I’m delighted to be on the blog tour for Alissa Baxter’s The Viscount’s Lady Novelist, a lovely historical romance with great characters! Let’s check it out1
About the Book:
Title: The Viscount’s Lady Novelist
Author: Alissa Baxter
Series: The Linfield Ladies #2
Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Synopsis: Harriet Linfield is a lady novelist who has been disillusioned by love. She sets out to write more realistic tales about the emotion when she returns home to Linfield Court for the summer. Vowing to avoid any romantic entanglements along the way, she focuses instead on her writing and her plan to turn the estate she inherited from her uncle into a refuge for orphans.
Oliver, Viscount Wentford, is determined to restore his family fortunes. But his plans for the estate he inherited are in direct opposition to the wishes of Harriet, his new neighbour. Upon meeting her, Oliver is amused when, in response to his provocative comments, she informs him that she intends to make him the villain of her next book. But his amusement swiftly turns to dismay when circumstances align to show him in that exact light.
When an enemy comes back into Harriet’s life, she sees that love isn’t as clear-cut as the romantic tales she pens. But will the viscount manage to discard his villainous mantle to become Harriet’s real-life hero?
LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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About the Author:
Alissa Baxter was born in a small town in South Africa and grew up with her nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. At the age of eleven, she discovered her mother’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels. The first Heyer novel she ever read was Sylvester and she was hooked on Georgette Heyer after that. She read and reread her novels, and fell totally in love with the Regency period and Heyer’s grey-eyed heroes!
After university, where she majored in Political Science and French, she began writing her first Regency novel, before moving to England, which gave her further inspiration for her historical romances.
Alissa has lived in Durban and Cape Town but she eventually settled in Johannesburg where she lives with her husband and two sons. Alissa is the author of two chick-lit novels, Send and Receive and The Blog Affair, which have been re-released as The Truth About Series: The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive and The Truth About Cats and Bees.
Alissa’s Linfield Ladies Series features women in trend-setting roles in the Regency period who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. The Viscount’s Lady Novelist is the second book in this series, following on from The Earl’s Lady Geologist.
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS
My Review:
The Viscount’s Lady Novelist is a charming and entertaining historical romance by Alissa Baxter that follows Harriet Linfield, a novelist, and Oliver, Viscount Wentford, as they meet and fall in love. Oliver has many plans to restore his family fortunes, and marrying Harriet is a step toward achieving his goals. However, Harriet doesn’t wish to be married and is determined to open a refuge for orphans on the estate she owns. She has much more romantic notions than Oliver, and when she hears of his plans for her land, which will foil her own dreams, Harriet becomes more convinced than ever that they are not meant to be. However, when the past comes back to haunt her, Oliver might just prove his feelings are more than convenient.
Oliver and Harriet have a wonderful romance. Burned by love in the past, Harriet is slow to trust herself and others. She questions her judgment, and though she has romantic notions, she struggles to embrace her feelings. Oliver is similar in fighting his feelings, though he is much more open to marriage than Harriet. Of course, the more time they spend together, the more they understand and admire each other. I like how their relationship develops, and how well they get to know each other. Plus, their chemistry is fantastic, as is their banter!
Harriet and Oliver have a great connection, and some of my favorite scenes were when the pair talked about things that interested them. I especially liked when they shared their mutual love of literature. There are so many great literary references and discussions about books throughout the story. Jane Austen’s works, Gothic stories, and more are discussed, and I love that the protagonists analyze several beloved classics. Oliver and Harriet are intelligent and astute, and their mutual interests bring them closer together.
I also really liked the secondary characters, especially Harriet’s siblings. They are all unique, and together they are hysterical. They are a large and boisterous family, each with their own interests and pastimes, and you can tell how close they are by the way they talk and tease each other. The siblings especially have fun times together, and the family bond is strong. Yet, as well as they know each other, these siblings still learn new things and come to understandings over the course of the story. I like that they realize there are many sides to the same story, and each of their experiences, even in the same situations, are different. You can tell they all love each other and want the best for each other, which is really heartwarming.
There is also a bit of intrigue in the story as Harriet’s past comes back to haunt her. It’s an interesting and suspenseful part of the story, and it offers great insight into the rules, constraints, and inequities of the time period as Harriet handles potential scandal, blackmailing scheme, and ruination.
Though this is the second book in The Linfield Ladies series, it can easily be read as a standalone, and I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy historical romance. Special thanks to Historical Fiction Book Tours and the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The literary references.
Favorite Lines:
A lack of understanding is the root of all prejudice. Unfortunately, some men will never seek understanding.
False assumptions could easily become entrenched if the were left unchallenged.
The only thing that could be defined about love was its indefinability.
Why would I want a whirlwind when I could have a gentle breeze?
Giveaway:
Enter to win a $30 Amazon Gift Card!
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on May 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
https://gleam.io/i2VgS/the-viscounts-lady-novelist
Praise:
“A charming love story set in the English countryside that’s grounded in impeccable research.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“Alissa Baxter’s writing is period perfect.” ~ Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Matrimonial Advertisement
“This book is gorgeous!” ~ Rachel Burton, author of The Tearoom on the Bay
“A truly traditional Regency romance, with lots of witty banter, very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Recommended for anyone who likes a completely clean traditional Regency, with strongly authentic writing, historical accuracy and a satisfying romance. Baxter’s writing is excellent, and her dialogue, manners and settings are true to the era.” ~ Mary Kingswood, author of traditional Regency romances
“While immersing the reader in the mores and life of the Regency era, Alissa Baxter manages to write strong, independent heroines whom modern-day women will cheer and root for. Plus the addition of little details that wrap around the plot and the characters make reading her books all the more special because you never know when you might land on a little Easter egg morsel in the beautiful and engaging prose. Historicals with heart and engaging characters that read real—that’s what you get in Ms Baxter’s books.” ~ Zee Monodee, USA Today bestselling author
Thank you for your wonderful review! + blog tour support!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours
You’re so welcome!
Yes!! I liked this tooo!
Yay! Glad to hear it!