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

Sophia White and Her Seven Promises by Anastasia Hayward

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Fairytale Retelling, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Movie / Story Retelling, New To Me Author, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Sophia White and Her Seven Promises (Historical Ever After Book 1)Sophia White and Her Seven Promises by Anastasia Hayward

Tracy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: No Series Name Given

Release: March 16, 2026

Lady Sophia White is the only and most cherished child of the Earl of Winland. When her mother was dying, Sophia made a promise that she would only marry for true love. And keeping to that promise she ran away with a man that her father would never approve of, but one she believed loved her. Her dream of happily ever after is dashed when the young man was easily bought off by her father and she learned that her mother had passed away. Heartbroken, Sophia and her father mourn for a time, but eventually her father remarried, and Sophia’s stepmother pressed Sophia to marry. Sophia promises to try and find a husband, but her efforts are cut short when she is abducted and left for dead. When she wakes, she cannot remember who she is or how she came to be in Painwick. She was taken in by the local doctor and his family, and slowly she falls in love with all of them and makes promises that she has every intention of keeping. But when her past catches up with her and she is forced to return to her former life, will she be able to keep the promises she has made and the love she has found? And what of the villain who has tried to kill her? Clearly, Sophia’s future hasn’t been determined, and true love may yet prevail.

Dr. Faine Knight is the youngest son of the Marquess of Ashbury but turned his back on his family many years ago when he was forced to choose between them and the woman he loved. He chose love and married Mary, a healer in Painwick, together they had three children and led a life of contentment. But sadly, Mary died and with her Faine buried his heart, or at least that is what he believed until he found a badly beaten and unconscious woman in the forest. He brings her home and nurses her back to health. When she finally wakes with no memories, they name her Cecilia, he tries to keep her from his family. But Cecilia and his children ignore his dictates and begin to form a bond. Little by little, the walls he had built around his heart begin to crumble, but loving Cecilia terrifies him, and when her father shows up to claim her, he gives her up without a fight. But letting her go is not as easy as he thought it would be and when her life is once again in peril, he knows that he loves her and will do whatever is necessary to save her and keep her forever. But has he waited too long?

This was a well-written, very loose retelling of Snow White by a new to me author. I liked this story, but I will admit I found Faine to be difficult to like; he was quick to judge, moody and wishy-washy. I understood his pain and his reluctance to risk his heart, but it just dragged on for way too long in my opinion. Sophia was delightful and my heart broke for her time and time again. I think the thing that bothered me the most was (view spoiler) Overall, this was a good start to a new series with interesting characters, steamyish love scenes, a truly nasty villain, a HEA complete with an epilogue and the potential of more books. And while I did have some issues with this book, I did like the author’s writing style and would certainly read the next book in the series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

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Duke of Midnight (Maiden Lane, #6)Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Maiden Lane, #6

Release Date: October 15, 2013

WHEN A MASKED MAN . . .

Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe—and won’t back down . . .

MEETS HIS MATCH . . .

Artemis Greaves toils as a lady’s companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the Ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit-and is intrigued. She’s even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious Ghost is by day . . .

DESIRE IGNITES A DANGEROUS PASSION

Artemis makes a bold move: she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother-or she will expose him as the Ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn’t without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire-or the temptation of his embrace?

My thoughts:

I love Elizabeth Hoyt’s style of writing – it is always fresh, edgy and the love scenes are steamy. Her books never have cookie cutter plots and you never put down a book by her feeling like you read the same story somewhere else.

This book is no exception. You have a rich powerful duke, a penniless companion, a spoiled relative vying for the duke, a lunatic relation and a very nasty villain. Sounds like a hundred other HR books you’ve read right? Wrong!

I really liked this installment of the Maiden Lane series – but there were a couple of things that really bothered me.

The first was Artemis’ relationship with Penelope – Artemis says and thinks constantly how sweet Penelope really is – but at the same time she seems like she is making fun of her right to her face because Penelope is too stupid to realize it. That made Artemis come across as a mean spiteful person at times.

The second was the relationship between Artemis and Maximus – it felt a bit too much like cheating to me – considering he is courting Penelope and has made it clear he will never marry Artemis. Artemis claims to love her cousin – but has an affair with the man she knows her cousin wants to marry with barely any thought of how it will affect Penelope. I wasn’t happy about this. I don’t like cheaters and I don’t like spending my hard earned money to read about them.

Honestly as much as I love EH’s books – I have to say this was disappointing to me. If the cousin wanting to marry the hero wasn’t such a big part of the book – I would have loved it. There was action, drama, heart wrench, joy and a hero with a very possessive sexual bent – but unfortunately I couldn’t get past the feeling that the heroine was the other woman and was going to hurt someone she claimed to love. I know they technically never cheated because Maximus was not actually betrothed to Penelope – but it was implied that it was going to happen and Artemis knew how Penelope felt – so in my opinion it was wrong.

I am looking forward to more books I this series – as this book left 3 very interesting men hanging off a cliff and I have to know what happens!!

When all is said and done – the book was well written, it was interesting and the story believable – I would recommend it with a warning to others who are sensitive about cheating.