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

Taming Lily by J.R. Salisbury

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

Taming Lily (MacLeods of Skye, #4)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: MacLeods of Skye #4
Publication Date: 5/8/2020
Number of Pages: 177

This was my first read by JR Salisbury (the alter-ego of contemporary author Jamie Salisbury), and it was a delightful story. I will definitely look for more of her historical romances. I loved the characters; the story was well-plotted and excellently paced. If you are looking for an action-filled, exciting, heart-breaking, and heart-warming story, this is the one for you.

Lady Lily MacLeod is desperate. Her brother, Rory, Duke of Skye, is forcing her to marry the Earl of Dover who is twice her age. Not long prior to the wedding, Lily manages to escape with only the clothes on her back. She ran through London for most of the night. She’s totally exhausted, hungry, and just can’t go any further when she finds herself at the train station. Lo! There is a train with a private car getting ready to pull out – and it is headed to Edinburgh. She manages to gain entry to the car and quickly hides in a storage room. After exhaustion and hunger lull her into sleep, she is rudely awakened by two footmen dragging her up by the arms. Uh-Oh!

Tobias Campbell, Duke of Aberdeen, is heading home to Scotland in the comfort of his private railcar. Tobias is a very honorable, caring man, but he is also a bit uptight, stiff-necked, and set in his ways. His life is all planned out. He wants an obedient wife who will allow him to continue on with his life as he always has. His only requirement is that she produce an heir. There won’t be any love between them – just a business proposition. His betrothed, Lady Maria MacMillan, daughter of the Marquess of Tweeddale, meets all of his requirements perfectly. What he doesn’t need is a damsel in distress to be found hiding in his private railroad car. He doesn’t completely buy the tale she is telling him, but he agrees to help her anyway.

Their journey to their HEA was one fraught with murder attempts, betrayals, lies, abandonment, and a deep, abiding love. I enjoyed the story, and I’m glad I read it and gave this new-to-historical-romance author a try. I could have easily given the read 5-stars, but it just didn’t ring true. First, I’m not sure how much research the author has done, but some things were just a bit off – as in the way the constables were treating the Duke and Lily. Also, there was Rory – I have not read his book, but looking at the synopsis of the book and the various reviews, the actions he took in this book just didn’t seem to be those of a loving brother – even an exasperated one. I had a hard time getting a ‘feel’ for the time period of the book. Since passenger trains were in service, it could have only been after 1831, but I still don’t know if it was late Georgian or early Victorian. I also had a hard time with a heroine whose first option to solving a problem seems to be running away and that seemed to be Lily’s preferred problem-solving method.

I did enjoy the read and hope you will as well.

The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

The Highland Laird (Lords of the Highlands #8)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of the Highlands #8
Publication Date: 10/20/20
Number of Pages: 352

OMGoodness! The combination of Emma Grant and Laird Ciar (Key-ar) Grant is phenomenal. I don’t think we could ask for a better hero and heroine. Picture this huge, gruff, powerful, craggy Highland Laird without a gentle bone in his body – except for one small, delicate, sheltered, blind woman. Ciar has known and been best friends with Emma’s brother, Robert (The Highland Renegade), all his life – and he’s known Emma almost that long as well. Everyone, especially the males, treats Emma as if she isn’t even there – everyone except Ciar that is. He always takes time to speak to her, to assure that she is listened to, and he doesn’t treat her as if she is less just because she is blind. He protects her – without taking away her independence. Is it any wonder she’s always adored him?

Emma and her family, as well as Ciar and many other Highland Lairds, are at Achnacarry Castle for the wedding of Sir Kennan Cameron and Divana Campbell (The Highland Rogue). Emma hates leaving her home at Moriston Hall because of her trouble negotiating unfamiliar terrain and layouts. At home, she can roam freely because she knows every rock, pebble, chair, and rug and can easily negotiate her way among them. Away from home, she feels inadequate and dependent and she hates that feeling.

Tensions are running high in Scotland – and in the Highlands in particular. Queen Anne has taken to her bed and isn’t expected to rise again. Without an heir, the monarchy would be in crisis. The English want the Hanoverian George, who has never even stepped foot on English soil, to become King. The Jacobite Scots want James who is of Stuart blood. The powerful Lairds stand ready to raise their armies in support of James – but will James even come?

When Anne passes and George is tapped for the succession, all of the Lairds who are gathered for the wedding head out in different directions to spread the word and to gather support for James. As Ciar is speeding on his way, he encounters murder and robbery. He can’t just pass it by. The only honorable thing to do is to stop and help. Yet, it is he who awakens, manacled, in the prison at Fort William. Governor Henry Wilcox takes great delight in having a powerful Highland Laird as a ‘guest’ in his prison. He’d hang Ciar immediately if it wouldn’t cause riots and even more unrest. He’ll still hang him – just not as quickly.

We soon learn just how smart, brave, and resourceful Emma is. She is a remarkable young woman who doesn’t let her physical limitations stop her. Breaking Ciar out of an English prison, under the noses of the English soldiers, is either the most foolhardy or the bravest thing Ciar has ever seen. Now, they are both wanted and on the run. They have to avoid the soldiers and yet manage to prove Ciar’s innocence. Oh! What an exciting adventure they have before they make it to their HEA.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved how Ciar treated Emma as a fully functioning adult rather than someone who is ‘less’. I loved that Emma didn’t let anything stop her. Add an absolutely lovely epilogue to the mix and you have a great 5-star read.

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