| Title | : | Mistress of Misfortune: A Gothic Romance (Dredthorne Hall, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 306 |
| Publication | : | First published January 13, 2020 |
Though prone to accidents and mishaps, Meredith rides by the Hall at every opportunity. For her the rundown manor evokes a grander time. She looks past the broken gate and moss covered statues and sees the imposing facade’s elegant lines and graceful charm. In fact, she is determined to see inside.
But Colonel Alistair Thorne rebuffs all callers without exception—and not for the sake of being a recluse. He avoids women because of his family curse. The master of Dredthorne is doomed to fall in love with a lady who spends a night at the Hall. Though love would be welcome, its consequences would not. All of the mistresses of Dredthorne have vanished, gone mad, or suddenly died.
Mistress of Misfortune: A Gothic Romance (Dredthorne Hall, #1) Reviews
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Just the breath of fresh air that I needed. Mistress of Misfortune is an engaging, yet easy read with just enough suspense and intrigue to keep me thoroughly entertained.
Some author's possess a writing style that makes reading a breeze. Hazel Hunter is one such author. This 300+ page went by quickly and was an absolute pleasure to read.
Ms Hunter captured both the innocence and nefariousness of the era. A time when women were viewed more as property than people. Though Meredith was very much a woman of her time, she also had a strong sense of self and when push came to shove, the strength to stand up for her wants. Alastair, was one such want.
Let me tell you, I love a story where the heroine doesn't wait around to be rescued by a man and in this story Meredith is very much the hero of her own story. Bravo!
Though this story wasn't without a hiccup or two, times I need more detail and depth to smooth out the edges and fill in some blanks, it was a story I'm happy to have read. -
Light, fun read with dialogues that seemed like they belonged to the period the book was set in (tired of reading contemporary speech in historical romances). This one features not one but two loves stories, likeable protagonists, evil family members, Edwardian matchmakers, etc - all elements that contribute to how interesting it is. Also, had a fair amount of humour. three stars!
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Mistress of Misfortune
Dredthorne Hall Series #1 : A Gothic Romance
Hazel Hunter
https://www.facebook.com/HazelHunterA...
Release date 02/04/2020
Blurb :
Rumors swirl around Dredthorne Hall like snowflakes in a blizzard: the handsome war hero who lives there never sleeps; he never allows women to enter; worst of all, the Hall is haunted. But Meredith Starling will hear none of it. Instead she finds it enchanting.
Though prone to accidents and mishaps, Meredith rides by the Hall at every opportunity. For her the rundown manor evokes a grander time. She looks past the broken gate and moss covered statues and sees the imposing facade’s elegant lines and graceful charm. In fact, she is determined to see inside.
But Colonel Alistair Thorne rebuffs all callers without exception—and not for the sake of being a recluse. He avoids women because of his family curse. The master of Dredthorne is doomed to fall in love with a lady who spends a night at the Hall. Though love would be welcome, its consequences would not. All of the mistresses of Dredthorne have vanished, gone mad, or suddenly died.
My review :
When a miss fallowed by bad luck enters a home renowned to be cursed, who is more in danger ...
I have discovered Mrs Hazel Hunter through her time travel paranormal series, so when I learned about a true historical romance to be soon released, I was over the top.
While I thought it would be a classic historical romance with a dark twist, I was surprised to see it is a multi voices tale, which I should not have been as she often offers her many characters time to express their thoughts.
I wonder if I do not loved Lucetta more than Meredith.
She is one to voice her concerns and act, when Meredith follows simply the path set for her never questioning it. Still, both find their way in the intricate shadows and webs surrounding them.
Meredith has suffered all her life from her clumsiness, she is no merely one to knock down a glass, she is of those throwing themselves from staircases, she endured more broken limbs and torn flesh than damp gowns.
So when one more mishap put her on the path of the freshly arrived new landlord of the house of her dream, she for once sees it at a show of good omen.
If only ...
She is a sweet natured miss, deeply honest. Belittled by her kin, seen only as an inconvenience. Despite her being of age, she still bends her head until she finally finds the strength to stand for herself and act accordingly to her ideas.
Alistair is back in England after 15 years away, so he is unprepared for the country gents peering at his door to see the new very wealthy owner of Dredthorne. While he swore to himself to never engage in a marriage like the one his parents had, he sees himself now as unfit for it as war left him with visible and invisible scars.
Yet Meredith intrigues him, her bad luck is quite unsettling, much more when each new event seems to endanger her more and more.
This romance story offers a double love story. And the second between Lucetta and Harshad is even more sweet as it is a second chance at life and love, both are older, alone in a world not fair for older maid and foreigner with not the right shade of skin. Still none thinks about what should stop themselves from talking to the other, Lucetta’s bitterness finds soothing with Harshad’s philosophical view of life.
5 stars for this awesome tale of love and redemption.
