Azalea and Eric have been married for eight years but they have grown distant in recent years, living largely separate lives under the same roof. Azalea has been experiencing strange gaps in her memory, so when she receives a letter from a blackmailer trying to extort money for a love letter she supposedly wrote, she cannot be sure that she didn't do it. The mystery part was unpredictable and Eric is quite a sweet husband.

Steam level: Brief scenes of marital happiness.
Series status: The book stands alone but Griz and Dragan from a previous story feature heavily in the plot.

Azalea, Viscountess Trench, is being blackmailed over adulterous letters that she has no memory of writing. She enlists the help of her sister to track down the blackmailer and get to the bottom of the mystery before her husband becomes aware of the situation. However the Viscount is suspicious of his wife's behavior and finds her in a compromising situation and sees red. When the situation comes to a head, will their marriage crash & burn before it's had a chance to grow? A very enjoyable book.
Thank you Mary Lancaster, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Good but not that good too!
This is a historical romance book with the touch of mystery in it. I enjoy it but it's just a 3 stars for me. Highly recommended for any fans of historical fiction that also love mystery book!

This actually wasn't my favorite Lancaster book. I called most of the twists early on and didn't feel tension on whether they would reconcile. It is hard to pull off with an already married couple. They were just obviously in love and just needed to clear up a couple misunderstandings. The mystery was interesting but didn't pull me in like usual. A fluke since I love her other books.

This is my first book by Mary Lancaster and I really enjoyed it! The premise of this story was intriguing and I quickly found myself hooked, reading the story way past my bedtime!!

Imagine losing your memory and finding proof of an affair that you of course can’t remember now! What would you do? Who do you turn to? Why would you have an affair when you love your husband and were having his child? Even if you couldn’t quite remember all the love —- and now someone is threatening to expose your secrets!!

Truly a mystery that keeps you enthralled in the storyline!! I highly recommend reading this book!

This was a very interesting read with many good points.
First off, readers should realize that it is more mystery than romance. There are some sweet moments but there is no actual romance. What saved this book for me was the strong writing of the author and in being able to weave a very interesting story line into this mystery and keep the reader hooked.
I applaud that the author dealt with postpartum depression here. It really shows how women's issues were, and still are, swept aside and chalked up to being nervous problems.
I also thought it a very interesting take to have the characters be married for a number of years while showing that marriage is not perfect and is work. For showing that effort from both parties and clear communication is needed throughout.
I did feel that the ending wrapped up very quickly, especially after such a thrilling mystery ride, it left me saying- that's it? But this in no way detracted from the book. It makes me want to read the others of the supporting characters in here.
Overall I really recommend this for being the a-typical romance type of novel, strong writing and a great story.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

Mary Lancaster is one of my favorite authors, and I love that she included postpartum depression and its effects on family life in her story. I can't imagine how lost Azalia must have felt as so many personal topics just weren't talked about at all back then. Even today women still struggle to openly talk about postpartum depression and its effects on the whole family.
I enjoyed the mystery/romance of Eric and Azalia's story and look forward to the next book.
Thank you Mary for giving us such amazing stories to read.

When Azalea, the beautiful Viscountess Trench, receives a note threatening to expose her adulterous love letters unless she pays up, she faces even greater anxieties than most blackmail victims.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Mary Lancaster is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book

Letters to a Lover by Mary Lancaster puts Lady Azalea Trench in an awkward position when a gentleman refuses to take "NO!" for an answer and she is forced to empty a partially full teapot over his hear, leaves and all. Her husband witnesses this happening and it makes him chuckle. He has missed his wife. He has missed his wife. Something has come between them and it doesn't know what it is. She is behaving oddly and she knows it. She can't remember most of one evening from a few days ago and she is nervous, especially, now with someone trying to extort money from her, threatening to expose her. For what? She wonders. She goes to see her sister, Griz and explains what is happening to her. Griz promises to discuss it with her husband, Dragan, who is very intelligent, but makes Azalea promise to see a doctor regarding the missing memories. She does and he advises her to rest. But, Dragan, who had been a doctor in his own country, believes her mind is preventing her from remembering something distressing and agrees to help. He and Griz will capture the blackmailer when he comes to retrieve the money.

