Sunday, 3 September 2017

#Bookreview ~ A Gallant Gamble (Unrivalled Regency #3) #Romance @wackyjackyful

A Gallant Gamble
(Unrivalled Regency #2)
By Jackie Williams


She had been creating havoc since the moment he had first set eyes on her, but avoiding the outrageous yet beautiful Lady Charlotte, had become almost impossible. With her delightful innocence and her exquisite looks, she had entangled herself firmly in his heart.

If only Geoffrey could act upon the riotous emotions that tormented him through day and night, but even as she stood half-naked in front of him, he knew that it was impossible for a stable hand to marry a Lady. Though he had saved her guardians life, the new Lord Caithwell would have him flogged if he knew the thoughts that tortured Geoffrey’s every waking moment.

Now, what with the Duke of Ormond ordering him to accompany Lady Charlotte on her first season in London, Geoffrey’s equilibrium is about to be shattered. Protecting the vivacious woman from the felons who would attempt to steal her fabled Caithwell diamond will be difficult enough, but the thought of any other man even so much as dancing with her was enough to bring Geoffrey out in a cold sweat.

He didn’t think his heart could take it. He needed a distraction from the impossibility of having her for himself. Perhaps riding in Lord Davenport’s annual steeplechase would be a fitting diversion from the delights of the woman he could never win.

Perhaps he would triumph and take the thousand guinea prize. Or maybe he would lose not only the woman he loves, but also his life as rivals for her hand and her priceless heirloom, gamble on the outcome.

A Gallant Gamble is a 16+ (sensual, sexual content) stand-alone read in the Unrivalled Regency series, however, the books are best read in order to fully appreciate all the characters and situations.


What did I think of the book?


Geoffrey is determined to drive Lady Charlotte from his thoughts.  A man like him has no business daydreaming about a Lady like her. She is so far above his station that to even dream about her is ridiculous. But Lady Charlotte is like no other woman that he has ever met. She is courageous, reckless, beautiful, and kind. She is slowly driving him crazy.

Lady Charlotte does not know what she has done wrong. Well, she does, but surely Geoffrey can understand that helping to birth that foal meant she had to take her gown off. It wasn't as if he could see anything. But ever since that...incident...he has been avoiding her. And for some reason, it hurts unbearably.

But now the Duke of Ormond has ordered Geoffrey to be Lady Charlotte escort during her first season in London. Geoffrey can think of nothing more torturous. If Charlotte were to find a husband, then his heart would be forever broken, but what could he possibly offer her and why would she want to accept a nobody like him as her husband?

Jackie Williams has done it again. She has brought us a story filled with passion, mystery, intrigue, and laughter in A Gallant Gamble (Unrivalled Regency #3). The story was so engaging that I did not put this book down and read it within a couple of hours.

I loved the characterisation of both Charlotte and Geoffrey. They both adore each other, but they both think themselves unworthy of each other. Their love story was filled with doubts and misunderstandings, but if ever there were two people made for each other then it is Charlotte and Geoffrey. Their love story is not only believable but wonderful to read about. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although this is Book 3 in the Unrivalled Regency, it does work very well as a standalone, but I would recommend starting with Book 1 because you don’t want to miss one page of this fabulous series.

If you are looking for a quality Regency Romance, with one or two surprises, then A Gallant Gamble (Unrivalled Regency #3) is for you.

I Highly Recommend.


Links for Purchase




About the author


I was born in Essex England during the mid sixties but I missed all the fun. Being only young I assumed that all Beatles were six legged creatures and Flower Power was something to do with the vigorous way my mother kneaded the bread dough.

My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)

I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.

My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.

But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.

Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.

Saturday, 2 September 2017

#Bookreview ~ A Murderous Masquerade (Unrivalled Regency #2) #Romance @wackyjackyful

A Murderous Masquerade
(Unrivalled Regency #2)
By Jackie Williams


Book 2 in the Unrivalled Regency Series. Anne and Giles’ story.

