Tag Archives: Historical

Historical books are ones that take place prior to the time the book is written. Therefore a book that takes place in the 1980s but was written in that decade would not be a historical but a book written about the 1980s but written in 2015 would be a historical.

Review: Craving

Posted on by
Reply
Review: CravingCraving (Regency Lovers 3) by Carole Mortimer
Series: Regency Lovers #3
Published by Carole Mortimer on December 7, 2018
Genres: Historical
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I really enjoyed this novella. Yes, it isn’t very deep and the events happen quickly, but I thought the story was well constructed and I really liked the relationship between Sophia and Magnus.

THE STORY: Miss Sophia Marchment is the head of a school for young women where she teaches her students her independent and somewhat scandalous ideas. When she is in London, she meets with a prospective student and her father. Magnus Spencer, Duke of Weston is shocked by his attraction to the young headmistress and while he knows that Sophia has secrets, the heat of the attraction between them brings them together. But someone is threatening Sophia and her past may be the reason.

OPINION: This is my favorite of the series so far. I think I grade these books on a curve. A book trying to be a different length and level of sophistication, or a different author, my rating might be different. But I read these Mortimer books with the intent to enjoy the story alone and not to look for an introspective or complex story.

As a novella this one works very well and I enjoyed the characters more than I expected. Although there is some deep material here, the characters do manage to develop a relationship (although there is some insta-love). I also thought that Magnus ended up being a nice character especially with how he treats Sophia (with one exception — he is a jerk with how he breaks the twist in the story to her).

I especially liked Sophia who is nobody’s doormat here. She is independent and determined to do what she thinks is right. I thought that the strong wills of Sophia and Magnus worked well here. Sometimes the Mortimer heroines are overwhelmed by her strong Alpha heroes, but not here. Sophia definitely holds her own.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is novella length.

CONNECTED BOOKS: CRAVING is the third book in the Regency Lovers series. Although there are some overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars

Review: Three Weddings and a Kiss

Posted on by
Reply
Review: Three Weddings and a KissThree Weddings and a Kiss by Catherine Anderson, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase
Published by Avon on September 1, 1995
Genres: Historical
Pages: 389
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an anthology of three short novellas and one very short story. All are unrelated to one another.

FANCY FREE by Catherine Anderson: Clint Rafferty trying to raise his brothers and keep the family together after the deaths of his parents. Rachel Constantine wants to get revenge for her sister’s heart being broken by Clint’s brother. When revenge goes wrong, Clint and Rachel end up with a “shotgun” wedding. The two attempt to give their marriage a go. This book takes place in the American West. The story is built on humor as Rachel doesn’t wear her needed glasses and ends up making a mess of cooking, cleaning and all the household activities. I didn’t mind the device, but it went on too long and eventually got tiring to read. The story is pretty fluffy as a story as these two never really get to know one another as people even as their relationship progresses. It wasn’t a bad story, but pretty forgettable. Rating: 2 stars.

THE MAD EARL’S BRIDE by Loretta Chase: THE MAD EARL’S BRIDE is a short story that has a connection with Loretta Chase’s classic LORD OF SCOUNDRELS. The couple from that book, Dain and Jess, make a small but significant appearance here.
This story is the romance between Gwen and Dorian. The two meet because of an arranged marriage because Dorian is dying of an inherited brain disease that killed his mother and is expected to soon kill him. Before he dies, however, he is expected to father an heir. Gwen agrees to the marriage because she seeks the influence and money that marriage will give her so that she can open a hospital. She does not mind that her future husband will soon be a lunatic because she has studied medicine and had wished to be a doctor (of course, she is not permitted to do so because she is a woman). Dorian initially does not wish to marry at all , but decides to help Gwen realize her dream. The romance between the two is sweet and full of angst as they are living under the sadness of having such a short time together. Dorian is reluctant to engage in a true relationship because he cares for Gwen but she overcomes him. What I liked best about this story is how he respects Gwen’s abilities and trusts in her judgment. The resolution of the story comes not from miracles, but rather the intelligence of Gwen and the trust between the couple that uncovers the solution. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it. Rating: 4 stars.

