Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Petteril’s Wife by Mary Lancaster

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Petteril's Wife (Lord Petteril Mysteries #5)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 4/25/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 171

Do you remember Lord Petteril’s snobbish, privileged, rakeish cousin – Major Albert (Bertie) Withan? Well, he’s missing – in Lisbon, Portugal and Petteril and April have gone to find him. Of course, they have to pose as man and wife so they can travel together – and we all know how well those sorts of things work out don’t we? 😊

Bertie arrived in Lisbon on time, but never made it to his regiment on the front lines. Bertie may not be Petteril’s favorite relative, but he’s still a relative and needs to be found. The Portuguese and military authorities have done little to locate him. Petteril takes on the identity of a minor government clerk sent to Lisbon to discover the major’s location because the Major’s rich and powerful cousin is making waves. As a lowly, unassuming clerk Petteril can ask more questions of more people than he could as a Viscount. Bertie made several significant acquaintances and conquests in his short time in the city. Is he in hiding somewhere? Is he lying dead somewhere?

While this book has an excellent mystery, it also continues the blossoming romance between Petteril and April. From the title, I had hoped we’d have a wedding, but – not yet. I’m hoping for the next book. I really like both characters whose quirky characters perfectly match.

If you are looking for a quick, fun, interesting read with a nice mystery, grab a cup of tea and your favorite reading chair and enjoy this book.

The Lady Plays with Fire by Susanna Craig

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

The Lady Plays with Fire (Goode's Guide to Misconduct #2)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #2
Publication Date: 4/23/24
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 293

A Miss and a Lord – both have secrets and secret identities – One wants revenge – and the other wants protection. I loved this book from the meet-cute to the last word in the epilogue and I hope you will love it too.

Miss Julia Addison is the daughter of a clergyman and she always longed for more freedom than a young lady of that period was allowed – especially a clergyman’s daughter. The opportunity to gain a small measure of freedom came when Mrs. Mildred Hayes’s niece (and companion) married Julia’s brother. Julia stepped in to become Mrs. Hayes’s companion – and in doing so, she gained the freedom to become the theater reviewer for Goode’s magazine.  No, nobody knows she is writing the reviews – it is all done under a secret identity, but she is very happy with that arrangement. At least she’s happy with it until she discovers that Ransom Blackadder, a satirical playwright, is seeking revenge against her for a review she wrote about one of his plays. Oh!

Graham McKay, the Earl of Dunstane, writes satirical plays under the pseudonym Ransom Blackadder. Those plays are always great successes and bring in lots of much-needed money to save his estates. All the reviewers are writing scathing reviews (which he wants as they bring in the audience) – all except one who writes something different. He absolutely cannot have that and he’ll go to great lengths to identify and unmask that reviewer. How dare she!

Julia intrigues Graham from the first time he meets her at the theater. Will their secrets keep them apart even though they care for one another? Can either or both of them come to trust the other enough to share their secret?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fast-paced, witty, entertaining book and can recommend it. So, grab a cup of tea, find a cozy nook, and be prepared for a lovely afternoon spent with Graham and Julia. You’ll be glad you did.

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