Azalea is so frightened of what she might have done that she doesn't remember. She loves Eric and wants to return to their previous close relationship, but is worried she had done something he won't be able to forgive. Eventually she has to tell him the whole things, including the blackmail. He is upset she hadn't told him earlier but vows to help the three of them to uncover the truth. Dragan, because of his past, is an exceptional investigator and helps with planning to take down the criminal. He is also working with Eric to discover what an investment partner is doing regarding a business deal they are in together, so it is not odd that he spends time with them. Dragan and Griz are a wonderful couple, just as Eric and Azalea will be as soon as this is solved. There are always people who will take advantage of a situation and twist the facts to suit their own narrative, just as there will always be men who will abuse women. This is a powerful story of just such men, although, thankfully, there are some good ones available to help make it right. It is full of good characters and a good plot and all comes right in the end. Lancaster has a knack for mystery. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Letters to a Lover by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. #netgalley #letterstoalover

Mysterious Letters

Someone is blackmailing Azalea. With her marriage on shaky grounds, her life seems to be falling apart. Just what are these letters, and who is blackmailing her? Would these letters widen the gap between Azalea and Eric, or would they bring them together? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with mystery and suspense. the story kept me turning the pages.

The passion between Eric and Azalea was lacking at so many times. But there were glimpses of their passion here and there. But it was really a few times. Anyway, I hated the part that even though they were married, they had separate rooms. Why? Ugh! And by the way, it was quite obvious whom she was writing the letter to. 🙄 I wasn't really into the book tbh. Skimmed a lot to learn the real blackmailer's identity which was quite a surprise I admit.

Letters to a Lover by Mary Lancaster is a well crafted and well excuted mystery/romance. Book 2 of the "Crime and Passion" series, but can be read as a stand alone. Mystery and intrigue will keep the reader turning pages in this extremely complex and multifaceted story.
Follow Azalea and Eric through their story of angst, blackmail, attempted murder, secrets, and second chance romance, to find their HEA.
Ms Lancaster did an excellent job writing about what I would say was post natal depression/blues, which could account for Azalea's lost of memory after their second child.
I enjoyed reading about an older couple who has been married for a number of years.
Steady paced Regency Romance, Historical fiction, Mystery and Intrigue. Set in London. Highly recommended for readers of an older couple, intrigue, mystery and second chance romance. Well done, Ms. Lancaster!!
#NetGalley, #Dragonblade, #MaryLancaster,
#LetterstoaLover
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Very mild
Reviewer: AprilR

Loss of memory, blackmail over letters to a lover and attempted murder. Lady Azalea is in a panic.. When the first blackmail letter arrives she's afraid to tell her husband. She's being blackmailed over love letters. She doesn't remember writing any love letters. The blank spaces in her memory give her pause, even though she knows she doesn't love anyone else but her husband. She asks for help from her sister, Grizelda and her sister's husband, Dragan. Investigating crime is what they do. Eric, Lord Trench, knows something is wrong with his wife. There has been a separation between them. Secrets don't stay secrets very long and soon the four of them work together to find a blackmailer. Excellent complex mystery with the continuing question of, "Who is the villain?" I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I’m loving this new crime and romance series. We see the beautiful Azalea, Viscountess Trench, receives a note threatening of blackmail to expose her adulterous love letters that she has no memory of adultery or writing letters. Wow what a memory gap! Her husband Eric, Lord Trench ready for his wife to come back to him. A captivating story of trying to find the blackmailer, keep the secret from her husband, will the secret destroy their marriage or make it stronger? Will Eric blame himself or Azalea for the direction their marriage has gone? I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book filled romance.

Lady Azalea Trench has been married for 8 years to her love Lord Eric Trench. after she gave birth to their second child, she had an episode of what we would recognise as post natal depression, and partly due to the fall out from this, they have grown a little apart. They both regret this and miss their former closeness, but struggle to know how to talk to each other about it.

When Azalea receives a blackmail letter threatening to expose her 'love letters' to her husband unless he pays up, she is desperate, as she has no memory of writing them. Scared of the increasing gaps in her memory, she isn't sure whether she has done anything untoward or not. Not knowing where to turn she enlists the help of her sister Griz and her dashing husband Dragan (read book 1 - it's excellent too), to help her investigate.

Cue a lovely second chance type romance, with long time lovers unable to talk to each other, as they perceive a barrier between them that they are unsure how to break down. Eric realises that he has pulled away as he was unsure, and regrets it, and Azalea knows that she only loves her husband, but her gaps in memory are disorientating and frightening, and she cant find the strength to ask Eric to help her.

As always, Mary's books are well written, with sympathetic, likeable protagonists. it was joy to see Griz and Dragan again, and Azalea was an admirable and resourceful woman, struggling with the mystery of what was happening to her. i thought the depiction of the episode with the doctor really reflected how women were treated at that time, and the Eric was a loving and supportive partner, with a bot too much of a stiff upper lip.

