*REVIEW: "My Hellion, My Heart" by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan (Historical Romance)

MY HELLION, MY HEART by Amalie Howard & Angie Morgan
	Publisher: Entangled Publishing: Select Historical Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Publication Date: July 24th 2017 Series: Lords of Essex, #3 Standalone: Yes
Other Books in the LORDS OF ESSEX Series
#1 My Review #2 My Review
Description from Publisher:
He fought battles for crown and country. She waged war for his heart. Lord Henry Radcliffe, the scarred but sinfully sexy Earl of Langlevit, is a beast. The only way Henry can exorcise the demons of his war-ravaged past is through intense physicality. In and out of bed. An endeavor that has no shortage of willing participants. Intent on scandalizing London, Princess Irina Volkonsky is a hellion and every gentleman’s deepest desire...except for one. Irina knows better than to provoke the wickedly forbidding earl, but she will stop at nothing short of ruination to win the heart of the only man she’s ever loved. But when one scandalous kiss makes dangerous passions ignite, neither of them can fight their sizzling attraction. When a sinister plot emerges to threaten them both, they will have to fight one last battle, this time for the ultimate prize...love.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
This was somehow sweeter than either of the previous books in the series, perhaps because Henry suffers from PTSD from war and Irina from being kidnapped. I really loved the way they both resisted one another for so long, and how very flippant and playful Irina was. The way she balked tradition was a lot of fun. The suspense was a nice addition, though I wasn't especially surprised at how it came about. It was much less of a focus than the other books. The chemistry and affection between Irina and Henry is immediately present, but in a really wonderful way, not an InstaLust way. It didn't take long at all to get the sense that they truly cared about one another and were a perfect match. This is definitely standalone, though I think the scenes with Lana & Gray and Briannon & Hawk were an extra treat. Regardless, the strong women present throughout is so incredibly well-done and I absolutely adored them all and their introductions. Irina may be the most buxom of them all! And the men who appreciate that strength are made that much better.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Amalie Howard
AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts. She is the award-winning author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller, and the sequel, Bloodcraft, was a national silver IPPY medalist. She is also the co-author of the adult historical romance series, THE LORDS OF ESSEX. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children.
About the Author: Angie Morgan
Angie is the author of several critically acclaimed young adult and middle grade books written under two other names (Page Morgan and Angie Frazier), and is now thrilled to be taking a much-anticipated leap into the world of adult romance. My Rogue, My Ruin is the first of three books in her new Lords of Essex series, co-written with good friend and fellow author, Amalie Howard. Angie lives in New Hampshire with her husband, their three daughters, and a menagerie of pets.

REVIEW: "Artificial Sweethearts" by Julie Hammerle (Young Adult, Romance)

ARTIFICIAL SWEETHEARTS by Julie Hammerle
	Publisher: Entangled: Teen (Crush) Genre: Young Adult, Romance Publication Date: Series: North Pole, Minnesota, #2 Standalone: Yes
Categories:
Fake Dating, Heavy Subjects (Grief), Holidays (Christmas in July)
Other Books by Julie Hammerle
North Pole #1 My Review
Description from Publisher:
It’s not chemistry between Tinka Foster and Sam Anderson that made them agree to fake date. With her parents trying to set her up with an annoying student golf coach, and intentionally single Sam’s family pressuring him to bring a date to his brother’s wedding, they could both use a drama-free summer. So it’s not his muscular arms and quick wit that makes Tinka suggest they tell everyone they’re both taken. Definitely not. And it’s not butterflies that makes a kiss for appearances during the lake party go on way too long—so long that Sam wishes it were real. But Tinka keeps people at arm’s length—she’s always been second best, even to her parents. And her relationship-for-show could crush everything when she realizes she’s done with fake, pretend, and second-best. Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains bikinis at the lake, a lot of making out in dark theaters, and a meet-cute you’ll read twice.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
Another cute, sweet visit to North Pole, Minnesota, which is a very Stars Hollow-esque town (Gilmore Girls, anyone?), complete with their own "Kirk" and lots of quirk! Sam is the youngest son in the Anderson family and he is tired of the pressure he keeps getting to date someone. He makes the mistake of going on a date with a girl who is a bit vengeful when slighted, and winds up fabricating a girlfriend. He was a likable guy, though I definitely found him to be a bit of a pushover. He was very sweet and thoughtful, but really needed to learn to stand up for himself more! His sweetness did, however, provide a nice balance to Tinka's self-centeredness. Tinka was fairly fun for a bit... and then her friends got mad at her and she got pretty annoying. She didn't have quite the character arc that I would have liked, and didn't really get much of a wake-up call. I also didn't care for how she treated her parents, especially towards the end when she gets angry with them without much actual reason to be. Tinka's family suffered a loss years before, and the grief aspects were a nice addition to the story and a well-executed device: present, but not too heavy. North Pole is always fun (for those who have read the first book in the series) and the Christmas in July aspect was really charming!
My Source: I rece/ived a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Julie Hammerle
Julie Hammerle is the author of The Sound of Us, which will be published by Entangled Teen on June 7, 2016. Before settling down to write "for real," she studied opera, taught Latin, and held her real estate license for one hot minute. Currently, she writes about TV on her blog Hammervision, ropes people into conversations about Game of Thrones, and makes excuses to avoid the gym. Her favorite YA-centric TV shows include 90210 (original spice), Felicity, and Freaks and Geeks. Her iPod reads like a 1997 Lilith Fair set list. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two kids, and a dog. They named the dog Indiana.