The Reluctant
Baronet
By Elizabeth W.
Watkins
Publisher: Covenant Communications (March 7, 2023)
Publisher’s Blurb:
When faced
with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Scottish chemist Russell Parkinson finds
himself thrust into a role he has never wanted: that of British aristocrat.
Bearing his new title of baronet, Sir Russell circulates among the ton for the
sole purpose of improving Society and saving lives. His plan is moving
forward―but he did not anticipate meeting the charming Selina Clifton.
Selina is a
survivor. She battled smallpox and won, her scarred beauty a testament to her
strength. But she has no idea how she will survive what is now required of her.
With her family’s estate in jeopardy, it is up to Selina to marry and produce
an heir. She agrees to enter into a courtship with a gentleman deemed eligible
but is less than smitten with him. When handsome new baronet Russell arrives in
London, she is immediately swept up in their easy camaraderie. But as their
feelings deepen, the complicated tangle of forbidden love that ensues will
threaten friendships and futures―everything they’ve fought to protect.
My
Thoughts:
Set in the
very beginning of the time when science was able to provide vaccinations to
prevent disease, this book deals with some of the issues we’re still dealing
with today—people who don’t trust the science, with deadly and disfiguring
consequences. I received a smallpox inoculation when I was almost 9, in
preparation for a trip to England. I had a severe reaction to it. But smallpox
is now nearly eradicated from the planet. It’s worth it.
Off my
soapbox, back to the book. I enjoyed the idea of the “reluctant baronet,” who
accepted the title only because it would give him a platform to continue
advances in providing healthcare to the common people of the country. He is frustrated
by the rules of society, and has not real intention to court anyone—he’s too
busy with his medical practice.
Selina
carries the scars from her experience with smallpox; her father stopped her
from being fully inoculated, though she did have some protection. Her father
has chosen her a potential suitor, whom she finds to be rather ridiculous. There’s
a reason for that! There is a subplot with Mr. Hallett and his brother that is
a bit of a mystery, and which is resolved in an interesting way.
I particularly
enjoyed seeing Selina with her two best friends, both of whom are as strong and
independent as they can be for the time, and both of whom are still available
after more than one season “on the market”.
Seeing all
of the characters stories intertwine is particularly fun, and I like that,
while the story belongs to Selina and Russell, their friends get some attention
as well.
I really
enjoyed that this wasn’t a straight romance, but had the bit of intrigue to it
as well. I would definitely read more from this author.
Possible
Objectionable Material:
A little bit
of sneaking around. The practice of bleeding, with leeches (ew!). Near
poisoning. Talk of illness and vaccination. A duel. A character is very ill; it
is hinted that he has a sexually transmitted disease. He is violent and makes
threats.
Who
Might Like This Book:
Those who
like romance, a little bit of intrigue, and a little bit of medicine.
Thank you to
the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Sheriffs of
Savage Wells
Savage Wells #1
By Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (September 27, 2016)
Publisher’s Blurb:
Paisley Bell knows the eccentric people of Savage Wells. From
the absentminded shopkeeper who always thinks she's been robbed to the young
man who has returned shell-shocked from the war, Paisley has compassion for
them all. When the sheriff up and leaves town, Paisley steps up and assumes the
responsibility, partly because she loves the work, but also because she needs
the income to take care of her sick father. So when the town council decides
that the position of sheriff should really go to a man, Paisley finds herself
fighting to prove that she's the perfect candidate for the job, even though she
wears a skirt.
Cade O'Brien is heartily sick of shooting
people. In his many years as a lawman, Cade has seen his share of blood and
violence. So when he answers an advertisement for a sheriff job in the sleepy
town of Savage Wells, he believes he's found the peace and quiet he's always
desired. But when he discovers that his biggest competition for the job is a
woman, he begins to question his decisions.
Tension between the two begins to sizzle when
both Cade and Paisley realize the attraction they have for each other, but when
Paisley's former beau shows up in town, along with a band of bank robbers, the
blossoming relationship between the two sheriffs is tested. They will have to
work together to thwart the bank robbers and keep the town safe.
This book makes me want to break into the song “Anything You
Can Do, I Can Do Better” from Annie Get Your Gun. It’s a classic battle
of the sexes. Paisley really needs this job in order to support herself and her
father, who is slipping into dementia. But…she’s a woman. And wears dresses.
Even though she is the best shot around.
Crime, lots of guns and shooting. As mentioned, Paisley’s
father is in the early stages of dementia. Some minor deceptions. A character
has what we would call PTSD from his service in the Civil War.
Those who like books set in the West during the Westward
Expansion. Those who enjoy towns with quirky characters. Fans of strong female characters
who aren’t defined by their gender.
Healing Hearts
Savage Wells #2
By Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (February 5, 2019)
Publisher’s Blurb:
Wyoming
Territory, 1876
As the only
doctor in the frontier town of Savage Wells, Gideon MacNamara knows his
prospects for a bride are limited. The womenfolk in town are either too young,
too old, or already spoken for. So, being a practical man, he decides to take
advantage of the matchmaking service of the day—mail-order brides—and sends
away for a woman with nursing experience.
When Miriam
steps off the stagecoach in Savage Wells, she sees a bright future in front of
her.
