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Unrivalled Regency #1
Silence Of Scandal
A Regency Romance.
The war is over for the nation but not for the new Duke of Ormond. With death and debt stalking his every waking moment, caught between blackmailers and his brother’s deepest secret, Alexander’s dreams lie in tatters but he never surrendered on the battlefields of the Peninsular and he’s not about to admit defeat now. Even if that means marrying a woman he has never laid eyes on before.
With her father’s warnings still fresh in her mind and her imperfections obvious to any who know her, Elizabeth’s options for freedom are diminishing with every trembling step. Available suitors are few and far between. Marriage to a debt ridden, aging fortune hunter will not be easy but with no other alternatives and destitution threatening she cannot escape her fate.
Falling in love hadn't been a possibility Alexander ever considered but one glance at his beautiful bride’s tear filled onyx eyes has his blood surging through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest and he can no longer hide his emotions behind a facade of polite indifference.
Elizabeth hadn’t expected him to be handsome. She hadn’t expected him to greet her with a sparkling sapphire gaze. She hadn’t expected gentle fingertips on her skin or her heart to break at the tender words on his lips.
With Ormond and the family jewels at stake, Alexander’s resolve to defeat his enemies is soon put to the test as rumour, intrigue and scandal threaten his and Elizabeth’s blossoming affections. There is clearly another plan. There had always been another plan. A plan of greed and vengeance devised to ruin Ormond and its descendants for all time.
Silence of Scandal is a light-hearted, easy read suitable for age 16 and upwards. (Contains some swearing and sensual love scenes)
The war is over for the nation but not for the new Duke of Ormond. With death and debt stalking his every waking moment, caught between blackmailers and his brother’s deepest secret, Alexander’s dreams lie in tatters but he never surrendered on the battlefields of the Peninsular and he’s not about to admit defeat now. Even if that means marrying a woman he has never laid eyes on before.
With her father’s warnings still fresh in her mind and her imperfections obvious to any who know her, Elizabeth’s options for freedom are diminishing with every trembling step. Available suitors are few and far between. Marriage to a debt ridden, aging fortune hunter will not be easy but with no other alternatives and destitution threatening she cannot escape her fate.
Falling in love hadn't been a possibility Alexander ever considered but one glance at his beautiful bride’s tear filled onyx eyes has his blood surging through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest and he can no longer hide his emotions behind a facade of polite indifference.
Elizabeth hadn’t expected him to be handsome. She hadn’t expected him to greet her with a sparkling sapphire gaze. She hadn’t expected gentle fingertips on her skin or her heart to break at the tender words on his lips.
With Ormond and the family jewels at stake, Alexander’s resolve to defeat his enemies is soon put to the test as rumour, intrigue and scandal threaten his and Elizabeth’s blossoming affections. There is clearly another plan. There had always been another plan. A plan of greed and vengeance devised to ruin Ormond and its descendants for all time.
Silence of Scandal is a light-hearted, easy read suitable for age 16 and upwards. (Contains some swearing and sensual love scenes)
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2014
64 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Williams
78 books118 followersI was born in Essex England during the mid sixties but I missed all the fun. Being only young I assumed that all Beatles were six legged creatures and Flower Power was something to do with the vigorous way my mother kneaded the bread dough.
My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)
I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.
My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.
But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.
Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.
All of my books are Easy Reading Romance, intended only to while away a few hours with some light entertainment.
They are not meant to teach you anything or to stay with you for years after reading. Please do not read or review them if you are expecting anything deeper or more meaningful.
I hope you enjoy all of my efforts and I look forward to your comments and reviews.
My wonderful parents brought me up with a huge love of books. We read anything and everything. Bedtime stories were a treasured time of adventure and mystery. My sister and I sat wide eyed in wonder and to this day I worry about Dinah and Dorinda being pricked with pins because they grew so fat, and I never pull faces at the a waning moon (or was it a waxing one?) just in case my chops stay that way . (The Wind On The Moon)
I began reading romance while still at school. The fuel for many a teenage fantasy leapt from between the covers of wildly romantic books and my passion still lingers now for all those dark haired heroes.
My own beautiful teenage daughter persuaded me to write my first romance. She was only fourteen at the time and between books for children and adults. She couldn’t find anything that ticked all her numerous and particular boxes and so she asked me to write a book, with all the exact ingredients just for her. Though not just a book for teens, she enjoyed the resulting tale so much that she shared it with her friends and I eventually published A Perfect Summer as an ebook on amazon.
But I have discovered that writing is not easily stopped once you start. It has turned into a grand passion that I just cannot hold back. The fingertips start tapping the keys and ideas suddenly come flooding, far too many for just one book and so I began another and then another. Nine books later I am still nowhere near done. Book ten is on its way and only just the other night I woke from a wild and wonderful dream with book eleven fully formed in my head.
Romance will always be my first love but recently I was so influenced by a tiny polished plaque on a sea wall that I gave paranormal romance a try. (Echo Beach) Mixing the two genres was a real challenge for me but I was delighted with the result. Historical romance is going to be my next genre. All those fabulously titled and passionate men are impossibly hard to resist.
