Tuesday 25 April 2017

Late Regency Romance



Reviewed by Francine


In all honesty I can say this novel was a delightful surprise. Not so much a romance novel as that of a “Suspenseful Love Story” and it was pleasant respite from the ubiquitous angst-ridden young heroines and rakish alpha males that are extremely prevalent within the Regency romance genre as a whole. That is not to say this novel is devoid of anguish, for much soul-searching and need to heal past hurts prevail for the protagonists. But what would one expect with a wounded soldier back from the wars and his mind filled with the horror of it all, and a widow at a crisis point in her life where death seems more inviting than the living hell she is subjected to. The very fact Ella has been appallingly abused and imprisoned by means most foul, one is rooting for her from the moment she sets out to escape her vile captors. Her desperate plight in not only having to convince an old friend she is sane, he too has inner demons in need of quelling if he is to be of help to her.

Whilst compromises must be made along the way as pursuit of Ella persists with factions of mean intent, life for Alex is equally as perilous as that of Ella whilst others harbour long-term grudges. What is more Ella’s escape involves finding some means to evade highways and byways; hence the route chosen draws the reader into a very different way of life, but needs must for a man of good breeding and the social whirl of the ton intrudes momentarily. With that momentary intrusion a stroke of royal luck sets Alex ill at ease, for gifts and titles are not always as one might expect. Thus reawakening desires and long-held misconceptions are faced, whilst evil doings set precedence for fear and heighten nightmare scenarios. But love does find a way through the mire and fog of lost years and imagined betrayals, which makes this novel a thoroughly engrossing, pleasurable and highly recommended read for lovers of depth driven love stories. Well written, concise in detail, Ms Knight’s characters are fully-fleshed and I have a notion I will remember them and this novel for quite a good while.  

Amazon UK       Amazon US

Wednesday 19 April 2017

Hilarious Regency.



Reviewed by Francine


Hilarity abounds in this sweet tale of love and romance, in which Charlotte and Elizabeth Richmond are elated by the good fortune of both having acquired a beau. Likewise Thomas and Robert, the best of friends, are utterly smitten by the young sisters, and all seems bright and beautiful and the path ahead strewn with love and romance. But a few sage, or could it be embittered words, from an aged aunt, and the girls are cast into uncertainty and fears of male infidelity. Equally, young Thomas and Richard receive sage, or could it be mischievous advice, thus all the young lovers are cast into a pickle reminiscent of French Farce, and despite the simplicity and predictability of this little tale, it’s a giggle read from start to finish! 

This isn’t a novella that strikes one as period specific, but that really doesn’t matter all that much because it is a parody of historical romance, and the “errors” aspect is classic farce. Besides, if one stops to think seriously about Jane Austen’s novels, what was Elizabeth Bennet but a caricature of fickle female? And Emma too, a blind romancing matchmaker who couldn’t see love staring her in the face!

Saturday 15 April 2017

Romantic Regency Murder Mystery



Reviewed by Francine. 


A murder, a mystery, and a dashing Bow Street Runner; a reunion between estranged once youthful lovers is inevitable. Thus a thrilling series of romantic ideals and bitter recriminations arise from the sudden and unexpected death of Lady Scarlett Sherwood’s husband. She naturally assumes her former female guile and the winning of Owen Steel’s heart cannot possibly have waned, and Owen Steel is equally determined he will not fall foul of Scarlett’s charms for a second time. Hence a war of conflict arises as dire events unfold and the plot thickens.

Well aware of his place in society, that hard lesson learned in prior mad pursuit of Scarlett, Owen now wields power of a kind that can and may cost her dear and result in her ladyship either hanging from a gibbet, or the indignity of transportation to a far distant colony. Indeed Owen as good as revels in the prospect of embittered revenge, and Scarlett, although in more peril than she seems cognisant to, the pair are consumed with thoughts revolving around hedonistic romance and breathless moments of a time past, whilst brief momentary encounters cause racing pulses and throbbing groins. Needless to say, detection of the murderous villain slips to the shadows amidst the carnage of broken hearts, the healing of friendships with other characters, and the re-blossoming of romance. With a Will They, Won’t They plot (?) we are giving an intriguing romantic thread throughout, and the twist in the tale adds for a shock finale! A good read!

Jillian rates this in terms of heat level: Sensuality - Warm/bordering on hot.


Wednesday 12 April 2017

Welcome Back!


Welcome back to the old Review Blog, and we are GO!



Hi, I'm Francine, I did in the early days help this blog to get underway by offering one of the first books for review, but that was several years back when Suzy first established RRM. I was lucky enough to be awarded the RRM award for a good read early on, long before I joined the admin team. I also contributed as a guest book reviewer, then I became an in-house reviewer for a while, and stepped up as admin during a personal crisis moment for Suzy, I then stepped away again when Suzy returned.  Over the years, the blog has had several different admins in charge but this time the blog has been handed over lock-stock and barrel to my hands. It will either fly or perch on a virtual branch somewhere along the Super Highway and while away time forever.  

So please support the blog as best you can by providing books for review and by offering to become a reviewer, or just join the blog and post reviews of fellow authors books! Each reviewer will have a direct link to their own blogs inserted in the side column! 

The Blog is now Associated with several historical groups on Facebook.  

The most important aspect about reviews is to remember it's just the reviewer's opinion - and I do appeal to the reviewers for summary reviews rather than too much in depth telling of the story by default of  unintentional spoilers.