Tag: Robyn DeHart

Gentlemen and Gloves Anthology by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Gentlemen & GlovesGentlemen & Gloves by Various Authors

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lords and Ladies of St. James, #5

Release Date: February 20, 2024

This fun new anthology features six new exclusive novellas by some of your favorite historical romance authors all featuring gentlemen and gloves. Here are a few of my favorite novellas, each with varying steam levels and tropes, but each an enjoyable read! In my opinion, this collection is worth buying, not only is the price amazing, but even if you only read one or two of the selections included in the anthology you will be delighted and know that it was money well spent.

Unmasked at Midnight by Collette Cameron, 4 stars – Lord Darius Westbrook has sold his commission in the Navy, moved to Woodhaven, and is the proud owner of Westbrook’s Book & Coffee Emporium. He will be opening the shop in a couple of months and plans to celebrate the opening with a masked event, featuring several authors reading their works. But despite the work he has to do, he has already set his sights on his next task – courting the lovely Eudora Clarke, regardless of his twin brother’s objections. In fact, he was watching the beauteous Miss Clarke when he met the vicar’s daughter, Araminta Weldon, thanks to her pet goose, Sir Waddlesby. Miss Weldon convinces him to let her operate her lending library in his shop and suggests that he stock books by Madame Quillheart (her secret nom de plume). Will Darius realize that Araminta is the true treasure or will he continue to pursue a beautiful but poisonous viper? Heat Level: Sweet/No Steam

The Virgin Widow by Robyn Dehart, 4 stars – Agatha Pennybrook, the widowed Countess of Tolley, has just completed her mourning period and her parents are pushing for her to remarry, but Agatha has decided that she doesn’t want to marry again, but without a fortune to support herself, she will need a way to make a living and believes that being a mistress would be her best bet, the problem is her late husband was sick and died shortly after they married, leaving her a virgin. So to learn about the profession she plans to enter, she seeks out the knowledge of London’s most infamous madame, Lady Leblanc. But it is not the madame who offers to teach her, it is the madame’s gorgeous son Sebastian St. Claire, one of the “Notorious Bastards”. Sebastian and Agatha burn up the pages and fall in love, but there are things they don’t know about each other – things that could rip them apart and break their hearts. Heat Level: Steamy/Open Door

Kiss the Duke Goodbye by Tracy Sumner, 4 stars, – Thanks to his late father’s mismanagement and poor financial sense, Knoxville DeWitt, the Duke of Herschel needs to find a rich bride to save the dukedom and he knows he has a duty to his family, tenants, and servants, but his heart longs to marry for love. He suspects that he has already found that love, Clarissa Marlowe, but she is completely unsuitable, not because she is a milliner, but because she doesn’t have a fortune. He has been visiting her and flirting for months, and when he finally suggests an affair, he is surprised when she agrees. They meet at her cottage and end up spending several days together thanks to a snowstorm. It is clear that they are perfect for each other, but love doesn’t pay the bills, will they find a way to save the estate and be together or will they sacrifice their love for duty? Heat Level: Very Warm to Steamy/Open Door.

This was a great collection with several different tropes, and heat levels at a great price – I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to my fellow HR readers.

*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.*

The Marquess and the Maiden by Robyn DeHart

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)3 Comments

The Marquess and the Maiden (Lords of Vice, #2)The Marquess and the Maiden by Robyn DeHart

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of Vice, #2

Release Date: September 10, 2018

Six years ago, Lady Harriet Wheatley’s mother had a plan, Harriet would marry Oliver Weeks, the Marquess of Davenport, her dearest friend’s son. Oliver has inherited a bankrupt estate, been injured and dumped by his would be betrothed and Harriet has a huge dowry and 2 unsuccessful seasons under her belt – it is a win – win for everyone! Too bad Oliver didn’t fall in line with the plan, he told Harriet in no uncertain terms, he would not marry her – – he didn’t want her dowry or her. Harriet is crushed, not that she was overly keen on marrying him, but rejection is rejection. She vows that she will only marry for love or not at all.

Fast forward six years, Oliver has singlehandedly restored his family fortune and then some. To Harriet, he seems to waste his money and as a member of the Ladies of Virtue, she feels it is her responsibility to show him the error of his ways, especially since the group has been forced to curtail their crime fighting activities thanks to an enemy known only as Lady X. When Oliver’s mother suggests that he marry, he agrees with her, but states that he hasn’t been in society for years and most women are frighten of him. His mother suggests that Harriet might be able to help him find a bride, he is surprised that she is still unwed and when he sees her again, wonders if the men of London are blind – she is not the traditional willowy figured woman that is lauded by the ton, she is petite, curvy and has a magnificent bosom – not that he is looking. He approaches her and is delighted to find that she is no longer the timid mouse he remembered by a feisty spitfire, who tells him that he will need more than a fortune to find a wife, she offers him a deal, he stops his spending and she will help him – NO. A couple of weeks later, he realizes she was right and asks for her help, she refuses. But when she learns he owns a property that she can use for secret meetings and training for her group, she reconsiders. Oliver has decided on his bride – Harriet. But still stinging from his rejection years ago, she thinks he is toying with her.

They grow closer and share some heated kisses, Oliver repeatedly tries to prove he wants her and she repeatedly rebuffs him. Finally Oliver forces her hand and they end up married, but he makes it clear he can never love her. Can Harriet accept this? Will passion be enough? Will Oliver get his head out of his butt before it is too late?

I’ll be honest, this story was just okay, I have a really hard time believing the author that wrote the Legend Hunter series is the same author writing this series. The whole Ladies of Virtue angle is a bit ridiculous, crime fighting debutantes, really?? I felt like Harriet’s insecurities and refusal to believe that Oliver found her attractive dragged on too long and became annoying. This along with some major title errors, some inconsistencies and some completely unbelievable scenarios made this a 3 star read. Upside, the story was cute and very steamy (YES!!), both Oliver and Harriet were likeable people, their interactions were for the most part amusing and entertaining, the secondary characters added to the story, but didn’t overshadow the leads and the ending was very sweet.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*