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.

Amazon

Historical Romance 18th Century

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?

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!

Amazon UK

English Civil War Novel

Reviewed by Francine:

For too long this book has been sitting in my TBR file, and finally I’ve read it. Thus, fully expecting a damn good read, Ms Riley has most definitely thrust her historical punches on the research front. From page one Justin Ambrose brings to the fore the atmosphere surrounding Banbury Castle, not least the town, and its underlying Puritan leanings. Whilst he and his men suffer the consequences of soldiers as good as under siege and not daring to slacken their guard within the castle walls, there are moments of respite and of course trading for wares to be enacted. But not all the townsfolk are as willing to oblige those looked upon as the enemy, and the streets can be a dangerous place for the unwary. What is more, when cavaliers patronise specific establishments and female eyes stray from the dour countenance of their brethren to dashing young blades, scorn and abhorrence soon gives rise to contention of a differing nature to that of mere allegiance to opposing forces. Personal grievance can lead to vendettas, and when budding romance crosses the boundary of social acceptance retribution brings inevitable heartache and fear of worse to come. Hence Banbury Castle becomes a refuge for more than those who have sworn to hold it against all the odds set against them until relief arrives, if ever that can be. Therefore, A Splendid Defiance is true to its title, enhanced by historical fact and peppered with touches of fiction to stir emotions as only love and romance can alongside swashbuckling military feats of endurance. A thoroughly enjoyable novel.        

Amazon UK

Tiime-Slip Roman Romance.

Reviewed by Nigella:

For me at least, this was a time-slip novel with a difference. Of course the ubiquitous time portal is there if only one knows of its existence and how and when it is activated, and Janet, an archaeologist and museum curator has unknowingly acquired the lock and key to the portal. In the meanwhile, absolutely obsessed with Roman Britain and extremely familiar with archaeological digs close to Hadrian’s Wall, sudden mysterious thefts from the museum require investigation. And Janet’s encounter with a cloaked figure, one that mysteriously vanishes, sets precedence for inner and physical alarm. While suffering mental anguish over a broken relationship, there remains an underlying sense she is drifting through life on automatic mode to quell the reasons behind the break up, her self confidence severely knocked back. It is the personal battle alongside strange visions which give rise to secondary sense she may well be verging close to a mental breakdown, until the moment the vision becomes real in every sense of the word “real” and she enters into another dimension, or has she entered into madness? If I were to say how and what occurs, such would spoil the story for other readers, suffice to say, her passion for Roman Britain is fulfilled, though is it quite as she had perceived from the perspective of an archaeologist rooting around in mud laden digs 2,000 years into the future? What transpires for Janet when she encounters Trajan, a noble Roman officer, not only quashes perceived imaginings of life in Roman Britain, tribal uprising north of the wall spells imminent trouble for the Roman soldiers manning the wall and its forts. But again is it real or a lifelike vision, as Janet looks to modern knowledge and technology whilst Trajan demonstrates skills beyond her immediate capabilities? Again, to infill here with gradation of events would spoil the story,  and I shall merely say romance blossoms, and while someone else from the future is intent on changing history time is bridged for Janet and Trajan, and the end has a satisfying outcome. 
A thoroughly recommended read for time-slip fans of ancient romance themes with a touch of mystery and adventure amidst gruelling feats of endurance and battles. 

Amazon UK    Amazon US 

Late Regency Romance

Reviewed by Francine

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

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

Amazon UK       Amazon US