The Lady's Legacy (Half Moon House, #3) by Deb Marlowe
Series: Half Moon House #3
Published by Deb Marlowe on November 27th 2017
Genres: Historical
Pages: 283
Goodreads

FINAL DECISION: A sweet romance with a whole bunch of drama and intrigue surrounding the couple.

THE STORY: Miss Francis Headley has come to Edinburgh to search out the long-lost son of her employer. Rhys Caradec is an artist who keeps himself apart from all connections because of his past. When Francis comes into his life, Rhys has no intent of getting involved with his “mother” but he definitely is intrigued with Francis who switches between boy dress and a beautiful young woman. Francis believes that she can change Rhys view and Rhys believes that Francis has agreed to his view. But there are still dangers from the battle between Rhys’ parents to contend with.

OPINION: This is a sweet romance between Francis and Rhys. The two meet and have a philosophical difference about a person’s place in the world and involving oneself in others’ lives.  That is the center of the drama between them (along with Rhys wanting nothing to do with his parents). But most of the book is these two getting to know one another and seeing the world from the other’s viewpoint.

I liked both characters and I smiled at Rhys’ artistic temperament and his devotion to his art. I smiled at Francis’s abilities to masquerade as a boy. The book has an interesting storyline with the exception that the drama between Rhys’ parents is not fully set out. I suspect that more is explained in the other books but while I could figure out what was going on, I didn’t feel as much drama as I expect I was supposed to.

WORTH MENTIONING: I think the end of this book gives hints of an upcoming book.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE LADY’S LEGACY is the third novel in the Half Moon House series. It is not necessary to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. I’ve read a couple of novellas from this series, but have not read any of the prior books. I do note, however, that there are some references to prior events and other characters from the series so it might be more enjoyable to read the books in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC from the author in order to write a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Encounters With a Rogue by Deb Marlowe
Series: Half Moon House #1.5, #1.8
Published by Deb Marlowe on March 7th 2017
Genres: Historical
Goodreads

This book is a compilation of two separate novellas from the Half Moon House series.  These are my first foray into this series and I did not feel that I needed to read the other books before appreciating these books.  These novellas were so good that I purchased the other books in the series to enjoy.

The novellas have been published previously, so check before purchasing.

These books are a nice complement to one another as the hero of the second novella appears as a secondary character in the first.  Readers get to see his growth and redemption by reading both novellas.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER:  Miss Elizabeth Moreton has run off to London to avoid her step-father’s plan to marry her off to a local squire in exchange for breeding stock for his cattle.  Unfortunately, she is abandoned by the person she expected to help her.  Instead, she ends up pretending to be a governess for a young orphaned girl.  The girl is the ward of Lord Edmund Cotwell, a gruff man who has cut himself off from society.  Lisbeth finds herself mending the hearts of both Edmund and his ward and finding a purpose of her own.

Novellas are difficult creatures.  Compared to full length novels, they often feel incomplete and shallow.  On the other hand, they give authors a chance to tell stories of beloved characters who might not otherwise have their tale told.  I very much enjoyed this novella because I thought the characters were well drawn, their story was tightly told and engaging and I left the story satisfied with the whole. I really thought the characters were sweet and I admit I am a sucker for the historical guy who is interested in things other than drinking, whoring and socializing.  Edmund’s scientific interests made him sexier and far more intriguing than he would have otherwise been.  I liked that all the characters here: Edmund, Lizabeth and the ward are out of step with what would be expected in society.  They are so clearly meant for one another.  Rating: 4 stars.

A WALTZ IN THE PARK: Two people holding themselves out to society with a mask for their own purposes.  James Vickers wants to be as scandalous as possible in order to frustrate his despised father.  Even though he has reformed himself from his wild and rakish days, he doesn’t want his father to know.  James knows his father is an abominable man and wants to find out what he is hiding.  This season, James meets Miss Adelaide Stockton who knows she must act with utmost propriety in order to live down her mother’s scandal and find a husband of her own.  The two should have nothing to do with one another and yet cannot help but be attracted.

This was my favorite of the two stories because it had a a beautiful and unexpected arc to the story ending up with the title-tease waltz in the park. From the beginning, there was such a unique connection between the two main characters.  James is a man who struggles with his demons and needs to find out who he can be apart from his desire to frustrate his father’s ends. Addy doesn’t know what she wants from life and slides into her family’s expectations. The relationship between Addy and James manages to free them both to be who they want to be. The story has humor and drama and even some well placed angst.  But what I loved most was the blatant romantic climax of the story. This was a story that I wished were longer, but I’d rather have the story than not.  Rating: 4.5 stars.

NOTE:  I received an ARC of this book in order to provide a review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions contained herein are my own.