A Historical Christmas Event with Shana Galen

Shana Galen is a three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

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A Historical Christmas Event with Shana Galen

Shana Galen is a three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

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ARC Review: Unmask Me If You Can by Shana Galen

Finally it is Lord Jasper's turn! Unmask Me If You Can is Shana Galen's fourth book in her Survivors series, and I am so happy for Jasper to finally get his Happily Ever After. The previous three books were amazing, and Jasper was a side character in each that I believe many readers have been waiting for.

Lord Jasper is a man who can find things. His friends in his troupe nicknamed him the Bounty Hunter for that reason. The troupe (they call themselves The Survivors) is a tight net group of twelve men who made it through the war against Napoleon despite extremely dangerous missions that were considered suicidal. Now that the war is over, he makes his living finding things, but mostly people. He is tasked by the Carlisle's to find their daughter who had run away five years before. Her mother is on her deathbed and wishes only to see her daughter again. So Jasper decides to help the family and finds himself in a remote village where he believes the girl lives. On his way up a steep cliff towards the house, he is stabbed and left for dead.

Olivia Carlisle used to be the typical debutante within Society. She was the dutiful daughter to her parents, and she agreed to become betrothed to a duke by their direction. He makes her uncomfortable, but her parents don't seem to think there is reason to do anything. The duke rapes Olivia, and she runs away before the marriage can take place. She has been living in hiding as a widow with her son in a remote village hoping the duke will never find her. It's a much different life than the fancy dresses, parties, and ton, but she does whatever she has to for her son. Then her safe haven and peaceful life gets turned upside down when her son finds an unconscious and hurt man on the path to their home.

It takes a lot of courage for Olivia to take this man in need in to her home and care for him, especially after what had been done to her. However, she pushes herself to do it. I think a lot of her gumption stems from a "Mama Bear" instinct to take care of her son. When Jasper comes back into consciousness, he cannot help but admire this strong and capable woman. Though she knows not all men are like the duke who had hurt her, it is difficult for her to put trust into any man. Jasper knows to be very patient with her, and he is completely understanding. While he has physical scars on his face that he is ashamed of, she also has scars that she is ashamed of. While neither of them have ANY reasons to be ashamed, their experiences bring them together in a unique way.

I loved Jasper, just as I fully expected to, and Olivia was a strong female lead. I always get uncomfortable with books about rape, but Shana Galen did a good job in my opinion of portraying the gravity of it without too many details. It also wasn't played out all at once. Just snippets here and there. I think Shana Galen also did an amazing job of portraying the hesitancy Olivia feels about men and certain experiences because of what she went through. I think this story shows a lot of character growth between Jasper and Olivia. The romantic aspect of the story didn't have too many heart dropping, swoon worthy moments so I had a hard time feeling it as much as some of my favorites. But I do think the way it played out was perfect for this particular situation.

I sincerely hope this series continues! There was a small teaser of her next book at the end of this one, but I believe it was for a different series. While I will usually devour anything by Shana Galen, I hope any breaks from our Survivors aren't too long! We did meet a Survivor I don't believe has been in any previous book, and his small contribution already has me wondering about him. Shana Galen also shows us some more about Colonel Draven's personal life, but only a little to keep us guessing. Hopefully she wouldn't be so cruel as to leave it at that? Liked this book, love this series!

**ARC provided by Author**

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ARC Review: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

An Affair with a Spare is the third book in Shana Galen's Survivor Series. The Survivors are a group of men who were a part of a "suicide squad" in the war with France. Their missions were ones that they didn't expect to survive. However, some of them did make it through the war. This book showcases Rafe Beaumont, nicknamed "the Seducer" among their troupe. His expertise was to go undercover and seduce French women who were wives or close confidante's of French leaders and acquire information. While he didn't get much battle experience, he was in very risky situations.

Collette Fortier is the only daughter of an infamous French assassin. She is being blackmailed by the Royalists to attain British codes in exchange of her father's release from prison. She comes to England to spy upon military officials for the codes under the false name of Fournay. Collette finds herself without anyone to trust or turn to. She is determined to do whatever it takes to free her father, and cannot allow herself to be distracted by the handsome rake, Rafe Beaumont. Rafe has been tasked with finding out who Collette Fournay really is and what she's up to. She presents to Rafe his most challenging target of all as she seems to be completely disinterested in him.

One of the main things that bugged me in this book was how it was mentioned at least three times in just the first quarter that Collette's curvy figure wasn't the current fashion. Also, I got annoyed with Rafe because it seemed like he complained a little too much (even if it was only in his head) that he wasn't much of a fighter in his war days or that he didn't get to do more of the actual battle missions. He also seemed very unprepared for some of the dangerous situations he put himself and Collette through. The romance seemed to despairing. I felt like I was getting beat in the head about how there was no possible future for the couple together. These irritations might not seem horrible, but they were mentioned way too often for my liking.

