Category: Part of a Series

The Redemption of Philip Thane by Lisa Berne

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

The Redemption of Philip Thane (The Penhallow Dynasty, #6)The Redemption of Philip Thane by Lisa Berne

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Penhallow Dynasty, #6

Release Date: December 28, 2021

Philip Thane is known far and wide as a rake extraordinaire, he is handsome, charming, and with very few exceptions, he is practically irresistible to the female population, a fact he knows and routinely exploits, in short Philip is a jerk. But not every woman finds him irresistible, for instance, his aunt Henrietta Penhallow, when he comes calling for the family matriarch to bail him out of his financial woes, she agrees on one condition that Philip represents the family in a small country town and deliver a speech at in Plough Day. Philip grudgingly agrees and sets out, but life as he knows it will change forever upon meeting Margaret Allen.

Unlike other women, Margaret doesn’t immediately fall at Philip’s feet, so he sets out to impress her with his lackluster speech and fails, but no worries, Margaret is not the only fish in the sea and he turns his attention elsewhere, but when he wakes up the next day and realizes he is reliving Plough Day, he wonders if he can tempt the lovely Margaret into his bed.

When I read the blurb for this book, I was excited, I love the movie Groundhog Day and couldn’t wait to dive into the Regency interpretation. But sadly, unlike most times where the book is better than the movie, that did not hold true for this tale. I found the book to be repetitive, which I did expect it to be to a certain degree, but seriously, it was way more repetitive than I thought it would be. And if that wasn’t bad enough the book has ZERO steam, it is not even mildly warm – now I have read plenty of books with only kissing that have been so good that I didn’t even miss the razzle-dazzle, but that is not the case for this story, this book needed it, desperately. Overall this book was a miss for me, I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t read it again. This is the sixth book in the series, but you can easily read it as a standalone title with no problems.

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

A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

A Quiet Life in the Country (Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 10/4/2016
Period: Littleton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, 1908 (United Kingdom)
Number of Pages: 257

The first book I read in this series was #7 – The Fatal Flying Affair – and I loved it so much I immediately purchased the first six books. Since this book is every bit as good as that 7th book was, I think that is a portent that I’ve found a wonderful writer and a great series. Now, I can’t wait to get to the other books in the series. The writing is excellent, of course, and the characters are exceedingly smart, witty, and entertaining.

I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, did an excellent job. The pacing was smooth, nicely done, and each character had a distinct voice. What I thoroughly enjoyed was the humor came right through into the voice. I felt as if the narrator was smiling while she was performing.

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her lady’s maid, Florence Armstrong, aren’t exactly what they seem. They have been together for almost two decades and their relationship is much more than employee and employer. They are great friends, but maintaining the façade of their relationship serves their purpose. While it isn’t plainly said, it is strongly hinted that Lady H and Flo were in service to the Crown.

Lady Hardcastle has decided to retire and she and Flo are just moving into their rented home in the country. Ah – the quiet country life! Just a few days into that tranquil new life Lady H and Flo decide to take a walk around the area – and – well – there goes the tranquility. They come upon the body of a young man hanging from an old oak tree in Combe Wood. Lady Hardcastle stays with the body while Flo dashes into town to fetch a constable. The constable doesn’t seem to have a lot in the brain department as Flo is telling him about finding the body.

‘Lady Hardcastle and I were walking in Combe Woods and we found a man hanging from the old oak in the clearing.’
‘Dead?’
No, I thought to myself, he was in remarkably fine spirits, actually, despite the rope round his neck. His face was purple and his breathing a little . . . absent, but he seemed frightfully well, considering. I decided not to say that, though. Be polite, Flo, I thought. ‘Yes, Constable, quite dead.

When yet another body turns up, and a major theft occurs, Inspector Sunderland allows Lady H and Flo to sit in on the suspect interviews and help with the case. Sunderland quickly comes to understand what formidable ladies they are and welcomes them to continue to assist him.

The culprits will most likely surprise you, and the wit and humor throughout the book will delight you. Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will love it as much as I did.

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