Tag Archive | Adrienne Basso

Book Review-Tis The Season To Be Sinful by Adrienne Basso

Title: Tis The Season To Be Sinful 
Author: Adrienne Basso 
Format: E Book 
Release Date: October 1 2011 
Pages: 343 Pages 
Acquired: Self Bought (B&N)
Genre: Holiday Historical Romance 
ISBN: 978-1-4201-2543-6

Synopsis (Goodreads)

The Season For Surprises. . .

Juliet Wentworth knew what she was getting into: a marriage of convenience that will save her estate and protect her family long into the future. But she wasn’t expecting to find the passion of a lifetime in her new husband’s arms. After just one night, Juliet knows a marriage in name only will never be enough. . .

The Season For Seduction. . .

Richard Harper’s beautiful new bride has him reeling with desire–and running for cover. After all, falling in love was never part of the bargain. Yet when Christmastime celebrations bring him back to their country manor and back into Juliet’s arms, Richard finds his wife is determined–and all too able–to win over his heart, one kiss at a time. . .

My Review

Tis The Season To Be Sinful, is a holiday novel by Adrienne Basso. Now I am really coming to adore this author, and I still can’t believe that I haven’t read more of her until now. Every time I read her, it reminds me of a time when I first fell in love with romance, and her writing is so riveting and provocative that it instantly draws you into the story.

In Tis The Season To Be Sinful, we find a story of two people who are destined to love each other, but find stumbling blocks along the way. Richard Harper, is a American, who hasn’t had it easy, but now he is rich and successful and wanting to make a life in England. Searching for ahome, he comes across a estate, with a home that he knows needs to be his own, and he is willing to pay whatever it takes to own it. Then he meets the owner, Juliet Wentworth. Juliet is a widow, and mother of three children, and is looking for a way out of her brother in laws thumb and his control over her children. They are barely making ends meet, and when Richard makes her a financial offer she can’t refuse, she knows that she doesn’t have a choice but to accept, and that offer is:Marriage. When she dares him to kiss her, passions are inflamed and Juliet is more than willing to start a life with a man that stirs desire in her. But Juliet soon learns that Richard isn’t so easily swayed, and it will take a tough and Strong woman to keep him by her side.

This story was such a delight to read and there was so much that I found myself enjoying about this story….that I had to give it my highest rating, because I flew through this story like no other, and could barely contain my excitement when it was over.  This story was rich was the Christmas theme from the yule log, picking and kissing under the mistletoe, hunting down holly to hang, picking out a tree, and yummy goodies, and the warm Christmas spirit. There is a little bit in here for everyone, and one of my favorite aspects of the story was seeing it all come together. It definitely a story I would recommend, especially if you are looking for a sensual and fun Christmas themed romance….a story to remember. This pair was quite a hoot, and I enjoyed seeing them work through things, and it wasn’t easy, but I loved the setting, and the way the plot developed…the characters were charming and all of them go straight to the heart, they are pure deliciousness, and the heat in this book is not too heavy but not too light either…I felt like it was just perfect. There is quite a bit of conflict before they reach their HEA, but it really gave the story volume and some unique elements that made this romance fully satisfying! Overall a winning romance to win over your heart, and give you that warm fuzzy feeling you look for in every romance….purely sensual to the core!!!

My Rating

5 Blossoms 

Heat Level

Steamy

Book Review-Bride Of A Scottish Warrior by Adrienne Basso

Bride Of A Scottish Warrior
Adrienne Basso
Zebra Books
Paperback
Published July 2014
346 Pages
Acquired: Library Borrowed
Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4201-2904-5
Authors Website 

Synopsis (Goodreads)

A union born of duty…
Newly knighted Sir Ewan Gilroy needs a dowry and a wife, in that order. Though the widowed Lady Grace plans to enter a convent, squandering so much lush beauty – and such a fortune – would surely be its own sin. Grace will not be easily wooed, despite her family’s urging and Ewan’s famed charm. She challenges him as no woman ever dared, proving his equal in spirit and in passions…
Forged by desire…
To atone for her past, Grace vows to never remarry – least of all a brash and reckless warrior. Yet whether defending her honor or stoking desires she hardly knew she possessed, Ewan is a man beyond compare. And as their fragile trust is threatened by treachery, Grace must decide whether to reach for the happiness within her grasp – and fight for the love of her bold Highlander…

