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Arden by G D Harper #Review

  We start 2025 by visiting the sixteenth century and meeting two remarkable people from the time, one of whom happens to be William Shakespeare. Arden by G D Harper was published on October 1st by Ginger Cat .   The astonishing untold story of Shakespeare's first play Alice Arden, idealistic and wealthy beauty, burnt at the stake for killing her husband, the former mayor of Faversham in Kent. But was she really the one responsible for the most scandalous murder of the sixteenth century? William Shakespeare, England’s greatest playwright, born thirteen years after Alice’s execution. Why does his first-ever play, written about this murder, not bear his name? This is a story of two people – one reviled, one revered – whose fates become linked in a tale of corruption, collusion and conspiracy. Based on historical documents and recently published academic research, Arden unveils shocking new evidence about the murder of Thomas Arden and reveals, for the first time...
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What the Lady Wants by Emma Orchard #Review

 

Anyone who is a fan of Bridgerton will enjoy this regency romance by Emma Orchard. What the Lady Wants was published by Boldwood Books on August 14th.


Autumn, 1816...

Lady Ashby is grieving the death of her beloved husband, just two years earlier. Although still young and beautiful, Isabella is resolved never to marry again, and plans to leave London, return to her parents’ Yorkshire house, and resign from society before the year is over. But first, she wants one more taste of life…

Isabella has written a list, the contents of which, if discovered, would create a scandal that neither she nor her family would recover from. A list of things she would like to experience, just once more, before she surrenders herself to the life of a widow. And she knows just the man to help her: her friend, handsome and honourable Captain Leo Winterton.

But Captain Winterton has a secret of his own. He is in love with Isabella – and when she makes her most improper proposal to him, he is powerless to resist her, even if she is resolved never to love again. Can he persuade her they are destined to be together? Or will their impropriety be discovered, to the ruin of both?

My Thoughts

What the Lady Wants is a diverting regency romance for those who like their reading to be 'spicy'. Isabella, the recently bereaved Lady Ashby, sets out to make the most of her last season in London before she returns to her parents' home, expecting a life of respectable widowhood. Appearances are very important in polite society and any whiff of scandal would result in her reputations being reduced to tatters. Against that backdrop, Isabella's list of 'last experiences' puts her in a certain jeopardy. You can't help but think that she enjoys the danger and setting the agenda. After a period of meek wifedom, she relishes the chance to take control.

    Captain Winterton, who is an eligible catch of the season, recognises in Isabella qualities he has not met before. Together, they play the game of appearing to behave in public in a totally different way to their private moments. There are many observations of the norms of the time, with several varied characters, some of whom also have unconventional but hidden ways of life. As you follow Isabella's story, you wonder how far she can go without being found out. It is a lively regency romance which enables the reader to peek behind the curtain into the private lives of society.

In short: can scandal be avoided?

About the Author

Emma was born in Salford and studied English Literature at the universities of Edinburgh and York. Her first job after graduating was as a Copy-Editor at Mills & Boon, where she met her husband in a classic enemies-to-lovers romance. Emma has worked behind the scenes in television and as a Literary Agent, and in 2020 started writing Georgette Heyer fan-fiction.

 

You can follow Emma here: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign up  |  Bookbub profile

Book links 

Thanks to Emma Orchard, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

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