Kat Martin’s GYPSY LORD – Great Classic Gypsy Love Story set in France

Set in 1805, beginning in England, this is the story of Catherine Barrington, Countess of Arondale who, because of her cousin’s avarice, is abducted and sold to gypsies in France. Catherine is a survivor and manages to keep her innocence in tact, but is unable to gain her freedom. When tall, handsome Dominic sees one of his Romany band beating a beautiful, flame-haired woman, he buys her for his own.

Dominic has no idea of Catherine’s real identity and she never tells him. Nor does he tell her that he is the educated and English-raised son of the Marquess of Gravenwold. He wants her as his lover (he has vowed never to marry) but “Catrina” (his name for her) denies Dominic and plots her escape.

This is a well-told classic with lots of twists and adventure as Dominic woos the woman he wants and she resists. Treachery abounds and there are some exciting scenes to add to the love story set in the time of Napoleon. Some great characters add depth, including Dominic’s gypsy mother. While most of the story takes place in France, it does end in England.

If you like the rich historical detail found in classic romances, this is a good choice. And who doesn’t love a handsome half-gypsy?

Catherine Coulter’s THE SHERBROOKE BRIDE – Great Start to the Regency series with a Cast of Worthy Characters

This is the first in the Sherbrooke Brides series and a must read if you want to read any of the others. In it, we are introduced to the family and most prominently, the elder brother, Douglas Sherbrooke, Earl of Northcliffe.

Douglas, a cold man who takes seriously his duty as head of the household, has no real interest in marrying except to fulfill his duty to produce an heir. In considering the woman he will take as a bride, he decides on the one woman he recalls, the stunningly beautiful Melissande, who he once courted only to leave her for the army. And so, when called to France for a special assignment, he sends his best friend, Tony, to wed her by proxy.

Alexandra Chambers, Melissande’s younger sister, has loved Lord Sherbrooke since she was fifteen, but she will give him up for her sister if it must be. In a bizarre twist, Melissande ends up wed to Tony, who marries Alexandra to Douglas by proxy. And to make matters worse, there is a troubling appearance of the family ghost, the Virgin Bride.

What began with a less than honorable meeting of Douglas and his brother Ryder to discuss their many bastards, turned out to be a delightful story, most notably due to the heroine, her interactions with Douglas and some very funny dialog involving her sister, who is being “handled” by Tony. Douglas’ sister, Sinjin is also a fascinating character. The ghostly bride didn’t figure large in the story, at least until the end when she directs Douglas at a time of crisis.

Coulter writes well and tells a good tale. I am a fan of hers and always find her books a good read, hence I want to read more in the series.

The Sherbrooke Brides series

The Sherbrooke Bride (1992)

The Hellion Bride (1992)

The Heiress Bride (1993)

Mad Jack (1999)

The Courtship (2000)

The Scottish Bride (2001)

Pendragon (2002)

The Sherbrooke Twins (2004)

Lyon's Gate (2005)

Wizards Daughter (2007)

The Prince of Ravenscar (2011)

Georgette Heyer’s FREDERICA – Delightful Characters & a Very Slow Simmering Love Story

A delightful Regency romp in true Heyer style with a cast of wonderful characters, a very slowly simmering love story only clinched at the very end and words and phrases of Regency cant you’ll never see elsewhere.

Vernon, Marquis of Alverstoke cannot stand to be bored and eventually, everything and everyone of the women he has known—and he’s known many—bores him. Even his designated heir, who he considered a blockhead, bores him. His sisters want him to give a ball for their daughters’ come outs, but he wants nothing to do with it. That is, until a certain young woman, a country miss and a distant cousin named Frederica Merriville enters his life.

Frederica has a beautiful younger sister, Charis, for whom she wants to secure a brilliant match so, of course, she pleads her case to Alverstoke. Frederica is like no other woman he has ever met. Witty, argumentative and not exactly taken with him, she makes such a strong impression the Marquis agrees to help launch not only Charis but Frederica, too, into society. She’s the one woman who does not bore him to death.

Soon, Alverstoke is embroiled in the antics of Frederica’s young brothers and their dog. More adventures than the Marquis has had in a long time. And despite his constant disagreements with their older sister, he finds he likes spending time with her.

