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The Lost Lords #1
The Lost Lord of Castle Black
An exciting new Regency Historical Romance series!
Graham, Lord Blakemore, was believed to be lost at sea as a boy. While his mother, Lady Agatha, has never given up hope of finding her son again, others—eager for the title and the wealth that accompanies it—have been conspiring to have him declared dead against Lady Agatha’s wishes. Her only ally in the house is her late husband’s ward, Miss Beatrice Marlowe.
But when a dark-haired stranger arrives on their doorstep claiming to be the lost heir to Castle Black, the plots and schemes of those who would have the castle for themselves take a dark and even more sinister turn.
An orphan when she came into the care of the late Lord Blakemore, Castle Black is the only home Beatrice has ever known. Its occupants are her family. This stranger, who claims to have lost his memory of his life there, threatens the order of all that she knows and holds dear. And yet, she is both drawn to him and strangely compelled to believe his claim. Beatrice finds herself torn between her desire for him and her belief that, if he is the lost lord of Castle Black, he is far above her reach.
Graham is no ordinary gentleman, bound by the rules of a society he has spent his life far removed from. He’s willing to face not just the danger that lurks within the walls of Castle Black, but anyone who stands between him and what he wants. He has returned to claim his destiny and, for him, Beatrice is part of that. While all else has been forgotten, he knows her to the depths of his soul. More than the castle itself, more than the strangely familiar and rugged land it sits upon, she is his home and he means to claim her.
Graham, Lord Blakemore, was believed to be lost at sea as a boy. While his mother, Lady Agatha, has never given up hope of finding her son again, others—eager for the title and the wealth that accompanies it—have been conspiring to have him declared dead against Lady Agatha’s wishes. Her only ally in the house is her late husband’s ward, Miss Beatrice Marlowe.
But when a dark-haired stranger arrives on their doorstep claiming to be the lost heir to Castle Black, the plots and schemes of those who would have the castle for themselves take a dark and even more sinister turn.
An orphan when she came into the care of the late Lord Blakemore, Castle Black is the only home Beatrice has ever known. Its occupants are her family. This stranger, who claims to have lost his memory of his life there, threatens the order of all that she knows and holds dear. And yet, she is both drawn to him and strangely compelled to believe his claim. Beatrice finds herself torn between her desire for him and her belief that, if he is the lost lord of Castle Black, he is far above her reach.
Graham is no ordinary gentleman, bound by the rules of a society he has spent his life far removed from. He’s willing to face not just the danger that lurks within the walls of Castle Black, but anyone who stands between him and what he wants. He has returned to claim his destiny and, for him, Beatrice is part of that. While all else has been forgotten, he knows her to the depths of his soul. More than the castle itself, more than the strangely familiar and rugged land it sits upon, she is his home and he means to claim her.
241 pages, ebook
Published September 7, 2017
1404 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
About the author
Chasity Bowlin
142 books525 followersUSA Today Best Selling author and Winner of the 2019 Romance Through the Ages Award for Georgian/Regency Romance, Chasity Bowlin is the author multiple bestselling historical romance novels, both independently and with Dragonblade Publishing. She lives in central Kentucky with her husband and their menagerie of animals. She loves writing, loves traveling and enjoys incorporating tidbits of her actual vacations into her books. She is an avid Anglophile, loving all things British, but specifically all things Regency.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
Growing up in Tennessee, spending as much time as possible with her doting grandparents, soap operas were a part of her daily existence, followed by back to back episodes of Scooby Doo. Her path to becoming a romance novelist was set when, rather than simply have her Barbie dolls cruise around in a pink convertible, they time traveled, hosted lavish dinner parties and one even had an evil twin locked in the attic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
October 15, 2018
If you enjoy steamy historical romances sprinkled with mysterious and intrigue, Chastity Bowlin's books are definitely for you! I have read almost all of the books she has written, and I have never been disappointed.
This story features Graham, the long-lost Lord of the manor, and Beatrice, his childhood playmate who is now a ward of the estate. Graham claims to be the son of the deceased Lord, a memory he regained after taking a hit to the head while working aboard a ship. While he recalls his name and title, he remembers little else, yet he spends the next few years after regaining his identity working his way back to England. Lady Agatha, Graham's mother, has held out hope for her son's return ever since he was lost to her at sea nearly 20 years earlier. Meanwhile, her scheming nephew and his wife have been doing their best to have Graham Black officially declared dead by Parliament so that Graham's younger brother can be named Lord Black as the nephew believes he can manipulate the new Lord and perhaps even "replace" him should he meet a tragic accident.
Beatrice cares nothing for wealth or titles; she is an orphan who was taken in by the benevolent former Lord Black and was raised as a daughter by him and Lady Agatha. As a child, she knew Graham as nothing more than a entitled bully. When the handsome, damaged man appears on the doorstep 18 years later claiming to be that boy, she can hardly imagine it could be him as this man resembles nothing of the spoiled, and sometimes even cruel, boy she remembers. But she finds herself drawn to this new and improved version of Graham, and equally hopes that he is and isn't Lord Black --- if he is, she could never be his wife as she has no money or title to offer; if he's not, the estate would be handed over to those who would continue to run it into the ground, and Lady Agatha (who she regards as a mother figure) would have her heart broken once again.
The story line was interesting; the main characters were likeable; the chemistry was sizzling; and the twists added to the gothic intrigue. I felt that there were a few things that weren't really explained well or tied up at the end, but overall, another good Bowlin creation.
This story features Graham, the long-lost Lord of the manor, and Beatrice, his childhood playmate who is now a ward of the estate. Graham claims to be the son of the deceased Lord, a memory he regained after taking a hit to the head while working aboard a ship. While he recalls his name and title, he remembers little else, yet he spends the next few years after regaining his identity working his way back to England. Lady Agatha, Graham's mother, has held out hope for her son's return ever since he was lost to her at sea nearly 20 years earlier. Meanwhile, her scheming nephew and his wife have been doing their best to have Graham Black officially declared dead by Parliament so that Graham's younger brother can be named Lord Black as the nephew believes he can manipulate the new Lord and perhaps even "replace" him should he meet a tragic accident.
Beatrice cares nothing for wealth or titles; she is an orphan who was taken in by the benevolent former Lord Black and was raised as a daughter by him and Lady Agatha. As a child, she knew Graham as nothing more than a entitled bully. When the handsome, damaged man appears on the doorstep 18 years later claiming to be that boy, she can hardly imagine it could be him as this man resembles nothing of the spoiled, and sometimes even cruel, boy she remembers. But she finds herself drawn to this new and improved version of Graham, and equally hopes that he is and isn't Lord Black --- if he is, she could never be his wife as she has no money or title to offer; if he's not, the estate would be handed over to those who would continue to run it into the ground, and Lady Agatha (who she regards as a mother figure) would have her heart broken once again.
The story line was interesting; the main characters were likeable; the chemistry was sizzling; and the twists added to the gothic intrigue. I felt that there were a few things that weren't really explained well or tied up at the end, but overall, another good Bowlin creation.
February 14, 2020
Absofreakingly Amazing!!
Best historical romance I've read in a long time!! I literally couldn't put it down!! I need to write a review, but I can't wait to start book 2. ...More to come!!
Best historical romance I've read in a long time!! I literally couldn't put it down!! I need to write a review, but I can't wait to start book 2. ...More to come!!
October 10, 2022
2 stars. This story was just too OTT for me. I didn’t feel a connection between the MCs and I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy the story. This author’s writing style isn’t really to my taste.
Safe; virgin heroine, hero experienced with sex workers but never relationships, no OW drama, slight OM drama when H’s cousin tries to come on to the heroine against her will. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating between MCs but between side characters. H&h knew each other as young children and have a very insta love connection when reunited.
Safe; virgin heroine, hero experienced with sex workers but never relationships, no OW drama, slight OM drama when H’s cousin tries to come on to the heroine against her will. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating between MCs but between side characters. H&h knew each other as young children and have a very insta love connection when reunited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2017
*Read for URR Halloween challenge-
I really enjoyed this book. It had a nice gothic feel to it. While the lost lord thing isn't exactly new, it was done in a refreshing way here, heavy on the mystery. And even more refreshing, the mystery was actually a mystery. For the first 40% or so, I didn't really know where the book was going. I was pretty sure. I thought I knew. My brain went to the most obvious answer. But the book did a decent job of neither confirming or denying exactly what was going on. Eventually, I had to turn off the crazy must find out where this is going why haven't I figured this out yet omg what is happening part of my brain and just go with it. So I did.
So. Plot. This is super convoluted so hang in there. I'll try my best.
One day a man shows up at Castle Black with no real memory of his childhood except that his name is Graham Blakemore and he lived at Castle Black as a child. He was lost at sea as a child and spent much of his life after with no memory of his childhood/parents/home. Years later, bits and pieces of his memory come to him and he makes his way home. Or at least, what he assumes is his home. Beatrice has lived at Castle Black since she was an orphaned child. The late Lord Blakemore had been good friends with her father at Eton and agree to take her in. Now she is stuck at Castle Black with Graham's mother (who is lovely but constantly ill), Graham's brother Christopher, and the late Lord Blakemore's nephew who is a horrible excuse for a person and is determined to have Beatrice in his bed, even if he has to force her. Ugh. And he happens to be married to an equally awful woman. So. One day Graham shows up, shocking everyone. Everyone knows that the missing Graham Blakemore was lost at sea, and his story matches. Most of Graham's memories of Castle Black revolve around Beatrice and they are of course drawn to one another. Graham doesn't want to force anyone to believe that he is indeed Lord Blakemore but he wants to hopefully get more of his memories back and be with his family. Of course, his return upsets the apple cart in regards to who inherits what so we have a bunch of scheming going on behind the scenes. Beatrice and Graham fall for one another but things are constantly getting in the way. At least, Beatrice seems to think so. The book is basically like a romantic version of Clue. Half of the household wants the other half of the household dead and keeps trying. Is it the butler or the maid? The cousin? The doctor? The brother? The cat? WHO KNOWS?
I liked Graham. He was rough around the edges. In fact, he was all edges. The mystery of the book isn't really whether he is the lost Lord Blakemore. We know he is. The mystery is who is willing to do what to ensure that he doesn't claim what is his. Graham exudes danger in a way that no other lord, no matter how well trained with a weapon he is, could ever match. And he knows it. I loved the combination of his unrefined side, a natural result of his life as a sailor, and his arrogance which could only really be cultivated by being born into privilege. The charming nobleman and the deadly pirate. Both aspects of his personality meshed well and were equally believable and all the more potent. Long story short...
Beatrice was fine. Nothing to write home about. She was strong and refused to be pushed around but also a little too self-sacrificing. She wasn't really willing to fight for Graham and that bothered me. She was just so...wishy-washy. I waited a few days to write this review, which is never a good idea(at least for me), but while I remember plenty about Graham, I don't remember much about Beatrice. I guess that speaks for itself.
To be perfectly honest, the mystery was my favorite part of this book. There was so much going on, so much I didn't understand, and I mean that in a good way. It was really fun. It was like a twisted HR version of Scooby-Doo, complete with a castle filled with confusing secret passageways. It was delightfully dark and a little ridiculous. When it was all finally revealed, I was actually shocked.
Which was shocking in and of itself.
So why the low(ish) rating for a book I don't really have a major problem with? There wasn't really anything I loved about it. Most of the characters were terrible people. The heroine was so-so. Graham was great but not enough to carry the entire book. The mystery was really well done but kind of over-powered the romance. I ended up not really caring whether the H/h ended up together. Was it a fun read? Absolutely. Do I recommend it? Sure. Is it going on my favorites shelf? Nope. Do I want to read it again someday? Nein, danke. But I do intend to look into other books by this author.
I really enjoyed this book. It had a nice gothic feel to it. While the lost lord thing isn't exactly new, it was done in a refreshing way here, heavy on the mystery. And even more refreshing, the mystery was actually a mystery. For the first 40% or so, I didn't really know where the book was going. I was pretty sure. I thought I knew. My brain went to the most obvious answer. But the book did a decent job of neither confirming or denying exactly what was going on. Eventually, I had to turn off the crazy must find out where this is going why haven't I figured this out yet omg what is happening part of my brain and just go with it. So I did.
So. Plot. This is super convoluted so hang in there. I'll try my best.
One day a man shows up at Castle Black with no real memory of his childhood except that his name is Graham Blakemore and he lived at Castle Black as a child. He was lost at sea as a child and spent much of his life after with no memory of his childhood/parents/home. Years later, bits and pieces of his memory come to him and he makes his way home. Or at least, what he assumes is his home. Beatrice has lived at Castle Black since she was an orphaned child. The late Lord Blakemore had been good friends with her father at Eton and agree to take her in. Now she is stuck at Castle Black with Graham's mother (who is lovely but constantly ill), Graham's brother Christopher, and the late Lord Blakemore's nephew who is a horrible excuse for a person and is determined to have Beatrice in his bed, even if he has to force her. Ugh. And he happens to be married to an equally awful woman. So. One day Graham shows up, shocking everyone. Everyone knows that the missing Graham Blakemore was lost at sea, and his story matches. Most of Graham's memories of Castle Black revolve around Beatrice and they are of course drawn to one another. Graham doesn't want to force anyone to believe that he is indeed Lord Blakemore but he wants to hopefully get more of his memories back and be with his family. Of course, his return upsets the apple cart in regards to who inherits what so we have a bunch of scheming going on behind the scenes. Beatrice and Graham fall for one another but things are constantly getting in the way. At least, Beatrice seems to think so. The book is basically like a romantic version of Clue. Half of the household wants the other half of the household dead and keeps trying. Is it the butler or the maid? The cousin? The doctor? The brother? The cat? WHO KNOWS?
