Wendy VellaBesprekingen

Full Review on NetGalley

Full Review on NetGalley

I was hoping for a plain heroine and a bit more angst, but I still enjoyed it. Eva starts out as a bit of a Mary Sue but ends the book a tad bloodthirsty - her character arch (as well as the hero’s transition from hostility to love) didn’t quite land for me, to be honest. But definitely had elements that I enjoyed! Not going on the abused heroine shelf only because Eva doesn’t really seem traumatized by her father and brothers’ awfulness, it’s more a plot point.

A sweet collection of darling Christmas stories.

For yers Devonshire Sinclair has ignored Miss Lilliana Braithwaite, a women with no dress sense and with an awful silliness about her. But one night he rescues her as she is rescuing a child. Then everything changes. But why is she hiding in plain sight. Sinclair is determined to find out.
A paranormal romance/mystery - an enjoyable well-written one.

Essex 'Essie' Sinclair has always felt that she is the weak Sinclair, the inferior one. So she has dedicated her life to be the healer. Until Max stumbles into her garden at Oak's Knoll, wounded. She tried to deny the connection between but unfortunately they meet again in town. But who is trying to kill Max and who is he really.
An enjoyable story

Emily Tolly, illegitimate sister of the Duke of Raven feels herself inferior to her family and that of the Sinclairs. She is determined to be independent. But what are her feelings for Cambridge Sinclair, can they ever stop arguing and disliking each other.
Another enjoyable story in this series

Nicholas, Earl of Attwood knew he must marry but to be compromised into the situation by Grace. Grace Esseltte, clumsiness leads to a marriage she does not want. But can they ever understand each other. Grace seems totally to have no idea how to behave as a lady or wife .
Fast paced romance with little mystery or character development.

Miss Charlotte Radley, bastard daughter of the Duke of Marlton approaches the Lords of the Night for help. Prostitutes are being abducted and she needs the help of Marcus, Viscount Needly aka Lord Valiant for help.
A fast paced romance story with a touch of mystery, though Charlotte's actions seem to border on stupidity and became annoying

Viscount Hatherton aka as Lord Valorous is now of the Lords of the Night. As such he is approached by Miss Poppy March to help her mistress, Lady Revel. Who she believes is being poisoned by her nephew the new Lord Revel.
I just found Poppy to annoying and irritating so much so that I had trouble finishing the book.
Very little mystery in this novella.

Six years ago Harriet Hyndmarsh broke Leo, Lord Vereton's heart, now she is a widow and is looking for a husband. Marquis of Vereton aka Lord Noble finds himself betrothed to a Miss Elizabeth Witlow to avoid Harriet. But Leo believes that Elizabeth has secrets.
Romance but very little mystery

In protecting the Raven family over the years, the Sinclairs have acquired various heightened senses to help them in their quest.
Now, in 1818, James Raven is the latest Duke, and once again a Sinclair saves his life. But who is it that wants him dead.
A story that kept my interest with some likeable characters which I shall probably read about in the next book.

Captain Wolf Sinclair first meets Rose Abernethy when he rescues her from ruffians. Their paths cross again as she is music teacher to the Sinclair children. It seems someone is out to hurt her, what is her secret, can Wolf keep on protecting her as he becones attracted to her. Found Rose to be a totally annoying female.
Overall an enjoyable story

When Alice Sinclair first meets Nicholas Raven, Marquis of Braithwaite, she saves him, twice. Though attracted to each other, he insists there can be nothing between them. But she comes to him in his visions, visions this time of new born babies being removed from their parents and given to others.
Is there a more anoying female then Alice Sinclair.
Though overall an entertaining story

2.5 stars

Nothing new but pleasant

A Promise of Home by Wendy Vella is a 2015 publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A combination of suspense, family drama, and romance.

After inheriting a home and a car from a very special friend, Branna returns to Howling, Oregon, the town where she graduated from high school.

Branna, a teacher and successful novelist, never was close to many people in town before, but after a nasty spill that leaves her with a concussion, she finds herself reacquainted with Jake McBride, a man who is obviously struggling with some heavy issues in his life.

