Tag Archives: Regency

Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain – a Review

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Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain – a Review

 

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Description:
After years apart, old friends Lady Kate Whelan and Evan Rhys reunite at a race. They’ve been masking their feelings for each other for years, but when Evan must protect Kate from her late husband’s secrets, he may not be able to resist her any longer.

After being widowed by a steeplechase accident in Ireland, Lady Kate Whelan abandons the turf. But once her mourning is complete, her late husband’s debts drive her to seek help in Newmarket amidst the whirl of a race meet. There she encounters antiquities expert Evan Rhys, her late husband’s roguish friend—whom she hasn’t seen since the day of his lordship’s mysterious death.

Now that fate has reunited them, Evan seizes the chance to win over the woman he’s always loved. But once back within the old stone walls of Whelan House, long-held secrets come to light that shake up everything Kate thought she knew about her marriage. Now she wonders who she can trust with her heart—and Evan must decide between love and a truth that will separate him from all his heart desires.

 

Review:

Scandalous Ever After is a historical romance love story with a bit of mystery included. It’s set in Cambridge, England in 1818.

Evan Rhys is lecturing on fake Roman antiquities being circulated for the purpose of smuggling, using slides from a magic lantern and painted shots of artifacts he’d collected. It’s at this lecture that Catherine Abigail Durham (Kate), Countess of Whelan speaks up and asks him why he doesn’t go to Ireland, when he claims the artifacts are from there.

Meticulously, the author, Theresa Romain, builds the back narrative of Evan’s friendship with the late Earl of Whelan, Conall Richie Durham. Friends from childhood in school, they were close and inseparable. Thirteen years prior, Con had brought home some brood mares and a wife. Evan’s world changed. She was bright, beautiful and everything he loved in life, but he was completely faithful in his friendship with her husband.

They spent much time together, the three of them. Evan’s own family being very judgmental and not at all happy. Evan was the second son. His family’s opinions of what he should be and do with his life ever critical. So, Evan spent most of his life living at Whelan with Con and Kate. Con became increasingly free spending and risking their estate, as well as many infidelities. He and Evan had argued over his lack of care for his family and Evan had left angry. Con was killed in a steeple race shortly after the argument. Instead of helping Kate, he never came back…hence her wondering what was keeping him from Ireland, at the lecture.

That’s the setup, I don’t do spoilers, or at least I try not to. This love story is built with frustrating slowness. The dialogue is quick and often witty, with a bit of spice. Kate and Evan are each healing from a bit of guilt and sorrow, but wanting to be together. A few obstacles are in the way, but none insurmountable except their own ideas and feelings. There are several secondary characters that are also well written and interesting.

Twists with the smuggling angle and the horse races are woven into this story, adding some interesting and dangerous scenes. The love scenes and near love scenes are sizzling but also frustrating as the characters come to terms with their lives.

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Not So Sweet Maria (Sisters By Marriage #1) by Jessica Spencer-a review

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NOT SO SWEET MARIA (Sisters by Marriage #1) by Jessica Spencer-a review

Not So Sweet Maria

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LOVE UNDER MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

The ton calls her Sweet Maria and, even in her fourth Season, eligibles continue to offer her marriage. They do not know Lady Maria despises the hypocritical ways of Polite Society and is trying to sail away to America!

Though the granddaughter of a duke, Lady Maria is a Child of Scandal because her mother was an American commoner. She blames the duke and the duchess for her parents’ death. Had they not disowned them, they would not have died of a virulent fever in America, leaving her an orphan at the age of five.

She has not forgotten the coldness she had met with as a child, and how there were those who examined her features for tainted blood, and disparaged her mother to her face.

She agrees to an arranged match to ward off her persistent suitors, treating the engagement as a sham one to be ended at her convenience.

Then, most unexpectedly, she finds love with a commoner. Only he isn’t a commoner but the Earl of Daventon.

Gareth, Earl of Daventon is no stranger to Scandal. Rumour has it that his father had banished his mother for adulterous behavior. He remembers his mother as a sweet, gentle woman and knows the late earl yearned until his last breath to have her back.

