One Wicked Winter

Rogues & Gentlemen #6

by Emma V. Leech, Philip Battley (Narrator)

Blackmailed by his sister into giving a Christmas house party to celebrate her recent marriage, Edward Greyston, Marquess of Winterbourne, is quite certain the next few days will be an utter nightmare.

Nightmares, however, are something Edward is all too familiar with. After the bloody battle of Waterloo, he has returned from the war a changed man, full of rage and guilt.

Suspecting one of his house guests, the bluestocking Belinda Holbrook, is about to trap unsuspecting and gullible Lord Nibley into marriage, he goes to warn him, only to get caught himself.

Furious but honour bound to do the right thing, Edward finds himself married to a woman he doesn't trust and knows nothing about, and he has no intention of trying to find out more.

Yet Belinda is made of sterner stuff and refuses to be afraid of the angry man she married. Somehow she determines to melt icy Lord Winterbourne's frozen heart, and she's prepared to be wicked to do it.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Regency, Christmas, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

Audiobook

First published December 9, 2017

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Vintage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a cross between a Tessa Dare and Elizabeth Hoyt which is an odd combination, but two authors I like for totally different reasons. There is Dare’s humor and lightness to the characters and dialogue, but the essential plot and character development has some of darkness and depth and redemption of Hoyt.

Belle and Crecy are living with their disgusting Aunt who is plotting to sell them off as mistresses unless they get their act together and find husband’s stat. She is such a ratfink that I would have loved more of her and her outrageous acts. Belle is particularly concerned about Crecy who is gorgeous, but could care less about the Ton, men or marriage. If it were 2019 she would be heading a CSI team or be the lead forensic pathologist as she loves all things dead and damaged. She and her damaged but not dead hero are in the next book, To Tame a Savage Heart. Why do I feel that the editor/publisher had a hand in that horrible, bodice rippery title?

The H is a PTSD victim of Waterloo and very anti-social. He’s tormented by the men he sent to die in battle and his own survival. The only reason he has agreed to a house party is to make his little sister happy. Emma Leech does an excellent job later in the book humanizing the survivors of war. Reading a Regency or any historical, it is easy to romanticize their war and battles as opposed to our modern wars. The horror, devastation and brutality of any war and what it does to the survivors is brought home in a just a few pages as Leech introduces various survivors. No gross war details, but a quiet scene that brought home to me the toll of war.

The heroine has set her cap on a pleasant young man who is obsessed with rocks. She's nit happy about it, but is compelled to protect her sister. She is blunt with herself and the hero when he calls her on her evil entrapment plot. She lays out quite clearly the options available to her and her sister as women in society. Marriage or ruin.

Her plot goes awry and the H and h end up married. It’s rough sailing for the two at first where the only place they can connect is in bed. The heroine comes up with a nice plan for redemption that was pretty believable. If you like Mary Balogh’s Survivor’s Club series, you would probably like this. Both series deal with the devastation war has on its immediate survivors and their loved ones.

There were some issues with backstory not being developed or explained enough, but I’ve picked this up in the middle of the series. Despite that, an enjoyable read with minimal character stupidity so four stars for a job well done.

The quirky Crecy and her dark, dark beau sound very promising.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh dear, way too much Telling ruined what should have a been a great book. Very grumpy H with PTSD. He's rude, demanding and boxes with his valet. The h is desperate to marry to save herself and her beautiful but odd sister. I liked that he allowed the h to compromise him, but the pacing was off. So it veered between not enough details then pages of tedious descriptions. The pacing was off with the h's character - too perfect, then too knowing, then she was more balanced towards the end.

[Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring book.
They were hardly together in the book and their conversations were glossed over. Only sex scenes were there. I don't know how out of the blue they fell in love.
Atleast the author didn't romanticise PTSD.(which was the saving grace of this book)

[Missy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not keep my interest. Plus, I don’t enjoy reading about military heroes with PTSD. This could be my last book by this author.

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regency England (1817) before/ during Christmas.

Edward, a marquess, was depicted as personable before
he served in war & short-tempered & imperious after-
ward. His sister & BIL hosted a house party @Edward's
country home. Among those invited: Belinda ("Belle")
& her beauteous sister Lucretia, & their parsimonious
& hyper-critical aunt with whom they resided.