I liked Graham. He was rough around the edges. In fact, he was all edges. The mystery of the book isn't really whether he is the lost Lord Blakemore. We know he is. The mystery is who is willing to do what to ensure that he doesn't claim what is his. Graham exudes danger in a way that no other lord, no matter how well trained with a weapon he is, could ever match. And he knows it. I loved the combination of his unrefined side, a natural result of his life as a sailor, and his arrogance which could only really be cultivated by being born into privilege. The charming nobleman and the deadly pirate. Both aspects of his personality meshed well and were equally believable and all the more potent. Long story short...
Beatrice was fine. Nothing to write home about. She was strong and refused to be pushed around but also a little too self-sacrificing. She wasn't really willing to fight for Graham and that bothered me. She was just so...wishy-washy. I waited a few days to write this review, which is never a good idea(at least for me), but while I remember plenty about Graham, I don't remember much about Beatrice. I guess that speaks for itself.
To be perfectly honest, the mystery was my favorite part of this book. There was so much going on, so much I didn't understand, and I mean that in a good way. It was really fun. It was like a twisted HR version of Scooby-Doo, complete with a castle filled with confusing secret passageways. It was delightfully dark and a little ridiculous. When it was all finally revealed, I was actually shocked.
Which was shocking in and of itself.
So why the low(ish) rating for a book I don't really have a major problem with? There wasn't really anything I loved about it. Most of the characters were terrible people. The heroine was so-so. Graham was great but not enough to carry the entire book. The mystery was really well done but kind of over-powered the romance. I ended up not really caring whether the H/h ended up together. Was it a fun read? Absolutely. Do I recommend it? Sure. Is it going on my favorites shelf? Nope. Do I want to read it again someday? Nein, danke. But I do intend to look into other books by this author.
May 30, 2022
This book was better than I was expecting even with the fantastical plot. And the barbarian hero. And the ugly cover. Hehehe
July 14, 2019
I enjoyed the first half of the book setting up the characters. Mystery and romance. A lost heir with amnesia and a quick romance. The second half of the book didn't click for me. But an enjoyable read.
June 30, 2024
A good start to this series of missing heirs . Nice characters.
Danger, secrets, and murder.
Danger, secrets, and murder.
January 31, 2021
Lady Agatha Blakemore and her late husband were devastated when their young son, Graham, was lost at sea. Now, 18 years later, Lady Agatha still has not given up hope that he still lives and staunchly opposes the efforts of her other son, her nephew, and his wife, to have Graham officially declared dead and claim his estate and title for good. The only member of the household who supports her is Miss Beatrice Marlowe, her late husband's ward. When a stranger arrives claiming to be the lost Lord Graham, the mysteries and schemes being perpetrated in the castle take a decidedly darker turn.
Orphaned young, Beatrice has known Castle Black as her only home and having grown up with Graham she is able to recognize pieces of the boy she knew in the newly arrived stranger. Though he threatens her security, she cannot help but be drawn to him even though, as she becomes increasingly more sure of his identity as Lord Blakemore, she knows he is far above her and a respectable future for them would never be possible.
Graham has no intention of fitting into the mold of a society he's never truly lived in. He's spent most of his life as a sailor and sometime pirate and he's prepared to face the intrigue broiling at Castle Black and destroy anyone trying to keep him from what he wants. But what Graham most wants is to find where he belongs and he soon realizes this also means claiming Beatrice for his own. Even as he struggles to regain the lost memories of his childhood, he feels as if he knows Beatrice down to his marrow and he will not be swayed from securing his destiny. But first they must get to the bottom of the secrets hidden in Castle Black.
I read this book a couple of years ago before I began writing reviews so I decided to revisit it in audiobook form. I adored it when I read it previously, but it was much better with the narration. This book has a very delightfully gothic feel a very fast pace. I loved how a Beatrice and Graham acknowledged their connection almost from the get go; although Beatrice did try to derail them, she was always going to come around and even she knew it. These two were so obviously meant to be and the danger elements were perfect to keep me engrossed. I enjoyed this on the reread and I'm going to continue revisiting the rest of the series.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Orphaned young, Beatrice has known Castle Black as her only home and having grown up with Graham she is able to recognize pieces of the boy she knew in the newly arrived stranger. Though he threatens her security, she cannot help but be drawn to him even though, as she becomes increasingly more sure of his identity as Lord Blakemore, she knows he is far above her and a respectable future for them would never be possible.
Graham has no intention of fitting into the mold of a society he's never truly lived in. He's spent most of his life as a sailor and sometime pirate and he's prepared to face the intrigue broiling at Castle Black and destroy anyone trying to keep him from what he wants. But what Graham most wants is to find where he belongs and he soon realizes this also means claiming Beatrice for his own. Even as he struggles to regain the lost memories of his childhood, he feels as if he knows Beatrice down to his marrow and he will not be swayed from securing his destiny. But first they must get to the bottom of the secrets hidden in Castle Black.
I read this book a couple of years ago before I began writing reviews so I decided to revisit it in audiobook form. I adored it when I read it previously, but it was much better with the narration. This book has a very delightfully gothic feel a very fast pace. I loved how a Beatrice and Graham acknowledged their connection almost from the get go; although Beatrice did try to derail them, she was always going to come around and even she knew it. These two were so obviously meant to be and the danger elements were perfect to keep me engrossed. I enjoyed this on the reread and I'm going to continue revisiting the rest of the series.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
September 17, 2017
Love this author
I don't know why I love this author but I do. Perhaps it's the young girl in me that thrived on books like Mistress of Meylinn, Jane Eyre, Bride of Pendoric and so many more. Her writing harkens back early days spent reading and discovering historical romance and dark brooding heroes. I have loved all her books. This one is extremely intriguing. It has the lost hero coming back from the dead so to speak, trying to find himself yet never really forgetting the h who was his playmate. You could feel their connection from the first time they met. I loved the mystery even if I figured it out very early on, I still loved seeing it play out. The cast of characters are all entertaining and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I really loved the prologue too with the story of the H's Father bringing his errant wife home but still loving her and trying to protect the baby she was carrying that wasn't his. I would love to see how they interacted once home having lost their son, her new child on the way and the love he still had for her. It was spoken about briefly but I wanted more. I definitely love this author. She is an auto but for me.