Despite those irritating points, I still enjoyed this story. It was dangerous, and Collette wasn't just going to sit by the sidelines. She was determined to do whatever she had to do to save her father. There were some funny conversations about hedgehogs that made me laugh. It was a special type of romance where trust was a huge obstacle for them both. That challenge made a lot of this book more exciting. It was a true hurdle for this couple to jump to see whether it could work between them.

I liked this book, however I didn't feel it was at the same level as the previous two books. I still love the whole theme of the series with this brotherhood of survivors. I believe Jasper's book is next, and his has been the one I've been anxious for ever since I read book one! Excited to continue on this journey!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

I haven't read all of Shana Galen's books, but I have read many of them. I have always liked her writing style and enjoyed most of her story lines. But this book soared above the rest for me! I loved it, and it is the first 5 star rating I've ever given to a book by Shana Galen.

No Earls Allowed is the second book in the Survivor series. I am in love with this series because it centers around this group of men who were in an elite military force doing missions that they weren't expected to survive. Some of them did survive however, and now they are figuring out their lives back in regular society. But the brotherhood their experiences created is spectacular!

The Survivor this book showcases is Major Neil Wraxall. He is an illegitimate son of a marquess, but regardless of the slightly strained relationship, he agrees to help his father by helping his father's friend bring his daughter back into polite society. She has been spending more and more time doing charity work with a local orphanage, and her father wants her married off. Lady Julianna is doing the best she can for this orphanage for boys, but it just isn't cutting it. When Neil shows up, he starts out with a simple bit of help getting the boys some breakfast. But between the various boys inspiring his leadership skills to get them in order, and Julianna pulling at his heart, he begins to turn the place upside down for the better.

I really liked how much Julianna and Neil learned from each other and became better individuals for having known each other. The romance felt so genuine and progressed perfectly to make me fall in love with them falling in love. There was some excitement and danger within the story which also spiced things up and had me biting my nails with worry. It's funny how with these types of books, we all know how it's going to end with a "Happily Ever After". And yet, they still get me with the high anxiety moments, and take me to the point where I can't put the book down.

Shana Galen has a way (especially with this book) of letting the reader really get to know the characters to where you feel like you're close friends. I think that's the real hook for me enjoying this book so much. As a last note on the story line as well, Galen hit the ending and epilogue with a slam dunk of perfection. When the story was finishing, I kept saying to myself that one loose end had to be figured out in some way! Shana Galen did not disappoint! Can't wait for the sequel!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a lady can do anything a man can do:
backwards and in high-heeled dancing slippers.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men.

Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance...

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A Historical Christmas Event with Shana Galen

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

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ARC Review: Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen

Third Son's a Charm is the beginning of a new series by Shana Galen. I believe it will highlight members of a military group of men who survived the war against Napoleon. I'm unsure as to whether it will be of all surviving 12 members, or just a select few. We will see as I am positive I will continue reading the series.

Lady Lorraine is the only daughter of a duke, and she is madly in love with a man her father does not approve of. She has attempted to elope with Francis Mostyn, but he never showed up at their meeting place. He claimed he wanted her father's blessing for her sake. She claims she doesn't need her current lifestyle and that love is all they need, but he insists. Her father believes the man only after her dowry as she is quite the heiress.

Because Lorraine refuses to give up on Francis, her father decides to hire a bodyguard. But it can't just be any man. He needs someone who will fit in at their social events so that Lorraine can find a respectable husband. So he reaches out to Ewan Mostyn, third son of an Earl. Ewan went into the military as is what is expected of third sons if they do not go into the ministry. He was in an elite group of soldiers that went through impossible missions against Napoleon. Now that the war is over, he has become, effectively, a bouncer at a gambling hell.

Ewan jumps at the prospect of being Lady Lorraine's bodyguard because it would please him immensely to thwart his cousin Francis in any way. However, his job becomes more and more difficult as he gets to know Lorraine. He begins to find her amusing instead of annoying, and finds himself coming out of his shell with her. Lorraine also finds that she is intrigued and even likes her bodyguard as she gets to know him. She begins to wonder if what she thought was love with Francis isn't really love.

