October 2023 Wrap-Up
Seeking Persephone
Sarah M. Eden
When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses—and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he’s offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger.
Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke’s castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke’s steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride.
With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke’s armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll.
But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.
A regency romance novel you won’t want to put down.
Courting Miss Lancaster
Sarah M. Eden
Harry Windower adores blonde, green-eyes Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman’s hand. To add insult to injury, Athena’s brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding a gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.
Athena can’t comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn’t be be less admirable – nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she’s found in Harry. But how long can Harry’s scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry’s deception?
Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.
Romancing Daphne
Sarah M. Eden
As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster’s timid heart with dread. She hasn’t her sisters beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family’s enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster.
But Daphne’s misery turns to surprised delight when the first event of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door—James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne s disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach.
Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love.
Loving Lieutenant Lancaster
Sarah M. Eden
Orphaned as a child, Arabella Hampton was the unwanted and unloved charge of a cruel aunt and neglectful uncle. The only light in her young life was the kindness of the Jonquil family, and she clung to the childish dream of someday living with them at Lampton Park. Now, years later, that opportunity is presented to Arabella in a most unexpected way: she is to be the lady’s companion to the dowager countess. As she takes up residence at the estate, the young woman soon finds that life at the Park is far more complicated than she imagined. The lines of her position are blurred, and she is neither family nor servant. So when the countess plans a grand house party, Arabella is content to hide in the shadows. But one gentleman sees her there.
Lieutenant Linus Lancaster has retired from the navy and is not looking for love, especially when he finds himself entangled in his sisters’ scheme to trap him into finding a wife at a house party at Lampton Park. Yet amid the festivities, he’s impossibly drawn to the dowager’s quiet companion, Arabella. Their regard for each other is undeniable, but they are haunted by their pasts. Can the two find a way to bridge their worlds?
Charming Artemis
Sarah M. Eden
Charlie Jonquil is mild-mannered and kind—except when it comes to his one true adversary, Artemis Lancaster. Though Charlie has a brilliant mind for mathematics, Artemis poses a problem he can’t seem to comprehend: how can one be so lovely and so infuriating? A party in London brings him into the company of the maddening young lady, and it is clear that Charlie’s disdain is mutual. But when an unfortunate incident between the pair involving Charlie’s jacket and a glass of raspberry shrub leads to scandal, the sworn enemies are left with only two options: be ruined or be married.
So it is that Artemis finds herself in a most outrageous predicament: she must wed a gentleman she’s hated for years—and she pledges to avoid him at all costs. But it is only when they enter into this mockery of a marriage that Charlie and Artemis learn things are not as simple as they once appeared. As their tentative ceasefire leads to friendship, it seems their marriage born of desperation might lead them to a love that was destined to be.
A Court of Tangled Threads
Amanda Pillar
Some goals are harder to achieve than others.
Violet has only three, each one more impossible than the last: cure her sick sister, get a better job, and on the off chance she manages the first two—it would be great if she could avoid accidentally snatching souls along the way.
Sounds easy, right? Wrong.
When she finds herself trapped in the realm between the human world and the fae, Violet realizes no one’s coming to save her. But it’s not the rescue she needs—it’s the escape.
Her plan might work, but it could have a soul-rending outcome for everyone around her.
Blake can kill with a touch, but when the Black Queen commands, refusal is never an option.
To complete a ridiculous quest, Blake makes a deal with a Troll, setting off a chain of events that leads him to a castle filled with the dead and a soul-stealing woman with magic as dark as his.
As their fates become entwined, Violet and Blake find themselves on a perilous journey to unravel one of the greatest crimes in fae history, but it’s not just fate that Violet has to worry about—it’s the enigmatic knight whose grip on her heart grows stronger with every step.
A Court of Tangled Threads is a slow burn fantasy romance, great for fans of Sarah J Maas, Richelle Mead, and Laura Thalassa.
Under the Light of the Italian Moon
Jennifer Anton
A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever
Fonzaso, Italy, between two wars
Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.
When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.
As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…
Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.
Gripping historical fiction based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.
