tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86489517541229375352024-03-12T19:05:56.235-07:00Historical Romance ReviewsFrancine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-11652712681521825902020-10-18T12:33:00.001-07:002020-10-18T12:33:43.017-07:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLtOPMlf6zk/X4yYgeEJBkI/AAAAAAAAHnc/btpcBWXOow0bgiEkI-sfYdPdMZUVq_sAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s450/rbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLtOPMlf6zk/X4yYgeEJBkI/AAAAAAAAHnc/btpcBWXOow0bgiEkI-sfYdPdMZUVq_sAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/rbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Announcement: Charlotte is coming back too, subject to new baby. So between us, hopefully, at least a couple if not more reviews will be posted each month. </span></p>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-36572327748395864052020-02-22T15:08:00.001-08:002020-02-22T15:10:48.892-08:00Scottish Time-Travel Novel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taking a time-slip/travel plot and adding a little alternative history to the mix, Ms Orford combines
true fact with fiction and a serious what-if theme. Thus leaping from the 21<sup>st</sup>
century to the realm of Mary Queen of Scots, young heroine Mary Elizabeth
learns the skill of “puddle-jumping” back and forth through time and differing historical
periods. Of those met along the way not all are key signatories, but
nonetheless add backbone to the overall plot. The main theme concentrates on
conflict between the Scottish and the English through the Tudor, Elizabethan,
and Stuart periods respectively. Equally, the present day Brexit debacle and Independence
for Scotland from the Union of the British Isles and the Province of Northern
Ireland (United Kingdom) is a prime key!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately time-travellers
can be guilty of attempt to alter history or inform persons in the past of
future aspects that may deem the messenger a witch. Mary Elizabeth is no
exception in tempting a fate worse than death. There is sense of naivety about
the heroine in many respects, bold arrogance too, and with time-slip novels
readers will gladly shelve disbelief when feats of endurance are magical in
content and action. And without spoiling the plot I will end here and say, for
lovers of alternative history X marks the spot for intrigue, adventure, and
time travel!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Marys-Daughter-Emily-Jane-Orford-ebook">Amazon</a></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-74451410763734567102020-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:002020-02-19T12:24:32.192-08:00Regency Spies & A Convenient Marriage <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aside from French spies and highwaymen, when a novel touches
on one’s home town it is only natural for element of familiarity to cloak about
one, and Erica Taylor’s novel does precisely that when the hero and heroine venture
to Wells Cathedral. Not only is the heroine’s penchant for Gothic architecture
apparent, other cathedrals are soon destined to play a role in highlighting the
craft of code breaking scripted ciphers. The very fact Luke, nor Vivian, had
foreseen a chance encounter would lead to a marriage of convenience, they nonetheless
adapt to the agreed bargain and become intrigued by each other almost as much
as the mystery she finds herself dragged into. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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of 1816, Vivian unravels elements from her past that had meant little to her
until events unfold. Thus with a timely spy plot, Luke’s past haunts him and
fate determines a second encounter with his past is not only a major threat to
the Prince Regent and his beloved daughter Charlotte, can his marriage of
convenience with Vivian hold them together or is a parting of the ways inevitable?
Therein lies the essence of marry in haste on impulse for personal gain, and
suffer the consequences of uncertainties at a later date in how to resolve
issues that that were never supposed to arise. A thoroughly enjoyable read as
two people find the past can determine the future as they know it. Enjoy!</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spys-Convenient-Bride-Macalisters-Book-ebook/dp/B081DG5ZVY">Amazon</a></span></div>
<br />Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-63577502949108381502020-02-08T15:56:00.000-08:002020-02-08T15:56:44.464-08:0017th century Swashbuckling Romance. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Q-GKbnGPSM/Xj9J720FffI/AAAAAAAAHXo/jMKS6cYveLssVshRD7_o2yPNJGmV31fgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/liz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Q-GKbnGPSM/Xj9J720FffI/AAAAAAAAHXo/jMKS6cYveLssVshRD7_o2yPNJGmV31fgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/liz.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Set
in Devon (England) 1627, the reign of Charles I, the author presents the reader
with a slow burn romance and swashbuckling tale of derring-do. Thus three
brothers whose major skill is that as an acrobatic trio, their secondary skill base
is carpentry which lends favour to their labour in exchange for coin. Whilst a
young woman met within a tavern soon enlists Gabriel and his brothers’ to
assist with a schoolroom, a trusting bond grows between Gabriel and Perspicacity
and love inevitably blossoms. But as with all travelling troupes of
entertainers’ opportunities arise and move on they must, and those left behind
enact their lives as fate dictates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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the time the trio return to Devon, great interest is shown in Gabriel and his
brothers’ performances by a man of noble countenance which is somewhat baffling,
until Gabriel learns of a wicked gut-wrenching deed by others. Hence, Gabriel
and de Wolf have every reason to band together. Notorious Barbary pirates holding
prisoners on Lundy Island are a force to be reckoned with in more ways than one.