When they finally came together and were able to solve the mystery, it was a satisfying conclusion to their emotional separation. I did feel the ending was a little rushed, and tied up too quickly, but as always a gorgeous read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Letters to a Lover has a very intriguing storyline and is quite different from any other historical romance I’ve ever read. I was originally drawn to the book because it is a romance of an already married couple. However for me the actual romance fell flat - there was very little tension between Azalea and Eric, it’s very clear from the beginning they love each other and always have. Perhaps since the problem/villain instead of some type of true conflict between them both, the story really wasn’t a romance to me. However I loved the cast of characters, the mystery and the shenanigans throughout.

I have received a copy of this book from the author to review and here is my honest reaction:

Lady Azalea fears she is losing her mind. She has a gap in her memory and is afraid she has done something so horrible that her husband won’t forgive her. The couple has been drifting apart and she is afraid her forgotten behavior will destroy her marriage permanently.

Lord Eric is worried that he is losing his wife. Although she seems to have recovered from the melancholy that gripped her after the birth of their second child, she has become distant and has created a social life separate from him.

When Azalea is blackmailed over her forgotten evening, she is forced to confess her dilemma to Eric, To her surprise, Eric is supportive and they begin to repair their relationship as they try to unravel the mystery of Azalea’s lost evening.

They have help in their efforts from Azalea’s sister Grizelda and her husband Dragan, whose story appears to have been the first book in this series. I have not read that book, and it did not prevent me from enjoying this one. Rather, it made me curious about their Big Story—I’ll be looking for that one next.

This book is far more of a mystery than a romance, because although Azalea and Eric’s relationship is central to the story, the plot revolves around the mysterious lost evening. There is a second mystery involving Eric’s business partners, but that really doesn’t get a lot of attention, almost as if it was bigger and then cut in the editing process.

The book is pretty clean—the characters are passionate, but all sex is “off screen” so to speak. There is some violence, including an assault (not sexual) of a maid. The characters are compelling and well-developed—I truly wanted to see them solve their mystery and evolve their relationship problems. The mystery villain was not so obvious as to spoil the story, so I enjoyed it all the way through. I do recommend this book.

When is a letter not the truth? When you don't remember if you wrote it or not and that is what faces Lady Azalea. Having suffered depression after the birth of her child, she feels she may be having memory loss when she is blackmailed. Yes, to expose her for her adulterous affair! But, she does not remember having one, did she?

Eric, Lord Trench her husband, feels he and his wife have a hugh rift in their relationship. Yes, it is true he had not been giving her the attention she needed, but he was determined to rectify that because he loved his wife so much.

A mystery that will keep you turning the pages and a renewing of a romance that had always been there, but had been neglected. I really enjoyed this one as much as the first!!

4 Stars of intrigue, angst, and... can we have more stories where couple have drifted apart!?!? This is my kind of second chance romance.

So I totally enjoyed this. It was wonderful. And I should also say I am a little shocked at myself because this is my first time reading Mary Lancaster despite the fact that I have at least six of her books on my TBR list. And might I just say that this was a really solid introduction to her, her writing style, and the types of charcters she crafts.

I loved the non-Regency setting, and the beautiful but aloof couple that was Eric/Viscount Trench and Azaela/Lady Trench. I loved that there weren't flashbacks and that, we as readers, only know the couple as they are, whic is cordially estranged (as weird as that sounds). I loved that they were devoted to eachother and that even with little bumps in the road, their love for eachother never came into question--that all made this story very unique, in my opinion. The confusion and the intrigue of Zalea's memory loss was equally interesting and I was whipping through this book frantically to understand what was happening. It was gripping!

My only gripes were that the final 30% lost its steam and pace a little which was a shame--but then, this was a tricky story to craft and I still felt like Lancaster did it marvelously. I also.... okay... I would have liked more heat. But that's fine. I do like me some quasi-fade-to-black and this was especially good. Will read more of this series, and this book!

Highly recommend if you are interested in a second-chancer with a twist, adultery-but-not, angst, and solid, likeable charcters.

Thanks, as always, to Dragonblade Publishing for this ARC. All thoughts are voluntarily given, honest, and my own.

Azalea is a beautiful woman and she marries the man of her dreams, Eric, Lord Trench. However, Azalea doesn’t realize that after her children she suffers from postpartum depression. She starts having lapses in her memory and her attitude towards her husband is snappish.
All of a sudden she is being blackmailed and she is not totally sure that she is not guilty of what they are accusing her of doing. So, instead of turning to her husband she turns to her sister, Grizelda who is known for her investigative techniques.

The dangers that follow these couples as the secrets and intrigue mount up are extremely interesting.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.