LOVING LIEUTENANT LANCASTER (The Lancaster Family #4) by Sarah M. Eden

For the first time since returning to life on land, Linus Lancaster has something challenging to look forward to: the seemingly impossible task of preventing his infamous brother-in-law from wreaking havoc on a house party he is being forced to attend against his will. But Linus's sisters have something far more dangerous in mind... matchmaking!



 Opening line:
"Only a fool would ignore an edict from the Dike of Kielder, and though Linus Lancaster was many things, he was not a fool."

Hooray! The Lancaster's and Jonquil's are together in one book. There were a lot of laughs and sighs going on while I read this book of Sarah Eden's. Once again, her writing had me gripped from beginning to end with humor and a slow building romance.
Linus is back from his work as a Naval officer. He is suppose to take over the running of his estate that he feels he is not skilled enough to.
Arabella has become a companion to Mater and is not really sure of her place in the household. She is neither servant nor family. But one thing she does know is that she is happy to be living away from her abusive aunt and uncle and near to a family she has greatly admired.
Linus and Arabella slowly become acquainted with each other at Mater's weeks long house party. They are both shy but both seemed drawn to each other. As the story moves along we see that they are good for each other because they understand the pain of loneliness and the healing of kindness of others.
It was fun to read about so many other beloved characters in the families.
I would suggest reading the other books before this one to really get all the nuances and backstories of the characters.

Thanks to netgalley for the read!

Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden

As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster's timid heart with dread. She hasn't her sisters beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family's enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster.

But Daphne's misery turns to surprised delight when the first event of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door—James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne s disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach.

Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love.


 Opening line:
"Daphne Lancaster stood hidden in the shadows of her brother-in-law's terrace, spying on Society's first introduction to a young lady of unparalleled beauty."

Poor Daphne! She is overshadowed by her beauty sisters; placed in the corner and ignored. She feels this is justified as she had been told many times how plain she is. A chance encounter with a kind young man gives her hope that she isn't forgotten, and she falls in love.

James Tilburn was the young man who called the young girl Little Sparrow and stole her heart, unbeknownst to him, of course. Six years later they chance to meet again. But it turns out to be more than chance and the lies and manipulation could ruin James and Daphne's hope at love forever.

Sarah Eden does a superb job at giving her readers character they come to love as one of their own family members. The plot moves along nicely as we move deeper into the story and intrigue that is keeping the couple (or couples) apart.
I really liked Daphne. I enjoyed watching her overcome her shyness and become a stronger person. I liked James too but I really wanted him to man up and tell Daphne the truth! I do have a confession...I ADORE the Duke of Kielder!

Thanks to netgalley and Covenant Communications for the early read!

5 STARS!

A FINE GENTLEMAN by Sarah M. Eden

London barrister Jason Jonquil has spent his entire life working to establish his identity as a gentleman, a man of refinement like his father and brothers. But when fiery Spanish beauty Mariposa Thornton walks into his office, he finds himself losing his grasp on his dignified character. The woman is infuriating, pushing him to the limit of his legendary patience. However, her case seems simple enough—a small matter of inheritance. Or so he believes.

Once a well-born lady, Mariposa fought to survive the brutalities of Napoleon’s war on Spain. She braved horrific perils and undertook dangerous missions on behalf of those fighting against the invading French army. But her greatest battle still lies ahead: after being separated from her family, Mariposa sets in motion a plan to reunite with her loved ones in England. To avoid drawing the attention of the French, Mariposa dons a carefully crafted persona to conceal her true purpose. As Jason and Mariposa are drawn together by the case, they come to know the people beneath the masks they both wear.

When the truth of Mariposa’s quest is revealed, the couple is pulled into a mystery that will test the limits of their courage—and expose the true desire of their hearts.


  Opening line:
"The commotion outside his office ought to have served as something of a warning, but Jason Jonquil, barrister and proud perfectionist, had done nothing more than glance up from his ruler-straight stack of papers when the first noises had drifted through his closed door."

Hurrah! Another story about the Jonquil boys!!

5 STARS

 

OLD WEST COLLECTION (A Timeless Romance Anthology)

A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: OLD WEST COLLECTION: Readers will love this collection of six historical western novellas, all with one thing in common: Romance.

In BREAK A LEG, a charming story by two-time Rita Award winner Carla Kelly, hospital steward Colm Callahan is ready to move away from army life at Fort Laramie. His only regret is leaving behind exotic Ozzie Washington, easily the prettiest woman on the post. As a maid to the lieutenant colonel's wife, Ozzie is no wilting flower when it comes to hard work. When the post surgeon leaves for an extended week, Colm must handle several medical emergencies on his own. He pleads for Ozzie's help at the hospital. While they spend long days and nights working together, Colm, a shy man, realizes he can't hide the truth of his feelings for Ozzie. He needs a little help, though. Enter from stage left, Lysander Locke, Shakespeare tragedian on his way to Deadwood.

