** Blog Tour ** Dressing the Countess- Rachel Brimble

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the opening day of the blog tour for ‘Dressing the Countess.’

Fans of Kristy Cambron, Stephanie Dray, and Julia Quinn will adore this Victorian romance from historical fiction dynamo, Rachel Brimble.

Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath. Despite her parents’ distrust that the position will come with conditions, Rose accepts the unexpected offer. 

When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a strange sense of destiny whispers through her, and Rose cannot wait for this new adventure to begin. Although, she has Henry Ward to deal with, the handsome, risk-taking and—though she is loath to admit it—exciting royal saddler and horse trainer, who both fascinates and frustrates her in equal measure. 

They could not be more different…with the exception of their hunger for more.

But as they begin to trust one another, and their bond flourishes, Rose’s connection with Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her. Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice will change her life irrevocably.

A captivating escape that will touch your heart and keep you turning pages with impatient hope for Rose… 

 Purchase Link –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dressing-Countess-Sweeping-Captivating-Victorian-ebook/dp/B0CW1HFHB2

https://www.amazon.com/Dressing-Countess-Sweeping-Captivating-Victorian-ebook/dp/B0CW1HFHB2

Author Bio –

Rachel lives with her husband, two adult daughters and beloved Labrador in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 30 novels and has been published by Harlequin Mills & Boon, Kensington Books and others. Her latest series includes the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy and the Shop Girl series, both published with Aria Fiction. She also has several single titles with The Wild Rose Press. Her debut novel with Harpeth Road Press, Dressing The Countess, was released  in May 2024.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Female Entrepreneur Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world. She is also studying for a history degree with the Open University in her spare time…

Social Media Links –

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF

Review-

This is the sixth book of Rachel Brimble’s that I’ve had the pleasure to read and review so I knew from the outset that it was more than likely going to be another hit.

Dressing the Countess is a beautifully written tale of family expectations, romance and determination to break conventions in order to follow your dreams.

As always, the author’s writing style is easy to read and yet so wonderfully evocative that you find yourself completely immersed in the Victorian era.

The characters of Rose and Henry are perfectly drawn; both with differing personalities but the same drive and ambition to make their own way in the world. The budding romance between them is subtle and compliments the storyline rather than being the main driver.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction!

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

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** Her Scandalous Suitor- Rachel Brimble

I’m delighted to be one of today’s stops on the blog tour for ‘Her Scandalous Suitor.’

Her Scandalous Suitor

A chance meeting…or so she thought. Is confidence trickster Will Samson the hero he claims to be or someone else entirely…

Emily Darson assumed her future of propriety and privilege amid a loveless marriage was set in stone. At least, she did until confidence trickster Will Samson came into her life…

Then everything changed.

With each revelation about her fiancé and herself that Will uncovers, he also reveals a little more of who is he, what he has suffered, and the volatile vengeance that burns in his heart.

Can Emily really risk security for scandal? Loyalty for love? Only time will tell…

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/

https://www.amazon.com/Her-Scandalous-Suitor-Rachel-Brimble-ebook/dp/B0CQ8VB3BH/

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and several single titles with The Wild Rose Press. She is super excited to be the first historical fiction author writing for Harpeth Road Press and her first novel with them will be released May 2024.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Female Entrepreneur Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

Social Media Links –

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF

Review-

I’m already a fan of Rachel Brimble’s books having read and reviewed two of the Ladies of Carson Streat trilogy and Victoria and Violet.

Her writing style is engaging and draws you immediately into the era. In Her Scandalous Suitor, central character Emily is a strong-willed, feisty character who is determined that her future children, should they be female, will have more rights than she currently finds at her disposal.

Tied into an arranged marriage in order to maintain her half of her father’s business, she knows that there is no love between her and fiancé.

When Will enters the scene, she finds herself unable to resist his charms, despite her best efforts to appear indifferent.

