The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

Women's rights and duties have come a long way since the 1800's where most women of title we're educated on how to land themselves a suitable husband and increase their financial holdings. They were refrained from sharing their personal opinions especially among the men, and there were certain things they could and could not do, especially if one's family was of the upper social elite class. I can't imagine a time, when if you failed to do any of those things, you were banished as an old maid, but not only your family, but also society as a whole. Those friends you grew up with could no longer consort with you because society deemed that something you have done, or rumored to have done, now has caused great shame not only for you, but on your families name as well.

I found myself favoring the character of Miss Clara DeLancey, who found herself rejected by a suitable man she had dreamed of marrying. After that, it seems like every single season just brought more and more disgrace to the DeLancey name. She can't imagine trying to fit in again with another season of London, but her mother seems determined to find "someone" suitable to marry her. Unfortunately for Clara, she has resolved to stay an old maid at 25 rather than go through all the fake smiles and acting, just in hopes that someone will marry her. Her heart remains broken by the one man she thought she would be spending a lifetime with.

Captain Benjamin Kemsley has finally returned home after years of being away at sea. Hailed as a hero when his ship went down in an unexpected storm, he hopes he can finally put that behind him and try to find a future for himself. He knows his youngest sister has her heart set on finding the right man to marry as their oldest brother is a baron, so she can attend some of the social functions in London. He just never expected to find the perfect woman of his dreams falling into his arms when he rescues her from falling from a cliff. Was it merely an accidental mis-step or had she been trying to kill herself. With her running away from him, all he can remember about her is her raven hair. Now if he can only figure out just who this mystery woman is, and perhaps find a way to get to know what could drive someone to end their life so suddenly. Surely nothing can be that dire!

I received The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey by Carolyn Miller compliments of Kregel Publications. I have had the glorious opportunity to read every single book in this series, and I am sure that this might just be my favorite because of how strongly I felt about Clara. To be pushed and pulled in so many directions and nothing she does right means much in her mother's eyes except to find the right man, and the right title. She refuses to allow her to socialize with anyone she doesn't not approve of, including Benjamin's sister Tessa, whom she adores. They accept Clara without any pretense and that is something she is desperate for, not all the foolishness of trying to find the right man to marry. This is the third novel in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series and am looking so forward to her next series!!! For me, this one easily garners a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I am a traditional regencies fan, so this series really appealed to the romantic at heart in me.

For more information about The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Carolyn Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today,

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey by Carolyn Miller

You can find Carolyn Miller on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, please visit Kregel Publication's website. 

The Captivating Lady Charlotte

My love for regencies came when I first read Pride and Prejudice along with being captivated by the series, Downton Abbey. A time where all the power went into what a man could acquire not only on his own, but through a successful and smart marriage match. If a woman did not have an heir through marriage, all her property and wealth went to the next suitable male figure even if it was a distant cousin. Women didn't have any rights, and in most cases, even those marriage matches were based on accumulation of wealth and title while love was cast aside.

For Lady Charlotte Featherington this is a fate she wishes would not be her future. Being in a loveless marriage just for the acquisition of wealth and title. She vowed despite her parents wishes that she would find a man suitable enough for marriage even if he wasn't a duke. A title her parents desperately wanted for her even if it meant marrying a much, much older man. At least she wouldn't have to be married long for that. When she sets her sites on Lord Markham, a very attractive man, her parents are appalled and try in vain to do whatever they can to ensure that she does not comprise her reputation and be forced to marry that man. But even if it means going against societies rules, she isn't about to let her mother or father tell her what to do.

William, the ninth Duke of Hartington has seen what a loveless marriage can do. His wife had spent her remaining days in the arms of other men, leaving him to deal with the aftermath of catching her red handed. In order to ensure his honor was maintained, he was forced into a duel with the despicable man who has taken everything he worked so hard to attain. Now a widower, all that remains of his former life is a child that isn't even fathered by him. One he keeps locked away with servants to care for her not certain what he will do. All he knows is that he will only marry again to someone who has his complete trust and one who can love him like a wife should. Yet he isn't sure that woman even exists.

I received The Captivating Lady Charlotte by Carolyn Miller compliments of Kregel Publications. This entire series has been a favorite of mine with the first novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison which we see Lavinia and her husband again in this one as she works with Charlotte, a much younger woman to decide what is truly best for her future. Charlotte is unsure of her feelings even if she believes she knows what love is, Lavinia reminds her that is not what love truly is. This novel's theme centers around trust, and in it, both William and Charlotte will be tested to see if their feelings are truly what suits them best, even if it means they may not have a future together. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and traditional regency readers will absolutely want this one! It can be read as a stand alone but trust me, pick up The Elusive Miss Ellison first and then indulge in this one.

For more information about The Captivating Lady Charlotte, Carolyn Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Captivating Lady Charlotte by Carolyn Miller

You can find Carolyn Miller on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Captivating Lady Charlotte, please visit Kregel Publication's website. 

The Elusive Miss Ellison

I can't say for sure what inspired my love for traditional regency romances. Maybe it was Downton Abbey or any of Jane Austen's novels, but I love the life of the ladies of that era. Responsibilities were much different as was a woman's role. Not so much subserviant but one had to hold her tongue and avoid saying what she thought, especially if one held some financial gain that would make her an agreeable match to the right man. It was much different for someone in service, because that was their lot in life and would look for matches in the same line of work as they were. Never did most of those relationships intermix with upper crust and those of servants. That is until Miss Lavinia Ellison, the daughter of the local Reverend and charitable do-gooder among those in the village of St. Hampton Heath in England.

The only way most of the town's residents life would improve was if the new Earl of Hawkesbury took a personal interest of those who serve his estate. Yet one could hardly be expected to answer that call personally even if Lavinia could inspire such a visit or plead her local charity case. However without his necessary funds to make the most basic repairs, it seems as if the revenue the Earl was anticipating would not be as healthy as he would hope.

It is Lavinia who challenges him to see the needs of those who depend on him, that they are not taking advantage of his good intentions and that in the long run, it will only benefit him. But since they come from two very different sets of circumstances, it is hard for them to see past what they only know of their own circumstances. Lavinia is determined to help those she deems less fortunate even if Nicholas, the Earl of Hawkesbury can't or won't. He is trying to see her side of things but unfortunately for Lavinia, he ability to temper her words with grace, doesn't make it easy for Nicholas to hear her truest intentions. Is there hope for either one of them? Time will tell.

I received The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller compliments of Kregel Publications. This is Carolyn Miller's debut novel into the Traditional Regency Romance, and I can tell fans of the genre will absolutely LOVE Lavina Ellison's gumption, grit and sass! The attention to detail instantly transports readers back to Gloucestershire, England of the early 1800's. I can't wait to see what will happen when Nicholas' mother gets a dose of Lavinia to see if she will applaud the girls determination or will issue the ultimatum most mother's made of their sons at that time in history. For me, this one was a welcomed 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Elusive Miss Ellison, Carolyn Miller or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

You can find Carolyn Miller on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Elusive Miss Ellison, please visit Kregel Publication's website.