Bethany Swafford's Blog, page 14

Never Vie For A Viscount

[image error]

Never Vie For A Viscount

By Regina Scott

Edition: Kindle, 2019

Synopsis: Lydia Villers is determined to leave behind her life as a social butterfly and do what she’s always dreamed of doing–pursue a career in science. A shame the only scientist willing to assist her is the one man she had once hoped to wed. Frederick, Viscount Worthington, Worth to his friends, has been betrayed once too often. How can he believe Lydia’s intentions are true? With the help of Miss Thorn and her beloved cat Fortune, a determined young lady and a jaded lord might just discover that only together do they make the perfect chemistry.

Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.

Lydia Villiers has been under her social climber brother long enough. She pursues her scientific studies, despite being employed by Viscount Worthington. Can she trust love to flourish as she works with the viscount to help perfect a hot air balloon?

W met Lydia in the previous books of the series. We’ve seen her brother push her towards titled, wealthy gentleman. Now that her brother is married, she finally gets the chance to use her mind. her reputation has been stained by her brother’s antics, but what does that matter when there are matters of natural study at hand?

Worth had almost given Lydia his heart before, and he is not eager to trust her again. This time, he gets to see her creativity and intelligence as he never had before. He’ll need all the help he can get with a saboteur nearby.

The plot is fast paced but well paced. The supporting characters are charming, and Fortune the cat is on hand for advice. Miss Thorn also draws closer to the happily ever after she deserves.

A must read for Regency readers!

At Dark of the Moon

[image error]

At Dark of the Moon

by Alice Chetwynd Ley

Edition: ARC, 2019

Synopsis: A BOLD, BLIND BARGAIN…

It had changed her life overnight. From her drab, unpromising post as governess, lovely Emma Harcourt was catapulted into a daring scheme of espionage. Suddenly she was an actress posing as the wife of Rupert Wynford, a perfect stranger.

As Napoleon prepared to invade the Dorset coast, Emma took her place among society’s elite where she was to match wits with the most dangerous men of her time. Fate had chosen her to play a part in England’s destiny and to gamble recklessly with her only chance for happiness and love.

Miss Emma Harcourt has been unjustly turned off from her position as a governess. She meets an actress, who kindly offers to allow Emma to take her place in a small acting job for a gentleman. When Emma realizes she is to pretend to be Rupert Wynford’s wife, she is hesitant but agrees. What has she gotten herself into?

This was an absolutely delightful story! Emma is a lovely heroine to take the lead. Her hesitations and how she allows herself to get involved is realistic. Her interactions with Rupert and the other characters she meets were enjoyable.

The plot moves at a good pace, until about the last quarter. Then, in my opinion, things are wrapped up a little too quickly. Besides that and several typos (which I assume must have happened when this was converted to a digital version, I had no complaints with how the story was written.

For readers looking for a historical fiction read with romance and adventure, this is an excellent pick! I received a copy from NetGalley and am reviewing it voluntarily.

Julia’s Hope

[image error]

Julia’s Hope

by Leisha Kelly

Edition: paperback, 2005

Synopsis: Like countless others in 1931, Samuel Wortham lost his job. And he lost his wife’s inheritance, their home, and much of his self-respect. Samuel, his wife, Julia, and their two young children hitchhike from Pennsylvania to Illinois in hope of work. Caught on the road by a sudden storm, the Worthams take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse out of desperation.

Feeling oddly at home, Julia insists on finding the owner of the property, despite Samuel’s objections, and asks for permission to stay. The owner is Emma Graham, a woman in her eighties who longs for home but can no longer live by herself. Emma and the Worthams work out a plan to live there together and restore the farm. Samuel struggles with not being able to provide for his family, and Julia and the kids confront unpleasant surprises when a busybody neighbor turns against them.

Julia and Samuel have traveled across the country with their two children, looking for a place to call home. When they come across an abandoned farm, Julia hopes they may have found it. While the owner is generous and kind, but the neighbors have other ideas.

This is told in the first person, alternating between Julia and Samuel, with occasional chapters from Emma. The emotions from all the characters came through and made it easier to relate with them all. They rely on each other and their faith to face the difficult circumstances in front of them.

