What’s a duke to do, when the girl who’s perfectly wrong becomes the woman he can’t live without?
Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

Rating: B

Any Duchess Will Do is the fourth in Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series, and it was a truly delightful read.
It’s a kind of cross between Cinderella and Pygmalion (in intention, anyway) in which the Duchess of Halford, despairing of her son, the eighth Duke’s ever marrying, drugs him, kidnaps him and bears him off to ‘Spinster Cove’. She marches him into the Bull and Blossom tavern, into the midst of a large group of industrious young ladies, and issues the instruction – “pick one”. She is tired of waiting for him to find himself a wife and tells him that she’ll mould whoever he chooses into a suitable bride.

Naturally, Griffin York, Duke of Halford is horrified. But recognising that his mother is utterly determined, he decides that the best way to exact his revenge is to do just as she insists – and he chooses the least likely prospect he can find; Pauline Simms, the barmaid.

Still intent on avoiding his mother’s machinations, Griff strikes a bargain with Pauline. If she comes with him to London for a week and ruins the duchess’ plans by being a complete and utter social disaster, he will pay her one thousand pounds. Even though that’s more money than she could ever have hoped to see in her lifetime, Pauline is initially reluctant to leave. Although she and her younger sister live with their parents, Pauline cares for her sister Daniela, who, while only a few years younger than Pauline, has the mind of a child.

But eventually she agrees. One thousand pounds will be enough money for her to attain her dream of opening her own library, and for her and Daniela to move out of their parents’ house and be self-sufficient.

Both Griff and the duchess are very pleasantly surprised by Pauline, who turns out not to be the slatternly farm-girl they’d first thought her. Her speech and manners are ‘common’ to be sure, but underneath it all, she has a natural intelligence and directness that Griff finds refreshing – and it’s not long before he finds himself very much attracted to her.

Griff has lived a dissolute life. He’s never had to worry about money, and spent his time in the manner of rich young men – overindulging in wine, women and… well, perhaps not the song. To his mother’s chagrin, he shows no sign – even at the ripe old age of thirty-four – of wanting to settle down and give her the grandchildren upon whom she’s desperate to lavish all the maternal love she’s got stored up inside. Griff is an only child – his three siblings died at birth and the Halford line will die out with him if he doesn’t marry and set up his nursery.

But about a year before the story opens, something happened to him that has – literally – changed his life. He no longer associates with his old crowd or goes out into society and nobody knows why. He’s morose, filled with anger and continually on edge; he despises himself and his old life and wants desperately to put it behind him, but is finding it impossible to move past the tragedy that has affected him so deeply.

Although Griff and his mother are the only members of their family left, they persist in keeping secrets from each other. He won’t tell her of his troubles and has no idea how to ask for the love he so badly needs; she won’t tell him that she wants so much to love him and the grandchildren she fears she may never have.

Pauline sees this distance between them and doesn’t understand why they can’t take comfort in each other. She guesses it’s another of those things that “aren’t done” by the upper classes, but in her typically straightforward way tries to get them to talk to each other. The scenes in which Griff finally confesses to her – and later to the duchess – are heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time, as they show that something positive is going to grow out of tragedy.

Despite that, this is a fairly light read that’s full of warmth, humour and sparkling dialogue. Pauline is like a breath of fresh air blowing into the ducal home and is certainly not afraid to tell it like it is. The stuffy, uptight duchess turns out not to be stuffy or uptight at all, and Griff is a wonderfully attractive hero. He’s got a nice line in innuendo and a dry wit – and the book contains some of the best banter I’ve read in a while.

If I have a reservation, it’s that Pauline is just a little bit too good to be true. While she doesn’t end up taking society by storm, she nonetheless refuses to be cowed by those who believe her to be deserving of less – whether it’s her abusive father hitting her with a book and consigning it to the fire or one of Griff’s so-called friends trying to prevent her from entering a ballroom. In addition, she’s intuitive, has a strong sense of identity and a down-to-earth attitude to sex, and seems to know exactly the right thing to do or say in difficult situations.

As for the idea of a duke marrying a barmaid… well, it shouldn’t work and in many books it wouldn’t work. But I think that what we have here is a fairy tale; a story about finding love in the most unexpected places – and more importantly, I think, about finding the courage to free onself from the expectations of others in order to finally become the person one is supposed to be.

With thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for the review copy.

Miss Dorothea Darent has no intention of ever getting married, certainly not to a rogue such as the Marquis of Hazelmere. A disreputable scoundrel, he is captivated when they meet by chance and is determined to win her heart, even while she’s busy dazzling the rest of London society. Now Dorothea has a choice to make: stick with her plan to remain a respectable spinster, or run into the arms of her dashing stranger?

Rating: C

I was pretty underwhelmed by The Lady Risks All by this author, but thinking that there must be a reason she’s such a big name in the field of historical romance, decided not to give up after just the one sample.

Tangled Reins is a much earlier work of hers, and I suppose could be termed a “comedy of manners”, as not much happens and it’s cast very much in the Heyer mould – although, without the same lightness of touch and humour.

To say “it wasn’t bad” is akin to damning with faint praise, I know – but it wasn’t. The basic story is of the Marquis of Hazelmere’s courtship of Dorothea Darrent, a young lady of good birth who has lived all her life in the country. Wanting her younger and very beautiful sister to have a London season (and believing herself far too old at twenty-two to require a season herself), after the death of their mother and elapse of the mourning period, they are poised to travel to the capital to make their débuts under the auspices of their grandmother.

Hazelmere initially encounters Dorothea when she’s out berry-picking, wearing one of her oldest frocks with no companion and immediately thinking she’s a mere country lass grabs her and snogs the life out of her.

Oops.

He rescues her from a difficult situation later when they meet each other while Dorothea and her sister are on the way to London, and because it’s apparent they have met each other before, have to concoct a story to account for this in order to satisfy the strict social conventions.

Hazelmere is handsome and autocratic, has a reputation with the ladies and hasn’t really given much thought to settling down – but begins to think about it seriously once he’s met Dorothea. He marks her out by his attentions at social events, and makes his intentions clear to the ton by paying court to her in a most proper way.
If nothing else, the fact he’s paying strict attention to propriety is as good as putting a flashing sign above Dorothea’s head saying “mine”; but despite his frequent companionship, his gentle teasing and concern for her, Dorothea can never be sure of his true feelings for her.

By the same token, Dorothea is self-possessed, poised and well-able to match him in the verbal sparring stakes, so Hazelmere is never quite sure of her feelings, either.

The story is about (IMO) two strong characters who are not willing to give too much away, and the way in which their guardedness threatens to spoil their potential happiness. I was reminded at various points of Charlotte Lucas’ comment to Lizzie about Jane’s needing to show more of her feelings to Bingley in order to secure him.

There’s a side-plot about an annoying suitor for Dorothea’s hand, a scheme to abduct or ruin her in order to obtain her fortune, various misunderstandings… but of course all ends well.

As I listened (the superlative Rosalyn Landor again turning fairly ordinary material into something worth listening to) I thought there were far too many mentions of Dorothea’s incredible beauty and sparkling emerald eyes (and the same of the hero’s hazel ones); I don’t know if that would have stuck out so much in print, but in audio, it definitely became rather annoying.

Still, it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, although I’m not sure I’ll be listening to it again in a hurry.

I just received the results from Regina Jeffer’s give away. Congratulations, ladies.

Nancy Wolfe won the autographed print copy. 

The week started with a bang. I received the production schedule for The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, book #2 in The Marriage Game, Which releases in November, but goes on pre-order this month. As soon as I receive the cover, I’ll send it out in a newsletter as well as the details for the first contest and my blog stops to promote the pre-order. Here is the teaser that will be at the beginning of the book.

