17th century Swashbuckling Romance.

Reviewed by Francine.

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.

By 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!

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Debut Novella - Regency Romance

Reviewed by Francine. 

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.

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!

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^st 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.  

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