Amanda Mariel

I loved all the stories in this anthology! There was a great range of steam from sweet kisses to steamy encounters! I was able to read books from authors I have not had the chance to read yet and have added them to my Goodreads list.

Devil at the Gates was one of my favorites! The anguish, the mystery and the passion was just on point! They were both tortured people who desperately wanted to love and be loved! And I couldn’t be happier for them that they found each other!

I also really liked show more Scandal in the Snow! I think it is hard to make the romantic feelings real in a novella, so it is genius to start with the relationship with some history, so you don’t have to start from scratch! I loved the banter and the enemies to lovers trope! Very well written and cute story!

Miss Pageants Christmas Proposal was a unique story and I loved it! The ‘Big Lie Trope’ isn’t one I’ve see a lot in historical romances and this was really well done! Emary didn’t come off as a brat but someone who truly wanted his affections and thankfully, Donovan didn’t competent blame her for their weird start to their relationship. There was just enough angst to keep you on the edge of your seat but not enough to be frustrating!

I always love Tracy Sumner and Tempting the Scoundrel was a great read! Christian's obsession with Raine was so so sweet (not creepy at all) and because she was weary of him at first, it made it all the more sweet and real feeling! show less

An impressive slight of hand. She flipped the script on me. Adeline pays homage to a classic tale while reversing the roles of the main characters. The hero has a beautiful soul trapped inside of a damaged shell, while the heroine is beautiful on the outside and scarred by ugliness within. Adeline marks the first character of Ms. McKnight's that I did not like at first sight. She was rude, mean spirited and judgmental. Yet to love her is to understand her and through the eyes of a broken man show more and the heart of a gifted writer, readers are given that chance. Adeline proved that even the ugliest of hearts can change. No matter how many times I hear those words, it never tarnishes the value of the lesson. show less

I was exploring the Regency genre when I stumbled upon the "Rogue of My Heart" anthology. Before diving into a new genre, I often pick an anthology as it allows me to get to know several authors at once. If one author's style doesn't resonate, I can move on to the next story. However, with this anthology, every author gained my love.

The title of the anthology was most intriguing—"Rogue," implying scandalous behavior—and it certainly delivered with all the wicked women who refused to show more follow social norms. Each story portrays the female characters as intelligent women who shape their own futures without depending on men. They go after what they want with determination and wit.

Here's a quick review of each story:

"A Marriage Most Convenient" by Robynn DeHart: I loved the suspenseful tale of the thief Jack of Hearts, who steals a kiss from his sister's best friend. The blend of romance and intrigue kept me hooked.

"Passion's Lasting Promise" by Amanda Mariel: This story was beautifully nostalgic, set in an enchanting castle where the lore of the old castle intertwines with the character in regency years. However, I felt the story would have been stronger without the last chapter.

"A Lady's Guide to Marriage" by Tabetha Waite: A touching later-in-life second-chance romance that features a couple after 25 years of marriage. It offers a unique perspective on lasting love and the obstacles that arise with increased time together.

"I Kissed an Earl" by Mary Farmer: This story features a pair made in hell with Lucifer himself playing as their matchmaker. The chemistry and conflict between the characters was delightfully engaging.

"Tempting the Scoundrel" by Tracy Sumner: Though less scandalous, this innocent love story served as a perfect introduction to the anthology. It was tender and heartwarming.

"Loving My Wicked Rogue" by Dawn Brower: While I didn't appreciate the actions of the MMC, I loved his character arc. There was a lot of doubt in FMC and I loved it. MMC's journey, and the understanding that his actions have consequences, added depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, this anthology is a delightful read, full of mischief. It's a perfect for a summer escape. However, it does come with some content warnings: pregnancy, death, and childbirth, which might be sensitive for some readers.

"Rogue of My Heart" is an amazing collection of six stories from talented authors that explore themes of rogues, mischief, and scandalous behavior. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating Regency romance experience. show less

Marriage of Convenience!

Lady Emiline Hawthorne has a problem. She's on the verge of being forced into an unwanted marriage. Leonard Quinton, 6th Earl of Morton needs an heir, that means a bride. A marriage of convenience, organized as quickly as possible will work for him. Ditto for Emiline. Hence a visit by both protagonists to The Lyon’s Den and matchmaker Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon.
I liked the premise of a matchmaker. Not that the matchmaker did much matching on this occasion except become show more the intersection of chance for our two main characters.
Unfortunately it turned out this promising novella had a rather thin spinning of its tale despite its promising storyline. It galloped its way through the events with more than quite a few pages devoted to marital bed antics.
There was a nice little play around the wounded feline kitten and wounded LEOnard. I kept thinking about the story of Androcles and the Lion, and that Leonard is indeed a wounded lion. Whilst away at war the love of his life married elsewhere. He's never recovered. Will Emiline be able to remove the thorn from Leonard's heart? Or is she like the mouse in Aesop's fable that disturbs the lion's sleep and then is in danger of being destroyed? Either way, this is the crux of the matter, the heart of the story for me. The fact that I honed in on this paragraph and amused myself with these analogies earned the story a couple of points, bringing the story from a 2 star to a 3 star read.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley show less