This is another hit from Shana Galen. I loved everything about Ewan. His backstory, his demeanor, and his thinking wove together to make a unique character. Lorraine annoyed me a little at first, but she ended up growing on me. I enjoyed the brotherhood Galen created with Ewan's war buddies. I also liked a little rekindling love side plot Galen added to the tale. This book gave me all the feel good butterflies I need from my historical romances. Can't wait to continue this series!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen

Ewan Mostyn thinks a job as a duke’s daughter’s bodyguard will be easy—but Lady Lorraine has a few tricks up her sleeve that spark an undeniable passion

Fiercely loyal to his friends and comrades, Ewan Mostyn is the toughest in a group of younger sons of nobility who met as soldiers and are now trying desperately to settle back into peaceful Society. Ewan trusts his brawn more than his brains, but when he’s offered a job watching the Duke of Ridlington’s stubbornly independent daughter, he finds both are challenged.

Lady Lorraine wants none of her father’s high-handed ways, and she’ll do everything in her power to avoid her distressingly attractive bodyguard—until she lands herself in real trouble. Lorraine begins to see Ewan’s protectiveness in a new light, and she can only hope that her stoic guardian will do for her what he’s always done—fight for what he loves.

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ARC Review: Traitor in Her Arms by Shana Galen

Traitor in Her Arms by Shana Galen was full of anticipation, danger, and action. Then she threw in a love story that was pretty remarkable. I enjoyed reading this book very much.

Lady Gabrielle is a widow who's husband left her with a mountain of gambling debt. She finds herself being threatened to pay back the creditors, and she fears being taken into prostitution by them. So she takes matters into her own hands and begins a life of thievery. It's working out decently well for her, too, until she is interrupted during a job by a friend of her late husband, the Earl of Sedgwick.

The Earl, Ramsey Barnes, is being blackmailed. He has secrets that he does not want out in the open, and so he must steal priceless items for his blackmailer. In doing so, he interrupts Gabrielle in her attempt at stealing jewelry at a party, because he has already snatched the item himself. Seeing her again spices up old feelings, and the intensity of the situation also turns up the heat.

The two almost have a bit of a rivalry passion that they cannot control. Then, the two are brought together again. This time, Gabrielle is given an assignment by the Scarlet Pimpernel to save a french lady and her daughter before they are executed in the revolutionized France. Ramsey is tasked with discovering who the Scarlet Pimpernel is for his blackmailer. They create an untrustworthy team in France, trying to accomplish their goals while staying alive. The high stakes atmosphere creates quite a steamy ambiance.

I enjoyed the intensity of this book a lot. I was biting my nails with worry over the character's outcomes. The bad times made the good times so much better. Shana Galen is wonderful at creating these chemistries. I haven't liked one of her books this much since I read The Making of a Duchess. I look forward to reading the rest of the Scarlet Pimpernel series. 

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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A Historical Christmas Event with Shana Galen

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

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Feature and Giveaway: I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

Once she spurned the man…

When the Duke of Lennox hires Sir Brook Derring, England’s best investigator, to find his daughter, Brook intends only to rescue the lady and return to his solitary life. He deals with London’s roughest criminals every day of the week; surely he should be able to endure seeing his first love again—the perfect girl who broke his heart...

Now her life depends on him

Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has always done her best to live up to her father’s standards of perfection—at the cost of following her heart. When she’s kidnapped and her perfect life is shattered, Lila has another chance. Together, Lila and Brook navigate not only the dark and deadly side of London, but the chasm of pride and prejudice that divides them.

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ARC Review: I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

Shana Galen finally gives Sir Brook Derring his love story in I Kissed a Rogue. Since the first of this series, Brook has intrigued me since he plays such a key role in the other books. My high amount of anticipation was left on the curb with this ok book. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I wasn't impressed either.

The book begins with excitement, as Lady Lillian-Anne is kidnapped! It only makes sense that she is saved by Brook who basically is a private investigator. Though Derring is loathe to help Lila's family because of the way they treated him years ago, he still could not leave her to that fate.

Unfortunately this isn't just a quick rescue mission. The mastermind behind the abduction is still on the loose, and Lila is still at risk. Brook is then forced to marry Lila so as to better protect her by her father and the king. The marriage and keeping Lila safe force the two to spend a lot of time together. Enough time to possibly convince Brook that Lila has changed.

The story was a bit rushed. I really wanted more information on what had happened between Lila and Brook in the past, but when it was revealed it didn't say much. The motives for the abduction seemed far fetched once determined. The heat level was pretty high in comparison to Shana Galen's previous novels that I've read.

I Kissed a Rogue wasn't what I'd hoped it'd be. I would say that if you're invested in the series you don't want to miss it. Otherwise, I think you can take it or leave it. Not a very memorable read for me.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Sealed With a Kiss Event with Shana Galen

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of passionate Regency romps, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.

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