THE SOLDIER'S HEART, an enchanting novella by Sarah M. Eden, follows Gregory Reeves has fallen in love with a woman he's never met. Her brother's dying wish is that Gregory checks on his family, and after the war, Gregory is only too happy to meet the woman he's been dreaming about. Helene mistakes him for a hired hand and sets him to work immediately. As time passes, Gregory finds it more and more difficult to reveal his true connection to her family, fearing that a woman who loathes liars will turn her disapproval on him.

HIDDEN SPRING is an enthralling novella by Liz Adair, in which Susannah Brown is just getting her life back together after becoming a widow. She still misses Wesley with a fierce longing, but when she meets his half-brother, Douglas, she learns her heart is not completely dormant. Over the next several weeks, Douglas helps Susannah with repairs on her small ranch in exchange for supper. The exchange becomes more and more meaningful as Susannah realizes that Douglas might be the one to finally heal her heart.

THE SILVER MINE BACHELOR, by Heather B. Moore, is a sweet romance between an unlikely pair. Lydia Stone has a checklist for men who qualify as the eligible bachelors in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado. Her new boss, Mr. Erik Dawson, is about to be struck off the list when she sees him coming out of the town brothel. Lydia doesn't know that Erik Dawson's sister has been living the brothel lifestyle for years, and he's set on redeeming her soul. When Lydia discovers Erik's secrets, she learns that life is not as black and white as she thinks.

In Annette Lyon's delightful story, THE SWEETEST TASTE, Della Stafford hates being a farm girl in the tiny town of Shelley, Idaho. She'll do anything to live in a big city and experience real city life. Her only regret is that she'd have to leave Joseph behind, the young man who makes her heart flutter. But she's convinced that moving away is for the best; her dreams and Joseph's dreams are too dissimilar. Then Della takes a job as a maid in Los Angeles and must face the truth that what she thought would make her happy and what really will are totally different things.

In the captivating novella, FAITH AND THE FOREMAN by Marsha Ward, Faith Bannister is forced to travel west to earn a living as a school mistress in Arizona Territory. Faith soon learns that living the frontier lifestyle of a single woman has many harsh challenges. But when she meets Slim McHenry, she discovers that life doesn't have to be so lonely. Unfortunately the dangerous Rance Hunter stands between her and Slim, and she must act with courage before everything is lost.

I didn't know I was a closet lover of western romance but I am! If a good, sweet, tender romantic cowboy is what you enjoy reading about (and wishing there were more of them in the world), then you will want to buy this collection
And if you've read any of these ladies books and loved them, you know you're going to love this collection.Each story is unique and will keep you reading long past bedtime.. 
A good, clean read that won't make your grandma blush. 

Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah Eden

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.

Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eliglble and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be less admirable-nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry. But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception? Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.

Sarah Eden has a great way with humor and romance. And she does both so well in a Regency Romance setting.
Miss Athena Lancaster has come to her sisters house to find a husband. Her protector and sisters husband, Duke Kielder, is wary of gold diggers seeking her hand so he asks Harry Windover to help whittle down the competition.
The only problem is Harry likes Athena but knows he can't marry her because he is poor. So he wants to make sure she marries the perfect man if it can't be him.
What ensues is comedic encounters, unworthy suitors and eventually, love.
Athena, after being introduced to many unsavory matches, finds her heart belongs to another. but will the Duke approve?
Sarah has written another great, clean, fun and funny romantic story.
Keep 'em coming!

Rating G
S: None
V: None
L: None

I've been wanting to try the 'page 69' test on my reviews. Supposedly, if you turn to page 69, you can tell right away if it's a book you want to read. Or at the very least, it will entice you.

Let's try it and you tell me what you think.

Mrs. Langely was as shriveled as a prune. And her winkles were not the sort borne of a lifetime of laughter. She had the appearance of one who spent hours on end sucking on lemons.

Mr. Langely continued fussing over his mother as they approached the entrance to Hyde Park, not a glance or word spared for Athena's benefit.

"Do you require many hours in curling papers to create such a riotous amount of curls, Miss Lancaster?" Mrs. Langley asked.

"No," Athena answered, dumbfounded.

"No doubt, your impatience leaves you with flat hair before the end of an evening," Mrs. Langely sniffed.

"My curls are not created with curling papers," Athena answered, realizing she'd been misunderstood. "They are natural."

"of course they are." The comment was not merely dripping with sarcasm, it was saturated with it. "Your father. Who are his people? What sort of family connections does he have?"

Athena clasped her hands in her lap, doing her best to maintain a clam and civil demeanor. "His grandfather was Lord Henley, though the title now belongs to a somewhat distant cousin of mine."

"That is not a barony of great significance," Mrs. Langley said with another audible sniff.

:The baronies in your family are, then, I assume," Athena shot back.

Mrs. Langely's mouth tightened, but she didn't reply. Athena strongly suspected there were no titles, significant or otherwise, in Mrs. Langley''s family only a moment passed before Mrs. Langley continued her picking. "And what kind of person is your mother?" she asked, her tone indicating she expected to hear something to disapprove of.