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The Scarlet Chronicles #1
To Ruin a Gentleman
The true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel . . .
Angelette, the recently widowed Comtesse d'Avignon, only invited Viscount Daventry to her country house party as a favor to her sister. When the handsome British lord arrives—two days late—he's full of unnerving tales of unrest and violence in Paris. Angelette assumes it's all exaggeration...until her chateau is attacked and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives. But when danger closes in, will the viscount stand at her side or save himself?
Is not the one you've been told.
Hugh Daventry visits France frequently to import wine for the family business. On his way out of the country, he stops at the comtesse's house party out of obligation. But after meeting the raven-haired beauty, he tries to persuade her to leave France with him. When the peasants attack, he realizes he's already too late, and now he must protect Angelette, whose sharp tongue is far from angelic. Too soon the couple is caught up in the rising revolution, dodging bloodthirsty mobs, hiding from soldiers, and embroiled in the attack of the Bastille. Hugh wants nothing but to leave tumultuous France for the calm of England. He knows Angelette is intelligent and resourceful—a survivor. But can Hugh survive without her?
Angelette, the recently widowed Comtesse d'Avignon, only invited Viscount Daventry to her country house party as a favor to her sister. When the handsome British lord arrives—two days late—he's full of unnerving tales of unrest and violence in Paris. Angelette assumes it's all exaggeration...until her chateau is attacked and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives. But when danger closes in, will the viscount stand at her side or save himself?
Is not the one you've been told.
Hugh Daventry visits France frequently to import wine for the family business. On his way out of the country, he stops at the comtesse's house party out of obligation. But after meeting the raven-haired beauty, he tries to persuade her to leave France with him. When the peasants attack, he realizes he's already too late, and now he must protect Angelette, whose sharp tongue is far from angelic. Too soon the couple is caught up in the rising revolution, dodging bloodthirsty mobs, hiding from soldiers, and embroiled in the attack of the Bastille. Hugh wants nothing but to leave tumultuous France for the calm of England. He knows Angelette is intelligent and resourceful—a survivor. But can Hugh survive without her?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
About the author
Shana Galen
106 books1,593 followersShana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 26, 2018
I've given this a B at AAR.
In 2017, Shana Galen published Traitor in Her Arms,, part of the Scarlet Chronicles , a series of historical romantic adventures set during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. Now she’s following up with another book in the series – a novella – which precedes Traitor, but which can be read independently and which is linked to the earlier novel by the setting and the cameo appearance of Sir Percival Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel himself. Or is he? Because according to the synopsis, To Ruin a Gentleman tells the true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The story opens as nineteen-year-old Thomas Daventry arrives at his family home burning with questions for his father. Like many young men of his ilk, Thomas finds life in the country rather dull and spends most of his time in London living it up with his friends. He doesn’t really consider that his parents were young once, and thinks they’ve lived a fairly boring life – and still do – until a he meets Sir Andrew Ffoulkes at a dinner party and a comment made by that gentleman sends Thomas racing home in order to do as suggested and ask his father about the real Scarlet Pimpernel. Ms. Galen then proceeds to tell the story of how Thomas’ father, Hugh, Viscount Daventry, met his wife when they were caught up in the events of that fateful July in 1789. (And no, I’m not saying any more about the ‘real’ Pimpernel!)
Angelette, the widowed Comtesse d’Avignon, has invited Hugh Daventry to attend a house party being held at her estate near Versailles at the behest of her sister, the Marquise de Beauvais, who hopes that Hugh will consider importing the de Beauvais family wines to England. But the viscount has the bad manners not to arrive when he is supposed to, and Angelette is somewhat put out when he finally makes his appearance – two days late – when she is about to dine. When he apologises for his tardiness, explaining that he had difficulty getting out of Paris due to the increasing unrest there, Angelette is rather dismissive, blithely suggesting that the King and his ministers will no doubt find a solution to the problem to the riots and get rid of the mobs in the streets. Hugh is faintly appalled by her reaction, even angry when she refuses to accept that she and entire aristocracy is in danger.
Hugh suggests she should accompany him to Calais and thence to England and to her family there (Angelette is half English), but she refuses; she has spent much of her life in France and has lands and responsibilities there and views it as her home. She decides that, for all his good looks and potent masculinity, Hugh Daventry is annoying and she’ll be glad when he departs.
Hugh’s feelings about Angelette run along fairly similar lines. The lady is undoubtedly alluring, but her stubbornness is not only irritating, it could well get her killed – but if she won’t listen to reason, there’s little he can do to help her.
Sadly, however, Hugh’s warnings of the unrest in the city spreading are quickly shown not to have been unfounded when, in the middle of a ball, Angelette’s home is attacked and invaded by an angry mob intent on destruction and murder. His quick thinking gets the two of them away in one piece, and while he wants to head for Calais, Angelette insists on making for Versailles to report the events to the king and ask for his help. As a gentleman, Hugh isn’t about to abandon Angelette and allow her to journey on alone – but Angelette is captured by a group of peasants intent on taking her to Paris for trial and execution, and Hugh must think and act quickly if he’s to have any chance of saving her.
To Ruin a Gentleman is an interesting and engaging romantic adventure featuring a couple of attractive protagonists and Shana Galen has clearly done her homework when it comes to the events of the times. Her descriptions of key events – the invasion of the ball, the fall of the Bastille, for example – are described succinctly and vividly in such a way as to put the reader right in the middle of the action. She also skilfully incorporates the attitude prevalent among so much of the French aristocracy of the time into Angelette’s character, yet does it without making her unsympathetic; rather it’s her naïveté in believing that because she treats her dependants well they will remain loyal to her, and her belief that the King will be able to avert the impending disaster that blinds her to the realities of what is going on around her. Hugh is an attractive, sexy hero, one who is adaptable, clever and protective without being suffocating. Their romance is, perhaps, a little rushed – which is almost par for the course with novellas – but because of the heightened danger and uncertainty of their situation, it works, as both Hugh and Angelette are forced to admit the strength of their attraction and what it means to them, knowing that each day – each hour –might be their last.
My main quibble with the story is with the ending. It’s hard to say much about it without spoilers, so I’ll just say that it’s a little contrived – brilliant ideas run thick and fast, everyone agrees enthusiastically and is keen to get started and… well, it’s all too pat. I understand the need to satisfactorily explain why the true story of the Pimpernel differs from Baroness Orczy’s well-known tale, and Ms. Galen’s is certainly a plausible way to go about it. It was just a little too ‘let’s do the show right here!’ for my taste.
