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

Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise

On By TracyIn Debut Novel, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)4 Comments

Never Blow a Kiss (Secret Society of Governess Spies, #1)Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Secret Society of Governess Spies, #1

Release Date: January 23, 2023

Emily Leverton is not your typical governess, she is not a genteel lady fallen on hard times, no, she is a rough and tumble girl who was raised on the streets. But she was determined to have a better life and escaped the streets as soon as she was able. She knows she is a terrible governess, but she does her best and is shocked when she is summoned to meet the owner of the most prestigious governess agency in England – Perdita’s Governess Agency. She meets with the “Dove” and is offered a unique opportunity, she will be trained as a governess and spy. The Dove wants information on the elite upper classes who often get away with heinous crimes, she wants to make sure they pay for their crimes like anyone else, and having a spy in the household to gather information is invaluable. Emily agrees and hopes by helping the Dove bring down corrupt members of the ton she will be making amends for the sins of her past. While working for the Earl of Eastmoreland’s family she is called upon to deliver a forgotten fan to Lady Minnie, the earl’s eldest daughter at the ball she was attending. It is there that she spies a man being besieged by a marriage-minded mama and her daughters, when she catches his eye, she spontaneously blows him a kiss before exiting the ballroom, never expecting to see him again. But to her complete shock, he follows her and makes his interest known. Emily would love nothing more than to accept his attentions, but she has secrets; big secrets that would ruin them both. She tries to brush him off, but when she learns that he is working on a case for the police, she changes her mind and decides that helping him helps her too. She just needs to remember to keep her distance and guard her heart from wanting what she can never have.

Zachariah “Zach” Denholm was born and raised in Whitechapel as the son of a butcher. He made his fortune through smart investments and is now one of the richest men in London. Never one to laze about, Zach works as a Detective Constable for the Metropolitan Police and is currently working on a case involving the brutal murders of prostitutes in the Bethnal Green slums. The press has dubbed the killer the “Evangelist” and mentions Zach’s participation in the case, making him even more popular in the ton – which is the last thing he wants. When a cheeky governess blows him a kiss, he is intrigued and when he meets her, he is snared. He knows she is not what she pretends to be and that just makes him want her more. The more time they spend together, the harder he falls, and though she denies it, he is sure she is falling too. But Emily is not like any woman he has ever known and winning her will not be easy but he is sure the extra effort will be worth it. But when her big secret is revealed, Zach feels a moment of doubt, and that is all Emily needs to walk out of his life. Will he realize his mistake before it’s too late or has he lost her forever?

OMG, OMG, OMG – I LOVED this book! I am so impressed by this new-to-me author, I love her writing style and the fact that she nailed the titles and proper address was just a surprise bonus for me. Emily and Zach are wonderful characters and so easy to like, and even though there is technically adultery in the book – I didn’t even care – I KNOW, I can hardly believe it myself, but the way the author handled it was perfect and it was a complete non-issue for me. The book has so much going on but it never felt “busy”, it was close to perfect and definitely a keeper. The book has secrets, murder, witty banter, lots of emotion, great secondary characters, more than one villain, a mysterious benefactor, steamy love scenes, a bit of heartache, a couple of nail-biter scenes, a few tears, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I cannot wait for the next book and I think I might actually read her upcoming contemporary paranormal romance that is coming out this fall – If you know anything about me and the books I read, you will be floored by that statement – Needless to say, I highly recommend this title, it is the first book in a new series and in my opinion, is a must-read!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

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Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

On By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Mystery, Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Protecting Her HeartProtecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Matchmakers, #3

Release Date: January 2, 2024

Charlotte Duvall finished her medical school training in Pennsylvania and had secured a job at St. Anne’s Women and Children’s Clinic in New York, when she received an urgent, yet cryptic letter from her father, begging her to return to England. The letter was regarding the death of her mother and warned of danger and long-kept secrets and implied that her mother, Katerine Duvall’s death was not an accident, he also claimed he had proof and wanted her help. She had put in for a leave of absence from her job to return to England to see him and was making travel arrangements when she got word from her eldest brother that their father was ill and his prognosis was not promising. Sadly, he passed before she arrived home, leaving her to figure out what he meant in his letter. At her father’s funeral she is reunited with her cousins Amelie and Eva, as well as their husbands and her dear friend Johnathan “John” Ellis, director of the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (the only other unmarried person in their circle of friends). She tells them of her father’s letter and they promise to help her. She is grateful and decides to stay in England, she even finds work at a hospital for the underprivileged. Things seem to be going well, but almost as soon as she starts investigating, it becomes clear that her father was not wrong about the danger. She is attacked and warned to return to America, but her attacker underestimates Charlotte and her friends, especially John.

John is the second son of the Earl of Ashby and is happy working for the Metropolitan Police Force, despite his family’s dismay. He has worked hard and achieved success on his merit, not his family’s name. When Charlotte returns, John realizes how much he missed her and how much deeper his feelings go beyond friendship. He isn’t sure if Charlotte feels the same, and knows that she has just begun her career, one that she would most likely have to give up if she married, so he plans to keep his feelings to himself and maintain his distance. But when Charlotte is attacked, nothing will stop him from protecting her and keeping her close. Working together, along with their friends and his colleague, security professional, Mr. Dirk, they will find the truth about Katherine’s death. But the closer they get, the more deadly their quest becomes, will they find the answers they seek, or will their unknown foe continue to elude them?

This was a great historical romantic mystery, I loved it and felt that the author struck the perfect balance between romance and mystery, both getting equal consideration. Charlotte and John have a wonderful chemistry and it is clear from the start that they are perfect for each other and I couldn’t help but root for their HEA. The story is centered around the mysterious death of Charlotte’s mother and will have readers second-guessing themselves as to who is the actual villain, it is a story filled with secrets, forbidden love, hatred, jealousy, danger, murder, prejudices, great friends, true love, kisses and finally revelations, answers, and closure, leading to a very satisfying HEA ending. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title, I had not read the first two books and had no problem understanding the character interactions, but now I want to read the first two books (there goes the “I won’t buy any more books until I read the ones I already have” New Year’s resolution – LOL) I am happy to recommend this title and will be looking forward to reading the other books in the series, and hoping for a book for Dirk!!!

4.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*