Weddings and Scandals: Regency Romance Collection

I will be honest, I haven’t had a chance to read the entire book, but I am very familiar with Joyce Alec’s work and she doesn’t disappoint.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her books to anyone.

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

You always know what you’re getting with Joyce Alec. Entertaining stories that are well told with a mystery and romance. and always happy endings. Read and enjoy!

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

This book contains 4 Regency books with a touch of mystery and a hint of scandal, including: The Viscount’s Promise, The Viscount’s Wife, The Viscount’s Mystery, and The Viscount’s Heart. Below is a review of one of the books to give you an idea of what’s inside! I own and read them all and you absolutely love these! Each title is individually reviewed in depth if you want to check out the others too before buying.

*** Reviewing THE VISCOUNT’S WIFE ***
I am so excited to read this who-done-it murder mystery taking place during the Regency period! And the author does not disappoint!

Miss Henrietta Reapson’s cruel, controlling, overly-critical father arranged for her marriage to Viscount Chaucer, a man 15 years older than she! Rude and inconsiderate, Lord Chaucer tried to immediately get her to leave the ceremony, despite their not having thanked their guests and shown proper courtesy. She tried to explain, and he gave her 3 minutes to say goodbye – then he left her and went out to his carriage. When she returned to the carriage, Lord Chaucer berated her for being longer than his 3-minute limit, and he smacked her across the face! He expected unequivocal obedience and showed no love. He would not allow her to even think that she might be his equal! He owned her completely.

At the wedding breakfast, Lord Chaucer isolated Henrietta from her mother deliberately, keeping the seat next to her empty. He finally went off to get drunk and she has a whispered talk, in complete terror, with her sister. She then went to the library to compose her feelings. As soon as the door closed in the dim room, she collapsed on the floor in wretched tears. She cried over every single fear and pain, and cried out softly that she had no way out of this horrible life. But a man’s voice said there was always a way. She was terrified that he would tell her husband how she acted, and especially in front of her husband’s guest! But he told her he would not. He introduced himself as Francis Newton. They spent hours discussing whatever they wished, his compassion giving her comfort, until she had to leave. Looking into his eyes, she began to cry again and hastened away to her fate.

Francis returned to his own townhouse in London and Viscount Wickton, a close and dear friend, joined him, concerned at his melancholy appearance. Francis told him how upset he was about Lady Chaucer’s situation. Lord Wickton teased him but saw that he was absolutely serious about her welfare. So he said they should call on the couple and be certain she is all right. Francis excused himself to write a note giving her a plan of escape if she became endangered. Lord Wickton stayed with the food and helped himself to a late breakfast.

The butler at Chaucer’s residence, extremely nervous and frowning, would not allow them to see Lord or Lady Chaucer, claiming that she was ill. Lord Wickton used his softest, disarming voice and said they had to give their congratulations for the Lady to pass on to her husband or he would think them rude – and they walked into the house to look for her. The butler ran to gather footmen and again tried to stop their search, but Lord Wickton distracted them while Francis checked the library. It was dark, so he opened the curtains – and saw a man’s arm outstretched on the floor. He found Lady Chaucer unconscious in a chair, horribly pale, with a bloody knife on her lap. The dead man had been stabbed. Having been through his own trauma of false accusations, he picked the unconscious Lady up and ran out the side door to save her reputation. Wrapping her in a sheet, he told Lord Wickton’s startled footman and driver to take her back to his townhouse and he would be there shortly. Now what would he do? How could he prove the Lady’s innocence? He was sure that she had not murdered her husband – but who did? What had happened here?

This was such an intriguing story! A genuine, hard-core mystery to solve within the confines of very proper Regency societal rules! I loved it! The story line was fast-paced and held the reader’s attention at all times! The characters were amazing, not the type normally found in such genteel reading material. I was so impressed with the honor and courage shown by Francis and the trust and friendship of his two dear friends who would stand by his side and try to save Lady Chaucer. You will not want to miss this amazing book – nor any of the others in this collection!

