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Blackhaven Brides #1
The Wicked Baron
The Wicked Baron is the first in the Blackhaven Brides series, set in a newly fashionable spa town on the beautiful Cumbrian coast, where the great and the bad of visiting Regency society turn local life upside down. Orphan Gillie Muir makes ends meet by holding genteel card parties for friends and visitors to the newly fashionable spa town of Blackhaven. But when Lord Wickenden, known as the Wicked Baron, makes her a shocking proposal, her world is turned upside down. Jaded and bored, Lord Wickenden has his own reasons for joining the house party at Braithwaite Castle. One of them is to oblige an ex-mistress by detaching her son from the local gaming den hussy who has ensnared him. But, confronted by Gillie’s unexpected charm and innocence, Wickenden abandons his original plan of simply taking her for himself. Instead, he becomes embroiled in her bizarre problems, which include saving her reputation and her life, keeping the Watch away from her card parties, and hiding an injured smuggler who was once kind to her. The infuriating and devastating Wickenden soon has Gillie’s heart in a spin. But when she discovers he means to fight a duel over her – and everyone knows the wicked baron never misses - she’ll go to any length to save his life and his soul. Even elope with another man.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2017
1236 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Mary Lancaster
139 books517 followersMary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.
Connect with Mary on-line:
Website: http://www.MaryLancaster.com
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Twitter: @MaryLancNovels https://twitter.com/MaryLancNovels
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Lancaster...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mary-...
Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.
Connect with Mary on-line:
Website: http://www.MaryLancaster.com
Newsletter sign-up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.lancast...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/MaryLancaste...
Twitter: @MaryLancNovels https://twitter.com/MaryLancNovels
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Lancaster...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mary-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 20, 2021
This started with quite a bit of potential and I liked the prose. The hero was a fun character. He was a bad boy, a bit capricious, a bit of a contrarian, but honest to a fault.
The downsides were too many plot lines (like a million of them) and a lot of characters. It was fun until it got to be too much, but the thing that brought this down a peg was the awful love scene.
The downsides were too many plot lines (like a million of them) and a lot of characters. It was fun until it got to be too much, but the thing that brought this down a peg was the awful love scene.
June 15, 2021
This book started off well with the spirited Gillie and her brother making ends meet by organising card parties for gentry visiting their little coastal town. One such visitor passing through is the Wicked Baron himself, who seems to have more than a casual interest in their establishment and Gillie herself. It soon descends into a multi-pronged story involving smugglers, spies, protective mommas and hasty elopers.
This is my first book by the author and though she is guilty of over-complicating the story with too many subplots, there is much to like about the writing which felt authentic to the period. The humour varies from quietly charming to clever and witty to farcical laugh-out-loud moments. The Baron himself I could not fault, but unfortunately Gillie, in losing her heart to Wickenden, lost herself and her zest. This is one of her earlier books, so I will definitely try out her more recent books.
This is my first book by the author and though she is guilty of over-complicating the story with too many subplots, there is much to like about the writing which felt authentic to the period. The humour varies from quietly charming to clever and witty to farcical laugh-out-loud moments. The Baron himself I could not fault, but unfortunately Gillie, in losing her heart to Wickenden, lost herself and her zest. This is one of her earlier books, so I will definitely try out her more recent books.
November 20, 2019
Unwed and orphaned, Gillie Muir lives in her family home with her brother and spinster aunt in the newly fashionable spa town of Blackaven. Attempting to make ends meet, the family has resorted to smuggling and holding card parties. Hosting these card parties has damaged her reputation and given many the wrong opinion of her and her character.
When the mother of a childhood friend assumes that she is a girl of loose morals seeking to trap her son into marriage, she sends Lord Wickenden to infiltrate these card parties to determine if there is danger of this and if so to warn her off.
Wickenden is bored and needs to lay low for a while so he decides to attend the party; not to do anyone's bidding, but to find his own amusement. While there he finds so much more than expected. From the dangerous to the bizarre, there is never a dull moment after meeting Miss Gillie Muir.
_______________________________
The Wicked Baron is the first book in Mary Lancaster's Blackhaven Brides series.
Even if the name Wickenden for the 'Wicked Baron' is a bit on the nose, I really enjoyed it. I had very little respect for his character early in the book, based on both his reputation and on his behavior/treatment of Gillie. As the story progressed he slowly won me over though. Gillie's choices are quite questionable at times, but she's quirky and determined and I really enjoyed reading about her character. The attraction and relationship between Gillie and Wickenden gradually develops and there are a few false starts between them, and the timing of it just felt just right; not at all rushed.
