Nicola Cornick, Confessions of a Duchess

When unscrupulous village squire Sir Montague Fortune discovers that he can revive all the ancient taxes in the village of Fortune's Folly he causes uproar amongst the populace, for the medieval Dames' Tax will allow him to take half the dowry of every unmarried woman in the village unless she weds within the year. Soon the village is bustling with fortune hunting bachelors out to persuade the ladies that it would be preferable to marry them than to lose their fortunes...
Love this authors blog.
Great characters interesting story 4 out of 5

A Hint of Wicked by, Jennifer Haymore

Synopsis
What happens when a lady desires not one man, but two?

CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE…
Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his best friend and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul…until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.

TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS…
Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love…but life and death.
Hot 4.5 out of 5

Synopsis

Wedding bells celebrating the arranged marriage between the lovely Duchess of Beaumont and her staid, imperturbable duke had scarcely fallen silent when a shocking discovery sent Jemma running from the ducal mansion. For the next nine years she cavorted abroad, creating one delicious scandal after another (if one is to believe the rumors).

Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, did believe those rumors.
But the handsome duke needs an heir, so he summons his seductive wife home. Jemma laughs at Elijah’s cool eyes and icy heart—but to her secret shock, she doesn’t share his feelings. In fact, she wants the impossible: her husband’s heart at her feet.
But what manner of seduction will make a man fall desperately in love…with his own wife?
Warm 4 out of 5

The Garden

With the weather being so warm we already have cherry tomatoes and peppers.

The herbs are growing faster than can be used.

I will have to dry and store them for later use.

Tempted All night, by Liz Carlyle

Synopsis

Even the most careful lady can be swayed by a scoundrel . . .

Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss—but burdened by a dark secret. She's buried her shame in running her wealthy brother, Lord Nash’s, households while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe . . . until a reckless village maid's disappearance pulls her into London's seedy underworld.

A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan’s an out and out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel—a perfect task for his talents!—Tristan can’t refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt—until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.
Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated . . . when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion—and deadly foes!

Loved it, very hot 5 out of 5

Curry Chicken

Last night while surfing the net I found a Curry Chicken video. So today for lunch I had a go. Changing it up a bit for our personal taste. I omitted the fresh chile and curry paste because I could not find any at the grocery store, using fresh curry instead.

Overall it was very easy just a few ingredients. Serve over rice, if I were to make it again I would add more tomato paste and heavy cream and adding more salt.

1 med onion chopped small

olive oil to coat the pan for cooking chicken and onions

2 chicken fillets

2 tsp tomato paste

2 cloves chopped garlic

1/4 tsp slat

1/4 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 coriander

1 tsp curry powder yellow

3 Tbs heavy cream

Serve over steamed rice.