Jake bulldozes his way into Branna's carefully constructed and sterile world, leaving her feeling disoriented. Branna and Jake are alike in some ways, both carrying around a lot of baggage, both trying to be in control, and both finding peace and comfort with each other.. Most of the time.

There was a lot going on in this story with all the small town characters. Jake is dealing with a form of PTSD, puzzling everyone by walking away from his promising career as a doctor, Branna has isolated herself from the world after her mother's death left her riddled with guilt, and caused a huge rift to form between her and her father.

There are several side stories, such as Branna befriending a young boy who happens to also have a high IQ like Branna, plus a mystery concerning the woman in town who was once the most popular girl in school, who appears to have it all, but is obviously very unhappy.

Not only that, Branna apparently has an enemy and becomes a victim to severe vandalism, adding a level of suspense to the story.

Having so many threads open like this caused some areas of the book to remain undeveloped, and the story was not as cohesive as a result. Deep down, Jake was a good guy, and I liked him for the most part, except that he was always picking Branna up and throwing her over his shoulder, which might have been okay in the beginning when Branna was refusing to seek medical attention and someone needed to step up and get her a doctor. But, after that, not so much. He also came on too strong, and Branna was always giving in and doing things Jake's way, making him a little too caveman for my taste.

The suspense element was sadly predictable and as the story progressed it became even more obvious what was going on.

The most compelling part of the story was Branna's relationship issues with her father. This storyline was very intense from an emotional standpoint. It was so sad how the death of Branna's mother impacted them equally hard, but they couldn't connect and grieve together, each of them folding inwardly and drifting apart, allowing bitterness to fester to epic proportions.

Branna will, on occasion, become a little too overwrought, can behave childishly at times, but her character really does improve as the story progresses.

While the author touched on some very important issues with the secondary characters, Jake and Branna's story were strong enough to carry the book by it's own merits. Jake's backstory needs to be fleshed out more, instead of adding more complex storylines.

I did enjoy seeing Branna and Jake come out of their shells, lighten up a little and start enjoying life again, with a little help from the power of love.

Overall, the story is enjoyable enough, but needed a little tightening up in some areas. This one gets 3 stars

The second in the series delves into Ethan's background. He comes from a wealthy oil family with a very overbearing and nasty father. Ethan got out of his control as soon as he was old enough and used his own money to carve out his own successful business life. He has been friends with Jake since their time in Iraq. He is charming, rich and good looking but he also has the reputation of being a ladies man which rules him out of Annabelle's book straight away. Ethan doesn't let this deter him. They have the same circle of friends and their paths cross a lot. Annabelle always has a quip or an insult at hand for these occasions.
It is only after when Ethan helps her out of a spot of bother that she takes the time to get to know him better. There is much more to the happy Texan persona he presents than meets the eye.

Annabelle has a quick temper but is articulate with it and I enjoyed reading the parts where she replied with a sarcastic comment or gave Ethan's father and brother a dressing down.
The suspense in the second novel centres round Annabelle's brother who is a gambler and heroin addict. In his desperation he steals from Annabelle to pay off some of his debt with Vegas crime lords. But it isn't long before his dealings catch up with him and puts Annabelle in danger.
A good, enjoyable read.

How could I possibly fall in love with a whole fictional town and its inhabitants?! But that's exactly what happened when I picked up A Promise of Home by Wendy Vella.

I put this book to the side for a little bit under the misguided notion that I'd be reading another 'middle of the road' sweet romance novel about second chance love with a childhood friend. The cover art didn't do much to sway me from this preconceived idea.

Thankfully, I was very wrong! It only took a few pages to confirm in my mind that this book was great and that I was seriously hooked. Lake Howling and the people who live there were so real in my mind as I was reading that if someone suggested going for a visit I'd jet off in a flash and probably stay there for good.

Sparks fly between Branna and Jake right from the outset and their banter and sarcastic comments made this story humorous and addictive. I loved how grumpy Branna was. If the author had simply concentrated on these two characters overcoming their emotional traumas and hangups whilst getting to know each other I'd be telling you what a lovely, simple and sweet romance this is.

