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 Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

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A Bride by MorningA Bride by Morning by Katrina Kendrick

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Private Arrangements, #3

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Ten years ago Miss Lydia Cecil said goodbye to her dearest friend and the love of her life, Gabriel St. Clair, the younger son of the Earl of Montgomery, as he set out for his first diplomatic posting. Gabriel tells her it will only be for a few years and asks her to promise that she wait for him, as he wants to court her properly before he marries her, it is a promise she is happy to give and a promise she keeps, even when a few years turns into seven and his letters cease. It is a promise she keeps when he finally returns to England after unexpectedly inheriting the earldom upon the untimely death of his father and brother and he refuses to see her or even acknowledge her. Even that will not stop her from loving him, but everyone has their limits and Lydia is close to hers.

Gabriel is no longer the young man Lydia knew, and knowing him now could prove fatal for her. For the last three years, he has watched her from afar, knowing he can never have her. His time abroad may have started in the diplomatic service, but soon he was dragged into the dangerous game of espionage between England and Russia, transitioning from diplomat to assassin and making enemies aplenty. When he was called home to take up the title, Gabriel distanced himself from Lydia, primarily to keep her from learning what a soulless beast he had become but also to keep her safe. But when they meet in a dark garden and she is witness to his past in Russia catching up to him, there is no choice, he will have to marry her to keep her safe. But can he keep her safe from him? And will he be able to walk away from her when the current threat is eliminated?

This was a new-to-me author and WOW – just WOW – How did I never hear about Katrina Kendrick (Elizabeth May) before now? Her writing style has everything that I love; witty banter, great characters, danger, action, steamy love scenes, and a soulmate-type love. I loved this story, Gabriel is a tortured soul and while I felt like he carried the “I can’t be with her” nonsense for way too long, I loved him. Lydia is the perfect heroine, true to her heart and willing to fight for her love, but she has her limits and won’t be a doormat. This is the third book in the series, I haven’t read the other books (clearly, I am going to have to go and check out her backlist!), but I didn’t have any problem following this story. I highly recommend this title, and if you liked Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels, you will love this book.

*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.*

Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian by Stephanie Laurens

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Miss Flibbertigibbet and the Barbarian (Cynsters Next Generation #12)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Cynster Next Generation #12
Publication Date: 3/16/23
Period: Victorian – 1854
Number of Pages: 399

Stephanie Laurens’s books are always excellent reads. While I will agree with some other reviewers and say that those first Cynster books were some of the best-ever books – maybe the first 6-8 books. I would have given them more than five stars if I could have. Saying that doesn’t mean that all of the later Cynster books aren’t first-rate, they just aren’t quite where the first ones were.

Nicholas Cynster is the oldest son of Demon and Felicity Cynster (A Rogue’s Proposal -Cynster #4). Nicholas and all the members of his family are horse mad, and that is why they own the premier thoroughbred breeding stable in England. Nicholas is delighted to be managing those stables since his parents have moved to London. All is quiet at the stables with his parents and both siblings gone – at least it was quiet until he got word about a sighting of a thoroughbred that had disappeared from the racing books several books. The Barbarian would be a boon to their breeding program and Nicholas is determined to acquire him. A trip of several days to Aisby Grange to negotiate with the Earl of Aisby is totally worthwhile.

Lady Adriana Sommerville has been running the estate for quite some time so her mother can spend all of her time caring for the Earl who has been suffering from bouts of extreme brain fog (Alzheimer’s). They keep everyone as far away as they can so word about the Earl doesn’t spread – it could mean disaster for all of them. However, what is she to do when this tall, handsome man appears at a most inopportune time? He has already seen her as her normal self because she didn’t know he was there and now can’t don her Miss Flibbertigibbet personality that is usually so effective at keeping others – especially men – away.

Just when Nicholas thinks all is settled and he’s ready to purchase the horse, The Barbarian is stolen right out of his paddock and the thief has several hour’s head start on them. With so many villages and so many roads, it will take them forever to rescue the horse – but rescue him they will.

It was an entertaining ‘road trip’ story with unexpected twists and turns. The thief will surprise you as will the reason and when you throw in some family drama along with that, you have a really entertaining read. I hope you will enjoy Nicholas and Adriana’s journey to their HEA as much as I did.

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