Fulfilling a lifetime mission is much more fun when romance is woven into the adventure.The Honorable Charlotte Blakely is closing in on the location of the genuine Veil of Veronica while in Rome. It’s a quest she’s researched since her grandfather died years before and it’s all she’s ever wanted from life… until the possibility of a courtship with a handsome ambassador made itself known. But … known. But will love mean giving up her hard-won independence?
Mr. Everett Desmond is the English ambassador to Rome. Though he spends far too much time behind a desk or entertains dignitaries, he thought he knew what he wanted from life… until an intriguing lady gives him a taste of adventure. But treasure-hunting comes at a price—his heart is engaged, and he’s already leery regarding romance thanks to a failed previous engagement.
Balancing each leg of the quest with the heat and passion simmering between them keeps them both on the razor’s edge. But when danger and death collides with the joy of discovery, truths they’ve denied themselves comes into sharp focus. With a bit of luck, they’ll find that chasing treasure means far more than holding priceless relics in their hands.
more
Rome, Italy 1885
Charlotte was so glad to be back to the Eternal City of Rome. She intended to satisfy her grandfather’s last mission and felt her research would help her reach that goal. Her heart was in Rome and where she would find the extraordinary Veil of Veronica.
She was back with her love, Everett, the English Ambassador to Rome she had previously met by chance, but also her brother Matthew who was suppose to be her guard. How irritating to be followed by him constantly! The scorching attraction was still there between Everett and Charlotte and it seems it is hard to find a moment.
This was a wonderful story full of adventure, simmering passion, villians, humor and everything needed to be perfect. I cannot wait to read more in this series and I know the adventure will continue!
LADIES PREFER ADVENTURE is the second book in the Fortune and Glory series. These definitely need to be read in the order of release.
This absolutely was an adventure with Indiana Jones-esque clues and a dash of divine miracle adding a paranormal touch that kept me glued to my Kindle and turning the page well past bedtime. Add in the sizzling chemistry, the romance and the villains in pursuit – because what adventure doesn’t have a villain or two? – and this is a can’t miss story.
I’m looking forward to more from this series. I hope that Charlotte’s brother, Matthew, will find his own adventure. I’d also like to know the stories of Charlotte’s friends who are mentioned. She writes to them and speaks of them in such detail, so I assume that they are previous stories by Ms. Sookoo.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: LADIES PREFER ADVENTURE
Series: Fortune and Glory #1
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Sandra Sookoo
Adventure and intrigue meet Charlotte Blakely in Rome as she researches the whereabouts of the Veil of Veronica. Intelligent and independent, she would rather look for clues in the catacombs than go to a ball amongst the ton. She fears that means she will never find a true partner to really love her, but Everett Desmond, the British ambassador to Rome, seems to enjoy spending time with her on her adventures and in the bedroom. If they can find the Veil and avoid the danger from whoever else is looking for it, Charlotte and Everett might just find they are the perfect partners in love and adventure.
I really liked the detail in describing the city and the landmarks explored. There was plenty of adventure and anticipation as Charlotte got closer to her goal. She’s like a female Indiana Jones from the Victorian era. The romance was also sizzling, as neither Charlotte nor Everett were inexperienced or shy. This was a fun, sexy tale with an intelligent heroine who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
These two have to be the most passionate couple and not just in the bedroom. The passion for finding the veil and the adventure leaps off the pages and it’s like you are there. Neither one was looking for romance and it’s a bumpy road for them as they try to figure out if there’s more than just passion between them and if they want more. I loved how they both slowly opened up and learned about themselves as well as each other.
I loved the search for the veil just as much as the romance and even though I figured who would cause problems I didn’t expect the reasons behind it. I was holding my breath in the end not knowing what was going to happen as they battled for their lives.
Charlotte fears love means the end of her Independence so her interest in men isn’t with marriage in mind, but her heart knows what it wants. I love her because there’s so much to her and you learn about her throughout the book. She’s passionate and headstrong but learns to open her heart.
Everett guards his heart after the woman he thought loved him left, but something about Charlotte tears down the walls surrounding it. I love that he pushes her and won’t let her push him away while helping her see she can love. There’s no doubt how he feels about her and that he won’t hold her back.
In the end I didn’t want it to end because they are such an interesting couple that I hope to see more of.
