Angelica Leigh is the talk of London. A stunning beauty but also an incredible actress, she has capyured the hearts of several young men. Her most ardent admirer is Lord Latimer, a duke’s son, whose mother is determined to prevent an unsuitable marriage. The Duchess emlists the help of her widowed brother Ivor Asprey
A Scandalous Match is an historical novel set during the Regency period.
Angelica enchants her audience but has no birth, money or expectation to help her find a husband. Her mother is the lover of a rich man but she has never met her father. Definitely not a desirable bride for a man waiting to inherit a dukedom! Lord Latimer won’t be deterred and his anxious mother calls upon her brother Ivor to intervene. But can Ivor keep his own heart safe?
I enjoyed the historical elements of the book and felt immersed in the period depicted. However, there are several archaic terms (did anyone know a queue is a plait of hair?) as well as French words which slowed down my ability to read at my usual pace. The chapters were also long which I personally don’t like.
It is pretty clear what direction the romance would take but I liked the extra detail that came from Ivor’s observant daughter. There are other subplots that add other dimensions to the characters (the mystery surrounding Angelica’s father, the romance of Elinor’s governess, the desire to return Miss Fitzjames’ fortune). The political and social background to the plot and characters is also well developed.
A Scandalous Match is a detailed Regency romance.
A Scandalous Match
‘Angelica had always known her lack of high birth, fortune or influence debarred her from being presented as an eligible young woman worthy of marriage. To cap it all, being an actress assured she was utterly beyond the pale of respectability.’
Nightly at the Covent Garden Theatre in London, an enchanting actress is wowing the crowds with her affecting portrayal of Ophelia. Preyed on by rakes and opportunistic young bucks, feted by dukes and earls, even the Prince Regent himself, Angelica Leigh is a sensation.
But in Regency England, beauty and talent are not enough to be considered marriage material, so when the eminently eligible Lord Charles Latimer sets his heart on Angelica, his uncle is sent to intervene.
As a highly respected, hard-working and wealthy lawmaker, The Honourable Ivor Asprey, is himself seen as desirable husband material, but widowed with an eleven-year-old daughter Elinor, he has forsaken all thoughts of romance. Lord Latimer’s mother, the Duchess of Arlington, despairs of her son, despite being reassured by Ivor that his infatuation with the actress will pass. But there is something about Angelica Leigh that demands attention, and even the austere and upstanding Mr Asprey isn’t immune to her charms.
Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen. Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.
Author Bio –
Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens. She comes to Boldwood with her first fiction outing – a trilogy of novels set in the Regency period, the first of which, The Marriage Season, is to be published in January 2023. She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler.
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TRIGGER WARNING: Nazi racial ideology and brutality
1938, Linz, Austria. Ella is excited as her 21st birthday approaches. She is hoping to get engaged to Max and is happily thinking ahead. Germany and Austria unite under the Fuhrer, with promises of a bright future. But Ella discovers the reality is very different…
The Austrian Bride is an historical novel set in Austria in 1938.
Ella is hopeful for the future although she doesn’t share her boyfriend Max’s fervour for the Anschluss which joins their homeland with Germany under the might of the Nazis. The reality of the unification quickly becomes clear, and whilst Max becomes more zealous, Ella takes dangerous action to save Jewish lives.
Ella’s mother Marlene is going through the menopause and struggling to adapt to the physical changes. She is secretly meeting a man who is not her husband, and has some connection to Max’s father and HItler. These two strands are not tied up until the very end of the book, creating plenty of scope for contemplating the mystery.
The book is written from the third person perspectives of Ella and Marlene. Both women are bravely trying to undermine the horrors of the Nazi regime and put themselves in danger. There are sex scenes which are not necessary to the plot but do give us a refreshing look at first love and established love.
Due to the Nazi actions, there are episodes of violence including sexual violence which readers may find upsetting. The emotional elements to the characters are explored fully so I genuinely cared about them (particularly Marlene) and I felt fearful for their safety as the plot unfolded.
The Austrian Bride is a well researched historical novel.
The Austrian Bride
Austria, 1938
After years of hardship, Ella is full of hope for a better future for Austrians, and when Hitler marches into Linz, she can’t help but become swept up in the euphoria of her boyfriend, Max.
But she soon realises her mistake. When she witnesses a woman being shot in the street and a childhood friend’s Jewish department store is closed down, she knows she must do something.
It’s a dangerous time to be a resistor, especially when her fascist boyfriend proposes to her. Knowing the secrets she can uncover, Ella enlists in a Reich Bride School, finding herself propelled into the social elite of the Nazi circle.
Ella knows she has a duty – to her family, her friends, and her country – so while Europe teeters on the brink of WW2, a desperate race begins to save the people she loves. But betraying the Nazis could be her death sentence…
A powerful and unforgettable story of the strength of women and the unwavering courage of those who seek a better world. Fans of Suzanne Goldring, Mandy Robotham and Debbie Rix will devour this heartbreaking tale.
Author Bio –
Helen Parusel is a debut historical novelist, having been a teacher and a clothes buyer for M&S. She lives in Hamburg, and her first book is based on the Nazi invasion of Norway in 1940; while her second is inspired by war stories from her mother’s homeland of Austria, where she spent her early holidays.
