t enough, think hot army guy meets cute Yoga girl (who loves junk food) with undeniable sexual magnetism. You’re welcome.

Kindle version provided by XpressoBookTours/Author in exchange for an honest review.

I'm afraid I disliked Jamie so much I can't like this novella, especially because the author did not convince me he has really changed in the end. He is childish and selfish.

A lacklustre debut novel with plot holes aplenty and a shaky control of narrative structure.

Instead of sending a female pickpocket to jail and possibly capital punishment, the Lord Lieutenant of the district decides to place the defiant and articulate prisoner under house arrest in his own stately home. Among several reasons for this odd behaviour is a plan to extract from his prisoner the name of her highwayman accomplice.

The rest of the novel is a drawn-out description of a repetitious push-pull relationship, with Trent and Maizie pushed apart by their mutual distrust, and pulled together by their romantic attraction.

The almost inevitable revelation that Maizie is of aristocratic blood and her crimes were motivated by a desire to help the impoverished seems to add little impetus to the story. Hints abound of a secret connection between the wealthy victims of the crimes, but the nature of this connection is glossed over in a few paragraphs at the end.

Neither Trent, the lord of the manor, nor Maizie, the noble thief, evoke much sympathy from the reader. The sexual attraction and ultimate consummation are spicy and straightforward but the lack of psychological insight into the characters of the lovers leaves one wondering why Trent is so fixated on 'justice' and why Maizie is so desperate to protect the identity of her partner in crime.

Also why two apparently intelligent individuals seem incapable of picking up on the dozens of glaring hints the author provides the reader.

'Rogues were like insects!'

An amusingly different remark about rogues muttered at one stage by Lady Helen Gladstone.
Admittedly not the normal declaration rogues inspire. If I hadn't already suspected it, this comment alone alerted me to consider that this novel was shaping up to be way more than a 'common garden variety' regency romance.
Helen finds herself literally digging for gold, making a mad rush across the mountains to secure a fortune, pursued by dangerous men, traveling with a devasting rogue, and being assuaged by feelings she had never before experienced.
Roane Grantham is a wonderful hero. Magnificent! is the word that frequently echoes across Helen's thoughts. Compassionate, damaged, hiding dark secrets, reflective, truly magnificent, and terrified by the treacherous desire he feels for this woman he refers to as 'buttercup.'
As Roane comes to appreciate, Helen is 'a woman who has everything to loose...A women with strength of spirit, [and ]a steel will.'
Helen is stubbornly and fearfully determined, searching for the much needed gold her dead brother has hidden, in order to restore her family's fortune. She is achingly attracted to the rogue she is traveling with, more so than she wants to admit.
The air between them is totally electric. Mmm, like a storm breaking on a sultry summer's eve!
Helen is quite endearing as she clambers aboard a huge mare, clinging to the little things that make her feel confidant and in charge. Like looping her ridiculous tiny purse around her wrist before riding off across the english countryside to ford rivers and climb through mountainous passes, all the time declaring, 'A lady travels with a reticule.' A wonderful cameo!
And Roane? Roane is so 'much more than a rogue. Much more.'
A fast paced, very different and enjoyable read!
I am definitely off to catchup with the rest of LaValle's writings!

A NetGalley and author provided ARC in exchange for an impartial review

I loved everything about the book, unless it''s a short story. I'd love to read more of them arguing all the time.
Great characters. Romantic and inspiring.

5 stars!!

This is nice short story about two people who get a second chance at love. Married five years before, Jamie and Cat made mistakes that drove them apart shortly after the marriage began. She did something that embarrassed him and he took off. After five years alone, Cat doesn’t know if she can forgive him for his abandonment. He still carries resentment about her behavior.
I enjoyed this book, although I would have liked it to be longer. It was nice seeing the couple grow up and decide to let go of past hurts. It was a complete story in spite of its short size. There is a brief glance at the couple featured in her full size novel “ The Runaway Countess” which looks pretty interesting.

A different story of impoverished Lady Margaret aka Miss Mazie, the orphaned daughter of a lord, who aids a local highwayman in a Robin Hood theme and gets caught. The local magistrate, handsome and austere Lord Radford takes her as his prisoner to find out who the Midnight Rider really is. She will not divulge the truth, despite the mutual attraction that is growing between them. The stakes escalate as does their passion. A good book despite the slow beginning. Once I got into it, the second half really took off. Another luscious cover.

THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS by Leigh Lavalle is an exciting debut historical romance set in Nottinghamshire,England in 1821. With a Robin Hood and Lady Marian style writing but with a few twists and turns. It is written with vivid details,and full of danger,angst,passion,action packed,deception, a quest for truth and justice. Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford,the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire,who is not only handsome,sexy,believes in truth,honor,justice,and family will soon have everything he believed tested,trialed and turned over. While, Mazie Chetwyn,the beautiful, vulnerable,orphaned, penniless Lady, is determined to save the highwayman at all cost,even after she is betrayed and captured. Together,Trent and Mazie find an attraction that could shatter they lives forever. “The Runaway Countess” is full of romance,intrigue,and justice. A must read! Ms. Lavalle is an author to watch for in the future. The characters are full of life,wit,charm,a page turner. I devowed this title in one setting.I can hardly wait for her next to release. An amazing debut! Received from the author for an honest review. Details can be found at the author’s website,Samhain Publishing, Ltd,and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 5

HEAT RATING:

Mild: Mild detailed scenes of intimacy,mild violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More

THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS by Leigh Lavalle is an exciting debut historical romance set in Nottinghamshire,England in 1821. With a Robin Hood and Lady Marian style writing but with a few twists and turns. It is written with vivid details,and full of danger,angst,passion,action packed,deception, a quest for truth and justice. Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford,the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire,who is not only handsome,sexy,believes in truth,honor,justice,and family will soon have everything he believed tested,trialed and turned over. While, Mazie Chetwyn,the beautiful, vulnerable,orphaned, penniless Lady, is determined to save the highwayman at all cost,even after she is betrayed and captured. Together,Trent and Mazie find an attraction that could shatter they lives forever. "The Runaway Countess" is full of romance,intrigue,and justice. A must read! Ms. Lavalle is an author to watch for in the future. The characters are full of life,wit,charm,a page turner. I devowed this title in one setting.I can hardly wait for her next to release. An amazing debut! Received from the author for an honest review. Details can be found at the author's website,Samhain Publishing, Ltd,and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 5

HEAT RATING:

Mild: Mild detailed scenes of intimacy,mild violence or profanity.

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More