THE VISCOUNT’S PROMISE: An excellent murder mystery with a side of romance. Thomas, Viscount Sharpe turned his back on his best friend Francis Newton, second son of a Baron. When Francis was accused of murder Thomas was at the scene of the crime. Thomas had a hard time reconciling a man he knew for years would do such a thing. The last day of court, Francis continued to plea his innocence. The last thing Francis asked his dear friend Thomas to do was to look after his younger sister Julianna. Francis then ingested something and died. It was ruled a suicide. When the year of mourning was over, Julianna went to London unexpectedly sponsored by the Marquess of Thurston and his wife. It was also Thomas’ job to accompany her to all events, dance with her and introduce her to his acquaintances that would welcome her into society. A strange man appeared at a ball and knocked Thomas over. After the incident Thomas found a note in his pocket that Julianna and her eldest brother Baron Hollard were in grave danger and they should be on their guard. This was the beginning of trying to discover what was going on, why was it happening, who should they be on guard from and what on earth did anything have to to with the Newton family. This is such an exciting story. That was not the last clue received. Little by little things started to reveal themselves. This is a must read.
THE VISCOUNT’S WIFE: A marriage to a cruel and abusive man, just like her father. Henrietta has been physically, emotionally and intellectually repressed and oppressed by her father. She was never good enough. Little did she know she would find the strength and fortitude to endure the betrayal and machinations of her new husband and father with the help of three unexpected friends. A very good read.
THE VISCOUNT’S MYSTERY: Amazing story. Never boring. Kept my attention from page one till the end. A seriously dangerous situation arises around Michael, Viscount Glenister. He is in possession of a journal that exposes a high member of the ton for nefarious deeds past and future. The owner sends his lackeys to beat Michael near to death. when Miss Charlotte James comes upon the scene and stops the abuse. Michael is unrecognizable. Charlotte out of compassion takes him to her brother’s townhouse to recuperate. Her brother, Viscount Arthur Wickton agrees on one condition that he will plan a ball and she must be agreeable to all and any gentleman she encounters so that she may find a husband. He is determined to have Charlotte wed and protected. I love Charlotte’s character. Arthur thinking, he has one over on Charlotte she counters with a condition of her own. If after the ball, should she not find an agreeable suitor, he is to never mention her unwed state. If he does break his word, she will find a woman for him to court. They shake on it. Michael’s affection for Charlotte grows as she takes care of him during his recovery. But then he disappears. The owner of the journal will do anything, go to any length to retrieve it. Michael is constantly looking over his shoulder. Things become so complicated from here. Michael’s best friend becomes involved and by accident so does Charlotte. Now she is in danger too by association. An excellent read and I highly recommend it.
THE VISCOUNT’S HEART: I felt it was difficult to stay engaged with the characters and the story. I found nothing surprising or new in the tale. I stopped reading after 25% of the book. Wallflower loves best friend’s brother but it is unrequited, pressure from an uncaring father to marry or be shipped off, being courted by a dubious character and duplicitous in his words. The hero tries to come to her rescue only to fall into danger with the man courting his friend. I’ll pass on this one.

In The Viscount’s Promise, 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.

In The Viscount’s Wife, Henrietta was married off to an evil man, Viscount Chaucer, so her father could obtain her inheritance from her grandmother. The day after the wedding she is found with his body holding a knife and not remembering what happened because she was drugged. Francis Newton has to solve the mystery of who has really killed Lord Chaucer before Henrietta ends up paying for the crime.

In The Viscount’s Mystery, Charlotte stops two men from beating a gentleman in St. James Park. She takes him home to help him recover and he won’t tell her who he is. I was surprised that those men, who were acting on another’s behalf, didn’t figure out she was sooner. Lord Glenister stole from a powerful man who wants his property back. He has to find a way to use it against him and reveal how evil this man is before he pays with his life or causes harm to an innocent person who gets in the way like Charlotte.

In The Viscount’s Heart, Miss Emily Smythe was a mousy wallflower that Viscount Arthur Wickton’s sister from the last book was friends with. She has had a crush on him for years, but he’s never really noticed her. Emily draws the attentions of Lord Davenport, a fickle rake who is only after her dowry and wants her because he feels she will be biddable enough to not question him continuing his rakish ways after marriage. Arthur realizes how dastardly he is and threatens to tell Emily, but before he can do so the driver of his hackney is shot in front of him and he is kidnapped. He has figure out how to escape, so he save Emily before it’s too late from Lord Davenport. Or maybe the wallflower will stand up to the bully and save him first?

There was plenty of suspense and intrigue in these Regency romance mysteries.

I really loved this book set! This is the second time I’ve read these books and they were just as delightful this time around! Each book can be a stand alone story with it’s own characters and unique story line. Each one has a mystery embedded within it’s pages. The characters were wonderful and very lively. I really loved the regency background and settings. I highly recommend both the author and these books! Happy Reading!

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