I will say that there were a few instances of missing words or an extra word added, it could have done with one more edit. But that being said, these were few and far between and did not distract much from my enjoyment of the book. Also I was pretty surprised by the author's overuse of exclamation marks (as I didn't find them in Wicked Christmas, which I read before this). Honestly, they annoyed me a bit. It wasn't even limited to dialogue. If it was mainly happening with the dialogue of one or a couple of characters then I would understand they were being used to define a facet of their personality. But they were used frequently in internal dialogue and discriptive paragraphs as well. This is one of my pet-peeves when reading, so maybe this won't have bothered others as much as it did me.
The story was well fleshed out with some fun twists and turns. The characters and their interactions are frequently amusing and I enjoyed reading about them and look forward to learning more about the people of Blackhaven. There was a lot going on in this book between the plot and sub-plots and it is a very strong start to the series. I will be continuing with the series and recommend it to fans of historical fiction with a bit of intrigue.
_____
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership.
When the mother of a childhood friend assumes that she is a girl of loose morals seeking to trap her son into marriage, she sends Lord Wickenden to infiltrate these card parties to determine if there is danger of this and if so to warn her off.
Wickenden is bored and needs to lay low for a while so he decides to attend the party; not to do anyone's bidding, but to find his own amusement. While there he finds so much more than expected. From the dangerous to the bizarre, there is never a dull moment after meeting Miss Gillie Muir.
_______________________________
The Wicked Baron is the first book in Mary Lancaster's Blackhaven Brides series.
Even if the name Wickenden for the 'Wicked Baron' is a bit on the nose, I really enjoyed it. I had very little respect for his character early in the book, based on both his reputation and on his behavior/treatment of Gillie. As the story progressed he slowly won me over though. Gillie's choices are quite questionable at times, but she's quirky and determined and I really enjoyed reading about her character. The attraction and relationship between Gillie and Wickenden gradually develops and there are a few false starts between them, and the timing of it just felt just right; not at all rushed.
I will say that there were a few instances of missing words or an extra word added, it could have done with one more edit. But that being said, these were few and far between and did not distract much from my enjoyment of the book. Also I was pretty surprised by the author's overuse of exclamation marks (as I didn't find them in Wicked Christmas, which I read before this). Honestly, they annoyed me a bit. It wasn't even limited to dialogue. If it was mainly happening with the dialogue of one or a couple of characters then I would understand they were being used to define a facet of their personality. But they were used frequently in internal dialogue and discriptive paragraphs as well. This is one of my pet-peeves when reading, so maybe this won't have bothered others as much as it did me.
The story was well fleshed out with some fun twists and turns. The characters and their interactions are frequently amusing and I enjoyed reading about them and look forward to learning more about the people of Blackhaven. There was a lot going on in this book between the plot and sub-plots and it is a very strong start to the series. I will be continuing with the series and recommend it to fans of historical fiction with a bit of intrigue.
_____
I read this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership.
January 3, 2020
Gillyflower (called Gillie) is the impoverished, but respectable daughter of a soldier. When her father dies, her and her brother set up a weekly informal card party at their house which keeps them financially afloat. Unfortunately, rumors fly and Gillie's house is interpreted by the neighborhood as being a gambling den, which causes her to be shunned by polite society. Enter Lord Wickenden, who promises to restore Gillie's reputation in the neighborhood--in exchange for a kiss. Little does Wickenden know that Gillie is a magnet for trouble, and he'll have to help her out of more than a few scrapes if he wants to win her heart.
This novel started out great. The writing is descriptive and evocative. The setting and characterizations were well thought out and well executed. And there was obvious chemistry and a nice slow burning romance between our hero and heroine. Unfortunately, their love lost its sizzle halfway through the novel when the plot fell into the usual tired romantic tropes of As with many other romance novels, the hero and heroine's romantic problems mostly stemmed from their inability to communicate their feelings, and their tendency to make assumptions about the other person's feelings. If you don't mind an excess of unneeded drama in your romance novels, then I highly recommend this book! But if you're like me, and can't stand to see authors take perfectly sensible characters and make them do uncharacteristically stupid things in order to further the plot (and/or word count), you may want to pass on this book. I almost put it down when the shenanigans started and now, after finishing the novel, I wish I had.
This novel started out great. The writing is descriptive and evocative. The setting and characterizations were well thought out and well executed. And there was obvious chemistry and a nice slow burning romance between our hero and heroine. Unfortunately, their love lost its sizzle halfway through the novel when the plot fell into the usual tired romantic tropes of As with many other romance novels, the hero and heroine's romantic problems mostly stemmed from their inability to communicate their feelings, and their tendency to make assumptions about the other person's feelings. If you don't mind an excess of unneeded drama in your romance novels, then I highly recommend this book! But if you're like me, and can't stand to see authors take perfectly sensible characters and make them do uncharacteristically stupid things in order to further the plot (and/or word count), you may want to pass on this book. I almost put it down when the shenanigans started and now, after finishing the novel, I wish I had.
