Bronwyn ScottCritiques

Good book. After the tragic death of her husband and being evicted from the family home by her stepson, Emma moved to the French property she inherited from her husband. Julien Archambeau, the estate manager, runs the chateau and accompanying vineyard. Emma doesn't know that Julien's family owned those lands until losing them during the French Revolution. His family has been trying to reclaim them ever since.

Emma's arrival shocked Julien, who had been in almost complete control for seven years. He and his uncle, who owns a neighboring vineyard, have been working on a special champagne and building their reputation with the local consortium. All that is put at risk when Emma states her intention to take over the running of the vineyard.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Emma and Julien develop. Initially, each was focused on their claims to the property. Emma is determined to ensure that Julien knows his place as working for her, while Julien wants to keep Emma as a figurehead while he continues to carry out his plans. Their first few encounters have antagonistic undertones despite the surface politeness. When Emma insists on learning about the vineyard, Julien tries to overwhelm her with information. He is stunned and impressed by how she soaks up and processes what she learns and the wealth of good ideas she has for the future of the vineyard.

It isn't long before he and Emma grow closer, with sparks of attraction flying between them. Emma feels guilty about her growing feelings for Julien. Giving in to the attraction accelerates those feelings, creating internal conflict. Emma also has some trust issues stemming from her pre-marriage days. Those feelings are exacerbated by the sense that Julien is not entirely open with her. When the truth comes out, Emma and Julien are left with hurt feelings and wondering what the future holds.

There are some interesting twists at the end, from Emma's confrontation with the consortium to the events of the gala she planned at the chateau. I loved the emotional ending, and the epilogue was terrific.

Julien's Uncle Etienne was the main secondary character. Etienne is obsessed with reclaiming the land lost seventy years earlier. He encourages Julien to do things that Julien considers underhanded and dishonorable to regain the property. I disliked how he created such an internal conflict for Julien between his loyalty to his family and his growing feelings for Emma.

My husband and I spent a week in Epernay this summer and enjoyed touring several champagne houses and learning about champagne's history. I loved the feeling of revisiting that trip as I read this book.

#netgalley

The Earl’s Forbidden Ward is the second book in Bronwyn Scott’s Ramsden Brothers series. In this one, we have the eldest Ramsden brother, Peyton, fourth Earl of Dursley, paired with Tessa, the daughter of the English ambassador to Russia who has just recently passed. Before becoming the earl, Peyton was a diplomat and sometimes spy for the crown. Lord Brimley, the man he worked for in the home office, calls him in one day, telling him of a secret list of Russian revolutionaries that Tessa’s father was purported to be compiling before he died. They think that Tessa may be in possession of it now, and that Russians loyal to the Czar may be coming after her. Since she and her sisters are now alone in the world and possibly in need of protection, and the home office needs a way to search her home without raising suspicions, Peyton’s former boss comes up with the scheme of creating a false codicil to her father’s will, naming Peyton as Tessa’s and her sisters’ guardian. With his Aunt Lily’s help, Peyton looks after all the girls, while giving Tessa her season and also looking for the purported documents that could help to avert a war. The more time they spend together, the closer they become, until Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and she feels the same. But with the Russians hot on the trail of the list, too, they both could be in danger. Not to mention, with Tessa being a mere diplomat’s daughter and not of aristocratic blood, she feels she might not be the right match for an earl, and if she learns the truth about Peyton’s deception, she might not forgive him for lying to her.

Tessa lost her mother nearly a decade earlier when she died shortly after the birth of Tessa’s youngest sister. As she grew up, Tessa became indispensable to her father, acting as his hostess at diplomatic functions, so she’s well versed on the politics of diplomacy. She has spent most of her life in Russia, so moving back to England with her sisters in tow after their father’s death has been a bit of a shock. She’s an independent-minded young woman, though, who is determined to finish raising her sisters in a way that would have made her parents proud. When Sergei, an old friend from Russia who had designs on marrying Tessa and who she once had a crush on, shows up in London with some other Russian diplomats, it’s like having a taste of the country she used to call home. Then, out of the blue, Peyton, a complete stranger shows up at her door, claiming that her father added a codicil to his will, naming him their guardian. Tessa is immediately suspicious, but when the paperwork seems to be in order, she feels she has no choice but to comply. Peyton and his aunt are insistent upon giving Tessa the season she never had. Although that was never a priority for her, she can’t deny that she enjoys attending the balls and parties on her handsome new guardian’s arm and soon they become lovers as well. After her house is ransacked, though, Tessa knows something isn’t right. Peyton eventually confesses about the list, so that they can search for it together, and also about the danger possibly posed by Sergei and his comrades. Tessa can scarcely believe her old friend could be so duplicitous, but her instincts tell her to trust Peyton. As they make inroads on their search, an attempt is made on Peyton’s life and he later disappears, leaving Tessa to save the day. I like that Tessa is a smart cookie who figures out a lot on her own. She’s pretty logical and not particularly reactionary, which was nice, too. I also enjoyed the twist ending where she comes to Peyton’s rescue, but instead of running headlong into danger like some romance heroines might, she does so in a smart way.

