Month: May 2021

Catch a Falling Duke by Eve Pendle

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Catch a Falling Duke (Fallen, #3)Catch a Falling Duke by Eve Pendle

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Fallen, #3

Release Date: May 26, 2021

When shortly after inheriting, Hugo Ravensthorpe, the fourth Duke of Cumbria learns that much of his family’s wealth came from a plantation with slaves that they owned in British Guiana until slavery was abolished 50 years ago– he is appalled and sicken. He cannot believe his grandfather owned slaves and refuses to live in a house built from the profits of that slavery. With no idea how to right the wrongs his grandfather made, he leaves Keisley Park and sets out for London to see his sister Emily and hopefully figure out what he can do to make things right. He stops for the night at a small inn and witnesses a man harassing a lone woman and intervenes by claiming to be her husband.

Widow Beatrice “Bea” Fenton is shocked and a bit wary when a handsome stranger saves her from a man bent on seduction who won’t take no for an answer. She invites Hugo to join her for dinner and they enjoy a pleasant meal, he doesn’t tell her he is a duke and is vague about his reason for traveling to the village, she reveals she is the owner of a dairy farm and has come to the village to attend the fair, hoping to find someone her mother knew years ago. After dinner, Hugo tries to get a room and learns because of the fair the inn is booked – now it is Bea’s turn to save him and insists he shares her room. Once they are alone, she makes an offer – one night of passion. An offer Hugo tries to decline, but Bea assures him she is barren and that after their night together, they will part ways with no obligations or regrets. He finally agrees and they share an incredible night together are reluctant to part the next morning. Hugo offers to spend the day with her and help her find the man she is looking for – an offer she willingly accepts. After a day spent with no success, they return to the inn ready to part ways when the innkeeper gives them a lead and their “one night” extends to two and after following the lead, which ends with Bea getting a surprising shock and Hugo sharing his shameful secret and his true identity, they spend a third night together.

The next morning, he proposes, she refuses and they part ways. He returns to London with a broken heart and a plan to right the wrongs of his grandfather. She returns to her farm equally heartsore – but sure she made the right decision. Weeks have passed when she learns his address by chance and writes to him. He takes it as an invitation to visit her and decides that this time, he will woo her and prove that they belong together.

This was not your run-of-the-mill historical romance, it was a well-written story with a distinct political message wound around the romance of an unlikely couple. The book started out interesting but after they parted ways, it became a bit dull and Bea’s refusal to marry Hugo dragged on for too long. And then there is the current trend of authors superimposing 21st-century morals and ideals into the past and ignoring the actual morals and laws of the era. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem. There are some things that might be considered triggers to some readers, such as infertility, slavery, reparations, and illegitimacy. I believe the author did her best to handle these issues with consideration and sensitivity, but if these things upset you, be aware that they are prevalent in the story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere by Anna Bradley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere (The Swooning Virgins Society, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Swooning Virgins Society #3
Publication Date: 6/1/21
Number of Pages: 320

This was a delightfully entertaining, fast-paced, well-written story. I absolutely loved both of the main characters, and it was also fun to have a visit with the main characters from previous books. The Prologue nicely introduces the two main characters and to my delight, it also has an epilogue – way to go Anna Bradley!

Georgiana Harley was the only one of Lady Clifford’s girls who happened to be home when the Duchess of Kenilworth came to call. During the call, Lady Clifford and Georgiana learned that the duchess was requesting them to investigate what had happened to Clara Beauchamp who mysteriously disappeared about six years previous. Since the duchess’s patronage could greatly benefit their school, they readily accepted the task. As part of her request, the duchess insisted that nobody could know that she was seeking information about Clara – or anything else about the investigation. That particularly applied to her brother Benedict Harcourt, the Earl of Haslemere – and it also applied to her husband, the Duke of Kenilworth. Secrecy was of the utmost importance. Georgiana begins her investigation at the unlikeliest of places for her – a masque ball. As someone who is bookish and detests the aristocracy, the last place she wants to be is at a ball filled with them.

Benedict had noticed something was off with both his nephew, Freddy, and his sister, Jane, but neither confided anything in him, so he did his best to ignore it. Ignoring it became impossible after conversations he overheard at a masque ball on his first night back in London. He’ll do whatever he has to do; step on anybody’s toes; run roughshod over anybody he has to in order to assure his sister and nephew are safe and happy. He tries to insinuate himself into Georgiana’s investigation, but she’s having none of it – until he makes her an offer she cannot refuse.

Benedict and Georgiana form an uneasy alliance – neither really wanting the other involved, but since they cannot get around it, they will work together. Until – well – things aren’t exactly uneasy anymore and a relationship begins to form and grow. Will they be able to survive the investigation? There is more to it than readily meets the eye and now they’ve placed themselves and others in danger with the questions they’ve asked.

You will absolutely adore Benedict, the rogue who really wasn’t, and Georgiana, the mathematician without a heart, who found she actually had a very loving nature. There are two delightful little urchins, Sarah and Susannah, who open – and close – the book, and you will laugh and smile at their antics.

I can definitely recommend this book. It is a wonderfully entertaining read with delightful characters and a fast-paced and interesting story. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

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