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

Redeeming Lord Ryder by Maggie Robinson

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Redeeming Lord Ryder (Cotswold Confidential)Redeeming Lord Ryder by Maggie Robinson

Series: Cotswold Confidential, #3

Release Date: November 21, 2017
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another excellent installment of the Cotswold Confidential Series!

Mary Nicola Mayfield, known as Nicola to her friends and family has been in the Puddling-on-the-Wold “secret spa” for 2 months, sent there by her family after all other medical avenues had failed. Nicola was a passenger on a train that derailed and hasn’t spoken since. She has been pricked, prodded and examined, but there is no medical reason that she can’t speak. She doesn’t exactly recall the accident and doesn’t want to be a burden to her family, she tries, but the words will not come.

Lord Jonathan Ryder aka Jack is in Puddling because of the same accident, but for different reasons. Jack owned the company that manufactured the part that failed and caused the accident. Jack suffers from depression and is ridden with guilt. He came to Puddling, hoping to find a way to overcome the depression, but he hasn’t been entirely honest with anyone about his reasons for coming.

He meets Nicola on his second day in the village, he is immediately taken with her and plots and plans ways to see her again. The two grow close and Nicola wants Jack to be her lover – but Jack is trying to be honorable and keeps pushing her away – sort of – kisses don’t count, right? When Jack is with Nicola, he feels happy for the first time since the accident and when he kisses her, Nicola makes sounds, something that hasn’t happened in ten long months! When Nicola learns who Jack really is, she is shocked and doesn’t want him to know who she is, fearing it would change the way he treats her.

This is a well written story with a lot of deep emotion, but it never feels dark or angsty, Jack’s antics (especially concerning food) are hilarious and Nicola is the perfect soothing balm for his soul. The book is filled with lighthearted banter, steamy moments, guests sneaking around, secrets, betrayal, a little heartache, a lot of joy and a hero with a passion for peaches.

This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I think this might actually be my favorite in the series so far, but I don’t want to commit to that, since they have all been great and I am sure there are more to come! I would recommend reading the series in order, it is not necessary to enjoy this book, but it will give you more insight on the “secret spa”.

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

A Christmas Return by Anne Perry

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A Christmas ReturnA Christmas Return by Anne Perry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Stand Alone
Publication Date: 11/7/17

This lovely novella is loosely related to the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series. Thomas nor Charlotte makes an appearance in this novella, but they are mentioned. It definitely made me realize that I am woefully behind in that series. Evidently, a lot of family changes have transpired since I last read one of the books in the series. I’m thinking I need to go catch up!

The only real relationship this novel has to Christmas is that it is set at Christmas time. However, it is also a novel of justice, growth, self-knowledge, and renewal. The main characters were good friends twenty years ago when a tragic death tore them apart. Can that friendship be renewed and can a twenty-year-old murder be solved? Seeing Mariah’s growth, understanding and self-forgiveness is a delight.

Mariah Ellison is Charlotte Pitt’s paternal grandmother. She has always been a curmudgeon – well, not just a curmudgeon because she was mean, spiteful and hateful. In this novella, we learn about her early life and basically what made her who she is today. It is nice to see that a genuinely nice and caring person appears to be emerging.

Twenty years ago, in a small English village, a fourteen-year-old girl was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered. Mariah’s friend, Cullen, an honest, ethical lawyer was set to represent the accused, Dr. Durward. Then, after a visit to another village a number of miles away, Cullen told the defendant he could no longer represent him. The next day, Cullen was murdered, and rumors were spread about his wife, Rowena, having murdered him. Dr. Durward was later tried and found not guilty of the girl’s murder and nothing ever happened with the murder of Mariah’s friend.

Today, that defendant is back in town stirring up trouble for Rowena and her grandson, Peter and also impugning Cullen’s name. Peter sends a desperate message to Mariah for help and the next day she’s on a train determined to help however she can – and to mend a torn friendship with Rowena. The last Mariah saw Peter, he was only ten years old. He has now grown into a man who remembers her with great affection and respect.

Mariah and Peter work hard to solve the murder and bring the killer to justice. Mariah’s unique understanding of someone who is as dark as this murderer allows them to take avenue’s that would not normally have been looked into. There is a short time to be able to find the killer and bring him to justice. Can they do it? If the murderer is really Dr. Durward, he cannot be tried again, so what can they do?

This is an entertaining short read and if you have read the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt books, you will greatly appreciate Mariah’s metamorphosis. She’s still a work in progress, but she’s growing every day.

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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.”