CAUGHT IN A KISS

            Anna’s heart beat faster as his lips reached her throat.  When he kissed her, she thought nothing could be better; then his tongue moved against hers, and she thought she’d swoon.  She tried to put her arms around him, but they were trapped under his body.  It was as if he were possessing her.  Thank God he didn’t know who she was.

“Anna, tell me what you’re doing here,” Rutherford whispered into her ear.

“How did you know it was me?  I thought you were just kissing . . . ”

He started at her in disbelief.  “You thought I’d just kiss any woman?  What the hell do you take me for?”

She struggled to sit up, but his body weighed her down.  “I haven’t even given you leave to kiss me, and you’re doing even more!”

“Harumph.” He bent his head to kiss her again.  “And I plan to continue.”

“Sebastian!” She wiggled to get out from under him.

“Anna. Be still.  I’ll let you up when you tell me what you’re doing here.  Until then . . . ”

Immediately after sending in my dedication and acknowledgements, I received the copy-edits. So the rest of the week was spent working on those, judging contest entries, and posting reviews for books I’ve read. Then my critique partners started to get busy and I’ve been critiquing as well, but also receiving critiques for the book #5.

Fortunately, the week wasn’t all work. I received a wonderful review on The Seduction of Lady Phoebe from Romance Reader Girl. If you missed it, you can read it here.

I won a signed copy of Tessa Dare’s latest release Any Duchess Will Do.

Found the shoes for my Regency gown. Let me know what you think.

Lace Shoes

Friday Night Races

And I got to be on race committee for the Friday night races at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. I actually got to be the timer and call the race. Which is a big deal, at least for me.

Friday Night Races

Baby Scorpion

Oh, and this morning, I found a baby scorpion in my bath room. No, I did not take this picture. The scorpion was gone before I though about it.I downloaded.

I’m off now to a picnic at a new to me beach. I post pictures next Sunday. Tell how your week went.

Set-up: The heroine, Miranda, is mingling with guests at a party she’s hosting when the man who “got away” shows up all swagger and confidence.

***

“Good evening, Mr. Goddard. I wasn’t certain you’d come.” She couldn’t think of anything more erudite to say, since her tongue felt glued to the roof of her mouth and her feet wouldn’t obey her brain’s command to move.

“I’ve waited a long time for an invitation from you.” He faced her, a grin parting his lips. Ice blue eyes twinkled with mischief in the dim lantern light while a smattering of raindrops sparkled like diamonds on the shoulders of his dark evening jacket and in the black curls that were slowly pulling out of the tamed style he’d chosen. “How have you been Miranda?”

She came alive hearing her name on his lips and moved onto the terrace a few steps. “Very nicely, thank you, Mr. Goddard.”

“You know my name is John, and you’ve also made use of it in the past. You and I are well beyond the formalities.”

***

Here’s the blurb:

She wants a slower pace… Miranda Ellis Mason Craythorne is three times a widow. Some say bad luck has dogged her steps; she rather thinks it’s just life, yet the rumors sting. She’s long left her wild youth behind and now lives at her country estate, content to play matchmaker. Seeing John sets fire to the tendre she’s carried for him and causes her to rethink remaining in widowhood even though avoiding matrimony is for his own good.

He wants to settle down… Mr. John Goddard has admired Miranda from afar for years, but their timing has never been right. As a Bow Street Runner-turned-private investigator, he knows mortality has an expiration date. What better woman to start a family with than the one he’s held a torch for? But his penchant for the occasional ménage might sour the plans.

He wants the next exciting game… Richard Howick, who is rarely on home soil, is a spy who wants nothing more than the next adventure. He’s giving life a merry chase and has no plans to domesticate. He’s too much of a rake not to take pleasure when it’s offered, and the opportunity to play the occasional third thrills him.

Life presents an unorthodox chance… While rumors abound and scandal nips at their heels, between the three, desire explodes. If their luck holds, they might just find love in the mix.

Thanks for stopping by! Find out more about the book and me by visiting my website! To see the rest of the authors participating in the Weekend Writing Warrior group, click here. Or the Sunday Snippet Facebook page, click here.

Nevil Maskelyne
6 October 1732 – 20 July 1811

Nevil Maskelyne

Maskelyne was born in London, the third son of Edmund Maskelyne. Maskelyne’s father died when he was 12, leaving the family in reduced circumstances. Maskelyne attended Westminster School and was still a pupil there when his mother died in 1748. His interest in astronomy had begun while at Westminster School. Maskelyne entered St Catharine’s College, Cambridge in 1749, graduating in 1754.Ordained as a minister in 1755, he became a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge in 1756.

About 1785 Maskelyne married Sophia Rose of Cotterstock. They had one child, Margaret. Maskelyne’s sister, Margaret, married Robert Clive (Robert Clive of India.)

In 1758 Maskelyne was admitted to the Royal Society, which in 1761 despatched him to the island of St. Helena to observe the transit of Venus. This was an important observation since accurate measurements would allow the accurate calculation of Earth’s distance from the Sun, which would in turn allow the scale of the solar system to be calculated.

Bad weather prevented any useful observations; however, Maskelyne used his journey to develop a method of determining longitude using the position of the moon, which became known as the lunar distance method.

He returned to England, resuming his position as curate at Chipping Barnet in 1761, and began work on a book, publishing the lunar distance method of longitude calculation in 1763 in The British Mariner’s Guide, which included the suggestion that to facilitate the finding of longitude at sea, lunar distances should be calculated beforehand for each year and published in a form accessible to navigators. This proposal, the germ of the Nautical Almanac, was approved by the government, and under the care of Maskelyne the Nautical Almanac for 1767 was published in 1766. He further induced the government to print his observations annually.

The Board of Longitude sent him to Barbados in 1763 to calculate the longitude of the capital, Bridgetown by observation of Jupiter’s satellites, and also to test his lunar distance method and compare its accuracy to John Harrison’s chronometer, the No. 4 timekeeper.

The results of the voyage were made public at a meeting of the Board of Longitude in early 1765, where it was disclosed that Harrison’s chronometer had produced Bridgetown’s longitude with an error of less than ten miles after a sea voyage of more than 5,000 miles. Maskelyne’s method on the other hand showed an error of 30 miles. However, four of the naval officers present stated that their calculations had been performed to Maskelyne’s instructions and were therefore subject to their inexperience. Also, since the lunar distance method relied on tables that only Maskelyne was capable of calculating, the method was not yet in a position to take the prize.

Two Astronomers Royal had died in quick succession and Maskelyne was appointed to the position soon after his return to England. The position automatically made him an ex-officio member of the Board of Longitude and it was not long before a negative report was made on Harrison’s chronometer, Maskelyne refusing to allow for the known rate at which Harrison’s chronometer gained or lost time and thus dismissing it as inaccurate.

He was not alone in his position on lunar distances; other members of the Board of Longitude and the Royal Society were also strongly biased toward lunars, as they saw the scientific solution being conceptually and intellectually superior to the mechanic’s solution.

While chronometers were indeed more accurate, the lunar distance method was cheaper and was the predominant method used well into the 19th century. Since Maskelyne’s observations and calculations were made at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, the Greenwich meridian eventually became a common base for longitude worldwide.

Maskelyne took a great interest in various geodetical operations, notably the measurement of the length of a degree of latitude in Maryland and Pennsylvania, executed by Mason and Dixon in 1766 – 1768, and later the determination of the relative longitude of Greenwich and Paris. On the French side the work was conducted by Count Cassini, Legendre, and Méchain; on the English side by General Roy.

In 1772 Maskelyne proposed to the Royal Society what was to become known as the Schiehallion experiment (named after the mountain on which it was performed), for the determination of the Earth’s density using a plumb line.

