Review: Brentwood's Ward

Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep is my first read from this author. I love Regency so it seemed the perfect fit. :-)

Emily Payne is determined to snag a husband this season, but there's only one, tiny problem. Her guardian, Nicholas Brentwood. When Emily's father left on business, he hired Brentwood to watch over his daughter. Furious, Emily tries all her normal tactics to get her way, but he is not at all like the other fellows in her life. Forced to take him everywhere she goes, she decides to exploit it much to Brentwood's annoyance.

Nicholas Brentwood is a Bow Street runner and a mighty good one. When his boss tells him about the good pay for the guardian job, he happily accepts. Finally, he will be able to move his ailing sister to the country to heal. But when he meets Miss Emily Payne, he questions accepting this assignment.

As Emily and Nicholas are forced to hang out together, they start to become friends and trust each other. But then circumstances change and Brentwood is scrambling to figure out the mystery surrounding Mr. Payne and the newly arisen threats against Emily.

This book kept my interest. It flowed well, and I got to see the characters grow and change. Emily kept it lively and had me laughing with her antics. Brentwood was the main Christian character, and I really liked him. He was kind, compassionate, and protective but I didn't like how violent he was. It seemed extreme to me. I enjoyed the mystery, but I didn't like how some parts weren't tied up at the end. I was confused about Wren, Emily's friend. What happened between them? It was never fully explained! I really wanted to read a conversation between them...

There were some elements I didn't like in the story, but overall it was a good read even though unbelievable in parts. If you like Regency books, you will probably enjoy this story. :-)

I was given this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen is my new favorite book of hers. It has all the things I love - the Regency time period, a mystery, realistic characters, a great plot, wonderful writing, and the inability to put the story down. Lately the books I have read have made me wonder where all the great fiction ran off to, but with this story I have hope for more great books again. :-)

When Abigail Foster's family loses most of their money from a bad investment, Abigail decides to give up her dowry so her sister can still have her season in London. As she looks around for a cheaper, smaller house to rent, she begins to doubt they will find one acceptable to everyone. But then a chance comes for a nice estate to rent very cheaply. The only catch is that it hasn't been inhabited for almost twenty years and nobody will say why. When Abigail and her father arrive at Pembrooke Park, they are shocked at the state of the house. Everything is left just as it was twenty years ago even with the dishes still on the tea table. But why?

When Abigail hears the rumors swirling around of a treasure hidden somewhere in Pembrooke Park, she hopes to find it to reimburse her depleted dowry. As she settles in the house by herself, she becomes friends with William, the curate, and his sister, Leah. Abigail starts to hang out with them a lot and begins to admire the curate. But then her first love and best friend, Gilbert, visits her new neighborhood leaving Abigail confused and flustered. Gilbert seems to want to be with her, but what about William?

This story was sooo good! I loved how well everything came together at the end. So many little details you had to pay attention to with multiple stories and mysteries all swirling around the one big mystery. It was a fun read with some holding your breath moments, a little unpredictability, and some rooting for the guy you think she should have. ;-) I really liked Abigail. She is very smart, has a sweet spirit, and a lot of determination to figure out the secrets shrouding the estate. The parson was another great character. He was very giving and caring just how you would want a pastor to be. Thankfully, he wasn't at all like the parson in Pride and Prejudice. haha

If you have never read anything from this author before, definitely try this one! You won't be disappointed. :-)

I was given this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Prelude for a Lord

Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot is a Regency novel so all you lovers of Jane Austen type stories will enjoy this book. It reminded me a lot of Persuasion but with music and mystery at the forefront. This novel gave me my Regency fix in an enjoyable fashion. I wish more authors would write books from this time period!

Twenty-eight year old Lady Alethea Sutherton has been staying with her aunt in Bath for the past year. She plays the piano, harp, and the forbidden violin. Since it's scandalous for a woman to play violin, she can't play in public like she longs, too. So at home she pours her heart out playing on a mysterious violin given to her by a beloved friend. But then a man starts following her around town. Unsure if she is imagining it, she doesn't take much note of it until he stops her in front of her house asking to buy her violin. Then when someone breaks into her room, Alethea is determined to find out what is so special about her violin. A friend of her aunt enlists the help of Lord Dommick to find out the instrument's origins. Alethea is dismayed and wishes it was anybody but him. Would he remember her from eleven years ago?

Lord Dommick, or "Bay" to his friends, is part of a quartet, composes music, and plays flute and violin. He has recently returned home from the war which has scarred him in more ways than one. When he is asked to find out why Lady Sutherton's violin is so important, he becomes intrigued by her. He is amazed that she doesn't seem to care what people think of her friendships or her activities. As they work together to expose the thief, they begin to admire and respect each other. But Bay is sure know one would want a man with so much emotional baggage attached to him. Will Alethea take such a risk?

The mystery was a nice twist to normal Regency fare, and I loved some of  the things reminiscent of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. The music aspect was another fun twist. I had no idea that violin playing was considered scandalous for women! I hope there is going to be a book for each of the quartet as I would love to read about their stories, too. :-)

I was given this book free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

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