Love is a quagmire and I shall not be caught in it, he decides. But love finds him. The object of his ardour is a mysterious young woman who dresses like a shop girl and behaves like a lady.

Lord Daventon remedies the situation by accepting an arranged match, his betrothed being Lady Maria whom he hasn’t met.

All of which leads to a delightful tangle of affairs.

NOTE: NOT SO SWEET MARIA is a clean, Regency romance.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: Not so Sweet Maria is a romance story set in 1793, not twenty years after the American Revolutionary War.

It begins when Mary (aka Maria) learns her father and mother have died of a virulent illness on their plantation in America. Her father has relatives that he hasn’t spoken much about in England. We learn he was actually the son of the Duke of Severn. He was almost disowned for marrying an American woman, below his station. She and her maid were quarantined for a short time, then were shipped to England and the Duchess of Severn, her grandmother. The Duchess decided to change her name from Mary to Maria.

The girl, Maria, is raised well by her seemingly cold natured grandmother. However, she becomes a shining example of what a good daughter and woman should be, revered by the famous, or should I say infamous, English haute ton (society). She’s sweet, but not coy. She has constant crowds of suitors for her hand, each seemingly infatuated with her kindness and beauty.

We first learn of Gareth, Earl of Daventon at one of the many parties of the social season. He too, is a child of scandal. His father, while not divorcing his mother, forced her to live apart from he and their children. This gave Gareth the reason he claimed for not marrying and shunning finding someone to love. As a child he assumed from snatches of conversation that his mother was unfaithful. However, he was persuaded to marry for the sake of his sister, so she could take her rightful place in the haute ton.

This romantic tale is cleverly written with enough backstory on the characters to let the reader understand how and why they act the way they do. It explains Maria’s seeming sweet manner and secret business, which she cleverly hides, as a means to buy back her families plantation and return to America as soon as she reaches twenty-one (I believe most women of that period were married much earlier…not sure twenty-one signified independence back then, but not really a large concern.).

That’s pretty much the set-up. I don’t do large spoilers. Good stories should be read and experienced first- hand for full effect. However, I found the why and how they fell in love, met, and the rest very interestingly written. This clever author keeps them just apart enough to let misunderstood identities work the full game, while spinning a tale of two perfect for each other people to create a web of forgiveness and intrigue.

It’s not an overly long story but one worth the time to read. Once edited (I read an unedited arc), it will be an interesting and fast paced one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale and look forward to more from the very clever author.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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Merely a Marriage by Jo Beverley – Review & Giveaway

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Merely a Marriage by Jo Beverley – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
As England mourns the death of Princess Charlotte, Lady Ariana Boxstall has another succession in mind. Her brother, Norris, is a strapping young man, but he s also happily unmarried and childless. Norris agrees to take a wife on one condition: that Ariana take a husband first. Although she realizes she risks a lifetime in a loveless marriage, for the sake of her family, Ariana accepts his challenge.
When the Earl of Kynaston met Ariana eight years ago, he broke her heart. Since then, his own heart has been broken, and he s sworn off love…until he sees Ariana all grown-up and his resolve is threatened.
Could Ariana s bargain with Norris actually lead her to happiness? With real love on the line, she must win over the one man who refuses to be had.”

 

 

Review:

Merely a Marriage by Jo Beverley is a Regency/Historical novel.   At the start, we meet Lady Ariana Boxstall , who is concerned about the future of her family, especially after the childbirth death of Princess Charlotte.  Ariana fears that she would lose her beloved Boxstall residence to her drunken uncle, if her brother dies.  She then sets a plan in motion for her brother Norris to marry, but the one condition is she must marry first.

Ariana and her mother travel to London to stay at the home of a family friend, and look for the perfect husband for her.  The Earl of Kynaston, is also staying at the house of his aunt, and Ariana remembers him from 8 years before at her coming out ball, where he embarrassed her.  Needless to say, of all the eligible men, Kynaston is now crossed off the list.  We get to spend time with Ariana, as she attends various balls/events to meet the eligible bachelors, but she also must spend time with Kynaston, since he also attends.  At first, they both are sarcastic to each other,  and keep their distance when possible; but it seems they keep getting pushed together, since a lady is never supposed to be without an escort. Ariana also does not like that Kynaston drinks too much, and looks very unhappy, which she will later learn why. 

