Tag Archives: Cavensham Heiresses

Review: Big Duke Energy

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Review: Big Duke EnergyBig Duke Energy (Seasons of Sin Anthology Collection, #1; Victorian Rebels, #8) by Amalie Howard, Christi Caldwell, Janna McGregor, Kerrigan Byrne, Stacy Reid
Published by Oliver-Heber Books on March 29, 2022
Genres: Historical
Pages: 610
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an anthology of five novellas that are not connected to one another. The conceit of the collection is that these are the stories of secondary characters from each author’s other series.

THE EARL ON THE TRAIN by Kerrigan Byrne (Victorian Rebels) — Sebastian Moncrieff has been the villain and when he runs into Veronica Weatherstoke again (and whom he kidnapped in the past), Veronica knows that he is up to no good. Indeed, he is but he can also be convinced to be helpful to Veronica’s own plans. This is a hot little story, and I loved this “epilogue” of a sort to the Victorian Rebels story as it resolves these two minor characters’ story in a satisfying manner. Readers of that series should definitely pick this one up. I loved these two. The “plot” is completely irrelevant and that is fine. The story wisely just focuses on the relationship between Sebastian and Veronica. Rating: 4.5 Stars.

THE WOLF OF WESTMORE by Amalie Howard (Regency Rogues) — Lady Jocelyn Capehart is to be married off by her father to a disgusting man. So she decides to have a night to herself and attend an auction at the notorious club of Wulfric Bane, Duke of Westmore who is the avowed enemy of her family — and the man she buys in the auction for herself. I loved this story. It is hot and sexy and has hints of both Romeo and Juliet and also Little Red Riding Hood. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but I understood enough for this story and this book made me want to read the other books (as characters make an appearance here). Jocelyn is very active and determined to live her own life. Does the book feel like much of the character’s thoughts and motivations are too contemporary — yes — but I took this more like a historical fantasy for those who need to be coddled with modern tropes. Rating: 4.5 stars.

PUT UP YOUR DUKES by Janna MacGregor (Cavensham Heiresses) — Amelia and Martin Richmond have been married and estranged for five years. Martin’s work publishing The Midnight Cryer the famous gossip pamphlet keeps them apart as Amelia cannot live with Martin destroying people with gossip. A threat to Martin’s business, however, brings the couple under the same roof for the first time since right after their marriage and challenges whether they can live together or must part for good. I really enjoyed the setup for this story. The situation and characters seemed well constructed for a great story. However, I got annoyed with Amelia’s nagging after a while. The story became “she is perfect” and “he must concede everything”. I was annoyed and the rest of the story was not satisfying to me. Rating: 2.5 stars.

DUKE OF EVERY SIN by Stacey Reid (Unknown Series) — Ethan Benedict, Duke of Bainbridge one night finds a baby left on his doorstep. When Lady Verity Stanton comes to claim the child who is her illegitimate nephew, the Duke refuses to return him and instead proposes a marriage of convenience between the two. The boy is Verity’s sister’s child with Ethan’s deceased friend. I wish I knew what series this book is connected with (if any) it would give me somewhere to begin reading Reid’s works. I enjoyed the emotional connection between Ethan and Verity. Yes, the setup is a bit ridiculous, but how it works out was pretty great. Rating: 4 stars.

LOVED AND FOUND by Christie Caldwell (Scandalous Affairs/Heart of a Scandal) — Lady Edith Peregrine, the Marchioness of Bouchier after years of marriage to a man she despised is now free. Lieutenant Thaddeus Phippen has returned from war and encounters Edith whom he loved until she married. Secrets are revealed in this story. I absolutely loved the setup of this story, but the resolution was too quick and didn’t really feel like a resolution. I needed 20 more pages with this couple in their happiness. Almost really good. Rating: 3 stars.

four-stars

Review: ‘Tis the Season

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Review: ‘Tis the Season'Tis the Season: Regency Yuletide Short Stories by Christi Caldwell, Eva Devon, Grace Burrowes, Janna MacGregor, Jennifer Ashley, Jess Michaels, Louisa Cornell
Series: Rogues to Riches #0.5, The Brethren #3.5, The Many Brides of Lord Creighton #3.5, The Duke's Secret #1.5, Cavensham Heiresses #4.5,
on October 23, 2018
Genres: Historical
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a collection of short stories which are unconnected to one another (although most are connected to a series the author writes).

A FIRST-FOOTER FOR LADY JANE by Jennifer Ashley:  When her grandfather predicts that Jane will merry this year’s First-Footer, Jane is disbelieving. She intends to marry the man she has known since childhood. But at midnight, Captain Spencer Ingram walks through the door and turns her expectations upside down. This was a sweet story. There wasn’t much to the romance between Jane and Spencer, but Spencer’s sincerely made up for that along with the meddling Grandfather. A sweet holiday treat. Rating: 4 stars.

A KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Grace Burrowes: Chloe Thatcher is in danger of losing her grandfather’s bookshop after his death. Aidan Ferris has the job of gaining ownership of the property for the man who saved him from the streets. This is a prequel to the Rogues to Riches series. I really enjoyed the tone and characters in this book although the romance is merely sweet. I liked this one well enough to want to read the next book in the series. Rating: 4 stars.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS by Christi Caldwell: Martha and Graham Whitworth (from THE ROGUE WHO RESCUED HER) are getting ready to celebrate their first holiday together after their marriage when they receive a summons from Graham’s parents (who tried to separate them) asking for a reconciliation. This book operates an an epilogue to THE ROGUE WHO RESCUED HER. However, I haven’t read that book and this story was still perfectly understandable and I immediately got the issues with the parties and the connection between Martha and Graham. I really enjoyed this story and it made me want to read Martha and Graham’s story. Rating: 4.5 stars.

STEALING CHRISTMAS by Louisa Cornell: Sebastian and Minerva Brightworth are going to be spending their first Christmas together but their happiness is interrupted when Minerva insists on inviting Sebastian’s brother to the festivities and Sebastian doesn’t want him there. This story didn’t work as well for me. I haven’t read the book that this couple is introduced in and I didn’t feel that the story seemlessly introduced these characters to me so that I would care about them despite not knowing their story. The story got better as it progressed, but I think this might be better for those familiar with the couple. Rating: 2.5 stars.

JOY TO THE DUKE by Eva Devon:  Robert Deverall and his wife Harriet aka Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Blackstone, celebrate Christmas but there are shadows of the past. This one didn’t work for me. There were too many characters that I was not familiar with not having read the other books in the series. I didn’t feel connected to the characters because there were obviously stories here between the characters of which I was not aware. Rating: 2 stars.

THE EARL’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE by Janna MacGregor: Cameron Dunmore, the Earl of Queensgrace, wants to win the woman he loves, Julia Lawson. Julia, however, even as she loves Cam has been hurt by his withdrawal from her life. But even if she can forgive him, she is not willing to leave her family to be with him. I liked this story although I had trouble getting into the story because I was not familiar with the characters and it took me a while to orient myself in the characters and the story.  I did, however, end up really liking the story once I was able to sort everything out. Rating: 3.5 stars.

SILENT NIGHT by Jess Michaels: Ewan and Charlotte, the Duke and Duchess of Donburrow, are planning Christmas with their friends and family. Charlotte, however, has a secret that causes Ewan to reexamine where he is in his life. This story is really an epilogue to THE SILENT DUKE from the 1797 Club series. This was my favorite in this collection because I already knew the characters and liked seeing their story advance. Ewan and Charlotte are wonderful together and this story brings something new to their romance. Rating: 4.5 stars.

four-stars