A Superb Multi Racial Romance

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.     

Paperback cover

Kindle cover

Back cover blurb:

-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. ~

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?

Charlotte's Review *purchased book*. What else would I do when commuting to work and home: 

To Risk All For Love 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.

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.

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. 

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). 

At the end of the book readers are treated to a thrilling opening scene from To Tempt A Duke.   The sample read is thrilling and I can’t wait to get stuck in.

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Lorna Doone - a classic love story!

A Highly Recommended Read for lovers of English Historical Romances - Fictional Love Stories)  

Review of much loved childhood owned novel. 

Reviewed by Francine:

Lorna Doone, is for me, a step back in time to my home county, a place I love and a place I often feature within my own novels. Although Richard D. Blackmore has written this novel in first-person narrative, thus depicting the defined sentiments of the gentle giant John Ridd, he manages to convey others' perspectives via dialogue. Great sense of time and place is derived from his descriptions, and the rich local dialect, which is very much on a par with Thomas Hardy novels. Set during the time of the Rye House Plot, Charles II's death, and the Monmouth Rebellion, Blackmore sets the scene for a period in history that was indeed peppered with rogues and vagabonds in the cities and that of highwaymen and livestock rustlers in the rural districts, Hence the Doone's are the baddies, and Doone country is safe for no man. Add a love tryst betwixt John Ridd and Lorna Doone, and the complication of a jealous suitor (Carver Doone), thus love, loss and revenge is the key to suspense and intrigue. Blackmore delivers on all counts through John Ridd's latter day verbal journal of events; as they unfolded in earlier times.

Lorna Doone is a masterful stroke of fictional genius allied with local legend and factual events. Having read this novel at a young age, sadly, somewhere along life's path I lost the book. For years I kept promising myself I would purchase another copy of Lorna Doone, but I couldn't find an early illustrated edition so I downloaded an e-book version at Amazon. I have since acquired an early illustrated copy which I shall now treasure.

Reviewer asides: There are many people who struggle with works of great literary merit, not least, convoluted sentence structure the like of Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy et al. I don't mean the former as slight, but when readers are familiar with modern mass market fiction text, and are suddenly confronted with recommended reads in original text format, such can be quite a shock and often referred to as boring and long-winded passages. But there are revised modern editions available for readers who prefer a more modern approach.  This version is the original. 

   Amazon UK

Article by Francine (RMM Reviewer)

What constitutes a Good Romance Read?

Francine's reveal: 

Having asked RRM reviewers to reveal what makes for a good historical romance, it occurred to me that I too must reveal the nitty-gritty, so here goes. All in all I have a curious nature and throughout life I’ve always wanted to know what makes other people tick, and authors of historical novels– in general– are an intriguing species as are fans of historical novels.

It’s a given readers will time-slip through pages to wild windswept moors, tread through harsh stone mediaeval castle and manor halls, or step to the more elegant domain of royal courts and ballrooms. In reality each historical period has memorable events such as 1066, 1485, 1812, 1815, so on and so forth, but not all authors include major events as a backdrop to their stories. 

Many of the old romances often afford little more than a dateline sub header per chapter to denote time and place, e.g. Yorkshire 1759, or perhaps London 1814, and nothing else beyond the social standing of the characters and all that arises within their immediate circle is provided to latch onto. After all, a red shawl is a red shawl, and it’s up to the reader to determine knitted, woven, or silk etc, according to the character's social standing. Often within old books there was no in depth description of clothes, but the story was no less thrilling. In this instance the novel “Wuthering Heights” leaps to mind, and there are those within literary circles who will declare WH is not a romance, that it is merely a love story because it doesn’t have a happy ever after. I beg to differ, because two people fall in love, conflict arises, and tragedy ensues, just as it did in Romeo & Juliet, as it does in many of the great love/romance stories where the hero or heroine has to turn from the other and walk away. Some of the most memorable novels of loss leap to mind: Gone with the Wind; Frenchman’s Creek; and Brief Encounter. These novels were no less enthralling throughout, the endings somewhat tragic in the emotional sense, though in GWTW it was an open ending – would Rhett return; unable to live without Scarlet?

So you see I don’t believe romance novels have to have an HEA. Romance and tragedy is memorable; sad yes, and yet fulfilling in so many ways. So whatever romance comes my way for review, I can in all honesty say I have an open mind as to what constitutes a good or great romance read, though I do revel in books where emotions run deep, characters reveal their inner self, or the story lines have darker elements at play. Historical accuracy counts too, but please no antique sales catalogue descriptions of items, whether personal or household. Other than that I am a tart for handsome military heroes.