What follows is a slow build romance, with Ariana in the forefront for most of the story.  She is determined to find someone to marry, to force her brother to then get married.  Things change slightly when Norris meets Kynaston’s young sister, and surprisingly falls in love.  At the same time, Ariana fights off her growing attraction to Kynaston.  As we got closer to the last 1/3 of the book, the romance between Ariana & Kynaston began to heat up, which also improved the story line a lot.  During this time, we got to learn all about Kynaston’s tragic past which still haunted him, and Ariana’s help to open his heart again.

I liked the characters in this story, for the most they were interesting and fun.  However, I did think much of the early part of the book was a bit slow reading, which does improve later on.  If you enjoy historical romances, Merely a Marriage is a nice read by Jo Beverly.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

Jo Beverley’s Publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of MERELY A MARRIAGE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe. .

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from May 30 – June 4, 2017

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Bedchamber Games by Tracy Anne Warren – Review & Interview

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Bedchamber Games by Tracy Anne Warren – Review & Interview

 

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Description:
In this irresistible romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Happily Bedded Bliss, appearances can deceive, but the heart is not so easy to fool…
 
Rosamund Carrow has spent years learning the law by assisting her barrister father, despite the frustrating truth that the profession is closed to women. When he dies unexpectedly, necessity compels her to disguise herself as a man so she can step into the courtroom to finish his cases. She’s willing to put her reputation at risk, but she never expects that the greatest peril will be to her heart…
 
Lord Lawrence Byron is a rising star in London’s legal circles, despite his reputation as an unrepentant rakehell. When an upstart young barrister defeats him in court, he’s determined to discover everything he can about his rival. He’s stunned when he uncovers the shocking secret that his new opponent is actually a beguiling, brilliant woman…one he can’t help but want in his bed. Passion draws them together as they break all the rules, but it may lead to something more lasting—like love…

 

 

 

Review:

Diving back into The Rakes of Cavendish series by Tracy Anne Warren is a decadent delight! Bedchamber Games is the 3rd book and lamentable final installment. Never fear, there is much to love, and vicariously derive, from the exciting lives of Lawrence and Rosamund. This is a re-imagined Mulan. An intelligent woman with an affinity for law, but disallowed to practice as a barrister (thanks, 19th century England), disguises herself as a man to bring her late father’s cases to conclusion. When opposing counsel, the very handsome Lawrence, discovers Rosamund’s deceit, does he oust her or does he collude, allowing alternate forms of compensation for his silence?

“For now that he knew Ross Carrow was a woman, he had to decide how to proceed.  After all, there was a fraud at large, one who was most definitely in need of unmasking.”

The facade is going well, Rosamund adheres to the style and demeanor of men, but at some point I was starting to wonder if Lawrence wasn’t harboring some latent homosexual tendencies; so entranced was he by the developing friendship, his desire to engage with this intriguing fellow so frequently. Please take no umbrage to my suspicions because Lawrence’s reaction to Rosamund’s reveal was all male (if not a bit of relief, lol!)

Was it “misguided hubris” that was Rosamund’s ultimate demise? Or was it Lawrence’s keen eye, and heart, that forced an end to the charade. Whatever the case may be, Ms. Warren detailed a swoon-worthy, albeit clandestine, courting. Rosamund continued to fool the public and to remain aloof in Lawrence’s company, but it only served to heighten the anticipation; allowing them luxurious passion in the time they secured away from prying eyes. But it’s not without some much needed agony to earn its HEA. It’ll stop your heart, bring forth tears, and make you appreciate it all the more. Great writing runs the gamut of emotions.

As a highly satisfied reader, games in all sorts of chambers are welcomed when Ms. Warren is at the helm. I am concerned, however, that at 100% completion of my ARC, my screen read “Teaser TK 8 pages”. I’m desperate to find out if this was reference to an epilogue? Ms. Warren, if you would be so kind as to illuminate this fan? ?

