Category: Historical Romance - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

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.

Beyond Revenge and Cliché

10/1/2023

Beyond Scandal and Desire (Sins for All Seasons #1)
by Lorraine Heath

Mick Trewlove was born on the wrong side of the blanket and has had to watch his father's legitimate son squander the family fortune, all while the duke refuses to acknowledge him. Mick has a plan to ruin the family he has been denied and that includes stealing away Lady Aslyn Hastings, his brother's betrothed. But he didn't intend on actually falling in love with her...

Who doesn't love a tale of revenge? Despite my initial misgivings about the hero, I really enjoyed this novel - but it didn't become truly exceptional until the end, when the author surprised me by delivering a more mature and nuanced ending than I was expecting. I'm glad I discovered a book in this series via a bargain box last year. I also find the name "Trewlove" quite amusing!

A Very Scottish Christmas Romance

6/11/2022

The Highlander's Holiday Wife (Clan Kendrick #5)
by Vanessa Kelly

Braden Kendrick is no stranger to the roughness of Edinburgh's slums, but he's never needed rescuing before - and he certainly didn't expect his rescuer to be a woman. Lady Samantha Penwith is determined to identify her late husband's murderer, to find the missing children she feels responsible for and to keep her sister-in-law safe. Impossible? Not when a Kendrick gets involved...

There are two reasons why it might take me over a week to finish book: 1) I just wasn't into it or 2) I was so enchanted by the characters and didn't want their story to end. I'm happy to report that the latter was the case here. Despite the angst and deep issues covered within its pages, The Highlander's Holiday Wife was the literary hug that I needed. And one can't help but love Braden.

Another Reliable Sands' Romance

18/10/2022

Highland Wolf (Highland Brides #10)
by Lynsay Sands

Claray is saved from a dreadful marriage at the last minute by the Wolf, the infamous mercenary of the Highlands. But his name is Conall - or rather, that's one of his names. His survival has been kept secret so that he may one day return his lands to their former glory. The one thing that hasn't changed since he lost most of his clan? He's still Claray's betrothed! From one wedding to another...

What I really enjoyed about this book was the logistics of getting an abandoned castle back up to scratch. That was pretty interesting and I don't think I've seen it covered in another romance novel before. I didn't feel that Conall's "reveal" about his identity had much impact on the plot and the finale veered into melodrama territory, but gosh it was fun to read. I wish I hadn't been quite so sleep deprived while reading this book, because I might have enjoyed it more. Or perhaps the opposite is true!

Two Become One

8/10/2022

Every Rogue Has His Charm (Love and Let Spy #4)
by Susanna Craig

Maxim "ruined" and married Caro to help her escape her father - and then he almost instantly fled to France for six years, to escape his demons. But now his grandfather is dead and he's a duke. Which means he must return to England...and the bride he abandoned. Caro has decamped to Brighton where she be can alone with her thoughts. But she won't be alone for much longer!

There were two excellent books here...what a pity they were forced to jockey for space in the cramped pages of this one. I had waited eagerly for Mrs Drummond's story and was so disappointed to see it intruding upon - and being intruded upon by - the main story. As a result, I didn't buy the hero and heroine falling in love at all and Maxim was not given the time to earn Caro's forgiveness. Arghhh. This is so average when it could have been awesome as separate books, dang it.

The End.

4/10/2022

The Highwayman's Bite (Scandals with Bite #6)
by Brooklyn Ann

After challenging a handsy member of society to a duel, Vivian Stratford is sent to cool her heels at her great-uncle's estate. Her journey is interrupted by a handsome highwayman - Rhys Berwyn, who is in fact a vampire and trying desperately to help his family keep their farm. When he discovers that Vivian is his enemy's kin, he hatches a ransom plot - but he never expected to fall for his captive.

I need to stop saying things like "this might be my favourite of the series" too early, because inevitably I'll get to the last book in the series (ahem, case in point - this book) and realise that my favourite was waiting for me to reach it all along. I loved The Highwayman's Bite so much I had dreams about it and I felt utterly bereft when I flicked away from the last page on my Kobo. Alas, the series is also over. What do I do with myself now?