Regency escapism at its best, this will have you watching great air balloons, chasing dogs and learning about the new technology of steam engines. Not much romance but they do get together in the end. All of it makes for great fun!

Candice Proctor’s NIGHT IN EDEN – Enthralling Story of Love in New South Wales, Australia in the early 19th Century

This was Candice Proctor’s debut novel and it’s incredibly good.

It tells the story of Bryony Wentworth, who was transported to New South Wales in 1808 as punishment for the accidental death of her cheating husband. And in telling us her story, Proctor has told the story of so many other women prisoners, some of whom for minor crimes were torn from their homes in England and sent on prison ships to become the slaves and involuntary whores for hard men in Australia.

Byrony was torn from her 3-year-old daughter when she is sent there and spared rape only because she was pregnant with her second child, a boy who dies soon after his birth. While still mourning his death, she is forced to become the servant of Captain Hayden St. John, a war hero whose aristocratic wife has died leaving him a baby son who must be nursed. So, Byrony becomes his wet nurse. She also expects to be raped, and though St. John certainly wants her in his bed, even asks her to be his convict mistress, he is a better master than most and will not take her unwilling. So she sticks to her “pride and principles,” all she has left—and though she longs for him, too, she tells him no—at least initially.

Proctor vividly brings to the forefront life in Australia in the early 19^th century away from Sydney Town. It’s a new view of the Regency period. She shows how badly those women fared who were brought to the colony there as prisoners. How they were looked down upon by crude “free” men even after serving their time and became free themselves. Proctor has done an amazing job—simply superb writing.

There is great suspense as we encounter the Aborigines, great sadness as the frontier “swallows up” children who wander away, and great passion between a man and a woman who, under other circumstances, might have courted and married in the normal way.

Proctor says, "I like to write about strong women, women who sometimes aren't even aware of their own strength but discover it when tested by life. And I make certain my heroines end up with the kind of men they deserve-- honorable men, men who can be both gentle and strong, who never lose their sense of humor and don't feel threatened by a strong woman." Such are Bryony and Hayden.

I loved this story and highly recommend it. Buy it used if you have to (I did) but do get it. Several of her novels are available as eBooks but not this one.

Lorna Peel’s BROTHERLY LOVE – Love Among Warring Families in a 19th Century Irish Village

Set in Ireland in 1835, this is the story of Caitriona Brady, a widow of two years, who carries a torch for Michael Warner, the brother of the local priest. Michael also wants her and soon, they acknowledge their love. However, not all in the village agree.

Caitriona’s husband was the best fighter among the Bradys who battle the Donnellans at regular intervals, typically after a religious event. Caitriona and Michael have declared their neutrality but no one seems to be listening.

The well-written story brings to light Ireland’s past when “Faction Fighting” occurred and “Ribbonmen” held sway. (I had to look up the term “Ribbonmen”. They were Irish Catholics who worked to prevent landlords from evicting their tenants; the name came from the green ribbon they wore as a badge.)

As if the villagers’ poverty was not enough of a challenge, they took out their hatred on each other, making their lives even more miserable, Caitriona and Michael’s lives among them. Even Michael's brother, the priest, opposes their love.

I admired Caitriona, first for her patience in enduring a loveless marriage and an unworthy mother in law, and then in trying to hold onto love when everyone seemed bent on tearing her and Michael apart. Michael is a noble hero but his failure to disclose his troubled past did not help.

If you want a slice of Ireland’s troubled past, this fast-paced tale is a good read. I recommend it.

Review: Jennifer Horsman’s CRIMSON RAPTURE –Absorbing, Heartrending Story of an American Privateer and an Endearing Young Englishwoman

Though no date is given, since England is at war with France and President Jefferson’s Embargo Act is referenced, I believe the story is set during 1807-08 at the dawn of the Regency era. It begins on a British naval vessel (a 3-masted sailing ship) on its way to Australia, transporting a famous prisoner—American privateer, Justin Phillips—as well as civilian passengers, including shy, 17-year old Christina Marks, in mourning for her father’s death and going to live with her uncle.

