REVIEW - A FASHIONABLE INDULGENCE - scrubs up well

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

Date read: 26th July 2024

My rating: 5* 

Genre I reckon: M/M Regency Romance (trad pub)

Buy link: Amazon 

Wow, this book has a LOT going on! Harry has been brought up to fight the oppressors. But gets flung into the Ton when his grandfather elevates him, but only once he's been brought up to snuff.

Julius is the very man forced into teaching Harry how to become a gentleman. But can he ever fit in? He finds himself caught between two worlds. Sedition vs Tories, gay men vs Society - gallows await anyone caught on the wrong side.

Danger lurks around every corner in this action-packed novel. But there is also a lot of fashion, friends and parties as well as marriage arrangements - whilst passion swirls through it all. I think my head's still spinning.

Well-researched and carefully planned out, this book explores the underbelly of London at a dangerous time. 

A thrilling read!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE VICAR AND THE RAKE - A-mews-ing

The Vicar And The Rake by Annabelle Greene

Date read: 20th July 2024

My rating: 4* 

Genre I reckon: M/M Regency Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

I was in the mood for some raunchy Regency romance between guys. This one seemed to fit the bill. 

I really enjoyed the friends-to-lovers yearning. I would've liked to have seen more glimpses into their former relationship; what left them both secretly longing for one another? Did they kiss? 

The rake is really well written; you get to see how he's been flinging himself around London. And the secret society is amazing. The author clearly did their research (yay!). 

There is a very cute kitten, Buttons, who adds his own sass to the story. And there are secrets and mysteries which add a layer of intrigue. 

The steam is mostly centred around one night, but phew, what a night!

The push and pull of these two characters as they try to overcome their passions is heart-wrenching. Edward has so much pain. But maybe the patient vicar that his childhood friend, Gabriel, has become can help him sift through his trauma? Be his safe haven and redemption.

I really enjoyed the side characters as well. Ginger is a cheeky chappy, and Gabriel's sister is a formidable foil to Maurice, Edward's brother. 

The ending felt a little rushed, and I really wanted to see how the pair would find a way of actually living together in their hostile Regency world.

Overall, a very encouraging debut novel. 

A sweet, intriguing Regency romp.

Always in love and light,

TL

BOOK NEWS - A new TL Clark Release - A Haverton Christmas

A quick note...

I have a new book releasing 5th November 2020 - remember remember 💂

A Haverton Christmas - A Regency Love Short Story

It was previously published as part of a charity anthology, but now that's reached it's end, it's time for Lady Caroline to shine alone. 

It's available to purchase on Amazon (ebook only as it's a short story) - FREE in Kindle Unlimited or just $1.99/£1.50

Description:

Not all who enter the marriage mart are successful…

Lady Caroline attended the Season full of hope but has come home in disgrace.
Her parents, who spent a fortune on her come out, are seriously displeased that she did not secure a husband. Her papa, the Marquess of Haverton, is particularly icy.

The looming winter looks bleak indeed for this poor innocent. The very notion of spinsterhood sends chills through her veins.

Gossip and intrigue are rife amongst The Ton. Try as she might, her brother’s rash marriage seems to follow her like a shadow. Who would associate with the likes of her?

Lady Caroline primes herself as well as the house for Christmas festivities. Perhaps there is yet a chance of love amongst her own circle.

Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fans will love the authenticity of this Regency Christmas sweet romance.
Previously published as part of the multi-author anthology, Kissing and Other Scandalous Pastimes.
A short story inspired by international best-selling Regency Love. This stand-alone book is suitable for gently bred young ladies.

The drawing room doors are opening for you.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A Haunting at Havenwood - a sweet spectral romance

Date read: 28th September 2020

My rating: 4*

Genre I reckon: Sweet Regency Romance + a ghosty or two

Buy link: Amazon 

This is a very sweet Regency romance. Even the ghosts are kindly relatives.

Louisa is cast upon a great-aunt after the death of her father, and she finds herself going from riches to, well, not quite rags. But life is definitely different in tranquil Northumberland, compared to her lively Scarborough home. 

The plot moves along at a steady, sedate pace. And the characters are brought to life with wonderful writing. 

One of the ghosts wears a kilt and brings a lovely Scottish flair to this story which is set close to the border. Not scary at all.

Erasmus, the haunted great-grandson, has a stammer which he has been ridiculed for all his life. He has tried his best to overcome it, but there's still traces which has left him reluctant to socialise enough to pursue a wife. 

This is my first Sally Britton book and I suspect it won't be my last.

A thoroughly enjoyable Regency tale with a treasure hunt! 

* I received an ARC of this book but am voluntarily leaving a fair, honest review.

There is no sex, violence or swearing - a gently bred young lady

Always in love and light,

TL

Regency Love - the details

OK, so over the past 16 posts, I've shared the plethora of research I gathered whilst writing my book.
And yes, I've included sneaky links to said book at the bottom of the posts - you can't blame a girl for trying 😉

But I thought I'd do a quick post all about the book itself.

Why did I write it?
Well, you may know that I have an author mission; to explore the many kinds of love.
And, as a lifelong fan of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë (Jane Eyre is my all time favourite book), I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
Thus I find myself stepping back some two hundred years to explore love in Regency England.

So many Regency books I read either stop at marriage or involve indulgent naughtiness pre-marriage. But I wanted to go further than this. I wanted to portray a realistic story, feeling their were plenty of tales yet to be told.
What did women truly feel at the time? Did they go along with marriage blindly?
Although love was being considered during marital selection, this was also limited by the constraints of class.
I didn't want a poor girl chasing a duke. Lady Anne IS the daughter of a duke. She must have had something to say, but had no voice at the time. This author decided it was high time she was given an outlet.

What's it about then?
Regency Love - Reflections of a Young Lady is Lady Anne's story.
We join her as she enters the marriage mart, having been "bred for purpose". She is full of trepidation and excitement. She has no idea who she will find herself married to.

During her journey, she discovers that not all of the Ton are honourable. And secrets come to light.

She is not alone. There are two main girl friends who are going through the same process, and they support one another as they make their entry into Society.

But, this book does not close the doors at the church. Come and explore married life for those "fortunate" enough to succeed.

Choice is but an illusion. This is Regency England, where fortunes are won and lost with alarming regularity. Who amongst the nobility has kept and who has squandered the family fortune? 

Gossip and intrigue are rife amongst The Ton. Not all are honourable. And not all marriages are equal. 

Is it any good? 
How very dare you! 😂
lol, I don't expect you to take my word for it. Of course I love Regency Love, it's my book baby!!
ARC readers have begun leaving their reviews on Goodreads if you want to take a look.
But, by the time you read this, reviews should be going up in all the usual places. 

Added bonus; if you're reading this on release day, as planned (27th August 2019), you can still grab this (ebook) for the bargain price of 99c/99p! I mean it; that really is a bargain, this is a long book! 

Yes, 'tis I! 

Can I see a sample? 
Well, yes. You can actually see and hear me reading in a very plummy English accent on my IGTV and YoutTube Honestly, it's funny and well worth a watch! 

But here's a text snippet on Book Funnel (chapter 1 in its entirety as a pdf). 

Where can I buy it? 
I like to make my books available to all. 
So, if you follow this link, you can select your favourite book store.

But, if you want the direct Amazon ones, they are...
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada 
Amazon India

The paperback is also now available at Waterstones (as well as Amazon )

Thank you for your interest and support.

Always in love and light,
TL