However, the story twists and turns so well that the romance is just one aspect. There is a whole town full of people and drama to pull you in even further. With its rich list of characters there is a real community spirit in Lake Howling and you can't help but feel part of it when they gossip and interfere in each other's lives. Jake has his buddies, Buster and Ethan, who are adorable, witty and protective of each other. Their insulting jibes and teasing made me laugh.
Branna has a smaller social circle but it soon extends as she adjusts to small town life.
However, it is not all laughs and witty banter as behind closed doors not everyone is living a happy and quaint small town life. There is a disturbing, darker element at play.

Branna and Jake's back stories were an interesting read and I could sympathise with and understand their fears and motivations. Branna's relationship with her father added an extra element of drama and angst.
I enjoyed the little bit of mystery and suspense that occurred towards the end of the novel. I wasn't expecting the story to veer in that direction but I was excited when it did as I love it when my favourite genres mix together.

I was sorry to get to the end of the book but delighted that the second had already been published. So at one o clock in the morning, ignoring my TBR list of books to review and happy in the knowledge I had the following day off work, I downloaded The Texan Meets His Match. By five o clock I sadly had to say bye bye to Lake Howling but I will definitely be back when book 3 is published.

I received a copy of A Promise of Home in return for an honest review.

Title: A Promise of Home
Author: Wendy Vella
Publisher: Vella Ink Ltd.
Series: A Lake Howling Novel Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"A Promise of Home" by Wendy Vella

What I like about this novel....

I found this a interesting story of a romance between Branna and Jake where we find two people who had been through a lots of problems and end will they be a perfectly matched couple with flaws? Both Branna [losing a mentor] and Jack [who suffering from PTSD] are what you would call 'wounded spirits from different causes.' I loved the suspense to this plot with the suspenseful mystery of who and why someone is trying to force Branna to leave her home. The characters in this story are all well developed, defined and believable all helping to give the reader a well told story. What will happen has Branna begins to come out of her shell as Jake is there for her? This will be one beautiful love that is very steamy, deep and so caring where Branna and Jake are drawn together and in the end...well this is where I will say you will have to pick up the good read to see how this author will bring it all out to the reader. Would I recommend this novel? YES!

BOOK (1) in the series "GUARDING THE SPOIL"
Three brothers having found each other. Two engaged to be married and one that has always dreamed of traveling. Three women. One a Duchess, the other a Lady and sadly one a companion to become a head housekeeper.
WHAT I LIKED: Oliver's relationship with George
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Unanswered questions in the plot.
1) Who was the Duke and why did he separate three boys;
2) How did Tobias know to rescue his brother from the fire;
3) Where were Leopold and Tobias incarcerated or sent to by the Duke;
4) Why did Henry want George
5) Who were the parents of Edwin
6) How did the important three items get into the chamber if no one knew about the chamber other than Oliver.
RATING: (4.5) stars BECAUSE too many missing elements in the plot BUT a nice lengthy storing to read.

Book (2) in the series, "LORD RAKEHELL's LOVE"
Aphrodite goddess of love puts to unlikely people together. She is a dowager and he is a rake. They cannot get enough of each other.
RATING (2) stars. Aphrodite's influence is boring.

Book (3) in the series "A GENTLEMAN'S PROMISE"
Charlotte married the wrong man even after her best friend MASON tried to talk sense into her father alerting him not to allow to marry a dangerous man. She and her father ignored all the warning signs.
WHAT I LIKED: Her fear turning into hope.
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: seedy sex and continuous reference to "he smelt her scent"; "she smelled his scent"; "her body shook when he touched her". Those statements appeared to be book fillers. Characters talked with way too much drama in the plot.
RATING (3.5) stars. Love a man with a women's safety in mind. A wonderfully sweet ending.

Book (4) "EMBRACING SCANDEL"
A Sherlock Holmes type of plot. She is a mathematical genius before her time. Her sister Laura investigates. Her other sister Lottie has men falling at her feet over her beauty. Together with their brother they successfully invest. Cayle thinks he has secrets. Nope, everyone knows what he is all about (funny). Someone wants their secrets and is willing to kill for it.
WHAT I LIKE: Her successes in investing help others.
WHAT DID NOT LIKE: A great plot constantly "interrupted" with references to sex. Boring and cheapens the plot.
RATING (2) stars BECAUSE great awesome plot without constant sexual INTERRUPTIONS.