Preferred the Prequel
I absolutely adored the prequel for this book (which was actually the prequel for the series). I thought this next book, especially since it centered on the same couple, would be much of the same. Instead, however, I find myself disappointed in the *real* book about this couple. The vibe is just completely different from the prequel. I found the prequel to be fun, romantic, and with a promise of adventure, but this book doesn’t have those same qualities. I was put off at first by the heroine’s brother who is now a tag-along spoilsport. Unfun for both the reader and the couple. All their chemistry in the first book seems to be gone or is completely squandered here, at least for a good portion of the book. Conflicts arose that seemed unbelievable given what we know of the hero and heroine from the prequel; it’s almost as if they are different characters. Both the series and the book title promise adventure, and I would have liked to have seen more of that. I usually adore this author’s books, but this one missed the mark for me.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This is the first book in a new series and it’s off to a great start! I always enjoy reading one of Ms. Sookoo’s books. Once again, she did not disappoint! This book is quite the page-turner with just the right balance of suspense, adventure, and romance. The story had me engaged and captivated from the first page until the very end. The dialogue between Everett & Charlotte was so entertaining and the chemistry and attraction was undeniable! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic follow-up to Enchanted by Moonlight where we get to see how Charlotte Blakely, a librarian in the only library that holds an extensive amount of information leading to the location of the Veil of Veronica, a relic that Charlotte has been searching for, continuing the quest started by her late grandfather. That search becomes so much more exciting after she meets and becomes intimate with Everet Desmond, English ambassador to Rome who had become bored and discontent with his life. Now their lives are filled with adventure, danger, drama, villains, and the heat of passion! A truly memorable and wonderful book by a simply remarkable author! Let the adventures begin!! This is going to be such a great journey!! I need the next book now!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ONE SENSATIONAL JOURNEY!!!
Ah snap! Sandra aces all the frills, thrills and stunning spins, delivering one compelling approach with this arresting storyline and enticing plot, wielding this bad boy together brilliantly. A surging multitude of unexpected circumstances and surprising happenstance, takes you on one emotional whirlwind. Sparks fly as drama, tension, intrigue, misgivings, underlying currents, turmoil, mounting suspense and perplexing situations along with a boatload of adventure while dodging calamity, you have one block busting masterpiece. The attraction and chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing an undeniable connection and amplifying affections, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters are authentic and genuine with depth and qualities that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are so abundantly descriptive it gives the illusion you were right there standing in the middle of ground zero with them. Fantastic job Sandra, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
Book one in the Fortune and Glory series. We get to see more of The Honorable Charlotte Marie Blakely and the English ambassador to Rome Mr. Everett Desmond as they continue their search for the Veil of Veronica relic. There is suspense,drama, danger, evil, villains, and romance. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the continued story of Charlotte and Everett who met in Rome. She is trying to locate the Vial of Veronica while Everett is the ambassador to Rome leading a rather dull life. As he helps Charlotte to unravel the mystery he realizes that he life could much more fulfilled and he thinks that with her he could find the happiness that has been missing from his life. Wonderful story and great characters.
I was completely engaged.
I was thrilled when I got not one but two books by Sandra Sookoo on Booksprout. I loved this one Everett is a bit of a stuck in the mud guy he does his job and thinks that is all there is to life and for the most part he is happy. Then Charlotte enters his life and all bets are off. Caught up in attraction to lovely Charlotte and an adventure his life will never be the same again. From page 1 I was completely engaged in this charmer. I really liked Matthew’s great character. Charlotte and Everett banter was good and fun to read. Now do not forget the villains of the piece they were rather splendid. This was a wonderful regency with just that little touch of fantasy. High praise and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
4.5 Stars
The Honorable Charlotte Blakely is closing in on the actual location of the Veil of Veronica, carrying on her beloved late grandfather’s quest. Satisfying his last wish is all she’s ever wanted from life… until the possibility of a courtship with the handsome English ambassador to Rome made itself known. Mr. Everett Desmond spends far too much time behind a desk and entertaining dignitaries. He thought that was what he wanted from life… until an intriguing lady gave him a taste of adventure. But treasure-hunting comes at a price and, thanks to a failed engagement, he’s leery of romance.
This is the first book in a new series& what a page turning read it is – I loved it. I would recommend reading the prequel, which beautifully sets up this story. A wonderful mix of adventure & romance, the hunt for the Veil of Veronica is engrossing on its own but throw in the chemistry between Everett & Charlotte & I was one very happy reader. There are villains who are also hunting for the treasure & also Matthew, Charlotte’s brother who is acting as her chaperone, which added lightheartedness, I hope he has his story. I did find the powers of the relic a little hard to believe but apart from that a very good read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read