Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Mine, Forever and Always by Tammy L. Bailey

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

Mine, Forever and AlwaysMine, Forever and Always by Tammy L. Bailey

Barbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone Novella
Publication Date: 3/15/2017

I’d actually give it 4.5 stars, but the system won’t let me.

What a delightful read! Tammy Bailey is a new author to me. As far as I as I can tell, this is her third book and her first historical romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more of her work.

This is an almost perfectly perfect novella. It hits all the marks with very likable characters, a compelling, emotional story and a happily ever after. All of the questions were answered – well – all but one question was answered. What is going to happen between Jane and Mr. Waverly? This is a standalone novella, so a next volume in the series isn’t planned – but – there wasn’t any sort of resolution for them. I couldn’t figure out if they were just good friends or if they had an affection for each other but were in denial. The author did let one modern word slip into the story – maybe more, but I only noticed one. She used the word ‘viral’ toward the end of the story. Frankly, the story was so well done that it didn’t bother me at all.

Lily Scott has loved Henry Dalton almost her whole life and has considered herself ‘married’ to him since she was almost fifteen. They were humoring Henry’s sister, Jane, and performing a play where Henry was the groom and Lily was the bride. At the end of the ceremony, Henry leaned down and kissed Lily and told her ‘Now you are mine, forever and always’. Lily loved Henry with all her heart and was hurt and confused when he suddenly left and then pretended that he didn’t even remember her name.

Henry Dalton loved Lily, but when two events shattered his belief in love and marriage he decided to just put her out of his heart, mind, and life. He could manage to put her out of his mind for periods of time, but she was always in his heart. Imagine what happens when he goes to a house party at his family estate and Lily is there.

Mr. Waverly, Henry’s best friend, and Jane decide that it is time to get Henry and Lily together and make them deal with their feelings one way or the other. The entire house party was geared toward that end. You’ll love the maneuvering Jane and Mr. Waverly does to bring the two together, to cause jealousy and to see that they get to be alone together from time to time. Jane is a born manipulator and her parlor games are really good.

I sincerely hope you’ll give this author and this novella a try. It is a short, sweet and quick read that I really think you’ll enjoy.

“I received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor by Anna Bradley

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

Lady Eleanor's Seventh Suitor (The Sutherland Sisters, #1)Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor by Anna Bradley

Barbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Sutherland Sisters #1
Publication Date: 9/5/17

What an unexpectedly delightful read with very complex and interesting characters. I say unexpectedly delightful because before I started reading I had wondered how the characters could go from blackmail to an HEA. Then, after the things that were said during the initial blackmail contact, I was sure it couldn’t happen. This was my first book by Anna Bradley, but it most definitely will not be the last.

Both the hero and heroine as well as several of the supporting characters are fractured and flawed by terrible childhoods. Once you finally understand the depth of emotional disturbances in their childhoods, you can better understand their actions in adulthood.

Lady Eleanor Sutherland is referred to as Lady Frost by the ton. It isn’t a name she has sought, nor is it a name that describes her in any way. So far, she has soundly rejected six suitors – five the ton knows of and one they don’t. She has her own page in White’s betting book where young bucks bet on everything from getting a smile from her to getting her to accept a marriage proposal. One of the first scenes in the book shows one of these young bucks trying to propose to her at a ball. Eleanor wants to marry for love, but she is afraid of marriage because of the way her father treated the family and her mother just seemed to disappear as a person. Eleanor has learned to feel that she isn’t important and she doesn’t matter.

Camden West’s childhood was shattered when he was nine years old and his father died of a fever. His uncle moved in and took over Cam’s inheritance. The uncle is a vile and hateful man and when Cam becomes really close (like brothers) with Julian (the uncle’s son), the uncle becomes wildly jealous of the relationship. Cam’s mother is shattered emotionally and never recovers. I can’t really tell you much more here without spoiling the story for you – but just know that the pivotal events in Cam’s life happened at the country estate.

Cam left home when he was thirteen and left for India when he was seventeen. Once he left, he never returned. While in India he made a huge fortune and came back to England bent on justice for his sister. However, he has confused justice with revenge and doesn’t take into account all of the collateral damage his revenge will do.

You’ll love Cam’s little sister. She is the sweetest eleven-year-old you’ll ever meet. Everybody loves her and she is the sunrise in Cam’s day. He loves her beyond all measure and will do anything for her, her future and her happiness.

The first part of Cam’s revenge includes marrying Eleanor. He tries gaining her interest in the normal way, but when that doesn’t work he develops a scheme to have her sister, Charlotte, compromised and he would be the only witness. That way, he can blackmail her into marriage. You’d think that wouldn’t work, but the Sutherland’s are a very, very close family and will do anything for each other.

The morning after Charlotte has been compromised, Cam pays a visit to Eleanor and delivers his blackmail demand. She finally agrees, but with no intention of actually going through with a betrothal. Thus begins a game of cat and mouse with each of them scheming to outwit the other. That part is a fun read when you see how Eleanor pulls his chain – until he finally figures out what she is up to.

You’ll ride along on a rollercoaster of emotions right up to the end. Cam finally realizes what true love is and that if he loves Eleanor, he might just have to let her go – yep – when that scene gets there you better have the tissues ready. You’ll also sigh and cry for Julian and Charlotte as well.

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”