Aside from that, though, To Ruin a Gentleman, is a fast-paced, entertaining and sexy read that should do the trick if you’re in the market for a bit of adventure served up with your romance.
In 2017, Shana Galen published Traitor in Her Arms,, part of the Scarlet Chronicles , a series of historical romantic adventures set during the turbulent years of the French Revolution. Now she’s following up with another book in the series – a novella – which precedes Traitor, but which can be read independently and which is linked to the earlier novel by the setting and the cameo appearance of Sir Percival Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel himself. Or is he? Because according to the synopsis, To Ruin a Gentleman tells the true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The story opens as nineteen-year-old Thomas Daventry arrives at his family home burning with questions for his father. Like many young men of his ilk, Thomas finds life in the country rather dull and spends most of his time in London living it up with his friends. He doesn’t really consider that his parents were young once, and thinks they’ve lived a fairly boring life – and still do – until a he meets Sir Andrew Ffoulkes at a dinner party and a comment made by that gentleman sends Thomas racing home in order to do as suggested and ask his father about the real Scarlet Pimpernel. Ms. Galen then proceeds to tell the story of how Thomas’ father, Hugh, Viscount Daventry, met his wife when they were caught up in the events of that fateful July in 1789. (And no, I’m not saying any more about the ‘real’ Pimpernel!)
Angelette, the widowed Comtesse d’Avignon, has invited Hugh Daventry to attend a house party being held at her estate near Versailles at the behest of her sister, the Marquise de Beauvais, who hopes that Hugh will consider importing the de Beauvais family wines to England. But the viscount has the bad manners not to arrive when he is supposed to, and Angelette is somewhat put out when he finally makes his appearance – two days late – when she is about to dine. When he apologises for his tardiness, explaining that he had difficulty getting out of Paris due to the increasing unrest there, Angelette is rather dismissive, blithely suggesting that the King and his ministers will no doubt find a solution to the problem to the riots and get rid of the mobs in the streets. Hugh is faintly appalled by her reaction, even angry when she refuses to accept that she and entire aristocracy is in danger.
Hugh suggests she should accompany him to Calais and thence to England and to her family there (Angelette is half English), but she refuses; she has spent much of her life in France and has lands and responsibilities there and views it as her home. She decides that, for all his good looks and potent masculinity, Hugh Daventry is annoying and she’ll be glad when he departs.
Hugh’s feelings about Angelette run along fairly similar lines. The lady is undoubtedly alluring, but her stubbornness is not only irritating, it could well get her killed – but if she won’t listen to reason, there’s little he can do to help her.
Sadly, however, Hugh’s warnings of the unrest in the city spreading are quickly shown not to have been unfounded when, in the middle of a ball, Angelette’s home is attacked and invaded by an angry mob intent on destruction and murder. His quick thinking gets the two of them away in one piece, and while he wants to head for Calais, Angelette insists on making for Versailles to report the events to the king and ask for his help. As a gentleman, Hugh isn’t about to abandon Angelette and allow her to journey on alone – but Angelette is captured by a group of peasants intent on taking her to Paris for trial and execution, and Hugh must think and act quickly if he’s to have any chance of saving her.
To Ruin a Gentleman is an interesting and engaging romantic adventure featuring a couple of attractive protagonists and Shana Galen has clearly done her homework when it comes to the events of the times. Her descriptions of key events – the invasion of the ball, the fall of the Bastille, for example – are described succinctly and vividly in such a way as to put the reader right in the middle of the action. She also skilfully incorporates the attitude prevalent among so much of the French aristocracy of the time into Angelette’s character, yet does it without making her unsympathetic; rather it’s her naïveté in believing that because she treats her dependants well they will remain loyal to her, and her belief that the King will be able to avert the impending disaster that blinds her to the realities of what is going on around her. Hugh is an attractive, sexy hero, one who is adaptable, clever and protective without being suffocating. Their romance is, perhaps, a little rushed – which is almost par for the course with novellas – but because of the heightened danger and uncertainty of their situation, it works, as both Hugh and Angelette are forced to admit the strength of their attraction and what it means to them, knowing that each day – each hour –might be their last.
My main quibble with the story is with the ending. It’s hard to say much about it without spoilers, so I’ll just say that it’s a little contrived – brilliant ideas run thick and fast, everyone agrees enthusiastically and is keen to get started and… well, it’s all too pat. I understand the need to satisfactorily explain why the true story of the Pimpernel differs from Baroness Orczy’s well-known tale, and Ms. Galen’s is certainly a plausible way to go about it. It was just a little too ‘let’s do the show right here!’ for my taste.
Aside from that, though, To Ruin a Gentleman, is a fast-paced, entertaining and sexy read that should do the trick if you’re in the market for a bit of adventure served up with your romance.
December 29, 2018
Although TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN is officially the first book and prequel in Shana Galen’s new series, if you enjoyed TRAITOR IN HER ARMS, don’t even bother reading my review, and get TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN right away, you will not regret it.
What an extraordinary book! I usually dislike books that seem like history lessons, TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN is in many ways a history lesson about the taking of the Bastille and it is phenomenal; I adored it! Shana Galen has taken a slice of history and made it her own: vibrant and dynamic, her research is exemplary; the mood and the climate are recreated with astonishing historical accuracy and the characters are exceptional literary creations. I loved how Angelette truly represented the way of thinking of the French aristocracy, although she was half-English. I wished she had come to her senses more quickly, but one must understand how the French aristocracy was thinking, and this is how it must have been. The aristos did not want to believe what was really happening; and I loved seeing both points of view; it felt realistic.
Both Angelette and Hugh are tremendously well fleshed-out, very engaging, their romance is believable every step of the way, it progressed as it should have, and Hugh was simply a wonderful man. The sex scenes are splendid, they happen when they should, as they should, and are entirely credible – by themselves and in the context. The secondary characters are also fabulous, and Sir Percy Blakeney is an utter delight; his lines of dialogue nearly made me swoon! I could not help but picture my darling Leslie Howard from the old black and white movies!
