Anna Bradley (1)

This was an enjoyable, but perhaps perplexing read. I enjoy the author’s writing style and I liked the premise of the story, but I didn’t care for the resolution. I LOVED that we got three romances for the price of one. I didn’t feel that the two additional romances detracted from the main romance at all since they mostly took place in the background. You knew they were happening, but they weren’t “in your face”.

We first met the Ramsey family in the final book of this author’s show more Somerset Sisters, More Or Less A Temptress. Three siblings, Lachlan, Isla, and Ciaran had to flee their home in Scotland when Lachlan was falsely accused of murder. At that same time, their mother told them that they had a brother, Finn, in England – and he is the Marquess of Huntington. As she lay dying, their mother urged them to flee to England and find their brother. Since then, we’ve seen Isla find her HEA in The Wayward Bride, and now, finally, the match I’ve been waiting for, Ciaran.

Of the Ramsey siblings, the one who was most affected by having to leave Scotland was Ciaran. In the year since they left, he has only half lived. He’s been listless, restless, bored and unhappy – especially since his siblings wed and they now have lives of their own. Ciaran longs to return to Scotland and to see if he can reunite with his betrothed who jilted him before Ciaran had to leave. His siblings have just encouraged him to accompany a couple of older ladies to Brighton to assure their safety. Little does he know that his life is about to be turned upside down.

Lady Lucinda (Lucy) Sutcliffe is the daughter of the Earl of Bellamy. Her father developed a neurosis after his wife was killed by a highwayman and everybody thought him mad. Basically, he walled himself and Lucy off from the world. Lucy had lived in isolation until her father passed away and she transferred into the care of her Uncle Jarvis. Lucy isn’t wild, exactly, she’s just exuberant to be out of isolation and to be able to enjoy the world. In her enthusiasm, and naivete, she finds herself in a couple of situations that lead someone else (read that Ciaran) to believe that she needed rescuing. She didn’t, she had a plan, but you can’t argue with someone who is the size of a house. And, actually, she does need rescuing, she just doesn’t know it yet.

I loved their first meeting. It was entertaining and funny and sets the pace for many of their interactions. I loved how smart and resourceful Lucy was – with one minor blip when she did the required TSTL action. However, she soon overcame that and was back to her resourceful self – and rescued herself.

What didn’t I like? Well, as I mentioned earlier, I didn’t like the resolution. There was a very, very, vile villain – I mean despicable (just wait until you read all he does) – and he gets absolutely no, none, nada, zip, zilch punishment. Actually, it felt to me as if he were rewarded. At the very least he could have had to flee to the continent – but – I would have preferred that someone hang him upside down from a tree with his nose in a red ant bed – then dribble him with honey and let the ants take care of the rest. Sorry, did I mention he was vile?

The thing that perplexed me was how Jarvis came to be her guardian. Her father was an earl, and whoever inherited the earldom would have been her nearest male relative. So, why wasn’t he her guardian? Jarvis didn’t inherit the earldom, so how could he be her nearest male relative? Jarvis could have been her mother’s brother I guess, but, still, things just don’t run through the mother’s side. If nobody inherited the title, the estate would have reverted to the crown, so how would she have inherited Bellamy House? Maybe Bellamy house was a smaller, unentailed property, but it was where she and the earl lived, so I can’t imagine it being unentailed. It was just that that particular scenario didn’t make sense to me. No real explanations were provided.

All-in-all, it was an enjoyable read with delightful characters, witty moments, tense moments, and a lovely romance – or three.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Lady Eleanor’s Seventh Suitor by Anna Bradley
The Sutherland Sisters #1

First book in a series and first book I have read by this author – it won’t be the last. In fact, I am eager to read Charlotte’s story when it is out.

