The Shackleford Sisters Books 1-3

by Beverley Watts

Join in the hilarious misadventures of the Shackleford Sisters as they descend on a Regency society that doesn't know what's hit it...
GRACE
Reverend Augustus Shackleford’s mission in life (aside from ensuring the collection box was suitably full every Sunday) was to secure advantageous marriages for each of his eight daughters. A tall order, given the fact that in the Reverend’s opinion they didn’t possess a single ladylike bone in the eight bodies they had between them. Quite where he would find a wealthy titled gentleman bottle headed enough to take any of them on remained a mystery and indeed was likely to test even his legendary resourcefulness.
But never in his wildest dreams did he envisage receiving an offer for his eldest daughter from the new Duke of Blackmore. Of course, the Reverend was well aware he was fudging it when he described Grace as respectful, meek and dutiful, nevertheless, he could never have imagined that his eldest daughter’s unruliness might end up ruining them all.

TEMPERANCE
Reverend Shackleford was at a loss. He’d truly believed that in marrying his eldest daughter Grace to an extremely wealthy peer of the realm, his problems would be over. But as the Reverend was now beginning to realise, it wasn’t sufficient to have a wealthy Duke in the family if the daughter he was trying to marry off had the manners of a stable hand.
Adam Colbourne, the eighth Earl of Ravenstone had no intention of taking a wife. That was until a chance meeting with a foul mouthed raven-haired termagant, who in the space of one night turned his world entirely upside down…

FAITH
When Faith Shackleford found herself in the unenviable position of having to accompany her irascible father to convalesce in the genteel seaside town of Torquay, she envisioned three months of wearying monotony. She certainly wasn’t expecting to be intrigued by the forlorn empty house situated next to their own elegant villa, especially when she discovered it belonged to a handsome captain in the Royal Navy who was currently away at sea. Unfortunately, she never imagined that fascination might cost her her life.
Venture into the madcap world of The Shackleford Sisters now, with books 1 -3 together in one volume for the very first time.
Perfect for fans of Regency Romances with wit, humour and a little bit of steam.

Praise for The Shackleford Sisters..."This series is not only romantic, but is truly hilarious. So much fun."
"The Shackleford Sisters have been amazing fun to read. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed reading a series so much.”
“I have re-read them many, many times. They are my go-to ‘feel good’ books.”

700 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2024

About the author

Beverley spent 8 years teaching English as a Foreign Language to International Military Students in Britannia Royal Naval College, the Royal Navy’s premier officer training establishment in the UK. She says that in the whole 8 years there was never a dull moment and many of her wonderful experiences at the College were not only memorable but were most definitely 'the stuff of fiction.' Her debut novel An Officer And A Gentleman Wanted is very loosely based on her adventures at the College.
Beverley particularly enjoys writing books that make people laugh and currently she has four series of Romantic Comedies, both contemporary and historical, as well as a humorous cosy mystery series under her belt.
She lives with her husband in an apartment overlooking the sea on the beautiful English Riviera. Between them they have 3 adult children and two gorgeous grandchildren plus 4 Romanian rescue dogs of indeterminate breed called Florence, Trixie, Lizzie and Aggie.
Until recently, they also had an adorable 'Chichon" named Dotty who was the inspiration for Dotty in The Shackleford Diaries.

You can find out more about Beverley’s books at www.beverleywatts.com

Reviews

[Cathy]

Just ok.

I purchased the first set of books (1-3), and it was a good read, but I don't believe that I will be getting the rest. Each book was pretty much reading the same as the one before. Boy meets girl, fall in love but neither want to admit it, along with a bunch of foolhardy mayhem from the daughters and their father who sticks his nose in instigating problems for them all. It was "just an ok read".

[PollyAnna Joy]

Grace, Temperance, and Faith

Grace!! Lol! I love the irony! Nicholas and Grace don't spend much time together. Yet even in the short time they are together, their attraction is impossible to deny. I hate that Nicholas tries running from her, but when it's love, you can try running until the end of time, but it won't work.

Adam & Temperance. Their meet-cute is original and actually quite funny. It's a crazy world when the thought process is that a woman (not the man) is compromised [simply] because she takes shelter in a barn where a man is also seeking shelter. Thank goodness that's not how it works anymore! Although, if it wasn't that way once upon a time, how would we have awesome plots for some of our favorite romance stories?! And BTW: Dolly deserves nothing less than death.

Roan & Faith. I did not like the vast number of characters in this one. There were way too many people to keep track of. By the time I got to the "who-done-it," I honestly no longer had any interest in the mystery. I just wanted to read about Roan and Faith. Well, them, and Freddy, Percy, and Augustus!! I LOVE seeing things through Freddy's point of view!! I hope to see more of that in the upcoming books!!

[L.]

Delightful stories of eight sisters whose clergyman father is tasked with finding them husbands. This book is about the three oldest daughters, Grace, Temperance, and Faith.
Grace is anything but graceful, she trips and falls frequently. Temperance is quick to anger and jumps to conclusions. Faith is timid in spite of a desire to be fearless and uses their father's dog as her protector.
The real "character" here is their father. The Reverend Shackleford wonders how and why did the good Lord bless him with such unruly children who constantly cause him trouble while neglecting to recognise his own contribution to the confusion and mayhem.
My favorite of the three stories was Faith's because of the mystery and intrigue. Hope the rest of the series is as enjoyable as these were.

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson]

Hilarious and sweet!

Oh my goodness I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard while reading a series in a very long time! Just when you think that the Shackleford sisters will end up in the soup they come up smelling like roses. Unheard of really for a Reverend’s daughters to marry into the aristocracy but one becomes a Duchess, one a Countess and the other nets a very rich naval Captain. I just can’t wait to see what happens to the other 5 girls. Great storylines, captivating and fun characters and a bumbling Reverend and his retiring curate you’ll love them all!

[Judy]

Positive and negative but will return at a later date to number 4.

Each story\book was different and very interesting. The books were somewhat had to read. The writing mimicked speech from history. It probably was true to the period. But getting the meaning of what was written was difficult at times and definitely slowed my reading speed. Each daughter's journey to love and be loved was totally different. I don't often read 3 books in a series in a row. I like to vary several genres and alternate them to keep my interest. I may read more but need a break for sure.

[Fredine Purvis]

The Snack Lord Sisters Book 1-3 Beverly Watts

This series of books all revolve around 8 sisters all of their bumbling but lovable father who is the vicar of the village. Each sister has an unusual name that is the opposite of their personality. This leads to many humorous incidents. Much like the British series of bumbling detective vicar.

[Sarah Scotting]

Thoroughly enjoyable

These stories have been a pleasant escape from the darker romances I tend to read lately.

I’d already read Grace’s story so knew some of what to expect with Temperance and Faith’s stories.

I’ve enjoyed Faith’s story the most so far because of the murder mystery.

[Joanna Macaulay]

Mildly humorous Regency romance

Fairly well developed characters. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't much witty conversation, only silly actions. It was unusual to have an Episcopal minister father as the swearing, drinking butt of the humor. The stories somehow seemed similar in places. I wasn't always sure I really liked the characters that much.

[Melissa]

The Shackleford Sisters books 1-3

The Duke did not know what he was in for when he wanted a marriage because he got a hellion. That was Grace. Luckily Temperance ended with an Earl. Even though she was normally foolish. Faith married well also but her family is usually in some kind of trouble. Emma Baird is a wonderful author.

[Krysia Corden]

if you like the Bridgerton series, these books are for you.,

Great stories, great characters, I like Reverend Shackleforth the best
These books are much more entertaining than Bridgerton! Looking forward to reading about Hope!

[Bev]

What a wonderful set of stories. If the rest of the series is as good as those in this box set, then I have some wonderful stories to read.

[mrs m pring]

brilliant

I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 of the books. I could actually see in my mind how they all looked, especially the reverend. Now onto the next trilogy..

[Cindy S. Yassay]

GOOD READ!

Very entertaining. Enjoyed the suspense and romance. Also enjoyed the entanglement’s. Looking forward to the rest of the girls’ future. Enjoy.

[Wanda C]

Refreshing and innocent romance

Down to earth romance with hysterical happenings. Enjoyed reading with it's unpredictable suspense. Interesting to include a clergy to it.

[AJ]

What a great read, I enjoy reading a boxed set because you are not waiting for the next book to come out.

[Cheryl Stauffer]

Ehhhh

It didn't hold my interest as well as Grace. It took me a while to get through it. I'm still confused as to the entire mystery.

[Lefty Jeans]

An interesting series.

[Jeannie]

Such an interesting series.

[PATRICIA MCCORMACK]

Loved these books really good reads, funny in places and so hard to put down ordered the next 3 books started book four straight away

[Cathy Pennington]

Lovely read

I laughed out loud several times, full of intrigue to the last book, loved reading them and sad to come to the end.