Here in Perth Australia, June turned out to be a cold and rainy month, perfect for staying indoors reading and writing. In one respect, that was quite lucky for me, as I had a Regency novella to finish writing. When I am writing, I still like to continue reading. This month’s book choices contain both Regency Romance and more general reading, including non-fiction.
His Study in Scandal by Megan Frampton.
Megan Frampton’s deliciously witty A School for Scoundrels series follows the adventures of five gentlemen who navigate life–and love–in London. Here, a dashing young businessman enters into a liaison with a widowed Duchess. Perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean and anyone who loves Bridgerton!
Alexandra, Duchess of Chelmsworth, is tired of pretending to mourn a husband who squandered a fortune and never bothered to give her the time of day, much less any attentions at night. So, the still-beautiful duchess cuts up her mourning gowns, deciding to experience the pleasures long denied her by daringly visiting the Garden of Hedon. It is there the ton anonymously gives in to their deepest desires, and where Alexandra finds herself in the arms of a mysterious man. She willingly gives in to the passion he offers her, fully believing she would never see him again.
But she is shocked to soon discover he is none other than Theo Osborne, who is continually being pushed forward as a husband–for Alexandra’s own stepdaughter! While his wealth would save the family from financial ruin, his intentions are clear: he has no interest in anyone but Alexandra. And though he tempts and teases her, she is determined not to give her heart to any man. But what started as a sensuous game turns into something much more…
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback First published May 23, 2023
My Review. I enjoyed this story of an older woman finding passion and attention after her dutiful and loveless marriage. Her doubts initially seem understandable because of the age gap between her and Theo. What started as a game, turns into genuine affection, maybe even love? Alexandra has been so scarred by her marriage that she doubts her own feelings and his. I was a bit exasperated with her at this point!
The Duke Is Mightier Than the Sword by Emily. E.K. Murdoch. Dukes in Danger 3
Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caefall, is in hiding in Oxford after a wartime injury, trying to ignore his doctor’s advice.
Because he’ll definitely be going back to France to fight, right? He’s determined not to leave his honor on the battlefield—but Montague has financial concerns to keep him occupied. The Duchy is bankrupt. He’s got to keep it a secret and keep his presence in England quiet.
Fencing is his only refuge, his passion, and Montague agrees to teach students to pass the time. Easier said than done when a poetess storms into his bedchamber and demands he help her finish her poem…
Sarah Lockwood is tired of having her poetry diminished merely because she’s a woman. Society holds no interest, and she’s in search of a poetry professor in one of the prestigious Oxford colleges to help her finish it. She ends up discovering a hidden duke who fences like a soldier and kisses like the devil.
Words cross blades with actions as both Sarah and Montague fight their growing feelings for each other, and the expectations of the world.
She cannot be a poet. He must return to France to fight. So, which is the duke or the sword?
This full-length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.
My Review.
The duke is a hoot and has met his match in the lovely and single-minded Sarah. They spark off each other and it is obvious that the attraction is there. Can this grumpy Duke find redemption with a bluestocking? Does Sarah want to take on this cranky duke, who surprisingly isn’t so irritable with her? I enjoyed this book and chuckled out loud in some parts. A fun read.
The Golden Oldies Book Club by Judy Leigh.
Ruth the librarian fears she’s too old to find love, but a discussion about Lady Chatterley’s Lover makes her think again.
Aurora doesn’t feel seventy-two and longs to relive the excitement of her youth, while Verity is getting increasingly tired of her husband Mark’s grumpiness and wonders if their son’s imminent flight from the nest might be just the moment for her to fly too. And Danielle is fed up with her cheating husband. Surely life has more in store for her than to settle for second best?
The glue that holds Combe Pomeroy together is Jeannie. Doyenne of the local cider farm and heartbeat of her family and community, no one has noticed that Jeannie needs some looking after too. Has the moment for her to retire finally arrived, and if so, what does her future hold?
From a book club French exchange trip, to many celebrations at the farm, this is the year that everything changes, that lifelong friendships are tested, and for some of the women, they finally get the love they deserve.
