A Winter Chase

The Mercer's House, Book 1

By: Mary Kingswood

Narrated by: Joanna Stephens

A family in trade moving up in the world. A family of landed gentry stepping aside for them. And the sons and daughters caught in the middle.

Julia Fletcher is the unimportant daughter of the Fletcher family, with neither beauty nor wit nor accomplishments, but always in a scrape. Somehow she never manages to get through the day without breaking or spilling or tearing something. She’s quite the despair of her stepmother. She’s looking forward to their grand new home because it will give her a vast estate to roam over without getting into too much trouble. Or so she hopes.

James Plummer is the younger son of an impoverished baronet, forced to sell the imposing family home to the upstart newcomers. James doesn’t mind that; he’s the local clergyman so he’s snug in his rectory, with a curate to do the dreary business of the parish and leave him free to wander about with a gun or a fishing rod. It’s all pretty boring, though; his family, his neighbours, his dull daily round…nothing very exciting happens. Maybe the Fletcher family will liven things up a bit? And outspoken hoyden Julia Fletcher seems just the one to shake things up…maybe a little too much for everyone’s peace of mind.

This is a complete story with a happy ever after. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.

Book 1 of a 6 book series. A family grown rich in the wool trade. The landed gentry they’ve displaced. And the gentle daughter whose beauty will open the door to an even greater prize—the nobility.

©2022 Mary Kingswood (P)2023 Mary Kingswood

Very entertaining

I believe the author wanted to make a woman's independence the important message in a time when women had no rights. However as an independent woman I found that I was disappointed with the extremity of the character to not marry and offering no good reason. Even when love between the characters is obvious the characters reactions seem extreme. If only the reason for the protest would have been clear, it would have been less confusing. Especially because the character uses the word can't and won't marry so many times. I've read other collections by this author and really enjoyed them but this book is by far lacking compared to the others.

Excellent, a favorite.

I've read all of Mary Kingswood's books, (both print and audio). Started in years past by reading the print books free with my Kindle Unlimited Subscription. Then followed up by purchasing the audiobooks when they came out, because these are the well-written, bedroom door closed, romances that I love to listen to. Then, ultimately, even though I can still read and re-read the print books in Kindle Unlimited, I've chosen to buy all the print books as well. Thus... at present.. I own all of the Mary Kingswood audiobooks and print books. Mary Kingswood has so earned my trust as an author to the extent that I have begun choosing to pre-order her new print books instead of waiting until the publication date and first reading them free within Kindle Unlimited. I am greatly enjoying this Mercer series, and think that ... so far.. it is my very favorite.

Another good one!

I buy all Mary Kingswood books and grabbed this one as soon as I saw that it was available. It’s a clean story with unique characters and a bit of mystery. The storyline isn’t quite as interesting as those in her other series’ are, and I was a little frustrated with Julia, but it’s still worthy of a listen. The narrator is excellent, though it’s difficult to hear the whispered parts. I hope there are many more from this author to come.