Peyton has never given his heart to anyone and instead has simply been playing the rake. When his old boss in the diplomatic corps asks for his help, he’s a bit reluctant to take on four wards, but feeling that his duty to country must come first, he agrees in hopes of finding the supposed list to avert a war. When he discovers how comely the eldest Branscombe daughter is, though, he thinks it might not be so bad after all, except that she turns out to be a bit of a firecracker. It’s not easy convincing her of the fake codicil, nor is the independent miss particularly amenable to the measures he puts in place to try to suss out the list and to keep her and her sisters safe. However, after her house is broken into and trashed, she starts to see reason, especially after he confesses a part of what’s going on. Along the way, Peyton starts to have real feelings for Tessa, and after they become lovers, he immediately offers marriage, even though she initially turns him down. Gradually the Russians’ plan unravels, but even after the danger has passed, Tessa doesn’t entirely feel worthy of marrying a peer and when she learns that Peyton deceived her all along, he definitely has some explaining to do. I liked Peyton and thought he was a good hero. He might not have been too keen on having wards, but he treats Tessa and her sisters very well, playing the big brother to the younger ones. He’s also a real gentleman for offering marriage and for doing his best to put Tessa’s concerns about wedding him to rest.

It’s been a number of years since I read the first Ramsden Brothers book, so I barely remembered it at all. However, it turned out to not be an issue. Peyton’s younger brother, Paine, and his wife, Julia, (Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady) appeared, but they don’t play big enough roles that I needed much of a recap. Peyton’s other brother, Crispin, plays a little larger role, and his is the last book of the series, Untamed Rogue, Scandalous Mistress. I finished The Earl’s Forbidden Ward with somewhat mixed feelings. The earlier parts of the book weren’t always holding my attention well. Not having a strong knowledge of Russian history, the political bits about Russia somewhat confused me, but luckily they were mostly covered in a few pages. I also felt like the setup for the story wasn’t as strong as it could have been, and that Peyton and Tessa’s characterizations could have gone a little deeper. Despite Tessa being a virgin, there is zero pain for her during their first love scene, which just wasn’t believable to me. Their relationship, at first, felt more lusty than loving to me, but I admit that the emotional connection did improve as the story continued. Once some more exciting things started to happen, I became more engaged as well. All those events led to a pretty well-done denouement that I enjoyed. So I’d say that the story started a bit weaker, more in the three-star range, but ended stronger, more in the four-star range, which is why I settled on 3.5 stars. Both Peyton and Tessa were good characters who didn’t rub me the wrong way. Although their story wasn’t perfect, it was very readable and not bad, so overall, this was a pretty good read.½

Kuban is a Ruratanian part of Russia and Princess Anna-Maria Petrova and Prince Stepan Shevchenko are from there. They've known each other all the days of her life (he's a bit older) and now she realises that she really likes him and being together with him but his smuggling may imperil him.
Oh the author really is in favour of smuggling because of "unfair" taxes. Prince Stepan is okay because he's a nice smuggler who is helping kids get ahead when there is little to allow someone to prosper, instead of trying to find legal niches, no go full on smuggler. It was only after thinking about it that I realised what bothered me about it. Also, the view that America is the place that will allow them to create a better life, well if he continues trying to import vodka without paying duty that could prove to be an interesting life there too. It was fine but it left me feeling that there was too many questions at the end for me.

Lord Fortis Tresham is missing, presumed dead and his attractive wife Avaline is under pressure to marry another, a man whose attentions annoy her. When he arrives home he seems a different, more thoughtful man, different from the selfish soldier she married. As the truth emerges the choices everyone has to make will have ramifications.

The dedication that mentions Martin Guerre the Musical was a huge clue to the story but it was an interesting read.

A good book that touches on an unusual subject for a Regency romance - the issues faced by those who don't quite fit into Society's narrow view of who belongs and who doesn't.

Gwen is the granddaughter of an earl and the widow of the second son of an earl. She and her husband Christophe were artists who spent most of their short marriage in Italy, where they pursued their art. When Christophe died, grief-stricken Gwen returned to England. However, once she recovered from the worst grief, she lived independently and continued pursuing her art instead of staying with her family and looking for a new husband. She has earned an excellent reputation for her portraits, which is at odds with her position as a lady, leaving most people wondering how to treat her.

Devlin Bythesea is the new heir to the Duke of Creighton, thanks to a series of unfortunate deaths. The son of an English father and an Indian mother, Dev spent all his life in India. Called to England because of the impending death of his uncle, Dev faces an uphill climb to gain acceptance. His aunt insists that having a traditional portrait done is the first step, followed by finding a proper English wife. But Devlin has no intention of letting his aunt pick his bride, so he hatches a plan for some insurance. One of his friends told him about the other portraits that Gwen paints, which are not for public viewing.