Fans of Elena Ferrante’s novels, Beneath A Scarlet Sky, All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will enjoy this Italian saga about strong women, survival and love.
Bitten by Time
Lara Bronson
What if Vlad the Impaler wasn’t the real Dracula?
What if it was someone else close to him?
What if he did it for love?
What do you do when you go through a bad breakup?
You travel to places you have always wanted to visit.
Alone.
In my case, I went to see the castle ruins once ruled by my hero—Vlad the Impaler. Yes, yes. The one everyone knows as Count Dracula.
To my historian’s heart’s delight, I discovered a pendant in the ruins. But to my dismay, it transported me to medieval times, at the beginning of Vlad the Impaler’s rule.
Now I have to find a way home while pretending to be mute and staying away from trouble.
Except, a ridiculously handsome knight discovered I wasn’t mute, and now my chances of returning home could be ruined forever.
Not only is he a scoundrel, a rascal, and a ruffian, but did I mention he was also ridiculously handsome?
Bitten by Magic
Lara Bronson
After a major historical event, my chances of returning home have plummeted. If I don’t time travel soon, my body will lose its strength and disappear into nothing.
Now Gabriel and I need to find the right people to help me.
Except they’re not exactly people. For a small Wallachian Forest, there are too many supernatural beings to encounter.
Along our journey, we were surprised to form new friendships but also to discover new threats lurking at every corner, from an unusually violent Hungarian noblewoman (what is the deal with her?) to vampire-like strigoi.
Who would’ve thought Vlad the Impaler’s castle wasn’t the most dangerous place out there?
Even with the help of the benevolent creatures of the forest, we only have one chance during the moon eclipse to succeed at traveling back to my time. In the midst of it all of this, my body is becoming weaker and weaker.
Will Gabriel and I make it through the ritual and travel back in time?
Bitten by Love
Lara Bronson
I woke up to a fairytale life. All my dreams came true, though not exactly how I intended. Still, I let myself be swept up by the fantasy and all the great experiences it promised.
I finally met up with my parents and friend while slowly adjusting to my new lifestyle.
But not everything turned out as I imagined. The dangers we encountered back in Wallachia followed us into the present and could jeopardize our happiness.
Besides the adversity from our enemies, a new complication appeared in our family, and from what I gathered, something just didn’t add up. Would waiting help solve all our problems, or would I be forced to delve deeper and discover more about this new dilemma before it could destroy our peace forever?
Bitten by Hope
Lara Bronson
I finally found out the truth about Gabriel and how everything happened. But it still didn’t make me feel better.
With additional knowledge, I realized my enemies were far stronger than ever imagined.
To preserve my family, I accepted a life under their rule for a while. But a life lived in fear wasn’t worth living. I had to fight blood, sweat, and tears for our happy ever after. And the only way to win was by defeating them at their own game.
However, in doing so, I risked losing everything, including the lives of everyone I loved.
Was I ready to play an all-or-nothing game when the stakes were so high?
Then again, did I have a choice?
Wings of Enchantment
Lara Bronson
Narcis
I am Narcis Zburătorul, the greatest seducer in all Wallachia. Not only am I the most beautiful man to ever exist, but I also adorn a pair of shimmering white wings. Ask any woman. I am the embodiment of everyone’s dream.
One of my many talents is to enter maidens’ bedrooms at night and steal their kisses. I’ve conquered so many hearts I could open shop. No maiden can withstand my charms. Except her. Anca. She makes me so mad I want to rip my precious golden locks off my head.
Rejection after rejection, I was almost ready to put my cupid’s weapons down. Except something happened. Her little brother disappeared, and I am the only one who saw where he went. Now is my chance to make her mine.
Anca
My worst nightmare happened. My little brother, Doru, disappeared into the woods. A stray dog lured him there, and now someone in our family needed to go find him. Between me and my frail father, the choice was clear, I had to go.
Even if the forest held great dangers and terrible undead beings, I couldn’t risk losing my brother.
Then I stumbled upon one of the worst creatures ever–Zburătorul. I despised him with every fiber of my being. I knew not to trust him, but he said he knew where my little brother went.
