Don't Forget Spike Say Please and Thank You: Plush Board Book

by Celia Biscoe

Jack and his stuffed dinosaur, Spike, learn about manners together.

10 pages, Board Book

First published February 4, 2008

Reviews

[Brita Clarkson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sophie Grant is not your usual woman of the time period. She owns and runs a very successful shipping company she took over when her much older husband died. Most of the marriage was her deceased husband training her to take over the company. Sophie is definitely an independent woman, but one oddity came out of her marriage. They never consummated their marriage. Her husband felt he was too old, and was not interested in it any longer. Now, she has begun to wonder what it's like to have intimate relations with a man, and is thinking to have an affair.
James Jones happens to be a very successful captain of one of her ships she owns. Little does he know, or remember, he is the son of a duke. He was taken as an 8 year old to be a cabin boy. He had been beaten so badly, he no longer had memories of his previous life. All he knows is his life at sea. However, a chance encounter leads him to find out his previous life, and how this will affect the rest of his life.
Both James and Sophie are very attracted to one another. He wants her to fall in love with him as Captain Jones, not as the heir to a dukedom.
This book is filled with lack of communication between the two. Some of it is quite understandable, most is not.
I had series problems reading it. The novel took me over a week to finish, which hardly every happens. I wasn't invested in the characters or their story, and did not feel any connection either.. Maybe if the story had been longer, there may have been some depth to their characters, and add to the story. The conversations felt stilted and forced. He told her he was in love with her almost immediately. It was not a love at first sight. It just came out of nowhere.
Her fear of marriage was legitimate. During the time period, a woman would lose everything she owns because all would end up belonging to the husband. I won't give any spoilers, but I found their solution to the problem was odd.
James' family also happened to own a shipping company that was in direct competition to hers. Why bother even mention that part since there wasn't much reference to that? The villains could have been sabotaging a completely different business. Again, this isn't a spoiler. It is in the beginning of the book.
She was the daughter of a viscount, and he was the heir to a dukedom. Several times it was mentioned there would be issues reentering society for the two. Yet, not once did they even meet anyone connected to the ton besides his stepmother.
I did like James and Sophie a lot, just not as a couple. He was very, very sweet once he realized she had never had any relations with a man, I liked that she was a stubborn, strong woman, who had no problems taking care of things herself. Again, I did not feel any connection to their love story. Maybe if more time had been spent developing the characters and their past, I would have enjoyed this more.
There is some heat in the intimate scenes. After the first time, it was almost closed door for the rest of the novel.
The author has written quite a few novels. I may check those out, but I can honestly say that i have no interest in continuing this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Persnickety · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Duke's Unexpected Love" by Alexa Aston is a charming historical romance that delivers a delightful twist on the classic love story. The novel introduces us to James Jones, a man who returns home after years at sea to discover he is the heir to a dukedom. Sophie Grant, on the other hand, is a widow running her own company, thanks to her late husband's guidance.
The chemistry between James and Sophie is palpable, and their unconventional backgrounds make their romance all the more intriguing. Aston skillfully portrays their evolving relationship, highlighting their individual strengths and vulnerabilities. Sophie's journey from a shy, sheltered woman to a confident and independent businesswoman is particularly well-developed.
While the plot may follow some familiar tropes, Aston's engaging writing style and the depth of the characters elevate the story. "The Duke's Unexpected Love" is a heartwarming tale of love, self-discovery, and second chances that is sure to captivate fans of historical romance.

Thanks to Ms Aston, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[y · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read from the author, and it's quite a nice one! I find myself looking forward to the next in the series. The characters feel real and the romance scenes were just right in terms of their tension. That being said, I think what's stopping it from being a five star read is that there wasn't enough groveling--and the MMC definitely needed to grovel. There were also themes of them both being victims of emotional + physical abuse from their fathers, yet there wasn't any real follow up? It just wasn't explored enough and almost seemingly is used as a vehicle for why they were both estranged. It also just wasn't addressed aside from the FMC coming to understand this--but did the MMC? There just wasn't enough development on that part.

