Tag: Sian Ann Bessey

Blog Tour and Review: An Unfamiliar Duke

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by Sian Ann Bessey

Publisher : Covenant Communications (May 16, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1524419915
ISBN-13 : 978-1524419912

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At eleven years of age, Rosalind Ainsworth was convinced that Sebastian Lumley, the future Duke of Kelbrook, was the most odious young man she’d ever met. And ten years later, after having had no contact with the nobleman in the intervening time, her opinion of him has not changed. Unfortunately, neither has the marriage contract their fathers signed soon after her birth.

As Rosalind’s twenty-first birthday and the appointed wedding day approaches, Sebastian makes a rare appearance in London. His first meeting with Rosalind since childhood goes less than perfectly, but Sebastian has a compelling reason for honoring their marriage contract―a reason outlined in a document kept behind his workshop’s locked door. 

After a quick wedding, the new couple relocates to Finley Park, where their acquaintanceship slowly blossoms into affection. But when Sebastian’s secretive work threatens their fledgling relationship and Rosalind’s life is placed in jeopardy, Sebastian finds himself forced to choose between the man he has pledged to help and the woman he has come to love. 

Rosalind Ainsworth has been engaged to the Duke of Kelbrook since birth. As a gangly 14 year old, he bars her from his all boys tree house, and she wants nothing more to do with him. Ten years later he appears back in her life right before their expected wedding, and all she knows about him is the little boy from the tree house.

Rosalind and Sebastian have a slow burn relationship. They are finding out all the things they have in common while navigating their way through this new unknown relationship.

I love how they communicated with each other with the sweet little notes under the door. As someone who banned girls as a child, I love how now Sebastian respects his wife enough to listen to her comments on math and take them seriously.

Sian Bessey always includes interesting historical information in her books, and I enjoyed learning more about the different inventions during this time. I even looked up the Iron Bridge to find out more about it, since I found it fascinating. I also loved how the love of math brought Rosalind and Sebastian closer together.

I have been loving this series. Each book has been different but all have the history, adventure, and characters I adore.

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Blog Tour and Review: Her Country Gentleman

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by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, Rebecca Connolly

Publisher : Mirror Press (March 8, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 300 pages
ISBN-10 : 1952611210
ISBN-13 : 978-1952611216

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Not all love is found in London . . .

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte’s grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister’s wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he’s also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. A dinner party at the house introduces Charlotte to some of the gentry living nearby but cannot compare to her experience the next evening, when she and William battle to save the life of a newborn lamb. Soon afterward, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William’s sheep’s disappearance. And when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving Charlotte and catching the thief.

Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status, but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother’s approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha’s romantic sensibilities, and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he’d already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he’s more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

I have always loved how Timeless Collections brings together such great authors, but this book may be one of my favorites. Not only do I love the authors and their stories, but this was such a great theme. I also loved how there were different locations included in every story.

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey

William is a Baron who is not afraid to get his hands dirty taking care of his sheep. When an unknown person threatens them, he steps in to protect his sheep and find the culprit.

Charlotte has always loved animals, but has had little chance to express that love. She has always tried to maintain a lady-like appearance, but seems to get herself in one messy situation after another since her arrival.

Spring at Tribbley Hall had scheming relations and a couple perfect for each other. I loved all the animals in this sweet story. I also liked that William allowed Charlotte to make her own decisions even if he didn’t agree with them.

Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden

After being raised in England, Sebastian returns to Scotland after the death of his parents to be near his only relative, his grandfather the laird. His grandfather believes that one cannot be respected unless they have worked the land and earned the trust of the locals, so Sebastian becomes a home farmer.

Cordelia loves everything about London and dreams about having a real season. Instead, her family is forced to retrench due to financial issues.

This story makes me totally want to have a pet lamb. Shadow was adorable!

I really liked learning more about the home farmers and the céilidh’s.

Cordelia’s parents were awful. They clearly don’t care about their daughters, and they spend far outside their means. It is no wonder they had to retrench.

I really enjoyed this story.

Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly

Martha has always wanted to marry for love. Her mother is appalled, and to punish her for her beliefs, she sends her to a cousin in the country so she can see what marrying for love will get you.

Benjamin has inherited an earldom, and the broken down estate that goes along with it. He cannot afford to hire anyone, so he must work the land himself.

Neither Benj or Martha is what one would expect the upper class to be. They have no problems fitting in with the rest of the locals.

