Tag: Mary Lancaster

Lost Lover by Mary Lancaster

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

Lost Lover (Crime & Passion Book 4)

Barbara’s rating: 4.5
Series: Crime & Passion #4
Publication Date: 10/10/23
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 270

I was thrilled when I saw there was a new addition to the Crime & Passion series! We got three books – one right after the other – in 2021 and then they stopped, so I was afraid there wouldn’t be any more of them. Since I really loved our sleuths, Grizelda (Griz) and Tizsa, I didn’t want the series to be over! Well, now they are back and this time they are helping Lord James Andover and Elizabeth Barker – and believe me – those two really need help!

Lord James Andover, youngest son of a marquess, has just been released from Newgate prison after serving three years. Now, he is out for revenge and to be sure that whoever was responsible for his wrongful conviction is the one in Newgate. The person who committed the crime isn’t a secret – everybody knows who did it – yet there is no proof. James wants that person – and he wants everyone who conspired with him. To that end, he is following the man’s wife in hopes she will lead him to the stolen diamonds and the proof he needs. Though her home is modest on the outside, he’s quite sure the inside will be sumptuous – after all – well – stolen diamonds. And . . . why isn’t she living with her husband?

Elizabeth Barker was just seventeen years old when Joshua Jarman wooed her into sneaking off to marry him. He put on a false front and made her believe that he loved her and that he was undoubtedly a better alternative than those staid old bankers her father was trying to marry her off to. That was the worst mistake of her young life and she’s paid for it ever since. As soon as she could, she ran away from him and had only just returned to London. She knows nothing about a diamond robbery and certainly doesn’t have access to any diamonds – but she lives in constant fear that Jarman will find her.

When Jarman is found dead – in Elizabeth’s bedroom – she or James should be the prime suspect, but our amateur sleuths don’t believe either of them are guilty and set about helping them find the guilty party. They’ll have their work cut out because Jarman is not a popular fellow – even among his fellow criminals. With a suspect list a mile long, can they actually manage to identify the real culprit(s)?

Goodness, it was fun to watch Griz and Tizsa help guide the investigation through the lowest and highest parts of London where we encounter mightier-than-thou Lords and lowlier-than-the-low criminal elements. Of course, it was also great fun to watch Elizabeth and James come to trust and love each other as they worked through the case. That said, I would have appreciated it being just a tad longer because I wanted more of a wrap-up for family matters – like James’s sister and her outcome, etc. Plus – I NEVER want a story to end before the wedding.

From the spooky beginning through the harrowing end, this was an exciting read. The main characters were relatable and interesting and the supporting characters were such an eclectic mix that I hope to see more of them in future additions to the series. I recommend this book and I hope you will 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.

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Under the Harvest Moon Anthology by Collected Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Under the Harvest MoonUnder the Harvest Moon by Collette Cameron, Caroline Warfield, Rue Allyn, Mary Lancaster, Alina K. Field, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Sherry Ewing, Cerise DeLand, and Jude Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology – Several novellas are connected to other series

Release Date: October 10, 2023

Nine award-winning and bestselling authors have combined their talents to create this engaging and enchanting collection of interrelated tales. Under the Harvest Moon promises an unforgettable read for fans of Regency romance.

As the village of Reabridge in Cheshire prepares for the first Harvest Festival following Waterloo, families are overjoyed to welcome back their loved ones from the war.

But excitement quickly turns to mystery when mere weeks before the festival, an orphaned child turns up in the town—a toddler born near Toulouse to an English mother who left clues that tie her to Reabridge.

With two prominent families feuding for generations and the central event of the Harvest Moon festival looming, tensions rise, and secrets begin to surface.

I thought every novella in this anthology was great and I have reviewed some of my favorites below:

Coming Home by Mary Lancaster, 4.5 stars – Captain David Buckley has returned home to Reabridge after years of war, but before he can think about his future, he will have to settle his past. While visiting his late wife’s family, he meets Lady Lorna Gaveston when she literally falls into his arms. They form an instant friendship, and when a rejected suitor causes her grief, they work together to sort it out, growing closer as they do. Will David be able to forgive his past mistakes or will his guilt prevent him from pursuing new love?

A Love Beyond Time by Sherry Ewing, 4 stars – Eight years ago, Hannah Pownall had her heart broken when Lord Brandon Worthington’s father made him leave, but when they part, he declares his undying love and asks her to wait for him. When Brandon returns to the town of Reabridge to recover from his war injuries, he is stunned (and relieved) to find that Hannah is still unwed. But is it possible to turn back time and recapture the love of a lifetime, or have they missed their chance?

The Widow’s Harvest Hope by Cerise DeLand, 4.5 stars – Once upon a time, Stafford “Ford” Barlow, was the third son of an earl with no prospects beyond working as his family’s estate manager when he fell madly in love with Victorine “Vicky” Fortin, a French émigré, during the Harvest Festival. They spent one night together and Ford asked her to marry him, only to learn that she was betrothed. Heartbroken, Ford joins the army hoping to forget Vicky. Now six years later, Ford is the Earl and Vicky is the widowed Baroness Wright, and they are once again together for the Harvest Festival and it is clear that their feelings haven’t changed. Will this time end in happily ever after or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Love In Its Season by Jude Knight, 5 stars – Jack Wrath is at loose ends, the injuries he sustained at Waterloo caused him to lose the use of one arm and ended his career in the cavalry. With no home to speak of, he escorts Dr. Adam Wagner home to Reabridge. Gwen Hughes has her hands full trying to run a farrier business and care for her father who is suffering from dementia. They meet when she is being harassed by a “handsy” customer and Jack intervenes, he sends the lordling on his way and offers to stay with her father when Gwen’s usual caregiver is unable to stay with him. Love blossoms, but can these two flawed people let go of their insecurities and claim their happily ever after?

I found all the novellas to be well-written and entertaining, they were all seamlessly connected and moved the underlying story of the toddler along nicely. The installments were filled with wonderful characters, lots of emotion, true love, acceptance, forgiveness, low/no steam love scenes, friendship, heartache, and lots of HEAs. I enjoyed this entire anthology and will definitely be adding some of these authors’ connected backlist books to my TBR pile!

*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.*