Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Desires of Lady Elise by Rachel Ann Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

Desires of Lady EliseMy rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Agents of the Home Office #1
Publication Date: 7/18/19
Number of Pages: 98
** Maybe 3.5 Stars **

This debut novella is a fast-paced, fun read and I can see her developing into a go-to author.

Harold Greenfield, Earl of Thornston had a history with Lady Elise Brownstone, sister to the Duke of Fairmont. Ten years ago, when she was six and ten and he was twenty, they were in love – but then he disappeared from ton life amid a scandal.

Elise has spent those ten years pining for Harold and wondering why he hasn’t made a reappearance now that her father has died. She has also spent her time investigating and rescuing debutants from unscrupulous suitors.

Harold is back and is anxious to see how Elise is doing – he has never stopped loving her. When she is in danger, he rides to her rescue like the true knight in shining armor he is.

I was happy to see these two get their second chance at a HEA. They were both steadfast in their love for each other and Elise never believed all of the gossip about Harold.

I’ll keep an eye on this author for future reads. There are a few things that bothered me and/or made it a bit hard to read, but I’ll look forward to seeing how she progresses. What are those things?

• The CONSTANT use of ‘Lord’ – At some point, it should just change from “Lord Whatever’ to just ‘Whatever’. That constant use just made things seem a bit stilted. I don’t think I’ve ever read another historical romance where I saw ‘Lord’ used as often. ** Same goes for ‘Lady’.
• Class distinction was a huge, huge, huge thing in this book and I don’t believe it really would have been an issue – at least not as described in this novella. From everything I have read and learned over the years, the people in that upper echelon of society weren’t hung up on it as we are today. There would have been no issues with an Earl marrying a Duke’s daughter. There MIGHT have been an issue with a Duke’s daughter marrying the untitled third son of an Earl, but not in marrying an Earl. I liken it to our billionaires of today – One might have 40 billion dollars and another only 20 billion, but a marriage between the two would be perfectly acceptable.
• There was a scene that just totally turned me off. Was it a ‘natural’ reaction – maybe, but in the context of a romance novel, I didn’t want to see it. When Harold breaks up with his mistress, she tries to tempt him back and his body responds – he has to fight himself to keep from taking her up on her offer. Didn’t want to see that, think that, or read that. Just sayin’ – one person’s opinion.
• There were some things that I thought could be better explained or more fully expounded upon. What I’m saying is that it could have been just a tad longer and better explained what exactly her father did to Harold, how he threatened him, etc. as well as a fuller explanation of Harold’s involvement with the Agents of the Home Office. It said what he did – but I would just have liked a tad more information.

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

A Matchmaker for A Marquess by Christi Caldwell

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

A Matchmaker for a Marquess (The Heart of a Scandal Book 3)My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Heart of A Scandal #3
Publication Date: 6/25/19
Number of Pages: 210

Barry Aberdeen, Marquess of Tenwhestle – future Duke of Gayle – isn’t who society thinks he is, but he’ll keep that to himself. He is six and twenty and has years before he’ll be ready to marry. Little does he know; his parents have other plans for him. Now that his sister, Emilia, has married (Book #2 – A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart) their full attention has turned to Barry.

Meredith Durant’s father was the man-of-affairs and best friend to the Duke of Gayle and she was raised on the estate along with the duke’s children. She had a happy life there until she was twenty years of age and her ailing father was ‘retired’ and they were turned out. That was ten years ago, and now her father has died and she’s been supporting herself as a matchmaker for the last eight-and-a-half years.

Meredith was shocked to see Barry Aberdeen sitting in the gardens at the Royal Horticultural Society as she was there with one of her charges. She didn’t know it was him at first, but she saw a man and admired his looks – and then he started reading poetry aloud in the most mellifluous voice and she was mesmerized. Then, he turned, and it was her childhood nemesis, the brother of her best friend, the boy who had comforted her in a stable before she had to leave the estate – and he was all grown up.

Several weeks later, Barry was at their country estate for his parent’s annual two-week house party. Oddly enough, he usually enjoyed those events and was looking forward to the entertainments, fishing, riding, etc. Then, his sister finds him where he is fishing and tells him that their mother has turned her attention to his marital status. He doesn’t believe her – but then, she shows him the list of attendees – and it isn’t the usual group who is in attendance, it is almost exclusively young marriageable young ladies and their chaperones.

I love his reactions when he realizes that the reason Meredith is at the house party is that his mother has hired her to matchmake for him. He decided he’d just show them and then promptly lead Meredith on a journey of discovery, healing, growth, and love. Barry is a wonderful hero and just the man Meredith needed. Their journey was such a sweet one – and when Meredith sacrifices all for Barry’s wellbeing – it just makes your heart beat faster and faster.

This is an excellent, fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down kind of read filled with wonderful characters and two main characters that you can’t help but love. One thing I loved about the book is that there isn’t a lot of angst and turmoil – yes, there were some unpleasant memories, but they didn’t take on the angsty colorations that you often see. To me, the only thing that would have made the book better would have been the addition of an epilogue with them at some point in the future – in the experimental gardens – maybe with a baby or expecting one.

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