Category: Barb’s Reviews

The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)3 Comments

The Pursuits of Lord Kit Cavanaugh (The Cavanaughs #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Cavanaughs #2
Publication Date: 4/30/19
Number of Pages: 384

Kit Cavanaugh first met Miss Sylvia Buckleberry (I love her name) in the first book of the series, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, and it was not an auspicious beginning for them. She treated him coldly and it seemed that she couldn’t wait to get away from him. So, while she intrigued him, he left his brother Rand’s wedding never expecting to see her again.

Kit spent some time with his older brother, Ryder, and his family and then left for Bristol where he is starting a yacht building business. He rented the perfect warehouse for building the yachts and all he had to do was to wait for the charity that was using the warehouse to vacate the premises. He wondered what sort of charity was using the warehouse.

The next day, an absolute force of nature in the guise of Miss Sylvia Buckleberry accosted Kit in his offices. She was quite different from the cold, aloof woman he met at Rand’s wedding. She demanded his help in relocating her charity school since he is the cause of them having to move. Kit had no idea it was a school he was dislocating and he was anxious to help with the relocation, the costs – whatever was needed. Sylvia couldn’t believe this was the same man whose reputation she had so much about before.

Kit and his partner, Wayland Cobworth, can hardly wait to begin work. Bristol’s shipbuilding industry is floundering since the invention of iron ships. Luckily for Kit and Wayland, that leaves the finest craftsmen available for hire. They are fortunate to put together a top-notch crew including a secretary that keeps it all together.

Kit and Sylvia spend more and more time together because of the school. Who knew that a charity school could have an enemy? But it does. Then again, who knew that a new business providing many jobs to an impoverished community would have enemies? But it does. Add to that – someone is watching Sylvia. Are they all related?

The road to romance is fairly smooth with each person coming to know and respect who the other really is. It is the danger to the school, the business, and Sylvia that moves the plot along. The mysteries are interesting and you won’t know who the villain is until the solution presents itself.

This is an excellently written book with interesting and compelling characters to whom you can totally relate. I really liked Kit who is not at all what his reputation makes him out to be. I also admired Sylvia who set a goal for her life and then went about making it happen. She’s quite an admirable heroine.

I definitely recommend this book!

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

Never Deny A Duke by Madeline Hunter

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)2 Comments

Never Deny a Duke (Decadent Dukes Society, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Decadent Dukes Society #3
Publication Date: 4/30/19
Number of Pages: 304

This wonderful wrap-up for the Decadent Dukes Society is delightfully different – not one of your standard tropes. The ‘Most Ducal Duke’ meets his match and it is a delight to watch. The book is well written and the characters are very relatable and likable.

Eric Marshall, Duke of Brentworth has long been known as the most ducal of dukes. He’s always proper, dour, dutiful, and forbidding – as well as tall and handsome with gray eyes that “created a steely gaze that shot through all that it saw”. Brentworth received a rare summons to court and he had no idea why – especially since he and the king were not exactly friendly. What he hears is stunning and the king seems to expect him to deal with it without causing an uproar about it. Some Scottish chit has concocted a story and is trying to claim one of his estates. The charlatan! Soon it will be open season for ne’er-do-wells to just walk up and claim portions of estates. HUH!

Davina MacCallum’s father, on his death bed, told her of what should be her legacy and she is adamantly bound-and-determined to claim that legacy. She wants it for herself, of course, because it is her birthright, but she also wants it to help the people in the region. According to her father, her grandfather had been sent away from his home (Teyhill) to keep him safe after the battle of Culloden. He was then raised in the Northumberland area of England and the estate was returned to the crown and then given to the Duke of Brentworth. The estate didn’t just come with property, it also came with a barony that could be inherited by the females as well as the males.

Davina’s grandfather had spoken with the previous king who had promised to help him reclaim his land. Her grandfather sent the proof needed, but then the old king died and the proof has disappeared. Now, she is petitioning the current King and she feels she’s being stonewalled. She just has to find the proof of who her grandfather was. How?

It was great fun to watch Davina and Eric go from enemies, to searching for proof, to finally finding their HEA. It was a delightful adventure with two very deserving characters. However, I think one of my favorite parts was the epilogue where we caught up with all three of the Decadent Dukes a few years later. We saw their families and their still loving relationships and it was a truly delightful addition to the story.

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