His heart is a fortress. And she’s trespassing! After losing all he holds dear in a horrific fire, Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, shuns the world–until he catches Effie Nithercott digging holes on his estate! He banishes the intrepid archaeologist and the unsettled feelings she rouses within him. But she returns even more determined and infuriatingly desirable than before! He wonders just … before! He wonders just how deep she’s prepared to dig–so far she’ll reach the man beneath his scars?
“Just when I thought that Virginia Heath had reached her pinnacle with sexy and swoon-worthy heroes she pulls a stunner… I have said it before, but I am going to say it again; that Ms Heath really does have a gift with writing.”
— Chicks, Rogues and Scandals on The Disgraceful Lord Gray
“Virginia Heath’s books get better and better. She is an automatic buy for me. If you haven’t read her books, I highly recommend them.”
— Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog on The Uncompromising Lord Flint
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I’ve really enjoyed this novel, I’ve particularly appreciated the characters building, that there isn’t an insta-love between the hero and the heroine and that also the side characters are amusing and essential to the story.
Max, the new Earl of Rivenhall, decided to hide away at his new mansion, far from London and its peering, judging, pitying eyeses.
He was glad he could stay alone licking his wounds but he didn’t know that with the property he also had inherited the beautiful and smart neighbour.
Effie is determinated to excavate his land in order to find relics and ruins of inestimable value to gain an aknowledgement from the male dominated archeological community.
Max and Effie start on the wrong foot, their bickerings are lively and animated, but day after day they begin to understand each other better and their relationship blooms in something more than a friendship.
It’s such a pleasure to read Virginia Heath works, I spend so much time with her characters, reading their adventures slowly wishing the story never end.
Oh me, oh my…how I do LOVE a good Historical Romance, and my experience with this author’s work remains the same. You can dive right into the story, get to know the characters and their “charms”, me captivated by the events unfolding, all while holding your breath as to whether they will or won’t see the potentially fabulous duo they could be!
Effie was such a treat! A woman who know her own mind, takes the things seen as drawbacks to others and embraces them, while not shying away from what she wants, what she desires, what she needs. Mr. Grouchy Ear is the new man about Rivenhall and a grousier man you’ve never met. However, if you look a little closer, you’ll see that he wears his pain on his sleeve. He carries his guilt like a well loved friend…but this friend left its mark on him in ways he never wished, and can never escape…or can he? It seems a certain precocious woman unafraid to speak her mind has gotten beneath his skin and despite his best efforts, he’s been unable to forget her. *sighs* It’s not a love at first meet romance, but that unusual meet cute definitely lays the groundwork for something more, whether they like it or not!
**ebook received for review; opinions are my own
Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is author Virginia Heath’s latest story featuring a scarred hero and his very unique and fascinating neighbor. From the moment I picked up this book, I fell in love with the characters. Ms. Heath is known for her fabulous characters and witty banter and this story didn’t disappoint, it was a joy to read!
Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall was severely scarred in a fire and has since shut himself up from the world. He’s struggling to dig himself out of the pit of despair he’s in and just wants to be left alone. Euphemia “Effie” Nithercott is an antiquarian who lives to excavate the past. She’s extremely intelligent and realizes that most people find her peculiar.
Such a fabulous couple! From the moment Max finds Effie digging on his land, you can tell these two are going to create some sparks if they can ever find a way to get along! I just loved Max, he’s the ultimate tortured hero! He’s rude and obnoxious to all those around him, wallowing in self-pity ever since the accident that took everything from him. So when Effie refuses to stop digging on his land he’s caught off guard and unprepared to deal with her. He initially lashes out at her, but his conscience gets the best of him and these two gradually form a friendship. Effie was such a wonderful heroine! She’s extremely intelligent and determined to live her life doing the thing she loves, excavating the past. She was a unique and entertaining young woman who unnerves Max from the very start.