The tension between Emily and Will builds up brilliantly across the chapters and I particularly liked the way Will deliberately says things with a sly smirk to get under her skin.

I loved Mr Darson’s character and how he embraced Will into the household, bound by his duty to his daughter, but also recognising the folly of their upcoming nuptials.

This is a pacy, intriguing novel which kept me entertained from beginning to end. A recommended read!

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

Further stops can be found here:

** Book Birthday Blitz ** A Shop Girl in Bath- Rachel Brimble

I’m delighted to be reviewing ‘A Shop Girl in Bath’ as part of the book’s birthday blitz.

1910 – A compelling tale of one woman’s fight for recognition in Bath’s leading department store.

Hardworking and whip smart, Elizabeth Pennington is the rightful heir of Bath’s premier department store – but her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run
his empire. He is resolute a man will succeed him.

Determined to break from her father’s hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting Pennington’s, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter.

They have the same goal: bring Pennington’s into a new decade while embracing woman’s equality and progression. But, despite their best intentions, it is almost impossible not to mix business and pleasure…

Can the two thwart Edward Pennington’s plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?

Purchase Link – https://geni.us/fl1Cxi

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet was released 17th October 2022.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Society of Authors and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

Social Media Links –

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF

Review-

Regular visitors to my blog will know I’m a huge fan of this author having previously read and reviewed two of The Carson Street trilogy as well as Victoria and Violet.

Previously published as ‘The Mistress of Pennington’ and set in Edwardian Bath, this is a tale of two people’s fight to stand up for what they believe in and improve their life chances, set against the backdrop of traditional class views from the era and the rise of the suffragette movement.

With department store Pennington’s the central focus and plentiful references to the rise of this ‘new’ shopping experience as owners began to take inspiration from Selfridges, this would certainly appeal to fans of the Mr Selfridge TV series. I found myself immediately drawing comparisons as I read the descriptions of the store layout in the opening chapters.

In central characters Elizabeth and Joseph, the reader cannot help but marvel at their strength of character in the face of adversity, whether that of their own personal grief due to family circumstances or, as in Elizabeth’s case, her father’s determination to thwart her ambitions.

The writing style is, as always with this author, thoroughly engaging from the outset and the reader finds themselves fully immersed in the period due to the wonderful descriptions of people, places and viewpoints.

This is also an historical romance novel so it is obvious even from the opening chapters that love is bound to blossom between Elizabeth and Joseph but this too is portrayed beautifully.

Definitely recommended to all historical fiction/ romance fans- this is delightful!

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

** Blog Tour ** Victoria & Violet- Rachel Brimble

I’m thrilled to be one of today’s stops on the opening day of the blog tour for ‘Victoria & Violet.’

It should be a dream come true to serve the Queen of England…

When Violet Parker is told she will be Queen Victoria’s personal housemaid, she cannot believe her good fortune. She finally has the chance to escape her overbearing mother, a servant to the Duchess
of Kent.

Violet hopes to explore who she is and what the world has to offer without her mother’s schemes overshadowing her every thought and action.

Then she meets James Greene, assistant to the queen’s chief political adviser, Lord Melbourne. From entirely different backgrounds and social class, Violet and James should have neither need nor desire
to speak to one another, yet through their service, their paths cross and their lives merge—as do their feelings.

Only Victoria’s court is not always the place for romance, but rather secrets, scandals, and conspiracies…

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victoria-Violet-Royal-Maids-Book-ebook/dp/B0B6T47ZX5

US – https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Violet-Royal-Maids-Book-ebook/dp/B0B6T47ZX5

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 published novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).

Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF

Review-

As a huge fan of the author’s previous Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, I was eagerly anticipating reading this latest offering.

A young Queen Victoria being the main subject piqued my interest, along with the blurb indicating the story would contain plenty of elements of court life and scandal.

One thing you are guaranteed with a Rachel Brimble historical novel is authentic characters, historical accuracy and a narrative that puts the reader firmly at the heart of the story through its vivid descriptions of tradition and society at that time.