The plot is slow, but not unbearably so. It takes its time in developing character and atmosphere. The cast is delightful, and every person is memorable in their own way.

For readers who enjoy Depression-era stories, this is a perfect read.

To Love A Lord (Rebellios Hearts, Book 1)

[image error]

To Love A Lord

by Michelle Pennington

Editon: ebook, 2019

Synopsis: A proper lord, an ardent young miss, and a love note gone astray. 

She didn’t mean to lose it…

But once the love note was discovered, scandal seemed certain.

A forbidden letter from a handsome rake had seemed so romantic at the time, but now it will undoubtedly mean her downfall. Even with the threat of ruin hanging over her, Patience realizes her heart is turning in a new direction. But no matter how Lord Stanton’s eyes linger on her, he would never tie himself to a lady with no dowry—especially if she were to lose her reputation.

When beautiful but penniless Patience receives a love letter from a handsome rake, she is delighted at the chance for love. However, all is not as it seems, and during a house party, she finds that Lord Stanton may be the gentleman she really wants.

This was a fun, quick read! Patience was an enjoyable heroine for me to cheer for. Her aunt has her convinced her natural inclinations are improper when it comes to horseback riding and playing more moving pieces on the pianoforte. She fears she cannot be proper enough for Lord Stanton, who is known for being “a stick in the mud”.

Lord Stanton’s kindness was really his best personality trait. He was willing to help Patience and was considerate of her feelings in everything. He made the perfect compliment to her, and I very much enjoyed their journey to love.

The plot is quick, and I easily read this in a couple of hours.

For fans of Regency Romance, you won’t go wrong with this sweet and clean romance.

Friday Dreaming

[image error]

Friday Dreaming

by Elizabeth Bailey

Edition:

Synopsis: A Regency Romance



In the tradition of Regency Romance, a charming tale of unrequited love, set in the 18th Century country house and the salons of London society. 



Friday’s private dreams are shattered in a disastrous engagement to the loved friend she never hoped to marry. 



FRIDAY DREAMING 



Bookish Friday Edborough’s secret dream looks set to come true when childhood friend, the gorgeous Nicolas Weare, proposes—if only he was behaving like a man in love. All too soon, Friday’s worst fears are confirmed when she finds Nick has been forced into the betrothal to stop him marrying the beautiful but ineligible Hermione. 

Caught between love and loyalty, Friday ends the engagement, leaving Nick to realise the value of what he’s lost just as he discovers Hermione’s true worth. But with the lines joining love and hate beginning to blur, has Nick’s change of heart come too late? 

Plain and book-loving Friday (short for Frideswid) has long been in love with Nick, the friend of her neighbor. She is overjoyed when he proposes but soon is disillusioned when she realizes he’d been compelled to offer for her with no real feeling for her. What follows is a complicated journey to true love.

It took me a while to warm up to Nick. I found him to be a young, arrogant, and thoughtless boy, and I couldn’t see any reason to want him to win the girl. Friday is slightly more likable, although she is also young and immature.

Still, there were some very enjoyable moments throughout. The plot does lag in places, but it kept me interested enough to finish.

Although not an immediate favorite, I still would recommend it for readers looking for a read about two young people finding love.

The Fairest Heart (Once Upon A Regency, #1)

[image error]

by Heather Chapman

Edition: ebook, 2019

Synopsis: Rose Grant doesn’t know the world beyond her country home in Hampshire. Banned from a season in London, prohibited from attending social events, forbidden to see her own reflection, and allowed only vetted correspondence—Rose is desperate for a life free from her controlling aunt. When she stumbles into the Duke of Andover and meets his son, the Marquess of Stratfordshire, she discovers new feelings and the possibility of future happiness. Rose begins to see a way out of her dark world—much to her aunt’s dismay.



Lord Colin Weston, the Marquess of Stratfordshire and future Duke of Andover, has met too many pretentious ladies more desirous of his title than his heart to trust easily. When he meets Miss Rose Grant, she seems genuine and kind, and Colin finds himself falling for her much too quickly.



Will Rose and Colin find their happily ever after, or will another’s attempt to poison them against one another prevail?