Maskelyne performed his experiment in 1774 on Schiehallion in Perthshire, the mountain being chosen due to its regular conical shape which permitted a reasonably accurate determination of its volume. The apparent difference of latitude between two stations on opposite sides of the mountain were compared with the real difference of latitude obtained by triangulation.

Maskelyne’s first contribution to astronomical literature was A Proposal for Discovering the Annual Parallax of Sirius, published in 1760. Subsequent contributions to the Transactions contained his observations of the transits of Venus (1761 and 1769), on the tides at Saint Helena (1762), and on various astronomical phenomena at Saint Helena (1764) and at Barbados (1764).

Maskelyne also introduced several practical improvements, such as the measurement of time to tenths of a second; and prevailed upon the government to replace Bird’s mural quadrant by a repeating circle 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter.

Now, I have been somewhat buried – that’s right, literally buried – in edits of my new manuscript, and as you have seen, I’ve come up for air to share excerpts of Miss Rotherham that I’ve edited and to host brilliantly written guest posts like Rosanne E. Lortz’s one

Enter the Giveaway below!

To apologise for my unforgivable sporadic socialness online I have decided the only right and proper thing to do would be to have a Kindle Giveaway of The Widow’s Redeemer from 1st June – 14th June. So, here it is!!! There will be one Kindle copy for US readers and one Kindle copy for UK readers so don’t let that short trip across the internet pond stop you from entering!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post – making sure you include your name, email address (the one you want the Kindle book gifted to) and location – such as US or UK (not your house number, that would just be tremendously weird), and you will be entered for the random prize draw and could be sat out in the sunshine or snuggled away from the rain depending on your location (weather not all guaranteed) reading about the penniless Letty Burton who is taken from the West Country and thrown into the glittering Society of London in 1815, and a wealthy but bitter Viscount whose dark eyes can’t help but be captivated by the fiery young widow….

Lord Richard Ellerby was in desperate need to find his sister who disappeared. He will be taken back when a young woman asks him to marry her and will soon find that this woman is the daughter of his friend. He will send her packing but find that will not be the end.

Lady Brenna Harrington needed a husband and fast as she had no desire to marry the man her brother had chosen. She will get her chance when she propositions a highway man to marry her, only she will make a mistake as this man was no commoner.

A Convenient Bride is the fourth book to the School of Brides series by Cheryl Ann Smith. This story seemed to be a clash of the headstrong characters. Both Brenna and Richard are unwilling to bend to others and will push each other through the story. There is also a certain attraction that is followed between them but they do not act upon it without holding back their true feelings.

The plot is kept simple with the act of married life and what comes from the relationship and those around them. There are betrayals laced through the pages of the story to keep it going. The villain is not who you expect which will leave you surprised.

Looking over the entire book I thought this story was more or less one that I have read before but the story was still enjoyable to read nevertheless. I am interested in reading the fifth book when it comes out.

There was some unpleasant paper stuff that I needed to take care for university as well, but that is now more or less sorted.

What with all the work, now that my only co-worker got sick leave on the busiest weekend in all spring, I was hard pressed to get this post out at all. So you guys better enjoy it!

John Scalzi: Redshirts

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory.

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues’ understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is…and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.

(Goodreads)

I have no idea why I’ve been putting this book off. I really enjoyed it. Without spoiling much, I can say it is hilarious and emotional and so meta I’m surprised I liked it, but I did. It’s a quick read, written in a light style, and accessible to people with a rather limited acquaintance with science fiction television like myself.

Just… go grab it. It’s really worth it.

Published: 2012

Pages: 314 (Tor hardback)

Agatha Christie: Elephants Can Remember

Hercule Poirot is determined to solve an old husband and wife double murder that is still an open verdict! Hercule Poirot stood on the cliff-top. Here, many years earlier, there had been a tragic accident. This was followed by the grisly discovery of two more bodies — a husband and wife — shot dead. But who had killed whom? Was it a suicide pact? A crime of passion? Or cold-blooded murder? Poirot delves back into the past and discovers that ‘old sin can leave long shadows

(Goodreads)

For a practiced reader, even one of only my experience, the clues in this one were fairly obvious. The general feeling I got was that this book was produced in a hurry – at times it read like drafts and bits that had been forgotten in. I did enjoy it, nonetheless, and am looking forward to the movie that will air June 9^th!

Published: 1972

Pages: 256 (Harper Collins facsimile edition 2009)

Patricia Highsmith: The Talented Mr Ripley

Since his debut in 1955, Tom Ripley has evolved into the ultimate bad boy sociopath, influencing countless novelists and filmmakers. In this first novel, we are introduced to suave, handsome Tom Ripley: a young striver, newly arrived in the heady world of Manhattan in the 1950s. A product of a broken home, branded a “sissy” by his dismissive Aunt Dottie, Ripley becomes enamored of the moneyed world of his new friend, Dickie Greenleaf. This fondness turns obsessive when Ripley is sent to Italy to bring back his libertine pal but grows enraged by Dickie’s ambivalent feelings for Marge, a charming American dilettante. A dark reworking of Henry James’s The Ambassadors, The Talented Mr. Ripley—immortalized in the 1998 film starring Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gywneth Paltrow—is an unforgettable introduction to this debonair confidence man, whose talent for self-invention and calculated murder is chronicled in four subsequent novels.

(Goodreads)

I watched the movie first, and, frankly, liked that better than the novel; it was more complicated and the ending so heart-breaking I was upset for a good few hours afterwards. My notes say, ‘fairly nice, although nothing spectacular’. Highsmith’s style is a bit on the heavy side, and reading this relatively slim novel took me a surprisingly long time (granted, I did most of the reading at work). I found Tom Ridley to be an interesting character, and the workings of his mind were fascinating to follow. I’m not sure if I’ll look to the sequels, but I might, some day.

Published: 1955

Pages: 249 (Vintage 1999 edition)

Gillian Gill: Agatha Christie

A little too heavy on the summaries of some of the novels, but at the same time I must give credit where credit is due – only a few endings were spoiled, and Gill warned of that in the introduction. Fortunately for me, I have seen the screen adaptations of the ones with spoilers, so they were not really even spoilers to me.

This biography is nice and concise, and the major focus is on the effect Christie’s life had on her writing. I did like the way it is divided to chapters, but am not so sure about the composition. I’m fond of a more linear approach.

Published: 1990

Pages: 208 (plus notes)

Mika Waltari: Tanssi yli hautojen

As regards this blog, this book is a bit problematic. What I know of my own readership (and I realise that is very little), it doesn’t include too many Finns – and Tanssi yli hautojen has not been translated into English. But I did read it, so I want to discuss it, and therefore I’ll do my best to explain it.

Mika Waltari (1908–1979) is one of the best-known Finnish authors, and his best-known work in Finland as well as internationally is The Egyptian (orig. Sinuhe egyptiläinen). It’s impossible to find a list of Books You Must Read Before You Die without having The Egyptian in it, not in this country. Having said that, I haven’t actually read it. Tanssi yli hautojen (lit. trans. Dance over Graves) is my first proper experience of Waltari, except for some short stories and the Komisario Palmu (Inspector Palmu) films.

Tanssi yli hautojen is about the romance between Tsar Alexander I of Russia and a Finnish bourgeoisie girl, Ulla Möllersvärd. This is a fact of history: the two met when Alexander came to the Diet of Porvoo in 1809. In this diet, it was decided that Finland was not to be directly a part of Russia, but could keep the old laws and ways, as well as have autonomy. Waltari describes the anticipation and the resentment the Finns felt towards the Russians, as well as the cultural differences Alexander observes when he crosses the border.

