Category: Historical Romance - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

A Very Suitable Sequel

3/9/2023

An Unsuitable Pursuit (Sisters of the Sword #2)
by Terri Green

TW: infant death

Lucinda Evans has become an unwilling spy and must now use her talents for King and Country - she has been ordered to seduce a Spanish swordsman. It is a cruel task, especially as it's been given to her by the uncle of the man she truly loves, Robert McCrae. Her heart may be in danger, but something more important is brewing in 1605 and it involves gunpowder, treason and plot...

Having finished the first book in the series, I was keen to dive back in - and I was not disappointed. This is an excellent sequel that develops Lucinda further as a character, as well as her relationships and her position in her world. I have quickly become attached to Lucinda and the Sisters of the Sword. Unfortunately, I must now wait much longer for the next book. Alas.

A Worthy Swordmistress

31/8/2023

The Swordmaster's Daughter (Sisters of the Sword #1)
by Terri Green

TW for the book: mentions & non-graphic descriptions of sexual assault

Lucinda Evans is a fine swordswoman, but she has been relegated to mere helper at her father's fencing academy in Whitefriars. Her skills are soon required by the women of London; a predator is attacking them in their homes. They need to be able to protect themselves. They need justice. Lucinda intends to help them - if only Robert McCrae, an infuriating and handsome Scotsman, would let her.

Give me a heroine with a sword in her hand and I'm happy. Give me several female characters using swords and I'm in heaven. This book has easily become one of my new favourites and I am so glad I picked it up. The historical research is well done, the heroine is both believable and kick-arse, and I was desperate for more as soon as it ended. Isn't it lucky that I also bought the sequel...

The Excellent Ms Heath

7/7/2023

The Notorious Lord Knightly (The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction)
by Lorraine Heath

Arthur Pennington, the Earl of Knightly, has oft been called Knight, as one of the Chessmen, but now society is wondering if his latest moniker is Lord K, a character in a salacious new book that purports to be a memoir. Could the author perhaps be Miss Regina Leyland, the illegitimate woman that he jilted at the altar? And if so... what will her revenge end up costing her?

I think by now it's obvious that I'm a fan of Lorraine Heath's novels. This one delivers the usual delicious scandal, the even more delicious heat, and a romance that will linger in your memories. I also the fact that Lord K's competition in gaining Regina's hand was not some mustache-twirling villain. I will now impatiently count the months until the next book in the series is released.

More Less than More

27/5/2023

More or Less a Temptress (The Somerset Sisters #3)
by Anna Bradley

Hyacinth Somerset has always been the most delicate Somerset Sister, so it's not surprising that she loses her senses when a murderer arrives at a ball populated by polite society. Lachlan Ramsey is no murderer: he's the long lost brother of the Lord of Huntington. But now his reputation is in a precarious position - and soon his heart will follow. For Hyacinth is not as demure as she seems.

Alas, this one was not as fun nor as good as the previous two titles in the series. Hyacinth got on my nerves and I'm not sure she had enough character development to justify her bold decisions towards the end. It's still a pleasant enough read, but it's distracting when more interesting characters are floating about in the background, awaiting their moment to shine in another series.

Adventures in Angst

21/5/2023

More or Less a Countess (The Somerset Sisters #2)
by Anna Bradley

Nicholas Balfour, the Earl of Dare, is back in London and can't leave until he gets himself a wife. But in his hasty pursuit, he mixes up the two Miss Somersets and gets far more than he bargained for. Violet Somerset has a book to write and Lord Dare could fill an entire chapter. She definitely doesn't want him anywhere near her sister and she definitely isn't going to fall in love with him!

I wasn't so sure about the premise, but I'm glad I dived in anyway. Violet and Nick were such a delight during their initial adventures - and we got to see the Selfish Rake start to melt in her presence. Then things took a more angsty turn. I'm usually into stories were a lack of communication is the driving force of the plot...but even this was a bit much for my patience! Overall, an enjoyable read.

Diana Merriwell, P.I.

