Roseanna

The Shackleford Legacies #3

by Beverley Watts

The third title in Beverley Watt's Shackleford Legacies series.

Genres: Romance, Historical

Audible Audio

Published December 30, 2025

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

[Elizabeth Barajas]

I've enjoyed this whole series, though many times they feel like the same story in different clothing. The Shackleford series offers a fun and witty side to basic victorian romances, and there were times I was laughing out loud at the Reverend and poor Percy. I love the representation of the big loud goofy but loving families, the friendships among the brothers-in-law (very fun and accurate as they commiserate dealing with the sisters lol) and now the new generation of their children growing into their own love stories in the Shackleford Legacies. This author is one of the best in the victorian romance arena, and doesn't take herself too seriously while still having a far better than average writing style. In the end, I'd like to think that these characters and their creator author would be great fun to have as friends. I've enjoyed my time with them. Light and fun reading that has just enough drama to keep you reading too late at night. Though no family could possibly have had this much terrible luck in encountering villains lol.

[Wendy Tavenner]

Fnding Herself

I absolutely loved Roseanna and Tristin’s story. She the extremely shy niece of the Duke of Blackmore and he a street urchin turned wealthy gentleman from France. Tristin was 10 yrs old when he was thrown in a French jail for stealing something to eat. When a Comte was put in his cell months later the man gave him food to keep him alive. When the Comte was rescued by Capt Roan he had the boy and the other prisoner come with them. Tristin stayed with the Capt after the Comte was brought back to England. Know 20 years later Tristin a very wealthy man was helping the Duke of Blackmore with a possible anarchy rebellion.
Tristin realizes the man who was also rescued with them eventually took the Comte’s identity and they believe he must have killed him.
With the Dukes garden party and the fake Comte attending they believe something will happen then.
Roseanne and her entire family are staying with the Duke but she over hears 2 people in the Dukes study looking for something and tells her uncle the next morning. The Duke and several others explain to Roseanna what is happening.
With conspiracy, political opponents and the king all attending the garden party they need to find the conspirators before something happens while falling in love with a man Tristin she just met.
A wonderful story.

[Laura Harris]

wow the gangs all here

The romance appears secondarily to the intrigue and the Dukes showing his age as is the Reverend. The Reverend has got to be in his 80s by now. Maybe Finn will take over for him. The brotherhood of brothers in law is great. Dougal is hilarious as is Finn who clearly highly intelligent. Roseanna embraces her inner Shackleford and the intrigue. Just so you grasp the evolution of characters you need to read from Chastity forward. Tristan’s and Roseanna’s romance is sparse and doesn’t really have them communicating very much, however this is really the Dukes and his squads book. Just as enjoyable though. However I can’t wait till Henrietta’s book where we will get more on Tristan and Roseanna, I hope. I’ve grown to really like this Havey- cavy family.

[Karen Paul]

Shackleford perfection

Beverly has done it again. Roseanne does not disappoint. Engaging, familiar characters, havey cavey undertakings, absolute pure gold.
Only problem, we have to wait 9 months for another installment of the Shacklefords and the conclusion of the love story. But we will await more highlands, happily.

Thank you Beverly for another emotional Rollercoaster of a story, most enjoyable.

[Luisa Carnathan]

Glad an epilogue was added

I appreciate the fact that the author Beverley Watts added the epilogue to this book. I have read all the previous books in the series and I loved all of them. However I though that this ending needed a better ending.
Thank you Beverley for listening to your readers and adding the epilogue to this book.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Rudhmellowen]

I have said it before and I'll say it again now, I love the Shackleford family. Simply adore them! Each story centres around a different member and Roseanna is one of the Reverend's many granddaughters.
Hers is a tale of treason, plot and gunpowder, a fake french duke and her suitor the hero of the tale as a footman in disguise...
Brilliantly written, super funny as always and I cannot wait for more!

[Karen Parker]

I loved this book

I've read all of the Shackleford books and this one moved fast. I love all of these characters and having to wait for a new one wants for a quick read when it does get here. But alas there is none of that with all the history behind the characters. Thank you Beverley Watts for continuing the series with such good stories.

[Janet Merritt]

I have to admit, I should have written a review earlier but was too busy diving from one book to the next! I stumbled upon this author on a facebook ad! It was for the Shackleford Series starting with Grace! I literally have laughed until I cried multiple times! I hardly ever go back and reread a book let alone a series but may well do that with this author! It has been a truly enjoyable journey! Thanks for making the world smile when it certainly needs it!