September 17, 2018
3.5 stars
A very fun book! I really liked the hero (the Wicked Baron himself) and he just fits with Gillie.
I like Blackhaven as the town and there are some interesting characters running around that will get their own books (I just knew even before going on Goodreads to check) :) .
What I disliked is Gillie's decisions near the end of the book. It simply didn't look like it fit her character, the way I imagined her to be, at least).
All in all, a fun, romantic and suspenseful romp that will keep you turning pages.
A very fun book! I really liked the hero (the Wicked Baron himself) and he just fits with Gillie.
I like Blackhaven as the town and there are some interesting characters running around that will get their own books (I just knew even before going on Goodreads to check) :) .
What I disliked is Gillie's decisions near the end of the book. It simply didn't look like it fit her character, the way I imagined her to be, at least).
All in all, a fun, romantic and suspenseful romp that will keep you turning pages.
February 28, 2019
Who said “what’s up” in the 1800’s . Modern language doesn’t belong in regency romance imo
January 25, 2020
Not a bad read, but nothing gripping or spectacular for me. I didn't feel drawn to either hero or heroine, and I didn't feel the hero was wicked by any means. I'm just glad it was free :)
March 13, 2021
"I'm being good. I just can't keep it up for very long." That describes Lord Wickenden, the Wicked Baron, perfectly!! I so enjoyed this story and from start to finish, there was never a dull moment. Between card parties, balls, smugglers and spies, such is Gillie's life! When she meets Wickenden, her life gets even more complicated and when her heart gets involved, she must make decisions that are not necessarily right.
Not only is there excitement and danger in this story, there's also humour which I always love in an historical romance. Some of the meetings between Gillie and Wickenden had me laughing out loud, they never went right for her! lol
I'm now looking forward to reading the rest of the Blackhaven Brides series!!
Not only is there excitement and danger in this story, there's also humour which I always love in an historical romance. Some of the meetings between Gillie and Wickenden had me laughing out loud, they never went right for her! lol
I'm now looking forward to reading the rest of the Blackhaven Brides series!!
February 19, 2021
I enjoyed a lot of this story. This is a new writer to me and I will certainly try more in this series.
This is an interesting new location and having visited the area I thought it an inspired choice.
I think my overall feeling is that there are too many characters, too many plots, and a rather silly and unsympathetic heroine.
David and Gillie are a great combination, but I found that my sympathies are with David far more than with Gillie for great chunks of the book.
Firstly, she is impossibly naive/even stupid. Running a gambling den would not be a respectable occupation for a woman, (as is reinforced by the reactions of Gillie’s friends. ) Despite running a gambling den (no matter how differently she tries to portray it), she is shocked when David asks to go to her room as he thinks she is available sexually. Her response is understandable and yet it is unrealistic and naive. We might disapprove of the way women were treated then but it was a reality that we cannot ignore. A woman in a gaming house would have been seen as 'fair game' and Gillie would have realised that. I understand the family is trying to make a living but women of that era understood how they were regarded and Gillie would know that the risk of her being presumed to be a prostitute (even if nicer terms were used). was very strong.
The spying/smuggling story was given insufficient attention for it to be tackled properly; and also so much attention that it interfered with the romance.
However, I really enjoyed their story - until [the end and Gillie’s ridiculous self-sacrificing solution to marrying David. Eloping with another man, and then when that’s stopped, volunteering to be a mistress, not a wife! what about her children? her friends? her family? I just threw up my hands in despair at this point.
I loved David. Intelligent, articulate, funny, and altogether delicious! I am still going to read more in this series.
This is an interesting new location and having visited the area I thought it an inspired choice.
I think my overall feeling is that there are too many characters, too many plots, and a rather silly and unsympathetic heroine.
David and Gillie are a great combination, but I found that my sympathies are with David far more than with Gillie for great chunks of the book.
Firstly, she is impossibly naive/even stupid. Running a gambling den would not be a respectable occupation for a woman, (as is reinforced by the reactions of Gillie’s friends. ) Despite running a gambling den (no matter how differently she tries to portray it), she is shocked when David asks to go to her room as he thinks she is available sexually. Her response is understandable and yet it is unrealistic and naive. We might disapprove of the way women were treated then but it was a reality that we cannot ignore. A woman in a gaming house would have been seen as 'fair game' and Gillie would have realised that. I understand the family is trying to make a living but women of that era understood how they were regarded and Gillie would know that the risk of her being presumed to be a prostitute (even if nicer terms were used). was very strong.
