Tag Archives: Historical

Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid – a Review

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Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid – a Review

 

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Description:
Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam is too witty and bookish for her own good. No gentleman of the ton will marry her, so her parents arrange for her to wed a man old enough to be her father. But Maryann is ready to use those wits to turn herself into a sinful wallflower.

When the scandal sheet reports a sighting of Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, climbing out the chamber windows of a house party, Maryann does the unthinkable. She anonymously claims that the bedchamber belonged to none other than Miss Fitzwilliam, tarnishing her own reputation—and chances of the dastardly union her family secured for her. Now she just needs to convince the marquess to keep his silence.

Turns out Nicolas allows for the scandal to perpetuate for his own reasons… But when Maryann’s parents hold fast to their arranged marriage plan, it’ll take a scandal of epic proportions for these two to get out of this together.

Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess

 

Review:

Her Wicked Marquess is a historical romance and what a wonderful romance it is. Stacy Reid is a new author for me, but I will be reading much more of her work. I don’t do spoilers, but I can tell you the basic setup and what I found so wonderful about this novel.

Lady Maryann Elanor Fitzwilliam is a brilliant young woman of society, but a wickedly mean daughter of a duke, Sophie, has given her the distinction of wallflower because she wouldn’t follow her wicked instructions and be mean to others. She has watched as this young woman has tormented many others and is now out for a little revenge. At a ball at her mother’s home, Vanguard Hall, she intends to embarrass the wicked Sophie. For this, she has enlisted the help of her brother Crispin, who would be wearing a golden mask as she wore a mask as well. Several people had shown up wearing masks but took them off when her mother insisted. They hoped the masks would help them not be recognized if anyone saw them. When he showed up at the place she was hiding, he acted a little different, but she thought that it was because he didn’t approve of what she was doing. She was grateful for his help. She asked for the bucket of critters and he disappeared for a moment and returned with a bucket of snakes, frogs… She had Crispin dump the critters into the ballroom through an open window just as Sophie came walking by.

There is much more entertaining detail, but this is just the basic. The delight of any book is in the details and this novel is totally delightful. Author Stacy Reid spins a marvelous tale.

Nicholas Charles St. Ives, Marquess of Rothbury came to the ball to make his way into the private rooms and further his investigations of Viscount Crispin Fitzwilliam. He wanted to search for evidence that he was the black Dahlia, a person who would figure in his own acts of revenge. However, he found the sister of Crispin to be a most fascinating and unusual woman.

That’s just how the beginning chapter opens and there are so many more interesting details for you to discover. Now let me tell you what I found so very inspiring about this marvelous novel.

The pace is quick, it goes from the fun of the little critter attack to much more serious things. The dialog is natural feeling and incredibly witty. The characters are fabulous and completely compelling. The romance that blooms is not just steamy but “smokin”. There are dangers and plot twists that I did not see coming. As I said earlier, I will be reading much more of author Stacy Reid’s work. Please, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this compelling and thoroughly entertaining story and have yourself one wonderful read!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman – a Review

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The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman – a Review

 

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Description:
A professional spy for a mysterious Library which harvests fiction from different realities, Irene faces a series of assassination attempts that threaten to destroy her and everything she has worked for.

Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian’s job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected. But when they both narrowly avoid getting killed in an assassination attempt, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left – especially when the assassins keep coming for them, and for Irene’s other friends as well…

In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do best: search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever.

 

 

Review:

The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman is the 7th book in her The Invisible Library series.  I accidentally downloaded this book, and decided to read it anyway; and I am happy to say that even though this is the 7th book, I enjoyed it very much.  Cogman manages to give you information early on about Irene, our heroine, learning much more about her along the way.  Now if time allows, I will need to go back and read the first book, as I found this series looks like something I should be reading.

Irene Winters, our heroine, is a Librarian and a professional spy for the mysterious Library; which collects all kinds of important works of fictions from different realities.  I learned quickly that Irene is one of the best there is, having very powerful abilities as a librarian to use to protect and defend.  I loved how Irene was able to use her voice to do amazing things, such as open or lock doors, make people do what she says, drop books down on attackers, disable bombs, etc.  I really did get a kick out of all of that, as well as meeting the different species that are friends or enemies of Irene, such as Kai, her assistant and now lover (Dragon), Vale (best detective in world), Catherine (new and Fae) and the villians, Alberich and Lady Guantes.