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Interview-Gold

TRC: Hi Tracy.  Welcome back to The Reading Café.  

Tracy:  Thanks! It’s great being back at The Reading Café. I always enjoy having the chance to talk to readers and I’m excited to discuss my newest book, Bedchamber Games.

TRC: Bedchamber Games was recently released, which is the 3rd book in your The Rakes of Cavendish Square series. For those of who have not read this series, can you please tell us the premise of Rakes of Cavendish Square?

Tracy:  The books in the series are linked by way of the heroes – each with a well-earned reputation as a rake – who happen to live on the same street, Cavendish Square. In the three novels, readers get to enjoy seeing how each of these unrepentant rakes meets his match – and the love of his life. The stories also tell how the last three Byron siblings – Leo, Lawrence and Esme – from the Byrons of Braebourne series find their happily-ever-afters.

Bedchamber GamesTRC: Can you please give us a brief description of Bedchamber Games?

Tracy:  Rosamund Carrow knows the law as well as any man, but she can’t use her knowledge or skills in the courtroom due to her gender – until her brother convinces her to disguise herself as a man in order to save their family’s reputation and livelihood. Lord Lawrence Byron enjoys a brilliant career as a barrister. He never loses in court – until he argues a case against a new barrister, Ross Carrow. Determined to learn all he can about the man who bested him, he never imagines that this talented and intriguing legal mind actually belongs to a woman, who is as captivating as she is clever. Soon the professional respect Rosamund and Lawrence feel for each other turns to something far more intimate and personal.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for this series?

Tracy:  The three books now in print – The Bedding Proposal, Happily Bedded Bliss and Bedchamber Games – complete The Rakes of Cavendish Squares series. They also complete the Byrons of Braebourne arc, which includes eight novels and one short story.

TRC: What challenges do you face with switching between Contemporary and Regency romances?

Tracy:  When I first wrote my Graysons series contemporaries – The Last Man on Earth, The Man Plan and Mad About the Man – I didn’t think I would have to do as much research as I usually do for a successful historical. I was mistaken. Careful research is just as necessary for contemporary novels as it is for historical. One of the challenges of writing historical romance is that no one living today can really know what life was truly like during the period being depicted – in my case the English Regency. So, as an author, I research the life and times of the period in order to create, what I hope is, a believable Regency world. The challenge of a contemporary romance is that everyone living today knows what modern life is like. Yet everyone’s life is not the same; so, as an author, I have to research the nuances of current times in order to develop unique – and believable – contemporary characters.

Another challenge is the language used in each subgenre. I have to watch to make sure my historical lexicon and Regency era voice don’t creep into my contemporaries and vice versa. American set contemporaries need to sound modern and American with modern slang and dialects, not British and turn-of-the-nineteenth-century. Both subgenres have their own challenges; there’s ‘no free lunch’ when writing either.

TRC: Can you please tell us what you working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2017?

Tracy:  Currently, I’m between contracts, so Bedchamber Games will be my only published novel for 2017. I’ll let my readers know what’s next as soon as I know.

TRC: How long does it usually take you to write a book from start to finish?  Are there different types of stories that take you longer to write?

Tracy:  My goal is to write a full-length Regency novel in six months with additional time for any rewrites requested by my editor, copy edits and reading the final proof. My novels never seem to take less time; however, a story may take longer, if there’s an unusual amount of research necessary. This was the case with Bedchamber Games. I spent many more hours than usual learning about the English legal system in the Regency period in preparation for writing Lawrence and Rosamund’s story.

TRC: What is your favorite place and time to write?

Tracy:  I have an office, which is where I do my writing. I prefer writing later in the day and generally work until 10 o’clock in the evening and sometimes later.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Tracy:  It’s been lots of fun having the chance to chat with you and all the book lovers at The Reading Café. I hope your readers enjoy Bedchamber Games, the last of the Byrons of Braebourne and Rakes of Cavendish Square novels. I’ve loved writing about the Byron family; they are very near and dear to my heart. As for the future, I’m looking forward to starting a new series soon, one I hope my readers will also enjoy!