The spying/smuggling story was given insufficient attention for it to be tackled properly; and also so much attention that it interfered with the romance.
However, I really enjoyed their story - until [the end and Gillie’s ridiculous self-sacrificing solution to marrying David. Eloping with another man, and then when that’s stopped, volunteering to be a mistress, not a wife! what about her children? her friends? her family? I just threw up my hands in despair at this point.
I loved David. Intelligent, articulate, funny, and altogether delicious! I am still going to read more in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2019
Absolutely fantastic story. Wow! The hero is so wickedly alluring! What a memorable character! The story was great too, it was interesting and fun and I could not put it down. 5 stars all the way around.
November 2, 2021
A solid 3 stars.
It took awhile for me to get into it then it ended rather abruptly.
I did find at about the 55-60% mark I did want to keep reading it and it wasn’t a chore so I did end up enjoying it more than I was expecting but for the first half I was regularly setting it aside for days or weeks at a time. Hence why it took 2 months to read.
I own the next book so I’ll give it a try too and hopefully be drawn in more quickly.
Low steam, a few kisses, one sex scene.
There were a few oddities in the writing like when the heroine describes the hero as demonic multiple times at the first meeting. It did not fit the style of the rest of the book so was very odd. Some spelling and punctuation issues too.
It took awhile for me to get into it then it ended rather abruptly.
I did find at about the 55-60% mark I did want to keep reading it and it wasn’t a chore so I did end up enjoying it more than I was expecting but for the first half I was regularly setting it aside for days or weeks at a time. Hence why it took 2 months to read.
I own the next book so I’ll give it a try too and hopefully be drawn in more quickly.
Low steam, a few kisses, one sex scene.
There were a few oddities in the writing like when the heroine describes the hero as demonic multiple times at the first meeting. It did not fit the style of the rest of the book so was very odd. Some spelling and punctuation issues too.
September 6, 2024
Unfortunately, the plot line was rather confusing with a plethora of convoluted plot lines and too many characters. The main characters felt disconnected and it was difficult to gain a realistic feel what made them tick as individuals or as a couple.
March 12, 2018
This was an OK story, but some of the threads were left hanging. For instance
I would like to try some of the other books in this series before pronouncing judgement, but I'm hoping the rest have a little more depth to them.
I would like to try some of the other books in this series before pronouncing judgement, but I'm hoping the rest have a little more depth to them.
September 13, 2024
2.5 stars
Well ... if a writer chooses to retell a Georgette Heyer's novel, the comparison is inevitable. And always in Heyer's favor. After all, there are many regency romance writers today and only one Georgette Heyer.
That said, this re-imagined version of Heyer's Faro's Daughter wasn't bad. It had some unnecessary subplots, like smugglers, and too many typos, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would've enjoyed it more if the narrative wasn't so humdrum.
Well ... if a writer chooses to retell a Georgette Heyer's novel, the comparison is inevitable. And always in Heyer's favor. After all, there are many regency romance writers today and only one Georgette Heyer.
That said, this re-imagined version of Heyer's Faro's Daughter wasn't bad. It had some unnecessary subplots, like smugglers, and too many typos, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would've enjoyed it more if the narrative wasn't so humdrum.
January 8, 2019
Have you ever bought not only a book but a whole series by an author you weren't familiar with. Well I did. And I will be forever grateful I did. This is the first of many(9 at last count). I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book and series. I am reading the third one now. Not only are the covers beautiful, but this story is humorous and wonderful.
February 21, 2018
At least the venue wasn't London
I started out enjoying the story but implausible situations, then modern language intruded. All this happens within 21days not believable.
I started out enjoying the story but implausible situations, then modern language intruded. All this happens within 21days not believable.
November 21, 2024
Kind of a mess but good enough to read the next book. I’m a big fan of the Petteril books so I thought I’d read another series. It starts out in one direction and , unfortunately, turns in another with that most annoying of tropes, imho, “I can’t marry him, he’s too good for me “. Which is even more ridiculous considering he’s the “wicked baron”. Thankfully, that only lasted about five minutes. Stupid girl. But I do like the characters and the setting. It’s obviously a popular series so I’ll try a few more, see if it gets better.
November 18, 2019
Good
I found this a good book. Gillie is a great character. She wants the best for her family and is unconventional about how she gets it. David the Wicked Baron saves her on more than one occasion and is rewarded with her love.
I found this a good book. Gillie is a great character. She wants the best for her family and is unconventional about how she gets it. David the Wicked Baron saves her on more than one occasion and is rewarded with her love.
