Regency Archives

Burning Bright by Melissa McShane

August 17, 2016 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

Burning Bright: In 1812, Elinor Pembroke wakes to find her bedchamber in flames—and extinguishes them with a thought. At 21, she is old to manifest magical talent, but the evidence is unmistakable: she not only has the ability to start a fire, but the far more powerful ability to control and extinguish them. She is an Extraordinary, and the only one in England capable of wielding fire in over one hundred years. As an Extraordinary, she is respected and feared, but to her father, she represents power and prestige for himself. Mr. Pembroke, having spent his life studying magic, is determined to control Elinor and her talent by forcing her to marry where he chooses, a marriage that will produce even more powerful offspring.

Trapped between the choices of a loveless marriage or living penniless and dependent on her parents, Elinor takes a third path: she defies tradition and society to join the Royal Navy. Assigned to serve under Captain Miles Ramsay aboard the frigate Athena, she turns her fiery talent on England’s enemies, French privateers and vicious pirates preying on English ships in the Caribbean. At first feared by her shipmates, a growing number of victories make her truly part of Athena’s crew and bring her joy in her fire. But as her power grows and changes in unexpected ways, Elinor’s ability to control it is challenged. She may have the power to destroy her enemies utterly—but could it be at the cost of her own life?

Sissy:

Well. I read Burning Bright whilst camping in the mountains with my various male family members, and they had to endure both my exclamations of dismay over 19th century chauvinism and my glee at heroine Elinor’s bravery and extraordinary “girl power.” The word extraordinary fits because Elinor is an Extraordinary in this version of the world, which means she has a power that is rare and valued. Her talent is with the wielding and controlling of fire, which is rather useful. Burning Bright is unique and intense compared to our usual fare, and I was literally on the edge of my hammock by the end. And my boys knew that I wholeheartedly wished for fire to come out of my fingertips. All my attempts failed.

Bubby:

Sometimes when Sissy gets REALLY angry, fire comes out of her eyeballs, but that’s less useful of a talent…

Sissy:

I’m so frightening, I know. Everyone thinks so. I just wish it was REAL fire. Then I’d get the respect I deserve. Plus I’d obliterate pirates.

Bubby:

Before I go into my ravings about how much I enjoyed Burning Bright, I must offer you readers a small disclaimer. This story is about war. They are right in the middle of several pretty intense battles and Elinor has to use her power both defensively and offensively. It’s a little violent. There’s nothing graphic, and it makes for a great story, but I just wanted to make you all aware that Elinor is not spending her time at tea parties and sewing circles! Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, let’s proceed to the part where I gush about how fabulous this novel is. I was, just like Sissy, riveted. There is action and adventure and even romance. I don’t want to spoil anything, but oh! Captain Ramsay! That man is Colin Firth in “Pride and Prejudice” worthy! Swoon!

Sissy:

Yes, Captain Ramsay very ably provides us a side of romance with his strong and silent yet secretly tender persona. There are many interesting and multi-faceted side characters in Burning Bright, including Elinor’s tyrannical and self-serving father, who basically wants to use her as a brood mare for magical offspring. If you haven’t read a fantasy regency novel before, this is an excellent place to start. Who can resist the lure of a Regency lass kicking trash on the Pirates of the Caribbean? And the cover is gorgeous! Melissa McShane has written a riveting, entertaining tale. Will we see more from her, Bubby?

Bubby:

Of course we will! Melissa McShane already has several other books available (The Crown of Tremontane Series, Emissary, The Smoke-Scented Girl and The View From Castle Always) as well as a serial novel (Sesskia’s Diary) that is only available on her website. Will she write a sequel to Burning Bright? Well, it says that it’s book #1 in the Extraordinary Series, so I’d say absolutely yes! I hope she hurries!

Click HERE to buy Burning Bright by Melissa McShane

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Summer House Party (Timeless Regency Collection) by Sarah M. Eden, Regina Scott, and Donna Hatch

