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

A Family of His Own by Stephanie Laurens

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A Family of His Own (Cynsters: Next Generation Series Book 14)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Cynster Next Generation #14
Publication Date: 3/14/24
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 428

I read the book and I listened to the audiobook. The audio is excellently narrated. The flow is smooth and seamless and the narrator’s voice very pleasant.

Well, we’ve come to the end of this Cynster generation – and the end of this series. Not sure when, or if, there will be an additional Cynster series, but they are about to cross the mark into the 1900s and I’m not sure I’ll be interested in those. The author is going back to add more books to the Casebook of Barnaby Adair series and I am happy to see that because I really enjoyed those.

Toby, the last unmarried Cynster of his generation, is now undertaking his last mission for the Crown. Talk about miffed – not only is Drake, Marquess of Wilchelsea, buckling to pressure from all of the Cynster ladies who want Toby married, but he is also sending him on a babysitting mission. So, rather than ending his career with an exciting mission, he’ll be escorting a doctor, his daughter, and a packet of intercepted German dispatches back from Vienna. Ho-Hum!

However, by the time he makes it to Vienna, he finds everything has changed. The doctor is deceased, perhaps not naturally, and both the Germans and the Austrians are trying to retrieve the packet of dispatches. Heinrich Maier, an Austrian, is a longtime foe of Toby’s and is almost as good as Toby. While the Austrians are a threat to the mission, it is the Germans who are dangerous. The two German agents operate by force and brute strength rather than intellect.

The babysitting mission Toby expected turns out to be as exciting as he’d want his last mission to be. That certainly wouldn’t be a problem except he is now escorting the doctor’s daughter and three children she refused to leave behind. Their escape through Austria, Germany, and Italy is fraught with danger. It also has a delightful set of children who make the book – you will love them. You’ll also love the descriptions of the beautiful countryside – and the idyllic time spent hiding on a lovely island in a beautiful Italian lake.

It was lovely to see Toby – who always wanted to be the bachelor uncle to his nieces and nephews – find the true meaning of family and love. I recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I also hope you are looking forward to those new Barnaby Adair books starting in July 2024. Happy Reading!

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A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collins

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A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril (Ladies Most Scandalous Book 4)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Ladies Most Scandalous #4
Publication Date: 3/26/24
Period: 1869 – Victorian London
Number of Pages: 294

Hmm – strange things are afoot in the Foreign Office as this excellently-written, well-paced, well-plotted historical romance/mystery unfolds. The protagonists are very likable and relatable, while the antagonist is venal and vile – just the way I like it. You’ll love it all – and it will keep you on the edge of your chair wondering who did it.

Five years ago, Miss Jane Halliwell’s world crashed and burned – to a cinder. Her beloved father, who worked for the Foreign Office, committed suicide and left Jane and her mother destitute from his gambling debts. She is now governess to Margaret, the daughter of her father’s good friend, Lord Gilford. Lady Gilford is not a supporter of Jane and takes every opportunity to belittle her and assure Jane knows of her now reduced place in society. Therefore, Jane is shocked when Lady Gilford informs her that, to keep the numbers right, she must attend a dinner that is part of an international symposium sponsored by Lord Gilford.

Lord Adrian Fielding, brother of the Duke of Langham (from book three), was a new and very young Foreign Office diplomat five years ago when his mentor committed suicide. He’d befriended the man’s young daughter, but, after the suicide, he was immediately sent away from Rome to another posting without even being able to say goodbye. He’d caught a glimpse of her two years ago, but she wouldn’t speak with him and seemed very angry. Now, he’s at this symposium – and she is here – and still angry. Why? He’s tried to find her since their encounter two years ago, but it seemed there was no trace of her. He hopes to make things right with her.

Since this is a romance – with a mystery tagging along for the ride – we’ll need to know a tad about the mystery. Jane finds Lord Gilford stabbed to death in his study. Who could have done such a thing? There is no shortage of suspects as the house is full of foreign dignitaries, servants, Foreign Office representatives, and family. Detective Inspector Eversham (from book 1) is immediately called in and enlists Adrian’s assistance. They would prefer to leave Jane out of it, but she insists on helping as Lord Gilford was one of the very few to give her a helping hand after her father’s suicide. As they work through the clues – and uncover other happenings at the Foreign Office – the danger to them increases, and they grow closer. While the identity of the antagonist didn’t surprise me, the depths of his depravity did.

I can definitely recommend this book and this series. While this isn’t my favorite of the series, it was a lovely read, an exciting mystery, and provided us with a well-deserved HEA. We also got nice visits with the main characters of the previous books and a sweet epilogue. I hope you’ll give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.