Want to read
August 13, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/13/2018)!💝
February 13, 2021
I loved this this book. Constant action and excellent secondary characters. Will continue on with the series. Highly recommend.
February 24, 2025
Enjoyable
A good, readable tale, obviously with its HEA, but ultimately flawed.
My problem is with Gilly whom I found to be generally too good to be true, no matter how kind she is meant to be. For someone with good sense and acumen, the farce surrounding Gilly, Kit, and his mother is barely believable. Her views surrounding marriage to Wickenden are not. He’s a Baron, the lowest rank on the ladder of nobility; she is a gentleman’s daughter. No matter how much he is seen as a leader of society, the gulf between him and Gilly is marginal.
Other ‘irritations’: the sudden change in attitude regarding Isabella; is the aunt hard of hearing or not; what happened to Jack; why the late introduction of the Smallwoods; I need answers 🙂
Otherwise? Do enjoy reading. 🩷
A good, readable tale, obviously with its HEA, but ultimately flawed.
My problem is with Gilly whom I found to be generally too good to be true, no matter how kind she is meant to be. For someone with good sense and acumen, the farce surrounding Gilly, Kit, and his mother is barely believable. Her views surrounding marriage to Wickenden are not. He’s a Baron, the lowest rank on the ladder of nobility; she is a gentleman’s daughter. No matter how much he is seen as a leader of society, the gulf between him and Gilly is marginal.
Other ‘irritations’: the sudden change in attitude regarding Isabella; is the aunt hard of hearing or not; what happened to Jack; why the late introduction of the Smallwoods; I need answers 🙂
Otherwise? Do enjoy reading. 🩷
September 22, 2018
Gillyflower "Gillie" Muir is straddling a line. She needs to host card parties at her home, a mere six months after her father's death, or risk destitution. On the other hand, she's ostracized by the "good" women of the little town of Blackhaven, including a countess, because of those parties. It looks like no one truly knows what is looks like to have to earn a living. And then an enigmatic stranger enters Gillie's dull and dreary life.
David Keath, the tenth Baron of Wickenden, is bored and tired of his persona of the Wicked Baron. So he decides to come to the coastal town of Blackhaven partly as a favor to his ex-mistress and partly to relieve his boredom. Little does he know the "hussy" that's supposedly bewitched his ex-mistress's son, is as far removed from a gaming-den temptress as she could possibly be...And that he will end up bewitched in the end. But first, he has to save Gillie from her various messes...And then from the one he put her in.
This was a cute, funny, quirky little story that certainly would've deserved a higher rating if it wasn't for the fact it didn't seem it took itself very seriously.
I loved the heroine. She was a genuinely good person, thinking of everybody else first (even the Wicked Baron) but herself and when she loved, she loved fully, without reservations, and was willing to do anything first to save the man she loved and then to keep him.
The Wicked Baron, on the other hand, needed some marinating time to ingratiate himself. He always seemed to have an ulterior motive for all he did. Even after the original ulterior motive was known, there still seemed like there was something brewing in his head, and he pretty much remained an enigma for the entire story and even at the end. I actually more scenes told from his point of view, since his feelings for Gillie seemed rather rushed and out-of-the-blue.
The rest of the cast provided a nice little backdrop for these two protagonists, from the brawny servant, to the slightly deaf aunt, the seemingly flighty brother, the earnest pretender for Gillie's hand, the dragon-y matron, the good-natured count and his sisters...They were a quirky bunch and they worked both inside the story and to compliment the two protagonists.
Then there were the various sub-plots. The romance was as quirky as the rest of it, sweet from the heroine's part, slightly hole-y from the hero's part (it felt like there were scenes missing, to connect the appropriate dots and believe what we were presented). The suspense seemed added more as an afterthought than an actual sub-plot in order to push Gillie and Wickenden together and once more, there appeared to be something missing. Why was Wickenden on the beach that night when the traitors were captured? Did he come to Blackhaven for that as well, or did he just tag along for the fun of it? Also, what happened to the traitors afterward?
This wasn't the only hole in the plot, or a loose end. We never got to learn the truth about the Spanish woman, for example. Was she who she claimed to be or just someone seeking a better life? Why didn't Kit make a bigger fuss that night on the road? Supposedly, Gillie made him see reason, but we didn't see that scene at all, etc.
There were bits and pieces missing throughout the story; scenes or mere sentences to bring it all together and make everything make sense in the end. Hence the quirkiness. Not only in the cast of characters, but in the story itself.