Having lived in London her entire life, I love how wide eyed and excited Martha got about everything in the country.

I also loved the scene with the little piglets and the epilogue. This was a great story.

Top 21 Books of 2021

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This year has been filled with so many amazing books! Every single book on this list earns a 5 star rating and comes highly recommended. Some of them are now even some of my favorite reads of all time. Thank you so much to all these authors, and all the other authors out there, for everything that goes into their books; the worlds they create for us to escape into, the characters we come to care for, the research needed for all the rich history. There is so much that I am deeply appreciative of. Thanks for an incredible year of books!

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Blog Tour and Review: An Alleged Rogue

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by Sian Ann Bessey

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (November 8, 2021)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524418994
ISBN-13 : 978-1524418991

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Lord Adam Dunsbourne is a tyrant. At least, that’s what everyone says. The tales are shocking: accounts of a man who gambled away the family fortune and keeps his younger sister, Emily, captive in their home at Dunsbourne Manor. So when Adam and his sister make an unexpected appearance at a dinner party, the scandalized whispers cannot be contained.

New to the town, Phoebe Hadford hears the condemning rumors and determines to do all she can to help the baron’s oppressed sister. Upon entering Dunsbourne Manor, however, she quickly discovers that all is not what she has been led to believe.

Adam, though unsure of whether he can trust the intentions of his beautiful neighbor, is quickly drawn in by Phoebe’s genuine nature. But even as Adam and Phoebe’s connection deepens, a dangerous enemy from Adam’s past reemerges. For years, Adam has hunted for the man who betrayed him, not realizing he had only to wait. His foe has returned, and this time, he will threaten everything Adam cherishes most―including the woman he loves.

Lord Adam Dunsbourne and his young sister Emily’s lives are first ruined by a villain who steals all their money, and then their father dies. If that isn’t bad enough, people then make up rumors and lies and turn Adam into the villain.

Their neighbor Phoebe Hadford has seen what false rumors can cause, so she is determined to make her own decision about the siblings and befriend Emily.

There were a lot of descriptions on Adam’s apple orchards and how they made cider in those days. I found it all incredibly fascinating, and it even inspired me to visit apple orchards myself while I was reading this book. I really like how Adam worked so much in the orchard because he loved it and didn’t care about his status as a Baron.

Autumn is my favorite season, and this book gives you all the autumn feels. It’s the perfect book for this time of year.

I have really enjoyed reading the Georgian Gentlemen series.

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Blog Tour and Review: An Uncommon Earl

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by Sian Ann Bessey

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (April 5, 2021)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1524414719
ISBN-13 : 978-1524414719

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Alexander Allerton, the Earl of Bloxley’s, greatest desire is to alleviate the suffering of the poor and less fortunate of England. So when his hackney carriage is involved in an accident that results in the death of one of those he is determined to help, he is devastated. Alexander vows to keep the promise he makes to the injured woman as she takes her final breaths: he will not rest until he finds her young son.

After a crippling accident years ago, Jane Hadford is accustomed to being largely ignored at social events. But being overlooked has allowed her to hone her observational skills and she quickly perceives that all is not well with the handsome Lord Bloxley. When an unexpected opportunity arises to talk to the earl, he surprises them both by sharing with her his fruitless search for the child. Touched by Lord Bloxley’s story and by his desire to make things right, Jane determines to help him fulfill his promise. What she cannot anticipate, however, is that the quest she has chosen to undertake will bring into her life a small boy who will steal her heart and a gentleman who might well do the same.

Jane Hadford has not only had to adjust to life after an accident, but her parents treat her from both sides of the extreme because of it. Her father treats her as entirely too fragile and doesn’t want to allow her to do anything on her own. While her mother acts like her injuries shouldn’t be a hindrance at all.

I always like when people aren’t perfect, and they have flaws. It is far more realistic. As someone who suffers from a number of chronic diseases, I also feel drawn to characters who are considered “broken”.

Alexander Allerton really is an uncommon earl. He fights for causes he believes in rather than just looking good for appearances. He also sees a person for who they really are. His scenes with Asher are some of the sweetest. Asher is just too cute!

I had mixed feelings about the end. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it seems to take away from things when there is a quick fix or everything works out so well in the end. It left me a little disappointed.

I love the historical details in this book about the chimney sweep act and the founding hospital. I also liked how the hero and the heroine are brought together by such a worthy cause.