I just thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s charming and made me giddy on several occasions, and I look forward to reading it again sometime. Maybe even writing my minor thesis on it?

Published: 1944

Pages: 282 (WSOY 2009)

Mary Balogh: A Summer to Remember

Kit Butler, Viscount Ravensberg, is cool, dangerous and fast becoming one of London’s most notorious rakehells – and marriage is the last thing on his mind. But Kit’s family has other plans. Desperate to thwart his father’s matchmaking, Kit needs a bride fast. Enter Miss Laure Edgeworth. A year after being abandoned at the altar, Lauren has determined that marriage is not for her. When these two fiercely independent souls meet, sparks fly – and a deal is hatched.

Lauren will masquerade as Kit’s intended if he agrees to provide a passionate, adventurous, unforgettable summer. When the summer ends, she will break off the engagement rendering herself unmarriageable and leaving them both free. Everything is going perfectly – until Kit does the unthinkable and begins to fall in love. A summer to remember is not enough for him. But how can he convince Lauren to be his, for better, for worse, and for the rest of their lives?

(Piatkus 2010 back cover)

I really liked this one. The hero is likeable, the heroine is more or less sensible, and their relationship progresses not in an absolute rush but at a nice pace that’s not so fast as to be unbelievable but fast enough to keep the book going without too long gaps.

An excellent read for the summer months, if you like romance! There are also other books revolving around the characters mentioned in this book, and I’m actually rather curious to see Freyja Bedwyn’s story, as I disliked her a whole lot in this one.

Published: 2002

Pages: 376 (Piatkus 2010)

Julia Quinn: An Offer from A Gentleman

As the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie Beckett has never been accepted in polite society. And since her father’s untimely death, her step-mother has made her life doubly hard, forcing her to work as an unpaid servant. Sophie’s days are pure drudgery, until one night her fellow servants conspire to help her attend the Bridgerton masquerade ball.

There she meets her very own Prince Charming, handsome Benedict Bridgerton and falls head over heels in love. Benedict is equally smitten, but when the clock strikes midnight Sophie is forced to flee the ballroom, leaving only her glove in his hand…

(Piatkus 2011 back cover)

Not too keen on this one – it was nice, but as usual in Quinn the main conflict gets solved too early for good dramatic effect. The end, I admit, was very sweet! The dialogue is a bit dramatic though, and the Cinderella adaptation was a bit too obvious, especially considering how it got abandoned halfway through the novel.

Also, I’m miffed that I don’t think I figured out who Miss Whistledown is and therefore there’s nothing to it but to read the whole Bridgerton series. (Not that I’m complaining.)

Published: 2001

Pages: 358 (Piatkus 2011)

Diana Wynne Jones: Charmed Life

Cat doesn’t mind living in the shadow of his sister, Gwendolen, the most promising young witch ever seen on Coven Street. But trouble starts brewing the moment the two orphans are summoned to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Frustrated that the witches of the castle refuse to acknowledge her talents, Gwendolen conjures up a scheme that could throw whole worlds out of whack.

(Goodreads)

I do love Diana Wynne Jones, but I do not care for children as main characters. This was a slight problem with this first novel in her Chrestomaci series, as the main character is decidedly a child. The Chrestomanci himself is an interesting character, and if someone can promise me there is more of him in the subsequent books in the series I’ll be happy to read them as well. Actually, reading the other books is a good idea in another respect as well: the proper story seems to start at the very end of this novel, which annoyed me a great deal.

Tim Stevens’s illustrations must be mentioned. The edition I got from the library had a less than appealing cover, but the chapter illustrations made everything better!

Published: 1977

Pages: 267 (Collins Modern Classics 2001)

Mark Lawrence: King of Thorns

The second book in the Broken Empire series, Lawrence takes his young anti-hero one step closer to his grand ambition.

To reach greatness you must step on bodies, and many brothers lie trodden in my wake. I’ve walked from pawn to player and I’ll win this game of ours, though the cost of it may drown the world in blood…

The land burns with the fires of a hundred battles as lords and petty kings fight for the Broken Empire. The long road to avenge the slaughter of his mother and brother has shown Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath the hidden hands behind this endless war. He saw the game and vowed to sweep the board. First though he must gather his own pieces, learn the rules of play, and discover how to break them.

A six nation army, twenty thousand strong, marches toward Jorg’s gates, led by a champion beloved of the people. Every decent man prays this shining hero will unite the empire and heal its wounds. Every omen says he will. Every good king knows to bend the knee in the face of overwhelming odds, if only to save their people and their lands. But King Jorg is not a good king.

Faced by an enemy many times his strength Jorg knows that he cannot win a fair fight. But playing fair was never part of Jorg’s game plan.

(Goodreads)

Finally had the chance to read this!

As with Prince of Thorns, I would be hard pressed to tell you what exactly happens during the course of the novel. The realisation that I don’t know bothered me for a while, until I came to the conclusion that it is because of the same reason that keeps me from actually understanding what happens in Hannu Rajaniemi’s novels: I get distracted by the prose. It doesn’t even matter much what happens, when I can have beautiful sentences that sound good in my head.

Having said that, I was confused by the mixture of past and present whenever they were in the same chapter. The time layers were a bit hard to follow, especially while distracted by beautiful words, and I kind of wish there had been more line breaks to signal time change.

Things I like about this novel include the older Jorg, whom I find to be more approachable, and, as with Prince, the way the novel’s old world – our world – is referred to. It makes me giddy every time I spot a word that looks weird but sounds terribly familiar, like “dena” and the cemetery.

The intensity got really high towards the end, and I was absolutely blown away. I kid you not, I gasped out loud on the bus and then kept grinning like a maniac.

I can’t wait for Emperor of Thorns. I also have a budding hope Lawrence would write a female main character next, as I enjoy Katherine a whole lot!

Published: 2012

Pages: 597

Books bought:

Again, no picture, because I was an idiot and left my camera in the country. Instead I’ll just tell you, although I’m not sure anymore what I got and when. But let’s try.

Agatha Christie: At Bertram’s Hotel

Appointment with Death

After the Funeral

Mika Waltari: Tanssi yli hautojen

Margaret C. Sullivan: The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World

Currently reading:

Jonathan L. Howard: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer (and enjoying it very much indeed)

That’s all for me for this month! I doubt I’ll be posting much during the summer ­– as I said, work keeps things hectic. I’ve abandoned Project Christie, and the only immediate plan of anything but regular monthly posts is the Finncon report, which hopefully I can manage!

Happy beginning of summer, everyone!

James Kennedy
13 Jan 1797 – 25 Sep 1886

James Kennedy

Kennedy was born in the village of Gilmerton. He was apprenticed at the age of 13 to a millwright near Dalkeith, where he remained for five years. He spent some years working as a millwright, working with winding and pumping engines at several places before moving to Lavenoch Hall, where he was employed to erect pumping and winding engines of his own design.

In Liverpool to supervise the installation of a marine engine, he met George Stephenson, the locomotive pioneer. Stephenson was then establishing his locomotive works, Robert Stephenson and Company, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and appointed Kennedy manager in 1824. While in this post he constructed two pairs of stationary winding engines and planned the first three locomotives for the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.

In 1825 he left Stephenson to return to Liverpool as manager of Mather, Dixon and Company but very soon joined locomotive builder Edward Bury and Company as foreman of the Clarence Foundry. In 1842 he became a partner in the firm, now renamed Bury, Curtis and Kennedy.

In 1844 he moved again to manage the Liverpool shipmaker Thomas Vernon and Son where he introduced iron deck beams.

He was a founder member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1847, becoming its President in 1860.

