Audio: What Ales the Earl - Sally MacKenzie

Book 1 in the Widow’s Brew series

Narrated by Justine Eyre

Publication date Oct 23, 2018 by Tantor Media

Running time 9 hrs 7 min

Historical romance

Thanks to Tantor for this review copy

My Thoughts

I liked that this one did keep true to time. For most of the book it does not even hit Harry that he could marry Pen. Why would he? He is an Earl, she is a farmer's daughter. And that was the sad facts. But hey, this is romance. Do NOT worry.

Pen and Harry spent a glorious summer together. He went off to War, she found out she was pregnant and fled. He is now back and is an Earl. She is making ale and living with a bunch of other women. He wants to marry a lady to get an heir and a spare. She wants a secure home for her daughter.

Harry was like a nobleman would have been. He would marry someone equal to him, he would not love her and they would do their own things. And then he sees Pen and offer to have her as his mistress (after some time, he is not a total arse.) Yes, I thought that was perfectly reasonable. It's not like he would have seen her and thought must marry her! Everyone would gossip after all. His first thought was mistress and it took some time for his mindset to change. I thought it was stupid of him, but yes reasonable.

Pen knew these things too. But she also wanted more, and I admired her for that. Good for you!

They have a lot of talking in front of them. And him getting to know their daughter. A crazy lady will emerge. And when he finally sees the light it is wonderful. Because this is a romance and even farmer's daughters get those HEAs.

Conclusion:

Romance, a bit of ale and some nekkid times.

Narrator.

Justine Eyre is great, I have nothing bad to say about her. I like all her voices and her accents.

Cover

cute

Full Synopsis
Scandal does not define the "fallen" ladies of Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home. Instead, it's a recipe for an intoxicating new future as the women combine their talents—to operate their own brewery and alehouse . . .

When Penelope Barnes arrived at the Home with her young daughter, she discovered a knack for horticulture—and for cultivating the hops needed to produce a superlative pint. She put her scandalous affair with Harry Graham firmly in the past, along with the wrenching pain she felt when he went off to war. After all, she'd always known a farmer's daughter had no future with an earl's son. Now she has the pleasant memory of their passion, and she has little Harriet . . .

Harry went off to fight for the Crown unaware that his delightful interlude with his childhood friend had permanent consequences. Now he's back in England, catapulted into the title by his brother's untimely death. He sorely misses his former life of unfettered adventure, so when he has reason to explore Little Puddledon, he jumps at the chance. But what he finds there is something—and someone—he never knew he'd lost, and a once forbidden love whose time has come, if only he can persuade Pen he's home to stay . . .

Historical Friday: Unlaced / Duchess of Love

All Lucy Abbington wants is to get through her first London season without losing sight of her true ambition—gaining some informal training in veterinary arts so that she can retire peacefully to the countryside with her beloved horses. Instead, she’s caught up in a whirlwind of balls, marriage proposals, and ton intrigues. Worse, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her sponsors’ maddening neighbor, Henry Ashton, the Marquess of Mandeville. The handsome, arrogant, sometimes infuriating Mandeville stokes a passionate fire within her that won’t be denied, no matter the consequence.

Deep, emotional scars secretly plague Henry, Lord Mandeville. As a result, he’s avoided romantic entanglements at all costs. Only, now he needs a wife—someone from a wealthy, powerful family to further his political aspirations. Instead, he finds himself all but obsessed with the beautiful but unconventional Lucy Abbington—a woman whose passions and wit stir desires he’d rather ignore. And yet…she might just be the one woman who can heal his wounded heart.

Lucy and Henry’s heads say no, but their hearts say yes. Will they find themselves undone by love? 

My thoughts:

Lucy was different, but a woman of her time..no. Did I believe her family and friends would let her be like that, eh, not really. She dressed in pants, rode like a man, rushed to care for animals. Maybe if we had take 1 of 3 it would have been better ;)

Still, kudos to her for being all, I shall be a vet! And stupid men for not letting her be one.

Right so first we have her struggle to educate herself. Then we have bitches talking behind her back about how strange she is. Oh the pox on you bitches!

Then we have the romance part. The family she is staying with has a mysterious neighbor. Hello love interest. Aye, poor Henry hates his mum, his fiancee left him. He has issues. He wants a woman of the ton, and one with money and connections. Oh no, see, Lucy has none of that. And Henry is a bit of an asshole about the whole thing. Men, aholes.

Conclusion:

They meet, they dance around, people are mean and they live happily ever after. I enjoyed it

Cover

eh

Kindle Edition, 261 pages
Published May 12th 2014 (first published 2004)
Undone by Love #1, Ashton/Rosemoor #1
Historical romance
Own

The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It’s not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe’s lands. And Venus Collingswood didn’t want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister’s betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice…

Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he’s his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he’s discovered swimming in his pond—if he can manage to get a word in edgewise…

My thoughts:

Venus is the daughter of the local priest, and her entire family are bookworms. A Duke is coming to town. Let the drama and laughs begin.

Venus was fun and carefree. Andrew, the Duke, just wants to be liked for the person he is, and not for the Duke he is. They meet, he likes her, she starts to like him. Her sister meets his cousin. Stupid bimbos show up (Oh pestilence upon ye!).

And they all live happily ever after. It was a cute novella. I'd read more.

Cover

Cute

Kindle Edition, 106 pages
Published April 24th 2012 by Zebra
Duchess of Love 0.5
Historical romance
Own

Historical x2 reviews: The Naked Gentleman and Undone

John Parker-Roth cannot believe that marriage is necessary for his happiness. He would far rather pursue his interest in horticulture, but if one day he should find a female who shared his passion for flowers—a level-headed, calm sort of female—he might reconsider. Certainly the lovely young woman who has just tumbled into his lap will not do, as she possesses neither of these admirable qualities. 

Yet Miss Margaret Peterson does have many things in her favor. To begin with, she is a true English rose, blushing a delectable pink. And she is not entirely clothed. Her full mouth begs to be kissed. If only she would not wriggle so . . . oh, dear. He cannot ignore the sudden vision of her in his bed, but he must.

What? Is Meg actually asking him to kiss her? Well, well, well. John Parker-Roth is a gentleman, first and foremost. And he cannot turn down a lady’s request . . . 

My thoughts:

I liked it, but at the end I went, would I read more? No, not really. Oh well I guess it was just ok then.

I had problems through out the book. First, Meg drags men into the bushes..ok, that is beyond stupid. And it seems everyone knows about it! Ok that is not even funny, she would be ostracized and ruined. Who cares who her friends are then. You just do not drag men into the bushes! I think she told us why but I forgot. To get married? To see how kisses the best? Stupid girl.

So she is a stupid girl who samples kisses and then when she could get married she is all no. *eye roll*

John was no catch either, he was pretty boring and when did they fall in love? I never felt it. Not even at the sudden ending.

And they never even got it on! SO, yes I know I skim those parts but it was just so what is this? It's not like she isn't already ruined.

The thing that bothered me the most where the side characters. I was reading about Meg or John and suddenly a new characters showed up and got her or his own sidestory and I was all, who are these people? Who cares!

Oh, and no one is naked in this one

Conclusion:

Just ok then. 

Cover

ok

Paperback, 320 pages
Published April 1st 2008 by Zebra (first published 2008)
Naked Nobility #6
Historical romance
Own

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .

Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives. 

My thoughts:

First, there was nothing of Rapunzel here. Was that supposed to be the kidnapping from the convent? So nothing of the fairy tale. But then it only says inspired, and that does not have to mean alike...I guess.

So she writes these more erot (I am not gonna say the word cos I read once how blogger does not like it) tales. Can't say much about that, I am a smexy scene skimmer. Have you seen one throbbing member than you have seen them all. *yawns* *skips a few pages* What? It's just so boring, get to the story already.

Ok the story. So this guy kidnaps a woman from a convent..eh rude much? Thanks a lot for kidnapping me and bringing me to France. The place of my dooooom! Yes the heroine Angelica has run from France and does not want to be here. But Simon has a throbbing member and wanted to save her from a wicked nun.

Angelica had a wicked stepdad.

Simon hates this guy who steals from the king. Simon also have issues of wanting to be nobility.

Angelica does not want to tell her real name or anything.

Simon gets very upset when she ...something I can't say, but COME ON! Asshole much?! F that man, I would not have forgiven him that easily but she wanted that throbbing member again.

France, a ship, an island. Thinking how they can't be together cos omg she is a noble, and he is not. He must sacrifice his happiness so she can marry some noble, have 10 kids and die from syphilis that he got from his many mistresses.

Conclusion:

Haha, but honestly, it was a fun tale, even with the skipped scenes ;)

cover

ok ish

ebook, 350 pages
Published April 23rd 2012
Fiery Tales #4
Erot Historical romance
Own