Publication Date: January 27, 2020
Entangled Publishing LLC (Amara)
ebook, 400 pages
Series: What Happens in the Ballroom, Book Two
Genre: Historical Romance
An outsider at her first English ball, Jewel is fascinated with the beautiful dresses and the lovely dancing, but she’s vowed to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin’s marriage trap. When she first glimpses the handsome lord, her heart beats faster. As they plan to thwart her cousin’s machinations, she discovers a kindred spirit in Oliver—even if he’s a peer and she’s a lowly colonist. Caught kissing the earl, the ball ends in disaster and Jewel’s displeased uncle whisks her away to Scotland..
Lord Scar, as the ton calls Oliver, would rather be anywhere than at a godforsaken masquerade ball and when he learns from the free-spirited colonist about the nefarious marriage plan, he grudgingly accepts her help. Jewel intrigues him and sets his heart racing. Yet, when the ball is over and the mask is off--Oliver curses the scar that will send her screaming away.
When her uncle banishes her, Oliver comes to her rescue by offering Jewel his hand in marriage. She agrees, despite his disfigurement. But what’s a beastly lord like him to do with such a beautiful wife--especially when he discovers she’s delightfully saucy?
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Review: I've been reading more and more historical romance again. This book was set in 1775 which is a time period I don't usually visit,
I had mixed feelings about this book though. For one. historical romance always seem to be chunkers and find that it affects the story. This book could have been better had it been a little shorter. The story is really cute, with Jewel set on saving Oliver from her cousin's trap.
I warmed more to Oliver than Jewel, but I always lean toward the underdog, and Oliver had that whole Beast/Phantom thing going on with his scar. The scar is played up upon quite a bit, but no one seems to run from him when he is in public, so it makes me wonder a bit.
What bogs this story down is the mystery or mysteries that are going on. Someone wants to prevent Oliver from taking his place in the House of Lords. Then there's the matter of funds that are supposed to be Jewel's.
Are these things tied together? Well you have to read the book to learn that answer. That was the part that got complicated and the budding love between Jewel and Oliver makes things a little less exciting for me, mostly because the love seems to be...Oh she can gaze at my horrible face and she's so beautiful, I must love her kind of thing. I often wish writers would create characters that have a common ground besides sex or basic attraction. Having crappy parents isn't a reason to fall in love, either, but that's another part of the story.
Jewel's dad was a bit neglectful. I'm not sure that he was unloving, but just not present and not thinking clearly when he sent her across the pond without any knowledge of what was really going on.
For the most part, the story is an enjoyable one, but then it started coming apart for me.
I loved the author's writing style and her characters were good, though like I said I was more an Oliver fan because he got my sympathy early on.
This could have been a 5 flower book, but when the mystery wrapped up and the day was saved both for Oliver and Jewel, things went on.
ARGH!
If you are setting up a continuation of the story, I can understand going on, but that wasn't the case here. The HEA should have happened, story done.
Still if you enjoy a good historical romance that's just a little bit spicy. (This isn't a bodice ripper) This is really a good read.
Rating: 4 flowers
About the Author
Diana Lloyd, mother of gingers, lives in the state shaped like a mitten. Diana has loved books since she first ate one and appreciated them even more once she learned to read. Enjoying an occasional tumble down the rabbit hole of research, Diana writes historical romance by mixing equal parts History, Heart, and Humor. A 2017 RWA Golden Heart finalist with HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BARON, Diana is anxiously awaiting the publication of book two ABOUT AN EARL and book three LAST LORD STANDING in the "What Happens in the Ballroom" series.
To stay up to date on all of Diana's projects, visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, January 27
Review at Rose is Reading
Tuesday, January 28
Review at Historical Romance Lover
Wednesday, January 29
Interview at Passages to the Past
Thursday, January 30
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Friday, January 31
Feature at I'm Into Books
Review at Historical Graffiti
Monday, February 3
Review at Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, February 5
Feature at Donna's Book Blog
Thursday, February 6
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Excerpt at Books In Their Natural Habitat
Friday, February 7
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Saturday, February 8
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Sunday, February 9
Feature at YA, It's Lit
Monday, February 10
Review at Robin Loves Reading
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on February 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
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– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
About an Earl
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