A Holiday in Bath
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9
5
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781947152373 |
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| Publisher: | Mirror Press |
| Publication date: | 06/03/2018 |
| Pages: | 298 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.62(d) |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
A Holiday in Bath
4.1 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
9 reviews.
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A Holiday in Bath collection was packed with great items. First and foremost, the stories were completely unique. I love regency time period, and have read a ton, but never ones that addressed being a witness, an aristocrat diverging from the traditional career path and political relationships. I was captivated in all three, but found the first two more to my liking as they were clean and focused on a relationship based on mutual understanding and deep romance, not just attraction (which the third one focused on). Personally I’d read more from these authors, especially as they brought a refreshing new story for those like myself who love all things Regency.
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A Holiday in Bath is another captivating release from the Timeless Regency Collection. Marianne, Lucy, and Caroline are three young adult women who find themselves in the holiday chaos of Bath for less than ideal reasons. Authors Julie Daines, Caroline Warfield and Jaima Fixsen create well written stories with resilient characters that entertain, amuse, and charm. Great characters, unexpected plots and fun along the way, A Holiday in Bath is worth reading. I received a complimentary copy of A Holiday in Bath: Timeless Regency Collection for my candid review.
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I loved this novella collection! Each story was set in Bath, England during the Regency era, and it was so fun to learn historical details about that location. The first story by Julie Daines was full of drama, intrigue, and emotional turmoil (without being melodramatic). The friendship and affection that develop between the vulnerable Marianne and protective Mr. Northam balances out the darker parts of the story, and I loved how everything wrapped up. The second story by Caroline Warfield was a delight, and since I haven't read anything by this author before I'm looking forward to seeking out her other books. Lucy's sweet and compassionate nature make her a perfect match for the charming Edmund who is looking to turn his life in a direction different from his parents' expectations. The last story by Jaima Fixsen has plenty of kissing as the title implies, and while I liked the characters, their relationship seemed too based on physical attraction. It was still a fun story and finished the collection off nicely.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
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I was excited for this one because I have enjoyed the Timeless Collections. Sadly, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story by Julie Daines was my favorite of the three. The other two-I didn't like. The story by Warfield, although a nice story and I really liked that Edmund was a doctor and was willing to give up his inheritance for his passion, and Lucy could work as an equal by his side, there was some unecessary crude innuendo at the beginning and a few mild swear words. I've never read this author before and am always interested in finding new, fun and entertaining authors, but it and the third story had a different tone than the first and I didn't like them as well. The third story, I liked the least. I was hopeful at the beginning when they met in the park. Caroline was quick with the dog's kiss and the scene was cute and somewhat humorous. However, it went down hill in my opinion. I didn't like that the two MC's were playing head games with each other and treated love and each other like it was disposible and a fling. I tried one other book by this author and didn't like it either. I guess I don't favor her writing style. I definitely wouldn't read this collection again. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I am so excited to go to Bath in a few weeks with my family. My daughters and I have read Regency books and watched movies like Persuasion and Northanger Abbey that have settings in Bath. This collection of stories brings me into that Regency Bath world and amps up my anticipation all the more.
Interestingly, each story has a hero who is or becomes a working man. These aren't the usual dashing Lord and Lady stories. The heroes are atypical of a Regency story, more unassuming and hard workers. The heroines aren't wilting violets looking for rescue. These women are opinionated and feisty. When you put these men and women together, you get great stories set in a great location.
Bath is known for its Roman baths and it's mineral waters . It is a place for healing and respite. It is also know for being a place to "get away" or holiday, sometimes even a place to be "sent away". Each story has healing in some way whether in a medical sense or in an emotional sense.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Roman baths and the streets and sites where these characters had their holidays.
Warnings: None
I would let my (now) 16 year old read this collection.
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Trial of the Heart by Julie Daines
Marianne Wood has come to Bath in order to testify against the man who killed her family. Harby Northam is the barrister trying to see her attacker, Bartholomew Hayter, hang for his crimes. As Marianne spends time with Mr. Northam, she is drawn to him but can't help feeling that he is too good at reading people and playing the game--which makes her hard to know his heart or her own. And when she realizes that there is something he doesn't wish her to know about him, Marianne doesn't know if she'll ever be able to trust him.
This was darker than I was expecting based on all the other Timeless romance books I've read. That said, it's a well-written and interesting story. Seeing the criminal justice process for this time period was really interesting; it's not something I've read much about before, so I appreciated the new details.
Lord Edmund's Dilemma by Caroline Warfield
Lucy has been sent to Bath to stay with her aunt, and she passes her time helping her aunt and her elderly friends, all of whom are on the fringes of society. She certainly isn't expecting to attract the attention of a gentleman. But Lord Edmund, despite his mother's censure and his family's hopes that he will take a position with an archbishop, is drawn to Lucy's kindness and as he joins her in her volunteer work at a clinic that provides health care for the impoverished, he finds himself wondering if he can defy his family's expectations.
This was my favorite of these three novellas. It was very well-written and I got swept up with the characters' emotions, particularly Lucy's as she wondered why Edmund seemed so interested in her one minute and completely disinterested the next. Even knowing why he was acting the way he was, as he was trying to sort out his feelings and what he could do about them, I still empathized with her. Lucy and Edmund her both such good people, kind people, and I loved reading their love story.
The Fine Art of Kissing in the Park by Jaima Fixsen
Caroline Trenholme is attending her grandmother in Bath when she meets Jack Edwards, a physician recovering from an illness. A doctor is not a good match for a lady with some 20,000 pounds to her name, so Caroline and Jack intend to only have a flirtation--but when their flirtation turns into more, can they find a way to be together?
This was a little more risque than other Timeless romances--it was still clean but hinted at affairs and stuff in a more blatant way than the other novellas, which, for me, took a little away from the sweetness of the story. The story was humorous, and I liked how Caroline was a strong-willed protagonist.
I received a free copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Trial of the Heart by Julie Daines (5 stars)
Julie Daines is one of the few authors that I will give a 5 star rating to. When I first discovered her, I bought all of her books. The detail, the character development and the natural yet uncontrived-feeling romantic tension are all trademarks of hers. She is also one of those rare authors who can write humor--a true talent, indeed.
Trial of the Heart lives up to my high expectations of her writing. Because it's such an intense plot, the humor is kept appropriately gentle, but it's still there. A well-written, well-developed, well-proof-read story. The characters are likeable, the historical facts believable and well-researched, and the descriptions excellent.
If a story is written by Julie Daines, I buy it without even bothering to read the reviews. I am that confident in the quality I will get.
Lord Edmund's Dilemma by Caroline Warfield (4 stars)
Caroline Warfield is a new author for me and I truly enjoyed her writing. I felt that she had done some good research and the social dilemma, a very valid and historically correct one, that the H faced lent authenticity to the romantic tension. I also enjoyed the fact that her characters were developed and believable. I'll be buying more of her books in future.
The Fine Art of Kissing in the Park by Jaima Fixsen (4 stars)
Another new author who I enjoyed reading. She's very talented at writing descriptions of places. Her heroine acted very aggressively for her position and the era she lived in, I thought. However, it made for a nice romance and was certainly a unique take on the same old regency tale. I wish the author had shared the actual kisses with the reader, she took clean to a new level. I don't want sex in my romances, but am happy with a few toe-curling descriptions of kisses. Other than that, I felt that it was well-written and a very enjoyable read. I'll be buying more of her books.
I appreciate these Timeless Regency anthologies. Not only are they are well-edited and proof-read (so valuable in this age of self-published ebooks) but they introduce new authors and I can have a taste of his/her writing without committing to a novel.
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I enjoyed all of these stories, even those outside my usual wheel house. The first one is rather gothic and will please law and order svu fans. The second was my favorite, being sweet and commendable. However, as it was the least dramatic it is the least memorable. The third was engrossing, but I didn't find the main characters very sympathetic. Questionable moral codes.
Clean collection - no sex, some violence in the first and heavy kissing in the third.
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Another Timeless Regency Romance collection – Yay!! I’m always so excited to read these! I have discovered so many great authors through these collections. I add two more to that list with this one.
Trial of the Heart by Julie Daines – 5 stars
I loved this story! The romance is sweet, and the suspense is gripping. Marianne is shy and hesitant but extremely brave. Mr. Notham is a very talented barrister. He is confident and sure of himself. He is also very kind and caring. I was so happy with the way things worked out for them! And the proposal made me smile.
I haven’t read Julie Daines work before. Now I’m excited to read more!
Lord Edmund’s Dilemma by Caroline Warfield – 5 stars
This was such a sweet story! Lucy and Edmund are the kindest people! They care about others and want to help those they can. They are kindred spirits and a perfect match! Edmund was so drawn to Lucy and just couldn’t stay away. It was so cute! I could feel Edmund’s struggle as he fought between his family’s expectations and his dreams. It was great to watch him decide what he wanted to do, and the role Lucy played in that.
Caroline Warfield is also a new author to me. I will be reading more of her work!
The Art of Kissing in the Park by Jaima Fixsen – 4 stars
I enjoyed this story! I loved the way Caroline and Jack met. Score one for Caroline! :) Her dog, Ormonde’s role in the story was very fun. Grandmama was a riot! She shocked Caroline, but in the end helped her have the courage to follow her heart.
This novella contains some innuendo, and Grandmama expresses her opinion that dalliances for widows are acceptable, and implies affairs are too.
I received a free copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.
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