I loved watching these two characters get to know each other and see their romance blossom. The story is extremely well written and flowed perfectly with plenty of witty banter and chemistry between our hero and heroine. There were also some fabulous secondary characters that added to the storyline and made this book hard to put down! Ms. Heath has proved yet again why she is one of my favorite authors and why I love to read her books! Max and Effie’s story deserves much praise and five fabulous stars! I’d definitely give it more if I could! 😉
Virginia Heath’s stories have ignited a love for historical romances; I love being transported back in time to when life and love was conducted at a pace that was deemed correct and proper. To when etiquette was paramount and women were starting to find the confidence to step out of their ‘mould’ and find some independence and interests out of the family home. Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is one such story were the female lead in the story has carved herself a new mould, one that has alienated herself to any possible suitors.
Effie Nithercott has always been interested in words, in information and history mainly due to her father’s academia. Since the sad passing of her father Effie has thrown herself into her interests with relish and has been conducting archaeological digs on a neighbours land. However, since the change of ownership of the land in question Effie hasn’t had chance to introduce herself to the new owner.
Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, is the new owner of the land in question and since the terrible accident on his ship 18 months ago he has kept himself hidden from the outside world. So living at his new residence with plenty of land to wander in he feels safe that he will be living in the solitude he desires, until one day he comes across someone digging holes in his land. He’s furious! But when he accosts the young chancer he’s shocked to discover a young woman wearing breeches, caked in mud and looking nothing like the women of society he’s had the pleasure of seeing in the past. However, the sight before him finds him with feelings of appreciation that he’s not experience in a long time.
This first encounter between Effie and Max is a clash of wills but Max soon becomes enamoured by Effie’s brain and her strong will of character.
Redeeming the Reclusive Earl is such a charming read with a fabulous double act in Effie and Max. Virginia Heath knows how to spin some great banter between her characters and I relished this. Effie and Max were both vulnerable characters in their own right hiding behind their own emotional and physical scars. I loved this story it was interesting, entertaining and such a gorgeous romance between two tortured souls.
Redeeming the Reclusive Earl
Virginia Heath
https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/
Release date 04/01/2020
Publisher Harlequin Historical/Mills&Boon Historical
Blurb :
His heart is a fortress.
And she’s trespassing! After losing all he holds dear in a horrific fire, Max Aldersley, Earl of Rivenhall, shuns the world—until he catches Effie Nithercott digging holes on his estate! He banishes the intrepid archaeologist and the unsettled feelings she rouses within him. But she returns even more determined and infuriatingly desirable than before! He wonders just how deep she’s prepared to dig—so far she’ll reach the man beneath his scars?
My review :
Will their past pain and losses determine their future …
Why is it always more difficult to point out why I loved in a book than the contrary.
I can rant about how I love Mrs Virginia Heath, but i will never give her due to her talent with words.
She has a super power, she infuses life with her clever words in her characters, both are damaged, with visible and invisible scars, they just choose a different path to deal with them.
Effie is a overlooked genius, but as she points it herself, she was born in the wrong body, as a woman, her says will never be accepted, not even checked.
She had dreams both for herself and science but when the course of her life was altered, she had to find a way out of her own cage, why she buried herself in her digging journey, why it took precedence over everything else, it was her salvation instead of drowning in madness because of her lack of usefulness.
Max lost everything over a short period of time, his fiancée being the last straw. Unable to face anymore Society, he retired in the countryside with no prospects nor plans, except avoiding people and living as a recluse. Until he stumbles on a woman trespassing his land and refusing to back down.
And what began as a battle of soon turns as a rescue mission. She became his emergency pole, the one keeping his head out of the water as she is not afraid to tell her mind and won’t cower even when he wallows in self-pity.
When Effie understands his struggles, she will also not agree with his management of his pain. She is one to reap clean a bandage in the hope to help it heal faster.
Together, they will learn to trust again and have faith in the other.
Their perspectives are altered, while Effie was never given a second glance once her clever mind was discovered, Max fears people’s attention so sure of what they see.
I loved to see them battling wits and exchanging barbs, then bumping heads to tiptoeing around one another, unable to see straight, blinded by their own doubts.
5 stars for this sweet and humorous tale.
I was granted an advance copy by the author, prior to it I preordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Virginia Heath writes wonderful stories! Max and Effie are well developed characters as is their relationship. This was an enjoyable story that I recommend!
I received an advance reader copy. These are my honest opinions and voluntarily given.