Month: October 2021

The Defiant Daughter by Caroline Warfield

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

The Defiant Daughter (The Ashmead Heirs, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Ashmead Heirs #2
Publication Date: 10/21/21
Period: Regency Ashmead and Wales
Number of Pages: 277

I met and loved Brynn and Maddy in the first book of the series, The Wayward Son, and I couldn’t wait for their book. I’m here to tell you, it was worth the wait! This writer’s work always warms my heart and makes it soar, and that was definitely true with this book. I adored the characters and was so happy to see their personal growth throughout the book. Then, there are the secondary characters, Rhys, Gideon, and Philip – OMGoodness – though they aren’t Ashmead heirs, they definitely need their own books.

Lady Madelyn (Maddy) Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, was in a seriously abusive marriage and when her husband died, she walked away and never looked back. For the last ten years, she has been living at her brother’s estate because she refused to take any settlement from the Glenmoor estate. She may be living in lesser circumstances, but her life is quiet and peaceful – just as she wants it – until it isn’t. When she begins to enjoy the company of one of her brother Rob’s wedding guests AND she learns that her stepson is being accosted and threatened, her peace and quiet come to a rapid end and she finds herself doing things she never thought to do again.

Colonel Brynn Morgan is retired from the military and trying to determine what he wants to do with the rest of his life. He’s accepted employment with the Home Office under the leadership of Viscount Rockford and spends his days analyzing reports on ports and troops, etc. While helping his good friend Robert (Rob) Benson unearth and thwart a villain at his newly inherited estate, he meets a most intriguing woman. He enjoys teasing her but knows she has serious issues of her own. Brynn has plenty of issues himself and he certainly cannot pursue a relationship with the lady – especially since she is a duchess and he isn’t an aristocrat of any sort. She sure does call to him though.

When the two of them are thrown together in an effort to help one of Maddy’s stepsons (Philip) and to determine what actually happened to the other (Gideon), they each have to begin to deal with their personal demons. Brynn’s demons rear their ugly heads more and more as they draw nearer their destination – Brynn’s childhood home and his younger brother Rhys.

With danger lurking and futures at stake, Maddy and Bryn must finally confront their feelings and decide how they’ll deal with them.

I definitely recommend this book because I absolutely loved it and can hardly wait for the next one, The Forgotten Daughter, which releases in January. I hope you’ll choose to read it and love 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.

View all my reviews

A Duke by Scot by Amy Jarecki

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

A Duke by Scot (The MacGalloways, #1)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The MacGalloways #1
Publication Date: 1019/21
Period: Regency London & Scotland
Number of Pages: 319

I absolutely adored Martin and Julia/Jules in this delightfully entertaining book. They were lovely, lovely people – both separate and together. While Julia’s plight is a dire one, there is no angst or poor-pitiful-me involved. She accepts whatever is thrown in her way with intelligence, resilience, determination, good humor, and good grace. The writing is excellent, the story is well-plotted, and I liked everything about it.

Lady Julia St.Vincent, daughter of the Earl of Brixham, is desperate. Her father has drunk and gambled his entire fortune away and is deeply in debt to the vile moneylender, Silas Skinner. Not only is there no money left, but her father also is gravely ill, and the deed to their only remaining property, Huntly Manor, is in Skinner’s hands as collateral. With no marriage prospects and no living family, it is up to Julia to save them. Since she’s been acting as her father’s steward for the last five years, she’ll just ‘become’ a man and seek a position. So, Julia becomes Jules Smallwood, a very astute and capable steward to the Duke of Dunscaby. At least this will allow her to make payments on the money her father owes Skinner – and to pay for her father’s care.

Martin MacGalloway, Duke of Dunscaby, has led a carefree bachelor life in London until his father died. Now, it is up to him to grow the family fortunes and assure that his siblings have the wherewithal to support themselves in the future. His first order of business was to acquire a new steward but he definitely didn’t know what to make of the one his Man of Business sent him. He is a tiny, effeminate little man, but he is quite good at his job and Martin can and will toughen him up. He’ll just take him hunting, and maybe drinking, boxing, and skirt-chasing, that will definitely toughen the little fellow up.

Jules is an outstanding steward and Martin is very satisfied with the job he does. Jules has even come up with a way for Martin’s brothers – Gibb, Andrew, Philip, and Frederick – to assure a solid financial future. Everything goes smoothly for Jules – until the duke decides to go to London and take Jules with him. Even that would have been okay – except – there was this masquerade ball and Julia did so love dancing. What can one evening dressing as herself hurt? Uh-Oh. Martin is also at the masquerade and becomes entranced with Julia. How can she play both Julia and Jules?

You’ll love the lighthearted and entertaining story – even during the rare times when it isn’t. The interactions where Martin is trying to make a man of Jules are priceless – and the interactions where he is drawn to Julia are heartwarming. The supporting characters – mostly Martin’s sisters – Charity, Grace, and Modesty – were really fun additions to the story.

I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next one in the series, Her Unconventional Earl, that features Charity and will release next January. I hope you’ll read this book and love 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.

View all my reviews