Title: Homicide at the Vicarage
(A Victorian Book Club Mystery)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: April 2023
Genre: Mystery, Murder, Victorian Mystery

Blurb:

Lord William has finally gained his desire to move his family from Bath to his country estate, Wethington Manor, west of Reading, not too far from either Bath or London. Lady Amy is a happy, contented mother to their son, and has taken up her writing once again. Their family members are close by, and all is well.

Well, maybe not.

The new village vicar is charming, polite, and served inspiring sermons. The villagers adore him, and many young women have their eye on the handsome cleric.

However, it appears someone doesn’t love him...

My Review:

This mystery book seemed to attract my curiosity for every page I turned. If you’ve read other A Victorian Book Club Mystery, you are more likely familiar with the characters within hence it won’t confuse you a lot regarding who is who. But still, you can read it standalone.

Everything begins in a peaceful life, Amy, as a mother, mystery writer and wife does her duty well, so does William. They move to Wethington so that they don’t have to deal with the case murder anymore however when everyone thinks that the country vicar is lovable, charming and attractive, a sudden and shocking announcement gets to Amy and William that he is dead. Additionally as the case murder appears, one family member appears to stay in Wethington Manor then another and another, and William and Amy’s manor seems to be getting quite crowded as well as their duties.

This story isn’t merely focused on the murder but rather, every character within brings the issue that William and Amy might have to solve eventually. Not only these characters make you ponder who the murder is but they also work as entertaining roles. The plot revolves around the mystery especially when the second murder arises, but the history and village life affect the entire story as well. I enjoyed how I was led into a false motive, that’s quite clever of Callie Hutton in making unexpected plot and intrigue. The engaging characters would bring some laughter, annoyance, and mixture of curiosity and entertainment, especially the ending, I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you, Callie Hutton, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 4.5 of 5

About the author

My historical romances are full of heat, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A study in Murder released this year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been very good. The second book in that series, The Sign of Death, will release in April of 2021.

Although those books are not strictly romance, the main characters, William, Lord Wethington, and Lady Amy Lovell have formed a friendship while solving a murder mystery. Who knows where that will take them?

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers.

Please consider signing up for my newsletter to keep up to date on new releases, sales, and special offers. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! (This text refers to the Amazon edition). Follow her on http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ and Twitter @Calliehutton

Title: The Viscount’s Daring Miss
Author: Lotte R. James
Published: April 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Mills & Boon Historical, Harlequin Historical, Enemies-to-Lovers, Horse Racing

Blurb:

Rivalry leads to passion in 1830s England

May the best viscount or miss...

...Win!

When her best friend and employer is injured, groom Roberta “Bobby” Kinsley feels compelled to help him. She agrees to step in the saddle and compete in an endurance horse race to help secure his ancestral home. Yet the minute that Bobby comes face-to-face with her opponent – arrogant yet infuriatingly charismatic Lawrence, Viscount Hayes – it’s clear that it won’t just be the competition that has her heart racing!

My Review:

This enemies-to-lovers trope caught my undivided attention from the work I had to complete because of its unique and uncommon heroine, Roberta Kinsley aka Bobby. (She even has a unique and uncommon name for Historical Period)

It begins with the issue between Lawrance and Julian regarding the land they have disputed for years. Bobby has been staying with Julian’s family for so long and Julian is the next baron. Julian and Lawrance have wager through horse racing yet an inevitable accident will not allow Julian to race and Bobby stubbornly insists on replacing Julian to safe him.

When Lawrance first appeared in the pages, it seemed to me that he makes powerful impression that he is arrogant and ambitious especially when he sees bobby, a lady groom, he feels strongly insulted. However Bobby, I thought she is delicate and ladylike yet what I found was so much far from it. She is strong, courageous and insufferably difficult to deal with.  Despite their banter and rivalry, Lawrance and Bobby enjoy their horse racing and company. They even begin caring one another at first racing attempt until love gradually evolve into them.

