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

Daring Widow by Cerise DeLand

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

Daring Widow: Those Notorious Americans, Book 2Daring Widow: Those Notorious Americans, Book 2 by Cerise DeLand

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Those Notorious Americans #2
Publication Date: 12/1/17

I enjoyed this read even though it is set at a later time than I usually read and is set in France rather than England, Ireland or Scotland (my preferred geographical reading areas). I thought the characters were well developed, the story stayed on-point and the writing was good. This is the second book in the series, but I didn’t feel that I missed anything by not having read the first book in the series. You’ll be engaged by the H/h and will love getting to know them.

The descriptions of Paris are so vivid that they make you feel as if you have lived there yourself. Paris was the exciting place to be at that time and our author makes you feel that excitement.

The main characters in this story are different than many of the lords and ladies you read about. They are less formal and more forward thinking, but this was the Victorian era in Paris rather than the Regency period in London. Remy is of the French aristocracy and a gifted artist – he’s also a rogue and scoundrel where the ladies are concerned. Marianne has been widowed for ten years and she is also artistic.

Remy and Marianne’s relationship heads down many paths and you wonder – almost to the last page, whether they’ll finally get their HEA or not. It goes from Remy wanting an affair/mistress and Marianne wanting nothing at all – to Marianne wanting the affair and Remy wanting more – to – well, you get it – it changes a lot – and often. You’ll experience their joys and their sorrows as well as their personal growth and enlightenment.

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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.”

The Taste of Temptation by Julia Kelly

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The Taste of Temptation (The Matchmaker of Edinburgh, #2)The Taste of Temptation by Julia Kelly
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Matchmaker of Edinburgh, #2

Release Date: February 5, 2018

Caroline Burkett is traveling to Scotland to live with her brother Michael and his wife Elise, and hopefully to begin anew, she hopes to be taken on by Moira Sullivan, the Matchmaker of Edinburgh. Two years ago she was jilted and sued her ex for breach of contract. She won her suit, but destroyed her chances for marriage in the process. Hounded by the press and humiliated in court, Caroline just wants to find a husband and fade into obscurity.

Jonathan Moray is the founder and owner of two papers in Edinburgh, he would love to start a third paper, but refuses to borrow money to do so, he tells his staff that they need to sell more papers. When he learns that Caroline Burkett, the “Lovelorn Lady” has come to town. He wants to get an exclusive interview with her and has a plan.

They “accidentally” meet when he is in her seat at the theater. She is immediately attracted to him and is delighted when he asks to talk to her during intermission. When they meet up, she learns who he is and what he wants and she is disgusted. The press was relentless in their pursuit of her story and made her life a living hell. She has no love for newspapermen and tells Moray so. He makes a counter offer, tell him her story or he will begin to dog her every step in his scandal sheet. She refuses and makes the acquaintance of Robert Trevlan, a friend of her brother. Trevlan immediately makes his interest known and Caroline feels a little bubble of hope that her dream to marry might actually happen.

The next morning, she receives an invitation to meet Mrs. Sullivan. The woman agrees to help Caroline, but tries to convince Caroline to want more than just security. Caroline is firm, she just wants a husband and almost any man will do. After her experience in London, she doesn’t trust her own judgement and wants no part of a “love match” as love only brings pain.

At her first dinner party, Mrs. Sullivan invites Moray and seats Caroline between him and Trevlan. Caroline is at first annoyed, especially since she enjoys talking to Moray. For his part, Moray is attracted to Caroline, but he has secrets that could ruin everything he has worked so hard to build. He knows that Caroline is looking for a husband, but he could never be that man. He tries to refocus on his goal and ignore his attraction to her.

These two are thrown together several more times and a friendship of sorts blossoms. When they share a kiss and some personal confidences, Caroline knows that she wants him. He desperately wants to see her, but she is being watched by the press and he doesn’t want to give them anything to gossip about, he knows Trevlan is staking a claim and learns disturbing information about him. There is no opportunity to see her alone, so he sneaks in her room.

They embark on a heated affair and they both share their deepest, darkest secrets. But when Moray’s secrets are revealed, he turns on the only woman he has ever loved and pushes her in to the arms of his rival.

This was a very well written, well paced story that was surprisingly steamy (much to my delight), I really became invested in these two characters and found myself shaking my head and chastising them both at times, while still rooting for their HEA.

This is the second book in the Matchmaker of Edinburgh series, but I did not read the first book and had no problems at all following this story. I would happily recommend this book and look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

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