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

The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

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

The Writer and the Rogue (Debutantes of London, #2)The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Debutantes of London, #2

Release Date: April 14, 2025

For years, Caroline “Caro” Devereux has been keeping her father’s creditors at bay by using the money she earns as gothic pamphlet author, Mr. C.D Winthrop. But when her publisher informs her that a rough looking creditor has been asking about “Mr. Winthrop” she is terrified that her family will lose everything and her father will be thrown in debtor’s prison, leading her to take drastic action. She will have to marry and since she has no prospects, she will have to blackmail Gabriel Kane, the Earl of Rockford, her would-be groom. She writes to him, telling him that she has a letter from the previous Earl that proves that Gabriel is not the former Earl’s son and unless he marries her, she will make the letter public. Never would she have imagined that Gabriel would confront her in person or that he would be so intriguing. He agrees to court her, forcing her to spend time with him, which is dangerous for her heart.

Second son, Gabriel Kane was never supposed to be the earl, and left home at 12 to become a cabin boy and spent years traveling the world. But when his older brother died just months before the former earl, Gabriel is forced to return to England and take up the title – a title that was tainted by the former earl. When Caro threatens to expose truth of his birth, he is enraged and storms over to confront her. He refuses to marry her and tries to call her bluff, but Caro isn’t backing down and why in the world does that turn him on?? The more time he spends with Caro the more he feels like marriage isn’t such a bad idea. Everything seems like it is going to work out – until it doesn’t!

This was a fun read with new characters as well as some familiar favorites. I loved Caro and Gabriel together and was rooting for them from their first meeting – but believe me when I say these two WORKED for their HEA. This book has a lot going on that will keep you turning pages, but you will never forget that it is a love story. The story has blackmail, secret identities, surprising revelations, great secondary characters (including FELICITY – IYKYK), steamyish love scenes, accidental shootings, vicious gossip, well-meaning family, heartbreak, more than one twist and finally their well-deserved HEA. I enjoyed this book but could have done without the third act breakup. This is the second book in a new spinoff series and can be read without reading the previous book or series (but you should read them because they are excellent).

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

The Guardian Duke by Jane Charles

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

The Guardian Duke: (Wayward Dukes' Alliance Book 21)The Guardian Duke: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wayward Duke’s Alliance, #21  &  The Vicar’s Daughters, Prequel

Release Date: April 22, 2025

Lady Penelope Johanson and Henry Simpson met years ago when Henry was still the Marquess of Broadridge, and his sister was (unbeknownst to him) blackmailing Penelope’s brother the Marquess of Felding. Needless to say, Penelope was not a fan of the Simpson siblings. She did come to realize that Henry was not aware of his sister’s treachery, but that doesn’t mean she likes him.

Now years later, Henry is now the Duke of Eldridge and the guardian of his five unmarried female cousins. Penelope notices that his cousins, they are lovely young ladies but have become wallflowers and Penelope decides to step in to help them. She takes them under her wing, determined to make them shine. Penelope long ago decided that she would not marry, she is happy with her independence and refuses to give up that freedom without love, something she is sure she will never find, but doesn’t anticipate her attraction to Henry. When they are embroiled in scandal, she may have to decide if she is willing to accept ruin or give up on her dream of true love.

Henry Simpson, the Duke of Eldridge was perfectly happy with his bachelor life, but when he takes responsibility for his orphaned cousins, he puts his rakish ways on hold and sets out to launch his cousins in society – too bad he has no idea how to do that and due to their strict upbringing, neither do they. When Lady Penelope starts to involve herself with his cousins, he can’t help but realize how much he desires her, but life with Penelope would not be calm and he has no desire for a managing wife. He seeks advice from the Duke’s Alliance, but unfortunately, when it comes to love – he will have to figure it out himself and hope he can convince Penelope that they are meant to be.

I enjoyed this installment of the Wayward Duke’s Alliance and was delighted to learn that it is also the prequel to a new series featuring Henry’s cousins! As always, the writing is great, and the story moves along nicely. Henry and Penelope are wonderful characters, and it is clear that they are perfect for each other – but as we know, the road to happily ever after is never a smooth ride and these two will have their fair share of bumps on their journey. I do wish there had been a bit of steam in this story or even an epilogue, but overall, it was a fun read, and I am looking forward to the new series.

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