Book (5) "ANGEL'S MASTER"
Ethan is a pirate with a conscience. Jacqueline has always longed for the thrill of adventure BUT she is the daughter of an American Navy Commodore. She is kidnapped and gets to spend 3 lovely days on the Angel's Fury.
WHAT I LIKED: She is so curious. Not your usual female. Does not mind climbing and trying to balance herself on a ship railing
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Becomes a blabber mouth. How unlike her to lose control.
RATING: (4) stars. Book exciting without overwhelming sex. The book would have been a FIVE STAR had it not had reference to "angel".

Book (6) "RESCUED BY A VISCOUNT"
Claire can be annoying but she is determined; totally determined to save a little boy however the man can be infuriating.
WHAT I LIKED: Constant reference to Plimley's looks. Simon's persistence (awesome and at times funny).
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Claire constantly leaving because she thinks it is in the best interest of everyone. Annoying
RATING: (5) STARS Great lengthy read with character boxing attitudes. A wonderfully sweet ending.

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

"The Reluctant Countess" is a fun and sweet regency romance. It tells us the love story between Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, and Patrick, Earl of Coulter. From the start it looks different because they're from the same social class, so the classic story of the noble man that falls for the peasant does not apply here. I mean, it doesn't and it does, because Sophie became a countess by marriage, and Patrick met with the deceased Earl of Monmouth a few days before he passed and he didn't learn of any wife. Which makes Patrick very suspicious and obsessed with the countess. Well, that and the fact he cannot take his eyes off her when they are together and take her out of his mind when they are apart...
Sophie has a secret that, if revealed, will not only destroy her life, but also the life of those she loves. So she's very careful in her role as the impenetrable widow, cause it's the only way to avoid a fatal slip. The only problem is the annoying Earl of Coulter who seems to have picked on her and that stirs her in a way that makes it impossible for Sophie to stay on character near him.

I really liked the relationship between Sophie and Patrick and the way it developded from mutually picking on each other, to irresistable atraction, to grand love. But I confess the story seemed to drag a little after the wedding. I loved the fact that the author included a secondary love story, but I would have prefered to see them have their own book. So much was left undisclosed after all...
There was a detail that really annoyed me and made me want to violently slap Patrick. I wont reveal what it was cause I dont want to spoil it, but for those who read it, I'm refering to the scene between Patrick and Sophie on the carriage. That imbecil was suspicious of Sophie from the start, she almost let it slip before and he seemed to catch it then, and he goes and does that brutality? The knee in the nuts she gave him later seemed like light punishment to me...

Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is referred to as an ice princess because of her seemingly cold demeanor. She uses her frigid attitude to keep her past a secret and protect the ones she loves. She comes into the society scene with her sister in law, who became her sister in law by way of a sketchy death bed marriage. Patrick, Earl of Coulter, suspects that Sophie is a charlatan, and he vows to uncover her secrets. He sees beyond the mask she keeps in place for the noble people she circulates with and the ice princess begins to thaw. The two share quite an attraction, and while Patrick learns her secrets, he also falls in love with her. Her secrets become his to protect and he wants to make Sophie his forever.
The story was good, the romance spicy, and there was an added splash of adventure as Sophie fought for her life more than once. Patrick wanted to protect and save her, but Sophie was quite able to take care of herself. She helped rescue a family member, and even fought and escaped a band of kidnappers. There was also a romantic storm brewing between Sophie's best friend and Patrick's best friend that was entertaining as well. I enjoyed this novel.
I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

To read this review and more, go to my blog; Drugs Called Books
My Rating: 2.85 of 5 stars
(better than a 2.5 stars, but not exactly 3)

I received a copy for review purposes through Netgalley.

I find it hard, close to impossible, to write a review for this book. I simply don't have much to say about it. We didn't click, in a way that I don't even know to explain much why. I didn't hate it - I didn't love it. It was okay.
It's more of an issue of... not having an opinion, really.