I enjoyed this book as I found Bobby is so much different from the heroines I read in Historical Romance. Even though she is headstrong and powerful, she hides caring and tender heart beneath. Both Lawrance and Bobby might have relevant saddened past but they strive towards their happily-ever-after. Bobby’s determination to win the race touched my heart and Lawrance’s love for Bobby, awww it was so tender and a little sweet. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book with the powerful characters and fiery moments. Thank you, Lotte R. James, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 4.5 of 5

About the Author

Lotte R. James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers while dreaming up stories of love and adventures. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration or nestling with coffee and a book. You can reach her on Twitter https://twitter.com/lottejamesbooks.

 

Title: Bound by a Sicilian Secret
Author: Lela May Wight
Published: April 2023
Genre: Harlequin Presents, Mills and Boon Modern, Unplanned Pregnancy

Blurb:

The proof of their passion: She’s carrying the Sicilian’s child!

Read this thrilling secret baby romance from Lela May Wight.

When their worlds collided...

They became tied forever!

Flora Bick once strayed from her carefully scripted life and lost herself in the uninhibited kisses of a stranger. Overwhelmed, she fled his bed and returned to her risk-free existence. Now, he’s found her and together they discover the unimaginable – she’s pregnant!

Demanding Flora accompany him to Sicily, Raffaele Russo finally reveals his vast wealth – and his determination to give their child the stable upbringing he never had. But for the time being, their secret remains theirs alone, and it will bind them even closer than their ever-present desire...

My Review:

This is the first book of Lela May Wight’s I read but Hurraaahh, I was instantly in love with it! Not only is the cover stunning but also the story is sooo wonderful albeit full of angst!

Flora who grows up in a farm is astounded to discover who she is from the document she receives. As she absorbs the information, she feels overwhelmed, upset and betrayed. While being engulfed by the grief, she runs and accidentally encounters our demanding and protective Sicilian hero, Raffaele. Whoosshh, they are likely unable the resist the desire and sexual attraction at first sight then they lose themselves in their kisses and one night stand.

When Flora disappears without trace, Raffaele is extremely persistent to hunt and find Flora despite knowing nothing of her name and whereabouts, well this character of his just added into my favourite Italian hero list. Finding out the truth of the unplanned pregnancy, Raffaele and Flora agree to sort out their predicament (oh, I’m a sucker for this trope!).

From the beginning, I was overwhelmed by the grief which was experienced by both Flora and Raffaele. Lela May Wight’s incredible writing would take you until you feel how deep the pain, the regret and the angst. Turning the pages after pages, Flora made me amazed by her unexpected stronger characters. She finally learns about who she is and gradually she can deal with herself meanwhile Raffaele, he is so stubborn and adamant that he can’t be redeemed.

Lela May Wight’s book successfully took me into emotional roller-coaster and engrossing drama moreover I was lured by the wonderfully luxurious yacht, the beauty of small Sicilian Island and its kind-hearted residents. I loved when strong-willed Flora gives the last lesson for the stubborn Raffaele that they deserve to be happy. It’s a captivating book of love, loss, regret and redemption. Thank you, Lela May Wight, for the ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the Author

Lela May Wight grew up with seven brothers and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She still does, but now she gets to write them, too! She hopes to offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud. Lela May lives in the UK with her two sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction – he buys her more books! Check out what she’s up to at https://lelamaywight.com/.

 

Title: Bound to the Warrior Knight
(The King’s Knights Book 4)
Author: Ella Matthews
Published: March 2023
Genre: Medieval Romance, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Mills & Boon Historical, A Marriage of Convenience

Blurb:

A tense battle of duty and desire in this Medieval romance

Wed to a stranger

Awakened by his touch

As the new wife of stoic knight Benedictus Monceaux, innocent Adela finds herself in a whole new world... their union is one of convenience and power, but her feelings for the warrior unsettle and excite her. Hiding an inner strength, Adela knows she can be strong ally to her husband – but she must walk a fine line between duty and desire, both at court and in the bedchamber...

My Review:

Ah, I’m a sucker for this trope and I instantly and irrevocably fell in love with Benedictus and Adela!

Benedictus and Adela have been engaged since Adela was still a little lass (Yup, Benedictus is much older than Adela) yet never do they meet nor court. To make it clear, Benedictus is from Monceaux, a high status and respected family in England meanwhile Adela is from Valdu family, wealthy but isn’t included in the high status. In a nutshell they are essentially married for political and financial reasons.

