💕Georgian #Romance Rosie’s #Bookreview of A Counterfeit Wife by @PaullettGolden #TuesdayBookBlog

A Counterfeit Wife by Paullett Golden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Counterfeit Wife is book one of The Sirens series of Georgian historical romances.

Set mainly in Yorkshire, this book tells the story of an impoverished Marquis and his rash decision to remedy the problem. The new Lord Pickering has inherited a title but his predecessor left the stately coffers empty. He needs a wife with a large dowry as soon as possible. A swift marriage is arranged with Pickering only meeting Miss Whittington on the eve of their wedding.

Lady Pickering is happy to throw herself into her new life; she’s not what Pickering was expecting at all and she soon wins his heart and is welcomed by the villagers. Repairs to the house, estate and village begin. Lord and Lady Pickering slip into an easy relationship and there is plenty of detail of the era woven cleverly into the plot to keep the reader interested.

Few romances in this genre occur without a problem that needs to be solved and this one is no different; I shan’t say more and spoil the story. However, I just want to say how much I liked this romance, which surprised me in places in the way the characters acted in challenging situations; this made it refreshing to read. Well done!

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Trevor Gaines, the Marquess of Pickering, falls in love with his wife. The catch? The woman is an impostor. Desperate for money, he arranges a fast marriage with the wealthiest dowry in England. Not until after the wedding does he realize he married the wrong woman.

​J’non Butler is a maid accompanying her mistress for an arranged marriage. When her mistress elopes with another man, J’non marries the marquess, posing as the man’s contracted bride.

This is the love story of Trevor and J’non as they defy convention and find passion in their bed of lies.

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📚Set In The 1700s, Rosie’s #Bookreview of #HistoricalRomance The Pirate Duchess by Rue Allyn.

The Pirate Duchess by Rue Allyn

The Pirate Duchess by Rue Allyn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Pirate Duchess is set in the late 1700s and is an historical romance.

Esmeralda Crobbin, also known as Irish Red, is an infamous privateer who sails in the Caribbean seas. It’s here that she first meets British Naval Officer Brandon Gilroy, but they part ways during a skirmish. We next meet the duo in Britain during a storm; Gilroy is still working for the Navy while Esme is searching for details about her parentage. Their encounter is short but they meet for a third time in Scotland.

There is a lot going on in this story and apart from the opening scene much of the interesting action happens ‘off-screen’. I thought that the story tried to fit in too much at the expense of giving the reader time to really enjoy the two main characters. It’s not a bad story, but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped.

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THEY MEET DURING A BRAWL

Esmeralda Crobbin first encounters Brandon Gilroy during a brawl. Once their opponents are vanquished, she admires the man’s skill with his fists, his intelligence, and a number of other attributes until she learns that he is a British Naval Officer. He would be eager to see her hang, if he knew she was the American privateer, Irish Red.

AmazonUK | AmazonUS (Expected publication 22nd March 2023)

‘Book 3 of the Lady Tregowan’s Will series of #HistoricalRomances. Rosie’s #Bookreview of The Penniless Debutante by @JaniceGPreston

The Penniless Debutante by Janice Preston

4.5 stars

The Penniless Debutante is book 3 of the Lady Tregowan’s Will series of historical romances. Three young woman are drawn together at the reading of Lady Tregowan’s will; they discover that they are half-sisters.

This is the story of Aurelia, the penniless daughter of a milliner. The timing of the will gives Aurelia opportunities she could only dream of; however, the will has stipulations for the inheritors which will test Aurelia to her limits.

Max Penrose, the Earl of Tregowan, has been crushed by the news that he won’t be inheriting from the will of the late Lady Tregowan. He had planned to use the money to pull himself and his estate out of debt while supporting his mother and sister. He’s left completely puzzled by the late changes to the will.

On a coach to London Max is distracted from his troubles by a young woman, but he believes that she has secrets about herself; these become very apparent when they arrive in London and Max is shocked by what he learns.

