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

The Lord of the Highwaymen by Elizabeth Bramwell

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

The Lord of the Highwaymen (Hearts & Highways, #1)The Lord of the Highwaymen by Elizabeth Bramwell

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Hearts & Highways, #1

Release Date: July 30, 2020

The Honorable William Haddington, the heir to Viscount Haddington has loved Amelia “Amy”, Baroness Fellows for as long as he can remember and has already lost her once. Now that she is out of mourning, he doesn’t intend to let her get away again, but really has no idea how to woo her. With the help of his friends, he plans to tell her his true feelings at the masked ball they will both be attending.

Amelia has loved William since she was a girl, but her family need money and her father assured her that William’s father would never let his heir wed her and insisted that she marry Baron Fellows, a man old enough to be her grandfather. And to her surprise, she cared deeply for the Baron, who was a dear friend to her and taught her much about life. But as much as she cared for him, her heart longs for William and now that she has reentered society, she plans to let William know how she feels.

After much to-do and a nasty encounter with her step-son Archibald, they finally meet up in the conservatory at Lady Melbourne’s Masked Ball and from there William’s well thought out plan crumbles and Amelia leaves in a huff. Things don’t look good for our would-be lovers, but with the help of their friends, a wager and a highwayman – they might just find their HEA.

This was a fast paced, well written novella with likeable characters, sweet (kisses only) love scenes, interesting secondary characters and [I assume] a storyline that will continue in future installments. I would have preferred a little more steam and a bit more build up to the next novella since there were things that were not addressed in this installment that left me feeling a bit bewildered and the story incomplete. This is the first book in a new series and I assume that stories will be interconnected and have an ongoing storyline.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews2 Comments

Would I Lie to the Duke (Union of the Rakes, #2)Would I Lie to the Duke by Eva Leigh

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Union of Rakes, #2

Release Date: July 28, 2020

When fire destroys part of her family’s farm and prevents them from manufacturing their honey soap, Jessica “Jess” McGale takes a position as a companion to Lady Catherton to help her brother and sister financially. But as luck would have it, Lady Catherton wants to travel abroad and has Jessica go ahead to London to make sure everything is ready for her. Jessica decides to visit some shops on Bond Street and convince them to sell her family’s soap and she is returning to the townhouse, defeated, no one is willing to sell her soaps without an endorsement from someone notable in society, when she sees Noel Edwards, the Duke of Rotherby surrounded by men asking his opinion on investments. She catches his attention when she joins the conversation and adds her opinion. He is impressed with her, but before she can talk to him again, he is swept away with his admirers. She continues on her way and again fate seems to favor Jess. There is a letter waiting for her, it seems her employer hurts her ankle and is unable to travel for a fortnight, but tells Jess to stay in London. Jess immediately forms a new plan – she will attend the “Bazaar”, which is an annual gathering to pair investors with companies in need of capital. The next day, dressed in one of Lady Catherton’s gowns, Jess sets out and is unsuccessfully trying to talk her way into the Bazaar, when Noel appears and invites her in as his guest.

Noel hasn’t stopped thinking of the bold woman who he met on Bond Street and vows to find her as soon as the Bazaar is over. He is overjoyed when he hears her voice and immediately intervenes. She is introduced to him as Lady Whitfield, widow of Sir Brantley Whitfield. He takes her under his wing and introduces her to the others. She fits right in to the group and soon the others are asking her opinion on investing. Noel is attracted to her and loves that she doesn’t seem to be impressed with his title and treats him like he is nothing special. He is determined to get her into bed and sets out to win her.

Jess knows that she is walking a fine line and that her lies could be exposed at any minute, so she tries to keep Noel at arm’s length and as much as she wants him, she can’t risk getting attached. But he is charming and kind and oh so handsome – she finds herself unable to resist, especially when it seems he is not only willing to let her be dominant in sexual matters, but actually desires it. And so, begins a very heated affair, but all too soon her lies will come crashing down and whatever feelings Noel might have had for her will be crushed. Has she lost everything or will love find a way?

This was a well written book, where a Breakfast Club hero meets a Working Girl heroine (with a nod to The Secret of My Success) at regency era Shark Tank. I didn’t dislike the premise and I even chuckled at man seeking investors for his Sparrow messaging system, but overall, I was disappointed – this book was supposed to be a regency – but it was a contemporary romance complete with “woke” characters that had no prejudices, 21st century morals and standards, dressed in period clothing. The story itself is fun, Noel is likable, but I never really felt like I got to know him and I had a hard time liking Jessica, who was lying to everyone, but didn’t have a problem telling Noel he was too arrogant and presumptuous. There are cameos with his “Union” brothers, steaming HOT love scenes, interesting secondary characters and a touching ending complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone with no problems. Personally, I didn’t really care for this book and I don’t think that I will be continuing with the series, but that is based on my own preferences for Historical Romance and not the author’s ability to write an engaging story.

*I am volunarily leaving a reivew for an eARC that was provided to me.*