I don't know why I love this author but I do. Perhaps it's the young girl in me that thrived on books like Mistress of Meylinn, Jane Eyre, Bride of Pendoric and so many more. Her writing harkens back early days spent reading and discovering historical romance and dark brooding heroes. I have loved all her books. This one is extremely intriguing. It has the lost hero coming back from the dead so to speak, trying to find himself yet never really forgetting the h who was his playmate. You could feel their connection from the first time they met. I loved the mystery even if I figured it out very early on, I still loved seeing it play out. The cast of characters are all entertaining and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I really loved the prologue too with the story of the H's Father bringing his errant wife home but still loving her and trying to protect the baby she was carrying that wasn't his. I would love to see how they interacted once home having lost their son, her new child on the way and the love he still had for her. It was spoken about briefly but I wanted more. I definitely love this author. She is an auto but for me.
May 12, 2020
With the amount of intrigue, romance, & suspense you would not think this book could be so boring but I had to force myself to get through it. I found Beatrice to be whiny and boring. Graham was a one dimensional hero with no depth and I did not like the insta love between him and Beatrice. The other's in this story added nothing as most of the secondary characters just spent their time whining. The narrator was ok when speaking for females charters but I had to switch over from the audio because I found her narration of Graham to be grating.
September 16, 2017
Good writing...horrible story telling
The first half of the book was neatly written and adorned with wonderful prose. The second half was so repetitive it was as if someone had copied and pasted the same information over and over again....also some scenes were really unrealistic and the dialogues that followed really contrived and reactions completely unnatural. I wish Ms. Bowlin had taken a little more time to develop the second half of the book. In general I like her writing she writes sinister plots really well filled with paranoia in the true sense a gothic style of storytelling, I just hope her future books are better executed.
The first half of the book was neatly written and adorned with wonderful prose. The second half was so repetitive it was as if someone had copied and pasted the same information over and over again....also some scenes were really unrealistic and the dialogues that followed really contrived and reactions completely unnatural. I wish Ms. Bowlin had taken a little more time to develop the second half of the book. In general I like her writing she writes sinister plots really well filled with paranoia in the true sense a gothic style of storytelling, I just hope her future books are better executed.
March 29, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I love it when I fall for the hero , a rough tough ex pirate like Graham .
He returns to Castle Black believing he may be the Missing lord, having been lost at sea nearly 20 years earlier.
He has very little memory of that time , just the odd glimmer and a strong belief that he belongs there .
Beatrice lost her family early in life and was taken in by Grahams parents, she remembers graham as being mean and cruel , but now she’s falling for him .
There much more at play here than meets the eye , whatever you do don’t blink , this plot moves quick and twists more times than a helter-skelter .
I adore this story and am on edge waiting for the next .
💋💋
I love it when I fall for the hero , a rough tough ex pirate like Graham .
He returns to Castle Black believing he may be the Missing lord, having been lost at sea nearly 20 years earlier.
He has very little memory of that time , just the odd glimmer and a strong belief that he belongs there .
Beatrice lost her family early in life and was taken in by Grahams parents, she remembers graham as being mean and cruel , but now she’s falling for him .
There much more at play here than meets the eye , whatever you do don’t blink , this plot moves quick and twists more times than a helter-skelter .
I adore this story and am on edge waiting for the next .
September 15, 2017
A Regency of Bold Telling
Graham, the young son of Lady and Lord Blakemore was lost at sea, some 18 years past. Lady Agatha has mourn the emptiness in her life, but has never given up on him being alive and returning, even when her Lord Blakemore passed away, still she won’t give up.
Edmund, married to Eloise (who is quite the harlot) badgers his aunt to do the necessary paperwork to admit Graham is dead. She is frail, her health has been failing for the last two months. Edmund talks of ruination for the castle because funds are insufficient.
Lady Agatha has a second son, Christopher, half-brother to Graham, who is rather a sullen boy, keeping much to himself, seen sneaking off to town or up to the tower. What has he to do with the tower?
Beatrice Marlowe, also part of the household was Edmund’s and Graham’s playmate when they were all children. Now Edmund sees her as his plaything, the only thing he thinks she’s good for. He’s not the boy he was, but a man of anger and frustration. Beatrice loves Lady Agatha and wants only to protect her. She fears if she weren’t there protecting the elder woman, she would simply cave in to Edmund's demands because they are relentless.
Castle Black is pretty much in chaos when one evening a man with common clothes, looking more like a pirate than gentry comes to the door announcing he is Graham, Lord Blakemore. The winds of chaos grow worse. Lady Agatha immediately accepts him as her son. Beatrice confirms certain identification markings he has. Edmund and Christopher have something to lose if it is true, wanting the man kicked out of the castle.
What makes this interesting is Graham has only learned his identity recently, but his memories are mostly non-existent. Any memories he has, seem to revolve around Beatrice. But, Beatrice remembers him as a lad, a prankster, pulling her hair, teasing and pinching her. He had been cruel. But what she sees now, he is not the same. He’s a kinder soul, one protective to his mother and Beatrice. And one Beatrice could fall in love with. But she couldn’t let that happen. He is Lord Blakemore, she is just an orphan.
The castle is as multi-faceted and complex as the people who live within its walls. It has secret rooms and passages with priest holes. When Graham realizes much is afoot within the castle, he takes it upon himself to find its source and stop it. His past experiences work in his favor.
Beatrice is the voice of wisdom and calm, although she almost loses her own life. Here’s a beautiful quote, spoken by Beatrice to Graham.
The plot is thick, the possibilities of why abound, as Graham takes control of the castle and the evil lurking within its walls. I was entertained and kept on edge much of the time, right there with Beatrice and Graham, trying to unravel why all the strange goings-on.
At the same time, I was charmed by Beatrice, fiercely independent with a mind and voice of her own who finds in Graham a man of great understanding who wouldn't never had been able to accept her feelings if he had grown up as on of the titled privileged. She couldn’t help but fall in love. Even though Graham still doesn’t have all his memories, his love is strong. She was his beacon back home.
Am I not ready for book two of the series?
Graham, the young son of Lady and Lord Blakemore was lost at sea, some 18 years past. Lady Agatha has mourn the emptiness in her life, but has never given up on him being alive and returning, even when her Lord Blakemore passed away, still she won’t give up.
Edmund, married to Eloise (who is quite the harlot) badgers his aunt to do the necessary paperwork to admit Graham is dead. She is frail, her health has been failing for the last two months. Edmund talks of ruination for the castle because funds are insufficient.
Lady Agatha has a second son, Christopher, half-brother to Graham, who is rather a sullen boy, keeping much to himself, seen sneaking off to town or up to the tower. What has he to do with the tower?
Beatrice Marlowe, also part of the household was Edmund’s and Graham’s playmate when they were all children. Now Edmund sees her as his plaything, the only thing he thinks she’s good for. He’s not the boy he was, but a man of anger and frustration. Beatrice loves Lady Agatha and wants only to protect her. She fears if she weren’t there protecting the elder woman, she would simply cave in to Edmund's demands because they are relentless.
