By The Book

Love historical romance? Then you should definitely check out the novella collection, Her Country Gentleman (Timeless Georgian Collection, Book 1) by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly. I listened to the audiobook, and it was the perfect accompaniment for my morning walks and chores. All the details and my thoughts are below.

Not all love is found in London . . .

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte’s grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister’s wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he’s also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William’s sheep’s disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status, but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother’s approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha’s romantic sensibilities, and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he’d already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he’s more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English. 

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best selling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

Although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.” She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

You can visit Sian on the web at http://www.sianannbessey.com

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML’s “2013 Novel of the Year” and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award’s “2014 Novel of the Year,” Longing for Home: Hope Springs. Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

My Impressions:

Her Country Gentleman, a collection of 3 romance novellas set during the Victorian-era in England, was just what I needed for my morning walks. This book had just the right mixture of romance, suspense, whimsy, and Victorian touches to keep me engaged and listening (I had a copy of the audiobook). I liked that each novella was about 2+ hours long — I could get my exercise in, do a few chores, and look forward to the next installment the next day. Before you think the books were just time fillers, let me tell you that they were well-crafted with interesting historical details and characters that I truly liked! Although each novella has its own unique voice due to the different authors, they each revolve around finding love and purpose in the countryside of England. There’s no stuffy London drawing rooms to be found, but there are plenty of sheep! LOL! Seriously, I enjoyed the suspense Bessey created in Spring at Tribbley Hall, the focus of being true to oneself in Love of My Heart by Eden, and the fun and love found in Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Connolly. I loved traveling outside of London and getting into the fresh air of the countryside with the plucky heroines and their dashing love interests.

This fresh voiced collection is perfect for those who love historical romance. Whichever version of the collection you choose, I can promise you will be swept up in all three stories.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to AustenProse for a complimentary audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Tags: historical romance fiction, novella collection, Rebecca Connolly, Sarah M. Eden, Sian Ann Bessey