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 Outlaw’s Heart by Amy Sandas

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

The Outlaw's Heart (Runaway Brides, #3)The Outlaw’s Heart by Amy Sandas

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: The Runaway Brides, #3

Release Date: October 29, 2019

On the surface, it would appear that Evelyn “Evie” Perkins married well, her husband Matthew is rich, attentive and handsome. But the reality is far different, Evelyn’s husband is abusive and beats her without mercy, he controls every aspect of her life and has successfully separated her from her friends and family. Finally at the end of her rope, Evie forms a plan and escapes.

She heads west, but knows better than to go to her brother or her friends, as she is sure that is the first place Matt will check. Instead she plans to go to California and disappear into one of the large cities – but that plan is out the window when her train is stopped and boarded by outlaws clearly looking for someone – when asked her name, she lies and gives another passenger’s name and as luck would have it – that is the person they are kidnapping! She is taken without her possessions and knocked out. When she wakes, she is at the outlaw’s camp and they realize that they have taken the wrong woman. Unable to risk taking her back, they will take her to their leader, Luke and let him decide how to handle it.

One of the men, Gabe, is kind to her and sees to her comfort and is assigned to taking her to Luke. She is surprised at her attraction to him and finds that while she is wary of him, she isn’t afraid. Gabriel “Gabe” Sloane is a Cheyenne Indian who has been riding with Like for years but still feels out of place. He was taken as a boy and raised by missionaries, but when he was older and escaped, found that he no longer fit in with his family. That is when he met Luke and began “working” with him. Gabe is a quiet man of few words, he is also surprised at his immediate attraction to Evie, who tells him her name is Eve. He protects her on the trail and when he learns the extent of the abuse she endured at Matt’s hands – he knows he would lay down his life for her.

This was a very emotional story with strong abuse triggers as well as adultery that may be upsetting for some readers. I personally thought Ms. Sandas handled the physical abuse as tactfully as possible and wasn’t overly graphic in her descriptions, but nevertheless, be warned if that sort of thing is difficult for you to read. I loved Gabe and Evie, but I did have a problem with the adultery – I hated her husband and wished him a painful and slow death – but she was married to him while she was will Gabe and that sort of thing bothers ME. I also felt like the end was a whirlwind and ended too abruptly – Since this is the last book in the series, I really feel like this book should have had an epilogue to get some closure with Evie and Gabe as well as Courtney, Dean, Alex and Malcolm.

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

The Earl’s Christmas Pearl by Megan Frampton

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

The Earl's Christmas Pearl (Duke's Daughters, #4.5)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Duke’s Daughters #4.5
Publication Date: 10/29/19
Number of Pages: 144

This is a really quick, lovely, fun Victorian Christmas story. It is well written and the characters are relatable and very sweet. You can’t go wrong with this book if you want a romantic Christmas read.

Lady Pearl Howlett is the ‘NOT’ sister. Nobody particularly notices her other than she is NOT the intelligent sister, and she is NOT the scandalous sister, etc. Even her mother doesn’t really notice her – that is how she came to be left alone in London during Christmas. Her mother just left her at the townhouse – not even noticing that she wasn’t in the carriage.

Pearl almost ran out after her mother’s carriage, but then decided not to do so. She thought it would be wonderful to be on her own and have her own adventure. After she considered all the things she could do – like skating through the hallway — she realized that she had no food in the house, no servants, and she didn’t know how to do anything for herself. She couldn’t light a fire, and she couldn’t cook even if she did have food. So, what is a girl to do? Our intrepid Pearl found a way to make it happen.

Owen Dwyfor, Earl of Llanover has come to London over Christmas for two reasons – one is that he has a leg injury and the doctor is in London and the other is that he just craves some time alone. His sisters and his mother make constant demands on him and he’d love to have some time for himself. He’s staying at his Godmother’s home, but she has visited other family for Christmas. He doesn’t have any servants either, but he does have some food – and he can build a fire – and even cook eggs for himself.

Owen and Pearl are staying in homes right next to each other and they meet out on the street where they are staying. Their adventure is fun to watch because they are really two kindred spirits designed to complete each other. I love that Pearl thinks of Owen as “his grumpy earlness”

It is definitely a light-hearted fun read and I hope you will 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.