He died in 1886 at his home, Cressington Park. He was survived by his wife, Adelaide.

Today I want to compare Historical Romances to Regency Romances.

There are so many sub-genres of Romance. For that reason I thought I would clarify what I write when I write under Colleen Connally. My books under Colleen Connally are set in England. Seductive Secrets is set after the American Revolution; Broken Legacy happens during the French Revolution. My upcoming release, Seductive Lies, happens during the Napoleonic Wars. All my books then would be technically be considered Georgian Period. Although, Seductive Lies does lapse over to the beginning of the Regency Period. The Regency Period only existed for a little more than 10 years, 1810-1820.

In today’s publishing world, defining one’s genre is important in the sales of one’s book. The money in romances at the moment is with Contemporary Romances. A couple of years ago it was Paranormal Romances. But with Historical Romances, the most money is made if you label your book a Regency.

Regency seems to capture the reader’s imagination. So if I was a smart business woman, I would write a historical set during the Regency Period. I’ll let you in a little secret. I’m not a business woman.

I’m an avid reader and a huge fan of authors I read. Most other historical romance writers I have read that list influences of their writing always include Victoria Holt. I have read and reread Victoria Holt’s books under all her pen names, Jean Plaidy and Phillippa Carr. Tidbit- Did you know she had other pen names as well? Her real name was Eleanor Hibbert. I think she wrote under 8 pen names….I think. Anyhow, I love her works. She is by far the biggest influence on my writing. Victoria Holt’s books always had a mystery intertwined with a love story. My vision of England came through Victoria Holt’s books.

I believe I write more on the line of Ms Holt. I don’t write light-hearted romances. I love to read light-hearted romances, I just can’t write them. When I think Regency Romances writers today, I think of Julia Quinn, Mary Balogh, Eloisa James, and Sarah MacLean. There is an allure to reading a  Regency Romance.

Although I’ve always been a history buff, I never had intention to write about life across the ocean. American history is my favorite, but I will admit English history fascinates me. When I did visit England last year, I was immersed in the history of King Henry VIII. Not for this many wives, but for his perception of the world around him. My fantasy series, Whispers of a Legend, has a character in the story that was greatly influenced by King Henry VIII.

As for the Secret Lives series, Seductive Secrets came about because I wanted to prove to myself I could write a traditional historical romance. I confess I tend to step over the line at times. With Seductive Secrets, I wrote a traditional story…kinda sort of. Hero meets heroine, but with a few twists. It just comes to me. I do try not to get too complicated, but I find my stories take a life of their own.

Seductive Secrets was one of my first Indies. I released it as an Indie because I got absolutely no positive feedback from anyone I submitted the manuscript to and I loved the book. Not that I got any negative rejections. With Seductive Secrets, I don’t think many responded back to me. I believe I know the reason. Because despite my attempt to write a traditional romance, I stepped over that line again.

Just my opinion, but publisher houses want to know they will make money before they sign you. Don’t blame them. It’s a different publishing world today. Now this is just my opinion—There is a traditional formula to be followed and within that formula I don’t think there was a place for my gay secondary character, Charles. Now, I’m not certain. I may read a lot, but I haven’t read every book out there. Or perhaps the publishing houses just didn’t like my book…

That’s what being an Indie writer has allowed me to do—write the books I want. It’s also difficult at times. I’m really out here by myself, but I found I’m a better writer that way.

Boy…am I going in another direction! Back to clarifying my genre— Secret Lives Series isn’t a sweet Regency Romance. It’s historical romance/romantic suspense with a touch of paranormal. Is that a genre?

I’m in the midst of Seductive Lies. I’ll let you in on a secret…I’m crossing that line again. The closer it comes to releasing Seductive Lies the more I’ll let you in on the plot line.

One update.

The Cry For Freedom is free now everywhere except on Amazon.

It’s a beautiful day here. Perfect for writing. Have to get back to it. Have a good one!

Regency Author Collette Cameron

Please help me welcome debut, Regency author, the lovely Collette Cameron. Collette is here today promoting her novel Highlander’s Hope. If you haven’t read it, I highly encourage to do so. Collette will also be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter. To be eligible, you must leave your email address in with your comment.

Collette: Thank you so much for having me here today, Ella.

Ella: You’ve been hither and yon promoting your book. What does it feel like to finally have it released?

Collette: It’s surreal; a wonderful kind of terrifying. It’s one thing to write a book and have it accepted to be published; it’s another to have it ‘out there’.

Ella: What do you like best and least about being a debut author?

Collette: Everything is so new. Learning about the publishing industry, author platforms and branding, marketing and promotion. That’s my least favorite part; the marketing and promoting. On the other hand, I’ve met (in the realm of social media and otherwise) many incredibly generous and supportive people.

Ella: Tell us what the inspiration was to write Highlander’s Hope?

Collette: I had toyed with the idea of writing a book for years, but never seriously considered writing a romance novel. I didn’t think I could. All that dialogue, conflict, and point of view stuff.

A single scene, the Banbury Inn scene where Ewan finds Yvette asleep in his chamber, was the impetuous for Highlander’s Hope. The idea just came to me one day, and I played around with it in mind to see if I could develop a story line around it. I did, but boy was there a lot of back story I had to eventually cut.

Ella: What drew you to Regencies and the Highlands in particular?

Collette: A girlfriend handed me a Barbara Cartland novel when I was thirteen years-old. I read it and fell in love with Regency. Back then, that was quite daring.  I love all historicals but Georgian, Regency, and Victorian are my favorites. The Regency era was a time of such transition; clothing, culture, politics . . . even morals were in flux.

When I didn’t have my nose buried in a Regency, a good Scot’s Highlander  was usually in my hand. I decided to take two of my favorite genres and combine them into something a bit out of the ordinary. 

Ella: What comes next or have you decided once was enough?

Collette: Oh, Ella, you know how it is when the writing bug bites you. Once is never enough!

Ella: How very true!

Collette: Highlander’s Hope is the first book in my Blue Rose Trilogy. The second book, The Viscount’s Vow is due to release from Soul Mate Publishing next fall. It features Vangie and Ian from Highlander’s Hope.  I’m hard at work on the third book, The Earl’s Enticement.  That’s Adaira and Roark’s story.

Then I have a stand alone that insists on getting written.  After that, I’ve a six-book sage based on Ewan’s other siblings and cousins.  Then of course I have to tell Isaiah and Josiah’s stories. Oh, and Harcourt’s and Yancy’s too.

That’s why I love a large cast of characters; so many stories to write about secondary characters.

Ella: Is there any advice you’d give someone starting their path to publication?

Collette: Get involved in writing groups. I belong to several. Also, attend workshops and conferences on the craft of writing. Join social media groups which offer mentoring and classes.

Critique partners are a must, as are beta readers. Oh, and make sure you read, read, read . . . not only about writing but books in the genre you write.

Finally, find some small thing that makes your books just the tiniest bit unique; something that readers will be able to identify as your trademark.

Ella: Without further to do, here is the blurb and an excerpt from Highlander’s Hope. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Highlander’s Hope

She was the heiress determined to never marry.

Shipping heiress Yvette Stapleton is wary of fortune hunting men and their false declarations of love. She’d rather become a spinster than imprisoned in the bonds of marriage. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but her reaction to Lord Sethwick’s passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.

 Blurb

He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own. 

Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, Lord Sethwick and Laird of Craiglocky, hasn’t dreamed of the sensual beauty he danced with two years ago; he’s determined to win her heart. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, he unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish Canon law to declare her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.”

Amidst murder and betrayal, Ewan attempts to win Yvette’s forgiveness. But is it too late? Has his manipulation cost him her love?