All of my books are Easy Reading Romance, intended only to while away a few hours with some light entertainment.
They are not meant to teach you anything or to stay with you for years after reading. Please do not read or review them if you are expecting anything deeper or more meaningful.
I hope you enjoy all of my efforts and I look forward to your comments and reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 4, 2017
“Silence of scandal” will definitely make a perfect read for all fans of historical romance genre. But what I loved the most about this story is unorthodox characters and the plot that truly makes it stand out among the other stories in this genre.
What started as a horrific accident that took a life of an innocent child led to drastic consequences that would claim not only a family fortune and good name but more innocent lives as well. Alexander, one of the brothers who caused the accident, learns of the tragic death of his father and his older sibling, and vows to find out who stood behind the plot to destroy his family and why. In order to save his family estate he is forced to marry a young woman Elizabeth, and finds himself getting more and more attached to his new wife. Only, she has her own secrets as it appears…
I loved a lot of things about this book: how protective and sweet Alexander was to his new bride and how her speech impairment didn’t lessen his affection to her in the least; a message that is still very relevant, about prejudice destroying lives; and of course, how love should be the biggest force that will eventually overcome evil. Read it, you’ll love it!
What started as a horrific accident that took a life of an innocent child led to drastic consequences that would claim not only a family fortune and good name but more innocent lives as well. Alexander, one of the brothers who caused the accident, learns of the tragic death of his father and his older sibling, and vows to find out who stood behind the plot to destroy his family and why. In order to save his family estate he is forced to marry a young woman Elizabeth, and finds himself getting more and more attached to his new wife. Only, she has her own secrets as it appears…
I loved a lot of things about this book: how protective and sweet Alexander was to his new bride and how her speech impairment didn’t lessen his affection to her in the least; a message that is still very relevant, about prejudice destroying lives; and of course, how love should be the biggest force that will eventually overcome evil. Read it, you’ll love it!
May 20, 2018
Pleasantly surprised! Full review to come
April 14, 2015
Lovely and Exciting!
I’ve never read a Regency Romance before. In fact I had to look up the definition. After reading this beautiful novel, I have to say, author Jackie Williams is a talented writer in this genre.
The gorgeous cover promises romance. Once you begin to read this novel, you are drawn into the world of England in the early 1800’s. This is a story of a marriage of convenience between Alexander, the Duke of Ormond, and Elizabeth. Alexander is forced into this marriage because he needs money, he didn’t expect to fall in love with his bride.
Other important elements of this tale include, mysterious deaths, secrets, and lies. I thoroughly enjoyed my first venture into Regency Romance. I felt transported back in time. Excellent read!
I’ve never read a Regency Romance before. In fact I had to look up the definition. After reading this beautiful novel, I have to say, author Jackie Williams is a talented writer in this genre.
The gorgeous cover promises romance. Once you begin to read this novel, you are drawn into the world of England in the early 1800’s. This is a story of a marriage of convenience between Alexander, the Duke of Ormond, and Elizabeth. Alexander is forced into this marriage because he needs money, he didn’t expect to fall in love with his bride.
Other important elements of this tale include, mysterious deaths, secrets, and lies. I thoroughly enjoyed my first venture into Regency Romance. I felt transported back in time. Excellent read!
June 5, 2017
Secrets and lies…
Alexander has come home from 5 years of war, but on his return, he learns of the unfortunate death of his beloved father and brother. Worse still, he is now a Duke that is on the verge of bankruptcy, and he cannot understand why.
Silence Of Scandal (Unrivalled Regency #1) is an aptly named book. There is more than one 'scandal' in this book, and if any it were to be made known to the Ton then Alexander's family would be ruined. Reputation is everything. There are some things that must be buried. Or else the consequences do not bear thinking about. I am not going to give the plot away, but I will say, I was completely enchanted with this story.
Jackie Williams had portrayed 18th Century Britain beautifully. Rich in historical detail, this book is a must read.
Ms. Williams tackles some very taboo subjects for the time the book is set in. I think she demonstrates just how impossible it was to follow your heart.
I adored the portrayal of Elisabeth, and it is wonderful to read about a heroine with a disability. Bravo, Ms. Williams.
I Highly Recommend.
Alexander has come home from 5 years of war, but on his return, he learns of the unfortunate death of his beloved father and brother. Worse still, he is now a Duke that is on the verge of bankruptcy, and he cannot understand why.
Silence Of Scandal (Unrivalled Regency #1) is an aptly named book. There is more than one 'scandal' in this book, and if any it were to be made known to the Ton then Alexander's family would be ruined. Reputation is everything. There are some things that must be buried. Or else the consequences do not bear thinking about. I am not going to give the plot away, but I will say, I was completely enchanted with this story.
Jackie Williams had portrayed 18th Century Britain beautifully. Rich in historical detail, this book is a must read.
Ms. Williams tackles some very taboo subjects for the time the book is set in. I think she demonstrates just how impossible it was to follow your heart.
