Jennifer Trethewey's Blog, page 3

Island Queen by Vanessa RIley

I have enjoyed Vanessa Riley’s Regency romances for years—the Advertisements for Love series is my particular favorite—so I knew this book would be well-researched, richly detailed, and a thoroughly absorbing experience for readers. But because this was a story about an historical figure, I did not expect to be so completely swept up emotionally. Island Queen reminded of Daniel Defoe’s classic Moll Flanders but Defoe’s character Moll was white, she was a servant, not a slave, and she was fictional. Dorothy Kirwan Thomas was a real person who lived and loved and achieved. She not only survived. She dominated. She triumphed. But Vanessa Riley’s task of putting that amazing life on the page was a daunting one. Dorothy Thomas left no diary. So, like a forensic anthropologist, Riley used her creative talent to reconstruct the literary flesh—the thoughts, the emotions, the dialogue—of Dorothy Thomas. And although the Island Queen was beautiful, Riley did not leave out the ugly bits—the slavery, the inhumanity, the misogyny, even Dorothy’s failings. There were two moments in this novel when I started to cry and thought I would never stop. Some of the characters are etched on my heart. I read along while I listened to the audio book narrated by the incomparable Adjoa Andoh (HonFRS). If you watched the Bridgerton series you would recognize her voice instantly as she played Lady Danbury. And because she is such an amazing narrator, the emotional quality of the story was only intensified. The best news of all, Island Queen has been optioned for a television adaptation starring Adjoa Andoh. #23for23

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton

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Then, Now, Always by Mona Schroff

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve finished a book and said, “This needs to be a movie.” Well, THEN, NOW, ALWAYS needs to be a movie. And not a Hallmark movie, although Hallmark would certainly do well with this story, but a big ol’ Hollywood blockbuster with super stars. I have it all cast in my head.

Simone Ashley (Bridgerton) as Maya

Riz Ahmed (The Night Of) as Sam.

That’s because Schroff has written a gorgeous story with characters that jump right off the page and into your heart. Secret Baby/Second Chance romance tropes are not top on my list but this love story is singular in a way that will stand out. It will be added to my very short list of books I can return to, re-read, and fall in love all over again. #23for23

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HAVEN by Rebekah Witherspoon

#23for23 Just finished listening to Rebekah Weatherspoon’s HAVEN, the first in her Beards and Bondage series, and whoa, this story takes of like a rocket on page one. Mountain man, Shep Olsen’s life turns upside down when Claudia Cade comes crashing through his front door. She is beat up and bleeding and her tormentor is in pursuit. Shep has to take drastic measures to save her life. Once the emergency is over and Claudia is safely recovering in the hospital, his laid-back mountain existence should have gone back to normal, but both Claudia and Shep can’t stop thinking about each other. The experience has, in some ways, bonded them. After two months of living on opposite coasts trying to act like nothing happened, Claudia returns to Shep. They make a deal, one week together with total honesty about what they need in a sexual partner. What they eventually reveal to each other is what they need emotionally. This story was face paced, sexy as hell, and I loved these characters. Rebekah Wetherspoon is a hell of a wonderful romance writer. I love her and you will, too!

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NEVER CROSS A HIGHLANDER REVIEW #23for23

If you haven’t seen #23for23 before, it is a challenge created by romance authors. Read 23 books by authors of color between now and the end of 2023. I found out about the challenge from my indy writer friend, Carla Luna, author of five contemporary romance novels: Blue Hawaiian, Red Velvet, White Wedding, Field Rules, and Troy Story. She attended Steamy Lit Con in Marriott, California where the challenge was put to 1000 readers and writers in attendance. It’s spreading and the challenge is a perfect way to make new fans of AOC. Visit 23for23.net to join.

I’m taking on this challenge, but not exclusively to romance. There are so many American classics I’ve yet to read by authors like James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker. But first on my list is NEVER CROSS A HIGHLANDER by Lisa Rayne. You know how much I love a great Highland romance. When I heard about a new release about a black Highland warrior, I was jazzed. I just finished listening to the audio book (beautifully narrated by Michael Abubakar) and was not disappointed. Great story, great writing, hot romance, a heroine one can really embrace and a swoon worthy hero. I highly recommend NEVER CROSS A HIGHLANDER and the best news is that this is the first book in a series!

