Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

To Catch An Earl by Kate Bateman

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

To Catch An Earl
Barbara’s Rating:  4 of 5 Stars

Series: Bow Street Bachelors #2
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 336

Welcome to the second exciting and steamy installment of the Bow Street Bachelors. You are going to love this excellently-written, well-plotted, and well-delivered story which takes place just two months after the first book, This Earl of Mine. I will admit, I had a love-hate relationship with Alex – quite often I didn’t care for how he treated Emmy, even though I could understand his turmoil. As for Emmy, well, I just loved her and her family and was happy to see her find her HEA.

Emmy Danvers (Emmeline Louise d’Anvers), the daughter of Europe’s most elusive jewel thief, has only broken one of her father’s rules – and it will bring her great pleasure and great pain. That rule? Only touch what you’re going to steal. She broke it four years ago when she kissed Alexander Harland at a masked ball. He had no idea who she was, but she knew exactly who he was because she’d admired him from afar for a very long time. She has never forgotten that kiss nor the man who bestowed it – no other man has ever felt ‘right’. She knows he’ll never notice her among the crowds – and she’s grateful for that – because they are on very different sides of the law. After her father’s death, Emmy has assumed his role as the Nightjar and is now being sought by Bow Street after stealing a gem owned by the Prince Regent.

Two months ago, after he and his two best friends, Seb and Benedict, had foiled an attempt to rescue Bonaparte from exile on St. Helena, they were all granted titles. He is now Alexander Harland, Earl of Melton. But, more importantly to him, he is a partner in the Tricorn Club and he aids Bow Street with sensitive cases. He’s just been handed one such sensitive case – a thief known as the Nightjar has stolen a diamond from Rundell Bridge and Rundell. The owner of that diamond is none other than the Prince Regent and he is demanding they find his diamond and prosecute the scurrilous thief. Alex likes nothing better than a good challenge and the Nightjar will be a challenge.

Alex doesn’t ever see himself marrying, but he can’t forget that kiss four years ago. A woman kissed him at a masquerade ball and he never learned her name – but he’s never forgotten her. He remembers every detail -he can picture it in his mind – and her scent – OH! He remembers that as well. When he visits the scene of the crime at Rundell Bridge and Rundell, he catches a whiff of that scent. He hasn’t smelled exactly that scent in four years, but he is positive it is the same. Yet, there are so many people on the street he can’t find the source ** He should be prepared, that scent is going to drive him insane for the next few weeks. **

I loved the mystery and the chase. Emmy and Alex are both very smart strategic thinkers and each takes delight in outwitting the other. Will she finish her father’s task and escape being arrested? Will he catch her and send her to the gallows? It seems it must be one way or the other with no in-between. You’ll just have to read the story to find out all of the wonderful details. Be prepared – there isn’t a dull minute in there anywhere.

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

About A Rogue by Caroline Linden

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

AboutARogueBarbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #1
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 384

Yikes! The Carlyle dukedom is in danger and the duchess is desperately seeking out possible heirs. Her older son, the duke, is sickly and has a very limited mental capacity – he certainly cannot marry and father children. That wasn’t such a problem until both of her younger sons died – one in the Army and the has just died of an unfortunate accident before he could marry and have children. The dukedom’s solicitor, Mr. Edwards, has been diligently searching for the heirs – because the duchess wants them to learn the ways of the dukedom before they have to take over. Three possible heirs have been identified and none of them make the duchess happy. One of them is a Frenchman, one is in the army, and the last is a cardsharp. Our current story features the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James.

Max had no desire to be under the duchesses thumb, but he was grateful for the money she handed him and for the promise of the yearly payout he would receive from the dukedom. Well, except that yearly payout came with strings – he had to become respectable and be on his good behavior. The judgment about whether he was respectable, of course, was the duchesses. Max didn’t care for that at all. Max has always wanted to be independent, but life circumstances just never allowed that. He had to make his life the best way he could. Now, he has a bold plan and he is so excited about the possibility of making his own future.

Max was introduced to Mr. Samuel Tate, owner of Perusia, a fine pottery factory when he was in London. Mr.Tate was impressed with Max and his relationship to the ton and subsequently invited him to visit Perusia. Mr. Tate had no sons and when Max presented him with a partnership proposal – as well as a proposal of marriage for Mr. Tate’s oldest daughter, Cathy, Mr. Tate was thrilled. Cathy, the sweet, docile daughter wasn’t thrilled though and promptly eloped with the man she did love. OOPS!

There was nothing sweet nor docile about Bianca Tate – Cathy’s only sister. Bianca, who was every bit as stubborn and pig-headed as her father, was furious that he’d just sell out his daughter like that. So, when Bianca discovered Cathy packing to run away with the man she loved, Bianca decided to help her. What Bianca didn’t expect was to end up having to marry Max in Cathy’s place!

I absolutely adored both Max and Bianca. Max was determined to win his wife’s affections and Bianca was determined to despise Max no matter what he did. It was so much fun watching Max slowly, but steadily, destroying all of Bianca’s defenses.

One of the most refreshing things about this story was that it wasn’t set in London among the ton. Yes, there were several titles involved, but they weren’t the focus. The focus of the story was Max and Bianca and I felt as if I really got to know them. The romance felt real and I could genuinely feel that they were in love. Also included in my ebook was a short novella featuring Lawrence, who is Max’s valet. It was a really sweet story as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the second book in the series – A Scot To The Heart – which features the army officer – Captain Andrew St. James of his majesty’s Scotts Guards.

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