After years under her aunt’s thumb, Rose isn’t even sure what she looks like anymore. She’s not seen her own reflection in ten years. When the son of a duke shows an interest, she has no idea the danger she’s getting herself into.

This was a quick read. I liked Rose’s sweetness, although I did raise an eyebrow that she would remain so positive in the face of her aunt’s continual berating and negativity. She didn’t seem to have to go far to escape halfway through the book.

Part of the story is told from Colin’s POV. I didn’t get a strong grasp of his personality, although he seemed kind. He and Rose seemed well-matched.

Overall, it was a sweet novel to spend an hour or two reading.

Mrs. Astor Regrets

[image error]

by Meryl Gordan

Edition: hardcover, 2008

Synopsis: A riveting look behind the gates of the house of Astor as a famous family falls apart in public

The fate of Brooke Astor, the endearing philanthropist with the storied name, has generated worldwide headlines since her grandson Philip sued his father in 2006, alleging mistreatment of Brooke. And shortly after her death in 2007, Anthony Marshall, Mrs. Astor’s only child, was indicted on charges of looting her estate. Rarely has there

been a story with such an appealing heroine, conjuring up a world so nearly forgotten: a realm of lavish wealth and secrets of the sort that have engaged Americans from the era of Edith Wharton to the more recent days of Truman Capote and Vanity Fair.

New York journalist Meryl Gordon has interviewed not only the elite of Brooke Astor’s social circle but also the large staff who cosseted and cared for Mrs. Astor during her declining years. The result is the behind-the-headlines story of the Astor empire’s unraveling, filled with never-before-reported scenes. This powerful, poignant saga takes the reader inside the gilded gates of an American dynasty to tell of three generations’ worth of longing and missed opportunities. Even in this territory of privilege, no riches can put things right once they’ve been torn asunder. Here is an American epic of the bonds of money, morality, and social position.

A rich socialite/philanthropist reaches the incredible age of one hundred and five. Her grandson, worried for how she’s being cared for, sues his own father. When a family is torn apart, years worth of crimes are revealed.

This was a book that kept me in its grip for hours. I didn’t know much about Brooke Astor when I began reading, and I had conflicting feelings throughout. Her treatment of her only son early on in his life certainly resulted in bitterness, but of course, does not excuse for what he did when he was her guardian when she became unable to make decisions.

A family was torn apart by decisions made throughout. I was left glad that I was not part of a wealthy family, where money is a replacement for love and affection.

All in all, it was a fascinating read. I would have liked it better if it had been in chronological order, starting from the beginning of Mrs. Astor’s life.

For readers who enjoy biographies, this would be an excellent choice.

 

 

Elyza

[image error]

Elyza

by Clare Darcy

Edition: hardcover, 1976

Synopsis: Elyza Leigh–young, impulsive, and pretty–borrows boy’s clothes and runs away from her chaperone in London, an unsuccessful Season, and an offer of a dreary marriage. At a country inn she fortunately encounters Cleve Redmayne–her purse has been stolen. He pays her bills and gives her a seat in his travelling coach. Handsome and rich, he has just returned from India and is determined to marry the beautiful Corinna Mayfield, though he only saw her once years ago. Cleve learns of Elyza’s problems and that she knows Corinna, so he arranges her return to London and from there to Brighton, where he plans to establish himself.

At Brighton, he acquires a mansion and is taken up by the Prince Regent. Elyza joins the glittering social world of Brighton, which is dominated by the fantastic Royal Pavilion parties, and introduces Cleve to Corinna. Elyza blossoms and acquires a circle of admirers. Cleve gives a magnificent ball, but a wicked Marquis, also pursuing Corinna, plots his downfall. There is a Great Curricle Race, at which Elyza commits an indiscretion. Blackmail follows.

After a duel, a kidnapping, and a hectic road race, people and proposals are happily disentangled. Particularly fascinating characters, especially charming Elyza and the unusual Cleve, all go to make a Regency romance of true distinction.

Elyza Leigh, determined to escape an engagement to a man she does like, dons boys clothes and leaves London. She encounters the handsome and wealthy Cleve Redmayne, who advises her to go back. They both go to Brighton where they make their mark on society and romance soon follows!

