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

Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Marry in Scarlet (Marriage of Convenience, #4)Marry in Scarlet by Anne Gracie

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Marriage of Convenience, #4

Release Date: May 26, 2020

4.5 rounded up.

Lady Salter together with the Duchess of Everingham orchestrated the wedding of the year – maybe even the decade when they paired Lady Salter’s niece, Lady Rose Rutherford and the Duchess’ son Redmond Jasper Hartley “Hart”, the Duke of Everingham– too bad the bride was already married! Unwilling to lose bragging rights to the wedding of the decade – Lady Salter aka Aunt Agatha, offers Lady Georgiana Rutherford to the duke – who firmly refuses.

Lady Georgiana “George” Rutherford was not raised to be a lady, hidden away and kept secret, she didn’t even know she was a “lady” or had a family until her uncle Cal, Earl of Ashendon found her and brought her kicking and screaming into the family. She has participated in several seasons and enjoys London, she has had several offers of marriage, but has turned them all down, she has no desire to marry and her heart’s desire is to retire to the county, raise dogs and horses and live an independent life. So, when she learns that her aunt has offered her up, she is very clear – she will not marry anyone, especially not the cold and arrogant Duke of Everingham. A thought she makes crystal clear to him as well, and she means it – she just wishes his kisses didn’t set her aflame.

Hart has no desire to marry George, but why is she pretending like she doesn’t want to marry him and how did he never notice how attractive she is or how different from all the other ladies of his acquaintance? At first, he tells himself that he is trying to talk to her because he wants to buy her horse, but when he kisses her to supposedly test a theory, he knows – George will be his duchess. The fact that she doesn’t want to marry isn’t a problem – he wants her and he always gets what he wants.

But George is no society miss overly concerned about her reputation and her family stands by her come hell or high water, so for the first time in his life, Hart faces the possibility of not getting his way! But when her aunt and his mother interfere again and use George’s tender heart to get their way – George resigns herself to a loveless marriage – but Hart surprises her and soon they both realize they both want what they never expected, happily ever after.

This was a well written, perfectly paced, fun story with lots of emotion and humor. The story has wonderful characters, warm love scenes, some shocking surprises, an unconventional, stubborn heroine and a hero who wouldn’t want her any other way. Hart and George are perfect for each other and their interactions and reactions were so much fun to read, that you can help but root for them to get their HEA and when they do, SIGH… and if that isn’t enough for you, the epilogue was incredibly sweet and the perfect ending to this series. The book isn’t perfect, George was not the easiest heroine to like at the beginning and there are a couple of title errors, but by the end of the book, I loved George and didn’t really care about a couple of errors. I am happy to recommend this series and this story especially. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title.

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

The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly

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

The Highlander's English Bride (Clan Kendrick, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Clan Kendrick #3
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 448

Oh! Graeme Kendrick, the brother who is always in or causing trouble, has grown up and makes the most marvelous hero. I loved him – and Sabrina Bell made the perfect heroine for him. She calmed the restless energy within him, steadied him, while he brought out her courage and spirit of adventure. Add in marvelous visits with most of the other members of the Kendrick clan and you have a wonderful, exciting, romantic adventure. It was particularly fun to see the heroine pursuing the hero – until he caught her. Remember Graeme’s affliction with breaking furniture – not on purpose – he’s just a big fellow? Well, there is a wonderful furniture breaking scene included – just to make you smile – and wonder.

We first met the Kendrick family in The Highlander’s Princess Bride, Improper Princesses series #3. In that book, we met Nicholas Kendrick, Earl of Arnprior, and his six very unruly siblings – Logan, Royal, Graeme & Grant (twins), Braeden, and Kade plus their irascible grandfather Angus. We’ve already had Royal’s story (The Highlander Who Protected Me) and Logan’s story (The Highlander’s Christmas Bride) and now we finally get to Graeme. I had wondered how the author was finally going to mature Graeme and make him into a believable and admirable hero – and now I know. She did it very well!

The Kendrick’s are a very close-knit family, but Graeme has somewhat separated himself from them for the last couple of years. He loves them, but he carries a lot of guilt and blames himself for a number of things that are not his fault – but his biggest secret is the one that makes him feel unworthy. Unworthy of their love or anyone else’s. When he rescues a beautiful young lady in Hyde Park – early one morning – he is immediately drawn to her. When she stands up to him and holds her own with him, he is even more drawn to her. Except he knows he doesn’t deserve her and walks away – all the way back to Scotland. He needs the distance and he has a mission to perform for the Crown.

Lady Sabrina Bell is a wealthy heiress and is totally accustomed to having men pursue her for her fortune. She’s quite sanguine about it and just marches along with her life – and she’s very happy that way. She does need to marry though and has met a newcomer to town who she thinks might be a candidate. Against all propriety, she even agrees to meet him very early in the morning – in Hyde Park. What an ordeal of a morning it turned out to be! It was raining, her assignation didn’t show up, she was wet, she was robbed and pushed into the Serpentine, and then she was rescued by a beast of a Highlander when she didn’t even need rescuing. He is certainly an intriguing man though.

As Graeme and Sabrina come into contact more and more often, both are thoroughly smitten. She freely admits it to herself – and he denies it totally. When he leaves London and heads to Scotland, she finds a way to get herself to Scotland. She’s a determined lass and has decided Graeme is the one for her. He doesn’t make it easy on her – and she almost gives up. He fights it with every fiber of his being, but poor Graeme just isn’t a match for Sabrina and his entire family. Then, add in kidnappings, smugglers, bootleggers, plots against the king and you have a rollercoaster ride of a story.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did – even though it does have some very modern situations and conversational styles. You’ll love both Graeme and Sabrina as well as visiting with most of his brothers and their wives.

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