Two years after their elopement set the ton ablaze with gossip and scandal, the Earl and Countess of Hartmoor have settled into their new lives. After years of revenge-seeking driven by heartache, Lord Adam Callahan is finally content. All is as it should be as he and Daphne prepare to enjoy Christmas with their family.However, their newfound happiness is threatened when a youthful misdeed comes … youthful misdeed comes back to haunt Adam—one that will change their lives forever.
The gift is a novella follow-up to The Villain Duology, and a glimpse into Adam and Daphne’s happily ever after. It is best understood after reading the original duet of books.
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A Wonderful Gift!!
The Gift is the fifth book in the Villain Duology series by Victoria Vale; although technically this is book five in the series I count it as book six because of the short prequel Hart.
Adam and Daphne are back. In this new addition to the family series there is all the great elements I come to expect in one of Ms. Vale’s books.
I rate this book five out of five stars because; Ms. Vale is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Her historical romance novels are erotic, with easy to believe and flawed characters, an easy to follow storyline and long after I’ve finished reading one of her novels I’m still thinking about what I’ve read.
I recommend reading HART, THE VILLIAN, THE DOVE before reading this book. These books give you the background of Daphne and Adam’s story, which is very complex and passionate. Adam is finally content with his life, until a woman from his past reveals a secret that could damage his marriage to Daphne. Bondage, spanking and some pain may spark triggers.
Adam, the Earl of Hartmore and his wife Lady Daphne, are now entering the Christmas season, including baby Charlotte.. when Adam receives a mysterious letter. Thinking the worst on Adam, as he’s being very secretive, Daphne takes it upon herself to investigates. She doesn’t like what she finds out and leaves Adam to visit her mother.. Adam, must remind her who’s BOSS…
This is a great follow up showing the family they have become.
really enjoyed this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
It was wonderful getting to see these two characters again. Yes this book takes place during the Christmas season but it’s not exactly a Christmas book, it can be read and enjoyed anytime of year. This book is more about the past coming back and delivering a most unexpected but not unpleasant gift. The love between Adam and Daphne is still just as strong and intense as it was when we last saw them 2 years ago. I don’t want to give anything away so I wont say more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who read and liked The Dove, however I think it can still be enjoyed if you haven’t read it.
I received this book from the author through Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Amazing! This was a perfect continuation of this series! Just when you think Adam and Daphne will get their happily ever after, there is a wrench thrown in. This novella is well-written and added another level to this story that held true to the integrity of the series. I highly recommend that you read this series starting with The Villain. You will not regret it!
Adam and Daphne, the Earl and Countess of Hartmoor are returning home to Scotland after visiting London. On their return home they are happy to see their baby girl, Charlotte!
Also, Lady Olivia is Adam’s sister, she is at their home with her husband Niall and their children. They are to celebrate Christmas together.
This a short read, a well written fast paced story line and it is so well written. I enjoy Victoria Vale and all her books. This book is a series of 3 previous ones and should definitely be read in order. It is an intense, raw and captivating series!!
Her attention to details, her characters and their emotions are felt!! I enjoyed this beautiful and sad, but happily ever after story.
Where the gift, can and did mean so many things for me i this beautiful story of love, trust and perseverance. It was also written with steamy love scenes!!
Adam and Daphne are probably my favorite couple from all of Victoria Vale’s books and the fact that after all the bad things that brought them together, they get to have a happy ending…. or do they? Adam is suddenly cutting himself off from Daphne and she wants to know why. She decides to follow him and does find out the answer and when she needs some space, Adam comes after her because he will never let his little dove out of his sight. After all, love wins out in the end and no two people belong together more than Adam and Daphne, unless it’s Niall and Olivia who make a guest appearance.
I received a complementary copy from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Scorched my heart!
The Villain Duology series continues with Adam and Daphne. They are married and enjoying their life with their little daughter. When Adam starts acting secretive, Daphne gets worried and is hurt when she thinks he is not the man she thought she married. Adam is worried that he could lose the loving family he never thought he would have.
This one made my heart ache and then made it soar. I just adore this couple. Their love is scorchingly hot, harsh, and wild. When they think they’ve lost each other my heart felt like it had been ripped out. But when all is resolved between them, I found that Daphne’s love is so pure and beautiful that it made me so happy for Adam that he has her in his life. I received an ARC of this book and chose to post my review.
A gift from a fabulous author with a beautiful story to tell. Read The Villain, The Dove and The Gift to experience redemption, beauty and love. And don’t forget the tissues. Adam and Daphne’s love is perfectly expressed in this “epilogue”. These stories, yes you must read all to gain the full power, brought forth emotions that rendered me pretty much useless for hours after devouring them.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through Booksprout.
The saga of Daphne and Adam continues. This should really be read after THE VILLAIN and THE DOVE (The Villain Duology: A Dark Regency Romance Duet). Victoria Vale puts these two (and her readers) on another emotional roller coaster ride with this little gem. Just when you thought it’s finally smooth sailing for Adam and Daphne… bam!! Plot twist!! Once again their relationship and love is tested. But fear not, these two make it through the storm, proving that their love is strong and unbreakable.
Another hot read from Victoria Vale. Loved it!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star system:
5 stars: Ugly cried AF… major book hangover… characters were amazing… made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
The Gift – Victoria Vale
This book was truly a gift to the reader. The Gift ties up the story of Daphne and Adam. They are married and have a sweet little girl who is at home at Dunnottar Castle waiting for them to return from London. They have worked through many of the problems they had facing them, but on this night one event raised its ugly head. A gentleman who had once offered fifty quid for a night after the Ton had been informed of the fact Adam paid her for her virginity. As Daphne had withheld the name of the gentleman as well at the cutting remark, tonight Daphne had no problem giving Adam that information. Saucy little wench Daphne knew Adam wouldn’t let the man get away with that remark and Daphne encourages Adam to go right ahead and make him pay! I think Daphne certainly had Adam wrapped around her little finger, or more her lush body!
They travel home to Dunnottar Castle to have Christmas with their family and you just know something will happen. As it turns out, Adam who normally has a good handle on all things around him, is blindsided by a letter that arrives at Dunnottar. Now this is when the story starts to move. A quick trip to Kincardineshire for Adam changes him and he withdraws from Daphne and the family.
Obviously there is something bothering Adam, but he is not willing to share with Daphne so she is forces Niall to accompany her to Kincardineshire to try to find what has upset him and is making him withdraw from her.
Our hero Adam has some news to share with Daphne and is having quite a time trying to figure out how to tell her this news and what he thinks the outcome will be. Hmmmm I won’t let the cat out of the bag, but this fear of sharing with Daphne is not what I would expect out of Adam. This just proves how much he really does love his wife.
Again, Victoria gives us the gift of her magnificent writing skills. You walk through the pages of the story with Daphne and Adam and those around them. The foggy cold late night walk home that gives Adam the chance to settle the score with the man who had insulted Daphne prior to their marriage. The sight and smells of the decorations throughout Dunnottar Castle leading up to the Christmas holiday. The withdrawal of Adam when he begins to wonder how his news will go over with Daphne. The joy of picking up his toddling little girl when ever he comes home. This is how you are drawn into Victoria Vales stories and become one with them.
A truly wonderful holiday story of love, regret and a deeper love both for husband and wife but for new found family.
If you have read The Villain and The Dove, you must read this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.