Waiting for nearly two years hadn’t been easy. Every second under Anne’s emerald gaze had been pure torture while Giles waited out her mourning, but now it was over and with the county’s eligible, if aging bachelors already gathering at her gates, he hadn’t a moment to lose.

With his heart in his mouth and his marriage proposal on his lips, it was unfortunate that Anne’s aristocratic father and overbearing brother chose that particular moment to visit.

Lord Edward Ellesworth had never been keen on the lower classes. That his sister would even consider marrying someone as inferior as Giles Denvers, was beyond all reason. It wasn’t going to happen while he had breath in his body. There had to be a way to separate them.

With Giles facing the hangman's noose, and Anne frantic to avoid marriage to one of her father's aging cronies, desperate measures are called for.

Add to the delicious mix of romance and intrigue, a herd of hungry prize porkers, a beautiful young cousin, a very noble intention plus a diamond as big as a walnut and we have the makings of a ripping Regency yarn!

This book is a stand-alone story but the series is best read in order to gain full enjoyment of all the previous characters and scenery involved. (Please see Silence of Scandal by Jackie Williams)

A Murderous Masquerade is suitable for ages 16 and upwards due to sensual, sexual scenes. 


What did I think of the book?


At last Giles Denvers is going the marry the woman of his dreams. He had fallen in love with Anne from the moment he had first set eyes on her, but she was in mourning, and he had to allow for the proper time to pass before he proposed.

But there was no way that Anne's brother, Lord Edward Ellesworth, is going to allow a marriage between his sister and a nobody like Giles. And he will do anything to see that the marriage does not take place.

Giles finds himself staring at a hangman's noose for a crime he did not commit. His dreams of a life with Anne are dashed to the ground, and he fears for her future and that of his cousin. Both women depend on him to secure their safety, but what can he do while he is behind bars?

While Giles best friend, Alexander, Duke of Ormond, tries desperately to clear Giles name, Giles must come to terms with his own mortality as he tries to do everything possible to secure the future of the woman he loves.

Oh, my giddy aunt! I loved Silence Of Scandal (Unrivalled Regency #1) by Jackie Williams, but A Murderous Masquerade (Unrivalled Regency #2) was simply brilliant. I was completely drawn into the story from page one, and I couldn't turn those pages fast enough. Full of drama, mystery, intrigue, as well as love, this is one of those books that I could easily read again and again.

I loved the characterisation of Giles. He was a really lovable hero. His compassion for the women in his life, his fear of them, was very touching. Likewise, Anne is a very gentle soul who learns to stand up for herself. But I have to admit my favourite character was Giles' cousin, Charlotte. Charlotte has such a brilliant mind and is so full of spirit that I could not help but like her. I think the next book in the series is about Charlotte and I cannot wait to read it!

A Murderous Masquerade (Unrivalled Regency #2) is a great read. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you like great historical romance with a super-fast plot and believable characters, then this is the book for you.

I Highly Recommend.

Links for Purchase


About the author



I was born in Essex England during the mid sixties but I missed all the fun. Being only young I assumed that all Beatles were six legged creatures and Flower Power was something to do with the vigorous way my mother kneaded the bread dough.

My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)

I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.

My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.

But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.

Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.

Friday, 1 September 2017

The Du Lac Devil ~ Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist #epic #fantasy

The Du Lac Devil is a Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist in the category of Epic Fantasy. I was up against some fabulous authors and I am beyond thrilled that The Du Lac Devil made it this far in the competition.





Read Readers' Favorite 5* Review of The Du Lac Devil here!

A big thank you to all my readers and to my family for allowing me to pursue my dreams!

Thursday, 31 August 2017

#FolkloreThursday ~ London Bridge Is Falling Down #myths #legends #Viking

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We all know the children's nursery rhyme London Bridge is Falling down.

Well, I wonder if you have ever heard this verse...