A lovely finale to this trilogy, I have read about Aurelia in the stories about her two half-sisters and I was eager to read her tale. She had quite a battle with her conscience before she settled with what made her happiest. I have enjoyed the whole series, and the stories are ideal books to read for a bit of afternoon escapism.

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Almost destitute

When she inherits a fortune!

The will that sees Aurelia Croome become wealthy forbids her from marrying the new Lord Tregowan. That wouldn’t be a concern if the only man to catch Aurelia’s eye during her first Season wasn’t Maximilian Penrose—Lord Tregowan! Why is it that no one else has Max’s honor, wit or tantalizing good looks? The specter of being poor again haunts her—but the thought of sacrificing passion for comfort is just as terrifying!

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#HistoricalRomance Built Around Victorian Plumbing. Rosie’s #Bookreview of The Earl Who Sees Her Beauty by @MargueriteKaye

The Earl Who Sees Her Beauty by Marguerite Kaye

4.5 stars

The Earl Who Sees Her Beauty is the first book in a new duet series of historical romances.

Dominic Caldwell was hiding in a small Greek village when he discovered that he had a claim on an English Earldom. The news for Dominic of his likely inheritance was less thrilling than others may have thought.

He travelled to London with the full intention of selling all of his new gains as quickly as possible and returning to his peaceful Greek life.

Prudence Carstairs had spent her life hiding from society because of a hideous scar on her face. The only place outside her home where she felt comfortable was Hawthorn Manor, which is becoming dilapidated.

This is a tale built around Victorian plumbing and sanitation; an unusual theme, but one which worked well. Dominic and Prudence are likeable characters, each with demons that they must overcome. I enjoyed the way that the author moved the story away from ball rooms and high society often seen in this genre and gave attention to the plight of the lower classes. I shall look forward to the second book in the series.

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Unaware of her beauty…

Until he awakens her.

Prudence Carstairs knows her scars leave her with no romantic prospects—instead, she’s content revolutionizing her employer’s home with her technological marvels. Then he unexpectedly perishes and his mysterious younger brother, dashing Dominic Thorburn, reluctantly takes over. In the new earl, Prudence finally finds someone who meets her gaze without flinching. Might he see the beautiful, intelligent woman beyond her scars?

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‘With an authentic period feel of London.’ @SandraFirth3 reviews #HistoricalRomance Miss Wetherham’s Wedding by Linore Rose Burkard

Today’s team review is from Sandra. She blogs here https://www.firthproof.co.uk/index.php/book-reviews

Sandra has been reading Miss Wetherham’s Wedding by Linore Rose Burkard

Miss Wetherham’s Wedding is the third book in the Brides of Mayfair series by Linore Rose Burkard set in London in the early nineteenth century. Having been left a widow at a fairly young age, Lettie Wetherham’s future is anything but secure, especially as she expresses no desire to marry again.

Nicholas Dellacort’s nose is out of joint because Sophia Alden’s father has accepted an offer for her hand from the much wealthier Lord Elston, Earl Brest instead of him. Learning of Lettie’s reputation as a matchmaker, he hires her to disrupt the engagement but things do not go according to plan. Lettie is well out of her comfort zone as Nick promises that each awkward encounter will be the last but, due to her dire financial situation, she really has no choice but to carry on.

The characters are well developed and the chemistry between them makes for some amusing conversations. The authentic period feel of London during the season is convincing, obviously the result of a lot of research, and the helpful glossary is useful for filling in any gaps in the reader’s knowledge. I have read a lot of Regency novels, but still learned some new expressions. I really enjoyed Miss Wetherham’s Wedding and now plan to go back and read the second one in the series.

4 stars

Every step she takes to ensure his happiness is a nail in the coffin of her own.

Miss Wetherham, a matchmaker, must agree to the devious plan of a society rogue before she finds herself destitute. Helping him gain back his lost love will protect her independence and survival. But can any amount of money protect her guileless heart from falling for his charms?

Nick Dellacort is determined to restore his pride and gain back the bride he lost. Miss Wetherham is the woman able to help him do it and he’ll make it worth her while. But once he sets the devilish wheels in motion, can he persuade her to abandon the scheme and choose instead a scoundrel like him for a wedding of her own?

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‘It’s how you get to that ending!’ @deBieJennifer Reviews #HistoricalRomance Miss Wetherham’s Wedding by Linore Rose Burkard

Today’s team review is from Jenni. She blogs here https://jenniferdebie.com/

Jenny has been reading Miss Wetherham’s Wedding by Linore Rose Burkard

Alright readers, if you are picking up a book titled Miss Wetherhan’s Wedding, the third in a series called The Brides of Mayfair, complete with cover art depicting a pretty blond in a period gown, you know what you’re here for.

Not as steamy as a Julia Quinn, not as sexless as an Austen, Burkhard strikes a nice balance with her characters and settings, and that’s exactly how I would describe this one. Nice. There’s a rake, there’s a heroine in a jam, there’s a meddling spinster and some servants and a scheme that we all know is going to go awry, and in the end there’s a happily ever after.

There are stakes, of course there are stakes—reputations might be ruined, someone might have to (gasp) leave London, and someone might enter a loveless marriage, but come on lads. Are we really that worried about any of these people?

Burkhard has spent some time researching her era, there are fun, period-specific phrases used by various characters and some clothing descriptions that the casual BBC watcher would not have picked up on. Burkhard knows her genre and obviously loves it, and good for her.

A friend studying chick-lit for her PhD tells me that with books like this, it’s not the fact that you know the ending from the back cover blurb that matters, it’s how you get to that ending. The journey, not the destination, and a few other decorative mug phrases.

If that is the case, then the road through Miss Wetherham’s Wedding is pleasant. There’s banter, there’s dancing, sherry is consumed, there’s a fun wardrobe for our heroine to don and several fancy events where she can show it off, and in the end problems are solved by everyone marrying the person we thought they would.

If you’re looking for mystery and tense, upper-crust intrigue, this isn’t exactly it, but, if you’re looking for a nice little read on a sunny afternoon, Miss Wetherham’s Wedding might just be your cup of tea.

4/5

Every step she takes to ensure his happiness is a nail in the coffin of her own.

Miss Wetherham, a matchmaker, must agree to the devious plan of a society rogue before she finds herself destitute. Helping him gain back his lost love will protect her independence and survival. But can any amount of money protect her guileless heart from falling for his charms?

Nick Dellacort is determined to restore his pride and gain back the bride he lost. Miss Wetherham is the woman able to help him do it and he’ll make it worth her while. But once he sets the devilish wheels in motion, can he persuade her to abandon the scheme and choose instead a scoundrel like him for a wedding of her own?

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‘It takes an acorn and a determined man’. Rosie’s #Bookreview of #ContemporaryRomance Sweet, Sexy Heart by @Melissa_Foster

Sweet, Sexy Heart by Melissa Foster

5 stars

Sweet, Sexy Heart is a stand-alone contemporary romance and it is also part of The Bradens & Montgomerys: Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls series.

Amber Montgomery, a bookshop owner, suffers from epilepsy, but she has it under control and leads a quiet small-town life. Dash Pennington is a high profile ex-footballer who is launching his debut novel; he’s starting his book tour at Amber’s shop, but arrives in town early to have a break from his schedule.

Amber may have a crush on Dash, but he’s not someone she would really get involved with.  Dash’s bad boy footballer reputation precedes him, and he’s warned him off Amber, but the image that fans have of him aren’t the real Dash; he’s loyal and thoughtful, putting family and friends first.

It takes an acorn and a determined man to break down Amber’s barriers, but will Dash’s busy lifestyle and her stay-at-home dreams ever find a compromise?

This is a very sweet loving (and hot) romance, which tackles epilepsy in an open way without it feeling like a lecture. I enjoyed the small-town setting and how close and supportive Amber’s family are. There are secondary characters from other books for those who follow the series, or for new readers, those characters may pique their interest enough to pick up and fall in love with more of Foster’s couples.

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Amber Montgomery is perfectly happy with her quiet life. She loves running her bookstore, taking long walks with Reno, her Labrador retriever seizure-response dog, and spending time with her close-knit family. She’s never needed thrills the way some of her sisters have. In an effort to control her epilepsy, she tries to avoid anything that creates too much excitement or stress—including relationships. When Amber hosts a book signing for famed-athlete-turned-author Dash Pennington, he’s everything she’s spent her life avoiding: loud, aggressive, and far too handsome, as proven by the hordes of women who surround him everywhere he goes. Amber can’t ignore the sparks flying between her and Dash, but this is a no-brainer for her: Ignore their chemistry and hold her breath until he leaves town.

Dash Pennington has spent his life running. Running the ball in for a touchdown, running from town to town to appease his public relations reps, and for years, running into the arms of too many women to count. He’s also an expert at protecting—his reputation, his family, and lately, his sanity. But he’s ready to make a change. When he comes to the sleepy little town of Oak Falls, Virginia, and witnesses the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen living the life he craves, she refuses to have anything to do with him. But now that Dash has found the one thing he doesn’t want to run from, he’ll stop at nothing to win her over.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT Victorian #Romance FAIR AS A STAR by @MimiMatthewsEsq

Today’s team review is from Sandra, she blogs here https://www.firthproof.co.uk/index.php/book-reviews

Sandra has been reading Fair As A Star by Mimi Matthews

Set in Somerset in 1864, Fair as a Star is the first in the Victorian Romantics series by Mimi Matthews. Newly returned from a mysterious trip to Paris with her aunt, Beryl Burnham tries to pick up her life where she left off. She is engaged to Sir Henry Rivenhall, in a marriage of convenience, but has always been good friends with his brother, Mark, who is curate in the local church.

No one knows why she left for France so suddenly, and local gossip was rife, but she has to come clean to Mark when he accidentally finds her weeping in a secluded spot by the river. She is suffering from depression (or melancholy as it was known then) and does not want anyone to know, partly because of the extreme treatments advocated by her previous doctor.

Mark is very understanding, and does not belittle what she is going through. As a curate, he is a good listener and this is just what she needs. He does not suggest cures for her melancholy, does not even see her as damaged. The message here is to accept others for who they are as individuals, and not try to make them all fit into the same mould.

This is a romance novel, and the ending is obvious from the start, but it is how Mimi Matthews achieves this end that makes it so readable. Sir Henry is very full of his own importance and thinks he knows best, but does not love Beryl. She realises her affections lie elsewhere and behaves in a very bold fashion.

I read this in one sitting, and thought it dealt very sensitively with the difficult subject of depression. It was not really understood back then, and a lot of strange, harmful beliefs and so-called ‘cures’ were commonplace. Medicine was a very male-dominated profession, and women faced both the patronising attitude of old-school male doctors, and the ludicrous treatments they prescribed.

The period detail is convincing, and the characters come across as well rounded individuals; my favourite was Beryl’s horse-mad sister, Winnifred, whose story will no doubt feature in a later book. I will certainly be looking out for the next book in the Victorian Romantics series.

A Secret Burden…

After a mysterious sojourn in Paris, Beryl Burnham has returned home to the village of Shepton Worthy ready to resume the life she left behind. Betrothed to the wealthy Sir Henry Rivenhall, she has no reason to be unhappy—or so people keep reminding her. But Beryl’s life isn’t as perfect as everyone believes.

A Longstanding Love…

As village curate, Mark Rivenhall is known for his compassionate understanding. When his older brother’s intended needs a shoulder to lean on, Mark’s more than willing to provide one. There’s no danger of losing his heart. He already lost that to Beryl a long time ago.

