I'm Only Wicked With You

  In  this blog post, I reviewed Julie Ann Long’s I’m Only Wicked With You, the first installment in the Palace of Rogues historical romance series. This historical romance novel is deeply enriched with plenty of drama and suspense to keep you on your tenterhooks. Lady Lillias Vaughan wasn’t an ordinary daughter of an earl in London. She’s a bit wild and have done things in an extraordinary way like riding down the rails or mouthing off expletives for example. She might be the talk of the ton, when a duke might calling on her to court her. For American Hugh Cassidy, this Irish bloke was on a mission to find Amelia Woodley across the globe and landed in London to look for her. But then he had met his match with Lady Lillas Vaughan, his complete opposite from her, but understood where she came from. When they’ve gotten to know each other better, heads had turned when they were almost caught in the act. To do the right thing by her, he proposed to her in a fake engagement. But at the time of their announcement, a formidable rival wanted Lillias’ attentions which could be no match set for Hugh, and later break her heart. To find their true happiness, they would proclaim their love for each other and find how they were well-matched from the start.

This was a compelling and riveting historical romance novel. I loved how the opposites attract trope had worked its magic between these two love birds by the end of their love story. I instantly cared about Lillias and how she wanted to do things her way, even if she might have to break some rules in her wild temperament to show how different she truly was from each other. I’ve found Hugh was unique in his character on how he searched for Amelia and found his true love with Lillias on the same trip. The dual locations in central London and the Palace of the Thames and the Heatherfield estates had painted the scenic settings real clearly and vividly in my mind. The theme of the story is we might all different from each other, but we would find our true love where we might least expect it.

This historical romance novel was daring, riveting, and couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t find anything to nitpick on from start to finish since it was real good. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no specific reason. If you love historical romances, with non-stop romantic action, plenty of sparks of intrigue and a heap of heart-stopping dramatic moments, check out this title today.  This book is recommended for those who love historical romances and Bridgerton on Netflix.

The Runaway Duke

In Julie Anne Long's debut into the historical romance world, The Runaway Duke, she catapulted into a world of second chances and hidden secrets. Connor Riordan worked for the Tremaines in England as an Irish groom. But he was hiding a secret--he was really Roarke Blackburn, the Duke of Dunbrooke who supposedly "died" in the world, five years ago. When he helped Rebecca Tremaine from an arranged marriage, they were on the journey of a lifetime and fleed to Scotland. While she disappeared, Rebecca's sister, Lorelei, had a fantastic debut into her season, when she fell in love with a colonel, which disappointed her mother. Meanwhile there was a scheming duchess and Rebecca's fiancé were going to track them. Hot on their heels, they ran into highwayman and traveling gypsies. The closer they get into danger, the more they fall in love with each other. We saw how they struggled in this whirlwind relationship, while Roarke came out into the open, if it wasn't for a locket, and regained what was his. We discovered how Rebecca makes her calling as a healer or doctor and listened to her heart. In the end, they belonged together to start their lives in royalty.

This was a delightful historical romance. I cared about Roarke and Rebecca and how they fooled everyone, except for their hearts. I loved the storyline and how they worked together to hide from their past. I thought Lorelei was okay, but I did pity her mother for not approving of her own love match.  I loved the dual locations of England and Scotland in this historical romance. This would shock you and enthrall you at the same time. Great drama, plenty of suspense and action, and great intrigue and romance along the way.

Are you ready to catch a runaway duke? Check out a copy today!