Month: July 2018

Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Born to Be Wilde (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, #3)Born to Be Wilde by Eloisa James
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Wildes of Lindow Castle, #3

Release Date: July 31, 2018

Parth Sterling and Lavinia Gray have been at odds since the day they met, but when Lavinia learns that her mother is not only addicted to laudanum but has spent their entire fortune AND stole money and jewels from her ward, she is desperate for a rich husband and decides Parth is just the man for the job.

Parth has lived with the Wilde family since he was five years old, his parents lived in India and sent him to England as a ward to the duke. His family died and the Wildes have made him one of their own. Through hard work, Parth has built a fortune and is now one of the richest men in England. He is beyond shocked when Lavinia asks him to marry her, an offer he quickly refuses. Before he can get answers, she apologizes and leaves. Later that day he reveals that he is going to marry and is going to London to woo his bride – a widowed contessa named Elisa. Lavinia feels ill at the news, but it turns out she really is ill, Parth scoops her up and takes her to her room. Over the next few days, he helps care for her and tells her he will help her find a husband.

Lavinia slowly recovers from her illness and learns that Aunt Knowe has sent her mother to a manor to overcome her addiction. Lavinia worries about her mother’s theft and the debts, but decides to take charge of Diana’s trousseau. Diana, Lady Knowe and Lavinia travel to London and Lavinia is delighted to discover that vendors are willing to pay her a commission for having the future duchess’ business. She loves fashion and is in her glory designing and managing Diana’s and several members of the Wilde families wardrobes. She is still embarrassed about her proposal to Parth and tries to avoid him. But when she runs into him at a vendors shop with his soon to be betrothed in tow, she is forced to act nonchalant. She is also surprised to learn how much she likes Elisa. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she slips out for a breath of air and is confronted by Parth – he is upset that she is out in the rain so soon after her illness. He is insulting to her, but not on purpose, he is just incredibly blunt and tactless. Their argument ends when he kisses her.

When another argument leads to another kiss, Parth has changed his mind, he wants Lavinia, not Elisa. Lavinia tries to avoid Parth, especially after Lady Knowe and Diana return to the country and leaving her to tie up things with Diana’s trousseau. Lavinia refuses his offer of escort back to the castle. She thinks of him constantly, but like everyone else, thinks he is going to marry Elisa.

She returns to Lindow and throws herself into her work, Parth inserts himself into her life, making sure she rests and eats. They form a friendship and begin to learn more about each other. When things between them turn heated, she agrees to marry him. He is elated, but must return to London. He says he will return with Elisa before the wedding. She misses him and knows she should have told him the truth about her mother, but is consumed with the work that needs to be done for Diana’s wedding gown.

When Parth returns, eager to see her, he overhears the end of a conversation between Lavinia and Diana. He is hurt by what he hears and seeks out North instead. When she finally sees him, he is distant and cold. They have a fight and she tells him that she has changed her mind and will not marry him.

She flees the castle and goes to see her mother. Parth follows, he knows he messed up and is frantic to repair the damage. But Lavinia is firm, he doesn’t respect her and thinks she is shallow, she cannot marry a man like that. He learns the truth about her mother and bows to Lavina’s request and leaves, but this is not over.

He returns with reinforcements and presses his case. She is still set on refusing him, but when her mother disappears, Parth is the person she turns to for help. When thinks take a violent turn, Parth finally gets his chance to prove his feelings to Lavinia, but is it too late?

This was a great story, I will be honest, I was a bit unsure that I would like it once I learned he planned to marry Elisa and thought this might devolve into a angsty love triangle, but instead I was delightfully surprised with how Ms. James handled the situation and even ended up hoping that she finds a match for Elisa! The book has a lot of witty banter, many amusing scenes, a bit of heartache, steamy love scenes and a sigh worthy ending.

