How to Master Your Marquis by Juliana Gray – a Review

How to Master Your Marquis
A Princess In Hiding – Book 2
by Juliana Gray
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Links to order How to Master Your Marquis:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—       until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe…

Of all her sisters, Princess Stefanie is by far the least amenable to law and order, which is why she’s appalled to find herself masquerading as an unbearably drab clerk for the most   honorable barrister in England. But her dull disguise turns out to have its privileges:           namely, the opportunity to consort unchaperoned with her employer’s exceedingly             handsome nephew, James Lambert, the Marquess of Hatherfield.

Hatherfield quickly realizes that his uncle’s spirited new clerk is, in fact, a lovely young    woman of daring habits. The outwardly impeccable marquis isn’t about to reveal her deception. After all, he’s hiding a dangerous secret of his own. But when one too many       escapades with the madcap princess bring Hatherfield’s troubled past to light, it is only      Stefanie’s sharp wits that stand between the marquis and utter disaster, and only   Hatherfield’s daring that can save the princess from the shadowy agents bent on finding   her.

Review:

How to Master Your Marquis by Juliana Gray is the second book in her historical romance, A Princess in Hiding series.  If you have not read my review of the first book, the premise of the series is about three sisters (Louisa, Stefanie and Emilie), who are princesses on the run from a plot to overthrow their German principality crown, as their father has been killed.  Their uncle, the Duke of Olympia, puts together a plan to separate them in disguise, until it is safe.  How to Master Your Marquis belongs to Stefanie, the youngest sister, who is sent to England in disguise as a young man, to work for a barrister as a law clerk.

Stefanie, always the wild child getting into constant trouble, finds herself in a boring situation, until she meets the gorgeous hunk, James Hatherfield, the Marquis of the title.  Hatherfield finds himself unusually attracted to the meek Mr. Thomas, but it doesn’t take long for Hatherfield to know that underneath it all, lies a woman.  Not knowing why, he doesn’t let on that he knows.  In time, both Stefanie and James begin to become closer, and eventually fall in love.  What is great about Juliana Gray, she takes romance stories a step above the normal historical.  There is the normal romance, intrigue, wonderful couple, very steamy sex; but what is different, is the humor she uses throughout the story. 

I got of kick out of watching Hatherfield try to hide his feelings for Stefanie, and how other people perceived this to be him falling for another man.  The witty remarks from Mr Thomas/Stefanie or Hatherfield had us laughing quite a few times.  With that aside, this is a wonderful romance, and I loved Hatherfield and Stefanie together, not to mention the sexual chemistry between them was hot.  The focus of the story is that Stefanie is in hiding to protect her life, and when a murder happens, it is Hatherfield who will do what it takes to protect her, even if it costs his own life. 

I don’t want to give spoilers, only to say that this is a sweet and fun story, with a fabulous and fun romance; it is also an exciting story, that had you turning the pages to see what happens, as well as pray that somehow they would find a way to salvage their love for each other. Gray also does an excellent job of creating excellent secondary characters that add to the believability of the story, including an evil conniving bitch, who wants James for herself. 

How to Master Your Marquis is a wonderful addition to this great series.  Juliana Gray    gives us a beautiful sexy romance, an exciting mystery and such delightful fun.  Don’t          miss this one.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher