“If you marry me, I’ll want you in my house, in my life, and in my bed.”Lizzie has known and loved Thomas all her life. But they are at an impasse. Neither of her brothers are willing to run Pembroke in her parents’ absence, and it has fallen to her. When Thomas gives her his mandate, she is heartbroken. It seems there is nothing they can agree upon.Thomas is ready to marry. Lizzie is not. Can … ready to marry. Lizzie is not. Can they have a future together at all? When she is called to the deathbed of a family acquaintance the day after Christmas, her wrists are clasped and she is pulled closer. The woman stares into her face and says, “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I’m so sorry.” And the woman dies, right in front of her. Suddenly, Lizzie finds her life complicated beyond belief as she realizes she’s the sole heir of yet another estate, one inhabited by a ‘familiar.’
Thomas is there, although he has no idea if there is a future for them. He’s her strength, her rock, and her encourager.
And Lizzie wonders if she’ll ever be able to dispel the regrets that plague her.
Publisher’s Note: This action-packed, sweet, historical romantic mystery contains themes of power exchange.
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This is a continuation of the Strasburg stories. If you haven’t read all of the previous stories, or any of them, this book can be read as a stand alone, but the myriad of characters making appearances from previous stories, might be a bit confusing. But there is enough “guts” to the story of Lizzie and Thomas that it makes little difference. And Lizzie is indeed between a rock and hard place as Thomas wants to marry her, her parents are ready to give up managing Pembroke, but her brothers don’t want the responsibility, and Lizzie wants to return to college for her last semester. Besides all of the above the story contains murder, mystery and suspense. The story is intriguing and at times a real page turner. Lizzie is a strong female character, and makes decisions based on what she wants as well as what she thinks is best. And Thomas is a dominant man, yet lets Lizzie be who she is. He doesn’t attempt to change who she is for his purposes. It is an enjoyable, and well written story.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.”
The momentum of the story was quick and at first confusing. There were so many characters. It was hard to keep up with what was happening. The romance between Thomas and Elizabeth did not feel like the focus of the story. It seemed there was a serial killer on the loose killing only red-haired young girls or young ladies. There were some loose ends the story did not tie up. Why on Mrs. Wilmington death bed she whispered “I am sorry Elizabeth, so sorry” then she passed away. I might have missed it but I never figured out why she said that. Mrs. Wilmington left Elizabeth mistress of the manor, staff and all the money. There was a wing of the manor the staff refused to enter. It was haunted and strange things happened. All throughout the story Thomas was loving, protective of Lizzie. He wanted to marry her but Lizzie kept putting him off. After they righted the wrongs at the manor, Lizzie left her brother Nick and his wife to manage the estate. She went back for her last semester at school. Everyone was worried for her. She seems to be the target of the serial killer. As a matter of fact, she did cross his path and did not even know it. Towards the end of the story things did untangle a little bit. But it still left me confused. I was also surprised that Thomas dabbled in some light kinky BDSM in the bedroom (after they married). Lizzie was still reluctant to go along with his whims but he was deadly serious in everything he said to her. She finally became submissive in the bedroom. There were too many subplots and off shoots in this story that it really distracted from the main story. I still can’t decide if was the romance or the serial killer. It was too busy for me. Too many characters, too much drama and there were things thrown into the story that really lead nowhere. If I had known more about the story, I would have passed on it.
this story is full of intrigue and suspense.
Lizzie and Thomas are destined to be together in his opinion, but mystery and evil surrounds them. Lizzie was determined to do what she felt like; returning to school and taking over the Wilmington estate. Thomas was caring and supportive but determined to protect Lizzie from herself and a vicious murderer. This isn’t your run of the mill fast paced love story, but one that will definitely keep you on your toes. Lots of interesting characters too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
LOVE IS THE DOMINATING FACTOR OF LIVES
A post-Civil war story that tells of how marriages were formed and the disciplining of women, along with the fact that they were allowed to go to college. The dynamics between Elizabeth and Thomas show some of the ways that men were dominant over women; although the women had the right to decide if they would marry or not. No Regrets show the struggle of Elizabeth letting go to be the woman she needs to be and finding the woman she wants to be with Thomas giving her the space to do so. Throw in murder, intrigue and daring and the story takes off to become a wonderful tale with a HEA.
I received this ARC for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
A bit of mystery and romance.
I enjoyed the romantic mystery the characters were so entertaining and so well developed. How the author was able to show how Lizzie and Thomas felt how they deal with the challenges was great writing. The reader could also feel the frustration that the characters were feeling I love it when I can be part of the story at least in my imagination. This was a book I would recommend and I know that it will be one that I will be keeping in my collection and will enjoy it again in years to come. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This was sweet story with a bit of mystery and a bit of romance. The characters were all well written and likeable. I really liked Lizzie for her independence and determination. I liked that she was willing to pursue her dream even when it went against what was expected of her. I liked that Thomas was willing to let Lizzie live her own life while still being ready to step in when things went too far. This is the first book in the series for me, and even though it worked as a standalone, I think I missed out on a lot by not having read the earlier books. Now that I’ve read it I definitely want to go back through the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thomas and Lizzie have been friends forever. He’s ready to marry her; she’s not interested – yet. She wants to finish college. When an acquaintance passes away, that estate is left to Lizzie. Her parents want to travel, so one of her brothers will manage their family estate, the other brother will manage the estate she just inherited. Meanwhile, there’s a murderer on the loose, and Lizzie’s in danger. When Lizzie goes back to school, there’s a murder at the college, and Thomas is a wreck until he finds out that she’s safe. For now. The suspense in this was about to kill me. I haven’t read a historical romance in a long time, and really enjoyed this book. Lizzie is what I hoped to be as a young woman – smart, strong, certain in my decisions, fearless. She managed to be all those things, to the greatest degree possible considering the times, and still Thomas was there to save her when she needed him most.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not of My Making
“No Regrets” is a delightful book full of complication, obligation, action, mystery, suspense and danger. I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it.
Lizzie is 22 and came home briefly for the holidays intending to return to finish her last semester and have her graduation.
Thomas wants to marry her instead and is displeased she turned him down wanting to graduate instead.
Thomas is concerned because he knows Lizzie is in danger. A serial killer is loose, killing redheaded women like Lizzie in her school.
Not only that Lizzie has to manage Pembroke estate while her parents are away. Her two brothers are not doing their part to help.
Lady Wilmington summons Lizzie on her deathbed grabs Lizzie’s wrist and says, “I’m sorry” before she dies. Lizzie promises to attend her funeral as well.
Lizzie is in complete shock as she finds out she has inherited yet another estate she must keep up with and run. Rumored haunted makes this estate different but something mysterious is at least going on.
Thomas is not happy but sticks by her side and is determined to keep her safe.
Lizzie kept finding herself deeper and deeper in danger and had no idea why. The threat lurking is not of her doing, or is it?
Will Lizzie and Thomas be able to solve the mysteries surrounding the new estate she inherited before someone is hurt? How about the unsolved murders? Can they find a way to compromise and live happily ever after or will they go their separate way?
I received a free copy of this book. This honest review was posted voluntarily.
This is a well written book with strong likable characters and a sweet romance between Lizzie and Thomas. The author does a great job building their story with all the suspense and mystery as well as the romance. She brings the story to life with her detailed scenes and keeps you reading with the multitude of background characters and happenings. I enjoyed reading and would recommend this book / series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
First, you do not need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. This is Thomas and Lizzie’s story. They are finally getting together, but something always pulls them apart. When Lizzie inherits the Wilmington Estate, more problems follow. There is a mystery to solve and a murderer to find. There is a satisfying HEA at the end