From the moment she and Dev met, Gwen felt the sparks that flowed between them. But she'd already lost one man whose death nearly destroyed her, and she refuses to marry again. Dev feels the attraction just as strongly and wants to have her in his bed, but he understands the fear that controls her. I loved their time together, as their ability to see past their public facades to the person underneath brought them closer together. I loved how Gwen listened to Dev when he talked about his life in India and understood how the two worlds made up the whole man. The descriptions of both portraits showed that she could capture that melding.

As the attraction between them grew stronger, Gwen fought her feelings. The idea of loving someone else after Christophe made her feel guilty and filled her with fear of losing again. She convinced herself that she and Dev could give in to their passion without muddying the waters with feelings, knowing there was an end date for their relationship. Dev realized the truth of his feelings before she did but had no idea how to convince Gwen they could have it all.

Matters are complicated by Dev's cousin, Bish, who is green with jealousy over Dev gaining the dukedom. He starts an insidious campaign of impugning Devlin's fitness to inherit the title. He is a sneaky little twit, taking it a step further by also turning his sights on Gwen. His actions are despicable and create some unwelcome stress for Dev. I loved how Dev found a way to spike Bish's guns, and the scene before the Heralds was fantastic.

Unfortunately, Bish's actions did throw a wrench into Dev and Gwen's relationship, and harsh words were exchanged between them. Luckily for Dev, he received timely and helpful advice that enabled him to return to Gwen's good graces. She had had time to think and realize that having two great loves in one lifetime was possible. Dev's big scene at the end was fantastic, and the epilogue was a great look at their lives a year later.

One of my favorite parts of the book was Dev's relationship with his uncle. Dev's love and respect for the old duke are undeniable. I loved how Gwen got involved by visiting with Dev and sketching the older man for Dev to remember him by. He won my heart with his advice for Gwen and his belief that she and Dev belonged together. The wedding scene is intensely emotional, and the description of the portrait in the epilogue emphasizes Gwen's talent.

I enjoyed seeing the mention of characters from previous books and will have to go back and read the ones I missed.

#netgalley

Decidida a no someterse a un matrimonio forzado, Julia no veía otra solución que arruinar su honra. El libertino Paine Ramsden tenía fama de no andarse con escrúpulos a la hora de seducir almas inocentes, así que quizá él podría ayudarla en su… apuro. Sin embargo, pese a que ciertamente Paine era merecedor de aquella reputación, Julia era una joven tan increíblemente pura que una sola noche con ella bastó para arruinarlo a él. La recién descubierta sensualidad de Julia despertaría en él sentimientos con los que no estaba en absoluto familiarizado.

Rebecca's contribution to her medically inclined family is inventing items that will assist doctors and help others lead better lives. She would like to patent them and have her inventions produced and made available to those who can use them. But as a woman in Victorian England, no company will give her the time of day, much less look at her work. So she uses her initials instead of her name and gets a bite from a well-known Manchester company!

Jules is the black sheep of his family. Technically an employee of the company, he does little except enjoy the money and lifestyle it provides him while occasionally reeling in a new prospect for the business. He's never felt invested in what they do. On the contrary, some things have struck him as unethical. When he's given a "do or die" assignment to sign a new inventor, he knows he must buckle down and provide results. He never expected to be faced with his worst nightmare.

After arriving at Haberstock Hall and meeting the Peverett family, Jules was horrified to discover that R.L. Peverett is a woman! He cannot go home and admit he signed a contract with a woman inventor. But he also can only return with the signed contract. Rebecca calls him out on his hypocrisy, leaving him to stew in the juices of his dilemma. The next day, he came up with a solution - sign the contract as R.L. Peverett, and once production is underway and sales made, they can reveal the truth. Jules also sees that Rebecca has other inventions that the company could use and offers to propose to purchase them too.

Jules did not impress me at first look. He seems lazy and more interested in pleasure than contributing to his family's enterprise. But as he witnesses Rebecca's family life, we learn more about him. Cold parents, a father dismissive of Jules when he doesn't fall into line, and a brother who is becoming more like their father than the friend and supporter he used to be. Shy, intelligent Rebecca intrigues him, and he can't forget her when he returns home.

I liked watching the development of the relationship between Jules and Rebecca. When he returns, ostensibly to work with "R.L." on proposals for other inventions, he and Rebecca have the chance to get to know each other better. I liked seeing how Jules's attention, respect, and admiration gave Rebecca confidence she'd never felt. Rebecca's empathy and interest helped Jules see himself more clearly. There were sweet scenes of Jules and Rebecca together, from picnics to working side-by-side in her cottage. As they grew closer, the sparks of attraction they felt grew stronger, as did the feelings beneath the sparks. Though Rebecca believes nothing can come of it, Jules has other ideas.

I liked seeing the changes in Jules throughout his stay at Haberstock Hall. The carefree rogue morphs into a caring man ready to take his place in the world. I wondered at his plans, which seemed counter to the traits he had shown there. I liked his determination to be able to support Rebecca, but his methods did not make him happy. Rebecca came to Manchester as "R.L.'s" representative, met Jules's family, and saw the "new" Jules. I ached for her because what she experienced there reminded her so much of her unhappy time in London.

