Category: Regency Era (1811-1820)

The Regency in Great Britain was a period when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent. On the death of George III in 1820, the Prince Regent became George IV. The term Regency can refer to various stretches of time; some are longer than the decade of the formal Regency which lasted from 1811–1820.
Preceded by: Georgian era
Followed by: Victorian era
Monarch: George III, George IV, William IV

A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh

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

A Waltz to Remember (Ravenswood #6)A Waltz to Remember by Mary Balogh

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Ravenswood #6

Release Date: October 27, 2026

For years Lady Stephaine Ware has harbored a secret crush for her brother Owen’s friend, Bertrand Lamarr, Viscount Watley, but Stephaine knows a man so perfect would never be interested in a chubby, round-faced girl like her, so she keeps her distance. It takes some time, but eventually, Stephaine learns not to be so self-deprecating and begins to accept herself, yet when Bertrand asks if she will save a waltz for him at the Ravenswood Summer Fete ball, she not only declines his request, but is unpardonably rude to him before running away. She almost instantly regrets her action but has no chance to apologize for months. Her opportunity comes when they meet in Bath for her brother Nicholas’ wedding to his step-niece Winifred Cunningham. She gathers her courage and asks his forgiveness for her nasty and untrue insults; he forgives her and asks if they might start again as friends. Months later they met again in London, and he asks her if she would give him the chance to prove to her that they could be more than friends, she is skeptical but agrees.

Bertrand, Viscount Watley has admired Lady Stephanie for years and had hoped to court her, but when he asked her for a dance, she was viscous in her refusal, so much so that Bertrand began to believe he actually hated her. Yet when they meet again and she apologizes, he immediately forgives her and asks if they could be friends. He thinks that will be enough and sets his sites to finding a bride and starting a family. He goes to London and begins to court a young lady, who by all his standards, would be a perfect bride, but he feels nothing beyond mild admiration for her. By chance he runs into Lady Stephanie on the night he decides to end the courtship and realizes that Stephaine is still the lady he wants. He gets her to agree to give him a chance to prove they could be perfect for each other, now he just needs to get her to see what he has seen for years.

I had been looking forward to Stephaine’s story and was delighted to learn this book would be her story and that Bertrand was going to be her love interest. The story did not disappoint, and I finally understood why Stephaine was so insecure and what prompted her to be so hateful to Bertrand. I will admit that I would have liked more personal interaction between Stephaine and Bertrand and less family interaction, I do enjoy learning updates about previous couples, but this was almost too much. Overall, it was a gentle romance between two people with issues in their childhoods that have shaped them and at times held them back, who finally let go of the past to seize their future happiness. This is the sixth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone as the author supplies ample backstory.

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

 

The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

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

The Innkeeper's Intrigue (Lockstone Hollow Mystery Series)The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lockstone Hollow Mystery, #2

Release Date: October 13, 2026

Lady Lisette Birtwhistle has finally come to terms with the events surrounding the murder of her former betrothed and has settled into village life. As the primary leaseholder of the village thanks to her late brother, the Duke of Winbury, Lisette has big plans for the town and hopes to help all the townspeople profit from the changes she has in mind. But when another body is found, it could mean disaster, so the sooner the murderer is found the better.

Though Lisette is leery to get involved, especially after the danger she found herself in last time, when the grumpy constable, Maxwell Sowerby, asks for her help, she can’t refuse. The victim was a good friend of the constable, so he has even more reason to find the assailant. They work together and follow the leads, but rather than bringing them closer together, despite the mutual attraction, Lisette realizes that Maxwell has no intention of making Lockstock Hollow his home and that as long as that is true, they can have no future. And when they almost come to blows after they have different ideas on how to proceed and once again Lisette finds herself in peril.

This was another well written and nicely plotted mystery by Deb Marlowe, and I enjoyed returning to Lockstone Hollow. Lisette is once again called upon to help solve murder, but this time her help has been requested, which makes readers believe that she might decide about her feelings for the constable. In the previous book, I had hoped that Lisette would end up with the constable, but after this book, I am hoping she saves her heart for Royce Logan, the mysterious carpenter. That aside, the story was filled with intrigue, lots of possible suspects, family secrets, blackmail, cute goats, and finally a very suspenseful ending with a bit of a romantic twist. Overall, this was a very intriguing read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries featuring a strong, intelligent heroine.

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