This is all achieved through an engaging storyline which you can read with ease. The interactions and blossoming romance between Violet and James are a highlight as is the depiction of the young Victoria’s desire to have people around her close to her in age and who she can trust.

Fans of historical fiction should definitely be adding this to their ‘to be read’ lists!

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

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour ** A Very Modern Marriage- Rachel Brimble

I’m really pleased to be one of today’s stops on the final day of the blog tour for ‘A Very Modern Marriage’.

He needs a wife…
Manchester industrialist William Rose was a poor lad from the slums who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, but in order to achieve his greatest ambitions he must become the epitome of Victorian respectability: a family man.

She has a plan…
But the only woman who’s caught his eye is sophisticated beauty Octavia Marshall, one of the notorious ladies of Carson Street. Though she was once born to great wealth and privilege, she’s hardly respectable, but she’s determined to invest her hard-earned fortune in Mr Rose’s mills and forge a new life as an entirely proper businesswoman.

They strike a deal that promises them both what they desire the most, but William’s a fool if he thinks Octavia will be a conventional married woman, and she’s very much mistaken if she thinks the lives they once led won’t follow them wherever they go.

In the third instalment of Rachel Brimble’s exciting Victorian saga series, The Ladies of Carson Street will open the doors on a thoroughly modern marriage – and William is about to get a lot more than he bargained for…

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of over 25 published novels including the Ladies of Carson Street series, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

Social Media Links –

Website: https://rachelbrimble.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/?hl=en

Review-

This is the third novel in the Ladies of Carson Street series and is equally as engaging a read as the previous two. It can be read as a standalone, although I’d heartily recommend reading the others if you haven’t already simply because they are that good!

In ‘A Very Modern Marriage’ the narrative centres around Octavia and her desire to distance herself from her life as a prostitute and set up her own business. Having seen close friends Louisa and Nancy forge a new path for themselves, it only serves to bolster her own resolve to do the same.

She enlists the help and support of William Rose, a mill owner from Manchester and it soon becomes apparent that both of them have feelings for each other which stretch beyond their business arrangement.

As always, author Rachel Brimble captures the essence of the Victorian era perfectly and in this novel, we once more discover the sights and sounds of Bath, but also the contrast of industrial Manchester.

Brimble writes in an easy style with engaging characters that the reader can’t help but root for. The dynamics and interactions between the main characters add depth to the plot and we get a real insight into Octavia’s personality and how previous struggles and family trauma have impacted on the way she deals with her current situation.

A highly recommended read!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources, NetGalley and Head of Zeus/ Aria Fiction for the opportunity to participate in the tour. Further stops can be found here:

Giveaway to Win £15/$15 Amazon Gift Certificate (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494473/?

My reviews of Rachel’s previous books in the saga can be found here:

** Blog Tour** The Widow’s Vow- Rachel Brimble

**Blog Tour** Trouble for the Leading Lady- Rachel Brimble

**Blog Tour** Trouble for the Leading Lady- Rachel Brimble

I’m delighted to be taking part in today’s first blog tour stop for this latest novel by Rachel Brimble.

Bath, 1852.

As a girl, Nancy Bloom would go to Bath’s Theatre Royal, sit on the hard wooden benches and stare in awe at the actresses playing men as much as the women dressed in finery. She longed to be a part of it all and when a man promised her parents he could find a role for Nancy in the theatre, they believed him.

His lie and betrayal led to her ruin.

Francis Carlyle is a theatre manager, an ambitious man always looking for the next big thing to take the country by storm. A self-made man, Francis has finally shed the skin of his painful past and is now rich, successful and in need of a new female star. Never in a million years did he think he’d find her standing on a table in one of Bath’s bawdiest pubs.

Nancy vowed never to trust a man again. Francis will do anything to make her his star. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, can either survive with their hearts intact?