Ms. Galen’s writing is outstanding, the prose utterly flawless, elegant; the dialogues impeccable; it was as if I had been imbibing the story, not simply reading it. I’m not quite sure what else to say, except that TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN is yet another masterpiece by Ms. Galen, and this series will one day be considered a classic. Positively sublime!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What an extraordinary book! I usually dislike books that seem like history lessons, TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN is in many ways a history lesson about the taking of the Bastille and it is phenomenal; I adored it! Shana Galen has taken a slice of history and made it her own: vibrant and dynamic, her research is exemplary; the mood and the climate are recreated with astonishing historical accuracy and the characters are exceptional literary creations. I loved how Angelette truly represented the way of thinking of the French aristocracy, although she was half-English. I wished she had come to her senses more quickly, but one must understand how the French aristocracy was thinking, and this is how it must have been. The aristos did not want to believe what was really happening; and I loved seeing both points of view; it felt realistic.
Both Angelette and Hugh are tremendously well fleshed-out, very engaging, their romance is believable every step of the way, it progressed as it should have, and Hugh was simply a wonderful man. The sex scenes are splendid, they happen when they should, as they should, and are entirely credible – by themselves and in the context. The secondary characters are also fabulous, and Sir Percy Blakeney is an utter delight; his lines of dialogue nearly made me swoon! I could not help but picture my darling Leslie Howard from the old black and white movies!
Ms. Galen’s writing is outstanding, the prose utterly flawless, elegant; the dialogues impeccable; it was as if I had been imbibing the story, not simply reading it. I’m not quite sure what else to say, except that TO RUIN A GENTLEMAN is yet another masterpiece by Ms. Galen, and this series will one day be considered a classic. Positively sublime!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 4, 2019
Series: The Scarlet Chronicles #1
Publication Date: 1/15/19
Number of Pages: 121
What a way for an author to whet a reader’s appetite for a new series! This is an exciting tale of revolution, suspense, danger, and romance with an absolutely lovely twist! When you have an intriguing story, excellently written prose and tight plotting, you just have to have a winner – and this book has all of that. You quickly forget you are reading a novella because everything in the story is so full and robust. Goodness gracious, I can hardly wait for the next book – I’m waiting with bated breath.
Thomas Daventry has the dullest of parents. They never do anything exciting or fun. They just live quietly at their estate and are goofily in love with each other. They love him and his sisters too and have no problem showing it. However, being a boy of nineteen, he doesn’t really want much to do with sheep, fields and a drafty old pile – so he rarely visits home. When he hears an unbelievable tale from someone in London, he heads, hell-bent-for-leather, home to talk to his father and see what the real tale is.
Viscount Hugh Daventry is surprised and pleased to see his son – and begins to tell him the real story of The Scarlet Pimpernel. What an exciting tale it turns out to be. Hugh was traveling in France just as the revolution was beginning. He was setting up distribution systems to import French wines to England. Paris was already in turmoil with armed gangs burning and looting and Hugh knew it would quickly spread to the countryside. It was Hugh’s intention to honor a promise he’d made to a friend, Therese, Marquise de Beauvais. He’d promised to stop by her sisters’ home and persuade her to leave France and travel to England with him because it was not safe for any aristocrat to remain in France – not even an English one.
Comtesse d’Avignon (Angelette) has been widowed for eighteen months now and is just shedding her widow’s weeds. She loved her husband and mourned him, but it is now time to enter back into life. She’s decided to give a house party as a way of gently entering back into society and when an upstart Englishman appears and tries to persuade her that war is coming and that she should travel to England with him she is appalled. How dare he! Her servants would never betray her nor would the people in the village. She and her husband had always treated them fairly and honorably. She will admit that she has been secluded since her husband’s death and isn’t aware of any of the news, but she is positive the King will deal with whatever upstarts actually rise up and all will be well. That Englishman just needs to go on his way and leave her be!
When the worst happens and Angelette’s chateau is attacked and burned by a horde of people (some were her servants) bent on death and destruction, Hugh just barely managed to save Angelette. Their journey from that point forward is filled with danger and excitement – and, yes – romance. Angelette is determined to stay in France and help her fellow aristocrats and Hugh is determined to leave as soon as possible. How can two such disparate goals mesh into one? Will Hugh ever manage to get Angelette out of France? Will he stay and help Angelette. Well, you’ll just have to read the book to see.
This book really does whet your appetite for the next stories. However, it did leave me with a couple of questions, and I wonder if they’ll be addressed at all in upcoming books. Somehow, I don’t think so and I’d really like to know the story. What happened to Hugh’s valet? Did he manage to escape the attack? We never heard more of him. Then, what happened to the Vicomte de Merville and his pregnant wife? I really liked them and wouldn’t like to think that something bad happened. Arrangements were made for their escape, but did they actually make it? We MIGHT learn more of them in another book – I hope.
This was an excellent, suspenseful and exciting read and I certainly recommend it.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 1/15/19
Number of Pages: 121
What a way for an author to whet a reader’s appetite for a new series! This is an exciting tale of revolution, suspense, danger, and romance with an absolutely lovely twist! When you have an intriguing story, excellently written prose and tight plotting, you just have to have a winner – and this book has all of that. You quickly forget you are reading a novella because everything in the story is so full and robust. Goodness gracious, I can hardly wait for the next book – I’m waiting with bated breath.
Thomas Daventry has the dullest of parents. They never do anything exciting or fun. They just live quietly at their estate and are goofily in love with each other. They love him and his sisters too and have no problem showing it. However, being a boy of nineteen, he doesn’t really want much to do with sheep, fields and a drafty old pile – so he rarely visits home. When he hears an unbelievable tale from someone in London, he heads, hell-bent-for-leather, home to talk to his father and see what the real tale is.
Viscount Hugh Daventry is surprised and pleased to see his son – and begins to tell him the real story of The Scarlet Pimpernel. What an exciting tale it turns out to be. Hugh was traveling in France just as the revolution was beginning. He was setting up distribution systems to import French wines to England. Paris was already in turmoil with armed gangs burning and looting and Hugh knew it would quickly spread to the countryside. It was Hugh’s intention to honor a promise he’d made to a friend, Therese, Marquise de Beauvais. He’d promised to stop by her sisters’ home and persuade her to leave France and travel to England with him because it was not safe for any aristocrat to remain in France – not even an English one.
Comtesse d’Avignon (Angelette) has been widowed for eighteen months now and is just shedding her widow’s weeds. She loved her husband and mourned him, but it is now time to enter back into life. She’s decided to give a house party as a way of gently entering back into society and when an upstart Englishman appears and tries to persuade her that war is coming and that she should travel to England with him she is appalled. How dare he! Her servants would never betray her nor would the people in the village. She and her husband had always treated them fairly and honorably. She will admit that she has been secluded since her husband’s death and isn’t aware of any of the news, but she is positive the King will deal with whatever upstarts actually rise up and all will be well. That Englishman just needs to go on his way and leave her be!
When the worst happens and Angelette’s chateau is attacked and burned by a horde of people (some were her servants) bent on death and destruction, Hugh just barely managed to save Angelette. Their journey from that point forward is filled with danger and excitement – and, yes – romance. Angelette is determined to stay in France and help her fellow aristocrats and Hugh is determined to leave as soon as possible. How can two such disparate goals mesh into one? Will Hugh ever manage to get Angelette out of France? Will he stay and help Angelette. Well, you’ll just have to read the book to see.
This book really does whet your appetite for the next stories. However, it did leave me with a couple of questions, and I wonder if they’ll be addressed at all in upcoming books. Somehow, I don’t think so and I’d really like to know the story. What happened to Hugh’s valet? Did he manage to escape the attack? We never heard more of him. Then, what happened to the Vicomte de Merville and his pregnant wife? I really liked them and wouldn’t like to think that something bad happened. Arrangements were made for their escape, but did they actually make it? We MIGHT learn more of them in another book – I hope.
This was an excellent, suspenseful and exciting read and I certainly recommend it.
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
February 22, 2020
Fun intro to the series. Looks like it might be a spy style historical series about English helping rescue French nobility during the revolution.
September 13, 2019
Unique and Sexy
The premise of this book was interesting. Plus the narrative choice of a father sharing a secret tale with his son was also unique. The sex scenes were erotic. However, something about it just fell a little flat for me. I didn't find it so engaging I couldn't put it down. I do not plan to continue the series.
The premise of this book was interesting. Plus the narrative choice of a father sharing a secret tale with his son was also unique. The sex scenes were erotic. However, something about it just fell a little flat for me. I didn't find it so engaging I couldn't put it down. I do not plan to continue the series.
July 19, 2019
writing a book about the french revolution and the fall of the bastille from the perspective of the nobles is criminal and that’s that on that
January 2, 2019
This series is Galen's telling of the tale of The Scarlet Pimpernel. She has it a league of people in England and France who rescue the innocent trapped in Paris during the Reign of Terror. This story is how the League started. I find the series fascinating, original and ambitious. It is not for the faint hearted as the reader experiences some of the terrors during that violent period in history.
The book opens with the son of Viscount Daventry racing home because he's stumbled on a mystery only his very boring father can explain. Boy is son Thomas in for a shock as he finds out his mother is the Scarlet Pimpernel his Dad & some friends were some of the original members of the league. What an original start of a story.
Hugh Daventry is a wine importer on a mission to rescue widow Comtesse Angelette d'Avignon from France. Her brother Marquise de Beauvasis in England is very worried about her safety. When he locates her she's in the middle of a house party at her estate outside Paris. No one there realizes Paris is in violent chaos and they need to flee. Over and over again Hugh realizes Angelette will not leave even when faced with the violence. He finds he cannot leave her behind and stays. While on the way to Versailles they are captured by a citizen mob and taken to Paris. There they are rescued by Sir Percy Blakeney pretending to be a citizen commander. They lead him to her friends Viscomte de Merville & his wife are still in town as his wife is pregnant and having trouble traveling to the country giving them shelter. It seems Sir Percy has been helping people escape Paris and Angelette volunteers to help him. They end up forming the secret League of the Scarlet Pimpernel with her as the head and Percy willing to return to England to recruit help from his friends while escorting the Viscount & his wife as well as Baron Victor Eugene, second in command of the Bastille.
I really enjoyed this story and I have to say it was easier to read than the first she put out in this series. It's been released out of order, the second release is really the first book. We experience the violence but not to the detail that the first story did for which I am grateful. There is no way to shy away from the bloody violence of this period in history. I found the characters to be genuine and I grew to appreciate Angelette's cleverness and loyalty, Robert's determination to keep her safe and Percy's fun loving and adventurous spirit. Thank you Shana for the opportunity to review this story for you.
The book opens with the son of Viscount Daventry racing home because he's stumbled on a mystery only his very boring father can explain. Boy is son Thomas in for a shock as he finds out his mother is the Scarlet Pimpernel his Dad & some friends were some of the original members of the league. What an original start of a story.
Hugh Daventry is a wine importer on a mission to rescue widow Comtesse Angelette d'Avignon from France. Her brother Marquise de Beauvasis in England is very worried about her safety. When he locates her she's in the middle of a house party at her estate outside Paris. No one there realizes Paris is in violent chaos and they need to flee. Over and over again Hugh realizes Angelette will not leave even when faced with the violence. He finds he cannot leave her behind and stays. While on the way to Versailles they are captured by a citizen mob and taken to Paris. There they are rescued by Sir Percy Blakeney pretending to be a citizen commander. They lead him to her friends Viscomte de Merville & his wife are still in town as his wife is pregnant and having trouble traveling to the country giving them shelter. It seems Sir Percy has been helping people escape Paris and Angelette volunteers to help him. They end up forming the secret League of the Scarlet Pimpernel with her as the head and Percy willing to return to England to recruit help from his friends while escorting the Viscount & his wife as well as Baron Victor Eugene, second in command of the Bastille.
I really enjoyed this story and I have to say it was easier to read than the first she put out in this series. It's been released out of order, the second release is really the first book. We experience the violence but not to the detail that the first story did for which I am grateful. There is no way to shy away from the bloody violence of this period in history. I found the characters to be genuine and I grew to appreciate Angelette's cleverness and loyalty, Robert's determination to keep her safe and Percy's fun loving and adventurous spirit. Thank you Shana for the opportunity to review this story for you.
May 17, 2023
3.5 stars. An interesting romance novella set in France at the end of the 18th century. Our English hero and French heroine are running through the countryside, away from the rioting mobs - trying to reach safety. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was good.
January 8, 2019
The origin story of the Scarlett Pimpernel is a white-knuckle page turner!!!
Shana Galen first introduced her version of the legend of the Scarlett Pimpernel in Traitor in Her Arms and now takes us back in time to how the league and legend was formed.
