Fighting evil is a hobby, fending off marriage-minded women—a chore.
When Lord Charles Percy seizes a highwayman robbing a carriage in broad daylight, he conceals his identity to the debutante he rescues. It wouldn't do for her to know a member of the peerage is secretly in pursuit of the infamous Black Diamond. Instead, he claims to be a mere mister who happened along perchance at an opportune moment.
Despite the fact she's a woman, the Honorable Henrietta Allendale doesn't need a man to fight her battles, especially one whom she suspects is hiding things of import. So why can she not stop thinking about the gallant Mister Percy and his selfless act of heroism on her behalf?
Meeting again in London, Charles begins to enjoy verbally sparring with the intrepid young woman, and his heart is soon captivated as well. But he's playing a deep game, and Henrietta's presence in his life puts hers at risk. When a successful rescue results in possible scandal, the baron's biggest challenge will be to convince the marriage-adverse young woman that his love is true.
Hmm... What did I love about this story? The main characters, without question. At first glance, they might have been just your stock independent and not-marriage-minded leads, but they really came across as unique and believable. And their chemistry was perfect! I loved the banter. :D And even the side players felt more than one-dimensional; I have no doubt any of them who get their own stories will be delightful.
What bugged me a little? Most of the writing felt much more true to the period than a lot of other books I've read, so the few modern expressions or inaccuracies threw me worse than usual. Especially the repeated references to Sir Michael as Sir Tidley. Am I inordinately picky in that calling a knight Sir Lastname sounds like nails on a chalkboard? Aaargh... Although like I said, it *really* stood out because so much of the dialogue felt extremely authentic, so that's a good thing. There was some frank talk about the marriage bed (not detailed, and in the context of marriage, but not really a place my mind needs to go). And the ending felt a little--rushed? Anti-climactic? Or maybe it's just that I was watching the progress bar and not accounting for the long preview of the next book, so it snuck up on me.
What didn't I like? The threats from the Black Diamond, although not thoroughly explored, were pretty terrible and not really veiled at all--especially the emphasis on "virginal sacrifice"--and left me with a nasty feeling that kind of cast a shadow over my enjoyment. Although I enjoyed this book overall and would like to see more of the rest of the characters, I probably won't be continuing the series for that reason.
Content--mentions of passionate kissing (not detailed) that is stopped so as not to "anticipate the wedding night"; some talk and anticipation of the marriage bed (no details); mention of a child born out of wedlock; mentions and threats of young women being kidnapped and raped; violence, including gunplay; mention of injuries and deaths (one slightly graphic)
A freebie from Kindle, Baron’s Blunder is book #0.5 in the Black Diamond series by Susan. M. Baganz. This is a very short novella and the story is good with a heroine one can’t help but like. Henrietta Allendale is unlike any other girl of the ton, for one, she’s perceptive and too observant and thus works as an informant for the Home Office and secondly, she’s a crack shot. So, when Lord Charles Percy rescues Henri and her aunt from a highway robbery attempt, she’s amused to inform him of her capabilities. Both Charles and Henri are bent on avoiding the marriage mart so they are free to interact with each other without worrying about being on their best behavior. The romance is soft and developed nicely with the threat of the Black Diamond adding the spice but would have been happy without the too preachy Christianity. There’s only a few pages in the story but by the end, the references to God in every other sentence was unappealing.
Guess, the story of Black Diamond and the virgin sacrifices will be further explained in the coming series and that sure sounds interesting.
The hero is dashing and brave – and so is the heroine Lord Charles Percy and the Honorable Henrietta Allendale are both independent, capable people who want to continue in their current single condition. He enjoys the clandestine activities that keep him busy, but an impulsive lie told to avoid discovery leads to complicated deception. She knows he’s hiding something. When Lord Percy confesses the truth, Henri isn’t sure she can trust anything else he says. As much as they enjoy life and engaging in exciting adventures without the encumbrance of a spouse, however, there’s no denying the attraction that pulls at both of them. I enjoyed the pacing of this adventure romance. The main and secondary characters were likable people who seemed more multi-dimensional than those sometimes found in Regency romances. I especially liked the heroine, who managed to be independent without becoming aggressive about it or behaving in an anachronistic way.
I did not realize this was "Christian gothic regency suspence"... I liked Henri she was a strong minded woman with her independence. Charles respected that and loved her for it. They would have a good adventure together.
The plot was good and I did enjoy the characters. This book is for anyone who can't handle explicit sex scenes as there is nothing more than a kiss in this book.
This was my first book by this author and was enjoyable to read. The cover is gorgeous and very vibrant. The main characters were decent, interesting, and likable. I enjoyed that the chemistry between Charles and Henrietta developed slowly at first and that this wasn’t a “love at first sight” type of romance. It was a refreshing change of pace from the other romance books I’ve read lately that this couple waited until they were married to have sex (which occurs off-screen and is not described).
I also knew going into this story that this was a Christian romance. I didn’t have a problem with that though at times I felt the religious references were brought up quite often to the point I felt it got a slightly preachy. However, at the one point in the story when I expected a more detailed Christian flavor (the wedding ceremony), it was glossed over rather quickly. I just expected a better ceremony than what was written.
By the time I reached the end of the book though, I couldn’t pin down exactly where Lord Charles Percy made a blunder. Was his blunder supposed to be that he didn’t reveal he was a member of the peerage when he first encountered Miss Henrietta Allendale? That didn’t seem like a blunder to me. He was just protecting himself from any possible unwanted attentions from a possible marriage-minded young lady (though she turned out not to be interested in marriage). How was he supposed to know that Henrietta wasn’t looking for a future husband? Or could it have been that he got himself stabbed as he and Henri were fleeing England for France?
The whole mystery of why the Black Diamond is seeking a virgin was never explained to my satisfaction (unless I missed it). Was it for a virgin sacrifice? I also felt the story ended rather abruptly. One minute Charles and Henrietta were getting married, the next they are spending the night in a barn waiting to leave for France, then we find out Charles has been sick (suffering from the stab wound) after they have arrive in Paris, and then THE END. I was like … What?! … Where is the rest of the story? The abrupt ending sort of spoiled it for me. Nothing was resolved other than the fact that Henrietta was no longer a virgin. On the whole though, the story is well written and the characters likable, but the story was just not as polished or completed as I would have liked. There were too many loose ends to boost it to three stars. It was just okay in my mind.
Not to be a nitpicker, but they would never have called Michael by just Sir Tidley. The correct address should have been either Sir Michael or by his full name, Sir Michael Tidley.
Fighting highway attackers on behalf of defenseless travelers is a hobby, of sorts, for Lord Charles Percy. One such rescue brings him into the path of the Honorable Henrietta Allendale—only it soon becomes evident that she’s not at all defenseless. A mutual but almost reluctant interest sparks between them, but the criminal schemes of one notorious Black Diamond brings peril to their association in The Baron’s Blunder by author Susan M. Baganz.
It was the cover that most drew me to this novella. Yes, it’s quite lovely and has depth, it’s bold and vibrant in a dark kind of way, and it was the darkness that got me curious. When it comes to Regency fiction, I’m finding that I prefer stories with high stakes involved, aside from just social or romantic connections and displays of old-fashioned English manners and speech.
Hence, I appreciated the danger and intrigue in this Gothic Regency romance. It was great to come across a heroine with fire to her, and by that, I don’t mean she’s brash, wild, or rude to people. She isn’t perfect, may even be a bit snobbish, but she’s got wit, brains, faith, and a level of fearlessness that makes her character interesting.
I found some parts of the story to be rather clichéd or overdone, there’s perhaps too much winking, and the romance has quite a few references to “warmth” and “sensations,” which gets repetitive. Also, though this isn’t an insta-love story, the eventual jump to love still felt rushed to me, on one party’s part in particular, especially since they both began the story so opposed to marriage.
Still, I very much enjoyed this read, ate it up in one evening, and would be happy to continue the series.
It was okay. I did have issues. Although this is a historical romance, it did not have a historical feel. I like a feisty heroine, but in this case the behaviour and manners did not sit well with the time period and Henrietta would have been castigated for blatantly going to the park without her maid. I also found it hard to equate Henrietta's religious convictions with her readiness to brandish a pistol without even the bat of an eyelid. Her attitude was rather cavalier and did not sit well with all her religious talk. She seems to have duel standards. In one scene Henrietta shoots her pistol and threatens to shoot again. The man runs away and she says to Mr Percy, 'Shall I shoot him anyway,' (presumably in the back). That is apart from the fact that pistols only discharged one bullet at a time. Mr Percy, also a believer but not devout, showed a more balanced attitude. The religious aspect was somewhat overdone. The story never seemed to go anywhere and I am still wondering exactly what the Baron's blunder was. I liked Peaches the Parrot, hence an okay rating.
2.5 stars This was just meh. It was overly dramatic in an attempt at gothic literature, but lacking in the very atmosphere that is a cornerstone of gothic lit. On top of that the writing style was so lax. It felt like they didn't feel the need to take the time to write well. Finally, it is put forth as a suspense, but just like it's failure to do justice to gothic lit, it wasn't really much of a suspenseful story either.
The espionage and intrigue reminded me a bit of Regina Scott's The Everard Legacy series.
One thing - Sir Michael Tidley would have been either called that in full or just Sir Michael, not Sir Tidley. Just a little irksome when he was referred to as the latter!
He’s a spy and she’s an informant, both have vowed to remain single and never marry. But due to the demands of society they must attend all the social season. But their chance meeting changes everything
When returning to London Henrietta and her aunt we're great by a highway man on the road Mr Percy was the one to run him to the authority Mr Prervy nor Henri would thought the outcome would bring them to marriage when neither was interested in marriage
When returning home on horseback he comes upon a Highwayman robbing a coach he intervened but doesn’t give the ladies his true name and title. When they meet later at a ball she doesn’t trust him. Many twist and turns later all will be well!
What excellent characters! I loved their interactions. Ok the story could gave been longer with greater detail and depth, but what it is, is enjoyable. I especially appreciated the godly aspects of it. Sounds like an interesting series to read. Always liked Spy stories where the good guys win.
Another entertaining Regency romance to add to your list to read. Adventure, action and romance describes all that's involved in this captivating novel. Recommended for those who enjoy this genre.
`The Baron's Blunder` is a historical christian fiction book written by author Susan M. Baganz. The format I am reading fromis pdf. There are just 84 pages in this short book. The setting is Spring, 1808 in Great Britian. This is an interesting read with characters like Miss Allendale, a snooty sort, who would have killed the criminalo dead. But Lord Charles Percy aimed his gun so as to scare the horse and only injure the culprit, then led him to the magistrate. Miss Allendale may be in danger unless she marries soon. Neither Lord Charles nor Miss Allendale want to be married, especially not to each other. On one of their outings she shot someone's hat off and she threatened to follow with their brains. The role of Miss Allendale and Lord Charles is to defeat evil and bring traitors to justice. Once they are married she will not be sought out by less desirables. We have several enemies, but God is more powerful. Even though some of the parts were interesting, like when Miss Allendale shot that person's hat off, some of it just seemed dry. This is not one I would want to read again. Not much action.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
3.5 stars A nice read. I liked the banter between Henrietta and Charles. There were some funny parts to this, esp the parrot! I don't usually like novellas, but I assume this is just an introduction to the series. This was a freebie with Kindle. Will read the next in the series as it is on kindle unlimited.
Charming and delightful…and sinister and layered. On the outside, Henri tries to be the lady of repute her upstanding family deserves. But her country deserves so much more, and there must be something she can do to protect the innocent. Who would suspect a high-ranking woman playing such a dangerous game? Certainly not a dodgy character who keeps her from using her pistol to defend herself.
Henri, who can take care of herself, thank you, learns her rescuer misrepresented himself, and acquainted with her brother to boot, sinking her opinion of him lower than low. But when her innocence combined with hotheadedness gets her in trouble, the game shifts. She’s offered a choice that will allow her to continue her service to her country on one condition, dependent on overcoming her opinion of the baron who blundered upon first acquaintance.
Sweet story of first impressions and misconceptions working together and adding up to a greater cause. Told in alternating viewpoints, the story is fast-paced and true to the historical style this author excels in. Watch for her upcoming Regency series.
The Baron’s Blunder is the novella prequel to the Rose Hill Regency Romances. I loved this story! The Baron, Charles Percy, saves Lady Henrietta Allendale and her aunt from a ruffian. He spends his time escaping the clutches of women determined to capture a wealthy gentleman. But what is it about Henrietta that draws him?
Henrietta Allendale has no desire to wed as well. But when she and Charles are caught together and must wed, will they find they have more in common than they thought? The verbal sparring between Charles Percy and Henrietta is delightful and kept me turning the pages. I never knew what they were going to say next.
To find a love most true, base it on God’s word. Can Charles prove his love to Henrietta? Is Charles the one God has chosen for her? This is a must read Christian regency romance. You won’t be disappointed. A wonderful start to a great series.
A Blunder leads to love In The Baron’s Blunder by Susan M. Bagnaz we meet Charles and Henrietta as they meet on the road. From that point we travel with them through adventure after adventure as they follow their bumpy and dangerous road to a relationship. I love the way the characters are built and the way the author emphasizes the important parts of any relationship. Both Charles and Henrietta are honorable and loyal to their country as they work as spies to preserve it. They carry those characteristics over to their personal lives. I have one problem with this book. It ended. The story and characters were so compelling I wanted it to go on and I wanted it learn more about the couple and their journey. I hope to see them again soon.
When Lord Charles Percy recues Miss Henrietta Allendale from a highwayman, he soon discovers this intelligent young woman needs no rescue at all. They are both adverse to marriage and enjoy each other’s company, but each has other ideas about their future.
A party, a threat, and a compromising situation finds Henrietta in Charles’ arms and while they both fight it, perhaps that’s where she belongs.
Delightful historical romance. Ms. Baganz has captured the language and social culture of the Gregorian/Regency period in her well-chosen words and artfully painted scenes. Great quick read.
After being rescued from a highwayman by 'Mr. Percy', Miss Henrietta Allendale suspects her savior is not all he claims to be.
This was a sweet novella. The characters were enjoyable. although this was a very Christian story with such themes being brought up frequently. At times, it felt forced into the dialogue to get across a point.
I never did pin down just where 'Mr. Percy' blundered. His actions, meant to protect his identity, seemed perfectly logical.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a Christian historical tale.
I chose this rating because it is a very clean book. It talks about Christianity and the Love of JESUS. But it also talks about the evil of some people.