This is the third book in the series, but I think it could be read as a standalone with no problem, however, I have read all three books and feel that my reading experience with this book was enriched by reading the books in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*

More or Less A Countess by Anna Bradley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)4 Comments

More or Less a Countess (The Somerset Sisters, #2)More or Less a Countess by Anna Bradley

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Somerset Sisters #2
Publication Date: 8/7/18

This lovely romance is the story of a man with the lowest self-esteem I’ve read in a long time and a bluestocking who pursues knowledge for a book she is writing at almost any cost. It is well written, well-paced, and it is populated with well developed, very relatable characters. While it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. You’ll also appreciate many delightfully funny moments like a hilarious inappropriate discussion of ‘barrier devices’ (condoms) or – like –

“But damn it, how was a gentleman meant to embark on a courtship when the object of his pursuit was half-drowned in mud and so preoccupied with the skeletal remains of plague victims she hadn’t even noticed how utterly delightful he was?”

Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare never expected to inherit the Earldom. That was to fall to his perfectly perfect brother Graham. No matter how hard Nick tried, he could never, ever be as good as Graham in anyone’s eyes – especially his father – and even his own. Nick had spent the last two years hiding from himself and presenting the picture of a debauched rake to everyone. Nick had tried to fill Graham’s shoes for a while, but nothing he did was ever good enough in his father’s eyes – so he left for the continent with no intention of ever returning to England. However, his aunt had different ideas – and she held the purse strings – because Nick’s father let the estate run into the ground and any monetary inheritance would come from her. So, if Nick wanted any income at all, he had to return to England, marry and produce an heir.

When Nick was first back in England he attended a social event at Lord Derrick’s home. There he notices a very shy young lady who plays the pianoforte like a virtuoso. Hmmmmm, Nick thinks he’s found the perfect bride – Hyacinth Somerset. He can marry her, get a child on her and leave for the continent once that duty is done. No fuss, no muss!

Violet Somerset endured one endless, tormenting season where she was ridiculed, mistreated and gossiped about because she was a bluestocking. There was no way Violet was ever going to endure another season and therefore, she would never marry. She was also heartbroken because the one man who had treated her well and who she had loved, had recently married her best friend. So, Violet’s one ambition was to finish the book she was writing and illustrating. All she needed were a few more sketches from places where ladies were not free to go.

Violet, Hyacinth and their grandmother attend a dinner at Lord Derrick’s home. Violet is a bit upset because Lord Derrick is the man she has loved and who is now married to her best friend. Then, a latecomer appears and is seated directly across from Violet’s sister Hyacinth. He is the notorious rake, Lord Dare. Then, later Lord Dare approaches Violet and asks if he can call on her – she knows he has mistaken her for Hyacinth. Well – there is absolutely no way she’s going to let this rake anywhere near her sweet, shy and lovely sister. So, she lets him continue to think she is Hyacinth and tells him he is not welcome to call on her. That, of course, doesn’t stop Lord Dare.

Nick becomes more and more intrigued with ‘Hyacinth’ and Violet continues to let him believe she is Hyacinth while she allows him to escort her to places she wouldn’t normally be able to go. She also begins to care for Nick and knows that she has to tell him who she really is – but she’s afraid she’ll lose him and he’ll pursue the real Hyacinth. She knows he’ll find out sooner or later and when he does . . .

Poor Nick is so troubled and if it was possible to grab his father from the grave and murder him – I would. He always made Nick feel as if he were second best and was unworthy of love – especially his father’s. I hate all Nick had to go through to get his HEA, but he is a lovely, lovely hero and I really liked him.

For me, this was a 5-star read for most of the book. I did deduct a half of a star because the ‘big misunderstanding’ scene seemed contrived to me. For an overnight stop, there is no way a footman would mistakenly unload ALL of the trunks from the carriage. I mean – goodness – he’d just be creating work for himself and then he’d have to re-load them all the next morning. Then – the maid employed by the coaching inn wouldn’t be unpacking ALL of those trunks for an overnight stay. Actually, she wouldn’t be unpacking them at all – Violet’s lady’s maid would unpack only what she needed. So – half a star deduction.

I highly recommend this book – and this series.

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“I requested and received this e-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.”