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TRIGGER WARNING: Nazi brutality, anti semitism
France 1942, Lilou’s life remains largely unaffected by war until the Germans arrive in her village. Her Jewish friend Joseph and his mother are seized and deported then her brother is sent to be a labourer in Germany. Incensed, Lilou decides to join the resistance and fight for freedom for all…
The Girl From Provence is an historical novel set in France during WW2.
Lilou is a young woman holding her family together. Her mother has never recovered from the death of Lilou’s father, and her younger brother is immature. Life changes forever when the Nazis arrive in the village and Freddie is sent to Germany and her mum declines further. Lilou has to make difficult choices as she has to choose between her family and her country.
The book is written from multiple thrid person perspectives to show the experiences of different characters. Lilou is brave but impulsive, often putting herself in danger. Kristian is a German conscript, horrified by the atrocities he witnesses. Marie-Madeleine is a resistance leader, pregnant by a lover but determined to continue fighting for freedom. Eliot is a young boy whose parents are being interrogated by the Gestapo but he may hold the key to victory.
I thought the geographical and historical setting were well researched and explored. The inclusion of a real life character (French writer and pilot Antoine) added an authenticity to the book. There is plenty of emotion, in particular related to Eliot’s experience. Love, grief and hope are important themes in the book, and Kristian’s concern about his countrymen highlights that being a German didn’t mean being a Nazi.
The Girl From Provence is an enjoyable historical novel.
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The Girl from Provence: Absolutely gripping and heartbreaking WW2 historical fiction by Helen Fripp
South of France, 1942. Twenty-one-year-old Lilou is selling lavender honey in the village square when the Nazis arrive in her beloved Provence. And when her best friend is dragged away simply for being Jewish, Lilou is horrified. As the village begins to take sides, Lilou secretly swears through angry sobs that she’ll sacrifice everything to fight for what’s right.
Drawn in to the French Resistance, soon Lilou is smuggling hidden messages in fresh-baked loaves of bread and meeting Allied pilots in remote moonlit fields. She lives in fear that Kristian, a blue-eyed German soldier, knows about her work – but does he keep her secrets because he is undercover, too?
Everything changes when Lilou is given her most important task: to keep a frightened little boy, Eliot, hidden safe in her farmhouse. All alone in the world, Eliot refuses to speak as he clutches his treasured children’s book close to his chest. Inside is a beautiful story of stars, planets and the night sky. But why is this innocent child the one, among thousands, who Lilou must save?
When she is told Eliot’s book will help her decipher coded messages, Lilou knows he must have knowledge that could change the course of the war. But the day Kristian arrives at her farm searching for hidden Jewish families, Lilou is terrified that Eliot is in more danger than ever…
Can Lilou trust the one person who could tear her world apart? And will she ever help Eliot find his way home?
A totally stunning and heartbreaking read about the incredible sacrifices ordinary people are forced to make each day in wartime. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpyand Rhys Bowen.
About the author:
I love delving into the past and uncovering new stories, and in my writing, the tiniest historical detail can spark an idea for a whole chapter. My female characters rail against the social constraints to which they are subject and often achieve great success, but they are of course flawed and human, like the rest of us. It’s the motivations, flaws, loves and every-day lives of my characters that I love to bring life, against sweeping historical backdrops – and I will find any excuse to take off and research a captivating location or person for my next story.
My first novel is set in the Champagne region in France, and I’m currently working on my next one, set in late eighteenth century Paris. I spent a lot of time in France as a child, have lived in Paris and spent a year with my family in a fishing village in South West France, so that’s where my books have ended up being set so far. Who knows where next!
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Six months ago, Darcie saved a little girl’s life. She has desperately tried on avoid any publicity but goes missing the morning after she receives a sinister note. Can DCI Dan Riley find her safely…?
The Housewife’s Secret is the 7th book in the DCI Riley series. I have previously read and reviewed books 5 and 6: The Night of the Party, and The Lie In Our Marriage. The cases are standalone but nuances of Dan’s private and personal relationships have developed over the series.
Darcie is a housewife, married to a cardiologist. But she has been keeping secrets from him. She is pregnant and she is seeing a psychologist to help her deal with her past. Dan is supposed to be heading on holiday with his family but is informed about the case hours before departure. He senses something is concerning about the case and swiftly find Darcie’s phone with probable blood on it. The holiday is postponed…
The book is written from Dan’s perspective in the present day to show the police investigation. There are also flashes of humour as he avoids his wife’s wrath at missing their holiday and is forced to wear an awful suit by his colleague. The case is interweaved with first person viewpoints at various points in Darcie’s past and present. This allows us to glimpse clues about the secrets and potential reasons for her disappearance.
I enjoyed the layers of this book. We see Darcie’s perspective at the very beginning but it then becomes clear we don’t know her at all. Poor Dan! He is all set to enjoy some family time and a holiday but he can’t resist this case. He immediately has bad vibes and fears for Darcie’s safety but needs to piece together the truth quickly. From halfway through, it is clear someone is acting oddly and is therefore responsible but I enjoyed seeing how Dan came to the same conclusion.
