The Secret Daughter

 The Secret Daughter

The Brides of Bellaire Gardens #4

Anne Gracie

Reviewed by Helen

Another gorgeous story in this fabulous series, written in true Anne Gracie style she brings the characters to life on the pages, adding humour, wit and such a beautiful romance. We met Zoe Benoit in the last installment and getting to know her was a joy as was meeting and getting to know the man that is doing his best to woo her across France and England.

Zoe has spent the last three years since her discovery in the orphanage living in Paris learning to be a lady but she does have mixed emotions about what she truly wants she is at heart an artist and although she will do anything to please her two half-sisters, Clarissa and Izzy she is not sure whether life in the ton is what she really wants, when at a house party things change for her and she gets a chance to visit the Chateau where her mother grew up dressed as a maidservant named Vita on her travels she meets a vagabond artist, Reynard travelling around the countryside, what a wonderful week she has until things change and Zoe makes her way back to Paris and London, leaving no note.

Reynard loves the life of a vagabond and when he meets the beautiful Vita and discovers that she too is an artist, a very good one at that he does his best to convince her to stay as they paint portraits for the farmers to replace old paintings that Reynard takes with him, but then and he does not know why Vita is gone one morning, he searches but cannot find her and it is now time for him to return to London and his other life.

Back in London and his life as Julian Fox, Earl of Foxton, he discovers a portrait that his grandmother has had done and instantly he knows somehow that is was done by Vita and he sets of to find her and that is not an easy task and when he does he needs to convince her that she can trust him, as for Zoe meeting up with Reynard, aka the Earl of Foxton causes many emotions to run through her because yes he is the man she fell for, can she trust him, and she is still not convinced that she is made to be a ton wife.

I loved this one so very much, it is sigh worthy as I smiled and cheered Zoe and Julian along in this absolutely gorgeous romance, there are a lot of hurdles to cross before they can find their HEA and Lady Scattergood is one of them, she is such a fabulous character and of course meeting up with the other wonderful characters I have met throughout this series added so much to the story, truly this is one book and series not to be missed, it will stay with me for a long time to come.

My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.

5 stars

December 24, 2024 by Berkley

The Captain and the Lady

 The Captain and the Lady

The Trengrouse Ball #1

Elizabeth Leydin

Reviewed by Helen

I do love a good historical romance and this one hits just the spot for a quick and lovely read, the Trengrouse family is a large one, in this first book we meet Petroc Trengrouse and Lady Beatrice Marlowe, come along and join them on a journey to a beautiful HEA.

Petroc has returned from Waterloo missing his right leg and needs time to heal, he knows a lot will change but first he is taking on doctor’s orders and get the wound healed and that is to swim in the sea every day, he is invited to spend some time at Lady Beatrice’s home by the sea, they are family friends.

Lady Beatrice and her mother have moved to a smaller house after the tragic death of her father and brother they are having financial problems and Petroc will be a burden on them but he is a friend and Beatrice is honest with Petroc and soon all is working out well.

The more time that Beatrice and Petroc spend together the closer they become but will Beatrice ever think of Petroc as more than a friend, will she ever consider him as a suitor? Beatrice loves spending time with Petroc they get on so well would he ever think of her as becoming a wife with her having no dowry?

I did love this story, it is just so lovely to see Petroc and Beatrice come together, it left me smiling and I do highly recommend it if you are looking for a quick read.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

June 6, 2023 by Improbable Fictions

Miss Barton's Mysterious Husband

 Miss Barton's Mysterious Husband

Mayfair Christmas Romance #1

Anna Campbell

Reviewed by Helen

Are you looking for a quick and beautiful read, set at Christmas time then this is one to pick up you can’t go wrong with an Anna Campbell story in my opinion and I loved this story getting and to know Roland and Charmain was a joy.