Not only do they trade in slaves they barter and trade over kidnap victims from
rich family folds. Situated in the Bristol Channel the island is a natural rock
fortress, the castle less so, but can Gabriel and de Wolf rescue the women they
love from the island and survive to tell the tale? Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfe-Wharf-Street-Britannia-Connected-ebook/dp/B07QX96ZC2">Amazon </a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-39927210262827969852020-02-03T05:22:00.000-08:002020-02-03T05:22:22.921-08:00Historical Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl7_bJHtWdg/Xjgd1P56xiI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/XNguoltf3MEWq44WQ-Lj8xJKRmo9gVx7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/lauramills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl7_bJHtWdg/Xjgd1P56xiI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/XNguoltf3MEWq44WQ-Lj8xJKRmo9gVx7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/lauramills.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Imagine if you will the windswept coastline
of Ireland and a man mourning a lost love! If you’ve ever read “Wuthering
Heights” you’ll recognise the mournful sorrow of loss in this novel, and in
some respects Devan, Marquess of Castlereagh, befits the dark brooding essence
of Heathcliff from the classic tome penned by Emily Brontë. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thus Devan poor man has
retreated from England to Dahlingham, where beside himself with grief the
appearance of a young woman who markedly resembles his late beloved haunts his
every waking hour and dreams taunt and torment him. Aside from tragedy of Devan’s
loss, Raven has no recollection of who she is or whence she came from. She is
but a seeming orphan lost to strange dreams and unexplained circumstances. All
the while Devan is far from her thoughts until an act of kindness, a kindness
that drives him to the brink of belief he is losing his mind, and Raven to the
horrors of love transcending time. But how can love in the present coalesce
with love in the past, and how can she give her heart to Devan if it rightfully
belongs to another? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whilst Laura Mills-Alcott readily
admits the ballad “Sweet Barbara Allen” inspired the writing of the novel, it’s
more than that, for it has underlying elements of the Sleeping Beauty about it
with the long sleep in a nether existence, and a prince who with one kiss stirs
and brings forth a life Raven had lost. Thus The Briar and The Rose is a tale
of something once lost and regained with a twist ending to warm the hardest of unromantic
hearts. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Briar-Rose-Regency-Romance-ebook/dp/B07X3747H6">Amazon</a>.</span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-90350413907758530382020-01-13T06:10:00.000-08:002020-01-13T06:10:52.169-08:00A Mediaeval Ghost story. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ACpuewWUZE/Xhx41KAflTI/AAAAAAAAHWg/rj144FlXTOod3iGavK0Cvc4vll6-GuMkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ACpuewWUZE/Xhx41KAflTI/AAAAAAAAHWg/rj144FlXTOod3iGavK0Cvc4vll6-GuMkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Mist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Set in Minster Lovell, a place in which the River Windrush flows through in its former crystal clear glory, although the overall setting is mediaeval during the reign of Edward IV, it brought back wonderful memories of my children wading in the waters in search of crayfish. There is nothing better than books that traverse time with wonderful prose and natural dialogue thus presenting good sense of times past whilst transcending personal time, that sense of familiarity. Although the mediaeval period is far from my favourite reading material I appreciate others’ perspectives on the past, and putting my author hat aside I can relish a good read no matter the period: more especially when historical input is seamlessly woven into the tapestry of the overall story. Whilst the mistletoe bride is a matter of myth the ghostly atmosphere enhances the story of a fairly ordinary gathering of family and friends, but the fact legend can almost become reality in another time is startling in its power of presentation. Well written, albeit a novella, this is a truly worthwhile read for lovers of the mediaeval period and that of legends – true or imagined and thus retold across the centuries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/MISTLETOE-BRIDE-MINSTER-LOVELL/dp/165545966X">Amazon</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-48677398401887236882019-12-17T12:21:00.000-08:002019-12-19T04:54:21.239-08:00Regency Anthology by the Blue Stocking Belles. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">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!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>A Second Chance at Love by Sherry
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Altogether this is a lovely
collection of romantic tales in the fictional name of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Ladies’ Society for the Care of Widows and Orphans of Fallen Heroes and the
Children of Wounded Veterans</i>, and all written by a group of authors who
collectively refer to selves as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Blue
Stocking Belles</b>. Well done, the Belles.</span></div>
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<br />Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-19655482902839437472019-12-09T05:47:00.000-08:002019-12-09T05:47:08.434-08:00Jane Austen JAFF novel<div class="separator" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jan Brook-Clark. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Georgiana-Darcys-Secret-Letters-Steamy-ebook/dp/B07ZBB3R1Z" style="color: #7918ff; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Amazon</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've read it too and couldn't have reviewed it better than Jan's review. Def an excellent read. Charlotte. </span></div>
Charlotte Breamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06779660128519848778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-82972438111459896522019-10-24T06:31:00.003-07:002019-10-24T06:31:55.472-07:00Random Pick from the Archives!<div class="separator" style="background-color: #ffebb2; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did check the original Amazon link and it was duff, so have updated the new cover and new link.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Reviewed by Francine.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p>A gloriously Romantic Novella set in and around a Christmas Theme.</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">This is a touching tale of first love and the enduring romanticism of <i>what if</i>. What if Lucy’s ideal hero (Andrew Livingston) would only look upon her as he might a woman he desires? Instead he sees Lucy as he always has, as merely his sister’s best friend. Already betrothed, Andrew is beyond her reach except within her dreams. She too has a suitor. Although Lord Bexley is far from her tastes in a romantic sense he has admirable qualities: albeit he’s a widower with children. But, to wed a viscount will not only enhance Lucy’s fortunes, the chance to secure marriages of relative status for her sibling sisters will also raise her family from the realms of impoverished finances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">While Lucy’s life seems on the up, such is not the case for Andrew Livingston. Recently returned from the Peninsular Wars, Andrew’s life has been scarred: physically and emotionally. Jilted by his bride to be, dark days surround him for he’s no longer the Andrew who went off to war a full-bodied man. And while seasonal festivities are schemed and set in motion, Lucy treats Andrew no differently than she had in the past. But, Andrew, aware of a child now blossomed to womanhood - a desirable and caring young woman at that – something within stirs the like he never thought to encounter. Dare he let his heart runaway with him, for if he does, can he outsmart Lord Bexley and declare his heart before it’s too late?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a lot of story neatly packed and wrapped within “A Twelfth Night”. It’s not only beautifully crafted and sparing on wordiness, the author has seamlessly woven nuances of Lucy’s and Andrew’s past into the storyline without slowing the pace of a lively and enchanting plot. This is a sweet romance in the vein of Jane Austen, the latter being a woman of her time writing about her time, and Susana Ellis has captured that self same essence of family life and budding romances within Regency society. A lovely read.