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The Dishonored Viscount by Sophie Barnes

Sophie Barnes, how could I only just now be discovering all your wonderful books? The Dishonored Viscount is the 8th book in the Diamonds in the Rough series This one really captured my imagination. Lady Louise is plagued by an eye affliction most commonly treated with a painful and often temporary procedure during this time in Great Britain. She has a chance encounter with Marcus Berkly, the most skilled eye-surgeon in London who has perfected a newer treatment that is less painful and reliably permanent. Louise’s father won’t allow her to be treated by Marcus Berkly because Berkly’s father was convicted of murder and was stripped of all titles. Louise’s father, like the rest of the Ton, believes criminal behavior must run in the blood. But Louise defies her father’s wishes and has the procedure done anyway. Unfortunately, she has to lie to Berkly to get him to agree. Will he forgive her and will her father ever stop his relentless persecution of Marcus Berkly? What I loved most was the slow, sweet burn. Really well done. And the research that went into this story is extensive. I always appreciate the attention to detail.

Here’s the publisher’s description: He knows he doesn’t deserve her, yet he can’t get her out of his mind…
Stripped of his title because of a crime his father committed, Marcus Berkly has struggled to find a new place for himself in the world. Now, as London’s most skilled eye-surgeon, he dedicates his time to his patients while steering clear of Society. Until a chance encounter with a determined young woman upends his life.
When Lady Louise discovers that Mr. Berkly’s surgical method could save her from permanent blindness, she decides to enlist his help. Against her father’s direct orders, she takes charge of her fate, and falls desperately in love in the process. But can a proper lady and an ill-reputed scoundrel have a future together? Or are the odds against them simply too great?

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Cheers to the Duke by Sally MacKenzie

Cheers to the Duke and Cheers to Sally MacKenzie for making me fall in love with Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home for Fallen Ladies and their Unfortunate Daughters! What’s even better is that I’m looking forward to downloading and reading books 1 and 2 of her Widow’s Brew series. Poor Edward Russell was perfectly happy working as a solicitor and raising his son until the dukedom of Grainger was thrust upon him. Now, he finds himself responsible for a large estate and all the duties related to the House of Lords. He has an heir, of course, but a responsible duke should have a spare. Thus far, his search for a duchess has been disappointing and exhausting. Until he meets Jo, the widowed Lady Havenridge. He thinks his search has ended, but Jo has responsibilities, too, and after a disastrous first marriage, she no longer trusts her judgement when it comes to love. I listened to the audio version and loved the narration by Justine Eyre. If you love Regency, you’ll love Cheers to the Duke.

Here’s the publisher’s note: The “fallen” ladies of Puddledon Manor’s Benevolent Home are restoring their reputations – and their future prospects – by operating their very own brewery and alehouse….As the founder of the Home, Josephine Smyth-Waters is determined to be there for the women who need her. But when those same women conspire to accept an invitation on her behalf, she finds herself suddenly on the way to the christening party of the Earl of Darrow’s baby. Guests at the party include her friends and former partners Pen and Caro-and Edward Russell, Duke of Grainger, the Home’s generous benefactor and the man she’s been writing to for months. While Jo decidedly does not have marriage on the mind, the duke’s handsome looks and charming words are enough to make the lovely widow a little reckless….

Even after a year, the title of “duke” still sits strangely on Edward Russell’s shoulders. When Edward encounters Jo – capable, fun, and utterly irresistible – he’s delighted to find someone he truly connects with. A trick of fate has placed them on two different paths…but Edward is beginning to realize that perhaps he’s not the kind of man who does the expected thing after all….

Contains mature themes.

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West End Earl by Bethany Bennett

I apologize. I got lost in holiday madness and it’s taken a while for me to catch up, but here’s my next review of another scandalous historical.

People see what you want them to see. This is my favorite line from Bethany Bennett’s West End Earl. A heroine in trousers always entertains me and West End Earl does not fail. Fate has not been kind to Ophelia Hardwick. She has endured the death of both parents, an abusive uncle, and the accidental death of her twin brother. When, at age 13, her uncle, greedy for her fortune, tries to marry her off to the highest bidder, she flees. Through sheer determination, grit, and a little bit of luck, she manages to make her way as a man in service to Calvin, Earl of Carlyle. After ten years in hiding, she is about to come into her fortune when she can stop the masquerade and live as herself. But her uncle is still trying to have her killed. When Cal comes to the rescue after his land steward has been viciously attacked, he discovers his right-hand man is really a woman. What started as friendship quickly heats up. Calvin does everything possible to keep Ophelia’s secret and her life safe—everything except the most important thing: confide in her. So much love, so much romance, all tucked up in the beautiful Regency package.

Here’s the publisher’s blurb: While most young ladies attend balls and hunt for husbands, Ophelia Hardwick has spent the last 10 years masquerading as a man. As the land steward for the Earl of Carlyle, she’s found safety from the uncle determined to kill her and freedoms a lady could only dream of. Ophelia’s situation would be perfect – if only she wasn’t hopelessly attracted to her employer.

Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is determined to see his sister married this season. And he’ll do it with the help of his trusted right-hand man. But when he finds out his man is a woman, and that her life is in danger, his priorities change. Their attraction is passionate, all-consuming, and if they aren’t careful, it could turn downright deadly – for both of them.

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Smashing Debut by Marry Kate Pembrooke

Not the Kind of Earl you Marry. What a smashing debut novel! After reading hundreds of Regencies, I was delighted to discover this one with such a wonderful and unique set-up. The very eligible and handsome Earl of Norwood has successfully dodged every kind of trap set for him by every marriage hungry debutant until one day, he wakes up to find that news of his engagement appears in the paper, an engagement that he never proposed to a woman he’s never met, Miss Charlotte Hurst. Miss Charlotte is equally dismayed when Norwood barges into her breakfast room demanding an explanation from her brother. How dare he accuse her of such a contemptuous scheme to trap him into marriage. Especially when she has no interest in men who think far too much of themselves and have no manners. And oh, oh, oh, it’s so delicious watching her take him down a notch while he falls madly in love with her. Not the Kind of Earl You Mary is the first in her Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair series. The second book in the series, Say You’ll Be Mine, is due out February of 2022 and features one of my favorite characters in this first book so I cannot wait. I’ve got it on my wish list.

Here’s what the publisher says: The one woman in London who doesn’t want to marry him is now his fiancée. William Atherton, Earl of Norwood, is as shocked as the rest of London to discover his betrothal via an announcement in the morning paper. Furious at what appears to be a shrewd marriage trap, William tracks down his alleged fiancée before her plans can affect his campaign for a coveted political post. But then William realizes an engagement, however fake, may benefit them both . . .

Miss Charlotte Hurst may be a wallflower, but she’s no shrinking violet. She would never attempt such an underhanded scheme, especially not with a man as haughty or sought-after as Norwood. Yet his suggestion to play along with the betrothal has its merits . . . and the longer they pretend, the more undeniably real their feelings become. But when the true culprit behind their engagement is revealed, can their newfound happiness survive the scandal?

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Scoundrel of My Heart by Lorraine Heath

I love the titled heroes, but I have a soft spot in my heart for the second sons. I feel for them, standing in the wings while their older brothers take all the bows. I have read or listened to all of Lorraine Heath’s novels at least twice. I especially love the Sins for all Seasons series with the Trewloves (let’s see that series on tv please) and Scoundrel of my Heart seems to be the bridge from Trewloves to the Once Upon a Duke series. All her most recent novels are narrated by the incomparable Kate Reading. Lorraine Heath never fails to break my heart, make me cry, and then patch me together again. She does it best with Lady Kathryn Lambert who needs to wed a lord, and second son Griffith Stanwick who loves Kathryn enough to find her the best titled husband possible. Sigh. I wish there was a six star rating.

And here’s what the publisher says: Lorraine Heath begins an exciting new series with a breathtaking romance about a young woman who must marry a titled gentleman to obtain her inheritance and the usuitable man she begins to fall madly in love with

She is desperate to wed a duke…Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a titled gentleman to claim her inheritance and has finally gained the attention of a duke. Yet she is unable to forget the scandalous second son who aided in her achievement—or his betrayal.

He wants what he can never possess…Lord Griffith Stanwick is tormented by the bitter truth that as a “spare,” he will never be able to give Kathryn what she yearns to possess. But when his father is found guilty of treason, Griff detours into the dark and dangerous corners of London, haunted by memories of the woman lost to him forever.

Love not to be denied…As the duke’s courtship intensifies, Kathryn discovers Griff has become a man to be reckoned with. When old passions flare and new desires ignite, she must decide if sacrificing her legacy is worth a lifetime shared with the scoundrel of her heart.

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Tessa Dare is the literary equivalent to Zoloft

Tessa Dare needs no introduction. She is a-maz-ing. Here’s my review of The Duchess Deal:

The only thing better than reading a Tessa Dare novel is listening to a Tessa Dare novel narrated by one of my very favorites, Mary Jane Wells, ranked second only to Kate Reading and just before Davina Porter. Tessa Dare never disappoints. Her characters are smart, determined, courageous, and flawed in the best possible ways. Dare will make you laugh and laugh and then tear your heart out, stomp on it, and make you beg to have it back so you can love her characters even more. Tessa Dare novels could easily be prescribed as a substitute for mood elevators. The Duchess Deal is the first in Dare’s Girl Meets Duke series, and because I’m still so in love with the Duke of Ashbury, the heartbreakingly beautiful hero, The Duchess Deal is first in my heart.

And here’s the publisher’s summary: Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir – which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

They will be husband and wife by night only.No lights, no kissing.No questions about his battle scars.Last, and most importantly…once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

They will have dinner together every evening.With conversation.And unlimited teasing.Last, and most importantly…once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love.

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