Excerpt:

Perversely, Yvette argued, “Oh, my lord? How else will I travel to Craiglocky?” Blast it, she swore inwardly when her hoarse voice cracked.

Ewan sat beside her. “Evvy, stop calling me my lord.”

“Your lordship, unless I sprout wings and fly, my only recourse is horseback.” Feeling truly rebellious, she stretched and peeked over her shoulders. Pointing to one she said, “No wings, milord. ‘Tis plain I shall have to mount a horse.”

Clearly annoyed, Ewan raked a hand through his hair. “Those below believe us wed. A Scot’s wife doesn’t call her husband ‘my lord’.”

Arching her brow, Yvette dared, “Who gave them reason to believe we were wed, my lord?”

Ewan looked at her hard. “These people must believe us wed, else you’re in grave danger.”

Yvette reached for the cup, then took a grateful swallow of the sweet water. The icy coolness soothed her irritated throat and emboldened her. “So you say, Lord Sethwick. Perhaps it was only a ploy to publicly ruin me, so I’d have to marry you. I overheard Lord Ramsbury at the inn.”

She lowered her voice in imitation of the earl. “‘A wealthy wife is always an asset. I’d say, you’ve done quite well for yourself, old chap.’”

Ewan stiffened. The line of his mouth flattened and his eyes darkened.

Merciful God, did she truly say that? It must be her illness speaking.

He removed the cup from her shaking hand and set it on the bedside table. She could not tear her gaze off his eyes. They were bottomless pools reflecting to the depths of his soul. And he was angry, in fact livid with her. His moon-shaped scar ticked rhythmically.

She’d gone too far. “Ewan—”

“Yvette, remember what happened the last time you didn’t use my given name? I’ve counted no less than five,” he held up as many fingers, “times you’ve intentionally defied me.”

She couldn’t swallow past the constriction in her throat. She’d done it up brown now. Holding her hand before her to ward him off, she shook her head.

In a movement so swift, she didn’t even have time to gasp, he lay atop her torso, pinning her with his weight. His gaze pierced hers before he lowered his head. She felt a soft, fluttering touch and a slight sting on her sore lip as his mouth brushed hers.

Highlander’s Hope is available at Amazon

Author Bio:

In February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance with a few Highlander’s thrown in to spice things up a bit. She wrote Highlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in Teaching. She’s been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves a good joke, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You’ll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

As a thank you to all our dedicated followers, whether you’re a reader, writer, or reviewer, we’d like to offer a special sale for helping us reach 3,000 followers. Thank you!

If you haven’t already, be sure to join us on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads to learn about more of our service specials and sales.

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Addicted by JoAnn DeLazzari
(Contemporary Romance)

Renowned investigative journalist Nikki Bradley is at the height of her career. When she tenaciously braves the remote jungles of Columbia on an assignment with personal motives, her profession seems to become less important. After her brother dies of an expected cocaine overdose, Nikki has one thing on her mind: to find the man responsible for her brother’s death, expose him, and ruin him. Her dangerous traipse through the jungle on a quest to avenge her brother’s death brings her face to face with one of Columbia’s biggest cocaine operations. When she is caught taking pictures on the outskirts of the camp, she is taken prisoner by one of the leaders, a menacing drug trafficker determined to claim her as his own. An innocent pawn in a deadly game at the mercy of her captor, a mysterious and impossibly handsome man named King, Nikki must decide whether to abort her mission and surrender, or risk her life to expose her brother’s killer.  

* * *

Charades by Ann Logan
(Contemporary Romance)

     Mercedes Fuentes, or Mousy Mercy as she often refers to herself, has buried herself in academia in order to avoid those frightening creatures that make up the other half of the human population: MEN! When an opportunity to pay off the majority of her student debt is offered to her by a family friend, Mercy has her doubts. But how can she refuse a weeklong date with a handsome man, at the end of which she will be nearly free of all debt? Enter the seemingly innocuous, over-worked oil tycoon Wulf Rheinhart, a man in need of a fake fiancée for a week in order to close a business deal with a family-oriented Texan. One charade leads to another in this fast paced car chase of a romance where no one is who they seem to be.

* * *

Destiny’s Disguise by Candice Kohl
(Historical/Regency Romance)

Lord John, the earl of Farleigh–his giant frame scarred by battles fought as a mercenary knight–returns home to England to claim his unexpected inheritance. But now he must battle against the wicked baron Elwood of Eye and a woman with an inner strength to match his own who dares to love him. Lady Gwyneth–her willfulness and deceit borne not of treachery–determines to wed the new earl in her sister’s stead. Expecting nothing but cruelty at her husband’s hand, she is surprised to find herself the recipient of that which she has so often given but never received: love. But Gwyneth has dark secrets that will inevitably be revealed, secrets that will test the strength of their love.

* * *

Heart of Steel by Jennifer Probst
(Contemporary Romance)

Chandler Santell avoids men–especially the rich and powerful ones who believe more in money than in people. Desperate to save her struggling Yoga and Arts Center, her last hope is the most powerful man in the finance industry, a man reputed to have a “Heart of Steel.” Logan Grant knew he was in trouble the moment Chandler Santell walked into his office. He agrees to her crazy deal only when she risks all and guarantees him a profit. Behind the scenes, a dangerous game of love, power, and greed begin to play out–a game Chandler knows nothing about. The payoff is worth millions to the man who can win Chandler’s heart. But is love worth the price?

* * *

Knight’s Desire by Elizabeth Taylor George
(Historical/Regency Romance)

All that stands between Sir Judson Langley and his chance to inherit Cresswell Castle is the truth, and a beautiful young serving woman with a secret…

Judson Langley yearns for lands of his own. Sent to Cresswell Castle by Lady Emily Goodfife to prove her great-granddaughter is alive, Judson is torn between greed and his obligation to Lady Emily.If he proves the girl, Arian Goodfife, is dead, he stands to inherit Cresswell. Judson expects to encounter the castellan’s hostility, but not the loss of his heart to an enchanting serving girl. How could he know that the secret she hides threatens to tear all his dreams asunder?

Arian Goodfife, rightful heiress of Cresswell, lives in the shadows, dirty and wretched. After her mother’s suicide, her cruel stepfather claimed to all that Arian died in a fire. Her identity stripped away, she trusts no one. Driven by the desire to regain Cresswell, she vows to depose her stepfather. Then a dark, handsome knight named Judson arrives, making another claim on her lands. Though he touches a place in her heart she thought had turned to stone, Arian realizes the peril she would face were Judson to discover her true identity. Is Judson an angel or a devil? Only a miracle of love will answer her question.

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HURRY! OFFER ENDS JUNE 6TH!!

“Algie!” I cried, “Already?”

My boyfriend is not called Algie.  You can therefore understand his concern when I shouted another man’s name in bed.   Admittedly, I was reading and he was sleeping but that did not lessen his distress. The cause: the latest Regency Romance download on my Kindle. Page Six. Our alpha male hero was already insisting that he and the feisty heroine are on first name terms. Yes, Algernon Tightbottom, Six Earl of a Massive Estate in Devonshire wanted to be called ‘Algie’.  They hadn’t even had the anachronistic kiss yet!

I’m a traditionalist, I guess.  In my own Regency inspired WIP the heroine (feisty though she is) calls the hero by his title and surname.  He is always Mr Birling, even after the first kiss (anachronistic and illicit though it is).  I can’t bring myself to write it otherwise because in my head the reason Mr Darcy is so attractive is because he is Mr Darcy.  We never call him Fitzwilliam or, heaven forbid, Fitz. If we did the whole idea of him would be inadequate.