</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EBH8EQO/">Amazon </a></span></span></strong></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-26505143628380183142019-10-24T06:11:00.001-07:002019-10-24T06:33:02.859-07:00A lovely, lovely read selected from the archives!<div class="separator" style="background-color: #ffebb2; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">Alethea is a traditional Austenesque Regency tale, in which chance encounters lead to love and romance for two cousins. Of course, there are trials and tribulations along the way for both, and while Alethea is a somewhat headstrong young lady, Eleanor is older and more reserved. Both being borne to the genteel existence of a countryside abode </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;">–</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;"> Alethea is utterly naive in the ways of aristocrats who take liberties at will with unsuspecting females. But once she’s introduced to the possibilities that infamous Almack’s can afford her, the world is suddenly her oyster.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 20px;"><strong>Warned that one man is best not trifled with, for it would seem he delights in trifling with young ladies hearts, Alethea’s heart is soon suffering from romantic flutters whilst she remains utterly determined to resist any notion of surrender to his charms. But another, by far more dangerous man is soon taking more than he deserves and trouble suddenly abounds with the mere mention of his title. After all, mystery and intrigue is all very well until it comes too close for comfort. And while Alethea stands up to the bounder as a true heroine should, he nonetheless wreaks unknowing revenge that may well destroy any hope of happiness for her future. And there I shall leave you in suspense, for I thoroughly enjoyed Alethea’s initiation from innocent country girl to that of a young socialite caught up in the darker side of London Society. All the while, Eleanor, sweetly misguided into the belief she’s destined for spinsterhood, discovers otherwise! A lovely, lovely story.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alethea-Solemn-Vow-Catherine-Bowness-ebook/dp/B00PNTF85A/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2/187-3334560-1959652?ie=UTF8&qid=1418312140&sr=8-1&keywords=Alethea+A+solemn+vow" style="color: #351c75; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-86916053495704622162019-10-05T14:25:00.001-07:002020-10-19T07:19:58.584-07:00A Superb Multi Racial Romance<br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Francine is against having reviews of her books posted here on the basis she runs the blog. I think a review is a review when there are more reviewers in the background though not as prolific maybe but we are there. My problem is I work a full time job and help with admin on two more blogs. Happy reading, Char. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">-Regency Georgian Romance & Murder Mystery
~ They know not who their target is, nor the why of another’s desire for a
specific trophy. But do their duty they will for Monsieur le Marquis. ~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">After the assassination of her father in
France, Lady Anne Dempsey seeks intimate comfort from the one man she trusts
above all others. Whilst having sworn oath of fealty to her father, Faris
Halliche resists her charms as he has for three tortuous years. More determined
than ever to fulfil her utmost desire Anne sets out to compromise him, and
risks all for love. With the arrival of French guests at Leominster Court,
danger is realised, frightening, and Anne fears her brother has invited an
unknown enemy into the heart of the family fold. But which guest, if any, is
bent on harming her and wants her brother dead?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Charlotte's Review *purchased book*. What else would I do when commuting to work and home: </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">To Risk All For Love</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> is labelled book
one of two murder mystery books involving the Dempsey family. In this book the
heroine is the Lady Anne who has set her heart on a young man from a far
distant country. His tribal society is surprisingly more appealing to this
twenty-first century reader than male society in Georgian England ever was. Be
warned this is a multi-racial romance in which Ms Howarth blends historical
fact seamlessly with fiction, and spins a convincing web of deceit with a
thrilling assassination and its aftermath. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Scarcely has forbidden romance bloomed than a
near death experience for Lady Anne Dempsey requires close guard protection at
all times. While protecting her was routine in the past the oath the gallant
warrior hero swore to her father he pledges to uphold for her sake. That’s all
well and good if he was not in love with her, and she not in love with him. Mixed
marriages were rare and risqué within Georgian England at a time when slavery
was rife. Notwithstanding the difficulties of the era the story is plausible on
grounds of wisdom and historical intellect. Well written this novel leaves the
reader feeling extremely well read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">And the heroine undaunted by social conventions
plots and plans escape for happiness out of wedlock. Her plans are soon dashed as
new characters enter stage left and right. And who is friend and who foe is
never a foregone conclusion. It can be said thrilling suspense throughout
builds and builds and ends with a happy ever after for Anne and Faris. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">There's
a heart touching epilogue. Written from Faris’s viewpoint he allows the reader
to see his life from his perspective. It is a lasting image of his past and what he will make of himself. Then a letter arrives addressed to him.
The content of the letter he must keep secret from his wife while danger still
exists for her brother. Hence a second book (also on my kindle). </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">At the end of
the book readers are treated to a thrilling opening scene from <b>To Tempt A Duke. </b>The sample read is thrilling and I can’t wait to get stuck in.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Risk-All-Love-Georgian-Forbidden-ebook/dp/B07PR87KHK" target="_blank"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Amazon</span></a></div>
Charlotte Breamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06779660128519848778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-34703776872161437192019-10-02T12:22:00.000-07:002019-10-02T12:33:04.965-07:00Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T73I9LWukLQ/XZT1uRM1hQI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/yp__bpYLjn0y8uQxygx6ijn2eS5oXp5qACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/han.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="231" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T73I9LWukLQ/XZT1uRM1hQI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/yp__bpYLjn0y8uQxygx6ijn2eS5oXp5qACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/han.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reviewed by Francine:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With her inimitable writer voice and impeccable research, M. J. Logue’s setting for this novel is June 1666. As the author states in her Dear Reader letter: <i>I’m not entirely sure why I fell quite so much in love with one young Parliamentarian lieutenant of horse as I did in my first series of books </i>[end quote]. It is fair to say the once dashing blade has a fan here too, though never did he think that of himself. And now that Thankful Russell has acquired his own series of novels, his mettle long since tested in ways most men would flee from he is a modest hero at best. Truly, if this is your first introduction to Thankful Russell then the best recommendation a fan of Russell can convey, is to go back to the very beginning (The Uncivil Wars Series) and pick up from where it all began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As for his adventures and pickles in this novel, he leads us forth from the quiet country lanes of the Chiltern Hills to the canals of Bruges, and there to uncover the mysterious disappearance of Aphra Behn’s betrothed. Suffice to say, the notorious Aphra is a bit of a mischief maker on the Russell home front almost as much as she is within her writings, thus doubts as to the underlying reason for dragging Thankful Russell to Bruges looks a little suspect and his wife, Thomazine, is having none of that! Of course, nothing is quite as it seems within Bruges, and soon husband and wife are in peril of dark places and would-be watery graves. Gripping stuff all told with 17th century history blended as tight as weave on a loom and rich with colour and authentic dialogue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Reviewer asides: <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">BEWARE missing the author’s “Dear Reader”