This is an absolute delight! Elyza, impetuous and sweet, is just the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about. She grows as a character, starting as a put-upon and cowed young lady who does something impetuous to escape and becomes a confident woman by the end.

Redmayne is entertaining as well, in his own way, with his quirks and the way he approaches discovering who he really loves. The supporting cast is also entertaining and earned smiles from me while I was reading.

The plot moved at a good pace. The writing style seems to be normal for when it was written, but I enjoyed it.

For an entertaining and light-hearted Regency Romance, Clare Darcy’s Elyza is an excellent choice.

A Song for the Stars

[image error]

A Song for the Stars

by Ilima Todd

Edition: paperback, 2019

Synopsis: Inspired by a true story

 

Hawaiian Islands, 1779

 

As the second daughter of a royal chief, Maile will be permitted to marry for love. Her fiancé is the best navigator in Hawaiʻi, and he taught her everything he knows—how to feel the ocean, observe the winds, read the stars, and how to love.

 

But when sailors from a strange place called England arrive on her island, a misunderstanding ends in battle, and Maile is suddenly widowed before she is wed.

Finding herself in the middle of the battle and fearing for her life, Maile takes John Harbottle, the wounded man who killed her fiancé, prisoner, and though originally intending to let him die, she reluctantly heals him. And in the process, she discovers the man she thought was her enemy might be her ally instead.

 

John has been Captain James Cook’s translator for three voyages across the Pacific. He is kind and clearly fascinated with her homeland and her people—and Maile herself. But guilt continues to drive a wedge between them: John’s guilt over the death he caused, and Maile’s guilt over the truth about what triggered the deadly battle—a secret she’s kept hidden from everyone on the island.

 

When Maile is tasked with teaching John how to navigate using the stars so he can sail back to England, they must also navigate the challenges of being from very different cultures. In doing so, they might also find the peace that comes when two hearts become one.

Maile’s betrothed has taught her much about navigation and what it is like to be in love. When she loses him to the white invaders who appeared on their shore, she is devastated. Can she find love with John Harbottle, the translator for Captain Cook, who murdered her betrothed in front of her?

The author blends two stories into one, telling the story of her ancestors and a tragic situation that occurred when Captain Cook first stepped foot on “The Sandwich Islands.” We follow Maile through the conflict that left her first betrothed dead to her taking John prisoner and slowly falling in love as she shows him her culture.

It was definitely a compelling read, told through her voice with brief excerpts from John’s journal. Still, it is told in the first person present tense, which I really don’t care for. I think it was meant to pull the reader in, but I just found it annoying.

For readers of historical fiction looking for an interesting and little told era, look no further.

Daughter of Time (After Cilmeri, #0.5)

[image error]

by Sarah Woodbury

Edition: ebook, 2011

Synopsis: Daughter of Time tells the story of a young widow, Meg, healing from the pain of a brief, unhappy marriage, who falls through time into the Middle Ages — and into the arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last Prince of Wales. He saves her, and she in turn saves him, thanks to her knowledge of future events. Although powerful forces seek to divide them, by working together, Meg and Llywelyn have a chance to navigate the dangerous and shifting alliances that constantly undermine his rule and threaten the very existence of Wales — and to create a future in which Llywelyn’s death does not come too soon.

Recently widowed Meg gets thrown back in time to the middle ages. She is rescued by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last Prince of Wales. Meg struggles to adjust to the politics and cultural differences of the time period.

I don’t usually go for time travel romances. I picked this one up because I have really enjoyed this author’s other medieval series. For being a genre I’m not usually interested in, this book was…good. Not an instant favorite, but interesting enough I will probably continue the series.

The romance aspect was a bit underwhelming (no sex happens on the page, much to my relief) but I couldn’t’ quite work out why Meg and Llywelyn fall in love. It seemed more an arrangement of convenience. I was also queasy about the TWENTY YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE between them. He is old enough to be her father.

True love is great and all, but I found it a bit offputting.

The narrative switches between Meg and Llewellyn so we get both the uncertainty of being in a new environment and the confidence of always being there. The details were enjoyable and brought the book to life.

Overall, it was a fun read.