Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Twice Upon a Midnight: A Regency Cinderella Story by Anna Harrington

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Twice Upon a Midnight: A Regency Cinderella Story

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Publication Date: 9/26/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 193

Sometimes reimagined fairytales are just downright fun to read and this is one of those times. The story features Lady Elenora (Ellie) Darby, the much-loved daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Durham, and Spencer Rhodes, business owner and unwanted stepson of the Duke of Pensworth. Oh! My! A working-class commoner and a duke’s daughter – how will that ever work? Well, hang on to your hats, read the book, and you’ll find out. Besides, with the sweetest Fairy Godfather around, how could it not work?

Ella and her parents have been living in France since the end of the war. Not because they wanted to, but because her father is a gifted negotiator and was asked by the Prince Regent to take on certain tasks related to the ending of hostilities and getting the continent back on an even footing. Now, back in London, it is time to launch Ella into English society with the most lavish ball London has ever seen. When Ella just has to escape into the gardens for a breath of air, she runs into the most fascinating man she’s ever met. They talk of wonderful things – especially poetry – and she is truly smitten. But, at midnight – just as everyone is unmasking – he disappears. She has no idea who he is or how to find him.

Just once Spencer would like to see the inside of a ballroom, to waltz, to see how the upper crust of society lives. Even with his wonderful friend and father figure, Martin, begging him not to do it, Spencer forges an invitation to the Duke of Durham’s ball. He just has to make it out in his half-brother’s name. Since the two both look like their mother, he can pass for his brother. What a crush! Out in the garden, he runs, literally, into the most fascinating woman. She doesn’t run away and they spend delightful time talking about books, philosophy, and poetry. He doesn’t know who she is, but she is wonderful – everything he’d ever want in a woman. Except – he knows she is a Lady and can therefore have nothing to do with a common man like him. So, when the opportunity presents itself, he disappears without ever giving her his name.

Ella’s journey to finding Spencer is so romantic – as is his reason for hiding from her. With unexpected foes and loving allies can the two find each other again? The story is lovely and well-written with good pacing and a very satisfying ending. It also had plenty of drama and suspense involving Spencer’s half-brother, but it wasn’t dark. Ella was the kind of heroine you’d always want to read – sweet, smart, loving, kind, and generous – and Spencer was the kind of hero you’d want for your own – smart, giving, intelligent, handsome, caring, considerate, and loving. Just sigh-worthy.

I recommend this lovely novella and hope you’ll love it as much as I did. While it is a novella, I felt I got the full story and everyone was fully fleshed out and relatable. If you love historical romance and/or fairy tale reimagining, then this story is for you.

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

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Petteril’s Thief by Mary Lancaster

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Petteril's Thief (Lord Petteril Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries
Publication Date: 9/5/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 161

This first book in Mary Lancaster’s new historical mystery series is an outstanding addition to the genre. It was so very good that I read it in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.

The character of Lord Petteril is wonderfully complex, nuanced, and built layer upon intriguing layer. I believe he is one of the most interesting and likable characters I’ve read in a very long time. Ape, the thief, is also an excellent choice as a main supporting character. Ape has survived by his intelligence and wits his entire life in St. Giles. He’s not a thief by choice, he works for the “Lord”, and if he wants to survive, he does as he’s told. When Ape is given the choice to change his life, he jumps at it and never looks back. (Can you picture an urchin who actually wants to take a bath?)

Absolutely nobody wants Oxford don, Piers Withan to be Viscount Petteril: Certainly not his estranged family and certainly not Piers himself. However, the point is moot because there is no choice for any of them. During the months it has taken Piers to wrap up his affairs and assume the title, his family has taken full advantage of draining the coffers of the title as much as they can get away with. Piers has an affliction and his family – even his father – took the opportunity to bully him and ridicule him. They assume that will continue now that he is back. Hmmm, I wonder how that will work out for them.

On his first night in the Petteril townhouse, he encounters a young thief who has just emptied the safe of the few contents in it – and he lets the thief go – and he lets the thief keep the contents. That encounter changes Piers’s life in untold ways. When it turns out that a very valuable family heirloom ruby necklace is missing, Piers is sure the little thief didn’t take it. He’s also equally sure that a family member or a member of the staff did.

His family is expecting the old Piers – the one they could bully and intimidate. What they got was something quite different and it was an absolute delight to watch Piers show those nuanced, stronger, layers to his family as one by one he eliminates them as suspects in the necklace theft but holds them accountable for other pilfering. Then, there is only one suspect left and Piers handles that with dignity and aplomb.

While all of the necklace and family drama is going on, Piers is leaving his darkness behind, dealing with his affliction the best way he can, saving his young cousin from a terrible fate, and doing his best to guide Ape in dealing with his big secret. You’ll quickly come to admire Piers and wish you could meet him in real life. He’d be an extraordinary friend to have.

As you can tell, I loved this book and highly recommend it. The mystery is interesting and there are plenty of red herrings to keep you wondering. Lots of opportunity, lots of motives, so who can it be? You will just have to read this excellent first book in the series to find out.

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