and her extensive well-researched “Historical Notes at end of this book. I
almost missed them due to “Publisher Intrusion and a sign-up link” which placed
directly at the end of the story implied at first glance that was the extent of
the book. Good job I flicked the page by accident. I always opt back to cover unless
the book is an Anthology. To be quite honest publisher info with regards to
other books and sign-ups ought morally to be on the final page of any book!</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deceitful-Subtlety-thrilling-Restoration-Thomazine-ebook/dp/B07V8P75LZ">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-92040207140047760682019-09-21T13:31:00.000-07:002019-09-21T13:35:49.754-07:00Author and Reader Guide to The Horse in historical novels<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Pv0XULgcTs/XYZ_7vJ_f5I/AAAAAAAAHQs/QCk8wU9oIpcm1_V-Goiu8gFuKgr_nbk7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/heather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Pv0XULgcTs/XYZ_7vJ_f5I/AAAAAAAAHQs/QCk8wU9oIpcm1_V-Goiu8gFuKgr_nbk7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/heather.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heather King’s Volume 1 - THE HORSE <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">–</span>
An Historical Author’s & Reader’s Guide is an invaluable simple and perfect reference book for the
uninitiated, absolute novice, to horses and their requirements. </span><span style="font-size: large;">From dreams of every little girl wanting her first pony, to the realms of <i>haute ecole</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> (High School Equestrian Training of the 17th-18th century - better known today as dressage) in which the reader will l</span><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0cm;">earn of breed heritage
to colour ranges, from feed to housing and healthcare, from saddles to harness
and equipage, and much more in between. No historical author can be excused for
misrepresenting horses at their finest when transitioning from gait to gait, nor
can the finer aspects of equestrianism be ignored when books of this nature are
on offer to guide authors through the mire of common horse jargon etc. This is a quick reference guide for readers and authors and well worth keeping to hand!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bear in mind this is not a book
about horses in harness, the schooling of carriage horses, and carriages. Apparently Ms King's Volume
2, will be a reference manual to that secondary aspect so essential in
historical novels. I dare say it will include correct equipage, correct terminology, etc. Indeed, the pitfalls of driving four-in-hand aside are numerous, and yet, many
gentlemen engaged in that very skill and every bit as well as their coachmen. And oh the joy of driving a curricle, single, double, or in tandem, to dog carts, to traps, and governess carts, not to mention high-top Regency phaetons (death traps) so oft favoured by ladies! But I digress in a sport in which I trained horses to ride 'n' drive, and indulged in other equestrian pursuits so relevant within historical novels. Love 'em or hate 'em, horses were prized animals, and only fools mistreated them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Historical-Authors-Readers-Guide-ebook/dp/B07Y2JF8KM/">Amazon</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-14090879819776839662019-09-14T13:00:00.000-07:002019-09-14T13:08:48.419-07:00Out of the Box Reading!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Periodically I will pick up a book that intrigued and this one did. It's out of my norm reading box, but sometimes, just sometimes it's good to step away from favourite genres, and this is not a romance novel. </span><br />
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I don't normally post a book's premise but, </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The world continues to let children die every day from thirst and starvation, poisoned water and disease, and the world continues to let the Earth die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A man, destroyed by the desertion of his wife, comes out the other side and finds a mission. It’s bold. It’s crazy. He’s not totally sure what’s at the end of it but he has to follow it. It’s a terrifying leap away from his world but it ends up being a mission to rescue the very substance of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">From the ancient Aztecs to the Moroccan desert, Spanish highways to the remote fields of Russia, clues appear, people die and someone gets ever closer to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The children, the generation who must eventually find the answer, silently guide him to the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">And it’s a truth that will change everything.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">~*~</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Amy’s Square is for lovers of Conspiracy Novels, Industrial
and Military Espionage, or Area 51, (the highly classified US Air Force
facility located on the Nevada Test & Training Range). But forget Nevada,
and put your mind to the Amazon Rain Forest, Morocco, and London, and consider
what in the Devil a rain forest, a desert landscape, and London have in common?
Written from the viewpoint of the narrator who is coping with impending
divorce, and the possibility of a terminal illness, his dry humour and earthy
blue language not only lightens the load of impending tragedy, one cannot help
but feel sympathetic to the man and his dog. And yes, a character who loves a
dog gets my vote before all else. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">But what better than a curious mind</span><span style="line-height: 150%;">—</span></span><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a mind that is coming to terms with
the enormity of his eventual demise. How could formerly insignificant signs suddenly
be realised: seriously otherworldly. How he copes is admirable, but when weird
things just don’t add up, taking a few risks to investigate real-time can make no
difference, can it? Be warned, to skype on a laptop or cell phone is a risqué
pastime when poking your nose into secret and mysterious business. In all
honesty this is a gripping story, and albeit I’m a woman, it hit all the right
buttons for a thoroughly enjoyable contemporary read. It’s the sort of book one
can say to hell with the odd typos and missed apostrophes and just enjoy the
book! </span><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amys-Square-Dominic-Schunker-ebook/dp/B07WRQR7H4">Amazon</a></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-44890404806559646752019-09-07T12:39:00.000-07:002019-09-07T12:53:18.760-07:00Invaluable Resource for Authors of Regency novels. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7TzbzfNaqY/XXP1rtfRdtI/AAAAAAAAHPo/BlPzjazpGjkIh6Iq6PpnvSgjhplFFTbpwCLcBGAs/s1600/sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k7TzbzfNaqY/XXP1rtfRdtI/AAAAAAAAHPo/BlPzjazpGjkIh6Iq6PpnvSgjhplFFTbpwCLcBGAs/s320/sarah.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I don't always post the premise of a book because too many reveal the plot, in this case the premise is important: </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">This is a guide book for the modern reader or writer of Regency Romance, compiled using largely primary sources. It covers how to get to Bath from London, where to stay, and most important, what to do when you get there. From where to shop to be properly arrayed for balls to where to gain knowledge even of the mysteries of Galvanism, what was on at the theatre and which music was being played between 1810 and 1820. Your fancy is for the races? Find out which horses won which races discover, who visited Bath, and where to walk out in agreeable parks. And if the city of pleasure is not enough, there were the beauties of nature and stately homes to be visited nearby.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Reviewed by Francine:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>I purchased the paperback version on the simple basis kindle is not the best medium as resource material - images etc.