Posted on by Maureen

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman

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I just finished listening to The Dark Days Pact. This YA novel was written by Alison Goodman, and it is the sequel to The Dark Days Club. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the series, imagine Regency England- but with demonic creatures who have taken on the guise of everyday citizens and living amongst the general populace. The Dark Days Club is tasked with maintaining order, and eliminating the “Deceivers” who threaten the social order. Right before her Presentation at Court, Lady Helen Wrexhall discovers that her late parents were members of the Dark Days Club, and that she has her own connection to the Club.

The Dark Days Pact picks up several weeks after the events in the first book. Lady Helen is spending the summer in Brighton, residing with her new friends in the Dark Days Club. She plans to spend her days learning more about the Club and preparing for some additional initiation rituals. Unfortunately, the enigmatic Lord Carlston appears disjointed and more mercurial than usual. Lord Selburn shows up in Brighton, still determined to rescue Lady Helen from what he perceives to be an ignominious situation. And then there’s the mysterious journal that Lady Helen has been tasked with recovering. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher.

I Dared the Duke is a historical romance novel by Anna Bennett. It’s set during the Regency era, which is one of my favorite eras.

Beth Lacey is working as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her days are not terribly exciting, but that changes when the Duke of Blackshire decides to take up residence in his London home- the same home where the Dowager Duchess and Beth are currently living. The Dowager Duchess is thrilled to see her precious grandson, but Beth is wary of the grumpy duke with the fierce disposition. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

My One True Highlander by Suzanne Enoch

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Suzanne Enoch was one of my favorite authors when I first started reading historical romance novels, so I was very excited when I received the opportunity to read her latest book.

My One True Highlander is the second book in the No Ordinary Hero series. As the story begins, we are introduced to Lady Marjorie Forrester who is the sister of the Duke of Lattimer (and the hero of the first book in the series). The Forrester siblings did not grow up as members of the aristocracy; Lattimer inherited the title unexpectedly, changing both of their lives forever. Lady Marjorie spends her days fruitlessly trying to fit into proper society, so when she receives a letter from her brother declaring his intentions to marry, she decides to take a trip to Scotland to visit him and meet his new bride.   Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life by Sally Bedell Smith

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have always been fascinated by the Royal Family, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read Sally Bedell Smith’s new biography Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life. Much of my interest is focused on the younger generation of the family, and Prince Charles has always remained somewhat enigmatic. I remember that the tabloid headlines from the early 1990s were less than favorable to the prince, so I was curious to learn more about his life. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to the mystery genre of fiction, I prefer historical settings to contemporary. I have not read any of C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, but I’m always pleased to discover new authors/series.

Where the Dead Lie is the 12th book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Sebastian finds himself immersed in London’s sordid underworld after the body of a boy turns up in a hastily dug grave. The boy has not just been murdered; he has been brutalized, and Sebastian becomes obsessed with finding out who would be depraved enough to such horrible things to a child. As he progresses with his investigation, Sebastian discovers that multiple children have gone missing from some of London’s poorest neighborhoods. Did these street children simply leave in search of better opportunities or is there something more sinister at play? Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Mesmerist by Ronald L. Smith

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Mesmerist is a middle grade novel written by Ronald L. Smith. It contains elements of several of my favorite things, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read this book.

Thirteen-year-old Jess lives with her mother. They earn their living from conducting séances, using trickery to put on a good show for their wealthy clients. However, that all changes when they receive an actual supernatural message. It turns out that Jess’ mother has been keeping secrets, and Jess learns more about her parents’ past on a trip to London. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Perks of Loving A Scoundrel by Jennifer McQuiston

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I recently finished listening to the Audible edition of Jennifer McQuiston’s The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel. This is the third book in The Seduction Diaries, and features Geoffrey Westmore, who fans of the series will remember as the younger brother of the heroines of the first two Seduction Diaries books.

We are also introduced to Miss Mary Channing, who is twenty-six years old and has never been kissed. She first encounters “West” (as Geoffrey is called) urinating on a rose bush in her sister’s garden. Needless to say, she is not impressed. They meet again when West follows her to the library at a party. He thinks that she is looking for an assignation, but she is only looking for a book. While in the library, they overhear an assassination plot. And then they share a kiss. And then everybody walks in and sees them kissing. So much scandal! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Passion Favors the Bold by Theresa Romain

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Passion Favors the Bold is a historical romance written by Theresa Romain. I have not read any of her other books, but Regency/Victorian stories are my favorite genre, and I am always excited to discover new authors.

I was instantly captivated by the heroine from the moment I first encountered her, masquerading as a street urchin. A male street urchin. A street urchin named Bone-box. Unconventional does not even begin to describe Georgette, and that is what makes her so fascinating. Georgette is paired with the rather subdued Lord Hugo, the younger son of a duke, who dreams of opening up a hospital but lacks the capital to do so. Hugo has promised his friend Benedict to keep an eye on Benedict’s sister- Georgette, of course. Needless to say, their madcap adventure in search of several trunks of missing gold coins is not what Benedict had in mind. As Georgette and Hugo get closer to solving the mystery, they realize that their lives may be in danger! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

If the Duke Demands by Anna Harrington

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

If the Duke Demands is a historical romance novel written by Anna Harrington. It is the first novel in the Capturing the Carlisles trilogy. I have not read any of Harrington’s other books, but Regency stories are my favorite genre, and I am always excited to discover new authors.

Miranda Hodgkins has a plan to capture the attention of Robert Carlisle: she’ll sneak into his room after a masquerade ball and show him exactly what she thinks of him. The plan goes awry when she sneaks into Sebastian Carlisle’s room instead. Sebastian is Robert’s older brother, and the Duke of Trent. Fortunately for both of them, the encounter is limited to little more than a kiss before identities are revealed, but not brief enough to leave a lasting impression. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Unlikely Lady by Valerie Bowman

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The Unlikely Lady is the third book in Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides series of regency-set historical romance novels. I received an advanced reader copy of Bowman’s The Untamed Earl, which I enjoyed so much that I sought out some of the other books in the series. I listened to the Audible version of An Unlikely Lady last year, but I never got around to reviewing it. I’m trying to get back into the swing of book reviewing, and catching up on books I missed.

The Unlikely Lady is the story of Miss Jane Lowndes, who is a thorough bluestocking. She has been bantering with Garrett Upton for years, and they appear to have a mutual disdain for each other. Needless to say, they are both surprised when they share a passionate kiss during a masquerade ball at a house party. Read more