In this tempestuous new series, rebellious hearts prove hard to tame—but can England’s most dangerous rake be captured by a wild Irish rose? They call him Lord Ash, for his desires burn hot and leave devastation in their wake. But Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough, knows the fortune he’s made at the card table won’t be enough to save his family estate. For that he needs a bride with a … needs a bride with a sterling reputation to distract from his tarnished past, a woman who’ll be proof against the fires of his dark passion. Fate deals him the perfect lady. So why can’t Gabriel keep his eyes from wandering to her outspoken, infuriatingly independent Irish cousin?
Camellia Burke came to London as her aunt’s companion, and she’s brought a secret with her: she’s written a scandalous novel. Now, her publisher demands that she make her fictional villain more realistic. Who better than the notorious Lord Ash as a model? Duty-bound to prevent her cousin from making a disastrous match, Cami never meant to gamble her own heart away. But when she’s called home, Ash follows. And though they’re surrounded by the flames of Rebellion, the sparks between them may be the most dangerous of all…
Praise for Susanna Craig
“Craig gives readers quite a treat.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Beautifully written, richly atmospheric, deeply felt, and so deftly researched—I felt utterly absorbed into the world of late Georgian England. I’m tremendously excited to discover such an elegant new voice in historical romance!”
—New York Times bestselling author Meredith Duran
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The Companion’s Secret, book one in Susanna Craig’s Rogues and Rebels series, is one of my favorite reads of 2018 and the year is only halfway done! It features an Irish author heroine in need of inspiration for her villain, and a debauched marquess, Lord Ashborough (dubbed Lord Ash because everything he touches turns to ash) who’s in search of a gently-bred, well-connected wife. When Gabriel set his sights on Cami’s cousin, their forced proximity sets the pages on fire! It was a delight to read Cami and Gabriel’s story, and I’m now excited to get my hands on book two, The Duke’s Suspicion!
Camellia Burke is trying to get her book published. She is staying with her cousin, Lady Felicity Trenton in London. Today she received a letter from her publisher. Stating he liked her manuscript, but needs to make revisions on her villain in her story. She is excited! Gabriel Finch, The Marquess of Ashborough. He is so suave and handsome,Such a rogue he is. He decides he needs to marry and wants to woo Lady Felicity Trenton, Camellia’s cousin. Lord Ash never liked high society balls, and never received any invitations, because he had a reputation. He has demons from his past haunting him. Sebastian Finch, Gabriel’s uncle was a deceitful and vicious man. He wants to ruin Gabriel. Camellia has to go back to Dublin to see her family, its urgent. They may be in danger! The rebellion is happening in Ireland. Gabriel won’t let Camellia travel alone so he accompany her.There is a mutual attraction between these two characters. Sparks are flying. This is a great story. I loved it. A new twist for me with the nobleman in distress this time. Lots of love and romance.Excitement to keep you guessing and turn those pages. A Definite Must Read !!!
This book was an awesome discovery, the author immersed myself in her world full of secrets, plots and betrayals.
Lord Ash or Gabriel appears at first as the usual rogue, gambling, drinking and whoring until he has to change his ways to save his own estate from falling to his uncle and cousin’s hands. Then the more I get to know him, the more I loved him, he is so far from the dark dissolute he lets everyone thinks he is.
He is the one who has quite a secret, and more than one.
Camellia was also a mystery in herself, why is she so certain she can’t be ruined and what is really her book about. She is very kind and faithful to those she cares for.
In this, add Gabriel’s friend, Camilla’s cousin, their family and you have all the components for a great story.
Their journey is a rather long one, on a road with many bumps, each one will try to avoid at first, then they want to know for finally only thinking of protecting the other. A difficult path for them to discern the truth from the wrong.
I would have liked an epilogue but may be the next book in the series will give us a glimpse of them.
The Companion’s Secret by Susanna Craig is book one in the Rogues & Rebels Novels. I enjoyed this book. It has a bit of a slow build, but once the ball begins to roll there is no stopping it. I literally read it in one day – staying up late into the night because I couldn’t put it down.
Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough is the perfect tortured hero. He is plagued by a tragic history and carries the blame for another’s death. The heroine Camellia Burke is a spinster and her aunt’s companion. Miss Burke has her own secrets to hide. What will happen when those secrets are revealed? Will they cause destruction or bring new life? Looking forward to more from Ms. Craig.
Enjoyed the pace and story.
This book was enjoyable as I like to read regency romance.
I enjoyed it, plan to read the series.
This book has a slow start and although I read about a quarter of it I could not maintain my interest.
I really liked this book.
The Companion’s Secret is the first book I have read by Susanna Craig. I am so excited that this is the first in a series. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough, doesn’t want to get married, that is, until he hears his cousin in a card game bet against his future inheritance. Due to his own scandals he buys up the debts of young Lord Trenton and requires the sister Felicity to wed him to keep that family from ruin. He does not count on the charming cousin from Ireland thrown in the mix.
Camellia Burke is her aunts companion by day and author by night. She is tasked with making her villian more believable and uses Gabriel as her muse. We know Gabriel and Camellia get together, the story to HEA is quite exciting. This story has patriotism, treason, blackmail, unwanted attentions, love, loyalty, romance and much more. I give this story 5 stars and highly recommend it.
The Companion’s Secret by Susanna Craig is book One in the Rogues and Rebels series. This is the story of Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough and Camellia Burke.
This was such a great romance. Gabriel has a bad reputation and in moving forward thinks to marry after he hears of his cousins plans. Gabriel has found the perfect women to help him with the his money issue and his reputation. But Gabriel can’t seem to keep from looking toward Cami the cousin of his perfect possible wife. Cami is working as a companion her Aunt but also writing a book that she thinks to use Gabriel as inspiration to one of the main characters. But Cami is called back home and Gabriel goes to follow her.
Exciting read that was hard to put down.
Gabriel Finch, Marquis of Ashborough, is known as Lord Ash, for his desires burn hot and leave devastation in their wake. Overhearing a cousin trying to wager his principal estate makes Ash realise he needs to marry & have an heir to make sure his uncle Sebastian can’t inherit. He sets his eye on Lady Felicity. Camellia Burke came to London as her aunt’s companion, and she’s brought a secret with her: she’s written a scandalous novel. Now, her publisher demands that she make her fictional villain more realistic.
Gabriel & Cami are attracted from their first meeting but she’s a lowly companion & he’s a marquis. However they are constantly thrown together as he half-heartedly courts Felicity. They have many trials facing them, Ash’s reputation, the Irish rebellion & an uncle intent on ruining Ash. A well-written very enjoyable book that flowed really well. The characters are well fleshed, Ash is the gambling, womanising misunderstood rake & Cami the strong, intelligent spinster. I love the author’s books & this is up there with the best of them, I look forward to more in the series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Companion’s Secret by Susanna Craig
Rogues & Rebels #1
Oh my…my…oh my…what a story this one was! Complex characters, historical references, expectations to be met, secrets to unravel and romances to observe as families dealt with issues that impacted their lives in more than one way…that there were happy endings for Camellia and her cousin Felicity was the icing on the cake.
Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough – or Ash for short – has a reputation that has put him outside society’s boundaries. Whether or not he deserves all that is said about him is revealed as the book unfolds. He is definitely more…and less…than what his reputation says he is. He does have one very good friend in Christopher Fox and that is worth noting early on. So, when Ash determines it is time to marry he knows just who will be his bride and how all will unfold…well…until he meets Felicity’s cousin, Camellia. Funny how what we believe will happen is not exactly what does, isn’t it?
I really enjoyed this book. What could have been a typical historical novel much like any other became so much more by the wielding of words that made its impact resound and kept me thinking after I finished the book. I started to write more and embellish BUT this book doesn’t need my words…or not more of them. I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and believe you will too. I am eager to read the next book in the series and wonder if it will be about Camellia’s sister Erica or if it will be about someone else entirely. Another person I would like to hear more about is Remy – Ash’s man of everything.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
4.5 stars
Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough aka Lord Ash, has a reputation of destroying everything he touches, he is a gambler, an unrepentant rake and possibly a murderer. When he overhears his cousin using Gabriel’s estate as collateral for a wager, he makes a decision. He will marry, have an heir and make sure his cousin never inherits. Problem is, he is not exactly welcomed in good society and finding a bride the traditional way might prove impossible. But not to worry, blackmail and extortion will do just as well. He asks his good friend Christopher Fox about potential brides and settles on Lady Felicity Trenton, daughter of the Earl of Merrick and sister to Lord Trenton, a man that owes Gabriel a fortune.
