Tracey Devlyn

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads, the opinions are my own.

I think I have stopped gushing over this book long enough to write a review!

When Catherine Ashcroft loses her husband, she turns to Sebastian Danvers, Lord Somerton for help deciphering her late husbands letter and Lord Somerton seems to be the man for the job. Unaware that Sebastian is a spymaster and a Chief of an organization called Nexus that have spent protecting the English Shores from the French show more invasion and a man of quiet a few enemies.

Sebastian is unable to keep the widow from his mind and offers her an affair while he moves down to lay low in the country from London. Unaware the real reason behind Catherine risking a scandal.

When a strange man approaches Catherine on the streets of London, claiming to know the information behind her late husbands murder – he offers the information in exchange of Catherine spying on Lord Somerton. Living in the quiet comfort of Winter's Hollow. Catherine finds herself helping Lord Somerton tend to the disgruntled tenants and their share of complaints against their landowners absence. Seducing her way into his house, as well as his heart. When her daughter's life becomes endangered, Catherine is found herself doing everything in her will in order to save her, which includes betraying Sebastian.

Oh how I loved this book. I was so excited to run into a few great historical romance recently when I needed that fix. I loved Checkmate, my Lord. It had a riveting storyline, exciting characters, and a very emotional ride. Catherine was a head strong heroine who even though has had a rocky marriage with her late husband, still wanted the truth behind her husbands death – knowing how it had effected her daughter.

Sebastian was always known for his cold logic and putting everything out there in sacrifice of the greater good. Though the Earl has countless of hard walls holding up his exterior, on the inside there is a void of loneliness that only the widow and her daughter can fill.

I loved the passion and attraction between Sebastian and Catherine. I also loved how he was with her daughter as the book progresses. The way Sophie got attached to him, it really captures your heart. Tracey Devlyn has created a world of intriguing characters with real emotions and attachments. Catherine would have done anything to protect her daughter including betraying the one man that had made her feel love in a very long time.

Checkmate, my Lord is also filled with tons of supporting characters that make the story that much more compelling, interesting and down right emotional. Parts of it even had me on the edge of the street, and one piece in particular downright shocked me. Loved Tracey Devlyn's writing, the way she tells the story and makes you feel so involved you cannot help but feel attached to the characters. I was even a little sad when the book is over but I am looking forward to finding out what happens to Danforth, one of my favorite supporting characters in this book. I will also have to find book one that started this wonderful series. show less

Flash Point by Tracey Devlyn

Who knew one hot tub encounter would end up more than a steamy night – in more ways than one! Thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationship as it developed between Zeke and Olivia. The setup for future books has me invested in the series!

What I liked:
* Zeke Blackwell: brother, son, in charge of the family recovery business, believes in shades of gray, has control issues, strong, capable, and a great book boyfriend
* Olivia “Liv” Westcott: widow, single show more mother, FBI Agent working in art recovery, works with abused women, not to be underestimated, ready to move into a committed relationship
* The Blackwell brothers: each different and equally interesting – can’t wait to read their stories
* The matriarchs of the Blackwell family – would love to hear their stories, too, should the authors be willing to write them
* The writing, plot, pacing, and story
* The twists and turns that kept me guessing
* Being able to thoroughly dislike those doing wrong
* That those doing wrong were dealt with
* The way Zeke was there for Liv and for her family and his own
* The insights the main characters gained as the story progressed
* Knowing that I will see the characters again in future books in this series
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that evil written about in this book happens more often than it should

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

End Game by Tracey Devlyn
Steele Ridge – Blackwells #5

Three authors who work together seamlessly have created a world in which the reader can become immersed and return to when a new book appears. This, the final book in this offshoot of the series is a winner. Having followed this from book one and only missing a few books along the way, I will say that each and ever book I’ve read has been a great read.

What I liked:
* Asher “Ash” Cameron Blackwell: FBI special agent that left his show more legacy to pursue his own interests, hot for Kayla Krowne but trying to avoid it, dedicated, misses family connection, conflicted, dedicated, savvy, and capable, a good guy but sometimes clueless.
* Kayla Crowne: bright, dedicated, wealthy by birth and through work, good friend, savvy, quirky but grounded, sometimes a bit abrupt, wise, balanced, and a bit of a gameplayer
* Getting to see others from the past books in the series and how the matriarchs are doing
* The shock of the person first murdered and the impact it had
* The twists and turns along with the red herrings that lead to an eventual conclusive ending for the series
* That the friction between the brothers and their choices was resolved
* Wondering what is next
* AND…I am hoping that sexy sounding Mason Ward will get a book of his own.

What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The idea that what we trust and value, the people we love and value…might not be as willing to protect us as we are to protect them.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author and her friends for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Addendum: Not three authors…two Tracey Devlyn and Adrienne Giordanano show less

Searing Need by Tracey Devlyn
Steele Ridge: The Kingstons #3

Curiosity and book smarts do not necessarily give Riley Kingston the intelligence to see a dangerous situation and leave it alone. Hear a scream – run to it – and then not run away when a scary man appears. See poachers – confront them instead of sending for help. Be told there might be a threat and pooh-pooh it as unlikely and be upset with the male testosterone that is roused in males of her family. That said, Riley IS able show more to think on her feet and is no shrinking violet.

Coen and Riley get off to a rocky start as he tries to deal with a bad case of PTSD. They do grow close as they get to know one another, deal with the mystery of a package sent to her from her last research job in Ecuador, thwart a few bad guys and come to terms with how to move forward in the future.

What I liked:
* Riley’s personality and family
* Coen’s unflinching ability to do what needs to be done even when suffering
* The relationship between Riley and Coen that develops through the story
* The Kingston-Steele family support network
* The thwarting of the bad guys
* The fact that there are more stories to be told that I get to read.

What I did not like:
* The bad guys – but then I was meant not to like them ;)
* The HFN instead of HEA ending that left me wondering if…

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars show less