Historical Romance Book Club discussion

In the quiet English countryside, far from the intrigues of London, Lizzie Carlisle slowly mends her broken heart, devoting herself to her new position as lady’s companion to the Dowager Viscountess Strathmore— until her peaceful life is turned upside down by a visit from “Devil” Strathmore, the old woman’s untamed nephew—a dangerously handsome man whose wicked reputation hides a tortured soul.

Devlin Kimball, Lord Strathmore, has spent years adventuring on the high seas, struggling to make his peace with the tragedy that claimed the lives of his family. But now he has uncovered the dark truth behind the so-called accident and swears retribution. He has no intention of taking a bride—until his eccentric aunt’s will forces he and Lizzie together, and Devlin finds his path to vengeance blocked by the stubborn but oh-so-tempting Miss Carlisle. Her passionate nature rivals his own. But disillusioned once by love, Lizzie will accept nothing less than his true devotion.

Loriidae and I plan to start on the 17th. All welcome!

I liked this one!

I liked the crafty Lady Strathmore too!

I hope you guys enjoy Lizzie and Dev.

This sounds like a fun read!

Lorii, have you started yet? I can tonight or definitely will tomorrow.

Others joining us?

I can start today. :)

I have read the prologue! Exciting start!

Yes! The prologue sets up for a potentially exciting story also I think.

I was remiss in checking on who this was about. I knew Lizzie, but I kept thinking Alec as the hero and was trying to fit either of them into it, which was not working. Once I checked the blurb, I realized my mistake and it became easier to follow.

I hope y’all don’t mind if I “lurk?”

Not at all Andrea please lurk and add your opinions :)

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Yes! The prologue sets up for a potentially exciting story also I think.

I was remiss in checking on who this was about. I knew Lizzie, but I kept thinking Alec as the hero and was trying to fit e..."

I avoid reading blurbs, so I never know who the MCs are and it has become part of the fun in the eraly stages of a new novel to guess who they are, although sometimes I am disappointed when the person I have picked out to be the hero turns out not to be!

Of course the last book led us to believe that Alec would be next, I had forgotten that.

Chapter One - Ughh that is poor, as you know I hate historical inaccuracies - or more to the point things that are so easily checked - Malaysia was formed in 1963, before that it was Malaya....

Loriidae wrote: "Of course the last book led us to believe that Alec would be next, I had forgotten that."

Yes, I guess he really did the unforgivable!

I try to avoid details in blurbs except the names in a series. Most of the time I will not read them when I intend to read the book, either.

Chapter Two (view spoiler)[Oh dear - the letter was a an exaggeration? a lie? Not good for their first meeting. (hide spoiler)]
I like Aunt Augusta. Chapter Two was lovely.

Loriidae wrote: "Chapter One - Ughh that is poor, as you know I hate historical inaccuracies - or more to the point things that are so easily checked - Malaysia was formed in 1963, before that it was Malaya...."

Oh good catch! I didn’t know that but it makes sense. So easy to research. These types of issues bother me too.

This has a sort of Count of Monte Cristo feel to it.

Loriidae wrote: "Chapter Two [spoilers removed]
I like Aunt Augusta. Chapter Two was lovely."

It was a good chapter! Aunt Agatha is lovely. I enjoyed the early scene with the maid Margaret getting her words mixed up. I think the lie here is very forgivable. It is out in the open early on and done with the good intention of protecting Agatha.

Through Chapter 4:

I am enjoying the tone of this so far. It feels lighter and freer than the others, I think. I also like how this one hasn’t featured any physical intimacies yet. I may be wrong but I think all the others had.

Yes! It is my favourite so far. It's tone is very similar to her Moonlight Square series which I like.

Yes I am pretty sure you are right not as insta-lust as the others.

Definitely a revenge feel, I am looking forward to how it all ties in.

And it was nice to have the letter out in the open,

I have read chapter four as well. (view spoiler)[I did feel that Dev made the leap to Alec breaking her heart a little too easily. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Yes! It is my favourite so far. It's tone is very similar to her Moonlight Square series which I like.

Yes I am pretty sure you are right not as insta-lust as the others.

Definitely a revenge fe..."

Loriidae,

I’m reading Moonlight Sq. I’ve read the intro novella and Bk 1, but not Bk 2 Duke of Secrets or Bk 3 Duke of Storm.

Where are you in the series? I need to read bks 2-3.

Maybe we could could join forces?

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Yes! It is my favourite so far. It's tone is very similar to her Moonlight Square series which I like.

Yes I am pretty sure you are right not as insta-lust as the others.

Defini..."

I am up to date with Moonlight Square. I liked book #2 the best and #1 the least

Maybe we could read Bk 4?

GF is very busy. She writes CR with her sister and writes children’s fantasy with her husband. I don’t think the books in this series will be issued quickly.

Sounds like a plan. I have noticed that there is usually a long gap.

Loriidae wrote: "Sounds like a plan. I have noticed that there is usually a long gap."

There are Long gaps because her attention is "divided.' Also, she has missed the deadline for book 1 after I had read the novella. I had to wit a long time for book 1. She missed the deadline by a long shot.

Loriidae wrote: "Yes! It is my favourite so far. It's tone is very similar to her Moonlight Square series which I like.

Yes I am pretty sure you are right not as insta-lust as the others.

Definitely a revenge fe..."

It was a quick jump on Alec. I guess it shows that he is observant and in tune with Lizzie.

Through Chapter 7

I was only going to read chapter 5 tonight, but I saw 6 was quite short and then 7 ends a section of sorts. I have a paperback for this one that I got at a flea market. I think I may look to get the final two in paperback also.

I have really enjoyed their time in Bath. Aunt Agatha is a great character, maybe a bit cooks but fun and amusing. (view spoiler)[ I wonder how she changed her will. Guessing it has some sort of contingency to marry Lizzie.

I thought their intimacies nicely written, and I was quite happy that they didn’t result in baby making activities because it seems like most do. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Seven: I agree re your spoiler! The whole story is sweet, I guess! I like the lack of angst, thevattraction is well done and each relationship with the Aunt is beautifully done... So at the moment we have no real indication where the story is going.. we have the will, I expect you are correct there and Dev's revenge plot.

Busy day ahead, I will continue tonight.

I am really enjoying this one. I am through Chapter 12.

Chapter Seven - (view spoiler)[an emotional ride - heart aching - Dev losing his aunt and the pain it brought, pushing away Lizzie out of protection for his heart and from those who would hurt her physically. Poor Lizzie! So well written! (hide spoiler)]
And (view spoiler)[ It was just another place where she had existed on the fringes of other people’s lives . (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Eleven - What a tangle - Dev was so funny in his clumsiness.

P.S. Don't rush to catch up, I know you are a lot busier than me. :)

I wanted to read more, but I only ready Chapter 8 last night. I will probably only get one more in tonight. It's been an interesting day, may have some changes coming on the job front.

Loriidae wrote: "I am really enjoying this one. I am through Chapter 12.

Chapter Seven - [spoilers removed]
And [spoilers removed]

Chapter Eleven - What a tangle - Dev was so funny in his clumsiness."

I think you chapter 7 spoiler was for 8? Anyways, yes! That was quick and emotional, and I can't wait to read about the will reading. Very poignant that line you captured. I love both of them. They have good dimension.

Read through Chapter 14 tonight - will line up my thoughts in the morning.

I am halfway through Chapter 12. Trying to sneak reading in when I can. I shouldn't like (view spoiler)[ the kidnapping scene, but again just seems to handled really well. Even in this situation, I don't feel like Lizzie is on uneven ground, truly. (hide spoiler)]

I agree re your spoiler, At the time I was thinking Oh no he isn't going to, is he, but as you say it worked well and served to strengthen his respect for Lizzie's character.

Chapter 14 - (view spoiler)[I thought Alec's reappearance a bit unusual in that Lizzie did not express in her thoughts a preference for Dev, in fact there weren't any comparisons between them. (hide spoiler)]

I forgot end of Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Do you think Sorcha is aware her brother exists, or just finds him familiar? (hide spoiler)]

Oh I missed your comment about your job, hope that all works out for you.

Through Chapter 16

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[I like where this is going, the loop hole in the will, with Dev deciding he is going to continue to woo Lizzie (hide spoiler)]

Loved the tension in Chapter 16 This is definitely my favourite of the series.

Loriidae wrote: "I agree re your spoiler, At the time I was thinking Oh no he isn't going to, is he, but as you say it worked well and served to strengthen his respect for Lizzie's character.

Chapter 14 - [spoiler..."

Re> Sorcha: I don’t think she knows yet, but maybe subconsciously on seeing him.

Re Alec: in terms of Lizzie choosing between the two, it does not seem like a competition. She had moved on and doesn’t seem to care to renew that hope. In terms of Alec’s character, I think he is acting as expected for his character.

Yes Alec is acting spoiled and petulant, no depth of care for Lizzie

Loriidae wrote: "Through Chapter 16

Chapter 15 [spoilers removed]

Loved the tension in Chapter 16 This is definitely my favourite of the series."

This is my favorite too.

I was a bit surprised that Alec was his second, but the scene that occurred at the school was well-done. I like how real consequences happen from poor choices. Also, Lizzie’s reactions are authentic feeling to me.

Ok, on to the next chapters. May try to finish today.

Loriidae wrote: "Oh I missed your comment about your job, hope that all works out for you."

Thanks! I am excited and nervous, but I think it’s a good move for me.

I finished!

I had a good chunk of time this morning, and I just read it until I was done. I loved this one! While I have liked others, this is my first true hit by GF.

More thoughts later.

So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather insane, it was exciting.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather insane, it was exciting."

Finished - Overall I loved it. I liked the plot. Yes the ending was highly frenetic and rather implausible in places. That little voice at the back of my mind kept saying ....but in reality... I was able to put that mostly aside and go with the flow. I think GF is rather like Kelly Bowen, their writing is so lovely that much can be overlooked.

One person, I don't like is Alec, GF will have to do something special to make me fall for him.

Once you settle in to your new job, let me know and we will plan the next.

Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather insane, it was exciting."

Finished - Overall I loved it. I li..."

Yep, Alec is going to be difficult to redeem. I agree on Kelly Bowen comparison. The writing is what keeps me coming back for both.

I am likely a month or more from the change, and I think I will be taking off two weeks in between so maybe one in September and the last in October. Not too concerned about settling in to it.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather insane, it was exciting."

Finished - Overall..."

Hmm Kelly Bowen is releasing Sept 25 otherwise pick a date that suits :)

Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather insane, it was e..."

Are you wanting to start Bowen’s shortly after the release?

I think I would just plan on starting Galen’s after Bowen’s if that suits. I have been catching up on reading and intend to until we startup on the next one.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So how did you find it in the end? I thought it was well plotted, though that chase at the end was rather..."

Yes I would like to begin KB pretty much straight away, I am good with going on with GF after that

Does it still work for you to start soon?

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Does it still work for you to start soon?"

Yes name the date. :)

I can start tonight if that works!

Ok, I went ahead and added a link.