When the truth of "R.L.'s" identity comes out, Jules gets a good look at his father's moral code and doesn't like what he finds. Jules must decide whether to side with his family or stick up for the woman he loves. It's no contest, but he makes some boneheaded moves along the way, not the least of which is pushing Rebecca away to "protect" her. I liked seeing him become a man worthy of the woman he loves. The ending was terrific, and I liked the twist involving Jules's brother, Winthrop.

While the story pulled me in I didn't get a very distinct feeling of time from it. It felt like a regency romance but it was also set in Italy, and my knowledge of that period of Italy is sparse.
Archer Crawford is a second son and he goes to Siena to meet his mother's people, people he has only really known from letters. He did learn Italian as a child but it's a new world for him.
On his first night he meets Elisabeta di Nofri who is a young noblewoman, a widow promised to another man and looking for some excitement before she has to try to deal with a marriage she doesn't really want. The two of them find love between them and also adventure and maybe a place for themselves in the world.
I enjoyed the read and was wondering how things would work out for everyone in the end and found that the end was satisfying.

Good book with some intriguing parallels to current events. Thomasia is a single mother during a time when such a thing is scandalous. She has managed to keep her secret by hiding at her parents' home while trying to decide her future. She's feeling a bit of cabin fever, having made herself a prisoner. She spent her pregnancy in Yorkshire, where she got involved with a group of women trying to better the lives of poor women who don't have the resources she does. She misses that feeling of doing something important. That changes when she meets their neighbor, MP Shaw Rawdon.

Shaw is a newly elected MP with progressive ideas. His sponsors are much more conservative and expect him to align with their views. He knows how the game is played but hates that he must vote against something he approves of to get their support for his project. When he attends a dinner at his neighbors' home, he is intrigued by Thomasia and her well-stated views on the same subjects. Shaw invites her to become his secretary to get to know her better.

Thomasia is wary of Shaw. Her experience with the father of her child convinced her that men could not be trusted. But she'll work for him and plans to do her best to influence him to vote to preserve the Bastardy Act, which allows women like her to gain financial support from the fathers of their children. That plan quickly falls by the wayside as Thomasia and Shaw get to know each other. There are sparks between them, but once Shaw learns of her daughter, he knows he can't pursue them. Getting involved with an unwed mother would be the death of his career.

As much as he tries to resist it, Thomasia and her daughter have found their way into his heart. I loved seeing Shaw with little Effie-Claire. She utterly entrances him, and it's obvious he would make a terrific father. Even better, he doesn't hold Thomasia's indiscretion against her. The more he gets to know her, the more he wants both of them in his life. Thomasia falls just as hard for Shaw once she gets past her mistrust of him. She also knows how hard he's worked to get where he is. She refuses to marry him because she doesn't want to be responsible for ending his career.

Meanwhile, the father of Thomasia's daughter suddenly decides he wants custody of the child because of an inheritance requirement. I liked that she immediately thought of Shaw as the person to help her. There were some tense moments as she overhears comments by those conservative sponsors, but she reins in her impulse to interfere. I loved the scenes of Shaw joining with the men of Thomasia's family to deal with the threat. I loved seeing Shaw put his feelings for her on the line and step up to protect her in the best way possible. I held my breath, hoping she would finally let go of her fears and accept his love. But her ex is a desperate man, and some heart-pounding moments threaten everything she holds dear. The conclusion was well done. I liked the epilogue, which I thought was realistically done.

I enjoyed the inclusion of one of the political hot points of support for "fallen" women. Thomasia looks at it from a personal perspective. Shaw's view is also affected by his early life. His dilemma of compromising his ideals was difficult, and his struggle was evident every time he had to deal with the other men. I loved his acceptance by Thomasia's family and especially liked how the men supported him. I grinned at their solution to his dilemma and cheered at how it turned out. I also liked seeing that Thomasia is in the perfect place to continue her work with Shaw's support.

Good book. Thea is a nurse who joined Florence Nightingale in caring for the wounded in Crimea. She saved one soldier from being left for dead. She calls him Edward because he can't remember who he is. When she returns to England, she takes him with her, hoping her doctor father can help him further in his recovery. Falling in love with Edward was never her plan.

I loved Thea. She received the same education as her twin brother, William, who became a doctor like their father. But because she is a woman, that path isn't open to her. Events from her past convinced her that marriage is not an option, so she devotes her time to her medicine. She is independent, fierce in her advocacy for her patients, and outspoken in her opinions.

I loved Edward also. His determination to get well and then discover who he is was undeniable. It is evident from the start that he is a gentleman, but he remembers nothing of his life before the battle that injured him. He is handsome, charming, kind, and just as fierce as Thea when it involves something he believes in.

I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Thea and Edward. They became friends as she cared for him in the hospital. It was easy to see that something about him made her want him to get better. Edward thought of her as his angel, who quieted his fears and made the pain go away. Once they arrive back in England and Edward's health improves, things change. Sparks start to fly between them, but they try to resist them. Thea believes that Edward will return to his old life and leave her behind once his memories return. Edward won't make any advances while he lives in her family's home and doesn't know the truth about who he is.

There are some sweet and emotional scenes between them as Edward continues to improve. I loved Edward's protectiveness when he stood up for Thea against another dinner guest. His respect for her and her profession is undeniable, and I loved his vocal support. The nightmare scene broke my heart as it showed Edward's fear and despair. There was also good that came out of it, as they used some of the information to ask for help figuring out who he is. But by this time, Edward isn't sure he wants to know because it could take him away from Thea. I could feel their desperation as they reached for what happiness they could grab before their questions were answered.

The arrival of Thea's sister and brother-in-law brought that wait to an end. I was glued to the pages as Edward learned of his past and its meaning for his future. I ached for Thea, who tried to push him away, sure that there was no way for her to fit in his world. There are obstacles to face, from skeptical family members to cruel-hearted society members, not to mention Thea's insecurities. I loved Edward's big moment and his way of showing her his love. The epilogue was terrific, and I hope to see more of them in the rest of the series.

Inigo's best friend was engaged to the beautiful Audevere Brenley but he apparently killed himself when deals with her father went terribly wrong. Audevere's father treats her terribly and she wants out. So she recruits Inigo to help her. Can Inigo get over the issues he has with her part in his friend's death and can she learn to trust?

Read this series in the wrong order so I do know some of what happened and some of the secrets going on, still a good read.

Vennor,the Duke of Newlyn is trying to uncover the murderer of his parent, killed after a show in a theatre; becoming a masked vigilante (shades of Batman). He's trying not to let his inquisitive childhood friend Marianne Treleven find out. She's trying to satisfy her family and be a journalist However there are people who want to marry her and one of them is determined. She's curious about the vigilante but he's trying to keep her out of that underworld. He's also avoiding a relationship until he works out his parent's murder. He's also harbouring guilt because he believes he could have prevented their death.
Together they are quite a team and it was a good read.

Elidh Easton is faking it as a princess at an English Country House Party. From a long line of actors her father has decided that pretending to be an italian princess could get her a starring role as the wife of a man hunting for a wife. Sutton Keynes has to get a wife within a short window; and what's more, a noble wife, but Elidh is so tempting and so there. If his cousin gets the money he will use it for nefarious purposes but he can't stop thinking about Elidh, what happens when he learns the truth?

It was a fun read with two characters I really liked and enjoyed reading about.

Good book with an excellent romance that takes place with a background of several social issues. Along with the romance between two people driven to help others, we also see the effects of disease and poverty in Victorian London, women's fight to have a say in their own healthcare, and society's limits on those same women.

Ferris, an Edinburgh-trained doctor, devotes all of his time to the care of London's poorest residents. After losing his fiancée to a fever, he put aside any dreams of a family of his own. As the story opens, he's returned home from a confrontation with the local hospital's board to find his older brother waiting. As usual, Ferris forgot that he promised to attend the family's charity ball that night, and Frederick is there to make sure he shows up.

One of four daughters of a country doctor, Anne came to London to help people with her herbal remedies. By involving women, she empowered them to keep their families healthy without the expense of London's doctors and medicines. After making arrangements to meet with some local women, she hurries home to join her sister; both committed to attending the hospital's charity ball.

When Ferris's mother sets him dancing with Anne, he expects the usual vapid chit-chat. Instead, Anne shows interest in his work. I loved seeing them connect over medicine and their feelings about the disparity between society and the poor. Ferris also found himself strongly attracted to Anne, both her beauty and understanding, going so far as to resurrect his dream of home and family. Anne, equally drawn to him, resists the attraction. Burned by her ex-fiancé, who pretended to support her dreams, she no longer trusts men's honesty. An unexpected and passionate kiss sent Anne running from the feelings he aroused.

Ferris and Anne meet again under more difficult circumstances. While trying out his new mobile treatment wagon, he discovers that his expected patients have deserted him for a healer woman and her herbs. Filled with righteous fury, Ferris hurries to confront what he's sure is a charlatan of the worst kind, only to find it is Anne. Feeling betrayed, he lashes out, saying terrible things to and about her. I loved that Anne stood up to him. I especially enjoyed her rebuttal to his statement that there were reasons not everyone can be a doctor. They did not part on good terms.

When Ferris comes up with the idea of asking Anne to join him for the sole reason of keeping an eye on her, he doesn't realize what it means. An emergency allowed them to work together, and each saw a different side to the other. Within a couple of weeks, Ferris realized that far from resenting her presence in his clinic, he liked having her there. Plus, having her along on his wagon trips increased the number of patients he/they helped. He feels guilty about using her to pad the numbers for his wagon but reassures himself that it's justified if he gets the funding he needs.

I liked watching the relationship between Ferris and Anne develop. They bond over caring for their patients, each coming to understand more about what makes the other tick. The sparks between them continue to grow, as do their feelings for each other. But both have been hurt in the past, and trusting their feelings doesn't come easy. Just when it looks like a future between them is possible, Anne finds out the truth about her presence by Ferris's side. I ached for her feelings of hurt and betrayal and understood her fury at his deception. Ferris kicked himself quite thoroughly for his idiocy upon discovering her departure. I loved his big moment as he confessed all but was interrupted by another emergency. I loved how this one went, as Ferris took the opportunity to show her his support for her work in a most effective way.

