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God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen
God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen
Rhys Bowen | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Royal Intrigue at Christmas
Lady Georgiana and Darcy are looking forward to their first Christmas as husband and wife, but then they are invited to spend the holiday at a house party being given by one of Darcy’s aunts. The implication that the queen herself wants them nearby is the only thing that makes them go. When they arrive, they learn the queen is worried someone is after a member of her family. Can Georgie figure out what is going on in time?

Fans of the series will expect that the book will get off to a slow start as we get updates on the various supporting characters we’ve gotten to know over the series. While we get hits of the plot, celebrating Christmas also slows the pacing down a little. But there is a good mystery in there, and I didn’t have the how or who figured out until Georgie pieced it to together. The end of 1935 was a huge time in British history, and I loved how the real intrigue played into this story, weaving in things we’ve been reading about since book one. This is a Christmas fans will definitely be glad they spent with Georgie.
  
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Merissa (12854 KP) rated A Reckless Soul (Secrets of the Zodiac, #2) in Books

Apr 6, 2023 (Updated Apr 10, 2023)  
A Reckless Soul (Secrets of the Zodiac, #2)
A Reckless Soul (Secrets of the Zodiac, #2)
Elizabeth Cole | 2014 | Mystery, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A friend of mine recommended this book to me via GoodReads and as I occasionally read Historical Fiction, I thought I'd give it a go, especially whilst it is still at the promotional price on Amazon. I'm very glad that I did. Although this is Book 2 in the Secrets of the Zodiac series, you don't have to have read the first one (although I will be now, plus any others I can get!).

The story is very well-written with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout. I got the mole wrong but I'm so very glad that I did. I loved how it was written and all fell into place. This book swept me away to the Regency era where life for a woman, let alone a lady, was so very different, with different rules and regulations that she was supposed to follow. Put an independent woman in the mix who knows how to look after herself, along with a male who thinks that she isn't capable, and you're in for an explosive combination which makes for a terrific read.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. Definitely recommended to all History Fiction fans out there.


September 11, 2016
  
The Madness of Lord Westfall (The Order of the MUSE #2)
The Madness of Lord Westfall (The Order of the MUSE #2)
Mia Marlowe | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved the first Order of the M.U.S.E. book and was looking forward to this one. Pierce Westfall is an intriguing character - tormented by the voices he can't control. Nora is an aristocrat who fell from the graces of her family when she married for love. Together these two are central to a plot to use Truth Powder on the Prince and restart a war.

This is a smoothly-written, well-rounded historical romance with paranormal aspects. I love all the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Stanstead and Westfall. I also enjoyed catching up with Lady Cassandra, as she continues her life with Stanstead. This is such a brilliant set of characters, I would be hard-pressed to say which one is my favourite.

The descriptions of Bedlam were horrible, but I'm sure nowhere near as bad as they could have been. Well done to Mia for capturing the essence of Bedlam, without it overpowering the storyline. A brilliant addition to the M.U.S.E. series - highly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Sep 23, 2015
  
Victoria & Violet (Royal Maids #1)
Victoria & Violet (Royal Maids #1)
Rachel Brimble | 2022 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
VICTORIA & VIOLET is the first book in the Royal Maids series and what a start this is! We see Victoria in her early years, a free-spirited and strong-willed young lady. We also meet Violet, a maid in the queen's service and firmly under the thumb of her social-climbing, manipulative, abusive mother. When Violet starts her service to Victoria though, she becomes her own person - through trials and errors.

This novel is perfectly paced and full of amazing characters, brought to life by Ms. Brimble's writing style. The story is genteel, full of hope and love, and yet simultaneously shows how hard life can be in certain situations and circumstances.

Each of the characters is interesting and intriguing in their own ways - whether you like them or not! I loved the epilogue giving us an insight into how their lives are turning out, and I can't wait to read more in this series.

An excellent start and highly recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Morgan is my Name
Morgan is my Name
Sophie Keetch | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Morgan is My Name is a fantastic retelling of the Arthurian legend from Morgan’s (or as we’re most likely to know her, Morgana) perspective.

Morgan le Fey is the daughter of the Lord that King Uther Pendragon vanquished. Uther then goes on to claim her mother, the Lady Igraine - and in the most underhand way possible with the help of the equally unpleasant Merlin.

Actually, the men don’t do well out of this retelling. Even the lover that a young Morgan takes, abandons her when she is found out and sent to a convent.

This book had me in its grip within minutes of pressing ‘play’. Vanessa Kirby’s narration was wonderful, and she made a convincing Morgan. She built on the book, making the reader/ listener really believe in the duality of Morgan. Not the evil woman we’ve been led to believe in (not in this first instalment, anyway!), but a young woman with a thirst for knowledge, who wants the freedom to pursue it. But it’s always the men who put a stop to her ambitions: whether it’s Uther, Merlin or her feckless husband (whatever happens to him, he deserves it!).

Oh, and the magic! Just the icing on the cake!

I can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy to come out!