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

At the Pleasure of the Marquess by Sofie Darling

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

At the Pleasure of the Marquess (Shadows and Silk #5)At the Pleasure of the Marquess by Sofie Darling

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Shadows and Silk, #5

Release Date: April 28, 2021

Maybe 3.5 stars

Worried about his brother, former spymaster, Lord Nicolas Asquith asks one of his former agents, Hortense Marchland to check on him. Nick tells Hortense that his brother, James “Jamie” Asquith, the Marquess of Clare has not been seen for months – not since the sudden death of their parents five months ago. Before their death, Jamie was slowly drinking himself into an early grave and Nick is worried that he has succeeded.

After the war ended and the need for agents with it, Hortense began an inquiry business. Years ago, Nick saved Hortense from a life on the streets and has come to be family to her – so when he asked her for help, there is no way she could deny him. But she didn’t expect his brother to be so observant or so sober. When Jamie catches her snooping around his study – he orders her to leave, but he is intrigued by her and follows her. He joins her on another job and then offers her an outrageous amount of money to help him learn what really happened to a lover he lost touch with years ago. Hortense takes the job, not realizing that in doing so, she will be dragged back into her days working for the crime lord Flick Doyle. But true to her word, Hortense learns what happened to Jamie’s lost lover and uncovers another lie his parents kept from him; he has a son. A son that has been lost to the streets and none other than Flick Doyle and his “Lucky Eels”.

Hortense agrees to do a job for Doyle to ensure his son’s release – but it will require connections to the ton that she doesn’t have – connections that Jamie offers to give her through marriage – Jamie is desperate to get his son away from Doyle and will do whatever is necessary – even marrying Hortense. They marry and work together to complete the job and get his son. But neither is prepared for the intense passion that blooms between them or the secret that Hortense is keeping that will definitely destroy any chance of a HEA.

This is a well-written, fast-paced story that is not your usual marriage of convenience story. Jamie and Hortense are both very likable and relatable characters who are both struggling with their pasts and the effect it has on their future. I liked the story, but I wasn’t sold on the need for them to marry, especially after Jamie so efficiently solved Hortense’s problem at that end and made this reader wonder why that solution hadn’t been employed at the first meeting. Aside from that and a few title errors – I did enjoy this story, it is filled with intrigue, steamy love scenes, surprises, twists and turns, and finally a HEA complete with a very heartwarming epilogue. This is the fifth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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 Dagger Dance by Elizabeth Bailey

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical MysteryLeave a comment

The Dagger Dance (Lady Fan Mystery Book 7)The Dagger Dance by Elizabeth Bailey
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Lady Fan Mystery #7
Publication Date: 4/13/21
Number of Pages: 341

While this is the seventh book in the series, I feel as if we are just getting started. The book is exciting and filled with red herrings that will keep you guessing whodunit. The only thing you know for sure is that Dorote Gabon didn’t do it. Admittedly, it took me two or three books into the series to warm up to Ottilia and Francis, but now I love them and can hardly wait from one book to the next. This one has a delightful twist that you will love at the end. Oh! And there is a pirate.

It is March of 1793 and Ottilia and Francis are enjoying time at their home, Flitteris. Ottilia’s nephews are visiting and, of course, the lovely young child, Pretty, from the last book is in residence. Things are in happy chaos when Ottilia receives a message from Hemp Roy asking her to come to Bristol to save Dorote Gabon, a woman from his past. Dorote, a slave, has been accused of murder and Hemp knows she is innocent.

Dorote was discovered standing over the body of her owner, Marcus Scalloway, with a bloody knife that she admitted was hers. Sounds like an open and shut case until Ottilia speaks with Dorote and comes to believe what Dorote has to say. It seems that everyone who knew Scalloway had reason to dislike him enough to kill him, so there is no shortage of suspects. It can be anybody from his wife, to her lover, to his business partner, to his skulking minion, to his partner’s skulking minion, or even the pirate who was captaining Scalloway’s ship when it sank.

Ottilia, Francis, and Hemp have their work cut out for them with this investigation and it is even more difficult than usual because Ottilia is ill and Francis has to take on a good bit of the investigation. Hemp doesn’t care who killed the man as long as they can prove that Dorote is innocent – and he also wants to get Dorote free from slavery. That last part may be harder than proving her innocent of murder.

I can definitely recommend this fast-paced, well-written historical mystery. The characters are wonderful and the mystery is intriguing. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.