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Top 20 Books of 2020

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Losing yourself in a good book was even more important this year than in previous years. I am so thankful for these amazing writers that share their work with us. Here are the Top 20 Books in 2020.

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Blog Tour and Review: A Hopeful Christmas

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by Anneka R. Walker, Sian Ann Bessey, Carla Kelly, Krista Lynne Jensen

Paperback : 376 pages
ISBN-10 : 1524413623
ISBN-13 : 978-1524413620
Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (October 1, 2020)

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Kindle the spirit of the season as four of your favorite storytellers weave tales of love and hope in this charming yuletide collection.

Lord Blakely’s Gift

When Miss Ivy Hunt and Lord Curtis Blakely establish a secret acquaintance, neither can deny that their feelings extend beyond friendship. But as the children of bitter rivals, it will take a Christmas miracle for this star-crossed pair to reach their happily ever after.

A Season of Hope

Following the death of her father, Amelia knows Christmas will be lean. But when circumstances become dire, it is the unexpected arrival of a childhood friend that renews Amelia’s hope both for the future and for love.

Christmas by the Sea

After two years at sea with the Royal Navy, surgeon Joshua Crenshaw longs for a quiet Christmas with his family. But when unrest at home threatens to ruin the holidays, it takes the kindly intervention of a mysterious house sitter to remind them of the true meaning of the season.

Expectations at Canterwood

Marina Rowley is a spinster, Richard Stanhope a war-weary military man. A case of mistaken identity throws them together, but the unexpected stirrings of their hearts lead to an unforgettable holiday romance.

I love reading Christmas books and watching Christmas movies year round. This book is especially fun because it takes place during the Regency Era. The four stories are all very different. They have characters with different social classes, some characters have just met, some are reunited, and some have been married for years. All the stories will have you wanting to grab a blanket and some hot cocoa and immerse yourself in a Regency Christmas.

Lord Blakely’s Gift by Anneka R. Walker

This is a story of a forbidden romance between two feuding families who are brought together at Christmas time by helping others.


Ivy is giving and makes sure that people are cared for. Curtis doesn’t think he can live up to the man his father was, so he really doesn’t even try.

Curtis also seems to think that throwing around money is the best way to help people. I loved that Ivy makes him a better person.


A small disagreement not only tore two families of friends apart, but it also separated a family. In their bitterness, Ivy’s father no longer saw his own mother. He comes off as very petty.

“To be worthy of you must be the greatest endeavor a man could seek.”

A Season Of Hope by Sian Ann Bessey
As a child, Amelia would follow her brother and his friend Philip around hoping to join their adventures. Further adventures take the boys away to the West Indies. When Philip returns after five years, he finds his neighborhood greatly changed… as well as his little neighbor Amelia who was now grown up.

I loved the feeling of Christmas in this story. I also loved the characters. Oftentimes novellas feel underdeveloped but this story was very well done.

Christmas By The Sea by Carla Kelly
Surgeon William Crenshaw has just returned from two years at sea to his loving wife and children. Instead of having a peaceful Christmas together, he must deal with the mess his siblings have put him in.


I love that this is a story of a couple who has been married for years, with Will gone during many of them, and they still love each other. The conversation Will had with his son Timothy on what love is was very sweet.

Expectations At Canterwood by Krista Lynne Jensen
Jensen brings us back to Canterwood in her story. While this story can be read as a standalone, it’s always fun to read a continuity story. The first time I read about Canterwood was in the anthology Christmas Grace, and the vicar and his wife make a reappearance in this book.

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Blog Tour and Review: The Noble Smuggler

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by Sian Ann Bessey

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (April 1, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524412279
ISBN-13: 978-1524412272

Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.

smugglerquotes

The Noble Smuggler is a book packed full of adventure, mystery, and romance which you won’t want to put down!

This was my first time reading a novel by Sian Ann Bessey. I have read a number of books on smuggling but this one took a different approach than any I have read before.

Both the main characters intrigued me. Elizabeth Doyle is trapped living with her father even though she knows staying quiet about his struggling is wrong, yet she seems to have a strong and independent side. Jonas Ainsworth had uncommon relationships with his mother and sister. I also liked his friendship with his servant and former childhood friend. They had some interesting scenes together.

One of the things I love about reading historical fiction is learning things about each time period. The author seamlessly works in descriptions of the fashions and furnishings during the late 1700s as well as historic events.

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