Month: July 2017

An Earl by Any Other Name by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910)1 Comment

An Earl by Any Other Name (Sins and Scandals #1)Barbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Sins and Scandal #1
Publication Date: 8/1/17

Delightfully sweet and happy tale that takes place at the end of the Edwardian era (1910),

Leopold Graham, Earl of Hampton had always been a free spirited, happy, loving man – until his father dies in his mistress’ bed. Then, he found that the estate was in debt and the scandal his father created has denied him entry to investments and lines of credit. Now, he is serious and rigid and determined to marry an heiress.

Ivy Leighton is the half-Romani half-English child who lived on the Hampton estate until she was eight. She and Leo were fast friends even though they were eight years apart in age. Ivy has grown up to be a suffragette and feels she’ll have to forgo love and marriage in order to continue in her work for women’s rights because no man of that time would allow his wife to work for or support those causes.

When Leo’s interfering mother cajoles him into having a house party, she invites Ivy and her father to attend. You’ll just have to read the story to see how things go at the house party, but you can assume that Leo is a changed man before all is said and done.

“I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

A Diamond for a Duke by Collette Cameron

On By TracyIn Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

A Diamond for a DukeA Diamond for a Duke by Collette Cameron
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Release Date: July 24, 2017 (tentative)

Series: Seductive Scoundrels, #1

This sweet novella is based on the Fairytale “The Fairies” aka “Diamonds and Toads”

The heroine, Jemmah is the younger sister of Adelinda and daughter to Belinda. Adelinda and Belinda are outwardly beautiful women, yet they are nasty, selfish women in reality. Belinda favors her older daughter who takes after her in both appearance and personality. Both women are verbally abusive to Jemmah and treat her like a servant. Jemmah believes her mother distains her because she takes after her father. Her father passed away while in the arms of his mistress and soon after, Belinda started taking out her unhappiness on Jemmah and opened the door for Adelinda to treat her the same way. The one bright spot in her life was her friendship with Jules.

Jules is now the Duke of Dandridge, but years ago he was simply the often overlooked second son. He and Jemmah shared a special bond, both never quite fitting into their families. When he left for school, he lost touch with her. He has suffered incredible losses, his father, his brother and his betrothed. When a chance meeting reunites them, he is thrilled and immediately knows that she is the woman he has always been looking for. They share a kiss and Jules asks to call on her.

Knowing her mother would never let Jules court her, especially while Adelinda is unwed, she makes plans to meet him at her Aunt’s house. Later that evening, she is offered the opportunity to act as companion to her Aunt’s mother in law and she will also sponsor Jemmah for the season. She is happy to accept the position and participate in the season. But her mother and sister make a scene and insist that Adelinda should be the one to be sponsored. Aunt Theo steps in and threatens to cut them off if they do not allow Jemmah to be sponsored.

The next day, her mother confronts her and tells her in no uncertain terms that if she doesn’t step down and let Adelinda have the position, Jemmah will no longer be welcome in their home.

Jemmah has a kind and sweet soul, but for the first time in her life, she thinks of herself first and leaves. She meets up with Jules at her aunts house and he informs her he intends to court her.

This was a truly sweet and touching story of two overlooked people finding complete happiness with each other. The book is well written, paced perfectly and while I generally prefer a steamier read, I found I did not miss the lack of love scenes in this book (it was kisses only).

I would be happy to recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series!

*I was gifted a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review*