Tag: Grace Burrowes

Lady Violet Attends a Wedding by Grace Burrowes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Lady Violet Attends a Wedding (The Lady Violet Mysteries, #2)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Lady Violet Mysteries #2
Publication Date: 2/22/22 (First Published 11/25/21
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 245

We still don’t have a resolution to the love triangle in the series, so that aspect of the book troubles me. I love a romance in my historical mysteries, and I’m sure this will have one – eventually. After all, it is a Grace Burrowes book and she writes superb romances. However, I don’t care for triangles and really wanted a quick resolution. I must say though, it is written very well. It isn’t one of those triangles where the men are constantly at odds and argumentative. Instead, they seem to have formed a bit of a friendship and are both bent on protecting and looking out for Violet. I like that and I hate that – because one of them is going to be really hurt. But, maybe our intrepid author will handle that one with aplomb as well.

Lady Violet Belmaine has not dealt well with her widowhood – not that she was a happily married lady. She just had trouble dealing with it all, but thanks to the ministrations of Dr. Hugh St. Sevier she’s beginning to come out of hiding. She recently attended a house party and now she is on the way to attend her youngest brother’s wedding. It is hard to believe her sweet brother, Felix, is marrying. However, an accident as they arrive at the estate nearly takes Violet’s life and puts her out of commission for a little while. Luckily, her traveling companion, Hugh, manages to pull her from the raging waters and then treat her injuries.

Dr. Hugh St. Sevier is a French émigré who served with the English in the wars against Napoleon. It hurt him beyond belief to serve against his countrymen, but he couldn’t support Napoleon. As a physician in the wars, he did his best to heal soldiers from both sides even though each side mistrusted him. He is also totally besotted with Violet.

Sebastian, Marquess of Dunkeld was a Colonel in the English army – a war hero. He also had a history with Violet. Sebastian was totally besotted with Violet and asked her father if he could court her. Her father refused – and did even worse – he belittled Sebastian and told him Violet did as well. Violet wasn’t aware that her friend had asked to court her – she would have welcomed it – but she was never given the chance.

Felix is entirely besotted with his bride-to-be, Katie Engle, and she is entirely besotted with him. That should certainly mean many years of happiness in their future. However, they must manage to marry first, and fate seems to be conspiring against them. Something must be amiss with the Engle finances because her father has yet to show up to discuss the marriage settlements. Then, the worst thing of all: Katie goes missing! No, she didn’t get cold feet and run away, she is well and truly missing. England’s weather has conspired to make searching nearly impossible and if Katie is exposed to the elements, she may not survive.

Will they find Katie? Will her parents finally show up to sign the marriage settlements? You’ll just have to read the book to find out. I can definitely recommend it as it is a lovely read.

View all my reviews

Never A Duke by Grace Burrowes

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Never a Duke (Rogues to Riches, #7)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Rogues to Riches
Publication Date: 4/26/22
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 383

I always enjoy Grace Burrowes’ writing style – partially because she chooses wording that makes you feel as if you are actually in that period listening to a real conversation, and she does it without it sounding stilted. The characters are very likable and relatable, and I loved reading the author’s notes telling how she got the inspiration for this story. Sometimes, real-life really is stranger than fiction.

I really, really liked Lady Rosalind Kinwood. She is strong, resilient, intelligent, compassionate, outspoken, and very determined – all without being overpowering. You would think the daughter of an Earl would be spoiled and haughty, but Rosalind isn’t. She hasn’t had the ‘soft’ life most would expect because her father (and brothers) are obnoxious, overbearing, demeaning, and have no clue about how to handle their own money or the estates.

Edward (Ned) Wentworth had his life – as he knew it – snatched from him when he was about eight. His father was press-ganged by the Navy, leaving Ned and his brother to fend for themselves. That is where Ned met the duke and where his life was forever changed for the better. Ned is dedicated to the Wentworth family, dedicated to the bank he manages, loves his found family beyond belief, and believes strongly in justice. Goodness, he is a wonderfully honorable man.

When Rosalind approaches Ned to help her find out what happened to not one, but two of her lady’s maids, Ned accepts and they begin asking questions. It doesn’t take them long to learn that many young, unmarried, attractive, virtuous women have gone missing. The investigation causes Ned and Rosalind to spend time together – and to come to care for each other. Their love grows, but, of course, there are many obstacles in their way – and most of those obstacles are her father and brothers. What can they do to overcome those obstacles? Mmmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

I absolutely LOVED the solution to the mystery – and the ending of the book was absolutely wonderful. Talk about a feel-good HEA that checks all of the boxes – this was it. It was also wonderful to visit with characters from previous books and see where they are in their lives. I can certainly recommend the book – and the series. I hope you’ll read it and enjoy it as much as I did.

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

View all my reviews