And now I have to make a choice. Either let him help me or try and find Doru on my own.
The choice is harder than I thought.
Wings of Enchantment is a spin-off standalone and though it can be read on its own, it contains spoilers from The Vampire Genesis Chronicles.
The Viscount’s Scandalous Affair
M.M. Wakeford
“Why not have a short dalliance with me? In the cold desert of my spinsterhood, I assure you I will not treasure my virtue half as much as the memories of sensual pleasures with you.”
Life has not been kind to Charlotte Harding. Orphaned, impoverished and plain-looking, she depends on the charity of relatives who take her in when she has nowhere else to go. In their London home, she meets the rich and handsome Viscount Stanton who is promised to the beautiful heiress, Miss Powell. Charlotte is smitten with him on first sight, but the Viscount barely notices her except to note her unprepossessing looks and shabby dress.
One night at a society ball, Charlotte accidentally witnesses a secret tryst between the Viscount and his mistress – and is unfortunately discovered. The Viscount buys her silence with an unforgettable kiss that leaves Charlotte yearning for more. So when she learns that he has ended his relationship with his mistress, Charlotte seizes the opportunity to make him a scandalous offer – a short discreet affair in return for memories to treasure in her spinsterhood.
Their scorching affair puts into motion an unstoppable chain of events that will leave their lives forever changed.
Author’s note: The Viscount’s Scandalous Affair is a historical romance written in a homage to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, with a dose of spice. It features an illicit affair between two unlikely lovers whose emotional and bumpy journey into love ends in a happily ever after.
Mother of Pearl
Blanka H. Madow
Lured to a mystical land, Valeri must learn to harness a power deep within her.
Orphaned at a young age, sisters Valeri and Amelia shouldered the household responsibilities in their small village of Noor. Valeri was the hunter; Amelia the gather. While fishing one day, Valeri follows her instinct into the depths of the ocean despite a raging storm. She discovers the Mother of Pearl shell – which unbeknownst to her, unlocks the secrets of her ancestral power.
Knocked unconscious by the storm and washed ashore in a foreign land, she soon realizes she is thousands of miles from her sister, and there are wicked plans afoot. As she struggles to find a way to return home to her sister, Valeri befriends Prince Rulin at the magical court. In each other, they find purpose. But she must harness the newfound power within her blood first.
Eye of Hawk
Blanka H. Madow
Valeri must fulfill three promises, but which one will she choose first?
Alone and desolate, Valeri plots her revenge against the high priestesses who keep her from returning home; returning to her sister, Amelia. Fueled by rage and grief, she learns more about her powers with the guidance of her ancestors. But is their advice all it seems?
To protect her own life and those she holds dear, Valeri explores dark but powerful rituals and is not prepared for the consequences. Pulled in multiple directions, Valeri must save everyone – and herself – as the demons begin to threaten her world.
Honeycomb of Coral
Blanka H. Madow
Bounded lovers separated by a magical barrier must find their way back to each other.
Valeri braces the dangers of the enchanted wall in an attempt to regain her sister’s trust. As an overprotective sister, Valeri walks a precarious line between telling the truth and keeping information hidden from her sister, Amelia, all the while on the edge of losing her loyalty.
Valeri’s life is completely upended by the sudden shift in her magical abilities. Alarmed after suffering another loss to Rulin’s cruelty, Valeri reunites with old friends. But after she makes a deal with the enemy, giving up a part of herself may be the only way to prevent destruction.
In pursuit of power, both Nicholai and Valeri must choose. Power or love. Life or death.
Bloodline of Chaos
Blanka H. Madow
Valerie is living her happily ever after, while Amelia is trapped in a nightmare.
Amelia loves love. She assumes her choice of a partner would last a lifetime. Desperate to hide any signs of weakness from her mate, Amelia lies her way through, clinging onto the hope that he’ll someday love her. All the while keeping secrets that could destroy their fragile bond.
As the chills of a mountain castle haunt her, she chases the never-ending well of her promised powers. She ignores all warning signs in her quest for power, which leads her to unlikely allies and reveals dangerous secrets about her bloodline.