Edward preferred to avoid people except his immediate
family, which included fellow soldier/ friend/ now valet
Charlie. The H thought the h a fortune-hunter, but later
as a person of depth. The war made Eddie angry and sad
and have nightmares. Belle helped him find his way back
to the land of the living.

What a couple! They fit together like puzzle pieces. And
Charlie guided them to their HEA.

[Heather Button · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of those Chirp audiobook deals that I wasn't sure of, but decided I'd pick up based on the fact that it was clearly a regency romance and winter themed, perfect for the season.

Belinda desperately needs to find a way to take care of her sister and get them both away from their aunt, who's threatened to throw them out onto the streets if one of them doesn't have a husband at the end of this first (and possibly) their last season. Belinda may have to marry for money and security, but she didn't want that for her sister, who deserves to have a proper love match. When they travel to the house party of a reclusive marquess, the last thing she expects is to be attracted to the solitary, war damaged Edward. The two clash and he calls her some nasty names, but as time passes closer and closer to their impending doom, Belle decides to get a husband one way or another, except she may inadvertently end up with one she didn't plan on.

This was sort of blah for me in the beginning. It was also a little odd for me that this was a romance narrated exclusively by a man. Just a first. It took me quite a while to get into it, but when I did, I enjoyed it very much.

⭐⭐⭐

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/6/2018)! 💝

Blurb:
Blackmailed by his sister into giving a Christmas house party to celebrate her recent marriage, Edward Greyston, Marquess of Winterbourne, is quite certain the next few days will be an utter nightmare.

Nightmares, however, are something Edward is all too familiar with. After the bloody battle of Waterloo, he has returned from the war a changed man, full of rage and guilt.

Suspecting one of his house guests, the bluestocking Belinda Holbrook, is about to trap unsuspecting and gullible Lord Nibley into marriage, he goes to warn him, only to get caught himself.

Furious but honour bound to do the right thing, Edward finds himself married to a woman he doesn't trust and knows nothing about, and he has no intention of trying to find out more.

Yet Belinda is made of sterner stuff and refuses to be afraid of the angry man she married. Somehow she determines to melt icy Lord Winterbourne's frozen heart, and she's prepared to be wicked to do it.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has penned one of the finest and most accurate depictions of PTSD I have ever read. Back then, nobody knew what to make of the malady. Marquess Edward returns from the battle of Waterloo in the throes of PTSD. Big, strong, unpredictable and frightening, He is accidently compromised with "Belle," a guest at his house party. (Regency house parties often went on for weeks at a time) He has no intention of getting to know his new wife but Belle has other ideas. Join this relationship as Belle attempts to pull Edward out of his insanity. She realizes and knows in her heart that there is a wonderful man worth loving somewhere inside. The battle of Waterloo was one of the most horrifying slaughters of men and horses in the history of warfare so, as a Vietnam Vet, I could identify with Edward. I've found a new top-shelf author having now read six of her offerings. Each one is fascinating in portraying moods, colorful characters and the complexities of falling in love with someone who is decidedly "different." Now on to the next in this attractive series. Each story in the Rogues and Gentlemen series is a stand-alone (although still linked) but the stories are so superlative that this incurable romantic is now poised for the next one!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good 💙💛💙

My first time reading this author’s work, and enjoyed it very much. Great storylines and interesting and believable characters. Didn’t want Edward and Belle’s story to end, and have already purchased the next in series, Belle’s sister, Crecy’s book, #7.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice plot and good story pace. I loved the characters and the banter between them.

[Emilia Redington · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5☆☆☆☆

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward and Belle

My biggest problem with this book is expectation. The blurb for the book mentions first thing that the setting for the book is a Christmas house party. Thus, I expected a book with a holiday focus. That party is over a quarter of the way into the book. Then Belle is ruined and Edward must marry her. I expected a love to grow and build. It just did not. Edward has severe PTSD from the war. I feel like that is the focus of the book - Edward and Belle learning to deal with his PTSD from the war. I think the author did a great job with that. But I was looking for a Christmas/holiday romance. That is not what this book is.

One more thing. The ending of a book can really pull together a story and elevate the book another star. This one did not. I found the ending to be anticlimactic, too.