TRC: Thank you Tracy for giving us an update on the Rakes of Cavendish Square. It was a pleasure having you visit us again. We wish you the best of luck with Bedchamber Games.

Tracy:  It’s been my pleasure, too. Thank you for inviting me to join you. I look forward to chatting with you again sometime soon!

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Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh – a Review

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Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh – a Review

 

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Description:
Humphrey Wescott, Earl of Riverdale, has died, leaving behind a fortune and a scandalous secret that will forever alter the lives of his family—sending one daughter on a journey of self-discovery…

With her parents’ marriage declared bigamous, Camille Westcott is now illegitimate and without a title. Looking to eschew the trappings of her old life, she leaves London to teach at the Bath orphanage where her newly discovered half-sister lived. But even as she settles in, she must sit for a portrait commissioned by her grandmother and endure an artist who riles her every nerve.

An art teacher at the orphanage that was once his home, Joel Cunningham has been hired to paint the portrait of the haughty new teacher. But as Camille poses for Joel, their mutual contempt soon turns to desire. And it is only the bond between them that will allow them to weather the rough storm that lies ahead…

 

 

Review:

Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh is the 2nd book in her Westcott series. In the first book of this series, Camille Westcott lost her inheritance because her deceased father was a bigamist, having been found to have been married before. Our than heroine, Anna Snow, who grew up in an orphanage, was the rightful heir and assumed the family fortune.  Anna always wanted a family, but the mother, two sisters and brother refused to acknowledge Anna, even if she wanted to share the fortune.  Personally, I did not like Camille at all in the first book.  But, in Someone to Hold, we get to see Camille living with her grandmother, in a nice comfortable house, not too far from the Orphanage that Anna used to live in. Camille always presented herself as a lady, to be perfect in every way, and feelings did not count for anything.  Whereas, her sister Abby was happy, Camille was miserable.  She was betrothed to a man of wealth, until he dumped her after she lost everything.

Camille trys to rediscover herself; she decides to get a job working as a teacher at the same Orphanage.  Along the way she meets, Anna’s best friend, Joel Cunningham, who is an artist, and also teaches art a few days a week to the students.  Joel has disliked Camille, since he did not like how she treats Anna, but slowly he will begin to see a different side hidden under her severe & abrasive appearance.  Joel watches with amazement how Camille steps in and without any experience, does wonders with the children. Joel begins to talk more to Camille, to help give her more confidence and in time they will find their company enjoyable.  Camille puts herself in Anna’s shoes, how she lived all her life growing up and eventually working at the orphanage.  This will help her understand Anna’s situation, as well as slowly begin to open her cold heart, as she starts to have feelings for some of the children, especially young Sarah.  Camille has never known how to love, only to be the perfect lady, which was expected of her in as a Westcott heir.

As Joel and Camille start spending more time together, each of them discover their feelings change to more romantic, which will gradually become love.  But both of them believe there is no future, as they are both very stubborn.  Joel was a great hero, very nice and sweet to Camille; but he doesn’t see himself ever marrying.  His life later in the book, will also take a turn, similar to Anna’s in the last book. Will this help bring Camille and Joel together?

What I really enjoyed about this story was watching Camille slowly begin to learn all about love; learn her own value, rediscover life and hope.  It was great to see Anna and Avery again, as well as the other family members that played a big part in the first book.  It was very enjoyable to watch Camille rise up from losing everything to change, falling for Joel, and to accept her new sister.  Mary Balogh did an outstanding job giving us a heartwarming story that also teaches us the little things in life that we take for granted.  Well done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wicked in His Arms by Stacy Reid – a Review

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Wicked in His Arms by Stacy Reid – a Review

 

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Description:
Tobias Walcott, the Earl of Blade, has learned it is best to exercise rigid control over his passions and emotions in all that he does. Uncaring that it makes him seem cool and aloof to most in the ton, he is content with his desire to only woo agreeable and demur females. Then unforeseen circumstances see him trapped in a closet at a house party with the last woman he would ever make his countess.