Were it not for Lady Agatha, she’d have been tossed out into the streets long ago. Edmund had made no effort to hide his disdain for her. During their ugly encounter that night in the corridor, he’d made it abundantly clear that there was only one way for her to remain at Castle Black after Lady Agatha was gone. He’d be his mistress, installed right under his wife’s nose, or she’d be tossed into the streets without a tuppence to make her way in the only way that a woman could.
Castle Black is pretty much in chaos when one evening a man with common clothes, looking more like a pirate than gentry comes to the door announcing he is Graham, Lord Blakemore. The winds of chaos grow worse. Lady Agatha immediately accepts him as her son. Beatrice confirms certain identification markings he has. Edmund and Christopher have something to lose if it is true, wanting the man kicked out of the castle.
What makes this interesting is Graham has only learned his identity recently, but his memories are mostly non-existent. Any memories he has, seem to revolve around Beatrice. But, Beatrice remembers him as a lad, a prankster, pulling her hair, teasing and pinching her. He had been cruel. But what she sees now, he is not the same. He’s a kinder soul, one protective to his mother and Beatrice. And one Beatrice could fall in love with. But she couldn’t let that happen. He is Lord Blakemore, she is just an orphan.
There was no cruelty in the man she’d just met, and it was hard for her to fathom that a more difficult life had produced a kinder version of the boy she’d once known...
Why did he tempt her so? He was handsome. If she had to categorize it, she would say he was undoubtedly the most handsome man she’d ever seen. But not in the way of a gentleman. His features were fought-hewn and chiseled, all sharp angles and planes with none of the softness to him that marked nobility. It was a point in his favor, truthfully. She’s never been attracted to men who looked softer than she did—men like Edmund.
The castle is as multi-faceted and complex as the people who live within its walls. It has secret rooms and passages with priest holes. When Graham realizes much is afoot within the castle, he takes it upon himself to find its source and stop it. His past experiences work in his favor.
Beatrice is the voice of wisdom and calm, although she almost loses her own life. Here’s a beautiful quote, spoken by Beatrice to Graham.
“We are none of us good or bad, Graham. We are simply fallible people capable of extremes…whether it be kindness and compassion or cruelty and brutality. The seeds for all exist within us. Whatever you may have done in your life, it is not the definition of who you are.”
Betsy, Beatrice’s friend and maid, funnels news from the servants to her ears. She knows the castle well and uses the secret passage ways within its walls.
The plot is thick, the possibilities of why abound, as Graham takes control of the castle and the evil lurking within its walls. I was entertained and kept on edge much of the time, right there with Beatrice and Graham, trying to unravel why all the strange goings-on.
At the same time, I was charmed by Beatrice, fiercely independent with a mind and voice of her own who finds in Graham a man of great understanding who wouldn't never had been able to accept her feelings if he had grown up as on of the titled privileged. She couldn’t help but fall in love. Even though Graham still doesn’t have all his memories, his love is strong. She was his beacon back home.
Am I not ready for book two of the series?
October 3, 2023
I didn't have the patience for this story.
The mystery was not really mysterious, and it was a bit of a belly flop.
The mystery was not really mysterious, and it was a bit of a belly flop.
March 31, 2020
Ok, so I actually quit this one with four chapters to go. I know, so close to the end, but I discovered all I needed to discover, and the rest was going to simply frustrate me more.
At first, I thought I could happily read this book as the storyline showed promise but it quickly deteriorated into something that was badly written and annoying.
The dialogue was all over the place. People would say something that had nothing to do with what the last sentence spoken, but I guess Bowlin needed the conversation to move and couldn't do it so that it flowed. In fact, I felt like everything was all over the place, as if Bowlin was writing on the fly and couldn't remember what she had previously said and done.
The only thing that was consistent was Beatrice's repetitious monologues about Graham. They were painfully consistent. We got the same thoughts over and over and over (and over) again. Seriously, if I had to read another, I would possibly end up hitting something. Best to walk away.
As for the romance, it was seriously as flat as a pancake. I need more than just two people wanting to jump into bed with each other to want people to get together, and this was lacking. Their times together were spent kissing, Beatrice trying to resist letting Graham into her bed and Graham telling her (over and over, even at the most random times) that this wasn't over and he would have her for he always gets what he wants. Sorry, but in a society where a lady sleeping with a man ruins her, Graham's push to get her into bed with him is not actually romantic. It is selfish. Oh, I can't really explain it all, but their interactions with each other just didn't say healthy love, or even love, for that matter.
I think the concept was a good one. I just wish someone else had written it, for Bowlin did a terrible job at it. I got the three-book box set, but I won't be reading the other two.
At first, I thought I could happily read this book as the storyline showed promise but it quickly deteriorated into something that was badly written and annoying.
The dialogue was all over the place. People would say something that had nothing to do with what the last sentence spoken, but I guess Bowlin needed the conversation to move and couldn't do it so that it flowed. In fact, I felt like everything was all over the place, as if Bowlin was writing on the fly and couldn't remember what she had previously said and done.
The only thing that was consistent was Beatrice's repetitious monologues about Graham. They were painfully consistent. We got the same thoughts over and over and over (and over) again. Seriously, if I had to read another, I would possibly end up hitting something. Best to walk away.
As for the romance, it was seriously as flat as a pancake. I need more than just two people wanting to jump into bed with each other to want people to get together, and this was lacking. Their times together were spent kissing, Beatrice trying to resist letting Graham into her bed and Graham telling her (over and over, even at the most random times) that this wasn't over and he would have her for he always gets what he wants. Sorry, but in a society where a lady sleeping with a man ruins her, Graham's push to get her into bed with him is not actually romantic. It is selfish. Oh, I can't really explain it all, but their interactions with each other just didn't say healthy love, or even love, for that matter.
I think the concept was a good one. I just wish someone else had written it, for Bowlin did a terrible job at it. I got the three-book box set, but I won't be reading the other two.
September 27, 2017
This was a pretty good historical mystery. I hadn't figured it out until it was revealed. The premise was good & I liked both leads. Well written. I'm going to keep the review to a minimum since after all it's really a mystery romance & one should go into it cold. Recommend.
