Darcy Burke

If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke
Rogue Rules #1

Nice introduction to a new series by an author I love ~ The Rogue Rules list and there creation along with potential male and female main characters are provided early in the story ~ I want to read all their meet-cutes and romances that will lead to the couples in this series finding their happily ever after.

What I liked:
* Persephone Barclay: older sister, always made to feel “less” by her parents, clever, humorous, caring, kind, strong, protective, independent, impetuous, free spirit, more than she has been told she is
* Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne: raised by his father, mother left with his sisters when he was young, a rakish-rogue, amiable, friendly, protective, flirtatious, may be ready to settle down, introspective and contemplative as the story progresses
* Pandora Barclay: Persephone’s younger sister, the “pretty” sister, fell in love with the wrong man, has a lot to overcome emotionally, will probably have a book of her own
* Lady Lucinda Barclay-Fiennes: aunt of Persephone and Pandora, widow, wealthy, loving, kind, there for her nieces, doesn’t understand her brother and his wife
* That the pace picked up at about fifty percent as it was a bit slow before that
* That Persephone was willing and able to stand up to Acton, speak her mind, tease him, and state her needs
* The rat incident…and the way Acton foretold a few issues that cropped up
* The way Acton reconnected with his mother and sisters
* Knowing that there are more books to look forward to in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The obnoxious, mean, clueless, abusive self-centered parents of Persephone and Pandora
* The rake that “ruined” Pandora and thinking about the double standards for men and women in society

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars… (mais)

The Make-Believe Widow by Darcy Burke
Matchmaking Chronicles #4

Returning to the Cosford’s house party where matches are often made, we meet an earl who desires a mother for his daughters but prefers never to fall in love again love again and a make-believe widow afraid her secret will come out and thus believes she must remain unwed.

What I liked:
* Charlotte: innkeeper’s daughter, had big dreams, trains young women to become maids, good friend to the Cosfords, dreamed of having a husband and family in the past, is afraid to share her past and that would be required if she were to ever marry
* James: Earl of Rotherham, widow, father of two young girls, seeking a wife, prefers a marriage without love, has trust issues, caring, kind, makes a mistake that nearly costs him future happiness
* The Cosfords: matchmakers who hold house parties to help men and women find partners forever or just for a while, love one another deeply and want that for their friends as well
* The games and entertainment at the party
* The honest communication between James and Charlotte – most of the time
* That Charlotte was open about what she did and did not want
* The time Charlotte and James spent at the Oak and Ash Inn
* The backstories of Charlotte and James and how they were impacted by them
* That both main characters had good parents and happy childhoods
* The conversational landscapes ;)
* Wondering if there will be another book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Cousin Sleaford the Sleazy – he was the focal point of my dislike in this book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review

4-5 Stars… (mais)

Matching the Marquess by Darcy Burke
Lords in Love #5

Marywell’s annual marriage mart is the setting in which Rebecca Sweet is to find a woman Benjamin Nash, Marquess of Creslow, may choose to marry. Will she succeed in her matchmaking attempts to set up a new business and if so, who will he marry?

What Iiked:
* Rebecca: widow, unhappy childhood and marriage, would love to love and be loved and start a family
* Nash: widow, loved his wife and lost her painfully, unwilling to open to love again, needs an heir
* The meet cute prologue to the story – sizzling chemistry between Nash and Rebecca
* Returning to Marywell and seeing some of the characters from previous books in the series
* The fears that both characters were dealing with and how they faced them
* That the couple seemed to genuinely care for one another – I could see them together and happy
* The mention of a few older people that also found or might find partners
* Knowing there is another book to look forward to.

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about loss and grief and how they impact those dealing with them
* Remembering how horrible Rebecca’s mother truly was

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars… (mais)

Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke
Lords of London #3

On a train to Salzburg, I read this charming friends-to-lovers tale of two people who meet again after less than a decade apart. Leah escaped a bad childhood to become a paid companion to Lady Norcott and enjoyed the experience…not so much her next job working for a relative of the woman.

With family issues to be resolved by Leah, some skullduggery to be exposed, money to be found, matches to be made at the annual marriage festival in Marrywell, and romance brewing…it was a perfect way to spend hours on a train. In fact, the story I read on the train was much better than the hour I spent in Salzburg walking about while worrying about getting lost. I didn’t see the sites planned on in the city but did enjoy spending time with Leah and Phin.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars… (mais)