In the Regency etiquette and codes of behaviour governed courtship, and there were lots of them, including correct forms of address.  When you address Algie to his face he is ‘My Lord’.  It is unusual that a female he has picked up on the side of the road (and not paying) would even address him by the title that goes with that massive estate in Devonshire.  If you want to learn more about how to address an Earl go here 

I am not a complete kill joy and I do find it satisfying to see the heroine and hero negotiate their way to happily ever after by some times breaking the rules. Even the epitome of Regency heroines does it. In What Matters in Jane Austen, John Mullan writes that Elizabeth Bennet arriving at Netherfield with mud encrusted hems is a situation that would probably not happen. Young women did not go ‘scampering about the country because her sister has a cold,’ as Miss Bingley snidely remarks.  The improper behaviour therefore acts to define character because as Mullan insists, although Miss Bingley is correct, who would side with her against Elizabeth Bennet?

In the Kindle book however there did’t seem any particular reason for ‘My Lord’ to become ‘Algie’, not even to show him as a fun, laid back kind of rogue who can’t be bothered with all the rot of social behaviour.  These days, however, it seems to be quite the thing that first name terms are reached quickly. For propriety’s sake the heroine may insist on formalities to show that she can be a good girl when people are watching, but generally it doesn’t last long. Normally until that first anachronistic kiss.

It does seem like a rather inconsequential thing, especially in a download I paid less than a pound for. However,  I would argue that part of the attraction of the Regency Romance fairy tale world is the wit and ingenuity of the heroine (and sometimes hero) used to conquer the codes of etiquette as though they were dogs with eyes as big as saucers or bean stalks to be climbed.  The right to call Mr Darcy ‘Fitzwilliam’ has to be earned through trial, as does the privilege of calling Miss Bennet ‘Elizabeth’. In either case, if the liberty is given or taken too freely than the significance of the prize loses a great deal of sparkle, if not all of its titillation.

You may be wondering how my boyfriend reacted to all this.  Well, he listened with growing perplexity before laughing and going back to sleep. All things considered I think I got off lightly.

Simon Harrington heard a cry for help and instantly came to the rescue of a woman. Later he found out she was a courtesan and decided to bring her to his cousins school. Little did he know this would not be the last interaction they would have.

Laura Prescott was on the run from her protector who wanted to sell her in an auction. Laura would fight but she was saved by a man who gave her a place to be kept safe. But the danger was far from over for Laura as her protector soon ended up dead and she was first on the inspectors list.

The Scarlet Bride is the third book from Cheryl Ann Smith’s series the School for Brides. Since revisiting this series I remembered why I liked this author just from reading her first book. This book brings a little more danger to the school and more intrigue with a mystery of a murderer. The character Laura was a shell throughout most of the book and Simon was overbearing but Smith makes you cheer for them to find a happy ending.

This book for me went towards a darker path with the killer walking the streets and you weren’t sure until the very end, but there was also a twist I didn’t see coming that brings a happy ending for Laura.

The next book and last one I have from the author is A Convenient Bride where Brenna’s story is next (the fifth book comes out in September). In The Scarlet Bride we are introduced to Brenna who is wild and head strong. I am interested in how she will avoid the impending match that her brother has ordered her to marry.

GIVING IN TO TEMPTATION WOULD BE THE RUIN OF THEM ALL!

Having spent years believing a lie about his birth, Dr. Samuel Hastings has been condemned to a personal hell of his desire’s making—his sinful thoughts of the one woman he can never touch would damn his soul for eternity.

Lady Evelyn Thorne is engaged to the very suitable Duke of St. Aldric when a shocking truth is revealed—and now Sam will play every bit of the devil to seduce the woman he thought would always be denied him!

The Sinner and the Saint: Brothers separated at birth, brought together by scandal.

The Greatest of Sins by Christine Merrill

This started off as a lovely historical romance before taking a darker, but no less interesting turn. I really enjoyed this story that featured the practice of medicine in 1800s and a love triangle of sorts between the classes in a time when social standing meant everything.

I am no fan of love triangles, but this one was different. The loser in this situation apparently gets his own book – and therefore happy ending – so I was able to be happy with the outcome. Nobody is all that perfect here, and there were times when all of the characters involved made decisions and did things that weren’t particularly typical of ‘romance characters’. In fact, there’re flaws in these people that might make some readers dislike them; a problem with love triangles is that everyone involved is going to partake in questionable behaviour at some point.

The author obviously did a great deal of research into the way medicine worked at the time (though I question the detailed dinner table discussion about childbirth!), beginning with her note explaining the history of the stethoscope before the story started. I liked that the details didn’t completely take over the story, but that it offered a new look at the time period and set the story apart from most others in the genre.

Christine Merrill is a new-to-me author, but I will definitely read more of her books. Apart from a few American expressions sneaking in here and there, the feel of time and place in this book was very strong. I sure hope the other book in The Sinner and the Saint series comes out sooner rather than later, as the duke needs his happy ending too!

Review copy provided by NetGalley.

James Kenney
1780 – 25 July 1849

James Kenney

Kenney was an English dramatist, the son of James Kenney, one of the founders of Boodles’ Club in London.

His first play, a farce called Raising the Wind (1803), was a success owing to the character of “Jeremy Diddler”.

Kenney produced more than forty dramas and operas between 1803 and 1845, and many of his pieces, in which Sarah Siddons, Madame Vestris, Maria Foote, Monk Lewis, John Liston and other players appeared .

His most popular play was Sweethearts and Wives, produced at the Haymarket Theatre in 1823; and among the most successful of his other works were: False Alarms (1807), a comic opera with music by Braham; Love, Law and Physic (1812); Spring and Autumn (1827); The Illustrious Stranger, or Married and Buried (1827); Masaniello (1829); The Sicilian Vespers, a tragedy (1840).

Kenney, who numbered Charles Lamb and Samuel Rogers among his friends, died in London in 1849. He married the widow of the dramatist Thomas Holcroft, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

Lady Noelle Seymour only had to sneak into the earl’s bedroom and put back the necklace one of the courtesans had stolen. She didn’t expect to find herself in the arms of the earl and to enjoy the brief yet steamy kiss. She will get away but she will encounter the man once again but only this time she will know his real identity.

Gavin Blackwell brief encounter with the courtesan in his bedroom only led him to want more. Gavin was able to find his courtesan only to discover she was not all she seemed to be. He will help her as a danger lurks in the shadow.

I had read The School For Brides a while ago which is the first book to the series. I wanted to read more from the series but at the time there were none available. I decided to wait until the series, School for Brides, had several for me to take and read. I requested the second, third and fourth book of the series and it did not take long for them to all come my way.

The Accidental Courtesan takes us back to the sisters, Eva and Noelle but this time it will be Noelle helping out a courtesan in trouble. I liked that Noelle had not changed. She stayed a strong woman with her own convictions but there was a sensual side that Gavin was able to draw out. Gavin was also a strong character. I liked that he came from savage lands of America as they called it. He had charm and wit that would make you fall for him but there was also determination and he was a gentleman at heart.

Cheryl Ann Smith writes a well developed romance that holds a little danger and mystery in The Accidental Courtesan. I can’t wait to see where the series will led. The next book is The Scarlet Bride.

Eliab Harvey
5 December 1758 – 20 February 1830

Eliab Harvey

Eliab Harvey was born in Chigwell, to William and Emma Harvey. His father was a Member of Parliament for Essex, but died when Harvey was only five years old. Until 1768, Harvey was raised at the family estate of Rolls Park in Chigwell, which had passed to his elder brother William on the death of their father.

