Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Midnight Marquess by Collette Cameron

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

The Midnight Marquess: A Sweet Regency Family Saga Romance (Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides Book 3)Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides #3
Publication Date: 7/3/23
Period: Regency (1826) – Lymington
Number of Pages: 163

Adolphus Westbrook, the Marquess of Edenhaven, heir to the Duke of Latham, is hiding out in the quaint sea village of Lymington. He wouldn’t agree that he is hiding out, he’d tell you he was monitoring some of his investments in the area – and he is, but he is also hiding from the constant barrage of scheming matchmaking mamas and their spoiled debutante daughters. He just needs a break and what better place than this quiet village where people only know him as Ab Westbrook? Here he can be himself, relax, meet real people, and not worry about which debutante might be hiding around the next corner.

Aurelie Lemieux once lead a privileged life in France, not an aristocratic life, but very comfortable. After her step-brother was falsely accused of treason and hung, she had to flee France with his two children and nothing but the clothing on their backs. She took refuge with an ailing, elderly aunt in England. Since they couldn’t afford the upkeep on her aunt’s home, they all moved to a more affordable cottage in Lymington. It was a lovely, quiet place and the cottage was respectable and quite lovely. However, the very best part was the lack of aristocrats – she despised them. Aristocrats took everything from her – her hopes, her dreams, her home, and they made orphans of two of the sweetest children on the earth. No, the fewer aristocrats she saw on this earth, the better she liked it.

From the ‘meet cute’ to the HEA, this was a lovely tale with endearing characters and only the slightest hint of a villain. Not really even a villain – more a bully – and quickly dispatched. Adolphus slowly chips away at Aurelie’s disdain for aristocrats with each kindness he shows others – with each generosity given. On the other side, Aurelie slowly whittles away at Adolphus’ belief that she is just another female out to trap him into a marriage he doesn’t want.

If you are looking for a well-paced, nicely-written story with lovely characters and no steam, this is the book for you. You’ll quickly come to care for all of the characters as you root for them to find the family and love they are craving. I hope you will enjoy meeting Aurelie and Adolphus along with Nathalie, Remi, Aunt Marie, and Antoinette the cat (who made it all happen). Happy Reading!

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

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The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor by Patricia Rice

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor (Gravesyde Priory Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Gravesyde Prioy Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 334

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor is the first book in the Gravesyde Priory Mysteries series, and it is an interesting blend of gothic romance and historical mystery, with just a tad of paranormal. The story mostly follows Clarissa (Clare) Knightly and American Army Captain Alastair Huntley (Hunt) as they search for Hunt’s grandmother’s diaries and attempt to save Wycliffe Manor for all of the beneficiaries of the Earl’s will. Hunt just wants to find his grandmother’s diaries and leave for America so he can give the diaries to his mother. Clare, on the other hand, wants a safe haven for herself, her nephew, and her best friend.

Little do they know the danger they are in nor the direction from which it comes. Yet, in order to save the Manor, they must face danger, find the diaries, chase down the clues, outwit the villain, and rescue themselves from danger. Whew! Can they do all of that? Will they survive? Just how many villains can there be?

I loved all of the supporting characters and the idea of this very open home, but I wonder how it is all going to work for future books. I sort of began to feel we were creating the non-Malcolm version of Wystan Castle with all of the loosely connected people who were – or might be in the future – residing in the manor. I’m definitely not opposed to that because I think it would make for some very interesting stories. So, I’ll be very interested to see where the series heads with the second book.

For me personally, I really need a romance with a HEA in my mysteries. I felt a little short-changed in that respect. We certainly had what appeared to be two romances, but no complete HEA at all. I was left with many questions, but I won’t list them because – well – plot points, or maybe we’ll get the explanation in the next book. Anyway, I have no clue if Clare and Hunt actually marry or not because it was all left sort of hanging. Then, there is the other implied romance between Daniel Walker and Meera Abrams which never seems to have come to fruition either.

I can happily recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. However, if you, like me, need a full-blown HEA romance in the story, then you’ll be a bit disappointed. I can make conjectures and say – Of course he stayed in England – Of course she didn’t go back to London – Of course they got married and settled happily into the manor, etc. but none of that was spelled out. Perhaps it will all be made clear in the next book. Happy Reading!

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

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