Gill M

Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/04/a-match-made-at-matlock-sequel-to-jane.html

Viscount Saye is heir to the Earl of Matlock. He is clever, rich and handsome, with a carefully cultivated reputation as an outrageous flirt, a dandy and something of a rake.

He is also shocked to find himself in love for the first time at two and thirty.

He has flirted with Lillian Goddard for some months and even managed the odd intimate moment.

When he hears that she is shortly to receive a proposal, he decides action must be taken.

A fabulous house party at the Matlock estate is arranged. Twenty guests are invited, just so Saye can woo one woman.

In attendance are Georgette Hawkridge, Saye's cousin, who brings along her closest friends, Lilly and Sarah.
Georgette has a secret passion for Samuel Anderson. Unfortunately, her father disapproves of Anderson, so subterfuge is essential.

Cousin, Fitzwilliam Darcy hopes his betrothed, Elizabeth Bennet will attend.
Her father is deliberately delaying their marriage and denies Elizabeth permission to attend.

Viscount Saye and Mrs Bennet conspire to get Elizabeth to the party, to Darcy's great delight.

Two other main characters are Sarah Bentley, pretty, wealthy and with an unusual accomplishment (entomology) and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

Richard is the second son of the Earl of Matlock. A charming, much decorated soldier, he is currently resentful that his comparative poverty means he is unlikely to find a match any time soon.

The party starts with a Regency variation of speed dating, so that Saye can engineer to spend time with Lilly.
For some, the evening is promising, while for others it is disastrous.

A pig-roast served to guests lounging on cushions, has a shaky start, when the decorative foliage yields an enormous bug which thoroughly discomposes Anderson.

As the party progresses, characters are revealed, punches are thrown and relationships develop.

This is a delightful book, with some wonderfully funny moments.

I enjoyed reading this and have just purchased the audiobook with Stevie Zimmerman narrating.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/02/a-perfectly-untimely-proposal-by.html

Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man of consequence and riches, is in love with Elizabeth Bennet. He has overcome his many reservations about the match (her vulgar family, lack of fortune and connexions) and is about to propose.

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth Bennet is not in love with him. In fact she despises him for his involvement in separating her sister, Jane from his friend, Bingley.

As Darcy attempts to propose, the universe steps in to delay him. An escaped Great Dane puppy interrupts. Darcy has a longstanding aversion to the breed.
Elizabeth is enchanted and christens her Ruby.

Next day, Darcy looks for another opportunity to speak to Elizabeth.
Ruby causes a distraction of a more perilous nature.
The gamekeeper feels Ruby can't be trained, so is planning to destroy her. Elizabeth and Darcy are horrified. Darcy makes a spur of the moment decision to adopt her.
This action impresses Elizabeth and makes her start to re-evaluate her view of Darcy.

There are further meetings in London, where Darcy tries to woo Elizabeth and Ruby does her best to help.

Will Darcy finally get his chance to propose and what will Elizabeth's answer be?

This book is wonderful. Ruby (known to all as Miss Ruby, as a proper young lady should be) is adorable.
She rapidly steals her way into Fitzwilliam's heart, house, bed and pockets!

Fitzwilliam is quick to acknowledge his mistakes and works so hard to make up for them. His relationship with Ruby is a joy to read.

Elizabeth finds his kindness and willingness to improve makes him increasingly appealing.

I heartily recommend that you read this, it is delightful.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

Mr Darcy, scarred both physically and emotionally is a recluse at Pemberley.
Elizabeth meets him when she visits, with Mr &Mrs Bingley.
Together, they battle the superstitious villagers of Lampton, finding love along the way.
Great relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Also features a tougher Jane and a surprisingly useful Mrs Bennett.

Great story, I stayed up all night to finish it.
Be warned! Not for the faint hearted.
Starts with, what is essentially a date rape, courtesy of a headache remedy containing the herbal equivalent of GHB.
There is also a great deal of threatened sexual violence.

There is of course the desired HEA. Also a quite satisfactory punishment for Caroline Bingley.

An enjoyable read.
A visit to Ramsgate with Georgiana, the year after his father's death, leads to Darcy meeting a 17 year old Elizabeth.
Darcy rescues Elizabeth from a compromise, but ends up offering marriage to protect them both from scandal.
The story focuses on the first few months of marriage, as they try to adjust.

Would recommend.

Awesome

A compelling story of passion, magic and treachery.
Darcy and Elizabeth are drawn to each other, with steamy results. Miss Bingley is a bitch, Wickham is appallingly vile.
The magical fantasy elements are woven skillfully into Regency social constructs.
I adored this book and couldn't put it down. Do read it, you won't regret it!

Excellent book about Angel Meadow, a notorious slum in Victorian Manchester.
This is both fascinating and grim. My great, great grandfather lived here as a child after emigrating from Ireland.
I found it distressing to read of the harsh conditions he faced, for at least a decade.
Made me very grateful for his strength in surviving.

Elizabeth gets a head injury, which causes amnesia. Strangely, the only person she forgets is Darcy. Distressing for Darcy. Doubly so, as she was on her way to their wedding, when she lost her memory.
Despite his anguish, Darcy does everything possible to help and support Elizabeth. This is Darcy at his adorable best.
Add in an attempted murder to solve and some scary insights into Regency mental healthcare. With several suspects from our usual cast of characters and some delightful new heroes.
Compelling and entertaining.

I received an advanced review copy from the author. Views and opinions are my own.