Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

A Scandalous Bargain by Darcy Burke

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

A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2)A Scandalous Bargain by Darcy Burke
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Pretenders #2
Publication Date: 11/10/20
Number of Pages: 278

What a delightful way to begin the journey toward your HEA – dressed as a man, spying on a duke, hidden, perched in a tree, in a man’s garden, witnessing a death. OH! My! Yep, that is how our couple meets in this well-paced, page-turner of a tale. The writing is excellent and the characters are delightful. I fully expected to be annoyed by Beatrix because she annoyed me in the last book, but I really liked her in this one.

In the previous book in the series, A Secret Surrender, we met Beatrix and her ‘siblings’ and learned their backgrounds. You’ll see those siblings in this book, but you don’t have to read that book in order to enjoy this one. This book isn’t as steamy as the first, but it is just as romantic – and the hero is great!

Beatrix Linley is on a mission – a mission she fully intends to complete. It is the only reason she and her ‘sister’, Selena, are in London – the only reason she’s having a season. Both Beatrix and Selena have sacrificed a lot to make this all happen – and now that Selena has found love and happiness, Beatrix is fully focused on her mission. You see, Beatrix is the by-blow of the Duke of Ramsgate. He was fully involved in her life until she was eleven, then he abandoned her. She wants that relationship back – and she’s sure he does too if she can only have a successful season and prove that she is worthy. Then, she witnesses something that could bring it all down if she tells what she has seen.

Thomas Devereaux, Viscount Rockbourne, has been in the worst of marriages for the last five years. His wife is unfaithful and a shrewish drunkard. The ONLY good thing to come from that is his daughter, Regan. She is the light of his life and he loves her above all else. He had walked out onto his balcony to get a respite from his wife’s haranguing when she followed him out – coming at him with a penknife in her hand. He stepped aside to avoid being stabbed – and she ended up going over the balcony to her death. His mother-in-law won’t let it go as an accident – and Bow Street conducts an investigation. They are actually believing he murdered his wife. Oh! My! His shrewish wife is still winning even in death!

Rockbourne and Beatrix were attracted from the moment they saw each other – but both wanted to deny it because it wasn’t the right time for either of them. Especially not Thomas with his wife’s death so recent. I loved his honesty with Beatrix – and his protectiveness. I loved her bravery and willingness to sacrifice. Definitely, two great main characters, and I was so very happy to see their HEA.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can happily recommend it. BTW – for fans of this author’s other series, we get to visit with characters from a couple of them in this book.

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

Virginia and the Wolf by Lynne Connolly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

Virginia and the Wolf (The Society of Single Ladies, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Society for Single Ladies #3
Publication Date: 11/17/20
Number of Pages: 257

I love The Society for Single Ladies – what an intrepid bunch of single ladies. They solve crimes and find romance, what could be better than that? While this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Yes, you meet characters from the earlier books and there are some references to them, but you don’t need to have read the books to understand them. The book is well-written, nicely paced, and populated with lovely characters.

Francis Collingwood, the Earl of Wolverstone, is now a well respected and wealthy man, but that wasn’t always the case. Francis’ parents were a love match – but a very unequal one. His mother was always referred to as a milkmaid though she was the daughter of a wealthy farmer. Society never accepted her though she was the loveliest of women in every way. With only a modest fortune, Francis was always looked upon as inconsequential mostly because of his mother’s background. At least he was until he made his Grand Tour and rather than partying his way across Europe, he used his time to make contacts and learn ways to increase his wealth. His father fell in love with his mother at first sight and nothing else mattered to him. Francis also fell in love at first sight, but sadly the woman he saw and loved, Lady Virginia Dulverton, was a newlywed, so there was no chance for them. At least not until her husband died some years later.

Virginia’s home life was unhappy, to say the least, so she was very happy when Viscount Ralph Dulverton offered for her. She was so happy to escape her parents that she even fancied herself in love with Ralph. That changed on their wedding night and it never changed. Now, he is still controlling her in death. She was taken with the young Wolverstone when she met him ten years ago, but she was newly married and nothing could come of it. Now, he’s showing interest again and she still can’t let anything come of it. But goodness, she is drawn to him.

There are a number of factions at work – most of them against Virginia – and she isn’t aware of any of them. She’s carrying along with the terms of Ralph’s will and living her life. She loves her independence and has no desire to ever marry again. She cannot stomach the idea of another man having control of her and her life. Yet, Francis makes no secret of pursuing her.

Things really heat up when Francis rescues her at a ball – and is then attacked and warned to stay away from her. As he continues to pursue her, he’s attacked again, on her doorstep, and nearly dies. Off across the country, she goes with him in hot pursuit. There are villains aplenty – we just don’t know who they are – and they are bent on harm to both of them now. Oh! My goodness! What an exciting chase. Then there are cold drafty houses right on the sea – with cliffs and cellars – and more villains. Our couple certainly have to work for their HEA.

I loved the story and the chase and the romance. Francis was absolutely wonderful and I loved absolutely every minute of his page time. I liked Virginia as well, but her TSTL moments just made me doubt that she was as smart as we were supposed to think she was. Her constant ‘doubts’ also carried on way too long. I understand her life and yes, she suffered mental abuse at the hands of both her parents and her spouse – but – good grief – it was time to move on long before she did. I wanted to reach into the pages and shake her.

I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did – and I’m looking forward to the next entry in the series.

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