</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Straight off this is a truly invaluable source of information for authors of Georgian and Regency novels in terms of history and a solid base for authors to work from. Believe it, almost every aspect of life in 18th and 19th Century Bath is featured in this book. Where to shop, where to while an afternoon, who is who and what is what, and how much it would cost! Sarah Waldock has striven to provide the perfect guide not so much for authors, as a guide to the history of Bath, its finer side, and its bleaker side, all with sense of authority and knowledge of the city's layout. One cannot promote the worth of this book in fewer words, than to say it is excellent. Therefore, it is a must purchase for authors who are unfamiliar with Bath and all it once entailed, though not as a bible of thou shalt not! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Author's imaginations should not be quelled by this guide book or others of its ilk. Nor let us hope such will be used by ardent die-hard amateur historians (wannabes and Regency bonnets) who will like as not wack authors with critiquing sticks based on facts listed within the book. Nonetheless it is an excellent template to work from. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">After all, fiction is fiction, and when a heroine wishes to set up a school for young ladies, a millinery shop, a music Academy, or a hero deigns to own a house that never existed or other on one of the main thoroughfares, the fact of the listed named proprietors, doctors, etc, need not deter fictional input, i. e. fictional characters equals fictional novels set against historical backdrops. Whilst historical input is paramount for sense of time and place, one also has to remember the lost houses and inns of England, once there but long since gone and replaced or renamed. Renaming of inns and streets was popular across the centuries. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Regency-Misss-Survival-Guide-Bath-ebook/dp/B07WZJJYFS" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #333333; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why I say guides are guides not bibles for authors, because during the mid Georgian period 1743 to mid 1800s (Regency era), Sally Lunn's ovens were bricked up when it became a private residence, but it had previously thrived as a bun, pie, and coffee shop from 1600s to 1743. It was later reopened as a bun shop and tea rooms when, supposedly, a recipe was found hidden within a chimney during major renovations after a house fire. Can you imagine a recipe hidden up a chimney? But like everything business wise in a "tourist hot spot", a little myth and legend adds interest for the tourists! I've witnessed the history pages at Sally Lunn's changing across the years, and each time a little more is added for good measure as in any tested and tried recipe for success! </span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-2410991857834615652019-09-04T09:14:00.001-07:002019-09-04T09:15:30.320-07:00Regency Romance.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxXDMZKZl-k/XW_hdkUdlcI/AAAAAAAAHOw/wHZFZPJGyCcFZimxeOTg5kdiL7J-Kl57QCLcBGAs/s1600/Jude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxXDMZKZl-k/XW_hdkUdlcI/AAAAAAAAHOw/wHZFZPJGyCcFZimxeOTg5kdiL7J-Kl57QCLcBGAs/s320/Jude.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I admire Jude Knight’s rebellious author streak, for her
novels are never run–of-the-mill plots. <i>Unkept
Promises</i> is no exception, in which Mia and Jules’ encounter one another in
the strangest of circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whilst events unfold that lead to marriage, Mia is far from
ignorant to Jules’ former life and the subsequent responsibilities he has
elsewhere. Although their marriage is not unusual for the period, the
circumstances of it require gentlemanly retreat in honour of her young years. In
some respects Jules is a reluctant hero, though is most definitely a man of his
period in history and has borne no guilt in acquisition of a mistress. After
all, he is a bachelor when he meets Mia, and as a British naval officer in the
years of the Napoleonic Wars he is well travelled. Nonetheless Jules
unfailingly bears responsibility for all that his cohabiting with a mistress has entailed.
Thus a long gap ensues from Jules sailing out of British waters 1805 to 1812,
when Mia now all grown up takes ship to Cape Town (South Africa). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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her discovery is disheartening, and sadness prevails within his home, and most
of all anger boils over and she takes command of the household. Upon on his
return from sea hidden truths gradually emerge and soften her heart toward him.
Strong minded she is and ultimately determined to make of the marriage she
entered into with sense of due purpose. Even when things go awry back in England
Mia’s stoicism and love wins through despite frightening and deadly experiences
that threaten both her and Jules very existence, neither knowing if the other
is safe and alive. As always a thoroughly enthralling read from Jude. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unkept-Promises-Golden-Redepennings-Book-ebook/dp/B07TXXK53N">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-67907128908942388872019-09-02T13:36:00.000-07:002019-09-05T08:36:05.647-07:00Debut Novella - Regency Romance <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGEVs8l4SLs/XW16h0tMmyI/AAAAAAAAHOk/MY48GNXu0qgEtC6uhekkmK4POpEx06crACLcBGAs/s1600/Rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="218" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGEVs8l4SLs/XW16h0tMmyI/AAAAAAAAHOk/MY48GNXu0qgEtC6uhekkmK4POpEx06crACLcBGAs/s320/Rachel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: #333333; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this risqué debut novella the Lady
Elise Fairmont is a feisty heroine, and with a one-time lover returned to town,
the Earl of Thornston is notably her Achilles Heel. He seems little changed,
his eye to her person is as familiar and sensual in its delivery as it ever was,
and where overt familiarity with a dear male friend can become little else, Lord
Kilman, poor fellow, is ever in hope of more. But Elise has filled the lonely
years in turning her own experience of rakish behaviour to that of spying on
ruthless dowry hunters within the beau monde. She has thus thwarted the
ambitions of the gamblers, the rakes, and the ne’er do wells, whom she brands
as cads. Unknowingly she has gained a few enemies, and danger lies in wait whilst
lady friends are ever in gratitude for her kindly intervention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: #333333; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But who can save her when things
go awry and the ne’er do wells seek to harm her former fragile reputation by
means most foul? As much as she has endeavoured to remain immune to the Earl of
Thornston for his taking flight from her life ten years previous, his
reappearance has served to stir emotions she had thought were long since buried,
therein her dilemma unfolds. Although Harold’s absence has mystified and pained
her, love has never waned, of that he is sure, and subsequent heroism becomes
him when Elise needs him most. In all kindness to the author, this debut
novella is a fun read!</span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reviewer asides: Given this is a
debut novella there is every likelihood Rachel will progress to more in depth
study of the Regency era and all that it has to offer. The description of Gentleman
Jack’s was excellent, but I do have little quibbles with the story. Regency era
descriptions, i.e. the occasional fashionable item Elise and others were
wearing would be nice, and colourful surroundings of differing rooms – all those things add
extra depth to sense of time and place within historical romance novels. It is
too easy to forget Jane Austen wrote novels contemporary to her time, whereas 21<sup>st</sup>
century women want to know colour of gown, hat et al. Writers of historical
novels, I assure you, never cease researching for every book written. </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Desires-Lady-Elise-Regency-Novella-ebook/dp/B07THDMYWH">Amazon </a></span></span></em></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-51168726072362351702019-08-20T13:49:00.001-07:002019-08-20T13:49:49.894-07:00A Georgian Romance.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb85fp3yJxQ/XVxbSsGz4eI/AAAAAAAAHLY/YkJRakfMdLEqsY08t-otJrRvSjG8Z3-LQCLcBGAs/s1600/art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qb85fp3yJxQ/XVxbSsGz4eI/AAAAAAAAHLY/YkJRakfMdLEqsY08t-otJrRvSjG8Z3-LQCLcBGAs/s320/art.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On occasion the unusual falls into
