Another in the Love Inspired line, Healing the Soldier’s Heart is a faith filled Historical by Lily George. This time an orphan turned governess who lives in Bath is given the chance to help a returned and injured soldier. Lucy Williams is dedicated to the two young girls in her charge, one soon to leave the nest as she has her coming out party and attempts to find a suitor, the other young and impressionable and both without a mother. 

James is an injured veteran who has mostly lost the ability to speak due to trauma on the continent during war. His family is no longer as auspicious as they were so he attempts to support his mother and sister who also has a speech impediment. 

This lovely tale is set in the Regency era and has some more mature components. There is some discussion about becoming and the ramifications of accepting the position of mistress. Though nothing overtly occurs. Our main characters are torn by their pasts and in need of faith love and hope. 

I have always loved stories set in Bath and am especially fond of the Regency era. I think the author does a lovely job of keeping us in mind of the constraints placed on all sort of people in the time period while slowly and carefully creating a love you can’t help but cheer for. 

The side characters are equally charming and bring a lovely addition to the story. If anything, hot cocoa and a nice fire on a snowy day is the perfect time to pick up this Christian Historical Romance. Another lucky library find! 

And back to the more traditional Regency era romance I go with This Wicked Man by Kate Harper. Meg Holstock, bluestocking and maiden aunt is suddenly out of a position (death of employer) and now the guardian of her sister’s son Ethan. A failure as a governess this is a totally new experience for Meg, coupled with the necessity of running a tiny run down cottage and surviving on the small allowance allotted to her by the estate.

Enter Chetwyn the wicked viscount, a man with a so called broken heart and the vices to match. A rather unusual friendship is born between the neighbours. What else but an attraction can result??

This Wicked Man has wonderful characters and witty banter. There is mention of much debauchery but it is not graphic and is rather funny more often than not (like Meg falling into a bush and interrupting an assignation when knocked over by the family dog Perseus…). Meg is enjoyable, the Viscount Chetwyn a puzzle and the story enthralling.

While not the sedate truly traditional Regency Romance, this gem by Kate Harper has humour, love and a gigantic dog to boot!

This Wicked Man