[Sam Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I’ve read from this author and I’ve just ordered two more which tells you what you need to know really, doesn’t it? A beauty & the beast tale

[Winnifred D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author, have not read previous books in this series, and maybe if I had I'd feel differently about the characters. I liked the heroine up to a point, but there were places when her behavior/speech were too anachronistic for the time period. The hero was much more difficult for me to like, and I just didn't sense a deep emotional connection between him and the h for most of the book. She seemed to have lust for him rather than love.

What bothered me most was the portrayal of his PTSD and how it was handled. Basically, the trauma in the hero's past seemed to give him an excuse to behave like a spoiled jerk, make rude comments, and have tantrums. He's the modern version of the romance novel alpha: hot, gorgeous, behaves like an ass-but, of course he has a reason to, because he's dealing with trauma. There's nothing subtle or nuanced about him. Meanwhile, the heroine, who at the beginning at least had a backbone, becomes less interesting and more of a doormat as the plot continues. This brings up a trope I hate: the clueless younger sibling, who's typically immature, suddenly dispensing brilliant advice. The sister's solution to h's marital woes? Dress sexy and seduce your husband. (Yep, that will clear the PTSD right up!). Add to this the scene where the heroine keeps the hero from leaving by throwing things at him and yelling. In real life, that would be much more likely to drive the traumatized person away.

I thought the author's writing style was fine, other than some wordiness at the beginning. The secondary characters were OK; the younger sister (already mentioned) was supposed to be eccentric but mostly seemed weird with her skeleton obsession, and I couldn't wait for the unpleasant aunt to leave for good. The hero's sister is well-meaning but comes across as a bit manipulative. Basically, you feel like she wants to foist her brother off on the h because she doesn't know what else to do with him. (She tells h that he would never physically hurt her, but how can she guarantee that? She doesn't know he suffers from night terrors.) It's the typical "heroine has to put up with all of the hero's stuff, plus wave her magic wand, and the couple will have their HEA."

I would read another book by this author, but this one just wasn't for me.

[Jeanne Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another odd PTSD tale. Surely, there was a lot of that in every war, but I guess I figured people in general were too stoic to take time to pity themselves for surviving back then. Of course, it takes a down-to-earth woman to help a guy out, and she does.

I think the thing that really bugged me about this one was the "beautiful" sister obviously fell for the demented bad guy--and just as everyone else figured that out, the story ended. Sorry, I don't care enough about Lucretia to buy the next book. The only satisfying and original twist there would be if she died at his hand, he went to the gallows, and everyone in Romanceland got seriously bummed out for five minutes because happy endings are just so boring every.single.time.

[AmazingJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful, Entertaining & Romantic Story.

A Wonderful Story with
Just enough sexual content to have your heart fluttering yet not overly drawn out & not really Exotic.
Belle & Edward were wonderful characters.

I am looking forward to reading Crecy & DeMorte's Story in the next book in this series. Story.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I definitely knew I was missing back story, though I am not sure if you need to read ALL the series. The hero was tortured, the heroine spunky. The story was pretty slow. There was a couple mild sex scenes after the marriage.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enjoying it and it was making me get more into the historical romance mood. But the ending was so sudden?? What? I’m confused about how it just ended there, with some plot points not tied up at all? Also I would’ve liked the characters to be fleshed out more.

[Mari · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book I read by this author, why do I keep coming back is a mystery

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the others I've read from the author. It was okay

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Wicked Winter is the sixth book in the Rouges and Gentlemen series. This is Belinda and Edward's book. I actually read some of the books out of order, so I read the next book (Gabe's story), prior to this one and it totally recapped everything that happened in this book. So, with that said, if you have already read the seventh book in the series, you can easily skip this one because you will learn nothing new.

I actually want to read all the books in the series and this one had the lowest reviews and I can see why. The interactions between Belinda and Edward was laughable. It took a good 30% before there was any sort of intense interaction, other than a few conversations here and there, they really didn't have any chemistry.

The beginning of the book had so much back story of Edward's war history and Belinda's dire circumstances, it was too much. I get it, he's messed up and pushes people away, Belinda is desperate and needs to marry. I felt really bad for Belinda, every one was calling her a fortune hunter and what can she do? She needs to marry well or she will be poor forever.

When Belinda and Edward actually get marry, it gets better and I enjoy those parts. I do like how Belinda attacks Edward when he treats her like crap (because let's be real, that is how the author writes, the MMC always treats the girl like crap). I'm glad Belinda doesn't chase after Edward (again, I was tired of that writing style), but throws back at Edward what she receives.

