Category: Historical Romance - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

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.

Another Excellent Romance

6/3/2023

The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom #2)
by Lorraine Heath

Penelope Pettypeace has a duty to perform: find a suitable duchess for her employer. And she will do it, even if her success means a painful and inevitable departure from the company of Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland. He requires a wife who won't fall in love with him - which, unbeknownst to him, completely rules out his secretary. But perhaps her pining is not unrequited...

Another day, another Lorraine Heath novel, another book review. This is becoming a habit! Penelope was such a genuine, realistic heroine and my heart ached for her. I was a bit anti-Hugh to start with, but as always Heath's writing won me over. This was the wonderful, heart-wrenching romance that I expected when I first started reading it, but I didn't expect to be teary-eyed by the epilogue.

Spinning Off into Delight

6/3/2023

Scoundrel of my Heart (Once Upon a Dukedom #1)
by Lorraine Heath

Lord Griffith Stanwick knows he can never have Lady Kathryn Lambert, for she needs a titled husband in order to inherit the cottage she loves and he was only ever the spare - and that was before he became the son of a traitor. He should let her marry her duke and refrain from interfering. But Kathryn is determined to enjoy the pleasures that an unmarried life still has to offer.

Oh my, how I loved this book...perhaps I should have savoured it instead, but I was unable to stop myself devouring it inside a single day. Griff and Kathryn were such wonderful characters and such a wonderful couple. Few HEAs have left me feeling this happy! Usually I get a bit annoyed when one series spins off into another - this is definitely the exception. Can't wait to read the next two.

Whose Kilt is This Anyway

5/3/2023

In Her Highlander's Bed (Highland Brides #11)
by Lynsay Sands

Allissaid MacFarlane escaped her family's enemy with nothing, not even her clothes, and her attempt to steal a man's kilt resulted in her waking up in his bed! Calan Campbell, Laird of Kilcairn, wants to protect the lass he found in a sorry state by the loch...but it's hard to do that when she has seemingly lost her memory. His bed is the safest place he can keep her. But his heart isn't safe at all.

I always enjoy Lynsay Sands' historical Scottish romances (and not just because of their fabulous covers). This was no exception! An exciting continuation to the storyline that began in the previous book, In Her Highlander's Bed offers a sweet and sensual romance that develops naturally, characters that you immediately want to befriend - and who doesn't love reading about secret passages?

Murder Most Romantic

24/1/2023

The Girl Who Stepped Into the Past by Sophie Barnes

Jane Edwards left her fiancé to go on her dream trip to England, but she didn't expect to also leave her time period - or immediately stumble across a murder in the 19th century. James Sullivan, Earl of Camden, thinks he has found his sister's murderer. But this strange woman might prove to be someone else entirely - someone who might steal his heart.

I wasn't going to write a proper review for this book, since I've been doing a lot of them lately, but I loved it so much and figured it deserved the full write-up. I should have realised that Regency romance, time travel and murder mystery would be a winning combo! And it's not too long, so it's a quick, enjoyable read that doesn't overstay its welcome. Definitely one of my recent favourites.

A Fitting Finale

19/1/2023

Beauty and the Beast (Sins for All Seasons #6)
by Lorraine Heath

Althea Stanwick was a lady of Society, due to be wed, when her father was caught plotting to assassinate the Queen. Now she has nothing and scrapes by in Whitechapel, but she has a plan - become a courtesan and she will never want for anything. Except love. Beast Trewlove is her chosen tutor in seduction. He has vowed not to touch her. But how can an innocent tempt him this much?

I really need to stop saying "this is my favourite of the series!" before I get to the last book! It was a very close competition, because Beauty Tempts the Beast was simply gorgeous. There were a few niggles here and there (such as how easily and quickly Alethea's students solved their situations), but I was weeping happily by the end of the epilogue. A lovely conclusion to the series.

Fancy a Heart Flutter?

17/1/2023

The Earl Takes a Fancy (Sins for All Seasons #5)
by Lorraine Heath

Fancy Trewlove has always been destined for an advantageous match and her family has spent nearly two decades ensuring that she won't be held back by the circumstances of her birth. But Fancy wants a grand love and it's possible the Earl of Rosemont could provide that - if he could be found. In the meantime, there is Matthew Sommersby... who might be more than a handsome customer.

My undisputed favourite of the series. I know there's one book left, but I don't see how it can top this one! My weaknesses as a reader include secret identities, Cinderella as an inspiration, cats and bookshops. The Earl Takes a Fancy has all four of these, so to say I was happy is a bit of an understatement. I adored this book and it will live rent free in my mind for a good long while.

Another Excellent Entry

15/1/2023

The Scoundrel in Her Bed (Sins for All Seasons #4)
by Lorraine Heath

Lady Lavinia Kent ran away from her family and left her groom at the altar, instead choosing a less comfortable life in Whitechapel and saving children from baby farmers. She didn't expect Finn Trewlove to find her again - and she didn't expect that she would feel anything but anger after he seemingly betrayed her on that fateful night. Is it possible she got it wrong?

I really loved this one. It doesn't hurt that I'm a sucker for yearning and second chances! This series has so much emotional depth and deals with issues that I don't tend to find in other Regency romances, which has resulted in me becoming a fast fan of Lorraine Heath's work. Lavinia and Finn were very real characters with very real flaws and trauma. Can't wait to read the next book.

Slow and Steady Nearly Loses the Race

12/1/2023

When a Duke Loves a Woman (Sins for All Seasons #2)
by Lorraine Heath

Thorne, Duke of Thornley, is jilted at the altar and follows his wayward bride into Whitechapel, only to be set upon and robbed for his trouble. Gillie Trewlove has a tavern to run and she would never take time off for any man - except one who is in need of medical attention. Once he's well enough to leave, everything will go back to normal. But maybe his bride isn't who Thorne really needs in his life.

Once again, an enjoyable read from Lorraine Heath. I'm always impressed by how a story that doesn't seem so great at first glance can develop into something wonderful at her hands. But that's also the drawback with When a Duke Loves a Woman. The start is quite weak and slow, almost to the point of me losing interest. But my perseverance did pay off. Eventually.