Latest Historical Romance - The Chocolate House "All for Love"

Please understand this is a ‘special full’ review for a lovely anthology of which authors banded together to raise money for a very worthwhile charity. All the proceeds from this collection of Georgian and Regency stories will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.

At RRM we do not ordinarily review anthologies or boxed sets of books. The time involved to review individual stories is too much to ask of my reviewers.

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Reviewed by Suzy.

A Rose by Any Other by Giselle Marks.

Ms Marks has written a classic abduction story, full of danger, romance, and intrigue. The Earl of Chisolm is a tad arrogant and although he’s a man of high principle, he lives life to the full in discreet manner. Meanwhile, the heroine is pursued by the earl’s nephew, a young man who causes Rose more grief than pleasure. The earl is thoroughly disapproving of his nephew’s ambitions to wed Rose, and sparks soon fly when he sets out to pay Rose money to simply walk away from his nephew. Neither the earl or his nephew are aware Rose is not as they had imagined – good or bad. Rose has a past and a future that is going to turn the earl’s previously contented existence into a living nightmare when Rose goes missing, and his nephew is taught a lesson in never presume too much too soon. This is a lively and entertaining story.

A Fateful Connection by Elizabeth Bailey.

Ms Bailey’s story is a delightful ‘chance encounter’ tale of love at first sight from one set of eyes, and a case of embarrassment and exposure for another. While Clarice Ryde believes employment at a young ladies’ academy is more or less in the bag, her aspiration for independence is soon curtailed and she finds herself on the street with nowhere to go. And Gervais, Chevalier de Guise, has no home to call his own. He does have friends, something Clarice doesn’t until Gervais steps across her path. Life can seem oh so simple when in fact it is far more complicated for both Clarice and Gervais. Neither is aware of the other’s past. While not all happy endings are devoid of trial and tribulation along the way, there is a happy ending to this charming tale.

The Runaway Duchess by Francine Howarth.

Ms Howarth’s story starts after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo when peace across Europe is assured and many British soldiers have returned home. While young ladies promenade, young officer bucks and swains dutifully give attention to female assets. But there are young women out and about in the City of Bath, of whom one aristocratic mother refers to as trollops. How amusing then that a trollop brings the wrath of his mother upon Randolph, Viscount Somerton’s head, while for Matjis de Boviere, the trollop leads to a chance encounter with a lady from his past. The cameos in which the two cousins, Matjis and Randolph, face embarrassment, wage bets, and conduct their lives, is highly amusing until a secondary tale of spies and intrigue begins to unfold. The eventual romance of it all sweeps the reader along, but then comes a twist in the tale and Matjis is every bit the hero when a secret is revealed on the very last page. Even with a satisfying end, I think there is more to this story to come. Perhaps within a second Chocolate House anthology.

Death at the Chocolate House by Susan Ruth

Ms Ruth gives us a murder mystery and a vast cast of characters. Some are amusing. Some are erudite. Some are plain stupid. This is a classic who-dunnit with a touch of Georgian farce. Magic lantern shows are all the rage in the City of Bath, and the Chocolate House is hosting one such occasion. With a lady called Fifi, an upright General, and a hard-nosed detective, Miss Marple and or Sherlock would have felt utterly at home in this story where a man enters the ladies cloakroom and falls dead at the feet of the heroine. There are questions. Who is he? Who killed him? Then comes the added complication of a snowstorm that blows more trouble forth and seals Bath from the outside world. Under siege within the Chocolate House tempers frey, hearts flutter, and the mystery surrounding the dead man deepens. It is solved in time, but even as the story reaches its close a mystery remains unsolved as a teaser of perhaps more to come. Who can know what the future holds in store for a reader?

A Pig-in-a-Poke by Jessica Schira.

Ms Schira gives us a charming young man of business and a head for figures, and Simon Harper has a second plus point. He’s gallant and a maiden in distress cannot be ignored. But while Letty Malleson may sound like a maiden in need of help, she is a force he had not thought to encounter. Simon soon wonders if he has bit off more than he can chew. Letty does slowly warm to his kindness and his intervention in her private affairs becomes acceptable. Unpleasantness involving a business transaction has left her shaking with rage while fearing for her livelihood. But Simon proves himself a good mediator, and Letty sees the virtue of good advice. Between them they set out to uncover truth from lies, but breaking and entering premises is a crime. What if they get caught in the act? There is that and much more, and Ms Schira leads the reader into a world of shady deals, and breath-stopping moments as love blooms and cheeks become flushed. This is a tale where the author understands all that a pig-in-a-poke entails.

