Holy Chilled Watermelon!!! Upcoming Historical Romances!!! June 15 to July 14, 2020

May 27, 2020
Authors with an asterisk*, I'm picking up! Release dates mostly between June 15, 2020 and July 14, 2020. For more Upcoming Releases that aren't historical see HEY DELIA!!

Series indicates a series, spin-off, sequel, trilogy, brother/sister, secret society/spies, good friends who attended Oxford/Eton, vampire/werewolf - anything that has something continuing - even if written 20 years ago. Anthology/novella/short stories could be an anthology or a bunch of books in one print or novella - one tiny book or an anthology with a bunch of novellas - could be a short stories by one author, could be short stories by multiple authors - could be - I'm getting a headache. Ebook, only sold electronically for now. Debut - congratulations!

By the way, it is not my fault if a publisher changes the release dates - just so you know, they do not consult me. Let me also add this warning - since I am now using different sources, I am finding that one person's genre isn't necessarily another persons - sorry if your book is in the wrong genre.

**Book by an author who is either new to me or has fallen off of my list and I might read.

Whining for this month
Authors: Here is some advice from someone who uses search engines to find you, and the book you’ve just written. Think twice about using just initials for your name. Sometimes search engines cannot find just initials. Sometimes you have to put periods, sometimes spaces, sometimes no periods, sometimes no space. Sometimes when using a search engine, the name has to be exact; there are no “wild cards” in some website search engines. Authors, please become computer literate when choosing a name and a book title. Be careful using some text characters in your name or title.

Inspirational, clean, Amish genre. I have always thought it odd that it was ok to have violence, murder and mayhem in “inspirational” books, but not sex. By the way, does the Amish community know they are the new vampire hunters/detectives/hot guys?

Historical Romance

	Caroline Linden* http://www.carolinelinden.com About a Rogue Desperately Seeking a Duke series June 30
	Cat Sebastian https://catsebastian.com/ Two Rogues Make a Right Seducing the Sedgewick series June 23
	Chasity Bowlin https://www.chasitybowlin.com The First Proposal Dunne Family series July 2
	Christina Britton http://christinabritton.com/ A Good Duke is Hard to Find Isle of Synne series June 30
	Eliza Knight http://www.elizaknight.com The Rebel Wears Plaid Prince Charlies Angels series June 30
	Emma V. Leech http://www.emmavleech.com/ To Hunt the Hunter Girls Who Dare series July 7
	Fiona Miers The Unconventional Bride, ebook, short story The Seymour Sibling series June 20
	Grace Callaway http://www.gracecallaway.com The Return of the Duke Game of Dukes series June 18
	Heather Boyd http://www.heather-boyd.com Desire by Design, ebook Distinguished Rogues series June 23
	Jane Ashford http://www.janeashford.com A Favor for the Prince Duke's Sons series June 30
	Janice Preston http://www.janicepreston.co.uk The Earl with the Secret Past June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Joanna Shupe http://www.joannashupe.com/ The Devil of Downtown Uptown Girls series June 30
	Kate Bateman http://www.kcbateman.com To Catch an Earl Bow Street Bachelors series June 30
	Lauren Smith http://www.laurensmithbooks.com Never Tempt a Scot, ebook The League of Rogues series June 22
	Lauri Robinson http://www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com The Flapper's Baby Scandal June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Leigh Greenwood https://www.leigh-greenwood.com/ A Dauntless Man June 30
	Madeline Martin http://www.MadelineMartin.com Faye’s Sacrifice, ebook Borderland Rebels series June 23
	Melissa Oliver The Rebel Heiress and the Knight June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Mia Vincy* https://www.miavincy.com A Dangerous Kind of Lady Longhope Abbey series July 7
	Michelle Styles http://www.michellestyles.co.uk Conveniently Wed to the Viking Sons of Sigurd series June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Millie Adams Claimed for the Highlander's Revenge June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Sandra Sookoo http://www.sandrasookoo.com Draped in Green, ebook Colors of Scandal series July 14
	Sarah MacLean* http://www.sarahmaclean.net Daring and the Duke Bareknuckle Bastards series June 30
	Scarlett Scott http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com Lady Ruthless, ebook Notorious Ladies of London series June 25
	Tamara Gill http://www.tamaragill.com To Be Wicked with You, ebook League of Unweddable Gentlemen series June 9
	Tammy Andresen http://tammyandresen.com/ How to Catch an Elusive Earl, novella, ebook Romancing the Rake series June 23
	Tracy Sumner http://www.tracy-sumner.com A Rake is Taken, ebook League of Lords June 16
	Victoria Vale http://www.eroticromancebyvicki.com/ Taming the Rake, ebook The Gentleman Courtesans series June 23
	Valerie Bowman* http://www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com The Footman and I The Footman’s Club series June 30
	Vanessa Riley http://www.vanessariley.com The Duke, the Lady, and the Baby Rogues and Remarkable Women First Person narrative June 30
	Virginia Heath* http://www.virginiaheathromance.com The Scoundrel's Bartered Bride June 16 – paperback, July 1 - ebook
	Wendy Vella http://www.wendyvella.com/ The Lady’s Forbidden Love, ebook The Langley Sisters series June 30

