Weekly Reading Wrap Up

Last week I was visiting my family in Florida and did not get around to writing a Sunday/Monday post.  This is two weeks of reading:

The Beast by J.R. Ward (#14)

Book number 14 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood has the men fighting Lessers after months of waiting for them to strike.  Vishous has had a vision of Rhage's death and tries to hold him back, but he rushes ahead and is shot in the heart. Somehow his wife Mary gets the beast within him to heal his wound.  Mary and Rhage now have the opportunity to work out that which has been driving a wedge between them - which is a major part of the story.  Meanwhile Layla is getting close to delivering the twins, but is harboring a secret.  That secret didn't get much play in this book, but expect it will play a big part in the next book.  Assail has been helping the Brotherhood by being somewhat of a spy in trying to determine when the next strike against Wrath may come.  There is a revelation about a newer character that I hope gets a lot of play in the next book as well.  Loved the resolution of Mary and Rhage at the end!    A great vacation book!

Sustained by Emma Chase (#2)

Jake Bender loves his life.  Kick butt defense  lawyer by day and party boy with no ties by night.  He has a scare and need to tone it down for awhile. When his wallet is lifted by a young kid, he hauls him home and meets his Aunt Chelsea has become guardian of her brother's six kids (baby-teens) after a car accident that killed their parents.  She appreciates how he handles the pick pocketing incident.  When she needs help again, Jake figures this is a perfect opportunity to curtail his lifestyle.  Little does he know just how difficult it will be and how much Chelsea and the kids will begin to pull his heartstrings.  He fights it kicking and screaming through some of the funniest, laugh out-loud moments I've read in a long time.  

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Merry has come to London to get away from the gossip of her two broken engagements.  Her aunt and uncle hope that she finds a nice British gentlemen to marry.  Not soon after she arrives she meets and becomes engaged to Lord Cedric.  When he asks her to marry him she immediately says yes. She gets herself into many situations not knowing the customs of society (some are hilarious).  One evening she meet an interesting gentlemen, who quickly becomes intrigued by her. He likes her refreshing attitudes and seeks her out only to discover that she is engaged to his brother. Trent tires to do the right thing and step aside but events make it impossible.  Their road to a HEA is bumpy but thoroughly enjoyable.

The Dutch Girl by Donna Thorland (#4)

Anna escaped her former life with the help of a Rebel Spy named "The Widow".  She is teaching at a girl's finishing school in Manhattan .  Her past returns and in exchange for keeping Anna's secret Kate asks her to return to her hometown, a Dutch community in the Hudson Valley. The problem is that she is wanted for murder. Kate is convinced that no one will recognize Anna as Annatje of ten years ago.  She is tasked to convince the Patroon Andries to take the Rebel side in the war. Her cover is a tutor to the Andries' nieces. Before she gets there her coach is robbed by Gerrit, Andries' brother, and her childhood boyfriend.  Gerrit is working with the British in exchange for getting the estate back, which is his rightful inheritance.  Now Anna has a dilemma - protect her past or find love? A great story with historical background of the Revolutionary War. 

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean (1)

Sophie's family is surrounded with scandal and she is tired of it all.  She takes a stand with a very public humiliation of a Duke, her sister's husband.  When she decides to leave London, she asks for help, but is turned down by King, Duke of Eversley.  She takes matters into her own hands and disguises herself as his footman to travel to her hometown.  She plans to reunite with her childhood friend and open a bookstore.  She is discovered by King, he is convinced she is trying to trap him into marriage and throws her off his carriage and leaves. Sophie finds herself in a bit of trouble and King comes upon her and her companions.  He just doesn't want to help, but finds himself helping. They make a bargain that is beneficial to them both, but it doesn't go according to plan. They dislike each other and their banter is entertaining, but King was hard to accept as the Hero and I am not convinced that he deserves Sophie.  They did however bring out the best in each other and had to work hard towards a HEA. 

Also read:
Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren
Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren (audio)

Up Next
Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell
Snapped by Laura Griffin
Flash of Fire by M.L. Buchman
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Cole enjoying the splash area at Tampa Zoo

Linking to these memes:

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR?, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.  It's a great opportunity to organize yourself, visit, comment, and add to that every growing TBR pile.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.