Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

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

The Highlander's Excellent Adventure (The Survivors, #8)Barbara’s Rating:  5 of 5 stars

Series: The Survivors #8
Publication Date: 9/8/20
Number of Pages: 325

OMGoodness – what a fun romp this was! I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. I LOVED that we got two great romances and two great HEA’s in one book. What isn’t to love? It is fast-paced, well-written, and well-plotted. I think it is one of my favorites of the Survivors series. One of my favorite parts is that the story is told by all four of the main characters. You get each person’s individual perspective. Nice way to do that.

We met Ines Neves in The Claiming of the Shrew when her sister Catarina found her HEA with Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Draven. Catarina is now trying to pair Ines up with men that Ines finds totally unacceptable. I have to say this part surprises me because I thought Catarina, given her history, would be very understanding about that sort of thing and would let Ines set her own pace and make her own choices. But then, I guess we wouldn’t have a story if she did that.

Catarina is encouraging a match between Ines and Mr. Podmore. Ines finds the man an utter bore and takes every opportunity to avoid him. When she discovers that Mr. Podmore is due for a visit, she decides to do all she can to avoid him. Sneaking outside, she intends to hide until he gives up and leaves – and what better place to hide than in his coach. She’ll just sneak out of the coach once he gives up waiting for her – no harm, no foul – right? Except, it isn’t his coach – and she falls asleep – and she is well out of town before she realizes she’s run away without meaning to do so. OH! My! Goodness!

Duncan Murray, a Scotsman, a war hero, a survivor from Draven’s expendable troop, is in London to find an English wife. He doesn’t want an English wife, but his mother, Lady Charlotte, has ordered him to find one – and he owes it to her to do as she asks. However, his trip has been unsuccessful because all of the English women run at the sight of a huge Highlander. Now, he’s headed back to the highlands to let her know he’s failed. When he is well outside London, he finds a stowaway inside his carriage – and she doesn’t speak English. What is he to do with her? OH! My! Goodness!

Emmeline Wellesley, the oldest of five siblings, has suffered through one too many seasons and she’s just tired of it. She’s brash, outspoken, intelligent, adventurous, Rubenesque, and men just don’t seem to want that in a potential bride. Well, no problem – she has a solution. She’ll take the coach from the posting house and go to her paternal grandmother who lives in the far north of England. OH! My! Goodness!

Stratford Fortesque, a war hero, a survivor from Draven’s expendable troop, is always on the outside looking in when it comes to his family. He has long admired the brash and bold Emmeline Wellesley, daughter of his mother’s best friend, but he knows a match would never meet with family approval. When he learns from Emmeline’s sister that Emmeline has run away, he doesn’t think twice, he just takes off after her. OH! My! Goodness!

You’ll laugh with them. You’ll cry with them. You’ll even sigh with them. Most of all, you’ll be thoroughly entertained by their adventures as they wend their way across England and into the Highlands of Scotland and their HEA’s. It is a delightful read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Note – there is an appearance by Nash – another survivor – and I hope we see his story soon because he really, really, really needs one.

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

A Deception At Thornecrest by Ashley Weaver

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939)Leave a comment
A Deception at Thornecrest (Amory Ames #7)<a Barbara’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars
** 3.5 Stars Rounded Up **
Series: Amory Ames #7
Publication Date: 9/8/20
Number of Pages: 288

This author and series are both new to me and I enjoyed the read. Even though this is the seventh book in the series, I had no trouble with reading it as a standalone. Of course, I always become curious about the characters when I begin a series that I enjoy, so I have every intention of going back and reading the earlier books in the series. The main reason I want to read the earlier books is to see the history between Milo and Amory. I didn’t care much for Milo in this book and there were many, many, many hints that he might have been a womanizer during the earlier years of their marriage. If that is the case, I’m not sure whether I’ll continue or not unless there is some grand resurrection of him. While he didn’t appear to be a womanizer any longer, he still felt pretty cold to me in general. So, I fully intend to read at least the first book before I decide whether to continue with the series.

I enjoyed the mystery. It was well-written with plenty of red herrings to make you wonder whodunit. I always hate when the author introduces me to the victim and makes me like them before killing them off – and that is the case here. Well – I liked one of the victims anyway and that made me sad – especially as I learned of his hopes and dreams. Not everyone is who they appear to be and those who are, are hiding secrets. It is interesting to see Amory investigate and uncover those secrets and arrive at the conclusion to the murderer. I did think that came a bit out of left field – just all of a sudden, she had the answer.

Amory and Milo are at their country estate, Thornecrest, awaiting the birth of their first child – only a month to go. Amory is at home alone one morning when she has a caller who insists she is Mrs. Milo Ames. Amory is sure the woman has been duped and she’s sure Milo isn’t the one who duped her – but she does have to wonder just a bit. Later, a second visitor appears and the deception is solved.

When a horse trainer who works for both Milo and Lady Alma Bedford is found, dead, in a field at the Springtide Festival, it doesn’t take much to figure out that he was murdered. Since the young man had recently been involved in an altercation with a newcomer, there was an immediate suspect. When further incriminating evidence was conveniently found and the suspect was arrested, Amory thought it was just too easy, too pat. Against Milo’s wishes, Amory begins to investigate. When another murder that is obviously related happens, the suspect is released – but Amory continues her investigation. She learns more and more secrets that are held by some of the most respected people in the town – things she didn’t wish to know – but she had to learn all she could in order to identify the murderer. You’ll be surprised at the resolution.

I enjoyed the mystery portion of this book. It was interesting and the red herrings were believable – for the most part. What I didn’t enjoy was Milo and the relationship between him and Amory. I will read the first book in the series to see if I can begin to understand it better – but – well – bottom line is that I need a good romance to go along with my mysteries and I’m not sure this is a good romance. Of course, some things happened in this book that might make me change my mind once I read Book 8 in the series. Yes, I know this is probably a good representation of a ‘real-life’ marriage – but I read to get away from the ‘real-life’ things. Anyway, I intend to read Book 1 in the series and then maybe Book 8 when it comes out and will decide whether to continue from there.

If the mystery is what you are after, then this will be right down your alley. It is interesting and populated with unique characters. I will definitely try more books in the series.

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