The Viscount’s Promise (Weddings and Scandals)

I enjoyed this story very much. The characters are lovable and caring. Those helping Juliana with her coming out after her brother’s suicide in the courtroom seem willing to help her. Lord Sharpe who made a promise to her brother before he died, follows through a year later. There is one big mystery to solve and many twists and turns, making this story well written.

I liked this storyline, plot and twists a lot. It was an amazing read. The mystery, jealousy, sparks, attraction, drama, danger and emotional moments made it absolutely worth the read. Main characters are well defined and I liked their chemistry. I thought she was a bit naive but in a way that also suited her character.
No spoilers so I can only say that it is an entertaining and enjoyable read that I think is a must read if you like regency stories.

A Romance with a Mystery with twists that will spin you around! A disgraced family with a season in London. Can she find a suitable husband with her current circumstances? A mysterious stranger that seems to want to help. A well written book with believable characters. The twists are unexpected!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The good storyline and the well rounded characters made this book well worth the read! I was so engrossed in this story that I ended up reading this book in one sitting!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A clean, wholesome, Regency romance with a twist of mystery and suspense a well-written story. There are twists, turns, suspense, drama, an enemy closer than Julianna’s family knows, a surprise, and romance. I recommend this book.

What a dramatic beginning for this book! We are placed in a courtroom where a man is being sentenced for murder. On the dock, the accused man proclaims his innocence and asks his friend in the courtroom take care of his sister. After exacting this promise, the accused then drinks from a vial and keels over dead. After a year of mourning has passed, this friend, Lord Sharpe, as well as a kindly marquess and marchioness, come to town to support this sister, Julianna, in a London season. Lord Sharpe has been troubled by the brother’s claim of innocence and is not quite willing to believe that his former friend is guilty. Will Lord Sharpe figure out the correct murderer who framed his friend? Will he fall for Julianna himself or help her to wed another man?

I found the character of Lord Sharpe to be an interesting one. He is not portrayed as the typical Regency romance hero, who can definitely be a little touchy-feely to appeal to modern readers. Instead, he is portrayed as stiff and formal at first, bringing to mind Mr. Darcy (although he is more willing to dance!). He’s one of the reasons I think the book should have been longer. It would have been more appropriate for him to gradually become more comfortable in Julianna’s presence, and a longer book would have been needed for his character to relax. For a novella, this book has some surprising twists and turns. In fact, that’s the second reason why I think the book should have been expanded: to give more insight into thoughts, emotions, and events of the story.

I thought it odd that states that it takes place in “Nineteenth century, England” while the cover states it is a Regency; why not be specific if you are as on-point as Regency? The Regency period is a very narrow timeframe in English history and certainly not nearly as vague as the 19th century!

There are some issues with grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Surprisingly, even a character’s name was misspelled. Sometimes the baron is either referred to as Baron Holland or Baron Hollard. There are some issues with word choice as well, as sometimes the same or similar words were used right next to each other.

Despite all that, this is a relatively well written short Regency suspense.

Murder and Mystery, Regency Love story

I couldn’t really understand at all why Francis would kill himself! It wasn’t a great way to start off, unless you are going for dramatic effect, but it wasn’t believable. … what followed however was a fun cat and mouse game of trying to find the real murderer and Thomas realizing he has romantic feelings for Francis’s sister Julianna.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a very good book, the intrigue was very real. I really enjoyed her boy”s disguise. It definitely lent a great deal to the story. Nice plot twist.

This Regency romance mystery had plenty of intrigue. Thomas, Viscount Sharp promises his friend Francis who has just been sentenced to life in prison for a crime he claims he didn’t commit that he will take care of his younger sister Julianna right before Francis drinks poison to kill himself. One year later, Julianna goes to London for the season and while Thomas is escorting her a bearded man bumps into him and he discovers a note in his pocket that wants him to investigate the false crimes against Francis. Julianna’s selfish and cruel brother Henry tries to throw her out of the townhouse, while he is stealing from the ton. Thomas starts to have feelings for Julianna, but he hesitates to admit them until fortune hunter Lord Broden tries to claim her. The story comes to a head at the end and the truth is revealed.

Francis Newton was the second son of a baron, on trial for murder. The verdict was that Francis was to be spared the gallows, but he would be incarcerated for a time and would never be able to return to society. But before everyone cleared out, Francis yelled his protest of the verdict and said that he was innocent, someone had set used him to take the blame. He turned to his former friend Thomas, Viscount Sharpe, and again said he was innocent – even though Thomas was the one who had found him standing over a body and holding a bloody knife. He asked him to find out why he was set up. He also asked him to care for his sister who would shamed by this. Although Francis had brothers, he knew they would not take care of her. Thomas gave his word and Francis pulled out a vial of poison and drank it in front of everyone, still declaring his innocence.

Thomas was in shock and just stood there. A kindly older gentleman told him he should leave, commended him for agreeing to care for Francis’ sister, and told him to come see him when the mourning year was over. He was Marquess of Thurston and would make sure Julianna was not barred from social events since he had some influence over the ‘beau monde’. He also mentioned that he did not feel Mr. Newton was truly guilty; something more was going on. True to his word, as soon as Julianna arrived in London, the Marchioness of Thurston, wife of the Marquess, had been sent to meet with Julianna as her sponsor. She had arranged for several dresses for Julianna, introduced her, and made Julianna ready for her Season in London.

At the ball, Thomas signed Julianna’s dance card and asked Lady Thurston if he could take Miss Newton to meet some acquaintances. As they walked, Julianna reprimanded him for not asking her first, as she did not wish to be spoken of as if she were not there. Suddenly a bearded man knocked into them hard enough that Thomas fell to the floor. Since all were unhurt, the man walked away without waiting for an introduction. So Thomas introduced Julianna to his acquaintances and she gained several more dance partners. While she danced with Lord Borden, he sat down and heard something crinkle in his pocket. It was a note stating Newton was innocent and there was more at stake than he knew! When Julianna returned to him, he showed the note to her and she immediately realized the bearded man must have slipped it in Thomas’ pocket! But why? Who was he?

Henry came into the drawing room, angrily asking why Julianna had to always be in his way. He was arrogant, cruel, and hateful to her, demanding she leave “his” house and telling her he never cared for any of his family members. In the midst of the fight, Thomas arrived and intended to take her to Lady Thurston for the remainder of her stay. But she refused and said she would avoid Henry. Lord Borden asked to call on her, and that would keep her out of Henry’s way. Her only regret was that she was beginning to wish it was Thomas who was courting her.

Thomas arrived the next day and told the butler he would wait until Lord Borden left. He approaching the drawing room’s slightly open door and heard laughter. But instead of being glad their relationship was proceeding well and he would likely be freed of taking care of her, he felt irritated and wanted to interrupt them! She would be gone from his life, his promise to Francis completed — and a deep sense of disappointment overwhelmed him! Lord Borden stepped out and greeted Thomas. As they talked, Borden confided that he was going for the dowry! The lady herself held no interest for him! His courtship was merely a game to him to get the money for himself! As Thomas joined Julianna, he could not bring himself to tell her the truth about Borden’s intentions. Would she find out in time to refuse the man’s marriage offer? Would Thomas give any thought to the unusual feelings that were confusing him? And would he and Julianna discover who had given him the note and who had set up her brother as a murderer and thief?

This was such a good story! The mystery was well done and kept the reader on edge. In addition, we see Thomas and Julianna beginning to warm to the other while time runs out as Lord Borden pursues his courtship. Such an exciting story line, and many directions it can take! The twists and turns have only just begun as the hunt for the true murderer heats up! Don’t miss this one – it’s awesome!