Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical MysteryLeave a comment

Murder at Blackwater Bend (A Stella and Lyndy Mystery, #2)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Stella And Lyndy Mystery #2
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 304

It has been two months since American Stella Kendrick, her father, her aunt, and three thoroughbred racehorses arrived in England – specifically at Morrington Hall. The arrival, murders, and betrothal are all chronicled in the first book of the series – Murder at Morrington Hall. Now, Stella is beginning to settle in – at least a little. While the local folks are fairly accepting of what they see as the American’s eccentricities, society hasn’t quite gotten there yet.

Stella’s father is still as obnoxious as he was in the first book, but at least he gets a little less page time in this one. I did take great delight in him getting a bit of what was coming to him from quite an unexpected source. Lyndy’s mother, Lady Atherly, is also still a piece of work – she doesn’t want Stella in her family and makes no bones about it. She gets a bit of a comeuppance too, but not enough to suit me. I hope Mr. Kendrick goes back to America soon – like right after the wedding. I also hope Lady Atherly disappears from the pages soon.

Stella is unhappily planning an engagement party in order to appease her future mother-in-law. She’s attended balls, musicales, and garden parties, and she’s managed to acquit herself quite well. While the gentlemen appreciate the warm smiles, open, honest comments, and interested questions, the ladies are appalled at those same things. Lyndy has certainly come to appreciate Stella’s warmth, kindness, and enthusiasm. So, when he offers to teach her to fish, he’s delighted when he accepts – and he loves watching her enjoy herself.

Near dawn one morning, Stella and Lyndy are at the Blackwater with Stella learning to trout fish. As she casts her fly, it catches and she wades over to try to free it – only to find the body of Viscount Fairbrother. Oh! No! Not again.

When suspicion is cast on local snake catcher, Harvey Milkham, Stella gets involved in the investigation. Unlike other society ladies, Stella makes friends with every level of society – much to Lady Atherly’s dismay. Harvey was one of those friends and Stella just knows in her heart he can’t be a murderer.

There are more murders, more mysteries, more treachery, more masquerades, and more betrayals before everything is all wrapped up. The story is filled with twists and turns and more suspects than you can name.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope you will as well. Stella and Lyndy are a delightful couple and I look forward to reading more books in the series – just as soon as they are written.

Snowbound with the Viscount by Shana Galen

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

Snowbound with the ViscountBarb’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Novella
Publication Date: 11/10/20
Number of Pages: 85

In this delightfully lovely tale, we attend a house party that is to end just a couple of days before Christmas. Since the weather has been miserably rainy and uncooperative, the guests are looking forward to heading home for Christmas. However, just as it is time to leave – the weather turns, snow covers the grounds, and keeps the guests in residence.

Holly Farthing and Adam Ivy had been friends since they were children because Adam was close friends with Holly’s brother. She was immediately as smitten as a six-year-old girl can be with a nine-year-old boy. However, as her brother’s friend, nothing ever came of her devotion. Then, during her first season, she met and fell in love with the man she married. That all ended with the death of her husband, and now she’s just lonely and Christmas is a difficult time for her. When her best friend invites her to a house party, she decides to attend because she knows Adam Ivy will be attending. After all, her affection for him is still there and she’d like to see where it could go – if he doesn’t still think of her as a ‘little sister’.

Adam had always liked Holly – as much as a nine-year-old boy could like a six-year-old girl. Even during her come out he was drawn to her and always made an opportunity to speak to her – then – she fell in love and married – and he went on his way in life. He hopes to see her at the house party because she is best friends with the hostess, but he knows Holly will probably be bringing along a betrothed. She is entirely too beautiful and delightful not to be betrothed by now.

Holly and Adam dance around each other for the entire house party – never really approaching – just watching from afar. Until almost the end when Holly makes her move – and WOW – who would have thought. Then, an unfortunate event occurs and forces them to become even closer. Can a fake betrothal become a real one? After what Holly learns, can she trust any man again?

I absolutely loved both Holly and Adam. I loved that Holly knew what she wanted and, even though she was very shy, she went after it. I loved how Adam appreciated Holly and I loved how their HEA grew.

I hope you’ll read this novella and enjoy it as much as I did. I thought it was a great story and just the right length. I do wish it had an epilogue though – somehow I never feel ‘finished’ with a book until the wedding has taken place. So, a short epilogue taking place sometime after the wedding would have made it just perfect for me.

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