My Review

Lady Grace, has been watching her husband, grow weaker from fever from a wound from a boar while hunting. She has stayed by his side, and when he makes a request from her, she can’t refuse him. After he dies from his weakened condition, she is forced to leave, knowing the brothers of her late husband, will only use her for their own needs and greedy desires. While staying with her brother and his wife, her plan is to continue onto the convent, having feeling a need to atone for past sins. She grew up in the convent and desires to go back there. But her brother has different plans for her…he desires for her to find a husband and have children. When one of his battle buddies, a Sir Ewan Gilroy comes for a visit, desiring a opportunity to court and marry her. At first Grace is firm in her resolve to go to the convent, but Ewan is determined and is not a man to be swept away with foolish notions. His plan is to show Grace that he plans on keeping her as his, no matter what!

Bride Of A Scottish Warrior is the first book I have read from this author. I may have read her years ago, since her name is very familiar to me, and her writing was like visiting with a old friend. However, for the life of me, I can’t recall which book of hers I had from her. So I will just claim this is the first book of hers that I can actually recall. I have recently seen this book pop up, quite often in ratings and reviews, and so I decided that I need to take a chance on this one. And I have a certain weakness for medieval historical romances…especially with a Scottish theme to it. This story takes place in the early 1300’s, and I do love this time period. Its full of passion and raw sensuality that is so appealing and makes you crave for a time of kilts, sexy brogues, and Scottish castles and the kinship of clans.

Let me start with our magnificent hero, the bold and daring, Sir Ewan. What a man! Seriously I adored his character…I almost wanted to swoon just so he could catch me! LOL Unlike some heroes we see…he isn’t intimidate by marriage or love or devotion…in fact he craves it, and desires it. And he goes in search of it. He wants someone to share and build his life with and he won’t settle for less. I loved how he is afraid to search after what he wants, and holds nothing back. When he meets Grace…he knows she is the one. She is the one woman he wants for life, but there is one problem…she doesn’t return that feeling. She admires him and respect him, but she has no interest in marrying anyone. Now onto the lovely Grace. She has such a stubborn personality….in fact too stubborn, but I am too….and so I felt a kinship towards her. I felt as I was reading this one…I could relate with her in so many ways. She is strong willed and very passionate even though she plans on entering a convent. What I really liked about her character was her willingness that when she makes a decision she stands by it with full heart and she is the perfect match for Ewan. They both have passionate natures, and I loved seeing them fight for each other in the end….and what a love affair they have.

The story isn’t all roses and daisies though…there is a villain. Pretty good one too. He really puts these two through the wringer…but I found it was a good thing…it really makes them come together and fight for each other and the life they are building together.  This was such a wonderful story…I enjoyed every single page. I was fighting for this couple all the way!! And those intimate scenes…were sensual and emotionally provoking….definitely had me needing a fan or even a cold bath…but they weren’t super HOT, in fact tame compared to some other books I have read..but were so provocative and powerful in its intensity!! A story to win your heart….Heartwarming till the end!! WILL CAPTIVE AND STUN YOU!

My Favorite Quote(s)


Without warning, he pulled her close and kissed her, his tongue slipping between her lips. Grace’s body froze. Saints alive, what is he doing? Alastair never kissed me this way. Emotions in turmoil, Grace tried to move away, but Ewan clearly had other ideas. His left hand grasped the nape of her neck and held her in place, while the right dropped to her hip, slipped around and cupped her buttocks. He pushed his tongue in farther, circling, stroking, teasing. Her heart nearly stopped as sensations filled her. Unfamiliar, yet exciting. Something primal beat through her body. Ewan swept his tongue across her teeth insistently, nudging her into a response. Her head was spinning as her body filled with a deep yearning, an incredible need. She was alive–painfully alive–and aware of every sensation coursing through her. This is passion. Desire. “Ye are destined to be mine, lass” he said. “Those kisses prove it. A wise woman would admit defeat and accept her fate calmly.”

My Grade
5 Blossoms

Heat Rating
Warm