Month: April 2024

Make Mine A Marquess by Tina Gabrielle

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Make Mine a Marquess (Daring Ladies #3)Make Mine a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Daring Ladies #3

Release Date: April 23, 2024

After nearly dying in a shipwreck five years ago, Robert Kirkian, the Marquess of Landon is finally back in England and ready to wreak his vengeance on the man he believes orchestrated the fire that should have killed Robert, his could and heir, William, Baron Willard. He returns to his country estate to find his cousin hosting a house party to celebrate his recent betrothal. Robert knows William is in debt and his betrothed is rich and promises to bring a huge dowry to the marriage, but even with the promise of that fortune, it is clear that Willard has been stealing from Landon’s estate and neglecting the tenants and property. Seething, Robert vows to ruin his cousin by finding proof of his treachery and by seducing his fiancée and keeping him from getting her dowry. At least that was the plan before he met Phoebe Dawson.

Miss Phoebe Dawson trusted love once and was left with a broken heart, now she wants nothing to do with love. When Baron Willard proposed it was the perfect solution, she would wed without the danger of falling in love and her parents would benefit from having a titled daughter. Phoebe isn’t thrilled with the betrothal, but it makes her parents happy and will enable her to have a bit more freedom to pursue her charitable endeavors at the home for unwed mothers. She is resigned to her marriage, but when she meets Robert, she begins to have feelings that she thought were long dead. She falls fast and hard for him, but with the truth of his intentions becomes known, she is heartbroken once more. Will Robert see the error of his ways or will his desire for vengeance cost him his chance at happiness.

I liked the idea of this book and loved that Robert had mixed heritage that he fully embraced, but the vengeance plot was a bit over the top. Without spoilers it is hard to explain where the story fell apart for me but suffice it to say it did. I wanted to love the book, but for me it ended up being just an OK read. This is the third book in the series, but the books can all be read as stand alone titles as there is no interconnecting plot.

*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 Pursuit of a Duchess by Linda Rae Sande

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

The Pursuit of a Duchess (The Ladies of the Aristocracy)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Ladies of the Aristocracy
Publication Date: 4/30/24
Period: Regency – 1814 London
Number of Pages: 332

This entertaining book presents us with three romances all gloriously intertwined. Three couples whose lives and happiness are all interwoven into an intricate knot that will see them all reach the very best of HEAs. There is even a lovely epilogue showing that our couples’ happiness has spanned the years. Yes, I certainly enjoyed it.

Thirty years ago, Michael Cummings, Marquess of Fenwick, and Lady Helena, daughter of the Duke of Woodleigh, loved each other desperately and wanted to marry. Thanks to her cruel, uncaring, unfeeling father, she was forced to marry the Duke of Weston instead. Although it was an arranged marriage, Helena went on to have two children – a son named Alfred, and a daughter named Amelia. The marriage was unhappy, but at least she got her children out of it. Michael went on to marry, though he didn’t love the woman and she knew it. She did love Michael and they were happy even though Michael was always in love with Helena. Michael also went on to have two children – a son named Philip and a daughter named Violet.

Fast forward thirty years and both Michael and Helena are widowed. Michael can hardly wait for Helena’s mourning period to be over so he can see her again. He still loves her as much as he did thirty years ago. Does she still love him? Will she be happy to see him? He hasn’t set foot in London for thirty years – but he is so excited to get back there and see his one true love.

In the meantime (in London) – Michael’s son has fallen madly in love with Helena’s daughter – and she returns that love. Michael and Alfred were friends once, but they had a serious falling out and Alfred has hated Philip since. Michael and Amelia fear Alfred will refuse his permission to marry out of spite. How can they get his approval? There has to be a way.

Violet is Amelia’s best friend and she desperately wants to help convince Alfred to agree to Amelia and Philip marrying. However, he isn’t what she expected when she meets Alfred and spends time with him. Why does he seem so different from Amelia’s description of him? He isn’t unpleasant at all? As a matter of fact – it wouldn’t take much for Violet to come to care for him. OOPS!

This is a fun read with characters you will very quickly come to love and you’ll surely be rooting for them all to figure it out – no matter how twisted and convoluted it all seems. Will we get three weddings? You bet we will and it was a blast watching them all work through the pretzel twist of things to get there. I enjoyed this read and can definitely recommend it. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. HAPPY READING!

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