At first, it was really hard for me to get into the book. Later on it got better, I got more interested, but I never really felt much toward it.

I thought the main characters, Sophie and Patrick, were fine. I didn't overly like them, I didn't overly hate them. I didn't connect to them, on any form of level.

Their romance was okay, though again - I found myself more inclined toward indifference when it came to this book.

I also didn't quite understand all that they did to make Sophie countess... I felt like this should've been explained better, or I don't know what. I mean, I get part of it, but I was never really convinced with the explanation. It just felt... lacking, to me.

And I was not convinced by the villain. He was supposedly so horrible, but he didn't do anything to Sophie before? Wasn't she there for two years still?
Or, he kidnapped a bunch of people but never left any guards on them?
And with the fact he was so horrible and all that, the cops--they didn't notice him?
I don't know. It just... smells.

I thought the supportive characters were good, but could've been used better and to the fullest; they had a story of their own, and I thought the author could've written them a separate book or spent more time about their relationship in this book; the two or three snips I had into their lives didn't satisfy me, and then suddenly they were marrying.
Personally, I might've been more interested in their story as a whole, even with only so little to go on in this book.

I thought the writing was fine for the most part. I didn't like the way Vella wrote speech on certain parts ; all the ohhhhhhh and llooovvee and stuff. Those kind of thing are cute when you're writing a blog or something, but they make me cringe in a book. But that's a very personal and subjective opinion.

For a first time author, though (or at least, so says Goodreads), I think this was a good job and she shows potential. I didn't connect with the story itself, but I has no problem with her writing style and the way she built their relationship (aside for those ohhh and lllooovee).

The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella is a wonderfully hot new historical romance that takes places during Regency England. This book is a mixture of everything from romance to adventure to mystery. If you like Downton Abbey or historical romance or even just adventure this book is for you.

Sophie, the Countess of Monmouth, comes off to all of London’s society as an ice princess with all the men falling at her feet trying to get her attention. Sophie however is a great actress because she is faking her way through society and her only defense is being cold and distant to protect herself and her “son”. However, Patrick, the Earl of Coulter, sees right through her and they start a heated relationship. Unfortunately, Sophie’s past doesn’t stay in the past for very long and the reader sees why she is such an ice princess. How can she continue with Patrick with her past being what it is? Will they make it?

This book is action-packed with a deliciously handsome Earl falling in love with an ice princess regardless of her desire to keep him away. Every page has some new problem that needs to be faced and the reader won’t want to put it down until the very end. This is a definite must read!½

This novel is an odd mixture of modern and historical romance motifs that works surprisingly well. It has all the sensuality and sex of a modern contemporary while the characters, their circumstances, and how things come together suit the Regency period well.

Personally, I think the book took on a little more than it could do justice to in the length given, but while I felt some of the circumstances and subplots deserved a deeper evaluation, none of the threads introduced were left hanging at the end besides the rather open one of her acceptance into society.

The portrayal of the social scene among the nobility rang true, while at the same time, the countess’s secret did not lack plausibility considering the awareness and issues with the inheritance cycle shown in period novels by Jane Austen. I found the premise reasonable and was looking forward to the earl’s uncovering of her mystery. The story took an unexpected turn though, one that offered more suspense and a good reason for the accelerated pace of their relationship.

I can’t say I found the plotting as strong as I’d hoped, but at the same time, the characters were wonderful, whether Patrick and Sophie, the main couple, or Letty, a grand supporting character who feels no restrictions on account of her widowed status and superior age. Which ignores the contributions of Stephen and Mellie, deserving of a book in their own right but finding enough space in this one to develop full, and delightfully clashing, personalities.

If you like the struggle of moral character and love breaking social convention that is a mainstay in Regency romance, but prefer a little more hanky panky shall we say for those of delicate constitutions, and a dash of suspense brought on by real enemies, you should give The Reluctant Countess a try. Plot weaknesses aside, I enjoyed the time I spent in their company, and only wish I’d had a longer visit there.

I received this review copy from NetGalley.