I adored the portrayal of Elisabeth, and it is wonderful to read about a heroine with a disability. Bravo, Ms. Williams.
I Highly Recommend.
September 7, 2014
You can’t always judge a book by its incredibly gorgeous, sexy cover. But, in this case, you can. Silence of Scandal is the complete package. It embodies all the elements of a deliciously romantic and thrilling Regency: Scandal, deeply buried secrets, deception, betrayal, lust and love. The story centers around Alexander and Elizabeth, but circumstances and people are not always what or who they seem to be. The non-stop twists and turns will keep you riveted. The passion, sexual tension and undeniable chemistry between the main characters will leave you breathless. Between the covers of this book, you will find many treasures that you’ll want to hide in your heart for a lifetime.
March 11, 2015
A fascinating Regency Mystery Romance
I was drawn to this book by its cover—what a beautiful cover that conveys passion and mystery. And then, I started reading… What can I say? The intriguing plot with its twists and turns, the beautiful descriptions, the fascinating characters and their strong emotions and conflicts took my breath away.
The arranged wedding between seductive Alexander and ravishingly beautiful Elizabeth, hidden secrets, intrigue, the threat of a scandal, and fiery passion mingle masterfully in this novel. It is definitely a must read!
I was drawn to this book by its cover—what a beautiful cover that conveys passion and mystery. And then, I started reading… What can I say? The intriguing plot with its twists and turns, the beautiful descriptions, the fascinating characters and their strong emotions and conflicts took my breath away.
The arranged wedding between seductive Alexander and ravishingly beautiful Elizabeth, hidden secrets, intrigue, the threat of a scandal, and fiery passion mingle masterfully in this novel. It is definitely a must read!
May 2, 2015
I must admit, I’ve ran across this book cover in several groups I’m in and my eye has always been drawn to the cover. I mean, who doesn’t want to see a shirtless, hunky man. Right? The cover bespeaks elegance and historical romance. And that’s just what I got. The story was beautifully written and for the time period the story takes place in.
I fell in love with the older Alexander. He returned from the French war to find his family in ruins, his father & brother dead and some unknown blackmailer after the family jewels. What a homecoming. Now the man that bought up his deceased brother’s debts is forcing him to marry his daughter. But there’s more to his brother and the woman he married than he knew.
There is some intrigue, but we pretty much know who the woman is that Alexander marries. You’ll understand when you read the story. What makes it fun is their discovery of each other. And there are some steamy scenes. I loved the bathtub one.
The story has strong secondary characters and I loved the humor, at Alexander’s expense, sprinkled throughout the story. Especially after his marriage and drunk in the local tavern.
This is a series and now I’m looking forward to reading the next one in line. If you love steamy, historical romances, you need to add this one to your TBR. I give it 5 feathers.
I fell in love with the older Alexander. He returned from the French war to find his family in ruins, his father & brother dead and some unknown blackmailer after the family jewels. What a homecoming. Now the man that bought up his deceased brother’s debts is forcing him to marry his daughter. But there’s more to his brother and the woman he married than he knew.
There is some intrigue, but we pretty much know who the woman is that Alexander marries. You’ll understand when you read the story. What makes it fun is their discovery of each other. And there are some steamy scenes. I loved the bathtub one.
The story has strong secondary characters and I loved the humor, at Alexander’s expense, sprinkled throughout the story. Especially after his marriage and drunk in the local tavern.
This is a series and now I’m looking forward to reading the next one in line. If you love steamy, historical romances, you need to add this one to your TBR. I give it 5 feathers.
April 29, 2015
Silence of Scandal is the best Regency Romance I’ve read in a long time. It is fresh and stays true to the genre.
The tale opens with a prologue in which Phillip and Alexander are engaged in a steam engine experiment in the barn. Unknown to them, the farmer’s daughter is hiding in the hay watching them.
The romance jumps ahead to when Alexander is freshly returned from the war with Napoleon and discovers that both his father and his older brother have recently drowned. He inherits the Dukedom and a mountain of debts. Can Alexander marry for love and still save his ancestral home? Lovers of the Regency genre will guess what comes next, but this story has a few unexpected twists and turns in store for the reader.
I appreciated the fresh twist Williams brings to the familiar formula of a Regency Romance. The plot is plausible and the characters act in a reasonable manner within the customs of the day. Altogether, the plot, characters, and attention to the demands of the genre produced an excellent escape into one of my favorite time periods. I can highly recommend Silence of Scandal to lovers of Romance and particularly lovers of Regency Romances.
The tale opens with a prologue in which Phillip and Alexander are engaged in a steam engine experiment in the barn. Unknown to them, the farmer’s daughter is hiding in the hay watching them.
The romance jumps ahead to when Alexander is freshly returned from the war with Napoleon and discovers that both his father and his older brother have recently drowned. He inherits the Dukedom and a mountain of debts. Can Alexander marry for love and still save his ancestral home? Lovers of the Regency genre will guess what comes next, but this story has a few unexpected twists and turns in store for the reader.
I appreciated the fresh twist Williams brings to the familiar formula of a Regency Romance. The plot is plausible and the characters act in a reasonable manner within the customs of the day. Altogether, the plot, characters, and attention to the demands of the genre produced an excellent escape into one of my favorite time periods. I can highly recommend Silence of Scandal to lovers of Romance and particularly lovers of Regency Romances.
May 28, 2015
Loved this book! It was fast paced and the story flowed smoothly. There was romance, mystery, and even what is thought of as a modern day issue thrown in, that should give everyone a reminder that no matter what era you live in persecution and hate destroys.
The author, Jackie Williams, spins her tale well and grips you in its web. She paints a perfect backdrop for this time period, and takes you on a ride that involves, trauma, treachery, deceit, blackmail, jewels, disability, prejudice, madness, greed, romance, sexual tension, a hint of seduction, and humor.
I loved that there were characters who could be trusted and that this story was not built around a slew of evil characters, or the overdone jealous, spiteful female characters who always cause the problems in many romance novels.
You get to know the characters in this story and you like them. I can well imagine a spin off story about Alexander’s sister in law, and his friend, Giles. I loved the bath scene and how it spurs Elizabeth’s curiosity about the male body and sex, encouraging her to investigate and learn :)
Jackie Williams writes a memorable story and I look forward to reading more of her work.
The author, Jackie Williams, spins her tale well and grips you in its web. She paints a perfect backdrop for this time period, and takes you on a ride that involves, trauma, treachery, deceit, blackmail, jewels, disability, prejudice, madness, greed, romance, sexual tension, a hint of seduction, and humor.
I loved that there were characters who could be trusted and that this story was not built around a slew of evil characters, or the overdone jealous, spiteful female characters who always cause the problems in many romance novels.
You get to know the characters in this story and you like them. I can well imagine a spin off story about Alexander’s sister in law, and his friend, Giles. I loved the bath scene and how it spurs Elizabeth’s curiosity about the male body and sex, encouraging her to investigate and learn :)
Jackie Williams writes a memorable story and I look forward to reading more of her work.
May 31, 2015
A lavish regency romance with some twists. The first small surprise with this book is the prologue where we meet the main character, Alexander, as a child. Trouble strikes this curious boy and leaves its mark on his character. Years later, Alexander returns from the battlefront to find his brother and father dead, and the dukedom he has inherited deep in debt. The circumstances set up a classic romantic dilemma--an arranged marriage to the lovely Elizabeth as the way out of financial difficulty, but what about love? Both Alexander and Elizabeth are well-developed, interesting characters and not always what you might expect. Their relationship unfolds in a believable way as the two married strangers discover each other amid a host of obstacles. There's plenty in this story to keep any fan of the genre engaged--lushly descriptive elements of the historical period, passion that blooms, heroes and heroines that cut striking figures, lies, secrets and intrigue. It's all here in Silence of Scandal. Five Stars!
October 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this regency romance. It had an unexpected heroine in the form of Elisabeth Hardacre who not only provided an attractive love interest but an endearing and vulnerable character. Alexander despite all his troubles and the wrongs that have been done to his family is a man to be admired as he deals with that and a marriage he’s been forced into. There are many lighter moments too and I had great fun discovering what was wrong with Alexander’s bride.
There are some racy moments but it never descends too far into erotica. Even though this romance is set in the regency period some of the themes like disability and sexual orientation feel modern. They are not but until more recently they were neatly swept under the carpet and I like how the writer has worked these themes into a historical romance. With the writing also being great, this romance is a cut above some of the other romances I have read. Would love to discover more of this writer.
There are some racy moments but it never descends too far into erotica. Even though this romance is set in the regency period some of the themes like disability and sexual orientation feel modern. They are not but until more recently they were neatly swept under the carpet and I like how the writer has worked these themes into a historical romance. With the writing also being great, this romance is a cut above some of the other romances I have read. Would love to discover more of this writer.
October 21, 2014
What a super book!
There's a bit of everything going on here but I really liked the intrigue/mystery mixed with romance. There are some good extra characters too so hopefully this will end up as a series.
I thought the author caught the era perfectly. The language seemed natural and perfectly paced and the attention to detail regarding the regency period is super.
There are some lovely scenes to this book which embraces a certain disability with care and attention,(no spoilers here)and when Alexander discovers that his bride is less than perfect the inn scene had me laughing at him in utter despair. The touching moment when he discovers that his beautiful wife is about to be killed was heart wrenching...
Okay, it's not hard to see where the plot is going but it's lovely book that will have you giggling at the same time as wiping your tears.
There's a bit of everything going on here but I really liked the intrigue/mystery mixed with romance. There are some good extra characters too so hopefully this will end up as a series.
I thought the author caught the era perfectly. The language seemed natural and perfectly paced and the attention to detail regarding the regency period is super.
