He’s breaking the rules for one woman, and coming dangerously close to falling in love… only she weren’t so damn stubborn.
Ida Strong wants one thing – justice on behalf of her father. She has no room for anything else, in spite of her growing and (at times) inexplicable attraction toward a certain earl. But for a woman who knows what betrayal tastes like, placing her trust in others is hard. Risking her heart, would be downright foolish. Until it’s the only thing that seems to make sense.
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Simon Garrison Nugent, Earl of Fielding, is tired of looking for the perfect bride. Simon will spend the time hanging out with his friends instead. Simon still attends all societal functions as long as his friends are there. When some of friend’s tease Simon and mention Amourettte’s, a brothel. Simon can’t turn down the bet. Ida Strong the traitor’s daughter, is kept hidden there so everyone would not hurt her Ida’s aunt promised her father, the traitor to keep her safe. Ida can’t help but be curious, so sneaks out to the landing to watch. In so doing she meets Simon who is there wanting her. When Simon realizes it is Ida, the daughter of friend that was wronged. Simon plans to correct a wrong and keep Ida safe. His good intentions to help also throws both in danger, but what complicates matters even more is love.
What a delightful suspenseful romantic historical romance told brilliantly! The mystery is at first alluded too, but as the book progresses it slowly unfolds, heightening what he did to cause dire events to happen. The story did drag a little especially when it seemed that the snobbish brash hero, Simon would not admit how he really felt. Sure, there isn’t any question on who he is, but at times he was so frustrating. Yes, he’s an Earl so he must act like one so his title makes it easy to sympathize with why he acts the way he is. Ida the feisty damsel in distress heroine might be in danger manages to try to escape her reality. She was truly a great character and despite Simon’s attitude willing to risk everything. This is still a wonderful story well worth the read!
This was a good book with a good story-line and wonderful characters. Simon and Ida definitely get off on the wrong foot when he blunders and reveals her location to all and sundry thereby putting her life in danger. Now he feels he must rectify the situation he put her in and keep her safe as well. Too bad he is so darn attracted to her! A very enjoyable book by Ms. Barnes!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve enjoyed so many books by Sophie Barnes in the past. This one had a great story premise and I wish I had liked the hero more. I realize for the sake of the story the characters are who they are or who they are portrayed to be. And not caring for Simon is probably on me and not the author. Sophie is a very talented author and I’ve always enjoyed her stories immensely.
Simon for me was almost unredeemable. While he felt that he had a opportunity to do a good deed and make amends for the mistakes of his past by helping Ida clear her father’s name he treated her as if she was unworthy of him but he did come through for her. Her father who was hanged as a traitor because of lies saved his life during the war. It was Ida’s mission to finally get justice for her father and vindicate his name.
Ida was wonderful, strong and stood by her convictions which I liked. The mystery and suspense was very good and the storyline was engaging and held my attention. There was a good ending although I expected much more in the way of groveling out of Simon because his behavior had been so lackluster. But he did come around, realizing Ida was more than enough for him. The chemistry was well written and together they find their hard won happily ever after and vindicate her father.
Thank you Sophie for such an exciting and engaging story.
I absolutely loved the main female character Ida Strong. Oh Em Gee she was spectacular! She had charm, manners, useful skills, such as know how to use a gun, cooking, knitting and she had a wonderful sense of humanity. She valued character over what society thought. She had determination and grit. She never gave up and she never gave in. She made informed decisions and was able to think quickly on her feet. She did not let her personal feelings get in the way of making her decisions. (Well at least a majority of the time. LOL) When she did stray it landed her in a whole heaping pile of steam seething dung worth of trouble. She had people who believed in her, protected her and loved her. She had the most profound impact on Lord Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding. Simon for all intense and purposes lived by societies rules and kept himself on a respectable path. He would never dream of sullying his title or reputation. He was pretty much a stick in the mud. Led a very unspectacular life. Pretty boring according to his friends. They challenged him to breaks some of his rules. This led to his meeting Ida and his life was never the same. In her thoughtful way she showed Simon by how she thought and lived her life how different his could be. This resulted in a difficult transformation in Simon. But as time when on the transition took place almost at the point when all could be lost. This is an exciting story of Ida trying to prove her father’s innocence four years after he was sentenced to death by hanging for treason. She knew he was innocent and was determined to ferret out the guilty party. Simon had caused Ida’s life to be in danger. He felt obligated to help her. But more importantly her father Matthew Strong was a good friend of Simon. Matthew had saved Simon’s life during the war and he felt guilty he had not done more during his trial to help his friend. He had a chance to redeem himself with Ida now and would move heaven and earth to help her find the guilty party and he actually had to humble himself in order to get the help he needed. This book is a page turner. I had a hard time putting it down. The action is nonstop and on top of all of this was the blooming romance between Simon and Ida. The relationship was hard on both of them. Ida did not want to be a mistress and Simon felt he could not offer marriage. What a conundrum that luckily would be solved before the bad guys killed Ida or got rid of her some other way. This story had gripping and consuming twists and turns that kept the reader totally off guard as to who the guilty part was. An excellent read. I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wasn’t Wild About the Heroine
WARNING: Contains spoilers
I have been reading books by this author for some time now, and either I find them very well done or I have issues with them. Unfortunately, this is one that I have problems with. I thought the heroine acted strangely from the start. On a certain level, I could understand her reticence about trusting the earl, but she often acted—and not just at the beginning—in a way that seemed at cross purposes with her own self-preservation! Even when she is attacked at the beginning of the book—and the earl rescues her—she fights letting the earl protect her even though she doesn’t really have any better options. And she fights it *really* hard. Also, I didn’t understand why the author felt the need for her to hold back that she was not a courtesan for so long. For far too long, also, she seemed to just do silly or potentially harmful things even though she should know better (and the earl asked her not to). Yes, I understand her need to find out who caused her father’s downfall and made him a traitorous scapegoat, but is it worth her life? As you can tell, I just got frustrated with her. I felt a little frustrated with the hero at times as well, as he was certainly a bit too arrogant and unpleasant at times. I did love, however, the kitchen scene; that made him a little more human. The book has some suspense going on, as they try to figure out what happened to her father and those who are to blame for his death. While I do not feel like I can wholeheartedly recommend this book, it does have some good points.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Love a good historical romance with interesting and entertaining characters. Wonderful story with lots of drama and romance. This is a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Finding redemption for her father
Another of Ms. Barnes’ excellent novels with mystery, intrigue, and page turning action. As usual of Ms. Barnes’ books, the characters are real and well developed, with a plot that continuously holds the reader’s interest.
Simon Garrison, Earl of Fielding whose betrothed abandoned him within a week of the wedding for the Duke of Huntley, visits a brothel and recognizes the daughter of a soldier that saves his life and was executed for treason because he assisted Napoleon to escape form Elba. The daughter, Ida Strong, has been working to prove that her father was falsely accused discovers that someone is trying to kill her. Because of his belief in Ida’s father, Simon takes on the tasks of protecting Ida and assisting Ida on her quest to clear her father. This story is about them working with each and how they develop mutual affection for each other that develops into love. This one novel that should not be missed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Simon, the Earl of Fielding is a straight laced, bore of a man. He never does anything that is improper. He was in the war with Matthew. When Matthew is accused as a traitor, Simon didn’t have time to help. Ida, Matthews daughter was hiding out in a brothel with her aunt. ( she didn’t work there just lived there) Ida needed help since someone was trying to kill her. Simon stepped in and helped, but found he also cared deeply for her. The real traitor was a surprise!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dashing Earl that’ll make you dream!
by Happy-Girl
I think it’s not easy writing about the life of Earls and Dukes in 19th century England but it’s always fascinating reading about that time!
This book makes a good work of it, and we discover a proud, a bit stuffy and vain Earl, Simon, that find difficulty understanding his own feelings. Ok, he’s a man… As in all love stories, he met his soulmate, Ida, but doesn’t understand it till he risks losing her to his love of propriety! There are passionate scenes and tender ones. There is also a mystery to solve and a father to revenge! To accomplish this task, he met other peers that have their own story, and now I’m curious about them!
A book worth reading and an author to follow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book six in the Diamonds In The Rough series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding and Ida Strongs’ story has drama, danger, suspense, lies, and romance. I enjoyed reading this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ida Strong’s father was convicted as a traitor, but she knows he was innocent. With the help of Simon Nugent, the Earl of Fielding, can she find evidence to clear his name? The action in this book never lets up until the end, then you have to wait for the next book for more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Something different
Of course we don’t live in a world full of rainbows where cupids lurk behind every bush…or do we? Reserved, stuffy and boring where words used to describe Simon, the Earl of Fielding by his friends. That was until Simon decided to do something different and Mr N. decided to visit Amourette’s and he had his first encounter with Ida. For someone who was supposed to be in hiding she wasn’t doing a very good job of it that evening. Her aunt Philipa was trying to keep her safe and hidden away at the brothel the ran until she reached her majority and could receive the money for father had left her. Her father was wrongly accused of being a traitor and hanged. At his hanging she publicly vowed to find and expose the true traitor. I got the impression Simon was quite lofty above everyone else at least in his mind. Thank goodness for those cupids because when he realized he was truly in love with Ida it made that all the more enjoyable. I’m sure the cupids were responsible. I liked Ida but there were many times she seemed so childish. She was young but after living with her aunt I thought she would have better judgment. When she went to the ball it had me rolling my eyes I really felt for her having never been to one but her actions after she arrived regarding her suspects made me want to shake her. I have read the previous five books in the series and enjoyed them all and was glad to see Simon get his happy ever after. And as for Ida she truly earned her happy ending. She and Simon made a wonderful couple.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To seduce with a pair of socks!
Taking place in 1821 you will meet Simon the Earl of Fielding and Ida Strong. Ida needs protection, not because of something she did but events surrounding her father. Here is where the mystery enters into the tale. There are dangers and suspense in this very well-written piece. I liked the characters they dealt with some pretty formidable challenges. You may figure out who the bad guy is but wait till the end because it was outstanding. I really enjoyed this fast-paced and action-filled story and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I’ve been waiting for this book with bated breath since Ida hooked me in the previous book. I love the strength with which this book starts off. I was hooked near instantly. A wonderful, energetic, protector romance. Gentility and a “lesser than”, danger and hope and traitors.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, set out to end the stuffy and boring existence his life had become. Being jilted can do that. He takes himself to Amourette’s (an exclusive brothel), and gets a huge surprise. Instead of a night’s pleasurable interlude, he meets Ida Strong, the daughter of a friend from his time in the war. From the moment she publicly vowed she would find the men who framed her father for treason, she has been in danger and hiding in the brothel owned by her Aunt Phillipa. She runs, and he chases and catches her. Now they are off to find the truth about what happened to her father. Their search and time together might reveal some other truths as well.
This is an exciting story with secrets, action, danger, treason, mystery, and romance. The mystery is a page-turner in itself. The attraction between Simon and Ida is undeniable and the chemistry is sizzling. The romance is a little complicated by Simon’s rather arrogant views of Society’s expectations. He feels like he has failed the people he cared about in the past. After some soul-searching, with and without the help of others, Simon begins to see life in a different light. Ida is smart and stubborn. She is independent and determined to clear her father’s name. Carlton Guthrie, Blayne MacNeil, and the Duke of Huntley help with the mystery. I enjoyed and recommend this Diamond in the Rough. Now on to Blayne.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, knows he’s flawed. He’s arrogant, possessive, and haunted by a terrible choice he made long ago. So when a former friend’s daughter gives him the chance to do a good deed, he grabs it. Ida Strong wants one thing – justice on behalf of her father. She has no room for anything else, in spite of her growing and (at times) inexplicable attraction toward a certain earl. However Ida knows what betrayal tastes like, placing her trust in others is hard. Risking her heart, would be downright foolish. Until it’s the only thing that seems to make sense.
This is the sixth book in this wonderful series, it could easily be read on its own but we have met both Simon & Ida in previous books & also there are appearances from other previous characters too. A very well written, page turning read that was fast paced & it also had the mystery about who the traitor really was. I loved Ida who was determined to prove her father innocent & her faith in him never ever wavered. I liked Simon from the start but his arrogance did annoy me at times but he did eventually realise where his priorities lay. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions plus was breathless after Simon’s run through the docks. I look forward to the next book in the series which was nicely set up at the end of this book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Ida has been in hiding since her father was declared a traitor and hanged. Simon outs her to the ton and then has to protect her from enemies that are looking to silence her. Together they must find out who set her father up as a traitor. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
In this follow up book with Simon and Ida we get their story how he tried to help her find the real traitor and clear her father’s name but along the way they develop a relationship that he tries to deny because he is a Earl but in the end their attraction was too strong to ignore.
Wow! This is amazing. Everyone thought Ida was dead until Simon accidentally blew her cover. They team up to find out who framed her father and had him hanged for treason. A lot happens along the way and they fall in love…..but can an earl marry someone who was living in a brothel?? This book will not only keep you on the edge of your seat, but it will keep you guessing. There are quite a few close calls and one near the end that was way too close for comfort. The characters are incredible, and Ida and Simon each experience life defining moments. This is so good. You will not want to miss it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
London – 1821
Simon Nugent, the Earl of Fielding, 33, is weary of searching for a wife. Several years ago, he lost out in marrying Gabrielle who is now the Duchess of Huntley and he just cannot find another woman who compares to her. His friends tell him he needs to visit a brothel.
Ida Strong lives at Amourette’s brothel under the protection of her aunt who owns the establishment. Ida enjoys watching what happens there. When Simon comes in, he sees Ida and recognizes a bracelet she is wearing. He knows who she is and is surprised that she is alive. Now that she has been discovered, she tries to flee but Simon catches her and insists on helping her. So, he takes her to his home and says she will be his ward. Leaving her alone in the house, he leaves for the night.
The book started off with what seemed to be a good plot but quickly went downhill. It became confusing and I felt like I had walked into the middle of a movie. I have read many books by Sophie Barnes including several of this series and I have always enjoyed them. But I was so disappointed with this book. This is my big complaint about series. They should read like a totally stand alone novel but often the reader is left scratching their head. I’m so sorry, Sophie Barnes, but this one just did not do it for me.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.