Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

To Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog

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To Covet a CountessTo Covet a Countess by Sapna Bhog

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Elusive Lords, #2

Release Date: November 16, 2021

When the situation at their uncle’s home in India becomes unbearable, Sania Aaryan takes her younger sister Isha and flees to England, where she hopes to find sanctuary with her cousin Lara, the new Duchess of Wolverton. But when they arrive looking bedraggled, Lara is not home and her butler refuses to believe that they are related to the duchess and turns them out. With no money and near-freezing temperatures, Sania takes matters into her own hands and tries to break in.

The last thing Nicholas “Hawk” Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley expects to see while returning home is someone trying to break into his best friend Wolf’s house! He immediately intervenes and gets yet another shock when the small intruder turns out to be a woman, who threatens him with a dagger and then faints! Hawk takes Sania and Isha to his house and sends a letter to Wolf. He plans to keep them at his house until Wolf returns and either confirms or denies their relationship to his wife. What he doesn’t plan on doing is becoming infatuated with the lovely Indian woman, but that is exactly what happens.

Wolf and Lara return and are overjoyed to see Sania and Isha, they immediately move them into their house and get ready to launch them into society. Hawk tries to distance himself from Sania, sure that she would be better off with another man. Events from his past have convinced him that he doesn’t deserve a wife and children, so while he desires Sania, he goes out of his way to avoid her. It is a good plan, too bad Sania doesn’t agree. She refuses to give up on the attraction that is growing between them and eventually, she succeeds in making Hawk believe that they could have a future. All seems to be going well until their betrothal ball when the past comes calling and Hawk lets his insecurities destroy their chance for HEA. Can he convince Sania to give him another chance to prove his love or was his betrayal too much to overcome?

This was a good story, it was well-written and nicely paced, but some things just didn’t work for me. Things like: not stating when the book was set, I’m guessing late-Georgian, a lot of modern verbiages, title errors, and the villain’s name/title. What I did like is that the author accurately and subtly addressed the prejudices that Lara and Sania faced in society, she makes Hawk work for his forgiveness, she writes some steamyish love scenes, and she included a charming epilogue. Overall, it was a good read, and while I enjoyed the story, it is not one I would read again. This is the second book in the series, but I had not read the first book and had no trouble understanding the relationships in this book.

*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.*

The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington (The Swooning Virgins Society, #4)Barbara’s rating: 3.7 of 5 Stars
Series: The Swooning virgins Society #4
Publication Date: 11/2/21
Period: Georgian – 1795 London
Number of Pages: 377

Lady Amanda Clifford runs the Clifford Charity School For Wayward Girls. Each of the girls who have been featured in the series was found in truly dire circumstances and has been taught to be strong, resourceful young ladies. They have also been taught to have a strong sense of vengeance and respect for justice. Five years ago, fifteen-year-old Emma Downing was the fourth girl rescued by Lady Amanda and possibly the most damaged by her circumstances. Now, it is Emma’s turn to take on an assignment for the school and it will take all of her skills and talents to succeed.

It seems maids have been disappearing off the country estate of Samuel Fitzroy, the Marquess of Lymington and no trace of any of them have been found – until one turns up as a courtesan at Madam Marchand’s brothel. That maid, Caroline Frances, shares a tale of a Lord who seduced and debauched her, then left her on the steps of Madam Marchands. She even names the Lord who did the deed. It is now up to Emma to investigate Lancelot Banning, Viscount Lovell, and come up with the evidence to either exonerate him or convict him. To do that, Emma will live with Lady Amanda’s friend Lady Crosby and pretend to be her granddaughter, Emma Crosby, who just happens to be on the continent with her father.

Lord Lovell is the cousin of Lord Lymington and the two of them grew up together – in the same house. They are more like brothers than cousins and Samuel is very protective of Lovell. When a young debutante (Emma) starts flirting with Lovell, Samuel warns her away because he knows Lovell is head-over-heels in love with Lady Flora.

Samuel nor Lovell have any idea that Emma suspects Lovell of some very dire deeds, but Samuel certainly comes to question her and her motives when he keeps encountering her at places no well-bred young lady should be. She intrigues him – and she repels him. Yet, when Emma’s life is in danger, Samuel knows he has to save her.

I believe this was the final book in the series and it had a lovely epilogue that included visits with Sophia (The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Grey), Cecilia (The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington), and Georgiana (The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere). I’m always a sucker for a good epilogue.

I enjoyed this story but was left with a number of questions and no answers. First, since Emma is impersonating a real-life person, how will the person, the grandmother, and Emma explain all of that to the ton when the actual granddaughter appears? Emma and Samuel – and the entire family – will be shunned by the ton when they discover Emma’s time in Madam Marchand’s service – how would they explain that away? It just seems it was made much too easy and there was a rather blasé attitude to a very serious social issue.

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

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