THE LONELY LORDS SERIES: Beckman/Gabriel by Grace Burrowes -a review

4.5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

The Lonely Lord series by award winning author (and one of my faves) Grace Burrowes once again did NOT disappoint. This review consists of books number 4 (Beckman) and 5 (Gabriel). These two were just as yummy as Darius, Nicholas and Ethan and totally swept me off my feet once again! If you love a solid historical romance (1800’s) where gentlemen were expected to be gentlemen, ladies were ladies and all the rules are thrown out the window then seriously check this series out!

Let’s get on with it shall we .. I have two more men for you to get to know! 😉

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BOOK 4 – BECKMAN Lord of Sins

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DESCRIPTION-Release Date July 2, 2013

Beckman Haddonfield is ready to live again…

Beckman finally emerges from the shadow of his wife’s death by agreeing to restore a family estate…and embarking on a dalliance with the quiet, mysterious housekeeper who resides there. But she is not who she seems…

Riveting and refreshing, Beckman is an unforgettable story about love’s power to overcome grief and guilt. Award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’s gorgeous writing and lush Regency world will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

REVIEW

We have never really met Beckman, though he is mentioned several times in the previous books. Beckman is the younger legit brother of Nicholas and Ethan. He is also very complex, spare to the heir, underestimated and misunderstood. He is the baby of the family who is easily brushed aside, and left ignorant to some family matters (although he still caught on regardless of his families intentions).

Beck has lived a full life for a man his young age. He’s been married and widowed, been wild with the ladies and gambling, has fallen so far off the edge of a cliff in the opium house that it was amazing he was able to bounce back. He has also been sent away by his dying father (this is where I should mention that this book is written parallel to Nicholas book) to fix up an old family estate (Three Spring Estates) that belongs to his grandmother (his father doesn’t want Beck to see him die). Beck understands why he is sent away (he deeply loves his father and I would like to believe seeing him die would throw him back in his recovery) and decides to tackle the estate with vigor.

He meets Sara who is a housekeeper at this Three Spings along with her daughter Allie and sister Polly. The man working as the steward (Gabriel) is also there playing the role of grouch, let’s get this done, I have no time to waste (he gets his own story ..lol). Beckman finds himself immediately captivated by Sara and realizes that there is so much more to this woman than housecleaner extraordinaire. Sara has secrets, and Beck wants to figure them out but in the process cannot help but fall in love with this complex woman.

Sara is running from a past that if discovered, can effect her entire future. She just wants to live a simple life in the country, fix up the estate and be left alone. Well all was going well until she admits Beck into her bed. The passion between these two sparks up the pages as does the sensitivity to each other and the budding friendship.

As Sara’s past comes to the forefront we are taken on a ride of suspicion, action, intrigue and ultimately happily ever after (duh .. this is Grace Burrowes we’re talking about ..lol) Can Beckman live with what Sara is hiding? Can Beck make it through his father’s death unscathed? Will these two put aside their stubborn streaks to be each other’s forever?? You know the answer, but reading how they get there is the best part! LOL

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BOOK 5 – GABRIEL Lord of Regrets

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DESCRIPTION-Release Date September 3, 2013

Gabriel North has spent two years allowing his family to believe him dead, while he assumes the identity of a hardworking steward on the neglected Three Springs estate.

When Gabriel falls in love with Polonaise Hunt, cook at Three Springs, he realizes that until he solves the mystery of who tried repeatedly to kill him, he cannot ask any woman to share his life.

Gabriel resumes his proper identity as Marquis of Hesketh, only to find that Polonaise has also resumed her calling, that of talented portrait artist, and she’s been commissioned to paint Gabriel’s heir.

While Gabriel tries to untangle the mystery of his attempted murder, he finds Polonaise has been keeping secrets of her own. She can capture Gabriel’s likeness on canvas, but can he capture her heart?

REVIEW

I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK! LOL

We first met Gabriel in Beckman’s book as the grouchy, no nonsense steward of the estate. It is there that you begin to understand that there is more than meets the eye to this man .. well this book it all comes out!

Gabriel is really a titled man. Actually he is the Marquis of Hesketh and has been in hiding, assumed dead for the past couple of years. You see someone attempted to kill Gabriel two years ago, and he suspected his brother (who currently is holding the Marquis title). As time has passed, Gabriel has kept his eye on his brother and has come to realize that perhaps he wasn’t involved in his attempted murder. He decides to come out of hiding.

Gabriel reclaims his title (kind of) and happens upon a certain artist that he left behind at Three Springs Estate but has never forgotten! POLLY! Polly has been commissioned to paint portraits of the Hesketh family members. Little does she realize that her beloved Gabriel is not the steward she fell in love with but in fact a titled man. Considering all, she takes it all in quite nicely. The flames still burn hot between these two and before they know it, they are giving into their desires for one another knowing that the future holds nothing for them. Why would a Marquis want a simple artist?

In the midst of all this romance, there are frequent abnormalities going on that sabotage the functioning of the Hesketh estate. Gabriel is in danger as someone is still trying to kill him. He wants Polly away from all the danger, but begins to realize that he cannot live without her. After he comes to terms with this, he needs to convince her.

We have a side romance going throughout this story as well! Gabriel’s brother and his wife begin to blossom as the pressure of being the Marquis and Marquess is lifted off their shoulders a tad, and answers to questions must be answered. I have to say I enjoyed their story as much as I did Gabriel’s.

Of course there is so much more than what I say in my reviews to these books. I hate spoilers and have to be careful on what I can or cannot reveal here! LOL I really wanted to give 5 out of 5, but I am seeing a repeated formula with this series that is predictable now. We have a powerful man who seems to be the most loving and understanding of men. We have the woman who is not innocent and agrees to the loving physical affair with our main man. We see them really become friends and not just lovers. Don’t get me wrong, this formula works for Grace Burrowes books, but I would love a little mix up in there! This is 5 books in now.

A WONDERFUL historical romance series and one that I am going to remain current with.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copies supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.