David Keath, the tenth Baron of Wickenden, is bored and tired of his persona of the Wicked Baron. So he decides to come to the coastal town of Blackhaven partly as a favor to his ex-mistress and partly to relieve his boredom. Little does he know the "hussy" that's supposedly bewitched his ex-mistress's son, is as far removed from a gaming-den temptress as she could possibly be...And that he will end up bewitched in the end. But first, he has to save Gillie from her various messes...And then from the one he put her in.
This was a cute, funny, quirky little story that certainly would've deserved a higher rating if it wasn't for the fact it didn't seem it took itself very seriously.
I loved the heroine. She was a genuinely good person, thinking of everybody else first (even the Wicked Baron) but herself and when she loved, she loved fully, without reservations, and was willing to do anything first to save the man she loved and then to keep him.
The Wicked Baron, on the other hand, needed some marinating time to ingratiate himself. He always seemed to have an ulterior motive for all he did. Even after the original ulterior motive was known, there still seemed like there was something brewing in his head, and he pretty much remained an enigma for the entire story and even at the end. I actually more scenes told from his point of view, since his feelings for Gillie seemed rather rushed and out-of-the-blue.
The rest of the cast provided a nice little backdrop for these two protagonists, from the brawny servant, to the slightly deaf aunt, the seemingly flighty brother, the earnest pretender for Gillie's hand, the dragon-y matron, the good-natured count and his sisters...They were a quirky bunch and they worked both inside the story and to compliment the two protagonists.
Then there were the various sub-plots. The romance was as quirky as the rest of it, sweet from the heroine's part, slightly hole-y from the hero's part (it felt like there were scenes missing, to connect the appropriate dots and believe what we were presented). The suspense seemed added more as an afterthought than an actual sub-plot in order to push Gillie and Wickenden together and once more, there appeared to be something missing. Why was Wickenden on the beach that night when the traitors were captured? Did he come to Blackhaven for that as well, or did he just tag along for the fun of it? Also, what happened to the traitors afterward?
This wasn't the only hole in the plot, or a loose end. We never got to learn the truth about the Spanish woman, for example. Was she who she claimed to be or just someone seeking a better life? Why didn't Kit make a bigger fuss that night on the road? Supposedly, Gillie made him see reason, but we didn't see that scene at all, etc.
There were bits and pieces missing throughout the story; scenes or mere sentences to bring it all together and make everything make sense in the end. Hence the quirkiness. Not only in the cast of characters, but in the story itself.
July 14, 2017
Wickedly Wonderful!
I absolutely loved this story! This romance between a British Colonel's daughter, Gillie, and the "wicked Baron", Lord David Wickenden, was soo much fun. He came to the small country village with a task and to hide away from a London scandal in which he'd been involved. She and her brother were trying, in their often chaotic and humorous way, to make a living in their resort town after the unexpected death of their father. Thrown together by proximity or fate, and a series of interesting plot developments, these two people sizzled in their attraction to each other.
The plot was one that keeps the reader invested, the characters were colorful, and the story was just great fun! I found myself laughing out at various times at the dialogue and situations it entailed.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next in what is I hope is a long series, especially if the following stories are as entertaining as this one.
I absolutely loved this story! This romance between a British Colonel's daughter, Gillie, and the "wicked Baron", Lord David Wickenden, was soo much fun. He came to the small country village with a task and to hide away from a London scandal in which he'd been involved. She and her brother were trying, in their often chaotic and humorous way, to make a living in their resort town after the unexpected death of their father. Thrown together by proximity or fate, and a series of interesting plot developments, these two people sizzled in their attraction to each other.
The plot was one that keeps the reader invested, the characters were colorful, and the story was just great fun! I found myself laughing out at various times at the dialogue and situations it entailed.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next in what is I hope is a long series, especially if the following stories are as entertaining as this one.
March 19, 2018
Great Book! The Wicked Baron by Mary Lancaster is book one in the Blackhaven Brides. First let me just say that Mary has the most beautiful book covers I have ever seen and second, what a wonderful book. Mary has a way of bringing her characters to life and you can feel all the emotions that they are going through. Her descriptions are very visual and you can picture them all in your mind. This story has gambling parties, smugglers, death, wounded, kindness, evil, goodness, misunderstandings, hurt, flirting, friendships, military, balls, family love, wickedness, forgiveness, card parties, competitions, scandal, disapproval, arrogance, abduction attempt, orphans, hero and of course love. Everything you could want in a book. I highly recommend! Travel back in time with Lady Gillyflower Muir and David Keith Baron Wickenden.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
November 14, 2019
An okay read. Gets to be very convoluted.
This book starts out with a bang and then gets very convoluted. There are so many added story lines that are completely unnecessary. They do not add anything to the main plot and are never properly resolved. I really liked the two main characters, Gillie and Wickenden and thought they were perfect for each other. There are a lot of editorial mistakes that detract from the story. Overall, not a bad read but not a particularly good one either.