There are some lovely scenes to this book which embraces a certain disability with care and attention,(no spoilers here)and when Alexander discovers that his bride is less than perfect the inn scene had me laughing at him in utter despair. The touching moment when he discovers that his beautiful wife is about to be killed was heart wrenching...
Okay, it's not hard to see where the plot is going but it's lovely book that will have you giggling at the same time as wiping your tears.
March 3, 2015
Period pieces are not my usual read. However, mystery is. So when I saw that this book had a mystery element to it, I decided to give it a try. I mean, it's cool when I get to task my brain and try to figure out who the true villains are as I progress through a story. So yeah, this book definitely provided that sense of mystery. Not only that, the romance aspect kept me reading as well.
Williams developed the story and the characters really well. From the start, I got sucked in and really cared about the passing of Lily and then the heavy debts that Alexander inherited and the resulting demands. Duty calls and he is forced to wed a bride whom he has never set eyes upon nor met/conversed with in his life. Sparks fly and secrets (the "silence of scandal") threaten to throw them asunder.
Overall, a great read--one that had me siding with the protagonists and their future together.
Williams developed the story and the characters really well. From the start, I got sucked in and really cared about the passing of Lily and then the heavy debts that Alexander inherited and the resulting demands. Duty calls and he is forced to wed a bride whom he has never set eyes upon nor met/conversed with in his life. Sparks fly and secrets (the "silence of scandal") threaten to throw them asunder.
Overall, a great read--one that had me siding with the protagonists and their future together.
June 25, 2015
This is a wonderful story about love, secrets, scandal and much more. The plot is well developed and you won’t be able to guess what happens next. The author is able to develop the sexual chemistry between the characters so well, I was turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.
This is as much a romance novel as an historical one. It is set during a time where women wore long gowns and the only mode of transport was the horse. I think this just adds to the charm of the book.
This book is bound to be a winner with romance lovers the world over. But it has so much more to offer too. If you like your love stories, well-written and with suspense, thrills and mystery, then you are going to fall in love with this book.
This is as much a romance novel as an historical one. It is set during a time where women wore long gowns and the only mode of transport was the horse. I think this just adds to the charm of the book.
This book is bound to be a winner with romance lovers the world over. But it has so much more to offer too. If you like your love stories, well-written and with suspense, thrills and mystery, then you are going to fall in love with this book.
October 24, 2016
It has been a while since I have read a Regency Romance. I forgot how much I really like them. I love being taken back to the 1800's! The hero's and heroine's-even when they are forced together are oh so proper. But when there is mystery involved, from both the past and the future-it is even better!!
This is definitely one of the better Regencies I've ever read and I know for a fact that I will be getting others in this series. Jackie Williams knows just how to write them!!
Silence Of Scandal
This is definitely one of the better Regencies I've ever read and I know for a fact that I will be getting others in this series. Jackie Williams knows just how to write them!!
Silence Of Scandal
March 12, 2015
‘Silence of Scandal’ is an enjoyable read about a love affair between two most unlike people, Alexander and Elizabeth. Set in the regency period, the story is full of twists and turns, but the author did a wonderful job of developing the plot and building the suspense; making me eager to turn the pages. Filled with intrigue, romance, greed, and revenge, this story is a fun read!
November 28, 2016
A delightful read with a great story line and charming characters.
I loved it!!
I loved it!!
April 14, 2019
My reading pile for the past 5 years consisted mainly of historical romance bestsellers; names such as Mary Jo Putney, Eloisa James, Amanda Quick and many others.
After reading Jackie's novel, I don’t have any doubt that she deserves to be among those authors who hit the top 10 on a regular basis.
The flow of the story is impeccable, with surprises after every corner.
The characters have very distinct personalities and are developed enough to make you want to read the following books in the series not only the one in your hands. We get to enter in their heads, up to the point where they materialize as real people not only as fictional characters.
After reading Jackie's novel, I don’t have any doubt that she deserves to be among those authors who hit the top 10 on a regular basis.
The flow of the story is impeccable, with surprises after every corner.
The characters have very distinct personalities and are developed enough to make you want to read the following books in the series not only the one in your hands. We get to enter in their heads, up to the point where they materialize as real people not only as fictional characters.
December 28, 2019
Nice story
It is a nice story but I would have like more wooing or more dialogues between the characters, not enough dialogue and interaction to fall in love, so I felt a bit rush at the end.
It is a nice story but I would have like more wooing or more dialogues between the characters, not enough dialogue and interaction to fall in love, so I felt a bit rush at the end.
October 30, 2017
This story was definitely an entertaining read. The prologue immediately captured my attention. The characters were mere children in the prologue, and I liked how the author set the story with the tragedy right from the start.
When the story really begins the hero is already in his 20's and he again was thrown with more tragic news. He was left to pick up the pieces and find answers before it was too late. In the process, he had to marry a woman he didn't even know. I won't say much more than that because it will give away the story.
All in all, I enjoyed how the story came together. The characters were likable and the plot was developed nicely. I recommend this to anybody who wants to escape into a book that offers romance, suspense, and even some light hearted fun.
