About an Earl by Diana Lloyd – a Review

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Description:
An outsider at her first English ball, Jewel is fascinated with the beautiful dresses and the lovely dancing, but she’s vowed to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin’s marriage trap. When she first glimpses the handsome lord, her heart beats faster. As they plan to thwart her cousin’s machinations, she discovers a kindred spirit in Oliver—even if he’s a peer and she’s a lowly colonist. Caught kissing the earl, the ball ends in disaster and Jewel’s displeased uncle whisks her away to Scotland..

Lord Scar, as the ton calls Oliver, would rather be anywhere than at a godforsaken masquerade ball and when he learns from the free-spirited colonist about the nefarious marriage plan, he grudgingly accepts her help. Jewel intrigues him and sets his heart racing. Yet, when the ball is over and the mask is off—Oliver curses the scar that will send her screaming away.

When her uncle banishes her, Oliver comes to her rescue by offering Jewel his hand in marriage. She agrees, despite his disfigurement. But what’s a beastly lord like him to do with such a beautiful wife—especially when he discovers she’s delightfully saucy?

Each book in the What Happens in the Ballroom series is STANDALONE:
* How to Train Your Baron
* About an Earl

Review:

What was meant as a benign offering of appreciation, a stolen (given?) kiss with Juliana, a Bostonian colonist, is now the impetus for a betrothal?  An archaic tradition to be sure, and the would-be Earl of Winchcombe, Oliver Chalford, does not budge under duress.  Until word of a nefarious plot to declare Oliver a lunatic, causing him to relinquish his seat in the House of Lords, pushes him to consider a feigned engagement to keep appearances.  About an Earl, a What Happens in the Ballroom novel, is yet another awesome offering by author, Diana Lloyd.  I am always swept up by the lovely storytelling and savor each character.

A story of opportunistic, conniving mamas vying to wed off their daughters to the highest rank of nobility, by fair means or foul, so long as their own indiscretions remain buried.  Altruistic Jewel was trying to right her family’s wrong by alerting Oliver to their scheme.  No good deed goes unpunished and our heroes will find themselves inextricably entangled.  Oliver and Jewel are collaborating to achieve individual goals, but they’re quite different individuals.  While she longs to be heard, he’s maintained an unmatched anonymity.  As soon as you read Oliver and Jewel ‘s exchanges, you will feel their connection.  Two souls trying to find their place.  I recommend they start with each other 😉

Once Oliver stepped up and pushed back, accusations of madness, “Lunacy, witchcraft, and consorting with the devil” intensified.  Midnight strolls and a bird for a pet are just too scandalous, it would appear.  With gossip spreading in Society, just enough merit as to be believed, Oliver’s rightful place as Earl grows more precarious.  Is Jewel starting to regret her honorable act for all the trouble  befalling her?

Misunderstandings aplenty, borne of insecurity, lead to the swooniest explanations and declarations.  About an Earl was great!  Ms. Lloyd tells a love story with intrigue, a wonderfully supportive cast, a ready humor, and so much more to keep you enchanted.  An excerpt of the next novel, Last Lord Standing, has me extending a chair so that I may observe more closely.  To be so lucky!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher