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

Review: Petteril’s Christmas by Mary Lancaster

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Petteril's Christmas (Lord Petteril Mysteries Book 7)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #7
Publication Date: 11/1/24
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 161

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Piers and April, Lord and Lady Petteril! Petteril wants their first Christmas together to be at his rural estate with just the two of them. April wants that too, but she just really wants to be with her husband wherever that might be. April has never celebrated Christmas and is looking forward to learning all the traditions.

Christmas in the country is not to be as his great-aunt Prudence, whom he had all but forgotten, summons him to town saying she is dying and the servants are stealing from her. He’s ashamed he hasn’t sought her out earlier, but he had no idea she was in London – or even England. She has always been a gadabout and never in one place for long. Piers does have fond memories of a childhood when he and his brother spent happy hours at her home. Yes, help her he must!

Great-aunt Prudence’s mystery is easily solved, and the ton is expected to behave disrespectfully and discourteously. What is not expected is for April’s past to rear its ugly head in the form of blackmail and murder. The blackmailer raises many memories for April, and she has to deal with those before she and Petteril can enjoy their Christmas.

While there was a murder to investigate, this was still a sweet, lovely, happy Christmas story that will make you smile much more often than it will make you frown. We visit with several old friends and meet some new ones that I hope will drop in for visits occasionally. If you are looking for a quick, short, lovely story that will keep you captivated from beginning to end, this is it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November (The Rake Review #11)Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November by Shana Galen

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Rake Review, #11

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Years ago, Beatrice Haddington made a decision that cost her the love of life and brought her years of heartache when she rejected Munro Notley’s proposal and married his best friend. She rejected Munro because he was a rake and she was sure he would break her heart by being unfaithful, instead she married Soloman Barnet, who was also a rake, but swore he would change for her. He didn’t and to make matters worse, Munro left England. But now she is a widow, and he is back for their mutual niece’s wedding. When he makes it clear that he still wants to marry her, she immediately declines, still sure he is a rake and will only break her heart. He swears he has changed, and she offers him a way to prove it. If he can resist five temptations to prove he has changed, then she will marry him.

Six years ago, Munro Notley fell in love for the first time in his life and bared his heart and soul to Beatrice the night before her wedding, begging her to runaway with him. She refused and he was unable to see the woman he loved with another man, he left England and if the gossip was to be believed continued his rakish lifestyle on the continent. When his brother orders him home for his niece’s wedding, he can’t refuse. He knows Beatrice is now a widow and dreads seeing her again, causing him to drink more than he is used to. In his inebriated state, he stumbles into the ladies retiring room and comes face to face with the only woman he has ever loved and proceeds to say way too much and even renews his offer of marriage. But Beatrice isn’t having it, and instead offers him an alternative – she will test him and if he can resist the temptations, she will give him a reward for each test he passes and if he passes all five, she will marry him. And so, the games begin!

I loved this second chance romance and was rooting for Munro right from the start. My heart broke for him and while I could understand Beatrice’s reservations, I did think she was a little unfair to Munro and let her fears control her for too long. This is a story is a lovely second chance romance filled with healing, trust, steamyish love scenes, delightful banter, great secondary characters, a wonderful cinnamon roll hero and finally a sweet ending and the beginning of their hard-won HEA. This is part of an author collaboration series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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. *