Category: Novella

Blog Tour – An Unexpected Temptation by Sophie Barnes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

An Unexpected Temptation

The Townsbridges
by Sophie Barnes
Publication Date: December 8, 2020
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play

No other woman compares…

Six years ago, Athena Townsbridge broke up a wedding. This worked out well for her brother and the lady he loved, but Athena has never forgiven herself for what it did to Robert Carlisle. No one has seen him since he fled the church in humiliation, so when she learns of his estate’s proximity to the property she is staying at during a family visit, she sets out, determined to make amends.

When Robert, Marquess of Darlington, is reunited with Athena, she’s no longer the troublesome girl he remembers, but rather a fully grown woman. Trapped with her when a blizzard sets in, he rediscovers her playful side, the laughter and joy she can bring to his life. But it is her willful nature that tempts him, both with the need to tame her and with the dream of making her his.

Barbara’s Review:

Let me offer you a word of warning – DO NOT start reading this book in the evening if you wish to get a full night’s sleep. Once you begin reading, you won’t put it down until you’ve finished. Luckily it is a novella so you might get a few hours of sleep.

I have wanted to read Robert’s story since the first book of the series, When Love Leads To Scandal. I knew his perfect match had to be out there somewhere – and she was – she just wasn’t anybody he would have ever expected. After his best friend, Charles Townsend, betrayed him, and Charles’s sister, Athena, brought life-altering scandal to his door, Robert was thoroughly and completely through with the Townsbridge’s. Well, he thought he was through with them until six years later when Althea showed up at his door begging for his forgiveness – which he was totally disinclined to give. However, after talking to her for a bit and realizing she was no longer that fourteen-year-old girl who’d ruined his life, then REALLY noticing that she was no longer that fourteen-year-old girl – well, maybe a little forgiveness was in order.

I absolutely adored the romance of this. Robert decided he wanted to woo and win Athena’s heart. He didn’t want her forced to wed him – as could have happened after she visited his home unchaperoned and was caught there for several days during a blizzard. He also didn’t want to change her – he admired her for who she was and couldn’t believe other men didn’t see her the same way. Oh! Yes! I absolutely adored Robert.

If you have ever read any of my reviews, you’ll know how much I love epilogues. Well, this one had an absolutely wonderful epilogue. It was the perfect way to wrap up this series – and I just know the author wrote it with me in mind – NOT.

I highly recommend this novella. I think it is the best one on the series and I just know you’ll love it as much as I did.

About Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

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Lady Lucinda’s Lords by Jane Charles

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

Lady Lucinda's Lords (12 Days of Christmas, #10)Lady Lucinda’s Lords by Jane Charles
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: 12 Days of Christmas, #10

Release Date: December 10, 2020

After four seasons, Lady Lucinda Claxton’s father, the Duke of Arscott is tired of waiting for Lucinda to find a husband and decides to move things along. With the help of his mother, the dowager Duchess, he invites 10 men to their country estate to vie for Lucinda’s hand.

Lucinda is not pleased to learn that her father and grandmother have decided to host a house party in an attempt to find her a husband, she is even less pleased when she reads the list of lords who will be attending – all of whom she knows and none of whom impress. She resigns herself to the party and promises to try and give each man a chance. But things start going wrong even before the guests arrive. Most of their servants are exposed to the measles and have to quarantine – leaving the house severely short-handed.

The lords arrive and the dowager is frank with them as to why they were invited, then proceeds to lay down the “rules” of how Lucinda will give them all a chance to win her hand (think The Bachelor – Regency Edition). Lucinda has little hope that she will find a husband, until she meets Caleb Copeland – an American who was not invited, but escorted his maiden aunts who are guests of the dowager.

Caleb is interested in Lucinda, but is sure that her father would never consider him worthy as he is a mere mister. Since he has nothing to offer her, he tries to keep his distance from the party goers by lending a helping hand to the understaffed household. But Lucinda keeps finding him and insists on assisting – much to the disgruntlement of the “leaping lords” as Caleb calls them. Can Lucinda convince Caleb that he is all she wants and a title isn’t important? Or will he leave his heart in England when he returns to America?

This was a fun, quick read with ties to Scot to the Heart series. The book was well written, with a bit of humor, a little drama, sweet (kissing only) love scenes and a nice ending. The novella is part of the 12 Days of Christmas Collaboration and has ties to another series, but really can be read as a standalone title and I hope the author plans to write more books featuring Lucinda and Caleb’s many siblings!

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