I shouldn’t have been surprised that a book titled Crimes of the Brothers would be melodramatic. I would even go so far as to call it Gothic, but with better weather. The lovely Mrs. Julien lent this to me after I enjoyed another book she lent, D.L. Carter’s Ridiculous. Poor Miss Catherine Walman suffers through so much one thing after another that I broke into song, “Hey, won’t you play/ another somebody done somebody wrong song/ So please play for me a sad melody/ So […]
A Historical Romance Novella with, Appropriately, My Half Cannonball
I enjoy Caroline Linden and have read many of her books, but I haven’t gotten to the point where I’d call her an autobuy author yet. I Met My Duchess was originally published as one of four overlapping novellas in the romance anthology At The Duke’s Wedding. Having read it as a standalone story, I can’t tell you about the quality of the other three, but I appreciate the cross-marketing the effort represents as it’s a great way to try new writers. Gareth, Duke of […]
Very Good Historical Romances Set Against the Napoleonic Wars
Title Discrimination Aid: Marrying the Captain: He’s sick, she’s pretty. Marrying the Royal Marine: He’s pretty, she’s sick. The Surgeon’s Lady: Everyone’s sick, she’s pretty, his bedside manner is excellent. I love a back catalogue to make my way through and Carla Kelly does not disappoint. The Sisters Trilogy focuses on the three born-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-blanket daughters of Earl Ratcliff. Each of the women – Nana, Laura, and Polly – finds herself involved with a member of the Royal Marines during the Napoleonic Wars. Not just a […]
Historical Romance with the Kindness of Strangers
As an author, Carla Kelly shows belief in people’s innate goodness, even when her characters are being buffeted about by the unpleasantness of the world. This faith in humanity creates an undercurrent of true kindness in all of her works which I really enjoy and appreciate. Things may go wrong, and for the heroine of The Admiral’s Penniless Bride events have been truly soul-crushing, but there is always hope. The title does not mince words. Sally Paul is genuinely penniless when the book opens. Associated […]