Tag: Regency Romance

An Heir of Uncertainty | Book Review

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19304924Yorkshire, 1820

Lina, Lady Radbourne, thought being a countess would rescue her from poverty. Unfortunately, her young groom failed to plan for the future, and his drunken accident left her widowed and pregnant. Now Colonel Winstead Vaughan—Win—will inherit her late husband’s fortune…unless she gives birth to a boy. Win is her natural enemy, so why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Win is stunned to learn he stands to inherit a vast fortune. He’s even more surprised to find himself falling for the beautiful, spirited Lady Radbourne, who is the one woman who stands in the way of a life he’d only imagined.

When someone tries to poison Lady Radbourne, suspicion falls on Win. There’s a clever killer in their midst, and if Win doesn’t solve the mystery fast, Lina may perish. He needs to win her trust, but how can he prove it’s she he wants, and not the fortune?

+++ Image and blurb from Harlequin Publishing+++

Net Galley ARC received from Carina Press for an honest review

3.75 Suspicious yet Sexy Stars

I was uncertain when picking up this romance, as the cold Yorkshire countryside did not fit in well with the summer weather I have been experiencing. Thankfully the weather cooperated and it has become wet and grey, giving the read a relatable backdrop. Weather aside, I was pleasantly surprised by the mystery and twists of the plot, as I was not expecting a quality murder mystery alongside an excellent romance.

Lina only had a few months with her new husband Edward and as Lady Radbourne before he dies in a foolish dare – and the executor of the estate quickly contacts a long distance relative and heir presumptive. However, when the heir to the estate, Colonel Winstead ‘Win’ Vaughan arrives with his young daughter and eccentric younger brother, it is to discover that the widow Lady Radbourne is expecting and her child could result in his disinheritance. Tensions run high from the awkward situation, but also from the unexpected attraction Win and Lina feel toward each other. Attraction wars with suspicion as several attempts are made on Lina’s life close after Win and his family arrive, but there are so many distrustful local figures that the culprit could be anyone.

The murder mystery was well crafted and acted as a catalyst for Win and Lina’s romance, forcing their hand in desperate times. As a fond reader of crime novels, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the mystery and did not guess the murderer until the author intention let slip a few details to raise suspicion. The romance was also wonderfully crafted, as it did not easily develop from suspicion or from the stubborn natures of both characters but more from mutual respect and the slow burning passion that simmered beneath their concern for each other. Win’s nineteen-year-old pigeon-obsessed brother, Freddie, added wonderful comedic relief and had me hoping for him to find someone that shared his love of birds.

If you are looking for a murder mystery with slow-burn romance set in a Yorkshire winter, then you should definitely pick up An Heir of Uncertainty.

Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix

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‘Newt’s Emerald’ is a guilty pleasure wrapped up in the guise of a regency romantic adventure with sorcery and deception – but it had me at ‘Garth Nix’. I have been a long-time fan of Nix ever since I discovered the world of Sabriel, and I have read all of his books I could get my hands on.  I was not disappointed in this short and sweet tale of Truthful Newtington and her chase after the powerful Newtington Emerald.

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Great Cover illustration by Kali Ciesemier

The heroine, Truthful, is surrounded by her three cousins and cantankerous father when the family heirloom is stolen amid the damages of a magically conjured storm. The father falls into his sick bed, the cousins into absurd plans hatched whilst they were ‘in their cups’ and it is left up to Truthful to investigate the matter from her Great-Aunt’s house in London. A minor hitch in her desire to enter society, but her eccentric, fez-wearing, power glamouress of a Great-Aunt is ready to help her search for the famed Emerald, albeit in a way that will not compromise Truthful’s reputation. So she becomes her pious, shy and effeminate distant French cousin, Henri (the disguise held together with a magic mustache – which made with chuckle every time), and undertakes her search through London for the Emerald.

The primary object of the novella must be to entertain, because it is a fun, light read that has more of a focus on the magic adventure and leaves the romance to blossom in the background. The love interest was the irascible, direct, secretive Major Harnett (aka Charles), which at first met Truthful in her male disguise and aided her in the search for the gem. He was all chummy to her in a male disguise but was distant and abrasive with her ‘revealed’ true identity. He does act like a douche to her and she responds with anger and defiance, and such strong emotions were silently coupled with concern for each other (even though they would deny it). I was a little surprised how quickly they came together, and how his earlier behaviour was easily explained away – he needed to apologise at least.

It is a well-written novella that would be enjoyed by anyone with a penchant for regency era, adventure, magic, mystery, and romance – not to forget the pirate fighting.

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Cover concepts