Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

My Fair Lover by Nicole Jordan

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

My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers, #5)Barbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Legendary Lovers #5
Publication Date: 8/29/17

Delightfully enthralling tale of love tempered with wit and adventure. Nicole Jordan has added another delightful read to the Legendary Lovers series.

Brandon Deverill is in love with Lady Katherine Wilde – but he doesn’t know it and neither does she. She loves him too – and she doesn’t know it and neither does he. What a delightful, tangled, twisted set of emotions these two unleash on each other.

The one sure thing is – Brandon wants Katherine and has for several years. He’s American, but he has English relatives and was in England visiting those relatives when he met Katherine’s family and became close friends with them. However, being the honorable man he is, he made the decision to return to America and fight on the side of his country in the War of 1812. During all the time he was gone he never forgot Katherine and wanted to go back and claim her for his own. Then, his relative passed away and Brandon inherited a title. He could care less about the title, but it gave him just the excuse he needed to go back to England and marry Katherine.

You’ll absolutely love Kate’s matchmaking family and the stunts they pull to get Brandon and Kate together. You’ve met them if you read the other books in the series, but if you haven’t, you’ll get to catch up with them in this book.

Kate is a little spitfire who wants absolutely nothing to do with Brandon Deverill. You see, like the honorable gentleman he is, he spurned her advances on the night before he left for America and she will absolutely never forgive him. However, when Kate’s very-much-loved aunt asks Kate to fill in for her in helping Brandon gain some polish and find a bride, Kate can hardly refuse because the aunt has been unavoidably detained at a lying-in.

Sparks fly as the two of them square off and do their best to keep their jealousy from showing as the other dances and flirts with others. Brandon has absolutely no intention of finding any bride other than Kate, but watching him convince her is wholly entertaining.

Then comes the adventure – a trip to France and an encounter with a pirate with whom Brandon has a history. Will they escape in one piece – if they do, it will be a close call.

I hope you’ll give this delightful, can’t-put-it-down book a try – I am sure you’ll enjoy it.

“I requested and received this 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.”

The Barbary Mark by Anne Cleeland

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

The Barbary MarkBarbara’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: None – Standalone
Publication Date: July 1, 2017

What a heroine!! What a story!! I love Anne Cleeland’s Acton and Doyle series and the heroine in this book is an ancestor of Doyle. I believe this book actually began as a serial on Cleeland’s website and was so popular that they published it. So, let me be honest – this is a book I would not normally have chosen for myself. Not even close. It doesn’t take place in England, Scotland or Ireland and it isn’t about a polite subject. However, I am so glad I have it and I think you will also love it if you give it a try!

Sionnan (Nonnie) Rafferty (yes, she is Irish) is washed ashore in Algiers and is taken to the Dey where she comes into contact with some good people and some very bad people. She meets the necromancer and there is definitely more to him than is apparent at first glance. Then, there is the Agha who is cruel and evil. The necromancer, of course, is another story. He is enigmatic and mysterious – and very, very enticing.

Nonnie and her friend Jamie have been sent to Algiers by the English Crown to find and eliminate whoever is funding and abetting Napoleon in escaping his imprisonment on Elba.

You’ll find Nonnie is fearless, brave and very intelligent in trying to keep herself (and others) out of the hands of the slave traders and to complete her mission. Then, we’ll have to add love into the picture for there is indeed love abounding in this book – we end up with more than one HEA.

It is an intriguing and interesting tale of the slave trade and the journey to its end. There are many twists and turns, but you’ll always find your way through. Also, be prepared for great waves of sympathy for the back stories of both Nonnie and Jamie.

An all-around interesting read and I hope you’ll give it a chance.