Want to read
February 25, 2025💝FREE on Amazon today (7/22/2018)!💝
February 4, 2022
Intriguing mystery
This suspenseful gothic like historical romance is the first in the Lost Lords series of books by Chasity Bowlin. She has quickly become one of my favourite authors and this book is a good example of the mix of mystery and romance to be found in her books. Graham, Lord Blakemore, is presumed dead after disappearing on a sea voyage almost two decades ago but is he, or is he returned from the dead like his mother Lady Agatha would like to believe? The mystery man, however, is not the only enigma in this story. Is someone trying to kill off the inhabitants of the castle and if so, who is the culprit? Is it the absent uncle or the cousin or the cousin’s wife or the brother or a stranger? Why are the estates funds disappearing and where are they going? Beatrice, the ward of the former Lord Blakemore, is leery of Graham and his story but is curiously drawn to his person even though she remembers the boy as being a pest and cruel. Can this stranger really be the lost lord? I loved the mystery of this story and the many twists and turns of the plot. It kept me thoroughly engaged in the tale. The romance that was developed was sweet with some heat but did seem to come out of nowhere. Both Beatrice and Graham are very well drawn likeable characters, but I did find the chemistry between the two a little forced. There were some facts of the story that I wished were a little better drawn out and I would have appreciated more of Lady Agatha’s back story. That said, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes their historical romances with an intriguing and engaging mystery. A 4 1/2 star ⭐️ rounded up for the can’t put it down fascinating puzzle.
This suspenseful gothic like historical romance is the first in the Lost Lords series of books by Chasity Bowlin. She has quickly become one of my favourite authors and this book is a good example of the mix of mystery and romance to be found in her books. Graham, Lord Blakemore, is presumed dead after disappearing on a sea voyage almost two decades ago but is he, or is he returned from the dead like his mother Lady Agatha would like to believe? The mystery man, however, is not the only enigma in this story. Is someone trying to kill off the inhabitants of the castle and if so, who is the culprit? Is it the absent uncle or the cousin or the cousin’s wife or the brother or a stranger? Why are the estates funds disappearing and where are they going? Beatrice, the ward of the former Lord Blakemore, is leery of Graham and his story but is curiously drawn to his person even though she remembers the boy as being a pest and cruel. Can this stranger really be the lost lord? I loved the mystery of this story and the many twists and turns of the plot. It kept me thoroughly engaged in the tale. The romance that was developed was sweet with some heat but did seem to come out of nowhere. Both Beatrice and Graham are very well drawn likeable characters, but I did find the chemistry between the two a little forced. There were some facts of the story that I wished were a little better drawn out and I would have appreciated more of Lady Agatha’s back story. That said, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes their historical romances with an intriguing and engaging mystery. A 4 1/2 star ⭐️ rounded up for the can’t put it down fascinating puzzle.
May 21, 2018
A romance with a mystery
At age 12, Graham Blakemore was lost at sea when the ship sank in a storm. His mother never gave up hope that he was alive. Her belief was shared by her ward, the orphaned Beatrice Marlowe. After 18 years, a man arrived at Castle Black claiming to be the lost heir.
Graham's cousin Edmund had been constantly badgering Lady Agatha to have her son declared dead so the next in line could inherit the title and manage the estate. He was adamant in declaring the newcomer an imposter.
But plots and schemes abound behind the scenes, and the lives of Graham, Beatrice and Lady Agatha are in grave danger.
16
At age 12, Graham Blakemore was lost at sea when the ship sank in a storm. His mother never gave up hope that he was alive. Her belief was shared by her ward, the orphaned Beatrice Marlowe. After 18 years, a man arrived at Castle Black claiming to be the lost heir.
Graham's cousin Edmund had been constantly badgering Lady Agatha to have her son declared dead so the next in line could inherit the title and manage the estate. He was adamant in declaring the newcomer an imposter.
But plots and schemes abound behind the scenes, and the lives of Graham, Beatrice and Lady Agatha are in grave danger.
16
May 18, 2021
my personal markers for a great read...1. smart and engaging writing, 2. Humorous, 3. sexy interactions 4. stories with family/friends 5. badass woman 6. will reread the book/series yearly.
1.5 /5 romance along with hotness and steam
the dialogue/writing wasn’t impressive (too serious of a book for me...i always need smart written humour to enjoy a book)
——————————————————
(4 stars rating has all the above)
(5 stars rating has HIT all the markers by 🤯...that good)
1.5 /5 romance along with hotness and steam
the dialogue/writing wasn’t impressive (too serious of a book for me...i always need smart written humour to enjoy a book)
——————————————————
(4 stars rating has all the above)
(5 stars rating has HIT all the markers by 🤯...that good)
January 20, 2019
I found this a good book. Graham was lost at sea during a storm then 20 years later returns from the dead to reclaim his inheritance only for people who had profited from his absence attempt to stop him from reclaiming what is rightly his.
March 14, 2020
Very enjoyable read. Great storyline. 4☆
Read
September 29, 2023I know it’s a romance novel, but if the author wanted to focus on the romance, then don’t put so much damn plot in it that the romance gets in the way!
On that note, I actually thought the mystery plot was far more interesting than the characters romance.
On that note, I actually thought the mystery plot was far more interesting than the characters romance.
May 13, 2024
1 Star
I did not enjoy this book. I was 'warned' about it (read several low-starred reviews from people I would normally concur with), however, I decided to give it a chance anyway due to the plot summary. A lost lord returning home after 20 years. Come on! How great does that sound? And it could have been SO MUCH better IMHO. IF the execution had been better. (It was not.) A lot of the ingredients were there. However, as some bakers know, if crucial ingredients are missing, the cake just isn't going to turn out well. And that's what happened here.
For example, there was NO suspense. It is kind of hard to have a (good) mystery without it. In point, the villains were revealed early (and the reader got their POVs and well as their motivations and agendas!). Even the multiple murder attempts, did not enliven up that much for me. Yep. And in later chapters how various characters were able to leap to the (albeit correct) conclusions they did was pretty unbelievable. (Tarot cards? Really? That's all I am doing to say.)
Additionally, certain points were left out, were suspiciously vague or unclear, if not ignored altogether. For example, throughout much of the book, Graham's current age is not mentioned. (Guess he is about 30. No sure about the h. Late 20s probably.) We are told repeated how Graham was lost as a 'boy'. (The age it happened was finally revealed ONCE well into the book. If you blinked, you could have missed it. I had already figured it out by then from several conversations the H/h had when referring to their childhood together. Most of which are recollections of how he was cruel to her in a boy-likes-girl way; but he was a bit of a bully too.) And what exactly was Lord Blakemore's title? I did the audio version for the bulk on this book (more on the narrator later) and I do not recall it ever being mentioned. I am assuming he was a...Baron? Would they (the court people) have not declared him dead years ago? I highly doubt it was up to Lady Agatha. How long had her husband been dead again? Hm...maybe. Important 'stuff' like that was maybe mentioned once or glossed over; and unimportant stuff was repeated over again and again and...well you get the drift.
