Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Fateful Marriage by Elizabeth Bailey

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

The Fateful Marriage (Lady Fan Mystery Book 6)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Lady Fan Mystery #6
Publication Date: 3/23/20
Number of Pages: 353

England 1791 – Lord Francis Fanshawe (Fan) and his wife Lady Ottilia Fanshawe (Lady Fan/Tillie) are in Tunbridge Wells at the request of Francis’ mother, Sybilla. As it happens, Lady Wem and her family are there as well. To say that Sybilla hates Lady Wem is being very delicate about how she feels. Lady Wem is a despicable, vile, hateful, spiteful, manipulative woman who rules her family like a despot. You’ll just have to read the story to get a feel for this woman – I don’t think I have the words to describe her. The Fanshawe’s certainly plan to avoid any interactions with Lady Wem and her family.

While on an outing with their niece, Lizzie, tragedy finds them. A lovely young woman plummets from the top of High Ricks and lands almost at Tillie’s feet. Did the young woman slip? Jump? Was she pushed? Given what Tillie hears, she believes the young woman was pushed. The young woman is a member of Lady Wem’s family and Tillie knows they won’t welcome her asking questions.

Tillie gets sucked into investigating and as more and more bodies turn up – and the family refuses to cooperate, Tillie begins to believe that the murderer will never be unmasked. Tillie brings in family and servants to aid her in the investigation and they unearth more and more details. Finally, the mystery is solved and the culprits confronted. Who did it? Why? Will they get their just punishments? You’ll just have to read the book to see.

I love the mystery. It is well done and has enough red herrings to keep you guessing right till the end. That said, I thought it was a bit slow-moving – and that is why I didn’t give it 5-stars.

Never Dance With A Duke by Collette Cameron

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Never Dance with a Duke (Seductive Scoundrels, #7)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels #7
Publication Date: 5/5/20
Number of Pages: 202

This was a lovely, lovely, very romantic story. You will fall head-over-heels in love with Mathias as soon as he graces the page. The story is very well-written and well-executed with just enough humor to keep you smiling throughout. One wonderful thing about the story is that there is no angst – goodness I detest angsty books. Both the hero and the heroine have unhappy things in their past and each has/are dealing with them in their own way without the ‘poor pitiful me’ angst we so often see.

Nicolette Twistleton was betrothed and just four hours away from her wedding when she received a note from her soon-to-be groom. Thinking it was a romantic note, she smiled as she opened it – to find just a few words: “Nicolette, I cannot marry you. Forgive me, K”. Seven short words that changed her life and her outlook on men. She decided right then and there that she couldn’t trust her heart and no man would ever hurt her again – she’d never give them the opportunity. After that point, men quickly found themselves decisively set-down if they paid too much attention to her. She’ll not marry! ALL men are toads – cockroaches – and she’ll have no part of them. Now, I can see where someone would have that initial reaction, but hers lasted for two years and I thought that was a bit long when she had so many examples of good men and good marriages around her.

Mathias Pembroke, Duke of Westfall, first met and came to admire Nicolette a few years ago, but she was being courted by Alfonse Bremerton, Duke of Kilbourne – and then she became betrothed. After Kilbourne jilted her, Mathias knew she needed time to deal with her emotions and get herself in order. He’s been very careful in their interactions over the last two years. He has managed to be the only unmarried, eligible male who hasn’t felt the lash of her tongue. When the huge dog (a Newfoundland named Sampson) he’s caring for gets loose in the park and knocks Nicolette over, Mathias carries her from the park and escorts her home.

Mathias knows it is his chance, but he also knows he has to be careful until he can win her good graces – and soon her heart. I love how steadfast and dedicated Mathias is. He is so patient and caring – who could resist him?

I absolutely adored watching Mathias and Nicolette find their way to their HEA – and, of course, the epilogue was the icing on the cake. I hope you will enjoy this quick, lovely read as much as I did.

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