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 Marquess and the Maiden by Robyn DeHart

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)3 Comments

The Marquess and the Maiden (Lords of Vice, #2)The Marquess and the Maiden by Robyn DeHart

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of Vice, #2

Release Date: September 10, 2018

Six years ago, Lady Harriet Wheatley’s mother had a plan, Harriet would marry Oliver Weeks, the Marquess of Davenport, her dearest friend’s son. Oliver has inherited a bankrupt estate, been injured and dumped by his would be betrothed and Harriet has a huge dowry and 2 unsuccessful seasons under her belt – it is a win – win for everyone! Too bad Oliver didn’t fall in line with the plan, he told Harriet in no uncertain terms, he would not marry her – – he didn’t want her dowry or her. Harriet is crushed, not that she was overly keen on marrying him, but rejection is rejection. She vows that she will only marry for love or not at all.

Fast forward six years, Oliver has singlehandedly restored his family fortune and then some. To Harriet, he seems to waste his money and as a member of the Ladies of Virtue, she feels it is her responsibility to show him the error of his ways, especially since the group has been forced to curtail their crime fighting activities thanks to an enemy known only as Lady X. When Oliver’s mother suggests that he marry, he agrees with her, but states that he hasn’t been in society for years and most women are frighten of him. His mother suggests that Harriet might be able to help him find a bride, he is surprised that she is still unwed and when he sees her again, wonders if the men of London are blind – she is not the traditional willowy figured woman that is lauded by the ton, she is petite, curvy and has a magnificent bosom – not that he is looking. He approaches her and is delighted to find that she is no longer the timid mouse he remembered by a feisty spitfire, who tells him that he will need more than a fortune to find a wife, she offers him a deal, he stops his spending and she will help him – NO. A couple of weeks later, he realizes she was right and asks for her help, she refuses. But when she learns he owns a property that she can use for secret meetings and training for her group, she reconsiders. Oliver has decided on his bride – Harriet. But still stinging from his rejection years ago, she thinks he is toying with her.

They grow closer and share some heated kisses, Oliver repeatedly tries to prove he wants her and she repeatedly rebuffs him. Finally Oliver forces her hand and they end up married, but he makes it clear he can never love her. Can Harriet accept this? Will passion be enough? Will Oliver get his head out of his butt before it is too late?

I’ll be honest, this story was just okay, I have a really hard time believing the author that wrote the Legend Hunter series is the same author writing this series. The whole Ladies of Virtue angle is a bit ridiculous, crime fighting debutantes, really?? I felt like Harriet’s insecurities and refusal to believe that Oliver found her attractive dragged on too long and became annoying. This along with some major title errors, some inconsistencies and some completely unbelievable scenarios made this a 3 star read. Upside, the story was cute and very steamy (YES!!), both Oliver and Harriet were likeable people, their interactions were for the most part amusing and entertaining, the secondary characters added to the story, but didn’t overshadow the leads and the ending was very sweet.

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

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

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

The Matrimonial Advertisement (Parish Orphans of Devon #1)The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

Barbara’s rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Series: Parish Orphans of Devon #1
Publication Date: 9/4/18

This first book in the Parish Orphans of Devon series is my first one by Mimi Matthews. The book is intelligently written and the characters are interesting.

Ex-army captain Justin Thornhill is tall, dark, handsome, and he takes care of those for whom he cares. He also has things in his past that, while they are not a secret, he’d just as soon everybody would forget them. He’s finally reached his goal of purchasing Greyfriar’s Abbey on the remote North Devon coast. He is a self-made man of modest means and his steward thinks he needs a wife. To that end, the steward placed an ad in the London papers advertising for a bride. The ad was very brief and to the point – a retired army officer needs a wife who is a spinster or widow near his own age, sensible, compassionate and capable of managing a remote country property. At first, Justin threatened to fire the steward, but then warmed to the idea since it was, after all, only a business arrangement with no love or affection expected.

Lady Helena Reynolds is in dire straits and must, absolutely must, escape London permanently because her uncle will stop at nothing to gain control of her fortune. When her cousin sees a Matrimonial Advertisement in the paper, Helena thinks it might be her way out. If she marries, then her uncle cannot usurp her fortune, nor would he have control of her. She’d rather trust a stranger than her uncle. She manages to escape to North Devon and to marry Justin Thornhill.

I had a really, really, really hard time liking Helena. Yes, I understand that her predicament was of the very worst kind and I really felt sorry for that. However, all of her actions up until about the 80% mark were very selfish. She married Justin without telling him what her situation was – and that was a situation that could have cost Justin to be injured, etc. She never thought of the implications to anyone other than herself. By the time I was at around the 80% mark, she had had an epiphany and realized she loved Justin.

Justin was a real hero and I liked him very much throughout the book. He had things he preferred not to tell, but if Helena asked, he answered – unlike her. Then at about the 80% mark of the book, he gets altruistic and I just wanted to kick his rear.

This was a very nice story, very clean, but it was also just a bit slow-paced to me and I found myself skimming a bit in spots.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”