I loved the attention to detail in the descriptions of the various medical issues. I especially enjoyed Anne's explanations of her herbal remedies and their uses. I also felt for Ferris and his frustration at the lack of interest and care exhibited by the hospital board members - until something affected them personally. The whooping cough scenes were heartrending and made me happy that we have protections against it in modern times.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

#netgalley

Good book. After her father's death, Josefina left her home in Venice to escape an unwanted suitor's attentions and fulfill a promise to her father. She will travel and paint the wonders of the world that he missed out on. After painting her way across Europe, she came to England and set up as a street artist to earn more traveling money. At the end of the previous book, Revealing the True Miss Stansfield, Artemisia chose Josefina as the street artist to train as part of a wager with a member of the Royal Academy. Josefina has been living at the art school and learning the techniques she needs to paint the agreed-upon portrait of oyster businessman Owen Gann.

Josefina is talented, headstrong, and frequently reckless. As the book opens, Josefina returns from a run with the local smugglers filled with the excitement of another successful trip. On the way back to the school, she encounters Owen, who warns her of the danger to herself and the school if she continues her reckless behavior. Josefina blows him off, telling him no one will dictate to her, but something about him draws her.

Owen is a self-made man. He began life as an oysterman before using his keen intelligence to create a successful business from it. Owen is pragmatic and serious, focusing his attention on growing his business. He feels a deep-seated responsibility toward the people of the village and, unknown to them, watches over them. Lately, Josefina holds most of his attention and an intense but unwelcome attraction.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Owen and Josefina. As Josefina prepares to paint his portrait, she needs to spend time with him and get to know him. Owen is a very private man, and he doesn't share himself with many people. Their first portrait prep meeting was painful to watch as Owen did everything possible to foil Josefina's attempts to learn more about him. Her frustration was evident in her later complaint to Artemisia, prompting some advice from her and her husband. I loved seeing Josefina take that advice to heart and put it to use the next day.

This began a new chapter in the lives of Owen and Josefina. I loved seeing her wiggle her way into Owen's trip to check the oyster beds and finally find a window into Owen's true self. I loved watching the change in him as he explained the oystering process and again as he met with the oystermen. This Owen fascinated Josefina and inspired her to keep digging into his life. The more time they spent together, the stronger the attraction between them grew, as did feelings neither wanted to admit. Owen had been burned in the past by a woman who couldn't accept him for who he was, so he resists risking his heart again. Josefina focuses on her promise to her father and her plans to continue her travels when her commitment to Artemisia is over.

I ached for both Owen and Josefina as they fought their feelings. Owen reached the point where he wanted more but was afraid to go after it. Josefina struggled with her feelings for Owen and her need to fulfill her promise to her father. To complicate matters, Josefina hadn't given up her activities with the smugglers. She began to feel guilty about her part in an upcoming run, one that could cause problems for Owen. Sure enough, something went wrong, creating an awkward and dangerous situation for Owen. Owen's feelings of betrayal made him pull away, while Josefina finally understood her feelings for Owen too late.

But love finds a way, and I liked seeing them brought back together. The judging of Josefina's portrait is the catalyst and isn't without drama of its own. I loved seeing Josefina stand up to the intrusion of her past and Owen find a way to make both their dreams come true. The epilogue was excellent, with a delightful surprise at the end.

Lord Lynford is determined never to marry but when mining widow Eliza Blaxland turns up at the music school he's suddenly re-thinking that entire plan. Will she still want him when she knows the truth about him and can he overcome her fears about being sidelined if she marries again. Her independence has been hard-won and she won't surrender it easily.
It was a fun read with a series I've read part of before and I have enjoyed the characters.

Good book. Addy is the younger sister of Artemisia, the female artist who took on the Royal Academy in Portrait of a Forbidden Love. Unlike her sister, Addy is more laid-back, painting because she can, not because she is driven. Her interests lie more in art history. Addy also has a bit of a self-esteem issue, seeing herself as plain and uninteresting. She has a suitor who pops in and out of her life, full of flattery, big plans, and expensive gifts. Addy's dreams for her future don't include marriage; she'd rather travel and learn about the art she's only heard about. In the meantime, she teaches at her sister's new art school for girls and practices her painting skills.

Hazard is a Bow Street inspector investigating cases of art forgery. He enjoys solving puzzles, and tracking this forger challenges him. He traced the latest painting to a small seaside town, where he lost the trail. His only lead is the girls' art school and its students and teachers. His only possible suspect is Addy, but how could someone so sweet and open be involved in something so wrong?

