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A Relative Matter
In this sweet Regency romance, life in India is idyllic for Anne Tyler and her younger brother, Jeremy until the deaths of their parents shatter their world. They are sent to England to live with a grandfather that neither remembers. However, as the years pass, the kindly man proves a balm for their wounded hearts. His death, when it comes, is a cruel blow.
Though his will leaves the estate to Jeremy, the boy is not yet of age. His grandfather’s nephew, a man with a mysterious past, is named guardian of the property
and soon arrives to take up his duty. Unfortunately, the man has a son who is both evil and cunning. Since he stands to inherit the estate should Jeremy die, he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the property.
Murder and threats of murder soon haunt their every move. Standing between them and disaster is the handsome Lord Westerfield, a man who promises to defend Anne and Jeremy, even at risk to his own life.
Though his will leaves the estate to Jeremy, the boy is not yet of age. His grandfather’s nephew, a man with a mysterious past, is named guardian of the property
and soon arrives to take up his duty. Unfortunately, the man has a son who is both evil and cunning. Since he stands to inherit the estate should Jeremy die, he will stop at nothing to get his hands on the property.
Murder and threats of murder soon haunt their every move. Standing between them and disaster is the handsome Lord Westerfield, a man who promises to defend Anne and Jeremy, even at risk to his own life.
218 pages, ebook
First published May 23, 2015
190 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Karen Cogan
77 books28 followersA native of Houston, TX, Karen spent her early years enjoying life along the Gulf Coast. After high school, she attended Texas A&M as well as the University of Houston where she obtained a
B.S. in early childhood education. She has written numerous articles and stories, books for children and novels for adults. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary and historical romance.
She now lives in the Southwest with her family and assorted pets. For more information go to https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Cogan/e/... or https://www.facebook.com/karencoganfa....
B.S. in early childhood education. She has written numerous articles and stories, books for children and novels for adults. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary and historical romance.
She now lives in the Southwest with her family and assorted pets. For more information go to https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Cogan/e/... or https://www.facebook.com/karencoganfa....
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 14, 2015
This would have been better had the author kept to one term for the hero's aristocratic background - she kept switching between a baron, an earl and even a mister - these are all very different ranks! Also, she kept referring to the hero's "scandalously dark eyes" - I'm not sure what this meant in relation to the colour, as how can 'dark' be scandalous? It became annoying after the third time of reading. It was a shame, as the story was actually quite sweet.
December 30, 2015
The story was wonderful. Great characters and story line. Clean and sensible. Not unbelievable in character development. Good job!
Read
December 23, 2015A Regency romance with hilariously stiff dialog. Sample from the last page I read:
They sound like middle aged androids, not 20 something romantic leads! And that selection was from 44% into the book--given that glacial pacing, I have no idea how they fall in love and (I assume) marry by the end of the book.
"Mr. Tyler wiped mirthful tears from his eyes and told Anne. 'Your brother is an amusing young man. We have had a delightful chat and I cannot wait to hear more about India.'
'Would you like to see a book that Grandfather gave me? It has ever so many wonderful drawings of tigers,' Jeremy said.
Mr. Tyler smiled. 'I should love to see it, perhaps tomorrow. Now, I am tired from my journey and I should like to go up and rest.'
'We have had a room prepared for you. I hope that it will be adequate. Of course, it is your choice if you should like to move to another after you have had a look about the house,' Anne said."
They sound like middle aged androids, not 20 something romantic leads! And that selection was from 44% into the book--given that glacial pacing, I have no idea how they fall in love and (I assume) marry by the end of the book.
April 6, 2020
Where to start? Well, I have to say that from the moment I picked this book up, I could not put it down! The colorful and picturesque way in which the author has crafted both the characters and the setting completely charmed me. This was my first time ever reading a romance novel, and I have to say that Karen Cogan won me over! I found the dialogues entertaining and graceful. The romantic plot itself was both sweet and proper, yet very engaging with some intrigue and mystery thrown in. The timeline/era for when this story takes place was also a big hit for me, as I am a historical fiction addict! I was not bored for one moment!
If I had any constructive criticism to give, it would be simply that this book might benefit from a synopsis either on the back or interior cover. Beyond that, I have nothing but the highest praise for both book and author, and will DEFINITELY pass my copy along for others to read!
If I had any constructive criticism to give, it would be simply that this book might benefit from a synopsis either on the back or interior cover. Beyond that, I have nothing but the highest praise for both book and author, and will DEFINITELY pass my copy along for others to read!
May 28, 2015
This is definitely one of my favorite books I've read in the last month. The characters were engaging and the plot interesting.
I'd technically rate this a 4.5, since I took .5 off for the minor misspellings and odd word usage. Not enough to be distracting but I did notice.
I'd technically rate this a 4.5, since I took .5 off for the minor misspellings and odd word usage. Not enough to be distracting but I did notice.
