Category: 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 Short & Sweet Sequel

21/1/2023

Mysteries of Thorn Manor (Sorcery of Thorns #1.5)
by Margaret Rogerson

I received this ARC from Simon & Schuster Australia (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

After the excitement of Sorcery of Thorns, Elisabeth and Nathaniel are enjoying domesticity and their burgeoning courtship. But Thorn Manor is suddenly in chaos - of the magical kind - and if they don't discover what's wrong, they'll be locked inside for good.

I have very lukewarm feelings about the book which precedes this, because it was an underwhelming and samey YA fantasy tale in a market saturated with them. Oddly enough, I really quite liked this novella sequel. I'd say it's actually better, because the plot is simpler and we get to enjoy our time with the characters. And of course there's Silas, who always steals the show.

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!

Timber Fall-ing in Love

28/12/2022

Awaken: Wolves of Timber Falls (Small Town Packs #3)
by Cassie Laelyn

An attack on Timber Falls leaves Layla tired of bloodshed and so when she finds a hunter, her enemy, badly wounded and practically on her doorstep, she does the unthinkable - she saves him. Wyatt's bloodlust should be uncontrollable around a shifter, but there's something different about Layla. Will it be enough to keep him from seeking a cure by slaying her father?

A steamy (and sweet!) enemies-to-lovers novella that kept me up past my bedtime - no doubt because it's my favourite instalment of the series by far. I was almost instantly in love with Layla and Wyatt and I was ready to protect them from everyone on all sides. xD An enjoyable read.

A Howling Good Time

26/12/2022

Alpha (Blood Moon, Texas Shifters #4)
by Kat Kinney

Brody Caldwell became the Alpha of his pack during his father's absence and is doing his damndest to protect everyone in his territory, human or otherwise - and he's also doing his damndest not to start something with London Blake. She lost her pack but she's still an Alpha. And Alphas aren't allowed to mate, so they absolutely CANNOT fall for each other...yep. No problems here. ;)

Definitely my favourite book of Kinney's so far. The overarching plot in this PNR series is one of the best I've come across and I'm always hankering for the next one. And yeah, I was hanging out for Brody's story because I just love Alphas and this was a two-for-one deal! London and Brody have such amazing chemistry. It's also nice to catch up with all the characters in this series...I'm rather fond of them all.

You've Got Fail

6/10/2022

Mr Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Olivia is a complete dumpster fire, so naturally Colin, her brother's best friend/roommate, has reservations when she moves in for a month while she gets herself sorted. But when it turns out that the wrong number Colin's been sending flirty texts to is also the aforementioned dumpster fire? He now sees Olivia in a completely different light. But how can he convince her he's actually into her?

Oh man, I am such trash for anything that has a whiff of You've Got Mail about it. And I always appreciate a dash of Pride and Prejudice. So the question wasn't "will I enjoy this?" but "how MUCH will I enjoy this?". An average amount is the answer, apparently. This was a pleasant enough read, but I know it will quickly fade from my memory.