He’s doing what he can to save the Prince Regent’s life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well? Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero–he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn’t think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a … a hurry. Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn’t have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there’s something he can’t quite remember. It’s important, dangerous–and if he doesn’t recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone’s very life.Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.
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This was a very enjoyable Regency novel with unique characters and a delightful setting. Eric Vetsch knows the time period well and wove in many fun details that brought it to life. The plot was well paced and the writing flowed. I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in the Serendipity & Secrets Series!
WHEW BOY, the amount of historical research that went into this book is mindboggling! Bravo, Erica Vetsch!
If you want to take a trip to Regency England, this book will get you there with the turn of a page. Consider it your voucher to Almack’s wherein you’ll be entertained by a well-crafted story and enjoy the company of multifaceted characters, including the Prince Regent himself.
A delightful tale of a man who has both a title and a wife thrust upon him by forces beyond his control. Both of the main characters in this book were interesting and engaging. The setting was brought to life in detail that enhanced without overpowering the story. Well worth reading if you enjoy Regency romances.
Erica Vetsch’s first book in her Serendipity & Secrets series is a wonderful Regency read. Three-dimensional characters leapt from the pages right into my heart. Suspense, romance, and a lovely peek into the lives of both aristocracy and the lower classes. You won’t want to miss this one.
I always look forward to Erica Vetsch’s novels. I, unfortunately, have not had time to read novels like I have wanted to. I’m so glad I took the time to read The Lost Lieutenant!
Vetsch has done a great job in her research, not only into the Regency period but also the feelings and emotions of the people who lived them.
Diana Seaton has a cruel father. He obviously never wanted a daughter, and never lost an opportunity in digs, slights and other ways of letting Diana know his feelings. I could really empathize with Diana. Even though my father wasn’t quite as cruel as Diana’s, my father was sometimes cruel. He, too, wanted a boy and was extremely disappointed when his first child, me, was a girl (hence my name!).
Evan Eldridge was a war hero, much to his dismay. The Prince Regent promoted him to the ranks of nobility, leaving Evan upset and disgruntled. I could also understand Evan’s feelings. I would rather be a regular everyday person than one in a position of “privilege”.
Vetsch pulls you into the roller coaster named The Lost Lieutenant and does not let go until the end of the story. She paints vivid word pictures, putting you right in the scene. Her characters run the gamut from kind, charismatic and loving to cruel, hedonistic and evil, which creates a thoroughly captivating novel.
I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to write a review.
I loved this story! I can’t wait for book two of the series.
This was my first Erica Vetsch book, but it won’t be my last. This book was so good! The storyline was was so original. I read most of this in one day! I was so wrapped up in this book that I didn’t want it to end! Now I am left sitting here trying to wait patiently for the next book. I highly recommend this book for Regency fans!
In The Lost Lieutenant, Lieutenant Evan Eldridge is a soldier who unexpectedly saves the life of the Prince Regent’s godson. It earns him a title, an arranged marriage to the Duke of Seaton’s daughter, Diana, and an estate in disrepair – on top of his war injuries. While his body recovers, he still suffers from memory loss and flashbacks.
Diana’s abusive father tries to broker an arranged marriage that benefits his finances, but the Prince Regent makes other plans for Diana. When Evan realizes her father is abusive, he moves ahead with the marriage quickly. Will they be able to leave their pasts behind and embrace a future together?
Diana is caught between an abusive father and a stranger for her husband. She enters the marriage cautiously but wanting to make it a true marriage. Evan remains humble about his heroic actions, never clearly remembering exactly what he did to earn it, although his flashbacks give him glimpses. Will he recover his memories?
Vetsch pens an engaging novel filled with realistic characters, faith elements that are overpowering, historical narrative, and unexpected twists. Both Evan and Diana are on a faith journey as they learn to trust one another and accept God’s healing. The Lost Lieutenant is a clean historical romance, with some suspense thrown in. Readers will be eager for ther remaining novels, The Gentleman Spy, coming in July 2020, followed by The Indebted Earl in January 2021.
Disclaimer: Book reviews are written for books I either purchased or received free of cost from the publishers, publicists, or authors. The author gifted me with a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review on it.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Erica Vetsch, and I am wondering what took me so long! The title of the series just grabs you and this cover just makes you swoon.
Marriage of convenience tropes are popular in the Regency genre types, but Ms. Vetsch breathes new life into the familiar trope with this book. Her characters are vibrant, unpredictable, and very likable. She created a very meddlesome Prince Regent that added loads of drama to the story.
Ms. Vetsch sets her book amid the Napoleonic Wars which is a new historic time period for this reader. I walked away learning something which is why historical romance is such a favorite genre of mine.
As a new reader to Erica Vetsch I am a fan and looking forward to more books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was excellent! Great characters and great story!
I listened to this wonderful novel on audiobook. Erica Vetsch has penned a wonderful Regency story that I truly enjoyed and highly recommend!
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last!
It was well written and not the usual fluff that most regency books offer.
I loved how she portrayed the men who came back from the war altered. They all had scars and struggles whether physical or mental. Both main characters were so likable and down to earth.
The plot was well thought out and unique. I loved how “Prinny” played a huge role in this book and for once I didn’t totally hate him.
I was able to listen to the audio of this book and it was amazing. The narrator did a great job and it was an enjoyable book to listen to.
