Month: October 2018

The Earl’s Wagered Bride by Cerise DeLand

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Earl's Wagered Bride: Christmas Belles, Book 1The Earl’s Wagered Bride: Christmas Belles, Book 1 by Cerise DeLand

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Christmas Belles #1
Publication Date: 10/29/18

This was a nicely written novella featuring three couples and three HEA’s. What more could you ask for? They had all been friends since childhood and they had all been in love about that long as well. The ladies are sisters and the men are returning war heroes. The main featured pair is Griffith Harlinger, the fourth Earl of Marsden and Marjorie Craymore. The secondary couples are Neville Vaughn, Viscount Bromley with Delphine (Del) Craymore and Alastair Demerest, newly ascended to a dukedom, and Belinda (Bee) Craymore.

As the three men head out together to attend Griff’s step-mothers Christmas house party in Brighton, two of them know that the reason they are going is to secure the women they have loved forever. Both of them were severely injured in the war and they value life and want to settle down. Griff knows he is looking forward to seeing Marjorie, she’s been with him in his heart and mind through all of his battles, but he doesn’t know he’s in love with her. Making that discovery is a bit of a shock to his system.

The Craymore sisters are all beautiful, sweet, caring, prideful and they are seeking atonement for their family as well as revenge. Their father, a Viscount gambled away the family fortune and even their dowry’s before he died. Then, their brother George died in the war and a cruel, uncaring relative took over what little remained of the Viscountancy. At that point, their aunt (Griff’s step-mother) took them in. Although she was loving and generous with them, they each felt they were taking charity and it grated on them. Each sister wanted to do her part to either gain revenge (Marjorie) or to atone (Bee) and they went about it in different ways. Marrying was something they never thought to do.

It was lovely to see these three engaging couples find their way to each other and gain their HEA. It was a lovely read.

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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.”

Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical MysteryLeave a comment

Uneasy Lies the Crown (Lady Emily #13)Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lady Emily #13
Publication Date: 10/30/18

I had such fun reading this fast-paced, well-written book! Best of all – you actually get three stories. Now, some folks will find it disconcerting to switch from 1415 in one chapter to 1901 in another chapter. I absolutely understand why the author did the story that way and was good with it, but I can suggest that IF that bothers you, just read all of the 1901 chapters first and then read the 1401, etc. chapters. I must also say that, while I still love Lady Emily, she is seeming more and more arrogant and self-righteous in each new installment.

The chapters in 1901 deal with two mysteries. Are the two related or separate? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out. It is the day of Queen Victoria’s funeral and all of England is in mourning. When a body, dressed as an earlier ruler, is found at the Tower of London it raises the alarm of all of those involved in the protection of the new King. Colin Hargreaves and his wife Emily are on the case even though Scotland Yard is doing the investigation. The Scotland Yard inspector definitely doesn’t welcome Lady Emily’s involvement, but she just works around him and finds more clues than he does. Well – frankly, he’s just looking for clues that tie the murder to the new King and his safety and Emily is looking for who committed the murder. The Inspector wants to be in charge of the new King’s security detail. Then, there is a second and third murder both victims dressed to represent the demise of a former ruler. Is the murderer threatening the new King Edward by saying that even kings can be killed? Emily is of two minds – one that it is a threat to the king and another that says it is not related to the king at all. The resolution will keep you guessing right up to the end when it all comes together.

Just before her death Queen Victoria summons Colin to her chamber, hands him an envelope and tells him, “Take this and do as it says.” “All will be clear in time. We need you for this. . . .” She died soon after that encounter and left Colin with what seems to be a scavenger hunt. Do the clues contained in the envelope have a bearing on the murders or are they entirely separate? Why would the Queen leave him such clues?

The chapters from 1415 through 1459 tell the story of one of Colin’s early ancestors and how he served his king. They are very short chapters and the story they tell is a nice one. You definitely don’t want to skip those because they definitely add to the story.

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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.”