Lady Olivia Sherwood is everything he should not desire in a female—unconventional, too decisive, and utterly without decorum. But passion ignites between them and they are discovered. Honor demands they wed, and while Tobias finds himself unwillingly drawn to the bewitching beauty, he must do everything not to tempt the passion that burns in him for her, lest it leads to disastrous consequences.

 

Review: 

Wicked in His Arms by Stacy Reid is set in the Victorian era. I  had expected a tame read. This was anything but, Tobias Blake is convinced the only way to live is to be cold and controlled at all times, he won’t ever become like his father, (his father was handy with his fists, and often lashed out at Tobias’ mother and Tobias) he is happy with his mistress and ladies of the same mind.  When he does settle down, it won’t be to Olivia, she is opinionated, loud and emotional, and that just won’t do. But after being caught by surprise with the lady in question, Tobias is strangely drawn to her, and maybe a little passion is called for, and maybe he can lose control with his new wife. 

Olivia doesn’t want to be married off, as she is happy living a quiet life with her family. All she wants to do is earn a living by painting or becoming a ladies companion. After meeting Lord Blake, she is more determined to live a single and quiet life; he is cold, rude and very controlled. But after her beloved stepfather falls ill, the family decides its time for Olivia to be married off and look after her family. 

The instant dislike between the main characters was fun to read. Olivia tried very hard to be a lady, but it wasn’t her fault that Tobias always caught her at her worse moments. 

You could understand why Tobias didn’t want to marry, and certainly didn’t want to give into passion, as he didn’t want to turn into a possessive and violent husband. 

It’s fun to watch the lord fall for his wife, and it’s fun to watch Olivia come into her own. The other characters in the book were a likeable bunch, and you wanted to read more about them all. 

It was a fun read ?

Reviewed by Julie B

Copy provided by Publisher

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Love and the Shameless Lady by Barbara Monajem – a Review

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Love and the Shameless Lady by Barbara Monajem – a Review

 

Love and the Shameless LadyAmazon

 

DESCRIPTION:
Disgraced lady Daisy Warren serves ale in a tumbledown inn, sings crude songs for the smugglers, and writes romantic novels in her spare time. Shunned by her own class, she’s resigned to her lowly life—until someone tries to kill her.

Gentleman spy Sir Julian Kerr noses out seditionists and traitors. When he visits the inn to investigate two suspicious Frenchmen, he meets the lovely but hostile Daisy. He doesn’t intend to get involved with her—but then he learns that someone is threatening her life. 

He wants to find out more—it’s part of his investigation. 
He wants to protect her—he’s a chivalrous man. 
He just wants her. 
But will Daisy’s bitter past allow her to risk love again? 

 

REVIEW:

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Love and The Shameless Lady by Barbara Monajem is the third book in her Scandalous Kisses series.  A regency romance, this story follows Daisy and Julian, and I have to say I was really looking forward to reading about Daisy.  She captivated me in the previous novels and she is everything I had hope she would be.

Daisy Warren is a ruined woman.  Having seduced and bedded a smuggler before marriage, she has been shunned by her fellow high class society and in order to avoid her family any further embarrassment she has taken to living in a local inn and resigned to being a spinster.  Daisy is a spitfire however, and while she may be resigned to live this way, she also takes her future in her own hands.  She has secretly penned a romantic book series and uses stories and people she meets in this inn as inspiration.  Her latest book is ready for release, but someone does not want it published and they have gone so far as to threaten and make attempts on her life to ensure it isn’t.

Julian Kerr is a spy.  YUP, that’s right, a true gentleman like spy.  While investigating, and doing his spy stuff, he lands at the inn that Daisy just so happens to reside.  He is immediately attracted to her and wonders why such a well bred lady is residing in a place like this.  When he witnesses her life being threatened, he jumps right into gentleman savior mode and whisks her away to safety.  Just so happens he can do a little investigation in the process as well.