While I'm typing and thinking more about these issues, my four star read became a 3.5 that I rounded down.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book better. The characters are different from the traditional Regency romance. The heroine is a skilled businesswoman and the hero is heir to a dukedom, but has forgotten his history. He was kidnapped and beaten so badly that he forgot everything. It was an interesting set-up, but things are wrapped up rather easily. He finds out who he is and remembers everything his first night back. He routs the evil uncle and cousin and takes leadership of his family. There is a little tension about whether the heroine will trust him enough to risk losing the company her first husband left her, but that also gets wrapped up quickly.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

[Texastwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new series started with the introduction to Jame Jones a sea Captain. When he come into port after 20 years he is recognized by the tutor he once loved. As this story unfolds The Captain is actually the heir to a dukedom. As he navigates this new life and tries to transition from one life t the next things get very complicated and very clear at the same time.
I immensely enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing the rest of the family find their happily ever after. The interactions between the older brother an the younger siblings and wards is something that every family should aspire to minimally.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a decent read. I agree with others that it had a lot of potential to be a lot better though. There were some plot inconsistencies as noted by others. I also think there was much more room for development. She never even tells him about her childhood abuse. They never really express their traumatic backgrounds to one another. It was a great base, but needed to be fleshed out more. There were some steamy scenes, but again, I would have liked to see them more developed. Everything just felt rushed. The writing was solid though. A lot of potential and hopefully, her next novel is a bit longer. It was worth a read though. Thanks to NetGalley for this free copy advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series by this amazing author. The Strong series is going to be just that, Strong! All ready it has characters who have come through more than the average person of those times. The women are resilient, calm, practical, independent and ahead of their time. James, the main male is so honorable that he puts everyone else to shame! Then there are the friends and family members who make up this exciting group of people. Of course there is a villain or two, as evil lerks everywhere in life, but there is also joy, humor, steam, and so much more. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down until the very end. Now I'm impatiently waiting for book two. As always this author writes with great historical information, creativity and soul.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting storyline. A hero and heroine that are determined to misunderstand each other and not communicate. Agnes was interesting. I can see how the author made her more demensional than just a spoiled and entitled brat. The hero I can like more. His little bursts of anger and tirades are getting very old very fast.
Overall, this was a fun read and I am amazed at how much character development and plot the author was able to squeeze in with
166 pages.
Looking forward to Kitty's story:)

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good premise with great characters...

I really was intrigued by the premise (a virgin widow and the sailor from a great family, who was pressed into service). I wasn't disappointed by Sophie and James. Sophie was treated with care by the man she was married to, but she's lonely since his passing.

James was once a member of the aristocrasy, but he was disappeared. Now, his memory is jogged and he is finding out who he really is. Sophie and James are a good match and you root for them.
Recommend.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mara had a disastrous wedding night and she was left isolated at her husband's country estate. She decides that she will travel to London for the Season and take a lover. Her husband, Ambrose, hears the rumors and is shocked. He decides that he'll be the one to make her feel passion.

I love how Mara grows and gains confidence. I like how Ambrose has to earn her love. Terrific plot. Terrific historical romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

[NinaInkdawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

cosa puoi voler di più da una storia romantica ?che sia divertente James e Sophia mi sono entrati subito nel cuore soprattutto perchè sono divertenti,complessi ma anche assolutamente unici e intrigano con il loro modo di essere .Non vedo l ora di leggere sugli altri personaggi ...Da leggere .Un ottimo vero inizio per una serie che avrà molto da dire .
Ringrazio Netgalley per la copia gratuita .i pensieri della recensione sono miei

[Kim Vanravenswaay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but didn't get the ending that I thought it deserved. In the end Sophie did not trust James enough to love her and do right by her. She had to have it in writing that she would stay in control of her shipping company. James gave up so much and lost even more. He was willing to do anything to marry her. It ruined the story for me.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meek duchess who dares to take a lover? Impossible. That's what people thought when the news spread out. Even the husband doesn't care. The novel sometimes goes backward, when they started to meet, court and then married. This is good, but the going backward doesn't suit my taste, but overall, the idea of the story is OK.