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

Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley

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

Dawn with a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #9)Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The 12 Dukes of Christmas, #9

Release Date; September 4, 2020

Lady Isabelle “Belle”, sister to Duke of Nottingvale is on her way to Cressmouth for Christmas when her maid takes ill and she insists they stop in Houville. Worried about ruining her reputation, she tells the innkeeper she is a widow, Mrs. Lepine, thinking they will only be there for one night. She is out of her element tries to make the best of things, but is unsure what she is supposed to do, as she has never been on her own before. She is looking at the crowded dining room and notices a handsome, well dressed man. He beckons her over and invites her to sit at his table. Grateful, Belle immediately takes a liking to the handsome stranger.

Calvin McAlister is in Houville preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime, he and his partner Jonathan MacLean have come up with a revolutionary idea – a line of ready-made formal wear for the average man. They will plan to sell or rent their cloths in shops, but primarily by mail order. Up until now it has been a dream, but the chance to have the Duke of Nottingvale as an investor could make that dream a reality. Calvin is a recluse by nature and feels uncomfortable in social situations, making his partnership with Jonathan perfect. Jonathan will handle the people and Calvin the clothes. So it makes no sense to him why he offered to share his table with the lovely stranger. As soon as he offers, he regrets his decision, but is delighted to discover, Mrs. Lepine feels just as awkward as he does and that he enjoys her company.

Belle and Calvin will grow much closer when a bout of the flu leaves the inn shorthanded and leaves Belle without a maid’s assistance in dressing – a task she hires Calvin to do! When he discovers what a talented artist she is, he hires her to finish painting his catalogue sketches. They are falling hard, but when the truth of who she is comes out, will their love survive?

This was a well written, nicely paced, absolutely delightful novella. Belle and Calvin are wonderful characters who are perfect for each other despite their social status disparities. This book had secondary characters, but they really play a very small role in the story, also this book was a bit steamier than the previous offerings in the series (not a complaint!) but it fit the story and I loved the ending. I am happy to recommend this book, it is the ninth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.

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

The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Highlander's Excellent Adventure (The Survivors, #8)Barbara’s Rating:  5 of 5 stars

Series: The Survivors #8
Publication Date: 9/8/20
Number of Pages: 325

OMGoodness – what a fun romp this was! I loved the characters. I loved the storyline. I LOVED that we got two great romances and two great HEA’s in one book. What isn’t to love? It is fast-paced, well-written, and well-plotted. I think it is one of my favorites of the Survivors series. One of my favorite parts is that the story is told by all four of the main characters. You get each person’s individual perspective. Nice way to do that.

We met Ines Neves in The Claiming of the Shrew when her sister Catarina found her HEA with Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Draven. Catarina is now trying to pair Ines up with men that Ines finds totally unacceptable. I have to say this part surprises me because I thought Catarina, given her history, would be very understanding about that sort of thing and would let Ines set her own pace and make her own choices. But then, I guess we wouldn’t have a story if she did that.

Catarina is encouraging a match between Ines and Mr. Podmore. Ines finds the man an utter bore and takes every opportunity to avoid him. When she discovers that Mr. Podmore is due for a visit, she decides to do all she can to avoid him. Sneaking outside, she intends to hide until he gives up and leaves – and what better place to hide than in his coach. She’ll just sneak out of the coach once he gives up waiting for her – no harm, no foul – right? Except, it isn’t his coach – and she falls asleep – and she is well out of town before she realizes she’s run away without meaning to do so. OH! My! Goodness!

Duncan Murray, a Scotsman, a war hero, a survivor from Draven’s expendable troop, is in London to find an English wife. He doesn’t want an English wife, but his mother, Lady Charlotte, has ordered him to find one – and he owes it to her to do as she asks. However, his trip has been unsuccessful because all of the English women run at the sight of a huge Highlander. Now, he’s headed back to the highlands to let her know he’s failed. When he is well outside London, he finds a stowaway inside his carriage – and she doesn’t speak English. What is he to do with her? OH! My! Goodness!

Emmeline Wellesley, the oldest of five siblings, has suffered through one too many seasons and she’s just tired of it. She’s brash, outspoken, intelligent, adventurous, Rubenesque, and men just don’t seem to want that in a potential bride. Well, no problem – she has a solution. She’ll take the coach from the posting house and go to her paternal grandmother who lives in the far north of England. OH! My! Goodness!

Stratford Fortesque, a war hero, a survivor from Draven’s expendable troop, is always on the outside looking in when it comes to his family. He has long admired the brash and bold Emmeline Wellesley, daughter of his mother’s best friend, but he knows a match would never meet with family approval. When he learns from Emmeline’s sister that Emmeline has run away, he doesn’t think twice, he just takes off after her. OH! My! Goodness!

You’ll laugh with them. You’ll cry with them. You’ll even sigh with them. Most of all, you’ll be thoroughly entertained by their adventures as they wend their way across England and into the Highlands of Scotland and their HEA’s. It is a delightful read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Note – there is an appearance by Nash – another survivor – and I hope we see his story soon because he really, really, really needs one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.