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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...
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The Marquess of Yew Park House by Lotte R James #Review

 

Having just watched a re-run of Bridgerton, I thought I'd read an historical romance and I wasn't disappointed. The Marquess of Yew Park House by Lotte R James was published by  Harlequin / Mills & Boon and is published on 17th February. 

 
A brooding marquess

And a mysterious widow

On the outside Henry Spencer, Marquess of Clairborne, has it all: title, fortune and dashing good looks. Inside he’s haunted by nightmares. Seeking sanctuary at his Scottish estate, his peace is disturbed by a new tenant, widow Genevieve de l’Omont. Her beauty and spirit lead to a growing desire that distracts him from his troubles, but as he unravels a mystery from his past, he discovers Genevieve has secrets of her own…


 My Thoughts

I found this to be a truly escapist read for anyone wanting to disappear into a Regency Romance novel. As the action takes place out of London and therefore away from English Society, you see the characters in a more naturalistic setting, where they can behave outside the confines of the strict social hierarchy of Regency London. Nevertheless, it is quite shocking to realise how little autonomy women had at the time if they were to operate within social respectability. Marriage was not, for some, a path to independence but to a life at the mercy of bullies and cruelly sadistic husbands. Their children could also be used as pawns against them.

    As a love story, this has all the ingredients you'd look for. The Highlands setting is gorgeous and the Marquess' life there has a certain style. There central characters are both sympathetic but have so much baggage from their previous lives. There is also a mystery which is to be solved as to past family events. The Marquess' friendships and his reaction to the life which is mapped out for him as a leader of society, shows you that despite his past life he has integrity and empathy. The facade he has shown to the world has been for him like wearing a mask, not his true self. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit back to Regency Britain.

In short: An escapist Regency romance.

About the Author


Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she's not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration, or nestling with coffee and a book.

You can follow Lotte here:  Twitter

Book links: Books2Read

Thanks to Lotte R James , Harlequin/ Mills & Boon and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.  

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