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

When A Duke Loves A Woman by Lorraine Heath

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)6 Comments

When a Duke Loves a Woman (Sins for All Seasons, #2)When a Duke Loves a Woman by Lorraine Heath

My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Series: Sins for All Seasons #2
Publication Date: 8/21/18

The Sins for All Seasons series tells the stories of six ‘siblings’ raised by Ettie Trewlove in the rookeries of London. These were all abandoned children left on her doorstep, poor illegitimate babies, and she took them all in and loved them. Though the children are not related by blood, they are raised as siblings and they all share a love of their Mum, Ettie Trewlove. I have not read the first book in the series, but I don’t feel that detracted from this book. The book is well written and well plotted, but it is highly improbable, so leave all you know about the social norms of this time period in the closet before you begin to read.

Gillian ‘Gillie’ Trewlove was left on Ettie Trewlove’s doorstep when she was only hours old. There were no clues about her or her parents. Ettie already had four boys to raise, but couldn’t help but love the sweet little baby girl dropped on her doorstep. Ettie was careful to raise Gillie so that she understood what could happen to a young girl in the rookeries. She dressed her as a boy and she taught her to stand up for herself and to defend herself. Those lessons served Gillie well as she matured and came to own her own tavern in Whitechapel. Everybody loved Gillie who is a strong, self-confident, generous, caring woman who gives back to the community with food and care. I enjoyed Gillie and it was nice to see her come to embrace her femininity.

Anthony Coventry, the ninth Duke of Thornley is thirty-six years old and became a duke at the age of fifteen. His parents were stiff, cold and unloving – so how would he ever recognize love if he saw it? At the urging of his best friend and to fulfill a deathbed promise he made to his father, he had finally agreed to marry the woman everyone had planned for him to marry. Then, she left him standing at the altar. Thorne is a very honorable man and he is very, very embarrassed by what happened. He has to find Lavinia – just to assure she is alright and to find out why she felt that she needed to run rather than just talk to him. Boy, was that a mistake. She had fled to Whitechapel and after getting totally foxed, he headed after her. Now, he is lying in a filthy alleyway in Whitechapel with his life’s blood flowing out of him from at least three stab wounds. He knows he is about to die – then, he hears the voice of an angel.

I loved both Gillie and Thorne and I believe that they could and did love each other. I just find it very hard to believe that a duke – even today – would defy everything in his social class and marry an illegitimate tavern owner from the rookeries. Then, to expect that it would all be forgotten socially just because he was a duke and his mother could influence opinions. No – I enjoyed the story, but it was definitely not believable. Cinderella was more believable since she was actually the daughter of a nobleman.

Also, I had a puzzled frown on my face whenever Thorne’s age was mentioned. It didn’t take anything away from the story – just something about it puzzled me. It didn’t bother me enough to plow back through the book to figure it all out, but – the book plainly states that he is thirty-six. At one point it mentions that he inherited the dukedom when he was fifteen. At another point, there is a conversation with his mother (speaking about his father) when he says “It’s been nearly a dozen years since his passing.” If you add those – he’d be twenty-six and not thirty-six.

I enjoyed the read, but I did find myself skimming parts of it as it seemed a little slow. The characters were lovable and I liked them all – especially Robin and Gillie’s brothers.

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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.”

To Love A Duchess by Karen Ranney

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)3 Comments

To Love a Duchess (All for Love, #1)To Love a Duchess by Karen Ranney

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: All for Love #1
Publication Date: 7/31/18

This is a lovely read that is emotional and compelling. It is well paced, well plotted, and well written. The characters are fully three-dimensional and very likable and relatable. It is also very sad and melancholy in its telling of grief, despair, and loss.

Suzanne Whitcomb, the Duchess of Marsley, is merely existing. There is no joy, no happiness, no goodness – just nothing left in her life. All that mattered in her life died two years ago in a terrible accident. She just complies with everything now – her father orders her to attend a function and act as hostess – she does it – no questions, no arguments. Her disagreeable maid orders her to take her potion – she takes it – even though it makes her feel strange and her mind feels fuzzy.

Adam Drummond is a spy – a member of the Silent Service. He joined the army when he was just a small boy and he was grateful to have done it. He’d been born and raised in a tenement in Glasgow, so the army providing food, safety and warmth were more than he’d ever had. He’d become a decorated hero and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He’d also lost his wife six years ago in a terrible, terrible attack. He’d left the army and joined a new part of the War Department called the Silent Service.

Adam’s latest assignment was different than any he’d had before. He was undercover as the majordomo at the home of a duke that the War Office had reason to believe was a traitor. It was Adam’s task to find the proof and he was determined to complete his mission successfully because he thoroughly despised that particular duke and he was sure that the War Office was correct in believing the duke to be a traitor. It didn’t matter that the duke was now dead. What mattered was finding justice for all those deaths that he was sure the duke had caused.

What Adam doesn’t count on is the very sad, grieving duchess. How can such a lovely creature be so mournful over such a dastardly man? She seems haunted – and sometimes she doesn’t seem to be totally there. Does she drink? As the weeks move on and they have more and more interactions, he learns her story and is more and more attracted to her. He knows, of course, that a boy born in a Glasgow tenement cannot have a duchess. However, the attraction is mutual and as the case comes to an end – he can hardly say goodbye.

I love how he actually listens to her, to her opinions and then believes her. I also love how she comes to trust him and always feels safe around him. Their journey into love and an HEA is a lovely thing.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
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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.”