From the first time they meet, Justin and Christina share a love for books and ideas but are terribly different personalities. Were it not for the unusual circumstances in which the shy, unselfish girl speaks through a small window to a prisoner she can’t see, they never would have formed the bond they did. Though Justin, a successful privateer and man of the world, thought the timid young woman who brought him books, food and conversation was probably a plain girl (all he could see were her feet), she was nevertheless “a most sympathetic and sweet young lady.” And when, in the course of his crew’s rescuing him, he first sees her, her beauty leaves him speechless.

Horsman has brilliantly crafted a heroine who will win your heart from the first page. She is winsome, loving and incredibly unselfish. Christina has led a very sheltered life as the daughter of a vicar and is totally unprepared for a hardened man like Justin. To him, her kindness is a soothing balm. But his rough ways and harsh judgments are often too much for Christina. Despite that, the two fall quickly and desperately in love.

This is a love story of misunderstandings and second, even third chances as Justin struggles to accept the purity of Christina’s love, a love he has sought since childhood.

There is love on the high seas, a monsoon, a shipwreck, a tropical island and life in colonial America—and a wonderful crew of men and even a sweet, loyal St. Bernard dog, “Beau,” whose thoughts we occasionally hear.

Horsman’s historical romances are wonderful, well-written tales of passion and love that are on my keeper shelf. And this one is a story to read and re-read. I highly recommend it!

Review: Humphry Knipe’s NAPOLEON’S ROSEBUD – Fascinating Look at Napoleon in Exile

This story was a pleasure to read. It’s well written, engaging and, at times, brilliant. It’s rich in historical detail, which I loved.

The author brings to life Napoleon’s life in exile on the island of St. Helena, told from the perspective of a descendant of one of the island’s families. I really enjoyed the story and recommend it. However, as a romance (which the author told me it was), I found it disappointing.

Set on the island of Saint Helena, England and Italy, beginning in 1815, it tells the story of Charlotte Knipe, raised on the island, which sits in the Atlantic between South America and Africa. 

Charlotte is supposedly in love with a botanist named Daniel, who she has not seen for seven years (since she was 12), but with whom she corresponds on a regular basis, sending him island plants to catalog.

 

Napoleon, who has just been defeated at Waterloo, arrives on the sleepy island to much hullabaloo. Soon after he arrives, it appears to the locals that Napoleon plans to escape. He begins to weave his plots and plans, full of treachery and betrayal. Early on, he enlists the aid of Charlotte, to whom he is attracted and who he nicknames “Rosebud”.  

Knipe paints a vivid picture of island life, including the local dialect the “Yamstocks” speak. He also introduces us to the island’s many characters: Charlotte’s wise old uncle, her best friend (a plain girl but a loyal friend), Gaspard, Napoleon’s loyal general who is arrogant but dashing, and Napoleon’s jail keeper, Governor Lowe, just to name a few.

Charlotte is fascinated with every handsome man she meets, including the gone-but-not-forgotten Daniel (whose escapades with Polly in London besmirch his otherwise noble image), Napoleon’s dashing general, Lord Byron (who she meets in Venice on an assignment for Napoleon), and even Napoleon himself. Since Charlotte is beautiful and intelligent, all the men are fascinated with her.

The author’s portrayal of Napoleon is clever and convincing. A brilliant strategist, one can imagine him occupying his time on the “dung heap” of an island with a last challenge.

I won’t give away the ending, but romance fans might find it improbable (as I did) and disappointing. Did Charlotte love any of those men? One has to wonder.

St. Helena

Review: Shirlee Busbee’s WHISPER TO ME OF LOVE – Suspenseful, Stunning Regency—a Classic!

September is Georgian and Regency month on Historical Romance Review. And I’m beginning with a wonderful romance by one of my favorite authors! Superbly written, it kept me up reading way too late.

It’s the captivating story of a rich American in Regency London and a waif of a young woman who lost her place in the aristocracy due to one man’s evil. (The villains in this story—and there are more than one, although one is more evil than the others—are some of the best I’ve encountered.)