The antics that happen, all of it is explained again in the next book, so I wasn't surprised nor I wanted to reread it again. Overall, again another disappointing book, but I have high expectations the new few will be good (at least based on the reviews).

[Suzanne Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now We’re Talking

I’ll start off by saying there are two things I don’t like: Regency Romances and starting a series in the middle.

Regency Romances are not my cup of tea...they never have been. From the cardboard characters to the gratuitous sex scenes, to the painfully obvious plot devices, my blue stocking brain had no (as in zero) time for them. If someone recommended a book with a bare chested man or half dressed woman (or both) on the cover, I’d politely but firmly decline. This book has changed my mind. FINALLY, a heroine with a backbone and a brain. And a hero that is far from perfect. I’d say more but I’m afraid I’d give out some spoilers (another thing I’m not fond of).

The main characters are very well developed, as are some of the secondary ones. It’s obvious to tell which ones appeared in previous novels as their backstories were only alluded to, but somehow without reading the earlier books, I got a very clear picture of who they were and what they were made of. The lesser characters (Aunt Grimble comes to mind) were more of the cardboard variety, but I didn’t mind once they served their purpose they were removed.

I think what I loved best about this book was its realistic depiction of marriage. It’s not all promises and roses, longing glances across ballrooms and romantic horse rides into the sunset. It’s arguments, misunderstandings, surprises, and little realizations that somehow you ended up with the perfect person for you.

All in all, a fantastic book by a clever author. I’m seriously thinking about searching my local library for the other book in this series.

[Joan Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and touching

This was an emotional and touching love story that dealt with the mental problems caused by war. Edward, the Marquees of Winterbourne, had lived through the war but the images of the deaths of his men and the guilt he felt at surviving while they had died were tormenting him. Edward used to be a happy cheerful and well liked gentleman but the war had changed him to a reclusive and ornery man who just wanted to be left alone. Agreeing to have a house party to please his sister, Edward remains aloof, wishing only for the gathering to be done so he can be alone once more. Belle is hoping to find a husband during the party as her and her sister have been living with their terrible Aunt who has threatened to throw Belle out if she doesn't find herself a husband. Unwilling to leave her half sister at their Aunts mercy, Belle sets her sites on one man only to find herself caught in a compromising position with Edward, the Marquees of Winterbourne. Edward thought only to save a gentleman from being compromised into marriage and ended up compromised himself. The struggles that Belle went through to help Edward with his emotional problems were depicted very well and I felt her frustration. My heart just went out to Edward for the horrors he had seen and the guilt he felt as well as the fear of losing those he loved. I cheered every victory that Belle had with Edward and enjoyed every minute of their story.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book #6 in this series and I have read them all--can you tell I love them? The women are strong and cunning--not afraid to do what has to be done to either snag a man or make him come around to her way of thinking!

Edward Greyston is a man who can't let go of the nightmares from the war. At first he was presumed dead--but had amnesia of sorts and really didn't know who he was. His sister heard that he might still be alive (book #5-read my review here)and runs away from home to find him. She does and brings him home--but he is withdrawn and does not like company--but he does love his sister so agrees to a party to be held in honor of her marriage. He dreads it!!

Belinda Holbrook has good reason to want to find a husband and quickly. Her aunt has threatened to throw her out--and she is worried for her little sister! Belinda and Edward are like oil and water. He figures out that she is about to trick one of his unsuspecting friends into marriage--he steps in and gets caught himself!!

Belinda is no wilting flower and proceeds to make the best of this marriage to Edward---it takes nerves of steel and the flaunting of unladylike behavior--

I believe that you will really enjoy this tale. It can be read as a stand alone but I think you will enjoy the entire series!



I received an ebook copy of this book for enjoyment and possible review.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is of man that is no longer himself and never will be. Belle is a woman who needs to marry to get out from under her aunt's guardianship. Although, there is something between Edward and her, she sets her caps on Mr. Nibley. He is nice and wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a house with someone who wasn't vulgar, bullying and money grubbing. Edwards falls into her trap, instead of Mr. Nibley and it's of his own making. I love that Belle is determine to be a wife and help her husband cross back into the land of the living. She accepts that it will be a long and difficult road, but is willing to make the sacrifice to have a happy home. We know that Edward is not a bad man, just an angry and guilt-ridden one. The problem with the story is Edward's character in the beginning is not the same one as in the last book. I'm only hoping that maybe the author's intent was to show that he had manage to get some control over himself as he plans the ball for when his sister returns from her honeymoon. Even for a Marquess, Edward is quite vulgar at times, and I end up shaking my head that anyone would even grace themselves to come to a ball at the Marquess's home.