But when the
town—and Gideon—meets her, ready for a wedding, her excitement quickly turns to
horror. Somehow Dr. MacNamara's message had gotten turned around. He didn’t
want a nurse, he wanted a wife. When she refuses to marry him, she finds
herself stranded in Savage Wells with some very unhappy townspeople. But Gideon
is not like the other men Miriam has met. Embarrassed by the misunderstanding,
he offers her a job, and the two begin an awkward—and often humorous—dance of
getting to know each other as they work to care for the people of their town.
Romance blossoms between the two, but when a former medical associate of
Miriam’s arrives in town, Gideon and the other townsfolk must rally around
Miriam to protect her from a dangerous fate. Gideon and Miriam must decide if
they are willing to risk their hearts for each other even as buried secrets are
brought to light.
I enjoyed this
story. The side characters are well-developed, and it’s a town full of
interesting people. There are a few minor characters that drift into cardboard
cutout territory, but not to the degree that it lessened my enjoyment of the
story.
My
Thoughts:
This second
of the series still has plenty of Paisley and Cade, but the focus is now on Dr.
MacNamara and new character Miriam. Miriam is fleeing west because of some
serious issues in her past, which are gradually revealed as the story
progresses. Gideon is tired of being alone, and plans to marry, via a
mail-order bride service. He asks for a woman who is a nurse, figuring that
even if it’s not a love match, at least she’ll understand the demands of his
job. But Miriam wasn’t told about the marrying part. Imagine her shock when, on
her arrival in town, she’s taken straight to her wedding! Of course, the
townspeople are not very pleased with her when she rejects their beloved
doctor.
However,
Gideon still needs a nurse, and he reluctantly hires Miriam to fill that role,
even though she won’t be his wife. She turns out to be very capable at her job,
and eventually townspeople warm up to her.
Even when
Gideon learns her secret, he respects Miriam’s strength and intelligence. But
when someone from her past arrives in town, ready to bring her back, they both
have to face their feelings for each other.
I think this
is my favorite of the three books in this series so far. I just really appreciated
Miriam’s character and her desire to be seen past her hidden disability. As in
the previous book, the townspeople are an interesting cast of characters. It’s
always nice in series like this to see all the characters continue to
develop.
Possible
Objectionable Material:
Descriptions
of injuries and medical treatments. A little violence. An overbearing parent.
One character has dementia, another has PTSD.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like books set in the West during the Westward
Expansion. Those who enjoy towns with quirky characters. Fans of strong female characters
who remain compassionate, even in adversity.
Thank you to
the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wyoming Wild
Savage Wells #3
By Sarah M. Eden
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (March 7, 2023)
Publisher’s Blurb:
US Marshal
John “Hawk” Hawking is one of the most respected lawmen in the West, so when a
telegram arrives from the small town of Sand Creek warning him of a death
threat against him, he immediately begins an investigation.
Posing as a
farmer, Hawk heads to Sand Creek, a town ruled by a violent and corrupt
sheriff. Only one person is trying to stop him—Liesl, the sheriff’s own
daughter. When she meets the self-assured and attractive new farmer, John, she
hopes he might help her in her fight for justice.
John is
completely unfazed by Sheriff Hodges’s attempts at in intimidation, and Liesl
is quickly swept up by Hawk’s courage and integrity. Just as quickly, Hawk
finds himself falling for Liesl’s strength and bravery, as well as her grace
and beauty.
When Liesl
discovers John’s true identity, she feels betrayed. Despite her lingering
distrust of him, Liesl agrees to work with him to enact a dangerous plan that
will put the criminals away forever. Liesl must put her life, and her heart, in
the hands of this lawman if she has any hope of saving her family and her town.
This third
installment about the people of Savage Wells brings us the story of Marshal
Hawk, who is certain he will never marry. After all, his job is quite
dangerous. But he can’t help but admire Liesel and her fortitude in fighting he
corruption in her town—corruption led by her father.
Domestic violence,
corruption, greed, danger.
Those who like books set in the West during the Westward
Expansion. Those who enjoy towns with quirky characters. Fans of strong female characters
who aren’t defined by their gender.
The Sergeant and
the Girl Next Door
By Laura Rupper
Publisher: Covenant Communications; First edition (April
4, 2023)
Publisher’s Blurb:
World War II may be over, but
Sergeant Davis Wilson feels no peace. Burdened by the loss of his best friend,
Patrick, Davis has returned to his small town determined to make sure his
friend’s mother and little sister are cared for. But the fiery young woman who
greets him isn’t the “little sister” he remembers.
Faith Penwilliger lost both
her brother and father during the war and had to grow up fast. The last four
years molded her into a strong woman who runs the family business, cares for
her widowed mother, and loves going out dancing with her boyfriend, Freddy. And
she doesn’t need anyone else in her life, especially not Davis―the boy she
idolized until the night he enlisted and the subsequent humiliating argument
she had with him that she would rather forget.
Davis is puzzled and
frustrated by the new version of Faith. Even more disconcerting are the
unexpected feelings he’s developing for the girl next door. As Faith plots
revenge and shows Davis what it feels like to be meddled with, it doesn’t take
long for the line between love and dislike to blur. Now only the truth of the
past can unlock the possibility of building a future together.
It’s nice to see a
historical romance that’s set in the 20th century.
Drinking, smoking,
possible domestic violence, divorce. Mention of war and its effects on those
who served.
Those who like the
WWII era. If you like watching someone figure out who they are and what they
want, this is a good choice.
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