Historical Fiction

	Alina Adams http://www.alinaadams.com/ The Nesting Dolls July 4
	Beatriz Williams http://www.beatrizwilliams.com Her Last Flight June 30
	Chanel Cleeton http://www.chanelcleeton.com The Last Train To Key West June 16
	Elise Hooper http://www.elisehooper.com Fast Girls July 7
	Gail Tsukiyama The Color of Air July 7
	Paul M.M. Cooper http://www.paulmmcooper.com All Our Broken Idols July 14
	Susie Orman Schnall http://www.susieschnall.com We Came Here To Shine June 16

Wayback Machine: Splendid, Dancing at Midnight, Minx by Julia Quinn

May 26, 2020
More old books!

https://juliaquinn.com/
Back in 1995 a new author appeared on the scene: Julia Quinn. She immediately won a place in Romanceland reader’s hearts, and went on to write all about those wonderful Bridgertons. Just recently, she wrote another charming story connected to that series, First Comes Scandal. First Comes Scandal was a feel-good book, and came along at just the right time to cheer me up. Still in need of a few laughs, I decided to climb into the Wayback machine and reread Ms. Quinn’s first three books, Splendid, Dancing at Midnight, and Minx. These three books are part of the Blydon Family series. In the preface of these books, Ms. Quinn states that these books are not as polished as the books she writes now. Umm, that my little Petunias is an understatement.

Sometimes things don’t age well. Starting with Splendid, 1995. This story contained a nice heroine by the name of Emma. The trouble with Emma was that she was a wide-eyed innocent who occasionally turned into a doormat. How did she become a doormat? Well, she fell in love with Mr. Bonehead hero, Alex. Alex distrusts women, but we do not know why. He treats Emma like dirt through most of the Splendid. He has no concern or respect for her reputation, and is responsible for a forced seduction in this book. He blames Emma for all of their troubles, he berates her, he belittles her, and he’s a big old dirt-wad. Doormat Emma lets him get away with it, she was sooooo understanding, and she made me sick.

While there were glimmers of the fun dialog Ms. Quinn has eventually become synonymous with, this narrative in this story had an overwhelming 20th /21st century feel to it.  It is not only the dialog of the characters, but also the construction of the entire book. It reminded me of stories written in the 70s and 80s, with tons of Romanceland clichés thrown in. This book was a big disappointment, but then along came the next book in the series, Dancing at Midnight.
Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
C-

Dancing at Midnight seemed like an experiment gone wrong. I have to say, if your niche is

light-hearted, witty stories, with fun characters, maybe one should stay the course. At least until one becomes a little more polished, a little bit more experience. Then turn to the dark side. I’ve always been of the opinion that “funny” was harder to write. Making someone laugh is a real art, because not everyone has the same sense of humor. So, to write something which a majority of people find amusing is a good thing, it is a talent. It is possible for dialog with wit to become so fine-tuned, eventually the underlying emotions will shine through. Trying to write angst for the sake of having angst does not work. That is what happened in Dancing at Midnight. The hero, John, was drowning in misplaced guilt. He thinks he is responsible for the rape and death of a woman…he is not.

The balance between fun, and angst in Dancing at Midnight didn’t work. The trauma of his war experience did not work with the silly, fun part of the rest of the book. The writing felt rather hackneyed. Moreover, the heroine, Belle, was a TSTL heroine through most of the book. Then a light shined in the distance: Minx.

Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
D

Minx, 1996. At last, I saw a foreshadowing of the writer Julia Quinn was to become. In this book, Ms. Quinn begins to find her distinctive voice. This is the story of Henrietta (Henry)

and Dunford. Dunford was the wisecracking, advice giving best friend in the other two books in the Blydon Family saga stories. He is the character we have been looking forward to seeing the shoe on the other foot. You know him; he is the one who has been handing out all kinds of advice on love. As if he really knows anything about the subject. At last, we get to see how he handles advice when he tumbles into love. And, it is quite a fun tumble. 

This book made me smile. I found both Henry and Dunford delightful, and their dialogue, banter, and humor was wonderful. When Dunford inherits an estate, he gets more than he expects. He gets a female overseer. Now, I will admit, I found it a little hard to swallow Henry’s taking over management of an estate at the age of 14, but hey, she was an adorable character so I chose to overlook that small problem.

