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

A Lady’s Guide To Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

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

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #3
Publication Date: 7/28/20
Number of Pages: 304

This new-to-me author was a delightful find. The story was very well written, the historical sights, sounds, language, etc. were period correct, the plot moved along at the perfect pace – and best of all there was romance. My favorite genre is historical mysteries, but I have to have a romance in those – and this one had TWO!

This is the third book in the series, but I have not read the first two books and don’t feel I really missed anything in this story by not having read them. However, since this book was so much fun, I’ll go back and catch those first two!

The characters are delightful – both main and supporting. There is a scene toward the end between Frances and her mother that will have you rolling on the floor laughing. It is absolutely perfect to see that side of Frances’ mother. When you get there, you’ll recognize it because you can’t miss it – think buckets of water, horse dung, and pitchforks.

Frances and George are secretly betrothed. Not because they are hiding anything, but because they don’t want to tread on Frances’s sister Lily’s big moment – her own wedding. George isn’t thrilled with keeping it a secret, but he’ll honor Frances’s wishes. When the need arises to move Lily’s wedding up by several weeks, George is more than happy to offer his brother’s estate, Risings, as the perfect venue. There is a perfect small church and the house will accommodate the close family and friends. Perfect solution.

Strange occurrences begin – accidents surely – but are they? The first couple of ‘accidents’ are viewed as just that, but as more accidents happen – and a death – Frances and George suspect there is a villain loose among them. Who is the intended victim? Is it Leo, Lily’s betrothed, or is it George himself? They both seem to always be at the scene of the accident and could have easily been the victim. Who could want Leo dead or injured? His brother-in-law? His best friend who might hold a romantic interest in Lily? What about George? Could someone from one of his past Home Office cases be coming back to seek revenge?

With suspects and victims galore, George and Frances will have their work cut out for them. They’ll definitely need all of their skills to prevent more injuries or deaths and to catch the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and surely hope you will also.

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

A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne

On By TracyIn Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne

A Dark and Stormy Knight by Kerrigan Byrne

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Victorian Rebels, #7

Release Date: June 2, 2020

Since his appearance back in the first book The Highwayman, I have wanted to see Sir Carlton Morley get his HEA – we have had glimpses of the man and with each new book, it became clear that there was way more to Carlton Morley than meets the eye and in the last book The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo – big revelations about Morley came out. So, FINALLY we get Carlton’s story!! Long overdue and yet worth the wait!!

Chief Inspector Sir Carlton “Cutter” Morley is a complex man with humble roots, born to London’s streets, he had plans to change his life and that of his best friend Dorian Blackwell and his twin sister Caroline. But tragedy changes everything, Cutter is laid to rest and Carlton is born. Seemingly dedicated to upholding the law, Carlton leads a double life – upstanding officer of the law by day, vigilante by night. His nighttime activities have been noticed and papers call him the Knight of Shadows. It is in that guise that Carlton follows a lead about a cold case and finds himself in a garden surrounded by men and women taking their pleasure. He is contemplating his options when he is mistaken for a “Stag of St. James” by a very lovely woman. This encounter leads to a night of passion with a complete stranger that Carlton has never allowed himself and will be a night that changes him forever!

Prudence “Pru” Goode is to be married and has just learned that her fiancé George, the Earl of Sutherland doesn’t love her and needs her dowry to shore up his finances and provide for his bastard children! Determined to find pleasure for herself, she seeks out the Stags of St. James, men who for a price will give a woman pleasure for a night. And pleasure is exactly what she finds with her masked lover. She shares a night she will never forget with Carlton and they part, never expecting their paths to cross again. But three months later, they do cross when Carlton is attending the wedding of his superior’s daughter. Moments before the ceremony is to begin, Carlton is called to the back of the church – the groom has been murdered and he walks in to see his garden lover, dressed in a wedding gown, covered in blood and clutching a knife, while standing over a dead man!

When Carlton learns that Pru is pregnant with his child, he immediately takes charge – he marries her and will do whatever is necessary to save her. Pru is intrigued by her new husband, but wonders what happened to the lover she knew. These two will have much to overcome before they find their HEA, but when they do – WOW, just WOW!

I have loved every book in this series, some more than others and The Highwayman is still my favorite, but Carlton’s story is every bit as good as the other books and I loved it. Carlton is a good man, his past shaped him, but amazingly, didn’t break him, he has a deep sense of right and wrong and will give his life to protect the ones he loves. Pru is also a wonderful person, loving, giving and gracious to all and the chemistry between her and Carlton is incendiary. The book is well-written, perfectly paced, has wonderful characters, cameos with Ash, Farah, Dorian and Argent, steamy love scenes, betrayal, murder, secrets, locked doors, a villain that gets his due and an HEA with a sweet epilogue. While I did love this book, I do wish that we learned what happened to Honoria and I really, really wish the author would take the time to learn proper use of titles and formal address of nobility. Other than those minor things, I loved this book and I would happily recommend it! It is the seventh book in the series and could be read as a standalone – but I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for maximum enjoyment.