The author is adept at suspense…this was a page-turner! Sweet romance, yes, but this story was filled with more history than I expected. Enjoyed this peek into the time period. Just after turning the last page, I ordered the next book – “The Gentleman Spy.” Thank you, Erica Vetsch.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Serendipity and Secrets series by Erica Vetsch. Evan Eldridge finds himself thrust into peerage after he saves the life of the Prince Regent’s godson in a battle. He is s a noble man, defending those who cannot do this themselves, including the beautiful Diana Seaton, to whom he finds himself unexpectedly wed. Evan also is strong as he must battle the nightmares of the war and overcome his fears and trust Diana.
The plot of a spy and the memory loss that Evan has in helping to uncover what he learned prior to amnesia makes this an intriguing tale. The suspense that occurs when Prinny is visiting Evan and Diana’s estate was well done and suspenseful as the spy is discovered at the manor and a chase ensues. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the other two stories that are a part of the series.
What explosive characters! The secrets carry the unique characters through difficult passages to hopefully a reputable place. 1813 British society is rarely forgiving. I didn’t want to put it down. I’m so glad there is a Book two!
4 1/2 stars. This is my first book by Erica Vetsch but it won’t be my last. A very enjoyable story with great characters, both good and bad. Books from the Regency period are often reminders of how different life was then for women – as well as the shallowness of many aspects of the nobility- and this is no exception. However Evan is a gem of a hero and we gradually see how God orchestrated the lives of Diana and Evan to bless them as well as baby Cian.
I very much enjoyed Marcus as a supporting character in this story as well and look forward to getting to know him, and the mystery surrounding him, better in the next book of the series.
(4.5 / 5)
As Evan Eldridge recovers from an injury sustained in the war against Napoleon, he wants nothing more than to get back to the fighting. Instead, the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) makes him an earl, due to Evan saving the life of the prince’s godson in the same event where Evan was injured, not that Evan can remember much of anything about that day. The Prince Regent then insists that Evan marry his goddaughter Diana, whose father is looking forward to marrying her off to someone of his choosing, for his own gain. Diana and Evan both bring secrets into this marriage, and real lives are at stake.
This book hit so many right buttons with me. The characters are well-crafted, historical details are immersive, and the stakes are high in so many ways. I really liked the story that unfolded regarding Evan’s trauma and forgotten memory–his PTSD was real, and the mystery and intrigue culminated in an exciting climax.
Evan and Diana were both characters that I really connected with in some way, and together, they had a beautiful romance that was one of my favorite kinds in fiction. I wouldn’t classify it as actual “marriage of convenience,” but it’s similar, and I love that trope, especially in Christian fiction. Diana has some trauma of her own, in the form of an abusive father and brother. Together, they have a lot to overcome as husband and wife. I loved several of the supporting characters in this book as well and am especially excited to read the second book in this series, which focuses on one of those side characters.
There was one thing that happened, which I won’t explain in detail, that I felt was more of an obvious contrivance–something to keep the couple from being too happy too soon in the book. It bothered me, especially, when there was a clear opportunity for this thing to be addressed later, but it wasn’t, and I think that was a further contrivance for the plot. I only wish the author had chosen something less important, something the climax wouldn’t have hinged upon, if she wanted to throw a new wedge between the married couple.
One other thing, and this isn’t a fault with the book, is that the synopsis, in my opinion, gives away too much. I won’t say more, though, because it might be subtle enough if I don’t point out details. Small gripes aside, I loved this book and definitely recommend it to fans of Christian romance, historical or otherwise, and fans of Regency romance.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch is the first book in her Serendipity and Secrets series. Because he saved the Prince Regent’s godson, Evan Eldridge is given a noble title. Now he has a title he never wanted, and a manor house that is in ruins. If only he could remember what happened that day. With a sense of urgency, he doesn’t understand, he works to recall the details. This a very suspenseful regency romance. I loved every page of it! I can’t wait to read more.
I received this book from I Read with Audra for my honest review.
What beautiful storytelling and vivid characters! Loved every page and will read more by this author!
4.5 stars
“No French soldier, no cannon fire, no smoke or broken, bleeding bodies. He wasn’t on the battlefield . . . He wasn’t fighting for his life. He was in the hospital. Still.”
Evan Eldridge is suffering from terrible wartime flashbacks, insufferable nightmares and has no recollection of the battle that could have easily ended his life, rather than his career; making him wonder if some will deem him insane. Instead, to his complete astonishment, Evan is recognized by the Prince Regent as a hero, being awarded a title, property and a lovely, young bride. . . . . who is bringing secrets of her own into their union.
“What would it be like to live in a peaceful, happy home, where people were kind and treated one another with respect? Did such a household even exist?”
Diana Seaton has been viewed as a valuable commodity by her father for quite some time, but on the eve of being “sold to the highest bidder”, she is suddenly paired with the newly titled Earl of Whitelock. The new earl seems like a kind man, but Diana’s only experiences with men have not been pleasant ones, and yet as she is being whisked away to a new life, Diana makes a rash decision; the consequences of which have the potential to dramatically change the course of her new family’s future. What has she done?
Allow the magnificence of this story to settle in, for readers will not only develop an instantaneous bond with Evan and Diana as they carefully navigate the dangerous relationship thrust upon them,
but they will also appreciate the carefully crafted surrounding cast, several of whom do not have the newlywed’s best interests in mind. Conversation by conversation, hurdle by hurdle, one misunderstanding at a time; two solitary hearts cautiously tiptoe toward a union of hearts, and it’s a beautiful thing to behold.