I loved Dunford’s complete lack of control over everything, including his lack of control over his Timothy Toad. It was all great fun. There was only one bump-in-the-road in this story, and that was a silly misunderstanding. I’m not sure why the misunderstanding was tossed into the narrative. The story was flowing along nicely and then a scheming woman tells a lie to our heroine. It was unexpected. I once again blame this bump on an author finding her wings. Thank goodness, it did not go on too long.

For the most part, Minx is the book that saved this trilogy, and gave us an author who would go on to do improved things.  After all, she gave us the Bridgertons.

Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
B-

How to Catch an Errant Earl by Amy Rose Bennett

May 6, 2020
Sometimes a Cigar is just a Cigar

I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't do it. I was overwhelmed with run-on sentences and descriptions. This is my thought on adjectives and nouns. It isn't necessary for alllll nouns to have a modifier. Sometimes a skirt is better than a sage green skirt, and a door doesn't need to be a shiny black door. Nouns do not always need an adjective to create atmosphere. Maybe someday I will return to How to Catch an Errant Earl, but not today.

And, remember that dawn doesn't have to be rosy-fingered.

Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: don't know
 

Lilian and the Irresistible Duke by Virginia Heath

May 6, 2020
Look what I found in my TBR pile

https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/
Somehow, I overlooked this book. Well, I know how I overlooked it. That happens when you just keep purchasing new books, and the ones you haven't read move to the back, and then you forget about them. You’re too busy looking at the new ones. At least that's the story I'm sticking with.

Lilian and the Irresistible Duke is part of a series, but not a series written by Virginia Heath. The other books in the series are by other authors. I like the idea of connected books with different authors, and I think it's a good marketing ploy. However, I'm comfortable with Virginia Heath, and not so much the other authors in the series. I haven't made up my mind to go back and read the rest in the series. The other characters in the series make an appearance in this book, but I wasn't interested enough in their back-story to invest in the other stories. Now it’s time to talk about Lilian and the Irresistible Duke.

This book was a treat for me because it tells the story of an older couple. Yes, as much as some people may cringe at older people with feelings, I'll try to break it to you gently - there are still sparks after 40. In this book the heroine is 45-year-old Lilian, a widow, and our 48-year-old hero, Pietro Venturi. Pietro is a bit of a Lothario.

When the story begins, Lilian is taking a break from her life. Anyway, Lilian feels herself at loose ends. Her children have all married, her business no longer needs her around, and she doesn't really know what to do with herself - so she is on a holiday. She's visiting beautiful, warm Rome. She and her cousin, Alexandra are being tourists. While they are in Rome, they are staying at the villa of Carlotta, the Contessa di Bagnoregio. Carlotta turns out to be the sister of Pietro. Carlotta and Alexandra are doing a bit of matchmaking. Little do they know that Lilian and Pietro had previously met in England. There, they shared a carriage ride, and a kiss. Neither has been able to forget that kiss.

This story had some ups, but also some downs. On the up side, we have Lilian who happened to love her husband. Yep, no abusive husband for Lilian to get over. The only issue Lilian seemed to have, was what she was going to do with herself. She needs to feel useful. Another up for me was, the vivid beauty of Rome which sparkled throughout the story. This book is full of powerful descriptions of Rome, and its past. After an initial bumpy start, Pietro becomes a self-appointed tour guide. Lilian and Pietro spend long hours going from site to site. Along the way they become friends, and eventually they become passionate lovers.

On the down side. There was an over-the-top ex-mistress; horrible woman. She was an old-school mistress who just never gave up. She was mean, spiteful, and deceitful. For the most part, I found her to be a distraction to the story, and I didn’t think she added anything to the lovely flow of the book. Whenever she made an appearance in the story, it just seemed like filler. I also was not fond of the "break-up" of Lilian and Pietro. I thought Lilian's reaction to Pietro's past just a little irrational, and not in character. Or, at least the impression I formed of her character. But then she quickly changes her mind. Almost too fast. Once again it seemed like filler.

Overall, this is a pretty good story, and I do recommend it. I'm becoming more and more fond of Virginia Heath. In fact, she just may turn into an auto-buy. One thing I can promise you, if you read this book, you will grow to love Rome as much as Lilian did.

Time/Place: Italy/England Victorian Era?
Sensuality: Warm/Hot

Redeeming the Elusive Earl by Virginia Heath

May 6, 2020
Yes, there is a scar.

https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/
What we have in Redeeming the Elusive Earl is a hero who has a scar, and he's hiding out at his estate. But, it's not a heavy-duty-I-hate-the-world scar. Well, it is, but it doesn't seem like it is, because Ms. Heath has balanced the grouchy hero with a peppy heroine who ignores his problem.