The second in Rachel Brimble’s thrilling new Victorian saga series, Trouble for the Leading Lady will whisk you away to the riotous, thriving underbelly of Victorian Bath.

Author Bio –

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of over 20 published novels including the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).

In 2019 she signed a new three book contract with Aria Fiction for a Victorian trilogy set in a Bath brothel. The first book, A Widow’s Vow was released in September 2020 followed by book 2 Trouble For The Leading Lady in March 2021 – it is expected that the final instalment will be released in the Autumn 2021.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here:

https://us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ab0dc0484a3855f2bc769984f&id=bd3173973a

Social Media Links –

Website: https://rachelbrimble.com/

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/?hl=en

Review-

This is the second book in the author’s Victorian Saga series, set in Bath in 1852. While the history of the main characters from the first novel, ‘A Widow’s Vow’ is useful in understanding the dynamics of their relationships with each other, this can equally be read as a standalone story.

What is particularly striking about this tale is the underlying theme of past history, buried memories and society’s perceptions of the different classes within the Victorian era. All of these combine perfectly within the different characters, but none more so than Nancy and Francis who battle with their demons and past experiences throughout as they struggle to reconcile their heads with their hearts.

The backdrop to the narrative is the appalling conditions for children within the workhouse at that time and, while this is a dark theme throughout, the reader becomes compelled to empathise with Francis’ struggle in his efforts to bring about significant change for their benefit. This for me, was the most interesting aspect of the story and I hope that it is revisited in the next novel.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is definitely worth adding to your reading list. I’m already looking forward to getting my hands on the final book of the trilogy!

With thanks to the author, Aria Fiction and @rararesources for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

Further stops can be found here:

** Blog Tour** The Widow’s Vow- Rachel Brimble

I’m delighted to be a stop on today’s blog tour for ‘The Widow’s Vow’.

From grieving widow…

1851. After her merchant husband saved her from a life of prostitution, Louisa Hill was briefly happy as a housewife in Bristol. But then a constable arrives at her door. Her husband has been found hanged in a Bath hotel room, a note and a key to a property in Bath the only things she has left of him. And now the debt collectors will come calling.

To a new life as a madam.

Forced to leave everything she knows behind, Louisa finds more painful betrayals waiting for her in the house in Bath. Left with no means of income, Louisa knows she has nothing to turn to but her old way of life. But this time, she’ll do it on her own terms – by turning her home into a brothel for upper class gentleman. And she’s determined to spare the girls she saves from the street the horrors she endured in the past.

Enlisting the help of Jacob Jackson, a quiet but feared boxer, to watch over the house, Louisa is about to embark on a life she never envisaged. Can she find the courage to forge this new path? 

A Widow’s Vow is the first in a gripping and gritty new Victorian saga series from Rachel Brimble. You won’t be able to put it down.

Author Bio –

Rachel lives with her husband and their two daughters in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of over 20 published novels including the Pennington’s department store series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).

Her next project is a Victorian trilogy set in a Bath brothel which she recently signed with Aria Fiction. The series will feature three heroines determined to change their lives and those of other women. The first book. A Widow’s Vow is due for release in September and available for Amazon preorder now.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here:

https://us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ab0dc0484a3855f2bc769984f&id=bd3173973a

Review-

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last!

Set in the early 19th century between the cities of Bath and Bristol, ‘A Widow’s Vow’ is an engrossing historical tale with strong characters that immediately draw the reader into their lives.

Louisa and Jacob are particularly compelling. Hardened to life by their own early experiences, they both nevertheless have an inner drive for survival and an instinct to help those in need. As fate draws them closer together, it seems they have more in common than even they anticipated.

A must- read for fans of historical fiction. I eagerly await the next novel in the series!

Social Media Links –

Website: https://rachelbrimble.com/

Twitter

Facebook

Other stops on the tour can be found here:

With thanks to the author and @rararesources for the opportunity to be a part of the tour.