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An Independent Woman
Lady Judith Ainsley was young, but smart, when she learned of her father’s devious schemes. Despite the pain of deception and the illusion of a loving father destroyed, Lady Judith devised safeguards for her protection and independence. She had a dear companion, a guardian angel, and a duke whom she could not decide whether to love or hate. Lady Judith took pride in her accomplishments, unaware they threatened to crumble. More secrets are uncovered when she stumbles upon a secret cache of ill-gotten gains and draws the vengeance of foreign villains. Will she choose independence over love? And will Lady Judith forsake her pride and accept help from her enemies? Or risk dying alone?
Major Richard Chadwick is forced to leave behind his commission and the years of fighting Napoleon’s armies when he inherits the dukedom from his deceased father, who refused to prepare his son for this outcome. At home, Lord Richard finds disaster and inadequate funds to remedy the situation. As he searches for ways to increase revenue, he uncovers a means to benefit himself while hurting the infuriating, adventurous, reckless woman he is coming to care for. However, before Lord Richard breaks the news, the lady disappears, and everything comes to a standstill while he rushes to her rescue. Will he make it in time? And if he does, will she want him after he reveals the truth?
Major Richard Chadwick is forced to leave behind his commission and the years of fighting Napoleon’s armies when he inherits the dukedom from his deceased father, who refused to prepare his son for this outcome. At home, Lord Richard finds disaster and inadequate funds to remedy the situation. As he searches for ways to increase revenue, he uncovers a means to benefit himself while hurting the infuriating, adventurous, reckless woman he is coming to care for. However, before Lord Richard breaks the news, the lady disappears, and everything comes to a standstill while he rushes to her rescue. Will he make it in time? And if he does, will she want him after he reveals the truth?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Lovelace Ellis
14 books17 followersFrom early childhood, Peggy dreamed of writing stories but fiction eluded her as years passed. In the meantime, her editing business kept her busy editing candidates’ advanced honors degrees, master’s theses, doctoral dissertations and post-docs. She also edited faculty research in many disciplines. She edited fiction for various authors. Apparently by osmosis, she learned to write fiction. Once the words started, they never stopped.
Gardening and travel provided grist for the mill of Peggy’s creativity. Her earliest publications (and continuing) were essays in nationally distributed magazines on those subjects, among others. She received an honorable mention in a Writer’s Digest contest, placing at #68 of almost 1800 entries for creative nonfiction articles. Her cozy mysteries have been finalists in the St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic Competition four times. Throughout the years, she published short fiction in nationally distributed magazines, ezines, and anthologies.
Peggy's current release is An Independent Woman, set in 1815. For a review, see https://www.sandykayslawsonwriter.org/ Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
March 20, 2024, Peggy published The Mysterious Face, a romantic suspense set in the same town as her book of short stories published in 2021, Silver Shadows, Stories of Life in a Small Town. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
Over a span of five years, Peggy researched and wrote three Regency novels, which she chose to publish in 2023.
In February 2023, Peggy published The Heart Series, three volumes set in the Regency era. Volume One is The Uncertain Heart. See a guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... May 22, 2023. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and in local bookstores.
In June 2023, Peggy published The Merry Heart, Book Two of a Regency novel series titled Heart Series. See her guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
In August 2023, Peggy published The Divided Heart, Book Three of a Regency novel series titled Heart Series. See her guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
In 2021, Peggy published Silver Shadows, Stories of Life in a Small Town, containing four novelettes and four short stories in her imaginary town. This book has the uniqueness of the town being the primary character. It introduces itself, gives its history, and then introduces stories about some of its residents. The characters in these stories are secondary characters in a romantic suspense Peggy published in early 2024. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and in local bookstores..
In 2020, Peggy published the second edition of Challenges on the Home Front, World War II, containing first-person stories of women in eight countries, some non-battle recollections of men, and research on the women's equality movement. See a guest blog at https://www.gailkittleson.com/challen... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
Gardening and travel provided grist for the mill of Peggy’s creativity. Her earliest publications (and continuing) were essays in nationally distributed magazines on those subjects, among others. She received an honorable mention in a Writer’s Digest contest, placing at #68 of almost 1800 entries for creative nonfiction articles. Her cozy mysteries have been finalists in the St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic Competition four times. Throughout the years, she published short fiction in nationally distributed magazines, ezines, and anthologies.
Peggy's current release is An Independent Woman, set in 1815. For a review, see https://www.sandykayslawsonwriter.org/ Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
March 20, 2024, Peggy published The Mysterious Face, a romantic suspense set in the same town as her book of short stories published in 2021, Silver Shadows, Stories of Life in a Small Town. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores.
Over a span of five years, Peggy researched and wrote three Regency novels, which she chose to publish in 2023.
In February 2023, Peggy published The Heart Series, three volumes set in the Regency era. Volume One is The Uncertain Heart. See a guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... May 22, 2023. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and in local bookstores.
In June 2023, Peggy published The Merry Heart, Book Two of a Regency novel series titled Heart Series. See her guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
In August 2023, Peggy published The Divided Heart, Book Three of a Regency novel series titled Heart Series. See her guest interview at https://rlfblog.com/peggy-lovelace-el... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
In 2021, Peggy published Silver Shadows, Stories of Life in a Small Town, containing four novelettes and four short stories in her imaginary town. This book has the uniqueness of the town being the primary character. It introduces itself, gives its history, and then introduces stories about some of its residents. The characters in these stories are secondary characters in a romantic suspense Peggy published in early 2024. Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and in local bookstores..
In 2020, Peggy published the second edition of Challenges on the Home Front, World War II, containing first-person stories of women in eight countries, some non-battle recollections of men, and research on the women's equality movement. See a guest blog at https://www.gailkittleson.com/challen... Available from Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at local bookstores.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 30, 2025
Lady Judith Ainsley was young, but smart when she learned of her father’s schemes. Despite the pain of deception and the illusion of a loving father destroyed, Lady Judith devised safeguards for her protection and independence. She had help: a dear companion, a guardian angel, and a duke whom she could not decide whether to love or to hate. Lady Judith took pride in her accomplishments unaware they threatened to crumble. Will she choose independence over love? Will Lady Judith forsake her pride and accept help from her enemies? Or risk dying alone?
Major Richard Chadwick is forced to leave behind his commission and the years of fighting Napoleon’s armies when he inherits the dukedom. At home, Lord Richard finds disaster, and few funds to remedy the situation. As he searches for ways to increase revenue, he uncovers a means to benefit himself while hurting the infuriating, adventurous, reckless woman he is coming to care for. However, before Lord Richard breaks the news, the lady disappears, and everything comes to a standstill while he rushes to her rescue. Will he make it in time? And if he does, will she want him after he reveals the truth?
An Independent Woman by Peggy Lovelance Ellis is an emotionally charged Christian historical romance that stands out as a unique regency era novel that has spiritual themes.
While readers might be drawn to the novel expecting Bridgerton-esque themes, what they’ll find is mostly just the setting — and even that feels subdued, as the Ton is out of season and most characters are tucked away at their country estates. What the novel truly offers is a deeper focus on inner healing, scripture, and the power — and complexity — of forgiveness.
Judith and Richard’s story is a slow-burn, age-gap romance rooted in years of shared history, repeated collisions, and personal growth. At times, the flashbacks could be uncomfortable. Judith’s description of being a young child, while Richard is a handsome young man, could be bothersome. However, both characters emerge from privileged yet difficult childhoods, shaped by emotionally distant or demanding parents, and carry the burdens of being pushed into roles they did not want for themselves. Their emotional immaturity at times feels raw and uncomfortably real. What I enjoyed about this book is the circle of honest friends that help guide the characters. Whether it was Tom supporting Richard, or Susannah, Ruthie, and Daniel encouraging Judith, I might not have agreed with all of their advice, but their love and loyalty to their friends were undeniable.
Faith plays a central role in the story. Through scripture, prayer, and themes of grace, Ellis challenges her character and readers to consider what it truly means to forgive and be forgiven. However, they also raise questions. While the call to forgiveness is powerful and sincere, it sometimes seems to come at the cost of celebrating Judith’s extraordinary strength and unconventionality.
At just fifteen, Judith takes charge of her life in ways no woman of her time dared. She builds a career, controls her finances, and makes courageous, unconventional choices. And yet, rather than being honored for her groundbreaking achievements, she’s often asked to change — to soften, to yield, to be “less” in order to be acceptable. Why would the author celebrate Judith’s brilliance and uniqueness in one scene and then switch to scolding in her the next?
Structurally, the novel has some pacing issues. Flashbacks are frequent and occasionally jarring, and the large supporting cast can be overwhelming. The plot sometimes jumps between slow brooding and rapid developments, which can be disorienting.
In my honest opinion, I would not recommend this novel. With its numerous characters, frequent flashbacks, and ongoing continuity and structural issues, I found it difficult to follow and stay engaged with the story.
Received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) via Reedsy Discovery
Major Richard Chadwick is forced to leave behind his commission and the years of fighting Napoleon’s armies when he inherits the dukedom. At home, Lord Richard finds disaster, and few funds to remedy the situation. As he searches for ways to increase revenue, he uncovers a means to benefit himself while hurting the infuriating, adventurous, reckless woman he is coming to care for. However, before Lord Richard breaks the news, the lady disappears, and everything comes to a standstill while he rushes to her rescue. Will he make it in time? And if he does, will she want him after he reveals the truth?
An Independent Woman by Peggy Lovelance Ellis is an emotionally charged Christian historical romance that stands out as a unique regency era novel that has spiritual themes.
While readers might be drawn to the novel expecting Bridgerton-esque themes, what they’ll find is mostly just the setting — and even that feels subdued, as the Ton is out of season and most characters are tucked away at their country estates. What the novel truly offers is a deeper focus on inner healing, scripture, and the power — and complexity — of forgiveness.
Judith and Richard’s story is a slow-burn, age-gap romance rooted in years of shared history, repeated collisions, and personal growth. At times, the flashbacks could be uncomfortable. Judith’s description of being a young child, while Richard is a handsome young man, could be bothersome. However, both characters emerge from privileged yet difficult childhoods, shaped by emotionally distant or demanding parents, and carry the burdens of being pushed into roles they did not want for themselves. Their emotional immaturity at times feels raw and uncomfortably real. What I enjoyed about this book is the circle of honest friends that help guide the characters. Whether it was Tom supporting Richard, or Susannah, Ruthie, and Daniel encouraging Judith, I might not have agreed with all of their advice, but their love and loyalty to their friends were undeniable.
Faith plays a central role in the story. Through scripture, prayer, and themes of grace, Ellis challenges her character and readers to consider what it truly means to forgive and be forgiven. However, they also raise questions. While the call to forgiveness is powerful and sincere, it sometimes seems to come at the cost of celebrating Judith’s extraordinary strength and unconventionality.
At just fifteen, Judith takes charge of her life in ways no woman of her time dared. She builds a career, controls her finances, and makes courageous, unconventional choices. And yet, rather than being honored for her groundbreaking achievements, she’s often asked to change — to soften, to yield, to be “less” in order to be acceptable. Why would the author celebrate Judith’s brilliance and uniqueness in one scene and then switch to scolding in her the next?
Structurally, the novel has some pacing issues. Flashbacks are frequent and occasionally jarring, and the large supporting cast can be overwhelming. The plot sometimes jumps between slow brooding and rapid developments, which can be disorienting.
In my honest opinion, I would not recommend this novel. With its numerous characters, frequent flashbacks, and ongoing continuity and structural issues, I found it difficult to follow and stay engaged with the story.
Received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) via Reedsy Discovery
February 11, 2025
Capable and independent Lady Judith Ainsley is proud to have thwarted the horrid future her father planned for her, through her own efforts and financial acumen. Setting herself up on a small estate all her own and determined never to marry, she has no idea of the new obstacles she has yet to face, which include an interfering and aggravating but handsome duke with problems of his own and several situations that are not what they seem. Through it all, she struggles to learn some hard lessons about herself with help from her overworked guardian angel.
Ellis has given us a memorable heroine in headstrong, mercurial and deeply-flawed Judith, whose path towards self-knowledge, trust, and finally to love is highly satisfying. The author also explores heart-warming themes of “found family” and forgiveness deftly woven through the story’s twists and turns. You’ll cheer for the progress of the characters in this original and well-researched, low-heat Christian Regency romance.
Ellis has given us a memorable heroine in headstrong, mercurial and deeply-flawed Judith, whose path towards self-knowledge, trust, and finally to love is highly satisfying. The author also explores heart-warming themes of “found family” and forgiveness deftly woven through the story’s twists and turns. You’ll cheer for the progress of the characters in this original and well-researched, low-heat Christian Regency romance.
April 23, 2025
If you love Regency romances, you will likely enjoy this standalone novel by Peggy Lovelace Ellis.
In An Independent Woman, young Lady Judith Ainsley emerges as a heroine with understandable trust issues. Her skepticism towards men fuels her independence, as she is determined to live by her own rules. She is supported by a dear friend, a guardian angel, and a duke whose feelings she struggles to understand- whether to love or dislike him. Although Lady Judith takes pride in her accomplishments, she is unaware that they are on the brink of failing.
The story explores themes of love, hatred, forgiveness, and betrayal, creating a clean romance that I found very enjoyable to read.
During this time period, women possessed very few rights, and I found the book rich with conflict, adventure, and romance. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms Ms. Ellis uses, fret not; there is a glossary of British 1800s terminology at the end of the book.
In An Independent Woman, young Lady Judith Ainsley emerges as a heroine with understandable trust issues. Her skepticism towards men fuels her independence, as she is determined to live by her own rules. She is supported by a dear friend, a guardian angel, and a duke whose feelings she struggles to understand- whether to love or dislike him. Although Lady Judith takes pride in her accomplishments, she is unaware that they are on the brink of failing.
The story explores themes of love, hatred, forgiveness, and betrayal, creating a clean romance that I found very enjoyable to read.
During this time period, women possessed very few rights, and I found the book rich with conflict, adventure, and romance. If you’re unfamiliar with some of the terms Ms. Ellis uses, fret not; there is a glossary of British 1800s terminology at the end of the book.
April 5, 2025
If you enjoy all things English, Dukes, Lords, Ladys, Graces, and servants, you will enjoy "An Independent Woman." Ms. Ellis write well developed believable characters ... some loveable from the start, others need to grow. Her research of the times and history adds depth to the romance novel of the early 1800s. You will find themes of love, hate, forgiveness, and deceit ... and a patient guardian angel who shows us God at work in our lives.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews