Month: May 2020

The Puzzle of A Bastard by Linda Rae Sande

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Puzzle of a Bastard (The Heirs of the Aristocracy, #2)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #2
Publication Date: 5/19/20

What a delightfully fun and romantic story. You’ll love each and every one of the characters and you’ll swoon over the romances that lead them to their HEA. We even get double the romance with two couples finding their HEA (as this author often does). This is just a delightfully straight-forward romance with two couples learning to overcome their own issues and find their way to trust and love.

James Burroughs and Emily Grandby have known each other most of their lives, but since he was a fair amount older than her, there wasn’t a romance. He was good friends with her older brother, Tom, and other relatives – they are even related a bit. James was the second son and never had to worry about his father’s fortune – until a year ago when his older, sickly brother succumbed to influenza. James and his father are both bankers and with his father retiring, James is now transferring from Bath to London. On his way, he decides to stop by and visit his friend Tom. When Tom isn’t there, James has a nice visit with Tom’s sister Emily, who offers him a place to stay until he can find a home for himself in London. Little does James know what longings that visit will cause him – and her. Each of them has issues and secrets they’ll need to work through, but the attraction is strong. How will James react when he learns all of Emily’s secrets? Hmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to see.

Gabe Wellingham is the much-loved illegitimate son of the Earl of Trenton. Gabe is very proud of his family, but he wants to use his university degree and not sit back and lead the leisurely life of a gentleman. When he applies for and obtains a position as an archivist at the British Museum in London, he doesn’t tell anyone at the museum who his family is. He wants to make it on his own. When he meets the very prickly Mrs. Frances Longworth, who is the art restorer at the museum, he is intrigued and needs to know more. Mrs. Longworth was supposed to be Mr. Longworth. How did that happen? Gabe pursues, makes overtures, and Frances dances away – until she doesn’t. Both are keeping secrets – some bigger than others – but secrets none-the-less. Will Gabe run for the hills when he learns all of Frances’s secrets? If he doesn’t, what will his parents have to say? You’ll just have to read it to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, but I will mention that there are lots of mentions of other family members (who have all been featured in earlier books) and if you aren’t familiar, they may feel confusing. However, don’t worry about them if you don’t know who they are – it won’t detract from your enjoyment of this story at all.

I hope you will enjoy the read as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Highlander’s Dare by Eliza Knight

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Dare (Midsummer Knights, #3)The Highlander’s Dare by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5/5 of 5 stars

Series: Midsummer Knights, #3

Release Date: May 12, 2020

4.5 stars rounded up

Lady Clara de Montfort was sent to the Rose Citadel in England to marry Baston Ross, a match that was arranged by her mother and her aunt’s husband, Prince John of England. Clara has no desire to weed and wants nothing more than to return home to Normandy with her pets and her ailing father. But she can’t refuse to wed Baston and risk angering her mother and uncle, so she hatches a plan, she will convince Baston Ross that he doesn’t want to marry her – easier said than done…

Graham Sutherland’s clan is starving and when the Ross clan refused to help them and instead aided their enemies, Graham convinces his twin brother Cormac, the chieftain of the Sutherland clan, to retaliate by stealing the wealthy brides that Brodie and Baston Ross are supposed to marry at the end of the tournament at the Rose Citadel. Each woman is dowered with enough wealth to save their people for many years to come. While neither brother is thrilled about marrying – the prospect of saving their people AND sticking it to the Ross clan is just too tempting to pass up.

They finally arrive at the tournament and it is clear that the brothers will not be fighting over the same woman – Clara draws Graham’s eye immediately and her attitude seals the deal – Graham wastes no time capturing her attention and the two soon form a friendship of sorts – but Clara believes that Graham doesn’t want to marry her, she thinks he just hates Baston and is willing to help her to annoy him. Things are going well between them, but Baston is just as determined as ever to wed Clara – their worst-case scenario is for Graham to “ruin” her, but he balks at the idea, even though he has no problem kissing her. He realizes he loves her, but when she overhears his conversation with Cormac, boasting that he will marry her, their HEA might be over before it even begins.

This was a well written, fast paced story with a fun, light writing style. Graham and Clara are both very likeable and are clearly meant for each other and don’t let things fester between them, the conflict isn’t drawn out and just makes the story a joy to read. There are wonderful secondary characters, steamy love scenes, some drama and a villain you almost want to like. I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend it.

While this book is the third installment of an author collaboration series and runs concurrently with the previous book (Madeline Martin’s The Highlander’s Lady Knight – which is about Graham’s brother Cormac and his lady), you do not have to read that book to enjoy this one, but if you are wondering about Cormac and Isolde, be sure to check it out.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*