Can’t wait for the sequel out next month.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272... -
Mistress of Misfortune
Dredthorne Hall #1
Hazel Hunter
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Everyone in the village knows the rumors about Dredthorne Hall, but Meredith doesn't believe them at all. In fact she finds it utterly enchanting. So even though she is prone to accidents and mishaps Meredith rides by the Hall at every opportunity. For Meredith the rundown mannor brings her to a grander time. She looks past the cracks, the broken gate, and moss cover statues and sees the imposing facade's elegant lines and other world charm. In fact, she is very determined to see inside.
But Colonel Alistair Thorne doesn't accept callers and that means anyone for any reason - and not for the sake of being a recluse. He has also decided that he will never marry and he intends to keep it that way, but fate is as fickle as a woman and will do what she pleases. So when Meredith is driving the wagon by one day and another cart comes up behind her yelling at her to make way, she is hardly shocked when her cart overturns making her spill out onto her side, nearly breaking her arm. What does shock her is where it is she wakes up after she ends up fainting. Meredith wakes up in Dredthorne Hall itself.
Will Meredith and Alistair fall in love only to fall prey to the curse? Or will they be the couple to finally make it?
Hazel Hunter has single handedly taken gothic and given it a wonderful new twist. I enjoyed this book so much that I tuned out everything around me and read and read. This book sucked me in like no other. I could not pull myself away. It was riveting. The author artfully blends, historical fiction, gothic style, paranormal, and romance style writing all together and she does it so well. Meredith and Alistair were such a lovable twosome. I could not help, but fall for them both. You wrote the perfect book Ms. Hunter and I can't wait to read the next one. -
DNF @50%. All the same, I feel pretty confident in giving this a rating of 2 stars, since I was lingering on a 2.5-ish feeling before this point.
I was enjoying this as a rather average but still fun gothic romance (silly plot and characters, good dialog) until the 50% mark, when out of *nowhere* the hero, Alistair, is grabbing the heroine, Meredith, and making out half-naked. I don’t mind this, BUT there was just no build up to it at all: the characters had only flirted a little, they hadn’t even really had any physical contact before, and then we jump into baring the boobs. I had to re-read the scene a couple times because I was so confused. We just jump right into the action without any transition: which is bad writing in multiple senses, if you ask me. -
Oh my, what a brilliant story!
This is totally unlike ms Hunter's usual writing style, but I loved it!
The characters are so endearing, I really loved Meridith, she's enchanting and so naive that you can't help but fall in love with her. Mr Alistair Thorne is wonderful, he's charming but really quite the gentleman.
I did have mixed feelings about Lucetta though, she seems very hard and I feel like she's hiding something.
The storyline is set in Victorian times I think, the life portrayed certainly made me appreciate my life as life seemed very hard in the book.
The actual story was a beautifully written love story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had a wonderful ending even though this is the first book of a new series.
I can't wait to read the next book..... -
Meredith Starling has been accident prone all her life. She’s also intrigued with Dredthorne Hall. Alistair Thorne Alistair Thorne has inherited the family home. He’s just come back from India as a rich man. An accident brings Meredith into the house she’s always wanted to see inside. Alistair is a mystery to the local society until a chance meeting brings him into society. When accidents put Meredith in danger it’s up to Alistair to protect the Mistress of Misfortune.
Meredith Starling is on an errand for her mother, taking a detour to see Dredthorne Hall. The house has always intrigued her. An accident has her being taken into the house and a storm keeps her there overnight. She doesn’t believe all the village rumors and suspicions about the house and its past and current residents. Alistair Thorne hasn’t gone out into society because of his affliction. He’s attracted to Meredith at first sight. She’s also attracted to Alistair. She talks him into going about in society and he agrees when he learns she’ll be attending. A cousin comes to give Meredith as a chaperone for her stay at Dredthorne Hall. Alistair hires the two women to catalog his library. There are secrets that are uncovered with a hidden room. Journals from the builder of the house brings to light a past mystery and possible murder. Meredith and Alistair meet up at an event. He’s treated to the hostess’ sharp tongue because of his absence from society. An almost fall has Alistair and Meredith wondering if her accidents are someone trying to hurt her. Meredith’s parents aren’t exactly warm towards, especially after they learn about her interactions with Alistair. Another accident has them exchanging a kiss neither can forget. Her cousin own troubles come to the forefront when her former employer comes to threaten her brother’s job. It has the cousin coming to Alistair to work at Dredthorne Hall as the housekeeper. A connection is made between her and the estate manager. After another near miss for Meredith it has her spending another night but this time, they become lovers. It throws her mother into a rage, when she comes home to tell them that they’re getting married. She’s forbidden to have anything to do with Alistair, A trip to talk with her father about the situation has Meredith overhearing about the past. She goes to warn Alistair and a confrontation between families. They must make a run for their lives. It’s up to Meredith to make sure Alistair stays safe. After injuries heal a decision is made for the future.
