Category: George V – 1910- 1936

Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies by Monica Burns

On By TracyIn George V - 1910- 1936, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies (The Reckless Rockwoods Book 6)Scandalous: Family Ties and Spies by Monica Burns

Tracy’s rating: 3 / 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Reckless Rockwells, #6

Release Date: 2/14/24

Two years ago, Amalie Rockwood had a vision about herself and Valeran “Val” Rutherford, the Earl of Sommerville, and ever since Amalie has stayed away from Val because, despite her deep attraction for him, she knows he has the power to break her heart. A fact that is reiterated when she overhears him talking about her with his latest mistress. Hurt by his mistress’ insults and his willingness to agree that he could easily seduce the “plump country mouse”, Amalie vows to stay far away from him. But when a vengeful enemy plots against her, Amalie finds herself compromised by the one man she has sworn to avoid and marriage is the only solution. But Amalie won’t surrender to her handsome husband easily. This plump country mouse is going to show him how foolish it was to underestimate her. All she has to do is put him in his place without losing her heart and having the vision play out.

Listening to Lady Chattfield insult Amalie Rockwood pushes Val’s patience to the limit, but his investigation for the Crown makes it necessary to let the vicious witch believe that he is interested in her. But he couldn’t disagree more, Amalie might be a quiet little mouse, but her plump curves are anything but unattractive, in fact, if she was not his best friend’s cousin, he would be happy to pursue her. So when they are found together, he isn’t as upset as he should be at the thought of marriage to her. But it is clear that his bride is not happy with him, forcing him to try and woo her. He succeeds to a point, but Val has secrets that he has no intention of sharing with Amalie, besides his work for the Crown, he is hunting the men who killed his family and left him practically blind. He likes Amalie, desires her, and cares for her, but his painful past ensures that he can never give her the one thing she wants, love.

This was a well-written, good story filled with interesting characters, steamyish love scenes and just a touch of paranormal. I liked the story, but I really had a hard time liking Amalie, I loved that she was a curvy heroine, and I sympathized with her insecurity, but she was very aggressive and was quick to believe the worst about Val, time and time again, leading her to be downright nasty at times. I tried to believe that it was a self-defense response, but she just went too far, especially since she was keeping secrets too. I loved Val and I loved that the author didn’t miraculously cure his vision, I loved his patience with Amalie and felt like he deserved to receive some serious groveling, but sadly, that never happened. This book is the sixth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title, as the author gives the reader plenty of backstory. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I don’t think I would read it again.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Fiction, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly RecommendedLeave a comment

Sisters of FortuneBarbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Publication Date: 2/20/24
Number of Pages: 416

This book was one of the most poignant, evocative, and beautifully written books I have ever read. It made the Titanic’s voyage real to me – in every way. The author tells the story through the Fortune family who were actually on the voyage in real life, but little is known of them. Their story is fictional but, goodness, you feel it – as if you are right there with them. You feel the bubbling, electric excitement of the passengers as they board the unsinkable Titanic. You feel the glamour of the jewels and the people, the sumptuousness of the surroundings. You also feel the panic, heroism, and bravery of the passengers and crew. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that gave me so many feels.

The Fortune family – father, mother, brother, and three sisters – were taking their version of the Grand Tour. They traveled from their home in Canada to Europe where they spent time in all the great places and even went to the Middle East to ride camels and see the sights in the desert before finally deciding to travel home on the marvel of the times – the Titanic.

The story’s main focus is on the three sisters, Flora, Alice, and Mabel, and their lives, expectations, frustrations, loves, and insecurities. Each of them has their own strengths and weaknesses – hopes and dreams. They also find they are stronger than they ever thought they could be – especially in a time when women were to be coddled and looked after like fine porcelain figurines. However, we also get to know, like, and respect their father as well as their mother and young brother who had so much ahead of him in life.

Flora is the older sister – dutiful, caring, obedient, and engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. As she grapples with that expectation, she meets a man who captures her attention totally and finally wins her heart. Will her parents agree to her ending her current engagement?

Alice is also engaged, but to a man she adores – but she has trepidations of returning home. She wants adventure, travel, and excitement, not the protected life her fiancé has described to her. Can she find a way to have both adventure and her fiancé?

Mabel is the rebel of the family – she chafes at being coddled and protected – she believes women have intelligence and should receive an education, the right to vote, etc. Her father adamantly denies her when she begs to go to college. Can she convince him while they are on this voyage?

If you love historical fiction, or even if you don’t, you will surely enjoy this book. Anna Lee Huber’s research and attention to detail is second to none. When you finish the book, you will feel as if you walked the corridors of the Titanic, smelled the delicious aromas of the rich foods, felt the sea breeze on your face, met all of the people on board – the glamorous and the not so glamorous, and felt the fear and panic as the passengers tried to find and board lifeboats.

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

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