One scandal. Two broken hearts. A decade apart.Lady Elise knows all too well the risks of falling in love. Her heart was broken by a rake. Instead of hunting for a husband, she helps other ladies escape the nefarious plans of unscrupulous gentlemen.After a scandal costs Lord Thornston Elise’s hand and heart, he has lived on the fringes of the beau monde. But when his best friend, the Duke of … monde. But when his best friend, the Duke of Fairmont, requests his assistance, Thornston is torn. Helping Fairmont means facing the woman who holds his heart and soul.
Succumbing to temptation, Thornston re-enters Society to find Elise still unwed. But as he seeks to reignite her desire for him and earn back her trust, he becomes entwined in one of her investigations. When events take a dangerous turn, he might lose the woman he loves before he can win her back.
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I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Really enjoyed following Lady Elise and the loves and scandals of the time period. Can’t wait to read others in the series. Definitely recommend.
A delightful intro to Rachel Ann and to the series. Full review at maidamalby.com
Two Lords don’t know what they want on the way to matrimony. One just resists and the other is just a pompous ass. It takes a dangerous turn for them to realize what’s right in front of their faces. Maybe a little rushed to the finish, but a very nice novella I really enjoyed reading.
A free copy from the author for an honest review.
Ratings – (1=DNF/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= Yes, it was Ok; 4= I LIKED IT!; 5= A favorite, it was great!)
DESIRES OF LADY ELISE is a quick reading, light hearted novella/Prequel to the AGENTS OF THE HOME OFFICE Regency series. This was my first book by Rachel Ann Smith and I enjoyed it. It reminded me of the earlier Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz historical novels – lighthearted adventures with blue stocking ladies of nobility (or independently secure spinsters) and reformed (misunderstood or society-distanced) strong, capable heroes. I picked up the next book in the series but DESIRES OF LADY ELISE could be read as a short novella standalone as well.
Lady Elise/FMC, 26, has been attracted to Lord Thornston, a good friend of her older brother, since youth. Elise last saw Thornston 10years ago at the time of the “scandal.” Although Lady Elise is the daughter of prestigious nobility and has been granted a generous dowry by her brother, she nevertheless has declined to marry any of the gentlemen who have asked for her hand in marriage. Her heart was broken during her first season and she’s since desired no one. MMC/Harold Greenfield is the Earl of Thornston, 30yrs, and has been in self-exile from society for the past 10yrs, ever since the scandal wrongly linking him and a fresh young lady in compromising circumstances. When Lord Thornston’s best friend, the Duke of Fairmont, requests Harold’s assistance vetting the current season of ladies as his potential bride, Harold reluctantly agrees. He has been out of touch with the members of the ton for 10yrs. He is curious of the “goings on” in town. Will he again see Lady Elise? Has she married? Is she happy?
*READER CAUTIONS –
Profanity – None.
Violence – PG-13. Brief Kidnapping, assault, & threats by antagonists, not graphic or dark.
Sexual Situations – the MCs develop a committed relationship which leads to brief on-scene intimacy in the final chapter, and there is mention of a previous liaison between the 2 prior to the beginning of the story.
*Due to the aforementioned, young readers and those who would be offended should consider looking elsewhere.
True Love is Worth The Wait
Ten years ago, circumstances tore Elise and Harold apart. Now, maybe fate will give them a second chance at the happiness that was denied them.
As Regency novellas go, Desires of Lady Elise is one of the best ones I’ve read. Although a fast read, I really liked the story, the writing style, the well developed characters. I was pleasantly surprised by this enjoyable stand alone tale by Rachel Ann Smith because it had all the emotional elements that make a full length novel engaging. Best of all, it even had a sweet and smile-worthy ending.
Content 411: Although there are only eight mild swear words, there is a moderately described sexually intimate scene. There is also some violence that could be a trigger for some readers.
Desires of Lady Elise is one of those love stories that you have a difficult time putting down! Rachel Ann Smith has outdone herself with this Regency novella, with its heart warming cast of characters that has so many emotions that swirl through you as you read about Harold and Elise become very endearing as the story progresses.
Elise doesn’t trust men because of having her heart broken when she was sixteen. Now years later Harold comes back into her life and has her heart yearning for his love. Harold never stopped loving Elise will do anything to prove his love for her. With villains lurking in the background out to get revenge, suspense, drama, sizzling passion and twist and turns that make for one sigh worthy romance. Rachel Ann Smith has outdone herself with this novella. I can not wait to read the rest of the series!
The main character is very engaging. I loved the suspense and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see each development. It’s a very satisfying read that is set up to be a great series!
This was a great read! This normally isn’t my genre but I really enjoyed it. The characters were rich and the story was creative. I have read some romance novels in the past which were predictable but this one was fresh and had a great ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.
** Maybe 3.5 Stars **
This debut novella is a fast-paced, fun read and I can see her developing into a go-to author.
Harold Greenfield, Earl of Thornston had a history with Lady Elise Brownstone, sister to the Duke of Fairmont. Ten years ago, when she was six and ten and he was twenty, they were in love – but then he disappeared from ton life amid a scandal.