My Review, Easy, pleasant, and entertaining reading with enough twists and turns to keep me interested. It’s good to read about women who are not just the stereotypical twenty or thirty-somethings. Hard-working Jeannie puts everyone’s needs above her own, I’m sure many women will relate to her. A grumpy husband doesn’t seem like too much of a burden unless you live with him as Verity does. Free-spirited Aurora has a secret she doesn’t want to share. The exchange visit to France bonded the women’s friendships and had some hilarious moments. Some of the endings were predictable, but one pairing was so far out of left field that my eyebrows raised. It didn’t seem feasible to me as both characters completely changed their personalities. That quibble aside I enjoyed the book.
Echoes on a Cornish River: A Captivating Romantic Cornish Timeslip novel by Kate Ryder.
‘A real find of a book. I stayed up half the night to finish it . . . A gorgeous read, highly recommended’ Judy Leigh, bestselling author of The Old Girls’ Network
Ellinor lived for adventure, always travelling from one place to the next – until tragedy struck and turned her world upside down. Needing to escape, she accepts an invitation to stay with relatives at their remote Cornish farmhouse.
As Ellinor settles on the outskirts of Calstock, it’s not long before the land and its history have her itching to explore once more. Her search takes her far and wide when an unexpected encounter with an enigmatic, handsome stranger stops her in her tracks.
From the moment they meet, Ellinor knows deep in her soul they share a connection like no other. It’s as if they’ve known each other forever. But no one else has heard of William… Is he all that he claims to be?
Could their love story be written in the stars? Or will past secrets threaten to alter the very future Ellinor has begun to let herself hope for?
A gorgeously heart-warming and romantic timeslip novel that will sweep you off your feet from bestselling author of Into a Cornish Wind. A love story that stands the test of time, perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Nicola Cornick.
My Review.
The beginning of the book left me slightly confused, as it read as if it was going to be a thriller or suspense story. Once Ellinor moved to Cornwall, the story settled down into something akin to the cover’s promise. It’s a good premise, and some of the scenes of the past and attraction are done well. It felt as if I was plodding through history to get to the story. I received a copy of the book through Net Galley.
Unexpected Treasures: Running a Mental Health Nonprofit by Rod Baker
Deciding on a career change, Rod sold his marine repair company, earned a Master’s degree in Integrative Counselling and started his own counselling practice. As this failed to provide full-time work, he was happy to secure a position as the executive director of a branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Dealing with an inherited staff of ten, a volunteer board of directors, union requirements, an unsuitable location, and providing housing services for 100 clients with serious mental illness proved formidable challenges. Two weeks into the job, he found the organization was on the brink of insolvency. He created funding by starting a thrift store largely run by clients with mental health challenges, started a homeless outreach service funded by BC Housing, trained clients to be stand-up comics for a large fundraiser in a downtown Vancouver hotel and started two annual fundraising events. Encouraging clients to help in resolving the financial crisis proved key to balancing the books. In 2012, eight years after starting the thrift store, it netted $100,000 in profit and was still running at the time of writing this book.
Kindle Edition Published July 16, 2020.
My Review.
When is a thrift shop not a thrift shop? Answer: when it’s an agent for social change and personal empowerment.
If you have ever believed that one person can’t make a difference, you should read this book!
Of course, Rod didn’t do it alone, but he was the catalyst for change by believing that it could be done. Leadership isn’t about issuing pronouncements, leadership is taking the time to explain your vision and bringing people with you. Instead of an automatic ‘No’ or ‘We’ve never done that before’ new ideas were examined and implemented. Rod didn’t sit in his office and ask others to do the hard yards, he did building work, furniture removal, property negotiations, rebuilt finances and even helped cook Christmas dinner for one hundred people.
A family emergency meant he had to take a sabbatical, although he was promised his job would be there on his return, it wasn’t. The new ED reversed all of the ideas he’d implemented and left the situation much as it was before he’d started.