To Ruin a Gentleman is the perfect balance of historical romance, romantic suspense, and French history class! There is intrigue and danger from the first to last page with just enough action to keep you turning pages and just the right amount of sexual tension and sexy times to provide a break from the suspense.
I can’t wait for more tales of this version of the Scarlett Pimpernel!
Shana Galen first introduced her version of the legend of the Scarlett Pimpernel in Traitor in Her Arms and now takes us back in time to how the league and legend was formed.
To Ruin a Gentleman is the perfect balance of historical romance, romantic suspense, and French history class! There is intrigue and danger from the first to last page with just enough action to keep you turning pages and just the right amount of sexual tension and sexy times to provide a break from the suspense.
I can’t wait for more tales of this version of the Scarlett Pimpernel!
January 8, 2019
I’ll start off saying that this is a wonderful book and I’m trying not to spoil any of it. It starts when Thomas Daventry, son of a viscount, wants to know if his normal, predictable parents have secrets he’s not aware of. His father, Hugh’s story started in the 1780s when he visited France to buy their excellent wine. Friends in England had asked him to escort their widowed sister, Angelette, to London as they were worried about the unrest in France. She refuses to leave her home and he’s determined to protect her.
I could not put this book down. It catches you and you want more. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one in the series! Great job Shana Galen!
I could not put this book down. It catches you and you want more. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one in the series! Great job Shana Galen!
May 21, 2022
Thus was pretty great! An alternate version of The Scarlett Pimpernel with great plot tension, steam, and chemistry. The beginning novella to the series. Ready to dive in to the next.
January 14, 2019
When young Thomas Daventry, son of Hugh, the Viscount Daventry hears some unbelievable gossip about his parents, he rushes home to Hampshire to confront his father. His asks his father about the Scarlet Pimpernel and learns a lot more than he was expecting!
Hugh Daventry, Viscount Daventry knew the day would come that his children would hear the rumors and demand answers, so when Thomas starts asking questions, Hugh decides it is time to tell him the truth - the whole truth!
His story begins in 1789, at the estate of Angelette, the widowed Cometesse d'Avignon. He arrives late to her house party and their first introduction is definitely not love at first sight. He tells her of the unrest in Paris and that her sister asked him to bring her to London. Angelette is sure Hugh is exaggerating and refuses to go. For his part, Hugh tried, if she doesn't want to go, there is nothing he can do. He knows things are only going to get worse and hopes that she will reconsider, but he is leaving, with or without her.
His plans are altered when the unrest comes knocking down her door - literally. Hugh saves her from certain death and is sure that Angelette will see reason and leave with him for London. But Angelette argues that she can't leave, her husband's family and her friends need to be warned, she wants to go to warn the king of the unrest and Hugh grudging agrees to escort her.
Thus begins the adventure, Angelette is taken prisoner by a mob of peasants and Hugh must make a choice, rescue her or walk away. He knows that leaving is the smart thing to do, but he can't seem to walk away from this maddening woman! He manages to free her from her captors, but she still refuses to leave. He agrees to take her to her friends in Paris, the Viscomte & Viscometesse d'Mervilles.
When they arrive, Angelette is stunned by the unrest and hostility in town, she knows that she was wrong to think that Hugh was a coward for wanting to leave, it is clear that their lives are in danger, but she still won't leave when she thinks she can help her friends and family.
The story continues through the fall of Bastille and the horrific aftermath and introduces the reader to Sir Percy Blakeney, who manages to save Angelette and Hugh from certain death and brings danger to their doorstep.
When he finishes his story, Thomas is flabbergasted, he cannot believe that his BORING parents lived through such an adventure - he is not sure he knows the whole story and decides that he needs to visit more often and ask more questions.
This was a well written, amazing story, filled with intrigue, action, horrifying life or death moments, steamy love scenes, wonderful characters and an ending that must be read. I have said this before and I'm going to say it again - Ms. Galen is a wonderful author, her Regency books are great, but if you want to be blown away, read her French Revolution books, this is where her true talent lies, she will pull you back in time, your heart will race from the danger, you will cry from the horrific and often brutal scenes of what humans are capable of doing to each other, you will rejoice at the moments of lightness and fan yourself after reading the steamy love scenes. And while the subject matter is dark, Ms. Galen manages to keep the reader from falling into despair by giving her characters strong personalities and infusing them with hope and love.
This is the first book in the Scarlet Chronicles series, but it is not the first book she has written in this era - be sure to check out her "Sons of the Revolution" Series and the next book in this series!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
Hugh Daventry, Viscount Daventry knew the day would come that his children would hear the rumors and demand answers, so when Thomas starts asking questions, Hugh decides it is time to tell him the truth - the whole truth!
His story begins in 1789, at the estate of Angelette, the widowed Cometesse d'Avignon. He arrives late to her house party and their first introduction is definitely not love at first sight. He tells her of the unrest in Paris and that her sister asked him to bring her to London. Angelette is sure Hugh is exaggerating and refuses to go. For his part, Hugh tried, if she doesn't want to go, there is nothing he can do. He knows things are only going to get worse and hopes that she will reconsider, but he is leaving, with or without her.
His plans are altered when the unrest comes knocking down her door - literally. Hugh saves her from certain death and is sure that Angelette will see reason and leave with him for London. But Angelette argues that she can't leave, her husband's family and her friends need to be warned, she wants to go to warn the king of the unrest and Hugh grudging agrees to escort her.
Thus begins the adventure, Angelette is taken prisoner by a mob of peasants and Hugh must make a choice, rescue her or walk away. He knows that leaving is the smart thing to do, but he can't seem to walk away from this maddening woman! He manages to free her from her captors, but she still refuses to leave. He agrees to take her to her friends in Paris, the Viscomte & Viscometesse d'Mervilles.
When they arrive, Angelette is stunned by the unrest and hostility in town, she knows that she was wrong to think that Hugh was a coward for wanting to leave, it is clear that their lives are in danger, but she still won't leave when she thinks she can help her friends and family.
The story continues through the fall of Bastille and the horrific aftermath and introduces the reader to Sir Percy Blakeney, who manages to save Angelette and Hugh from certain death and brings danger to their doorstep.
When he finishes his story, Thomas is flabbergasted, he cannot believe that his BORING parents lived through such an adventure - he is not sure he knows the whole story and decides that he needs to visit more often and ask more questions.
