Barbara Devlin

Surviving after Waterloo

A wounded younger son, British Army Major Erasmus Hildebrand Bartlett, now heir to a dukedom returns from Waterloo a shattered man. Unfortunately his father, the Duke of Swanborough, decides his son is mad because of his physical injuries—the loss of an arm, and his worrisome behavior. A consequence of his post traumatic battle memories.
Lady Arabella Hortence Gibbs, daughter of the Earl Ainsworth and the Duke’s best friend had been betrothed to Erasmus’ brother, the heir. They’ve decided that that betrothal can carry across to the current heir. The betrothal papers had not referred to Erasmus by name but by title, so the contract remains valid.
What no-one knows is the Duke’s nefarious plans to gain a new heir. He intends to snatch any male progeny and have Erasmus committed to an institution. He dismisses Arabella. I really liked her strength of character and steadfastness. I enjoyed her anger.
Erasmus and Arabella are supported by a group of Erasmus’ like wounded comrades, all peers, who decide to term themselves Mad Matchmakers as they look for brides who might accept them.
I really enjoyed the idea of the brave souls and their aim, as they turn the debutante looking for a husband trope on its head.
Putting that aside this storyline didn’t quite jell for me. However, I do wonder how the rest of the group will carry out their aims.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)… (mais)

Dukes, Dukes and more Dukes!

I love anthologies because of the variety of authors (and time periods) in one neat little package. Every one of the stories are excellent and captivating in their own way, start to finish. No disappointments in this bundle.

It's in the Duke's Kiss ~ Julie Johnstone
4.5 *
London 1817

Lots of twists and turns in this story! It comes complete with a marriage minded mama and completely useless brother. I loved it!

Taming a Dukes Wild Rose ~ Tamara Andreson
4*
England, Autumn 1854

First and foremost, Alex is my favorite Hero of the lot. (I have a thing for tortured/scarred Heroes, my heart instantly melts)
Rose is a bit fickle in the beginning but she is quite likeable by the end.

Captivated by the Captain ~ Amanda Mariel
4.5*
Aboard the Marion 1818
Lots of great conflict in this story. Quick paced and well written. It has a prologue and an epilogue!

The Duke Next Door ~ Meara Platt
4*
England 1819
This a fabulous friends to lovers story. Lucien is so romantic! And Mallory dreams have come true. *sigh* I have a need to know about Exmoor.




Reviews for the rest of the stories coming soon....

I received a copy for review.. all opinions are my own.… (mais)

This was just lovely reading. I began at the beginning and have been reading at my leisure. The Mercenary’s Bride is the telling of a love, a love Mhairi held deep in her heart for a man ostracized from his clan, for daring to teach Mhairi, daughter of the clan how to use a crossbow and dagger, against specific commands from her da. This novella will be the first of a series author Claire Delacroix is starting.

Kathryn Le Veque’s Realm of Angels, unique in its presentation of the Mouse King, is a fantastic tale about a man who survived a fire, terribly scarred. His heart is wounded and seeks being close to a woman he loves, but carelessly let go six years ago for the lure of wealth and land. He works in the kitchen of her castle, masked to cover the hideousness of his face. This one is very touching and a testament that past errors can be overlooked when compared to the good wrought in the present.

Once Upon a Christmas Knight by Barbara Devlin moves us to London, 1813. Scandal is the dominant power molding lives, but the strong can survive. Percival Henry Forester Howe receives the whiplash of untruths and ton gossip. He wishes he could have offered for Margaret Hogart, but it is no way to start a marriage – she, too, would be shunned by the ton. Just has his situation clears, he receives a visit from Margaret’s father who’s in a rather financial pickle, being swindle by a so-called investor. Percy is very good with his investments and has high standing among the influential. Margaret’s father offers Margaret in marriage. Margaret is a rather shy woman, retiring, but plays the piano exquisitely. Can she be convinced to willingly marry Percy?

Suzan Tisdale writes a brilliant tale titled Rodrick the Bold. Taking place in 1357, he makes the usual wish upon a star on Christmas Tide – “I want naught more than a wife and bairns of me own. A family and home to call me own.” With strange dreams plaguing him, does what they ask – seek out Muriel McFarland, daughter of a warrior who had past. Tisdale has me weeping for the plight of Muriel. She is poorly used by and man and wife who say her father had owed them money. She is to work it off. Her brother not there to protect her, she finds she’s sold twice. Rodrick is her savior, but Rodrick can’t figure out why he’s spending so much time and money to find her for a man he should bother with.

Mayhap I have lost me mind, he quietly mused. Here I am, running around the Isle looking for a lass I have never met....Why are ye doin’ this to yerself? He had asked that question more than once in the past two days. Riskin’ yer own neck fer a lass ye’ve never met and fer a man who tried to kill ye.

On a side note: Rodrick has a love-hate relationship with his horse, Caderyn. It is the humor breaking a very bad and dangerous situation.

Lovely Quote:
Two lost souls stood in front of a tiny window in a small room at an inn. One wishing to die, the other wanting desperately for her to live. Once cried a river of tears, the other offered up whatever he could to console her.

Prelude to the Highlander’s Gift, written by Eliza Knight, is quite humorous. Bella Sutherland, daughter of the Chieftain of the Sutherland Clan, must wed. Her father gives her no choice, other than one of the men at the ball they sponsored, must be her new husband. She had decided never to marry for she has a secret. Stumbling upon a conversation of some merit, a warrior has been denied marriage to Princess Elizabeth. It’s because he is missing an arm, from battle. She’s also heard he has other injuries. Bella seizes upon the moment and claims the warrior for herself. What is nice about this one, it’s a prelude to The Highlander’s Gift, releasing in 2018.

The last one I’ll speak on, although there are four more stories, is Brash: Frederick by Hildie McQueen. Remember, readers, this is 677 pages long! This one takes place in Montana. Kennedy Brooks is short of help, in fact desperate for it. Rick Edwards, in search for his love-struck sister’s groom, happens upon Kennedy’s farm; she’s thinking about selling and he just might be interested. Kennedy has just come off a divorce, her ex found cheating. Animals play a large part in this contemporary romance. This is a story where hero and heroine go after what they want!

Bottom Line: Lovely collection of happy ever afters ready to be read and enjoyed as you purchase your tickets to see The Nutcracker Suite ballet this season.… (mais)