The mystery of the art forger is pretty clear-cut, and I liked that it didn't take long to figure out who the real villain was. The challenge came in carrying out the apprehension. I appreciated that Hazard helped Addy see the truth without threatening her or her sister. Once he knew the truth, he also knew that Addy was in danger and took steps to keep her safe. I did start to wonder when the bad guy would show up, but when he did, the action became intense very fast. I wanted to shake Addy for being so gullible and fall for his lies. I ached for Hazard, who wasn't sure if he'd be in time to save her. The final confrontation was intense with a satisfying end.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Addy and Hazard. The sparks flew between them from the start, though both tried to resist. Addy feels that she should be loyal to her suitor, though he doesn't have the same effect on her, and she isn't ready to marry anyway. Hazard resists because he fears that anyone he is close to could become a target of the criminals he pursues. Because of an event in his past, Hazard also believes that he doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. I liked seeing Addy and Hazard spend time together. Their shared interests in art give them much to talk about. Addy's bright nature also breaks through some of the darkness that haunts him, and Hazard finds himself wishing to make more of it.

I liked how keeping Addy safe led Hazard to take her to his family's home. Hazard rarely saw his family because of his fears for their safety and the guilt that haunts him regarding his brother's war injuries. Hazard's work during the war fascinated me, and I could see why he was so good at it. I liked how Addy's influence and Rafe's persistence finally helped Hazard face his past. Seeing Rafe and Hazard repair their relationship warmed my heart. Hazard and Addy spend much more time together, and as their attraction grows, so do their feelings. I ached for them both because it looked like, to be together, each of them would have to give up something important to them. Nearly losing each other made them realize what was important was being together. There was a nice twist at the end that made both their dreams come true.

Phaedra Montague is trying to break free of the expectations of society and follow her dream of becoming a horse trainer, she finally finds a horse that could be the centre of her stud. Bram Basingstoke is on a repairing lease but when he hears that Phaedra is looking for a groom he takes the opportunity to do something with his life. She's a distraction to him, and he's not much better for her. She has promised herself that she won't marry, but he's starting to break her promises to herself, even if she can see that as he is he's unsuitable.
The two of them spark off each other and are quite a convincing couple. THey get through all their issues in a convincing way and she really does manage to hold onto her dreams and know that she will have his support.

Cassian, Lord Trevethow wants to build a pleasure garden in Cornwall.His last obstacle is a piece of land and the owner is reluctant to sell or become involved with the plans, however it's part of his daughter, Lady Penrose Prideaux's dowry. Cassian is reluctant to marry for mercenary reasons and he's distracted by a girl he meets at a fair.
The girl and he start a relationship but they don't know anything about each other and it's a bit of a mess as his yearnings compete with each other. He and his friends want to have employment and opportunity in his area but he also wants love,he might be able to get both but there are several obstacles.
It was a good read with characters who cared a lot about other people and want to make the world a better place using their power for good.

Good book. The story opens as Artemisia arrived at the Royal Academy of Arts to hear their decision on her acceptance into that group. She is confident of that approval as she is well aware of her talent. She was furious when they turned her down for the flimsiest of reasons. Though they unbent enough to offer her a second chance, Artemisia's fury is evident in her rebuttal. I loved her parting shot as she makes it clear she suspects their intentions.

Darius Rutherford is a well-known art critic as well as being the heir to an earldom. His initial reaction to Artemisia is typical of a man of that time. He thinks she is too forward, too flamboyant, and doesn't know her place. He is not happy when the Academy asks him to judge her work, with the implication that he is to follow their lead. He prides himself on his honesty.

Artemisia and her sister go to Kent, where Artemisia plans to paint a collection that will guarantee her acceptance. Three weeks later, Darius shows up and manages to look at her work while she isn't there. Though blown away by what he sees, he also knows what is expected of him and has a decision to make. I was disappointed by his sneakiness and laughed out loud when Artemisia arrived to confront him. I loved how she got his attention and challenged him to remain there and get to know her as an artist.

Over the next few weeks, Artemisia and Darius spend a great deal of time together. It was fascinating to see Artemisia's process as she put her heart and soul into her work. I also enjoyed seeing her educate Darius on what it is like to be a woman in a man's world. It was an eye-opening experience for him, and I liked the evolution of his attitude. As they got to know each other better, the initial sparks of attraction between them began to grow. However, there are some trust issues that they need to overcome. Artemisia worries that Darius will use their passion against her, while Darius wonders if Artemisia uses it to influence his decision. It made me happy to see them talk about it rather than let their questions drive a wedge between them.

As their attraction grows stronger, so do the feelings that accompany it. Though Darius has ideas for their future, Artemisia sees too big a gap between them. I ached for her as she saw no hope for her love to go anywhere. She is well-aware of the obstacles, while Darius expects things to go his way. It was fantastic to see Darius's determination to see that Artemisia gets the respect she deserves, and I enjoyed how he carried it out. However, some of Artemisia's fears resurface, and she flees to protect herself and Darius. I hurt for him and liked how his love for her gave him the strength he needed to overcome the obstacles. I loved how well he knew her and how he used that knowledge to show his love. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was great.

Good friends to lovers story. Though the book is the fourth in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Marianne and Vennor have been friends all their lives and lately have grown even closer. They are each other's protection in Society, as neither wants to marry yet. Both of them have other, more important goals.