This was a well written, amazing story, filled with intrigue, action, horrifying life or death moments, steamy love scenes, wonderful characters and an ending that must be read. I have said this before and I'm going to say it again - Ms. Galen is a wonderful author, her Regency books are great, but if you want to be blown away, read her French Revolution books, this is where her true talent lies, she will pull you back in time, your heart will race from the danger, you will cry from the horrific and often brutal scenes of what humans are capable of doing to each other, you will rejoice at the moments of lightness and fan yourself after reading the steamy love scenes. And while the subject matter is dark, Ms. Galen manages to keep the reader from falling into despair by giving her characters strong personalities and infusing them with hope and love.
This is the first book in the Scarlet Chronicles series, but it is not the first book she has written in this era - be sure to check out her "Sons of the Revolution" Series and the next book in this series!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
January 29, 2021
I found this little novella through my Libby app, and while I enjoyed this one in some aspects, it felt so slow and disconnected at times. And I just didn't feel interested in the story that much. I think there was too much in the plot development that had this novella be very overwhelming and would have been better in a full length novel.
January 5, 2019
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. To Ruin a Gentleman is the prequel in The Scarlet Chronicles and the readers get to know how it all started.
When in France to meet his wine suppliers, Viscount Daventry attends the recently widowed Comtesse D’Avignon’s house party before leaving the French shores. Angelette had invited him only as a favour to her sister and is a bit miffed at Hugh for arriving late to her first house party following her husband’s death. Her dislike intensifies when he urges her to leave France with him following exaggerated stories of violence he described seeing in Paris. Her loyalty to her husband’s relatives, lands and friends disallow her to leave, had the tales been true.
However, when her chateau is attacked during a ball, Angelette finally realizes that what Hugh was saying was reality. It is thanks to Daventry that they make it out of the castle alive before it is destroyed. Hugh tries to convince the far-from-angelic Comtesse to journey with him to England, but she keeps on refusing. He does all in his power to ensure her safety, attempting to hide from bloodthirsty peasants and soldiers alike.
Ms. Galen cunningly wrote the story in retrospect. The story begins with Hugh’s son returning to his parents’ country home to confirm an absurd rumour – that his boring father was the Scarlet Pimpernel – as untrue. Up to the end of the book, the readers have no idea whether Angelette and Hugh ended up together. The story is well-written, with vivid descriptions of the rising revolution, making the readers feel as if they are in the middle of the book amidst the characters.
This is a must-read! The Scarlet Chronicles have become one of my favourite series amongst Shana Galen’s books. However, keep in mind that there is no uprising without any gore.
When in France to meet his wine suppliers, Viscount Daventry attends the recently widowed Comtesse D’Avignon’s house party before leaving the French shores. Angelette had invited him only as a favour to her sister and is a bit miffed at Hugh for arriving late to her first house party following her husband’s death. Her dislike intensifies when he urges her to leave France with him following exaggerated stories of violence he described seeing in Paris. Her loyalty to her husband’s relatives, lands and friends disallow her to leave, had the tales been true.
However, when her chateau is attacked during a ball, Angelette finally realizes that what Hugh was saying was reality. It is thanks to Daventry that they make it out of the castle alive before it is destroyed. Hugh tries to convince the far-from-angelic Comtesse to journey with him to England, but she keeps on refusing. He does all in his power to ensure her safety, attempting to hide from bloodthirsty peasants and soldiers alike.
Ms. Galen cunningly wrote the story in retrospect. The story begins with Hugh’s son returning to his parents’ country home to confirm an absurd rumour – that his boring father was the Scarlet Pimpernel – as untrue. Up to the end of the book, the readers have no idea whether Angelette and Hugh ended up together. The story is well-written, with vivid descriptions of the rising revolution, making the readers feel as if they are in the middle of the book amidst the characters.
This is a must-read! The Scarlet Chronicles have become one of my favourite series amongst Shana Galen’s books. However, keep in mind that there is no uprising without any gore.
January 7, 2019
The story starts in 1812 when Thomas Daventry returns to Daventry Hall from London needing to speak to his father Hugh after an interesting dinner party conversation with Sir Andrew Ffoulkes.
Hugh then tells his son of events from over twenty years ago.
Angelette, the recently widowed Comtesse d'Avignon, only invited Viscount Daventry to her country house party as a favour to her sister. When the handsome British lord arrives two days late he's full of unnerving tales of unrest and violence in Paris. Angelette assumes it's all exaggeration until her chateau is attacked and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives.
Captivating, engrossing, enthralling or just plain WOW. I started reading late at night & read it in a sitting as I was drawn in from page one & breathless by the end. I loved Traitor in her Arms which was one of my top three reads of 2017 ( & is actually the second book in the series) so I'd been waiting for more books in the series & this long novella ticked all the boxes & more. The characters had depth & Hugh & Angelette came to life, the pace was fast paced & I found myself totally lost in the story. Now completely impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Hugh then tells his son of events from over twenty years ago.
Angelette, the recently widowed Comtesse d'Avignon, only invited Viscount Daventry to her country house party as a favour to her sister. When the handsome British lord arrives two days late he's full of unnerving tales of unrest and violence in Paris. Angelette assumes it's all exaggeration until her chateau is attacked and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives.
Captivating, engrossing, enthralling or just plain WOW. I started reading late at night & read it in a sitting as I was drawn in from page one & breathless by the end. I loved Traitor in her Arms which was one of my top three reads of 2017 ( & is actually the second book in the series) so I'd been waiting for more books in the series & this long novella ticked all the boxes & more. The characters had depth & Hugh & Angelette came to life, the pace was fast paced & I found myself totally lost in the story. Now completely impatiently waiting for the next in the series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 6, 2019
I really enjoyed the book. I happen to love the backdrop of the French Revolution. Angelette is exactly the sort of heroine I would hope to be; smart, loyal, courageous. I appreciated it wasn't overly long, but moved quickly and surely. By the end you can see that there is more to come. Don't worry, the ending wasn't a cliffhanger, but I am really excited to read the next book. Shana Galen must love her readers because we are only waiting a few weeks in between books instead of years. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 16, 2019
Shana Galen has crafted a suspenseful story with captivating characters in To Ruin A Gentleman! The novella takes place during the French Revolution and is the prequel to A Traitor In Her Arms. I was drawn to the characters and the drama in this fast- moving story and read it in one afternoon.
Viscount Thomas Daventry has travelled from London to Paris on business. He has promised his friends that he would visit Angelette, the Comtesse D’Avignon after his meetings. He tries to tell Angelette and her house guests about the growing hostility in Paris. He is ignored until Angelette’s chateau is taken over by her servants and a group of peasants and burned to the ground.
Shana Galen has a rich, descriptive voice and it is showcased in this novel. She is able to shine a light on the decline of power and priveledge in French society in this suspenseful, sensuous story. Daventry and Angelette narrowly escape the attack on her chateau and decide to head towards Paris. Their journey is filled with intrigue, love and surprises. I loved that Daventry was a perfect gentleman and just a little bit in love with the headstrong, clever Angelette. Their romance is woven into this story centered on the fall of the Bastille. Ms. Galen creates a sense of danger as well as a thrilling plot as Angelette and Daventry experience firsthand the violence and unrest between the peasants and the aristocrats.
If you enjoy historical fiction with appealing characters and a dash of suspense—To Ruin A Gentleman is for you. Loved the many unexpected plot twists and turns in the storyline and the ending was fabulous!! I enjoyed every word of this novella and cannot wait for the next book!
Viscount Thomas Daventry has travelled from London to Paris on business. He has promised his friends that he would visit Angelette, the Comtesse D’Avignon after his meetings. He tries to tell Angelette and her house guests about the growing hostility in Paris. He is ignored until Angelette’s chateau is taken over by her servants and a group of peasants and burned to the ground.
Shana Galen has a rich, descriptive voice and it is showcased in this novel. She is able to shine a light on the decline of power and priveledge in French society in this suspenseful, sensuous story. Daventry and Angelette narrowly escape the attack on her chateau and decide to head towards Paris. Their journey is filled with intrigue, love and surprises. I loved that Daventry was a perfect gentleman and just a little bit in love with the headstrong, clever Angelette. Their romance is woven into this story centered on the fall of the Bastille. Ms. Galen creates a sense of danger as well as a thrilling plot as Angelette and Daventry experience firsthand the violence and unrest between the peasants and the aristocrats.
If you enjoy historical fiction with appealing characters and a dash of suspense—To Ruin A Gentleman is for you. Loved the many unexpected plot twists and turns in the storyline and the ending was fabulous!! I enjoyed every word of this novella and cannot wait for the next book!
January 13, 2019
To Ruin a Gentleman is a prequel that starts off The Scarlet Chronicles - it is set in France just as the Revolution is starting, and explains the start of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Viscount Hugh Daventry is in France on business and stops off at widow Angelette, Comtesse d’Avignon’s house party as a favor to her sister to persuade her to escape to England. His stories of the unrest are answered with disbelief by all of the nobles at the party, until they experience the danger first hand. Angelette is still determined to help her friends and family in France, and Hugh can’t bring himself to leave her alone and in danger. I thought Angelette was foolish but very brave to stay in France with the danger all around for the aristocracy, and Hugh was obviously so smitten he couldn’t desert the woman he’s fallen for, which led to some hard decisions. During the story, there was quite a bit of suspense as to whether they would be taken by the mob or win free, and then we didn’t see all of their adventures during the unrest, but the conclusion made it very clear there was a happily ever after, which made me happy. I hope we hear more about Sir Percy Blakeney in future stories, as well as Angelette and Hugh, and I’d love to hear if Angelette’s friends, the French Vicomte and his pregnant wife, made it safely out of France.
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April 27, 2024
Not bad.
January 4, 2019
Be prepared for a wonderful story time that hooks you from the start and surprises you in the end! I love that it starts with Hugh telling his son the story. You will fall right into the brutal story of the attacks and riots and be holding your breath afraid of what will happen next. They are a couple at odd from the start with him trying to save her while she is determined to stay. There are many times that you think the story will go one way and it takes a turn in another way. The ending to their story will totally surprise you and it’s sweet at the same time.
Angelette is very loyal and it’s almost to a fault. She didn’t understand what was coming until it was too late, but she was different than her friends. You won’t love her right away, but you will in the end with how she surprises you.
Hugh lost his heart quickly and didn’t even know it. I loved him right away because he kept trying to make people understand what was coming. No matter what he kept coming back to her.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
Angelette is very loyal and it’s almost to a fault. She didn’t understand what was coming until it was too late, but she was different than her friends. You won’t love her right away, but you will in the end with how she surprises you.
Hugh lost his heart quickly and didn’t even know it. I loved him right away because he kept trying to make people understand what was coming. No matter what he kept coming back to her.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
January 8, 2019
I loved this new series. It has combined two of my favorite things history and romance. I really enjoyed the Chemistry between Angelette and Hugh. I like how Hugh does not even really know her and wants to protect her. This is an amazing start to a new series.
December 23, 2018
I've been a fan of Ms. Galen for a while now and have thoroughly enjoyed her previous books. "To Ruin a Gentleman" is the start of a new series and I absolutely loved it! The story is told from father to son and follows the widowed Comtesse Angelette and Viscount Hugh Daventry during the start of the French revolution. I felt like I was living through this awful time the writing was so visceral. Not many authors can successfully convey a complete story in a novella, but Ms. Galen accomplishing just that. I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happened to Hugh and Angelette during that time.
I loved Tom's reaction after his father had finished telling him the tale of the real Scarlet Pimpernel. He was dumbfounded as he always believed his parents were dull. What other secrets did his parents have? I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in this series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and was not obligated to leave a review.
I loved Tom's reaction after his father had finished telling him the tale of the real Scarlet Pimpernel. He was dumbfounded as he always believed his parents were dull. What other secrets did his parents have? I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in this series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and was not obligated to leave a review.
December 25, 2018
Sink me! I loved this take on The Scarlet Pimpernel! Billed as the true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, I was eager to read this, and it not only met but exceeded my high hopes.
First of all, this was a clever and creative spin on the beloved Scarlet Pimpernel. I am delighted that the author was able to incorporate so many familiar elements in a fresh and engrossing way. There are some delicious twists in this tale!
Another thing I especially enjoyed was the way the setting during the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastile was realistic and suspenseful without being overly graphically gruesome.
This novella is a smashing start to The Scarlet Chronicles series! It may be novella length, but it is a complete and satisfying story experience. I simply cannot wait for the rest of this series. This will appeal to all readers of historical romance, whether they are already Scarlet Pimpernel fans of not. I highly recommend this!