June 5, 2015
Surprising relatives
I rated this story as a four star because it is a good story though quiet. The newcomer was evident in the telling but not to the characters. I would have liked more details in the involvement of the people in the book
I rated this story as a four star because it is a good story though quiet. The newcomer was evident in the telling but not to the characters. I would have liked more details in the involvement of the people in the book
November 18, 2015
Sweet and slightly scary story
I enjoyed this book and it's little plot twists. I felt like I knew the characters and felt for them.
There were many misspellings/wrong words that should have been fixed in editing, but the story was worth reading.
I enjoyed this book and it's little plot twists. I felt like I knew the characters and felt for them.
There were many misspellings/wrong words that should have been fixed in editing, but the story was worth reading.
June 9, 2015
Great book.
This book was well written and contained no repulsive language. The ending was too abrupt. I wanted to read more about them.
This book was well written and contained no repulsive language. The ending was too abrupt. I wanted to read more about them.
September 28, 2015
Sweet mystery.
A slow start but a good number of characters to keep it interesting. Some questions remain unanswered but a nice rainy day read.
A slow start but a good number of characters to keep it interesting. Some questions remain unanswered but a nice rainy day read.
January 16, 2016
Refreshing
A period romance that keeps your attention. Full of twists and turns Cogan does well. A bit of proofreading would finish this book off nicely.
A period romance that keeps your attention. Full of twists and turns Cogan does well. A bit of proofreading would finish this book off nicely.
December 16, 2016
Z z
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2020
A Relative Matter
Forgetting the past and looking toward the goal before us we strive for what God has in store for us. Happiness
Forgetting the past and looking toward the goal before us we strive for what God has in store for us. Happiness
March 30, 2020
Anne and Westerfield-
An enjoyable story with a satisfying HEA
An enjoyable story with a satisfying HEA
November 21, 2022
This is my first time reading something by the author Karen Cogan, and I’m glad to have found this book! I finished the story feeling happy with the clean romance and the regency setting, engaged with the plotline, and satisfied with the writing. There is a bit of drama and an intriguing mystery to help keep the reader interested too.
Romance is the primary reason I read the story, and this certainly fulfilled my desire. I enjoyed getting to know Anne and her love interest, and I found the vast majority of their interactions interesting and heartwarming. Anne, the protagonist, is an honest, loving, and friendly person who enjoys nature, reminding me a bit of Anne of Green Gables.
This story was done in a regency setting that was well described and made me think the author was knowledgeable about the era. Written in the third perspective, I think the author did a good job at building both scenes and characters, making the writing easy to follow and understandable. There were a few typos and a few times where names were switched, but they were minimal and clear enough that it never took me out of the scene. Though I was quite happy with the story and writing, I think there are some minor areas where it can be improved. For example, adding a few more scenes showing the connection of the leads and why they were romantically interested in each other.
Overall, reading this book was a great experience. The heart warming and clean regency romance paired with the delightful descriptions of the well built world left me feeling happy and glad to have read this. I will certainly look more into other works by the author too!
Romance is the primary reason I read the story, and this certainly fulfilled my desire. I enjoyed getting to know Anne and her love interest, and I found the vast majority of their interactions interesting and heartwarming. Anne, the protagonist, is an honest, loving, and friendly person who enjoys nature, reminding me a bit of Anne of Green Gables.
This story was done in a regency setting that was well described and made me think the author was knowledgeable about the era. Written in the third perspective, I think the author did a good job at building both scenes and characters, making the writing easy to follow and understandable. There were a few typos and a few times where names were switched, but they were minimal and clear enough that it never took me out of the scene. Though I was quite happy with the story and writing, I think there are some minor areas where it can be improved. For example, adding a few more scenes showing the connection of the leads and why they were romantically interested in each other.
Overall, reading this book was a great experience. The heart warming and clean regency romance paired with the delightful descriptions of the well built world left me feeling happy and glad to have read this. I will certainly look more into other works by the author too!
April 20, 2023
Is it not a clumsy mistake that there's nothing to explain how a groom hired at the Tylers' would be at the Westerfields home during a dinner where his services as a groom were not said to be called for and also he was not said to be the one to drive Anne and the brother to the Westerfields and the young lord whose first name was either never mentioned or I forgot was the one who travelled with them for the safety of the young one? How would this groom who was also said to be a recent hire at the Tylers already have been trusted with the goings on in the house of this estate he is not even employed at? How was Pete there to tell lord W that he saw someone leave the house via the library door accompanying the boy? How did he know about the layout of a home he does not work for or in to guess that the door he saw the two exit from was a library door? The tidying up of the problem faced by the Tylers made this book go from being just an okay read of two stars to being unlikable as it is quite evident that it is a mistake made by the author's plotting or pantsying (sp) which was not caught by the editor or proofreader.
Good guys were nauseatingly good and bad guys so obvious that when the last reveal happened it came as no surprise at all and I guess the predictability of the problem being solved at the very last minute to try and hide the obvious nature of who this villain was.
Good guys were nauseatingly good and bad guys so obvious that when the last reveal happened it came as no surprise at all and I guess the predictability of the problem being solved at the very last minute to try and hide the obvious nature of who this villain was.
August 12, 2017
It is a mediocre to good read. Mariah as a secondary character was so pathetic (too desperate for a man) that she did not even bother to investigate Fletcher's background nor did she even question how easily he transferred his affections from one woman to another believing instead that Anne's warnings were motivated by jealousy. The constable and the magistrate did not even check on every new arrival to the district for at least 6 months from Mr. Tyler's murder. One way is to start with the victim himself, as the newest stranger among them. (If one is in law enforcement one must have a devious turn of mind and think like the perpetrator/s of a crime.) As it is, this is lame but as a novella it will have to do, I guess. This is just a short read still I found issue on the editing in Chapter 4 ~ Mariah's name was substituted for Anne's. The women in this book are either stupid or foolish like Mariah or a deceitful slut like Mr. Tyler's wife, who had the gall to palm off her son by another man as Mr. Tyler's.
April 6, 2021
This book was very good. It was very well done, very well written. The plot was well thought up and the characters imaginative and consistent. The romance was good, only i wished the couple would have appeared a little more passionate about one another. I feel like the author just said they were in love and we were supposed to believe it. Their kisses were not convincing enough that they loved each other either. And the author took way too long to inform the reader who the person was that was trying to kill Jeffery. Other then that it was alright and enjoyable, but i don't see myself reading it again.
March 6, 2020
Incredibly bland, grammar not accurate
Since this book was free, I suppose I can't complain too much. However, I like my Regency era novels to feel... well, set in the right era! The grammar and characters felt out of place for when the book is set, and the story itself seemed to drag along too much to keep my attention. I skimmed the first chapter, read the last couple pages, and felt like I had read the whole book without missing anything. Would suggest you pass on this book in favor of one written with more research behind it, and for a less predictable story.
Since this book was free, I suppose I can't complain too much. However, I like my Regency era novels to feel... well, set in the right era! The grammar and characters felt out of place for when the book is set, and the story itself seemed to drag along too much to keep my attention. I skimmed the first chapter, read the last couple pages, and felt like I had read the whole book without missing anything. Would suggest you pass on this book in favor of one written with more research behind it, and for a less predictable story.
May 31, 2018
The story is nice and the characters too, unfortunately the story is not completely developed and some subplots are not closed (what happened with/to Mary?). The end comes too fast (Mr Fletcher confessing all his deeds without anybody asking...)....the author seemed in a hurry to finish the book ...pity, it could have earned 1/1,5 more stars.
However, a nice and light read.
However, a nice and light read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2020
Reasonable
This is a very good plot badly executed, the storyline was imaginative but the writing was too unsophisticated almost childlike coupled with lack of proof reading this spoilt my enjoyment of the book.
This is a very good plot badly executed, the storyline was imaginative but the writing was too unsophisticated almost childlike coupled with lack of proof reading this spoilt my enjoyment of the book.
January 24, 2021
A standalone novel set in Regency England.
My Take
The core of the story is nice enough, but Cogan needs to work on this draft. It's all tell and the lack of knowledge on moral manners in Regency England was appalling. Enough to turn me off the whole thing.
My Take
The core of the story is nice enough, but Cogan needs to work on this draft. It's all tell and the lack of knowledge on moral manners in Regency England was appalling. Enough to turn me off the whole thing.
March 23, 2021
Sweet draft
A sweet first draft. There were many errors it was no wonder the book was free. The most glaring ... not wearing morning in public. My favorite, switching names of characters. This was an obvious first draft, minimal character development ... back for rewrite.
A sweet first draft. There were many errors it was no wonder the book was free. The most glaring ... not wearing morning in public. My favorite, switching names of characters. This was an obvious first draft, minimal character development ... back for rewrite.
July 24, 2019
So many historical errors in this Regency romance. While the story had potential, these errors spoilt it. Plus, there were quite a few editing errors.
September 10, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I did have the murderer figured out before the end, but still enjoyed how he was discovered.
January 26, 2021
Sticky sweet
Although it was a tad predictable, the storyline was engaging and the characters well developed. Would recommend it for anyone who likes daring with a happy ending.
Although it was a tad predictable, the storyline was engaging and the characters well developed. Would recommend it for anyone who likes daring with a happy ending.
February 24, 2021
A slow start and although love the characters to much info is left out Would dearly love to learn more about at least the main characters and then... abruptly the end
Left me unfulfilled really
Left me unfulfilled really
Read
March 10, 2021Romance Mystery
I enjoyed reading this story which had a good story line, setting, interesting characters and clean language. The author kept it interesting beginning to end.
I enjoyed reading this story which had a good story line, setting, interesting characters and clean language. The author kept it interesting beginning to end.
November 9, 2021
Enjoyed it alot
May 7, 2022
Really great book! Wonderful characters and extremely well written storyline, definitely a page turner! I can't wait to read more from this author!
April 12, 2022
Pleasantly presented plot line. Formally written. Awhile should be a while in the context used in this story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews