Historical

Review: Sweet Revenge by Zöe Archer

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image“Oh, aye,” he said, bitter. “I’m a goddamn hero.” “I never said that.” Her mouth curved into a soft, bittersweet smile. “But maybe someday you’ll become one.”

Jack Dalton has a gun held to his head. On the other end of the gun is Eva Warrick. She and her companions are part of a private organization called Nemesis Unlimited. Nemesis’ mission is to help those in the lower social classes. Their current client is a merchant’s daughter. She was seduced and abandoned by Lord Rockley. Eva and her fellow agents believe that Rockley is also involved in some illegal activities. They want to expose him and thus bring retribution for the merchant’s daughter.

Jack just wants to kill Rockley. Jack’s sister was a prostitute. Rockley had rough sex with her and caused her death. He escaped prison to kill Rockley. Eva threatens to bring him back to prison if he doesn’t help her.Jack is the only person who left Rockley’s employ and is still alive. They need him to track Rockley’s activities as well as his business associates. Jack has no choice but to help Eva and her partners.

Jack and Eva are immediately attracted to each other when they first meet. The romance slowly develops as they work together. They learn of each other’s past. Jack’s is painful, of course, as he is riddled with guilt over his sister’s deaths.

This an exciting and entertaining, action-packed first book in the series with a kick-ass heroine. The tv shows Leverage and Burn Notice inspired Zoë Archer to create this series. I eagerly look forward to the next book. Hopefully, Simon will be the hero.

~Thalia

Buy It Now Sweet Revenge: A Nemesis Unlimited Novel

Review: A Woman Entangled by Cecelia Grant

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imageKate’s father married her mother, an actress. Her grandfather, an earl, disassociated himself from her father. She has written letters to her aunt in effort to re-connect. She hopes that her aunt will help her attain her goal of marrying well and thus improve her and her sisters’ standing in society.

“I’ve pinned all of my hopes on making a good marriage.”
“You have stringent ideas of what constitutes a good marriage. Myself, I know of no better union than the one to which you owe your existence.”
“My parents have a happy marriage. That’s not the same thing.”

Nick’s brother, Will, married a courtesan. He had to distance himself from his brother so that he pursue his political ambitions. A baron, a former soldier, hires him to help him be a better speaker in Parliament. His association with the baron can help him repair the damaged reputation caused by his brother’s marriage.

“Will and his wife, after all, probably had a happy marriage. That didn’t make it a good one.”

Three years ago, Nick had hopes of courting Kate, who refused. It was a painful and memorable scene in the book as Nick recounts the event.

This a sumptuous tale of two people trying to overcome bad family connections to have better standing in society. It’s difficult for me to describe this author’s elegant writing. She makes each word a joy to read as we Nick and Kate with what they think they want and what they really want.

This is the third book in the series but it is not necessary to read the the two previous books to understand and enjoy this one. Go read this one to experience what a great historical romance is all about.

Thalia

Buy It Now A Woman Entangled

Review: Letters From Skye: A Novel by Jessica Brockmole

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74627_597905486915923_2067879884_nI read this book non-stop. Dinner, social media and other distractions were forgotten as I read each letter. David sends Elspeth fan mail, expressing his love for one of her poetry books. David lives in Illinois. Elspeth lives on Isle of Skye, Scotland. They continue to write letters and become friends. David even has a nickname for her. She tells him that she is married but decides that it’s too formal for him to call her Mrs. Dunn. She tells him that he can call her anything that he wishes. He settles on Sue.

With each, the intimacy grows between them. They share their fears and dreams as well as have some laughs. However, things began to change as Great Britain goes to war against Germany.

Next you see letters that Elspeth has written to her daughter Margaret. Elspeth expresses concern that Margaret is falling in love to with her childhood friend, Paul. She cautions Margaret to think through Paul’s proposal.

A bomb nearby causes damage to Elspeth’s bedroom. Margaret goes in and sees that her mother is safe but she is trying to gather up letters that have fallen out the cracked wall. Margaret picks up one letter without her mother noticing. The next day, her mother disappears.

With this one letter, Margaret slowly pieces together what happened in her mother’s past and her relationship with David. With the support of Paul, Margaret unravels the mystery in hopes of locating her mother.

I adore epistolary novels and this one was a delight to read. Spanning two world wars, the letters speak much of love
and family. This book has historical elements. Don’t read this book if you are looking to immerse yourself in WWI and WWII history.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.

– Thalia

Buy It Now Letters from Skye: A Novel