Duels & Deceptions, By Cindy Anstey – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Historical Romance, Mystery, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Swoon reads for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

368 Pages

Synopsis: Miss Lydia Whitfield, heiress to the family fortune, has her future entirely planned out. She will run the family estate until she marries the man of her late father’s choosing, and then she will spend the rest of her days as a devoted wife. Confident in those arrangements, Lydia has tasked her young law clerk, Mr. Robert Newton, to begin drawing up the marriage contracts. Everything is going to plan.

Until Lydia–and Robert along with her–is kidnapped. Someone is after her fortune and won’t hesitate to destroy her reputation to get it. With Robert’s help, Lydia strives to keep her family’s good name intact and expose whoever is behind the devious plot. But as their investigation delves deeper and their affections for each other grow, Lydia starts to wonder whether her carefully planned future is in fact what she truly wants.

Duels & Deceptions is a fun and frothy Regency-era read with a heroine who Jane Austen would have liked!

Lydia Whitfield is my favorite kind of character. She’s highly intelligent, courageous, has a dry sense of humor, and is a little snarky. The romance between her and Robert, starts a bit awkwardly, but by the end they were utterly endearing. The banter between them is funny and sharp, and I enjoyed seeing them match wits. They’re vividly brought to life by Anstey giving them both third person POVs.

The first part of the book is fast-paced and filled with humor. Then around the halfway point things seemed to slow down somewhat. It wasn’t boring by any means. It just didn’t seem to have as much action. Things picked back up though in the latter part of the story and the ending was picture perfect. 

I found the world-building to be well executed, and it’s obvious that Cindy Anstey did her research into 1800s societal norms, dress, and language. I’m a little fussy when it comes to anachronisms in any of the historical fiction books I read, but I really didn’t stumble across any here.

While the figure behind Lydia’s and Robert’s kidnapping isn’t difficult to figure out, the couple’s investigation is still enjoyable to follow.

There’s not a lot of straight historical fiction for YAs that doesn’t involve fantasy or paranormal elements, particularly Regency era stories, so I’m quite happy that Duels & Deceptions proved to be so enjoyable. The tone of the book is so lighthearted and fun, I think I had a smile on my face almost the entire time I was reading it. I highly recommend this for YA and adult fans of historical romance. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Cindy Anstey.

Forevermore (Darkest London #7) ~ By Kristen Callihan – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Alternate History, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

Thank you NetGalley and Forever, for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 28th, 2016

Synopsis: Miss Layla Starling, the young, beautiful, and extremely wealthy heiress, is the talk of London. Until now, she’s managed to evade the marriage noose. Despite the fact that that she is unfortunately an American, she’s received a staggering number of offers. And turned down every one.

St. John Evernight does not want to admit the relief he feels every time he hears that she’s rejected one of her suitors. Which is unfair of him. Layla deserves to be happy. But he can not offer her happiness. He will never be normal, never be anything but a freak in her world. So St. John resolves to keep his distance, until he is recruited by the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals to guard Layla. For she is in grave danger, and he’s about to learn the full extent of his powers.

I can’t believe after four years my favorite historical romance/urban fantasy series has come to an end. I’ve been a devoted fan of Kristen Callihan since her first book, Firelight, was published, and subsequent books proved that she could be relied on for incredible storytelling. I became completely attached to the characters in this magical world she created, so you’ll have to forgive me. It’s difficult to let go. As I started reading Forevermore, it was with mixed emotions. I was anxious as to how everything was going to come to an end.

Yet at the same time I was looking forward to another enthralling read, and as usual the author did not disappoint. I’ve been looking forward to Sin’s story for a while now and I think Callihan made a wise choice ending things with him. He’s such a sympathetic character that you can’t help but become emotionally attached. He’s a tragic sort of hero, in as much as all the heroes in the Darkest London series are, but I think out of all of them Sin is now my favorite. The author always does a wonderful job matching up her romantic couples, so it’s not a great surprise that Layla is the perfect match for sin. She’s sweet, fierce and loyal to a fault, and does whatever it takes to protect her loved ones. The romantic scenes between her and Sin literally sizzle off the pages. And well before the exciting conclusion, all of the characters from the previous books come back to assist in this final battle against evil. There are a couple of subplots involving Augustus, Layla’s guardian, and Archer, whose story kicked off the series. With these and all of the previous players returning, their intertwined pasts and Augustus’s hidden role in their lives are completely revealed. The only isue I have is that I think the final battle is a bit rushed. But honestly, with everything else going on this is a minor flaw. 

If you’re a fan of the Darkest London series and are anxious about how it all ends, you have nothing to worry about. It’s a spectacular finale to this wonderful series. And if you haven’t tried these books and you love steamy historical romances mixed with urban fantasy and the paranormal, I beg you to try these. I promise you won’t be sorry! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go find some Kleenex.

Crimson Shore (Pendergast #15) ~ by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Historical Romance, Maritime History, Massachusetts, Murder Mystery, Salem Witchcraft Trials, Supernatural

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 10th, 2015

Synopsis: A secret chamber. A mysterious shipwreck. A murder in the desolate salt marshes. A seemingly straightforward private case turns out to be much more complicated-and-sinister-than Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast ever could have anticipated.

Pendergast, together with his ward Constance Greene, travels to the quaint seaside village of Exmouth, Massachusetts, to investigate the theft of a priceless wine collection. But inside the wine cellar, they find something considerably more disturbing: a bricked-up niche that once held a crumbling skeleton.

Pendergast and Constance soon learn that Exmouth is a town with a very dark and troubled history, and this skeleton may be only the first hint of an ancient transgression, kept secret all these years. But they will discover that the sins of the past are still very much alive.

I’ve been fascinated with Aloysius X. L. Pendergast since he first appeared as a secondary character in Relic (1995). Fifteen books later, his story still has the power to mesmerize me. Except for a rather strange segue into the supernatural near the end of the book, Crimson Shore is an enjoyable mystery which kept me reading well into the night.

Having fully recovered from the events in Blue Labyrinth, Pendergast’s Holmesian talents of deduction are on full display here, as are his eccentricities. While there aren’t any new revelations as have been in previous books, his relationship with his ward Constance, does move forward, albeit awkwardly at times. Theirs is a curious dance which manages to be both sad and amusing. These are two people whose I.Q.s are off the charts, yet when it comes to relationships they’re incredibly naive. 

Constance continues to grow in this story and it’s becoming evident that she will ultimately become a worthy partner for Pendergast both in their investigative endeavors as well as their personal lives. I do wish she was a little more empathetic towards other people as this would provide some balance towards Pendergast’s aloofness, but given her background and the traumas she’s suffered it’s understandable why her personality mirrors that of her mentor’s. 

While supernatural themes have appeared more than once in this series, this time it seemed to be tacked on near the end of the book, almost as an afterthought. Even worse, it actually could have worked if Preston and Child had integrated it more fully with the rest of the story. Instead it’s tacked on near the end and frankly left me wondering why. 

The book ends with an explosive cliffhanger which has left me frustrated as it will most likely be another year before the next book comes out. Personally, I’m not a fan of endings like these, as they tend to make me feel as though I’m being manipulated. 

Despite it’s flaws, Crimson Shore is still an intriguing mystery which combines many elements including: Massachusett’ s maritime history, the Salem Witchcraft Trials, and even a nod to Poe. While it’s not my favorite Pendergast novel, it’s still has left me anxiously awaiting the next installment.

Not Always A Saint (Lost Lords Bk. 7) ~ by Mary Jo Putney – 2.5 Stars

Tags

Domestic Violence, England, Historical Romance

 I received this ebook from NetGalley and Zebra in exchange for an honest review. 

Synopsis: After the death of his sweetheart when he was at university, Daniel Herbert buried his grief in medical studies and his passion for healing. Viewed as a saint by those who know him, in his own mind he never quite manages to live up to his own high standards.

Most men would be thrilled to learn they’ve inherited a title and estate from a distant relative, but Daniel is appalled because the burden of wealth will interfere with his medical calling. Warily he accepts that he must enter society and seek a wife–a sensible woman who can oversee his properties, leaving him free to continue his work. He does not expect to become intoxicated by a woman called the Black Widow, who is as mysterious as she is shockingly beautiful…

Jessie Kelham’s looks have always been a curse. Now alone with a young daughter and a perilous secret, she is in need of protection. But dangerously attractive Daniel Herbert is not the kind of husband she has in mind. If he recognizes her, the demons of her past will surely erupt. Yet they cannot keep apart–and soon they are drawn into a union that may bring joy–or shattering danger…

Mary Jo Putney has always been one of my “go to” authors when I find myself craving some historical romance. When I read the synopsis, I thought Not Always A Saint looked like just my cup of tea. Unfortunately it turned out to be a tepid one at best, with stereotypical characters, and overwrought dramatization.