The romance, or rather, the falling in love was quick. (There are two separate things.) Insta-love? I think it was slightly alluded to that since they knew each other as children, raised together actually that they had that foundation. Heh, not really. Beatrice claims later she always loved him and was unconsciously waiting for him. Considering she was between the age of 8-10 when Graham disappeared, it's a stretch for to believe that. And Graham has hints, shadows of feeling when he is with Beatrice but not full or actual memories. They claim a 'connection' but I am not sure what is it based on. However, the lust between them is clear. This all happened in a 2–3-week timeframe as far as I can tell. And that might be generous.
The secondary characters, villains (and yes, that's plural) were surprising boring. Lady Agatha was a tragic figure. Edmund, a bore. (In later chapter, Beatrice explains why they put up with his nonsense. His wife Eloise...well. Their purpose is clear. I wasn't sure about Christopher. He stayed in the background. He character seem to be there only to move the plot along; otherwise, he had no personality and other purpose. He did not seem to care for/after his mother much. There was never ANY interaction between him and Graham. That was odd too. Aside from servants and investigator, these folks lived in a bubble. They did not go anywhere EVER or received guests--aside from mentioning Beatrice had a few seasons years ago, there was seemingly no interaction with society. (The same society that the author brought up thru Beatrice on why the H/h could not be together.)
I am finally going to circle back to the narrator. She was not totally terrible. Some make me want to throw something. I agree with some reviewers who mention the contradictions Graham statements made. Both Edmund and Graham just sounded angry, so only emotion that came across. What DID drive me crazy was I could hear her swallowing and taking a breaths A LOT. Especially in certain chapters. Maybe she needed to take a break and was pushing through and did not realize the reader could hear all this 'background noise'.
I believe this maybe the first book I read by this author. Her writing style isn't my cup of tea so this will be it for me
CONTENT:
Intimacy: Several occasions between both main AND secondary characters.
Violence: Yes.
Language: Yes, mild range crude language usage.
Other niggles
I did not enjoy this book. I was 'warned' about it (read several low-starred reviews from people I would normally concur with), however, I decided to give it a chance anyway due to the plot summary. A lost lord returning home after 20 years. Come on! How great does that sound? And it could have been SO MUCH better IMHO. IF the execution had been better. (It was not.) A lot of the ingredients were there. However, as some bakers know, if crucial ingredients are missing, the cake just isn't going to turn out well. And that's what happened here.
For example, there was NO suspense. It is kind of hard to have a (good) mystery without it. In point, the villains were revealed early (and the reader got their POVs and well as their motivations and agendas!). Even the multiple murder attempts, did not enliven up that much for me. Yep. And in later chapters how various characters were able to leap to the (albeit correct) conclusions they did was pretty unbelievable. (Tarot cards? Really? That's all I am doing to say.)
Additionally, certain points were left out, were suspiciously vague or unclear, if not ignored altogether. For example, throughout much of the book, Graham's current age is not mentioned. (Guess he is about 30. No sure about the h. Late 20s probably.) We are told repeated how Graham was lost as a 'boy'. (The age it happened was finally revealed ONCE well into the book. If you blinked, you could have missed it. I had already figured it out by then from several conversations the H/h had when referring to their childhood together. Most of which are recollections of how he was cruel to her in a boy-likes-girl way; but he was a bit of a bully too.) And what exactly was Lord Blakemore's title? I did the audio version for the bulk on this book (more on the narrator later) and I do not recall it ever being mentioned. I am assuming he was a...Baron? Would they (the court people) have not declared him dead years ago? I highly doubt it was up to Lady Agatha. How long had her husband been dead again? Hm...maybe. Important 'stuff' like that was maybe mentioned once or glossed over; and unimportant stuff was repeated over again and again and...well you get the drift.
The romance, or rather, the falling in love was quick. (There are two separate things.) Insta-love? I think it was slightly alluded to that since they knew each other as children, raised together actually that they had that foundation. Heh, not really. Beatrice claims later she always loved him and was unconsciously waiting for him. Considering she was between the age of 8-10 when Graham disappeared, it's a stretch for to believe that. And Graham has hints, shadows of feeling when he is with Beatrice but not full or actual memories. They claim a 'connection' but I am not sure what is it based on. However, the lust between them is clear. This all happened in a 2–3-week timeframe as far as I can tell. And that might be generous.
The secondary characters, villains (and yes, that's plural) were surprising boring. Lady Agatha was a tragic figure. Edmund, a bore. (In later chapter, Beatrice explains why they put up with his nonsense. His wife Eloise...well. Their purpose is clear. I wasn't sure about Christopher. He stayed in the background. He character seem to be there only to move the plot along; otherwise, he had no personality and other purpose. He did not seem to care for/after his mother much. There was never ANY interaction between him and Graham. That was odd too. Aside from servants and investigator, these folks lived in a bubble. They did not go anywhere EVER or received guests--aside from mentioning Beatrice had a few seasons years ago, there was seemingly no interaction with society. (The same society that the author brought up thru Beatrice on why the H/h could not be together.)
I am finally going to circle back to the narrator. She was not totally terrible. Some make me want to throw something. I agree with some reviewers who mention the contradictions Graham statements made. Both Edmund and Graham just sounded angry, so only emotion that came across. What DID drive me crazy was I could hear her swallowing and taking a breaths A LOT. Especially in certain chapters. Maybe she needed to take a break and was pushing through and did not realize the reader could hear all this 'background noise'.
I believe this maybe the first book I read by this author. Her writing style isn't my cup of tea so this will be it for me
CONTENT:
Intimacy: Several occasions between both main AND secondary characters.
Violence: Yes.
Language: Yes, mild range crude language usage.
Other niggles
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2019
This was a decent story of a castle with murder and deceit and lots of anger and mysterious goings-on. BUT I can’t see myself listening to anymore of this series. The narration was not good at all.
There was explicit sex in this, and the F-bomb was used 2 times.
As to the narration: Esther Wane made the men, especially the hero, Graham, sound like they were all dealing with constipation. Just because a FEMALE narrator can do the voice of a WOMAN character right doesn’t make her a narrator. Have a listen to Ashford McNab or Kate Rudd or Mary Jane Wells, or any number of really good female narrators and practice a little more, Ms. Wane.
There was explicit sex in this, and the F-bomb was used 2 times.
As to the narration: Esther Wane made the men, especially the hero, Graham, sound like they were all dealing with constipation. Just because a FEMALE narrator can do the voice of a WOMAN character right doesn’t make her a narrator. Have a listen to Ashford McNab or Kate Rudd or Mary Jane Wells, or any number of really good female narrators and practice a little more, Ms. Wane.
February 19, 2021
I was looking forward to reading this book, but it turned out to be a disappointment. Certainly not the best work from this author. Although an improvement in editing (far less typos and no missing chapter-thanks goodness), the dialogue between the h and H was forced and stiff and the story was repetitive at times.