This book starts out with a bang and then gets very convoluted. There are so many added story lines that are completely unnecessary. They do not add anything to the main plot and are never properly resolved. I really liked the two main characters, Gillie and Wickenden and thought they were perfect for each other. There are a lot of editorial mistakes that detract from the story. Overall, not a bad read but not a particularly good one either.
November 8, 2017
The first book in the “Blackhaven Brides” series features Gillie as a delightful heroine with a mind of her own, and Wickenden as a rogue grown tired of the charade.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read
December 8, 2025This was going pretty well
Bored rake meets spitfire, independent yet respectable (at least in paper, if not much in reputation).
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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Bored rake meets spitfire, independent yet respectable (at least in paper, if not much in reputation).
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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July 14, 2017
I hope you enjoy this light-hearted Regency as much as I did. At times, the chaos around me felt so real and funnily ludicrous. Author Mary Lancaster writes scenes with a deft hand and sense of humor, fast-pacing dialogue snapping off the page in scenes not contrived even with all its hilarious action. More than once I thought you have got to be kidding and found myself laughing!
As with most Regency house parties, this is the place so much can happen. The house party at Braithwaite Castle is located in a relatively new spa town close to Scotland, the town of Blackhaven. Those who are looking for some quiet time from London would attend one of these parties. In fact, the reason Lord Wickenden came he knew not. He was already bored with his life in London.
He certainly wasn’t prepared to get involved with a young innocent who broke rules, simply because she didn’t know they were rules to be followed.
Gillie Muir, (her real name is Gillyflower Muir!) has her hands full with the comings and goings at her home. She tends a card party every Friday for the locals, mostly friends she’s known all her life and friends of her recently deceased father. Her staff and old aunt thought it most improper to do this, but she and her brother have to live, so they could keep the house they live in. Their father left them penniless. The attendees would donate something for the time spent at her parties. Not only the camaraderie of those attendees lure the folk, but the best of brandy flows freely, grace to the local smugglers, conveniently brought into the house through a tunnel leading to their cellar.
One Friday night, a smuggler had been shot by the magistrate. The magistrate has tried to curtail smuggling for some time. Not knowing what else to do with the man, the other smugglers haul him into her cellar, along with the brandy. Stuck with a body, she knew not would live, she requested the good Doctor Morton, who happened to be at her card party, to attend to the man.
Lord Wickenden had decided to join his friend, Earl of Braithwaite, at the party. Not knowing the sort of establishment it is, he assumes it is a place where the enjoyment of the fairer sex could be had. When he spies Gillie, he is intrigued. He notices all the fluttering around, in and out of the party room, so decides to follow Gillie and investigator–his curiosity peaked.
The manner in which he sets himself upon Gillie, excites her. Does he actually think her alluring, a country girl? A man of the London set? After thoroughly being kissed, shortly after meeting him at the card party, he breaks the spell.
Her mouth yielded helplessly, letting him explore and plunder. Her free hand clutched at his coat for support and, without really knowing how, she was returning his kiss…
“Take me to your chamber.”
Gillie blinked at him, uncertain that she’d heard him properly. “I beg your pardon?”
“Your bedchamber. I want you very badly.”
By then, they stood so close together that she finally understood the hardness pressing against her stomach. With a gasp of outrage, she tore herself free.
“How dare you? Do you take me for a—a…” She struggled to find the word. “…a camp follower?”
“Not exactly He sounded more amused than contrite. “I understood you were free, but if you’re not interested, just say so.”
For some reason, her eyes stung. I wasn’t so much the insult to her honor. It was…hurt, because she’d liked him. She’d actually believed he liked her. She’d naively, stupidly, mistaken his sordid interest for romance.
Gillie does what any good, decent girl would do, she kicks him out of the party. When her brother finds out who she kicked out, he bemoans their plight. He, as a titled gentleman, could ruin them.
As the baron learns the following day what he had done, he is embarrassed and wishes to ask for forgiveness. Gillie, also feeling bad about her reaction, with her brother’s remarks ringing in her ears, she, too, wants to ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately, Lord Wickenden, misconstrues why she is apologizing and once again they are at odds.
Gillie has other problems. Someone is watching her. Is she safe from these men? Someone else is trying to take her house away from her. No one would be bored around this gal. The internal dialogue she has with herself speaks well the person she is.
Lancaster has created some interesting characters, one of them Aunt Margaret, hard of hearing, but a dear old thing. She answers a question posed by Gillie.
“Why are men such idiots? Gillie demanded.
I suppose they are born that way, Aunt Margaret said comfortably.
