Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

A Lesson for All Time by Shannon Gilmore

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

A Lesson for All Time: Ruined Rakes Book Three (Ruined Rakes Series 3)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Ruined Rakes #3
Publication Date: 5/23/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 322

This book was a delight all the way through – from the ‘meet cute’ until the HEA, you couldn’t have found two people who were more perfectly suited to each other. He thinks she is a spoiled rotten, privileged product of the ton – and she is, but she is so much more. She thinks he is a stable master at the Duke of Foxwood’s country estate. How will very prim and proper Lady Constance manage to totally defeat Mr. Derek? Well, it certainly won’t be with demure patience because she has none. It will be with a full-on frontal assault – and he can run, but he can’t hide. The book was delightfully witty, humorous, and populated with characters who were very likable and relatable.

Lady Constance Whitmore, the only daughter of the Earl of Buckthorn, is definitely a product of the ton. She is proper, doesn’t misbehave, follows appropriate protocols and rules, and she’s learned how to make that work so she almost always gets what she wants. She usually tells the truth, but perhaps not all of it, or perhaps it is a tad stretched, or maybe she just totally misunderstands – but she doesn’t lie. Telling the flat-out, unvarnished truth – complete with inappropriate words – has gotten her into trouble and banned to Foxwood, the country estate of a family friend. OOPS! Perhaps, though, being banished isn’t necessarily a bad thing. She’s got freedoms she never has in London – and there is that very intriguing stable master who could give her some lessons . . .

Julian Derek Montgomery, son of a Marquess, grandson of a Duke, and carrying the courtesy title Earl of Westforde wants absolutely nothing to do with the ton. He avoids the ton like it was the plague, yet, here he is, being tempted by a female who is everything he despises about the ton. She is a tempting little morsel though, and he is a gentleman. But . . .

I loved it when we got to the obligatory big scene where they have the big breakup. While that scene in most books seems very contrived to get it into the story, It was very realistic and believable in this one.

I definitely recommend this book as an excellent read. For me though, I REALLY wanted there to be an epilogue – but we didn’t even get a wedding. Somehow, I never feel the story is complete until we get the wedding – for me, that makes the HEA believable. At any rate, it was an excellent story with wonderful characters and I just know you’ll love it. I sure did.

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

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A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality (Saffron Everleigh Mystery, #2)

Barbara’s rating: 4.3 out of 5 Stars
Series: Saffron Everleigh Mystery #2
Publication Date: 6/6/23
Period: 1920’s London – George V – Interwar Period
Number of Pages: 352

Saffron Everleigh has worked hard, defied her family, and found success at a time and place where women were relegated to fetching coffee, typing notes, and running a home. Were it not for her hard-headed determination and brilliant mind, she’d still be doing all of those things. Instead, she is a researcher at University College with her own office and a research grant. That grant comes with a partner, Dr. Lee, who is handsome, suave, and very dedicated to medicine. Their task is to investigate poisonings from poisonous plants and to document the plant, its location, the effect on the person who was poisoned, etc. Saffron is very excited about the project because it means she’ll have a published paper before she even starts her masters program at the university.

If you read the first book, you’ll remember Inspector Green who was constantly trying to keep Saffron out of his investigation. This time, he’s come to her asking for help. It seems there have been three murders – all by different methods – but all victims received strange flower arrangements prior to or at the time of their deaths. The murders are all definitely related – but how – and what prompted these strange bouquets? The inspector is interested in having Saffron identify the plants – which she does. She also discovers the old meanings (floriography) of the different plants and passes that along as well.

Being Saffron, she also inveigles more information from the Inspector and takes it upon herself to begin investigating – even bringing a reluctant Dr. Lee into it. They trek through dingy clubs where drugs are as prevalent as alcohol, and they befriend people who have much to hide. Who among the denizens of this dark world could have wanted three people dead? Or, are they even looking in the right place?

I’m definitely a romantic and I just have to have a romance in my mysteries. I’m not sure where this series is headed in that area, but I’m ready for the male romantic lead to be settled. I’m not one for the will-they/won’t-they scenario and that is what this is so far. Yes, this is only the second book, but we should have a pretty clear view of where this is headed by now – and we don’t. I’m pretty sure Dr. Lee is currently out of the romantic picture and Ashton may or may not be. I’m guessing Ashton will be the romantic lead, especially with how the third book is set up at the end of this one – but – you never know.

As for Saffron, I have to wonder a bit about her. She is brilliant and dedicated, but she seems to be oblivious to the feelings of those around her – at least the male portion of the population. They are all supposed to be totally supportive and understanding of her, but she seems to have no clue about them. For instance – Dr. Lee wanted to drop out of the investigation – so she just got angry with him rather than wondering (or asking) what the reason was. Then, there is Ashton with PTSD and she doesn’t seem to want to make any allowances for his feelings of protectiveness or his personal battles with flashbacks. Yes, he has a real problem with actually expressing his feelings, but she doesn’t seem to care enough about him to delve into why any of that might be. While I find her mind to be very sharp, I find her heart to be a tad slow, selfish, and dull. I’m hoping that will change with the next book.

I recommend this book and this series and I hope you will enjoy it. There are plenty of twists and turns, lots of red herrings, plenty of danger for all of our characters, and a thoroughly satisfying wrap-up for the villain. Then, of course, there is the set-up for the next book and I can’t wait to see where that one leads us. BTW – you do not have to have read the first book to enjoy this one – however, I believe it will add much to your enjoyment of this book if you understand more about Saffron’s journey to get to where she is now.

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

View all my reviews