Eleanor’s father was not a nice man and treated her family abysmally. Siblings, mother and self were only relieved when he finally died. She, as a result of seeing her mother’s unhappiness, has determined she will only marry for love and so far her brother has show more assisted her in this endeavor by turning wannabe husbands away. Well, along comes someone intent on having her for his wife and that person is wealthy self-made man Camden West. His reasons for her coercing her into marriage, he believes, are just. His cousin Julian disagrees. His much younger sister, Amelia, has not a clue. Eleanor is NOT inclined to be forced to marry someone she doesn’t love but she does love her sister so sets out to thwart Camden in his plans. A battle of wits ensues as Eleanor and Camden spend time together…secrets are eventually revealed and a HEA achieved…though it is a rocky path for a while and especially rocky for Eleanor’s sister, Charlotte, and Cam’s cousin, Julian.

This was a deeper book than many historical romances. The characters were complex as was the plot. The growth of the characters was enjoyable to observe as were the interactions between main and supporting characters. I was left feeling that sometimes getting what one wants or thinks one wants is not all that one might want it to be. I do believe Eleanor and Camden will be happy together and want to hear more about them in Charlotte’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars show less

Overbearing Scotsman and a determined English Miss!

What more can one ask for? Fireworks aplenty! A feisty English lass (Lady Juliana Bernard) steals away the heart of a stubborn Scotsman (Logan, Laird of Clan Kinross), despite their battles, suspicions and inauspicious start.
The story had me at the disheveled wee Sassenach lass, vomit on the bottom of her skirts (don't ask!) dogging the Scotsman through the wilds to Castle Kinross--and I never looked back.
Juliana must find a husband to show more ensure her guardianship of her beloved niece Grace, and to prevent Grace from falling into the clutches of the alternative guardian, a cunning blackguard, Lord Cowden, whose measure Juliana has had since childhood.
Of course there's intrigue, hurt, double dealings, the threat of land enclosures and the dastardly actions of the rich English landlords, and most importantly, humor!
Bradley's research on the Scottish clearances and the resulting tragedies and impact on the population, which she's incorporated so ably into this novel, is to be commended.
A lively read!

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley show less

More or Less a Countess by Anna Bradley
The Somerset Sister #2

Awkward, tone deaf, klutzy, brilliant Violet Somerset has given up on marriage after her first year on the marriage market. Instead her dream is to write and illustrate a book and with that in mind she is willing to risk life and limb to go to sometimes unsavory places to get her sketches. Nobody really understands her quest to write the book of her dreams but her sisters Iris and Hyacinth support her as they can.

One night Lord show more Dare, Nicholas or Nick to his friends, shows up for an evening event at his friend’s home…a friend that Violet had a crush on until HER friend ended up married to Lord Derrick crushing Violet’s dreams. Lord Dare, in need of an heir, thinks Hyacinth might be suitable with her ability to play Haydn on the pianoforte with such ease and beauty. Well, Violet is not willing to let her sister be courted by a roguish rake so when Nick mistakes Violet for Hyacinth she does not open his eyes and tell him who she really is.

No matter who tells Violet she is playing with fire by keeping the fake name of her sister she won’t listen. No, she uses Lord Dare for her own reasons to get…sketches. And, the house of cards she builds thinking, nobody will be hurt, does eventually come tumbling down at about midway through the book. With both Nick and Violet keeping secrets and hiding how they really feel it takes quite a bit of time for them to work out a way to be happy together but in the end…it is oh so very worth the pain they go through to get there.

I loved the interactions between Nick and Violet whether funny or steamy. The fact that Nick was not turned off by a bluestocking but intrigued instead said a lot. The issues from his childhood and hers from her year in society worked against them both. Their jumps to conclusions without communicating with one another were also a problem they needed to learn to surmount. I really enjoyed this book and the way it all came together. I wanted to smack one or the other a time or two but only to make them see sense.

Did I like this book? Definitely
Do I want to read Hyacinth’s story? Without a doubt
Is there anything I didn’t like in the book? Can’t think of anything.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Press for the ARC ~ this is my honest review.

5 Stars show less