The excitement begins almost immediately, when Irene and Vale fall into a trap, putting their lives in danger, which becomes a shocker when a man she killed awhile back is alive and threatening to kill her.  Irene uses her skills to free them, and quickly goes to find Kai and Catherine, knowing they will be probably be attacked too.  She does get there in time, to save them from being poisoned; and together with Vale, they learn that Lady Guantes is behind the attacks, and working with someone who is helping bring her dead husband back. Irene is determined to protect Catherine, who is new and in training, but Catherine wants to stay with them.

What follows is an exciting, intense, action filled adventure that pits Irene and her friends in danger quite often. She suspects that her nemesis, Alberich is behind everything, and working with Lady Guantes. The group try to find clues, but walk into a trap, as everything falls apart, and Irene is unable to break the spells, fearing her friends will all be killed. From start to finish, the action was nonstop all the way.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and that would ruin it for you, especially if you are like me, starting on this book.

The Dark Archive was an amazing, fun, tense and exciting story, that was very well written by Genevieve Cogman. Irene Winters was a wonderful fantastic heroine, smart, savvy, brave, and loyal.   The end was a wild climax to a great story, and the epilogue promises more exciting things to come in the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Give Way to Night by Cass Morris – a Review

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Give Way to Night by Cass Morris – a Review

 

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Description:
The second book of the Aven Cycle explores a magical Rome-inspired empire, where senators, generals, and elemental mages vie for power.

Latona of the Vitelliae, mage of Spirit and Fire, is eager to wield her newfound empowerment on behalf of the citizens of Aven–but societal forces conspire to keep her from exercising her gifts, even when the resurgence of a banished cult plots the city’s ruin. To combat this threat, Latona must ally with Fracture mage Vibia, the distrustful sister of Sempronius Tarren.

While Latona struggles to defend their home, Sempronius leads soldiers through wartorn provinces to lift the siege of Toletum, where Latona’s brother Gaius is hemmed in by supernatural forces. Sempronius must contend not only with the war-king Ekialde and his sorcerers, but with the machinations of political rivals and the temptations of his own soul, ever-susceptible to the darker side of ambition.

Though separated by many miles soon after their love affair began, Latona and Sempronius are united by passion as they strive to protect Aven and build its glorious future

 

 

Review:

Give Way to Night by Cass Morris is the 2nd book in her Aven Cycle series.  This is an epic fantasy that takes place in Aven, with an Ancient Rome background, where they worship the Roman Deity.  The story is filled with magic, intrigue, history and romance.  Give Way To Night was a good story, but I did have mixed feelings, which I will note later in my review.

Latona, our heroine in the first book, continues to be the main character in this story. Lataona is the middle sister of the Vitelliae family that is highly respected in Aven. She continues to learn more about her mage Spirit and Fire powers.  Latona is in a loveless marriage forced by her father, but she is loyal & very close to her sisters.  I really loved Latona, and her two sisters, Aula and Alhena, and how strong all three women truly were. It was great when Latona was able to work with Vibia and Merula, who I thought were also great.

Sempronius Tarren, continues to be our hero, and is out in the field with his men to try and find out who is trying to destroy Aven, especially with strange supernatural attacks. Tarren is a very powerful shadow mage.

What follows is an exciting adventure that will put Latona and the other ladies in dangerous situations a number of number times.   Tarren will also have his hands full trying fight the unknown enemy and save his soldiers.  There were a number of villians that both Latona & Vibia came up against, as well as Tarren’s soldiers fight against.   I loved everything about Latona, Vibia, Aula, Merula and their chapters. I thought Tarren’s chapters were good, but all the other chapters were tedious, with too much details and slow reading, causing me to lose interest, pushing along to get back to Latona and the ladies.

As much as I enjoyed the story revolving around Aven, Latona, her family, Tarren, supporters, I did have some feelings about the rest.  I thought the other chapters with various villians/political members over done with so much details, I ended up skipping much of it. Overall, Give Way to Night was a good story, with some very good characters.   There is a cliffhanger, which makes me want to read the final book; however, I am still on the fence, as this was a huge book, with so many details and characters, I did get lost a number of times along the way.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis-a review

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The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis-a review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 2019: Re-release December 2020

The bright lights of the theater district, the glamour and danger of 1950s New York, and the wild scene at the iconic Chelsea Hotel come together in a dazzling new novel about a twenty-year friendship that will irrevocably change two women’s lives–from the national bestselling author of The Dollhouse and The Address.