July 6, 2016 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

A ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE by Regina Scott: Kitty Chapworth is nearly a spinster, and an orphan living on the charity of her uncle, with nothing to recommend her for the marriage mart. Her primary purpose is relegated to acting chaperone for her cousins until she can see them successfully married. Kitty remains focused on her duty even though she knows her future is bleak. When Quentin Adair returns from a long ten years working in Jamaica and proposes a wild charade to Kitty, she agrees, although the plan might reawaken her old feelings for Quentin. Can a reformed rake convince the perfect chaperone to overlook propriety for love?
A PERFECT MATCH by Donna Hatch: Genevieve attends a summer house party hosted by her best friend who can’t wait to introduce her to a gentleman she wants to marry, Christian Amesbury. After meeting him, Genevieve determines Christian is perfect . . . for her. Torn between loyalty to her best friend and the yearnings of her heart, Genevieve must first escape the attention of a powerful lord who’s obsessed with her and who tries to rob her of any hope for a happily ever after.
THE PAUPERS’ HOUSE PARTY by Sarah M. Eden: It’s a rare event that Edward Downy and his brother are invited to a house party by a member of the ton. But when they arrive, Edward quickly realizes this house party is different than any other. All invited guests are quite destitute, fallen members of Society barely hanging onto their homes. The hosts of the house party, the Warricks, then make a stunning announcement—they intend to gift all their properties to one fortunate guest. As the guests race to impress the Warricks, Edward finds a fast friend in Agatha Holmwood, who shares his same aversion to the horrible expectations. But their growing fondness for each other only makes the game more painful.

Sissy: What a delightful collection of stories! There is something about a clever, Jane Austen-esque tale that makes me happy. The first book, An Engagement of Convenience by Regina Scott showcases two people who, though considered almost too old for the fresh marriage market, actually have matured past their teens enough to know what they really want. I enjoyed being part of their journey whilst they figured this out!

Bubby: One of my issues with the Regency era is the complete lack of power that women had. This is well illustrated in A Perfect Match by Donna Hatch. Poor Genevieve! She’s fallen for the perfect man but because she’s not allowed to have actual conversations with the opposite gender, there’s nothing she can do about it. Not to mention the fact that when Mr. twice-her-age sleaze bucket comes after her with a vengeance, all she can do is smile, nod, and move to the other side of the room. I’d have slapped him and kicked him in the nuptials! Luckily, all works out well in the end.

Sissy: Which we require, of course. It is lovely to have books like these to escape to when the TV is full of explosions, hate, and mayhem, whether real or fictional. My sons and husband went to the latest intense film on July 4th and after watching the trailer I said no thanks. Stayed home and watched a sappy, happy, love fest, I did. The third story, The Pauper’s House Party by Sarah M. Eden, is definitely a twist on the house party theme. The Warricks are the epitome of the pompous,snooty nosed gentry, and the pathetic kowtowing displayed by the less fortunate blue bloods is almost unbearable. But entertaining! Agatha and Edward manage to rise above the grubbing others and find happiness in the end, differently than you might expect.

Bubby: All the stories in Summer House Party are fabulously diverting. Makes me wish I had a massive manor house in the English countryside in which to throw a fortnight of entertainment. I’d even invite Sissy.

Sissy: I’d only come if there was indoor plumbing and antibiotics.

Bubby: Did you think we were going to time travel? I don’t go anywhere that doesn’t have indoor plumbing. Ever. So when the kids are yelling “I’m bored, mommy,” and you wish school was starting tomorrow instead of six weeks from now, lock yourself in your bathroom (hurrah for indoor plumbing) and read Summer House Party! Your sanity will thank you.

Click HERE to buy Summer House Party by Sarah M. Eden, Regina Scott, and Donna Hatch

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Spring in Hyde Park (Timeless Regency Collection)

March 18, 2016 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

Bubby: On Monday we gave you a taste of spring in Montana. Today, we give you spring in London, specifically Regency era London. I used to have a real bias against Regency fiction but these authors are breaking down my walls. I’m starting to almost love it! Crazy, I know. There are three novellas in this collection and I enjoyed them all. The first story is A Happy Accident by Jennifer Moore. What happens when Maryann’s father finds that she’s inadvertently spent the night ALONE in a carriage with the Marquess of Spencer? He makes them get married, of course! Seriously, some of the rules of this time period are just ridiculous! But it sure makes for a good story…

Sissy: Maryann’s father is a conniving opportunist, but fortunately Maryann is quite a different breed. In the second story (The Disdainful Duke by G.G. Vandagriff) Sophronia, almost-spinster older sister of the engaged Lavinia, is thrown together at wedding events with the groom’s older brother who happens to be a duke. Their conversations remind me of the barbed sparring that went on between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and we all know how that turned out!

Bubby: An Invisible Heiress by Nichole Van might just have been my favorite. In Miss Belle Heartstone we have a female character who defies the rules of the day (as well as her mother) and takes her life into her own hands. Where does Collin, the Marquess of Blake, come in? You’ll have to read it to find out.

Sissy: Sometimes regency collections have a few winners and a few that are not the best we’ve ever read. In the case of Spring in Hyde Park, all three novellas are excellent, refreshing, and so entertaining! This collection is probably one of the most enjoyable group of Regency novels we have encountered thus far, and we highly recommend it. I think Jane Austen herself would love it!

Click HERE to buy Spring in Hyde Park by Jennifer Moore, G.G. Vandagriff, and Nichole Van