Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

Entrancing The Earl by Patricia Rice

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Entrancing the Earl (School of Magic, #5)Entrancing the Earl by Patricia Rice
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: School of Magic
Publication Date: 5/18/21
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 300

As a through-and-through, logical, unemotional Ives male, Gerard, Earl of Ives and Wystan, avoids Wystan Castle as much as he possibly can. Why? Well, because it is filled to the brim with those lovely but pesky Malcolm women who like to manage him. It is his responsibility to care for and provide for the dears, but his coffers are all but drained and he has absolutely no idea how he’ll manage to keep the castle and lands going. If only he could find the treasure that the voice from the old Roman coin keeps talking about, he could do the necessary repairs and preserve Wystan – but if he can’t … Maybe he should just find an heiress to marry. He could do that – as long as she isn’t a Malcolm – he couldn’t do that. He just isn’t ready for marriage yet and since his father isn’t pushing him – well – he can wait.

Lady Iona Malcolm Ross and her twin sister Isobel have fled Craigmore, their home in Scotland because their debauched and evil step-father has usurped the title Earl of Craigmore. That title rightly belongs to Iona, but since she is a young female, nobody questions him. He has gone through all of their funds and is now planning to sell Iona to an American who wants a title. That American has more money than sense and has absolutely no idea how their Scottish title works. The American thinks he is buying a title for himself. Iona and Isobel have assumed new names and are well hidden within different Malcolm households – they should be safe. They were, safe that is, until their nasty step-father – using the American’s money – goes public with a tale of woe about his daughters having run away and offering a large reward for anybody finding them.

I always love all of the quirky ‘talents’ that manifest themselves in the Malcolms. Iona’s talent is that she talks to bees. That might not sound like much of a talent – but when it is needed to save the day – well – we find it might be more valuable than we realized.

The Malcolm I most appreciated in this book was Gerard. Poor man – can you imagine how conflicted he is? Yes – he is both a Malcolm and an Ives – and that pretty much puts him at war within himself. His logical, scientific, Ives mind absolutely cannot fathom that he has a voice talking to him in his head – so he often thinks he must be insane. Can he come to accept and embrace his Malcolm gifts as well as his Ives brilliance?

I really enjoyed Gerard! His conflicts within himself are really well done. Iona, on the other hand, wasn’t my favorite Malcolm. I loved that she calmed Gerard and seemed to amplify and focus his emerging gifts – but I just didn’t love her personally. She was strong and independent but didn’t trust anybody and I can understand that given her life over the last few years. Still, she was much too headstrong and often put herself – and perhaps others – at risk. Even when she was presented with logical alternatives, she still went her own way without caring a whit about what her decisions did to others – particularly Gerard. So, I liked Iona – and I liked Iona and Gerard together – but I didn’t love Iona.

I can definitely recommend this book and this series. I hope you’ll give it a try and will love it as much as I did.

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

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke by Megan Frampton

On By TracyIn Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke (Hazards of Dukes, #3)A Wicked Bargain for the Duke by Megan Frampton
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Hazards of Dukes, #3

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Thaddeus Dutton, the new Duke of Hasford takes his responsibilities seriously, so after inheriting a dukedom he never expected (or wanted), he gives 100% into being the best duke he can be and decides that he must marry and father an heir as soon as possible. He makes a list of attributes his future duchess must possess and finds the perfect bride at the first event he attends – the Earl of Scudamore’s eldest daughter, Lady Jane Capel.

When it becomes clear to Lady Lavinia Capel that the duke has set his sites on Jane, she knows she will have to convince the duke to look elsewhere for a wife. Jane is madly in love with their neighbor and is too timid to rebuff the duke’s attentions, that combined with their mother’s determination to wed Jane to the duke, will see her unhappily married unless Lavinia intervenes. But when her attempt to get the duke alone to set him straight goes horribly wrong, Lavinia finds herself engaged to the duke – much to the dismay of everyone involved!

Determined to make the best of things, Thaddeus forms a plan and proposes a bargain – they will stay together long enough to have an heir, and then they will live separate lives. Furthermore, he thinks they should not get too involved in each other’s lives and limit their interaction to the bedroom – for the purpose of procreation and definitely not let their emotions become engaged. Lavinia had no desire to marry, she writes novels and had planned to live an independent life, but there is no way she can get out of the marriage without destroying Jane’s chances for happiness, so she agrees to Thaddeus’ terms. She forms her own plan, keeps her writing secret since Thaddeus didn’t seem to approve, and tries to keep herself from falling for her husband. But you know what they say – the best-laid plans…

I was a little wary about requesting this title after reading the previous book in the series and being very disappointed, but thankfully this book was everything I could have hoped for and more – much more! It is clear to the reader that Thaddeus and Lavinia are perfect for each other from the start and their interactions are fun, sexy and a delight to read. The book is filled with witty banter, steamyish love scenes, wonderful characters, laugh-out-loud moments, secrets, a bit of angst, a little miscommunication, and an absolutely wonderful ending! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend the title – it is the third book in the series, but it can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone title.

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