Sir Roland Destry is not a lover of Christmas these days and tends to spend it at his club but this year he really doesn’t know why but he accepted an invitation to a friend’s house party in Yorkshire, but maybe it was fate that bought him here because wild weather takes the bridge out and he finds himself at the Spotted Fox Inn and encountering the one person that just might make things right again, his wife.

Charmaine Barton eloped with the handsome Roland three years ago and spent a fortnight of pure bliss but one small argument sent this young woman scampering back to her family, Charmaine has gone through many emotions since then but one thing is for certain she still loves her husband and when the rain brings him into the Inn is it a Christmas miracle and will love reignite.

I did love this one so much, a beautiful story, sensual, moving and emotional and it had me smiling throughout, I do highly recommend this one to any romance reader who loves a good historical romance with fabulous characters, a must read.

5 stars

December 3, 2024 by Anna Campbell

Second Chance at Christmas

 Second Chance at Christmas

The Trengrouse Ball #3

Elizabeth Leydin

Reviewed by Helen

I do love a good regency story and this one is short and fabulous although book three in the series I found it easy to read and am looking forward to the first two in the series and because the Trengrouse family is a large one there will be more to come, which is fabulous if you are like me and love a series.

Lady Demelza Mandeville is widowed, mother to twin girls and pregnant, she has decided to travel home to Trengrouse Hall for the annual family ball it is not long since her husband’s death and meeting up with family and friends is sure to be hard especially knowing that Sir Denzell Kelynakc will be there after he jilted her all those years ago because he still holds a place in her heart.

Denzell really wants to catch up with Demelza to finally find out what happened all those years ago and why she jilted him, could his mother had played a part in it eight years ago or was it something else, he really needs to know, what he does know is that even after all that happened his heart still yearns for his Mel.

Life is not going to be easy for them to get together, if she has a boy she will be bound to the Mandeville estate but if she has another girl she will be free to do as she wishes, will they get to be together again?

I do highly recommend this one it is a short read but beautifully written the characters are so good Demelza is strong and knows what she wants and Den is not going to give up this time no matter what his mother wants, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

5 stars

November 28, 2024 by Improbable Fictions

Peninsula Promises

 Peninsula Promises

Fantail Ridge #1

Heather Reyburn

Reviewed by Helen

I was looking for a book set in New Zealand for one of my challenges this year and I love Heather Reyburn’s stories and discovered this one and what a fabulous story it was, I fell into the lives of Harry and Alice Simpson and their children from page one it is 1935 and the family are making a big move from a dairy farm to a new farm where they will have sheep and cattle, it is a big move and there were hurdles to cross along the way but with the strength, courage and love this family has they are sure to make the change work out.

They arrive at their new farm on this windswept peninsula close to the sea, there is no house no electricity and Alice is feeling the loss of her sister Maude who she is very close to but nothing is going to stop her making the best of it with her young boys and wonderful husband they are soon making headway with the farm, naming it Fantail Ridge after the birds that are always around Alice is soon making friends and succeeding no matter what is thrown their way.

Letters from Maude help to keep her spirits high and I must say I really enjoyed reading them they are open and honest, there are many characters who add to this family sage farm worker Paddy has a story to tell and then Ed the quiet man who lives close and is always helpful but he seems shy and he too has a story there are neighbours and soon Alice Harry and their boys are thoroughly loving their new live.

This is one that I would highly recommend, it is a story of strength, character and love as this family lives through World War 2 and the hardships that come their way, and I am looking forward to the next two in the series.

5 stars

May 21, 2021 by Heather Reyburn (21 May 2021

The Night on the Darling River

 The Night on the Darling River

Darry Fraser

Reviewed by Helen

This book had me riveted all the way through, Darry Fraser has again taken me on a historical journey back in time to the way Australia was in the late 1800’s, Paddle Boat Steamers on the great Darling and Murray Rivers, this one starts in Echuca in 1894 where we meet Tess Hawthorn a woman on the run from her abusive husband, will she make it? Come along for the journey it is sure to keep you turning the pages.

