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 Duke’s Suspicion by Susanna Craig

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Duke's Suspicion (Rogues and Rebels, #2)The Duke’s Suspicion by Susanna Craig
Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Rebels and Rogues, #2

Release Date: December 18, 2018

After reading the first book in the series – A Companion’s Secret and absolutely loving it, I couldn’t wait to read this installment of the Rogues and Rebels series. This book features Cami’s younger sister Erica Burke, an aspiring botanist and Major Tristin Laurens, the new Duke of Raynham.

Erica is traveling with Cami and her new husband on their wedding trip, Erica left Ireland after the failed rebellion that killed her betrothed and came to England to start anew. She is studying the flora she has seen and tracking her findings in her journal. Her most prized possession. But when she enters the carriage after a quick stop at an inn, she realizes she left the book in the dining room. Without a word to anyone, she races back into the inn and gets her journal – when she returns to the yard, she learns that they left without her. She sets out on foot and is caught in a storm, she manages to make her way to an abandoned cottage – but it isn’t really abandoned, Tristian is there waiting out the storm.

Tristian never imagined he would be the duke, his life is in the military and he works covertly collecting information (AKA a spy). He has delayed returning home as long as he can and now he is mere miles from his home, he could have pushed on but he needed a little more time before facing his new life – one he doesn’t plan on keeping, he wants to return to his work in France as soon as possible. When Erica bursts in the cottage, he is surprised and a little suspicious, but he offers to help her reunite with her sister. The next morning, they walk to his home, she is shocked to learn he is a duke. His stepmother, is gracious and kind to Erica, especially when she learns that she will have to stay for awhile, the bridge has been washed out. But Erica is not the only guest, several local gentry have been visiting to welcome Tristian home, including his late brother’s assumed bride (they were never formally betrothed).

Tristian gets several shocks, first he learns that the Pilkington’s expect him to marry Caroline in his brother’s place and then he learns from his friend Capt. David Whitby that there might be a spy in their midst, as several rumors concerning Tristian have been circulating.

Whitby plants a seed in Tristian’s mind that Erica might actually be a spy and he becomes obsessed with finding out what is in her journal. When he is caught trying to take it in the middle of the night, he proposes. She of course declines, but wants to know why he wanted it. When Whitby confronts her, she decides it is time to set things straight with Tristian and catch the real spy.

I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I did the first book. Erica was flighty, immature and impetuous, the author did try and explain her actions and personality to the reader, but for me, it wasn’t enough and I really never warmed up to her. I also never really “felt” a connection between Erica and Tristian, when Erica reveals to herself that she loved him, I was surprised and when he thinks the same, I couldn’t believe it – I have no idea when or more importantly why they fell in love, it seemed completely random and out of the blue. The writing was good, the mystery of the spy was interesting and surprising and the love scenes were steamy, but the romance fell completely flat for me. This book is the second in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.

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

A December with a Duke by Collette Cameron

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 3)A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance by Collette Cameron
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels, #3

Release Date: December 14, 2018

Given the subject matter in this book, I was expecting a completely dark and depressing read. I was pleasantly surprised to find that while there are some very sad, very dark moments, overall the novella was sweet and uplifting.

Everleigh Chatterton is a widow with no desire to remarry. Two years with Arnold was more than enough to show her that men are not to be trusted. Everleigh is stunningly gorgeous and has had to fend off unwanted attentions for years. She was raped by her husband’s son and only married because she found herself with child. She gives birth to Meredith and loses her a short time later. She is completely devastated by the loss and as a result, she hates marriage, men and December.

She is attending Thea’s house party and notices the Duke of Sheffield looking at her, she made her position clear to him when they attended Thea’s wedding – not interested! But when a child wanders into the room and is looking for her Papa, Everleigh’s heart goes out to her. The child is taken with her immediately and she soon learns Sheffield is her “Papa”.

Griffin, the Duke of Sheffield hears Sarah and is shocked to see her in Everleigh’s arms – Sarah doesn’t like strangers and is prone to tantrums. He is further shocked when Everleigh offers to help settle her for the night. Griffin agrees and wonders if Everleigh is really the ice queen that she resembles – she mentions her daughter and that tomorrow is the anniversary of her passing. After settling Sarah, they return to the party. Everleigh is amazed that she told him about her daughter and that he doesn’t terrify or make her feel repulsed, as she usually does around men. He tells her about Sarah, she is the child of his friends from India – they passed away and Sarah was left alone, he took her in and plans to raise her as his own.

Over the next few days, they spend a lot of time together, she likes him, but she worries that she could never be what he needs, she is not even sure she could bear the touch of man and with her former sister in law causing problems, she wonders if she would be more trouble than she is worth. Griffin has no such reservations, Everleigh is everything he has ever dreamed of in a woman and he wants to marry her.

It will take some coaxing, kisses and a very cute little orphan, but Griffin is ready to do whatever is necessary to win her – even let her go.

I loved this story, it is inspiring and very emotional, I loved Griffin and never ever doubted that he was in love with Everleigh. Everleigh had a lot to overcome and I loved that she was willing to trust Griffin with her heart. This novella is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.

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