January 12, 2024
This book suffered almost none of the problems that the Wylde Wallflowers series did. While slightly implausible, the story was interesting and well told, the characters fleshed out enough to care about, and the tropes worked well with no complaints here. I’m glad I tried another series from this author, as the first one nearly put me off entirely!
July 25, 2022
3,5 will write more soon
July 17, 2019
This is a little less Gothic than her last series...well I guess I should say not so much paranormal and witchcraft. I kind of miss that craziness, BUT I still really enjoyed this novel. A part of me thinks I should be really upset with how possessive and demanding Graham was concerning Beatrice. Yet honestly, I really liked it! Sometimes he went a little too extreme with his thoughts concerning their relationship but I felt (and I think Beatrice understood it that way too) that it was coming from a place of fear. You could tell Graham was adrift in this new world of "my lords" and Beatrice was his only anchor.
“I cannot tell you what it means… I can only tell you that I feel it to the depths of my soul. When you are not near me, I search for you. When I hear your voice, I am drawn to it. If we are in the same room, I find myself seeking your eye, seeking a connection to you always… and when I sleep, you haunt my dreams.”
“I hurt now,” he said. “I ache for you in ways that I cannot describe. What I should and should not do is of no matter to me. I will do exactly as I please and the rules be damned… I want you, Beatrice. But if I thought for one moment you did not want me in return, I would never speak of it again.”
In the other sense though...if Graham hadn't been so assertive, they never would have ended up together. Beatrice's resistance and unwillingness to even think about a future with Graham almost ruined everything. Luckily Lady Agatha was there to set her straight. Their conversation was extremely necessary! Otherwise, I did like Beatrice...she seemed to always know what to do. She knew when she should stay out of danger, but she also wasn't so meek and mild that she would sit back and do nothing. Extremely sensible yet wore her heart on her sleeve.
After reading quiet a few Bowlin stories by now, I can say you really have to be a fan of romance novels that move to love in a short time span. I personally like it, or else I'm just really in the mood for it right now. Romance novels are pretty predictable, so if it's done right, a romance that moves quickly can be very enjoyable. Overall, I like how this new series is starting and I'm eager to start the next novel!
“I cannot tell you what it means… I can only tell you that I feel it to the depths of my soul. When you are not near me, I search for you. When I hear your voice, I am drawn to it. If we are in the same room, I find myself seeking your eye, seeking a connection to you always… and when I sleep, you haunt my dreams.”
“I hurt now,” he said. “I ache for you in ways that I cannot describe. What I should and should not do is of no matter to me. I will do exactly as I please and the rules be damned… I want you, Beatrice. But if I thought for one moment you did not want me in return, I would never speak of it again.”
In the other sense though...if Graham hadn't been so assertive, they never would have ended up together. Beatrice's resistance and unwillingness to even think about a future with Graham almost ruined everything. Luckily Lady Agatha was there to set her straight. Their conversation was extremely necessary! Otherwise, I did like Beatrice...she seemed to always know what to do. She knew when she should stay out of danger, but she also wasn't so meek and mild that she would sit back and do nothing. Extremely sensible yet wore her heart on her sleeve.
After reading quiet a few Bowlin stories by now, I can say you really have to be a fan of romance novels that move to love in a short time span. I personally like it, or else I'm just really in the mood for it right now. Romance novels are pretty predictable, so if it's done right, a romance that moves quickly can be very enjoyable. Overall, I like how this new series is starting and I'm eager to start the next novel!
September 17, 2017
The Premise
Graham, Lord Blakemore is back at Castle Black after 18 years at sea. Lady Agnes Blakemore recognizes her lost son instantly; however for selfish reasons her other family members disagree and Graham himself is not 100% sure.
Intrigue, infidelity, attempted rape, poisoning, murder, and conspiracy reign in this isolated locale. The reader is assailed with multiple villains with their own motives for their actions.
I was captured immediately by the premise and eagerly read this book. However, when I found myself at 91% with so many loose ends needing to be resolved, my disappointment set in. I knew that the ending would be rushed and I wouldn't see all of the ends tied neatly. That being said, I truly hope that there is a continuation to this story. I have too many questions that were not answered.
The Love Story
Beatrice and Graham are immediately drawn to one another. Beatrice, an orphaned ward of the estate, had known Graham during their childhood and had clear though unpleasant memories of the boy he had been. She became his immediate ally and obsession upon his return.
I enjoyed the scenes that they shared. Graham's absolute certainty that Beatrice is the ONE in spite of her objections is priceless. Beatrice's reservations are valid based on the circumstances as described, but we are never given the details as to whether these circumstances are true or simply manufactured by one of our villains.
Beatrice is an older, spinster heroine, which I love. She is smart, outspoken and resourceful in the face of continued attempted assaults on her virtue within the home.
The Villains
In this tale the villains outnumber the protagonists. The castle is ominous with secret passages leading into dangerous, seemingly uninhabited areas. The villains are acting independently of one another each seeking his or her own means. One villain is never even present, yet is actively draining resources from the estate. With all of these bad actors, surely there is another book to set matters right.
My mission is to find other books or await their creation. I really enjoyed this story and I so crave a satisfying resolution.
Graham, Lord Blakemore is back at Castle Black after 18 years at sea. Lady Agnes Blakemore recognizes her lost son instantly; however for selfish reasons her other family members disagree and Graham himself is not 100% sure.
Intrigue, infidelity, attempted rape, poisoning, murder, and conspiracy reign in this isolated locale. The reader is assailed with multiple villains with their own motives for their actions.
I was captured immediately by the premise and eagerly read this book. However, when I found myself at 91% with so many loose ends needing to be resolved, my disappointment set in. I knew that the ending would be rushed and I wouldn't see all of the ends tied neatly. That being said, I truly hope that there is a continuation to this story. I have too many questions that were not answered.
The Love Story
Beatrice and Graham are immediately drawn to one another. Beatrice, an orphaned ward of the estate, had known Graham during their childhood and had clear though unpleasant memories of the boy he had been. She became his immediate ally and obsession upon his return.
I enjoyed the scenes that they shared. Graham's absolute certainty that Beatrice is the ONE in spite of her objections is priceless. Beatrice's reservations are valid based on the circumstances as described, but we are never given the details as to whether these circumstances are true or simply manufactured by one of our villains.
Beatrice is an older, spinster heroine, which I love. She is smart, outspoken and resourceful in the face of continued attempted assaults on her virtue within the home.
The Villains
In this tale the villains outnumber the protagonists. The castle is ominous with secret passages leading into dangerous, seemingly uninhabited areas. The villains are acting independently of one another each seeking his or her own means. One villain is never even present, yet is actively draining resources from the estate. With all of these bad actors, surely there is another book to set matters right.
My mission is to find other books or await their creation. I really enjoyed this story and I so crave a satisfying resolution.
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