Four young people grew up together on neighbouring farms in Echuca, Tess Hawthorn, Alby Slattery, Harry Goodwin and Bram Kempster now the years have passed and they are adults, Harry has run from town, Tess has married Alby and Bram is widowed and still reading his books, all of the farms these days are run down and in need of repair, times are tough with the shearers strike that has unionist against scabs and it is getting dangerous, but with this trouble it gives Tess the chance to run when Alby decides to take a trip he will be on the PS Rodney and Tess plans to board the PS Victor going in the opposite direction, will she get away? Things turn around quickly for Tess when she boards PS Rodney and is mistaken for a scab and now she is on the same boat as Alby heading up The Darling River.

Bram Kempster is on his way to Renmark to meet up with his uncle, trouble is brewing when he boards the PS Rodney between the unionist and the scabs and the last person he expects to run in to on board is Tess, the one person who has always held a place in his heart no matter what he has been through but he cannot let her distract him on his mission, He offers advice to her and sees her settled for the journey then takes his leave. When the unionist board the boat all hell breaks loose and Alby spots Tess what happens is terrible and no one thinks that she will live when the boat is torched.

Tess finds herself in a camp with the unionists and their woman and children here she is helped and someone from the past arrives, Harry she has not seen him for fifteen years and soon she is heading home to Echuca when she arrives badly scared to Echuca she finds it just about to flood, when the river rises she finds herself arriving at Bram’s place, Bram offers her shelter but memories from the past are rising high and with all that is happening not only the floods but the strike brings danger to them all, will Tess and Bram finally find peace, happiness and maybe love?

Huge congratulations on your 10th book MS Fraser and what an awesome story it is, you pulled this story together with fact and wonderful characters some good some bad been, I loved Tess and Bram, the setting was fabulous another one for the keeper shelf and one that I would highly recommend, make sure you clear some time to read it because you won’t want to put it down once you start.

My thanks to HQ Fiction for my copy to red and review.

5 stars

December 4, 2024 by Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Pty Ltd

The Duke Says I do

 The Duke Says I do

Scoundrels of Mayfair #4

Anna Campbell

Reviewed by Helen

I never miss an Anna Campbell story, I love the way she brings her characters to life on the pages and pulls me into the story, takes me back to regency times and this one is no exception, it is steamy, sensual and a fabulous story of two very opposite people who look like finding love, will they get there?

Lady Portia Frain is the last unmarried Frain sister her two older sisters married in scandal, Portia is not that interested in marrying she instead spends her time rescuing mistreated animals and when she is doing her best to rescue a dog from a bully running a dogfighting ring she finds herself in danger, but who would come to her rescue none other than the most boring man in Britain the man who was jilted by one of her sisters The Duke of Granville a man she does not like at all.

Alaric Dempster, The Duke of Granville is a perfect gentleman his hopes for a political career are front and centre in his life he would like to marry the woman who would be the perfect Duchess but sadly he has been unsuccessful on two occasions and here before him is the sister of one of his ex-fiancé’s the air headed Portia Frain the last person he would want to come across, but she is in danger and he steps in and helps out this might have been a bad idea when he now finds himself the owner of a dog for the first time in his life.

Alaric’s life as he knows it is just about to change when Portia offers to help him with the dog they arrive in his stable and soon while washing the dog the chemistry and heat between them is growing and he dearly wants to kiss this woman, a woman that he clearly did not like before as for Portia she has in the past told him exactly what she thought of him but for some reason she feels this pull towards him and the more time they spend together the more that Portia is re-thinking her feelings for Alaric.

Soon Alaric is teaching Portia about kisses and so much more in a seductive, steamy and sensual romance, one that will change the way both of them think about each other will they find the love and happiness they deserve? I loved this one and highly recommend it to any lover of a good historical romance, I loved Alaric and Portia so much. It is witty, sensual and a must read.

5 stars

October 24, 2024