I have mentioned many a time how curious I find the way books line up in my review schedule since I accept the books at odd times, often 6 months in advance. And who knew back at the end of 2019 when I was scheduling these books that I would so welcome a spate of light and pleasant reads all in a row. I thank TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson at no charge for my honest review.
About Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey:
In this new Regency romance, a young unwed mother must protect her heart from the charms of her convenient new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life.
When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.
Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.
About the Author:
Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A registered nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the national parks, attending her daughter’s gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and in 2016, ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 2017 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children.
Connect with Abigail
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
My Opinion:
Elizabeth is on her way to a new job with her son Isaac – she hopes this is her chance to escape the whispers and stares as she is an unwed mother. On the way her carriage is attacked by a highwayman but all is not as it seems and that robber ends up being someone she knows. Lord Torrington is a spy for the Crown and he finds himself in a difficult position since he has been caught out, so he does what any good spy does – he marries the beautiful girl in the carriage to protect his hidden identity and slightly less importantly, her reputation.
Elizabeth finds herself ensconced at Middlecrest Abbey as the Lady of the manor – or is she? The widowed Lord Torrington has two daughters from his first marriage and his former mother in law is still living at the Abbey. None of them are thrilled – or convinced – with this new marriage but Elizabeth and little Isaac soon win hearts.
But all is not well as there is a murderer afoot and spies coming and going. Elizabeth helps her husband sort through the mystery and mayhem of as they grow closer and the family comes together. Will they be able to truly live in peace and harmony?
This book was just what I needed right now. It was, despite the murder, mystery and mayhem, a light and easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and despite it being a completely implausible plot – I was very entertained. Sometimes you just want a book to fall into where you just don’t have to think and this was one of those books. Pretty setting, easy mystery, handsome people and (no spoilers here I am sure) a happy ending.
Rating:
4
The Giveaway:
One lucky US reader will win a copy of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. Just enter as many ways as you would like on the Gleam widget below. Good luck everyone! Full rules are on the widget.