From the dramatic redbrick facade to the sweeping staircase dripping with art, the Chelsea Hotel has long been New York City’s creative oasis for the many artists, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and poets who have called it home–a scene playwright Hazel Riley and actress Maxine Mead are determined to use to their advantage. Yet they soon discover that the greatest obstacle to putting up a show on Broadway has nothing to do with their art, and everything to do with politics. A Red Scare is sweeping across America, and Senator Joseph McCarthy has started a witch hunt for communists, with those in the entertainment industry in the crosshairs. As the pressure builds to name names, it is more than Hazel and Maxine’s Broadway dreams that may suffer as they grapple with the terrible consequences, but also their livelihood, their friendship, and even their freedom.

Spanning from the 1940s to the 1960s, The Chelsea Girls deftly pulls back the curtain on the desperate political pressures of McCarthyism, the complicated bonds of female friendship, and the siren call of the uninhibited Chelsea Hotel.

•••••

REVIEW:THE CHELSEA GIRLS by Fiona Davis is a stand alone, historical, women’s fiction storyline focusing on three women: actress Maxine Mead, struggling actress/playwright/director Hazel Riley, and New York’s iconic Chelsea Hotel, where the who’s who of entertainment and art, party and live.

Told from first person perspective (Maxine Mead) and third person (Hazel Riley), based loosely in fact, THE CHELSEA GIRLS covers approximately twenty-two years in the life of actress Maxine Mead, and struggling actress/playwright/director Hazel Riley. In 1945 Hazel Riley had the opportunity to join the USO tour in Europe where she would meet actress Maxine Mead, and young artist Floyd Jenkins. A tight friendship would develop but the end of the war separated the trio until five years later when Hazel’s play Wartime Sonata, based upon their experiences in Europe, would be picked up by a Broadway producer, bringing Maxine, Floyd and Hazel back together again but all was not well in the United States as Senator Joseph McCarthy started a hunt for Communists in America. Targeting the entertainment industry, creating the HUAC House Un-American Activities Committee in an effort to takedown those believed to be members of, and support the Communist Party, Hazel would soon discover that a wolf in sheep’s clothing was about to destroy everything and more.

The majority of the story line is set in Manhattan, New York and The Chelsea Hotel . Hazel’s play has been commissioned by a Broadway producer, and the arrival of Hollywood starlet Maxine Mead pushes the production onwards and up but opening night is a disaster, and the fall-out finds Hazel facing the HUAC trying to prove she is innocent, and defend the lives of the people she loves.

Fiona Davis blends fact with fiction in a story line sweeping in the grandeur of The Chelsea Hotel-the secrets, the parties, the artists, and the reality of McCarthyism, and the witch hunt for Communists in America. THE CHELSEA GIRLS is character driven, imaginative and wondrous story line that focuses on a period in time where lives were destroyed by accusation and innuendo without proof or evidence to the contrary.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith – a Review

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The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith – a Review

 

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Description:
A duke with a broken heart discovers he has one last chance to win back the woman he loves on Christmas Eve…

Nathan Powell, the Duke of Hastings broke the heart of the only woman he ever loved when he ended their engagement in order to save her family. He demanded one promise of her…that she marry another man and live a happy life. Now he’s desperate to avoid marriage to someone else at all costs. When his younger brother tricks him into attending a Christmas Ball, he discovers his beloved Thea will be there.

Thea Swann has plenty of problems, with six unmarried younger sisters to keep in line, she doesn’t worry that she’ll run into the reclusive duke that stole her heart eight years ago. But when she comes face to face with Nathan, and he begs her for just one dance…she wonders, will he steal one last dance, one last kiss before walking away forever and taking her broken heart with him?

 

 

Review:

The Duke’s Dove by Lauren Smith is a lovely novella for Christmas! What a perfect love story for the Christmas season.

Nathan Powell, Duke of Hastings was in love eight years ago. However, he wasn’t quite the Duke then. His father said no when he told him he wanted to marry Theodosia Swann. His father threatened to ruin Mr. Swann and his family if he wasn’t obeyed. So, Nathan had to break his own heart as well as that of the only love he’d known.

Eight years later, he planned to attend a ball at the home of an old friend. He didn’t do social things much, but it was almost Christmas and he couldn’t turn down the invitation. He’d make Thea promise him years ago that she’d forget him and find love again, living a happy life he couldn’t give her. He assumed she’d kept her promise, and she was too lovely not to, or so he thought.

When the inevitable happened and they met again, it was as if time had stood still. He loved her so much and couldn’t help himself.

Pick up a copy of this lovely read and enjoy yourself immensely. What a wonderful story to cuddle up with for an evening. Author Lauren Smith has done it again, just in time for the holidays.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy supplied for review

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The Price of Temptation by Harmony Williams – a Review

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The Price of Temptation by Harmony Williams – a Review

 

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Description:
Lily Darling knew that marrying a con man was a risk, but her new husband swore those days were behind him. Then he disappears without a word, taking all of her money with him. So when her scoundrel of a husband mysteriously returns, years later, hoping to set things right, Lily guards her heart. But curse the man for being just as breathlessly handsome as the day she last saw him.

Adam Darling never meant to leave his innocent, beautiful wife, but if he hadn’t, he would’ve been sent to prison and Lily’s good reputation destroyed. He can’t blame her for hating him, and now that he’s back, he’ll do whatever he must to prove he never stopped loving her, even if it takes the rest of his life.

But when Lily is blackmailed by someone from their past, she wonders if the reason Adam abandoned her is more complex than a simple con. To find the truth, though, she’ll need to do the impossible—trust him—and with the attraction simmering between them hotter than ever, getting too close could get her burned…

 

Review:

The Price of Temptation is a historical romance by Harmony Williams.  Adam Darling is newly married to his wife Lily. When someone from his past shows up and forces him to betray his wife by abandoning her and stealing her dowry.  Shortly after her husband betrays her she loses her father. This leaves her in debt and the threat of debtors prison looming.

That is until four years later when her husband suddenly reappears in town. Adam refuses at first to tell his wife where he has been and what he has been up to?  And Lily has a hard time wanting to trust him again. But with a blackmailer after Lily, Adam stays and decides to try and help her and her family. But will Lily be able to trust him again? And can they work together to take down the one person who threatens the very lives?

The characters were deeply in love until Adam is basically torn from his wife Lily. And he will do anything to protect his wife. But will Lily ever be able to trust him again? Will their love be able to overcome their pasts?

Highly enjoyable book, beautifully written. 

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday – a Review

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Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday – a Review

 

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Description:
When the West was wild and man’s law favored the few, these extraordinary women could be found…in the heart of an outlaw.

Accused of crimes he didn’t commit, ex-preacher Ridge Steele is forced to give up everything he knew and make his home with outlaws. Desperate for someone to confide in, he strikes up correspondence with mail-order bride Adeline Jancy, finding in her the open heart he’s been searching for. Upon her arrival, Ridge discovers Addie only communicates through the written word, but he knows a little of what trauma can do to a person and vows to stand by her side.

Addie is eager to start a new life with the kind ex-preacher and the little boy she’s stolen away from her father–a zealot priest of a terrorized flock. As her small family settles into life at Hope’s Crossing, she even begins to find the voice, and confidence, she’d lost so long ago.

But danger is not far behind, and her father will not be denied. While Addie desperately fights the man who destroyed her childhood, a determined Ridge races to the rescue. The star-crossed lovers will need more than prayers to survive this final challenge…and find their way back to each other again.

 

 

Review:

Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday is the 4th and final book in her wonderful Outlaw Mail Order Brides series. I love this series, as Broday never fails to make us fall in love the couples in this western historical romance.   Refresher: The story takes place in Hope’s Crossing, which is a town run by outlaws, who have started a clean slate on their lives, with building a family and changing their lives for the better.

Ridge Steele, is an ex preacher, and because of the crime he did not commit, is one of the original outlaws who has built Hope Crossings. Ridge has been writing letters to a mail order bride, and is waiting impatiently for her arrival to marry him. 

Adeline (Addie) Jancy, has recently gotten out of a three-year prison term, and with the help of Luke and his wife, they manage get her away from men who are determined to kidnap her and bring her back to her evil father; who was the one who had her imprisoned.  Addie was in solitary confinement all those years, and she cannot speak due to the trauma; only using the written word to express herself.

When she meets Ridge, she finds him kind and patient, helping her take her time to learn how to speak again.  They immediately get married, and start their life together. Addie despite her inability to talk, wins over all the townsfolks, especially with her cooking.  In a short time, she learns more about the hardship Ridge has gone through and begins to fall hard for him, as he does with her.

They both have major issues; Ridge always on the lookout for those looking for him, even if he is innocent; and Addie running from her fanatical deranged father, who plans to kill her.  Both Addie and Ridge were great together, both strong, protective and loyal, and it was such a pleasure to watch them become closer.  When Ridge is in danger, with someone ready to attack him, Addie yells out a warning, bringing back her voice. 

What follows is an exciting story line, with nonstop action, heart stopping dangerous situations and a sweet romance between two people with flawed pasts that will catch up with them.  Things do get desperate when Addie’s nightmare comes true, and Ridge do anything to find her and fight to save her, also bringing forth her mother, who was also under the father’s evil control.  

Ridge and Addie were so good together, and you couldn’t help loving them, as they were the best couple yet. I loved how they had young Bodie stay with them, and he being loyal to them.  It was great to see all the main characters from the previous books. Since this is the final book, I must say Broday did such a great job bringing us this outlaw town, with fantastic couples and secondary characters, as well as giving us beautiful heartwarming romances, with some dangerous elements.

Linda Broday once again gives us another wonderful addition to this fabulous western historical series.  Once Upon a Mail Order Bride was a perfect conclusion to this series.  If you enjoy western historical romances, I suggest you read this series, and Linda Broday’s writing is superb.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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BloodLaw (Vampire Chicago #1) by Blaise Ramsay-a review

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BloodLaw (Vampire Chicago #1) by Blaise Ramsay-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date November 25, 2020

Former ADA Alastair Maddox pursues Prohibition Chicago’s most dangerous monsters after witnessing the deaths of his parents and grandparents as a boy. When a former colleague in Chicago PD comes to ask Alastair for help, he comes face to face with the mysterious Alexandra DeLane. But something’s off. DeLane is way too calm and her eyes are the color of blood. After she escapes, Alastair goes on the hunt only to find himself the prey of an ambitious and mysterious mob boss who plots to have him murdered. The problem? Alastair doesn’t stay dead and comes back as something else. Something more dangerous and straight out of a horror novel.

••••••••

REVIEW: BLOODLAW is the first instalment in Blaise Ramsay’s historical, adult VAMPIRE CHICAGO paranormal, mystery series focusing on former Chicago ADA Alastair Maddox.

Told from first person perspective ( Alastair Maddox) following two timelines, BLOODLAW focuses on former Chicago ADA Alastair Maddox, before his death, and after he rises as a new born vampire. Former detective turned ADA, Alastair Maddox has faced down his enemies more times than he can remember but always lived to tell his tale. With Al Capone and Dean O’Bannion ruling Chicago’s underworld, Alastair Maddox, one of the few members of law enforcement not on the take by the Chicago mob, continues to clean up when and where he is able but a suspected serial killer, a woman named Alexandra DeLane, becomes the object of Alastair’s obsession, an obsession that renders our hero vampire and dead. Struggling with his new powers and need to feed, Alastair will be befriended by a stranger, Mason Downing, a mysterious man who knows about the who and what of our story line hero. As Mason and Alastair begin an investigation into Alastair’s death and subsequent rising, the Chicago mobsters target the former ADA, and in doing so, Alastair begins to piece together the story of his demise. Along with Mason Downing, Alastair Maddox works behind the scenes in an effort to solve the crimes riddling Prohibition era Chicago, and the mob’s stranglehold of law enforcement and the docks.

We are introduced to Alastair’s girlfriend and reporter Charlaine ‘Charlie’ Ware; Alistair’s former partner with the ADA Paul Stone; attorney Bill Thomas; vampire Alexandra DeLane; Mason Downing; and several members of the Chicago PD. The requisite evil has many faces.

BLOODLAW reads like a script for a Saturday afternoon detective series- think Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe only our hero has special abilities, drinks blood and sleeps during the day. Alastair Maddox narrates the story of his new life, and the adventures of a former detective turned attorney turned vampire, struggling to make sense of his new world and his new powers. There were a few ‘eye rolling’ scenarios, and a few more questions regarding Alastair’s apparent acquiescence and easy acceptance of his new life style ( with little to no explanation about some of the how and why) although Alastair’s need for revenge is what fuels the new-born vampire forward. An interesting and imaginative story with over the top, 1920’s gangster/ law enforcement slang interspersed with modern day language –a bit awkward but not unexpected.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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