one’s lap, so to speak, and this charming novel set in Georgian England (City
of Bristol and Somerset) is a gem read. The heroine, Bess of mixed racial heritage,
has reached the time of life in which blossomed young women attract the
attention of male eyes. Although she is street wise in so many ways Bess tends naive
in matters of the heart, and overwhelming momentary desire and disappointment
leaves her bereft. Whilst her position in the Liston household was at best tolerable
before the master expired, with the death of the mistress her situation becomes
dire, as dire as the daughter of the house, Artemisia Liston. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Richard Liston has already assumed
his role as head of the immediate family, his sister thus marked for an expedient
marriage and less costly to his ailing purse. As for Bess, the unpaid servant, dare
he dispose of her with profit in mind? Rebellious Artemisia has other ideas to
that of her brother’s plans, and caught up in the whirlwind of Artemisia’s
battle with her brother, Bess in the meanwhile is propositioned, not once, but
twice, and learns the bitter truth love and lust are closely allied but the
former is often devoid of the latter. Where a good deed administered to another
party leads to disappointment in love for Bess, the truth is unknown, as unknown
as the absolute truth behind why old Mr Liston brought her to his house in
Bristol. Curiosity is a wondrous thing, but dig too deep dead bones may surface
and present a wholly different picture than Bess has believed. Amidst the shock
of reality, both young women find a true path to love and romance despite moments
of envy and little jealousies along the way. Whilst I am not a fan of
first-person narrative, the narrative flows with vitality, despair, and every nuance
of Bess through her eyes, thoughts, and words, she battles societal prejudice
and embraces men and women of integrity and kindness: kindness her forte.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bristol, England, in the early Nineteenth Century. The slave trade has
been abolished but slavery itself has not yet been outlawed. Bess, a young
woman of mixed heritage, has an ambiguous position in the home of the
once-eminent Liston family. Raised and educated alongside the family’s
children, Richard and Artemisia, she has been increasingly confined to the role
of a domestic servant since the death of Joshua Liston, the household’s head. When
Richard Liston instigates an introduction between Captain Adam Bryce, a Royal
Naval officer of repute, and his sister, Artemisia, Adam shows greater interest
in Bess. Pressed by Artemisia to stalk Adam, Bess’s problems begin. And when
the ailing matriarch, Elizabeth Liston, presents Bess with an impossible
choice, the weaving of a web of deceit commences that will ultimately push Bess
and Artemisia’s friendship to the brink .As the scene shifts to rural Somerset,
things are far from serene: Sebastian Weston, occupant of the grand Milton
Abbey, means to hold both Bess and Artemisia in his thrall. Rivalries ensue,
the bond between Artemisia and Bess being strained by their allegiances to the
men in their lives. Charting the turbulent waters of family commitments and
amorous liaisons, it’s hard to fathom who to trust and whom to love.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Grace-Catherine-Chapman/dp/1081374322">Amazon </a></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-21534083508694136132019-08-20T11:36:00.000-07:002019-08-20T11:36:19.121-07:00WWI Christmas Romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTZYwaWFPn4/XVw7PY3UhRI/AAAAAAAAHLM/lQ4B3I-g3Y0ttsM0ZrQHEoyLwpZ3AP-ywCLcBGAs/s1600/caroWar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTZYwaWFPn4/XVw7PY3UhRI/AAAAAAAAHLM/lQ4B3I-g3Y0ttsM0ZrQHEoyLwpZ3AP-ywCLcBGAs/s320/caroWar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A poignant tale of a Canadian soldier’s lot within the trenches of the
Somme during WWI, not least the appalling conditions in which he and fellow men
live day to day on what seems as though borrowed time. All the while the
dreadful immediacy of death from snipers’ bullets, and dreams of home mingle as
war explodes all around him. Every nuance of his feelings are duly reflected in
first-person narrative, thus the reality of his existence is close-up and
personal as Harry braves his situation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although he’s no coward any excuse to escape
the trenches is looked upon as a godsend, and make the most of momentary
freedom he does. But one slip of the hand and he has no idea love will blossom
from a purposeful encounter to retrieve an item he treasures. Nor can Rosemary
Legrand, a widow, living a remote and somewhat frugal existence, imagine a visitor at her door will turn her life inside
out and upside down. Here are two people caught in a war ravaged landscape, no one
knowing when or if they will see dawn again. Their individual hardships test
their spirits and resolve to survive as best they can. From friendship love can
blossom, but war is an unpredictable beast, and whilst both can dream of togetherness,
dare they believe it possible? This is truly a lovely, lovely story of true
grit, determination, and love that succeeds against the odds of all that stands
in the way to prevent a happy outcome. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;">When the Great War is over, will their love be enough?</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="background: white;">After two years at the mercy of
the Canadian Expeditionary force and the German war machine, Harry ran out of
metaphors for death, synonyms for brown, and images of darkness. When he
encounters color among the floating islands of Amiens and life in the form of a
widow and her little son, hope ensnares him. Through three more long years of
war and its aftermath, the hope she brings keeps Harry alive.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rosemarie Legrand’s husband left her a tiny son, no money, and a savaged
reputation when he died. She struggles to simply feed the boy and has little to
offer a lonely soldier, but Harry’s devotion lifts her up. The war demands all
her strength and resilience, will the hope of peace and the promise of Harry’s
love keep her going?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Hope-Caroline-Warfield-ebook/dp/B07VXXRXTR">Amazon</a></span>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-14036511930042352822019-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:002019-08-20T08:15:06.175-07:00Georgian Romance - French Revolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eaae7TsBNF8/XVwGJssRq0I/AAAAAAAAHLA/z4awi6kiVOo4p-uM2l9LJkWZ2ru8MFe8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Susan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eaae7TsBNF8/XVwGJssRq0I/AAAAAAAAHLA/z4awi6kiVOo4p-uM2l9LJkWZ2ru8MFe8ACLcBGAs/s320/Susan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #111111;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reviewed by Francine:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, the premise of this Georgian novel tells
the story, to a point, but there is an underlying thread from the previous book
that is long in the coming of its reveal. The prologue provides a modicum of
the previous book, whilst the why of it remains a mystery throughout <i>Moonstone Conspiracy.</i> Nonetheless, the
book admirably stands alone as a thrilling and fast-paced “second chance” romantic
adventure. As a sequel to <i>Moonstone
Obsession</i>, and not having read the former I could liken Lady Abigail to <i>Becky Sharp</i>, the reckless heroine from <i>Vanity Fair (Regency era) </i>and I did
surmise Abigail as fairly self-obsessed with little or no conscience when
anything or anybody stood in her way to that of which she desired in the
previous book. <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Abigail indeed leads an existence verging on
the dangerous regardless of her parents, regardless of men who fall by the
wayside or wisely look elsewhere for a wife. Equally the backdrop to the story involves
the French Revolution, not least the “Elusive Scarlet Pimpernel” who enters
centre stage here and there, and the hero, Daniel Ridgeway, is no lesser a spy
and man of action than the former. Thus Abigail meets her match in Daniel, and
the Pimpernel’s ruthless streak perhaps in part brings Abigail to her senses,
that one has to give a little if one wishes to get away with the ultimate prize
and win the day!</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Revolution in France, rebels in England, and
one woman caught in the crossfire...</span>The powerful sequel to Moonstone
Obsession<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">For her unwitting participation in a plot to