First of all, this was a clever and creative spin on the beloved Scarlet Pimpernel. I am delighted that the author was able to incorporate so many familiar elements in a fresh and engrossing way. There are some delicious twists in this tale!
Another thing I especially enjoyed was the way the setting during the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastile was realistic and suspenseful without being overly graphically gruesome.
This novella is a smashing start to The Scarlet Chronicles series! It may be novella length, but it is a complete and satisfying story experience. I simply cannot wait for the rest of this series. This will appeal to all readers of historical romance, whether they are already Scarlet Pimpernel fans of not. I highly recommend this!
December 25, 2018
To Ruin a Gentleman introduction to the coming series set in revolutionary France. It follows widowed Comtesse Angelette and Viscount Hugh Daventry at the start of the French Revolution.
Great novella to introduce Shana's new Revoluntionary France. The story of how Scarlet Pimpernel became to be.
Hugh, Angelette and Sir Percy worked together to save nobility after the Fall of The Bastille and beginning of French Revolution.
The League of Scarlet Pimpernel was formed to help rescue and transport nobility to safety.
Hugh used his contacts in wine and shipping industry, Angelette used her inhertiance and Sir Percy provided the forgers and survellience to support the cause.
Great novella to introduce Shana's new Revoluntionary France. The story of how Scarlet Pimpernel became to be.
Hugh, Angelette and Sir Percy worked together to save nobility after the Fall of The Bastille and beginning of French Revolution.
The League of Scarlet Pimpernel was formed to help rescue and transport nobility to safety.
Hugh used his contacts in wine and shipping industry, Angelette used her inhertiance and Sir Percy provided the forgers and survellience to support the cause.
December 10, 2018
Viscount Hugh Daventry is in France to further his family's wine importation interests and, as a favor to her sister, he also plans to visit a house party hosted by Angelette, Comtesse d'Avignon, and do all he can to convince her to return to England with him and flee the unrest and brewing violence in Paris before it spreads. But when he arrives at her home in Versailles, it is as if he has entered a different world. Angelette and her aristocratic friends are either unaware or completely in denial about the danger they are in and refuse to heed Hugh's warnings. Angelette refuses to come with him and, though he continues to try to convince her, she is more interested in ensuring the success of her first event since the end of her widow's mourning period after the death of her husband. Despite being presented with logical arguments, the naive countess insists on remaining in France, believing any unrest will be put down. When the violence makes its way to her own home, sooner than even Hugh anticipated, Angelette is forced to open her eyes. Yet even after fleeing her home with Hugh, she continues to insist upon remaining in France, so Hugh decides he's given it his best shot and has no reason not to make good his own escape back to England. Although France is her adopted country, Angelette feels she can do something to get justice for her friends and warn others. By the time she realizes the situation is more dangerous than she thought, she finds her own life in peril and herself separated from Hugh, who she labels a coward. But Hugh is trying his best to keep her alive and get her to safety, it just may not be enough.
I loved how this began as a story being told by a father to his son. Of course the son thinks his parents are boring and stuffy and doesn't know what to make of his father's outrageous tale. I thought this was a nice touch. This story kept me in suspense and although I wanted to bash Angelette over the head at times, it worked out well in the end and I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished. I would highly recommend this as a quick and suspenseful read with enough adventure and romance to keep everyone engrossed till the end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
I loved how this began as a story being told by a father to his son. Of course the son thinks his parents are boring and stuffy and doesn't know what to make of his father's outrageous tale. I thought this was a nice touch. This story kept me in suspense and although I wanted to bash Angelette over the head at times, it worked out well in the end and I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished. I would highly recommend this as a quick and suspenseful read with enough adventure and romance to keep everyone engrossed till the end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
December 15, 2018
Excellent writing and a good story as always, but this time with an added fillip of the twist on the classic tale of the Scarlet Pimpernel - starting with the couple talking to their grown up son many years later, reminiscing about how they met and then how they spent the rest of the war.
All Shana Galen's books are good, but this one was a step up on that standard. Even if she does get a bit buried in the nitty gritty of the Napoleonic war occasionally!
All Shana Galen's books are good, but this one was a step up on that standard. Even if she does get a bit buried in the nitty gritty of the Napoleonic war occasionally!
December 7, 2018
What a magnificent start to this new series! The setting is unique because the the story is being told by a father to his son. Ángellette and Hugh are caught in France during the Bastille civil uprising. Hugh wants to leave and go back to England, but finds himself unable to leave the daring lady he has fallen in love with. They clash over battle of wills time and time again. They escape death together. Then they fall passionately into bed together. They realize that everything they do they do with passion and that could include a life of love, marriage and intrigue. This sets the stage for the stories of the other members of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
December 8, 2018
The cover is beautiful and what a story! I kept telling them to RUN! I learned a lot about the French Revolution in the first novel of The Scarlet Chronicles but learned even more seeing it through Thomas' and Angelette's eyes and experiences. Shana Galen draws you into the lives of the characters so you feel like you are there with them. I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
January 18, 2019
This is a novella and a prequel to 'A Traitor In Her Arms' (which I loved and reviewed), so naturally I just had to read this book.
As in the previous story, Shana Galen continues to create three dimensional and complex characters that from page one compel the reader to keep on reading the main protagonists story and wholeheartedly root for them.
Hugh and Angelette were such a great pair. They truly belonged together. If you've ever loved the story of Scarlet Pimpernel, then this story is perfect for you. It has so many twists and turns that you'll thoroughly enjoy following.
Ms. Galen has successfully combined fiction, history and romance in this short and utterly delightful story. This is a must read for all you fans of French Revolution! I highly recommend it.
Melanie for b2b
Gift ARC provided by the author
As in the previous story, Shana Galen continues to create three dimensional and complex characters that from page one compel the reader to keep on reading the main protagonists story and wholeheartedly root for them.
Hugh and Angelette were such a great pair. They truly belonged together. If you've ever loved the story of Scarlet Pimpernel, then this story is perfect for you. It has so many twists and turns that you'll thoroughly enjoy following.
Ms. Galen has successfully combined fiction, history and romance in this short and utterly delightful story. This is a must read for all you fans of French Revolution! I highly recommend it.
Melanie for b2b
Gift ARC provided by the author
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