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

The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Uptown Girls, #3

Release Date: June 30, 2020

Justine Greene is the youngest of the Greene sisters and compared to her vivacious sisters, she appears to be a little dull – but as they say – looks can be deceiving! Unlike her sisters in both looks and temperament, Justine spends her days helping the poor and forgotten of NYC. She also helps out with her brother-in-law Frank Tripp’s legal aid society – tracking down missing husbands. It is on such a case that she meets Jack Mulligan – the city’s biggest crime lord. After weeks of looking for Robert Gorcey who left his wife and five children without a word, she learns that he works for Jack and hopes to gain his help in getting Mr. Gorcey to take care of his responsibilities! Jack agrees, but wants a favor in exchange and won’t lift a finger to help unless she agrees.

Jack Mulligan was born with nothing and fought his way to the top, he is powerful and feared, but Justine Greene doesn’t appear to be impressed – which intrigues him. She grudgingly agrees to grant him a favor in the future and leaves. Jack shouldn’t give her another thought, he has problems of his own in the shape of an up-and-coming crime boss, Trevor O’Shaughnessy, a man that is testing the boundaries with Jack. But he can’t seem to get the little “do-gooder” out of his mind and has her followed. Days later he catches up with her to cash in his favor, he marvels at how much she does in the city and listens to her complain about not being able to get her police friend to help with a matter of a unfair factory owner. Jack buys her lunch and tells her that for his favor he wants to escort her to Frank’s fundraising gala – there is a man he wants to talk to that refuses to see him – Julius Hatcher – Justine agrees and demands an outrageous donation to boot – Jack agrees.

When her family learns of her interactions with Jack, they all warn her off – Mamie and Florence are sure he will hurt her and ruin her reputation, Frank and Clay are concerned for her safety – but they all underestimate Justine – she is stronger and braver than they could ever imagine and she refuses to stop seeing Jack. For his part, Jack is caught in Justine’s spell – he wants her, but more than just sexually, he likes her and enjoys her company – she is a light in his dark world and even as he knows he should let her go, he can’t seem to send her away. But when Jack gives Justine her greatest desire, she finally admits that she is changing into someone she doesn’t like and she walks away from him. Can he win her back?

This was a well written, fast paced, amazing read with very likable characters, red-hot love scenes, unexpected twists, wonderful secondary characters including cameos from Mamie, Frank, Florence, Clay and Julius Hatcher! I just loved this story, it was a wild ride from the first page until the last and is definitely my favorite in the series. This is the third book in the series and while it can be read as a stand-alone, do yourself a favor and read the books in order!

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

A Bewitching Governess by Patricia Rice

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A Bewitching Governess (School of Magic, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: School of Magic #2
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 339

I have loved every book I’ve ever read featuring the Malcolms. What an intrepid and intriguing lot they are! In the first book, Lessons In Enchantment, we met most, if not all, of the characters in this book. I loved Olivia and Simon – she’s the calm port in his storm and he’s the strength and courage she needs. When you add all those lovely children into the mix, you have an absolutely delightful read. Additionally, we get to meet the stars of the next book – and that seems like a really intriguing match!

In the previous book, we learned of The Association and their controlling and manipulative ways. Nothing is beyond them – even murder and they wanted Letitia Blair and her children dead. When the Association managed to murder Letitia, Simon, her husband, went wild in grief and revenge. He placed his children in the care of his cousin Andrew and went about hunting down the murderers. Little did he know they’d still be coming after those babies. Simon, Andrew, and Phoebe (Andrew’s wife) stopped the villains but sent the children into the care of another relative until they could assure the children would be safe.

Things are safer now and Simon is collecting his children – and what a trip it has been. Then he meets the very disapproving governess and his temper flares. You see, Letitia had ‘gifts’ and she passed ‘gifts’ along to her children as well. Simon wanted to stamp out those gifts – deny them – but here was this governess teaching them how to use them. He certainly doesn’t want that wicked woman around his children.

Olivia has fallen in love with the children in her care and wants very much to teach them how to control their gifts so they don’t harm themselves or others – and so they don’t inadvertently use them and call unwanted attention to themselves. What a drunken oaf their father is! How can she turn these lovely children over to him when he is in total denial of their gifts?

Simon and Olivia circle each other each bound and determined to have their own way. Then the trouble starts and things get dangerous. Can Olivia and Simon work together to keep themselves and the children safe? Can they thwart the villains? Can they prove that oil and water do mix? You’ll just have to read this delightful tale to find out that and more.

I highly recommend this author, this series, and this book. It is well-written, well-plotted, well-paced, and filled with delightful characters you’ll quickly love. I hope you enjoy 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.