When the story really begins the hero is already in his 20's and he again was thrown with more tragic news. He was left to pick up the pieces and find answers before it was too late. In the process, he had to marry a woman he didn't even know. I won't say much more than that because it will give away the story.
All in all, I enjoyed how the story came together. The characters were likable and the plot was developed nicely. I recommend this to anybody who wants to escape into a book that offers romance, suspense, and even some light hearted fun.
June 20, 2017
A lost treasure, blackmail, a forced marriage
There is much to the story of Elizabeth and Alexander. It revolves around two brothers and their childhood friends, a tragic accident, lies and deceit, forbidden love, blackmail, death, and forced marriage to a disabled young woman.
The story would have benefited greatly from an editor or competent proofreader.
147
There is much to the story of Elizabeth and Alexander. It revolves around two brothers and their childhood friends, a tragic accident, lies and deceit, forbidden love, blackmail, death, and forced marriage to a disabled young woman.
The story would have benefited greatly from an editor or competent proofreader.
147
January 4, 2018
This was an enjoyable and romantic read that Regency fans will adore. It has a really interesting cast of characters with an interesting mystery at its core. The sex scenes were written in a tasteful way and the story moved along at a good pace. A great book to lose yourself in!
July 17, 2015
Yes
Enjoyable however got over repeated in some area off the story. Plus it wasn't hard to figure out who I it was.
Enjoyable however got over repeated in some area off the story. Plus it wasn't hard to figure out who I it was.
March 11, 2021
2,5 ☆
This book started out as so promising! I ate up the first half of it and fell in love. I absolutely adored Alexander (I'm always soft for the second-born characters who never expected to find themselves in a position of power, but it's suddenly thrust upon them) (I also love scarred men, both physically and mentally), and the beginning of the story was so well fleshed out. I was hooked, I was intrigued by the mystery and wanted to know more! But by the halfway point, I couldn't keep going and I (figuratively) threw this book out the window. I only came back to finish it after loving Jackie William's Flowers Of The Aristocracy series, so I thought I'd give this a second chance.
And before I talk about what ruined this book for me, I'll say that I am glad I did finish this after all. The mystery was well done and clever, and it did get me a little sad when I understood the whole picture. I think the author does a good job writing her mysteries and getting the readers interested.
The beginning of the love story and the wedding just had me giddy! Both of them feeling like the other got the shorter end of the deal? Both insecure and in awe of the other? I was ready to eat that up!
But what ruined this for me, with a few sentences, is just the way Elizabeth's speech impediment was introduced. Now that I've read more of Jackie's books, and I understand better her use of humour, I can see what the intention was. But it just did not work at all. I appreciate not prettifying her disability, but I doubt anyone with a speech impediment would appreciate the way it was described. And Then by the last third of the book she's speaking fluently? I would have excused this had she been silent up until her marriage, but she's been talking for years. And then, the sudden change from "oh he'd never want me as a wife" to "He has to love me" where did the confidence come from? You just truly believed he was about to murder you? And while we're on this issue, it just doesn't work to tell me, the reader, that the mc believes she's ugly bc her *insert physical trait* is too *insert traditionally beautiful feauture*
And now onto Alexander. The way this man is like "I hate when my wife opens her mouth. It makes me wanna claw my ears out and feed them to rabid dogs. It's the most painful thing in the world" but then is like wow my wife is so hot I'm gonna ***** myself to her. Um. Maybe this just rubbed me the wrong way, but God forbid he saw her as a person before an object of beauty and sexual pleasure. Alexander I was rooting for you! (But even with the writing, I'm sorry but there was no character to Elizabeth aside from her beauty and disability)
I know it gets somewhat redeemed later on, but this was such a turnoff for me. And even though the mystery revelations were well set up, it doesn't cut it. And you also can't convince me that those two fell in love with each other or anything, aside from the first insta attraction.
If I could take the love story out of this and just keep the mystery and tragedy, I would hate rated it higher.
This book started out as so promising! I ate up the first half of it and fell in love. I absolutely adored Alexander (I'm always soft for the second-born characters who never expected to find themselves in a position of power, but it's suddenly thrust upon them) (I also love scarred men, both physically and mentally), and the beginning of the story was so well fleshed out. I was hooked, I was intrigued by the mystery and wanted to know more! But by the halfway point, I couldn't keep going and I (figuratively) threw this book out the window. I only came back to finish it after loving Jackie William's Flowers Of The Aristocracy series, so I thought I'd give this a second chance.
And before I talk about what ruined this book for me, I'll say that I am glad I did finish this after all. The mystery was well done and clever, and it did get me a little sad when I understood the whole picture. I think the author does a good job writing her mysteries and getting the readers interested.
The beginning of the love story and the wedding just had me giddy! Both of them feeling like the other got the shorter end of the deal? Both insecure and in awe of the other? I was ready to eat that up!
