The January 2022 #TBRChallenge theme is “quickie.” I went for the literal interpretation of the theme this month, and dove into my collection of novellas. Perhaps not surprisingly, most of them are Christmas-themed, but I have a hard time reading holiday stories after the holiday season. Luckily, I have a handful that aren’t set during ~the most wonderful time of the year.~

In fact, this one is set in February 1774. Lucien De Montforte, Duke of Blackheath, is throwing a ball in honor of his brother Charles, who is off to America to fight the upstart rebellious colonists in Boston. Tagging along on the trip will be their cousin, Lady Philippa, who has inherited a plot of land in Massachusetts from her late husband. Lucien is known for his gala celebrations, and also known for pulling everyone’s strings at his own whims, so precisely no one is surprised when Lady Philippa finds herself face-to-face with her onetime love, Admiral Elliot Lord. The two of them haven’t seen each other in over ten years, but neither stopped loving the other. Lucien is in a good mood and has decided to play matchmaker, but the two need no nudging from him to fall back into each other’s arms.

Elliot wants to know why Philippa left him all those years ago; Philippa, no longer a self-conscious little girl, confesses all to him. Both are older, wiser, more mature, and realize time is too precious to waste. Now that he’s found her again, Elliot is determined not to let her go – and even more importantly, to become his wife. Philippa demurs, but agrees to give him one night to convince her. The two sneak away, foiling even all-knowing Lord Lucien, and spend a very cozy evening getting to know one another all over again.

This was a very sweet (and sexy) story. The author does a nice job of weaving their past into their present, and really puts in the effort to show that they truly do love each other, and have a foundation for that love. The on-page sexytimes were nicely written as well – lots of heat to contrast the cold winter weather outside. It’s perfect reading for the sort of miserable weather that usually rolls around early in the year.

I wasn’t too happy with the ending Philippa deciding basically then and there that she wasn’t going to America after all because she could have her man instead but that was only worth half a star IMO. Writing a good novella is extremely hard to do, so major props to Ms. Harmon for more or less knocking this one out of the park. An excellent beginning to the 2022 TBR Challenge! ( )

I’m always willing to take a trip with one of Danelle Harmon’s books, and in this story. The Admiral’s Heart, she takes me on a short journey of what once Pippa and Elliot had but lost; young, sweet and innocent love. By pure coincidence [or is it? You can never be sure when Lucien is around], they are presented with a second chance…

Will Pippa find the courage to face Elliot and finally give him an explanation behind her withdrawal of her affections all those years ago?

Is Elliot willing to listen, forgive and embrace the second chance with the woman he always loved and could never forget?

This is a short story a bit shy of 13,000 words and as such I knew that the author was limited in her telling, but if you’re Danelle Harmon, you don’t let that stop you. And while the story is way too short for my taste, the author made sure I was entertained and vested in Pippa and Elliot’s happily ever after.

I enjoyed their interaction as they reunite and awkwardly try to reacquaint themselves with each other, while each is itching to give in temptation.

Oh, and that love scene at the end….just thought to warn you…it’s a scorcher!

EXCERPT:

“He saw a flash of blue ahead as she rounded a corner, and broke into a run. He would not lose her. Even if he had to chase her from here to Londo.

And he’d be damned to hell and back if he’d allow Sir Geoffrey, or any of his subordinates to know that he felt dismasted, in irons, as stricken as a brig that had just been smashed beneath a salvo of chain shot, and he damn well didn’t need the young Captain Merrick, whose arm had been so conveniently placed beneath Pippa’s hand when he’d come upon the little group, trying to make himself useful. Elliott was on the distant side of thirty. The far distant side. He had enough aches and pains when he got up in the morning these days, and though his sandy blond hair was still thick and rich and showed no sign of either thinning or gray, the lines that bracketed the corners of his eyes, carved there by sun and salt and the passing of years, were an all too blatant reminder that he was no dashing young buck like the handsome Captain Merrick or even that pink-cheeked pup, Oliver Heathmore.

Pippa. Of all people to encounter here. Of all people to run up against when it had taken him ten years to forget her.

Of all people.

There, ahead, a door, ajar. He pushed it open.

Nothing.

He kept going, moving faster now.

Another door. Closed.

He shoved it open and there she was, standing by a window with one hand anchoring herself on its sill. A candle in a glass globe stood on a small table nearby, striking gold into her beautiful face.

‘Elliott,’ she said weakly.

He stopped in his tracks, one hand still on the door, just looking at her.

She was beautiful. Heartbreakingly so. Certainly, the years had treated her kinder than they had him. But then, the one doing the jilting wasn’t usually the one who did the suffering. And by the looks of her, she hadn’t suffered one bit. Skin that was still clear and smooth. Full, pink lips, now parted in surprise or shock, making him ache to kiss them, and a mouth that used to be able to quirk up just a fraction on one side, as though she found life perpetually amusing and expected others to, as well. Kind, gentle, blue eyes, heavily lashed and slightly down-turned at the corners like those of her de Montforte cousins, and a tiny, nipped waist that just begged him to span it with his hands. She wore a beautiful gown of shimmering cobalt silk, the skirts overlaid with white lace and the fitted bodice embroidered with gold thread that caught the light of the candle.

Blue and white and gold.

Naval colors.

Surely it was a coincidence.

Somewhere off over his shoulder, and coming down the hall toward them, he heard voices. Without a second thought, Elliott kicked the door shut behind him with one foot. The abrupt sound it made as it slammed was immensely satisfying.”

Mel for b2b

*Book provided by the author. ( )

'Romance and Intrigue. With an unexpected twist to the end'

such a quick romantic read this, brings a lot of nice memories back...sad ones at the same time. remembering that first love, that first smile, that first kiss..... you just melt inside, you are in paradise

nobody who stirred my blood or captured my heart, as you did. Nobody!
theres no other person with whom I want to spend the rest of my life with.
Let the past remain in the past! its a done thing, I am your future.

it's true what they say, you can never really forget your first true love, but sometimes things happen for a reason and there are some wounds that never heal, no matter how much time they are given....if you are lucky you stay together, but sometimes you can't, but sometimes love will find away of bringing the right souls together again.

"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation."
quote by Rumi

"Love will wreck your heart like a derailed train. So choo-choose your partner wisely.
"

quote by Jarod Kintz

Such a lovely story, it makes you feel as though you are there with the characters.

this book is quite raunchy towards the end, but thankfully not too bad

i really loved this book and hopefully i can get more from Danelle Harmon, such a lovely and wonderful lady. So down to earth.

"You know what I wish? I wish I could put time in a bottle and throw it into the ocean. Then I would have forever to spend with you. I wouldn't need air to breathe or food to eat. Holding you in my arms would be all the food I would need. Having your love would be the only air I would need to breathe."
quote by Lynn Austin

1lıke I'n GR