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 Earl’s Christmas Pearl by Megan Frampton

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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.

Never Kiss A Scot by Lauren Smith

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Never Kiss a Scot (The League of Rogues Book 10)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: League of Rogues #10
Publication Date: 3/18/19
Number of Pages: 283

Another great addition to the League of Rogues series. This one features the fabulous Brock Kincade whom we met in Ashton Lennox’s book, Wicked Rivals. Our heroine is Ashton’s sister Joanna and our hero is the brother of Ashton’s heroine, Rosalind. So – it is a family affair! It is a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love that all of Rosalind’s brash, handsome, irrepressible brothers will get their own books – and I hope Ashton’s brothers will as well.

At twenty-years-old, Joanna Lennox has endured three seasons without anyone showing any interest whatsoever. The men don’t even seem interested in dancing with her much less courting her. What in the world is wrong with her? She just doesn’t understand it. She isn’t ugly, she has a large dowry, she’s intelligent and has all of the skills required for running a large home – so, why isn’t anyone – even a fortune hunter – interested in her?

I loved the opening scene in the book. Joanna is in the library late in the evening when she sees a tall man, dressed in dark clothes, entering the room. She doesn’t recognize him, but he says he is Rosalind’s brother – then, he kisses her senseless and ties her up. He’s there to ‘rescue’ his sister from the evil clutches of Ashton.

To say that there is no love lost between Brock and Ashton is putting it mildly. However, Ashton has to suck it up and tolerate Brock – at least until the wedding is over – because Brock is walking Rosalind down the aisle. However, when Ashton catches Brock alone in a room with Joanna, kissing her, with his hand up her skirt, Ashton goes berserk and orders him from the house. What Ashton doesn’t know is that Brock is determined to marry Joanna – not for her money (though that is a plus), but because he wants her – the real her.

Given Ashton’s animosity toward Brock, he and Joanna decide to go to Gretna Green to marry over the anvil. They have to be crafty in order to escape without Ashton and the League managing to overtake them. On that trip, Joanna discovers strengths and bravery she never knew she possessed. They slept outdoors and were even kidnapped by highwaymen, yet she never complained and moved forward. Even when her brother caught up with them, she stood up to him and faced him down. Joanna turns out to be quite a heroine.

Brock Kincade, along with his brothers and sister grew up in one of the most abusive homes I’ve ever read in a story. His father was extremely abusive and violent. Brock is so afraid that he’s like his father that he won’t allow himself to be violent in any way – even when he’s attacked, he only does the minimum to protect himself. Brock’s father did some despicable things and betrayed some of the Highland clans. Those clans haven’t forgotten what happened and some have transferred that animosity to Brock. Who are the hidden enemies at the castle? Are they after Brock or Joanna – or both?

You really need to read this delightful series – including this book. The characters are wonderful – you’ll fall in love with all of them as you read the books. Joanna and Brock are both wonderful characters and I can’t wait to see their siblings get their own books.

BTW – I read the Whispersync version of this book so I listened to the audio as well as reading. The narrator, Heather Wilds, has a wonderful range of ‘voices’ and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Her Scots brogue was wonderful to hear – especially the Gaelic ballads – I loved those.