Promises and Primroses
(Mayfield Family Series)
Author: Josi S. Kilpack
Genres: Regency/Historical Romance
Format: Paperback • Pages: 336
Published: September 4, 2018
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: Author/Publisher
Genres: Regency/Historical Romance
Format: Paperback • Pages: 336
Published: September 4, 2018
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: Author/Publisher
Book Summary
Lord Elliott Mayfield
aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of
his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose
worthy companions. If they choose wisely, they will receive their
generous share of the family’s inheritance.
Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.
But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.
Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.
Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.
But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.
Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.
My Review
Promises and Primroses is a delightful first book in the Mayfield Family Series.I picked up the book and before I knew it, I had already finished half of the book in one sitting. The novel showcases four different POV stories: Elliott Mayfield, Peter Mayfield, Amelia and Julia Hollingsworth.We are first introduced to Lord Elliott Mayfield who is trying to change the family name to good after many scandals through the years.Out of his many nephews and nieces, only one, Peter, has lived a low-key and non scandalous life.Elliott is starting a marriage campaign to see all of his nieces and nephews married to respectable people.Peter of course refuses to play this game.I'm hoping that other books in the series will highlight the rest of Elliott's nieces and nephews.
This story is really about two different couples. Elliott and Amelia who were almost engaged 30 years ago and now Amelia is very bitter about the break up. She is totally against her daughter working as a governess for Peter. My favorite couple though were Peter and Julia. These were two people not looking for love but it came sailing in very gently and it surprises both of them. I loved Peter's daughters and how quickly Julia came to love the girls.
I also was really liking the part of the story about Peter's canine husbandry business. Julia's father had done the same thing while alive and she had helped her father with his dogs. Julia comes in and ends up being amazing with Peter's dogs as well as his daughters.
The only person that got on my nerves at all was Julia's mother Amelia. It was because of her prejudice and bitter feelings towards Elliott that made her so antagonistic towards Peter. Readers do realize that Amelia is not a totally horrible person because of how she treats others in her village.
Overall, I really, really like this book and this new series. The characters were written so well just like this author always does. I've been reading Josi's books for many years now. She has such a talent for creating such wonderful stories that leave you wanting more. I know I want to read more about the Mayfield family.
This story is really about two different couples. Elliott and Amelia who were almost engaged 30 years ago and now Amelia is very bitter about the break up. She is totally against her daughter working as a governess for Peter. My favorite couple though were Peter and Julia. These were two people not looking for love but it came sailing in very gently and it surprises both of them. I loved Peter's daughters and how quickly Julia came to love the girls.
I also was really liking the part of the story about Peter's canine husbandry business. Julia's father had done the same thing while alive and she had helped her father with his dogs. Julia comes in and ends up being amazing with Peter's dogs as well as his daughters.
The only person that got on my nerves at all was Julia's mother Amelia. It was because of her prejudice and bitter feelings towards Elliott that made her so antagonistic towards Peter. Readers do realize that Amelia is not a totally horrible person because of how she treats others in her village.
Overall, I really, really like this book and this new series. The characters were written so well just like this author always does. I've been reading Josi's books for many years now. She has such a talent for creating such wonderful stories that leave you wanting more. I know I want to read more about the Mayfield family.
Excerpt
"Uncle, but I have no desire to marry again, as I believe
you are aware. With an estate already under my care and your
holdings that will one day pass to me, I do not need the security
you have put forward for the others, nor do I need motivation
toward living a respectable life.”
you are aware. With an estate already under my care and your
holdings that will one day pass to me, I do not need the security
you have put forward for the others, nor do I need motivation
toward living a respectable life.”
“You are exactly right,” Elliott said with a deep nod. “You do
not need motivation or financial security, but, as I told you, each
gift is tailored to the person. Aren’t you the least bit curious as to
what I devised as a gift for your future?”
Peter put his hands in his lap. “I am not.”
Elliott sighed. “You are still a young man, Peter. You deserve
a companion to see you through the remaining years of your life,
and your daughters deserve a mother. I believe with my whole
heart that Sybil would want that for you.”
“Forgive me, uncle, but you did not know Sybil and have no
basis for such an assumption.”
Elliott inclined his head, acknowledging the truth of that observation.
“And the fact that you do not have an heir?”
Peter stood abruptly. With his broad shoulders and athletic
physique, he was quite the commanding presence when his ire
was fueled, as it was now.
He grabbed for his jacket. “Timothy’s son will be my heir just
as I was heir for you.”
“Timothy has no son.”
“But he will. Especially now that he will have additional
reason for doing so.” Peter’s certitude was admirable. “So, while
I thank you for this”—he waved toward the untouched folder,
barely concealing his bitterness—“I do not share the circumstances
of my siblings or my cousins. I married well, I am raising
my daughters in the privilege they deserve, and I am living an
upstanding life. I have no desire for anything else. Now, if you
would excuse me.”
Elliott stood and hurried around the table to take hold of
Peter’s arm before the boy could escape. “I did not mean to offend
you, Peter. I am sorry.”
Peter’s dark eyes were cold. “Apology accepted. I truly must
be on my way, uncle.”
Elliott dropped his nephew’s arm, and Peter left, the door
closing behind him with a snap. This was not how Elliott had
hoped the first campaign proposal would go. He’d imagined Peter
defensive at first, of course, but eventually seeing Elliott’s motivations
in their purest light and being gracious and touched, not
offended. Perhaps Elliott did not have the people-management
skills he so highly prized after all.
Elliott walked to the east window of his study and scrubbed a
hand over his face. Peter was right about Elliott having never met
Sybil. But he still believed Sybil would not want her husband and
daughters to be alone. Elliott had hoped the wedding campaign
would bring Peter out of mourning. It had been four years.
Then again, what could Elliott say against Peter’s decision to
remain a widower? Elliott had never loved anyone the way Peter
had loved Sybil—though there had been a woman he might have
loved that way.
Amelia Edwards had filled him with light, and he had expected
that they would marry. Then his father had died and
everything had changed. Elliott had stepped into the title, the
debts, and the role as head of the family, and the young woman
he’d wanted to be his wife had instead become a part of his past
and his sacrifice. The life that had followed had not brought love
again. Elliott’s ambition now was to see his nieces and nephews secure and his family name restored for the benefit of future generations.
The satisfaction of those things would make up for what
he’d wanted for himself but could not have. At least that was what
he had hoped. It might take a bit of time before he recovered
from the unexpected conclusion of his first presentation. With
a bit more attention, and perhaps tact, he vowed the next would
go better.
Meet Author Josi S. Kilpack:
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond
when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could
get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels
she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998
and has written twenty-five novels, one cookbook, and been part of
multiple collaborations since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award
winner and Best of State winner in Fiction. Josi currently lives in
Willard, Utah, with her husband and children.
When Kensington Press picked up her first national women's fiction novel, As Wide as the Sky, Josi was in need of a pen name to differentiate between her other genres. For years, Josi has been called Jessica Pack by people who hear her name but don't know her. It made her new pen name easy to choose. As Wide as the Sky will be released in paperback sometime in 2018.
For more information about Josi or her books, find her at
When Kensington Press picked up her first national women's fiction novel, As Wide as the Sky, Josi was in need of a pen name to differentiate between her other genres. For years, Josi has been called Jessica Pack by people who hear her name but don't know her. It made her new pen name easy to choose. As Wide as the Sky will be released in paperback sometime in 2018.
For more information about Josi or her books, find her at
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