embezzle the Exchequer, Lady Abigail Houghall has spent the last two years
exiled to the city of Bath. A card sharp, sometime mistress, and target of
scandalous gossip by the London Beau Monde, Lady Abigail plots to escape her
gilded cage as well as the prudish society that condemns her. But the times are
not easy. France is in chaos, the King has been executed, and whispers of a
similar revolution are stirring in England. And because of Abigail’s
participation in the robbery plot, the Spymaster of England is blackmailing her
into passing him information about the members of London’s upper crust.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">When dashing English spy Daniel Ridgeway takes
a seat at her card table and threatens to expose her for cheating, Abigail has
no choice but to do as he demands: seduce the leader of the revolutionaries and
learn what she can about their plot. As she’s drawn deeper into Daniel’s
dangerous world—from the seedy backstreets of London to the claustrophobic
catacombs of a war-torn Paris—she realizes an even more dangerous fact: she’s
falling in love with her seductive partner. And the stakes of this game might
just be too high—even for her.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moonstone-Conspiracy-Romance-Book-ebook/dp/B0795GQFSM">Amazon</a></span> </b></span></div>
Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-86245580043188491122019-07-28T14:57:00.001-07:002019-07-28T14:57:42.602-07:00Historical Novel - The Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuZqzVF-FWQ/XT12rP0OvGI/AAAAAAAAHKc/HiFMnfJCyWoIweNZ5FvkreJjBm0xvOCcACLcBGAs/s1600/Nancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="231" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuZqzVF-FWQ/XT12rP0OvGI/AAAAAAAAHKc/HiFMnfJCyWoIweNZ5FvkreJjBm0xvOCcACLcBGAs/s320/Nancy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>As an artist and novelist this particular novel incited
interest for no other reason but the blue pigment so sought after by artisan
potters and early manufacturers of glazed pottery. Early imports of Chinese
blue and white porcelain to Europe in the latter half of the 17<sup>th</sup>
century wrought bitter envy of the almost translucent quality of
Chinese porcelain, which rendered it priceless to all but the aristocracy. In
short, the Dutch perfected (blue delftware minus translucence 1600s). But Johan
Friedrich Böttger (German Alchemist 1700s) is acclaimed as the father of
European porcelain by perfecting that same translucent fineness to the porcelain
itself. Whilst there is conflicting evidence suggesting Johan stole the formula
from his master alchemist Ehrenfried Walther von Tscirnhaus, the author refers
to the former as backdrop to her story, "The
Blue".</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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espionage and theft, Ms Bilyeau has cleverly crafted a novel beset with rivalry
and murderous intent. Forced by her grandfather to leave London and decorate
mere plates at a Derby porcelain works, the rebel minded Genevieve Planche sets
out to realise her true artistic dream by committing to wilful deception. Equally
on a quest to obtain a secret formula for translucent blue pigment, a dashing and
charming Sir Gabriel Courtenay enlists the help of the disillusioned young
would-be artist. Her imagined simple task at her appointed place of work soon tests
her loyalties to differing people, and extreme guilt prevails. Worse, romantic entanglements
past and present reveal her naivety to the ways of men, and a dream fulfilled by
Courtenay is a price she is unwilling to pay and must suffer the consequences,
unless—. Here is where I shall end my
review in order to avoid ruination of a suspenseful story, except to say the
novel is well written and reveals a great deal of history relevant to the
protagonist’s lifetime and that of her family heritage.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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novel, for it was not beyond the scope for a female artist to become a
respected portraitist in Genevieve’s lifetime and beforehand. The 17th century
female portraitists, Joan Carlile and Mary Beale were admired and respected,
and 18th century Angelica Kauffman and Mary Moser were female founders of the
Royal Academy of Arts in London in 1768. The aforementioned are but a few of the
great female painters of their respective eras.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Nancy-Bilyeau-ebook/dp/B07HZ4C3K5">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-5992360876554832392019-07-21T09:00:00.000-07:002019-07-21T09:01:19.255-07:0015th Century Biography. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyzw9q6KTVs/XTSLGF0InWI/AAAAAAAAHKQ/QQ9B3vaSy5wfmWDmpoL2zzOnIySupCrxgCLcBGAs/s1600/autumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyzw9q6KTVs/XTSLGF0InWI/AAAAAAAAHKQ/QQ9B3vaSy5wfmWDmpoL2zzOnIySupCrxgCLcBGAs/s320/autumn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Set in 15<sup>th</sup> century Wallachia (Romania) we are presented
with the life of Vlad The Impaler son of Vlad Dracul. Thus Vlad Dracula’s life drifts
from present to past with independent chapters. That in itself allows for no confusion
between father and son, and Vlad’s earlier life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Initially first-person narrative of the woman who becomes his
wife, the Lady Ilona, portrays the man she falls in love with. Throughout her chapters
we are in her and Vlad’s life together from her perspective. But Vlad’s early
life and harrowing experience in the Ottoman Court, where he and his brother Radu
were held captive, is depicted in third-person narrative, as are all earlier
episodes and events in the build up to an equally page-turning denouement. It’s
a fascinating fictional biography, dare I say a page-turning read with no holds
barred on the gruesome elements alongside the salacious aspects of human nature
and a warrior hell-bent on revenge. Vlad has every reason to enact revenge,
aside from which he’s a reader, a thinker, a man who believes there is more to
life than that of which we can see: much as philosophers have pondered life, the
universe, and unearthly experiences through the ages. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Whilst superstition and soothsayers were commonplace in Vlad’s
lifetime, is there an element of truth in the myth of Dracula, and if so, what
is it? For readers who love to explore thoughts of a supernatural existence and
other dimensions</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">–</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">call them what you will</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">–</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">this is a well-written account of Vlad’s life with fictional input
which renders his story that of an excellent read. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">All told this is the strong story of man
tainted with a reputation for cruel measures against his enemies, but where may
he have learned the skills that led to his reputation? It is said Vlad Dracula
was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” (1897). Perhaps it was,
and yet, John William Polidori’s published “Vampyre” (1816)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">–</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">reputedly acclaimed as the original
work of Lord Byron</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">–</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">preceded Stoker’s novel. So what is the connection between
Vlad of his time and Vlad of the Dracula myth?</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-51452082859330989112019-07-18T08:41:00.000-07:002019-07-18T08:41:15.439-07:00Historical Romance 18th Century<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLaU6ttSOz8/XTCSekhnACI/AAAAAAAAHKE/OWL7M_I1FbI_pV_wql4DG84F9yTDraj7gCLcBGAs/s1600/Barbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLaU6ttSOz8/XTCSekhnACI/AAAAAAAAHKE/OWL7M_I1FbI_pV_wql4DG84F9yTDraj7gCLcBGAs/s320/Barbara.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Life has cruel twists and turns, and
Noelle de Vallon, has a far from forgiving nature in respect of a past lover. His
sudden return to the local scene is but a sharp thorn she would rather extract
for good, than fall foul to his unmitigated charm and seductive voice. What has
brought him to home shores is a mystery to her, though a death in the family
seems reason enough, but is obviously not the whole reason. As a reluctant French
émigré at the height of the French Revolution Noelle has sought distraction
from a broken heart, and in turn indulged the dangerous exploits of smuggling.
