The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

March 1862 London. Evelyn Maltravers, knows she has nothing to offer a rich well-connected husband but her horsemanship. Naively believing this will be enough to overcome her lack of accomplishments and her scandalous connections. So to marry well she must shine as a horse-rider while wearing haute couture.
To this end she visits tailor Ahmad Malik, half-Indian. The designer of riding habits for the infamous Pretty Horsebreakers of Rotten Row.
To suceed he needs a patron to launch his designs on society. But what is he prepared to do to obtain this end.
And what of the attraction between Evelyn and Ahmad, and all the obstacles they must face individually, and as a partnership.
An entertaining and well-written Victorian romance with its cast of varied and likeable characters. A good start to this series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


View all my reviews

Meryton Mates: A pride and prejudice variation by Manuh Port


A Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth is an omega, the only one in her family, her sisters being betas. Darcy is an alpha. When they meet a romance starts.
The story was not for me.



View all my reviews

Spring of Hope by Cora Harrison
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

1859 Wilkie Collins has rescued a mother and her child from an abuser. But who is he. Meanwhile Collins and Dickens with various people become involved in solving London's sewerage problem.
The story is a very slow build up to the one murder late in the story.
Unfortunately this story did not keep my interest as with others in the series. Though it is a well-written historical story with its cast of varied and likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Silver Buckles by Grace Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this Pride & Prejudice variation Darcy insults Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly, but her response intrigues him enough to ask for a dance. The resulting conversation changes their response to each other. But can this result in happy ending for anyone.
An entertaining well-written variation with likeable pairings

View all my reviews

Murder at Rochester Park: A 1920s cozy mystery by Catherine Coles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1922 A business party is held at the home of the 9th Earl of Clifford, Hugh Norton-Cavendish, cousin by marriage to Tommy Christie, 7th Earl of Northmoor. Later on the first evening a death occurs, poisoned. D.I. Gregory is called in to investigate. But Tommy and his wife, Evelyn, as ex-police involve themselves.
An entertaining cozy historical mystery with its likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can be read as a standalone story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via BooksFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

View all my reviews

Charlotte Lucas Takes Charge: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Shana Granderson A Lady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this P &P variation Fanny Bennet has died. Two years later the Netherfield party arrive. But then Collins arrives and what Charlotte Lucas overhears him saying changes many lives.
An entertaining variation with the right pairings.


View all my reviews

Mr. Darcy's Enchantment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Abigail Reynolds
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this P&P variation magic and faeries are real. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a magician
but cannot control his feelings for Miss Elizabeth Bennet. But Elizabeth fears he will expose her use of forbidden magic - forbidden to women. Feelings are complicated by the possibility of magical war between the land of Faerie and their world.
An entertaining variation

View all my reviews