~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from Goddess Fish Promotions and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
BLURB:
By popular demand, USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn returns Regency England’s beloved extended family, The Worthingtons, for the first in a sparkling new spin-off series! Determined to tame the marriage market on their own terms and make advantageous love matches, three confident sisters draw up a list of qualities they expect their new beaus to meet. But as they are about to discover, people are hardly ever perfect and the road to love is far more thrilling and interesting than they could ever have imagined…
As part of a large, rambunctious family, Lady Eleanor Carpenter has gained some knowledge of what makes a successful marriage. She’s even compiled a list of essential qualifications in a potential husband. John, the Marquis of Montagu, seems of good character (check), with money enough to support a family (check). But what of the many other requirements on her list?
Montagu, meanwhile, believes the key to a comfortable life lies in marrying someone quiet and docile. Yet the one lady who captivates him could hardly be more different to what he envisioned. Lady Eleanor is as opinionated as she is lovely, determined to improve working conditions for coal miners, even at risk to her own safety.
From evenings at Almack’s to carriage rides in Hyde Park, this Season will contain many pleasures—and a few surprises that compel both John and Eleanor to rethink their expectations. For one thing is certain: love will not be defined by any list . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Thoughts:
Eleanor is a very compassionate woman. John knows what he does and doesn’t want. This may be their story but there’s a mystery afoot that pops its head up every once in a while. Which will overtake the story? Is it the romance? Is it the mystery? Our author does a great job of meshing the two.
I don’t know if you are like me, where you tend to gravitate toward certain tropes and then you forget some of the others that you enjoy. At least until a title, and author, catches your eye. The story reminds you what you liked about it in the first place. It may also have you questioning yourself, “what took you so long?”
The young adults of today would be shocked by all the rules in place when it comes to certain things. It’s a reality check about how much we should be thankful for. Even though this is a work of fiction, I could see our author sitting among her characters as she writes their story. She also had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the mystery to make its reappearance. And she’s good at not letting the mystery, or suspense, overtake the story.
This could be read as a standalone, but it might give you incentive to read more about The Worthingtons. It’s one of those books that’s great at getting you to forget the stressors of the day and just relax and read a book that will take you back in time. All I’ll say about the ending is that it will leave you with a smile on your face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
“Good morning,” he called, hoping Lady Eleanor would be happy to see him.
“Good morning,” the three ladies said at the same time.
They were in the same order as they had been before, allowing him to ride to Lady Eleanor’s side. “As you see, I am able to rise earlier.”
She smiled politely. “When you are not working too late.”
He thought she was teasing him, but the expression on her face told him nothing. “Yes.” He glanced up at the sky, as if he’d not noticed it before. “It promises to be a lovely day.”
“It does.” They walked the horses through the gate. “The later spring flowers and shrubs are beginning to make an appearance.”
John hadn’t particularly noticed. He should have if he was going to talk about flowers and the weather. “Are they?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “The lilac in our garden is starting to bloom. It is almost the end of April.”
“Eleanor,” Lady Madeline said. “I am for a good run. What about you?”
Lady Eleanor glanced at him. “We come early so that we can gallop. You may join us if you wish.”
As she spoke, the mares were already increasing their speed. He had not even answered when the horses began to canter. Damn, she had an excellent seat. He urged Aramus faster. “Come on, boy. You don’t want to be beaten by a mare.”
“Blast it, they’re fast,” St. Albans said.
John’s gelding broke into a gallop. He’d almost caught up to them when the ladies reined in next to a giant chestnut tree, all of them smiling broadly. He wanted to be the one to make Lady Eleanor smile that way. He thought about telling her she rode well, but that might sound even more stupid than he wanted her to think he was. She had to know she was an excellent rider. “That was exhilarating.”
St. Albans had gone to Lady Alice and said something that made her laugh. John needed to think of something witty to say. Once again, he wished he’d spent time on the Town. But he hadn’t wanted to leave his father as Papa’s health declined. “Are you up to another gallop?”
“Yes.” Finally she gave him a real smile. “I’d like that. To the willow.” She took off again, fluidly moving as one with her horse.
“Drat the woman,” he muttered to himself as he rushed to catch up with her again. This was going to be a lot more work than he thought it would be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author Links:
USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side (political science professor and lawyer). Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.
She is married to her wonderful husband of almost fourty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, a Great Dane named Lilibet, and a cat named Winnie. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true lived on sailboat for three years. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. She expects to be back on the boat in 2022.
Ella loves when readers connect with her.
Author Contact and Social Media:
Website: https://www.ellaquinnauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7044274.Ella_Quinn
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-quinn
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ella-Quinn/e/B00CAE0FSQ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY:
Ella Quinn will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
