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

Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James

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

Too Wilde to Wed (The Wildes of Lindow Castle, #2)Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James
Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: The Wildes of Lindow Castle, #2

Release Date: May 28, 2018

At the end of Wilde in Love, Diana runs away from her betrothal party and jilts Lord Roland “North” Wilde. Months later he finds her in a cottage with a baby. Assuming she was with another man, he leaves to fight the war in America. Two years later, he is back and his reputation is ruined, Diana is a Lindow Castle working as a governess to his youngest sister and presumably his bastard son. North wants answers!

Diana never wanted to be a duchess, but if she refused to play along with her mother’s scheme, her sister and nephew would be hurt. She agrees to marry North, but she was desperately unhappy, North didn’t know the real Diana, only the perfect lady she presented to win him. Her sister died right before her betrothal party and a heartbroken Diana is forced to go, but when she learns that her mother has sent her nephew to an orphanage, she flees without a word. Months later she is living with Godfrey (her nephew) when North finds her, she says she is sorry, but he leaves before she can explain. Later his Aunt Knowe finds her and brings her to the castle. Diana was nearly destitute and let everyone believe that Godfrey was North’s son. Gossip spreads and North is painted as a villain.

Upon his return, he realizes that he is still in love with Diana and that he never really knew her. Diana tries to apologize and tells North the whole story, he is shocked and ashamed that he didn’t know or give her a chance to explain. They form a friendship and North is determined to make things up to her. He offers marriage, which she refuses, repeatedly. They spend time together and North falls further in love, she calms him, he is suffering from his time at war, he feels guilty about the men lost and can’t sleep or eat. But when he is with Diana, she seems to know exactly what he needs and with her, he finds peace.

North knows he should give up his quest for her, but he just can’t stay away. He is at a loss, everyone agrees that she is not cut out to be a duchess, but he wants her still. For her part, Diana care for North, but knows she would be miserable as a duchess and has to refuse him, but she too is drawn to him.

The return of her cousin from France, finally sets things in motion to restore both hers and North’s reputations, so when North proposes and is rejected once again, he makes another offer – one Diana also refuses. But that offer is a catalyst and forces her to make a decision about hers and Godfrey’s future, one that does not include North.

But a well timed rescue, words of wisdom from the mouth of babes and a shocking pronouncement may finally bring these two the HEA they deserve.

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it nearly as much as I did the first book. I got tired of Diana’s nonsense and thought North was just too good to be true. In true Eloisa James fashion, the story moves right along, is well written, steamy & has plenty of witty banter, ridiculous scenarios, likable secondary characters and a HEA, this book also has a very sweet epilogue and sets up the next book very nicely. This is the second book in the series and I personally think they should be read in order, but I think you could probably read this as a standalone title with no real problem.

Claiming the Highlander’s Heart by Lily Maxton

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

Claiming The Highlander's Heart (The Townsends, #4)Claiming The Highlander’s Heart by Lily Maxton
Tracy’a rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Townsends, #4

Release Date; July 9, 2018

I have read a lot of historical romances and I think it is safe to say that I have never read this particular storyline before.

Georgina Townsend, the youngest and last unattached Townsend has just returned from a trip to Glasgow, while in town, she got some very troubling and unsettling news from her doctor, she is still processing that information when she learns that her house was robbed and her mother’s music box was stolen.

Unwilling to just accept the box is gone, Georgina tracks down the thieves and joins their band of outlaws to learn the whereabouts of the last link she has to her mother. She is a little surprised by the group and is undeniably attracted to their leader, Malcolm “Mal” Stewart.

Mal returned from the war to learn his family had been forced out of their home and left for Nova Scotia, but died aboard ship during a typhus outbreak. Alone in the world and extremely angry, Mal decides to make the “Lords” responsible for the clearances pay by stealing sheep. He is sort of a Robin Hood type and has a band of strays that have joined him. When Georgina approaches, he is instantly smitten, but the others are leery and decide she needs to be tested. Georgina gives them a false name – Catriona MacPhearson and is willing to do whatever is necessary to stay with the group until she gets what she came for.

She passes their test with flying colors, she also learns that she and Mal share a love of music and they play exceptionally well together. Her feelings are getting muddled and when their raid goes wrong and Mal is shot – she chooses to stay with him. They take Mal to a remote cottage to heal and while there, he gives her the music box as a gift. But instead of leaving right away, she stays until she is sure he will recover and then leaves without a word.

Weeks pass, Malcolm is still hurt and upset that she left, but tells himself to forget her. She is not faring much better. So when he takes a chance and tracks her down – he is shocked to find out who and what she really is. Georgina is shocked (and elated) to see Malcolm, but is also worried – will he tell her brother? The desire between them is even stronger than they remembered – but neither is willing to give an inch. Plus Georgina has a secret that may change everything between them.

This is a well written, well paced story with an unusual storyline as well as a heroine with a unique problem. There is a lot of desire, some steamy love scenes, dangerous situations, an exceptional hero, very likable secondary characters, some heartache, some joy and a sigh worthy HEA.

This is the fourth book in the Townsends series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title.

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