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man suffering from the effects of the horrors of war and a woman desperate to secure a future for her sister and herself meet at a Christmas house party. The question is, can they find solace in each other despite their initial negative impressions.

This is an amazing historical romance that captures your imagination and touches your heart. I thought the characters were well crafted, full of personality complete with strengths and foibles. The storyline was smooth and full of emotional drama. The narrative was told from both the point of view of both the main characters, allowing a glimpse into their inner thoughts, emotions and motivations. I especially enjoyed this book because: it went beyond just the initial romance, dealt with the realities of the class system, showed the effects of war on the human psyche, and the main characters did not live in a vacuum but rather amongst a group of wonderful supporting characters. I had not read the other books in this series but did not find that a problem. It can be read as a standalone but if you love excellent historical romances like I do, you will want to read more from this author.

[Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great premise...a dark, damaged hero, Edward (former soldier with PTSD and survivors guilt) and a kind and thoughtful heroine, Belle, desperate to find a husband because of an untenable situation she and her sister are in with a guardian aunt.... At a house party Edward is reluctantly hosting for his sister, he realizes Belle intends to trick a guest into marriage. He circumvents this only to end up caught in a compromising position where he feels honor bound to marry her. This made no sense whatsoever. He could’ve easily prevented this.

While they’ve hardly spoken it makes little reason for Edward to put himself in the trap and allow this to happen. For Belle it’s a godsend. Once married Belle quickly and inconceivably falls in love with Edward. With Edwards issues he’s surly, rude and aloof. He literally leaves the house and lives outside when he’s emotionally distraught. They really do not have a connection that I could see. The dialogue felt stilted and Belle talks more to family and servants about the Marquess than she does with him. I just didn’t feel a connection.

[E Oygard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another worthy hero

Belle is desperate. She needs to make a good marriage, but has no dowry and no connections. She and her sister Crecy have been living with a mean, harridan for an aunt who has threatened to throw them out on their ears. Fortune shines on her after she received invitations to a houseparty hosted by the Marquees of Winterbourne (met in the previous book) for his sister Gillette and her new husband Aubrey Russell.
Determined to compromise a young man, her plan is thwarted by the angry, sullen Marquess himself, who unfortunately becomes compromised also.
A good story with a complex character in the Marquess who sounds as though he is suffering from a form of PTSD following the Battle of Waterloo. He is definitely a changed man who seems beyond redemption.
My criticism would only be that because I have read these books in sequence back to back, there are a lot of repetitious phrases, scenarios and dialogue which are beginning to irritate. Other than that, an enjoyable read.

[Marcella Wigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad as far as Regency romances go. There are some genuinely funny moments, especially at the expense of the heroine’s odious aunt, and while combat PTSD is everywhere in historical romance, this wasn’t a bad or especially egregiously inaccurate depiction. I liked that the hero wasn’t magically cured of all symptoms by falling in love with the heroine.

The pacing did feel a little off however. I guess I prefer more H/h repartee than I saw here, because it felt a little like the main couple went from physical attraction to love very quickly. Wish there had been more showing of the developing relationship and maybe fewer boring sex scenes or less focus on Crecy because better relationship building would have made the story feel more organic. I’m not buying the insta-love, especially when Edward was a little OTT unpleasant in the beginning.

Crecy’s statement about wanting to marry the dragon instead of the prince felt anachronistic, although it’s not like most contemporary Regency romances are famously realistic.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, want more

I love strong female characters. I am also impressed that the author was reasonable in the thought process of the characters. Too many times in other books I just yell at a character to stop and think reasonable for a second - and in this book she did. It wasn’t unreasonable moping about but actual reasoning and realizations. There was a moment that I worried the author expressed the emotional effects war has on an individual to be a bit too lightly, but t was only one moment. The rest of the moments relating to his emotions about the war were handled well.

I loved it even more because of the sample for the next book. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an author flip a character like that. A villain actually getting possible redemption? Intriguing. I want to read it - and see how the characters from this book continue on in the next. Love the concept!