YEAR OF FOLLY by Tracy Cooper-Posey

I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it. This story of Emma tackles the unexpected issue of equal rights for woman. In this instance, Emma is educated into realising a few things surrounding what woman are actually not allowed to do, that she never even thought about or did not know.

Morgan is a quiet force, to be reckoned with, in the background. Emma has a dark and secret history, that was only partially revealed to her and she focusses this anger and resentment towards her cause for woman's suffrage. The unexpected guest that had upset the summer gather, shows up at her doorstep.

An unexpected friendship and cameraderie develop. As usual, there is the unexpected twist and fascinating turns in the plot with a completely unpredictable and pleasantly surprising ending, that is both happy and satisfactory.

I thoroughly enjoyed this educational walk through history! It is fascinating and well written. The tension is palpable, the action real and the passion scorching, the uncertainty heart wrenching. I strongly recommend reading the series in order, to better understand it. I am very pleased to report that this book has a very happy ending, for most....

I love each book in this series. As with the previous books in this series it deals with topics not usually found in historical romance books. I did find this book a little tame compared to the rest of the series. The chemistry between Emma and Morgan just didn't seem to be there and although the Family does do things out of the ordinary......this seems even more out of character concerning the Family.

Emma has been raised as the youngest daughter of Viscount Rothmere only to learn that she is actually the daughter of her former governess, Lilly, who is now married to Jasper the son of the Archduke of Silkeborg. One needs the train or table of the Great Families provided at the beginning of this book. We are in the 1870's and society has rigid and formal rules. Emma is having difficulty as a debutante in Season with the nobility quietly frownng at her less than 'honorable' ancestry so her 'mother' sends her off to her cousins, Lord and Lady Rothmere, in Inverness. There she arrives the railway station with steam everywhere and in her beautiful London tailored clothes which completely outshine the locals drab dark clothing. Met by her cousin, the handsome,tall Morgan, who handles the financial affairs of the family businesses, she is taken to Farleigh Hall their manor. Assigned a maid she has little to do by day while her cousin, Lady Bridget is busy managing their textile mills and Morgan the finances. But then she meets Lydia Becker at the welcoming dinner for Emma and she begins to interest her in women's suffrage a great cause of that era and this starts Emma on her so called year of folly culminating when she attempts to vote. This a well written romantic and evocative tale of that period and with characters like Prince Konstantin vying for her hand amid carriage rides, day long outings to the Highland Summer Games, visits to textile mills, weavers, and other events we are treated to a taste of the times. There is one graphic sex scene sensuously and deliciously portrayed.

The plot had plenty of surprises and kept me thoroughly enthralled.

The characters were interesting, likeable and intense so that when they decided to let go, there was an passion but loving kindness to their interaction that I enjoyed immensely. There was definite chemistry and I delighted in the pulse pause moment!

Tracy Cooper Posey's writing style enthralls and is so captivating that I look up at the end of the book surprised that I'm back in modern times!
Her characters, settings and the topical challenges of the times are very insightful and interesting to read.

Another excellent addition to the Scandalous Scions series! I'm avidly snapping up (on pre-order) and reading each new book in the series. I am still thrilled by the variety in the stories of the series and their ability to take unanticipated plot twists.

I highly recommend reading the whole series, and in the correct order.

Another magnificent story from the Scandalous Scions series. We've come full circle to learn more about the bold, and many times, angry Emma. She knows there's a secret and that whatever it is, it's holding her acceptance in society back. Her actions have finally forced the family to send her away to the home of relatives. But boy oh boy, she finds, even more, to get riled over. The suffragettes have found their way into town and Emma grabs on to it with all she's got and finally causes an uproar so bad that she puts her and those she cares for in danger. To top that off a man comes into their life demanding to know the truth about a deceased family member. In the midst of all this, unexpected feelings arise for someone as different from her as night and day. Get this wonderfully told story, one filled with surprises, danger, confusion, truths, and a passion that is glorious in its discovery. The author never lets us down in her historical storytelling filled with facts of that oh so moral time, an amazing cast of characters, and I love how she brings some of them back from previous stories. Family is family and their always around somewhere.

Emma cannot find acceptance in London society, instead is sent to Inverness Scotland to stay with family. There she still does not fit in – all are involved in their own work and are very serious. She becomes acquainted with Lydia Becker who is outspoken about women gaining the right to vote. This opens Emma’s eyes and a new passion burns within her.

A family mystery, intrigue, and a very special patient person who demonstrates the true meaning of love. A sleight of hand which changes lives. Exceptional story, relatable characters and a journey back in time which highly entertains.

I just love that this is a marvelous and true-to-life story. By that I mean that Emma’s story is down-to-earth and believable. She is not a super-suffragette who can leap tall buildings in a single bound but a real person with whom I can relate.

Her interactions with Morgan remind me of myself at that age. A bit awkward, a bit shy.

Year of Folly is the 12th and second last book in the Scandalous Scions series. I have to say it's being a nice wrap up to the series so far. I've been very pleased with the coming back to the story of Lilly through Emma and the satisfying ending. It seems Emma took very good advantage of the year she spends in the Highlands to grow quite a lot as a person. And the way Morgan lets her do it in her own pace before sweeping her off her feet is very sensible. I also liked very much the topic of the women's franchise. I totally agree with the idea that significant changes are veeery slow to take place and sometimes they even provoke a violent response. Bear in mind some countries in Europe didn't pass the law necessary for women to vote until well past mid twentieth century. A little outrageous from nowadays point of view, right?

These could seem a tad frivolous series like many others but throughout the books the author has been navigating us along the mayor mid to end of the nineteenth century issues, besides emotional development, for which I'm very thankful to the author.

Don't miss the series, now you can binge read them!