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The Thirteenth Earl
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a delightful read. After being stuck in contemporary romance limbo, it was refreshing to return to a good historical romance especially since there are so many historical romances pumped out. This one had me from page one, especially since it dealt with a lot of topics not typically seen in this genre. The first is the mental deterioration of people as they age and the other two are spiritualism and ghosts. All of these very much existed during this time, but are generally misunderstood or considered taboo. It was interesting to read the author’s take on them in her story.

Overall, the plot is very simple. I felt that the “twist” or surprise wasn’t surprising at all and could be seen from the moment the villain was introduced. Despite that, it was still a delight to read. Thax is among my favorite historical heroes for multiple reasons. He could be dense and rash but his love for the heroine felt genuine and could be seen in his actions towards her. The female characters in this story were equally as enjoyable. They were strong and intelligent without losing a shred of their femininity. I appreciated their resourcefulness.

The Thirteenth Earl is an uncomplicated love story about two people trying to muddle through the drama in their life and end up finding happiness in each other. If you are searching for a heartwarming romance, filled with realistic and likable characters, this novel may be your next rainy day read.
  
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Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Saffire in Books

Sep 7, 2017  
Saffire
Saffire
Sigmund Brouwer | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Saffire is a really fun and mysterious book. There the main character is brought to Panama Canal to do something and to have chat with General. You get a good history about the time period. You also get a romance and action packed.
 
What will happen to Holt? There are some historical characters in the book. Sigmund does a wonderful job of tells the facts about 1909. The year may be a bit off but the facts stated are true. You will find that at the end of the book.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book. It tells of the building of the Panama Canal. I like that fell. It also gives a little mystery along with the action in the book.
  
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Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Saffire in Books

Feb 8, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)  
Saffire
Saffire
Sigmund Brouwer | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Saffire is a really fun and mysterious book. There the main character is brought to Panama Canal to do something and to have chat with General. You get a good history about the time period. You also get a romance and action packed.


What will happen to Holt? There are some historical characters in the book. Sigmund does a wonderful job of tells the facts about 1909. The year may by a bit off but the facts stated are true. You will find that at the end of the book.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book. It tells of the building of the Panama Canal. I like that fell. It also gives a little mystery along with action in the book.
  
WL
When Lightning Strikes
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>When Lightning Strikes</i> is not your average time-traveling romance. It introduces you to two very interesting and unique characters. Alaina Costanza (Lainie), an edgy, wise-cracking romance writer with a rough past, and John Killian, or just Killian as he is mainly known, the villian from the historical western she is in the midst of writing. So when she gets struck by lightning, she gets way more than she bargained for!

This book made me laugh, and at the same time it pulled at my heart. The chemistry between the two leads and their fighting that attraction was realistic and heartwrenching. Even though this is a romance, I was unsure of how it was going to end, it was a real nail-biter! I couldn't finish soon enough, and when I did, it left me feeling fulfilled. I couldn't recommend this book more!
  
This is one of those novels that has you smiling even after you have finished and placed it back on your shelf. First of all, it is very realistic, especially historically. I cannot tell you have many historical romance novels I have read that is completely of sex. Not only that, but they make the female protagonists out to be strong, independent woman who are so unique against the rest of society that the man immediately falls for her because she is different.

False!

If either of these is in my historical romance, I immediately assume it is trash and donate it. I am unique heroines, in the right time that is. I like my history to be accurate thank you.

Not only that, but I loved the humor. Despite villain and Kelsey's circumstance, it was a pretty lighthearted novel filled with laughter, an simple plotline that was easy to enjoy, and a great continuations of the novels that came before it.

I cannot, however, give it a five due to the predictability of it.
  
HO
Her One True Love
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love historical romance but sometimes they all seem the same. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s not a bad thing, like revisiting an old friend after not seeing them for a while. There may be subtle differences, but overall, nothing has truly changed. Therefore, when I find a historical romance that sticks out for whatever reason, it excites me.

Rachel Brimble’s novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These aren’t the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.

But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimble’s lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.

Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didn’t make sense.

Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
  
TT
The Temptation of Laura
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love historical romance but sometimes they all seem the dame. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s not a bad thing, like revisited an old friend after not seeing them for a while. There may be subtle differences, but overall, nothing has truly changed. Therefore, when I find a historical romance that sticks out for whatever reason, it excites me.

Rachel Brimble’s novels interested me greatly because they promised something different. Prostitutes, actresses and village girls? These aren’t the usual heroines in a historical romance. No, those are the side characters, there to help or hinder the H/h. And, more often than not, are shown in a less than favorable light. Even when they are aiding the main characters, these commoners are typically depicted as uneducated, unkempt, and/or even something less than human.

But Brimble made them human. Not only that, she made them likable. Despite how common or low class Brimble’s lead couples seem to be, they are still very much human with morals and standards. I found myself rooting for them just as much I would the usual ton couples I read about, maybe even more so since I felt I could relate to these characters.

Brimble also has an easy enjoyable writing style. I found myself gliding along the pages, never once stumbling over a word, phrase or sentence that didn’t make sense.

Overall, I enjoyed every single novel I have read from Brimble thus far. I felt her interwoven tales of love and struggle on a visceral and loved that she wrote about the often forgotten members of society during this era.
  
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themaxdog (14 KP) rated Aidan in Books

Jul 17, 2019  
Aidan
Aidan
Elizabeth Rose | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
History and Cultural References (0 more)
Characters (0 more)
I have mixed feelings about Aidan, the last book in the collection. Starting with the positives, I loved the history and rich cultural significance behind the concept, with the Stone of Destiny featuring so prominently. All throughout this collection, I have enjoyed the fact that the writing is so heavily informed by the author’s historical research, and even though the characters and plots are fictitious, it’s nice that their world is grounded in reality and historical events that (to a degree) actually did take place.

On the flipside, I found the characters in this book a little lacklustre. Aidan and Effie are the main characters, yet they lacked any real depth and emotion which was a real shame. Similarly, the whole concept of Effie being Aidan’s ‘Dream Angel’ was overwhelmingly cliché and sickeningly sweet. I’m all for romance, but this just took it a step too far!

All in all, the positives and negatives add up to create an enjoyable, light-hearted, historical read – in fact, providing the perfect way to sum up this collection.
  
The Animals at Lockwood Manor
The Animals at Lockwood Manor
Jane Healey | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.
  
This is the second book in this series by this author. This is a scandalous story which will have you hooked from the first page. This is a historical romance story, I don't usually read this genre but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I loved the characters, I just fell in love with them from the beginning. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book