HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN
AUTHORS: Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, Rebecca Connolly
SERIES: Timeless Georgian Collection #1
GENRE: Historical/Georgian Romance (Clean & Wholesome)
PUBLISHER: Mirror Press
RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2022
PAGES: 300
Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London.
“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey
When Charlotte’s grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister’s wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he’s also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William’s sheep’s disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.
“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden
Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?
“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly
Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother’s approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha’s romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he’d already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he’s more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.
Other Books In This Series
The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press — a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. The collection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com. Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.
These ‘timeless’ collections from Mirror Press are some of my fave novella collections around. The stories are always high quality, even though I may enjoy some more than others in a particular collection, and it gives me a taste for authors I haven’t read before while also letting me spend time with familiar faves. I’m excited for this new line of romances, too, as I haven’t read much that was specifically labeled as Georgian before now. While Regency does tag along toward the end of that period, I’m interested in getting to know some of the nuances from the larger era as a whole.
In Sian Ann Bessey’s “Spring at Tribbley Hall”, we meet a pair of matchmaking matrons who take matters into their hands. We are also treated to a case of mistaken identity, a dash of suspense and some particularly breath-stealing romantic scenes. Charlotte and William have instant chemistry that just gets more tangible the longer they spend time together, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love from beginning to end. The story’s animals also add some smile-inducing moments for the reader even as the author skillfully uses those scenes to bring Charlotte and William closer together.
Sarah M. Eden’s “Love of My Heart” gives us a pair of protagonists who are fighting to be understood by their respective families and accepted – if not loved – as they are. When life brings them smack dab into each other’s paths (‘smack’ being the appropriate word, as it were, for their meet-cute), they begin to find in the other that acceptance they’ve craved. I so enjoyed watching Sebastian & Cordelia’s friendship grow into something more romantic – through the tender moments and the swoony ones, as well as the ones that just plain made me smile. The scene with the garden party, for instance – just try not to grin from ear to ear. It’s sort-of like the ‘drop. your. sword.’ moment in The Princess Bride, minus the sword or any murderers haha. But it’s definitely a scene that will have you cheering for the power of love to find a way! And Shadow!!! Be still my never-loved-a-sheep-before heart.
Last but certainly not least is Rebecca Connolly’s ‘Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire’. Full of wry wit, this story has a hero & heroine you cannot help but fall in love with. I adored Benjamin and Martha’s complete lack of airs, their big hearts, and their first kiss. It was just such the perfect moment for him to kiss her – it would have left me bereft if he had not. Martha is such a lovable character that readers will want to embrace her more than once for her endearing nature. Benj is her perfect match, even just as friends but especially as even more. Smart dialogue, great lines to quote, and warm supporting characters make this another novella that will keep you smiling throughout its entirety.
Bottom Line: Her Country Gentleman by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly is a delightful trio of stories in every way. Common themes of the countryside – and the sheep! – give way to each author giving their particular novella their own spin with their own voice and writing style, and readers will very much enjoy each one. I honestly can’t pick a favorite novella from this collection – I enjoyed them all. They were each well-written and full of wonderful characters and swoony romance, as well as touches of humor and tenderness. However, my favorite chemistry between the characters is from “Spring at Tribbley Hall”, my favorite meet-cute is in “Love of My Heart”, and my favorite first kiss is between Benjamin and Martha in “Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire”. As a bonus, my favorite sheep is Sarah M. Eden’s Shadow… because if you don’t have a favorite sheep, was this really a collection about the countryside? 😉
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 stars / loved it!
KissingBook Level: 3+ / will forget to breathe on occasion
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Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.
She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she’s home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
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Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML’s “2013 Novel of the Year” and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award’s “2014 Novel of the Year,” Longing for Home: Hope Springs.
Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.
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Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.
She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.
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What about you? What makes you want to read Her Country Gentleman by Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, and Rebecca Connolly?
Because all three ladies are amongst my favorite authors!! To have them all together in one collection is a win-win for sure!! I especially love stories that deviate from societal or expected norms.
This is such a fun novella collection by three of my fave authors! I loved the English/Scottish countryside, the amazing gentlemen, and the lovely ladies. And, yes, Shadow the sheep is a favorite character! It makes me want a pet sheep. We actually had one when I was younger. My uncle had a sheep herd, and he gave my brother a sheep that needed to be fed. As it grew older, it would follow him around. He was only about 4 or 5. He’d follow my dad, the lamb would follow my brother, so it was quite the parade. I think we had a dog at the same time, so I’m sure it was involved, too! Great memories!
Thanks for the lovely review, my dear BFFFC!
I love historical fiction and such great authors. Thank you for sharing.
definitely!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Carrie. All three of these authors really hit a home run for me. I am glad you enjoyed it as well. I am looking forward to the next Timeless Regency anthology, To Kiss a Wallflower in June.