Harvey then attended Westminster School for two years before moving to Harrow School in 1770. At the age of thirteen in 1771, Harvey was entered onto the books of the naval schooner HMS Mary, although he did not actually serve aboard the ship. Utilising a standard legal fiction of the time, Harvey’s name was entered on the ship’s books without his actual presence, a ruse that would provide him with sufficient seniority to gain rapid promotion when he did enter the Navy. In his summer holidays from school, Harvey served at sea, joining HMS Orpheus in 1773.

Entering the Navy in 1774, Harvey became a midshipman aboard the sloop HMS Lynx and spent the next two years in the West Indies. Briefly returning to Britain at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Harvey returned to the eastern seaboard of North America late in 1776 aboard HMS Mermaid, before transferring to the flagship of the North America Station HMS Eagle. From there Harvey joined HMS Liverpool on temporary assignment, only to be wrecked on Long Island in 1778. Harvey rejoined Eagle after the wreck and returned to Britain in her. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1779.

Following his promotion, Harvey took a leave of absence from the Navy which would last three years. He stood for parliament in the seat of Maldon in Essex, which he won in 1780 and represented for the next four years. In 1781 Harvey briefly commanded HMS Dolphin, but took leave once again. In 1782 Harvey again returned to the Navy just as peace was agreed and was promoted to commander. Briefly taking over the sloop HMS Otter before rapidly making the jump to Post Captain less than a year later. (DWW-this was very quick. Either Harvey was the most skilled and noticed Ship Commander on the Seas, or he had a great deal of influence.)

With the peace of 1783, Harvey again took leave from the Navy, seeing out his parliamentary term and continuing his notorious lifestyle of gambling and debauchery. The young death of Harvey’s elder brother William Harvey, MP in April 1779 had provided Harvey with a substantial fortune, which he immediately began squandering in epic nights at London’s fashionable drinking and gambling establishments. Harvey gained a reputation among this crowd for playing exceptionally high stakes; one often repeated story concerns his loss, on his 21st birthday in 1779, of over £100,000 in a single game of hazard to a Mr O’Byrne. O’Byrne, recognising that such a sum would bankrupt his opponent, refused to take more than £10,000, insisting that they roll the dice again to determine the fate of the remaining £90,000. Harvey won and kept his fortune, but reportedly failed to pay the £10,000.

Harvey married Lady Louisa Nugent in 1784. Louisa was a daughter of Robert Nugent, 1st Earl Nugent and co-heir to his substantial wealth. The couple had nine children, eight of whom survived infancy and six of whom, all daughters, outlived their father. Harvey’s eldest son was killed in action serving in the British Army under the Marquess of Wellington at the Siege of Burgos in 1812. Harvey remained in semi-retirement until 1790, dividing his time between London and Rolls Park.

In 1790, Harvey was called back to the Navy during the Spanish armament and commanded the frigate HMS Hussar for six months, until the Navy returned to its peacetime complement. Three years later, Harvey was once again recalled to the Navy with the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars. Harvey would remain in service for the next 16 years, only briefly taking leave in 1802 during the Peace of Amiens. In 1793, Harvey became captain of the frigate HMS Santa Margarita in the West Indies. There he participated in the successful campaigns against the French colonies of Guadeloupe and Martinique under Admiral John Jervis. In May 1794 Harvey returned to Britain and served in the squadron under Sir John Borlase Warren which raided the French coast with great success in 1794 and 1795.

In 1795, Harvey took command of the ship of the line HMS Valiant, initially in the Channel Fleet and later in the West Indies under Sir Hyde Parker. In 1797 Harvey returned to Britain due to ill-health, and was given command of the Essex sea fencibles during the next year. In 1800 Harvey returned to sea in command of HMS Triumph, which he retained until the Peace of Amiens. During the peace he again dabbled in politics, becoming MP for Essex in 1802. Even after returning to the Navy in 1803 as captain of the second rate HMS Temeraire, Harvey remained in parliament, serving until 1812.

With the resumption of the war against France, Temeraire was attached to the Channel Fleet and blockaded ports in eastern France until 1805, when Harvey was sent to join Horatio Nelson’s blockade off Cadiz. When the Battle of Trafalgar was joined on 21 October, Harvey’s Temeraire was the second ship in Nelson’s division and was a faster and more agile ship than HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship. As a result, Temeraire began to pull ahead of Victory as the division closed on the Franco-Spanish fleet and Harvey was consequently reprimanded by Nelson, who hailed Temeraire: “I will thank you Captain Harvey, to keep your proper station which is astern of the Victory“.

During the combat that followed, Harvey was heavily engaged with the enemy, passing behind Bucentaure and astern of Redoutable. The broadside fired into Redoutable reduced the French ship to a wreck and forced its surrender soon afterwards when it became tangled with Victory and Temeraire. The three ships then drifted into the following French Fougueux, British fire disabling her and giving cover to a boarding party led by Temeraire‘s first-lieutenant, Thomas Fortescue Kennedy, which forced the surrender of Fougueux’s crew. In later years Harvey would use this incident for his personal motto “Redoutable et Fougueux”.

Controversy erupted concerning Harvey’s role in the battle. Although his bravery and skill were not questioned, his prominence in the dispatch sent home by Cuthbert Collingwood was. In the dispatch, Harvey was singled out over the other captains for his bravery, Collingwood writing: “I have not words in which I can sufficiently express my admiration of it”. As a result of this special mention, Harvey was promoted to rear-admiral on 9 November 1805, and given the honour of being one of Nelson’s pallbearers at the admiral’s funeral despite their short acquaintance. Harvey’s new motto and his penchant for “bragging” further alienated him from his fellow officers.

Returning to naval service, Harvey was given the 80-gun HMS Tonnant as his first flagship, in which he remained until 1809. Serving under Lord Gambier in the Channel Fleet, Harvey was outraged not to be given command of the British ships in action at the Battle of Basque Roads. Harvey expressed his disgust that command had been given to the more junior Lord Cochrane in no uncertain terms to Gambier, and was dismissed from the admiral’s council as a result.

Harvey resigned his commission on 23 May 1809, before the attack went ahead, in protest at Cochrane’s preferment. Returning to the Navy a year later, Harvey was never again called to active service, Gambier blocking his efforts to obtain gainful employment.

Despite his failure to return to the sea, Harvey’s seniority brought more promotions; he made vice-admiral in 1810 and finally became a full admiral in 1819. He was also made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1815 when the order was reformed, becoming a Knight Grand Cross in 1825. Harvey’s retirement included a further period in politics, returning to his seat as MP for Essex between 1820 and 1830.

Harvey died in 1830 at his family estate of Rolls Park and was buried in the Harvey family crypt at St Andrews Church at Hempstead in Essex, which contains the remains of over 50 family members.

Merryn Fenner had revenge on her mind since Garrick Northesk killed her brother in a duel. She will be getting her chance but a problem will occur when her thoughts start to drift romantically towards Garrick.

Garrick Northesk wanted to make amends for the past for the sisters who he ruined by killing their brother. Garrick will though have a secret he must hold on to as too many people would be hurt over the news.

Mistress of Midnight was more than I had thought when I first started reading, but it seems that all the books from the series Scandalous Women of the Ton have that element. Nicola Cornick does a good job writing Merryn’s and Garrick’s character and how their past and present are connected without them knowing all the details.

First of all I loved this book. There was anguish and guilt from both characters that had driven them to do penance for years. You don’t understand for what reasons right away but Cornick will slowly give us clues until the very end when you will know everything.

The love story within the story is not an easy thing. There are certainly steamy scenes in the story but the path is not an easy one. Of course once you get to that point Cornick romances Merryn and Garrick’s relationship.

What I have found out throughout the series is that Mr. Churchward, the lawyer, has always been there in the background helping someway. He does the same with Merryn to help her find the truth without telling her.

Now that I am done with the series leaving me now to go on a search for another series from Nicola Cornick.