Camellia Burke is Lord Merrick’s niece and has come from Ireland to act as a companion to Lady Merrick, Cami is an aspiring author and came to England in hopes of finding a publisher for her book. It is a volatile time in Ireland and she is hoping that her book will enlighten the English to the plight of the Irish. She has found a publisher and he loved her story, but feels like she needs to make her villain more believable, she is at a loss until she meets Lord Ash – he is a perfect model for her villain!
Gabriel is fascinated by Cami, but Lady Felicity is perfect for his needs, he needs a wife with an impeccable lineage to thwart his uncle and cousin and Cami doesn’t fit the bill. But the more he is with her, the more he wants her. For her part, Cami uses her time to study him – for her book of course – She knows Felicity doesn’t want to marry him, but the alternative is ruin for her family.
Cami is beginning to believe there is more to Gabriel than he lets anyone see and when she tells him Felicity doesn’t want to marry him, he kisses her. Cami is conflicted, she wants him, but feels guilty. When Gabriel’s uncle gives Felicity the cut – things escalate quickly.
Gabriel learns his Uncle is plotting to destroy him, this is not the first time, but this time might well be the last. He needs to marry Felicity, he has been avoiding asking for her hand, but his time is up. He tells Fox that he will marry Felicity – Fox objects, he cares for her and doesn’t want her to be hurt. Gabriel says he will make sure she is taken care of, but that is not good enough for Fox and he leaves in anger. Fox is the only person that has ever stood by him and Gabriel wonders if he has finally turned that relationship to ash as well.
Lady Merrick is outraged by Gabriel’s uncle and declares that if Lord Ash doesn’t propose, Felicity will be ruined. Cami joins them for breakfast and tries to sooth her aunt, but when a letter from home arrives, all thoughts of Felicity and Gabriel flee. Trouble is brewing and she must return home.
When Gabriel arrives, Felicity urges him to go after her and Gabriel sets a new plan in motion. He finds Cami and tries to convince her to travel with him, she resists, but then he tells her he is not going to marry Felicity. Cami finally gives in to the attraction between them and the next morning when Gabriel finds her manuscript, she gives him more than just her body. She reads her book to him and in doing so, shares her soul with him.
Gabriel knows he should go back to London and clear his name, because he wants a future with Cami. Realizing how much she shared with him, he opens up to her, as he has never done with another person. This is a very touching and emotional scene – tissues may be needed by the reader – It appears that they have come to an understanding and he will return to London. But when the news of trouble in Ireland is learned, he can’t let her go alone. But if he goes, he could lose everything – including his life.
This is such a great story, a wonderful blend of fact and fiction woven into a complicated and emotional tale, with a broken hero and an equally broken heroine – two imperfect people who are perfect for each other. This book has steamy-ish love scenes, a little heartache, sacrifices made, secrets shared and a very sweet ending. If this book had an epilogue it would have been a 5 star read – because IMO, it needed an epilogue, the ending just came a little too fast, tied up a little too neatly and ended a little too abruptly and left me wanting more. But that doesn’t change the fact that I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
This is the first book by Susanna Craig that I’ve read. I found the book to be very well written and enjoyable. The Companion’s Secret was gifted to me through a Goodreads giveaway.
The companion had at least three secrets. She’s writing a book no one knows about. She’s fallen in love with Lord Ashborough. Her Irish brothers are involved in the Irish uprising. Lord Ashborough is known as Lord Ash for leaving cinders behind in all that he does. He has a secret, too. And he believes everyone he loves will die because of him. Camellia and Gabriel learn of each other’s secrets as they learn to accept love.
I look forward to reading more books by Susanna Craig including the second book of her Rogues and Rebels series.