Tag: Rebecca Connolly

Widows of Somerset – Review

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by Rebecca Connolly, Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore

Paperback : 351 pages
ISBN-10 : 1947152955
ISBN-13 : 978-1947152953
Publisher : Mirror Press (October 6, 2020)

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Rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows:
Rule 1: Be a widow.
Rule 2: Have an impeccable reputation.
Rule 3: Don’t fall in love again.

AN HEIR TO SPARE by Rebecca Connolly
Widowhood has changed much for Anna—Lady Lyndham—but an unconventional heir to the estate was not something she had anticipated. Nor had she anticipated that he would have no intention of forcing her out, although he has every right to. And she certainly did not anticipate finding him handsome, charming, and unfailingly generous. But Ned Richards, the new Lord Lyndham, has a world of surprises in store for her, and not anticipating them will become quite the adventure.

THE WIDOW OF LAVENDER COTTAGE by Jen Geigle Johnson
As a widow, Lillian Hunter has never been in love and plans to never marry again, so the rules of the Secret Society of Young Widows suit her just fine. Her days are spent attempting to transform her newly inherited Lavender Cottage into a livable space until Oliver Wentworth shows up, asking for her late husband. Anxious to establish himself as a landed gentry in Somerset, Oliver is none too pleased to discover that a widow lives alone in a tiny run down cottage bordering his new property. The fact that she’s young and attractive only adds frustration to his sense of responsibility over her. And confound her, she challenges his every attempt to help manage her affairs.


A PROMISE FORGOTTEN by Heather B. Moore
Charlotte Ashford never thought she’d marry a vicar, and she never thought she’d find herself widowed with a young child to care for on her own. She certainly never thought she’d return to Somerset to live with her mother again, and Charlotte never thought she’d see him again. But Lord Wilshore has never forgotten her, and he has never forgotten their promise made long ago. Charlotte would love nothing more than for Lord Wilshore to forgive her, but too much heartache and too much time might make that impossible. Friendship is all she can hope for, but that hope may be dashed as well. 

I love how the Timeless collections always have such great authors. The theme this time was young widows who all joined a society that had to follow certain rules. One of those rules was not to let falling in love rule over your mind.

An Heir to Spare by Rebecca Connolly

I’m a fan of Rebecca Connolly, and this was a cute story. Anna was married to a man who was entirely apathetic. She felt like she lost her identity during that marriage and has no desire to marry again.

Ned inherits from the late Lord Lyndham. He has lived as a clergyman the last few years and is very down to earth. He also loves to get his hands dirty and help his neighbors.

The Widow of Lavender Cottage by Jen Geigle Johnson

Lillian was married off to a much older man and finds herself widowed and the owner of a run down house. She is loving her independent life and never wants to lose it.

When Oliver realizes his dream of becoming a property owner, he feels obligated to take care of the widow next door. What starts as feeling protective of the young widow quickly turns to more.

In other stories I have often seen widows described as very needy and weak or overly free with their favors. It was nice to see Lillian be such a different character. She was very lucky that she was left provisions to survive, but she was also a character who wanted to thrive. She wanted to learn everything she could and even step in and do things herself.

Both characters were very different from most people of their social standings.

A Promise Forgotten by Heather B. Moore

This story had so many things I liked in it. I always love when characters knew each other from the past and then come together again. This is especially true in novellas, because they don’t fall in love too fast. I also loved the inclusion of little Emily. I felt connected to these characters right away. They both had gone through so much, and I wanted to see their happy ending.

To Sketch a Sphinx (London League #6) – Review

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sphinx by Rebecca Connolly

Paperback: 178 pages
Publisher: Phase Publishing (July 28, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1952103134
ISBN-13: 978-1952103131

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From the Hand of Sketch…

Henrietta “Hal” Mortimer has been working with England’s operatives and spies for years, her remarkable memory and artistic talents invaluable to many missions. The last thing she expects is to be pulled into a field mission herself, and to be partnered with the most insufferable asset she has ever met. Worse, then, that she has to marry the man.

And the mind of Sphinx…

There are very few people who rattle John Pratt, gifted code-breaker for the Crown, but Hal Mortimer was one of them. Marrying her in order to go into the field for their mission in Paris would be torture, but they had no choice. Will their mutual spite doom their mission before it starts or can they set it aside and work together for the safety and security of their country?

I have found Hal an interesting character since she was first introduced in the series, and I love that she was paired with fellow agent Sphinx. Hal and John are not the typical combat operatives. They each have unique talents and serve as assets to help England. Hal has an amazing memory and can remember details and draw people with precise accuracy. John has earned his code name Sphinx because he can work out puzzles like no one else can. I love Ciphering and I found the ones John worked through incredibly interesting.

This book was another great addition to a series I always enjoy reading. I love that each book can stand alone but they also build off of one another. I can’t wait to find out what happens in Fortune Favors the Sparrow, the new Agents of the Convent Series.

*This book is clean, however, it does have some cursing.

