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

Catch a Falling Duke by Eve Pendle

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

Catch a Falling Duke (Fallen, #3)Catch a Falling Duke by Eve Pendle

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Fallen, #3

Release Date: May 26, 2021

When shortly after inheriting, Hugo Ravensthorpe, the fourth Duke of Cumbria learns that much of his family’s wealth came from a plantation with slaves that they owned in British Guiana until slavery was abolished 50 years ago– he is appalled and sicken. He cannot believe his grandfather owned slaves and refuses to live in a house built from the profits of that slavery. With no idea how to right the wrongs his grandfather made, he leaves Keisley Park and sets out for London to see his sister Emily and hopefully figure out what he can do to make things right. He stops for the night at a small inn and witnesses a man harassing a lone woman and intervenes by claiming to be her husband.

Widow Beatrice “Bea” Fenton is shocked and a bit wary when a handsome stranger saves her from a man bent on seduction who won’t take no for an answer. She invites Hugo to join her for dinner and they enjoy a pleasant meal, he doesn’t tell her he is a duke and is vague about his reason for traveling to the village, she reveals she is the owner of a dairy farm and has come to the village to attend the fair, hoping to find someone her mother knew years ago. After dinner, Hugo tries to get a room and learns because of the fair the inn is booked – now it is Bea’s turn to save him and insists he shares her room. Once they are alone, she makes an offer – one night of passion. An offer Hugo tries to decline, but Bea assures him she is barren and that after their night together, they will part ways with no obligations or regrets. He finally agrees and they share an incredible night together are reluctant to part the next morning. Hugo offers to spend the day with her and help her find the man she is looking for – an offer she willingly accepts. After a day spent with no success, they return to the inn ready to part ways when the innkeeper gives them a lead and their “one night” extends to two and after following the lead, which ends with Bea getting a surprising shock and Hugo sharing his shameful secret and his true identity, they spend a third night together.

The next morning, he proposes, she refuses and they part ways. He returns to London with a broken heart and a plan to right the wrongs of his grandfather. She returns to her farm equally heartsore – but sure she made the right decision. Weeks have passed when she learns his address by chance and writes to him. He takes it as an invitation to visit her and decides that this time, he will woo her and prove that they belong together.

This was not your run-of-the-mill historical romance, it was a well-written story with a distinct political message wound around the romance of an unlikely couple. The book started out interesting but after they parted ways, it became a bit dull and Bea’s refusal to marry Hugo dragged on for too long. And then there is the current trend of authors superimposing 21st-century morals and ideals into the past and ignoring the actual morals and laws of the era. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem. There are some things that might be considered triggers to some readers, such as infertility, slavery, reparations, and illegitimacy. I believe the author did her best to handle these issues with consideration and sensitivity, but if these things upset you, be aware that they are prevalent in the story.

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

The Jewel of an Earl’s Heir by Linda Rae Sande

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The Jewel of an Earl's Heir
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #5
Publication Date: 5/25/21
Period: Victorian

This was a delightfully witty, well-balanced, well-written story filled with some very likable and relatable characters. You will absolutely adore Stella and Harold who were featured in The Epiphany of an Explorer. As always, we have two romances – we have Stella and Harold who have different ways of dealing with the fact that they are getting older – and we have their son Alexander who finds his romance with Margaret Ewen who is a gemologist.

Harold Tennison, the Earl of Everly, and his still strikingly beautiful wife Estelle (Stella) are approaching their twenty-second wedding anniversary. While they are still very much in love, life has become a bit routine over the years. Neither of them is ready to just roll over and curl up their toes, so they are both coping with their middle years just a tad differently – but they definitely end up in the same place. I absolutely adored their scenes in the book – they were irreverent, randy, funny, and thoroughly entertaining.

Twenty-one-year-old Alexander Tennison, the heir to the Earl of Everly, looks like a Greek God. That would make most people arrogant and self-centered, but not Alex. He is a very loving, dutiful, honorable young man who really has no clue about the effect his looks have on others – especially those young marriageable ladies. The Tennison family is one with a scientific bent – Harold is a botanist and Alex is a metallurgist with an interest in making fine jewelry. When Alex learned that he was color blind, it was a devastating blow to him because he suddenly understood why he had difficulty choosing stones that worked together in his jewelry creations. He just needs someone to help him ‘see’ the colors.

Margaret Ewen is a gemologist in her father’s shop, Ewen and Ewen. When this tall, handsome Greek God walks into their shop, she has no idea who he is, so she teases him – and he teases back. He’s in the shop to buy several ounces of gold for a jewelry project he’s working on, and Margaret is a bit concerned that he’ll be setting himself up in competition with their already faltering shop. Then, she learns who he is and she can’t believe she teased him the way she did. However, that doesn’t stop her from selling him several hundred rubies and citrines the next time he comes into the shop. Then, when he shows her his designs and asks for her help – well – goodness – who can refuse a Greek God?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the fact that both families are warm, loving, and accepting of themselves and each other. I loved that the nasty villain got his comeuppance and our couples got their HEAs. If you are looking for a happy read, this is the book for you.

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