Her fellow smugglers at arms are a mixed bunch of characters, and much the same
can be said of the gentry set in the local parish. Amidst there number lurks a
spy, and the Home Office are on the case, but who out of three people who descend
on the local community is the actual agent seeking the identity of the spy? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thus, with the excise men chasing
her tail and a rakish lord returned, Noelle risks a great deal to evade surrender
to romantic notions and evade arrest. Suddenly France or European cities such
as Vienna seem an eminently safe haven in comparison to the trials and
tribulations besetting her formerly charmed and nefarious lifestyle. But when
one joins the ranks of deceivers then a greater deceiver may prove to be a foe and
not friend at all, and with her life in the balance where in the devil is the
man who said he loves her but is absent when needed most? This is truly a fun-filled
smuggling romp involving misunderstandings, lustful pursuits, and scores of amusing
asides. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smugglers-Escape-Barbara-Monajem-ebook/dp/B07SD7TXWY">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-68653396130756580812019-06-12T02:56:00.000-07:002019-06-12T03:00:02.600-07:00Welcome post<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the HRR Blog - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope and Pray I do justice the books handed into my care for review. Books for me are pure escapism and I completely discard any notion to critique a novel once it has gone to press. Whilst I can skip the odd typo, and pass on by the occasional grammatical blip, the entertainment value of the story is the essential part - whether it be a thrilling romantic suspense, a page-turning romance, or a swashbuckling adventure romance. The books I derive no pleasure from are the ones heavy on domestic waffle, snail-pace narrative, and characters that simply do not step from pages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i>Francine</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Best Quote:</span><span style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The old saying - "it's easy to be a literary critic but harder to write something worth reading" - has always stuck with me, and I think it's a wise yardstick in the measure of people and their personality! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><b>Please note as admin/owner of this blog (Francine) I'm reluctant to post reviews of my own books even though the reviews are by people I've never met in person, and some were posted long before I was invited to join the team as a reviewer. You see, I've always believed it reflects a sense of extreme vanity to post reviews on what is essentially one's own review site as far as admin duties go. Whereas, on my <a href="https://francinehowarth.blogspot.com/" style="color: #351c75; text-decoration-line: none;">author blog</a> I can do as I please. But, and I feel sure you will forgive me for letting others post reviews of my books here, because this was not my review blog at the outset. It was founded by Suzy Somerset, who due to sad family commitments and work had to give up on this blog. Of course life moves on, and Suzy has since ventured to a wholly new enterprise, well, not one, but two - <a href="https://janeaustenreadersaward.blogspot.com/" style="color: #351c75; text-decoration-line: none;">The Jane Austen Awards</a> and Historical Romance Readers' Award. That's not to say Suzy isn't a huge supporter of this blog - she is, and does on occasion send in a review. </b></span></div>
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Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648951754122937535.post-11486378639862738232019-05-28T08:02:00.000-07:002019-05-28T08:02:47.833-07:00Mature Romance!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyAuxHC7mXA/XO1L6C-pAQI/AAAAAAAAHHM/6a89cODOoaU-QJ61Y2yuxpRrSeCrpMZUgCLcBGAs/s1600/cath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyAuxHC7mXA/XO1L6C-pAQI/AAAAAAAAHHM/6a89cODOoaU-QJ61Y2yuxpRrSeCrpMZUgCLcBGAs/s320/cath.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reviewed by Francine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Duke’s Regret is a rather poignant mature tale of a man and
wife from an arranged marriage, in which neither has done more than exact the requisite
duty in provision of an heir and a spare. Other children from the marriage became merely a matter of marital circumstance in the duke’s eyes, whereas his wife, Flora,
has devoted her earlier years to the children. Although
Gracechurch and stoicism have walked hand in hand through life in which duty to
his title and estate has been uppermost, much the same can be said of his wife
Flora, who wed a young man to whom she knew little of and knows little of still:
despite their eldest son is due to leave Harrow and de-camp to the dreaming
spires of the Oxford colleges. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gracechurch is all but a stranger to Flora and the children, until
that is, one brief encounter with a man grieving the loss of a much loved son. Thus
regrets aplenty arise as Gracechurch ponders his earlier bitter resentment of an
arranged marriage. Whilst he is willing to attempt heartfelt reconciliation, uncertainty a successful outcome can ever be achieved prevails. Flora too faces the reality
attraction to one’s husband was not enough to win his heart at the outset, therefore
can she dare risk letting slip her guard against heartbreak and all that befell
her beforehand for a second time? All in all, this is a lovely story of a
mature couple who discover each other in a new adult light. Nonetheless, the
road to contentment is little short of an emotional minefield as equal measure
of guilt prevails in who was to blame in matters of withheld affections. A highly
recommended read for fans of mature friendship and romance! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dukes-Regret-Regency-Duchess-Gracechurch-ebook/dp/B07R5BZ2KN">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span>Francine Howarthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.com