9/5/2023

Never Rescue a Rogue (The Merriwell Sisters #2)
by Virginia Heath

Giles Sinclair is in big trouble. He's just inherited a dukedom, except it might not be his at all - his unknown mother certainly wasn't a duchess. His secret won't stay secret for long. Luckily for him, he knows a most infuriating woman who might actually be able to save him. Diana Merriwell never wants to cede her independence to any man...but she does have a soft spot for a duke in distress.

Okay, I was a little worried with the slow pace at the start, but then things really got going and I REALLY enjoyed myself. Giles and Diana are delightful. Especially when they're together! I was also drawn in by the mystery and found it very satisfying, despite guessing its resolution early on. Heath creates great MCs, but it's her fabulous minor characters that make her books so brilliant.

Always Fall for a Good Book!

1/5/2023

Never Fall for Your Fiancée (The Merriwell Sisters #1)
by Virginia Heath

Hugh Standish is an earl and he has a mother keen to marry him off - an exhausting combination. So he invented a fake fiancée named Minerva, to give him some respite. But now his mother is coming home to meet her. It's incredibly convenient that he meets a real life Minerva who agrees to pretend for a little while. But Minerva Merriwell will soon wonder if the money he's paying is worth it!

"But why's it over? I don't want it to be over," I told my husband sadly as my Kobo asked me to rate the book I'd just finished reading. Such is my love for this book. I became so fond of Hugh and Minerva's chaotic families and the comedic hijinks were actually funny (as opposed to some novels that make such things feel cringey). I'll obviously be devouring the sequel next, but still I wish the story had gone on forever...

Average Regency Tale

4/4/2023

The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn

Lucie is due for her Season when Freddie, her new dashing neighbour, falls out of tree and requires her aid. But Anthony, his guardian, has a more suitable match in mind. Freddie needs a steadying hand this Season - as does Lucie, so Sybella, her widowed sister, is along for the ride. Sybella knows Lucie and Freddie would be happy together, but Anthony is unconvinced - and so very infuriating.

Alas, this wasn't as exciting as the brilliant cover and title suggested (but that's on me for allowing myself to be lured in by them). The writing itself reveals that the author hasn't had much experience with fiction. Some plot elements felt like Dunn was ticking boxes. And don't TELL me that the tension is almost tangible - it should be obvious! That said, this was a sweet and decent enough read.

Bishop Takes Inquiry Agent

11/3/2023

The Counterfeit Scoundrel (The Chessmen: Masters of Seduction)
by Lorraine Heath

David Blackwood, AKA Bishop, has caused many a divorce by cavorting with married women and Daisy, AKA Marguerite Townsend, is posing as a maid after being hired by a suspicious husband to find proof of his wife's infidelity. Bishop is drawn to his new maid, he's well aware of his reputation - and even though it's all a performance, it won't help him when he's accused of murder.

In The Counterfeit Scoundrel, Lorraine Heath serves up a fascinating tale of divorce, inquiry agents, family secrets and unresolved trauma. There's a lot going on inside these pages. I was swept up by it all and I did enjoy the mystery, but I felt like it overwhelmed the romance at times. Happily, Bishop and Marguerite were such likeable characters that I didn't mind too much.

A Seductive Storyline

7/3/2023

The Return of the Duke (Once Upon a Dukedom #3)
by Lorraine Heath

Marcus Stanwick lost everything when his father was hanged for playing a part in a plot to kill the queen. Marcus was meant to be a duke - and he's done playing with shadows. He wants the truth. This means confronting Esme Lancaster, his father's mistress and the woman who inflicted further pain on his family. Esme has what he needs...and now he can't seem to stop needing her.

I have to admit that when Esme first appeared, I was thinking "a dude and his dad's mistress!?! No way am I down for this". But Lorraine Heath, as always, won me over by the end. Steamy scenes and secretive spywork - most definitely my cup of tea. Just add cameos by characters I loved from previous books and stir. The Return of the Duke is a satisfying finale to this storyline.