Daniel, is indeed a saint. He’s not only a doctor, but also an ordained minister in the Church of England. His first reaction to his unexpected inheritance is dismay because he feels as though his new responsibilities will take away from his healing ministering. He should have been a likeable character but I found him a little too perfect and one dimensional.

As far as Jessie is concerned, despite a traumatic past, I was never able to warm up to her. A lot is made of her looks. I only need to be told once how beautiful someone is, not repeatedly throughout the book. I understand that the author did this in part to show the negative outcomes judging someone by their physical appearance can have, but it just wound up annoying me. She’s also supposed to be incredibly smart, yet she makes some spectacular mistakes which push her right in to the villains’ trap.

And then there’s the dreaded insta-love, or in this case insta-lust. There was no credible reason for the instant attraction to spark up between Jessie and Daniel and because of this, the rest of the story lost me.

The villains are so over-the-top that they’re almost laughable. And as if one wasn’t bad enough, there are two. I could actually picture them twirling their moustaches as they let out their dastardly chuckles. To make things worse, one of them suddenly reforms in just a few pages, so the reader is supposed to believe he’s suddenly a good guy. I don’t think so.

Despite the promising premise centered around domestic abuse, the book devolved into a really bad soap opera. Putney writes in so many twists and turns I felt as though I was buried in layer upon layer of petticoats, desperately trying to free myself. In keeping with trying to find at least one positive aspect in every book I read, I will say the pacing was quick and I read it in two sittings. There’s also the welcome addition of Jessie’s little girl. She was adorable and provided some welcome relief from the other flaws of the story. While I can’t recommend this book, if you’re interested in trying some of Mary Jo Putney’s books, I’d suggest some of her early ones like The Rake and Wild Child. 

Twice Tempted ~ by Eileen Dreyer 4.0 Stars

Tags

Historical Romance, Spy Thrillers

  This review is for an ebook arc provided by Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Twin sisters Fiona an Mairead Ferguson have not had an easy life. Although of noble birth, they had to spend a good part of their childhood surviving on the streets before finally coming to live with their grandfather the Marquess of Hawesworth. Even there they’re not completely secure and it doesn’t take much for their heartless grandfather to throw them out. Thankfully both women are now brilliant astronomers and respected scholars. Using their talents they are able to scrape out a meager existence that puts a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food in their bellies. Alex Knight, a member of the Drake’s Rakes spy organization once had the unfortunate task of delivering the news of the death of their brother who supposedly died while committing treason. Now he and his friend Chuffy have to track the twins down to tell them not only is their brother alive, but he has been completely exonerated. Alex is also determined to restore both ladies to their proper places in Society. This is however, no easy task as both ladies are unwilling to go back to the world of their grandfather. And just to complicate matters further, the traitorous group, the Lions, have set their sights on Fiona and Mairead, believing that they possess the code which is essential to carrying out their new nefarious plot. The sisters and their intrepid admirers will have to survive assassination attempts, uncover the treasonous plot, break the code, and clear their names before they can dream of finding their happily ever after.

At it’s heart Twice Tempted is a tale of two sisters. Sorry. I had to write that because I just love alliteration! It honestly is though. The bond between Fiona and Mairead is what allows them to survive horrors no one should have to face. It is this bond that is the core of the book. The plot keeps you guessing with it’s mix of historical fiction, spy thriller, and romance. So, why only 4 stars. Well, it’s mainly because of the two main characters, Fiona and Alex. For all his caring for Fiona and heroism I felt as though I didn’t really know him. And I liked Fiona, but for all her brilliance she made some truly idiotic decisions that for me just weren’t believable. I thought the relationship between her and Alex was sweet, but much more interesting was the one which develops between Mairead and Chuffy. Can I just say cutest couple ever? If Mairead lived today she would probably be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Not something you generally see in a historical romance. But Chuffy, who at times comes across as rather bumbling, is anything but. The way he treats Mairead and gets her to trust him is positively enchanting. Finally, although this is the 5th book in the Drake ‘s Rakes series and I haven’t read the others, I had no problem following this. Indeed, it’s made me want to read the other four. So, if you’d like to try a historical romance that’s a bit different, I recommend you give Twice Tempted a whirl.