[N Dent]

Harvey Carey Business

The Reverend Shackleford is always a character that gives me laughs. The young Finn has become as mischievous and funny that I giggled out loud! Roseanne breaks away from her twin and finds love. A delightful story filled with family love, drama and mystery.

[Julie Burke]

Delicious

Another wonderful trip down Blackmore Lane. Beverley gives such real depth to her characters that you almost feel as if you know them and know them well.
Finn Noon has fast become a favourite, laughed so hard when he’s reeling off all the foods he could have when he’s in the Inn with the “Rev” and his “Dar”looking forward to hearing what comes out of his mouth next.

[Bette]

ROSEANNA

As usual, this was a delightful story in the series with the nutty reverand back to his old ways. There was a bit of a cliffhanger. However, for those of us who are diehard series fans, we know it will be revealed in the next book.

[Sally Hallman]

Another Great Storyline

I loved this story, so very different from the others in this group. No funny storyline but a very interesting plot. I cannot wait to read Henrietta s story next.

[Linda]

Delightful and entertaining!

Continuously entertaining and diverting characters. Cannot wait until I meet more of the Shackleford family. One of my favorite series. Keep the laughs coming.

[Mandy Letort]

Love ALL of the Shackelford stories!

Beverly Watts is fantastic! I love all of her books!! Not many authors can make me laugh and cry all within a couple of chapters, but she does Every Time!! I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!!! 😍

[Torrey Truszkowski]

More fun and intrigue with the Shackleford family

I've read all of the Shackleford family books and love them for their entertaining characters and mildly preposterous situations they find them selves in. This is no different :)

[Karen]

roseanna is a delight

Yet another legacy read and another cracking storyline, sad that the next one appears to be the last. I shall begin reading them again after that. As always, it’s well written, and I can never put the books down once I start.

[Cynthia Callenius]

Keeping up with the family...

I enjoy these but would really appreciate a way to keep the family members straight. Perhaps you could include a drawing of the family tree in the next book.

[Agnes]

Always a pleasure to visit with the Shacklefords

While the plot seem to be a little far fetched (comparing to other books, objectively it was extremely far fetched) at first and a little too simple in the other half, it was a great pleasure.

[Kim]

The Legacy books are fun

I enjoyed the greater humor in the legacy collection. The new characters and even stronger plot lines kept the stories moving. I look forward to the final one in the collection.

[Kaitlin C]

3.5 ⭐️ this one is really cute 😭 they’re both so awk i love it. That being said they really dont talk that much and most of the book is uncovering yet another wild plot but i’m here for it. Idk what imma do when i knock out this series …

[L.]

Well I'm almost finished with this series and all the stories have been very enjoyable but are now pushing the reader to believe some fanciful things. I will miss the Shacklefords when I'm done with the next book but it's time to say goodbye. Thank you Ms. Watts for months of delightful, funny stories.

[Evelyn Garvey]

Hours of enjoyment

I have spent so many hours with the Shackleford family. Now on the 2nd generation I'm still under the spell of this family. Thank you for the opportunity to share this families adventures. I look forward to continuing my adventures with you and them.

[Vicki Stearns]

Mystery with comedy and romance

Where is the gun powder??? And who will discover it??? Could it be the mongrel? Or Douglas? Or the ever resourceful and bumbling Reverend Shackleford.

[Melissa]

Roseanna book 4

How this author can get two unbelievable people together through dishonesty and murder planed is a surprise to me. Her books are wonderful and I plan to read them all.

[cheryl garnham]

Excellent read, good background chapter to characters which kept me invested in their well-being towards the end. A bit of history included which gave the story some credibility.

[Melissa Miller]

Loved the ending

I love that Rosie got her happily ever after. The epilogue tied it all up into a nice neat little bow. Just loved it!

[Terri Moncrief]

Not my favorite Shakleford

It was a little slow in the beginning, trying to connect everybody but I still enjoyed it about half way through. Looking forward to the next one.

[Liz Bellamy]

An excellent entertaining read, especially with the Epilogue included

[Susie]

Wonderful. It’s so good to have all the much loved characters back. A good story and looking forward to the next one.

[Rebecca Johnson]

good but needs closure

Needs more closure at the ending but I love all the Shacklefords. Why doesn’t the king reward Tristen?
They are Such fun books