But what ruined this for me, with a few sentences, is just the way Elizabeth's speech impediment was introduced. Now that I've read more of Jackie's books, and I understand better her use of humour, I can see what the intention was. But it just did not work at all. I appreciate not prettifying her disability, but I doubt anyone with a speech impediment would appreciate the way it was described. And Then by the last third of the book she's speaking fluently? I would have excused this had she been silent up until her marriage, but she's been talking for years. And then, the sudden change from "oh he'd never want me as a wife" to "He has to love me" where did the confidence come from? You just truly believed he was about to murder you? And while we're on this issue, it just doesn't work to tell me, the reader, that the mc believes she's ugly bc her *insert physical trait* is too *insert traditionally beautiful feauture*
And now onto Alexander. The way this man is like "I hate when my wife opens her mouth. It makes me wanna claw my ears out and feed them to rabid dogs. It's the most painful thing in the world" but then is like wow my wife is so hot I'm gonna ***** myself to her. Um. Maybe this just rubbed me the wrong way, but God forbid he saw her as a person before an object of beauty and sexual pleasure. Alexander I was rooting for you! (But even with the writing, I'm sorry but there was no character to Elizabeth aside from her beauty and disability)
I know it gets somewhat redeemed later on, but this was such a turnoff for me. And even though the mystery revelations were well set up, it doesn't cut it. And you also can't convince me that those two fell in love with each other or anything, aside from the first insta attraction.
If I could take the love story out of this and just keep the mystery and tragedy, I would hate rated it higher.
October 12, 2022
I wanted to pick this up as I enjoy historical romance and read that there is disability rep.
Twenty seven year old Alexander is the new duke of Ormond but there isn’t much to celebrate with the estate in ruins and his brother having racked up debt trying to turn things around. The tragedy of having lost both his father and brothers adds to his troubles.
He has just returned from France and has to sort out the tangle of what has happened to his beloved home and who is trying to sabotage/blackmail their family. His best friend, Giles has come with him to figure things out though he guesses it has something to do with an accident years ago that killed one of their tenant’s daughter, Lily.
Secrets abound and he agrees to marry Elizabeth Hadacre as her father holds his brother’s debt notes.
Something that was interesting is that the story starts in Alexander’s pov and into switches later. In fact, the prologue was rather extensive and felt like it was setting up something important. Part of me had suspicions
I thought Alexander was a pretty great hero. He isn’t afraid to express his emotions, is kind to the people who work for him and was willing to work to get his estate back to working order if not how it was. He has a scar on his face, which he thinks makes women frightened of him. He doesn’t want to scare Elizabeth and from the start, didn’t want her to be forced to marry him when he sees that she is terrified. That’s testament to the way he was raised, both his parents were loving and understanding.
What annoyed me about Elizabeth, who is twenty years old, is that she thinks she is ugly when all the men around her think she is beautiful, fit for kings, a goddess and honestly, with how Alexander describes her, she reminded me of Snow White. I don’t like heroines who are so clueless to their beauty but I felt that her insecurities had a lot to do with the abuse she suffered from her father.
I guess she needs a caring and loving hero like Alexander to bring her out of her shell. She blooms while living at Ormond. She isn’t the typical lady as she speaks plainly and her “flaws” are her bad singing and strange laughter because she can’t hear herself. I liked that it humanized her.
The reader does not learn that Elizabeth is deaf until about 35% of the book though there was some foreshadowing that was subtle. I thought it was unique and sweet how the author changes the way her speech is written to show that Alexander is becoming more used to the way she speaks.
Generally, a low angst couple that are open about how they feel except for the secrets Elizabeth is keeping about why her father married her away.
If I were to nitpick, the cover model’s dress does not look like typical English regency attire. But I guessed that the image is picked because of how emotional the female looks and the way she is clinging to the guy which translates into how Elizabeth feels about Alexander.
Tropes: marriage of convenience, age gap (younger heroine, older hero), height difference (short female, tall male)
Twenty seven year old Alexander is the new duke of Ormond but there isn’t much to celebrate with the estate in ruins and his brother having racked up debt trying to turn things around. The tragedy of having lost both his father and brothers adds to his troubles.
He has just returned from France and has to sort out the tangle of what has happened to his beloved home and who is trying to sabotage/blackmail their family. His best friend, Giles has come with him to figure things out though he guesses it has something to do with an accident years ago that killed one of their tenant’s daughter, Lily.
Secrets abound and he agrees to marry Elizabeth Hadacre as her father holds his brother’s debt notes.
Something that was interesting is that the story starts in Alexander’s pov and into switches later. In fact, the prologue was rather extensive and felt like it was setting up something important. Part of me had suspicions
I thought Alexander was a pretty great hero. He isn’t afraid to express his emotions, is kind to the people who work for him and was willing to work to get his estate back to working order if not how it was. He has a scar on his face, which he thinks makes women frightened of him. He doesn’t want to scare Elizabeth and from the start, didn’t want her to be forced to marry him when he sees that she is terrified. That’s testament to the way he was raised, both his parents were loving and understanding.