But Amelia is unaware that feelings can merge in the shadows, and the truths that remain will shatter everyone.
Even her.
Huntress of Hearts
Blanka H. Madow
One minute he’s living the magical life he was supposed to — and the next, going on a mission to a human land.
When the warrior, Avieles, is asked to bring humans to the land of the witches, he can’t resist the challenge. He assembles a team of eleven witches, each with unique birthstones and abilities to assist him. He arrives and discovers that humans aren’t as helpless as he believed, and most of all, they don’t want to be saved.
Faced with convincing five factions of the human race that he’s their only hope of survival, he must use everything in his arsenal from threats to charm all in hopes of saving them all.
One person stands between him and his mission, and she’s the one he desperately needs to save.
Magic and Medicine
Olena Nikitin
Danger doesn’t lurk in the shadows. It barges in and smacks you in the face. After years of working in the Emergency Department, Sara thought nothing could surprise her, but when the deceased victim of a stabbing opened his eyes and demanded his knife back, she knew her life had taken a bizarre turn.
Leszek had guarded the magic of the Nether before the first human set foot in his lands. His power was absolute, his authority unchallenged. The world might change, but even ruling from the shadow, no one, not even hardened criminals, dared to question his judgment.
When he was called to clean up the mess an unruly vampire caused in the hospital, Leszek barely contained his irritation when his power couldn’t make the stubborn doctor forget his existence. Instead, she looked him in the eye, challenging him to leave, and he listened.
Sara’s courage and audacity were intriguing, but her magic captivated him with its beauty. The magic she was unaware of. She may be human, but even humans have their uses, and Sara will soon learn there are consequences to capturing the undivided attention of the Tricity Mafia’s boss.
This fascinating woman might haunt his dreams, but Sara’s magic made her a target for a dangerous, emerging power, and Leszek has to decide if he will sacrifice her to save his domain.
The Scottish Siren
Kirsten Osbourne
Beth has spent her entire life alone. Orphaned at a young age, she bounced around the foster care system until she was old enough to be on her own. When a strange woman approaches her in her book club, she goes to lunch with her, never expecting anything more from it than a fun lunch. Beth explains her intense desire to live out one of the historical Scottish novels she reads, and finds herself in a different place and time.
When Gavin McClain stumbles on a beautiful woman on his way back to his clan, he stops to help her, ignoring the fact that she is dressed in horribly inappropriate clothing. After talking to her for a short while, he believes her claims that she came from the future and a land across the seas. Knowing the only way he can protect her is to marry her, he offers her his name. Will Beth learn to exist in the past with no indoor plumbing? Or will their marriage be doomed from the start?
The Duke Deal
Valerie Bowman
She wants a favor. He has ONE condition.
The honeymoon is over…
When Veronica said “I do” to Sebastian Sinclair, Duke of Edgefield, she thought all her dreams had come true. He was dashing and doting, and she absolutely adored him—until he betrayed her trust, shattering their marriage, and her heart, into a million tiny bits. She hasn’t seen her husband in the two years since, and she’d just as soon make it twenty. But when she learns that her beloved grandfather’s dying wish is for her and Sebastian to attend the family’s Christmastide celebration, she swallows her pride and asks him a favor: to pretend they’re the happy couple they once were.
But the passion still simmers.
Sebastian is shocked to find his lovely duchess on his doorstep, but he’s ready and willing to play the part of a devoted husband for the Christmas season…if Veronica will grant him a favor in return. All he asks is that she share his bed every night. All night. And maybe even give him the heir he needs.
Could their love be the real deal?
Veronica must be mad to agree—especially since Sebastian seems intent on using every weapon in his arsenal to charm and seduce her. She knows it’s just pretend and yet, she can’t help but wonder if the falling snow and Christmas cheer will work a little magic. Maybe she and Sebastian will end up with more than either of them bargained for…
Now it’s your turn!
Share your October reads and let’s discuss — what were your favorite reads from the past month? Or is there a book you’re looking forward to this month? Any new discoveries or treasured rereads? We’d love to see your recommendations and thoughts!
