Tag: Anna Bradley

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere by Anna Bradley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere (The Swooning Virgins Society, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Swooning Virgins Society #3
Publication Date: 6/1/21
Number of Pages: 320

This was a delightfully entertaining, fast-paced, well-written story. I absolutely loved both of the main characters, and it was also fun to have a visit with the main characters from previous books. The Prologue nicely introduces the two main characters and to my delight, it also has an epilogue – way to go Anna Bradley!

Georgiana Harley was the only one of Lady Clifford’s girls who happened to be home when the Duchess of Kenilworth came to call. During the call, Lady Clifford and Georgiana learned that the duchess was requesting them to investigate what had happened to Clara Beauchamp who mysteriously disappeared about six years previous. Since the duchess’s patronage could greatly benefit their school, they readily accepted the task. As part of her request, the duchess insisted that nobody could know that she was seeking information about Clara – or anything else about the investigation. That particularly applied to her brother Benedict Harcourt, the Earl of Haslemere – and it also applied to her husband, the Duke of Kenilworth. Secrecy was of the utmost importance. Georgiana begins her investigation at the unlikeliest of places for her – a masque ball. As someone who is bookish and detests the aristocracy, the last place she wants to be is at a ball filled with them.

Benedict had noticed something was off with both his nephew, Freddy, and his sister, Jane, but neither confided anything in him, so he did his best to ignore it. Ignoring it became impossible after conversations he overheard at a masque ball on his first night back in London. He’ll do whatever he has to do; step on anybody’s toes; run roughshod over anybody he has to in order to assure his sister and nephew are safe and happy. He tries to insinuate himself into Georgiana’s investigation, but she’s having none of it – until he makes her an offer she cannot refuse.

Benedict and Georgiana form an uneasy alliance – neither really wanting the other involved, but since they cannot get around it, they will work together. Until – well – things aren’t exactly uneasy anymore and a relationship begins to form and grow. Will they be able to survive the investigation? There is more to it than readily meets the eye and now they’ve placed themselves and others in danger with the questions they’ve asked.

You will absolutely adore Benedict, the rogue who really wasn’t, and Georgiana, the mathematician without a heart, who found she actually had a very loving nature. There are two delightful little urchins, Sarah and Susannah, who open – and close – the book, and you will laugh and smile at their antics.

I can definitely recommend this book. It is a wonderfully entertaining read with delightful characters and a fast-paced and interesting story. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

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

The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington by Anna Bradley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)1 Comment

The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington (The Swooning Virgins Society, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Swooning Virgins Society #2
Publication Date: 2/2/21
Number of Pages: 265
****4.5 Stars Rounded Up ****

This is a wonderful addition to the series featuring the ladies from the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. This book isn’t quite as on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting as the first book in the series, The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray, but it doesn’t need to be because the character’s makeup and backgrounds are different. The story is well-written, well-plotted, and populated with characters you will love – all of them. Just so you know – not that it makes any difference to the story – the Book Blurb says Cecilia goes undercover as a governess. She does not – she goes first as a housemaid and then moves into the nursery as a nursemaid.

Gideon Rhys, Marquess of Darlington, is known as the Murderous Marquess because everyone believes he murdered his wife. That rumor didn’t start for a while after his wife died, but when it did start, it spread with a vengeance. Gideon has spent the last year inside Darlington Castle, mourning his wife and trying to come to grips with the multiple tragedies in his life. Now, he owes it to his title and to his niece Isabelle to marry again and have children. He’s certainly not looking for love a second time, he’s had that and the loss of it has broken him. When he meets Miss Fanny Honeywell, he decides to offer for her – not because he loves her, but because she is graceful, lovely, biddable, and would probably make a good mother for Isabella. After the betrothal, he heads back to Darlington Castle because he’s heard the rumors of the White Ghost who is making appearances around Darlington Castle. He believes it is just a rumor, but, if it isn’t, he has to find out what is going on. Shortly after his arrival, he finds a woman by his lake – throwing stones into it. After he confronts her, she identifies herself as a new housemaid. He knows she is lying to him – he just doesn’t believe her – and so he dismisses her. You’ll find he dismisses her several times – none of them stick.

Cecilia Gilchrist doesn’t understand why Lady Amanda Clifford chose her to go undercover at Darlington Castle. She’s not as skilled as the other ladies at the school mostly because she is too soft-hearted and always believes the best of everyone. She just doesn’t feel she has the skills she needs to deceive the Darlington household and uncover the real facts behind the death of the last Lady Darlington. As her investigation continues – and she manages to keep herself employed there – she finds herself more and more attracted to the Marquess. One moment she believes he must be guilty because all of the facts say so – and the next moment her heart tells her it just can’t be true.

I love the slight gothic feel to the story. As you read, you come to feel as if you know what happened, but there are no facts to say so – and then there is the big reveal and you know all. The revelation might surprise – and it might not – but it is exciting to read. While it took Gideon a bit to come to his senses, we finally get our HEA – and the epilogue is sweet and romantic.

I definitely recommend this book. You’ll love Isabella who is Gideon’s four-year-old niece. I also enjoyed the staff, Mrs. Briggs, Amy, and Duncan, but my favorite was Gideon’s friend, Lord Haslemere, who I believe will be featured in the next book of the series.

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