Month: February 2024

A Perilous Desire by Lana Williams

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

A Perilous Desire (The Mayfair Literary League #6)A Perilous Desire by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #6

Release Date: February 28, 2024

Almost a year ago, Becca Hamilton died in a boating accident off the coast of Chesire, leaving behind her conniving uncle and her cruel betrothed, Edwin, heir to the Earl of Fanthorpe, and on the same day, widow Rebecca Hatch was born, and escaped to London, where she moved in with the best friend of Becca’s late mother. Rebecca forged a new life for herself, joining the Mayfair Literary League and trying to put her past to rest. But when she crosses paths with Nathaniel Roth, a solicitor from Chesire in the employ of the Earl of Fanthorpe, her new life is threatened. Secretly, she always admired him and even held a tendre for him, but she can’t risk him discovering the truth. But when she learns her uncle has died and that she has a large inheritance from her father, she has to trust someone with her secrets, can that someone be Nathaniel, or will his allegiance be to the Earl?

Nathaniel Roth is the son of a wine merchant and he believed he was destined for the same, but one day the Earl of Fanthorpe came into their shop and took an interest in Nathaniel, paid for him to go to school, and even helped him set up his law practice, in exchange Nathaniel has acted as his solicitor in several matters, some that he found questionable, but Nathaniel’s loyalty is absolute, but when will his debt to the man be repaid? When by chance he sees a woman whom he is almost certain is Becca Hamilton, but is calling herself Rebecca Hatch. The closer he gets to her, the more his loyalty is challenged. Will his heart overrule his head or will a misplaced loyalty cost him the love of a lifetime?

This was a well-written, nicely-paced intriguing story with wonderful characters that you can’t help rooting for. This is by far my favorite story (so far) in the series, I loved Nathaniel & Rebecca, they are truly a wonderful couple and one I won’t soon forget. The book is filled with secrets, insecurities, lies, friends, cameos from previous characters, loyalty, warmish love scenes, betrayal, heartache, and finally a well-earned HEA completely with a very sweet epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I loved this book and would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers.

*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.*

Petteril’s Portrait by Mary Lancaster

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

Petteril's Portrait (Lord Petteril Mysteries Book 4)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #4
Publication Date: 2/22/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 167

I loved this latest addition to the Lord Petteril Mysteries series. The characters are very likable and quirky and the mysteries (yes, more than one) are interesting and the resolution is surprising. I will mention that I believe you should read the books in this series in the order they are published rather than starting in the middle. There are character developments you need to follow as they happen to fully understand the characters.

Piers Withan, newly elevated Viscount Petteril, has spent the first few months in his new title dealing with family issues and visiting the various properties – and solving mysteries along the way. He and his assistant April are on their way to one of those properties, Sillitrees, but first, they will stop by the home of his good friend Sir Peter Haggard (Haggs) because there is a small mystery to solve.

A portrait of Haggs’s father has been defaced and Haggs has asked Lord Peteril to discover who did it. Luckily, the artist who painted the portrait, a Frenchman named Claude St. Etienne, is also there to paint a portrait of Haggs. The artist can repair the picture, but why would anyone deface and damage the portrait in the first place since Haggs’s father was beloved by all who were in attendance?

Solving the mystery of the portrait doesn’t take long at all – but then there is a murder. Oops! Did the person who defaced the portrait also commit the murder? Surely not! If not, who else might it have been and were the two things related?

This was a fun, entertaining read with two lovely mysteries and equally lovely characters. I would have liked to see more progress in April’s language skills after several months, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot happening there nor in her ladylike behavior. So, it will be interesting to see what happens in the next book, Petteril’s Wife, which will be released later this spring.

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