He’s a soldier who puts duty above all else. She’s the spirited lady he loves. Obligation collides with passion.When Blaire Culpepper returns to England, she hopes to finally declare her love to debonair Lieutenant Julian Drake. Except, in her absence, he’s inherited his brother’s estate, sold his commission, and has been courting another woman. According to the rumor mills, a marriage … marriage announcement is expected any day.
From the moment Julian laid eyes on Blaire many months ago, she entranced him. But as a soldier far beneath her station, he battled his growing fascination. When his brother dies, Julian social status changes. But so do his newfound intentions of courting Blaire and winning her hand.
Circumstances and honor have forced him into considering a union with another woman. But that means breaking Blaire’s heart and his own as well…Will his heart or his mind win the battle?
You’ll want to read this love-triangle Regency historical by a USA Today bestselling author in one sitting! A tender, sigh-worthy romance, Julian and Blaire must overcome lies, amnesia, and villainesses you’ll want to slap.
If you enjoy reading strong heroine, sister series, romantic comedies, and redeemed rogue love stories with a pinch of mystery & suspense, a dash of humor, gripping emotion, and naughty dogs, then you’ll adore Collette Cameron’s captivating THE BLUE ROSE REGENCY ROMANCES: THE CULPEPPER MISSES. Buy THE LIEUTENANT AND THE LADY and settle into your favorite reading nook for a page-turning, entertaining Regency England world adventure you can’t put down.
Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.
THE BLUE ROSE REGENCY ROMANCES: THE CULPEPPER MISSES:
The Earl and the Spinster
The Marquis and the Vixen
The Lord and the Wallflower
The Buccaneer and the Bluestocking
The Lieutenant and the Lady
CHECK OUT COLLETTE’S OTHER SERIES:
Castle Brides
Heart of a Scot
Highland Heather Romancing a Scot
Seductive Scoundrels
The Honorable Rogues®
Wicked Earls’ Clubmore
A matter of honor, or lack thereof.
Blaire Culpepper is heartbroken when she believes that Lt. Julian Drake is now courting his deceased half brother’s betrothed, Miss Daphne Trudeau. She’s got a shrew for a mother and leverage she’s using to trick Julian into marrying her. Julian hasn’t asked for Daphne’s hand. Yet. He believes she’s pregnant with Alfred’s child. A carriage crash, a bout of amnesia and a doctor and a constable add drama.
Will Julian find out the truth in time?
Who will he choose?
Recommend.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
Blaire Culpepper’s worst nightmare has come true, the man she loves, who she thought returned her feelings is courting another woman.
Lieutenant Julian Drake loves Blaire Culpepper, but he felt he had nothing to offer her, when his brother passed away and Julian inherited the estate, he thought he would finally be able to declare himself and ask for her hand. But when Daphne, his brother’s betrothed tells him she is pregnant with his brother’s child, Julian feels honor bound to marry her and give his brother’s child the name and inheritance that should have been theirs. He sees Blaire and tries to talk to her, but Daphne and her mother intrude and are rude to Blaire. Later he seeks her out and tries to explain, he tells her that he has not actually proposed to Daphne, but he most likely will. Blaire wishes him well and decides that she will go to the family estate to lick her wounds.
But it appears fate is not ready to let the would be lovers walk away just yet, on the way to the country, Blaire comes across an accident and stops to offer aid. The carriage passengers turn out to be Julian, Daphne and her mother. Julian is unconscious and in need of immediate attention, so Blaire takes them to the nearest inn and when the doctor arrives, she agrees to stay and nurse Julian. She learns from Daphne that they were on their way to his county house to marry – a blow that Blaire was not expecting.
Julian wakes and has no memory, the doctor assures him that it is not uncommon for someone with a head injury to suffer memory loss and is sure that it will return. He remembers nothing, so when Daphne tells him they were going to marry, he tells her they will have to wait until his memory returns. Blaire nurses him and the more time he spends with her, the more he wonders why he would ever consider marrying Daphne.
Little by little, his memory returns and he is sure that Blaire is the woman he should marry, but before they can even consider a HEA, there will be several obstacles for them to overcome as well as some shocking revelations and some unexpected twists and turns.
I think this might be my favorite story in the series, it is well written, flows nicely, has a lot of twists and turns, secrets, lies, deception, heartache and some sweet kisses (no steam). The ending was wonderful and even though this is the fifth book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
Julian is a soldier who puts duty above all else. Blaire is the spirited lady he loves. Obligation collides with passion. When Blaire returns to England, she hopes to finally declare her love to Julian. Except, in her absence, he inherited his brother’s estate, sold his commission and has been courting another woman. According to the rumor mills a marriage announcement is expected any day. When Julian laid eyes on Blaire many months ago, she entranced him. As a soldier far beneath her station he battled his growing fascination. Circumstances and honor have forced him into considering a union with another woman. That means breaking Blaire’s heart and his own. – I admired Blaire’s strength and character. Julian is honorable. It is obvious that they love each other. The story unfolds in an interesting manner. This is an excellent read.