It begins in 1796 when Hester Devlin, Dowager Countess of St. Audries is dying just after the birth of her daughter, Morgana. Months before, Hester’s husband was murdered—unbeknownst to her, by his brother who wanted his title and his wealth. Overhearing the man’s perfidy instructing another to “get rid of” Hester’s baby, she leaves clues in a Bible and prays her child survives. Morgana does. By 1815, 19-year-old “Pip” is living on the streets of St. Giles as a boy with two young men she thinks are her brothers.

Royce Manchester is a handsome American with lands in Louisiana and England, a connection to the nobility and enough money to buy anything he wants. One day, while out with his friends, a street urchin (Pip) tries to pick Royce’s pocket. Royce plucks the boy from the streets and decides to give him a better life.

When he discovers the boy is actually a woman named Morgana, he makes her a maid in his London household—for her safety. But she is hardly safe from him, as he wants her for his mistress. (Of course, he would never marry a petty thief.) And then he recognizes her striking gray eyes…the St. Audries eyes! He assumes she must be the bastard child of the earl, his enemy. Ah, the plot thickens.

It’s 400 pages of action and mystery with many twists and turns. I recommend it!

Note: This book is related to and follows Midnight Masquerade but either can be read as a stand alone.

Review: Kimberly Cates’ HER MAGIC TOUCH- Irish Mythology Brought to Life!

The story begins in Ireland as 6-year-old Mary Fallon Delaney listens to her dying mother tell her the legend of Ciaran of the Mist, a mythical Celtic warrior who promised to appear at the hour of Ireland's greatest need. And her mother gives her a magical brooch that will summon Ciaran.

In 1808, Fallon, now grown, on Beltane eve, goes to a castle ruin where she hid the brooch years ago. When an English officer appears and threatens to destroy the castle ruins, Fallon waits for the moonlight and summons Ciaran and a naked stranger stumbles out of the mist.

The man (who accepts the name Ciaran) insists he is no Celtic warrior from the fairy realm, but he has no memory of who he is. He knows nothing of his life before he stumbled out of the mist, a gash on his head, and he has no intention of getting swept up in the clash between the Irish and the English. But Fallon, still lost in her fairy stories, has other ideas.

Captain Redmayne is looking for a smuggler call “Silver Hand” and thinks it just might be this guy named Ciaran. When Fallon claims he is her fiancé, the English officer forces them to wed, thinking the ruse will be up. But it isn’t and they marry, knowing nothing of each other.

This is historical romance ribboned with fantasy and Irish mythology. Cates writes in lovely, lyrical style that weaves the fairy tales Fallon believes in with the fictional characters. The heroine is very sheltered and naïve and does some unwise, if unlikely things, but inevitably manages to succeed. Even the hero comes to believe in her legends. There’s a twist at the end and a heartwarming Epilogue. Fans of Irish mythology will love this one.

The Celtic Rogues series (I've read them all and recommend them; the first is my favorite):

 
Black Falcon's Lady
Her Magic Touch

Briar Rose
Stealing Heaven
Lily Fair

Review: Lorna Peel’s BROTHERLY LOVE – Love Among Warring Families in a Small Irish Village

Set in Ireland in 1835, this is the story of Caitriona Brady, a widow of two years, who carries a torch for Michael Warner, brother of the local priest. Michael also wants her and soon, they acknowledge their love. However, not all in the village agree.

Caitriona’s husband was the best fighter among the Bradys who battle the Donnellans at regular intervals, typically after a religious event. Caitriona and Michael have declared their neutrality but no one seems to be listening.

The well-written story brings to light Ireland’s past when “Faction Fighting” occurred and “Ribbonmen” held sway. (I looked up the term “Ribbonmen”. They were Irish Catholics who worked to prevent landlords from evicting their tenants; the name came from the green ribbon they wore as a badge. But the author has since added a note explaining Ribbonmen and Faction Fighting.)

As if the villagers’ poverty was not enough of a challenge, they took out their hatred on each other, making their lives even more miserable, Caitriona and Michael’s among them. Even Michael's brother, the priest, opposes their love.

I admired Caitriona, first for her patience in enduring a loveless marriage and an unworthy mother in law, and then in trying to hold onto love when everyone seemed bent on tearing her and Michael apart. Michael is a noble hero but his failure to disclose his troubled past did not help.

If you want a slice of Ireland’s troubled past, this fast-paced tale is a good read. I recommend it.