The Housewife’s Secret is a tense and engaging crime thriller and police procedural.
The Housewife’s Secret by Anna-Lou Weatherley
I cast my eyes over the impressive meal I’ve cooked and the half-empty crystal wine glasses. As our guests smile graciously, I squeeze my husband’s shoulder. It’s vital I get his friends to like me. To believe this version of me. Because I’ll do anything to stop them learning the truth…
Ever since I met my handsome husband Dr Gabe Bonneville, I started playing the role of the perfect housewife. He works hard as a surgeon, so I look after our home, and throw elaborate dinner parties with champagne cocktails for his best friends Hugh and Anita. He’s my safe place and my chance to have the family I’ve always wanted.
I’ve managed to hide the mornings when I wake up and see a face in the shadows. I haven’t told Gabe the truth about the woman who raised me, or told him about the therapy I’ve been getting so my secrets stay hidden in the dark. I haven’t questioned his past so he doesn’t ask about mine. I see the way Anita looks at him sometimes, but I’ll never say a word.
Until the letter arrives at the front door. The beautiful, expensive card shakes in my hand as I read the neat black handwriting.
Someone knows I’m not just a housewife. And the lies I’ve told will be all that’s left when I disappear…
Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and The Housemaid will be gripped by this unputdownable thriller and its non-stop twists and turns! A breathtaking ride from the very first chapter to the explosive ending.
About the author
I was born in Hampshire but grew up in London where I still live today with my two children. I was originally a dancer who re-trained after a ‘disco accident’ in Ibiza to become a journalist – I’ve even won some awards, though I don’t like to talk about them – ha! I’ve been a women’s lifestyle writer for over fifteen years and am the former editor and acting editor of the fabulous J-17 magazine and Smash Hits respectively and have written for all the major glossies including Grazia, Company, Marie Claire and More, where I was their resident tell-it-like-it-is advice columnist – loads of fun! I’ve also written for NME, Loaded and Front magazine (I can be down with the lads too!).
During my journalistic career I’ve seen and done some amazing stuff, highlights include becoming a nun (for a day), rally racing with the late, great Colin McRae, bunjee jumping off a 350 ft bridge in designer heels, whiskey tasting for a week in Kentucky (don’t remember much of that) and hanging out with all manor of A-list celebrities (er, Take That and Jordan, anyone?).
After I had my son I started to write novels (having children does strange things to a person) and had my first young adult novel, Ibiza Summer, published in 2004. My first adult novel (it is a little racy) Chelsea Wives was published in 2012, followed by Wicked Wives in 2013.
When I’m not writing, which isn’t often, I like to hang upside down on a pole – I’m a qualified pole fitness instructor, and drink fancy wine (though not necessarily at the same time, that woud be dangerous). I adore creating exciting, three dimensional, glamorous and flawed characters against a backdrop of exotic locations. Revenge, sex, sin, glamour, excess, crime and intrigue is my speciality. My next novel, title to come, promises all the above and more!
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1919, one nurse, one doctor and 5 patients remain at Merewood. But the owner wants to sell the property and a series of strange and deadly incidents lead to danger for all of the residents…
Murder at Merewood Hospital is an historical murder mystery set in England after WW1.
Helen Hopgood and Samuel Bingham are the only remaining medical staff to care for 5 patients who were significantly injured during the war. Now it is time for all to relocate but the pair struggle to find suitable alternatives for their remaining patients. Extra pressure ensues when a series of pranks is intermingled with murder…
I thought the historical element of the book was researched well and the setting and premise were quite unique. In the author’s note at the end, she mentions Merewood is loosely based on Minley which is right near where I live!
The book is written in the third person to show the various experiences of all characters. I was very mistrustful of all the characters, medical and injured as well as the other Merewood residents. There were multiple layers to the plot and a mix of relationships to unpick. I had great sympathy for the hardships and fears faced by the patients, but had mixed feelings about Helen and Samuel due to their single mindedness and even selfishness. There were plenty of red herrings and misdirections which meant the mystery was well maintained until the reveal at the end.
Murder at Merewood Hospital is an enjoyable historical murder mystery.
Murder at Merewood Hospital
The patients survived the Great War only to face a new danger…
In 1916, Sister Helen Hopgood was sent with a team of nurses to care for wounded soldiers at Merewood Farm, a temporary military hospital in Hampshire.
Now the war is over, only five patients remain – and she is the only nurse. The last ward must close, and Helen is doing all she can to find new homes for the injured servicemen.
Joseph Wintringham has to sell the farm to keep Merewood Manor. But since the murder of Nurse Taplin, locals believe the place is cursed – perhaps by the doomed nurse or by the patients who perished from their war wounds.
Is the hospital haunted? Or is someone very real behind the unnatural deaths that begin on Midsummer’s Night 1919?
Can Helen discover the truth before it’s too late..?
Author Bio –
Michelle Salter writes historical cosy crime set in Hampshire, where she lives, and inspired by real-life events in 1920s Britain. The first book in her Iris Woodmore series, Death at Crookham Hall, draws on her interest in the aftermath of the Great War and the suffragette movement.
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