Before we know it, these two are breaking all the polite society rules and falling for each other.  Julian brings her to her cousin’s home (just so happens to be Miles from the first book) where Daisy is afforded opportunity to heal in more ways than one.  Sassy exchanges, healed relationships, a little action and adventure and blossoming beautiful romance soon come to surface.

Well written, this novel truely flowed from one page to another.  I loved Daisy, I loved everything about her.  I loved that she was hard on the outside but strong and soft on the inside.  She has a vulnerability that is completely endearing and made my want to root for her.  Julian .. he was easy to adore as well.  His patience for Daisy was incredible, and while he wanted her badly, he knew that her previous experience was traumatic in ways and he wanted her to feel safe and loved.

A little slow in the beginning is the only complaint I have.  Once the story got going, it was engaging.  I recommend that you read the first two books of this series before this one.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied for review

 

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Real Earls Break the Rules by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

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Real Earls Break the Rules by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

 

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Description:
1816 England

Brandon St. Clair, the Earl of Vale, has never been one to follow the rules. Even though he must marry a wealthy heiress so that he can be rid of the pile of debt he inherited with his title, he can’t stop thinking of another. Amelia Somerton is the daughter of a forger and is not a suitable wife. But that doesn’t stop Brandon from making Amelia a different offer, the kind that breaks every rule of etiquette…

Sin runs in Amelia’s family. And even though she now rubs elbows with the aristocracy, she knows the truth—she has the ability to forge priceless works of art. She’ll never be seen as an acceptable wife, not that she wants to marry, anyway. So when the earl scandalously offers her the one thing she’s always dreamed of, she can’t help but take it. But what begins as a simple arrangement, soon escalates into much more, and as the heat between them sizzles, each encounter becomes a lesson in seduction…

 

Review:

Real Earls Break the Rules begins with Amelia’s family being invited to a house party hosted by Brandon St. Clair.  Brandon and Amelia’s brother in law are friends, which led to the invitation, but Brandon has an ulterior motive.  He’s inherited a mountain of debt from his deceased father and needs Amelia’s help.  He knows that Amelia inherited her infamous father’s artistic talents and makes her an offer that she knows she should refuse.  Once he makes her the offer and tells her how it will benefit her, and her artistic talents, she accepts the offer, knowing all too well the ramifications if she’s discovered.  Brandon knows, too, the perceived ramifications if she’s caught, but he is almost desperate to erase the debt he inherited.  His father bought businesses that were bad investments and left them to flounder, leaving Brandon to set things to right and take care of his grandmother and his sisters. 

As Brandon and Amelia set their plan into motion, neither can dismiss their attraction to each other, which started a year before upon a chance meeting.  To add to Brandon’s stress, his grandmother wants him to propose to a spoiled brat, who just happens to be the daughter of a Duke and comes with a large dowry.  The fact that Brandon doesn’t even like the girl doesn’t carry much weight with his grandmother, as it is his responsibility to take care of the family by any means necessary.  Seemingly, someone is sabotaging the one business that he knows can make money:  the textile mill.  With machines breaking down and deplorable working conditions, he makes it his personal mission to turn the flailing business around.  He also makes it his personal mission to make Amelia his……….

Real Earls Break the Rules is an outstanding addition to the Infamous Somerton series.  Amelia fascinated me in the first installment of the series and I knew her story would be awesome.  I love that she stands her ground and is not willing to give up on what SHE wants, and knows she deserves.  She has a big heart and a true artist’s eye.  Brandon, even though I wanted to thumps his ears a couple of times, has a sense of honor that shined through.  His determination to do right by his family, and ultimately Amelia, will endear him to all who read this story.  Real Earls Break the Rules is ultimately a story about setting aside preconceived notions set by society and doing what is truly right, listening to your gut and following your heart.  I honestly can’t wait for the next installment.  (One problem is there are only three Somerton sisters, but I’m hoping she can keep this series going past that.)  There is angst, treachery and a somewhat slow building romance that kept my attention and kept me turning the pages.  If you’re a fan of this genre, you will love this series.  Well done, Tina Gabrielle!  Very, very well done!!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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