London Bridge is broken down.
Gold is won, and bright renown.
Shields resounding,
War-horns sounding,
Hild is shouting in the din!
Arrows singing,
Mail-coats ringing,
Odin makes our Olaf win! 

Let's take a journey back to the early 11th Century. It is story time, now listen...

The oars of the great Viking longships hardly made any sound as they cut through the water of the River Thames. The mist from the Thames hid their presence and they made good progress. However, as the sun began to rise, so did the mist.


 A child rubbed her tired eyes when she thought she saw something that looked like a dragon. Suddenly she realised what she was seeing. 
"Vikings," she screamed with fear, as she dropped her basket and ran for home.


Her cry was taken up by others, and King Cnut, whose Father had only recently toppled King Æthelred from the throne, came out with his warriors. Surely Æthelred would not be so foolish as to try and take his kingdom back?

King Sweyn (Cnut's father) invading England 1013 ~ WIkipedia

Unbeknown to King Cnut, King Æthelred had enlisted the help of the great King Olaf of Norway. King Cnut prayed to God for victory when he spotted an armada of dragon heads coming out of the mist.


"To the Bridge," he yelled. King Cnut knew that if they could hold the Bridge, then they could hold the kingdom. King Æthelred would have to pass under the bridge if he had any chance of winning this battle. King Cnut prayed to God that King Æthelred would keep coming, for he had one heck of a surprise for him.


But, this had once been King Æthelred's kingdom, he knew the territory and he knew this bridge. So he was not at all surprised when he saw that King Cnut had used the bridge to form an impassable blockade.

King Æthelred smiled, it was exactly what he had expected King Cnut to do and he had prepared for such an eventuality. He had instructed King Olaf to build high platforms on the boats. He knew that King Cnut would think that this had been done to protect the rowers, but that was not the reason.

When the dragon heads reached the bridge, King Æthelred and King Olaf's men climbed onto the platforms. They were now on the same level as King Cnut's warriors who were standing on the bridge. King Æthelred had instructed his and King Olaf's men to stand in pairs. One of which would hold a shield and the other a grappling hook.

A typical Viking shield ~ Wikipedia

Arrows, rocks, and rubble rained down upon them, but it did not deter the warriors who threw their hooks towards the bridge’s wooden pilings. But they were not trying to moor up, far from it.


King Cnut's released what King Æthelred planned to do and he ordered his men to throw mighty boulders down onto the ships, but it was too late.

King Æthelred gave the order to row back the way they had come. The wood of the bridge’s pilings held strong for a moment. King Æthelred felt a moment of doubt. This wasn't working. But then, God answered his prayers. The wood began to tear as the grappling hooks dug in. London Bridge began to shake.

King Æthelred encourage his mean to heave and to his delight he watched as wood, stone and men fell into the water.
Æthelred in an early thirteenth-century copy of the Abingdon Chronicle ~ Wikipedia

A great cheer rose up from the Viking boats. King Æthelred and King Olaf had won. London Bridge had fallen down.


Is there any truth in the story...? 

 King Cnut defending London Bridge ~ Wikipedia

Well, yes! Æthelred the Unready did indeed lose his throne to Sweyn. Æthelred fled to Normandy, but then Sweyn died unexpectedly and his son, Cnut, became king. Æthelred launched an expedition, with the support of Olaf Haraldsson to retake his kingdom. Olaf led a successful attack on London Bridge, and Cnut and his army withdrew from England.


Later, Æthelred son, Edmund Ironside, revolted against his father and established himself in the Danelaw. Cnut returned and over the next few months conquered most of England. Cnut won a decisive victory over Edmund at the Battle of Ashingdom (1066) but, so impressed was he with Edmund that he agreed to divide the nation. Edmund took Wessex while Cnut took the whole of the country beyond the Thames. Edmund died a few weeks later, and Cnut became the first Viking King of England.

References: 
Unless otherwise stated, all images can be found on Pixabay.

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Do you ever wonder what happened after the death of King Arthur?
Then check out The Du Lac Chronicles series...




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