As challenging as that was, he found a way through and returned the branch to functioning. Told with humour and compassion Unexpected Treasures helps take the stigma out of mental health with understanding.
Emboldened by Belinda Alexandra.
How do you begin your life again when you’ve lost everything you’ve worked for and your dreams have been shattered?
That was the question beloved Australian author Belinda Alexandra faced one freezing winter night when she ran from her home in terror, clutching only her wallet, her phone and her latest manuscript on a USB stick.
To pull herself up from rock bottom, Belinda drew strength from the real life women who had inspired her bestselling historical fiction: her mother, Tatiana Morosoff, a White Russian who had fled a home more than once due to wars and revolutions; Virginia Hall, an American who lost her leg in an accident but went on to become one of the most revered Allied agents in World War II France; Carmen Amaya, who despite being born into abject poverty in Barcelona rose to become the greatest Flamenco dancer of all time; Edna Walling, who lost her own dream home in a freak fire but created garden designs that made her one of Australia’s most celebrated landscape designers.
They were women who had faced seemingly insurmountable challenges and found ways to forge ahead on their own terms.
In a compelling and exquisite blend of memoir and history, Belinda shows readers that, no matter what challenges they might be facing, there is always the possibility of building a bold life full of meaning again from the ashes.
My Review.
To rebuild her life Belinda focused initially on the stories of her own family and then on areas that were of interest to her. World War Two spies, flamenco dancing and gardening. She drew strength from each of the stories and shares her insights with us. Together they build a portrait of the author as well as her subjects.
Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum
There’s life in these old dogs yet … and they’re about to discover it. A heartwarming and humorous story about rediscovering the small pleasures that make life worthwhile, from Australia’s master storyteller.
Howard and Elsie Manning were born on the same day, met at kindergarten, and have been married for 59 years. They have lived sensible, productive lives, and raised two self-sufficient daughters. Now, at 78, they are bored with the predictability of life, fed up with contemporary society, have aching joints and dwindling finances, and – funeral by funeral – their circle of friends is shrinking. Worst of all, they are grieving for their beloved, recently deceased dog Maisie.
Together Howard and Elsie consider bringing their lives to a peaceful end, but it turns out leaving this world is not easy, especially if they want to avoid pain or mess. Even the apparently simple methods have much room for error, as they discover.
Then a knock at the door changes everything …
454 pages, Kindle Edition Published April 1, 2023
My Review.
I’d say to anyone in their sixties or beyond perhaps this isn’t the book for you. If you are in that age group, the first half of the book will likely depress you even more than you probably already are. I was tempted to give up myself. I didn’t and persevered on to an almost fairytale ending when all their gripes and problems appear to have been resolved apart from the last one- no one can yet cure old age. So definitely not my book.
The Money Club by Fiona Lowe.
A gripping exploration of modern greed as bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe unpicks the moral quagmire of those who trade on the bonds of their closest friendships and family for money.
Izzy Harrington’s fiance is a successful entrepreneur and everyone’s friend, but today she’s waiting for him to get home so she can tell him they’re over. Except Brad never arrives.
Instead, three angry men knock on the door and insist on talking to Brad. When the police arrive asking difficult questions and demanding to see his passport, Izzy’s packed suitcases suddenly take on a whole new meaning.
Brad’s disappearance sends ripples through their small town and a furious mob camps on Izzy’s lawn desperate to recover their losses. They have Izzy in their crosshairs, determined to make her pay for Brad’s audacious con.
As the search intensifies, conflicting clues emerge. Clues that suggest no one really knew Brad – least of all Izzy …
My Review.
This is quite a cautionary tale of how easy it is to lose perspective and want the biggest, the best, the newest things. Once bought, of course, they are no longer satisfied and more must be bought instead. How easy it is to be lured into spending more than you intended, even more than you can afford. Then, when you hear about a sure-fire scheme to double your money, then you want in. When it all goes wrong, people turn on each other, were they too greedy or just gullible? While I really enjoyed the book, I felt it reached a conclusion far faster than I would have liked. Ideally, the explanation for how the scheme evolved could have been lessened and in my opinion that would have made it a more balanced book.
Who Wants to Marry a Duke by Sabrina Jeffries.
A sexy and distracting rake is tamed by a scholarly heroine with a penchant for the sciences in this dazzling and witty tale of Regency London.
A past kiss with adorably bookish Miss Olivia Norley should be barely a memory for Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock. After all, there are countless debutantes for a handsome rakehell to charm beyond a young lady whose singular passion is chemistry—of the laboratory type. But Thorn has not forgotten—or forgiven the shocking blackmail scheme sparked by that single kiss, or the damage caused to both their names. Now Thorn’s half-brother, Grey, has hired the brilliant Miss Norley for her scientific expertise in solving a troubling family mystery. And the once-burned Thorn, suspicious of her true motives, vows to follow her every move . . .
For Olivia, determining whether arsenic poisoning killed Grey’s father is the pioneering experiment that could make her career—and Thorn’s constant presence is merely a distraction. But someone has explosive plans to derail her search. Soon the most unexpected discovery is the caring nature of the reputed scoundrel beside her—and the electricity it ignites between them . . .
211 pages, Kindle EditionFirst published August 25, 2020
My Review.
This is the first Sabrian Jeffries book I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. Unfortunately, my understanding was hampered by not having read the previous books in the series. I enjoyed both characters and the initial misunderstanding which kept them apart. It was refreshing to read of a competent woman scientist and of a man who believed in her expertise. They also experienced a little chemistry of their own. A fun read.
The Divine Feline a Chic Cat Lady’s Guide to Woman’s Best Friend by Belinda Alexandra.
Cats and women share many beauty, elegance, sensitivity, affectionate natures, a knack for nurturing, and a love of the luxurious. Cats also embody the feminine dark side, with a tendency towards neurosis and fear of change. Then there are the qualities that a cat possesses which women long to fighting fiercely to protect herself, never saying yes when she means no, and being unafraid to claim the best seat in the house for herself.
Cats are loyal to those who love them but couldn’t give a toss about what others think. They don’t suffer self-esteem issues or worry if they’re overweight. And then, there is that enviable air of mystery, that slinky walk… oh to be a cat! They’re the ultimate totem of female strength.
Belinda Alexandra, writer and ardent cat fancier, makes no apology for celebrating the special bond between women and their cats. In The Divine Feline, she details her own experiences with cats, describing the relationship between women and cats throughout history and solving some behavioural and philosophical issues in a whimsical and practical way. Viva la cat lady!
288 pages, Hardcover Published February 2, 2021.
My Review.
A perfect gift for any cat-loving lady, it even has a tactile velvet book spine. Cameos of famous cats, anecdotes about cat behaviours and practical information too. Enlivened with feline “pawtraits.” The section on animal rescue and Colony cats pays tribute to those individuals who take their love of animals beyond their own circle into a wider field of compassion.
This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang
When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.
Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?
Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. Caz is a dream boyfriend — he passes handwritten notes to her in class, makes her little sister laugh, and takes her out on motorcycle rides to the best snack stalls around the city.
But when her relationship with Caz starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can she still follow her dreams if it means breaking her own heart?
Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.
My Review.
I’m way beyond YA but I enjoyed this story anyway. It reconnected me with the awkwardness of my teenage years. Feeling like an outsider both literally and figuratively. Who wouldn’t want a perfect fantasy boyfriend? It’s the stuff of teenage dreams, and what if you did have to make him up? When the unexpected happens, of course, Eliza goes along with it. Now she has to produce a convincing boyfriend. I thought the interaction between Eliza and Caz, was brilliantly done and totally believable.
I’ve always believed that reading a wide range of books improves our knowledge and vocabulary, it’s also fun! Why shouldn’t I read a YA book if the notion takes me? Why not read non-fiction and increase your knowledge? I’m happy to say the novella is completed, edited and ready to go into the next Regency anthology. Now I am writing something completely different, which I can tell you more about next time. Until then, may your bookshelves be full and your life exciting.
Sonia Bellhouse- Author. 