Kit Grantham wishes to rescue Gillie from ruining her reputation by opening her home to men and still in mourning for her father, by offering for her. His mother has come to town and offers to pay her off!
As Lord Wickenden gets pulled further into Gillie’s world, he realizes something.
But God help him, it was more than lust. He wanted to protect her, laugh with her, walk with her…Sensing the ultimate danger in such thoughts, he veered away, mentally and physically.
But he can’t stay away!
I say musical chairs, my fair readers, come to mind in this deliciously comical story, the beginning of a series sure to tickle your funnybone.
As with most Regency house parties, this is the place so much can happen. The house party at Braithwaite Castle is located in a relatively new spa town close to Scotland, the town of Blackhaven. Those who are looking for some quiet time from London would attend one of these parties. In fact, the reason Lord Wickenden came he knew not. He was already bored with his life in London.
He certainly wasn’t prepared to get involved with a young innocent who broke rules, simply because she didn’t know they were rules to be followed.
Gillie Muir, (her real name is Gillyflower Muir!) has her hands full with the comings and goings at her home. She tends a card party every Friday for the locals, mostly friends she’s known all her life and friends of her recently deceased father. Her staff and old aunt thought it most improper to do this, but she and her brother have to live, so they could keep the house they live in. Their father left them penniless. The attendees would donate something for the time spent at her parties. Not only the camaraderie of those attendees lure the folk, but the best of brandy flows freely, grace to the local smugglers, conveniently brought into the house through a tunnel leading to their cellar.
One Friday night, a smuggler had been shot by the magistrate. The magistrate has tried to curtail smuggling for some time. Not knowing what else to do with the man, the other smugglers haul him into her cellar, along with the brandy. Stuck with a body, she knew not would live, she requested the good Doctor Morton, who happened to be at her card party, to attend to the man.
Lord Wickenden had decided to join his friend, Earl of Braithwaite, at the party. Not knowing the sort of establishment it is, he assumes it is a place where the enjoyment of the fairer sex could be had. When he spies Gillie, he is intrigued. He notices all the fluttering around, in and out of the party room, so decides to follow Gillie and investigator–his curiosity peaked.
The manner in which he sets himself upon Gillie, excites her. Does he actually think her alluring, a country girl? A man of the London set? After thoroughly being kissed, shortly after meeting him at the card party, he breaks the spell.
Her mouth yielded helplessly, letting him explore and plunder. Her free hand clutched at his coat for support and, without really knowing how, she was returning his kiss…
“Take me to your chamber.”
Gillie blinked at him, uncertain that she’d heard him properly. “I beg your pardon?”
“Your bedchamber. I want you very badly.”
By then, they stood so close together that she finally understood the hardness pressing against her stomach. With a gasp of outrage, she tore herself free.
“How dare you? Do you take me for a—a…” She struggled to find the word. “…a camp follower?”
“Not exactly He sounded more amused than contrite. “I understood you were free, but if you’re not interested, just say so.”
For some reason, her eyes stung. I wasn’t so much the insult to her honor. It was…hurt, because she’d liked him. She’d actually believed he liked her. She’d naively, stupidly, mistaken his sordid interest for romance.
Gillie does what any good, decent girl would do, she kicks him out of the party. When her brother finds out who she kicked out, he bemoans their plight. He, as a titled gentleman, could ruin them.
As the baron learns the following day what he had done, he is embarrassed and wishes to ask for forgiveness. Gillie, also feeling bad about her reaction, with her brother’s remarks ringing in her ears, she, too, wants to ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately, Lord Wickenden, misconstrues why she is apologizing and once again they are at odds.
Gillie has other problems. Someone is watching her. Is she safe from these men? Someone else is trying to take her house away from her. No one would be bored around this gal. The internal dialogue she has with herself speaks well the person she is.
Lancaster has created some interesting characters, one of them Aunt Margaret, hard of hearing, but a dear old thing. She answers a question posed by Gillie.
“Why are men such idiots? Gillie demanded.
I suppose they are born that way, Aunt Margaret said comfortably.
Kit Grantham wishes to rescue Gillie from ruining her reputation by opening her home to men and still in mourning for her father, by offering for her. His mother has come to town and offers to pay her off!
As Lord Wickenden gets pulled further into Gillie’s world, he realizes something.
But God help him, it was more than lust. He wanted to protect her, laugh with her, walk with her…Sensing the ultimate danger in such thoughts, he veered away, mentally and physically.
But he can’t stay away!
I say musical chairs, my fair readers, come to mind in this deliciously comical story, the beginning of a series sure to tickle your funnybone.
May 29, 2019
Mixed feelings would have liked more romance
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