Taken into their early marriage, Benedictus has made it clear that he has no time to woo his new wife as he is busy leading the court therefore he only can give Adela the freedom she never gains from her father. Adela might look innocent, meek and weak but I did adore her especially when she has to deal with Benedictus, when everyone in the court indeed fears Benedictus. He is a fearsome and stubborn knight. I could imagine how big, fierce and strong he looks. Clearly Adela and Benedictus is a perfect match from the beginning. Living in the court isn’t easy for Adela, particularly as the wife whose husband has strong power like the king.

I just loved this story, their relation might go slowly but it was so precise, romantic and steamy. I loved when Benedictus couldn’t keep his hands off of Adela and how his feelings grew stronger until the strong wall around him cracked only for Adela. I also adored Adela for being so strong, kind and determined. The political and war issue was meticulously well-written and dramatically intriguing. The last but not the least is the prologue! I was so utterly touched by the heart-warming ending! Thank you, Ella Matthews, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes, she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes, but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else). Follow her at https://www.ellamatthews.co.uk/ or her Twitter at https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor

 

Title: Engaged to London’s Wildest Billionaire
(Behind the Palace Doors... Book 2)
Author: Kali Anthony
Published: March 2023
Genre: Fake-Engagement, Harlequin Presents, Mills & Boon Modern

Blurb:

This convenient fake relationship romance from Kali Anthony is brimming with drama...and pure inconvenient desire!

In the words of the devil himself:

“Scandal I can do...”

Lance Astill’s debauched reputation is the stuff of tabloid legend. He’s dedicated to rebelling against his strict aristocratic upbringing and has never once shied away from trouble. Until he meets Sara Conrad...

Entertaining thoughts of his attraction to sheltered Sara would be far too reckless. Even for him. Then Sara makes him an impassioned plea to help her escape an arranged wedding, just like the one Lance failed to save his sister from. The playboy’s outlandish solution? Their own headline-making engagement!

My Review:

When I was reading this, I did want to read it in one sitting as the book totally captured me but I also felt like I needed my time to savour it. The thing is Sara’s honest character and the Regency terms had first captured me.

Being born from countess and count in Lauritania, Sara was promised to be married to the King until the King died and she is free from the responsibility. During the funeral rite, she feels someone is staring at her and there, she encounters our modern rake, Lance. I wasn’t able to control my ridiculously exciting expression when Lance keeps chasing after Sara. He is strongly lured by her golden hair and honest expression. Lance seems unable to be away from Sara yet he also can’t let her be with him as scandal will arise. Nevertheless when a dire situation bestows upon Sara, he is fully prepared to help her through fake engagement and bring her to his estate.

From the beginning I felt like being taken into Regency romance period and I did enjoy it so much because the aristocratic title and terms are splendidly laid out within the story.  Kali Anthony has brilliantly wrapped both modern and Regency into a wonderful story. As I turned the pages, I started to understand Sara and Lance’s characters. Sara’s skittish and naive character is often so grief-stricken but on one occasion it also amused me, on the other hand, Lance, despite being a rake as the media claim so, he is so attentive and passionate. Well, as much as I enjoyed the drama and the emotional rollercoaster, I also enjoyed how steamy their relation is, and Lance is a tease!

Kali Anthony did capture me again with her accomplished writing. It just made me want to read the prior and the last series of Behind the Palace Doors! Thank you, Kali Anthony, for the digital ARC which I voluntary reviewed.

Rate: 5 of 5

About the author

When Kali Anthony read her first romance novel at fourteen, she realized a few truths: there can never be too many happy endings, and one day she would write them herself. After marrying her own tall, dark and handsome hero in a perfect friends-to-lovers romance, Kali took the plunge and penned her first story. Writing has been a love affair ever since. If she isn’t battling her cat for access to the keyboard, you can find Kali playing dress-up in vintage clothes, gardening, or bushwhacking with her husband and three children in the rain forest of South East Queensland. You might contact her on https://www.kalianthony.com/ or her twitter https://twitter.com/KaliAAnthony