Tuesday 17 December 2019

Regency Anthology by the Blue Stocking Belles.





Reviewed by Francine.


Melting Matilda by Jude Knight.

As always Jude Knight portrays Regency England with stylish representation of characters as true to the era as any modern day author can contribute. One can rightly imagine Matilda and Charles, Earl of Hamner, as part and parcel of a series of books involving the House of Haverford, but this is entirely their story. Not least, past heartache for Matilda is apparent, and the crass behaviour for Charles’ part is indicative of class conscience over good sense, but he does redeem himself. Thus a rather touching tale unfolds and keeps one turning the pages!

My One True Love by Rue Allyn.

In this poignant tale which amounts to a love dilemma for Lord Trevor now returned from war, once again the reader is revolving around the London residence of the House of Haverford. A similar love lost, and love regained theme –as in Ms Knight's tale– is evident, and the heroine (Percy) fear’s a past incident will deter Lord Trevor’s affections when the truth is revealed. Percy being right or wrong in her belief, Lord Trevor is nothing but a dogged if patient individual and reaps his due reward with a just and Happy ever after, and Rue Allyn provides an engaging read set against a charitable fund.

Lord Ethan’s Courage by Caroline Warfield.

Here is another poignant tale, in which a soldier returned from war is struggling with his conscience on the rights and wrongs of war and battles won. Victory often has unpalatable elements even for the hardest of soldiers, and Lord Ethan ends up treading the dark side of forgotten war heroes. Thus the do-gooding ladies of a charitable fund are determined to save these men and the families of those who never returned from dire hardship. The charitable theme is the backbone of this anthology, and the romance that blossoms between Ethan, and Flora, seems inevitable though hard won due to his initial desire to remain anonymous among many. The rather sad touch to this tale leaves one in no doubt, times past were far from rosy, and less rosy Jane Austen than that good lady would have everyone believe of her lifetime during the Napoleonic wars.

A Second Chance at Love by Sherry Ewing.

The title says it all, and Constance and Digby’s romance is a gentle affair despite the machinations of another more ruthless suitor. Once again this novella is linked to the former within the anthology which has a charitable theme running throughout. Thus set during the time of a Regency era Frost Fair held on the frozen River Thames, a chance encounter between Digby and Constance, gives rise to hope that after a long absence from English shores he was not altogether forgotten, but things are not quite as simple as that. Nonetheless, the ladies continue with preparing picnic baskets for auctioning to the highest bidder to raise funds, and would-be suitors see their chance to place bids and gain time with the owners of said baskets. Can Digby outbid his rival and win Constance, or is that a foregone conclusion as far as Constance is concerned? A lovely story and a cosy ending for the reader.

The Umbrella Chronicles by Amy Quinton.

In this delightful themed charitable rendition of budding romance, again involving the Frost Fair and all it entails, brings Chester Mansfield, Duke of Eastly, and Miss Artemis Synclaire to the realms of a Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Amusing and light-hearted throughout, the two principal characters are straight-talking, principled, and at times appear as brittle as the frozen Thames due to individual vulnerabilities. But can there be worse than two matchmakers knowingly at play and deliberate in attempt to strike sparks of interest between Chester and Artemis, and the daring audacity to fan flames of desire that may or may not have already singed the flesh of one, and seared the pride of the other? Thus, there is much at stake in this lovely tale of romance in the name of charity.

Altogether this is a lovely collection of romantic tales in the fictional name of The Ladies’ Society for the Care of Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the Children of Wounded Veterans, and all written by a group of authors who collectively refer to selves as The Blue Stocking Belles. Well done, the Belles.


Monday 9 December 2019

Jane Austen JAFF novel



Guest Review

Absolutely livid with Amazon and will not be beaten on promoting a novel I loved and was written by Francine Howarth. I have posted the following review on the Historical Romance Promotional FB group with an Amazon linked post. I hope it was all right to copy/paste the cover. I've just finished this book and so annoyed I cannot post a review at Amazon unless I have spent £50. The chances of my spending 50 on books in the next year is unlikely. Either way this novel captures the innocence of Georgiana so well. She really was a shy person as depicted by Jane Austen. Her naivety was made apparent in that disastrous near elopement with Wickham in Pride & Prejudice. That said, in this novel, and extremely well written it is, Georgiana reveals aspects of Wickham as she knew him throughout childhood. That concept won me to Georgiana's shy reclusive existence at Pemberley and how Wickham was a familiar and trusted part of her childhood. It shed light on not only Georgiana and Wickham as youngsters it opened my eyes to Darcy's aloof nature, not unalike Jane Austen's portrayal of his brusque manners and what may have contributed to that cool arrogant persona. This book is not about Darcy, it's Georgiana's from start to finish and the love story that ensues is lovely and realistic to the Regency era when the chips are down and and Georgiana trusts she has learnt from a past mistake and her chosen one is the right one this time. I loved it.
Jan Brook-Clark. 



I've read it too and couldn't have reviewed it better than Jan's review. Def an excellent read.  Charlotte.