During an idyllic Victorian summer, friends and family gather in anticipation of Beryl and Sir Henry’s wedding. But in her darkest moment, it’s Mark who comes to Beryl’s aid. Can he help her without revealing his feelings—or betraying his brother?

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Rosie’s #Bookreview of #HistoricalRomance THE BARON AND THE ENCHANTRESS by @PaullettGolden #TuesdayBookBlog

The Baron and The Enchantress by Paullett Golden

4 stars

The Baron And The Enchantress is book three in the Enchantresses series of historical romances.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the series in order as in each new book you get to reunite with characters from previous ones.

This is the story of Lilith, a parish midwife and now a teacher at the orphanage that she was raised in. A year ago her brother, who thought she had died, came back into her life. Lilith was shocked to discover she was the long lost sister of Sebastian, the Earl of Roddam. Although happy to know she has a brother, Lilith refuses to leave her humble home. She vows that the carefree and empty life of a society lady is not for her.

However, during her time as midwife for her brother’s wife, Lilith meets Walter (Lord Collingwood), who has an estate in Devon. He and his mother represent the aristocracy that Lilith despises, but as they get to know each other she finds them both quite different from her expectations.

This is a story filled with doubts and insecurities, family, bloodlines and people’s fear of imperfection. I liked this twist on the rags-to-riches theme. Lilith’s struggles to find a way she could be comfortable as Lady Lilith were believable and I sympathised with her when she struggled to find a place where she felt she belonged. Walter too, had personal issues he needed to work through, even though he thought his love alone would be enough for Lilith.

Some of my favourite parts were when Lilith chose to learn to be a lady and how her new household helped her transformation.

Overall a good edition to the series and I shall look forward to reading the next book.

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Lilith Chambers’ quiet life as a parish midwife shatters when the brother thought responsible for her death discovers she’s alive and well. Having been raised in an orphanage, she has few memories of her real parentage or the circumstances of her disappearance from the life she ought to have. As she reorients herself in a new life, she meets the one man she can’t have.

Walter Hobbs, Baron Collingwood, is struggling to assume the mantle of his untimely inheritance. Then he meets Lilith Chambers, the long-lost daughter of the 15th Earl of Roddam. He is struck by love at first sight. She is everything he could ever want in a woman, except for two inconveniences: she is illegitimate, and she wants nothing to do with him.

This is the love story of Walter and Lilith as they discover themselves through each other.

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Rosie’s #Bookreview of Regency #Romance The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by @VirginiaHeath_

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath

4 stars

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is a regency romance. Written as part of the King’s Elite mini-series, the book has links to The Wild Warriners, but it can also be read as a stand-alone.

It opens in 1820 Nottinghamshire. Seb Leatham is currently recovering from a serious bullet wound. Whilst a patient, in the home of Dr Joe Warriner, Seb meets Lady Clarissa Beaumont.

Lady Clarissa has her eyes set on capturing a certain Duke, but despite all her best efforts, The Duke of Westbridge is dragging his feet over a marriage proposal. When Seb returns to work, he’s given an undercover job which requires him to pretend he is Lord Millcroft. The aristocratic role makes him uncomfortable until he persuades Lady Clarissa to help him with his cover story. She in turn hopes to use Seb to make her Duke jealous enough to propose. There follows a delightful simmering romance.

I’m currently enjoying reading books in this genre and this one is a lovely off-shoot of the Wild Warriners series. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet found the books which are linked to this one, to start at the beginning to get the best overall experience.

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Life as a duchess…

Or something much more dangerous?

Part of The King’s Elite: constantly told her beauty and charm are all she has to offer, Lady Clarissa is intent on marrying a duke. And intriguing spy Sebastian Leatham will help her! Only, first she’ll assist him with his new assignment—playing the part of confident aristocrat Lord Millcroft. Sebastian awakens a burning desire within Clarissa that leaves her questioning whether becoming a duchess is what she truly longs for…

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