I needed to figure out a way to start reading series where I am not current or the series is finished but haven’t read them yet. So it’s a way to commit myself to read my backlist, particularly series.
I have been wanting to read the Brothers Sinister series for awhile after reading the first one. I own the box set so I have them all. I rarely read historical romance but this author is engaging.
The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan Series: Brothers Sinister #3
Published by Self-Published on December 17, 2013
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 321
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Sebastian Malheur is the most dangerous sort of rake: an educated one. When he’s not scandalizing ladies in the bedchamber, he’s outraging proper society with his scientific theories. He’s desired, reviled, acclaimed, and despised—and he laughs through it all.
Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, on the other hand, is entirely respectable, and she’d like to stay that way. But Violet has a secret that is beyond ruinous, one that ties her irrevocably to England’s most infamous scoundrel: Sebastian’s theories aren’t his. They’re hers.
So when Sebastian threatens to dissolve their years-long conspiracy, she’ll do anything to save their partnership...even if it means opening her vulnerable heart to the rake who could destroy it for good.
We’ve seen Sebastian in earlier books in the series. Violet is brilliant but as a woman wouldn’t be taken seriously in the scientific community. Sebastian helped her by presenting her work but he is tired of the lies. Sebastian and Violet have been friends since childhood. While they know each other from working together, they hide themselves from everyone, including each other, in some ways.
Sebastian is so tired of trying to please his brother, Benedict who helped raise him. Now Benedict is dying and says his son should go to his grandmother because Sebastian hasn’t “done” anything. First Sebastian tries to prove he can do things and when that doesn’t please, he tries another tactic with Violet.
Violet won’t allow herself to feel because she can’t share her scientific work which is who she is. Also she hasn’t told anyone why she was so ill while married and healthy now that her husband died. Sebastian can have any woman, so why would he want a plain woman like her?
I burned at the disrespect and shutdown women face in this time. Many men were taking credit for women’s work as well as the money. (Sebastian doesn’t do that. He has his own money). Sebastian was so patient with Violet, and his brother. He also supported them and their goals, and made them laugh and feel good about themselves. He is the same “glue” for the Brothers Sinister.
I was proud of Violet for speaking the truth and sharing her own new discoveries. Thankfully, since she is a Countess and has prominent friends she could manage it without much fallout. They both benefit from having money. Her family was another story. I was so happy to see Sebastian and Violet, and their families have happy outcomes.
The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan Series: Brothers Sinister #4
Published by Self-Published on July 15, 2014
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 322
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
.An idealistic suffragette...
Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall has put her heart and soul into her newspaper, known for its outspoken support of women's rights. Naturally, her enemies are intent on destroying her business and silencing her for good. Free refuses to be at the end of her rope... but she needs more rope, and she needs it now.
...a jaded scoundrel...
Edward Clark's aristocratic family abandoned him to die in a war-torn land, so he survived the only way he could: by becoming a rogue and a first-class forger. When the same family that left him for dead vows to ruin Miss Marshall, he offers his help. So what if he has to lie to her? She's only a pawn to use in his revenge.
...and a scandal seven years in the making.
But the irrepressible Miss Marshall soon enchants Edward. By the time he realizes that his cynical heart is hers, it's too late. The only way to thwart her enemies is to reveal his scandalous past... and once the woman he loves realizes how much he's lied to her, he'll lose her forever.
Now we get to see Oliver’s sister, Frederica (Free) who is independent and smart. She runs a newspaper by women and for women. I love the way she thinks and how she handles herself. In the beginning, she is being systematically discredited by a man who wanted her as a mistress, and was unhappy she found that offensive. She doesn’t know it is him and works to find out who it is.
She gets some help from a scoundrel, Edward Clark. He helps her collect evidence. Their banter is funny and delicious. Since his family hurt him, he’s made his own way. Now his family is trying to hurt an old friend so he comes to stop that. Then he gets caught up in also helping Free.
Free is very focused on women’s suffrage which many men also don’t support. But she works away to make it happen. Edward leaves to protect her from him, but he can’t stop himself from corresponding with her. When he learns of a new threat to her, he returns to her in The Suffragette Scandal. I love this quote as he introduces himself to her father:
“I’m Edward Clark. Born Edward Delacey. Now, apparently, Viscount Claridge.” He shut his eyes. “You can address me by my preferred title: you idiot.”
I loved watching Free and her causes, with Edward helping her. I loved Free telling Edward to believe in himself and their life together, that they would figure things out.
Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan Series: Brothers Sinister #4.5
Published by Self-Published on August 18, 2014
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 100
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. She's a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper's daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She'll take obscurity, thank you very much.
All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He's an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he's also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn't just a scandal waiting to happen. He's waiting to happen to her...and if she's not careful, she'll give in to certain ruination.
Talk Sweetly to Me gives us the romance of Stephen Shaughnessy who writes the advice column, Actual Man in the Women’s Free Press. He is a childhood friend of Edward. So we met him a bit in the previous book. His object of affection is Rose Sweetly who is a mathematician and works as a computer for the Observatory.
Their romance is shared all from Rose’s point of view which is sweet. He is an experienced, well known man who has been associated with many women. Rose is a 16 year old girl who has had no suitors. She is flattered and attracted to him, but I worried as she is so young and inexperienced and if things went wrong, she would have all the bad consequences.
I realize in a novella length it would move more quickly but it was too fast for me. I was uncomfortable even though I knew it would be a romance with an HEA. Stephen was respectful and serious but it troubled me.
About Courtney Milan
Courtney Milan’s books have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist. She is a New York Times and a USA Today Bestseller and a RITA® winner.
Courtney lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, an exceptionally perfect dog, and an attack cat.
Before she started writing historical romance, Courtney got a graduate degree in theoretical physical chemistry from UC Berkeley. After that, just to shake things up, she went to law school at the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude. Then she did a handful of clerkships with some really important people who are way too dignified to be named here. She was a law professor for a while. She now writes full-time.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Thrifty Thursday: Australia edition #FionaTarr #KerryGreenwood #AnnaWillett #ThriftyThursday #KindleUnlimited - April 17, 2025
- 🎧 The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social#JessicaWhittaker @penguinaudio.bsky.social @acebookspub.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks @mark__lawrence @AceRocBooks @PRHAudio - April 15, 2025
- Sunday Post – 13 April 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - April 13, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-COYER
I’m surprised to see you reading historical romance, Anne. I want to try this author out at some point. Yes, 16 years old with an adult is a little troubling, but things were very different back then. Still…
yes I almost never read historical romance except for a few authors and this is one I really enjoy.
Love Courtney Milan! And I liked this series.
Courtney Milan is one of the only historical romance authors I like.
These do sound like ones I might enjoy. Great reviews!
Thanks Lisa. I read very little historical romance but Milan is excellent. I like the strong characters who manage to do what’s right more than what’s easy.