Category: Author Collaboration Series

Earl of Kinross by Meara Platt

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

Earl of Kinross (Wicked Earls' Club Book 14)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wicked Earls’ Club #14
Publication Date: 10/8/19
Number of Pages: 117

I am really enjoying all of these Christmas additions to the Wicked Earls’ series. This one was particularly good. I thoroughly enjoyed both the hero and the heroine because they were both strong, confident and well-rounded. I thought the ‘love’ happened a little quickly, but, well, it was a novella length. It was all very believable.

Marcus Brayden, Earl of Kinross, comes from a close and powerful family that boasts many titles, much wealth and influence, many military heroes and strong, independent women. According to Marcus, “Having been raised by strong women, he was not of the mind that the fairer sex was helpless.” That, of course, made him a perfect match for our heroine who was, according to Marcus, “a squirming bundle of defiance and determination”.

Lady Lara LeBrecque, the only daughter of the Earl of Stratton, has had a miserable last few years. Well, her entire family has had a miserable last few years. The LeBrecque’s have been under siege and they can’t seem to find a way out. Lara’s father has been accused of treason and her brother, Hugh, has been accused of murder. Now, Lara is feeling under threat from Lord Alistair Dunning who is the judge who has presided over both her father’s and her brother’s legal woes. Dunning watches her with lecherous eyes and she knows he has intentions for her as well as the rest of her family. With her brother on the other side of the world trying to hunt down the villain they are sure is behind their troubles, and her father under house-arrest and watched constantly, Lara has few, if any, people or places to go to for help.

Marcus has been back from the wars in France for only a month or two – recuperating from a wound. He hasn’t been out in society, so he has no clue what has been going on in England while he’s been off fighting. He’s a high ranking general and has about every medal for bravery you can get – not to mention that he’s handsome as sin. One morning, in the earliest daylight hours, he catches a glimpse of a woman scaling over his fence and heads out to catch her. What a surprise to see that it is Lady Lara, his very best friend’s sister. Once she tells Marcus what has been happening to her family, Marcus knows he has to help her and her family – but it will take all of his family resources as well as his relationship with Queen Charlotte and the Prince Regent.

This was a delightful, romantic, non-stop, action-packed story that you’ll read straight through. You just won’t be able to put it down because you will just have to know what happens next. There is also a wonderful epilogue to round out the book – and I always love epilogues!

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected World by Lauren Smith

On By BarbaraIn Author Collaboration Series, Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

No Rest for the Wicked: Pirates of Britannia Connected WorldBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Pirates of Britannia Connected World
Publication Date: 10/30/19
Number of Pages: 219

This book is the author’s first foray into writing a pirate story and I can tell you – she has absolutely outdone herself. This is an excellent read. The excitement starts on the first page and doesn’t let up till the last. The book will tear your heart out and then put it all back together again – and there is a twist at the end that will absolutely floor you!

Dominic Greyville, the heir to the Earl of Camden, was fourteen when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He suffered years of torture and abuse and was forced into becoming a pirate. Now, fourteen years later, he is a pirate and captain of his own sloop, the Emerald Dragon. He and his crew spend as much time attacking slave ships and freeing the slaves as they do capturing treasure, but that won’t keep them from being hanged if they are ever caught.

Roberta (Robbie) Harcourt was raised on the sea. She lost her mother when she was very young and her father couldn’t bear being separated from her, so she went on many of his sea voyages. She loved the freedom and adventure of the sea and hoped that her new life in Port Royal where her father Rear Admiral Harcourt would now be based.

Dominic gets word that there is a ship with ‘precious’ cargo headed toward Port Royal. It is such important cargo that there is a rear admiral traveling with it. That certainly whets a pirate’s appetite. It doesn’t take much effort for the Emerald Dragon to overtake the Fortune and capture all on board. After the captives are placed in a longboat with instruments to head them toward Port Royal, the Fortune begins to sink. Except – they found two cabin boys hiding in a closet. It is too late to get them onto the longboats, so Dominic’s crew takes them along with them. It doesn’t take Dominic long to realize that the cabin boys aren’t boys at all.

I loved seeing Roberta and Dominic dance around each other. The attraction was strong an the more Roberta learned about Dominic, the greater the attraction. There can be no life together for them – Dom is a pirate and would be hanged if he were caught.

You really have to read this wonderful pirate story. It is filled with love, friendship, enemies, and so very much excitement and suspense. The ending – all I can say is WOW!

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