Maximillian Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, is a recluse, or he's trying to be. One day, when he's out riding, minding his own business, he stumbles across a man digging holes on his land. His land! There is a trespasser digging holes on his land! Ignoring his own appearance, he confronts the hole digger, but there is a surprise in store. We readers of course know what that surprise is. That's no man digging holes, that's a woman in male clothing digging. Enter Euphemia Nithercott, a bluestocking if ever there was one. She's also a budding archeologist. She's also very smart, she has a big brain, and she doesn't really know how to be socially correct. She is in the habit of saying what pops into her big brain. And, she isn't about to let the mean guy on the horse tell her she can't dig, even if it is his land. So begins a fun story.

I found this story surprisingly entertaining, even if I didn't buy into a woman living by herself. The story was so charming, I was able to overlook my historical accuracy qualms. I loved Euphemia's big brain; and I loved the fact that Maximillian fell in love with that brain. He is enchanted with it, he watches her face, knows when her brain is ticking, and when those interesting words are going to come out of her mouth. Regardless of all the trauma, all the scars, all the pain he went through, he is strong enough to not be intimidated by her intelligence. In fact, after he becomes comfortable with his own skin, he also finds out that he isn't afraid of her huge brain.

This is a story of two lonely people who overcome some obstacles and find each other. There was a scene that could have led to some distrust, and other big issues. However, that little tiny plot didn't run away with the story, and was over fairly quickly.

This is another story which is a gentle telling of two lonely people who find each other. There isn't any heavy-duty angst, but there is plenty of fun dialogue for all romance readers to enjoy. I was pretty happy with this story, and I didn't have too many qualms...just a little hiccup about the heroine living alone. I loved the heroine, and thought the hero was even more manly because he was not intimidated by a woman who might be a tad bit smarter than he. Great couple. This is another gentle love story. I highly recommend it.

Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot

First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn

May 6, 2020
Nothing like a Julia Quinn Book to Cheer You Up!

https://juliaquinn.com/
First Comes Scandal is the most recent addition to the Rokesby series, which is also tied to the Bridgerton family. For those of you who don't mind cameos, Violet Bridgerton, and the little Bridgerton’s: Anthony, Benedict, and Colin put in an appearance. Watching these three boys when they were really young was quite entertaining, and made me smile. However, this story is not about those Bridgerton’s. It is about Georgiana Bridgerton and Nicholas Rokesby.

Georgiana and Nicholas are neighbors, and grew up together. Never did either of them think of each other as anything but a friend. Evidently, Georgiana Bridgerton was kidnapped, but I didn’t remember that from the previous book. Nonetheless, because she was kidnapped her reputation is ruined. And, as in all romance novels the only way to save her reputation is by her marrying. Evidently the only guy handy is Nicholas Rokesby. At least that's what his father thinks. His father calls Nicholas home from school, and proceeds to browbeat him into a marriage with Georgiana. Even though Nicholas is an adult, he doesn't stand up to his father at all, and agrees. The interesting thing, at least to me, was that Nicholas's father seems to be the only one to think this is a great solution. Even though Georgiana’s mother is a big boo-hoo mess, none of the Bridgerton’s seem to have arrived at the conclusion that a marriage between Georgiana and Nicholas is the answer.  Anyway, it is also up to Nicholas to talk a reluctant Georgina into marriage. Saying that Nicholas and Georgina are an unenthusiastic betrothed couple is an understatement.

But marry they do. Nicholas has a plan. Once they marry, he will return to his medical studies in Edinburgh, and Georgiana will stay behind. Georgiana doesn't agree with that little option. Both Nicholas and Georgiana have a lot of growing to do. In the beginning of the book, they seem very young. Nicholas is still in medical school, and being ordered around by his father. Georgiana was sickly growing up, and in the process, she has been overprotected by her mother for years. Georgiana appears to have had asthma when she was young, so I can understand her mother's anxiousness. But, because of her mother's good intentions, Georgiana has been stifled - she wants to be free. So, the marriage of convenience gives Nicholas and Georgiana the freedom neither of them ever expected. They also have the opportunity to go from friends to lovers; it was charming to watch.

This was a feel-good book, there wasn't too much angst, and there was plenty of humor. There were also some wonderful cats in this story, especially one called Cat-Head. As I was reading the scenes with the cats in them, I kept thinking that Ms. Quinn has to have cats. Only someone with cats know about the howling that happens when transporting them from one place to another. Very funny road trip.

This book came along at just the right time. We are given the opportunity to watch a nice man and his childhood friend turn into a loving couple. This is not a case of opposites attracting, this is a case of similar people finding just the right spark. It was wonderful to read a book that made me feel happy. I thought the romance was charming, gentle, and made me believe in HED. I do recommend this book.

Time/Place: Georgian England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot