New Publication Spotlight & Review: A Laird for the Governess by Catherine Tinley

A Laird for the Governess by Catherine Tinley

A penniless governess

And the dour Laird of Ardmore

Lydia Farnham must travel to a remote Scottish island to work for widower Alasdair MacDonald, who doesn’t trust her or her unconventional teaching methods! Yet as his daughter flourishes, so, too, does the intense connection between Lydia and Alasdair. Only she should know better than to fall for the handsome laird when it could leave her without a job, or a home…

A beautiful story set against a stunning Hebridean backdrop.

After her employer labels her a Jezebel, forcing her to leave her job and accommodation, Lydia Farnham is homeless, jobless, and penniless… Her only option is to take a job in Scotland. Reluctantly, she accepts the position and, travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides hoping this job will last long enough for her to get back on her feet. However, once she's settled at Ardmore, she realises she may have finally found a place to call 'home'.

Widower, Alasdair MacDonald needs a governess for his daughter, Mairead who is both sickly and strong-willed. When the new, English governess arrives, he is instantly attracted to her but wary about her ability to educate his daughter and her commitment to stay. Despite his reservations, his daughter thrives under her pupillage and adapts well to live on the island, offering him the hope that he may have found a woman to fulfil his dreams and desires.

It's a familiar trope, yet Ms. Tinley has written an enticing narrative that creates a delightful love story built on hard-earned trust. Both protagonists have issues from the past, and I enjoyed how the two worked together to erase presumptive views of each other. Both are attractive people but have insecurities. Mairead and the other supporting characters bring the rugged island setting to life and I enjoyed the inclusion of Gaelic words and phrases introduced within the dialogue, as Lydia embraces life in the remote location and works hard to integrate within the close-knit community and learn the language.

Overall, A Laird for the Governess is the first book in the Lairds of the Isles series, which will hopefully promise, more surprising and intriguing tales to come.

***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical*** 

https://books2read.com/lairdgoverness

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita Award for Best Historical Romance 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the 2021 HOLT Medallion for Best Historical Romance.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, on facebook, twitter, and instagram.

https://linktr.ee/CTinley

Giveaway to Win Two signed copies of A Laird for the Governess (1 x UK/Ireland Winner, 1 INT Winner)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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New Release Spotlight: The Earl's Runaway Governess by Catherine Tinley

The Earl's Runaway Governess by Catherine Tinley

Who knew living with an earl…

…would lead to such temptation?

Marianne Grant’s new identity as a governess is meant to keep her safe. But then she meets her new employer, Ash, Earl of Kingswood, and she immediately knows his handsome good looks are a danger of their own! Brusque on first meeting, Ash quickly shows his compassionate side. Yet Marianne doesn’t dare reveal the truth! Unless Ash really could be the safe haven she’s been looking for…

  getbook.at/EarlGoverness

Marianne Grant never expected to end up trying to find a job as a governess but needs must as she escapes the custody of her lecherous, stepbrother guardian. Without references, she manages to secure a position at Ledbury House. She's to teach the daughter of the Dowager Countess Kingswood and relishes the chance to live quietly with them in the countryside. Only, the household isn't what she expects as the new Earl of Kingswood makes his presence felt.

William 'Ash' Ashington enjoyed his carefree existence until fate steps in after the death of his cousin John. After the reading of the will, he's stunned to find he now has the earldom and its responsibilities. Arriving at Ledbury house, he's shocked at the conditions he finds, however, the newly installed governess for his late cousin's daughter is a distraction he never envisaged.

When Marianne and Ash's lives collide, both are at life-changing times of their lives. For the first time in his life, Ash has obligations and somehow the challenge is more rewarding than he ever expected. Marianne is resourceful, making use of her education to create a stable life for herself and somehow due to their changed circumstances the find common respect.

This is my first Catherine Tinley novel and it won't be my last. I've always enjoyed reading regency historical novels and this author is definitely one to look out for, The narrative encompasses the atmosphere of the early nineteenth century and includes a wonderful mix of secondary characters. With an eventful and entertaining narrative added to the mix, Marianne and Ash's happy ever after is the satisfying finale of an eventful life journey where love conquers all.

***Review copy received courtesy of Mills & Boon Historical via Rachel's Random Resources***

Catherine Tinley writes witty, heartwarming Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings.

After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, NHS management, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now works in Sure Start. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, and dog and can be reached at www.catherinetinley.com , as well as www.facebook.com/CatherineTinleyWriter and @CatherineTinley on twitter.

www.facebook.com/CatherineTinleyWriter

www.twitter.com/CatherineTinley

Giveaway - Three winners will each receive a signed copy of The Earl’s Runaway Governess, plus a mystery book by another romance writer. (Open INT)

2 x UK winners and 1 x International Winner

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blog Blitz: The Makings of a Lady by Catherine Tinley

The Makings of a Lady by Catherine Tinley

Be calm, she thought.
Be gracious. Be twenty-two.

Lady Olivia Fanton is eager to prove she’s no longer a child. However, just as she thinks she’s found a suitable match in the suave Mr Manning, charismatic Captain Jem Ford walks back into her life, bringing with him all the embarrassment of her infatuation four years before! She’s determined to appear mature, distant, friendly. But does she dare hope he’ll notice her as the lady she’s become?

 mybook.to/Makings

This extract is taken from the prologue, and sets the scene for the story. A very young Lady Olivia is infatuated with a dashing young soldier, and fantasises that he might propose to her.

Quite when she had fallen in love with Jem Ford, Olivia was not certain. Was it the first time she had seen his crooked smile, the day they had met? He had been carried into the Fanton town house by two of the footmen, the leg injury he had sustained at Waterloo still healing. Having made the long and tiring journey from France, he had then faced the entire Fanton family who were waiting to greet him, including the Earl of Shalford, Olivia’s eldest brother—an ordeal for any stranger. But how much harder must it have been for him? Olivia reflected. Unable to walk, exhausted and clearly feeling uncomfortable about the number of people waiting to receive him, he had nevertheless behaved impeccably. He had thanked his commanding officer, Olivia’s other brother Harry, for the invitation, but insisted he would remove to a hotel on the morrow.


Harry, of course, was having none of it. ‘Having resigned from the Army I am your Captain no longer,’ he had said, ‘and so I cannot command you. But I do hope you will stay with us until you are recovered.’


They had agreed to discuss the matter later, but even then—having known him for all of two minutes—Olivia had been conscious of a strong wish within herself for him to stay.


She had looked at him closely, noting the dust of travel on his clothes and the lines of pain and tiredness etched on his face, yet her thought had been ‘My! How handsome he is!’ Surely the beginnings of love had sprung into life in that moment? Like a trickle of water on a hillside in spring, it had begun almost silently.


But, during the months of his convalescence, as she had spent more and more time with him, the trickle had grown slowly and steadily, until now a flood of love for him consumed her. He was her first thought in the morning and the last at night. She lived for the times they spent together, especially the precious moments when they were occasionally alone.


He had been ever the gentleman, but she hoped he might love her the way she loved him. She had sometimes sensed something from the expression in his eyes. There was also, she reminded herself, the fact that he sought her out and seemed genuinely interested in all of her thoughts and feelings. There was hope!


And now, he wished to speak to her. Alone.


Heart pounding, she made her way downstairs, through the town house and out to the garden beyond. And there he was! Seated on the usual bench, waiting for her. No stick today, she noticed automatically. It had been over a week since he had used the stick to aid with his walking. His crutches had been dispensed with over three weeks ago and it was wonderful to see him healed further.


She smiled instinctively, gladness sweeping through her just on seeing him. Her eyes swept over him, noting the polished boots, the well-tailored breeches clinging to his muscular thighs, the smart military coat that suited him so well. How handsome he looked in his uniform! This was only the second time she had seen him fully attired in his dashing regimentals. She strongly approved.


Her eyes scanned upwards to his beloved face. No smile. He looked serious, grave, solemn. Of course he did! This was an important moment.


They exchanged greetings and he invited her to sit next to him. She did so, all the while her mind racing in anticipation of what he would do and say next.


‘Lady Olivia,’ he began, his deep blue eyes trapping hers. ‘I wanted to see you as there is something important I must say to you.’


She nodded. She was not normally tongue-tied, but the enormity of the moment had taken from her the power of speech.


‘I am lately returned from Horse Guards Parade. As you know I was also there two days ago, to report my leg is now fully healed.’


Olivia frowned—this was unexpected.


‘I returned today, to some surprising news.’ He paused, seemed to gather himself, then resumed. ‘I am to be posted to Australia.’


‘Australia?’ What on earth was he talking about? He couldn’t possibly be going to Australia! ‘For how long?’


‘For at least two years.’ He looked pale, she noticed absently, even as she felt the blood draining from her own face.


‘Two years?’ She echoed him mechanically, barely able to take it in.


‘At least. In reality I am likely to be gone for longer. I am transferring to the Forty-Eighth and am promoted to Lieutenant.’


‘Lieutenant?’ She swallowed. ‘But that is wonderful news! And well deserved. But—must it be Australia?’


He nodded grimly. ‘You know my situation. Although there is no shame in my lineage, my father died penniless. Thankfully he had paid for my army commission before his gambling debts overwhelmed him, and my sister Lizzie has a small income from our mother’s family. But—’ his eyes blazed into hers ‘—I have no choice. This is a chance to make something of myself. Today, I am nothing. I am no one. A young ensign, half-crippled, with no fortune, no position in society, nothing. I am truly grateful to your family for offering me a home here these past months, but it has only served to underline my determination to improve my station.’


‘But, no!’ she protested. ‘That does not matter! Money and station are not what is truly important!’ Her eyes were filling with tears as shock turned to a dawning realisation. He was leaving her. ‘You cannot leave—us!’ Almost, she had said ‘me’. They both knew it.


He stood. ‘I am truly sorry. I have allowed a…friendship to develop between us, even though I knew this parting must come. I had no intention of causing you hurt, Lady Olivia.’


She could not speak. Her heart was breaking. She looked up at him in mute appeal. His jaw hardened. He bowed, wished her farewell and was gone.

When she meets him again, she is a mature, sensible young lady of twenty-two – and with another suitor in tow. She vows that things will be different this time.

Author Bio – Catherine Tinley writes heartwarming Regency love stories for Harlequin Mills & Boon. She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, NHS management, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now works in Sure Start. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, cat, and dog and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, as well as facebook.com/CatherineTinleyWriter and @CatherineTinley on twitter.

 www.facebook.com/CatherineTinleyWriter

www.twitter.com/CatherineTinley @CatherineTinley

Don’t forget to take a look at Catherine Tinley’s Social media accounts. She is running a giveaway to win a copy of the book, along with two other (surprise) romance novels by other writers.

2 x UK/Ireland Winners and 1 x International Winner.

For all the details look out for Catherine Tinley on Facebook and Twitter.