What a Spinster Wants (The Spinster Chronicles, Book 6) – Review

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spinsterwants by Rebecca Connolly

Series: The Spinster Chronicles, Book 6
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Phase Publishing (May 5, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1952103096
ISBN-13: 978-1952103094

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Lady Edith Leveson has lived her young widowhood in shadows and secrets, not even revealing the truth to family or friends. That, it seems, is no longer an option, and she must act quickly to avoid being ruined entirely and forevermore. A handsome but reserved rescuer comes to her aid just in time, and their paths begin to entwine more than either of them expected.

Graham Hastings, Lord Radcliffe, is no hero. He isn’t brave, bold, or in any way noble, yet the striking Lady Edith seems determined to paint him so. One dance with her, and he seems unable to avoid finding her in need wherever he goes. The more involved he becomes, the more his heart begins to open, and he finds himself more than willing to become a hero. Hers.

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Those of us who have been reading the Spinster Chronicles series have been waiting for Lady Edith Leveson’s story. Edith had been harder to get to know in previous stories because she was such a closed book and didn’t want to talk about her past.

Graham Hastings seems pretty smitten with her right away and very protective. He is fairly introverted and Edith has a way of drawing him out.

I like the addition of Molly in this story and I like that we see a different side of Edith and Graham when they are with her.

Since there is a reappearance of a lot of characters in previous books I found myself wishing for a chart to keep track of them. I know of the main characters but there seemed to be some side characters that I was unsure of.

I’m hoping we have Charlotte’s story soon. I have been really looking forward to it.

Top 19 Books of 2019

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There were so many good books this year. This list presents you with the Top 19 in 2019.

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By Hook or By Rook (London League #4) – Review

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rook

by Rebecca Connolly

Series: London League, Book 4
Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: Phase Publishing (July 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1943048843
ISBN-13: 978-1943048847

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The most dangerous journeys…

Jeremy Pratt is a spy for the Crown, and one of the best. He had been in more dangerous situations than he can admit, and has always come out unscathed. But escorting his colleague’s cousin home to her family, even in disguise, just might be beyond his skills, and the temptation beyond his ability to withstand.

May be ones of the heart…

Helen Dalton is convinced there is more to this man escorting her than meets the eye, and something familiar about him, as well. There is only one man in the world who looks at her so intensely, banters with her so easily, and makes her blush so furiously. And when he manages a daring and heroic rescue, she wonders if she ever knew him at all.

By Hook or By Rook is the newest installment in the London League series by Rebecca Connolly. I love this series! There is a thread that continues through every book in the series, but the book can be read as a stand-alone.

Jeremy Pratt (Rook) has been interested in Helen Dalton for over a year, but it has never gone beyond some casual flirting in the ballrooms. When Jeremy is asked to protect Helen from a suspected attack during a journey to her brother, he reluctantly agrees.

Rook and Helen have a unique relationship with the fun bantering, but they also have sweet moments. During the journey, Helen threatens to kick Jeremy. In a moment of annoyance, he tells her that he will kick her back. This threat eventually turns into sweet moments with them gently kicking each other often.

“His smile, though fleeting, soothed her heart, and she hesitantly kicked his shin. His eyes remained on hers, his throat worked in a swallow, and then, very faintly, he tapped his foot against hers.”

I also loved the scene with them holding hands under the door.

“A soft sound below her caught her attention and she looked down.

The tips of a few fingers had slid under the door, resting against the floor and seeming to hold a very faint tremor in them.

Helen stared at them, still grinning, only now her eyes began to prickle with tender tears. She sniffed them back, then sighed as she laid her fingers atop his, gasping quietly when they curled against hers.

An accompanying almost gasp echoed from the other side of the door.”

Despite Jeremy and Helen finding love, things do not tie up so neatly. Rook has a dilemma of leaving the woman he loves in order to protect her.

This book is clean, however, it does have cursing.

While this book focuses on Rook, there is quite a bit of my favorite series character Gent in it. His book is the first in the series, The Lady and the Gent. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly suggest reading it.

It’s hard enough to wait between books in this series, but waiting after the end of this book might be like going through Rook’s torture.

The Lady and the Gent (A London League Novel) – Review

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gentby Rebecca Connolly

  • Series: London League, Book 1
  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Phase Publishing (February 1, 2018)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1943048495
  • ISBN-13: 978-1943048496

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A woman of great fortune…

Margaret Easton needs a husband, and she needs one now. Her parents are convinced that only a European will do, but Margaret wants nothing more than to stay in England. The trouble is that there is only one man Margaret can think of, or rather, one she cannot forget, and he wouldn’t do as a husband at all. Then she finds herself in his care unexpectedly, and her hunt becomes even more complicated than she could have ever imagined.

A man of great mystery…

Rafe Thornton has never said more than ten words to Margaret Easton, but she is rapidly becoming the sole occupant of his thoughts. She is distracting him from his operative work as the Gent, and keeps him from his usual focused nature, which he doesn’t mind at all. When she stumbles into his world, his work and his emotions collide, forcing him to choose between saving the Crown, and protecting his love.

gentquote

The Regency is my favorite time period, and I love a book with mystery, adventure and romance. The Lady and the Gent has it all!

I have read all of Rebecca Connolly’s Arrangement Series novels and the mysterious, heroic and intriguing Gent has shown up previously making me want to read more about him. He did not disappoint. The Gent is just as strong and tough as you would expect him to be, yet he is gentle with children and the heroine Margaret.  He keeps an air of mystery but you get to learn more about who he is.

“Ten seconds was not enough today. Not nearly enough.”

Margaret and Rafe Thornton (the Gent) have one of the sweetest romances ever.  It does seem like their romance develops at a fast pace, yet at the same time it feels like they have known each other longer through their “ten second moments”. I loved the theme of the ten second moments through out the book, especially at the end.

The story-line with the gypsies was also very interesting. I hadn’t known a lot about them during this time period and I liked how it showed how they could be misunderstood.

This book is clean, however, it does have cursing.

I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and hope we will see the Gent again.

A Wager Worth Making (Arrangements, Book 7) – Review

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wagerby Rebecca Connolly

  • File Size: 376 KB
  • Print Length: 277 pages
  • Publisher: Phase Publishing; 1 edition (October 1, 2017)
  • Publication Date: October 1, 2017
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B075SL3H2P

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The riskier the wager…

Everyone knows that Gemma Templeton is a wonderful, cheerful, friendly young woman who is well worth one’s acquaintance. She is vibrant and warm, and plays the violin with exquisite talent. The only thing she lacks is a husband, and time is growing short for her in that regard. When an interesting opportunity arises from an unlikely source, Gemma’s future is suddenly far more appealing, and a small wager makes all the difference.

…the sweeter the return.

What everyone does not know is that a certain man of a less warm reputation is very much interested in changing Gemma’s unmarried state, and he doesn’t care what anybody says. Lucas Sinclair, Lord Blackmoor, is a dark mark upon the face of Society, and his unexpected interest in Gemma leaves many to wonder if his motives don’t hide some sinister purpose. He takes her ridiculous wager, and will stop at nothing to see it paid.

This is the seventh book in the Arrangement series with A Wager Worth Making being darker than the others. I usually don’t care for darker books but this book is well worth it and needs to be darker due to the main character.

Rebecca Connolly’s characters continue to be unique and well developed. I did have a little bit of trouble keeping track of some of the side characters from previous books but I love the reappearance of previous characters, especially Kit, Marianne, Nathan and the Gent.

There was a mystery throughout the book that I liked even though I had predicted who and what was involved.

The characters are what stood out the most for me. Lucas Sinclair, Lord Blackmoor, is a tortured soul. My heart really felt for him and his circumstances. He had to go through a lot of bad things that were not of his own making.  As an outside observer, I questioned why felt he needed to protect others instead of sharing the burden with those he loves. However, I am the same way though my situations are nothing like his. I think everyone can relate to him and his struggle in some way.

Gemma Templeton was a perfect match for Lucas.  A depressed person would have brought him down, a fake, bubbly person would have annoyed him, but Gemma’s positive, honest personality brought out the best in him. They seemed meant for each other.

I am looking forward to spending Christmas with the Gerrards.

Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection) – Review

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dukeby Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van, and Janelle Daniels

  • Print Length: 241 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Mirror Press (September 19, 2017)
  • Publication Date: September 19, 2017
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B073T4F86B

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From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean & Wholesome Romance, comes FALLING FOR A DUKE.

Three brand new Regency Romance novellas by Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van, and Janelle Daniels

ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David.

VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past?

I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love

I am a big fan of the Timeless Romance Anthology series, especially the Regency collections.  They bring together really great authors who write excellent stories.

ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly

-I have really enjoyed Rebecca’s Arrangement Series and I love that this is connected to that series.

-Let me just say that the main character David is hilarious! Rebecca said that he “made me laugh a lot” and I completely agree.

-Ceana is a spitfire and I love that she isn’t all ladylike. She has a fun personality.

-The two main characters have a great relationship and I love seeing the two of them together.

-I look forward to more interconnected stories to come.

VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van

-I love when characters meet as children and their first meeting was adorable.

-I felt oddly personally invested in Eliza and Liam.

-There were certain elements of my favorite book Persuasion.

-I liked how the scenes would switch back and forth between present and the past and how the reader was only given small pieces of the past at a time. It built up the mystery surrounding their past.

-I usually predict a lot of things in books but the truth of Eliza’s husband surprised me.

 

I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels

-This was my least favorite in the set.

-I felt that the way they fell in love was too rushed.

-I did like the general storyline and characters

-It seemed confusing that Ethan hates people who are after his title but he has no problem with Madeline’s dare and the fact that she was after a title even though it wasn’t his.

-I would have liked to find out what happened after the book ended, especially in regards to the other character’s reactions.