An enjoyable story with twist and turns around every corner. A great love story and I look forward to reading more in this series.
I truly enjoyed reading this Book.
Julian & Blaire were such an Adorable couple. The characters in this Book were Delightful, comical & written in an Absolutely Wonderful way.
I recommend this Book for everyone who not only enjoys Collette Cameron books, but Historical Romance novels as well.
Blaire is a spunky heroine and she and Julian made you feel sad for their situation.. the primary villains remained bad throughout and got their just due. There was a secret villain who is mentioned but never really appears in the story – I say realistic because throughout history people have killed off relatives for inheritances and titles.
I love this series and family!
I didn’t think our H/h were going to get their HEA! Then I had hope for awhile and then curve ball thrown and I was on pins and needles again. This story has it all in spades! Nasty villains, a surprise villain, romance, sadness, joy and finally HEA! It was a very bumpy road to reach it but they did!
I’ve read the whole series and highly recommend the series and this author! You will not be lost if you don’t read them but would be more enjoyable if you do. The character’s are written so well, that you will feel their pain and disappointment.
This is a clean story, only kisses, but definitely filled with love and romance.
No cheating, HEA, romance, clean and a wonderful epilogue that left a smile on my face. (ljb)
What a perfect conclusion to this wonderful series! This story is about Blaire and Lieutenant Julian Drake. Julian loves Blaire from afar since he doesn’t think a soldier is good enough for her. And Blaire has been captivated by the handsome soldier since she met him, another good friend of her guardian Heath, Earl of Ravensdale and also long time friends with Tristan, Oliver and Alexander. Before Julian can make a move, his older brother Alfred is killed in an accident. He was engaged to be married to the beautiful Daphne. After the funeral, Daphne confesses to Julian that she is pregnant with Alfred’s child. Julian, ever the soldier and bound by honor, is seriously considering marrying her. But his heart longs for Blaire. Blaire is torn apart because she knows Julian loves her. Not willing to expose herself to pain, Blaire leaves London and travels to Culpepper Park. On the way there is a terrible storm, they come across an accident. It is Julian’s coach with Daphne and her mother, both unhurt, but Julian was knocked unconscious. They travel in Blaire’s coach to the nearest inn where Julian is seen by the local doctor. He has a concussion but also amnesia. Slowly with Blaire caring for him, Julian realizes his love for her. But the persistence of Daphne and her mother to bring him to the altar is suspicious. Their rude and cruel treatment of Blaire is something she refuses to tolerate. There is a strange mystery involving Daphne, her mother, her pregnancy and Julian’s dead brother. Blaire suspects the worse of the evil duo and sends for Heath. She refuses to let Julian go and is determined to fight for their love.
What I enjoyed in this series, especially this last book, are the quotes the author uses to begin each chapter. Two of the best – there is no love without trust – when you love you are vulnerable since you give the other person the power to break your heart. What she does not say is the joy and happiness you receive. I loved the epilogue since it gathers at Christmas all 5 girls and their spouses. Freddy, their elderly dog, is in every book. They have his favorite chair there in his honor since he died (my best friends have 4 legs and a tail). Brooke, Blythe and Brette are all mothers now. It was a heartwarming series combining romance and mystery, poverty and wealth, honor, hope, faith, friendship and family devotion – with love triumphing over the evil, greed and cruelty of man. It ends with a para-phrase of my favorite quote “…And the greatest of these is Love”. Thank you Ms. Cameron for the laughter, tears, romance and love – for the joy you brought!
What a darling read! The hero and heroine are honorable to the bone, the villains are truly nasty, and derring-do and true love win out over every challenge. Collette Cameron packs a surprising amount of plot into this fast-paced, fun story, and manages to turn at least three tropes on their heads. Thoroughly enjoyable!
The Lieutenant and the Lady by Collette Cameron is the first book of the five book series that I have read and this is the fifth book in the series.
Miss Blair Culpepper comes back from her travels abroad to learn that the love of her life is betrothed to another. She has decided to move to the country so she will not have to endure seeing Julian with another woman.
Lieutenant Julian Drake feels honor-bound to wed his dead brother’s fiance because she is pregnant. he would rather Mary Blair but he does not want his brother’s child to be illegitimate so of course he has to do the right thing.
This is the fifth book in the series, but the first that I’ve read. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone. this book is a roller coaster ride full of adventure. There are some twists and turns, a carriage accident, amnesia, foul play, manipulation, family loyalty, and of course the puppies. I highly recommend this story and look forward to reading the previous ones.
I love The Lieutenant and the Lady by Collette Cameron! It is the last book in The Culpepper Misses series and definitely worth reading. This series is one of my favorites and I’m going to miss reading about this wonderful family.
After returning from Geneva Blaire Culpepper couldn’t believe the rumors about the man she loves actually courting someone else. It goes against everything she knows and believes about Lieutenant Julian Drake, but seeing him around town with the other woman must mean the rumors are true.