Elise has spent those ten years pining for Harold and wondering why he hasn’t made a reappearance now that her father has died. She has also spent her time investigating and rescuing debutants from unscrupulous suitors.
Harold is back and is anxious to see how Elise is doing – he has never stopped loving her. When she is in danger, he rides to her rescue like the true knight in shining armor he is.
I was happy to see these two get their second chance at a HEA. They were both steadfast in their love for each other and Elise never believed all of the gossip about Harold.
I’ll keep an eye on this author for future reads. There are a few things that bothered me and/or made it a bit hard to read, but I’ll look forward to seeing how she progresses. What are those things?
• The CONSTANT use of ‘Lord’ – At some point, it should just change from “Lord Whatever’ to just ‘Whatever’. That constant use just made things seem a bit stilted. I don’t think I’ve ever read another historical romance where I saw ‘Lord’ used as often. ** Same goes for ‘Lady’.
• Class distinction was a huge, huge, huge thing in this book and I don’t believe it really would have been an issue – at least not as described in this novella. From everything I have read and learned over the years, the people in that upper echelon of society weren’t hung up on it as we are today. There would have been no issues with an Earl marrying a Duke’s daughter. There MIGHT have been an issue with a Duke’s daughter marrying the untitled third son of an Earl, but not in marrying an Earl. I liken it to our billionaires of today – One might have 40 billion dollars and another only 20 billion, but a marriage between the two would be perfectly acceptable.
• There was a scene that just totally turned me off. Was it a ‘natural’ reaction – maybe, but in the context of a romance novel, I didn’t want to see it. When Harold breaks up with his mistress, she tries to tempt him back and his body responds – he has to fight himself to keep from taking her up on her offer. Didn’t want to see that, think that, or read that. Just sayin’ – one person’s opinion.
• There were some things that I thought could be better explained or more fully expounded upon. What I’m saying is that it could have been just a tad longer and better explained what exactly her father did to Harold, how he threatened him, etc. as well as a fuller explanation of Harold’s involvement with the Agents of the Home Office. It said what he did – but I would just have liked a tad more information.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was introduced to this book as part of my personal tribute to #IndieAugust, and my commitment to read and review ten indie authors. I haven’t read historical books in a WHILE (high school/college years), but I was immediately swept back into the world of Wuthering Heights or Pride & Prejudice, with a sexy little twist that I love in present day romance.
The author adeptly whisks between old world dialogue and current world narration. The result is a fast-paced piece with delicious sexual tension between the hero and heroine. From the start, we understand Harold laments the one that got away, and is determined to work his way back into her life. A spinster at the ripe old age of 26, Elise has staved off marriage, preferring to lose herself in a life of saving wealthy damsels about to be in distress from the wrong sort of union. But when Harold reappears in her life, Elise tries desperately to hide her reignited feelings. She’s further tortured to realize that she doesn’t have those feelings for a man who’s been her constant companion for years. And sadly, he realizes it to, and opts to slip away and let the chips fall where they may.
Without divulging too many spoilers, I’ll leave readers with this:
1. I must know who Lady L is.
2. I’m gonna need a few of you to hold down Lord Tallow while I kick the crap out of him. (If you prefer we take turns holding and kicking, I’m game.)
3. AGAIN, I feel their connection like a Bronte novel. So very MFEO! Determined man, strong woman, and sexual tension. Can we say YESSSAAAAAHHHH!!!
Desires of Lady Elise is author Rachel Ann Smith’s debut novel. I always love to read debut novels, it’s great to see a new author starting out and to see what they have to offer. Ms. Smith starts us out with a Novella in “Desires of Lady Elise” and then has a connected series coming out this fall called “Agents of the Home Office”.
Harold and Elise were in love ten years ago, she was sixteen and he was twenty. Elise’s father the Duke of Fairmont along with a scandal at a ball tore these two lovers apart, and they have not seen each other since. When Elise’s brother the current Duke of Fairmont asks his friend Harold to return to the ton to help him find a wife, Harold reluctantly agrees. With Harold now attending ton events with Elise’s brother, it’s inevitable that their paths will cross again.
I really liked Elise and Harold from the start. It seems that neither really got over the other and that they still cared for each other. They were a sweet couple and the epilogue was absolutely perfect for them! Besides the obvious romance, Ms. Smith wove some drama and intrigue into the story that kept readers on their toes! There were also a lot of interesting secondary characters in this story and I would love to have gotten to know them better and see more of their backstories. I’m hoping that we will catch glimpses of them in her new series or possibly get their separate stories in the future.
Overall a very enjoyable read! I enjoyed Ms. Smith’s writing style, her characters were interesting and the storyline intriguing. I believe she’s an author to watch in the future and will definitely be reading her new series. I honestly wish this book was a full novel. The storyline and characters along with secondary characters had my attention and I definitely would have liked to have read more. This was a great start to what looks like a very promising series!