What annoyed me about Elizabeth, who is twenty years old, is that she thinks she is ugly when all the men around her think she is beautiful, fit for kings, a goddess and honestly, with how Alexander describes her, she reminded me of Snow White. I don’t like heroines who are so clueless to their beauty but I felt that her insecurities had a lot to do with the abuse she suffered from her father.
I guess she needs a caring and loving hero like Alexander to bring her out of her shell. She blooms while living at Ormond. She isn’t the typical lady as she speaks plainly and her “flaws” are her bad singing and strange laughter because she can’t hear herself. I liked that it humanized her.
The reader does not learn that Elizabeth is deaf until about 35% of the book though there was some foreshadowing that was subtle. I thought it was unique and sweet how the author changes the way her speech is written to show that Alexander is becoming more used to the way she speaks.
Generally, a low angst couple that are open about how they feel except for the secrets Elizabeth is keeping about why her father married her away.
If I were to nitpick, the cover model’s dress does not look like typical English regency attire. But I guessed that the image is picked because of how emotional the female looks and the way she is clinging to the guy which translates into how Elizabeth feels about Alexander.
Tropes: marriage of convenience, age gap (younger heroine, older hero), height difference (short female, tall male)
January 21, 2021
Alexander and Elizabeth are pushed into a marriage that neither of them knew anything about in order to settle the debts of Alexander's deceased brother. They get along much better than they assumed they would but as the threat of his brother's blackmailer continues to hang over them and without knowing where Elizabeth's loyalties really lie, it's uncertain if their relationship will survive.
I was pretty disappointed by the majority of this book. It was too wordy with nothing really going on. The threat was weak, I didn't really feel like it would ever cause any serious damage. The content is not all that historically accurate, like a duke could ever marry a farmer's daughter without some sort of backlash. There was really no consideration for the nuances and intricacies of society at the time. And above all else, the cover is not visually appealing at all.
I will say that I appreciate that the book did not try to give her the voice of an angel or anything, the depth of her disability was not completely explained away. I don't know what I was expecting from the book and I honestly don't know why I kept reading other than the fact that it was short. Her deafness was an interesting plot point but the secrets of her past could have been much more masterfully handled to make things a little more interesting. It wasn't bad enough for one star, but I didn't really enjoy reading it much beyond the basic motivation to finish reading.
This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot....
September 11, 2021
This man has caused chain reaction events. Lives lost and it would have been prevented if Smith mentality had been founded..... I hated this guy with my every fibre of being.
I liked Lily. She's brave but I wondered why she wasn't self conscious of her speech?
People had called her Banshee. I could also imagined that no one told her. I don't think Betty could tell her. She would rather protected her mistress than have her feeling hurts.
I'm so glad of Alexander's kindness. He's hero to his beautiful loving wife!
Alexander ❤️ Lily
I liked Lily. She's brave but I wondered why she wasn't self conscious of her speech?
People had called her Banshee. I could also imagined that no one told her. I don't think Betty could tell her. She would rather protected her mistress than have her feeling hurts.
I'm so glad of Alexander's kindness. He's hero to his beautiful loving wife!
Alexander ❤️ Lily
March 25, 2018
A wonderful historical and regency romance filled with secrets, mysteries, and passion! Jackie Williams writes a story filled with exciting twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The story immediately pulled me in and didn’t let go.The plot is really well paced and I appreciated her refreshing characters. I loved Alexander and Elizabeth. To me, they are real people and my heart raced for them as they struggled to overcome obstacles such as arranged marriages, financial difficulties, and choosing love over duty.
If you are looking for a fresh regency romance, get this. You will not be able to put it down.
If you are looking for a fresh regency romance, get this. You will not be able to put it down.
July 12, 2018
I've always enjoyed reading historical romances and this was no different. I'm not big on spoilers, so I'll just say that it opened my eyes and reminded me of how different life is for us now a days...[For one, we marry people we know and love, not for title or fortune -most of us, anyway :)] I felt the story was well developed and the characters believable for that era. The touch of mystery added depth to the story. I'm not much of flashbacks in a story, but in this case I it was necessary and it worked within the plot. All in all, I felt Jackie Williams did a great job in bringing the story to life. Very enjoyable read.
January 10, 2020
Loved this romantic tale
Well I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Pure ease-to-read escapism. When I was young I loved Barbara Cartland books, the tiny beautiful heroin the tall and dashing lord. The sweet romance of them filled me with romantic dreams. Just recently I decided to re-read one and was surprised at how naive and simple it was. While reading this book I kept thinking its like Barbara Cartland only for adults 😁 if you like a bit of pure escapism in a dreamy romance novel then this the book or you! I really enjoyed it.
Well I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Pure ease-to-read escapism. When I was young I loved Barbara Cartland books, the tiny beautiful heroin the tall and dashing lord. The sweet romance of them filled me with romantic dreams. Just recently I decided to re-read one and was surprised at how naive and simple it was. While reading this book I kept thinking its like Barbara Cartland only for adults 😁 if you like a bit of pure escapism in a dreamy romance novel then this the book or you! I really enjoyed it.
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