Julian still loves Blaire and only wants to marry her, but family responsibility means he needs to care for his brother’s intended now that he is dead which might even mean marriage if he cant come up with some other plan.
Little do Blaire and Julian realize that they have been caught in lies and deceit that potentially puts their lives in danger.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
This enchanting story will captivate you from page one to the end. Full of love, loss, surprises, deceit and with an amazing ending I couldn’t put it down.
“My heart knew I loved you even when my mind could not remember.”
Temple of the Muses Book Store, London, England 1823
When I turned the first page of Blaire Culpepper and Julian’s story I knew it would be amazing and full of the uniqueness of a book by Collette Cameron. Of course the first scene with Blaire in the bookstore and an incident with a scandalous book was priceless!
Blaire had been in love with Julian and felt he may feel the same. But when she returned from being away, it appreared he had engaged another. At least that was the rumor and she saw the evidence in person.
Then the adventure of the two begin. As always there are wonderful animals that appear and these two pups, Zeus and Apollo, were found and taken in by Blaire. That in itself is a great part of the story!!
Hold onto your seats (which you will not be able to stop once you begin this book!) and be entertained with suspense, characters that you just want to haul off and wallop for their devious plans, laugh out loud moments, tarradiddles, some tears and a beautiful love that cannot be denied.
The epilogue at the end was beyond magnificent and although I loved every single story in this series, this has to be my favorite one. It brings all the family together and it does not get any better than that. Collette Cameron is one of my favorite authors and an amazing storyteller! I highly recommend anything she writes!!
Colette can write anything. She always grabs your attention and won’t let go. This collection has been so much fun. This book is a little more on the sentimental side but truly an engaging story from beginning to end. Totally unexpected. I truly love the Culpeppers and I loved the newest addition.
Blaire Culpepper and Lieutenant Julian Drake have fallen in love. Devastated to learn that Julian is to marry his deceased brother’s pregnant betrothed (duty and honor as he sees it), Blaire heads to the Culpepper country estate. At about the same time, Julian is also traveling to the country with Daphne Trudeau (his new intended) and her mother. When the top-heavy coach they rode in is blown over by a storm, Blaire rescues them, and they all end up staying in an inn together. As if this is not uncomfortable enough, when Julian regains consciousness, he doesn’t know who he is, where he is, where he was going and why, or the three women making a fuss around him. At this point this story gets very interesting.
This story has quite a conundrum for our hero and heroine, but as they say, Truth will out. Blaire and Julian are great characters, and I love how they come to know each other again as he recovers his memory. The Trudeaus are an obnoxious pair of shrews with no redeemable characteristics. The kind of villains you really want to get what’s coming to them. The story is fast-moving and suspenseful. There are a few surprises, some happy, some sad. There is also a romance and humor. It is fantastic that when Blaire sends for help, the entire family shows up for her. A good story and a heartwarming epilogue make The Lieutenant and the Lady a must read.
Five girls, five stories, all tied together to make an awesome series.
This is the story of Blaire and Julian, (Lieutenant Julian Drake). They met previously and were falling in love. They were apart for awhile, and because of Julian’s honor and things he feels he must do, they are separated. This is the story of how they returned back together. There is a villain, or two and a little mystery. This book is a nice ending for the Culpepper Sisters and Cousins. I really enjoyed each of their stories. I think you will enjoy this book, Collette Cameron is an excellent writer.
Loved Blaire’s and Julian’s story. Really good intrigue, and who could resist two rambunctious mutts! I received an ARC of this book.
A 4 1/2 star adventure, suspense-filled, fun, and sweetly romantic read
Collette Cameron offers a delightful addition to the ongoing saga of the Culpepper Misses with her fifth book in The Blue Rose Regency Romances, The Lieutenant and The Lady. Blaire Culpepper returns to England after being abroad furthering her education. She hopes to renew her acquaintance with Lieutenant Julian Drake, whom she had formed an attachment to before she left. She is dismayed upon her return to find out he may be engaged to his deceased brother’s fiancé. She finds out that Julian still cares for her but faces the dilemma of how to break a betrothal agreement he may have to honor.
What follows is a lovely and fun tale involving adventure, suspense, heartache, laugh out loud moments, pups on the loose, memory loss, secrets revealed, family love, truly conniving characters, and a very sweet romance. The writing style flows even with all the twists and turns going on. This work can be read as a standalone, though there are characters in the work that appeared in previous ones in the series. Having read the other Blue Rose Regency Romances, I can recommend all as very enjoyable reads. I was fortunate to receive this as an ARC from the author and offer this voluntary review.
If you haven’t read any of the Culpepper books you are missing out!! Julian and Blaire’s story had me hooked from the beginning! The chemistry was amazing and I was rooting for them throughout their entire journey. I couldn’t wait for their HEA! And what a HEA it was!
A grand finale to the courageous and lovely Culpepper ladies. They have found love against all odds. You will enjoy this installment of this lovely series.