Regency reading challenge entry 3

An Affair of Honor by Candice Hern

About a man who, after a curricle accident, thinks he has visions of a red haired angel. In actuality, it is Meg, a beautiful young woman who, as a gangly debutante, had a miserable season in London six years ago. Viscount Sedgewick, the one man who had shown her kindness and danced with her - twice! - was now laying in a heap near her family's country home. They take him in and nurse him back to health. But while he is recovering, they develop feelings for each other. But as a known rake, Sedge is not expected to offer for Meg, although her Gram is ever hopeful. There is then a Big Misunderstanding, as well as Sedge's sudden accident prone existence to worry about, before everyone has a HEA.

This book was a fun read. The misunderstanding is amusing in its origins. However, the reason for Sedge's accidents seems a bit obvious early on. My Kindle copy had some typos in it (I only noticed them in the last third of the book) that became distracting. But over all, I would recommend it. 4/5 stars

Regency reading challenge: entry two

Here is my second installment in the Regency romance reading challenge hosted by austenprose.com -- "A Change of Heart" by Candice Hern

A third son suddenly inherits the family title after the tragic deaths of his father, brothers and nephew. Unlike his own careful management of his small estate, his family had mismanaged theirs, leaving "Black" Jack Raeburn with a mountain of debt that only marrying an heiress would remedy.

Lady Mary Haviland has no interest in marriage, but is drawn to men of roguish repute as distraction and amusement. Mary offers to assist Jack in his search for a bride, not knowing of his true motives for joining the Marriage Mart.

Jack, through his friend Robert (from A Proper Companion), learns Mary is very wealthy in her own right, with no male relatives to negotiate with. So he turns his considerable charm toward Mary, feeling if he must marry, it might as well be someone he enjoys being around.

Enter in the Revelation of the Secret, leading to a Big Misunderstanding, and the couple has to wait for their HEA.

Mary had total disregard for reputation, mostly due to her disinterest in marriage, and seemed to suffer no social repercussions. It comes to light that Mary's father was slightly mad, and very mean. The book delves into the brainwashing effect Mary's father's abuse had on her, and how it affected her relationships, and how she felt the abuse was her fault.

It is unusual for an historical romance book to deal with issues like abuse in more than just passing. This was, other than Mary's emotional scars, an enjoyable read. 4/5 stars

A Regency Book Review, part 1

As I mentioned before, I am participating in a Regency Romance reading challenge through austenprose.com. The featured author is Candice Hern.

I had previously read her book "A Proper Companion" some time ago as a free selection on my Kindle from Amazon (currently priced at $2.99). But because of the reading challenge, I reread it to freshen it in my mind.

Synopsis: A noble-born young woman in an impoverished state chooses to become a governess/companion rather than go to her estranged family as a poor relation. As a spinster aged companion to a dowager countess, she enters London society and becomes entangled in the life of the current earl, and encounters her long estranged family.

Thoughts: Mainly because I had read it before, it seemed a little predictable. Obviously, we knew Emily and Robert would have a HEA. Her family was an interesting addition to the typical romance story. It was an enjoyable read both times I read it. There are the requisite bad guys, the insufferable upstarts, matchmaking grandmamas, and lovelorn young people. I would recommend it to others who enjoy regency romance stories. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I look forward to reading the next two in the "Regency Rake Trilogy," as we met some of the characters in this book.

Regency read along challenge!

Well, I signed myself up for a regency read along challenge on austenprose.com. The books are all regency romance books written by Candice Hern. There are different levels of commitment, and I chose disciple. I already have and read one, "A Proper Companion," (sorry, can't do italics on my blogger app) and got a free short story for my kindle. So that leaves one to three others to buy (or borrow?) and read. I plan to reread the one I have already read so I can write a little review of it. I did tell them that I am not an accomplished book reviewer, but will try to give a proper two cents about the book. I will just try to look at it like a book report in school :)