A Little Chocolate in the Morning by David W. Wilkin.

Mr Wilkin’s character, Charles Watkins, is young man always with an eye to a pretty face. While his thoughts are very much his own he dreams of love and romance, but how to achieve it seems to escape him. He’s a reserved and refined gentleman, an aristocratic gentleman who has a serious eye to politics and his seat in the upper House of Parliament. Though what is a seat in the Lords, or the comforts of home, when his sisters are all married except one, and his mother harangues him over his responsibilities and the need to beget an heir? Life for Charles is content enough, or is it? Determined to get his sister wed and off his hands, perhaps then he can put his mind to the seeking of a comely wife. And then along comes Lady Caroline. The life Charles has viewed as comfortable and uncomplicated in a romantic sense, can never be as it was before he set eyes on Caroline. He must do something, but how and when?



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Latest Historical Review - Regency

Reviewed by Katie

The Duke of Malchester, Devon Howard, was thirty-two, twice a widower, shrouded in gossip and suspicion regarding the deaths of his previous wives, his treatment of servants and his libertine ways.  At seventeen, Liliana was literally auctioned off and married to the highest bidder. It was no wonder she was afraid to entrust her body, mind or heart to a man she met a month prior to the wedding.  The nuptial night, while exciting, wasn’t enough to convince her to lower her guard and so, Liliana clung to her dignity, residing at Calder Hall, a duchess in name only.  For three years, Devon roamed who knows where with an entourage that included his mistress.  His absences were long, his visits short and pleasant enough, so long as she kept her distance.

When her beloved grandfather dies, things come to the point between them.  Devon presses for her admission that they could be more than married in name only.  She agrees but only if he removes his mistress from their home and his life, permanently.  Surprisingly (not), his mistress objects to this and sets in motion a plan to ruin Devon and Liliana’s newborn happiness.  Secrets are thrust into the light of day; tragedy is dressed in silks and lies, while sorrow hides behind parties and titles, altogether creating a compelling tale that makes you shudder and gasp right along with the characters.

This was not a comfortable story but it was a most excellent read!  With the feel of a traditional gothic, written in a style well aware of the modern reader, the author never forgets the values and mores of the times.  Neither can you.  Her atmospheric tone is perfect; lush and a bit bawdy, which suits the Duke very well indeed.  The dismal facts of family life that saw children living entirely separate from their parents until they could be of use, and the reality of arranged marriages seldom being more than tolerable, are facts historical readers and writers know yet are seldom willing to accept beyond the plot device or back story. 

Ms. Howarth doesn’t back up to these realities, she wields them with empathetic skill.  I swear I could hear her sighs in the dark corridors and possibly felt her restraining hand when I wanted to smack her hero for being a - well, an ass.  She doesn’t apologize for a hero that genuinely believes a woman wasn’t really his mistress so long as he didn’t penetrate her vagina.  Neither is she ashamed of a heroine that allows the past to be put aside because she wants a future that means something more than disdainful distance and loneliness.  That Devon and Liliana go from physical passion to emotional friendship while proclaiming love rang with realistic emphasis on the way things were, and sometimes still are.  As they spent time together without the entourage and distrust between them, you could see the happily ever after to be, and yes, the squabbles as well.

Foibles and imperfections are brutally exposed and though we cringe the characters do not even flinch.  They’re bold and gritty, hopeful and yes, aware they’re not always at their best when all is said and done; however no one gives up or bemoans cruel fate (yippee!).  They resolve to make amends where possible and carry on, regardless.  The use of jealousy to arouse interest is seldom a maneuver I can tolerate.  _But_ … in this case, it suited both the characters and the situation.  When they began talking, sharing their thoughts without the affectations of pride, confessing loneliness and hurts, I let go of my long standing prejudice against the machination.  Whether another author could’ve managed that I am not sure, certainly none before has done so.

The secondary characters, both the living and dead, were as intriguing and reflective of the times, as coarse in their own way as the awakening couple.  The historical details were devastatingly accurate.  There is no glossy coating here, this is a mature man, thrice married, that lives as men of wealth and position did.  Liliana is no fool, only young, and without familiar support or anyone to lean on but her maid, she does what women did; find a way to make things work.  Not only did the writing hold my interest but also my admiration for a convincing honesty weaving a wonderful historically gothic tale.  I am already squeezing my budget for more of Ms. Howarth’s books! 

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