A Gentlewoman Scholar Author: Michele Paige Holmes, Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden
Series: Timeless Victorian #6
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: Audio, eBook, Print
Pages: 300
Date: March 30, 2021
Publisher: Mirror Press
Three women scholars. Three lives changed. And a dash of romance.
Blessing in Disguise by Sarah M. Eden
1858, Dublin
Fred Fitzsimmons will soon graduate Trinity College. With only a few weeks, he must continue safeguarding the enormous secret he’s been keeping throughout his time in Dublin: that he is actually Winnifred, a woman in disguise. The medical degree she is a breath away from claiming would allow her to save her beloved village. But having her secret revealed would land her in jail. So when Liam Rafferty, a fellow student with a reputation for unravelling even the most complicated of mysteries, grows suspicious of “Fred,” more lives than merely hers hang in the balance.
An Unexpected Education by Michele Paige Holmes
Nineteen-year-old Esther Sessions has survived the slums of Liverpool, and her abusive home, by holding onto a promise she made to her dying mother long ago–to keep reading. When a factory explosion frees her from her oppressive life and provides an opportunity to attend Bedford Women’s College in London, Esther determines to succeed at school, knowing her education will ensure a future in which she might provide for herself and never be dependent upon any man. From the first moments of her arrival, Professor John Lind begins challenging her beliefs about everything from classical literature to algebra to–men. His kindness is something she has never encountered in a man before, and the generosity of his heart might just reach through the barriers surrounding Esther’s.
Good Heir Hunting by Nancy Campbell Allen
Ellie Perkins has achieved her dream of establishing her own Kindergarten school to serve the needs of Liverpool’s orphans. As a woman who has graduated from college and pursued a career, she has faced opposition and contention from all sides. Her first year is a success, however, and as she begins the second, she is caught by surprise when her newest hire marries and moves away, leaving a class of orphans without a teacher. Solicitor Graham Lucas, meanwhile, appears on her school doorstep, having narrowed a search for his employer’s heir to one of the students in the now teacher-less class. Ellie sees a temporary fix to her problem that will benefit both her and the handsome solicitor. Graham will substitute the kindergarten class, while Ellie searches for a replacement. Unbeknownst to them all, however, is the lurking presence of a jealous relative who covets the young heir’s position, and who will stop at nothing to take his place. Also at risk is Ellie’s heart and hard-won career. Can she truly take a chance on a handsome substitute teacher bent on winning her love?
Rating: Mild. Mild kissing.
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About Michele Paige Holmes
Michele has been a member of the same critique group for over fifteen years and feels that joining a critique group is the single best thing an author can to do help improve his or her writing. She has been a member of RWA and URWA, LDStorymakers, and The League of Utah Writers. Michele enjoys both attending and teaching at conferences. When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full time job as a wife and mother.
About Nancy Campbell Allen
Nancy Campbell Allen is the author of 14 published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Nancy loves to read, write, travel and research, and enjoys spending time laughing with family and friends. She ives in Ogden, Utah with her husband, three children, and a very large Siberian Husky named Thor.
About Sarah M. Eden
Sarah M. Eden read her first Jane Austen novel in elementary school and has been addicted to historical romance ever since. With a degree in research and a fascination with history, Eden loves delving deep into history. She is the author of multiple historical romances.
I really enjoyed these stories. This book is likely my favorite in the Timeless Victorian Collection.
Blessing in Disguise by Sarah M. Eden
I always love Ms. Eden’s books and enjoyed this story. I loved seeing a woman do what it takes to gain the education that allows her to be the village doctor of which they are in great need. And I loved seeing a man make concessions in his own life plan to gain the happily ever after they seek.
An Unexpected Education by Michelle Paige Holmes
Esther has a horrendous start in life and I loved that she didn’t allow that to ruin her chance for a better future. I adored her benefactress and thought that John was a dreamy hero with a wonderful respect for women, also overcoming his upbringing. There really were few similarities at all but for some reason I just kept envisioning Anne of Green Gables and the older man that falls for her. I can’t think of his name-the father of her student. But honestly, John was dreamier than him anyway.
Good Heir Hunting by Nancy Campbell Allen
I liked this story and found a lot of humor in the set up for Ellie and Graham. But I didn’t love it as much as the other two stories. I don’t know enough about the Victorian Era but some things in this story seemed a little too modern to me. Maybe they were perfectly in line but I wondered more than once if a phrase or word was accurate to the time period. When did kindergarten come into being in England? This story doesn’t state the year so perhaps it is later in time than the other two. The insta-love was a bit too much for me and the first kiss was pretty edgy by comparison to the other stories. Still, I loved how Graham took to his role as a kindergarten teacher and found he loved it. I can picture my husband doing that and it is beguiling.
Overall I loved the book.
Sex: Happened prior to start of story
Language: no
Violence: while abuse and murder had taken place it was not on the page