Hazel Hunter takes a different turn with the Dredthorne Hall series by going into a new genre for her writing. A story that has focuses on the Regency era. She keeps you wondering if the accidents are just that or is someone out to hurt Meredith Starling or Alistair Thorne. A love story with a little danger and a lot of passion. The Mistress of Misfortune makes you want to find out if the danger is real and will true love triumph over the ones trying to keep the lovers apart. Looking forward to the next book in the series, Mistress of Darkness. Travel to the Regency era with Hazel Hunter on her new writing adventure. -
I enjoyed reading this story. It is good to take a break from paranormal romances to read something else and this book fit that bill perfectly. A bit of mystery, a touch of romance surrounding a classical time period.
Meredith is plagued by bad luck. No matter what she does, something bad will always happen, usually to herself. Her bad luck seems to hit just as she went to look at an old manor that she was in love with just outside of town.
Alistar is virtually a hermit, having just moved into Dredthorne Hall as its current master after he was released from the war. He refuses all social engagements, and appear to only have outland men working for him. Rumors abound about the Hall and he doesn't want to find out if they are true or not. When he finds Meredith sitting amidst the ruins of her cart, he can't turn her away. The two of them feel a strong attraction to each other, but what will happen as the story moves forward?
Read the book to find out what happens, I am sure you won't be disappointed. I did receive a copy of this book as a gift from the writer, and I loved the work. -
I have been a long time fan of this author's time travel immortals, so when I saw she was going to write a different kind of historical, I had to see for myself if I could love this just as much.
This story made me feel like I was in another time. It was wonderful to be transported to that era of innocence surrounding relationships and the importance of appearances. I had that dastardly villain pegged from the get go, but there was indeed a huge surprise to go along with it.
I love how Meredith is strong, yet naive and Alistair is the strong silent type, albeit a little broken after his time serving King and country. I liked how the author did a second romantic couple too...it wasn't over the top and didn't divert your attention from the MCs, but it was a very nice addition and made the side story arcs that much more interesting.
If you're a fan of historical romance, I recommend you don't let this one slip by. -
Author Hazel Hunter jumped into the Gothic Romance waters with a splendid splash. Mistress of Fortune is a wonderful switch from her Immortal Highlanders series.
The accident-prone protagonist, Meredith, is delightfully independent, while Alastair is the typical brooding retired military hero. Together, they make an incredibly likable couple as they fall in love while solving the mystery of the curse of Dredthorne Hall.
The role players are well-developed and add a great deal to the storyline.
From start to finish Mistress of Misfortune will hold your attention. Pick up a copy today so you can root for the good guys and boo the villains.
I recommend this book to all lovers of light romance with a little heat.
I received a preview copy of the book. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion. -
Very interesting start to a new series😁
Wow, this story certainly intrigued me when I read the blurb for the first time and it certainly lived up to the mystery and intrigue. Meredith is fascinated by Dredthorne Hall but the community at large gossips about the happenings of previous mistresses of the house. Now, the owner Alistair, is living in the house and has come back with some men from India and they are working on making renovations.
When Meredith has a mishap in front of the Dredthorne Hall, Alistair goes to her rescue. The whole time I was reading this I was picturing the movie Pride and Prejudice but with more drama and certainly more mystery❣️I really enjoyed the characters and storyline and I am quite excited to see where Hazel goes with this series😍
Thank you Hazel for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest review❤️ -
This is romantic, intriguing and entertaining. Meredith Starling has been fascinated Dredthorne Hall her whole life. No one has lived there during her lifetime, the Thorne curse keeping the family away. Until Alistair, who has just returned from war, moved in. Meredith was too clumsy for any man to want to court, so she spends most of her time inside her house, but when she does go out she always drives by the Hall if possible. One day she drives by and has a accident, causing her to spend the night at the Hall. Meredith and Alistair get to know each other, and are drawn to each other, but neither thinks marriage will come from their friendship. The twists and shocks in the storyline come out of nowhere, and all of the characters add some intrigue to the story. It's very hard to put down once you start reading it.
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I don't know how anyone can keep a straight face reading writing this bad.
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Having read the author's very enjoyable time travel series, I have come to look forward to her new offerings. I was interested in reading this story from the moment I read the synopsis. I wasn't disappointed, becoming completely captivated by the richly layered plot and the multifaceted characters. The book has it all secrets, mystery, romance and much more. This historical gothic romance by HH was an entertaining journey from the first page to the last.
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Well written, but...
The book was written well, had interesting characters and an intriguing storyline. But it wasn't the type of book I enjoy. A bit depressing with maybe 4 characters that had any redeeming qualities. I couldn't wait for the end. But, that's just my opinion and preferences. The author did a great job of developing a good story for readers who like gothic books. I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them. So... Good book, just not my type. -
This is definitely something new and different from Ms. Hunter. That being said, I'm reserving my judgement for now. I enjoyed this addition. Looking forward to see what the secrets of Dredthorne Hall have in store for Meredith and Alastair.
*I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing* -
Mistress of Misfortune (Book 1) By Hazel Hunter
Four stars, It tried to be a gothic romance, but failed.. A murder mystery, pitting one family against the other.. Past mistakes, attempted murder.. Fast storyline with compassion bc and hot sex..Ending was fast to wrap up the story.