PROMISES by Lisa Kleypas: Lidian Acland is waiting for the man she loves to return from the Continent even though her mother insists that Lidian is only hiding from her hurt of his leaving her. Lord Eric De Gray meets Lidian while escorting his sister at a party and is struck by her kindness. They dance, but Lidian tells Eric that she it taken. Eric takes a liking to Lidian and is determined to make her confront that the man she is waiting for is not worthy of her and Eric himself wants her. This story was okay but nothing particularly stood out with one exception — Lidian and Eric go to Craven’s (yes, Derek Craven’s gambling hell from DREAMING OF YOU). We get a small glimpse of Derek and how his character jumps from the page in only a few lines demonstrated how pale the other characters are in comparison. Nothing was bad about it, it just wasn’t the standard I expect from Kleypas’s work. Rating: 3 stars.

THE KISS by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss: A few things need to be said about this work. Most importantly, this is only one story of two plus a novel about this couple. This story is only a small vignette and really needs especially the novel to feel complete. Jeff Birmingham, the brother of Brandon from THE FLOWER AND THE FLAME, is shopping for a gift for his sister-in-law when he runs into — literally — into a young woman dressed in rags. Raelynn Barrett who is running from her uncle who intends to sell her to a man who may “eventually” marry her. This story doesn’t have much substance to it when read alone. There is instant attraction which then leads to a marriage based upon Raelynn being ruined. We don’t get to know much about her. Jeff is better known primarily because of his appearance in THE FLOWER AND THE FLAME. This story should be read only as a sequel and prequel to the actual book about Jeff and Raelynn which was its intent more than a self-contained story. Rating: 2.5 stars.

four-stars

Review: Someone to Trust

Posted on by
Reply

I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review: Someone to TrustSomeone to Trust (Westcott, #5) by Mary Balogh
Series: Westcott #5
Published by Berkley on November 27, 2018
Genres: Historical
Goodreads
four-stars

 

FINAL DECISION: This is a gentle sweet romance that takes its time developing the characters relationship. This is grand passion restrained in true Mary Balogh fashion.

THE STORY: At Christmas, Elizabeth, Lady Overfield decides that it is finally time to remarry after a disastrous first marriage. This time she wants stability and trust. Colin Handrich, Lord Hodges, also decides that he wants to marry to establish a family as close as the Westcotts after a childhood with a highly dysfunctional family. Elizabeth and Colin enjoy one another’s company but since Elizabeth is nine years older than Colin they know there can be nothing but friendship between them. They do agree, however, to dance a waltz together at every ball during the season.

OPINION: This is a quiet slow developing story based completely on the relationship between Elizabeth and Colin. I really enjoyed how the two of them build a friendship. There is always an underlying attraction between the two, but the two fight against it believing that a relationship is impossible.

I very much enjoy these stories. By the time these two marry, I completely believe that the two of them can build a lasting relationship. Those looking for big passionate romances might not enjoy this book, but I appreciated that these two have a quiet romance but one built on laughter and friendship and yet still the passion of falling in love.

The sexual content was also dialed way back in this one which completely fit the characters. Respect, friendship, companionship and trust all come before the sex in this story which was a nice change.

My one complaint is that I wish I had gotten to see some glimpse of their future. I’m sure we will see more of them in future books in the series, but I missed some confirmation that their marriage will manage to work for both of them and they will achieve their mutual goals.

WORTH MENTIONING: I loved seeing Avery who has a vital role at critical points in this story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SOMEONE TO TRUST is the fifth book in the Westcott series. The romance here is self-contained and thus it can be read as a standalone. However, new readers should be aware that the book is filled with characters from the prior books and knowledge about them is largely assumed so this book is probably better read as part of the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley which was used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

 

four-stars

Review: The Other Miss Bridgerton

Posted on by
Reply
Review: The Other Miss BridgertonThe Other Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys, #3) by Julia Quinn
Series: Rokesbys #3
Published by Avon on November 20, 2018
Genres: Historical
Pages: 384
Goodreads
two-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I so much wanted to love this book, but in the end I found it pretty banal. It was okay but I didn’t feel any real heat between the hero and heroine and I thought it was well written but utterly forgettable.

THE STORY: Poppy Bridgerton inadvertently comes across a smuggler’s hiding place and finds herself kidnapped aboard ship. Left on the captain’s bed, she meets Captain Andrew James Rokesby who is masquerading as a privateer as a cover for his work for the British government. Andrew has no choice but to take Poppy with him as she threatens his current mission. What Poppy doesn’t know, however, is who Andrew really is — his brother is married to her cousin.

OPINION: This book had great potential but ended up a boring predictable story with characters who were too perfect and made no missteps. They felt unreal and had no real connection with one another. At points, I wanted to love this story, but I never felt anything for the characters. As a result, I ended the book saying okay and promptly forgot just about everything about the book.

The story has potential — the heroine is kidnapped and taken aboard the ship to meet the captain who is masquerading as a privateer in order to cover his work as a courier for the British government. Of course, the hero is without any faults. The heroine is only taken because the government gives him no other choice! He treats her with great courtesy and respect at all times (with the exception of some mild teasing)! He gives her a puzzle to relieve her boredom! They spend the week talking about their hopes and dreams! When they are taken hostage, he makes sure to be a totally wonderful man and doesn’t take advantage even while she wants him! He has spent his adult life on the sea, but really wants to work on land so there won’t be any conflicts in their future!

The hero was just boring with no faults (except not telling the heroine his real name). And the romance is pretty boring and as expected as a result.

WORTH MENTIONING: This series certainly doesn’t live up to the amazing original Bridgerton series. In fact, I realized while reading this book that I couldn’t remember either of the other two books in the series when I read this one (even though when I looked at my reviews I gave them pretty high marks), but I can remember several of the original Bridgerton books although I haven’t read them for several years.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE OTHER MISS BRIDGERTON is the third book in the Rokesbys series. Although there are overlapping characters, this book can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 2.5 stars.

two-half-stars

Review: A Lady Awakened

Posted on by
Reply
Review: A Lady AwakenedA Lady Awakened (Blackshear Family, #1) by Cecilia Grant
Series: Blackshear Family #1
Published by Bantam on December 27, 2011
Genres: Historical
Pages: 346
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: An intellectually interesting twist on the normal romance story, but ultimately I found the book too uneven to be a great book.

THE STORY: Martha Russel is newly widowed and determined to protect the people of her estate from her husband’s brother who stands to inherit. So she concocts a scheme: she will quickly get pregnant and pass the child off to as her husband’s heir. She approaches a temporary newcomer to the area, Theo Milkwood, with a proposition. She will pay him to impregnate her. Theo, sent by his father to learn some responsibility, is insulted by Martha’s offer, but is happy to take the widow up on a month of irresponsible sex.

OPINION: I wanted to really love this book. There was something fresh and interesting in the story. The relationship between the hero and heroine begins cold and through their interactions, I loved how the two of them change and find something special together.

That first part of the book, however, was pretty difficult to get through. There is a lot of unsatisfying sex to get through. Unfortunately, when things change for them, the satisfying encounters don’t really outweigh the two thirds of book that come before.

What I did like was the development of the heroine. I never really liked her much. She’s not a character that I came to really love, but I found her journey intriguing. This was an interesting exercise of a book to read, but it didn’t really seem like a book that I would voluntarily pick up again.

Parts were really good, and I didn’t really mind way the relationship between the characters develop, but I left the book really not feeling that the happy ending outweighed everything that went before.

WORTH MENTIONING: I think the book might have been better with an epilogue showing these characters happy together.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A LADY AWAKENED is the first book in the Blackshear Family series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

three-half-stars

Review: My One and Only Duke

Posted on by
Reply
Review: My One and Only DukeMy One and Only Duke (Rogues to Riches, #1) by Grace Burrowes
Series: Rogues to Riches #1
Published by Forever on November 6, 2018
Genres: Historical
Pages: 442
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I so much loved the hero in this book. Restrained and understated, this hero is incredibly kind and responsible. I loved how he treated the heroine with respect and dignity.

THE STORY: Self-made banker Quinn Wentworth finds himself framed for a murder he didn’t commit and sentenced to hang. While waiting for his sentence to be executed, Quinn generously marries a woman he barely knows. Jane Winston, a widow in desperate straights, marries a condemned stranger to provide for her unborn child. But on the way to the gallows, Quinn is saved from death by the news that he has inherited a dukedom. Now, of course, he also has a wife Quinn and Jane must determine if they can make their marriage a real one at the same time Quinn is hunting for who framed him.

OPINION: I really found this a lovely book. The beginning chapters, before Quinn is saved from hanging, were quite beautiful in how Quinn and Jane build a foundation for what will be their marriage. Quinn’s kindness is on display.

I especially loved in this book how these are restrained characters build a relationship based on their mutual respect for one another. I couldn’t put this book down despite it being a quieter book without an action packed plot. There are some exciting moments, but the focus on this book are these two strangers getting to know one another.

Quinn, especially, was a quite a wonderful hero. We get to see very early in this book his true characters as he spends what he thinks are his last days on earth helping as many people as he can. He is simply adorable and thus I was not surprised by how gentle he treats the heroine in their marriage.

My only complaint is that I wanted to know what happened with Jane’s child. I expect, however, that we will find out more in future books in the series. I think that Quinn will make a wonderful father.

I’ve never actually read an entire book by Grace Burrowes before. I picked up this one after reading a connected novella and I’m certainly glad I did.

WORTH MENTIONING: The book introduces the members of Quinn’s family who hopefully will have books of their own.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE is the first book in the Rags to Riches series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars

Review: Gifts of Love

Posted on by
Reply
Review: Gifts of LoveGifts of Love by Kay Hooper, Lisa Kleypas
Published by Avon on October 31, 2006
Genres: Historical
Pages: 326
Goodreads
three-half-stars

This is an anthology of two unrelated novellas.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT by Kay Hooper: Lady Antonia Wingate and Richard Allerton, Duke of Lyonshall were engaged and seemingly in love when Antonia abruptly broke off their engagement. Several years later, Antonia’s grandmother has invited Richard to a “house party” where he is the only non-family guest. While her grandmother attempts to rekindle Antonia and Richard’s romance, the two are privy to the ghostly romance of prior inhabitants of the castle. I really enjoyed this story. The romance plot is pretty standard, but the addition of the ghost story and the interfering grandmother gave this story some extra interest. Rating: 4 stars.

SURRENDER by Lisa Kleypas: Jason and Laura Moran are newly married but not happily. Jason believes that Laura is contemptuous of him because of his humble beginnings. Laura fears Jason’s coldness. The two have the chance to save their new marriage if they can speak their hearts to one another. I really like stories about married couples. This one, however, was just okay for me. Perhaps their problems needed more pages to be explored and solved or perhaps I didn’t feel that the characters were complex enough to explore the problems presented. For whatever reason, I liked the story but didn’t find it particularly memorable or remarkable. Rating: 3 stars.

three-half-stars

Review: The Last Duke

Posted on by
Reply
Review: The Last DukeThe Last Duke (The 1797 Club #10) by Jess Michaels
Series: The 1797 Club #10
Published by Passionate Pen Genres: Historical
Goodreads
five-stars

 

FINAL DECISION: This book just made me happy. It was everything that a final book in a series should be. We got a great romance combined with getting to see characters from the series in their happy every afters.

THE STORY: Kit’s father finally passes and Kit is the last of his friends to take on the title of duke. Now the Duke of Kingsacre, Kit also is responsible for the care of his much younger sister. The problem with this is the governess that comes along with his sister. Sarah Carlton is a lady who has fallen on hard times after the deaths of her parents. Kit and Sarah had an unpleasant confrontation several years ago and now the two are under the same roof.

OPINION: This book closes the series about this group of friends. Appropriately, the book is filled with the characters from the series and it was especially gratifying to get to see all the couples together and happy with their children.

This story is more quiet than others in the series. The big event here is the death of Kit’s father and the effect it has on him and those around him. I really liked it because the quieter pace allowed for more of the relationships between not only Kit and Sarah, but also all the characters from the series.

Kit and Sarah talk, work through their relationship and build a family. The characters are good people. Kit is responsible and didn’t have great tragedy or drama in his past like the other dukes. Instead, his tragedy is now. I especially liked how the issue of his and Sarah’s past confrontation was addressed. His anger at Sarah is so wonderfully explained by his friends.

Sarah is a woman who is making her own way in the world. Her change in circumstances has been difficult, but she perseveres. Dedicated and sweet and such a good person.

This might have been a boring book — the characters are so nice without deep trauma or drama. Instead, I ended up loving this book best in the series. The characters are nice and good people. They have the normal loss and pain one might expect from life and it is so sweet how much they like one another. I especially loved in this book how all the other characters help to gently push Kit and Sarah together.

I ended this book just being happy. The book satisfied all my desires to see this series wrapped up.

WORTH MENTIONING: One of my favorite scenes is the duchesses acting as fairy godmothers. Just made me smile from start to finish.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE LAST DUKE is the tenth and final book in the 1797 Club series. The romance here is self contained and can be read as a standalone. There are, however, overlapping characters in the series and this book is much more enjoyable knowing all the characters.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

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

five-stars

Review: When Strangers Marry

Posted on by
Reply
Review: When Strangers MarryWhen Strangers Marry (Vallerands, #1) by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Vallerands #1
Published by Avon on August 1, 2002
Genres: Historical
Pages: 390
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: Certainly not as complex as Kleypas’s more recent works, I enjoyed the main characters: the innocent heroine who is strong and doesn’t cower from the hero and the hero who has a bad reputation but quickly falls for the heroine.

THE STORY: Lysette Kersaint is being forced by her stepfather to marry a man who repulses her. Instead, Lysette decides to take her future in her own hands and escape. But her flight puts her in the path of Maximilien Vallerands. Max decides to use Lysette for revenge against her prospective bridegroom. Lysette, however, has no intention of allowing Max to use her.

OPINION: This book was mixed for me. The story certainly isn’t particularly complex and the characters don’t have a tremendous amount of depth to them, but I really liked the characters.

Lysette is young, but she quickly shows strength and determination and the ability to manage Max who is fifteen years her senior. And the relationship between Lysette and Max is one of the nicest of Kleypas’s books. These two like one another almost from the beginning — and not the sexual liking, but rather the two have an emotional and intellectual connection from early on in this book. I really liked how these characters interacted with one another. I would have expected the older and more experienced Max to crush the young Lysette, but instead their relationship is a combination of her strength and his caring for her enough to include her opinions in his considerations.

If a reader is looking for an equivalent of Kleypas’s later works, there is apt to be disappointment, but I enjoyed this book on its own terms.

WORTH MENTIONING: I really loved the different time period and location. This book takes place in Louisiana at the turn of the 19th century. The book uses Aaron Burr’s post-Hamilton duel history in the Louisiana territories which led to him being tried for treason as the historical underpinning for this story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WHEN STRANGERS MARRY is the first book in the Vallerands series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

three-half-stars

Review: Drums of Autumn

Posted on by
Reply
Review: Drums of AutumnDrums of Autumn (Outlander, #4) by Diana Gabaldon
Series: Outlander #4
Published by Delta on August 7, 2001
Genres: Historical, Time Travel
Pages: 880
Goodreads
four-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: I ended up enjoying the story of Claire and Jamie establishing themselves in the American colonies. This feels like a transitional book getting all the characters in the right place and time, but I enjoyed the personal stories of Claire and Jamie and Brianna and Roger.

THE STORY: This book begins after the events of VOYAGER. Jamie and Claire have ended up in the colonies and begin building a new life together there as the settlers begin to have conflicts with the native inhabitants. In the future, Brianna has to deal with the loss of her mother. She and Roger also rekindle their romance but the discovery of a clipping announcing the death of Jamie and Claire due to a house fire forces Brianna and Roger to make a decision.

OPINION: While this book is filled, as all Outlander books, with various adventures, what attracted me most to this book was the personal relationship between Claire and Jamie. Here, the two are building a life together for the first time. The boring, daily details of life — cooking, cleaning, preparing the land — are what the two have to deal with (punctuated by various adventures). For the first time, the two have to learn to live together after so many years apart. This book feels like a settled and romantic couple which I really loved. In the daily living, true love is shown. And for the first time, there is no question that Jamie and Claire will be together throughout the book.

What I really didn’t expect was how much I would love the story of Brianna and Roger. With Claire and Jamie on a less extreme emotional path, the torch of young love is passed to Brianna and Roger. I ended up loving both of these characters and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop.

As the series has progressed, I’ve become more acquainted with the historical events which form the pillars of the stories where these characters exist and with each book, I have enjoyed the historical parts more. Perhaps because we have moved into more familiar territory for me, I found the historical events and tidbits here fascinating.

As with all the books in this series, parts of the story are resolved and then parts are left for future books.

WORTH MENTIONING: The book depicts a graphic rape.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DRUMS OF AUTUMN is the fourth book in the OUTLANDER series. The book assumes knowledge from the previous books and therefore the books should be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

four-half-stars