Two years earlier, Vennor lost his parents in a brutal murder. Devastated by their deaths, he pursued every usual road to finding their killers but with no success. Unwilling to give up, Vennor donned a mask and became "The Vigilante," searching the underbelly of London for answers. While he made no progress in his quest, his sense of justice made him a hero to those less fortunate. Vennor has sworn that he will not marry until he has brought the killer to justice.

Marianne has one goal in mind - to be a journalist, something that is not done by women. She has already taken the first step, landing a gossip column, but she writes using a man's name. Vennor is the only one who knows her secret. Her parents have begun pressuring her to marry, but there isn't anyone who interests her. Someone is paying very close attention to her, but Marianne doesn't return his interest.

I liked the development of the relationship between Marianne and Vennor. Their friendship is a close one that has grown over the years, and they count on the other one always being there. But when Vennor realizes that Marianne has a suitor who could succeed in marrying her, it opens his eyes to the fact that if she marries, their relationship would never be the same. He also notices that she has grown into a beautiful woman. Likewise, when her mother mentions that Vennor needs to marry, Marianne realizes that she doesn't like the idea.

For Marianne to avoid marriage, she must have a viable alternative. She knows that if she wants to make a career in journalism, she has to get out of the gossip rut and find a real story. She settles on the idea of finding and unmasking The Vigilante. Vennor, of course, is horrified when she tells him her plan. He's never told her about that part of his life and knows she'll be angry when she finds out. He also knows that she has no fear and could put herself into extreme danger if she follows her plan. Forbidding her makes her more determined.

I was glued to the pages when Marianne made her move. She had no idea how much danger she was in until it was too late. I loved how her note to Vennor made him suspicious enough to follow up. I felt his fear when he realized what she did and that he wouldn't be in time to save her. That confrontation was intense, both Vennor's battle with her attackers to Marianne's realization of his identity and her reaction. The strength of their responses exploded into unexpected passion. This is the beginning of a new stage in their relationship. I loved watching them work together, as Vennor introduced Marianne to the real people of that world. Supporting each other strengthened their feelings for each other, but there were still obstacles to a life together.

Marianne's life is complicated by Lord Hayes, who has decided that only she will do for his wife. While on the surface, Hayes appears to be the perfect nobleman, the words "too good to be true" are accurate. The reader learns that Hayes has a hidden agenda for his courtship, and it isn't a pretty one. I admit that he gave me the creeps from the beginning, and I was quickly proved correct. Vennor still focuses on solving his parents' murders before he marries, and that tunnel vision could lose him the woman he loves. He gets a break when a woman he helps as The Vigilante, describes someone he is very familiar with. I liked how Vennor's friends from the previous books in the series stepped in to help set a trap. The situation becomes very intense when Marianne ends up in danger. I was glued to the pages as Vennor raced to the rescue hoping to be in time. The man involved was genuinely twisted, and I was happy to see him get what was coming to him.

I loved the ending and seeing the change in Vennor as he finally allows himself to be happy. I enjoyed his wedding gift to Marianne and the tangible evidence of his support for her dreams. I liked hearing about their plans for the future and would love to see them pop up in some future book.

A story of a half-Indian woman and a man with a lot on his mind.

Having lost a friend during the Charge of the Light Brigade; Major Camden Lithgow feels guilty for not recovering the body and keeps returning, hoping against hope that he will find a body or maybe a man. He's drowning his sorrows in a tavern when he sees an exotic beauty dancing and finds himself in her arms. When he later finds her at a ball he realises that actually she's a woman of the upper class. Her father is a merchant and her mother is Indian and being in that tavern was her only way out of an arranged marriage she does not want. When she realises that she's pregnant they have to defy their families and marry. Both families do everything they can to get between them, even after they're married but the two of them realise that they want to be with each other.

I liked it, I liked the two of them and their relationship and their determination to make a good job of it. It was nice to see more variety of backgrounds and characters and I look forward to more by this author.

Distinctly "meh." I loved the beautiful, wonderful beta hero Conall, but was not a fan of our heroine Sofia, who tended towards TSTL moments. Her sadist Italian ex-husband gave her plenty of reasons to fear and mistrust, but that should've gone away long before it did after she threw in her lot with Conall. I didn't like the epilogue, either.

Still, this author can write, and I already have book #2 of this series, so I'm going to give her another go. Hopefully I'll find the next heroine easier to like than this one.

There were several moments where this descended into a bit of farce. There's an evil abusive ex-husband and a poor Viscount who wants to turn the fortunes of an estate around and the ex-wife who wants to secure her future without the husband. When romance starts to blossom between Viscount Taunton and Sofia start to feel something for each other and then when the only way to protect Sofia from her ex-husband is to marry her, he embraces the chance. Her moustache-twirling Italian ex-husband is not going to release her easily. He comes across as a regency version of Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham,

Light and fun read with some mild peril for the characters.½

Two pairs of couples who have to work through scandal to their happiness, I liked both stories but loved Bronwyn Scott's Dancing with the Duke's Heir, Vale and Viola were my kind of people.½