** Blog Tour ** The Other Gwyn Girl – Nicola Cornick

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘The Other Gwyn Girl.’

1671 – London

The Civil War is over and Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, is revelling in the throne of his murdered father and all the privileges and power that comes with it. Sharing the spoils is his favourite companion, the celebrated beauty, actress Nell Gwyn. Beloved of the English people, Nell has come a long way from selling oranges and a childhood in a brothel, but as her fortunes have turned, her sister Rose has taken a different path. Marriage to a feckless highwayman has left Rose in the grim Marshalsea prison and now she needs her sister’s mercy to help get her out. But Nell needs Rose too. A plot to steal the Crown Jewels has gone tragically wrong, and Nell’s future with her protector King is at risk. If Rose can’t solve the riddle of the jewels both Gwyn sisters will head straight to the Tower.

Present Day

Librarian and history enthusiast Jess Yates has hit rock bottom. With her ex behind bars for fraud, Jess needs to lay low – easier said than done with a celebrity sister. But Tavy has her uses. Her latest TV project involves renovating Fortune Hall, and she needs a house sitter while she’s jetting around the world. The opportunity is too good to miss, especially when Jess discovers that Fortune Hall has links to the infamous Nell Gwyn.

Slowly the house begins to reveal its mysteries, and secrets that have laid buried for centuries can no longer be ignored. Jess hears echoes from a tragic past and as she struggles to understand her sister, Jess feels ever closer to Rose Gwyn, the sister forgotten by history but who had the fate of her family in her hands.

Bestselling author Nicola Cornick is back with a captivating, gripping, unforgettable tale of treachery and treason, love and loyalty, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Christina Courtenay.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/gwyngirlsocial

Author Bio –

Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history. Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over half a million copies worldwide and been described as “perfect for Outlander fans.” Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a trustee of the Wantage Literary Festival and the Friends of Lydiard Park.

Social Media Links-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicola.cornick

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicolaCornick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolacornick/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/NicolaCornickNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicola-cornick

Review-

This is a fascinating dual timeline story of the lesser known elder sister of Nell Gwyn, Rose.

I was particularly drawn to Rose’s story and the historical aspect of the narrative, although I did like the present day parallels between Jess and her sister Tavy.

It’s a period of history I know little about and I definitely found myself immersed in the period and wanting to discover more.

I also really enjoyed the dynamics between Jess and Ethan and how they seemed able to connect to the past.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** A Scandalous Match- Jane Dunn

I’m pleased to be one of today’s stops on the penultimate day of the blog tour for ‘A Scandalous Match.’

Angelica had always known her lack of high birth, fortune or influence debarred her from being presented as an eligible young woman worthy of marriage. To cap it all, being an actress assured she was utterly beyond the pale of respectability.’

Nightly at the Covent Garden Theatre in London, an enchanting actress is wowing the crowds with her affecting portrayal of Ophelia. Preyed on by rakes and opportunistic young bucks, feted by dukes and earls, even the Prince Regent himself, Angelica Leigh is a sensation.

But in Regency England, beauty and talent are not enough to be considered marriage material, so when the eminently eligible Lord Charles Latimer sets his heart on Angelica, his uncle is sent to
intervene.

As a highly respected, hard-working and wealthy lawmaker, The Honourable Ivor Asprey, is himself seen as desirable husband material, but widowed with an eleven-year-old daughter Elinor, he has
forsaken all thoughts of romance.

Lord Latimer’s mother, the Duchess of Arlington, despairs of her son, despite being reassured by Ivor that his infatuation with the actress will pass. But there is something about Angelica Leigh that demands attention, and even the austere and upstanding Mr Asprey isn’t immune to her charms.

Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen. Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/scandalousmatchsocial

Author Bio –

Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens. She comes to Boldwood with her first fiction outing – a trilogy of novels set in the Regency period, the first of which, The Marriage Season, was published in January 2023.

She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler.

Social Media Links –

Twitter https://twitter.com/JaneDunnAuthor

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/janedunnauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaneDunnNews

Bookbub profile: Jane Dunn Books – BookBub

Review-

“For women like us, without family or fortune, it is an indulgence to talk of love.

Such only belongs in novels and plays. You and I have to exhibit more sense.”

As an historian, Jane Dunn is an expert in her field and therefore able to serve up a wonderful slice of Regency fiction. Part of a trilogy, A Scandalous Match weaves a tale of societal values and expectations and a woman’s quest to rally against the boundaries and live the life she loves.

I was exposed to a whole new bank of vocabulary in this story; from words used to describe the characters through to names of typical clothing from the era and it was a delight to learn so much.

I especially loved the descriptions of Covent Garden and the surrounding areas as they gave a vivid flavour of the times. I equally loved the descriptions of the theatre scenes which showed the differences in class; from the bawdiness of those in the pits to the more refined casting glances at each other across the balconies.

Central character Angelica’s zest for life, practicality and desire to live in the moment, whilst being realistic about her position in society was a breath of fresh air and Elinor Asprey’s character was equally delightful with her joie de vivre, and desire to connect with her father.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Earlier and final stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** An Unsuitable Heiress- Jane Dunn

I’m pleased to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘An Unsuitable Heiress.’

‘Do you realise, Corinna, just how hard it is for a young woman of irregular birth, without family, fortune or friends in the world Marriage is the only way to get any chance of a life.’

Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father’s identity has been a tantalising mystery, but now at nineteen
Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr Beech.

Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades,
handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England. And when she meets Alick’s turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive.

From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away. But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage
and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/Heiresssocial

Author Bio –

Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens.

She comes to Boldwood with her first fiction outing – a trilogy of novels set in the Regency period, the first of which was published in January 2023. She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneDunnAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janedunnauthor/

BookBub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jane-dunn

Review-

This was something of a mixed bag for me. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction and loved the synopsis of this one. I haven’t read lots of novels set in the Regency period and was intrigued by the idea of the central character having to disguise herself as a male in order to be able to minimise potential danger when she travelled to London to attempt to find her estranged father.

The author is a biographer and her skills in this area are extremely prevalent in the historical accuracy and portrayal of the period and the use of terminology and dialect throughout. I did find, however, that by not always understanding the meaning of some of the words and phrases, it detracted from the flow of the narrative.

The opening chapters were quite dialect heavy, which made it difficult to get into, although once you immerse yourself, the story begins to pick up pace.

I loved Corinna/ Cory as a main character, especially in her boldness to confront the brute she witnessed flogging his horse en route to London, despite her obvious disadvantage. Similarly, in even making the decision to travel alone to London, the reader very early on in the plot gets a vivid picture of her personality.

A pleasant overall read.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here: