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The Clock House Mysteries #1
Love's Vengeance
When a 21st century property developer meets a Regency gentleman- what could possibly go wrong?
A great deal, it turns out. When Natasha Rowlands steps through a door in the house that will be her home she finds herself in 1810 with not only a Regency gentleman, but also a murder victim on the premises.
If it is a shock for her, it is equally disconcerting for Lord Halwell's steward, his natural son, but neither of them are prepared for a serial killer, the mystery of Lord Halwell's second wife or the growing attraction between them.
There had been a time – quite recently, in fact – when he had been a decent, hardworking, respectable gentleman. One who did not break the law and did not lust after respectable young ladies. One who had never seen a murdered person or imagined that time did anything but flow in one direction like a river.
That, Matthew thought as he attempted to make himself invisible under what had proved, unfortunately, to be a holly bush, was before he had met Miss Natasha Rowlands.
Love’s Vengeance is the first of The Clock House Mysteries and some familiar faces from the Time Into Time series will make an appearance.
A great deal, it turns out. When Natasha Rowlands steps through a door in the house that will be her home she finds herself in 1810 with not only a Regency gentleman, but also a murder victim on the premises.
If it is a shock for her, it is equally disconcerting for Lord Halwell's steward, his natural son, but neither of them are prepared for a serial killer, the mystery of Lord Halwell's second wife or the growing attraction between them.
There had been a time – quite recently, in fact – when he had been a decent, hardworking, respectable gentleman. One who did not break the law and did not lust after respectable young ladies. One who had never seen a murdered person or imagined that time did anything but flow in one direction like a river.
That, Matthew thought as he attempted to make himself invisible under what had proved, unfortunately, to be a holly bush, was before he had met Miss Natasha Rowlands.
Love’s Vengeance is the first of The Clock House Mysteries and some familiar faces from the Time Into Time series will make an appearance.
- GenresRomanceMysteryHistorical
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2021
About the author
Louise Allen
413 books335 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 6, 2021
The heroine’s dialogue was stilted and clunky. She’s a modern gal - she can use contractions. Even if she’s trying to fit in for the time travel bits, she can use them when she’s in her own time, right? I kept getting pulled out of the story because instead of noticing the movement of the plot, I was bogged down by the way the heroine talked.
The hero and heroine kiss and get interrupted. A lot. A freaking lot. Or they have to stop because the heroine has to go back to her time for stuff. Or the hero has to go talk to someone about “the mystery”. It’s not so much “will they or won’t they?” as it is “geez, do they even want to?”.
The mystery was too easy to guess. Even without the constant speculation from all the major players.
The ending was abrupt. And for all the kissing and interruptions, it was fade-to-black. Not only that, the F2B part was in the middle of a Breakfast Club close. Ugh.
This was the first in a new series, but apparently it has (many) characters from another series by the same author. So you’re always running into characters as if you should already know them and their stories, but you don’t.
I didn’t like the time travel rules and wonder how a relationship could work under such conditions. Because that’s not answered in this book.
The hero and heroine kiss and get interrupted. A lot. A freaking lot. Or they have to stop because the heroine has to go back to her time for stuff. Or the hero has to go talk to someone about “the mystery”. It’s not so much “will they or won’t they?” as it is “geez, do they even want to?”.
The mystery was too easy to guess. Even without the constant speculation from all the major players.
The ending was abrupt. And for all the kissing and interruptions, it was fade-to-black. Not only that, the F2B part was in the middle of a Breakfast Club close. Ugh.
This was the first in a new series, but apparently it has (many) characters from another series by the same author. So you’re always running into characters as if you should already know them and their stories, but you don’t.
I didn’t like the time travel rules and wonder how a relationship could work under such conditions. Because that’s not answered in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2022
I tried valently, but failed. Despite best efforts I can't seem to give a fuck about the holier than thou Natasha and her penchant for murder tourism.
Her decision to decry changing the timeline (or, you know, do anything interesting) all the while enjoying her little jaunts to the past to get her kicks looking at murder victims, is so incredibly annoying.
Also, for fucks sake, a guy shouldn't have to apologize for being ticked off that you couldn't be bothered to stop a murder. Fuck the "timeline," this is a silly romance story not PhD thesis. Ain't nobody got time for your half-assed motions towards paradox theories.
I don't know if it gets better, but I really have no desire to find out.
Dnf @ 47%
Her decision to decry changing the timeline (or, you know, do anything interesting) all the while enjoying her little jaunts to the past to get her kicks looking at murder victims, is so incredibly annoying.
Also, for fucks sake, a guy shouldn't have to apologize for being ticked off that you couldn't be bothered to stop a murder. Fuck the "timeline," this is a silly romance story not PhD thesis. Ain't nobody got time for your half-assed motions towards paradox theories.
I don't know if it gets better, but I really have no desire to find out.
Dnf @ 47%
August 16, 2021
Love's Vengeance By Louise Allen
Five stars, Natasha current time builder, has a drawing room that goes back in time 1810.. Matthew a steward from that time, finds Natasha and a connection builds.. But there is someone killing people, and it's up to the two of them to find out.. Good book, little passion lots of murder and drama.. Goid ending.
Five stars, Natasha current time builder, has a drawing room that goes back in time 1810.. Matthew a steward from that time, finds Natasha and a connection builds.. But there is someone killing people, and it's up to the two of them to find out.. Good book, little passion lots of murder and drama.. Goid ending.
January 6, 2022
Couldn't stop reading
I loved this as much as I loved the other time series books. Loved the characters and the plot. Very well done. Believable and exciting. Was delighted to find this and can't wait for the next in the series.
I loved this as much as I loved the other time series books. Loved the characters and the plot. Very well done. Believable and exciting. Was delighted to find this and can't wait for the next in the series.
January 28, 2022
Excellent Read!
Louise Allen does a fantastic job of story-telling! The tale is different for your average, run-of-the-mill Time Travel Romance. I am excited to read the next in the series. I like her style!
Louise Allen does a fantastic job of story-telling! The tale is different for your average, run-of-the-mill Time Travel Romance. I am excited to read the next in the series. I like her style!
March 1, 2023
Enjoyable!
A well written time travel romance book. Finding an author that writes this genre well is difficult. This would be a great, easy holiday read.
A well written time travel romance book. Finding an author that writes this genre well is difficult. This would be a great, easy holiday read.
July 28, 2023
Good
Good mystery and time travel story. A young woman travels back in time to the 1800 s and into murder and mystery. Good story.
Good mystery and time travel story. A young woman travels back in time to the 1800 s and into murder and mystery. Good story.
April 14, 2026
please see my review of this book on the DeLuise book series you tube channel in July 2026
August 12, 2021
Spin off to Time into Time series
I loved the Time into Time series and was very excited when I discovered this spin off. It's very difficult to find believable time travel story.
This concept of time travel was very interesting and I like how characters interact and the way they handle the phenomenon. Mystery is always quite complicated and you just can't stop reading until the end. Hint of romance will satisfy those who love romantic side story and those who don't will not be annoyed.
I loved the Time into Time series and was very excited when I discovered this spin off. It's very difficult to find believable time travel story.
This concept of time travel was very interesting and I like how characters interact and the way they handle the phenomenon. Mystery is always quite complicated and you just can't stop reading until the end. Hint of romance will satisfy those who love romantic side story and those who don't will not be annoyed.
August 7, 2021
A return to Welhampstead
I was a big fan of Louise Allen’s Time Into Time series, and this is a welcome return to that setting. Allen has created another likable heroine in Natasha — one who brings skills to the table but can let the hero shine as well. I’m not normally a mystery reader but I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I was a big fan of Louise Allen’s Time Into Time series, and this is a welcome return to that setting. Allen has created another likable heroine in Natasha — one who brings skills to the table but can let the hero shine as well. I’m not normally a mystery reader but I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews